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Chapter 67 - Revival

Sound.

I could hear so many sounds… a soft, high pitched melody from a bird… no… two birds… communicating via composition.

And insects.

I could hear insects, foraging… searching madly for food in the undergrowth.

And a car, I could hear its motor running as it powered along a road, somewhere…

And the breeze… how come I had never heard the breeze before? A light current of air, its draft coming into contact with… material… I could hear material being pulled gently back and forth…

And voices, low, but clear…

"It won't be long now, Charlie"

Esme. I could hear Esme talking, her voice calm, attempting to sooth…

"I need to see her… when will she wake up?"

Charlie.

His voice was deep and apprehensive. Yet he wasn't here, with me. Neither was Esme. Their voices were almost vibrating around the room, but not the room I was in…

Slowly I opened my eyes, as the light dazzled me. I felt myself blink a few times, to uncloud my vision. I was in Alice's room, Alice's bed, as my eyes darted across each surface, taking in every detail.

The full length window at the end of the room completely open.

The long, dark blue velvet curtains moving slowly against the breeze, the slight "swoosh" sound still echoing in my ears.

The small sofa bed that sat in the corner of her room, slightly worn and frayed on the edges.

The pale blue walls, where various paintings from throughout the ages were mounted demanding to be taken notice of.

The bedside table that held a photograph of me and Alice, one of the many Esme had taken before we had attended the ball. A tall, frosted and opaque glass stood next to the photograph, seemingly empty of liquid.

The small table in the corner of the room, with various fashion magazines stacked up neatly on one side, next to a candlestick whose candle was still burning even though it wasn't dark in the room. I watched the flames flicker yellow, blue and then white as it waned and then rose up. I could smell the melted wax, the aroma strangely comforting.

As the flame died down again, my eyes switched to the tall book case, filled with books by Austen, Shakespeare, Twain, Verne, Conan Doyle, Stevenson, Stoker…

She had Bram Stoker's Dracula?

I felt myself smile.

Why hadn't I noticed this before? Why hadn't I seen Alice's room, like I was now, before? It was almost as though I was seeing it for the very first time, or seeing it through someone else's eyes, someone who was more astute, more perceptive, more insightful…

She really did have Bram Stoker's Dracula. I was really looking forward to teasing her about that…

Footsteps. I could hear footsteps now, as I started to panic, why I wasn't entirely certain. I wasn't ready, to see anyone, not yet. I had so many questions, but right now I still felt as though I was getting my bearings.

Unless the footsteps belonged to Alice…

I found myself concentrating on that sound… on all of the sounds, the voices from down below…

I couldn't hear Alice.

Or Emmet.

Or Rosalie.

Where were they?

And how had I got here?

The birds outside continued to sing their lullaby as my memory started to arouse and awaken.

I had been shot.

And I had nearly died.

And…

Alice has saved me, which meant…

I found myself taking a large breath, but nothing happened. Again, I opened my mouth to take in a gulp of air… and still nothing.

You don't need to do that anymore Bella…

I didn't?

Alice bit you…

My hand immediately rested on my neck, as I rubbed my finger tip across my pulse point… the pulse point that was no longer pulsating.

I don't need to breath.

And I don't have a pulse.

And I could hear… everything…

And I could detect every inanimate object in this room with a single glance…

My other hand immediately rested on my chest, where I had been shot.

Again, nothing. No gun shot wound, no blood… no…

Heartbeat.

I found myself pushing my hand further into my skin as if the action alone would make my heart pulsate again…

Yet…Nothing.

You know what this means, Bella.

I was a vampire.

And I was hungry as an unfamiliar craving seemed to growl from somewhere deep within. No, I wasn't hungry, I was famished. Gently I placed one hand on my stomach. It felt empty, and hollow as another unfamiliar action started to take over me. What was that taste? The taste in the back of my throat that made me feel even more ravenous? I wasn't greedy, I had never been greedy, yet I felt…

Carnivorous.

And thirsty, so very thirsty…

My hand reached out for the empty glass, hoping it had something at the bottom. As my eyes peered into the base, I could only detect the remnants of something, as the urge to take the glass and find out what that liquid was hit me with such an intense force, I heard myself growl…

I could growl?

"Bella"

My head shot round as I dropped the glass. It didn't even hit the ground as Carlisle caught it in his hand.

Great, so you're still clumsy then…

Carlisle smiled.

"How are you feeling?" he enquired softly, as Charlie pushed by him.

"Oh Bella, thank god" he almost cried, as he practically leapt across to me and gathered me up in his arms.

"It's okay Dad, I'm fine" I replied, despite feeling almost rapacious. Slowly I rested my arms around him and returned his embrace.

And then I felt it… his blood, steadily pumping throughout his entire body, along each vessel, moving from A to B, gathering up speed as it reached his vital organ, heightened now, pumping more rapidly than before… thump, thump, I could hear it, sense it… feel it…

"Err, Bells, you might want to loosen that grip, I can hardly breath" Charlie croaked, as I immediately let go.

