Bella's POV
With my throat burning like a desert landscape going up in flames and strange daydreams running through my mind, all about me beating Edward over his head, with his arm I ripped off of him, which I wish I would have thought about in the first place. But I didn't. I run past the trees and through the snow-covered forest.
I race faster than ever before. I'm able to do it with ease and without tripping over my own feet or anything at all. It's something I was never able to do before… when I was human. The part, about running and not falling down, is awesome. Even though I don't want to be what I am, I like being able to run without stumbling. It's absolutely amazing.
But what's not amazing is that I'm not out for a leisurely jog or even doing laps in Gym class. I'm running away and really don't know if I'm going the right way. All I know is that I want to get far, far away from Edward's uncle who is chasing me. Or at least he was, I think I lost him since I don't hear him behind me anymore.
I really hope he's no longer on my trail but that doesn't mean I will slow down or even stop running. Because he was chasing me to take me back to his house, back to Edward. The very person I want nothing to do with and don't know if I ever will.
Edward, my boyfriend, was someone who I loved spending time with, someone who I felt I could trust with my darkest secrets. I trusted him and he betrayed me. We had been kissing in a dark alley, I remember now, when he bit me. He turned me into a mythical creature!
Only, I'm not mythical, I'm real. I'm alive but I'm no longer…human.
My anger bubbles up inside me at that thought. In the two days I was Edward's girlfriend I never thought I would become a vampire. There was no time to think about that, I was just having fun with him and living for the moment. Never once did I think this would happen to me. Though now it has, and I don't know what to do.
I keep running.
I really miss my dad and want to see him. Ever since I was little, he has had a way of making me feel better on my worst days. My memories are fuzzy for some reason, and I can't really remember what happened on my worst days to make them bad, other than falling down and getting hurt, or dropping my favorite book into a lake and a catfish swallowing it. Though I do remember feeling loved by my dad when he hugged me and how it made everything better. I need to feel that way again, I really need my dad.
'Screw that stupid rule about vampires leaving their families behind.' I think bitterly to myself as I slow to a stop on a mountain top that overlooks a small town.
Forgetting everything else, I am momentarily distracted and stand very still without even trying to do so. Peering down at the town I'm mesmerized by how clear my vision is. Everything that is far away seems closer because I can see every detail in the tiniest things no matter the distance.
A cold wind blows, and a wonderful, delicious scent makes its way to my nose. It makes my throat burst into flames, my mouth water, and every muscle in my body tighten up. Without thinking about it, I take one step forward and another, heading for the town.
"Stop right there, Bella." A firm male voice behind me orders. Immediately I feel a peacefulness that overtakes my whole body. "Do not go to the town."
It's not Eleazar or even Edward. Thankfully it's not Edward, he's the last person, or vampire I want to see.
"Bella," The deep voice says my name again. There's a no-nonsense tone that reminds me of a drill sergeant.
Nothing is followed by my name and I'm curious about who is here with me. The voice seems familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. I know I've heard it before, but I can't pinpoint where I heard it, or to whom it belongs to.
I think about turning around and just like that, my body swiftly completes the action. Whoa! That's something to get used to. Just think about doing something and I do it without my brain actually giving my body a command.
Trying to not get distracted by how fast I can move now or how quickly I can think, I stare at the figure who stands here with me, a few yards away. He is a little taller than Edward, a little older too, tall and skinny, but very muscular. His gray long sleeve shirt fits him well and emphasizes his muscles while his honey blonde hair falls just above his shirt collar. Right away I realize I know him from school. He's one of Edward's brothers, the quiet one. My eyes take in the sight of his familiar golden eyes and his facial features. Suddenly I stiffen up for unknown reasons.
I find myself unable to say a word or stop myself from staring at certain parts of his cheeks and forehead. He has many scars on his face and neck and I'm frightened by that.
"There's no need to be fearful." Jasper says and suddenly I feel calm.
"No need to be scared of Jasper, he won't hurt ya." Another male voice says.
This voice is different from Jasper's, it's deep but light in a way. Reluctantly I look away from my first unexpected companion to spot the second. Right away I see him standing further away from me than Jasper is. He looks like a giant leaning up against a tree trunk with his arms crossed over his chest. He's very tall and super muscular, much like the Incredible Hulk, only corpse pale and not green.
"Emmett." I choke out his name.
"Hey, baby, sis." He awkwardly grins, keeping a watchful eye on me.
His smile shows his dimples and makes his face seem very innocent and sweet. But as he moves toward me, I feel very scared, threatened somehow.
A little voice in my head tells me to get away from these two boys and the next thing I know, I'm running down the mountain top.
"No, Bella!" Jasper shouts, running after me.
