Chapter 1- Every story has a start

Bella's POV-

"And the recognition goes to, Isabella Marie Swan!"

I stood up with a smile, pride evident on my face, as I walked the ten steps to the stage, looking back and meeting eyes with my family seated in the audience.

I could see the happiness in their eyes.

Charlie was proud of me.

Being a recipient of the 'young achievers' award in her field of contribution' wasn't a deal to take lightly. And especially not at the young age of twenty-one.

Our masters' may have been into a lot of horrifying and unspeakable crimes, but they were also into appreciating everyone who did well in their field. Or maybe, they were just into show-off.

Either way, when Mr. Newton, the principal of Forks Elementary, had called me into his office early one morning last month, this was hardly what I had expected.

I had been working with them since the past six months. I still had a long way to go ahead.

Mr. Newton had informed me how the masters' had specifically chosen my name; it wasn't the committee's decision. Not that anything ever was their decision.

A committee had been chosen, a member representing each state we had. They would sit together, once a year, to appreciate the talent around the country. Of course, they would then send the list of their chosen ones to the masters' for reviewing, who would in turn, approve or reject it, adding their own names instead.

I sometimes wondered how closely we were monitored.

How could the masters' so accurately know us by our names, where we stayed, where we worked, and how did we do our work?

It was insane. We weren't a smaller population. Yes, we had lost a many of ours in the war. But we still crossed a million!

It terrified me to think about these questions.

Either way, I was elated to be receiving this recognition. This would go a long way in my career.

"And now, for our surprise," the announcer announced, an uncomfortable smile on his stoic face, a few steps of mine still left before I reached the stage, "we have a special guest with us tonight. It would be an honour for us is if he presented this award to our young achiever."

I frowned, my steps briefly stalling.

Special guest?

It could be only one person. Or rather, a member of a particular specie.

No human ever got that kind of respect. Especially not in this revived world.

But they never attended our events. It went without saying!

The committee would appreciate the talents before calling it a night.

What had changed this year then?

Reluctantly, I took a step ahead. I had to. It would be considered an insult if I backed out now. And our masters' did not take to being insulted kindly.

I was well aware of the repercussions of that.

I took a deep breath in, continuing to walk ahead, a shiver visible in my gait. I was the deer walking my way to the lion's den.

There he stood. On the considerably small in front of him stage. A massive figure. Over seven feet tall with a build I had never seen before in my twenty- one years of life. He could crumble me with his fingertips. Renee's mate had been huge. I remembered that. But he easily shied in front of this one.

He was smirking. An evil smile.

I went against every instinct of mine as I walked the last few steps ahead, saying my prayers, coming to a stop in front of him.

"Congratulations." He smiled, his blood red eyes shining with mischief, as he handed me the trophy, and his hand to shake.

I forced a smile onto my face; I could hear my heart beating. I reluctantly took his hand in mine. It was freezing.

"Thank you." My voice wavered. But thankfully, he pretended to not notice it.

"You are worth it." He winked, his voice a whisper, his breath a blow into my ear.

I shivered, reminding myself to stay still. I could not run. I did wish to see myself alive.

I murmured another 'thank you', quickly exiting the stage. Thankful to be alive.

The rest of the night passed by in a blur. I was quickly surrounded by my family as we head towards the post ceremony celebrations, the night continuing as it should have.

I was slightly concerned why the mysterious 'he' had only chosen to present my award in the long list of over a twenty recognitions', but not having any other proofs to accuse him of, I had to accept it was a mere coincidence.

I had smiled, laughed, danced, and drank the night away.

Charlie had chosen to retire home with Seth, considering he had work early the next morning, and Seth was still young to be attending a party this late in the night, leaving me in the capable hands of Leah and her husband, Sam.

I had known Sam for all my life. He had been Leah's best friend since the age of three, her boyfriend at eleven, and fiancé at nineteen. He was a part of my family since even before I knew what it meant to have a family.

Jacob. I wish he could have been here tonight.

Just like Leah had Sam, Jake was mine.

We had known each other for all our lives; Billy was Charlie's best friend. Losing our moms' at our young age, had cemented our bond even further.

It was similar in certain ways.

Sarah Black had been diagnosed with cancer. Last stage.

They never even had an option. We simply pretended that she had died a natural death instead of becoming food.

Just like I deluded myself into ignoring the life Renee was now living.

He had so desperately wanted to attend the ceremony with me tonight. We had recently started dating, being best friends for all our lives. But an unavoidable work commitment had presented itself. It wasn't easy to run a business. And this was a huge order. He ran his own furniture business, catering to the small motels and medium sized hotels that would be willing to invest in him and his workmanship. This could be the deal that makes his career.

I felt bad, but of course, could not blame him for his absence.

He had promised me that we could celebrate once he had seen this order to completion.

"You sure you will be alright?" Leah questioned, holding a slurping Sam by the collar. Sam had never been one to hold his liquor well, and with Leah pregnant and the designated driver, he had visibly enjoyed the night.

"Of course, don't worry about me." I assured her.

More importantly, she had more concerning things to worry about. Her neighbour, Old Ms. Cope, had called her a few minutes ago. A burning smell was being emitted from Leah and Sam's house, the windows being rolled down. She had gone in to investigate, and even Charlie was heading that way, having informed the fire station as a safety measure.

Unfortunately for me, I could not leave the venue till the group photos of all the winners were taken. It was a part of the deal. I had already checked with the organisers twice. They had assured me that the ordeal would commence rather soon. They were apparently waiting for someone to arrive.

And then I saw it.

Them. Rather than it.

A terrifying brood of a twenty walking towards me, their eyes a blood red, and their appearance outwardly beautiful, their leader the one who had presented me the award.

I shivered.

Why were they walking this way?

Were they the ones we were waiting for?

It had to be that.

But why were there so many of them here?

It was unusual to see so many of them together!

I had heard cases of our kind coming across their kind, and surviving to tell the tale, but it had always been them in the minority.

This was strange. And worrisome.

"Ms. Isabella Swan?" the one to the extreme right spoke, his blonde hair styled to perfection, his suit perfectly tailored and ironed. He could have been walking a ramp with those looks.

"Ye...es," I shivered, taking a quick look around me, the beings of my cohort having deserted me already. They had instinctively moved to the side, giving us a wider berth. 'Um, yes, that is me." I attempted to keep my voice still. I could not ask for help. No one could help me if they chose to take me with them. Or to end me here and now.

Poor Charlie. Seth. Leah. Sam. Jake.

They would not even get to see me in my last moments.

"Hello," the blond man attempted to smile. "My name is Carlisle Cullen, the leader of the Cullen Coven. And this is my son, Emmett." He smiled, pointing towards the giant who was staring at me, unblinking, the same one I had shook hands with a mere hour ago.

"It is a pleasure meeting you, sir." I forced the words out. But that still did not explain why they were talking to me out of everyone present here today.

"We had our doubts before today. But we now know with a surety," he continued, smiling. "You need to come with us."