"Charlie, perhaps you should take a step back" Carlisle suggested, as my gaze rested on his amber eyes.

He knew, what I had felt… what I was feeling…

"What? Oh... yeah, sure…" Charlie replied, as he quickly lent down and kissed my forehead before taking a step back.

Did he know?

Did they tell him?

Did he watch Alice bite me?

Because, if he did… he was taking things extremely… Well…

I had so many questions, but the first that fell from my lips was the most important.

"Where is Alice?"

Carlisle lent over me. Resting a pale hand on my forehead he slowly moved his fingers across the side of my face and then onto my neck, as if he was checking on me. His hand didn't feel cold. In fact, it felt... strangely warm. Slowly he removed his hand and smiled.

"She had to go hunting Bella, she didn't leave your side for three days, but it got too much and she had to hunt. Believe me, she left a matter of hours ago under sufferance but she is on her way back now; Jasper has gone to fetch her, Emmet and Rosalie"

I frowned, "I've been unconscious for three days?" I asked, as Charlie stepped forward again.

"Three hellish long days Bella, you gave me quite the scare…" he answered, as he reached out his hand and ruffled my hair.

Scare? He'd just heard what Carlisle said; about hunting… and that didn't seem to scare him at all! Now I was confused.

"Semi conscious for the most part Bella, but I'm glad to see you fully alert now. You probably recall very little of these past three days" Carlisle continued, as he glanced at the glass that was in his hand.

Oh, I was definitely fully alert. I felt… different.

Bella, you're a vampire, of course you feel different…

True, but…

"How do you feel Bells?" Charlie asked, as I pulled myself up a little, resting my head against the wooden bed head.

How did I feel?

Like you need to jump up from this bed, run towards that open window and leap out onto the ground…

Oh yeah, great idea… I'd kill myself…

Kill yourself? Bella, you're a vampire… jumping from this window would be… child's play!

This was seriously going to take some getting used to…

"Because you look… pale, and your eyes Bella, are they sore? Carlisle, are her eyes supposed to… look like that?" Charlie continued, as I found myself blinking rapidly.

Did I even need to do that? Blink? I guess old habits did die hard… And what is wrong with my eyes? They didn't feel painful, if anything they felt more vibrant…

"Charlie, Bella's eyes are normal…" Carlisle started to reply, as Charlie gave a short snort.

"Normal? Carlisle… look at them… they're… reddened…"

My eyes were red?

Like Reuben's…

Oh my god, what was happening to me?

"I imagine you are trying to compartmentalise everything Bella?" Carlisle softly asked, after a few seconds of silence.

I nodded, "Yeah, something like that… I just have so many questions and I'm… hungry" I answered, as my throat started to feel dry. Hungry… did I really just say that? My eyes shot up to meet Charlie's, who was now frowning slightly…

Great Bella.

Just great…

"I bet you could just eat a burger eh?" Charlie asked, as I found myself frowning now.

Charlie sighed, heavily. I watched as he bit at his lip and ran a hand through his hair. Slowly his eyes lifted and held my own.

"I guess you'd prefer it if the beef was still grazing in a field somewhere?" he asked, as I lifted an eyebrow.

He really did know everything…

For a moment, nobody spoke, and then I found myself smiling as Charlie shrugged his broad shoulders.

"Oh hell Bella, I'm sorry… I just… I know, they told me but… it's still a lot to take in, you know? I mean… you're… you know, and I have absolutely no idea what it all means, and how the hell do I tell Renee? I'm…."

I held out my hand and took Charlie's.

"Dad, it's okay, really. We'll get through this together, all of us. I promise"

Charlie slowly nodded, as Carlisle watched the display, a smile appearing across his face.

"Bella, do you feel… In control of your emotions?" Carlisle asked as I flipped back the covers and pulled my legs so they were now resting over the side of the bed.

I nodded, "I feel… fine" I replied, as I glanced down at the night-time attired I was wearing. White pyjamas, probably Rosalie's, there was no way I would fit into anything Alice would own.

Carlisle nodded as he took a seat next to me on the bed.

He looked… thoughtful.

"You may feel a little weak Bella; I have administered liquid to you throughout these three days, but…."

I turned to face him, as Charlie continued to watch the conversation play out in front of him.

"Liquids?" I asked, as Carlisle nodded and held up the glass.

Okay, liquids… by liquids he meant…

"Blood?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly.

Charlie almost choked.

Way to go Bella, give your dad a heart attack why don't you…

I looked from Carlisle to Charlie, who looked… ashen.

"I'm sorry, dad, but I need to know everything… the last thing I remember is… getting shot…"

Charlie immediately sat on the other side of me and took my hand in his.

"Bella, I… I couldn't lose you… I didn't know what they were going to do to save you, but I couldn't lose you…."

I rested my head on Charlie's shoulder.

