For anyone who had already read this story, I went back and revamped it a bit. Chapters 1-6 are still mostly the same, more details mostly but chapter 7 is where the story changes drastically from where it had been. Enjoy.

Chapter 7: Humans Are Friends, Not Food

The waters were an icy temperature, just barely above freezing and I was sure that my skin matched it perfectly. Still, the water didn't feel any different than when I had been swimming off the coast of California or throughout any of my journey North. Sure, I knew the water was colder, could see it in the icebergs that dotted the ocean around me but that didn't mean that I felt it. I registered the dropping temperature, only it didn't feel cold to me.

I hovered just underneath the surface, my bare feet planted firmly against the rocks beneath me. My face, tilted back to look at the sky, was a hairsbreadth away from breaking into the air above me. I was waiting for the last rays of light to disappear, for the sun to sink fully down behind the horizon and the landscape to be covered in darkness. Only then would I be willing to take my first step out of the water in a month.

It was almost hard to believe that it had been that long since I left that beach, since I last had air in my lungs. I was sure I could have made the journey in days rather than weeks but I wanted to take my time, perfecting my new hunting method and to think this through.

My change in diet had been sudden but I knew now that it was the right decision. Every time my mind drifted to that girl, to the foggy memories of my sister, my resolve seemed to harden. I wanted to be able to control myself, to be around the humans that tempted me so. I wanted to be able to stand next to them, even if their blood was spilling from a wound. Laurent had been able to do it, he had been in control. I wanted to be able to do that and then I could …

An image of Alisha flashed through my mind and with it, my chest filled with yearning. My little sister. I'm sure by now they would think that I was dead. How would she be holding up? What had happened after I had been taken, changed? Was Dad able to handle himself better this time? Was he still taking care of Alisha? Had she been taken away again?

I needed to know that they were doing alright without me. It's been months since that night that James attacked me, months since I last saw them.

Along with the yearning to see my sister again, there was also an ache of loneliness. A whole month, alone. I had used my gift to help me avoid any encounters with humans. Not only did I know I wasn't ready yet, I also couldn't risk having them seeing me like I was. My skin was pale enough to look like a corpse, I couldn't imagine what would happen if they reached out to touch me just for them to find I felt like one as well. The questions that would come would be ones that I could not answer without endangering everyone in the area. And that's not to mention my noticeably different eye color on top of everything. Yes, it was easier just to avoid them, to use my gift to pinpoint where they were and swim away.

Even now, part of my brain was keeping track, scanning the area around me for the faint thrum of human minds. The beach that I had found was empty and so was the surrounding area. I knew that a town wasn't that far away though, I had seen the light from under the water last night. I was hoping that I would be able to pick up their scent from this far away. I wanted to test myself and if this was too far to get a scent, well, I was willing to venture closer.

Today was the day, I had finally decided to test my control. After spotting the town last night, I had spent all day hunting, glutting myself really: two sharks, a sea lion and even a small killer whale. Now though, I was ready. At least I hoped so.

I took a step forward, allowing my head to break the surface for the first time in a month. I could feel my temperature drop as I met the air, feel it match the slight breeze that felt foreign against my wet skin. I breathed out, forcing the water from my lungs. As I took a breath in, filled my lungs with air for the first time, a coughing fit ensued as I hacked out the rest of the liquid. Well, that was quite undignified.

Although I could smell the ocean around me and even a bit of smoke coming from the town, I could smell no human. My lips pulled down into a frown but I didn't move to get out of the water yet. Instead I waited, letting myself get fully accustomed.

To be honest, breathing the air felt wrong. I had gotten used to the heaviness that came with the water in my lungs, gotten used to the smooth glide through my airways as my chest continued to expand and contract. Feeling the air again, it was almost too dry, especially seeming I could almost hear a whistling as I breathed. It was odd, staggering almost to feel the difference.

