I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've updated this story. I got a laptop as a belated birthday present in February and until recently I couldn't move the files to this story off the laptop and onto my new one. I've been working on this chapter for a couple days and it's a huge one. A lot happens in this chapter. I made it long to hopefully make up for the lack of updates. I'm working on Chapter Five as this is being posted. As always a huge thank you to FrozenSoldier, your support means the world to me. And to iScreamParty, Emi your constant help and pestering (bitching if you will) for me to update this has actually made it happen. And to everyone who has read and reviewed thank you so much. Leave some reviews they're really motivational. Enough of this word vomit! Here's the new chapter.
Oh and before I forget thank you to idealskeptic, for your wonderful stories. They gave me some inspiration!
(Still looking for a beta~)
Haunted Chapter Four
October 1st 2011
One Year Later
Four Years Old
Animal I Have Become
Seconds, minuets, days, weeks, months, turned into years. Three almost four years I've been living this horrific life I was cursed with. Four years I've been living as a monster. Taking the lives of the innocent just so I could live mine. I hated myself with every fiber of my being; I hated what I had to do to survive. I loathed myself every second of every day.
I sighed heavily trailing my fingers over the cold snow that lay beneath me. I longed for tears to fall, so they could match the tiny sobs that escaped my lips. I'd just failed at another attempt to end the hell I call my life. I'd thrown myself over the tallest mountain I could find in the state of Washington. But it didn't work; it barely hurt even though a couple of my limps had popped off. They'd reattached since. The venom I used to reattach them still stung.
Though I hadn't always been at this alone, I was now because I knew I didn't belong with the nomadic vampire family I'd traveled with for nearly two years. I'd only been on my own for about eight months. And I desperately missed Victoria and Laurent. I didn't miss James as much as the others. He was more monstrous than I was, and it was hard to be around him. This was one of the majoring factors of leaving them. It was a hard choice but something that I had to do. Because every second I spent around James I felt myself losing more and more of my humanity. And I had grown tired of his games and of having to see what he planned to do before he did it. It killed me to know that there was nothing I could do to stop him. He knew of my powers but didn't care and he'd even use them for his advantage at times. I knew if I didn't tell him exactly what I saw he'd end me, no matter the consciences he'd face with Victoria and Laurent. He'd told me this himself in one of the rare moments him and I were alone. But none the less it had been hard to leave them.
The four of us walked through the deserted streets of Vancouver. We'd just hunted taking down a family of eight giving us two humans each. James had made sure he got the children. And he made them watch as we took the lives of their parents, and older siblings. He like always played a game with them. Letting them get away and run. It was sick, so very sick even sicker then what my fate had been.
"James stop, this is sick they're just kids! Let them go please, I've seen their futures and they have so much to live for." I hissed begging and pleading with James. I grabbed his hand trying to pull him away from the running children. James snarled growing at me and bit down on my arm. I cried out in pain and let go cradling my arm to my chest. Laurent was quickly by my side pushing me behind him protectively. This was not the first time James had bitten me, and it probably wouldn't be the last. I had scars on my arms, neck and even my legs from his anger. I was his personal 'biting bag'.
"She's right James, they're just children how old are they love?" Laurent asked his eyes flashing to mine. I took a deep shaky breath before speaking.
"The boy is eight, and the little girl is five." I said in a small voice, rubbing at my stinging arm. Victoria looked between Laurent and myself and James clearly torn on what to do. But like always she took her mates side even if he was in the wrong.
"They're just humans, so what if they had bright futures. They mean nothing to us. They're just simple meaningless meals to us. Let James go, he knows what he's doing." Victoria said standing beside her mate. I glared at the woman who had become like my best friend. She knew this was wrong, but she was sticking up for James, again. A growl escaped my lips, not only surprising the three vampires around me, but myself ass well. James snarled throwing the two young children into Victoria's arms and lunged at me knocking Laurent out of the way. He pinned me to the ground, hitting my skull so hard it cracked. His hand was quick to slap my across my face, no doubt making my skin crack again. His mouth was quick to find my neck and he bit down near my collar bone. Laurent struggled to get him off of me. My cries escaping my lips against my will. He then bit my arms, holding them above my head.
