Chapter 9 – Hallucinations

I looked up, blinked a couple of times. It was a small girl, with dark brown hair, almost black, but no, she was not Victoria. My eyes have been playing tricks on me.

I watched this girl from the shadows, she was small, but she looked about a year or two younger than myself.

She was pretty, about my height, she looked so pale.

"You can come out you know. I know you're there." Her musical voice startled me.

I doubted she actually said it but stepped out anyways. She looked at me, with scarlet eyes.

A newborn. My mind raced, Victoria? I scented the air, nothing unusual. I looked at her again, her wavy brown hair framed her face, and her pale skin was etched with delicate freckles. She was so beautiful. Her lips were full, as mine were. Her eyes were wide, and frightened.

She had somewhat reminded me of what Jasper had described of the vampire that had changed him, her name was Nettie.

I took her hand, not knowing who she was. And poked it out into the sun that reached our feet. It sparkled, as mine did. She was scared, trembling with fear. She did not look like she was from these parts. Maybe Asian.

Maybe mixed. It was unsure. "Who are you?" I asked. Puzzled. What was she doing all the way up here?

"I don't know.." she replied, scratching the top of her palm. "I really don't. All I remember is fire. In my limbs, burning. Everything else—" she shook her head. "—is a blur."

I took her hand, she was only 15 or so. "Come, you must meet Carlisle and the family."

She cocked her head to one side, "How many are there?"

"Eight of us." I replied. Smoothly.

She nodded, and took my hand with no argument.

I raced back to the house, Alice was ready to greet us. As were the rest of the family.

I introduced them,

"This is Emmett and Rosalie, Alice and Jasper, Carlisle and Esme, and this is Edward. My name is Bella." She looked at us, she greeted us all.

Jasper look confused. Edward looked at me, he was the first to speak. "What is your name?"

"She doesn't know, I think we ought to give her one." I confided.

"Jasper thinks she looks similar to the girl he saw when he was changed. Her name was Nettie."

"Then it's settled, her name shall be Nettie." I said. She smiled.

"I like that name. It suits me in a way." Nettie smiled. "I'm a bit thirsty."

"Lets hunt." Emmett boomed.