New Neighbors

The moment Jasper spoke of fear the next thing they heard was footsteps running upstairs. “Um, are we hearing her running?” Esme looked at everyone as they got up, waiting. They looked up the stairs just in time to see Anna Belle appear at the top of the stairs. Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper all looked up, shock written upon their faces. They had only known Anna Belle as a sweet girl, the girl standing at the top of the stairs wasn't the Anna Belle they knew.

Blaine looked up at Anna Belle shocked at what he saw. “Anna Belle.” His voice was a whisper as he spoke.

Anna Belle regarded everyone with her pitch black eyes. There was no emotion in her eyes but upon further examination it was clear what she was.

“Don't make any sudden movements right now. She, right now, is a cross between a wild animal and a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming semi. Skittish and dangerous-not a good combo in a starved vampire.” Jasper had seen this a few times, it wasn't safe at all right now.

“We have to figure out how to lure her to food, maybe some blood in her will bring her back to normal.” Carlisle said as they watched her. She was looking at them, her head turning towards them like a hunter watching prey.

“How exactly are we going to do that? Drag an elk into the house?” Rosalie was her normal sarcastic self watching Anna Belle, worried about the girl standing at the top of the stairs.

Blaine looked at Anna Belle, tilting his head to the side in a manner she didn't notice. “It's like she's a newborn again.” He realized. “Your right, Carlisle. The moment we get her fed, she will feel better. We need to get her to come down. Once she does we can get her outside. But what would be the safest way?”

Emmett was the one who did something first, he moved. Anna Belle's head snapped up, looking at him directly, as she took off after him. The rest of the Cullens didn't move a muscle as she went after the big male. Once she was close enough, he moved again, tackling her down to the ground. She snapped and snarled, truly looking like a wild animal. Emmett looked up while he held her down in a gentle but firm grip. “Just like taking down a bear.”

Rosalie and Esme both jumped down his throat. “You fool! She could have hurt you! Or worse, you could have hurt her. You heard what Carlisle said about her being weak, that was a stupid, foolish thing to do.” The women were taking turns saying something to him, while Jasper rushed outside to the woods to bag a few animals for her to feed on.

Emmett shook his head as he pulled the girl up and started out the door with her. Do something good and I get yelled at, what the hell? He thought to himself as he saw Jasper return with two elk. He pulled Anna Belle towards Jasper. Once they were close enough together, Jasper let one struggling elk go at the same time Emmett let go of Anna Belle. The elk didn't stand a chance as she took it down, quickly, even before it got a few feet away. “Hungry?” He joked causing him to get nasty looks from everyone. “What?” He shrugged his shoulders.

Anna Belle feed quickly and deeply from the first elk. Once she couldn't feed any longer she pulled up, blinking rapidly as she looked around. This time her eyes were a little lighter but still held recognition for those she saw around her. When her eyes fell upon Blaine, she smiled and went to speak. She looked confused and then tried again. By now she was starting to panic.

“I feared this. Anna Belle, it's all right.” Carlisle moved to her side in the blink of an eye looking at her while Esme rushed into the house. “Anna Belle, do you remember when you got sick outside of the school?” He asked, getting a nod from her as an answer. “Well, you threw up blood and venom, a lot of it. It has done some damage to your voice box and vocal cords. That's why you can not speak right now. I think with time and proper feedings you will heal, but it will take time. Now, do you know the man over there.” He pointed out Blaine and she instantly started to nod, a small smile upon her face. “Well, that proves it.” Carlisle smiled over at Blaine, who made his way slowly towards her.

Blaine knelt down next to Anna Belle who weakly latched onto him, hugging him. “Oh, my little Angel.” He cooed softly while stroking her hair. “You need to eat more, your friend Jasper over there, has another elk for you to feed from. Go eat my little Angel.” He whispered softly to her while kissing the top of her head. She nodded as she pulled away from him and slowly started to approach the struggling animal. She watched him, capturing its eyes. The elk slowly started to calm down, but not fully, but was calm enough for her to sink her teeth into hits throat without a fight.

Carlisle watched for a moment. “Esme is right now calling Edward to come home early from school. We will need him--now more than ever--to communicate back and forth with Anna Belle.” He whispered to Blaine who nodded as they stood up. Emmett grabbed the elk carcass and started to drag it away to dispose of it.

“Good idea.” Blaine watched as Anna Belle fed from the second animal, wondering if she will ever be the same.

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A short time later, the silver Volvo pulled up to the house. There was no sign of the elk around, or anyone for that matter, as Edward got out of the car. But what he did hear was strange...yelping? He turned to find a wolf cub slowly coming out of the woods, heading straight for him. He narrowed his eyes and hissed at it. He backed away a step before coming back forward giving a soft barking growl. Edward was shocked. Animals mostly stayed away from his family, knowing that they were on their meal menus. But this cub was continuing to come forward, sniffing at the ground. It started to run towards the front door. Edward followed the pup, shocked to see it at the door. He looked to the door then looked back at him like he was looking for something that was inside of the house. He shook his head as he walked up to the door and opened it.

