Chapter Ten
It was definitely getting colder. Not quite winter cold, but fall was definitely coming soon. The clouds had thinned out today, leaving just hints of blue sky between them and I even managed to see the sunlight a few times.
It had been a little more than a week since that talk with Carlisle, and so far, nothing had come of it. I'd done my best to wait patiently, not bringing it up once, but I couldn't help waiting for him to bring it up every time he came into the room.
Although, I was sure he had plenty on his mind. Despite the information I had given him, he wasn't letting that ease him. He was still taking the situation with Bella just as seriously as I remembered him taking it in the vision. I could definitely understand why, but it was so hard not to tell him to just relax.
Bella was getting more and more tired each day that passed, having even less of an appetite than she had when she got here. The baby was getting stronger by the day as well, but I knew that it wasn't really worth getting worried about yet. Just stronger movements, she said. It wasn't particularly painful. Not yet.
"That'll change." I'd told her, which seemed to worry her.
She was already rounder than she was before. In a week, she'd seemed to grow a month and a half. It didn't really make much sense to her yet how all this could seem to only last about a month. So I told her.
"Towards the end," I'd said, "The baby will grow faster. She's still growing pretty slow right now, but she'll grow faster in the last few days. Especially when you start giving her blood."
Edward couldn't help paying more attention to me than anybody had. He was the one always with her, always within arms reach and most often closer, so whenever I was with her, he was always with her.
I knew telling Bella these things wouldn't help the way he watched me, and I honestly wasn't trying to scare her, but I felt she needed to be more prepared than anyone for what was about to happen. After all, it was her it was happening to. The more she knew, the less she would worry when things changed, and that was a good thing. Along with information I felt she needed to know, I was giving Bella reassurance that she could do this.
More often than not, she listened to me. Despite the worry I knew she already had, she wanted to know these things. It seemed to help keep her calmer than anyone else seemed to be. Besides me, of course, she was the calmest.
I told her, which everyone agreed with me, that even if she wasn't hungry, she needed to eat. There was no choice because once the baby felt she no longer wanted whatever Bella had to give her, any nutrition she'd get from eating was out the window. She needed to stock up now while she could, before the baby was big enough to decide on her own, which wouldn't be too much longer, so every moment of every day now Bella had a snack within her reach.
I wasn't sure if it was me subconsciously taking my own advice or what, but I had yet to not be hungry enough to eat. I always ate when there was something made for me, and I had to admit, doing so made me feel better. Physically, anyway. I slept easier, woke less often in a grumpy mood.
In a way, though, Bella had become my hobby. Helping her helped me stay calm, and as patient as I had been with waiting on Carlisle's decision regarding Jasper's idea, that was ending. I was getting edgier the longer he went without filling me in on what he'd decided. Even if he hadn't reached a definite decision, it still would have been nice to have been kept in the loop.
I was getting impatient, and that was one of the worst feelings in the world. I wanted to either try this, or have another idea brought up.
Today, however, Bella was too tired to stay up without sleeping around noon. I couldn't blame her, but that left me with nothing else to do. Mikah spent time with me outside on the porch, watching me close as I paced the porch. Without being able to distract myself with Bella, all I was focusing on her now directed itself to my dilemma.
"Um.." Mikah finally spoke, "You okay?"
"No." I replied firmly, "Still nothing from Carlisle. He said. He said like a week ago that he'd think about Jasper's plan, and still nothing."
"Good." Mikah muttered but he sighed, "Princess, if he said he's going to think about it, give him some time. There's kind of a lot to think about."
"It wouldn't take me a week to figure it out." I countered, "Why's it taking him so long? I've been good. I haven't been bugging him about it, but still. What if he's not really thinking about it, and he just said that to shut me up?"
"Carlisle wouldn't lie to you like that." Mikah replied instantly.
I sighed, "True."
"And it wouldn't take you a week, because you're a very impulsive person, princess."
"What's that?"
"It means you jump feet first into something without really thinking about everything." He answered, "You don't care about what could possibly go wrong, and would rather deal with consequences when they happen. Carlisle is different. He wants to make sure he has every aspect of something covered before any situation could ever possibly arise."
"Well," I grumbled, "It sucks. When? I get he wants to think about everything, but when? I wanna get it over with."
"Leandra, listen." He sighed, "Jack is dangerous enough, but without us knowing exactly how many he's got with him, it makes it hard to plan for anything. It'd be like you finding a bear's den and purposefully pissing off the closest, smallest one. There could be three, much bigger bears behind him, and you'd never know it. Or it'd be like you throwing rocks at a hornet's nest." I winced at that one, "These things take time."
"It's taking too much time." I countered.
"Patience, princess." Mikah murmured, "You're getting too worked up over this."
"I can't help it." I whined, "I think I'm going crazy here."
"Okay." He replied firmly. As I was moving to pace passed him, he took my upper arms between his hands, turning me and standing me still in front of him. Surprised, I looked up at him. He smiled a little, "Close your eyes."
"Why?"
He chuckled, "Just trust me. Close your eyes." Hesitantly, I did as he asked. His voice was gentler as he spoke again, "Now take a breath. A deep breath. As deep of a breath as you can take, and hold it."
