Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.


Chap 12

I waited and waited but it felt like days had passed until Bella and her mother came back home. I looked at a clock from inside a neighbor's house and realized only two hours had passed. I walked around the block and came across a park, it was not until a little boy complained about the weather that I noticed that I was out in the sunlight and my skin must be shining like crazy.

I ran to the nearest tree and hid beneath its shadow. I looked to the ground and watched as the people walked passed me and saw the different shadows they casted. I slowly walked away from the vicinity of the people and trotted back towards the hotel. I decided I'd just call Renee and let her know that I'm available.

It was starting to become nightfall so I decided now was a better time to walk around. There were couples hand in hand walking through the streets, which was a motivation for me to actually accomplish why I came here. I sighed thinking why Edward had to get himself involved with a girl like Bella. Then I scolded myself for getting involved in Edward's business, but I also kept in mind how it felt to lose someone you loved and I remembered why I didn't want him to feel like that anymore.

I sat at a nearby bench to get all my thoughts cleared. I saw another couple walking, the woman clung onto the man's arm and seemed to be clutching onto her fur coat, despite the humid weather.

What people wear to look fancy I chuckled. I looked out into the street where cars honked and screeched to a halt. I was getting ready to go back to the hotel room and call Bella's house when someone caught my eye. A boy about six feet talk with buzzed short dark hair, and an olive complexion walked across the sidewalk from where I sat. I got up hurriedly and began to casually follow where he was going.

It couldn't be…

I continued following until he met up with others. I leaned casually against a pole as I saw the boy greet three other boys who varied in appearance. I wasn't sure if my mind was playing tricks on me or if I was actually seeing what was in my eye sight. I began to feel shaky and I felt uneasy, for some reason I couldn't move so I just decided to stay where I was.

Suddenly a loud bang was heard. I watched as the familiar looking boy flew a few feet backwards and ricocheted off a building's wall. My jaw fell open and my body seemed to have a mind of it own, because the next thing I knew I was running towards the scene.

I wasn't thinking of what I was doing, I just knew that this boy was somehow calling for my presence and I needed to answer. I shoved past the group of boys he was with before, who were all armed themselves and began to surround the area.

I knelt on the floor beside the boy and saw him lay lifeless on the ground. His head was leaning against the wall while his body lay limp on the cold hard ground. As I analyzed him I realized that this wasn't the right person I thought it was. I held up his head and felt a warm moist feeling seep to my skin. I let go of his head and saw blood drip from my fingertips to my wrist.

"Uhh…ah.." was all I heard coming from my voice. I couldn't find the voice to talk or scream or even react to what I was feeling. I looked back down at the boy and at his cracked head that was staining the wall. I stood up, smelling my fingertips, the smell was strong but I was too afraid to lick the blood, fearing that I might lose total control.

Who is she I heard a faint voice call from behind me.

Yo call the ambulance!

He can't be dead..

I didn't understand why their voices sounded so distant. I looked back at the boy and gasped softly, finding the body of Giacomo lying dead in front of me. I clutched my head and tried to withhold the sheer screaming that sounded inside of me. I took a few steps back, I bumped into one of the guys, and once feeling their warm soft skin of their arm I dashed out of their sight.

I continued running until I was nothing but an invisible blur to everyone. I didn't know where to go so I decided to go back into my hotel and stay there until the morning. I needed to keep my mind distracted from what I saw today so I turned on the television which only worked as a distraction for a good five minutes. After that I decided that the best thing to do was go on a hunt and come back during the morning. I knew the nearest forest arena wouldn't be for miles but my common sense was not functioning.

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Prior to the dilemma last night, I got a full meal and my burn for thirst would not come as a problem while I finally meet Bella and her mother.

I decided that calling them would be more formal and professional then just barging into their house. I dialed the number Renee had put on the sheet of paper and waited for someone to pick up. The ringing on the phone line was a constant reminder of the mistake I bestowed on Bella and her pathetic human life. The ringing soon became like a time bomb ticking inside of me, I was afraid that I would never get to solve what I caused which would mean…

"Hello?" an animated voice sounded at the other end.

"Uh—ah yes, uhm is this…Renee Higgenbotham?" I hesitated.

"Yes, who may I ask is calling?"

"Hi, my name is Sarafina Bellanie. I saw the flier you posted on a nearby tree and I was wondering if I may take you up on that job you're offering" I bit my bottom lip, wondering if it was smart to tell her my real name.

"Ah you saw the babysitter notice?" Renee's vivacious voice rose to another octave as she spoke, "When are you free today? I have other babysitters to interview" she exclaimed.

Other babysitters? How many people wanted to watch a child who was more or less a brat according to her future life of ruining existences of future boyfriends?!

