Mirror Image

By Lady of Spain

Chapter 1: Worlds Apart

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight


His world was torn asunder that dreadful night. A paper cut! A tiny paper cut transformed Jasper into a bloodthirsty fiend. The heady scent of the singer's life force was just too much for him. The culinary lifestyle the rest of the Cullens embraced, still hadn't become an internalized habit, despite the fact that he had lived with them these last fifty years.

Edward was beside himself, cursing his naivety. This was bound to have happened, sooner or later. It was inevitable. If Jasper hadn't lost control tonight, he wondered how long it would take for he, himself to sip that luscious nectar. The venom pooled in his mouth at the thought, even as Esme meticulously sutured the gaping wound closed.

He dropped Bella off at her doorstep, the sweet aroma of the blood from her arm torturing him. He realized that he was no better than Jasper, except for the extensive time he had learning how to restrain his impulses. At this very moment, it was proving extremely difficult. He could easily snap and drain her dry. Edward had to be so careful, always on his guard. Even for a vampire—who seldom tired—it was exhausting.

What on earth had he been doing all this time? Forging a liaison with a fragile little human girl, his singer—in fact—was the height of foolish endeavors. A pompous ass, that's what he was, thinking the relationship could work. How? Tonight had proven otherwise.

He kissed his sweetheart goodnight, but his un-beating heart wasn't in it. He'd already distanced himself emotionally from her, and was certain she could sense it.


The ride home was unusually quiet. "Say something," she begged.

"What do you want me to say, Bella? I told you so?

"I should have had my head examined before exposing you to such danger. How stupid and arrogant could I possibly be? You could have been killed."

"But I wasn't. You were there, protecting me. I'm fine."

His lips tightened, and his hands gripped the steering wheel like a vise. "You're fine," he muttered. "You're always fine.

"Wake up, Bella. Being with me is deleterious to your health."

"You exaggerate."

"I can't sit by and watch, as you lay lifeless because of my indifference."

With eyes narrowed, she asked, "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that maybe we'd be better off apart."

"Don't say that," she groaned. "Everything will look better tomorrow."

The car stopped in front of her home, and Edward turned off the engine. "Will it?"

He stepped out of the car, and went round to the passenger side, helping her out also. Edward turned to leave as they approached the door. Bella asked, "Aren't you going to kiss me?"

The vampire laughed, humorously. "After all that's happened, you still want me to?"

Her chocolate eyes rolled about. "That's a dumb question. I always want you to."

Edward grasped her shoulders lightly and pressed his lips to her in what seemed a pitiful attempt at a chaste kiss. Bella began to worry. Would things really be better tomorrow?


Carlisle was concerned about his son. Ever since Bella's birthday debacle, Edward had been distracted, obviously grieving over his decision to leave the love of his un-dead life behind. He wished he could do or say something that would ease Edward's mind and dissuade him from leaving. It was always hard on the family, and for Rose especially. She was very vociferous when it came time to pull up roots and enroll in a new school. And then, there was Esme to consider. She would have to give up her position as chief of staff at the hospital, and he'd have to make other connections to continue financing his interests as a scientist.

Today he didn't want to think about any of that. He was busy tinkering over his newest endeavor. There had to be some way to convert the sun's energy into a more intense light than the feeble luminosity put out by the solar lamps that were now available.

It was ironic. Being a vampire, he avoided the light as much as possible, but still, the rest of humanity would appreciate his efforts, if only he could succeed in this frustrating job.

His first three attempts had utterly failed, but he soldiered on, remembering how many times that Thomas A. Edison had produced less than satisfactory results.

Of course nothing could compare in any way shape or form to Carlisle's greatest achievement—an achievement that so far remained hidden away from the public at large, and other scientists in particular. No telling what chaos could erupt if some unscrupulous person got a hint of what lay on the shelf in this very lab.

While he was wracking his brain, trying to solve this puzzle, in walked Edward, looking unusually disheveled and despondent. "Still at it, I see," he observed. "Perhaps you should abandon this project and go on to another. We'll be moving within the week anyway. You can set up your lab in Alaska."

He looked around the room, searching for something, then apparently satisfied, he excused himself and walked out, leaving Carlisle to his work, and wondering what that had been all about.


Things were not right between Bella and Edward for the next few days. She could feel him pulling away, and yet she ignored the signs. Surely the memory of that horrible night would fade and their relationship would be on even stronger footing … hopefully.

Edward had been absent from school for the last two mornings, and although she left her bedroom window open, he hadn't dropped by to sing her lullaby. Then after school on the third afternoon, he stopped her as she climbed out of her Ladybug. His silver Volvo was nowhere in sight; he'd come to her home on foot.

His face was set in stone, and he grabbed her arm. In a no-nonsense tone, he growled, "Come with me. We're going for a walk."

Bella wasn't used to him being so rough with her, or speaking to her in any way but politely.

They went a little ways into the woods skirting the backyard of her house. Then he dropped a bombshell. "I'm leaving, Bella."

In a panic, she offered, "Where are you going? I'll go with you. I can start at a new school. I can—"

He interrupted her abruptly. "No … I've let this go on far enough. It's impossible. You're not one of us. I'm only sorry I didn't break it off sooner. I never meant to hurt you, Bella, but it's time to say goodbye."

Tears began to well up in her eyes. "Goodbye?"

"Yes. I'll always think of you, fondly." He nodded, his face betraying no emotion. "You'll get over me … in time."

Kissing her forehead, he turned and began walking away.

With arms waving about in alarm, she pleaded, "No … Edward, you can change me—right here. Then I'll be deserving of you. Please don't leave."

He didn't answer or look back.

She followed, desperately running after him until he seemed to vanish into a brightly lit tunnel. What was that … thing? It was fading as she crept closer, then she spotted a silver object, lying on the leaf-strewn ground. It resembled a smart phone, but with only a few icons, and one black button marked power on its surface. One of them was flashing red. Across the icon was written the word, close. The light winked out, and the tunnel disappeared.

Bella fumbled with the gadget, pushing the power button; the tears running down her cheeks all the while. She touched the icon which said entrance, and a funny crackling noise like static electricity filled the air. A pinpoint of light shone, and it spread until the illuminated opening was large enough for her to pass through. She slipped the device into her pocket. Her love for Edward overcame her fear, and she stepped into the halo of light. It never occurred to her what she would find on the other side of the gate, and what's more she didn't care.