"You will learn to respect me and do as I say. You're worse than a child, you just can't behave and do as you're told. Just because you grow older doesn't mean your superior like us. You're nothing but a weak little vampire who can't come to terms with what she is. You're pathetic, you go weeks without feeding just to save humans, you're almost as weak as those pathetic fuck's. News flash sweetie, they're on this earth for one reason for us to eat. Nothing more, nothing less. Growl at me again and I will end your pathetic existence for good." James snarled biting my neck again as he pulled my arms off my body a scream of agony escaping my lips. James smirked and made his way over to Victoria. He snatched the children and their screams met mine as Laurent pooled venom on my arms and paced them back on. My eyes watered with venom but the tears never fell. I looked up at him and mouth four simple words. 'I have to leave.'
Laurent's eyes filled with sadness at the words I mouth my body withering in pain. From the sounds of it James was still having his fun with the children. Victoria was at my side in a second her eyes full of horror and regret. I could tell she was sorry she hadn't stood up to James but I knew he feared him as well. She had scars too, how she loved him was beyond me. I looked back at Laurent looking at him with pleading eyes, hoping he'd understand why I had to go. I hope he knew I didn't want to leave because of him or even Victoria. I wanted to stay with them, learn how to control myself even more. Learn how to truly be a vampire. But I couldn't do that with James around. Because it was getting harder and harder for me to do this. It was taking a physical toll on me, and that wasn't normal for a vampire. His eyes softened as he looked at me, as he ran a hand through my hair.
"I understand baby girl, I'll help you." He whispered softly so only Victoria, himself and I could only hear his words. Victoria looked at us both in surprise and questioning. She frowned looking between us.
"What are you two talking about?" She asked softly as they helped me sit up. I swallowed hard, I'd become so close to her I knew I'd miss her so much.
"I have to leave Victoria, I can't stay here anymore, I can't do this you know what it's doing to me." I whispered softly even for a vampire. Victoria's ruby red eyes swelled up with tears she couldn't shed, but they also held understanding. She knew how much I was suffering and how much I had to hide it so it didn't affect her or Laurent. She knew this was only causing more harm than good. She knew I wasn't meant to be with then forever. She also knew I cared about her like a sister and I'd always be around if she ever needed me.
"I understand Delilah, I really do I've had a feeling this would be happening soon. I don't need visions to see it." She smiled sadly in a teasing tone, earning a small smile from me.
"I know being with us isn't what you need. And I know you'll find what you need out there. I understand and respect that you have to do that on your own. I wish I could have been more of help to you. I wish I could have showed you this life is easy, but we both know it's not. If you truly feel this is what you need to do, you are free to go. Know Lauren and I will always be here if you were ever to need us. All you would have to do is to just come and find us. You're still our little one." She smiled down at me kissing my forehead, in a fashion I think an older sister would have.
"And who said she could leave?" James cool dark tone sent a shiver up my spine and fear started to sink in, I had a feeling he'd rather end me than let me leave. As I prepared to fight for my afterlife, I was surprised by Victoria's strong voice.
"I did James, you have no respect for her. You use and abuse her power's as well as you just use and abuse her. She's not some play toy sent for you to do with as you please. She's a person, and she's going through a lot. You remember what it was like to be a newborn. We know she was never meant to stay with us long. Honestly are you really surprised she's asking to leave? Honestly I'm surprised it's taken her this long to leave. After your actions tonight I don't blame her for wanting to leave right away. I'm disappointed in you, I thought you'd have more compassion and try and teach her the hang of things. But all you've done was torment her. Laurent and I have done what we can, now the rest is up to her. You will let her go, and you will leave her alone. We'll move on, if she ever needs us we'll be there. Until then she'll be on her own, do you understand me?" Victoria's voice rang out in the cold air strong and demanding. She wasn't really asking James she was telling him. I felt proud of her for finally standing up to her mate. James said nothing, he nodded stiffly before starting off down the ally.
That night I spent the rest of my night with Laurent and Victoria in the old abandoned house we'd been staying in. I packed the small bag that held my few belongings. We talked about some of our found memories and laughed over funny stories. It made me wish James wasn't apart of their group, that it was just them. Because if it was I could, I would stay. And as the hours passed it only became more of a reality. As the sun rose I bid my goodbye's to my friend. Sharing hugs and kisses on the cheeks. Laurent gave me names and numbers of allies of their incase I ever needed help. Victoria did the same, making me promise to come to one of them so we could find each other if I ever needed them.
