Hysteria: A Twilight Fanfic

Chapter nine

I waited for what felt like an eternity for him to open the door or at the very least acknowledge my presence. Finally, I heard some shuffling around. He was by the door, when he said simply, "Go away."

"Please Emmett.."

"No," and with that, I looked to Alice for help. She shook her head at me and I understood.

"We'll try again later. He'll listen then, I promise." I nodded in agreement but I didn't feel as hopeful as she sounded. It was as if she already knew exactly what would happen. But there's no way.. is there?

Alice led the way down the hall, beckoning me to follow her downstairs. "What are we doing?" I asked her. "Alice, if this is another..."

"We, all of us, have to talk to you," she cut me off.

I'll admit, I'm really scared. What was the big secret? What was with Emmett lately, too? Why was he acting like this?

Alice led me into the living room downstairs. "I'll be right back," and like that,  Alice was gone. That was weird.

I moved over to the piano and tried my hand at playing Hedwig's Theme. I could only get a few of the notes right before I messed up.

"Let me help," Edward spoke softly next to me and I jumped in surprise. Blinking a few times and looking around, I noticed everyone was here... except for Emmett.

"I didn't hear you guys come in," I blushed.

"Well, now that we're all here. We have something important to tell you, Clara."
Carlisle got right to it.

My heart leaped in my chest; I was really curious as to what this was about. Are they serial killers? How bad could it be that they need to do it in a family meeting typesetting instead of just saying it casually.

"Do you believe in things like witches, vampires, and werewolves?" asked Edward. Well, that's a weird way to start a conversation.

"You've got to be kidding! Right? What does this have to do with anything?" I asked. Now I'm just getting super confused. Why can't they get right to it?

"We are trying to explain, Clara. It has everything to do with what we need to tell you." It was almost as if Edward had read my mind. That's not possible... is it?

"It's very possible."

"What are you talking about, Edward? What's possible?"

"What you were thinking. Now answer me, do you believe in those things?"

"I believe in witches, but aren't vampires and werewolves just myths and legends?"

"I wish it were that simple..." Carlisle began.

"You believe in witches, but not vampires or werewolves?" scoffed Rosalie. Wow, she actually spoke to me!

Edward laughed. "What's so funny?" I quickly asked him. This conversation was quickly getting off topic.

"Nothing," he said, not meeting my eyes.

"Yeah, whatever Edward. Again, where is this conversation going exactly?"

This time, Esme spoke. "Clara... We're trying to tell you that all of us," she gestured around the room, "are vampires..." She quit speaking to take in my reaction to the news.

"You have got to be kidding me.." I said slowly into the quiet room. No one was moving. No one was looking at me. No one was speaking. Until...

"Haven't you noticed how cold we are? How our eyes are all the exact same honey color, unlike any humans? Haven't you noticed how we don't eat?" Edward spoke up.

"Well yeah, but..."

"Clara, I've been alive since sometime around 1640. In my time, we didn't keep track of the dates as well as we do now, so this is a rough estimate. My mother died while giving birth to me, and my father was a pastor. Ironically, he led the hunts to find witches, werewolves, and vampires. Eventually, I took over for my father. I stumbled upon a coven of vampires, living in the sewers and one attacked, leaving me in the street. I knew what my father would do, so I hid in a potato cellar during my transformation. I tried starving myself, drowning myself, and even jumping off cliffs, but I soon realized I was virtually indestructible. One day, I was hiding in a cave and I was thirsty for blood. A heard of passing deer came along and that's how I found a better way to survive. We live off the blood of animals instead of humans."

"I call it the 'vegetarian' diet," Edward spoke.

"Wait, you're not kidding? Like, this is for real?" I asked. I was skeptical. Are they sure they don't wish they were vampires and they just need help? Should I call someone? Do they need to go to the loony bin?

Again, Edward laughed. "What is so freaking funny?!"

"Clara, I am sure we are vampires. You have very interesting thoughts, you know that?"

"Holy crow! You can read my mind? How is this even possible?"

"Because, some of us have talents, per say. I can read minds. Alice can predict the future based off of the path a person is on at that moment in time. Jasper can control emotion. Not every vampire has a talent, but some do, and it's not very uncommon."

"Oh, my... wow... So Alice, did you see me coming?"

"Yes, I did.. And I saw you and Emmett... Getting together... That's how I know, he will soon talk to you. He's just upset right now."

"Wait, really?"

"Yes! You guys are meant to be, Clara. Please, give him a chance."

"I'll try... but we barely know each other!"

"Then try. Spend time together."

"I will, but just one more thing. And this goes for all of you. I do not want to become a vampire, no offense." and for the first time, I saw Rosalie actually smile.

"I think I like her," she spoke softly. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

"We'll respect your wishes," Carlisle replied.

"Thank you," and with that everyone laughed. Well, almost everyone. Upstairs, I heard a loud crash and I jumped. What did he break?

"Don't worry, he'll be ok."

I hope so... And with that Edward gave me a weak smile. "Trust me."