Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters. Any original content, however, is probably mine.

A/N: This is actually the second part to a previous story, also on this site, called Dusk. If you haven't read the original, I highly reccomend you do so before you begin reading this part, as much of it will not make sense without information in the first part. Also, just a reminder that the four main characters are real people, people that I know, and some of the content contained in later chapters may anger some people. That being said, I did try to keep the characters as close to how Stephenie Meyer wrote them, though I know I could never get them perfect. If you feel so inspired, please feel free to review with criticism or compliments.

Chapter 14 -- Plans

The large stone chamber stood silent, completely devoid of life. Its circular, cracked walls were completely bare, a thin layer of dust coating them evenly. The air was stagnant and old, barely even breathable. A single wooden door hung limply on its hinges in the wall, well worn through with age and rats.

Without the warning of approaching footsteps, the pitiful door was pushed open and it slammed roughly against the wall, sending a copious amount of dust flying into the air, clouding the dark robed figure as it strode smoothly into the exact center of the small chamber, completely still. The dust slowly began to settle around the tall person as they stood, waiting for something. They didn't have to wait for long, fortunately. Not even ten minutes later, another robed figure entered the room, this one much smaller than the first. As the two mysterious intruders stood there staring at each other from under their hoods, the smaller one shut the door.

"You're late," the taller figure said in a deep voice as he swept his hood off in one smooth motion. His paper thin skin was almost translucent, and it matched the same color as his chalky white hair which hung down to his lower back. His eyes were a deep, blood red that seemed to reveal a part of his nature, their cautious, angry glares making him seem naturally aggressive.

"I hardly think that's my fault," a much higher pitched voice emitting from the smaller figure as she too removed her hood. She had the same red eyes as her taller counterpart, but her skin seemed to be tougher, thicker, and her hair was a dark red as opposed to the man's sallow white. In accordance with her stature, the girl didn't look like she could be much older than nine or ten, but the way she stood gave off the message that she was a force naught to be reckoned with. "Why you would want to meet me here of all places, I couldn't imagine. I had no idea these towers even existed here, do you have any idea how long it took me to find this room?"

"Longer than I would have liked," the man replied shortly. "I asked you here because of its infrequency of use, Jane. The matters I wish to discuss with you do not need to be overheard, and I trust that by the time anyone discovers we're missing, we'll be done and on our way back."

Jane's natural poisonous attitude was overpowered by her curiosity to hear her comrades information, and she held back her tongue. "Continue, Caius."

"According to your information," Caius began without any further introduction, "there is a new vampire in the ranks of the Cullens, correct?"

"Yes," Jane replied slowly. "Her name is Daisha. Marcus seemed to think she showed great promise for us."

"He's correct," Caius replied to Jane's shock. "Aro has told us all about her. Even for a newborn, she possesses unnatural speed and strength. As for her other ability... I think we're all a little excited about the prospect of that."

Jane couldn't help but silently agree with Caius. When Aro had revealed what Daisha's enhanced gift was, no one could help but wonder what it would be like to possess such power.

"However," Caius continued, "I don't think she would ever join our ranks, not with Carlisle filling her head with morals and vegetarian ideals. Not only that, but stupid... pitiful... Aro..." Caius spat Aro's name with such rage and hate that Jane had to take a step back for fear of being subjected to some punishment for merely hearing it. "He would never even consider taking her against her will. I grow weary of Aro's inability to act in the best interest of the Volturi though."

Jane stood silent for a moment, struggling with what Caius was suggesting. "So... You think we should find a way to take Daisha without Aro or Marcus finding out?"

"No," Caius said lowly, restraining an anger within himself. "I have no doubt that Marcus will join our ranks. He too is tired of Aro's insipid procedures. And if we had you, we could certainly count on Alec joining our cause as well, no?"

"You're talking a full blown revolution against Aro," Jane accused suddenly, not sure whether she was more frightened or impressed. "This has been tried before, and it's always met with failure. Aro's allies are too powerful!"

"Wrong!" Caius shouted, so loudly that Jane was sure that somewhere past the complicated maze of empty corridors and bridges she had traversed to get here, someone had to have heard him. "We are Aro's powerful allies! The only reason all other attacks on him have failed is because we stood by him in the past. This time, however, he will be alone and will fall easily! Without us, he is nothing!" Caius' eyes were wide, and Jane wondered vaguely if the look in them was passion or insanity.

