The only way to get through with hearts and wrists intact is...

In one of the many massive trees in the hilltop clearing sat a man. He was crouched comfortably on one of the branches, hidden by the leafage and darkness. He had sat silently, unmoving the whole time during the event that happened between Cassie and Aeron and remained after Cassie had departed. Whether either of them were aware of his prescence he didn't know but he decided to stay put and give Aeron some time to recover. During this time he amused himself by watching Cassie as she ran back down the path and into the tiny town. As she walked by the Church several people rushed out to greet her. They clustered around her talking in whispers but Cassie did not talk to any of them. Instead she stood slightly seperate and closed her eyes, shutting out the world around her. After a few minutes the group became restless and cast worried glances at the young girl. The Church door opened again and a man clothed in a black robe stepped out to join them. Immediatly the group hushed themselves and looked expectantly up at this new arrival. He stood in the shadows near to the door, not moving more than a few paces away from the threshold but murmered something towards Cassie. She opened her eyes and said few sullen words to him and then fell back into her silence. He nodded encourigingly, waiting for her to go on. Cassie sighed and made a brief gesture towards the hill. The man asked her something else and she nodded in reply. He took a hesative step back and motioned to the group who remained unmoving. The man in the tree could not see the Churchman's expression but could sense the air of uneasiness and fear. The Churchman bowed to Cassie to let her know that she was free to go and she ran straight into one of the houses slamming the wooden door shut. All was quiet for a moment until one of the group, a woman by the sounds of it, asked a single worded question. Up in the tree the man leant forward slowly and let out a long,low snarl. The sound carried down into the town and everything grew very still and silent. The town's people cast about wild glances and started to speak louder. The man stopped his snarling to listen.

'He is here? Now, in the hill's?'

'Yes,' the Churchman replied.

'Is it time?' One of the men asked and the man in the tree cocked his head to side in confusion.

Time? He thought to himself. Time for what? He did not get an explanation though because the man in black robes hurried down the grand steps of the Church and hushed the speaker. He muttered a couple of fast words and they headed back into the Church. The man remained standing there for a few moments looking about. The last woman into the Church turned around.

'Are you coming, Vicar?' He hastily nodded his head as the man let out another snarl, this time louder. The figure of Aeron below became still and the crying ceased. The Vicar looked straight up into the tree where the man crouched and reached down his collar. He pulled out a crucifix on a chain around his neck and held it up in the tree's direction. Then he rushed back into the Church, never once turning his back on the man.

Below him he heard Aeron call out weakly for him and he slipped down the tree. He landed inaudibly and looked carefully at her as he approached but she was looking around in the darkness for him. She couldn't see him. When he was a short distance away he called out to her.

'I'm here Aeron, stay where you are,' before he reached her, so as not to make her jump when he suddenly appeared by her side. 'I think I should take you to higher ground incase those damned townspeople dare to come out here. Okay?' She nodded her head and reached out to him like a toddler waiting to be picked up by a parent. He picked her up and held her tightly for a few moments before sprinting away into the darkness. Aeron did not know how long he ran for but it was not for a long time. He would just take her a small distance away until they were somewhere safer. He stopped when he found a cliff with a little cave in it a short way up.

'I'm going to have to climb now, Aeron, so you'll have to hold onto me for a little while until we get there, okay? It isn't far, you only need to hold on for a few minutes. I won't drop you, don't worry.' He tilted her head up and looked into her unseeing eyes before he began his climb. 'Is that okay?' He asked. She nodded and he slid her round onto his back. 'You holding on?'

'Yes,' she whispered back and buried her head into the crook of his neck. He began to climb swiftly barely noticing Aeron's weight on his back and they soon arrived at the little cave. It was only a few feet in the air but it was safer than being on the ground. The man slid as far back into the cave as he could go until they were both able to sit comfortably enough in it. There was just enough room in there so that they did not have to dangle their feet over the edge. There was only really enough space for one person in there though so he pulled Aeron's little body onto his lap and cradled her, holding her head against his chest and kissing her head.

'Alex? What does it look like?'

'What does what look like, Aer?'

'The view, what does the view look like?' Alex lifted his head and looked out of the cave.

