»—— act five. breaking dawn, part two
☽⋅── ONE──we are family─⋅☾

As the car rolled and spun, Eleanor could feel her body being tossed around inside the vehicle. Her head struck the window, causing a splitting pain to shoot through her skull. She could feel the air being forcefully ejected from her lungs as the world spun violently in front of her.

But the horror didn't end there—the nightmare continued, a relentless loop of reliving the crash again and again, with no respite or escape.

Every time she shut her eyes, Eleanor found herself back in the horrific car accident, as if trapped in an endless loop. The truck would forcefully hit her car, causing her vehicle to violently roll and crash. It was a never-ending cycle, each moment a reminder of the impending impact and the devastating consequences that followed.

The cycle continued without end, the car rolling and flipping in an endless loop. Eleanor felt like her life was flashing before her eyes in a never-ending nightmare. She longed for it to stop, for the torment to end. Weariness weighed heavy on her, the pain and terror seeming never-ending.

But then in one of the changes within the endless cycle, she managed to drag herself out of the wrecked car. Her body was battered and aching from the injuries, blood dripping down her face. Her vision was hazy, and she could feel shards of glass digging into her knees as she crawled.

She stumbled towards a nearby mirror, and to her horror, her reflection stared back at her with crimson eyes—the very eyes that had haunted her nightmares.

A piercing, blood-curdling scream escaped her lips as she desperately tried to shut her eyes, but to her horror, she found herself unable to. The red, piercing eyes continued to stare at her, the very sight filling her with absolute loathing.

She believed she had conquered her aversion to the colour, thinking that she was stronger and that she could endure her mother's temporary crimson eyes. But now, she realized the truth. She had lied to herself. She had never truly surmounted her loathing. She HATED those vibrant eyes.

Her scream echoed through the night as she felt herself plummeting deeper into an inexplicable sense of drowning. It was as if the horror and realization had enveloped her, pulling her into a new level of emotional torment.

And just as her scream subsided, she found herself abruptly transported back into the car, reliving the horrific car accident once more. The cycle continued like a never-ending nightmare, each moment feeling like the previous.

The unending nightmare continued, and just before the truck hit her car, time froze. Suddenly, a teen materialized in the passenger seat, his golden hair gleaming in the light. A wave of familiarity washed over her as she recognized his eyes – they were the same ones that her mother once had and her little brother currently had. They were the eyes that she ached to see in her mother again.

"What?" she whispered in confusion, her thoughts racing to make sense of the situation.

The male turned towards her, his voice is soft but firm. "It will end once you want it to end, Eleanor," he said, looking at her intently.

Eleanor furrowed her brows, her confusion growing. "Who are you?" she asked, desperation seeping into her voice.

He sat silently for a moment, his gaze intense, before finally speaking again. "You should wake up, or else you'll make a lot of people sad. And I am sorry," he said, his voice was barely a whisper.

The words of the mysterious male left her stunned, her mind racing to understand his cryptic message. As time unpaused and the car was about to crash, she clenched her teeth, gathering all her strength and determination.

"STOP!" she yelled with all her might.

As she yelled with all her might, the world around her shifted. Her breath caught in her throat, and her vision blurred, succumbing to the sensation of being sucked into a void. Eleanor felt herself falling, gradually sinking into the darkness. But a small light appeared in the distance, growing dimmer and further away with each passing moment.

She reached out, her fingers extended towards the distant light as if trying to grasp at it, hoping to find something tangible to anchor herself to. But the light only continued to recede, fading into the darkness that enveloped her.

Suddenly, the faint, familiar whispers of a voice reached her ears, calling out her name repeatedly. The desperate tone in the voice was like a plea, begging her to answer. Eleanor closed her eyes, feeling as if her breath was being forcibly taken away.

Her heartbeat, once loud and rhythmic, began to slow. It was a strange and ominous sensation as if her heart was slowly winding down, its steady beat gradually fading away.

There was a final, singular beat of her heart, and then it was gone, leaving only an abrupt, eerie silence in its wake. The only sound that remained was the repeated whispering of her name, echoing through the endless darkness.

As her eyes fluttered open, she gasped at the sudden influx of detail. Her vision had magnified as if she were viewing the world through a microscopic lens. Every particle of dust and debris seemed to dance before her eyes in vivid detail. And then, as her gaze roamed to the light, she noticed a kaleidoscope of colours that she had never before witnessed.

"Eleanor?" Eleanor sat up abruptly, turning towards her mother's voice. She immediately cringed at the sight of her mother's eyes, still red, although not as vividly as before.

