Breaking Point

Chapter 1

A Familiar Face

You never know how much you can be put through before you snap. How many times you are put through the wringer before you're spread too far. How inhumanly difficult it is just to hold yourself back, to exclude yourself from everything just so you can live with yourself. No one can ever know how much pain I have suffered on account of my selflessness. I don't even think I can comprehend it myself.

I drove down the winding highway at top speed. I had all four windows rolled down, and let the wind wreak havoc on my hair. The sky was cloudy, but the air was dry and warm. I had the radio blasted to a heavy rock song and casually strummed my free hand on the side of the door. I quietly sang along with the lyrics and smiled to myself. I loved the feeling of being utterly free. Free of responsibilities, free of worries, but I couldn't stay free for long.

As I turned around the winding curve in the road with no effort at all, I was hit with it. The wind was blowing in the direction of the passenger side and the smell hit me with its entire force. My stomach lurched into a tight ball, my throat tightened and ached of hunger. I knew at once it was the smell of human blood, no vampire could deny it. I turned down my radio and slowed the car to a near stand still. I didn't know my exact location, but I knew I was somewhere in the North of British Columbia. The wet forest encroached on both sides of the road, and I hadn't driven through a town in a while. Why would a human be out here in the first place? Automatically I knew something was wrong. My instincts told me to hunt down the smell, my more humane side screamed for me to help whoever was in need.

Getting out of my car, I ran towards the smell. It wasn't long before I came across her. Strewn across the damp earth, the woman lay limp in a pool of her blood. Her head had come down on a rock, and had been here who knows how long. I could hear her heart beating, and she was still breathing. Carefully, I turned her around to face me. Her head wound was obvious, but I could see no other damage. I swiftly, but gently, scooped her into my arms and took off. We were in my car in no time and I was speeding off to the nearest hospital. I was too worried about the woman to even care anymore about her blood. I took off my jacket and pressed it down on the gash. I wished I could do more, but she needed help fast. I drove to the limit my car would allow, but paid very little attention to anything but her.

It took me almost fifteen minutes to get to the small town's hospital. I didn't care where I was, what did it matter? It aggravated me that I could now no longer use my vampiric speed and strength to get her quickly into the emergency room. I gingerly lifted her out of my car and rested most of her weight on my left side. As quickly as I could allow myself, I walked into the building. Only having to shuffle a few steps into the brightly lit entrance, an older woman sitting at the main desk let out a gasp.

"Oh my!" she cried. Getting up she half ran through the swinging doors. She called out for the doctor and the help of a few nurses. I impatiently stood there with the woman at my side. In a quick moment the doors swung open and a man walked through. He stopped dead in his tracks, face shocked.

"Carlisle?" I was in shock. Could that really be him?

Composing himself, he rushed to my side and brought the woman down unto a wheeled bed. Before a nurse wheeled off with the woman, Carlisle turned to me.

"We'll talk later in my office," he gave me a brief smile and strode off back through the doors. I stood dumbfounded in the hallway just looking at the doors of the emergency room. The woman from the desk ushered me to her computer and started prodding me about the girl I had just saved.

It took ten grueling minutes for the woman to fully comprehend that I knew absolutely nothing about the patient. When she finally allowed me to leave, I quickly went off to find Carlisle's office. It wasn't hard to find, his scent led me right to it. I didn't need to be a vampire though to know it was Carlisle's office. There were as many books as the shelves would allow, and the room had a sophisticated, warm feeling to it. I glanced around the room until my eyes fell upon a grouping of photos on his desk. I smiled. Carlisle has always been compassionate, I was glad he had a family to share his love with.

I hadn't realized how long I had stood standing there until Carlisle broke my reverie. Quietly closing the door behind him, he took a few steps in my direction. A huge smile flashed across his face as he opened his arms out to me. "Camille, it's been much too long." I willingly threw myself into his embrace and welcomed the closeness of my old friend.

"I had no clue Carlisle. I didn't even know you were in B.C until I saw you stride through those doors," I smiled against his chest. Leaning back I looked into his eyes and laughed. "I'm surprised that those nurses can even work around you, let alone stay conscious. You haven't changed a bit, still as handsome as ever," I teased.

"Your not so bad yourself," he chuckled lightly and messed with my hair. Turning, he walked over to the brown, leather couch and sat down. I followed instantaneously, sitting gracefully beside him. "1902, I believe," he looked down on me and gave a lazy half smile. I lowered my head in shame and gave out a shaky laugh.

"I know. Believe me Carlisle when I say it was for the best. I know I should have kept in touch, but I needed to be alone," I looked up with pleading eyes. His soft expression surprised me.

"Cam, don't. You do not have to explain yourself to me. I know what you went through, what you can still be going through," his topaz eyes were reassuring. I smiled sheepishly and let out a deep breath.

"Thank you. You can't even imagine how good that sounds." After a moment, he stood up.

"My shift just ended, I would like you to meet my family," he held his hand out to me. I hesitated.

"I would love to Carlisle, more than anything. I just don't know if I can," my voice ended in a whisper. I looked up at him with pleading eyes, "I've been through a lot, and most of the pain has been, well, self inflicted. To tell you the truth, this has been the closest I have allowed myself to another vampire since, well, 1902." Bending down, he met his gaze with mine. Grabbing both my hands he gently squeezed them.

"You don't see how strong you really are Camille. You are truly unique and I have never met someone so unbelievably selfless. I know what your thinking and you'll be fine." I couldn't deny the face of my friend. I nodded hopelessly and he led me out of the small room.

It was not until we walked out of the dimly lit room and the bright florescent light hit me that I remembered why I was there in the first place. Carlisle understood my expression and led me to a room filled with beds. He walked over to a bed shielded with curtains. Opening them slightly, he allowed me to see the woman I saved. Her head wound was bandaged up and she lay sleeping on the bed. I smiled to myself. She was alive because of me.

"Don't you see Cam, you're stronger then you think," I glanced at Carlisle, "Her name is Breanne Wright, and she's still alive, because of you. I looked in his kind eyes and nothing but sincerity rang out in every word that he spoke. I allowed myself another brief look at Breanne and then started off towards the parking lot were I parked my car.

"You better act fast, I might change my mind," I called behind my back when I was almost at the end of the hallway. Smiling, Carlisle easily caught up with my leisurely pace and together we exited the hospital. Reaching my car I took one final look at Carlisle before I lowered into my car. "I hope your driving doesn't reflect your age!" I yelled. His booming laugh echoed off the walls and in an instant the black Mercedes sped off.

Hey Everyone!

I just want to clear up some questions you may have!

The story takes place after Eclipse, 7 years later…. Making it 2015

Bella is a vampire (Gasp!) So that makes Edward and Bella happily married.

The Family has moved away from Forks, and now live in British Columbia

So if you have any more questions, I'll be happy to answer them!