Nightfall Chapter 1, a twilight fanfic

(Disclaimer: Some characters mentioned belong to the one and only Stephenie Meyer)

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Prologue: Fate

It all started one July night on the 17th of the year 1719. This may be hard to understand, but that was the exact day I turned 17. My golden birthday, if you will. My past isn't a very happy tale, but I believe it is time some people should know. On that exact night, I became a monster.

I was living in my cozy home in the wilderness of Washington, in our cottage, content with my life. My family was just as happy with their life as much as I was. My mother loved and cared for all of us, my father was stern, but fair. There were those times that he was quite as foolish as some of us. And my brother was as spirited as any ten year old. It was my brother that played in the part of my upcoming doom.

It was early in the night that fateful day when my mother came to me and said "Have you seen Nathaniel at all? I'm afraid he might be wandering in that forest again. You know how dangerous it gets at night". Nathaniel was my brother, the one I was supposed to watch after.

"I'm afraid I haven't, Mother. But don't worry; I will look for him now. He might just be up to his usual mischief", I said, in a comforting tone. My mother was always the one to worry. Bidding a farewell, I left the house.

"Don't forget to take Annie with you", my mother called to me. I nodded and took our old bloodhound with me. She was there to help me search for Nathaniel, naturally.

After a while of searching, Annie's nose pointed up into the wind, and she whined. "What is it, girl", I asked her. She whined again and then darted off back towards the house.

I was about to go with her when I remembered Nathaniel. I couldn't leave him behind, now matter what trouble he had gotten himself into. Going ahead, I finally saw something.

On the ground laid my brother. I crouched down next to him, touching his skin. It was cold and pale and I could see bite marks on his neck. I leaned my head down to listen to his heartbeat, my own beating out of control. I heard no sound from my brother's chest.

I drew back uneasily, unable to believe that my brother was gone forever. After crying a bit, I heard footsteps coming towards us. Perhaps it was someone who could help. But after what I saw, I realized that I was dead wrong.

It was a man, but not the comforting sort. He was tall, lean and pale as snow. His eyes shimmered like rubies in the moonlight and I stopped breathing. The man took in a breath and laughed. A sound that could make even the most murderous man cringe.

"I expect this young man to be your kin. My condolences, but I have to say he was most appetizing. The youth always have the most tasteful of blood", he said, his voice like the devil's himself.

I froze in my place, unable to move. The man laughed once again and said "And now you are to rejoin him, for you have seen far too much. Goodbye, my fair youth". Then at that moment, he leaped into the air, as graceful as ever, and pinned me to the ground.

Opening his mouth, his teeth shined like pearls and they looked sharp. By the mention of blood, I knew what this man was. Vampire. I have only heard myths and legends of these monsters, but now I believed that every single one of them were true.

The vampire licked his lips and then bit into my neck. The pain was excruciating and I screamed as loud as I have ever done before. Everything inside of me was burning like I was on fire. I have never experienced such pain in my life. And just as I was about to die, I heard a howling sound. The vampire took its teeth out of my neck and looked up, a flicker of fear in his eyes. What could possibly scare this vampire?

Without another word, the vampire vanished and I was alone. Left to die alongside my brother, the way it should have been. Taking one last look at Nathaniel, my eyes closed and I fainted.

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When I woke up, I felt better than I had in ages. The excruciating pain I felt only moments ago had faded. But it hadn't felt like moments ago. I realized that I had been out for days.

As I stood, I realized many things. I could smell scents everywhere I turned, just as well as Annie probably could have, maybe even better. Another thing was that I felt stronger, like I could tear a tree right up and throw it through a meadow. Also, I could hear voices. They were like tiny whispers and as I looked around, I saw no one. But now I realized what I had become. A vampire as well as the man who bit me.

I looked down in shame. I couldn't save my brother and, knowing my family, I could never go back. Ever. Looking back at Nathaniel, I noticed that he looked the same the night I had discovered him. I picked him up and carried him in my arms, heading back for home. He felt like he only weighed as much as a feather instead of a ten year old boy.

I didn't focus too much on the matter as I walked to my home. When I arrived, I went to the back, dug a small hole, and put Nathaniel in it. He at least deserved a proper burial. Taking a small stone, I etched some words in it, as my fingernails become stronger as well. It said 'Nathaniel Cabell. 1709-1719. May he rest in peace and forgive his brother of his shame'. Digging the hole back up, I put the stone on top of it and turned away, only to hear a small whisper in the back of my head. 'My boys, my poor boys, lost to me forever. They are gone as is my soul with them. I will miss them so' the voice said. I recognize it as my mother's. She was grieving for us and I understood. I shall miss her as much as she missed me. I turned away, not knowing where to go, or what will become of me. I only knew that I could never be around people again. I would only hurt them.

And who am I you ask? My name is Garrett, a beast in human form. Cursed to walk the Earth forever and this is my story.

Thank you for reading the first chapter of my story. The next one should be up soon or if I get sidetracked it might take awhile. It might be up by next week. Please review, if you like and thank you for your time.