Chapter 10: Learning Control

Bella hesitantly stepped out of the tree cover and approached the house, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of caution and curiosity. She moved silently across the yard, her bare feet not making a sound on the soft grass. Reaching one of the windows where the curtain wasn't drawn, she peeked inside. The furniture was draped in white covers, giving the room a ghostly, abandoned feel. It didn't look like anyone would be showing up any time soon.

She looked around, her gaze sweeping over the front porch and the tightly shut windows. There was no easy way to get inside the house without breaking in. Bella made her way to the front door, assessing her options. She noticed a small window next to the door knob, which made her smile. It was the perfect target. She decided it would be best to break the window and then reach in to unlock the door.

Bella walked back down the porch and picked up a small rock from the ground, feeling its weight in her hand. She aimed carefully and threw it at the window. The rock sailed through the air, smashing through the glass with a loud crash that echoed through the still morning. The sound was louder than she had anticipated, and it seemed like there had been even more damage inside the house. She winced, realizing she had underestimated her newfound strength again.

She walked back up to the now broken window and carefully reached in, feeling around for the doorknob. Her fingers brushed against the cool metal, and she smiled, confident she was almost inside. She turned the knob but didn't hear the satisfying click of the lock opening. "Shit," she uttered, pulling her hand back and finding she was holding the inside half of the doorknob.

She shook her head, pondering her next move. Well, she was stronger now; maybe she could just break the lock and open the door that way. She placed her hand over the front doorknob, feeling its cold metal under her fingers. Hovering for a moment, she considered the force needed. If she gave the door a good tug, maybe it would break the lock and open.

Taking a deep breath, Bella grabbed the doorknob and pulled hard. To her astonishment, instead of the door merely opening, the entire door broke off from its hinges and flew behind her, crashing loudly into the yard. She turned to see it land with a resounding thud at the complete other side of the yard. "Well, shit," she muttered under her breath. She had a feeling this house might not survive her stay.

Stepping inside, Bella noticed that even though it was dark, she could see everything clearly. Her vision now picking up even the smallest details, making the room appear almost as if it were bathed in daylight. She looked around at the covered furniture, noting the absence of dust on the white sheets. This suggested to her that the homeowners had left only recently and, having put sheets on, probably did not plan on returning any time soon.

Bella really wanted to take a shower, so she walked hesitantly into the house, searching for the bathroom. The air inside was cool and carried the faint scent of lavender. She moved cautiously through the hallway, her footsteps barely making a sound on the wooden floor. After a few moments, she found the bathroom and sighed with relief. Praying the owners had not shut off the water, she turned the handle to the shower.

"Dammit," she muttered, holding the handle in her hand, now detached from the wall. The good news was that water was spraying out of the showerhead, but the bad news was that she had no idea how to shut it off. Deciding to worry about that later, she stepped into the tub.

The water felt wonderful against her skin. She closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment to relax under the steady spray. As the water cascaded over her face and body, she tried to ignore the reddish tinge swirling down the drain, a stark reminder of what she had done.

Bella noticed the water was cold, almost freezing, but to her surprise, it didn't seem to bother her. Just another oddity to add to the growing list. She spotted a bottle of shampoo on a shelf and smiled, reaching for it eagerly. As she grabbed it, the bottle exploded in her hand, sending shampoo splattering everywhere.

Bella let out her breath slowly, trying to remain calm. She repeated in her head that she would learn to control this. It wouldn't always be like this. At least she now had a lot of shampoo on her hand. She used the excess to lather and wash her hair, the rich, soapy suds covering her scalp. The sensation of washing her hair felt incredibly satisfying, the shampoo cleansing away the grime and stress of the night.

As she massaged the shampoo into her scalp, she noticed her hair felt different, fuller than she remembered. She wondered if her hair had changed as well. The silky strands seemed to slip through her fingers more smoothly, and she marveled at the difference. The water, though cold, rinsed the suds away, leaving her hair feeling light and clean.

