I was burning. And even though I didn't know what had happened to me, I knew that this time, I was truly dead.
I was in hell. The flames licked my body and I found no relief. It only got worse. Pain multiplied by more pain. I heard voices, but couldn't decipher the meaning behind the words.
Then, it was over. I felt my heart stop beating and my eyes flew open.
Jumping up, I stood in a crouched position as I surveyed my surroundings. I felt so tense...and I wasn't alone. Instinctively I knew Edward wasn't here with me and he was the only one that mattered. It made me angry.
I heard a growling noise and it scared me when I realized it was coming from my own chest.
"We're not going to hurt you," a calm voice spoke, and I began to relax. My eyesight focused and I recognized the strangers I met after the plane crash - Alice, Jasper and Dr. Cullen. However, there were three others I didn't recognize.
"Do you remember Alice and Jasper?" Dr. Cullen asked. I nodded. "I'm Carlisle and this is my wife Esme. To my left, is Rosalie and Emmett."
"What happened to me?" I demanded. My voice sounded different.
"You've become one of us...a vampire."
"Vampire?"
"Vampire."
How ridiculous. Vampires didn't exist, but I did feel like my molecular structure had changed. Every fiber of my being felt as though strength was coursing through it. And my throat was dry and uncomfortable.
"Was there a chemical spill or something during the plane accident?"
Carlisle shook his head. "My son Edward changed you."
"What?" I was confused.
I didn't understand what that meant. My memories were fuzzy, but as I concentrated, I remembered seeing Edward, then him attacking me. He tried to kill me. But, it seemed as though I survived somehow...and I was different. As I took a deep breath, I felt as though my throat was on fire. I gasped. The pain was unbearable.
Carlisle glanced at Jasper, who nodded.
"You must be thirsty," Jasper spoke directly to me, and I felt compelled to listen. "Come hunt with us and we'll explain everything."
I nodded. "Okay."
The entire group ushered me out of the house, but were careful to not get too close, and we began to run. They formed a protective circle around me and I wondered who they were trying to protect me from...was it Edward?
I wasn't sure what I agreed to do when Jasper told me to join them for a hunt, but I obediently watched as Carlisle attacked a deer and drank it's blood. I'd never seen anything like it.
"Our family drinks the blood of animals. We don't feed on humans."
I really had no knowledge of vampires, but I knew that the legend was they drank the blood of humans. I didn't want to be a murderer, but I was very thirsty, as Jasper described it. Although the scent of animals was not appealing, I gave it a try. Without even having to think about it, I naturally was able to capture a deer and sink my teeth into his throat. It didn't taste good, but it did quench my thirst slightly.
"More," I demanded.
