The night I dreamt the last dream I would ever have. I was stood in front of a white washed house with large old wooden windows, the sills of which were bursting with a myriad of coloured flowers. Behind me a long drive way wound out of sight. Around the house was large well-kept green lawns, flower beds in full bloom and in the distance I could see mountains. At the front of the house was a white wooden porch and a porch swing and sitting on the porch swing in the shade from the blazing sun was a woman with long red hair and a long red silk dress. She smiled to me, her plump blood red lips twitching into a knowing smile as with one slender porcelain finger she beckoned me to her. Silently I walked forward, my feet padding over the soft grass and up the wooden steps.
"Hello Ebony," She said, her English accent almost sounded strange on my Americanised ears, "I believe you know who I am," I blinked once, did I know her? This strangely dressed beautiful woman?
"You're the woman red," I said softly. Her laugh tinkled like bells, seeming to echo around the vast porch as if in a cave, it was hypnotic.
"Yes…I guess I am," She mused patting the seat beside her, "Please sit with me," Deftly I sat unable to refuse her, my hands folding nervously in my lap.
"Do you know why you are here?" She said placing a hand on my thigh. Looking from her hand to her face I frowned.
"You're going to try to talk me out of becoming a vampire," I said softly. She winked, her lips pulling into a smirk.
"When you awaken Ebony you have a choice, this choice will be the biggest one you ever make. If you get in the car with Carlisle and drive to Canada Ebony Collier will never return, you shall never practise medicine again, you shall never see your family again. You shall throw away your life in the hopes of another," The woman said, touching her chin with one blood red finger nail.
"I'll have Carlisle," I whispered. She hummed slightly.
"Yes, Carlisle Cullen… you have ensnared his poor broken heart, you helped him to forget that stupid ex of his. I applaud you, really I do, he does have trouble forgetting on his own," She chuckled, "Please, follow me," And with that her long elegant body rose from the swing and ushered me into the house.
Everything inside the house was pristine but old, every item of oak furniture antique. The entrance hall rose to the roof, a mezzanine landing reached by two spiral stair cases from either side. On the landing I could see six doors, each one painted black and standing in stark contrast to the white walls. On the ground floor large open arches led through to various lounges and dining rooms but for some reason none of them seemed to matter, my eyes were fixed on the six doors above us.
"Welcome to The Crimson Mist, this house was constructed by Carlisle Cullen in 1809 one hundred and forty six years after he was turned. In this house he hid his past, burying the life he had in hope of forgetting that he had the choice to not go hunting vampires in sewers, he had the choice to live a normal human life. He decided against it and he lost his battle the moment he did," The woman in red said motioning around her, "This is your choice Ebony, to bury the life you have worked so hard to have for the hope that he can make your forget all the pain, all the sadness and whisk you away into a fairy tale romantic ending," I stood staring at her, my brow furrowing.
"Carlisle loves me!" I choked, stepping backwards.
"I never said he didn't love you but Carlisle isn't the angel you think he is, go upstairs… see the skeletons in his closets and remember if you go with him you are throwing your life away. Not everyone is meant to live forever," She said turning away and sauntering back out the front door leaving me standing dumbfounded in the entrance hall.
My feet carried me up the stairs before I could stop them. The six doors stood resolute against the white wall, each shiny handle tempting me to turn it. With a shaky hand I reached tentatively for the first handle, it was so cold against my clammy palm. It turned with a shriek and slowly I opened it, the weight heavy in my hand. Inside wasn't a room, it was a church, the wooden pews crammed close together. Sat in the pews were men, women and children and at the front was an older blond haired man, reading proudly from the bible. It took me a moment to understand but looking behind me there was a door and through the door was the landing. Slowly, one foot in front of the other I walked down the centre isle stopping in front of the alter and then turning to regard the front row. Sat there in a white shirt, strange brown jacket and slacks was a guilty looking Carlisle, eyes cast down and hands clasped so tightly in his lap his knuckles turned white, his eyes were clamped shut.
