Death is a weird thing. I would know. I've experienced it before.

It just happened to me so suddenly, And you know what was on the other side? Nothing. No golden gates in the clouds. No blazing inferno. Just darkness.

And here I laid on the floor, battered and bruised, looking into the eyes of my soon to be killer, who sauntered towards me with the look of a predator.

The voice in my head yelled at me to get up, to fight back. But I couldn't. I willed what energy I had left to grab the hand of the one I held dearest to me, who laid on the ground unconscious. If only I hadn't been so reckless.

If only I had listened.


January 17, 2005

I woke up with a fright, my body drenched in cold sweat. Breathing heavily, I sat up in bed, glancing at the alarm clock which read six a.m. The silence in the room confirmed that Gabe was still asleep. Moving cautiously, I made my way to the bathroom, seeking refuge from the lingering unease. Turning on the cold tap, I splashed my face with water, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My fingers traced the scars on both sides of my head, grim reminders of past struggles. Dark circles surrounded my eyes, evidence of the sleepless nights that plagued me.

After much saving and determination, I had finally managed to secure a house away from the chaos of LA, a place where Gabe could grow up safe and sound. However, it came at the cost of leaving behind his friends, a choice that he was not thrilled about, though I managed to convince him it was for the best. The journey from LA to Forks was arduous, with a motel stop along the way.

"Morning, sleeping beauty." a sinister voice echoed in my mind, startling me as I gazed back at the mirror. Instead of my own reflection, Eli stared back at me with a twisted smile.

"I'm very impressed. You actually managed to make the move. Quite successfully as well." Eli remarked, an unusual display of support that raised my suspicions.

"It's just such a shame that you've fallen behind on our deal. Three whole days without a single kill? Tsk, tsk. Surely, you wouldn't want me back in control, would you?" he taunted, reminding me of our agreement.

He was right. The past few days had been consumed by the move, causing me to forget about our pact.

"Look! Just give me time. Let me get through today first!" I pleaded with him, desperate to maintain my sense of control.

All I received in response was his eerie laughter as my reflection reverted to normal. I shook off the unsettling encounter, splashing my face with cold water once more before returning to my room. After dressing up, I headed downstairs to prepare breakfast amidst the remaining boxes from the move. The cold air in Forks was a refreshing change from the polluted atmosphere of LA, offering a glimpse of a better life for Gabe to grow up in.

I glanced at the kitchen clock; it had only been a day since we arrived. Despite his initial reluctance, he was now adjusting to the idea of a fresh start. I headed back upstairs to wake him up for his first day at his new school, a new chapter for both of us.

"Hey," I gently called as I sat at the end of his bed, attempting to rouse him from slumber.

No response.

"Gabe. C'mon, it's time to wake up."

This time, he stirred, rubbing his eyes as he groaned, "Do I have to get up?" His eyes barely open, signaling his resistance to the early morning.

I chuckled softly before lifting him up and carrying him downstairs. The toast popped from the toaster as I settled him in his seat, and after buttering the slices, I fetched his wheelchair and placed it next to him. As he ate, I sensed a certain sadness in him, a departure from his usual energetic self. I had a hunch about the cause, and I needed to address it.

"What's wrong?" I inquired, concern evident in my voice.

"Did we really have to move here? It's cold, and I don't know anyone here!"

"Don't worry about it, Gabe. I'm sure you'll make plenty of new friends here," I reassured him, hoping he would see the potential for a brighter future.

His expression didn't betray his skepticism, but I hoped with time he would come to appreciate the change. We finished breakfast, and I helped Gabe get dressed and settled him into his wheelchair before heading outside.

Rain cascaded from the sky, combining with the winter chill to create a freezing atmosphere. It was a minor inconvenience for me, though Gabe took precautions, pulling up the hood of his raincoat as I wheeled him to my car.

The 1969 Dodge Charger, an extension of myself, greeted us with its presence. Gently, I placed Gabe in the passenger seat and stowed his wheelchair in the trunk. With the engine roaring to life, we set off to drop Gabe off at his new school.

The drive was peaceful, with the morning traffic gradually picking up. Forks' radio stations didn't quite match LA's standards, but that was a minor trade-off for the tranquility the town offered.

