Conversations with My Killer
Chapter 25 - Hide and Seek

Day thirty-two

Bella

I spelled my name in dirt and considered it from every angle. It looked perfectly fine on its own. Jasper said this was something we did together, but it didn't mean anything to me then or now. The fact that I liked to write my name in dirt wasn't exactly super secret spy shit. He could have seen me do it a thousand times.

Jasper

I scribbled his name next to mine. Nothing. I erased it with a sweep of my fingers and moved it to the top. Still nothing. I tried it beneath my name. There was no connection.

Thinking about the other things he mentioned didn't jog my memory either. He said he bought me sunflowers, but my image only showed a single flower. It wasn't in a bundle or resting in a vase. For all I knew, they were my favorite flower.

He said he pushed me off cliffs and dropped me off a roof. I was a disappointment. If that was the relationship we had, it was better for me that I didn't remember him. The only small connection I did make was that he had to be the blond man with the headband. It was the only thing that made sense.

Like the Cullens, this Jasper guy could twist information into any form he wanted. Just because someone knew something about me didn't mean I could trust them.

I shook my head and tried to erase him from my thoughts. I was far more interested in gathering facts. This was what brought me to one of the many towns where the Cullens had lived. The library was my one and only stop.

I dusted off my clothes and made my way into the building. There was a flurry of activity going on as they prepared for a book festival. They barely noticed me when I asked if they had any school yearbooks. The woman pointed out where I needed to go without even bothering to look up at me. Distracted humans were the best kind.

A couple minutes later, I was flipping through an old yearbook and hoping I would spot a picture or two of the Cullens. I found where they should have been in the class photos, but they were missing. Rosalie Hale and Emmett Masen were both listed as being not pictured. A couple page flips took me to Edward's class. Like his siblings, he was absent on picture day.

This was when something caught my eye. An Alice Brandon was listed with Edward. I closed the book and let the name run through my head. It didn't ring a single bell other than Jasper having mentioned an Alice when I talked to him on the phone.

I cracked open the next book and saw the same name listed alongside Edward's. Like the previous year, they were not pictured.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, but I have to insist you put your shoes back on."

Come on, lady. I'm finally getting somewhere. "It's not like I'm turning pages with my toes."

"Shoes on, or you're out."

Was this a human thing? Why were covered feet so important? "I don't have shoes. You're lucky I'm wearing pants."

My honesty did not go over well. The librarian kicked me out and informed me that neither my smart mouth nor my bare feet were welcome.

To ease my hurt feelings, I followed her home. While she slept that night, I stole every pair of shoes I could find. Gluing them to the sidewalk leading to the library gave me an immense amount of satisfaction. I could have killed her, but this seemed way more fun.

Day forty-five

I was in another library looking through another batch of yearbooks. This time there could be no coincidence. An Alice Cullen was mentioned alongside Edward. Like before, there were no pictures of them or Rosalie and Emmett. More curious than that, I had yet to see a mention of Jasper.

The Cullens had a mystery daughter who attended school with the others, but why wasn't their third son also in school? Was he older than the others? Did he hate school? Why was he different?

Since I wasn't kicked out for a dress code violation, I was able to hang around a little longer. The investigator in me wanted more information. For the first time ever, I sought out a human for something other than blood. The one at the front desk seemed like the best bet.

I couldn't help but feel anxious about talking to her. I was a shark out of water in the human world. They were food I couldn't have, and I was the predator flopping around until I landed back in the environment where I belonged.

Nerves made my voice softer than usual. "Excuse me, ma'am. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions."

The woman turned to me with a smile. "Sure can."

"Have you ever heard of a Dr. Cullen?"

The smile quickly left and then reappeared. She reached for the phone and dialed a number. "You reminded me I need to make an appointment."

I didn't see how but whatever. "Glad I could help."

Her doctor's office needed to work on their people skills. "What?"

"This is Tammy Odom. I – uh - need to set up an appointment for tomorrow."