I carefully did as he said. Slowly breathing in until I couldn't anymore, and holding it. I counted to five before he said, "Now slowly let it out."
I did so, laughing a little as I felt slightly light headed.
"Now do it again." He said, and I nodded a little. I saw where he was going with this.
After doing that twice more, he gently squeezed my shoulders, and I looked back up at him.
"Now how do you feel?" He asked.
"Dizzy." I muttered. I turned away again, right back into pacing as I shook my head, "I just don't get it. How hard could it be? As soon as they hear anything, they come in. It's not that hard. Even if he doesn't say anything, I would. Even if Jack doesn't let them know he was there, I'd let them know. It's not that hard. It'd be easy, because he'd be in there alone."
"Princess." Mikah sighed, catching me again, and I sighed heavily. I looked up at him, watching as he gave a short glance around himself before looking down at me, "Okay. Close your eyes again, and keep them closed."
I frowned a little, but closed my eyes. I squeaked, laughing as he suddenly scooped me off my feet. Holding me securely in his arms, "Keep them closed."
"Okay." I murmured, confused but not questioning. I waited for him to tell me what this was all about. His arms supporting me never moved, so I assumed we were just standing there, until I felt the breeze crossing my face. He was carrying me somewhere.
"Where are we going?" I had to ask.
"Somewhere I like to go to think." He replied, "It clears my head every time, and I know it'll do the same for you."
"Do you know how much trouble you're going to be in?" I asked, and he chuckled.
"Those wanting to kill me will have to form a line." He replied, "But if this works, it'd all be worth it."
I laid in silence for about a minute or two before he sighed. Carefully, he adjusted me and set me on my feet, and I took that as a sign that it was okay to open my eyes.
The breeze up here was almost as strong as the one crossing my face as we were running, but the view more than made up for the chilly air.
Behind where we stood were trees, as we both stood on a rocky ledge. In front of us, a rather steep drop off with nothing but ocean as far as I could see. The wind hitting me cleared my hair from my face, and I couldn't help it. I took a breath in. I could smell the ocean and the rain in this breeze, the clouds above just adding to that.
"Holy crap." I finally muttered, looking over at him, and he smiled.
"I come here all the time." He told me, taking the hint as I tightly crossed my arms. I was cold. He removed his light jacket, placing it around my shoulders. I accepted it gratefully, pulling it on as the longer sleeves overtook my hands as well.
"I can see why." I mumbled once the jacket was in place, "I'd come here every day if I could." I slowly stepped forward, carefully peering over the edge of the cliff and down toward the water below. We had to have been over a hundred feet up.
"I brought you here for a reason." He murmured, catching my attention again, "Princess, you're too full of every emotion known to man. As far as I know, nobody's thought to do this yet. Giving you someplace private that you can just let out all of that emotion."
"Not yet," I replied, "But I don't need it." I sighed, looking down over the edge again, "We're a pretty high up here, aren't we?"
"Focus, princess." He chuckled, "Tell me. What's bothering you?"
"You know what's bothering me." I muttered, sighing as I sat down on the rock underneath me, "I want to help, but nobody's letting me."
"And?" He prompted.
"You mean what else?" I asked, "Plenty." I paused, looking behind me into the trees, "How have they not followed you yet?"
"Leandra?" He sighed.
"What?" I asked defensively, "You want me to talk about what's bugging me. I don't do that."
"Since when?" He asked, "It's normally easy to get you to talk to me."
"This is different." I muttered, "I don't do that anymore."
"You need to." He insisted, carefully sitting beside me, "Because eventually, it's all going to build up to be too much. You want to help, right?"
"Yes."
"This is how you help." He replied, "You can't be useful to anyone until you learn how to take care of yourself first. That's just how it works. You take care of yourself by learning when it's time to rid yourself of all that negative emotion."
"Jasper does that for me."
"No." He murmured, "What Jasper does has nothing to do with what I'm talking about. These thoughts, these dreams and these emotions, those are all yours. They're all yours and they're taking too much space in your mind and your heart. The only way to lighten the load, so to speak, is to get that stuff out of there. Otherwise, it's going to build and build and build until there's no room left for anything else."
"That's how I've always been, though." I mumbled, glancing over at him, "Trust me. My family has already tried to do that. It worked a little bit, but I don't think it'll work anymore."
"Then it's time you learned how to change."
"What if I don't want to?"
He sighed, "Then that's your choice. I'm just worried about you, princess."
"I know." I sighed as well, looking back out over the ocean. I didn't offer anything else. I was tired of talking at that point. I just wanted to sit and look. After several seconds, he sighed again.
"Okay." He murmured, "Okay. I get it."
I wasn't sure how much time passed in silence, both of us just sitting there. It was nice. Just sitting there with him, no pressure or expectations. It was nice just breathing.
I finally looked over at him.
"You know they're going to be really mad." I laughed a little, "I'm pretty sure the whole 'don't be alone with her' rule is still there."
"Let them be mad." He replied simply, "Right now, I'm pretty sure I'm not too tempted to kill you."
"That's never mattered to Jasper." I pointed out, "He's gonna want to skin you."
