"You did what?!" I snapped, coming out of shock; this was not the life I wanted for her. Hell, it wasn't the life I chose for myself; at first, I hated it. However, yes, after time, I became accustomed to this life and my new family.
I love my family more than anything—well, almost anything: Halley's the one exception.
Although—I'm sure she's part of this family now.
"Turned me?" Halley asked, still confused, causing Rosalie to nearly fall over.
"Maybe we should take this inside." Esme suggested.
"Yes, please come to our place so we can talk without any possible witnesses. We have a lot of questions." Carlisle insisted.
"Of course." The officer agreed before we all took off.
"Nice place." The officer noted, looking around.
"Thank you. I'm Carlisle Cullen, and this is my family. I was born in 1640—and was changed 1663." As always, Carlisle calmly introduced himself.
"I'm Esme Cullen—Carlisle's wife, and the adoptive mother of the others—including, I'm hoping Halley. I was born in 1895—Carlisle changed me in 1921 after a failed suicide attempt." Esme politely introduced herself.
"My name is Brandon Bartholomew—Officer Bartholomew to most. I was born in 1724 and was changed in 1763 when I was on the job; I sold my soul to protect people—and help those who needed it. I've been a police officer since I was twenty-three. Some of my fellow officers are also vampires—and most of the human officers know this. Right now, I'm chief of my squad. Before Halley, I only changed three of my fellow officers. Since Halley, I haven't changed anyone; she was my last. She is also the only girl I've ever turned; all the rest were men. Who are the rest of you?" This Officer Brandon Bartholomew introduced himself before asking, watching us.
"My name is Rosalie Hale; I was born in 1915. My ex-fiancé and his friends raped and nearly killed me in 1933; that's when Carlisle turned me." Rosalie plainly told Brandon.
"I'm Emmet Cullen; I was born in 1915. Carlisle turned me after Rose brought me to him after being mauled by a bear in 1935." Emmet simply explained.
"I'm Alice Cullen; I was born in 1901 and turned in 1920 by a kind vampire who saved me. This is a wonderful family; we'll all love Halley and protect her as one of our own. She and I are going to be best friends." Alice happily introduced herself, latching onto Halley again.
"My name is Jasper Hale; I was born in 1844 and turned in 1863. Halley is in good hands here." Jasper calmly spoke.
"And you are? Halley seems close with you. Before she disappeared, nobody could get close to her." Brandon asked me before explaining.
"I'm Edward Cullen; I was born in 1901, but I was reborn when Carlisle changed me in 1918. At the time, I was dying of the Spanish Influenza." I answered, watching Brandon; he wasn't taking his eyes off Halley.
"Hmm. So, you're Edward, huh? I should've guessed." Brandon sighed, looking from Halley to me.
"What is that supposed to mean? Why did you change Halley?" I demanded, watching him.
"Why doesn't she remember anything except Edward? Or why doesn't she know why or understand why she's a vampire?" Rosalie asked, annoyed.
"Whoa. Slow down. I'm not sure why she doesn't know why she doesn't know why or understands that she's a vampire; I explained it to her several times before it sunk in. And trust me: it sunk in—and once it did; she had a tantrum or something. She jumped off a bridge and sat at the bottom of a river for over three years. At the time, it was thanks to her, fishing was horrible for three years. She finally surfaced one day, we talked, and all was going well until she up and disappeared one night a few years later. I have not seen her in over eighty years. As for Edward. He's all she'd ever talk about—if she talked. I tried caring for her, but she refused to let anyone help her. I turned her partially because she reminded me of my deceased daughter, who I couldn't save. I also turned her because she didn't deserve what happened to her. I was hoping once she fully transformed into a vampire and was adjusted, she'd lead us to who killed her grandparents and nearly her. She flat-out refused and sat at the bottom of the river. We caught one of the guys. But I know there were more. However, whoever did that, are all now dead." Brandon explained.
