I'm not greeted by any other sort of misleading, possibly symbolic, nightmare again. When I do wake up, though, it because someone's pushing at my shoulder.

"Hey, Canada." I sit up and rise, only to see the face of Matthias

"Hi." I don't know how to react to this sort of thing. "Did I over sleep?" I ask, rubbing my eyes.

"No, it's 6 o'clock." Matthias checks his new watch once more. "Actually, 6:15. In the morning."

"Okay?" I can't help but raise an eyebrow.

"This came for you." He hands me a slip of paper. For a split second, I fear that it's the map that I gave Emma last night, but, I see Reigna Na'im's seal on it, so I know it can't be that. I slowly open, cautious not to tear the seal, and read the cursive hand writing on the sheet.

Head Councilwoman Canada,

There has been a serious emergency. It is not something I can put on paper, but I will brief you on it when you get to my room at 7 o'clock, this morning. However, if you can come earlier, please do so.

Signed,

Reigna Na'im

"Is everything okay?" Matthias asks. I must be making a face.

"Yeah, they just need me." I say, rising from bed and walking over to the wardrobe, open the doors, and pick out a dress.

"I'll let you get changed." Matthias knowingly nods, and promptly leaves the room.

Did any of this have to do with Emma? Do they know that I had a hand in this? I throw my dress over my head, and do everything as fast as I can. I even do a half decent job on my makeup. I throw on some heels, and walk out the door and into the main room. Matthias sits on the couch, reading a book.

"I hope you aren't always up this early." I say. I still have 20 minutes to get there, and it's only ten minutes there, I can spare 2 second for Matthias. He is my family, after all.

"Well, I've always been more of a morning bird." He sets down his book, rises, and smiles at me. He walks over, and gently sets a kiss on top of my forehead. Now I know that this is real. We're family. "I'm very proud of you."

"Thank you." I say.

"Good luck at work."

"Thank you, I will. Have fun back here, I'll be back before we have to take off."

"You've still got six hours, take your time."

I smile and nod at him, and walk out the door and into the hallway. When I let my instinct take control, it barrels me down the hallway, using my accelerated speed. Even my subconscious knows that it's an emergency. When I finally reach where Reigna Na'im quarters are, a different secretary sits at the disk. She must have the night shifts.

"Head Councilwoman Canada." She says as she rises to her feet, falling into a curtsy. A gesture I can say that I wasn't expecting.

"Please, you don't have to curtsy." I say.

"It's protocol, ma'am."

"Of course. I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's nothing." She presses a few buttons, and the door slides open once more. I walk in, and see all of the other council members there as well. Now, I'm the 19 year old trapped in a room where the second youngest person is over a century years old. I'm also the youngest fronting in here, too. Everyone is looking over papers and what not, and scrambling through them fast.

"Good morning, Head Councilwoman Canada." Reigna Na'im says.

"Good morning. I'm sorry for being the last one." I fall to the required curtsy.

"It's fine. You were in different quarters, which makes your room farther away than the others. Not to mention, there was a little bit of a hassle finding your room. You all may come in now." She calls out to everyone in the room.

We all follow her into her private office, where a long table has already been set up. Papers sit at every plate, and cards show which seat belong to who. Somehow, I find myself to the direct right of Reigna Na'im. We all take our seats, and I can't help but stare at the ornate set of stationary on the table. Finally, Reigna Na'im takes her seat at the head of the table.

"I would like to extend my gratitude to you all for coming so early in the morning, I know this job is not easy, but I appreciate all of your dedication. Now, for the emergency that couldn't wait. Last night, someone got out of the palace, and ended up drinking enough out of a human that they died.

"The report reads, 'At approximately twenty-four-hundred hours last night, a page made a call to the radio that there appeared to be a severed limb at on of the doorsteps. After following the trail, he found every single part of the body, save for the left hand. Said page then made a call to his commanding officers of the situation. The body has yet to be identified.'"

