"My name is Bella…" I choked out, tears refusing to stop pouring. His lips were still in contact with my soft neck, his fangs on the verge of tearing through me. Silent seconds with only the sound of my frantic breathing passed torturously. I wanted to move so badly, to throw a fit and run, but my limbs didn't move an inch. Deadly and sharp fangs were less than an inch away from me. It kept me still.

"What?" he questioned finally, his voice smooth like velvet. I felt his lips move against my neck as he said the word. I inhaled unsteadily, my throat feeling dry, yet I was still itching to emit a scream. I was absolutely terrified. His enticing movements and the way he spoke seemed to be a natural part of him. I knew his intent was only to kill.

"My name. I want you to know it before you end my life. I won't die for you as a nobody. I'm Bella. I'm nineteen years old and within a few years my plan was to become a lawyer—"

The icy hand of the guy was suddenly at my neck, pushing me forcefully against the wall.

"Does it look like I care?" he snarled, eyeing me angrily. His eyes flickered to my neck then back at my face again, and I took in the very tiny look of uncertainty in his dark eyes.

My first thought when I lay my eyes on him was that he looked incredibly handsome. Something about him seemed otherworldly. The brown hair that had a messy look to it and that stood in contrast with his light, smoother-than-silk skin. His eyes were a deep brown that had first looked at me from the perfect height when he walked by me in the crowded shopping mall. Little did I know that I was going to end up as his food.

When I walked toward my car I was attacked by someone who moved at an incredible speed. Before I could even think, something soft was pressed over my mouth and nose and the next second I was dozing off. When I started coming back to my senses I was alone on a couch in an old house. Now, ten minutes later, I was about to die.

"Did your previous victims have names? Did you know them?" I asked, trying bravely to keep my voice steady. To keep up the thin dialogue I had with my soon-to-be-murderer.

"No."

"I'm Bella." I said again.

"Shut up Bella."

"You'll remember my name now, until the day you die."

"I don't think so." He leaned closer towards me again, his weight crushing me gently against the wall. My pulse doubled within a second and my air supply seemed to narrow down in an instant, making it hard for me to even try to breathe.

"What's your name?" I blurted out; making all the effort I could to prevent him from killing me. I heard him sigh in an annoyed manner, slightly backing away from my neck. His hand that was resting on my waist tightened painfully and I yelped. No doubt I was going to bruise. But that was the least of my problems at the moment.

He was glaring at me. He just stared at me for a few minutes. I just stood there trembling underneath his clutch. He then slowly started to draw himself closer to my neck again. He looked angry. I flinched and my heart hammered faster, making him turn his gaze on me once again.

His eyes narrowed a little. Suddenly his hand shot forward, going straight through the wall by my head, dust surrounding the two of us. A high pitched scream filled the room a moment later after the wrecking of the wall. I had automatically put my hands up to use them as a shield, positive he was going to beat me to death.

"Most beg." He said forcing my arms down. I sobbed and avoided his eyes.

"They do not give me their names, nor their future…plans. They do not ask for my name. All of them simply beg. Why can't you be that simple?!" He shoved me against the wall angrily, giving me a hateful glare that only a devil could match.

"Sorry." I mumbled, my body stiff while I stood plastered against the wall as if it would bend to let me get further away from him if I pushed backwards hard enough. The vampire finally gave me room when he took a small step back. His eyes were on me the whole time and it looked like he was thinking of something highly important. Like what to do with me.

"Can…can I leave?" I asked finally, thinking the vampire looked a bit calmer now. I still didn't move from my spot.

"No. Just because I haven't killed you doesn't me I'm letting you go. Your stay, sweetheart, will be your hell."

"What are you talking about? I thought you weren't going to—"

"I'm not going to kill you. Yet, at least." He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

"Then what do you need me for? I'm a pretty boring person, you'd die of boredom if I stay."

"I'm already dead. And you're not even near the most boring person I've met, so I'll live…"

"Oh…" He shrugged.

"You must be useful for something." The small space between us narrowed when he stepped up to me again, taking in my scent. I shivered when his hand brushed through my hair. He turned his back to me and began walking around the dimly lit living room, around the couch where he earlier had left me to wake up, as if he was out for a walk on a nice Sunday.