Now that she was finished washing her hair, Bella looked at the hot water handle. She knew she had to get this newfound strength under control, and she thought now was as good a time as any to start. Leaning in close, she very gently touched the handle with her left hand and began to turn it slowly. To her delight, the water started to get hotter. She had done it. The handle stayed fully secured to the wall. This small success gave her a surge of confidence. She knew she just had to learn moderation and to watch her strength. The win was small, but it was the first in her battle for control of her new body.

Spotting a bar of soap, Bella decided to aim for two wins in a row. She very gently picked up the soap, and to her delight, it didn't explode or crack in half. Carefully, she began to clean her body. Rubbing the soap over her new breasts was quite the experience. She didn't know what to think when she started getting worked up just cleaning her own body. While she wanted to do more, she repeatedly told herself now wasn't the time.

Stepping out of the shower, now fully washed and feeling sparklingly fresh, she remembered seeing a small door outside the bathroom that probably had shut-offs for the water. She walked out of the bathroom, and bending over, she very carefully started to open the door. Seeing the hot and cold water shut-offs, she slowly and carefully turned them, hearing the water shut off in the tub. Smiling, she went back into the bathroom and saw a large towel. Here was her chance to work on her strength again. Carefully, she used the towel to dry herself. Though the towel did rip several times, she managed to dry her skin and hair to her satisfaction.

Bella had been purposely avoiding looking in the mirror, fearing what she might see. If she was part alien, she might look like some sort of monster. If she was a vampire, she might have fangs—although she didn't feel any with her tongue. Taking a deep breath, she finally mustered the courage and looked in the mirror.

Holy crow! What had happened to her?

She could barely recognize herself in the woman reflected in front of her. She looked like a completely different person. Her jaw dropped as she stared at her reflection. She was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She had always known she was good-looking, but this was something else entirely.

Her body was flawless, with the toned, sculpted physique of a supermodel. Every curve, every muscle seemed perfectly defined. Her skin was smooth and luminous, with a subtle glow that caught the light just right. She marveled at the transformation, running her hands over her arms and torso, feeling the strength and grace in her movements.

Her face was equally stunning. Her cheekbones were higher, her jawline more defined. To her great shock, her eyes were a striking shade of crimson and held an intense, otherworldly allure. They seemed to sparkle with a depth she had never seen before. Her lips were slightly fuller, more inviting, and her hair framed her face in soft, luxurious waves. She looked like how she might imagine an angel would look—ethereal, otherworldly, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Bella leaned in closer to the mirror, studying every detail of her new appearance. Her eyebrows were perfectly arched, her eyelashes long and thick. Her skin had a porcelain-like quality, smooth and unblemished. She turned her head from side to side, noting how the light played across her features, accentuating her new, almost surreal beauty.

She touched her face, half expecting the reflection to shatter or change, but it remained the same. The woman in the mirror was her, and yet she had a hard time processing the drastic change from who she had been to who she was now. It was both overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time.

"Are you really me?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. The sound seemed to echo in the silent bathroom, reinforcing the surreal nature of the moment.

She tried to find some semblance of her old self in the reflection, something familiar to hold onto. Her eyes, despite their new color, still held the same determination, the same spark of life. Her expression, though changed by her new features, still conveyed the same emotions—curiosity, fear, and a hint of excitement.

"You are me!" Bella's new eyes sparkled as she saw the beautiful woman smile back at her.

Thinking about it, she had thought James was the most attractive man she had ever seen. The first time she had looked upon his face, she had been struck dumb, captivated by his intense gaze and chiseled features. She didn't want to admit it, but she also had to acknowledge that the crazy woman had been really hot too, despite her batshit crazy nature making it hard to appreciate her looks. Bella knew, looking at herself, that whatever they were, they had changed her into someone just like them. The only thing that threw her were her demonic red eyes. She didn't remember James having red eyes, and she had been too scared to stare at the woman long enough to notice hers.

She found them oddly attractive but couldn't help but wonder why they were red. Were James and that woman demons? That might explain the urge to kill the man and drink his blood. Were demons known to do that? She had never studied religion, so she didn't have a firm background in what was said about demons. All her musings were speculation anyway. She would need to meet someone else like her to know exactly what she had become.

Bella still thought it was most likely she was an alien/human hybrid. At least she didn't have three eyes. Red eyes were a lot better than some of the alternatives she could think of. She rationalized that she could just say she was wearing colored contacts or maybe she could get contacts and turn her eyes black or back to brown.

