Chapter 3: Hunting
The trees were the best companions. The soothing tap of rain as it smacked the leaves and sending a cacophony down through the forest. Who was I to argue with such a compelling force of wisdom? The old boughs moved with the force of the wind but did not break. How was it that they could withstand gall force winds and not shatter yet I could not confront a future aunt without that very defeat ensuing. Perhaps over the years there was a knowledge trees acquired that humans and vampires alike were not meant to. Yes, it must be. Trees were after all impacted by forces beyond their understanding with near routine as wind, rain, people, and fire altered their existence with nary a care for the wants of such sturdy and silent beings. If they had the ability to move facing such hardships would seem far less daunting but they could not. Yet in their timeless beauty immobility became them well. It made the lack of affect the incessant whims of younger beings had on their stoic disposition all the more fitting. Maybe it was not strength the trees had mastered but the art of rising above all opponents and rise they had: far above the heads of mobile beings. Not even fire could eradicate them all; instead seeds are planted by flames and new life can come. It seemed some mysteries were not meant to be unraveled. Instead I allowed myself to be comforted by the swaying branches of tree I was presently sitting in. The elements were kind enough to leave me to my rest and provide only a quiet comfort instead of the usual chatter, and so I sank as close to sleep as possible.
"Darlin." My eyes fluttered open at the sound of Jasper's voice. What was he doing out here? "Are you planning on making this tree your home or can I convince you to come back to the house?" I shook my head at his joke and jumped to the earth beside him.
"How long was I gone?"
"A few hours, but they want to go on a family hunt. It seemed for fitting to find you now rather than wait for everyone to come crashing through the trees and possibly interrupt whatever it is you do out here." He admitted.
"I appreciate it." I confirmed planting a quick kiss on his cheek before following him back to the house.
"You've got to be kidding me! There is no way you just used that combo and managed to make your car beat me that quick. I've played this game before Emmett! You can't just cheat when you're about to get your ass handed to you!" Well that was a raised voice. As we entered the living room we could see Kate standing, controller in hand as she yelled at the smirking Emmett.
"What happened?"
"The big idiot cheated." Kate growled out. Emmet raised his hands as if to portray innocence.
"I didn't do anything besides take a little short cut." He replied defending himself.
"A short cut that doesn't actually exist." She retorted.
"Now Kate maybe-"
"Em you know better than to cheat." He smiled sheepishly at me. "Now why don't you apologize before Kate lunges at you?" I insisted. The smirk fell off his face the rest of the way and he looked to Kate.
"I'm sorry for cheating. I won't do it again." Em muttered. "Want to go again?" Kate locked eyes with me and raised an eyebrow questioningly before she shrugged it off and mouthed thank you at me before jumping onto the couch next to Em once more.
"Ok, but you better play fair this time jerk." She joked pushing him a little.
"Sure, just remember: you're about to lose to the best gamer in history."
"I'm sure she would have dear but it's time to go hunting." Esme reminded him as she walked into the room.
"Just one more game, pleaseeee?" Em begged.
"No, it's time to go." Carlisle stated from his office.
"It's ok: I'll just beat you when we get back." Kate assured him flipping her hair in his face. I couldn't help but roll my eyes the two of them were ridiculous.
Tanya strolled into the room tying back her hair to complete the runner look she was pulling off with unnecessary running shoes and exercise clothes that were far too short in length. "What, aren't you going to change?" Tanya questioned.
"No,-"
"I was actually asking Jasper." She informed me without even looking up from tying her shoes.
"Since Alice," Don't cringe, don't cringe. He hurried to finish the sentence. "It doesn't seem important. I only ever did it because she worried about the clothes. I'm not wearing anything that expensive and if I didn't know by now how to keep my clothes clean something's wrong." Jasper replied pulling me closer to him.
"I suppose," as she trailed of I looked around the rest of the room waiting for the others to come in.
"Let's go!" Em whined mimicking my thoughts.
"Patience!" Rose scolded grabbing his hand.
"But Rosie, I want to find a bear!" He pouted twirling her around in an elaborate hug, her shirt fanning out around her.
"Then why don't you put her down Emmett, so we can go?" Carlisle inquired coming down the stairs, Eleazar and Carmen close behind.
"No, I will carry her!" He proclaimed changing his grip so he was holding her bridal style as she squealed clutching closer.
"You're a giant teddy bear." Brittney commented slight awe in her voice.
"Yeah, I'm awesome like that." He flashed her a giant smile, but just like that her expression became stoic.
