Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Also, regarding the story. The main characters are Bella, Edward and Carlisle. But since I can only choose two characters I chose the two more prominent characters.

"Shaking"

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Carlisle quickly sped to Edward who was staring, dazed at the blood. Edward felt a hand, softer than need be, run across the trail of blood. The fact that it was stopping did not leave any mind at ease. Edward still felt the ghost of liquid trail trickling down like he was in a nightmare.

He watched as Carlisle examined his finger and Edward's face contorted when Carlisle tasted it. Some things were not supposed to be done. To him it felt like Carlisle was eating his vomit to see what was wrong.

"What's happening, Carlisle?" Edward said trying to keep his voice even. Carlisle gave him a long look as if he was searching for some type of clue.

"I'm not sure. The blood should've been burned by your venom. It seems your venom has weakened to a state where it can't, for lack of better terms, digest the blood properly." Carlisle rubbed the back of his neck .

"Why didn't that happen with the mountain lion?"

"These are theories, mind you, but I believe there are two reasons. One, your venom wasn't as weak as it was yesterday and two, Mountain lion blood is a lot purer than deer blood."

"Do you mean it's getting worse?" Edward could not keep the tremor out of his voice this time.

Carlisle nodded but looked as if he would give the world to not have to. Edward paced a few steps away angrily.

"Great, when I want to die I can't do anything, but just when I find a reason to live this, whatever it is, happens!" He spat.

Carlisle rushed to him and grabbed his arm turning Edward to him and giving him a compelling stare.

"Edward this is not the time to submit to worst case scenario. We need to keep a good outlook on this. If you go into this without a fighter's mentality it will only get worse quicker. Now, what I need is for you to answer all my questions honestly. We cannot afford lies right now." He said with slow emphasis on his words.

Edward looked downcast ashamed for worrying Carlisle. He decide to tell Carlisle everything. Ther was no use shading the facts.

"I am running slower and my venom isn't paralyzing the animal very well. Most of the time I need to kill them with my hands before drinking." Telling Carlisle that was like pulling teeth; he did not want to confront all the problems that were coming. His whole body and soul screamed to be placed in the shadow of denial.

"Good." He said approvingly. Edward noticed that Carlisle was in full doctor mode with all panic and fear pushed to the side. He saw both steady words and calculated thoughts. He could never stop being amazed of his father.

"We need to get home and research this. Let's go." Carlisle said quickly. They ran towards their house. Carlisle ran slower than usual examining Edward. Edward felt like a specimen on exhibit this idea pushed him to run as fast as he could manage.

They reached the house. Alice was sitting on the front steps nervously biting her lips and tapping her feet on the floor. She looked like she wants to get up and run to them immediately. Edward could not read what she was thinking. She was purposely hiding her thoughts but it did not hinder him from seeing that he mind was in a worried panic.

He sighed; of course Alice would've seen something was wrong. He did not feel like confronting this and slowed down his pace lightly padding across the cobblestone pathway.

Carlisle didn't seem to be expecting this and slowed a few steps ahead looking questioningly at Edward. Edward positioned his eyes to Alice and Carlisle's face dawned with understanding.

"Don't worry, I'll deal with it and explain everything." He said in a low tone.

"Everything?" Edward said incredulously.

"Edward, being a part of this family means no secrets. I believe that this is too important to glaze over details."

Edward pursed his lips with chagrin. When Carlisle approached Alice he gave her a comforting smile. Alice hopped off the steps and they spoke in low tones. Edward didn't bother to listen knowing the gist of it.

He walked up past them and went to his room to mull over the events. He knew Carlisle would be calling them all down anyways for a family meeting.

Alice watched as Edward climbed up the stairs. She looked at Carlisle as if she was about to cry.

"I can barely see anything, Carlisle. I see only a very small future for Edward. The furthest I can see is some type of funeral. What is happening?!" She questioned desperately. Carlisle's face was solemn and he squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

"Alice, we're not sure yet. I'm going to call everyone into a family meeting in a few moments. Don't worry. I think when we research this a little more your visions will be changed."

Alice looked at him as if she wanted to believe him but couldn't.

"Why don't you go get Jasper and we'll see how we can deal with this." He patted her back and she sped away to find her mate.

"I need everyone down to the dining room for a family meeting." Carlisle called out. He walked to the dining room and took the seat at the head of the table. It was a matter of seconds before all the Cullens were at the table.

Carlisle sat at the head of the head of the table Esme sat next to him grabbing his hand in hers. Edward sat on the other side of him crossing his arms, sullen. Alice took a seat and Jasper chose to stand behind her chair. He was hunched over her with his long arms crossed around her neck. Emmett and Rosalie took a seat next to each other. Emmett was unusually serious with his eyes bouncing back from Carlisle and Edward as if he wanted them to tell him what was wrong through their eyes.

