Charlotte's POV

I am no longer human….

I don't need to breathe, eat or sleep. Every human function necessary for living has become obsolete to me and I will never age or die. I only need blood to survive and to be wary of other vampires. Through Peter I have come to know that I am a newborn: A title given to vampires that were less than a year old. Peter also told me that I was changed because I had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. I know who was to blame for that. Evelyn Whitmore! Thanks to her I was now embroiled in a world I never knew existed.

Who knew that chasing after the spoilt heiress could have such dire consequences?

All I can remember is trying to bring Evelyn home before her father arrived, for I would have been whipped if she wasn't. Yes… that was my miserable life of servitude. I could blame no one for it though. My loving parents both died of cholera and were poor so it was inevitable that I would end up as a servant.

Now as a newborn though... I am free from the restraints of my old life: From the punishment and the poverty. I am free…and yet I'm not. I am now tangled up in a female vampire's war. Maria…a Mexican women, whose story, Peter has regaled to me. She is powerful, beautiful but most importantly ambitious and ruthless. She has regained her former stolen territory with an army of newborns. They are her weapons that she uses to maintain her lands because apparently a vampire is at their strongest during their first year of change…I feel like testing that theory because I really don't feel strong at all.

With I sigh I contemplated on the fact, that my new life wasn't shaping up to be any better than my old one…despite the perks. I mean sure I wasa now beautiful and alluring for the first time ever and that my senses were sharpened beyond comprehension and my speed unparalleled to anything I have known. Yet my life as a vampire has already growing tiresome, for all I ever do is feed and wait around. Eternity will be excruciating if it is spent like this.

I am lonely….still lonely. How I have yearned for company ever since the moment my parents passed. I have no surviving kin. No siblings. No aunts or uncles. No one.

With a huff I tried to shake away the morose thoughts as i continued to make my way back into the clearing.

Peter's POV

I sat perched on a tree, watching the ruckus down below. Despite my cheerfulness at being a babysitter, the newborns were driving me crazy…probably because they were crazed themselves. The newborns were just fighting among themselves as any and every little thing set their anger off. Jasper was having to work overtime just to keep them at a relatively calm state.

Just then... I spotted a solitary figure weaving through the brawling. Slowly, I was no longer lounging on the tree trunk but sitting upright. My eyes zeroed in on the girl…Charlotte. I was still taken aback by her transformation. Her beauty was even greater than the usual vampire standard. Her white blonde hair flowed down to her hips, her skin was flawless and smooth, her teeth were pearly white and her eyes crimson bright. She was walking around the growling newborns with a disgusted look on her face.

"Animals," Charlotte then muttered under her breath.

For a moment an uneasy feeling touched my heart. Charlotte just looked so breakable among the bone crushing force. Being a vampire didn't change the fact that her frame was still so delicate... I was being irrational though as I knew that at this moment in time, Charlotte was physically stronger than both me and Jasper.

With a heavy sigh, Charlotte had reached my tree and sat at the base of it. She leaned back, seemingly bored. The newborns suddenly stopped and came to attention. Peter realised that they must have smelled blood. In a millisecond they were all pushing each other to follow the scent. The entire crowd dissipated and even Jasper left after them – Only Charlotte remained. The girl was drawing my interest again despite the fact that she was so unassuming. She was the first newborn I had ever met who could talk from the point of transformation. The rarest of things. Plus Charlotte was not what a newborn should be. She was civilized with a sharp tongue and sense. She really doesn't belong here.

Feeling sufficiently compelled I slipped down from the tree.

Charlotte didn't even flinch as I landed beside her. "Have you lost your fighting spirit?" I remarked randomly as I remembered the first time I had met her.

Charlotte slowly turned her eyes on me. "Excuse me?"

Oh…she doesn't remember what happened. "Nothing," I said, before distracting her, "Do you not get surprised anymore?"

