Temporal Tide
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, nor any of its characters or franchises, I am not making money for this, so please don't sue me.
A/N: If you're expecting romance right off the bat, don't. It's going to take a while to build up to that. Also, this chapter is mostly about setting up the plot and Bella's reactions and development as a vampire.
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Chapter 02
Bella
I became aware.
I was back in the warehouse where Victoria had taken me. Daylight streamed through the glass windows, illuminating dust particles floating through the air. I took a deep breath. A scent reminiscent of vanilla and ginger lingered faintly in the air, causing my body to tense when my instincts told me it belonged to Victoria.
However, there was no sign of the red haired vixen.
When I calmed down enough to think, I could only wonder what the hell was going on.
How did I end up in a forest and then suddenly back in the warehouse? Where was Victoria?
Whatever happened, I was alive as a result, and I firmly considered that a plus.
Taking a moment to marvel at my enhanced senses, I found it increasingly hard not to become distracted by the ease and clarity with which I experienced the world. As a human I'd always been clumsy, awkward, so moving with the grace I now possessed seemed miraculous.
Never the less, I eventually made it to the door. I hesitated to open it, the sun was shining outside, but when I realized I couldn't hear any heartbeats in the area I pushed on the door.
It blew off the hinges and flew ten feet before coming down with a crash.
My jaw dropped.
I really needed to work on controlling my new strength.
Fortunately, it appeared that my little scene had gone unnoticed. The factory seemed isolated, but I wasn't about to stick around and find out for sure.
Holding my breath, I darted outside and into the surrounding tree line, heading as far away from civilization as I could. The Cullens had told me what it was like to be a newborn and I was not eager to become a murderer.
I ran until all signs and sounds of civilization ceased. I didn't know where I was, but I wouldn't have been surprised if I was in one of the national forests near Seattle, perhaps Wenatchee or Mt Baker. All in all, I was completely alone except for the sounds of nature around me.
The burn was back, licking silently at my throat, but wasn't quite bad enough to send me into a frenzy. I wanted to explore the world that was at once completely different and exactly the same.
As I looked around, I noticed now much more I could feel now. Textures were enhanced, smells were sharper. It was a lot like seeing the world in HD for the first time when before you were looking through smudged glass. I always thought that becoming a vampire would dull my sense of touch. Wouldn't having diamond hard skin make it difficult to sense things through my nerves? Really, I wasn't more pleased to be wrong.
Inhaling the air, I followed the clean scent of water to a small pond. I was a little surprised, because the Cullens were always talking about how gross human food smelled, but so far I hadn't really noticed any changes like that. Water smelled fresh, and plants seemed the same as they had when I was human. Then I remembered the way the elk had affected me. I'd never been close to an elk when I'd been alive, but I was pretty sure they hadn't smelled pungently tangy.
I hadn't smelled a human yet, but Edward had always said my blood was fragrantly divine. So logically they must smell very good. Obviously I never felt the urge to gnaw on a person as plain ol' Bella, so why were some aromas different and some the same?
Sitting down, I dipped my feet into the water and marveled at how warm it felt considering it was late November. Intellectually I knew the water was freezing, but it still felt pleasantly temperate.
Perhaps it was merely animals that now smelled strange. Most dishes had animal products; that was bound to change the odor of foods to my new nose.
Leaning out over the water, I was arrested by the reflection I saw there. My face stared back at me, but it was a countenance that had been rid of imperfections. Flawless alabaster skin and carmine lips were framed by thick auburn hair. As a human my locks had been a dull brown, now it was the color of rich chocolate with subtle red highlights. My torn hoodie did nothing to hide smooth ivory limbs and a supernatural poise. All this, as I stared at myself with crimson irises.
I was beautiful.
Lovely.
Exquisite.
My eyes burned and I let out a heart rending sob. With all the excitement there hadn't been time for the reality of my fate to truly sink in, but once I saw that unnaturally beautiful face, I could no longer deny the truth.
I was a vampire, and I had an eternity of nothing to live for.
Victoria's revenge was more complete than she knew.
My life was torn to pieces, my dreams for the future shattered. My relationship with Charlie, which had just started to flourish, was over. How could I go home when even the slightest proximity would have me tearing him limb from limb?
