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I stopped on page 6

Forgotten
By: Ebony Hobbs
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First, my human life was terrible. My mother was a drunk and my father was just
plain evil.
Second, I'm not a regular vampire. I am a hybrid. Thanks to my vampire half I
have the ability to absorb the ability of other vampires.
Third, I have a daughter. Her name is Megan. She was born after I was turned.
Megan is a shape-shifter; she can change the subtlest thing about her appearance from
her hair color, to her eye color, or her height. Naturally she has jet-black hair and dark
brown with light Carmel colored skin. She is everything to me.

I.
Ok -- so up until I was five my life was routine. Go to school then go home and do
my chores. I was an only child and my parents barely acknowledged my existence. At
school I had no friends, which was fine with me because I had my books.
One night while I was asleep my dad came into my room. I sat up puzzled not
knowing what was going on. He walked over to my bed smelling of booze. He grabbed
my wrist squeezing it tight. I tried to wiggle free but he grabbed my other wrist pushing
on my chest. I fought as hard as I could but one of his hands went around my neck and I
didn’t move. Tears fell from my face as he pushed inside of me over and over. I let out
cries but each time his hand would close tighter around my neck. Afterward I was
confused and didn't know what to do so I cried.
The next day at school I tried to stay calm and collected but I couldn't. I buried
my face in a book and tears fall.
"Are you ok?" I looked up and wiped the tears from my face. There was a boy
who I’ve never seen before standing in front of me. He looked about my age and he had
reddish brown hair and green eyes.
"I'm fine." I replied quickly.
"You don't look fine. I'm Edward. I'm new at this school."
"My name's Sam."
3

"Is it ok if I sit with you?"

"Sure." this new kid made me forget all about crying. We sat there talking about
different things until we had to go back inside.
After school I met his mother Mrs. Mason. She was extremely pretty and nice.
I walked home after talking to them for a while. There was no diner, not that I
was really hungry anyway. I went to my room and picked out a book to read. After a
while I washed up and got into my pajamas and soon fell asleep. I was quickly awakened
to the sound of my door flying open. I could barely see but I knew the voice as my dad’s.
Before I could even sit up her pushed me back down. He pinned my arms down
squeezing them tight so I couldn’t move. I cried as he pushed into me again but only
quiet sobs.
The next morning I grabbed a piece of bread and walked to school. I started
crying again until I spotted Edward and I quickly wiped the tears so he wouldn't see.
"Hi Sam."
"Hi." I replied planting a smile on my face trying to sound as cheerful as possible.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Ok."
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but why are you always crying? I
saw you earlier when you wiped your face."
"It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it."
"Ok. But you can talk to me I won’t tell."
"We better hurry if we want to get to school on time." I said avoiding an answer.
At recess we talked like we did yesterday though he did most of the talking. He
told me about how much he loved music and I told him about how much I loved books.
After school I started walking home Edward was right behind me.
"Where's your mom?" I asked.
"She said I could walk home with you from now on. Is that ok?"
"Sure."
We walked and talked some more before coming up to his house. It wasn't big
4

but it was bigger than my house, and there was a beautiful garden in the front.
"Do you want to come in?" Edward asked.
"No that’s ok, I have to hurry and get home."
"Oh. Well I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye Sam." I waved goodbye to him as I started
walking home again.
My mom was outside in the dress she usually wears when we have company.
"Quickly Samantha go inside and put on the pretty dress your father bought you
for your birthday."
"Why?" I asked confused.
"Don't ask questions just go." I did as I was told and washed up and put on the
dress. My mom brushed my long black hair and told me to wear it down.
Then I heard horses outside. My mom put the brush down, grabbed my arm, and
led me outside. I saw my father and behind him was an old man. He had dark skin and
black hair with a big smile on his face when he saw me.
"Mary she's beautiful." he said with a husky voice talking to my mom.
"Samantha this is your grandfather." my mother said to me. I looked at her then
at him with a smile. He smiled back and we all went inside to eat dinner.
"So Samantha what do you like to do?" my grandfather asked once everyone
was settled.
"I like to read."
"Do you?" he asked surprised, and I nodded. “Well the next time I visit I’ll bring
some books from my library. Would you like that?"
"Yes sir."
After diner the grownups went to talk in the front room and I went in my room
to get ready for bed. I could hear then conversation they were having but I couldn't
understand it. They were speaking a different language but it sounded more like an
argument. Grandpa was shouting and it kind of sounded like thunder for a second.
My mother called me out to the front. Her face looked scared, and my father's
looked angry.
5

"Say goodbye to your grandfather Sam."

"Bye." I said sadly. He swept me up in his arms and hugged me tight. It felt more
like a 'goodbye forever' then a 'until next time' hug
"Be strong for me." he whispered to me. "Swear?"
"I swear."
"Good girl. Before I go, Here so that you don't forget what you promised." he
took the amulet he had around his neck and put it around mine it had a wolf charm
made of some kind of wood. He hugged my mother and followed behind my father out
the door. I never saw him again in my human life...

II.

Edward asked me about the amulet the next day on our way to school. I told him
all about my grandfather coming to visit the night before. I trusted him more with each
passing day. I got to know his mom a lot better too.
She was wonderful. After school I would spend a few minutes at the Mason
house. Mrs. Mason would offer me a snack. My guess was that it was because Edward
told her that there was rarely diner at my house. She was a brilliant cook as well.
Edward often asked me to stay for dinner but I told him that my parents
wouldn't allow it. It was really my dad because my mom didn't care.
Things with my dad often became routine. He wouldn't even look at me except
when it was the middle of the night. Eventually the sadness faded away and somehow
turned into anger. I just wanted him to leave me alone.
Edward saw the shift in my personality and would ask what happened but time
and time again I would say "Nothing." or change the subject.
I trusted him, I did but I couldn't say it out loud to anyone. Not even myself.
One night when I was eight, I hid in the dark corner hoping my dad wouldn't see
me and just go away. But instead he looked for me. I fought him at best I could but he
just threw me against the wall very hard and drug me to the bed. He was angry I could
6

tell because he was squeezing my arm extra tight it felt like he was going to crush the
bone.
My arm was aching the next morning and a bruise was starting to form. I tried as
hard as I could not to cry focusing only on holding back my tears. Edward could tell
there was something wrong but he knew that I wasn't going to tell him what it was so
he let me cool down and waited for lunchtime.
"Sam?"
"I'm fine." I said looking down at my fidgeting hands. I knew it would be less
convincing if I looked up with my eyes was full with tears.
He tried to comfort me by putting his hand on my shoulder, the same one that
was hurting, and I winced in pain.
I tried to hide expression but it was too late. He already saw it.
"Sam...?" before he was able to get his question out I got up and ran to the girl’s
bathroom where I cried. I carefully rolled up my sleeve and saw my arm was a black
purplish color; this only made the tears flow more. Eventually I wiped my face before
going back to join the rest of the class.
Edward caught up to me after school.
"You don't have to tell me Sam. I just don't like to see you sad." I didn't say
anything. I just walked beside him looking down at the sidewalk. He stopped at his
house but I kept going.
"Don't you want to come inside today Sam?"
"No thank you." I called over my shoulder. I didn't have to turn to know what his
expression would be; worry. He was my best friend and I was his.
I went home did my homework and went to bed. I didn't fall asleep though. I
could hear glasses clinking outside my door. They were getting drunk again. With every
clink I got angrier. Finally I changed my clothes, grabbed my coat and left through the
window. I started walking without really paying attention to where I was going; I let my
feet guide me. My eyes were filling with tears already. The only good thing was that
there was no school tomorrow. I saw where my feet were leading me; to Edward's
7

house. I went straight to his window and looked through it. He was up? I could see him
writing something down at his desk, probably his homework. I hesitated for a second
before gently knocking on is window.
He looked around before seeing me at is window.
"Sam?" he whispered opening the window. "What are you doing here?"
A quiet sob left my throat giving me away. "I don't know." I lied. I knew why my
feet led me there, because it was safe and because I felt more welcome here then I did
at my own house.
Edward helped me through the window, and then sat next to me on his bed.
"You look tired Sam. Here you can sleep on my bed and I’ll sleep on the floor."
"No Ed…"
"Yes. I'm not going to sleep right away I’ve got some more work to do."
Truthfully I wasn't the least bit tired until he said something. His eyes were filled with
worry again though he tried to hide it with a smile. I smile back and laid my head down
on his pillow. I drifted into sleep almost immediately....

III.

I was still tired when I woke up and it took me a while to figure out where I was.
Edward's mom didn't seem surprised to see me. His dad was already gone for work.
"Hey Sam." Edward said when he saw me. He was sitting down at the table
eating with his mom.
"Good morning Sam. Would you like some breakfast?"
"Yes ma’am." I said sitting down next to Edward. She put a plate of eggs and
sausage in front of me and gave me a fork.
"Thank you. I'm sorry... I know I shouldn't..."
"Sam sweetie it’s alright. You are always welcome here any time of day. But I
8

expect your parents would be worried?" I nodded and started eating.

"Edward honey when Sam is done eating you two can go to her house and let
her parents know that she's alright."
"Ok mom." when I was done Mrs. Mason took my dish and washed it. I got my
shoes out of Edward's room and we walked back to my house. He didn't even bother
asking any questions. I didn't know what was going to happen but I knew it wasn't going
to be good.
I was hesitant to knock on the door but I did. My mom answered the door half
drunk from last night probably.
"Samantha! Where have you been? Daniel!" my dad came out of the front room
to the door.
"Where have you been huh?" he said normal. He looked back and forth between
Edward and me.
"I...I was..."
"She was at my house sir." Edward filled in
"And who are you?"
"I'm Edward sir, Edward Mason"
"You're the Mason boy?"
"Yes sir. My mother invited Sam for dinner last night and she fell asleep at our
house. My mom told me to walk her home this morning so that you wouldn't get to
worried"
"Sam?" My dad said turning to me. I just nodded my head agreeing with
Edward's story. "Well get in the house I'm about to head off to work." I nodded again
and started walking past him in the house.
"Actually sir, a few kids from school are going to be playing in the park and I
wanted to know if Sam could come?" I looked up at my dad and his face was cold.
"Ok she can go." I smile slid across my face "But first she needs to wash up and
get out of those clothes." I nodded and ran inside and quickly washed and changed
before my dad could get to me.
9

"Bye mom, bye daddy." I said as I raced out of the house.

"Thank you Edward." I said as we walked back to his house.
"You would do the same for me."
When we reached his house his mom was tidying up. She was perfect in every
way. The way her golden brown curls hung on her shoulders and her green eyes
sparkled. She was kind and wonderful. She was the kind of mother that I wanted.
"Sam your hair is a mess. Come I’ll brush it for you." she gently grabbed my hand
and led me to her vanity. I sat down on the bench while she picked up a sliver brush and
gently ran it through my hair. "You have such pretty hair. You should take care of it…
There all done.”
"Thank you." I said looking up at her. She smiled and I smiled back.
Edward and I went to the park after his mom fixed us some sandwiches.
"Your dad looked scary." he said as we took a break from running around.
"Trust me he can be scarier."
"Is that why you came last night?"
"Sort of. Edward you have to swear not to tell anyone what I'm about to tell you.
Not even your mom."
"I swear I won’t tell." so we sat on the bench and I told I'm everything. He sat
and listened to every word I said without saying anything. When I was done he just said-
"I won’t tell anyone unless you tell me to Sam. I promise. You are safe with
me."...

IV.

I was spending more time at the Mason house then I was at my own. Mr. Mason
was just as nice as his wife, though I didn't see much of him because he worked a lot.
Things at my house started to get worse. My dad was getting angrier at me for spending
so much time at the Mason house. It turns out that Mr. Mason is his new boss.
My tenth birthday was quickly approaching and Edward kept asking me what I
10

wanted.
"So are you coming over to my house?” He asked.
"Yes I am and I told you if you’re going to get me anything just get me a book."
"Is there anything else that you would want?"
"You are impossible."
"And you're stubborn."
We were on our way to his house from school.
"Hello honey, Sam." Mrs. Mason was in the kitchen fixing us snacks.
"Hey mom."…"Hi Mrs. Mason"
"Sam, Edward tells me that your birthday is in a few days."
"Did he?" I looked over at Edward who looked away guiltily "Mrs. Mason I really
don't want a big deal made about it"
"I understand that. I was like you when I was younger. Don't worry I’ll keep him
in under control."
"Thank you."
"C'mon Sam we have to get this work done." I followed Edward in his room so
we could get our homework done. After getting our work done and eating our snack I
walked home.
My dad wasn't home yet but my mom was. She was asleep on the couch. I went
to wash up when there was a knock on the door.
"Hello Samantha." it was Mr. Blake the postman.
"Hello."
"I have a package here for you."
"Me?"
"Yes you. Here you go." he picked up a big box that had my name written on one
side and placed it in the house.
"Thank you Mr. Blake."
"You’re welcome."
I closed the door and pushed the box in my room. It was from my grandfather. I
11

opened the box quickly. It was books; lots of them. On top of the books was a letter.

Samantha,
This may get to you a little early but these are yours. I won’t be able to visit for your
birthday so these are your presents. I hope you like them. You are a very special young lady
Sam and when you get older you'll realize just how special. And whatever you do don't
forget the promise you made me it’s very important that you stay strong. Also there is
something in this box other than books. That is for you as well.
I love you.
-Grandpa
It was kind of confusing to me so I put it away so I could read it again later. I
looked through all of the books carefully putting them on my bookcase.
At the bottom there was something wrapped in a cloth, it looked small. I took
the cloth off and revealed a small box. In it was a golden bracelet. I put it on and put the
box under my bed. I grabbed the first book and started reading it.
"Sam!" I woke up out of the daze I was in and walked to the front room where
my dad was waiting for me.
"Yes"
"Where have you been?"
"In my room reading."
"Did a package come? Don't lie to me."
"Yes." I was confused and didn't know what was going on.
"Where is it?"
"It was for me I took everything out and put it away."
"What was in it?"
"Books from grandpa." I put my hand behind my back and took the bracelet off.
"Anything else?"
"A letter wishing me a happy birthday." he eyed me suspiciously.
"Wash up and go to bed."
12

"Ok." I walked away slowly clutching the bracelet so he couldn't see it.
After I washed up I put the bracelet back in the box and wrapped it back in the
cloth and put it in my bag. My dad didn't come in that night so I slept.
The next day I told Edward about the box my grandfather sent me and about the
bracelet on our way to school.
"Can I see it?" he asked.
"After school. We’re going to be late." we rushed to school.
On our way to his house I took the box out of my bag and showed him my
bracelet.
"Wow, it's beautiful." He said.
"You think your mom will hold it for me? I don't think my dad wants me to have
it"
"Ask her. I'm sure she will. She likes you, I heard her and my dad talking about
you. She always wanted a daughter." I smiled at the thought of having Mrs. Mason
being my mom, brushing my hair, teaching me how to cook.
"Hello children," she was tending to her garden today. "What's that you've got
Edward?"
"It's not mine, its Sam's."
"My Grandfather sent it to me. I was wondering if you would hold it for me. I
don't think my father wants me to have it"
"Of course I will. Come we'll find a place for it in my jewelry case.” I followed her
to her room, where she took out a wooden box. "Here, don’t worry I’ll keep it safe for
you"
"Thank you."
"You’re very much welcome sweetie." I stayed for a while before heading home.
Mom made dinner tonight and dad would be working late. After I ate and
washed up I went into my room to read. Tomorrow was my birthday, I kept reading until
I fell asleep.
"Happy birthday Sam!" Edward said when he saw me.
13

"Thank you."
"I'll give you your present after school."
"Ok." all day I wondered what he got me, there was no way he actually listened
when I told him to just get me a book. Edward wasn't that kind of person who gives gifts
like that.
On our way to his house I finally asked him.
"You'll see soon enough be patient."
"I'm not the patient type,"
"I know. Just wait." we walked up to the house, Mrs. Mason must have been
inside.
"Happy birthday Samantha!" Mrs. Mason was holding a cake in her hands. It
caught me by total surprise.
"I made it just for you." she had a big smile on her face and sat the cake down on
the table before giving me a hug.
"Thank you."
"You're like family Sam"
"Ok here's your present." Edward held out a small box wit a little girl reading on
it. "It's a music box."
"I thought I told you to get me a book."I said smiling at it.
"I did, kind of. There’s a book on it. Dad helped me pick it out. Do you like it?"
"I love it."
"And this is from me," Mrs. Mason handed me a locket with the letter 'S'
engraved in it. "Actually it’s from all of us."
I put down the music box and turned the locket around in my hands. "Thank
you." I said looking up at the face of the women who was like a mother to me.
"Here let me put it on for you." I pulled my hair out of the way as she clasped the
necklace round my neck. "There's one more thing. Mr. Mason had to work but this is from
him." she handed me a journal with a homemade cover and I recognized the handwriting
as Mr. Mason's. It said Samantha...
14

V.

My life was becoming better and better by the day. I considered the Mason's my
family. Every year I would spend Christmas, thanksgiving, and every other holiday with
them.
My house was beginning to fade into the background except for those nights
when my dad would acknowledge my existence.
I was fourteen when I finally saw Edward.
School was out and we were at the lake. The snow clouds hid the sun. I picked up
a hand full of snow from the ground and threw it right at the back of his head; I could
help but laugh at him.
"You are going to pay for that." he yelled.
"If you can catch me." I called over my shoulder as I started running.
I looked back to see him holding a fist full of snow and he was getting closer too.
I kept tripping from laughing so hard until I fell. Edward was going to fast that he tripped
over my feet and fell next to me. He started laughing with me.
So there we were laughing on the snow covered grass and then it starts to snow.
I rolled over to my back and looked up at the sky, Edward did the same.
"You think too much." he said finally.
"What?" I said laughing again looking over at him.
"I'm pretty sure it's all the books you've read but your brain is probably about to
explode with all the thinking you do."
"You're lucky you're my best friend or I’d hit you."
"See you had to think about that. Stop thinking just say what's on your mind
whatever it is. First thing that pops up." he looked back at me. I looked in to his green
eyes for the first time ever. I mean really looked. A smile spread across his face.
"You're thinking and not saying."
15

"Your eyes..."
"Are green?" he said sarcastically.
"No. I mean…yes... but that not it. I’ve never seen your eyes before."
"We've been friends for nine years and you have never seen my eyes?"
"I've seen them but I haven't looked into then."
"Well what do you think?"
"About what?"
"My eyes of course."
"What do you think about mine?"
"I asked first."
"Fine, I think your eyes are... perfect… your turn."
"I think your eyes are gorgeous." I smiled then realized that I promised Mrs.
Mason that I’d help her with dinner.
"C'mon." I jumped up and grabbed his hand as we raced to his house.
"I was beginning to think you changed you mind." She said as we walked in the
door.
"No, Edward and I were down by the lake."
"Did you have fun?"
"She threw a snow ball at me." Edward wined.
"You shouldn't have been spending so much time thinking." I said teasing him.
"Alright. Edward go wash up, Sam wash your hands then start pealing and
chopping up the carrots."
"Yes Ma'am." Edward left the kitchen and I chopped the carrots.
"The celery too dear."
"Ok."
"Sam?"
"Yes?"
"Would you like to stay the night? I’ve already talked to your mother she said it
was perfectly fine.
16

"I'd love to." after dinner Mrs. Mason gave me some clothes to wear after I
washed up. "Mrs. Mason?"
"Yes Sam."
"Could you brush my hair?"
"Of course."
"Come sit." I sat on the ground at the edge of her bed. "So you finally saw it?"
"Saw what?"
"Edward, I could tell when you two walked in." she whispered.
"I don't..."
"You two are perfect for each other. And I know that he feels the same." I
thought about it and I knew how I felt.
"Thank you."
"Any time." she kissed the top of my head before I left. I peeked into Edward's
room; he was working on something at his desk.
"What are you doing?" I asked sitting down on his bed.
"Nothing important. Here," he tossed me one of the books I left here.
"Thank you."
"What were you and my mom talking about?"
"Nothing important." I said mimicking him.
"Tell me."
"Tell me what you're working on."
"Just some music. Now tell me."
"What music?"
"Sam..."
"Fine. We were talking about you."
"What about me?"
"You're nosy."
"No, just curious."
"I'll tell you on one condition."
17

"What?"
"At the lake you said that my eyes were gorgeous."
"Yeah."
"Edward what do you think of me? Honestly."
"Uh...I think... that you're the most amazing person ever." he said sitting next to
me
"Really?"
"Yeah. How could I not?"
"Ok. Well your mom thinks that you... and… I... should...be good…you know…
together"
"Oh... what did you say?" he said looking down at his hands.
"I didn't know what to say."
"Well how do you feel about it?"
"Um... I think that I care about you a lot and nothing can change that."
"Me too. I really like you Sam, is that weird?"
"I don't know…I don't think so."
"Think, think, and think. Just say what you feel Sam."
"I like you too Edward."
"That’s a relief." I started laughing. "What’s funny?" he asked
"A relief? You thought I wouldn't like you back?"
"You're a lot stronger than I am Sam. And you think too much."
"I do not. I think the same amount as everyone else in the world."
"Sure you do." He said sarcastically.
"I'm going to sleep now."
"Goodnight Samantha."
"Don’t call me that. Goodnight Edward." I said laughing

VI.

