"We're all lucky we found each other. None of us have ever really had a family before. Daniel and Lily found Nick, then Alex showed up, Nick found me, then I brought Darren home like the lost puppy he is, then finally Millie. We are all running from something, so we all get each other." She said thoughtfully.

"Really, what are you running from?" I asked curiously watching different emotions play across her face.

Chapter 10-Secrets

Maddi's POV

I looked up nervously into the eyes of the vampire in front of me. His copper hair slightly disheveled and his peculiar golden colored eyes watching me expectantly. He could read minds so naturally, as soon as I had figured that out, I tried my best to keep him out of my subconscious. Just like I was doing now. I was good at keeping a thick mental barrier up, something I had learned around someone with a similar power.

I was mentally kicking myself. How could I have slipped up so badly? Why had I said that? I knew why, because it was so easy to be honest with him. I had let my guard down around him, even though only for a moment. Why did I do that? I never let my guard down, ever. It was a learned skill, a survival instinct picked up and used even in my human life. Sure, I wasn't as guarded around my family, but the wall was still there blocking them from the secrets I kept hidden so well. Not with Edward though, I had only known him for about five and a half hours but, something inside told me he was safe. Something told me that he was the one person who would understand and try to help. Something told me that we were twins and that's why I felt this way. I really wish that something would shut up.

I couldn't tell him anything. I couldn't let him break the wall. And I couldn't under any circumstances let him in. I couldn't let any one in, completely. I didn't want him to know who I was or what I had done. Who I had hurt. The monster I was. I couldn't because if this vampire truly was who he says he is, he would run away in disgust from me if he knew. And that something inside me told me that I didn't want that.

"Why are you blocking me?" he asked dragging me out of my thoughts. I looked up at him. I could definitely see the resemblance between us. I still didn't believe the twin theory, though.

"I'm trying to think about how to answer your question." I answered, way to honestly, again. What was with me today?

"Interesting. How about starting from the beginning. How were you changed?" He asked. Curiosity layered his voice, like he was completely interested in my answer.

"Its not a very happy story." I began, more of a warning than a statement.

He nodded. "Not many stories about how people were changed are completely euphoric.", he said, humor and sarcasm coating his tone. I smiled, if only he knew.

"I'm not going to tell you." I watched his pale lips slip into a questioning frown. I smiled and added, "Well, not out loud any way." His face went back to the calm smile and curious eyes combination.

I was walking back to the orphanage. I was a few months away from being free of that hell hole. I decided to cut down an ally so I could get home faster. It was a dark ally that screamed 'stay away from me!' but I knew how to take care of myself so I kept walking. I didn't hear or see anything but, before I knew what was going on I was on the ground. I didn't even have time to scream. There was someone pinning me too the ground but I couldn't see who it was because there wasn't enough light in the ally. I tried my best to fight the person off but, it wasn't enough. I was picked up from the ground and then we were flying. I was terrified but still exhilarated, all at the same time. Before I knew it trees were passing by in a green haze. We stopped and he carried me into a small cabin. He set me down on a small worn out couch, after he had closed and locked the door. When he turned on the three lanterns hang from the wooden ceiling I got my first glimpse of him. He was dressed in all black and had long black hair. This contrasted with his ghost white face. Then I looked at his eyes and they were a terrifying deep red color. The scream that would have been useful about 5 minutes before, came to the surface. He ran, flew over to where I sat, frozen and screaming on the couch.

He placed an ice cold hand over my mouth, cutting off my scream. He smiled a sickly sweet smile at me and in a voice that matched his smile he said, "Stop screaming Madeline no one can hear you." Then he slowly removed his pale hand and waited to see how and if I would respond.

When I finally found my voice it came out in a cold, hard threat, "Let me go."

He turned to me and arched one of his eyebrows. "You're threatening me? Little girl you have no idea who you are dealing with." His voice was still slick and sickly sweet like honey but, his eyes were showing me some different emotions. Malice and dead set dettermination.

He moved me before I could fight him off. He laid me down on the lumpy couch that smelt of dust and rot. I kicked and tried to dig my nails into his icy skin but it was no use, it was as like he was made of stone. Then he did something I never expected him to do, he leant down and at first I thought he was going to kiss my neck. Instead, I felt a stab of pain start at the base of my neck, then run through my entire body and then everything went black. Until I felt the white hot burning spread through me, it felt as though I was burning from the inside out. I heard a familiar scream but, it sounded far away like I was listening from underwater.

I looked up at Edward who was leaning slightly over the table looking up at me with a shell shocked look on his face. He had hung on every one of my unspoken words.

I laughed humorlessly, "I told you." I wondered when he would mention something about my attacker. To my surprise he didn't.

"Wow, that's umm… ." he stumbled over his words. "So what happened when you woke up?" he asked in a curious whisper.