"Grandparents?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah. From what I understand, she ran away from home and her grandparents found and took her in. I guess, Halley's parents didn't even bother fighting for custody; they just signed her over. She was always a sweet, helpful, and quiet girl—who always fed the neighborhood stray cats. She was the only kid under nineteen who wasn't a hoodlum or troublemaker; she obeyed all the rules and went to school unless she was sick—which, she was often. At least, once a month, she was in the hospital with pneumonia or something—especially in the winter. Unfortunately, once she reached fourteen or so, she became a target for older boys—and men; she was a pretty young thing. I am married with three sons, and two daughters. I had a third daughter, but she wasn't home the night we were all turned; she was attacked and killed. Halley reminded me and my wife of our daughter; we were hoping we could get her to adjust to us—and being with us. Apparently, not. I know that look, Edward. You needn't worry about me trying to take Halley away and with me. I always told myself, if I ever saw her again, I'd bring her home. However, seeing her with you—I won't take away her happiness; she's already had too much happiness and choices taken from her." Brandon explained, sighing here and there.
"Why does she seem so human?" Carlisle asked, finally getting a word in.
"That's an ability I have. I know she has a multitude of abilities, but I don't know where they come from. When I turned people, I made it so they could still eat human food, sleep, and touch so that it's easier to blend in with humans. I myself, can't do any of the things she can—unless around Halley, but the officers I turned, can." Brandon answered.
"What of her still able to become pregnant?" Esme asked, watching Brandon—who immediately stiffened up.
"That's because I was an idiot." Brandon started, running his hand through his hair.
"What happened to Halley? Aside from reminding you of your daughter, you said she didn't deserve what happened to her." I asked, watching Brandon, demanding an answer.
"Protective, aren't you? Trust me when I say, you don't want to know; it wasn't a pretty sight. But—you still want to know… Hmmm? She still has her cats, I see. Oh, that reminds me. I'll be back in a bit; I have something of hers she may want back." Brandon informed before noticing the cats; he then took off.
"Did I do something wrong?" Halley asked, confused as Bubby jumped onto her lap.
"No—you didn't do anything wrong." I answered, sitting on the couch.
"What's in your time capsule? Come on, sit next to Edward." Alice excitedly asked before dragging Halley to the couch.
"Go ahead; I dug it up and brought it here." I told Halley after sensing her hesitation.
She's still not into all this attention on her.
"Come on, Edward; do it with her! It's half yours too, isn't it?" 'Do it, or I'll tell her several embarrassing things you've done since we've all known you.' Alice insisted before silently threatening me.
I just glared at Alice before flipping open the old relic: inside were four items, wrapped in blue and purple cloth, and a note.
"Edward thought it was a stupid idea." Halley softly spoke up with a small smile.
Time Capsule: 1915
The owners of this time capsule are:
Edward Masen Jr.-Age 14
Halley Moon-Age 7
Wrapped in cloth—to keep the items safe, we place 2 of our favorite items to be buried—in this time capsule.
This time capsule will be buried in a safe place—and will remain buried until the year 1935 in 20 years.
Halley is over the moon excited about doing this and is already antsy about digging it up in 20 years and won't stop bouncing around. $10 says she either won't remember where we buried it and will become frustrated. Or $10 says she'll cave and dig it up before 20 years. Personally, I give it a week.
Edward personally doesn't understand this whole time capsule crap and thinks it's both stupid and a waste of time. But whatever.
I'd also like to note:
We're only doing this because someone veered off from their school trip and into a high school senior thing—a week before graduation and heard someone talking about it.
That same someone got hopelessly lost; that's when her idea to do the time capsule came into plan.
She wanted to remember something because she forgot how to get back to her class—and connected that to "time capsule."
But here we are—at the park, burying things in an old lunch pail because I think she just wants to bury something.
Oh, and Halley would like it to be known that she WILL remember where we buried everything—and that she WILL make it 20 years.
And—she's sticking her tongue out like the stubborn child that she is.
I guess we'll see in 20 years—or a week.
Signed,
Edward Masen Jr.
Halley Moon
"Well, you most certainly made it twenty years." Carlisle stated with a smile.
"Way more than twenty years…" Rosalie mumbled.
"Rosalie, be nice." Alice scolded as Halley removed her items, wrapped in purple cloth; mine were wrapped in blue cloth.
"Is that a real blue rose?" Jasper asked, stunned when Halley unwrapped her things.
Halley wrapped up a crystal butterfly hair clip and a framed blue rose that looked the same as when she framed it. She buried both because her mother was always tried stealing them.
The butterfly hair clip was from her great grandmother on her father's side: it was worth a lot of money. I can only imagine what it'd be worth now.
The blue rose was the only blue rose Halley ever made—and it was accidental. I don't remember what color she was trying to grow, but she got blue.
"Yes." Halley answered with a small smile.
"How is it still alive?" Rosalie asked, staring at the rose.
