Eleven years ago... the kingdom of Enslia...

"Tonight's the grand dinner, so please, enjoy our wonderful meals and refreshments everyone."

I wonder if I can have some too. Father lifts his arms with his golden goblet, the red wine spilling over slightly.

I find mothers gaze, the queen, and smile at her.

"Mother, may I have drink too? Father said everyone could."

A small laugh left her lips, I could see her pearly white teeth. My mother was beautiful... she had long hair as dark as the night sky and her eyes were like mine. She had always complemented them saying we looked so much alike. I love my mother.

People among the royal family looked at me with weird eyes, giggling at my honest question.

"Another time when you're older little rose, this kind of drink Isn't good for you until you're older. Besides your birthday is coming up, I'll give you something nice to drink then?"

Wow! I get something to drink like the rest of the adults!? I can't hold my excitement anymore. Only two days until i turn six, ill be a big girl then. I give my mother an excited grin before helplessly try to cut my meat. I continue to struggle while the adults spoke small chat trying to please my mother and father. Everyone wanted to be on father's good side since he is a king to their people. All supernatural praise him for attending their needs, he was such a good man to everyone.

The vampires and wolves were at war until father set them at ease. He showed them how they could help one another instead of spreading bloodshed and chaos. He even gave a wonderful future for the sea supernaturals.

"All right, I wait till then mother!"

In all the event ended at seven fifteen, well at least that's what the clock said. Which means I should get ready for bed. Everyone had already left, so it was just the normal group of people within the castle. Father and mother had to retire for the night. After showering and brushing my teeth I walk to the king and queen's bedroom. I knock on the wood and the giant frame suddenly opened, revealing mother smiling at me with her arms out.

On instinct I leap into them and we both laugh as mother greedily pulls me closer to her chest. Her rosy smell made me calm and sleepy, just like it always does.

"Goodnight mother."

I lean in and kiss her cheek as she hugs me in a gentle grip. I let out a yawn and walk to where father was, giving him a cheeky kiss as well. I Ioved them so much. I hear father sigh before he lets go. It was time for bed I guess.

As I walk to the door and step out into the darkness I turn to them once more smiling. I thought they would smile too but I was wrong. Ive never seen their faces like that before, so sad and longingly. Before I could ask the door shut tightly startling me as I come face with the darkness surrounding the walls. I was suddenly cold and shivering slightly.

I descend down the paths towards my room, passing all the olden paintings created by father. The dimly lit lights only just touched the bottom edges of the paintings, creating rectangular shadows down the wall, scaring me even more.

I reach to the place I hate the most, the black door. I've always been told to never open the door, like it's dangerous to touch. I know I'm not supposed to but I can't help it ever since I heard the small yet harsh voice from inside. There was someone in there, locked away from all the light. Every night I would come to the door, I don't know why but it's like I have to. I need to see it for as long as I can. In my heart I never want the door to disappear. A moment of silence before i could hear the voice again. It scares me but it also tugs me closer, to reach even further in curiosity.

"I know you're there. You're always there."

I nod but remember that the person inside can't see me. using my voice I communicate once again like I do every other night before I go to bed.

"I hear you celebrated an event, how nice."

Her words always sounded so sad that it always makes me eyes water. Even though I've never met this girl inside I know she's someone important... I can feel it.

"Yeah, there was. It was nice."

The response is a small hum.

"Nice won't last forever, eventually that 'nice' you speak of will perish."

My eyebrows frowned as my voice raised slightly higher.

"You dont know, you're in there. You can't see what happens."

Again more humming.

"You're right, I can't see anything."

A thought popped into my head.

"Are you blind?"

I could hear a small scoff before she spoke with such coldness.

"No you idiot, I'm not blind it's too dark in here to see."

I grab my nightgown from the bottom while squishing my feet to the floor in interest.

"Are there no windows for any moon to shine through?"

Im startled when I could suddenly hear her moving inside, moving closer to the door. Instinctively I take a step back which makes her release a loud sigh.

"Windows, huh? they would be too ashamed to let people see me. I'm a monster in everyone's eyes."

I quickly kick the door shutting her up.

"No, you're no monster ...stop saying that."

"Trust me, I am. Besides you've never seen me to prove your point."

How could someone believe that? If being locked away in darkness means you're a monster, than..

"Who's keeping you in there."

A chilling laugh bounced off the walls. I quickly turn my head to make sure I wasn't being watched. I should be in bed not talking to this person.

"Who knows, who cares?"

Im getting angry with this girl. She shouldn't bring herself down so much.

"Why do you keep talking like that?"

"like what? like I don't give a damn?"

I gasp, she said a bad word. I shouldnt be here. More silence..

"Ive always wanted to know but, how old are you?"

