Daniel stalked down the sidewalks, weary of his surroundings as the streets went dark. It was his third week on the job and he still had nothing.
No leads.
No trail.
No Jackson.
And no food…
He held his empty stomach as it growled as if a hellhound itself were inside. The young Satyr sighed and slumped onto a bench, propping his crutches he didn't actually need beside him, and resting his head on his arms in his lap, unsure of what to do next.
"Something on your mind?" A voice like thick velvet pulled him from his thoughts, startling him into snapping his head up and focus on the beautiful creature next to him. He hadn't heard anyone approach him from any direction, let alone sit down on the short bench next to him.
"W-Who are you?" Daniel stammered, gazing at the pale, pale face staring back at him, shifting awkwardly trying to hide his unnatural appearance.
"Oh, please forgive me. My name is Aro." He explained pleasantly, flashing him a smile, extending his hand.
"Daniel." The Satyr nodded at him, shaking his hand, cringing at how unnaturally cold the man's hands were. Aro's eyes closed briefly he held Daniel's hand a little too long for his liking.
"We know." Aro said; his eyes still squeezed shut. The Satyr ripped his hand away from Aro's, his eyes wide. The man reopened his eyes and Daniel noticed, for the first time, the man's bright, glowing red eyes.
"Um, I-I have to go now…" Daniel said in a panic, standing up and taking off as fast as his goat legs would carry him into the ally, leaving his crutches behind.
"They always run." A deep, husky voice sighed before a building of a man jumped in front of him, blocking his path and forcing him to stop. The man grabbed the Satyr by his jacket and shoved him into the brick wall behind him.
"You're really doing this to a cripple?" Daniel choked out; struggling against the man who didn't even seem fazed by him.
"You are not crippled, Satyr." Aro rejoined the party and a new guy knocked Daniel's shoes clear off his legs, revealing his hooves where his feet should've been.
"Who are you people?" Daniel cried as two more beautiful, pale creatures crept from the shadows.
"We're looking for Jackson Mercer. Know the name?" The man holding Daniel spat.
"I don't know who you're talking about!" Daniel shrieked.
"Liar!" Aro barked and then a burning so horrible Daniel thought he was he had transported to the depths of Tartarus itself filled his body. The man holding him let him drop to the ground and cringe, pleading for his life, screaming something about Hades having mercy on his soul. The pain numbed a few minutes later and then Daniel was lifted back into the air, this time by Aro himself. "Thank you, Jane." Aro nodded at the blond haired, petite girl with red eyes who smiled wickedly in response.
"W-What just happened to me?" Daniel asked, his eyes wide.
"Now, I'm going to ask you one more time, where is the boy?" Aro's blood red eyes bore holes into Daniel's as he waited for him to speak.
"I don't kn-Okay!" Daniel screamed as Aro's vice-like grip around his neck tightened. "I know who your talking about, I was sent to find him. But I honestly have no idea where he is! Every time I think I pick up his trail, it just disappears a day later!" He explained in a panic.
"Just as I feared." Aro sighed. "You're useless." He declared, throwing Daniel across the ally, the young Satyr crying out as his back hit the unforgiving brick wall before falling against the concrete. "Felix, Demetri, clean up that mess." Aro instructed the two bigger creatures now standing menacingly over the mangled creature.
"Such a pity." Alec muttered as the screaming and tearing began.
"Now, now, Alec. We mustn't concern ourselves with lesser species." Aro scolded.
"Then, why, if I may ask, are we searching for this human, Master?" Jane spoke up.
"Because, the boy in question has the potential to be the most powerful being on this planet. If we ever wish to destroy the Cullen's that spurned our once highly respected name, we're going to need someone like him." Aro explained. The twins fidgeted uneasily at the mention of their least favorite coven.
"Yes, Master." They both nodded.
"Now, dear ones, have you ever tasted Satyr blood?" Aro smiled wickedly as the night suddenly became deathly quiet.
