Two weeks just flew by. Though no one admitted it, we were all getting a little restless. All of us. Even Kyle. You could smell the tension in the air. We knew they'd be back for a fresh batch some time next week. There was minimum conversation, short replies and everyone just minded their own business.

Kyle didn't come up with witty replies anymore. He would just be starring into space most of the time. Henri would occasionally read a book to pass time. It looks like that's what everyone was doing. Trying to pass time. Until the time came.

Alex wasn't home much but he'd still be back by six. Only because he had no choice.

Tonya cleans. Like all the time.

She would make sure there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere.

It wasn't home anymore. Everyone and everything became gloomy. I tried bringing in more flowers just to brighten up the environment. It worked. A little.

They could only do so much. Isn't it supposed to be the people that makes a house a home? I bore with it for a few days.

But it was dragging for more than a week. Now with everyone looking so depressed, it was slowly getting to me and I couldn't have that.

So, me being me, I tried, I mean really tried to lighten up the mood. I tried making jokes just about anything, which didn't work.

So, I tried making smart jokes, stupid jokes, sophisticated jokes, adult jokes, kids joke and what not.

I wasn't even replied with a smile. Not even a tight smile. Nope.

Though it was frustrating, I still had to do something. So I attempted a different approach. During meal times I would talk about pleasant memories or share funny stories about when me and Alex were younger, like how he was once kissed on the lips by a girl who had a crush on him when he was 12.

He slapped her face after that and ran away.

An incident forever imprinted in my memories.

I looked up and was rewarded by the same expressions I've been receiving for the past week. Tonya would smile. Out of respect.

After that I just ate my meals quietly. What's the point?

I felt defeated. My mood worsened. Couldn't we just pretend to be happy?

This went on for three more days. On the third day I couldn't take it anymore. To hell with them. It was around 9.00 in the morning and we were all seated to have breakfast. The gloomy mood started to get to me. I don't know when but somewhere in the middle, I just exploded.

The silence became unbearable. I never realized for how long I've been bottling up my emotions.

"Stop this! All of you! Enough!" I banged my fists on the table. "I know we're all scared to death! I know the chances of the guards missing our house this time!! I know half of us could be taken and we might never see each other again and I damn well know the chances of us dying is almost definite if we're taken." I stood up while the wooden chair noisily scrapped the floor. "But that day is not today you guys! Today we're breathing. Today we have a decent meal, a shelter. Today we are all alive and well. Today we're at home. Today we have each other. So act like it's today!! Not tomorrow, not next week. Sometimes we have to make the most of what we have, and right now we have each other, a few more days before the next round of collection and one life. We can either make full use of those now or you can go continue SULKING!!" I yelled at the top of my voice. I didn't care anymore.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment to calm myself. It didn't work. I was panting by the time I finished my rant.

There was silence again. I looked up at the others. They were starring at me. Wide eyed, with their jaws hanging. Only then I realized how mad I would have looked at that moment.

I've never burst out like at all my life. Ever. I've never felt like what I was feeling now. Anger, anxiety, frustration. All mixed together.

It was so foreign to me to feel that way. I brought my hand up to my chest to calm my ragging heart beat. With my other hand I held on to the chair for support and looked at them. One by one.

"I...I'm so...sorry for yelling," I whispered before running out the front door. On my way out,

I heard Tonya tell Alex to let me be.

I ran and ran in a particular direction. There was only one place I could go to calm myself.

I stopped running and fell to my knees once I reached the stream. That's when the tears fell. I hated the way I yelled but somehow I thought it was necessary.

After my tears dried up. I felt lighter. Like I had just unloaded a heavy weight off my shoulders. I sat crossed legged on the grass while making a crown out of wildflowers.

After adjusting every turn and knot, it turned out to be pretty.....just like the very first time I made it. You know, it's like I was taught how to do it before I even tried.

I always wondered who had taught me to do it. Why? because I did it in a complicated way, with a lot of detail. It even had a peculiar design to it. It was like a perfect piece of art.

I know I couldn't have just taught myself how to do it or simply posses this talent or knowledge.

That being said, I would really like to believe that it was my mother or father who had taught me. Whoever they were.

If by any slim chance that they were still alive, do they know I am as well? Every time I try to remember anything before Alex my head would hurt. Badly. Like having a migraine. So I'd give up. I guess some things are better left forgotten huh?

At that moment, a gentle breeze caressed my face. Almost like nature was wiping all my worries away and telling me that all would be well. Almost.

I still had to go back. I still had to face them. Aaaaaand I had to go now. Immediately.

Like now! I didn't realize how much time had passed. Alex is going to kill me! That is if a guard doesn't do it first. With that thought I ran home.

I didn't even fully walk through the front door when Alex started yelling. "What the hell Eve?! You know what time it is?!!"

"Around 6.15....ish?" I smiled sheepishly and gave him an innocent look. However, when I looked him in the eye, my heart felt heavy again. He looked so stressed. Eyes red, veins popping out on his forehead and he looked tired as well. Okay, not good. I felt a little guilty. Just a little. "Look, I'm sorry. I needed to be alone but that's no excuse for staying out this late. I'm really sorry Alex. I know I made you worry." I said softly. Before I could do anything I was crushed into a hug. "It's alright. I knew where you'd be. One of the reasons why I didn't come get you. And I'm sorry for not being there for you this past week. If there's anyone who should be sorry it's me," he spoke with so much love and care that I started tearing.

"And us. All of us." Henri said "What you said this morning. You were right. We should make full use of what we have now and we've always known what would become of us anyway so yeah......so can we um....lets hug?"

That brought a huge smile on my face. I ran to Henri giving her a tight hug. Followed by Tonya.

"Eerrgghh okay!! Enough. I like the angry Eve better!" Of course Kyle had something to say. Now.

"What? No hug?" I said walking towards him. He immediately backed up. "I know you wanna huuug." I sang.

"What the hell has gotten into you?! Back off Eve!"

"Nope! Hug first Kylie pie!"

"Never. Call. Me. That. Ever." The rest of us burst into laughter. Alex the loudest.

"Then give me a hug. I need to spread love, joy and happiness!" I squealed.

"Oh God save me." he threw his hands up. "You wanna spread all that crap in a vampire kingdom where humans are slaves?! You're killing me!" He threw me an incredulous look while I just remained smiling with both my hands open wide.

And he faltered. He knew he couldn't fight me on this. Oh yes. I won.

"If you would stop all this nonsense then, I swear just one hug. No mo..." I jumped on him and crushed him before he could finish.

"Okay people. We have a special dinner today. I got us fruits! Heavy dinner tonight!" Tonya chirped which made everyone cheer. I guess everything would be fine. We had dinner like always after that. The situation improved drastically. We all had something to talk about. Everyone was happy.

We had a perfect moment.

That night I had a good sleep after a long time. Little did I know that it was going to be the best sleep I was going to have in a long long time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~