There was a long pause before the voice returned. "Four o'clock."

She glanced at her watch. "You can't get me in sooner."

"No."

She hung up the phone and gave me her full attention. Her teeth sparkled behind a forced grin. "I hate doctors."

We all hated something. "I don't like the smell of dead birds."

Her eyes took in every part of me in a very thorough inspection. It made me wonder if I forgot my pants again. I looked down. Nope. They were there. My other clothes were in place as well. I even had shoes on this time.

I tried again. "Dr. Cullen. He lived here about fifteen years ago. Four teenagers. A very pretty wife. Does any of that sound familiar?"

She shook her head and then nodded. "Five teenagers."

The information came to her quicker than I anticipated. "Five you say?"

"Emmett, Edward, and Alice Cullen. Rosalie and Jasper Hale."

Again, it was too fast and too easy. "Did you know them by chance?"

"I went to school with them."

Unless she graduated ten years late, there was no way. Warning alarms rang in my head. I needed to make a quick exit. "I've gotta go. Thanks for your help."

"No stay. I can tell you stories."

I kept a human pace while I walked toward the front door. "Another time."

The sound of clicking heels told me the woman was coming after me. "Edward was a track star. Alice was valedictorian."

Not possible. I knew from stories they told me that the family made a point of keeping a low profile. No one competed in athletic or academic competitions, and they always made sure to stay close to the top of the class but never number one.

She was a liar, and coming here was a mistake. If her phone call meant what I thought it did, I had thirty minutes to disappear.

Trees were my punching bag. I toppled a few of them, climbed others, and ran a few hundred miles. Nothing challenged me enough. I ended up jumping in a lake and let water slow me down. It took far more effort to swim than run. A few laps around a large body of water were just what the doctor ordered. I had to exhaust the negative energy coursing through me.

When my temper mellowed slightly, I threw myself onto the shore and glared at the tiny lights above me. Stupid stars. Hateful bitch of a moon. It was winking at me. I bet Jasper worshiped it. A dark cloud like him always preferred the night.

Not me. I wanted the midday sun. Its unforgiving presence killed shadows and frightened away the stars. Like everything else, he stole it from me.

How long before he found me again and tried to take what little I had left? How many of my plans would he anticipate in advance?

That sneaky bastard knew I would backtrack through the family's history. He knew I would end up in that town and probably that library. I was filled with an immeasurable amount of rage over his invasion of my life.

I had been considering trips to Washington and Florida to spy on my parents. He ruined that. Both Jacksonville and Forks were probably being watched.

I had avoided looking for information on Renee or Charlie for fear of what I might find. I knew there had to be articles about my disappearance and its effect on my parents. I didn't remember these people, but this didn't make me immune to the pain they felt at losing me. An article would create a connection I couldn't risk, especially now.

Today proved that Jasper knew me too well. My past. Our history. Everything. I had nothing, and he had everything. It wasn't enough that he killed me. He had to hunt me like an animal.

What gave him the right to steal my life? Surviving his attack shouldn't make me a target. If he did his job right the first time, he would have killed me when he had the chance. It was his fault he failed. He should hunt himself. Stupid jackass.

He almost caught me today. Did that make me disappointing again? I'd show him disappointment. It would come with lighter fluid and a flare gun.

Burn him. Kill him. Forget him.

Day eighty

Paradise was dry earth, an empty field, and the blazing sun. The only feeling better than a fresh kill was nature's heat.

My temporary hideaway was smack-dab in the middle of a large ranch. Cows outnumbered people, and the nearest road was caliche instead of pavement. It was a ten minute run from a small town that was little more than a bathroom break for the few travelers passing through the area. I was careful to keep the name out of my head. It was far better to be safe than sorry, especially now that I was playing my candle game again.

I had a theory about how the tracker located the family. My shield flickered with the candle. It was probably just enough time for our location to be revealed. Unfortunately for him, I knew how his ability worked. He had to have a read on someone before he could track them. Since there were no Cullens around to reveal my location, I was safe whether my shield was on or not. Knowing this meant I was free to play as often as I wanted.