"It's one of Halley's abilities. Who knows? Maybe it was withered until she touched it." Carlisle answered both stunned and intrigued.
"What did you bury, Edward?" Esme asked with that same kind smile.
"Right…" I sighed before unwrapping my things.
I buried the pocketknife my grandfather gave me on his deathbed; he had made it by hand when he was sixteen. He carved a beehive and two bees carved into the handle with his name engraved on the other side.
My dad wanted this for whatever reason. I don't know why; it doesn't work very well: it never has. I treasure it because it was from my grandfather—and he handmade it.
The other thing I buried was a pocket watch Halley bought me. It wasn't anything extravagant—just something she picked up at a train station when she went on a family vacation with her grandparents. I don't remember which grandparents. It's fake silver with a train etched into the front.
"Oh! We should totally do a family time capsule!" Alice excitedly blurted out.
"Why?" Rosalie asked, annoyed.
"Because it would be fun." Alice answered with a smile.
"That reminds me. You owe me $20." I told Halley.
"What? Why? I waited to open the time capsule!" Halley whined, snapping her head towards me.
"Yes, but you didn't want to. You were itching to dig it up after three days." I stated, watching Halley. Boy, did her face puff up?
"But I still didn't…" Halley muttered, narrowing her eyes.
"She has a point, Edward." Esme and Carlisle sided with Halley.
"Fine. Then $10." I gave her that.
"Why?" Halley asked, confused.
"Where was it buried?" I asked, watching her.
"In the park with the really tall slide down the road from our houses." Halley answered, slightly shocking me.
"Where in the park exactly?" I asked, watching her. Halley's face scrunched up and went blank as she tried to remember; she also does this thing where she itches her cheek or chin with her index finger.
"Fine…" She mumbled, pulling two five-dollar bills from a wallet inside of her dress.
"That is a lot of money." Emmet marveled.
"She has more in a bag at the last place she was staying." Bubby spoke up.
"Where would that be?" I asked, watching the cat.
"I don't know what the place is called, but I do know how to get there." Bubby answered.
"Knock. Knock." Officer Brandon was back.
"That was quick; it took Edward a little over half an hour to get to Chicago and back." Carlisle stated, stunned.
"Maybe he's slowing down." Rosalie mocked.
"Oh, no. Sorry; I contacted one of my officers and we met halfway. It looks to me like you have something planned, so I figured I'd get this done and over as quickly as possible. Halley, the day I turned you and your cats, it was you, two cats, and three kittens. One was turned a little later than the others—and somehow got left behind. Maybe you don't remember or not, but this is the other kitten left behind." Officer Brandon informed before placing a black and white kitten in front of Halley.
"Sammy!" Bubby exclaimed out of nowhere, getting the other cats' attention; they all came running out.
All Sammy wanted, though, was Halley; he jumped right into her arms and nuzzled her.
"He looks smaller than the other two." Jasper noted right away.
"Runt of the litter, maybe." Emmet stated, watching Sammy crawl all over Halley.
"That's what I thought as well." Officer Brandon agreed with Jasper and Emmet.
"Sammy is a four months younger than S'mores and Snickers; biologically, he's not Buttons or mine. Halley and her grandfather bonded over taking care of the stray cats in the area: they made sure they had food, water, and shelter. Her grandmother was a dog person. Bosco… A lot of good that damn dog did. Seeing this guy—some stuff is coming back. Anyway, there was this cat who was living under Halley's window in the bushes; she called her Daffy. Daffy originally lived in the abandoned area across from the house. Nobody could get this cat—nobody but Halley, so Daffy moved under her window."
"Halley would give her a can of our wet food… I'm not fat, Buttons; I'm just a little pudgy." Bubby continued explaining after taking a quick breath—until Buttons made a noise—apparently offending Bubby.
"You did get kind of fat since the last I saw you." I stated, watching the cat.
"Hush up if you want more information. Halley! Buttons and your Edward are being mean to me!" Bubby growled before whining and jumping onto Halley's lap.
"Bubby, you are chubby. But that's ok because I love your fat belly." Halley told Bubby before furiously rubbing his stomach.
What a lush?