"This isn't just about the newborn Daisha," Jane said thoughtfully. "There's more to this than you're letting on."

The ancient vampire's breathing slowed. "Yes... You're right. I'm dreadfully bored with our little game here. I'm sick of lying down and hiding from humanity as if we have something to be afraid of. We could completely obliterate the human race, do you realize that? Imagine -- A world full of vampires. No more hiding, Jane. Aro thinks we should keep our identities secret, trapped in this pathetic excuse for a home. We would keep a steady supply of humans for feeding purposes, of course, but they would no longer be the controlling species on this planet. We, the creatures of the night, will rise up. The Volturi will truly be a royal family then. No more hiding!"

Jane's mind was kicking into overdrive by the new information that Caius was presenting her with. On the one hand, she had to admit that she had had these very same thoughts before and was interested in what Caius proposed. However, Caius seemed to be acting strangely, almost too passionately than he normally did, and he may not be thinking clearly. A revolt against the Volturi has never been successful before, but then again, it has never been the Volturi who was doing the revolting.

"Well?" Caius demanded of her an answer. "Are you in for the better cause, or are you with that insipid Aro?"

Jane smiled sweetly up at him. She would play both fields for awhile and see who was going to end up on top before she made her final decision. For now, however, she decided to please Caius and give him what he thought he wanted. "I'm in," she promised, the malice in her voice mirroring the evil look in her eyes.

Joe slowly drove around the small city in which his parents lived, enjoying the familiar scenery that he had been missing the past few months. He had been attending an out of state university, hoping that a change of scenery would help him to reconnect with life. It had worked, to a certain degree. He no longer suffered from insomnia as he had when he first returned from Forks. However, any time he found himself getting to close to someone, even as a friend, he instinctively pushed them away, not feeling comfortable around people like he used to. He knew it wasn't healthy to live like he was, but he had no choice, and he was slowly trying to get back into a normal schedule.

Out of his drivers side window, Joe saw the all too familiar landscape of a cemetery, the old, grey headstones rising up out of the ground. Even though the sun was still high in the sky, that particular cemetery always gave him chills when he saw it. It probably had something to do with the two plots marked for two of his best friends, neither of which were dead.

The joint funeral for Jessica and Daisha brought back memories Joe would rather have put out from his mind for good. The look on Jessica's mother's face when they told her about the car accident that had taken her daughter's life was almost too much to bear; the way Daisha's mom had broken down when they had to tell her there was no body for her to bury was heart wrenching. However, they all somehow made it through.

Joe brought his car to a slow, rolling stop and he looked at the small, grimy apartment complex he had arrived at. To think that anyone could stand living here was beyond him, let alone his best friend. However, with a deep sigh, he managed to force himself out of his car and up the gravel walkway. He looked at the small, faded sticker numbers attached haphazardly to the doors as he walked by. He stopped at his destination and stood there for a few minutes, hesitating before bringing himself to knock.

He and Sarah hadn't spoke much once they arrived back home from their doomed road trip. Their parents had been ecstatic, of course, that they were even alive. Once the funeral was over and Joe had decided to move out of state though, they saw each other less and less, pulled apart by each of their own demons. Neither of them wanted to be reminded of what it was they had left behind, and even though they were the only ones who could really understand what the other was going through, they continued to push each other away.

After the few seconds it took to gather his courage, Joe knocked twice, loudly, on the cheaply made door.

There was a moment of surprised silence, then Joe could hear movement from inside. Slowly, the door creaked open a few inches, a door chain preventing it from opening any more than that. When Sarah saw who her visitor was outside, her breath stopped.

"Hi," Joe said softly, trying to avoid her piercing gaze. It wouldn't have been so hard for him to look into her eyes if it weren't for the complete and utter sadness that resonated from within them.

"What do you want?" Sarah asked, but it barely came out in a whisper.

"Just to see you," Joe replied quickly, adamant not to let this conversation drift into dangerous territory. "I haven't seen you in so long, and I thought maybe you missed me as much as I missed you." He finally allowed himself to glance into her piercing gaze and, just as he knew he would, he was met with a solemn heartbreak that nearly took his breath away.

Slowly, the door closed just a few inches, enough for her to remove the door chain, and then she stepped back, allowing Joe to enter her apartment.