~Jackson P.O.V.~
"-But mom, I'm going to get my hair wet!" Her annoying voice screeched me awake over the relaxing sound of the pitter-pattering of rain hitting the car's windows.
"Brittney, you'll survive." Mom snapped. "Wake up your brother." She ordered in her unusually stern voice, making me wonder what had happened while I had that weird dream.
"I'm awake." I mumbled, my eyes still closed.
"We're home." I heard the smile in her voice. We were moving cross-country, from New York City to Forks, Washington for my Dad's job, much to my sadness. It was my last year in high school and I really wanted to finish with my friends.
Needless to say, I was pretty pissed about it.
"Mom, why is there a car in the driveway? Who's here?" Brittney snapped.
"It's Jackson's." She said simply.
"What?" I jerked forward; ripping my eyes open and gazing at the gray Kia Forte sitting beside my Dad's black Lexus hit my vision.
"Why does he get a car?" Brittney growled.
"Because he's had his license for a year now, we think it's time he had a car." She smiled sweetly at me.
"Ugh, whatever." Britt snapped and got out of the car, just as Dad with Aiden, my younger brother, in his arms stepped outside into the rain.
"You trying to bribe me?" I snickered just as she handed me the keys to MYcar.
"Depends, is it working?" She laughed.
"Little bit." I admitted.
"Good." She leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "Now do me a favor: run to the store and pick up some baby food?" She batted her eyes.
"Of course." I smiled.
"Good, the store is-"
"I'll find it." I winked, got out of the car and slid into MY car. I watched my dad mouth: 'I think he likes It.' to my mom with a smile before I backed out of the driveway and was on the road.
In MY car.
~Bella P.O.V.~
"She got so big." Tanya laughed as we pulled out of the driveway. The Denali's were up here visiting for Thanksgiving, and decided to stay until Christmas, since it was right around the corner. Tanya was bored, so she was coming with Edward and I to do some early shopping.
"It's unbelievable." Edward smiled and looked back at her through the rearview mirror. We pulled into the parking lot a few minutes of chatting later and walked into the store.
"What should we get for Jasper?" I asked as we browsed through the electronics section.
"Anything that's out of fashion for our little hipster." Edward said, getting a chuckle out of Tanya. Walking through the plants we passed a very lost looking teen. I couldn't help but get the feeling that I knew him from somewhere. That feeling made me worry a little when Edward told me that he couldn't read his mind. I did a double take at the same time as the boy.
"Jackson?" I asked in disbelief.
"B-Bella?" He answered just as shocked.
"I can't believe it's you! It's been what five years, little guy?" I asked him, looking up at him.
"Around there I think." He snickered, rubbing his hand through the back of scruffy dark brown hair. Years ago the cut would've looked terrible on his scrawny frame, but time had done him well. His hair now looked adorable on him and his biceps bulged as he ran his fingers through his hair again.
"Well Jackson, what happened to my dweeby, little cousin?" I asked him, knowing it would strike a nerve.
"I-I don't know." He shrugged. "I guess I just realized that's not who I wanted to be. I stated working out and got rid of the glasses: simple as that Bellybutton. The growth spurt didn't hurt at all either." He said with a laugh.
"Tanya?" Edward whispered. I glanced behind me and saw her staring wide-eyed at Jackson.
"What brings you all the way over to Forks?" I shook my head, trying to regain my wits, wondering what was going on.
"Thought you'd know by now, but we're here for dad's work. Charlie didn't tell you?" He said.
"No he didn't actually. We'll have to have a talk about that when we get home." I told him with a nervous chuckle.
"You ever going to introduce us, love?" Edward asked me.
"Oh. Yeah. Sorry, I haven't seen this kid in forever. Just getting over the shock. Edward and Tanya this is Jackson. My Aunt Karen's son, Charlie's sister." I said. They all said hello to each other. A blush coming across Jackson's face as he said hi to Tanya. My eyes narrowed as I heard Edward whisper:
"Tanya found her mate…" My eyes widened; I was sure Jackson noticed. "So Jackson, where's the new house." Edward asked him, breaking the silence from my shock; I didn't know what to think.
