Chapter 10

Through Bella's eyes

Bella noticed how late Cassie came home that night.

"Long movie?" Bella asked. She could feel Edward stiffen next to her.

"We went out to eat after." Cassie shrugged and threw the keys on the counter.

"Love, may I speak with you upstairs?" Edward asked, his cool breath sending shivers down her spine. Bella could see Cassie grimace when she nodded.

"Bella, she smells like a vampire." Edward said when they shut her bedroom door.

"Why would she smell like a vampire? I thought she wasn't… you know." Bella asked her brows furrowed. "Can she hear us?" Bella whispered.

"No she can't hear us. It's a weird smell, like, sweet ashes." Edward's nose crinkled.

"Sweet ashes? What… oh." Bella realized. She smelled like a dead, burnt vampire. "Is that just what she smells like? Like, all the time?" Bella asked. "Does this mean she's not human?"

"No, this means she just killed one of my kind."

The next day, Bella watched Cassie like a hawk, waiting for her to show some signs of killing someone. She just seemed to go about the day like it was any other Saturday.

The whole happy family was home, and Edward. He smiled and politely declined lunch, but watched Cassie eat carefully. They were both scrutinizing her every move. Cassie couldn't blink without them knowing.

Charlie and Adel went out that night, claiming they wouldn't be back for a while. Bella cooked the three of them dinner which Cassie accepted openly.

"I'm going to go, love." Edward told her after the meal. "She knows we're watching. She kept thinking about things she should do. Maybe she'll be more relaxed around just you."

"Can you read her mind and figure it out?" Bella asked. Edward shook his head.

"You don't go around thinking 'I am a human,' and I don't go around thinking 'I am a vampire.' We just know. She knows what she is and what she can do, so she's not going to upright and say it." Edward explained.

"Goodbye, love." His cool marble lips touched hers for a moment, and he left.

"Oh, he's gone?" Cassie called from downstairs. "Listen, I'm going to Seattle. I'll see you in a bit." She grabbed her mother's keys.

"Oh no you don't!" Bella said, fully aware of what was happening there. Cassie raised her eyebrow.

"Why not? I'm going shopping for clothes, not shoes." She smiled.

"It's too dangerous, Cassie. You shouldn't go!" Bella tried to sway her. Cassie rolled her eyes.

"I can take care of myself, Bells. Besides, this is my last chance all week." She insisted.

"Then I'll go with you!" They were both shocked at the outburst. Bella's hand flew over her mouth.

"No, really, it's fine, Bells. I can go alone. I know you don't like shopping." Something was off about Cassie's voice. She was nervous. Bella realized what a great opportunity this was for her. She might catch a glimpse of what Cassie had run off to do. Plus, Bella could spot a vampire and steer Cassie clear of them.

"No, come on. I need a new jacket anyway. Besides, you're new to driving. What kind of big sister would I be if I let you drive that far?" Bella smiled and grabbed the car keys.

Surprisingly, Cassie had no problem playing along and shopping. Bella parked the car downtown and they set out on a mission.

"I kind of want a leather jacket." Cassie told Bella. She laughed at her sister's randomness. She wondered what Edward or Jacob would say if they knew she was in a vampire infested city.

Every little movement was caught by Bella Swan. She briefly wondered what would happen if one were to show up. According to Edward, Cassie had killed one, so they might be safe. Bella predicted she had barely escaped with her life.

"Okay, let's find you a leather jacket!" Bella beamed as they entered the next store. They left with a few bags in tow. The sun had gone down, and Bella was getting nervous. She knew when vampires came out.

"Let's put this stuff in the car and go get something to eat. I'm so hungry, I could eat a dragon!" Cassie exclaimed.

"How big are dragons anyway?" Bella asked. Cassie shrugged.

"I'm assuming bigger than an elephant."

"Hey, how about we just leave. It's getting dark." Bella suggested. Cassie smiled.

"Nah, let's eat. My stomach has made itself known." Bella glanced around and let Cassie drive to a diner. The settled down in a booth with milkshakes, hamburgers, and fries.

"Oh my God! Why isn't all food like this?" Cassie asked Bella. Bella shrugged and munched on her fries.

"Dude," Cassie said with food in her mouth, "Why aren't you eating anything?" She asked.

"I am! See?" Bella held up a french-fry. Cassie rolled her eyes. "Take a man bite, Bella! Live a little!" Bella laughed at her sister.

"And by taking too much food into my mouth, I will be living."

"Yes." And the girls laughed. Finishing the food, Cassie led the way out. The moment her foot hit the sidewalk, she froze.

"Bella, can you go check to see if I left my license? I can't seem to find it." Bu Cassie wasn't looking for it. Her eyes were shifting to the car driving down the road. Bella watched the car flip over and she screamed.

Cassie took a step back, as if to push Bella into the diner. Bella couldn't move, because there, leaping onto the car with a family inside was a crimson eyed newborn.

OOOOH! Let me know what you think!

RXR