A/N: Okay, so I've taken into consideration, your ideas you guys have given me for Cold-Skinned, and I've decided to write an "alternate beginning" so to speak.

Edward's POV:

I opened my eyes.

I looked around the room; everything was so clear…so breathtaking. I could see everything! My throat ached; I was thirsty. Blood. "How do you feel?" I looked to my right to see Doctor Cullen.

"Why did you do this to me?" I was furious. It was absurd! Vampires couldn't be real, but yet here I was; pale white and ice cold. Throughout all my rage, I suddenly remembered where I was, and what happened. I looked around again. "Where is she? Where's Bella?" I asked.

"She wanted me to change her as well…when I did, and the venom had spread, she stayed here, but then took off for blood." He said, "I haven't seen her since."

"Wh-? No! Bella, why would she…..why would she leave?" I asked, feeling slightly heartbroken. She was gone?

Carlisle nodded sadly, "I think she lost track of what she was doing…she let her instincts take over…it could last decades before she realizes what she's done." I couldn't imagine Bella harming anyone. She wasn't a murder! I couldn't stand for this!

"Why did you change her?" I asked angrily.

"She wanted to be with you, Edward." Carlisle replied, "She wouldn't take no for an answer."

"I don't want her to be like this!" I hissed, "To be a monster! She doesn't deserve this!"

"She wanted this," Carlisle said lightly. "I'm sure she's looking for you…you should get some blood…animal blood."

I laughed bitterly, "Animal blood? What good would that do me?"

"For starters, it'll make you weaker than a normal vampire…but it'll keep you from feeding off humans…you'll be able to live among them without them knowing a thing…at least, as long as you're careful."

I stood up. Any kind of blood sounded good at this point. "Did Bella say anything before she left?"

Carlisle shook his head, "She took off before I could even talk to her." I nodded. She was probably gone forever. "There are woods behind the hospital…deer pass through there often. I suggest you feed off them until we relocate."

"Relocate?" I asked. "No…I'm not going anywhere with you…" I said. I hated the man—monster—in front of me. "I'm going on my own."

XxxxX

It felt like I had no control over myself. I couldn't keep up with my speed, my thoughts, my emotions, my strength….my thirst. Everything was completely up to nature now. I could see miles ahead of me as I headed for the forest. The temptation of human blood and man slaughter ruled over my mind. I could do it, and get away with it; I was positive about that.

What was I saying? Why would I want to kill these humans? I was exactly like them once. I didn't want to be this indestructible monster…I was a killer; the world's most dangerous predator. And now so was Bella. She was off somewhere, the thought and taste of human blood clouding her mind probably. Oh how I missed her a lot. It wasn't like her to just run off; but from what I was feeling now, I was slowly starting to understand why she did.

XxxxX

March 13, 1929

I spent the next decade, looking all over for Bella. I couldn't find her anywhere. My love was gone; I had to face the truth. I ended up heading back to Vancouver when I picked up the scent of Carlisle. I hadn't seen him for the last ten years either. I killed many people, and I could only see myself as nothing but a murderer. Maybe it was time I joined him; I could live amongst the humans and not want to kill them. That would be a nice change.

March 14, 1929

I followed the trail until I reached a large house in, basically, the middle of nowhere. Trees thickly wound together, creating a heavy looking forest. I was in Forks, Washington. What was Carlisle doing here? I walked up to the house; it was very open for a vampire. He must have heard me because before I could look into the window, he was there at the door. "Edward…I didn't expect to see you?" Carlisle greeted, giving me a small smile.

"I was passing through to Vancouver…I caught your scent." I replied. I hadn't noticed the other vampire behind him.

"Well it's good to see you again." Carlisle said, "I don't suppose you're staying though."

"No I was here for that actually." I said, "I don't want to be a monster…I've killed people…innocent people. I don't want that."

"So you have come to stay?" Carlisle asked. I nodded. "Well, there's enough room here. And it's usually always raining," That was good to hear. The last thing I needed was to expose myself in front of the humans. The woman stepped forward and smiled, "Ah, Edward this is Esme…my wife." I nodded and returned a small smile.

"Hello Edward." She said, holding her hand out for me. I shook her hand and nodded.

"Hello Esme…" When Esme left, though she could still hear us, I turned back to Carlisle, "Have you seen her?" I asked, "Bella, I mean." Carlisle shook his head.

"It's been almost over a decade Edward. I hate to even think negative, but I don't think she'll be back." I shook my head. Maybe I was destined to be alone forever.

"Is there any blood nearby?" I asked. Carlisle looked around, listening. I could hear his thoughts. He was thinking of different places.

"There are some elk and mountain lions throughout these woods. Deer even." He replied. "Most come from the south." I nodded and headed out into the woods; following the scent of a mountain lion. I could see it, no further than thirty yards away. I stood still, quietly picking up a sharp stone. I threw it with a hard force, watching it slice through the skin of the mountain lion. It let out a loud groan of pain and I lunged for it, sinking my teeth into its throat. The blood satisfied; it tasted better than deer. It wasn't like human blood, but it made me feel…normal.

XxxxX

March 14, 1929

I made my way back to Carlisle's with my thirst was under control. It was when I arrived back through the doorway that it made me remember my old life. My parent's home. My home…the one Bella and I were supposed to live in together. All of that was gone. This was my new life; this house was big. I couldn't complain about that. "You can pick whatever room you like." Carlisle said from the bottom of the staircase. I chose the room closest to the woods. There was a door in the back of the room that faced the trees. It was more open than most of the other rooms; I liked it.