I don't listen to him. Hearing two pairs of running feet not far behind, I run as fast as I can. I know they are chasing me, and I can't let them catch me. Breathing fast because I'm scared out of my mind of what they will do to me, I keep going, getting closer to where the tasty smells are. Though I'm not thinking about those smells anymore. I just want to get away from these guys that are after me.
"Uh oh. She's going rough, brother man!" Emmett yells out, a mixture of fear and amusement is in his tone.
"Bella!" Jasper yells my name.
I don't respond, I keep running.
"She's going to go savage and find a badly dressed meal at Walmart." Emmett announces in a carefree tone that has a hit of fear in it. "It'll probably be someone wearing mix matched pajamas and white bunny slippers. What a bloodbath that will be."
"Not on my watch." Jasper replies.
They get quiet but I still hear their running feet. They are after me and I must get away. I know them but every fiber in my body tells me that them chasing me is not safe.
I jump down to a lower part of the mountain and hear a noise that sounds like a rush of wind heading for my direction. Before I land, I look back and see Jasper leaping in midair, heading right for me with Emmett doing the same in back of him.
Feeling panicked at that sight, my head snaps forward while my feet attempt to hit the ground. Before I can continue to run there's a loud sound of thunder, the impact of Jasper's body colliding with mine, my feet get tangled with his as we roll. Another sound of thunder rockets through the air and Emmett crashes into us, making me yell out in surprise as all of us get mashed together like a ball, tangled and attached to one another, as we fly off the cliff.
We land with a barely audible thump on a blanket of snow. I have no idea how it happened but I'm on the bottom of this vampire pile with my face pressed deep in the snow with them on top of me.
With two heavy bodies weighing me down, making it impossible for me to get away. All I can do is lay still.
I don't move a muscle, or tell them to get off of me, in fact I don't even breathe. Not breathing is strange but I'm fascinated by being able to hold my breath for so long. Realizing I don't need to breathe is amazing but another thought pops in my brain and a feeling in my gut nags at me. Telling me to be compliant to do as Jasper tells me. That is my only option of them letting me up, I believe.
Time passes but I'm not sure how much since I'm not keeping track. Still, the three of us remain in a pile on the snow.
"Jazz, did we squish her like a pancake?" Emmett randomly asks from the top of the pile.
"No. Don't be ridiculous, Em." Jasper answers, his breath hits the back of my neck.
I don't say a word.
"Bella?" Jasper says my name as a question. His tone is rough and military-like, making me feel small.
It's obvious by the way he said my name that he wants an answer from me.
"Yes?" I squeak out.
"Are you done running from us?" He asks in a firm tone. His hands reach for mine, putting them behind my back.
"Yes." I answer truthfully, my voice sounding small and scared. The way I sound is exactly the way I feel.
"Really?" Emmett wonders with a hint of disappointment in his tone.
I can't figure out why he sounds sad. Did Emmett want to run after me some more? Well, too bad. I don't wish to keep running away, I'm done. I'm giving up, I guess.
"Yes." I answer again, it's all I seem to be able to say.
Emmett gets up and so does Jasper who pulls me up with him. His hands firmly hold my wrists, not about to let me go while he leads me next to the mountain where we tumbled down from. His grip is firm, and I feel just how strong he is as he instructs me that we aren't going into town today but heading back to his uncle and aunt's place.
With Jasper's hands around my wrist and Emmett next to me, ready to take me down if he has to, at least that's the feeling I get. The three of us begin our journey away from our landing spot. With Jasper holding me this way, taking me where I don't want to go, and giving me no choice, makes me feel like a prisoner. I have no say at all.
Tears that don't fall welled up and sting my eyes. "I don't want to." I protest.
My voice sounds whiny, and I wonder why I'm acting so childish. I have long since grown out of my childhood tantrums. But judging on how I acted today, no one would know it.
"That's the best place for us to be." Jasper explains, holding onto my wrists a little tighter as we walk deeper into the forest. "It's the safest place for you. A newborn should not be running around alone."
"But I don't want to see him." I spat the last word. I'm too angry to say his name.
I glance up at Emmett who quickly looks back at Jasper. There's a look of understanding on his face and I wonder if Jasper shares the same look. Since I can't see because he's behind me, I look forward and keep marching on.
"It's understandable that you're mad at Edward for what he did." Jasper says in a firm yet understanding tone. "Though the majority of us, just like you, didn't have a choice when we became a vampire. I didn't and neither did Alice, Roslie, Edward or –"
"I didn't choose this either," Emmett chimes in, interrupting him. "But I wouldn't trade being a vampire for anything. Vampy life is excellent. Can't fight bears when you're a human."
