Twilight Collision

Chapter 4: Silence

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. I wish I did but no... O_O

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We were all crowded inside one of our previously vacant room that was now instantly transformed into a hospital-like ward probably because of this situation.

Carlisle was standing near the edge of the bed and he stood in an angle where he would be able to keep an eye on her but still be able to see my expression once he tries to communicate with me. Esme was sitting in a chair at the far side of the room with Rosalie and Alice sitting on the armrest on each side while Jasper and Emmett stood beside me at the entrance.

The burn was excruciating but I had to bear it. I held my breath from time to time to keep the scent from washing over me but when the feeling was too uncomfortable, I would inhale a lungful and it would start destroying my resolve all over again. That was the reason Jasper and Emmett was near me, to keep me from doing something that I would regret later.

"mmm..." She was starting to stir, and all our attention were now focused on her. Everyone was tense that even Jasper, who has the ability of controlling the emotions of everyone around him, was having a hard time trying to keep everyone calm.

Her eyes fluttered for a few seconds until it focused straight up to the ceiling and then her eyebrows furrowed, and I was suddenly fascinated by the expression on her face, the thirst momentarily taking a backseat.

We were still as a statue that it took her a few seconds to realize that she had an audience. Her eyes traveled to her spectators one by one until her eyes met mine. Hers was the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes that I have ever seen. Those eyes were looking at me with such intensity that I would think she was looking deep into my soulless being.

We were both transfixed until I saw her gaze shifted and I knew that she was studying my features. Her eyes grew wide as if a realization just hit her and we all saw the change in her expression, not to mention the rate of her heart beating faster.

Edward, how bad is it?

Carlisle was not making any sudden movement, yet the tone of his mind was alarmed.

That was when I realized that the voices in my mind were missing one.

I concentrated hard trying to find her thoughts but there was nothing. I tried focusing on the thoughts of everyone around me, trying to identify which voice was which.

All my family members were accounted for. Maybe I wasn't focused enough or maybe she was not thinking at all, but I could see the expression in her eyes, they were full of questions and yet I could not hear the thoughts behind it.

I couldn't believe it... I couldn't read her mind.

They were waiting for me to give them a signal if everything was all right, but I didn't know what to tell them. All I could do was slowly shake my head.

Hmmm... Another first with this girl.

Is there any danger son?

I moved my head slightly sideways answering "no" to his question.

Looking at her innocent face, how can there be any danger coming from her? I just hope that I was right.

"Where am I?" Her first words.

I thought that after hearing her speak, it would help me pinpoint her thoughts, but I was still greeted with disappointment.

"My name is Dr. Carlisle Cullen, and this is my family. " Carlisle gestured to all of us in the room. He was using his doctor's tone that usually provided reassurance to his patients.

"You're in our home and we found you in the woods unconscious"

She was looking at my father now, clearly not hiding the surprise from her face. Surely, she could sense the higher bell-like tone of Carlisle's voice and realize that there was something different about us.

Is she trying to make assumptions about us? Is she close to the truth?

Jasper thought. I could only move my head sideways but not to answer the question but really because I didn't know.

She didn't speak for a few seconds and it worried me. Usually humans have already made their impression about us after they got a better look at our beautiful features or hear our musical voices but since I didn't have an inkling on what she's thinking, there's no way for me to really know the extent of the danger for exposure.

"Do you remember anything that happened to you or how you got here?"

"I... I'm not sure"

She stared down at her hands and I wanted so much to lift her chin up with my fingers, so I could see her lovely eyes. My body tensed at the thought of touching her.

"Can you try to remember?"

Carlisle urged kindly, but I saw her face distort trying to think hard. If only I knew what she was thinking, I wouldn't be feeling this frustrated!

"Aaaggghhh!"

A shot of pain crossed her features and her body suddenly buckled while clutching her head. It took all my self-control to keep myself from darting to her side, but Carlisle was already there.

"Are you hurt?" He was touching the back of her head looking for any bumps or concussions.

"Yes..." she finally said after a few seconds. "I was trying to remember what happened but... I... I... can't"

"We'll, you hit your head pretty hard" Emmett finally spoke. He seems to be the only one who relaxed.

Everyone except the girl glared at him. He sat down on the floor cross-legged and leaned his back on the wall, trying to keep the human facade.

"We thought you were dead" Emmett continued.

"Oh, how did I get here?" she asked confused.

"You fell" Was all Carlisle said. She understood the girl's situation and giving her too many details might not be good for her health especially when it means telling her that she fell thousands of feet from the sky while being engulfed in flames. That might not be a good idea.

"Is there anything else that you remember then? At least anything not related to what may have happened to you?" Carlisle tried to change the topic and that got me curious.

She tried concentrating again and I saw her wince in pain before giving up. There was a hint of fear in her eyes as she curled her body and hugged her knees.

"Bella" She whispered. We heard her clearly regardless.

"Is that your name?" My father asked, and she nodded without bothering to question why we were able to hear her say her name.

"Is that the only thing you remember?"

She hugged herself tightly and all she could do was nod in confusion.