The happiest time of my life and nothing would change that. I loved Edward and
18

he loved me. My heart was with the Mason's they were my family now. My old family
was just a bad dream.
Except for my grandfather who would write me. He would make up excuses to
why he couldn't visit and send presents for my birthday and Christmas I would write him
on occasions too. The last letter I ever got from him was when I seventeen. It read...

Samantha, this maybe the last you hear of me but that doesn't mean I have stopped
loving you. I wish I could see how big you have gotten from the last time I saw you. I'm sure
you are keeping your promise. You deserve much more than life can give. I know that must
be confusing but in due time you will know. Here’s a charm for your bracelet. It is a wolf an
animal that is powerful and smart like you. I hope you don't forget me but if you do
remember these words, ‘We are only as strong as our weaknesses, only as happy as our
memories, and only as loved as the one who loves us the most.’
I Love you
-Grandpa
I went to Mrs. Mason with the charm so that she could attach it to the bracelet. I
wore it every day now as well as the amulet he gave me.
"Sam?"
"Yes." I said looking up at Mrs. Mason.
"I'm glad that Edward has you. He’s lucky"
"I think I'm the one who's lucky, to have him and you and Mr. Mason."
"You are part of our family."
"Samantha." Edward was laughing and peeking through the doorway. "I thought
we were going to the lake?"
"I'm coming and don’t call me that."
"Well hurry we're going to miss it."
"Miss what?" I asked.
"You'll see."
Mrs. Mason handed the bracelet back to me. I kissed her on the cheek before
19

following Edward out the door.

"C'mon." he grabbed my hand and we started running for the lake.
"What is it?"
"Stop asking. You’ll see." he stopped at a tree that was close to the water.
"Perfect."
"What..." I couldn’t finish. He pressed his lips onto mine cradling my face in his
hands. When he pulled away he looked in to my eyes.
"Sunset." he said answering my question. I looked out toward the water and the
sun was setting. "Here" he sat on the bottom of a tree pulling me onto his lap wrapping
his arm around me
"It's beautiful." I said looking out on the water.
"Yeah it is." I looked over at him and to my surprise he was looking back at me.
"I was talking about the sunset."
"I was talking about you,” he said leaning closer for a kiss. I ran my fingers
through his hair. We sat and watched the sunset for a while before walking back to his
house.
"Won’t you stay Samantha?" he asked grinning.
"Stop calling me that, and I can’t have to go wash and I’ve read every book in
your house."
"You've probably read every book in the world."
"Not yet I still have a couple more to go.” I said laughing. “I'll see you in the
morning."
"Ok." I went back to house. My parents ignored me completely now, both of
them. Like I didn't exist at all to them.
When I woke up the next morning my father left the newspaper on the counter.
It was kind of early so I decided to read it. The front page was talking about big Spanish
influenza outbreak. I didn't read the whole thing because my mom woke up. I grabbed
my stuff and left.
"Hey." Edward said kissing me.
20

"Good morning. Did you read the newspaper?"

"Not this morning. Why?"
"I don't know there was something about the Spanish flu thing."
"What did it say?"
"I don't know I didn't get to read it my mom woke up."
"It’s probably nothing."
"I hope so."
But it was something. They were talking about it at school all day. Everyone was
talking about how they were going to close down the school.
"You think they'll close the school?" Edward asked me on our way to his house.
"No, if anything they'll keep it open to watch the kids. I mean think about it if
kids are running around in the streets they're more likely to catch it."
“My girlfriend is a genius.”
“What if I am?”
"Hey mom."
"Hey sweetie."
"Mrs. Mason are you ok?" I asked. She was coughing repeatedly into a
handkerchief.
"Yeah I'm just fine sweetie."
"I could stay if you want..."
"No, I'm fine.”
"You're leaving?"
"Yeah my mom is having company over. But I will see you in the morning."
"Ok." he pulled me into a kiss before letting me leave.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
"By Mrs. Mason." I kissed her on the cheek before heading out the door.
"Bye honey."
I went home and helped my mom clean the house for her guest then went to
21

bed.
The next morning I didn't see Edward. I started walking toward his house when I
spotted Mr. Mason.
"Mr. Mason is Edward at home?"
"Yes, he's taking care of his mother today. He told me to tell you that he'll see
you after school."
"Ok. Have a good day at work."
"Thank you."
I worried about Mrs. Mason all day at school. The outbreak was the main talk of
the school with teachers and students.
After school I rushed to Edward's house and knocked on the door but no one
answered. I looked under the mat for the spare key. I went inside and saw a note on the
counter for Mr. Mason.

Dad I took mom to the hospital to get checked out. Meet us there.
-Edward

I grabbed my bag and ran to the hospital. When I got there the place was like a
zoo. People where running around all over the place. I got hold of a nurse and she sent
me to a Dr. Carlisle Cullen.
"Can I help you?" He stood up and I was amazed. He was the most gorgeous
person I’ve ever seen. He had flawless skin and is voice sounded almost like a song.
"I was told you could help me find someone. Elizabeth Mason she's with her son
Edward."
"What is your relationship with them?"
"I'm a family friend. Why? Are they alright?"
"Have you been experiencing any coughing, nausea, headache, chills, and fever
anything along those lines?"
"No I'm perfectly fine. What is this about? Are they ok?"
22

"The whole family has been admitted and has been diagnosed with Spanish
influenza.”
"The whole... Edward? Mr. Mason? But that can be I was just with them all
yesterday."
"I'm sorry."
"I want to see them."
"Follow me."
I followed him down the hall to a glass window. Through it I could see them. Mrs.
Mason was asleep with her husband by her side. Edward was looking at a sheet of paper
in his lap.
"Can I go in?" I asked Dr. Cullen
"I'm afraid not. They are contagious and you can get infected as well."
I tapped on the glass and Edward looked up at me.
"Sam." he mouthed. I felt tears well up in my eyes. He looked so sad and scared
for the first time. He got up and walked over to the window.
"Can he hear me?" I asked Dr. Cullen.
"Yes."
"Edward... You can't leave me... I need you."
"I'm going to be fine. We’re going to be fine ok." I nodded my head wishing I
could believe him. "You're thinking again aren't you?" we started laughing.
"I will do everything I can." Dr. Cullen said putting his hand on my shoulder.
"I trust you. But they are my only family."
"I will do what I can."
"Thank you."
Dr. Cullen checked in on them frequently. Edward and I talked through the glass
for a while.
"I think you should sleep." I told him. He was tired and fighting to stay awake.
"Stop thinking I'm fine."
"Go to sleep or I’ll read the dictionary to you."
23

"I like the sound of your voice."

"Edward please. You can’t fight this if you're tired."
"Ok." he walked back to his bed and was quickly asleep. I was truly scared for all
of them. I didn't know how to fix this and I knew there was nothing I could do but hope
that they all make it through this. But sometime hope isn't enough...

VII.

I couldn’t focus in school at all. I was scared out of my mind for all of them and I
knew the chances of them making it were low.
Every day after school I would go to the hospital and check on them. Dr. Cullen
helped me out a lot as well. He would sneak me into the hospital at night after visiting
hours so that I could spend more time with Edward.
One day I went to visit and Mrs. Mason was crying with Edward by her side
comforting her and I immediately knew. Mr. Mason was gone. Tears started to well up
in my eyes. I wanted to be with them. I could feel my family slowly slipping away. I
stayed the whole night with them. I didn’t want to go but Mrs. Mason convinced me to
go to school.
“We’re going to be alright sweetie. Go to school we’ll be here when you come
back.” She said softly.
"Ok." so I went to school scared out of my mind that when I went back there
would only be one person in that room or worse no one. It felt like school would never
end.
After school I sprinted to the hospital and when I looked through the room and
my heart sank when I only saw Edward. I tapped on the glass so that he would look up.
"Where is she?" I asked my eyes already filling with tears.
"Calm down. She's fine Dr. Cullen took her to take some test. Everything's fine
Sam."
"I can't lose you."
24

"I know. And you won’t." Dr. Cullen returned with Mrs. Mason. She looked really
pale and was coughing terribly.
"Sam. Hello sweetheart."
"Hey. How are you feeling?"
"Better, a little, and tired."
"You should sleep."
"I suppose you're right."
"Dr. Cullen can I have a word with you?"
"Certainly, one second." he helped Mrs. Mason into her bed and came out to
talk to me.
"How are they?"
"Mrs. Mason is getting worse and Edward I'm afraid isn't much better."
"Tell me something Dr. Cullen…"
"Call me Carlisle."
"Carlisle, am I going to lose the only real family I've ever had?"
"I'm sorry, I wish there was something… I'm sorry." he walked away and I sat on
the bench crying. I eventually fell asleep.
I woke up to Edward tapping on the glass calling my name.
"Sam."
"Yes."
"You should go home. Wash up, have something to eat, sleep."
"I want to stay with you besides I was sleeping."
"Sam I’ll be here when you get back." I hesitated, unsure if his words were true,
before nodding my head. I was so tired I didn’t even notice how pale he was or that his
eyes were bloodshot. I walked back to my house and washed up and went to sleep.
I thought of going to the hospital before school but I didn’t have time. I already
was running late.
I had a weird feeling all day but I shook it off because we had a test. The news
came in today if they were going to close the schools and as I predicted they weren’t.
25

After school I ran to the hospital and when I got there I froze. There wasn’t
anyone at all in the room. I grabbed the closest nurse I could find.
“Excuse me but can you tell me where the two people who were in here have
gone?”
“Oh… I'm sorry but they passed the mother last night and the boy this morning.”
“Can you tell me where Dr. Carlisle Cullen is?”
“Home I expect. Dr. Cullen was one of the best doctors here. He’s been taking
this loss personally.”
“Thank you.” The nurse walked away but I was frozen. It felt like I couldn’t
breathe, like my stomach was in my throat. My knees started to buckle under me. I
leaned on the wall and slid to the floor. I was gasping for air there on the hospital floor.
Everything was gone. I had no one now; I sat there for a while before walking
away. I walked letting my feet lead me, and again they led me to the Mason house. I
walked in the door and looked around at the empty house. I went into Edward’s room
and sat on his bed and cried until my eyes went dry.
Nothing was going to be right anymore. It was like I was dead along with them…

VIII.

I collected some stuff from the Mason house because I knew that I wouldn’t be
able to even walk passed it anymore. I had the silver brush Mrs. Mason used, the
bracelet she was keeping for me, a book of music that was Edward’s, and a pocket
watch that was Mr. Mason’s.
I spent most of my time in my room when I wasn’t at school. After a couple
months I couldn’t cry anymore. It was like I was all out of tears. After school I would go
straight home, sit in my room and read.
One night I went to bed early. I woke up to my door creaking. My dad was
standing in the door way. I had a flash back to when I was little. He walked over to my
bed and sat down. I scooted closer to the wall as far away as I could.
26

“Samantha...” I could smell the alcohol on his breath

“Go away.” I whispered. He pinned me down on the bed. I looked out the door
and saw my mom walking to her room. I called out to her but she just looked and
walked away. My dad out his hand over my mouth and I slipped away to a place inside
my own mind so that I didn’t feel anything. I thought I was done with this a long time
ago but I was wrong. Practically every night he would come.
My body was starting to go numb; I didn’t care anymore, about anything.
Nothing mattered, no one cared, and I had nothing. I felt my body completely shut
down…

***

I would walk around the city after dark and would start seeing the same guy. I
never thought anything of it. It’s been almost two years since I lost them, my family.
Things never got any better, if anything they got worse. I lately felt sick all time I just
thought it was a fever, I was tired too, and I had nowhere to escape anymore.
I was sitting at the lake one evening when I realized it. For some reason the lake
was like a pair of glasses for me; I saw things clearly when I was there. I was sitting in the
grass when I felt a turn in my stomach. It wasn’t like a cramp or anything.
I placed my hand over my stomach and waited to see if it would happen again; it
did this time longer like something was moving inside me. I knew I was pregnant at that
moment. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t tell him; my dad, he would kill me, he
would kill my baby.
It was a long time before I could move again. I just stared out at their water and
before I knew it, it was dark. I walked back home, I wasn’t going to tell them, either of
them. It had only been a few hours but I loved my baby already and I would protect
him/her.
“Where have you been?” my mother asked as soon as I walked in.
“I went for a walk, not that you care.”
27

“I didn’t teach you to talk to your mother that way”

“You didn’t teach me anything at all! I’ll be in my room.” I walked in my room
and sat on the bed. I heard doors slamming and glass breaking outside my door. I heard
my dad’s heavy footsteps stomping through the house then headed towards my room.
Within seconds he was flying in my room. I coward to the far corner of my bed and I
looked in his hand and saw a broken glass bottle.
“Where have you been?” I was stuck and couldn’t make words come out of my
mouth. “Where?!”
“I went for a walk.” I quickly spit out.
“A walk where?”
“To the lake.”
“What did you say to your mother?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me!” he pulled the bottle back like he was about to swing it at me
but instead of putting my hands over my face like any other person would have I put
them over my stomach like a mother would have to protect her baby.
He took a few steps back and dropped the bottle on the floor. I jumped at the
sound of the glass breaking and then I saw his face. He looked like he just saw a ghost, I
looked down and my hands where still over my stomach. When I looked back up he
looked angry. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me I tried fighting back but he squeezed
tighter and tighter. He pulled me into the front room and threw me on the floor.
I could feel him kicking me over and over. I covered my stomach protecting my
baby the best that I could from the blows. I could feel warm liquid running down my
arm but I didn’t open my eyes to look. He knelt down and that’s when I took my chance;
I kicked him and he rolled over to the floor.
I struggled to get up and then I ran out the door. I ran as far as I could and
stopped in an ally way to rest. My whole body was aching and my arm was bleeding
terribly. I tried to stop it but I couldn’t. I got up again and started walking. I wanted to
get as far away as possible.
28

Things started going fuzzy and then I bumped into someone. I looked up and it
was the guy I used to see when I walked around. I couldn’t really see his face clearly but
I saw something bright shining from his face. They looked like his teeth. I could see them
coming closer to me. I stumbled backwards and fell. I felt a sharp pain in my neck then
everything went black.
I woke up inside in a room that looked familiar. I looked around and realized it
was Edward’s room dusty and untouched. I couldn’t remember anything that happened
earlier. I looked down at my stomach and tried to feel for my baby but there was
nothing…

IX.

