A/N: Thanks for all the reviews guys! I'm so glad to see that you trust me! I will not disappoint you honest! Read on and I promise I will answer all questions through PMS, but questions within reason.

If the questions regard the chapter, I will gladly answer.

If they're about something that will reveal itself in due time, I will not answer.

Allotted times were now being assigned to the townsfolk; telling them when was a good time to let their pets out or flock or whatever. All because the attacks were becoming so frequent.

Well, not really.

They just kept happening and I don't know if it's just me who's realized this, but their's a pattern. Every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday nights someone's something was attacked or 'eaten'.

That was another strange thing. There were no carcasses being found. My dad and his fellow 'hard-working' policemen were stressing day and night trying to figure this thing out.

"You know it very well might be a serial killer, Bella."

"You know it very well might be a hungry coyote, Dad?" I dead panned, flicking the tv off because I knew I was going to miss whatever was on anyway now that this subject was brought up…again.

"This is serious, Bells! That's how serial killers get their start!" He raised his voice, using hand movements emphatically as though it would help prove his point. It didn't. He went on anyway though, "They-they take their BB guns and shoot at helpless squirrels and then move their way on up from there!"

"Them darn kids! Takin' their Red Ryder BB guns and shooting at things! They could shoot their eyes out." I mocked my Dad's unwarranted panic and he threw his arms up in the air in defeat.

"I give up with you! You clearly don't care!" He exclaimed dramatically and went into his bedroom, shutting his door. I waited till I could see that he'd turned his light off signifying that in 3 minutes, he was going to be completely passed out into REM sleep.

Now was my chance.

I quietly stood up from the couch and grabbed my black zip-up hoodie, placing it and zipping it halfway. It was kind of cold out tonight and I was far too lazy to change out of my pajama shorts so I figured a hoodie was good enough for now. I ran a hand through my brown locks and blew a few strands out of face as I made my way to the back door. Before I went outside I quickly opened the fridge, taking out a thawed hunk of steak to bring with me. I made a face as the blood dripped down my arm but continued on. I pushed aside the screen door and closed it shut, making sure to be extra quiet as I did so. I walked across my backyard, once I reached my destination, near the edge of the woods; I took a seat on the cool grass.

"Okay, strange girl, come get your dinner." I spoke aloud, almost in a whisper as I set the meat down in front of me. I sat Indian style on the ground, my hands placed loosely on my knees and I chewed on my lower lip as I waited.

This was my fourth night of doing this.

The first night, nothing happened. After about an hour, I called it quits and went backside with the meat.

The second night, after realizing the stupid thing I'd done, I left after an hour but left the meat out. It was gone the next day.

The third night, something actually happened. I'd been sitting there for about 45 minutes or so when I'd felt that odd tingly sensation you get when you're about to sneeze. I wrinkled my nose before I actually sneezed, my eyes automatically closing and when I opened them, the meat was gone. I was completely taken off guard. I whipped my head around in all directions, my eyes wide as I searched my surroundings but nothing. But I knew the girl was there, somewhere hidden in the woods. I could feel her watching me. So I'd stood up and waved a goodbye before heading back inside.

Tonight I was kind of pushing my limitations. It was almost 2 in the morning and sure she only struck every other day but it was still messing with my sleep schedule. I placed my elbow on my knee and propped my head up in my hands, idly watching the woods. I yawned and instantly my eyes grew heavy. I felt my head nodding off and before I knew it, I'd fallen asleep.

A sudden noise jolted me awake.

"Whoa!" I snapped my head up, shaking myself off of the sleep and blinking rapidly. How long had I been out for?

"Oh!"

Well that woke me up.

I knew that voice from anywhere. She was here. Right in front of me. I blinked a few more times, my vision clearing and yup, I was right. There she was, on her knees, leaning forward with a small, dainty outstretched hand making a grab for the raw steak. Her exotic golden eyes were looking right at me, wide eyed with fear and trepidation. I felt myself stop breathing; being so close to someone so beautiful, well, it literally took my breath away.

"It's you." I pointed out and I could have smacked myself for being so fucking dumb. She didn't move but I could see that she'd retracted her hand, she was moving slowly as though at any moment, I was going to attack her.

