Chapter Four – Strangers

One might say that dreams are the doorways of our souls. We use our dreams to filter through thoughts that our conscious mind refuses to acknowledge. They could be right, but then again, they could be wrong. Only time will tell us what the future holds for all things. This is the only constant that the world around us understands.

Dreams had always been something that anyone would take for granted. At least anyone human that is. Vampires, as Bella knew them, couldn’t dream and therefore no longer had the need to work through things in their unconscious minds. Since the revelation of another type of vampire the human had always wondered if they dreamed when they slept. Were they truly dead to the world or did they dream and wake wondering what happened?

Waking and wondering what happened was exactly what she was experiencing as her eyes slowly opened. The last thing she had remembered was being held by Jasper before the inky blackness of sleep claimed her. It was then that the dreams started. At least, she hoped they were dreams. It would be far more cruel if were not. Dreams were the only things that she knew she could trust anymore. Nothing else made any sense. Would the world understand that ever since the arrival of the vampires into her life, her world had been one crazy mixed up dream?

Taking a moment to sit up in the bed that she was in, Bella tried to study the room. It wasn’t the ratty motel that she had managed to stay at two nights ago. No this was a room that was built with care but not too much opulence. It was clearly a guest room that had seen a little bit of use but did not have that ‘well loved’ feeling that some people’s bedrooms did. While she was not going to overlook the kindness that she wasn’t on the streets, Bella was still nervous about where she had woken too.

Nothing in the room was familiar to her, and yet she didn’t seem to feel that she was unsafe in any way. It was moments like these, however, that Bella wished so badly that she had the gift to hear the thoughts around her, or some other awesome power. At least then she would not feel so out-of-place and would know more about where she was staying.

Frowning for a moment, Bella realized that she was in completely different clothing than when she had fallen asleep. Someone had changed her and gone through the trouble of making sure that she was comfortable as she slept. While she didn’t doubt that Jasper had a hand in it, she was certain that he would not have changed her clothing for her.

Bella knew that she couldn’t hide in here forever. Eventually someone would come to check on her and she might as well head them off. Slowly she climbed out of the bed. She had no idea how long she’d been out and it was best that she not fall over or make herself dizzy by standing up to fast. It didn’t completely help. The moment her feet touched the ground Bella found herself grasping at the corner of the nightstand to regain her balance.

When she was quite sure that she could walk and not topple over, Bella slowly started the progression out of the room and through whatever domicile they were in. To her human ears it sounded as if she was being quiet but to the vampires in the house, they knew the moment that she had woken. Bella wondered if she should call out, but then she remembered all of the horror movies that she’d seen and the bad things that happened to women who were alone in strange houses and called out to people.

Wherever she was, the place was large and for a fraction of a moment Bella was terrified that she was lost in some strange place. Such thoughts were running through her mind until she rounded a corner into a large great room. Some might call it a living room others refer to it as a Great Room. It was massive. She could see at least three couches, one of which was a sectional dominating the room. The layout was open and appealing, inviting you to come and have a seat.

It was exactly what she wanted to do but there was also no doubt that Bella was nervous. Only for a moment, however, as Jasper helped her calm. Looking around the room, Bella was quite sure that there was more than one vampire in the room. Her dark eyes lighted on Jasper first, and then the other one that she had run into. For a moment Bella was transfixed, mesmerized and she couldn’t look away. There was something in his gaze that called to her and she almost felt compelled to join them.

Shaking herself out of the thoughts, Bella looked away from the man, whose name she didn’t even know, and back to Jasper who was smiling at her. “You are safe Bella. Let me introduce you so that you won’t be so afraid, yes?”

He wanted her to be comfortable and she needed to know the names of the vampires that are going to be watching over her if he leaves. “They are vampires, yes. Come.” His voice was soft and she knew that he was answering the questions she was posing with her emotions. Moving from the entryway towards the figures, Bella felt small for the first time in her life. There was no doubt that these beings were old, most of them seemed far older than Jasper and he was, outside of Carlisle, the oldest in the Cullen’s. Yet these vampires surpassed even the feel of Carlisle.

“Bella, this is Godric. He’s the sheriff here in Dallas and he’s agreed to grant you protection. You’ll find that there are not many vampires older than he is. To his right is Isobel and on the left is Stan. The big tall blonde one standing behind Godric. That’s his vampire child, Eric.” Bella watched as he turned his gaze to the tall blonde and before saying something and making them both crack a grin. Even Godric was smiling and for a moment she wondered if it was at her expense.

“Behave Eric.”

“Yes, Master.” Said the tall viking with respect but mirth danced in his eyes. Oh how he was looking forward to testing this strange human standing before him. He could tell she was human but he wasn’t sure what else.

It was fear that was making her stay in one place, even with Jasper sending her calm. At least until Isobel spoke and then everything seemed to melt away. “Come, dear. You must be hungry let’s get you some food and then we all can talk about why you are in Dallas. Jasper was not very forthcoming, but I believe that was because he wanted to wait for you to be awake before he told all your secrets.”

In truth, Bella wasn’t sure what it was about the spanish woman who drew her in, but she felt as if she could trust her. She got a ‘mom’ vibe from the elder vampire and wondered if it was genuine emotion or something else. She didn’t feel like she did when Jasper was influencing her and for that, Bella took her hand and let her be dragged through the house, gently.

She was sat on one of the couches as one of the humans brought her food. For a moment, Bella did nothing but sit there, before she slowly started to eat. They had questions, but she had some of her own. Only time would tell her exactly who would start them. That was the only question waiting to be answered.

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