Chapter 3:
Looking in the shabby spotted bathroom mirror was going to be the first time I got a proper look at myself. I decided to not even look until I was washed and dressed. Once all the last bits of filth swirled down the drain after the third battle with the soap. My new strength didn't take long at all to acclimate to. As I held the soap bottles in my hand, I knew without a doubt that I could easily rip the bottle to shreds just by twitching my little finger, but it wasn't a struggle to apply the correct pressure. The hot water didn't do a whole lot for me. My skin was cool, but somehow I knew that it wasn't the chill-inducing cold Edward's had been. It was softer and less marble-like, although it was just as withstanding.
My face was gorgeous. That sounds a little self-centered, but I liked it. My face was a little more pale, but you couldn't see the blood pooling in my cheeks anymore. That was awesome, seeing as I wouldn't have to be embarrassed by it anymore. My hair was glossy and had an auburn tone to it instead of my customary dark brown. My eyes were no longer brown, but they weren't that chilling red either. They were…lilac? A light and soft almost lavender color. Sweet. They complimented my new look and made me look rather harmless. Mixed with the yellow of my new dress, I looked…well…adorable. I looked like a cute high school age girl. This could work for me. I could use this sweet little exterior to get anything from anyone. Plus I could fly. This was the greatest day of my life.
Walking out of the bathroom, I looked into the tiny kitchen. I could sense and smell three humans in the adjacent living room, and I saw the front door to my left. The human's heart rates were accelerated, and they were barely breathing loud enough for even me to hear. I wondered what Laurent had said to them to make them so terrified about what was going to come out of the basement. I bet his presence was enough to do the trick. With my lunchbox in tow, I quietly floated to the door and made my escape.
The tiny run-down house was set on a dock of sorts, looking over a small lake. The entire opposite side of the water was a vast forest, and with my new sight, I saw that it stretched very far indeed. There was a road behind the house, but it was the only thing I could see in that direction. The owners of the house didn't have neighbors, and there was a small white Ford sitting in the front lawn. Ford people. Hmm. They were bound to have a flaw.
I decided to play human, and did my best "walk" around the lake until I entered the woods. I figured I found a small map under the blood bags in the lunchbox and realized I was about sixty miles from where I needed to be. There was a small circle on the map. It would have been pretty cliché if he had written 'you are here', with a dot, but circling it was just fine. My sense of direction was much improved. It was overcast, so I couldn't tell if my skin would react the same way as other vampires. Given all the other things that didn't happen the same way, I doubted it very much. As soon as I headed into the trees, I really let loose. I flew up into the highest limbs of the full pine trees, and let loose all my speed, never even coming close to crashing. I was so happy that all of this was so easy. It was like destiny was hurtling me through my life at full speed to make sure I would come to be a vampire. Or whatever I really was. A weird version of the Cullens that didn't need nearly as much blood, and didn't lose my mind over the liquid, had bright purple irises, deferent skin, and I could fly. It was like Laurent had taken all of the problems with being this way and made even those things unbelievably amazing. I hated that I had little control over what was going to happen to me. But I knew that I would forever be in his debt. He had still given me this incredible gift, even if it was only for his experimental purposes.
The small tree branches and crisp cool air felt amazing, I loved being able to still feel temperature and have it not effect me.
It only took about ten minutes to clear the forest, and then another twenty to take back roads and alleys and covering abandoned fields. I made it to the ballet studio faster than I anticipated. I was still forcing my emotions to the far back of my head, but I still felt a small twinge as the human memory came back of James and what he did to me. My immediate reaction was to turn around and walk away from this place. But I couldn't. My answers were here. I pushed open the double doors and came into the small reception area. It was a small room; most of the building was the large studio room behind a large oak door directly behind the reception desk. Acting as human as possible I did my impression of walking and hoped I was passing the test. The Cullens never had to put up with gliding at floor level and moving your legs to simulated walking, that was for sure. I was still completely weightless. If there was any give to the floor at all, I wouldn't even register it. But a human might notice it, so I needed to try to not draw attention to myself. There was a small bell sitting on the desk with the small note underneath. Ring for Assistance. That was the human thing to do, right? So I rang it once. Ding!
Within a few seconds, the door to the studio opened. I got a brief glance of a class of girls, no older than eight, practicing the demi-plié. It was kind of adorable and I made a slight smile as a larger woman in a red sweater that reeked of perfume came out of the door. It closed behind her, muffling the sounds of the class, and she plopped herself very ungracefully in the computer chair. Without looking at me once during this process, she asked, "Welcome to Ms. Perdue's Dance Center, how may I help you?" That actually stumped me. How was I supposed to go about this? Did I ask if I could look around? Did I tell her I had a little sister in the class, and try to sneak away to find where Laurent had hid my instructions? The thought process took me less then a second to decide to take the direct approach.
