Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Thanks and credit to Stephenie Meyer her creativity and storytelling!

The burning in my throat, what I could only guess was thirst, had intensified. I could no longer wrestle with what human memories I would keep. I began to struggle to hang on to any rational thought.

As I stood up, the rain still pouring down, it occurred to me that I must have an advantage with this new life. I had known of vampires before I became one. I knew there was an alternative to feeding on human blood. The Cullens hunted animals instead of humans. Could I make that choice? I wasn't sure if I could, especially since I was alone, and that scared me. I didn't want to be a monster, I didn't want to murder humans, but I also didn't know if I would be able to stop once I encountered one. Every feeling within me told me I was different now. I was still Bella, but adrenaline seemed to be pumping through me at g-force speed. Electricity, power, strength, whatever you wanted to call it, was coursing through me searching for an outlet. God forbid any human cross my path now. It would be disastrous and I would have to live with being a murderer for the rest of my existence.

I smelled a hint of salt in the air and decided to head for the beach. There wouldn't be any humans there on a dark and rainy night and maybe I would have more time to think. I began to run.

Running was easy. I ran gracefully and fast, zooming between trees, jumping off peaks, enjoying the rush of wind and feeling of power. Traveling at this speed seemed familiar somehow, as if I had done this before, but I knew it wasn't possible. As a human I could barely run a mile in gym class. Now I felt as if I could run forever and never grow tired.

As I neared the beach, I began to smell something revolting. It couldn't be human, but it was alive and nearby. I heard the snaps and snarls and realized they were the same sounds I heard in the meadow from the creatures that attacked Laurent. Were they coming for me now?

Panic gripped me and I began to run faster. The ocean was in sight, but I approached the edge of a cliff, instead of a beach. At a glimpse of the waves below, a memory flashed in my mind.

Edward and….Alice and Jasper. Yes, those were their names. We were at a beach, laughing and playing.

"We don't need to breathe, Bella," Alice's high soprano voice sang."We can stay underwater for hours…" She turned, threw her arms around Jasper, and they submerged underneath the waves.

I only had seconds to decide what to do. Jump into the water or stay and be attacked by these unknown creatures chasing me? I was almost positive they wouldn't follow me into the water. Their growls reminded me of guard dogs. If they were protecting something, maybe they would leave me alone once I was off their land.

Although I was trembling with fear, I turned to look over my shoulder. Despite the pouring rain, my eye sight was sharp and focused. With a clear view, I saw that these snarling creatures looked like wolves. But, they were larger and more menacing than any wolves on National Geographic that I had ever seen. My eyes were drawn to one wolf in particular, one with shaggy, russet brown fur. Our eyes locked and there was a look of recognition in his eyes. I was stunned. This animal seemed to know who I was. His eyes widened and he stopped running. The pack followed his lead.

I crouched into a defensive position, showing my teeth, venom dripping from my mouth. A loud growl came from deep within my chest and I felt the overwhelming urge to kill.

This was the monster Edward had warned me about becoming. Edward. No, I would not think of him.

It was a stand off between me and the wolves. They hadn't pounced yet, but were still on guard, and seemed to be deliberating what to do with me. My instincts told me to attack, but fear restrained me. I had already died once and didn't want to die again.

A wolf, smaller than the others, who seemed to be having a hard time standing still, impulsively lunged for me. However, he didn't get within ten feet of my body before he flew back in the air, as if electrocuted by an invisible fence.

"What the hell was that?" I wondered, in panic.

The wolves seemed just as perplexed. I used their confusion as an opportunity to escape. I snarled, snapping my teeth at the wolves and then dove into the ocean below.

The impact would have surely killed a human, but it didn't hurt me at all. I didn't resurface for several minutes, fear and my burning throat propelling me forward. Alice was right. It was a bit uncomfortable not being able to breathe, but I was easily able to stay underwater.

I tried to decide which direction to take. If I went south, there would undoubtedly be humans. If I went north I knew there were islands to the north of Washington State, somewhere in Canada. If I was lucky, I could find an island without any backpacking tourists.

Huh. So not all my human memories were fuzzy. I was able to remember a lesson from geography class. Maybe I was able to recall whatever I needed to survive?

I needed to keep the coast in view, to use it as a compass to head north, and so when I was confident I was not being followed, I resurfaced.

Bobbing in the dark, rough water, I gasped for air, even though I didn't technically need it. Only days ago I was a high school student with a part time job and now I was some supernatural, mythical creature. I remembered that as a human I had wanted to be changed into a vampire, but I didn't expect things to work out this way. I didn't expect to be alone and fighting for survival after only being minutes old. Even with all the information I gathered and experience I had with vampires, I hadn't been prepared for this. I felt like a baby, overwhelmed by these new senses and sensations, overwhelmed by this new life. I wished there was someone here to guide me through it...

But, I was alone and I would deal with it. I felt defeated with sadness, but I could not cry. I began to swim north, officially saying goodbye to my human life in Forks. The burning in my throat was still demanding attention.

Suddenly, I surprised myself when I stopped swimming.

In the distance I could have sworn I heard someone screaming my name.

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