Charlotte just scoffed. "I heard you even before I sat down," she remarked, the agitation high in her voice.

I inwardly grinned. "Is something the matter?"

Charlotte folded her arms. "Of course! There is nothing to do and not one person here is able to hold a damn conversation! Maria's army is made up of monkeys!"

My interest was soaring. What an odd jibe.

I leaned against the tree then. "They are all newborns and therefore incapable of holding conversations," I replied.

Charlotte looked so small as she stared up at me. Her forehead creased. "But i'm a newborn and i can," she stated utterly frustrated. Then after a long pause she asked. "...Why can I?"

I looked down at her. "I…honestly don't know."

This puzzled Charlotte and she seemed distressed.

I was about to say something when suddenly Jasper caught my attention. He had reappeared across the clearing and with a mere motion of his head I realised that Maria wanted to see me. However I found myself wanting to linger with the entertaining newborn for she was turning out to be quite the enigma. Yet despite my surprising reluctance, I knew I had to go.

I left with a simple. "Goodbye."

{}

Charlotte POV

After Peter's departure and the return of the newborns,I spent all my time trying to find the river I had woken up in. For the simple reason that it would be a far more peaceful place than the clearing. I didn't want to spend my time with the other newborns. If I was honest with myself I would admit that it was because i was a little frightened. It was truly unnerving to be surrounded by madness when you were the only sane one. It reminded me of the times when Evelyn's father, Lord Whitmore and his friends would drink heavily. Their total loss of control use to scare me half to death and I would lock myself in my room. Yet I could still hear their lewd remarks and rowdy behaviour…some of which had been directed at me. I shuddered despite myself.

However I was soon smiling. Maybe I should feed on him. I could defiantly destroy him now.

I quickly shook my head. Stop it Charlotte. I took an unnecessary breath then and refocused my attention back to locating the river. It was only now that i wished I hadn't been so consumed with feeding that first day, for i would have paid more attention to my surroundings. Eventually the night drew in but I continued to power on. I decided to channel my new found senses and actually focus.

A mere thirty minutes later and suddenly…Water! The rushing sound filled my ears. Immediately I took off and with surprising lightness. I was now smiling; Too caught up in reveling in my success, I did not slow down as I broke through the shelter of trees. The sky was open here and not blocked by the far reaching branches and leaves. Here I could see the expanse of darkened sky and the sparkling stars.

"What are you doing here?"

A strong timber voice suddenly rumbled.

I started and my head shot in that direction.

Peter!

He was standing beside the body of water. Oh no.

I felt myself freeze. Are their rules that prohibit the movement of newborns? I had never thought to ask for permission. I maybe should have because not once had I seen a single newborn venture beyond the confines of the clearing.

"E-xcuse me?" I stumbled as I tried to act ignorant, now that I had been caught red handed.

Peter remained straight faced but his eyes sparkled. "I'm wondering why you are scampering around here like an excited rabbit."

Slowly realizing that he was probably joking and that I could go anywhere I wished, I retorted. "Well… I'm wondering why you are all the way out here, instead of being in the clearing. "

My comment earned the briefest twitch to Peter's lips before he turned somber. "This is my place of solitude," he stated in his simple manner. "…which you are intruding upon."

His seemingly genuine statement made me falter and all to quickly my confidence crumbled into shyness. I made a move to leave. "Oh...Sorry. I will go."

Peter just looked at me for a moment before he turned his attention back to the river. "There is no need."

Wha- huh?

I just stood rooted to the spot for what felt like minutes. The cursed man had me so befuddled with his mixed signals.

However remembering that I had traveled a long way and struggled hard to find this place, I decided to stay. With tentative steps I approached Peter who was now bathed in moonlight.

I joined him but I still kept my distance. He looks angelic even with those red eyes.

I worked hard to stifle my laughter but it didn't go unnoticed. Thankfully Peter didn't comment on it though. I didn't want to share what i found so amusing.