Eleanor attempted to speak, but a burning sensation in her throat prevented her. Confused, she tried to breathe, only to discover that her body no longer required it. She could hear distant sounds with an uncanny clarity, knowledge she shouldn't possess surging through her.

As her mother cautiously approached, Eleanor instinctively held out her hand to stop her, shouting, "No... No!"

Eve recoiled at the sudden outburst, her eyes wide with concern.

As Eleanor's realization dawned on her, a mixture of confusion, fear, and anger played out on her face. She grappled with the news that her life had been cut short and she was no longer human.

"But...but I was alive!" she protested, her voice filled with disbelief. "How could this have happened? Why did I— How did I—?"

Eve hesitated, her words cautious and measured. "You died, Eleanor," she repeated gently.

A sense of defeat washed over Eleanor. "No," she whispered, her voice trembling. "No...I didn't..."

Eve's heart ached as she saw her daughter's struggle and confusion. She longed to comfort her, to somehow make the situation make sense. But she knew there were no easy answers, only harsh truths.

"We don't know why," Eve said softly, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and honesty. "Sometimes, things happen that we can't explain or understand. All we know is that the transformation was irreversible."

Eleanor's desperation was palpable as she demanded to know who had transformed her. "Someone had to have done this! Who was it? I know I was alive!" she pleaded.

Eve shook her head resolutely, her voice firm. "It wasn't one of us," she insisted.

Eleanor's eyes closed tightly as she tried to steady her emotions. Then, she reached out and took her mother's hand, seeking comfort.

"But, I..." Eleanor struggled to find words, torn between shock, anger, and a desire for understanding. Her grip on her mother's hand tightened as if seeking reassurance in a world that no longer made sense.

"I was alive."

Eve squeezed her daughter's hand in return, silently offering what comfort she could. Her heart ached as she witnessed the internal struggle her daughter was going through.

"I know," Eve murmured soothingly, her voice soft and soothing. "You have every right to be angry and confused, but we'll get through this together." She reached out to gently brush aside a strand of Eleanor's hair, her touch comforting.

Eleanor murmured, her voice filled with resignation, "This is it, there's no going back, is there?" For the first time, she dared to look directly at her mother's eyes, her fear of their crimson colour momentarily overshadowed by the acceptance of her own scarlet gaze.

Her mother's eyes met hers, and in that moment, a silent understanding passed between them. There was no denying the reality of their situation—Eleanor had become a creature like them, bound to an existence full of secrets and curses.

Eleanor's eyes closed as she leaned into her mother's shoulder, seeking comfort in their closeness. She felt the weight of her transformation pressing down on her, a strange and unfamiliar reality now a part of her very essence.

As Eleanor leaned into her mother's comforting touch, Eve gently patted her back, offering silent support. Both mother and daughter now lived in a world devoid of tears, left with only the silent torment that echoed within their minds.

Neither could cry, their vampiric condition stealing that simple human expression of sorrow. Instead, they found refuge in each other's embrace, sharing a moment of quiet understanding, the gravity of their shared fate weighing heavy on their non-beating hearts.

After a long stretch of silence, Eleanor finally calmed down, her breathing steadied. Eve waited patiently, her presence a silent reassurance.

Eleanor leaned back, sighing deeply, "I suppose it will take some time... getting used to this new reality," she acknowledged.

Eve's fingers skimmed gently across Eleanor's cheek, her touch an attempt to soothe the whirlwind of emotions within her. "I know it's hard," she murmured, "but eventually, it will get easier. I promise you that."

"I can't tell you when it will happen," Eve continued softly, her voice filled with empathy, "But one day, you'll find a new normal, a way to navigate this new world we live in. You're strong, Eleanor, stronger than you think."

Eleanor nodded silently, recognizing the journey ahead would be a long and bumpy one. She knew it might take years to fully come to terms with her new existence, but she resolutely decided not to give up. This unexpected second chance at life, however tumultuous it may be, was a challenge she was determined to face head-on.

Eleanor, her mind momentarily distracted from her worries, made a firm decision. She looked up at her mother and declared, "I think I need to hunt."

Eve nodded, immediately understanding. " Yes, you should," she agreed. She then asked, "Who would you like to accompany you?"

Eleanor was about to suggest her mother, but she quickly reconsidered. She knew she needed someone more experienced to help her navigate this new world. There was only one person who came to mind that she trusted could handle her in this situation.

Realizing who Eleanor was thinking about, Eve smiled faintly before standing up and planting a gentle kiss on her daughter's forehead. Without another word, she left the room, silently understanding whose presence would be most helpful in guiding her daughter through this challenging transition.

