7. Proximity
I spent the better part of Tuesday keeping an eye on the news for any sign of vampire activity. It was one way of distracting myself as I waited for the evening to come, along with my first lecture. I cursed Carlisle and Alice in my head the entire time, hoping to pass by the hours as they dragged on. Finally, at five in the evening, I had met back up with Alice. I had agreed to sit down with her and look at alternative living arrangements. I understood that the hotel was not up to Alice's standards in terms of space, and I had to admit that the lack of space and privacy was good incentive to find something else.
Alice had selected a few apartments and houses that piqued her interest.
"How exciting!" She squealed as she showed me websites she had been perusing all day. "I can't wait till we pick a place, and I can decorate a house all over again. It's like we're roommates, Edward!" I rolled my eyes.
"Alice, we've been roommates for decades now," I teased.
"Well, technically we have been siblings," she grumbled. "This is different!"
"Fine," I sighed, giving in, even though Alice was still my sister and meant much more to me than a roommate. While I never felt tired, I did feel drained of mental energy. It was easier to just give Alice what she wanted.
Together, we looked at a few places and narrowed it down to five that we were interested in. The houses were not large, but big enough for what we needed. I had suggested we just rent as I did not plan on being here full time, but Alice insisted on buying by reasoning that she and Jasper could use it as a holiday home later on, and I wasn't going to question her on location.
I moved to the edge of one of the hotel beds and flicked on the television. Out of what had become a habit, I flipped through the channels until I found the local news and settled in. I sat, perched on the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees and my chin resting on my hands. Alice moved about in the background, comparing some blouses to a new skirt she had bought that day. I knew from her thoughts, however, she was paying attention to what she heard on the news as well.
Just as the news anchor began reporting on the disappearance of another young man, Alice gasped.
"Edward," she said. My head whipped around in her direction. "Edward – Victoria," she gasped out, her face going blank. I recognized it as one of her visions immediately.
"Alice, what do you see?" I tried tuning into her thoughts, but they were disjointed as her vision came in, and I could only hear bits and pieces.
"She's – she's coming to Olympia," she started, and I watched as her brow furrowed. "No. That's not quite it." Frustration rose within me. I understood that Alice's visions, while mostly accurate, were sometimes difficult for even her to understand. But I still found it annoying that this vision was going to be especially hard to put together.
"Take your time," I said, forcing myself to be patient. If what Alice was seeing was correct, then that would mean I was in the right place after all. Perhaps I would not be in Olympia for as long as I thought.
"My vision," Alice said, shaking her head. "It is so hard to make sense of. I do not know Victoria well enough." She closed her eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. I watched as she walked to the desk and grabbed the notepad and pen provided by the hotel. She began to sketch her thoughts. I flitted to her side and peered over her small frame, watching as her drawing came to life.
"That looks like an alley," I mused. "Do you see her in an alley somewhere?"
"No, just – just the alleyway." Alice kept drawing. Her eyes stayed closed as she focused her energy on the notepad. Often, when Alice was having trouble making sense of what she saw, drawing made it easier for her. It also helped if our family could interpret what she was seeing. I watched as the image became clearer.
In the center of the alley that Alice drew, she started drawing the image of a wild woman. Though the drawing was in black ink, I could tell who this woman was. She was small, her features soft but her eyes held anxious energy. Around her, her long hair surrounded her head in a halo of curls.
"She's here, Edward," Alice whispered. "This alley – I know it from the downtown area, somewhere. I think it is behind some of the nightclubs. Well, I don't know if she is here yet. But she will be." Alice's eyes snapped open and met mine in the mirror behind the desk. I nodded once.
"It's good we're here then," I stated. "I can get to her … destroy her, and then be on my way." Alice frowned at me and turned around.
"But your position at the college," she started. I held up a hand.
"Is only a way for me to keep Bella safe. From afar. But if Victoria is out of the way this quickly, then my job will be done."
Alice rocked back and forth on her heels, frowning at her feet. Her eyes regained focus and she stared up at me. She opened her mouth and her accusation slightly startled me.
"But, you love her." I stared.
"What?"
"Bella. You still love her." It wasn't a question. I shook my head.
