Chapter 1: Unexpected
Normal POV
The bright moon illuminates the dark night, the people of Forks town are sleeping but the forest is awake. Moving through the trees with speed that makes it impossible for them to be clearly seen by the average human eye, Carlisle, Emmett and Edward ran on and on, never missing their footing, making their way with perfect skill between tree trunks and jumping over bushes. They just finished hunting in the northern region wherein more of their preferred flavours can be found and are on their way home. A gentle breeze ruffled their hair carrying a strong scent that caught their attention. They all stopped almost at the same time and turned to run towards the source of the scent.
They haven't gotten too far when they came upon a young woman, lying wounded and unconscious next to a tree. Carlisle, who is no longer affected by human blood, quickly rushed to check the girl's injuries. Emmett managed with some effort, to ignore the scent, since they just hunted and he isn't thirsty. Whilst, Edward slammed into a tree when he rushed to get away from the woman.
Carlisle and Emmett quickly turned to look at him.
"What's wrong?" Carlisle asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Nothing." He replied with a strained voice and pained expression on his face as he stood rigidly by the tree.
"Uhm, bro, your face looks like your having bowel issues." Emmett smirked.
"It's the scent. Don't worry, I can handle it." He assured Carlisle, ignoring Emmett and took a few breaths, then his body relaxed and he walked slowly albeit hesitantly towards the girl.
The girl's jeans had rips, her white shirt stained with blood and one of her sneakers is lying a foot away. Her pale hands are positioned protectively around a blue backpack and her reddish blonde hair were tangled with leaves and dirt. If they couldn't hear her heart beating, they would've thought she was dead.
"What do you think?" Edward asked his father.
"No broken bones, a few scratches and bruises, she probably fainted from exhaustion and hit her head." Carlisle replied hesitantly.
"You're worried about her head." Edward said reading his dad's mind.
Carlisle sighed to confirm and said nothing else. Emmett kneeled next to the girl and was about to pick her up when Edward hissed at him.
"Wha -" he started to say when Edward cut him off with, "I'll carry her."
Emmett slowly smiled and teasingly said, "Someone's a bit possessive."
"I just didn't want you accidentally crushing her with your bear paws." Edward carefully picked up the girl whilst Carlisle carried her backpack.
"Whatever you say little brother." Emmett sing-sang, then they were off running home.
A few minutes later, they slowed to a walk when they were near the house.
"Welcome home." Esme, Rosalie and Alice were in the lounge when they stepped in the house. They all seemed shocked at the sight of the girl. Alice even gasped, "What a surprise!"
But Edward just rolled his eyes at his melodramatic pixie-like sister, who already has the first aid kit ready as she's foreseen this happening, and gently laid the unexpected guest on the couch. Edward stayed by the girl's side and watched as Carlisle started tending to her wounds.
"So Jasper's already in the safe zone?" Emmett asked Alice after a while, since Jasper has the most trouble ignoring the scent of human blood, to which she just nodded too busy bouncing on her feet to reply. "Why are you so hyped up?" Emmett asked another question as he sauntered towards Rosalie.
"Yes Alice, but please nothing too uncomfortable or flashy." Edward responded to Alice's unspoken question. Alice excitedly ran up the stairs to her room.
"What the hell just happened?" Emmett said aloud but before anyone can reply Alice was back with clothes on her hand. Realisation dawned upon Emmett causing him to chuckle and say, "Oh boy, Alice has found a new doll. I feel bad already." Rosalie tried to look serious but failed as a smile escaped her lips. Edward and Esme just shook their heads at Alice's passion for fashion, whilst Carlisle finished up with the wounds.
A few hours later, the sun is already starting to rise marking the beginning of a new day and the girl was all cleaned up and dressed in a pale pink dress, but still unconscious. Jasper stepped in the room and everyone turned to look at him.
"Everything in control?" Carlisle asked.
Jasper nodded and went to stand beside Alice.
"Oh I almost forgot, there's nothing in the kitchen." Alice warned.
Everyone was confused for a moment but Edward, who read Alice's mind, understood, "Emmett and Rosalie could you please shop for grocery?"
"I don't mind. I'm bored anyways." Rosalie replied.
"What are we buying?" Emmett asked warily, holding his car keys.
"Anything. I'll cook." Esme excitedly volunteered, "I haven't cooked in ages."
"Be here before she wakes up." Alice told them before they left.
Rosalie and Emmett returned, with the latter carrying four bags overflowing with all kinds of food. Jasper giggled upon seeing them, "Are you planning on feeding the whole town?"
"We don't know how long she'll be here for." Rosalie answered at the same time Emmett said, "Rosalie got carried away." She elbowed him.
Esme's eyes lit up, "Ooh bring them in the kitchen and I'll start cooking."
"Please don't cook all of it at once." Jasper called after them.
"Don't worry, I won't. We finally have a use for our fridge." Esme responded, delight clear from her tone.
"How much longer?" Edward asked Alice.
"Hmmm," Alice used her gift, "less than a minute."
Edward turned to look at the girl and waited. After a couple of excruciatingly slow seconds, the girls eyes fluttered open and…
Author's Note:
This is a new version of my previous story called 'crystal: fragile but powerful', which was written approximately two years ago. When I read it again, I realised how horribly written it was and so here is the upgraded and (hopefully) much better version.
Also, forgive me (those who love Isabella Swan) but the leading lady is my original character. So, the story will be alternating between Normal POV (third person) and the girl's POV (first person)…
Please enjoy. And if you don't mind, provide feedback