Chapter 2
I was drowning. Drowning in a deep darkness that enveloped my every senses. I could feel it run over my skin like thousands of tiny bugs. Scampering little feet all over. When I tried to scream it rushed down my throat and filled every corner of my body. I could feel it funneling through my finger tips and shooting in all directions.I was lost. Was this death? Was I finally being punished for my sins? I always thought I'd burn. I never thought I'd drown. Sinking. Drowning.
There was an audible crack in the abyss and a hand seemed to grab me out of the dark. As if I were no more than a pea, it scooped me out of the this pit and I started to reach the surface. A tiny thread of light could be seen coming closer and closer. I reached with my arms and mind and finally….I woke.
To a pair of golden eyes.
Accompanied by a shirtless body. Reaching a hand out to my face, he brought it back to himself as if second guessing. I could feel the tears start to well up in my eyes. " Please don't hurt me." I whimpered without restraint. I was waiting for the panic to breach the dams of my mind but instead only the word "Other" echoed within its chambers. I stared at him, really took him in and was perplexed to find that I wasn't afraid. I couldn't feel a hint of attack, only a mere caution and curiosity. He looked at me as if he was finding the same emotions within. Although, it was hard to tell, because as soon as I spotted a glimpse of his thinking on his face it was wiped clean. He seemed to be cautious as well.
The silence was finally broken. "What are you?" It was barely a whisper but I heard it as if it was yelled. His voice captured me and I laid on the ground feeling the slight delight of the feel of velvet it brought to me. "I don't truly know" was the only answer that I seemed to be able to conjure up. Looking down I could see where his sweater and coat had disappeared to. When I saw him earlier in the parking lot he looked expensively dressed, now his clothes covered my body, blanketing me and my naked body.
Heat pooled in my cheeks as I clutched the clothes around me and moved myself further from him. The odd sensation of an elastic band seemed to stretch with the action. " You may put them on if you'd like. It's a bit cold out right now." I think he was trying at humor, but with the scene I'm sure he witnessed before I blacked out , the attempt was strained. He then turned around , giving me some privacy no doubt. I stood up to put on the clothes and was thankful to find that they covered my thighs. The cologne that lived in the fibers was also something to be grateful for.
He turned back around once I declared myself decent and the silence returned. We regarded each other with more than mild curiosity. I didn't have much history interacting with men. It was forbidden for a girl like me. Maybe that's why I felt flutters in the my stomach and could feel my heart race. Could also be the fact that I was wearing nothing but his clothes. Still, he had a very handsome and inviting face crowned with copper…. Why wasn't I running?
I made a move to go and he reached out again, this time grasping my arm. "Don't leave. Let me help you, please." I could feel his cool touch reverberate through my entire frame. I looked up at him again, "other" still being chanted within. "What are you?" This time it was I asking that. He looked at me plainly and simply stated "Edward."
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My feet were following him without hesitation. He was magnetic and I couldn't find it in myself to resist.
He offered his hand again and just as before drew it back. I could understand the fear, but the understanding stopped there. Like myself, he seemed to display his own big question mark. A puzzle , almost complete, but missing vital pieces. We emerged slowly from the woods, each looking at the other as if they'd disappear. Suddenly, and all too soon, whatever spell that we were under seemed to be broken by the appearance of a shiny Volvo pulling up beside us. Opening the back door, Edward guided me inside, taking the passenger seat for himself.
A girl, with the same air of mystery as Edward, was in the driver's seat. Her hair was jet black, spiking at the ends. Although she looked fragile and dainty, something about her equally said that she was not. She possessed the same pale complexion as Edward and the same, unique amber eyes. "This is my sister, Alice." Edward said in explanation while looking back at me. "Hello! You must be Bella." "Alice…"
The exchange was tense and quick between the siblings. It snapped me out of the haze I was in and brought into focus the fact that Edward never told her my name. I also never gave it to Edward.
"How do yo know me!?" I could feel the panic start and I couldn't help the rising of my voice. This was insane. How did I even find myself here? Sensing my distress , Edward turned around and simply stated "We'd like to help you. Our father is a doctor." His voice soothed the beast beginning to wake inside, but a sizable concern remained. "I don't want to go to a hospital." My voice felt small but I tried to add as much demand as possible into it. "Oh, if it's alright, we were going to take you to our house. Our father is actually home today." Alice stated simply, her voice sounding like tiny bells. It also. Seemed less like a question and more of a set plan.
Alice had begun asking me questions. With the way she carried the conversation though, it left no room for answers. This was for the best though. She carried a magnetism like her brother and I didn't want to give any answers to her queries. I sealed my lips as tightly as I could. Glancing up for the first time from my feet since entering the car, I spotted Edward staring at me from the rearview mirror. The questions he sent me were silent, and I was scared to give him anymore answers.