DISCLAIMER: ALL OF THESE CHARACTERS BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER!!

Chapter 1: Awakened

All I could think about was the pain. It felt like every inch of me was on fire. I was screaming and scratching at my skin, calling for Edward's name. I couldn't remember how it all started. But the fire wasn't nearly as bad as it was for what seemed like ages ago. The pain was starting to subside, clearing my head and allowing me to recall what put me in this mess. My mind drew to a blank for several minutes until Alice's gloomy face danced beneath my eyelids.

Of course! Alice had told me about how one becomes a vampire. How miserable the process is. But how did this happen? I couldn't be a vampire! Edward would never have…James!

I did remember a few things about my encounter with James. He had tricked me into coming to him, and he bit me. I must have passed out after that because Edward must have come. I would have been dead if no one would have showed up to save me!

"Edward!" I called again, my throat protesting. I swallowed and tried again. I didn't even know what I was screaming. I couldn't understand it, but I let it all flow out of my lips. It didn't seem to be very effective.

I tried to close my eyes to sleep, but dreams did not engulf me. You're a vampire. Of course you can't sleep, I told myself. I couldn't help but think that maybe it was all a nightmare and I would be waking up any minute now. Yes, I would wake up, Charlie would be gone for work, and I would wash my face and fix myself something to eat. But if I was dreaming, then why was there so much pain?

"Edward!"

This time it worked. The door busted open and I felt my stomach lurch. My heart would be skipping all over the place but it didn't quite work that way when you were a vampire. But it wasn't Edward. It was Dr. Carlisle.

"Bella! Can you still feel pain? It has been three days. It should be wearing off soon." He wore a worried expression on his handsome face.

The throbbing was fading, but it was still present. "Better," I muttered. "My throat is what is really bothering me." How could I explain the burning that I felt there? It was almost unbearable.

"Honey, that's expected. You're thirsty." That last word sent shivers down my spine. I was a monster. Not perfect like my Edward Cullen. I wouldn't be able to control myself. I hungered for human blood.

He must have noticed my internal struggle, for his frown had deepened and his brow furrowed. I wanted to cry but no moisture left my eyes. "What am I going to do? Carlisle, I can't…don't let me kill…please." My sobs looked pathetic with no tears to shed.

"Bella, you know that I will do everything in my power to help you. But you are stronger than even Emmett right now. If you really wanted to, there's probably no way to stop you."

No! I'm just weak, little Bella who can't do anything to anyone. You won't let me murder humans! Animals, sure, but not people!

Carlisle looked…dazed. Kind of like how I looked when Edward had dazzled me. It shocked me at first, and then I grew worried. Could Carlisle read my mind? How long has this been going on? I thought that none of that affected me!

The door flew open and Edward gracefully swept into the room. "What's going on?" He demanded. His face looked just as stunned as Carlisle's.

"Bella! I thought I heard…" He couldn't finish his thought. He was still very shocked. I wish he would just explain everything to me.

Edward! It shouldn't be hard for you to talk to me; we don't hide anything from each other.

"Bella, did I read your mind?" Did he? It had seemed like Carlisle had read my mind too. Maybe I wasn't immune anymore. Was my mind an open book now?

"I think so. It seemed like Carlisle read my mind too."

"Bella, I didn't read your mind. I can't read minds. You spoke to me." Carlisle still had alarm showing on his face.

"How?" I was horrorstruck. Was that my talent?

"That's why I came in. I was listening to Carlisle's thoughts. He was telling me how you were doing. If it was possible, I would have had a heart attack when I heard your voice in his head." This is not the way I liked to see my Edward. He wasn't supposed to be so worried for my sake. He was supposed to be fearless and powerful. "but it wasn't like normal, when Carlisle is processing what you've said in his head. This was different. It was as if your voice was stronger than even Carlisle's. I think we may have found your talent, Bella."

"I can mindspeak?" I asked him incredulously.

"It appears to be that way," Edward sighed.

"How do I know you haven't read my mind?" I still could not believe that I had talked to them with my own mind.

"Say something in your mind, but don't direct it towards anyone in particular. I will try to read your mind."

This is ridiculous. He could read my thoughts. This charade is pointless!

"Did you say anything?"

"Yes Edward. I said that this whole thing is ridiculous."

"It obviously isn't. I didn't hear you." His crooked smile came back and I felt something in my chest similar to my heart leaping out of it. My Edward was back.

Okay, Edward. I believe you. Now tell me everything about what happened and how I became a vampire. I think I deserve the right to know!

"I think you know the gist of it Bella. What exactly do you remember from that experience?" He cringed as he spoke the last word. In one swift movement, he was kneeling by my side and was caressing my hand with his cold, marble fingers. I wanted to kiss him but I restrained myself and thought about his question.

"I remember being tricked. Oh, Edward! I'm so sorry for deserting you with nothing but a note! But I thought he had my mother! I could let her die…" Again came awkward sobs. "And I remember him biting me." It was a moment before he responded.

"Yes. When I got your letter, it nearly destroyed me. I got there as fast as I could. But it was already too late. He was about to kill you. Jasper, Emmett, and I worked together to tear him into pieces. Of course, by the time that all the pieces were burned, it was too late to do anything about the venom that was taking its course all throughout your body. Having him change you into a monster like me was the last thing I wanted. I couldn't stand it when you began screaming in agony. Even now I miss your big brown eyes that I fell in love with. I do miss you, Bella, but I think you're perfect, vampire, or not." I couldn't let him get away with not kissing me after a speech like that. It didn't look like he was going to though. It seemed like he was not sure if that's what I wanted.

Kiss me, fool! I commanded him. He gladly took my invitation and leaned in to kiss me gently. He only lightly brushed his lips against mine, out of habit. When I was a fragile human, he had to take precautions with me. But now, I was a strong not-so-breakable vampire. He picked that up and kissed me more passionately. If my heart could beat it would have stopped. My Edward was a great kisser.

Just like always, the kiss ended all too quickly. He looked lovingly into my eyes and I returned the gesture. His gaze made me feel self-conscious and I sucked in a sharp breath out of habit. I looked down at our intertwined hands and I couldn't help but wonder how different it must have felt for him. Instead of my warm gentle hands, they were hard and cold. His touch was perfect as always, but it was not the same for him.

Edward, will you let me look in a mirror? I want to see how different I look. I looked up at him again and he squeezed my hand. Of course he picked me up. I was beginning to think that he carried me like that because he enjoyed it; not so much that he thought I needed it. I thought it was unnecessary, but I wasn't complaining. He was touching me, and that's all that mattered.

He gracefully carried me through the hall. I didn't recognize the place. We must have been in a hospital someplace in Phoenix. Then again, I was a newborn vampire, and the smell of the patients' blood would probably have set me off. Edward would not be so careless. I had no idea where we were, but I knew it was somewhere secluded. It was somewhere far away from another living soul.

It wasn't long before he shifted my weight to his one arm and opened a door in one quick movement. I imagined myself being as graceful as him. I was a vampire. Could I get used to myself not being clumsy? I laughed at the thought. It shook through my whole body and I tried to stop. I started to feel awkward, laughing out of the blue. But Edward smiled my crooked smile and chuckled to himself. I knew he didn't get what I was laughing about, but was just happy I was finally showing pleasant emotions.

He turned me around after he set me on my feet, and I saw my reflection as a newborn vampire for the first time. I was so stunned, my jaw dropped. I felt Edward's laughter vibrate through my body, which didn't comfort me.

"Oh, Edward!" I gasped.