Bella.

I opened my eyes in horror knowing exactly where I was in all its familiarity but so fearful of my environment at simultaneously. A 6" steel wall greeted me maliciously with a cold sheen in the fluorescent lighting. 24 boxes of rooms in long steel corridors were marked with TEST LAB and it's corresponding number. The building itself is multiple floors, from what I can hear, but the concrete between us ensures no escape.

I live in TEST LAB 1906. It contains a different passcode for both entry and exit, and had two additional locking mechanisms attached. A mirror is in the middle of my room, but I'm aware that the scientists are watching from the other side. A loudspeaker in my room is used to communicate to me, although it's not necessary. I can hear them through the walls.

Aside from my biweekly shower, and random trips to gas chambers, low air pressure rooms or other specific test labs they have me undergo, I'd only seen the hallways in passing. In my 17 years of life here, I have never once seen an exit, and I've been told I never will. No half breed could be trusted outside of it.

I was jolted from my musing when gloved hands pushed yet another needle into my body, attaching me to one of the various monitors checking my vitals; specifically for changes when I'm changed to my other side.

I barely winced anymore. It wasn't as if my expression of discomfort would change the treatment I would undergo. I was a lab rat, and worse, not human. I hadn't rights that protected me, I had no choice. no say in thi . I belonged to VOLT. I focused on the red label that was plastered on everything I saw; this time I focused in on the blocky font it used.

VOLTURILABS. It was an acronym.

Vampire Offspring Laboratory. Tacoma's Universal Research Institute. VOLT for short.

I was born into this lab, but my history seems more like a story told to me, rather than a memory. I was created in a tube as an experiment. I was the byproduct, a fusion between a mortal human and an immortal being. A vampire. Vampire warfare was tested in the last world war but failed miserably--they were too far removed from society to recognize who they were killing. Civilians were slaughtered. Children were taken in the night. The government couldn't afford to let the public know what was going on; simply told them the opposing forces were raping and kidnapping--and to stay indoors.

That is why we were created. They wanted to see what physical and psychological differences would stem from having the genes of a vampire in a healthy young adult's body. And more importantly, half breeded vampires could be used for warfare and as a defense mechanism to the country.

I've been gassed, have been forced to be injected with various solutions, and have fought in every simulation you can imagine. Turns out as far as biomechnical warfare goes I'm rendered pretty useless because of my silver allergy. Go figure. The downfall of being half vampire.

It's strange for me to think I'm just a tool, to be viewed as immortal. Because I don't think I am. I bleed when I'm cut, and I sweat when I'm feverish. I age like a regular person would, too.

It's the other side of me, the side I wish I could kill, that I am afraid could be just that—Immortal.

When I tap into the other side, I lose all of my human instincts. The otherworldly experience cannot be explained, and is not even worthy of explaining. I feel I'm barely present as the room turns red with rage—a need to kill, obliterate. When my fangs outgrow my mouth, and turn into a monster, this is the only time I'm immortal. When I'm destroying life and am not even conscious of it. I'm not certain what could kill us. Perhaps a silver bullet, from the poison it would slowly emit. Gas, burns cuts could main us but I doubt it could truly stop us. We don't require oxygen when we change. The sun has no effect on us.

From what I observe, the outside world has more to offer. I never let them know, but I can hear their conversations within the reflective mirrors. They talk about commutes, driving, Family. Children. They sound hopeful. I didn't know what to feel. Frustrated, perhaps. I didn't ask to be a lab rat at the expense of Aro's research.

My education was at first, limited. They knew I had to be able to behave like a human, so I'd receive my education on the outside world, media, the cultures and daily practices of others, through video training. Once VOLT had realized the capacity I had for memory, they brought in several professors. None of them could teach me for longer than a month, as I'd absorbed everything they taught me instantly. I craved the tutors. It was one of the few times I had had human interaction outside of the scientists. I felt purpose, accomplishment, when I could learn from them. Finally in control of my choices. Normal, perhaps.

There are many who work here, but the ones I fear most, Aro. Jane, Alec and Demetri.