Drink You Alive~The beginning (Pre Chapter 1).

[Geek]

Twilight Fan Fiction, All property of Stephenie Meyer

Edward checked on Sasha without getting up from his seat.

For all the world, he looked to be a busy man on a computer, but he was in Sasha’s head as she reviewed her lesson plans and organized the toys. A quick glace and she was headed out the door. The classroom she was leaving looked like none Edward had ever seen. There had been a swing and beanbag chairs. For the first time, he wondered what Sasha was going to do with those kids.

Edward saw her on the sidewalk waiting for the children. Bus after bus emptied, Sasha waved and spoke to the children, but did not follow them inside.

Finally, the last bus pulled up. Sasha’s brain and body were instantly on point. This was her job, and she took it seriously.

Edward watched as the two women on the bus went about unbuckling the children.

Sasha went to stand by the wheelchair exit. First to come off the bus was a little girl. Her small body was twisted, held in her chair by a five-point harness, and she was drooling. Edward flinched. How do you teach a child like that? He felt sympathy for Sasha; the day must be so depressing. He listened to her thoughts, looked at the little girl through Sasha’s eyes.

He couldn’t help but smile. The last thing Sasha felt was depressed. In her eyes, there was a sweet little angel in that wheel chair. Instead of seeing the drool, she saw the smile that the little girl was giving her. Instead of twisted body, she only saw Katelynn with her brave, innocent perfection. Sasha pulled a towel out of her pocket and wiped the girl’s face.

Child after child, Sasha saw who they really were. The limitations that locked some of them in their body, didn’t differ them, in Sasha’s opinion, from the children who had walked in the building unaided. She led them all inside with help from various aides and two teacher’s assistants’ that Sasha deeply respected. Just before she closed the secure door, a mother rushed a child out of a cab.

Sasha dropped to one knee, soaking her jeans straight through.

She grasped the child by the shoulders.

“Calvin, Good Morning!” Sasha waited, watching Calvin’s eyes. The boy’s eyes rolled around in his sockets, trying to avoid latching on to her gaze.

Sasha said her greeting again, “Calvin, Good Morning!”

Edward’s interest was peeked. He slipped into the boy’s mind. In the time Calvin was looking around, his brain was flipping through what seemed like index cards filled with little snippets of time. In these snippets, Sasha had a featured roll. At a breakneck speed he saw Sasha meet the child for the first time, every greeting she had practiced with him, and her spinning him in the classroom swing. Then the child ran through every time Sasha had hugged him or praised him. He liked the hugs the best. It made him feel like all his pieces were put back together. Calvin’s index card stopped flipping on the feeling of ‘safe’. He locked eyes with Sasha and in a high pitched voice he made his choice, “Hello Miss Duncan.”

Edward went back into Sasha’s mind just in time to feel her intense pleasure, When he looks at me like that I know he is in there.

Edward smiled at his table in the coffee shop. He had seen that kind of pleasure in a woman’s mind before, but a man on his knee holding a large diamond had always preceded it.

[Geek]

Sasha’s day was chock full of activities for the children. She was upbeat, happy, and encouraging. The kids were treated to stories, toys, and all sorts of sensory challenges.

By the end of the day, when Katelynn was loaded back on the bus with the other children, Sasha was exhausted, but content. She stayed a bit longer to get her plans ready for the next day. Sasha compared notes with a fellow special education kindergarten teacher. The forty-year veteran had been in the business of teaching children that, in previous decades Edward had lived through, were considered unteachable. Sasha held the woman’s opinion in high esteem.

During his surveillance, Edward moved from the coffee shop. He made himself inconspicuous. Luckily, a storm front had worked in his favor, keeping the sky topped with a frothy latte of clouds. He did take notice of a fully enclosed playground adjacent to the school. The only access was from inside the building. This school was serious about keeping the children inside the brick building or the fringe of the high metal enclosure surrounding the playground.

Sasha had no lengthy thoughts about Carlisle, him, or the vampire reference from the night before.

Edward could tell when she was at work she was on her game. After witnessing her day, he saw that her concentration really had very little time to wander. He did notice that her hand kept finding a gold crayon to make notes and scrawl messages. I think she likes my eyes.

Despite his intense monitoring, the vampire who had the suspicious thoughts Edward heard had not returned. Edward trailed Sasha as she made her way home from work. She took an extremely animated Pudge to the dog park. Edward actually laughed out loud as he watched Pudge stealthy steal two unfortunate gentlemen’s hot dogs on the walk home.

Sasha’s blush that corresponded with each larceny had caused quick forgiveness in the victims. Sasha was mortified that Pudge had found her trick with the gold-eyed man so effective on others. I am going to have to start carrying some money with me on walks. When they returned, Edward resumed his stance in the apartment above Sasha’s.

After a week, Edward found that Sasha said what was on her mind. Literally, if she thought it, she said it. He discovered that Sasha’s roommate was also her sister. The girls’ mother called every day. The children in Sasha’s classroom were considered 'hers' and Sasha thought of them often.

What stood out most for Edward was her hopefulness. Her mind was almost constantly laced with hope. Seeing the silver lining instead of a dark cloud seemed to be embedded in her nature.



The ghosts still came to her. Her main goal seemed to be to get the spirit to realize they were dead, listen to their last earthly concerns, and encourage them to pass on. Even faced with the end of at least one life every night, Sasha woke the next morning thinking, Enjoy the day you’re in. It seemed to be her motto to ease the self-imposed responsibility she felt she was neglecting when it came to the living people the spirits left behind.

