So sorry dolls... i could have sworn I added this chapter, I guess not so herre it is not to mention another two or three soon to come. Don't you love it when I make you wait? You getso many chapters at once. Do't worry though, I should be working on a fairly regular basis now with an update for each story every saturday i hope...

"Mommy?"

A sweet melodic voice echoed in our empty room. It was the lightest sound of chimes blowing in the wind. I looked down at her sweet angelic face, emerald eyes peering right back up, so clear I could nearly see my reflection in them. I brushed the stray bronze strands from her face gently with a cool hand, listening to her soft sigh as she breathed.

"Mm?" I asked, shifting my body just slightly so I was sitting up and she was pooled in my lap. "What is it?" I asked worriedly. She'd been having dreams lately, nightmares really, about bad things happening. It was supposed to have something to do with the 'Lost Prophecy'-whatever that was. It frightened her though, she didn't know why she would dream about something neither of them knew about.

She lifted a warm hand, so full of life until it brushed my cold cheeks and I was instantly taken into her world. She had the power to project her thoughts, a power we'd been working on for sometime now. It was something new to me, I had only just figured out how to work mine when we had a close call with a tracker and phsychokinesis-no doubt a deadly power, starting fires with your mind. They had gone after Marie though and my whole power just kind of burst forward, blocking them, and even repelling them a few feet.

From there I started to work on my powers and just recently got them to where it's a full on solid barrier and works against physical powers as well. With Marie though, we had barely started working on how to use her powers right. It was actually an extra effort to push my barrier away from me so I could actually see if her power was working. She could cast illusions out now, making the mind see what wasn't there. Still, we had just moved on to the scarier parts of her power. She didn't like to use them though, since they involved hurting me.

We were trying to see if she could actually project pain onto others, like Jane's gift mostly,but it was a painful learning experience.

For the both of us.

I watched the vision unfold before me. I was standing there, flames were all around, licking up my shield with fierce hunger. There was a feral and twisted expression on my face, I looked like a monster, the original dracula with the large fansg and undistinguishable face. My eyes were pitch black, burning with a certain hatred as I stood crouched over, ready for a fight it seemed.

This was when I looked around the battlefield, littered with corpses, both animal and not. shivers ran down my spine at the sight. Black cloaks hovered at the very edge of my barrier, so many of them, waving and blending together in the heat of the blaze. I knew who those cloaks belonged to.

The Volturi.

What could they possibly have done to me though so that I looked so gruesome? As my gaze scanned over the span of the field I looked back at the pyre behind me. There, stacked in an innumerable body count was a large spike driven through all of it. At the top, my daughter, Marie, stood there gracefully, blood stained her lips and I saw her toss another corpse into the pile.

She was killing them. Killing them all while I protected her...

I snapped back to reality and cradled Marie against my chest. "It's okay baby," I whispered, still a bit shaken by the sight. Marie had always been such a pacifist,what had driven her to such lengths? Why had I condoned such massive killings, even turning into such a beast as to take on the full of the Volturi by myself, to protect her. I could hear her soft whimpers though as she wrapped her arms around my slight waist. She shuddered in fear and I cooed to her in a soft crooning voice.

"Hi Miss Alice In your glass eyes What sort of dream,
Are you seeing?

Have you been entranced?

Once again My heart has split in two And is pouring out Stuck in the patched crevices Are trapped in the space Left behind.

Hi Miss Alice With that fruitful lips To whom does love Is cast away?
Is lamented?

Already I spin my words Feverish tongue Has turned cold The song to love Can't be sung either

Still, you, do, not answer...

Still, you, do, not anwer..."

It was a lullaby I had created myself, Alice had been the inspiration, as well as a bit of what her family had done to me. It was clear to me, and it was a slad slow song, voiced in low words so it was almost creepy or mysterious. It worked for Marie though and I felt her sigh gently against me as she closed her eyes again and was lulled into another sleep.

I left the bed as I laid out her clothes for the morning in a few hours. We always had to leave early because I was an instructor there. They took pity on me because I looked fresh out of high-school and yet already had a kid. My story was I graduated two years early and had already been taking college courses in child care so I was just 19 when I graduated. It kept things easy since I looked like a teen yet older with just a touch of make-up.

Her clothes were simple and cute, a white lace dress with little jeans underneath and black converse. I'd put her hair in pigtails with a black and white ribbon. I went down into the kitchen and looked around, I could smell Pandora somewhere around here, her little heart a constant in this house as she prowled. In a streak of black and the soft tinkle of the bell, I turned around to see her perched atop the couch armrest, an unecessary commodity I kept around for when we had play dates and our guests wondered where our furniture was.

