I still remember the day we met. It was about 2 in the morning, and I couldn't sleep. Not that I was trying. Actually, it was the exact opposite. Of course, it was the middle of the summer and what 15 year old girl tries to sleep at that time? No, I was bored out of my mind, and decided to take a walk through the woods.

Everyone in my house was asleep, so I carefully opened my door, cringing slightly when the hinges squeaked. Although I knew no one would wake up. My family is full of heavy sleepers. I continued on outside, taking steps into the forest in my backyard.

There was something funny about being outside at this time. The summer atmosphere was all over. The stars were shining bright in the sky. The cool wind was blowing softly, making the trees rustle in the breeze. The darkness had an almost… scary essence. But it wasn't bad. It made adrenaline slowly pump through my veins.

As I walked deeper in, I started to get the feeling that I was being watched. I felt my heart start to change its beat, it went harder, but more steady. Bu-dump, bu-dump, bu-dump. Each pulse sending a little more adrenaline through me. I took a deep breath. It's just because it's late at night, and you watched that scary movie last week. No one is watching you. You're going to be fine, and you know it. I nodded my head and continued walking.

That's when I first saw her. Well… at the time I didn't know what it was. It just looked like a snow white shadow in the distance. But it was enough for me to gasp quietly, for my heart to beat faster, for the adrenaline to start pouring and rushing, for my blood to turn to ice. I didn't dare to move, or even to take a breath. I just stood there, wide-eyed, staring, hoping she didn't see me.

I saw her take a step forward, out of the trees. This was when I first realized you were a human… In that one movement, she became clear. The moonlight shined against her pale skin, making her glow. She was short, with black hair that only went as far as to where her face ended. All her features were very small. The corners of her soft pink lips were turned up just slightly, as if she was holding back a smile of pure excitement. But the one thing about her that stood out the most was her beauty. She was so beautiful that she looked more like a goddess or an angel than a human.

"Hello," She spoke in a voice that sounded like wind chimes. I let out my breath of air. "I'm Alice." Her smile broke out, making her shine even more. "And I know exactly who you are. In fact, I've been expecting you. This was perfect timing, you know. If you would've been this far in the woods last night, you probably wouldn't be alive right now." A soft sigh escaped her lips. "Edward won't be happy about that." She said, as she shook her head back and forth. "Oh yes, he's definitely going to want to talk to you about your safety."

What? What the hell was she talking about? Who was she? I wouldn't be alive? What would've happened to me? Who's Edward? I shook my head, trying to get my thoughts straight.

"Wait… what? I… am so confused. Alice, is it? Have we…" I pointed between us, "met before? How do you know who I am?"

"Oh, I'll explain later. That's not important right now."

I put my hands on face, shaking my head again, the brushed them back into my dark brown red hair. "Alice, can you please explain to me what's going on? Why have you been expecting me? What do you want with me?" I was so completely confused, it was frustrating. But there was also… a scared feeling mixed into that.

"Hm… I guess I should have thought this through a little more. If I come right out and tell you… well, that wouldn't be right… But I can't just take you, either. Oh no, I'd get in trouble for that." She was talking to herself now, rather than to me, and tapping her foot as she thought. "Hm, hm, hm… How do I go about this...?"

"I really think you should just tell me…" My curiosity was getting the better of me. Hopefully it wouldn't kill me, like it did that cat.

"Should I?" Her bright eyes looked up at me, as the sparkled as the full moon shone down on them. They were gold. Bright, bright gold. Like I'd never seen before. "See… I'm worried if I just say it, it wouldn't work right. It'd be wrong. But at this point, I think it's my only option." She gasped. But it wasn't a scared sound, or shocked. It was as if she was a little girl who just found out she could get a new puppy. "Alright. Edward will be mad at me for this, no doubt. He hates when I try to play matchmaker. But this time, I saw it. So, he'll thank me in the end." She smiled happily, and reached out for my hand. "Come with me."

"But… I-I… I'm not even supposed to be out right now… If my dad wakes up, he'll wonder where I am… And…" I knew it would sound stupid, but I said it anyway. "I'm not supposed to go with strangers…"

She laughed. It sounded… amazing. Like silver bells. "Don't worry. I'm not too strange." She winked. "And I'll know if your dad is looking for you. He'll never know."

Something about this girl was very weird. Very, very strange. But I trusted her… Because in the strange, there was also something that felt… right. Like I was meant to meet her here tonight. I held out my hand to hers, gasping as I touched it. She was so cold… As ice. And her skin… it was so smooth… like marble.

She smiled again at my reaction. "Like I said, don't worry. It will all make sense soon enough."

I just nodded my head and walked with her.