Chapter One

    Leah angrily pedaled her away from her house. The cold wind slashed her face, but she didn't care. Some time alone was what Leah needed, sometime away from the annoying circus she knew as her family. After quickly parking her bike, she walked into the quiet woods. 

    Sometimes Leah wished she had a different family. They were always so frustrating! No one every gave her any privacy, and they were always pestering her with stupid questions. Leah sighed and sat down. Fourteen years with her family and she still didn't understand them. Brushing her red hair out of her face, she leaned against the tree and was caught in a sudden sleep.

    Leah woke up with a start. Her green eyes darted around the room, and she bolted upright but was soothed back to sleep with a warm drink and a soft voice. The next time Leah woke up, her head was throbbing. A tall, thin woman with sugary sweet smile was walking into the room. "Oh, you're awake."

    Her voice was strangely deep and her limbs were long and animal like. "Where am I?' Leah asked.

    "You're parents are going on vacation, and they sent you here."

    "What?! You've got to be kidding me. They wouldn't do that. That's the dumbest lie I have ever heard," Leah scoffed.

    The women smiled patiently, as if she knew she was going get a nice award if she waited. "Of course they would," She said while handing Leah a drink.

    Leah looked at the woman strangely and took a sip from the cold, glass cup. Immediately everything seemed to make sense. "You're right," Leah said slowly.

    "You can call me Mother or Miss Taylor," the lady told her.

    " I think I'll just call you Miss Taylor," Leah replied through her muddled thoughts. She couldn't quite place it, but something was wrong about calling Miss Taylor Mother. Miss Taylor pursed her lips, and for a moment her blue eyes turned black. But she quickly composed herself.

    "Well the, let's have dinner shall we?" said Miss Taylor briskly. And with that Leah followed her out of the room.