A/N: I don't know if I like this chapter. After reading the infamous 'My Immortal' fanfic (the worst fanfiction ever) I am now paranoid that my work is like said fanfiction. Ahh! If it is then you have my permission to cut my hands off to stop me from typing.

Chapter Ten – If These Walls Could Talk

My sister Ariel had this rather scary talent of making people fall in love with her the moment they met her. Not only was she too adorable for her own good but she was also the sweetest little girl you could ever meet – and no I'm not just saying that because I'm her sister. She was always popular wherever she went, and so I wasn't surprised when she received an invitation to a 6-year-old's birthday party a month after we arrived in La Push.

The birthday girl was Coco Robinson and she was Ariel's "bestest friend in the whole entire world."

Don't get me wrong I was happy that Ariel had made friends so easily and was adapting to life in La Push, but I always worried the moment she wandered too far away from me. It wasn't just the fear of dad suddenly turning up and taking her away, but the new worry of something happening to Ariel like what had happened to those two sisters up in Forks.

I shivered as I remembered that day.

Embry had been the one who told me what happened up in Forks, although I could tell he would rather I didn't know anything; sometimes I think that boy would rather I live in ignorance.

Just like he had promised the day he dropped me off at Sam's after my first day at school, Embry had been there the next morning to collect me with Quil and Seth already in the truck, but as soon as I got in I knew something was up. Everyone was quiet and everyone was tense. Embry did smile at me but there was regret in his eyes, like he had wronged me in some way and didn't know how to atone for it.

We were halfway to school and sitting in the most uncomfortable silence when I couldn't take it any more. I asked them what happened. It was like pulling teeth, but they eventually told me that two little girls had been killed up in Forks woods and that the murderer was still out there.

I immediately had thought of Ariel and had demanded to be taken home, but Embry had said that her school was closed and that she had Emily and Sam to look out her. I still wanted to see her, but the confidence in Embry's eyes reassured me that everything would be okay. I believed in what he said so stayed in that unhappy truck until we arrived at school.

School that day had been full of gossip and tears and shock. I had never seen anything like it. Everyone was shaken up by what had happened and it only got worse as more details were released. They had cracked skulls. They were naked. The murderer was probably a woman.

A dark cloud had hovered around La Push for the better part of the week with people not going out of their houses except to work and school. Suspicion and protection was everywhere, and it was only now, nearly three weeks on, that people were getting back to some sort of normality.

I mean Sam had let me out of the house…alone!

Since what had happened he had insisted that Ariel and I come straight home after school, and when I reminded him that I had work he and Embry became my own personal chauffeurs (again I wondered why Embry so willingly and happily took on this position). Sam had been crazy-obsessive with making sure I was in before dark; not a big problem for me as I hated being outside in the dark, but when he frowned at you for going to work and grumbled at you when you said that you are going to go to Port Angeles with your friends, his militant ways start to be a right drag.

But finally I was allowed to walk out in La Push alone and I had that wonderful feeling of a prisoner finally being released from its cage. Ariel skipped along the road and I bounced along after her, both of us laughing and saying the silliest things; when I was with Ariel I got away with saying silly things.

We were nearly at Coco's house when Ariel grabbed my hand with a solemn expression on her face.

"GiGi, papa isn't coming to get us is he?" Ariel asked suddenly.

I stopped walking. Since we arrived here Ariel hadn't mentioned dad once. I had thought that she was enjoying being doted on by Emily and Sam and that she had forgot about dad. Wishful thinking. Dad wasn't that easy to forget. Most nights Ariel still crept into my bed to sleep.

I sighed and kneeled in front of her.

"Why do you say that, Ariel?"

"Because I don't want him to get us. I like it here. I like Emily and I like Sam and I like my school and I like the dog Humphrey. I don't want to go home. Please don't make me GiGi," she whispered.

"Of course I'm not going to take you home. This is our home!"

"Really?"

"Really, really. Ariel, dad isn't going to come back.

"How do you know?"

"Well I don't know for definite, but I do know that Sam won't let us go back."

"But what if papa makes him give us back? I don't want to go back GiGi. He hurts." She rubbed her arm.

