I looked over my shoulder as I backed out of her driveway. I wasn't looking forward to a ticket from the owner of that police car. Gray clouds started to form over head, and that could only mean one thing. Rain. I'm not surprised. I put my headlights on, knowing that I would have to do so anyways. I made my way down to the main streets, but popped into Newton's shop for a bag of beef jerky. I parked my car and walked into the store.
The chilly rush of the air conditioned inside of the store sent a chill down my back. Mike walked around, bringing me a basket. He looked so funny in his hunter's orange apron.
"Welcome to Newton's, how may I-Danielle? Hey! Haven't seen you since school ended. How are things?" Mike smiled, I took the basket.
"Things are…complicated," I laughed. "Let's just say this summer will be one to remember."
"Lucky you. I've been cooped up in here since day one," Mike chuckled.
We chatted while I picked up my bag of beef jerky and he rang it up at the register.
"It's been a while since someone just came in here for some of this. I swear, its overpriced, but totally worth it," Mike winked and I handed him back the basket.
"True that. But hey, I'll try to stop by and see how things are going every once in a while, mkay?" I laughed.
"Sure, sure. Don't forget about me though, okay?"
"Positive," I said, leaving the store. The triple bell chime on the door dinged as the door clanged against its frame.
I got back into my car and opened my bag. The peppery smell radiated out of the bag, making my mouth water. So naturally, I ate some. I knew I wasn't going to be able to eat at the Cullens' house, why not eat now?
I followed the winding, dipping roads of Forks until I found the turn to the Cullens' house. Their driveway was so long! It just continued in an endless ribbon of concrete forever. Finally, I saw a glare of sun glimmer off of one of the glass walls of the house. I finally made it down this highway of a driveway. I got out of my car and smelled the air. Musk woody smells filled my nostrils. It was so fresh outside. The tingle of tiger lilies tickled my nose and the running water meters away flushed a cleanliness through me. The cool air nibbled at my skin. I seemed frozen where I stood. I closed my eyes and took everything in. Then I blinked and woke back into reality. I followed the concrete steps to the house. Every detail was perfect. My finger pushed in the doorbell and a quiet chime echoed inside the house. Seconds flashed and the door opened.
"Hello Danielle, how are you?" a kind voice came from a tall, pale, blonde gentleman. Carlisle.
"Oh hey. I'm doing well. And you, Dr. Cullen?" I replied.
"I am well. And please, call me Carlisle," he smiled a dazzling grin. "Won't you come in?" He opened the door wider.
"Well, if I wasn't going to, I wouldn't be here," I laughed and came inside. I politely slipped off my shoes and he closed the door. "The rest are downstairs," he said before walking off. I saw the staircase declining to the left of me. I cautiously gripped the banister and glided my hand over the handrail and I made my descend. A polished maple colored door stood in front of me. I reached to touch the brass knob but it opened before me.
"Danielle," Alice smiled and embraced me.
"Hey Alice," I returned, hugging her back.
"We're just playing some games if you want to join?" she said cheerfully.
"Sure, I just need to talk to Bella and Edward for a sec?" my voice must have sounded strained because Alice's expression changed.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Well, kind of…" I trailed off. Alive grabbed my hand and forced me into the room. Edward got up and turned off the television, reading Alice's mind. I was dragged to a beige leather couch and sat.
"Is something wrong?" Bella uttered, sitting on the love seat part of the couch. Edward sat down next to her. Alice at my left, Emmett at my right. And Jasper next to Alice; Rosalie with Emmett.
"Whoa, talk about serious all of a sudden," I said. Edward made a face.
"No fair, kid," I said. Edward just smirked.
"Well, I was at the gas station yesterday," I started.
"With the mutt," Edward growled. Bella put a finger to his lips.
"Shush," she said.
"Well anyway, I was in there alone and this guy came up to me. Being a total sleezeball. So, I told him to leave me alone but he wouldn't. So I got back to my car and told the clerk to kick him out. Jake said he could smell the creep from a mile away. Said he was one of you guys. And not a good one, at that," I ended.
"What did he look like?" Emmett spoke up.
"Kind of tall, pale, black hair, jeans, tight shirt. He said his name was Travis," I answered.
"Never heard of that one," Jasper spoke.
"We better look into this. He might just be a nomad vampire. We don't need anything happening up here again," Alice said. Rosalie said nothing, just listening attentively. Emmett put a strong arm around her and pulled her close. Bella was resting her head on Edward chest, and Alice was pulling on Jasper's blonde locks. I felt so left out. Empty. Where was Jake when you needed him? Oh yeah, at some pack meeting. Then it clicked. The pack meeting must be about the new threat.
"Jacob had to leave for a pack meeting this morning. Sam said it was important," I added.
"Possibly the wolves have some knowledge of this, too," Edward said.
"Hmmm, Danielle, maybe you could find out the information?" Jasper said.
"Of course. I've bee dying to know since he left," I laughed.
"Carlisle will need to know," Rosalie finally spoke. She flung her perfect blonde hair over her shoulder and got up. Emmett kissed her on the cheek and she went upstairs. Her blonde hair flounced as she walked, and then disappeared.
It took a second for everyone to comprehend. There is another non-vegetarian vampire stalking around Forks. Edward got to his feet and started pacing. Bella just sat, motionless, but her eyes followed Edward as he walked up and down the room. Emmett got up and followed Rosalie up the stairs. Alice closed her eyes, trying to see what was going to happen. And Jasper tried to make the mood less tense. Alice's body froze and Edward stopped pacing to look at her.
"7-11, gas station, candy racks, pump 9," Alice spoke, as if in some kind of trance, computer-like. Then Alice blinked hard, and shook her head. "Danielle, you said you first saw him at the 7-11, right?" she asked. I nodded. She looked over her shoulder at Jasper. "We need to work fast."