Three days. Three days of hell. Three days of physical and mental torture. Three days of every single cell in my body burning like a fiery acid.
Alice was true to her word; she didn't leave my side and Carlisle was a regular visitor. While i suffered through my inferno, they told me more about the world i would now be a part of. They didn't want to overwhelm me, so they kept things simple.
"There are seven of us here; we're like one, big family," Alice smiled at me during one of these occasions, as if recalling happy moments with them. "Most of us are paired and, sometimes, we live separately to enjoy our own privacy, but we tend to reunite again after a few years. I'll introduce you to everyone; they'd like to meet you."
What was i joining, a cult? Was Carlisle their leader or something? She seemed to sense my skepticism at the concept, explaining how they'd all found each other and preferred to live together because of their lifestyle.
"That's also why our eyes are golden; because we hunt animals instead of humans." She gave a small giggle. "We call ourselves vegetarians because of it."
"All... vegetarians...?" While the fire never subsided and still swept me away with its intensity, i did find conversing was better than silently absorbing the panic and pain against my racing heart.
"Pretty much, though of course, we've all made mistakes now and then."
I noticed her uncertain tone at that and Carlisle's glance towards her, but before i could ask more about it, she quickly changed the subject and started talking about vampire laws. I almost snorted in amusement at this; now there were rules and vampire cops to enforce them?
I then began to wonder about my dad, who was also the local chief of police. I still had no idea how much time had passed, but i knew my absence would've been noticed by now. I closed my eyes at the thought of him, knowing he must be beside himself with worry. My question slipped out over one of Alice's explanations, unable to help myself.
"What about... my dad...?" I was unable to finish my sentence, as i held back the brewing tears behind my eyes. I couldn't see Alice's expression, but the hesitant silence spoke volumes to me.
"I'm sure we can work out the best solution, Isabella. Once you're through the other side of this, we can talk about it a bit more." Carlisle's deeper tone seemed to hold more severity to it than Alice's wind-chime pitch, though it still carried his gentle, fatherly concern.
They gave me some time to absorb that answer, understanding how difficult this would be to hear, before they continued talking to me. I found that, as time passed, i was able to think around the pain a bit easier. In fact, I was able to think of multiple things at the same time and found my senses were becoming stronger. I could distinguish different sounds; light footsteps throughout the house, the wind rustling through the trees and, in the distance, cars passing, as if we weren't too far from a freeway. When my eyes were open, i could read the book titles across the room and see all the dust motes in the air; there was even an eighth color visible around the lights humming above me. I could gradually feel the fire through my body rescinding, as if running out of matter to consume while my heart, despite this, increased in temperature.
As it raced beyond speeds i imagined capable, Alice excused herself a moment to open the shuttered windows and make a call, while Carlisle continued to ask me questions about how i was doing. Despite the breathless feeling from my heart's sprint and the dry, achy feeling in my throat, i was feeling strong and capable of anything they may throw my way. They were both beside me as my body suddenly bowed upwards; my heart taking off as the last of the fire disappeared with it, one final, dull thud before it stopped. The room was silent and i could feel Alice and Carlisle's eyes on me as i began to move, sitting up and startling myself with the speed of my actions. I looked down and examined my arms, now paler than ever before and firmer, as if to emphasize the strength i could feel throughout my body. I then looked up to meet their gazes, with nervous smiles on their faces that i briefly returned before my hand moved to my throat, the dry ache now prominent and distracting. Alice, moving deliberately slow, cautiously approached me as i sat as still as a statue, waiting to see what would happen next. I could already tell the obvious question that was coming, so automatically answered it; this startled me even more as i didn't recognize my voice.
"I feel... strong, though my throat hurts, as if I'm... thirsty?" I guess that was the word i was looking for, understanding what the need to quench it may entail with a wince.
Carlisle nodded as he stood up to slowly join Alice. "That's to be expected; you're going to feel thirsty for quite a while, but you'll gradually learn to control it. We can teach you everything you need to know and help you as much as you want."
I knew my face was skeptical, still a little mistrustful of them despite their support throughout the fiery torment. While i knew they weren't the cause of this, i could tell they were hiding something; this didn't exactly help my trust in these strangers. Alice moved closer and, very slowly, took hold of my hand resting on the table and gave me another, gentle smile.
"I know you'll need to hunt and i can take you, i promise. I've seen it's best to meet the others first and learn their scents to avoid any mishaps; are you ok with that?"
I didn't understand what she meant by 'see', but i nodded as i stood up, then shook my head as Alice went to lead me to a mirror nearby.
"No i... i don't want to see right now, there's a lot to take in..."
She nodded, as if expecting that answer. Instead, she brought me to the center of the room as i heard the door open behind me. Despite the strength i felt, realising there were multiple vampires about to surround me had me a little edgy. Alice stayed beside me to reassure that they were harmless, introducing each by name as they came to say hello. I was feeling grateful towards her as the first of the family appeared.
"Hello, Isabella, my name is Esme and it's lovely to know you." I was surprised by this sweet, harmless looking vampire smiling at me, radiating kindness. She moved beside Carlisle, who gave her a delicate kiss on the forehead; the love between them was obvious. I found myself shyly returning her smile, too nervous to say anything in response. She seemed to understand, not approaching me or forcing me to talk for which i was grateful. A few seconds later, i could hear the approaching footsteps of the next vampire, though i couldn't help my reaction when i laid eyes on them.