For a second I considered turning around and letting the water embrace me again. I could stay within there, avoid the humans all together. I didn't have to be around them, especially if I just swam deep enough. There would always be food for me to find and nothing that would be of danger to me. There would be no Volturi to attract the attention of, no James to worry about. Just the ocean and I, together in some trench that the humans couldn't reach. I would be able to explore in ways they could not, could learn so much that they hadn't. Think of all the creatures that have gone undiscovered, all the secret that haven't been touched. I could be the one to find them. It would be so easy.

But then, I would never know what happened to Alisha, never be able to see her grow. If I go to the ocean, give myself over to it, I would also be giving Alisha up. I couldn't do that. I needed to know, to see.

I forced myself to take another breath, concentrating on the air flowing through my lungs. After a second, I started naming the scents as well: trees, snow, wood smoke and even some elk I could barely smell in the distance. I let myself grow accustomed to it all before I took the few steps that took me fully out the ocean. My bare feet dug into the stones and snow beneath me.

Again, I paused, giving myself time to adjust. Even being out of the ocean felt odd. I couldn't decide if I felt lighter or heavier. Honestly, it was probably some odd mixture of both. I now had gravity acting on me again, planting my feet firmly against the ground but at the same time, there was no water to wade through, no drag to pull at me and slow my movements.

After a few moments, I took slow steps, making my way towards the town as I continued to breath deeply. Still no scents of humans for me to pick up on, no blood to tempt me.

Eventually the town came into view but even with it within my sight, I still couldn't smell anything beyond the wood smoke and scent of some food being prepared.

I paused, considering my options. I really wanted to test my control and it would appear that I had to get closer to do so. I was pretty sure I would be able to handle it, especially after being able to run away from Courtney while I had been hungry. I was confident in the fact that if I did start to lose control, I would at least be able to leave before anything happened.

That being said, it still worried me. I didn't know how close I would have to get, not to mention that these humans were still awake. There was a possibility that they could see me. Even if it was dark, being spotted wasn't a something I was willing to chance, especially with how I looked now.

I took a quick glance down. My clothes had basically been destroyed between my constant battle with sharks and being in the ocean. What was left was threadbare and barely managed to keep me covered when it came to modesty. A shirt that was torn and almost see through. A pair of jeans pants that were filled with holes and fraying. The left leg missing completely from the knee down. Not to mention the fact that I had ditched my shoes within a few days of being in the ocean completely. They created too much of a drag when I swam and I had just thrown them aside, no thought to the future. Now as I pushed my feet into the snow, feeling the soft flakes between my toys, I wished I had at least thought to keep an eye out for something.

Too little, too late I suppose. I glanced at the town, trying to come to a decision of what to do when it was quickly made for me. A house on the edge of the town, at least a half a mile away from all the rest, door flew open, a hunched figure walking out into the cold wind.

My nostrils flared, even though I knew I wouldn't be able to catch the scent from here. I would, however, be able to smell it from the strands of trees that was just downwind of the house. It would also give me decent coverage from any prying eyes.

It only took me a second to slip between the trees, the figure had only taken a step towards a wood pile stacked against the house. I took another second to brace myself, locking my joints against the instincts I'm sure was going to be coming. Then, I took a breath.

My throat exploded. At least, that's what it felt like. Even though I was uncomfortably full, gorged on blood, my throat erupted into a flame I hadn't felt the like of in a month. The smell of the sweet blood, the warmth of it I could almost feel in the air around me was more than I had been expecting.

I took another breath and the fire worked it's way through my entire chest, my mouth filling with venom. Oh god, I wanted that blood. I wanted to taste that husky scent that had just the barest hint of honey to it. It wove through my chest, the smell seeming to caress my resolve in a way that weakened it far easier than a battering ram would have. One little taste wouldn't hurt, right? One little missing human wouldn't be noticed.

I tried to swallow the venom that was almost dripping from my lips but it did nothing to stop the desire. The smell, it was almost unbearable to resist, even if I wasn't hungry. After a second I sat down, balling myself up as I wrapped my arms around my knees as I tried to fight.

