Two weeks after my parents died, I arrived by train to a small town in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. A happy sign with a black bear pelted me with greetings, " Welcome to Happy Valley: Home of the words 3rd largest boot." 'Does uncle realize the irony of sending me here to be picked up?' The happy bear made my own emptiness feel all he more vast. Overnight I went form a 'mostly-normal 16-year-old girl to an orphan. 'After today, I am going to be seen as a freak. Why does uncle insist on me going to Mount Victory Prep when I am not a pureblood vampire?' The intercom at the station interpreted my thoughts, reminding me to pick up my luggage at the 9th platform before leaving the station.

I walked slowly to the platform, checking my winstagram. Sympathetic messages and well wishes filled my wall, after scrolling down for a while, the last picture I posted stood, mocking me. "Can't wait to get out of this town #vacation2020" A selfie with my suitcase and passport was settled under the caption, my eyes sparkled at the idea of leaving my parents for a month to visit Paris with my French class. A trip that would never happen.

"Sophie!" A deep voice nearly made me drop my phone. Near platform 9 stood a man appearing to be in his late 20's, wearing a slim fitted business suit and a bright smile.

"Uncle Felix!" I tried to add as much enthusiasm as a could into my greeting. After all, Uncle Felix was my only surviving family member that I had any connection with. My mother's younger brother and a pureblood vampire. Most of my mother's family stopped talking to her after she married my father. He was 'a waste' according to most of vampire high society. Not only was my dad human, but he also came from a normal middle-class family and worked for the government (two things vampire society looks down upon). Uncle Felix was an easy-going guy, he didn't hesitate to keep in touch with my mom, and visited us at least a few times each year. He was the classic uncle in my childhood- he gave biggie back rides and fed me any sweets I asked for. The only big difference between him and your stereotypical uncle is that he hasn't aged more than a few years since I have been born.