A/N This will start slowly and for that I apologize, but all the player's simply must be put into place. Bear with me it picks up, I promise. Oh and props again to my older brother who provided insight as to the probable state of transportation 50 years from now and motorcycle info. I know nothing of such things :)

I own no part of Twilight

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Chapter 2

Dead Man's Party

I was struck by lightning
Walkin' down the street
I was hit by something last night in my sleep
It's a dead man's party
Who could ask for more
Everybody's comin', leave your body at the door
Leave your body and soul at the door

Danny Elfman circa 1985

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My investigation began, as so many of my residences have, with my entry to high school. I looked younger than 18 when I was changed into a vampyr and as these things work, I still do, so I find high school to be the most convenient cover.

I'd already decided what my plan of action was before I'd returned to Forks so my 'parents' had arranged my entry into Forks High, complete with forged transcripts which enabled me to enter as an honors courses senior. From this point on the parental units would remain conveniently in absentia.

I should note I am very wealthy at this point, relatively speaking, having done freelance work for the Volturi, a vampyr group who fancy themselves to be 'rulers' of the vampyr world, for a bit under 30 years. They'd discovered me involved in some vampyr territorial wars in Mexico about then but rather than destroy me, as they had most others, they'd offered me a position. I declined and made the counter offer to do freelance work for them. I later discovered my abilities must have been coveted indeed since my proposal was accepted. In general, one does not negotiate with the Volturi.

Be that as it may, it was the Volturi leader who suggested I begin the quest to 'meet my maker' as it were, in Forks, pointing out that with vampyr's a 50 year old trail is hardly a cold case. He'd also given me a gift which I was truly grateful for and wished I'd had all these 50 years.

Now I found myself preparing for school, and could not help but note there was a certain level of oddity in doing this 50 years too late.

I dressed conservatively, much as I would have 50 years ago, in an above the knee tartan skirt, modest black heels to match my black tights, a white frilly blouse which just never seemed to completely go out of style and finally, my most important accessory, the necklace the Volturi leader had provided me with.

This necklace had some important properties which I was completely mystified as to how it acquired or performed as it did. In effect, the necklace de-vampyred me. Anyone around me would see a more normal, but still pale skin pallor, the old brown eyes I used to have rather than my current crimson ones and most importantly hear a normal heartbeat rather than my absence of one if their ears were vampyr sensitive, plus my scent was nullified, as if I had no scent at all.

I grabbed my red antique leather jacket and my helmet and headed out to one of the few true luxuries I allowed myself these days my Ducati Desmosedici RR. It had been the fastest motorcycle in the world when I bought it. With gasoline upwards of 40 dollars a gallon and the deluge of electric cars, speed on the roadways was largely forgotten these days, but unless I pushed it (which I always did) I could ride this bike for 80 dollars a week, so I did, though running would always be my preferred mode of transportation. With the seamless disguise provided by the Volturi leader I felt safe enough with the attention my red beast of a bike would surely attract.

Everything at the ready I fired up the Ducati and headed for school.

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I pulled into the school parking lot, noting the assortment of dilapidated electric cars with the exception of one very sleek Peugeot electric. I headed straight for the office.

I drew stares from various students lounging around, socializing while waiting for class, I did my best to ignore them but, never having been a very social creature, even as a mortal, it was difficult.

Inside the office a very haggard looking elderly lady had her back to me. I made every noise I could short of turning the coat rack over then finally resorted to clearing my throat. She turned around, startled, and said, "Oh!"

"Mrs. Plum?" I asked, making it a question though I'd read her placard.

"Yes dear, how may I help you?" She offered me a smile that would have made any grandmother proud.

"I'm Isabella Hathaway, I start today, I was hoping to pick up my schedule?" I was using a surname from some book I'd liked as a mortal, though my frail mortal memories failed me as to what book it was.

"Oh yes dear, we've been expecting you," She began fussing with some papers. She even did that in a grandmotherly way.

"Here you are dear," She handed me some papers, a print recorder and a map, "Just get each teacher to thumbprint that for you and bring it back here at the end of the day, oh it's so exciting when we get new students, especially one as pretty as you!" For one insane second I actually envisioned her attempting to pinch my cheek. Then I stunned even myself as I curtsied! For the love of God. Curtsying in high school? I suppose 30 years of dealing with the Volturi had driven certain things into my head.

"Thank you ever so much Mrs. Plum," I smiled at her then exited the office.

That's when I detected their scent...vampyrs!

I very nearly assumed a defensive stance when I recalled my impenetrable disguise. There were five of them, all walking towards me, a mammoth guy who looked the type who crushed rocks for fun, a statuesque blonde who walked as if she were on a runway in a Paris fashion show, a smaller blonde male vampyr who moved in a stilted sort of manner, a copper haired, very thin male with an extremely puzzled look on his face and finally a short elfin female with spiky raven hair who openly stared at me.

What was intriguing about this group was their eyes, instead of the usual scarlet of vampyrs, their eyes were all the color of spun honey, a burnished gold.

A memory from one of my many visits to Volterra popped into my head, these were the Cullens. I'd heard about them, but there was something odd about them, though no one had ever told me what. Just a lingering memory, whispers of oddness and of...powerful gifts. Finally they passed me, though the golden eyes of the little black haired elfin vampyr seemed to linger with me.

