North Star-A Twilight Story

{Chapter}

I sighed as I leaned forward ensuring to keep my eyes on the road before me. There were too many times recently that I had almost failed to keep my unit safe in this godforsaken place. I could hear Carter grunting in pain from the most recent narrow escape. Kelly was no doubt stitching the deep laceration from a bullet grazing him at a random attack. I knew that Carter was younger than most of my unit and much less aware of how close he came to being in a serious situation.

It was those types of close calls that made me hate that my stepsister was our combat medic. It was impossible for me not to worry. Afterall, she had unexpectedly replaced the last medic that could not manage the mental overload that came from being in a war zone. I knew that some people just couldn't cope with war, the reality of what soldiers' face when fighting in a foreign land. It didn't help that this tour had been brutal, considering where we were stationed these last few months.

There were plenty of times that I regretted not making more of an attempt to talk her out of her choice to enlist a few years after I joined up. If I had known that in a few more years that she would be my responsibility I would never have permitted her to enlist. I cared for my stepsister. Afterall, she and her twin sister were the only one that I still associated with at all. It was easy to see that Kelly was the polar opposite of me. She was full of this rare innocence and happiness that came from an easy and sheltered life.

Unlike myself, who had been well aware of the darkness in this world before enlisting. It was often the only thing I knew from the time I was eight until I got away from my family. I was a fighter, a survivor, and seemingly made to be a soldier. Kelly was a clear dreamer and should be as far away from this place as she could be.

I tensed as Tristan turned onto the path that would lead us to the town where we would be tasked with capturing the target. I was deeply aware that this was one of the worse places in Afghanistan. I leaned forward switching the safety off the weapon preparing for the objective.

"You know those books you were reading back at base?" Carter questioned behind me causing me to glance to see he was talking to Kelly.

"Twilight?" She questioned in clear confusion.

"Yeah, my sister was telling me something about them redoing to the movies or something" He said as I rolled my eyes, like that is what the world needed that right now.

"Stephanie Myers is supposed to be continuing them" Kelly said softly as Tristan slowed seeing the town nearing and I snorted at the statement "I don't get why you don't really like the story, Liberty. They aren't bad books."

"Liberty just can't understand a weak character" Tristan said without taking his eyes off the road "You have to admit that Bella is a little weak, especially in comparison to our fearless leader. Liberty would never be able to relate to the story because of that. Otherwise, she would love Twilight like she likes all those books she always is burying her head in the moment she gets a free moment."

"True, but not everyone can be held to the standard that Liberty sets" Kelly said with a laugh.

I knew I would have rolled my eyes at their statements if I was not hyper focused on the streets before us. I narrowed my eyes recognizing that we would soon be within the town limits. I nodded to Tristan to slow further knowing that if we were going to be hit by another surprise attack, it would be sooner rather than later.

"Gear up" I commanded over the radio before glancing at Kelly "Stay in the Humvee. Carter, you are on back up with Tristan. Safeties off and eyes open, Everyone!"

"Got you, Major" He said with a nod as I stepped out of the vehicle while praying Kelly would listen this time.

I pushed aside the worry to put my focus solely back on the mission at hand. It was important that we capture Abdul-Azim and secure him for transfer back to base for the higher ups to interrogate. I motioned for Scott and Tony to round the back of the building. Then I glanced at Clark and Parker motioning for them to tag the door for entry. Peter nodded placing the explosives as everyone moved into position.

I gave the signal to blow it as Clark let our team K-9, Zeus, go. Zeus bolted into the entrance, and we moved to secure the building. We were a well-oiled machine, moving through the building with practiced ease securing and shooting as needed. It wasn't long before we reached the center and secured our target. It wasn't until I was kneeling with a knee into the back of Abdul-Azim to secure his wrists that I took notice of something being wrong. The movement from across the room gained my attention and I looked see the trigger first.

