My blurry vision was not reliable enough to accurately tell me what was going on- but then again, even if I could see, I doubt I would know what was happening. Not so long ago, I was sure my mangled body was lying along the wet, cold road, thinking about death… waiting for it… wanting it. The next thing I knew, the most beautiful man must have approached me while was struggling to breathe, lying in uneven pools of my very own blood.
The next thing I knew, my fragile body was cradled in his tangible, rock hard arms. Who does he think he is? I thought I don't even know him and he has the nerve to pick me up without even asking? But then I remembered what those despicable men had done to me… and with a painful sob, I crumpled against the strangers solid, hard arms. Everything surrounding the two of us suddenly seemed to be moving. My obscure sight could barely make out the roads and houses shooting past us. Why was everything moving?
And then it dawned on me. Nothing surrounding me was moving. The roads and houses were not moving at all. It was us. The man and I were moving at an extreme speed. He was flying? No… running. He couldn't possibly be human, if he was running this fast. Despite my atrocious vision, the speed was so expeditious that I still had to close my eyes, in fear of throwing up. What the hell was happening?
The blonde man's sprinting came to an abrupt halt. We were outside a large, manor. He supported my head, much like a mother would do to her newborn child, and gazed into my eyes so quickly I wasn't completely sure that I was imagining things. The man poked his head through an open window and hissed,
"Esme! Edward! Prepare the bed upstairs… and hold your breath- there's a lot of blood. Quickly, please, it's urgent!" My already distorted vision was becoming worse. Black patches of cloud were forming and my hearing became muffled. I felt air fly past me, but only briefly this time. Everything felt soft now. The man must have put me down on a bed or a lounge… or perhaps I was floating on a cloud somewhere…
"Will she make it?" a sweet, distinctly feminine, yet concerned voice asked.
I felt a rush of relief- they were helping me. There was a chance I could survive. I was going to live! I was so over-whelmed that I took no notice of the man's grim reply,
"Yes… but not as a human."
My thoughts of joy did not last long at all. I suddenly felt small, but razor sharp blades cutting my already bloody skin. They pierced my wrists and ankles. Despite how much my voice hurt from screaming all night, my voice box had no trouble at all producing loud, excruciating shrieks. I though they wanted to help! I thought. Have they brought me here to hurt me even more?! I yelped every time a blade cut my fragile skin and sunk deep into my flesh. The cutting blades finished as quickly as they had started. A cold hand softly caressed my chin.
"I'm so sorry" a masculine voice sadly apologized. It sounded as though he meant it. I didn't have the strength to reply. My uneven, raged breathing made it hard enough to inhale enough oxygen, let alone talk. I felt a murmur of heat start to form inside my broken, once beautiful body. It seemed to spread slowly, exploring every artery and vein. It was surprisingly comforting. I imagined that I was lying in the sun on a warm, spring day. It really did feel pleasant. I almost smiled at the placate sensation… almost.
The pleasant warmth inside me twisted into heat. I wasn't in the company of the consoling spring sun anymore. It was a scorching summers day…so hot that I felt sticky with sweat. I could feel the sun radiating its heat onto me. It was hot, but not painful. Much like opening an oven and the hot air rushing over you.
Suddenly, that sun… that oven, turned into a fire- a blazing, red, hot fire. It was defiantly starting to get uncomfortable now. Much like diving into a pool of boiling water. I wasn't basking in that glorious spring sun anymore- I was burning in it. I groaned in discomfort. What was happening? One moment, I was basking in a pleasant, warm sun, and now I was diving into pools of boiling water.
The hot pain throbbed into agony…pure, excruciating agony. I started screaming. Shrieking. Yelling, crying, screeching. None of it did any good. The pain seemed to grow with every agonized scream. Every tear I shed just added to the flood of unbearable ache. Every yell merely contributed to the shouting chorus of unimaginable pain. Every single screech that escaped my mouth only harmonized with the symphony of agonizing noises.
I felt someone holding my hand. Stroking it. Trying to comfort me. And failing.
How long was I there? Squealing in torturing pain? It felt like an eternity. I wanted to die. It was not fair! Why was I being tormented? I clenched my teeth together, trying to take in the pain. My throat was scorching hot, and every noise I made caused it more ache. Suddenly a thought occurred to me. I was in hell. I briefly remembered being so vain and self-absorbed. I would look at others, critically and judge them. I was a horrible monster. It hit me hard. I was in hell. Why couldn't I be like Vera? Not ugly, but normal, nice and loving. Then I could have found a man who actually loved me. I could have had children. Suddenly the pain became unbearable, worse than before. How was that even possible? I knew screaming did no good, but I shrieked away.
