Chapter Eleven: Bree

AN: Who was the surviving newborn? Here is her story.

Bree Tanner POV

'I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!' I panicked, the phrase running through my mind like a mantra. 'Dead, they're all dead! I don't want to do this, I don't want to fight!' I backed against the invisible barrier, frantically begging them not to touch me. I hadn't touched anyone since I woke up as this monster. Except for one person, and he had dropped like a rock. Riley was insanely pleased while I had freaked. Everyone'd given me a wide birth after that.

I remembered my human life all too well. My husband had beaten me repeatedly, but as soon as I filed for divorce, he'd thrown himself down the stairs and hired a fancy lawyer with money he pulled out of his ass. I lost everything except the house, and the stress had caused me to have a miscarriage; the baby I'd been hiding was gone too. Then one night my ex husband had tied me to the bed and lit the house on fire, with me still in it. I barely escaped.

I turned to drugs and prostitution, living out on the streets and allowing dirty men to touch me for their own sick pleasure. And now I was going to die by the hands of these two men, I was sure of it.

Suddenly, a wave of energy washed over me and the two males hit an invisible barrier, IO curled up, thankful the shield had chosen to be merciful. Then one seemed to regain a bit of his sanity and spoke.

"What is it, my mate?" He asked curiously.

"She has a gift," The taller girl spoke. "She has no control over it yet, but she drains the energy of anything she touches, and can strengthen others as well. If you touch her, you'll pass out for a few hours. Besides, can't you feel her emotions, her innocence? She doesn't want to fight; she was planning on running away from the others when they set off to attack us."

How did she know that? The slightly sane one looked at me with something like mercy in his eyes… maybe pity? Was it empathy, perhaps? I wasn't sure.

As if on an unspoken command, the sanity fully returned to all their eyes as the one who spoke to save me left. I panicked slightly, would they hurt me now that she was gone? A wave of serenity and cool confidence washed over me.

"We won't hurt you," The blonde scarred one assured me. It was impossible not to believe him. "This is Peter," He pointed to the stocky, scarred brunette. "And his mate Charlotte," He gestured to the less scarred female that seemed the least intimidating of the three, her form very slight and delicate. "I'm Jasper. We want to help you, trust us," He spoke gently, such a stark contrast to his previously feral demeanor. "What is your name, ma'am?"

"Bree; Bree Tanner," I stuttered uncertainly. Charlotte smiled gently.

"Well, Bree," She began in a tone that matched her expression. "We'd better go home and get you cleaned up. A hot shower sounds good about now, doesn't it?"

I relaxed further and smiled genuinely. "I'd like that."