Chapter ten
Bella was growing anxious. She was sitting in the passenger seat of Charlie's police cruiser and studied Charlie when he wasn't looking. He was visibly upset and was grabbing the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles had turned white. She was trying to come up with a safe topic to talk with him about, but her thoughts kept wandering back to the incident with John the night before. The expression on John's face still haunted her and had made it difficult to sleep.
"Are you ok?" Charlie asked.
Bella realized that she had zoned out, "Yeah I'm fine." She tried to smile reassuringly.
Charlie gave her a knowing look but didn't say anything.
She idly looked down at her hands. The memory of Alice's silky skin under her hand resurfaced. Bella brought her hand to her lips. She had cursed herself countless times for not mustering the courage to kiss Alice. She wondered what it would feel like.
She was abruptly brought out of her reverie when the car stopped. She looked out of the window and noticed that they had arrived. She got out of the car with Charlie and walked up to the front door where Alice and Esme were waiting.
To Bella's surprise Alice was sipping on a soda. What really caught her attention though was the mischievous look in her eyes.
Esme came down to greet them and gave Bella a hug before turning her attention to Charlie. Alice came down the stairs after, but didn't get a proper footing and lost her balance. The next thing Bella knew she was covered in the soda.
"Oh I am so sorry Bella!" Alice exclaimed. She brought out a napkin and started to clean Bella's face.
Esme turned to Alice with a frown and scolded her for her clumsiness. Charlie had turned his attention to Bella.
Bella looked down her shirt, it was completely drenched. The soda was dripping from her sleeves so she lifted her arms and looked at Alice with a raised eyebrow.
Alice grabbed her arm and pulled her along, "Let us find a change of clothed for you." As Bella trotted along she caught a glimpse of a subtle smirk on Alice's face. For someone who had just spilled soda on Bella she didn't seem all that sorry. She was up to something.
As they entered Alice's room Bella was pushed down on the bed by Alice, "Sit." She strode purposefully over to her desk and picked up a set of neatly folded cloth. "You can borrow one of my dresses." She turned and went back to hand it over.
Bella studied the dress. It was a nice looking grey sundress that she had seen Alice were a few times in school. "Thanks." She muttered. "What is going on? This doesn't seem like an accident at all."
Alice just smiled back, "I can be clumsy sometimes."
Bella raised an eyebrow, "I thought you couldn't drink soda."
Alice conceded, "We didn't get as far as we had hoped last night." When Bella started to look alarmed she added, "I think John can handle it, but it might be easier if you smelled a little less of… you."
Unconsciously Bella brought the dress up to smell it. It Alice's scent all over it. She blushed as she noticed the knowing smile on the little vampire lips. She quickly placed the dress back in her lap, "I-I was…" she didn't know what to say, which seemed to amuse the little pixie, "Just turn around so I can get dressed."
Alice reluctantly complied. It was very tempting to turn, she could even do it without Bella noticing. It just didn't feel right.
Bella put on the dress, while trying to shield herself in case Alice decided to take a peak. She felt a bit self-conscious with the vampire so close. "Ok you can turn around."
Alice gave her a once over and nodded her approval, "It looks good on you." She enjoyed that this caused another blush on Bella's cheeks. "Let us go see the others. They are waiting for us."
Bella nodded and followed after Alice.
Most of the Cullens and Charlie was sitting in the living room. Only Rosalie and John was still missing. As they notice Bella and Alice they stopped talking and turned to them. Esme was the first one to speak, "That looks good on you dear." She gestured to the empty seats in one of the couches, "Come and sit down with us. Rosalie and John are here soon."
Charlie smiled briefly at Bella, then turned to Carlisle, "How can't you be sure if John is ready to come home now if he is walking around the forest as we speak?"
Carlisle seemed to think it over then explained, "John is doing a lot better now. I just want to make sure he has fully recovered."
Charlie frowned but nodded.
Shortly after the door opened and Rosalie walked in. She was supporting John with a hand around his back and the other holding his shoulder. "I think the fresh air is helping John." She moved over to the window and they sat down in a couple of chairs.
Bella had her entire focus on John. He seemed to be struggling to breathe, but other than that he seemed fine. "Hey John." She tried.
John looked up, "H-Hey Bella – Good to see you sis." He gave her a strained smile and turned to Charlie, "It is really good to see you Dad."
Charlie got up and hurried over to John and gave him a hug. "How are you Son?"
Everyone but Charlie tensed up in anticipation.
After what felt like eternity John finally relaxed and gently padded his father on the back, "I'm doing much better. Thank you." He glanced over at Bella and gave her a reassuring smile and a nod, "I'm sorry if I scared you."
As Charlie let go of John he grabbed his hand, "You are really cold John. Are you sure you are feeling well?"
John nodded, "I guess it was a little cold outside." To emphasize it he started to brush his hands up and down his shoulders.
