My Hero

Chapter Twenty Six

Bella's POV

What was happening? Had Carlisle just bitten me?

And why did it feel like fire was burning through my veins, slowly torturing me and causing my body to shudder in agony?

I couldn't see; everything around me was black and fear prickled through every inch of my body. There were rushes of sound surrounding me, but they all seemed muffled and panicked, as though I was drowning under murky water. I heard my name mentioned several times but I felt that, if I moved my mouth to respond, a horrifying scream of pain would escape my lips. I clamped down on my lip with my teeth, but the sting of doing so was drowned out by the flames.

What was happening?

I tried to move my arms, desperately wanting to reassure myself that I wasn't paralysed but, when I did so, the torment intensified and I had to scrunch my fingers together and grip onto the nearest thing towards me.

A strange sensation suddenly alerted me to the fact that I was being moved. I tried to curl myself up in a ball in a feeble attempt to dull the pain, but was hit with another wave of heat. It stung every part of me and I wanted it to end.

I wanted to die... anything to stop this. Please.

My back arched as the torture increased. A whimper escaped my lips and, after that, I couldn't stop myself.

"Please..." I pleaded with a throaty gasp. "P-please... it... hurts... stop..."

"It's okay, B-Bella... you're going to be alright..."

I vaguely recognised the voice from somewhere and cried out once more.

"Make it... stop!" I screamed, sobbing now. It felt like the tears should evaporate from my skin due to the heat, yet they trailed downwards, providing no relief.

"I... I'm sorry, I c-can't!" the voice replied, and I squeezed my eyes tight, moaning uncontrollably. The energy was slowly draining from my body and I wanted it to end.

"Please... just... just... kill me! Please."

There was a long silence as I waited for everything to end. Prayed for everything to end. Please.

Carlisle's POV

What had I done?

Bella was writhing around on the floor, screaming in agony, and it was all down to me.

What sort of monster was I? I'd caused innocent people pain before... Edward, Esme, Rosalie... why hadn't I learnt to stop? Especially with someone as wonderful as Bella? How could I even consider hurting her?

I felt a hand on my shoulder; it was Esme's.

"Carlisle, we should take Bella back to the house, it would be more... comfortable for her."

Comfortable? I could vaguely remember the fiery torment the venom caused; I doubted a bed would soothe it. I closed my eyes slowly.

"Yes... alright."

I hesitated, wondering whether Bella would break if I carried her; she seemed so horribly fragile, all because of me.

I gently scooped her shuddering body in my shaking arms and began carefully running through the forest. I could feel Bella's back arching in my hands and held her closer, trying to whisper soothing words into her ear. Her pain-filled voice suddenly shocked me.

"Please... p-please... it... hurts... stop..."

My body ached with guilt and I had to stop running to talk to her steadily.

"It's okay, B-Bella, you're going to be alright..."

My pathetic attempts at trying to calm her were responded to with a hoarse cry which ripped through my body. She must really hate me now and just thinking about her pain... I'd been so selfish.

She started sobbing, heartrenching, loud sobs, and I tried my hardest to ignore it as I started running again. This was going to be a horrific experience for everyone involved...

Bella's POV

I had no idea of the time passing by... had it been a few minutes since this torture had begun? Or was it days? It certainly felt like it. It seemed never-ending.

I never really believed in punishment or Hell, but now I was seriously considering it. Was this my payment for what I had done?

But I'd been innocent...

It was strange; the pain seemed to be gradually drawn away from my limbs, and started to concentrate on my chest. It was completely bewildering and my hands clutched at my ribs, trying to squeeze the pain away. I was helpless, though; I screeched as it burned and scorched at my heart. I could feel it racing, as if trying to fight this strange heat, but I knew it was a losing battle. Soon, my heart was going to give in... going to stop. I knew it.

Did that mean I was going to die? Die, after enduring this agony?

What would happen then?

Maybe if my heart stopped beating, it wouldn't hurt so much. I would be free.

I suddenly felt tears prickling down my cheeks.

"Bella?" a voice asked, and I felt a hand clasp mine. It was nice to have the feeling back in my fingers, even if my heart was failing.

