It was always the same. Purple orbs tinged with red, swirling flames licking at the blackness of it's pupils. These eyes, for that's what they seemed, never faltered. They stare at me, through me, gaining such depth while mine become clouded with... something. Something I can't quite pinpoint. Yet as the darkness creeps into my vision I begin to recognize the emotion. As sheer terror consumes me I begin to quake and to burn. Intellectually I know there is no use in screaming, no one will hear me, but as the fire burns in my body, my heart, my soul, I can't find a single reason not to. So I scream. The fire consumes me, and I scream. I let the agony I feel rip from my throat, then all is black.
Vaguely I hear someone calling my name and vaguely I recognize the voice as male. I can feel the floor under me and I know were I human my throat would be raw from the screaming. As it is I can finally say that I am certainly very glad I'm not. I feel strong arms on either side of me pulling me to my feet. It takes a moment to orient myself once again but as I do I can feel the shame filling my gut and suddenly the floor is very interesting. In truth I'm terrified, terrified of seeing the horror and sorrow reflected in the faces of my family. I'm terrified of seeing my mother's face frozen, tears brimming yet unable to fall. These visions always hit her the hardest. She could do nothing to help me and after living as long as she has feeling helpless does not come often.
"Alice…" I finally raise my head to meet the glistening black eyes of Jasper. As always whenever these visions came he had to endure everything that I had to. On his knees he stared at me, face contorted in agony. We locked eyes and he let out a tight smile that came across as more of a grimace. Next to him stood Edward looking grim as ever. This was always the hardest part, seeing the effect these visions have on my family. Over the last hundred years we assumed they would stop but instead they seem to be becoming more frequent. Unfortunately for them Edward and Jasper get front row seats to my inner torment. That's not to say the rest of the family has it easy. I can't imagine watching three of your family members convulse in complete agony is easy. Even Emmett, who always seems to be smirking, looks grim by the end of the evening. Rosalie simply looks annoyed. We all know she's also bothered but she's just too stubborn to show it.
"I'm sorry." The words had barely slipped from my mouth before Esme was holding me in a bone crushing hug. Dry sobs racked her petite frame as I held her staring helplessly over her shoulder. Locking eyes with Carlisle who was smiling softly I beckoned him over. As soon as his arms were around me I felt four other sets of arms encircling us.
Esme pulled back and looked at me, her golden orbs shining brightly with tears and worry. "You have nothing to be sorry for dear, I'm just glad you're alright now." She stroked my short hair softly before tugging gently and letting out a short laugh. With so little effort she broke the ice that seemed to keep our family imprisoned. Everyone parted looking a little sheepish and quite frankly a bit exhausted from the nights events. My heart swelled with joy as their slight laughter rang so beautifully in my ears.
Carlisle cleared his throat slightly effectively gaining our attention before addressing us all. "As you all know we can never stay in one place for too long. Unfortunately we have reached our limit for occupation in this town. The townsfolk are starting to get suspicious. I think it best to leave immediately." He glanced at each of us in turn before continuing. "In light of the recent frequency of Alice's visions I have decided to seek answers with old… acquaintances in England. My resources say there's a school in a small town near the castle we will be residing in."
At this Emmett exploded with excitement. "We get to move out of this place and we get a castle! This is the best day ever!" He then turned to look at me and his excited grin turned more in to a sheepish smile as he had the sense to look abashed. "I meant.. You know… I didn't mean… I'm gonna just go play some video games.." Turning away he left presumably to his room. Smirking and chuckling softly Rose was soon to follow her mate. She turned to look at all of us, "He can never keep his foot out of his mouth can he?" Laughing like mad she followed her mate upstairs, hopefully to comfort the poor boy.
"We leave tomorrow." My eyes snapped up to Carlisle. We have never left a place with so much haste. It was a little disconcerting. Glancing at Edward and Jasper I could tell they felt the same.
"So soon Carlisle? We've hardly packed." I began to think of the mountains of clothes in my closet. Even with vampire speed it would take hours. Edward chuckled quietly, obviously trying to hide his amusement. I glared playfully at him and stuck my tongue out. At this he full out laughed and hugged me.
"Don't worry pixie, we'll get you new clothes. We'll even go…" he leaned in closer to whisper in my ear, "shopping." At this Jasper and even Esme joined in his laughter while my eyes undoubtedly lit up with the prospect of my favorite hobby. Some time later we split ways, all exhausted from the days events. Thinking back I shuddered, those visions were becoming more and more frequent and with each vision they seemed to become more and more intense. I could feel a frown cutting across my features as I thought on it. They were so strange, so vivid, so terrifying, I could hardly remove them from my thoughts. Surely Edward must be annoyed my dwelling. I know I would be.
Carlisle says he has "friends" that could help. I began to ponder on just who these friends might be. As far as we know he had cut most ties to all that live in England, well save a few at least. It seemed odd to me that he would want to return to a land that he so resented. While he never admitted it Jasper had told me many a time how much he dreaded a return to the land of his birth. I could see why. With a past like his I wouldn't be so fond to go home. Lucky, or rather unlucky, for me I can't remember my human existence.
As time wore on my thoughts shifted to this new school we would be attending. After having gone through countless years of high school the joke was beginning to grow old. I would never know how my siblings could stand this town after town, decade after decade. I let my mind wander over every subject I could possibly think of just praying that I wouldn't settle on my visions. Again I thanked the fact that I wasn't human or tonight I would surely dream of those eyes. Those horrible, beautiful eyes. I shuddered again for what seemed like the millionth time tonight and went back to letting my mind wander.