perennial - rosalie hale of twilight

Chapter 9

[NOVEMBER 2004]

Edythe Cullen's POV

Two months have passed since the Cullen family took me in. It has been years since I have lost my only family, Carine, who treated me like her own daughter; I will never forget her, but the Cullens have given me a new family and I am very grateful.

   I sat in my room, waiting for sunrise so I can get ready for another boring day at school. I've finished my homework and most of my reading a couple of hours ago. I considered playing the piano downstairs, but I've stopped playing since I've lost Carine. We both loved music so much. It wouldn't feel the same if I played without her listening.

   Perhaps a run in the woods would be good.

   I put my hair in a ponytail and headed downstairs. Esme and Carlisle were seated on the sofa, watching TV.

   "I'm just going out for a run."

   "You're going alone?" said Esme.

   "Yes, I am," I said. "If that's okay." I wasn't sure if I needed to ask their permission.

   "Of course," said Carlisle kindly.

   "Just be safe. Bring your cell phone with you, please," added Esme.

   "I will. Thanks," I smiled at them.

   I went out and ran as far as I could from the house, where Edward would not be able to hear my thoughts and Jasper wouldn't be able to sense my emotions. The moment I heard Esme and Carlisle's genuine concern for me, I started feeling touched and sentimental. If it were possible, I'm sure there would be a lump in my throat from keeping myself from tearing up. Carlisle and Esme have shown me nothing but kindness since they've welcomed me into their family. Esme made me feel warm, like Carine did.

   The rest, except Alice and Emmett, have a little more trouble with adjusting. Alice has accepted me as her friend and sister since the day she saw me in her future. Emmett doesn't really think about it too much. He doesn't mind me, and he likes the idea of Edward experiencing what they all have with his mind-reading. Jasper is still very reserved around me (and I know he only tolerates me because Alice tells him so). Rosalie likes me enough, but the mind-reading still bothers her a little. Edward, well, is being Edward about it. He doesn't really care that much. However, he's conflicted—someone finally understands him, but now someone can read his mind, too.

   Our mental conversations have their advantages, but two mind-readers hearing each other's thoughts is honestly confusing. It took us a couple of days to adjust to one another. Aside from us answering each other's minds, we can hear other people's thoughts through one another's and then we'd hear our responses to those thoughts.

   Sure, we are able to distinguish people's voices, but the voices would echo sometimes when I hear Edward's mind and hear everyone else's from his mind while hearing them from my mind at the same time. If vampires could get migraines, I had imagined we would both have one by now. We both came to an agreement to not listen to each other's thoughts anymore. We got familiar enough with each other's voice, so we got used to ignoring one another. We would only pay attention if we called each other's names, as if we were having a verbal conversation.

   I ran—as long as there was land for me to run on—for a couple of minutes to clear my head until I had to stop. I realized I had not been paying attention to where I was heading. I heard a howl nearby and the next thing I knew, I was face to face with a giant dog with thick brown fur. It had dark grey marks around its eyes, resembling a mask. It didn't seem at all pleased with seeing me. There were two other howls in the distance.