Chapter 1 - Torment

I could not have been born more different than from the rest of my siblings. I reckon they picked me up from the hospital instead of having the same typical home birth all my other siblings had. Both of my parents still persist in telling me that I am normal in their eyes, even though I know I was born completely different. I hate that word, different. It shadows me like a horrible rain cloud just because I'm not like the rest of my super family.

Sometimes I crave life; my life to be exact to automatically change and be normal like the other humans in the world. But I can guarantee as I know for a fact that will never happen in a million years.

Members in my enormous family can do all sorts of weird things you would never imagine. Things such as read minds, see people's futures, change emotions, display pictures through touch, create barriers and shape shift into werewolves on demand. That's because most of my Mum's side are immortal. On my Father's side they have passed down the gene to make him and my Brother's Elliott and Chad have the ability to turn into werewolves when it was there time. For my Sister Amber, she is a lot like my Mother and is half vampire and half human. Luckily for her she got a bit of both worlds, unlike me.

But for me it'sdifferent. Unlike my bizarre family, I'm a full human. Well that's what we've all presumed seen as I'm much weaker, prone to accidents and illnesses. I get told a lot I'm just like Grandma Bella before she got turned into a vampire. But I could never see her as a weak fragile human, only a beautiful strong woman. At least I'm not the only one. My Great Grandfather Charlie Swan is also a human too. He doesn't know too much about my families secrets, only that there different from us. But what he knows for certain is that my Dad can turn into a giant werewolf, which creeps him out, even at the sight mention of dogs.

I will say though, it would be a lot simpler if I didn't have to be so dishonest all the time about their secret. School is the worse for all the questions and I have to lie in order to protect my family. I get asked why I'm so different, why I'm not normal from the others, who look perfectly beautiful 100% of the time. It's not so easy for me, especially when some of my siblings pick on me for being different. I assume it is much easier for all of them to keep this secret hidden as their lives depend on it, otherwise bad things will happen.

After another busy day at school, I drove myself down the highway in my blue Ford Focus ST over to the hub aka the Cullen's big house where sometimes we all meet up. It's an actual fact that it's the only place that we can all fit in, now there are so many of us.

Typically, I found my Uncle Emmett chilling out on the designer cream sofa, watching the sports channel, featuring the latest baseball game. With his feet perched on the coffee table and his arms crossing his vast chest, tucking in his hands in the joins, he greets, "Hey kidda."

With a tired dreary tone I respond, "Hi Uncle Em..." School has drained all my energy out of me.

"Baseball might be on tonight if the weather brews a little more…" He announces with excitement like a little kid waiting for their favourite television show to start. You would think being nearly a century old he would have grown up behaviour wise, but no. His features however still carry the charm of an innocent grown man which will never change now he's made of stone.

I gesture down at my fairly average but breakable human body, "You do remember I can't play right?"

"Oh," His pitch was glazed with forgetfulness before twisting the sound to make out that he didn't, "Oh yeah…"

I swear Uncle Emmett is the only vampire I know that can't remember things. I mumbled to myself, "Idiot."

Crap! He heard that, didn't he?

Peeking through my thick dark eyelashes, I notice his golden eyes had flared up looking in my direction. Crap, he heard!

"What did you say?" He wondered as if he didn't hear, but I knew he did with his super vampire hearing.

"Nothing," I reply in a sweet innocent tone, darting up the stairs instantly.

Being weak and helpless is no use against his capability of being fast and strong. Before I had time to blink he wrestled me down against the staircase making me yelp out. For my comment, he knew exactly how to get me back for it. Uncle Emmett's cold fingers jabbed against my sides, tickling me in annoyance. I didn't want to laugh but I couldn't force my body to stop. "Uncle Em, get off me!" I squeal loudly.

"Say it!" Emmett encourage whilst tickling me further, "Say it, c'mon otherwise I won't stop!"

I chuckled out another laugh wanting to stop and take in oxygen as I felt a struggle to breathe. "You're the best, greatest, fastest, strongest uncle in the world," I puff out, "Now will you let me go before I die!"

His arms supported my back before raising me off the edges of the steps and back onto my feet. He wasn't finished though, I could tell by the cheeky grin written all over his face. He carried on within seconds, tickling me and I couldn't bare the feeling anymore. It became agonising. Trying to beat a strong intelligent vampire in this house is practically impossible.

"Emmett," Granddad Edward's strong voice blared down from the third floor, his arms leaning out resting on some white painted wood ledge. "I hope you intended to let my Granddaughter breathe…"

I called out, looking up at Granddad Edward, "Saved by the coolest vampire in the world!"

Edward's grin broadened over his characteristics whilst I observed his little wink taking place in his left eye..

Uncle Emmett abruptly released me from his hold. "Fine," he spat, unhappy that his harassing had to come to an end. With a warning pitch he said, "Watch your back Black!"

