Chapter 2 Part 1:

There was nothing I wanted more blood and it was hard to concrete on anything other than the sweet beating hearts of the children in the parking lot. The day had come to a close, and now I just had to wait till the hallways emptied to make my escape. Sadly, I had gotten cornered by one of my colleagues here at Central Kitsap High. Mr. Walter Douglass was a tall man, who was next door to me and taught science. I was introduced to most of the staff during the orientation day, before school had opened for the fall and many of men tried to start elaborate conversations with me. I soon discovered that I was by far the youngest one here besides the art teacher, Celica. He had a completely shaven head and a beard that was beginning to grey. He wasn't unattractive and had been working here for six years, although being in his forties. It didn't seem to bother him that he was flirting with someone 20 years his junior. I smiled and giggled, but Walter thought it was at the stale joke he just told. I was more amused that he thought, he was wooing the new young teacher, when I had passed his age 83 years ago. I pushed my hands in the pockets of my coat after I adjusted the plaid scarf around my neck. I wasn't cold, but the temperature was already heading towards the freezing. It was almost winter here in one the rainiest locations in the US, and I went out my way to look the part. Everything was a prop, my knee length coat winter coat, my scarf and gloves, my glasses; the only thing that was not for show was the one thing you think would be to show off.

My father's pearls clung around my neck. I poured a lot of money into keeping my gems in tip top shape. In fact I would wear most of them on my persons. I had a white gold, small diamond encrusted ring around my right ring finger and a sterling silver heart chain bracelet around my left wrist. What kind of fortune would I be if I did not take pride in my rocks? It comforted me and reminded me of my father. Besides it looked nice. I had a habit of matching my gems with my outfit. Today I was wearing a white sweater and grey skinny jeans as these kids called them. All in all I had about 90 pieces of fine jewelry left in my father's will along with thousands of dollars in the bank. Over the years of my teaching my cash flow piled. I certainly was not millionaire, but if I was human I could live nicely. Walter asked me if I was worried about someone mugging me whenever I went out.

Yeah right. Them mug me!

"Not at all! Let's just say, I can be quite frightening when I put my mind to it." I said with a wink. Walter's smile was uneven and suggestive. I could hear the exaltation of his heart and the smell of his testosterone fueled sweat. I looked away, suddenly aware of what that combination typically meant. In my days of living in the Genevan sewers, a man in this condition would be easy pickings- especially as thirsty as I am now.

It'd be so easy.

So very simple and quick.

To pull him into the empty teacher's longue without anyone seeing….

I pushed the ideas from my mind as quickly as they entered. I told Walter I had to get back home and he asked if I wanted to get coffee sometimes.

I tell him "I'll check my schedule." And I hurry to my car. I drove a two door light grey Porches. It was something I brought on a whim. I wanted something nice, yet wouldn't stand out more than needed to. It was small, because I never needed the extra room. It was just me always just me.

I sped off and was relieved to be in a place where I could just act normally. I wanted to take off these itchy annoying contacts, but I still had to get home that was about 2 hours away. I purposely choose a location away from nosey neighbors for obvious reasons. I let my mind wonder to the day I just had.

My mind recalled every detail vividly. It had been a great day. I was very proud that I could connect with kids! I wasn't sure at first, but somehow they were very agreeable.

I thought about Rose Blood.

And my throat felt like desert. Dry and hot. So very hot.

I've never smelt someone more intriguing. Nessie had outstanding smelling blood, but she also smelled of my kind. Something that scared me. What was this little girl doing around vampires? I furrowed my brow suddenly afraid for her. If I had known monsters like me roamed the earth, I would have never left grandfather's side. I prayed if was just a chance encounter and nothing that involved contact. What was that final not on her?

That awful musky odor? I thought it to be a bad perfume at first, but this smelled like someone or something else. Something woodsy and rotten.

Renesme Cullen had a secret. That was made clear, whenever she left early today. Perhaps it revolved around her mysterious older brother, Edward. She did say she had a large adoptive family. What are the chances that when she moved from Forks, she also moved with her secret. I allowed my brain to function on its own as I pondered the follow morning. I needed to drink, before anything bad happens. I turned on some music and zoomed home as fast as legally possible.

