#aschwrites

Out of the corner of her eye, Sienna spots the nervously rocking girl, pale as death, and recognises her instantly. In the black-haired Omni's mind, many questions arise as her eyes dart between her brother and the unknown girl.

As soon as no thought is in her favor she sighs and stares at the brown haired girl who for some reason smells a little bit of stink.

Caius stands up immediately upon Sienna's arrival and gestures with his hand for his wife to come to him.

The blond Master doesn't talk much about the dangers of interrogation, but Alec and Jane do occasionally mention a few things in passing, which Sienna has learned can be dangerous for someone who isn't as hardy, especially while she's still young. Caius still doesn't know what Sienna did to Heidi.

It was Aro who offers his hand and helps her up the wrecked stairs and gives her hand to Caius, who pulls her along behind him, ignoring the defiance Sienna is trying hard to show.

Typical of Omni, her mind is protected by a strong wall, but occasionally Sienna gives the raven-haired Volturi founder a glimpse. As he held her hand firmly, she could sense his interest but this time Sienna refused to give Aro deeper insight into her thoughts.

– It seems that even our dear Sienna was not told of their lawbreaking. Brothers, what should we do? – Aro remarked, to Marcus and Caius.

The latter meanwhile sat back down but still holding Sienna's hand, tightly so that the Cullen-Volturi girl would have no chance to help her two siblings. True, she could use her ability, but unable to do so, she would never be able to hurt Caius.

The vampires near the thrones could hear the growl rising from the blond Master's throat.

–You already know what you're going to do. – Marcus answers Aro's question, causing Sienna to pause for a moment in her action of trying to free herself from her husband's grip and glare at Marcus.

– Aro– Sienna draws the vampire's attention. She made a mistake when she let herself be led to the podium.

Sienna moved unconsciously, but taking more than a step caused his fingers to clasp on his wrists.

– Felix. – Aro called to the bulky guard, it was still unclear whether he was aiming at the girl or Edward.

Sienna was terrified of witnessing her brother's execution, but Caius' grip would not loosen, and the only result of her attempt was a small bruise on her wrist and perhaps, a degree more head washing.

She was in an even more helpless position than Alice, for although Caius did not hold her by the neck, Caius had vampiric strength. Lately the man had finally started to teach her to fight, Caius would know every move she made the second she made them.

The only member of the Omni race present bit her lip and watched as Aro approached the girl who most resembled a deer, stepping further and further away from her brother. As bad as it sounds, if she has to choose, she'd rather a stranger die than her brother. Back when Sienna lived with the Cullens, she might not have dared to think of such a terrible thing, but life in Volturi has hardened her heart and changed her mind.

– Wait! Bella will be one of us! – Alice intervenes, foiling Aro's plan. Sienna lets out a deep breath. Sienna didn't even notice she was holding her breath.

The Queen of the Volturi gritted her teeth as she heard Alice continue.

– I'll change it myself. – She added, then took a moment to make eye contact with her sister standing between Caius and Aro's throne.

Sienna likely suspects that her sister has had another vision, that if all three of them, the man, Edward and Alice get out safely Sienna will certainly question them privately... nicely put. The black-haired master approaches the fairy-like girl with bright eyes and extends his hand to her.

– .... To see what you saw before it happens. – Aro lets go of the fairy-like girl's hand.

As he does so even Sienna's heart leaps as she glides in front of the human girl. From Aro's demeanor and tone, she can tell that they will have a hard time getting her to leave. Whatever Aro had seen before Sienna's arrival and Alice's prophecy had made Aro curious, and that does not often mean good things, Sienna knew from experience.

She tries even harder to wrench her hand from Caius' grip, to which the blond vampire reacts with resentment.

– I got to experience how immortal you become before it happens....– Aro traces his fingers over Bella's cheek, instantly drawing disgust from the girl.

He acts as if he doesn't know the story of Alice's prophecies. Sienna is about to breathe a sigh of relief when Aro turns his back on them, but at that moment she is met with red eyes.

– Sienna, my dear... I'm intrigued that she's only showing resistance to vampires.– Aro looks into the bright eyes, then his gaze jumps to Caius who, with a grimace, lets go of Sienna's hand.

Sienna who is massaging her perhaps bruised wrist walks down the battered marble stairs. She keeps her eyes on Bella, a hint of interest in her pale blue eyes. She had a personal interest in doing as Aro asked.

If the situation hadn't been so tense he might have laughed at the way Edward was struggling to free himself, but he was more than a match for Felix.

- Enna...- Edward mutters the girl's childhood nickname, but the next moment only the sound of her marble-hard neck cracking pierces the room.

Félix or one of the masters or Volturi members must have grown tired of the bronze-haired voice, Sienna turned her back so she couldn't see who.

– Thanks for the trust.– The youngest Cullen girl rolled her eyes. Her words were drenched in mockery and she took her last steps towards the human.

The girl who almost pushed Sienna into the water minutes ago looks at her as if Sienna is the main villain in her story. Sienna may have spent a lot of time with her husband and the Volturi, but she still has in her what Carlisle and Esme and her older siblings taught her.

– Your eyes...– Bella whispers, not resisting when Sienna takes her hand to release her power, but of the more harmless kind. The blue-eyed girl has been surrounded by vampires since she was six, yet she's not surprised when she runs into brown or light-eyed people.

– Yes, strange, isn't it? And the only Cullen member of the Volturi. I'd say it's nice to meet you, but my mother taught me not to lie... – She nods, the corner of her mouth quirking into a slight smile, and her dimple becomes visible.

Her comment provoked a variety of reactions from those present.

– Shall we begin? – Sienna asks, not asking permission from Aro or anyone else, but from Bella. Even before she met Esme, she had learned the hard way how good it can be to feel like you have a say in things.

– How?– Bella looks interested , seemingly blind to the fact that many in the room would have killed her with their eyes.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sienna spots Jane, who, if Alec hadn't been standing beside her for support, would have ripped Bella's head off. Sienna will have to look into the matter later.

– It's a long story – She responds, and though Bella doesn't answer, she's not completely but relaxed. Sienna closes her eyes with a deep breath.

It took her a few minutes to enter Bella's mind and flick through the memories from the time the human girl met Edward.

Question how easily do you find these posts?

Psssz:

Penelope’s entire being feared loneliness more than the strict, and perhaps even the word “ruthless” would be too weak to describe the vampire royalty and police, the Volturi.

Penelope was no longer a newborn, but her skin was still just as sensitive. She had long since given up on her hair, but the wind reached her Volturi-style clothing as well, ruffling it. The young vampire held the book in her hand, but she could only read a few lines from it during the hour.  Snippets of conversation coming from the other side of the high castle wall distracted her several times.  The young people’s conversation opened up a whole new dimension for her, where survival was not a reality.  She learned many new stories, including details about how the local pubs, concerts , about popular performers, some big some small. Thes mentioned the group’s daily life,.

She liked the information curiously. and with excitement. As far as Penelope was concerned, it wasn’t just a few thick walls that separated them. If her heart could beat, it would soften and grew a bit jealous too.   Despite all Penelope efforts, she couldn’t remember much about her life before the bite. All her memories have faded from in her head. Only leaving only emotions burned into her bones, feelings she can build upon. but never support her. 

Penelope already noticed the arrival of another person just in time, as the wind ruffled his black shirt and raven hair. However, Penelope  did not lift her gaze to Aro until the man was already close to her. Her lips was trembling, causing her to press her mouth shut, yet she still accepted the man’s outstretched hand.