"We should go." She ran out of the house to lead the way. Jasper looked over to Emmet cocking an eyebrow.
"Hey, I didn't do it!" He defended himself. Carmen placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not you. There are many topics she doesn't like to speak of and many things that send her running. She'll calm down by the end of the hunt."
"Does she always calm down that fast?" Andrew inquired. He was far from the only shocked one.
"Usually, she used to take longer, but after a while I spoke with her about moving forward and past all that has already affected her life. She agreed and has made great strides ever since." Sam and I exchanged glances, muted shock and horror played across Andrew's face, while Becca and Ashley shook their heads and turned to walk out of the house.
"I'll go find her." Andrew offered.
"Why, aren't we all going out to hunt anyway? She needs space." Tanya asserted. He turned to lock eyes with her.
"Does she know this land well? There are new houses put up within the past fifty years."
"Well I-." He turned once more and with Alice by his side he exited the house following her path.
"It is probably for the best." Eleazar sanctioned as we all left the house. He seemed troubled by the goings on in the living room. I offered a slight smile taking the lead.
"I know a great place to hunt." I called back as I took off into the woods. The leaves touched my arms lovingly the wind whipping my hair. Laughter couldn't be stopped from bubbling out of my mouth as I ran.
"Enjoying yourself?" Kate questioned as she ran up on m left.
"Definitely."
"I don't think I'll ever get used to the speed either." She confided.
"That does take quite a bit of adjusting, but for me it's more being outside. You could say I'm a nature freak." She shrugged.
"To each her own. What about here? I smell something."
"Sure, there's plenty of food in this area." As we started to walk Tanya ran between us before continuing on through the trees. "Tanya we're hunting here." I called after her.
"Oh, she'll keep going until she finds 'her own place, because she has killer instincts'." Kate stated using air quotes. We burst out laughing.
"So is this how she normally acts?" I inquired as we started looking for prey.
"Tanya doesn't know how to not be over the top. I don't think she's ever done anything that doesn't require an extreme level of theatrics. Maybe that's why Edward was always her first choice." My steps barely faltered at the mention of his name, yet still she turned to take in my form.
"So she loved Edward?" Maybe if the conversation continued she would let it go and just keep looking.
"She did, but back then he seemed normal." She defended. "There was a lot that happened involving him, and I still don't know it all."
"It was an honest question. No need to get upset."
"True," she consented. She began following the sound of prey once more. She signaled me to stop. I focused on the hunt and watching a mountain lion stalk a deer from the shadows. I gestured for her to take it. "Are you sure?" She breathed.
Before I could complete my nod she had torn out its throat. As blood covered her shirt it became obvious she had been far thirstier than she'd let on. I grabbed the deer as it foolishly tried to barrel past my place of concealment. Eyes cast downward I carried it closer. A deep growl set in as she watched me approach. I chanced a glance at her face to see pure black orbs shinning back. When only a few strides away I set the poor doe down before slowly backing to the edge of the clearing. She growled before practically crawling over her first kill to snatch the next. She didn't want to break eye contact, but it was apparent her need for blood was greater than her fear of competition as she latched on to the doe's throat eagerly. "More!" She hissed demandingly.
"One minute." She growled as if to convey the urgency. Rolling my eyes I retrieved two bunnies from their den, and a squirrel, but when I stumbled across a buck who held no fear for me I stopped. What sort of person kills one of the few animals that trust? With a loving pat to his neck and a push away from Kate I sent him on his way. Upon my return she was latched on to what appeared to be her fourth animal, so she wasn't patient enough to stay still after all. Her eyes caught mine as she finished her latest kill and growled another fierce warning. This situation was deteriorating fast, and something had to change before the others stumbled across her like this. I walked over, prey in my arms, but when I did not drop the prey a few feet away her growl picked up again. "It's ok Kate, try to stay calm." The wind tried to aid, offering a slight breeze, barely even moving her now blood matted hair. Offering her the animals one by one she calmed slightly. When there was nothing left to offer Kate merely looked up expectantly waiting for more. I kneeled down beside her and as she tried to figure out what I was doing I raised my arm to her lips. Confusion filled her eyes before she shook her head. It was a good sign, but she wasn't all the way back yet, and we didn't have enough time for me to continue hunting. The others would be finishing soon.
