The snow had started falling early in the morning, just as the sun was trying to come up. But the low laying clouds colored everything a bright grey. The flakes coming down were small, so small you couldn't see them really. But there was one thing that Spirit knew about the snow. Small flakes like that meant that the snow wasn't going to be letting up soon.

And sure enough, it had snowed all day. There was nearly a foot on the ground by the time that it stopped, just as the moon was rising over the city scape, giving everything a beautiful glow. It would have been a beautiful sight, had you been home nice and warm.

But when you were out on the streets, with no real place to go but a back ally overhang, it wasn't the best.

A raspy cough echoed slightly against the bricks. Spirit was curled up between two of the other children, a boy about eight years old or so and a girl a little younger than she was, trying to stay warm. Bullet was on watch, a girl about twelve years old or so, the oldest one in their little rag-tag group. She always kept the late watches. Made sure that no one found them. Made sure that everyone else was safe.

But footsteps were sounding, coming from the right.

"Everyone! Wake up!" She hissed, running back to the group of five that was sleeping all curled up together to try and stay warm. "Someone's coming! Sounds like a cop!" She said quickly, shaking the children awake. Piggy-backing the smallest one, the one curled up against spirit, the group got together and darted off. But The cough sounded again.

Spirit was having trouble breathing, coughing continuously now as the footsteps grew into a shadow, drawing closer.

"Spirit! Come on!" The boy called out quietly, falling back to tug her along.

But the coughing wouldn't stop.

"Punchy! Come on! We gotta get out of here! Leave her! She'll make it!" Bullet snapped, and the boy reluctantly rejoined the rest of the group.

She was alone a few moments later, still trying to struggle forwards. She made her way into one of the other side allies, hiding behind a dumpster, trying to keep from coughing. But that didn't work for too long. The cough beat her out, echoing against the metal of the dumpster, down the brick alley.

Rem was standing just inside the safety of her apartment door waiting for the last rays of the sun to fade releasing her for another night of hunting. Tonight she had decided to take the hunt slowly and start by just wondering the streets and to do so she would have to dress warmly, not that she was afraid of the cold it was so she could blend in. the easiest way to stick out is to go around half naked in 20 degree weather. Tonight she wearing a black cashmere turtleneck, dark brown boot cut jeans, a pair of black 2in heel boots along with a trench coat. Her hair is left down and flows like silk thread over her shoulders.

Leaving her apartment she heads towards a different section of town than her norm in search of a mortal worthy enough to be her meal. She smiled a sinisterly as she though of her victim of the night and how it would feel to drain his life away as he had done so many times to other. Rem was unlike other in her choice of food, she only took pleasure in killing those that preyed on other for a living. She though it was a fitting end for the hunter to be come the prey and die with out dignity or second thought.

It did not take long for her to reach her destination. Entering the dimly light alley she forces a slight look of confusion on her face. Walking slowly she plays the role of a lost woman also flawlessly though after an hour of moving through the net work of back streets she finds herself still hungry. As she starts to head toward the next alley she catches voices, though not that of men as she would have thought but of children. children? here? she thinks to herself. With her interest peaked for the moment she decides to take a detour and find them.

When she enters the ally she can no longer hear the voices though as she takes another step the alley is filled with the echo of a harsh cough. Lifting a signal eye brow she glances about the alley with interest trying to find the one coughing. The fast rhythm of a young one's heart fills her ears as she releases her scenes to their fullest in efforts of finding the child. Calling out in a soft soothing tone 'it is alright little one; you do not need to fear me.' as she does she reaches out her mental hand and touches the girls mind and leaves the thought that 'there was nothing to fear'.

OOCl Rem has the power of suggestion it is like command in a scene, she can plant suggestions into a mortals mind and they have the choice of going along or not. Though she can try to pursued them using their reasoning.

Spirit heard the woman coming closer. There was no chance of escape now, and it was obvious that the woman knew she was there. And that she probably wasn't going to leave any time soon.

The woman's voice though... It made her curious... Hesitant still, not brave enough to move from her hiding place, but enough to call out in a weak voice. "What do you want?"

She fought back a cough, stifling it in the sleeve of her tattered sweater. She didn't trust the woman of course, how could she? Every time someone got caught... They didn't come back. Abbie... Who knew where she was. She was the last casualty... Caught by an officer on patrol she'd been taken away kicking and screaming about six months ago...

"You... You aren't a cop are ya?" She muttered, this time the cough escaped, echoing off the metal again.