Why did they have to smell so good? Why did they have to taste so delicious?

I couldn't remember a time that I had ever struggled this much. Even when I had only been a few days old, I had still been able to wait until I had my prey hidden in some way, until it was safe for me to drink to my hearts content. So why was this so different?

Was it because back then I had the promise that I would feast soon? That I knew I was going to have the blood so I had been able to wait those precious few seconds? Could changing my diet have increased the desire for human blood? Even if I so desperately wanted to be in control?

Or perhaps it was because it had been so long since I had smelled them. Could that be why the smell seemed so irresistible right now? Could staying away from the humans make them smell all the better when I finally did encounter their scent again?

I wasn't sure, only knew that despite my vow to never taste another drop of human blood, despite my goal to see my sister, my instincts were begging me to end this persons life. The vampire part of me wanted that blood, wanted to taste the richness as it slid down my throat, was fighting for the right to.

But it was wrong. I wouldn't kill again.

I almost snarled in frustration at the thought because I still wanted it, still wanted to taste them.

I wouldn't. I refused to.

I threw my head back, a light groan escaping my lips as I continued to breath in the almost overpowering scent of the human.

"Friends, not food." The phrase slipped from my mouth unconsciously and I took a second to try and find out where it had come from. Definitely a human memory. A movie, one that Alisha had liked. I could vaguely recall a deep voice booming the words, 'fish are friends, not food.'

Thinking about where the words came from seemed to help take my concentration off the smell and it became just the tiniest bit easier to bare. I tried to focus on the words again, doing my best to push the scent away.

Fish are friends, not food. Well, that wouldn't work for me seeming I had dined on a fish or two. Humans then, humans were the friends. They weren't food, wouldn't ever be food again.

"Humans are friends, not food."

Perhaps if I said it enough, my blood-thirst would start to believe it.

I buried my head into my arms as I started to chant my new mantra, hoping it would stick. Perhaps it was me just being optimistic but the scent coming off the man seemed to be just a notch easier to resist.

I took a peak between my arms, watching as he gathered a load of firewood. He hadn't even started headed back towards his door when something changed.

Though I had been able to feel the dim light of every humans mind, there was one that was suddenly brighter, sharper and it was moving at an impossible speed. Impossible for humans at least.

Worried, I pushed the scent of the blood away, trying to focus on the mind that was quickly coming closer. It was definitely someone that was my kind, a vampire. There was no other explanation of how they were moving so fast.

As the mind got closer, I could begin to get a feel for it. The person's mind was incredibly open and surprisingly reminded me of the night sky. The crystal beauty, the tangle of light, it was all represented in this one mind.

For only a second, I was curious about who could possess such a mind but then I realized that while this person, this vampire, was coming closer, they also seemed to be headed right towards me.

In a fraction of a second, I was standing, completely forgetting about the scent that surrounded me.

A vampire that I didn't know was headed towards me.

What if this was their territory? What if they didn't like others being on it? I remember Laurent telling me of vampires who would pick a piece of land and guard it as their own, their personal hunting ground. What if this vampire was one of those? What if they were coming to kill me for being here?

Though my heart could no longer beat, I was sure it would have been in overdrive if I was still human. Adrenaline and fear still seemed to be coursing through my body though, forcing me to figure out a plan.

And quickly, a part of my mind added as the vampire got ever closer. If I focused, I could just barely make out the whisper of their feet touching the ground as they ran.

Too close.

It was decided then. Though a newborns instinct was fight, I was obviously programmed different because before another second had passed, I was running. Flight was taking over.

I had to get away.

I'm not sure what was driving the thought but it was pushing my feet to practically fly across the ground as I put every bit of my newborn strength into creating distance as I headed towards the ocean. I wasn't far away, it wouldn't even take me long to get there but it seemed whoever was on my tail was dangerously fast. Even with my newborn speed and strength, the person was slowly gaining on me.