My home was a two bedroom home up in the mountains. The realtor had called it a "modernize log cabin" and I could not agree with her more. It was humble in appearance, but did not lack the 21st century touch with its huge ceilings. I had everything any normal person would: a master bedroom and a guest bedroom. a living room and remodeled kitchen for my viewing pleasure, and three unused bathrooms. I had a garage and an attic where I would go to sit up on my rooftop. If you followed the trail up the mountains you could overlook all of Seattle. I had just moved here about three weeks ago and I had a fully finished home. Not that I needed it, since I had no need to be comfortable. But I liked it. I shut off my car after I parked it in my garage and quickly dug out my keys from my purse. I walked through the door and was happily greeted with a familiar smell. Me, fresh cherry wood, and cotton.

My living room had a raised ceiling. I had a stone fireplace that twisted up the length of the ceiling. I had a black leather love seat and a red wrap around leather couch. My entire house was covered in hardwood floor so I had a huge fluffy white throw rug in the middle of my living room. It was simple and homey, much like the rest of my home. I quickly dropped my things and walked super human speed to my kitchen. My kitchen was made in the same red and black fashion and although I had the dishes, they were just props. My fridge was also stocked up.

Upon buying this house I went to the grocery store and brought a lot of food. I thought it would be nice for people to see me doing something normal and that they wouldn't get curious if they didn't see me in the store too often. However that wasn't why I went to the kitchen. This house came with a wine cooler build in. I opened the min fridge and pulled out a bottle of French Wine. To anyone else, I was just a woman with a wine collection, but in each bottle was filled with human blood.

Quickly, I untwisted the cap and down the bottle quicker than I thought. I reached for another and chugged down the sweet irony liquid.

I had finished three my ten full bottles of wine, before I came to my senses again. The burning had subsided and although the blood was slightly congealed, it did the trick. I put down the bottles and grabbed one more for good measure. I needed to be full in case Rose Blood was back tomorrow in class.

I suddenly was worried about the rest of the year. I really couldn't risk Nessie's life, or the life of anyone in that school by being tempted all the time!

I needed to call, Yohan.

Yohan was the first vampire I meet back when I was still a new born. I credit him with my knowledge of our society. In fact, he was the one who helped me through my choices of being a celibate. Or that is what he called me, since I refused to hunt. He said it was just as bad as a sexless life, thinking old blood, instead of Fresh. I had laughed it off, but he had not known I had also died a virgin. I never loved anyone, besides Yohan.

Yohan was a blond German nomad I accidently meet in Switzerland, while trying to break into a red cross for blood. He had been waiting on humans to walk in, and I was just looking a for vile of blood, because I had been starving for weeks. He thought I was queer based on my views of human life, but I found myself increasingly smitten by his handsome features and seemingly endless knowledge. He was the only other vampire I knew in the world, besides the one I had ever seen besides the dark one who changed me. Yohan was also kind enough to talk to me. We sat in the words, literally talking all day and night. I still remember how beautiful he looked in the moonlight. His over coat rolled up over his huge arm muscles. His strong jaw and his pink lips being stretched across his face in a wide smile at everything I said.

I would have never left his side, if it had not been for Ada. Ada was Yohan's creation during one night of hunting. Yohan had not left Ada to die, whenever he realized she had a fighting chance. Ada would run on wild rampage throughout the country, but she always could find Yohan and would come back to him.

Ada had single handedly broken any relationship me and Yohan might have had as soon as she found. I didn't stand a chance; although I am not sure I had a chance in the first place. Ada was my eclipse over Yohan's eyes. Her waist length raven hair and alabaster skin was enough to beckon any man, vampire or not. I had left the couple live their lives in peace, but not without heartache.

Yohan wasn't sightless to my affection and opted we remain close friends, even start a coven together. I told him, that I could not live his lifestyle of hunting humans, which he respected. However, thinking back, could it have been because I could not stand being reminded of being second place? I was positive that Yohan felt something for me, Even now he will still check in on me whenever he could. The way he looked at me and smiled at my words meant so much. We were bonded. We could have been infinite.