"Alice," I said firmly. "It simply does not matter what I feel, or do not feel. I put Isabella in this mess, and it is my duty to free her from it." Alice's eyebrows flew up to her hairline at the use of Bella's full name. It felt foreign on my tongue and the awful taste lingered there. But this put distance between me and Bella – distance I now needed to keep as we occupied the same city.
"'Isabella'?" Alice echoed the name. "Since when do you call Bella by her full name? She hates that."
"It is prudent for me to keep up these … formalities." Alice scoffed but I continued, "She is now a student in relation to me, a professor at her college. It would be … unprofessional."
The lie sounded ridiculous even to my own ears. However, it was partly the truth. As a faculty member at the same college Bella would be attending, I had even more reason to keep her life and my existence separate. Although now that I knew where Victoria would be soon, I did not plan on staying much beyond destroying her. Soon, Bella would be safe from the two forces in Olympia that were a direct threat to her life. To her soul.
"Why can't you see what we all still see, Edward?" Alice sighed, bringing my attention back to her. Her elfish face peered up into mine.
"There is nothing to see," I countered, raising my chin in indignation.
"I see it every time she comes up," Alice said. "You have not been yourself for over a year, Edward. Ever since you met her, you have been different. Even more different ever since you left Forks." I shook my head.
"I meant what I told her in the forest," I said, my voice taking on an impatient edge. "It is a ridiculous notion. To love a human. What an impossible thing, Alice. I only ruined her."
Alice took a step back from me, her eyes wide and round. "I don't believe that you believe that. I know you said the worst things possible to her. But there is no way you meant it. I have never seen anything but you and Bella together. I still see it-"
"Stop," I almost hissed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Alice looked hurt, and I felt guilty for my tone, but I could not let her win this one tonight. "You will never see Isabella and I together. Alice, it is not right. It is not – I don't want that."
"Edward-"
"The only thing I want is to know that she will be safe. From me. From our kind – then I can move on with whatever existence I lead. And she can progress in her life, how she should." I straightened, resolute. "That is what I want."
I watched as Alice cast her eyes downward, and I knew I had hurt her. I knew, deep down, that Alice loved Bella like a sister. This was painful for her, too. But it was necessary. Bella was better alive and safe. Warm, human, and living.
"I need to go," I said, glancing at my watch. "Now that I have other responsibilities."
"You will do great," Alice said, her voice quiet. I might have said something, or offered an apology, but I knew from Alice's thoughts that she was disappointed, not angry with me. I thanked her silently for this. My family were only supportive in my decision to leave Forks and my isolation thereafter. I had never detected angry thoughts. Except for Rose, but I had caught even her considering the situation and being thankful that Bella would in fact, never join our family. At first, this had made me angry. But I understood this was the best option for Bella, and so these thoughts from Rosalie often served as reminders during moments of weakness.
"I'll be back soon," I said to Alice and nodded at her. She said nothing and moved to sit on the end of the bed, pulling her small legs to her chest as she focused on the news. I turned and left for Olympia College.
I hated being late for things. It was not often that I was late, given what I was. But the vision and short argument with Alice had put me back five minutes. It was painful to walk at a semi-human pace through the college and up to the second floor when I could have been there in seconds. Despite it being an evening lecture, there were many students still on campus and the risk of being seen was too high. I had sent a text to Mark alerting him of my tardiness, and he had promised it was not a big deal.
Finally, I rounded the corner that led to the staircase leading to the second floor and focused my senses. I realized, in my rush, I had not been as vigilant as I should have been. It was a risk, being on the same campus as Bella, and I had not listened for her at all. As I walked down the hall, I focused on the many sounds I could hear. From down the hall, I heard footsteps of students leaving and students coming. I heard doors latching, and the beginning of another evening lecture one hallway over. As I approached classroom 207A, I began to relax. Alice had made sure to hone her senses into what classes Bella had chosen, and she was sure that she was not in any of mine. Combined with the fact that I had not recognized any of these humans by sound, I let myself breathe as I reached the classroom door.
