Language: English

Rating: Rated: M

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Drama

CHAPTER 2: WHERE EVERYTHING BEGINS

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. All rights go to Stephanie Meyer

Revenge is a dish best served cold:

The Hunt

~I can't hold on

To what I want when I'm stretched so thin

It's all too much to take in

I can't hold on

To anything watching everything spin

With thoughts of failure sinking in~

Linkin Park- By myself

Where Everything Begins

I WAS burning. I was on fire. I was dying. The memories I had tried so hard to suppress were resurfacing. Edward and I in the meadow. Alice and I shopping. Esme and I cooking. Memories of Edward and I laying together in my bed and spilling our darkest secrets. I thought about how he abandoned me in the forest, leaving me all alone where Victoria could have easily finished me off. Victoria. My new sister.

And also my sire.

She seemed to understand to me, to get what I was going through. Her dedication to end me just demonstrated how fiercely loyal she was to her friends and I considered her as a sister. She wouldn't leave me like they had. She wouldn't see me as worthless, as a pet and a burden. We would be equals in a world that'd be forced to its knees before us.

The pain flared up again and it took every ounce of concentration not to release the howl of pain that clawed at my throat, took every bit of strength not to scream bloody murder. My heart was racing and the burn had been raging steadily for what felt like light years but was probably only days or hours. My eyes were burning and I wondered if it was the venom changing the colour, if right now the soulful brown orbs I'd come accustomed to were being replaced by the vibrant red that gave away my nature.

I wondered when it was over. Maybe never. Probably another two days. Hopefully soon. As soon as I thought it, I felt the pain make a reappearance. Guess I spoke too soon.

Pain. Undeniable, searing, white-hot pain. It shot through my body, reaching every single part of cell. It touched parts of me I didn't know I had. It made my mind go blank and my toes curl and my skin feel like it was being flayed endlessly.

But there was nothing I could do about it. Not a single thing. I couldn't move. I couldn't scream for help. I couldn't think; I couldn't do anything. As I lay there, on the hard, cold floor, I felt it move like a phantom inside of me, eating away at my insides, occasionally burning brighter before settling into a lesser, duller blaze. The pain subsided, still there, just not as painful. It carried on for what I presumed was years, but was probably only minutes or days. Just as I managed to form one coherent thought, the pain flared up again.

If I had perceived it to be bad before, then it was at its worst now. Internally, I wailed in agony as the pain travelled up and along my spine. It hugged me in its claw-like embrace; setting everything it touched on fire. As a scream built up in my throat, my jaw locked tight.

Something felt off..not right. Surely this had been going on for longer than normal? It was true that time had ceased to exist once Victoria's razor sharp teeth sliced into my skin, but I was pretty sure that there was something wrong. Maybe I wasn't going to make it.

Oh well, it would be the best way to go. Become a vampire or die trying. I liked the sound of that. Maybe I could be a person who gets paid for saying deep quotes. Is there such a job? If not, there should be. I was rudely interrupted from my musings by the breakneck speed my heart started pattering to.

The pain was reaching its crescendo, the hottest point it had ever been. I didn't think it was possible for it to go any faster but it did. Then…nothing. I wasn't dead yet. At least, I hoped not. Scents assaulted me, and I could smell everything around me, could hear the roar of motors on the highway probably miles away. Opening my eyes, I gasped. Edward was right about one thing; it was like your whole life you were blind and you only just got your sense of sight.

Everything was so clear, as if I was seeing in HD. I sniffed, catching the scent of this place, wherever I was. It was a wooden shack with the wood rotting, mould growing on the walls and vines creeping up the side of it on the outside. A single stream of sunlight shone through the window and I softly padded over to it. I put my hand and was surprised that I couldn't feel the warmth of it as I usually could. Instead, I sparkled, the colours even brighter than it had been as a human. The sight was just beautiful and breath-taking.

A scent reached me and I tensed. It wasn't natural, too sweet with a distinct smoky undertone- another of my kind: a vampire. Crouching low in a defensive crouch, I spun. There, lounging in the corner stood Victoria, her flaming red hair hanging to her hips, her jeans and white t-shirt hugging her curvaceous body. She was beautiful, but I could now see her slight flaws, the uneven dusting of freckles on her nose, her somewhat uneven lips.

