Chapter 8

Friend

I returned to myself much easier now, and even through my frustration at Jasper's actions, I was instantly aware of someone breaking through the brush behind me. I stood, twirling to face the noise inhumanly fast. An adolescent girl -13 or 14 years at most- yelped in surprise, and then was gone. Only the tall shadows of the numerous pines remained. I gaped at the empty space, blinking vigorously to clear my eyesight. After a moment I shook my head, and turned to continue on my way.

"Wait!" A voice called from behind, and I reluctantly turned. I didn't want to see anyone disappear again. The girl was back, smiling sheepishly at me. I stared at her warily, prepared for surprises. "Sorry about that, you startled me. I'm Fox."

"How did you do that?" I asked, inspecting her. There was some-thing different about her. She was about my height, maybe an inch taller. She had a long braid of black hair, reaching her waist. Her eyes were dark, but she was too far away from me to see any other details in them. She had pale skin, but if you looked carefully, it hinted at a darker tone. She wore natural clothing, a skirt and leggings of deer hide and a shirt of simple cloth. Beaded jewelry adorned her neck and head, and she was very beautiful. She laughed at my suspicious question and tone.

"We all have our talents, don't we?" Fox replied, smiling wider. I was still mystified, but I wasn't exactly normal either. "I didn't catch your name…" What harm could it do? I mused.

"Alice." I was smiling even through my suspicion. She had a… exuberance that was catchy. I felt more and more comfortable with her every second. She stepped forward to shake my hand, in the process walking through a gap in the shadows.

Her skin reacted to the sun the same way mine had.

I gasped, and she stared at me. Her head cocked slightly, and confusion dominated her expression. A curious light flickered in her black eyes rimmed with crimson. A huge grin broke out across my face, and I laughed in delight. Another vampire! I thought joyfully.

"What?" She demanded, stopping just beyond the patch of light and right in front of me.

"You're a vampire too!" I exclaimed, and the small part of my thoughts that wasn't occupied by relief or happiness was wondering why she wasn't as excited as I was.

"Yes…" She said cautiously, "What, you haven't seen another vampire before?" I shook my head, still beaming.

"No, I haven't. It's been six months and I've had no contact, with anyone!"

"Only six months?" She questioned, "You're a new one, aren't you?" I nodded. "Where's the person who changed you?"

"Was there one?" She continued staring incredulously. My exuberance began to ebb. "I don't remember…" I trailed off, but abruptly shook off the empty feeling that accompanied my absence of memory. "But, never-mind." I could still see the interest in her eyes, but she saw the subject closing and left it at that. I knew she could see the intense curiosity in my eyes too, and she and I quickly struck up a conversation.

We talked for hours. I learned she was a Quileute Indian from the state of Washington, and she and her brother had become vampires and left their tribe. She was 14 years old, and had been for decades. She was shocked when I told her that I remembered nothing of my human life, and up until now I hadn't known I had ever been human. She was also in awe, and slightly revolted by my choice of cuisine.

"Animals!" She exclaimed, "Why?"

"I just felt so… guilty. It still pains me to think about the lives I've destroyed, and I knew what to do, because I saw myself doing it."

"You saw yourself?" Would that bewildered expression never disappear?

"I have these visions. They show the future." I calmly explained, expecting another exclamation of surprise.

"Oh. That makes sense… sort of." She laughed slightly. It was my turn to stare in confusion. She only laughed more. "Well, if I can become invisible then seeing the future is no surprise."

"Is that how you vanished?" She nodded while I smiled. "That makes sense… sort of." I quoted, and she collapsed in laughter. I couldn't help but join in; she had such a compelling laugh.

After a few more minutes of chatter, she rose off the rock she had been sitting on, stretching. She smiled winningly while she asked me to come with her to meet her brother.

"I promised I'd be back a few hours ago." She giggled, "But he's used to me being late. You should come with me!"

She didn't need to ask me twice, I was eager for more conversation.

"Besides, what kind of sister would I be if I didn't introduce every pretty girl I see to him?" I laughed with her, after being reassured that she wasn't introducing me as a date.

"Fox, I don't-" She cut me off.

"Don't worry; I'd rather have you as my friend than my brother's companion." She smiled at me and I grinned back.

Friend… Ran through my mind over and over and I never stopped smiling as we raced through the trees to their camp.