I slunk deeper into the depths of the forest, my grief and agony eating me inside out until I couldn't go on any more. I curled up into a little ball against a fallen log that was sodden from last night's rain. I closed my eyes as the rain pelted down onto my back, however it was only to my dismay. Images flashed before my eyes and I found myself gripping at my sides as though they were about to burst any moment.
I tried to think of something else but the events of the day whipped through my mind at lightning speed. The way I had been running in the woods, just an ordinary day out for a regular hunt. Jasper had tried to convince me to stay home but I was persistent and went out anyways. I had been hunting when I came across them; a middle-aged man with his teenage daughter out for a hike. I hadn't realized what had happened until I heard the girl scream – until I saw the man's drained body limp in my hands.
But what choice did I have then? In a quick flurry of motion I was in front of the girl in a second. I made it quick, not able to make this any worse, and within seconds she joined her broken father on the ground. I gazed down into their glassy eyes and the next thing I knew I was a blur against the backdrop of the forest, running away from nothing, and yet running away from everything.
And so it was here where I now was, curled up against this log as I hugged my knees to my chest and I rocked back and forth. I let the dry sobs rock my body not caring how my mascara washed down my face in angry smudges or how the rain was ruining my designer shirt. I just sat there as I let the pain eat me up entirely.
I don't know how long I had stayed there for before I heard pounding feet. I could hear the water splash where he ran. I knew at once that it was Jasper – I would recognize his running pattern anywhere. I heard him before I saw him. One moment I was along and the next he was crouching down over me; fearful that I was hurt.
I was unable to meet his gaze but he lifted my chin as his eyes searched my face, "Alice, what's wrong?" He murmured, his voice shaky and unstable as he worried for my safety and well-being.
I gazed up at him, "Don't you see my eyes Jasper?! I killed them! I killed two innocent people that were out for a hike minding their own business just out for"
"Alice shhhh" Jasper said, pressing a finger to my lips. He knelt in front of me and held me tight against his chest, "Shhhh honey, it's alright…it'll be alright" I wanted to tell him that it wouldn't, that I was disgusted with myself, but I knew that it hurt him to see me in pain.
I sat further up and Jasper moved to sit next to me. I leaned my head on his shoulder as he draped an arm around me. I was at a loss for words and all I could manage was another sob. He cuddled me closer while whispering, "Alice I love you. You say you can see the future yet you act like I'm going to stop loving you. Well let me tell you this Ms. I-Can-See-The-Future, I am never going to stop loving you. That day in Philadelphia was the best day of my entire life and I will never leave you. I will love you forever…for better and for worse remember?" I kissed my hair, letting his lips linger as he pulled me closer still. I was just so amazed at how easily he was accepting this. I had just killed a human – two humans – and he was kissing me as though nothing happened.
I swallowed the extra venom in my mouth and stared up at him, "But how can you still love me…why do you still love me?"
He smiled, "Sweetheart, I have always felt what other people have felt but until I met you I had never felt love for myself. I was able to reflect it, to mirror back at myself. But a reflection of something doesn't soothe the want as much as the actual item…when I met you, that was when I began to feel for the first time in my life. Vampire and otherwise." He kissed my lips softly before standing up and holding out a hand. I smiled up at him and he smiled back while sending me waves of love,
"Just returning the favor" he said in my favorite southern drawl as his eyes twinkled and he flashed me a lazy smile. And with that I headed back to our house, knowing that he would love me…for better or for worse.
Please review! I really want to know if people think I should continue with this as a collection of one shots. Team Jasper and Seth!