I straightened slightly, embarrassed by my animalistic behaviour. "There's no reason to be embarrassed, Isabella. It's absolutely normal to be a little…uncontrolled as a newborn. The tricky part is taming, or rather learning to control that side." She had come closer and I noticed a mirror in her hand. She held it up to me, and I was shocked by what it showed me.

I was beautiful. My dye job hadn't lasted but my mahogany hair hung to my hips, auburn and gold highlights weaved into it. My skin was alabaster pale and my lips were full and plump, deep crimson. Every blemish I had ever had, had vanished. I ran a hand down my body, noting the other physical changes. My breasts were at least a cup larger than when I was human and my hips wide. My ass was definitely bigger, rounder and fuller. All in all, I looked pretty damned good. Carefully, I touched the mirror, only to have it shatter. I frowned and Victoria merely smiled.

"It takes some time to get used to your new and improved strength, darling." I dropped the mirror as her arms circled my waist. She pulled me down into a passionate kiss. I returned the favour and a knocking on the door interrupted us.

She pulled back, smiling devilishly at me before going to open the door. She returned with a man by her side his jaw hanging open and saliva glistening on his tongue as he stared at her. "Isabella, this is your first snack." She placed a hand on the small of his back, pushing him forward. His gaze fell on me and he looked close to fainting.

I smiled and walked over to him. He placed his hands on my ass and I leaned in close, inhaling his scent. It was only then that I noticed the growing pain in my throat. Tentatively, I flicked my tongue onto his pulse point, the taste driving me insane. He moaned and held me closer. I looked at Victoria who was stood behind him, in front of me, and watched with a strange glint in her eyes. I pulled back from him and kissed him, his warmth leaking into me and his scent driving me insane. He had to pull back for a breath and I stared at him.

His eyes were green, his hair a coppery tone. He had a strong jawline and nice lips. He looked like Edward. I guess that was why Victoria chose him. Nice, but not enough. I looked him in the eye and he seemed to shake as he took in my crimson eyes. I felt a calling in me, a strange power. Normally, I would have pushed it down. But now, as a vampire, I let it burst forth.

"You won't remember a moment here. You will go back to wherever you're from and forget about all of us here and us altogether. Go." I demanded. His pupils dilated and he nodded, turning and moving to leave. In a flash, Victoria had him in her arms.

"No. You need to eat if you want to be at your strongest. You need to feed." She pushed Edward-look-a-like at me. I narrowed my eyes.

"No."

"Isabella, do it. Now." He voice pulsed with a strange power and I felt like I had to do what she asked me. She was my sire and I had to listen to her. But I didn't want to.

"No," I repeated. She looked surprised for a brief moment before she broke out into a grin. She let him go and held her hands up.

"Alright. But let me tell you this: there is no way my newborn is going to feed off bunnies." She spat the word as if it were poison. I rolled my eyes.

"No shit, Vicky. I know who I'm going to eat first and I know exactly where to find him. What day is it?" I asked. She frowned.

"It's Saturday. Why?" I smiled. Perfect.

"Because I know exactly where to find my first meal. Care to follow me, sister?" I raised my brow and smirked. She smiled and together we ran out.

It wasn't hard to work out that we were just outside Forks. It felt so good to run. Everything was going by in a blur, yet I saw every single detail. I felt the vibrations of a spider on the ground and felt the wind as a bird soured above. It was intoxicating. Way too soon, I came to my old high school. It was weird thinking of it that way but it really had nothing more to offer me. I was merely a plot where all the major events of my life had happened.

Today there was a game on and I knew exactly who had won. It wasn't exactly hard to figure that we would beat anyone else in the area. I mean, I may not necessarily like the jocks, but they're good at what they do. I looked down at what I was wearing: black t-shirt, black jeans and black leather jacket with some black combat boots. It was perfect for a life for a nomad. I smiled and waited.

Not too long afterwards, Damien came out, smiling gleefully. Now was my chance. I jumped down from the tree in which I was perched on. I landed without a sound and padded over to Damien. He was nearly to his car and I really didn't feel like chasing a car. Instead, I flashed in front of him, smirking my killer smile. He jumped, about to scream when I clamped a hand over his mouth. "Nice to see you again, Damien." I said. He was shaking, staring at me in the eyes. I removed my hand from his mouth and looked in his eyes. "You will not scream." He nodded weakly, terror filling his green eyes. "Good," I smiled. "Now, remember when you were being really, really mean to poor and quiet Bella?"