I tilted my head towards the sound and dared to open my eyes. It was Carlisle and I could see him better than ever before... everything around me was defined. But that didn't stop me remembering the fact that he was the one who had made all of this happen to me... whatever it was.

"W-why?" I spluttered, and my eyes bulged in surprise. My voice sounded different... a lot smoother, somehow.

I saw Carlisle close his eyes, before speaking to me in a voice which seemed clearer to me than ever before.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked quietly.

I winced as a stronger wave rippled in my chest.

"That's a yes, then," he sighed, not meeting my eyes.

"Ahhh!" I yelled, as an incredibly tense wave of fire attacked my chest once more. It was a strange feeling, almost as if it were consuming my heart.

I'd never known such pain could exist.

I felt my heart thumping irregularly, and it eventually stopped for a deadly five seconds, before beating once more, then resting, not moving again. I waited and waited, praying that it hadn't given up, but nothing happened.

I must be dead... surely?

But why could I hear sounds and feel Carlisle's hand in mine? Why was I still thinking?

Why was I still breathing?

It felt very strange, though; the breathing didn't bring me any relief... it wasn't necessary anymore. I stopped taking in air and realised that I was comfortable without it.

Was my body dead on the inside or something? What had happened?

I opened my eyes and looked around; everyone was crowded by me, staring expectantly. Carlisle looked the most anxious of them all, but that was nothing new.

I sat up in a very quick movement, so quick that I had to blink several times, causing a muffled laugh from within the room.

I was alive...

But with that thought, a sudden burning erupted in my throat, and I clasped at it worriedly. I thought the fire had left... was it coming back with a vengeance?

This was horrific.

"Don't worry, Bella," I heard a voice saying, and I realised that it was Carlisle again. "That's perfectly normal."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "How can you classify everything that has just happened to me as being 'perfectly normal?' I hadn't meant to snap, but I needed answers, and I needed them now. The torture I had just been through couldn't be dismissed quite so easily.

"Carlisle," I whispered, after a moment's tense silence. "Please... please just tell me what's going on."

He kept eye contact with me for a very long time, before approaching and standing right in front of me. He took a deep breath and I waited in anticipation.

"Bella," he sighed. "I... I don't really know how to tell you this..."

"It's perfectly simple," I replied impatiently.

He eyed me carefully before saying. "We're... we're... well..." His hands ran through his hair. "You've become... a vampire."

I just stared at him. Was he taking the piss?

I saw him swallow nervously and he continued speaking. "When you were dying, y-you asked to live... and my only option was to change you into a... a vampire."

I continued to just look at him. Surely that couldn't be true; why was he spinning me this rubbish? Was he trying to protect me from the hideous truth? This was hardly appropriate and I suddenly felt irritated and scared.

Vampires didn't exist. They were a work of fiction, for God's sake.

But... he had always been pale, and I had never seen anybody here eating anything...

No, that was just a coincidence. A stupid coincidence that meant nothing.

"Carlisle..." I swallowed, sounding horribly desperae. "Please, please just tell me the t-truth."

He looked at me with despair. "Bella, I am telling you the truth."

I frowned irritably. "Oh! So is there some new medical method for turning people into so called 'vampires', now?" My voice became gradually louder as my annoyed sarcasm grew. "Why didn't you tell me? That could have come in handy!"

He didn't move, just stared at me.

"Bella, please let me explain... it will all make sense if you just let me give you some answers."

I didn't respond, so he continued.

"I... I was attacked by a vampire several decades ago, and underwent the same process as you just have. The burning, the pain and venom slowly overtaking my body..." I winced as I relived the fresh memory. And what had he meant by 'several decades ago?' My eyes felt like they'd fall out of their sockets.

"After I realised what had happened, I tried to destroy myself, but nothing came to any sort of effect, so I..." he hesitated. "I fed off animal blood to satisfy my hunger. I didn't want to kill innocent life."

I felt my eyes bulge even further.

"As the time passed by, I managed to resist my urges... that's the pain you're feeling right now, your thirst for blood."

My hand automatically massaged my throat as I felt a wave of sickness. God, what was happening?

"I eventually found Edward in a hospital, dying of the Spanish influenza." My eyes darted to Edward automatically. "I turned him into a vampire, as his mother had requested that I let him live under any circumstances."

Edward nodded and I looked away at the floor.

