Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Great. Just when I was gonna relax, have some ice cream..now I gotta put my game face on.
The first figure to stand out to me was a woman looking to be in her late 30s. She had beautiful blonde hair and a great complexion for a ghost. She looked like a supermodel, even with her horrible 90s style dress on. Something that must have been popular at the time..but common, really? A long sleeved flower printed dress with shoulder pads? Ugh, why were shoulder pads even invented?. I couldn't shake the feeling that I've seen her before...she looks so familiar! Ugh, if only I could remember from where..
There was another ghost sitting beside her, and he looked about 50. He had a nice suit on, his salt and pepper hair was combed back and flawless, and the jewelry that was still on him illuminated in some otherworldly shine.
"This must be pretty important if you followed me inside. What can I do for you two?" I gingerly sat up, slightly wincing at the throbbing in my sides.
They both looked to eachother, and the older man nodded his head to the woman, giving her the opportunity to speak first. The blonde woman sat up straighter and crossed her legs, "I'm Catherine and I have a favor to ask you, Alice. I've heard from many of us that...that you're the best one to come to."
"Wait wait wait, before you continue, tell me what exactly you mean that I'm the best? The best at what?" I know I'm the shit, but to have a ghost tell me...sounds fishy.
"The best at communicating with..our kind. Those who are dead. Or..I guess even those who just aren't human. The humans that have this ability are our only way of reaching those we know and love...and they stick out to us."
"What do you mean?" I hope Emmett takes his sweet time...
"You see the strange light don't you? The light that surrounds us? We see that too, but around you. Just like you're able to see us in this way, we see you, and so far...you're the brightest I've seen."
"So your saying that I stand out to you? Okay...and who are these others? How do they know about me?"
"I'm not quite sure..except that you've stood out to us since you were born. You were always brighter than everyone else...but it seems your accident has made you brighter than ever."
"How did you know I was in an accident?" This is creepy. All these dead people have known me since I was a kid? The hell...
"We just know...we can feel it, when something changes in the air." Ooookay.
"Riiight. So, what can I help you with Catherine?"
She paused a moment, "I would like you to find someone...make sure she's alright and make sure that she doesn't make the same mistakes I did...If you do I left some of my valuables, which you are more than welcome to take."
I raised a brow, "Why would you give me these things? It seems rather odd that you would just let me have them for only finding someone."
"Well, what use are they to me? I'm dead." Point taken.
"Alright, well...sounds easy enough. I'll help you. What clues can you give to find this person?" She smiled and she looked radiant. She must have been quite the catch when she was alive.
"Thank you so much! Well..it's been over ten years since my death..the last time I remember I lived by Lake Hollywood..near the Hollywood sign." There's a lake in Hollywood? Well, you learn something new everyday. She must have been loaded to live by the sign...
I heard a crash come from the kitchen, followed by Emmett cursing. I turned my head to the noise and asked if he was okay. I got a mumbled response. Well...atleast he's taking his time.
I turned my attention back to out visitors, but only the man was there. My head swung from one side of the room to the other. She left?
"Ghosts are always so mysterious, coming and leaving when they want. It's quite annoying, wouldn't you say?" His deep voice pulled at me, stealing my attention.
"..And you're not a ghost?"
"No, I'm something more important than those repetitive projections." My eyes slitted. I don't like this guy.
"I'm guessing you're not going to tell me why you're more important either are you?" I know that some...creatures can't say their own name, or utter a word about what they are, or else whoever knows it will have power over them.
He smirked, "You catch on quick. I can see why my employers wanted me to speak to you."
I raised a brow, "Who exactly are your 'employers'? Or are you not going to tell me that either?"
"Hah, I like your spunk, kid. Well, I'm not allowed to say their names, but I can tell you that they are very important and very powerful. They have a favor to ask you. Personally." He stood up and straightened out a few wrinkles in his dark suit. His left hand disappeared into his breast pocket and he pulled out a small piece of paper. "Here's the address. Come just before midnight, and don't be late. They hate waiting."
Emmett walked into the living room, not even noticing the stranger (who eerily reminded me of the Dos Equis man), and placed a filled bowl of ice cream on the coffee table.
"There you are, two scoops, extra fudge. You better like it too...the bowls in the cabinet tried to overthrow me, they attacked me!" He lifted his huge mitt like hand to show me a ScoobyDoo Band-Aid wrapped around his index finger.