Inside, I heard the loud booming voice of an older professor who had no doubt come by to let my class know I was on my way. I paused, my hand on the doorknob, and did one last mental scan before I entered. I recognized the esteemed professor from our meeting earlier than day. It was Albert Smith, head of the Social Sciences department. As I entered, he beamed a bright smile at me, which I returned with a polite nod.
"Ah, here he is," Albert announced, gesturing towards me. "Well, no need for me anymore! I'll be on my way out. Have a wonderful class!" He walked past me then, and leaned down to add just to me, "Good luck on your first lecture, Edward."
I nodded my thanks to him and heard the door click behind him as he left. I walked to the desk at the front of the classroom, noting the silence that had come over the classroom. I heard a few thoughts from around me as I turned to the board.
Is HE our professor? I must go for extra help.
Wow, I'm glad I signed up for this class.
As I faced the board, I blocked out the barrage of reactions, a skill I had become an expert in over the last few decades from being at Forks High School. Picking up the chalk, I greeted the class, keeping my voice even.
"Hello," I started. "I apologize for my tardiness. I had a pressing matter to attend to." I noted how the silence continued as I started to write my name out for the class on the board.
Professor Edward Masen, I scrawled out quickly. As I wrote it, I took in a breath of air, not realizing I had been holding my oxygen for far too long, and I would need it to speak again.
This breath was a mistake. I froze. A sudden fire ripped down my throat in an instant, freezing my hand on the N in my human surname. In the same instant, I heard a small, trembling breath from the very back of the classroom and I was hit with an assault on my senses.
Lavender.
Strawberries.
Freesia.
The sweet, floral scent of blood was so human I forgot for a moment who I was and I was reduced to nothing but the creature inside.
The moment the scent reached me, it was as if the entire world collapsed into a singular point of awareness, my existence reduced to the sharp edge of that sweetness. It was warm, delicate, with the faintest trace of freesia and something else —a blend of innocence and danger that stirred both the monster within me. I could feel the venom pool in my mouth, a reflexive reminder of the predator I had tried so hard to suppress.
The familiar scent exploded inside me like I was experiencing it for the first time again. I was suddenly too aware of the familiar pace in breathing, but I recognized its pattern as one of fear and apprehension. I knew this breath as if it were my own. The beating of Bella Swan's heart pounded in my ears and was suddenly the only sound I could hear in the room. Through some sick force, I breathed in again and the fire that now coated my throat burned with an intensity so strong, it was a wonder I had ever gotten used to it. Instantly, venom flooded my mouth once more. It danced on my tongue and wet my teeth in hungry anticipation. I wasn't thirsty – I had over fed myself in preparation for my classes – but it suddenly felt like I had not tasted blood in weeks.
Months.
Years.
I recognized this feeling. I had felt this overpowering thirst the first day I had met Isabella Swan in our biology class. It was the same day that I had imagined how many ways I could act on this insatiable urge without leaving too many witnesses and making it swift for her. Inside, my monster forced me to breathe in once more and it relished in the heat that continued to run down my throat. She was in the air, in the very molecules surrounding me, and it felt as though her scent had been carved into my soul.
I had known how sweet Bella smelled to me. In fact, I knew how her blood tasted. And yet, I could not fathom in this second how I had forced myself around her so often and yet, she still lived. In the second that had passed since I was made aware of her presence, in my class, my throat became a desert, desiccated, hot and dry. For a moment, I let my monster bask in the aroma that now consumed me.
In the next second, I was reminded of where I was. I felt the familiar need to keep up the human façade I had worn for decades. I tore myself away from the board and turned to face the class. Immediately, I found her.
The fear I could sense on Bella in this moment shocked me. If I had a heart, I felt that it would break.
I met two, wide, panicked brown eyes.
My memory of Bella Swan was pitiful for the creature that I was. A photographic memory seemed like a joke in comparison to the sight that awaited me at the other end of the classroom. I froze in place to stare at her, to watch her as she too reacted to me. Hers was much more, human, of course. Was it possible that I had forgotten what she looked like? The sight of her stunned for momentarily. I worried for a moment that my memory was failing me. Surely this was the sign of the mental decline I feared when I first met her.