"Ehem… Daffy got close enough to Halley that she could pet her; she wasn't allowed to pick her up, though. After a few years, Daffy had several batches of kittens—and thanks to Halley, all kittens found homes with people. Her last batch of kittens: she only had five—and all but Sammy were killed by one of the new neighbor's rottweilers. With her last ounce of energy and life, Daffy jumped onto Halley's window, scratched until she got her attention and gave her Sammy. Halley buried Daffy and the four other kittens under her window. Since that night, Halley took care of, and really bonded with Sammy; he clings to her like a bee on honey. I'm almost surprised he remembers her after all this time—or that she remembers him because she doesn't remember anything else. It's as if they were never separated." Bubby explained—after he managed to tear himself away from Halley's lap.
"What happened to the dog?" Officer Brandon asked, watching Bubby.
"It's owner came over ranting and raving that his precious dog had not only been shot, but had also been taken away to be put to sleep. All because some cat-loving-stupid-brat got in the way of feeding time and got a little bite." Bubby answered in an angry, sarcastic tone.
"How big is a little bite?" Alice asked, curious.
"Her grandfather went off on the man, yelling that it wasn't a little bite; she had three or four nasty bites up and down her one arm that needed something called stitches. The first bite she got on her wrist after pulling Daffy and Sammy in from the windowsill. The other bites came after the dog jumped through the window and attacked her. The man was lucky the grandfather didn't shoot the dog in the head: his wife would've killed him because she was a dog lover. And he didn't want to scar Halley any more than he probably already had by shooting the dog—twice just to get it off her."
"The man came by again a few days later, screaming that the rest of his dogs were taken and put down because the good-for-nothing cops, doctors, and vets were claiming they all had rabies. They said Halley was lucky because they got to her just before the rabies could do anything to her. Now, Mr. Officer Person. These people called the Volturi are obsessed with Halley because she could get pregnant and have a baby—among other things. Why is that?" Bubby finished explaining after asking Alice, before asking Officer Brandon.
"Yes, I'd like to know that as well; vampires aren't supposed to be able to become pregnant." Carlisle spoke up.
"Yes—that. That may because I was stupid. The night I turned her and her cats, I hadn't realized she was pregnant. A coroner got there first—surprisingly enough. I wasn't informed until a day and a half later that she had been about three—no: four months pregnant. That coroner was later terminated from his job for not following procedure. From doing research and such—after she never had the child, I found out that women who are turned while pregnant will lose the baby during the transformation. However, the fetus turns into some kind of barrier, protecting the women's sexual reproductive system. This allows female vampires to become pregnant later in life—or whatever you want to call what we're living—if they so please." Officer Brandon explained, shocking us.
"What do you mean, "if they so please?" What does that mean?" Rosalie asked, annoyed. She wanted babies—and it hurt and made her angry because she couldn't.
"Female vampires who can become pregnant can choose whether or not, or when they want to become pregnant. I'm not a hundred percent sure on how that works, but that's how it works. I met with a different female vampire who could have babies; she told me that all she and the others had to do was think of wanting to become pregnant while having relations, and it would happen. She asked me why I was asking, so I told her I knew of a girl who was just turned, who was pregnant at the time of her changing. That was a good thirty or so years ago. She then told me, including Halley and herself, there were three other female vampires who could produce children. That's actually how I found out about your Volturi. It's interesting really: these vampires had been around for so long, yet I'd never heard of them. Oh, well. I suppose I should be headed out." Officer Brandon answered Rosalie before stating.
"Wait. You never answered me: what happened to Halley that she didn't deserve so much that you had to turn her?" I asked, more demanding this time.
"You're not only protective; you're persistent as well. Son… *Sigh…* As I stated before: you do not want to know. Maybe it's difficult for you to do for whatever reason, trust me when I say you don't want to know. If you truly love her in the way I can see you do, just remember her how she was the last time you saw her as humans. If you can't do that, look at her now. Enjoy what you have here in the now." Officer Brandon told me, but I wasn't going to give up; I just sat there narrowing my eyes at him.
"I need answers to why she's a vampire and can't remember anything up to a certain point aside from me and the cats. What happened?" I demanded.
"Edward, please, calm down." Carlisle pleaded with me.
"Take Halley's hand for a minute or two. You do what I ask, or I give you nothing." Officer Brandon told me, putting his foot down.
Fine. I did what he asked and took Halley's hand in mine, watching Officer Brandon.
"Jeez… Seeing how protective you are of Halley—and how much you love her, I can see you going off the deep end. If I give you what you want, you have to promise you won't fly off that deep end. You have to promise not to lose who you are to not only yourself, but to Halley as well. You have to promise not to, if you ever figure out who did what they did to Halley, to go searching and go after their families. You cannot kill these people. Do you understand and accept my deal?" Officer Brandon sternly told me, not breaking eye contact.
