TODAY'S QUOTE:
Fight like you're the third monkey trying to get on Noah's Ark.
"I'm sorry," Bella said, following me up to my room. "I'm really, really sorry."
"Okay."
"But I get it now. Rosalie talked to me. Well, more threatened me, but yeah."
"Good for you." I sat down on my bed and started peeling off my jeans that were damp with salt water. Next to come was my shirt, and Bella dutifully turned when I shut the curtains and began changing my underwear to something dry. "Now pass the towel."
She leant over to the bathroom opposite my room and grabbed a fluffy pink one, passing it blindly over to me. I probably would've laughed, but I was still pissed. I roughly dried my hair and rubbed up and down my legs, getting rid of little drops of saltwater and sweat.
"...So Edward talked to me today," she said, striking up another conversation when I finished changing. I flopped against my bed, holding my hands out in front of me. The polish was chipping off - I'd have to redo it. Maybe dark purple this time?
"Yeah?" I tried to disguise my curiosity - I was kinda interested in their strange relationship.
"Mhmm. We were blood typing in biology and I felt really, really sick, so Mike took me to the nurses office, where Edward met up with me and drove me home."
"Wait, Edward? Edward Cullen?" I asked, sitting straight up so fast I swear all my bones cracked.
"Who else?" she laughed, glad I was no longer mad at her.
"As in, Edward Cullen the guy who hates you, has a big family, adopted?"
"Yes." She looked at me carefully. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I said, brushing her worry off. "Edward, one of the Cullens, missed biology class, the same class where you were blood-typing?"
"Yes, I said that. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, fine," I said, getting up and pushing her out of my room. "I just remembered I have an English assignment due tomorrow."
"No, but, you never care-"
I shut the door in her face, and locked it for good measure. I went over to my window and slammed it down as much as it would go, and shut the curtains again.
I had to get out of the house, but there was nowhere I wanted to go that didn't involve a three-day drive. I pulled on my boots anyway, unclear where I was headed for the second time that day, and went downstairs. I shrugged into my raincoat without checking the weather and stomped out the door.
It was overcast, but not raining yet. I ignored my bike and started east on foot, angling across Dad's yard toward the ever-encroaching forest.
It didn't take long till I was deep enough for the house and the road to be invisible, for the only sound to be the squish of the damp earth under my feet and the sudden cries of the jays.
There was no path, but I had already gone this way before, in the first weekend of Forks. I knew there was a nice little clearing soon, a good place to sit and think.
I reached it quickly, and was (as always) breathless at the beautiful sight. It was as much out of a fairytale as one could get. There was a shallow pond, with cool blue water, and a little stream running out and through it. The grass was spongy and green, and there were tiny fairy rings every few steps.
All the myths and legends of a hundred different lands seemed much more likely in this sanctuary than they had in my clear-cut bedroom. I forced myself to focus on the two most vital questions I had to answer, but I did so unwillingly. First, I had to decide if it was possible that what Leah had said about the Cullens could be true.
Immediately my mind responded with a resounding negative. It was silly and morbid to entertain such ridiculous notions. But what, then? I asked myself. There was no rational explanation for how I was alive at this moment.
"Right, think Morgana. Cold ones. Blood-typing. Hunting humans. Hunting animals. Blood-typing. Never eat." I sat down at my chair and brought my knees up to my chest. "Blood-typing. Hunting. Food. Blood. Blood. Shit."
I couldn't bring myself to say the word out loud, but I could think it.
'Vampire.'
No, but that was crazy right? There was no way vampires were real. But a little nagging voice in the back of my head said; 'There's no way you're real, either.'
'But that's different,' I told myself. 'I don't eat humans.'
I listed again in my head the things I'd observed myself: the impossible speed and strength, the eye color shifting from black to gold and back again, the inhuman beauty, the pale, frigid skin. And more — small things that registered slowly — how they never seemed to eat, the disturbing grace with which they moved.
Could the Cullens be vampires? Well, they were something. Something outside the possibility of normal realms was making itself known to me. But then again, that had been happening my whole life.
So then — maybe. That would have to be my answer for now. And then the most important question of all. What was I going to do if it was true?
If the Cullens (Carlisle, especially) were vampires — I could hardly make myself think the words — then what should I do? Involving someone else was definitely out. I could barely believe myself; anyone I told would have me committed. Again.
I could kill them, of course, if worse came to worst, but I don't think I could bring myself to do that. And besides, what would my fire do to them? Would it be like a breese, cool and calm, or would it act upon them like it had against my old foes and schools?
Only two options seemed practical. The first was to take my own advice, leave them to be and hope they never realise I knew.
I was gripped in a sudden agony of despair as I considered that alternative. My mind rejected the pain, quickly skipping on to the next option. I could do nothing different. After all, if they were something… sinister, they'd done nothing to hurt me so far.
In fact, Bella would be a dent in Tyler's fender if Edward hadn't acted so quickly. So quickly, I argued with myself, that it might have been sheer reflexes. But if it was a reflex to save lives, how bad could he be? I retorted.
And what if they could help me? I could ask them to kill me, keep my loved ones safe from my flames. They'd be left with the memory of a girl with a few issues, but even then they'd soon forget them and only remember my good parts.
My head spun around in answerless circles.
I left the woods more confused than before. I half-heartedly decided to ignore them, and go from there.
"How was your walk? Finish your assessment?" Bella asked when I got back home, a rare twinkle in her eyes.
"Mmhm."
"What was it on?"
"...The philosophical belief on whether or not we have free will."
"Funny," she said, shaking slightly with silent laughter. "I don't remember being assigned that one."
