(Aperture Science: We do what we must, because we can.)

Emmett

It's 1935, and sweltering summer. It's July to be exact. I live on my own, in my little bungalow. In Tennessee, not far from my family's home. Occasionally, I invite a girl over, or play a game of football with some guys. Nothing ever happens. I like to go hiking too, see the waterfalls and go swimming. Feel the great Earth under my feet.

I wore only my trousers as I walked down my familiar path to a large waterfall. I liked it, because, there was a girl who was so fast, that she must have been a ghost…that was exciting! I didn't get much excitement lately. Maybe I'd see her again someday…

Peacefully looming trees blocked the August sun from burning my skin, and patches of white glowing sunlight passed through the treetops. It made my skin warm; just uncomfortably warm enough to hasten me the waterfall.

The sapphire water moved and glistened as it flew down the rock face, pooling coolly.

"Ah…" Life was good to you sometimes. I scaled the rocks, in five minutes, knowing the good sturdy spots. I stood at the top, and then flung myself off the top. I hit the water, the liquid scaring my naturally curly hair straight for now.

I opened my eyes underwater, Ma always told me not to, and I saw:

A fish, wide eyed and frightened, it darted away. Okay.

A deep underwater crevice I'd never venture into. Seen it before.

A girl, she was darting gracefully in the water, her blonde hair levitating around her face. Huh? Was it my ghost? In my slight glimpse, she seemed to hiss, and rushed into the underwater crevice-cave-thing. I ran out of air now, and I struggled to reach to the surface. I clawed to the dirt, my run-in with The Return of The Ghost winding me. The urge to swim dissipated. I lay on the dirt breathing heavily, coughing.

I didn't know how long I'd been sitting there now, but my hair was beginning to dry and curl and my bare chest was dry. So I pulled on my crisp white shirt and began to trek back to the bungalow.

I must have turned the wrong way.

Because the sun is setting, and Emmett McCarty isn't home. To add, I heard something growl.

Lord God Almighty, help me back.

Rosalie

Good Rosalie battled with Bad Rosalie. Then they both teamed up on Vampire Rosalie.

He smelled so good. I wanted his…

Blood? Of course you do, idiot.

You could have had him; you caught his thick scent through the water. Wonderful…can you imagine your teeth on his neck…

That's irrational, that is stupid, and you can't disappoint yourself like that.

Why did that even happen? Why did I irrationally go swimming when you picked up a scent before then? The boy you saw before.

I mentally slapped myself. I was walking at a human pace, and I was heading towards the house and three loud noises whipped through the air.

A frenzied bellow. A roar. A snap.

I bolted towards the source, letting my feet carry me as fast as possible. The venom pooled in my mouth, as I smelled bear and human. A human with open wounds.

I came to a clearing, where that boy lay on the ground, one large gaping gash tore across his chest and smaller cuts and bruises were scattered everywhere else. The blood stained his completely white shirt blood red. I inhaled, the sweet scent tickling my dry, burning throat. He was seemingly smashed into a weak tree, causing the snap. I didn't breathe; That Boy's pained face caused my unnecessary breathing to hitch. He wheezed.

Then, only at this point, I sensed the large brown bear. It growled, and then snarled in a bear like fashion.

I hissed. The bear growled again, and advanced slightly. I wanted to kill this stupid animal. In my thinking, the bear began to rise on its hind legs, clawing at an invisible aerial attack.

Well, I wanted it gone, at least.

I shook in my anger and let a deep angry growl come from far inside. It ripped past my teeth and into the air. I sounded far more intimidating than I first imagined. That was good.

The stupid thing seemed to get my point. The bear backed off and yelped as it bounded away from me. I did want to fight it, but why worry when your dress could get dirty?

The stupid kid should know that bears are out at dusk. It's dangerous at dusk.

Yeah, what with vampires lurking around where they shouldn't. Bears are definitely top on the list. Bad Rosalie cawed inside my head.

I tuned my insanity out and focused on the boy. He wheezed again, and managed to open his eyes.

They were a wonderful forest green, glittering. He had cute, curly coffee hair that seemed just a bit immature for a man his age. He had deep-set dimples that added towards his immaturity. Looked as if he smiled all the time. Mustn't that be annoying…

He looked a bit like Henry…What a happy kid…with his dimples and bright green eyes and curly hair…

He grinned a little, enunciating those dimples, and added, "Hey, you're that girl, aren't you?" He croaked.

"What?" That seemed quite irrelevant.

"The girl from the…waterfall." He struggled to spit 'waterfall' out. He raised his bleeding hand towards my face, pointing weakly. I ignored the urge to grab his wrist and bleed him dry. I was good at ignoring things.

