As I always state: The following characters and reference to Twilight, New Moon or Eclipse is property of Stephenie Meyer.

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" So, Carlisle, what do you think?" Edward asked, looking to his father figure. I was sitting on the dining room table in shorts and a tank top, despite the arctic air outside. At least, that's what this morning's newspaper claimed.

" Bella's power is unlike any I've come across. She can absorb the abilities of any vampire she touches and use them at her own will it seems. However, if she doesn't use them after some time they'll simply disappear, become dormant it seems, until she touches that person again." Carlisle explained, looking to me now.

" So, if I touch Edward, and then don't read anyone's mind for the day, let's say, then the power will just go away until he touches me again?" I asked to make sure I had my facts straight.

" That's exactly right."

" But, why? Why do I have this for a power?" I began thinking of when we all were in Volterra and Aro seemed so... fascinated by me becoming a vampire because of my abilities. But, in Edward, Alice and Jasper's case, their abilities were connected with their human selves. What connection did absorbing other's powers have to do with my human life?

" I can't answer that Bella. I do not have any special abilities of my own so I can not help you with that question. It could very well be linked to your former life as a human or what may become of you." Carlisle smiled lightly at me.

I sighed. I knew Carlisle wouldn't have all the answers to my questions, but I can't doubt I would have liked a little more information. But, what exactly did he mean by what may become of me?

" Anyway, you all might want to get off to school." Carlisle's eyes flashed to the clock.

" Alright then. Thanks Carlisle." I said, leaping down off the table. I was then swept off my feet by Edward as he rushed up to our room, giving me a kiss before letting me down.

' Do you know how much I love you?'

" As much as I love you?"

" Bet I love you more."

" Fine! I'll take you up on that bet!" It was still a little strange, answering his thoughts with words. I then hoped I wouldn't slip up at school and look like a case who just escaped from the asylum. Edward kissed me again and finally spoke aloud.

" Alright, now go get dressed." He instructed.

" Yes sir!" I gave him a playful military salute as I sauntered off to the closet, picking out only a simple combination of jeans and a sweater for the day. I rejoined Edward as we departed in the R8 for school.

We attended school as always and that's how things seemed to flow over the next three months. Carson Saunders, who I found out was the boy haunting me from Biology, continuously eyed me with glares and suspicious glances. It began to worry me what he was thinking, because it seemed he knew what I was and, now, what I could do. Before each Biology class I'd give Edward a quick kiss, receiving his abilities to sift through a person's mind and, now more then ever, I had sympathy and respect for him. It was so dizzying and confusing, hearing all those bits and pieces of chattering thoughts. Edward assured me it got easier and it was slowly doing so. Now I could instinctively pick out the minds of my family, though I often left them to their thoughts, as well as Carson.

Every time I read Carson's mind though, it got me more worried. He'd be thinking about different murder cases, ones where corpses were left untidy. Ones where the neck or spine was broken. Ones where a mass amount of blood was seeped from the victim as if they were attacked by a giant leech.

A leech...

I tried to ignore his thoughts as often as I could. What really got to me was his piercing coal-black eyes. Eyes that smoldered with hate. Eyes that were colder than myself. Eyes that entrapped me and placed me back in Washington, in La Push. However, I pulled out of his gaze more easily nowadays as my past was beginning to fade away more easily.

" Guess what!" Alice brought me out of my own tangled thoughts, bobbing in her seat, at lunch one afternoon.

Edward smirked. I groaned.

" It's going to snow! And the whole school is going to have off which means--"

" Family snow war!" Emmett announced proudly. He and Jasper grinned at each other and Edward as well.

For once I thought Rosalie and I would be on the same wavelength. However, she looked just as excited as the boys. Alice was nothing less but ecstatic. I, however, was not so happy.

" I can't believe you all are getting so worked up over... Snow... It's cold and wet." I stated, though, I knew neither factor really applied to me anymore.

" Oh, come on Bella!" Emmett was grinning like a grizzly. " It will be fun!"

" You thought baseball was going to be fun a few years ago, remember?" I shot back, surprised by myself as was my family. Even Rosalie was shocked. " Sorry Emmett." I felt strange as hostility began to sweep over me. Edward began to say something but stopped short. My entire family became tense and I instantly knew why. Carson.

He was standing at the end of our table, looking at us all with disgust and loathing. He then shot his hate-filled eyes to me.

" Isabella Hale, right?" He asked, voice like acid.

" Bella Hale." Edward corrected, but Carson just ignored him.

" Can I talk to you? Privately?"

I looked to Edward who, obviously, didn't want me to go.

" I'll be right back." I assured not only him, but everyone else as well. Alice and Jasper both graced my hand, too quick for Carson to see, as I got up from my chair and followed Carson outside the cafeteria and into the corridor with empty classrooms lining either side. " So, Carson, what's so private you can't address it with my family around?"

