I lay there alone in the dark. My only company was the howling of the wind softly brushing the leaves of the massive trees surrounding me. Not even a peep came from my frozen lips. I wished that I could scream, to get rid of some of the stress, but nothing came. Even my eyes waited wide and alert; however I wasn't looking for anything in particular, in fact anything for that matter, but they refused to close. That was fine with me…If I closed my eyes I would see every moment of this life I had been blocking. Unfortunately my mind didn't work that way. It took so much to not think about it. I was surprised I had even gone this far without memorizing it all, but I had been in shock. I still was…
My shock was different than before. It wasn't the same shock, when venom ran like fire ran through my veins, or realizing my heart had ceased beating or maybe how I wanted…to drink blood. It was nothing like that.
This shock took me by surprise, but it felt strangely familiar. I remembered as a human whenever I heard some terrible news or saw something disturbing, my mind went to an unusual place. I could shut out my thoughts but there was this overwhelming feeling I couldn't name. First everything would seem slow, and my heart would grow warm in my chest. Then my eyes would be open but only see nothing in front of me, as if I wasn't there, like now. That feeling usually passed quickly, because there wasn't anything overly shocking that happened in my human life. But right now I knew that I wasn't a human, and I had never experienced anything even close to this. It was much worse.
My body felt so still that it made me think the earth had stopped moving all together. All my senses were numbed, or at least that's what it felt like. I couldn't feel anything, the damp grass I was lying on or even the soft whoosh of wind against my marble skin, despite I was probably wearing out of season clothing that wouldn't cover me well. There was no spark of feeling inside or outside of me. Well not at first anyway.
Something new started to consume my emotion. My eyes started to burn uncomfortably, making my face crumple up. I could feel my eyebrows hammer into the tops of my lids, and my mouth curve down into frown. It felt like a combination between sorrow and fright. But then something more came. It felt like someone had booted me in the gut with the strength of 300 quarterbacks, making me a little sick in the process. My throat closed up after my breathing began again, this time in short, wild gasps.
In-between gasps, strange high pitched noises broke uncontrollably through my closed throat. The sound was half choked, and I couldn't quite pin-point what the sound was or where it was coming from. Oh. This must have been sobbing, very loud and off beat sobbing.
Then I realized what this all was. The pain in my stomach and the tearless weeping. All my unexpected feelings and that strange sensation of exploding tension I had felt from before. It all made sense now. I recalled a summer I had spent at a drama camp that I hadn't exactly enjoyed.
I was homesick.
It made me want to laugh, knowing what these feelings really were. Of all things, my biggest problem was a bad case of homesickness. A stupid, pathetic way to grieve, even after fifteen years of life, I was still a child. Small and needy, always needing reassurance. A five year old could handle this better.
On the other hand…this wasn't a bad summer camp. I couldn't call my mom and tell her how much I missed them. I couldn't spend the week knowing I would be going home. Because this time I wasn't going home, I was never going home. I would never have a home again. I wasn't allowed to go back, and most of all make contact with anyone. That includes all friends and my family. Nobody. That thought stabbed me like a knife, twisting around in my stomach like the previous pain. But my pain didn't just come from knowing I'd never have them again, it was them never having me again.
It almost killed me knowing that tomorrow after they arrived home, a letter would be waiting for them on our kitchen table. They would sort through the mail until they found it. Once they opened it; there would be my name, cause of death with a following apology at the bottom. My mom would burst into tears and my father would stand still as stone. My brother and sister might cry or might be strong for my parents. Either way, the memory of the youngest daughter would haunt them for the rest of their lives. In a few months the pain would fade, maybe sooner then that. They would slowly find happiness and continue on with their regular lives.
However I had to stay here, knowing I was still alive. Well, in a way. I could return home, tell them they were misinformed. A story like the morgue had made a mistake and they hooked me up to a machine just in time. Made up some other stories explaining the skin, the eyes, and the weird thirsts; hopefully believable ones. Maybe a rare disease or a blood condition I'd caught. But I knew these were just excuses to go home again. And if the Volturi ever found out I was even considering going home, they would make up a plan of some sort, something that wouldn't end well for me. All of these things I was facing now would have never happened if I had just made the right choice from the beginning. I could remember them almost perfectly, even if they were human memories.
