"Her name is Amira. She is about the same age as Esme, both physically and by 'vampire age.' Amira used to be with the Volturi Guard for her power. It is almost like Alice's power, but different. Not only can see the future, but some of the past as well. She came to us when she had found out that there was another way to feed, without hunting humans. But recently she has changed her ways." Edward's voice became slightly gloomy. "Like you may have heard, during our first year of high school there were problems. There were more than 5 of us vampires in the school. All of us knew each other, but we weren't friends...we were more like acquaintances. Every human seemed afraid of us, they were always scared at what we were going to do next...We never expected for Amira, and her friends, Liza and Elisse, to join us. They had wanted to try feeding off animals instead. We all went hunting, it was fine at first, they were getting accustomed to animals, until...they ran into a human. We had to quickly take away Jasper, while Carlisle and I stayed, talking to them. A few days after, they stopped feeding on humans. Amira had thought that they would be fine hunting on their own, so they left without us...but that caused us many problems the next day. Everyone had stayed away from us the entire day, even the teachers. All of them were afraid of speaking to us. As we got to lunch, everyone huddled to themselves talking quietly, not knowing that we could hear. They were talking about a weird 'animal' attack..."
Immediately, those words reminded me of James, Victoria and Laurent. The memories that I had placed away came back. James breaking my leg, the fire, the pain. Edward noticed and paused, "Are you okay?" He pulled me closer, holding my hand for comfort.
I nodded my head, "I want to know what happens next."
Edward hesitated, but continued, "But that wasn't all of it. Someone had claimed that they saw Amira and her friends attacking a human like a vampire. Everyone now wondered of we were vampires, but for the fact that they believe that we don't exist, had lightened the gossip about it. It didn't help that there was an assembly after lunch, and we decided to skip it. But that was the wrong thing to do. During the assembly, Liza had attacked a human. She couldn't stand it anymore, feeding on animals. Everyone had seen, Alice also 'saw' telling us about it. We ran to the gymnasium immediately and we saw Amira blocking the exits. Jasper and Alice tried to calm everybody down, while Emmett, Rosalie and Elisse tried to stop Liza. I had quickly headed for Amira, getting a hold of her. The teachers & staff immediately started coming, hearing about a fight. We had no choice but to call Carlisle. While we were waiting for him, I tried to talk to Amira. I knew what had happened, reading both Amira and Liza's mind. Liza & Amira was having an inner battle with their thirst. Amira resented how she attacked a human after all she had gone through to switch over. Liza didn't care at all, she never wanted to switch over, it was different for her, feeding on an animal other than a human. As soon as Carlisle arrived, he had asked Elisse to send everyone in the school asleep, and she did." Edward paused as he saw the confused look in my face. "I'll explain Elisse's power. She has the power to control human actions. Like make them walk, talk or even sleep. Carlisle had asked to send everyone to sleep so they wouldn't hear or see anything. He had then talked to Liza and Amira, accepting Liza choice and helping out Amira to switch over. Then he asked Liza if she could erase everyone's memory as of this morning. He had asked me who had began the rumor and told Liza to erase the memory of them hiking and finding the attack. We had then left to the parking lot and asked Elisse to wake everyone up. All of us quickly left, heading back home. Before we arrived, I had noticed that Amira and her friends decided to leave. They had said their goodbyes in the mind and turned their car around, driving up to Canada. I wanted to stop them, but I was too late. I couldn't find them anymore, I had asked Alice if she could 'see' where they were headed, but they kept changing their minds. Ever since then we haven't known where they have been and what they have been up to."
"But they seem to have changed their ways...right?"
"No, from what I know, Amira feeds on humans & animals, while Liza feeds on humans and Elisse is a 'vegetarian'."
Everyone waited for my reaction as I became silent. Edward looked slightly confused, "What are you thinking?" he asked.
"Nothing at all. Even I'm surprised on how I don't have such a big reaction." With nothing to say or do, I looked towards the back of the house. It looked dark outside, but I couldn't be sure, since the windows were tinted.
Edward noticed where I was staring and stood, "Charlie might be home, I'll drive."
------
"Bella? Is that you?" Charlie's voice came from inside the living room.
"Yeah. Have you eaten dinner yet?" I said as I headed towards him.