'Take a look for yourself,' he whispered. Aeron looked up ready to answer back that she couldn't see in the dark like him, but she stopped short. The full moon was out now, shining brightly in the sky. It cast a slightly eerie silver light on the forest below, but you could clearly see trees for miles around standing tall and proud. A white mist hung about the treetops making them look like mountaintops peeking up though the clouds. All was silent except for Aeron's steady heart beat.

'Wow...' She managed to breathe. 'It's beautiful.'

'Yes,' Alex whispered back. 'It is.' Aeron looked up at him from his lap and found that she was able to see him now. He was smiling down at her affectionatly and she blushed when she realized that he was complimenting her. 'I love it when you do that,' he said laughing at her.

'And I love it when you do that.'

'Do what?' He asked her suddenly serious and puzzled. She stuck her toungue out at him and when he laughed she reached out her hand and traced his face.

'That,' she repeated stroking his still smiling face. 'You don't do it much, but I love it when you laugh. When you smile. You get dimples in your cheeks, your eyes crease slightly and they shine.' He looked down at her thoughtful face. 'You are without a doubt the most beautiful man I ever did see.'

'Well, that's because you haven't seen most men.' She pouted at him teasing her. 'Aww, okay, okay. I'm sorry. I'll take your absurd compliment and return you one. You, Aeron, are the most beautiful and most stunning and most amazing woman I ever saw or met. And I am someone who knows what they are talking about.' She smiled softly to herself and rested her head back against his chest.

They sat like this for some time. In silence, admiring the beauty of the forest bathed in moonlight. Aeron just sat in silent thought, occasionally taking deep inhalations of Alex. Just to make sure that he was really there. The only thought that she had was that she wished they could stay like forever. Never having to leave or have contact with the crazy outside world, just sitting there pulled against him, forever.

Alex's mind however was very occupied with thoughts and he almost didn't notice when Aeron's breathing started to slow. He held onto her tighter but did not utter a single word or make any sound. He didn't know if she knew what was going to happen and he didn't want to bring the subject up. He had spent so much time and thought on the matter but had come no closer to finding a solution. And that couldn't do. If he didn't come to a decision soon she would slip away from him. The problem was that he didn't know if that would be the better alternative. The lesser of two evils. Of course he did not want to lose Aeron, he did not think he would even make it without her in his life. He had been attached to her for too long now, in short Aeron was his whole world. Having her gone would be like being suffocated, except that he would never be able to escape the pain by death. He would have to go on living with no air. The only other possibilty was unimaginable though. Alex didn't think that he would be able to bring himself to do something so cruel, so evil, so monstrous. Aeron had lived a life of pain, doing it would only bring so much more. Could he live with being the cause of that? That was only if he managed to control himself. He just didn't know what to do. But now, it was only a matter of time before the inevitable arrived. It was a long time before anything happened again. Aeron began moving slightly in his arms, trying to raise some energy to speak. When she did her voice was croaky and barely audible.

'Alex? Alex, I don't want to die. I don't want to die Alex.' Her eyes welled up and tears began to roll down her face. All Alex could do was hush her and hold her close. He kissed the top of her head. 'I love you Alex. I love you, please you have to do it. You can't let me die. I want to be with you. I can't die...' She trailed off for a moment. 'I'm afraid.'

'I know.' Was all he said. Looking down at her he had never seen her so frightened. Her eyes were so wide, so pale, so lifeless. It broke his heart to see her like this and know that he could stop it, but at a steep price.

'Will you...we never..we haven't ever kissed yet. I need it.' She looked up at him, her big blue eyes shining in the moonlight. He looked down into them and saw everything he had ever dared to dream for. In them he saw them together, he saw marriage, he saw kids. He saw the future that he had wanted for them. But somewhere, just past that lurked an approaching darkness. He gave a slight nod of his head and bent down to meet her soft lips. He kissed her once and then pulled away. He looked down at her beautiful face, but she had already fallen still in his arms. Holding her tightly to his body Alex closed his eyes tightly and did not open them for a long time. When he finally did they were full of tears.