I just turned my attention to the vibrant river then and kept my eyes trained on it. There were swarms of fish swimming lazily along and they brought the river to life. The sound of the river rushing over rocks was calming and the moon and stars, spilling white light across the waters surface was romantic.

"I can see why you like it here," I suddenly said, in an attempt to make conversation.

I watched Peter out of the corner of my eye. He was still standing perfectly still. "Yes. It is quite…peaceful here," he said at length.

I kept going, determined to work through the awkwardness. "I was wandering since you are the babysitter... Will there be something for us newborns to do tomorrow?"

I saw Peter turn his gaze to me. "Why do you ask?"

I fretted my lower lip then. "Well…because we just sit around all day," I said before finally confessing, "I've grown bored."

There was an answering scoff. "Well do you wish for a war? Will that keep you sufficiently entertained?"

My eyes flew up to stare at Peter. I could not help but be taken aback. "No!" I nearly cried out as if just mentioning the word would bring it about.

I steadied myself and managed to quickly recover from the momentary slip. "No," I repeated in a normal tone.

The amusement was flaring behind Peter's eyes. "Well unfortunately for you tomorrow's agenda does include fight training."

I couldn't help but gulp.

Peter's POV

There was a pang in my chest then as I looked down at the girl. She was just so small and her eyes so wide. She was just staring up at me with such an outpouring of emotion. I was slowly finding that I actually didn't revel in scaring her…which I found surprising. She was just a newborn after all and I'd never been concerned about them before. However Charlotte was different…she still seemed so human. The stolen glances she had thrown my way and her anxiety about fighting just attested to that idea.

Suddenly breaking out of my thoughts I came back to the present. When I arrived Charlotte was staring at what I had in my hand. She was fixated.

I had to work hard to suppress my smile. Just when the newborn couldn't get any stranger.

"It is called The Great Gatsby," I offered as I brought the book into her eye line.

Charlotte's fingers practically itched. "What is it about?"

Her voice was breathless with excitement.

"Does it matter?" I asked, "I imagine you are the type that would read almost anything."

Charlotte blinked at me in surprise before nodding. "Yes," She said with a smile but soon she began to fidget. "Could i…" She faltered and broke off mid-sentence.

The pulling at my lips was getting more intense and I was finding it harder not to smile. I just held out the book for her.

Charlotte took it from me without any more encouragement. She smiled so bright. "Thank you!"

I took a step back as if her happiness was contagious. What an odd creature…

Charlotte hugged the book to her chest. She could barely stand still now and I had a feeling that she just wanted to crack open the pages. However Charlotte was trying to rein in her eagerness and be polite.

"You don't have to stay on my account," I said then.

Guilt quickly swept across Charlotte's face for a second as she was caught out. She then bit her lip. "If you're sure…" Charlotte hesitated.

When I nodded her features became so soft.

"Would you mind if I read it here though?" Charlotte asked, hopeful.

I could no longer hold back. My smile broke through. I thought it was too small to see but it must have been noticeable because Charlotte was now beaming up at me. Her look was so warm and open.

She seemed…happy for the first time.

"No I don't mind," I told her and the next thing I knew Charlotte raced to a nearby tree. She quickly sat down at leaned against it before opening the book. She was gone.

Suddenly I registered that my mouth was straining and there was tension in my face. I quickly turned back to the river and as I looked down, the water surface showed my broad smile. Come on Peter! Marshal some self-control. I brought my hands to my face and wiped away my smile.

This isn't good. In the 3 years I had spent in Jasper's company, I had learned how to control my emotions…mostly because I wanted to remain neutral at all times. Never getting angry or happy…just a balance, treading the safe middle ground. Hmm

I shook my head quickly. After pulling myself together I sat beside the boulder which was positioned between the river and the tree Charlotte was resting against as she read away. My eyes flicked between the two and I was content to just watch.

This is…unsettling.