Here is your usual disclaimer, saying I don't own the rights to this story, these aren't my original characters, so on and so forth
Here is your usual disclaimer, saying I don't own the rights to this story, these aren't my original characters, so on and so forth. But here are a few ground rules and things you need to understand about my writing and this story.
If you want to just read the story and skip this important paragraph, go right ahead. If you want an explanation for the story you are about to read, then go on.
First, I have never liked the Twilight series. I felt it was predictable and overtly sweet. There is no realism and I feel it deviates from the original legends a little too much, but I am endeared to the character Jacob and I hate to see a character like him go to waste. Also, my English teacher killed it for me by gushing about the series every free chance she had that she wasn't teaching us about English literature.
Secondly, Breaking Dawn, thought I have not read it, sounds like an abomination. After reading 22 review and the plot synopsis on Wikipedia, I'd had enough. The story just wasn't…plausible. If you've read it, unlike me, and you thought it sounded idiotic, then you may agree with me that the whole series was ruined by the last book. I'm in the process of negotiating with a friend of mine if she'll let me borrow her copy.
But here's the deal: I'm going to write a more plausible story that delivers something on the scale of a more logical plot line. A vampire baby? Sounds like something H.P. Lovecraft would attempt. If you don't know who he is, H.P. Lovecraft was a horror novelist. It borders more on the creepy than complete horror.
So here is my promise: there will be no vampire half-breed babies, and definitely no Jacob imprinting on said vampire half-breed baby.
I am also not much of a fan fiction writer, but I will do my absolute best.
If you managed to get through this, then you are a trooper. Thanks for listening.
Also, if I mess up some small fact, like a continuity of a name, please tell me. I want to try and make this as good as I possibly can.
The White Rabbit
P.S. Bella is not going to be whiny. She is going to have a more developed personality than Meyer allowed for.
Sorry about the long disclaimer.
It was a week before the wedding, and I was feeling a little out of place. The Cullen family was in a tizzy, with little Alice at the center of it, moving swiftly back and forth, organizing the entire thing. For the most part, I was enjoying planning my wedding, but magenta colored mermaid bridesmaid dresses were not to be included in the wedding. In front of me on the dining room table were the final preparations for the wedding and its reception. I missed Edward. It hurt to be away from him, especially since he'd been gone for weeks now. He and Carlisle had gone north to Alaska to speak to the other clan of vampires, including Tanya, to personally invite them to the wedding, Carlisle had told me over the phone the previous week that Tanya hadn't been excited by the news Edward and I were getting married. He'd also said there'd been some complications, but he wouldn't explain further. I'd merely smiled at my reflection in the mirror, as I had been standing in the entryway, wondering why they didn't just return without Tanya and her clan.
Edward had taken over the phone, speaking softly into the phone, "How are you?"
"I'm fine Edward."
"You don't sound fine. You sound tired."
"Alice has been driving me crazy with all these preparations. Its not entirely been a cup of tea since you left. She wants florescent pink table cloths with baby blue napkins."
Edward chuckled, kindly, and said, "And did you let her bowl you over?"
"No. I told her that the color scheme is going to be nice and pleasant. I don't want my guests to go into epileptic shock over the brightness of their dinner napkins." I brushed the hair back from my forehead and stared into the mirror. What would I look like after our honeymoon? I know I'd become extremely beautiful, but somewhere I felt a little tug on my heart. I wouldn't still be me after I became a vampire. I knew it, but I'd made this choice. It wasn't like I could go back now.
"Bella?" he asked, concern over the silence taking place.
"Hmm? Just lost in thought."
"I wish I knew what you were thinking."
"Well it's a good thing that you don't, now isn't it?"
"Carlisle needs me. I'll call you back later, alright?"
"Alright."
"I love you Bella."
"I love you too, Edward." I paused on his name and I'm sure he noticed that I did, but we hung up anyway.
That was a month ago, and though he promised to call, he hadn't. Alice had looked ahead into but hadn't reported any dangers. Just "unseen forces" lurking about in the background. She'd said not to worry, but some part of me couldn't help worrying. Instead of fretting the whole time, I allowed the wedding plans to occupy most of it. There was always something to be done, another color scheme to go over, the flatware to pick out, even the music had to be picked for the reception. Alice once again, the Supergirl of the Cullen family, dealt with the entire situation. What we did have a problem with was the caterer.
