Mortality

Something Human

A scream rips out of me when the whole of Edward comes in to focus. His smile falls, and his cheeks hollow out. His skin pales, and his face goes blue, cold sweat radiating from his skin. He reaches out to me, whispering my name weakly. And then he falls back, landing on an old hospital bed, the blankets and pillows soaked with sweat and dried blood. He stares beyond me, to the blank ceiling, his breathing labored, lips cracked and thin.

The scent of blood hits me across the face, and I pull my shirt over my nose. It doesn't help much, but it keeps me from keeling over in my own dream. Better than nothing.

"Name: Edward Anthony Mason. Time of Death: 8:54 pm. Rest in Peace, sir." A familiar voice sends a cruel chill up my spine. He looks like a stranger at first. Hair too short; cropped together in a style unfamiliar to me. And his face is half-hidden by a white surgical mask. But those eyes, those violently red eyes, full of sorrow and pain, reveal his identity in an instant. Carlisle covers the man on the next bed with the blanket and sighs. Above his head is a sign that reads "Mercy Hospital".

He and I turn toward the sobbing at the same time.

"Mrs. Mason, I'm so sorry..." He doesn't move, but I do. I approach the bed labeled Elizabeth Mason slowly, meeting Edward's green eyes on an equally haggard, but older and more feminine face. Tears stream down her cheeks, her brunette curls splayed like a broken halo around her. And around her mouth, dried flakes of blood. I press my hands tighter to my face, scratching my face. God, it's almost unbearable...

"Doctor ... please, save my son."

"We're doing the best we can, ma'am, but Edward is even sicker than his father is ... was." I glance over at the bed next to her, to the man Carlisle covered. "I am amazed he has made it this long."

"I know you ... can, Doctor Cullen. I don't care what it takes. Save him. I beg of you."

A soft whimper of pain from behind pulls another sob out of me. Why am I seeing this? Wake up, Bella! I slap my bare face, not feeling anything. Until Carlisle walks through me to Edward. I shiver, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Edward, are you awake?"

"My father... he's dead." The frail young man raises his shaking hand to cover his eyes. "Will I be soon?"

"I don't know. For now, just rest."

The dream shifts. The beds holding Edward's parents are empty. The entire ward is empty. Except for one bed. If it weren't for the labored, wheezing breaths escaping his lips, I could swear the body in the bed was that of a corpse. His hair thin and flat, his bones jutting out, his eyes sunken in and dull. I kneel by his side, reaching to push his hair back. My hand goes through him.

I'm not even here.

"Edward." Carlisle appears at the bedside, his hand gently pushing Edward's hair from his face. "I'm sorry, it's time."

"You'll be happier once I'm gone, Doc. And so will I." His weak laugh makes Carlisle flinch. "But ... you've got another idea. Don't you? You've got that look in your eyes."

"I ..." Carlisle visibly swallows and leans in, pressing his lips to Edward's ear. I move closer, focusing on his soft whisper. "I'm sorry..." There's a crack, I watch in horror as Carlisle's cheeks tear from his face, his garish teeth bared. Something leaks from his fangs. Not saliva, too dark for that, and the next thing I hear is Edward screaming. I jump back, pulled from my mind into consciousness.

I'm looking at the ceiling of my bedroom, panting as my head whips around. Muted light from the cloudy sky leaks in, illuminating the small room. I wipe the cold sweat off my face, breathing slowly so I can focus on how I got home.