"It won't ever hurt again Ari. Even if dad comes back and even if he tries to take us home, I won't let him take you. I won't let him hurt you again Ariel. You won't ever go back home with dad. I promise."

She looked into my eyes and hugged me.

"Come on now sweetie, you've got a party to go to."

The rest of the walk was in silence and I was strongly considering taking Ariel home, but as soon as we stepped onto the Robinson's property Ariel became excited and back to her old self. She ran up to Coco and the girls walked off hand in hand, jumping up and down in delight. I briefly spoke to Coco's mom and gave her the birthday present before I waved Ariel goodbye, who was now showing her group of friends how to do a handstand, and set off.

With this new freedom of mine I was planning on going to the library and I set off in the direction of it. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't know what road I had turned to walk down until it was too late.

When we arrived back in La Push I had promised myself not to walk down this road. I had always believed that the memories would come screaming back to me and as I stood on the path, opposite my old house, they all did…

I remembered hiding under the porch stairs from my dad. The window which used to belong to my room I would sit at and wish I could fly away from my home and my father. And the shed at the back of the house was where dad would lock me for hours until I couldn't scream anymore; that shed is why I'm so afraid of the dark.

Of course there were good memories too. I remembered sitting up in the big oak tree at the side of the house and pretending I was a faerie who spoke to the birds. On summer days I remembered making daisy chains with my mom and drinking pink lemonade. And in the living room was where mom and I would hold our own little dance parties.

Even though my childhood had been filled with fear and violence, my mom had always been there to try and make it better. She never shouted at me or made me feel stupid. She would always listen to me and made me feel like what I said was actually important. Whenever I needed her she would scoop me up in her arms and tell me thousands of fairytales to try and make me feel better. Our house was brightly decorated and all her beautiful drawings were on the shelves and walls. Dad spent most of our money, but mom always made sure I had a present to open and every year she would give me a beautifully bound notebook filled with her own stories and illustrations. Mom had always been creative, but the longer she was with dad the darker her stories became. She started crying and grew thinner and thinner. I would become so worried about her, but she would always smile and make me forget my worries.

For so long I had resented my mom for leaving Ariel and I, and although I doubted I could ever truly forgive her for abandoning us, as I stood outside my own house, the sounds of laughter and tears coming back to me, a peace came over me. In that moment I understood why mom had to leave and what she had suffered for so long.

Standing there on the sidewalk silent tears started to leave traces down my cheeks.

Who lived in this house now I didn't know nor did I want to. Despite the bad memories this house would always be mine.

I had run from my old life here ever since we arrived, not wanting to think of dad and mom and my childhood, but suddenly I realized that running wouldn't do anything. I had to face my past and accept it for what it was. It wasn't a great childhood and no child should have to live it, but to be so self-piteous as I suspected I was at times was not a way to live. I was being held back by my bitterness. If only I was to accept and forgive perhaps I could move on.

A woman's silhouette passed across the window and I made a promise to myself that regardless of the pain or difficulty I would move on with my life. I would cut the strings which held me back and start walking my own way in this life.

***

On my way to the library I met Embry.

He was standing in a driveway washing a car. Embry, shirtless, water; I am sorry to admit that my inner fangirl took a hold and I just stopped and stared at him. I was still feeling shaken inside after seeing my house, but was feeling refreshed at my sudden realization at what I needed in life, and seeing Embry standing there, consumed in something which gave him such pure happiness, a spark inside me was lighted and I began to shine.

I think he felt someone looking at him because he spun round and, when he saw me, waved and beamed. I smiled back, such a broad smile that I think even he was taken aback, and I walked over to him.

"Hi Embry," I said cheerfully.

"Hey Angelina," he smiled. "What you doing here?" He dropped the sponge into the bucket of water and it splashed us. "Sorry," he said.

I laughed down at my soaking wet T-shirt. "It's okay Embry."