"Yup. Billy came by and dropped off some fish fry. There's some left in the refrigerator if you want to eat." He kept his attention to the TV, only looking back when I didn't speak. "Something wrong Bells?"
I shook my head no, "I'll be upstairs."
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"Already ate. Good night dad."
Charlie hesitated as he spoke, "...Good night Bella."
I ran upstairs to my bedroom. I sat at the edge of my bed and worried. What if they decide to come after my dad just like James and Victoria. Everyone will be in danger last time if they protect me. If they decide to attack, all of us might end up dead. That can-
Edward cold hand on my shoulder cut off my thoughts. "Don't worry. They won't go after you, and if they do, I'll be here to protect you." He lifted me up and placed me on his lap. I hugged him tightly, still worrying. "You have nothing to worry about." He gently kissed my forehead.
"I know that...But I just don't want you guys to protect and place yourselves in danger too. Last time, I went to the studio alone because I felt like all of you have already done so much for me. I just didn't want to see you guys hurt and torn," I looked down slightly, feeling the moisture in my eyes.
"But we didn't want to see you hurt and torn also Bella. We all love you and don't want to lose you." He kissed my forehead again and hugged me tighter.
I stayed silent for a while, not even Edward spoke. All I could hear was my breathing...I slowly shut my eyes, and fell asleep.
------
I walked downstairs to the sound of eggs frying. It made me wonder, Charlie hardly ever cooks his own food. I slowly entered the kitchen, slightly confused, "Dad, what are yo-" I cut myself off as I saw Edward looking back at me.
"I may not be Charlie, but I cooked you food." His crooked smile flashed in my direction.
"Sorry, Charlie left already?" I sat down in the dining room. Edward placed the plate in front of, along with some bacon and ketchup.
"He left quite early," Edward sat down on the chair next to me, "It seemed like he didn't want to wake you, he was being careful not to make any noise. I wondered what was going on so I read his mind...You should know how much he worries about you. He was just recalling what happened last night, he kept murmuring to himself that you seemed off, and if it was his fault. Charlie may not seem like he cares so much, but he always tries choose what's best for you."
I became speechless. I was worrying about him also, thinking about all the possibilities that the new vampire might come after at work, or when I'm not home. I was snapped out of my thinking when Edward abruptly stood. "Something wrong?" I asked.
"Yes. There are vampires outside."
I froze in my seat upon hearing 'vampires'. What are they doing here?
"Let's go," Edward gathered up the dishes and quickly placed them in the the sink. Even in a hurry he managed to wash and stack the dishes. He grabbed my stuff and picked me up, he ran out the front door, leaving the Volvo behind. "Close your eyes, and don't worry."
I saw 2 other vampires chasing after us before I shut my eyes. What is Edward going to do?
"You're okay now." Edward let me down on the grass and I took a look around. Why were we in the forest?
"Why are we here?"
"I drove them in circles. We're behind the main school building right now." He took a hold of my hand as we walked forward. The bell rang and students rushed inside the classrooms. Edward tensed up as we neared the parking lot. I felt a breeze near my right arm, Edward quickly pulled me toward him, shielding me with his arms.
"As we heard, Miss Swan is very delicious smelling." A voice came from beside me and Edward moved the opposite way.
"Her scent is almost floral somehow...Very delicious indeed." Another voice came from in front of us. Edward growled in frustration and anger as he stayed put.
Someone stepped out from the darkness and smiled, "This will be fun." She quickly launched herself towards us, Edward moved backwards, closer into the sunlight. I quickly became worried, there might still be people outside, Edward might get exposed! The became brighter as we neared the parking lot, I quickly panicked and froze. I didn't what to do, I'm just a human. I couldn't possibly do anything to help. She came closer, ready to attack, Edward was about to attack her when she suddenly back away. She looked past us and growled angrily as she disappeared into the forest. I was about to ask Edward why she just left, but his furrowed eyebrows gave away that he was just as confused as me. I turned around to see what she was looking at. I saw Kylie walking towards us, or so it seemed. She passed me as if I wasn't there. Did those 2 vampires leave because they saw her coming? Why wou-
My thoughts were cut when Edward spoke, "Come on, let's go."
------
I stared into the distance as English class went by. As soon as the bell rang I headed for the classroom door, bumping into someone. "Oh sorry, I was distra-" I looked up to see Edward. He smiled my favorite crooked smile and chuckled.