This quest was already developing some interesting side connotations.

Shaking my head I looked at the map and headed for my english class.

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By the time lunch period came I'd made two new BFF's in Regan Newton and Pamela Yorkie, been hit on by more guys then I cared to count, realized I knew more about the subject matter than any of my teachers and envisioned the elfin vampyr's shockingly trusting stare several times. That last troubled me, the new BFF's would likely last all of a week and the boys didn't bother me in the slightest. They were, to put it starkly, just food.

I was sitting at a table with Regan and Pamela, trying to ignore Regan's inane chatter when they walked in, the Cullen's. Again the elfin one was openly staring at me, doe eyed. I noticed then her flawless attire. There was none of this skin tight latex looking material that seemed to be all the rage these days, (Regan wore such garb in spite of the fact she was, being kind, a bit chunky for it) though she certainly had the body to pull it off. Instead she wore a timeless ankle length white linen skirt which seemed to cling to her as she walked, no danced, across the room. Coupled with that was a black silk blouse and a shimmering white vest. She also wore very high white heels but was still tiny.

In point of fact all the Cullen's were dressed in timeless, attractive, yet non ostentatious clothing.

"What's with Alice Cullen and the stare?" Pamela asked.

"I don't know," I answered honestly.

"Well that's really strange because the Cullen's are too good for anyone around here but themselves," Regan said with a look so envious on her face I could immediately detect the root of her hostility.

A look of open contempt crossed the blonde's face when Regan said that and I had to hide a smile, I so love it when human's make fool's of themselves in front of vampyrs, though for many humans that is the last mistake they ever make.

Then our table went silent. I barely heard footsteps approaching, which was remarkable given my hearing. When they neared I turned. It was the tiny raven haired vampyr.

"Hi I'm Alice Cullen," She smiled, perfect white teeth all aglitter.

"Isabella Hathaway," I answered. She stuck her hand out and I confidently shook it knowing my skin would seem to her like any other mortal's unless she were to hit me or pinch me or such.

"Well the reason I came over is I'm having a party this weekend and I'd like you to come," She said in her bell like musical voice, from the corner of my eye I thought I saw the perfect blonde vampyr wince though Alice largely commanded my attention, "I'd like you all to come," She looked at the other two girls, I don't know if they noticed it but to me it felt like an afterthought.

"I'll be doing invitations but tell all your friends in case I miss anyone," She smiled again, Regan and Pamela were sitting there eyes wide and open mouthed, nodding dumbly.

"I'm not sure if I can make it..." I began but Alice cut me off.

"Oh but you have to come, its a theme party!" her musical voice rose a few notes when she said theme.

"What's the theme?" Pamela asked, recovering slightly.

"Oh, it's a Dead Man's party," Alice said, winking at me out of the other two's sight.

One day in Forks, a perfect disguise and I knew I'd been clocked.

I was certain Alice Cullen knew what I was.

"Well I'll be damned," Regan finally said.

"Oh you most certainly will," I muttered, too low for her to hear, and saw the blonde vampyr smile.

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I was exiting the cafeteria when my phone rang. I was so tense I answered without looking at the number which I immediately regretted.

"Bella!" I groaned hearing the very familiar voice.

"Adrielle I told you I'd be gone a few weeks or more and not to call," I responded in a terse voice.

"But Bella I'm booooorrreedd." She responded.

"So go hang out with some of your other friends Adrielle," I was still pretty pissed and getting more so.

"Don't hang up Bella and you know you're my only friend," I could almost hear her pout over the great wireless divide.

"What is it you want Adrielle?"

"I want to come see you Bella, pleeeasse?" Her voice was almost childlike though we both knew Adrielle is far from being a child, her experience in romantic matters far outpaced mine, mine being nil.

"Absolutely not Adrielle, I won't have you put yourself in possible danger and besides this is neither a vacation nor a pleasure trip." Adrielle knew me well enough to know I'd never actually taken a vacation or a pleasure trip.

"Bella we both know I'm going to win this argument so tell me where you are," Adrielle said, her voice taking on a more serious tone.

I sighed because sadly enough, I knew she was right. Adrielle's gift was persuasion and amazingly it worked on me, even over the phone. For the only vampyr in the world (that I knew of) who's gift that worked on me to sometimes have the attitude of a spoiled and bratty 15 year old seemed to me not only proof that God exists but that sometimes he or she has a truly twisted sense of humor.

"Forks Washington," I finally answered, reticence writ so large on my face Pamela gave me a strange look, even though she could not possibly hear the conversation, "Wear your contacts and Adrielle, for once, be good."

"Yay!" She answered, "Be there soon Bella!" and she hung up the phone.

What started out as a simple quest for revenge was already getting way too complicated.

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A/N Well there's most of the main cast, I hope this wasn't too awful boring. I've read the idea of some jewelry making vampyrs look normal in many things both here and in published books so I'm not at all sure whom to credit stealing it from and whomever knows where Bella got her surname get's a brownie even though it's pretty obvious.

Please Review I find it's very pleasant to see. And thanks to Vicroid, Makesmesmile98, Emma James and Stand Through The Pain I was so afraid none at all would review me. Oh did I mention ...Please review? :)