Rem could not help but smile as the girl answered her in a weak voice. it was not often that she dealt with children, but like most weak mortals the first step in gaining their trust was kindness and patients. Rem did not move closer knowing that by doing so the child may try to run, instead in the same warm soothing tone she calls out 'i just want to talk. do you have a name?'

rem's mental hand could feel the scales moving as the girl seem to weigh what to do before calling out again. the question brings a smirk to her face as she thinks a cop, ha. i am far from being a cop. i am what cops hate most; someone who steps over the line and gets murders off the streets in a not so justice way'. she was not able to keep the amusement out of her voice as she answers 'my dear, do i look like a cop?' the echo of the girls cough brings her melts the amusement away as general concern takes over. calling out in a soothing tone that was tainted with worry she says 'is there no place warm we might go to escape this cold?'

"What does it matter to-" Her words were cut off by another cough. "to you?" She tried to sound tough, even though she was the one hiding behind a dumpster.

She frowned and coughed as the lady asked if she looked like a cop. Well it would be one thing if she could see the lady, but she couldn't. "I dunno, but only cops come 'round here." Well, cops and people who were up to no good. Either way she didn't care for whoever she might be.

Spirit frowned even more as the woman asked if there was some place warm that they could talk. "Hmph... I wish... You aren't from here are ya lady?" She muttered. She wasn't talking loud, but the woman seemed to be able to hear her. Coughing again she curled up tighter, trying to keep the warmth in her. It was starting to wear off now and the cold was starting to seep in.

"What you want? You still haven't said." She said trying to move her head to get a visual on the woman, but unable to do so from where she hid.

the child's weak voice and coughing continued to cause worry, unlike vampire mortals were fragile creatures and the young even more so. shaking her head as she choices her words with care in effort to coax the child out. though as she though the girl's words struck an odd tone to her what is it to me? she is none of my concern, though i am complied not to leave her. regardless of why, i must get her out of this cold

taking a breath Rem calls out to the girl in a warm soothing tone you are right i am not from this section of town, i got lost while looking for a restaurant. when i happened upon you coughing. she pauses as she takes a single step forward 'as for what i want, to get out of the cold like everyone and get a hot meal. tell you what, if you can take us to a place that is still opened i'll treat you to a hot meal. afterward if you choose you can go on your way. how does that sound?

Food? Well... That was a rather tempting offer... Hot food too... Usually they didn't get that too much, only if one of the restaurant owners was nice enough....

But the last part the woman added made her puzzle even more. Go her own way if she wanted to? Was that an offer to go somewhere with her later or what?

She wasn't sure, but she uncurled stiffly and moved out from behind the dumpster, shivering slightly. She got a loot at the woman then... She was young, short and slender wearing from what Spirit could tell fashionable clothing. She really didn't belong in this part of town... She looked like one of those designer things that she saw in store windows, modeling the clothing.

The pale faced, dirty girl looked at her with suspicion, narrowing her eyes, not moving too much closer.

Well, she didn't look like a cop... But there were lots of people who said they liked to sneak up... they would catch you when you weren't looking. "Well... I'm not hungry." She lied. "But I'll show you out of here so you don't get hurt. Then I'm going back to the others." She said stiffly. If she didn't go back, what would happen to the others? She was the sneak of the group. She could help them get into places better than anyone else could. Without her they wouldn't be able to get into one of their safe spots, an abandoned town house a few streets down. No one else could fit through the small window that slipped into the basement and still reach to get the chain off the door.

"What place were you looking for?" She asked, tucking her arms in close to her body.

Rem could not help but to sigh in relief and smile as the girl came from hiding. she looking almost as bad as her cough had sounded. the child was much too small and under weight to be normal, and if she believed in fate then this was truly a fateful night. though the girl had declared she was not hungry her body gave her way.

rem waited for the girl to come closer so that she maybe the guide, though her mind turned over the girl's last words "Then I'm going back to the others." others? how many more could there be? in what shape are they in? what can i do? only the girls question about which restaurant brought her back to her lie. She made a face like she was trying hard to remember but the answer was lost before saying now that you ask i dont remember the name, it was a small dinner i think on Elizabeth Street.

after the words slip from her mouth she starts to regret them. what a horrible lie, though the truth is not much better. there is no telling what she would do if i told her, oh i was looking for a meal, you know just any one of the local murders or such. ya...... though she waits for the girl to make since of her words and to start leading the way.