I gasped in a breath of air automatically even though I didn't need to breath.

I could hear them, their feet whispering against the ground, their breath hissing out of their lips. I didn't dare turn around, worried that I would freeze and be caught by my pursuer. I didn't want to be part of a horror movie.

My mind was frantic, slowly turning to chaos as the fear pushed the rational part of my thoughts into oblivion. Instincts were starting to take over, I could tell by the growl that was slowly rising from my bloated stomach, pushing to escape through my clenched lips.

And then my savior, a sharp cliff jutting above the ocean, appeared in front of me. The waves were beckoning to me, calling me home in a tantalizing dance. It was safety, solitude: my fortress. No matter how fast this vampire was on land, I was sure they wouldn't be able to keep up as soon as I had slipped beneath the water.

I could hear them, just steps behind me as I approached the edge of the cliff. I was going to make it.

"Wait!" A male voice.

No. I didn't take the time to say it, just focused on planting my foot at the very edge of the cliff to launch myself into the air.

For a second, I was flying. I heard the person skid to a stop behind me. A wave a pure relief filled me. They weren't going to follow.

In that second, as I started to drop, curiosity got the better of me. I twisted myself around. I wanted to see my pursuer. I wanted to see the one that had chased me away from my goal. I wanted to see who was to blame for making my wait longer.

My first thought was that he looked surprised, his black eyes so wide I could see the whites all the way around. He seemed too pale, his skin turning an ashen white that I hadn't realized a vampire could. Dark circle stood out under his eyes, purple enough so that it must have been a while since the last time he fed. His hair was a tousled mess, strands of copper, brown and even red glinting in the moonlight.

His lips parted, his mouth forming a word though there was no sound to it.

I glanced down, realizing I was nearing the water. I arched my back, allowing my head to dip down as my hand glided in front of me.

Just as my hands met the waves, his voice rang out again, sending a stab of fear down my spine. In the next second, I was in the water, hardly making a splash as I pushed myself to swim as deep as I could. Quickly, before he decided to follow.

He had only said one word, but even that had been enough to send the adrenaline shooting through my system again, washing away any trace of relief, of safety.

He had said my name.

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How did he know my name?

That was the question that haunted me as I hid in an underwater cave, waiting for the day to pass.

There were only three vampires that knew me, so how did this one?

Had this unnamed person met Laurent? Had he told them about me?

Had James been up here? Had he given my description to vampires in the area? Did he have a whole group of people out to get me for deserting him?

After a second I shook that thought away. James wasn't the type to rely on others for help. If he was looking for me, he wouldn't go asking. He would simply find me his own way. Not only would he rely solely on his gift, but it would be a matter of pride for him. He wouldn't lower himself to asking for help, especially when the hunt was his obsession.

So then how did this vampire know me?

I know that I hadn't met another while in this new life, so then, was it possible? Could he had known me while I was a human? I tried to shift through my memories, pulling up a picture of his shocked face, only I gave him the red eyes that we all had.

Shifting through the fuzzy memories of my human life, I couldn't recall anything, couldn't come across any point when I had come into contract with vampires. Besides, wouldn't I have remember if I had seen someone like that, if I had ever encountered someone who possessed this type of predatory beauty? I was sure I had never come across someone with red eyes, sure I had never crossed his path. But then how did he know me?

Not knowing the answer was irritating me, grating on my nerves. It was almost as bad as Victoria had been when we were back in California. That was a big surprise right there. I was sure I would never find something as fundamentally annoying as she had been.

It was this curiosity, and just a bit of the annoyance, that had me swimming back to the same cliff I had jumped off from the previous night, even though a part of my mind told me that I was being stupid.

I was still hesitant though, despite my curiosity. I didn't dare go above the water, or even near the surface for that matter. Instead, I hovered in the depth, far enough below so that all I could see when I looked up was a blue tinge. Even with my eyes, it was impossible for me to pick out anything other than the salty water. It meant that no one would be able to look down and see me, even if the person did possess the same eyes as I did.

