The overpowering smell of stale clothes and body odour woke her. Sunlight streamed through the window and she shot up, looking at her wrist.

Damn, no watch. She'd gotten tired of changing it every time she switched a time zone and had thrown it into a bin in Abu Dhabi. The thought, 'Dad can just buy me a new one' filtered through her mind and she shoved it away, locking it in a mental cupboard labeled, 'things I will never think or say again'. When she got home she was never going to rely on her father or Paige again. He might have been paying for this institutionalization but it was for all the wrong reasons.

Reaching across the bed, she grabbed her handbag and pulled out her phone, switching it on and hoping it would change timezones automatically. Sure enough the front screen lit up with the time at home and the time here – 0745am. Her data was still turned on and a moment later her phone buzzed as two messages came through, her phone having switched to international roaming. Both were from the same person and instantly had her hackles raised; Paige.

The content of both were hidden from view and her finger hovered over the button to unlock her screen and see what her sister had sent her. She probably just wanted to know if she'd run into any rich lords or even a Prince. Don't look, she told herself. Don't let her get to you. Tears of anger filled her vision, rolling down the sides of her face and she turned the phone off, shoving it underneath the pillow.

Glancing over, she saw the outline of Emily's body curled into a ball beneath a mass of blue and purple blankets. She still wasn't sold on this roommate thing, but she knew better than to push her luck. If she was going to be stuck with these people for heaven knows how long, she was going to have to suck it up and get used to it.

The lid of her box had closed during her sleep and she opened it quietly, to make sure her heart was still there.  It lay peacefully, twinkling in the morning light and she allowed herself one brief touch, her fingers brushing the smooth surface lightly, her body tingling with life before she closed the lid. Slipping out of bed, her bare feet turned to ice on the floorboards and she quickly moved to her suitcase, ripping the zips open. She heard movement from across the room and tried to shift the contents of her suitcase quietly so she didn't wake Emily. It proved to be difficult as she pulled out shirts, pants, four different pairs of shoes and –she rolled her eyes at this impromptu decision to bring it along – a hair straightener.

She finally found the jumper she was looking for, a large ratty cream coloured woolen jumper with loose strands along its bottom. It looked as though it would fall apart with a single touch, but Ariel knew better. Ariel could barely remember when her mother had died, but her Grandfather always said that in the weeks after, Ariel had latched onto the woolen jumper, which had been one of her mother's favourites. It had smelled of French vanilla and lilac, her mother's perfume, and she had slept with it for months. The scent had long faded, though Ariel would sometimes think she could smell a hint of vanilla in a sleeve's strand. She grabbed a thick pair of socks, blue harem pants and three singlets. Layers would be important if she didn't want to freeze to death. Juggling all of it, she dropped her toiletry bag and let out a curse. Glancing at Emily, she didn't seem to have woken and she quickly bent down to grab it, sitting it on top of her locked box and made her way to the bathroom.

The house was eerily silent and she unconsciously started tiptoeing across the cool floor. Fortunately the bathroom was right next door and the room was free when she tried the door. Dumping everything on the floor apart from her heart, she locked the door behind her and started running the shower. The air soon misted as she tried to figure out a safe place to put the box while she showered. The bench was the obvious choice, but she fearfully thought it might slip off. She could just leave it on the floor but what if there were mice and they were like those Cinderella vermin who thought they were 'helping'?

Okay, that's going a bit too far, she thought. She was definitely turning into a crazy person if she thought Disney mice were going to come and steal her heart. Still, she wrapped it in her clothes and left them in the corner where she could see them at all times.

The hot water was like heaven when she stepped underneath the nozzle and closed her eyes, some of the tension in her muscles easing. She scrubbed mercilessly at her skin and hair, washing it twice before she was satisfied the smell of sweat and stale airplane food was finally eradicated from her pores. The air was horribly cooler when she stepped dried quickly, throwing her clothes on in a mad rush to keep warm. Grabbing everything, she went back to her room.

Emily's bed was empty. Throwing her dirty clothes on her bed, she glanced back at Emily's side of the room. There was a life to it that left her feeling strangely numb. Stepping closer, she brushed the seashell chimes, their clinking making a pretty sound. She had clearly been here some time for her room to be so decorated. Tears stung her eyes. Would she eventually grow this comfortable? Waiting for some miracle cure that may or may not occur?

A loud rumble interrupted her thoughts and she stepped back, touching her stomach. The last meal she had eaten was on the plane, if you could call it a meal. Trying to calculate in her head, she realized it was over twenty hours ago. She reached for her phone and stopped. A small green light flashed, reminding her of Paige's messages. Hurriedly, she shoved the phone back underneath her pillow and grabbed a pair of boots, shoving them on angrily. She didn't need her phone here. She didn't need to know what her sister wanted to tell her. All she needed was the Doctor to find some cure and then she could move on with her life.