I didn't look half as calm as he did. I felt like I was in the darkness, clueless to what was going to happen. Would I walk out of the house alive?

My pocket started to vibrate, and I froze, looking down at my jeans. The second it took for me to touch the cell phone, the vampire was on alert. My eyes widened and I fished it up as fast as I could, at the same time pushing the answer button. Before I could say a word, or make a sound, he was there, holding my wrist and pulling me from the wall. He spun my back towards him and held me to his chest, keeping me quiet by holding his hand over my mouth. It all went too fast.

"Hi!" He answered the cell, sounding ever so natural. I tried to scream, but it ended in muffled squeaky sounds, that eventually disappeared when he covered my nose too. He pulled my head sharply back so it rested on his shoulder.

"Oh, this is Edward. Bella's boyfriend. She hasn't mentioned me yet?" The small pause felt like forever to me, who needed air.

"Yes, she's shy like that. I guess she didn't want to tell anyone before she was sure about us. She's staying with me for a few days, and I think she doesn't want her parents knowing about it, so maybe--" He was interrupted by a light laugh on the other line that I heard faintly through the speaker.

"I'm glad you understand." Another pause and I struggled harder, only making it worse by doing so. Cascading tears were slowly outlining the hand covering my mouth.

"She's in the shower at the moment, but I'll let her know right away that you called. She'll call you back as soon as she can, all right?" My movements were mere spasms now, my eyelids feeling heavy suddenly.

"Great. Nice talking to you too. I'll let her know. Bye." He threw the slim phone onto the couch a few feet away before letting go of me. I fell to my knees pretty hard, drawing in a shaky breath that made my body ache. I felt dizzy, trying to blink away black spots that were flashing before my eyes.

Edward, I assumed, leaned down and pushed my shoulder hard enough to make me fall on my butt and in the same time turn in his direction. The little time I had been in the house, I had now been given the coldest of looks by far. I didn't dare to speak, move or blink my eyes. I began thinking I should have just kept quiet earlier. It would have been less painful dying then, I knew. Things did not look good for me.

"What exactly was your plan?" He asked, staring at my pale face. That he had almost made me pass out from lack of oxygen didn't seem to bother him even a little bit. I was still very dizzy.

"I…I'm not sure. I'm stuck with a vampire who's decided to postpone my death. I guess it didn't seem like a bad idea to try to get some help. Or to let someone know that I was going to get murdered. I don't want them thinking I've run away or something like that when I turn up missing…"

Edward grabbed my arm and pulled me up sharply from the wooden floor.

"You're going to call your friend and simply say you're okay and everything and that you'll be staying here for a while. I don't want anyone in your pathetic town to go all crazy over some missing people. At least, I want out of the town first."

"Does that mean you'll let me go? Eventually?" I interrupted him, not hiding that I was excited.

"Shut up. I'm not sure yet, so don't push it. I never stay that long in places, in case people start catching up on things…" He crossed his arms and stared at me for a long moment. "Meanwhile, you're going to help me."

I blinked, clueless, He smiled shortly, an evil smile, and then he straightened himself. "Two, possibly three, days a week you will bring me food. As long as it is human, I don't give a damn what you bring me."

"What?" I looked at him in shock. He sighed deeply, sending me an icy glare. "You're trying my patience, Bella…" He warned with an edge to his voice. "You can start your hunt at ten. You have one hour. You must be back by eleven. "

"I…I…" I stuttered, at a loss of words. He couldn't be serious.

"Of course," His voice was closer now, making me look quickly into his eyes when he was right before me, "I have to make sure that you'll return within that hour." He nudged my chin up when I lowered my gaze again, forcing me to look at him. "I'm not that stupid." He already knew what was going on in my mind.

"Why are you so sure I'll be back, then?" I asked my voice even. The howling of wind blasting outside the windows made me flinch slightly, ruining my composure.

"I'm sure, because if you're not here by eleven o'clock, I will start my hunt." He whispered into my ear, twisting my hair smoothly around his fingers. "You've dodged the bullet once, babe. It won't happen again. And I'm pretty sure you won't be stupid enough to go to the police. Who in their right mind would believe you? And you won't try to hide, because I will find you. Your only option is to return. I'm sure you won't jeopardize your precious life you so skillfully…postponed."