"How is this possible? We chose the coast of Antarctica because who in there right mind would want to come here. The closest place where a human might be is... thousands of kilometers away." A man in a double breasted jacket says. I don't need to hear any more form him to know that at one point of another, he was a soldier.

"I don't know how it happened, I just know that someone is dead at the hands of us." Reigna Na'im says, the slightest bit of hostility in her voice. I've never heard her like this before. "And, our efforts to discover the assailant have thus far been fruitless. Our people are searching the cameras night and day, but it would appear that there was a glitch in the system. How often does this happen Head Council of Security Petrizzi?"

"Not very, only when there is an update to our system." The man who had spoke before replies.

"We look like fools. I can't even keep my own people from killing humans miles away. Petrizzi, I would like you to conduct an investigation. Search every room for even the smallest drop of blood. I want most of you on this as well. The rest of us will maintain tips and work damage control, and Head Councilwoman Wayward?" All eyes in the room turn to me. "If possible, I would like you to go down and see if you can use your instinct to determine the identity of our deceased. Then, I would like you to look into a theory of whether or not climate change is having and effect on our ability to control on a full moon. That is all I have for you all, please, get to work."

We all go out of the room and back into the sitting room where desks have been set up, and papers sat on all of them. A lap top sat there, and I instantly opened it up to see what I can find. I search through every single murder that a vampire has committed during a full moon. I then look at climate numbers, and whatever else I can. The chance of the climate change effecting our ability to control is likely, but not promised.

All the while, I can't help but wonder is Emma has anything to do with this. She said she had to leave last night, and that was around the time when they discovered the body. Why would Emma kill someone, though? I mean, she did lose control during that water fight, but that was just because she hadn't drank in awhile. The food was made with the soul purpose of any of getting thirsty. But it was so close to the time that she got out, I just have to know. A few of the council members have already left to investigate or get breakfast, they won't notice if I'm gone. I slowly rise up from my chair, and walk out to where our room is.

CANADA
Where are you?

EMMA
In the room, Y?

CANADA
Can you come out, I need to talk to you

EMMA
KK

A few seconds later, she walks out of the room, all done up and in a regular dress. She quickly wraps her arms around me. "Hey, we missed you at breakfast."

"I missed you guys too. I haven't eaten anything yet."

"Canada, you have to. Food is good for you."

"I know, I just got tied up with work-"

"So you're calling it work now?"

"Yeah, I am. Has word got out to you guys about what happened last night."

Her face instantly falls. "Yeah. People were talking about it breakfast."

"Emma, I'm going to ask you something, and when I do, you better give me an honest answer."

"Do you think I wouldn't give you an honest answer?"

"Emma, did you have anything to do with it?"

"Me? You're asking me if I had anything to do with it?"

"Emma, I have to."

"Why don't you ask Mikah, I went to see him!"

"I know you did, but I just... you know that it's very suspicious. You went out on the night of a full moon, at a time close to when they found the body. Are there any lapses in your memory? Usually, people black out when they loose control."

"I remember everything I did last night, Emma, thank you very much."

"Okay, would you mind telling me this?"

"I don't see how any of this is your business, Canada."

"Emma, if you killed someone, it is very much so my business."

"For the last time, I didn't do it!" This is the first time I've heard Emma yell, or have seen her angry. She is crazy when she's mad. he's exasperated, and looks like she's lost her mind. "You want to know what I was doing last night I was having... fun with Mikah!"

It takes a moment to register what 'fun' exactly is. But when I get it, I don't press anymore questions. "I'm sorry for thinking that of you."

"You should be. I'm an older vampire, Canada. I have control."

"I know. I'm sorry for doubting you." I walk away slowly, and go back to the main office center. When I do go back, a picture of a severed, human head sits on my desk. Even as I try to hold back my gasp, a small sound is made. Petrizzi walks over to my desk when he hears this.

"I need you to tell me who this is." He says.

"Okay." I stare at the picture, and focus solely on it. Nothing more, nothing less. Flashes go through in my brain, until and ID finally shows up. "His name."