It was dark except for a stream of moonlight through a crack from the boarded
window. I was trying to figure out how I got here. I could barely remember anything. I
got up expecting everything to start hurting when I moved but it didn’t. Nothing hurt at
all, not even a little.
I walked around the house looking at everything covered in dust but in the same
place it was left. The note Edward wrote, the glass that was most likely filled with water
at one time, Mr. Mason’s reading glassed on his bedside table. Tears fell down my face
as I remembered all the time I spent there in the house.
I was starting to feel really hot, which was weird considering it was almost
November. I started sweating and things were getting blurry. There was a turning in my
stomach like when I was at the lake.
My baby was alive but for how much longer, I couldn’t tell. I walked back into
Edward’s room and sat on the bed. I felt extremely tired all of a sudden. I laid back and
drifted in and out of sleep because I felt so warm and I kept shivering and sweating.
Outside the moonlight was being replaced with sunlight. I soon floated into a
deep sleep.
I had a dream about a little girl with long black hair and soft brown eyes. At first I
29

thought is was me when I was younger but then I realized it wasn’t me, but my baby
running to me. I swung her around in my arms and kissed her hair, but as soon as she
was there, she was gone not longer in my arms. I looked for her all over but she was
gone. Then I saw her in the arms of someone else. She was reaching for me and me for
her. I started running to her but then stopped when I saw the face of the person holding
her. He was smiling an evil smile looking at me. My father started walking away with my
baby, I started running after him but they both vanished right in front of me.
It felt like someone shocked me awake. But I was looking through different eyes.
I was angry, really angry. I looked down at my hands but they were more like claws; my
finger nails were extra long and sharp. I could hear myself breathing heavily but I could
also hear people whispering to where I assume to be blocks away. I could hear footsteps
from the house three doors down. Then his face popped in my head; my dad’s. I wanted
him dead, I wanted both of them dead but not only that; I wanted them to die at my
hand.
As fast as I could even think about going over to my house, I was already there,
through the door.
My mother was on the couch unaware on my presence. I looked over at the
mirror that was hung in the hall and to my surprise I was different. My eyes were pitch
black, my hair was longer, and through my lips I could see bright white teeth, or I guess
you can call them fangs, which almost sparkled. I walked over to her sleeping on the
couch and hated her.
She was just as guilty as him, she knew and she did nothing all this time. I placed
my hand around her throat and she woke up astonished. She looked at me horrified and
before she could let out a scream I closed my hand around her neck tighter and tighter
until I hear the snap of her bone. I looked at her now lifeless body and felt no better
than when I first walked in. I took mercy on her but he wouldn’t get away so easily.
I picked up her corpse and to my surprise it felt as if I’d just picked up a feather, I
carried her into her room and sat her on the bed.
I waited for him to arrive and with every passing minute I got angrier thinking
30

about what he did to me. I heard his footsteps down the street. I waited on the couch
for him. I smelt him as soon as he walked through the door.
“Sweetie I'm here.” He put his hand on top of my head thinking I was my
mother. He leaned down and paused when he saw it was me. I looked over at him. His
eyes bugged out.
“What the hell?” he said backing away. I got up slowly and started walking
towards him. Things where turning red and my hands were shaking eagerly. He turned
to run but again before I could even think about going after him, I was in front of him. I
swung my arm across his face and he flew across the room. I walked over to him and
knelt down beside him. There was blood spilling from a cut on top of his head. The back
of my throat started burning as the blood ran down his face.
“Sam please...” This only made is worse.
Did he honestly expect me to acknowledge his please when he didn’t
acknowledge mine? I swung my arm across his chest ripping it open. The burn in my
throat was clearer as his body become soaked in blood. He started twitching from the
pain.
“Kill me.” he begged and I wanted to kill him, I did but I didn’t want for him to
enjoy it. I sprang to the kitchen and got two knives and knelt beside him again. I took
his hand and placed it on the floor and stabbed the knife through it and into the floor.
He let out a loud scream and I did the same to the other hand so that he couldn’t move
or try to kill himself. I grabbed a piece of cloth and shoved it in his mouth so that he
couldn’t scream for help.
I went and washed up in the bathroom and changed my clothes. I grabbed my
bag and emptied out my school books. I grabbed a few changes of clothes and a book
and put it in there. I had the locket Mrs. Mason gave me, the amulet my grandfather
gave me as well as the bracelet, the music I got from Edward’s room, Mr. Mason’s
pocket watch, Mrs. Mason’s brush, and most importantly I had my baby…
31

X.
I’ve read enough books to get a general idea of what happened to me. I wasn’t
human anymore that part was sure. After I calmed down and got as far away as I could I
was somewhat normal again as far as my looks; my eyes where back to brown, my nails
where short and dull again, but my hair stayed longer and the burning in my throat was
still there. I wasn’t human and the only thing I’ve read about that came close was
vampire. It was the only thing that explained the speed, the strength, the looks, and the
burning thirst that I had whenever there was blood.
I’d been ignoring the burn for weeks and each day it got stronger and stronger.
One day I was in the woods when I smelt blood, I saw an injured deer in the distance
and I couldn’t stop myself from drinking until the deer was dry. The burning let up and I
moved on.
Aside from me not being human there was something else weird. I was able to
copy anything, any movement, and language. I spoke nearly every language known to
man, could perform any fighting style.
My stomach got bigger and bigger every day. I fed frequently so I stayed in the
woods most of the time. I don’t sleep, I could but when I close my eyes I just see
everything happening all over again.
I was resting on a tree after just feeding. My baby started kicking violently. If felt
like she was going to kick right through my stomach. I was as huge as two watermelons
and it had been only three months. I didn’t know when she was going to come but I wish
it would be soon. I had no idea as to how I was going to get through this but I knew that
I had to stay strong for my baby and because I made a promise.

One day I was in the woods when I came across a weird smell. It was cold but I
was still almost human. I looked around then I spotted a women peaking form behind a
tree.
“Who’s there?” I asked stepping back. She looked around a few times in
confusion.
32

“You can see me?” she said in a low sweet voice.

“Yes.” She stepped closer and I could fully see her. She was short with long
bone-white hair that was pulled back. Her skin was china-white and her eyes were a dull
red.
“How?” her question was strange to me; how else could I see her.
“What do you mean?”
“What are you?”
“What are you?” she looked at me skeptically as if she were thinking.
“I am a vampire, and you?” my eyes widened.
“I am too.”
“Impossible.”
“How?”
“I could hear your heartbeat, that’s how I knew someone was here. And you’re
pregnant, vampires can’t get pregnant. But I can tell you’re definitely not human now
that I can get a better look at you.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“I don’t know exactly, but I might know someone who does. Are you
interested?” I was very skeptical but I nodded my head. “Then follow me.”
The woman walked into the woods and I followed closely behind.
“What is your name?” she asked looking over her shoulder.
“Sam. And yours?”
“Lily.”
“Where are we going?”
“To my place.” I followed her for about an hour to a house in the middle of the
woods. It was well built and far away from anything.
“You live here?” I asked.
“Yes. Come and sit.” There was a small couch in the corner of the room it was
dark but it didn’t make a difference to me. “What happened to you?”
“It’s a long story.”
33

“I have an eternity, but if don’t want to say then you don’t have to.”
“Thank you. You said that you knew someone who can help me?”
“Yes. A friend of mine will be able to tell you what you are.”
“How?”
“How much do you know about vampires Sam?”
“Only what I’ve read in books but I assume that most of it is incorrect.”
“It is. There are certain vampires that have special abilities; like me I can make
myself invisible to some people.”
“Is that why you asked if I could see you?”
“Yes. My friend Lazarus is able to tell the abilities a vampire; he may be able to
help you” there was swift movement in the woods, they were footsteps but they were
barely detectable.
“This must be him.” I said to Lily. The door flew open and Lily and I stood up.
“Who is this Lily?” He was tall with skin just as white as Lily’s his hair was blue-
black and short and his eyes were bright red.
“Don’t be rude. This is Sam.”
“What is she doing here?”
“She’s having a bit of a dilemma and I thought you could help her.”
“What is your problem and how is it that I could possibly help?” he turned to me,
his eyes were fierce as if he were trying to intimidate me but I’ve seen worse things.
“It was up until I met Lily that I thought I was a vampire but now I see that I’m
not. I was wondering if you could tell me.” He took a few steps toward me and looked
into my eyes.
“You are very powerful, not human at all. You are a vampire but something else
also. You are an animal of some sort, a strong animal, lion or wolf. Yes that’s it wolf, that
amulet, who gave it to?”
“My grandfather.”
“Then maybe it’s him you should be talking to. But if I were you I’d stay here for
the next few days.”
34

“Why?”
“You don’t want to be alone in the woods when you give birth do you?”
“How can you know…?”
“There are other things that I can see besides species. Lily and I will help you
won’t we Lily?”
“I’d be happy to.”
Lily smiled at me and showed me to a room in the back of the house. Lazarus
went and got blankets from town. Lily tried to make me comfortable even though I was
trying to explain that there was no need.
“Lily why are your eyes that color?”
“From hunting, human blood makes them a bright red and if I haven’t fed then
they turn to black.”
“It doesn’t bother that you kill people?”
“At first it did, I stopped feeding all together at one point but it didn’t work. I
tried animals too but it wasn’t the same and hard so I gave in. But it might be easy for
you. You’ve never tasted Human blood so you can’t compare the two.”
“Lucky me.”
“I don’t think lucky is the right word to use.”
“I guess that depends on how you look at it. I’m free of my family and I’m going
to have a baby.” My stomach started cramping up I cradled it and felt a kick.
“Are you ok?” I caught my breath before answering her.
“I think so.” There was another kick stronger than the one before. Then another
then it stopped
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah it stopped.” I heard the swift footsteps of Lazarus in the woods. The door
opened and he came into the room with blankets and towels.
“Sam when was the last time you hunted?” he asked.
“Just before I saw Lily.”
“And how are you feeling?”
35

“Fine I guess.”
“Ok you should rest we don’t want any surprises.” I nodded and pulled a book
out of my bag. Lily and Lazarus left the room. I could hear them talking. Lazarus told Lily
that he would take care of everything and that she should hunt just in case something
should happen. She agreed and left.
I could hear Lazarus pacing in the other room. I finished the book in seconds
because I’ve read it a thousand times already. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep and
tried not to think…

XI.

It was dark, really dark. I couldn’t see anything like someone stuck a blindfold
over my eyes. Then out of nowhere there was a sharp pain in my stomach, then my
back, and it spread out through my body. My voice was lost and I couldn’t scream. Then
I saw him. The epitome of everything I hate; my father, staring at me with a grin on his
face. But I wasn’t looking at him; I was looking at what was behind him. A little girl, my
little girl peering at me from behind his leg. She looked at me and I looked back at her.
Then she started running over to me but he grabbed her. He picked her up and turned
to walk away. Just like before she reached for me but I couldn’t reach back. The pain
came back and I couldn’t move. He kept walking and she looked back at me with tears in
her eyes. I dropped to my knees in so much pain.
I could hear screaming and for a second I thought it was my daughter but then I
realized it was me.
My eyes quickly flashed open. It was just a dream, except for the pain and the
screaming. Lily was by my side trying to calm be down but it felt like I was being ripped
in two. Lazarus was at my stomach.
“What are you going to do?” Lily asked trying to sound calm.
“We need to get the baby out”
“Then get it out.”
36

“It’s not that simple Lily, her skin it twelve times stronger than ours.”
“What about your teeth?”
“I could try that.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“I’ve never delivered a baby before so I’m a little freaked out here.”
“Move I’ll do it. Try to calm her down.” The two of them switched places. Lazarus
Moved my hair away from my face trying to comfort me but the pain was just too
extreme. I couldn’t see Lily but I could feel her cut into me but it was nothing compared
to the violent pain I was feeling. I blacked out and everything was calm. It was like a
giant tornado came and went leaving searing memories. I felt nothing just a calm cool
silence.
I came too slowly. Everything was blurry at first then extremely clear. Lily was
standing next to me cradling a bundle in her arms. She looked down at me and saw that
I was awake.
“So Sam would you like to meet your daughter?” I sat up in the bed and saw that
my once enormous belly was slim once more. Lily placed the bundle into my arms and
moved the blanket from the face of my beautiful daughter. Her eyes were closed and
tuffs of dark black hair framed her caramel colored face. She squirmed in my arms and
then her eyes opened revealing two gorgeous dark brown eyes.
“What’s her name?” Lily asked me.
“Megan, Megan Liliuas”
“A beautiful name.”
“Thank you so much Lily.” I looked around and didn’t see Lazarus in sight.
“Where is he?”
“He went to hunt for the baby.” I looked at her confusedly. “We discovered that
your child prefers our diet over that of a human child’s.”
“Oh.” I looked back down at my daughter and she looked up at me and I finally
knew that I was indebted to her and only her for all eternity. She soon fell asleep in my
arms again and in the woods I heard the swift footsteps of Lazarus.
37

“You’re up.”
“Yes and I would like to thank you for helping me.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just worry about your daughter. What name did you give
her?”
“Megan Liliuas, after the two people who helped bring her into this world.”
“Well I got this for her.” He held out a baby’s bottle filled with blood. “Its rabbit,
it’s the only thing I could catch quickly enough.”
“Thank you.”Megan opened her eyes and reached for the bottle as if she
understood what Lazarus said. I put the bottle to her lips and she grabbed it already
knowing what to do. “Did you guys already do this?” I asked astonished at her
advancement.
“No this is the first time.” Lily said sounding as surprised as me. “But we did
discover something while you were asleep.” She reached her arms out for Megan so I
placed the bundle in her arms.
Megan put the bottle down and started smiling at Lily. Then she reached and
touched a strand of Lily’s hair and in the blink of an eye Megan’s hair was the same
color as Lily’s. I stared astonished.
“She can change her appearance. It’s quite remarkable actually, but even more
so you.” I looked at Lazarus curiously.“The way you can copy things.”
“Yeah books, languages…”
“Not only that. I couldn’t tell before because of Megan but its clear now; you can
copy other vampire’s abilities.”
“I can?”
“Here stand next to me.” I got up and stood beside Lazarus as he said to. “Now
put your hand on my shoulder and concentrate on me.” I did as he said and felt a surge
go through my body an when I looked over at Lily a flood of information raced through
my head. The same when I liked at Megan and Lazarus. Height, weight, and ability it was
all so weird.
“Wow. Is this what you see?” I asked Lazarus. He nodded and Lily handed Megan
38

back to me. She smiled up at me and I felt the same surge as before. Then I
remembered something that I had to do. “Thank you the both of you, for everything but
I must find my grandfather and get the answers I want.”
“We understand just promise this won’t be the last time we see you.”
“It won’t, I can’t keep my daughter from her godparents can I?” I hugged them
both and gathered my thing together. We said our goodbyes and with Megan in my
arms I headed for the one place where I knew would have a clue as to where he was; my
old home.

Megan was asleep in my arms and as I flew through the trees. I was almost there
and the sun was almost down. By the time I got there the sun was gone. I looked at the
house from across the street. I put up the hood of my coat and covered Megan. The
house was boarded up as I expected.
I walked into the house and looked around. The furniture was covered with
white sheets and the room was covered in dust. I went straight into my parent’s room
and everything was the Same. Nothing was out of order. There was a stack of paper
inside one of the nightstands. They were letters from my grandfather to my mother.
They were mostly about me. I looked at the address from the letters and decided that I
would start there…

XII.

With Megan in my arms I went to the address that was on the letters. When got
there I could see him sleeping on an old chair in front of the fire place. The house was
big almost a mansion. There was a stone pathway that led to the front door and a
wooden fence that went to the backyard. I could hear no other movement inside the
house other than the steady beat of my grandfather’s heart and the crackling of the fire.
I decided to go around through the back as I walked through the gate Megan
39

fussed in my arms. I stopped and calmed her. She soon fell back asleep. I stared at her
for a while amazed on how much she could sleep and of how beautiful she was. I
remembered where I was and continued to the back of the house. I walked through the
door and was stunned by the inside. I
t was beautiful; the walls were a deep burgundy with black trim with wooden
floors. I walked in the room with the fireplace and was shocked that there was no longer
anyone in the chair.
“If you wanted to visit your grandpa you could have just walked through the
front door Samantha.” I jumped and turned to see him standing behind me fixing a pot
of tea. “Well come and sit there are many things we must catch up on.” His voice was as
deep and powerful as I remember. He walked past me and sat back into the chair. I
cautiously walked towards him and sat in the empty chair next to him. I cradled Megan
tighter to my chest.
“You know what I am? Don’t you?” I asked looking over at him.
“Yes I do.”
“And what I did?”
“Yes. Samantha do you remember that promise you made me when you where
five?”
“I’ve lived to that promise ever since I made it.”
“I know and I am proud of you. You felt as if you had to protect yourself and your
baby. By the way would it be too much for me to ask to see my great-granddaughter?” I
looked down at Megan and stood up and handed her to him.
The fire caught his face and I saw his face for the first time since I was five. He
was a lot older but his eyes where the same.
“She looks like you.” Megan opened her eyes and looked up at him with a smile
on her face. She reached out and touched his face and then her face looked old like his.
The both of us started laughing at her.
“Samantha I am sorry that you had to go through this alone.”
“What am I? I know that I’m part vampire but what else. I know that you know
40

and that somehow you knew that this was going to happen to me.”
“I did. There are many things that are hard to explain and others that I can’t tell
you. But Sam you are a Quileute. You carry the spirit of the wolf in you. You have the
power to be great.”
I stood there and said nothing in response.
“What does that mean?” I asked. He raised Megan and I took her out of his arms.
He got up and started walking along the walls scanning the spines of all the books that
where on the wall. He pulled out and old black book that had papers sticking out of it
and was covered in dust. He flipped a few pages and then handed it to me. It was a story
of some sort hand written in unfamiliar handwriting. I sat back down into the chair and
read. It was about a group of leaders who took on the spirit of the wolf and where able
to take form as one. I read with amazement and curiosity. When I was done I handed
the book back to him.
“But I don’t turn in to a wolf.”
“No you don’t, like I said you are very powerful Sam.”
“I’d better get going.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know but I have the answers I came for.”
“Surely you can stay the night at least.”
“I can’t I’m sorry.” I got up and kissed him on the cheek.
“Can I ask the name of my granddaughter?”
“Megan Liliuas.”
“Be safe Sam.”
“I will.” I turned and left out the door Megan still hidden into my arms.
I ran for a long time until I had to stop. I hunted a small deer and filled up the
bottle for Megan. I looked at her as she took the bottle. I would do anything for her
now. But it scared me to think that I had no idea what was the right thing to do.
Then Megan sat the bottle aside and looked at my confused face.
“Sam.” Her hair changed to the white color like Lily’s and her face turned old like
41

my grandfathers. I laughed which seemed to be what she wanted because she changed
back into herself and laughed to.
It amazed me again how much she was advancing. She actually just said my
name. As I looked down at her something caught my eye. There was a white envelope
tucked into the blanket she was wrapped in. I picked it up and it had my name on it, I
could tell it was written in my grandfather’s handwriting. It was filled with money. This
was a start for me and Megan and I had him to thank for that.
I found a town somewhere on the edge of Minnesota and North Dakota and
bought a few things for Megan. She was growing fast so I got clothes her clothes twice
as big so I wouldn’t have to stop as much. I also stopped by the local library and caught
up on some reading. Hiding was easy since we could go out during the day without
drawing suspicion to ourselves.

XIII.

I made sure Megan knew that she wasn’t allowed to use her ability in public
without my permission. I taught her everything that I knew and she caught on quickly.
The first thing I taught her was how to hunt; she couldn’t drink from a bottle forever.
At the rate that she was growing in a year she was the size of a twelve-year old. I
knew basically every language known to man and so did Megan. We also met a few
vampires on our journeys. Only a few of them had any abilities. Anton was able to locate
anyone any time no matter where they were. He was a very skilled tracker; Amelia could
control the dreams of humans and could put vampires into a sleeplike state making
them see whatever she wanted.
Megan and I worked together to enhance our abilities. She was able to control
her looks without much thought and I was able to copy abilities from a distance along
with controlling the abilities that I copied.
The more time that passed the more my world became of making sure Megan
was safe and happy. One night, after hunting Megan and I were sitting outside looking at
42

the sky.
“Mom?”
“Yeah Meg?”
“I love you ok.”
“I love you too. I’d give up my life a hundred times over for you.”
“I know.” She laid her head on my lap and slept and I just sat on the soft grass
and stroked her hair.