After a long and sad goodbye I left as James returned. I ignored the ugly look he gave me and left. I took off into the woods relying on my visions and tried to start my own life. But it was harder than I could imagine. In the weeks that passed I slipped up more and more. The thought of going back and finding them crossed my mind more than once, but I knew nothing good would come out of it. As the monster grew bigger and bigger inside of me, I hated myself even more. The attempts at ending my second life started then. First by biting myself then by trying to break myself beyond repair. Much to my despair nothing worked. I was trapped in my own hell.
The snap of a branch brought me out of my daydream of the past. I started to panic, I could smell humans coming closer. I wouldn't be able to control myself, and my visions only confirmed my fears. I'd be taking more lives today, because I couldn't control the animal I had become. I was stupid for not feeding in a couple weeks, but I hoped if I stopped feeding I could starve myself. So far it wasn't working, if anything it was dulling my powers and that was it. Though I was thankful for that, the glimpse into the future were not always promising. And recently I was sure I'd started having visions of my past. They were like silent black and white movies in my head that left me paralyzed for hours afterwards.
I climbed up in the tree watching as a group of young adults made their way into the forest laughing and joking around. They had camp gear and coolers full of who knows what. They were so happy and care free, little did they know that soon would be over and they'd be living a painful nightmare when my hunger finally took over. I tried to fight the monster growing inside of me. I tried to get my body to move. I didn't want to kill them, I didn't want to see their pasts, or their futures. I didn't want to drain them and leave their families hurt. Just as I was about to take off away from them one made a fatal mistake. A blonde girl tripped over a small tree branch and skinned her knee. Her sweet blood filled the air causing my mouth to water with venom. My eyes glazed over and soon I leapt from the tree, knowing soon my mouth would be at her neck.
But before I could even reach a foot off the ground a blur of blonde hair and dark clothes knocked me at least four feet away from the group of camper's with such force. I struggled against the person who pinned me to the ground. My eyes were wild with rage and hunger. I snapped at the man holding me down, trying to free myself from his grip. The group of hikers froze watching us. The man on top of me turned to them and hissed out.
"Go, run now leave." His voice was smooth and musical, but I didn't care. He was holding me down and driving my meal away. I growled loudly nipping at him clawing at his face my body shaking. The camper's froze blinking, I smiled at their stupidity.
"Let me go! What are you doing?" I screeched at the man who was fighting back just as hard as he held me in place. He turned to look at me his curly honey blonde hair falling in his face. His eyes made me gasp, they were caramel colored, like the vampire's I'd seen in my vision. Not even curiosity could win over my hunger as I fought against him. He looked down at me a look in his eyes saying he knew how I felt, he knew what I was going through.
"Stop fighting me darlin' you won't win. You know you don't want to do this, you don't want to hurt them. Let them go, don't make this harder." The man said softly holding me down with more force as I thrashed around. I hissed at him glaring.
"You know nothing about me, you don't know what I want. I have no choice this is the only way. I've tried to stop, but I can it's the only way we can live and you know that. I can't let them go, I need to-" I started thrashing and clawing at him violently before he cut me off.
"I do know you, I was you. I know the feeling you're feeling now. You're angry with me, but also with yourself. You don't want to hurt them, you hate yourself for being like this. You hate what you have to do to survive. There is another way though, one that doesn't mean you have to kill innocent people. If you let them go I promise to show it to you, or leave you alone whatever you want. But just let them go." He pleaded his caramel eyes peering into my red ones. I wanted to believe everything he said so bad, but the hunger was taking over control.
"You want me to let them go, just so I can find them later or find someone else to feed on? No thank you, I rather have my meals out here in the woods, the bodies are easier to dispose of." I smirked darkly up at him as I bite down on his arm. Maybe being around James as long as I had been had paid off. The man above me hiss and growled in pain, his grip loosening just a bit just enough for me to make my way out of his arms and to the humans frozen in shock. The monster inside of me had completely taken over, I was no longer Delilah. Just as my hand reached the bleeding blonde I was sent flying into a tree, the impact causing the tree to break and shatter. The blonde man was fast, but I was faster and I had the blonde girl in my arms before he could get a hold on me. My mouth was on her neck, the first couple drops of blood reaching my mouth when two things hit me. This wave of guilt, pain, and shame washed over me causing me to take a breath I didn't need. Then a vision clouded my vision, like always.