Moments later, she felt the cold, probing fingers in her mind. It was slowly becoming a routine for Aro to carefully scan her thoughts from time to time. At first, Penelope was afraid of this now-habitual event, but afterward, the man’s mood always improved.  The time she spent in the fresh air also increased, and, unusually, Aro was talking more and more about various topics, even dates, opening up. . Which stood in sharp contrast to her confinement in the tower.

– You were gone a long time…–  He whispers in her ear as he leans close to her. The rings were already on his hands, and the Volturi ruby necklace was already hanging around his neck.  Penelope had a feeling that the courtroom doors would soon be shut.  The towers were far from the great hall, so Penelope could barely hear anything. The clan had built the castle with security as the masters were  top priority. On the other hand, to ensure that escape would be impossible, even for vampires.

– It’s a sin to miss out on a weather like this. – Penelope replied, finally raising her gaze to Aro’s face. Like her own, Aro’s eyes burned with a dark red shade. Thanks to the previous day’s feast, hunger did not fill their bodies. His much paler skin created a much greater contrast than hers.

Contrary to her words, Penelope stood up anyway. Aro’s hand slid over her back, but he was not applying  any pressure. – Back to the cell?–  Penelope asked, her voice barely audible. She didn’t need to look back over her shoulder to know that her words hadn’t brought a smile onto the faces of her guards.  – That is the safest place for the queen. – Aro’s patience hadn’t waned; only the corner of his mouth trembled. – You’re not ready. – He added as he escorted her back to the tower room. They didn’t walk past the great hall, but the heightened security was noticeable even in the distant corridors. Penelope’s throat was tightened at the sight of the preparations.

– What if I were?– She asked back, but her gaze did not meet the pair of red eyes. The renewed curiosity in her voice was to Aro’s liking.

– As my queen, there’s no question about it.–  Aro ended the conversation. Penelope had known for a long time that Aro wanted her to be safe and hidden away.  Hidden from the world, if not entirely in secret, then at least in the shadows. As she walked through one of the main hallways, a faint sound caught Penelope’s attention, making her to lift her head toward the desk pushed into the corner and slow her walk.  Contrary to Aro’s words, the secretary had not yet retreated to the safe room for the duration of the judge..

The another suprise, that instead of the older blonde woman, a young woman with black hair stands behind the computer. A few days earlier, the blonde secretary was the one who had delivered the paint and charcoal set to Penelope, but now not even a trace of her scent reaches Penelope’s nose.  The woman stood with her back straight and stiff, as one would expect of a human, and greeted them with a nervous smile.  Aside from Penelope, none of them gave any sign that they had paid her even a shred of attention. The pity building in her dark brown eyes reinforced Penelope’s own position in her mind. She had learned that people often approached vampires with a painful confidence.

– There’s no need for you to learn her name. – Aro was noticing Penelope’s hesitation as they walk up the spiral staircase. His palm didn’t touch her skin directly, so Penelope couldn’t tell if he had truly figured her out.  The bodyguards had fallen behind them in the process, slowly leaving only the two of them.  Penelope opened the heavy wooden door, but Aro closed it behind him. Several packages were  lay scattered across both the bed and the desk. Penelope opened just one package and tossed the cardboard box into the trash after taking out the special decorated books.  

The spacious bedroom lacked nothing, and as Penelope ran her fingers over an unopened jewelry box, Aro pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

– I won’t keep you waiting. – He murmured into her hair. His old Italian accent sent a shiver down Penelope’s spine, she had to  took a deep breath. For a moment, she watched as the door closed and his bodyguards took their places in front of it, but she didn’t give the thought any more time. Being a vampire had taken countless things from her. Her human memories, aging, changing, and carefree fun, but it had given her time and pain. . Time she could spend counting the unevenness of the ceiling or actively filling her hours. Instead of studying languages and art, she now surrounded herself with books in the armchair, enough to keep her occupied for a few hours.  It was already too late to go out.

Marcus

Italy

Marcus spent days away from Leana. If his self-control had held out, this period could have been much longer. Not even his thousand years of experience and his memories of Didyme were enough to make him selflessly allow the mortal to live her short yet almost limitless life.

His first step was to find out where Leana was staying after a full day of surveillance. Since Leana enjoyed visiting various historical sites, it wasn’t hard to find her, which both simplified his plans and filled him with a different kind of excitement.

The travel journal left at the hotel filled in the remaining gaps. Now Marcus could make his plans. They met again at the foot of the historic library’s ruins, after Marcus had taken care to prepare himself properly for the hours spent among people. Whether intentionally or not, Leana took the final step by making a louder remark at the scene. This gave the most aloof of the Volturi the opportunity to approach, which later developed into a deeper conversation. Marcus was careful to keep the topics within safe limits. Like most people, he didn’t find this unusual. Most of the conversation was about history, so it was almost inevitable that they would discuss Leana’s next stops, which Marcus had already committed to memory earlier. So he offered to take her on another sightseeing tour.

At first, Marcus had only planned a few occasions to spend time near his singer. He tried to convince himself that a few breaths of fresh air were enough for his cursed existence.  The plan evolved as their relationship grew stronger, until there was no other option for Marcus. Marcus Volturi wasn’t as human-friendly  as the Olympian clan, nor as pure as Didyme. Nor was he driven by curiosity like Aro.

– I hope you’ll forgive me.– The man whispered, clutching the engagement ring in his hand.  His red gaze darted to the painting on the wall before he closed the door behind him. He took  the  black cloak and Santiago waiting in the hallway. – Find Dimitri. I’m heading out.– Marcus gave the order before setting off. The tracker will be a valuable asset to Marcus in keeping his plans secret and reinforcing his intentions regarding the girl and their future.

He didn’t rush, but only slowing his pace to match the tracker’s when he reached the Volturi’s gates.  Marcus was preparing for a long journey, but to avoid arousing suspicion, he couldn’t go alone. Partly for their safety, and partly because Aro felt much safer that way. And in the Volturi’s existence, that was the most important thing.

Leana’s diary revealed where she would be staying, which gave the thousand-year-old vampire a few steps  forward  and minutes to hunt before her. In an instant, he completely drained his victim of blood and disposed of the body.

His eyes was burning red as he snapped the door lock off with a single motion. Marcus merely glanced at Demetri out of the corner of his eye.

– Stay. – His voice was softer as he addressed the younger vampire in Italian. He  has to do the next part yourself. He successfully kept the beast locked deep within his soul behind bars, a beast that could not bear to have anyone else near him.   A growl and the monster would erupt from his chest if he sensed Demetri near his singer. It also added to his mood that Leana would remain a mortal for a short while longer, then become a newborn and bound to him.

Even the size of the hotel room offended Marcus’s good taste. It was like a kick to his eyes.   it stood in stark contrast to the  beauty values of the Volturi clan, built up over centuries. Soon, Leana wouldn’t have to see any of this either. The room was empty and small enough that the sound of running water filled the entire space. The man could hear Leana’s every move from the bathroom, even the slight mumbling too. His imagination had been dry for decades, but now Marcus was feeling its effects, what, for once, weren’t tied to blood. Ever since Marcus had met Leana, he’d started noticing all sorts of little things. Even things that hadn’t even crossed his mind before. Freedom and life outside the Volturi, too.

His thoughts strayed down the wrong path several times, but everything stopped when Leana finally stepped out of the bathroom.  Steam poured out the door immediately, even swirling around Leana’s body.

