With Arms Wide Open

Mercedes POV

"JAAMES", i screamed.

I expected to still be in the middle of the road, but i wasn't. I was back in my room, in my bed, and had apparently just woken up from a bad nightmare. It was dead silent, from the second i woke up, nothing at all like my dream.

I looked around my room, everything seemed normal. Once again i detached myself from my sheets, and walked slowly toward my berdoom door. Slowly i opened it and poked my head outside. Immediately i headed towards Emelia's room and quietly opened the door.

I released a long breath when i saw her sleeping there peacefully in her crib. Walking over to her crib, i gently picked her up and held her against my chest. She was still slepping as i swayed from side to side to keep her at peace.

"You ok?", James said, startling me.

I didn't answer him as i layed Emelia on her back and walked straight into his arms. He wrapped his arms around me as i sobbed into his neck. I had never been so scared like when i thought i was alone.

"You've been out for three days. How do you feel?", he asked me after i had calmed down a bit.

"Fine", i replied.

Suddenly my throat felt dry. I was..thirsty. But not for water or juice. I wanted something sweeter. Better then water or anything else. And i could smell it. It was everywhere. In the streets, in the house, in the city. I wanted it. I clutched James' arms as the craving for blood began to take over me.

It was driving me crazy. I could just taste it on my tongue. It was so close.

"Mercedes", i could hear James distantly calling my name. But i ignored him. My mind was too clouded by my crazed need for blood. I had a new kind of craving now.

I looked out the small window near Emelia's crib and saw the humans walking by. God, i could practically FEEL their blood running through my veins. All rational thought left me as i darted towards the window with new found speed.

I was almost to the window when something..someone..held me back. I tried to fight James as he dragged me away from my meals. I continued to fight him, but he was too strong. He dragged me all the way to our room and positioned us in front of the mirror. I was still fighting him, but stopped short when i caught sight of my reflection. Staring back at me was someone completely different. My skin was tanner, my hair darker and wavier, my lips fuller, and my curves curvier. I'll admit when i was human i was a looker, but now, i was gorgeous. But my new beauty wasn't what made me stop short. My eyes were no longer a deep brown, they were a bright crimson color. While my teeth weren't exactly fang like, they were a bit sharper.

I fell completely still as i stared myself down in the mirror. I looked like a monster, beauty and all. I was a monster. Tears sprang to my eyes as they slowly changed back to a deeper brown. My chest was heaving and my breathing was eratic. My adrenaline began to leave me and i was suddenly exausted.

I felt James' warm breath on the back of my neck as i completely calmed down. He picked up my spent form and gently laid me down on the bed. We sat there in silence for awhile before i weakly asked, "Is it going to be like this forever?"

I felt the tears run down my cheeks as i thought about me being like that all the time. Jesus what if one day i hurt the baby? Or my mom? I could never live with myself if i hurt either one. I slowly rocked myself back and forth as more tears made their way down my face. Then i felt James' arms encircle me and i felt a little better.

"No it's not", he confirmed. "And i'm going to help you control it. I'll help you control your hearing, your thirst, everything. You'll learn to control it all. I promise", he said firmly.

Nodding i rested my head on his chest and fell into another deep sleep...