Chapter One: The Change

Everything was dark. My eyelids opened but nothing was there. Was this blindness? What happened? Where am I?

I felt a sharp pain rip through my neck. I tried to move but was held down by a force stronger then any man. I struggled against it. Wanting to be free from this attacker. I kicked my legs and punched with my arms. I struck the being that assaulted me over and over again. But my blows went unnoticed; it continued to suck on my neck, draining me.

My veins were burning, my neck was on fire. I tried to claw at my skin, needing to release the burn that was consuming me. I felt weak; unconsciousness was pulling me away from this hell.

I tried to fight it; I felt the power that was constraining me release. It was still too dark to see and the burning was spreading quickly through my body. It felt as though each cell was busting, a new DNA replacing the old. I felt every bone in my body shatter at once. I screamed in pain as they reformed, some how stronger, denser, unbreakable. The feeling of fire increased as though my skin was melting away from my muscles. I grabbed my arm, it felt normal. What was wrong with me?

Something had attacked me, but what? My neck…

My fingers reached for the wound on my neck, the stickiness of the blood made my stomach roll with nausea. The urge to vomit was strong, but the scent caught me before I could. Rusty, salt; the odor was disgusting. The smell combined with the pain caused my brain to shut off. Darkness consumed me as a writhed in excruciating pain on the grimy concrete of a dark alley in Seattle.

I woke up in the same dark corner, between two dumpsters. I could feel the light shining through my eyelids creating a faint orange glow. I felt amazing. The pain was gone; maybe it had all be just a nightmare. My eyes gradually opened taking in the environment around me.

Everything was tremendously clear. I could make out details that would seem impossible. I touched my face seeing if I had glasses on but I didn't. I looked at my hand and was immediately distracted by how pale I was. Somehow I knew that I wasn't normally this white. I stretched my hands, feeling the strength that they held.

There was an aching thirst in my throat. I had no idea how long I had been lying on the filthy ground. I must be starving. I stood up and brushed myself off. It looked as though I were homeless; my pants were ripped and torn. My clothes were grimy, dried blood stained my collar. I was instantly repulsed. I tore off my shirt, leaving it in the alley. I could not remember anything. Who was I? Maybe I was homeless. I searched my pants pockets for clues. I found a few keys on a key chain, a wallet, and a cell phone. The phone vibrated in my hand, sending out a shrill ring. I looked at the caller ID.

Incoming Call: Mom

I let the phone buzz in my hand. Mom? I had a mother? I didn't answer the phone. I didn't know who I was, but someone was looking for me. For some reason I knew I didn't want to be found.

I opened the wallet. It held some cash and a few credit cards. The driver's license caught my eye. I slid it out and stared at the picture. This must be me.

C.A. D4293456

Jackson Adam Root

1503 S. Pacific St.

Carlsbad, Ca 92008

Sex: MHair: BLNEyes: BLU

Ht: 6'3"Wt: 184DOB: 3-17-89

In the picture I had a goofy grin, obviously excited that I was getting my first drivers licenses. My hair was light; golden almost it had loose curls that hung down into my eyes. My eyes were bright blue, full of life. My skin was tanner then it was now but it was still paler then I imagined it should be from living in sunny California. I read the information again, studying the only facts I had about me. I was 17, the date on my phone said it was April 4TH 2006. I had missed my birthday. I could not remember anything about this person.

The need for liquids twinge in my throat, I need nourishment. I tucked my wallet back in my pocket and picked up my discarded jacket. I zipped up the hoodie, covering my pale chest. As I stood up I felt strong. Like I could do anything. I took a step and moved faster then I thought possible. That is not normal. I slowed down and took another step; it was still fast but not abnormally so. I walked towards the light of the street ahead of me. The clouds in the sky threatened rain, but I didn't care, loved the rain. As I rounded the corner I was stopped by a smell. I small girl holding a red umbrella ran ahead of her mother straight towards me. I froze. I turned my head from her as she ran into my legs. She looked up at me and screamed, absolutely terrified. Her mother grabbed her away, shaking in fear. I remained like a statue in my spot. What had just happened? I watched them scurry away dashing around the corner leaving my sight.

I regained my composure and walked into a nearby coffee shop, hoping to buy something to drink. But as I opened the door the usually enticing aroma of coffee was unappetizing. I quickly closed the door and continued down the street. Someone grabbed my arm.

"Change?" A homeless man shook a can at me, the change rattling around. He looked into my eyes and dropped his hand from my sleeve.

"Whoa, crazy contacts!" I kept walking, not knowing what he was talking about.

Food. I needed food. As I passed a hot dog vender I noticed that the smell of the processed pork was not enticing. I kept walking dazed and confused. What was wrong with me?

I spotted a clothing store across the street and hurried inside. I needed new clothes. I grabbed a few pairs of pants and some shirts. I stepped into the dressing room and stripped out of my filthy clothes. My skin wasn't dirty at all, I smelled my armpits expecting to smell the stench of body odor but nothing was there. I appeared completely clean. I turned and face the mirror. I was shocked. My eyes locked on to the person reflecting back at me. My eyes were a crimson red. I knew immediately that they were not contacts. My eyes had turned red. I looked at my neck for the wound that had been there but my skin was just as pale and smooth as the rest of me. My face was slightly different then the one in the I.D. more masculine, less boyish. My nose was straight were there once was a bump. My jaw was stronger looking, and my cheekbones more defined. My hair fell in my eyes the same as in my picture, it was shinier, but other then that the same. I looked down at my body; my shoulders were broad and narrowed towards my hips. My stomach was toned and well defined. My arms were strong; I flexed them in the mirror. My legs were long and muscular, they looked like runners legs. I stood there awhile completely absorbed by my appearance. Until a knock on the changing room door drew me out of my stupor.

