Before you begin reading...
* I do not own anything Twilight related. Just using regular old creepy Edward.
* The photo album can be found in my profile if you are interested.
* Huge thanks to myonlyheroin for the seedy edit. MWA!
* Warning, rated M for dark themes.
Undead Life
Chapter One - My Bella
I watched Bella from the edge of the forest that was towards the east side of her home here in Forks. She had lived in the small two bedroom house her whole life, and since three years ago, it had been just her and her Siberian Husky, Jake.
She lost her parents on her seventeenth birthday. She was in school when it happened. Her father crashed their car into a tree while swerving away from an oncoming truck. The ice on the road was what prevented him from stopping before it was too late. They both died before the paramedics got to them.
Bella wouldn't talk to anyone. She sat with Jake for days and nights on end. Her friends all tried, but almost all of them gave up. Only Angela stayed around. She was truly a good person - one of few. They were rare to come across. I was glad Bella had at least one true friend.
Now, on her twentieth birthday, she was arriving home to Jake after her shift at the library. She worked there part time and attended classes at the county college. She was a strong person, no matter how adorably clumsy she may be. Of course, I had followed her home today, making sure nothing harmed her - like I always did.
She slammed the door to the rusty old Chevy truck shut and Jake came running towards her from the front steps, where he was always patiently waiting for her. It was actually funny, I couldn't hear his thoughts - I mean of course I couldn't, he was a dog - but I could sense where they were. He loved her - like any good dog, he loved his owner. And really, what was there not to love? She was amazingly kind and beautiful.
"Hey, Jake!" She laughed, her bag dropping from her shoulder as she scratched behind his ears and he jumped up onto her thighs. She laughed as she stumbled backwards a little from his weight. She leaned down and kissed the top of his head, "Come on, I gotta get ready for this date." I could literally hear the dread in her voice.
Damn it, I had forgotten about the pity date she had agreed to go on with Mike, a guy her age from school. He was disgusting with the way he thought about her. She deserved better. There actually wasn't a man on earth I could think of that would be ever good enough for her.
I had thought about breaking the Mike kid's neck, but decided against it. It would hurt Esme if I caused another pain simply because I was jealous he was getting what I couldn't.
I watched Bella as she and Jake stepped into the house. I stepped further into the forest, giving her her privacy while she showered and got ready for her... date. I pulled a tree out of the ground and threw it with rage, suddenly stopping and hoping I didn't attract any attention to the forest. I was far enough in for no one to hear, thankfully.
I just couldn't figure out - no matter how many different reasons I thought up - why she was going out with someone she didn't like, on her birthday of all days. Was it because she didn't want to think about what had happened to her parents on this day three years ago? Was it because she was punishing herself by doing something she didn't want to be? Or was it just me that was deciding all these things to be true, because I didn't want her to like anyone in that way?
I wanted her for myself. And I'd have her... soon.
I had been working on my self control around her for five years. Since I first spotted her wondering around in the forest at fifteen years old. The girl was looking to be killed. Her scent called to me like the strongest of drugs. I was simply running to clear my mind that night, and she came crashing into my life, turning everything I thought I knew upside down.
The young brunette beauty tripped and fell as I watched from a nearby tree branch. I thought about killing her, I actually never thought about anything so much before, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I couldn't change her either, she was too young. And besides, even if I wanted to, I knew I couldn't do it before killing her first. I'd never be able to stop myself in that moment if I started.
The girl tripped again, twice, on her way home from her "walk" inside the forest. I actually laughed at the memory. Bella didn't take walks - she took life risks every time she so much as moved forward, the poor girl. She was adorable.
So I continued to follow her, almost every day since that day. I thanked god - or whoever was up there - that her parents didn't let Jake sleep in her bedroom when they first got him for her. I was her protector during the night. I sat in the chair by her bed, watching over her as she slept, always unsettled and mumbling.
There were no words to describe the thirst this tiny human girl made me feel. So, little by little, I breathed more around her. I let her scent burn my throat until it hurt my insides, and then some. I needed to get used to her, so that I wouldn't kill her when the time actually came.