"After that, I found Esme, then Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper, and now we're all a family. A clan. We're technically vegetarian vampires, as we only feed on animals."

I didn't want to admit it, but everything was sort of making sense, as twisted as it all was. I continued to stare though, unable to form words. This seemed like some sort of twisted fantasy.

"When... when you said that you wished to live, it was the only thing I could think of... I'm... I'm sorry if it isn't what you wanted... I just..." His voice broke and I looked up at him pleadingly.

"Vampires are strong, fast and live for eternity," he continued, and I stared at him with an open mouth. "The transformation from human to vampire causes a lot of physical changes..."

I watched as his eyes seemed to absorb me and I glanced at the floor in discomfort.

"Do... do you want to see, Bella?" he asked, gesturing towards the mirror in the living room. I nodded infinitesimally before seemingly drifting towards the glass. It bothered me that everyone seemed to be oggling at me like I was a monkey in a zoo.

I approached the mirror and gasped as I saw the reflection. Surely that wasn't me...

Without sounding vain, I was... I was actually beautiful. My skin was pale, yet seemed to shine wonderfully. I looked perfect, despite the ragged clothes which I was still wearing. I shook my head in disbelief.

"This... no, this can't be happening..." I murmured. "H-how?"

"Bella?"

I felt Carlisle's hands on mine and sparks shot through my body, causing feelings stronger than ever before. It felt like my skin was tingling at his touch. As he stood close to me, I realised I could smell his intoxicating scent better; it was staggering.

What-

"I'm sorry if this isn't what you wanted..." he breathed. "But... I..."

"Carlisle," I interrupted, feeling slightly overwhelmed. No, screw the slightly, I was completely overwhelmed. "Please can I... have some time to think?"

He looked at me warily before nodding. "Of course." I walked towards the door, feeling everyone's eyes on my back. As soon as I stepped outside, I felt the wind on my face and could smell all kinds of scents; flowers, the smell of rain, wood...

I walked absentmindedly through the trees, brushing my fingers along each one as it passed. It seemed that all my senses were enhanced.

I continued walking along, listening to the crisp sound of the fallen twigs snapping beneath my feet. My bare feet. Yet, I didn't feel any discomfort. No pain.

I could see a rock in the distance and my thoughts turned back to Carlisle's words.

"Vampires are strong..."

I quickly retrieved the rock and squeezed my fingers around it. It suddenly crumbled into tiny pieces, scattering on the floor. I stared at my hands in awe.

After a moment's thought, I began walking forwards again, as Carlisle's words filled my head once more.

"Fast..."

There was a strange feeling in my legs, in my muscles... it felt like strength. Like I could run any distance I wanted. Without thinking, I started to increase my speed and I raced past the trees, blurs of green and brown shooting past me. It was like I was faster than a sports car, darting along without hitting anything, no effort needed. I slowed to a halt, surprised that my breathing was still even. I rested my head against a nearby tree, thinking once more.

"And live for eternity..."

I just stared ahead. How was that even possible?

A sudden thought leapt into my racing head and I sped through the forest, listening carefully to the gentle noise of a stream which I could hear. Soon enough, I emerged from the trees and a large lake lay ahead of me. Without stopping, I leapt into it, the water caressing my body. It didn't feel cold as I'd expected, just... comfortable. Everything was comfortable.

The water gushed around me as I kept my head under water. Was anything going to happen?

The time passed by slowly and I didn't feel any pain. Nothing was happening. My lungs weren't filling with water.

I really could live forever.

I emerged from the lake and sat on the floor, staring. This was really all true.

I was a vampire.

Did that disturb me? I thought for a moment, truly considering it, and realised that no. It really didn't. Well, it was still all mindboggling (it probably would be for weeks), but it was kind of... cool.

I stood up and paced around for a while, thinking of the Cullens. They really did seem like the same people to me. It didn't really matter to me that they were vampires. It didn't even bother me when I thought of the word.

They were still my family.

I was the same as them now... it meant that I really belonged.

A smile slowly spread across my face. This was... good. I was finally free of Mark, and I was better and stronger than I had ever been.

And there was a burning emotion which seemed to be slowly filling me; I felt confident about myself. I could do anything.