"I'm not worried about it, princess." He chuckled, "You needed this. Even if you don't want to talk, this is good for you." I had to admit that he was right. I'd seen all the sights that I could see around the house and the yard by then. A million times. This was new.
Turning, I looked behind me at the trees before I stood up. He watched me at first before he was on his feet as well. Following me as I wandered away from the ledge. I wanted to look around.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I dunno." I replied, "Somewhere." Beyond the trees, it was a pretty steep upward slope, but nothing I couldn't handle. I figured if they hadn't followed him yet, I wanted to take advantage of the time I had out here. I'd do that by wandering.
Bracing myself on trees and large boulders between those trees, I managed to make it quite a bit further, even finding another ledge a bit further up. I hadn't realized I was going so far, but compared to the last spot, we were quite a bit higher. It took work to get this far, so I settled for this ledge instead. Slightly out of breath, but it wasn't bad.
"Is this your spot?" Mikah asked, having followed me.
"Yup." I replied, dusting my hands on my jeans and leaning against a tree. There wasn't as much room on this ledge, but I didn't mind that so much.
"It's a nice spot." He smiled a little, looking around.
Aside from the breeze, and a few birds further off behind us, it was pretty quiet up here. I really appreciated this time I had.
Looking back, I looked to Mikah and smiled a little, "Thanks. For bringing me here."
"No problem." He smiled in return, "I'm happy to be of service. Just don't get too close to the edge, and we'll be even." I laughed a little, shaking my head.
"Don't worry." I muttered, "I'm afraid of heights, remember?"
"That's right." He laughed as well, "The tree."
"This is a little higher than that tree was." I replied, glancing toward the edge, "If I'm not close to it, it's fine, but if I can see over.. Nope. So I'll just.. Hang out here." I patted the tree I leaned against.
"Why do you think you're afraid of heights?" He asked, stepping closer as I carefully sat down and leaned back against the tree.
"I dunno." I mumbled, shrugging a little. I hesitated, "I mean, I think I know, but.. I don't really wanna say."
A few months before, when I remembered everything I remembered about what happened before, exactly how I'd needed to be turned became far too clear to me. That was one detail I really wished I could forget.
"Come on, princess." He said, sitting next to me, "You can tell me."
"Well.." I hesitated again, "Remember when Edward said that Carlisle had to turn me at seventeen?"
"I remember." He replied quietly.
"That's why I'm afraid of heights." I added, "That's how I almost died last time. I guess he just never got a chance to tell anyone that."
"Because of heights?"
"Because of Aro." I corrected quietly, my reply hardly making a sound, "When I'm seventeen, I run from him. I don't remember why.. I don't remember what made me want to piss him off like I did, but.. Because I didn't want to go back with him, he knew I wouldn't ever stop trying to get away from him, and because of that, I wasn't really useful to him anymore, so.. He kind of.. Pushes me off the edge of a cliff. A really high cliff."
His reaction was tensing, looking over at me sharply.
"I remember falling, sliding down the rock and how much that hurt." I mumbled, "I remember.. The water. I remember the river I landed in, and hitting every rock in it. So much water.."
"Damn." He murmured gently.
"It was Carlisle that pulled me out." I said, looking over at him, "But you were there too."
"I was there?" He asked, surprised. I realized then that I'd never let him know that.
"Yeah." I replied, "You were there. Different, though. I didn't know you now-then. Back then, I didn't know you when you were human. I don't remember when I first met you, but.. You were there that day, and for a second, Carlisle wasn't sure about turning me. You wanted him to."
"Why wouldn't he?" He asked, "Why would he even think twice?"
"I dunno." I sighed, "But as much as it hurt, I'm glad he did turn me. I wasn't ready to die yet. There was still.. Something. Something I can't remember that I needed to live for." I sighed again, "That something, I think, is what I keep trying to remember, but I can't. I've been trying to remember that since like February."
"That has to be really hard." He spoke gently, "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." I replied, "It doesn't really bother me to remember that, though. It's easier to remember my own death than someone else's."
He sighed, reaching over and hugging me into his side. The way Emmett always did. It was a comforting gesture, one I appreciated deeply. Especially coming from him.
"Well," He sighed, "If I had known that, I wouldn't have brought you here."
"No." I said, looking up at him, "I like it here. I just can't get too close to the edge over there."
"If you say so." He murmured and I laughed a little.
"Really." I mumbled, "It's okay."
After that, we fell quiet. I liked spending this time with Mikah, even if I knew he would have to move soon. It was nice out here. Quiet, and though it was cold, I could breathe. For a moment, I felt like I could almost fall asleep right here.
I jumped a little when Mikah suddenly got to his feet. Looking up at him until he was suddenly yanking me to my feet by my sweater and standing me behind him.
"Hey." I protested, but I caught on to his tension almost immediately.
"Shh." He told me, and doing as he said was instinct. I stepped closer to his back, hiding myself further and balling my hand in the back of his shirt. His worry made me worry.
"Whoa." I didn't recognize anything about the voice coming from just a few feet away from Mikah, "Whoa. Friend." It was a calming tone, and I had to fight the want to believe this guy.
"Who are you?" Mikah demanded. The growl in his tone even scared me more than the thought of someone neither of us knew standing just a little ways away.