At night, after Sasha’s murky green eyes had done enough for a day and rested, Edward would consult Carlisle.

“I think a few more days might do it.” Carlisle was becoming increasingly sure that Edward had heard one of Sasha’s ghosts in her mind and confused that voice with the vampire smell.

Edward had yet been able to hear any ghost’s mind. It was almost like seeing a movie for Edward, just hearing the words that came from their mouths.



In the most recent conversation, Carlisle was speaking of moving the family again. Manhattan was starting to close in on Emmett, who still refused to get a job.

"Maybe we'll return to somewhere we have been before.” Edward responded with a half-hearted hum.

“Son, I think we need to give the whole situation space.” Carlisle was trying to get an impression about Edward’s feelings for the girl by suggesting the abandonment.

“She’s having a fitful dream. I will get back to you, Dad.” Edward lied easily. He only used the informal slang when he wanted Carlisle to know he was onto his father’s ulterior motives.

Edward knew ultimately Carlisle’s intent was not only to get answers, but also make Edward think about Sasha.


As if he could think of anything else. He lived in her mind for a week. Edward had an excellent picture of who she was.

Thoughts are an almost perfect indicator of a person’s soul. After decades of hearing minds, Edward had a rather despairing view of humanity. So many banal smiles are hiding ambivalent wishes.

But now, Edward found himself diving into Sasha’s mind like it was a healing pool. Seeing the world with her upbeat thoughts as a commentary was addicting for him. He let her thoughts sooth him. Her pretty face had nothing on her gratifying mind.


It was long past time for him to feed. On Friday, when Sasha was safe in school with her children, Edward decided to go hunting in nearby Carmel, NY. Just a quick hunt, and back. He could not wander around the city hungry.


It was finally sunny when Emmett pulled Edward’s brick red Ferrari Enzo into the parking garage located underneath Sasha's building. The dark tint on the windows was illegal, but necessary. Neither vampire could be seen dazzling in the sunlight, and fitting in meant staying hidden from the sun. Edward wanted to drive, but was not up for the wrestling match Emmett would surely turn it into.

“Jasper and Alice will drop by and watch Sasha from their car after class today. So, it should be all good. Dude, sit back and relax.” Edward tried to take Emmett’s suggestion but felt uneasy about the day.

“No vampire can come out in sunlight anyway.” Emmett shrugged as he cranked Nine Inch Nails on the throbbing sound system. They pulled up to the tollbooth leading to open road and smiled at each other. Edward inched his passenger window down and whipped a quarter over the top of the car. They bumped fists as the quarter registered and lifted the toll bar.

Edward tried to throw his concerns away like the quarter. What Emmett said was true, vampires did not venture into the sunlight. It was forbidden by the Volturi.

Of course the sunlight didn’t stop a vampire like a cage.

“Floor it, Emmett. Let's get this over with.” Edward’s jaw tensed with the thought of Sasha unprotected.

Emmett slid a pair of dark Ray Ban sunglasses on and complied with Edward’s wish. The squeal of the thick racing tires exactly replicated a woman’s scream.

[Geek]

this is twilight fanfiction, all is property of Stephenie Meyer

“Calvin? Calvin?” I couldn’t find him. Not finding a child when you are looking for them sets your bowels on fire.

“Melva, do a count, where is Calvin?” the teacher’s aid quickly counted all the children on the playground. “I count seven.” There was an edge of panic to the aid’s voice.

I grabbed the walkie off my hip.

“We have a code red on the playground, Calvin Jennings is not accounted for.” I kept my voice calm, even though my heart had seemed to stop in my chest.

The two other teachers lined their children up and Melva lined my classroom up, as best they could. I began searching the small outdoor play yard. Calvin had pulled this before, he happened to be a child with autism that had a tendency to run. The school was very aware of the situation in my classroom, and had in the last year upgraded the fence to a six-foot monster. The kids could not get out on their own.

Calvin was drawn to shiny things and sand, so I started looking under the climbing apparatus where there was a sandbox. The play yard was emptied and I was now looking for Calvin by myself. The walkie squawked to life “Hang in there Miss Duncan, I am on my way” The voice of the school principal was reassuring.

I started to look in the fence for holes, but found none. I saw the flash of light outside the fence. Standing under a large oak tree was my Calvin, a silver pinwheel twirling in the wind had enraptured him.

Holding the pinwheel was a smiling man. He was smiling right at me, not looking at Calvin at all.

He was waiting, for something. I knew it was me.

All my impulses lead to Calvin. I tossed aside the walkie and took a running leap at the fence. I climbed up, threw one leg over the fence and climbed down just a bit before I jumped. When I turned around, I expected to be running. I figured the man to be a kidnapper, ready to bolt into the crowded city with one of my kids.

He was still smiling, but had added to the bizarreness by giggling. Giggling like he was winning a wonderful game.

I walked towards him. He held the spinning pinwheel out to me like a flower, “Hello pretty lady, are you looking for something?”

I assessed him. I saw no weapons. He was wearing dirty low slung jeans and a leather jacket. No shirt on his ridiculously ripped chest. I looked in his eyes to try and judge his intent.

His eye color was blood red.

Dear god, what could be wrong with him.

I realized that the whole incident made no sense. How did Calvin end up on the wrong side of the fence? It just was not possible. He had been playing on the swing just minutes before he was missing.

I was close enough to touch Calvin. I put my hands on his shoulders. Instinctually, I knew I shouldn’t turn my back on this man in front of me. Calvin would have to be carried; the pinwheel was over stimulating every piece of his 5-year-old body and brain.