Marcus couldn’t wait for Leana to notice him in the dark, and he used his speed as an advantage.. While covering her eyes and mouth with one hand, he used the other to stop her tentative struggles until  his teeth sank completely into her neck. Her blood was sweet, tempting, and his venom flowed easily into her soft flesh.  His instincts formed a high, impenetrable wall. In a split second, Leana’s defiance vanished as she went limp in Marcus’s arms like a rag doll. He kept his mouth pressed against her neck for a few more seconds to ensure enough poison spread through her veins, to her heart.

It didn’t take long for Leana’s legs to give way and for her to collapse forward. The combined effects of fear and poison were too much for Leana.

Caius

For the college student, the day of the attack was the one that wiped out all her plans and visions for the future. Pinched against the wall, Trissa tried to make herself invisible in the blond man’s eyes, holding her breath, but those red eyes found her. She know that she should have scream, to be lod or something, even run the her feet was heavy.

She saw how the blond man had finished off her attacker, who now lay on the ground like a rag doll. And now, in the darker part of the city, the man approached her, then his fingers clamped onto Trissa’s forearm, pulling her to her feet and beginning to drag her along. A growl escaped his mouth, but Trissa didn’t understand. Her mind couldn’t process the next few moments as well as her face turned pale..

Her phone and bag remained on the ground as Trissa was dragged through the dark areas. Somehow fully in darkness. Her gaze fell on the figures walking behind them, also wrapped in cloaks, but their faces were hidden by the fabric.

– Move!–  He snapped at Trissa. His voice betrayed his irritation that Trissa had stumbled several times and couldn’t move fast enough. So much so that the next time she stumbled, instead of catching her by the feet, the red eyed man  scooped her up into his arms. The movement was so fast it blurred in her eyes.

Trissa’s stomach churned. A muffled little sound was all Trissa could manage. Her stomach churned, and her hands automatically clung to the man’s shirt and his upper arm. Her fingertips turned completely white, but that didn’t bother the blond man.  Shadows played across his face as Trissa’s eyes took in nothing, or very little, of their surroundings.

The man paid no mind to the whimpering sounds escaping from Trissa’s throat. Nor was he particularly shaken when he threw Trissa straight onto the bed what was covered in red silk. The mortal’s eyes still did not open, but the sight of her lying on her back in a softly lit room had a powerful effect on him. – No! – It burst from Trissa throat as she managed to find her voice when the red-eyed man grabbed her by the arm and used a piece of silk as a makeshift restraint to bind her hands. Her blood circulation was barely enough to keep her hands from turning white.

At first, Trissa’s entire range of movement was limited to the bed and the bathroom. Caius, the man, initially forced her to change the sheets every single day, sometimes every two day. During her first shower, Trissa had to press herself against the wall of the stall, using a towel she could get her hands on to cover herself. Her face flushed, and she was sure her heartbeat was fast to.

The vampire didn’t let it bother him, because he simply walked in, with the clothes in hand and tossing it into the corner of the bathroom, getting her own ones..  Trissa was sure she would never see those clothes again, even though a quick wash would have been all it needed.

  She had to look away when she saw what Caius had laid out. The dress fit much better into the man’s wardrobe than into hers in question of style. There was embroidery at the bottom of the fabric that was hard to make out, but the whole thing was made of black silk. Trissa also found a tiny ruby that could be attached to her dress neckline. The mortal’s eyes didn’t notice the tiny paint stain on the dress, which Caius might have caused. With no other option, she had to put on the only dress left in the room. As soon as Trissa picked up the fabric, she was expecting it to smell like dust. She didn't expected that it didn’t detect anything causing Trissa was particularly pleased about. She had to bite her lip as the fabric clung to her body a few moments later.. It was a bit more uncomfortable because her body wasn’t completely dry yet. The heavy, thick metal on her wrist made it much harder to move. But nothing compared to sleeping problems while a man was watching every breath she took, and a metal on her wrist too.

 Caius had only returned hours later, but instead of his usual black cloak and fancy shirt, he was wearing only a simple silk shirt. The contrast between the black clothing and his vivid red gaze further enhanced the effect. Trissa, who had been preparing to sleep, felt her breath catch in her throat as a cold sweat ran down her spine.

– Come. – The blond man stated, without so much as a greeting. He didn’t wait for Trissa to respond, instead, grabbing the chain, he pulled her closer. Trissa could have gotten used to not receiving answers or explicit information regarding certain matters, but even after days, she hadn’t learned much about her captor or the entire system that delivered food to the desk twice a day.

A shiver ran through her body as she let her eyes  fall on the iron shackles binding her wrists. The tug was not happened without a pain.. With a single movement, the blond vampire snapped the metal shackle holding his wrist. Then, for a moment, he looked down into Trissa’s eyes. – You wouldn’t stand a chance if you tried to run. – The oldest  man said, referring to escape attempts. – You don’t need to worry about that. – Trissa replied, perhaps a little more sharply than necessary. Her eyebrows shot up when she found a shoe box in the corner of the bed. A woman wearing flashy clothes often restocked her wardrobe, but the shoes were never included in the clothing packages. Before, Trissa wouldn’t have thought how comfortable it was to slip into a simple pair of black sneakers. It really annoyed her that Caius was tapping his nails on the door, waiting impatiently. *****

Although it was still well into the day according to the clock, Trissa followed the man through dimly lit hallways as they left the room. Every time Trissa slowed down or their gaze lingered on something in the hallways, a barely audible, grumpy growl escaped their throat.

 To her surprise, there were several sculptures and paintings along the way, some of which she found interesting.  She didn’t notice when they reached their destination, only that an ice-cold hand slid down the middle of her back and pushed her forcefully into the already open room. Trissa’s feet nearly tripped over her own feet when her gaze shifted from the marble floor to the bookshelves reaching up to the ceiling. Perhaps even the world’s largest library could rival the clan’s library. It wouldn’t surprise her if, after a brief search, she found even ancient books from Alexandra, in good condition.

Caius must have noticed her wide eyed gaze, because he simply was pushing her further inside. All resistance vanished from Trissa’s mind, along with the fear and depression caused by confinement, and even the pain in her wrist.

– There are a few things you need to get used to before your transformation. – Caius remarked, reminding Trissa of the most terrifying information. She only found out after spending an entire day chained up in Caius’s sleeping quarters. The days she spent there, mostly alone, weren’t enough for Trissa to fully come to terms with the fact that her fate was no longer in her own hands. Ever since that moment, her stomach had been in knots and she had to hold herself back from screaming at the top of her lungs or staring into the void, waiting for the end of the world.

– I have no choice.– She nodded with hesitation. The great hall was vast, but Trissa saw nothing that could help her get in touch with her friends or family, who must be searching for her by now. As her initial shock subsided, her head was  filling up with thoughts. Her best friend, and maybe others might know what she should do or say, but Trissa didn’t. Not even the best movies, manga, or books had ever depicted a similar situation.

She glanced back over her shoulder at the man, whose expression had softened, yet still suggested that if Trissa dared to speak up or object, she would regret it. And someone who even monitors the time spent in the bathroom, and feels no shame or guilt about walking in on a person in the middle of a bath without batting an eye, or killing people, Trissa cannot expect a positive outcome.

A startled gasp escaped his throat involuntarily when he saw the books Caius had placed on his desk.

