Chapter 7: The Loneliness of Night
(A/N - Please leave a review on the novel, I'd love to know your opinion. Also, there is now an Auxiliary chapter with images. *My favourite is Edwards..*)
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Cruising down the winding road towards home, Gabriel let out a long exhale, finally purging the school day's fatigue. 'Not bad,' he thought, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. 'Good looks, check. New friends, check. Even Bella's warming up to me. This is easier than I expected.'
Pulling into his lavish driveway, Gabriel parked the car and hopped out, grabbing his backpack. The house echoed with emptiness as he called out, "I'm home!"
No response.
"Perfect," he smirked. "More freedom for me."
He tossed his bag down and headed to the basement door near the kitchen. As he went down the stairs, he encountered the sight of a personal gym that would make any fitness fanatic drool, as it was adorned with all the latest equipment.
Gabriel started with a light jog on the treadmill, his body feeling strangely unfazed. He kept bumping up the speed; 10%,20%, pushing it higher until the machine maxed out at a blistering 28 miles per hour. Even at this insane pace, his body felt invigorated, almost like he was taking a leisurely stroll.
He hammered away on the treadmill for nearly an hour, the machine straining to keep up with his inhuman pace. Finally, he stopped, surprised to find his energy completely untouched.
Turning to the squat rack, Gabriel loaded on a staggering 440lbs (200kg), a weight that would scare most people. He lifted it with ease, the bar feeling like a feather.
A stunned silence filled the room before he erupted in laughter.
"Holy crap!" he exclaimed.
This was insane.
He kept adding weight until the bar itself bent, then squatted the weight for over 20 reps with the same effortless grace.
'Like squatting with air,' he thought, a wide grin splitting his face.
He tore through the rest of the gym, free weights and machines alike. Everything felt like child's play. In fact, he had to be careful not to break anything with his strength.
Hitting the pause button on his workout, Gabriel glanced at his phone; 6 pm already? Sheesh.
He quickly re-racked the weights, his grin still plastered on his face from the ridiculous workout. Upstairs, he grabbed his backpack and settled in at the living room table, breezing through homework with his super brain.
Suddenly, a notification chimed in his phone, pulling him out of his studies. "Who's texting at this hour?" he muttered, grabbing the phone.
A message from Emmett flashed on the screen.
<Emmett Cullen: Hey dude! We just got a Xbox 360, wanna come around this weekend and give her a go?>.
Gabriel's smile widened. Emmett was alright. He whipped off a quick reply.
<Gabriel Hudson: Sure, man. Thanks for the invite. Let me know if you need me to bring anything>.
Slipping his phone back in his pocket, he strode out onto the back patio. The sprawling, dark forest that bordered his property loomed before him. But something was different. As his gaze swept across the landscape, the shadows seemed to recede. The previously hidden depths of the forest were now bathed in an unnatural clarity, as if a hidden sun had switched on.
'Vampire night vision? Check!' he thought with a satisfied smirk.
He closed his eyes, testing another ability. Silence didn't greet him–on the contrary. The forest thrummed with a symphony of life. Insects skittered on bark, ants bustled in their nests, leaves rustled in the breeze.
The more he focused, the more he could distinguish; the faintest chirp, the rustle of a distant creature. An image formed in his mind, a map of sound that seemed to paint a picture of the world around him, like a kind of living sonar.
'Whoa,' he breathed, a shiver running down his spine. 'Did I just unlock Daredevil hearing? Maybe I don't even need eyes to see anymore... '
Back inside, Gabriel grabbed a glass of water. Hunger wasn't a pressing need anymore, but he figured he could still eat regular food if he wanted. Though it tasted... different somehow. Maybe his new existence messed with his appetite, allowing him to switch between blood and human food.
Lost in thought again, a flicker of regret crossed his mind.
'Maybe wishing for a system would have helped explain things,' he mused. But he dismissed the thought quickly. 'Nah, screw that. Some kind of slave to a system? No thanks. Who knows what restrictions I'd have?'
Keys in hand, he headed for the car. A quick ten-minute drive later, Gabriel pulled up to the familiar Carver Cafe. New waitress this time. He ordered a steak and fries, the familiar scent of human food somehow muted to his enhanced senses.
The door chimed, and a familiar face walked in. Charlie Swan, still in his sheriff's uniform. He ordered a coffee, his gaze scanning the room before landing on Gabriel. He lumbered over.
"Evenin', Gabriel. How was your first day?" he asked awkwardly.
"Hey, Sheriff Swan. Not bad, made some friends," Gabriel replied with a smile. "Even Bella seemed to find some people to hang with."
His words seemed to surprise Charlie. Maybe the idea of Bella actually socializing was a bit mind-blowing.
"Well, good. Thanks for looking out for her. She mentioned you helped this morning." A genuine smile peeked out from under his mustache.
"No worries, she's a nice girl. Awkward as hell, but nice."
They both chuckled in agreement. Gabriel's food arrived just as Charlie's coffee did.
"Well, see you around, Gabriel. If you need anything, don't hesitate." Charlie finished his coffee and left with a brisk nod. Gabriel dug into his meal, the experience strangely muted compared to the genuine hunger he craved.
Leaving the cafe, Gabriel tossed some bills on the table and headed out. He wasn't quite in the mood for home yet, so he veered off the main road, drawn by the promise of unexplored territory. The car wound through the darkness, his preternatural vision painting the world in shades of black and silver.
Twenty minutes later, he found himself at a cliff-side overlooking the ocean. The roar of the waves crashed against the rocks, a powerful counterpoint to the stillness of the night. He pulled over and walked to the edge, the salty air whipping through his hair. He sank down, enjoying the cool spray on his face.
Taking a moment to breathe it all in, he pulled out his phone. His thumb hovered over the 'Call' button, a deep breath escaping from his lips. With a final press, he raised the phone to his ear. It rang twice before a familiar voice filled the line.
"Gabe? What's wrong, honey?" It was a soft, melodic voice. His mother, Anastasia Hudson.
"Hey Mom. Just thought I'd call and let you know I made it through my first day." There was a slight hesitation on the word 'Mom,' a nuance she couldn't miss.
"Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry I forgot." Her voice held a tinge of sadness. "How was it? Did you make any friends? Do you need anything?"
A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Nah, I'm good. Credit card's still working." He paused. "Made a couple friends, even got an invite to hang out this weekend."
"Oh, honey! That's wonderful! I'm so glad you're settling in." As she was about to speak again, there was a muffled clatter in the background. "Oh, Gabe, gotta go on stage in a few minutes. Love you!"
The line went dead before he could respond. He closed the phone, a sigh escaping his lips. He stood, the lightness from his call replaced by a dull ache. Turning towards his car, he headed home.
The sigh that escaped Gabriel's lips spoke volumes of loneliness. Lost in thought, he missed the figure shrouded in darkness on a distant branch. A woman, her face a mask of emotions, watched him.
Unintentionally, she'd eavesdropped on his call, the vulnerability in his voice a stark contrast to his earlier bravado. As his car lights faded, the woman vanished into the night.
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