Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight Saga, or any characters that Stephenie Meyer has created. However, I do own this story, so please do not re-post without permission.
Chapter Eight: Encounter
I ran for my life. I shot through the forest, knowing that if I didn't run faster than I had ever had in my life, it would not be a happy ending. I could see my house- my bedroom- and I knew I was just a few feet away from safety.
I didn't make it. I screamed in terror. My senses blackened out, but not before I could see the dark-haired figure that haunted my nightmare. His twisted grin frightened me more than my near fate. I could not see but I knew that his hands were at my throat… Very soon his venom will be spreading under my flesh.
I jumped out of bed. I regulated my breathing, feeling my heart jumping out at my chest. It was just a dream.
I was afraid to go back to bed. Anyways, it was 6:15, so I decided to prep for school five minutes early.
I briefly glanced in the mirror. I had noticed that lately I've been getting paler. I looked like a ghost. Carlisle has been telling me that it might be because I'm starting to stop aging. Immortality equals vampire, and vice versa.
I tied my hair back into a ponytail and washed my face. The cold water reminded me of last night- the cold air, the cold presence. I shivered, but couldn't help but notice the drastic difference of temperature of last night's and this morning's. It was just slightly warmer today, yet it was very evident.
I got changed, wearing simply a white t-shirt and dark wash skinny jeans. I pressed my face against the clear window, my nose and lips surfacing steam against the glass pane.
I could vividly remember most of the nightmare. I could remember the realistic chase, and the near death. While I knew the face, I didn't at the same time. I couldn't remember it anymore, but I knew that I'd seen it years ago.
I shook my head of the memory. Checking the alarm clock, I realized I had been lost in my thoughts for too long- it was 6:52 am.
I ran downstairs, for my breakfast, which was a stack of pancakes today. Strangely, no one greeted me as I walked into the kitchen. They were all huddled around the breakfast table. As I got closer, I realized that they were all focused on the newspaper, placed in the centre.
Being a multi-tasker, I carried my plate in my hands, ate the pancakes on the plate and craned my neck over Seattle Times, checking the headline. 'Many Are Missing', an under that, it was 'Police Continue Ongoing Investigation'. The article consisted of several pictures of victims. None of them had any physical resemblances to the others next to it, but you can't judge a book by a cover, right?
"It's only one. And they have been here for a few days by now," muttered Jasper, to everyone at the table.
"He- or she- is the one," said Carlisle, under his breath.
"What," I asked, sounding completely lost, "are you talking about?"
The entire coven turned to me, as if they just realized I was listening to the last part of their conversation. Dad turned to Mom, and I knew he had made up his mind while I was asleep. I hate how I miss out on so much due to my human needs. "She will not know."
Yeah, not 'she should not know', 'she will not know'. It sounds like I should, but they won't tell me for their own selfish, protective reasons. Like, am I that breakable, to not be able to know what everyone else knows?
"Am I not part of this family?" I spun around, and was about to leave when Rosalie interrupted.
"You're not safe," she simply said, and she knew my curiosity would stop me from leaving. "You're not safe in Seattle."
Mom hissed, and Dad growled. "Enough," he said. "She's got enough on her mind."
"I think I can handle one more thing," I said sarcastically. "Why, exactly, am I not safe?"
Dad scowled. He turned away. "Well?" I prompted.
Alice jumped at the silence. "Someone is after you."
"What?" I asked, in disbelief. "Who's after me?" Or, a better question, what's after me?
"Uh… well, we don't know," said Emmett. "We only know what Alice has seen."
"And I've seen nothing but you… dead," said Alice, who was frustrated, not knowing that she just told me something I couldn't have guessed before this conversation.
"Wait," I said, taking it in. "You saw me… in a vision. And dead…" Why was she miraculously able to see me when I just found out that I would be dying in a matter of time?
"Well, it still goes along with the theory. I've been dead before."
"So, what do we do now? How much time do I have 'til I die? I asked, exasperated.
Alice froze, her eyes zoning out. Jasper rubbed her back, soothingly. Dad turned to me. "A week," he said.
Well that's just great!
With a quick glance at the clock, Esme exclaimed, "Oh my, you all better get to school!"
"We're still going?"
Mom shrugged. "As long as we keep an eye on you for the next few days, we don't think anything can happen. We can still change Alice's vision," she said determinedly. It couldn't end that way. It couldn't.
Racing faster than the speed limit, we were able to get to school on time with only a second to spare. Stupid Tuesdays- these days just make the week longer.
As I passed by Megan on the way to my locker, we exchanged looks. Told her, she mouthed at me. I nodded, and walked over to take my books from the narrow shelf. I frightened myself to death looking into the locker mirror and realizing that Addison Dusk was looking over my shoulder.
"Aw, poor Nessie, all lonely by herself," she cooed in a baby-like way. It sounded like "aw pwoor Nwessie, all wonely by hershelf". That was an insult? At least I don't make 'friends' by gluing fake body parts onto myself. How pathetic…
"Leave me alone Addison, or else…" I stopped short before I could add "rip your head off, suck out your insides, and burn whatever plastic's left", because I was raised up right.
"Ooh, your weak, empty threats are getting to me!" she feigned, with sarcasm. With a spin and a hair toss, the evil witch was gone.
I rolled my eyes. If only she knew what I was capable of…
I grabbed the books from my locker and headed off to my first class.
Author's Note: Hey, thanks for reading! Right now, I'm kind of pissed off at Document Manager because it deleted my AN when I saved it here. It's not really all that important, of course, but I kind of feel like I'm forgetting something... I hope you guys are still reading this story- sometimes I feel as if I'm rushing through everything that happens to Nessie, yet dragging out those pointless days in her life at the same time. What do you think? Please review when you get the chance. I don't mind (constructive) criticism. :) Sincerely Amanda.
