Flashes of the night my mother was killed enter my head. I was only five at the time, I had come down in the middle of night for a glass of water only to hear my mother gasping for air. I rushed to her side as she lay bloodied and battered on the floor. The blood leaked out of her as if a jar of liquid had tipped over and spilled out. I can still hear my little raspy voice crying for her to wake up. I don't remember how I knew, but even with it's quiet steps I still could hear it.

I've always had a fear of shadows, and on that particular night there was one shadow that stood out from all the rest. In my bones I could feel someone watching me, and when I'd lifted my head there it was on the wall. It lingered for a few moments, and I swore up and down that it looked human, only it had wings. I can still feel the way my heart pounded in my chest that day as the monster spread it's dark beastly wings out. One minute it was there the next I heard glass breaking as it escaped through the sliding glass doors of our tenth floor apartment.

"Seraphine," the creature hisses bringing me back to the present.

On the other side of the door I can finally hear Rowan. He's pounding hard on the door yelling out my name. The door knob jiggles with every punch and kick on it. The thing stands and stares at me for a second, before holding its attention at the door where Rowan is. He's really aggressive and I'm sure it's going to come right off its hinges. The shadowy creature moves towards me. I should be panicked, instead I feel the urge to fight back.

My whole body straightens as I stand tall like I'm about to attack. My back arches as pain shoots through my fingertips, the talons reappear. Fire rips through my entire body and my mouth heats up. I feel like if I open my mouth I'll shoot flames it's so hot. I scream, only it's not human-like. It sounds like the vision, a high pitched squeal like I'm a monster roaring at my enemy. I'm about to open my mouth to let another one out when the door behind me bursts open and the world goes black.

I wake on the couch unsure how many hours have passed. When my eyes flutter open I'm surrounded by Hailey and Joe standing over the back of the couch staring down at me. Hailey suppresses a scream, tears streaming down her face. Muffled voices and the sounds of a police scanner surround me. I take a deep breath and moan. Joe walks around the couch and kneels down beside it. He runs his warm thick fingers through my hair.

"Hey Phi," he says.

I stare up at him then turn my attention back to Hailey. She takes one look and runs in another direction. I can hear her voice very faintly over all the chatter.

"God I feel like I'm hung over again," I moan.

Joe laughs, "You took quite a spill, the paramedics are on their way," he tells me.

"Paramedics?"

"Relax baby girl, it's standard procedure."

"For what?" I moan rolling my neck out of frustration.

"Honey, someone broke in here and the hottie with body said that when he finally got to you, you had fallen on the floor. You got a nice bump," he says, touching the small ice pack that sits on my head. "Psst, by the way," he whispers. "I knew that boy would find you, Hailey didn't believe me though."

I attempt to laugh, but everything hurts so it comes out as a groan and a laugh mixed.

"Don't strain yourself, girl. And have you seen those abs?" he asks, his eyes are focused on Rowan.

He stands over by one of the NYPD officers explaining something to them. The officer nods as he writes in a small notepad.

"Oh my god, you are too much" I moan.

Joe smirks, and I can't help but shake my head and attempt to throw one back at him. Joe, keeping me smiling since twenty-ten. He stays by my side, but I can't seem to stop staring at Rowan. I remember what happened and even though I remember it I know I can't say what I saw. I'll be locked up so fast in a room with padded walls I won't even have time to explain myself. What did Rowan see when he finally broke in through the door? I'm starting to wonder if these strange visions of the demon-like creature is just my body's way of responding to fear and stress. That's what Foster mom number four - the psychologist would have said.

After a thorough check it seems that I'm clear and there's no sign of a concussion. They claim that I passed out when I saw the guy who broke in. That's the story Rowan went with anyway. There's so many things I want to ask him, but I can't. He'd think I'm nuts if I just came out and asked if he had visions during our kiss. I'm almost certifiable.

It's a long few hours between the cops and the EMTs checking me out, and asking me questions. I'm so tired that when they finally leave I don't have it in me to talk anymore. I don't mean to be rude or act mopy, but my body and brain need a rest. Although, I'm not so sure I can rest. I slip into my room while Joe and Rowan are busy discussing comic books and change into something more comfortable. Not even fifteen minutes later there's a soft knock at my door. I sit up and cover myself.

"Come in," I say, my throat is a bit scratchy so I clear my throat and speak again, "Come in."

I'm honestly expecting Joe or Hailey to peak their heads through the door, only it's not - it's Rowan.

"Hey," he says.

He's awkwardly standing by the door, unsure if he should be brave and step into the room. Between Saturday's mess and today's - I don't even know how to describe it, I'm sure I'll never see him again.

"I've got to get going, but I wanted to check on you first."

The small kind smile on his face warms my heart with a joy I've never felt. I sit up a bit more, still trying to cover the ridiculous unicorn on my shirt.

"I'm okay, thank you for today," I tell him. "For walking me home and everything with the break in."

"You're welcome Seraphine. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?"

He's still standing by the door. His eyes flicker from me to the floor, and then around the room. There's a lot he can do for me, like answering all of the thousands of questions swirling around in my head - only I don't tell him that. I shake my head.

"Okay, so I guess I'll see you around," he says.

"Yeah, see you around."

Rowan hesitates for a moment. I touch my bottom lip, remembering the way his lips felt the other night before the visions ruined everything. I try not to focus on him leaving, it's bothering me more than it should. My stomach drops at the sound of the door clicking shut.

I let out a heavy breath and shut my eyes. Not even a second later the door swings open, this time I really do expect to see Joe or Hailey. Only, it's not and before I can fully comprehend what's happening his lips press against mine. I wait for the visions to ruin the moment - when they don't I dive right into him.

I grab a fist full of his dark t-shirt that sits under his black leather jacket. I can feel his smile under my lips as I tug him down towards me. My lips join his in a smile, not only because this feels good, but because I've not had a single vision. Rowan pulls away and rests his forehead against mine. He lets out a shaky breath and sits on the edge of my bed.

"I'm sorry if I was too forward," he lets out a light chuckle.

I shake my head, "Not too forward at all."

"Good. I - uh really should go now," he says. "Can I get your number? I'd like to maybe go on a real date," he says.

"Oh yes of course let me get my phone."

As I dig my hand into my purse, I feel it rub against a hard covered book, which causes my fingers to vibrate. No, not again, I plead. Only this time nothing happens. I open the bag a little wider to see what's inside. It's a book from the shop. The leather binding is tattered and the book itself holds a musty smell. I'm not sure how it got in there, but something within me says it's the book Silas was looking for.

I finally find my phone buried under the other clutter in my bag. Rowan and I exchange numbers, and share another kiss, before he walks out of the room with hop in his step.

Ten minutes later I'm bombarded by Joe and Hailey. With the break in and everything going on Joe offered to spend the night to keep us company. We all end up sleeping in my Queen sized bed, Hailey on my right and Joe on my left. The two are out well before midnight, but not me. I'm too busy thinking about that book. I can feel it calling to me, but I'm afraid to move and wake them. I spend most of the night awake staring at my bag. Halfway through the night I start getting tired, and just before I close my eyes I swear I see my bag move like whatever is inside of it is alive and breathing. I chalk it up to my lack of sleep and fall deep into the dark abyss of my dreams.