But whatever I evoked in Yohan, Ada was twice as potent. I took another sip of blood wishing it was in fact wine, but was slightly disappointed whenever I didn't get a buzz. These wine bottles were a gift from him. Every time I moved, I would call on him (the inventions of cell phones made this exceedingly easy as it was near impossible to locate a nomad years ago.) and let him know my address. A few weeks after the call I'd get a special delivery of the bottles, with note attached that read:

"Compliments from the Red Cross."

-Yohan

I'd get 7 of these wine bottles every month, and I felt honored to know that although Yohan did not return my favor, he was thinking of me enough to find vast amounts of donated blood. I trusted his honor enough to know that he blood he sent he was not from a human victim. But with Nessie, I needed to up the volume. Since breaking into a hospital was out the question here, Yohan was my only choice. I got up grabbed my house phone from my receiver and sat back on my couch as quick as possible, which was next to no time at all.

I dialed the numbers and waited.

The phone rand three times, before a deeply melodic voice answered. I could hear wind in the background.

"My dear Lucy! I am excited to hear from you! How does my kitten fare?" I could hear the smell in his perfect voice and I melted a little. Silly me to have his reaction to a man who did not care for me.

"I'm well, Yohan." I pursed my lips "It's good to hear from you. It's been too long."

"50 years. I trust you got my gift?"

"I did! These bottles of wine are outstanding. The quality seems to increase every time!"

He laughs and then sighs. "I've gotten much better at it. Have you heard from my Ada. She has run away again. I am currently making my way through Russia and she left about a week ago."

"I didn't know she left again. Why on earth does she do that to you?"

"Ada is such a free spirit. It's in her blood." He waited a moment before speaking. "I'd wait the rest of my endless life for her to return. I really do not care how many she leaves as long as she returns."

"And Ada always returns." I nodded to myself. The news no longer hurt as much as it used to. My brain kicks back on and I decided to go to the point.

"Yohan. I actually did not call for a social visit. I have a little problem."

I tell Yohan for how I started teaching in high school. I tell him about Rose Blood and how it was stronger than anything else in the world. I had to work really hard not to kill her, because how thirsty she made me. I left out the parts about her vampiric smell and odd looks. I felt that Yohan had no right to know about any of students. I even left her name anonymous.

After I finished Yohan grunted. "A blood singer? I hear the elders talk of these encounters. They are few and special. I am surprised she still lives! I could not have that self control. That's why I admire you, Lucy. Such nobility! I can send more wine in a few days. I could have a truck deliver a large supply under the guise you a scientist. Would that be good?"

"Thank you Yohan. That's what I need to come home and have access to blood. I hope it is not too much trouble?"

"For you, Lucy. The world. You and Ada keep me alive."

And I knew that both Ada and I kept him alive in very different reasons. I was the second place best friend who helped him whenever his lady love ran away. And Ada was his sun, moon, and stars.

I hung up after my brief good-byes and my prayers for Ada's return. I took another long swig of blood, just to enjoy the taste, fore heading up stairs. My master bedroom had one giant bed. I had white covers and black pillows. I had not used it all since it arrived three weeks ago. I would just sit on my couch watching TV until day broke. I ignored the bed and went into my bathroom. I had a bunch of make-up lying around in case I needed to fake something like a bruise or something. I never had to, and I was just over nervous. In fact nothing ever happened to be.

I managed to live in perfect peace as a teacher for a near century.

I took off my glasses and removed the awful contacts. It felt better not to have those obstructions in a line of sight. My quick hands removed my bun and my hair fell in perfect waves around my face. I stared at my reflection for a while and sighed.

I had been in control for so long; I hated the game changer Nessie gave me. I may seem cool and collected, but on the inside it was driving me mad. I cursed under my breath and wished I could sleep and slow my wondering mind. But I would have no such respite. I raced back to my room and started stripping off my school clothes. If I couldn't sleep, I could still shower. Bathing was a new experience in general for vampires. The scented body soaps had new depth to the smell, the senseation of warm water was amped up tenfold. It was not painful, as nothing felt horrible against my stone skin, but it was new. It didn't uncoil any tense muscles. I would go in feeling the same as whenever I got out. I did however like the newness of water to my body.

My mind could process so many things at once, that I rarely had time to focus on one thing. However when I showered I could think about the smell of strawberry soap as opposed to real ones, the sound of the water drops and how many drop out the faucet at one time, the feeling of warmth on my skin, the sight of the foggy stream clouds around my head. It was the closest thing to a break I had.

