Then There Was Jasper
By Interest Me
May 2010
Fanfiction based on Twilight
By Stephanie Meyer
*All copyright belongs to Stephanie Meyer
Trial
I spent a lot of time in public places. Clothing stores, shoe stores, jewelry stores, the occasional library, bakeries to buy Gene's croissants, auto dealers, and once, a pub in England.
I even survived some dense sweaty moments, while preparing runway models for fashion shows. In that case, it helped that I was extremely focused, and that I knew most of the models, at least casually. And, the show must go on, so I couldn't just slaughter the players.
Still, a dark auditorium packed with delicious humans seemed a bit much to ask of me. Yet, I wanted to see Singing in the Rain, and I paid the teller for my ticket. My fingers touched the ticket, which set off a particularly aggressive vision:
I stood in a marble sheathed chamber. Aro held my hand in his. He read my thoughts, but unlike Edward, he needed physical contact.
"Ah, my old friend Carlisle," Aro said.
Carlisle? I hadn't been thinking about Carlisle. Aro read that thought and answered me.
"No my dear, but I can read every thought you've ever had. You don't need to be thinking the thought for me to see."
Ah, Edward could only see what I was thinking at the time. So, I thought, Aro already knew I was a vegetarian.
"Yes, I see. Carlisle remains strong and healthy on his human free diet. This makes me so happy. And he is surrounded by others like him. I am anxious to meet Edward."
I didn't need my visions to know that Aro and the others followed no such diet, as their irises were dyed scarlet. Yet, I could see their food being brought to them. They didn't hunt.
"No, dear Alice, we are quite busy here. Hunting is delegated to those talented in such matters."
Aro released my hand. His eyes didn't leave my face as he inclined his head toward his brothers, who sat behind him. Marcus and Caius.
"Brothers, her talent is powerful. I've never seen such a powerful psychic among us. Perhaps we could give her a second chance."
Marcus cast languid eyes on me.
"Aro, she publicly slaughtered one hundred humans. The entire vampire world will hear of it." He rasped. He sat back indifferently. Of the two, Marcus looked most like a brother to Aro with his black hair. The resemblance ended there.
If Marcus appeared extremely disinterested, Caius occupied the opposite end of the spectrum. He leaned forward. His white hair and hungry red eyes gave him the appearance of a devil.
"Aro," his whispery voice sighed through his lips, "We cannot set precedence. You did not make an exception even for Socrates. Certainly his talents surpassed those of this insignificant vampire."
"Ah Caius. I do miss Socrates. But you know he couldn't leave his human desire to teach behind. He threatened to expose us many times."
"Exactly," Caius answered.
"Yes, yes, you're right of course. Let's convene," Aro said and sat in his chair between Marcus and Caius. They linked hands.
"Jane," Aro called.
In a different setting, I may have mistaken Jane for a sprite. Her pixie features contrasted with the brutal intent in her eyes. She turned those eyes on me, and the gesture seemed significant. And then…
The atoms that formulated my body threatened to rip away from each other. The corner of Jane's lips pressed back slightly, and her eyes gleamed. I squeezed my own eyes closed so I wouldn't have to see her anymore. Impossibly, the pain increased, and the atoms no longer threatened only to pull apart, but promised to shred to pieces.
"It saddens me Alice," Aro said, "but the secret must be kept. If we leave you unpunished, other immortals will become bold and break the rules. Felix."
I forced my eyes open in time to see a mass of muscles approaching me. Felix slashed through my limbs with his teeth. I'm sure this should have hurt, but no sensation could register beyond the torture Jane inflicted on me with her eyes. But the bone-chilling sounds registered. The screeching protest of stone, my body, being cut into pieces.
My arms thudded to the marble floor. My torso dropped as my legs separated and fell. Soon, my eyes were level with Aro's expensive Italian shoes.
Felix lifted my head by a lock of hair, and the chamber whirled around me as my head spun freely. Then, the room tumbled and twirled as my head was tossed onto a pile containing the rest of me.
As my skull rested on the heap of limbs, I sensed that my arm had found my shoulder. The two began knitting themselves together. The pain ceased. I was aware, but without my body, I lost all sense of space. My consciousness floated on a cushion of nothingness. Then I smelled the burning. I'm sorry Jasper.
"Ma'am, are you alright?" the ticket clerk asked me.
"I'm sorry," I said, "I just remembered an appointment. I won't be able to see this movie." I turned from the ticket booth and decided to try again another day.