He sounds and looks like he's bragging, and I guess he is. Though I don't see the fun in being a vampire. Walking to my doom I begin to wonder if it's really as bad as I'm thinking it is. For the most part, they all seem happy even though none of them picked to be vampires.
"Okay," I say more to myself than either of my bodyguards. "I'm now a vampire. I have to accept what I cannot change. I'm a vampire."
My tone sounds defeated even though I made the decision of acceptance. Slowly I'm coming to terms with what I am. There's no way of fixing it, otherwise I'm sure Edward's family would have already done it. So, there's nothing left to do, other than not denying what I am.
"I guess being what I am isn't so bad." I sigh, trying to really mean it.
"That's the spirit!" Emmett shouts happily.
"But we still need to get back from where you ran away from. Our parents are there waiting for us." Jasper clarifies. His voice is very serene now. A wave of calm overtakes my body, making me feel better.
"Please don't make me go back. I'm really not ready." My voice is shaky, and now I feel like crying.
"Don't want to see a one-armed Eddie boy, uh?" Emmett laughs a booming laugh.
"That's a good one." Jasper snickers, speaking to Emmett in an easy tone. "Now," He says in a stern tone and I know he's talking to me. "We must go back."
I don't answer Jasper, I can already tell that no matter how much I protest he won't give in to my wishes. My eyes snap up to Emmett. "I'm sorry I ripped his arm off. I didn't know I could do that. Will he be okay with one arm?"
Even though I'm mad at Edward for ruining my life with a kiss that turned into a bite, I find myself being worried about him. I didn't mean to hurt him and now he will only have one arm.
"He'll be fine. But that will leave a mark." Emmett grins and laughs.
Jasper lets out a low chuckle.
"How could you guys laugh at that? Your brother's going to be without an arm. That isn't funny." I try to stop walking but both of them won't let me. They pull me along, Jasper by giving me a push and Emmett, by literally pulling me by the sleeve of my blouse.
"On the contrary, baby sis," Emmett says in a very carefree way. "It is funny."
"I tore his arm off of his body. That's not funny. How can you guys laugh?" I feel anger boil inside of me and quickly die down.
"When a limb is torn off of one of us, it is not permanently detached. It can be reattached with venom." Jasper explains, easing my worries.
"Oh." I breathe the word, feeling less emotional than before.
That bit of information makes me feel relieved. Despite not being happy with the boy who did this to me, I didn't want him to go through life without his left arm. I'm glad he will have two arms again.
"Yeah." Emmett says happily. "And now we have something to tease him about."
Without a word, I look up questionably at my large captor.
"A little girl," – Emmett pokes my shoulder with a large finger – "Basically beat him up. You have no idea how hilarious that is."
"Yeah." Jasper chuckles, still not letting go of me.
"I have to admit," Emmett puts his hand on my shoulder. "I'm surprised you didn't kill and drink the dog though."
I wrinkle my nose. "He smells worse than a dirty shoe filled with rotting cheese that's been left out in the sun."
Emmett howls with laughter while Jasper agrees with me about domestic pets not smelling appetizing.
Quickly we are deeper in the snow-covered forest and I'm having trouble thinking straight. My mind is a jumbled-up mess of random thoughts, and my throat feels worse now.
"My throat burns bad." I say to no one in particular. My voice sounds hoarse, and my throat feels like it's literally on fire. If my hands weren't behind my back, I would rub my throat to try to relieve the pain.
"You need to hunt." Both of them say in unison, not breaking their stride.
The thought of hunting terrifies me. I have never hunted anything before, not even deer. I don't know what to do or even what everyone means when they say I need to hunt. How am I supposed to do this hunting thing without a weapon? I don't know. I'm not sure about anything anymore.
We keep walking with Emmett leading the way now and Jasper explaining our diet to me. He never loses his grip on my wrists or drops the firmness in his tone that he seems to only use with me, as he tells me in grave detail about how we only feed off of animals and never humans. I give the appropriate responses when he asks me questions to see if I'm paying attention. He is very thorough with his rules and there's no doubt that he expects me to follow everything he says.
"How am I supposed to hunt, exactly?" I wonder as his speech comes to an end.
Now the three of us stand deep in the forest, far away from the population. I'm guessing this is where the hunting will happen.
"Should we give her a hunting lesson?" Emmett asks Jasper.
"Absolutely not." Jasper responds, his tone outraged by that.
My breathing speeds up. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, my throat is on fire, and I guess he's going to make me figure this out myself. Maybe I'm overreacting but I'm getting the feeling that Jasper doesn't like me anymore. From my memories I can recall Jasper being nice to me when I was human. But I guess he doesn't like me anymore.
Tears begin to weld up in my eyes, but they don't fall. I can't understand why they won't fall. Suddenly, I feel very peaceful instead of on the edge of a crying fit like a toddler.
