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Twilighter80, ladytahiri, Chellie09, IronScorpions, xoxoSUMMER RAINExoxo, Evelyn of the Witch Hunt, brankel1, kira, LadySaphire, '-Magical Moonshine-', izzy, noamg, duskri123, lulu, alexa

Chellie09 – I thought the same thing as I was reading! Haha, maybe I'll work in more snippets of Fred then.

Evelyn of the Witch Hunt – Yep, I did read it.

lulu – "Numbers" is chapter two of "Imprinting 101"

Since it was brought to my attention, I'd like to clarify that this does happen post-The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner/Eclipse. If you haven't read it yet, you might get a little confused as to the reference I make from the book? (You should've read it anyway, psssssh.) As mentioned in chapter one, this fic overlaps with events that occur Breaking Dawn.

CHAPTER TWO: Doubles

"Perhaps I'll take the Cullens up on their offer," I said, mostly to myself.

And just like that, it was settled.

I was headed to Forks.

I stepped out of the bookstore, swinging a bag of new novels in my hand. It made perfect circles around my wrist. I remember having this habit as a human, but now as a vampire I could do it endlessly and not tire from plastic burn or muscle cramps. Vampire or not, it still amused me.

Though I didn't want it, Fred had given me quite a bit of spending money in case I needed it on my trip to Forks. But since I didn't really have necessities to buy, it was more like leisure money or "I feel bad that you're off on your own" sympathy money. Well, Fred was never a man of words.

"Hey girlie."

I shifted my head slightly, catching sight of three guys in ragged, over-sized clothing walking towards my direction. They looked exactly like the kinds of kids Riley would've recruited back during the "good old days". Street rats.

My lips curled back, thirst beckoning at the back of my throat. I coughed and tried to avert my mind to other thoughts. It was difficult, though. The thought of blood – warm, red, gushing – was so appealing right now. I pushed my hair into my face – partly to hide my expression and partly to block off their scent.

"What's a little girl doing out here all by herself?"

I should've probably run away right then. For their sake and mine. But at the same time, temptation called to me. Flared in the back of my throat. It was the overwhelming feeling of three of them at once – three hearts, beating in perfect rhythm in my ears. That, and I hadn't fed for a while.

I could already imagine how I could kill each one. How I would rip at their throats and suck them dry, and finally put an end to this painstaking thirst.

… and though the thought came naturally to me, it scared me at the same time. It was another reminder that I was a monster.

I probably should have hunted before I went out to town, but I didn't think I would run into anyone at this hour. Usually I didn't. If I had to make a public appearance, people steered clear away from my direction. At least, the smart ones would.

"Well, isn't she a pretty little one?"

I balled my hands into fists, fighting for control over myself. It was like two ends of a balance scale. Good Bree vs. Bad Bree. Good Bree wanted to turn around, run far, far away, and happily enjoy her "vegetables". Bad Bree wanted meat for dinner. The scale fluctuated frantically. One second it would tip over to the left side then in the next tip over to the right. It could easily go either way.

The tallest of the three came forth and knocked the bag of books out of my hands. They scattered across the street, splashing into puddles. I scowled at them, feeling my temper flare up with my hunger. Jerks. Bad Bree was winning out at the moment.

"Oooh, this one has bite," he said in mock-fear.

Bite. Har har. I thought as I felt my teeth dig into my bottom lip.

"HEY! Cut it out, leave her alone!"

And then in a blur, somebody emerged from the alleyway and easily took down two of the guys with a single punch. My nostrils seared. This mystery guy smelled good. Really good. Far better than the three mobsters combined. Far better than the scent of Bella Swan, which was used to entice the newborn army. It was a familiar cinnamon-y scent, but much stronger and enticing than the one from my memories. I squeezed my fists and held my breath, forcing Good Bree to take over.

I was about to flee, when I spotted the third mobster pulling out a knife. He began running towards the mystery guy's back with it raised. My eyes widened. Before I knew it, I was already inches away from him, millimeters, then my foot swung around in a perfect arc and knocked the knife out of his hands with a swift kick. The knife clattered to the pavement. I grimaced. I didn't really like using my vampire powers.

He cursed loudly, clutching his injured hand. I wouldn't have been surprised if I broke it. I hadn't quite mastered control yet… The mystery guy picked up the knife and held it to the third guy's throat. Panic filled me.

Don't stab him, I pleaded in my head. If he bleeds right now, I will really lose control.

I licked my lips cautiously as I watched their silent exchange. Finally, the third guy got up and ran away. The mystery guy pocketed the knife and turned towards me, about to say something.

I backtracked a couple of steps, then quickly turned on heel and began storming away. This was a bad idea. I should've headed straight to Forks with no pit stops. Why hadn't I taken precautions?

"Not to quote that guy, but really, what is a little girl doing here out by herself?"

Great. Oh great. He was following me now. I could hear his footsteps tip tap behind me.

I just kept walking.

I was trying to save his life. Really. But he continued to follow me down the street. Literally walking towards his doom. A breeze blew by, sending his scent down my way. My brain screamed: Foooood, Bree. Foood!

