Changes
Chapter 1 – Mission
Disclaimer: As much I wish I did, I don't own any part of Twilight :(
***
The Cullens climbed through the window of the townhouse, and dropped lightly to the floor. They stood there silently, taking in their surroundings.
It looked like the average teenage girl's room; clothes were scattered across the floor, a lamp was perched on a low table, an iPod dock beside it. A notice board was on the wall beside the bed, cluttered with photos, drawings and cards. A shelf on the opposite wall was groaning under the weight of disorderly books, with a collection of cameras teetering dangerously on the edge. A white, paint-chipped vanity was just beside the window, its surface marked with stains from the nail polish bottles and leaking pens. More photos filled up the mirror, a space small enough for a face left in the middle. Fairy lights were draped across the edges of it, their dim glow highlighting a collection of cushions tossed haphazardly at the end of the girl's bed.
Looking up at the lamp beneath the bed, they remember their mission. Carlisle took charge, "Alice, Esme and Rosalie, I need you to pack any clothes she needs into those suitcases," he said, pointing at the suitcases beside the door, "Also pack everything on her notice board and mirror, her cameras, and her toiletries. If you think of anything else, pack it in too. Edward, I need you to read her mind, and tell us if she starts to wake up. Jasper, you know what to do, and Emmett, can you carry her?"
Everyone immediately got to work. Alice and Rosalie descended on the small wardrobe, stuffing handfuls of clothes into the suitcases. Esme flitted noiselessly around the room, at a speed invisible to human eyes, taking her memories off the walls and putting them into the remaining suitcases. Edward stayed perfectly still, intent on focusing on the girls thoughts. Jasper, Carlisle and Emmett moved closer to the bed.
The girl was sleeping soundly, curled up on her side. One arm was curled around a smaller lump next to her; the other was lying next to her head, exposing her wrist, and the blue veins that were clearly visible on the translucent skin. Her blonde hair was splayed out across the pillow, behind her head. Her lips were slightly parted, and her throat was fully exposed. "Its like she's asking to be killed," muttered Emmet.
Gently peeling back the covers, Carlisle smiled to himself. Surrounding her was a green cushion (looking a lot like a miniature beanbag), a worn orange bear and the lump next to her was a large plush monkey. He nodded to Jasper, and he moved closer, not breathing. He touched her exposed wrist, sending waves of lethargy through her body. Then Emmett moved silently towards her, picking her up bridal style. Suddenly, she snuggled into his chest, relinquishing her hold on the monkey. Rosalie scowled at her. Carlisle noticed this and reassured her, "It's a typical human reaction. They seek warmth". Rosalie stopped scowling, but shot glares towards Emmett, who shrugged and looked extremely uncomfortable. "Its helps not to breathe," Carlisle suggested.
Turning, they were about to leave when Alice called out softly, "What about these?" she asked. Carlisle turned to face her. In her arms were the small beanbag, bear and monkey from the bed. "Take them. She'll most likely miss them, and take that bag too," he said, pointing to a bag just visible beneath the cushions. Rosalie picked it up and handed it to Alice, who stowed it away in the bag along with the others. Carlisle felt a hand on his arm, and looked down. There was Esme, holding a thick, long coat and a pair of shoes in her hands, "It won't look normal if we arrive at the airport, and one of us is wearing pajamas. Besides, she's going to get cold" Carlisle smiled and nodded. Emmett held the girl, while Esme and Edward helped her into the coat and shoes. When the last button had been done up, Carlisle nodded once. The Cullens went out the front door this time, not wanting to risk her waking up.
Once they were out of sight of the house, they began to run. They didn't stop until they were at the airport. Slowing down to a human pace, they walked towards the gate. Edward had stopped concentrating on the girl's thoughts and was now scanning the area for any hint of James. Alice was looking down, her face curiously blank as she scanned the future for a sign of danger. Jasper was using his gift to calm the situation, as they approached the haggard-looking flight attendant. All the Cullens were smiling widely, showing rows of perfect straight, white teeth.
"Hello, we're here to check in for Flight 174 to Washington, America," Carlisle said.
The flight attendant glanced up and said, "You're lucky. It leaves in half an hour. You won't have to wait around in this god-awful place all night. Just place your bags in the designated area," she said, gesturing towards the conveyer belt to her left "and proceed to the check point. And you might need to wake her up," she finished, pointing towards the girl.
Carlisle smiled sympathetically, as Jasper and Edward put the bags on the conveyer belt "I don't think that will work. She's so worn out from packing and rushing around, that she's dead to the world. It wouldn't be fair to wake her"
"Lucky her," the attendant muttered sarcastically "Now you better go, the flight leaves in 15 minutes"
The Cullens walked towards the security checkpoint. The security guard smiled at the girl as they walked through the metal detectors. After they'd placed the carry on luggage on the conveyor belt and had it screened, they hurried towards the gate. It was exactly as Alice had described it. Thin blue cushions covered the benches. An empty pie shop was opposite the lounge, and a blue ATM was beside it. At the end of the hallway were floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto the dark runway.
Carlisle led his family towards the flight attendant standing beside a large, metal doorway. She yawned widely, and tried to smile. Glancing at their boarding passes, she ushered them through onto the plane. Edward grinned. Carlisle gave him a puzzled look. "She was thinking if we were completely sane. Apparently its not normal to catch a plane at 3am and still look alive," he explained. The Cullens grinned. If only she really knew...
On the plane, they took window seats at the front, and pulled down the shutters. Carlisle, Esme and Edward sat in front. Jasper and Alice sat in the next row, with the girl between them. Emmet and Rosalie sat at the back, with a pile of books beside them, making sure no one sat next to them. Jasper touched the girl lightly on the shoulder every few minutes, making sure she stayed asleep. Alice pretended to be asleep, her face blank, searching the future. Edward was also faking sleep, scanning for thoughts of James, and checking the girl was still asleep. More tired-looking passengers shuffled in, just before the plane took off. Before they were even in the air, many of them were asleep. The rest of the Cullens joined them, making sure to fidget, so they wouldn't look out of place.
***
Once the plane had landed, the Cullens hurried out through the snow, towards their waiting cars. They couldn't keep the girl asleep much longer. She'd almost woken up twice, but Jasper had taken care of that. Alice, Jasper and Edward left first in the Volvo, Carlisle and Esme left next in the Mercedes, the girl curled up on the backseat, still soundly asleep. Rosalie and Emmet left last in the Jeep. They all traveled in silence, speeding along the icy roads.
Finally, they reached their house. Esme carried her upstairs to her new room and tucked her back in. Brushing her hair off her forehead, she smiled. Carlisle came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "She'll be safe here, don't worry," he murmured, kissing her hair. Esme smiled wider in response as they shut the door behind them.
***
Edward looked up from his book, and almost flew downstairs. Coming to a halt in the lounge he blurted out, "Something's wrong. I can't hear her thoughts!" The Cullens sped upstairs, and gently opened her door. She was sitting up in the bed, her eyes wide with fright. "Who are you?" she demanded, when they entered "Why am I here? I don't know anything if information is what you want," she finished, her chin sticking out stubbornly.
"Hello Cassidy. It has been a long time since we last met, some could say too long," Carlisle spoke into the silence.
***
There you go. A nice long chapter for you :) Now you know who she is.
Next chapter – Adjusting
You'll find out why Edward can't hear her thought, a little bit about her life and how James reacts to her disappearance. :)