" I need to warn you, Bella." His entire tone had changed. I felt the emotional change and heard in his mind as he went from loathing to anxious, worried. I tired his mind for answers and clues as to what he was getting at before he got it, but his thoughts were so jumbled it was too in-cohesive and began to give me a headache. That is, if a vampire can even get a headache.

" Warn me? About what?" I questioned, truly oblivious. I tried seeing into the future for a brief moment, but it was useless as well.

" Someone... Someone is coming for you."

" Carson, what are you talking about? Who is coming for me? How could you even know this?" I began to wonder if he was stalking me.

" Well, it's not really someone I guess... It's your past, Bella. Your past is coming back for you. Though, of course, that does involve someone one way or another."

" Carson!" My calling his name interrupted his babbling, causing him to jump. " Can you at least tell me who is coming for me?"

" The thing is Bella, you already know." Carson replied, looking at me, straight on, deadlocked, with his eyes. I tried to receive the message hidden in them. I didn't bother reading his mind or looking into the future, because I sought them useless with his scrambling and indecisive thoughts.

" Carson, you're not making any sense!" I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger, a habit picked up from Edward. As I opened my eyes, I meant to look at Carson with a glare. He was gone. As if out of thin air, he disappeared. " Carson?" I called, but received no answer. Not even bothering to stay in the range of human normality I rushed back inside the cafeteria, scanning every mind for trace or thought of Carson. No luck. I returned to the table with my family. Alice was coming out of a vision as I sat down. I was too infuriated and confused to look into her mind.

" How much has Alice filled you all in?" I asked, taking full use of my vampiric abilities and speaking to quickly and low for a human standing right beside me to decipher.

" Carson told you someone from your past was coming for you. But, wouldn't tell you who. Alice is looking into details now for us. " Edward assured me, arm locked around my waist.

" I hate humans..." I muttered, purely loathing Carson at that moment.

" Bella, you need to calm down." Jasper said through clenched teeth.

" Sorry." I sent a wave of calm through myself. " I'm just really aggravated after all that. I thought he was finally going to tell me why he hates me! And then he goes and tell me that?"

" Well, I've got nothing. Just us playing a very good few games on Friday." Alice assured us all. I sighed, in the mood to hit something. I realized how out of character I was, wanting to use violence as a solution to a current problem. I put my head down for the remainder of lunch as thoughts whirled in my head, none leading to either Carson or an answer. The bell rang as well all departed as one and departed separately, just as always.

The rest of the week didn't fare very well either. Carson wasn't in school and he apparently didn't have many friends, for when I scanned minds in search of any sign of him, nothing came about. As Friday drew closer, Alice and Emmett began to get more jittery, which, I can assure anyone, is not very good. I, however, was dreading what Friday would bring. Ever since my discussion with Carson, I had a ominous feeling about Friday and as the days closed in on it, the feeling became stronger.

Edward assured me it was nothing, as did Esme who saw that I was struggling.

" Everything will be alright, Bella." Her palm was gentle, as was her motherly nature, as she touched my cheek. I could only sigh and nod in reply. Despite all my family was telling me, I just couldn't grasp it. My mind was tangled, moreso then ever now. After all, who would hunt me down? Who even thought I was still alive anymore? After all, it was drawing close to a year since I gave any notice to Charlie of my existence. After all, I was sure the fake letter Carlisle had sent out from Dartmouth, saying I had " perished in a horrendous vehicle accident" and that my body simply burned in the blaze the friction of the cars and gasoline produced had made things clear. (( Alice assured me Emmett wrote it when I heard of it's contents. ))

Even so, Carson's words were still bound in mystery and it was becoming more and more of an enigma every day.

Well, I hope I gave you all a nice little insight to Carson here. I'm also very sorry that it has taken so long to post this chapter. I've been on somewhat of a writer's hiatus for some time as life has been hectic lately. I've also had a pretty good dose of writer's block as well. The little vampire girl, whose name I will reveal here as Elizabeth Masterson, (( hint think of Edward and try to make a connection with her to him... PM or comment with any ideas!!! )) will be coming into play and have a very nice role in the next few chapters. Also, I'd love to hear about any ideas people are cooking up as to who Bella will be receiving a visit from. I'm sure some people think in is the possible obvious, but I may be pulling a red herring over you all. Watch out.

Anyway, I'd like to comment, quickly, that I am ECSTATIC about the choices for the Cullen family. Are there a few adjustments I'd like? Yes, there are. However, I can see every Cullen in each actor/actress who has been decided and am counting down day by day for the movie. Yes, I am that much of a Twilight-tard.

Once again, I thank everyone who has commented, favorite-d and alerted this story. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I also want to let it be known that I'd be happy to hear any suggestions you, being the reader and audience I am trying to please, have. The factor of Bella picking Edward's Audi was a reader's suggestion, so, there you go!

Here's just one more note!!! (( I promise!!)) I will be accepting any requests from people who would like to see any chapter, section, or certain event in another character's point of view. The selections will be featured as extras at the end on the story.

Thank you everyone who was been and is taking part of this project!!

---- Katori