"Are you hungry?" I asked her softly, and she bit her lip, my eyes drawn to the movement for a moment. She seemed to be contemplating something and it seemed to pain her somehow. Finally, after what felt like an agonizing few minutes, she nodded her head and I couldn't help but smile a little at her.

"You can have it, if you want…" I told her, careful to keep my tone nice and soothing, calm even as though I were speaking to a frightened puppy. Once again, her face was that look of contemplation and she slowly went to grab the raw steak, looking up every now and then to see if I was trapping her or something. I frowned at this; it hurt me for some reason to know that this girl didn't trust me. I really wanted her to though I had no idea why. Her movements, I noticed, though cautious, she was very graceful in her actions. It was like watching a tiny ballerina.

A tiny ballerina who went around eating people's pets.

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about that. The whole reason I'd done this was to figure out what she was doing. I looked up, opening my mouth but as soon as I'd made the decision to finally ask her about it, her hand retracted suddenly just as she was making progress, and she looked up at me with a look of almost disappointment. Her cute little button nose was wrinkled as she frowned at me. It was like she knew I was about to speak, but she didn't want to hear it so I simply shut my mouth and her look changed back to what it once was; expressionless except for her eyes. Finally she snatched up the meat, turning suddenly and before I knew it her back was facing me as she perched on the ground, her body tense as though she were preparing to sprint an incredibly long distance. She was going to run again.

"Wait! Don't go!" Against my better judgment, I reached out for her, my brain making a rash decision to try to stop her. My hand grabbed her wrist and she cried out in surprise, her head turning swiftly to look down at where my hand was.

Whoa. I'm pretty sure an electric current just shot through my body upon contact with her.

I blinked at this, my mind catching up with my body and I realized what I'd done. I'd grabbed onto the crazy psycho who murdered things. I looked up into her eyes and noticed she was simply looking at my hand in awe, her mouth parted slightly and her nostrils were flared slightly but she still looked amazing.

Even if she was maybe deciding to kill me.

Wow, she was freezing. Like, unimaginably freezing and her wrist, her small wrist was hard as stone. Guess she was oddly muscular…she looked it, probably had to be to do what she did. After a moment of her staring at my hand, she closed her eyes slowly, her eyebrows knitting together as though she were focusing really hard. Then she did something that made me feel some very strange, inappropriate things.

She moaned.

A small, sensual moan escaped her lips and as soon as the sound was made, a weird sensation shot through my body and settled uncomfortably between my legs, making me throb. Hearing her make that sound…oh god, it was so…uuunh! It made me bite my lip. I felt as though I were in a daze as my grip on her wrist loosened, my body feeling as though I were melting when I suddenly tensed up. Something was wrong.

The girl's eyes shot open suddenly, revealing jet black eyes.

Oh shit. I was done for. Not only was I unexplainably turned on but I was now extremely terrified. I was going to die. I should've seen this coming. Oh, hello Common sense! I'm glad to have finally met you! I released my grip on her hand and fell backwards, catching myself with my arms but my butt falling back onto the grass. I stared up at her wide eyed as I watched her body begin to shake, an odd growling noise erupting from her chest. She looked back at me one more time, her tiny fist clenching the raw meat in her hand as her eyes pleaded with mine for understanding.

Understand what, bitch! That you're some weird monster? She bit her lip, looking torn before she took off at breakneck speed into the woods. In a few seconds, she was gone and I was left to sit there on the grass thoroughly traumatized, I felt.

But that didn't stop me from trying again the next night.

Bella Swan: Smartest girl in Forks. Actually, no, that was probably true no matter what stupid thing I did.

It was Saturday night and Charlie had just gone to bed.

Why was I doing this again? Even after the girl, who, I feel the need to repeat myself with this, eats animals, appeared last night and we touched, and it was weird and her eyes changed colors proving to me that something was up! That something was wrong here?

I don't know but I've simply decided to no longer question it lest I seek out a counselor to diagnose all the things wrong with me. Right now, I can tell that there's something wrong with me for doing this, I don't need to waste money having a shrink telling me it.

Anyway!

I decided not to go barefoot this time, in case she decided to take off again. I slipped on a pair of Chuck Taylor's and stepped out side, of course the usual piece of raw meat in my hand. This one was extra bloody and it was really grossing me out. Surely the girl minded eating meat this way? Well, I guess not since she kept taking it.