She left the room, taking her heart with her and closed the door securely. Sounds were beginning to echo from downstairs and the faint pitter patter of footsteps sounded from above. She looked up, listening to the sound as she made her way downstairs. The Doctor had mentioned that he lived on the upper floor and she wondered what his family was like. How did they handle living with a bunch of freaks, especially the ones with anger issues? Surely his wife couldn't feel comfortable with it.

She made her way into the kitchen. Autumn stood behind the island, buttering a piece of toast. No one else was in sight. Ariel considered a hasty escape but her boots scuffed on the floor, giving her away.

"Good morning," Autumn smiled. "Would you like some toast?"

Ariel raised an eyebrow. Either this girl had forgotten about the night before or she was playing her. In her experience, the latter was more likely than any. "Morning."

She moved around the opposite side of the island, placing the box directly in front of her. Autumn's eyes flickered down to it before moving away. "I know at this point anything I say will be meaningless, but I promise you I won't try to steal whatever that is."

She reached across the island, grabbing a banana from the bowl in the center and placed her free hand on the box. "You're right. It means nothing." She peeled the fruit, a flash of guilt for her behavior the night before making her add, "but thanks for the sentiment."

It came out harsher than she had intended but Autumn didn't seem to mind. "You're welcome – and don't worry about last night. I know it can't have been easy on you. This is all still new to you. You need time to adapt."

"I don't want time to adapt," she muttered, taking a bite of banana. "This little introductory speech feels rehearsed. This isn't the first time you've had to calm the new freak arrivals. Just how long have you been here?"

Autumn's demeanor dimmed slightly at the 'f' word and Ariel felt a little victory that she had gotten to her. It was reassuring for some reason to know she could be upset by something. Autumn broke off a small piece of crust and popped it into her mouth. "I've been here long enough."

"How long is enough?" Ariel leaned forward. "If you've been here for months and the Doc still hasn't found a cure, then that doesn't give me much confidence in the man."

"Unfortunately not everyone gets the cure they came looking for." A resignation dimmed her eyes. Ariel looked at her skin, the leaves curling, wilting and peeling and a lump formed in her throat.

"Oh. That sucks."

Autumn smiled weakly and Ariel looked back awkwardly. She felt a sliver of pity for the girl, but she did her best to keep it hidden. Pity was the worst and she guessed Autumn had probably been on the receiving end of it for some time now. She wasn't about to be another one of those people. She took another bite of banana and nearly choked when the lizard man from the library stepped through the door.

"Good morning!" He beamed, his lipless mouth curving into a creepy smile. Ariel slowly moved around the island, murmuring hello until she was next to Autumn.

Autumn smiled knowingly at Ariel's behavior and turned to the new arrival. "Good morning, Samson. Would you like some toast?"

The urge to ask if a snake could eat toast rested on her tongue but Ariel bit it hard. Samson just continued smiling, sending goose bumps along her skin. "That would be delightful, thank you!" Autumn put some bread in the toaster while Ariel tried not to stare. Samson looked at her for a moment. "I don't believe we've met, young lady."

He bent low, sweeping his arm in a dramatic gesture as he rose from the bow. "The name is Samson De La Cruz. A pleasure."

His hand remained stretched out across the island and Ariel wasn't sure if she was meant to kiss it or shake it. Preferring the latter, she reached out and gingerly took his fingers, the scaly sensation giving her the willies. Her mouth opened, a retort on her lips but Autumn's stern gaze made her say, "Ariel Winters. Uh, the pleasure is all mine?"

 Autumn smiled approvingly and Samson leaned across the counter, his mouth brushing her knuckles and she jumped, snatching her hand away. They had been surprisingly soft, but the gesture itself had shocked her. Autumn's smile faded. Samson on the other hand was undeterred.

"My apologies! I come from a different era and I sometimes forget that young ladies of this generation aren't used to such gentlemanly manners. It's a shame really, but alas there is nothing I can do to turn back the clock."

"What do you mean a different era?" Ariel asked. "Like the 30s or something?"

He smiled mischievously, tapping the area where his nose should have been. "Something like that, Miss Ariel." The toaster popped and he placed the book that had been tucked under his arm on the bench while he spread butter and jam.

Ariel caught sight of the dust jacket. "Harry Potter?"

"Oh yes!" Samson licked some jam off his fingers, his thin forked tongue flicking through the air. "The good Doctor's son, Benjamin recommended them to me and I haven't been able to put them down. What an astounding imagination this author possesses. Have you read them?"

"Not for a few years."

"Oh well, no spoilers then! I believe that is what you young people say." He gave a hearty laugh and Ariel couldn't help but grin at his behavior. Grabbing his breakfast and book, he bowed his head and bid them a good day before leaving the room.

Ariel laughed unable to think of any other way to react to him. "Is he for real?"

"Quite real." Autumn grinned, drinking a cup of tea. "He says some...quirky things but he is a true gentleman."

