Méabh Orla O'Brien

Watching

Back at school I made it my mission to study Bella at every opportunity. She was clumsy and uncoordinated, no one wanted her as a partner in gym. She was literally an accident waiting for a location.

I let my guard down with everyone on queenies table, except queenie herself. I wouldn't have liked her when I was human, and less so as a vampire. People were less reserved about the gossip now they had accepted me. I fished at discreet intervals about Bella first, then as the names got mentioned, about the Cullen's.

Queenie went on a rant about Edward and how could he have chosen Bella over her. I heard Angela mutter, "he didn't choose. You were never in the running." I winked at Angela to let her know I'd heard her. I wondered if I'd been a bad influence on Angela. I got an idea from the group where the Cullen's house was. I decided to take a detour straight after school.

I sprayed myself liberally with 'stealth'. I sprayed a little in my car too. I nearly missed the track, the trees and ferns were encroaching so much. I'd nearly decided I was on the wrong track when the house came into view. Victoria had described it as monstrous. Whilst not my particular taste, it was certainly unique. Also very clearly un-lived in for some time.

Curiosity took over. I stopped my car and got out. I could always claim I'd got lost if anyone challenged me. I walked up the steps and knocked at the door keeping up the pretence if being lost. Someone could be watching. After a suitable pause I moved to the huge plate glass walls. All the furniture was covered in dust sheets. The thing that got my attention was right in front of me. Obviously a piano, a grand at that. So Edward was the musician as well as a mind reader.

I stopped snooping and left. I had a huge dilemma. The Cullen's had killed my maker, saving me the job. But they'd left a human behind who knew our secret. Which broke our laws. Would I be breaking the law if I didn't reveal what I knew. But then Victoria knew too. But she wanted her own revenge for them killing James. It still felt odd after all this time to finally have a name to put with the masochist.

If the Cullen's returned I might warn them just as thanks for killing James and then get out of Dodge to avoid being caught in the cross fire. One thing niggled at me, why did they leave Bella unprotected and vulnerable? Then why had Victoria not killed Bella? Ah she wants them to see, to know it was her. I could relate to that.

I get home and dashed off my homework. I took a long shower, I loved the powerful jets of water over my body. I tingled from head to toes. I decided to call all three pets. The two newest first. If I had sensed any reluctance to me I had decided I would release them and keep looking. Both pleased me on the phone, both rewarded with me using their name's, the delicious one Samuel, the awkward one Miles.

I phone Liam last, "you know who this is, pet?" His breath comes through the phone, "yes. I hope I've been good enough to see you on Friday." I smile, "you tell me, pet. Do you think so?" A breath again, "I don't even undo my zip without thinking of you. I hope that's being good." I put a huskiness into my voice, "Liam, my pet that's very good." I hear a gasp and a moan down the phone. "Liam? What just happened? I demand. His voice comes back slightly hushed, "I.. um I ... I just came in my pants." I reverted to my husky tone, "oh my pet, you are a good boy. I might have to give you a little present." He moans again, loader and longer. Oh he is my favourite pet ever. "Really pet? Again?" he sighs, "yes, miss." I lifted my tone, "such a good pet. Go clean yourself up and get some rest, my pet." I hang up before he can reply.

I'm aroused. I would never consider having s*x with my pets. I don't want to break them. I don't love them, but I care about them. Someone beat up one of my pets once, I tracked them by the scent of my pet's blood. I beat him and crushed his testicles. But it doesn't mean I can't think about them whilst I take care of myself. Vampires have high s*x drives, I was no different from the moment I awoke. Without a man to meet my needs I learned quickly how to pleasure myself. My desires sated I need to get some animal blood.

I started to run and headed north. I'd reverted to going where the wind took me when I hunted. It was only when I'd crossed the water and into Canada that I remembered I've got school tomorrow. I don't want unnecessary absences on my record and more importantly unnecessary calls to Beau.

I caught up with Angela before the first bell. After exchanging pleasantries about our weekend, I floated my idea to her. "I don't know her obviously, but I don't think its good for someone to be left on their own at lunch. It feels like bullying to me." Angela grins, "Jessica won't like it if someone other than her brings Bella back into the group." I said slightly laughing, "do we actually care what she thinks?"

We waited for Bella to reach the canteen, both of us grabbed an arm and led her to the the centre table. "Time for you to return to the real world," I murmer to her. She doesn't argue or try to bolt when we let go of her. In fact apart from sit down she didn't do anything. Poor girl is utterly broken. I realised she's been over exposed to our "charms".

It's why I only see my pets every few weeks. Our charms are more powerful than any drug. Prolonged exposure, needs weaning off slowly. I made mistakes early on, seeing my pets too frequently. She's endured the worst 'cold turkey'. I could be tempted to ease her pain, but I'm not convinced it will help her. I pat her hand, "it will get better one day." Despite being grateful to The Cullen's for taking care of my problem, I'm angry at them too.

I wished I knew more about their coven. Was Edward the head and therefore the others maybe oblivious to what he's done to the girl. She's emotionally and physically fragile, I would never have chosen her as a potential pet. I decided to help her, but I'm not going to feed her addiction. She needed to get his charm out of her system, not become dependent on another.

I jotted my phone number down. "You can call me if you need someone to talk to." I let my hand rest on hers a moment longer than necessary to feel the coldness of my skin. I watched her face as she realised what I was. I moved my hand and happened to glance at hers. She has a bite mark, only a vampire can make that mark. Now I'm really confused. She got bitten but not transformed. A vampire with no venom? The idea of a vampire 'shooting blanks' so to speak amused me.