Title: Stranger

Pairing: Jasper/ Alice

Date: 12/19/08

POV: Alice

Words: 646

--------

My body felt hot, it was like a million sharp knives were digging deeply into my tender flesh, penetrating throughout my body. I had forgotten how long it has been, it was as if time stopped, and for the rest of eternity I will remain here and rot. The never dying flames roared day and night, rising to the sky, sending sparks flying. I couldn't feel anything anymore; my body didn't seem to belong to me. I prayed, I wanted my misery to end so badly, and above all else I wanted to see him before I turn to ashes that stain the ground with black. But, god must have forgiven me for my many sins. The burning slowly disappeared and faded into white. I had found myself once again. The burning sensation eventually turned to an end, and after what seemed like forever, I opened my sore eyes to take in the image of a new world. Everything was so clear. I could even make out the tiny dust particles that drifted down from the high ceiling. I admired my surroundings. It was as though I'd never really looked beyond my tiny world, to see something entirely new.

"Alice?" The musical voice whispered to me, it was filled with different emotions, joy, regret and relief.

He was there, waiting for me… Exactly as I remembered him, a flawless painting created by a famous artist as the face of an angel. I spun off the stretcher so fast that the room would spin in circles around me, but my feet were firmly planted on the ground, supporting me up. My arms were out stretched in front of me. I wanted to embrace him, to have him in my arms again, to feel his cool breath brushing across my skin bringing me unthinkable pleasure. He hesitantly moved towards me, careful not to startle me with any sudden movements. Inhaling a sharp breath he approached me, until our chests were almost touching. His eyes were full of unbearable pain. I could see the fierce anger seeping through the glassy surface.

"I turned you into something as hateful as I am. I'll understand if you hate me for this. " He said in a shaken voice, as he brushed his hand against my face. It wasn't cold for once, and it was felt just right.

"What are you talking about?!" I immediately demanded him, begging him to answer me, to tell me that he was wrong. My voice sounded so different, like wind chimes, dancing in the wind. Then, I saw my reflection in his sorrowful eyes, and everything shattered around me. I saw a complete stranger, that wasn't me… She was fluid even in stillness. Her face pale as the moon, thin in extreme. She had soft fringes of black hair that surrounded her beautiful face like a halo. But, her eyes, her crimson eyes that were like two pools of blood, gazed menacingly back at me. The wind got knocked out of me, as I fell to my knees; I had no fire left in me.

"What am I?" I nearly screamed. The stranger was still there facing me, mimicking my every movement. Before I could escape, Jasper dropped down to my height, and snaked his long, strong arms around me, preventing me from moving. He ran his hands through my hair, murmuring to me in his gentle voice, reassuring me that it was going to be alright. But, how can it be okay if I was a disgusting, filthy monster? The Alice that I once knew was eaten by the other, and now I was reborn as the very person I was frightened of the most. That dream, that fading dream, will haunt me forever, for as long as I'll live…