Chapter seven
Bella woke to the sound of something tapping against her window. Yawning she sat up and looked around her room. It was still early, much too early to be up on a Saturday. She hadn't slept much in any case, not for a few days now.
Another set of rapid taps on the window returned her to the present. She got out of bed and went to the window.
Alice was sitting outside her window. She looked tired, which spoke volumes for someone who didn't need much sleep.
Giving her a small smile she opened the window and moved back to her bed. "Good morning Alice. Any news?"
Alice crawled inside and sat down next to Bella. She shook her head. "The boys are still trying to track Eris. I don't think they are having much luck. Rosalie and Esme has been tracking John for a while now. But he is constantly on the move."
Alice fiddled with a fold in her dress, "Don't worry Bella. I know they will find him."
The reassurance of Alice did help a little but Bella still couldn't get rid of the knot in her stomach. Alice's nervous antics didn't help her either. She put a hand on Alice's to make her stop.
Alice looked down at the hand now covering her own. Her gaze turned to Bella questioningly.
Bella retracted her hand and put it back in her own lap. Feeling a slight blush rise to her cheeks. "Sorry."
Alice smiled at her, "How are you and Charlie holding up?"
It had been difficult to explain things to Charlie. They had ended up telling him something close to the truth. That John and Bella had been abducted. Bella had managed to escape her captures, but couldn't find John.
Charlie had gone from disbelief to anger and then disconnected and straight into work mode. Putting together a search party he had been meticulously combing through the woods. He hadn't had a rest until his body finally shut down from exhaustion.
Bella shook her head, "We are both exhausted. Finding little rest."
Alice looked at her concerned, scooting in closer she wrapped her hands around Bella's. "John is fine. As regrettable as the circumstance were, he is a vampire now. He can hold out on his own." She looked up remembering something but didn't say more.
Bella looked Alice in the eyes. She knew there was more to it. "What are you not telling me?"
Alice idly stroke her thumb over Bella's knuckles. "He is probably scared and confused." She hesitated before adding "And very hungry."
It was comforting feeling Alice's slow ministration. However, In spite of the small comfort Bella still felt helpless. She wanted to be useful, but as it was she could only sit and wait. "Perhaps if I could find a way to amplify your ability we could track down John?"
Sitting still for a moment Alice slowly nodded warming to the idea, "It is certainly worth a try." She squeezed Bella's hand, but then frowned. "It is going to be difficult without the help of Amaunet. She is the only one who will know how to do it."
Ever since the capture Amaunet had been missing. This had roused some suspicion among the Cullens, some of whom believed she was involved. Bella could see the connection too, but she wasn't sure Amaunet would do something like that.
Rosalie was growing more and more frustrated. Every time John's trail got warmer it would suddenly disappear. For some reason he seemed to actively evade her. She looked over her shoulder through the woods to where Esme had been. After running for more than a day Esme had told her she needed a break. That was several hours ago now though.
Rosalie sped up. Something told her she was getting closer. As the forest thickened it became more difficult to keep the pace. She nearly crashed with a large tree as her foot got caught in a hidden bear trap. Instead she fell face first to the ground. Groaning and dusting herself off, her clothes were ruined. She got up and looked around but as expected John was nowhere to be seen. She started running again as she shouted in frustration, "John stop running!"
She almost doubted her own senses when the scent of John started to get much stronger. Up ahead was what looked like the entrance to an abandoned mine. She let out a long satisfied sigh, he had finally stopped running.
Entering the mine she walked through the corridors. The pathways split but the sound of John further ahead helped guiding her to him. "John it is Rose, where are you?"
"Shit. Please just stay away." John yelled back.
After chasing John for so long Rosalie had no intension of stopping. Turning a corner she finally reached him. John was laying on the ground curled up in fetal position. His clothed were torn and he was completely covered in grime. Crouching down to him she put a hand on his bare shoulder. It was a strange feeling, the warmth that had once radiated from him was gone. John flinched at her touch and curled up further.
What really worried her was how badly he was shaking. Worrying that she already knew the answer, she asked anyway "Please tell me you have eaten something."
This made John still for a moment, then he shook his head, "I can't."
Rosalie stood, "You need to eat John. Your body is starting to shut down."
John just curled up tighter, "I tried. But I couldn't do it."
She turned to leave John, but was stopped by John as he reach out to grab her leg, "Please don't leave."
Taking his arm she help him sit up, "You need to eat now, and you are in no shape to do anything in this state. I will be back in a few minutes."
Noticing his disheveled hair she brushed a hand through it before catching herself. As awkward as she felt he seemed to relax and lean into her hand. "Just a few minutes, ok?" She restated.
He just gave her a short nod and locked his hands around his legs.