"So... are you looking forward to your new school?" I inquired, already aware of his response.

"I guess so," Gabe replied, sounding uncertain.

Sighing inwardly, I addressed his concerns, "Look, I know it can't be easy, moving to a new place and meeting new people. I had to leave my friends behind too. But I promise this will work out for the two of us. Plus, we still have each other."

Gabe nodded, silently acknowledging my words. As the rain persisted, providing a soothing backdrop, we explored the town in daylight during the drive to his school.

I dropped Gabe off and proceeded to Forks High School, a place that resembled a collection of houses rather than a traditional school. I parked the car and headed to the front office, where a balding man sat behind the desk. I cleared my throat, seeking his attention.

"Can I help you?" he asked, welcoming yet business-like.

"Um, Robbie Reyes? I'm a new student who just arrived from LA last night," I introduced myself, seeking assistance from the staff at Forks High School.

Recognition flashed in the staff member's eyes, suggesting that news of a new student arriving from a different state spreads quickly.

"Of course," he responded, rummaging through a stack of papers until he located the ones he needed. "I have your schedule right here, Roberto, and a map of the school," he offered, presenting several sheets to guide me.

"Robbie will do just fine," I corrected, politely declining the use of my full name.

"Oh, sure, Robbie," he acknowledged with a nod, going through my schedule and providing directions to reach my classes efficiently. With the schedule and map in hand, I headed back to my car, where I noticed some students nearby. Carefully navigating the traffic, I parked my Dodge Charger, which stood out conspicuously amidst the more common vehicles, except for a silver Volvo parked nearby. The sight of my car garnered attention from some students, evident from their dropped jaws and admiring glances. After parking, I turned off the engine, taking a final glimpse at the map.

An exhilarating feeling swelled inside me; this marked the beginning of a new life, one that I had tirelessly fought for. Stepping out of the car, I walked towards the sidewalk and proceeded to my first class in Building Three. The classroom appeared relatively small, and the nameplate on the desk indicated that Ms. Mason was the teacher. Handing her my schedule slip, she briefly glanced at it before looking up at me, offering a brief nod of acknowledgment. With her approval, I settled into a seat at the back of the class.

As a new student, I faced the inevitable scrutiny of my classmates during the majority of the class. To maintain my composure, I resorted to listening to music on my MP3 player, particularly tunes from the Nu-metal band Ill Niño,. However, my peace was interrupted by Eli, the persistent voice in my head.

"Look at all of this fresh meat! Ripe for the taking." Eli goaded, attempting to provoke me.

"Not now, Eli!" I whispered quietly, determined not to appear unstable on my first day.

"Which one should be our first victim? I suggest the chica with bad skin and black hair." he continued, his presence incessant throughout the class. It was frustrating, and though some of my classmates sensed my growing annoyance, they were unaware of the true cause. When the bell rang, the girl Eli had singled out approached me, emanating a cheerful vibe.

"You're Roberto Reyes, aren't you?" she inquired.

"Yeah, but my friends call me Robbie," I replied, appreciating her friendliness.

Curiosity shone in her eyes as she asked, "Where's your next class?"

"Mechanics, with O'Brian in Building Five," I informed her.

Expressing a bit too much enthusiasm, she offered, "I'm headed towards Building Four. I could show you the way... I'm Erica." she added.

Grateful for her help, I gave her a small smile and said, "Thanks."

After waiting for her to retrieve her jacket, we ventured out into the now heavier rain.

"I can imagine this place must be a lot different from LA, huh?" Erica remarked, initiating a conversation.

"Definitely! It's much quieter around here." I replied, reflecting on the change of pace.

"Does it rain often in LA?"

"Only occasionally. Though, It never rains during the summer." I clarified.

"You have different coloured eyes."

"Heterochromia" I stated. That was a lie. The different coloured eyes were actually a result of my pact with Eli.

Our conversation continued as we made our way to the cafeteria, where we bid farewell and went our separate ways.

The day seemed to pass swiftly, perhaps because of the repetitive routine of attending new classes, introducing myself, and settling down to listen to music while dealing with Eli's provocations. This cycle persisted throughout most of the day. The day was pretty average so far but, hey, I'm not complaining.