"Okay, what is his name?" Petrizzi sounds exasperated.

"His name is Kris Frantz, from Germany. He's a scientist." I open my, eyes, and readjust in my seat a little bit, avoiding looking at the picture.

"Since you seem to know everything, do you know who killed him?"

"I'm sorry, I couldn't see. Besides that, my instinct is an educated a guess, there is always a chance that I am mistaken-"

"However it is a guess that is always right."

"Thus far it has been right, Head Councilman Petrizzi."

"Alright, but should I find out that you are hiding something young lady, let's just say that will be the end of your career and second life."

"I am aware." I nod, and go back to looking at my computer.

Abruptly, people start rushing through the door, making a loud ruckus with them. I look up from my computer to the councilwoman across from me. She does too, and we both exchange a confused glance. When someone by her bolts up, she finally speaks up.

"What in the world is going on?"

"They've found 'im. Found the one that did the murder." The man says in reply. A ding goes off on every computer in the room, including mine.

It reads, 'You are to report to the Justice Room 66, in the basement, as quickly as possible.'

The woman and I exchange looks once more, and get up from our stations to walk out the door.

"In case you don't know, Head Councilwoman Wayward, when someone's in Justice Room 66, it isn't good." The woman hurries, fumbling with her purse.

"What happens in Justice Room 66?"

She looks around the room a few times, as if wondering if she should tell me or not. Finally, she looks dead ahead of herself, and mutters, "Executions."

I feel my breath, for the second time today, hitch in my throat. I was going down to see an execution. What are they going to use? A silver dagger? A silver bullet? Do they have some sort of silver guillotine? I keep my eyes ahead of me as we board the glass elevator. There aren't proper doors, so we watch as it goes down every level.

When we reach the basement level, the air seems to be a bit more... dark, and less glamorous. The doors open, and it's clear that not a lot of people come down he ere every day. There are a few labeled offices, but those stop once we reach a large, steel door, like the ones you find in most prison movies.

The light on the door flashes green, and it slides open. It's clear that we're in some sort of prison. For one, all of the doors look like they belong in a prison. Secondly, the windows that allow us to see in clearly have people in old-fashioned prison uniforms. Third and finally, the air and vibe feels like a prison.

We keep walking until we reach a steel door identical to the first one. It slides open for us, and find more rooms. At last, we find Justice Room 66. When we walk in, a prisoner is already strapped into the seat, with a bag over their head so we can't identify them. I assume it's a girl because of their small frame and the the fact that she's wearing a night dress. All of assemble at a box with plenty of chairs in it. All the while, I feel like I can hear subtle sobs coming from the person in the chair.

Once everyone is seated, including Reigna Na'im, a yanks the bag off of the girls face, revealing Alexandria. Her eyes are blood shoot, her face is read, her hair's a mess. She looks nothing like girl I had a snow ball fight with, or the girl that my brother hung out with at the ball.

"State your name." A guards voice yells over all of us. Alexandria winces at the sound.

"My-My name- My name is Alexandria."

"Your full name."

"Alexandria Botergo." Her words are spoken fast, and she yells them, as if a comeback to whatever the guard was saying.

"Alexandria Botergo, you are charged with murder of a human, being out on the night of a full moon, and near revealing the secrets or your kind. What do you plead?"

Alexandria looks to the ground for a few seconds and sobs, but eventually looks back up at us, a harsh look in her eyes that I didn't even know someone like her could have. "Guilty." She spits out, suddenly furious.

"Reigna Na'im, have you gathered enough information?" The guard booms over.

"Not yet." Reigna Na'im seems to be less angry than she was earlier. She gets up from her seat, and walks over to the girl. They mutter a short conversation, and Reigna Na'im cups Alexandria'a face. They stare into each other eyes for a minute, when Reigna Na'im suddenly pulls her hand back, as if Alexandria's face was too hot to touch. Reigna Na'im looks over to the guard, great amounts of sorrow in her eyes. "Due to an astounding amount of evidence, my verdict is that she is, in fact, guilty." Reigna Na'im sounds like she's stifling a gag.

