I skidded to an abrupt halt when I came to a clearing and the view in front of me froze me where I stood. It was the big, white house from my half-dreams. The lights were on. I felt instantaneously drawn to it, and yearned to get closer, but I was still shaking with uncontrollable rage and I was afraid if I got too close I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from going inside, and forget myself in my passionate anger. As I stood there shaking, I repeated silently the same thing I promised myself the first night I moved to Forks. If I have to live this way, I will do it right. No one is going to get hurt.

My vision still tainted bright red, I slowly backed away from the white house and sprinted back into the forest. When I was considerably far I decidedly sat down against a tree to let my anger subside. Suddenly, I felt it. Something, or someone, was watching me.

And then the scent hit me, hard, and my eyes widened with shock. One of them was here. I could smell it. And this time, I wouldn’t let it get away.

I lunged forward and immediately heard it move away, so I bolted after it, my instincts taking over as I whipped through branches and dodged around trees. As soon as it was in sight, I sprung forward and pushed it down, both of us landing on the cold dirt, hard. Its golden eyes were wide with surprise and amusement.

I instantly jumped back and pressed against a tree, staring with disbelief.

“You’re quite fast, Bella,” Edward said, getting up off the ground and brushing himself off. “I have to admit, I’m impressed.”

I opened my mouth, and finding myself unable to speak, closed it with a click of my jaw. Am I half-dreaming again?

Edward chuckled at my expression. “Don’t look so surprised, Bella. You knew since the first time I touched you. Or,” he paused thoughtfully, “Perhaps even the first time you smelled me.”

And then all the pieces fell together. Their strangely familiar, non-appetizing scent. Their abnormal, pale beauty. The coldness of his hands.

The Cullens were just like me.

Edward Cullen was a vampire.