"I'm not too sure on the address, but I can get there. Do you guys want to come over? Mom would love to see Bella and finally get to meet you." He said to Edward. I looked at Edward, letting him answer.
"That sounds like a great idea." He said.
"Okay! I'll text her and let her know. I've got to get baby food for my brother though. Can you help? I'm way lost on this stuff." He said, looking, like he said, very lost.
"Sure, but uh, when did this whole little brother thing happen?" I asked, knowing only about the little brat Brittney.
"A year ago. His name's Aiden, and thank god he's not as bad as Britt." Jackson said laughing.
"That's a huge relief. Let's go get that food." I said giggling on the way to the baby isle. At the checkout, Edward asked Tanya if she wanted to ride home with Jackson.
"Sure. I mean, if it's okay with you." She said looking at Jackson.
"Uh. Um. Yeah! That'd be great." He answered, a blush going across his cheeks, yet again. It was pretty cute how flustered he was as he ran his fingers across through his hair, smiling slightly.
~Jackson P.O.V.~
"So, uh, do you, like, live around here or something?" I asked Tanya we slid into my car.
"Actually, my family and I live in Alaska. We're just visiting for the holidays." She explained, putting her seatbelt on. Oh, hey: that's a good idea…
"Oh, really? Alaska that's, like, cold, right?" I replied, mentally slapping myself as I failed at connecting my seatbelt clip-thing into the hole-thing.
"Um, yeah. Most of the time." She laughed, literally sounding like music to my ears. Oh, thank you Lord that she laughed. I am not as stupid as I think.
Oh, wait. I am. But she doesn't need to know that.
"Here, let me." She chuckled softly, taking my hands in hers and easily gliding the two ends together. Our eyes were locked the whole time, causing my face to turn redder than ever.
"I swear, I usually don't need help with that…" I murmured with a nervous chuckle.
"I believe you." She laughed again, sitting back in the passenger seat. I chuckled again and started the car, backing out of my parking spot and then we were on our way. Edward was driving behind us as we turned onto the only main road in this tiny town.
"Where are you moving here from?" She asked, playing with her hair adorably beside me.
"Um, New York." I replied after having to think for a second.
"New York's the city that never sleeps. Aren't you going to be bored silly here?" She asked.
"Nah, it seems pretty nice so far." I told her, as I glanced at her.
"Jackson, are you hitting on me?" She asked in a seductive tone. My face reddened even more.
"Depends. Is it working?" I asked; keeping my eyes locked on the road with one hand on the wheel, while the fingers of my free hand ran nervously through my hair.
"Oh, stop with the hair thing; you're cute enough already." She giggled.
"Are you hitting on me now?" I glanced at her again.
"Depends, is it working?" She replied, trying to mimic my voice.
"It's staring too." I winked at her just as I turned into my driveway along the suburbs of Forks. "This is my house. I haven't spent too much time here yet." I told her.
That was the first time I had time to get a really good look at the house that would become my home. The first level had a black front door with a little Christmas wreath on it. To the right of that was the living room windows, and to the left was the downstairs bathroom window and the kitchen/dining room windows. Above the front door was my room. I had glass French doors leading out to a balcony supported by beams that ended on the little cement block in front of the front door. To the right of my balcony, was Britt's room and her bathroom. To the left was Aiden's room, and after that was my parent's room and the upstairs bathroom. The whole house was grey with black window shutters. Fitting for the rainy setting of Forks.
"It's beautiful." She grinned.
"Eh, you're here. It's not looking too great right now." I shrugged.
"Stop that, you're going to make me blush." She giggled, turning her head and meeting my eyes.
"I haven't already?" I snickered. Why was this happening? Usually I sucked with girls. Like I was awkward and stupid. I don't know…
This just felt… right…
She shook her head with an amused look on her face.