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols," The Pastor bellowed and turning I realised the man stood before the congregation was Carlisle's father and as he read his wrath filled eyes were fixed on his son. Carlisle never looked up, never acknowledged his father but I could see by the look on his face this sermon was for his benefit. Carlisle had slept with a woman outside of marriage.
"These women whom selleth themselves to men are touched by the devil, they embody Jezebel… the witch whom eyes you cannot look away from. To succumb to their evil magic is to let yourself lie with the devil himself," The Pastor growled, "This women, these witches must be stopped! They must be tried for their witch craft and burnt for their sins!" A chorus of 'burn the witch' started in the congregation but my eyes were fixed on Carlisle and the slow heart-breaking tear that was trailing down his cheek.
I blinked and I was outside the room staring at the black door. Glancing sideways I realised this was the second door and without a conscious decision it I opened it and stepped inside. Once more this room was strange, it was dark, cold and full of potatoes. Skirting around the dirty brown potatoes littered across the floor I heard a grown and peering through the darkness I saw Carlisle. His face was encrusted with dry blood, rivulets carved trough the grime as sweat poured down his face, on his shoulder was a bite mark, the skin broken and the previously white shirt tainted red. Beside him was a figure but the figure was so hidden in shadow I paid no attention.
"It hurts," Carlisle choked, "Is this my punishment for my sins?" His face contorted in pain, hand clutching at the shadowy figure. The figure spoke to him, one shadowed hand reaching out to grasp his shirt, to sooth his pain. Carlisle screamed, his body seizing as a new wave of pain shook him.
"Kill me!" He screamed, "Kill me please for my fate is worse than death!"
A black door stood before me, the third of six, my mind was still focused on Carlisle's writhing body. He had looked so afraid, so lost, who could do that to a person? Who could make them feel such pain? I shook my head, I was being ridiculous. I stepped inside the third room, it was raining here, the sky dancing with an electrical display. I was standing on the edge of a cliff, the sea beating against the shore line below.
"Dover," I murmured as I realised were I was, "I've been here before," A sob drew me from my memory and turning to my left I saw Carlisle once more. He had been turned now, his previously tanned skin white. He was kneeling at the edge of the cliff and screaming at the sky, hands raised above him as the rain pelleted down on his shaking body.
"I am a monster!" He yelled, "Why must I be so? A demon that craves the blood of men!" The shadowy figure was standing behind him, silent and resolute.
"All I wish is to die and be done!" He begged, the rain taking place of the tears that could never fall. The figure stepped forward as Carlisle rose from his knees, he turned to them and thunder clapped, his face contorted in such agony. He snatched their hands as they reached for him, pulled them close and then...and then he jumped. He jumped off the edge or the cliff, his cry swept away by the wind. I screamed, reaching forward, to grab him, to save him but he was gone. Swallowed up by the sea.
"Carlisle!" I screamed falling to my knees.
My knees smacked against a wooden floor, my eyes fixing on the bottom of a black door.
"No," I choked, shaking my head, "No…I can't…I…I can't watch any more," I half expected the woman in red to be there but she was not. I was alone, kneeling in front of a door I didn't want to open. Behind the door I knew would be another harrowing sight from Carlisle's past.
"But this is a dream," I whispered, "This isn't real," I swallowed, getting to my feet.
"The faster I do this the fast I wake up," I deduced this was a reasonable thought and pushed the door open.
Carlisle was sat in a tree, muddy, wet and covered in blood. His head was in his hands and body shaking. A few feet away at the base of the tree was the carcasses of a herd of deer and standing in the middle of them was the shadowy figure, hands on their hips, looking up at him.
"I cannot live this way," He choked, dropping his hands to reveal a blood covered mouth, "I am a demon of hell," The figure spoke, their voice swallowed by the wind.
