A/N: All the usual disclaimers. I don't own anything, blah blah. I'm posting the first 3 chapters at once. Don't worry – our lovely Edward will show up very, very soon. The chapters are going to be relatively short because I've got a lot of action I want to get through. Vampires to come, but they've got a twist.

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Chapter 1 - Sight

I'm not sleeping, but my eyes are closed.

I keep them closed on purpose. I'm playing a game to see how long I can keep up the charade. It's fun.

A hand reaches out and shakes me gently.

"Wake up, Bells."

I scrunch my nose up tight, trying to fight back a smile. I'm sleeping, I insist to myself. And if I'm sleeping I can't hear the voice trying to wake me. I must keep up pretenses.

Laughter. Deep and warming. I feel safe. I feel loved. I feel … me.

"Bella, stop faking." More laughter. I join in without realizing. High pitched giggles mixing with the deep rumbling of my father. I open my eyes.

I'm in a car. It's an old car - the leather seats are fading and peeling in places. There is a scent of something comforting in the air - a mix of long fizzed out soda, wool coats, and aftershave. My dad is in the driver's seat - I see his curly locks sticking out over the top of his headrest. He looks at me from the reflection of the rearview mirror. His face is scruffy, and his eyes crinkle at the edges. This - everything inside the car - is familiar. Natural.

But outside the window is a different story. I gasp, as I realize why my dad must have woken me up. I push my face up against the glass. My nose touches the cool surface, smooshing into an odd shape. I press my hands up on either side of my face and stare out, wide eyed. Idly, I register that if anyone were to look at me, I'd appear wholly ridiculous. But I don't care.

Because on the other side of the car window is a fairy tale land. Everything is white. The road, the trees, the buildings. Even the air. My first snow.

Small tufts of frost are suspended as far as the eye can see, floating. They glint subtly in the sun and fascinate me. Small little rainbows, cascading off the crystals in every direction. My breath fogs up the glass and I wipe it away with my sleeve. In the distance, a cow shakes its head, sending flying more fluffs of white. I giggle.

"Bella, wake up."

I turn my eyes away from the view, confused, to look at my father in the front seat. Can't he see that I'm already awake?

Only it's not my father. It's a stranger. A face I've never seen before. A beautiful face. His eyes are a deep green, like the heart of an old forest. He gazes at me meaningfully, as if to convey a matter of utmost urgency.

"Who - who are you? Where's my dad?" I demand. I retreat further into my seat, trying to put distance between us. I'm scared. I was told not to talk to strangers.

"Wake up," says the voice again - only the stranger's mouth isn't moving. The sound is everywhere like I'm surrounded. My fear heightens. I don't like this. I want my dad.

"WAKE UP!" The voice is booming this time. Shouting so loudly that it hurts my ear drums. I'm frightened. Terrified.

I open my mouth to scream.