4. ALASKA
I wasn't awake for the rest of the trip so when I finally woke my eyes were nearly blinded by the sun. Jacob sat next to me with his arm around me and I realized we must have made another stop somewhere along the drive. The cold air from the open convertible top may have bothered me except that Jacob kept me warm under a blanket. Alice sat on the other side of Jacob and lay against his shoulder. She had grown very attached to the wolves unlike Rosalie. Esme drove with ease across the iced roads. The snow blanketed everything as far as I could see. Trees with no leaves were spread far and thin. I wanted to go build a snowman, but I knew everyone was anxious to get to Denali. I knew I was only one who was truly comfortable with both the wolves and vampires.
Of course, Alice tried her hardest to be friends with the wolves. She and Jacob got along splendidly most times. I could never choose between Jacob and my family. If either one of them tried to make me, they'd be very disappointed. Jacob will always be my best friend. However, as far as lover goes I still felt I deserved the choice and I was not going to commit to him yet.
"Where are we?" I asked with a yawn. I stretched my arms in all directions nearly hitting Jacob in the jaw. I tried to twist in my seat to pop my back but there wasn't enough room. Anyone else could probably jump out of the car, stretch on the side of the road, and catch up to the car before it got too far away. But not me, I was still limited to a human cardiovascular system. Sprinting that kind of distance and speed was out of the question. I had the strength, just not the endurance.
"We're a few minutes from the house," said Esme. "You slept through the entire morning."
I yawned again and looked at Jacob. He smiled at me with that your-so-cute-you-slept-for-hours smile. I felt like a baby whenever they suggested I couldn't keep up with any of them. Sleeping was defiantly something that made me feel less equal. Of course the wolves had to sleep as well, but they weren't as restricted in other ways as much as I was. Even though they also had beating hearts, their bodies were enhanced by their wolf genes.
"What time is it?" I asked. I wouldn't say I was jealous that I was somewhat weaker. I am very proud of my uniqueness in all its benefits and disabilities. I wouldn't quite call my disabilities "disabilities" either because in truth, I was still equal to or greater than any human. It was only when I compared myself to vampires or werewolves that I came up short. As far as vampires go though, any of them would trade places with me. I had the advantages of immortality and strength without the disadvantage of being dead.
"Almost three," said Jacob.
"Three?" I quickly did the math in my head. "That's only 15 hours. What? Were you doing one hundred and fifty?"
"I told them it was a little fast for icy roads, but your bloodsucking family just didn't care. They've got nothing to fear."
"Relax, Jake," said Alice. "We can see black ice and any problems from a mile away."
"Sure, sure," said Jacob. He turned to me. "Leah, Seth, and I are going hunting as soon as we arrive. We're hungry. Dinner was less than filling last night. Would you like to come?"
I shrugged. "I actually just hunted two nights ago with dad. I think I am good for now." It was the truth, I had hunted. Edward wanted me to hunt before I started school to ensure I didn't have any wild cravings. Of course, I wasn't nearly as driven by my thirst as the full blooded vampires were but it was just a precaution. I had no problem fitting in as an average teenage girl, now that I've reached my peak of my growth.
If I were to get checked by any sort of doctor, I'd immediately get thrown into a hospital. But as long as I avoided thermometers and needles, I would be alright. Vaccinations were absolutely no problem, Carlisle signed for my vaccinations. In truth, a needle wouldn't puncture my skin and we were all sure that any virus that entered my system would quickly be destroyed by my immune system. Vampires didn't need immune systems, they were dead. But we were fairly certain that for one, there are no viruses that attack Vampires, and two, my body would be able to fight it.
Of course, my biology is very similar to human and Carlisle was always taking my blood for some test or another. Blood giving wasn't done in the usually way though. Essentially, I'd have to bite myself. You have no idea how your own blood tastes if you were a vampire. I always wondered if I could suck myself dry. Would I be a real vampire then?
But it wasn't the real reason I didn't feel like hunting with Jake. I had a lot on my mind and I wanted time to relax.
"Alright then," Jacob said. A large two story mansion came into view from its hiding place behind a thicker batch of trees. I had slept through a majority of the trip, but I was still excited it was over. The car behind us, with Seth and Leah, suddenly pulled off the road. Seth and Leah jumped out and burst into the trees. "Alright, then. This is my stop. I'll see ya tonight."
"You're not coming to the house?"
"Leah doesn't know these Vampires and I gotta say that I have to side with her. We've got a truce with the Cullens, but not the Denali coven. Seth and I will come by tonight though."