"Take him and go" I commanded as shoved the prisoner at Clark "Get him to the Humvee"

I turned raising my weapon to pull the trigger taking notice of Peter doing the same. I could hear Clark's running and the shuffle of the prisoner being forced to move. I could hear the low growling of Zeus among the background. I could see him moving forward toward the unknown male holding the switch. I pulled the trigger as the male's thumb pressed down. I was too late to prevent anything, I knew that as I dove to push Peter out the door praying for him to survive as the sound of the explosion was hear. Then all I felt was blinding pain from the close contact with explosives.

~Time Lapse

All that I felt was pain as I tried to open my eyes. I was groggy and through the hazed I managed to open my eyes unable to focus on anything. I struggled against the blaring pain due to the brightness of the light surrounding me. I tried to force a deep breath into my lungs, feeling trapped and exhausted. I failed to move anymore and welcomed the darkness of the overwhelming pain spreading through my body.

~Time Lapse

I was not aware of how much time had passed the next time I opened my eyes. I slammed my eyes shut of the sharp stabbing pain when I attempted to move my head. I took notice of my heart pounding in my ears among the sharp sound of beeping machines. I tried to move my hand to sit up feeling my fingers twitch in response. I knew I was in a hospital but was unable to recall what had happened to me. I tried with everything in me to move anything as the exhaustion overwhelmed me once more pulling me back into the black abyss.

~Time Lapse

I was trying hard to open my own eyes while attempting to regain control of my own body. It felt like my body was in fire, like something unknown to me was coursing through me fighting to keep me alive.

"Liberty" A soft voice called softly through the haze.

The concern gave me enough strength to finally open my eyes. I could only see a blurry image, a faceless figure before me.

"Kelly?" I asked struggling to speak against the dryness in my throat causing me to gasp for a breath.

"Who is that my dear?" The voice questioned as someone touch me.

I was too tired to fight the haze in order to find the strength to respond. Then the deep exhaustion throughout my body was forcing me back into the overwhelming darkness.

~Time Lapse

It was clearer the next time I opened my eyes. I managed to get my eyes to focus as I winced attempting to sit up. I felt the dull ache of familiar pain. The first thing I noticed was the beeping of the hospital monitors and I immediately began looking for my sister. As I looked around, I couldn't help but wonder where she was. I was severely surprised that she wasn't here already throwing her arms around me, like she had so many times in the past.

"Liberty" A voice sounded from the door.

I turned quickly making my head spin slightly. I tried to focus my eyes expecting to see my sister, Kelly. I was completely unprepared for the face I was seeing before me. It was impossible, there was no way she was here.

"You had me so worried dear" She said coming to me quickly.

I froze in shock as her arms wrapped around me. I could feel her warmth, taking notice of the wetness from tears. I didn't feel dead, I could feel the dull pain from all the healing. Wasn't heaven supposed to be free of pain?

"Grandma?" I whispered as she pulled back looking at me, what was going on?

"I thought I was going to lose you too" She said with a heartbroken expression, lose me? How do you lose someone in heaven?

"Am I dead?" I questioned causing her eyes to fill with tears.

"Oh, Liberty, you are not dead. I assure you that you are alive" She said softly confusing me further "The doctors didn't know how you survived the accident when the others died, but you did. I am so glad you are okay"

"What is going on?" I asked in complete confusion, who was this woman if I was alive then? She just looked really similar; it was possible. But then, why did she know me as well?

"I am so sorry, Liberty" She said brokenly grabbing my hand sitting on the bed "What do you remember?"

"You mean the explosion? I remember everything" I stated seriously, although I may have a concussion seeing that there is a dead person in front of me

"You were in a car accident" She replied softly as I blinked in confusion shaking my head "You may be a little confused"

"I am not confused" I said seriously looking around the room taking notice of the doctor walking in "Where the hell is Kelly?"

"Who is Kelly?" She questioned softly still gripping my hands as I looked at her in disbelief

"What do you mean? Who is Kelly?" I asked in total confusion and slightly offended by the question "Kelly is my sister"

"Liberty you are confused, you don't have a sister named Kelly. Your sister, Amber, was in the accident with you" The woman stated, she couldn't be my grandmother if she didn't know Kelly

"I am aware of who Amber is" I snapped seriously "I know that they are my step siblings, but Megan and Kelly are my sisters in the ways that matter. Kelly is my emergency contact. Now will you tell me, where is she? Kelly would have been the one to get me out of that building?"