Seconds past. Minutes passed. Hours Passed. How long was I going to be here for? When would the agony stop? Would it stop?
That someone was still stroking my hand. How long had I been here, screeching and withering in agony? They had not left my side. I seemed to be gathering my senses back, and could faintly hear the most beautiful sounded voice, trying to reassure me.
"I'm so sorry, Rosalie. The pain will be over soon. I am truly sorry for what you are going through." The apologies continued. I heard another voice.
"What were you thinking, Carlisle? Honestly? Rosalie Hale?? Do you not know who she is?" It was different to the first- absolutely beautiful, but spiteful and arrogant. The first replied,
"What was I supposed to do, just leave her there to die? No… it was too much to waste." A kinder, higher, more feminine voice soothed,
"Carlisle, you did the right thing. Look at her…the poor thing. The must be in agony. She did not deserve to be left lying on the street-"
"You think she deserves this? People die all the time! You don't think people might recognize her?? I tried to listen more, but the deafening pain blocked the voices out.
It felt as though I was lying there forever. I thought the pain just would not stop, when I felt my fingertips ease. The relief (though just on my fingers) was amazing…but could not compare with the absolute agony my chest was undergoing. Although my body seemed to be calming, the fire in my chest, near my heart was a million times painful than it was before. How is that possible? I heard my heart thud slowly. My back arched unnaturally. The fire grew and started exploded mercilessly inside my chest. With one last, burning rupture, my heart hit its final beat.
I gasped at the sudden relief of pain. Unnecessary oxygen flew into my lungs. Though I knew I was conscious, I remained still, scared that if I moved, the pain would start again. I felt pressure on my hand. The man was squeezing it again.
"Rosalie?" He asked cautiously. My eyes flung open. I was stunned... speechless. What had shocked me was not my new, perfect, sharp vision. Nor was it my faultless, super natural hearing. It was the devastatingly, gut-wrenching beauty captured in the face of the blonde man, who I now recognized. It was Carlisle Cullen- the new doctor. I was in his family's house. I gasped reluctantly, because after seeing him- about a year ago- it was obvious that he was more beautiful than I could ever be. I did not like the thought of anyone being more attracted than myself- especially not a man-so I had always resented him and his family.
Swiftly, I heard another voice. Though it was just a murmur from the other side of the house, I had no trouble what so ever hearing it. If I listened hard, I could hear the people all over the street talking, sneezing, and whispering. I could hear animals in the forest, a mile from here. I could even hear a trickle of water, a few miles away, probably a waterfall. A shockingly beautiful woman with brown, wavy, silky hair entered the room, accompanied by a young man with golden brown hair, also beautiful. I gazed at the three Cullen's. They all bathed in extreme beauty. They were all pale, and looked like they needed sleep. It was then I got over the initial shock of this family.
Swelling with jealousy of these beautiful people, I sat up. It was the most odd sensation- like I had not moved at all. It was one fluent motion. Wow I thought. I became unsure. What was I doing here? What is going on?
"Hello Rosalie. My name is Carlisle Cullen. This is my wife, Esme," he gestured to the woman, "and this is my son, Edward." Edward forced a quick smile that was obviously heartless. I glared at him, rather offended. Most men gaped at my beauty… something must be wrong with him. Edward looked at me and scowled. Carlisle, ignoring Edwards behavior, turned to me and started talking again.
"I know you must be very confused right now. Please relax. I will explain everything, but first, I will take you to the forest." I felt frustrated.
"No. Explain what in God's name is going on. Right now." I spat. I did not like not knowing things. What the hell is happening? Edward answered me before I could ask,
"You are a vampire." He stated casually, flashing his glossy white teeth, as if it were not important. I was in such a state of shock that it did not register properly. I looked at Carlisle and waited with anticipation. He looked down at me and said,
"Yes. You were dying a few nights ago, and I found you lying there. I couldn't just leave you. I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me for this." "What do you mean?" I gaped stupidly. Esme spoke this time.
