Chapter Eight: Waking Up

(Seth POV)

It was quickly decided that Edward and Jasper would teach me how to hunt since Emmett would just try to get me to bite off more than I could chew and Alice was going to explain my situation to the rest of the Cullens. According to what I had heard about them there were two left that I had yet to meet; Esmé, Dr. Cullen's wife, and Rosalie.

Since the Cullen's home was surrounded by forest the three of us didn't have to make a far hike. I took a more time to appreciate the area we were in even though a creeping sense of dread was welling up in my throat. The first time I had come through this path I was changing into a vampire and my brain was going into shutdown mode, trying to block out the events that led up to my death.

"I've heard it gets easier after a while," Edward said, once more picking up my thoughts. "I apologize for listening in without permission."

I didn't mind, and made sure my thoughts conveyed that. Edward's face scrunched up in confusion.

"It's just useful, and plus I don't have anything that I keep secret in my head," I smiled, knocking on my skull.

Other than me!

Stop talking to me! You do know that Edward can hear you right?

No, he can't. Right now, your thoughts are like elevator music to him.

That explained why Edward never mentioned hearing her while I was facing the inquisition. I thought he probably didn't say anything since he was too absorbed trying to not kill me for almost feeding from Bella. Was it the same with Renesmee?

I didn't know if Edward not reacting was just him trying to give me privacy or he really hadn't heard, but I decided not to pus

The three of us finally stopped.

"Seth, I want you to listen," Edward said, so I put on my listening ears and waited. He laughed, "No I mean really listen. Hear everything around you. Sometimes it helps if you close your eyes."

I had no desire of closing my eyes, but I did listen hard. The slight breeze rustling the leaves of the forest became a soothing melody. Squirrels in the trees skittering in the trees above were percussion to the song of the leaves. Various bugs added in a metronome like beat to keep it all in time, and the few flying creatures tied it all together. Suddenly I heard something that deviated from the song and it was-

"There," I murmured, pointing to my left.

I knew that the intruder to the forests song was at least one hundred twenty-four pounds and was enjoying itself some grass on the forest floor.

A deer, perfect

"Okay now you have to-" Edward stared to say, but I didn't hear him continue because instinct suddenly took over.

I crouched down low, and could feel a deep snarl roll up from my throat. It surprised me, but I didn't care, anything to get that deer. I broke into a sprint, but by the time I was halfway there I wasn't running on two legs but on all fours.

It felt so natural, like I was meant to do it, when I pounced on the deer. I had assumed that as a vampire I would immediately go in for the bite, but I tore at the deer with claws that didn't exist and beat it my head against its neck.

The deer let out a cry of fear in hopes of getting some kind of help, but its cries just energized me. Finally I stopped toying with it and bit down hard on its back.

Warm blood began to pour down my throat and it was better than any steak that I had ever eaten or anything for that matter (other than Peanut butter cookies that is). I could taste the faint iron and other nutrients in its blood stream and I knew that was what I wanted so I lapped at the gash I had made, but that wasn't getting me the deer's blood any faster so I took another bite. This time I did it from the shoulder, and by now blood was raining from both wounds like water from a faucet that could never be turned off.

Instead of being content with just drinking I tore more at its flesh and whipped it to and fro in my teeth. In my frenzied state I wasn't amazed at how strong I was or that I had lifted the deer off the ground in my teeth. I knew I hadn't been like this when I went after Bella, but once more I didn't care.

It felt like I had just awakened.

(Bella POV)

In my room I tried to bring back the sense of urgency that had flooded into me when I shielded Seth. It had been several hours since I did it, and I feared the more time passed between the first time I did it and whenever the present was the less likely it would be that I would be able to reproduce the results. According to the clock on my wall it was ten thirty-eight and if was only going to stay up until eleven so I would be fresh for school the next day.

It was awkward going to school since officially the Cullens were re-enrolled at Forks High, and Edward was in all of my classes and the only empty seat in all of them was next to mine. He had only been in school once since he got back, but it was still extremely awkward for me.

All day people stared me down in hopes of seeing Edward and I do something loving and couple-ish. It was especially bad during lunch when my friends that I had just recently rebuilt bridges with expecting me to scurry off to sit with him. Mike kept looking over my shoulder at Edward in hopes of scaring him away.

It would have been easier if Alice was there that day since she was more cognizant about how I felt about Edward. She would have been able to explain how little I wanted him hovering over me because of how guilty he felt.

Edward had made his choice when he left me in the woods, now he was going to have to deal with it.

A harsh tapping on the window jolted me from my Edward related funk. It didn't sound like the branches on the tree next to my room, but more like someone was beating at it. I stifled a scream, if I made any noise Charlie would come and he'd be in danger too.

Stay calm Bella. Stay calm!

I reached slowly for my phone when suddenly my window was raised and a pale arm reached in. It was a vampire and it was not Edward, Emmett, Carlisle, or Jasper. Finally I screamed, the sense of need and urgency rushed through me and I just knew that I was screwed beyond mean and measure since my shield wouldn't be able to protect me from a vampire.

But then I could feel this warm cocoon of energy extend from my center and rush towards the window. Quickly the cocoon erupted and before I knew it my room was covered and I had a feeling it was beginning to cover the entire house. And the mystery Vampire? His hand was pushed out of my room and the window shut itself.

Charlie ran into my room, "Bells are you okay?"

"Yeah," I huffed. "Just a bad dream."

What was that?

I wasn't sure, but it felt exhilarating. Like I had just awakened.

Hmm, not much to say other than the next chapter should be ready next week (earlier if I am encouraged)