After two classes, I started recognising some familiar faces in each room. There was always someone brave enough to introduce themselves and ask how I was liking Forks. I tried to be diplomatic, but honestly, I ended up telling a bunch of lies. At least I didn't need the map anymore.

In every class, the teachers would start calling me Roberto, but I quickly let them know that Robbie was just fine.

There was this guy who sat next to me in both Trigonometry ( which I despised) and Spanish. He walked with me to the cafeteria for lunch. He wasn't too short, but his crazy curly hair made up some of the difference in height. I couldn't remember his name, so I just smiled and nodded while he chatted about teachers and classes. I didn't even bother trying to keep up.

We found a spot at the end of a crowded table, where some of his friends were sitting. He introduced me to all of them, but I forgot their names as soon as he said them. They seemed pretty cool about him inviting me to join them. Across the room, Erica, the girl from English class, waved at me, and they all laughed. I guess I became the butt of their joke pretty quickly, setting a new record for myself. But it didn't seem like they were being mean-spirited; they were just having fun.

Sitting there in the lunchroom, trying to chat with seven curious strangers, that's when I first saw them.

While sitting in the lunchroom, attempting to engage in conversation with seven curious strangers, my attention was drawn to a group of five students seated in the corner, as far away from me as possible in the long room. What struck me was the fact that they didn't look anything alike.

Among them, three were girls. One of them was incredibly tall, even while sitting down, with legs that seemed to stretch on forever. I had a feeling she might be the captain of the volleyball team, and you probably wouldn't want to get in the way of one of her spikes. Her dark, curly hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail.

Another girl had hair the colour of honey, flowing down to her shoulders. She wasn't quite as tall as the brunette but still probably taller than most of the guys at my table.

The last girl was smaller, with hair somewhere between red and brown, yet different from either shade. It had a sort of metallic, bronze hue. She appeared younger than the other two, who could have easily been in college. As I glanced over at the group, I couldn't help but notice that the two guys were complete opposites. The taller one, easily towering over me at around six-five or even taller while I stood at a measly five-seven. He seemed too cool for this school, or any school, for that matter.

On the other hand, the shorter guy had a wiry build, and his dark hair was buzzed so short that it merely looked like a shadow across his scalp.

Though different in many ways, they were strangely alike. All five of them had an unnaturally chalky pale complexion. Their hair colours may have varied, but their eyes were uniformly very dark, almost black, from where I sat. There were deep purple shadows under their eyes, resembling bruises. It made me wonder if they had pulled an all-nighter or if they were recovering from broken noses. However, their noses and facial features were all straight and angular.

Yet, these weren't the reasons why I found it difficult to look away.

They seemed damn near perfect looking. Like there wasn't a single flaw on them.

The one I found myself looking at was the smaller girl. I mean, how could I not? She was more than beautiful. She was perfect! I'm not even exaggerating!

"Close your mouth, boy. You're drooling." Eli remarked.

The moment Eli said that, the girl I was looking at quickly looked at me with a puzzled look. I quickly turned my gaze away. I hope I didn't come off as a creep. She averted her gaze swiftly, quicker than I did, though I had dropped my stare as soon as she looked our way

"Who are they?" I inquired, turning to the guy from my Spanish class who I remembered was named Jeremy.

He glanced up to see who I was referring to, probably sensing the curiosity in my tone. Just as he looked, the one girl from the group, the perfect one, turned her gaze towards us.

My neighbor let out an uncomfortable laugh and looked down at the table, mirroring my reaction.

He mumbled his response in a low voice. "Those are the Cullens and the Hales. Edythe and Eleanor Cullen, Jessamine and Royal Hale. The one who left was Archie Cullen. They live with Dr. Cullen and her husband."

So they're all siblings then? I mean, they've all got pale skin, but they don't even look remotely alike. Adopted maybe?

After a few more minutes, the four of them departed from the table as a group. Their movements were remarkably graceful, and it was an odd sight to witness them in sync like that. Edythe didn't glance at me again.

I stayed at the table with Jeremy and his friends longer than I would have if I had been alone. Being late for class on my first day wasn't something I wanted. As I arrived at the class, I noticed that all the tables were occupied except for one. The open seat was right next to the center aisle, and there sat Edythe Cullen.

