A/N: I story I wrote for a competition on The Twilight Saga website. I got like... 4th place... I'll have to check later... :)

Part I – The Cause

I knelt down beside my hunting bag, making sure everything was there. I went through a mental checklist, Bait, first aid, and food supply, these were the main things that I packed. I left the small details up to my mom. I didn't want her to worry about the packing, but she constantly insisted on it.

"Are you sure you have everything you need?" Mom asked for about the sixth time. She tossed 4 thick, wool blankets at me before I could tell her 'yes'. She started to pace around the room.

"You don't have to go by yourself, Emmett," my dad offered. "Your brothers would be more than happy to join you." I looked down at my two older brothers who were sitting on the wooden floor. They glared up at me in return. While they were busy staring me down, they failed to see what Dad was doing. He was giving them a look between 'do-as-I-say' and 'there-will-be-consequences'.

"That's okay, Dad." I said, sparing them whatever 'consequence' they didn't see coming. I glanced back at my Mom who was still searching for things to pack.

"I'm just going hunting. I'll be back in a couple hours." Mom met my eyes for a second and then began to pace even faster. Even though I was 20 years old now, my mom still saw that look of innocence in my features. And that look wasn't helping my case.

"Emmett, did you get it?" My oldest brother asked. His question sent Dad rushing off to the small bedroom he and Mom shared.

"Get what?"

My brothers both exchanged surprised glances. "Usually, he gives it to you early. You know, so you can practice."

"I don't follow." I answered plainly. That's when Dad came out. He had something long and very slim wrapped in cloth. He held it out to me. "Here, Emmett." Now I realized what they were talking about. I don't know how I missed this one. I tore the cloth to reveal a single-shot gun. I've seen my brothers use this all the time. But it was different this time. Now, I would be putting it to action.

Just before I took it from Dad he added, "Use it wisely. It has one-"

"Round of bullets." I finished knowledgeably.

"Right. I would have given it to you earlier but-"

"That's okay. As long as I have it." I took the single-shot from him and pointed it up at the ceiling. "Hey, are there bullets in this?"

"Yes. Emmett don't sh-"

But it was too late. I stopped hearing Dad after he confirmed that there was bullets. I clicked the trigger and laughed at the reaction of my family. They all ducked down to the floor, locking there hands on their heads. I laughed even harder at the sight of my so called 'big' brothers crouching behind the dinner table. They were so exposed there.

Once everybody realized that I was the shooter I decided it was time to leave. "Bye!"

"Wait there, Emmett." I turned around and glanced up at the hole in the ceiling. The bullet seemed to have made only minor cracks. "I'll fix it when I get back."

"Be careful, Emmett!"

"I will." I slung my hunting gear over my shoulders and quickly headed out the door. And,

of course I "checked" if my gun still had ammunition. I shot it once and could have sworn I heard my family's bodies hit the floor as they ducked for cover.

A/N: Review!