It was sad, that Kelly wouldn't be considered my sister because of blood. I was strangely angry over my grandmother thinking like that. Despite being dead, she had loved her in life. If she was here or she just looked like her. Kelly would be the first one here, she should be. If I was alive, then she was here.

"Please go get my sister" I said pleading with the Doctor to understand as he looked confused, like utterly confused by the question

"I am told you only surviving family you have is your grandmother" He replied softly as I felt nauseous at the overwhelming emotion

"My grandmother is dead" I explained seriously as the woman gasp in shock "Has been for over a decade at this point. Where the fuck is my sister?"

"Liberty" The woman said seriously forcing me to look at her "I get that you are confused. You were in a bad car accident. Your father and mother along with your siblings, Jason, and Amber, were with you when it happened. I know it is really hard, that it is traumatic, losing them. But I am here"

"I wasn't in a car accident. I was hurt on deployment, so if someone doesn't tell me where my sister is I am going to flip out" I replied a little harshly but what the fuck was going on that they didn't know my sister, someone doesn't just disappear.

"Liberty, you do not know a Kelly. You don't have a sister by that name" She said seriously as I shook from the anger of it

"You aren't my grandmother; she knew my sister very well. Stop pretending to be her, just who the hell are you?" I questioned in anger and confusion

That woman didn't say anything just looked to the doctor crying over it, why the fuck was she crying? I was the one that was dead with people that didn't seem to realize they were dead or surrounded by people that didn't know my own life. Being dead doesn't change your story, right? I mean if she were my grandmother, she would know why Kelly and Megan were a part of my life. This woman couldn't be her; I really didn't understand this.

"It is possible that she lost her memory" He explained with a frown looking at me in concern "Despite there being no signs of a concussion or any physical aliment to cause it. However, I will have scans taken to ensure something was not overlooked"

"No" I replied narrowing my eyes at him "I am not confused, and I remember simply fine, I don't know what you are trying to pull. But I know that I haven't forgotten a thing"

"Liberty" My grandmother said seriously as I shook my head

"Just leave me alone" I growled seriously glaring harshly at the imposter "You can't be my Grandma GG, I don't know what is going on, but I know that"

"Virginia, I will get you when I run some tests. Your shift is beginning soon?" He questioned Virginia as she nodded "Perhaps some space with help Liberty adjust"

"I will check on you later" Virginia said with tears in her eyes attempting to hug me as I tensed shaking my head pulling away, I didn't want this woman touching me anymore

"I will put the order for the scans" He commented turning to me with golden eyes, which is a little strange

"There is nothing wrong with me" I stated seriously wondering what was going on, why was he looking at me like I was insane?

"Then just allow them to be done to ensure that" He said softly as I sighed deeply nodding in agreement "Someone will be up to get you shortly"

~Time Lapse

I frowned in confusion sliding to the floor in a bathroom located in an empty room. I had finally managed to lose the nurse that was in charge of me. I couldn't quite grasp what was happening to me. I hated the tests they had been running on me. It was clear that the people were friends with the woman that was in my room when I woke up. They were all looking at me confused, like I was insane. If one more person told me that I just didn't remember, I might go insane on something. I put my head in my hands briefly wondering that they were right in a way, not of this made sense.

I sighed before drawing in a deep breath. If I wasn't dead, then what was happening to me? I wondered if I was in a coma. I knew being that close to what had to be an explosion rigged to take out an entire building would have resulted in a lot of injuries. I didn't feel like I was injured anymore.

Sure, I was sore as hell still, but I could move without restriction. So, the feeling of confusion and haze were coming from being in a coma and the meds they were providing in Germany? This didn't seem like Germany; didn't seem like any hospital I had been in actually. Where was I then?

I flinched as I heard pounding on the door, I thought it would have taken longer for her to find me. I stood feeling an arrow hit me as I looked in the mirror. I gasped in shock stumbling back hitting something that assured that I was awake. But how?