We moved around frequently. In a matter of five years Megan looked like she
was seventeen. We settled for a while to gather a few things and take a break.
“Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I go to school?”
“What?”
“School I want to go.”
“Megan I don’t think….”
“Please I know I’ll be smarter than everyone there but I just want to go. At least
for a few months.” I couldn’t say ‘no’ to her.
“Ok but not here. We’ll go somewhere else first.”
“Why?”
“This place is too small we don’t want people to start talking about the new
‘sisters’ in town.”
“Right. Thank you mom.”
“Anything for you. Now get some sleep you’re going to need it.”
“Why don’t you sleep?”
“Because I don’t need to. Now sleep.”
“Ok.”
I found it amazing how much she’d grown in such a small amount of time. She
was smart and strong and beautiful. Now she wanted something and I couldn’t say no.
43

We left the next day for Houston. Jefferson high school was its name. I enrolled
both me and Megan as sisters. Megan shortened her hair and lightened her skin tone
and eyes. I did the same except I kept my hair longer. We walked in to the school and
Megan looked over at me.
“This is weird.”
“Yeah but trust me the first day seems like the worst.”
“Well it won’t be that bad considering that I have my mom with me.”
“Right.” We walked into the office and stepped up to the desk were a fairly
young women with strawberry blonde hair sat.
“Hello may I help you.” She said in a sweet voice.
“Yes we were told that we could pick up our schedules here.”
“Your names?”
“Megan and Samantha Liliuas.” She took out about five tan folders and looked
through them.
“Yes here you are.” She handed us each a slip of paper with our names on it and
a list of classes. “Have a nice day.”
“Thank you.” We walked out into the hall were Megan handed me hers. I took a
look at it and saw that we only had two classes together.
“Well?”
“Only two classes.”
“Two? But what are we going to do?”
“Megan you wanted to go this. And besides if anything happens it’ll take me less
than two seconds to get to you.”
“Yeah…I’m just nervous.”
“About what? That the others won’t like you? This may come as a shock to you
Megan, but people are very superficial; all they see is the outside so you should have no
problem.”
“Thanks.”
“Let’s go I’ll walk you to your first class.” As we walked I reminded her that she
44

was at least twenty times smarter than anyone in the school so she’d have to tone it
down, and that she’d have to keep a walk when the classes change. We were outside
her Math class and agreed to meet in front of our English class.
I waited as she walked into the classroom before heading to my own class. I
handed the slip to my Human science teacher and took a seat in the back of the room.
I’d never been so far away from her for such a long period of time. Usually hours passed
like seconds but now it felt like years. I ignored the eyes that wondered back to me and
focused on Megan. I tried to look as bored as possible in that class. Every so often I
would look up to see a pair of eyes staring at me but they’d quickly look away.
Once class was over I nearly broke my own rule and sped to Megan. It was kind
of uncomfortable walking. I’d gotten so used to speeding everywhere in the blink of an
eye that it’d became instinctual. But I kept at a normal human pace.
Megan was waiting for me by the door.
“How was it?”
“Surprisingly boring and yet kind of interesting. It was weird seeing how they
reacted to me. Everyone just stared.”
“Same here. But what’d you expect we look like this for a reason.”
Over the years it has been brought to my attention the weapons a vampire is
granted. Aside from the speed and strength the beauty is an amazing attribute. It draws
the prey in making it less reluctant to want to escape.
We showed the teacher out schedules and took the last two empty seats on the
far right side of the class. Megan may have looked like a little girl but she was till only six
years old and having her in my sight was a breath of fresh air for me. This class was no
different from the other one. Eyes looked onto both Megan and I following them would
be a cluster of whispers and giggles. I looked over and Megan and could tell she was
trying not to laugh.
‘Control yourself’ I spelled to Megan using sign language. She gave a slight nod
and then pretended to pay attention to what the teacher was saying.
“Can I?” Megan asked once class was over after overhearing some of the others
45

plan on asking her to sit with them at lunch.

“Of course, I’m your sister not your mother, remember?”
“Right.” A girl about seventeen with blonde hair and brown eyes walked up to
us.
“Hi I’m Ashley, you’re new here right?” she was talking directly to Megan
“Yeah I’m Megan.”
“We were wondering if you’d want to sit with us?” she said referring to the
group of people behind her. I recognized most of their faces from class.
“Sure.”
“You could come too, if you want? What’s your name?”
“Sam and I think I’ll pass.”
Megan left with the rest of them and headed for the cafeteria and I wasn’t far
behind them. I sat at table by myself at one end of the cafeteria while Megan sat at the
other. It was really noisy with all the chatter and movement. I could see Megan laughing
and talking like she actually belonged in that circle…

XIV.

Megan was happy and that was the only thing that mattered. Every day she
would sit with them but I could tell she wished I was with her. I already had my high
school with Edward and I had no interest in having it all over again without him.
One day Megan asked me to sit with her at lunch but I told her that I couldn’t. I
saw her face, she was sad that I wasn’t having a good time with her and the last thing I
wanted her to feel was sadness so I gave in.
“Hey guys, it’s ok if my sister sits with us right?” Megan asked as we approached
the table.
“Of course but we might have to squeeze.”
“That’s ok I wouldn’t want to cause any inconvenience.” I said seeing the
46

reluctance on their faces.

“No Sam it’s fine, I really want you to meet my friends.” Megan grabbed my arm
forcing me to sit down. They started talking about their classes and gossiping. Eventually
I just tuned them out and tried to plan out our next move. Once Megan saw me not
paying attention to them she elbowed my arm. It didn’t really hurt but I just looked over
at her. Her face was now disappointed.
“Qué fue eso?” I asked wondering why she hit me. I don’t know why I said it in
Spanish, I guess it’s because I got used to speaking a different language to Megan when
we were in school just in case someone over heard.
“Usted no está prestando atención.” she replied back. So what if I wasn’t paying
attention? I didn’t want to be there in the first place.
“Sorry.” I said to make her happy. Then I realized that the table was quite.
Everyone was looking at me and Megan.
“I didn’t know you spoke Spanish Megan.” Ashley said.
“Yeah we speak many languages. Actually Sam taught me.”
“Really? How many do you know?”
“Too many to count.” I replied not wanting to say ‘every language possible.’
“How’d you learn them all?”
“Lots of reading.”
“Can you speak French?” one girl asked.
“Oui”
“Italian?”
“Si.”
“That is so cool. Megan you can too?”
“Yup.
“So Sam what are you like some type of bookworm?” a guy asked. He was sitting
next to Ashley. From what I could gather he was her boyfriend but from the way he was
looking at me he didn’t want to be.
“More or less.”
47

“That’s cool. So why don’t you sit with us? Why do you always sit by yourself?”
he asked again. I looked over at Ashley and could tell that she didn’t like all the attention
he was giving me.
“I like being alone. I think more clearly that way.”
“So Megan a few of us are hanging out after school at the movies, do you want
to come? Sam you can come too.” Ashley asked, though I knew she really didn’t want
me there.
“Well I’d have to talk to my mom about it.” Megan said looking over at me.
“Don’t worry about it. She won’t mind, have fun.”
“But aren’t you coming too?”
“I’ve got some things to handle tonight. You know where to find me and if I need
you I’ll come and get you.”
“Fine.”
I didn’t see Megan after school. I went to hunt in the woods a few miles away.
After I was done I went to the diner to check on Megan. She was sitting at the back table
with the rest of the people from lunch. When she felt my presence she looked up
quickly. Her eyes called me into the diner, but I just shook my head. Then her eyes
changed into her eyes. The eyes she was born with, the same eyes that used to look up
at me every time I looked down at the baby in my arms.
I opened the door to the diner and walked to their table.
“Hi Sam, Did you get everything done?” Megan said with a smile on her face.
“Yeah I finished earlier than planned so I decided to come check up on my little
sister.”
“Well we were just about to order pull up a chair.” Ashley’s boyfriend said. I
found out his name was Derrick. I grabbed a chair and pulled it up next to Megan. The
waitress came and took everyone’s orders.
“Sam, Megan you guys aren’t going to get something?” Derrick asked.
“No I just ate and our mom made dinner.” I answered.
“What does your mom do? Megan tells us she’s awesome.” Ashley asked.
48

“She travels. I guess you could say she’s awesome.”

“What about your dad?”
“He’s dead.”
“How’d he die?”
“Don’t know, I never asked.”
“Why? Don’t you care?” She was pushing me I could tell.
“No I don’t.” I was starting to get angry but I tried to control it.
“What kind of person doesn’t care how their own father died?”
“Me I don’t. Now if you don’t mind I’d appreciate if we got off this subject.” I was
speaking through my teeth and I could feel my blood boiling but I tried to keep it under
control. I could feel Megan’s anxiety next to me.
“But there has to be a reason as to why? Was daddy mean to you?”
“That’s enough!” Megan exploded next to me. She looked over at me with
concern.
“I’m fine I just need to get out of here.” I said to reassure her. She grabbed my
hand and we walked out of the diner. We ran for a while before stopping in some
nearby woods.
“I’m sorry, this was my fault.”
“No, It’s mine I shouldn’t have let that get to me. Look, you go hunt and I’ll stay
here.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah go.” She was gone in the trees but I could feel her close. I rested on a
nearby tree and let myself cool down.

Then I heard it. It was the crack of a twig at first I thought it was just an animal so
I ignored it. Then I could feel Megan’s stress and I heard another voice. I heard the
sound of a tree splitting in half and rushed to Megan. I was there in less than half a
second; there was another vampire there with her charging right at her. I grabbed him
by the throat and slammed him to the ground before he could even get within five feet
49

of her.
“Megan are you ok?”
“Yes I’m fine.”
“I’m not in a very good mood right now so if you don’t want to die I suggest you
explain yourself.” I said through my teeth.
“What are you two?” He asked. His eyes were dark burgundy almost black. He
had long blonde hair that he pulled back in a pony tail.
“That’s not an explanation.” I said this with a growl.
“I mistook her for snack. My apologies.” I let him up but blocked him off from
Megan. “So what are you?”
“Something you’re not obviously.”
“My name’s James.”
“I’m Sam, that’s Megan.”
“She’s strong.”
“That’s how I taught her to be.”
“You’re her creator?” he asked.
“I’m her mother.”
“Biologically?” He asked surprised. I turned to look at Megan then I saw a
glimpse of my hand. I must’ve changed back in the chaos. I nodded for her to change
back as well.
“Yes.” I said turning back to face him.
“That’s an interesting ability.”
“We’re not going to play your game. Tell me what you want.”
“What are you psychic?”
“No I just know everything about you. You’re a tracker but not a very good one I
might add, you like to play with your kill before killing it, and you like to play games
when you want something to make sure you get it. And I can assure you that you won’t
lay a finger on her and you’re not strong enough to take me down, so you must want
something.”
50

“Now that’s impressive. But there is something you are wrong about; my
tracking skills are excellent.”
“In your own head maybe.”
“Well care to share some of your excellent skills?”
“Megan did you finish?”
“No I didn’t get a chance.”
“Go then.”
“Are you sure? He might have friends.”
“He doesn’t I’m sure of it.” She was off in a second.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Even if I’m wrong Megan can take care of herself.”
“And if she can’t?”
“For your sake; she can.”
“So?”
“So what?”
“Are you going to show me some of your tracking skills?”
“That’s not my decision.”
“Then whose decision is it?”
“My daughter’s.” Megan emerged from the trees and stood at my side. “Well?” I
asked when I turned to her.
“Can I help?”
“Sure.”
“Then it’s ok with me.”
“Looks like you’ve got yourself a teacher James. First things first, no hunting for a
week.”
“What?”
“Self-discipline, like I said one week. Meet me here tomorrow at ten o’clock.”
“Ok.”
“And James… this isn’t going to be easy.”
51

“Good.”

XV.

The next day I went to school with Megan to make sure she was fine with me not
being there. I left after my first class and told Megan to meet me and James after school.
On my way out I saw Ashley with Derrick. I tried to ignore them but of course Ashley had
to say something.
“Hi Sam.”
“Hi, bye.” I walked away not really wanting to even look at her.
“Are you leaving?” I stopped and walked back over to her.
“Yes I am I have someone I have to meet.”
“Who?”
“Ashley that’s enough.” Derrick said
“What I’m curious?”
“Ashley a word of advice, curiosity can get you killed or worse.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Samantha.”
“It’s Sam” I walked away and headed towards the woods where I told James to
meet me. I could tell he was close so I waited. He tried to come up behind me but I
grabbed him by the throat and pinned him up against a tree.
“Rule one, always be ten minutes early. Rule two, don’t piss me off. Rule three,
don’t try to sneak up on me you could get killed.” I let go of his throat and tied my hair
up.
“Any more rules?”
“When I can think of them there will be.”
“Why ten minutes early?”
“It’s unexpected.”
“Is there any other information I need to know?”
“Tons but we’ll get to that later. Yesterday I hid something in these woods, I
52

want you to find it and bring it back to me.”

“What is it?”
“If I told you that this wouldn’t be any fun now would it?”
“How the hell am I supposed to find something when I don’t even know what it
is?”
“If I told you that then you wouldn’t learn anything would you? You should really
get going I can be quit impatient.” He was off in a second. I sat and waited in the Same
spot. There was no way he was going to find it. His tracking skills were extremely weak
and undefined. After about four hours he was back.
“Is there even anything out here?” He looked angry.
“Are you giving up?”
“I never give up.”
“Then keep looking.”
“This is useless.”
“Then give up.”
“No!”
“Then you’ll never find it.”
“What?” I got up and stood right in front of him.
“Tell me something about myself.”
“You’ve got issues.”
“There’s that but something else.”
“You care about your daughter.”
“Like every other mother, c’mon everything you noticed about me.”
“You have cold eyes; you’re smart, and unpredictable.”
“Good now think if I were to hide where would I most likely put it?”
“You’d keep it close so you can keep an eye on it.”
“Good now with that information find it.” This time he didn’t leave. He took a
look around then walked over to the place where I pinned him yesterday and shifter
through the dirt and pulled out a small blue box.
53

“Loose something?” he held the box out to me and I took it out of his hand.
“What’s in it?” I opened the box and pulled out the silver locket the Masons gave me
and put it around my neck.
“Something important.”
“Who gave it to you?”
“Rule four, don’t ask me personal questions.”
“Ok. So what else do I need to know?”
“Humans like to be where they are familiar; they won’t stray far from their
home, they like to stick within their comfort zone.” Megan said as she came out of the
trees.
“She’s right. What else?”
“They more than always lie about location especially when faced with danger. If
one becomes aware of you for any reason when exposing a location they most likely
won’t be going to the place said.”
“How was your day?” I asked her.
“I’ve had better. Yours?”
“I’ve got my locket back.”
“He found it?”
“Not on his own.”
“Figures.”
“I’m standing right here.”
“Your point?”
“Megan I want you to show James how to defend himself.” I said looking over at
him.
“I can defend myself just fine.” He looked like he was getting angry, which kind of
made me laugh.
“Prove it.”
“What you want to fight me?” Megan and I both started laughing now.
“Trust me if we were to fight you’d die in an instant without knowing what hit
54

you. You’ll fight Megan.”

“I thought you said that I wouldn’t lay a finger on her.”
“I’m not saying that you will. I’m saying she has more restraint then me and
won’t kill you, unless she wants to.”
“Are you sure? I mean if I hurt her I don’t what you coming after me…” Megan
was already after him throwing him against one of the trees causing it break in half.
“You talk too much you know that.” she said charging at him again but he moved
out of the way. He planned on sneaking up behind her but she was gone. Instead she
was behind him and threw him again.
Their moves were way too fast for human eyes to see but my eyes adjusted just
fine.
“How’d you…?” James looked confused at Megan’s speed.
“Mom this is no use.” Megan said turning to me.
“Keep going.” James took advantage of Megan’s distraction and flung her into a
tree. I would have intervened if Megan hadn’t been faking. She let James think that he
actually hit her and flew into the tree willingly.
“Told you I can take care of myself.” James said turning to me. Megan was still
pretending to be unconscious by the tree. “She’s going to wake up right?”
“She should in about an hour.”
“Why aren’t you angry?”
“At what? This was a test and you failed.”
“Failed? But how?”
“This is how?” Megan was at his throat about to rip it out. “You let your guard
down and now you’d be dead.”
“Never let your guard down.”
“It’d be easier if you’d just tell me everything I need to know now.” James said
frustrated.
“Then where’d we get our entertainment? Besides you’ll never learn anything if
you don’t see why these things are important.”
55

“I thought she was my teacher.”

“I am but you should listen to Megan she knows what she’s talking about.”
“And if I decide not to?”
“Then you can teach yourself.”
“Fine. What now?”
“Megan will teach you how to defend yourself and I’ll sit and watch.”
“This is gonna be fun.” She said looking straight at James.
“Just tell me what to do first.”
“Lose the attitude that’s first. Now try and stop me from knocking you down.”
“That’ll be…” before he could finish his sentence he was already on the ground.
“Seriously didn’t you just learn not to talk so much? Get up.”
“That was cheating.”
“There is no cheating you idiot. Honestly how old are you? I learned that when I
was one.”
“And how old are you exactly?”
“Five.”
“What?”
“Twenty- questions is not a part of your training so try again.” This time Megan
could see that he was expecting a frontal attack so she went behind him knocking his
feet from under him. Again he was on the ground.
“Your balance is terrible now get up and try again”
This went on for a while and each time James was knocked down getting more
and more frustrated each time. Eventually Megan stopped and turned to me.
“Ok that’s enough Megan lets go.” She nodded and walked to my side.
“What about me?”
“Same time and place tomorrow.” I said over my shoulder.

XVI.
56

The next day I went to school while Megan worked with James. Even though I
didn’t like being away from Megan school wasn’t that bad today, mostly because Ashley
wasn’t there.
“Hey Sam, Megan’s not here?” Derrick asked as I was on my way to my second
class.
“She had some things to take care of.”
“Oh… but I want to apologize for Ashley she can cross the line sometimes.”
“Its fine I’ve dealt with way worse people than her.”
“Still it wasn’t right what she did.”
“You don’t like being with her do you?”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’m good at reading people. Why do you stay with her if you don’t like her?”
“It’s not that I don’t like her because I do it’s just she gets so self-conscience
about little things. And she doesn’t know when to quit as you saw the other night.”
“Yeah, well you’ve got two choices the way I see it. Talk to her about it or move
on.”
“You’re probably right.”
“I am right. I’d better get to class.”
“Ok see you around.”
The rest of the day went by smoothly. After school I met Megan and James in the
woods.
“Any improvement?” I asked Megan as she stood next to a tree.
“He’s trying to find a place to hide to get me with a sneak attack.”
“And?”
“Fourth tree from the right!” She said yelling his location out. I heard him growl
in frustration then step into the open. “You’re too noisy.”
“I didn’t make a sound.”
“The leaves make sounds when you step on them how many time do I have to
57

say that?”
“That was you? I thought there was a rat or something out here.” I said.
“Can we just continue?”
“Fine go ahead try it again.” He did and again Megan found him.

This is pretty much how every day went for about a year. Eventually Megan and I
stopped going to school altogether. I bet Ashley loved that almost as much as she hated
Derrick dumping her.
James was got better then when Megan and I first met him. He also got cockier
too. He was a pretty good tracker now and his fighting skills were good, and his games
were more deadly too.
“Thanks for the help guys.” He said as he was about to go his own way.
“We had nothing better to do.” Megan said.
“She’s right we didn’t”
“Where are you two headed?”
“Don’t know yet. What about you?”
“I was thinking of heading up north.”
“Have fun.”
“I will.” He left into the woods and Megan and I were on our own again.
We went back to moving around and keeping up with time. It’s weird how much
things changed over the years, the new technology, clothes, and music.
Even with all the changes in the world Megan stayed the center of my life. There
was nothing more important than keeping her happy and safe. We met more vampires
and I got more abilities. We tried the school thing a few more times but we any did for a
month or two.
Megan hadn’t aged anymore. She stayed looking like a seventeen year old,
though she liked to experiment with the way she looked. She would always try to make
me happy and laugh with different faces and it worked too. It was as if she loved to see
58

me smile as much as I loved to see her smile.

She was never able to hide something from me so she never tried and the Same
went for me; I told her everything. Except that I knew how much Megan wanted rest
somewhere permanently; she was tired of moving around I could tell. She never said
anything until almost a hundred years later…

XVII.