Currently that was the issue I was dealing with at the moment. He had cancelled at the last minute for gastric bypass surgery. I was rooting through telephone books, calling every available caterer who could do it at the last minute. I'd just dialed Rizzo's Dream Catering when Emmett walked through the door, nose buried in a book. He looked at me, and said, "Any luck with the caterers?"
I shook my head as a cool female voice answered.
"Rizzo's Dream Catering. How may I help you?"
"Hi. My name is Isabella Swan and my caterer cancelled on me at the last minute."
"How last minute dear," the voice asked, a slight drone overtaking her tone.
"My wedding is scheduled for the Sunday after next."
"A wedding huh? Well, we get last minute scheduling all the time."
Alice strolled in behind Emmett, watching. I knew that she could hear the entire conversation. "Find a caterer?" I nodded, writing down the information the woman gave me.
Alice ambled over and plucked the phone out of my hands and began to speak to the woman. I didn't catch half of what she said to the receiver. I'd felt overwhelmed by planning this entire wedding. I wasn't sure I was really ready to actually get married. Was there anyway I could postpone it until Edward had actually showed up? What if he didn't come back?
Calm yourself Bella, I said, breathing deeply and attempting some control of my wild emotions. Alice hung up the phone and smiled.
"It looks like," she said beaming, "that we have a caterer. They can accommodate our menu and everything. And they're cheaper than the other guy by about fifty bucks."
She placed the phone on the table and sat down opposite me, studying my face. Then she closed her eyes and I knew that she was scanning my future. "You don't look so hot," she murmured after she'd opened her eyes. Emmett had left. Jasper, Esme, and Rosalie were out hunting this week. They'd go out hunting the Friday before my wedding again, to make sure they were well fed.
"I'm just worried about Edward. That's all Alice."
"Bella, how many times do I have to tell you that Edward is fine! I looked in on him this morning and just now. He and Carlisle aren't in any danger. Trust me." I gazed into Alice's amber eyes and felt comforted. She would lie to me if she had to, but today she was telling the truth. I managed a small smile and headed towards the upstairs bathroom. Though they didn't have toilets, they did have showers and I stripped my clothes off and started the hot water. Opposite the door was tall mirror that went from floor to ceiling. I don't know why they had it, perhaps to add a more aesthetic appeal to their already grand house. But looking at my naked body, I wondered if Edward really found me attractive.
I wasn't dumpy and I wasn't ultra-skinny. But I was becoming plump around my hips a bit; the curse of inactivity. My breasts had never been much, but turning to the side, and examining them, I thought that they looked somewhat droopy, if that word could really be applied to breasts. They were white, whiter than the rest of my skin, except for the nipple, which was brown. Was that a normal nipple color? Was it okay that my hips were soft in places, that my thighs appeared kind of big compared to the rest of my legs? Why didn't I feel like the beautiful goddess that Edward worshiped. I hated my body and threw myself into the shower, letting the hot water cascade around me. It fell in droplets all around, warming the skin that hit it, but at the same time I was cold. The unexposed skin shivered and developed goose pimples, the hair sticking straight up. Breathing a deep sigh of relief and rubbing the soap all over my body, I allowed myself the comfort of relaxing. I let the tensions and anxieties be washed away by the hot water. Eventually I sat down in the middle of the shower, my head resting on my knees, brought up against my chest. I sat like that for a long time; I didn't care about the environment or saving water or any of that garbage. Let the fishes die in the ocean. I needed something to relax me. I could not break down, not a two weeks before my wedding. It was Monday, he had two weeks to come back, and he wouldn't be late.
Reaching out, my hand touched the shower handle to shut it off. Surprisingly it was cold, and I was shocked. I pulled my hand back quickly, afraid of the cold, of how dead and inhuman it felt. Edward's face came swimming into my vision, the memory of his sad smile, the cold embrace, the embrace of death. Why after all this time was I having these thoughts? It disturbed me. I shut the water off and crawled out of the shower on my hands and knees, feeling the cold bathroom tiles slickness under my wet palms. A warm, fuzzy blue towel hung on the rung of one of the towel racks, and pulled it down, feeling weak.