“I am looking for this boy, thank you so much for keeping him safe.” I said the words, but knew in my heart Calvin was not protected by the man in front of me.

The man smiled even broader and held his arms out to his sides, he crossed his legs at the ankles. A bizarre recreation of the crucifix pose.

He was alarmingly beautiful. Where the sun peeked through the leaves, hitting his skin, it sparkled.

I stepped in front of Calvin, it was the least I could do.

The man went from Jesus on the Cross to a lover holding my face.

I sucked in as my heart stopped from fear. I was holding Calvin’s hand making sure he did not run into traffic.

The man’s hands were like putting bare ice on my skin.

“Don’t pass out, please.” His voice was as soft as kittens’ fur.

His nearness started my body involuntarily shaking. His hands seemed so hard, but they were gentle as he started moving them down to my neck.

He encircled my throat like a necklace.

He wants to kill me. The tears of fear dropped from my eyes. I let go of Calvin’s hand and felt him run.

Oh God, Calvin be safe. Letting go of that little boy’s hand felt like giving up, but I needed to give him a chance to hide.

Hide, baby, hide like it is all that matters.

The man holding me, made a little “oh” of surprise when he saw my tears.

He rubbed his cheek against mine, and proceeded to lick one of the tears off my face with a freezing tongue.

“God, I love the crying and the shaking,” He kissed my lips like I was a cherished gift.

“I want to drink you alive.” He whispered it into my ear like a sacred marriage vow.

I called on my talent then, right there under the shade of that tree by my workplace.

I knew that he was deadly. The evil crawled off of the essence of him. I never remember trying to grab a certain spirit before. The adrenaline from my fear made the way to the spirit world sift and quick. I felt powerful as I watched the spirits rise around him.

Sickeningly, there were mostly woman, younger then me, some children. I counted quickly. Ten had come to my call, beautiful vibrant spirits cut down in their prime.

“I am surprised you picked Calvin, you tend to like young girls.” I said it with as much nonchalance as I could muster through the tears.

He readjusted his body in a blur. Now, he was folding his arms in front of me.

The spirits were beginning to whisper things about him to me.

“Rick, you are breaking some rules here today.” I watched the second of surprise before the smile was back.

“Well, well, well, the pretty lady has a surprise inside. Just like a tootsie pop. I wonder how many bones I have to break to get to the center.” He stepped near again and grabbed me around the waist. It was like being held by a statue.

“They can’t protect you, I will add you to my collection.” I flinched as his breath touched my neck.

And then, Rick the evil wonder was gone. In less time then it takes to blink, it was as if he had never been there at all.

Where he had been standing was vacant, the discarded pinwheel lying lifeless on its side.

I could see the grass smooshed where Rick’s feet had been. The blades were broken and torn.

[Geek]

When Edward and Emmett were done feeding, Edward claimed the keys to his sleek car. He tested the endurance of the huge motor. Edward squealed into the parking lot of Sasha’s building.

Alice and Jasper were waiting for them.

Alice started by apologizing, “Edward, I am so sorry, who would be crazy enough to kidnap a child in broad daylight?” At the same time Alice was picturing the vision that had cut her class at F.I.T short.

He could see Sasha being embraced by a glittering vampire under an oak tree. Sasha was holding little Calvin by the hand, and then letting go of that hand.

Edward could not hear Sasha’s words, but he saw the picture of the scene in Alice’s mind.

Sasha was shaking with tear stained cheeks as she calmly told the vampire something that seemed to stun him.

Edward bolted past his sister and brothers and flew up the stairs, taking one flight at a time until he was in front of Sasha’s actual apartment.

Edward hesitated at the door and opened his mind.

Sasha was in her living room, alive and well. She was reliving the experience in as much detail as she could remember.

She touched her lips where she still felt Rick’s lips when he had dared to kiss her. A shiver of revulsion went down her spine.

Edward shook his head slowly as two feelings emerged at her memory. First was jealousy. He did not want to see Sasha kissing anyone. Edward pushed himself away from the door. Did he have a crush on the woman who saw ghosts?

Second, was the overwhelming wish to go into that apartment and stand by her side, keep her safe from the vampire that had held her so dearly while she was frightened.

Edward dragged his unwilling feet to the apartment above Sasha’s.

He crouched and placed his hand on the floor. It was directly above Sasha’s head.

She was quite miserable.

By the time the principal had made it to the playground, Rick was gone. Sasha was alone and shaking.

“Sasha? Have you found Calvin?” The principal's voice snapped Sasha back into work mode. She scoured the nearby area, and Calvin had answered her prayers and was very hard for the humans to find. The police were called, when finally, Calvin was discovered behind a shiny, silver garbage can.

Sasha did not tell the authorities about the kidnapper. She honestly didn’t think they would believe what she had to say. She had trouble believing it herself. She had grasped the pinwheel and held onto to it throughout the search for Calvin. She still held it now.

Did she imagine Rick? It all felt so real. But what if it was a trick of her mind? No one could move that fast. Feel that hard and cold.

The rest of her afternoon had held a plethora of indignities. The police questioned her, and Sasha had nothing to offer.

“Calvin was on the other side of the fence, and I climbed it to get to him.” Sasha was an awful liar, and the police began to get suspicious.

Long after the children had left, Sasha’s boss gently mentioned that Sasha was on administrative leave until the matter was sorted out.

Sasha had amassed a pile of plans for the kids and had left the school building at 7:00pm.