"You seem to have a lot on your mind today." He grabbed my books and walked me to my class.
"But, what about earlier? What happened with those vampires?"
Edward stopped and looked at me. "What happened earlier, was something I could have avoided. Alice had warned me, she foresaw it, and I knew when they were going to come...But seems that I had lost track of time. I knew they were after you, their minds were brainwashed by the scent of your blood. If-" Edward hesitated, he looked at me and continued, "If you were to have died then, or if you had been hurt..." his voice fainted into a whisper I couldn't make out.
"MR. CULLEN! MS. SWAN!" A booming voice came from behind us, we quickly turned around to face them, it was the assistant principal, Mrs. Goodwig. "Didn't you know that the bell is about to ring? I suggest you head on to your class before I decide to write you a detention slip." She tapped her pen on her clipboard, looking serious.
"We're very sorry ma'am. We'll get to out class immediately." Edward said calmly.
"Now then...stop staring at me and get to class."
------
I laid down on my stomach on the bed in Alice's room. I flipped through some of the fashion magazines, but didn't really read them, most were in a different language. "Bella!" Alice's sing-songy voice came from her walk-in closet. The doors opened and she stood there proudly holding up 2 different outfits. "Which one? Left or Right?" I propped myself up with my elbows and took a look at both outfits, I didn't know why Alice would even ask me this question. She looked a my confused look for another second and described the outfits, "This one on my right has a Rosette Layered Top from Charlotte Russe. The pants are Pebble Skinny Jeans from the same designer. And the shoes I bought from gravitypope.com, they have some nice shoes from there, Rosalie's buys a lot." She laughed lightly and moved on to the next outfit. "This other one has a dress from Charlotte Russe also, it's a Rosette Chiffon Halter Dress. I paired it up with a All Saints Becca Cardigan, from allsaints.com. The shoes...well, they may be expensive, but they're worth it! It's Alexander McQueen Peep-toe ankle boots." She paused, questioning my confused/curious look. "What's wrong?"
"I like the right one better, and who are those designers? How much do these outfits cost and how much exactly are those shoes?" I pointed at her open toed boots.
"I'd rather not say." She walked over closer to me and laid the outfit on the right on the bed. She then quickly rushed back to her closet and came out with 2 more outfits. "Next, are these two."
I stared at the 2 outfits that I knew Alice wouldn't wear, who are these for?
"This one on my left has a AllSaints Limora Cardigan, a skirt from Koh Samui, and shoes from LANVIN. The other has a Melody Lace Dress and the shoes is Paris Hilton Destiny."
"Paris Hilton?"
"I just came across the shoes, and ordered a few." She shrugged slightly "Anyways, which one?"
I immediately chose the one on the left. I didn't care, I wasn't going to wear it. Alice then quickly set it down and ran in and out of her closet. I watched her pull out clothes and lay them down. When I noticed that there were more than 5 clothing items, I instantly caught on. I sat up and paused to take a look at the outfits and began counting. 1...2...3...4...5...6...7....8! All of these were for us! What is Alice up to now? I quickly got off her bed and stood next to the clothes, waiting for Alice. She came walking out slowly staring at a men's outfit smiling brightly and satisfied. She set it down and met up with my glare. She sighed and began to explain, "I knew you were going to ask. These are for the outing we are going to have tomorrow night. I'm getting prepared, but it might be useless, since I might change my mind tomorrow."
"What outing?"
"It's not really an outing, I just wanted to get everyone out and relaxed about the danger. It seems like no one has had a decent day of just laughing and enjoying themselves. It was hard keeping this a secret from everyone, especially Edward, I tried to keep myself preoccupied with the situation at hand, but I didn't want you guys to over work yourselves, so I planned this."
"Can't they hear you by now?" The little "outing" was a good idea.
"Nope!" She smiled proudly, "They're all out hunting. They had asked me to come, but I had told them I will stay with you."
"Edward will still find out..." I said, teasing her slightly.
"Nope!" Her smiled got even brighter and prouder. "I 'saw' you not telling him at all, and since he can't read your mind...It's pretty easy to keep a secret."
"Fine, I won't tell."
Alice smiled much more proudly, satisfied and excited.
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