Author's note:
Hey everyone! This is the edited version of Chapter one.
Disclaimer: I own nothing apart from my OC in this story. Everything else belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
The only thing that could be heard at this time of night was the gentle breeze radiating down the silent street. The vigorous tapping of trees swaying with every bit of power they had. Screaming was heard and then their voices slowly faded away into the silent hands of the night.
Flashback:
"Matthew we should really be getting back to the hotel now. We're English, anything can happen to us in America".
"Don't be so stereotypical Cataleya". Her husband sighed in annoyance.
Cataleya Winslow cradled her stomach gently with one hand as she used the other to cradle the small child in her arms".
"Chloe is tired, we should go back. It doesn't feel right".
Chloe then lifted her head off of her mother's shoulder groggily.
"But I'm not sleepy yet". She then pouted as her mother chuckled.
"I will read you a story when we get back to the hotel" She then adjusted Chloe so that she lay comfortably on her hip.
Loud voices interrupted their talking as a gang slowly made their way towards them.
"Well what do we have here boys?" The man who appeared to be the ring leader had a menacing smirk plastered on his face.
Matthew and Cataleya's faces turned as white a sheet as they pressed themselves close together.
They were outnumbered, any fool could see that. The man who appeared to be the leader moved closer towards them, invading their personal space. Matthew began to move towards the man determinedly.
"What are you doing?" His wife shrieked, suddenly very afraid.
"I'm buying you time. Now go!" he urged.
There was no time to argue, her husband was already engaging in a fight when Chloe started to sob.
Cataleya wasted no time in running as fast as she could away from the fight. The screams and yells she heard were catastrophic. By now she was sobbing. She loves her husband but she needs to protect her family. She ran down a narrow alleyway, looking for anything to conceal her daughter from those bastards. She managed to find a few crates that looked abandoned by the nearby wall.
"We are going to play a game of hide and seek. Hide from daddy and do not move until we get you, do you promise me?"
"Yes mummy" the little girl replied, clearly having no idea of what was happening around her.
" I love you." Her mother then ran off to lead the men away. A torturous scream was emitted into the chill air as two antagonising shots rang out into the constricting atmosphere; the sounds of retreating footsteps could be heard.
Chloe cried silently for how long she didn't know. She froze in absolute fear as she heard something approach.
End of flashback.
"It's too late. I cannot save them Esme, it looks like they were robbed". Carlisle indicated to the now two dead bodies lying not far away from each other. Esme looked like she was about to sob when she heard something not far away from them move. The gentle thud of a heart beat further heightened her observation.
"Do you hear that?"
Silent crying was heard. Esme slowly moved down the alleyway with Carlisle in tow. Carlisle warily approached the ghastly looking crates and peered down towards the crying girl that was no older than 3. Esme carefully picked her up and positioned her on her hip whilst calmly shushing her.
"We cannot leave her here Carlisle, the poor dear's alone! She must belong to them" she indicated towards what looked like the mother and father of the child.
"If we want to help her we must take her to the Volturi" Carlisle stated.
Esme lightly brushed the girl's light brown hair out of her face as her doed blue eyes peered up at her.
"Carlisle they will kill her". Esme lightly rocked her from side to side.
Carlisle sighed. "They will only find out about her anyway".
" What is your name little one?" Carlisle asked softly.
After slow antagonising minutes the girl spoke.
"Chloe" she whispered so low that not even a human would hear
Carlisle then slowly approached her and carefully took her from Esme.
"We are here to look after you little one" Carlisle spoke gently, indicating to her that they meant no harm.
"We must go to the Volturi Esme. Aro is my oldest friend. He will help us, we must persuade them" Carlisle said, his features suddenly becoming serious.
Carlisle and Esme made their way back to the house with the silent girl cradled in her arms. They explained to their family about what was happening and that they were going to the Volturi.
Rosalie slowly approached Esme and cradled Chloe in her arms. A giggle emitted from her as Emmet started to make faces at her. This then lit up everyone's faces. Edward being Edward just shot out of his seat.
"Absolutely not! Do you know who the Volturi are! They take pity on no one" Edward seethed through rage. "You could be putting us all in danger Carlisle!"