One of the guards walks over to her, and slowly draws out a small, silver dagger. Slowly and carefully, he aims it towards her heart, and jabs it right through. The last look in Alexandria's eyes show nothing but fear, and terror. The look in her eyes also reminds me of the look someone has when they are perfectly innocent.

When we all start to walk back, I feel the urge to stick at the back of the pack. As does Reigna Na'im.

"Today was not a good day." She says to break the silence.

"No. It wasn't. I'm sorry."

"Don't feel sorry for me. Feel sorry for that girl, and that man."

"I do, too."

"You saw the look in her eyes, too?"

"I did. She looked scared. I don't think a vampire at that age gets scared a lot."

"We certainly do not." Reigna Na'im nods. "That look in her eyes... I don't think I will ever be able to not see that when I'm down here again."

"How often are you down here?"

"Maybe twice a year." Neither of us have our eyes on the other. We're perfectly comfortable with keep our eyes fixed on the concrete. "I apologize for the fact that your first act as a member on my council was to witness that. I'm also sorry you had to see what we all saw as well."

"It's alright."

"We will miss you until your return,"

"I will miss you, too. I look forward to my return."

"I will give you as much notice as I can for events, and you won't have to come down for every thing that has to deal with justice."

"I appreciate that." I nod a little bit.

I pause I stand right in front of the elevator we took down here, already filled with people. "That one's crowded, we can take my private one." Reigna Na'im gestures to down the hallway.

I walk with her along the way until we reach an even more ornate elevator. The floor is mosaic, depicting the ocean, and the ceiling's mosaic looks like the clearest of night sky's, when there's an aurora borealis. Just like the top of my bed here. We ride the whole way up in silence, and when they elevator stops, we step out slowly, but Reigna Na'im stops before we can get any further out into the hallway. Instead, we just stand at the entrance to the elevator.

"I suppose this is goodbye, Head Councilwoman Wayward. Due to today's events, I don't think we'll have time for a closing ceremony."

"I know that the guests will understand."

"We can only hope." Before I know it, she's quickly wrapping her arms around me, in a tight embrace. It's tighter than when Emma does it, and her hand rubs my back. This is the best hug I think I've ever gotten. When we break away, we smile at each other. "Goodbye, Canada."

"Goodbye Reigna Na'im." I give a little bow, and turn to walk away.

Our bags were all packed, we had taken the same snow mobiles out that we took here exactly one week ago. More like ages ago. Emma came with us, to see us off. We hopped off of the bikes, and stood in a sort of circle for a while. Abigail is the first to break the formation, and wraps Emma in a tight hug. They rock a little bit for a while, having a conversation that no one can quite here. The comes Matthias. Their farewell is slightly more awkward.

Emma walks over to David, and they stare at each other for a moment before wrapping each in a hug for an exact same time. "We've been together for a short eternity." I can hear David say to his sister. "I'll miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

They both press a short kiss to each others cheeks, and Emma finally walks over to me. We wrap each other in a hug, and try to pretend like our last conversation wasn't an argument.

"Can I call you if I have boy troubles?" I ask.

"You always can. I might not answer, but I'll always call back."

"Thank you." I respond, my eyes shut tight. "See you in a few years, though, and on special occasions."

"See you then." Emma says. We break away and smile awkwardly at each other one last time. After a long while, she looks at the rest of our circle. "Bye guys. Love you."

She says it like we're leaving her for a weekend, not for however long she stays there. I know I'll be back in a matter of months, but I don't know when all of us will ever see her again. I hope that it's soon though. She walks back to the snow mobiles, and hop on the back of Mikah's. We all walk onto the plane, and sit down. All of us sat in the exact same spot we did when we flew here, and left Emma's spot open.

I don't need an instinct to know that we were all staring at her chair, wishing that Emma was filling it.