She couldn't help herself and started posing in the mirror, loving her new body. Any way she angled her body, she looked absolutely perfect. Her reflection was mesmerizing, and she reveled in the way her muscles moved fluidly under her flawless skin. She struck a pose, admiring the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders, the way her eyes glowed with a fierce intensity. It was like she had become a living work of art, sculpted to perfection.

But as she continued to admire herself, a thought occurred to her, making her stop and think. She couldn't go back to school looking like this. She was too different. She could barely recognize herself. The reflection that stared back at her was a stranger, albeit a beautiful one. How could she explain this transformation to her friends? To Stacy or anyone else in her social circle? And what would she say to her parents?

The only plausible excuse she could think of was plastic surgery, but even that seemed far-fetched. No one would believe she had undergone such drastic procedures, and certainly not to this extent. Plastic surgery couldn't achieve results like this—her transformation was beyond anything science could offer.

Looking at her naked self in the mirror, seemingly deep in thought, Bella started to get aroused again. This was weird. She had never been attracted to women before, but looking at her naked body—even though it was herself—was doing something to her. She still didn't fully associate the stunning figure in the reflection with her own identity. It was like gazing at a beautiful stranger, and that stranger was undeniably alluring.

She ran her hands over her smooth, flawless skin, feeling the firm muscles beneath. The sensation sent a shiver down her spine. Her new body was intoxicating, a perfect blend of strength and beauty. Her eyes traveled down her reflection, appreciating every curve and line. She smiled in the mirror, realizing she would have no problem finding any man to help her out with her little virginity issue now. The thought sent a thrill through her, but she quickly shook her head, trying to dispel the distraction.

This is so not the time for shit like that, she thought, taking a deep breath and focusing on her reflection. Stop daydreaming, demon lady. You can barely dry yourself off, she chided herself with amusement. If she somehow did get a hold of some poor bastard's dick, she knew with her luck she'd rip the thing right off. The absurdity of the thought made her chuckle. No, she would have to put everything else on the back burner and work on herself for the time being.

Leaving the bathroom, Bella made her way to the bedroom. The house was quiet, the only sounds were her near-silent footsteps and the faint rustle of leaves outside. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Bella opened the closet and was relieved to see both men's and women's clothing hanging neatly inside.

She decided it would be best to practice with the men's clothing first. If she ruined them, it wouldn't be a big deal. She pulled out a pair of jeans and a white shirt. She carefully began dressing, but her strength made it challenging. The first pair of jeans tore at the seams, and the shirt split down the back when she tried to put it on.

Undeterred, Bella continued to experiment. It took several sets of pants and shirts before she managed to get them on without destroying them. Each success, however small, felt like a victory. She marveled at how her body moved while she tried to get dressed, the way her muscles flexed and tensed with her slightest effort. It would take a little time to get used to. Wearing clothes also felt strange against her new, more sensitive skin.

Next, she turned her attention to the women's clothes. She selected a pair of jeans that looked slightly worn and a t-shirt with a quirky logo. As she slipped them on, she was pleased to find that, while they weren't a perfect fit, they were close enough to be comfortable. She moved more carefully this time, focusing on her strength. She managed to only tear the jeans superficially, and she only tore the neck hole slightly on the t-shirt.

Bella stood in front of the mirror, examining her reflection. The jeans were a bit loose around the waist and the t-shirt was a little tight across her chest, but it was better than walking around naked for the rest of her life. She looked almost normal, except for the subtle glow of her skin and the fiery red of her eyes. But she felt more like herself now.

Bella walked back towards the front of the house and into the living room. She had seen the lights from the clock radio in the bedroom, so she knew the house had its electricity turned on. Spotting the TV, she hoped the cable was working as well.

She approached the TV and sat down on the couch. The remote lay on the coffee table, and she picked it up very gingerly, trying to control her strength. With extreme care, she slowly pressed the power button, and the screen flickered to life. Bella smiled as she saw a cooking show was on. She started to carefully go through the channels, searching for the news, and finally she found NECN and upped the volume.

