Chapter Thirty One

Jasper

Well things had gone about as badly as they could and I was left with nowhere to go and having to start over again, but not exactly from base camp this time. If the Cullens could live on animal blood then so could I and I didn't need them to show me how, I was strong and intelligent and I had iron will power, I would get through this on my own but I would keep a watching brief on them until Bella woke up. Once I saw she was being looked after my interest in her would cease and I would travel on alone. Maybe once I had this diet down I could go back to visit my friends but if I went now Peter would only try to talk me out of the change and I needed this, I couldn't go on as I had, that was just too hard. I wondered what they would tell the girl, she wouldn't remember much that had happened before her transformation, her mind would be foggy and she would start with a clean slate which wasn't a bad thing, she'd been through too much. I just hoped she would be able to function as a vampire, not every one could, many were killed by others of our race, some killed themselves and others came to the attention of the Volturi and were either put down like rabid dogs or assimilated into the guard.

I had waited around to see the Cullens leave and then later the Quileute Harry Clearwater arrive leaving a little while later with the girl, his daughter. I would have killed her and Sam Uley, eradicated the pack entirely but it wasn't my call, it wasn't even my fight really, I'd just stumbled into it. After they left I too turned away and set off in the direction the Cullens had taken. I didn't think they would stay in the Seattle area but they couldn't fly, not with Bella in transition so wherever they went they would be forced to drive. As I went I concentrated on the wildlife in the area, elk, deer, squirrels, raccoons, bear, mountain cat, rabbits, the possibilities were endless but I couldn't bring myself to drink from the smaller prey, it seemed too much of an unequal fight.

Instead I focused on the largest, the elk, the cats, and the bears. At least I felt I was fighting for my meal, even if they stood no chance against my speed and strength quite apart from my hard skin which made it all but impossible for them to really hurt me. The first few times were bad, really bad, the blood tasted terrible and my thirst raged on. It was so bad I almost gave up but my stubborn nature forced me on and slowly I learned to accept the taste and as my body became accustomed to the change in diet it accepted it much more easily. Hunting more frequently was a bind but nothing was ever easy in my life and the burn was never really gone but it was manageable and the freedom from pain and guilt made that worthwhile. I had finally freed myself from the terrible torture of feeding on humans.

While I was forcing myself to dine on elk and bear Bella woke up to her new life and I checked on her from time to time, always just out of her senses, I didn't want anyone to know I was still around. The Cullens helped her over the first few confusing weeks and after a rough start where she almost killed a delivery guy she learned to hunt animals and adjust to a diet of fresh blood. I was never close enough to hear her words, that would have put me at risk of detection but she didn't seem to be blood crazed or violent which did surprise me, Bella Swan was turning out to be something rather special and I wished I could meet her but deciding it wouldn't be in her best interest I turned South and headed back towards Colorado and my friends.

Bella

When I woke up I was scared and I felt different somehow, everything had changed, lights were brighter, sounds louder, my sense of touch had somehow magnified, what was different? I tried to remember back but I couldn't catch hold of many memories, there was a glimpse of a wolf, a pain in my shoulder, a man saving me...a man...I opened my eyes expecting to recognise my surroundings but everything was alien to me. I didn't even recognise the woman sitting by my bed and as she reached her hand out I flinched and found myself standing the other side of the room with no idea how I'd got here.

"Its OK Bella I'm sure you're scared but I will explain exactly what happened to you. I'm Esme Cullen. Do you remember anything?"

I shook my head looking around for something familiar and spied my books on a table in the window.

"Where am I?"

"You're at the house we rented. You've been ill, you were..."

Suddenly I remembered a little,

"Attacked by wolves. I remember that. I was bitten on the shoulder and someone wanted to help me. He asked if I understood...I don't remember. Where's my dad? Where's Charlie"

She patted the place beside her and I sat down warily my throat was tingling as if hot and I rubbed it absently as she began to speak. By the time she finished I knew this was nothing more than a nightmare, it couldn't be. Vampires? Shape shifters? Then I remembered a man who had been in the cave Esme spoke of.

"Garrett? That's the name of the man who saved me from the wolves. I remember him"

She looked as if unsure then nodded her head with a smile,

"That's right Bella. Garrett's here waiting to see you once you feel ready."

"But I can't see my dad?"

"It wouldn't be wise until we know just how balanced you are and I'm sure you must need to hunt. You are thirsty aren't you?"

I thought about this, was that the hot feeling in my throat?

"But I don't know how to."

"Don't worry we'll show you. Would you like to go with me?"

I nodded slipping on my pumps and grabbing a jacket from habit although I didn't seem to feel the cold any longer which was odd as the window was open and I could see snow on the ground. At the bottom of the stairs stood a man I vaguely recognised,

"Garrett?"

He nodded smiling broadly,

"I was afraid you wouldn't remember me."

"How could I forget my saviour. Thank you so much for all you did for me."

"It was my pleasure. Are you going to hunt?"

"Yes Esme tells me it will be easy if I let my instincts take over."

"Perhaps I should come and help you too"

Esme didn't seem to be very happy about his offer but it was nice to see a familiar face so I nodded eagerly.

"I just have to choose from the menu, deer, rabbit or squirrel"

He wrinkled his nose,

"I forgot, it's the Bambi diet for you. Perhaps I'll stay here after all. You can tell me all about it when you get back"

I thought about this,

"Of course. You hunt humans don't you? I'm not sure I could do that."

"Its your nature Bella, vampires are predators and humans are our prey, it's just a matter of choosing the right human."

"Is there a right human to kill?"

"How about a murderer, a rapist or a mugger?"

What he said made sense, he made it sound like a vampire could be a kind of police man, saving other humans from evil doers.

"Bella we should go"

I nodded and followed Esme out but I couldn't stop thinking about Garrett's words, would it be so bad to hunt humans who preyed on the innocent?