Author's Note:

Dear Readers, Due to deaths in my family over the last few months I have taken time away from the world to grieve. I apologize for the lack of updates and hope that this update was as good as was anticipated.

*All characters except Emily are the intellectual property of Stephanie Myer. Emily is the intellectual property of me.*

Esme silently went about her daily chores, leaving me to cower in the dark, avoiding my eyes. I had hoped that after all these year the color would have faded. Yet there was not one that had made it without blood for as long as I had, so we really didn't know. Esme had reassured me that my eyes were nothing to be ashamed of and with time they would fade and then turn a beautiful copper or topaz color.

I suppose that if I was to be cursed to this life at the young age of fourteen then it would only make sense that I would be stuck with ruby red eyes. As the sun began to set, I decided to go for a walk and perhaps try to hunt myself. Esme just simple smiled at me as I left, most likely understanding that I needed my space.

I took a deep breath, allowing my find to filter all the scents that the wind brought to me. The cloves must have begun growing as they were the strongest. Dew graced the trees and carried a sweet scent. I felt at peace with my decision to hunt and try to survive off animals rather than destroying more lives. Perhaps I could ask nature to guide me to the correct animal, one that was alone and perhaps ill. I doubted that sick blood would make me ill.

Taking another breath, I entered the forest at a run, whispering a quick prayer under my breath.

"Mother Nature, guide me to the hunt and allow me to do no harm." It did not take long for a new scent to cross my path. It smelled like food and made me want to hunt. Taking another, steadying breath I turned towards my prey. I stood still as soon as the scent began to cause my venom to flow. Perring around the tree I caught a glimpse of a mountain lion watching a young doe and her child. I sniffed, catching no scent of other deer and knew that she was in trouble.

I quickly climbed up the tree until I hung directly above the lion. Without hesitation I dropped onto its body and sank my teeth into its neck. Within moments the body went limp, never knowing what had happened to it. I held the huge paw in my hand, wondering if I had taken a parent from children somewhere else. Yet this didn't feel wrong as I had always worried it would. The taste was still something that I was not sure I enjoyed. It tasted funny, almost like the gross banana medicine Mom used to make me take as a child. Yet it also felt good, soothing a pain that I didn't know was there.

I made sure to dig a grave, thanking the soul for its blessing of its life force. I glanced at my clothes, realized that I looked awful, almost as if I had committed a murder. A small laugh escaped me and I found a small stream to wash as best I could. The clothes were a lost cause, appearing to have been washed in the blood, soaked through. I sighed, quickly slipping off the shirt and pants, seeing that my underwear was far from appropriate. With a shaky breath, I ran back to the house, hiding behind the shed. I stayed in the shadows, tossing the clothes into the garbage.

Listening, the voices of the entire family floated through the air to my ears. Shit. I couldn't very well just walk into the house half naked! I heard someone gasp and then Edward begin to laugh. Damn it! Alice shrieked as he whispered something to her and then I heard running. She was most likely going to get me clothing. I had hoped to keep my first hunt a little less dramatic but alas I was again to be embarrassed beyond belief.

I screamed as Alice dropped to the ground in front of me, one hand covering her eyes. She held her arm out to me, hanging onto a plain black housecoat that was several sizes too large for me. I quickly slipped it on, tying the belt and took a small sniff. It was Carlisle's. I couldn't help but snuggle into it, wanting to be wrapped in his scent.

"Are you decent?" I had forgotten that Alice was there, so consumed by the smells that flowed around me.

"Yes" I smiled at her as she frowned, glaring at me.

"Where on earth did your clothes go?! I can't have my sister running around like, like a trollop!" I burst out laughing knowing that she was being too serious.

"I um, I made a mess of them while out hunting and didn't want my mess to be discovered. I threw them in the trash bin over there." I nodded behind the shed and turned to head inside. Alice grabbed my arm.

"Not that way. Through Carlisle and Esme's bedroom window. The family doesn't need to know!" She scowled at me.

I couldn't help but laugh at the look of horror that was on her face. I honestly didn't care as I felt safe here but I didn't think it was wise to piss Alice off. I jumped into the open window and pulled myself through. Alice was already there pointing to the bathroom. I made sure to shower well, getting rid of all the blood that was left. Clothes had been set out for me and I dressed before heading downstairs.

Edward greeted me with a giant grin on his face. I stuck my tongue out at him before I sat down on the only unoccupied chair. Everyone was doing something and I felt like simply watching. Carlisle and Esme were playing chess, something that they highly enjoyed. Edward was playing, or rather creating a new piece on the piano. Rose was nowhere to be seen so I assumed that she was off working on a car with Emmet. Jasper was reading a pile of books while Alice was designing clothing.

I noticed after a while that silence had filled the room. I had been watching the chess game intently, and had not noticed that Jasper had been watching me. When I glanced up, he looked away, almost ashamed.

"Jasper is everything alright?" I watched him adjust and noticed that Alice was now sitting in his lap.

"Do you have any idea who turned you Emily?" I watched as he began to rub circles on Alice's back as if he was comforting her.

"I remember his face as if it was yesterday. He never told me his name only that he had been waiting for me. Then several years later he want after her, maybe to punish me for not searching him out. I'm not sure. Then he killed her." I shuddered as I drew my knees up, wanting to make myself as small as possible. "I don't remember ever seeing him before that night either. He must have been watching the house or something."

"I can't see his face Emily but I think he is going to try and find you. From what I drew, Jasper thinks he used to be a part of a southern army. Do you remember if he was covered in scars?" She pointed to the one on my neck as she sat on the floor, crossed legged in front of me. I thought back, hard.

"I saw one, just under his left eye. Covered most of his left cheek. What are the southern armies?" I hesitated at the questions, afraid of the answer. Jasper shuddered and crossed his arms as if he could stop the memories.

"Something bad Emily. If he came up here looking for people to turn, that could mean a lot of things. But for now we are still safe." Alice quickly stood and led Jasper from the house. I didn't bother moving afraid to break the silence. After a few seconds Emmet wandered into the room and turned on the radio.

Edward? He turned to look at me, an eyebrow raised in question. Am I putting you all in danger by being here?

Edward wrapped his arms around me and whispered into my ear, so low that only I could hear.

"Not at all. Alice saw you coming and we prepared for you and all possible outcomes. There is nowhere safer for you than right here with us." I snuggled into his arms, feeling safe once again. I had been alone for so long that family felt strange. Yet there was a trust that I had for this family that I had never felt before.

Edward didn't let me go. Instead he scooped me into the air and tossed me at Emmet. Emmet caught me smoothly, without moving an inch. He settled me in his lap like a child. My size was that of a child compared to him but it still felt odd. Edward grabbed something off a shelf and then sat next to us. He began to read and I realized that Emmet either couldn't read or didn't enjoy it. It was nice being treated as if I wasn't invincible for once. I fit in here so easily that it was as if there was where I had been meant to be.

…

She was gone. Not a trace of here anywhere! Those stupid Cullen's had taken her away just when I was getting close. I growled in anger as I tossed the couch over, needing the apartment to appear as if it had been burglarized. Emily was my first and I needed her at my side! I had finally gotten away from the South, only to learn that there were no wars up here. Yet being along didn't suit me. I had hoped that killing her friend would bring her to me but I had been wrong. It had only pushed her away. I would find her and make her mine, no matter the cost.