Seemingly satisfied he nodded, but muttered "Remember to put on some warm cloth when you go outside, otherwise you will catch a cold." with that he went to sit on a chair close by.
John chuckled, "I'm eighteen now, you don't need to tell me anymore."
Bella teased, "It is a very dad thing to say, Dad." She grinned at Charlie when he turned to look at her.
With a nod he agreed, "I guess you have grown up, but I will always lookout for your wellbeing." He turned to John, "Do you think you are well enough to return home?"
John looked between Charlie, Rosalie and Bella. Finally he nodded, "Yeah I think I am well enough to return home."
During the drive home Bella sat in the front seat with Charlie while John sat in the back with the window open. From the rearview mirror she could see that he was struggling. His eyes had gotten darker but he seemed to be in control for now. She made an effort to sit perfectly still and hoped that Alice and the Cullens were nearby in case he lost it again.
As John's struggles increased Charlie started to notice, "Are you ok back there? Do you need me to pull over?"
With no response Bella got worried, "Yeah you better pull over, he isn't looking well." John wasn't looking up anymore, his head was resting against the back of Charlie's seat, with a hand over his mouth and nose. This drive was a bad idea, John wasn't ready. She tried hard to keep from panicking as he looked up at her with jet black eyes. The memories from the incident came rushing back.
The car had barely stopped when John jumped out of the car and headed straight into the forest. The relief washed over Bella and she started to breathe again.
"What is going on?" Charlie asked as he looked after his son. He didn't stay to hear Bella try to explain. Instead he turned off the ignition and stepped out of the car and slowly walked in the direction John had run of to.
Bella was trying desperately to come up with an explanation as she got out of the car. She was about to talk when she heard the sound of a car approaching. To her immense relief it was Alice's red sports car she could see speeding towards them.
Charlie had stopped when he heard the car. It was driving much too fast. Momentarily forgetting about John, the sheriff came out in him. He waved his hands in a gesture to slow down. The car did so, but he started to realize that it wasn't coincidental as he could see Alice in the driver's seat. As the car slowed down and skidded to a halt he scratched his head.
Alice and Rosalie stepped out of the car and came around the front of their car. Alice held up some clothes "Hey Charlie!" She hesitated as she noticed Charlies scowl.
"That is a nice car, but you should still drive responsibly." He wanted to lecture her more, but the point was made and Alice's pout and big eyes made him falter. Instead he asked "What are you doing here?"
"Sorry Bella forgot her cloth in my room. We figured that we could return them as we were headed for the town anyway."
Bella came up to take her cola soaked dress. She put her hands under the bundle to pick it up but was caught off guard when she felt Alice's soft hands underneath. Alice gave her a sweet smile as she moved her hands while tracing the outline of Bella's hands with her fingers.
"Where is John?" Rosalie asked Charlie.
Charlie scratched his head, "I am not sure. He wasn't feeling well and ran off into the woods as soon as we stopped." So much of this didn't make sense to Charlie, "John is acting very strange. Do you know if he was given any drugs?"
Rosalie shook her head, "No." Her shoulders slumped as she added, "I-I don't know – I don't think so."
John was running as fast as he could now. He was furious at himself for not being able to control the hunger around Bella. At least he had managed to run at human speed while in sight of Charlie and Bella. He sighed, 'I was so close to biting you Bella' he thought with a frown.
He didn't really pay much attention to where he was going, but made an effort to avoid roads and trails. The sensation of the wind felt like a soothing blanket wrapping around him. He focused on the sensation to drown out his thoughts.
He jumped and grabbed onto a thick tree branch and swung effortlessly forward. Using his momentum he grabbed another branch and swung hard to propel himself upwards. In no time he was flying high above the forest. He spread his hands and fingers as he turned his hands in the wind. He had done this numerous times when he was younger in the back of Charlie's car. He smiled at the memory.
As he prepared to make another jump the ground changed under him. He had reach a clearing, and to his dread he was heading straight towards a lake. He desperately tried to change his direction by twisting and turning, but nothing helped. The next thing he knew he was completely enveloped in murky water.
In his panic he started to breathe for air but got his lungs full of water instead. It took him a moment to realize that he wasn't actually drowning. He reoriented himself and started to swim for the surface.
As he reached the surface he started to swim towards a beach at the clearing. Soon he had made it to the beach and started to shake to dry off.
"Well hello there handsome." Someone spoke from behind him.
He cursed, how did someone manage to sneak up on him? He slowly turned. A redheaded beauty was sitting on a rock nearby. She was looking out over the sea, but he had a feeling she was still keeping an eye on him.
"H-" was all he managed before water oozed out of his mouth. He quickly covered his mouth. He had forgot about the water in his lungs. He rushed towards the cover of a shroud and cleared his lungs. He started to panic, what if she saw him fall in the water? What would he say?