The first thing Bella discovered was that it was the 17th, meaning four days had passed since she met James and her birthday was long over. Jeez, what a way to celebrate the end of her teenage years, she thought wryly. She had woken up last night from whatever hell that bitch had put her through, which meant that she had been burning alive for three fucking days.

Suddenly, the realization hit her hard. Her parents must be very worried about her by now. She spoke with her mom almost every night before going to sleep, just saying hello and often talking about their respective days. Her mom had to be beside herself with worry. Bella knew she had to call her immediately to tell her... well, she didn't know what she would tell her yet. She had seen a phone in the bedroom, so hopefully that was working too.

She was about to stand up when the Breaking News logo filled the screen, and she decided to listen to what it was first.

Bella saw the logo change to a news reporter who started speaking.

"Thank you, Mary. We're coming to you live from just west of Grotan this morning, where reports are still coming in regarding an unexplained explosion that occurred last night. Authorities are maintaining a tight lid on the details, but the area is already flooded with officials from Homeland Security and the FBI, who have taken over the investigation.

Official reports are currently downplaying the significance of the explosion. However, an unnamed source has suggested that it might have been a small nuclear device that detonated prematurely. Since 9/11, officials have been on high alert for another terrorist attack, but thankfully none have occurred within the United States.

If this was indeed a terrorist bomb that went off prematurely, we are fortunate that it detonated in such a remote area. Homeland Security has scheduled a press conference for 6:00 PM tonight to provide more details on their investigation. Reporting live, this is Antonio Rodriguez, NECN."

Bella turned the sound off on the TV, her mind racing as she thought about her situation. She had a feeling that the explosion they were talking about was the one she woke up to. Could she have been at the center of a nuclear blast? The idea seemed absurd, yet the coincidence was too significant to ignore. How had she survived? She glanced down at her flawless skin and perfectly toned muscles. Could her changes be the result of a nuclear explosion?

Maybe she was like Godzilla. Had she mutated into what she was now because of radiation? She shook her head, immediately dismissing the notion. James had looked like her, and that was before the blast. And any changes from a nuclear blast wouldn't make someone look like a supermodel or make them want to drink someone's blood.

Bella looked at the time on the television and saw that it was noon. If she called her mom now, it would be early morning in Phoenix. Heading back into the bedroom, she sat on the edge of the bed next to the phone. She very carefully picked up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief when she heard a dial tone.

Now she just had to figure out what she was going to say. She wasn't prepared to tell her mom the truth. What could she say other than she was now a freak and a murderer? That was not a conversation to have over the phone. No, she would figure out more about herself first and then decide what truths to tell her mom. For now, she needed to convey that she was okay but would not be going back to school. The question was, what reasons would she give?

Bella's mind raced, amazed at how fast it was working. Hundreds of scenarios were running through her head, each one detailed and complex, yet she was able to comprehend all of them at once. It was like her brain had shifted into overdrive, processing information at a speed she was sure no human had ever experienced before. It was at that moment she realized she wasn't human anymore. She was something else. What she was, was a question for another time. Right now she had a call to make.

Having a plan of action, Bella slowly and carefully tapped in her mom's phone number. She listened to it ring, and on the third ring, her mom picked up.

"Hello?" Renee's voice sounded tired and strained. Bella hoped she hadn't woken her up.

"Hi, Mom," Bella said gently into the receiver.

"Oh God, Bella." Her mom's voice broke, and Bella could hear the unmistakable sound of her crying. Dammit, she hated that she had put her through so much stress and heartache.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm okay. I'm okay," Bella said, trying to reassure her. She really wasn't okay at all, but she definitely wasn't going to tell her that.

She could hear her mom blowing her nose and likely wiping tears from her eyes. The clarity of the sounds she could hear even over the phone was startling. Finally, her mom spoke again.

"What happened, Bella? It's not like you to disappear like that, and on your birthday. I thought... I thought something terrible had happened to you."

"I have no excuse, Mom. The day before my birthday, David and I broke up, and I guess I took it harder than I expected. I needed to get away for a while and clear my head. During my trip, I fell and broke my phone. Some friends had given me access to a house out in the middle of nowhere, and I've been staying there trying to sort out my life. I'm so sorry I worried you. This morning, while eating breakfast, it hit me how worried you and Charlie must be, so I called you right away. I'm really sorry."