Lifting it to my own mouth I tore the skin and offered it again. She lapped at it hungrily, but just as fast looked to my neck longingly. Preparing myself I tipped my head to the side allowing her to latch on. Purring Kate latched on happily and I allowed her to continue until I felt my own thirst grow past the point at which I should hunt. I tried to shift away, but she sunk her teeth in further. Containing a hiss, I coaxed her off my throat before spitting venom into my palm and using it to seal the haphazard gashes she left in her wake. Blinking quickly she surveyed the area around us before looking back at me.
"Are you ok?" Inspecting me with her eyes she finally seemed to understand the pile of animals that surrounded us. "Someone was hungry." She speculated smiling. Did she not remember?
"Kate, I haven't fed yet." I watched her waiting for it all to click.
"Shit, are you telling me I did it again?" She jumped to her feet. Touching her bloody clothes spinning to see the extent of the mess as bloody hair smacked her face. All the while growing more and more upset.
"Hey, it's ok. There's no need to be upset." I soothed grabbing her hand.
"Don't touch me!" I let go and let her stomp around the clearing. "You don't understand. I'm not like my sister. I'm not like anyone! I wasn't bit like they were. I was different."
"What do you mean?"
"Their mother is not my mother. I was someone who came to her mother weak and hungry. I was alone. No one knows where I came from, or why my memories of being a human are crystal clear, or why I go ape-shit when I hunt. There's no fucking rhyme or rhythm to the madness!" She screeched punching a tree.
"It's ok Kate. I've known others who have need a little extra help to calm down. How long do you go between feedings?" I asked calmly.
"Weeks, months, however long I can manage. Sometimes it helps to make this urge die down, sometimes-" She trailed off.
"Sometimes what?" I asked.
"Sometimes bad shit happens to good people." She informed me as her eyes filled with venom. She turned away from me.
"Kate, it'll be ok. I won't tell the others." Setting a comforting hand on her shoulder I hummed softly hoping to help her. She turned to face me and the humming broke off for a moment before I even noticed the silence.
"Weird right?" She laughed wiping the tears from her face. "Did you also know vampires that could cry?" She questioned hopefully.
"No, but I haven't met many who would let themselves get close to tears in the presence of others." I replied honestly.
"Oh well." She sighed. "Have the others been looking for me?"
"No, they're still hunting."
"What? How long have we been here?" Why was there so much urgency in her voice?
"About an hour I would say." Her jaw fell open.
"That's not possible. I never recover that quickly. I usually disappear for weeks when this happens." Now it was my turn to be shocked. This poor girl had no one ever helped her? "What did you do? What was I like?" She interrogated
"I just brought you enough to sate your thirst and comforted you."
"How? I don't calm down that fast." I opened my mouth to reply but she was already talking again. "There's no way. I attack people who get to close."
"I let you feed from me in the end. You were still upset, and I was worried about the others finding you like this."
"That can't have worked unless you're like me too. The others can't do that. I've bitten Irina it doesn't work like that. She didn't bleed; only venom poured out." She accused.
"Trust me I know I can't cry." I deadpanned. "And besides, I know who changed me darling. I think you just got lucky."
"You won't tell the others right? They think I fixed it and when I disappear it's just to get some space."
"They could help."
"You mean like how Carmen helped Brittney?" She remarked angrily.
"She's less my mother than the ones my sisters loved. Just promise me."
"I promise." I affirmed hand acrost my chest. "I swear upon the trees and my mate that I will not tell a soul without your permission."
"I appreciate that." I smiled. "God are your eyes black. Do you need to hunt?"
"Perhaps, you were quite hungry, why don't we get you cleaned up first." I guided her to a stream. "Close your eyes." I whispered. She complied and I raised the water to remove the blood and dirt from her hair, working my fingers through it gently to return it to its previous cleanliness. The water strove to also tend my own wounds but I shook it off. There would be time for that later. Now was the time to help Kate. A rustling in the woods brought an abrupt end as we both stood to recieve the intruder.
"Now don't stop on my account." He chuckled.
"Laurent!" I laughed throwing myself at him. With ease he caught me laughing as well.
"It's good to see you too. How has it been so far over the mountains?"
"You only live two hills away." I reminded him swatting his arm playfully. His clothes were in good shape. Having his own place and a job had been good for him.
"Yes, but I barely see you little storm brewer." I nudged him. "Ah," he said with a knowing look towards Kate. "It seems like your hunt gained the upper hand. It's been a long time since I last spoke to you."
"Ever since-." There was a long pause as Laurent blinked back venom and Kate stared absently rubbing a mark on her wrist. "Did she suffer?" She bit her lip holding back a whimper.