"I'm sorry. I…I didn't want any trouble. Please let me go," he pleaded. I laughed.

"You didn't want any trouble? I apologised but did you say 'it's okay' and let me go about my business?" he shook his head. "Exactly. So, why should I show you the mercy you never showed me? Had I not gone shopping last Saturday, I wouldn't have even remembered that you existed. I know Edward sure as shit didn't." He gritted his teeth in anger.

"Edward would have chosen me over you. He was just afraid of his reputation if he came out of the closet," he seethed. I laughed again.

"Are you serious? I admit that there have been times when I've had to question which team he plays for but that doesn't mean he'd ever do someone like you. He's a fucking 100 year old virgin! And even if he was a closet gay, that doesn't mean he'd do you. Dorian, yes. Gary, maybe. But you?" I snorted scornfully. "No way. You're not good enough. Worthless. If anything, he'd have toyed with you for a bit before throwing you away." I shrugged, smirking darkly. It felt good to use Edward's words on someone else, to see somebody who wasn't me fall apart bit by bit. This must have been what he saw. Did he enjoy it half as much as I am? "But I guess you'll never find out, will you?"

He was shaking in anger. "He wouldn't even fuck you first." He roared, lunging at me. He hit me in the face and I smiled as the sound of crunching bones filled the air. He stood there, shocked. Tears leaked out of his eyes and I could tell that he tried to howl in pain but because of my little instruction earlier, he couldn't.

"What, what did you do!" he shouted, cradling his hand to his chest while stepping away from me.

"I didn't do a tried to hurt me. As you can see, it backfired. There's no use trying to escape. I'll always find you. But by all means, go ahead and try to run. I'll even give you a head start." I gestured to the school and as soon as the words were out of my mouth, he turned and fled.

I had to admit that he was pretty fast- for a human. But I was faster. I counted to twenty before going after him, the thrill running through my veins and his scent wafting up my nostrils. I could picture the way he ran and I took a sharp right to the male's bathroom. Rather dramatically, I slammed the door open, my boots loud in the silence.

I could hear him breathing heavily in the last stall. I opened each stall door, the sound reverberating around the small space. Finally, I got to the last door. Unlike the rest of them, I opened it slowly, revealing the scene before me. He sat there, shivering in fear, tears streaming down his face in torrents. I made a sympathetic face and approached him slowly, patting him on the head. "Sh. It will all be over soon. Well, maybe a few minutes to draw it out. I never did release all the anger and frustration that I'd had after the Cullen's left me." I frowned, tapping my lip before smiling.

"But then I accidentally bumped into you and, let me just say, there must be a God because you were the exact thing I needed. You angered me and frustrated me at the same time. You somehow managed to push all my buttons." I snorted. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you were made for me. Now isn't that a thought." I tapped my foot. The door to the bathroom slammed open and the scent of many males filled the air. I slammed the cubicle door shut and locked it, hopping up on the seat of the toilet so that they didn't see my feet.

"Ay Damien. What you doing in there for so long?" asked one of them. Dorian, I think it was.

"Tell them that you are alright. Now," I hissed in his ear. Gulping, he answered.

"I'm alright guys. It's not like a psycho bitch is trying to torture and kill me." He tried to make it sound like a joke to me while getting a signal to the others. Fool.

"Well is it a hot bitch?" asked Mike. I smirked, wanting to hear his reply.

"Yeah, I guess. If your into pale chicks with red eyes and huge boobs and ass," he grumbled. The others guffawed and I beamed at the description. How much had the venom changed me so that even a gay guy thought I was hot? He looked hopeful and I smiled genuinely. I needed a friend. But I also needed a meal. My throat was burning fiercely.

"Just hurry up man. We'll be heading to Jessica's party and I'm hoping to land me some ass. Preferably Bella's, if you know what I mean. See ya!" he called as he and his friends left. I jumped off the seat and turned to Damien.

" See you in hell," I whispered before sinking my teeth into his neck.