"Yes this is better than killing humans," Carlisle sniffles, "I just want to die… there is no point in living a life like this,"
The fifth door was no easier to open. Carlisle stood in regal dress in a dark round room with stone walls. He was clean, for the first time in so many memories but the look on his face was one of utter horror. Casting my eyes from him I swallowed thickly, the bodies were piled high, each one blue and lifeless, drained of every drop of blood and each was human.
"This is the way of vampires Carlisle," A posh arrogant voice said as a pale, small man with long brown hair wound his way through the bodies, "Does it not tempt you? The more natural food?" Carlisle swallowed, the shadowy figure at his side standing resolute once more, I could not see their clothes to see if they had partaken in the massacre.
"This… this isn't right," Carlisle said shaking his head furiously, "No man should die like this?"
"Men?" The other man chuckled, "They are nothing more than the filthy animals you fill yourself with, they come in droves, like cattle to slaughter… but their taste… ah so divine," I looked back to Carlisle and at the scream of a woman being dragged out I wished I could look away from my beautiful Carlisle for he was tempted.
The sixth door was not one I wanted to open but with a heavy heart I pushed in. This room was a field, before me was the foundations for a house.
"I need to forget," Carlisle said from beside me, "I must forget…" The shadowy figure marched over, arms folded. They spoke and Carlisle's face contorted with anger.
"One hundred and forty six years I had lived like this! I want to be normal! To live among humans and to not be afraid," He choked, balling his hands into fists. The figure stepped forward again, standing right before him, reaching their hands to his shoulders before turning back to foundations.
"No…I shall not hide in the mountains any more, I am going and there is nothing you can do to stop me," He snarled, lashing out. I had never seen Carlisle get like this, he struck the figure so hard across the face they flew ten feet into the air, landing with a thump against a pile of wood that splintered beneath them. Carlisle roared, the noise close to the snarl of a wild big cat before he turned, staring straight at me with cold black eyes and a scowl.
I was standing on the porch once more before I could realise I had turned to run, the woman in red sat on the swing sipping from a tea cup.
"Ebony," She said lightly, "Sated your curiosity?" I frowned, my hands shaking.
"That wasn't real," I stuttered, "This is a dream," The woman laughed, putting her tea cup on the small table beside her.
"A dream? How quaint," She said leaning back, "If you do not believe what you bore witness to ask him when you awaken, for you see that is the truth of Carlisle Cullen and the truth of Vampires. They are killers. Are you a killer Ebony? Didn't you become a Doctor to save lives?" My mouth could find no words and I cast my eyes away, to anything but her smirking face. My eyes focused on her gilded bone china mug, white with a golden rim. The contents sat still and red. Blood red.
I took a step back, my head snapping up.
"Who are you," I choked, stumbling down the porch steps onto the grass. She laughed, her body rising to stand before gliding towards me.
"I am the woman in red," She mused, her red high heels clicking on the wooden steps as she lifted her dress slightly. Thunder rumbled and storm clouds rolled in. I shook my head.
"Who are you!" I cried, "Tell me now!" Her head tilted sideways slowly, her lips twisting into a smirk.
"You know who I am Ebony," She breathed, "I am the woman in red," Lightening cracked and the rain began to pour.
"I am the bringer of choices and the one left forgotten," She chuckled, taking a step out into the rain, "I am sweet but stubborn and hot headed but endearing and honestly terrifying," She laughed, her head flying back as she held her hands to catch the rain drops. The pitter patter became torrential and as it did she looked to me, her eyes were like obsidian and the water running down her porcelain face turning red.
"I am fiery," She whispered. Staring at her I swallowed, she was Her… she was the shadowy figure in the memories, she was the one Carlisle forgot, the woman before Esme. She didn't say a word and neither did I, we just stood there staring at each other in the blood rain.
I awoke with a start to Carlisle shaking me. Sitting bolt upright staring at him it took a moment to register that I was crying.
"Ebony," He said softly, "What's the matter sweetheart," I swallowed, taking a long ragged breath.
