Alice's Story

A/N: Shorter chapter, but this is needed. I wanted to show a POV that gave some more light. Longer chapter will be posted in a couple hours.

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*ALICE CULLEN POV / MEMORY*

Being alive has always been difficult for me. Imagine waking up one day with no memories of who you are, where you are, or what happened to you. I couldn't comprehend the situation, the absurdity of it all.

I spent years running around this country, which I had come to learn was America. Lost and confused, I thought I could talk to people I met in passing, but whenever they saw me, only one of two things happened: they either ran for dear life, or they tried to capture me, as if I were some prized possession.

My beauty was a cut above the rest, something I learned when I entered towns. Many men approached me, asking me to be their wife or even their mistress. It was a disgusting feeling, having these flea-ridden men stare at me lecherously, especially when they did nothing to hide the lust in their eyes.

Usually, I kept myself covered from head to toe to avoid their gazes. Plus, there was another reason to hide. My skin drew too much attention. Smooth, almost poreless, and envied by many, it had another attribute others lacked. It shimmered in the sunlight, like glass held at the right angle.

Abnormality was clear after observing others. I felt no hunger for food, no thirst for water, no need for sleep. My body was stronger, faster, and more lethal than others. They were like wet noodles in comparison.

Hunger and thirst combined into something much more dangerous, something truly terrifying. I had to hide from humans—yes, I made the distinction because I knew I was something else. Being near them was impossible; control was out of reach.

My hunger for their blood was apparent as my eyes drifted to their necks, narrowing in on veins pumping blood. It was calling me, singing a lullaby or a siren's song. The allure was impossible to fight.

Then, it happened. I feasted. I tore through the next available town, my hunger unquenchable as I broke necks, crushed limbs, tore apart people—all the while enjoying the taste of their blood, which gave me more energy, satisfying my hunger.

This continued for years, but I became much more skilled in the hunt. Instead of destroying towns, I found homes in isolation or caravans of people, keeping my hunting on the safer side.

Life turned into a blur, a crimson blur of anger and hunger. Hatred for everything I was consumed me. Somehow, deep down, I knew this wasn't who I was before my memories were erased. If crying were possible, years would have been spent doing it, but that was also impossible.

Then, I discovered something else special about me. I could see visions, things that hadn't happened yet, but would in the future. I saw a family, their happiness contagious, but what drew my attention was what they were. They were the same as me. The visions showed them feasting on animals instead of humans, something I hadn't even thought of as I lost myself in the bloodlust.

I did the one thing I thought was correct and followed the visions. I ran for what felt like weeks until I arrived at the family's doorstep. Knocking on it, I waited in terrified anxiety. If they rejected me, I'd be a lost cause forever.

For once, everything worked out. They welcomed me with open arms, showed me the right and wrong things to do, how to satiate my hunger, how to hide in plain sight—how to have a normal life. For the first time since I had memories, I was happy, content, and 'living.'

We spent years bonding, our family becoming closer as we explored the country. Every ten years or so, we would relocate to a new town, new state, carrying the same identities, but with fresh neighbors.

It was bliss, truly. My 'parents' were caring and helped me with the trauma, and my 'siblings' ensured I always had someone to lean on during struggles with hunger. Eventually, confidence grew, blossoming into a woman who could explore the world independently without residual fear.

After our last stint, the family decided to separate for a couple of years, before coming back together once again when everyone had their fill of exploring. Drawn to Italy, where Carlisle had expressed fondness for the country's beauty, I was cautious about the Vampire Government.

Oh, yes, I learned I was a vampire. It was odd learning about the limited history available, but it was nice knowing 'what' I was.

Arriving in Volterra, the city where the Vampire Government resided, revealed incredible beauty. Careful steps were taken to remain hidden, as they would definitely question my reason for coming.

Unfortunately, my luck and happiness seemed to have abruptly ended. Exploring the city led to stumbling upon a secret meeting regarding a war. Someone called Voldemort was recruiting the Volturi as aid, trying to overthrow a secret world of magic.

Caught, supposedly by tripping some magical protections, alerting them to my presence. Escape was impossible. Voldemort cursed me with something he called dark magic, reading my mind and finding out about my powers. Ecstatic to discover someone who could see into the future.

Then, news broke out. Someone was found, unclear who, but it gained Voldemort's undying attention, leaving me in the cells, stuck in the form of a cat. Fortunately, my strength and speed remained, allowing me to break out and escape the city.

Months were spent on the run, from either his soldiers or the Volturi. They seemed to have found out about my skills and wanted me for themselves.

Injured, beaten, but still alive, I escaped towards a castle. The magic had affected my vampire physiology, though death was impossible, my body was still weaker. Hiding in the forest outskirts of the castle, struggling with the pain of the curses lingering in my body.

That's when 'he' appeared.

"Hey there kitty! Are you okay?"

It was a child. His hand extended toward me, trying to pick up my small body. Too exhausted to fight back, I let him. Picking me up, he rushed from the forest, through the garden, and into the castle.

He called someone, and I watched a creature appear from mid-air, something I had never seen before. I knew it had something to do with magic.

The house-elf looked at me, and I could swear she held a slight twinkle in her eyes as she looked over my animal body. The boy, who I learned was called Theo, looked at me with worry, his concern about my injuries spreading across his face.

I couldn't speak or voice my thoughts, as it would come across as a cat just wanting to play around. So, resigning myself, I fell into the motions of a found and injured pet.

Theo and the house-elf took loving care of me, each day ensuring I was fine, feeding me raw food, which luckily contained blood, satiating my hunger. It was apparent neither of them knew how to take care of a pet, but they did their best.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and before I realized it, I had grown to care for Theo. He was bright, friendly, and compassionate. His parents were no longer around, so Mercy, the house-elf, had taken the mantle herself.

We did everything together, from running around the backyard, exploring the almost infinite hallways in the castle, sleeping, and bathing. My care for him slowly bloomed into something much more intense. A protection of sorts, like he was more than just a friend or family to me. It was a foreign feeling, but I wasn't opposed to it.

I learned more about the magical world through the books within the castle. It was an incredible experience seeing magic firsthand, not the kinds that harm people, but the everyday ones. It was so convenient, and also slightly scary.

Then the letters came, mentioning that Theo was required to go to school. The thought of us separating after six years of being bound to one another scared me to no end. I wholeheartedly expected him to leave me at the castle and abandon me. But he excitedly held me closer and told me we were going together.

'Ah, I know what this is now. This feeling deep inside, the one so foreign, but so welcoming. I love him.'