Madeline’s Story (Preface Part One)
Looking at my vampire sister, I explained the markings on my wrists –markings from when I was a young and careless newborn, bitten only for the purpose to serve my creator.
“You see, Morgan, I was a farmer’s child. When I was bit, it was September of 1895. I was fourteen, and I had an amazing life… up until the day I died.”
Morgan looked at me. “Madeline, tell me your story. I never heard it before.”
I nodded and continued, “I was walking out to the chicken coop where my brother Edmund was at, he was fixing the little house, as I loved to call it. I heard a scream coming from that direction, and recognized it immediately –my brother’s.
“I ran into the small door, but he wasn’t in there. His screaming led me into the barn where we kept the cows. I saw my brother and a pale white man arguing. ‘No,’ Edmund said. ‘I will not give you my sister’s hand.’ The man was furious, picked up my brother by the neck, and flung him against the wall. He shouted something unintelligible and fell to the ground. The man turned and looked at me.
“’Hello,’ he said, perfectly polite. ‘What is your name, darlin’?’ I did not want to answer to this young man who threw my only brother, practically killing him. His growl interrupted my thoughts. ‘Answer me!’ he said.”
Morgan’s jaw dropped by this time. “You mean… he bit you then?” she asked.
“Not yet. And stop interrupting,” I replied.
She smirked and rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mommy,” she said.
Esme came down the stairs. “Hello, dears,” she said in her kind, motherly voice. “What are you talking about?”
“Madeline was just telling me her story, but I interrupted, and now she won’t continue.” Morgan pouted; I laughed.
“I never said I wasn’t going to continue, Mo.” I smiled teasingly as Alice skipped into the room. “Why so happy?”
She smiled smugly. “Oh, something will happen and you’ll know what I mean. It’s something you love,” she hinted.
“What do you mean?” I made a face. “Alice, you know I hate hints. Just tell me. And I love a lot of things.” I counted on my fingers as I listed them. “My husband, this family, my children…” I trailed off, frowning. Only three? Huh, I thought there would be more. “Though Edward is an exception.” I turned to Morgan. "Do you know what she's talking about?"
Morgan beamed. "Yes, yes I do. And I won't tell you."
Esme’s eyes widened; clearly she ignored the last line. “Oh, we all know you love your brother, Madeline. Don’t pretend you don’t.”
I smiled. “Yes, but after living with him for almost a century, it does get rather annoying when he answers my thoughts.” I had known Edward since Carlisle created him in 1918. But he never mentioned me, I guessed it was because he couldn’t handle it. Eventually, I came back, of course, in 1953, after all the Cullens came into the family.
“Finish the rest of the story! I want to know what happened,” Morgan prompted.
I sighed dramatically. “Oh, all right, freak,” I teased. Esme chuckled and Alice went upstairs. “Where was I? Oh, yes, I was at the part when he yelled at me.”
Morgan nodded. “C’mon, Mad! Just finish telling me!”
I stared at her. “Impatience gets you nowhere,” I said. She smacked my arm. I smirked. “Fine, fine, pushy!” Morgan rolled her golden eyes at me. I laughed and continued.
“After he yelled, I knew I should run. Knew I should be terrified. But I couldn’t bring myself to run, or scream. Or whatever I planned to do. So I simply said, ‘I-I’m Madeline.’
“He smiled at me. ‘Hello, Madeline. I’m Gregor. And this will be painful.’ Then he brushed my hair away from my neck and bit me. I fell to the ground, screaming and shaking. Gregor’s hand covered my mouth, and he picked me up. Then he ran into the woods.”
“Whoa,” Morgan said.
“Yep,” I agreed. “I don’t remember much after that, besides running away from an enraged vampire. I met Carlisle in 1903, and he taught me his ways in being a vegetarian vampire. I left his clan in 1923, because I was irritated with Edward and his mind reading.” I made a face; Morgan smirked.
“So even back then you didn’t like Edward. Smart girl,” she commented. I laughed; Esme rolled her eyes.
“Okay. Now tell me your story.”
“Honestly, I don’t really know where I came from, just that I was changed by a man named Levi,” Morgan admitted. “And that I was bitten January of 1897. And I was fourteen years old.”
I smiled as the door opened and Abigail and Evan came in. Evan walked over to me and sat down on the couch. I sat on his lap and kissed his cheek.
“Yuck,” Morgan said.
Abigail smirked. “Just be glad they aren’t doing anything,” she teased.
I rolled my eyes. “You are so weird,” I told them. Evan smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist.
Abigail looked at me. “I’m thirsty,” she complained. “Let’s go hunting.”