"Just a dream…a stupid dream," I whispered trying to push the image of the blood soaked woman from my mind. Carlisle wasn't satisfied.
"Do you want to tell me about it," He whispered, stroking my hair from my eyes. I blinked, images of him from each room flashing through my mind.
"No…" I whispered, "It was just a dream and anyway I won't have anymore," Carlisle's frown twisted into a smile.
"No you won't," He chuckled, "Do you want a bath before we go?" He slipped from the bed, straightening his form fitted white t-shirt. For a moment I just looked at him, taking in his beauty and the smile on his face. God how I loved that smile.
"Will you be joining me?" I asked hopefully, he smirked.
"If that is what my lady does wish," He said bowing deeply, "I shall set it running,"
I took the minute he disappeared into the bathroom to compose myself. Stupid Rose and Bella putting ideas in my head, it was the last thing I needed. I lightly slapped my cheeks, shaking my head and dragging a hand through my hair. Get a grip, I scolded myself, this time in three days I shall be a starting my eternity with Carlisle. I slipped out of bed and padded into the bathroom, watching Carlisle pour lavender bubble bath into the large inset bath tub, his t-shirt discarded leaving him in worn low rise jeans. Damn did he look delectable. Turning to me he smiled, beckoning me into his open arms. I didn't need asking twice, wrapping my arms around his icy middle and burying my face in his chest. I didn't just want Carlisle, I needed him and I needed him now.
"I love you," I whispered shakily, "So much," He hummed in contentment.
"I love you too sweetheart," He chuckled, "Now let's get in the bath before it overflows,"
Saying goodbye to the children was a happy affair, they all hugged me and said they drive up in a week to get a look at what new born Ebony is like.
"Just have to hope she's tamer than Lizzie," Emmett chuckled, poking the tall brunette.
"No one will ever be as wild as Lizzie," Jasper teased, wrapping his wife up in his long arms to stop her hitting Emmett.
"Ebony will be fine," Carlisle chuckled, "We'll see you after the funeral,"
"Funeral?" I said frowned.
"Yes our funeral," Carlisle mused ushering me out the door. Taking a deep breath I nodded.
"Oh of course," I said slowly. Carlisle put our suitcase in the boot of his silver Mercedes, handing me our passports.
"The drive will take a few hours," He said, as we climbed in and buckled up.
The drive took six hours to be exact and then after ditching the car off a small dirt track Carlisle scooped me into his arms and ran. When Carlisle ran he ran, honestly when he picked me up I thought he was going to do something romantic but as we flew through the air I was too terrified to speak. I lost track of time as he ran, darting between the trees with such ease if felt like we were flying.
The spot Carlisle chose to turn me was a small shack in the middle of nowhere, entirely cut off from the outside world. Putting me down gently he guided me to the old dusty bed.
"Before we do this," I said as he guided me to lay down, "I just want to say I love you Carlisle Cullen," He smiled leaning down to kiss me.
"I love you too Ebony Collier," He replied, kneeling beside me, "Now this will hurt…" He crawled onto the bed beside me, gently moving my hair away from my shoulders, "You sure you don't want morphine?"
"Bella said it hurt regardless," I said shrugging, "No point in wasting it," Carlisle nodded slowly, looking over my face and body, his hand ghosting over my hip. Gently he kissed me, hand grasping my waist and tugging me flush to him. I gasped, my head swimming in a dizzying heat that gathered in my core.
Pain. Honestly you cannot imagine it. Carlisle's teeth in my neck was agonising, I swallowed the urge to scream. Lizzie had it right, I managed to think, perhaps sex would've been a nice distraction. His teeth withdrew after a few seconds and despite his blood covered mouth he had never looked so beautiful. His hands stroked back my hair, smoothing it away from my face.
"I'm sorry," He choked as I began to shake, fire was flying through my veins. It burned, it burned like acid from the inside out.
"No, don't be," I panted, my chest gasping for air, "I love you…I want to be with you, I love you Carlisle," And with that the darkness consumed me and I fell silent.