"Easy, tiger." The stranger chuckled, and even I smiled a little, "My name is Evander. You can call me Evan. We found your scent about ten miles back, and I figured I'd come find you."
"Why?" Mikah asked again, "And who's we?"
"Off chance," Evan said, "Do you happen to be part of Carlisle's coven?" I instantly felt Mikah's tension ease at just the mention.
"Yes." Mikah replied, his tone a lot easier, "I'm assuming you're with Destiny?"
"Yes." Evan answered, and I allowed myself a peek at his smile, "I wanted to see if you needed help, considering you're so far from your coven." His eyes found me, and he smiled again, "Hello."
Shyly, I stayed quiet, but I smiled a little in return. I kept my hand balled in Mikah's shirt, though. The sight of Evan's crimson eyes making me nervous, despite knowing now that he was supposed to be there.
"We're fine." Mikah replied, "Just heading back, actually, but thank you for your concern."
"I guess it's my job now." Evan laughed.
"Who is Destiny?" I asked quietly, and Mikah looked down at me.
"A very old friend of Cole's." He answered, "Destiny is the leader of another coven. When Carlisle mentioned he needed more numbers, Cole called in a favor with her. We weren't sure at first if she was coming, but I guess now we know."
"Her coven?" I asked, surprised, "She has her own?" Somehow, I couldn't imagine a female running a coven on her own.
"She's earned it." Evan answered for him, "She's a very worthy leader and we'd all follow her anywhere."
"Believe me," Mikah laughed, looking to him, "We're all very grateful for that."
Evan smiled again, "Would you mind some company on your return?"
"Not at all." Mikah smiled a little, easily lifting me into his arms. He looked to me, and I took that as my cue to close my eyes. I was a bit bummed that our little outing was abruptly over, but I had a feeling it was for a good reason.
It seemed like it took less time to get back than it took to get there. I opened my eyes again as I was set gently onto my feet on the porch.
"Thank goodness." Esme was the first to embrace me, obviously relieved.
"Are you crazy?" Alice was the first to lay into Mikah. Her tone sharper than I'd ever heard it, and I worried for him.
"Now isn't the time." Carlisle put an end to that, and I turned a little to look at him. I could see why he wasn't wanting them to fight right then.
Cole and quite a few of his group stood off to the left of the front porch, facing the decent group of newcomers off to the right of the porch. My family had all gathered on the front porch, watching them as well. They must have just arrived, since nobody was really speaking yet.
Standing up here on the porch with every one of my family, a breeze blew by, and I shivered slightly. I partially wanted to go inside, but there she stood. Four others with her, but I could instantly tell which female was Destiny, as she stood ahead of the others.
Her hair was a light auburn color. Like mine, only much lighter. Brown, with just a hint of red. It was straighter than mine, though. An almost solid sheet framing her gentle face, but every part of her was a contradiction. She was slight, small. Only a few inches taller than Alice, if that, and just as small, but I knew just by looking at her that she was capable.
The others behind her were all taller than her, but she was the leader. I easily recognized Evan has he took an open spot behind Destiny. He smiled a little at me, and I returned it.
"Carlisle." Her voice was quiet, hesitant, but soft. In a kind sort of way, and a slow, friendly smile came to her face.
"Destiny." He greeted in reply, slowly stepping from the porch, taking the steps slowly to meet her out in the yard. Emmett and Jasper stuck close by him, but Mikah stayed back with us. Probably for my added protection, just in case. Cole followed Carlisle and the others, with two females beside him.
"I heard you may need a bit of help." She smiled wider. She hesitated, "So here I am, but first, I'd like to meet the one this is all about. Leandra."
"You've heard?" Carlisle asked, and she nodded.
"Cole filled me in a little bit." She replied with a small nod.
"I'd like to be sure you don't mean her harm." Carlisle murmured politely.
"Don't you worry, Carlisle." She replied, and her tone was sincere, "I'm here to help, I assure you." I watched as Carlisle looked to Jasper, who gave a nod.
Slowly, Carlisle turned and gestured us forward. Mikah, Alice and Rose started forward first, Esme following them with me in tow.
We reached her, and she smiled down at me.
"All of this for someone so small?" She asked, curious, "You must mean a whole lot to someone, baby doll. It's very nice to meet you, Leandra."
I didn't know what to say, so I smiled a little shyly.
"My name's Destiny, but you can call me Dess." She continued, "It's shorter, and much faster. I didn't ask for my name, you know."
I smiled a little more, laughing a little at her tone.
"Does she speak?" She asked, looking to Carlisle. I wasn't offended by her question. I had yet to say a word to her, and I wasn't trying to be rude, but I was nervous.
"She's shy." Carlisle replied, "She speaks, but not often around those she doesn't know. Especially when she's under so much stress."
"I see." She murmured, looking to me again, "I can understand that. That's okay. I'm not very talkative either. Words are overrated." She looked to Carlisle, "She's precious. I'm assuming she's not a pet?"
"Does your kind do that a lot?" I asked, and she looked to me, confused so I spoke again, "Keep humans as pets? Because you're not the first person to wonder about that."
"It's uncommon, is all." She laughed a little, "Humans are normally repelled by us, unless we don't want them to be. It's in their nature."