A couple of hours later Alex was far away sitting in a pitch black room. He was completly still and if anyone came across him they would assume him to be a statue. He was just sitting on the floor, his hands where tangled up in his wild hair and his eyes fixated on a body in the middle of the room.

'What have I done?' He spoke to the darkness. His voice betraying his torment, sadness and horrification.

'You did what you thought was the right thing to do.'

Just a quick note; a little something I'm working on. Sorry if it's a bit boring but please let me know how you feel about this. Btw, for future reference the name Aeron will be popping up a lot. Some people struggle with reading this name, I pronounce it; Air-ron, but you can also pronounce it; A-ron. =] Hope you enjoy.

Two girls sat upon a hillside over looking a small, remote town. It was a high up, slightly hidden place perfect if you just wanted a little bit of peace and quiet. A small gravel path led up to it from the side of the houses and most of the surrounding hilltop was covered in trees. The girls sat torwards the edge of the hill close together watching the setting sun dissapear slowly. It filled the sky with beautiful colors of red and orange and cast a strange light upon the town.

The girl on the right looked at peace, the girl on the left looked somewhat uneasy and fidgeted a lot. She didn't like this town. For some reason it felt so strange and wrong to her, and the people were solid believers. As the setting sun progressed down the sky she grew more still and calm, as if the sun in the sky was unnatural and horrible for her but she welcomed the coming darkness. Her companion however did not. This girl was the picture of sunshine and rainbows. She had a slightly round, soft, friendly face which was domaniated by a slightly large mouth with buck teeth, and doeful brown eyes. When she smiled though it was like she was smiling out everything nice and people were immediatly infected by it. When she moved her head her soft, blonde curls fell about her shoulders. In this half light, one could almost mistake her for an angel if they did not know any better.

She had turned her mind away from the sunset and was now studying her friend closely watching as she gradually became more comfortable and relaxed. Her friend looked at her from out the corner of her eye.

'What's up, Cass?' Cassie gave her friend a quick, bright smile and looked away again. After a few seconds her smile wavered and her face fell back into the same confused and puzzled look that she had before. She was trying to figure something out, but it was evading her. She calmed her mind for a moment as the sun finally set, dissapearing off the face of the Earth until morning. Darkness began to set in slowly. Enveloping themselves and cloaking the town below them so that you could hardly make out the tiny wooden houses. Everything was still now. No one was around but them. Beside her, her friend gave a big intake of breath. Inhaling ths cold, sweet air. For Cassie the night always brought with it an uncomfortable feeling and a sense of being in danger. Like it did now. She opened her mouth and worded out a preyer silently. It would do until she got home. When she looked at her friend she was just sitting there with her legs crossed looking out at the night sky which was beginning to get dotted with tiny little stars, and a bright moon was hidden behind wispy nightclouds.

'It's what you like isn't it?' She finally asked tilting her head forward slightly to better see her friend. It was hard to make her out in the failing light but she could see well enough for the moment.

'What do you mean?' Her friend replied. Cassie paused for a moment, trying to piece together what she was going to say.

'The night, the darkness. It doesn't affect you like it does to other people. Most folk fear it. The night brings with it a deep blackness where thing's can conceal themselves from our eyes and attack without us ever knowing that they were there. I like the daytime because it gives me back my vision and shows the world to me. The light is something that is pure and it helps the world to grow. The light is safe.' Cassie paused again, hugging herself slightly. Because she was cold or because she was afraid she didn't know. 'I don't understand why you prefer the night to the day, that's all. You seem more at home with it. Does it not make you afraid, Aeron?' She turned to look at her, and Aeron could see Cassie's big eyes shine with curiosity and fear in the dark.

'There is nothing to fear,' she replied simply.

'The night brings out creatures of the blackness. It gives them power and strength that the sun gives to living creatures. They hunt their prey under the cover of night. There is plenty to fear.'

'You know what I think?' Aeron asked, and Cassie waited for her answer. 'I think that they been feeding you all that religious nonsense again, Cass. It's getting to you, it's making you imagine thing's that arn't there.'

