Random Rita ~ Saturday Feature Fic!

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Evenin’, ladies!

Yeah, it’s been awhile and, after findin’ myself sidetracked for so long, my plan is to ease back up onto the road with shorter but, hopefully, more frequent recs!

Right off the bat, I’m bringin’ you a story that will absolutely break your heart! Heed the author’s warnin’:

MAJOR ANGST. GRAPHIC VAMPIRE VIOLENCE
This story is very angsty and has scenes of extreme violence against vampires and humans. Consider yourself warned.
Told mostly from Edward’s POV with some insight from Carlisle.

Why would I do that to you, you might ask?  Because, when I stumble upon a story this deep and so well written, I’m compelled to share the author’s awesome talent with as broad an audience as possible!

Plus, I’m an AngstH00r…shoot me!https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6183041/1/The-Guard

The newborn battle is over and Bella is dead. Can Edward survive without her? How can the Cullens save Edward from himself and his bad decisions. Does he want to be saved? Can Edward find another reason to live? MAJOR ANGST. GRAPHIC VAMPIRE VIOLENCE

Rated: Fiction M – English – Angst/Hurt/Comfort – Edward, Bella – Chapters: 20 – Words: 140,717 – Reviews: 152 – Favs: 86 – Follows: 49 – Updated: Jan 14, 2011 – Published: Jul 28, 2010 – Status: Complete – id: 6183041 

After Bella’s death, the Cullens are beside themselves tryin’ to keep Edward from doin’ anything stupid!

My family, much to my dismay, made sure running off to Italy would not be easy. My passport was confiscated, I was under twenty-four hour surveillance by one or more of them at any given time; and Alice was always watching. I was told and retold how Bella would not have wanted me to end my own life, how horrified she would be that her death would be the catalyst for my own demise. But the most persuasive argument came from Esme, who with a mother’s understanding and love, inspired me to believe that it was my duty to carry on Bella’s memory for all of eternity. I OWED her. If not I, then who would? She was an only child, her parents would be dead within the next half century, there was no one else, no other family. It was my duty to remember her, how she looked, her warm liquid, brown eyes, her dark mahogany hair, her pale complexion and beautiful full lips, and more importantly, her beautiful soul, her unselfishness, her kindness, her forgiving nature and how she loved me, passionately and without reservation; even her stubbornness and her endearing clumsiness that was so uniquely her. It was my duty to remember these things. With my head cradled in Esme’s lap, her encouraging words sounded reasonable, something that I could do for my Bella, a self-imposed purgatory for all the rest of my days.

(Fine time to be choppin’ onions *sniff!*)

The sudden appearance of a nomad is the catalyst to Edward’s descent into unendin’ madness…madness not of his own makin’ except that he put himself into its path!

He introduced himself as Nicholas. Judging from the dirty brown hair pulled back from his face, secured in a pony tail and the disparaging state of his clothes, the lack of shoes and his overall disheveled appearance, I surmised that he was a nomad with no permanent residence and no access to human conveniences like a shower or a fresh change of clothes. His demeanor was curious, but cautious as his riveting red eyes, surveyed my family assembling on the porch in our usual “V” formation reserved for greeting new “friends”. It wasn’t often that a lone vampire could approach six of his own kind as a stranger and not feel threatened, but this newcomer appeared quite genial.

There was a shift in his gaze and from Carlisle’s perspective I could see him glance up at my room. “Why do you keep one hidden away?”

I was immediately up from the bed and hovering near the window. From this angle I could not see my family, only the visitor. He was not looking up now; he’d raised the question and was watching Carlisle’s reaction, hoping to get some insight on my absence.

“My son has been going through some difficulties lately. We number six without him. I’m sorry but your one is not a threat to us so we did not feel his presence was necessary,” Carlisle said politely.

“No I imagine it wouldn’t be.” Nicholas smirked. He glanced up at the window again. Our eyes locked.

A change of scenery might cure your ills, friend. I’m always looking for a traveling companion.

“What difficulties could a peaceful coven have to deal with?” He looked at Carlisle expectantly.

I’m sorry Edward. Please try not to listen.

“Edward, lost his mate some months ago. Please don’t take offense to his absence.” Carlisle clearly did not want to discuss me with this stranger.

“Ahhhh, yes well that is understandable. I’ve never been mated myself, but I have seen the debilitating effects on the survivor. Though recovery is also possible; I’ve seen that too. One should never lose hope.”

“No of course not.” Carlisle’s fingers slid through his hair a gesture he resorted to in times of stress.

All the more reason you should come with me young Edward. I’m sure your coven mates care deeply for you, but having the survivor near can be extremely taxing on the entire coven. A break might be a nice change for both you and your family.

I found myself in Nicholas’ head watching my family. Three perfectly matched pairs. Emmett and Rosalie looked bored. Emmett clearly had been hoping the visitor would be less than friendly; he liked a good fight and never missed the opportunity to display his brawn.

Rosalie was thinking about changing the color of her hair, perhaps adding some red highlights. Esme looked tired, my mother actually looked tired. From her thoughts I could see she was clearly relived that this vampire posed no danger to her family, but troubled that the attention had been turned to me. She was thinking how she would ask me to go hunting with her later. She would tell me she was afraid that Nicholas still lurked nearby and she didn’t wish to go alone.

Jasper remained tense. Any reminder of his past life in the south always put him on edge. He was flipping through his memories too fast for me to focus on any specific one, looking for Nicholas’ face in them. I could see his fingers around Carlisle’s elbow where I usually gripped when communicating with him. Even without the gift of seeing thoughts, he was conveying his concerns. When I saw the faraway look in Alice’s eyes I immediately jumped in her head. Her vision was blurry but I knew it was me driving somewhere in my car.

Where was I driving to? 

Without givin’ away the whole story, Edward’s curiosity didn’t kill him but it sure tortured the hell out of him!

So, are you curious enough, and brave enough, to follow Edward on his incredible journey?

Stay tuned for more drive by fic recs!

Happy Saturday, y’all!

Rita