I gritted my teeth and ignored it. I wasn't sure how long I would be able to resist. The sooner I got away, the better. I could already feel tingles going down my spine in anticipation of hunt – a hunt in which I could not, would not, and should not partake in.

He's a good person. I told myself. I will not kill a good person. He tried to save you, even though you really didn't need it. Nonetheless, he did it. He's a good person. Good people don't deserve to die. You are not allowed to make him dinner.

"Don't you want your books?" His voice cut through my inner monologue.

I stopped in place, indecision seeping through me. Yes, I did want my books… but…

I sighed in defeat.

I trusted myself with twenty seconds and twenty seconds only.

I turned around, not meeting his eyes. He had the soiled copy of Wuthering Heights in his hands. I wasn't happy it had gotten ruined, but I didn't want to be rude and not take it after he took the time to return it to me.

"Thank you," I said quickly through gritted teeth, reaching out for the book. Just as I put my hand out, though, he snatched it away from my sight – above his head. I heard him laughing, like this was child's play.

I breathed out impatiently. Control, Bree, control. I envisioned a huge DO NOT EAT sign above his head as I slowly looked up at him to deliver a glare his way.

My jaw dropped.

"D-diego?"

The guy looked at me suspiciously, lowering the book from above his head. I took in his appearance. The dark, curly hair and red, full lips. A head taller than me. The only difference between the guy and him was his eyes were a bright blue in comparison to a vampire's usual blood red. I wondered, then, if this is what his eyes looked like when he was human. Because the person stood before me looked exactly like him. Thirst was suddenly the last thing on my mind, washed away by pain, remorse, and loss.

But it's not him. It couldn't possibly be him. I reminded myself, crushing my own hopes. And twenty seconds are up.

I felt my bottom lip give away in a slight tremble. I clenched my jaw, regaining control of myself again.

"How did…you know my name?" the guy asked.

"I didn't," I said automatically. I regretted speaking. I could taste him in the air.

"Pretty sure you said Diego," he said confidently, the corner of his lip turning into a smile. Oh boy, even their smiles were the same. My heart fluttered subconsciously.

"No," I said, though I wasn't sure if I was saying it to him or me. His smile grew wider, obviously amused at my strange behavior.

For a moment, I contemplated my rotten luck. How many people could really have the same name as him? And then look the same? The coincidence felt like destiny mocking at me. This guy could've easily been a Robert or a Taylor or a Bartholomew instead, so why did his mother name him that?

I yanked the book away from him with lightning speed and spun around. If I could get out of his sight, I could easily dash away. However, he seemed very interested in following me and I couldn't whip out my vampire skills with him staring.

"Can I get you a burger?"

For the second time today, I completely stopped in my tracks - Want a burger, kid? I could hear Riley's voice in my vague human memories, tempting me forward with the promise of food to reel me into the supernatural world. Worst cheeseburger I ever had. How ironic it was that I died in hunger and rose again in thirst. I glared up into the night sky. Okay destiny, enough messing with Bree today.

I gasped suddenly. There was a slight change in the sky - a slither of light peeking through the clouds.

Sunrise.

"Crap," I said out loud, now walking faster than ever.

"There something wrong?"

Is there something not wrong? I wanted to ask. Everything that happened today felt like a twisted nightmare. Why had I gotten so careless? He had complimented me on surviving the newborn army ordeal. It seemed like my logic had tumbled out the window I met his apparent doppelganger.

"I have to get out of the sun," I said. I'm sure this guy would follow me whether or not I answered him, so I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and reply.

"Why?"

"I have Xeroderma Pigmentosum," I lied, hoping that just the name of the disease would scare him off.

There was a brief pause. I could imagine his confused face in mind, then suddenly I felt his hand on my wrist and he began pulling me down a dark alleyway. I was caught off guard and accidentally breathed in. His scent filled my nostrils. I felt my brain turning off, telling me to sink my teeth into this delicious, tasty, delectable smelling…

"I know a place you can hide," he said.

I snapped out of my daydreams, my common sense returning.

"Excuse me?"

"Xeroderma Pigmentosum," he said without stumbling over the words. "A condition where your skin can't take UV Light, or in other words – an allergy to sunlight, right? I read a book about it once."

I was impressed.

"Gosh you're freezing," he mumbled to himself. I pulled my hand out of his grasp and held it at my side.

"Maybe you're just hot."

"Si es verdad, querida," he said, wiggling his eyebrows jokingly. I felt the corner of my lips twitching, daring to upturn into a smile. I fought it back.

I could make out a streak of orange emerging in the dark sky. Crap. I had to hurry and get into the shadows, away from the sun. I could only imagine how this guy would react if the sunlight touched my skin. For one thing, I wouldn't be breaking out into blisters (a symptom of Xeroderma Pigmentosum) as he expected but glittering. Sparkling. My identity would be questioned. If it came to that, I might have to kill him after all to protect the secret – which was something I really, really didn't want to do.

"Where are you taking me?" I said in a strangled voice. Denying my thirst was starting to give me a headache.

"To a safe place," he said, shooting me another smirk. "Just trust me."

Somehow, I did.

A/N: ...and here we meet "Diego" (again!) Yes, Xeroderma Pigmentosum is a real disease. I learned about it from a movie I watched a looong time ago.

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