"Now, I'm sure you're all aware that something unusual is happening. Something unusual is happening to Edward. Though I desire to remain optimistic, I'm not sure what's wrong with Edward, but I believe it's fatal."

Carlisle did not want to put it so bluntly but sometimes when dealing with situations like this it was good to just lay it all on the table than to jump around the issue.

Esme put her hand over her mouth in horror and the others remain motionless in a state of shock.

Rosalie stood up, her face drawn with anger.

"Vampires can only die a few ways. They don't get sick. How is this possible?" Rosalie looked at Carlisle as if he lied to her all her life. She felt the security of her family falling apart.

"I was mistaken." Carlisle answered regretfully.

"What happened during the hunting trip?" Emmett's questioned wrapping an arm around Rosalie bringing her back down to sitting position. She looked lost.

"Edward venom isn't burning the blood of the animals he hunts very well. It's spilling out of his sinuses. His venom is weakening and we're not sure why."

"What are we going to do?" Esme asked.

"I'm going to contact our friends in Alaska and few other contacts that have been around for awhile and see if they've heard anything. I think we all should do our best to research this and make sure we can stop this before it gets out of hand."

Everyone seemed to be in agreement but Edward still looked surly. He was none too pleased to be the object of worry and having literally no say in the matter.

"Also, I believe we all need to stay special attention to Edward. His speed is degenerating along with his venom it's hard to say what else will go and we need to be aware of it."

Edward wrinkled his nose in disgust, "Carlisle, please. You know how I hate that."

Carlisle sighed, "I know, Edward. I hate to do it but it's necessary. Your well-being is my top concern right now. I can't negotiate." He said firmly.

Edward sensed the finality in his voice and went back to his brooding posture, his frustration simmering under the surface. Jasper noticed this and attempted to calm him only to receive a stay-out-of-it glare. Jasper rolled his eyes at his brother's melodramatic attitude.

"Also, I think it would be wise for you to stay home until we can figure out what's wrong. If anything, it is for us to narrow down if this is and environmental cause." Carlisle continued.

"I don't think I can do that. No matter your intentions, Carlisle. I need my freedom at time like this." Edward clenched his fists.

"Edward-," Carlisle started.

"No! I don't want to spend whatever time I have left sitting here hoping to get better. I want to spend all the time I have with Bella. You have to understand this!"

"Even if it meant your health would get worse?" Carlisle suggested.

"Right now, I don't care about my health. I'm coming to accept that my days are numbered. You should accept that too. All of you!" He hadn't meant to be so blunt. He hadn't meant what he said. The idea of being restrained from Bella, or the idea of dying – it was too much.

Carlisle grabbed Esme to his chest as she seemed to be trying to hold back from tearlessly crying. Carlisle gave him a look of disbelief but with a degree of understanding.

Alice had her knees drawn to her chest looking helpless. It made her look like a child. Jasper seemed torn between being angry at Edward or be worried about him.

Rosalie pushed Emmett away and growled. "You selfish moron! All you care about is yourself. What about your family?! How can you put that stupid human over your family?!"

Edward half laughed and looked at her, "Don't you mean put this girl over you? All you care about is yourself and you cocoon yourself into this family like some type of princess in her castle. When things don't go your way you have a fit. Well, face it; I can't cater to your every whim. What am I to you anyways?" Edward sneered angrily.

Rosalie face pulled back as if she was hit and her eye shone with hurt. Emmett looked like he was about to beat Edward down, sick or not.

"Alright, that's enough. Edward, sit down and take a breath – Actually, everyone sit down." Carlisle looked disappointed with his children.

Edward kicked back into his chair still seething. There was silence but it was quickly shattered.

"When are you going to tell Bella?"

Alice straightened and looked at Edward in the eyes without flinching from his angry glare directed at everyone.

"She doesn't need to know right now." Edward grumbled.

"Edward, this is important, you can't keep this a secret. You'd be angry if Bella kept something like this from you!" Alice implored.

"This is different. I'd rather not have her worry about this until absolutely necessary."

"Edward you have to tell Bella!" Alice felt very close to Bella and would hate to hurt Bella like that. She was torn between keeping a secret from Bella and betraying Edward's trust.

Edward opened his mouth to rebuff but was interrupted.

"Tell me what?" Bella asked standing in the walkway. Edward reeled with surprise. How had he missed her being there? Alice looked unusually triumphant. She knew Bella was coming.

Bella saw his questioning look, "The door was open and you promised to meet me this morning. That doesn't matter now. What were you going to tell me?" She inquired with a tinge of suspicion.

Author note: Okay I didn't specify before this is the summer in between Twilight and New Moon. I hope this makes sense. Thanks for reading. Please R&R. Thanks for review everyone!