"I'm not repelled." I replied, "They're my family."
"Intriguing." She mused, looking to Carlisle once more, "I suppose there's more to the story than I currently know."
"I'll be happy to explain it to you." Carlisle murmured, "Would you like to come inside?"
"Of course." She smiled, "Thank you."
I gathered that this was going well. She seemed pretty nice, and I liked her.
Esme chose to go inside with them, followed by Cole and the two females with him, but the rest of us stayed outside. Evan and most of the group that had come along with Dess, Cole's group and my family remained outside in the front yard. It was pretty crowded in the yard, and I felt safer standing back by the porch steps.
Without another word, I jumped. Surprised as Emmett suddenly punched Mikah in the face, sending him back across the yard. A few in Cole's group had to part to let him through, watching as he landed hard against a tree.
"Hey!" I shouted, very unhappy about witnessing that, "What the hell?"
"He had it coming, shorty." Emmett turned, looking at me and I glared hard at him.
"Why?" I asked, crossing my arms, "Because he cared enough about me to take me somewhere to clear my head?"
Alice rounded on me too, "Do you have any clue-"
"I know." I snapped in Alice's direction, "But it was worth it! Don't be mad at him for doing something nice for me."
I moved forward, heading for Mikah where he had picked himself up off the ground.
"I deserved that." He chuckled, lightly rubbing his right cheek. As I neared him, those of Cole's coven that had come forward to help him moved back as if repelled by me.
"You can't go taking off with her like that." Emmett snapped Mikah's direction, "Got it?" Mikah seemed to be fine. In one piece, but that probably hurt more than he let on.
"Is this normal?" Evan chuckled, glancing over at Jasper.
"It is when he messes up." Jasper replied, "And he messed up badly today."
"Taking her elsewhere despite the threat?" Evan guessed, and Jasper nodded.
"He knew better."
I suddenly remembered something. That threat. Carlisle had obviously asked Dess here for a reason. Maybe this was what he was waiting on this whole time. More people on our side.
"Uh-oh." Mikah muttered, "That look.."
Ignoring him, I turned and jogged up the porch steps as quickly as I could. I really didn't want to be rude, so I slid to an impatient stop beside where Carlisle stood talking to Dess.
Before I could wait for too long, however, Esme gently turned me around and led me toward the kitchen. I didn't exactly want to protest, but I couldn't help the quiet, disappointed whine.
"Just give them some time." She told me, laughing a little, "Let them talk."
"Is she here to help?" I asked, "With that Jack thing?"
"We'll see." She said, "They're still discussing it."
"She wouldn't have come, though." I said, hopeful, "She wouldn't have come, though, if she wasn't okay with helping us, right?"
"We'll see." She repeated, "Patience, Leandra."
"I don't have much of that." I sighed, sitting down at my usual place at the counter.
"What is going on outside?" She frowned.
"I think they're gonna kill Mikah." I replied quietly.
"Oh, dear." She sighed, and it worried me how she actually got moving, "Please. Stay here."
"I will." I agreed as she left. If she could calm them down about Mikah, I'd agree. They obviously weren't listening to me, but maybe they'd listen to Esme.
I wasn't sure how long I sat in there by myself, maybe a few minutes, before I sighed and stood up. Rounding the counter, in search of something to eat. As much as I didn't want to admit it, Esme was right. Carlisle needed time to talk to Dess and the others without me interrupting, so I made myself a sandwich to keep myself busy. I was hungry after that outing, and dinner was still a few hours away.
I had just sat down with said sandwich, when I looked over as Esme and Mikah entered the kitchen, and I sighed in relief this time. Mikah was clearly still in one piece, so Esme had at least kept him alive that far, but the fact that she felt the need to drag him into the kitchen with her worried me further. Were the others really that mad at him?
"Are you hiding?" I asked as Mikah neared my side.
He laughed, "No, I think I get to live."
"Good." I mumbled, "Because it'd suck if they killed you." I leaned over, offering him my sandwich as a joke, "Want a bite?"
"Uh.." He laughed again, obviously repelled by it, "No thanks. You go ahead."
"But.." I pouted, still holding it up at him, "I worked so hard on it-" I couldn't keep a straight face, though, as he actually took a bite. Surprised beyond belief. The face he made, though, had me laughing more than I had in a long time, actually having trouble breathing.
"Yummy." He muttered around the bite he'd taken, but his tone highly suggested otherwise as he turned for the trashcan. Esme, laughing herself, handed him a paper towel, which he used as quickly as he could to rid his mouth of the obviously disgusting substance.
I inspected my sandwich before deciding that it was fine. I'd just eat around the spot he'd bitten, not wanting to test his spit.
"Is my sandwich gonna turn into a vampire now?" I had to ask, and his resulting laughter had mine continuing, keeping me from effectively taking a bite of my own until I could breathe again.
"You never know." Mikah replied, "Better be careful, and burn what you don't eat." Just picturing that nearly made me choke.
Shaking her head, but clearly also amused, Esme placed a glass of water in front of me. It was nice to laugh again, and it really didn't surprise me that it was Mikah that had me doing it.
"What are you doing?" He asked, laughing as he watched me tear off the corner he'd bitten.