As Eve closed the door behind her, she found Carlisle standing there, his gaze questioning. "How is she?" he asked gently.

Eve smiled faintly, a mixture of hope and uncertainty in her eyes. "She's doing okay," she replied, "but she'll let us know when she's ready."

Carlisle stepped closer, bringing his arm around her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "We'll be here for her," he assured, his voice filled with quiet determination.

Eve found comfort in Carlisle's embrace as Edward made his way up the stairs. She spoke softly to him, her voice tinged with both concern and trust. "Take care of her for me," she implored.

Edward nodded reassuringly, a gentle smile on his lips. "I will," he responded, his voice filled with quiet determination. Then, with one final glance at Eve, he continued, "I will as long as I live."

Eve desperately tried to hide her excitement at his words, but Carlisle noticed and chuckled as she leaned against his chest, attempting to conceal her smile.

Eve and Carlisle stood in silence for a moment, their ears attuned to the sounds emanating from the room. Then, the sound of footsteps crossing the balcony echoed softly in the hallway, indicating that Eleanor and Edward had left together.

Eve lifted her eyes to meet Carlisle's, her expression a mixture of concern and hope.

"You think it will be okay?" Eve asked quietly, her voice filled with a vulnerability she rarely showed.

Carlisle wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer. He didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the closed door. After a moment, he replied, "I can only hope."

"Edward is good. Eleanor will be in safe hands," Carlisle assured her, his voice soft yet firm.

Eve leaned into his embrace, seeking solace in his presence. "Yeah, but what if..." she trailed off, her fears unspoken yet tangible.

Before she could finish, Carlisle tightened his grip on her, stopping her from continuing. "Don't do that," he murmured, his voice gentle but firm. "Don't let your fears consume you."

He leaned back slightly, bringing a hand to her chin and lifting her face to meet his gaze. "We have to have faith," he said, his eyes unwavering, "Trust them. Trust their instincts. Trust Eleanor."

As he cupped her cheek, Carlisle's voice took on a quiet intensity. "But there will be times when even trust isn't enough," he stated, "The hunger can be excruciating, and some temptations are nearly impossible to resist. If she falters, it will be alright. Because that's how we learn."

"She will learn," he continued. "She will stumble, but she will also find her way. And we will be here for her. We will help her through it, just as we have each other."

His fingers traced a gentle line from her cheek to her jawline, his touch a silent reassurance.

"We are family," he reminded her, his voice a quiet declaration. "We will support her, guide her, and love her through this journey. Just as we have done with one another."

He pulled her close again, the warmth of his presence enveloping her like a protective shield.

"And if she stumbles and falls," he whispered into her hair, "we will pick her up and remind her of who she is, who we are. We are not just vampires, Eve. We are a family." He gently pulled her even closer, holding her tightly against him.

"And we will not let fear or doubt consume us," Carlisle murmured, his voice a whisper against her skin. "We will not let the unknown shake our resolve. We will face this as we have faced everything else - together."

As Carlisle's words resonated within her, she closed her eyes, relishing the gentle caress of his breath against her skin. Reassured by his steadfastness, Eve opened her eyes and smiled, a soft, warm expression that radiated the love and comfort she found in their shared understanding.

She pulled back slightly, just enough to look into his eyes, searching for the reassurance she found in his steady gaze. "You always know exactly what to say," she murmured softly, her voice tinged with both gratitude and affection.

He chuckled softly, a quiet sound tinged with gentle amusement and affection. "I wouldn't say that," he replied, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of sincerity and humour. "But I do know you. And I know what you need, even when you're trying to hide it."

He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his touch tender and loving.

"And right now," he said, his voice lowered to a whisper, "you need reassurance that everything will be okay. That we will get through this, just like we've gotten through everything else."

"And I am here to give you that," he continued, his eyes locked on hers. "I am here to remind you that we are not alone." He brought both hands to her cheeks, his thumbs tracing gentle circles against her skin.

"You are strong, Eve," he stated firmly. "You have always been strong. And you will continue to be. But you do not have to bear this burden alone. We are in this together."

He leaned in, his forehead coming to rest against hers, their breaths mingling in the small space between them.

"We will face whatever comes our way, together," he whispered, his voice a low, soothing murmur. "And we will come out the other side stronger and more resilient for it."

As the words left her lips, "I love you," Carlisle's gaze softened, his eyes reflecting the depth of his affection for her.

His reply, "And I love you," was a gentle but heartfelt declaration. "More than anything."

He pulled her back into his embrace, his arms encircling her in a tight, protective hold. His touch was tender and loving, conveying the unspoken promise of his unwavering support and devotion.