Even though I couldn't see though, didn't mean I wouldn't be able to feel him.

It took me a second to focus my power, to push the limit of what I could feel. I was quite far away, almost too far so I didn't know if it would even work, didn't know if I was just grasping at straws. But then I felt it, a mind, on the very edge of my range.

I froze when I felt it, my control slipping for just a second, my range fluctuating back to it's normal limit. After struggling to sense his mind again, I took the time to determine that it was the same person I had seen the night before. Okay, I was 85% certain that it was. This far away, I could sense his mind but I couldn't feel it, couldn't tell if it was the same mind I had felt last night.

I did however know that who ever was above me on the cliff, stayed there throughout the whole night. He didn't move a muscles. I could almost imagine him standing there, his red eyes staring down at the dark water. As time passed, the water around me started to lighten. The sun was rising.

Only when the water was a navy blue instead of the inky black it had been, did I feel his mind leave, head back inland. I waited, just to make sure that he didn't decide to come back.

He didn't but he did the next night.

I wasn't quite so deep this time, hovering so that I could see the surface, but not anything on the other side of the watery barrier. I wedged myself in a crevice of rock, closing my eyes as I concentrated solely on my gift.

Being a bit closer, I could feel his mind again, feel the openness that had captured my curiosity in those first few seconds. I knew for certain it was the same vampire that had chased me before.

I huddled a bit closer to the rock wall until I could feel the rocks digging against my back. It wasn't necessarily uncomfortable, but it wasn't a position I would want to be in for long either. Oh well. Throughout the night, as I monitored the feel of his mind, I could feel the fear slowly dwindling and curiosity taking it's place.

Why was he here? What was he waiting for?

I didn't think he was guarding this place. He was too still for that, too controlled. He didn't seemed to be worried or agitated at all either. It made me wonder just why he was there?

Could he, perhaps, be hoping I returned? Waiting for me?

My thoughts halted as I felt his mind move. I froze, even though I knew he couldn't see me. What was he doing?

My question was answered a few moments later as a small flack rock floated down from above me. A few seconds later, a second one followed.

Was he … skipping rocks?

I bit my lip, indecision waging within me. When the next rock floated down, I quickly flitted forward, grabbing it before going back to my nook. After a second, I looked down. The rock that sat in my hand would have been square shaped if it weren't for it's slightly rounded corners. It was about half the size of my palm and as wide as my thumb. The rock itself was smooth, probably from years of being in the water. It was a dark gray, almost black really, at least it was when wet, and shooting across it's middle, was a pure white line. I flipped it around, seeing that the line continued on the other side.

I had been to the ocean enough times in my human life to know the childish wonder that surrounded these. It was a wishing rock.

A smile tugged at my lips as my fingers closed around it, the smooth stone fitting snugly in my palm.

He continued to skip rocks for close to an hour before he stopped. He went back to where he had been sitting, or standing, I couldn't tell.

The next time he moved, it was two hours later, approaching sunrise. At first I thought that he was going to leave again, just like he had the night before. Instead though, I could feel his mind walking to the edge of the cliff. He stood there for only a second before his mind started to descend, coming closer.

Terror.

He was coming closer. Too close. He was coming after me.

I swam deeper, until I couldn't even see the surface anymore. It was only then, as my frantic mind slowed that I realized he was traveling to slowly down to have jumped. His descent was controlled. He must be scaling the cliff.

His mind stopped, hovering just above the water. Was he going to come in?

With my chest tight, I waited for movement. It was a few minutes later that there was any, only he moved back up instead of down.

My breathing eased, shoulders relaxing as he went back to his perch.

I didn't dare go any closer. Instead I stayed where I was, feeling as his mind grew fuzzy through my gift. After twenty minutes, he left, his mind disappearing completely as the water around me turned navy again.