I sighed. There really was no reason for them not to trust Tanya and her sisters, but I kind of understood. I touched Jacob's cheek and showed him that I'd miss him. He knew my feelings for him, and I hope he understood my need to be free from commitment for now. I hated feeling like I was treating him like Bella did, but I didn't choose this life and I needed some choice.
Jacob leaped out the back while the car was still racing toward the brick house. The absence of his heat made me suddenly realize how cold it was. Who drove through Alaska with the top down? I shivered. "Cold?" asked Alice.
"Very," I said. Rosalie turned on the heater but it did little good. Heat rose and the absence of a top failed to hold the warmth in. I could tell both Alice and Rosalie wanted to come cuddle me in the back seat and keep me warm but their bodies were too cold and hard. The house was coming up quick though, only a minute or so away. I would live.
Finally we entered the circle driveway and parked. Tanya was standing at the front door with a huge grin on her face. She began to slowly descend the stairs as gracefully as a runway model. If it were me, I'd trip halfway and fall the other half. Hopefully once I finally stop growing I'll be able to stand up straight.
"Esme," Tanya greeted her. "It's been too long."
"Tanya, it's good to see you. How is the family?" Esme asked.
The others of the Denali clan were just beginning to appear from the doorway. Eleazer and Carmen came out first holding hands but they were quickly followed by Kate and Garrett. I could feel the sadness as the others realized Irina wouldn't be next out the door. It was a very sad memory which all boiled down to a simple misunderstanding.
"We're all surviving. It's hard with the constant threat of the Volturi over our heads. We have been receiving news that the Volturi have not moved passed the…meeting in Washington. Caius is trying to prove himself to his brothers again. Marcus has made no effort to stop him and Aro's influence is waning. We're keeping an eye on the situation."
"Interesting," said Esme. "We haven't heard anything. All is quiet in Forks."
"Hmm," said Alice. She squinted her forehead. "I haven't seen anything either."
"Weird," I said.
"Well come in, come in," ushered Kate. "We started a fire for Renesmeé. We haven't used our fireplace in fifty years."
I shivered. "I almost forgot it was cold." I rushed up the stairs and in through the front door. The others followed me inside.
Shoot me now. Take a gun to my head and kill me. Death would be better than this. Torture by the Volturi would be better than this. A hundred vampires could be sucking my blood and I'd be happier than I am at this particular moment. My heart could be torn from my chest and held in front of my face still beating and the only thought that would cross my mind is thank you. If Carlisle was right about heaven and hell, I am dead and went directly to hell.
Tanya turned the page in the photo album that lay across our laps. Each picture she pointed to had a story that was as fresh in her memory as the day it happened. I learned more about Edward in these few hours with Tanya than I ever learned from anyone else; besides Carlisle. It was obvious there was more to Tanya and Edward than I knew. I'd make a special note to ask Bella about them later.
The fire crackled lightly beside me. I was severely and utterly bored. The house offered nothing for my mind to investigate. The walls were bare and plain with off-white paint. The fireplace was simple stone leading up into the ceiling. The floor was an unpolished wood with no rugs and the couch was dusty and dirty. I could tell it hadn't been used in awhile. Finally relief came in the form of tapping on the window. Jacob stood outside and smiled at me. "Can I let him in?" I asked Tanya.
"I would rather the dogs stay outside."
"Well than I'll be staying outside too," I said.
"With the pups?" asked Kate.
"Absolutely," I insisted. I quickly got to my feet and rushed to the door. I pulled it open and Jacob swept me into a bear hug before I could stop him. Tanya and Kate both seemed to hesitate as if unsure whether to save me or not. Alice waved them off and followed me out into the cold. I shivered and decided it would be a good idea to rethink my decision to sleep outside.
"Hey Ness," said Jacob.
"Hi!" I said. "Did you guys find enough to eat?"
"Yeah. Well Leah wants to run to Cantwell to find something better to eat."
"Cantwell?" I asked.
Jacob shrugged. "Whatever. She can do what she wants."
Then there was an awkward silence. I don't really know what caused it, perhaps we were both just in our own thoughts; or rather he was. I just stared up at the stars. There were hundreds more in the sky than I was used to as well as galaxies and even what I think was Jupiter. I could even make out the satellites as they flew over. I heard of the aurora lights, but I couldn't see them. I shivered and Jacob wrapped his arm around me. His body temperature immediately warmed me up.
Then I noticed Alice staring off into the trees. I looked at Jacob and he too was watching the trees. I followed their line of sight out into the trees where I saw Embry and Seth sitting at the edge of the trees. I tried to listen in on what they were saying but there was too much commotion from the wind. I still hadn't acquired the finer skills in my increased abilities.
