"Christian…I need you to open your eyes." I heard Dr. Cullen calling to me, but I wasn't ready to open my eyes. I tried…but what my body wanted to do and what my mind was commanding were two very different things.

I no longer felt my heart beating in my chest, but I also no longer felt the pain that my body had been in before the burning pain. My body had been crushed, and yet, it felt fine, fine except I was thirsty… extremely so, so much so it was actually painful.

Slowly I obeyed Dr. Cullen and allowed my eyes to open. The first thing I noticed was my sight, I could see things in great detail, my eyesight had always been typical, but now, it was more than perfect, it was sharp and pristine and I saw things so clear…

And sounds… I could hear the sound of a motorcar traveling down a dirt road, but I had paid attention when I was brought to the cottage, the nearest road was at least 10 miles away, was my hearing now as advanced as my eyesight appeared to be?

One more sense made itself known and made itself known more powerful than the others, smell. I could smell everything around me, the woods themselves, I sniffed the air…it was morning and I could smell snow on the ground. I could smell snow and I could smell that it was morning, bloody hell.

My nose twitched as a new scent entered…a musty animal like smell, but somehow, I knew that it was not an animal.

A fire similar to the one that had raged through my body only moments ago erupted in my throat, I was so thirsty and that smell it was overwhelming, I wanted it…badly. My body knew that the smell was accompanied by something that could quench my thirst.

My eyes went wide, my god…it was a person, a hunter out trapping in the woods and I wanted his blood. I could hear his heart pumping the warm blood through his veins, I could hear it, I could feel it, I could smell it, and my god I wanted it badly.

"NO!" I shouted jumping up, just as quickly hands pushed me back down to the bed holding me there.

My mind was completely against the blood my body wanted and I wondered what was stronger, my mind and the owner of the hands holding me down or my body and it's desire.

"Easy Christian, easy, it will pass, hold your breath if you must. It will pass I promise, trust me son, it will pass."

I growled without truly meaning too…but obeyed just the same. Five seconds passed, then fifteen, then half a minute and still I held my breath, waiting for the need to take a breath before realizing that need would never come.

My heart no longer beat, therefore it no longer pumped blood through my body and had no need of oxygen to rejuvenate itself, I could hold my breath indefinitely and never worry about it again.

But I couldn't speak if I was holding my breath, despite not needing air to breathe; I did need it to speak, and it felt strange…to not breathe, my body instinctively wanted to, even though it did not need to.

Still feeling Dr. Cullen's firm hands on my shoulders, I took a deep breath…the scent came with the air and again the burn hit my throat, but the hunter was further away now so his scent was weaker and so was the burn.

"Dr. Cullen?" I called weakly, the burning pain more prominent with each word; I carefully looked up at his calm face. He smiled gently and brushed back my bangs with one hand still on my shoulder.

"You did well Christian, very well" His voice full of pride

I looked away from him, feeling undeserving of the pride I was receiving from Dr. Cullen.

"Will it always be like that? Will I always feel that?"

"The burning?" I nodded "it will always be present, but the intensity will fade with time and experience, eventually you will be able to ignore the scent for the most part."

He slowly backed off and allowed me to sit up; I put a timid foot on the floor and allowed myself to stand up.

I felt the same, nothing felt different, was I dreaming this whole thing? Had the bombing never happened, was I home in my own bed and my mum was coming to wake me for school? I've always had a pretty decent imagination, but even I have to admit, this is pretty elaborate even for me to dream up.

I slowly walked towards a mirror, leaning against a table; I looked back at Dr. Cullen then knelt down in front of it. A thick layer of dust covered the glass and I used my sleeve to clean it, allowing my reflection to look back at me.

I nearly fell back in surprise; for one thing I had not expected to see my reflection… wait a second, vampires cast no reflection… that was what Bram Stroker had noted in his book. It was a known mark of a vampire…maybe this was a dream.

But it was my reflection all right, though it was pale, like Dr. Cullen, it was my face… but the eyes that stared back at me…those were not my eyes. Red…blood red eyes like some kind of demon, where my brown human eyes had once been. I was not dreaming…this was real, this was really happening.

I opened my mouth expecting fangs like Count Dracula, but my teeth were the same, no fangs.

I felt metal tap against my chest and remembered my cross, a gift from my parents at my first communion when I was six.

I reached for it, timidly cradling it in my hand expecting to see a burn or something on my chest from where the charm had touched my pale skin, but there was nothing, no marks nothing, I rubbed the gold cross between my thumb and pointer finger for a moment.

The confusion was getting worse, were all the legends surrounding vampires that I had known from stories, were they all false?

Was there nothing that was true about what a vampire did or was bound by? Did that mean that our diet wasn't the same? But as I started thinking it over… I couldn't explain my want for blood, which had to be true; blood had to be a part of a vampire's life.