"I promise." I answered, not taking my eyes off him.
And then it happened:
"Ow!" "Son of a bitch! What the hell?!" Halley cried, and I exclaimed in slight pain, pulling our hands apart, shaking them.
It felt like someone stabbed my hand.
"What the hell is this?" I demanded after I saw my hand. There was a fiery red rose carved into my and Halley's hands. However, as quickly as we saw them, the roses vanished.
"Halley has another ability—that she most likely doesn't know about. Those promises you made me; you also made to her. By holding her hand while making a promise, you're connected to her. If you break any promise made while holding her hand, you'll both feel some kind of severe pain—and hers will be ten times worse." Officer Brandon explained, making my blood boil.
"Excuse me?!" "Hey! Don't even start! You want information on her "death," you will do as I tell you and deal with the consequences. I am telling you right now; you are not going to like what you learn. And knowing your personality—and how you feel about Halley, I know you'll do something stupid. This is for your, Halley's, and several other's protection—including your family's. If you can't keep your promises, there will be consequences, just as there are for humans. As long as you keep your promises, you AND Halley will be just fine." I started only for Officer Brandon to snap and stop me; he was beyond pissed.
What did I get myself into?
What happened to Halley that's horrible?
"Fine. How long will it take you to get what I want?" I replied, calmer now before asking.
"Edward Masen Jr., correct? That's your birth name?" Officer Brandon asked me.
"Yes." I answered.
"I may not know you, but I know your personality. I've seen plenty of guys and girls like you before. I had my fellow officer not only bring me the cat, but her file. I turned her on November 1st, 1924, at 3:56 AM. This is everything on her from that day—and her history before that day. Except for you, we questioned everyone who knew her. Her parents mentioned you a few times. I wanted to question you and your parents, but your parents passed from the Spanish Influenza. And you were MIA. Guess I know why now. I'm sorry for your loss—but it seems like you got a good family in return. When you read and see this file, think of not only Halley, but your family here as well. Good day." Officer Brandon told me before dropping a stack of folders on the coffee table in front of me and leaving.
"No wonder she looks so young; she wasn't even sixteen when she was turned. Hey, what's wrong?" Esme sadly spoke up before asking Halley concerned.
"Mmmm…" Halley moaned in pain, bringing her knees up to her chest and bending her head down.
"Oh…" I sighed, seeing inside her head.
"What is it, Edward?" Carlisle asked, watching me.
"One of the file cabinets in her head is shaking, trying to open. However, there's a padlock keeping it at bay. I think it's giving her a headache." I answered, rubbing Halley's back.
"I know what may help her feel better!" Emmet announced.
"What would that be?" Rosalie asked, annoyed.
"Doughnuts and chocolate shakes!" Emmet answered with a big stupid smile.
"Doughnuts?" Halley softly asked, looking up.
"Yeah. Emmet—why don't you take Halley and show her everything you brought home?" I insisted, watching Emmet.
"Awesome. Come on; I hope you're hungry." Emmet told Halley once she stood up.
Once I was sure she was away from me and her file, I opened the top folder to a few different disturbing pictures.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Just looking at these pictures, I didn't need to read anything to know she had been restrained, beaten, brutally raped, and stabbed—multiple times.
Whoever did this to her completely mutilated her.
This was worse than when I caught Cosmo raping her.
This was beyond worse—and didn't even come close to what happened Rosalie.
There was blood everywhere—and it looked like someone was trying to do some kind of satanic ritual or some shit like that.
How she was alive at all when the police showed up is beyond me—not with how much of her blood was everywhere.
Her grandfather was killed outside. Perhaps he heard a noise and went to investigate.
Her grandmother and the dog were killed in the bedroom. Grandma was killed in bed and the dog in front of the door.
Halley was the only one in the living room…
There was so much blood…
"Edward?" Carlisle and Esme asked, concerned, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"I'm not reading this. I don't need to. I got everything I need to know just from the pictures. Excuse me; I need air. Don't worry; I'm not going to break my promises. I'm not going to do anything that'll cause Halley anymore physical pain. Go ahead. Read it or don't; I don't care. I don't care what you do with any of it." I told them, standing up before answering Carlisle's thoughts before taking off to be by myself for at least half an hour or so…