2. Transformation
A/N: Why is it that Twilight takes over my life when I should be studying for the first round of midterms…happened during last semester's finals too. Oh well- here you all go- I couldn't help myself.
Consciousness was quickly leaving me. I wasn't too worried about that. I welcomed it really- the pain was nearly unbearable and I would do anything for it to stop. The pain that I knew came from Edward's teeth piercing my jugular. The thought made me want to laugh, if that had been possible. Really, it was just ridiculous. Unfortunately, it was happening, and nothing was going to change that.
Or maybe not so unfortunately; the fact that such a beautiful being was so close to me almost made up for all of it. Then again, probably not. There was the intense pain in my neck, the sensation of life itself leaving my body, and tolerating the smell of rust and salt that was turning my stomach. Seriously- what was wrong with me? Why wasn't my life flashing before my eyes or something, instead of such trivial musings? Why wasn't I worried that all of this just happened to be occurring on my first day in Forks- tiny, boring Forks. Who would have guessed this, of all things would happen? I mean, falling and breaking a bone or something, sure- but really?
My energy was being sapped, and I was about to give in to the darkness that I felt pushing in around me. In so many ways, the darkness was comforting- all warm and heavy, like a thick quilt. On the other hand, I knew that it brought death. With that knowledge, I gave one final push, trying to follow the direction to fight that came from my brains. I weakly struggled, before making my final decision to just let go.
I felt the haze seeping through my limbs and behind my eyes, and felt a bit of peace come with it. Then, suddenly, the slow fade of my life stopped, and I vaguely felt something hard and cold envelope my body. The sudden change shook me, raising my level of alertness and I heard what sounded like a growl and a scuffle just a few feet away.
I didn't have time to figure out what the source of the noises was though before the wind began to race by. Of course, I guess it wasn't the wind racing as much as it was me- or whatever had me in its grip. The invigorating rush alerted me a bit more, and I managed to open my eyes despite the enormous weight that held me lids closed. I blinked furiously, trying to see through my blurry vision.
All I could comprehend was pale white skin and dark hair, along with the blur of trees. The speed I was moving at was phenomenal- but it only worsened my dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous state. I quickly let my eyes fall shut again. Just moments later, I realized that whomever had been carrying me had set me on a couch. And they were yelling for someone- when had the yelling started?
"Carlisle!" the unfathomably exquisite voice screamed.
I tried to hang on and try to understand what was going on, but my capabilities to concentrate on anything had suddenly become impaired. A slow deep burn had begun in my chest, like the worst heartburn imaginable. I focused in on this new sensation, unable to think of anything else but my newest problem. I thought nothing could have hurt worse than his teeth as they sunk into my flesh, but this was a hundred times worse.
Just as I thought this, I felt the pain begin to grow, in every sense of the word. Like a wildfire spreading in the driest forest on the planet, the burning began to establish itself in other parts of my body rapidly. It radiated outward from my chest, licking at my neck, my stomach, and my shoulders. From there it picked up momentum and intensified everywhere as it coursed down my arms and legs, even into the tips of my fingers and toes as well as my face and scalp.
This is what burning alive feels like, I thought to myself. I was about to reason out if that's what was really happening now- as if I would have bad enough luck to have my blood sucked and be caught in a fire on the same day- when I was suddenly distracted by an awful wailing.
The sound was the worst I had ever heard, a blend of the rage-filled sounds of a rabid animal and the pitiful whimpers of a wounded one. An instant later, I realized that the haunting cry was my own- when had I lost control of my vocal chords- and the rest of my body for that matter? I was thrashing around on whatever I had been placed on, wildly.
Every muscle in my body was lashing out against the fire, tensing then relaxing, tensing again. Mercifully, strong hands held me down, working hard to keep me in a semi-still state. Thankful that someone had control over my body, I tried to stop the awful noise I was producing, but only succeeded in quieting it minutely.
That tiny change was enough to allow me to hear the voice that called to me.
"Isabella, Isabella- listen to me." The Voice intoned, so smooth like the voice of whoever had carried me, like that of Edward…
Apparently, The Voice thought that I might be paying attention.
"Isabella,"
"Bella- she prefers Bella." That velvety voice broke through everything- he was here, in this room. For some reason, just by his tone- so full of remorse and brokenness, I knew there was nothing to be afraid of. Even if he had just tried to kill me- I wasn't entirely sure he hadn't succeeded.
"Ok- Bella- this is Carlisle Cullen. You really need to try your hardest to calm down. I'll explain more later, but the screaming and violent movements aren't much of a help in your situation. Nothing is…but I promise it will stop soon, ok?"
It was absolutely not ok. However, it seemed that I was still alive- though I didn't see how he expected me to calm down. And I wanted a explanation now. Wasn't he a doctor- why wasn't he pumping drugs into me, or taking me to the hospital?