I walked back to my closet and picked up a pair of pajamas like I was really getting ready for bed. I picked out my favorite pink cotton shorts and shirt that had hello kitty embellishments. Also a gift from Yohan about two years back. This was stolen, but it didn't dampish its value. How sad was I?

I was a little lonely kitty cat, pinning over a tiger and his tigress. It was years. I had move on. Yet, would there be another Yohan? Never. I was used to being alone. I spent a century plus living and thriving on solitude. But the feeling of being alone was hard to bare.

I ran a little too quickly to the master bedroom and didn't even wait till the water heated up before getting in and drowning my senses in the shower. I thought about saying in the shower all night. I had certainly done it before! And I was going to do it now.

Part2

I had waited to around four AM to finally turn off the shower. I am glad I had no worries about paying off a bill, because it was going to be the size of all of Washington now. I idly gotten dressed in my pajamas and sat on my bed watching the news. I had a few hours to waste before it was time for school and it took the better part of a few seconds to get ready if I was going vampire speed. It was nice to finally use my bed and I took it upon myself to use it more often. It was warm and soft, but I suppose it would be freezing to anyone attempting to snuggle up with me. My body heat (or lack thereof) radiated to my pillow and blankets, but it didn't bother me at all.

The news was covering the many disappearances in Forks, Washington about two and a half years ago. In a separate story they talked about the increase of found murder victims.

"Many were found without blood. This still baffles police, since there is no evidence. The case has gone cold ever since that cold winter, here in Forks Washington. Lead detective and chief police, officer Swan is here to try to put some of the confusion to rest." The anchor lady tilted the microphone towards an older looking gentlemen with a thick mustache.

I found myself frowning heavily.

It didn't take my doctrine in psychology to find out Forks, Washington had a vampire problem. Two years ago, would be like a few hours to an immortal vampire and if the hunting is this good, without backlash then they would still be here. Vampires won't stay in one spot either. There is no telling if the Forks infestation could grow to here, Kitsap. We weren't all that far away after all.

I listened to the human officer explain about some of the harsher brutalities of the victims. Slashing, and tearing, some victims had pieces of their body ripped off. Not only were there vampires in Forks, they were newborns. I recalled my ravenous period.

I was as brutal as them, my horrors knew no bounds. Not only could I not control my bloodlust, but I did not want to. I enjoyed my power.

I groaned and pulled my knees to my chest and finished watching the report. It ended on a sour scary note, that no suspects were even considered.

I was suddenly horrified for my students. I had not chosen my afterlife, and one mistake like being young and hot tempered could mean your certain doom. Nessie flashed through my mind and was wondering how she was. If there were vampires in Forks, they would surely come for her and her Rose blood. I was sure I had already smelt the scent of the undead on her! What if she was already closing in on her. I felt responsible for all of my students. To me they all had something to live for.

I needed to keep them safe (especially Nessie).

I could barely wait until it was time to get dressed and go. I threw on a navy blue pantsuit with black flattering pinstripes with a pair of black high heels and adorned myself with my father's pearls and sapphire earrings. I quickly put in my annoying brown colored contacts that turned my crimson eyes into muddy brown pools. I worked fast to bun up my hair and placed my glasses on my face. I was quick to run out the door and to my car.

I couldn't get to school fast enough.

By the time, I pulled into the parking lot I was unreasonably excited to see people starting to pile up. I had almost expected the entire human race to be eradicated. I plastered a smile on my face and very happily walked across the parking lot. Because of all the blood I drank last night, I had enough power to withstand the intoxicating lure of the sound of pumping hearts.

A few students gasped when I walked by, and I had become aware that it was only the second day of school and there were a few people who never saw me. I waved to anyone who caught my eye and hurried to my classroom. I placed my things on the desk and started to write today's lesson on the chalkboard slower than I needed to since I had left my door open.

However I would have heard and smelt Walter's presence even with the door closed. It smelt like heavy cologne and roasted coco beans.

"Knock, Knock." He called and I attempted to be surprised by his presence. He was smiling and holding two cups of coffee.

"Walter. Good morning." I said swiping the few loose strands of my hair behind my ear.