Sydney-Rae Lynn Carter, twenty-two. Attending The University of Washington, majoring in Special Education. She had a long time girlfriend Amanda, the two were going to move to California after they graduated to get married legally, it'd finally be legal in that state. Sydney loved children and even hoped to adopt a child with special needs. She had two younger siblings a brother with server autism and a sister with a mild case of down syndrome. She loved them with everything in her and she never ran out of patients when it came to them. She and Amanda would take the two children in when their parents died in a car crash her senior year of collage. The two would give the two children the best of lives, enrolling them in the best schools and helping them fight through all of the tough times. I dropped the girl the second I came back to reality, and to my surprise I'd stopped sucking her blood, my mouth had just been hovering over her neck as she shook and sobbed in my arms. I choked on the air I breathed in as I backed away slowly.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry. Go run please." I begged as I backed up falling to the ground in the damp dirt. The blonde vampire who had been trying stop me had placed himself in front of the other humans as if to protect them. He stared at me with wide surprised eyes. I curled up in the wet leaves and dirt as dry sobs escaped my lips. I'd almost let the monster win again. I almost took away someone who was needed on this earth. I dug my nails into my arm with force small cracks showed up. I hated myself more than ever, because how did I know I wasn't like Sydney at one point? I could have been like her, off to some collage with siblings who cared and loved me. The pain in my chest grew even more at the thought. I almost caused her family to go through what mine went through. That is I even had a family, tears that would never fall pooled in my eyes. I paid no attention to the blonde vampire, he could be having a feast for all I know. I curled up in a smaller ball as my vision became cloudy once again.
'You listen to me Delilah-Mae, you guys be careful. Keep your phone on you at all times. I know your eighteen now but you're still my baby girl. You have no curfew but try and get home at a reasonable time. And for you mother and my piece of mind please check in with us from time to time." My father said pulling me into his arms. I giggled softly, though my dad looked was built like a pro-football player he was a huge teddy bear. I wrapped my tiny arms around him, trying my best not to get any make-up on his doctor's jacket.
"I will I promise, my phone will be where I can hear or feel it. I'll check in with you guys at least once ever hour or two. Plus daddy I'm with Jack, West and David they won't let anything happen to me or Bethanne. And you know what club we'll be going to. We'll be home by three." I promised. Little did I know at the time this would be the last time I saw my father. I'd be leaving the house happy with him and angry with my mother. I wouldn't ever get the chance to say I love you back to her before I died.
"I still don't approve of you going to this club Delilah." My mother said her arms crossed over her chest my little sister Abby standing next to her a frown on her pretty little face.
"Mom for the last time I'm 18 now, I already told you we won't be drinking! Could you please have some faith is us, in me. Jesus you cottle me like a child." I snapped at my mother, my eyes narrowed.
"Just because you're 18 doesn't mean I can't ground your ass and put an end to this night." My mother growled back at me her dark green eyes locking on my matching eyes. My dad sighed loudly and stepped in between us.
"Sarah let her go, she's 18 she just wants to have fun with her friends. She's responsible and can take care of herself. Nothing bad will happen." My father promised wrapping an arm around her. He was so wrong, he didn't know hours later at the early morning hours he'd be regretting his every word and wishing he'd let his wife ground their eldest daughter. And Delilah would be wishing for the same as she screamed in pain.
"Exactly, we'll be leaving now." I grumbled snatching my purse and phone and marched out of the house.
"I love you!" Both of my parents called and my mom added 'be careful and come home before one.' I rolled my eyes at my mom and stomped to Jack's car.
"Love you too dad!" I made it clear I was still pissed off as I hopped into the backseat with Bethanne and slammed the door telling Jack to gun it as I took a shot of whatever liquor Bethanne had in her hand.
"Well someone is still mad at their mommy." Bethanne snickered causing a smile to reach my eyes.
"Yeah, but she means well, I do love her even though she tries to pull me back by the cord." I snickered and watched as my house fade from view. A shill went up my spine as it started to rain and I saw a hooded figure get into a car that had been parked by my house. It gave me a sense of déjà, like I'd seen this happen before. That's when I remembered that I'd had horrible nightmare about someone following us and harming us all. I brushed my paranoia off with a pop of an atavan for my anxiety and another shot of peach stuff that burned. Suddenly the images in my head sped up, I could see them at first. They were just faster, like I was fast-forwarding them. I saw myself and my friends flash our fake I.D's after downing the rest of the vodka in the car. I watched as we drank and danced. Then they got faster and I could only pick a couple out. Like a hooded man slipping something into my drink when I wasn't looking. It was the same man who'd been watching me all night. The next one I could pick out was being grabbed from the bathroom after Bethanne had been knocked out. The next memories brought on physical pain.