"It was over quickly. She wasn't tortured. I swear." Laurent assured her as his voice shook. She approached him slowly gauging his reaction before embracing him all at once and squeezing tightly. It was by far the most human reaction I'd seen in awhile.
"Thank you for making her happy. She lived loving you with everything she had, and I'm sure she died the same way." Kate informed him. He hugged back, clinging with fervor.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"Please, come talk to everyone else. If it's not too much to ask I doubt I'm the only one who would like to hear the whole story."
"Of course," Laurent conceded releasing her. "Are you coming?" Laurent asked.
"Yes, we should locate the others. And Kate do you mind if I speak to Jasper later just in case he asks how hunting went. None of the details scouts honor." Kate's eyes got wide.
"What were you two talking about?"
"Oh, just Kate's latest conquests." I winked at her.
"Yeah, I've been super busy lately, but sh! You're not supposed to know, and sure Isabella: if Jasper can stomach the details."
"Oh, he can." I raised an eyebrow to which she nodded. It seems Jasper and I would need to have a talk tonight. "The others should be gathering in the usual place, this way."
"What about the animals you guys killed?" Laurent asked.
"Oh, it's fine. I'm sure there's another mountain lion in the area eager to make a quick kill this time of year." I assured him as I set the earth to locating such an animal. Someone had to eat them after all, even though the meats' taste decreases the less blood present.
"So you're back?" Tanya stated eyeing me with an upturned lip before turning back Emmett. What sort of trouble was she trying to stir up now? But as Laurent and Kate came into view behind me it became obvious there were far larger problems. They all tensed, eyes narrowing. Carmen even gasped and it hung in there air like fog.
"It's nice to see you all again." Laurent smiled as if there was no confusion and discord in the air. He always had been good at handling this variety of situation. When no one answered he sighed settling down on the forest floor without another word and watched them. Eyes flicking from one face to another as he refused to give fodder to their anxieties. As time passed even the birds began their song no longer afraid of the intruders in their mist. We did all resemble statues as we stood unmoving not even breath to imitate the life we fancied ourselves to have.
"I had been pondering whether we would ever lay eyes on you again. How have the years been treating you?" Eleazar articulated twenty minutes later.
"Well enough. I've been in a few fights, but nothing Isabella has not helped me to out of." He smiled as if looking through them, maybe he was. At any rate he gave nothing away even when Tanya scoffed and Carmen's eyes narrowed slightly to inspect him.
"I'm sure you would have found a way out eventually." I dismissed rolling my eyes dramatically at him.
"You have a nasty knack of being present whenever danger strikes don't you?" Flipping her hair Tanya waited for me to respond as if daring me to challenge her remark with legs shoulder width apart, back rigid and a slight lean all supported this thought. I willed the venom pooling in my mouth to ebb as words danced just outside the grasp of my tongue, leaving me to merely look back. My silence a condemnation.
"I think instead we would see Isabella shows up in the nick of time when danger is afoot. Wouldn't you agree Carlisle?" My eyes snapped to Laurent even as I continued to fumble for language human, or other, that would grant me the ability to defend myself.
Carlisle, who had sat some time ago, nodded. Apparently some human habits never truly died I contemplated as mirth and movement returned in quick succession. I could hear Jasper through the trees softly rustling both leaf and grass blade with his movements before emerging, golden hair like the sun from clouds and a smile tricked its way to my lips. Light lit his own eyes as he moved beside me pulling me to his side before he focused on Tanya. "What has y'all riled up now?" He queried. "Did big bad Isabella have a better hunt than you?" He tickled me as he teased and the laughter spilled over: the first sound I had made since her comment. The tension that had been quickly building also lulled. The only thing that didn't was the incessant rain that plagued the entire region.
Carmen's own eyes softened and Eleazar chuckled, but Tanya, well she was far from pleased. "Perhaps, regardless you are very lucky indeed Jasper." Carmen complimented. She pulled a flower from a nearby tree as if the punctuate her sentence with the stems crack.
"That I am, Ma'am." He agreed pulling my closer.
"I did nothing more or less than anyone else would have done with the same knowledge, but enough of this. How was everyone else's hunt? Everyone who's back that is." I clarified making sure they were as aware as I was of Alice's, Andrew's, and Britney's absence. Kate looked off at the trees shifting her weight back and forth as if to obtain sight of them, but there were no sounds to indicate they were within twenty miles of us.
"I found a bear!" Emmett interjected.
"Correction, I found a bear, and he wouldn't stop pouting until I let him have it."