The phone ringing startled Edward and Sasha. “Hello?”

“Hello, gorgeous, are we still on for our date tonight?” The boisterous male voice on the phone was matched with a mental picture of a handsome gentleman.

“Sorry, Mark. I have had a hell of a day, I totally forgot.” Sasha assessed her appearance in the mirror. She felt tired and scared and looked it.

“Come on, You can’t bail out now, I have the whole night lined up. Remember? I have put a lot of work into planning it.” Against her better judgment, Sasha agreed to go.

“Great, you are going to love the piano player down at Phillion’s ,” war won, Mark was hanging up as he added “Dress to kill.” And the line clicked.

Sasha immediately pictured Rick again. I know just what the guy that wants to kill me was wearing.

Edward left her mind while she readied herself for another man.

He comforted himself with the knowledge that Sasha had not given Mark a passing thought this week.

Edward had backed out of his pianist job at Phillion’s all this week. He was damn sure he would be there tonight.

He dialed Emmett on his cell phone. “Emmett, I have to go to work tonight, could you and Rosalie watch Sasha until she gets to my club?” Emmett opened the door to the apartment Edward was standing in as an answer.

“I was still downstairs, bro. Rosalie said, and I quote 'There is no way in hell I am going to watch Edward play with the food.' So it is just me, that ok?”

Edward touched his fist to Emmett’s as he walked out the door.

Sasha had no idea when she answered her apartment door to Mark; there was a hulking, obscenely strong vampire shadowing her every move. Emmett was invisible to Sasha, but not to Rick.

Rick’s eyes took in the whole scene from a top the building next door to Sasha’s. He sniffed his palm as he watched Sasha climb into a cab with her date. It smelled just like her skin, still. Cinnamon and heaven. He was going to enjoy this so much.

Edward was already playing a watered down version of a Billy Joel song when Sasha arrived with Mark. Sasha had on a simple black dress with matching black heels. Her hair and make up showed effort, but there was no light behind her eyes. Her thoughts were far from the scene in from of her. Emmett slipped into the night, his surveillance over.

I can’t believe I let Mark talk me into this tonight. Why can’t I just say no to people?

Edward concentrated on making a few quick mistakes. Perfection might arouse the suspicions of the customers at the piano bar.

Mark’s thoughts were far from gentlemanly as he watched Sasha take her seat.

Edward began playing the piano keys a little too loud, and the change drew Sasha’s eyes to his piano.

After having lived in her mind for a week, it was a distinct pleasure to have her see him.

She moved her mouth in time with her thoughts, “Hot dog man!” She covered her mouth and let out a delighted giggle. Edward found himself wishing she would let him see her smile. As if she could read his mind, for a change, she dropped her hand and gave him an eye and nose-wrinkling smile.

Edward mouthed back, “Hi”, and when he heard Mark’s suspicions as Mark watched the whole interaction, he added a cheeky wink.

Sasha was oblivious to her date’s displeasure as she flagged down a waiter. Edward tried not to smile as her heard Sasha convincing the waiter to cook a hot dog from their lunch menu and have it delivered to the piano.

Mark ordered two red wines from the same waiter and positioned himself between Sasha and Edward’s field of vision.

Time for the third date talk. Sasha seemed to dread the prospect. Edward saw from her thoughts that Sasha always told a man on their third date about her “disability”. She was planning on telling Mark she could see ghosts.

Edward had to force himself to stay seated. Mark’s impression of Sasha was superficial at best. He was some sort of ridiculous entrepreneur, selling used jeans to Japan.

Mark liked Sasha’s potential as a trophy girlfriend. He liked how long her legs were, and how other men in the room turned to watch her leave.

Telling Mark something as unique as speaking to ghosts would be a colossal flop.

Edward launched into a mournful lullaby, his only way of telling Sasha her plan was doomed.

[Geek]

I will wait until after the second glass of wine. Hot dog piano man started playing an achingly beautiful song. It was like he knew I was about to deliver the one two punch to dear old Mark.

Maybe this was the night to stray from tradition, and let Mark have a fourth date before dropping the bomb. Maybe, I should just stop dating him altogether. His talk of old jeans was getting on my nerves. He was launching into another monologue about how rich he was about to become. Mark spent most of his time talking about selling used jeans by bulk to Japan.
He was planning on hiring a few assistants to help him “score merchandise”. Of course, Mark left out the part that scoring merchandise meant going into thrift shops and taking a good whiff of the ass end of their denim stock.

A third glass of wine was poured, as I watched Mark’s hand gestures become more animated with every sip of his own wine.

I started to picture Mark as a dog, walking around the piano bar on all fours sniffing the seats of people’s pants.

The giggles hit me hard. Between the day I’d had, the wine, and the fact that hot dog piano man had launched into a rousing rendition of “Who let the dogs out?” I was out and out snorting.

Mark looked very displeased and a little embarrassed.

I decided to pull the trigger.

“Mark, this is our last date. You are a pompous ass.”
I couldn’t get the laughing to stop. I gave up when I saw Mark’s face go red and livid. I put my head down on the table and laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe.

When I finally picked my head up, and wiped the tears the laughter had brought from my eyes, Mark and his jacket were long gone.

I could see hot dog piano man from where I sat. I raised my glass in a toast to him, and finished my third glass of wine.

I was getting up to leave when the piano playing stopped and the canned music filled the bar. As I stood up, I was toe to toe with the musician of the evening. His golden eyes were filled with delight, as his handsome face broke into a smile.