The pup bounded into the house the moment the door was opened. Everyone sat on the couches in the living room, Anna Belle between Esme and Rosalie, looking somewhat better. Her eyes were a very dark shade of gold as she sat between the women who both touched her gently, motherly in their touches. The moment the pup made his presence known, they all jumped. Well, everyone except for Anna Belle, she reached down with a smile upon her face.

“She knows the pup, she saved him from one of the hunter's traps by her house.” Edward read Anna Belle's thoughts quickly and easily, making her look up at him. She was shocked to find he knew her thoughts as the pup sat in her lap, cuddling up to her.

“Edward can read minds, Anna Belle. That's why we called him to come home early. This way we have a way for you to communicate with us other than resorting to writing all of the time.” Esme smiled at Anna Belle, who just looked away from Edward remembering what happened the other day.

“She's still hungry, hasn't she feed?” Edward moved further into the room, watching everyone-- especially the stranger.

“She already took down two elk. She had been starved for so long and when she got sick, whatever she had in her system, came back up. She will need a good, long hunt that the area can't provide. So I will be pulling you kids out of school for a few days for a hunting trip. Esme, Blaine and I will stay here, we will watch Bella.” Carlisle stated before making the introductions. “Edward, this is Blaine. He is a long-time family friend of Anna Belle's. He knew her when she was human.” He smiled, knowing that they would be able to find out more about the girl.

“It is nice to meet you, Edward.” Blaine got up and walked over holding his hand out for the boy to take and shake. He did so slowly. “You really do have a large family here. I'm glad you are willing to let Anna Belle join it.” He walked over to stand behind Anna Belle, who looked up at him with a small smile.

“How could we not?” Esme smiled at Anna Belle. She looked down at the wolf pup who was still intensely watching everyone. “We will have to build him a house outside. He is still a wild animal, we can't keep him in the house.” Anna Belle nodded, as Jasper's phone went off. He looked down at it and quickly rushed up the stairs. “Alice must have sent him a message.” Esme figured, Edward nodding that she was right.

Jasper soon came back down with a sweater and a pair of jeans in his hands. “Alice said she saw you wearing these.” Jasper explained while handing the clothes to Anna Belle. who took them with a smile.

“Thank you Jasper, that was very thoughtful.” Edward relayed the message. “She would like to take a shower and change.”

This time, it was Rosalie's turn to jump up and tug her back upstairs--once Anna Belle put the wolf pup down, of course. They were soon back in her room. “You can use anything in here.” She smiled at Anna Belle before leaving her.

Anna Belle closed the door behind her. After placing the clothes on the counter, she went to the shower to turn it on. She made quick work of her clothes before stepping into the shower. She scrubbed herself down, before working the shampoo into her hair. The bottom of the tub was turning black....

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Charlie and another officer pulled up in front of the Collin's house. He sighed--knowing this may not end well--as he slipped out of the car. The other officer followed suit before they started up the walk way towards the house. He barely knocked, before the door swung open and Alexander was in the door way. “Chief Swan, Anna Belle is in school today. You can't talk to her right now.” He informed the man standing before him, contempt in his voice.

“Actually, I'm here to serve you with these.” He said, handing the papers to him. “They are papers stating that Anna Belle Collins is no longer your ward, due to abuse. You are not to contact her or come within 100 feet of her, which also means you need to leave town.” Charlie was enjoying this deep inside, he was giving this man what he deserved, the boot.

“You must be mistaken. Anna Belle was never abused.” Alexander was shocked at what was going on.

“Dr. Cullen examined Anna Belle and confirmed abuse. Now, I will give you until the end of the week to be packed up and out of town.” Charlie stated firmly. “You will be arrested if you don't leave, so I suggest that you do. You have a nice day.” He turned on his heels and walked back to his car, leaving a shocked Alexander in his wake as he drove back to the station, satisfied.

*************

The Cullens sat, making plans for the hunting/camping trip the kids were going on. Luckily, they had a cabin up in Canada that would do very nicely.

“Anna Belle sleeps. It's not normal, but she does. It might be from the venom Alexander was pumping into her.” Blaine informed them of what he knew.

“He's right, the venom does make one more susceptible to sleep.” Jasper confirmed the information.

“It is amazing how much you know Jasper. I'm guessing your knowledge is going to be very helpful with Anna Belle.” Blaine smiled at the man, knowing now his age.

“He will be. Once he confessed to knowing what he knew, he helped get us this far. He wasn't sharing with us at first. He was..... Oh my.” Edward had looked into Anna Belle's thoughts. She was wondering if they were going to like something. Everyone then looked up at Anna Belle who stood at the top of the stairs. “She looks like an....”

“Like an Angel.” Blaine smiled, looking upon the Anna Belle he once knew.

A/N

Hehehehehe, yes I am leaving it open haha. But trust me you will like what you see next. My next chapter will maybe include a link to a Photobucket.com album where I will have photo's of those whom look so much like my personal characters, figure you all will like that.