Looking at him I didn't want to take my eyes off of him. I never noticed before how beautiful his eyes were. It's hard to describe Embry's eyes they are that beautiful; not quite brown, more the colour of amber but too dark to be called amber either. There was a stillness about them as though Embry knew all the secrets to the world and he had found the meaning to life. He had rather heavy eyelids and his eyelashes were impossibly long, so much so that when he blinked they fell across his cheek. Whilst his eyelashes smoldered, his gaze was always gentle and kind. Just staring into his eyes you felt like you could tell him anything – everything, and he wouldn't judge you, only love you.

In those eyes I felt he knew who I was.

I smiled at him shyly.

"I've just come from dropping Ariel off at a party," I told him, "and was on my way to the library when I bumped into you. What you doing?"

I mentally slapped myself. It was obvious what he was doing – he was washing a car! He obviously saw me mentally slapping myself as he chuckled.

"I'm washing my mom's car Angelina."

"Ah so you live here?" I said signaling to the pretty little house we were standing outside.

"Yep. Mom and I have been living here for the past 5 years."

"Where did you live before?"

"On the other side of town. I prefer it here though."

"I don't b-b-blame you." I sneezed.

"Oh God Angelina," Embry said looking concerned, "you must be freezing in that wet T-shirt. Come inside and let me dry it for you."

If it was anybody else but Embry I would have run a mile as soon as that sentence was uttered, but even with the overall pervertness of what he had said (which I doubt Embry meant to do) I could tell that there was nothing sinister in Embry.

"I bet you say that to all the girls," I said with a laugh.

"Only the beautiful ones."

I blushed. Nobody had ever called me beautiful before. Embry's cheeks reddened too. "Please Angelina; Sam will kill me if you come home a 5ft snowman because I got you so cold. My mom is inside; she'll take care of it for you."

I nodded. "Okay."

He smiled at me and we walked inside his house.

Most of the houses around here are small and Embry's house was no exception, but his house was immaculate. Clean surfaces everywhere, everything polished, vacuumed and in it's place. No clutter, no dust. I was afraid to even breathe in case I messed something up. I stayed on the doormat no knowing if I should take my shoes off or not. Embry barged inside and signaled for me to do the same.

"Come on Angelina," he said.

"Should I take my shoes off?" I asked.

"Don't be silly."

On the mantelpiece and on the coffee table I could see photos of Embry when he was little. I was dying to look at them, but he carried on walking through the house to the kitchen and I followed.

"Mom where are you?" he shouted.

"I'm out here baby. I'll be in a minute," yelled back a woman's voice from outside.

Embry and I were standing awkwardly in the kitchen when a tall, thin woman came in through the back door. I could tell straight away that she was Embry's mom. They had the same high cheekbones, the same lips, the same nose, forehead and chin. Although Embry was incredibly tall and muscular they had the same body shape - thin and tall. She came bustling in, carrying a basket full of washing, and didn't see me at first.

"Baby have you finished washing my car? I – oh." She had spotted me. "Who is this?"

I smiled shyly at her.

"Mom this is Angelina Gray," he said proudly. "Angelina this is my mom Carolyn Call," he said with equal pride.

"Very pleased to meet you Mrs. Call," I said.

"It's Miss," she corrected.

"Sorry. Very pleased to meet you, Miss. Call."

"You too, Angelina. So are you a friend of my Embry's?"

"Yep," I said; I saw Embry's smile grow when I said that.

"That's funny I haven't seen you before. Embry doesn't have many female friends so I would have noticed you," she said, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

"Angelina just moved here," Embry explained.

"Well technically I moved back here," I said. "I used to live here but I moved when I was 10."

"I see. So how did you too meet?" Embry's mom asked.

I realized that Miss Call was one of those over-protective mothers who hated all girls who went near their precious sons. It didn't matter that Embry and I were only friends and that I had only come in to get a clean shirt. Suddenly I was a threat who needed to be disposed of. How did I know all this? Well because I knew that when I had my own son I too would turn into one of those scary, over-protective mothers who thought no girl was ever good enough for their sons.

"Well I'm Sam's cousin and we met because of Sam," I said.

"Sam?"

She was looking at me now as though I had just told her that Satan was my father.

"Um…yep…Sam."

"Sam Uley is your cousin?"

"Yes."