I was a determined monster.
Bella fascinated me in so many ways - but the strongest of those were her thoughts - or rather, her lack of thoughts.
I could hear everyone around me, only never Bella. That had never happened before, not with one person I had passed in over a hundred of my undead years.
Bella had always been different, and she'd continue to be different. She was the girl that finally made me feel again. I loved her.
I stalked her.
Yeah, you always stalk the person you love. Totally normal.
It was time, time to get back to Bella. She'd be ready for her date and Mike would be there any minute. I could already hear his perverted thoughts as he drove on the highway by the forest.
What if he had an accident? What if he never made it to Bella's?
I rolled my eyes as I ran back to Bella's home. My family would know I had done it and they'd lose just a little more faith in me. I put them through enough. They didn't need this as well.
"What do you think?" I heard Bella sigh from inside the house. She was in front of her long bedroom mirror.
Jake barked his approval. I smiled, even while saddened that I couldn't see her from the angle she was standing at.
"Yeah, you always think I look nice though," Bella sighed again.
I smiled some more, waiting until I was lucky enough to see her.
Mike's car finally pulled into her driveway.
I wonder if she'll let me kiss her. I mean, I know she wont put out, but maybe a kiss... I'll work on getting invited back to her place next time maybe.
I growled.
He walked up the steps and rang the doorbell.
"He's here," Bella sighed.
That was the third time, right?
I smiled. I knew she didn't want to be doing this with him. She was forcing this upon herself. Strange, strange girl.
Jake followed her and growled, much like I did, when she opened the door for Mike.
"Jake! Stop that!" Bella insisted.
Mike actually backed up a little, looking at the dog that was protecting Bella.
I knew I liked that dog of hers for some reason.
I tried not to look at Bella through Mike's thoughts. They were sick and... definitely not something my Bella would consider doing with him. I hoped anyway - I couldn't read her thoughts to be sure after all. Besides, Bella had never done that with anyone. She was still a virgin at twenty. That didn't happen often anymore.
Of course, she had dated a few different guys in the five years I knew her. I destroyed whole parts of the forest the night she had let Tyler pleasure her on his couch, and returned the favor. Killed innocent animals when she made out with Scott in the back of his car. Screamed at my family the night she had her first kiss.
But she never went any further than she had with Tyler that night.
I liked to think she was waiting for me.
She doesn't even know you exist.
I was sure in her darkest nightmares she'd never imagine me. And sadly enough for her, I was selfish enough to take her. I'd do it soon. As soon as I knew I was strong enough. She'd be mine in this damned life, and maybe I'd finally find true happiness.
"I'm sorry, Mike, he's just protective of me," Bella told him.
Mike nodded, "Sure," He said, still eyeing the dog.
"Should we go?" Bella asked.
"Yeah." Mike stepped out of the way while I assumed Bella patted Jake goodbye. She turned the lights off and stepped onto the porch with Mike.
"You look pretty," He finally complimented her.
Her pale cheeks brightened as her blood rushed there. She was not used to compliments. Well, if she were with me, she'd get a lot better than pretty.
She was... beyond words. Nothing could compare to her. Even Rosalie - the most beautiful woman in the world, apparently, - could not. Rosalie was angry at me for loving Bella so much, even though Rosalie herself loved Emmett very much and didn't want me in that way. She never had, even back when I forced her.
I briefly closed my eyes. What if Bella felt the same way Alice, Rosalie and all the others did? I knew I'd never tire of Bella the way I had of the others, but what if Bella didn't want me?
Alice said she'd want me. Alice said she was born to be one of us. She was born for me to find her.
Seriously, what kind of hell was she born into - to have me as a destiny?
Bella thanked him shyly and walked down to his car. I could tell she was concentrating hard not to trip, even in her flats.
To my surprise, Mike actually opened the door for her. Seemed Bella was surprised also. She gracefully took her seat and let him close her door.
He jogged to his side and got in.
"I made reservations at Bella Italia, thought you'd like it since your name's in it," Mike laughed a little nervously.