Autumn's accent broke through again, and Ariel asked, "Where are you from? I can't place your accent."

"Sweden. I still struggle to wrap my mouth around some words, but I have improved."

Ariel grinned at her mistake but didn't correct her. The clock in the hallway chimed and Ariel glanced at the one in the kitchen. Nine. Her smile faded.

Autumn glanced at the clock and Ariel's expression. "Don't be afraid of the Doctor. He's very good at what he does. Make sure you tell him everything. Even if you think it doesn't matter."

"What, are you his campaigner or something?" Ariel snapped. Her eyes closed immediately and she pulled her box closer. "Sorry –"

"It's okay," Autumn said gently. "I know you won't believe me, but it will get easier, I promise."

"Right," she muttered. Grabbing her heart, she started walking towards the Doctor's office but something made her stop at the kitchen door. She looked out the window. "W-what if it doesn't get better? What if I'm like you and...I don't get a cure?"

Autumn stood still, trying to appear confident, but Ariel could see the edges of her façade beginning to fray. "If you are like me," she whispered, "then we will deal with it when that time comes. For now, you have to believe you will get better. Believe and pray that the creature that cursed you wasn't as vindictive as mine."

Her eyes stung and she rushed from the kitchen, not wanting to break down in front of some stranger. She nearly bumped into Zeke as she walked around the small corner to the Doc's office and she quickly looked away, hope her eyes were betraying her as some wimp. He quickly averted his gaze as well, murmuring, 'morning' before he stepped passed her. She glanced up as he passed and noticed a few scratches near his nose, the dried blood crusting in the corner of his nostril and she looked away, disgusted. The man had no concept of personal hygiene.

"He's pretty weird, right?"

Ariel jumped. A small girl sat in one of the chairs outside the office door. Masses of ebony curls were tied behind her ear and she swung her legs, the heels of her shoes scuffing the floor. She motioned to the direction Zeke had left. "Zeke. I personally don't think he's all there but the others swear he's really nice and smart."

Ariel took the seat next to her, keeping silent. Her mind was still on Autumn's last words and she didn't have the energy to even pretend to care what this girl was talking about.

"So you're new here, huh?" The girl kept talking. "I'm pretty new myself, only arrived two weeks ago. You wouldn't believe it looking at me right? Of course I just keep telling myself that I don't have it that bad. I've already made friends with everyone. They are all pretty awesome and so understanding. I mean it's amazing how they all manage their curses, of course the Doc has a part to play in that, but we all help each other too. I mean the other day I was talking to Michael about his anger issues and I was able to help him think of a way to deal with it. I might even have a future in cursed psychotherapy or whatever it is the Doc specializes in." 

Ariel's patience was beginning to wear thin as the girl kept talking about everything she had done for all the other patients here. For a girl who had only been here two weeks it sounded as though she'd already cured most of them singlehandedly.

"So," the girl leaned the chair back, resting the backrest against the wall. Ariel closed her eyes, willing herself not to kick the chair out from underneath her. "What's your name?"

"Ariel."

"Oh that's a pretty cool name. You'll get along with Emily for sure."

"Great." She said shortly, her foot twitching as she wondered why a name would determine if she made friends with someone.

Before the girl could launch into another painful spiel, the door opened and she shot up as Lucas walked through. The door closed with a loud bang and Ariel froze, mid rise and quickly sat back down. Lucas saw her sitting next to the strange girl and glared.

"Hey Kestral." His deep voice was directed at the girl next to her who grinned and linked her arm through his.

"Hey Lucas." She chirped. "Ready to go for a walk?"

He nodded, his eyes moving over the box on Ariel's lap. Unconsciously she covered it with her arms. She glared at him, daring him to say something or make a move for it. She didn't know much self-defense but she could bite and scratch with the best of them. She glanced at his teeth and claws, her confidence fading somewhat. A random thought of apologizing for threatening to turn him into a rug flittered through her mind but she squashed it down. No way would she apologise to that jerk. Not until he apologized first.

Kestral looked between them, sensing the hostility and slowly sidled closer to Lucas, her expression dropping a few degrees. Ariel rolled her eyes as they walked past. Those were two people she would definitely not be hanging out with.  One was a jerk and the other was a suck up; the two worst kind of people. She would rather hang out with snake man any day over those two.

The door opened and Dr. Grimm poked his head through. "Morning, Ariel, he smiled gently. Shall we begin?"

She looked down at the box, her body tensing. Taking a deep breath, she stood and the Doctor opened the door wider, allowing her in before closing it behind her.

Hi guys, so if some of you have read Haven you know that I'm having a little trouble with it being posted elsewhere at the moment, so it may take up my time trying to get it sorted. Basically if I don't get a chance to write the next chapter this week, this is why :-(

Also I am trying to use my FB page more and will try to post little teasers and such each week. The link is in my profile if you are interested :-)