"Dad, you've got a little something..." I mumble to him as I wave my fingers over my lower face, trying to explain the stray pieces of egg fried rice stuck against his mustache.

I watch as he wipes it off with his napkin and gives me a thankful smile in return.

The drive to Port Angeles was pleasant and we had found the Chinese restaurant quite quickly. It was busy, as to be expected due to the current holiday. However, the weather had quickly became miserable. It was pouring down.

But, I still wanted to get a gift for dad. I spent the rest of our meal trying to come up with an excuse and doing my best to stay positive over the awful rain that lashed against the restaurants windows.

"Dad," I began as I moved my sweet and sour battered chicken ball around my place. "I'm pretty full, to be honest. Would it be alright if I met you at the car after you've had dessert? I was thinking about picking up a few things to make us dinner tomorrow and I still need to get you a gift."

Dad frowned and reached over to take my hand, "Bells, you don't need to get me a present. This dinner was more than enough to make me happy."

I smiled weakly. "I know, but I want to. Please?" Dad sighs before looking me in the eye.

"Have you still got your pepper spray?"

"Yes, it has a designated place in my bag."

"Fair enough, come back around 8:00 and then we can head home afterwards."

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face and I think Dad was pleased to see it too because he chuckled. I quickly got up from my seat and retrieved my coat, slipping it on me and zipping it up tight before grabbing my bag.

"Thank you! I'll see you soon."

"Have fun, Bella."

I had picked up some potatoes, carrots and green vegetables alongside some pre-packaged turkey slices for our dinner tomorrow. Unfortunately, they had ran out of the frozen stuff we usually had but I was hopeful that the refrigerated stuff would be just as satisfactory.

As for Dad's gift, I had decided on a complication cd for his cruiser. It had a radio and sound system, but I noticed that he only ever played the same cd, a Bon Jovi one, and that he would maybe want to try something different.

It wasn't the best gift, but men were particularly hard to shop for and the superstore didn't offer much. I wasn't quite sure where else to try either. I did feel guilty that my creativity was lacking, but I reassured myself that there was always next year and his birthday wasn't too far away, so I could do better then.

I was currently drenched to the bone and walking down one of the paths near the beach. The waves were loud and every so often I inched closer to the deaden road to avoid getting splashed.

"Who are you? What do you want!?" I hear someone scream out in fear and I immediately still. I took a step back when an agonised yell followed shortly after the concerning words.

The yells turned into painful screams and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. The memories of James attacking me in the ballet studio bombard me, but instead of them leading me into my own fearful screaming fit, it made me realize one thing.

Somebody had been bitten and they were changing. I swallow and like the fool I am, I begin to rush towards the screams and hope that the vampire that left. Perhaps they wanted a night-time snack and left their venom inside instead of fully killing them.

I spotted a tall, young man laying on the flooded pavement, arching his back and throwing his arms around in agony. Tears filled my eyes at the sight of him.

Contrary to popular belief, I had begin to realize shortly after digging my way out of my pity party that I do not want to be a vampire. As much as I loved Edward, the sole reason alone as to why I wanted to be turned, I would never go back to him after the way he had broken my heart. It was evil and cruel.

Nobody deserved to be left that way, and this man didn't deserve to have the life he knows be cut short and changed into something he had nobody to explain to him about.

I dropped to my knees beside him, not caring if my groceries or if my dad's cd got wet, and gently grabbed his hand that blood flowed out of. He had been bitten between his pointer finger and thumb. It looked painful and soon a crescent moon would scar there and resemble the one on my right wrist.

"Shh, shh. It's going to be okay, I promise." I listen to the man as he grunts and eyes me blearily. He looked around my age, with a thin face and short, dark blonde hair. His eyes were a deep chocolate, darker than my own, but I knew they wouldn't stay that way for long. Soon, they would be as red as rubies.

"I know what's happening, I'm going to help you. But you need to get through this first," another scream rips his throat before he finally passes out.