“Thank you for the hot dog.” His voice was so elegant and pleasing, it made me wish he were a singer instead of a piano player.

“Thanks for the well timed song.” I went to reach for my jacket.

“Your date didn’t go well?” He raised an eyebrow with his question.

“Well, I,” the giggles got me again, and I had to sit down to finish them. Hot dog piano man sat down across from me. He started to laugh with me, as I dissolved into snorts and tears again.

“I,” deep breath, “am so sorry, it’s just, the jeans, the sniffing, the dogs.” His laugher was throaty and inviting.

Finally, after a few more bursts, I tried to regain my composure. When I was able to talk, I asked the beautiful man, “Is my mascara all over my face like The Joker?”

“Kind of,” hot piano man (just dropping the dog altogether) leaned over and wiped just under my eye.

His finger was freezing. Like Rick’s.

He immediately pulled his hand away, and made a show of rubbing his hands together. “My hands get so cold up there playing.” He motioned towards the piano.

His eyes looked so warm, I felt I had nothing to fear.

“Can I get you another glass of wine?” He offered. Three was my absolute limit in an evening.

“Why? Your dog didn’t drink my wine.” When his smile reached his eyes, it made my heart flutter.

“Ok, I think that would be perfect.” I could always have a few more sips, to be polite.

“My name is Edward, by the way.” Edward. It fit him perfectly.

“Sasha Duncan, nice to meet you.”

The evening was far from the flop I had expected when I gave Mark the heave-ho.

The wine that was delivered to the table happened to be my favorite, a sweet red that tasted more like grape juice than alcohol.

I sat at my table with a full view of the well-lit piano. Edward’s playing seemed to get more intricate and beautiful as the night progressed. He was insanely graceful. He seemed to get lost in the music at times, and at others he looked right into my eyes for long moments, where I had to remind myself to blink.

When I finally looked at my cell phone clock, I noticed the time had literally flown by. The bar had emptied out and the staff was cleaning up around me.
I stood up and checked my wobble factor. Edward was playing a simple tune that seemed to come straight from his heart. I kicked off my heels to help me stand straight.

I managed to walk the steps of the stage and put my elbows on the piano. I could feel the vibration as the song came to its touching conclusion. I clapped and whistled like I was in a crowd at a football game.

Edward commenced elaborate bowing.

We were smiling at each other, when his face filled with horror and concern. He whipped his head towards the window that faced the street.
I watched him, trying to decide what would cause such a reaction.

In a moment, Edward was next to me. He had moved almost too fast. Again, I was picturing Rick blurring around me like a hummingbird on crack.

It must be all the wine. I had five glasses. Maybe more. Walking around flat-footed made me realize how tall Edward was.

“Can I make sure you get home being that your escort has left you on your lonesome?” He sounded so formal.

“Please, I would like that.” I didn’t add that I was scared to step into the dark tonight. My neck still felt cold where Rick had touched it.
I saw lines of tension on Edward’s mouth.

“It’s ok, really, you must have plans. It's late, you don’t need to be traipsing all around the city with a girl you just met.” I was going to have to suck it up and act like a grown woman.

“My father raised a gentlemen and I would be pleased to see you home.” He was holding my jacket for me. I felt a little silly being put into my own jacket, like I was a kid in my class. Edward put on his own black pea coat and matching backwards-black newsboy cap.

Thinking of my class set off a pang of anger and regret. Don’t think about it now, wait until tomorrow. I can sit down with Jean and tell her everything. The thought of unloading on my sister felt right.
Edward unearthed my heels from under my table and sank to one knee. “May I, Cinderella?”

I guess it was sensible to wear shoes outdoors. I was at a loss of how I would balance on one foot. I reached out and leaned one hand on his hat-covered head.

“Real graceful,” Edward’s body shook gently with laughter.
He slid both my heels on my feet with exquisite care, and got up very slowly. By the time he stood to his full height, his face had my full attention.
His breath smelled like caramel and magic. He had the audacity to lick his lips right then, and I almost fell over.

He held my elbow, “Are you sure those heels aren’t asking too much of you right about now?” His voice was teasing, but his eyes were serious.

“I’ll manage, Prince Charming.” I was trying to be sarcastic, but it came out all dreamy. Damn his delicious breath. He held the door open for me, of course.

Edward hailed a cab successfully, which I thought was pretty spectacular at this hour.

He seemed relaxed as I gave my address to the cabbie. The wine had stolen my good sense, and I watched Edward’s face with wild abandon. Every time a streetlight illuminated his skin, I felt lucky he was here with me.
Whoa, Sasha. No getting gaga over a guy. You know how the third date turns out.

I remembered time after time, being let down by a man after I revealed that I wasn’t alone in my own mind.

“Crazy. Psycho. Too much TV.” Were all words that were flung at me before various doors slammed, sealing me from any potential Romeo.
The wine let me take another peek at him.

Edward was peeking at me at the same instant.

His eyes held tremendous understanding. I found myself smiling at him; he was a pleasure to be with.

The cab pulled in front of my building. As I went into my purse to pay for the cab, Edward shook his head and handed the man a hundred dollar bill.
“You tip well for a starving musician.” Edward got out of the cab with me.

“I rarely starve.” He herded me towards the door without actually touching me.

He bid me goodbye at the security desk, “Will you be able to make it upstairs?”

“I’m good. Thank you for preventing this night from flushing itself down the toilet.” I don’t kiss on the first date, but his lips looked like they might taste sinful.

“Good night.” He nodded towards the elevator.