No words could describe the ambrosia of a foe's blood. It was rich, thick and flowing so willingly into my mouth. Nothing could have stopped the moan that I let out as I clutched his body closer to mine, a deep hunger flaring brighter even as his life's source quenched it. All too soon, his heart gave a reluctant thump before he fell limp in my arms. I continued to suck, hungering for more but his body had no more to offer. I unlatched my teeth and closed my eyes as I relished in the power that washed over me. I bathed me in it's electric glow, and I felt every nerve buzz with life. I ran outside to Victoria, Damien's body slung over my shoulder.

"Took you long enough," she said, leaning on a tree. I just smirked and dropped the body by my feet before rushing over to her and jumping into her arms. She barely caught me in time and I laughed at the startled expression on her face. She smiled. I knew that I would have fun with my sister by my side.

"Should we start the hunt for the Cullen's, or wait another century? I'm not getting any younger here," I whispered, nipping at her ear. She shivered and nodded. Smirking, I jumped off her, picking up Damien before running off to dispose of him. Not too long after, footsteps followed behind me, her laughing reaching my ears.

They sat around the fireplace, watching its flames dance in the impending darkness. Everybody sat perfectly straight as the fire roared and crackled. Alice clutched a vase of flowers, her hands trembling. "What does this mean, Carlisle?" asked Tanya.

"What it means, Tanya, is that Isabella is now a vampire and more than likely on the hunt for us. Edward especially. We need to run." Emmett snorted.

"Come on, it Bella. She wouldn't hurt a fly. She risked getting eaten to save her mother who didn't even take good care of her! There's no way she'll try and kill Rosalie, let alone Edward." Jasper shook his head.

"This is different. I could actually feel her anger and betrayal through Alice's vision. She definitely intended to torture us as a human, so as a vampire, her emotions are amplified by a thousand. There's no doubt that she's trying to track our scents right now. And without Alice's vision, all we can do is try and be one step ahead of her." He furrowed his brow. "The girl was also giving off some killer power vibes. She'll be a force to reckon with." Everyone gaped at Jasper. It was the most he had spoken since their departure of Forks.

Eleazer paced the room. "Carlisle, can I have a word please?" he asked finally. The blonde leader nodded and together they ran out of earshot. "Carlisle, I can't have a fight brought to my doorstep. I have my family to think about. You understand, don't you?" he looked hopefully at his centuries old friend.

"Of course, Eleazer. My coven and I will be leaving shortly. I wish I could say for certain that there'll be no fight but I'm not so sure. I hope that Isabella will forgive us but I can't say anything for certain this time." He grimaced at the thought of the girl he thought of as a daughter killing and drinking human blood. The image made him shiver and an uneasy coldness settled over him.

He and Eleazer ran back to the house where he went into his room to find his wife weeping tearlessly on the bed. He instantly wrapped her in a loving embrace. She cried harder and clung to him like he was the only thing keeping her from drowning in his sorrows.

"What are we going to do, Carlisle? How are we going to tell Edward?" she asked, looking up at him, tears that would never fall pooling in her eyes. For once in his very long existence, Carlisle Cullen had no comforting words to whisper to his mate.

Meanwhile, Edward wondered the Amazon, marvelling at its beauty. It reminded him of her, his beloved Isabella who he had left behind. It pained him to think of the way he ended things. And the fact that he had lied to his family about how it had happened. He was a coward and he knew it. Zafrina rubbed his arm soothingly, sensing his dark thoughts. His phone rang and he excused himself to answer it. "Hello?" he answered.

"Hello Edward. Missed me?" called a sweet, twinkling voice. It managed to sound cold and mocking as well as sweet and loving at the same time. In fact, it sounded exactly like…

"No," he whispered. In all his one hundred plus years, his hearing had never once failed him. But it was impossible. How could she have found him? He covered his tracks and never left any reminders like he promised apart from the floorboard. And even then, he didn't leave anything so she could contact them. He thought she was free of them and the danger they posed to her still very mortal life.