I gulped, feeling a bit nauseous. "What if…What if I can't find someone within that one hour?" I blinked my eyes shut, deep down knowing there was something else.

"It'll take you twenty minutes to reach town, and twenty to get back. Meaning you have twenty minutes to search. If for some reason you fail, you must return, of course, by eleven o'clock. I will feed from you instead. I will try to keep you alive. I can promise you it won't be pretty, so you don't wanna go there." His hand touched my neck after his warning. I tensed in response as he stroked me provocatively. "You won't have any trouble tricking someone with you. You're beautiful. You can trick any male you see, I'm sure of it."

I leaned away from his touch and stared at the floor. "Twenty minutes? There's no way. Besides, I won't get you people that you can kill. Not only would it be horrible, but it would also make me an accomplice."

"It's not a question. You'll be starting tonight…"

"Be reasonable, please." I dared to send a pleading glance at him before settling my gazes on the floor again.

"I can promise you that I will change my mind about keeping you alive if you don't cooperate." He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him, showing he was being serious.

"You're horrible."

"I'm a vampire." He walked over to the couch and picked up my cell phone before throwing it to me. "Be a nice girl and call your friend. Scream for help or anything of the kind, and you're dead. The same will apply later when I let you out, remember that."

I pressed a few buttons, and then waited. I was waiting for my best friend Alice to answer. We were sharing an apartment together.

"Hey, Alice. Just calling to say I'm fine. Something came up suddenly, and, well, I had to take off." Next I was bombarded with questions about me and my secret 'boyfriend.'

"No, I dunno if he's hot in bed!" I shouted angrily. "I mean…we've just met."

"I'm so hot in bed…" Edward mouthed; I gave him a glare instantly. He just rolled his eyes "I swear you're lacking humor…"

"I'll see you soon, okay? Just call me whenever if there's anything, I have my cell always nearby. Bye." I slipped the phone into my pocket.

"All right, you can keep your cell."

A few minutes later I was being forcefully pushed outside the house, finding it surrounded by a forest, except for an open area where a road stretched into the dark. Street lamps followed it, but they grew vague because of fog drowning them out. I had never been here before, never seen the house. The house I suddenly found quite big. It had three floors, all set with large modern windows, reminding me of a glass house. I wondered who lived here. Or had lived here. I looked at Edward with worry.

"If you follow the road, it'll take you twenty minutes. Through the forest it'll take…about ten minutes. Go slightly in a left angle, and you'll end up right by the bridge to your town. One hour. I trust you'll bring someone with you. You know what the consequence is if you don't."

Within a second he was gone, the door to the house closing suddenly, leaving me alone. Not knowing what I would do, I began following the road.

Within town, I saw a small group of girls running out of a restaurant towards their car, laughing. I sighed, wishing I was one of those girls, having a great time with my friends. Instead I was out working for a vampire. I snapped out of my thoughts and glanced at my watch, something I started to do quite a few times. Fifteen minutes later and I'd have to go back, alone or with company.

The chilly October evening was almost, empty, maybe six or seven people walking on the street. Mushy brown leaves lay flat on the wet pavement and tree branches were scratching the walls of the buildings.

How would I pick out a person who's going to die?

My eyes paused on a bar lying conveniently at the end of the street, seeing people mingle through the windows. I walked across the leaf covered street over to it, carefully glancing at the people I could see through the windows I passed, searching after someone that wouldn't be too hard to deal with. A loner perhaps.

The door creaked and a small bell chimed when I entered the dark bar, announcing a new customer had entered. A few turned their heads my way. I felt foreign here, never having been into a bar before. The scent of cigarettes and beer filed my nostrils and I kept down the urge to cough. The way some looked at me made me feel that they too didn't think I belonged here.

There was one man sitting alone by the bar, sipping on a beer, occasionally talking with the bar tender. The man looked about twenty-five. I took a seat next to him, causing him to turn his attention to me. He gave a short nod and I smiled in return. I covered my face with my hands and sighed, pondering on what to do next. I could almost hear the ticking of a clock inside my head, like a terrifying countdown. Could I condemn another's life to save my own?

