Chapter 1

I've never given much thought to how I should live,

but living in the arms of someone I love,

seems like a good way to go.

" Look over there, do you see it?"

" See what?"

" Across the street, by the garbage can."

" What? The rat?"

" Yes, that. But do you see it?"

" What are you talking about? See what?"

" Honestly. Are you serious? You don't see it?"

" See what?! Just tell me already!"

" His face!"

" What about it?"

" Good lord woman! Get your eyes checked, you really can't be this blind."

" Well, apparently I am because it sounds like your speaking absolute nonsense."

" Really? Okay. If you were a child, alone and hungry with no home to speak of, don't you think you'd be filled with grief, anger, fear, or probably sorrow?"

" Well, yes of course, but I don't see what that has to do with anything."

" Really? Here's a hint, don't you think with all those feelings swirling inside you, that a few are bound to break free and settle on your face. Your expression and or posture should mirror what you're feeling."

"... Okay...?"

" Are you kidding me! You still don't understand?! You stupid bi- (sighs deeply) Okay, fine, look at his face, really look."

" Alright... It's... it's blank. That's freaky."

" I know, That's what I've been saying from the very beginning!"

I could hear everything that was being said, even though they were across the street I could hear what was said, granted they weren't exactly trying to be quiet, even so, I've already heard everything they said from other people anyway so, it's not a new occurrence.

I have been told time and time again that I looked and acted weirdly. That I wasn't behaving the way a normal kid should act. I always just dismissed their comments and carried on with whatever I was doing, people making snide or rude comments like that never bothered me. Even though I knew they should have.

I just ignored them and continued my way down the busy sidewalk, dismissing the looks of disgust and or pity aimed at me till I came across one of the many shady-looking alleys. As I entered my senses were immediately assaulted by the stench of garbage vomit and other forms of liquids I need not know of.

I used to the disgusting smells, so I paid them no mind as I continued walking into the damp cool cave-like alley. I could see hookers leaned against the brick wall chatting, a drug dealer and crack addict talking back and forth, a homeless man sitting next to a pile of trash watching me walk by.

I think I might have seen a heartbroken look on his face when he watched me go by.

I kept walking till I turned a corner and was out of that alley and into another, I saw a lot of the same things as I kept walking through one alleyway after another, like hookers, drug dealers, psychopaths, and other homeless people both young and old. Though I have never seen another 'street rat' as we are so kindly called, as young as me before.

I continued turning corner after corner, seeing the people become less and less frequent the further I walked in. finally I got to where there were no more people, but I still wasn't at my destination yet.

I walked through a couple more empty alleys before I finally reached the little area that I sleep in, and sometimes if I'm running from someone, it's where I would hide.

It was in the corner of this dead-end alley. I'm never worried about anyone stumbling into my area because no one dares to come down this far. Hence, the many empty alleys before reaching this point.

I think the reason is the many tales that are passed around, that people don't go too deep into really twisty turny alleys like this one, there are quite a lot of versions to this tale.

I heard someone say that a mass murderer killed men and women deep in alleys many years ago. Others say that a psycho with many weapons grabs an unsuspecting victim dragging them deep within the alley-ways where their screams would echo but no one will hear.

Which by the way, didn't make much sense to me.

The last one I've heard and I think the most ridiculous one of them all is the creature that comes out at night looking for its next meal, some say that there are many creatures like this, that lust for blood and nothing else, of course, said creature grabs and drags you deep into an alley like this one. Where it holds you with inhuman strength as it drains you of your blood.

I of course, didn't believe in the last one, the second one could have happened, but it's not likely. The first one is the most realistic, and therefore the most likely one to have happened. Then again I wasn't worried, the reason why is one, because they said he killed men and women, not children. Second is I haven't heard of any murder taking place here specifically, so that's a plus. The third is because they said it happened years ago.

I make my way over to my cardboard box and sit down on a bunch of newspapers that I placed there, I'd rather have a thin layer of paper between me and the filthy ground than nothing at all. So getting comfortable I leaned the upper half of my body in the box, which was up against the damp cooled brick wall.

I took the little bag that I've been carrying with me off my shoulder and looked in at my breakfast lunch and dinner. This should last me at least a week if I eat it sparingly. I have half of a loaf of almost stale bread and six of thankfully fresh, red, and green apples. I also have a couple of bottled water. Although water isn't all that hard to get, considering it rains a lot here.

I took a few bites of the bread and a small sip of water before putting it back in the bag, setting the bag beside me as I pulled my legs up against my chest. I wrapped my arms around my knees as I watch as the rain started to pour down.

I don't remember falling asleep but I remember waking up to it being dark, I then heard a very weird sound, like muffled screaming or loud talking, and I think, growling? Maybe.