At first it was a simple vacation plan. We decided to pack up our things and go on a family trip to Italy. We never did leave the country much, so things like this were exciting for us despite the busy tourism this time of year. So two weeks into summer vacation, we boarded a plane and were on our way to Volterra. What lured us in was the beautiful sight seeing and the upcoming festivals. We were right, it was beautiful. Everything was centuries old, providing a lot of photographic material.
After we spent a few days sight seeing and getting used to the area, things changed a little bit. On the morning of day four, we took a stroll down to the main market place like we had every other morning since arriving. The venders were gone and it was more crowded than usual, but we did notice posters that were thankfully printed English. To our understanding it was a day of celebrating past rulers or something like that. Even if we didn't exactly know, we still celebrated with the rest of the crowd.
Everything was going pretty good until I realized I forgot my camera back at the hotel. And unfortunately my mom's camera had died. After a small disagreement with my dad, I was finally allowed to go back alone and get it. He still didn't approve but I didn't care, as a teenager I always liked doing things alone. What a foolish way to think. The trip back to the hotel wasn't so bad, coming back was different story. After I got my camera back, I began battling my way back through the mounds of tourists.
After pushing and sliding past the wild crowd for about five minutes, I got pulled into a tourism group. I wasn't exactly sure where they were going, but every time I tried to escape, some else would push me back in. There were so many people I couldn't see where we were anymore.
I could tell we were in a building because the sun disappeared from above, and our footsteps sounded different. By that time, I was in a panic. I tried to explain to the adults around me that I needed to get out, and that my family was waiting for me. The only responses I got were confused looks or polite smiles. Sometimes I swore they couldn't even hear me. But one thing was for sure, I was the only one who could speak English.
I was towed into drafty room that smelt kind of funny to me. The smell made me a little nauseated. I couldn't figure out what it was.
My thoughts were interrupted by a musical voice speaking in a strange tongue, probably Italian. The voice stopped suddenly and spoke "would any of you speak English perhaps?" That voice was as frightening as beautiful when it was spoken. I know now that it was Aro who was speaking, but at the time I didn't want to know, I just wanted to run. That probably wouldn't have been a good idea; I would have just been killed faster.
"Excellent!" he spoke, "Friends, its time!" Even then I knew we weren't the 'friends' he was talking to. After that, it all happened quickly.
The screaming first began with an attractive blonde woman in the front, and then the others followed. My instincts froze me, like a dear caught in headlights. My mind told me to run, but my body wouldn't respond until by some miracle, I moved. At first It was just a clumsy step back, then a full on sprint to the doors we came through. I shoved passed the frozen bodies of tourists, which just made it harder to escape. Sweat was beading down my forehead and tears were clouding my vision. Also distracting.
Half blinded by tears and panic, my actions were being guided by adrenaline and whatever was left of my thoughts. The screams of terror broke out from behind me. There weren't many people left by the sound of it. After they had finished them there would be no more distractions to hide me. I reached the door after the screams had faded into low moaning and I knew I was in for it. The door was large and very heavy, but I managed to open it just enough for me to slide between.
"Fools, she's getting away! "Marcus roared behind me. I could hear the blood crazed minions pursuing me. They let out ear piercing growls like wild animals. The sound was getting closer and closer. Right before escaping the room, an ice cold hand gripped the back of my flimsy t-shirt and ripped me back; throwing me back three feet to fly back onto the opposing wall. My back buckled against the pressure, making me shriek in pain. I couldn't move my left arm, which was obviously broken from the impact. It made it more difficult to get up. Instead I used my right arm to support my weak legs as I shimmed up the wall.
The same cold hand pushed me back against the wall, breaking my shoulder blade. They wrapped their hand around my neck, and shoved their face and inch away from mine, hissing wildly. My fear subsided momentarily as I felt a spark of hatred inside of me. These people…I couldn't understand why they would do something so horrible. I wished I could have punished them, but I didn't have the super strength they had. Anger was replacing my fear completely. I was so mad I actually…Glared at him. My teeth gritted together. When I exhaled it sounded more like a growl than a gasp.