And boy did I play. I practiced for hours every day. It wasn't long before I could snuff the candle out with ease. Once this was accomplished, I tried controlling the light output. The flame grew brighter and weaker depending on what I needed. I then moved up to multiple candles and snuffing them one at a time and as a group. Both still needed a great deal of work, but I was pleased with my progress.

All things considered, I thought I was doing great on my own. I talked more to cows than actual people, but this was a plus in my book. They didn't judge my lack of shoes or my habit of running naked through the pasture. They chewed their cud, mooed at their friends, and minded their own business. A more perfect group of companions couldn't possibly exist.

Jasper and the Cullens became little more than whispers in my head. Searching for answers almost got me caught once. I'd rather know nothing and stay free than know everything and live in a cage.

For the last month, I focused on training my mind and my body. My speed and power were inadequate. I wanted to run faster and jump greater distances. My fighting skills were subpar. I also tripped far more than any self-respecting vampire should. It wasn't that I lacked balance. My legs just didn't always work that well with my feet, especially when I reached higher speeds. By human standards, I was extraordinary. In the world I inhabited, I would probably be considered a joke.

Lucky for me, I was a vampire, which gave me excellent muscle memory. It took only a few repetitions for me to learn any skill. Because of this, I was able to work through a variety of footwork drills ranging from dancing to football. The cows laughed. I cheered.

I wasn't interested in obvious self-defense techniques. Those could come later. I was more concerned with being able to get my body to move fluidly and respond automatically. This wasn't something a vampire could do just by waking up with venom in their veins. It took practice. We had to know our strengths and weaknesses and work with both.

For example, I was not a great runner, but I could climb really well. I challenged anyone to take me on in a tree fight. I could maneuver like a monkey. It was really quite impressive. Of course, I didn't have anyone to compare it to other than Emmett. The other Cullens never played with me. Stuffy Edward and grumpy Rosalie were too busy flicking their hate boogers at the world. Snotty brats.

Emmett wasn't like them in the least. I should have gone back for him. If our roles were reversed that night, he would have done anything to help me. All I did was jump in an ocean and swim as far away from danger as I could.

Was he still alive? Had Jasper or the tracker killed him? If he was alive, would he understand why I abandoned him?

Knowing Emmett like I did, he was doing perfectly fine. If ever there was a man who could adjust to the world around him, it was my brother. He would also more than understand why I took off on him.

Somewhere he was sitting with our enemies and beaming with pride every time someone failed to capture me. Even if they offered him freedom, he would stay just in case they found me. And if his loyalty to this other sister, Alice, was half of what it was for me, he would stay for her.

This was who he was, and I abandoned him.

The truck stop I chose to make my phone call was in an ideal location. It was right off an interstate and close to another high traffic roadway. Escape would be easy. I could hitch a ride in one of the semis and not leave even a hint of a trail.

I typed in the number off a stolen phone card and then dialed Carlisle's cell phone. I was certain Jasper kept it on the off chance I tried to contact him.

Sure enough, he answered right away. "Where are you?"

"The moon. Take a shuttle up here and find me."

He sighed. I was aggravating. He was impossible. Together, we were probably intolerable.

A pleading voice stabbed at my heart. "Bella, if you'll tell me where you are, I promise I'll come alone. I won't force you to come back with me. I won't hurt you. I only want to see you. Is that too much too ask?"

Way too much. "What did you do with the family? Did you kill them?"

"Esme and Carlisle are in Alaska with the Denali clan. Emmett and Rosalie are with us. He refused my offer of freedom."

It was just as I thought. "And Edward?"

"For the moment, he's still alive, as is Rosalie. I can't promise they'll stay that way."

I was neither surprised nor bothered by that news. "Thank you for telling me. I should go now."

"Don't go. Talk to me."

I didn't have much to say. "Stop chasing me. I don't want to play hide and seek with you for the next century. It's stupid."