"Morning, Lucyherine. I have something for you. I figured the new teacher would need a good start to the day." He said extending me a cup. "You seemed like a pumpkin spice kind of lady."

I politely took the cup from his hands.

"Oh Walter. You should not have." I say

No really. You should not have.

He smiled kind of nervous. "Since I thought this might be the only way you'd have that coffee with me."

I coughed a little, not out of any human reasons, but I needed a subject change. He seemed concerned.

"Gees, that sounds like you are coming down with something."

"No no. It's probably nothing." I say with a smile that sent Walter's heart flying.

"So, how was the first day?" I ask again needing a subject change yet again.

He grimaced and leaned towards me. I followed suite even though I could hear him just fine without the subtracted space.

"These teens are awful. I am just waiting for my college application to go through. I can't stand the talk of proms, and computers, and back in my day we were never so lewd." He laughed. "I am old fashioned, he says."

Me too. I want to add, but stop myself and just smile. "I happen to like the kids. Very..spunky."

"Well they would like someone like you, Ms. Fortune." He looked me up and down. "I can see you have a lot of…spunk yourself."

I chuckled nervously and turned away to finish my writing on the board. Hopefully, he would leave now.

"You know, I took a little French myself." He said in a bravado tone. I raised an eyebrow doubtfully before turning my attention back to the board. Walter sat on the edge of my desk and started ramble about how he took a trip to France for a little while. He started to ramble off what sounded like French in order to impress me. It was very clear Walter had spent the whole night trying to master his sentences.

I waited till he finished, but it was terribly hard not to laugh in the poor man's face.

He just told me that his name was Jackass and that he would love another egg in his garden, when he meant to explain how beautiful the view from his room was.

"That sounds lovely." I say thankful my stone face took on whatever expression I told it to instead of how I felt. I really hadn't seen anything this funny in a few years. Walter's eyes lite up a bit and his horrible French continued.

By the time the bell had rung I found out Walter's cat had three tits, his bread was leaking, his sister's name was Peter, and he enjoyed long walks through the country while riding a clown and eating ice-cream.

I was so close to losing it, that I could not keep myself smiling. I suppose Walter thought I was completely captivated with him instead of laughing at him. Poor thing.

The first bell rung and I told him, he better go back to class. My voice was light from trying not to laugh.

"We should have lunch in the teacher's lounge. I could tell you more." He asked and I lied and told him that I was already behind in my lesson plan. He did not need to know my lesson plan had extended all the way to graduation and was completed a very long time ago.

Walter left and I allowed myself to laugh to myself until the class started to fill up with my students. Finally one student stood up asked, what was so funny.

"Oh nothing, Roger. I am just excited for the second day." I took the cup of pumpkin spice coffee and tossed it into the can. "Ok everyone, this lesson is the easier one. It start's two simple phrases: Je m'appelle and Tu s'appelle and it means 'my name is' and 'your name is' respectively. Je m'appelle Lucyherine and Tu s'appelle …" I let the class yell out there names all at once. "Good good. On the board I have some French adjectives on the board and everyone is going to pick out four that best describes you. Then you will need to write four sentences and present them to the class. No pressure. You already broke the ice yesterday with your English introductions so your French introductions are no sweat."

I gave them a chance to work and looked over their faces. I had taught before, but never French. I taught psychology about 5 years ago at a University in Sweden. Compassion warmed my heart and it scared me to know the vampire issue in Forks was unchecked. I was especially excited to make sure Rose Blood was unharmed.

…..

The final period before lunch had come and gone and I was shaken. Nessie had not shown up. I had forced myself to connect the truth that she was sick when she left early, but the smell of vampire was strong on her. Is that was where she was now? With them? Did she know they were toying with you? Rose Blood, think harder than that. I had pondered that all through lunch and if I saw young Nessie in the news, I'd never live with myself. I tried to tell myself that if I wasn't here it would still would be happening. A lion doesn't not stop eating meat whether its in the wild or in cage.

However, whether in a burning curiosity to figure out what Rose Blood was hiding or if out of concern, I found myself sitting in the principal's office. Sitting in the chair and smiling and playing my hands.

The principal of the school was a porky man with a big heart. He was perhaps lazy, but I could tell he had the best for the school at heart; by the way he only hired the best teachers with spotless records.

