Chapter 4: Gone

"And the days feel like years when I'm alone

And the bed where you lie is made up on your side

When you're gone

The pieces of my heart are missing you

When you're gone

The face I came to know is missing too"

When You Are Gone ~ Avril Lavigne

"So, Alec told me the news, Rose dear." We were in the throne room, two days had happened since I had told Alec about my preference for the vampire option than my own death. "I am glad you are considering becoming a vampire. You will be such a good acquisition for the guard. Such a gift... I hope we are not wrong."

"Neither me, Aro. But I'm still not a hundred per cent sure about this choice." Caius stiffened.

"Child, you should decide soon. We cannot wait until that day."

"Calm Caius. Do not get anxious, it is not our intention to impose our decisions upon her, is it?" Aro sighed but he recomposed his smile fast enough.

"You are dismissed, my dear."

…..

I don't think I have any particular talent. I mean, what if they transformed me and I don't have one? They'd let me stay anyways? Gosh, I don't think so. I better come up with something.

"Hey, human." Who? Me? Nobody called me like that, EVER. And it wasn't nice at all. Argh, I'd kill him... if I could.

"The human has a name, and it's Rose. Who are you?" I turned around and faced a black haired guy, his red eyes glowing in the dark.

"My name's Derek. Good evening... Rose." he smiled. "And sorry about my bad manners, I'm new around here, you know? I was used to other ways of living."

"None of them were nice for humans, were they?"

"No, you are right, sweetheart. But I can make exceptions if I am to do them."

"Alright, then I hope you remember my name 'cause I'm sure we'll meet again." he took my hand between his and kissed it.

"Do not worry, rosie, I don't forget a beautiful lady's name." I couldn't stop myself from giggling like an stupid. I was used to such courtesy but the way he looked at me, like if his eyes could see through mines, it was... just amazing.

He smiled, winked his eye at me and was turning around to go at a human pace when someone grasped behind us. Uh oh, Alec's here.

"How are you, rosie?" he asked me but looked at Derek instead.

"Fine, the same as five minutes ago when I last saw you" that comment made him look at me, and let me say that he didn't particularly look friendly. He ignored my comment anyways.

"What's your name? I don't remember to have seen you before."

"No, I'm almost new at the experimental guard." The experimental guard was the guard that kept changing. Vampires there didn't have enough power or even gifts so after some time they dismissed them. "My name's Derek."

Alec eyed him suspiciously and then in a monotone cold voice he added. "The experimental guard is not to be around her. She's fragile and is protected by the guard and masters."

"Sorry, it won't happen again." Derek smiled at me. "So... see you later, maybe when you are a vampire, little lady" and he left.

"Why are you so annoying? Can't I even socialize?" I spat at Alec once I was sure Derek wouldn't hear.

"We will talk about it later."

"No! It's not fair that you keep me like if I was a tiny doll that can break just because she is talking with someone."

"Rose, don't you get it?" Ok, he was obviously annoyed now. He was using that cold harsh tone he usually uses on everyone except me. "You are like a doll for us. Just a movement can kill you and they usually haven't got enough control over themselves. That's why they are at the experimental guard."

"Whatever you say." I replied, quite hurt by his tone and walked down the hall towards my room. I don't know what happened later but I guess he was really pissed off because I heard a loud 'bang' and several noises kept on going for about ten minutes, like if they were destroying a room or something. Scary.

…..

"Wake up! Wake up If you still want to have a Christmas tree! You said you'd do it." Heidi awaken me that morning. I walk up like a zombie and dressed up slowly while Heidi made my bed and opened the curtains.

Oh, right. The Volturi never celebrated Christmas, but I had brought the tradition home. We decorated everything and gave gifts to each other because yes, I always knew my mother had been Santa Claus, she never worried in hiding it. Luckily, being the youngest one here made me the most gifted. Everyone in the guard gave me something and their gifts were usually expensive and great. Not that I care, but usually I kept entertained with them for weeks, even months, depending on the kind of gifts.

The bad part of it? I got to organize everything myself. And taking in consideration the castle was huge, I did had a lot to work at.

Now, don't judge me, but I couldn't help but wonder where Alec was. Well... it was normal after all. I was always accidentally thinking about him. He surely was pissed off... maybe I should apologize. -No way!- An evil voice called in my head. Heidi seemed to read my expression.

"Alec is gone. He is on a... mission and won't be back for some time."

"When is he coming back?" I tried to hide my sadness.

"I don't know."

"But... will he be here for Christmas?"

Heidi finished making my bed and looked at me seriously. Something was wrong, I was sure.

"I don't think so, rosie."

"Where is he?" I shacked "Where's Alec? What happened?"

"I can't tell you." She sighed. "I'm sorry... let's go, we have a lot to do." I followed her outside but she was too fast for me to keep asking. When we finally arrived to the room where we usually placed the tree I had her close enough to do one more question.

"Is he alright, Heidi?" She didn't answer, but her severe expression was all I needed.