“Ok, good night, then.” I was securely in the elevator when I realized with disappointment, Edward had not asked me for my phone number.

I checked my cell phone. Jean had left a voice mail. I listened as I unlocked my apartment. Frank and Jean were headed upstate, to Rhinebeck to a cute little bed and breakfast. She would be gone until Sunday afternoon. I felt my mouth pout. I was really looking forward to Jean’s advice.

I started my bedtime routine. Right around this time at night, especially with wine in me, I was likely to get ghostly visitors.

Pudge was waiting for a quick walk. I took her down the elevator and stepped out the smoker’s door for her to do her business. I looked up from the alley towards the sky. I wish you could see the stars in the city.
I wonder if Edward is as wonderful minus the wine.
I thought I heard a low chuckle from the dark. I quickly pulled Pudge back in and secured the door.

[sanchezf]

Originally Posted by Geek

Hey guys, I reworked a bunch of this, so I will be updating with the edited stuff and adding a butt load of chapters!!

How come I can't read this story...

[Chasey_Lane]

Originally Posted by sanchezf

How come I can't read this story...

You're not clicking on the link for it?

[Geek]

Edward watched Sasha peek out the smoker’s door with her cocker spaniel.

I wish you could see the stars in the city, she thought as she looked up to the sky.

Her vulnerable throat was exposed as she made her wish.

He had heard the other vampire tonight. After watching Sasha’s mind replay the scene from the afternoon over and over again, Edward was able to identify the voice. Mind voices and verbal voices match exactly, for the most part.

I will drink her alive.

The thought had originated from the window outside of Phillion’s.
Maddeningly, Edward did not pick up any more thoughts, and he had not wanted to spook Sasha anymore than he already had. He made mistakes this evening. Moving too fast and touching her with his freezing finger were the two most obvious. Luckily, her brain was fuzzy with wine.

His other mistakes were more dangerous. He let himself feel joy as she watched him play piano. He felt his heart soar when she thought his name.

She knew of him now.

None of this was going to end well, but mostly, Edward was fighting a losing battle of falling for the girl.

I wonder if Edward is as wonderful minus the wine. Edward found himself shocked into a surprised chuckle as he watched her walk her dog. He listened to her slight mental panic, as he kicked himself for making yet another mistake.

Sasha closed the smoker’s door properly, so Edward simply scaled the building and climbed in the cruising couple’s apartment window.
His family was already present and accounted for.

Edward heard their thoughts from outside, so he was not surprised to see Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme, and Rosalie.
“The gang’s all here. What’s wrong?” Edward was sent five mental pictures of Alice collapsing. He immediately focused his gaze on the shorthaired little pixie. She willingly allowed him to see her vision. The rouge vampire was planning on killing Frank and Jean in Rhinebeck. He wanted to start hurting Sasha from the inside out.

The murderer’s plan was to take place early this morning. Rick would simply crash through the window at the bed and breakfast that held Jean and Frank, and commit his heinous act. It seemed Rick wanted it to be obvious to Sasha that something evil had touched her sister, so there would be much carnage. Edward flinched when he saw the extent of evil Rick had planned.

“Alice, how sure are you about Rick’s decision?” Edward had learned that Alice’s gut reaction to her visions was something a person could count on.

“Edward, that is where he is going, what he is doing. I am 100% certain.” Alice delivered the news with a gentle touch to Edward’s shoulder.
The Cullen's plan was hashed together quickly. Alice’s sight into the future and Edward’s ability to read minds were necessary, so they had to go to Rhinebeck. Carlisle would be a first responder of sorts for the humans, in case they were injured. Jasper’s calming influence was a given. He was like walking morphine and could always be utilized. Emmett’s outstanding strength was a bonus. Esme refused to stay behind, wanting to be where her family was, in case they needed her.

Rosalie was nominated to stay behind and monitor Sasha.

She seemed reluctant and put out. The family agreed that her spectacular beauty would be best utilized in the cruise couple’s apartment.

Babysitting the freaky human. Rosalie’s thought earned her a very dirty look from Edward. Edward’s new pet is the least of my concerns.

“Rosalie, can you handle this?” Edward faced his narcissistic sister.

“Yeah.” Her enthusiasm was lackluster.

“Edward, we have got to get moving, we need to be in place when he arrives.” Edward nodded at Alice’s warning.

The Cullens were well equipped for a fight. A girl could not hope for more careful protectors. They were off to Rhinebeck in their various expensive cars before Sasha’s elevator even touched the correct floor after walking Pudge.

Rosalie was on the street headed back to the family penthouse before Sasha put the key in the lock of her door. Edward’s sister made a split second decision to head home and resume watching the Baby Story Marathon on the Lifetime channel. Alice was always right. Sasha would be fine. Rosalie felt no need to waste her time in an empty apartment.

Not a single friendly vampire was any where near Sasha when she walked out on her balcony to try, one more time, to see the stars out of habit.

Rick could see her from his vantage point under the awning of the building across the street. Fifteen floors up was just a quick climb. He took a second to watch her. He liked the clicking noise her heels made on the metal floor of the balcony.

Back in his human form, before his own stepfather changed him into a vampire, Rick was considered weak. The official diagnosis was multiple personality. His family’s diagnosis was ‘crazy’ on a good day.

Now, he was free. This indestructible body was his ticket to unleash his every whim. He still shared his mind with a few other personalities. The good news was the longer he was a vampire, the less time Rick had to stay in the background and watch his other personalities run the show. He had watched ‘Tom’ plan the demise of Sasha’s sister. What a weakling. Rick despised Tom, mostly because he became fixated on Rick’s kills.