I smiled and approached careully, stetching my fingers out to her gently. I had to be careful with her because most of the times animals didn't get along with us. Pandora was the exception of course, she'd go with anyone that gave her some food. You could say she was definitely spoiled but it was okay and a few seconds later she craned her neck out and I felt her warm fur brush against my fingertips as she rubbed the side of her face against my palm, a deep throaty pur coming from her as I picked her up fully, a small bit of warmth in hte center of my chest where I cradled her, humming idly as I stroked her underneath the chin, her soft spot.

I ran over the schedule of today in my head. The school year had just started again and the Juniors and Seniors would be coming over to the school as reading buddies for the kids. They normally hashed out who got who as a partner so we could start right on the first day. They were due to visit just after lunchtime so the kids would be able to get all their energy out and focus on the lesson. The highschoolers generally got a little frutrated with the kids when they were bouncing around and it took a while to get used to. There were a few that I knew as sophomores back when they would volunteerfor community service hours for college, and they were more than excited to be working with the kids again for a grade. It didn't do any harm that they knew most of the kids anyways from last year as they were kept on the same track and classes and all.

Vermont was a nice little state, very friendly and open, almost country really. Everyone knew everybody and all the same kids were raised together. It almost reminded me of Forks, but I tried not to dwell on that too long. I had my own life here now, I didn't need to think about the past. There was only a handful of elementary schools, even fewer high-schools, and one college in the entire state. Hell, the nearest official mall was in Maine.

I got on well with a few of them, Angelina was an angel really, one of the nicest girls I've ever met, kind and considerate but a little shy. She was really observant and reminded much of her near namesake; Angela. Even in a close community like this one though, there was still that everpresent social ladder with a Jessica and Lauren. Of course now it was Stacy and Coutrney. They always had someone to gossip about and lately that'd be me. The teenage brainiac that couldn't handle the crowd and got knocked up and ran away.

That was how they saw it anyway, I wasn't about to correct them with an even worse cliche. So I let them talk, it didn't bother me anymore, I knew they were just too insecure to deal with it. One day I was certain they'd get to see being popular wasn't too helpful in the real world. I had caught up with Lauren once, though she didn't recognize me, I certainly knew her. Still tyring to act high mighty with the rest of the staff...working minimum wage as a waitress at a nameless diner.

The sun had finally started to peek up through the clouds and I heard the familiar thump of the newspaper landing nicely on my front doorstep. Michael, the name of the delivery boy since his middle school years, yelled a goodmorning as I stepped out in my terrycloth robe, the regular chilly winds glancing off of me. I smiled and waved, holding the robe tightly so it didn't come open. I don't think he would ever get used to my looks I noted as he stared, nearly running off a curb again until just barely correcting himself as I smiled. I think he did get used to almost crashing though, he always knew when to turn before he really did hurt himself.

I gathered the paper and was greeted by a teenage version of my daughter, filling in much more of the large shirt she had worn to sleep, standing just behind me. She reminded me of a more graceful version of myself in high-school, with generous curves in all the right places. The shirt met her mid thigh and inched up with every step she took. She gave me a bright smile and I released Pandora as I gave her a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek for good morning.

She was fine being a teenager in our own home, but liked playing with kids anyways from kindergarten as a stay of the childhood she never really got to have. "Morning mom," she yawned. She had delicate hearing as part of her half vampire hearing and had no doubt gotten up when the paper was delivered as usual. "Morning Rini, excited about school?" I asked, laughing as she rolled her eyes. "I swear if one more kid pinches my cheek again talking about how cute and innocent I am, I'm going to high-school as your cousin next time," she groaned.

I pinched her cheek anyways, pulling her back and forth gently, "but you are just so cute Rini, I can't stand it." She slapped my hand away and rubbed her cheek dramatically, like I'd slapped ehr or something. "Whatever," she sighed, walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge for something to drink. She was always thirstier than she was hungry. "I hope I get Angela again, she doesn't try to make read those stupid kids books like everyone else," she sighed. I remembered last time she'd gotten Stacy, who thought she'd enjoy reading and how I'd had to keep her from hitting her over the head with that very book.

Angela understood Renee was a lot smarter than your average kid and let her read different books, though I'm sure if she found out her favorite authors were allong the lines of Edgar Allen Poe, and Homer, she'd be a little freaked out. Still, she could at least get the Junie B. books and Beverley Cleary without too much hassle. Once Angela had asked me why I kept her in kindergarten rather than let her skip a few grades and I answered with the complete truth, that I wanted her to grow up on her own time with kids her own age. I knew she understood because she'd skipped third grade herself and people made fun of her for being so smart so when they offered to let her skip again, she turned them down.