"I'm letting you run, Bella. I could have you back here with four words. I haven't said them because I want it to be your choice."

Jasper could use a hundred words. None of them would be good enough. I hung up the phone and hitchhiked north. Esme and Emmett were safe, and my conscience was clear.

Day one hundred thirty-four

I pushed open the door of the diner with a loud whoosh. Wind slammed it against a wall and drew the attention of everyone in the building. All eyes were on me as I headed for a booth at the back of the room.

I should have worn pants. My gray shirt was shorter than was probably appropriate. The rope belt I had hanging from my waist added nothing to my outfit. The grass and mud stains made it worse. I did have shoes on my feet. I stole them off a woman I killed several weeks ago. She also donated the aviator shades I used to hide my red eyes.

Not for the first time, I wished I took greater care with my appearance. I had avoided my reflection for three years. I couldn't have made a pretty sight. My hair was a mass of tangled waves. I hadn't been able to pull my fingers through it in a week. It needed a serious brushing.

Why am I here?

I was lonely, and I needed to work on my people skills. Cows could only say so much, and birds only talked about bugs and chicks. I needed voices. Human or vampire. I didn't care. I just needed to exchange words between myself and someone else. There were few opportunities where I could do this.

Talking to my food would lead to letting them go. My venom wasn't about to let that happen. Calling the only person I knew would lead to worse trouble. In the weeks since my last short phone call with Jasper, I was tempted to change my opinion of him. I rejected that idiotic notion as soon as I realized it was what he wanted. He was merciful with the Cullens to score points with me, or he could have lied about them. Either way, I didn't trust his motives.

I slid into the booth and slouched down. No one was talking. They were too busy looking at me.

A waitress appeared at my table. "What can I get you?"

"Water with lemon. Please."

My small, shaky voice made me sound battered and broken. I wasn't. The problem was my mouth never adjusted immediately to talking. I rarely spoke, and when I did, I sounded like a musical instrument. Trying for a more normal tone always made me sound like a scared puppy. I was a lion with a whimpering mouse voice.

The waitress crouched down next to me and lowered her voice. "We have a ladies room in back if you want to wash your face."

Her plastic tag told me her name was Patty. Red hair was pulled back with a white clip and covered by a net. She smelled like marigolds. It was not a pleasant scent. There was a reason those flowers were used to ward off mosquitoes. Considering my blood lust, it was oddly appropriate.

"How big is your flower garden?" I asked her.

The strange question didn't faze her. "Bigger than I need it to be. Flowers are addicting."

So was hot, sticky blood. "I know what you mean."

"I'll get that water for you."

Conversations began to pick up, and eyes pretended to look elsewhere. No one knew I could hear them clearly.

Do you think someone beat her up? Runaway. She sure is pretty. That shirt is indecent. Avert your eyes, young man. That girl is trouble. Who is she?

I pushed my sunglasses off my face and let them rest on my head like a crown. I was a shady princess. It fit.

The menu was comfort food and had me panting. Macaroni and cheese made me think of a heavyset blond woman I enjoyed a week ago. She was dressed in her Sunday best and had just returned home from church. She squeaked like a dog toy when she saw me in her kitchen.

I picked her house because I didn't see any children's toys in the yard. Delicate curtains said it was a female's home. I also noticed the peeling paint on her shutters. They didn't fit with the manicured lawn. She hired a gardener but didn't have the money to repaint her house. No roommates to help with bills. No kids to get in my way. Little bother. Big return.

Patty returned and set a glass down in front of me. "Have you decided?"

Food. People ate food. "Can I have another minute?"

"Sure."

Look at her hair. It's matted. Did you see those legs? She's on the run from something. I don't like her. Indecent. Trash. Drug addict.

I let the hurtful words fade and tried to imagine my candle. It was my security blanket. If I could control the flame, I could control my surroundings.