Elizabeth Street... That was just beyond her normal grounds, but she knew the way at least. She didn't think there were any small Diners there.... But she did know of an restaurant that would occasionally give one of the other kids their leftover pasta and other things. Well, she knew how to find the street well enough at least.

She nodded, brushing a clump of stray hair from her face.

"I dunno a diner... But there's another place over there. They do pasta I think.

She jerked her head slightly as she coughed, a way of telling the woman to follow her even if she couldn't talk at the moment.

Tucking her arms in close again she began to make her way through, the snow packing in to the holes in the battered shoes she wore. She'd learned to ignore the cold though. It wasn't all that bad.

She had to get back soon though. Punchy would be worried about her, and even though Bullet had been a bit harsh, she still would be worried too. But she had to get this woman away from them. She coughed again as she thought about the others, covering her mouth with her sleeve.

"It's bit of a walk... Not too bad though." She said with a shrug.

Rem watched the girl as she tried to think about the dinner and smile as she mentioned the pasta place. to her surprise she felt relieved that the girl did not question her farther about the dinner, though she did not stay that way for long since the girl was ready to get moving. with silence she fell in behind the girl, though not too close for more than one reason.

the cold air made no difference to rem, though she could see by the way the girl held her body it effected her more than she wanted to admit. it is a wonder she is not dead living in this cold city, though by the sounds of her cough it might not be too far off. she thinks with a heavy heart as her past starts to creep into her mind. she did not allow her self to dwell there long before pushing them back into a dark forgot part of her mind.

it was then that the girl commented on the walk they had before them to reach the warm building that promised food. in her soft soothing tone she tries to start up a conversation 'ok..... oh, i forgot to introduce myself, i'm Rem.'


OOCl sorry not that good, working on getting my muse back.

It was a wonder... Spirit herself was thinking the same thing. After all... There had been other kids, they'd been so sick that they started coughing up blood... Kids who'd died while they were sleeping. And those weren't even the ones who were killed or did drugs or anything.

She'd never seen anyone cough up blood yet, but Bullet had. She'd started almost panicking, or as much as a street kid could. She'd been afraid for Spirit, threatening that if she did start coughing up blood, she'd get the cops. She might have to go to an orphanage or one of those horrible homes that they always heard about... But she would be able to get medicine.

Another cough made her chest hurt. The cold air only making things worse.

"Huh?" She asked, glancing slightly back over her shoulder. "Oh... Okay..." It didn't sound like a real name though... It was like Spirit, or Bullet. A made up name.

"Well... I can't introduce myself... I don't have a name." She said simply, hunching her shoulders as a gust of wind made the cold air cut through her clothes. "Wouldn't matter if I did." She added before coughing again.

their pace was slow as they traveled through the dim allies, and though she had tried to make conversation it seemed that both of them were thinking on other things. the girl's cough continued to eat away at rem's calm mind, rippling memories of her forgotten and brutal past. she tired to fill her mind with useless jumble to find relief, the girl only made the ripples larger.

no name? Wouldn't matter if she did. she though sadly as another rippled formed and smashed against century old mental walls. taking light steps as she follows, she looks over at the girl and says in her soothing tone 'that is not so, you must have a name of some kind. one that matters to someone. '

She shrugged, shaking the flakes from her hair slightly.

"Nope... Not really... The other kids call me Spirit. I guess that's the closest to a name I got." She mumbled. "Dunno why. That's what the girl who found me named me. I... I never really got to talk to her. She got taken away. The cops found her. Well, She ran the other way to distract them." She said it simply as if it was just a fact of life. And for her it was. Like the cold. It simply was. They couldn't stop it, they could only try to keep it from them.

Coughing again she shivered. She would probably stay in the restaurant just to warm up.

"That's why I asked if you were a cop... All they do is take us away... Even if the others still need us. They don't even care. We all look out for each other. But they don't care who they take... And they won't ever tell us where they're taking us... They took my best friend... I hate them..." She said with a glare.

But she was glaring at the ground in front of her, the snow that her feet were crunching a few seconds later.

with the final admittance of having a name the flood gates seem to open as built up thoughts come flowing out. each word rippled Rem's minds even farther opening a flood gate of her own, though she would hold her tongue the thoughts stirred. why does this child hold me? what is it about her that stirs my mind in such troubling ways? ....... is it that i see her potential future ....... of dying on these streets as nothing more than trash?

braking her silence she says in her soothing tone 'ah, i see' after Spirit mentioned the question about being a cop. then continues to listen to the girl's complaints of cops while letting her mind slide back in to thought i will not let her live and die as i did, no one deserves that.............. i will not be a saint worshiped for my humanity, but i will be the one to give her a scene of humanity.