I treaded across the grass, to my usual spot and sat down. I placed the meat before me and exhaled, puffing my cheeks and I then I heard a giggle. Well, that was fast.

"Hello?" I ventured, blushing a bit as I'm guessing the girl had been laughing at the face I'd made. I leaned forward a bit then almost fell back as the girl suddenly appeared from the woods. She looked shy then, taking small steps toward me, her one arm behind her back as the other held it there, her small hand appearing on the other side as it clutched at her forearm. This presented me with her front, showing off her white shirt that she was still wearing. It looked more torn and ragged then ever. There was dirt stains on it and other darker stains that I'm assuming were from blood but it looked like she'd been washing them somewhere, probably a small pond nearby.

She smiled shyly at me then raised an arm, pointing at the meat before me. I placed a hand on it, looking up at her and she nodded her head. I smiled at her behavior and then she did something that completely caught me off guard.

She grinned back at me.

Once again, my breath was taken from me by this girl. Her smile was dazzling. Her teeth were sparkling white, perfect and small, sans the unusually sharp canines, just like her and as if that weren't enough she had the cutest little dimples in her cheeks. My smile grew wider and I pushed the meat towards her. She bent down gracefully, picking it up and looking down at me appreciatively. Just as I was about to speak, a car alarm went off and she snapped to attention, her body tensing before she took off once more into the woods.

Fuck that! I'd come too far and made too much progress to let it end here! Before my brain could gain control of my body, I'd taken off after her running as fast as my legs could carry me. Now, I'm not totally out of shape but I've been graced with a fast metabolism and I kind of abuse that to where I really don't exercise as much as I should so I was dying after about 5 minutes of this.

Oh and did I mention I'm clumsy?

Well, surprise, surprise, I tripped. I tripped over a rather large root, sending me falling face forward down onto the forest ground.

"Oh fuck me…" I grumbled, wincing as I slowly pushed myself up off the ground. I rubbed my arm as I looked at my surroundings, astonished to find myself in a clearing. It was almost like a small valley, hidden in the woods. It had a small pond, a few rocks, some flowers, and the moon and stars were easily viewed from here.

"Wow…" I muttered, taking a few steps into the clearing, my head turning slowly to take in this beautiful area. A few steps later and I felt my foot catch something else.

Oh come on! I felt my body falling forward and I shut my eyes for the inevitable but the inevitable never came. I felt arms wrap around my waist and carefully set me standing up straight again. I opened my eyes to the see the girl standing right next to me, a hand placed delicately but protectively on my waist. Her face was mere inches from mine and I felt myself begin to blush. Almost as soon as my cheeks, undoubtedly, turned red, she made an odd face at me before taking a few quick steps away from me.

"No! Don't leave again!" I said, despite my better judgment. She stopped her movement and simply looked at me and I stared right back at her, not daring to blink because I felt as though if I did, she'd disappear again.

"You're…not going to kick me again…are you?" She asked me, her voice tentative, a look of uncertainty on her face and that question damn near broke my heart.

"No! Never! I would never hurt you!" I blurted out and I could tell I'd caught her off guard, I blinked a few times, stuttering a bit before I back tracked, "I-I mean, other than what I did…last week but that was an accident! I would never willingly hurt you! I don't want to!"

The corners of her lips turned up in a small smile and I felt a wave of relief wash through me.

"So thanks for earlier, I'm so clum-" I began, looking down at what I'd tripped on only to stop short. Holy shit, I'd tripped over a grave. A makeshift grave but a grave nonetheless; I looked up at the girl and she looked away from me, her eyes filled with shame and unshed tears suddenly, "Is…what is this?"

"I bury them." She said simply and I caught on quickly.

"The animals? You…you don't eat them?" I asked and she shook her head no, letting out a soft sigh and she pointed to the left of her, my head turning to follow. Off to the side, lie the steaks I'd given her only they were different looking. They looked dry and shriveled up…like all the juices and blood…had been…sucked from them.

"I don't like to eat the animals, you know. I have to." She explained, somewhat vaguely but her tone seemed so innocent and her words so simple that I couldn't help but trust her, a little.

"What do you mean?" I asked, taking a step toward her and she stepped back, although it looked like she didn't want to. She opened her mouth to explain but it looked like she thought twice about it, deciding against it. Instead she looked up at me again with those pleading golden eyes, like she were trying to get me to silently understand her predicament.