"As a precaution," Jasper speaks calmly. "Bella, you and I will stay put. While Emmett goes and hunts for you, bringing back your meal."
"I am?" Emmett sounds intrigued.
"Yes." Jasper says. "The way I see it, this is our only option, so she doesn't run off again."
"I won't run off." My voice is small, but my words are a promise. I have no intention of running away again.
"That's good, Bella. But we're not going to give you that chance." Jasper says in a no-nonsense tone. Once again, he instructs Emmett to hunt for me, telling him to make it quick and don't fight with my meal. Because I need to feed now, not two hours from now.
"Sure thing, brother man." Emmett gives Jasper a two-finger salute. "One meal for the baby vampire coming right up." Emmett cheerfully calls as he runs off.
With Emmett gone Jasper guides me over to a log laying on the ground, commanding me to sit on it. I do and he never let's go of his hold on me.
Now that it's just the two of us I feel shy. I know he's mad at me for how I've been acting so I don't try to strike up a conversation with him. I just sit quietly, wondering if he hates me.
Jasper sighs, shifting behind me. I glance at him.
"Bella, I can feel what you're feeling," He says, his voice quiet. "I'm not mad at you, nor do I hate you. I'm only taking charge because I know the trouble newborns are capable of. I don't want you to create any more issues for yourself."
Feeling small and scared, I say nothing at all.
"You don't need to be scared." He reassures me and instantly I feel less frightened. "No one will hurt you. I promise you that. Though, that doesn't mean you can injure anyone else and run amok. Understood?"
"I'll be good." I promise in a tone that makes me sound like a little girl.
His answering smile – even as small as it is – makes me realize he really means me no harm. Nor does he hate me, despite holding my wrist like I'm a prisoner and never letting his guard down.
Neither one of us is very chatty, both of us are quiet though the silence isn't awkward. The atmosphere feels surprisingly peaceful.
Sitting on the log I smell all different kinds of scents and focus on those, playing a game with myself to identify what they might be. The first is a sweet, clear, and very pure scent. Realizing I smelled it before in my past life, I can tell it's Jasper's scent and then, my own. The next is snow, I think. I'm not really sure if snow has its own smell but maybe it does. The third is the scent of the trees, and the fourth….
My little game abruptly comes to an end as I catch a new scent that has my attention. Immediately I sit up a little straighter and every muscle in my body contracts and stiffens up. My body feels like it's on high alert and I feel a bit confused, I'm not sure what's happening to me.
"There's no need for confusion," Jasper's voice is serene. "You're registering the scent of blood. You're very thirsty and even animal blood appeals to you."
I don't say anything. My throat is scorching, and my mouth is watering. I can only think of consuming blood, and I wonder if this is normal.
"Everything you are experiencing is perfectly natural." He reassures me.
My breath comes in thick waves, and I want to sprint in the direction of the smell that calls to me. But I don't. I can't since Jasper still has a hold on me.
Yards away from where we are, I see Emmett place a carcass of a large moose down on the snow. In no time at all he is by our side. He and Jasper say something to one another but I'm not paying attention. I can't really focus on their conversation.
Jasper stands me up, encouraging me to go drink my meal. I don't say anything, in fact, my brain is all jumbled up and I doubt I can form words even if I tried very hard to do so. The only thing I can clearly think about is quenching my thirst. Jasper releases me and I hear him, and Emmett both take a few steps back.
With much eagerness I inhale, breathing in…blood. The scent pulls me in, and I run to the limp body of the giant moose.
There are no longer any thoughts in my mind about not knowing what to do. Or needing someone to metaphorically hold my hand to help me with this task before me. Instinctively my body seems to know just what to do.
My mouth waters even more than before, I sink down next to the moose's huge head, sitting on my knees I reach out, grabbing its neck and aligning my face. My teeth sink into its fur and flesh. Blood coats my mouth and dances on my tongue. A small part of my brain tells me this should be repulsive, yet it's not. It's delicious, I drink relentlessly.
The last drop of blood enters my mouth and slides down my throat. My body feels full, happy, and totally well. I'm able to think a little clearer now and feel horrible about everything I have done today. None of it is like me and I wonder why I acted so horrible. Like a little monster.
Still sitting next to my dinner that was surprisingly appetizing, my hands cover my face, completely ashamed of my behavior.
Movement in the distance registers in my brain. Two sets of footsteps are a faint whisper against the snow, without looking I realize right away that Edward's brothers are headed over to me. I don't remove my hands from my face or even move a muscle. I remain perfectly still.
"Bella, are you okay?" Jasper wonders, his tone sounds worried.