Just as I went to sit next to her, seeing as there was only one free seat, she looked at me with a strange expression. Well, maybe strange wasn't the right word for it. Pissed off would be more accurate. One thing I noticed was that her eyes were black, kinda like a demon.

As I sat down, she leaned away from me on the very edge of her chair with a disgusted look on her face, as if something stank. I took a sniff. Okay, maybe I sprayed on a little bit too much deodorant this morning but, come on! It doesn't smell that bad.

"Ha! So much for first impressions. She's literally disgusted by your entire presence!" Eli mocked. He wasn't wrong. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that she shot me a puzzled expression briefly. Probably wondering why I had to sit next to her.

The lecture went on. I was really only half listening. Biology was never really a strong point for me. Throughout the entire class, she never relaxed her stiff position on the edge of her chair, sitting as far from me as possible, with her hair hiding most of her face.

"So, have you figured it out yet?" said Eli.

"Figured out what?" I inaudibly whispered in response.

"The pale skin? The black eyes? he said as if stating the obvious.

"I don't know what you're getting at?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you can be a bit slow?" Eli remarked with a hint of impatience.

I swear Edythe tensed up slightly.

The class went on and eventually the bell rang. Oh thank god. I swear, it was like she wanted to kill me during that entire lesson.

"Aren't you Roberto Reyes?" a friendly female voice asked.

I looked up to see a cute, baby-faced girl with carefully flat-ironed pale blond hair, smiling at me. She obviously didn't think I smelled bad.

"Robbie." I corrected her, returning the smile.

"I'm McKayla."

"Hey, McKayla."

"Do you need any help finding your next class?"

"I'm headed to the gym, actually. I think I can find it."

"That's my next class too." She seemed thrilled, though it wasn't such a big coincidence in a school this small.

We walked to class together, and she was quite the chatter—supplying most of the conversation, which made it easy for me. She had lived in California as well until she was ten, so she understood how I felt about coming here. It was good to have someone to relate to. It turned out she had been in my English class as well. She was the nicest person I'd met today.

But as we were entering the gym, she asked, 'So, did you stab Edythe Cullen with a pencil or what? I've never seen her act like that.'"

I shrugged, realizing I wasn't the only one who had noticed. Apparently, that wasn't Edythe Cullen's usual behavior. I decided to think nothing of it.

The day went on without a hitch until the final bell chimed at last. I strolled slowly to the office to return my paperwork. The rain had subsided, but the wind remained strong and colder. Though, thankfully I'm not easily affected by cold these days.

As I entered the warm office, I froze on the spot.

Edythe Cullen stood at the desk in front of me. It was impossible not to recognize her tousled bronze hair. She seemed unaware of my presence. I stood pressed against the back wall, waiting for the balding receptionist to finish.

She was in a heated discussion with him, her voice low and velvety. I quickly caught the gist of their argument. She wanted to switch her sixth-hour Biology class to a different time—any other time.

It couldn't possibly be about me. There had to be some other reason, something that occurred before I arrived at the Biology room.

"Face it, kid. She just doesn't like you." Said Eli.

"Perhaps you're right, but it's hard to believe someone could dislike me that much without even knowing me." I replied quietly. Edythe quickly turned around and locked eyes with me not saying a word. She just glared at me before turning back to the receptionist.

"Forget it, then," she said swiftly in a voice smooth as silk. "I can see it's not going to work. Thanks for your help anyway." And she spun around on her heel without casting another glance my way, vanishing through the door.

I watched her leave, feeling a mix of confusion and relief. Her sudden departure only added to the mystery. I turned my attention back to the receptionist and handed in my paperwork, eager to leave and put the strange encounters behind me. As I stepped outside, the wind hit me with a gust of cold air but I didn't care.

When I got to the car park, it was like my car was the last one left. I got in and ignited the engine.

"Hang on a second, Robbie." Came Eli's voice. I froze, my hands on the steering wheel.

"About our deal..." He said with malice in his voice. I breathed deeply through my nose and exhaled.

"After putting Gabe to bed, we'll head into LA tonight." I told him. my response from him was a sinister laugh, which was probably his way of saying he agreed. I couldn't afford to let him in control again. I lowered the handbrake and took off to collect Gabe and head home.

Authors note: And that's the first chapter of this book done. Let know what you think.