"But Rosie, You only saw it first because I was watching you run." He whined.
"Now just because I gave you permission to watch doesn't mean your inability to focus on the hunt is my problem." The rest of us laughed at the pair of them. They were truly a well selected match and they had done it without any sort of prodding or foresight, and after my time in the wars that wasn't an easily made statement. I had seen couples tossed together by fate or luck. Couples that clung to each other as the only indication that once upon a time they were something other than the monsters they say reflect back upon them in puddles whose depths were almost as murky as their souls. Yes there were many types in the south, but those gathered before me were far from convenience based. Instead love and trust had nurtured their connections. It was still hard to gather at times that places like this were meant to last: that they were not merely dreams to be ripped away once I forced my mind to focus. "Right Isabella?" Rose asked ripping me from my thoughts.
"Of course you're right and Emmett's wrong." I said swiftly.
"You don't even know what I said do you?" Rose questioned light dancing in her eyes.
"Not a clue." I admitted smiling back.
"How is that even possible? It's definitely not fair!" Emmett whined kicking the dirt.
"It's more than fair considering your logic is based solely around your inability to look away from Rose's ass long enough to hunt. Gain some self-control."
"I have some, but she said I could. It's not like I do it all the time." He muttered looking at the ground. His muscles were flexing slightly and his head was slightly lower than when we had been speaking earlier. I hadn't meant to upset him! I guess that was yet another person I was going to have to speak to later. Even with just two people on it this was going to take a while.
"Should we head back?" Carmen suggested. I cocked an eyebrow surveying the others reactions as I did. Did they actually support leaving the others out here?
"I'm sure they just want some time. Perhaps they are all off talking somewhere and intend to meet us." Eleazar soothed as if he had heard my thoughts. These people had never been near dangerous territory had they? They acted as if nothing was out there. It was a miracle they had survived so long and a blessing they were vegetarians. They never would have made it in world where they competed with most other vampires for food. They would have been decimated in a day. Their lax stances even now as we stood in the woods without cover or back up plan was far from responsible. It had been awhile since I had needed to be so aware of a group this large, but with the sheer amount of cluelessness they radiated it was definitely necessary. If my siblings and I were not on guard the chances of something going terrible wrong would skyrocket and even with Maria dead there was still plenty to look out for. Even now I saw my siblings glancing about, testing their footing subtly, and watching the others. No matter what came our way. We would be ready.
"I'm sure I could ghost around and locate them." Sam intoned with a slight smile.
"Of course." No sooner had I condoned it then she was off. Dancing with moss and leaf to leave so softly that not even I could catch her footfalls. Tanya's eyes widened, nostrils flared. It was as if she was seeing Sam for the first time.
"Let's go then." Tanya decided with a quick turn away. Ah, at least she was learning, but what exactly I wasn't sure. There would surely be talk of this later, but for now she still wasn't sure what to make of us. For now we were safe.
What the Character's think: Tanya: You know they wee waiting to hear from me! You need to do this more often!
Me: *Rolls eyes* there was a lot going on
Tanya: Well I should always be your priority *waves to the readers smiling*
Me: True, I'm sorry for not writing… some things have happened and I don't wish to burden you all with the details. But just know I'm trying and I'm working to be back at it!
Tanya: Boring! *flips hair walking off*
Jasper: Is she gone?
Me: Yup!
Jasper: All Clear Darlin!
Bella: Thank goodness! Now about the author! She is writing a book and trying to make money while also keeping up with all her fanfic stories
Jasper: Right, she's gotta gofundme page. Ya'll should help the lady out so that I can see what happens with my little lady and I.
Bella: I want to know too! If you donate tell her which story you want updated
Jasper: *interrupting* So THIS ONE Surviving Eternity ;)
Bella: *smacks him*
Jasper: OW!
Bella: Be nice! Maybe they like the other stories too! But if you do make sure you say which story you want updated and she will put up a new chapter for that story within twenty four hours of your donation.
Jasper: Please let it be ours! Right Emmet?
Emmett: Huh? *looks up from videogame* Yeah That way I can beat Kate again *smirk*
Me: ANDDDD
Everyone: REVIEW PLEASEEEEEE
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Info: Yes, I am writing a novel and the description is all with the gofundme if you follow the link…. Also I'm a he not a she. Trans things is a small part of what happened.. I hope that doesn't cause any of you to stop reading. Please give if you can and if you can't reviews are always awesome. I can't wait to write more for all of you, and I hope you haven't given up on this story. It's far from finished.