Prologue.
Alice Cullen shrieked, bolting upright in her bed. The almost total darkness of her room disoriented her for a few moments until she remembered where she was. As a clairvoyant, dreams of future events were nothing new to Alice. But there was something different about this one, something...wrong.
In the dream, she was in the dark woods. She sensed rather than saw this, thanks to the impenetrable mist surrounding her. What she had first assumed were the harsh cries of ancient birds, she realized she was hearing screams of terror and unbearable agony. Screams coming from her own family.
In the distance, a silhouette emerged and moved towards her. The shape was tall and humanoid, but beyond that, she couldn't make anything out.
Then, the shadow opened its eyes; Cruel, blood-red eyes that blazed like burning coals. Then the shadow enjoyed a chilling, guttural laugh.
That was when she had woken, filled with a dread unlike anything she'd ever felt in her hundred or so years. Her sheets were soaked, but not all of it was due to perspiration. Whoever or whatever the apparition had been, it had literally scared the piss out her. Half of her wished Jasper was with her, while the other half was glad he couldn't see her in this state. She wanted to get out of bed and change, but the dream made her too scared to venture into the dark. So, Alice just curled up into the foetal position and lay there, shivering.