My well-trained mind brought forth the image with ease. I set it in the center of my menu. The Red Dash Range was one of only three places to eat in this small town. I should head to California where there was more variety. By day, I could swim in the Pacific and play chase with the sharks. By night, I could hunt the streets for under the radar targets. No one missed the unwanted.

Candle. Think about your candle. I smothered the flame. Tiny wisps of smoke scented the air as orange wax dripped onto the menu and puddled around the phone number. I curled the digits around with my mind and let them dance across the menu. Pretty.

I decided to order the mac and cheese. It would remind me of dead church lady. Her blood still warmed my body and coated my eyes. She swore the devil would get me. I laughed and told her he already had.

More Patty. "Figure it out?"

My voice was tranquil. "Just some macaroni and cheese."

For the next few hours, I picked at my food and sipped at the single glass of water. These were my attempts to appear normal. My only real interest was my candle. It was my friend, the only one I had.

I was lost in my head when someone placed a hand on my right shoulder. I flinched. No one touched me there. It didn't need to be said. It should be understood.

The marigold scent told me who the rule breaker was. "We're closing up in about fifteen minutes."

Don't kill her. She doesn't know any better.

I slipped her a fifty. "Thanks for telling me. I should probably get going."

There was an awkward pause. "Do you have a place to go?"

California beaches were calling my name. If I ran fast, I could be swimming in the ocean by sunrise. "Yes."

My appearance gave her the wrong idea. "If you need help, don't be afraid to ask."

I wasn't afraid of help. I just didn't need it. "I'm not a victim. Everything wrong with me, I did to myself."

Patty wasn't someone to pry too far in other people's business. She tested the waters and pulled back when she found it cold, but she still maintained her friendliness. "You should come back again. Try the meat loaf."

Large man with ruddy cheeks. Delicious. "I'll do that."

I left the diner and let the night take me.

Day one hundred thirty-six

I was luxuriating in my first official bath as a vampire. Soap suds foamed around me, and warm water lulled me into a relaxed state. I was a fool to pass up this luxury for so long.

It wasn't the reaction at the diner that brought me here. I did this all on my own. There was no excuse for neglecting my appearance. If I could work on my mind and body, I could damn sure take a minute to brush my hair and bathe every day. Not doing so was more of a stab at Edward than anything else, which was the same as cutting my nose off to spite my face.

Forget him.

I sang Britney Spears songs and let the water wash away my cares. I had very few that needed scrubbing. I was actually pretty happy with where I was going. I had roamed aimlessly for a while, but plans were forming in my head.

After stealing some clothes and robbing a few people, I would run back east to Patty's diner. The people seemed nice, if a little gossipy. Mostly I liked it because I was able to relax. I didn't jump every time the door opened. No one bothered me. The waitress was friendly. I liked it there.

If I was lucky, I could hang out for a few months and make a few friends. I would have to travel for my food, but that was no biggie. It was never wise to go on a killing spree in your adopted town. I did that down in Texas last month. It was sloppy.

I climbed out of the tub and wrapped a giant towel around me. Its softness was almost as good as the bath. I needed a home. A real home.

After searching through cabinets, I found a hairbrush. I wanted to work through my tangles before I risked looking in the mirror. The chore was easier than I deserved. My silky tresses released their tangles without a single hard tug. I credited the vampire in me. She was a lucky bitch.

Okay. Take a look. How bad can it be?

I saw my eyes first. The red didn't shock me like it had before. I even liked it. I understood now what I was and what the blood meant. I could see the surfer from yesterday floating around with the remains of the dead church lady. Vampires carried our victims with us. When we burned through their offerings, they were released to the heavens.

I imagined each victim offering reassurances to their replacement. While they were mine, I would treat them right and let them go when I no longer benefited from their weakening power. In life and death, everyone had an expiration date. By tomorrow, only the surfer would remain. He made my eyes red and my body stronger.

I admired my lashes and eyebrows next. They framed eyes crafted by nature's finest artist. Venom was remarkable. It carved away our flaws and enhanced the smallest traces of beauty. Who was I to reject its gift? The venom molded me into the ultimate predator. How could I accept one aspect of my change and reject all others? I was swift in my movements, ethereal in my beauty, but a savage when I fed.

