AN: I changed a few things. I didn't think it made as much sense where the last one was headed.

Chapter 1

The wind swept through my hair as I ran, more like flew, through the green forest that surrounded me. A hawk was startled out of his perch on the tree above me and took to the sky with an indignant cry. I was getting closer. I heard them talking to each other, they were playing by the river a mile up from me. I scanned the trees ahead to make sure any birds would not alert my presence and continued on with a smile forming on my cold lips. I circled around north so they would not be warned by my scent as the breeze whistled through the trees. I stopped just close enough to observe for a bit. Three gray wolves were wrestling with each other, young males just kicked out of their pack. I closed my eyes for a fraction of a moment, breathing in deeply, and when they opened my black eyes smiled and I lunged.

I walked in my house and saw Charles sitting on the sofa watching the TV without the volume on. His red locks resembled his fiery tone as he replaced the words the actors said. Oh good, another action show turned into a melodrama. I looked at my watch to see that it was only two o'clock.

"Skipping school today, Charlie?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

"One ought to skip school every once in a while, especially when that while just happens to fall on a blood drive day," he responded in a British accent.

"Fair enough," I said. He was overly cautious at times since he was the most recent to come to live as a 'carnivore' as we called it. We were the only clan we knew of that weren't cannibals (an inside joke). "So who is the unlucky chap today?" I questioned, referring to the show he was watching.

"Mr. Boon. He was a race car driver, but after his wife left him he became distraught and couldn't continue, he is now a chronicle depressant. Care to watch? It is more interesting than the one yesterday with the daughter who turns out to be an assassin."

"No thanks. Is this Mr. Boon British though?"

"Yes, he was raised in Manchester and brought to the States to live with his uncle when his parents died."

"Sometimes I wish I had your creativity Chuck," I said as I ruffled his hair and headed towards the stairs.

"Well it's easy when the story is right in front of you," he laughed. "By the way, how were the squirrels biting today?"

"Well if it's squirrels you are interested in, I would stay away. They looked more ferocious than usual. The wolves were fun though, just don't tell Ara," I said already upstairs. As I fell on my bed and closed my eyes I heard him say, "Don't worry. I can keep a secret." I smiled and remained there wishing that I could sleep.

I stayed frozen like that, listening to Charlie's commentary on the show until the front door opened. Ana and Will were back from teaching at the local high school. I reluctantly got up and went to talk to them.

"Hey guys, how were your students today?"

"I just don't get how those kids keep setting things on fire. I almost was not able to put it out before the alarm went off," Will sighed as he sat down at the kitchen table. He was too nice of a guy to seriously punish the problem students in his chemistry class.

"Well at least you managed to put it out. I would be worried of losing my temper with them. And you, Ara?" I prodded.

"Great. They all did very well on their quiz today. It always makes me so excited when they enjoy history," she smiled and sat next to Will.

"It's easy for you since you just have to tell your life story," Will complained. "I just have little pyro minions that run haywire everywhere."

"Oh honey, just assert yourself a bit more and it won't happen," Ara said with an encouraging smile. Will hates confrontation.

"Don't worry. They will get over it. Just a stupid teenage phase," I added.

Then they looked at me. "You went hunting today. You couldn't wait for the rest of us? What are you planning?" Will asked rubbing a hand over his face. My twin brother knew me as well as I did.

I smiled innocently as I said, "well you know how I mentioned traveling to see the coast for a while?"

"But now?" they asked simultaneously.

"Why not? It's March and I wanted to leave in January. I don't plan on being gone for more than a few months. Without a job or school at the moment, I am just bored here," I pleaded.

"WAIT! Did you just say that you weren't going to be at my graduation?" Charlie asked from the other room, furious. He reminded me of an angry Scottish man.

"I will come out for it, don't worry, but even so, I've seen you walk plenty of times."

At this he came into the room and fixed me with his 'oh no you don't' stare. "You are not leaving me alone with these old, serious folk. You are the only sane one here," he said still in a British accent.

" Hey! Who are you calling old?" said Will.

"I won't be gone as long as last time, I promise," I responded to Charlie, ignoring my brother. I left for a year and this was before cell phones so I never stayed in contact with them. Sometimes I forget how others can be worried about me. "You won't even miss me, well maybe just a little." I went over to give him a noogie.

"Is that the real reason you want to go out now because you feel you have an obligation to John and any of his descendants? You know, being near them will only bring trouble," Will said.

"I know. I'll admit I wanted to see them one last time. They just look so much like him. But this time I promise I will stay away from Sacramento. It is still hard, but it's getting easier."

"At least you talked to him one last time and sorted things out before he…"Ara couldn't say it. Died, John died. I just couldn't help the thought, the desire of seeing him again, youthful and energetic.

"Well I should go now." I started walking out of the perfectly clean kitchen.

"We haven't even agreed yet," Ara pointed out.

"Do you need me to use it?" I asked referring to my powers.

"Fine, just don't forget us this time," Will agreed.

"Deal."

I drove my Pagani through Washington State marveling at the beauty that surrounded me. I loved Montana, but there was so more life in the evergreen state. I started at the north coast near Canada and slowly made my way down. I quenched my curiosity for what fish tasted like, and ugh it was too cold. The shark was no better, I should have known. At least it was an adventure.

When I reached Seattle I sighed to myself. It was my favorite big city in the western US and of course I had to visit my favorite shop. I walked into the public market as the rain poured down and went to the poster shop downstairs. I found a picture of Indiana Jones from the Temple of Doom and a great Mad Max one to add to my collection at home. After two more days I headed south again along the coast.

I headed inland for a bit. It had been two weeks since my last hunt and I heard some news about some bears being sighted near Forks, not even a dot on the map. Well, if I could help out in any way possible then why not? I am the sort of person who loves helping others; it's sort of like a moral obligation.

When I finally arrived near the town I parked my car on a side road and got out. I ran for a bit looking for the scent of a bear, but all I could find were some deer so I settled with that. They really don't taste the same though. On my way back to the car I took a more scenic route and happened upon a scent that I knew very well and yet was very surprised to find. There was a vampire around here. Curious as to who it was I followed the trail and came to a meadow.