I had seen fear in Bella's eyes before, of course. I had even seen seconds of brief panic cross her face at times when she had first realized what I was. But those times were nothing compared to the anxiety I could see. I watched as it etched its wicked self into every part of her features. The little V I had grown so used to appeared between her brows, only deeper this time. Her pupils dilated and I could see the pulse at her neck speed up as her eyes took in the sight of me. A shock, no doubt. I was not supposed to be here.
Two different forms of thought rose up within me. The more human and emotional side of me ached at the sight of the girl I currently stared at. As I watched her emotions process, for once so clearly on her face, I likened myself to a true monster. What had I done to cause her to react like this just at the mere sight of me?
The other half, my real monster, revelled at the sight of her. At her scent. Not her distress, just the real, tangible evidence that was now rising to her feet as the reality of the situation truly hit her. It watched, following every inch of Bella's now awkward movements as her hand fumbled for her bag. The slightest of tremors ran through her arm and down into her fingertips. The curve of her fist around the strap as she found purchase there, and the pumping of her blood pushing rapidly through her veins, her heart rate rising as she stole a glance at the faces now turning to look at her. Delicious heat rose in her cheeks. It was the same beautiful shade of pink I knew so well diffusing across her skin. I felt the venom flow into my mouth as Bella bit her lip in apprehension. I could see the small indent her tooth left in her soft pink lip, how the skin was left darker from the blood that rushed to the surface in reaction. It felt as though a grenade had gone off inside of me. When she turned and jogged to the door, the air around her stirred and I felt as though her scent now hit me like a brick wall. Inside, my monster urged me to move forward. To go to her. To follow her as she ambled into the hallway. It would take me half a second to be at her side, to push through the door after her. Of course, the other students would notice how fast I moved. They'd barely see my cross the room and wonder how I arrived at the door so quickly. There would be questions. But in this moment, I almost did not care. As I watched Bella disappear into the hallway, I imagined stopping her. I could grab her wrist, careful enough that the fragile bones there would be fine. I could give her a slight tug, turn her around so that she would have to look at me. I knew Bella – I knew how she might react. Angry. Annoyed, perhaps. I could demand that she speak to me. I was, after all, now her professor and I could claim to want to know why she was leaving my class before it had even begun.
Monster that I was, I was not cruel. Not to Bella. I resigned myself and my feet stayed in their place as I watched her through the door and heard her footsteps echoing in the hallway. Knowing the layout of Olympia College well by now, I heard her rush towards the women's room. It took a century's worth of meticulously crafted control to pull my attention back to the students in front of me. I frowned slightly at them, despite their innocence, and for a moment, I resented their existence at all. If I was not responsible for their education, I would have been able to trail after Bella.
Only, I knew even if I was not currently beginning to lecture a group of students, the option of following Bella would not be there. I had not agreed to work at Olympia College under the pretense of never directly associating myself with Isabella Swan, as much as I craved to do so. Just the sight of her had sent my thoughts into a frenzy. No – I was here as her protector. I played the role of guardian vampire once again and I would do so as far from her as possible. Of course, this particular class would serve as a complication. But I understood my role here well enough. I was stepping, once again, into Bella's life unsolicited. I was the outlier.
I had chosen this. For myself and for her.
As I directed the class to turn to the syllabus and indicated assignment due dates, I forced myself to acknowledge that despite the close contact I would now have with Bella, it could make my duty more convenient. I would see Bella twice a week, and I made a mental note to check my class rosters. I assumed this would be the only class she would show up in, but it would be worth it to confirm this. By seeing Bella twice a week, it would be easier to confirm her safety. This was the reasoning I decided would fit the situation well enough for now.
While I went over the assignments we would be completing, I heard soft whispers at the back.
"…going to see if she is okay." I glanced up and noticed a girl whispering to a boy. They were at the same table Bella had left.
"I think that's a good idea. Wonder what got her so upset," muttered the boy. "I'll get anything important for you guys, don't worry."
"Thanks Nick," said the girl. She glanced at me and pressed her lips together. I took it as a small apology as she rose from her seat. She was a short girl, no more than five feet and two inches tall. She had short, curly auburn hair and circular glasses sat on her round freckled face. She had a very female figure that filled out the Olympia College sweatshirt she wore with black jeans. Her eyes looked kind, and I immediately recognized this is a new friend for Bella, someone that did not know her well but cared enough to check on her. When she left the classroom, I felt a moment of relief knowing that someone would go to Bella. Even if that someone could not be me. I turned my attention back to the class, ignoring the second disruption and privately thanking the girl.