I couldn't seek out the Cullens, first of all because I had no idea where they were, but also because I refused to crawl back to the family that had so easily thrown me away. I knew it was done out of a misplaced care for my wellbeing, but the fact of the matter was they abandoned me.
Despite claims that I was a lover, a daughter, a sister; it took them less than a week to cut me from their lives.
I'd been alone.
Alone in Forks with a homicidal vampire.
No, I would not be asking the Cullens for help.
Days passed as I secluded myself in the forest, too afraid to venture out, but as I did I learned the limits of my new strength, and trained for the day I would eventually have to leave.
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It started with control.
If I ever wanted to depart without hurting someone, I first had to control my instincts. With that in mind, I started with deer. First I tried to stop drinking from an animal without draining every drop. Several weeks and many corpses later, I decided that maybe I was trying for too much too fast.
So I began with baby steps.
1: Catch a deer without accidently pulverizing it.
2: Once deer is caught, hold the deer without biting it.
3: Drink from a deer without killing it.
The Cullens had always led me to believe that being bitten by a vampire is the end all. You either died, or were turned. However, if that was the case, Edward wouldn't have been able to remove the venom from my blood stream in Phoenix.
It should be possible, with enough control, to drink from an animal or a human without killing them. After all, I'd been proof that it could be done.
Theories were all well and good, but obtaining that restraint was the crux of the matter.
Day and night I disciplined my mind, practicing with small animals for weeks as I learned how much pressure to use without injury or death.
When I was capable of holding a rabbit without harm, I moved on to larger animals.
After two months of dedicated application, I achieved a feat that should have been impossible for a new born.
Lying on the forest floor, my body held a wolf immobile beneath me. I breathed his musky scent, I listened to his pounding heart, I touched his coarse fur; and I did it all without violence.
Venom was filling my mouth at an alarming rate, and I was almost positive my eyes were pitch black, but I held the wolf and I let him go.
Elated and triumphant, I decided it was time to brave town in search of new clothes. I'd tried to keep my garments as clean as possible, but two months of grime, dirt, and blood had made them grotesque.
Leaving the national forest, I prowled the edges of Leavenworth, trying to avoid notice when I stumbled upon a house nestled on the outskirts of the town.
As luck would have it, the owners set their clothes out on a line to dry. Remembering how the scent of my own dry blood nearly sent me into a frenzy; I held my breath as I crept closer. I could clearly hear the sound of voices coming from inside the house, and three heartbeats pulsing from within.
Closing my eyes, I swallowed my venom. As long as I didn't breathe, this was no different than resisting the wolf. Easier even, because their hearts weren't pounding with fear.
Darting forward, I grabbed the first thing I saw off the line, before dashing back to cover, faster than the eye could see. Hiding behind a tree trunk, I waited for any sign that they'd spotted me. When there was none, I looked down at what I'd stolen.
It was a white empire dress, plain but elegant.
Part of me wished I'd gotten something that wouldn't show blood, but two months of training had made my eating habits fairly neat. In other words, I wasn't constantly getting blood on myself, so I had a fair chance of not ruining the garment straight off.
Discarding my ruined jeans and shirt, (my hoodie being shred long ago) I slipped on the dress. Although the fabric was tight in some places, particularly under the arms, it was a close enough fit. Until I had enough preparation to venture into town, I might have to liberate clothes from them again in the future.
For three months I acquainted myself with the family in the house, trying to build a tolerance for the human scent. When they left for school or work, I would frequently break into the dwelling and take their dirty laundry.
Before my new life could really begin, I needed to learn restraint. I wasn't willing to hide out in the forest for a decade. So I used their garments to slowly introduce myself to whatever out of control impulses I was positive I'd encounter.
The first time, I'd gorged myself on animal blood. I made sure I was surrounded by nothing but forest; and I sat on the ground with the article of cloth resting on my lap. I was starting to get an uncomfortable ache from holding my breath for so long, but I wanted to be confident I wasn't going to go on a homicidal rampage with anyone around.
Steeling my nerves, I inhaled deeply.
My hands clenched involuntarily, ripping through the fabric, as I experienced the most mouthwatering scent I had ever encountered. Venom filled my mouth and I swallowed, trembling slightly as the vitriol burned its way down my throat.
