Chapter 1

Floating happiness. I was exactly where I wanted to be. There was no pain, no stress. I tried to think about what might have caused this peaceful place, but I couldn't recall my thoughts.

I panicked.

I tried to recall my family. Nothing.

I tried to recall my own name. Nothing.

My breathing deepened, but it felt kind of useless. Like I didn't need to breath. I closed my eyes. I started humming a song. A melody which seemed familiar, but at the same time improvised.

Somehow the sound of my own voice was distant. It echoed in my head, but my ears didn't detect any sound.

There were other sounds though. There was the crackling sound of a fire. There were voices, too. They screamed, yelled at each other.

Did I do something wrong? Was it my fault they were angry?

I focused on my humming, trying to shut out everything else. That was hard, because the voices became louder, making me float more towards the darkness. I tried to fight back, tried to go back into the corners of my mind I wouldn't feel any pain.

I felt pressure on my chest. Someone was hitting me hard. I tried to stop them, tell them to leave me alone, but the hitting didn't stop because of my silent protest. The voices sounded relieved.

I was able to recognize some words.

'.. breathing again!..'

Breathing? Was I breathing again?

I suddenly realized they were trying to save me. The only thing standing in their way was if I wanted to be saved. I could choose to be saved, which meant a second chance at life, but life includes pain.

Second option was to fade away into the darkness.

I was hesitant. Both options had their advantages and disadvantages.

I was going for the option to fade away, to be rid of everything, but somehow fate wasn't allowing it. Somewhere far away I heard sirens. A face in front of my spirit's eye. A blond guy. Messy hair. Bright, golden eyes. An adoring grin on his face.

He was somewhere there. I immediately stopped fighting against the resurfacing feeling. I let myself be dragged up. Suddenly I felt hands touching my body, trying to steady my heartbeat, holding my hand, supporting my neck. There was also pain. I groaned.

The voices were silent for a moment, then relieved again. They had been waiting for a sign of life. I didn't care. I was too much occupied with the pain of my back. Someone slightly lifted my back, and I groaned again.

'Her lower back is burned. Best not touch her there.'

You're damn right to not touch me there, you asshole.

There were more sirens, and the squealing sound of tires. More voices around me. Footsteps.

Someone was crouched near my head. As a reflex I tried to open my eyes and turn to the person. That resulted into another wave of stabbing pain.

'Best not move, Miss, don't worry, you're gonna be okay.'

The voice had authority, and a nice sound. I decided to take the persons advice, and hold as still as possible. There was more pain when the people lifted me up. The pain got worse. I would have to hang on. Hang on.. keep living..

Then everything went black.

I watched the monitor. It gave the latest news on Port Angeles.

It was around ten a clock in the evening when Cadet Johnson tripped over his own feet, hurrying to bring me some stupid message. I got ready to blow him off, but his facial expression was enough to silence me. Something happened.

'Chief Davis!' He panted.

'Cadet Johnson,' I greeted, while motioning him to hurry up.

'There has been..' Huff '.. an explosion by the..' Huff '.. local asylum..' He managed to choke out.

'Any deaths?' I asked, while grabbing the keys to a random police vehicle.

'Almost only, they're still looking for survivors.'

'That damned place..' I mumbled. The asylum was a terrifying place, and a lot of parents in Port Angeles used it to scare their children.

I ran towards the car, cursing that I didn't take my own truck, and put the key in the ignition.

When I arrived at the scene there was a lot of fuss. The building of the asylum lay in ruins, some parts still standing, but smoking. There lay parts of walls around, and the ground was fried black. There was still no ambulance at the scene, but someone let me know they were on the way. A small group of people was standing around a body. My heart throbbed. A survivor.

I walked towards the group, pushing people aside to get a better view. On the ground lay a tiny woman, maybe in the end of her teens. She had spiky black hair and her back was arched in pain. Her chest was rising up and down with heavy breathing. At least she was breathing.

I crouched down next to her head. She tried to turn to her side, but I stopped her with my hand.

'Best not move, Miss, don't worry, you're gonna be okay.'

She stayed silent again, and I was convinced she had heard me.

'Where is that damned ambulance?' I yelled.

Cadet Johnson joined me again. 'They're on the way, Chief Davis..' He squeaked.

'Well, get them to hurry! She won't make it that long if we have to wait any longer.' I said while motioning to the small woman.

'B-but, sir, the hospital in central is fully occupied with that toxic leak today.. there's no more room!'

I thought about that. It's true there were many victims in the latest toxic leak, but the hospital fully occupied? It seemed ridiculous.

Then I got an idea and I grabbed my phone. I dialed the number, while Cadet Johnson eyed me curiously. While I waited for my contact to pick up its phone, I yelled. 'Well don't just stand there Cadet! Go make sure that ambulance arrives in time!'

Cadet Johnson ran away, almost tripping again.

'Carlisle speaking.'

'Dr. Cullen? This is Chief Davis from Port Angeles.'

Dr. Cullen seemed surprised. 'Chief Davis! How can I help you at this hour?'

'I'm sorry for the timing, Dr. I hope you are still present at the hospital.'

'Well actually I am, I am taking over the shift of one of my colleagues.'

'Well I have a favor to ask.'

More surprisement. 'Well what is it, Chief Davis?'

'We have had a explosion here in Port Angeles, probably gas leak, and there is only one victim alive.'

Dr. Cullen's breath hissed in his throat. 'Only one?'

'Yes, I know. It's not a pleasant sight.' I eyed the remaining bodies lying around, and saw the ambulance finally arrive at the spot.

'But there is no more room in the local hospital here in Port Angeles. We can't help her here. I was wondering if it's okay I place her under your care.'

'Of course, that would be no problem. Should I let the hospital know, so they can tell the ambulance?'

'That won't be needed, it had already arrived. I'll send them to Forks as soon as possible.'

'Okay, Chief. We'll stay in touch.'

'Thank you, Dr. Cullen.' I said and closed my phone. They were already busy getting the female in the ambulance.

I went to the driver when they were done, and told him to go to Forks Hospital. He stammered a bit, but when I threatened him to have his degrees checked, he gave in. At least the young woman would be in the best care she could get at his moment, Dr. Cullen was one of the best doctors I have ever encountered.

I sighed. I was surely getting too old for this.

So first chapter done =) I hope you like the begin, and I'll tell yah, a lot more is going to come!

Lots of love, Pandra x