"I'm a monster." My voice is muffled against my palms.
"First post hunting clarity gets us all." Emmett's tone is very cheerful.
I have no idea what he means, and I hear Jasper scoff at Emmett. Still keeping my face covered I say I'm a monster again but don't go into details about what I mean. I'm referring to the incident with Edward's arm and not about drinking blood. Though that too should fall in the same category. Yet, it doesn't.
"No, you're not." Jasper corrects me, his tone is sad.
I want to scream that I am horrible and there's no other way to look at it. But all my sorrow and annoyance are suddenly replaced with tranquility. I drop my hands from my face and see them sitting down on either side of me. Feeling more at ease I open up to them, explaining why I think I'm a dreadful creature. Both of them do their best to dismiss my fears. Emmett with jokes that are strange and not very funny to me, and Jasper, along with his caring words he uses his extra influence.
In my unclear human memories, I remember him explaining to me that he had a special ability and was able to control and manipulate emotions. I'm sure that's why my mood keeps becoming more peaceful every time I feel upset.
When I am calm enough the three of us get up. As a precaution and nothing against me, Jasper claims, he places my arms behind my back, holding my wrists in place with his strong hands. Once again, I'm a prisoner, a very peaceful prisoner as Emmett demonstrates how to properly bury our kills.
Once the moose's remains are concealed under the snow, we begin making our journey back to the place I'm reluctant to be. Jasper reassures me countless times, and so does Emmett, that no one is mad at me. It's a relief though there's a part of me that's still worried about that.
In his peacefully quiet voice that I remember from my time as a human, Jasper tells me that the moment Alice had her vision of how I would react when I woke up to my second life, no one blamed me for my actions. Not him, Alice, Rosalie, their parents, and certainly not Emmett. Though Alice's visions of what I would do did make them all pack a bag and head here – to Alaska – sooner than they had planned. Because my new parents knew they were better equipped to handle me in my emotional state than my new uncle and aunt who don't have children. He goes on, pointing out that Carmen and Eleazar clearly didn't know how to handle the spat between Edward and me, since they let it escalate while my rapid mood swings got the best of me. That's something he says that his parents wouldn't have done.
My responses are limited to what he says. There are a million questions in my brain all bouncing around like ping pong balls on a trampoline. Half of these questions I'm not sure how to ask while the other half will have to wait since our quick journey has ended and we are now coming up to the house. For some reason we are heading to the backdoor instead of the front.
Emmett leads the way up the back steps with me and Jasper – who still holds my wrists – right behind him. When the door opens I smell the dog and the pure, sweet scent of vampires and…I smell him.
Though I wish I didn't have to go into the same house as him, I feel okay about it. Very peaceful as Jasper instructs me to go up the steps. I listen to him without hesitation.
Right away I see them before I even enter the kitchen, five vampires and the dog. The blond haired one, who I recognize as Edward's dad, is sitting at the round wooden table with his back toward me. A black doctor bag is next to him on the tabletop and so is his son's ripped arm. I cringe and look away.
On the opposite side of his father, Edward and his mother sit at the table as well. The boy who did this to me has his head buried in the crook of his mother's neck, her arms wrapped tightly around him. She's murmuring words of comfort to him while his dad is plucking out something from the limb and pacing each small item on a napkin beside him.
Meanwhile, Carman stands on the other side of the large kitchen, in front of the refrigerator holding her dog and talking baby talk to it. With her husband next to her, holding a small blue bowl in one hand and an ice cube in the other, rubbing the dog's mouth with it, he too is talking baby talk. Both of them act like they are caring for an injured baby instead of a puppy.
I'm not sure what happened after I left but I wonder why Edward doesn't have his arm back on yet. I also wonder if I will be an outsider in this family that already has so many children. Where do I fit in?
Jasper urges me to step inside, I do, and I wish he would let me go but he doesn't.
The door slams behind us and heads turn, looking our way. The only one that doesn't look up is Edward, he lets out a little whimper at the same time the dog does. His mother rubs his head, smoothing out his messy bronze hair.
The parents look my way. Both of them give me a warm greeting, I don't say anything.
"What's up, one arm Willy?" Emmett asks Edward in a playful tone and Jasper laughs. "Hope that's not the hand you beat the meat with."
His strange joke makes me feel uncomfortable, I pretend I didn't hear him.
Edward moans in pain, not moving his head from his mom's shoulder.
"Emmett, not appropriate." Both his parents scold him in unison.
"Just speaking the truth." Emmett grins, shrugging his shoulders.
His mom and dad shoot Emmett a hard look, as if to say, not another word. With a goofy smile and a giggle, Emmett's out of the kitchen.