My kind rarely had trouble focusing. But as I continued explaining the sections of the course to my class, Bella's scent lingered in the room. The remnants of her strawberry shampoo spiraled around in my head, and I could think of little else. Inside, my monster focused on the more heinous aspects of what I was. It had been some time since I had drunk in the deliciousness of Bella's scent. I remembered I once likened it to wine and myself to a recovering alcoholic. If this were the case, I feared part of me may have indulged. I felt the familiar prick of venom in my mouth for what felt like the millionth time that evening, and the burning of my throat made it feel as though I had not hunted in weeks. I had been used to Bella's scent. I had grown accustomed to burning whenever I was around her and I had exercised my talents as a century old vampire able to resist such an exquisite thing. But now, after a year of separation, I felt my resolve shatter and I was once again the Edward in the Biology classroom, fighting against my true nature. I was as much a threat to Bella as Victoria was and yet here I was, in the very place she was trying most to be human.
"I realize I requested that everyone bring their books tonight," I heard myself saying. The dryness of my throat felt as though it would betray my voice, but this was not a problem for me. "However, I have decided to keep tonight's class short." There was an obvious shift in the room as my students realized I was getting close to dismissing them.
"I would like you all to read 'Ulalume" by Poe before our next meeting," I carried on. "It is not a heavy read. I trust you will have this done. Please bring your book with you next class as well as your thoughts on the poem."
I looked out at the class and saw many of them writing the title of the book down and waited. A girl, not much older than Bella and me, by appearance only, raised her hand nervously. I looked at her, nodding my head to accept her question.
He is so intimidating, she thought. God, I don't think he is much older than I am, either. How is he a professor here?
"Professor, I noticed on the syllabus that you have us reading 'Frankenstein' and 'Dracula' at the same time. I am just wondering if this is a mistake or how will we manage the course load if we are reading two novels at once?" I nodded, acknowledging that this would be confusing.
"The previous instructor for this course had not yet chosen from either novel," I explained. "I felt that when we come to this point in the course, I would provide you with the option of either book as they are both a worthy study of Gothic literature." I heard some whispers in the class and the girl's face broke out into a grin.
Now that is fun, she thought. It seemed as though the rest of the class was pleased with this option and so I moved on.
"I trust if any of you have questions, you will direct them my way. We will end here tonight, and I will see you all on Thursday."
When I arrived back at the hotel, Alice was gone but had left me a note explaining that Jasper had surprised her with a visit. They had gotten their own hotel room in a different building, and I assumed that Jasper had planned out a whole evening for them. I was fine with this. After the events of my first lecture, I was glad for the quiet to process. I decided that I would check in on the news to see if there were any more signs of Victoria. I was expecting her to pop up at any time thanks to Alice's vision.
As I settled on the edge the bed, I felt my cell phone vibrating in my pocket. I glanced at it and saw Alice's name across the front. I flipped it open and her voice, shrill and panicked, greeted me immediately.
"Edward! Edward, I'm so sorry. I cannot believe I didn't see this coming. I had no idea that Bella would be there. Tell me what I just saw wasn't real? She wasn't in your class, was she? Oh, Edward, I'm so sorry. You must be so angry with me. I understand. I promise to do better. I have lost my connection with her after so long, I-"
"Alice," I said in a steady voice, stopping her tirade. "Alice. Calm down. Jasper, if you're there, help me out."
"Will do, Edward." I heard Jasper's voice in the background on the other end of the line. Alice's rant slowed as I imagined she was beginning to feel Jasper's calming effects come over her.
"Alice, it is alright," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I understand. We know your sight isn't always correct."
"Yes, but I can't imagine how you must have felt. Ang Bella. Poor Bella."
"She left."
"What?"
"She left the room," I explained and told Alice the events of my lecture and how Bella had fled.
"Oh, Bella," Alice said. Her voice fell and it was heavy with sadness. "She must have been so upset."