"Sounds nice," Bella spoke quietly.
I knew she didn't like Italian food. She had once told Angela this when they were going out to dinner. But she was kind enough not to tell Mike and ruin his plans for the night.
I followed them to the restaurant in Port Angeles and watched as they were seated.
Bella truly did look beautiful. She didn't dress up often, but when she did, she took my breath away... well, she would if I actually breathed.
She wore a teal green colored dress that dropped to her knees, with flat black slip on shoes and a cardigan to match them. I was sure that Alice would have dressed her in something way more revealing and silky... and high heel-y - damn, the pixie was turning all of us into fashion experts - but what Bella picked was perfect for her. Nothing over the top. She was simple in the way she dressed, unlike the three women in my family.
She and Mike talked about nothing too exciting. Just classes and work. He knew nothing about her. He didn't even know it was her birthday tonight. He knew nothing, and he didn't deserve the pleasure of her company.
He didn't know her like I knew her. I knew she loved to read old classics, and hated watching television. I knew she loved Jake more than anything, unfortunately - that's why I'd take him with her when the time came... later tonight.
I had made up my mind. I could do this. I could make her mine tonight... as she slept, to make it less terrifying for her.
No one else could have her. I'd die if she wasn't mine.
God, she had turned me into such a melodramatic human.
She had brought back emotions I hadn't felt since I actually was a human. I wanted things I could not take from her until she was like me. I'd break her if I so much as tried to kiss her while she was in this weak body of hers.
The date with Mike was uninteresting. I tried to block his thoughts aside and focus on her bored expression. She was definitely bored, he didn't offer anything she wanted. He didn't even ask her about herself, he just blabbered on like the pathetic fool he was. I could not believe Bella agreed to this.
The only thing that was getting me through this torture was that Bella was seated facing the window and I could watch her perfect face while the date went on and they ate their food.
Bella picked at her food, and even more so at her dessert, while Mike talked about how his brother owned some business he was getting employed at after graduation.
She smiled weakly and asked polite questions to keep him talking. I had also learned that Bella did not like talking much about herself, this all made it so much harder for me to know all I wanted. It had taken me years to know all I did about her. I wondered if she'd open up to me.
Alice said she'd love me. Alice said she'd be Bella's best friend, she said they'd be sisters. But how could I really be sure? Bella knew nothing about our world. How could she have been born for it if she didn't know about it?
All these questions would not keep me away. I needed her, more than I needed any of the others.
The date finally ended and Bella sweetly rejected Mike's offer to go see a movie. She told him she had an early class, but thanked him for dinner.
Fuck! She's lying, I know she is... God damn it, I messed up!
I smiled, happy at his displeasure.
I followed them back to her place, making sure he wouldn't try anything she did not want. She got out of the car before he could help her and walked up the steps. He followed behind her.
"I had fun, Bella," He told her, swallowing loudly.
Bella nodded and looked down, biting into her full pink bottom lip - I loved when she did that.
Mike opened his mouth to talk again, but she quickly spoke up.
"Well, thank you, goodnight." She turned to her door, quickly unlocked it and stepped in. She was humorous. And he was left standing there feeling like the idiot he was.
After a confused moment, he hung his head and walked back to his car.
Jessica is it then, he thought.
The poor girl loved him and he only used her for sex. She was beautiful enough, and liked him. He'd be alright.
"Hey, Jake... It didn't go well." I heard Bella from inside the house.
Mike was gone and I'd never have to think of him again. Bella was all that mattered now. Well, and Jake of course - he mattered to her, so he mattered to me too.
I ran back home as fast as I could. I wanted to give Bella some time alone before bed. I'd be back when she was asleep.
Esme, Carlisle and Alice were all worrying about me. Even Emmett thought I was going crazy.
Tonight's the night, isn't it? Alice asked from the other room.
I can't wait to meet her!
I sighed, and went to my piano, playing until the time came. I think they all knew. Jasper could sense Alice's overly excited mood and asked her if tonight was the night.
She nodded, jumping with excitement in place. The rest of the house naturally heard.