We were in New Jersey hanging out in the woods after just getting done hunting.
“Mom?”
“Yeah Megs.”
“Do you think we could find somewhere to stay…you know…permanently?”
“Megan you know we’ve tried that and it didn’t quite work out.”
“I know but can’t we try again please… I’m tired of moving around.” I looked at
her and could tell that she really wanted this.
“Fine but only on a few conditions.”
“Ok.”
“First you can pick the place but it has to have a lot of woods and a small town
and little sunlight year round and nowhere to cold.”
“But why we’re not like regular vampires we can go out during the day.”
“I know doesn’t mean I like to.”
“Right.”
“And the next condition is that you have to go to school.”
“If I have to go than you have to go too.”
“Deal and you have to find a place before sunrise, which is in about an hour.”
“Ok but I’ve already got a place in mind.”
“Where?”
“Forks, Washington.”
59

“You planed this didn’t you?”

“Yeah but its great; It’s surrounded by woods, there’s barely and sunlight during
the year, and it’s close to a Quileute reserve.”
“Oh fine well head out tomorrow night.”
“Thanks mom.”
“You’re welcome. I’d do anything for you Megan.”
“I know and I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The next night we headed for Forks. It was about a day and a half trip for us on
foot without stopping. Once there Megan and I walked through the town to get
ourselves familiar with it and the school, which started on Monday.
“How should I look?” Megan asked as we walked through the woods.
“Like ourselves if we’re going to be staying here then I don’t want to have to
worry about keeping appearances.”
“Ok.” He light colored skin turned to its natural Carmel color and her hair back to
its normal length and was now black instead of red.
We walked around for a while longer before finding a hotel to stay in.
“Shouldn’t we get an apartment?” Megan asked.
“We will once we figure out that this is the place we want to settle in.”
“A car too?’
“Yes a car too.”
“Individual cars?”
“No one car.”
“But why can’t I have a car?”
“Because I said so.”
“But I’m way old enough.”
“I know but I just don’t want you getting a car yet ok.”
“Ok.”
“Now go to sleep.” I said lying next to her on the bed. As she slept I closed my
60

eyes for the first time in what seemed to be an eternity. It couldn’t have been more
than a second before I saw everything again; the Masons, the lake, my father, Edward.
I’d gotten over all of that a long time ago but seeing it all again made me angry, I didn’t
want my head filled with my past.
When I woke again the sun was up but hidden behind a thick blanket of grey
clouds. Megan was still at my side asleep, or at least pretending to be.
“I know you’re up.” I said getting up from the bed.
“I didn’t want to wake you. It was weird I’ve never seen you sleep before.”
“That’s because I don’t sleep. Now c’mon new school, new outfits remember.”
“Where do you get this money from?”
“That’s classified besides you don’t need to know. Let’s go.”
Megan and I went to a town called Port Angeles, because there weren’t many
place to go in Forks. We walked around going to a few stores; I got a few pairs of jeans
and some black and grey shirts and Megan grabbed clothes that were more colorful and
sporty.
“Do we really have to go to school I mean can’t we just make ourselves look
older?”
“Like I said if we’re going to be here a while I don’t want to have to keep up
appearances, besides I like it when you look like yourself.”
“You’re my mom you have to say that.”
“Would I ever lie to you Megan?”
“No you wouldn’t.”
“Alright then. We’d better start heading back.”
“Ok.”
We went back to the hotel where I grabbed a book that I got from the bookstore
and Megan started sketching in a sketch book I got her.
“Mom?”
“Yeah Megs.”
“Can you brush my hair?” I put the book down and looked over at her.
61

“Sure, go in my bag and get the brush.” She went into one of my backpacks and
grabbed the silver brush that used to belong to Mrs. Mason and sat on the edge of the
bed in front of me.
“What did you dream about last night?” Megan asked.
“Lots of things.”
“Like what?”
“Like you.”
“What else?”
“Why all the questions?”
“I’m just curious.”
“Well it’s a good thing I’m not a cat now isn’t it.”
“You looked like you were having a nightmare. Was it about me?”
“No, it was about things before you.”
“You miss them don’t you?” she said referring to the Masons
“Megan.”
“I’m sorry, they sound so amazing; I wish I could’ve met them.”
“All done, now get some sleep you’ve got school tomorrow.”
“We’ve got school tomorrow.” She corrected.
“Right.”
She laid her head down on the pillow and slept as I looked out of the window.
There were many clouds in the sky covering the stars and the moon. Megan would be
asleep for I while so I went for a walk. Soon my walk turned into a run and I ended up in
California and I decided to head back. On my way back I passed a car dealer ship that
had a black Porsche that was perfect. Surprisingly there was someone in the building. He
was an older guy with salt-and-pepper hair and a cheap Armani suit on.
“I’m sorry miss but we’re closed.” He said briefcase in one hand car keys in the
other.
“How much for the black Porsche?”
“Cars like that usually run for about two-hundred thousand I’m sorry maybe you
62

should come back tomorrow…”

“I’ll give you two-fifty right now for it… cash.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes I am.” I grabbed my backpack and threw it at him.
“I’m not sure…” He looked extremely confused and baffled.
“Look are you going to give me the keys or not. I can assure you that all of the
money is there and all of it is real I just want the car.” He stood there for a moment and
then looked at me.
“Follow me.” I followed him inside to an office that had picture of what looked
like his family. He typed something up on the computer and printed a few papers out.
“If you could read and fill these out I’ll go get the keys.”
I quickly skimmed over the papers and signed my name. When he returned he
held a single key in his hand.
“Do you have any questions miss?”
“Can I have the key?”
“Certainly.” He handed the key to me. “There is a full tank of gas in it.”
“Thank you.” I got in and headed to the Hotel before Megan woke up.

XVIII.

When I got back Megan was still asleep in the bed. I decided to change my
clothes and walked around little.
When I got back Megan was outside starring at the car.
“When did you get that?”
“While you were sleeping. Do you like it?”
“It’s gorgeous.”
“And fast.”
“You sound like a real ‘vampiro’”
63

“Because I like fast cars?”

“Exactly.”
“Go get ready so that we can go. I have a feeling that if we pull up in this many
heads will turn.”
“Then why’d you get it?”
“Because I liked it.”
“Now you sound like a teenager.”
“Isn’t that how I’m supposed to sound?” I said as she went inside. She was back
in a few seconds in a pair of jeans and a read tank top.
“Jacket or no jacket?”
“Its cold here remember.”
“Jacket it is.” She went inside and grabbed a red hoodie and threw it on.
I drove us to the school. There were barely cars in the parking lot and only a few
people were standing by their cars. Those who were all stopped and looked in our
direction. Megan and I headed for the office where there was a woman with red hair
and glasses sitting at one of the three desks behind a counter.
“May I help you two ladies?” she asked.
“I’m Samantha Liliuas and this is my sister Megan.”
“Right the new students give me one minute.” She shuffled through a stack of
paper and walked over to the counter. “Here are you schedules and a map of the
school.” She highlighted the quickest routes to our classes for the both of us but I
couldn’t really pay attention.
There was a scent in the air that caught my interest. It was the fait smell of
vampires but it was masked with the scent of many humans. The red haired lady handed
us slips to have our teacher’s sign. As Megan and I headed out I turned to her.
“Do you smell it?”
“Yeah.”
“What do you think it means?”
“I have no idea yet.”
64

“At least most of our classes are together.”

“Yeah let’s just hope we don’t have to go looking for them.”
We went to class together getting looks from everyone but every pair of eyes
was human. The classes were the same as they were in every other school. Megan and I
sat in the back of the class with my nose in one of the books that I brought and hers in
her sketch book. I realized that today was quit sunny which would probably explain the
fact that there weren’t any vampires in school. But it still made me curious about them.
Was there really a vampire attending high school among humans?
I met up with Megan at lunch and we sat at a table outside by ourselves.
“Did you meet any interesting people?”
“No, it seems like people here are really intimidated by us. But also like they’re
used to it.”
“Like there’s someone else that they are intimidated by on a daily basis; I got the
same feeling.”
“Yeah but they’re not here today.”
“The sun will do that.”
“They’ll be here tomorrow though; the sun is supposed to go back into hiding.”
We spent the rest of lunch ignoring the looks from everyone else and then
headed to class. After school we went into the office and turned in our slips and then
went back to the hotel.
“How long are we going to have to stay in this place?”
“Another day or two, be patient.”
“Ok. I want to go explore the town a little. You want to come?”
“No I’ll stay here there’s something I have to do.”
“I’ll be back later.”
“Ok.” She soon left as I stayed and paced around the room. I turned the
television on after a while because the silence was starting to get to me. I started to
think about visiting the reserve but I talked myself out of it. I sat on the bed and closed
my eyes to think but as soon as I did I saw the body of my dead father. I wasn’t feeling
65

guilty or sorry for what I did because as far as I was concerned it was one of the best
decisions I’d ever made, I just didn’t like images like that period.
Megan came back about two hours later.
“Have fun?” I asked as she walked through the door.
“Yeah I met some people too.”
“Good I think we might stick around.”
“Thanks mom.”
“Sam” I corrected.
“It’s weird calling you Sam.”
“You’re the one who wanted to move here, so you have to get used to it.”
“I know… you’re right.”
“Aren’t I always?”
“Yeah.” She said with a laugh. She sat next to me on the bed and laid her head
on my shoulder. I kissed the top of her head and we sat there for a while.
“Sleepy?” I asked her.
“Not really.” We both stayed up staring blankly at the television laughing every
now and then at the South Park episode that was on. Megan soon fell asleep next to me
but I just stared up at the ceiling.
I decided to change my clothes and sit in the corner reading until Megan woke. I
was so lost in space that I didn’t even see her get up and walk over to me.
“That must be a good book.”
“It is.” I practically jumped out of the seat at the sound of her voice but stayed
clam. She went and changed then threw me the keys.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“It’s a car key.”
“I know what it is why are you giving it to me? You’re driving today.”
“Really?”
“Yeah let’s go.” We grabbed our backpacks and headed out the door and got
into the car.
66

As Megan drove I looked out the window at the passing trees. When we got
there the parking lot was half full with kids walking all over the place. As we pulled in
heads turned for a second then turned back but once we got out the car the heads
looked in our direction again as if they were expecting someone else. While we were
walking to up to the school through the crowd of curious eyes we passed a car that
stuck out.
Most of the other cars were old hand-me down but this was a shiny red M3 BMW.
It was a great car but it didn’t fit and it couldn’t have been there yesterday. I looked
over at Megan as she looked over at me and we both kept walking. Walking the halls I
could tell there was a difference from yesterday; the scent was stronger and now I could
tell it wasn’t just one. How many exactly I couldn’t tell you because they swirled
together mixing with each other but I could tell it was more than two.
The whole day Megan and I kept our eyes open for them but we didn’t see one.

XIX.

At lunch thought I spotted them instantly. They were all sitting a table together
with lunch trays as props. To my surprise there were four of them. I only glanced as
Megan and I sat at the table that we were sitting at yesterday.
“Well?” Megan asked as I was checking to see if they had any abilities.
“One of them controls emotions, the blonde boy; the girl with the short hair can
see the future; and…” I paused. I picked up on another ability but it wasn’t from anyone
that was sitting at the table. I scanned the room quickly and saw where it was coming
from. There was one that wasn’t with the others but I couldn’t see his face. He was at a
different table with a girl, at first I thought she was a vampire too, until she blushed and
her cheeks turned red.
“Sam?”
“Mind reader. Don’t think about anything. Sing a song in your head.”
67

“Who?”
“Sitting at the table with that mortal.”
“Hi Megan” a girl with curly brown hair walked over to our table with a smile on
her face.
“Hi Macy this is my sister Sam.”
“Hello.”
“Hi.” I looked over at Megan.
“I met Macy yesterday.”’
“Right. Macy why don’t you sit.”
“Thanks.” She took a seat next to Megan as I looked back at the vampire filled
table.
“Eying the Cullen’s?” Macy asked.
“Excuse me?”
“The Cullen’s.” she nodded her head towards the table. I remember the name
and it took me all of two seconds for it to hit me.
“As in Carlisle Cullen?”
“Dr. Cullen’s adoptive kids.” She said nodding. “There’s Rosalie, the blond girl;
she’s dating Emmett, the big one; Alice the one with the short hair; she’s dating Jasper,
the blond boy. Finally there’s Edward he’s dating Bella.”
I froze at the name and looked at Megan.
“Which ones are Dr. Cullen’s kids?”
“They all are, except Bella.” She nodded towards the table where the other
vampire was sitting with the mortal. I looked back at the table and tried to get a good
look at all of their faces but I didn’t recognize any of them and the one sitting with the
girl named Bella had his back towards me. His name had to be Edward but I couldn’t see
his face.
Maybe I was just being paranoid. It could easily be Carlisle’s son and this could
be a completely different Edward. I could have no connection to them at all. Then he
turned his face to the side facing the others and I knew.
68

It was in fact Edward Mason sitting at that table. The others must’ve seen me
starring in that direction and told him because then he turned all the way around in my
direction. I turned back to look at Megan whose face was washed with concern.
“Are you doing what I told you to?” I asked.
“Yes. Are you…”
“You have the key to the car right?” I asked cutting her off.
“Yes but…”
“I’ll see you after school.”
I grabbed my back pack and headed for the parking lot.
“Macy I’ll be right back.” I heard Megan say as she caught me at the door. “What
is it?”
“Not what, who.” I spelled Edward’s name out in sign language
“As in…”
“Yes. I need to get check something out I’ll see you after school.” I walked quickly
towards the woods and ran as fast as I could to the hospital. Macy addressed him as Dr.
Cullen and this was the only hospital in the area, it would only make sense that he’d be
here. I changed my appearance into an older looking woman with blonde hair and blue
eyes before walking inside.
I stopped a nurse that was walking past me.
“Can you tell me where Dr. Cullen is?”
“I’m sorry you could check with the front desk.” I nodded and walked towards
counter where a woman with red hair and green eyes sat.
“I’m looking for Dr. Cullen.”
“Do you have an appointment with him?”
“No but I really need to see him.”
“I’m sorry but you have to have and appointment.”
“Look can you just please tell me where Dr. Cullen is?”
“I’m…”
“Excuse me can I help you?” I turned around and there he was. He looked exactly
69

as he did almost a hundred years ago. “I’ll take it from here Stacy. Why don’t you follow
me to my office?” I nodded following him down the hall to a small office room.
“Is there something I can do for you?”
“You can answer a few questions I have.”
“About?” he took a seat behind the desk that was off to the side.
“You don’t have to act I know you prefer to stand.”
“Who are you?”
“You knew the Masons Dr. Cullen, you treated them correct?”
“Masons?”
“As in Elizabeth, Edward Sr., and Jr. Mason.”
“I’m sorry… but…”
“Carlisle just tell me that I’m wrong.”
“Who are you?” I realized that he wouldn’t recognize the way I looked at the
moment so I changed back to myself. He stood confused for a second before realizing
who I was. “Samantha? But how…”
“It’s I very long story but I just need you to tell me that I’m wrong, that Edward is
dead.”
“I’m sorry but I cannot.” I stood speechless; all these years I thought he was dead
and he wasn’t. “Are you..?”
“…a vampire? Only partially.”
“You’ve seen him?”
“Yes at school.”
“School?”
“It’s part of the long story.” We both stood there for a long moment before
speaking.
“Would you come by the house later on? I do have to get back to work but I
would like to talk.”
“I don’t know Carlisle, what about Edward?”
“He shouldn’t be home this evening.”
70

“Ok.”
“The house is…”
“I know where it is. There are many things I’m good at and finding people is one
of them.”
“I’ll see you at four.”
“Right.” I left the hospital and headed back to school. There was one more
period to get so I sat inside the car instead of going to class.

XX.

After school kids started pouring into the parking lot. I got out of the car to try
and spot Megan but instead I spotted him. I looked down at the hood of the car able to
see him out of my peripheral heading my way. I turned around and realized why, next to
my car was a shiny silver Volvo. I knew it had to be his and I stood there right outside
the passenger side as he walked to his car. I turned back around and saw Megan behind
him.
I felt his eyes on me and looked up at him. His eyes were on me but more as if I
were a complete stranger; then I realized he didn’t have a clue as to who I was. I looked
over at the human girl named Bella who was standing next to him holding his hand. She
looked up at his face then followed his gazed to me.
Megan sped up her walk seeing my expression. I got into the passenger side as
she walked to her door.
“Why didn’t you come and get me?” she asked turning the car on. But I didn’t
answer her. I looked over at Edward as he got into his car. He turned to look at me but I
didn’t turn away as he was expecting. He was close enough for me to copy his ability
and I did. The thoughts of the kids around me poured into my head but I continued to
look at Edward and he continued to look back. I could hear him wondering who I was
but it wasn’t out of curiosity as it were out of defensiveness for Bella. I looked away
71

finally as Megan drove off.

“Sam?”
“There’s somewhere we need to be later.”
“Ok. Where did you go?”
“The hospital.”
“To see Dr. Cullen?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And we’re going to his house at four.”
“And Edward?”
“Carlisle said he’s not going to be there. Though it wouldn’t make a difference,
he doesn’t remember me.”
“How…”
“Can we have a new subject Megan?”
“Right… What do you think of Macy?”
“She seems nice.”
“I have a class with one of them.”
“Of who?”
“The Cullen’s, Alice I think her name is.”
“What is she like?”
“Happy, from what I can tell.”
“Interesting.” We drove in silence for a while as I tried to keep the thoughts
under control.
“Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you ok?”
“I’m fine.”
“I can tell.” She said sarcastically.
“I just need some time to process all of this.”
72

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Who? Edward? I don’t think so, besides what would it do?”
“But…”
“Megan please… I can’t do this right now.”
I wrapped the many thoughts that were swimming in my head, most of which
didn’t belong to me, up and tossed them to the far corner of my mind. Time flew by as
Megan sped around the town in circles.

“Where’s the house?”

“Just follow the road.” She did and I pointed the house out to her. I could hear
Carlisle in the house as we pulled up to the driveway. “Wait here.” I got out of the car
and walked up to the door unsure if I actually wanted to go inside.
Before I could actually make that decision the door opened and Carlisle was
standing there in front of me.
“Carlisle.” I said greeting him.
“Sam, come in.”
“One moment.” I turned to the car and nodded for Megan to join me. She was at
my side in a second. “Carlisle this is my daughter Megan.”
“Pleased to me you sir.” she said nodding.
“Pleased to meet you as well. Both of you are welcome in.” he motioned for us
to go inside of the house. As we walked in there was a woman standing by the stairs.
She had long red hair and golden eyes just like Carlisle. Her name was Esme.
“Sam, Megan this is my wife Esme.”
“Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you for having us here Mrs. Cullen”
“Please it’s Esme” She was kind and sweet. Motherly like Mrs. Mason.
“Esme.”
“Why don’t we go to my study? There are many questions I have.”
“As do I”
73

Megan and I followed him upstairs into his study. There were pictures on the
wall and a giant book shelf.
“It’s been a long time Samantha.”
“Yeah it has; the last time I saw you, you were telling me everything was going to
be ok and the next day everything was gone.”
“I’m sorry I know I should’ve handled things differently but you understand that I
had to stay with Edward during his transformation.”
“Yeah but a heads up wouldn’t have been too much you know. Was it unclear
how I was feeling?”
“I’m deeply sorry Sam.”
“No, I’m sorry. I’m being selfish.” Megan stood in the corner of the room quiet as
a mouse.
“How did this come to happen?”
“I was bitten. I don’t know by who or why but whoever it was had really bad
timing or really good depending how you look at it.”
“How so?” he looked at me confused.
“I’m part Quileute and when they bit me I was in the middle of the
transformation some freaky twist of fate I guess.”
“You mean…”
“I’m part vampire and part Quileute shape shifter.”
“Interesting, and is Megan…?”
“I was pregnant with her while all this happened.”
“I’m so sorry for the ordeal you had to go through.”
“I’m a strong person Carlisle. Besides I have her and that’s all that matters.”
“She looks like you.” I turned to face her and she smiled to me.
I heard cars speeding in the distance faster than anyone else would dare to go.
“Sounds like your kids are here.” I said turning to him.
“They said they’d be hunting.”
“Alice probably saw something.”
74

“How did you know about Alice?”

