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I stood under the shower, letting the hot water pour over me, trying to wash away the blood that still clung to my skin. Emmett had taken the pile of bloodied clothes, though I couldn't remember how long we had stayed there, or what happened after. We returned to the house in silence, the weight of everything heavy between us.
The sound of the water rushing through the pipes filled my ears, each vibration distinct and sharp. I could hear the hiss of the pressure forcing it through the tiny holes in the showerhead, each droplet striking the tiles with precision. Every detail was amplified, impossible to ignore. My thoughts drifted back to the deer, to the warm blood I had consumed. As much as I despised it, the taste lingered in my mind, overpowering everything else. It was all I could think about, all I craved, and the hunger gnawed at me relentlessly.
I tilted my head back, letting the cascading water pour over me. I could see each droplet as it fell, glistening like tiny crystals before striking my face. They hit my eyes directly, but I didn't blink. The sensation didn't bother me, didn't irritate me—it was as if my body had become impervious to such discomforts.
I didn't linger in the shower for long, just enough to wash away the blood. Stepping out, I spotted a neatly folded set of fresh clothes nearby—undoubtedly left there by Emmett after he took away the bloodied ones. I dried off quickly, my movements instinctive and precise, then slipped into the clothes: a pair of soft grey joggers and an oversized jumper. The moment I pulled the jumper over my head, I knew it was his. It was massive on me, practically swallowing me whole, but its scent was unmistakably his—stronger and more vivid now, thanks to my heightened senses.
As the steam from the shower dissipated, my reflection gradually came into view in the mirror. My eyes were immediately drawn to the crimson orbs staring back at me—my own. They were the most striking change, blazing unnaturally against my now-paler skin. I scrutinized my face and body, searching for more differences, but there was little else. My features remained unchanged, my hair the same, my body as it had always been. The only changes were my eyes and my skin.
A sudden knock on the door resonated through the room, the sound was sharp and clear as it echoed in my heightened ears. Before I could respond, the door swung open, drawing my attention to Emmett as his large frame filled the doorway. His steps were careful as he entered the room.
"Are you ok?" he asked softly, his voice gentle, carrying a tender hesitance, like someone trying to comfort another after something bad happened. But I couldn't find the words to describe how I was feeling. Every emotion, every sensation, was amplified tenfold compared to when I was human. "Charlotte, I—"
Emmett stepped forward, intending to console me, but I instinctively took a step back. The moment I did, I regretted it, but instead of facing him, I turned my attention to the mirror, my reflection holding me captive.
"I can't feel it," I said softly, after a moment of silence, my eyes locked on the image staring back at me. "Nature," I clarified, needing to voice it aloud, even though he might have already understood. Emmett stayed silent, clearly unsure of what to say. What could he possibly say to make it better?
