FRANKENSTEIN
13 | Stop I'm already dead.

THE first thing I felt as I woke up was my excruciating hunger. A loud rumble flew across the room as I groggily opened my eyes.

"Good morning, Frankie!" A bell-like voice chirped.

I hesitantly looked over at the foot of my bed. Standing there with a huge grin on her face was the gorgeous vampire known as Heidi.

"You've been asleep for quite a while, it got master Aro very worried. After around ten hours he resorted to calling Carlisle and was relieved to hear that it was completely normal. I mean I've never heard of a human sleeping for seventeen hours straight! Then again you aren't human, are you? I mean you don't smell human, so that's a plus. Anyway, it's already the afternoon and master Aro requested your presence to the main library after I've given you food." Heidi finished in one breath.

My mouth fell agape slightly at how much she could talk. "Okay, yeah thank you, Heidi." I smiled politely in her direction.

"Great! I took the liberty of going through your suitcase. I hope you don't mind, but someone in your old coven certainly has amazing taste. I did notice that there weren't a large number of dresses leading me to believe you don't particularly care for dresses, so I chose some jeans and a tank top for you. Along with a pair of, I believe they're called  Converse?" Heidi paused her speech as if in deep thought. "Anyway I hung up all the clothes in the suitcase, and your backpack is over by master Aro's desk. It was just full of movies and books." Heidi finished shrugging before ripping the covers away from my body.

The cold air tickled at my legs causing me to shiver. My eyes widened once I saw the clothes being launched in my direction. As fast as possible I caught them and turned to Heidi who was also staring wide-eyed.

"Nice catch, any other human would've got hit in the face with those."

~

"Il tuo cibo, signora." The Italian chef spoke with a large smile as he served my food.

Without further words, he was gone, and I was left alone with Heidi. I smiled at the bacon, sausage, and eggs piled onto my plate. An all meat breakfast, just how I liked it.

"So, where are you from?" Heidi questioned taking a seat next to me.

"Elkins, West Virginia," I said after swallowing a mouth full of food. "How about you?"

"Well, I was born in Germany around 1550," Heidi explained with a small smile.

"Really, if you don't mind me asking, what is it that brought you to Italy?" I asked while shoveling another load of eggs into my awaiting mouth.

"I don't remember much of my human day's though I do recall having a hard mistreated life. I came across a vampire named Hilda one day, she changed me out of pity. Hilda brought me into her coven, and quickly my life was changed for the better. However, a newborn that Hilda had recently turned couldn't control their thirst as the rest of us could; he drew unwanted attention toward the vampire world. The Volturi heard of his chaos and came after us. Hilda was executed as was the rest of my coven, though Aro spared me claiming me as 'penitent'. He gave me a home in the Volturi and I've been here since." Heidi finished her story.

I was so caught up in listening that I hadn't even realized I'd eaten all my breakfast. She gave me a smile upon seeing my clear plate. "Let us go to the library, master Aro awaits you." She got off the chair and began walking away.

She tended to walk in what most people would call a 'sexy' way. Her hips swayed and her long legs carried her in a confident fashion.

"Is there any sort of dress code here?" I couldn't help but ask questions as the two of us walked about the castle.

"Yes, to the humans and lower guard member they are required to wear only blacks and reds. Females are only allowed to wear dresses and skirts, Caius more so than Aro or Marcus is bothered with the new generations clothing type." Heidi stated.

"Hmm." I hummed. "But you're wearing a red dress."

"Yes, even though the higher guard aren't technically required to follow the dress code we still generally do. We can tell it puts Caius in a rather foul mood when Chelsea or I wear trousers. Or even when Felix decided to try and wear a bright green shirt with shorts. I could tell the masters were most definitely not happy with that." Heidi let out a laugh as if she recalled a memory of sort.

"Am I required to follow the dress code?" I couldn't help but question not really fond of needing to wear a dress every day.

"No, I wouldn't imagine so. Here we are; master Aro should be waiting for you inside." Heidi stopped pushing open a heavy looking oak door.