XxxxX

November 3, 1933

I was furious! Carlisle had brought home another vampire! Esme I didn't mind; she was like my mother. But this one…she was a nightmare! "Edward why can't you just reason with Rosalie?" Carlisle asked.

"Why did you save her? It's obvious she doesn't want this." I said angrily.

"She was dying…there was a lot of blood." Carlisle replied, "I wasn't going to leave her."

"You should have." Rosalie said from the doorway, glaring at me. "He's right…I don't want this."

"See?" I said, venom coating the edges of my words. Forever was a hell no doubt.

I remembered this date, every single, lonely year. It was the day Bella and I were supposed to get married. It hurt not having her here. The last fifteen years, had been rough without her. Not once had I seen her; how she never crossed this way made me wonder if she was even looking. I was. I would never stop; I loved her. I had to take it in that maybe she didn't want to be found. Was she ashamed of being a vampire? A cold-skinned, vicious, blood sucking monster. When it all came down to it, that's all we really were. We were the monsters parents warned their kids; we were the myths they scared their kids into thinking were real at a certain time. Bella…where are you?

XxxxX

September 10, 1935

Rosalie had been gone for a week. She couldn't stand me; the feeling was mutual. I could finally have some peace and quiet in my mind. I didn't have to listen to her snide comments or her bitter remarks. It wasn't long until she returned though. She had to come back of course. However, when she returned, she wasn't alone. A male, just about her age stood behind her, talking to Carlisle and Esme. Emmett his name was. He was very muscular and tall. At least she'd leave me alone now…one could only hope.

XxxxX

December 31, 1978

Sixty years have passed, and not once have I found Bella. I was really starting to believe I was destined to be alone forever. I only had six months of pure happiness, and that was when I was human with Bella. I bet Bella remembered none of it. I could barely remember it anymore. I had spent most of my days now up in my room. It was cluttered with books and CDs. Papers were hanging out of books, holding pages I was not yet finished reading. I was ready to give up looking; why go against the odds? Bella and I would never be together again.

"We're going hunting," Esme said, standing in the doorway, "Would you care to join us?" She gave me a small smile. For me, please Edward. She thought. I sighed and stood up.

"I'll join you." I said. She smiled wider. Thank you.

XxxxX

I had taken down three mountain lions within the last two hours. I had kept myself from hunting for the past month. I was behind Rose and Emmett, before they stopped. Esme and Carlisle did as well. A vampire stood before us, defending herself.

"What brings you here?" Carlisle asked calmly.

"I was just passing through…but I saw you all coming…" She said. She had pixie-like features and short, red, spiky hair. "I'm Alice…I saw that you don't hunt humans…"

"I'm Carlisle, and this is my family. My wife Esme, my sons Edward and Emmett, and my daughter Rosalie." He pointed to each of us. Alice nodded.

"I have a gift…I can see the future." Alice said, "I can see things before they happen."

"Edward can read minds," Esme said, pushing me forward a step.

"Would you like to join our family?" Carlisle asked, "You're more than welcome too…you'll have to drink animal's blood…"

"Then I'll drink animal's blood," Alice remarked. I smirked; we'd be good friends.

XxxxX

January 2, 1979

"You've lost someone," Alice said, watching me carefully. I looked up, interested.

"You know about Bella?" I asked.

"Not much…I just know that you've been searching for her for a while…without luck." She said, "I can see it in your eyes…you have a very hollow expression…it's ghost-like."

"Can you see Bella?" I asked, "Will I find her?"

"Unfortunately, that I can't tell." Alice sighed, "I don't know Bella…I can't tell if she wants to be found or not...I can tell you're determined to find her…but I've never met her…I can't watch her decisions."

I nodded; at least she could be of some help in the future. Alice stood up and left to go find Rosalie.

XxxxX

June 19, 1989

Just about seven decades had passed since I became immortal…since I last saw Bella. Hopeless days and endless nights later, I was still waiting. I longed for the beautiful woman I was held in my arms. My frozen, dead heart ached for her. I couldn't stand not having her here with me. If all of my human memories were to fade, I wanted to keep the memories with her alive for as long as possible.

XxxxX

"There's someone coming." Alice said, looking out the window. I stood up. Bella? Could it be Bella?

"Who Alice? Who's coming?" Carlisle asked.

Alice looked like she was far away, "I don't know…but they seem…lost."

"Is it Bella?" I asked. Alice shook her head.

"They're getting closer…can you hear what they're thinking?" She asked. I nodded. The voice was male, craving blood. I hid my disappointment, but Carlisle could tell. Alice made her way out into the woods; Carlisle and I exchanged a glance before she was back in an instant.

"Carlisle! Esme, Edward, Emmett, and Rose!" Alice called. We made our ways outside and stood in front of them. "Go on," she said.

"My name is Jasper Whitlock." He said, giving us a nod. "I've come up from the south. I've needed to hunt…I was just passing through…" He was quiet for a moment. "I noticed you all have gold eyes instead of red…how?"

"We feed off animals." Esme replied. "Where did you come from in the south?"

"I came from Mexico. I was in battle when I was created." Jasper said, wincing slightly. I could read his mind easily. "My creator left me alone after we won."

"Well Jasper, if you would like, we'd be more than happy to take you in." Carlisle offered, "You can stay here with us. We have a treaty…we cannot hunt humans." Jasper thought quietly for a moment, thinking over the offer. He smiled.

"I'd be happy too."

A/N: This is kind of a refresher chapter. The next 2 will most likely be the same, and then the alternate beginning!