I awoke the next day on my own, which was very rare and I had to scan my surroundings to reassure that yesterday's events weren't just a dream. Glancing at the clock, I sighed in relief when I saw it was only six in the morning and that I hadn't slept in.

That would've been plain rude.

After brushing my teeth and washing up, I walked out of the room and looked around the dark empty hallways. Everyone was sound asleep. I closed the door behind me and walked down the stairs stealthily, not wanting to wake anyone.

Once I reached the kitchen, I decided that making myself breakfast would probably wake up everyone. So I settled with an apple, sitting at the stool by the counter.

Just as I was about to take my first bite of the juicy green fruit, the front door opened quietly. I froze, before tip toeing towards the door, getting in a defensive position.

I suddenly stopped in my tracks and stood up straight as I recognized the person sneaking in. My jaw dropped as I saw a bruised and bloodied Drew close the door behind him quietly, still not noticing my presence.

Once he turned around and finally noticed me, he jumped in surprise and I would've laughed if he was in a regular state.

"Avery?" He asked stupidly.

My eyes scanned over his injuries quickly, before I grabbed his wrist and dragged him down the hall to the washroom.

Ignoring his whispered protests, I closed the door behind us, locking us in the now lit up bathroom.

"What the-" Drew started to say.

"Shut up." I ordered as I opened up the cabinet where I suspected the first-aid kit to be. Sure enough, it was right there.

Pulling it out, I opened the lid and started pulling out all the necessities needed to treat his injuries.

"I don't need-" Drew started protesting again but I quickly silenced him with a deadly glare.

First, I wiped all the blood off his face and hands. Next, I pulled out some alcohol rubbing to put on his cheek where there was a small cut. All the while I felt his intense gaze trained on me.

"This might hurt a bit." I warned, putting the disinfectant onto a cloth, before bringing it to his face.

He gave me a small nod, before letting out a sound of pain as the solution came in contact with his cut.

Once that was done, I checked his body once more for any other injuries I had missed, before putting everything back into the kit and placing it back in the cabinet underneath the sink.

As I was putting it away, I noticed Drew looking at his reflection in the mirror and slightly cringing at the sight of the noticeable cut on his cheek.

"The cut should be gone completely in a week or so since it's not too deep and your bruises will just have to heal on their own." I informed him, standing up beside him now.

He just stared back at me in slight shock. "I could've done that myself, you didn't need to do it." He finally spoke, sounding a bit sheepish to my amusement.

I rolled my eyes at him. "I know, I just really wanted to use a first-aid kit for the first time." I grinned at him.

He gave me an odd look, before shaking his head. "Well thanks nurse." He grinned back at me.

"Yeah yeah. Now don't go thinking you're off the hook so easily." I gave him a stern look, placing a hand on my hip.

His playful look suddenly vanished and a cold look settled in his eyes. "Look, I appreciate your concern but this doesn't have anything to do with you." He spoke in a clipped tone.

I just stared back at him in confusion, before opening my mouth. "But I just helped you, you owe me at least an explanation. The state you're in is quite scary and I'm sorry if I can't help worry about it." I said softly.

His expression didn't waver. "I owe you nothing. And you shouldn't worry about it, because it's my business. If you're going to be staying here, there's one thing you should understand. Stay the fuck out of my business, and I'll stay out of yours. Princess or not, this is my house and my village."

I stared back at him, still taken aback by his venomous tone. But I quickly straightened up and held my head high, glaring at him. "Fine, but don't expect me to cover up or lie to your parents for you." I stated, before reaching for the door handle.

Just as I grabbed it, a hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled it away with enough force to cause my body to spin around and face him. I instinctively let out a cry of pain and cowered away from him, awaiting a blow.

I felt his hand immediately let go of my wrist, and when I didn't feel a hit, I cautiously looked up to see him looking down at me with a softer look, his eyes filled with worry.

"Damn, I didn't mean to be so rough. I'm sorry Avery, are you alright?" He spoke, taking slow steps towards me.

I mirrored him and backed away, until my back hit the wall. Fear engulfed me once again. The space between us was too small and his presence was too big. There was no escape.

"Avery, I'm not going to hurt you." Drew spoke softer this time. "Please, I would never hit a girl."

I looked into his sincere filled eyes and couldn't help but relax in the slightest bit.

He seemed to notice that and took the opportunity to reach out for me and pull me into his warm embrace.

I immediately melted in his arms and all the fear and anxiety left me. I believed him. Just because I had lived with monsters almost my whole life, didn't mean I'd let them cloud my perspective of everyone else.

"I'm so sorry. I promise you I'd never hurt you." Drew continued to comfort me, whispering in my ear while running his hand softly through my hair. It was so relaxing that I found my eye lids drooping and letting my body fall completely into Drew's hold.

I found myself opening my eyes and immediately cringing back into the soft covers at the bright sunlight shining in through the window.

Sitting up, I looked around to see I had ended up in my temporary room once again somehow. Drew must have brought me here.

Checking the time to see it was nearing ten, I got out and quickly made the bed. Then, I went downstairs, searching for a certain brunette.

"Good morning Avery!" Linda chirped happily as I entered the kitchen to see John and Drew sitting at the table, and Linda transferring scrambled eggs onto a plate. I also noticed Drew had a baseball cap on his head, hiding the cut on his cheek.

"Good morning! I'm sorry I slept in." I said sheepishly, shooting Drew a pointed look.

I saw a devious smirk peek out from under his hat in reply.

"Oh no dear its fine. Drew normally sleeps in much later than this!" Linda laughed.

"Speaking of Drew, he's going out with his friends after breakfast. We were thinking you could join them. You know, get to know the town and the people here a bit better." John spoke up with a smile.

My eyes widened at their great hospitality, before I shook my head. "That's very kind of you all, but I must be leaving soon. I should start finding a way back to..." I trailed off, before realizing I had no where to go really. So I improvised and blurted the first place that came to mind. "My cousin's house." I filled in with a grin. Although I had only met my cousin once when we were five and my real father was still around, I knew that she lived about a two day's car ride away.

"Oh. That's a shame, we were really enjoying your company." Linda said with a small frown. "It's nice to have another female in this house for once." She chuckled.

I could feel Drew's questioning gaze on me.

"Where does your cousin live? I'm sure Drew won't mind helping you get back?" John spoke. "You can spend the day here in town with Drew and his friends, and leave tomorrow. Plus, its too late to start a journey now." John reasoned.

I glanced at Drew to see him looking at me with a small smile.

"Well she lives in Greenview which is a bit far, so I'll be fine taking the train there." I smiled back at the lovely couple.

"The train to Greenview only functions on Sundays at seven in the morning." Linda spoke up, taking a seat at the table next to her husband.

I looked down at the family all staring up at me. They were being too kind and I surely wouldn't want to take advantage of their hospitality. But it was only Monday today so I had six days to wait.

Drew seemed to come up with my decision for me.

"She'll stay here with us until Sunday. So for now she can just explore the town and get to know the people." Drew spoke to his parents, before getting up and dropping his now empty plate in the sink and walking by me towards the hall.

"We leave in ten." He spoke to me as he brushed by.