They were the same visions, or flashback's I'd been having since I was turned. I would be dazed and drugged one minuets staggering as I ran. Then the next moment I would be running completely sober with blood on my neck, chest and legs. Every time he would catch up I'd feel the pain that he was inflicting on me. Weather it was another bite, or a snap of my wrist. They all caused me to cry out in pain. My breathing picked up as I tried my hardest to run and find help. I tried so hard to get away from him. Just when I thought I'd gotten away, and that I was safe. He popped up out of no where like he'd been waiting for me. The sinister smile still on his blood stained lips. I couldn't say or do anything but try and fight him off as he inflicted some kind of new pain on me.
I don't know what brought me back to life, the cold rain or the shooting pain going through my hand. As I came to, I noticed I was biting down on my fist as shattered scream echoed through the woods. The scream had come from me, I was biting down on my fist to try and muffle the screams. I let my hand drop next to my wet body. I was fully drenched in rain and fallen leaves. But I didn't care, I couldn't move. I'd seen my dad, and my mom I knew I had a family and that brought on new pain that I couldn't explain. I didn't hear his footsteps over my soft sobs and the rain. I didn't move as he brushed the damp red hair out of my face. Most surprisingly I didn't flinch when he picked me up and carried me into a cave. I just sat still as stone in his arms, wondering when this hell would end. That's what I hated the most about flashbacks, it wore me out mentally, and it paralyzed me for a while. He could be taking me in the cave to kill me and I would only be able to look at him. I wouldn't be able to fight him off, I prepared myself for the pain of my limbs being torn off. For the fiery hell that waited for me as I died for good.
But to my surprise, he didn't take advantage of me. He sat down in the back of the cave where the wind and rain didn't hit us. He shrugged of his jacket and placed it over my frozen stone body. He wiped the dirt off my face, looking sympathetic and worriedly into my ruby red eyes. I looked up into his butterscotch eyes with questioning. Why wasn't he killing me, why was he being nice to me. Most importantly why was he taking care of me? I flinched to the best of my abilities as clap of thunder rang out. It brought back memories of the night I'd been turned. I was scared for many reasons. First the memories scared me, they made things more real. Second I was with a vampire who probably wanted me dead. I jumped as his beautiful voice rang out.
"I'm not going to hurt you, is that why you're scared?" He asked softly moving closely to me. His voice sent a shiver down my spine. It was so smooth, so velvety and rich and so very comforting. Suddenly I felt safe and it was such a new feeling, something I hadn't truly ever even felt with Victoria and Laurent and definitely not with James. I tried to tell him with my eyes I couldn't speak.
"Did your vision paralyze you darlin'? Blink twice if it did." He said softly I paused before blinking my eyes twice. A small smile escaped his lips as he saw my response.
"I'm sorry I attacked you, but I didn't want you to harm those humans. I could tell by your feelings that you truly didn't want to hurt them." He stated softly in a voice that held more than just sympathy. His voice held a tone that said he'd been in my position before, he knew the pain and guilt that came after killing a human. I closed my eyes and sighed for a brief second, for once I didn't feel completely alone. I tried my hardest to thank him with my eyes, he didn't know how grateful I was that he'd stopped me. As if he could sense of feel what I was feeling he smiled a soft crooked smile my way. This confused me a bit but I didn't question it, as long as he knew how thankful I was.
My head felt tingly, and cloudy I think it's what humans felt when the got tired. This always happened after a vision. The blonde haired man looked at me with confusion. I blinked at him, with questioning eyes. He studied me for a couple of minuets, if I could move I'd be squirming. It felt like he was taking up every inch of me. I wished desperately that I could speak and ask him what was wrong. But my head throbbed too much to even try to talk. Finally the mysterious vampire spoke.
"Are you tired?" His voice asked softly his head cocked to the side a confused look on his face. I blinked twice at him to say yes, I wished I could talk to him and tell him why I was.
"Is this normal for you?" He asked again his voice filled with curiosity. Once again I blinked and wished I could speak.