– Your foolishness won’t lengthen your remaining days.– He brought Trissa back to her senses and pushed an old book toward her, its pages completely yellowed, though the cover was in perfect condition. – As a vampire, everything fades into the mist, but it’s common for a few things to remain. Even without a thirst for blood, you must learn your place. – Caius spoke up. It was clear from his entire being that he was bored with having to teach Trissa, yet his eyes still burned sharply into Trissa’s skin.

Trissa’s thoughts often wandered while reading the clan’s history and rules. As Caius had said just seconds earlier, she knew the clan had strict rules regarding newborns, and she really did need to pay attention.

Fortunately, someone had left a few pieces of paper on the desk, and while the blond man was fetching a book, Trissa was able to grab one, along with a pencil that was clearly just there for decoration. As she tried to keep most of it in her head, she doodled with her hand. Her movements froze only when she sensed the man’s presence. Her heartbeat quickened as she felt the vampire lean forward. She braced herself for a snide remark, and she didn’t have to wait long.

The sight of the eighteen-year-old boy stood in stark contrast to the travelers wrapped in clothes from head to toe. Dylan noticed the disapproving glances as Paul spun around in a thin, oily shirt and shorts, looking for her, and when he found her, he hurried toward her with springy steps. Although Dylan was only spending the summer with his father, he arrived with lots of bags and suitcases. Even after five years, she still hadn't mastered the art of packing, even though clothes weren't really the majority of her belongings. The space in the bags were filled with shoes, books, and life-giving electronics, because although she loved spending time with her family and friends, solitude was also necessary for her sanity.

– I see you're dressed for the weather in Forks. – Paul greets her with a joyful laugh as he hugs the girl as she was trying to stand on her feet. The older Lahote's hand somehow manages to grab the handrail attached to the train seat in time to hold them steady when the train finally stops. He was right, Dylan had indeed put on the extra layers of clothing that always came in handy in humid Forks. Dylan learned her lesson. – And I can see you're still haunted by viral pneumonia. – She was hinting at the boy's missing clothes as Paul finally let go of her. Instead of answering, Paul just ruffled her hair. Their lips didn't move, but their eyes and relaxed demeanor showed how close they were and how much they missed each other. – Come on, Aunt Elise and Emily have been ready since this morning. – Paul picks up Dylan's suitcase and travel bag. Neither bag was light, but he didn't make a move to show that he found them heavy. Dylan followed her cousin, carrying only her laptop bag. Paul had been able to train much more during the summer, because he looked more muscular through Dylan's eyes. On the platform, Dylan almost broke her laptop when her mom finally pulled her into her arms. Dylan was the spitting image of her mother, with minor differences from her white german father, what her grandmother repeated this during the car ride to the reservation.

During the summer they never lost touch or stopped communicating, with calls at least three times a week and even more frequent text messages. So Dylan never felt left out or like an outsider. The calls sometimes came at inconvenient times, but they always tried to maintain the system. Dylan's close friends, her mother, and her family members always intended to keep in touch in some way while Dylan was in sunny Florida or at other parts of the world for the summer.

Although autumn had begun, and with it, the  school on the reservation too. But Dylan only joined her very small high school class later in the fall due to various joint programs. Her school was very different from Forks High School, but Dylan didn't mind it much. It was much better that she knew her teachers, classmates, and fellow students, and the school programs were much more fun and the people were much more close-knit. Years earlier, Dylan's mother, Elise, had offered to enroll her in the city school, drive her there in the morning, and pick her up after school.

– Honey, can you take this to Emily? –  Elise knocked on Dylan's door. She was carrying the largest yellow tray in the house, loaded with sliced fruit bread. Back in the spring, before Dylan boarded the train and plane, she had never had to make such trips. The older woman was just a nice acquaintance, but in recent weeks, Dylan had had to walk along the shore or the edge of the forest several times to help her mother. This wouldn't be a problem if the girl weren't so terrified of wild boars, or more precisely, the kind of boars that attack humans. She may have inherited her mother's brown eyes and Creole skin, but she also inherited her father's cowardice in certain situations, and this was one of them.

– I'll get dressed and go. –   She replies, then points to her feet. She wore simple shorts and a T-shirt because, although the room was at a comfortable temperature and she wasn't cold, the warmth burning in her chest couldn't compete with the weather outside.

The girl had to force herself to stand up straight. She probably had overdone it in PE class a few days earlier because her muscles were stiff. As soon as Elise closed the door, Dylan restarted the podcast and started to get dressed. The focus was not on fashion, but on comfort.  Minutes later, Dylan, wearing a giant sweater she had received from Paul, was trying to avoid the wide puddles and muddy areas to protect her shoes. Her hand was already on the door of the cabin of Emily when she heard laughter behind the house and recognized her cousin's voice too. After a few steps, the young girl noticed people running out of the woods, laughing joking and pushing each other in the mud. She recognized everyone, but... they had changed terribly. Dylan knew that Paul always hung out with Sam, but she also noticed a boy who was only a year older than her, and he had almost doubled in weight. It was already strange to see grown men hanging out with teenagers, but Dylan was even more shocked to see Jacob Black alongside Sam and Paul.

Dylan rarely saw Billy's son, and when she did, he was often with the police chief's daughter. This earned him a nickname among the older kids, and although Paul didn't hate him, he didn't like him either.

– Cookies!– Seth lifts his head and immediately starts running, but with two exceptions, almost everyone follows him. The force of momentum almost knocks the girl down as they start pushing each other inches away from her. – Thanks, Sas...–  Paul plants a smacking kiss on Dylan's cheek as he grabs several slices from the tray. The hands don't slow down for a moment, attacking the quickly mixed cake, but as soon as the terrace door opens, they calm down. Emily's head appears from behind the door first.. The scarred woman looked puzzled at first, but as soon as she saw Dylan, she understood the situation and smiled and let out a chukle. – She called me to send some help. Come in.–  She invites Dylan into the house. The boys competing for food calmed down and behaved more politely towards the girl. One of them even held the door open while Dylan balanced the tray into the room and set it down on the table.

It was still autumn, and the baby was due in the spring, but there were already several baby items taking up space in the room. Dylan had already learned from her mother that Sam and Emily had been trying for years to have a baby, but only recently had they succeeded.

– Elise deserves a big thank you. –  Sam stepped through the doorway, drawing Dylan's attention. Ignoring everything else, the man walked quickly and purposefully towards his wife. The embrace and kiss that followed were enviable, leaving Emily no room to question how much Sam had missed her. Even though Dylan considered herself too young for such gestures, a little longing crept into her heart.

– Mom loves to bake, but I'll pass the message. – The answer came out of Dylan's mouth at first thought. The answer sounded silly, but it only elicited a wave of smiles from the half-naked boys, who devoured the cake in a matter of minutes. Even Sam, who was known for his grumpiness and secrecy, smiled, his hand resting on Emily's growing belly.

Only one gaze lingered on Dylan's back, or rather, one that she noticed. The youngest Black boy didn't even acknowledge her greeting, but his eyes burned holes into Dylan's already sensitive skin. It shouldn't bother her, but she still found the situation unsettling.  The feeling rarely came over Dylan, but its intensity frightened her, so she decided it would be best to leave the room.

– I still have a lot to learn... Paul will bring the tray back. –  She excused herself as the warmth continued to grow in her chest. A lie. A huge lie. Dylan's schoolwork, notes, and homework lay ready on her desk, waiting for the next day when Dylan would pack them into her backpack. – I have to stop by the convenience store, I'll give you a ride. – Paul also gets up from the table, offering her a ride, popping a piece of cake into his mouth. In his other hand, he's holding another slice, which he had to push Seth away from to get. Then he walks beside Dylan toward the SUV. The man still has the food in his hand, mud stains on his clothes and hair.