But…I looked over at Dr. Cullen and instantly I could read his body language, not like I had always done with my family, friends, classmates or even Mrs. Kinglsey before she had confronted me about the choir, but somehow I knew all about Dr. Cullen, his life, what he had been through, just what kind of person he is.

I had never experienced this before, I had never been able to read a person like this, this was different, because instead of just guessing about a person like I usually do, instead I saw all this in my mind and I felt it throughout my body. Confusion set in and washed over me, more confusion than I could bear.

Quickly I looked back at Dr. Cullen for an explanation, fear was welling up inside me, I felt sick, but at the same time I didn't.

I had so many questions I didn't know where to begin and I didn't know how to ask them. But Dr. Cullen seemed to guess that and gave me a comforting smile. He reached into a sachel and from it came a pile of clothes folded neatly. I looked down at my own attire and winced at just how ruined my school uniform was. My trousers were shredded beyond repair and were covered in blood, but what also caught my attention was the gaping hole in the material just below my knee, it was just large enough for a bone to have stuck through and I shuddered.

My wool jumper with my schools insignia was covered with soot, dirt, and a lot of blood, I hadn't realized how much blood I had truly lost when I was crushed and I was surprised I had survived as long as I did. Dr. Cullen patted my shoulder and directed me to a room off to the side of the cottage, a lavatory. I took the clothing from Dr. Cullen and excused myself into the lavatory. Inside I pulled off my jumper and stared at it, seeing how much it was drenched in my own blood I felt queasy and quickly threw it in the waste bin. A wash cloth had been provided near the sink and I washed the remaining bits of dried blood from my pale chest and arms. There was no signs of my injuries, on my wrists were distinct bite marks and a small very unnoticeable mark on my neck, but that was all.

I took a deep breath and began to change into my new clothes. The new jumper was a bit to large on my small frame, and I suspected it belonged to the boy in the hospital with Dr. Cullen…Edward I believe his name was.

The trousers were the same slightly larger around my waist and much longer in length then was comfortable, but I wouldn't complain I was happy to have clean, non-blood covered clothes at all and since the strict clothing ration had gone into effect these were the newest and fanciest bits of clothing I'd had in months.

I splashed some water on my face and was surprised not to feel the cold water, I felt the water itself, but that was it, no cold and even though there should've been a chill in the air I didn't feel that either, I felt nothing except my own cold body.

Dr. Cullen was waiting for me, he was seated not far from the bed, reading a thick leather book. He looked up when he heard me approach. Smiling warmly, Carlisle gestured for me to follow him and I did. We walked through the cottage to a small kitchen area where a table sat with four chairs. He pulled out one of the chairs and I sat down in it as he took one across the table from me.

"Dr. Cullen, I…" my voice trailed off, I had so many questions, but I couldn't form the words.

"Christian, due to the time restraints there was much I couldn't explain to you earlier. Now I can explain everything in better detail and you can ask any questions I know you have. And I think you're eyes are the best place to start."

"How come they are red…you…you and Edward have yellow, is there something wrong with me?"

Dr. Cullen chuckled and shook his head,

"Christian the color of your eyes is completely dependent on you. But at the moment, the reason your eyes are red is because you are what is called a newborn, you still have your own blood in your body and until that fades, your eyes will remain that color." I blinked "but as far as your eye color being dependent on you, what that means is your eye color will depend on your diet." I winced, pulling my feet up onto the chair and wrapping my arms around my knees, crunching myself up tight. I was afraid of the diet aspect of my new life. "Edward tells me that you know some of what we are, he tells me you were aware of vampires even before you met us."

"How…how does he know that?"

"I will explain that soon. But the point is that you are not naïve in regards to vampires?"

"no I suppose I am not. My father, he read me Dracula, I've read the story myself more than any other book, I know the story page for page, but it's only through that I know anything," I glanced back towards the room that held the mirror "and I am beginning to believe that not all the legends in Dracula are correct, in fact I'm very certain all are false…well most at least."

Dr. Cullen smiled at that before continuing,

"Then you know that human blood is what a vampire craves yes?" I nodded "but what I assume you do not know is that we can survive on something else." My spirit lifted… "the reason Edward and I have the eye color that we do is because our family, we do not feed on human blood, instead we survive on animal blood. Now it does not completely eradicate the thirst, but it sustains us, allowing us to remain in control. Those of our kind who feed on human blood are less in control of the thirst they are not weaker, but find it more difficult to resist. With our diet, we are able to live fairly normal lives, we can be around humans. Understand?"

I nodded slowly,

"I suppose." I paused "so my eyes…they will eventually become yellow?"

Dr. Cullen nodded

"If you choose the diet that my family survives on; I leave that decision up to you, it is your decision to make."

What choice did I have, I had no desire (mentally at least) to go out and kill another human being…to drink their blood, granted the thought of drinking blood in general made me feel queasy.

