Howdy. So the prologue was kind of a cliffhanger, and one you unfortunately won't read the end of until much later on :)

This chapter is set in 1917, and the rest will continue on chronologically.

Just to clarify, this is from Bella's POV. And she's a vampire.

I don't think there's a point at which I say "I AM A VAMPIRE.", it's just assumed that the reader (hi!) would know.

Obviously I'd love it if you could leave a review, and I hope you enjoy this fanfic!

xOnlyLoveIsForeverxx

A Moonless Night

1917, September 12

The night was cool and dark. The air was still and quiet. I looked up at the sky, at the intense pinpricks of light piercing the deep indigo. I supposed it was beautiful; some may have found it astounding. I, however, was indifferent – it was the same every night, as it would be forever.

Painfully, a small part of my mind considered whether this was a suitable metaphor for my life. All 150 years of it.

I willed the thought away and continued to walk forward, not sure where I was heading.

In my peripheral vision, I could clearly see a man cleaning his shop window. I saw him stop as I came in to view, and watched as he slowly looked up at me. His face soon filled with wonder, and he bowed his balding head intently as I turned to meet his awed gaze.

My eyes refocused, and I watched the reflection in the glass. The woman staring back at me had full, soft lips and high cheekbones. Her face was long and elegant, her hair a rich burnt umber. She had pristine, porcelain skin and piercing black eyes, which sat above violet, bruise-like shadows.

The man may have thought it was the face of an angel, but I knew it was the face of a monster. Not the sort of monster that small children are warned of, one that was true and deadly.

I nodded back at the man and looked away from my own reflection, continuing to walk down the cobbled lane. After a few moments, I stopped and listened.

I could hear the scurry of squirrels retreating for the night, and the gentle thuds of elk hooves. I focused on the sound I was looking for, the clumsy scraping of paws against a tree. I waited until I had identified the bear's strong heartbeat, and then I launched myself towards the forest at full speed.

***

Perched on a strong branch, my knees at comfortable right angles, I watched the sun chase the last traces of night away. The sky was a peculiar shade of lavender in some places, powder blue in others. Along the horizon floated a golden yellow streak, like ink trailed across the surface of a cool blue pond. Downy clouds drifted amid the colours, soft but somehow shady and thick; they were still waking from the still, calm night.

Finally, there was the sun – the centre of the image; it shone with a glorious brightness that would make humans squint and hold up their palms, shielding. I, however, had no difficulty watching the glittering globe directly as it inched its way over the edge of the horizon.

Without lowering my gaze, I slid off the bough and fell leisurely through the air, landing softly on the balls of my feet. After checking that my hair was unruffled and my dress unsoiled – of course, both were pristine, but checking nevertheless was a habit I had never shaken off – I made my way toward town.

I was in no hurry, and was not thinking about anything in particular. My mind began to wander.

I could feel myself thinking back to the exquisite night, the night towards which I could feel nothing more than indifference. I had tried to push the honesty of the metaphor away from my thoughts, but with such a large and capable mind this wasn't an easy task.

A moonless night- was that all my life was? Youthful but tiresome; astonishing but monotonous.

Of course it isn't, I thought to myself. I have Carlisle.

That was true; Carlisle was a better companion than I could have hoped for. He was my wisdom, my stability, my motivation.

But he's the only one. I wondered. Is he enough?

I immediately cursed the thought. Carlisle was enough.

I had often thought of how he was everything in my life, but not my love. It had just never been that way, and I was afraid my love was something I would never find in my condition. I was afraid I would never find anything more.

But that didn't matter. Carlisle was enough.

That was final; I pushed the topic away once more, not wishing to think of it again. I would try harder to ignore it this time. My ability to be stubborn would make use of itself.

I came to a familiar house and opened the door silently. He was not in the room when I entered, but soon appeared in the doorway.

"Good morning," He greeted me serenely. I smiled simply in response, following him into the kitchen.

I saw him note my eyes for one sixteenth of a second, "What did you hunt?"

"Black bear. I think I deserved something bigger, don't you?" I tilted my head slightly, smirking. "Or did you forget?"

Carlisle grinned and dashed away, reappearing at my side with a rosewood box.

"Of course not. Happy birthday." He passed the box to me and watched my face in anticipation.

I smiled again and lifted the lid. I had never particularly enjoyed receiving presents, but I was always interested to see what Carlisle gave me. He knew I didn't want endless jewels and gowns, as other girls might have. He was an intelligent and inquisitive man, and understood my appreciation for more important and enriching things.

Inside the square box, folded amongst the white satin, was a piece of paper. Curious, I took it out and examined the multitude of fine print.

"Deeds?" I questioned after a moment. "We're moving?"

Carlisle nodded, still watching my expression.

"I know we've been here for a long time, and – feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - I sense that you are growing tired of this place, like you don't enjoy staying in one area for too long."

I considered this for a moment, thinking honestly of how I had, in fact, been tiring slightly of our current location.

"Really, we're moving?" I said, a grin forming on my face. "Where are we going?"

"Just a little south," He said before I could find the answer on the documents. "Illinois."

"Chicago," I read aloud. I looked up. "I hear there's cougar in Chicago."

"Even better than black bear," He commented. "The house is near quite a big forest, as well as a hospital, so it's more or less perfect – if I may say so myself."

"Perfect," I agreed. I wrapped an arm around his neck and hugged him briefly, gratitude and excitement flowing freely now. "Thank you, Carlisle."

"My pleasure, I'm very glad you're happy." He kissed me on the forehead and then paused, an amused look suddenly appearing on his features.

"Just thought I'd mention this, Bella," He grinned. "In case you're feeling at all disheartened by this birthday – you look quite alright for someone who just turned 146."