"No" I mumbled in disbelief staring at the face, one that haunted me "no, no, no"

I was aware of me losing my strength hitting the floor in despair because it wasn't possible. It couldn't be possible, how the fuck was the face staring back at me a teenager? How the fuck was the face the haunting reminder of a time that tormented me?

"Miss, you need to breath" a voice sounded as hands grabbed me "breath"

"I can't" I managed to say through the shock and confusion that had stolen my lungs from me

"You need to calm down, try to take a deep breath" The woman directed as my vision blurred

I would breathe if I were fucking could, but my chest burned, and my head spun. It was too much, too much to processed. Breathing was fucking impossible when I wasn't even sure if I was alive or in a twisted dream, or I was crazy. How? How was I a fucking teenager again?

"She is having a panic attack" The voice said seriously, like no shit Sherlock, of course I was having a panic attack. I was dying. I was in hell?

I felt something sharp stick my neck before the safety of my own mind took me, this time I welcomed it readily without struggle.

- Time Lapse

The next time I was awake I was clearly medicated, making it harder to concentrate on anything but the feel of the oxygen mask on my face. I looked to the side seeing my grandmother asleep in the chair, while the woman with the same face and name as her at least.

"She has been here all day, refusing to leave your side" A male explained gaining my attention to see the doctor from before there staring at me with soft eyes "she has been overly concerned about you. I am pleased to see you are calmer now, I am Doctor Cullen"

"Where am I?" I questioned my throat burning at the action, it felt like I had been screaming for hours.

"You are at Forks Hospital, your grandmother had you transferred here from Texas after the clearly you stable to be moved closer to her" he explained as I glanced at the woman seeing she was now awake and aware that I was as well.

"Carlisle?" She said in glancing at me in concern before looking at him with hope that made me sick to my stomach.

"I just was about to explain that the scans are clean, there is no physical reason for Liberty's memory loss. I believe it may be from the trauma" He explained as I flinched, my memory was fine despite me going insane "in time those memories should return"

"I don't know how many times I have to say it! I remember simply fine!" I said in anger, tired of saying it and of them not understanding that something was very wrong here.

"Liberty" Virginia stated sternly as I narrowed my eyes at her "Be nice to Doctor Cullen, he pulled a lot of strings for me to be able to bring you here"

"Fine" I replied seriously tired of arguing the point glancing at the doctor "Sorry"

"What do we do until then?" The woman asked with tears in her eyes

"Allow her to rest" He commented honestly "The less stress she has, the more likely she will remember sooner rather than later"

While in a normal situation, that was true. This was about as far from normal as a situation can get. The doctor wisely sensed that I was done with this conversation. He gave me a sad look nodding before continuing to speak to the woman.

"I shall be heading out now. Please, feel free to have them page me if anything occurs" He directed her as she nodded in understanding "For what it is worth, it has been a pleasure meeting you, Liberty. Your grandmother speaks very highly of you"

"Sure" I said fighting the urge to roll my eyes, this woman didn't know me at all.

"Goodnight, Carlisle" She said giving me a stern look causing me to sigh.

"Goodnight, Doctor Cullen" I said not really caring to as he seems to stare at me a little amused over it.

"Rest well" He said nodding as he stepped from the room as the woman turned to me as I fought the urge to flinch at the look, soft and full of hope. I wasn't whoever she thought I was.

"You should go home" I stated seriously forcing myself to soften when she flinched at the statement "Those chairs are not comfortable, you work here, and you don't need to be sleeping here as well. I am fine"

"Are you sure?" she questioned as I nodded before she smiled as if sensing I need space before I tensed when she approached kissing my forehead "Get some rest dear, I will return in the morning"

I nodded not really able to speak overwhelmed by such a small action. I may not know who this woman was, but I missed my grandmother deeply. She even smelled like her. I felt tears gathering as soon as I was alone. I keep taking deep breaths trying not to spiral again. The nurse looked at me in concern as she walked into the room. Luckily, she said nothing just checked my stats before leaving.