Wrapping it around me, I managed to stand up, using the sink as leverage. The mirror's reflection stood silent, mimicking my every move. My mirror self showed a frightened, wet teenage girl of slight prettiness staring struck at her own reflecting. I grabbed a glass fish sitting as decoration on the counter and moved to throw it at my reflection when I stared at how I looked: wild-eyed and terrified. I was shaking were I stood. I shook so hard I could see my own reflection trembling. Placing the fish back on his little spot, I turned my back on the reflection and went to the door, pulling it open.
Cool air from the rest of the house poured in, causing my shivering to get even worse. Walking down the hallway, I headed to Edward's room, where the black and gold bed he'd had put in sat forlornly against the wall. I lay down on it, smelling his scent and my own mingled together. It was the one comfort that I had. The only comfort that I had. Pushing myself up, I went to the wardrobe and sorted through clothes, mine and his, picking out a tank top and a pair of jeans. The jeans were worn, holes and ragged tears in the bottom, but I didn't care. They fit fine. Edward had insisted on buying me pretty clothes, expensive blouses and skirts, and a few pretty dresses, but I hadn't worn them since he'd bought them for me. I hadn't and still didn't feel a need for them. The soft silky fabric of a cool blue empire dress slipped liquidly from my fingers. Laying down in my jeans and tank on the bed, I closed my eyes and slept. I did not dream.
The next week sped by as slowly as the rest of my days had. I forced myself to adjust to the idea of not hanging on to Edward day and night. There would be times, I reminded myself, when you can't always be with him. Tuesday Alice received a call from Carlisle telling her that he and Edward would return within a few hours. Esme, Rosalie, and Jasper had returned on Wednesday, refreshed and ready.
I sat about, unable to control myself and my excitement. Edward was coming back! The hours ticked by, causing my anxiety to worsen. But Alice forced me to be calm and so I was.
At six on Tuesday, as Alice was sitting next to me, tapping her fingers, she suddenly looked up and said with excitement, "They're here!"
I put down my book and almost dashed to the door when Edward and Carlisle walked in, exhausted. I stopped dead when I saw Edward's face. He looked older somehow, strained, as though he'd been in a terrible war.
"Edward," I said, faltering.
He had been kind of staring off into space, thoughts obviously preoccupied, and then he looked at me. "Bella," he breathed and he rushed at me, scooping me into his arms. It felt like he was crushing me he held me so tight, and then, pulling back, he looked at me like he'd lost me. With great gentleness and sudden urgency, he kissed me, crushing me into my normal state of breathlessness.
"Edward, what's wrong?" The alarm in my voice reached a pitch I didn't know existed.
"Nothing," he whispered, still stuck in the shocked thoughtful state. "I just missed you terribly."
"So did I," I murmured back into his ear. We stood like that, holding tightly to one another. When we finally let go, Edward pulled me onto the couch and held my hand staring into my face.
"We had a very…difficult trip. The trip back was extremely hard." Carlilse had walked over to where we were sitting. The entire family had gathered in the room and sat down in various positions in the several chairs and couches there. Esme, concerned, watched her husband.
"I've had Alice lie to you for the last several weeks," Carlisle stated, his tone grave. He too like Edward looked aged. He looked like a man who had lived a thousand lifetimes in one day. Glancing at everyone's faces aside from Alice's and Edward's, I knew they were as taken aback as I was.
"What do you mean you've had Alice lie to us?" Jasper asked, confusion evident in his voice. Carlisle shook his head, nervously running is fingers through his hair. He began to pace.
"I'm going to start from the beginning. And you aren't going to like what I am about to tell you." Edward lightly tightened his grip around my hand.
"Edward and I arrived in Alaska six weeks ago. We spent a great deal of time with Tanya's clan, and especially Tanya. She wanted nothing to do with coming to your wedding. Tanya has been a dear friend to us over the years, and I did my best to convince her to come. The rest of her coven agreed to come, and so did Tanya, on one condition. She told me that she wanted to meet you and speak with you before you and Edward got married. Edward," Carlisle paused, glancing at Edward, as though there was something more that he wanted to say but couldn't without Edward's approval. Edward gave a slight nod, so small I wouldn't have noticed had I not been paying attention.