"Shut up, you idiot." I snapped. He nodded, frowned, and then closed his eyes. 2.3 seconds later, he seemed to pass out, rather fatally. Good Rosalie began to panic.

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Bad Rosalie and Vampire Rosalie were fighting whether to kill him or bleed him.

"Hey, Sir, you'll be fine. We'll make sure you…survive." I said. No visible response. I picked his form up, threw him on my back and headed towards the house.

I felt slower getting there, but I managed. Edward! Please help me now. Good Rosalie called raggedly.

Edward was on the porch, in a second. He snapped his head, looking at my Boy and me. He didn't say anything for a good while. I wasn't having that.

"Edward! Help me, you jackass!" I cried.

In a very un-Edward-like fashion he said, "Why? You aren't thinking of doing anything at all to him, right?" He frowned, disappointedly at me. Ah, maybe it was Edward-like.

I would have just ripped his head off right there if Esme hadn't busted through the front door. "Rose! What happened?" She cried.

"Bear. Attack. Him. Me. Save. Run." I babbled. Esme didn't seem to understand the specifics, but understood the logistics. I heard the man's ragged, shallow, guppy breathing near my ears.

Carlisle appeared, in a second. "What are you doing out here, Rosalie? Bring him inside!"

I followed.

Esme told Edward to "Be nice, and come inside." He sighed, but followed.

I placed him on the couch. His breathing became slower.

Edward began to scowl. "Rosalie, what do you propose to do now?"

"I don't know! Nurse him back to health?"

Carlisle shook his head. "Impossible. He's too far in now. We can't just give him to the nearest hospital either, we'd attract attention."

Edward whipped his head towards Carlisle. "You don't seriously…"

"Be quiet, Edward. Please." Esme said, frowning at Edward for being a bit rude. Why was my 'mother' always so nice to Edward, no matter how incompetent and stupid Edward was?

I felt His presence start to leave us. "Forget Edward! Please Carlisle, save him! Save him, please!" I screamed. I didn't want him to leave us, not this kid.

"You're sure, because I don't think that it's the best ide-"

"Yes! Of course! Carlisle, don't let him die!"

"Fine, Rosalie."

Carlisle kneeled to his level and bit into his neck, twice for reinforcement, and then hit major points, like his wrists and ankles. It was completely silent for one second. Then he shook, and his eyes opened, panicked and frenzied. He let out a bloodcurdling scream. I felt foolish now, damning him like that.

"You should be." Edward murmured, then left before I could retort something at him. He seemed angry and I didn't want to deal with that moron right now.

"So what now?" I asked, my voice coming out a little too worried for my liking.

"Well, now…" Carlisle began to say things about the parts of the heart, and the immune system. I don't think he sensed that I didn't understand his words. "...eventually a temporary shutdown per se…and then his heart should speed up and then stop…"

Carlisle and I stood in silence for a few seconds, looking at the man on our couch. He let out another scream and turned away from us on the couch, shaking. Carlisle took Esme's hand and they both left the living room. Leaving him and me together. I kneeled and touched his back softly, almost whimpering.

Emmett

It was kind of like the time I fell into the campfire when I was twelve. Except worse. It felt like I was pinned onto Satan's roasting spit. The pain came in spirals and bursts, constant spirals and bursts. Like firebirds and phoenixes were flying around me and a branding iron was stuck to my spine.

Like fire.

Like lots of fire.

Like fire.

Through the flames, I felt a cold limb brush against the thin fabric of my shirt. And a voice.

It must have been some angel, sent straight from God himself, calling from Heaven. It never surprised me that I found myself here, this hell, because I wasn't at monk status or anything, not even close.

"What is your name?" The angel called to me. Aren't they supposed to know? I figure it was a test to gauge my respect.

My voice was a hiss, an angry snake. "Emmett…McCarty…"

The angel spoke again. "You can speak? You poor soul, what have I done?" Her voice was soft and sweet, like caramelized sugar. It seemed sultry, though not on any kind of purpose.

"You haven't done any…thing. I'm fine." Suddenly, a burst of intense fire shot from my toes to my very highest hair. I screamed involuntarily, like saying "Ouch!"

She began to weep. Dry racking sobs, didn't do much to her voice. "Oh God, why couldn't I just mind my own business? I'm sorry, McCarty. Why didn't I just leave?" It didn't sound very angel-like, but who am I to decide?

"My lady," I addressed with the kindest of tones, "You're gonna save me. You'll save me, and we'll both be in heaven."