The weather wasn't the worst, but the ride was still a nice gesture. Dylan will be in bed sooner, and maybe, if she's lucky, she'll find some fever reducers. Under normal circumstances, nothing would really bother her, but in the last few hours she's had to take several deep breaths to calm herself down. And irritability had always been a sign of his impending illness.

•••••••••

Days later, it didn't matter how many fever-reducing pills Dylan had taken. They didn't help at all. Since Emily's visit, Dylan hadn't left the house because of it.. She slept most of the day, and even when her mother was able to wake her up, Dylan didn't feel energetic enough to go to school and be mentally present in class. Although Elise had always considered education important, as university too, she knew that Dylan wasn't sleeping out of laziness. Since childhood, increased sleep had always been a sign of illness, with no exceptions.

As Elise's work allowed, she checked on her daughter several times, but when she couldn't, family members took on the role of watching over the young girl. Relatives who for some reason often brought large amounts of food to the family home, most of which Dylan was able to consume in an hour or two. Snow had already covered the landscape with a centimeter-thick blanket when Elise had to rush in to replace her colleague, so the elderly head of the family sometimes looked out on Dylan. The young girl would sometimes startle when the older woman opened the door. Sometimes she would wake up at dusk to the deeper, but muffled, male voices coming from outside her room. Basically, the presence of guests often brought positive events, such as gossip, special snacks, and hospitality, but now there was no excitement in Dylan's heart. Rather, there was a need for them to leave.

Dylan's head was throbbing with pain, but she sat up to ask the visitors to turn down the volume. Just then, Sam walked into her room without knocking.

– Come on...–  Sam called out to the sitting Dylan. His voice had changed almost completely, becoming more powerful, but at least he was wearing a jacket now. The superiority in his eyes and voice awakened something in Dylan.  Sam's irritability served as a catalyst, but for some unknown reason, Asha followed him. Before Dylan could put on her coat, Sam's hand grabbed the thick fabric. – It's unnecessary. –  Sam said, and he didn't let go until Dylan lowered her arm.

They walked all the way to the forest, to a clearing where another girl from the reservation was waiting. It only took five minutes to reach the trees, but Dylan's movements were hampered by muscle soreness. She didn't know what was happening. – Pay attention to your breathing. – Leah advises, but Dylan didn't understand what that meant until Sam started to undress. A shocked sound, perhaps a curse, escaped Dylan's throat, and she turned away with a dizzying acceleration, but she caught the moment just in time when Sam's bones snapped almost simultaneously, and in an instant, an animal larger than a Direwolf stood before Dylan. Dylan's trembling doubled with fear, but instead of simply waiting for the man she had known all her life to kill her, she began to run. The trembling that affected her whole body and the overwhelming amount of stimulation were frightening for the girl. No matter how fast she ran, the wolf was always on her heels, and slowly the trembling became so intense that Dylan could no longer run. Her legs couldn't hold her up due to the unwanted movements, and she finally fell onto the snowy leaves.

Her vision suddenly sharpened, then plunged back into darkness as the pain reached her bones. Most of her mind faded away, leaving only two emotions: obedience and survival instinct. Far away, a fragment of a thought reached Dylan's narrowed consciousness, Leah's voice reminding her to breathe.  With the council's help, Dylan's perception clears up. She notices the growling, the difference in height, and then the torn clothes. Dylan is shocked when she realizes that no one else is growling but her, and that she cannot escape because her two hands and feet have turned into four dark gray legs.

She wanted to scream, but only a growl came out of her throat, and her attempt to run failed when she couldn't figure out how to walk on four legs. Her legs kept getting in the way. – Listen to me. –  Sam's voice spoke in her head, and the frightened girl quickly looked up, but the black animal's head did not move. Legends had always held deep meaning in the reservation and her family, but Dylan still found it difficult to accept the information.  Much later, after she had somehow learned to move like a wolf and transformed back, she got dressed and Sue made her hot chocolate in the dining room at the edge of the reservation. 

•••

In the weeks that followed, Dylan learned more and more from the shape-shifters. It was progress that Dylan was kinda able to block the pack members from her thoughts, but she was still far from her goal. Thanks to Sam being there as her mentor and leader, she could call him with any questions and go to his house to grow. Leah, who had never been in Dylan's company and group, also began to open up to her more and more. When Leah was in La Push and not with the Cullens in the mountains.

Officially, Dylan was not a member of the pack because Elise was able to fight for Dylan to continue her schooling, and she and her grandmother threatened Sam not to even think about letting Dylan get a tattoo. Elise doesn't know anything about the wolf thing. Under the terms of the agreement, Dylan spends her afternoons after school with the pack, studying, but during school hours she concentrates on her studies. With school exams approaching, Dylan was under more stress than she would have liked. It didn't help that her emotions were heightened due to her shape-shifting nature and she had less time for her friends. She couldn't even remember the last time she had gone on a real, full-day outing with them and had a conversation that didn't take place during the break between schools.

Perhaps that was why a few simple, innocent comments made her stomach churn and sent a shiver down her spine. The fear of being caught was so strong that he ran into the forest, ignoring his class and his duties.

Within minutes, she was running as a wolf along the riverbank. Over the weeks, Dylan had grown accustomed to the strange smells, even the cold bloody scent of the Cullen family, but the wind brought a new bloody irony scent to her nose. She stopped automatically and a growl escaped her throat. The hair on his back bristled. Jacob hadn't told Sam that vampires were coming to the small town. That could only mean one thing.

Dylan alerted the pack in an instant, but instead of staying put, she went after the source of the smell. Her steps slowed as she reached the edge of the agreement line, but there she didn't know whether to follow the scent or not. Finally, the faces of her family and friends flashed through her mind, and although Dylan was uncertain at first, she soon began running at full speed through the trees again. She ran until she was only a few meters away from a figure in a black cloak. The smell changed, as the pair of red eyes stared at her, the world turned upside down. In her mind, she heard the curses and shouts of the pack as her ears constantly moved toward the sounds, but her attention was focused in only one direction.

It was a vampire, and judging by his eyes, he killed humans. Bad guy, but Dylan's feet were rooted to the ground. If the boy wanted to, he could easily kill her. The angel-faced boy steps closer, but Dylan doesn't move. Instead, she just keeps eye contact.

Dylan wasn't as tall as any of the other members of the pack, and in fact, there were noticeable differences due to her age, but even so, she was at eye level with the boy. This was quickly interrupted by the arrival of the Cullens, who appeared next to Dylan. More precisely, the larger one, Edward and Bella.

Somehow, it was their proximity that Dylan couldn't stand, and a soft growl escaped from her, causing the vampires to step away from her. Her reaction must have surprised the vampire boy, because he turned his head toward her, a smirk settling on the corner of his mouth.

– Alec, I think you've checked everything you needed to. –  Edward said. Although the Cullen family had been living peacefully among humans for decades, they still smelled awful compared to Alec. The only smell she could live on is his. He has a perfect name… Dylan had to remind herself that Edward could read her mind. Even the younger one, Reneesme had a stench.