"I already saw the roster," I told her, "I don't know who it is, it's one of the transfer students who just moved her." She pouted, hanging her head, "No," she sighed, drawing out the 'O' to make it longer. Itried not to think about the other names on the paper. There were a few new kids joining, and so this time there'd be enough people to go around with the new additions, but I didn't like the precise number of people that had been blanked. Sure I'd heard of that lovely old couple moving to town over the summer, but we hadn't gone to visit or anything. I knew they adopted most of their kids too except for two.

As I looked at the paper on the table, I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. There were exactly two Juniors and three Seniors joining the group. My intuition is a lot stronger now but maybe I'd become a bit paranoid over the years. Still, wasn't Vermont the perfect place for a vampire family? Never any sun, lots of wildlife, and neighbours that don't ask too many questions. I shook my head, their names were getting to me. Of course all I had was last names, but still, Cullen couldn't be that uncommon, and I'd never heard Whitlock before.

I looked at the clock to distract my self and sighed. School would have started for the high-schoolers already but kindergarten didn't start until Nine a.m. As it was, it was barely Eight and we moved quickly. Still, as an employee, I was supposed to be there early so we could go soon. "Get dressed," I said, rinsing out the glass Renee had poured for herself, "we need to go soon so I can set up, you know they like to drop of their kids early before work, bring clothes to change in so you can help me set everything up though." She frowned, "you're lucky w're the same size then, but what if someone sees me getting out of the car?" she asked. I looked at her like she was crazy, "Renee," I said in a patronizing tone, I oculdn't help but poke fun at her, "you are half vampire, I'm sure you can move quick enough so they don't see you. And," I added, "you can just make yourself invisible, it's good practice for you."

She shrugged but was up the stairs and back in about a minute or so, just some sweats and the same shirt since she wouldn't be in them long. She held otu the rubber bands for me though with pleading eyes. She couldn't do her hair if her life depended on it and I sighed as I gesured for her to take a seat, brushing her hair gently as I tied them up in side pigtails that looked too childish on a teenager but would look fine when she become a kid again.

It hadn't taken long and I went up the stairs again to dress myself, a comfortable pair of skinny jeans and a fitted cotton tee in baby later, I was ready to go as I slipped on some white flats, my hair pulled back in a matching blue headband. Over the years I had developed some sort of sense of style that was cute but casual. I pulled on a knitted grey jacket that tied at the waist rather than zipped up and had no hood. It was more for looks than warmth as I hadn't had that in quite some time. It completed the outfit, hanging loosely on my frame, ending in the middle of my butt. Keys in hand, Renee and I left, taking the silver corvette out. It was fast but not as flashy as a porsche or anything. It gave me good time when I needed to go the store since the big chains were in a whole different state.

We pulled up a few minuted later and I parked, Renee already out of the car and inside by the time I opened my door. I looked around, closing my eyes and letting the wind pluck random strands of hair while I calmed myself. I unlocked the doors, flipping on switches as I went though the light was unnecessary, it kept from raising suspiscion. Renee was already organizing things, her little bag in her cubby, writing labels for all the kids in neat penmanship in order of last names going from her memory of whoever was in preschool with her. She hand't forgotten a single kid I noticed as I stuck the labels when she was done. She had the radio on, a CD from the car playing "Imaginary" from Evanescence.

The music was calming on me as we moved at a human pace until ten minutes later I heard a car pull up, doors slamming, and suddenly Renee was gone, probably changing somewhere. She came in a few minutes later, hand in hand with one of her friends, arms swinging wildly. "Good morning Mary," I smiled, "where's your mom?" I asked gently. She let go of Renee's hand and gave me a hug, "! ! I heard you moved 'cause no one ever sawed you over the summer, and I was so afraid we'd be stuck with a new nasty teacher and that wouldn't be no fun acause you are the bestest teacher in this whole wide world and-" she was drowned out with by her mother walking in hurriedly after her, looking frantic as she yelled out for her. "In hear !" I shouted and she peeked in, looking relieved. ", we heard so many things after no one saw you at home. You have no idea how worried little Mary was that you were gone, I must say that I too would have been quite sad if you'd moved, things are so nice here with you around, you're perfect with the children. I'm not sure hwo you manage them all."

I set her daughter down as she went off to play with Renee, pulling out the coloring books as I took her backpack, setting it in its corresponding cubby. "Oh no, Ms. Carter, Renee and I had gotten quite a sudden call in the middle of the night. My father it seems had been rushed to the hospital and my mother wasn't home and so I was called as closest family to help. You know how he is, got to comfortable in Forks and so when he was moved up to Seattle he hadn't expected things to be too different. He's been put on leave but he should be fine, shot him good in the shoulder and once on the side too, I was so worried."