I knew this bickering about Bella destroying Edward had to stop so I decided that getting to know the little runt would do me some good. And I had to make sure I was perfect for the job and that I'd be the only one to receive it.

"Anytime is fine with me" I chimed.

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Renee told me that were only about three other people asking for the job, so I thought ruining their chances would be a piece of cake. That's why I asked to be the last to get interrogated.

I skipped down to Bella's house and waited patiently for the first interviewee, and according to Mrs. Bella's Mom she should be coming right now..

A stubby short woman with black locks curled all the way to her shoulders was walking up the front steps of Bella's home. She wore a Beehive full skirt and a flower neckline crème colored shirt with black wedges that showed her metallic blue pedicure. She got to the front door, but before knocking she tried to straighten out the wrinkles from her skirt with the palm of her hand.

"Excuse me, miss?" I called out, more of a spur of the moment thing.

"Yes, dear?" The woman answered.

"I'm a bit lost can you help me out" I stood in the safetiness of the tree's shadow.

The woman walked closer towards me, and once I locked eye contact I made sure she wouldn't look away. My eyes turned a rosy red as I continued to stare at the woman in front of me, slowly captivating her every move. Once the lady's eyes were dilated immensely I turned her around and lightly pushed her towards the door. I quickly headed back behind the tree and waited for Renee to answer.

"Hi, you must be Mrs. Stamas? Welcome" Renee's voice sang.

I'm sorry Miss. Higgenbotham, but I am moving to—Mexico next week and I cannot take the babysitting job. Thank you for understanding.

I grinned once hearing the woman I had spellbound repeat the exact words I said. And before Renee could respond I made the woman turn around abruptly and walk away. I chuckled to myself and then let the hypnosis wear off from the woman.

The next candidate came half an hour later and was a little bit more applicable for the job. She came walking gracefully down the block from where I stood. She was a younger woman, perhaps a mother as well? She had straight chestnut hair that lay smoothly and reached the middle of her back. This young woman wore an Anna Sui Cherry-print silk dress and black satin peep toe pumps.

I got a weird sensation telling me not use the same trick I used on the other woman, some thing about this young woman's maternal instinct didn't trigger that gift. I hid behind a car that was parked beside me and waited for the woman to pass by. Once seeing what I wanted, I pounced and caused her to stop in her tracks. Her shadow even shoved her womanly curves and her petite body. I had both hands and feet on her shadow, in a crouch like position.

The young woman couldn't turn around so I was not in her sight, but she was beginning to start groaning as to why she wasn't moving. Slowly I began to merge with her silhouette, so whenever I moved so did she.

Suddenly someone opened the door to Bella's house and out stood Renee waited by the front door, at first chagrin was spread across her face but once catching sight of the young woman her face lightened.

"Lucy! I'm so glad you finally came! I know you have your other job as the receptionist in the dance studio but I'm so thrilled you jumped up on the offer to babysit Bella!" Renee babbled.

I didn't want to talk for this woman so I slowly shook my head which the woman mirrored and then I slowly began walking down the block hiding behind the sanctity of every car parked on the side of the street. The woman, by the name of Lucy, was under my control through mind and body so she inertly followed my moves.

Renee stood still at her front door, I could somewhat see her mouth hanging and her brows furrowed in confusion.

"Lucy?—" Renee began

"I don't want the job" Lucy mimicked what I said and called out.

"Uh—Ah okay.." Renee sighed and shut the door.

Alright. Two down one to go. I had previously left Lucy in the front desk of the nearest dance studio that Renee must've been talking about. I left a sticky note forged by me stating that Renee had already found a babysitter for Bella.

Once dealing with that I ran back to the house and waited for the last victim—applicant.

I didn't notice the girl until she had walked up the front steps of the house. She was tall and lanky with dark brown hair that was tied up in a low ponytail and also wore black round glasses. She wore a dark green rocker tee with blue jeans and black converses. She seemed like the typical babysitter that every mother wouldn't mind having. The girl looked around her early teens and yet she seemed sort of awkward in a way that you kind of felt bad for her.

The teen carried a manila folder that had a stack of papers inside; it was probably her portfolio of recommendations and school report cards stating that she was perfect for the job. The girl rang the doorbell and waited nervously for someone to answer. A gust a wind breezed by, causing some of the sheets of paper to fly out of her folder and scatter all over the front lawn. I had an urge to help her pick up the paper but I couldn't make myself noticeable, especially with the sunlight's rays hitting me.

Renee opened the door and saw the girl picking up the paper strewn all across the lawn. "Oh dear, let me help you" Renee called as she ran to help the girl.

Once picking up every single sheet, the girl's face turned a light pink, "Sorry about that…" she said in a low voice.

