The Hunter



A/N: I know it's no much for a first chapter. It's pretty short, I know. But this is my first time, and I did this mostly for fun so yeah Reviews are loved!

Chapter One

Isabella Marie Swan. That's my real name, though I prefer to be called Bella. My second name is Maribel Moretti. Why do I need a second name? Simple; I'm a vampire hunter who must keep her identity secret from the world around me because if normal people found out I'd most likely be taken to a mental institute. Normally when a person thinks of vampires they think of stakes, onions, burning in sunlight, you get my point. Well… Wrong! Let's get one thing straight: Vampires cannot be killed by sunlight. Sunlight cannot hurt them. The only thing it does to them is make their skin sparkle. Yes sparkle, I'm not crazy. This is why it's thought most vampires hate sunlight because they're never seen during day. The only reason this is, is because if they go out into the streets with sparkling skin traffics bound to stop. Secondly onions and crosses and holy water do not affect them. Period. Also, whoever came up with 'A stake through the heart will kill a vampire' is crazy! But hell, I sure wish it was true. It'd make my job much easier. No, in fact you must tear the vampire's limbs into many pieces and then burn them to get the job done. I could probably just write an entire book on vampire 101 but that would most likely bore a person.

I was walking almost casually in the forest in Forks, Washington. I was far away from my home of Phoenix. Of course I was here to see my father, Charlie. (My parents are divorced. I'd rather not bring up the past.) I've also decided to stay with my father since my mother and her new husband are going to be traveling. They had been divorced for probably seventeen years now (my age) or perhaps I'm off by a year. The only reason I'm now a vampire hunter is because my mother was and basically my whole mothers side going back as far as the 1800's, even more. I had received my training from Renee, my mother, and now I figured I'd sneak around Forks, my damp home, in search for some short of thrill in this small town. I knew all to well Forks was the best place for a vampire to live. It was always cloudy and rainy, hardly any sun.

I could see a clearing not to far away but I decided to keep to a walk. Let's just say I could be rather clumsy which is pretty ironic for a hunter. I doubted I'd find anything worth wild but a nice rest would do me some good. Charlie wasn't expecting me home until six o'clock and it was 

only around 1:00. I had started my little hike at about 10:30. I reached the clearing and peered out from behind a tree to make sure the coast was clear. Just being my paranoid self.

I suddenly froze, gawking a bit. First day in Forks and I've already found a vampire. He had his hands clutching his head as if in pain. He was sitting, rigid and frustrated. I suddenly put my guard up as I took a step. The boys head finally shot up, his hungry black eyes piercing mine. He looked like he hadn't slept in ages, which was true. He hadn't. I had to admit, I was frightened. I hadn't dealt with any real vampires yet. I was only seventeen! And plus I didn't have a wolf with me… A sudden gust of wind from behind threw my concentration away.

The boys' nose flared as he sniffed the air, his eyes still fixated on me. My hand went to the blade I kept in my jean pocket, keeping a firm grip on the handle. What good would it do me anyway? The boy was suddenly gone. I stood there, still gawking like an idiot. Only seconds later, I felt an icy, stone-like arms wrap around my waist, pulling me towards the boy. I let out a scream but he silenced me by tightening his grip.

Stupid me! How could I have been so careless? I scolded myself in my mind as I trembled in the vampires grasp. I felt his sweet breathe on my neck, the smell was heavenly. I shuddered as his lips touched my ears gently. I couldn't tell if he was trying to mock me. "What's your name?" he said softly.

The voice took me by surprised. It sounded like velvet, almost musical. It also had a pain to it, a frustration and agony to it, but only a hint of it. "M-Maribel." I lied, closing my eyes tight.

"Your real name." he said. It seemed he had regained his composure since the pain had disappeared in his voice. It also seemed he had caught my lie, which could be trouble for me. What would it matter though? I'd be dead in a few minutes anyway.

"Be-Bella." I said, opening my eyes in fear of what I'd see. The only problem was that I was too much of a coward to see the face of the person who was most likely going to kill me. I looked straight ahead of myself, out into the clearing. The flowers were in bloom, the grass swayed in the light breeze. There was no sun though.

"Bella." My name sounded so beautiful coming from his lips. "Your blood… It's so…" he paused to sniff my neck. I could feel his nose skimming up and down it, sending tingles racing down my spine. "Sweet. It smells delicious." His voice sounded so smooth, inviting. What was I supposed to say to that anyway? Thank you? I didn't think so. I kept silent, my heart racing in my chest. He suddenly spun me around, his stone grip still on me, but it seemed he was trying to be gentle. He placed his head on my chest by my heart, listening. His eyes were closed, listening intently to every beat my heart made. He wore a smirk on his face, enjoying himself.