My curiosity got the better of me as I found myself creeping down the alley toward the sound, with only the moon to light my way. It had thankfully stopped raining, so I wouldn't have to leave my oversized torn dirty white shirt out to dry, which by the way was the only thing I wore.

I slowed my steps as I got to the end of this alley and the beginning of the next, where I think the sound was coming from. I put my hand on the edge of the cold wet brick wall, then slowly brought half of my face in view of the next dark alley.

There in the darkness, I could just make out two figures, one was pinned against the wall by the second, I could see the first that was pinned to the wall was struggling, but the second one was too strong for him. The second man's face was unnaturally close to the others, he was using his body to help cage the other against the wall, while his face was pressed into the other person's neck. Who continued to struggle in vain.

The person struggled less and less till he would only jerk and twitch from time to time, till the second man finally ripped his face away from the other person's neck. Who has now gone completely limp, being held up by the second man.

I watched with morbid fascination as the man finally stepped back from the person, letting them fall to the ground with a soft thud, silence finally coming back after the person's struggles.

I was about to go back to my cardboard box and completely ignore the man and I think now dead person at his feet, the man's business was his own, if he wanted to kill people by, I think biting their neck then so be it. I turned my foot to begin walking back when I suddenly stepped on a piece of crumpled paper, making a loud crinkling sound that seemingly echoed in the silent alleyway.

Looking back in time to see the man's head snap towards my direction I quickly made my way towards my box, I knew it would be useless, the man heard me and I'm at a dead end with no way out, with no chance of escaping. I know I should be terrified right about now, but I wasn't, nor was I when I saw the man presumably kill that person.

I didn't feel anything besides mild annoyance for being awoken.

I got into my box and curled up in the corner of it while bringing my knees up to my chest. Wrapping my arms around my legs and resting my forehead against my knees, I always found this position to be very comfortable.

I listened as the man, soon to be my death stalked closer to me. I could hear the quiet splashing of his shoes in the half an inch deep water of the alleyway floor, the sound that should make my heart stop and cause my breathing to pick up, was quite soothing. The rhythmic pattern of his steps getting steadily louder caused me to relax further.

I finally heard his steps pause, so I lifted my head and looked towards the opening of the box, I saw his shiny black shoes and his black pants standing on my soaked newspapers. He then lowered himself down on one knee, allowing me to see his black jacket and white shirt, I could see a bit of his neck which was stained like the upper part of his shirt with blood.

He lowered himself a bit more till I could finally see his face.

To say this man was gorgeous would be a major understatement, even with the poor lighting of the moon I could still see he had flawless pale skin, golden waves falling into curls at his shoulders, his otherworldly dark red eyes that seemed to glow within the shadows his hair cast across his face.

He continued to stare at me while I did the same, I could see his eyes roaming over my body or at least the parts he could see. I saw his eyes scan me from head to toe rather quickly, before returning his gaze to my eyes once more. It was strangely quiet, if you ask anyone else they would probably say it's an intense silence.

Again I knew I should be trembling or whimpering under this man's fierce gaze, pleading for him to spare me or to go away, but all of those feelings I felt not. The only thing I felt seeing this man in front of me was a sudden calm and curiosity, not that I wasn't calm before, but I'm even more relaxed now than a few seconds ago.

I think the man just realized this as well for I saw his eyes widen for half a second, if I blinked I probably would have missed it.

Growing quite tired of our little staring contest I was going to say something, but it turns out I wasn't the only one getting tired of only observing the other. For he spoke before I got the chance.

" Why are you here?"

His voice was smooth, deep, with hints of a gravelly-like tone, that's the first question he asked. Really? Not even an 'If you value your life you'll keep your mouth shut?

Well alright then.

" I live here, what's your excuse?" I said in my normal tone, though I've heard countless times people use the word monotone or robotic, when describing my voice, I even heard emotionless one time.

Though, like always those comments failed to affect me.

" You live here? Where are your parents? Your family?" He asked with sadness clear in his voice.

He's quite kind for someone who just killed someone.

" Dead, at least that's what I like to believe, it's far better than thinking they didn't love me and just tossed me aside like trash." It's true, I feel much better believing they're dead rather than think they hated me so much they left me.

I saw the man's features visibly soften as he looked at me with nothing but warmth in his crimson eyes.

" Then why are you at least not in an orphanage?" He asked softly like he didn't want to know the answer to that particular question, I can't blame him.

" To put it simply, they thought I was a demon child, therefore was labeled a freak before being kicked out through the back door. They probably thought I would die and die quickly. Well jokes on them, I'm still here" I say putting a fake grin on my face.

I could see his expression morph into one of pure rage that promised pain, before going back to that gentle look he had seconds before.

" I am sorry for what you have been through, and at your age..." He said trailing off at the end.

I figured now is as good a time as any to ask this question.