 – Caius won't be happy that you've got another one. – The young man remarked, his voice too condescending for Dylan's liking. She was only a few feet away from Alec, but that didn't bother her. She bared her teeth and let out a growl, and for a moment, a shiver ran down her spine, but she didn't change back. The worst part of being a shapeshifter is that they become naked when they change, and Dylan is not going to appear naked in front of her angel-faced imprint and the Cullens. Who apparently know each other. If she were in human form, she would surely tell the boy to get off his high horse, but she has no chance because the boy is already turning away. – The Volturi don't give chances.  – The boy adds before disappearing from view. Part of Dylan wants to follow her, but another part stands still in shock. The others mentioned that her sudden and youthful transformation might have something to do with the fact that dozens of vampires had been in the area recently because of the Volturi.

Ignoring the thoughts of her pack mates, Dylan turned back and transformed in the garden of their house, immediately throwing herself into her room.

It's not fair that she had to imprint on a bloodsucker, and the worst kind at that. While the wolf in her soul would follow him, her common sense tells her that a mistake has been made. She didn't believe in the reality of imprinting, but now that she had experienced it just minutes ago, despair settled in Dylan's heart. If Leah could continue to fight the situation, so could she... she had to. No matter how much her heart was drawn to the arrogant bloodsucker, it wouldn't work.  Even if the guy wanted it, even if there was no werewolf-vampire conflict, even if studying wasn't the most important thing for Dylan. As she was not a vampire loving pick me.

•••••

Days have passed since Dylan met her imprint. And since then she started getting dirty looks from her packmates, and since Paul refused to talk to her. Embry had to accompany her on patrols before the school before and after classes in the evenings.

Elise, although not fully aware of the seriousness of the situation, took her daughter out of school for a day and took a vacation so they could get away from the small-town atmosphere and visit a few universities that might appeal to the girl. They were on their feet from morning till night, so it was no surprise that Elise fell asleep as soon as she lay down, but Dylan was not so lucky. The frequent night patrols had taken their toll, or maybe it was the wolf part of her but she was not that tired. 

Dylan tiptoed across the floor, not wanting to wake her mother, and went into the other room to keep herself busy. As she crossed the threshold, the minty scent of rain filled the room, causing her heart to beat faster and her breath to catch in her throat. 

Over the days, Dylan tried to get over the fact that there would be no one in her life who would be the center of her soul, and that she could live a full life without that person, without Alec. His presence would only make it more difficult. On top of her suitcase was a beautifully addressed letter. The writing, as if from a historical era, was written in ink.

There were only two things written on the paper: first, an excerpt from one of Dylan's favorite poems, and... a riddle. The squiggly decorations around the edges of the paper revealed that the words were not written on ordinary printer paper.

Where the earth is the sky, the poor are rich, I can be you, and you can be me.

Dylan wanted to drop the note, but she couldn't. Only the city lights shone through the window when Dylan gave in to her conscience and put on her shoes.

She couldn't know if her mother would be safe or not, but according to the internet, the state museum was nearby, and it was the only place she could think of. For a few minutes, Dylan just watched her mother, then slipped out of the room with her hotel card and documents. She had never had to walk out in her life, but she couldn't tell her mother that a vampire who drank human blood was following them, and Dylan was determined to find out why.

The noises of the city overwhelmed her senses, but Dylan just bit her lip and continued on her way until she found what she was looking for.

State Museum

The museum was about to close, but Dylan made it in time. With its enormous ceilings and historical images on the walls, it made him feel very small in the world. The Earh globe hanging above her head didn't help either. Since her transformation, she hadn't thought about such things, as she was one of the few groups in the world who existed to fight vampires. But the emptiness in her chest affected her negative thoughts.

– This isn't how I imagined you. – The comment came from beside him. Moments earlier, Dylan had been alone, and now Alec Volturi was standing next to him, watching a piece of the current exhibition. His eyes were simply brown, but Dylan knew that his human appearance was only due to his contact lenses. Even with brown eyes, he was strikingly angelic. His voice was free of the mockery of days past, but not of superiority. It was as if the feeling had been burned into his soul throughout his life, if vampires even had one.

The young mortal could have been offended, but instead she just rolled her eyes. He certainly stood out from the crowd of pale faces. – If it helps, I didn't imagine the boy I imprint with to be like this either.–  Dylan rolled her eyes and glanced at Alec from the corner of her eye.  He doesn’t know about the imprinting, but he feel something. That’s enough. – Who were you expecting? The guy with glasses who appears in a lot of your pictures in your room?–  Alec asks, turning his head toward Dylan. Cold sweat runs down her skin as the thought occurs to her that the figure standing next to her hurt her neighbor and her father's family. – Don't overthink it. –  Alec exhales, and starts walking, with Dylan walking beside him.

– Mostly a living person, anyway. – Dylan retorts as they continue walking through the museum floor. From corner to corner, fewer and fewer people appeared, until finally it was just them in the area of the museum that was clearly off-limits to visitors. – We disagree. –  Alec concludes as they approach a huge charcoal painting depicting a medieval village.

Dylan can't pay much attention to the painting, so she looks at the exhibition elsewhere. She is most interested in the human life stories told through the letters and literature that remain.  Alec's closeness calms her soul so much that Dylan can concentrate on what is happening.

– As children, many of us envied your kind. – Dylan confessed to the boy. The thought slipped out of her mouth without any caution. The unusual information caused a sparkle to flash across the vampire's eyes, which, fortunately or not, Dylan noticed. It was clear that only his learned discipline was keeping the boy from snorting.

– Don't act like this... People fear death and envy strength and security. It's natural for them to desire things that don't exist. –  Dylan whispers. Before she encountered the supernatural, she thought the same way.

– Unnecessarily. – Alec mumbles to himself, his voice now clearer than ever.

– Why, what did you do as a child? What did you imagine you are?  – Dylan asks. Despite it being spring, it was still cool. If it weren't for the increased heat, she would freeze in the middle of the museum. Dylan unwittingly hit rock bottom, because for a moment, silence fills the museum's giant hall.

Back then, similar thoughts never crossed my mind. " Alec reveals a little later, lowering his voice. – Back then... In the Dark Ages? – Dylan tilts her head jokingly. The wolf doesn't know much about the boy. She hasn't really had a chance to ask any of her packmates, and she wasn't close enough to the Cullens to simply ask about Alec Volturi. Her lingering guilt didn't help either. – Are you from the Middle Ages?– Dylan adds the question, stopping in his tracks, almost coughing. Dylan knew that his imprint was old, his age radiating from his marble-hard body, but not this old. Alec lived at the same time as his great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.

– You could call it that. –   The vampire continues down the exhibition hall. The chain and letter V around his neck sometimes glint in the artificial light. Several thoughts run through Dylan's mind, several questions that the history lover in her desperately wants answers to. Events and people that are not mentioned or have been altered in history books and websites.  His attention was not originally on the museum exhibits, but now even less so. – My twin sister and I were born in an English village. It wasn't glamorous, but it was ours. – Alec recounts, looking over his shoulder at the girl and accidentally making eye contact. His brown contact lenses had already started to change color, so the girl could already see the scarlet hue.  His body tensed even more than before, so the question never came up. Dylan senses this, and instinctively feels the urge to cheer Alec up.

– I guess you had bigger problems. Before I turned into a giant fur ball... Most of my life was spent moving around. I've lived in more cities and countries than I can remember. And now I'm probably stuck in one place and will grow old here. –   Dylan's mouth twitched, her feelings written all over her face. – Your smell... is much more bearable.– The vampire spoke up a few minutes later, as they rounded the corner of the museum's largest section. – Part of me wants to know. Why? – Dylan doesn't know if he asked the question out of sheer necessity or not, but the young mortal decides not to respond. Dylan simply shrugs, the forward-thinking thoughts making her smile, or perhaps... Alec's strange compliment helped too. She takes it.