I swam back to my cave, the wishing rock still clutched in my palm.

It was the third night that he showed up, that my curiosity got the better of me. Again he had shown up on the cliff and after staying in the exact same spot for an hour, my apprehension had eased.

I wanted to know why he was here and what he was doing. I hadn't seen or smelled him around this area at all when I first came out of the water so what drew him here now? Why did he come every night? Why had he hovered over the water last night? What was so important?

How did he know my name?

I wanted to meet him, to ask him at my last question, the most important one. I needed to know.

But I also didn't want to meet him here. If I was going to come out of the water, to expose myself, it wouldn't be anywhere that he would have an advantage.

Slowly, I swam away from my perch, approaching the surface. I swam up until I could just barely make out the cliff, until I could just barely see a white blur standing on top of it.

He didn't seem to react, though it was hard to tell when I honestly couldn't really see him from this distance. I was sure he knew I was there though, sure that he could at least see a pale figure hidden in the gloom.

I didn't dare go any closer, not here. Instead, I swam sideways, traveling along the edge of the cliff. I didn't take my eyes off him.

For every stroke I made, he took a step, keeping pace with me as we made our parallel journey. I was somewhat surprised he followed. Wasn't he at least somewhat afraid for himself? Afraid of what I could do?

Then again, it wasn't like he knew about my gift. Still, I wouldn't have been willing to follow some stranger to an unknown destination.

Eventually the ground beneath me started leveling up and soon my toes were just skimming across the sand as we came upon the beach that I had emerged from nights ago. I could see his blurred form standing on the shore. He didn't come any closer.

I was still well beneath the surface, the water surrounding me. If I wanted my answer, I would have to move forward.

My heart would have been racing if it could have and even though I was curious, I could still feel the nerves hammering away in my stomach. Perhaps I should have hunted before deciding to do this.

Too late now.

I stepped forward, walking on the ground until sand turned to rock. I paused for a second, just before my face would have broken the surface. His form was clearer now, still a bit blurry through the water, but I could make out his mused hair, his relaxed stance, and his hands, hanging loosely by his sides.

I took another step, keeping my eyes open as my head rose above the waves.

I almost gasped, would have if it weren't for my vampire instincts keeping me still. His eyes were no longer black but neither were they the red I had pictured them as. They were a light golden, the color of honey in the sunlight.

How?

Laurent hadn't said anything about this. How where his eyes different? Why? Was it part of a gift? Could gifts give vampires different colored eyes?

The new questions coupled with the apprehension of this unexpected situations had me faltering. Perhaps, this wasn't a good idea. Perhaps I should just leave this area all together, find another place that was less populated with mythical creatures.

"Annabell," he said my name softly, barely moving his lips.

I needed to know.

I pushed the water from my lungs, allowing it to stream out of my nose and mouth. Thankfully, I didn't go into a coughing fit this time, though it did take me a second to completely clear my airways.

The other vampire just stayed there, waiting. Well, at the very least he wasn't attacking me yet.

"My name," I said, doing my best to make my voice sound commanding. "How do you know it?"

His lips pulled up into a smirk, though it didn't look condescending. With the darkness that seemed to hang in his eyes, it looked more self-deprecating than anything.

"I know your name because it's been haunting me ever since I first heard it when you moved to Forks."

My entire body froze as I scanned his stance, wondering if what he said was the truth. If so it means that I had indeed come across vampires while I was still human. Yet, I didn't recognize him. Although, now that I think about it, the golden eyes did seem kind of familiar. Not on him though.

My gaze hardened, trying to pry up the memory and slowly a fuzzy face came forward. A pale girl, extremely tiny with short, dark hair and golden eyes. A wistful smile as she said goodbye.

What had her name been? Something starting with an A, something close to Alisha. I could almost remember the gossip about her family but hadn't they moved soon after I had? Hadn't they left?

"Cullen," I said, the last name popping up. I'm sure that's what it had been.