"Ha-Ha!" Aro exclaimed behind the boy blocking my view. "I've never seen such courage before! Alec Dear, release her."
The one called Alec turned around in one swift movement, still not releasing me.
"What?" He said in disbelief.
"Please release her." I could see him now. On his abnormal face was a smile, but his curiosity overpowered the friendly gesture.
Alec shot me a cold look from the corner of his eyes not moving his head. He muttered something unintelligible then ripped his hand away from my throat. "This is ridiculous! We are wasting our breath." Alec complained sneaking a disapproving look my way.
The way he looked at me made me feel so insignificant. Even if I didn't know what they were then, I still knew I had a right to existence. Just because they were prettier, stronger, and smarter than everyone else on this planet still gave them no right to think of us as petty beings. We still mattered. Without us they would be feeble, curled up on the ground withering in their strange hungers. We were the ones who gave them life and reason. They may not have realized it but I did. They were selfish and unreasonable. Throwing human lives away like candy wrappers…stupid.
"Oh now, now my dear, don't look at us like that. We mean you no harm!" Aro's smile grew bigger as he stared down at me with curious eyes.
I highly doubted that. If they truly meant me no harm I wouldn't have the left side of my body mangled up like a pretzel. My expression didn't lift. "Hm." I used a tone that was reserved for fights with my parents. I was amazed I could even feel like this under the circumstances, I should have been one of the bloodless bodies on the floor.
"Oh come now! Let's not be hasty. Now what might be your name?" His curiosity grew more pronounced as his smile disappeared.
Well if I was going to die no use in being rude. "Jamie Keller." I guess I was being rude. My voice was calm but my eyes were still narrowed towards him.
"Ah! Welcome to our home Jamie. I apologize for the mess." He gestured around the room, to the dead bodies. He didn't seem concerned about them, like dust bunnies rather than rotting flesh.
I didn't have anything to say to that, so instead I tried to gather myself into standing position. It was difficult at first, but I used my right side to lean against the wall as I pushed myself upward.
"It's alright Felix. She is our guest now." Aro said towards the large, intimidating creature, ready to spring. He looked at Aro with a disbelieving expression, shaking his head but he straightened up.
I finished squirming against the wall, but I had to keep leaning. All my energy had disappeared, and my legs were too shaky to balance on. I felt so empty and defenseless. But the idea helped, I knew I could be killed at any moment so I wasn't too afraid to move or talk knowing whatever I could be facing in the next few seconds, or minutes.
I got a better look at the room around me. The bodies on the floor withered to nothing, no more color in their deadened flesh. Then I looked at each of the monsters, taking in the statue like figures. They all had slight differences, but were mostly similar. They shared the same ancient hints in their perfect features, pale skin and most noticeable feature of all, bloody eyes.
"Vampires…?" I gasped breathlessly. I instantly regretted saying it, because as soon as I did they all tensed up and began snarling viscously. Thankfully none of them moved and inch toward me. Thank heavens for that.
"Well done, but I'm sure that was obvious." Aro eyed the bodies again.
"I…suppose so. Also your eyes…" My voice was so quiet I wasn't entirely sure I'd heard it myself.
"Ha-Ha! What courage! You were right Demetri, she is something isn't she?" He said after a moment of silence. "What to do now…" His eyes shifted from side to side. "Ah! Well now that our secret is revealed, you have two options Jamie dear. According to our laws, you may join our kind…or be wasted." His smile fell a little at the end. What had he meant by wasted?
"Wasted…?" My eyebrows crushed together in confusion. "Oh. I see." I understood…I would join the lifeless group on the floor. "Isn't there any other way?" This time it was my curiosity, I wanted to be a human! I couldn't give it all up like this.
"I'm afraid not, we can't risk being exposed."
"I won't tell! Just, please…" I could feel the tears building in my eyes. Why this, why now? I wanted my life, I didn't want to be without it, or continue it with these awful people. Why did this ever have to happen? I prayed it was just a dream...