Bella didn't like lying, but somehow it was coming very easily to her. This, too, was unusual, as usually she was a terrible liar.

Bella waited, the silence stretching between them, until finally her mom spoke up, her voice filled with concern. "What happened with David? He didn't hurt you, did he? That's not why you ran, is it?"

Bella spoke quickly, wanting to dispel that notion. "No, no, nothing like that at all, Mom. It's just... complicated. I don't think it's really my place to say anything, but since you're thinking something far worse, I'll tell you. I found out that he's gay. I'm not sure if he knew himself before, but after what I saw, I hope he's figured it out."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Bella could almost hear her mom processing the information. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry, baby. Don't take it too hard. You'll find someone. I know you haven't had the best luck with guys so far."

"Thanks, Mom." Bella felt a wave of relief wash over her. Her mom's tone was softer now, the initial panic giving way to sympathy. She leaned back on the bed, feeling a bit more grounded.

"When are you going back to school? Your classes started back up today," Renee asked, her voice filled with a new concern.

Bella had known this question was coming. She took a deep breath, preparing herself. "Here's the thing, Mom. I don't think I'm going back. At least not for a while. While I've been by myself, I've started to reevaluate my life and I think I need a break from academia. I want to travel. You know how kids like to go backpacking across Europe? I want to do something like that, but here. I know I should have done it before I started college, but I think I'm ready now to see all that this country has to offer. I promise to finish school at some point, Mom, but right now I really need time to figure out who I am."

"I see…" Her mom paused, clearly thinking. The silence stretched, filled only by the faint rustling of leaves outside the window. "Are you sure you're okay, Bella? Your voice… it sounds different. Is there anything you're not telling me?"

Bella's heart ached at the concern in her mom's voice. She really wanted to tell her mom the truth more than anything, but she knew she just couldn't. At least not yet. "I'm really okay, Mom. I promise," she said, trying to inject as much reassurance into her voice as possible.

"Okay… But you need to call your father, Bella. He is just as worried as I was. He's been making calls trying to find out anything he could regarding your whereabouts. He told me he is planning to fly to Boston if we didn't hear from you by tomorrow."

Shit. She certainly didn't want Charlie to do that.

"Oh. I promise to call him tonight, but could you call him right now and just tell him I'm okay? I don't want him to keep worrying, but I don't think I'm ready to go through all this again just yet. And I'm sure Charlie will have more than one thing to say about me taking a break from college. I don't think I have it in me right now to stand up for myself properly. Tell him I'll call him later tonight, and I promise to keep in touch with you much more often during my walkabout. Every day, if you'd like. I really didn't mean to worry you guys."

Bella's voice was laced with earnestness, hoping her mom would understand and agree to her request. She knew she'd have to be even more convincing with Charlie. He was pretty shrewd and could smell bullshit from a mile away.

"Okay, dear. I'll call him now. I'm so glad you're okay. Please, please stay in touch more often. Do you need anything? Money, anything like that?" her mom asked, her voice filled with relief and concern.

Bella did, in fact, need money, along with everything else. Waking up naked in a forest hadn't left her with many worldly possessions. But she couldn't admit that. She would have to make do and live off what she found in closed-down houses like this one. Already, she was starting to feel hungry and was eager to check out the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat.

"Thanks for offering, Mom, but I'm good. Don't worry, and I'll call you soon. I love you," Bella replied, trying to sound reassuring.

"I love you, honey. I'll talk to you soon. Bye," her mom said, sounding happy but worn out, the relief palpable in her voice.

"Bye." Bella hung up the phone and took a deep breath, she felt so much better after talking to her mom.

Bella slowly put the phone back in its receiver as she processed what she had said to her mom. She thought the call had gone really well, but she knew she would have to think carefully about what she'd say to Charlie later tonight. His questions would be sharper and more probing. But for now, she was really starting to get hungry.

Getting off the bed, Bella made her way to the kitchen. As she entered, she found it quite cozy. She noticed immediately that the refrigerator had been cleaned out, as the door was propped open by a towel. When she carefully opened the first cabinet though, she smiled, seeing that it was full of food. And what luck—there was a box of Pop-Tarts, her favorite. Bella was glad that something had finally gone right for her today.