"Ms. Fortune. What can I do you for?" he asked his eyes glimmering in and out of focus. I smiled and leaned a little closer to him. I held his eyes for a long moment, before speaking in a low purr.

"I'm not going to be able to stay the rest of the day, sir. I am afraid I am feeling a little under the wheatear. Could I take the rest of the day off?"

"S-s- sure. Not a a…problem, I'll have someone fill in for at bus duty." His voice was fragile and deep. I didn't like to dazzle, but sometimes it was absolutely needed.

"Thank you, sir." I say with a huge smile. "So much."

I held his eyes a bit longer, before blinking and turning to walk out. I am sure he would still be checking his breathe and I hurried to move out the hallways before the students could get out the current class. I made it to my car in no time at all and tried to drive away as normally as possible, but I was completely frazzled.

What was I doing?

And more so.

How was I going to do it?

I drove home and sat in my car for a minute going over and over my plan.

I would just try to find her scent. I would go into the woods and try to figure out which house was hers. I would peek through a window and whenever I see her human parents cooking her chicken noodle soup or something, I'd go home and never worry about Nessie again.

But if I found her around vampires…

I'd kill them. I could disable their speed and power and pick them off. I could easily use my powers to do that as long it was less than three. I could fight well enough, but what about Rose blood?

Would it too late? What if she was already bit? Is it possible to suck venom out maybe?

I closed my eyes. What if I did not make it? I could not face an experienced vampire, let alone many. I remembered Rose blood's scent. Some scents were faded and some were stronger with different hints and undertones. This meant different vampires, but I could not be sure how many.

I could die risking my life for a little girl who stared at me like she hated my guts the first time I met her.

I had already died once, so I pretended I had no fear of dying again. What legacy did I have left anyways? All I had were my students and my will for them to be the best they could be. I opened my car door and went inside my house in order to chance clothes. I picked out a brown jogging suit with a floppy hood. I wish I had the same hood I wore in the 1800's, but I had burned it along with the rest of clothes as I left behind my old ways.

I did not see the reason why Rose Blood had to see my face…or watch me die. I took off my earrings but left on my father's pearls. They were all I really had a solid connection too. I pulled the hood over my head and considered writing a will like father always instructed I do for safety reasons.

Leave everything to my youngest living relative. I had to assume, Aunt Anne had been alive enough in order to reproduce and start a family tree. I never really looked into the fact, but then again why would I? I would leave that family alone seeing how I was no longer a part of their world. All bonds and ties were cut off the moment I became a vampire.

Besides I was assumed dead over 124 years ago. I couldn't explain that in a will. Instead I found my phone and typed out an email to Yohan. Once I got him to get a cell phone, I also convinced him to make an email account just in case. I told Yohan that I was thinking and if anything ever happened to me, that I'd want him to have my gems. I emailed my bank account information and told him not to use it unless you needed to. I almost typed I loved him, but there was no need.

I had fairly sure I wasn't going on a suicide mission, then again I thought that on the night I died.

I walked onto the paved wooded trail and there was a deep over draft overhead. Not breaking news in Forks, but I doubt anyone would be in the woods since it was so hard to see despite it being the middle of the day. I took a deep breath and lunged into the woods in a full sprint.

I was completely focused on trying to locate Nessie's rosy scent. I could smell many humans, but none like her. She had mentioned she loved to hike? These woods branched all around Silverdale and halfway to LaPush. There wasn't a spot in Kitsap that I couldn't find. I didn't realized I had searched almost 4 hours, before the thunderous clap of rain sounded off in the sky. I had prayed the rain I smelt would hold off, but I was out of time.

The first rain drop hit my white tennis shoe, and then a blanket in chilly heavy rain hit down in sheets that felt like a monsoon. I wasn't upset about being soaked, I was upset that the rain was washing away Nessie's scent wherever it had been.

I figured I better do things the old fashion way and I started to keep my eyes open for anything unusual.

The rain got so heavy; it was hard to smell anything, but it, the moss, and the muddy earth beneath me.

However, it wasn't enough to throw off my razor sharp hearing. I stopped and held my breath. I had hear footsteps. Fast ones. Too fast and too perfectly placed to be clumsy humans. Plus, who would be out in this horrid weather?