Contrary to what the outside showed, Sarah had done a fairly good job of making her space liveable. In fact, everything seemed to be very neat and orderly, almost hospital like. Except for the slowly peeling wallpaper and the stained ceiling, it really wasn't so bad.

"So," Joe began awkwardly, "living on your own."

"Yeah," Sarah said, shutting the door. "I just didn't really want to be around people... so much."

"I understand," Joe mumbled, not sure if Sarah had heard him. He slowly meandered to a small, ratty looking couch that was placed perfectly perpendicular to a tiny coffee and sat down. "So what are you doing now?"

"I'm taking some online courses at the local community college," Sarah replied softly as she headed into the kitchen slash dining area. "Did you want something to drink?"

"No," Joe said back, "I'm good, thanks."

Sarah returned with a single glass of water and sat next to Joe, sipping it slowly. "What about you?" she asked. "You doing anything interesting?"

"Yeah," Joe replied after a moment. "I'm still going to the same university, just here for Thanksgiving."

"Is that coming up?" Sarah asked, looking up. It was then than Joe noticed the dark circles around her eyes, the way her clothes seemed to drape around her, like they were three sizes too big.

"Um..." Joe looked away, embarrassed, as if he had seen something he shouldn't have. "Yeah, in two days."

"Wow," Sarah replied, laughing with a dry, humorless tone. "I guess I've been pretty out of it. I don't even remember the last time I talked to someone before you."

"What about your parents?" Joe asked her. "You don't talk to them anymore?"

"Not really," Sarah admitted. "We did... at first, you know. But when I moved out, it was really stressful and stuff..."

"I get it," Joe said quickly, not wanting to pry. There was another short awkward silence, and then the high pitched peal of Joe's cell phone ringing made them both jump. He glanced down at the caller ID and saw that it was his mom. Before he answered, he stood and looked down at Sarah. "Look, I probably have to go, but I'm gonna head by Walmart a little bit later, I need to pick up a few things. You should come."

Sarah was already in the process of opening her mouth to reply with the usual no, when something made her change her mind at the last minute. She didn't know why, but Joe's sad attempts at bringing her out of her shell enlightened her, and she felt compelled to go along. "Nnn-yes."

"Sorry?" Joe asked, halfway to the door.

"Yeah," Sarah repeated. "I'll go. You don't mind coming by to pick me up do you? I don't have a car."

"That's fine," Joe answered with a smile as he let himself out the door and back into the too bright world.

Jessica stood still, letting the steaming hot water cascade over her as it soothed her sore muscles. Her time with Jacob last night had been just as enjoyable as it normally was, but it left her entire body aching, both with pain and for more. She ran her fingers through her hair, wishing Jacob was here to help wash like he normally did. Of course, he had to leave the small cabin he had found for them sometimes. There were some things that just weren't provided by the thick Oregon forests. Food, for one. And toilet paper. So Jacob was out on one of his oh so necessary excursions, due to return in a few hours or so, and Jessica was left to entertain herself while he was gone.

Growing bored of her already too long shower, Jessica reached out and turned the water off, stepping out and reaching for a towel. As she dried herself off, she allowed her mind to wander to a topic she generally avoided -- her friends.

Ever since Joe and Sarah had been forced to leave the Cullen house, Jessica hadn't heard from either of them. She assumed they had both gone back home and gone to college like they had originally planned, but she had no proof that they were even still alive. As for Daisha, well, as far as Jessica knew, she was still with the Cullens, trying to perfect her control over her bloodthirsty urges. She did miss her friends when she allowed herself to, but she knew there was no way she could continue her current lifestyle of 24/7 Jacob and still be able to check up on them routinely.

Suddenly the front door slammed open and Jessica jumped, looking around. She wrapped the towel around herself and ran to the front room where she found a very haggard looking Jacob standing in the doorway emptyhanded.

"Jacob, what --" Jessica began, but Jacob immediately cut her off.

"Grab your clothes," he commanded, slamming the door shut as he dashed past her and into their shared bedroom.

"What's going on?" Jessica asked confused as Jacob began throwing her underwear at her. She hastily pulled them on, followed by her jeans.

"There are bloodsuckers in the woods," Jacob growled. "I was about halfway to town when I smelled them. I hurried back as fast as I could. I wasn't sure if I would make it before they did, but I guess I did."

"Are they friendly?" Jessica yanked a shirt over her head and she followed Jacob back into the front room where he was shoving things into a backpack, preparing to leave.

