Awakened

A New Member, A New Life

1921

Ashland, Wisconsin

After leaving the Volturi, I had felt certain that Id never be able to trust anyone again. Now, I had two people in my life that felt closer to me than anything. I loved Edward and Carlisle dearly and I couldnt imagine a life without them.

Loneliness might make you untouchable but there is a certain kind of strength that comes from being a member of a family. I wondered what the future would hold for us and who else would be joining in on our journey.

Ashland was a strange kind of place. The name made it sound like a desolate place of destruction but in reality, it was quite green and flat. Thick, white clouds hung permanently in the sky and spread shadows across the land, blocking the sun's eager beams. This meant Edward and I were able to go to school most of the time and were even able to investigate the local area. I enjoyed long hikes with him among the trees, alone in the wilderness.

I remember growing closer to Edward in these instances as he spoke of his hopes, dreams and beliefs. I could see that he was struggling to cope with the idea of being soulless and unsavable. He thought of himself as a savage beast that didnt deserve to live among humans, when in reality he was the kindest most gentle person Id ever met. I tried my best to comfort him but I could tell that it wasnt helping much. At night when I was asleep, hed pace back and forth restlessly, questioning the meaning of his existence. I hoped that one day he would find the answer to his questions but I had learned from experience not to question things too much. Questioning only led to unhappiness.

***

The night of the incident was cold and dark. It had rained for almost three hours straight and the pavement reflected the moonlight in a ghostly way. I woke to the sound of our phone ringing. Furrowing my eyebrows in concern, Edward and I went downstairs immediately and found Carlisle talking on the phone with a somber expression plastered on his face.

Carlisle? Whats going on? I asked in surprise at the late night call. I knew instantly from his expression that something wasn't right.

Ive been called into work, someone needs my help desperately. He explained as he hurried over to grab his supplies."Take care, I'll be back by tomorrow, after you've finished school." We exchanged glances as he exited through the front door. Hopefully everything was going to be alright, but I had a bad feeling about this.

The sun came up. Edward and I started getting ready for the day ahead. We watched the sunrise together that morning, I remember the beautiful hues of purple, pink and some red. Sunrises always made some part of us believe we would find a mate one day and find true happiness. I wished for a mate...

Well, are you ready, Edward?! I just need to get dressed! I yelled from my room, frantically looking around trying to find certain things I'll need. I was getting slightly annoyed.

Yes, Im ready! Ill meet you in the automobile. He said from downstairs and he disappeared.

Although it was 1921 and few people owned automobiles, Carlisle had insisted in purchasing one, he believed it was the future of society. I went over to my dresser to pick out something to wear that could cover all my bites and all my scars. I grabbed a midnight blue sundress with the new fashionable low waist, a black cardigan, some thick tights and grabbed my school gear. Heading down to the automobile, I smiled as Edward sat in the driver seat, reading Romeo & Juliet. I scrunched up my nose at his choice, the story was too sad for my taste... Edward smirked crookedly, sensing my reaction. I grinned and we began chuckling. Finally going over to the passenger seat, I buckled up and we were ready to go.