“Your family is not the only one who has abilities Carlisle; Edward and his mind
reading, Alice and her ability to see the uncertain future, and Jasper the empathy.”
“You tell the abilities of other vampires?”
“I can do much, much more and Megan is a shape shifter.” She walked over to
me and changed into me.
“Interesting.”

XXI.

The car pulled up to the house as someone raced inside.

“Carlisle!” The voice was sort of husky I guessed it was Emmett.
“We should go down stairs.” Carlisle said holding the door open for Megan and
me. We followed behind him as we went down stairs. There were the four of them
standing by the door.
“What’s the matter Emmett?” Esme asked.
“It’s me I saw something.” Alice said. Megan and I stood next to Carlisle without
saying a word.
“What was it?”
“Three Vampires headed this way.”
“Three? Do you know what they look like?”
“Two guys and a girl. They don’t know where they’re going but I have a bad
feeling.”
Suddenly I felt eyes on me and turned to them.
“I’m sorry everyone this is Sam and Megan they are acquaintances of mine.”
“I’ve seen you two in school.” Emmett said.
“Yeah. We’ve seen you too.” Megan said smiling; I planted one on my face as
well as I copied Jasper’s and Alice’s abilities. Immediately I saw what Alice had seen
earlier. She couldn’t tell who the Vampires where but I could; one of them at least.
75

I turned to Megan but stopped. I heard a car off in the distance that was going
way to fast to be any regular. It was Edward I could tell by his thoughts.
“Carlisle…”
“Yes?”
“That problem we had a while back is resolved.”
“Good to hear.” I car crawled up the driveway and everyone turned to face the
door. I heard her thoughts as well; he had Bella with him. All eyes turned to me and
Megan; they were unsure about us being around Bella.
“You have nothing to worry about I assure you.” I said my eyes meeting each one
of theirs.
They walked through the door, hands intertwined. Megan grabbed my hand
expecting me to get upset. My eyes quickly met Edwards not leaving his gazed. I blocked
him from both mine and Megan’s thoughts.
“Hello Bella, Edward, this is Sam and Megan they are friends of mine.” Carlisle
said.
“From school?” Edward asked. His voice was the Same as I remembered it.
“Yes.” Megan answered for me.
“Carlisle thank you for inviting us but I’m afraid we must go” I said my eyes still
on Edward.
“Thank you for coming. Feel free to visit again.”
“We’ll see… I guess we’ll see the rest of you at school tomorrow. Good bye.”
I wanted to get out of there and talk to Megan quickly. She followed behind me
and threw me the keys as she walked to the passenger side.
“Are you ok mom?”
“Shh. Not here.” I pulled out of the driveway quickly out of the driveway and
drove back to the motel.
Megan and I ditched the car there and headed out on foot.
“What is it?” Megan asked as we ran to the woods.
“An old friend.”
76

“You don’t mean..?”

“James.”
“Coming here?”
“Yes, we don’t have that much time.”
“Are we leaving?”
“No, there shouldn’t be any need to he’s just passing through with some
friends.”
“What are we going to do about the Cullen’s?”
“I don’t know yet. We have to handle this one thing at a time and James is first.”
She gave a silent nod and followed me.
I tracked his scent quickly along with three others. They were moving quickly I
could tell then they stopped. He sensed me and stopped. Megan and I caught up to him
easily.
“Sam, Megan long time no see.”’
“James.” His eyes were bright red and I could smell the blood on his breath. On
one side of him was a woman with fire red hair and on the other a man with short black
hair.
“Introductions are never out of date James.” I added.
“Of course. This is Victoria and Laurent.”
“Pleasure to meet the two of you.”Laurent said pleasantly, Victoria just nodded
analyzing me and Megan.
“I’m surprised James. You were never the type to make friends.” Megan said.
“I always thought I was quite likeable.” He flashed his teeth to her and they went
back and forth.
“Threats will do you no good, not with me you should know that by now.”
“Times have changed.”
“Yes they have but I’m still stronger than you.”
“The both of you knock it off. James you know you don’t stand a chance.” I said
jumping in.
77

“I’m willing to test that theory.” There was cockiness to him that he didn’t have
before and it was starting to get on my nerves.
“How about testing it out on me? I’m not in a particularly good mood right now
and would love to break you in half.”
Victoria to a step toward me letting a growl rip from her throat, this only made
me laugh.
“Please, you have as good a chance against me as he does. If you’re not going to
follow through on your threats I suggest you back up and shut up.”
“How dare you!” she took another step but James pulled her back quickly.
Megan grabbed hold of my arm to hold me back.
“Now, now everything is fine. No trouble I was just joking Sam.”
“How many times have I told you? Threats are never to be taken lightly.”
“I apologize.”
“Don’t, the three of you do whatever you’re doing quickly and move on.”
“Why?”
“Times have changed yes but my rules haven’t. Nonsense questions won’t get an
answer.”
“You never stay anywhere to long so why does it matter if we hang around here
for a while.”
“Megan and I want a little change in scenery if you must know.”
“Of course. I should have known.”
“Try not to stir up to much trouble while you’re here.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Megan and I went back to the motel after that. She went to sleep quickly as I
paced through the room. So many thoughts ran through my head my own thoughts
were loud and obnoxious while everyone else’s where just a faint whisper.
I thought of everything from Edward to Carlisle, Megan, my past, and the future.
It felt like I was about to breakdown but I looked up and saw Megan asleep and knew I
couldn’t do that.
78

XXII.
I waited for morning and sat in the car as Megan got ready for school. To my
surprise she was wearing dark clothes (dark jeans, black tank top, grey hoodie, and black
and grey sneakers) which was more my style than hers.
“You ok?” I asked as she slid into the passenger seat.
“Yeah why?”
“That outfit doesn’t exactly scream ‘you’”
“I just threw something on.” She said shrugging her shoulders. Something was
bothering her I could tell but I just let it go.
We drove to school in silence with except for the sound of the engine.
When we got pulled up there was no sign of the silver Volvo or the red BMW but
then again it was still early.
Megan and I went straight to class without a word. All morning we said nothing. I
tried picking into her thoughts but all I got were the elements on the periodic table. By
lunch I was annoyed.
“Megan stop.” I said grabbing her arm outside of the cafeteria.
“Yes.”
“Spill, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re lying, Megan I’m serious tell me what’s wrong.”
“I shouldn’t have asked to come here.”
“Why?”
“Because then you wouldn’t be so stressed out.”
“I’m not…”
“Now who’s lying? I could tell because you didn’t even notice that I was
pretending to be asleep last night while you were pacing.”
“I can handle it.”
79

“I know you can, I’m just saying you shouldn’t have to.”
“Listen there is nothing more important to me than you, not even myself. You
understand that right?”
“Yes.”
“Good, then let me handle everything.”
“Ok.” She said reluctantly. I put my arm around her as we walked into the
cafeteria.
For some reason my eyes went straight to their table and sure enough four of
them were sitting acting bored. I spotted Edward sitting at a table with Bella talking. I
was so focused on trying to keep myself composed that I didn’t see Alice walk up to me
and Megan.
“Hello.” Her voice was happy and somewhat excited.
“Hello, Alice right?”
“Yes and you two are Sam and Megan?”
“That’s us.” Megan said with a smile.
“We were wondering if you guys wanted to sit with us so that we could talk. You
don’t have too though.”
I looked at Megan who was looking up at me for approval. I nodded my head
slightly and looked back at the Smiling Alice.
“Great follow me.” She led us to the table where everyone else was. The rest of
the cafeteria seemed to pause and watch the Cullen’s new friends.
The rest of the table looked at us curiously and cautiously.
Rosalie was sitting close to Emmett and Jasper stood up and walked to
Alice.
“This is Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper- guys you remember Sam and Megan.”
“From the house yesterday? Yeah.” Emmett said in a husky voice with his arm
around Rosalie. Jasper and Alice took their seats next to them.
Emmett was feeding Edward information about me and Megan as we stood
there.
80

“Where are you two from?” Alice asked in a nice voice. I could tell that she was
naturally like this.
“Chicago.”
“Sit please.” Alice said gesturing to the chairs in front of us. Megan and I sat
facing the four of them.
“How do you know Carlisle?” Rosalie said getting straight to the point.
“I knew him from when I was… before I changed.”
“How?”
“He treated an old friend of mine.”
Emmett was still feeding Edward information about us. “Don’t forget the fact
that she’s my daughter.” I whispered to him.
They all looked confused except for Emmett. “How’d you know?”
“One of the many things I can do. If he wants to know about me he can come
over and see for himself. I mean it’s not like I’m going to have Megan here snap Bella
neck while he’s over here.”
All of their eyes grew cold; Megan just looked at me bewildered.
“What? It’s not like you’d do it. You’re too nice—but really guys I was joking.”
They all calmed down. Edward joined us at the table his eyes on me.
“You must be Sam and Megan.”
“You must be Edward.” I said trying to keep my voice normal. His eyes may have
been different but he was exactly the same.
“We’d better get going.” Megan said standing up next to me.
“I’m not going to class today.” I told her still looking at Edward. “There’s
something I want to check up on.”
“That’s the second day you’ve missed class.”
“What, did we change roles now? Besides there is nothing this school can teach
me that I don’t already know.”
“But…”
“I’ll be back to pick you up.” I got up and left the cafeteria without looking back.
81

XXIII.

I went ran around the town to see if James had left yet- he didn’t. I found him
Victoria and Laurent by an old boat house.
“What a nice surprise Sam.” James said when he saw me. “What brings you
here?”
“There you go with the questions again. I’ve came to check up on you what
else?”
“Don’t worry I haven’t killed… much.”
“Same old James.” I said shaking my head.
“Where’s Megan?”
“Around.”
“She’s grown up quite a bit. Maybe we should hang out some time.” My eyes
narrowed on him.
“Watch your tongue; I’d have no problem killing you and your friends.”
Victoria didn’t like my threat and lunged at me but James caught her mid-way.
“Let me go I can take her.” She said with a growl.
“Your girlfriend has a temper on her.” I said smiling. “I haven’t been in a
particularly good mood lately so I suggest you shorten her leash or next time we’ll see
who has the worst bite.”
I left them there and headed back to the school to pick up Megan. She came out
of the school with the rest of the Cullen’s including Edward and Bella. They invited us to
their house for baseball this weekend.
It was then I saw it, it popped into my head like a movie clip. James, Victoria, and
Laurent in the clearing with the Cullens and Bella and no one was happy. Knowing James
like I do there was bound to be big trouble.
“Hey everything ok?” Megan asked walking up to me.
82

“Yeah just some things we gotta take care of this weekend.”

“But we got invited to go play baseball this weekend.” Her face turned
disappointed.
“I know… maybe we can work something out.” She smiled and gave me a hug.
“Thank you.”
“I don’t need thank you from you. I’d do it over and over just to make you
happy.”
“I know, but I want to thank you.”
“Um… Sam?” Alice was standing behind Megan. “Carlisle called and asked if
you’d mind coming to the house with us. He said he wants to talk to you.”
“Sure you guys lead the way.” She went back to the red BMW where everyone
else was and they got in the car. Edward and Bella got into the silver Volvo that was next
to it.
Megan and I got into the car and followed behind both cars.
“So what is it we have to do?”
“I’ll tell you later, we’ve got wondering ears.” I said referring to Edward who was
eavesdropping on us. “Isn’t that right Edward?” he was frustrated at this I could see it in
Bella’s head. I started to laugh but stopped myself. I remembered the time at the lake
when I threw that snow ball at him; the day I realized I loved him. I quickly brushed
away the thought and kept driving.
When we got there Megan and I followed behind everyone else into the steps.
Carlisle was standing by the staircase when we walked in.
“Sam, Megan nice to see you again.” He was the Same nice person he’d been
back then.
“You wanted to speak with me?”
“Yes there’s something we need to discus we can talk in my study.”
“Are you going to be ok?” I asked turning to Megan.
“I can hold my own, you know that.”
“Just making sure.” I turned to the others before following Carlisle in to his
83

study.
“Is there a problem Carlisle?”
“My family is worried about you and Megan.”
“About our diet?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t worry Megan hasn’t harmed a human her whole life.”
“And you?”
“I…I haven’t l killed anyone for their blood.”
“But you have killed?”
“Two people almost a century ago.”
“Who were they?”
“….my…parents.”
“Oh… was it intentional?”
“Yes it was.”
“I see well we just wanted to make sure everyone was safe.”
“By everyone you mean Bella right?”
“Edward wants to make sure she’s safe, yes. Speaking of which do you plan on
talking to him?”
“No, because there’s no need. It won’t change anything”
“But back then you two seemed…”
“In love? I did love him, yes but what he felt for me must’ve not been as strong
as what I felt for him because he has no memory of it at all.”
“Doesn’t he have the right to know?”
“He does but I have the right to not tell him and to ask you not to say anything as
well.”
“I won’t say anything but I will not lie to him either.”
“I understand. Now we’d better get back down stairs before Megan starts to
worry.”
“I agree.”
84

XXIV.

We both went down stairs where everyone was talking.

“Everything okay?” Megan asked.
“Everything’s fine.”
“So we’ll so you guys on Saturday right? There’s going to be a thunder storm
perfect for baseball.” Alice said standing next to Megan.
“You’ll see Megan Saturday, there’s something I need to take care of”
“Anything we can help with?” Emmett asked.
“No it’s nothing serious I’ll meet up with you when I’m done.”
Edward kept trying to pry his way into my mind which was terribly annoying.
“Could you cut it out? You’re not getting in my head or in Megan’s so stop
trying.”
Everyone followed my glare to Edward who was staring back at me angrily.
“Megan let’s go.” She nodded and walked to my side out the door.
“You should calm down.” Megan said as we walked out.
“I am calm.” I said through my teeth. She wasn’t convinced and grabbed my
hand and took the keys from me.
I was angry and Megan knew it she drove fast back to the motel without saying a
word giving me time to cool off.
“What’s happening this weekend that’s so important?”
“The baseball game.”
“What about it?”
“The Cullens aren’t the only vampires that are going to be there.”
“You mean James?”
“Duh,”
“We should warn them.”
85

“Won’t do any good he’ll come across Bella another day, the sooner the better.”
“What are we going to do?”
“You go with the Cullens I’ll go with James when we get to the clearing hide
yourself I don’t want them to see you. Change your eyes to match theirs and your face;
don’t get to dramatic just enough so James doesn’t recognize you.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll stay the same it’ll be to suspicious if I have to hold James back not looking
like me.”
“And after that?”
“Depends on what happens at that clearing but we might have to get rid of
James once and for all.”
“Can you do that? Kill him I mean?”
“It’ll be tragic but of course I can do it. And naturally the Cullens will be a little
mad that we didn’t tell them about James before hand but their happiness is not on my
priority list.”
When we walked inside I sat on the couch trying to think of what to do next.
“Mom about what happened with Edward earlier…”
“Nothing happened.”
“You looked like you wanted to rip his head off. It scared me.”
“It’s complicated Megan.”
“You tell me everything so don’t put me in the dark now.” She was right I had to
admit it to her.
I took a deep breath “He completely forgot about everything.”
“What?”
“He doesn’t remember me at all. Not even a little bit. It’s as if I wasn’t important
enough to be in his memories.”
“Mom…”
“It’s not even that though; he thinks of me as a threat you don’t see what he’s
thinking about. He’d try and kill me for that pathetic human girl. I should just let James
86

kill her.”
“Mom! Don’t do say that. It matter if he doesn’t remember well who cares!” she
loved me I could tell and she was scared for me. I couldn’t blame her I was acting
irrational and I talking crazy.
“I’m sorry, I just …”
“I know it’s not easy for you we can leave if you want.”
“It’s not about what I want Megan it’s what you want. And don’t just say it to
make me happy either. If you honestly want to go then we’ll go but don’t say it for me.
Do you want to leave Megan?”
She hesitated and looked away. It doesn’t matter what she says she didn’t want
to leave. I stood up and took her in my arms.
“I’m going to be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“You promise?”
“Yeah I promise.”
She soon fell asleep on the bed and I sat by the window. She woke up in the
middle of the night and walked over to me.
“I’m sorry.” She said and sat in my lap and fell asleep. I wrapped my arms around
her resting my chin on the top of her head. I wanted nothing more for her to be happy
but this was beginning to be too much for me.

XXV.
Megan wanted to wait for the Cullen’s to arrive but I decided to just walk into
class right away. Tomorrow was Saturday and I’d have to spend it with James. I didn’t
see Megan all day except for in lunch. She was sitting at a table with the Cullen’s they
were talking about the baseball game and where to meet.
Emmett saw me first then Megan. She had a big smile on her face and waved for
me to come over. I started to walk towards her but then my eyes fell on Edwards. He
looked at me coldly nothing like the person I knew. I kept walking towards Megan and I
handed her the keys and turned to walk away.
87

“Wait!” she grabbed my arm frantic. “Where are you going?” her sad eyes tore
at me.
“I’ll see you later.” I said kissing her forehead before walking away.
“M-Sam?” she voice was broken and I could see her tearful eyes through the
mind of Alice.
I had too many things to worry about and I couldn’t be stressed by them today. I
was hurting Megan and I hated it and myself but I needed time to breath and think. I
kept walking through the cafeteria out across the parking lot and into the woods. Once I
was out of sight I started running faster and harder than I ever have before. I stopped
just at the city limits and took a breath.
The air was cold and moist; I could smell rain clouds in the distance. I turned and
ran some more ending up on border of the Quileute reserve. From there I walked to the
beach. There was no one to bug me because of school.
The wind was blowing violently making my hair go crazy. The sun was fighting
against the thick clouds and losing terribly. I wanted to run across the water and keep
going but there was no way I was leaving Megan.
I took my shoes off and walked to the edge and let my feet soak in ice-cold
water. There was no shiver that ran up my spine or teeth chattering, as humans would
have experienced; there was nothing. I didn’t experience things like everyone else not
even Megan.
“You can get sick like that you know.” I didn’t turn around to see the face. It was
a boy about sixteen standing behind me.
“I don’t’ get sick.” I said looking out at the water.
“Lucky you.” He walked up beside me and I could see him. He had long black hair
that was pulled back into a ponytail. ‘Jacob Black’ his name popped into my head.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” I asked.
“Aren’t you?”
“Not really but yeah I guess I should be.”
“You don’t live on the reserve do you?”
88

“No I don’t, just moved here actually.”

