Chapter Two

I run through the thick forest as fast as I can but Edward is faster than me and he tackles me to the ground I snarl but give up fighting, it would be nice to at least see Esme again. I always had a feeling she never wanted to leave me but she stayed with her family. Edward gives me a confused look as I lay on the ground beneath him limply. When Jasper and Emmett arrive they drag me back to the house to see Carlisle. I decide to play with their heads a little bit, "How is Carlisle doing these days?" I ask quietly.

All three boys turn to look at me: Jasper speaks, "How do you know Carlisle?"
"My father is Aro; he has told me of this great vampire who lives the way I do, as inspiration of course." I say like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Your FATHER?" Edward asks skeptically, "Yes, you may call it creator but we prefer father." I say to satisfy him.

He mumbles something quietly under his breath. Before I know it I am in the all too familiar living room of the Cullen house. I stand uselessly in the middle of the room as Edward calls for Carlisle. As Carlisle and Esme enter the room I extend my hand to Carlisle, "I have heard so much about you from my father Aro it's nice to finally meet you. I am Nicole Swanson." I say as he shakes my hand.

"It's nice to meet you too, but if I may ask why, would Aro tell of me to you." Carlisle asks skeptically.

"Well he tells me about a lot of vampires, he knows all most all of them you know. But he thought it would be nice for me to have some inspiration in my chosen life style." I finish gazing at Carlisle like I was looking at a god. Yuck...I could barf, Carlisle is certainly no god. Well maybe to all the imbeciles who follow him blindly believe he is a god but I definitely do not.

"Oh…" he says as he tries to gather his thoughts. "Are you going to ask me to sit down? Or are such hospitalities only extended in Italy?" I ask allowing sarcasm to drip from every syllable.

"No, please sit" Carlisle says politely. I allow myself to sit on the couch where I sat so many times before, and I feel and odd sensation in my chest as seven all too familiar vampires take their seats around me. It couldn't be pain…pain is not the way of the Volturi and I am an honorary member…No it must be claustrophobia.

"You said Aro was your 'father'?" Carlisle asks gently like I am easily upset. It seems all eyes are on me and I was momentarily unable to speak, I hated so much attention. Edward waved his in front of my face and I push it away and glare at him.

"Yes Aro is my father. I suppose you may say creator?" I say with reverence, Aro was the only person in my life that I could really count on. He had pulled me up from the hell I was living in as a fragile human and made me the powerful vampire I am. He taught me so much, just like a father and didn't object when I called him father after which he soon began to call me his child. To most it may seem to be a very odd relationship but I wouldn't have made it without him. He was my savor.

Carlisle nodded showing he understood and Esme opened her mouth to ask what I presume was another question so I cut her off. I didn't want to be completely bombarded with questions, I could easily let a little too much slip around my ex-family.

"I assume you all have a lot of questions but it is late and I do have homework. So Am I free to leave or am I being held captive for awhile?" I asked irately.

"No, you can leave anytime you would like Nicole" Carlisle said quietly as if he was too busy thinking to himself, "but we do have more questions so I hope you can come by tomorrow after school?" he asked gently.

I wanted to say no but I couldn't possibly say no to him… not with that pleading look on his face.

"Sure, until tomorrow then" I stood, shook Carlisle's hand and ran out of the house, and back to Charlie's old house. I knew it might cause a bit of an issue me living in that house… but Charlie had left it to me and I loved that old house.