All this belongs to Stephenie Meyer
Cowering under the floorboards, I heard my father's helpless screams, as the monster tore my father's throat out. My mother stood on top of the floor boards, hiding in the corner.
My brown hair stuck to my pale face as a fresh sheen of sweat covered my face. I gritted my teeth to hold back my wale, raising my head to the light coming through the floor's cracks.
I was so stupid. How could I let this beautiful monster hypnotize me into letting him come into our house? I was so stupid! And, if I didn't know better, I would say he was half-crazed.
My father's constant cries faded. All that I heard was my mother's gasping and a sucking sound…
My dinner came back on me, the sound was repulsive. What kind of creature was this? I heard a heavy thump and then my mother's whimpers turn to pleading.
"Please," she begged. My mother never begged. "Please, don't" she whispered. But the monster showed no mercy. He pounced on my mother, pressing his lips to the skin on her neck.
The sucking sound came again, and this time, I couldn't control myself. My food came back and the heaving sound I made was much too loud.
When I was done, the sucking sound was gone. I almost breathed in relief, when I heard just the slightest creak. I gritted my teeth and stayed perfectly still.
The floorboards were ripped up. I didn't scream though, I simply crawled into the darkest depths of my hiding place, waiting. The magnificent monster jumped down effortlessly, landing without a sound.
His eyes were bright burgundy, the color of dried blood.
"Come out, child. I won't hurt you," he muttered soothingly.
I held back a snort. Like I was going to fall for that. I wasn't an imbecile, even if I was a girl in the 9th century. I gritted my teeth.
I watched as the monster raised his nose, smelling the air. For some reason, it didn't surprise me. I just thought it was a little…ironic.
"Mmmm…you smell of fresh sea water," he commented. Okay, now that was strange. I smelled like the ocean? What kind of monster was this? "A very good scent," he stated.
I felt a fit of hysteria coming on. Everything about this situation was strange and ironic and morbid and sad and hilarious… Fighting against the urge to giggle relentlessly, I watched as he moved towards me.
Still, my instincts held me perfectly still. I did not crunch the hay that lay beneath our feet. The monster inched closer and closer to me. I closed my eyes, not wanting the last thing I see to be bright red.
"Ah, there you are," he said. His voice was closer now. It was very…silky. His words flower out without hesitance.
Being the impulsive person that I am, I reacted, "Stay away from me," I hissed.
He looked at me, puzzled, "I'm not going to hurt you," he said.
This time, I didn't repress the snort, "I'm not an idiot," I shot, my Italian accent ringing clear in the air.
"I know. I'm not here to hurt you," he replied, softly. I felt my bones turn soft, my heart heaving heavily in my chest.
My anger burned with my fear, "Don't play this sick game. Just get it over with!" I shot at him.
His eyes, still soft, looked to me. They were vivid, "Santo stranzo," I muttered in my native tongue. How the hell did he do that? They were mesmerizing. But I shook my head, determined not to fall for this monster's tricks again.
"What?" he asked, confused by my mutterings.
"Get off my land," I ordered. Even if I was female, this land was going to me and whomever I was meant to marry. He placed his hand on my knee.
"Please, child. Come with me," he pleaded.
My fit of hysteria broke free, "What…do you think I'm…an idiot…or something. After…what you…did to…my…family," I spoke between giggles. I caught a glimpse of me. He was completely confused.
"Why are you laughing, child?" he asked. Why was I laughing? Because of the irony of this situation? Because of his obvious immoral mutterings? Because everything that I stood and worked for was now dead just feet above my head?
That last thought made my fit of hysteria vanish. Agony took its place. My eyes began to water and tears spilled down my face.
"Stay away from me. Get off my land," I shot at him between sobs.
His eyes were sad, "Please, child. You will be safe if you come," he muttered, matter-of-factly.
"Get off my land, NOW!" I screamed at him, through my fear. His eyes widened slightly, as if he had never been spoken to like this, before.
"Child—"
"NOW!" I cut him off, shouting again.
I expected his eyes to glint angrily, but they remained soft. He nodded and turned. I barely watched as his god-like figure jumped from here to the ground floor of our hut. I didn't hear his departure.
I was too lost in my grief. Some part of me was scolding myself for being so week. But…I didn't care. My mother, Aurelia, lay limp above me. I peaked over me, to see that she was facedown. Her eyes were…open. I hid my face in my hands.
I wasn't scared of the fact that she was dead. More of the fact that the least thing she felt was…fear. I gritted my teeth angrily, again.
I curled in on myself. My father had always taught me to not be afraid. He was determined to make me the best I could be…and I had failed. A sob broke through my mouth and shook my frame.
I failed. I failed. I repeated the words in my head, like a mantra.
"Perduto, perduto," I muttered out loud, in my native tongue. How was I supposed to live without them? Without Aurelia or Joseph? How?
I muttered the questions in my head. They were my family. They were the reason I woke in the morning. The only reasons I had to live, to put on a smile every morning. The fact that I was to spend the rest of my days without them made me punch the wooden wall.
"Ow, crap, ow!" I hissed. Sometimes I could be so impulsive! So much, I could hurt myself. "Damn it!" I cried. I wanted to hit something. Anything. But…I didn't have the strength.
As the tears came again, I heard the faint tap of rain outside my house.
It always seemed to rain when I cried. I couldn't help it. Of course, I had never told my parents.
The thought of them caused another sob erupt within me, and at the same time, thunder broke free in the storm. I prayed for those unfortunate souls caught in the storm. Even with the little faith I had left, after tonight.
But even as the pain built, I found myself drifting, catching glimpses of my parents.