I'd expected this to happen to a degree, but I hadn't counted on my body's visceral response. Despite being bloated on animal blood, every cell of my body thrummed with need, urging me to track down the source and soothe the burn.
Yet…
It wasn't nearly as attractive as my own blood had been, back on the moonlit night I'd witnessed a village burn.
I could resist this. I would resist this.
A rumbling growl worked its way up my chest as I fought with my inner beast. Every breath was torture, but I held every muscle of my body frozen in place.
I was more than my impulses, and newborn or not, I was going to prove it!
Snarling, I thrust the shirt away, watching as the wadded cotton flew for several yards before fluttering to the ground.
Fleeing the area, I ran until my mind was clear.
I felt like all my progress in control had just been thrown out the window. Obviously humans were in a whole other ball park.
It was trying, but each week I practiced made resisting just a little bit easier. Eventually I was able to lie on the roof of their home, listen to their heartbeats, inhale their scents, and keep myself from creeping into their house and murdering them in their sleep.
I also grew fond of 'the Greers', and I found emotional attachments helped police my homicidal yearnings nicely.
Still, I remained unfulfilled. So I returned my not inconsiderable brain toward the strange experience I'd had the day I'd woken up from 'the burning' as I liked to refer to it. In the months following my change, I'd pushed the incident to the back of my mind.
When I was human, I dreamed of an eternity with Edward; becoming a vampire was merely a means to an end. Somehow I never gave thought to whether I might gain a talent in the process, or even the real hardships to becoming one of the 'undead'.
As it was, I was completely at a loss.
What had happened? As I replayed events in my mind, I remembered being attacked, a sharp ringing in my ears and my world fading to white. The next thing I knew, I was surrounded by miles of forest while homes burned nearby. How did it happen? Why was I there?
Still, teleporting (if that is indeed what I did) could be a helpful ability. I grew excited as I thought of all the amazing things I could do with a gift like that.
I remembered the fear, the disorientation. The way my chest vibrated before my vision blanked out. Was my transportation a result of my emotional state, or was there some other unseen trigger I had yet to recognize?
I decided I needed to know more, and the Greer's computer was just the tool for the job.
Judging from the position of the sun, it was some time around noon. A good time to break in, since the family would either be at school or work.
Swiping the spare key from its unoriginal hiding spot beneath the pot on the porch, I was about to unlock the back door when I heard the distant sound of a car. Since the house was fairly remote, there was only one reason for traffic. Someone was coming home.
Faster than the human eye could follow, I replaced the key and sped into the surrounding foliage, hiding myself from view.
The Greer's dark blue Gran Cherokee pulled into the driveway, the wheels crunching on gravel before rolling to a stop.
I felt anxious; there should have been no reason for anyone to come home.
The driver's door opened and John, Mr. Greer, stepped out of the car. Walking around to the passenger's side, he helped a small boy out of the vehicle.
Recognizing him immediately as Derrick, John's twelve year old son, my eyes focused on the cast encased around his arm.
Something vibrated in my chest and I felt my eyes dilate, but I seemed unable to look away. Faint ringing began to fill my ears, like a never ending dial tone that just got louder and louder the longer I stared, until everything went white.
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Hungary – 1006 A.D.
I fell face first into a drift of snow.
For a moment I stayed there, stunned, before I pushed myself off the ground to get my bearings.
I was in a forest.
Again.
Which didn't really tell me much. Was I back in Wenatchee, or someplace new? Someplace familiar? My mind flashed back to the burning village and a pair of bright blue eyes.
Odd.
Should I remember the hue so clearly?
I took a deep breath as I brushed the snow off my new dress, marveling at how much cleaner the air smelled then it had a second ago. Fresher, almost pure.
I was about to climb the nearest tree when I heard laughter.
Children's laughter.
Holding my breath, I drifted toward it.
Hoping to retain my anonymity and clue into my surroundings, I hid myself in the boughs of a nearby tree.
Two small children were shrieking with glee as they used a crude wooden sled to slide down a sharp hill. Both were young, no more than six and eight respectively; and heavily wrapped in furs. The oldest, a boy, was coaching the younger girl to sit on top of the sled.