But Rick was in charge now, and Sasha was all his. Rick launched himself at the building and began his climb. Rick didn’t have a plan. He lived for specific moments. Like right now, when Sasha’s eyes found him, as he pulled his body closer to hers.

The look of horror on her face was more chillingly beautiful to Rick then a Monet or a Rembrandt.

[Geek]

No stars. Duh Sasha.
I don’t know what compelled me to do it. But I looked down the building towards the road.

And then.

And then.

God, what was that! The nemesis I had almost convinced myself only existed in my mind, was headed up my building like a blurry, fast spider. Before my brain could translate my horror into a scream, Rick was on me. The door to the balcony was shut with his hand securing it that way. His other hand held my throat.

Confusion and disbelief wracked my nervous system, but the most visceral reaction I had was fight.

I started to kick his shin and poke him in the eye simultaneously. His eyelid shut immediately and my useless, jabbing finger felt like it was poking a piece of metal.

“That’s right baby, fight me. Make me earn it.” His voice was calm and buttery. He was enjoying this. “I wonder why you’re so important to them.”
He must have seen the recognition in my eyes.

My ghosts. That would be the only thing that made me important to whomever "they" were.

“You know. Tell me. Right now.” He was giddy with anticipation, still all the while, holding my throat. His demonic eyes sparkled with interest.

He is so beautiful. How could something innately gorgeous radiate such death?

“Playing hard to get? How 'bout this, you tell me and I don’t kill every single person in this building behind you.” His smile was so wide it made his teeth look huge.

I knew he could do it. I may be going crazy, but a red-eyed kidnapper was not the kind gift your neighbors appreciated.
“And your little dog too.” He gave me an elaborate pout. Pudge was barking at the balcony door furiously. Her little fuzzy paws were lifting off the ground in anger. I motioned to my throat and my silent mouth. He understood and loosened his grip.

God forgive me, I am the worst person in the world. I want to save my dog the most.

“I’ll tell you, but away from here.” My voice was so scratchy and harsh.

“Fine.” He snapped.

I was on his rock hard shoulder like a sack of potatoes in a blink. I watched as my cute black heels slid from my feet to clatter to the road so far below me.

We were climbing up the side of the building. No ropes. I knew he wasn’t human. I started to sob-cry as we reached the roof of the building.
He took off running (or was it flying?). I felt the jolt when he launched himself across the roofs of the buildings that lined the street I lived on.
He decided on a roof and set me down.

“Talk.” He no longer felt the need to hold my throat. I wanted to be braver. I had gotten him away from Pudge and my neighbors. This thing in front of me was carved from hell.

“Tell me why you have a boatload of vampires following your every move.” The wind was whipping on the top of the building. I still couldn’t see the stars. His words made sense in this upside down, weird Alice in Wonderland reality I was featured in. I thought of beautiful Edward’s cold finger and felt a great sadness. Was he the same as this piece of trash in front of me?

Rick fast-forwarded himself until our noses touched. I didn’t even have time to back up. He cuddled me to him like a rag doll. It was like being squeezed by a glacier. It felt like my lungs didn’t have enough room to fill with air.

Amazingly, when I thought my lungs would pop like balloons, he changed his grip to hold my face in his hands.
“Hey, Lennie, you keep up that kind of love and you're going to kill me. A lot.” I guess I got sarcastic on the verge of death. Too bad I knew that about myself.

“Do you think I’m too stupid to get an Of Mice and Men reference?” It was bizarre to hold a conversation this close to anyone’s face. The eyes, up close, were swimming with different facets of red.

“No, Rick, I think you're a pansy that has to pick on women and children.” My smart mouth earned me a backhand. It was like getting hit with a tree. My whole body flew in the air and towards the ledge. I was going over. Rick snatched me out of thin air and set me down on my feet again.

“I call that my love tap, Princess. Tell me why you’re being followed?” I was shocked that all my teeth remained in my head. I felt the warm wetness seeping out of my mouth.

Blood.

His red eyes focused on it. I watched down my nose, as he began licking the blood from the side of my mouth. He seemed to loose control as he started to kiss my blood-filled lips. I tried to bite his tongue, when he obscenely added it to his kiss, but it was just like biting a frying pan.

“Too late, I don’t care why they want you. You’re mine.” His mouth was smeared with my blood. He took a step back to smile at me. Then he tensed, closed his eyes and took a massive breath through his nose. His eyes rolled in their sockets before he fixed them on back on me.

“We're not alone.” Fury made his red eyes darker.
I turned to run. He wrapped my hair around his fist and yanked me back. I felt his vice grip across my chest as he tilted my head using my hair.
He put his ice-cold lips to my jaw and licked his way down to my neck.

I could feel the bite on my neck. The teeth were so sharp, it didn’t even hurt, at first. Then the sucking began and I could feel all the blood draining from each and every vein in my body.

I could move my arms, but they were tingling. I grabbed onto his arm to keep from collapsing. He was sucking and murmuring sweet nothings. Everything in me, all at once was numb. His icy cold body felt nice, taking some of the pain from my skin. I found myself pushing back into him, trying to dig his fangs in deeper.

If I could make it happen faster, it would be over.
Rick pulled back just enough to whisper, “Princess, I am going to kill every member of your family. Know this before you die.” I shuttered from his horrible proclamation.

"The shaking is my favorite," he snickered as he began to finish.

Would he drink every drop of my blood?