"I don't know," Jacob shot out, frustrated. "It smelled familiar, but I wasn't sure who it came from..."

Without warning, a sharp knock was at the front door, and Jacob growled. "They're here."

"Jake?" a voice called out, and Jacob immediately loosened up, dropping the bag. "You in there?"

Jessica looked at Jacob with a confused expression. Jacob returned the same look, then walked slowly to the door and pulled it open. Outside, Bella stood beside a very irritable looking Alice.

"Bella!" Jacob yelled happily. "I didn't recognize your scent!"

"It's been so long!" Bella said back with a wide smile. She enveloped him in a warm hug that Jessica was sure lingered just a moment too long.

"Sorry to burst your happy little bubble, dog," Alice said while trying very hard not to breathe through her nose, "but we're here on unfortunate business. We need to talk."

"I don't know if this was a good idea," Sarah muttered inaudibly as she stepped into the artificial cold inside Walmart and witnessed the vast amount of people jostling around, competing violently for the best bargain, paying no mind to anyone else around them. Her months of self imposed solitary confinement had made her more sensitive to her surroundings, and she thought she could even hear the fluorescent lights above her buzzing angrily. Carts rattled as they were shoved around the too small aisles, and the constant beeping of price scanners only made the pounding in Sarah's head worse.

"Come on," Joe said, pulling Sarah into the masses with him. Joe too found the large masses of people around him distasteful, but unlike Sarah, he could deal with them long enough to get what he needed and leave. He was impressed to not that it looked like Sarah made an honest effort to look like she was okay. She had worn clothes that fit and done her hair in a way that didn't make her look insane. All in all, she was looking much closer to the Sarah that Joe remembered, except for the look in her eyes like a small animal in the middle of the highway.

Sarah just looked straight ahead as they walked into a particular aisle and Joe began selecting things to put into his cart, not allowing herself to see the pandemonium and chaos around her. All the noise was practically too much, she didn't know if she could handle it.

It happened in between the shampoo and the deodorant. One second, Sarah was trying as hard as she could not to give into her rising panic attack, and the next second she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye. A particularly tall figure with bronze hair without warning, and the particular shade of his auburn hair stood out to her. Instantly, Sarah found that she could breathe easier. Mentally, she was kicking herself. If she gave in and looked to see who it was, she would only be crushed even worse than before when she found that it wasn't him, but she couldn't stop herself. She could feel her head turning unwillingly to get a better look at the man, and she struggled within her own mind to stop before she really did have a panic attack.

Her eyes scanned the wide area that she had seen the man, unable to see him now. She looked very piercingly for anyone that looked like their hair would match that of her perfect visions, but she saw none. With a sigh, she turned back to Joe. At least she didn't see the real person who had his hair, that would have been worse.

"What do you think of this, Sa--" Joe began, turning towards her to ask her to smell something when he suddenly stopped mid turn, a shocked and awed expression as he looked directly past her.

"Joe?" she asked quietly. "Are you okay?"

Slowly, the deodorant slipped from Joe's hand and clattered against the floor, but Joe took no notice to it.

"Joe?" Sarah repeated. She spun around trying to see what it was that held Joe so captivated, when she realized there was a man standing only a few inches behind her. "Oh, excuse me," Sarah muttered as she looked down, stepping aside for him. She stopped midstride, however, when she glimpsed his alabaster hand. It was pale. Abnormally pale, and it looked so perfect, as if carved from a stone that time had no effect on. Slowly, her eyes raised to his eyes, her perfect, golden eyes that smiled warmly down at her. His amazing, crooked smile. His strong jaw, his muscled neck. Every detail, every minute description about him Sarah immediately took in as she realized what this meant. Then she felt her eyes slip shut and she passed out. The last thing she felt before she slipped into unconsciousness was the chill of Edward's marble arms wrapping around her, catching her and keeping her safe.

A/N: Just a little interesting side note here. The original version of this whole story, Dusk (both parts) was originally handwritten by me in school, at home, wherever. All I'm doing is taking what I already have written and typing it into the computer, editing and improving it at the same time. However, this chapter was the first so far that I didn't even look at the original while I typed it. Instead, I completely rewrote it, because I was really unhappy with the way I did the original. I like this version much better. :)

But yes, that was just a litle side info for you guys. Enjoy, and the next chapter should be out within the next few days!