"You must've missed it."
"Right. By the way, we're having fish for dinner. Charlie's bringing some home."
"Of course he is," I groaned, pulling off my boots and placing them by the door. Ever since I had arrived here, it was fish, fish, oh look, more fish.
"Make yourself useful," Bella said, passing me a knife and then tossing me a tomato. Being Bella, she misjudged her aim completely, and I had to reach to catch the tomato as it soared above my head. I dropped the knife, and didn't register it until I felt a sharp pain in my foot, the blade embedding itself in me.
It was a totally Bella move, and I felt like an idiot, but my heart sped up at the idea of seeing Carlisle. Then it sped up even faster as I realised I knew what he was.
"Shit, M," Bella swore, rushing to my side.
"Go get the car ready," I said, gritting my teeth through the pain.
"But you're bleeding!" she shrieked.
"Well spotted. Now go get the car and a towel. I don't need you passing out on me from the sight of blood."
She hesitated, before rushing up stairs and grabbing a towel for me. I didn't know how it was bleeding so much - it was just a small veggie knife, but there was quite a bit of blood gushing out and I began to feel sick.
"Okay, okay, here." She passed me my dirty pink towel and I growled at her, but took at anyway.
It stung like a bitch, the saltwater touching the wound, but I still pulled out the knife and then quickly wrapped my foot, leaning against the counter for support.
"Hospital," I said to Bella, my breath short. It was actually very painful. She let me lean against her and I hobbled to the door, bending down and picking up a pair of Dad's thongs as we went out.
The drive was fast, and I was grateful for it. We got into the ER, and the nurses o stand recognised at us once. Me with my blue hair, and Bella with her reputation of being a klutz.
"Oh my," one of them said, pulling me along to one of the rooms.
"Hi Nurse Shell," Bella said cheerfully. Clearly she knew the lady from previous incidents.
I felt the hairs on my neck stand up, and I forced myself not to turn as I heard Carlisle's cool voice.
"I'll take this one, Sharon."
She blushed heavily and fluttered her eyelashes. I fought against the urge to bite her or possibly puke.
"Dr Cullen," she said flirtatiously. "I didn't know you were on call."
"I just got here," he said politely, before firmly adding; "I'll take it from here."
"Right. Well girls, you're in good hands now." She gave one last wink before hurrying off.
"What a coincidence, Morgana, seeing you again today. Did Mike retaliate?"
I felt rather self-conscious in that moment. I was wearing a baggy sweater, and short-shorts, and one oversized thong. My hair was finally dry, but it was in a messy bun, and I had strands hanging down my face that were in no way artsy or fashionable. But I summoned up my courage, and turned to face Carlisle the Vampire.
Pain. Blood. Vampire.
"Not quite. I had a fight with a knife, and clearly I lost," I said, rolling my eyes. I wanted to bring a scowl onto my face, but both the pain and Carlisle's presence made me want to prevent it.
Pain. Blood. Vampire.
"What she means is, karma got to her," Bella laughed. My strange happy mood was over, and I glared full-force at Bella. She gulped, and amended it. "Sorry, M."
I rolled my eyes.
"Right, well, in here, please."
Carlisle directed us to a room with several IVs and various other medical things I in no way understood, besides the height chart and weight scale off to the side.
I sat down on the chair, and gingerly removed the towel at his nod. I was waiting for him to start sucking my blood, or bite my neck, but it never came.
He just examined my foot like an ordinary doctor.
"It's bleeding quite a bit," Carlisle said. I looked to my side, and saw Bella's pasty skin. Carlisle followed my eyes, and frowned. "Why don't you take a breather? Edward mentioned you weren't a big fan of blood."
He gave a chuckle, and I shuddered. "Cold?" he asked, concerned.
"No," I said. My jumper was pretty warm.
"I'm going to call Dad, so he doesn't worry when he gets home and finds us missing with a blood-stained knife on the floor." Bella gave me a tight-lipped smile and walked out the room.
"And you just hit it with a knife?"
"Hmm?"
"Your foot. You stabbed it with a knife?"
"Yeah. I bleed a lot."
I was like a perfect vampire snack. My body literally was full of blood.
He stared into my eyes, and I felt my heart clench. How could this beautiful, compassionate man be such a restless monster? It didn't make sense.
"Make sure you rest that foot."
I nodded slightly, and he held out his hand. I took it, and he pulled me up from my sitting spot.
"You know," he said quietly, as he leant against the door, "someone doesn't have to be injured for us to meet."
I kept walking out, but then I smirked. "But it's oh-so much more fun."
And I could hear his soft laugh rebound from behind me down the hall.
I'm 90% sure I want Morgana to turn into a vampire, but you are all very welcome to tell me what you want and see if you can tip the scales!
Review, please!
I'm really sorry that this is a shorter chapter, but it was an important one.
I just want to warn you that I may not update as regularly for the next 2 weeks, as I'm entering Exam/Assessment block and have a lot less time. Believe me, I would much rather be here on Fanfiction than doing exams, but I don't really have a choice.
Second, I'm writing this as I go, so I'll generally mention it, but if something doesn't make sense, it's because I've changed a bit of backstory or something. This also means I'm writing a chapter every 1-2 nights, so please don't get mad with time waits.
This also means things might change future wise, so maybe I'll have Morgana turn into a leprechaun and kiss Carlisle in Twilight. I say that so you know nothing is set in stone. That said, it is pretty much a big part of my plan to have them get together (romantically) end of New Moon to start of Eclipse, but they'll begin becoming good friends (most likely) around Bella's first visit to the Cullen house.