She laughed, her caramelized sugar hardening. "Sure." Her voice was sweet, hard toffee at this point. "I'm just killing you. You're lucky you can even talk. Really lucky."

I didn't really have anything to say. "…What is your name?"

"…Rosalie. Just in case."

Rosalie. What a beautiful name. Like a rose, you know? It hurt too much to move, so I didn't turn to look at my angel.

Rosalie

Well, damn.

I can't believe I'm beating on myself for saving this man. I mean, who should be thanking whom? Me? Carlisle? Emmett?

It's been a while. Three days, ten hours, and forty-seven minutes, since this whole thing began. Since that moment, I've trapped myself in one of the few places a girl could some privacy. Well, actually, I was still pretty open to everyone in the house, but at least in a physical sense I was alone. Because I never managed to go hunting that day, it's been a week and two days since I've last hunted. My eyes were darkening, dark dirt brown by now.

I put the thought of my usually pretty eyes on a subconscious backburner. I sat in front of my vanity, brushing my hair. I loved my hair. I loved everything about myself.

I mean, I am the prettiest person I know! Perfect eyes, perfect hair, perfect voice, and a perfect body.

Don't worry Rose, you're pretty. You're stunning. You're beautiful. The beautiful people always come out good in the end. Everything about you is perfect, babe. You are great. Good Rosalie consoled. She was so right! I'm so…

Beautiful…I knew that all already. But it didn't help. Because those thoughts never left.

So those unnecessary thoughts bubbled up again, as well as I tried to not remember.

Oh wait. Perfect memory.

I'm never going to get anything out of this hell I'm living in. No kids, no family, no exciting birthdays. Nothing like Vera, even if the whole Carlisle thing never happened, where would I be now anyway? Dead…Royce…No.

No.

I wouldn't go there, not today. Today was horrible and confusing enough as it is without revisiting horrible human memories.

…Edward. Edward, then. Why would he just drop me like that? I was so bitter. Was? I'm still so damn bitter. And it doesn't help that Edward is a total jackass to me now.

Those words from Carlisle I so vividly remember from that day.

"But there is so much waste!"

"Why save her? What's so special?"

"So much waste…I can't just let her go! She hasn't done anything wrong! I can't let another person just go like that."

"What's your point, Carlisle?"

"I didn't have to save you either, Edward." It was the first of few moments Edward Cullen was floored.

Forget Edward, you don't need that loser. Good Rosalie cheered. Maybe you can at least make some friends, Rose.

With who?

Oh, of course, the curly haired kid…

What, the curly kid you personally damned to eternity? Ha. Bad Rosalie interrupted.

You need another vampire companion, Rose. Carlisle will never be your friend per se, only a teacher, a father, Esme's using you as a child, and Edward is the enemy, your brother in the nicest sense. Vampire Rosalie pointed out.

He seems wonderful, and strong! You weren't able to talk when you were changed, right? That's real strong! Emmett's dreamy hair and his smile…imagine how handsome he'll be after this whole ordeal! Good Rosalie swooned. What a beaut. What a beau!

"Oh, shut the hell up." I muttered. I don't even know this fool yet, so what's to swoon about?

I was so insane. Oh, so, insane.

My voices and I all sighed.

"Rosalie?" Someone knocked on my door. I knew who it was.

"Carlisle." I acknowledged.

"Can I come in?"

"I don't care if you do or if you don't."

Carlisle gently opened the door. "I think we need to talk."

"Fine, we can talk." I snapped. I didn't turn around and I didn't stop brushing my hair.

"I know you must be going through a lot lately…you haven't even hunted for a while now. It seems that a few rather forgettable things are resurfacing around here, and most of them are your problems. I have a hunch that you're going to use…" Carlisle fished for the name.

I growled. "Emmett."

"...You're going to use Emmett as a vessel for your anger and anguish, and I can tell that that's a very bad idea. I don't want you ruining this life for him. He seems, just by facial expressions even, like a very happy man. You'll crush his spirit. You're just hurting yourself in the end, Rosalie, dear." Carlisle explained tentatively.

"What are trying to say, Carlisle?"

"I'm just…Well, I'm…I mean…" Carlisle trailed off. "Be nice to him, Rosalie. Okay?"

I raised my voice to sound like a five-year-old. "I'll be on my best behavior, daddy!"

"Seriously, Rose."

"I'm being serious, Carlisle. I'll be considerate."

Carlisle sighed, and touched my shoulder. I saw the worry in his amber eyes through my mirror. Then he patted it, and left. Ugh, always so nice.

We'll see how long it takes for your unstable mind to fracture… Bad Rosalie muttered.