“Oh, where’d you move from?”
“Look Jacob I’d love to chat but…”
“How’d you know my name? I didn’t tell it to you.”
“You look like a Jacob to me I guess.” I shrugged. “Anyway I gotta go.”
“Wait. What’s your name?”
“Sam” I said over my shoulder as I picked up my shoes and walked away.
Afterwards I went to find James. I found him with Laurent and Victoria by an old
boat house.
“I’m starting to get the feeling that you are keeping something from me.”James
said jumping off the roof.
“Really? Then you did learn something from me after all.”
“So what is it?”
“What’s what?”
“What is it that you’re hiding?”
“Sounds like a personal question to me James. You know I don’t answer those.”
“Fine then maybe we’ll stick around a few more days to figure it out ourselves.”
“Go right ahead just don’t cause too much trouble.”
“Then why are you here?”Victoria asked angrily.
“There are a few reasons why I’m here but mostly I was just bored.”
“Where’s Megan?”
“Busy.”
“With?”
“Personal…”
“OK, ok. Fine you say you’re bored so let’s have some fun.”
“Your idea of fun James is playing with your food and to me that’s not fun.”
“Fine how about a little sparing match?” he said sonically.
“We both know who’d win that match now don’t we?”
“Not me and you, you and Victoria.”
89

I looked over at Victoria who had a big smile on her face. She couldn’t wait to
have a go at me and I needed to let off some steam.
“Fine but if your girlfriend ends up dead it’s her own fault.”
“Don’t get to cocky you have no idea what I can do.”
“No sweetie you have no idea what I can do!”
Anger boiled in my blood, my muscles tightened up and I knew if I looked in a
mirror right now my eyes would be pitch black just like they were that day that I killed
them. Victoria’s eye’s narrowed on me which kind of made me want to smile but not
enough to actually do it.
She came at me in what seemed like slow motion. I could see every move she
was going to make as she thought it up in her head. Then I knew that this fight would be
nothing but swatting a fly that was glued to sticky paper. It was pointless and annoying
and as angry as I was it wasn’t at her and she wasn’t a good substitute for the person I
was mad at.
I calmed myself and caught Victoria mid-leap by the throat. “Listen to me little
girl, you haven’t got a chance in hell of beating me. Not even a little so why don’t you
just give up because honestly you are not the one I want to kill.”
My voice was barely a whisper but I was positive that she heard every word. I
threw her back towards James where she landed on her back next to him. “I think I’ll go
now besides there’s nothing to do today anyway. I’ll find you guys tomorrow.” I turned
and left without another word. School was long out and I knew Megan was at the Cullen
house so I went over to their house to see her.

XXVI.

‘I know you’re there,’ Megan thought as I stood in the woods by the house. ‘Why
won’t you talk to me?’ I could feel her pain from where I was and I couldn’t take it
anymore.
I walked up to the door and before I could knock Alice opened the door for me.
90

“Hi Sam.” She said happily.

“Hi Alice I need to talk to Megan.”
“Come in.”
I walked in and saw Megan by the stairs looking at me. Her eyes were red and
puffy; she’d been crying.
“I’m sorry.” I said taking her in my arms. “There’s something else I have to do
tonight.”
“I’ll go…”
“No, I won’t be long just stay here, please.”
“But…”
“I won’t be long. Trust me.” I left her there and went out to look for something
important.
I went everywhere to find it but finally I found the right one. When I was done I
went back to the Cullen house. I didn’t want to go through the front door so I went
through the window of the room Megan was in. I guessed it was a spare room. She was
asleep so I walked quietly over to her and sat next to her. I took the locket out of my
pocket and clasped it around her neck. I kissed her on the forehead and left a note for
her. It read:

~Don’t forget the plan. I love you.

Dawn was approaching and I went back to the motel and changed into some
jeans, a black tank top and some black boots. When I was done I was going to go find
James but I didn’t have to; he had already found me first.
“Took you long enough.” I said looking at him sitting on my bed.
“You’re not an easy one to track down.” He said smiling showing his teeth.
“Don’t try to intimidate me. It’s not safe for you.”
“You wouldn’t kill me Sam, we have history. Even though you’d never admit it
you have a soft spot for me.”
“You’re right we do have history James, but make no mistake I’d kill without a
second thought if I was given motive.” He laughed at this and got up and walked over to
91

me.
“That’s the one problem with you. You are the smartest, fastest, hottest, most
badass being in this world and you put restraint on yourself. You lock your real self in a
cage and bury your desire and for what? Why do you do it?
“I know for a fact that Megan would follow you to the ends of the earth. You are
her mother after all. So why Sam? You don’t have a real reason do you?” he was right in
my face smiling, proud of himself. I just smiled right back at him.
“You’re right, about a lot of different things. I am powerful, I am Megan’s mother
and I do restrain myself. That you should be grateful for because if I didn’t you’d have
been dead already and so would a lot of other people.
“But you were wrong about one thing; my real self isn’t locked away she’s just
hiding very much free to come out whenever she so pleases and I suggest you stop
pretending you know a thing about who I really am otherwise you’ll meet her yourself.”
He took a step back and looked at me solemnly.
“I apologize, so where’s Megan?”
“Around.”
“Where?”
“Why?”
“Victoria, Laurent and I are thinking of heading out. I wanted to say good bye.”
“Well she’s busy and won’t be available all day. Why don’t I escort you out of
town?”
“I have a feeling I’m going to regret this.”
“Then I’ll stay here.”
“Who am I kidding? I could be fun.” He flashed a smile at me and started for the
door. I grabbed my cell phone and followed behind him.
We ran to the boat house where I found them the day before and meet up with
Victoria and Laurent. They looked bored and agitated and when Victoria saw me she
became angry.
“What the hell is she doing here?” she said talking to James.
92

“She came to see us off.”

“Why?”
“Because I can, I suggest you watch your tongue before I rip it out of your head.”
“You could try.” I laughed at her threat and just ignored her.
“So any plans as to where you’re headed next?” I asked James.
“Plans are for weak people… and you of course.”
“Of course.” After a few minutes of Victoria giving me the evil eye and James
trying to figure out what I was hiding I heard Megan calling to me.
She was letting me know that they were about to start. A roll of thunder came
and then a loud crackling sound. It was almost similar to the sound of thunder but I
knew different and so did James.
The both of us became alert and listened. It happened again and I knew he was
sure of the sound. The game had started and the plan was in motion.
“Did you hear that?” James asked listening closely.
“Of course I heard it.”
“Heard what?” Victoria and Laurent looked bewildered.
“Think we should check it out?” I asked James.
“Could be fun. C’mon guys lets see if we could join their game.”James said with a
sadistic smile on his face. Victoria and Laurent finally caught on.
The four of us headed to towards the baseball game.

XXVII.
When we got there everything had stopped. I wasn’t surprised; I saw exactly
what Alice saw when she saw it. I looked at Megan first and saw that she made her hair
shorter, her skin a little lighter, and her eyes golden yellow to match those of the
Cullens.
Edward was screaming at me mentally and giving me and evil look as well as the
rest of the Cullens. They had all jumped to the conclusion that I betrayed them and I
93

didn’t really care. Bella was standing behind them all hidden behind Edward. I had my
eye on her ready to jump if James made a move.
Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper stepped up to Laurent—who was in the middle—
James and Victoria. I stood towards the back analyzing everyone’s movement and
thoughts. If Edward hadn’t been so focused on James he would have noticed.
Laurent was the first to speak. “We thought we heard a game. I’m Laurent; these
are Victoria, James, and Sam.”
Carlisle responded in an equal tone. “I’m Carlisle. This is my family, Emmett and
Jasper, Rosalie, Esme and Alice, Megan, Edward and Bella.”
“Do you have room for a few more players?” Laurent asked.
I stayed and continued to analyzing. Jasper was using his ability to keep everyone
calm. A casual conversation started but I wasn’t interested enough to follow along with
it. After a while James Victoria and Laurent turned to follow a few of the Cullen to their
house.
I felt a breeze about to past and I knew once James got a whiff of Bella that there
was no stopping him unless Edward didn’t react drastically.
‘Edward it’s Sam, whatever you do don’t react.’ I said to him mentally.
‘What? What are you talking about? How could you do this? How could you put her
in danger? You stay away from my family because if you don’t I’ll kill you!’
His word sent a river of anger through me but I kept it under control. Seconds
later a breeze whipped past Bella sending her scent straight to James. He whipped his
head around quickly and crouched down to attack and Edward did the same and let out
and let out a threatening growl. Megan grabbed Bella guarding her as well. I stepped to
James’ side where he was face to face with Edward. Emmett move to Edward’s side
standing in front of me; he was angry as well.
“Do always bring a snack with you when you play baseball?” I finally said looking
straight at Alice and then at Emmett. If anyone was going to understand it was going to
be those two.
James had been challenged and now there were two things I could do, either
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help Bella and kill James or walk away with Megan and let the Cullens handle it.
“She’s with us.” Carlisle said talking to the other three.
“You bought a snack?” James said in a taunting voice trying to see just how far
Edward would go and it worked. Edward let another snarl that roared through the
forest.
“I said she’s with us.” Carlisle repeated.
“But she’s human.” Laurent protested.
“So.” Emmett said.
James slowly stood up straight and took a step backwards to me.
“Seems like we have a lot to learn about each other.” Laurent was trying to ease
away some of the tension.
“Indeed.”
“But we would like to accept your invitation. And, of course, we will not harm
the girl. We won’t hunt in your range, as I said.” Laurent had no idea what he was
saying. He didn’t know James well apparently.
Carlisle agreed and they split into teams. Emmett, Alice, Megan, and Edward
took Bella away, while the rest of them lead Laurent, James, Victoria, and me to the
house.
“I do apologize for back there, it took us off guard.”
“Understandable.”
Laurent was again trying to smooth things over.
“Don’t apologize for us.” James snapped.
“It is starting to annoy me.” Victoria added.
“Well if you could control yourselves…”
“Idiot all of you. If you don’t mind I’d rather not be apart of this. Don’t bother
letting me know when you’re leaving.” I said turning to leave.
“Sam.” James called out to me. ‘Help me hunt this one down. Give in a little’ he
asked mentally.
“I’ll think about it.” I left heading for the other group. They were taking Bella to
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her house first to sell a story to Charlie. I decided to go to the motel and grab the car
before heading to the Cullen house.
When I got there James and Victoria were waiting for me.
“So?”
“So what?” I asked grabbing the car keys.
“You gonna help or not?”
“What have I told you about playing with your food?”
“This isn’t about the girl, you know that.” a smile spread across his face.
“It never is. I guess I could help you. Let’s see what you really learned from me.”
I was playing him and that meant I’d have to keep riding this wave until he was
dead.
“So what do you suggest we do?” he asked me.
“It’s your game what do you think you should do.”
He thought for a minute. I could see the process map out in his head.
“You have the highest senses go to their place see what they’re going to do.” He
ordered.
“What makes you think they’ll do anything?” Victoria challenged.
“They’re smart that’s why. Go Sam.”
“I’ll let you know what I find out.”
I took off towards the Cullen house on foot. I saw that the others had returned
so I just walked in the front door. They were trying to come up with a plan to deal with
James. Everything stopped though when I walked in the door.
Edward burst when he saw me standing there. “What the hell are you doing
here?! I meant what I said! This is your fault you could have prevented this!”
“Everything could be prevented at one point. Nothing has to exactly happen. Just
like you chose not to listen to me when we were in the clearing I chose not to tell you
about James. And if you would have listened none of this would be happening now and I
wouldn’t have to kill him.”
“Alright, everyone needs to calm down.” Carlisle stepped between the two of us.
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“Why don’t you just leave we can handle this ourselves.”

“I don’t think you can, James is like a controlled fire. And when you challenged
him in the clearing it was like adding oxygen. Next time when someone tries to give you
advice maybe you should take it.”
“Go to hell.”
“I was born and raised there, why do you think I’m here? Any way we don’t have
time for this, I should report to James in a little while. Megan you and Bella exchange
clothes. He’s most likely going to send Victoria to track you so we should confuse him.”
“Ok, c’mon Bella.”Megan said grabbing Bella’s hand.
“Stop! Why should we trust you?” Edward was staring at me coldly.
“I don’t really care if you trust me Edward. I don’t even care if you remember me
anymore, just stay out of my way and Bella will continue to breath.”
“What did you just say?” I messed up and I realized it to late. “Where should I
remember you from? Who are you really?”
“We shouldn’t be talking about this now. Megan Bella go, Esme you Rose and
Megan lead Victoria to California keep her distracted. Emmett, Carlisle, Edward take
James lead him up north you should be able to ambush him.”
“No I’m not leaving Bella.”
“But you are. This isn’t about Bella, this is about you. He’s personally challenging
you because he can. That’s the way he is, he’s a gamer. So go around the games and
don’t underestimate him. Alice and Jasper you take Bella to Phoenix. It’ll confuse him.”
“That’s not going to work he heard Bella tell Charlie that she was going there.”
Alice commented.
“Even better he won’t believe you.” Megan and Bella came down stairs in
different clothes.
“Did you get that?” I asked her.
“Yeah I got it.”
“Good I’ll head back to James and if anything changes I’ll let you know.”
97

XXVIII.

I went back to the motel where Victoria and James were waiting. When I
walked through the door I could tell something had changed.
“So?” James asked eyeing me suspiciously.
“What happened?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play games with me.”
“Where’s Megan?”
“Why?”
“I haven’t seen her and the two of you are practically inseparable. So where is
she?”
“Say what you want to say already James.”
“In the clearing there was a vampire with the Same name as Megan and I haven’t
seen Megan in a while. With Megan’s ability there is a possibility that they are one in
the Same. Are you double crossing me Sam?”
“What reason would I have for doing that? Surely you figured out by now that I
don’t do anything unless it benefits Megan.”
“True but you would also do anything Megan wants and if Megan had made a
few friends here then of course you’d protect them to make her happy.”
“Clever, but I assure you James I am not double crossing you.” He looked into my
eyes to see if I was lying but I didn’t give anything away.
“Ok, so what did you find out?”
“That you were eavesdropping, they know that you listening outside the girl’s
house so they told her to lie. They are really taking her decoy to California with two
other females.”
“Decoy?”
“Yes, they had her switch clothes with another to confuse you. They’re going to
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Phoenix.”
“And the men?”
“Are going after you of course. Which means you should let them lead you to the
north and have Victoria follow the decoy.”
“What? That’s idiotic.” Victoria said finally speaking.
“Of course you would think so. If they think their plan is working then they’ll slip
somewhere. Once they lead James far enough north he shakes them and heads for the
girl in Phoenix.”
“Brilliant.”
“And what are you going to do?” the aggravation in Victoria’s voice was starting
to amuse me.
“I’ll keep an eye on the girl making sure the plan is still in motion.”
“I thought I was running the show?”
“You are, if you have a better plan go for it.”
He took a minute to contemplate then agreed. The three of us left and headed
for our target.
I met up with Alice, Jasper, and Bella who were taking off toward Phoenix by car.
Bella asleep in the backseat.
“Well?” Jasper asked.
“We’re good, everything should be fine.” I responded.
“Thanks for helping us Sam.”
“I’m only doing this because I owe Edward and Megan asked me to.”
“What do you owe him?” Alice asked.
“Not now, I’ll explain everything to everyone after this is over.”
“When will that be?”
“Once I kill James.”
“How do you know him anyway?”
“I was his teacher.”
“Teacher?”
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“I’m the one who taught him how to track.”

“So how dangerous is he?”
“Very, but he’s still not stronger than me or Megan.”
“She misses you lot you know.”
“Megan? I know but its better if she’s with you guys for now. I thought she was
going to argue when I told her to go with Esme and Rosalie.”
“You planed this all along didn’t you?”
“Sort of. I saw James coming and I saw Bella at the clearing and I knew James
would be there so up until then.”
“How’d you see them?”
“I copied your ability. It’s something I could do.”
“That’s how you knew Emmett was talking to Edward the other day in the
Cafeteria.”
“Yeah.”
We sat in silence for the rest of the way. When we got to Phoenix we checked in
to a hotel and settled in. Bella was asleep in the room while Alice, Jasper, and I sat in the
front room.
“What do you thinks going to happen?” Jasper asked.
“I think that they’ll catch him and I won’t have to deal with him.” Knowing that
wasn’t true. I knew they wouldn’t catch him and I knew that I’d have to be the one to
deal with him.
Bella woke up a few hours later confused and sad and she began to freak. Jasper
and Alice calmed her down reassuring her everything would be ok. She was so worried
about Edward and I could tell she loved him, like I did –or used to.
Jasper and I would go out and bring Bella food while Alice stayed with her. She
began pacing and staring at the wallpaper. I could see in her mind that she was finding
shapes in the patters. Eventually she went in the back and Alice followed behind her.
The two of them began to talk and I began wondering about Megan.
I didn’t want to dwell on it anymore so I began analyzing Jasper as if her were an
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opponent. He was definitely more dangerous then the other Cullens. He had incredible
fighting ability and a good analyzer as well.
“So how do you know Edward?” he finally questioned.
“We used to be friends.” I answered not really caring on keeping the secret
anymore. “We meet when I was five and I fell in love with him and his family. Mine was
so… dysfunctional that I clung to them like a life saver. They were my life and when they
got sick that’s when I met Carlisle. I was turned two tears later and the rest is
unimportant.”
“He never mentioned this.”
“That’s because he doesn’t remember. Notice I said ‘I fell in love with him’. I
thought we were in love but clearly not.”
“And he doesn’t know?”
“Not unless Carlisle told him already.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“Why should I? There would be no point in it. The only reason I’m doing this is
because I owe him for saving me.”
“From what?”
“My life.”
Then Jasper stiffened. He walked to the bedroom door, at the same time I
tapped into Alice. Pictures began popping into my head. James must have shaken the
guys now.
Alice and I were seeing a room. She began explain it to Jasper as I sat and tried to
figure it out. James hadn’t contacted me but I could see him in a room watching
something. I couldn’t exactly make it out and then there was another room with mirrors
and a gold bar. Jasper and Alice were about to call the others when the phone ran and it
was Carlisle.
They exchanged information the Edward got in the phone and talked to Bella. He
filled her in on everything that was happening and reassured her.
I turned my attention towards Alice and Jasper who were sitting down on the
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couch. Alice was drawing out the room we saw on a sheet of paper so that Jasper could
see. I looked closely at the drawing studying it trying to figure out where it was. Bella
got off the phone and walked over to us.
“A dance studio?” I said figuring it out. Bella looked closer at it and then pointed
at the picture.
“The stereo’s supposed to be there.” She said. Alice, Jasper and I looked up at
her.
“Do you know this room?” Jasper asked.
“It looks like the place I used to go for dance lessons when I was eight or nine.
It’s shaped the same.”
“Are you sure this is the same room?” Jasper asked again.
“Not at all—I suppose most dance studios look the same—the mirrors, the bar.
It’s just the shape that looked familiar.”
“Would you have any reason to go there now?” Alice asked
“No, I haven’t been there in almost ten years. I was a terrible dancer.”
“So there’s no way it could be connected to you?”
I thought on it and it would be the perfect place for James; the mirrors, the
seclusion, the fact that Bella had no more ties to it so the Cullens wouldn’t go looking for
Bella there.
The studio Bella went to was apparently a block away form her mom’s house.
She caught on to the fact that her mother could possibly be in danger now and the
house phone leaving a message. She fell asleep soon afterwards.

