[aphrodite]

Ch 1

Greetings, fair traveler. I see you have come far to hear this tale of enchantment, deceit, and nearly forbidden love. I assure you, you will not be displeased with the story that will soon unfold. The girl whos story you will soon relive was nothing more then a simple city girl trying to make her mark in the world, as well as finish high school. Her name was Elizabeth. She was one full of a unique, mysterious beauty. Few friends did she hold, but hold dear to them did she. 17 years of age, Elizabeth often volunteered at the local animal shelter as well as the hospital from time to time. She, nearly a lifetime ago, lived with her poor grandmother after her parents died in a tragic accident when she was eight. Life had never been the same for her since then. Her best friend was one, Courtney Krim, a gymnast and lover of sun flowers. Now that you know a bit about Elizabeth, are you prepared to step into her life? I should hope so, because here we go!

You feel the warm, spring air caress your lips as you breathe in the morning breeze. Backpack placed sturdily upon your back you walk to your high school praying for a better day today then the one before. Courtney was to meet you after school and you were to go to the movies. You hadnt been there in ages. Nearly friendless as you were, you kept yourself plenty busy to make up for it. Ever since your parents death you had proceeded to help the world around you. As you approach your school and view the large array of flowers planted out front you smile to yourself, thinking back to the day a month ago that you and Courtney had single-handedly planted literally thousands of flowers. It had been hard work, but all you had to do was glance at the patch of flowers to make it all seem worth while. Even if no one else enjoyed them, you most certainly did!
"Elizabeth!" You hear a familiar voice yell as you enter the school. It's Courtney, happy as ever to see you. "Hey, honey, whats up?" Courtney asks you giving you a big hug.
"Not much, you?" You reply returning the hug. Courtney shrugs her shoulders in reply, indicating not much was happening with her either. "Still wanna go to the movies?" You ask.
"Of course! Like I would turn down the chance to go to the movies." Courtney replies laughing. You shake your head slightly at her enthusiasim that yet still amazes you. The school day drags on slightly, but having Courtney with you, as always, makes it more fun. When school ends you announce to Courtney that you are going to run home before you attend the movies so that you can change. The movie isn't until five, so you figure you've got time. Courtney agrees and decides to go home and change as well. Your school uniforms aren't exactly your ideas of fun. On your way home you start to feel a little sick in your stomach like something is wrong. You stop walking for a minute trying to calm yourself. You feel like someone is there, and that they are hurt. You don't know how, but you've always been able to sense when something is seriously wrong with someone. You always just considered it your woman's ituition. You slowly continue walking, your eyes towards the ground. Suddenly you stop again as your eyes focus upon something just in front of your feet. A small kitten, nearly the size of your hand is lying hurt on the sidewalk. Feeling sorry for the poor little guy, you bend down and cradle him in your arms. You notice that his leg looks misplaced as if it were broken. You stroke his fur gently, hearing him pur slightly at your gentle touch. You pick up your things in one hand and with the other carry the little kitten. You side track from your orriginal path home and decide to head towards the nearest vet. You know a girl there and are hoping that she will take a look at him for free, knowing full well that neither you, nor you grandmother, has the money to pay for the vet bill. You walk in the small building the smell of pet dandruff and medicine filling the air. You crinkle your nose slightly at the smell. You never did care for the smell of sick creatures, it always made you depressed at the thought. You find Lisa, the vet in training, that you know and show her the little kitten. She has short blonde hair and perky blue eyes. You note that she looks rather professional in her lab coat with a pen haning out of the jacket pocket. She takes the kitten in her hands and examines it carefully.
"Your right, I do believe she's got a broken leg." Lisa announces after a couple minutes. "I don't have any patients for at least an hour, I'll take a look for you."
"Thank you so much, Lisa, I owe you one." You respond greatfully.
"You bet you do!" Lisa assures you, winking as she take the kitten into an empty examination room.
"Well, it's not too bad. No double or triple fractures which is good. It should be able to heal within a month or two time frame. I'll set it and wrap it up for you, but you'll have to keep an eye on her so she doesn't jump on anything and hurt it worse." Lisa explains after several minutes of examination and x-rays.
"That's good. And it's a she?" You inquire.
"Geez, Liz, you don't even know your own animals gender?" Lisa questions, almost serious.
"I just found the little guy on my way home from school." You reply in your own defense.
"Oh." Is all Lisa says in response. Lisa preforms the operations needed, then gives you back the kitten telling you the appoinment was on the house. You hug her and thank her profusely. She simply waves it away saying you owe her lunch. When you get home your grandmother is gone. She works at walmart on the weekdays so she can support you and the house. You place the kitten in a small kennel with a towel, food, and water. You then scurry to change your clothes, realizing it's fifteen minutes past four. You throw on a pair of comfortable jeans and a T-shirt that says, 'Let me just drop everything and work on your problem'. You grab your army style purse and slinging it over your shoulder head out the door.
It was times like these that you really wish you had a car. You had your license, but with your grandmother's limited income a car was out of the question. You had been working at Starbucks for the past two months as a part time job, but it would be months before you had enough to buy a simple used car.
You ran the whole way to the movie theater, which was, to your thankfullness, no more then two miles away from your home.
You met Courtney outside the theater, panting a hello to her as you put your hands on your knees trying to catch your breath.
"What vampire is chasing you?" Courtney asks you jokingly. You smile slightly before standing up straight, having almost re-caught your breath. "I already got the tickets, so we can go on in." Courtney announces. You take the ticket she hands you only to immidietly after give it to the ticket boy.
The movie you and Courtney saw as a remake of the famous 'Dracula'. You found the movie ammusingly corny, and couldn't help but laugh during the seriou scenes, something Courtney always got mad at you for. As you and Courtney exit the movie, you suddenly have to go to the bathroom.