Chapter 10

With my arm securely reattached (which hurt like a mother, thank you for asking), I stumbled back to the Cullen's house and hid away on the roof until it got dark. I was feeling sorry for myself, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Leah was actually doing me a favor. Had I made it into town, and more than likely killed one of the innocent Forksers (or whatever you call them) and the whole pack plus the Cullens would be on my ass.

Alice jumped on the roof and walked over to me. She was smiling at me and looked kind of concerned. "Are you all right," she said. "What happened?"

"I just got my arm ripped off."

She laughed and patted me on my shoulder. "I see you've managed to reattach it without any difficulty. I wish you would have waited for me to come back."

I shrugged.

"I know that you're pretty much of a loner, but in order for you to survive, you've got to ask for help at least until you're ready to be on your own again. We really do just want to help you."

"Why are you bothering with me?" I asked sullenly.

"Because we think you're worth saving. Look, I know we look like the goody two-shoes of the vampire world and that probably gets on your nerves, but look at it this way; none of us chose this life. I didn't and I'm pretty sure you didn't either; we're just trying to make the best of it. "

That was for sure. Becoming a vampire was about one billionth on my wish list, right after being torn limb from limb. Check, check.

"I don't like animal blood," I confessed. "I want human blood. Have you ever tasted human blood?"

She smiled. "Of course I have. But it's a priority thing with me."

"What if I just feed on bad guys?"

She laughed again. "Oh, the superhero complex, of course, we've all gone through that; more recently Jasper. You really should talk to him. He's had the hardest time adjusting. Me? I knew it was coming so it was easier for me. I think it's wonderful that you don't want to hurt humans; that's a good start."

"Did you see me kill someone? In your vision, I mean."

She looked frustrated. "No. I didn't. The first scenario I saw was you inside a restaurant picking up a girl. Her name was Lauren. You're very charming when you want to be," she added.

"First scenario? There was more than one vision?"

She nodded. "The second one brought me back here. You were on your way to town and you just disappeared. You must have met up with the werewolves."

"You could say that," I said.

"They could have easily killed you," she said frankly.

"No shit. But she didn't. Maybe it was bad enough she tore my arm off, but she had me pinned down and it would have been so easy for her to bite my head off."

"Hmm," Alice said she absently patted my shoulder again. "Leah? Are you sure it was her?"

I nodded. "I've seen her before, in both forms, actually. She's pretty hot for a stinking werewolf."

Alice laughed. "Focus," she admonished playfully. "Wow that surprises me. Leah hates us and she seems to be looking for a reason to attack. Sam has to keep a tight leash on her." She grinned. "No pun intended."

We laughed together. I felt a little better; it sure did give me a lot to think about. Alice stood up and reached out her hand for me.

"Are you coming?"

I nodded and took her hand. "Tell me more about this Lauren babe," I said as we jumped from the roof. Alice's laughter filled the night.

The rest of them were waiting for us in their beautiful but useless dining room. It wasn't like a Carlisle-at-the-head-of-the-table I-am-head-vampire scene, but he did take the head spot. Esme sat next to him with the others rounding out the table. I was surprised to see Edward sitting next to Emmett; I was sure he was going to keep Bella as far away from the dangerous killer vampire (that would be me) as possible. His face was absolutely smooth and I couldn't even begin to imagine what he was thinking.

Apparently, he knew exactly what I was thinking because he said, "She's safe."

"Good," I said. "It's good you took her away. I can't help wanting her because that's what they pushed on us, day after day. Kill her, destroy her. I'm sorry, Edward."

He tensed up, but struggled to regain his composure. He still didn't like me, but he wasn't trying to be antagonistic.

"Jasper says you are maturing very well," Carlisle said, bringing the conversation back to why they called the meeting in the first place. "He told us your idea about going into town and trying human contact. While I don't think it's wise, we're not going to stop you."

"Would you consider taking one of us with you?" Esme asked.

"Yeah, I'd prefer that. I don't intend to run down there by myself," I said. Edward snorted. Oh yeah, the mind reader. Oops. Better have purer thoughts. He smiled again.

"Leah? Really?" Edward said, astonished.

Alice nodded.

"Well, well," he said looking at me.

"What?" Carlisle asked.

"Apparently Fred got attacked by the werewolves, well one of them."

Everyone at the table looked at me in surprise. "Leah didn't kill him?" Emmett said, astounded. "No way! Wow, dude, she must like you."

"No, she doesn't," I said quickly. "She was just teaching me a lesson. I assure you, she doesn't like me at all. In fact she made that quite clear."

"Well, for whatever reason, you are extremely lucky," Carlisle said.

"Yeah," I agreed. But I had no idea why.

So they talked about it and talked about it some more. They finally decided that Jasper and Alice would take me to Port Angeles just to see if I could resist killing off the population. They could not bear to let me loose in Forks.

There was an enormous uproar when the werewolves found out I would be unleashed on a population. Jeez, can't anyone keep a secret around this place? Sam insisted that some of his pack follow me to make sure I didn't bust away from the vampires and go on a killing spree. And naturally he picked Leah and her little brother Seth to go. I don't know who was more annoyingly excited: me or Leah.

She acted all upset, but I bet that she wasn't as pissed off about the deal as she pretended. Seth was excited to be doing anything with his friends the vampires. For some strange reason, he and Edward were all chummy. He took his assignment with great seriousness, except that he was stoked to be running with the vampires. He was basically a little kid. He was always jumping and running around; kind of reminded me of a puppy I used to have. Leah snapped at him several times, but I think she was just trying to prove how put out she was at having to follow our caravan.

"I don't see why I have to go," whined Leah. "I don't care who the bloodsucker kills or doesn't kill in Port Angeles."

"We appreciate your help with this," Jasper said gravely. "It's important that we keep a close eye on Fred."

"I think it's a bit of overkill," I said under my breath. "Jeez. Why not put me in a dark room and throw a couple of vestal virgins in? One way or another I'll have a good time."

Absolutely no one laughed at my feeble attempt at lighting up the situation. Jasper, Alice and Seth growled at me.

After several seconds passed, Leah threw her head back and laughed.