"Yes," I sighed again, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I let her go. I wasn't going to stop her. Alice, this will be a challenge. I contemplated leaving the college." Alice was quiet for a moment, and I wished her thoughts were in range.
"We would all understand if you needed to leave, Edward. This wasn't part of the plan. We should have ensured she was not in your class instead of just assuming she wouldn't be." I nodded, though no one was with me.
"It would seem as though that would have been the better option," I agreed. "But I have chosen to see it from a different perspective."
"Which is?" For a moment, I heard a flicker of hope in Alice's voice. "Perhaps now you and Bella can talk-"
"No," I said, my voice hard. Alice fell quiet. I could almost feel her disappointment. "I won't be talking with Isabella unless it is completely necessary and related to class."
"Oh, come on, Edward." Alice's frustration was palpable. "She is going to be right in front of you for months. Can you really keep up this – this façade you have going on for that long?"
I had kept it up for a year. I could extend it until the end of the first term.
"It is not a façade," I countered. "Actually, this works rather well in terms of being here for Isabella's protection."
"Did he just call her 'Isabella'?" Jasper's incredulous tone drifted over the phone. Alice must have turned her head away slightly to answer him.
"Yes," she said, her voice farther away now. I imagined her rolling her eyes. "It's his new way of disguising his feelings." When she spoke next, her voice was closer again and I knew her words were directed at me. "And he is fooling no one."
"Listen, Alice," I said, rolling my own eyes this time. "Her proximity means nothing to me." At this, I felt the burn in my throat, and I cursed my own body's betrayal of my words. I carried on, "But I at least I know for sure, twice a week, that Bella is safe. I know some of her whereabouts. In this way, my job just got a lot easier."
"I understand that," Alice said. I could tell she was not going to argue about feelings with me tonight. She sighed in resignation. "I will do my best to hone my sights on Bella again. Perhaps now that you're close to her, my connection will get stronger again. Unless you'd allow me to see her?" The hope in her voice returned. I shut it down.
"Absolutely not. If her reaction to me was anything to go off tonight, adding more Cullen's to the mix is not going to help." I heard something snap on the other end.
"Alice," Jasper gasped. "The hotel is going to have to fix that now."
"It's just a stupid drawer handle," Alice growled out. I could understand Alice's frustration and anger towards me, but I was not going to give in to it.
"I'm going to go, Alice."
"Fine," she said, huffing. "Look, I'm feeling mad at you right now, Edward. I think you are being ridiculous. But even though I think that I still want you to know you can call Jazz or I at any time." This brought a grin to my face. Despite how Alice was feeling, I relaxed knowing that she was still the ever-supportive sister she had always been.
"I know," I said, keeping the smile out of my voice. "Thank you, Alice."
"Good night, Edward." The line clicked and I knew she had hung up. Sighing, I shoved my phone into the pocket of the black pants I wore. Alice had essentially bought me a new wardrobe that fit the theme of professor well. Although tonight I had opted for a simple black dress shirt to go with the pants.
I cast my attention back to the news on the television. It appeared there was nothing new on the Victoria front and so I clicked it off.
I felt the lingering burning in my throat as I considered the evening once more. I had been apart from Bella for a year. For me, that was a very little amount of time in comparison to the time I had existed. For Bella, a year was more of an impact. Still, despite the differences in how we both experienced this passage of time, I had almost forgotten how powerful Bella's scent was to me. I had become a master of my own self-control during the time I had spent with Bella in Forks. If my reaction to her tonight was any indication, it was that I was out of practice. It was a skill I would need to brush up on if I were going to safely be in her presence again. I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to hunt more regularly once again to keep my thirst at bay. It had only been a few days since Alice and I had hunted but now it felt as though I had not drank in weeks. I gone months in between hunting when I was alone before I came back to Washington. I looked out of the hotel window. The late summer sun set about an hour ago, and I figured that it would not hurt to prepare for Thursday's class early. I also needed to give my throat some much needed relief.
I changed quickly into a more casual outfit, also considering how Alice would have been upset had I gone hunting in my new clothes. I wore an older pair of jeans and a black hoodie. Feeling relieved to be dressed more casually, I exited the room and the hotel. I decided that my car would stay here for the night. A walk and some fresh air would do me some good.