He nodded as his smirk turned into a smile. "I'm Edward Cullen."

Edward. Didn't sound familiar. He must have been able to tell from my face because he continued to speak.

"I had biology with you."

Oh. The memory was there, especially after he said it. Dark, black eyes glaring with venom, lips pulled back into a grimace that seemed so close to menacing. And then he was gone, disappeared, his family close behind.

"Asshole," I said, firmly, remember how irritated I had been.

I heard the sigh leave his lips as a hand reached up to massage his temples. As if vampires could get headaches.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned when he didn't say anything further.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, practically hurling the question back as his lips pulled into a scowl. "You're supposed to be in Forks, with your family. You're supposed to be safe and human."

He sounded almost angry and before I had realized it, he had started pacing the beach. He quickly wore a path, his feet knocking aside rocks.

I only stood where I was, still mostly submerged in the water. Though I couldn't help raising an eyebrow at his behavior, even as a small smile tugged at my lips. I didn't understand his reaction and because of that, it seemed almost comical.

This was not how I had expected this meeting to go. To be fair, this reaction was better than the hissing and growling I had imagined.

Suddenly, he stopped, golden eyes flickering back to me. "How long?" His voice was hesitant this time, almost as if he was afraid of the answer.

It did nothing more than confuse me. Why did any of this matter to him, especially when we had only ever had one class together. "How long have I been a vampire?" I clarified.

He nodded.

"Three months, I think." Part of my mind was already calculating how many days, although without knowing the actual date, I couldn't be certain.

He swore. And then went back to pacing.

Annoyance raced through me as I started scowling. His behavior, I didn't like it.

I had come here wanting to find answers and so far, I really hadn't gotten any. He knew me because he had been to Forks but that still didn't explain why he had chased after me in the first place. It didn't explain why he had come back to this cliff three nights in a row and it definitely did not explain his behavior now.

Why was he so angry that I was here? Why did he care how long I had been a vampire?

Was it simply because he had met me when I was a human or was there something more to it? There were too many questions that had been brought up by this meeting and only one that had been answered. Not to mention the only answer I had gotten was even half-assed.

Well, I guess it's about time to change that. I opened my mouth, just about to start listing off my own questions when a sound interrupted.

I titled my head, trying to catch details as it slowly grew louder. Vehicles. Two of them by the sound of the engines. Music playing, probably from a radio. A yell followed, one of excitement and slight intoxication. The worst part was that the noise was coming this way.

I slunk deeper into the water upon this realization, my noise just skimming the surface.

Edward's own eyes flew wide before they were suddenly trained on me, an intensity there that was surprising. "Wait, come with me. I can bring you to my family."

I shook my head, not even having to think about the answer. I couldn't remember how many there had been, but I knew there would be more of the Cullens than there were of me. Those were odds I wasn't willing to take, even if Edward hadn't made a move against me.

He huffed at my answer, tensing slightly. "Look, will you at least meet me here tomorrow?"

My eyes narrowed, though this time I didn't answer. I really wasn't liking his tone. Even now, a hiss was slowly growing in my chest, fueled by the irritation he was causing.

Headlights flashed in the distance, growing closer with each passing second.

"Please?"
"Maybe," I hissed out, raising my head enough so that my lips were no longer submerged.

He paused for just a fraction of a second before he broke out into a grin. He looked far too happy and I had to wonder why my answer would cause that reaction.

One of the engines revved, too close. It was time to leave.

I ducked into the water, already pushing myself back into the depths of the ocean. I could feel his mind hesitate, hovering for a minute before he disappeared, back to his home, his family, as he had said.

For a second, there was a twinge of longing in my chest. Family. It was something I hadn't had in a while and something I hadn't come across at all in this life. Maybe I should have gone with him.

I quickly shook my head, pushing the doubt away. I wouldn't spend my time second guessing myself. Instead, I would simply focus on what questions I wanted answer first.

If I was going to meet him again tomorrow, I would have answers.