Before she even registered that I hadn't answered yet, I responded as sweetly as I could. "I was told a friend of mine was going to leave something here for me to pick up." I offered her a smile when she finally looked my way. She took the appropriate time to be slightly startled by my appearance. After that it was all fear. She didn't look terrified of me, though. Yet another person that Laurent felt he needed to intimidate. Men.
"Is…Is…Isabella?" She stammered out, her heart rate loud enough that I didn't even need extra hearing abilities.
"Yes Ma'am." I replied, still smiling. "I am very sorry if my friend made you feel uneasy. He can be like that. Please know that no harm will come to you from either of us. I take it you have something for me?" If I weren't female, I'm sure that she would have had a heart attack right then and there, but she seemed to calm down a bit when I turned on the cute. She even had a small sliver of pity in her eyes as if to say how did you get mixed up with the likes of the scary man? But she remained silent. Still clearly flustered, she reached into her desk drawer. She never took her eyes off of me. She pulled out a small yellow envelope (again with the yellow), and placed it on the counter in front of her. No way in hell was she going to get any closer. What on Earth was Laurent doing to these poor humans? I stayed as far away from her as possible when grabbing the envelope, so as not to startle her. It was rather annoying to move at a pace even slower that a normal human one. I placed only the very tip of my index finger to the corner and pulled the package back towards me before picking it up. "Thank you very much. I appreciate you helping me. I will make sure that you are very rewarded in the future." I glanced at her nametag. "I love the name Camille. That was my Great Grandmother's name. Have a nice day."
She looked like she was going to cry, but she actually spoke. "You too Ms. Isabella." What a strong woman. But the name sounded wrong to me. Isabella. Even Bella didn't sound right anymore. I was a new person, and I needed a new name. one that felt more…me.
"Please, call me Bell." I replied with a smile. I gave her a quick wink over my shoulder and walked back out the way I entered. I would give back to her someday. As well as the family on the lake. I never even learned their names. Well, I knew where they lived. I would never forget that. I walked to the back of the building where it was just starting to get dark, and opened the envelope. Written in the same neat scrawl as the first letter were the words:
Dearest Isabella,
I am proud of you. If you are reading this, I am once again so pleased that you are not dead. As no one but you, the Cullens, Victoria and I, know about what happened here, I doubt this letter would fall into the wrong hands, so I can be blunt. Your first instinct, no doubt, would be to go to the Cullens. I wholeheartedly agree. I do not wish to interfere with your life, merely observe your habits, so please do not think I wish to control. I merely suggest that you return to Forks first. I would advise that you do not confront your father, but I know for a fact that some of the answers you are looking for are in the small native tribe to the north. As I have already faked your death with your family, it would seem unwise for you to also be near the prestigious Black family. Seeing as you know their secret however, I would think that they would also be obliged to at least talk with you. They will see that you are not blood-thirsty like normal vampires, and that you do not share the regular eye-color phenomena. Keep an open mind, and try to get them to do the same. They also know the location of the Cullens, as dear Carlisle often tells the leader (Sam, is it?) if and when they ever move, regardless of if it involves Forks or not. I think he does this to give Sam a little piece of mind. Bearing all of this in mind, I hope you continue to grow, my little sunflower, for I have high hopes for you.
Fondest wishes,
Laurent
PS: I also wish to put your mind at ease regarding your mother. I want you to know that a nice young man by the name of Phil attended your funeral and has been seeing to her recovery ever since. He seems to care for her very much. Ahh, to be human and in love. In the envelope is a debit card and your identification information to help blend in.
Hmmm. It seems he really does think of everything. I had a new I.D. card with my old high school picture on it, but it had been very well photo-shopped to look more like the new me. My fake name was Sunflower Jackson. Yuck. No wonder he picked yellow for everything. He wanted me to be so goddamned cute and have a name that dripped adorable so that it would be impossible for anyone to not like me. At least he made me twenty-one. That's a plus. I could go anywhere, anytime. Well, I still needed to et in the sun so I could see how my skin reacted. It was Phoenix in June, and I couldn't believe it was actually trying to rain.
I had no idea how I was going to come within six miles of La Push before being ripped to shreds, but maybe if I could find Jake, I could get the rest of them to listen. He didn't hate me too much did he? The pain of that failed relationship was trying to bubble to the surface, but I put it back in its filing cabinet where it belonged. I stepped out into the street and waved down a taxi. I would have to go pick up a cheap phone now that I had money. I wouldn't be able to take taxis all the way there. I might just rent a car. Either way, Washington, here I come.
A/N: So I feel like I'm dragging the story a little too long now. Will pick up a bit faster next time. R/R!