Edward once told me that vampires were wicked souls cast from heaven. I didn't agree then or now. We were wicked souls, but we left heaven on our own.

With quick fingers, I braided my hair into a single plait and let it hang over one shoulder. From now on, this was how I would manage my hair. Before I left the Cullens, it was a daily activity for me. I stopped doing it just for the sake of change, but it was a failed experiment. A braid was practical and neat. When I wasn't running wild, I would unravel my hair and let it have its way, but for now, this was best.

Clothes came next. Today was my lucky day. Half of the closet had never even been worn. I bundled up everything I thought would work and shoved it into a bag. Sensing my time was running short, I threw on something to cover me and made a dash for the nearest window.

I was a street over when I heard the homeowners pull into the driveway.

Day one hundred forty

I walked into the Red Dash Range a changed woman. My clothes were clean, and my hair tidy. No one registered my arrival. I was just another person wanting a bite to eat.

I sat in the same booth as before and ordered water with lemon. The gossip tonight was about someone else. Patty hadn't returned from her days off.

The news displeased me greatly. She was supposed to be here. I wanted her to see that I was a normal person. She was friendly enough to talk to me even when she didn't know me. She would do it again. We could chat about meatloaf and apple fritters.

So where the hell was she? Didn't she know I was waiting?

Well, no. And it made me sound like a brat for expecting her to.

This was silly. Why did I even want a human friend? Every minute in their company made me thirsty. People didn't have thoughts or feelings. They had blood. It was all I needed from them. Just because someone was nice to me for five seconds didn't mean we were destined to be friends.

A couple talking from across the room caught my ear. "She was a runaway. We should have called the police."

When they went on to mention soiled clothing and ratty hair, I knew they were talking about me.

A police car zoomed by the diner with its lights flashing. Not a minute later, an ambulance came from the same direction. Another police car came next and then the sheriff. In a low crime town, this was a big deal. Half the diners stood up and moved to the windows.

Once everyone sat back down, the gossip began. The accident or crime from tonight capped off an exciting week for the residents in this small community.

It started when an urchin barged her way into the restaurant and acted like a crazy witch. She disappeared into red smoke and let out a cackle. I thought it was a little heavy handed on the exaggerations. I was hardly a witch.

After the witch came the businessmen. One woman said they were mafia. She was laughed at by a gentleman who said they were obviously from the government. Someone else corrected them and said they were male models with a chip on their shoulders.

The description struck a nerve. I tapped a neighboring diner on the shoulder. "These men that were here. What did they look like?"

The woman dove straight into an answer. "Gorgeous. We don't see their kind around these parts. Sculpted is what my daughter said. She had a crush on the one with blond hair. But something about him didn't sit right with me."

Jasper. Knives dug into my throat. "When were they here?"

"Four or five days ago. Three of them swarmed the diner. Another four spread out and jogged into the trees. It was the damndest thing. Someone stepped out and shouted that we have a bathroom, but they didn't care."

I stood up and knocked my table over in the process. The glass of water shattered when it hit the floor. My nose flared waiting for blood. I needed it now. It would give me the strength to escape.

When the smell I desired most in the world didn't reach me, I dug into a pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. I threw them at the lady next to me.

"Give that to the waitress. Tell her I'm sorry about the mess."

I left in a rush, pushing over a few people standing in my way. They grumbled at me for bumping them, but I didn't bother to turn back and apologize. I had to escape this town.

By midnight, I was several hundred miles north of the diner. I ran the first hundred and hitchhiked the rest. A pretty girl was impossible to turn down for some people. Two of them paid for their kindness with their lives. They provided much needed nourishment for my legs. I wasn't done running. This was a break to let my thoughts catch up with the miles I traveled.

First and foremost, I was an idiot. Where was my brain? Did I even have one? If so, why couldn't I figure out how Jasper found me this time?

