Big thanks as always to my fic-sister-wives, Lellabeth and Twilly!
The Twilight Twenty-Five
thetwilight25 dot com
Prompt: #7
Pen Name: GeekChic12
Pairing/Character(s): Edward and Bella
Rating: T
Word Count: 500
Photo prompts can be found here:
thetwilight25 dot com/round-eight/prompts
"No. I can't do this." I stood on the trail, shaking my head, the morning mist blanketing my clothes and stone-cold skin.
"Why not?" Garrett asked. "You need to feed, Edward."
"I just can't." Thus far, I'd survived on donor blood from a nearby hospital, but I'd had a crisis of conscience at taking so much.
Just then, I heard the first runner of the early morning. Sneakers pounding the pavement, rapid heartbeats, heavy breaths. He was still a good hundred yards away, but my superior senses picked up everything.
This was the third morning Garrett had brought me out here, trying to get me to drink someone's blood—drain them until they had nothing left.
"Didn't you eat meat as a human?"
"Yes, but I didn't have to look into the eyes of the fucking cow as it died," I snarled. "I didn't have to see the terror there. It's not happening, man."
"But how will you survive?"
"I'll...drink from animals."
"Cows?" he quipped.
"No. Predators. Mountain Lions," I said, gesticulating wildly. "I don't know. Nothing that's defenseless."
"Ah, but they'll still be defenseless against you."
"I know. I just..."
The runner drew closer.
Thud
Ba-boom
Whoosh
Thud
Ba-boom
Whoosh
Another noise joined in the rhythm—the swish of sweet nectar rushing through veins.
Garrett and I moved into the trees, out of sight.
Thud
Ba-boom
Swish
Whoosh
Thud
Ba-boom
I was on her so fast, I didn't even register my own movement. Not a him. Her.
The wind had shifted, her scent slamming into me like a freight train, and I'd lost all coherent thought.
I clutched her body tightly to mine and skimmed my nose up the skin of her neck, taking in the ambrosia just beneath.
She shivered—shook, actually.
I could sense the adrenaline being released, her fight or flight instinct kicking in.
She would lose either way.
I didn't know if she'd screamed when I grabbed her, but no one else was around.
I loosened my grip and took in her face.
Breathtaking.
Big brown eyes stared into my black ones.
"Do you know how dangerous it is for you to be out here alone like this?"
She raised one well-groomed eyebrow at me. "Clearly."
"I'm sorry." I helped her stand. "It's just… Your smell…"
"My smell?" She sniffed her underarms.
"No. That's not…" I ran a hand through my hair, knocking the hood of my sweatshirt back. "I'm so sorry I grabbed you like that."
"Gave a whole new meaning to being swept off my feet," she shot back.
I chuckled despite myself.
She stood, scrutinizing me, and I held my breath. I should've walked away but couldn't.
"Your eyes…" she whispered, taking a step toward me.
I stepped back. "You should go. I'm sorry."
She looked at me for another long moment and then resumed her path.
Thud
Ba-boom
Swish
Whoosh
She was still alone.
Garrett called me a pussy as I followed her, but her safety had just become my number one priority.
Thank you for reading! xoxo