"Do you need any help?" A women voice asked suggestively.

She seemed to be flirting.

"No, thanks." I replied, hearing my new voice. It was like music, masculine but musical at the same time.

"Are you sure? I can get you anything that you need?" She answered in a low voice drawing out the anything.

I hurriedly threw on the fresh clothes and opened the door, she feel into the changing room as I walked out. She must have been leaning on the door. She caught herself and stared at me longingly. I turned around and rushed to the counter. I ripped of the tags and handed a credit card to the cashier. Thank goodness he wasn't staring at me like that saleslady. I signed the receipt and put my card back into my wallet. I pulled on my sweatshirt as I stepped back outside. I wasn't cold at all but everyone else was wearing heavier jackets, and it was April. The needed in my throat was still raging but I did not know what would quench this thirst.

I walked away towards the tree line that edged the city. An onslaught of senses hit me. The sights, sounds, and smells of the forest came to me at once. Pounding into my brain. One particular smell hit me, the beast within me roared to life, taking away any control that I had. My legs ran and I pounced, taking down a large animal. I tore into its flesh consuming the scarlet liquid that gushed out. The animal thrashed unsuccessfully underneath my grip. I devoured every last drop, feeling the burning in my esophagus die away with each gulp of its blood.

The animal had stopped moving and its heartbeat was gone. I loosened my hands and the animal feel to the earthy floor. I sobbed. Holding my stomach as the emotional pain course through me. What had I done? What had I become?

I looked down at the corpse in front of me, it was a mountain lion. A beautiful cat destroyed by a vicious monster. Sobs racked through my body but no tears fell from my eyes. I lay on the forest floor for days allowing my grief to consume me. The days and nights seemed to blend together. I pulled myself up and began to aimlessly walk. Any family that I had left behind would never want me, not now not ever. I knew that I was a monster and what I had done would happen again. I was alone. Lost in this frighteningly green world.

I traveled without a destination for days, allowing my depression to consume me. But soon the need within me began to rise. I would have to hunt again. I shuddered at the thought. Another innocent life taken by a damned creature. I sniffed the air searching for prey. I caught the scent of a herd of deer. I ran. Allowing my instincts to drive me forward, pushing me to do what my mind fought against. The deer was easy enough to catch I sank my teeth into it pulling away the annoying flesh and drew out mouthfuls of the beautiful liquid within. I sucked each and every drop from the deer, I dropped it when I was done and sank to the ground. How could I do this?

I dry heaved, unable to throw up what I just consumed. I was repulsed by myself. I was annihilating all of these exquisite creatures. The thirst would come back, and I would kill again. I began to sob. I was pathetic. Unable to stop the misery that surrounded me.

I lay there comatose, unable to let sleep consume me. My thoughts ran wild, keeping my body petrified to the dirt floor. I decided then and there that I would destroy myself; rid the world of the evil that is I.

I held my breath, thinking that I would suffocate. After 5 minutes I knew that that wouldn't work. It was uncomfortable not to have my sense of smell but it wasn't difficult. I guess breathing isn't necessary when you are a monster.

I climbed up the nearest tree, intending to dive head first into the ground. It would surely snap my neck ending my existence. I dove from the top of the tree in a perfect swan dive. I hit the ground with a loud thud, the earth shook but I was fine. Not a scratch on me.

I cried again, begging for the tears that would prove my sorrow. They never came. Would I be forced into this existence for an eternity?

I trembled at the thought. An eternity alone, feeding off the living, day and night of helplessness. Rotting away mentally but physical staying as healthy as ever? As healthy as I could be without a pulse.

Holy Crap! I have no pulse. I felt my wrist, then my neck. Absolutely nothing. I was dead. But I wasn't.

"What am I?" I shouted in frustration. Not expecting an answer.

"You're a filthy bloodsucking VAMPIRE!" Yelled the reply. I flipped around to face this person.

A boy, a year or two younger then me stood yards away, shaking in anger. I stared at him taking in his russet skin and dark black hair. I replayed his words in my mind over and over again. A vampire?

How could he possible know that? It was ridiculous. Vampires aren't real.

"Who are you?" I asked as bravely as I could, his stench was far worse then anything I could imagine. My nose burned as the wind blew his smell in my direction.

"Does that really matter? You are not supposed to be on our land, it is in the treaty!" he shouted. His anger building at my lack of knowledge. Their land?

"I don't know what you are talking about," I replied utterly confused.

"You are on Quileute land! Your people agreed to the treaty years ago, you are not allowed on our land, I suggest you leave or else I will rip you limb from limb." His eyes stared me down begging me to challenge him. He wanted a reason to fight, to kill me.

"Okay, point me in the direction of these people of mine," I replied. I was curious to find others like me. Maybe I wouldn't be alone forever.

His body shook aggressively but his hand gestured behind me, I looked over my shoulder understanding that I should leave. I turned to go and took one last glance at the boy.

But instead of seeing a human a gigantic beast stood in his place. A wolf larger then any other wolf I had ever seen, it fur was a deep brown. He snarled at me and I ran in the direction he had pointed, I did not want to see what his fangs could do to my granite like flesh.

I ran through the forest. Almost enlightened in the fact that others like me existed. I held on to the fear that I was going to be alone forever, who could accept such a monster?