For a few terrifying seconds I though she would pick me up and throw me out the window, and if it wasn't for the basket of washing she was carrying I'm sure she would have done. She turned and started crashing about in the kitchen. I looked up at Embry who was looking at his mom in exasperation.

"Mom?"

"What is it Embry?" she snapped.

"Can you wash Angelina's shirt?"

She turned round. "Excuse me?"

"Can you wash Angelina's shirt. I splashed it with the dirty water and now…"

He pointed to my wet shirt.

"It's okay," I whispered. "I can get it clean at home."

I wanted nothing more than to be away from this intimidating woman.

"No it's fine. Mom please."

"Don't give me that look Embry," she muttered. "Fine Angelina, take your shirt off and I'll throw it in with this wash."

"You don't have to," I began.

"No Embry got it wet; I'll clean it for you. Have you got a top underneath it?"

"Just a strappy one."

She held out her hand for it and I started to unbutton it. I slid my top down my arms and passed it to her. She was looking at me with an open mouth in disbelief. I raised my eyebrow at her only to notice that Embry was trembling beside me. For one awful second I thought I had forgotten to put my T-shirt on underneath my top and that I was standing in some strange woman's kitchen in just my bra, but then I realized I was still wearing a T-shirt and that the reason Embry and his mother were staring were because of the scars along my arms.

I had been so at ease with Embry, felt so normal, even with Miss Call and her wanting-to-kill-me looks that I had forgotten all about them!

I wanted tried in vain to cover them up. Miss Call turned her head.

"Embry go get one of my shirts for Angelina to wear until hers is ready," she said.

Embry didn't move. He just kept on staring at my arms and he was shaking violently beside me.

"Embry," Miss Call snapped. "Go and get her a shirt."

Embry looked at his mom, then at my arms and then he turned on his heel and stormed upstairs. Miss Call took my shirt and put in the washing machine.

"Who gave you those bruises Angelina?" she asked with her back to me.

"No-one. It doesn't matter," I said not really wanting to talk about this with Embry's mom.

"Angelina, who gave you those bruises?" she demanded.

"My father," I muttered.

"Is that why you came back here? To get away from him?"

"He hit my sister," I simply said.

Miss Call nodded and stood up. "Is that why you're staying with Sam?"

I nodded.

"So Josh was your uncle?"

I was taken aback that she knew my uncle and that she called by the name only his friends had 'permission' too. I didn't say anything though; maybe she was friendly with my Uncle Josh although for the life of me I couldn't see why an obviously intelligent woman like Miss Call would want to be friends with him.

"Only by marriage. Sam's mom and my mom were sisters. Uncle Josh was dad's best friend."

She nodded.

"Does your father know where you are?"

"I don't think so."

"What about your mother?"

"She's gone."

Miss Call looked at me and her gaze softened. Her eyes were still hard and alert (so unlike Embry's) and I could tell that she had a difficult life by the defensive stance she was taking. But looking at me it was like she understood what I was going through, and as long as I didn't get her son into trouble she would leave me alone…at least that's what I thought.

"Do you want a drink Angelina?" she asked.

"No thank-you, I've got to go to the library soon."

"I'll probably go with her," Embry said, and I turned to find him standing in the doorway holding his mom's jumper. He held it out to me and I hastily put it on. It was a little tight around the bust, Miss Call being smaller than me, but it had nice long sleeves and that was very good indeed. He seemed calmer but kept on looking at me as though I was made of glass and was going to break at any moment. "Is it okay if I go with you?" he asked me.

"Sure," I said.

"When you get back your shirt should be done," Miss Call said. "Embry don't be back too late. I'm cooking tonight. No later than seven."

"Okay Mom," he said, kissing her goodbye.

"Thanks for the top Miss Call," I said.

"It's okay Angelina."

Following Embry out of his house I noticed a photograph near the phone of a small Embry in his mother's arms. His front tooth was missing and he was smiling up at the camera. His mom was laughing at him and holding him to her chest tightly.

There was no man in the photo. No father.

The sun shone on me and Embry as we set off walking in the direction of the library, away from my old house and his. Just the two of us.