But after what I had just experienced moments ago when that hunter's scent hit me…I knew that I didn't want to be a killer and if I could live like Dr. Cullen was explaining, then perhaps.

"Wait…My decision?"

Dr. Cullen nodded

"For the first few months I insist on watching over you so to speak. The instinct of the newborn is strong and very dangerous. Christian I have faith in your ability, but past experience with our kind has taught me to be cautious and immortality is a very long time to endure guilt and regret."

"And after the few months?"

"You may do as you please, you are of course welcome to stay and become part of the family, but if you decide to venture on your own you may do that, but keep in mind our doors are always open to you."

At the mention of family my though instantly fell to my mother…and my father. I had a feeling I knew the answer…but I still had to ask…

"What of my parents… can they ever…" Dr. Cullen shook his head and I read his face, it was becoming easier to read him and I wondered for a second if it wasn't just Dr. Cullen, I wondered if I could read everyone easier now. "I'm never going to see them again am I?"

"It is to dangerous,"

"But they are my parents I could never hurt them. Wouldn't it be easier to resist the blood around people whose blood I share…?"

"And how would you explain your sudden physical change, your eyes for example. You would not able to hide that from those who know you best. Not to mention, you may not realize it now, but our bodies are cold to the touch."

I made a face, I had forgotten about that.

"I cannot just let them live out their lives wondering what happened to me." I paused "I'm an only child, I am all they have. Even if it is to tell them that I died, I just can't stand them not knowing something."

Carlisle smiled gently

"I will take care of it if you would like." I nodded hurriedly, I could deal with that. "Now, you have some questions. Then we will go hunting."

I raised an eyebrow

"Hunting sir?"

"Edward left to learn what roams this forest, we will join him so you can ease the thirst I know you must be feeling."

I nodded, agreeing to thirst, it was not as bad as it had been, but I could feel it, I was so thirsty.

"I am going to have to kill an animal aren't I?"

Dr. Cullen nodded

"Regrettably we must consume blood, whether it be animal or human. He paused "I think before we do anything I need to explain some things." He paused again and rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment "I was the son of an Anglican preacher, here in England. My father led hunts for all manner of what he referred to as evil; vampires, witches, werewolves. When he grew to old to carry out his true love, he appointed that position to me. I was twenty-three and though I had helped my father with his hunts I did not truly believe any of it existed, until I stumbled upon a coven of vampires. They were weak with thirst and gave no second thought in attacking us. I was bitten multiple times, but the creature was driven off before it could drain my blood, chasing another man. I was afraid of course and in great pain, I hid myself in a barrel of rotting potatoes until the transformation was complete. For days I fought the thirst that was reaching an unbearable point, I knew what I had become and knew what vampires did, so when I felt that I could not resist the call of blood any longer I hid myself away, in a forest much like this one, away from humans. I tried to starve myself, refusing to accept the blood my body craved. It wasn't until a herd of deer passed my shelter. By that point I was so thirsty I felt I would die of the thirst, even though I hadn't. The blood of a deer, it is not a pleasant taste, and was not the taste my body craved, but it weakened the thirst. It was then I realized that I could survive on the blood of animals, but it would take decades before I trusted myself around humans and hundreds of years before I reached the point of control to doctor open wounds or trusted myself for that matter."

I though Dr. Cullen's story over, nodding slowly, I understood the point of his story, it was the animal.

"Drinking from animals…you compare it eating a piece of meat, drinking from a deer is just like eating venison am I right?"

Dr. Cullen smiled and nodded his approval.

"Exactly."

"Will I be able to be around people eventually?"

He nodded again

"It will seem like forever, but I promise it will go by quickly." He paused "Christian you have a tremendous amount of control I have completely faith that it will continue."

I sighed, I still was not sold on the thought of drinking blood…of any kind. But I had to know one thing…one thing that was troubling me…no, not troubling, more confusing me.

"How did Edward know I know 'bout vam…" My voice trailed off, I still wasn't ready to say the word.

"The same way you seem to be able to read my body language as if you can read my mind. Edward can read thoughts. Sometimes, when we are changed, we take with us certain personality traits and abilities and these are amplified. Edward for example was much like you, he could guess so to speak what people were thinking, he was sensitive to the thoughts around him. When I changed him, that preexisting ability morphed if you will into his current ability."

"But I'm not like that,"

"Oh no?" he smiled again "at the hospital you knew what was being said between Edward and I even though there was no possibility that you could hear us." I shrugged

"I can read lips, my father always said I'm to observant for my own good. I'm sorry for eavesdropping." Dr. Cullen smiled

"Christian, it's not something to be ashamed of. You are talented at reading people am I correct? You can guess what they will do or what type of personality they have simply by their body language yes?" I nodded "you can accurately guess how they will react to certain situations and your best option for speaking to them." Again I nodded; he hadn't said anything that wasn't untrue though it was being blown way out of portion "I believe that ability has been amplified with you."