"You put spit on it." I replied, only gaining more laughter.
"I don't have cooties." He said, "I promise." I knew he knew what I meant, so I continued the joke.
"Yes you do." I countered, carefully laying the offending portion of my sandwich on my plate, "I can tell."
"Oh, really?" He asked, yanking me up off my seat, much to my entertainment as I dropped the rest of my sandwich quickly back onto my plate.
As careful as he was, he still moved me a whole lot faster than Emmett ever did. He didn't try flipping me upside down or tickling me the way Emmett did, but he held me up above his head like I hardly weighed a pound. His hands supporting me under my arms easily.
Esme, of course, stood watch and carefully neared. Probably to make sure I was okay, but by the sound of my laughter, I knew she'd know I was fine.
"Do I still have cooties?" He asked me, and through laughter, I nodded. That laughter only increased as he swung me backwards and down, before swinging me forward and up, tossing me up just high enough to not hit the ceiling before catching me as I inevitably fell back down. My stomach dropped to the floor, and despite how breathless that made me, I was having fun.
"You okay?" He chuckled as I was laughing too hard to make a sound now.
"Yeah." I finally gasped, "Do that again."
And so he did. Twice more without a break, and the third time, he moved me so I twirled in the air before he caught me. I couldn't help squealing through those. I couldn't keep my loud laughter quiet, as much as I tried, as he plopped me back down in my chair to catch my breath. He probably put me back down for Esme's benefit, because she was getting edgy.
When I could open my eyes, I looked over at Mikah's smug smile.
"Okay." I breathed, "You don't have cooties."
"What are you doing to her in here?" Emmett led the group into the kitchen. Said group consisted of all of my family, including Carlisle and even Edward. To my surprise, though, Cole stood back by the doorway, Destiny beside him. Just those two, the rest of their groups probably hanging back.
"Mikah has cooties." I reported, much to Mikah's amusement.
"Interesting." Emmett replied, clearly not interested. He sighed, speaking again, "Okay, shorty. Pay attention, because play time's over."
That certainly got my attention and I turned in my chair to face them, "Is this about Jack?"
"First off, don't look so eager. That worries me." He muttered, but he fell quiet as Carlisle moved forward.
"Leandra," Carlisle spoke, and I waited, "I understand how much it means to you to do this, and though I can understand why, it is a big risk."
"I know." I replied quietly.
"I need you to take this seriously, okay?" He murmured, "Do exactly as we tell you. Your role is fairly simple, and I'm sure you know what it is."
"I'm the bait." I nodded a little, and further back, Alice cringed a little.
"You make that sound like a good thing." Emmett grumbled.
I reached out, taking the cell phone Carlisle placed in my hands.
"That is going to be hidden somewhere in your room." He said, "Preferably somewhere close to where you're going to be."
"Probably near my bed." I said, looking down at it as he nodded a little.
"I'll be waiting as well." Edward spoke up, and I glanced to him, "Added acknowledgement, but if for some reason my ability doesn't work, that phone will be the only way to let them know." I nodded, agreeing with that. From anywhere in the house, he could hear my thoughts if whatever Jack was doing didn't block that too.
"If this works," Carlisle went on, "All I want you to do is bring attention any way you can. That's as far as your role goes. Once we're in there, no matter what happens, you get as far away from that room as you can." I wasn't sure I liked what he meant by that.
"No matter what happens?" I asked hesitantly.
"He's not going to like getting ambushed, shorty." Emmett said, "And he's probably going to be pissed enough to turn on whoever's closest before we can get him."
I winced.
"What about Cole?" I asked, looking to him.
"Their job is only to keep the house secure." Carlisle replied, "From the outside, where their designated waiting areas are." I knew why they couldn't be inside. Jack would know.
"Don't worry about us, darling." Cole offered quietly from where he and Dess stood.
"Focus, Leandra." Carlisle murmured, and I looked to him again, "Remember what I said."
"No matter what.." I mumbled, looking back down at the phone in my hands, swallowing nervously. I was starting to understand a little more why Carlisle had to consider everything carefully. It suddenly didn't seem as simple as I was thinking it was.
"Do you understand?" Carlisle asked, and hesitantly, I nodded.
"Yeah." I said, "No matter what."
With a small nod, Carlisle turned to face the others, "Alright." Alice immediately turned and left the room, Jasper following her. I gathered that Alice still wasn't fully supportive of this, but she wouldn't go against Carlisle. As much as I knew she wanted to.
Cole gave a responding nod and looked to Dess, "Shall we clear out?" With a smile, she turned first, leaving the room with Cole in tow. I assumed they were going to gather their groups and leave the area.
I couldn't help inspecting the phone. It was a pretty important part of what I was supposed to do.
"When?" I asked.
"Tonight." Carlisle replied, "Tonight, you'll be left in your room alone, but the rest of us will be waiting." I nodded again, taking a nervous breath.
"Don't worry, princess." Mikah murmured behind me, "I won't let anything happen to them."
"Well, I don't want anything to happen to you, either." I frowned, looking back at him.
"Don't worry about us, shorty." Emmett said, "Just worry about your part in all this."