I looked down at him, taking in his features. His skin was pale, of course, like marble, stone. He was incredibly handsome and his hair was so beautiful. I couldn't describe its color. The best I 

could come up with was maybe a golden auburn. His smirk had turned to a crooked smile which made my heart flutter, which had made his smile widen. He had a those blue bruises under his eyes. Thirsty black eyes. I shuddered. I couldn't take much more in because he had buried my face into his shoulder and his mouth was at my neck once more. I suddenly understood what would be coming next.

"Bella." He whispered silently into my neck. He suddenly took a pause, like he was regretting what he was about to do. Debating in his mind. I quickly saw my opening and grabbed the blade from my pocket with what little courage I had. I quickly slashed at his arm but it didn't leave even a scratch. Just like marble. It didn't leave a scratch but he had felt it. It would distract him for a moment at least. One more heartbeat. For a second I thought I heard a low growl coming from his throat but after a moment I realize it was laughter! I stood, shocked. I knew my attack would have no affect but I was still frustrated and upset, angry. I felt like I was going to break down any second. The laughter suddenly ceased as my mood changed. He grabbed me gently by the chin and looked me straight in the eye, his deadly black eyes piercing mine. He was so beautiful… I felt myself being dazzled by him. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe.
"Bella, you confuse me." The vampire said, starring at me as if searching me for something. I suddenly felt his stone grasp from around my face and waist vanish. He was gone.

I stood, horror-struck, scared, in a daze. My mind couldn't process what had just happened. Before I knew it, I was running back into the woods as fast as my legs could carry me.

I kept running until I stumbled out of the forest where I saw my truck. I hurried over to the drivers' side, clawing at the handle of the door. I finally got it open and flung myself into the truck, slamming the door closed behind me. Everything seemed to stand still at that moment. I could hear how fast my heart was racing as my chest heaved up and down with every breathe I took. My hands were clammy and shaking with the keys to my car in hand. I took a quivering breathe and relaxed myself as I put the key in the ignition and turned it, hearing the loud roaring of the engine surge threw me. I started driving though I wasn't paying much attention. Which could be bad. I wasn't the luckiest person in the world.

I had let my guard down, that was it. I could've fought him but I wasn't ready. Ok, that was a lie. I wasn't ready to take on a real vampire yet. I wound have needed help from a wolf. Why didn't he bite me though? He had the perfect opportunity to. An easy target. He also said that I confused him. What could that mean anyway? Maybe I wasn't like his normal 'victims'. Maybe it was because I hadn't gone screaming, attempted to run, get away. Maybe I hadn't showed enough emotion for him—enough fear. Who knows? But still, why didn't he bite me?

I suddenly snapped out of my daze. I hadn't been paying attention to the road. I had let my mind wander. My car was about to smash into the one in front of me! I closed my eyes tightly as I slammed my foot onto the brake, praying silently in my mind. There was no loud bang. No crash. No injuries… Surprisingly. I opened my eyes quickly. The car in front of me was still 

moving, untouched. My car was just sitting there. I sat there, eyes wide, horror-struck. Thank God no one had been behind me. I looked down. My hands were clutching the wheel for dear life, my knuckles white. I let out a few gasping breathes as my heart beat wildly in my chest. I'm sure it was having trouble with keeping up with so much excitement in one day. I was a bit surprised actually. I've never been so lucky in my life. Well… besides the vampire incident. Perhaps I should call Renee? No that would just worry her even more and she'd guilt me into coming back home. I guess I could get Sam's help? Renee had told me to go to him for vampire help. She had informed me he and his pack were werewolves. He'd know what to do and I'd inform him about the problem so the pack could take care of it. I'd go tomorrow; I've had enough action for one day. I made sure not to let my mind wander again as I began to drive.