They were speaking in a language I'd never heard before, but it was obvious that the girl was eager to get moving by the way she kept kicking at the snow. Her voice was high and sweet as she pleaded with her companion, containing a strange melodic lilt unfamiliar to my American ears. A wide smile donned her features, and as she glanced away from the boy I recognized the profile of her face.
My jaw dropped in surprise.
It was the toddler I'd seen just a few months ago, cradled in her mother's arms.
Impossible.
This girl couldn't have aged three years overnight.
Right?
But the more I studied her, the more sure I became. As illogical as it seemed, it was the same person. Frozen with disbelief, I watched as the boy (who I now recognized as her brother) jumped on the sled behind her and their combined momentum sent them hurtling down the hill.
Halfway down, their sleigh jerked, probably hitting a rock hidden beneath the snow; and sent both children flying off their craft and tumbling into the snow.
A cry pierced the air and I felt my chest clench and twist as I fought the urge to rush to their aid.
Covered in white powder, the girl cried and clutched at her ankle. Large fat tears streamed down her cheeks as her brother tried in vain to soothe her.
Gently touching her ankle, the boy asked her a question in his strange language, to which she replied through hiccups and sniffles.
Frozen in place, I watched as the boy tried to help his sister stand, only for her to whimper and collapse.
Genuine worry covered his face as he glanced at his sister, then away into the forest. The boy ran through the snow to check on the sled, but the wood was cracked down the middle. Obviously deliberating what to do, he seemed to come to a decision and resolutely dug around in his furs before producing a crude iron knife.
Kneeling beside the girl, he handed her the blade before nodding to the woods and speaking with hesitant determination.
Gripping the handle, the girl nodded bravely; although I could see her eyes fill with fresh tears.
Then, without another word, he marched off into the woods.
For several minutes I stood vigil over the child. Several times I contemplated following the boy, since he would probably lead me to civilization, but every attempt was half-hearted at best. A part of me I never knew existed rebelled at the mere thought.
As much as I wished to comfort her, I knew it wouldn't be a good idea. I was a vampire, and despite the progress I'd made in restraining my urges, I wasn't confident I could withstand such intimate contact. Still, every whimper stabbed at me like jagged knives, and watching her small form shivering in the snow broke my heart.
It was sunset when I heard the wolves.
At first it was from a distance, and I enjoyed the mournful howls, until I began to notice that they were closing in.
Six solid heartbeats announced their arrival with growls. Since I was downwind, and as still as death, they didn't notice my presence.
My hackles rose as they surrounded my charge, their appearance causing the girl to shrink and brandish her knife.
I'd been able to rationalize my inaction with the thought that my icy skin and bloodlust would only exacerbate the situation.
That was no longer the case.
From my place in the tree, I let out a deep growl.
The wolves paused, confused and unnerved as they glanced around the clearing. Still, their bodies were lean from hunger, and their defenseless prey was too much to pass up.
I'd hoped that would scare them off, but obviously I'd been too optimistic.
Launching myself from the tree, I landed so lightly I barely disturbed the snow blanketing the ground. Startled, the wolves momentarily scattered before one brave canine lunged.
Snarling, I snatched the wolf out of the air by its scruff and flung it away. I didn't wish to harm the animal, it was only trying to survive, but there was no way I was letting it rip apart a child. It hit the ground with a yelp. Three more wolves met the same fate before, realizing they were outclassed; they beat a hasty retreat.
Relaxing my defensive stance, I turned to check on the girl when I got pinned by sky bright eyes. Awe was written all over her face.
It was only then that I realized what I'd just done.
I had revealed my existence as a vampire to a human child. Fear flashed through my veins and I almost fled the spot, but the knowledge that the wolves would return if I left kept my feet planted firmly to the ground.
For several long moments we contemplated each other in silence, before she asked me something in her language.
Obviously I couldn't understand her, so I merely cocked my head to the side, perplexed. I had the strong and sudden urge to speak with this strange girl, but caution held me back. Since becoming a vampire I'd never been this close to a human before. So far I was doing ok, but I didn't want to risk inhaling her scent.
I would never forgive myself if I killed her.