"It's alright. Say, how's your mother feeling? I heard she was let out of the hospital yesterday morning" Renee smiled warmly.

"She's still in pain but she's happy to be home with me and grandma" The girl replied, "And we got a letter from dad two days ago. Said he's moved his location and is now setting off towards the Middle East"

Renee smiled kindly at the girl and put a comforting arm around her, "Let's go inside. Bella and I made some cookies for everyone" Renee and the young girl went inside and continued with their conversation while I stayed hidden with revelation spread across my face.

I had no intention of ruining this girl's interview. I was a monster but it didn't mean that I had to act like one every time. I cursed at myself thinking that this plan got ruined, and that I had to think up a better plan to save Bella.

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Approximately two hours later the girl began walking towards the front door from inside of the house. I decided that I might as well tell Renee that I wouldn't be as great of a babysitter as the young girl and that Renee should give the job to her.

I began to walk towards the lawn when the door slowly opened.

"Tell your mother I said hello" Renee exclaimed as she put a stack of cookies that were wrapped in a handkerchief, in the girl's hands. The girl nodded and Renee quickly hugged her and let her be on her way.

"Why hello" Renee smiled happily at me

"H-Hi I'm Sarafina. I called earlier…"

"Yes, yes of course sweetie. Please come in" Renee motioning me to come in.

"Oh well I—"

"Don't be shy" Renee said reaching out to grab my hand. I quickly backed away from her touch so that she wouldn't feel my cold skin. I almost fell backwards, but luckily I caught my balance and turned my gaze on her slowly. She stared at me peculiarly and then laughed, "Are you alright? I didn't mean to scare you"

"I'm fine" I chuckled nervously. And before any of us could say another word a small rosy cheeked little girl came skipping towards us. She hid behind her mother's legs and looked up at me. Her hair was held up in a bun and she was dressed in a pink tutu with matching flats.

"I'm ready for dance, mommy" Little Bella exclaimed looking up at her mother.

"Honey, you're an hour early" Renee said, smoothing out the bumps in Bella's hair from her messy bun.

The young Bella then turned to me again and then ran back inside the house. I gulped and looked back at Renee, smiling nervously.

"Don't mind her, she's nervous when meeting people" Renee exclaimed. I nodded and took in a deep breath. I got the scent of fresh baked cookies coming from inside.

"You made cookies?" I asked, shuffling my feet.

"Oh yes, would you like some?" Renee asked, walking inside her house.

I shortly followed and shut the door behind me, "No—No thank you. I already ate" I replied. Me eating cookies? Gross! It would be like eating dirt.

Renee didn't seem to take 'no' as an answer. She put a couple of cookies on a plate and laid it on the dinner table. "Please take a seat" she exclaimed.

I sat down and looked at everything carefully. The inside of the house was just a quaint as the outside. The walls were a crème beige color and the kitchen was a pattern of white and brown shades. The living room had one long navy blue couch and in front was a small coffee table along with the television in front of that.

"So Sarafina, was it?" Renee said, taking a cookie from the plate and stuffing it in her mouth.

"You can call me Sara" I replied politely.

Renee smiled, "Are you new in town? I haven't seen you around here before"

Crap. This part of the neighborhood seemed to know each other well. I suppose I have to make something up.

"I'm not from this neighborhood per say" I gulped, "Me and my…uhm mom just moved over here from…Washington…and we really don't have a house, we're renting out at the hotel so I'm looking around for any job I can get" I smiled, hoping she would buy it.

"Aw you poor thing. I hope you and your mother are getting the necessities" Renee was eating my lies all up.

"Yes, the essentials" I replied.

"That's good" Renee smiled, "So, have you had experience before on babysitting?" Renee asked, folding her hands on the table.

"Y-yes. I use to babysit my little cousins back at home" I lied.

"Bella is about six years old, were your cousins that age?"

"One was four and the other was eight so I suppose it won't be anything new to me" I lied again.

Renee smiled, "That's good to hear" then she watched as Bella climbed down the stairs and plopped on the couch to watch cartoons. "Bella also takes dance lessons at the studio two blocks away, she'd need someone to take her there and bring her back"

"That's not a problem" I responded hastily.

"You'd have to pick her up at school around 3 everyday and then take her home so she has a snack then on Tuesdays and Thursdays around 5 she has dance class and on Saturdays the class starts at 3. On weekends dance class starts earlier" Renee explained.

I nodded in acknowledgement.

"School won't be getting in the way, right?" Renee asked.

"Oh, uhm I took a year off from college so it won't be any trouble" I replied.

"Oh wow. College? You look so young!" Renee said, opening her mouth with astonishment, "Well you look along the age of 16 or 17. You must be 19 or 20…around there then, yes?"

I nodded, not really sure how to respond exactly.

