AN: I never imagined that I would be able to write a story in less than 24 hrs. Once I started typing, I just can't stop. Here is my version of how Alice came to be the vampire we love. It has a dark side to it, but what story hasn't. The important thing was she found happiness in the end. I hope you will love this story as much as I do. Reviews are really nice!

Disclaimer: Twilight, its characters and lines w/in the saga are all Stephenie Meyers.

CHAPTER ONE

It was a rainy afternoon in Philadelphia. I have been going to this diner for weeks now. I know the waitress looks at me funny because I always arrive on the same hour, sit on the same stool by the counter, order the same drink and always seems to wait for someone.

It has been two weeks.

Two weeks of waiting, not knowing if what I saw would come true. But as I doubt my ability, my heart tells me different. Ok, granted that the heart thing maybe a little bit off.

You see I don't have a beating heart anymore.

My name is Alice. That's all I know. I woke up that fateful night, disoriented...scared. Not knowing who I am and where I am. And as my senses came to full alert, I began to wonder what I am.

I looked around me and I could see despite the darkness that I was in somebody's basement. It was cold and dirty but that did not seem to bother me, specially the cold. I sat up and glad to see that I was not tied up. I got a feeling that I should be.

I stood up without me really thinking about it. My movement was so fast it scared me. And if that was not enough, my other senses were freaking me out too. My eyes could see clearly despite the dark, my smell was so strong I could probably name all the things that can be found in the basement. My hearing was shocking me too; I could hear so many sounds at the same time.

Am I going crazy? Something seemed familiar with that notion. It was as if I want to remember something but I can't actually pin point what it is. But of all the things I am feeling right now; one is beginning to stand out.

I was thirsty.

I used my newfound sense of smell and was able to find a pipe leaking. It was water. I tried to gulp as much as I could but the thirst won't go away. I was also a bit repulsed by the taste of water. Ok, maybe it was not that clean, but it is still water right?

What is happening to me? Who am I and where am I? I was beginning to feel panic. An urge to cry was there but the tears won't come. The thirst won't go away too.

I felt different. Strong. Aside from the heightened senses, I have a gut feeling that there are a lot more changes in me. I began to touch myself for any physical sign. Two arms, two legs, ten fingers both on my hands and feet. Hmmm, everything's there. But when I got to my chest, I was shocked.

My heart was not beating.

I stood frozen. How can that be? Am I dead? Am I a ghost? My hand fell numbly from my chest as I slumped down to the dirty floor. Why can't I remember?

I hugged my knees closer to my body. I feel so alone and lost. I want to cry but it too wasn't right. No tears to spill no matter how much I want it to. I rocked back and forth settling in my own version of crying. A soundless agony deep inside me.

Out of old habit, I tried to wipe nonexistent tears from my cheeks. That's when I saw the tag around my wrist. I read from one it one word, a name.

Alice.

So that's my name. A single word but it brought so much happiness in me. So much hope. It was the first step to finding out what happened to me. I had to get out of this basement. I looked around for a way out. There was only a small window, not quite big enough for me to fit. I saw that there was a staircase on the far end of the basement. I started walking towards it. There was a door at the top. I made my up silently, praying that nobody would see me. I suddenly giggled. I am probably a ghost, nobody would see me.

I reached the door and quietly opened it. It led to a dark hallway. It was obviously a house and that would mean that there are people here. I wondered if these people have anything to do with what happened to me.

I saw that there was light coming from the end of the hallway. I crept closer to it. Then I heard the voices of a man and a woman talking. I was caught unaware as their scent assaulted my senses. The same thirst I felt earlier was back with a vengeance. My mouth was watering. I could feel myself giving in to that hunger. I closed my eyes and let my senses guide me.

I was just a step away from the doorway when I felt that I was no longer alone. I was being watched. I turned around and I saw a girl looking at me. I released a hissing sound which was so alien to my ears. Her eyes widened.

"Clarissa, is that you?" I heard the man call out. I could feel him walking around the table where they sat and was coming closer. I stepped backwards. The girl was still watching me. I thought she would scream any minute. Hungry as I was, I was also desperate to get out of here. So I am no ghost after all, the girl can definitely see me.

I kept moving backwards, still hissing. I wish I could stop it. It was an unpleasant sound for me but I can't seem to stop. Finally I found an open window; I opened it wider and prepared to jump.

I don't know what compelled me to look back, but I did. I saw the young girl still staring at me. I tried to smile but it was futile. I crouched and then I jumped into the darkness.