I felt stupid, honestly. He would soon complete the transformation, and who's to say that he won't make me his first meal? Still, the thought of him waking up alone and confused made me feel anxious. Nobody deserves to wake up feeling confused, human or not.

"Bella?" Dad's voice shocks me and I turn my head to face him, hand still connected to the man's bloodied one. Surprise coats my voice as I ask, "Dad! I thought we were meeting by the restaurant?"

"Bella, it's a quarter to nine. I was worried and went to find you myself. What the heck is going on?" His eyes grow concerned as another screams rips from the blonde-haired victim beside me.

"Wait a moment," Dad interrupts before I can answer. "That's Riley Biers! He's been missing for just over a week now."

"Has he? Dad, he needs help but... I'm one of the only people who can do so. However, it's hard for me to explain to you what's happening to him. When he wakes up, he'll be dangerous and I can't let him hurt you."

"Bella, you are my daughter. I will not let you put yourself into a dangerous position when I just got you back." Something snaps within me as Dad's stern voice reaches my ears.

"Well, newsflash Dad! I've been in a dangerous position for months and it's not going away anytime soon, and no, I'm not referring to my depression! This is something else entirely..."

Dad runs a hand down his face as the tide splashes against the wall beside us, sea spray getting in our hair and onto our clothes.

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Take us to the police station, make sure nobody comes inside, should be easy since it'll be Christmas Day. I'll need 24 hours in there alone with Riley as he completes his transition. You can use the house as a temporary headquarters if needed."

"Transitions into what, Bella?"

"He's going to become a vampire, Dad." Dad scoffs, clearly not believing me and I continue to try convincing him.

"Oh, come on! You can't tell me that you didn't notice anything strange with the..." I swallow the bitter taste in my throat that comes along with the name, "Cullens, did you? Why do you think I was so obsessed with Edward, Dad! He was different, and I'm not talking normal-different."

"Bella, this is crazy."

"I understand that you're struggling to believe this, but I'm telling you the truth Dad! Please... just trust me. Let me help this poor man, give me a couple of weeks to help him adjust and then I will tell you everything you want to know."

"Fine," Dad eventually sighs and rubs his chin in frustration. "Thankfully, we don't have many arrests in Forks, and it is the festive season. You may use the Station."

"Thank you," I breathed out, finally feeling a weight being lifted from my chest. I had talked about the Cullens to my father and he now knows that vampires now exist. I wasn't alone in this anymore.

"I'll make this up to you, Dad, I promise. As I won't be going back to the house with you, I think it's only right that you have this early." I let go of Riley's hand, ease myself up from the ground and retrieve the now wet, plastic grocery bag and pass it to Dad. He looks inside it and I swear, I can see his eyes glimmer with unshed tears in the moonlight.

"I'm sorry you didn't get to rip open a wrapped present, but I hope you like it and there's some turkey slices in the bag too so I guess you'll get somewhat a festive meal on Christmas day."

"Bells... thank you for doing this. I really appreciate it, and the CD? It's great, thank you." He shakes his head and laughs, wiping his eyes as he's clearly touched by the moment.

I give my dad a small smile, only to flinch when another throaty scream escapes Riley's lips.

"I'll get the car, don't move. If anyone passes you and asks what's happening to him, just tell them it's police business and that help is coming." I nod in understanding and watch as Dad rushes away from the two of us, plastic bag in hand as he goes to retrieve his cruiser.

Already drenched from the rain, I sit back down on the ground next to Riley without a care, gently taking his bloodied hand again and squeezing it gently every so often. I suppose, I wanted him to know that someone was there for him and that they care.

"It's going to be okay," I say to him as another scream rips from him and his body curls into a secure ball in an attempt to make the pain stop.

"I promise you, I will help you through what is to follow. Hopefully, it won't be as painful as it is for you now." I laugh pitifully as my eyes well up with salty tears which quickly spill onto my cheeks.

This was the end of Riley's life as he knew it. Soon, he would be a vampire and I would be directly involved with the supernatural once again.

I just hope this time doesn't result in the fragile pieces of my heart crumbling even further.