Chapter 1

Caitlyn was hidden at the edge of the woods surrounding the dwelling she shared with her parents. 

"Sweetheart, I love you. Your Father loves you. Please stay here no matter what you see or hear. We are so proud of you. Always trust your gut instinct," her mother implored. Her mother hugged her one last time, again, telling her to stay hidden and don't make a sound.  Then she  tucked Caitlyn into the bushes and ran back to her father before the mob found her. 

Caitlyn was hiding in her hidey-hole inside a thick bush. She could see out but no one could see in. She kept a few items in there like a blanket and a little bit of food.

"Mama," she whispered forlornly, as she crouched down and peered through the branches.

Caitlyn watched and listened as the mob descended on her home. She could hear them yelling stuff like 'kill the witches!' and 'kill the bloodsuckers!'. All of a sudden she heard windows breaking and saw the orange flames start, licking up to the sky. Her heart was beating so fast, her fear mounting.

She saw the vision that would haunt her forever. Her parents were being dragged out of their home. They were so strong. No begging. She vowed to make them proud of her from then on. Her mother started singing, so beautifully, in their language. Those humans had no idea what she was singing but Caitlyn did. As her mother sang, the tears started to fall. The shaking started. She hugged her blanket striving to stay quiet. Right up to the end her mother sang for her to close her eyes and remember their love for her and that they will always watch over her. And to stay hidden. Caitlyn followed her edict, falling asleep with tears and dirt plastered to her face knowing her parents were no longer.

The Gypsy, known as Vadoma, her name meaning "to know", experienced the feeling of death. It was then that she knew another one of the sect was murdered in ignorance. She was ashamed of her human race. 

"Damn filthy, ignorant savages," she mumbled under her breath, as she started to get ready for her journey.

She had no powers like they did, but she could heal and she had a vast knowledge of the land. Plus, she had the 'sight', which she used to barter for things, with others, by reading their fortune. She took care of the sect and in return they took care of her. 

Finally, she had some essentials packed in her satchel and she started off into the woods.

It took Vadoma three days to get to the girl. Even though she couldn't hear the singing she could 'hear' it, though it had since gone silent forever. She finally came upon the bush. She looked inside. There she saw a young girl, caked in dirt and her own filth, though it was not her fault, as her mother had told her not to come out of hiding and she didn't. Vadoma would fix that.

She called out to The Girl in her own language. 

"Girl, you can come out now. Your dear mum sent me to take care of you now." 

Vadoma heard rustling and was rewarded with a pair of dark blue eyes, almost black. That was the vampire in her. The eyes peered out at her from between the branches.

"Who are you," The Girl queried softly.

"I am called Vadoma The Gypsy. I help take care of your people and they, in return, take care of me," Vadoma responded.

"And what is your name?" Vadoma asked in return.

Caitlyn decided she was telling the truth and replied, "Caitlyn," as she came out of hiding only to start crying again.

"What's wrong my girl?" The Gypsy asked.

"I am not clean," she said, hanging her head in embarrassment.

"Do not to worry. I will help you get clean," Vadoma said softly, tucking a bit of Caitlyn's dark sable colored hair behind her ear.

Vadoma stood, took Caitlyn's hand, and together they walked until they came to a small, meandering creek. Stopping at the water's edge, Vadoma dug out a small cake of soap and had Caitlyn wash.

"It will be cold, but there is no help for it. While you wash I will lay out a clean tunic for you to wear," The Gypsy said, as she dug around in her satchel. She gestured to the girl to go wash and she started to gather some firewood.

Caitlyn made her way into the water and washed. After she was done with her body, The Gypsy helped her with her hair.

"Thank you," Caitlyn said gratefully, as she slipped the tunic over her head.

"You are welcome. If you follow me back up to the top of the bank, I have a small fire in which to warm yourself and some food to ease your hunger. It should tide you over until we arrive back at my dwelling," she said as she portioned out the food.

"Where do you live?" she asked, between bites of food.

"About two days from here. So when you are done eating, get some sleep. We will leave when it gets dark. It is safer to travel that way. I will watch over you."

"OK." Once she was done eating she laid down next to the small, warm fire.