I tried and failed to wrap my mind around my situation. The only thing that made any sense at all was this was all in my head and I would wake up, in Germany with my sister threatening to kill me for worrying her. Where was she? Was she okay? Was she taken or missing, and this was an attempt to keep me from worrying? Telling me that I didn't have a sister named Kelly didn't seem like a wise way to do that.

Kelly wasn't here, I had to find out why and where she was? I frowned thinking over some of the other things that stuck out to me. Virginia stated that my father died in the accident, if I was already sixteen, then he lived an additional eight years. He didn't even die in combat, but in a fucking car accident. Which meant that my mother didn't become an alcoholic. I doubt my own sanity for a moment wondering if I had rewritten my memories. To prevent would she became in my life with his death.

Strangely, it fascinated me, the thought of how different my life would have been with my father had lived. My mother would have been sober, she would be that person from my childhood instead of the monster. But with my father them means that my stepfather never became part of my life either, he was the worst kind of monster. But even then, there is too much darkness to really be made up, right? I had survived so many things, I couldn't picture myself without the struggle I fought through.

I moved the blanket finding a long scar that ran up my leg, one that I received on my first tour. I had almost lost my leg; the doctors were amazed that I didn't. I moved the gown finding a small scar from a bullet wound that had me bleeding out in the middle of Iran. There were burns from that horrible experience when I was thirteen.

Then there was one thing that I focused on allowing my mind to fucus, the words 'De oppresso liber' on my wrist. A Latin saying of the armed forces that meant to free the oppressed. I knew the story behind this tattoo and how it involved a male that didn't truly become a part of my life until I was old. Between that and the scars, I took the comfort that was being offered. I knew if I continued the search, I would find the others. I didn't scar often considered the bit of a mystery that I presented with my healing ability to doctors in the past.

My hand went to my neck finding it bare causing me to panic for a second. My dog tags had been on my neck since I was eighteen years old. I knew I would never take it off, doctors rarely did unless they were in the way. It was a crucial step of verification and identification in the field. It wasn't even so much mine missing that caused more problems, it was his tags missing that made me was to disappear. I had worn those without fail for three years, they belonged to someone extremely important to me. Why weren't they there?

Then there was another important thing as well that could not be ignored. I was a teenager again, something I never ever would have wished for. So, why was I a teenager again? I didn't know my exact age, but I was guessing that I was sixteen or seventeen at most. It was not a happy time in my life, quite possibility among the worst moments of my life. It was a time when I lost all faith in myself and life in general. I wondered if that is the reason that I am in a coma and my mind is tricking me into the other time I was so confused and panicked over life.

Then I recalled another detail that I had overlooked in my attempt to get them to understand. The doctor's name was Carlisle Cullen, and I was in Forks. I knew there was that conversation before I went into the building, it was the last thing I overheard. So, was it possible that this was all a figment of my own imagination as my mind was attempting to keep me alive?

I doubted that though, simply because I have been there before. I have had plenty of near-death experiences, I was a walking miracle for more than half of my life. I knew what it was like to come so close to death that you can talk to the dead, when I was seventeen, I should have died, and I didn't talk to my grandmother then. So why then would this time be so different in comparison to every single other time?

I sighed looking at the clock noticing how late it was. I was exhausted, physically, and emotionally, from everything that was around me. I laid back down praying that the next time I opened my eyes, that things would finally be normal. If it wasn't then I needed to figure out what was going on and how to fix it.

~Time Lapse

The next morning, I was awoken by yet another thing that I didn't want to deal with. Virginia had arrived right as the sun was raising. I was just debating leaving the hospital all together feeling restless after so many years running at dawn. She smiled at me taking a seat with a large bag.

"Good morning, Liberty" She said softly reaching in the bag "I brought some photo albums for you. I thought they might help you remember"

My eyes widen as she thrust the first book at me. I didn't have photo albums; I was barely ever including in photos in general. At least, not from the time I was eight years old. I shallowed preparing myself as I opened the book.