"Rules are rules." I looked over to Caius who now spoke, looking completely uninterested, like he was speaking it for the thousandth time. I knew by his face that arguing would get me nowhere.
I put my hand over my face, to cover the tears before they gushed down my face. I didn't want this. Why did they want me? How come I got pulled into this stupid predicament? Was it all just coincidence…?
Then something occurred to me. Why was I standing here alive? Why were they talking to me? It didn't add up. I was as average as the rest of the people I came here with, so why didn't they decide to kill me? Was this all a plan from the beginning? Was it?
"Um…" My voice was shaky from the tears; I did my best to ignore it. This question needed to be asked.
"Why me?" My question did not imply the emotions I was feeling. I truly wanted to understand.
"So you've caught on," Aro smiled for a few second before answering. "We could tell. You see everyone has their own scent. Demetri was looking for a good group to gather for our…mid-day meal, and you happened to pass by. From what I observed from his memories, He smelled you from the distance, and he has quite the talent of tracking. He came back to show me, it was intriguing; we don't come across many like you. It was fascinating!" He clapped his hands together and laughed softly. Did this person ever get upset? It didn't seem likely.
"You gave off this…citrusy aroma. It wasn't exactly mouth watering but strangely unusual, well, for a human. I knew you'd have something to offer. But sadly no…I didn't bother sending anyone to get you, as curious as I was it wasn't important enough to get involved. I must admit. I was quite surprised to find you in our little tour group though, How convenient!" He gushed to himself.
"It was kind of…an accident. I got trapped in the group and it was too crowded to get out." I said looking down. It was embarrassing, not having the power to shove my way past a few tourists.
I heard Demetri Chuckle darkly from the corner. Oh no. He hadn't.
"You didn't. Did you?" I couldn't believe it. Was he the cause of this? Had he purposely trapped me?
"We didn't want to see our master disappointed," He smiled cruelly as I cringed against the wall.
That Bastard! It was his fault! They were all sick.
"Oh, don't blame him. You have such potential. You could give so much in this life! Thank you Demetri, what an interesting project this will be!"
I was speechless. I couldn't believe my ears. Thanks to him I was in this mess. What a vacation this turned out to be.
Aro sighed, "Well if that's what you want we can finish this right now." He sounded so disappointed, but I hardly cared.
"No, no! I don't want to die!" I said frantically, He must have misunderstood my silence.
"Excellent! Then Alec, you can do the honors! I know you've been waiting for an opportunity such as this!"
"Thank you master," Alec locked his crimson gaze with mine. His words were no more than a whisper as he stalked slowly forward. I couldn't turn my head away from his intense stare.
I was sure I had him in sight, until he vanished suddenly, appearing at my side. He shoved me back with irresistible strength, pushing me to the cobbled floor. I shrieked in anguish as he grabbed my broken shoulder blade. He didn't seem to notice. He knelt beside me no longer looking into my eyes; instead he stared anxiously to the bottom of my neck. I could feel his wild breathing against my skin, desiring my blood more with every inch he crept closer. His flawless lips parted, revealing each one of the razor sharp teeth inside.
Then, half a second later, he bit into my breakable skin. I yelped from the sudden stab of pain, but with every second passing the pain numbed dully, and I began to lose consciousness. The last things I remembered was a flow of heat racing down my waist and the muffled sound of Aro's voice, "Yes. That should be enough."
Rustling noises came from about 500 meters away, breaking me from my memories. I realized now I had been in thought for quite some time now. The sun was beginning to rise on the horizon exposing the land to cloudy sunlight. By the position it hung in the sky would make it around…six twenty seven. This surprised me. Last night when I first came here it was probably around one. I had been here for at least five hours. How strange…It felt more like twenty minutes, thirty at the most. I must have been very deep in thought.
It had only taken me half a second to think about it. The rustling was getting closer, at 300 meters. In another half a second, I was on my feet listening, waiting for more rustling. It continued to get closer, but I could hear something else behind it; the light tapping of footsteps. Maybe a human on an early morning hike? No, the footsteps were moving to fast, at about 100 meters now. I didn't really want to stick around to find out who it was, so I spun around on my heels and took off into the forest.
"Wait!" A soprano voice chirped.