As he returned to the woman at the rock she had turned to face him with an amused look on her face. There was a fiery fire in her eyes and he realized she didn't smell human.
"That was quite the dive." She said, gesturing to the lake.
"Yeah." He hesitated. Who was this woman? She seemed pleasant enough, but something inside told him to be careful around her. "I'm John."
She chuckled, "Well John, it is nice to meet you. I am Victoria."
John froze as he glanced around.
She got up and slowly walked towards him, "I see my legend precedes me."
As Victoria got unpleasantly close John started to walk backwards, "Are you here alone?"
She chuckled again, though this time it was with a hint of malice, "The other two are out hunting." She tilted her head, "I haven't seen you before. Are you new?"
"Uh yeah." He wasn't sure if he should tell her anything. Not talking would be a bad idea, and if he was caught in a lie it would be worse. He decided that he would answer the questions for now.
"That is VERY interesting." She said with a smile, "Who turned you?"
"I'm not sure." He said, figured it was mostly true.
Apparently getting a little annoyed by the minimal answers she frowned, "You don't talk much huh?" She lifted a hand indicating she didn't need an answer. Instead she asked, "Why don't you try and describe the person?"
"Well she was lithe, and dark haired. Average height."
She seemed to ponder over this, "None of the local vampires fit that description. Unless Alice has grown since I saw her last."
John chuckled at that.
"Are you a wanderer or are you staying with the Cullens?"
John struggled to come up with an answer. "I'm not sure. I haven't been a vampire long."
That seemed to surprise the redhead and pique her interest. She started to come closer again, "Will you let me come closer if I promise to not bite?" She said with a crooked smile.
John hesitated stayed as she approached him. She was now only a few feet from him. She circled around him once and obviously sniffing his scent. "Can I see your mark?"
Shrugging seemed to be sufficient permission. With no further ado she circled around him and revealed his shoulder with the bite.
"How did you kno-" John managed before the feeling of a finger tracing the bite-marks sent shivers through his body.
"Your body language told me." She whispered.
Thankfully she stopped the ministrations and returned to face him. "Did she have any birthmarks, tattoos or other things that would make her stand out?"
John thought of her heterochromatic eyes, but quickly shook his head, "No not that I saw."
Victoria wagged her finger, "Nice try." But before she could say any more she turned towards the woods. "I need to go now, we will continue this conversation later."
With that she was gone. Leaving behind a confused but relieved John. He could finally have a good look at himself. The jeans and shirt was ruined by the grime and dirt from the lake. He frowned as he vainly tried to brush off the stains.
He chuckled as he realized how ridicules his situation were, 'John you have really managed to step in it this time.' He could just imagine returning to Charlie and having to explain why he stormed off only to return completely drenched in lake water.
He idly wondered if Bella and Charlie were out looking for him as he started to walk back the way he had come from.
He didn't manage to get far before he noticed two familiar shapes rush towards him.
"Where is she?!" Rosalie snarled as she stopped in front of him. Rosalie was visibly shaking with anger.
John put up his hands, "She is long gone." Trying to ease the tension he added, "She didn't do anything. She just asked me some questions."
John briefly looked towards Alice, "Did you see this happen?"
Alice gave him an apologetic smile, then nodded.
Rosalie was still fuming but had calmed down some. Now she was just shifting her weight from foot to foot. She was upset he realized, though he wasn't quite sure why. Without thinking further he moved forward and embraced her.
He expected her to push him away as he felt her move her hands onto his sides and starting to push. But then she instead wrapped her hands around his back and pulled in closer. Stroking her back in soothing motion he managed to calm her down enough that she stopped shaking. She relaxed her grip on him and looked up into his eyes. He was surprised to see the vulnerability there. This wasn't something he had seen from her before, it was endearing. He brought a hand to her cheek. Next thing he knew his face was brought down and soft lips touched his.
A gasp and a squeal brought him out of his reverie. Alice was bouncing up and down with excitement, "I knew it!" Her entire face was one big smile. "Was that your first kiss?"
John realized that they were still holding each other. He looked down into Rosalie's eyes. They seemed to sparkle. Then she turned and glared at Alice, "You are incorrigible."
Alice stuck out her tongue. Then turned to John, "I taught her how to kiss! Was she good?"
Rosalie sighed, "That isn't ..." She started.
"It was great." John admitted before she could continue. He could feel Rosalie shift as she turned her attention back to him. She squeezed him gently and smiled affectionately at him.
"We should get back." Rosalie mentioned as she slowly released the embrace.
The absence made John ache for her touch again. He mustered up his courage and extended his hand as they started to walk. Rosalie noticed and took it in hers stroking his hand with her thumb.
Alice decided to explain what had happened "We followed you in my car at a good distance. When you jumped out of the car we quickly approached Charlie and told him that you had a setback in your recovery. Bella and Charlie has returned home and you will stay with us tonight and maybe the day after… You should stay until you can manage to be close to Bella."