She carefully opened a packet and laid the Pop-Tarts on a dish, the crinkling of the foil loud in the otherwise silent room. She took a good whiff but immediately scrunched up her nose at the smell. Had they gone bad? She didn't think that was possible with Pop-Tarts. Frowning, she checked the expiration date on the box, but it said they were still good. She was really getting hungry now, so she decided to risk it, placing them in the microwave and setting it for 30 seconds on high.

She waited for her food to finish heating, the hum of the microwave filling the otherwise silent kitchen. Finally, with a cheerful ding, she smiled as she opened the door and carefully took the dish out, their warmth radiating through the plate.

Picking up a Pop-Tart, she took a big bite and started chewing but stopped almost instantly. Her face twisted in disgust as the flavor hit her taste buds. Oh god. What had happened to them?

She rushed to the sink and quickly spit out whatever she had been chewing, the taste lingering unpleasantly in her mouth. Oh, that was awful. She carefully grabbed a glass from the counter and filled it with water. Holding the glass very gently, she started to down the water, hoping to wash away the foul taste.

Bella retched in reaction to the water and started coughing it up, the disgusting taste lingering on her tongue. Damn, the water had turned bad too. What was with this house? Nothing was edible. Then a thought occurred to her. A terrible, horrible thought. No… It couldn't be.

Panic surged through her as she quickly started rummaging through the cabinets, her hands a blur, frantically looking for anything she knew she liked. Finding a box of crackers, she ripped it open, not caring if she made a mess, and shoved a handful into her mouth. But as soon as she started chewing, she gagged and spat them out, they tasted revolting.

No, the food hadn't gone bad. It was her. She couldn't eat or drink anything but… No, it couldn't be. Her mind raced back to the memory of the man, the best-tasting and most satisfying drink she had ever had.

The horrifying realization washed over her. Was human blood the only thing she could now consume? But that would mean… so many people.

Shocked, Bella walked absentmindedly to the couch and sat down, trying to process everything. If she was indeed a vampire, and if all vampires could drink was human blood, then she would have to murder… No, she didn't want this. How could she kill people? The very thought made her feel sick.

For the first time, her brain didn't have any answers or solutions. She stared blankly at the wall, her mind a whirlwind, while the growing hunger inside her became more intense by the minute. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but even the memory of that man was making her want to get up and find someone else to munch on.

Had the changes in her also affected her sense of right and wrong? How could she be okay with this? She wasn't okay with it, but until she learned of another way, what choice did she have?

Realizing this, Bella knew that she would have to stay in secluded areas like this one. She had lost all sense of control when she smelled that man. She couldn't let that happen in a city where she would be discovered. If she was a vampire, and if James was the same, there must be others like her out there as well. And if there were, they were keeping hidden, as otherwise, it would be common knowledge that there were vampire attacks all over the place.

Thinking about James, he had been around her and a bar full of people, and he hadn't seemed to have any issue regarding not drinking everyone's blood. That led Bella to wonder if she was only intended to be a snack for James or if he had really been interested in her. Replaying what she could remember of her short time with him and then that chaotic time after with that woman solidified her thoughts. No, it was much more likely James had been interested in her, and that had been the problem.

The woman was most likely his girlfriend that he hadn't wanted to talk about, and she was pissed that he was stepping out on her with another. Well, fuck her wherever she is. That bitch caused this, and now she would have to live like this for what… eternity? She couldn't even wrap her head around that notion right now.

Bella's thoughts swirled, the reality of her situation pressing in on her from all sides. Hopefully, she could learn control with time and one day rejoin society. But right now, she needed to eat, as it was getting harder and harder for her to think straight. She hated what she was about to do, but the awful truth was she knew she could do it. She hoped it was the changes in her that made it so easy to justify killing again and she wasn't just some sort of psycho. She stood up and left the house to do the worst thing she had ever consciously done.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. For the next chapter, we'll be going back in time to 1936 to catch up with Edward and the Cullens. Reviews and comments are welcome. I enjoy reading your feedback.