When Ends Meet (Marcus & Aro Volturi)

Chapter 29: Reboot.

I groan from the pain of my splitting headache. Sitting up, I look around and take in my surroundings. I don't quite recognize the room I am in, but something about it feels familiar. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, my head resting in my hands as the insufferable pounding in my skull won't go away. I look to the floor, thinking about that awful dream...or maybe it is more suited to be called a nightmare. Either way, I don't want to ever think about it again. I stand, blindly looking for the bathroom. As I walk, I feel almost light and unstable, making me stumble a few steps. I eventually find the bathroom, and immediately head towards the sink. I splash my face with some water, trying to wake myself further. I sigh into the sink, finally looking up into the reflection of the mirror. I jolt at the sight of red eyes, and deathly pale skin. I inch closer to the woman in the mirror; she looks just as confused as me. My fingers trace her features, and then I start to remember. I am... I begin to think, but then I clear my throat, wanting to hear it more clearly.

"I am Anastasia Thalia Swan." I rasp. I grimace with the dryness of my throat, and as hard as I try to swallow, it just feels like I am trying to drink sand. I think back on what had happened. I was on the battlefield. I was fighting...but who was I fighting? What was I fighting for? Images of faces begin to pop into my head, and I start to feel this overwhelming emotion of distress. Looking around I start to wander. I need to find someone...anyone. Leaving the room, the hallway on the outside is not well lit, but I advance anyways. I glance around at the walls, recognizing some of it, but not completely sure why I did. However, I didn't really need to think hard because something pulled me. It was pulling me towards my destination however unknown it was to me. I walked further and further, until I came to two wooden doors. I stared at them with familiarity. I go to push open the door when I heard giggling from inside. It was someone I knew, but the name couldn't be found on my tongue. Going ahead, I push open the door.

A little girl with brown hair dances on the toes of an older gentleman. But they look so similar they could be related. Upon hearing the creak of the opening door, they both turn. My brows furrow upon seeing the man's full face. He looks shocked, his eyes are just as red as mine, but much darker. His brown hair runs long against his back, and he appears to be much taller than anyone I have ever seen. Before I could even manage a word, the little girl had run towards me, circling her arms around my waist.

"Mama!" She cries, and I just stare at her with a bit of confusion. The little girl has the same dark brunette hair, though her eyes are not red—but blue. She looks up at me with hope and I feel so captured by her. I crouch down, searching her face for the answer to this strange familiarity.

"Mama?" I repeat back. "Your name..."

The little girl frowns slightly. "You named me after grandpa, mama. Think really hard." She encourages.

I try to reach into my memories, thinking about if I had a father. A face of a short hair-ed brunette with a moustache enters my mind. I look to the girl, my fingers stroking her warm cheek. "Charlotte. My sprout." I whisper, feeling the flood of old memories escaping the fog. I have a daughter. I carried her for two weeks and gave birth to her. I was human then. Now I am a vampire. I look up and see the man that Charlotte was dancing with had yet to move. I come to my feet and give him a smile. "Are you too afraid to say hello?"

He appears taken aback, but he nods to me, not moving forward. It almost appears as though he is afraid to approach. "Hello...you have just woken up?"

I begin to make small steps forward before I finally stop in front of him. I bring my hand to his chest, and his breath hitches. I look up to him, and he still seems unsure of what is happening. With a soft smile, I reach up to his face. "Marcus."