"You should get some rest then, you're safe from humans here." He said tucking his jacket closer around me. I snuggled down into it and I slowly started to drift of into darkness. But as I fell asleep, panic shot through me. I was scared he would leave and I'd never see him again. But slept won over and I snuggled down closer into his jacket inhaling the intoxicating sent and everything turned black. After visions I never had dreams, I just floated in blackness. It was almost peaceful, I didn't have to worry in this universe. I didn't kill here, I didn't have flashbacks or visions.
Jasper's Point Of View
I watched as the tiny vampire before me fell into a deep slumber. It was something I had never seen in all my years as a vampire. Though I'm sure it was possible and from her blinking this was normal after a vision. I was still confused, Alice had vision and this never happened. I couldn't explain why I stopped her from hurting those humans. Why I'd run miles to get to her and stop her when I felt her strong emotions. They only grew stronger as I grew closer to her. I couldn't let her attack those innocent humans. I knew what regret she'd feel not only because I'd been where she was, but also because of the internal battle I felt her fighting with her emotions.
I felt such a connection to this small vampire that I couldn't bring myself to leave her and return to my family as she slept. The fear and panic she felt before she fell asleep only made my want to stay with her stronger. I felt so protective of this small vampire and I didn't even know her name. It scared me that she couldn't move. She didn't fight me as I wiped her face and moved her into the cave out of the rain. She felt fear when we were alone, but after I spoke telling he I wasn't going to hurt her the feeling she felt nearly knocked me over. She felt safe and protected, was that because of me? She didn't even know me, but then again I didn't even know her.
As she slept she regained movement, her eyes would flutter every now and then. She shifted around in her sleep, tiny sighs and mumbles escaped her lips. I couldn't help but smile at that. Part of me envied her for being able to sleep. The longer she slept the more movement she regained. Soon she had her arms in the sleeves of the jacket I had. It was then I could clearly see the bite mark on her fist. The one she'd inflicted on herself when she was having a vision. It was red and angry, but was already healing. She curled up into even more of a ball as she rolled over. Her head met my side and her arm fell across my lap. My body tingled at this contact, I couldn't explain why though. I let my arm drape around her shoulders pulling her closer. I wanted to protect her and keep her safe. I didn't want her to face this cruel world alone.
It hit me then, maybe this was the girl Alice had had small visions of. The girl that was by my side. Alice said even though she couldn't see her clearly, she could tell the girl was tiny like her and this vampire defiantly was. She also told me the girl had oddly colored dark hair. The pale girl had red hair with darker tones of red in it, this fit her description. The thought that I was actually finding my make was both exciting and scary at the same time. Even if this girl was just a random vampire I found, I would help her through this. My phone vibrating brought me out of my thoughts.
"Hello." I greeted Alice in a happy voice and smile on my face, though my sister could be annoying I did adore her and there was nothing I wouldn't do for her. I heard her sigh heavily in relief on the other end, which confused me.
"Thank god Jasper you're alright! You went out of my sight!" Alice's words were fast and frantic. I frowned wondering why I would possibly go out of her sight. I was no where near wolves. Then it clicked, maybe it had something to do with the sleeping vampire next to me. Alice had never been able to see who our new family member would be or really even look like because of the cloudiness.
"Alice I'm fine sweetheart, not a scratch on me." I promised my sister who sighed again, but this time I could see a happy smile on her face.
"I don't know why you'd go out of my vision though, maybe there is something wrong with them." She said her voice full of worry, I chuckled softly.
"I doubt that Alice, I think it has to do with the vampire I found today. She has some gifts, this might be one of hers. Can you talk to Carlisle and Esme? I'm bringing her home, she's lost and alone and she doesn't want to kill humans." I said softly playing with the girls hair. Alice gasped on the other end, and even I could predict what she was going to say next.
"Is it her Jasper, is it the girl I've seen by your side?" She asked excitement evident in her voice. I paused looking the girl over once more before answering my sister.
"I don't know Alice I truly don't, but that doesn't matter. I, we have to help her. She's so broken and lost she's on the brink of giving up. I know what that feels like, I don't want her going through that, at least not alone." I admitted more to Alice than anyone in the family.
"Just bring her home safely Jasper, I can't see your future but I have faith in you. I'll talk to mom and dad after I hang up. Be carful, I miss you and I'll see you soon." Alice said softly in a serious but loving voice. I smiled at my sister, she was so selfless and caring.
"I will Alice, I will I promise I'll see you later. I'll send you a text or call you when we're on the way. Set up the guest bedroom, and I think she'll fit in your clothes she'll need to change when we arrive. I love you pixie." I smiled bidding my sister goodbye.