And for the most part, I tried not to. I honestly tried, but the closer it got to my usual bed time, the more nervous I got. I started to question myself at this point. Was all this really worth it? In the long run, I would probably say it was worth it, but right then, I wasn't so sure.
Edward was upstairs, protecting Bella. Just in case. I knew right where everyone would be. Carlisle and Esme would both be closest to my room, in the kitchen talking with the other phone sitting between them. Rose would be upstairs, probably as added protection for Bella as well, but waiting eagerly no doubt. Mikah, Emmett, Jasper and Alice were the second closest ones, situated in the living room.
I wasn't quite sure where Cole or Dess would be, but I assumed far enough away to keep watch on the area without being obvious about it. I couldn't help but wonder how they'd pull that off without splitting up.
Until it was time to go to bed, I sat in the living room on the couch with Mikah. Him on one end of the couch, me on the other, closest to Alice's chair. One thing was for sure. Nobody could say that I wasn't taking this seriously.
The more nervous I got, the less I felt up to talking. I knew exactly what I had to do, as it was the easiest job of everyone. If this worked, it would be. If something went wrong, though, I'd never forgive myself if someone got hurt.
I had already taken my nightly shower, my slightly damp hair chilling me just as much as my nerves did. The TV was on, but I wasn't watching it. It was so odd to think about the fact that the trees outside the house were now empty. The path clear for Jack to show up.
The more I questioned myself, though, the more I thought about everything that led me here. We'd never really had a chance like this before. Every other time, it was Jack making all the moves. This was new to me.
I also had to think about what it'd be like to know that no matter what happened, Jack wouldn't be leaving here alive. That was harder for me to face than I'd ever like to admit to anyone. Much less to myself. I actually had yet to talk to anyone, other than Mikah, about that dream. The dream I'd had about the day my mom left. It shook me how similar he and I were, and it still stuck. With an ending to his life in sight, it was hard for me to accept that when I still didn't have the answers I wanted.
Stuck so far in my thoughts, I jumped a little at a brief smoothing of my hair. Looking over at Alice. She must have seen how distracted I was.
"Are you okay?" She asked and I nodded a little. Looking back down.
"Thinking." I answered quietly.
"As much as I wish you wouldn't do this," She said, "I know you can. As brave as you've been lately, Leandra, this will be easy for you." I deeply appreciated her vote of confidence, even if I did doubt it. It meant a lot to me.
"Thanks." I muttered, sighing a little. Unfortunately, the following yawn told me it was about time to go isolate myself. After the busy day I'd had, it was only to be expected that I'd be needing to sleep earlier than I was used to.
"Tired?" Alice asked, and I nodded. Fully knowing what it would mean to admit it, but part of me also just wanted to get it over with. She nodded as well, "Esme."
That was the cue, so I stood up. Carefully taking a deep breath.
"Good night, princess." Mikah offered quietly from the other end of the couch. I doubted I'd be getting much sleep, but it was worth a try. I tried to smile his direction, but the nervousness kept that from being believable.
Both Esme and Carlisle followed me into my room, and I picked up the phone off of my bedside table as I neared.
"Don't worry, sweetheart." Esme murmured as I pulled back the blanket and sat down on my bed, "We'll be right out there if you need anything." I nodded a little, and as comforting as her words tried to be, they didn't help much.
I accepted the call to the phone in my hand, knowing it was Carlisle. I knew his phone would be muted, so no sound would come through mine, so as soon as I knew it was working, I leaned down and slid the phone underneath my bedside table.
Esme kissed the top of my head before both she and Carlisle both left, and the closing of my bedroom door sounded louder than it really was.
So there I sat. On the side of my bed, feeling more alone than I had for awhile. I knew my family was right on the other side of my closed bedroom door, but that didn't help me. Not with knowing what Jack could do. Proven twice.
The phone hiding under my bedside table didn't offer any sort of company either, considering it was muted on the other end to make sure no sound came through. I wasn't sure what I should have been doing. Should it really look like I was waiting for him to show up? Probably not.
So instead of just sitting there, I hesitantly reached over and turned off my bedside lamp. Laying down onto my side with a sigh, I settled in to wait. My room was still dimly lit, and I clung to that now.
As I laid there, I thought about earlier that afternoon with Mikah in the kitchen. How I wished things could always be like they were with Mikah. Maybe after this, they could be.
Maybe if this worked, things would be different, but I had to ask myself. Would it be different good, or different bad? What was I even doing focusing on this when there were so many other things to worry about?
I laid there nervously, my gaze fixed on the window. I couldn't help it.
After enough time with no results, having laid there for about an hour, I stood up with a sigh and crossed the room to the window. I lifted it open, shivering a little in the damp breeze that filtered in, ruffling the curtains a little as it did so. This breeze smelled and felt like rain, thanks to the slow but steady rain that fell outside, and as often as I smelled it, I never got tired of it, but was cold.
I made sure the window was as wide open as it could be before I returned to bed. Curling back up under my blanket with a deep sigh. It was cooling off in my room fast, and I wanted to get warm. I always felt colder when I was tired, and with my hair still a little damp, that certainly didn't help.
I knew they'd probably like an update, but I didn't want to talk out loud, in case Jack was out there listening. I'd known it probably wouldn't happen immediately, but the longer I went without seeing anyone, the more nervous I got.
