Chapter 7- Human Again
EPOV
"OH. MY. GOD!" Alice shrieked from upstairs. Emmett must've gotten mud on her clothes again. "Okay, who invited a werewolf?" Then again...
"What are you talking about?" I sniffed the air. Nothing.
"I just went blank, Edward! I've got nothing, I don't even know the weather!"
"Okay, Alice, calm down. I'm sure there's a rational explanation for this." I put my hands on her shoulders, trying to calm her. I'll have to call Jasper in here if this gets any worse.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" There she is, just the girl I wanted to talk to.
"Bella, is Jacob coming over? Or any of the other wolves?"
"Not that I know of, why?"
"You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes, Edward, what's going on?" Bella's eyes widened in confusion
"What's happening to me!" Alice wailed from the living room.
"Jasper," I whispered. "Alice needs you." He was standing next to me less than one sixteenth of a second later. I simply nodded toward the living room where Alice was sprawled on the couch, hand resting on her forehead, moaning. He seemed to disappear and reappear kneeling in front of the couch, Alice's tiny hand in his. Outside, I heard my Volvo's engine purr into the driveway. Rosabelle is back.
"I can't." Jasper gasped.
"What do you mean you can't?" Alice screeched.
"I can't get a read on you, or anyone else for that matter. I can't feel your emotions and I can't change them. I've got nothing." Jasper looked at me, bewildered and slightly panicked. I paced the room deep in thought. Thought...
"Wait a minute, wait a minute, Jasper, think something." My voice was strained, desperate.
"What?" He cocked his head at me.
"Think of something, anything." I repeated.
"Okay..." Nothing. Only silence.
"Edward, is everything okay?" Bella put her hand on my shoulder.
"No, everything is not okay. I can't hear anyone. It's like Bella but a million times over." I barely could whisper loud enough for Bella to hear.
"Hello, hello, hello! I'm back, everyone!" Rosabelle bounced cheerily thorough the door. We all turned to look at her. "What's got your panties in a twist?" My eyes shifted to behind Rosabelle. A blonde head poked out from behind her shoulder. Large, blue, frightened eyes stared at me. "Oh, Kali, this is Edward, Alice, Jasper, and Bella. Everyone, this is Kali."
"Welcome, Miss Kali." I took her hand and kissed it. Rosabelle rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Merci beaucoup." Rosabelle glared at Kali. She immediately withdrew her hand and took a few steps back.
"Un peu beaucoup, Edward?" Rosabelle turned her murderous gaze towards me.
"Quoi?" I looked as innocent as I could muster. She made a noise at the back of her throat and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Could someone please explain to me what is going on?" Alice shouted from the couch. Rosabelle gave Kali a knowing look.
"Let me guess, your visions are gone." Rosabelle said with a hint of humor in her voice.
"Yes, how did you know?" Alice sat bolt upright.
"Ah, that would be me." Kali said. Rosabelle went to sit down, leaving her standing in the middle of the room. Rosabelle's steps were sharp, staccato clicks against the floor. She flopped into a chair and looked at nothing in particular. She'd heard this story before.
"I'm what's called-"
"Una nascosti." Rosabelle interrupted, sounding like a snake, spitting out the word. She lazily threw Kali a sly smile.
"Or une caché, it means hidden one." Kali's voice takes on an air of superiority. "I hide myself by hiding others. I..." Her brow knitted in thought.
"Return them to factory settings?" Rosabelle asked, the laugh apparent in her voice.
"I suppose you could describe it that way, yes. I make those who are not human appear to be human." I felt my eyes widen. "No, no, no, I can't actually change you, don't worry. That's impossible. I've just dulled your senses to match that of a humans."
"Okay, so as soon as you leave, I'll go back to normal?" Alice asked less frantic than before.
"Yeah, you'll be back to predicting the stock market in no time." Rosabelle said while trying to turn on one of our many video game systems.
Alice let go of the breath she had apparently been holding. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she flopped back down onto the couch. She laid motionless. We all stared at her for a second.
"Alice, you can't pass out." I said exasperated.