" So... I saw you kill that guy, I'm a witness. Are you going to kill me as well?" I was really curious, was he going to kill me or let me live?

Quite frankly, I honestly don't care either way. Not that I want to die or anything like that, I just get so bored with nothing to do, and scavenging for food while avoiding bullies and trying to stay away from psycho's gets old. Very fast.

I saw the man's expression morph to one of horror before locking my eyes with a steely stern gaze.

" I will not, nor will I ever hurt you. That man, if you can even call him that. Was a bigger monster than I, I know that that doesn't justify my actions of murder, but the world doesn't need that sick man walking around on it." He said looking disgusted even thinking about the man.

I don't know why, I knew that I shouldn't, but I feel I could trust this man, that he would be true to his word and never hurt me. Why I feel this way I'll never know. I guess I truly am a freak.

" Hey. I know you just met me, and you saw me kill someone, but... Would you come and live with me and my family? I promise no one will hurt you, you will be loved and taken care of. Have your very own room. Maybe even enroll you in a school near the one we all go to." He said.

Why I was even considering his offer, I'll never know but I found myself nodding my head 'Yes' when I knew I should be screaming that he was insane, or to go away. There was just something about the man that calmed me. That had me throwing out any doubts that I had about him.

" Alright. I'll go with you."

Then without warning, I found myself being lifted onto the man's hip, who proceeded to make his way down the alley and I'm assuming towards the 'exit'.

" Wait, my bag," I said pointing at it.

The man walked back to pick it up, then handed it to me as he resumed walking

I put my arms around his neck to steady myself while he continued to walk into the next alley, where the dead body laid against the wall.

The man's steps didn't even stutter as he passed the corpse, who by the way already had attracted the rats.

I laid my head on the man's shoulder as he continued his way towards the exit, I noticed I couldn't hear him breathing, nor could I make out a heartbeat. Not to mention he's colder than a block of ice, when I was speaking to the man it started getting colder.

I just thought it was the night with the slight breeze making it colder, though now I realized it was just him.

I'll ask him about it later.

Looking up at the man I noticed that he still had blood on his face.

" Um, you still have blood on your neck," I said making him pause.

He set me down before pulling a handkerchief from his jacket, then proceeded to wipe the blood from his mouth and neck, though it mostly just smeared. I then remembered the water bottles I had in my bag and handed him one. He poured some water on the handkerchief before wiping his face again.

After he finished cleaning all the blood up he stuffed the handkerchief back into his jacket before buttoning said jacket up all the way to hide the bloodstains on his shirt.

He then picked me up, putting me back on his hip.

We eventually made our way out of the alley and onto the streets, which was by the way still a bit crowded by night-owls. As the man continued to walk down the sidewalk with me firmly on his hip, he kept getting catcalled by both genders, more than a couple of times did both men and women try to approach and talk to him.

He wouldn't once stop his stride, but he would glare quite evilly at anyone who got too close. I'm not gonna lie, I can't even be mad at anyone who was and are catcalling him, trying to approach him. I mean this man is practically a living Greek god walking, he is gorgeous.

If I, a child, can see that, imagine how the adults feel seeing a man carrying a child that they might think to be his? They would think he's both gorgeous and a caring father so no doubt kind. A packaged deal.

So even though I was annoyed by the comments made as he would walk by men or women, I honestly couldn't blame them. Honestly, if I wasn't a child, or I was interested in this man in the way these people are, I would probably stalk him. The fact that he might be a serial killer be damned.

We finally stopped in front of an expensive-looking midnight blue car in a parking lot, the man pulled out his keys, pushed a button making the car emit a clicking sound, no doubt unlocking it. He put me in the front passenger seat then buckled me in before getting into the driver's side buckling himself in.

The car came to life with a roar, before grumbling as the man reversed until he was on the road, to which the man pressed on the gas peddle that sent us flying down the road. Even though he pressed lightly.

While the man continued to drive down countless streets, passing building after building, a thought came to mind that I haven't thought of before, but should have.

What is this man's name?

I've seen this man murder by using a weird method I've never heard of, talked to me like I was his very own child, then offered to have his family became mine, as well as carry me to and into his car. All in the span of an hour, yet I've failed to ask the most common question.

" What's your name?"

He looked at me from the corner of his eye before looking back at the road.

" Jasper Cullen."

Hmm, an interesting, I've never met anyone with that name.

I look back out the car window as we continued the ride in silence. Time passed as the man, Jasper, drove through the hours of the night, sometime within those hours I fell asleep.

A/N

Goodevening, Night, or Morning. This is the first story I've ever posted on this site, even though I've read many various stories on it, so I apologize if some things are odd or out of place as I'm still working out the kinks. Regardless I do hope you enjoyed reading it, and sorry for any grammar mistakes you may find.

Also, encase any of you are interested I post mostly on Quotev, which this story is also on.