' I have known you for, what is it? 13 years now? When you first came into the town. We took you in, we fixed you up. When everybody else had outcasted you, I was there for you. I became your best friend, and you became like a sister to me.' In all of this Cassie had become a little bit heated, her voice did not have it usual airey feel. Her voice was stronger and sharper now.

' You became my sister too. You know how grateful I am for all you've done for me. I have said it often enough.'

'13 years, Aeron. That is a long time to know somebody.' She stopped and gave Aeron a meaningful look. Aeron was rather taken aback. Surely Cassie was not suggesting something. 'Still, there are thing's I do not claim to understand about you. There are strange thing's about you, thing's that are not normal behaviour. You are a Lost Soul, Aeron. Why will you not let us help you?' Beside her Aeron stood up and stormed a few paces away.

'What idocy this is, Cassie. Lost souls? Is that what they have been teaching you? Then I am glad that they have not helped me. I do not like to talk rubbish.' She trailed off, mumbling about 'lost souls' to herself. Cassie stayed seated watching Aeron pace warily.

'What do you suppose I believe then? I am a town girl and I have been raised in the traditions of the town and the Church. That is what is important to me. What I have been tought is valuable, it has given me purpose and life. Why do you turn away from me, and refuse your sister's helpful hand?'

'Because it it nonsense, Cassie!' Aeron turned on her friend, rage filling her. 'They've put you up to this, haven't they. I am not falling for it. Everything they teach is LIES.'

'Lies?' Cassie cried standing up now to and facing her friend head on. 'They teach us of the truth! Did you know for example, that they teach of names and of the Fallen Angels?' Aeron stopped and turned around. Her friend stood infront of her not looking so angelic like now. She was breathing hard and her hair looked somewhat fierce and wild.

'The fallen angels is just another of the stories that they teach you at your stupid nursery school, Cass. Along with god and the rest of them. Stories, Cass. Not real. Fiction.' She went to turn away but stopped when Cassie began to sneer at her.

'Do not turn your back on me, Lilith.' Aeron whipped around her face frozen.

'Do not use that name. It is not my name!'

'Is it not good enough for you? Hm? Was it too bad a name that you changed your name to Aeron? Warrior wasn't much of a better choice for you. People get lost in the darkness, but I doubt that you have ever been Found. You are taken from the blackness and you run with wild creatures. You don't even know where you came from, you said that yourself. Or do you wish to not remember? Is this is all just part of your scheming evil lies?'

Aeron stood frozen on the spot. she could not believe what she was hearing. Her face screwed up and she stood alone. Her eyes full of tears that trickled down her face.

'They have turned you against me, Cassie. Do you not see that? They have brainwashed you with lies and nonsense to make you turn your back on me. I cannot lose you. You are my sister, I need you.'

'I loved you, Aeron. But I will not betray my people. This world is full of opposites, you know that as well as I do. There is good and evil. Right and wrong. Up and down. I believe in my God and his Angels and his Paradise. That means that there must exist an opposite.' Aeron stepped forward slowly but Cassie flinched away. She was afraid. Afraid of her own best friend. 'I have lost you Aeron. You are going down a path I cannot follow.'

'They have corrupted you, Cassie. They have ruined you!' Was all Aeron could say. She was in immense pain. She was being turned away, outcasted by the last person.

'Corrupted? You would know all about that. I have seen it with my own two eyes, sister. So do not say I lie. You are Lost. He has taken you from your path to life and corrupted you. But you don't see it. I know what you seek to become and I cannot be apart of that. You have chosen your fate. I must say goodbye now.' When Cassie looked up again her cheeks were tear stained and dirty. Her hair was all over the place and she looked distraught. 'I tried. I tried to save you. But you are beyond help. You have fallen into a deep abyss in which you will not escape. When the time comes you will realize that, but some part of me knows that this is what you have seeken all along. This is what you wanted for yourself. I wish it was not so because it breaks my heart to lose you. But I cannot save you. Goodbye, sister. I have always loved you.'

With that Cassie turned her back on Aeron and ran away. Back to her village, back to her Church. Aeron wanted to open her mouth to explain, to cry, to yell out but she couldn't. Her mouth dried up and she felt weak at the knee's. This is what Cassie had left her for. Aeron kneeled on the floor and became invisible in the blackness.