Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, nor this world.
The burning was subsiding. He noticed it was, but he daren't hope, not yet. The stories from the others cops told him that bullets hurt, they burned, and he was thankful he never had to deal with that in his role of Chief of Police in Forks. But this was different. This was some other shit altogether.
For three days he burned. Every inch, every vein and fibre of his being went untouched as it scorched its way through him.
He had tried to remember what had caused it. Some wild plant native to this part of Europe perhaps, but the pain was too great and all he could focus on was the agony. It was coming back to him now, as the hours ticked by and the searing lessened brief flashes of memory crossed his mind.
His childhood. His marriage, and its subsequent disintegration. His daughter, Bella. And her new life that he began to realise he was no longer part of. The trip to Europe with Sue, a honeymoon in Florence, like she always wanted.
The more recent memories came clear into focus too. A pair of violet eyes. He had never seen eyes that colour before, he had never seen anyone as beautiful before. And when she said her name, "Renata," she almost sung it, it was the sweetest thing he ever heard.
He returned the next day, all in the hope of catching sight of her again. He felt in essence it was cheating, but he couldn't resist the urge. His heartbeat fast in his chest when she finally did appear, cloaked in darkness with a look of longing on her face.
"My name is Charlie," he almost choked out. Her smile was delicious and he savoured it, and her big doe eyes she held cast upon the cobbled stones melted his heart as she stood in front of him, shy and demure, she looked so vulnerable.
"Would you like a kiss, Charlie?"
Soon then the burning began.
But now he was right, it was subsiding. And he became aware of the figures that moved swiftly about him. Aware of a pair of doe eyes by his side.
"Master, I think it's time."
Charlie sat up and for the first time in his life he saw. He saw everything.
"And how are we feeling?" asked a raven haired man with the smile of a Cheshire cat.
"Hungry," replied Charlie.