I glanced behind my brother, the older man waved the paper in his hand and placed it down beside the ice cream bowl. He nodded a goodbye, then walked out the door.
Emmett swiveled his whole body to the sound of our front door closing. "What..what was that? Did the door just close? I locked it.." His brows furrowed and he looked at me, "Was there someone here?"
"Yea. The Dos Equis man just left, I'm supposed to meet his 'employers' tonight at midnight. Oh, and some 90s supermodel was here too."
He looked puzzled. "...Damnit I can't tell if you're lying or not!"
I reached over and took my bowl of frozen goodness. "I'm telling the truth. Look what he left." I pointed to the white card with my spoon.
Emmett turned around and grabbed the tiny paper. He grumbled, "Midnight in the Industrial District? Well, if that's not safe I don't know what is. Like hell you're going down there."
"Do I have a choice?" I stuffed my face with sweet icy deliciousness. "They...obviously know where I live, so it's not like I can say I didn't get the message or something."
"Mm..I don't like this. If you're going I'm coming with you." I still find it crazy how he always understands me, and wants to help. This isn't the first time I've helped someone not human with Emmett's help, but this is definitely the first time I was able to see and hear more than just blurs and whispers.
"What, why? I can take care of myself."
He stared at me without any expression and deadpanned, "Your ribs are broken, you can barely walk, and you have ice cream all over your face. You need more help than you think."
...
It was about five in the afternoon when our mom finally left. She had wanted to stay longer, but it was getting late and I still wanted to get a jump start on these 'cases' before I had to go back to work. Heehee. I felt like a detective. So, after a million hugs and promises that I'd call her everyday, she left.
Right now, Emmett and I were in his huge ass Jeep making our way to Hollywood from our apartment in Silverlake.
"So, where are we going exactly?" My bear of a brother asked from the drivers seat. Well, kind of grumbled his question, traffic was being a bitch and he was getting a little...pissy. Which I found hilarious since he's such a happy guy.
"Lake Hollywood. It's uh, kind of near City Walk I guess, so...Google said we can either take Beachwood or Highland to get up there." I scratched my head. Gah, these stitches were so damn itchy! But my new short haircut that my mom gave me earlier allowed my head to breathe. It was so weird to feel the air on your scalp after so many years of it being protected with long heavy hair.
"Ok, cool...Ali, stop scratching!" He scolded me like I was a little kid with chickenpox. I kind of wanted to laugh. Here he was, a man who was still very much like a child, scolding me.
"Alright alright. But it itches!" I folded my hands in my lap, willing them to stay put.
"I know, but you don't want them to open up, and then have blood oozing from your head, do you?"
"Ugh, god Em, what a pretty picture to paint."
"Exactly. So quit it." He grinned at me from behind his sunglasses. "Plus you'll mess up your cool new style."
I glanced at myself in the mirror's reflection. "You really think it's cool?" It was hella short, compared to my hair style before, tiny little spikes seemed to poke out at every angle from the ends of my hair.
"Yea man, I really do. Not many people can pull off such a drastic change, or a short hair cut, but you can. Not to mention it makes you look even more like a faerie!" He let out a booming laugh.
"Great, now I'll be getting even more jokes from you." I rolled my eyes, but a smile pulled at my lips.
"Hush, you know you love them."
I grinned as my brother turned on Beachwood and proceeded to drive though winding roads filled with huge, cute, and expensive homes. The GPS led us to the top of an overlook near Lake Hollywood Park.
I looked out. We were on a hill that allowed us to see all of LA, the lake (reservoir to be exact), and even all the way out to the beach. To make it even more iconic, the Hollywood sign is standing right behind us. This is crazy, I've lived in LA my whole life and I never knew this was here. Maybe because I never took those touristy open bus tours.
We got out of the car and brainstormed.
"Okay, so what did this ghost lady say exactly?"
I followed his pose and leaned against the dark Jeep, rubbing my chin in thought. "Hmm..she said she used to live around here, and by the way she was dressed, I'd say she hasn't lived here in over 10 years. So...we need to find someone that's been living her for about that long, and see if they remember anything about her, then we can find out if she had any close friends or family and find out who this woman she want us to find is."
"Ok, sounds good. I guess I'm gonna be the one asking huh? You might scare everyone with those zombie looking bruises..." He grinned as I smacked his rock like arm. "Uh, where should we start?" He looked back and fourth, the entire hillside was filled with homes.
"Uh..." I closed my eyes and threw out my hand, pointing in a random direction. "That way!"
