It was a cool and windy day when I arrived at Ashtree Orphanage. It was for compulsory community service at school and every student is required to work for a number of hours for a chosen charity or institution of their choice. I had chosen that place from the suggestion of my adoptive father, Carlisle. He worked there as a substitute physician while the one who originally worked there was on vacation. I was surprised when I first discovered that he a doctor. I learned about it after that I discovered who he really was and he made me one of them. What are we? Well, do you really want to know?
My name is Alice and I am a vampire. Actually, my "family" is composed of vampire. From my "parents", Carlisle and Esme to my "siblings", Emmet, Rosalie and Jasper, we are all vampires. We may not be biologically connected to one another but we treat each other as family. I know that may scare you but don't be afraid. We don't drink human blood. We only drink animals' blood. Consider us as vegetarians.
We often move from town to town, staying there for as long as we could. We try to live like a normal family. We children go to the local high school or college, whatever is available while our father goes to work and our mother stays and works at home. This town, Forks located at the state of Washington has been our home for the past month. It has been a great place to live in and I and my siblings have been attending the local high school for the fourth time since my transformation.
As soon as I entered the orphanage, I went to the front desk and asked for my father's name. I was led to the clinic where he was helping a little girl with a cut on the arm.
"If your arm still hurts tomorrow, Gwen, come back here tomorrow. Okay?" My father asked with a smile on his face.
"Okay, Dr. Carlisle. Thank you." The girl, Gwen, said and she soon took off.
"Dad, I'm here and I'm ready for today's work," I said, excitedly as soon as the little girl was away.
"Oh, there you are Alice. I have already made the arrangements for your work here. You'll be working as one of the guardians of the children. You'll be like their sister. Carrie, one of the caretakers here, has already agreed to show you around. However, you may have to wait awhile since you arrived too early for our agreed time. You won't also be doing much today since Carrie has said that today will be your orientation," Dad, explained.
I sat down on one of the chairs at the desk and looked around the room. It was a pretty small room. It reminded me of the clinic at school with the two beds in the middle of the room and a desk facing the door. There were large filing cabinets by the door. There were also cabinets mounted on the wall. Looking around, it didn't took me long to realize that I have seen this place before.
It was in a vision that I have had. I knew exactly what would happen next.
Just then a woman entered carrying a little boy who was crying. His arms were wrapped around the woman's neck. A bloody handkerchief covered the large wound on his knee. The woman was trying to console the little boy.
"It's okay. It's okay. Dr. Cullen is here to make it all better," She was whispering to him. I already what the boy would say next.
"But it hurts so much." He answered back.
She brought him to one of the beds and sat him down. She then sat down next to him and wrapped one arm around him. I don't know what was going to happen next because this was where my vision ends.
Oh by the way, I have visions. You know as in visions of the future. It was a gift that I had no idea of how I acquired it. I've had it since I was a human. When I was transformed to a vampire, along with it came super speed, quick reflexes and heightened senses. My transformation also made my visions more powerful. However, not all vampires have this gift. Actually, not all vampires have special abilities. I was said to be lucky with this gift. I'm not the only though. Jasper, my "sibling" and my one love, can read emotions. Emmet, my "older brother", has super strength.
"What's happened here Carrie?" My father asked as he prepared the materials that would help him do what he needed to do. As soon as he finished getting the things he needed he headed to the bed where the little boy sat.
"I was at the garden, cleaning when I heard the children who were at the playground calling me saying that Edward here tripped and was hurt. I knew it was bad but I didn't realize how bad it was until I saw it myself. I knew I just had to bring him here. So I just scooped him up and carried him here. I haven't even asked him how he got the wound," Carrie replied to my father's question.
My father was silent as he removed the handkerchief. I heard the boy, Edward, wince as my father removed the cloth on his knee. I was already standing there behind him, observing what was happening. I had already stood up and followed them when I saw what was happening. I saw that the wound was not just a mere scrape. It was a large and pretty deep one.
Soon my father had started to apply hydrogen peroxide using a cotton ball on the wound.
"This may hurt a little, Edward. Can you sit still while I apply this?" My father asked gently before he started cleaning the wound.
"Yes, Dr. Cullen." Edward said. He was started to calm down now. The tears have now stopped.
My father then worked in silence. He seemed to be in deep thought. Then to the surprise of me and Carrie, Edward started to speak and tell us of how he got that wound.
"No, Dr. Cullen I didn't get this wound because I tripped," He said as if answering a question.
There again silence before Edward spoke again.
"Do I really have to tell Carrie what really happened?" He asked. There was note of fear in his voice as he said this. "She'll get angry."