"Alice," I heard Carlisle address her, and it struck me that she was probably the one who carried me here. "Please go get some rags and things to clean her up with- and some fresh air- you've been holding your breath for a long time. And make sure Emmett and Jasper are managing to keep Edward upstairs- I know him, and he might just run off because of this."
Holding her breath? Edward was upstairs now? When had that happened- and where would he run to? Everything was suddenly becoming too much for my brain to handle, and I could fill my grip on reality slipping as the pain did the impossible and jumped up an octave. Giving myself over to the scorching fire that consumed me, I lost all sense of time and my surroundings.
I had no idea how long I lost touch- though I had discovered that Carlisle was right about the movement and yelling. Now I settled for suffering in silence, except for the occasional outburst when I couldn't hold it back any longer.
Despite my disconnected state, I did manage to catch a few snippets here and there.
Edward was still in the house, though he now refused to talk to anyone, except for when "it" was over. I didn't quite know what it was, though I assumed it had something to do with the torture that I was currently enduring.
I also knew that Rosalie was angry- over what exactly, except that again, it related to me, I had no idea. Alice had been the one to carry me back- apparently, she had somehow figured out what was happening in the parking lot, and Emmett and Jasper had pulled Edward off of me. Therefore, growling and scuffling.
Carlisle had cleaned me up- I assumed that meant the blood was gone. At least, I could no longer smell it. And I was currently lying on a bed in a guest room in the Cullen's house.
Other than that, I knew little. Carlisle had repeatedly told me he would explain it all when I got closer to a point where I could understand- whatever that meant. Surprisingly, though I had figured out this much, I had really spent most of my time outside of lucidity, only able to sense pain.
Though, that did seem to be slowly changing. The pain was still there, but it was a little less intense in my toes and fingers, and it was getting a little easier to focus. It was almost as if I had more room to think. Some time- however long it was- after I realized this, Carlisle came back into the room.
This was the first time I had noticed him enter or exit. I usually just realized he was there, catching some snippet of something he was saying before I lost it again. This time, was aware of his entrance, and that he was somehow on level with me- he must be sitting.
"Bella, can you hear me? If you can, squeeze my hand." Though I couldn't really feel his hand, I did my best to contract the muscles in my left one.
"Good Bella- you must be getting closer. I think I need to explain a few things to you then."
He then commenced to give me a speech on what had happened to me. The Edward-sucking-my-blood part wasn't that new to me- though I hadn't really connected it with the whole vampire thing. I would have thought I was incredibly dense, except I then considered the state I had been in, and decided it was reasonable for me to have overlooked it.
When he explained the reasons behind everything I was experiencing, it didn't really sink in at first. I was becoming a vampire. I was going to drink blood when this ordeal was over- which, apparently, should only be several more hours since I had been lying here for over two and a half days.
Not human blood though- the Cullens only drank animal blood. Except for when they slip up of course.
It was all so strange- and ridiculous. If it hadn't been for the reality of the fire and the memory of Edward sinking his teeth into my neck, I wouldn't have believed any of it. I was going to be a vampire- the Cullens were vampires.
As unfamiliar as it all was, it did make me understand why they had caught my attention today...or a few days ago actually, I guess.
I was left to think all of this over after Carlisle left me again, promising to be back soon. I wasn't alone though- I knew that. I felt the presence of someone else in the room, soon after Carlisle left. But they didn't speak, and I still wasn't capable of comprehendible words, so I continued in my anguish.
Mercifully, the anguish was diminishing. My entire hands and feet now only felt like they covered in hot coals now, instead of being consumed by white-hot flames. Some time later, I began to feel the heat recede in earnest, though it only became more concentrated in the areas it retreated to.
Soon, it was only my chest that burned, though it was hotter than ever before, and I screamed with renewed pain. It wasn't long before I heard several people enter the room.
"Carlisle?" the familiar voice of Edward asked, coming from beside me- he had been there all along.
"Yes, it shouldn't be long now son."
"Just a little more than two minutes to be exact." The small voice of Alice piped in, full of enthusiasm.
No one said anything more as the fire retreated to my heart, which I was aware of. It beated wildly in my chest, fighting like mad against the consuming fire. I was sure it would pop out of my chest.
"I've never heard anything so strong…" Carlisle hardly more than whispered.
As he finished, my heart beat a few more rapid, pounding times. Then, the fire made one last burning lick in my chest as my heart first stuttered, then stopped completely, going forever silent.
Stunned, I realized all the pain was gone. I also realized I had no desire to scream or thrash anymore. I felt relief for the first time in days.
I was also curious- could I move on my own now? Who all was in the room? My mind raced a mile a minute- more than it had ever been able to do before.
Unable to contain myself, I snapped my eyes open, ready to see what the world would be like now.
A/N: So, how'd I do? Tell me! Sorry if this has some errors- its late, and I'm going to bed, but I want to go ahead and post. On that note, I am looking for a beta, if anyone is interested, PM me and tell me whether you can beta this story, A New Harmony, or both. Thanks!