"Come on, let's go see how the inside makes you look." I winked at her and then got out of the car, followed by Edward and Bella.
"How was your ride?" Bella laughed, winking at Tanya.
"Fine actually. Jackson's a great driver." She replied as we reached the door. I unlocked it and yelled:
"We're here!" As the four of us crossed the threshold. My mom danced into the entryway and threw her arms around me.
"Hi, Sweetie!" She exclaimed, pulling back and taking the grocery bags from my hands and noticing Tanya standing next to me. "Baby, who's your friend?" She asked, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Mom." I grumbled.
"Yes, Honey?" She said innocently.
"That's Tanya." I told her simply.
"Hi, Tanya." She smiled sweetly at her. "Bella!" She said happily, wrapping her arm, not holding bags, around Bella.
"Hi, Aunt Karen." She smiled and wrapped her arms around my mom.
"And you must be Edward!" She said, wrapping her arm around him too.
"Yes, I am." He replied, hugging her back.
"I'm really sorry we couldn't make it to your wedding. This one," She glaring toward me. "Was in the hospital."
"Oh, really? What happened?" Tanya asked, suddenly very concerned. She was even touching my arm sympathetically.
"Kick-boxing accident." I shrugged, my face reddening as I met her eyes.
"He got kicked in the head and had amnesia for two weeks.
"Those were two very long, stressful weeks." My dad added, taking the bags from my mom and wrapping his free arm around her waist.
"Come in, you guys! I have dinner on the stove." My mom grinned.
"Hey, come with me." I whispered to Tanya just as Bella said:
"We actually have to be getting home soon."
"Uh, I can take Tanya home later, I mean, if she wants to stay…" I mumbled.
"I'd like that." Tanya smiled at me.
"Cool." I grinned back.
A few minutes later, Bella and Edward left, leaving Tanya and I alone with my merciless family. Thankfully, we were headed upstairs.
"Um, this is my room." I chuckled awkwardly, opening the door and seeing my very plain, dark gray walls. "I haven't done anything to it yet." I shrugged.
"It's lovely." She replied. "Oh my gosh! You have a balcony?" She exclaimed.
"Y-Yeah." I said, running my fingers through my hair. "Want to go outside?" I asked her. Tanya nodded excitedly. "After you." I chuckled, opening one of the doors and holding it for her. The rain had stopped about an hour ago, leaving the air chilly and damp.
"Such a gentleman." She giggled as she walked passed me.
"Only for the best." I said, immediately leaning against the railing.
"You're going to fall." She scolded.
"You sound just like my mother." I laughed as she grabbed my arm and pulled me back. "Damn, you're freezing…" I murmured as her bare hand held my arm.
"I guess I'm always cold." She shrugged, letting her arm drop. I caught her hand, and then I did the gutsiest thing I have ever done: I used her hand to spin her around slowly, and wrapped my arms around her from behind, holding her close.
"Is that any better?" I purred into her ear.
"Much." She replied; I could hear the smile in her voice. I rested my cheek against her head. What had gotten into me? Why was she so easy to act this way around? I don't even know, but how can I explain this moment: it just felt…right…like she belonged in my arms…forever… I felt her hands run up and down my arms, the contrasts in our temperatures leaving my skin tingly when she touched it; I only hoped she felt the same way.
"What are you two doing?" Britt snapped, interrupting the moment.
"Don't worry about it." I replied; pulling away from the only woman I wanted to worry about to glare at the much younger one behind us.
"Whatever. Mom said dinner's ready." She told me.
"Be there soon. Now be gone, devil child." I said sticking my tongue out at her.
"Whatever Jack." She said before slamming the door to my room shut.
"Sorry about her. I like to call her Britt the Bitch. Ready for dinner?" I asked. Tanya shot me her stunning smile and said:
"Of course."
Hey, so thanks for reading! This is the re-done version of The Point Of No Return. I like this story way better, but what did you think? If you'd please shoot me a review and tell me, that'd be great! Thanks!