Four hours later we were no where. No one could remember that far back, or they haven't lived her for that long. We were both tired, hungry, and probably seemed strange knocking and people's doors at nine at night.
"Well, atleast we know she didn't live on that side." Emmett said as he started the car.
I sighed into the car seat, my body pulsing from overuse. "True. We'll check out the other side, tomorrow?"
"Yea, tomorrow's good."He started the car and I pulled out some pain meds.
"Aren't you supposed to eat before taking those?"
"Yea, well, I don't see any food around and I feel like a bruised fruit." I popped two.
"Does that mean you're asking for food?"
"Yessir."
"Fine fine, I guess I'll feed you."
We ended up at Denny's. I wasn't complaining. After a couple of refills of coffee I was feeling pretty good. It was only eleven and I couldn't be tired to meet these non-humans in the middle of the warehouse district downtown. I finished my fifth cup and leaned back into the plasticy booth seat.
"Are you sure you still want to go? You need your rest."
"Since when did you become Mom?"
He smiled but his eyes were very serious. "I'm just looking out for you Ali. You're my little sis, I don't want you to overwork yourself."
"..I know. Look, if I'm feeling tired or in pain, I'll let you know okay?"
"Okay." He finished off his super huge man breakfast. I don't know how he can eat everything on his plate, well...multiple plates. "So, do you want to tell me the real reason you and Jasper broke up?"
My brows knit together, "What do you mean?"
"I know you too well, Ali. There's no way you can just not feel the same way."
"Sure there is."
"No, you feel a different way about someone because of something. Either something happened, or something changed."
"Well, I don't know what to tell you. I just..don't love him anymore. As a friend yes, but..not as a lover. I started to notice it whenever he'd touch me, it didn't give me that spark you know? Like, I didn't feel giddy and I didn't have butterflies in my stomach every time he looked at me anymore. Then I just started to hate it when he'd touch me or..kiss me. It, it made me feel sick. I started to think there was something wrong with me."
"There's nothing wrong with you, you're just..changing, that's all."
"Changing into what? He was the perfect boyfriend, nice, charming, attractive, and he cared so much abut me, always putting me first."
"Then maybe subconsciously you know he's not the one for you. Even though he has all of these awesome qualities, there's something more for you."
"I just don't want to make the wrong decision and...end up alone."
"You're not going to be alone. There's someone out there for everyone, you just have to let things happen on their own." Ah, my brother, the romantic.
"Plus," He grabbed the check that was left on our table and set out his credit card. "you know what they say, 'Better sorry than safe'."
"I don't think that's how it goes, Em."
The waitress came by and took his card. "Sure it does. You wouldn't want to be 60 and married to someone that even though they're nice and take care of you, doesn't make your heart race, right?"
We got out of the booth as his card was brought back. "...I guess you're right. I wouldn't want to live a boring, easy life. I want something, someone, that will make me excited to fall asleep just so I could wake up next to them."
He grinned. "That's the spirit! Now, we don't want to be late for our date with the unknown."
...
The address on the card was very secretive, all it gave us was a street name. We cruised down the dimly lighted street, looking for any indication of well, anything. There was nothing but dark, closed up doors, street lights, and barred windows. A few minutes later I saw something move in my peripheral vision.
"Wait. I saw something." I jerked forward as Emmett slammed on the brakes. "Was that really necessary?" I pulled the seatbelt from my chest as it tried to suffocate me.
He gave me a sheepish grin, "Sorry, I got excited."
I looked back out the window, searching for what grabbed my attention. A figure stepped out from the shadows. Light hair was reflected in the street light, the figure was female, and her face was hidden by her hair, but even without being able to see her completely I could tell she wasn't human nor a ghost.
She walked up to my side of the car and stopped a few feet from the window. I rolled it down.
"Alice?"
"That's me." She had a beautiful face, a beautiful young face. She looked barely sixteen!
"Who's that?" She nodded to the driver.
"This is my brother, Emmett. He goes where I go."
She paused as her red eyes looked between us. "Fine. Park your car and come with me." She turned around and walked back to where she was waiting before.
Emmett pulled over and parked the car under the street light and we got out to meet up with the young girl again.
My brother locked the car. "This seems...fishy."
"I know, but we're here already right?"
She started walking up the street, glancing back at us to follow her, then stopped in front of a gated door. Reaching into her coat pocket, she pulled out a set of keys and picked one out to open the door. She held it open for us, then turned around to lock it behind us.