"Pay days will be every Friday, if that's okay since it's a seven day thing. You get five dollars an hour, what'd you say?" Renee grinned.

"Sounds good" I responded.

A few seconds later Renee called Bella to come over to us. "Bella, darling, what do you think of Sara becoming your new babysitter?"

"You mean it? I got the job!" I exclaimed happily, then something hit me, "I thought the girl you saw before me would've gotten in?"

Renee looked at me with a confused expression, then I realized I had to make something up so that I didn't sound like a stalker. "I mean the one who left right before I got here. She seemed qualified"

Renee half heartedly smiled, "Yes, well she's a fine young lady also in need of a job "Renee began, "You know her father's in the army. And her mother, bless her soul, just got released from the hospital from suffering from another aneurism"

I didn't know why Renee was telling me all this. She was definitely a town gossiper. But I still didn't want to hear about the girl's history and all the stress she was facing. "Even more of a reason to give her the job" I whispered.

"Well, she couldn't fit in to the schedule. She's a very active student so she wouldn't be able to pick up Bella very often" Renee explained, "But I am planning on spreading the word that she is looking for a job" she smiled.

I nodded, the ends up my lips twitched upward as I began to process that the girl would end up finding some job with the help of Renee.

"So when do I start?" I asked, all hyped about my plan coming to effect.

Renee wrapped her arms around Bella and kissed the top of her head, "Well my new job starts on Monday, and today is—"

"Saturday, mom" Bella answered

"So Monday?" I smiled.

Renee grinned, "You got it" she got up from her seat and started to write something on a piece of paper on the kitchen counter. A few seconds later she handed me the sheet, "This is the address to Bella's school and Dance Studio."

I nodded, "So be at her school by 3?"

Renee nodded, "Yup" Bella came running to her side and Renee lifted her up in her arms, "Enjoy the job" Renee beamed.

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It was only days later that picking up Bella from school, taking her back home for her snack, dropping her off at the dance studio on the days she needed to be, and then taking her back home and waiting for Renee to return from work became a daily routine that I looked forward too. It made me feel one step closer to going back to the present time and having everyone happy.

Bella soon became aware of my cold temperature but saw right passed it. She wasn't open to me at first, always leaning away whenever I was beside her or not responding whenever I spoke to her. I soon began to notice her interests and the things she disliked.

For one she opposed the dance studio. I figured this out whenever she would slowly drag her feet on the way to the studio or whenever I would call her to come down so she could leave to go to her classes, she would groan and come down with a frown on her face.

Bella also was to herself. She wasn't very social so I began taking her to the park to meet some new friends, but that didn't go well.

I've been in Phoenix for about a month already, everyday fearing that I would be transported back to the present time. So I made sure that I made every day counted and try to figure out a way to make Bella happy, and this point it wasn't working out.

Eventually I began to realize what she liked, which was mainly being alone. So I began to think up activities I could do with her on our own. We made our very own garden in the backyard, with tomatoes and a different arrangement of flowers all around, which she picked out herself. I would bring her to museums that had exhibits for children. She soon became more of an artsy child rather then a dancer.

After more days passed, Bella soon became more attached to me, whenever we walked outside she would hold my hand like she did with her mother. It also was a nice feeling for Bella to have my cold hand touch hers since it was always hot in Phoenix. Bella also eventually grew out of her stroller habits with some of my encouragement.

Spending so much time with this girl also made me dependant on her and find a need to always be there to protect her. I always kept in mind that she was the same girl who destroyed Edward but right now she was just a innocent child.

The only thing that made me stand out from everyone in Phoenix was that I always seemed to wear long sleeved clothing even with the hot weather. I couldn't risk showing off my sparkling skin whenever I walked around with Bella. But most of the time we would walk underneath anything that was shaded, which was a normal thing for any human in Phoenix since everyone wanted to devoid the heat.

On a cloudy Friday afternoon I told Bella we were going to eat at a restaurant for dinner since Renee would be staying overtime at her job. Bella agreed and she skipped alongside of my throughout the whole walk. As we made a corner I got a strange faint scent of something familiar. I stared at the store where the smell was coming from and walked around to see if anything was around to cause it. I looked cautiously all around and then realized that this was the same wall from that night. The night where I felt like I relived the death of someone I loved.

"Sara? Are you okay?" Bella asked, yanking on my shirt. I shook my head from the thought and looked back down at her.

"I'm fine. C'mon the restaurant is not too far from here" I said as I held onto her hand and led her across the street. I gulped and really hoped that some memories could just be forgotten.


Alright I hope you guys liked that. This chapter was more of introducing Sara into this new life style.

And I put in her shadow talents just so no one forgot about them :P

The next chapter should be a good one! ;)

R&R!