Rem had been stepping lightly still as she walked next to Spirit listening to her words under her own thought. she had even frowned as the girl's tone turned hateful before dropping off into silence. feeling the need to slightly gain Spirit's trust she starts speaking of her own thoughts on the ones appoint to keep the peace. in a less soothing tone that was laced with pure hatred she speaks 'Spirit, i too hate the police, they appear to be knights in shining armor to those who do not see them up close. they are nothing more than ....... corrupt men with power over the weak......... they truly dont seem to care about those that live on the streets .................. looking away when they are needed'

Spirit moved away, never letting the woman come within an arms reach of her, shifting off to the side. She wasn't going to put herself in a position to be caught by anyone. Even if she wasn't a cop.

But the way she so readily agreed with her about cops confused the girl and she frowned, looking up at her as if trying to figure something out. It... It almost sounded like something a cop would say... Trying to get on her good side. Or someone from that Services place... The ones who tried to coax kids away from their adopted families.

She'd seen them too... Agreeing with everything that was said, trying to pretend as if they were on the other kid's side and then they'd just turn.

Sure she didn't know exactly what 'corrupt' was. And the only 'Knights' she knew were those ones in stories.... The cops really didn't see themselves like those knights did them? Well... Perhaps they did. "They aren't needed. We take care of us just fine. We don' need them buggen us." She said defiantly. "And we don'need none of those Service people buggen us either. All they do is try to trick us." She eyed the woman warily, her body tense, ready to run in a split second.

the look on the girl's dirty face was a disappointment for rem, though she seemed to have her reasons of not trusting others. all of those on the streets only seemed to trust their own, but only as far as they could throw them. Rem knew that since she was a woman of the streets, though Spirit had jumbled her mind. she could not help expressing her feeling towards the police, and their failure to stop the corruption. she could not be too upset though because of their failure her stomach stayed full.

Rem could not help but slow her pace some as Spirit tries to also put distance between them, there was no need to crowd her or trouble her mind anymore about her intentions. in a soft soothing tone she says oh, are there many service people or cops that come around? as she starts to hope the restaurant is not too far now.

"Sometimes..." She mumbled after a particularly raspy cough. "But they don't really come out in this weather. They like to stay warm. They're not used to the winters like we are." She said with a sniff, hiding a smirk.

"But the cops come out more. They've tried to trap us sometimes, but they don't usually catch us. Only if someone falls behind and we can't help them... Or if someone tries to distract them to let the others get away okay." She frowned, looking down the road.

They were almost there now, and she had to watch to make sure it wasn't a trap...

But she didn't see many people at all as she came out to the main street. And none that were cops.

"The place is two blocks that way." She pointed down the street to her left. "You should be able to find it from here."

rem could hear the disgust in spirits tone and could only imagine what her face looked like as she talked about those who plagued her family. rem could not help but to have pity for spirit and the others, though she could not let the girl go back not tonight at least. stepping out on to the main street she expected for spirit to continue to lead her, but the girl had other ideas.

she took a step in the direction in which spirit said, then stopped and turned back to her. her chocolate hues were tainted with sadness as she tries to look at Spirits face and catch her eyes. in a soft soothing tone she says will you not take me up on my offer of dinner, i know you could use a good warm meal........... if you want i could even get some for your family. it is the least i can do for your help. there is no telling how much longer i would have wondered around the allies without it.

she stands there and waits for spirits answer hoping that she would make the choice without a fuss, though rem could not chance it. she reaches out with her mental hand and touches the girls mind. it seemed full of worry for the others, which made what rem was about to do harder. with ease she slips in the thought warmth and food is not that bad, and there is a chance to get some for the others too.

The girl had turned and started to walk away when she stopped, listening to the woman's offer.

She would really buy food for her? And the others?

People really didn't do that too often... It seemed like a trap, really. She bit her lip hesitantly, looking about warily. There... There wasn't anything really. Nothing that would tell her this was all a trap. But it was a chance for food... And food for the others. She could help them, get them real food.

It was a risk... A chance. She could get captured, taken in to the cops. But if the woman was really trying to help she could get food. The others would assume her gone anyway, until she came back. She knew where she'd find them when she got away. The silence was interrupted by her cough. But when she stopped she frowned.