Then, in the most trusting move I'd ever seen, she lifted her hands to me from her place in the snow. Her eyes were calm and expectant, and I could only stare in astonishment.
Like a skittish animal I approached before reaching down and picking her up. Her arms snaked around my neck and she settled on my hip as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The girl's small body was warm, and despite the chill of my own cold limbs she buried her face in the crook of my neck.
My heart melted.
There was no way I was leaving her out here on her own to wait for help.
Pivoting to the direction I saw her brother leave in, I followed his tracks with the girl tucked firmly into my side. Following his scent would have been easier, but I dared not breathe.
Eventually I came upon a small hut that could only be their home. It was constructed of mud and clay, with a simple thatch roof. I heard no sounds of life inside, and the tracks I'd followed showed that the boy had arrived at the dwelling and then left again in another direction. No doubt to find his parents. Pushing aside the flap blocking the entrance, I carefully set the girl down in one of the bundles of fur on the floor.
She shivered and looked up at me with pain filled eyes.
Since she'd already seen my supernatural strength and speed, I didn't bother to move slowly as I collected firewood from outside and set about filling their small hearth with kindling.
I was sure to be very careful when starting it, because I knew fire was one of my only weaknesses. I had no idea how flammable I actually was.
The small blaze quickly warmed the small enclosure and I glanced over at my young ward, who was watching my every move with hawk-like intensity.
Once more, she spoke to me in her language, but I just shook my head incomprehensibly. Her brows furrowed in the most adorable manner, until her eyes brightened and she pointed at herself.
"Tatyana." She spoke slowly before pointing at me expectantly.
A sort of befuddled helplessness overcame me. I wanted to tell this child my name, very much so, but did I dare take a breath to form the words?
No, I couldn't.
Instead I gave her my best apologetic expression.
Frustrated, Tatyana repeated her name and jabbed her finger at me imperiously. I almost laughed as she pouted.
The sound of running feet interrupted my mirth, and I knew it was time for me to leave. They were still far enough away for me to remain undetected if I left now. For some reason the thought of leaving Tatyana filled me with a hollow sadness, but I turned to leave anyway.
I'd taken no more than a step when a cry of dismay stopped me short.
"Angyal!" Tatyana called, her hands reaching for me, eyes desperate. "Ne menj el!"
It was easy to see she was anxious about me leaving.
Crossing the small room, I brushed her strawberry blonde curls from her face and gently kissed her forehead.
Unable to stay longer, I dashed outside and hid in the woods surrounding the hut. I watched from a safe distance as a large man and Tatyana's brother came into view. For a moment it seemed like they were going to pass the house altogether on their way to 'rescue' Tatyana from the hill her brother left her, when the distressed noises inside the dwelling caught their attention.
"Tanya!" The man called, before rushing into the hut, the boy close on his heels. Animated talking soon followed.
For the first time since awakening to my new life, I felt the stirrings of hope in my chest. Vampirism didn't have to be the curse Edward always made it out to be.
I saved a life today.
I could do good things. Things I hadn't the strength to before.
My time on earth didn't need to revolve around death, although I was not naive enough to believe that I could avoid it altogether.
Still, I could make something of myself. More than a half existence.
My smile didn't leave, even when I faded to white.
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A/N: The language Tanya and her family were speaking was Hungarian. According to canon, Tanya originally hails from Slovakia, but in 1000AD Slovakia didn't exist as it's known today. It was actually a part of Hungary; therefore to keep things as simple as possible Tanya will also be Hungarian.
I will be doing research before I write about certain time periods, to attempt to keep historically accurate.
Still, trying to keep history straight throughout a thousand years of time will be difficult, and it's very possible I will end up making mistakes. As such, if you notice any historical inaccuracies, please point them out. However, if you do, please point me to a credible source that can confirm it. I don't want to be changing my story or plot on faulty intel.
I know some of you will be worrying about Bella having too much control as a newborn. I share your concern, which is why i have her training her discipline. Canon Bella was able to stay in a room with her father (with no extra training) after a month of vampire hood. This Bella will take longer than that. Still, in the interests of this not being a fic about Bella hanging out alone in a forest for a few years, she will need to have above average control for a newborn. Which means i have to stick to slightly altered canon Bella control.
Thanks a bunch. As always Read and Review.