Chapter 2

Out of the frying pan and into the Fire

I was on fire. A cruel and ironic way to die for the girl on fire. Every bone in my body feels gelatinous, as if a butter knife cut sever them with ease. And the worst part? I have been enduring this feeling for what feels like eternity.

Is this death? If so I must join the population who fear it. But that option is irrelevant in this case. I could be rolled into a ditch and cut into pieces and still not register it. That was how much pain I was in.

In this void of torture I reflected on my life to distract myself. Prim, my little duck, the youngest healer of my family. Gone. Obliterated. Destroyed. Annihilated. Blown to bits. Kaboom.

All true, but that doesn't make me feel any better. She was so young, too young to die let alone be in a war. And it was my fault. If I hadn't shown myself to her. If I had yelled at her to stop. If. If. If. But that won't help now. What's done is done. Now I live with the consequences. The pain is leaving my limbs and making its way to my heart. But it doesn't end. No, it grows hotter and hotter till the pain I feel makes an all time high.

I hear my heart shudder to a halt and wonder 'If my heart is no longer working how am I registering this?'. I feel as if a weight had been lifted off my chest, as the pain recedes. Then I open my eyes to shocking arrays of colour.

I use my hunting instincts and listened for any movement in the surrounding foliage. Finding none I decide to explore the changes that were bound to have sprung up on my body after that grueling pain.

I look down, expecting to see my now tattered mockingjay suit, but instead find myself wearing a pair of short dark denim shorts, a silvery gossamer tube top, my father's hunting jacket I had packed in my bag of essentials and my hunting boots. Why am I wearing this clothing? I don't own anything nearly as nice as the tube top and shorts I am wearing.

While I pondered this I combed my body for any other changes. That was when I noticed the pallor of my skin. It was as pale as a full moon and years of hunting scars had been removed from my body, giving it the flawless look of perfection. It was also rock hard and stone cold. That was new. My dark hair was no longer damaged but long and shiny. It was done in my trademark braid down the back, with a small silver flower clipped behind my ear.

Hoping to study my face, I search for a puddle to check my reflection in, and strike it lucky when I find a pond. I peer into the water to observe my now gorgeous face.

My dark hair framed my now flawless pale face in which resided large stormy grey eyes. My nose was perfectly centered and I now had high cheekbones. My lips were full and shone a red as bright as a rose. Shocked, I touched my face to help to take in this new beautiful monster was me. I notice an itchy burning feeling in my throat, and groan in discomfort. I feel a presence nearby and turned to investigate, finding a beautiful blonde man behind me. He looked similar to how I now appeared. His pale complexion, beautiful features and lithe body all reminiscent to my own. Curious I tentatively asked him a question. "What am I?" With this he looked at me with a glance of regret, sadness, pity and understanding. He then spoke the very words that changed my life. "You are a vampire."

To say I had been shocked at this revelation would be a vast understatement, as I was shocked enough to faint if it had been physically possible. I am a monster. Why did he turn me into this? I have done plenty of regrettable things in my short life, but what was bad enough to deserve this? What had pushed me over the fine line between good intentions and bad?

As I recall I quickly pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind as he explained his rather unique diet. "What is your name?"

"Katniss."

"Well Katniss, you see my family and I eat only animals, or at least we try to. It does not satisfy our thirst as easily, but in our minds it separates us from being monsters." I agreed with their view as I had all my life been hunting animals, what difference would this make to my diet really, other than the fact that I will drink blood but I'll take what I can get. This time, hunting will be even easier. At my nod of understanding the vampire, Carlisle he told me, told me how to hunt and with that I was off, he stayed behind because apparently there were no humans for thousands of miles. With that I let my instincts take over and I was off, hunting for the first time.

The first time I had ran in my new life was an experience to remember. I let my instincts take over and soon found myself sprinting through the foliage at incredible speeds. The sensation in itself was confusing, as I never tired. Then I froze. There, three meters to my right, was a beautiful fawn gnawing on some grass. I crouched, preparing to spring and grab it by the neck and suck all of its blood dry. After finishing the fawn I spot another close by and repeat the action. My hunger satisfied for now, I sprinted back to the other vampire.

By the time I reached the blond vampire I found 9 other vampires and a horrible smelling human with him. "Hello Katniss, this is my family. To my right is Alice with the Dark hair, beside her is Jasper, beside me is my wife Esme, opposite Esme is Edward and Bella, to their left is Rosalie and Emmet, and behind them is Renesmee and Jacob." Each of the newly introduced erm.. people stared into my grey eyes with wonder and surprise as if I looked strange. "Hello." I said gruffly, still wary of their intentions. "Please follow us." Carlisle then whirled and shot into the night, quickly tailed by the rest of his 'family'. Seeing no other option, Katniss treaded after them, as she was still suspicious of them she kept behind to ensure a quick escape if need be.

She followed their scent to an enormous castle. She sprinted up to the gates to meet a set of guards at the opening. "Halt. What is your business?" The guard regarded her in a manner which was border line on rude and suspicion.

Carlisle, seeing my situation calmly addressed the guards and vouched for me, as he had assumed that I may be a little hesitant to follow him therefore taking more time to reach the grand castle. He led me to a great hall in which sat three ancient looking vampires on regal thrones.

"Ah Carlisle, back so soon?" The vampire in the middle with long dark hair questioned. "Yes, we turned her four hours ago, and miraculously she has completed the process in record time." The Blond vampire beside acknowledged in fascination. The middle vampire then addressed me.

"Ah, you are the newborn. How is it you are so calm and controlled after your transformation so quickly?"

I glanced up, surprised at this observation but then shrugged. "Grief?" I guessed.

"Child, I am Aro, The vampire to my right is Marcus and to my left is Caius. We are the Volturi." He then stood up and walked to me and peered into my eyes.

"Your eyes...The colour...your control...you will be a very powerful vampire. I know it." he walked behind me to the other side of my face, observing me.

"I am a mind reader but I can do so only through physical contact...may I?" I looked into his eyes cautiously before nodding and placing my hand in his outstretched one. Memories flooded my mind. My father's death, Prim's, the arenas, Peeta, the Capitol, my mother, Gale. They all flashed across my mind while he sifted through every thought I have ever had. It was torture. I wanted nothing more but for it to stop and then it did as Aro removed his hand from mine and sat down on his throne, deep in thought. When he looked at me again his eyes danced with recognition as he realized who I was and what I stood for and the power I held while human."Katniss Everdeen is it? The Girl on Fire? The Mockingjay?" His voice held veiled excitement as he realized the circumstances of my transformation.

"Welcome to Volterra."

This page was written by watercolourmagnetharmonica and was adopted. Check out her profile! :)