Carlisle calmly walked up to his son. "Eddie I am the leader of this coven and I will do what's right." Carlisle gathered Chloe and Esme and left for Italy.
12 Hours Later:
The atmosphere suddenly felt constricting as Felix and Demetri led them further down into the Volturi's misbelieving tunnels. Chloe walked beside Esme and tightly took hold of Esme's comforting hand. Felix opened the dark wooden doors and led them inside. Chloe peered out from behind Esme and saw the most beautiful figure walking towards them. His skin was onion white and smooth. His eyes were the most captivating shade of red and rightfully so. She then hid herself behind Esme, trying to stay out of his line of sight as much as she could.
"Ah Carlisle what a wonderful surprise. We haven't spoken in a very long time." Aro cheerfully glided down the steps of his throne and regarded his old friend as he took hold of Carlisle's hand in his own. From the other thrones Marcus sat up, gazing curiously at the young girl who was clinging onto Esme as Caius just sat there with a scowl on his face as usual.
"An interesting turn of events my friend and who might this be?"
Esme proceeded to step forward as Carlisle carefully chose his words in order to explain the situation to Aro. After much deliberation, Carlisle suddenly spoke up about his true intentions with the young infant.
"Aro we will take full responsibility of her." Caius abruptly stood from his throne and glared at to blond vampire. "BROTHER ABSOLUTELY NOT! THAT CHILD WILL EXPOSE US. SHE IS A LIABILITY!" Caius said with venom laced in his words.
Aro harshly signalled with his hand for Caius to shut up.
"Peace brother we must deal with the situation accordingly". Aro slowly turned to Carlisle.
"Carlisle, I would like to meet her".
Ever so slowly Esme let go of Chloe's hand and carefully urged her forwards. She slowly walked towards Aro as she looked back towards Esme for reassurance. Esme nodded encouragingly. Aro crouched down to her level as she wearily approached him. Chloe slowly placed her small dainty hand into Aro's much larger one as he brought his other hand up to cradle her hand. He then slowly bent his head forwards as if to concentrate on something. Silence was all that was heard apart from Chloe's steady heartbeat. Aro carefully scooped her up into his arms as he stared mesmerisingly at her.
"I cannot read her thoughts. How extraordinary" he breathed out.
A giggle then ran out in the apprehensive throne room as Chloe tugged at Aro's hair that was restrained with a clip.
"It's so soft!" she exclaimed in wonder. Everyone in the room stared in awe at her as a smile graced Aro's lips. He then turned to his brothers.
"What do you think we should do brothers? Let her go or live with the threat of exposure?" Aro spoke more to himself than to anyone else. He placed his hands under his chin as if in silent prayer and in deep thought.
Marcus slowly stood up from his elegant throne and made his way towards Aro and Chloe. Aro outstretched his hand towards his brother.
"She has a bond with some of us already, there is something special about this child Aro".
Caius then abruptly stood from his throne AGAIN. "I would like to see this child for myself".
Aro protectively moved her away from Caius's reach.
"Peace brother. I only want to hold her". Chloe was slowly placed into his awaiting arms.
"You look like a princess, you're so prettyyyyy" Everyone stared in apprehension waiting for Caius's reaction. In his head Caius was creating a reply but he was speechless - 'I've never been called pretty before".
Not in all of his thousands of years living had anyone saw the grin that was now plastered on his face. "I'm starting to like this human" as Chloe started to play with his hair.
Carlisle retrieved her from his arms.
"We would like to adopt her and take full responsibility of her."
Aro turned to face them and regard them with a sincerity that nobody had saw before.
"For thousands of years we have kept our race a secret from man. However, I see that she is not a threat to us and so I grant you an agreement. She will be turned on her 21st birthday to ensure that our world remains at the utmost secrecy. And if this is met you will be allowed to take full responsibility of her. May I also remind you of what will happen if she is not taken care of".
"Of course Aro". Carlisle stepped forward with Chloe and gratefully clasped his hand in Aro's.
Aro nodded and then turned to Chloe and slowly crouched down in front of her.
"Give my regards to your family Carlisle and Esme".
"And farewell to you Il mio piccolo stella".
I have never forgotten Aro's words: "My Little Star".
Thank you for reading I hope you liked it. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. Have a nice day :)