But best of all, I could live forever with Carlisle.

I raced quickly back to the house, suddenly feeling incredibly excited.

The Cullens all looked up with interest and confusion as I raced into the house, my wet clothes dripping water onto the floor. I turned to Carlisle and just took him all in. I still trusted him; he was still the same person I had fallen helplessly in love with...

"Bella?" he asked tentatively. "Bella, are you... alright?"

I nodded, smiling a little.

"I'm... I'm sorry if this isn't what you wanted, I just... you asked to live and I..."

"Carlisle," I interrupted. "I'm.. I think I'm happy."

I smiled, taking in Carlisle's face as he beamed back at me. As the relief flooded his face, he looked stunning. His teeth seemed to sparkle and, close up, I could see that he had no imperfections whatsoever. His wonderful eyes stared back into mine and I sighed.

"It will all take a while to get accustomed to," he continued. "But... we're all here for you... I just hope you're-"

"Carlisle," I grinned. "I'm free of Mark once and for all, I'm stronger than ever before... I feel amazing."

I looked around at everyone surrounding me. "This is... amazing. I can see things, smell things, sense things, hear things... so many more things!"

Carlisle grinned for the first time and the look truly lit up his face; I expected my heart to flutter but then realised, it was silent.

"Thank goodness," he exhaled, closing his eyes. "I was so worried... I'm sorry that you had to go through that... I-"

I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "It was worth it. I feel so... different! In a good way... I think."

It was true; I felt like I could do anything. Sure, it was all a shock that I was still recovering from, but I was excited. Really excited.

A new voice spoke and I looked up in surprise to see Edward. "It's a shame I can't read your mind anymore. It really was quite interesting."

I stared at him in disbelief; what had he just said?

Perhaps I'd misheard him. The look on Carlisle's face reassured me I hadn't, though; he looked as shocked as I felt. It was quite funny, really.

"I'm... Bella, I'm sorry, ignore him..." I saw him give Edward an annoyed look. "You've already had so much to take in today..."

"No... no," I frowned. "What did you say?"

Edward stepped forwards. "Sometimes, when people become vampires, they gain special abilities, and mine is to read human minds. I can't read yours anymore, seeing as you're now one of us." He paused, shrugging. "It was good while it lasted though."

I couldn't believe what he'd just told me... He'd probably been hearing all my thoughts about Carlisle.

I felt like I could die of mortification. Edward sensed this and I saw him grinning slightly, and I grimaced towards him.

"Don't worry, Bella," he winked. "Your secrets are safe with me."

I just shook my head.

"Edward's not the only one with abilities," Alice suddenly said and I saw her pulling Jasper towards me. "I can see the future and Jasper has the power to manipulate emotions."

If I wasn't already shocked before, now I was staggered. Alice merely grinned.

"Yeah, it's quite cool, really. I could see everything that was going to happen to you, allowing me to keep an eye on you for Carlisle."

I saw Carlisle shaking his head beside me and he was muttering something under his breath. I grinned; it really was like old times.

"And..." Jasper began, "Everytime you've felt a change of emotion, that was me." He smiled happily. "You were feeling anxious a lot, so I helped you feel a little calmer."

I smiled at him appreciatively. It seemed like these people really did care for me.

"And, as a bonus, it's a relief not to want to..." he hesitated, looking towards Carlisle. "Well... lets just say your blood... appealed to me."

I blinked. "Oh... sorry."

Everyone around me raised their eyebrows before laughing.

"Of course, you're the one who has to apologise, Bella," Emmett spluttered and I frowned.

"Well, I have kind of caused you all a few problems..." I admitted, shrugging my shoulders.

"Maybe, Bella, but it's all been worth it," Carlisle said, smiling down at me. I exhaled with relief; I was feeling incredibly elated now. But there was still one thing that bothered me. Well, two things really, but one was more important at the moment.

"Carlisle, my... my throat..."

He nodded in understanding. "Do you want to... to go hunting?"

I raised an eyebrow. "That's what you call it? Can't we make it sound less... menacing?"

He smirked. "Alright, do you want to... dine out?"

I laughed; it sounded like a bell chiming. "Sure."

Although it was all light-hearted, I had never been so scared in my life.

This still felt unreal. Maybe it was.