"Oh dear, that must have been quite a scare for you, being so young and all, I can see why you would rush off though It must have been a terrible flight," Ms. Carter agreed. "Well, I hope you don't mind me bringing Mary so early, but I was called in to open this morning-" I cut her off kindly, "it's just fine , I odn't midn at all, little Renee would have been bored having to come so early with me, at least she has someone to play with. Now get going, I don't want you to be late," I ushered her out of the door and watched her pull out.

She had three kids, the other two were in middle school though, and her husband had left her when Mary was born, saying it was him ofr the kid. Naturally she hadn't been able to give up Mary and so he took off and she was elft to care for three kids on her own, with a bit of help from me of course. Not that she knew, no, she was too proud to ask for help, but I did anyways in small ways to make sure she got by fine.

I let her kids help out too around the school, picking up trash, organizing the rooms and such, that way they'd have their own money to spend, thye were mature for their age because of how they had to grow up. I'd spaced out too long though and pretty soon the class was filling up with boisterous kids, happy to see eachother again. They stayed inside though, it was much too cold to play outside just yet.

I organized them on a big rug in the center of the room and didn't bother writing my name on the board, everyone already knew me clearly. The actual teacher had called in sick, and no one really had a problem with me teaching, they all trusted me anyways, and it was just a kindergarten class, it'd be fine if I took over she'd told me. I started with attendance, going by cubbies and marking any empty ones. When I was done I noticed how plain htey were and got a good idea.

"Okay kids, if you guys are good, since isn't here today," I paused as they cheered with a small grin, "we'll make today an arts and crafts day!" They cheered with small "yays!" and debates over whose would look the best until I clapped my hands, "but if you guys don't settle down you're all going to have plain little cubbies for the rest fo the year and we'll do math instead."

I got the expected reaction of moans and groans and "noo's" and "boo's" until and round of "shhh, be quiet's" and the room settled down excitement nearly palpable i nthe room as they waited. "Okay," I smiled, "before crafts then, we'll do a word of the day, someone go get a dictionary please," I said and Thomas shot up from his seat, racing ot the bookcase that stocked with my own funds. he grabbed a dictionary with a little effort as he brought it to me and I thanked him, pulling out the sticker sheet for the start chart hanging on the wall and gave him the star to put in the row with his name. He smiled and stuck it there, pleased with himself as he went to go sit back down. There was a prize at the end of the week for whoever had the most stars.

"Hmm," I flipped through the book until I found a good word. I uncapped a marker and wrote in big letters on the board; pointing at it, I read it slowly, "Gracious," I said and the class repeated after me. "It means to have good manners. Whoever uses this word in a sentence today with their buddy will get a gold star okay," I said. I heard kids practicing the word and trying to figure out sentences for it until I started to bring out the supplies for crafts and set them on the table as they all went to grab their boxes, stacking backpacks in the corner as they sat in the own little spots, spreading out paper so the mess would be easier to pick up.

I grinned at the manners. "You guys are all very 'gracious' children by putting down paper first so you don't make a mess," I said. They cheered, "Ms. Swan gets a golden star too!" they laughed as they cut and glued and taped, glittering their names and drawing on the boxes. I played music for them as they worked and sat at my desk, going through some email from some old friends of mine that I'd met after leaving the island. I knew quite a few nomads from earlier years and we kept in touch sometimes, I got along with most of them, and they all doted on Renee.

I looked at the clock, it was already eleven-thirty so I had them clean up and set their boxes outside to dry after throwing everything otuside. Everyone had a packed lunch, we were too small a school to have a full cafeteria, though we did have snacks that I gave out to everyone as they sat on the benches outside eating, some already playing on the jungle gym. We were pretty close to the woods actually, a little out of the way, and so there was pleanty of room to run around. My class was large being the only one in such a small community but I could keep track of them all with my hearing.

I had them come in at around twelve-fifteen, the high-schoolers would be here soon and so they were picking out books they wanted to read, and claiming bean bag chairs and pillows for themselves. Renee was sitting cross legged on a desk, a chair beside her for her reading buddy, her nametag simple on her shirt. All the kids had them on so the students would know who to go with but I could tell by her posture she was going to test out this new reading buddy, she normally just shared a chair with them or sat on the floor. The last time she'd sat on that desk was when she got Stacy since she hadn't liked her and didn't want her to be comfortable.

I frowned at her and took a deep breath to reprimand her before stopping cold as the scent hit me, I looked at Renee who watched me with wide eyes, she knew that smell too.

Vampires.