No longer needing to look to Edward for example, I let the instinct within me take over. I felt the warm blood slide easily down my throat as my thirst decreased generously. When the deer had been drained entirely of blood, I began to feel sick. I had anticipated feeling ill at some point or another, considering my low tolerance for blood as a human, but the cause of this sickness was not my bodies reaction to the blood, but rather my conscience reacting to it. I felt disgusted with myself. I curled my knees up to my chest and emitted a tearless sob as I stared at the lifeless mass in front of me whose life I had just heartlessly stolen to supplement my own existence.

“It’s always hard the first time.” Edwards arms wrapped around me and lifted me up. “It gets easier.” He promised as he began walking with me cradled to his chest.

“I can run.” I insisted. I didn’t intend for the direction to be taken in a hurtful way, I was just wager to put as much distance between myself and the dead buck as possible, and I knew that we would be faster if we were both running. He set me down without argument and started running with me. I gave myself over to the speed and found myself struggling to let Edward keep up with me. I realized with a start that I was capable of running faster than Edward.

Alice was waiting for us patiently in the car “How did it go?” She asked eagerly as Edward and I slid into the back seat. As if she didn’t already know, I thought.

“Fine.” I replied.

“Edward, you still look hungry.” She observed.

“Probably because his doe gave birth to a fawn 13 days ago and looked a lot bigger than what she was when she really was comprised of 41% more fat than blood.” I stated casually.

Alice displayed the same reaction as Edward had.

“Why to people keep looking at me like that?” I responded to her seemingly unattached jaw.

“She’s a natural tracker.” Edward supplied conversationally.

“Obviously.” Alice gasped.

“You guys act as if it is such a big deal. It can’t be that uncommon. James was a tracker.” I pointed out.

“Yes, Bella, James was a tracker,” Edward agreed, “but James was not nearly as talented as you. I know that, I have the insight. Plus, Carlisle- the oldest of us all- had never encountered a real tracker before James. Trackers are rare.”

“Oh.” I absorbed his words slowly. “Great, so I’m an abnormal human and an abnormal vampire? I’m going to be a freak no matter what!” I threw my hands in the air in exasperation. Edward chuckled and tousled my hair playfully.

“You’re not a freak, Bella. You’re just unique.”

“Pfft.” I scowled. “I’m a freak.”

“Even if that were true, I still love you.” He whispered.

“Good. You’re stuck with me.”