Vampire. He really is a vampire. Oh God. I could feel the force of his decision so deeply. I will be ingested. My blood, my soul. Everything. Maybe I would be inside out by the time he was done. And I couldn’t save one damn person that I loved.

When Rick was hit, it sounded like dynamite exploding in my ear.

I found myself cradled in a pair of cold arms. I peered through my eyelashes to see what I was facing. Edward.

I felt so alarmed. I tried to scream, “Run”, but no sound came out. My throat seemed like a gaping wound.
No, no, run Edward. Please get away. He is evil. I was as helpless as a newborn babe. I couldn’t even offer words to help.

“He’s gone, for now.” Looking up at his face, I saw compassion and desolation. His gold eyes seemed to be assessing my injuries.


The burning started at my neck. If I could crawl, I would find Rick to finish the job. I need to get out of this body as much as possible. Now.
Being held by Edward felt like being next to a drafty window in the winter, I could feel the cold reaching out to touch me.

“I’m so sorry Sasha, I did not arrive in time. Listen to my words.” His elegant voice was soothing

Like I have a choice. I was dying. I could not even move my lips.

“I don’t need your lips for me to hear you. Sasha, I can stop the death. I can make you live, but there will be much pain. Sasha, do you want me to make you a vampire?”
I am afraid, Edward.
“It will hurt, but the pain will come to an end.”

You can hear my thoughts?

“Yes.” He said it faintly. I closed my eyes, and tried to breathe, no air would come.

He threatened my family. Can you keep them safe? I desperately tried to keep from blacking out to hear his answer.
“I will protect them.” Edward’s vow was so earnest I had to believe him.
I could only hear, my eyes had given up their fight. Do it. I don't want to die.

“Now, Edward! You must finish what he started.” Dr. Cullen's voice in the middle of this nightmare should have been more comforting.

“Carlisle, please you do it, I don't want to be the one to turn her.” Edward sounded anguished.

No matter. Really, it was all over. There was no way to fix me now.
Then I realized that the pain Rick had inflicted on me was easy. It was like a tickle compared to the seething, hot lava that was filling my every vein.

[Geek]

When I was about 10 years old, my friends and I had a ritual. My sister, Jean and my friends from the neighborhood would play tag at night. We would stay out running, jumping and living like only unsupervised children can.

After we had exhausted ourselves, we would lay on my friend Karen’s ink black asphalt driveway. It had retained the heat from the blistering summer day. At night, when the chill of the darkness engulfed us, lying on that driveway kept us warm.

So like cats drawn to a warm fire, the middle of the night would always find us on our backs, looking up at the spectacular night sky. The stars were ours and the crickets sang for us. The fireflies tucked themselves into the leaves for a rest after having come out to delight us with their show.

Now, I realize the mosquitoes never bit our tender young skin. We were immortal, beautiful, laughing girls with our lives ahead of us. When we were together we had no fears, just giggles and confidence.

It did not surprise me that at the hour of my death, I found myself looking down on this scene. I never realized then, that the heat of the driveway lifted the scent of our sweet skin and fruitful blood into the sky like a sacrifice.

I watched the young Sasha as she tossed insults back and forth with the sisters of her flesh and soul. Young Sasha's murkey green eyes locked on this older version far above her. Her blood filled my nose. I lost the beauty of her innocence and she became prey. I came speeding from the sky to land on her delightfully long neck. My insanely sharp teeth slid into her skin like a knife through warm butter. As my tongue darted out to accept the blood, it was denied.

Fury ripped through me like a meteor.

I stood in a nicely appointed white room, surrounded by a small winsome audience.

My scream of frustration was silent. I clawed at my neck, but no noise came out.

I threw myself at the nearest bystander and I was bounced back to the floor for my troubles.

I could only curl into a ball, as the apocalypse started in my body. There must be fire, ants, and evil inside my skin. My veins started ripping from their rightful places inside me. They turned into barbwire and commenced forming a tornado in the center of my own personal apocalypse.

The pain was amplified as seconds passed. I endured only because no one would kill me.

If I could have begged, I would have. My throat was obviously grievously injured. The time I could account for was spent in a ball. I could no longer consciously force myself to move in any assault against my captors. The pain made me crazy. The only thought I could come up with was “No”.

Finally, after what seemed to be hundred years, the tornado inside me became an F5. The finger of God pressed on my core. My heart responded to the touch by beating a million times faster than a hummingbird’s wings. With the last beat, my throat healed. The scream that had built in my head erupted from my mouth.

“NOOOO!”

It was so loud it made my own ears feel like they were bleeding.

The pain extinguished like a super nova and in its place was a peaceful silence, that didn’t hurt.

Hell. I must be in hell. I stayed in my ball. I wasn’t breathing. I could hear everything.

“She’s done.” Dr. Cullen spoke from nearby. I wondered what he sin he had committed to wind up in the fiery dungeon with the Devil and I.

My eyes flew open at a gentle smirk. Could a smirk make a noise? Of course, if you could hear the change in the lips. Edward was watching.

I took in the white room that had been host to my wretchedness. It was still filled with beautiful gold-eyed people. I had obviously clawed the walls like a cat during the internal tornado, though I didn’t recall moving from my ball.

As I looked around, I heard a sharp intake of breath.

“Her eyes, they’re blue!” I looked right at Dr. Cullen.

I had just been turned inside out by a force of nature and he cared what color my eyes were? Did he notice I wasn’t breathing? What a crappy doctor.

At this Edward, started out and out smiling, which infuriated me.