"You..." She coughed again. "You promise you won't try to take me anywhere... And you really are trying to help?" Her green eyes looked up at the woman's dark ones.

Rem could almost see spirit weigh the options in her mind, thanks to her devotion to the others the 'right'' choice was made. when the girl spoke up she could not help but to smile, though not a sinister smile but of happiness. she would get to do for this girl what she wished someone would have done for her, to end the suffering by means other than death.

one advantage to being a few centuries old is that one can perfect certain skills such as lying to someone without even the smallest hint that it is a lie. looking into the girls eyes she says in her soft soothing tone yes spirit i promise that i am truly trying to help and that i wont take you anywhere ................ you dont want to go. letting her eyes loose the girl she glances down the street and fakes a shiver before quickly adding now, how about we find that restaurant and see about some warmth and dinner?

Nodding, satisfied by the answer, Spirit turned away as she coughed once more. She was probably faster than the woman anyway. If she did try something she was good at getting away.

The warmth as they stepped into the diner made her head spin. She gave a murmur as she held onto a table to balance herself, her face growing bright red with the sudden heat that she was unused to.

But she shook her head, blinking, and looked up to the hostess, who was looking down at the dirty little girl with a frown of curiosity and disapproval. But then looked up to the woman, more with curiosity now. They sure did make an odd couple. And if this lady was caring for the little girl, why did she let her get so dirty? And why was she coughing so bad?

Because the heat had made things worse. Spirit had sat in the chair, just a little too dizzy to stand, coughing several times over.

"Is there something I can do for you ma'am?" She asked, looking at Rem.

Rem entered the diner behind Spirit eager to get the deed done of taking the girl home. though when the warmth and strong scent of human blood encompassed her, she almost forgot her purpose. the thirst for blood burned in her throat as her eyes widened and grew black. standing still she willed her body to remain relaxed as she waited for the urge to pass.

Spirits coughing broke the hold of hunger over Rem as she turns to watch the girl almost pass out as her coughing grew worse. rem was looking at spirit when another voice greeted her. looking up she saw a woman in uniform looking at her and spirit. the waitress' face hinted at what she was thinking, though thanks to spirit she knew just what to say. in her soothing tone she answers yes, we need a table and 2 of your best dishes along with a cup of water and a beer if you have them and in a much softer tone to keep spirit from hear adds i am with the child services, dont worry about her i am taking her to the hospital once we are done here.

rem then turns to spirit to see if she needed help to their table.

The hostess nodded and grabbed a menu taking them to a table. "I'll go take care of your drinks, and your server will be out shortly.

Spirit stood reluctantly as they moved to a table, and it was a good thing that she hadn't heard Rem's lie to the hostess because she wouldn't have taken any chances. She would have ran as fast as she could out of the building if she'd heard Rem's response.

Sitting down again she lay her head on the table waiting for the dizziness to pass. She'd never felt so weak before... She wanted to sleep, wanted to just curl up somewhere with the others and sleep for hours. She coughed weakly into the sleeve of her sweater.

The fever had probably been keeping her warm in the cold, but now she was inside, it made her feel terrible. Her forehead and cheeks were bright red, though the rest of her face was chalky white. But she didn't say a word, not one moan or complaint from her as the hostess returned with the drinks or even when the server came to take their order.

Though when the food did come the smell of it revived her slightly and she sat up, eying it greedily. She hadn't seen real food in so long. She began to eat quietly, her eyes on her plat, keeping her face down. She didn't want to scare the woman. She had to be strong.

Rem was slightly surprised that the girl could walk on her own as badly as she looked, once she go to the table and collapsed Rem could understand why. It was never good to show other that you were weak, another lesson of the streets she had forgot. Rem sat there quietly watching over the girl as they waited for their drinks and food.

when the drinks came she welcomed the cold alcohol to refresh her parched throat finishing the bottle before their plates came. when the food was placed in front of them rem could not help but to make a face of disgust. it was not because of the food was disgusting, it was just full of garlic and other herbs that could drive away almost any vampire due to its smell.

Rem was not thankful she was wearing a coat so that when she stopped breathing in the potent smell not one would notice. the noise of spirit eating brought her attention back to the table and what she was doing. the girl looked even worse as her skin paled setting off her red cheek even more. She would need to watch her health closely, since the goal was to save the girl and not quicken her death. she sat there in silence listening to the girls small heart beat as she contemplated what would happen next.

