Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or associated characters to the series and will not for the entirety of this story. ~A2V

Note: This story has been edited in it's entirety for your reading pleasure.

--

A groan echoed off the dark walls of the unfamiliar cavernous room I was in. I woke so suddenly, I figured that it was the noise that had disturbed me. It was a moment before I recognized the sound as my own. 'Argh.'

My hand tingled slightly and my vision wavered in the pitch black I found myself in. Then my eyes came into focus with a disturbing and unsettling amount of clarity. When I looked through the blackness at my tingling hand I could tell it was charred beyond recognition. I wiggled my fingers and some of the burnt flesh flaked off.

"What the f--" I started, my profanities being overshadowed by the sound of the empty cans and old newsprint that was covering me, falling to the floor with a rustle and clatter. The crash echoed off the walls that seemed too far away. It was a warehouse.

'It's about time he woke up,' someone broke the silence of the darkness,

"Who's there?" I called, fear colouring my tone.

'How does he know I'm here?' she asked aloud, 'I haven't moved a muscle.'

"I can hear you," I growled, backing away from the pile of trash even though I had nowhere to go. "Show yourself," I demanded, wondering momentarily why my voice echoed and her didn't.

Just then, a shadowy figure landed in front of me in a tornado of swirling cloth, pale skin and frizzy hair. I looked up to see where my assailant had dropped in from and there were no ladders or stairs, just support beams hanging from the ceiling. From the ground, with my new found vision, I could see every seam and bolt in the iron above me. My eyes adjusted themselves again when I turned my focus to the figure in front of me.

She was average in height but otherwise looked anything but average. She was well toned and wearing a tight LBD (little black dress) to compliment her stylish, yet not so sensible, shoes. The long jacket she wore fell past her knees and looked a little worse for wear compared to the rest of the ensemble. The only colour I could make out in the darkness was her vibrant red hair that fell around her face, leaves and twigs peppered the wild mane.

She was still standing where she landed, only inches from my face, in a predatory position.

"Who are you?" I asked, assuming a defensive position of my own. The wild woman's smile widened and she closed the small distance between us. I wasn't sure if she was going to attack me or kiss me; nor would I have been prepared for either situation.

"Just give your human memories a chance to catch up, darling," her breath was hot on my face, filled with a sweet intoxicating smell I didn't recognized but made me thirsty all the same. "It shouldn't be too long now."

Human memories? I tried to think back to the last thing I remembered.

19 Hours Earlier

--

"Come on Ed, pleeease," Emmett whined, trying to get me to go out on the town, which he only ever managed about once a month. I had recently scored a hot job with one of the top music magazines in the country. I loved to write and music was my passion. I liked to think I was dedicated, or in the words of my friends, a workaholic.

"I don't know Em," I sighed in frustration, running my hand through my hair and rolling my eyes. I really didn't want to go out.

"Good cause' I do know. You're coming with me." I laughed, knowing where this particular conversation was going. "Besides, I need to find me a skirt tonight and you're my designated wingman."

"Pig!" Rosalie snapped from the couch. Emmett blew her a kiss and winked to which she cringed in mock disgust. Her twin brother, Jasper, sat on the chair opposite her with had a knowing smirk on his face. "I really wish you wouldn't talk about women like pieces of meat, especially in my presence and I feel sorry for which ever poor girl fall victim to your charm." The two always bickered like a married couple since they met at age 12. Jasper always said they were made for each other, they just haven't figured it out themselves yet.

My sister, Alice, waltzed into the room and settled on the arm of Jasper's chair. "You guys all ready to go?" she asked the room with a grin before looking down to Jasper. He would have followed her anywhere, had she said the word. Rose and Emmett were staring daggers at each other across the room but both nodded their agreement. I just smiled at our little family and their antics.

Alice clapped excitedly at the notion. "A girl I met a couple weeks back put us on the list for this new hot club downtown. She's really clumsy and a waitress. It should be an entertaining evening, if nothing else."

Giving up their staring war, Emmett and Rose both turned their pouts on me full force in question.

"Fine" I groaned, not looking forward to the next mornings work in the least. I grabbed my leather jacket of the hook by the door shutting and locking it after everyone had left.

This was going to be a long night. I wish I knew then that it was going to be a night I'd never forget.

--