I thought this over, it made sense, but it couldn't be as rare as Dr. Cullen was suggesting, its something that everyone can do if they just pay attention.

"But I am just observant, if everyone looks a little closer at each other, a person's entire life can be written on their face and how they carry themselves. Everyone must be able to do that."

Dr. Cullen nodded

"True," he answered "but how many of those people do you think can make those predictions accurately 100% of the time and more importantly how many do you believe can see an entire person's life, their personality, their past and present, in their own mind just by reading that person."

I now understood where he was going with this, partly because I felt a twinge in the back of my head and instinctively tensed up as the door to the cottage slowly opened. Dr. Cullen nodded his satisfaction as Edward entered the cottage.

"Looks like it is deer for breakfast." He said softly coming over to the table and sitting down.

"Excellent, we were just discussing a few things."

I glanced out the window and then at Edward, he had gone outside during the day, what the bloody hell?

Edward grinned at me and shook his head.

"Myth Chris…completely fictitious." I opened my mouth to question the next myth but Edward's grin widened and he chuckled "nope, not holy water or stakes either." He looked over at Carlisle "I think it might be wise to show him."

"Show me what exactly?" I asked.

Carlisle cleared his throat

"Why we avoid going out into the sun."

"We don't turn to dust?"

Both of them chuckled

"No. but we do need to avoid sunlight whenever possible, for another reason." Carlisle placed a gently hand on my shoulder and guided me to the front door.

Instinct kicked in, instinct not from actual fact, but from all I had learned from movies, I fought going near the door, but Carlisle was more forceful, though he was still gentle.

He pushed me through the door with Edward following, I covered my eyes at the bright light, but found myself huddling closer to Carlisle.

He rolled my sleeve up and held my arm out so it was directly in the sunlight. My eyes went wide as I stared my arm, it was like thousands of diamonds catching the light, my skin was sparkling.

I rotated my arm as the diamonds flashed off the walls of the cottage, I looked back at Carlisle and Edward, the confusion written all over my face.

"Wh…why?" I asked slowly.

"When the change is complete our bodies become like granite, even diamond like." Carlisle explained, the same sparkles on his own face and on Edward.

"Granite? Diamond?"

He nodded.

Edward reached down and picked up a rock about the size of a cricket ball. He tossed it to me and I easily caught it.

"Crush it." He said simply

"I beg your pardon!" I exclaimed.

"Crush it." He repeated with more force.

"Are you mad?" I replied. I looked at the rock in my hand and in my mind it grew larger, crush it, how could I crush a rock?

"Just do it. Don't think about it just do it."

I looked back at Edward and curled my fingers tight around the rock and to my amazement it turned to dust in my hand.

My eyes went wide again as the former rock poured out of my hand to the ground, reflecting in the sunlight as it floated to the ground.

"So Bram Stroker…he was wrong…about everything?"

Edward nodded and chuckled.

"Nearly." Carlisle explained "Legends about us have been around for thousands of years, he took the more popular more colorful legends and combined them."

"What about the stakes and crosses…and holy water?"

"Those myths were invented to give people hope that they could protect themselves. Anything that might give even the slightest bit of hope was used. It is also a good way to for a vampire to prove that he is not a vampire. Many of the original myths were created by our kind. And as far as godly tools being used as weapons against us, people felt and in some parts of the world still believe that items associated with god are the most useful weapons against evil. But as you saw for yourself, none of them effect us. Becoming a vampire does not mean you automatically lose your faith, we are not all evil." Carlisle explained.

I nodded, rubbing my cross between my fingers gently, if I could crush a rock with my bare hands, I had to be gentle with the small metal around my neck, my connection to my parents.

My parents felt it was important to attend church and be a good person, but they never pushed religion on me, despite my name.

I was named Christian because my mother felt it was appropriate to share a name with Christ considering my birthdays is the day before his is celebrated by Christians all over the world.

Mum felt that I was a Christmas gift to her and my father and named me Christian as a way to say thank you and because she felt it was only right.

"I'm sorry for bothering you with dumb questions." I said softly,

"Christian, despite what you have read and seen, this is all new to you. I would be entirely surprised if you did not have questions and would be alarmed as to why. If you do not ask questions how are you going to learn anything?" I grinned. My dad says that all the time… he who asks learns he who doesn't does not. "There will be plenty of time for questions, but at the moment I think we need to allow you to hunt." Carlisle finished.

I looked around and sniffed the air, I did not smell the same human scent I had earlier, the one that had made me so thirsty I was in actual pain, but the burn was still there, the desire for blood of any kind was as well and as much as I was disgusted by it, I followed Carlisle into the woods, with Edward behind me.