As she left the cave she grabbed her mobile phone. She wanted to call Esme and tell her that she had found John. Unfortunately the phone came out in two pieces. It had probably broken when she fell earlier. She discarded the phone and started to look for a prey.
As she returned to the mine with a deer across her back she could barely sense John. Getting worried she hurried through the mine and found John. He had laid back down on the ground and was barely moving now.
She dropped the deer next to him and sat down next to his head. Lifting him slightly she put his head in her lap. Slowly she dragged the deer over, head first. Holding the deer's neck over John's face she used a nail to make a small incision, drawing blood. The droplets started to cover John's face, reaching his lips, and eventually his mouth. A primeval response made John extent his fangs, and with that she lowered the deer.
Several hours later John slowly regained consciousness. He looked around the mine in confusion. A strong taste of iron assaulted his senses and he was completely covered in something he soon realized was blood. Panicking he tried desperately to remember what had happened as he whipped his face. He wasn't hurt, just felt eerily similar to being hung over.
Looking around he noticed Rosalie quietly watching him. She seemed content with just sitting there quietly. But right now that silence was deafening to him. "What happened. Why am I covered in blood?"
She looked at him a moment longer, seemingly considering what to say. Then she answered him plainly, "You were close to dying of starvation. I caught you in time and managed to get you to…" she hesitated, then added, "feed on some of the food I brought." Her gaze turned to her left towards something that looked like a big bundle of fur.
John slowly stood up and walked towards the heap of fur. He had a strong feeling he knew what it was, but he needed to be sure. He stopped when he stood over the dead deer. Finding his voice he managed, "I did this, didn't I?"
To his surprise the answer came from right behind him, "Yes that one was yours."
He felt repulsed by the sight of the dead deer and turned. He ended up face to face with Rosalie. The usually determined vampire didn't seem nearly as confident as she usually was. She actually was quite cute when she let go of her unapproachable demeanor. Trying to ignore the upset stomach and the taste of blood in his mouth he tried to smile. "I appreciate what you did for me Rose."
Rosalie gave him a brief smile, but then reverted back into her more closed off self. "We need to go. I haven't been able to reach the others. Do you have your pho-." She cut herself off, "Never mind."
John studied her for a second then just nodded.
Bella had finally managed to convince Charlie to let her go with Alice back to the Cullen's house. He had protested at first, but Alice had managed to convince him that Bella would be safe while he could focus on finding John.
Sitting in the car Bella couldn't help watching Alice drive. She was so focused when she was driving. She looked at Alice's lips and had to fight off a stray thought wanting to touch them. She blushed at the thought. To her charging Alice chose that exact moment to smirk and look at her.
Looking over Alice gave her a knowing smile and teased, "What did you just think of?"
That made Bella blush even deeper, "Nothing!" Realizing her mistake of the quick outburst, she silently cursed at how transparent her actions were. Alice just chuckled and returned her attention to the road.
As they arrived at the house Alice hurried around the car and opened Bella's door. The whole thing happened so quick that Bella didn't even realize the door had opened. Her outstretched hand found Alice's soft cool hand rather than the door handle she expected.
Alice smiled at Bella and gently pulled her out of the car. "Esme is the only one home." She informed Bella.
Letting Alice help her out of the car she walked up to the door of the house next to the little vampire. Her hand felt nice she idly thought and came to the realization that she still hadn't let go of it as they walked into the house. She looked down to their linked hands following it up looking into Alice's eyes. Blushing profusely she quickly let go of the hand.
As they sat down in the living room Bella tried to make some distance between her and Alice. She found a chair next to the sofas and sat down. Relaxing a bit when Alice sat down in one of the sofas on her left.
Esme came in and sat down with them in the sofa on her right. She looked curiously between the two of them then raised an eyebrow at Alice. Alice just smiled in Bella's direction and shrugged. Directing her attention to Bella, Esme started, "Rose is still out looking for John. I am sure we will find him soon Bella." She put a hand comforting on Bella's.
Bella looked down at the hand then up meeting Alice's eyes again. She started to feel awkward and her cheeks started to color again. She couldn't catch a break today. As Esme looked at her expectantly she came back to reality, "Sorry what did you say?"
Esme smiled at her and let go of her hand, "Do you want anything to eat or drink?"
Bella shook her head, "I had something before I got here. Thank you though." Thinking of John she added, "Can we call Rosalie and hear if she found John?"
Reaching out for a mobile laying on the sofa table Esme started to dial a number. After a moment she put it down again, looking at the mobile as if it had grown a tail. "That's curious. Her phone is disconnected."
Bella looked between the two vampires, trying to figure out what that meant. "Did her battery die perhaps?"
Esme shook her head, "She had it fully charged when we left. It should last a week." She then looked at Alice, "Can you check on her?"