Gravity holds me back as Jasper, who's still holding my wrists, urges me to move forward toward the table. I don't move an inch. I'm not trying to be defiant; I'm just scared. He gives me a little shove at the same time Edward glances up at me. His golden eyes are full of pain while I do as his brother wants me to.
My arms are still behind my back as I'm escorted to where these people that I'm forced to live with now, are comforting Edward. I know Jasper had said that no one was angry with me but still, I wonder if they are mad at me. I also wonder if they will like me. In my human life I only met each of them once very briefly. It wasn't long enough to remember anything concrete about them, not even their names.
I look at everyone seated at the table, and they peer at me. For a moment Edward's eyes lock with mine. There's a question in his eyes but he doesn't say a word and neither do I. Though something inside me screams that everything is different, words will get in the way, and nothing is the same as it was.
Not exactly sure what that means, I try to tune out my inner voice that's telling me things I don't understand.
Edward's eyes stray from mine. He rests his head on his mother's shoulder.
My eyes drift from Edward's face to his father. He was looking up at me a second ago but not anymore. Now his head is bent down, concentrating as one hand holds the limb firmly on the tabletop as he uses tweezers to pluck out…dog teeth from Edward's ripped arm.
I stare a little too long, wondering what's the backstory on the dog teeth. How did that happen?
"Welcome to the family, Bella." The mother speaks to me.
My eyes snap to her. Feeling shy, I don't say anything. I only nod in agreement.
A warm smile spreads across her face, her eyes are on me while she pats Edward's head. "We are very happy to have you in our family."
Taken aback by what she said, my mouth falls open. I quickly close it, trying not to act surprised. She couldn't really mean that since I was the one who hurt Edward, yet, I have a gut feeling she's being honest. She is glad I'm part of her family.
"Jasper, can you please let her go? She'll be more comfortable here, with us," – she nods her head to the empty chair beside her – "Or even letting her go into the living room with the girls and Emmett. Let her become familiar with us and her surroundings."
"Sorry, Esme," Jasper says and I take a mental note about what her name is. "I don't think that's best. She needs supervision. Since she ran from Emmett and I, heading for the town, it's safest for me to hold onto her."
Unwilling, the father glances up from his work. "Jasper, I understand your concerns, but your new sister won't be running off again. Will you, Bella?"
"No." I answer in a small but honest tone.
"Carlisle," Jasper protests, and now I know the father's name too. "Are you forgetting she became violent with Edward? That's only a portion of what she's capable of."
Carlisle shakes his head, dismissing Jasper's fears. "I doubt anything more will come of it."
"You haven't seen her in action. I have, she's unstoppable when she runs. You also haven't lived through what I have." Jasper speaks in a low clear voice.
The way he talks like I'm not even here, makes me feel weird. Much like a fly on the wall that no one wants around.
"Jazz, release her, please. Everything was my fault, not hers." Edward says in a tone saturated with pain.
I half expect Jasper to do as his brother asked but he doesn't. I'm still a prisoner.
"Son, I'm not disputing anything you have been through," Carlisle is patient as he talks to Jasper. "Though I don't want you to forget who the parents are in this family. Don't forget who makes the rules."
"I'm not. I'm only doing what I think is best." Jasper's voice is rough, and his hands become tighter around my wrist.
I don't complain or even move.
Carlisle puts his equipment down and stands up while the limb on the tabletop wiggles about. Esme grabs the unattached arm, so it doesn't flop around like a fish out of water.
I feel small as Carlisle stands before me. He towers over me by a couple feet, at least. Suddenly I feel very short. He gently places his hand under my chin, it takes a lot of self control for me to not growl. But somehow, I manage. I know in my heart of hearts he won't hurt me.
"Bella, how do you feel about what you have done to Edward? Will you do it again?" Carlisle wonders in a gentle tone, looking into my eyes.
I make eye contact with him and suddenly I am easily distracted. In the depths of his golden irises, I see the reflection of my red eyes. The color is so odd and shiny. So shiny.
"I feel very bad." I say, trying to focus. "I don't ever want to hurt anyone again but are my eyes really red? Or am I seeing things?" I blurt out.
"Yes, they are red." He answers slowly.
"All newborn vampires have crimson colored eyes, sweetie. It's nothing to worry about. The color will change in about a year or two." Esme explains in a soothing tone, trying to hold down the arm and comfort Edward at the same time.
"She's not worried." A beautiful voice that sounds like wind chimes says. "Are you, Bells?"
I look in the doorway to see Alice standing there. She looks overly happy, and I instantly feel overwhelmed and can't explain why.
I shake my head no. After all, I'm amazed with my new eye color and not scared by it.
The little bubbly, pixy-like vampire bounces over to me. I stiffen up as she gives me an embrace that I'm unable to return. Our hug comes to an end, she smiles at me and then looks behind me.