"Bella?" he asked. She laughed, the sound harsh. He was baffled. She was never like this before. Maybe it was Tanya playing a trick on him. He growled at the idea. "Tanya, I swear if you are messing with me-"

"Who's Tanya, Eddie? Is she the new human you're playing with? Is she the pour soul your going to damn?" her voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Bella, how did you find my number? Are you okay? Did Victoria hurt you? I knew I shouldn't have left you!" he was angry. How could he have been so stupid as to leave his mate when Victoria was after her blood?"

"I found your number because my sister gave it to me. Say hi, Vicky."

"Hi Eddie! I've heard lots of stories about you. Can't wait for you to catch fire, I mean, can't wait to meet you!" That voice sounded familiar too. His eyes widened in recognition.

"Victoria?" his hand was trembling. Isabella was in the company of a red eyed vampire and he was hundred of miles away. He wouldn't get to her in time. And all because of his stupidity.

"Well done! I am so proud of you, darling. You have put the pieces together. Now lets see if you can find out the rest of the picture: when I find you, and I will, I will enjoy every second of your death and make you feel how I did for the past four months. Till then, cheerio!" she chirped as the line went dead.

The phone slipped from his grasp and he followed it's descent, not bothering to cushion his fall. Instantly, Zafrina was by his side. "Edward? Edward!" she shook him but he didn't respond. Finally, he turned his head to look at her, venom tears pooling in his amber eyes.

"She has her, Zafrina. She has Bella." his face crumpled as the realisation hit him, waves of pain lapping at his dead and un-beating heart. Zafrina gasped and picked up Edward's phone instantly calling the Cullen coven. They needed backup, and they needed it soon.

Aro smiled as he reclined in his throne, his wife brushing his hair. He had the perfect life. And soon, he would have a new addition to the guard. She would make him so very powerful. His informer was willing to give her up after she's completed a task. Of what he doesn't know, but he doesn't really care. As long as he got what he wanted. There was a light rapping on the door.

"Come in," he called, shooing Sulpicia into the bedroom adjoined to his study. She pouted put went without complaint. Demetri entered and bowed to his Mater before straightening. "What is it, Demetri?" Aro asked.

"There has been another message left for you, Master," he said, handing over the gleaming iPhone. It was a foreign device which would have been deemed as witchcraft in his time, and he couldn't possibly understand the fascination humans had with the technological devices these days.

"Ah, thank you. Is there anything else?" he accepted the phone and punched in the code, opening the new message.

"Yes, Master. Eleazer called earlier requesting an audience." Aro raised a brow at that one. His old friend hadn't gotten in touch for well over three centuries, ever since he had converted over to the Cullen diet. The thought of having to force down the vile thing repulsed him.

"Thank you. If that is all…" he gestured to the door. Demetri bowed and turned, marching out and closing the door softly behind him. Aro settled down to read the message. It was his informer.

She is changed and feeding. She can resist the sire command. I can tell she'll be powerful and protects those she is loyal to.

He smirked. He was fascinated by this girl. Her mind couldn't be read and she could resist the sire command. She burned for five days too! That probably makes her more advanced and evolved than all of them. The last person who burned for four days was able to manipulate matter and make the impossible possible with a single thought. She was Katrina Pierce- Swann. It was too bad he had to kill her when she planned to run away with his sister and Marcus. The memory of him throwing their heads in a blazing fire replayed in his mind and he winced at the images.

Sometimes, he really hated his vampire memory. Not being able to forget anything was inconvenient sometimes, especially when he could see a person's every thought and move. He thought that he would have gone insane, for the first two hundred years of his undead life. But alas, he was here now, a king and husband, the most powerful and feared being in the world.

In your face, Father.

The only human memory he had was that of his father kicking him and his sister out, shouting about how he would never be worth anything. Anger flashed before he remembered the way his father had begged for his life when Aro had returned. A brief moment of satisfaction had ended is life. He was Aro's first kill.

Sulpicia's call brought him out of his memories. It was weird how just the thought of meeting this girl brought back memories he had fought for so long to suppress.

This Isabella Swan was one interesting character.

A/N: Hello people. There was the second chapter and I hope you lot liked it. Special thanks to dark wolf of death for being the first person to review on my story. I have to say that I have no intention of letting Isabella jump straight into Edward's arms at the first sight of him. I'm not even sure she'll still be his mate. Ah well, my ideas develop with the story. Tell me what you think in the reviews below!

-Channie.B

EDITED: 28/12/18