This blond vampire, standing tall like a soldier, had a serious expression as he introduced himself as Jasper. I could feel his examining eyes as, instinctively, i panicked, feeling the need to defend myself at the sight of his scars. Every part of his visible skin had teeth marks, as if he'd been thrown into a pit of vipers and wild dogs, but had lived to tell the tale. A moment later, a calming sensation began to fill the room and the need to defend gradually faded away. I looked to him, slightly confused, but i nervously nodded my head in greeting as i stood upright again. I noticed his eyes drawn to Alice beside me, maybe apprehensive about her proximity, but she simply smiled back happily to him.
I didn't have long to ponder this before a very tall, stocky, curly haired vampire waltzed in front of me with a big grin.
"Hey Isabella! I'm Emmett, though I'm sure you won't forget it." He stuck out his hand, the grin still plastered on his face, which i blinked at startled. After everyone's hesitation with me, i hadn't expected such a laid-back introduction. I met his palm cautiously, smiling in response as i shook his giant hand. His size may be intimidating, yet i didn't feel scared from his big teddy-bear persona. He seemed delighted with my response as he stepped back with a wink, making me smile again.
I was then stunned by the appearance of the beautiful blond vampire who approached next, her expression kind though there seemed to be some anger in her eyes; i had no idea if it was because of me, but her welcoming smile made me think maybe not. Introducing herself as Rosalie, i found my shyness return as i looked at her in awe; she had to be the most beautiful being I'd ever seen. I noticed her eyes flicker towards the door behind me, the anger returning, as Alice introduced the last member. He didn't say anything as he moved forward, his face looking down as if to avoid my gaze.
"And, lastly, this is Edward."
He looked as if he'd gone head first down a muddy slip-n-slide; dried mud clung to his clothes and was matted into his hair, but i could still make out the bronze strands peeking through... wait, bronze peeking through?
Something about that color, that shade of bronze, flashed me back to the forest. I couldn't recall much and the memories were even murkier now, but i remembered the cold, the pain, the fear and... something bronze in my face.
My new and improved mind began to race ahead, beginning to fill and link the blanks of my memory as he finally lifted his face to meet mine. I noticed that his eyes weren't golden like the others; they were a burgundy red.
The eyes, the muddy clothes, the bronze hair... It was him... He did this to me!
My body had reacted instinctively to the spike of fear from the bronze hair, but now anger flooded through me like a tsunami. This guy, this Edward, had the nerve to present himself to me like nothing was wrong? How dare he?!
I felt a growl rumbling through my body and, propelled by that anger, i launched myself at him, flying through the big glass window in the process. I heard the others reacting behind us, felt the glass shards rip our clothing, but my focus was entirely on the boy within my grasp. My eyes bored into his surprised ones as we hit the ground, landing heavily on him as i instinctively went for his throat with my teeth. He raised his arm to defend, just managing to divert my attack as my teeth sunk in. A metalic sounding shriek filled the area as i ripped a chunk off, snarls erupting from me as i went back for more. Another shriek and his arm was disconnected, which i quickly tossed to the side as i glared down at him. I could see both the fear and guilt in his eyes, but it did nothing to stop my attack. Using the strength i could feel radiating through me, one hand grabbed his intact arm and the other grabbed his hair, pinning him beneath me as my teeth went back towards his throat, ready to finish him as he lay defeated below me.
Just as my teeth made contact, i felt myself grabbed from behind and was immediately hit with a powerful sensation, similar to being heavily under the influence of strong medication. I snarled and struggled against it as my rage made me want to keep fighting, but it wasn't much use as the sensation grew stronger. My captor held on tightly, restricting my movements and simultaneously forcing my anger to be suppressed. A part of me was confident i could've broken free, but the medical dosing made this difficult, as if fighting through molasses. I observed the scene through glazed eyes; Carlisle was helping Edward up, Emmett was between the two of us as a second line of defense, the girls were watching from the broken window with mixed expressions, though Rosalie was definitely smirking in what looked like amusement. I felt the fight gradually go out of me, no longer resisting the hold i was in as my mind began to return to normal. A part of me was shocked from my actions; I'd never been violent in my life, yet I'd just attacked this boy and torn his arm off.
Well, he deserved it; he's the cause of all of this! I thought to myself, my glazed eyes returning to a glare as he looked towards me again. Another growl rumbled up through me and the medically induced sensation became stronger, keeping me under control. I hadn't been paying attention to the voices around us, unable to focus on anything through the haze, so i had no idea what was being discussed, but noticed everyone was casting wary glances my way while Edward nodded in my direction. I felt the haze lift as he moved a couple of steps closer, stopping as another growl began to rumble through me.
"Isabella, i know there's nothing i can say or do that will ever be enough of an apology. I truly wish i could go back and prevent my actions and i will never forgive myself for it. I will do everything in my power to make you feel comfortable and welcome here, for as long as you'd like to stay."
It was the first time I'd heard him speak; his voice was soft, velvety smooth and clearly honest, but that meant little to me right now. My growls stopped but my glare remained as i shook free from my captor; Edward shook his head in our direction as i approached, mimicking his earlier couple of steps forward and staring him down.
"I have nothing to say to you, Edward, other than leave me the hell alone."
His eyes, upset and defeated, met mine, cold and deadly, as he nodded in response. I then picked up his disembodied arm, threw it straight at him with enough force to knock him back down and ran for the forest at top speed, disappearing into the trees before the crashing sound reverberated around us.
(A/N: I just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to leave reviews, your support means the world to me and i'm glad my story is being enjoyed!)