"Anyway," he continued, "we agreed and started getting ready to leave. We were there only three weeks. Everything was perfect, and there were no problems. Until…Edward and I went out hunting before we departed. We went with Tanya's clan, up toward the north, very far north, almost into Siberia. We spent the week hunting, enjoying each others company. But then on our forth night, as we were tracking a caribou, Edward and Tanya came across a strange scent. I didn't recognize it, and neither did most of the rest of Tanya's clan. It was unlike any other scent I had ever smelled before. It was so raw, so wild and animal, we followed it. We shouldn't have, but I was curious and I pushed the subject. We tracked the scent for two days. When we found its point of origin, where this creature had gone, we found…" Carlisle had to stop. It was too much for him, whatever the truth was.
I interrupted and prompted him. "Carlisle, what did you find?"
Edward let go of my hand and took over the tale. "As Carlisle said, we tracked the scent for two days. It was extraordinary. But when we found where it had ended up, we were horrified. We found what used to be a village." Edward's eyes flashed darkly, remembering the terrible scene they had found.
"It was a small Eskimo village, and it was completely destroyed. There was carnage everywhere. Bodies and blood…dismembered people…it was the most horrible thing I've ever seen. We didn't know who had done it, but we would. They hadn't left. They came out of the darkness and ambushed us, these monsters." Sneering at the memory, like a foul taste in his mouth, Edward continued, but he struggled.
"They were werewolves, but they were so alien from Seth's tribe you wouldn't have thought they were wolves. They were feral. They had come through and just devastated the village. We started to leave, because they outnumbered us greatly. But he wouldn't let us. Their leader, he recognized me."
"How?" I asked when he took a break, wondering and curious, entranced by the story.
"A long time ago, when I split off from the group for a few years, I headed north and just ran through the wilderness. I didn't eat just the wicked; I also took animals like I do now. And one night, while I was in Russia, I ran into this man, this thing. I didn't know it then, but he was a werewolf. He knew me for what I was immediately and I, foolishly, tried to take him on. I almost didn't survive the first encounter. He nearly knocked my head off the first time and he almost caught me as I got away. It was dark and snowing, and colder than a human can survive. I ran. I ran blindly and without reason. I headed back into the human population and I stayed there. For a long time I was afraid of running into this creature. I thought he could find me, and as fate would have it, he did.
"He's a different breed than the Quiluete Indians. Completely. They aren't born wit the ability. They have to infect you with their bite. Their numbers grew after their attack on the village and they outnumbered us four-to-one. Carlisle and I did out best, and so did Tanya's clan, but we barely got out of there. Tanya and two of her family were slaughtered in the fight. They were ripped to shreds. He and his pack followed us for two weeks. Is name is Rolf. He found it was an insult to have us intrude on his territory. For two weeks we ran. Eventually we lost him and got the rest of Tanya's clan to safety, but…there's no guarantee. We've been running scared."
"But if they're werewolves…" Esme interrupted, bewildered at the looks she got from Edward and Carlisle.
"They're five times the size of the Quiluete wolves. And they're bloody savages. They have no control. They kill merely because it entertains them. They're like the Volturi. And I read their thoughts. Their so bloodthirsty you would wonder at how they were ever human at all." Edward sighed and I moved to hug him, to comfort him. I no longer questioned why he looked so haggard, so broken.
We sat there, all wondering the same thing. What was to be done?
First off, Read and Review. I like feed back, becasue it helps me to improve my writing.
Okay. That was the first chapter. If you read this and you don't like it and you absolutely don't want me to continue, please tell me. If you did like it, then tell me. I will tally all the likes and dislikes and whichever one out weighs the other, then we'll see what goes on from here. I won't continue writing something that people don't enjoy, and then review it with really hurtful criticism. If you didn't like it, you didn't like it. Simple as that.
By the way, at some point during book two, towards the end I think, one of the Volturi mentions a creature the Edward had met at some previous point in his life. This won't be the end of that character.
Later Days.
The White Rabbit