"Follow me." And we did. We followed her up a flight of stairs, which kicked my ass, but I wouldn't show that I was in pain, and down a large hallway.
"So, you know who we are, care to tell us who you are?"
She gave me a look that politely said 'Fuck off', but she answered anyway.
"I'm Jane."
"So..where is everyone? Or is it always this empty?"
"They're out." Quite the talker, ain't she?
Jane led us into a large open room. It was lined with large glass windows which were covered by thick black curtains. The only things in the room was a large chair and desk, two smaller chairs, and a few lamps scattered around. As we neared the desk I could make out a large man sitting behind it. He stood up as we got closer.
"Ah, hello Alice and friend. Welcome to my place of business." All three of us stopped before the desk. This man was average height, had pitch black hair, and intense red eyes.
He held out his hand, "I am Aro Volturi, the one who sent for you." I tentatively shook his hand, immediately felt a worming sensation in my brain. A second later it was gone. What the hell was that?
He smiled and nodded his head. "You will be perfect for this job I have for you." I pulled my hand back to my side. I felt...exposed for some reason. He held his hand out again, this time to my brother.
"And your name is?"
"I'm Emmett." He shook his hand, and seemed to have the same reaction as me.
"Ah, yes. Good good. Please sit down." He looked behind us, "Thank you Jane, you may go back to your work." I didn't even hear her walk away, the only indication that she wasn't there any longer was the door clicking behind us.
My brother and I sat down on the two wooden chairs in front of the desk. Aro sat down in his huge padded chair as we did.
"I'm sure you have many questions as to why I have asked for you."
"Well, I've been told I'm the best at being me, so I'm guessing you need my...ability for something."
He leaned back into his chair, placing his arms on the armrests. "Your ability to communicate with the other beings that walk this world is extraordinary. I can tell you that I am not the only one that has noticed this. You make waves in the Fold."
I raised a brow, "The Fold?"
"Yes, that's what some people call it. The Fold, the Other Side, the Darkness. Call it what you will it's all the same. Many things go on in different planes, different existences, different...dimensions if you will, and so far you are the only one that can see all of them. Well, if you put your mind to it. I have a good feeling that after your accident it will get easier to see everything without much effort."
I twitched in my seat. He knew about it too? Am I wearing a sign on my forehead or something?
"So why do you need my help? You look like you have plenty of help as it is."
"Ah, yes. I do have many followers, although they cannot provide me with what you can. You see, someone has done a great deal against me, they have hurt me not only financially but personally. She is responsible for the death of one to many of my kind..specifically my own coven. She's able to walk at night and during the day, I know she has people hiding her and aiding her in this...horrible excuse to kill for pleasure."
"So, she's dangerous."
"Yes. I fear that one day she might get bored of killing those who hide during the day and go after humans. It would be such a shame if innocent humans were to be killed."
"...Why would a vampire care if humans are killed?"
Emmett sat up, "Vampire? What?"
Aro grinned. "Yes, I, along with my coven are vampires. Tell me, how could you tell?" I've read of vampires, but this is my first time meeting one. I have a feeling this won't be the last...
"On the way here I noticed that the amount of homeless ghosts and wandering spirits that usually roam around the older parts of the city started to get less and less. I've read that ghosts stay away from vampires because they tend to 'suck the life' from them and cause them to fade." Ghosts gain their energy by electricity or some kind of living force, a vampire has none.
"You are very perceptive, this pleases me." Aro leaned forward and opened up a drawer in his large desk. He pulled out a large, stark white envelope. "Take this, it has all the information I have on the one who has crossed me. I can't give you a name, nor a description, the reason I need you to find her is because either she or the ones that are helping her are able to hide her from us."
"I'm guessing I don't have much of a choice here, do I?" Either say yes and help a bunch of vampires and potentially be killed by this person who has a vendetta against them, or say no and be killed by vampires who don't want outsiders to know about them. Atleast the first option buys us some time.
I took the envelope from him and placed in under my arm. Oh, lord, just what have I got myself into?
"I will send Jane to check up on you in a weeks time. I'm sure you won't disappoint me."
thank you all for the reviews! :D so, yea i know, no Bella in this chapter. but she will be coming soon. i have to say, all of your guesses/suggestions of what she should be are making me crazy haha. after every suggestion i get i have a million ideas pour into my head on how the story could go (since i'm writing it as i go), and i love it! keep 'em coming!