This Universe...

One:

I lie awake on my back; head resting on my arm as I stare blankly above. My room is dark and silent. And cold. But the cold doesn't bother me.

I close my eyes. After a moment, I can make out the rustle of leaves and chirping of the crickets beyond the walls.

A noise much closer causes me to startle. My eyes fly open as the sounds of the outside world funnel away into the distance.

Footsteps.

I sit up on the bed and swing my legs off the side. Silently, I pad to the doorway of my room and lean on the frame.

"Jasper?"

"Hey," My brother's silhouette becomes visible as he steps closer, "You ready?"

I nod. Jasper ruffles my hair.

"The others are downstairs," he turns to leave and I follow behind him.

The lounge room is lit with the yellow glow of a lamp in the corner; a soft light so our eyes don't take too long to adjust to the dark once we step outside.

"Hey, hey. Let's go!" Alice grins and heads straight for the front door. Suddenly, I'm feeling hungry too.

The air outside is crisp, and a cool breeze ruffles my long hair.

We run.

The wind hits my face and I can't help but grin as I let the world around me pass by in a blur. I can smell the trees as we weave between the tall dark trunks. There is no moon out tonight, and no stars. My eyes adjust to the darkness, yet the shadows are still thick. But of course, that's half the fun of it.

Edward slows to a sudden stop just ahead. I dig my heels into the ground.

"Smell that?" Edward sniffs the air.

I breathe in, "Uh huh. Come on."

This time I lead the way. Just a short distance.

I shake the hair out of my eyes as I settle behind a fallen tree. I raise my head ever so gently and glance through the shadows and the brush. In the small clearing just ahead, a buck grazes lazily.

Alice is soon beside me, while Edward and Jasper move to flank either side of the clearing. It's this moment, the moment just before the kill, when I feel that pit in my stomach.

I wasn't always a vampire.

I didn't choose this life. But at the same time, I know I shouldn't complain. After all, I wouldn't be here today if things had gone differently. Still, I can't help but feel like a monster. A self-indulgent monster.

But as usual, survival wins out.