"Jazz, our new sister won't harm anyone." Alice says in a sing-song voice.
"Is this a vision or a hunch?" Jasper wonders.
"Look at me, Jazzy." She says and both of them get very quiet.
Everyone in the kitchen carries on. Edward moans and groans in pain, Esme comforts him. Carlisle sits back down to continue his task of removing dog teeth from Edward's unattached limb. I silently watch him as Jasper and Alice quietly do whatever they are doing. All the while Eleazar and Carmen express their worries about the health of their much-loved fur baby.
"Hermano," Eleazar says and Carlisle's head snaps in his direction. "Can you reattach Pepper Jack's missing teeth?
"Please?" Carman begs and the tiny dog whines.
The blank expression on Carlisle's face is priceless. It makes me giggle. He shakes his head no returning to the arm in front of him on the tabletop.
"El, I am a doctor for humans. Not a veterinarian." Carlisle responses, plucking out what appears to be the last tooth.
His tone is serious, yet I find comedy behind his words. Another giggle slips from my lips while he talks, explaining boring medical stuff I don't understand, his reasons for not being able to treat a dog don't sit well with the crazy dog people. I quickly giggle again. Edward looks my way, love, devotion, pain, and concern are ever present in his eyes. Feeling uncomfortable for reasons I don't understand, I look away, out the window. I don't want to meet his gaze, not right now.
A second passes and finally Jasper's hands release me. Momentarily shocked by not having skin to skin contact with him, I drop my hands to my side but don't move.
"Stay out of trouble." Jasper stands beside me now.
"I will." I promise.
"Come on, Bella!" Alice grabs my hand, dragging me toward the exit of the kitchen.
"Where are we going?" I ask as we fly through the threshold.
"To get you cleaned up and changed." She cheerfully explains. "On the way over here, I bought you so many beautiful clothes! There's so many you can dress up and have a fashion show with everything I got. Oh! It will be wonderful and…"
I stop listening to her after the words "fashion show'' enters my brain. That's not anything that sounds like fun to me.
From inside the kitchen the conversation grabs my attention:
"The limb is ready to be reattached. Jasper, I need your assistance." Carlisle sounds very professional. More like a doctor instead of a dad.
"Dear," Esme sounds very worried. "Did you extract all the teeth from his flesh?"
"Yes, I did." Carlisle answers in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Can't you replace our baby's teeth?" Carman sounds like she's crying. Her dog barks and she repeats her question again.
"I have no experience with dogs or dentistry. My apologies." Carlisle sighs.
I hear a sound like metal on metal and instinctively I know someone bit down hard on the limp. There's another noise that makes me wince, Edward hissing, and I know he's in pain.
"Son, now hold still." Carlisle warns and I know he's talking to Edward. "We want it to reattach straight and not crooked. Don't move."
"Dad, this really stings." Edward sounds very whiny.
"Just relax, little bro." Jasper instructs.
Alice stops rapidly chatting about all things fashion and I quit listening to what's going on in the kitchen as we move into the living room. The TV is on, a TMNT movie is playing but no one is watching it. On the loveseat Emmett and Rosalie are making out. The sight is very gruesome and makes it uncomfortable to be in the same room with them.
"Rosalie," Alice calls to her. "Would you like to help with Bella's makeover like we talked about?"
There is no response. Rosalie removes her hand from Emmett's hair, flicking her wrist, waving us away. Obviously, she's too busy to be bothered.
Alice leads me out of the living room, down the long hallway, and into a bedroom with a cluster of five shopping bags on the bed. I don't say a word as Alice lets go of my hand, leaving me by the door as she flies over to the bed. She quickly takes an outfit from the bag that's closest to her. She holds out a pair of dark blue jeans, a pink floral print top, and some clothes to wear underneath.
"Do you like your new clothes?" Alice asks eagerly.
Truly I'm not sure how I feel about this, about her giving me clothes. It's a nice gesture and I'm grateful but receiving gifts from people I don't really know is a bit uncomfortable.
"I like them." I say honestly.
Alice squeals in excitement and claps her hands. "I can't wait for you to try those on. You will look so beautiful."
I look around the room, wondering if I'm supposed to change in front of her. I don't plan on it.
"I didn't mean change in here," Alice giggles, answering my unspoken question. "In the bathroom, silly."
"Oh." I feel embarrassed. Expecting my face to heat up, I'm surprised when it doesn't.
"First get cleaned off. Then change." She speaks, handing me a big brand new fluffy yellow towel. "You need a shower to wash off the fur and earthy smells of the forest after you hunt. Cleaning off always comes after hunting."