XXIX.
Jasper and Alice were sitting down trying to figure James’s next move while I was
pretty sure I already knew what it was.
Bella woke at around two in the morning while Alice was drawing something else
she was seeing. I could see everything in my head so I stood leaning against the wall. It
was a room with a low ceiling and paneled wood walls. The carpet was dark colored
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with a pattern and there was a large window on the south wall. I recognized the room
from Bella’s mind and then knew what James was going to do.
“The phone goes there.” Bella said point to the paper. “It’s my mom’s house.”
Alice got up and called Edward and told him about Bella’s mom’s house. He was
coming to get her while Alice and Jasper stayed to protect her mom.
Bella began to panic and Jasper tried to make her sleep but she pulled away and
went into the room.
Jasper went to check out.
“What do you think?” Alice asked turning to me. If I really told her what I
thought then it would complicate things. I had to figure out his next move first before
doing anything.
“I think Edward should keep doing what he’s doing. If James is coming here then
we need to get her away.”
The phone rang and Alice picked it up and Bella came out of the room. It was
Carlisle letting Alice know that they just boarded the plane and would reach us at nine-
forty- five.
After Alice told Bella what she was told the phone rang again and Alice picked it
up. I could hear Bella’s mother on the other end in a panicked voice. Alice handed the
phone over to Bella and at first it was Bella’s mom’s voice then I heard another voice.
It was James; he told Bella to walk into another room and she did. I could still
hear their conversation as he told Bella the he had her mom, which I knew was a lie
because James doesn’t like extras and he would never take a hostage. He fed her a story
on her mom coming home early and she believed it. He told her that she’d need to get
away from Alice and Jasper and got to her mother’s house for further instructions. She
agreed to everything then hung up.
She waited a while trying to control herself before coming back out of the room
and handing Alice the phone. She took a piece of hotel stationary and wrote a note to
Edward telling Alice that it was for her mother.
“Alice?” I looked over at Bella who was hovering over Alice. I concentrated and
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saw everything she did. Jasper came in and knelt beside Alice. He felt Bella panic just as I
did but was more worried about Alice. She was freaking out too, at the sight of Bella in
the studio with James.
Bella was trying to keep calm but it wasn’t working very well. With what Alice
saw and what Jasper could feel they both new something was up. The only thing was
they didn’t know what I knew and if they did then it would ruin the plan I set in motion.
We left for the airport at seven Bella and I were in the back with Jasper driving.
Bella began asking Alice questions about her ability and Alice answered them.
After getting to the airport and parking we waited for their plane to arrive. Bella
was figuring out a get away without Alice and Jasper noticing. Their flight was ten
minutes early and Bella was out of time.
“I think I’ll eat now.” Bella said standing up.
“I’ll go with you.” Alice said.
“Do you mind if Jasper comes instead? I’m feeling a little… sad.” Jasper stood and
followed behind her. I could hear her after they where out of sight asking for the
bathroom. She was making a run for it now.
“They’re coming.” Alice said standing up. I could see Edward, Emmett, and
Carlisle in the distance heading for us. I took off after Bella though, gone before Alice
could notice. Jasper was still waiting by the bathroom but Bella was in a taxi already half
way to her mother’s house.
I got there before she did though. I waited inside out of sight. I heard the car
outside and Bella’s footsteps then she unlocked the door and ran to the phone. I heard
her dial the phone number James had left for her and then I heard James’ voice on the
other end of the receiver. He told her to go to the dance studio around the corner from
her house and hung up.
Bella left in a run towards the studio. I got there fist of course. I walked in the
front door and locked it behind me.
“Looks like I was right.” James said walking towards me.
“About?”
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“I had a theory. If you showed up here then you were working against me the
whole time and if you didn’t then you were really helping me. Either way I was
anticipating your arrival.”
“Good for you.”
“I’m going to get that girl you know that.”
“I don’t think so James. You won’t be walking away from this.”
“You won’t kill me Sam.”
“I don’t want to, but there are many things that I didn’t want to do, that I’ve
done.”
“So what’s the next step? Huh, Sam?” I turn and unlock the door and look at
him.
“Now you make a decision. You lay a finger on the girl you die. I don’t want this
but if this is how it’s going to end then so be it.”
He turned and walked into one of the studios where there was a T.V set up and a
video camera.
“Home videos are a wonderful thing.” James said pressing play on the remote for
the VCR.
“Bella? Bella?” it was Bella’s mom on the tape. I was focused in James I didn’t
hear Bella walk through the front door.
She walked through the door and I turned and James was suddenly behind her.
“I think I’ll take my chances Sam.”
Bella looked frightened and tried to turn and face James but he gripped her
shoulder steadying her. I took a step towards her but I saw her wince in pain.
“You of all people know how dangerous I can be Sam so I suggest you keep a
distance or Bella here become a nice snack for me.” I just stood there and eyed him
furiously. “I checked up on you Sam. I know about you and Edward, about your parents
and what you did to them…”
“Shut up James.” His eyes lit up like he’d just hit the jackpot.
“Did I hit a nerve? Interesting way you killed them, your parents I mean.”
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“Shut up.” A wave of anger and heat rushed over me.

“Your mother had her windpipe crushed with tremendous force, quick and quiet.
Your father on the other hand was brutal and full of anger.
“James…”
“Several broken bones and fractures, abdomen slashed open as well as his face,
and then the icing on the cake, two kitchen knives pierced through both hands to the
floor.”
My memory flashed back to that day which wasn’t a good thing. I was far past
angry, my hands were claws, I could see my reflection in one of the mirrors behind
James, my eyes were pitch black and my teeth were fangs.
“What did he do Sam? Why were you so angry at him?”
“Why don’t you let Bella go James and then you’ll see once and for all just how
strong I am.” He just smiled and looked at me.
“Sounds fun.” He smiled and before I could react he threw Bella against mirror
wall as hard as he could. A pool of blood started to form around her leg and I could see a
piece of glass sticking out of her leg.
I was focusing on Bella when James slammed me into the floor.
“What’s the matter Sam? Losing your edge?”
I used my legs to kick him up towards the ceiling then caught him by the throat
on his way down.
“Want to say that again?” I said through my teeth. He just smiled and then I felt
a tremendous pain in my chest. I looked down and saw James’ hand disappear in my
chest.
“Looks like your done Sam. Guess we know who’s stronger now.” I felt myself
being thrown and then hitting a wall and heard glass shattering. It took me a while to
realize what happened. I looked up and saw James talking to Bella. The others weren’t
going to be there for a while so I just had to keep her alive until then.
“I’m not done with you James.” I said standing up facing him.
“You really want to protect her don’t you? In that case…” he grabbed her wrist
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and put it to his lips. I didn’t think about it I just acted. I charged at him knocking away
from her.
I was so angry and I had to stop him. I started ripping him apart piece by piece.
Afterwards I collected all the pieces and threw them in the garbage to burn later.
I turned to Bella who was on the floor bleeding still. I took off my belt and
tightened it a few inches above her leg wound and bundled up her jacket and laid her
head in it. Then I saw her wrist, James had bitten her and soon she would start to feel
the pain. I didn’t know what to do, it wasn’t my choice as to whether she turned or not.
I didn’t even care.
I ripped a piece of my shirt and tied it around her elbow to stop the venom from
spreading. She became conscience and I tried to keep her calm.
There was a crash and Edward came in through the door. He looked around first
and then saw Bella.
“What happened? Is she ok?”
“Yeah… she’s fine a few scrapes, cracked rib, broken leg. Nothing to bad
considering.”
“You knew this would happen? Didn’t you?”
“You should be worried about her and not me right now. He bit her before I
could stop him, I tied off her arm I wasn’t sure what I should do.”
The others came in then. Carlisle rushed to Bella to examine her.
“What we don’t get any action?” Emmett asked looking around seeing the
garbage bin.
“Sorry, maybe next time. You can burn him.”
“Gee thanks that’ll be exciting.”
“Where’s Megan?” I asked.”
“She’s at the house with Esme and Rose.”
“Ok… Bella needs to be taken to the hospital but you have a decision to make
first Edward.” I turned to him. “What is it gonna be? She gonna stay human or are you
gonna let her turn?”
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He looked torn between the choices.

“Edward you have to hurry and make a decision we need to get her to a hospital
quickly.” Carlisle said rushing him.
“Carlisle I won’t be able to stop.”
“Yes you will. I have faith I you.”
I already knew his decision and didn’t feel like staying in that studio much longer.
I walked outside in the heat and waited for them to be finished. Carlisle carried Bella to
the car and he and Edward drove to the hospital with Alice. Jasper, Emmett and I burned
the whole studio down and trashed the hotel room to make it look like Bella fell down
the stairs and out a window.
Then the three of us plus Carlisle and Alice flew back to Forks.

XXX.
Megan, Esme, and Rose were waiting for us when we walked in. Esme and Rose
ran to Emmett and Carlisle and I walked over to Megan.
“Is it over?” she asked hugging me.
“For now it is.”
We all hung around and I filled everyone one in on what really happened from
start to finish.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Alice asked once I was finished.
“Because it would have ruined the plan. I knew what he was going to do and I
know what you guys would have done if I told you what I knew. Then you’d be stuck
hiding from James and you would have gotten in my way and made things complicated.
There’s one thing I can’t figure out though.”
“What is it?”
“How’d he figure all that stuff out? A long time ago I sealed away all traces of my
family and destroyed all files on me or my parents so how did he know how I killed
them. Not only that but how did he know about me and Edward? The only ones who
knew where Carlisle, Megan and Jasper.”
108

“Maybe he was listening to you conversations.”

“Still doesn’t explain how he knew how I killed them. He described it in perfect
detail not one thing he said was wrong. How did he know? And he knew how but he
didn’t know why.”
“He had to get the information from somewhere.” Jasper said.
“Well let’s deal with it later please.” Megan said standing up.
“Yeah this is starting become depressing.” Alice said standing next to Megan.
“We have one more matter to deal with.” I said interrupting them.
“But…”
“Not right now it can wait but eventually we will have to deal with it.”
“What is it?”
“Victoria. Something tells me that having her boyfriend killed isn’t going to be
okay with her. She’s going to want payback but we should be fine now. She’s not a big
problem.”
“Good because I like having my mom around. And thank you for the locket. I love
it.”
“Good. You’re a big girl Megan and sometimes I have to remind myself of that.
And there are something’s that we don’t know yet as smart as we are we don’t know
everything.”
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t know yet. But let’s not worry about it now.”
“Well I completely agree with that statement. And I think there is only one way
to cheer us all up; the girls at least.” Alice said cheerfully.
“Shopping’s not my thing Alice.” I said slightly ruining her mood.
“C’mon every girl likes shopping, or they should.”
“Not me. But the rest of you should go and have a good time. Don’t let me stop
you.”
“But I haven’t seen you in forever.”’
“Sooner or later we’re going to learn to be apart. Besides you of all people know
109

I don’t like shopping.”

“Ok fine.”
The girls went shopping for the day while the guys and I talked about strategy.
“By the way Sam, I didn’t tell Edward anything yet.” Carlisle said.
“Yeah you should have seen him trying to pry information out of Carlisle.”
Emmet stared laughing.
“I figured you wouldn’t. I’ll tell him when he gets back tomorrow.”
“Can I watch? His face is going to be priceless.”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea Emmett. This should be private.” Carlisle
said.
When the girls came back Alice and Megan dragged me upstairs to show me
what they had bought. Afterward Alice went to her room with Jasper and I sat there
with Megan.
“You like it here right?” I asked looking at the mountain of clothes on the bed.
“Yeah, Alice is awesome and Rose and Esme is so nice. Emmett is hilarious, and
Jasper is too when he wants to be.”
“Good, I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Yeah. Mom you ok?”
“Yeah I’m fine.”
“Are you sure because I can’t really tell anymore. It feels like you’re blocking
yourself off from me lately.”
“I think you should stay here Megan.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I need a little more time to figure things out and I think you should
live with the Cullens while I’m doing that.”
“But…”
“I know you don’t want to now but I think this would be best. You know that I
always put you first and I’ve told myself that having you with me is best but coming here
made me realize that it’s not. You’re happy and I want this for you, so stay.”
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“No…”
“Yes, I’m not leaving right now ok? It’ll be a couple of days. Trust me this will be
good, for the both of us.”
“I trust you.”
“Ok.”
I waited for Megan to fall asleep before going back downstairs. Everyone else
was upstairs in their rooms doing something. I sat outside and grabbed few books to
read. I sat in the edge of the stream and look down at it.

XXXI.
The next day we just hung around the house. Alice and Megan talked shopping,
Emmett and Rose were talking cars, Esme was fixing up the house, Carlisle was in his
study, and Jasper and I were standing watching everything and waiting for Edward.
“You think I’m doing the right thing here?” I asked him.
“With the Megan thing or the Edward thing?”
“Both.”
“I don’t know. It’s not really my call.”
“Pretend it was.”
“Then yeah I do. From a survival aspect you’re doing everything right.”
“And from a personal aspect?”
“You’re still doing the right thing.”
“I don’t regret anything I’ve ever did. There’s no point it’s done already right?”
“Right.”
“Thanks Jasper.”
“For what?”
“Not judging me. I mean I wouldn’t care if you did it’s just nice not to feel like a
freak alien every once in a while.”
“Any time. But I do have one question.”
“How could I kill my parents?”
111

“Yeah.”
“Easy, they weren’t parents. Parents are supposed to love and protect you not
hurt and try to kill you. That and the crazy hormones might have had something to do
with it.”
“No one should have to go through that.”
“But someone did, I did.”
“And now you have Megan.”
“I’d do anything for her.”
“We all can see that Sam.”
Edward was going to arrive in a few hours and I needed to breath. I left the
house and ran to the beach. I stood on the edge of the water again and looked out at
the grey sky.
“Hey, didn’t think I’d see you here.” It was the guy from before. Jacob.
“Didn’t think I’d be back here.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“You just did.”
“How’d you know my name last time?”
“Lucky guess.”
“No such thing.”
“Bella mentioned you. Happy now?”
“What she say?”
“Again I’d love to chat but…”
“You gotta go?”
“Yup.”
When I got back to the house Edward was already there. He was talking to
Carlisle up in his study.
“Hey mom.”
“Hey Meg.”
“You still going to tell him?”
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“If he asks.”
“And are you still leaving?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me go with you…”
“Megan…”
“I want to go.”
“You’re happy here.”
“I don’t care about being happy.”
“I do. I care about you being happy. I don’t want you to feel like it’s your job to
make sure I’m always alright, or to keep me calm.”
“Then I’ll stop.”
“Megan you know it’s more than that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too, for everything.”
“Megan you ready to go?” Alice asked coming down the stairs with Emmett,
Jasper, Rose, and Esme.
“What’s going on?” I asked as they approached us.
“Early prom shopping.”
“Right now? The truth.” I said seeing right through them.
“Carlisle thought I’d be a good idea for us all to get out of the house for a while.”
Jasper said.
“Edward’s not going is he?”
“No I’m not.” Edward and Carlisle were coming down the stairs.
“Let’s go everyone before the stores start closing.” Carlisle called.
After everyone left Edward and I stood in silence refusing to look at each other.
“You should have told us what you knew about James, everything you knew.” He
finally said turning to me.
“As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing we can do about it now. Besides Bella’s
breathing isn’t she? A couple scrapes and bruises, so what.” I said still facing away.
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“You put her in the hospital! She could have died!”

“But she didn’t and I didn’t put her anywhere! If this is anyone’s fault it’s yours! I
saved her, not you, me! I could have very well let James tear her apart piece by piece
but I didn’t! If it weren’t for me she’d be dead! Show a little gratitude why don’t you, or
did you forget that too?”
“That again. What is it Sam? What am I suppose to remember?!”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Tell me Samantha!”
“Don’t call me that! Don’t ever call me that! You don’t get to anymore.”
“Then tell me!”
“Fine.” I started telling him everything, from start to finish without stopping.
When I was done he just stood there processing it all.
“That’s not…”
“It is very much possible Edward. Trust me, I lived it.”
“I’d remember…”
“But you don’t.”
“That’s why you came here isn’t it?”
“Don’t flatter yourself” I snickered. “My coming here had absolutely nothing to
do with you. I thought you were dead until I talked to Carlisle. I’m here because Megan
wants to be here.”
“Where is it?”
“Where’s what?”
“The stuff that you took, I want to see it.”
“Wait here.” I went upstairs and grabbed my bag and then went back down
stairs. “The pocket watch, the brush, the music, the locket, it’s all in here.”
I handed him the bag and he started looking through it. Picking out each thing
and examining it. After he was done he put everything back and handed to bag back to
me.
“This doesn’t change anything.” He finally said.
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“I didn’t expect it to.” I went back upstairs and put my bag up and waited for the
others to return. I didn’t move from upstairs when I heard them pull up or when they
walked into the house.
“What happened?” Megan asked entering the room.
“Nothing.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t block me out mom.”
“We yelled, I told him everything, he said it doesn’t change anything and I
agreed.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“You loved him didn’t you?”
“No. The guy I loved is dead Megan.”
“But…”
“I was in love with Edward Mason not Edward Cullen.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Everything. Anyway it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“What? You can’t.”
“I am, I’m sorry.”
“I love you mom, I don’t want you to go.”
“I know.” I kissed her on the forehead before leaving the room and going down
stairs.

XXXII.
Jasper and Emmett were sitting in front of the T.V playing some ignorant video
game.
“Hey there she is. How’d it go?” Emmett asked.
“Exactly how I thought it would.”
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“Well it doesn’t matter If Edward thinks now.”

“Why?”
“Because the rest of us like you and Megan.”
“He’s right. And Alice and Megan have grown close.” Jasper added.
“Thanks guys. You think the two of you can do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Protect Megan for me, while I’m gone.”
“We’d do that even if you didn’t ask.” Jasper said.
“Thanks.” I sat watching them play for a while before going back upstairs to talk
to Carlisle, who was in his study.
“Hello Carlisle.”
“Hello Sam. Is everything alright?”
“I was hoping to ask if Megan can stay here while I’m gone.”
“Of course she can. But you’re leaving? Why?”
“There are some things that I need to figure out about myself. And Megan’s
happy here, I can’t take her away now.”
“She can stay here as long as she wants, and when you come back you’re
welcome to stay as well.”
“Thank you.”
It was getting late so I went back to Megan who was lying down on the bed
looking at the wall.
“You should get some sleep.” I said sitting down next to her.
“I’m not tired.” She lied. She wasn’t going to go to sleep on her own so I helped
her.
After she was asleep I grabbed my bag and left to find myself……
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