A/N: This chapter switches from third person to first person POV of the girl. Enjoy, and remember to review!

"Who are you?" I asked nervously, seeing two blond males and a pixie-like female looking down at me. I flinched as I tried to sit up.

"I'm Carlisle, and this is Jasper and Alice," he said, motioning to the others. He slipped a hand behind my back and slowly sat me up. "You've got several broken ribs and your shoulder was dislocated."

I looked down, finally noticing that my arm was in a sling. "What's wrong with my wrist?" I asked, noting the dull throb.

Carlisle sat down at the end of the couch. "There are some things we need to discuss. My family and I, we are vampires. As you probably know from legends, vampires are supposed to hunt humans. We are an exception. Everyone here hunts only animals, which is why our eyes are golden instead of red. The woman who bit you hunts humans. We won't hurt you," he said slowly, like I would run if he spoke too fast. I blinked twice.

"You're serious," I said, intending it to sound like a question, but it sounded suspiciously like a statement.

"I am very serious," he said smoothly. "The burning throb you feel in your wrist is a result of venom. You, however, are a case that none of my family has seen before. Had the woman, Maria, bitten you properly, you would be transforming into one of us right now. But she didn't bite you properly. We believe that because she only brushed her teeth across your skin, a very minute amount of venom was introduced to your system. It appears that there is not enough venom to make the change completely. We're not sure what you will become, but we need to keep you here with us until we are sure of your fate. Is there a way you can explain this to your family? Without disclosing that we are vampires, of course," he flashed me a smile and waited for my response.

"Um, well, you see, I have no family. My mother and father never cared much for me and they both left by the time I turned seven. I was sent to live with my grandmother, who died of unknown causes only a year later. I was then sent to live with my aunt in Seattle. She liked to pretend I wasn't around, so I ran away from home when I turned fourteen. I had put up with her for six years, which was six years too many for me. I had just enough money to get a bus ticket, and I ended up in Port Angeles. I made the slow journey to Forks, although I didn't have a clue where I was going. It took me over a month to get here, but I wasn't really trying. I've been wandering since then. I guess you could call me homeless, but I never went hungry or cold. I managed to get a job and keep myself safe. Of course, I was far too young to own a home, and it was difficult staying out of the government's knowledge. I just couldn't let them send me to a foster home. And so here we stand," I finished quietly, embarrassed of my history.

Carlisle looked saddened by my story, but why a total stranger cared was beyond me.

"Well you are willing to stay here for as long as necessary."

I smiled and thanked him before he and his two friends left the room. I decided to nap, but that was a bad decision. I was plagued by nightmares.

I was wandering aimlessly through the woods, when I heard a snap. "Who's there?" I cried into the distance, my words swept away on the wind.

I continued but I was stopped by a beautiful woman. I relaxed momentarily before I noticed her eyes. They were a piercing, glowing red. I screamed and turned to run, but she was fast. She was in front of me. No matter where I went, I couldn't get away.

"Please! Please, no, don't hurt me!" I begged, tears rolling down my cheeks. She sneered and lunged at my throat.