This was it! I growled low and crotched over my body. The footsteps were suddenly aware of my presence and instead of rushing towards me, they turned and started to run away.

No! I took off after the set of feet. I was excited and nervous, but more so scared. Not for my life, so much, but for what I had assumed was Nessie's protection. I had to really press hard to catch up to the footsteps, but I finally could see the silhouette of the vampire running. I hissed at the large body, but just then it jumped. It jumped so high and fast I lost track. I looked up, but all I could see was rain and tree branches.

"Damn." I snorted looking right from left. I was in trouble. I was big tro-

I could not finish the though, before I knew it a pair of hands were firmly wrapped my face. They were covering my mouth and one was drapped on the back of my head. They were slender and strong and most of sure of their mission should things go south.

"Why are you following my husband?" she asked and the voice was horrifyingly gorgeous. Her quick hands moved from my mouth to my forehead and rested there. I did not dare chance looking around, but I did keep my tongue about me.

"Answer me. I really have no issue with ripping you apart."

"I'm just looking for someone." I said in frantic growl.

The hands gripped the sides of my faces harder and I just noticed I was experiencing pain. Something I never had done before. I never had been in a fight with another vampire.

"But you were trailing my husband with intent to kill. He ran away, yet you followed. And that makes me very unhappy. What is your business here, and I am not buying this innocent bullshit." She sounded livid. I was waiting for the right moment to catch her off guard with my powers, but before I could I hear a deeper voice behind me. The mud grunted and squished under his apparent heavy mass.

"Rosalie. I'm ok. Maybe you…shouldn't…you know." He made a sound that made me think of someone drawing a line through their throat dramatically. What was going on? Was this guy so morbid he made it into a joke, or was he so dumb he didn't realize the gravity of the situation?

"She reeks of human blood. She'd be dangerous." The female says smoothly. "She was trying to hurt you because she assumed you owned the turf here. It's very clear."

The big one gets closer to me and I feel his huge hands on my neck. His one palm wrapped clear around my neck, and I was well aware of the tremendous power he had. They were so close I could smell them in the rain.

"You have our scent. You won't forget it. If you smell it anywhere, clear out the way and get far away. We won't start a fight. But you can be damned sure we know how to finish it."

I let that register in my mind a bit, it meant I did not have a chance in hell. I needed to retreat back to my home and rethink my misstep. I had no clue what to do after this as far as Nessie had been concerned. I heard a sigh and the female voice told the male "He was going soft on her."

I didn't give the bulky male time to respond before I raised my power full flare. I extended my chains around them and drained them of every last vampire sense out of them. They stumbled to the ground, unable to lift their weight and I ran for it from the shock. Honestly I could not cripple regular vampires since their ability was inherited not gifted. I could only stun them with quick tugs of having no power. It would soon wear off. I had not hoped they would give chase. I pushed forward with all my might with my goal of getting out of the woods. I had to get to civilization, where I knew the couple wouldn't find me. I finally got to a road and hopped the medium and started jogging back into town, where I was.

It seems I hadn't gone out of city bounds too much, because I made it Silverdale City limits. This fancy city was at least twice the size of Port Angeles and more populated. I pretended to jog at human speed and flipped inside the first store I could find. Upon walking in I imminently realized I had walked into a diner from all the food I smelt. I took down my hood and smiled as normally as I could. The three men at a table looked at me up and down, but I am sure it was because I was literally dripping wet. I saw the owner do a double take of me and I felt obligated smile apologetically for tracking so much water in.

The diner was pretty small, as it was the size of my house, but it was a cozy place. I remembered I used to like the smell of freshly cooked pie, which this place had in abundance. The owner shouted to his wife about getting a towel and fast ran to the back. A moment later a small blonde woman came out looking annoyed. She was taken aback by me and I knew I looked like something alright.

I thankfully hadn't taken out my contacts, but my bun had been destroyed and completely fell in wet waves were slick against my face. My jogging suit was all too clingy to my body from being wet and my shoes were muddy and filthy.

The woman gave me the towel and glowered at me. I smiled very bright and offered my apologies in my most sincere voice. I had given her a sap story on how my car broke down while I was jogging and I had to walk up a mile in the rain.

She nodded as she let me towel off. I was aware of the old men with praying eyes, but I was more focused on wasting time out here. I wanted the couple I meet to be long gone, before I ventured into the forest.