"This one is from last summer, when you guys went on Vacation" Virginia explained as I looked the picture

I felt so many emotions staring at the first page alone. It was a family picture, with me smiling brightly. My father with his arms around me laughing, the same eyes as mine shining with happiness. I couldn't help but look at the girl though. She seemed so incredibly happy, so unburdened by hardship. I didn't see me when I stared at her, even recalling how I was when I was that age.

"You two were always so close, two peas in a pond" Virginia stated in a whisper "Your father was very protective of you, of his little girl"

I flipped a view page taking in the happy family. I wondered how any of this possible. This girl had the same face, but she wasn't me. I knew that I was happy, but I hadn't been able to smile like this girl in a long time. I wondered if that was the problem, that she wasn't me. Or more like I wasn't her. Wasn't it possible that it wasn't a dream but another realm or some shit?

"Can you tell me about her?" I whispered needing to understand, to confirm the fears I was having about the situation I might be in

I glanced up from the picture when she didn't say anything to find her staring at me with sadness. I suddenly realized how I sounded to her. I looked just like her granddaughter just as she looked just like my grandmother. But this girl couldn't be me, she was all her own. She had a life that was full of love and happiness, something that I knew nothing about.

"Please?" I said softly glancing back at her

"You were very happy" She attempted as I looked at her shaking my head

"She isn't me" I said seriously but as soft as possibly, pleading for her to understand

"She was a happy teenager, full of life" She said after a moment tear in her eyes "She was a cheerleader, has been since she started high school. She had this smile that lit up a room and was always about to cheer up her friends."

I nodded as I glanced at the next page finding pictures from a camping trip. She saw a picture of the girl and her mother. It looked like they were eating smores. I couldn't recall ever eating one of those before. I didn't remember my mother looking at me with the softness this woman was looking at her daughter.

"She was smart, taught herself how to play the violin when she was ten" Virginia continues as I flinched slightly "She drove the others crazy, but she was rather talented"

I recalled staring flipping through a few more pages how at ten I was barely surviving my own torment. This girl was teaching herself how to play violin when I could barely remember to breathe through the pain at that age. I saw her in sundresses, something I wouldn't have worn. I had to be sure to cover bruises and wearing that back then would have defeated the purpose.

"She was close to her siblings, adored being there for her little sister. Amber always wanted to be just like her" She whispered, and I could hear the light sobs when she paused

My focus remained on the picture of the two girls, standing in some type of line smiling brightly while hugging. I saw they were at some sort of amusement park. She was close to her family, and they clearly loved her as well. She had a life, a happy carefree life. I shallowed thickly at that thought, she was everything I was unable to be. She had everything I never could ever see having. So why was I here and she wasn't?

I glanced at the woman that was clearly missing her as well. I knew better than to try to be this girl. This Liberty had a lightness to her that I just couldn't hold. I knew that I couldn't compare myself to her. The Liberty she was missing was simply different. I had lived a different life and it meant that I had different strengths. Just because we wore the same face didn't mean I could pretend to be her.

I sighed glancing at the pictures knowing that it also wouldn't be fair to her. If I was really here in her world, then she had either died or ended up in mind. I really hope she wasn't thrust into the life of a soldier when she had such a happy life. But I knew that I couldn't say that to this woman, she would just either keep pushing or worse commit me to an institution. I would have to do the only thing that was an option at this point, I would have to play a part.

"I am sorry" I said softly as she looked at me with hope "I know you don't understand, but this isn't what I remember. I don't remember this as my life. I know I can't be her"

"Oh dear" She stated moving towards me touching my face "All that matters is you are alive; I will help you in any way I can. I know it is confusion, losing them and your memories, but it will be okay"

I nodded knowing that this was the situation, I had to play a part until I could either get home or find another way to adjust. I glance at the girl in the photo hating that I was here instead of her. She deserved to live a long and happy life; it was something that I would never have had myself. I hated that the only thing that truly made sense was I was in another realm, taking the place of a perfectly happy girl, and quite possibly finding myself in a town with story book characters. I hoped the last thing was wrong.