A few times, I did try to sleep. Resting my tired eyes, but I never managed to fall asleep. Far too restless to let myself ease that much.
I didn't understand it. The way in was wide open. Jack had all the opportunity in the world, but maybe that was the problem. After being to fiercely protected for how long now, having the way wide open wasn't exactly inconspicuous.
Sometime around midnight, in the middle of thinking about the other times he'd shown up, I had an idea. With a sigh, I sat up and flipped my blanket back as I climbed out of bed. Leaving the window wide open, I left my room, letting my bedroom door close behind me.
Esme and Carlisle were instantly there, and I shook my head.
"Nothing yet." I said as quietly as I could, "But I just remembered. The other times he's shown up, it was when I couldn't see him do it. The first time, I was in the bathroom, and the second time, I was asleep. Maybe he just knows I'm awake."
"With all that moving around," Mikah spoke from the living room up the hall, "I'm not surprised."
"I can't help it, okay?" I snapped lightly in response.
"Would you like some tea, honey?" Esme offered with a sigh, and I nodded a little. That might settle me down.
"Please." I mumbled, immediately following her toward the kitchen. I always appreciated her tea.
In the kitchen, I stared tiredly down at the countertop in front of me. Now and then yawning. Before this even started, I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but I didn't know how hard it'd be to be torn between wanting so bad to sleep, but being too restless to do so.
I wasn't even sure if I should be sleeping. Shouldn't I be staying awake? It was my job to let them know the second Jack was there. How would I do that if I was asleep when he got there?
"I think this is harder than we thought it'd be." I finally mumbled. I glanced over at Edward's arrival, watching as he came to stand beside Carlisle before I looked back down.
"Leandra, you can sleep." Edward murmured, "That isn't against the rules."
"But how am I going to let anybody know when he gets here if I'm asleep when it happens?" I asked, but I sighed, "How's Bella?"
"Fast asleep." He answered, "As you should be."
"As you pointed out," Carlisle spoke up, "Perhaps he'll wait until you're asleep." I frowned down at the counter under my resting hands.
"He never used to care if I was asleep or not before showing up." I grumbled, "Why should he care so much now?" I instantly hated myself for bringing that up. My heart sped up uncomfortably, and I took a breath in response. Shaking my head.
I glanced towards Edward's deeper frown apologetically.
"Sorry." I muttered, "My mind gets like that sometimes when I'm tired."
He sighed, "Leandra."
"I know." I sighed as well, "I know I don't have to say sorry, but I feel like I do sometimes, you know? It's just how I am, I guess." I looked over as Esme placed a warm cup in front of me, intensely grateful for it.
"I still don't think this is a good idea." Mikah muttered, joining the ever growing population of the kitchen, "How is this a good thing?" He gestured to me yawning into my cup, "We just got her sleeping again."
"I'll sleep." I grumbled into my tea, "You worry too much."
"Well," He grumbled in reply, "I don't like it."
"I can do it." I argued, "It's really easy. Just some parts are a little more confusing than others." He shook his head, but didn't protest again.
I had to admit, though. I was a little afraid to return to my room, afraid of what I'd find. I hesitated outside the door once it was time to go back to bed, staring at the door. It was harder than I'd ever admit out loud, but I knew I had to. Part of me wanted to change my mind right then and there, but the other part of me knew I couldn't do that. I had to go in alone.
Just be brave, I told myself. Just a little while longer.
I knew I was watched, and the longer I hesitated, the clearer it became how nervous I was. If he was in there, I knew I wouldn't be in there very long, but I couldn't help being afraid.
Before anyone could say anything, I finally took a breath and turned the doorknob. Closing my eyes as I forced myself through the door and closed it firmly behind myself. Stupidly, I turned my back to the room, facing the now closed door. Barely holding in the sob of nervousness in the breath I continued to hold.
I knew they needed to know, though, so as I continued to hold my breath, I forced myself to glance behind me.
Letting that breath out in a large sigh as my room was just as empty as it was when I left it.
"Nothing." I mumbled to the empty room, looking around again. Just in case I missed something the first time around. My curtains still ruffled a little in the breeze from the open window, and it was much colder in my room now, but I didn't dare close the window. As much as I wanted to and as much as I shivered. I still hated the cold. That hadn't changed, so I hoped this at least paid off.
I crossed my room, laying back down on my bed and quickly scooting under the blanket. I laid down, curling in my blanket on my side. Watching the empty room again, laying awake as long as I could.
I also had to admit that I was afraid to fall asleep. Would he show up while I was sleeping? It was a major possibility.
Eventually, though, I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I wasn't sure how long I laid there awake before my tired and burning eyes closed on their own, and refused to open again.
A/N: I'm sorry it's so short! But I had to leave it right here, guys. It's just how it works. I just hope this was enjoyable.
THANK YOU! To my reviewers! Both of you are amazing! :D THANK YOU!
Another short A/N this time guys. It's 6 in the morning, and I'm tired.
Chapter Eleven will be longer. I promise. A lot happens in it, so I'd be prepared for that. A subject we've all been waiting for is the main focus of that one. :)
Until Eleven, my friends!