"Everything okay?" I looked up, seeing that the young man had turned toward me. He was tall and had dirty-blonde hair. Attractive. My eyes flickered to the watch on my wrist, positive that it weighed more now than it did a few moments ago. "Yes, I'm fine, thanks," I said smiling, lowering my arm off the bar counter due to the fact that I was evidently shaking.

"This doesn't seem to be a place you'd usually hang out." He took another sip from his beer.

"I could say the same thing to you."

"You're right. I'm not much of a bar person, really. I've just moved here," he said turning toward me a little bit more, "and I recently finished unpacking at my apartment. I would've killed for a beer, so I just dropped by here for a break."

I nodded, unintentionally forming a train of thoughts around what he said.

"I've just moved here…

"I could show you around, perhaps," I offered hastily after taking another look at my watch. "Maybe go somewhere more quiet." I lowered my voice low enough so only he heard it.

He gave me a look of surprise, but after a few more seconds he got up, leaving some cash on the bar.

Feeling ridiculous, I followed him as he wrapped an arm around my waist. I had practically invited him to sleep with me.

"My place is across the bridge…it'll take a few minutes to reach it…" I mumbled, hinting toward the direction. He simply obliged, falling for it easily. There would be no trouble whatsoever to lead him into Edwards grasp.

Nearing the bridge I had come across not so long ago, my pace slowed down until I barely moved.

"What's wrong?" asked the blonde, sounding sincere, gently trying to tug me with him. I was on the verge of crying.

"I can't…" I whispered, forcing down a sob. I glanced at my watch, seeing it was five minutes to eleven. "I…I have to go. I'm sorry, forget I was ever here…" I looked at him one last time, feeling horrible for almost tricking the man with me, and then I ran. I ran across the bridge, past houses and into the forest, hoping I'd remember the directions even though they were simple. But that was almost an hour ago, and now I was scared and desperate to get back in time. Everything easy can turn difficult then. IT was dark, and the fog was deeper in the forest than in town. My feet were soaked and I was freezing as the cold wind whipped at my face. If I didn't know better, it was as if the wind and the trees were trying to hold me back. Even the sounds turned into mournful cries. I stopped, looking at my watch again, shocked at how fast the minutes had passed even though I had been running as fast as I could. I had only a couple of minutes left and the rest of my trip was hell as I ran towards the house.

I had lost count on how many times I had managed scratching myself on branches, and was not looking forward seeing the outcome of it. The pants I wore was of a flimsy material. The clock had turned eleven two minutes ago, and the house was now in sight as I stumbled out of the forest and into the small clearing. Running on grass was heaven in comparison with the forest floor and I was by the door in a heartbeat. I opened it carefully without a sound, looking around before I stepped in. IT was almost too quiet and my breathing sounded too loud. I closed the door behind me gently, but then stopped dead when hearing a creaking noise coming from somewhere near.

With wary eyes I looked around, not spotting Edward anywhere. I moved forward slowly, looking through an open arched door to the kitchen, finding it empty.

While walking toward the stairs I continued looking around, sure that he'd suddenly pop up somewhere and scare the hell out of me. The heavy and wet shoes squeaked against the wooden floor as I tip-toed across it, my tired feet carrying me up the stairs to the third floor, where I let out a long sigh, while holding a hand to my chest. I had never felt more exhausted, completely drained of energy.

The combination of running and being scared to death had left its marks. My heart was beating like crazy. The third floor consisted of a small hall with two doors on each side and a combined living room and kitchen with a magnificent view. If I could avoid Edward for as long as possible, I'd be happy.

I checked the rooms, finding a teenager's room on one side and a bathroom on the other. I couldn't help but worry about what had happened to the people that lived there. I guess that he owner of the blue skateboard themed bedroom was about fourteen years old. Was he dead?

I barricaded myself in the bathroom, making sure the door was locked a bunch of times before I undressed. I gently removed my shoes, then socks and pants. When I was completely undressed I gathered the wet torn up clothes into a heap by the wall.

I was already covered with bruises that had formed around the scratches I had gotten when I was running earlier, amazed at how quickly they had appeared. The warm water stung as it poured down my body, but I couldn't quite care I felt as if I was washing away shame. Shame of considering bringing Edward his food. I was horrid by the thought of what was going to happen, that I was going to end up as his food, but I believed it was for the best.