Before I could thank her she was gone. Turning my head inside the room I couldn't help but stare in awe. It had to be the most complex library ever. Twisting hallways of book shelf's lined the walls, and the shelves went up at least ten feet. Multiple tables were scattered around and toward a window was a single old-school monitor.

The monitor looked so ancient that I questioned whether or not it would even work. Slowly my feet took me into the lone library. It appeared as if I was the only one in there as even with my enhanced hearing I heard nothing.

"Ah, my la bella addormentata. You've finally decided to grace me with your presence, I assume you slept well?" The voice of Aro came from right behind my ear.

A scream escaped my lips and I jumped forward. My arms flailed out in front of me and I expected to hit the cold stone floor. However, the sensation of the floor never came and instead I felt cold arms wrap around me.

Gingerly I was pulled up and into a rock hard chest. "Goodness, I'm sorry. I was taken a bit by surprise." I attempted to explain as Aro begrudgingly pulled away from me.

"No, I should have announced my arrival." Aro soothed a bemused look on his face.

I took into account that his clothes had changed since I last saw him. The top of his raven hair was now pulled back with a clip allowing his face to be perfectly framed by his shoulder-length hair. The dark Armani suit he wore blended well with his hair. His pale skin and crimson eyes stood in contrast to his hair and clothing making him look all the more attractive.

The large Volturi pendant he had on around his neck suited him well. "Today I was thinking I could give you a tour around the castle..." Aro began explaining turning around so I had a full view of his backside.

His voice drifted away as I found my eyes glued to how well he looked in a suit. My gaze began going lower until they landed on his rear. Wow, those pants made his butt look good. I wonder how it would look with nothing covering it?

"How does that sound Frankie," Aro asked turning around once more.

"Absolutely amazing." I lied not remembering a word he said.

~

"This is the Angelonia flower, it has over thirty different types of species which originally come from Mexico..." His voice droned on in a type of lecturing tone.

Aro had just given me a full tour of the castle, and it's history for the past hour and a half which I found interesting. He was now giving me a tour of the gardens and the type of plants it held. I could honestly say that I would not remember what a 'Scabiosa flower' was later.

However, if it made Aro happy then I would happily go along with his lectures; despite the boredom, it caused me. Besides, it gave me more time to admire Aro's backside.

"That concludes the flower group from the Americas, but over here there is the Japanese flower group- Frankie?" Aro's voice suddenly snapped me out of my thought.

My head snapped from looking at my feet to his eyes within a second. "Yes, we were just talking about the 'Abelawson flower' right?" I questioned hopefully recalling the last flower started with the letter 'A'.

"Angelonia flower, sweet. My, my, my, do you look bored." Aro laughed.

"No, this is all very interesting keep going." I lied to him.

Aro tsked me while taking my hand into his own. "I may not be able to read you entirely my love, but I can hear how bored you are. Come, we'll go back to kitchens and get you dinner." He chided leading me back the way to the kitchens.

As the two of us walked back I looked at Aro's face. "Heidi told me that there is a dress code? Am I required to follow it?" I questioned curiously.

"No, you are able to wear whatever you want. It's only there in place for the lower human employees, and our lower guard member. For reasons unfathomable Caius is outraged at the current clothing type." Aro explained as he walked by my side.

As soon as we go to the large kitchen the smell of delicious chicken tickled at my nose. My mouth was practically watering at the sight of the freshly baked chicken sitting on a plate. "That looks so good!" I stated before digging in letting out a small moan as the food sat in my mouth.

"Ha! Yes, I suppose our human chef is particularity good." Aro explained, "Miranda and Alexander sure do think so."

"Who are they?" I questioned in confusion.

"Alexander is Demetri's son, and Miranda is Felix's daughter."

I nearly spit out my food at that. I began coughing violently as I tried to process what I just heard. In the blink of an eye, a glass of water was in front of me and Aro was gently patting my back.

I washed the food down with water finally able to stop coughing. Before I could say anything Aro beat me to it.