"Will do captain, I love you too cowboy." She giggled before hanging up. Sliding my phone back into my pocket I watched as the small vampire moved around in her sleep. Her emotions were oddly peaceful and almost numb, she was a total mystery to me. I smiled down at her as she woke up. She was frozen for a moment, and I grew concerned she was still paralyzed. I sighed in relief as she slowly set up, and wanted to sooth the panic and fear she felt. But I didn't want to startle her.
"You didn't leave, you stayed with me." Her voice was just as beautiful as she was. It was like no other, not even Esme and Rosalie's voices could compare to hers. I smiled down at her as she sat up completely.
"I couldn't leave you, not after what happened and not with how scared you were." I said simply, and frowned as she looked down at her hands. I felt a wave of embarrassment, shame and disgust come from her. It actually pained me. I didn't want her to ever feel those emotions. I sent her the smallest wave of calm hoping it wouldn't startle her. She visibly eased and unclamped her hands, she played with a ring on her finger for a minuet before she looked up at me. I had to swallow a smile as she spoke once again.
Delilah's POV
I felt bright light hitting my eyelids and I sighed softly moving around. My body tingled a bit from the lack of movement. I hated how short the 'naps' could be sometimes. It was my only way of escaping everything. Then again I suppose sleep did that for even humans. Thinking of humans a pain hit my chest as I remembered my parents. Not only did I now know I had parents, but I'd been so mean to my mom the last time I saw her. At least I think it was the last time I saw her. All of the thinking was actually managing to give me a small headache. I froze as I noticed I wasn't alone. I was curled up against someone's side, and my arm was wrapped around them. They had their arm around me as well, the jacket on my arms brought back memories of the day before. Fear and panic filled me to the core.
So he was telling the truth when he said he didn't want to hurt or kill me. But why had he moved me out of the rain into the cave. It's not like I could get sick, it had to have been for the safety of the humans who were around. Why had he wrapped me in his jacket and tended to me until I fell into blackness? I couldn't figure out why a complete stranger, a vampire at that. Would want to help something like me, I proved yesterday I was nothing but a monster. I was ready to feast on those humans. But he'd stopped me and he hadn't left my side. There was so many things I wanted to ask him, but I had trouble finding my voice. I moved around a bit more half way sitting up moving from his side, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"You didn't leave, you stayed with me." I said softly finally finding my voice, it was soft and full of surprise. It was the only thing I could thing about saying, out of all the questions I had for him that's what came flying out of my mouth as I sat up.
"I couldn't leave you, not after what happened and not with how scared you were." He said simply with a small smile and shrug of his shoulders. I felt totally embarrassed, along with shame and complete disgust in myself. He'd almost saw the true me, the monster that I tried so hard to keep hidden away. It had come out yesterday and I had come so close to killing that girl yesterday. If it hadn't been for him I would have killed the whole group without blinking. Why would he be nice to someone like me? I frowned looking down at my hands as I clamped them together. I let mind wonder to the girl's future I'd seen. More shame filled me, I'd almost taken her life. She had a family and partner who cared for her. I almost took her away from all of that. Just like I'd been taken away from my family and friends. I blinked as I felt almost a wave of calmness brush over me. I sighed softly folding my hands down in my lap, as I played with the small heart ring on my finger.
"Why did you stay and help me? I'm just a monster, I don't deserve any help or kindness. The things I've done.. I don't deserve anything good." I said simply with honestly, darkness consuming the place where my soul should be. It was a feeling I would never want anyone to feel. It was painful, hallow, it sucked you into darkness and left you feeling so alone. But it was something I deserved, honestly I deserve to feel worse. I jumped slightly feeling a warm and on my shoulder. I looked up into the butterscotch colored eyes of the strange vampire. He had a look of pain on his face as he looked at me.
"Please don't say that, it's not true. You're not a monster, no you're not human but you're far from a monster darlin' trust me I've seen true monsters. You just only know this way of living, there is another way of living. I promise you there is, you won't have to harm humans anymore. It won't be easy, but you won't be alone. You'll have help the whole time." He said his hand covering mine. When his skin touched mine, I felt hope and faith surge through me. It was a feeling I don't know if I'd ever felt as a vampire. I looked in his caramel eyes, searching then for any sign of dishonesty. But all I saw was hope, anticipation, honesty and concern. Something told me the concern was for me. I wanted so bad to believe his words, to put all my faith into him. But how could there possibly be another way? And things hadn't ended well with the last vampires I'd trusted.