I hesitated, I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him that part yet. Thankfully someone cleared their throat.

"Sorry to interrupt your little weird fest, but we kinda need to practice." Alex said with a mock annoyed face. As always he was completely oblivious to the tense and serious atmosphere that surrounded my supposed twin and I.

I looked over at Edward who looked slightly irritated that my story had been interrupted, beneath that irritation he looked thoughtful and slightly angry. Hmm, I wonder why he looked angry. It wouldn't be long until he said something about my attacker. I had tried my best to block out his face and just describe it, but Edward was smart and he would eventually figure it out.

"Come on Maddi." Alex said when I didn't move.

I looked back over at Edward who's thoughtful look was turning into one of realization and I decided that it was time to move. "I'm coming." I mumbled. I got up and took on last glance in Edward's direction and he was frozen in what looked like thoughtful fear and the anger was slightly more prominent. His face also showed another emotion and it reminded me of the expression Alex, Nick, or Darren wore any time a guy even looked in my direction. It amazed me that no one else seemed to notice.

I hopped up onto the wooden stage, soundlessly and walked over to my place in the middle of the stage. Darren threw me my vintage black guitar and I caught it with ease. I slung the strap over my shoulder and it fit comfortably, just like it always did. I tried not to look at him but I felt his eyes burning holes into my forehead.

Millie had flounced off of the stage and took my seat next to Edward. If I didn't have the ability to read his mind, I would have flew over to her and gotten her away from Edward. His thoughts were in a haze, which consisted of confusion, shock, and anger. This could only mean one thing, he knew who changed me.

"Hello? Earth to Maddi, come in Maddi." Nick was staring at me. "Are you okay kid? You seem like your in a daze."

"Umm.. sorry I was just thinking." I answered with my lame half-truth.

"Thinking, huh? You looked like someone was sucking your brain out." said an all to familiar obnoxious voice coming from behind me.

I whirled around to glare at the boy behind the drum set. "You would know, since that's how you lost your brain- Oh! Wait." I said feigning innocent realization, "I forgot you were born without one." I heard Darren laugh beside me and Alex stuck out his tongue at both of us. I rolled me eyes, "Nice comeback."

I turned back around to glance at Edward. His face was no longer twisted with anger and shock it was a serene mask of eerie calm. Which scared me more than the other expression had. He was staring off into space and he was blocking his thoughts from me. He was pretty good at it for someone who never had to block their thoughts from anyone. Millie was looking at him with a confused expression. She was young, but she was far from dumb. Of course, I couldn't say the same for Nick, Darren, and Alex. They were still completely oblivious to Edward's sudden change in mood.

"Are we gonna practice or not?" Alex asked changing the subject.

We all got into our usual places and began to play. I waited for my cue to start strumming my guitar. I played numbly until I started to sing. I put all the emotion of the day into the song I had sung so many times before. It sounded completely different then it ever had which was what usually happened when I sang a song. I could sing the same song over and over for the rest of my life and it would always sound different because my moods were always changing and that effected my music.

Edward was know staring at me with an amused expression and I was relieved that he was going back to his usually happy disposition. Millie was staring up at me with the proud, calm, and happy expression she always wore when she heard me sing. It was probably because I sang to her every night to help her fall asleep.

Edward was smiling my, our, crooked smile but it didn't reach his eyes. I felt his feelings as if they were my own and I wanted to make him smile, really smile.

When the song ended and I flew to the door that lead to the tiny room where we kept our instruments. I put my black guitar in its case and ran with unearthly speed towards the table where Millie and Edward sat. I lifted Millie up into my arms and sat down. Alex, Nick, and Darren all looked at me with obvious confusion and slight amusement.

"I guess that's it for practice today guys. Our lead singer has just bailed on us." Darren said looking at me. I smiled back innocently.

"Yeah I guess so." Nick said looking at me, slight worry in his eyes. My smile turned into a reassuring one as I looked at him.

"Come on lets put away this stuff so Daniel can open." After they all looked suspiciously at me on last time and then proceeded to bring the instruments into the little storage room.

I glanced over at Edward for the first time since I had sat down. He was still wearing the calm mask but I could see through it. He was still angry and protective and confused.

You're going to explain. It was a statement not a question.

Yes, but not now and not here. He nodded.

I looked down at the little girl in my arms. She was looking between Edward and me suspiciously, she knew she was being left out of something. Just then, doing what she does best, Lucy came bounding out from the door behind the bar. She skipped right over to us and sat down in a chair at the table. Edward, Millie, and I looked at her expectantly.

"So, are you two ready to have some fun?" she asked excitedly, referring to the many vampires that would be arriving shortly to dance and socialize.

No. Edward and I thought simultaneously, but for different reasons. He was anxious and eager to get an explanation from me, to which I was not looking forward to giving him. I, well, I was just not in the mood.