BPOV

The funeral home was large and luxurious. It didn’t seem at all fit for its purpose. The front displayed large white marble columns against a brick front. The lawns were perfectly manicured, brilliant green against the charcoal grey sky. The only belying factor was the tide of black clad people that ebbed and flowed in and out of the large front doors. I stared sadly at the magnificent building from inside the dark limo that Alice, Jasper, and I were seated in. This was it.

“Are you ready, Bella?” Jasper asked me, sending waves of reassurance and strength towards me.

“I have to be.” I said. I was desperately trying not to fall apart, even with Jasper’s constant flow of soothing emotions, my panic was breaking through. I knew there was only one person who could have calmed in that moment. However, he was not around. He would never be there to comfort me again. It had been a long time since I’d felt this level of emptiness, the memories came back with startling clarity:

“Alice?” I opened my eyes, slowly. Everything was far too loud; I could hear the smallest noises coming from outside the house .I gasped and shut my eyes at the brilliance and sharpness of what I saw. I could see every detail. “Alice?”I heard a gasp and, an instant later, Alice came rushing in to the room. Jasper moved in front of her, shielding her from me, I realized.

“Bella!” She cried. “How do you feel? Do you remember what happened?”

“I-You bit me.” I said slowly. “I remember fire, and then darkness. I-I’m a vampire now aren’t I?”

“Yes, Bella. It was the only way. You agreed, I think.” She had a little frown of frustration on her face.

“No, Alice. I’m fine. I’m just a little confused. Give me a minute.”  I assessed my surroundings, my body. I felt stronger, al of my senses were sharper. I could smell Alice and Jasper; their scents complimented each other perfectly. And then I felt the burning in my throat. It hit me hard so that I choked on it. Jasper recognized the change in my demeanor and growled low.

“Stay back, Bella. Stay calm. We can go hunt.” He was trying to sotp me from attacking!