I made it to my house without anything out of the ordinary happening. I shut my truck off and pocketed my keys. I sat in my car for the moment, relaxing for a second. I flung the door to the truck open and hopped out, closing it once more. I smiled lightly as I began to walk to my front door. It was about 3:30, I was early, Very early in fact. I shrugged it off. I'd get an early start on Charlie's dinner. Cocking always helped me calm down a bit. The police cruiser wasn't there so it seemed he was still out on the job. I grabbed the spare key from under the mat and slid it into the door. It made a load Click! and with that I silently went into the house, closing it behind me. I immidetly walked to the kitchen, intending to keep my mind busy with cooking. I quickly went over to the cabinet. I starred a bit… No pasta… No nothing. I pouted a bit and went threw all of the cabinet. No pasta, no nothing again! Just cereal, plates, bowls, snack foods. I went over to the refrigerator. I flung the door open and gawked. There was hardly any food! How in the world could you not have anything decent to eat in your house? I sighed in frustration. So much for my distraction. I guess I'd have to go food shopping tomorrow. I shook my head as I closed the door to the fridge. I ran up the stairs and into my room, shutting the door behind me. I collapsed onto my bed and screamed, my yells drowned out by my pillow. I stayed like that for about five minutes, my frustration feeding my anger. Without warning I popped up from my bed and looked towards my window. It was raining! Of course! Then I noticed something. "That wasn't open a second ago…" I got up slowly walking over to it, investigating it for a moment. I sighed and closed it again, locking it this time. Paranoid much? I smiled and laughed at myself and turned around, expecting to see someone or something. To my luck, no one was lurking over my shoulder. I laughed again but silently to myself. Not like anyone could hear me anyway. I smiled, a bit more comforted now. I walked over to my desk and sat now, turning on my computer. I sighed lightly. This computer always takes forever to load. I spun around on my chair, trying to pass the time. After the fifth spin I had to stop, to dizzy. I walked over to my bed and sat down on it, the walls spinning. I laughed at myself as I looked around my room. Desk, closet, draws, my old rocking chair with— my eyes went wide. I closed my eyes tight. Please don't be real. Please don't be real. Please. Please. I pleaded with my mind, my insanity, quietly in my mind. I opened my eyes slowly. He was still there. I quickly stood up. He stayed there, his crooked smile painted on his face. He seemed to be the culprit of the opened window. I cursed under my breath as I slowly backed away, towards my door. I watched him carefully. There was only one 

difference. His eyes were a gorgeous golden, no hint of black at all. I always thought vampires' eyes were red? I banged against the door as his smile widened. I placed my hand on the knob, ready to fly out the door. Or at least I was hoping to do that. I turned the knob slowly but before I knew it, I was back on my bed, the vampire still in the rocking chair. I'm sure he was the one who pushed me back down. What did he want anyway? I sat there, completely still. "Bella." I quickly looked up, hearing my name come from his lips.

"W-What do you want?" You crazy vampire stalker! I made sure to leave that part out. He starred at me for a moment before replying.

"I don't even know myself." He said smoothly, his crooked smile never fading. I had to admit, I loved that smile. It was irresistible. It left me breathless and he seemed to notice that.

"Then leave." I snapped back, glaring with what little courage I had. Maybe I said the wrong thing. He stood up slowly from my old rocking chair. He gave me a playful yet hurt look.

"You don't want me? I'm offended." He replied, snickering in amusement. I kept on glaring. For some reason I didn't find him as mush as a threat. He would've already bitten me if he really wanted to hurt me. Although, maybe he was toying with me? Whatever it was, I felt safe. For now at least. Anyway, Charlie would be home soon, which made me feel better. The bloodsucker would have to leave. Or maybe he was waiting for Charlie? So he could—my eyes widened. No, that couldn't be it. Just being Paranoid. Again.

"Well—" I couldn't think of anything to say. I cocked my head in confusion at him, sighing in clear frustration.

"Well what? Go on." He said, urging me to continue. I blinked at him slowly. He was still standing, arms crossed, looking at me curiously as if I was some puzzle he was trying to solve.

"Please, just tell me what you want." I said in almost a mutter. I knew he could hear me. He was watching me carefully, his expression worried now.

"Bella." She said carefully, his voice sweet. "I'm truly sorry if I'm bothering you but—"his smile returned. "You hunters are always so fun to play with. You're so helpless and defenseless without your mutts. It's too adorable to resists." I stood up quickly, but before I could run to the door, he had a grip around me. "Bella, or should I say Maribel? That's your hunter name, isn't it? That's what the vampires will call you. Isabella Marie Swan. I must say I prefer that name much better." He whispered into my ear as my face flushed. He smirked and dropped his hold from my waist. "My apologies Bella, I'm sure you'd prefer not to have a vampire hold you." He laughed lightly. "See ya, love." He winked at me as he walked over to my window and unlocked it, opening it. "Also, a pathetic little lock won't keep me out." And with that he was gone.