"I wanted them to save me too, dad" I replied as Charlie wiped away a tear.

"And I know what I am" I continued, as I turned to face Carlisle "and I feel… fine, really"

And I did, bar one thing…

The thirst…

Carlisle stood, "I'll get you something to drink" he whispered, as Charlie lifted himself up from the bed.

"Make mine a whisky… hell, make it a double" he replied, as I found myself smiling again.

Carlisle laughed too, "Charlie, can you come with me? I don't think it's… wise… to leave you alone with Bella just yet…."

Charlie snorted, "Of course you can leave me with my own daughter, what do you think I am going to do?" he asked incredulously as Carlisle frowned.

It's not what Charlie could do…

"Dad, please listen to Carlisle. His concern isn't with you; it's with me… what I… could do..."

Charlie shook his head, "What? They think you're going to bite me now, is that it?" he asked again, his voice deeper than before.

Carlisle placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Charlie. I know this is a lot to digest, but it really is for your own safety. Bella is what we call a new born, she isn't familiar with her… abilities… yet, and she may not be able to control her… herself. I admit, she seems… extremely un-phased by the transformation, and I wasn't expecting her to be quite so… rational and calm, but I insist we take precautions"

Charlie sighed.

"Okay, okay… you're the doctor… but I'm not leaving here until I know Bella is… Bella" he finished, with a wry smile on his face.

You have one amazing dad Bella.

I watched as they both vanished from the room.

Okay, so I had already consumed blood… And my eyes were red… My mind did the calculation in seconds.

You've drunk human blood….

"Come in Edward"

I looked up as Edward entered the room, a smile on his face.

"And I tried to be so quite too" he answered, as he sat beside me on the bed.

I sighed, realisation of what I had… been drinking… these past few days still playing on my mind.

"Welcome back to the land of the living" he continued, before pausing.

"Great choice of words Edward" I replied, a smile appearing on my lips.

Edward raised a perfect eyebrow, "Mmm, I realised that as soon as the words had escaped my lips. How are you feeling?" he enquired softly as I turned to face him, lifting both legs up and bringing my knees up to my chest.

"My eyes are red" I answered, as Edward tilted his head.

"I'd say more… coral" he replied casually as I reached out and playfully punched him on his shoulder.

Edward winced.

"Quit the play acting Edward" I responded with a smile, as Edward rubbed his hand across his shoulder.

"That didn't hurt?" I asked with disbelief.

Edward smiled, "Actually, it did…" he replied, adding "That'll teach me to tease"

My mind spaced out. Coral… I could maybe live with coral…that was a combination of red and yellow, right?

When I glanced back at Edward he was staring at me intently.

"What is it?" I asked, as Edward smiled again.

"You haven't actually seen yourself in a mirror yet, have you?" he asked, as I shook my head.

Did I really want to see myself? With my coral eyes and pale skin?

"Bella, I know this is a lot to assimilate, but it will get easier with time. Believe me"

I sighed, "I know, but look at me Edward; I'm still breathing! I don't even need to, yet I am…."

Edward shrugged, "We all breathe Bella, it makes it… easier… there is nothing wrong with mimicking human behavioural patterns. And your eyes? They won't stay that colour for long, Carlisle needed to feed you human blood to sustain you"

I felt myself shudder.

Great, I was a wuss vampire…

At that moment, Carlisle returned holding the glass in his hand.

The glass that was now… full.

Immediately my nostrils started to flare… I could smell it…

And I wanted so very desperately to taste it…

"Your father decided to… remain downstairs" Carlisle softly spoke, as he held out the glass.

"I'll leave you now" Edward spoke, as he lifted himself from the bed.

"Edward, please stay. I have so many questions" I answered, as Edward smiled.

"Alice will be home soon, believe me, she will answer everything"

As he opened the door, he turned slightly.

"I will say this, though. Before, when you were… somewhere in between life and death, I heard you Bella. I heard your thoughts… I heard you ask Alice to bite you… I don't understand how, but I hope we can talk about it when you are… better"

I nodded.

"Yes, I'd like that" I replied, adding "So you still can't read my thoughts even now I am a…. vampire?" I questioned.

Edward shook his head, "No, you're thoughts are still a mystery to me Bella"

I smiled sweetly and winked, "Shame" I answered, as Edward laughed.

Carlisle sat beside me.

"Once you get your strength back up, Bella, we can take you hunting. But for now, you need to drink this" he motioned to the glass he was still holding out for me.

I nodded, and took the glass from his hands. I didn't know where he had got he blood, and I didn't much care. I trusted him.

Without looking, I placed the glass to my lips and slowly took a sip of the blood, as it coated my top lip before rushing into my mouth and cascading down my throat.

I expected it to taste…acrid and pungent.

I didn't expect it to taste deliciously savoury and sweet.

The contents vanished within seconds as a euphoric feeling drenched me, inside and out…

I was going to like being a vampire…

And I couldn't wait to see Alice again…