"Rosalie, we are vampires too. We were all bitten just before death. We are immortal and beautiful, but we feed on blood to survive. Why don't you follow Carlisle to his study, where he can clear everything up, sweetie?" She comfortingly put her arm around me. I was so confused and nervous that I attempted to calm myself by taking a few deep breaths. Suddenly my throat was on fire. It was burning like there was no tomorrow. I grabbed it reflexively- which took only a small fraction of a second. What was happening? Edward's hands were suddenly a tight brace around my torso. He glared at me and insisted,
"No. We must go to the forest. Be serious, Esme. She has just woken up. We have to start running. Now." I turned to Carlisle, who spoke,
"Rosalie. I am going to ask you to hold your breath until I tell you to stop. It is so important that you do this. Will you be able to?" Carlisle earnestly looked at me, with awaiting eyes. A second or so passed.
"Yes. I will." I replied, not knowing why I was to do this, but knew better not to trust the strange man and his family.
"Okay. Follow me- we are running to the forest. Do not take another breath from this moment on" He ordered. I felt scared and confounded. Esme twined her fingers with mine and held my hand tightly.
"I know you can do this, Rose." She pacified me. Edward flashed a glance at us and stated,
"We are ready. Let's go."
It was the most amazing feeling. We were running. I loved cutting the air, feeling it fly past me. I saw Esme smiling at me out of the corner of my eye. We sprinted, possibly even faster than the speed of light, past the suburban area of town. I fought hard against my instincts and did not inhale the air around me. We approached the forest and it was absolutely exceptional. I could identify a million different shades of green. I could focus on detail that would have been blurry through my old eyes. We ran for miles, but it only took a minute. Carlisle and Edward stopped in a beautiful green clearing, decorated with a vibrant rainbow of flowers. Carlisle approached me.
"You can breathe now." He said. I remembered the painful breath I had taken at the Cullen's house a few minutes ago and was reluctant…
"It won't hurt," Edward explained. "Your throat only burnt at the house because you inhaled the scent of a human, although it will hurt, as you must be thirsty Out here, we are so isolated that you won't come across that fragrance. Do not worry, Rosalie. We would never bring you here to suffer." Although I should have been more grateful for his reassurance, I merely nodded curtly at him- I was still angry he did not seem to be attracted to me. He let out a low, amused chuckle, and I raised me left eyebrow at him. I inhaled a long, satisfying breath. No pain this time. I smiled briefly, but was soon concerned. Just as I was about to speak when my throat randomly, but not as painfully as before, exploded again. Esme spoke this time.
"Sorry honey, there isn't really time for an explanation yet. You are a vampire and you are very thirsty. Our family does not feed on human blood, but animal blood. You are welcome to leave us in the future if you do not like this lifestyle, but for now, we ask you to trust us." My head started spinning with not only confusion, but outrage. She looked into my eyes and I replied,
"You mean you are expecting me to…suck the blood… out of some animal's dead body?! There is no way in hell I am going to do such a thing." They couldn't be serious, could they? I turned to Carlisle for support.
"Rosalie, you have to trust us on this one. It is the only way you will be able to survive for the time being. Would you rather kill and drink the blood of one of your friends? Or a member of your family?" He persuaded. I shuddered at the thought. I looked at the three, earnest, beautiful faces, and gave in.
"Fine. What choice do I have?" I scowled. "Where are the poor creatures?"
Esme put her hand on my shoulder and whispered into my ear,
"Breath in the air, Rose. Notice the tangy smell? There is a heard of deer-" I finished her sentence,
"One and a half miles North." I looked into her deep, golden eyes. I was about to ask her about them when Edward shouted,
"We'll explain everything later. We must hunt first." I sighed and inhaled the tangy scent. I sprinted towards it, my throat burning again. It took exactly 6 seconds to reach the heard. I tried not to think too hard about what I was doing, and pounced at them. It was a lot easier than I expected it to be. Their blood, not tasty, but was satisfying.
Three and a half deer's later, I thought about what Esme had said. She mentioned that I could leave if I wanted to. Whatever this new lifestyle was, I didn't want to go through it by myself. If it came down to killing and drinking the blood of humans, or animals, I was defiantly going to choose animals. The thought of murdering, Vera… or her little Henry… or my mother was simply unbearable. I tried to imagine drinking Celeste, my friend's blood, but could not do it. No human deserved to die this way. I would stay with the Cullen's. I would not be the reason behind the tragic death of an innocent person. I concentrated on finishing my half-drained deer. It was wrong a human to die this way.
I then thought back to that night. I swelled in anger as I remembered what Royce and his drunken friends did to me. I pegged the half-drained deer carcass a great distance vertically in the air shrieking with rage.
Maybe one or two humans wouldn't hurt…