I experimented with my shield for months. Nothing I did recently was any different than normal. So how did he do it? The tracker didn't know my mind. The town was a pit stop on a long highway. It wasn't a part of the Cullens' past or mine. Even thinking about the diner's name shouldn't have done anything. I made similar mistakes several times, and it never once came back to haunt me.

Was that bastard a champion at finding needles in haystacks? Why couldn't he find a different hobby? A different girl? How much clearer could I make it that I didn't want him near me?

Well, I'd make it crystal clear tonight. I sniffed out the closest pay phone and prepared myself for battle. A snap of the neck. An unnecessary clearing of the throat. I was ready for this.

Like before, Jasper answered right away. "Bella?"

Start slow, tiger. "How did you find me?"

"Tell me you didn't go back to that town."

Obviously. "I liked that place. The waitress was nice. They had mac and cheese."

And let the lecture begin. "Never go back. When you leave a place, you go for good. You should know that by now. Didn't the Cullens teach you anything?"

Flash the claws just a little. "Listen, asshole. I shouldn't have to worry about you dogging my every step. Get over your obsession, and leave me the hell alone. I don't want you."

"You don't even know me. If you'll give me a chance, you'll see I'm not that bad."

"By whose standards? I barely survived you as a human. I'm not giving you another go at me."

"But you might like it."

Was that a joke? It had to be a joke. "Will you kill me gently this time? I've got a suggestion. Try not to slam me into the ground and cause irreparable damage to my brain. I want to be able to give God your name when I ask him to smite your ass."

The jerk laughed at me. "Heaven, Bella? Really? That's reaching a bit high even for you."

"Die, Jasper. Seriously, die. If you don't know how, try biting your arm and lighting a match."

"Tsk tsk. Where is my sweet girl? Did my venom turn you angry?"

"Fuck you."

"Tell me where you are, and we'll work on that task together. I like a soft bed and a clean woman. If you could bathe for a change, that'd be great."

Well that uppity stick in the mud. He was another Edward. Every hair probably had to be arranged just so. Every article of clothing pressed and hung in its proper place. He probably drank blood out of a glass. No wonder he was obsessed with me. I was the only good meal he ever had.

"If you want sex, you'll take me as I am. Dirty clothes, pissy attitude, and bloodied from head to toe. I kill when I want, and I like it. If that doesn't do it for you, find someone else to stalk."

I heard a thunk and a curse.

I probably scared the starch straight out of his shirt. Tie wearing piece of shit. "I hope you die in dirt."

"Ahh. Could you repeat all that but slower this time?"

"No, I won't say it again. You need to know who you're dealing with. I'll eat a man like you for breakfast. So do yourself a favor and keep your distance. All you'll get out of me is a crazed laugh accompanied by a slow death."

I slammed the phone down breaking the receiver into pieces. When that wasn't enough to express my rage, I flipped off the plastic and stomped it into the ground.

I hated that bastard. I wanted to see him just so I could kick his ass. Repeatedly. It shouldn't be possible for me to hate someone this much.

Decision made. There would be no more hiding. I was going to Forks, Washington. The town was under surveillance, and my capture was a guarantee. Good. It was time to see what this prick would do when he had someone running straight at him instead of away.

Soft bed. Clean woman. They matched his flaccid dick and his Clorox personality.

I needed a kill. Now. Right fucking now.

An unlucky salesclerk with an orange vest and a minimum wage life stormed out of the convenience store. "You'll have to pay for that."

And he was about to pay for my shitty night.

Author's Note: Do you think she's ready for him? Then again, I might should ask if he's ready for her. I for one am ready to get them in a room together and crack their heads together.

Thanks for sticking with the story and another thanks to those who have recommended it to others. I can't say enough how much I appreciate it.

I should have another chapter ready for next Thursday. Until then, I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend. I'll be eating chocolate peanut butter eggs. Sinful little things. I adore them.

Thanks again,
Cris