I'm not a mind reader…so…that wasn't going to work. I'm also not stupid when it came to people, even…strange people, and I could tell she simply didn't trust me. We would have to go slow. It was obvious she didn't want to talk about why she was 'eating' the animals and for some reason; I was okay with not knowing the answer for now. Talking to her was already easing the odd desire I had to be near her.

"What's your name?" I asked her and she pursed her lips, so I smiled gently at her, extending a hand to her, "Mine's Isabella Swan but I prefer Bella."

"Bella." She repeated, a smile finding its way across her cute little face and the way it sounded coming from her mouth, made me like the name, despite my previous distaste for it. Apparently she liked it too because she stuck the tip of her tongue out slightly, wrinkling her nose cutely before grinning innocently at me, "Bella! That's a beautiful name!"

"So…what's yours?" I asked once more and this time it was a different.

"Mary Alice Brandon. I like Alice though." She finally told me and I felt my heart swell with accomplishment and joy. We were getting somewhere!

"I like Alice too." I replied dumbly and a quick look of shock and embarrassment crossed her face and then I realized what I'd said, "Oh! Uh, I mean the name! I like the name, it suits you."

"Oh…" A look of…disappointment graced her pixie like features and I pondered this but before I could delve deeper into it, she sneezed suddenly and god damn, it was the cutest thing I'd ever seen or heard! I chuckled slightly as she wiped adorably at her nose before grinning sheepishly up at me, "Uhm…so thanks for the meat by the way."

"No problem."

"Why'd you do it?"

"Do what?"

"'Feed' me" She brought her hands up in quotations at the word feed and I shrugged my shoulders at this. She cocked her head to the side like a curious puppy, "People all over town are freaking out because something's been eating their pets and instead of being afraid like everyone else, you sought me out. That's either very brave of you or awfully foolish."

"Probably a mixture of both," I couldn't help but laugh when she giggled at my response. That was the most she'd ever said to me. I love when things progress well! "You don't eat them though anyway, so clearly you're not dangerous."

She made a face of pure amusement at me, bursting into a fit of giggles. I furrowed my brows at this, not one to enjoy being laughed at. She sensed my displeasure and slowly calmed herself down. She pouted slightly, her eyes giving me a sad puppy dog look and I immediately melted at the sight.

"I'm sorry for laughing, it's just…you said I wasn't dangerous." She scratched nervously at the back of her head and I raised a brow at her.

"Are you?"

"Bella, I'm very dangerous." She stated simply, a pained look in her eyes. I felt another strong urge to wrap her up in my arms and hold her until the pain went away. This girl was doing weird things to me and I simply had to get to know her, to find out why.

"Why's that?" I asked calmly, at this point not really caring about the answer or the outcome. It seemed like it was too late to turn back now anyway.

"I am a monster." She said, her tone sounded so sad, like she was ashamed and because of that, they way she sounded, made her sound sincere…and I believed her. My eyes widened and if I'd known then what I knew now, I would've known that that odd feeling in my chest was my heart trying to tell me that my life was about to change; that now this girl, this Alice, was now forever intertwined with my life.

"I'm sorry, what?" I swallowed hard and she sighed, biting at her lower lip as she ran a hand through her spiky black locks. As she bit her lip, I noticed that her canines were back to a normal human size.

"I'm a monster. Well, to be more…specific…I'm…a vampire."

I damn near bust out laughing. I opened my mouth, closed it, and then opened it again, trying very hard to contain my laughter. This was a joke right?

"You're…kidding me, right?" I asked, pointing at her entire being before speaking again, "I'm not sure if you can…comprehend this but…vampires aren't real, sweetie."

"Bella…" She began, almost whining, "I don't eat those animals. I don't eat the steaks you give me. I drain the blood from them. I drain the blood from them so that I don't eat people because, oh god, I couldn't stand to kill a human when I can barely even harm a cat!"

"That's impossible!" I blurted out, my mind swirling at this new information, my hands coming up to squeeze at my skull, as though if I were to hold my head still, this would make sense. Although her being a 'vampire' would explain a lot of things; the attacks, the buried animals, the steaks, her weird on-again-off-again fangs, her pale skin, her weird eyes and who knew what else but so far the evidence was piling up.

Alice continued despite my outburst.

