((I think I like this picture the best even though its small.)<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/TimeKeys/Miscellanous/hgy89-1.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>Marianna, known by her few friends as Maria, known to Sojo as Ria<br/>Daughter of a late Spanish Ambassador.<br/><br/><br/>Maria shivered lightly and sighed deeply to herself. She glanced over her shoulder out of habit before looking back down at her modified .22 rifle. It was shorter than the standard issue...custom made, bought for cash with no questions asked. After brushing out the GSR, Maria slipped the metal bristle back into the pouch that was laying open on the picnic bench beside her and slipped it back into her draw-string back pack. Blowing gently, Maria tested the lock. Nodding to herself, Maria reloaded the rifle, set the safety on, pulled the black strap over her shoulder and let the gun rest gently against her left hip.<br/><br/>It had been nearly three years...the little voice in the back of her head reminded her. Maria brushed a strand of dark brown hair from hazel green eyes as the thought plagued her. Three years since he had left...he had promised to come back...but he never did...he had missed her quinceanera...but he had promised to make it.<br/><br/>Everything had changed after that day...Maria mused as she turned to look over her shoulder again. It was getting cooler out...the sun must be setting. Sitting in the park of her small home town, the shade of a 50 year old oak tree hid everything from her. It forced her to listen and smell....demons always reeked of sulfur, and made the grass crackle with fire. A hand covered by a finger-less black leather glove slid down to the rifle as the wind rustled through the trees again.<br/><br/>She should probably start heading home. It wasn't safe to be caught outside after dark. Pulling the strings tighter on her boots, and slinging the back pack onto her right shoulder, Maria sighed deeply and stood up fully. She wasn't all that tall, but her black suede boots added an inch or two. Tucked into them were dark blue denim jeans that looked worn and hugged her tightly; these jeans were nearly two years old...she was growing out of them. It was nearly fall, and covering the metal studded belt through her pant loops was a handwoven navy blue long sleeved shirt. Her mother had made it...along with most of their clothes these days. A white tank top beneath that completed the outfit...and in fact, it was almost the only outfit she really had. All her other clothes were either torn, ripped, scorched, or plain destroyed. Not clothes to keep her warm for the upcoming winter.<br/><br/><br/>As Maria walked, she kept her ears open to the sounds around her. She sighed again. Things were always so much easier with HIM around. Maria rubbed her eye to discourage the tears from falling. She wished she could see him again. If only for a little bit. Maybe he could help her--<br/><br/>Maria had been staring at the ground, and the person who ran into her were light on their feet. She hadn't heard them coming. They didn't reek of ash or fire, so she knew it wasn't a demon. Staggering back, Maria instinctively leaned foward to regain her balance, and a hand went to the gun at her waist. Blinking, Maria glared at the person who hit her until he spoke.<br/><br/>That voice...she would know that voice anywhere. The hand at her gun went limp and it fell back to her side. Maria's face went from angry and furious to confused, and shocked. Taking a step closer to the man sitting on the floor in front of her, Maria tilted her head in disbelief.<br/>"Angeli?" she asked softly, her hand reaching forward tentatively. She pulled back with a sharp inhale. She almost didn't want to believe this was true. "Angeli? Is that really you?" she asked, her voice still quiet. It had to be him...he looked just as she always remembered him...he hadn't changed a bit...<br/><br/>Maria smiled. An actual smile however it hardly reached her eyes as it would have when he came to visit her. She glanced over her shoulder suddenly though, hearing something crash in the distance. "We can't stay out here. It's getting late." Maria said, reaching her hand forward to help him up.