I've been thinking about my goal.
I have a new story idea that I want to write, and I've also been so busy with school that this is taking the back burner. I love writing little oneshots for Twilight though, So I don't think I'll technically "complete" this story. I will be put aside for now, but I may continue it at a later date. If I made a different story for each oneshot, I'd have a very full account. So, this really may not be the last story. It most likely isn't.
Awesome people who deserve cookies and balloons:
AnnieOakley16: Leaves great reviews that really kept the story going. I loved reading what she wrote, it helped give me confidence. :)
Tina101: Has been a very faithful reviewer since the first oneshot. Thanks for sticking around and putting up with my writer's block and tiny little plot bunnies. You get a smiley-faced cookie. :)
To all my reviewers: You guys are the best. Thanks for your feedback. :)
Fini!
Risking
Alice Pov:
I could barely keep the pained and guilty grimace hidden as I surveyed the destroyed ballet studio. The beautiful ballet studio now marred with broken glass and the blood of my future sister. Jasper and Emmett came into the room, armed with flaming torches in their hands. All consuming fire, the only way to hide a crime as horrible as this.
We would have to evacuate soon if we were to avoid detection. I walked over to a television in the corner and saw a VCR. My eyebrows sloped in suspicion and I looked back towards the front entrance. There was a grey dot in the corner, a video camera. Jasper and Emmett were beginning to set fire to the corner and I hurried to stop them.
"Wait!"
I skirted some small flames and dashed to the corner, picking up the small device. I hit the eject button and stared curiously at the tape inside. I took the tape out and set the video camera back on the floor. I walked to the door and went outside to join the rest of my family.
Moments later we were joined by Jasper and Emmett, remaining silent as the distant wail of sirens broke the air. Edward couldn't be pried from Bella's side. I felt so guilty. I couldn't seem to pick my eyes up from my feet and meet his tortured gaze. I felt like it was my fault. Jasper sensed my emotions and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, squeezing reassuringly.
Soon our statements were given to the police and Bella was carted off to the hospital. It was only Emmett, Jasper, Esme, Rosalie, and I left. They all looked worried, and we piled into our rented car and drove to Phoenix General Hospital. (A/N: Creative, isn't it?)
We sat in the waiting room for a while, waiting to hear news. We wouldn't be able to see her for a while. Esme hugged an arm around Edward, who was staring blankly at some point on the wall. As if obeying some silent order we all stood up and went back to the hotel, minus Edward and Carlisle.
We remained silent. We didn't really have anything to say. I still toyed with the tape in my hand, which Rosalie glanced at curiously. "What are you holding Alice?"
I glanced down towards my hand, flipping it over a few times. It was unmarked. "I'm not sure, there was a video camera in the corner and this was inside. It may just be an old dance tape."
It seemed a little silly someone would forget a pretty expensive video recorder in a closed dance studio. The entertainment center that came with the room would be able to play the tape. I pushed it in and turned the console on, perching on the edge of the bed.
The tape flickered with static for a few seconds before a picture came on the screen. We collectively gasped when we realized it was a video that had been taken of what happened only a few hours ago. I twisted inwardly with the strange urge to rip the already dead vampire to threads. How dare he tape this!
"It happened once, oh, ages ago. The one and only time my prey escaped me."
Served him right.
(A/N: Deep Breath)
"You see, the vampire who was so stupidly fond of this little victim made the choice that your Edward was too weak to make. When the old one knew I was after his little friend, he stole her form the asylum where he worked – I never will understand the obsession some vampires seem to form with you humans – and as soon as he freed her he made her safe. She didn't even seem to notice the pain, poor little creature. She'd been stuck in that black hole of a cell for so long. A hundred years earlier and she would have been burned at the stake for her visions. In the nineteen-twenties it was the asylum and the shock treatments. When she opened her eyes, strong with her fresh youth, it was like she'd never seen the sun before. The old vampire made her a strong new vampire, and there was no reason for me to touch her then." He paused, recalling this memory of that poor girl. "I destroyed the old one in vengeance."
Bella breathed out my name. My eyes widened as I stared at the screen. That girl…that was me? Jasper was hissing angrily at the screen, most likely out of hate for James. I couldn't move. It was unnerving, as if those words had pinned me to the bed I sat on. James continued with his little speech.
"Yes, your little friend. I was surprised to see her in the clearing."
I blocked out what he said after. If I had been locked in a…cell…for so long, it may be why I remembered only blackness. Had I been truly insane? I felt a pang of fear, realizing that I may have been truly crazy. He did say asylum….
Two cold arms wrapped around my torso and pulled me tight against them. I leaned my head against Jasper, allowing him use his gift to placate me. I would deal with this all later, but right now Edward and Carlisle needed to see this. They shut off the video and stowed it in Esme's purse, where it would be safe for a later date.
"I didn't expect that."
I didn't want their silence, because I knew their silence contained pity. I wasn't sure how I felt right now. I wasn't really sad; I didn't remember anything from my past. Why mourn the loss of what I never knew? Bella risked her life to gain this information, which made it harder to bear. They left to go back to the hospital, and Jasper and I were alone.
----
The moon was very bright that night. We lay together on the bed with the hideous floral comforter that all hotels seemed to share. I was lying in his arms and he was running his fingers through my short hair, that short hair that must have been cut in the asylum. We looked out the window together and I voiced my thoughts to him.
"I was locked in a cell that whole time…for my visions."
I trailed off, but he seemed to know my train of thought. He rested his head on the top of mine and sung quietly into my ear.
"No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you,
My words will warm and calm you."
And I was calmed. I recalled the beautiful lyrics to be from Phantom of the Opera. I had Jasper through it all. He would be beside me and help me figure out my strange past. I wasn't insane, and I know that I had been wrongly placed in the institute, if that was what it was.
Jasper was my shelter.
The song was borrowed from The Phantom of the Opera. The song is "All I Ask of You." Check out the song and movie, they are really great. :]