Chapter 2 – Compassion is Key
Bella's POV
I could smell the faint aroma of blood lingering around me. Oh no, what if I really am dead. I tried to open my eyes and soon discovered I was definitely not dead, or maybe I was just dreaming, maybe this was what heaven looks like. I was sprawled comfertably across a large couch, in a sun lit room full of beautiful photos and poems. Bandages on my legs and covers tucked in gently at my side. I leaned over onto my side quickly discovering that I must've been injured from my fall, but if I was dead why did I still hurt? I had just attempted to stand up on my own when a tall, icy, handsome young man waltzed through the door. I jumped when he pushed me gently back down onto the couch.
" You shouldn't move, you'll only injure yourself worse." He explained soothingly.
" I…Well…Who are you? Why am I here? Where is my father…." I began to sob uncontrolably. I really wasn't dead. I was still stuck in this hell hole.
"I'm Edward Cullen, you're at the moment in my family and I's home, now if it doesn't pain you too much, would you mind telling me who exactly you were running from?" He questioned, curious as to what my answer would be.
" I was running away from him.. That boy.. He came into our house a few days ago, I was away at a friends… He murdered Charlie.. and when I went home… he was dead, skinned alive. But no blood was strewn on the floor." I cried impatiently, " He was coming after me, I… I didn't know what else to do so I ran.." he pulled me into a cold embrace that some how calmed me. I took in the sweet smell of him slowly, as a strange feeling washed over me, a feeling of relief.
"Well.. you are definitely welcome to stay here as long as you want. And I definitely want to get to know you better but I should clear up a few things for you before we become friends, one my sister and I were following you last night and secondly.. well I don't know how I could put this as to not shock you, but we're all vampires" He whispered to me, cautiously awaiting my stunned answer. But it never came.
" Well that's interesting.." I whispered back, still sobbing quietly grieving my losses.
" Interesting?"
" Yes, interesting, but somehow.. I feel safer knowing that.." I sighed, placing my head instinctively on his chest. " Edward, I'm scared..I don't know why but I trust you.."
" I won't let anything happen to you Bella, we won't ever let anything happen to you."
And as my tears drenched his shirt I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had a life still worth living, and maybe I would be living it because of him.. for him.