The food slowly began to revive her, waking her up slowly, making her feel just a little better. Well it gave her more energy anyway, to try to fight back the cough, to not show the weakness that she felt in every muscle.

She frowned slightly, looking every so often up at the woman quickly, hoping she didn't notice.

Spirit coughed then, so hard that it made her chest hurt. She winced, holding her ribs. But she recovered quickly, looking up as she tried to push the pain away. She spoke then, still not looking back up at Rem. "So... Why you doing this? Ya don't have to or anythin..." She muttered.

the soft beat came steadily as the girl continued to eat until the coughing started again. Looking at Spirit she could not hind the expression of concern as the girl held her chest, though she looked away as the girl regained her composure. then the question came, the only one she could tell a lie for. Rem could not hold back her thoughts as she turns to look at the girl why? I truly dont know why, other than i have to. i have to save you .......... from my fate........ the fate of a street dog ......... we continue to live only because we have too much spirit to let death claim us

against her better judgment Rem give Spirit only a glimpse of the truth. in a soft tone that was tainted with sorrow she says because no one did it for me, .......not my family, ..........not the cops, ...............not the services, ............ not even a stranger. that is my reason, spirit. though she was not sure of that the girl would do she did not move from her set. it was not like the girl could get far if she did run, especially in her condition.

Because no one helped her? She couldn't have needed help. She was pretty, probably a lot smarter than she was... People like that didn't end up on the streets... People like that always had help.

Spirit frowned doubtfully at the woman. "You don't look like you're from the street..." She said pointedly. "You're too pretty... Pretty people don't live on the streets. People help them, care about them." She said simply, looking back down at her food.

She continued to eat. "Bullet always said that when you're cute or pretty when you get older, someone will care about you, take you in. They'll care for you." She said conversationally. After all, that was a part of her world. "She'll probably get a home when she gets older. She's really pretty. Well when she can actually wash her hair." Because in the heat now, it was evident that she hadn't bathed in weeks. After all where could she take a bath where she didn't get sick? Even in hot weather there were hardly places for them to go. Sometimes they could sneak into pools and things like that, but in the winter?

The girl wrinkled her nose, trying to ignore her own scent, but it really wasn't working.

Oh well. Once she was back outside and with the others no one would notice.

But as she began to eat, she became groggy, lethargic. The unfamiliar feeling of a full stomach, the warmth... It was making her tired. She coughed weakly as she put her fork down, trying to keep her eyes open. But it was hard.

Rem might have smirked at the comment of her being beautiful if it was dealing with a different subject, instead her face become expressionless as her eyes look down towards the table. in the same tone as before she says it is not always as it seems. people change when they are not under a light. men are the worse at it, ........... they seem nice and kind in public,............. but behind walls ........... they become ......... beast. the thing is they only seem to like the pretty ones. ...... but enough with my troubles.

as she spoke Spirit had become quiet, though the soft beat of her heart was still there rem could not help but look up at her with concern. she was still there in body but her mind seemed to be drifting off to sleep. what luck she had the warmth and food seemed to make her job easier. sitting there she decided to wait until the girl was soundly asleep before she would make a move.

"Everyone's like that sometimes..." She said warily. Though she knew as a girl she had to watch out for men. Bullet made sure she knew that lesson well. To be taken by a guy on the streets that wasn't a cop or a social service person was even worse. She'd been taken when she was little and managed to escape. She hated men with a passion and never trusted them. Well Punchy was an exception. He was so clumsy that everyone had a soft spot for him.

"I thought everyone just... knew that. I always have." Well she'd known that from the earliest memories she had. Don't trust anyone who aint like you... That's what they all said.

She was only here not because she wanted to help the others...

And just the way children did sometimes, she fell fast asleep in her chair, her head nearly falling in the plate of pasta, her hair covering her face.

the soft thud brought the waitress over to see what had happened. her face was of shock when she saw the girl just laying there, though rem quickly took charge of the situation. looking over at the woman she says in her soothing tone dont worry she just fell asleep due to a full stomach. i will need my check now, and if you will please call me a cab. it would be a little stupid to try and walk this girl to the hospital after all.

the woman turns and leave only to return a moment later with a piece of paper and says 'here you go, a cab should be here soon also.' looking down at the full plate she adds 'would you like a box ma'am?'

Rem shakes her head no and slips her a bill the was more than enough to cover the check. once they were alone again she slips off her coat and stands. she then drapes the coat about Spirits shoulders before scoping her off the bench and heads to the door.

