CHAPTER SEVEN: QUESTIONS

Silence.

I waved in front of Charlies face. Nothing. He turned his eyes to me.

"You're a what? Vampire? Bells, they don't exist." he slowly answered, with an utter lack of conviction. I could see the cogs turning. What he thought was reality versus what he watched happen to me. The change in my skin, voice, the blood red of my eyes. Even my face had changed, becoming sharper at the edges, flawless skin. I would be a beautiful version of Bella Swan. I was now simultaneously recognisable and not.

"Dad, look at me. You know what I'm saying is true. We exist. The Cullens are Vampires. And yes, I knew all along." I waited impatiently for his reply. We didn't have long, I needed him to know what I was now and how he felt about it. Because it would dictate how we moved forward.

"But Vampires kill humans Bella. I'm an officer of the law, I'm supposed to protect people. Though you mentioned the Cullens and 'vegetarians'. What's that supposed to mean?" he questioned, squinting his eyes at me.

"The Cullens don't feed on human blood. They hunt animals instead. Ed-Edward once described it like living off tofu. It keeps us strong but not at full strength." I felt like I was saying too much. I had a faint feeling I was saying things I shouldn't. I could hear Billy and Sam wrapping up their preparations. Sam was not happy about it, but Billy was a respected Elder of the Tribe, he would be listened to.

"Look, Dad. When someone is turned into a Vampire, we lose a fair amount of our human memories. What Victoria did to us is already hazy. I can remember from the evening of the second day onwards and the rest is muddy. You will have to be the one to tell Billy and Sam what happened. I know it won't be easy but I think it'll go in our favour at keeping the peace." I knelt at his side, silently begging for help. "They're coming in now."

"You're my baby girl, Bella. For eternity." he choked up, cleared his through. "Bring em on." No more needed to be said. Billy and Sam came back into the house, still not happy about the turn of events. I could especially see how uncomfortable Sam was. It looked like he was trying to keep a hold on himself. If the Quilettes did indeed turn into wolves, then being around me was hard for him. But I'd heard enough of their conversation outside to know that Sam was taking Billy's lead on this.

I sat down on the arm of the sofa, trying to appear as calm and non threatening as possible. I hadn't looked at myself yet but I knew my eyes were not helping me right now. Still, old habits die hard.

"Can I get either of you a drink?" I smiled, just enough to seem human. Sam stifled a growl, Billy pinned me with his stare. So that's how it's gonna be. "Or not. Whatever you guys want." I shrugged.

"Right, who's going to start?" Billy asked, looking between us. Charlie cleared his throat.

"I guess it starts with me. It was on Saturday. I was out at my usual fishing spot, seein' as it was real sunny. I'd been there about 4 hours and it starts to get patchy with clouds. Started having this eerie feeling like I was being watched. No...stalked by something. Started getting edgy, so I start packing up my things." Charlie swallowed, so I quickly went and got him some water. Everyone was looking at me.

"Oops. Sorry, human speed next time." I folded in on myself, embarrassed.

Charlie regained composure quicker than the other two. He took a long drink of water before continuing. "Anyways. As I'm packing up, this bright blonde haired kid with red eyes. Skin almost looks.. Like it's made out of diamonds. He comes out of nowhere, towering over me. Starts telling me how 'doesn't want to hurt me, but he needs me to come with him.' Now i wasn't about to let that happen. I go to turn and he's there. I turn again. Same thing. I go sideways and he clamp his hand around my arm, I gotta tell ya Billy, it was like being incased in stone." Charlie stopped talking for a moment, flicked his eyes to me and back again. It was sinking in just what I could do. My strength was only scratching the surface.

"The next thing, I saw a blur of bright orange hair and I woke up in Bella room. It was dark, not yet midnight. I didn't know if she was home, prayed that she wasn't." Charlie swallowed, took another mouthful of water. "but figured if she was I'd give her a heads up, so lifted my feet and banged on the floor as hard as I could." Charlie finished, looking up at me.

"Hmm, i vaguely remember being woken up by something. A noise I think." I added. Sam turned to look at me then, with a face of disgust.

"What do you mean, you vaguely remember? It was only 4 days ago." he asked.

"When someone is turned into a Vampire, their human memories start to fade pretty quickly. Unless you've got them written down, you forget most of them. The only things remembered are core things, like parents, where you live etc." Answering that felt like I was giving away secrets that weren't mine to give. But this meant life or death for me, some things had to be revealed.

Sam nodded, a look of shock touching his eyes. Maybe he wasn't prepared for me to be so forthcoming with information. I wanted him to understand that. I looked between Billy and Sam. "I really need you both to know, that whilst I understand the tribe and 'cold ones' are natural enemies, I do not consider you that. I promise I am the same person I was. I just have a different diet. I don't want there to be animosity." I hated to sound like I was begging but I truly wanted us to be at peace. A friendship was asking a lot.

"Bella, save it. This is already asking alot for us to even be in the same room as you right now. This is happening due to how long your families have been friends. " Sam shot back. I don't know why I bothered. I sensed Charlie about to lean forward with a retort but I put my hand on his shoulder. This wasn't the time for it.

Billy cleared his throat and motioned for us to continue. "What happened after that Charlie?" maybe he wanted his over quickly.

Charlie went on to recount our ordeal that led to my transformation. We all collectively winced at the torture we endured at the hands of Victoria and Riley.

Billy and Sam were silent as they absorbed the violence we suffered. I could see their demeanour change as it sunk in, that despite my becoming a Vampire, I was also a victim. As the silence stretched on, Sam and I both heard a car approaching the house.

"Is that the doctor?" I asked tentatively. Sam nodded at me whilst Charlie gave us a quizzical look.

I grinned sheepishly, tapping my ear as I did. "Super hearing now, too." Charlie kind of nodded as if to say duh, of course. At the same time Sam rose to go meet the doctor outside and give him a run down of Charlies injuries. But I only heard Sam return.

"Bella, I understand this is your...home. But our doctor will not come in here whilst you're here. Would you mind coming back when he's seen to Charlie? Though he has said that he may have to take him to the Rez for treatment." Sam queried. He seemed almost polite about it.

"I understand. I'll take this as an opportunity to hunt." I crouched infront of Charlie again. "Dad, don't put on a brave face. If it hurts, tell the doc. I don't want you suffering unnecessarily for what I've brought on you." I stated, placing my hand on his. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Bells. Always." He patted my hand as he said this, a smile creasing his eyes. As I went out the door, Sam caught up with me.

"Are you going far? I didn't want to ask infront of Charlie but who are these vampires that did this to you?" he quizzed.

"You get Charlie to the rez hospital, give me a shout when he's gone and I'll tell you and Billy the why. I'll be less than a mile out. I'll hear you." I responded. Sam nodded in acknowledgement and I sped off.

~

I glutted myself on three large deer. I wanted to make sure I was sated, even though Sam smelt disgusting and Billy I think smelt just as bad by association.

But even then it didn't take long and I had too much time to think. So the treaty is reinstated because I'm now a Vampire. Does that mean I can stay at home with Charlie? Do I have to leave? And I do stay.

What the hell am I going to do?