– Your smell isn't... that bad either.– A little effort keeps Dylan from giggling. Maybe the sparkle in her eyes gave her away, but if she's lucky, Alec didn't notice.  From what she understood of Sam's explanation, imprinting played a big role in this.  In this thing that is perhaps even more absurd than the existence of vampires and shape-shifters, and which draws Dylan to Alec, making her open to him and prompting her to protect him.  – Even your terrible castle smell isn't that nauseating. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let your companions run rampant. – Dylan warns, lowering her voice. Even if her packmates had completely changed their attitude toward her, and perhaps if she weren't Paul Lahote's cousin, she might have already been kicked out of the pack. Who is it that imprints on a vampire, the worst kind?

  Although they were completely alone in the building, Dylan didn't want to take any chances. She didn't know how Alec had gotten the place, which was clearly closed, but something deep inside Dylan whispered that she shouldn't try to figure it out, that it would be easier on her soul that way. They were already on the museum steps when Dylan gave in to the childish urge to jump off the second-to-last step.

However, the wolf's senses were not as sharp as when she was in wolf form, so when Dylan reached the bottom, she slipped on the rug placed in front of the stairs. Dylan automatically reached for the railing and grabbed it, but not in such a way that she could hold himself up until she regained her balance. The impact wouldn't have been the worst thing, just a little bruise, but the expected outcome didn't follow.

Alec Volturi was several steps ahead of Dylan, but when he needed to be there, he was there. He held Dylan by her upper arm, just long enough. At least, that's what she hoped.

– Thanks...–  Dylan thanked him shyly, wiping her palm on her pants and turning her head away from the centuries-old boy. In look and age, they seemed close, Alec stuck in the body of an undead creature, and Dylan a teenager, but the world separated them.  Nevertheless, Alec Volturi's hand was not like the dead fish Dylan had expected from the Cullens and the other cold ones. Except for the lack of calluses and the coldness, his grip was just as strong as the living ones. It dawned on Dylan that the boy was careful not to crush her hand unintentionally. Dylan had already seen how the Cullens could uproot trees or destroy rocks without batting an eyelid, so she had a picture of the vampire immense strength. The boy let go before the situation became uncomfortable, even though Dylan doubts deep down that she would ever feel uncomfortable about the old boy touching her.

– Doesn't being a wolf come with skill? – Alec asks teasingly, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He kept his gaze fixed on Dylan. – If so, then I missed it. –  Dylan says, the corners of her mouth twitching. Her stomach chose that moment to make itself heard, causing Dylan to laugh nervously and turn her head away, breaking eye contact. – Um... If we meet again... I mean, without killing... You'll have to get used to it. – The wolf changer girl warns the vampire, the corners of her mouth turning up. She is curious about his reaction, but Alec's calmness surprises her. – I am aware of how humans function. – Alec tells her like she said something mean. But.. No don't even think about seeing each other again. This gave Dylan false hope. Until the moment Alec suddenly froze and a growl escaped his throat. Dylan stepped back as thick smoke rose from the hands of the boy, who was not much taller than her.

– You have to go. – Alec spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. Not in the mocking, condescending tone he used when speaking to the Cullen family. – Do you need help? – Dylan asks. She sniffs the air but smells nothing; more precisely, the noises and smells of the big city are too jumbled for her to know what to look for, but determination and an ancient need are burned into her cells. If necessary, she could transform herself through concentration.

– My sister is nearby. –  A growl escapes Alec's throat. His answer does not reassure Dylan. – Go back to the hotel! – He repeats to Dylan. Her red eyes have already melted her contact lenses, but that's not important now Dylan has to warn herself to get rid of unnecessary thoughts about the boy and concentrate.

Before she could do so, however, the boy was already gone. His scent was completely lost in the hustle and bustle of the big city. Someone else, Sam, Paul, or Jacob, would be able to focus and follow him, but Dylan has only been a wolf for a short amount of time. The girl finally leaves the building, but spends half an hour circling the museum before returning to the hotel. Her mother, unaware of anything, slept on, but Dylan couldn't follow her example.

The trip was only made possible because of Dylan's further education, and there is no chance that the older woman will stay longer, so the chance of Dylan meeting Alec was zero. As the moon rose higher and higher, the thought and idea formed in Dylan's mind. Fortunately, the receptionist was able to give her a pen and paper.

••••

The next day, before the sun had completely set, a figure wrapped in a black cloak and hood appeared in the alley next to the city hotel. It was empty and dirty, with trash piled up against the walls. But that's not what caught his attention. A cream-colored sweater, which smelled of Dylan, was tucked into one of the low windows. As the figure lifts the fabric, a piece of paper falls out. However, before it can hit the wet concrete,

Several figures were drawn on the edges of the paper, starting with a sketch of Alec. Two sentences were written in the middle of the page.

We'll meet in the land of a thousand lakes in the middle of the year. Bring your running shoes because you won't be able to sit still.

Dylan's handwriting brought a smile to Alec's lips. It seemed that the girl had no intention of breaking off contact, and this perhaps aroused a little curiosity in the vampire. He had never hesitated in his life, nor did he need to, because his decisions were always clear, but now he didn't know what to do and couldn't ask his sister either.  That would be a death sentence

While most people were chatting and dancing in the living room and the area in front of the huge luxury house, Vivi was standing in the middle of the stairs trying to decipher the graduation caps with the logo on the wall, to decipher some sort of pattern from them.

She wasn't surprised; the Cullens had always been the odd ones out in the small town. Even if Carlisle and Esme didn't relatively jump out at the small town residents, their kids did. For the young girl, all she had to share with the Cullens was a lesson in the history of raised religion, specifically Edward and Jasper. Not once did the two Cullen's pay the slightest attention to the lesson.

The only respect they showed for the teacher and their fellow students was to remain relatively quiet.

Vivi took a deep breath, finished her punch and threw away the empty plastic cup and went in search of her cousin. Or at least it would be nice if she could find her own company. Whether Vivi would found her own friends or Jessica, her mood would certainly improve.  And it would also help if she could reassure herself that she didn't have to walk home in total darkness.

Instead of her friends or even her sister, she almost ran into the bulldozer–bodied Emmett Cullen. It was just her luck she didn't stagger down the stairs.

It was as if a moving rock wall had hit her.

It's surprising that an eighteen or nineteen–year–old teenager would be so trained. One of her classmates once mentioned steroids. It's inconceivable that a doctor would allow his son to use steroids, but not impossible.

Her stomach suddenly dropped, but she didn't know what had happened. Her senses were both heightened and dulled. A cold sweat sat on her skin as she took deep breaths to calm her heartbeat. Vivien hadn't expected her body to go into a panic state.

A beeping sound accompanied the music.

After the many times, Vivi learned how to handle similar situations. In a few seconds she managed to get out onto the terrace, where she was able to sit down on the sofa. She took a chocolate bar from her handbag.

Her fingertips were tingling as she took her first bite of the sweet.

It took a few bites of the sugary treat, a few deeper breaths and sips to bring her body back from its panicked state. She had already learned how to handle similar situations when her blood pressure dropped dangerously for no particular reason. It always struck Vivi at odd times, so it became completely part of her daily life.