The girl hardly moved as Rem picked her up and carried her out of the restaurant. she stirred slightly, but only to give a weak cough once or twice and then curl up against the woman.

Even while they were riding in the cab she hardly made a peep other than to give a soft moan or whimper. Her face was flushed, bright red cheeks standing out against her pale skin, her forehead warm, burning with a fever.

But really, for the first time in her life, she slept soundly. Not half asleep, waiting to hear someone's call that someone was coming. Not laying awake so hungry that she couldn't think about anything else. She was the happiest she'd been in a long time, not worried about anything.

Unfortunately though, with the fever running through her body, soon she was too hot in the jacket and began to moan, pushing the thick fabric away from her. But she was so tightly bound up that she began to panic in her sleep, as if she was captured in a dream. But this was only about when they'd come to a stop. As if she knew she was somewhere she didn't want to be.

thankfully the cabie did not ask any questions other than 'where to' after rem slipped him a generous tip. siting there silently she watches over Spirit as she sleeps while listening to the soft beat of her heart. the heart, it is the most important part of a mortal. they only have one, and it is near impossible to replace. she thinks in the dark waiting for the ride to be over with.

it was not long before they were only blocks away from her home, it was then that the child started to stir. her face seemed even paler as the redness of her cheeks seemed to glow even in the dimly lite cab. rem reaches out for the first time and lays her cold hand across the girls head, frowning her skin contacts the hot clammy flesh of spirits forehead. in her soft soothing tone she says to spirit it is ok, you are safe. there is nothing to fear.

in the next few moments the car stops in front of one of the higher class apartment building, though there was surprisingly no doorman to greet them and open the door. Stepping out of the cab and lifting Spirit was not a hard task, though opening one of the large glass doors while juggling the girl did present some trouble.

the inside of the building was sleek and clean with its cream walls and black marbled floor. Rems boots made a soft tapping noise as she walked towards the large elevator in a hurry. minutes later she stand on the 6th floor and only feet from her haven. again she must juggle the girl as she works her key into place and pushes the door open.

stepping through the door she makes her way to the lonely couch in the living room and set the girl down gentle before returning to the door and locking it. the room was dimly light, though its north wall was comprised of windows they were tinted too dark for even the slightest light to seep through. the couch was the only furniture other than a glass coffee table. the walls were of the small cream color of the hall, though the floor was a dark blue plush carpet.

The feeling of coolness against her forehead was enough to sooth her for the trip up the elevator and into the apartment.

She coughed every now and again, but it was weak, as if she had no more energy to cough. And she didn't. The pathetic little coughs were only the reaction of her body to the twitches in her throat.

Shivering slightly, Spirit's eyes fluttered open. Where was she?what was going on? She could hardly see anything, her vision was blurry. But she knew she wasn't anywhere she knew of. She wasn't with the others...

"Bu-Bullet?" She murmured, fighting her way out of the jacket. She fell out of the couch and stumbled to her feet. "N-No! You... You promised!" She whimpered as she saw the woman, standing between her and the door. Her head was swimming as she tried to move, but she was so weak... So tired... And her skin felt like it was burning. "You promised..." Was all she could weakly whimper as she fell to the floor, unable to stand anymore.

as Rem turned back towards the couch the bundle came to life. Spirit was angry but weak, too weak to even stand. taking a breath she sighed as she slowly crossed the room. in her soothing tone she starts to explain to the girl i promised that i would not take you anywhere you did not want to go, but you lost your choice when you passed out on the table. i also dont think in your condition you have much of a choice, it is not like you can even crawl out of here.

pausing as she stops only a foot from where the girl laid she says in a calm tone but serious tone will you at least give me time to get your temperature under control? other wise you will not make it until the end of the night. she leans down and reaches out her hand trying to touch the girls forehead again if not another part of her body to make a false point of how hot the girl was. Rems skin would feel cold to any mortal, but spirit did not have to know that at this moment.

squatting there she waited for an answer trying to give the girl a choice, though either way she was not leaving.

Her mind was in such a state of fever and panic that she barely heard the woman's words. "Lemme go... You... You can't keep me here! They need me!" Her face was sweating, her hair was starting to get matted from the sweat rolling down her neck.

"No... No let me go..." She whimpered as the woman came closer. "I have to go... I have to."

She trembled as the woman's cold hand pressed against her forehead. It felt like ice, like snow. "Please... Please let me go..." But her protests were far weaker now. Spirit curled against the woman's legs, pulling her body into a tight ball. She was still shaking slightly.