"Get angry with what, Edward?" Carried asked worried after hearing Edward's statement.
Edward thought for awhile. His emerald green eyes were deep in thought. His eyes looked around the room before he settled them on mine.
"Who is she, Dr. Carlisle?" He asked.
My father was still silent as he worked on Edward's knee. He had already started to put a bandage on it.
To my amazement, he greeted by my name.
"Oh, hi Alice." Edward greeted to me cheerfully.
"Hi Edward," I replied in shock. How did he do that? I thought.
"Edward, quit that you're scaring Alice," Carrie said. She was also in shock at what had just occurred.
"I…" I stammered. Seriously, how does he do that? I didn't say anything. I just thought of it. Could it be?
Could it be that Edward could read minds?
"Yes, Alice, I-"Edward started but he was cut off by Dad and Carrie.
"Okay, we're done here. The wound was not the deep one that needs stitching. Nonetheless I would like to know about how you tell us how you got that wound, Edward," Dad said as he cleaned the area where he worked. He looked Edward with a unique stare that only the two of them could understand.
"Yes, Edward. I would like to know how and where you got that wound," Carrie said her voice serious. She seemed oblivious to what was going on between Edward and Dad.
"Well, I kind of climbed the wall by the playground…" Edward faltered before continuing. "You know the one where you said that we aren't supposed to go to."
"You did what? Edward how did you even do those?" Carrie asked incredulously. I guessed she was shocked with the revelation.
"Oh, that was easy. I just climbed the tree near it and swung to the top of the wall." Edward said, his voice sounded like he was proud of what he did after seeing Carrie's reaction.
"And how did you get the wound?" Carrie asked.
"I got it after I missed and my knee hit the wall." Edward answered.
"Was it noisy again, Edward? Was that why you climbed the wall because it was high enough that you won't hear the noise?" Carrie asked her voice serious. She was looking Edward with worried look.
Edward didn't look at her. He kept his eyes down, looking at the floor. He formed his right hand into a fist and started to bite his clenched fingers.
"Look at me, Edward. Was that why you had to go there?" Carrie asked again. There was a tinge of anger after seeing that Edward did not answer.
He turned to her and looked at her. "Yes…" He said quietly. He then started to bite deeper and tears were starting to build in his eyes.
"Why didn't you go to me? You know that it is silent in the garden. No one would've disturbed you there." Carrie said her voice starting to break. I was surprised that there were also tears in her eyes.
"I didn't want to disturb you. I always do. I feel like a burden to you." Edward said. He had only removed his fist to talk but soon he was biting it again. This time it was harder.
"Edward, you'll never be a burden to me. You're my responsibility while you are here," Carrie said and she then embraced Edward who was crying now. I was amazed at their showing of emotions. It was one of the most touching moments I have ever seen. I was soon wiping tears from my eyes.
"Please don't send back to Oak Wing. It is scary there." Edward pleaded as Carrie hugged him.
"Of course, I won't but you have to stop doing these things. You have to stop biting your fist or fingers. Don't you ever do that again." Carrie warned, sternly.
A bell ringing reminded us of where we are.
"It's dinnertime," Edward suddenly said. He pulled free from Carrie's embrace and jumped from the bed. He seemed unmindful of the sudden pain from the wound when he jumped. He grabbed Carrie's hand and pulled her.
"Come on, Carrie it's dinner. I'm hungry, let's eat." Edward said, excitedly.
"Edward, you better go there first. I have to give Alice here a background of what she will be doing here," Carrie said, amused at his sudden change of mood.
Edward then waved a quick goodbye and took off to the dining area. Carrie smiled as she watched him go.
"I'm a little sorry of what happened here. I was looking forward to teaching you of what you would be doing here but I guess we couldn't avoid accidents," Carrie apologized to me and dad after what happened.
"It's okay." I said. It really was okay. No one could have prevented what happened.
"We'll just do your orientation tomorrow, Alice. If it's okay with Dr. Cullen," Carrie said.
"Its fine, Carrie. It's just a good thing that it wasn't a deep wound. Otherwise I would've to put stitches. I hate to think what his reaction would be if we did that." Dad said. He was already packed and ready to go.
My father then opened the door and held it open while Carrie and I walked out. The three of us walked towards the exit in silence. The sound of dinner taking place in the dining area was the only sound that could be heard. As soon as we reached the door, Carrie again apologized to me and said thanks. Before she left she gave me a final message.
"Just a reminder, not all children here are like Edward. Most of them are better," She said as we were leaving.