Poor girl, Rosalie sat motionless on Emmett's and her bed. She was sad for Bella. I never gave her a choice in this and I wouldn't give Bella one either.
If only I could... but he's so much stronger than me... Maybe Emmett would... Her thoughts died out. She wouldn't be a problem to me tonight. Neither would Emmett. Emmett wanted me to have Bella.
I sighed to myself. I hated what I had done to Rosalie. The night I turned her was a horror movie. She was so angry and thirsty that she killed a whole street of families, children included. She hated herself for it, but not as much as she hated me. I still made her be with me, up until Emmett fought for her. He made me give her up.
Rosalie fell in love with her savior, my younger brother Emmett. They were actually perfect for each other - the jock and the self obsessed beauty.
Emmett and Rosalie forgave me and we moved passed it. I knew anyway, that Rosalie was not meant for me. I tired of her quickly and she got on my nerve worse than anyone ever had. I should have followed her a little longer before deciding to make her mine. Maybe then I would have realized how wrong of a match we were.
And while I regretted that, it was still hard to sometimes - Emmett loved her so much. Both my brothers had found love where I hadn't.
Alice was so terrified of me that it took Jasper to calm her enough to explain her new life to her. She was mine, and I had her, whenever I wanted, even though I knew Jasper loved her.
Alice fell for Jasper shortly after I changed her. They both tried to hide it from me, but I could read their minds after all - and see the future in Alice's visions. The two were meant to be. So, I finally let them have what they both so deeply wanted - each other. They actually thanked me. I was what brought them to each other and Jasper finally had a purpose. Her name was Alice, and she was an overly bubbly pixie.
I stopped playing the notes suddenly, Alice rushing to the doorway.
Now? She asked.
"Now." I responded.
She gave me a smile and nodded.
I'll be here. She'll be fine. Don't worry. She wont be angry with you.
"Thank you, Alice."
With a final glance at her, I left the house. My whole family was surprised that I actually cared enough to question if she'd hate me for what I was about to do. I was a changed monster.
I was at Bella's home in minutes, right outside her bedroom window.
I noticed the picture of her parents that usually sat by her bed was in her hand tonight. She missed them. The expression on her face while she slept showed the pain she was in.
I listened to make sure Jake was asleep in his dog bed in the hallway.
He was asleep. I was safe.
I gently opened her window and climbed in, closing it behind myself.
The moment was so close I could taste it... I mean literally taste it, her scent overpowered me.
I swallowed hard and stopped my breathing, it didn't help much, but still the slightest bit. I'd take what I could get.
I had gone over this a million times - asleep was best.
Well, here she was, asleep and peaceful.
It would all be over in a few seconds, and she'd only feel the pain briefly - I tried to tell myself.
She's strong, I reminded myself as I walked closer to my love. She can do anything.
I hovered over her and watched her blood pulse under her pale skin. As I closed my eyes, flashes of Bella, walking towards me in white appeared. I knew I could do it. She was my future. I needed her to be.
Inch my inch I moved closer, and as if offering herself to me, she shifted, so her neck was more exposed to me and my razor sharp teeth.
I closed my eyes tightly and placed my lips against her soft warm skin. I had imagined touching her, every god damn night, but nothing could prepare me for how amazing she felt.
She moaned softly and hissed just a little at the cold of my kiss.
The venom was already filling my mouth, flowing around my teeth. I parted my lips and sunk my teeth into her breakable silky skin. It was so easy to break though. The blood rushed there and I drank.
I barely felt her jerk awake with a weak scream, grabbing onto me, her blood was just so...
I couldn't stop. I never wanted to stop. I had never been more satisfied, and I had never wanted more so badly.
Jake was barking at this point, Bella letting out another soft whimper before she went limp under me.
Mine. How could she be mine if I killed her?
With a growl I pulled away from the sweetness that was Bella. I jumped all the way to the other side of the room, holding myself against the wall as her fresh cut began to heal, my venom working on her quickly.
It worked, she was changing.
* This story was intended to be just this way, a one shot - but I did write another three follow up chapters. Hope you enjoy.