"But you don't know me, you don't know the things I've done. How many innocent people I've killed." I started my voice strained with pain from the haunting memories of the lives I'd taken.
"I really am a monster, I see the past, the present and the future of each of my victims when I bite them. But even then I can't stop myself, I lose grip on my sanity and the hunger takes over. There can't possibly be another way of living, surely I would have seen it in visions. How could someone like me not harm humans? I can't take being around someone with a fucking paper cut." I continued on disgusted with myself. The honey blonde vampire with the beautiful light eyes opened his mouth but I cut him off.
"Who would want to help me, a creature that is worse than a monster. I know I'd slip up, and that wouldn't end well with whoever was helping me. They'd be disappointed in me, and I'd be left alone again. I-I deserve to live alone in misery because of the hell I cause.. I tried, tried so hard to fit in with our kind before and it..it didn't end well." I said my voice breaking at the end. I closed my eyes as the burned with tears of venom.
"You're right I don't know you, or your past. But I don't care one bit about it, our kind all have our pasts. Not all of them are pretty, in fact most of them are filled with killing people, innocent people. Some do it for fun, our world is also filled with filthy vampires who turn humans into the undead for fun, or for their own benefit. We all have our dark days, dark years, hell even dark centuries but there is hope out there. I promise you there is, I wouldn't dream of lying to you about that. I know what it feels like to be in your shoes, and I want to show you there is a life out there for someone like myself, like you that is happy. I don't know what happened with your last family, but I would never harm you and my family, none of them would dream of hurting you." He said his voice was so strong, and held so much hope in passion in it, I found myself leaning in clinging onto his ever word.
"We won't expect you to be perfect, in fact slipping up isn't out of the normal. Everyone has their moments of weakness. Some of us more than others.. But if you were to slip up, you wouldn't be alone. I-someone would be with you, would help you. We wouldn't abandoned you for a accident you couldn't help. You don't deserve to be alone at all. You didn't see this way of life in visions because no one you knew the life style I or my family lives. Please trust me, come home with me and let us help you." He said softly at the end, squeezing his hand over mine. Without thinking I spoke, the first words in my head.
"What's your name, why should I trust and believe you?" I asked softly looking into his comforting eyes. He blinked at me before smiling a crooked smile at me. I'm sure if my heart could beat, it'd be racing.
"My name is Jasper Hale, what about you darlin'? And because I trust you, I have faith in you and I believe in you." He said simply like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I blinked at him a couple times, firstly to make sure he was real and this wasn't a dream. Secondly to think, I let thoughts float through my head. But I stopped them and listened to what my gut told me. And for reasons I don't know, reasons I don't understand, or can't explain I trusted him with his ever words.
"Delilah-Mae Bliss. Okay, I believe you." I said my voice not as soft as it had been. The man I now knew as Jasper stared at me his eyes widening. For a moment I thought I'd said the wrong thing. That was until he smiled, truly smiled and I couldn't help but smiling back.
"Okay, really? You'll come with me?" He asked his words rushed. I didn't think before I nodded and stood up, my hand taking his.
"Yes, I'll go with you if you still want me to. You have to promise me something though." I said looking up at him, a small smile on my face.
"Of course I want you too, name it and I'm sure I can make you a promise." He said eagerly, his fingers lacing with mine, causing the most amazing blissful feeling to tingle up my spine. I couldn't explain what this feeling was, all I knew is I never wanted it to go away.
"Promise you'll always be honest with me. If I'm doing something wrong tell me. If you or anyone in your family ever wants me to leave, tell me. And treat me like you would anyone else, don't baby me, don't change yourself because of me." I asked simply looking up at him dead in the eyes with hope.
"Those are promises I can and will make to you Delilah-Mae, I won't break them I promise. But don't be offended if you're stuck with my family and myself for the rest of eternity." He smiled at the end gripping my hand tighter.
"Thank you, no offence will be taken. I'll follow you wherever you lead me." I promised as he made his way outside the cave. Jasper kept his hand in mine as he smiled at me. I leaned down picking up my small bag that was still damp from the mouth of the cave. I smiled back at him as we took off, my hand in his and I followed him with every turn he made. My trust and life in his hands, I could only hope he'd take care of them.