I screwed up my face and stuck out my tongue out playfully at him before he darted away, resuming his previous position on the luxurious sofa.

As Edwards rotated away, he beckoned, "Come on Skye let's get you sorted out again."

Running up the steps, I take two at a time as I shrug off my brown jacket, knowing the usual tests lie ahead of me. Once the door behind me is closed, I catch the pleasant music playing in the background to comfort me. Granddad thought it would keep my mind entertained and also distract me from the giant needles that he used to stick in me when I was a child. Even now, he believes it relaxes me more when I come to visit his shared office with my Great Grandfather Carlisle, who also is a doctor.

I crossed the room and jumped up onto his wooden desk where he sat finishing off some paperwork from his duties at the hospital.

"What seems to be the problem today?" He wonders, even though he has probably heard it through my thoughts already. Edward is a mind reader. He can read anyone's thoughts apart from my Grandmother Bella's, unless she uses her shield ability, letting him hear her wildest thoughts.

"I've got a really bad pain in my ear and it throbs like…" I was going to insert a bad word but quickly changed my course seen as Edward doesn't like bad language and always tells my Brother's off. "Basically it agony to put up with and I have a rash on my side." I gesture to my right side before adding, "It's really itchy and it's starting to spread."

"A rash?" His tone quizzed as his brow lifted slightly, making the wheels of his chair screech across the floor to get closer to me instantly. Gently lifting my top up, he exposes the red blotchy skin. "Has your Mum changed the washing powder recently?"

Shrugging my shoulders I answer, "Wouldn't have a clue…"

Edward enquired urgently, "Skye look at me for a moment."

As instructed, I looked at his pale face, seeing his golden eyes staring back into my green ones, just like his when he was human, apparently. His eyes twisted and contained a sudden confusion. Seconds later he wonders, "Have you noticed a tint of orange flaring into your eyes before and then suddenly disappearing?"

I shook my head in response. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong Skye." He smiled reassuringly. I believed him. His hands land down on his lap making a sort of clapping sound. "Anyway back onto the matter in hand. Have you got this rash anywhere else?" He questioned whilst grabbing a tympanic thermometer and placing it in my good ear before putting it in the other.

I'm not sure, I answer through my thoughts.

"Get unchanged and we will have a look."

Sliding off the desk, I made a slight bang as my shoes tapped the surface of the oak wooden floor. I remove my simple t-shirt over my head, neatly placing it on the vacant bed before struggling with my black skinny jeans, nearly falling over if Granddad never caught me by the arm. His cold touch shivered straight through me as he steadied my hold. Removing his grip away quickly, I managed to obtain my ankles from the tight fabric without any accidents. I glance up at Edward, seeing him shake his head in disbelief and a smirk covering his lips.

"What?" I question placing my hands on my hip as I stand there in my underwear. If a normal person came in they would find this situation very bizarre as my Granddad looks old enough to be my boyfriend. I shake that thought out of my head straight away.

"You remind me so much of your Grandmother when she was human…" He laughed before suddenly haltering, drifting back onto the super Doctor mode. "Turn around."

As commanded, I twist around authorizing him to see my back. Looking down at myself I see nothing apart from my raw side. "Found anymore?" I ask peering over my shoulder.

"It's on the back of your legs, behind your knees and it looks like it's spreading across your back too," He stated before sighing thickly. "Stay here for a moment." Papers that lay on the top of his desk swished in the wind as he scurried out of the room for a moment in super speed. Seconds later he was back with a large pile of clothes in his hands, placing them on the bed, far away from my previous clothes. "These were your Mother's, they should fit but if they don't then we will have to find you something else…"

"Or Alice could," I added in looking through the pile of colourful t-shirts, jogging bottoms, jeans and pyjamas.

"Okay so my choice of clothes might not be up to Alice's standard." He quoted the word standard with the use of his fingers, which made me chuckle. "But I did my best in the few seconds I was away, so give me some credit!"

"You can't be good at everything Gramps! But well done for trying," I said watching him now at the medical cupboard obtaining some boxes of medicine. "Perhaps Alice could give you a lesson one evening when you're not busy."

Peering his golden eyes over the grey metal cabinet door, he looked over at me with a, 'hell no' flare to his eye.

I couldn't help but express a smile.

At my side instantly he started to explain; "Now this cream should settle the itch down and I'll give you some Diphenhydramine which should treat the reaction but it can have side effects. Tiredness and dizziness are the main ones, so have one of your siblings to drive you to school for the next few days."

I nod my head as I accept the cream and start to rub it onto my skin. He helped me with my back, legs and knee's and I trembled at his touch. Why do you have to be so cold?!

"Because I'm dead Skye…" He responded to the question after listening to my thoughts.

"Can't you put warm gloves on?"

"And get the cream stuck with fibres from the fabric?"

I guess you're right, I sighed.