Alice nodded. Entering a trance like state she stopped moving completely. A few minutes later she returned to consciousness with a smirk that turned into a regular smile as she got the attention of Esme. "Good news! Rosalie has found John."
Bella looked at Alice, expecting to get more detail. Alice just mouthed 'I'll tell you later.'
Esme getting impatient with the coy vampire pushed, "Are they on the way back?"
Another nod, "I think so. Rose is still struggling with a few decisions."
Bella looked at the phone in Esme's hands, "Do you think I could borrow your phone to let Charlie know that John has been found?"
Rosalie had taken the lead as they were running. She kept glancing back to make sure John was keeping up. He was still weak, but at least he could manage to keep a decent pace. He was still completely covered in both blood and grime. He would need to be cleaned up before they got near civilization.
Hearing him stumble she turned and just barely caught him by his arm before he tumbled to the ground. "Let me know if you need a break John."
John looked to be in pain, though he covered it up, "I'm fine."
She shook her head. Something about him in this state stirred something inside of her. She felt compelled to protect him. Every time she looked at John she got an odd sense of déjà vu. She didn't like it. "Just watch your steps then." It came out more stern than she had intended.
John nodded and started to run after her again.
As they passed a small cabin she slowed down. No one seemed to be home. Walking up the stairs to the porch she opened the door by applying a little force. The lock broke the frame of the door as she entered. She headed straight for the bedroom. Looking through the wardrobe she found a few old shirts and not much else. At least they looked to be of a decent size.
John was still standing outside looking in. He couldn't make himself enter, it felt wrong. He looked around but no one was out there.
Rosalie returned to John, "Get in here. Go clean up in the bathroom." John still not moving she sighed and dragged him in through the house and to the bathroom. She placed the clothes next to the sink and found a towel. "I hope you can manage the rest."
Stepping out of the bathroom she sat down in a sofa in the living room to wait. A moment later she could hear the water running in the bathroom. She started to reflect on the events of the past week. So much had happened ever since the twins had arrived in the town. She wondered if Amaunet would ever have revealed herself to her family if it wasn't for the twins. Then the twins got abducted, and John was turned into a vampire. But why only John? The assailant had plenty of time to turn Bella as well. She had so many questions, and hopefully John could help her get some of them answered now.
Her attention returned to the bathroom. He was taking a long time showering. She started to wonder what was taking him so long. Lewd thoughts entered her mind of him doing other things than showering. She had to physically shake her head to lose them.
A few minutes later John walked out the bathroom in a shirt several sizes too big. He hadn't buttoned it and his pants were torn. Rosalie couldn't help but noticed that John had become leaner and his muscles a bit more toned. The transition into vampire had suited him. She forced herself to avert her eyes and gestured for him to sit in a chair opposite her, "Please sit down, we need to talk."
John hesitatingly sat down. He had started to slowly adjust to the bombardment of information his senses were sending him, but there was still so much to sort out. He closed his eyes and started to massage his temples. That seemed to help some. "What do you want to talk about?"
Trying to ignore John's behavior Rosalie pressed, "Tell me what happened to you and Bella."
John gave her the short version but hesitated as he got to the last part. Feeling embarrassed he decided to go with a half-truth, "She offered to turn me. I didn't want to at first, but she persuaded me."
Rosalie was getting frustrated, the abridged version raised more questions than it answered. Thinking that her family would likely want to be part of the questioning she decided to let it go. There was one question she couldn't let go, "How did she change your mind?"
If John could blush he would have. As it was he was just trying to come up with an explanation while idly scratching his neck. He could still feel Eris's lips there. "Uhm. She had some good arguments."
Rosalie didn't believe him for a second. She didn't want him to close himself off to her, so she let it go for now. "You will need some help adjusting. I suggest you talk with the boys and see if you can get them to teach you. If you have any questions just ask."
John felt a little hurt. He knew she was pushing him away. He considered his options. Edward was out of the question. Jasper and Emmett seemed friendly enough, but he barely knew them. Deciding to bait her he declared, "Ok, I will try and talk with Edward."
Rosalie was shocked. Of all the options, why would he choose the one person that genuinely disliked him? She studied John, trying to tell if he was joking. "That is an… interesting choice."
John shrugged, "I haven't spoken much with Jasper and Emmett and I figured Carlisle is not an option. And since I can't choose you or Alice I might as well go with him."
Rosalie inwardly cursed that she could no longer read John. She had relied on his human tells, and now they were gone. She was fairly certain that he was trying to play a game with her, and she refused to let him win, "You can try and talk to Alice and see if she will teach you."
John looked at Rosalie's stoic face. She was trying to hide it but she had crinkles in her eyes. She had caught on and was being intentionally dense. He decided to push one more time "Oh. You think she will? I quite like her."
A lamp came crashing into his head in response. Rosalie was glaring at him, "Let's go."