"I hate hurting those poor defenseless animals! It's not fair! I didn't ask for this, I didn't want this! I hate what I am!" She pulled at her short hair, pacing in front of me before she stomped over to the edge of the pond, crouching down into a fetal position. Her body was rigid and she looked like she was in so much pain.

Okay, what the fuck is going on! This girl claims she's a vampire and I haven't run for a priest yet! Maybe I should go hire a psychiatrist. Clearly, my brain was broken. But my heart wasn't, my heart was being pulled at its strings by this girl and I couldn't explain why and I've decided, I don't care. I'm going to listen to my heart on this one. Not like that stupid song by Cascada.

"Alice…" I began, making my way over to her. I stopped just when I was right behind her, setting myself down onto my knees, I carefully placed a hand on her shoulder. As though she sensed it coming, she flinched away.

"You make very rash decisions." She stated suddenly and I raised my brow at this but shook it off, deciding to ask her what she meant by that later.

"Alice…you can…talk to me? I mean…I haven't run away from you yet, so that has to mean something?" I began, easing her into this. She a small laugh that almost sounded like a sob escaped her throat.

"Yeah, that you've got no sense of self-preservation."

"How true that is, but still! Everything happens for a reason; I'm here with you right now for a reason so…please, talk to me?" This time she allowed me to place my hand on her shoulder and her body shivered, like she was reveling in the touch. I smiled at this new development and began to slowly rub her shoulder, my hand sliding easily against the thin material of the white t-shirt. I would have to ask her about the clothes later as well.

We sat there in silence, an odd mutual agreement between us that was no more need for words tonight. So many things had happened, strange things that I really shouldn't be okay with but for some reason, I blame Alice, I was okay with them. The thought of her being a vampire; actually the thought of vampires actually existing should've terrified me but it didn't. This vampire hadn't attacked me yet so I suppose that accounted for something.

I guess all would sort itself out in due time. Alice had finally relaxed herself, allowing herself to sit down fully on the grass so I did as well. She leaned her body against me and I sighed contentedly at the feel of Alice's body pressed against mine, she swallowed hard and my eyes widened when a strange vibrating sound began to emit from her body. It sounded familiar, almost like, Alice was purring? I continued to rub her back, holding her close to me and when she rested her head on my shoulder, it was confirmed that she was indeed purring.

Okay, I need to make a list of questions to ask her.

The sound was quite soothing and I felt my eyes grow heavy with exhaustion. It had been an extremely overwhelming night and it was now starting to catch up with me. I shut my eyes and let my head rest against hers. As I began to drift off to sleep, I felt Alice swallow hard against me once again; her head turning slightly so that her nose was pressed into my neck and her purring only began to grow as she started nuzzling me. I was so tired that I didn't even register the feel of her lips parting against my neck, her teeth grazing the skin ever so slightly.

I fell asleep. And I dreamt that a pair of red glowing eyes were staring down at me before a dark figure with spiky hair leant down and latched onto my neck, biting me and sucking my blood. I awoke just as the figure was about to be revealed though I'd had a pretty good idea of who it was…

"Alice?" I jolted up right, my chest heaving as I looked around, taking in my surroundings. I was at home, in my bed, "Was…was I dreaming?"

I rubbed at my eyes, stretching my body out and running a hand through my now tangled locks. Once my body relaxed, I looked about my room. Huh, I guess I was dreaming-

The fuck! My jaw nearly dropped when my eyes locked onto a very familiar looking girl that was sitting curled up on my window sill. Alice's eyes widened with alarm before a nervous smile broke out across her face.

"I brought you back home! Nothing happened, honest! I didn't even bite you! Well, I mean I nipped at you but it's no big deal really! I'm sorry, you're just so tempting! Oh god, you hate me don't you! I've already ruined this haven't I?" Alice blurted out quickly, one hand clutching at the window sill, her knees brought up to her chest as her other hand rubbed at the back of neck in a nervous gesture.

This weirdness ends now! Alice has some 'splainin' to do!

"Alice! What're you doing in my room!"

A/N: Alright! Another chapter pumped out! Don't worry, 'Darling...' will be updated by Wednesday. I just like where this one is going and what I've got planned. Tell me what you think! Hopefully, you're smart and caught on to everything. I know I may have revealed the vampire thing a bit soon, but their's a reason for that, trust me.