"Nobody mentioned that." My tone is defensive. I feel like I need to defend myself for not knowing about this rule.
"Well, everyone was occupied with the arm." She points out.
From somewhere in the house there's a sharp sound of glass breaking and a high-pitched scream. Realizing it's Edward, I freeze, wondering what happened.
"That impatient brother of mine didn't hold still through the procedure. He moved." She shakes her head.
"Carlisle had to re-break his arm?" I gasp in shock.
"Yeah. And if he doesn't remain still soon, it'll happen three more times." She says in a matter-of-fact tone. "I've seen it."
"You've seen it?" I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean.
"Yes. Girl, I see the future." Alice smiles, leading me to the bathroom. "I know what's going to happen before it does. Usually. Though there are a few things I missed while I was cooking flan."
I don't respond. I mean, what am I supposed to say? I'm not even sure what she's talking about.
In the bathroom she goes over to the shower and turns on the water for me, telling me to be careful to not break anything with my superhuman strength. I'm a lot stronger than I realize, she warns.
With that she turns to leave but abruptly stops, standing frozen with her back towards me. She lets out a gasp of air. Something seems wrong, I stand in place not knowing what to do.
Through the mirror I see her reflection. The expression on her face is surprised and there's a glassy look in her eyes.
"Alice, what's wrong?" I ask.
It takes a minute for her to compose herself. She shakes her head as if to clear her mind from whatever happened.
"Nothing." Alice spins around with a playful smile playing on her lips. She looks like she's holding back a laugh.
"Really?" I don't believe her. She seems to be hiding something.
"Well, it may be something, or it may be nothing." She shrugs her shoulders. "Esme will be taking Rose, Edward, and I to Tanya's for a few days. While you and the boys will be staying here with Carlisle."
Immediately I feel relieved that I won't have to be around Edward. No awkward small talk or anything. However, my relieved feelings don't last. Now I'm questioning why their parents will be staying in separate houses with three kids each. There's only one reason that I can think of why they would do that.
Divorce.
But I wonder if vampires do that. And if so, what would be the reason?
"Why are your parents splitting up?" I want to know.
All humor vanishes from her face as she shakes her head no. "It has nothing to do with their marriage. Or even you and my brother. Though our parents do see it best for both of you not to be around each other for a bit since neither of you are on speaking terms. Obviously."
Her words ease my fears about her parents not breaking up. Though her explanation still doesn't answer my question.
"Then what's happening? Why are half of us staying here and the other half going somewhere else?" I really want to know.
She holds two fingers up. "Two words," she says rapidly then dramatically pauses. I wait. "Rosalie and Emmett."
I'm not sure what she means. I raise an eyebrow in question.
"Shh." She presses those same two fingers she holds up to her lips.
I'm quietly wondering what I'm waiting for. I stare at her.
Without warning there's a loud crash, a bang, and an odd half scream mixed with a moan. At first, I'm sure it's Edward screaming again…until there's another loud scream, strange moaning, followed by a husky male voice shouting very weird profanities. Such as 'Fuck, Rosie! You're hotter than spicy chicken.' And 'Holy guacamole, your slipperier than a spicy tuna roll.' With that last sentence I realize it's Emmett and Rosalie making all that noise.
'What on Earth?' I think to myself.
Another loud crash, banding on the floor, and more profanities that involve food are heard throughout the house. Rosalie moans, sounding like she's imitating whale songs. Everything sounds so foreign and strange. I want to ask Alice what's going on, but I don't.
I feel embarrassed and somehow realize what Emmett and Rosalie are doing. I cringe as the adults begin to scold them, for being inappropriate out in the open on the living room floor, of all places. Their mother and father scold them, telling them their behavior of having intercourse on the floor, in a room where anyone can walk in on them, is uncalled for. While their aunt and uncle yell in Spanish. They sound angry and I don't know what they are saying.
"And that's why Esme and Carlisle will be breaking apart the couples." Alice explains nonchalantly. "It's only momentarily."
"You're not sad you're going to be apart from Jasper?" I ask since they seem to be very in love.
"I don't really like to be away from him." She admits. "But our parents aren't going to give anyone a choice. Not after what just happened in the living room."
"Oh." I don't know what else to say.
"Besides," She smiles. "It's not all that bad. Kate enjoys makeovers and she's going to take me to the mall to help her shop for her upcoming date. This week is going to be so much fun!" She squeals in excitement.
I don't respond.
Whoever Kate is, I'm glad I'm not her. I don't like makeovers or shopping. Those things don't sound like fun but torture.
Alice claps her hands and squeals again. She turns on her heels and disappears, leaving me alone.
I stare at the open door before shutting it. The feeling of being separated from Edward, if only for a little while, is both thrilling and frightening.
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