this town * cullen

chapter thirteen

My only thoughts were Renesmee, and the burning in my throat.

I was running towards the sound of her laugh, the details clear of everything I began to pass. The vampires surrounding me in shock, the dust motes swirling past me at my sudden movement, and even the grains inside the wood of the staircase. I was distracted by the world around me, but had the most clearest mindset.

I only got halfway before I was being tackled and thrown back down the stairs, another pair of strong arms holding me together. Why was I being kept from the one person I wanted to see?

"It's not safe right now, Alec," Emmett spoke quietly in my ear as I struggled in his grasp. I wanted to protest, but as my throat began to burn more, I knew he was right. I could never hurt her, but I didn't know myself in this new body. The burn in my throat was insistent and I knew Renesmee had blood pumping in her veins. I stopped my struggle.

I looked around the room, unsure of what to do. Emmett's grasp didn't loosen, but I was glad it didn't. I felt wild and unpredictable; I couldn't trust myself. I never felt so disoriented with such clarity. The burn in my throat was the only thought I could focus on.

"You need to hunt," Edward spoke softly, as if talking to a small child. I nodded in response, unsure if I was able to speak with such a fire raging. I wanted to move, but I felt frozen with anxiety.

Jasper moved forward, putting his hand on Edward's shoulder. I could see the silent conversation they were having, and I just wanted them to speak aloud.

"Let's go, Alec," Jasper moved from Edward to standing in front of me, a wave of calm spreading through me. It felt strange, having an emotion that wasn't my own. My mind raced with anxiety, but my body felt relaxed and ready to focus. Still, I nodded as Emmett dropped his arms and we ran together out of the door.

I hadn't noticed my bare feet until they hit the ground outside, the rough dirt feeling like clouds. I had ran barefoot as a child, but my feet had since grown soft; and i felt like a small child again. I could run forever with the wind thrashing my hair, and the dirt under my toes felt like home.

When Jasper stopped suddenly, I did the same. The burn in my throat heightened as I took in the air around me.

"Focus on your surroundings," he gently spoke, his accent making me fall back to my southern home. "Do you smell them?" Jasper's voice dropped to where only I could hear. I took in a deep breath, a prickling of fire raged down my throat as I knew what he meant.

I could smell them. There was a small herd ahead, their pumping hearts loud to my sensitive ears, and the blood coursing their veins seemed to call me. I started to creep, silently maneuvering my way to them through their enticing scent. I had never felt so thirsty in my entire life.

I didn't think as I pounced. My teeth sank with a satisfying crunch and the elk under me thrashed for only a few moments before he was gone. The blood gushed and flew down my throat, satisfying the flames that tortured me.

The relief didn't last long, and I was already on top of another fleeing animal, my instincts the only thing I could use. I had already forgotten about Jasper lurking in the shadows behind me, far enough away to keep me from attacking him, but close enough to keep a watchful eye.

I was done quickly, pouncing my way from animal to animal in hopes of taming the beast inside of me. With each animal I felt more in control, the fire dying down to a small ember. I wished it to die down more, but I conceded as I grew impatient. Frustration was in the pit of my stomach as I threw down my last kill, but was quickly stomped by Jasper's contentment. I accepted the emotion with happiness.