The hotel Alice and I currently occupied was about six streets over from the Historic District of Olympia. Remembering what we had seen on the news in recent days, I found myself walking in the direction of where police were investigating the sites of some disappearances. I kept my pace at human speed, and for once found it slightly relaxing to take my time as I walked through the streets of Olympia's downtown.
Despite it being a Tuesday evening, there were plenty of people out. Some bars were filled with the loud chatter of people, as there were late night employees leaving local shops at the end of their evening shifts. I noted that a few of the younger humans I saw were wearing Olympia College regalia and assumed they were out celebrating the beginning of term. I sharpened my senses to alert myself of any sign of Bella's presence, though I doubted she would be out this late on a school night. Bella was always responsible. That combined with the state I had seen her in tonight – my fault – I was sure she would be safe in her college residence.
Suddenly, in the distance, I heard the sudden buzz of police radio chatter. A siren suddenly wailed in the distance, its sound quickly getting closer as I realized a police car was on its way. I slowed my pace and side stepped to the wall of an old, historic building. I watched as two police cruisers rushed the corners of the street I was on and I turned into a back alley. I figured if I were to follow the police's pursuit, it would be better to do so with less chance of being seen. Of course, in the deserted alleys, I was also able to move at a faster space.
I followed the sound of the sirens using the alleyway to follow. I kept my pace to that of a walk that would be too quick for a human and would make it more difficult for anyone to notice I was following the officers. As I rounded a corner, I came face to face with the scene that had required their attention. Hanging back in the darkness, I listened intently to the officers as they got out of their cruisers. Slowly, guns held out in front of them, two tall male police officers approached the dark alley that faced opposite to the one I currently occupied.
"Careful, Hendricks," one of the officers called to their partner. "This sounded like one of those attacks the rest of Washington's been dealing with."
"Yeah, 10-23," the other officer called into his radio. "We are coming up on the scene."
I watched as the officers approached, their guns ready and flashlights lighting the way from beneath their weapons. I narrowed my eyes as I watched them light up the scene that waited for them.
In the alley, the police officers slowly came upon two figures that were slumped together on the ground.
"Ho-ly shit," the second officer whistled. "Who did this?"
"10-18, we've got a couple of bodies here it looks like. We might need some back up." The sound of more police sirens approaching sounded and were quickly approaching as the officers took in the scene.
I didn't need to see what the officers were looking at to know the two bodies were not only covered in their own blood, but that it leaked from them and covered the ground beneath them. Their scents mixed and permeated the air around me. It had been a while since regular human blood affected me. However, in this quantity, I found breathing in the smell difficult. My throat was already dry from earlier that evening, and this would do little to help.
I stepped back into the shadows of the alley and kept my eyes on the scene across the street as two more police vehicles, one a forensics unit, squealed to a halt next to the first two. As more officers joined the scene, I listened for any extra details as they started a preliminary investigation. Soon, a coroner's van approached and they began to prep the bodies for removal.
"Have you searched the area yet?" A tall, sturdy female officer directed her questions to the first two that arrived on scene.
"This blood is still fresh. They were still warm," another officer said.
"Check down that way," someone murmured, and I retreated into a small alcove as I watched two officers approach, their guns at the ready. Quietly, slowly, they approached the entrance to my alley. As they came closer, I followed the path of their flashlights to avoid discovery. I pushed further into the alcove.
Suddenly, I froze, realizing I was not alone in the space I was currently occupying. Breathing in, I smelled a familiar scent. It burned my nose as I breathed in, the sickly-sweet air taking up all the room in my lungs. Turning now, my eyes adjusting to the darkness, I spotted two large, red eyes staring back at me. In the faint light, I could see a fiery red outline in a tangle of curls. In the corner, I heard a low snarl escape from the other vampire that I now realized stood a foot away.
"Cullen," hissed a high voice. "How lovely to see you." I felt a feral growl stir somewhere inside of me. Aware of the presence of police around us, I pushed it down. I forced my voice to come out even and calm as I took in who I was looking at.
"Victoria."
A/N: Let me know what you think!