As soon as the tingling at the tips of her fingers had gone, she got up to join her circle of friends, and after a while Jessica and Mike joined them for a brief chat. Although the party was at the Cullens' house, the hosts were nowhere to be found. Since Vivi's run–in with Emmett, she hadn't seen either of them.

They'd been at the house another hour and a half when until their driver was ready to leave.

– Well, that was... a plain party. – Vivien's friends say as they sit in the car. – It's a young night, fancy a drive down to Seattle? – A plan is hatched involving all four teenagers. They were still driving down the wooded road as the plan was fully formed. The big city near Forks is bustling with life day and night, so the local cinema is sure to be showing a movie now, after which they can stop for a bite to eat at some fast food place.

Vivien's nausea returned as soon as the red Mazda was in the middle of town. The car had to stop, but instead of simply giving her a ride home, her friends stayed with her until she was better and then they went to the only fast food restaurant in Forks instead of the big city. It didn't matter that Vivien's vision didn't recover for another 20 minutes.  And the other four spent that time with Vivi.

:------------------------------------------/)

Vivien's eyes widened as she glanced at the newspaper her father had put aside for her days later, when she finally left her room, days after the graduation party. The message from her father was still glowing on her phone screen. Her father had asked her to check the missing persons list in the newspaper, in case the sixteen–year–old recognized anyone. Fortunately not, but it's scary to think that a dozen people could have disappeared despite mass movements.

Even in Forks, if a person disappeared for hours and didn't show up, Chief Swan would send a team.

Vivien tightened her sweater in front of her as she saw the first snowflakes out of the corner of her eye. There was nothing in the house she could use for her dinner. And since her father wouldn't be home until evening, she had no choice but to dress warmly and leave the warm house.

The supermarket was a few streets away, so Vivi planned to walk the distance. She huffed sharply when she took her first steps in the snowfall, but she'd get used to it after a few minutes.

Several times during the walk, shivers run down her spine as she walks. It didn't bother her until she could see the movement out of the corner of her eye. Adrenaline quickly rushes into his bloodstream. Turning on her heel, she begins to run, along one of the more open paths that she knew was a significant route for the people of Forks. Police patrol that road frequently, so anyone following her would be caught quickly.

The breakfast and snack items in her bag rattle and clatter together as Vivien was attempting to reach a part of town where she wasn't alone. It would have taken her metres to reach it, but instead she found herself face–first on hard concrete.  She tried to kick the body off her with a scream, but it was like an elephant was sitting on her.

Her lungs were on fire from screaming as she felt the panting at her neck. The air in Vivien's veins was freezing, and she tried harder to free herself. Worse and worse cases begin to seep into her brain. Her throat is closing up. She doesn't want to be an statistic, or bleed to death on a fresh snowy road after her attacker kills her.

Before her body could even enter a true panic reaction, the weight on her back that had forced her to the ground had completely gone limp. Even so, she needed an outsider to help push the figure off her. As soon as she did, Vivien stood up with a white face and kept her eyes on the figure. On the figure lying unconscious on the pavement, and the snowflakes slowly began to cover it.

The sixteen–year–old girl feels secure, but still something was off.

"Thank you...  She turns to the man to thank him for his help and perhaps ask for his mobile phone so they can call the police station.

Charlie Swan knows much better how to deal with a fast and dangerous criminal, just as like the one who breatheddown on Viv's neck, likely a sexual predator. Unfortunately, while running, Vivien threw her own backpack, as the internet taught her to do if she was the victim of a robbery. But instead of going for the backpack, according to her latest observation, the attacker followed her.

The moment Vivien saw her rescuer, her mouth went dry. Danger flowed from the young boy almost as a physical symptom. Most surprisingly, it was past Halloween but his eyes were red and despite the cold, only a black cloak warmed his shoulders and a hood was pulled up over his head. 

Despite the menace in his eyes, Vivien relaxed as the young boy stood beside her. Her eyes averted from him to look for the other person, for the boy, perhaps her age, could not have knocked a man of nearly six feet unconscious so quickly.

Vivien's heart stopped when he caught her wrist at lightning speed. She didn't have time to scream as her eyes closed immediately and her body gradually went limp.

– I'm sorry...– Even the faint whisper reached Vivien, and then she lost her hearing. The sensation was not comparable to fainting, because she did not faint. Her mind remained sharp. It was like floating in a vast darkness, like experiencing sleep paralysis, but much more terrifying.

The pain was seeping slowly and little by little into her body. The young girl, plunged into darkness, was unable to scream. Although her mouth opened in several bursts to scream, she herself did not know whether a sound was coming out of her mouth or not. The end came when the pain reached her heart.

:------------------------------------------------------------------<)

Vivien woke up in a strange room on a strange bed. The red silk blanket was in contrast to the grey walls. Suddenly she reached for her face, her glasses, but she couldn't feel them.  Vivi could even see the dust motes floating in the air. As soon as her eyes popped open, she moved to sit up, but instead found herself across the room in  less than a second.

All the sounds, smells, and her heightened vision overwhelmed her, to the point where she tried to calm herself with shallow breathing, but try as she might, Vivien's body would not obey. Vivi doesn't even notice that she's standing in a nightgown instead of her usual dress, and her fingernails, scratching the palms of her own hands. If she were human, she would be bleeding. No matter how hard she pushes her nails into her palm, nothing would happen. 

Vivien has heard movement on the side of the bed, but before she could look, the red–eyed boy was in front of her. The noisy surroundings gradually lost their power until she calmed down. She could no longer see all the dust and uneven surfaces of the furniture. Nor does she hear the way people's footsteps echo in the distance, sounding as if they were happening right next to her ears.

Vivien's brain, with the external noise gone, could return to normal. She was in a strange place, with a strange man. She knows she's in the wrong place, she knows she has to get back to someone. But... her memories are fading.

– Sss... You can do it... – He whispers to her, his red eyes mesmerizing her. It made her chest warm. At the same time, her throat began to burn, like acid. Worse than her stomach acid flow back there.  Vivi had to force herself to cough, but the fiery sensation didn't go away. She looked into his eyes with fright in her eyes. The red–eyed boy simply held out his hand, palm upwards, and waited for Vivien to place her own in his palm.

– Come... – He whispered softly, and began to lead Vivien out of the room and down the corridors. The marble walls were cold, but she was not cold. In fact, Vivi's feet were barefoot and she made the walk barefoot. The brown–haired boy accompanied her to an empty room, from which a sweet smell was emanating. It made Vivien's stomach clench and her saliva flow. The moment he let go of her hand, she threw herself on the source of the scent as her vision started to turn black too. 

Her teeth tingled as she bit into the man's neck, and the pink mist settled even more on her brain. Vivien didn't regain consciousness until the liquid ran out, but by then it was too late. Blood smeared all over her mouth. Even her hands.

She tried to push herself away from the corpse, but instead managed to push the body away from her, which crashed against the wall and fell with a bone–crushing crash. Before she could freak out, the boy, who was standing alone with her, came in front of her and used his body to cover the corpse, pulling her towards him.

– Alec, you're gonna have your hands full with this little one. But I'm sure she can drink... – A stranger's voice calls from the doorway. A growl rises from her throat, causing surprise crosses her own face. The boy, Alec has a lot of explaining to do.

Alec gives him a simple look of threat or warning, then begins to wipe Vivi's face with the sleeve of his cloak. His movements are soft, as is his touch on the back of Vivi's head.  The ever teasing and tight and cold boy's eyes soften.