Chapter 3

There was a flurry of hugs and hair, as Jessie leaped at her father “Dad” she cried, “ I missed you so much!!” “Calm down Jess” her father, laughed in his deep booming voice “ Give me chance to breath” ‘Sorry that I am late, I was held up by traffic” ‘Late?” Jessie inquired, clearly puzzled. “ Yes” her father answered blankly” it is almost 8 o clock’ sudden realization spread onto his face ‘you were in The Tree weren’t you?” he shook his head smiling “ My little daydreamer” “ I had things on my mind” she retorted sulkily. ‘Anyway’, replied her father, clearly choosing to ignore Jess’s last comment, lets go sit by the fire with some hot chocolate or stand on the balcony and admire the view. We might see a wolf roaming near by, if we are lucky,” he added as an after thought. “ No, I will not go any were near there at night, NEVER!!!” Jessie shouted, looking horrified, she fled up the stairs and into her room, locking the door behind her. She slumped against the door sobbing uncontrollably as the memories and utter horrors of the previous night came flooding into her head. What had happened, why had it happened to her, what was ‘the gift’ and why was she the only one who didn’t know about it?! Finally after crying for about 10 minutes she got up and sat on her bed, her anger at her father for reminding her was beginning to ebb away and give way to a new feeling, Guilt. Her father ,after all, had no idea of what happened the previous night, and could on no account be blamed. After a while she heard a gentle tapping an her door and a voice said, ‘ Miss, the Master wants to see you in his study, now.” The voice was not harsh and commanding, but soft , pleading and gentle. “ please” the voice said again “ Your father has important matters to discuss’ “ he’s mad at me isn’t he’ Jess said in a small voice.” well….” the voice on the other end hesitated “ I knew it, tell him that I am coming”

-‘Soon?’

-Yes, soon”

-‘Ok”

Jessie lifted herself off her bed and unlocked the door. She walked slowly, dreading what her father would say or do . Then, when she couldn’t delay any longer, she knocked, and the sound seemed to stretch on forever until a loud voice broke the science “Enter! Jess opened the door and stepped inside.