Forgot to say at the beginning of the story - All original characters (Sophia) are mine but the rest belong to Stephanie Meyer, whom we all bow down to and pay homage

Chapter 2: A World More Changed

The world had changed in 150 years. Gone were the years of complete human domination. War, financial crisis and natural disasters had changed the world beyond recognition. Cities were no longer over populated, 4 billion people had died and countries had fallen. People were now settled in other areas deemed suitable by the new world government. Vampires, like the humans had suffered too. Having a life that stretched in eternity meant that events and changes had a profound effect on vampires. The changes of the planet had not left the vampire population alone. Their numbers had suffered as the human population decreased and the wars of yester year had flare up again to a global level. Only those who changed with the world survived.

Annabella Lee had led a full life for a dead person. She had travelled to every continent, taking in every miserable climated country she could. When those ran out, she became a true creature of the night. She refined her hunting skills to the night and the darkness. The darkness, so stereotypical for her kind, had become a second companion to her lonesomeness. Despite her loneliness she found no need to find neither mate nor extendable family. In the first half her new life she had studied in many universities and schools on a range of subjects. Her favourites tended to be in medicine, psychology and art. The human mind was of a constant fascination to her. Her usual hunts of Canada, Eastern Europe and the Arctic Circle were welcome breaks for her. In a jaunt through Italy she had gone in search of the civilised, law protectors of her species. It had been a memorable six years spent studying under one of the most silently egotistical men she had ever met but it has been an experience none the less. Her travels were often interrupted by outbreak of war or disease where she would put her acquired skills to use in a dire need to help the humans.

The immortal curse of her creation was put to the test on an almost constant basis in those first 75 years. Annabella had seen the fragility of humans which made her test the boundaries of her own indestructibility. She had thrown herself down mountains and canyons and jumped from the highest bridges in the world. She had even swan the Atlantic in a bid to tire herself out. Her hunger had become her biggest boundary to push. It had been pushed to the point of insanity and she pushed it still. Gladly she had managed to abstain from the greatest temptation.

Annabella adjusted her white coat before walking through the ward doors. Her flower shaped stethoscope swung lightly around her long neck. She took a deep breath and revelled in the unique smell of talc, youth and disinfectant. This time in the morning was her favourite. The kids were just waking up and the nurses were starting to bring around breakfast. Kids had always been her weak spot. She had checked on her patients from yesterday's surgery overnight and now she was getting ready to finish her shift and go home to an empty house. Her office was just off the ward, unlike most doctors who preferred their offices near their clinics. As she turned, she noticed a tall figure at the end of the corridor that looked like he was studying her. His scent hit her nose; Vampire. Immediately she was on guard, her only thought was to protect the children in the ward behind her. The figure came closer and she noticed his white coat, similar to hers. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips when she caught his unwavering stare; ochre eyes just like hers. So this one was not after the children.

"Shall we go to your office?" He muttered, still 20 or more feet away from her but she heard him as if he was right next to her. Annabella motioned to her right and he glided in. She closed the door behind him.

"I'm sorry if i troubled you. I had been told there was another vampire in the hospital and i needed to make sure there was no threat."

Annabella took in the doctor/vampire standing before her. He was young looking, no more than early thirties. He did however look younger than her. She could only get away with 26, people paid less attention these days as the worlds uncertainty kept them occupied with more pressing matters. "No danger, as you can see..." she motioned to her eyes. "I am like you and i assure you that blood lust is not a problem."

"Carlisle Cullen." He offered his hand.

"Annabella Lee." She took his hand lightly and shuddered. It had been over a century since she had felt a hand so adult. The only skin she touched was children's, their soft, elastic skin. "How did you know i was here? I rarely venture into other areas of the hospital."

"My daughter saw you. She has the gift of foresight up to a point. She is overly sensitive to non-humans and thought that i should seek you out. Also it had been a while since we have seen any of our own kind."

"Do you live in Burton, Carlisle?"

"Yes, my family and i moved here a couple of days ago. We needed a new permanent residency. Do you also live here?"

"Yes, i have a house just outside the main town's limits. It's far enough out of town that very few people bother me. I've been here for 3 years. You and your wife should come around and we can talk. I haven't really had much contact with vampires in recent years..." She trailed off. Carlisle was staring at her again, studying her in a non-leering way. "Is something wrong?"

He seemed to come back to the room. "No. Sorry, you remind me of someone we used to know but she passed away over a century ago. My apologies. My wife and i would love to come around. My children are off hunting this weekend in Canada."

Annabella scribbled down her address and Carlisle left her in the office. His visit had left her trouble. It had been 25 years since she had met another vampire. A blink of an eye in eternity. Now she had not only found a coven but one that shared her diet. Suddenly things were no longer black and white. Maybe Carlisle Cullen would be able to answer some questions about why he chose the diet he did.

OK, would like to know thoughts. My writing has changed since my 'Angel' Fanfiction days but it seems i am still inspired by vampires! Please review and let me know as i have really enjoyed writing this and would hate think that no one has any thoughts on it!

Big SHOUT out and cookies to HollyGirl-93 for a most awesome review that had me grinning and clapping my handies for hours!