"Do you need to call a tow?" asked one of the men watching and I shook my head. "Already done. I just couldn't wait till they showed up. I thought I could bet the rain. I was wrong." I lied with a huge smile. The lady sat me down and looked at me expectedly before leaving me in the booth.

Oh. She wanted me to buy something?
I guess that was the human thing to do after walking in the rain. I should be cold and tired and because of that I should have been starving. I looked at the elderly gentleman sizing me up quickly before turning my attention to the menu. I suppressed a frown at what I was about to do.

When I heard the kitchen door swing open, I was greeted with a gasp.

"M-M-Ms. F-ortune…"

I turned to see my student Kevin holding up a platter but looking like he had seen a ghost. "Is that you?!"

I smiled and waved him over. It was nice to see a familiar face after almost facing death.

"Oh Kevin! I had no idea you worked here. Fancy meeting you here." I say casually and his eyes grew wider when he noticed my clothing.

"I had car trouble and had to walk in the rain." I say before adding. "What is fresh on the menu?"

He gulped and walked towards me.

"We have a special on…on…on…" his mouth stopped moving although he was searching for words. His eyes darted all over my body and it wasn't completely gross. The poor boy just honestly never seen anything that was specifically designed to attract his attention like
I was. He was young and couldn't control his thoughts. It looked like he was struggling very hard to even breathe or remember his name. I perked up an eyebrow as his face turned red. As cute as it was, it was getting out of hand. There were only a few minutes of ogling I could stand.

"Kevin?"

"Oh! Sorry! We have eggs and bacon. Or a hamburger…I kind of forget the rest. All man, my mom is going to kill me if I don't learn this stupid menu." He mutters the rest and I giggle and look at the menu before setting on my literal poison. I looked at him and grinned.

"I'll take, How do you say, the French toast." I make sure my accent was full and hardy which cause him to relax a lot. I was also tugging my chains around. Willing him to move a little swifter and more careful. It seemed to boost up his confidence too. I never really know what will happen if I increase a person's potential. Even if I know their powers is always seems to be a little twist. No one thinks the same, so my power affects people different. He walks away for a while and when he returns with a plate of beautiful looking warm cinnamon bread. Heat swirled off it and the confectionary sugar was powered on top.

"So your parents own this place? Very cool." I look around and mean that compliment from the bottom my still heart.

He smiles softly and says thank you. "I don't have time to myself because of it though. I'm behind in classes."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh. Can you sit a spell? I'll be happy to re-teach today's lesson." And at that point, I didn't mind and it wasn't to hide front the couple. I am sure they realize what I could do now that they would be fully recovered and trying to figure out what happened. They won't bother me without a plan even if they did trail me here.

He looked thrilled and shocked all at the same time. He didn't ask permission before he plopped down across from me. I started to cut a piece of the thick toast and was horrified to realize it was three sliced piled up on top of each other. I would regret this tonight for sure. I took out a few crumpled dollar bills from my pocket, which were soggy and Kevin laughed out.

"Dinners on me. Mom would be majorly annoyed if you handed her wet cash too. She hates when women are prettier than her" He whispers. He suddenly realizes he had been too bold and I pretended not to hear the last part by munching on some toast.

I tell him the food is great and he looked very prideful.

"It's a family recipe, Ms. Fortune."

"Kevin please, we are out of school. Call me Lucy. Now let's see…My name is.."

I stayed at the diner helping Kevin for about a while. He got the lesson rather quickly, but I was still holding onto him with my chains. I had finished all my toast and I was paying for it right now. I was heaving over the toilet at home. I was out of my wet clothes and there was no sign of the couple anywhere.

I was vomiting up a storm. If I could cry I would have been. What a day.

Who were those people? Rosalie's name and her slender hand was itched into my mind was well as the bigger one's huge hand and power.

Had those been the ones around Nessie?

If so, what could I do?

When I finished puking I dragged myself to my bed and laid down and closed my eyes. I wasn't asleep of course, but I wanted to pretend. I closed my eyes and ran nonsense through my mind to simulate dreaming.

It was bad and I figured it was a hell of a lot better than thinking for the rest of the night.

Outside, I hear the pelting rain coming down in angry sheets.