"D-Don't keep me... Please... Please don't." She'd been tricked... She'd been cheated and tricked to come here... Tears were mixing with the sweat on her face, and her whimpers became more pathetic, pained rather than in protest.

the girls heart heart was no longer soft steady tone, but a dangerously erratic pace as her fear grew. the girls cries were weak and filled with desperation, but rem did not listen to them even as she curled about her feet. the heat from the girls body was too high to be good for a mortal.

rem set about silently to remove the girl from about her legs, though she performed it with gentleness taking great care not to cause any more harm to the girl. with the same care she scooped spirit back up and held her firmly against her cool body as she tries to again get the girl to listen. in a soothing tone she says listen spirit, if i let you go now you will die. you will never make it back to the others, do you understand? i will let you leave but only after your fever is broken. the longer you fight me the longer it will be until you can leave, ok?

standing there she waits for the decision as she makes plans of what to do if it is the wrong one. she also goes through the list of ways to get the child help with the least amount of trouble. she could not very well take the girl out to the hospital, though she needed medical help or she was going to die from the fever.

A coughing fit struck her as Rem pulled her close, gasping for breath afterward. "No.... No I can't stay... I can't..." Spirit whimpered, her eyes slipping shut as she couldn't keep them open anymore.

She had to go back... Why did she feel so bad all of a sudden? She was just tired before, tired and coughing like usual. She felt so hot now... Her hair was sticking to the back of her neck, her body felt like it was on fire.

"Please... Please let me go. I have to get back." But she began coughing again, draining the last of her strength. It left her unable to protest anymore shaking sweating and whimpering as she lay in the woman's lap, enjoying the feel of Rem's cool hands on her forehead. But she'd die before she admitted that.

It was so hard to think... She didn't know what to do... She couldn't sort things out anymore... Everything was so hot...

rem continued to hold the girl as she protested waiting for the fit to end. it did not take long for the rest of her strength to leave her nothing more than a shaking ball of hot flesh. Frowning as she lifts the girl and walks to the bedroom. she would need to get the girl to change for two reasons; one was she needed to cool down and the other was she could not look like she was just taken off the street.

the room was dark as they entered though it did not bother rem as she easily made her way to the dresser. She juggled the still shaking girl as she opened a draw and pulled out a simple cream button up silk night shirt. she then lays the girl down soft on the overstuffed mattress covered with chocolate silk sheets. in a soft soothing tone she says 'we need to get you out of these clothes and into something cooler otherwise it will be twice as hard to get your temperature under control. do worry though i wont throw them away since you will 'need' them.'

the room was a comfortable 75 degrees as rem starts to peel off the dirty and now sweaty layers of clothing, she worked carefully making sure not to harm spirit. it took only a few minutes and a couple of moans before the girl was striped and redressed in a cool silk shirt that was a little big on her. Rem had thrown the rags in a corner deciding to deal with them later. sitting there beside Spirit she watches the girl for any possible change hoping that she would start feeling better.

She wanted to sleep, but her mind was so confused... So clouded that she didn't know what was going on. It was as if everything was so far away...

Spirit hardly felt anything as her clothing came off, and she was dressed in a silk shirt, the fabric cool against her skin. She wanted to be next to Rem though. Her hands, her body had felt so cool, soothing. As she lay there alone she tossed and turned, but she managed to make her way to the woman who was sitting close by, pressing her head against her arm, curling against her with a whimper.

Her breathing was still quick and shallow, the occasional cough still made it's way out. But her trembling had stopped, and she slipped into an uneasy, fevered sleep, unable to stay awake any longer. But there was nothing else she could do. So weak and exhausted, she'd used the last of her strength to curl up against the coolness of Rem's body.

Rem frowned as the girl did not seem to improve in the slightest, though she oddly enough seemed to enjoy the unnatural coolness of her skin. as Spirit curled up against rem the heat given off by her body was too much. this need to end before there is permanent damage, though she will probably hate me even more i must call a doctor

reaching in her pocket she retrieves her cell and punches in a few numbers and hits send. as the phone beings to ring she places her hand on Spirits head trying to let its cold touch act as a cool cloth. two rings later the phone is picked up, without waiting for an answer she starts talking in a somewhat frantic tone is the Dr. Adams?............... a friend gave me your number and said you do house calls................ Look i have a little girl who is sick, too sick to move......... she has a very high fever that i can seem to break........