How bad could it be? It wasn't like Edward would drain me for blood. He said so, at least. And he had also said a couple of times, that he would kill me. A pretty much win or lose situation. It had to be better to let him drink from me than throwing some innocent person into death's grasp, I was sure of it.

After showering and drying up I threw blood stained towels into the hamper. The scratches wasn't all too bad, though some were still bleeding on my right thigh. I took another towel and wrapped it around myself, walking quietly to the door, listening for any sounds. It was completely quiet, so I unlocked the door extremely carefully and leaned out to glance outside. It took me only a moment to dash across the floor and into the bedroom.

I didn't know how much longer I could stand being this nervous; IF Edward didn't kill me, that surely would. I'd have a heart attack at the age of nineteen.

I walked over to a large closet located in a corner of the room, scanning through the neatly folded clothes. I picked out a shirt, with a graffiti print, that seemed big enough for me. I slipped it on and removed the towel afterwards.

Sitting on the bed, I wrapped the towel around my hurt thigh. I just wanted the scratches to heal up quickly, and without a mess. Glancing down at the bed, I yawned, slowly leaning my head onto the pillow. I felt ice cold and curled under the sheets, hoping I would warm up. The few minutes I had used to get back was exhausting, and I felt the sleepiness wash over me. After a final yawn, and a final skeptical look at the door, I was asleep.

Later on a eerie feeling forced me awake, making me bolt upright as if someone had yanked me. The reason stood quietly by the door, watching me with his head cocked to one side with an enigmatic look. My eyes immediately fell on his and I shivered, instinctively shrinking back and drawing the bed sheets tighter around myself. His calmness scared the shit out of me. I felt as if I was dealing with the beginning of a hazardous storm.

"I let you sleep for a while…" he said in a whispery and calm voice, stroking his fingers down the edge of the door and to the handle, closing it as he stepped fully inside. My heart thumped faster.

"You were late." I swallowed audibly and nodded, nervously tightening the sheets between restless fingers. My arms rippled with goose bumps, caused by a mixture of being cold and being frightened.

"You didn't find any."

I closed my eyes, shaking my head in defeat and unable to speak. I heard him sigh and move closer to me. He sat down on the bed beside me, touching my knee. His eyes narrowed into slits and he seemed to catch onto a scent, leaning closer to me, his hand carefully touched my thigh now.

"You're bleeding." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

"I had a few scratches after my trip through the forest. It's nothing really." My voice sounded strained and weak, I was on the verge of crying. He was postponing his reason for being here. I could tell that he needed to feed. His skin was just as smooth as before, but much colder and paler. His lips, too, had a loss of color, and his eyes held a darker shade of brown. It was strange, I thought, seeing how fast the changes had appeared. He looked tired now.

With a flick of his wrist Edward pulled the sheets away from me, ignoring my squeal. While I tried to cover up with the shirt, he calmly fetched my leg and brought it closer to him. He removed the red-stained towel quickly before examining the gashes. The gashes looked swollen and dark now, not healed like I thought they would be. His eyebrows were furrowed and he shook his head and let go of my thigh before standing up.

He left the room silently and didn't return until five minutes had passed. He was carrying a small basin with water in one hand and a first-aid kid in the other. I was now tucked in between the sheets again, shivering. My gaze followed him with caution as he sat back down on the bed and placed the equipment onto the nightstand. He did it with such ease that I couldn't help but take notice in it. The water in the basin was barely moving when he set it down, as if he had been standing quietly on firm ground the whole time he had been carrying it.

I pulled back the sheets a little so my leg was uncovered. I paid attention to everything he did as he cleaned me up swiftly.

"Why do you care if I'm hurt?" I asked, breaking the silence. He gave me an annoyed look, but then his face softened slightly, and he finished the last bandage on one of the worst cuts.

"I don't know…" He finished up and gathered the things.

"Thanks," I whispered in a rush, slipping my leg back under the sheets.

"It doesn't bother you?" I asked. He looked at me shortly and shrugged.

"You have no idea." He smiled at me when I turned paler. He leaned over me suddenly, holding me firmly down on the bed. I caught on right away and felt my eyes widen in horror.

"This might hurt…"


Well,
What do you think so far? Tell me if you like it so far please.
& reviews would be amazing.