"Ha! Why should I tell you!?"

She didn't have to yell at me..

"I just want to know more about you.."

A bang came from the door, the hinges bouncing against each other in fury.

"You don't want to know me, so get lost! I keep telling you but you come every night."

"Well.. I do.."

"Bullshit! Go away. I don't want to talk to you."

Fine.. have it her way.

I silently walk to the kitchen, hoping not to disturb anyone. By now all the chefs should be gone, along with the maids so I shouldn't get caught. I search through the spice jar filled with yummy things. I have to be careful though if I'm caught with this I'm done for. After picking out the sweet and placing back the jar I return to the black door. I fidget outside, a little nervous with my next action.

"I thought, I told you to go."

"I know you did, but I don't care. I've brought you something though, hopefully you like it."

Beofre she could respond I slide the sweet under the small gap between the door and floor. I could hear her moving towards the enterance, picking up the sweet. I waited for her to say something back but was left with more silience. She likes to annoy me...

"Just.. why."

She must mean about me giving her the sweet. It wasn't easy.

"Well, I had to go to the kitchen and get it. Don't worry there are more, tons even! I thought you might like one."

"I'm not a sweet tooth. I hate sweets."

The way she said 'hate' really did it.

"Well keep it then, I dont want it back, so you have to keep it okay?"

A hum again. Maybe she sings too? Though maybe she hates singing too...she seems to hate a lot of things. Well at least she Isn't rushing to get rid of the sweet. Prehaps she secretly likes them then?

I managed to sit down against the door without her banging on it like she used to do. Could it be that were getting closer? I really hope so.. the only friend I have is Taron. He sometimes plays with me in the garden by the lake. We always picked the white flowers that only grew in the water. I still have mine in a glass jar since he told me that I had to keep it.

"Go to bed if youre tired."

Her voice came out of no where!

"Im not tired! No way!"

"Wow, didnt know that you were such a bad liar."

"N-No im not.. im just being quiet."

"Hm, I'm sure."

I can't win can I? Not against her anyways..

Giving out breath I quietly stand and brush off my night ware.

"Fine, I'll be going now."

"Hm."

"Do you want me to come tomorrow too?"

I felt like my question made her speachless in a way. I couldn't hold in my smile when she said nothing. Waiting long enough, but no success I start to walk away from the door. Ever so quietly i heard her small voice. It sounded happy even.

"Whatever."

Slowly I make it to my bedroom. Closing the door I run to my bed, jumping on it while gigling to myself. I think i made a new friend! She may not like me but its a first for everything right?

I slide into the covers with a huge smile. Today's been really fun.

****************************************************

Today I'm vising the lake with Taron again. It's the usual thing we do. As I run down the corridors and through the glass double doors, the lake comes to view. It's so beautiful to see. There are tons of different coloured flowers that trail alongside the lake. The trees all swaying in the warm breeze, this is what a good day feels like.

Taron and I spent hours talking about everything, mostly about my soon coming birthday. He's going to be my special guest after all. We spent that long that it was already dusk. The pinks and purples blended in together perfectly, creating such amazing colours. The sun was now a bright golden hue, dancing off the water.

I had been asked by some maids that it was dinner time and that I had to go back inside. I've been told we were having the chefs deliecious pie. He makes the best food in the whole castle!

I was interuppted while brushing my teeth. I could hear loud voices from outside. That's strange, there's never no one outside after six. I spit out the remaining toothpaste and wipe my mouth before heading down the castle to where the black door was. Something's not right...I need to be with her...but.. why?

Breathing heavily I run to her, my hair flying past my shoulders. As I run to her I notice I'm not alone. I could feel other people running behind me, fast. Now I'm really scared, what's going on? Why are there people following me, and yet running?

Just as I see the door I stop in my tracks, my breaths all gone. For some reason I see my mother and father also at the door. My mother held a silver key in her shaky hands. My father held a grim expression, giving me cold shivers. In moments the black door that had been shut for so long suddenly opened, revealing the darkness inside.

As the door opens, my eyes fall onto a girl sitting on a wooden bench. Her right leg stood up, her hands within her head resting on her knees. The left leg hung lowly to the floor, as her red eyes held a bored expression. I could feel the blood lust in her, she was strong, powerful too. Her black hair resembled mine, in fact alot of things resembled... almost like I'm staring into a mirror...

Before I could speak, mother saw me and nodded, but not to me. Suddenly I felt a jolt of pain at the back of my neck making me gasp and cough out air. As I fall to the ground, I could see the tears from mother's and father's eyes. Just as I'm about to sleep I heard her voice. This time it wasn't muffled from the black door. It was such a beautiful sound to hear... finally...

"May we meet again Ashlyn..."

Everything fades to black.