Chapter 2 – The Dream
I was so bored at Billy's house. There was nothing to do but wait around while Sam, Jacob, and the rest of the pack sat about planning how best to protect La Push and Forks from the oncoming danger that no one felt was necessary to tell me about.
I sat in Jacob's room, staring out the window without really seeing. It was raining as was per-usual for Forks. No, the rain wasn't unusual but the large statue that looked like a Roman god standing in the rain glaring at Billy's house, now that was unusual. And suspicious. I yawned and continued to stare at the unmoving figure, pondering what could possibly posses Billy to put a Roman statue in his front yard. The statue smiled, its teeth flashing menacingly as my eyes drooped. Then the statue was at the window, his face filling the whole window. My eyes shot open in shock. This was a vampire. A Volturian vampire.
I screamed in horror as I recognized the daunting figure that filled the window. I screamed so loud that I woke myself up and caused Jacob to come and bust the unlocked bedroom door off its hinges. He was in full wolf form and by the sound of it, Billy wasn't too happy about having a gigantic wolf in his house.
"Jacob Ephraim Black!!" I heard Billy yell from the front room. He sounded more like he was Jake's mom rather than his father. Normally this fact would have sent me into a fit of laughter but I was too terrified by what my dream had shown me. I tried to breathe deeply but the air caught in my throat. I began to feel dizzy and suddenly Jake was by my side (in human form) holding me steady.
"Nessie are you okay?" he asked concern infusing his tone. I nodded trying to reassure him but his hand was on my arm so he knew I was only trying to pacify him. "Show me Nessie," he commanded softly, cradling me in his arms. I felt an odd shiver roll down my spine. I reluctantly dredged up the memory of the terrifying dream and placed my hand on Jacob's cheek. When I got to the part where the vampire's face filled the window Jake pulled away abruptly, a grimace plastered on his face.
"Oh Ness," he whispered, holding me tighter. I buried my face in his shoulder and let me tears fall. "Nessie, Bella and Edward will be fine. We will see them again," he promised stroking my hair.
Sure, sure, I thought patronizingly causing Jake to laugh dryly.
"Nessie, everyone will be fine. I promise," he said reassuringly. "How about we go and see Charlie?" I smiled. It was amazing how he always knew what I needed, even before I knew it myself.
…and the meadow, you promised. I reminded him. He smiled.
"And the Meadow, but let's go to Charlie's first ok?"
I rolled my eyes and jumped lithely out of his arms before taking his hand in mine. Fine, I complained but we're so taking the bikes.
Jake laughed as we sprinted to his old makeshift garage behind the house. When we reached the garage Jake threw me a red helmet and black leather jacket. I rolled my eyes but complied and put both on before grabbing the red bike that had been my mother's while she was human. I smiled mischievously at Jake before kick starting my bike and spinning the wheel in a puddle of mud showering him in brown flecks.
"Reneesme Cullen!!" he yelled in mock irritation. I giggled and took off, streaking down the road with Jake not being far behind
Ten minutes later we were outside of Charlie's, stashing the bikes in the woods. It had been about eleven years sense Charlie had seen the bikes and he still disapproved of them.
"Hey Jake, Ness, How's it going?" asked Sue who had just parked her car in the front drive and was popping the trunk open.
"Well we're being chased by some statistic vamps yet again, but other than that I suppose we're quite peachy," said Jake grinning.
"Well I'm sure Charlie will be happy to see you. Why don't you two help me unload the groceries?" Sue suggested as she pulled out several paper bags full of food. I heard Jacob's stomach growl. Sue laughed.
"Jake I promise you can have some as soon as we put it away, okay?"
"Fine." I laughed. Jake was perpetually hungry; he was like a bottomless pit. I couldn't see the attraction that this "food" held for him. I myself preferred a nice warm mountain lion but "to each his own". My heart gave a little pang as I thought of the saying; it was one that Esme used daily when my father and Uncle Emmet got into a debate over Mountain Lion vs. Grizzly Bear. What if it came to a fight? Esme wasn't a fighter; she was a peace-maker. Would the other vampire or – I hated to think it – vampireS listen if she or Carlisle tried to convince them not to attach?
"Nessie? You okay?" asked Sue, her arm wrapping protectively around my shoulders. I hadn't realized I was standing stark still till now. I nodded.
"I'm fine." I said slipping out of her grip to grab the remaining two paper bags. I leapt gracefully to the door with Sue following cautiously behind.
Jake was already sitting at the table scarfing down what looked like a Hostess cake though I couldn't quite tell. I grimaced, disgusted. How could anyone fit that much food in their mouth at one time?
"Jake please chew with your mouth closed," I said with revulsion as I began to put away the cans Sue handed me. Jake opened his mouth and began making disgusting noises as he chewed the rest of his food.
"Jacob Black, must you be so childish," I asked indignantly, as I threw a can of green beans at his head. He caught it and started to laugh, pieces of cupcake still in his mouth.
"Where's my granddaughter?" asked Charlie's excited voice from the hall as the door shut behind him. I smiled to myself; it had been much too long sense our last visit.
"In here," I called as I put down the can of corn I was holding.
"Well, Nessie," said Charlie leaning back in his chair after dinner. "I can't pretend I'm not a little worried to see you here. Is something wrong?" I sighed. Jake had already told me that we couldn't tell Charlie about what was going on.
"Naw, we were coming back to check on the pack" – Charlie shivered at this word- "and just thought we'd drop by." I lied smoothly, holding my hands safely in my lap. Under the table Jake's hand began to rub relaxing circles on my knee.
Charlie eyed me suspiciously before he muttered something that sounded like "should've never made that dang condition". I looked curiously at Jake who was grinning, entertained by my confusion.
"Hey Jake you here?" asked a familiar voice from the door. It was Quil.
"In here Quil," hollered Jake.
Quil entered the kitchen looking worried with Clair glued to his side, their hands intertwined. Jake stiffened.
"What's wrong Quil?" demanded Jake, urgently.
"Well don't freak but I crossed paths with Tanya a little ways back and she said Kate and Garrett have gone missing a few days ago."
"Are you sure they didn't elope or something?" asked Jake calmly.
"Jake, Kate and Garret are already married remember? Wouldn't you think they would let Tanya know if they need their space?" questioned Quil looking nervously at Clair; like he was about to jump in front of a bullet for her.
"You think it's the Volturi?" asked Jake. Charlie shifted uneasily in his chair. Poor Charlie.
"Well could be…" Jake snarled.
"Tell Leah to rally the pack, I need to call Edward," Jake commanded jumping up with inhuman speed and lopping out the door. Clair smiled weakly at Quil. Quil grinned and pulled her into a tight embrace crushing her against him. I watched intently; Rosalie and Emmet were the only two people in my family that openly displayed their affection for each other and my father was always careful to make sure that I was quickly ushered out of the room when they did. I couldn't see why.
When they released each other Quil kissed Clair's hand and left. Clair's face was red. She stumbled over to a chair and sat down breathing deeply. I looked at her curiously. I'd never seen anything like this before. I began wondering what it was like to feel that strongly about someone.
Jake reentered the kitchen looking slightly calmer.
"They're on their way," he said sounding relived. I stood up and grabbed Jake's hand showing him the meadow colored with pleading and longing. I was careful not to let any of my other feelings leak through. He nodded and I let go of his hand.
"Bye Grandpa," I said giving Charlie a tight squeeze before darting outside with Jacob close behind. I had a lot of questions for him now.