Running Scared

Prologue

Footsteps echoed behind me as I ran, he was coming closer. His auburn hair tousled from the hunt, his once green eyes now pitch black. My skirts made running nearly impossible, but I knew I must not slow down, he will catch me but not without a fight. I made a sharp right and landed in a dead end, his silhouette outlined in the darkness. He was the only thing blocking the alleyway. His fangs glistened in the moonlight, I was going to die.

Chapter One

"Olivia, hurry up. Madam Le Fluer will scold you again," my sister Elizabeth stood frowning once again as I slowly closed my book.

"Lizzie, you know they canceled classes ever since the epidemic. For once just sit down and relax, read or draw, but do something," I, too, stood and tied my wavy dark hair into a loose bun from some ribbon on the table.

"Livy, you always read, but for once aren't you scared? What if we contract the disease?" she countered, giving me a glared.

I paused and frowned, "I'm absolutely terrified." I walked to the window and stared, the streets have been empty for quite awhile and no one wanted to be outdoors. Afraid of catching the influenza, schools have been closed and we are forced to hide from the air.

"Did you hear? The entire Masen family caught it. You remember Edward, the really handsome one? I heard he's really sick. You should go visit him," Lizzie smiled, pretending everything was fine. I smiled and watched the sun, it was high in the sky and I could see the hospitals from here.

"I don't know him, well, I don't talk to him much and you said yourself it was scary. What if we catch it?" I paced the room, looking at the floor and fidgeting with my skirts. Just about doing anything to not think about him. Edward Anthony Masen. He was the most handsome young man I had ever laid eyes on. He had bronze hair that was always disheveled and bright green eyes. He was tall and lean with a slight muscle on his frame. I could never tell my dear sister I was hopelessly in love with him.

"So, besides, doctors work day and night by their side and they don't get sick come on, please," looking at her, the golden curls around her face made her look sweeter and younger than nineteen years of age, three years my senior. I smiled and nodded my head, I felt older standing next to her.

"But you do know mother and father might not agree to this," I walked out of the room and started down the stairs.

"Livy, don't worry. They'll let us, we'll just say we want to visit all those who are sick and offer our prayers, you know mother and father want us to become more involved," I looked at her in awe.

"So you do have a mind." I grabbed my coat and Lizzie gave her excuse to our parents, they agreed but did give us quizzical looks. The hospital was not far from here and only took us a few minutes. We entered and I had not seen so many people in so long, beds were filled with people. I recognized and few, feeling my heart go out to them. Then I saw him. He was in a bed next to a large window looking out. He sat up and was reading a book. I walked over slowly and smiled down at him.

"Hello Edward." He looked up at the sound of his name. He gave a small smile and put down his book.

"Olivia Waters, hello," he was much paler than I had remembered and his emerald eyes were dulled. He was…different somehow.

"How are you feeling," I tried to sound cheerful but by looking at his grin, I had failed.

"Wonderful, what brings you here? I'm surprised" he let me sit on the end of his bed as he stared intently at me.

"Just wanted to see how you were doing? Why are you surprised? How are your parents?" his grin faded and he looked down slowly.

"No one has come to visit. My father is dying and my mother rapidly approaches the same state," he paused, "Olivia, would you do me a favor?" I was caught off guard and gradually nodded my head. "Would you mind bringing me some books? These are terribly boring and I've read them a dozen times."

"Of course Edward," I sighed. I quickly remembered Elizabeth and noticed she was talking with a doctor. He was unbelievably handsome but he was very pale. He had golden hair and from what I could see, an unusual color of eyes, a topaz color. "Who's that?"

"That is Dr. Cullen. He has been the one treating me," he chuckled slightly, "Apparently your sister likes him." I turned back to him and smiled.

Apparently," he smiled and then frowned. "What?"

"What time do you have to leave, it is twilight and the light will soon be gone. I don't think your parents want you and your sister walking at night." I looked outside and he was right, I stood and smiled at him.

"It was good to see you, I do hope you get better," he, too ,stood. He was unsteady but he grabbed the edge of the bed.

"It was good to see you too. Come back anytime," he looked so fragile and the face he gave me was not one of getting better. He knew he was going to die.

I gave a reassuring smile, "I will."