"What are they saying?" I asked.
Jacob didn't move, but Alice turned to me.
"Sam sent Embry to watch us. He trusts us enough to not bother us in Washington, but he wants Embry to stay close to report back if Tanya or her sisters attack. It's really kind of cute since Seth is angry about it. Seth is telling him that they are not part of Sam's tribe and haven't been for years and they need to get used to it. Embry retorted with some bit about him possibly being Jacob's half-brother and how much he cares. Then Seth shrugged it off and said he will take care of Jacob. Then Embry said that with Jacob hanging around 'them' all the time, he needed extra protection. I assume, and I am fairly confident with my assumption, that them means us."
"It does," said Jacob.
"Anyway, I think it will be good for Embry to be here. Hopefully we can build more trust between us. Not that I like hanging out with dogs, no offence Jake,"
"None taken"
"But I understand the need for our 'alliance.' Our mutual need for protecting Forks and La Push. We could not have defeated the Volturi without their help. So I will follow Carlisle's lead and welcome the wolves for as long as we need each other."
"We feel the same way. None of us wants to be around you bloodsuckers either. If it weren't for Bella and Renesmeé, we defiantly wouldn't be here." Then Jacob wrapped his arm around Alice. "And then I wouldn't have such a great friend like you, Alice."
She rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't go that far, but we're defiantly on friendly terms."
Jacob smiled. "Embry won."
"Huh?" I asked.
"He called Seth a pup and now Seth is mad. He is running off to catch up to Leah. And…now we're being watched." Jacob pointed into the tall dark green trees directly in front of us. I could see two bright yellow dots which I assumed we're Embry's eyes. "I should go talk to him." He turned to me and kissed me on the forehead. "Good night."
"Night," I said.
He stood and rushed out to meet Embry. Alice scooted over next to me. "You're going to get cold without your space heater. Come inside, its bed time."
"Will you sleep with me?" I asked her.
"You know I don't sleep. But I'll lay with you."
"Alright."
Alice stood up in one single fluid movement. I envied her grace. I grabbed the railing to my right and pulled myself to my feet and then followed her inside. I slowly climbed up the stairs and turned to the left, in through the second door on the left. The room was dark and cold. Dust covered everything. The small twin bed was covered in a white cloth to the left of the door. On the far side was a small window caked in grime. In the center of the room at the end of a trail of lines through the filth on the floor sat my luggage.
"Oh no, this won't do," said Alice as she approached from behind me.
"Yeah, you got a broom?"
"I doubt it. Vampires don't shed skin. I bet no one has seen this room since long before Tanya moved in."
I moved in toward the bed, grabbed the sheet, and shook it clean. The air instantly filled with dust and I had to cough. It didn't bother Alice at all. Alice shrugged and then turned and left. I looked back at the bed. At least the sheet had kept the blankets clean, but who knows what is dead inside there. I pulled the blankets apart one by one and inspected every inch of them. Each was clean. I couldn't find any trace of rats, mice, insects, spiders, or anything else.
Alice came back with a broom. "I found one," she said while holding a straw broom. The straw was broken and dirty and falling apart. I fought back a laugh.
"I could just get Jacob to turn into a wolf and roll around a little."
Alice chuckled. "Yeah, then they might be good for something."
"Alice," I groaned.
I took the sheet and wiped the window clean while Alice brushed the floor with the broom. Then I used the sheet to wipe the dust off the dresser. It only took us a few minutes to clean up the room enough to sleep in. I looked back at the blankets. "Defiantly not four star hotel material right there."
"Nope. But it'll do. Don't worry about spiders or bugs; I doubt they could pierce your skin."
"I don't like crawly things," I said. "Just the thought of something with legs crawling over my skin." I shuddered.
"It can't be nearly as bad as listening to Tanya go through her photo albums," Alice laughed.
"Alright, fine." I climbed under the sheets. Alice pulled them up to my chin and I rolled over sideways. Then she lay next to me on top of the blankets.
"Good night, sweetheart." She kissed me on the forehead.
"Goodnight Alice."
As soon as my eyes were closed the hamster in my head began spinning on his wheel. I thought about my Mom and Dad and what this would mean to them. Could we ever return to Forks? What would happen to Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Sue? Wouldn't they wonder where we went? Would Jacob live in Alaska with us forever? And Seth and Leah? Now that Jared knew our real names, would we be able to hide in Anchorage? Would my mom be strong enough to live with us or would she live in Denali? Would I ever get to see her if that happened? It wasn't long before all my thoughts faded into darkness.