"Yes, I am right," He bragged, picking up my old clothes and discarding them into a plastic bag. "Put on the new clothes and we will have a look at the pain in your ear."

After thinking it could be a caused from a wisdom tooth, Edward took an x-ray of my teeth but they seemed to be perfectly normal and there were no visible signs of infection to my gums. So dismissing that, he assumed it to be just an ear infection which he prescribed more drugs for me. The main door unlocked and someone entered in, my eyes shifted up and saw Dad striding in.

"You alright, Button?" Dad said using my nickname as always, planting a lovingly kiss on the top of my forehead, instantly warming me up from his burning temperature.

I smiled feeling his warm arm wrap around my back before I answered, "I'm fine Dad."

"Jacob," Edward greeted secondly with his serious voice. "Have you made arrangements yet to ask my Daughter to marry you?" He likes to wind my Dad up when it comes to him wanting to be his future Fathering Law, which seems slightly odd. I really should get used to the way my family look, but over the years it doesn't want to sink in. Perhaps it's because I'm growing old and they aren't.

"Not yet," Dad reacted, gripping his spare hand into a ball, cracking his knuckles, which made me cringe. "It will be on the cards soon don't worry Dad!"

I laughed.

Edward sighed lightly before being informative. "It's a good thing you came actually Jacob. You will have to take Skye home because I've put her on some medication that can make her very drowsy."

Dad glanced down at me, squeezing me gently to his side. "What's wrong with you now pup?"

"I'm not a pup Dad!" I complained, hated to be called something I am not. If I was a pup or a werewolf perhaps I could be normal for a change. That will never happen. I roll my eyes.

Removing his hands from me he held them up as if he got offended by my grumble.

"She's had an allergic reaction and I think it's from the washing powder Renesmee has been using" Granddad broadcasted. "So that will need to change immediately. Skye has also got an ear infection but with the tablets and cream, both conditions should get better quickly…" Edward explains.

"Not again!" Dad sighed as if he's had enough of me.

"Skye will you go down stairs and take these," Edward said offering the boxes to me as I slide down off his desk again. "I just need to speak with Jacob for a moment."

"Sure…"

Heading down stairs, I realise more of my family has arrived at the hub. Uncle Jasper had now taken a seat besides Emmett, watching the screen with ogling eyes as they sit on the edge of their seats. Noting Great Grandma Esme had the polish out, cleaning the coffee table in circle motions where Uncle Emmett had his feet previously, I realised she must have disapproved. I couldn't help but wind him up, "You should put Emmett on the naughty step Grandma. He deserves it big time!" I nodded my head up and down repeatedly, hoping she would take my encouragement and punish him.

"Shut it squirm!" Emmett hissed without moving.

Grandma turned around and stepped closer as she promised, "When I catch him in the act we will Skye. We will also have to get photographic evidence of him just in case he tries to wind us up again."

"Deal!" I agree, giving my Great Grandma a high five. "He's always trying to wind me up…"

Emmett finally looked away from the screen and looked at us. "Weak helpless human, remember?" He said in a sarcastic tone, pointing his index finger at me.

"Ooh," I scrunched my face up, shaking my head, remembering my comment before about me not being able to play baseball in this storm.

"WHAT ON EARTH!" Alice's voice streams through where she stands near the back door, where a light breeze travels across the atmosphere, making a chill go straight down my back. Though I will admit it is more warmer then Granddad's hands.

All our eyes focus on her, wondering what she's going to come out with next. "What do you think you're wearing Skye Hetta Black?" My Aunt Alice an overly obsessed fashionista said. Offended by what I'm wearing she attached a gasp as her head bobs up and down checking me out. That's over the top Alice for you. It's nice to see you too.

"There called clothes Alice," I say sarcastically.

"No way!" She played along as she danced towards us. "I thought they were potato sacks."

Glancing down at my second hand clothes, I realised they are a little big on me, but at least they're comfortable. Who can beat comfortable? Nobody. Comfortable is good. "Well Alice," I said as I head to the kitchen, needing to take my NEW medication. "I thought Granddad did an exceptional job on his first dip into the fashion world." I obtained a glass from the cupboard and poured some cold refreshing water inside of it. Fumbling with the boxes, I noticed Edward walking in, followed by my Dad.

"See Alice I'm not that bad, plus she's please with the results and that counts for something." Granddad crossed the room and high fived me before leaning against the counter besides me, helping me get the sticky label off the box to obtain the pills.

"Not in my book Edward," She stated. "Why didn't you call me, I could have sorted her out with clothes if she needed them."

"In fact she does. Renesmee needs to wash her clothes before Skye can wear them again." He nods his head towards me, "Allergic reaction to washing powder."

After taking my time to gulp the water and tablets to get them into my system I say, "Has nobody heard of confidentiality in this place."

Dad shook his head where he stood next to a window look out into the woodland, munching a red apple from the fruit bowl, "There is not a chance in this place."

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