Another scream split through the air, worse than the rest. How is he getting his throat to work at all right now? Poor kid.

And then Esme called, "Rosalie! Get down here!"

I was downstairs before my conscious brain registered the command.

Emmett

As quickly as it appeared…

It left.

I'm still curled up in a corner of the large couch, and I was thrown back by the wave of smells that entered my nostrils.

Everything!

Freshwater, saltwater, pine, vanilla, cinnamon, raspberries, lily, rose, dirt, dust, watermelon, lemon, mint, lilac, cantaloupe, honeydew, chocolate, and the dusty fabric of the couch. They all were part of some big smell collage, each one different and distinct, but mixing together.

That was the point where I figured out that breathing wasn't necessary.

That was great! I could explore that underwater cavern now!

I heard sounds I never thought humans could pick up. The leaves in the trees whispering to each other, the sound of waves lapping against a sandy beach somewhere nearby, fibers of my clothing causing friction between each other, static electricity between someone's socks and the carpet.

I groaned and sat up, stretching. Opening my eyes, I looked at my skin. Pale as poster board. Odd. I'm a pretty tan guy…well not really, but I was tan compared to this. When I saw all of the things with my new eyes, I was genuinely surprised by all the vividness and clarity of it all. I saw colors I never would have believed to exist. I looked up and my eyes met a pair of auburn ones.

They were the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen. Perfectly brown, deep pools of amber.

She smiled at me, the smile reaching her eyes.

"Hello there, Emmett." She said.

It was her! My angel! Rosalie! I could pick up that saccharine voice anywhere. I could hardly manage my, "Hi…"

Rosalie tangled her golden hair around a finger, looking around the room, then at me some more. She looked embarrassed. Her other hand was nesting itself in a fold of her dress. I can see how the name fit the character. Pretty, like a rose. Not even, pretty. Indescribably stunning, lean, and wonderful, I guess.

I heard a small finger snap, and it wasn't from Rosalie the Angel.

"Um, you're Emmett McCarty, am I correct?" A voice asked. I turned around to see a very smart looking man, with the same amber eyes of Rosalie.

"Yeah, last time I checked…" I said. My voice was richer and deeper, like dark chocolate compared to Rosalie's caramelized sugar. I mesmerized myself! That was kind of weird, but it's not my fault that I sound like a god.

Does everyone around here sound godly? I knew Rosalie did…

"That's good. My name is Carlisle Cullen, this is my wife Esme," He placed his hand on a very nice looking amber-eyed lady with long locks of brown hair. She smiled at me. "And that's Edward," He motioned to a very apathetic looking guy, and he folded his arms.

Edward seemed to look smarter than me, the 'I Know Something You Don't Know' kind of smug look (a look I definitely recognized from my brothers). His lips twitched.

"…and finally, that's Rosalie." Carlisle motioned to said woman. "I figure there's no way to beat around this bush, so I think I should just say it…Taking in the consideration of all of your seemingly heightened senses, skin change…"

I wished he'd just get to his point. It was slightly obvious that they, or me even, weren't completely human. Maybe we were aliens, or just dead, maybe. Maybe heaven was a large living room with pretty people in it. I wasn't that sure anymore. Edward's lips twitched again.

"We're all vampires, and so are you. A bear attacked you, Rosalie brought you here, and I was the one who changed you. You know…into a vampire."

What?

I couldn't help from bursting out in laughter. "Seriously, you mean like coffins and capes? And sucking the blood out of the living?" I managed to get out between laughs.

Rosalie giggled a few times. Her laugh was like wind chimes tinkling with each other in the wind. I wanted to hear that laugh over and over again. Maybe I could be the one who caused it?

Carlisle found it amusing too. "Well, you missed two out of three…It's a natural vampire reflex to kill humans but we prefer not to. We prefer animals, preferably predatory ones, instead of humans. Their blood is closer to a human's. We respect human life, I assume you do too?"

I nodded, who didn't?

"Well then, that's settled."

And then I felt this horrible dry burning in my throat. It was like a candle was stuck in my throat, and it wasn't coming out. I reflexively clasped my throat. I felt something like spit begin to pool in my mouth. Different scents began filling my nose. More animalistic.

"Um, would any of you happen to have any water?"

"…Emmett, I think it's time to go hunting. We can talk later." Carlisle came forward and patted my back.

This couldn't be that bad! This Carlisle character saved my life, and Rosalie is an angel…so, could vampirism be that bad?

To be continued…

As much as I liked writing all of this…the self-insecurity is killing me. I'm afraid of messing something important up. And yeah…Emmett is pretty un-Emmett-ish, but that'll change later. Review if you'd like!