"Allow me to explain myself, after meeting young Renesmee I decided that we should have our own hybrid's as well. At the time Caius and myself were married, Marcus was in no condition to father a child, and Alec is far too young. Demetri and Felix were the only other vampires whom I was confident would be able to pass a gift down to a child. Therefore I gave them the task of impregnating a human, which they both did as you can see. Unfortunately, both mothers passed away after birth, but Athenodora and Sulpicia happily played the roles. They're full grown now, and ironically the both of them are mated to each other." Aro let out a chuckle. "I was right though, they both passed a gift down to their child. Alexander has memory manipulation, while Miranda has the gift of compulsion. Both gifts have come quite handy." Aro finished with a chuckle.

"Where are they now?" I questioned not recalling them at the time Aro had introduced me to his coven.

"They've just gotten married, three days before we left for Elkins in fact. I believe they are on a honeymoon in the Bahama's, the two should be back within two weeks." Aro stated watching me eat.

"Oh sorry, do you want some?" I asked realizing I hadn't offered any to Aro.

"No, definitely not. My diet contains something much more satisfying." Aro laughed.

"How is it you all feed, I mean I was under the belief you didn't hunt in Volterra?" I took another bite of chicken secretly happy I didn't need to share this amazing food with Aro.

"Heidi she is our 'fisher' as you may call it. She attracts tourist to take a tour of the castle; however, the minute they step foot into the throne room they become our meal of the week." Aro explained casually still watching me eat.

My eyes widened and I couldn't help but look down at my own plate of food. Quickly I finished off the chicken and looked to Aro. With a smile, he took my hand and gently led us down the corridors into his room.

I hadn't even been awake for a full five hours, yet I was starting to feel tired once more. It was like the previous battle had completely stolen my energy. "I'll be back in a just few minutes, I just have some business to attend to," Aro spoke turning to me.

I gave him a small nod and within a second he was gone. As fast as I could I began changing into the previous pajamas I had worn the day before. Once I began pulling the shorts up I froze and a mischievous grin fell across my face.

I discarded the shorts by throwing them just in front of the door, and without removing my shirt I did the same to my bra. Both items were strewn lazily across the floor mocking the person who would enter.

In a few quick strides, I was digging into the backpack hoping that Alice would have packed my current favorite book. As soon as my hands grasped the novel; Frankenstein, a relieved sigh escaped my lips. I padded along the rug floor book in hand until I finally was able to jump onto the bed.

The weight of myself caused the mattress to sink in slightly. I maneuvered my way into the well tucked in blankets and quietly began reading to myself. 

' I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic. My ancestors had been for many years counselors and syndics, and my father had filled several public situations with honor and reputation. He was respected by all who knew him for his integrity and indefatigable attention to public business. He passed his younger days perpetually occupied by the affairs of his country; a variety of circumstances had prevented his marrying early, nor was it until the decline of life that he became a husband and the father of a family.'

The words soon seemed to blend together and I found myself falling into an abyss of peaceful darkness.

~

"Hey, Frankie?" My newest friend Laura questioned looking away from the television.

"Yes," I asked averting my gaze to her.

"Knock, knock."

"I do not understand, what is this?" I was extremely confused.

"It's a joke, now you say who's there?" Laura rolled her eyes explaining.

"Oh okay, who is there?"

"Britney Spears."

"Hello Britney Spears, my name is Frankie and I was re-born seventy-two hours ago."

"No, Frankie you're supposed to say Britney Spears who?"

"Sorry, Britney Spears who?"

"Knock, knock."

"Um, who's there?" I was now thoroughly confused.

"Britney Spears."

"Britney Spears, who?"

"Oops, I did it again!"

"I do not understand, what is this?"

"Oh my gosh, Frankie! This is called comedy gold, commonly known as a 'knock, knock joke'. You, my friend, are going to need to understand these jokes in order to understand life."

"Okay, I think I understand now," I told her.

"Good, what is it?"

"Knock, knock?" I asked a smile appearing on my features.

"Who's there?"

"Frankie."

"Frankie, who?"

"Frankenstein." I laughed out loud finding it hilarious.

"That's not a joke, Frankie." Laura held her head in her hands chuckling a bit. "Oh my god that was so terrible, but in a funny way." She began laughing loudly along with me, our laughter filling the room.