Thank you soooo much for the TWO reviews I got in almost TWO WEEKS! A bit pathetic, don't you think? I'll take what I'm given though. Sorry for leaving you in unimaginable suspense for so long. I was in Indianapolis for three days with the band, & now I'm really sick. At least I can write today. Hey, dig DEEP into that last chapter. I've introduced like three different intertwining stuff that should make all interested. Ok, here's ch. 11. ASK QUESTIONS, MAKE PERDICTIONS! SAY YOU SUCK! I DON'T CARE!
I was down on all fours, gasping for air I didn't need, trying to find the inner strength to get up. Madison, Edward's and my daughter that was killed by Albert over a hundred years ago, was talking to me! Why now? How? Was Edward with her? For some reason I couldn't speak.
I can't get anymore subtle than this, she said. It sounded like she was standing right next to me, but I was the only living person in the room. I tried to speak again and realized I never breathed in again after falling.
"Madison?" I looked around to see her pretty pale face. Big mistake! I doubled over again as I remembered the fair skinned, bronze haired girl that hung in Carlisle's arms after her death. Talking about Madison was one thing, but remembering her face still hurt… almost like when Edward left me that one time.
Yeah, it's me. You know, of all the messed up things about my life, this one takes the cake. I smiled in agreement. That was exactly what I was thinking. First vampires then werewolves and now ghosts!
"Where are you? Why can't I see you? How is this possible?" I sat back on my knees, still looking for a sign of her.
I'm in Heaven. Tell Dad; he'll be happy about that.
"So you're not a…"
Yeah, I am. Too bad I couldn't have tried it out on Earth. I wish you guys could see this though! It's beyond description. Very sunny. It puts those weekend trips the three of us would take to shame! she laughed. I felt like I was missing out on the joke. I don't know how this is possible, but when you're here you don't question how things work. Everything reveals itself in due time…
"Is Edward with you?" I whispered.
Why would Dad be here? Not that he doesn't have a chance here. Trust me, I'd see him coming if he was here. Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Renee are here though. She's so amazing, Mom! I wish you would've let me see her in Florida.
"You know why we couldn't let you," I reminded her again, just like in the old days.
Lets not start that again. Anyway, they forgive you and Dad for all the lies. Phil's actually relived he didn't know. Speaking of grandparents, I met Edward and Elizabeth Masen! If I had time I'd tell you great stuff about Dad. The 1900s were weird.
"No example?" I teased. By then I was sitting causally in the red velvet chair, convincing myself I was relaxed.
Not now, but you owe me an explanation for the cliff diving and the motorcycles.
"Wait! How do you know about that?"
I found out a few things from when I was at La Push during Spring Break, and Jake's been talking to me a lot. Right! There's a reason I'm talking to you. Have Aro release the wolves. I'd explain, but you already think you're hallucinating. There was no denying that.
"Madison, what's going on? Is the end of the world true?"
There's not enough time to explain. Some people here are trying to contact their families before the Dark. You've got till then to release the wolves because after that immortals have to move fast for survival. Humans stand no chance at life anymore, and those few who do make it to the Blast…Listen, the days are numbered. The sun's going out, and people can't live without heat.
"No heat, no life. No life, no blood," I gasped.
There's always hope. Please, all of you, stay the same. Time's running out.
"Madison? Don't go yet! Grrr…. Just like her father, giving cryptic little remarks I can never figure out!" I huffed. Down the hall two Volturi guards were coming.
I jumped up from the chair and walked quickly out the door. The guards nodded in "royal" respect as they walked past me. After they were down the hall I raced to see Caius.
"Whoa! Where are you going?" asked Alice as she stopped me in her arms.
"I've got to talk to Caius," I grunted, struggling in her arms.
"Why? When are you ever buddy-buddy with him?" She flashed a bright confused orange.
"No! It's about the werewolves. We need to let them go." Even Alice thought I was crazy. How was I going to explain my reason? "My dead daughter told me to," isn't convincing unless I wanted to go to a nice little padded room.
"Bella, lets assume I agree with your outrageous idea for a second. The Volturi won't let werewolves walk away from them."
"They didn't do anything!"
"Ha! They attacked us for no reason! They're clouding my vision! They're part of the reason Rosalie and Emmett didn't come here first like they planned! Do I need to go on?" The little pixie was flaming red and giving me the vampire glare.
"Carlisle will help me. Where is he?" She sighed and led the way upstairs to his study.
Carlisle's study was smaller than my room, maybe half as big, but he had no trouble finding room for all his medical books. Small bookcases and filing cabinets lined the clean white walls. His large L-shaped desk sat in the center of the room so he could move all around the room with ease. When Alice and I walked in Carlisle was reading something on the computer screen.
"There you are, Bella!" He got us and hugged me. "You've been off on your own too much. Worried about Edward? Yes, Esme and I are, too, but he can take care of himself. Jasper too. So, what can I do for you?" He patted the black leather chairs around his desk as he walked back to his seat.
"Bella wants Caius to free the werewolves," accused Alice. Carlisle's usual content blue lightened in surprise.
"Bella, wolves are unstable. You realize Caius won't let them out unless they have something for him in return, right?"
"Think of it this way: with the wolves here the Volturi have lost their best psychic." I leaned forward, waiting for the rebuttal.
"That's an excellent point, but not good enough," replied a cool voice outside. We all looked back at the old vampire. He walked into the study and stared at me curiously and with a challenge.
"They know Quileutes. I used to live near them and considered them family."
"Funny how time can change even the most permanent feelings. Your wolves have once chance to convince me. If they fail we fallow the law," he warned as he turned out of the room. Carlisle, Alice, and I followed him down to the vault where Edward, Alice, and I stayed when Edward almost… Well, that was a long time ago, and Edward was still alive. Madison had hinted that.
The rotting wood smell hit us at once as we drew closer to the vault, and judging by the canine growls echoing down the hall the two werewolves couldn't stand our smell either.
"Come to let us out, huh? About time!" growled the male. The female, Angie, sank into a far corner.
"Bella Cullen has requested your freedom, but it is you who will decide if you deserve. Why should we let you go? You almost exposed us as vampires," said Caius in his cold stone voice.
"The Protectors Consul insists that we weed out as many vampiros as possible for man's survival," began the male.
"Humans don't stand a chance near the end," I added. I jerked up after realizing what I'd just said.
"É quello di minaccia?" cried Angie. Caius and the female spoke in rapid Italian until the female rolled her eyes and retreated back to her corner.
"What did she say?" I whispered to Carlisle.
"Is that a threat?"
"No! No threat, just reality. Don't make me explain now, but when the sun dies humans will start dying out, too."
"So every human becomes more precious to you blood suckers! Even more the reason to dispose of you," snapped the man. This was not going well.
"What is this Protectors Consul?" asked Alice.
"Werewolves from all over the world gathered thirty years ago to form the Consul and promised to protect mankind from vampires."
"A noble cause, but vampires outnumber werewolves by much more than you could imagine," said Caius. The male werewolf looked up at us, smirking.
"Vampires are killing vampires over future meals. You sent several of your own to fight in China, the starting point of war. If the army wins they're to spread wars over the world. We have information that you want. Free us, and we'll tell you."
"You help stop this too!" pointed added Angie. We all looked at Caius who was in deep thought. None of us imagined multiple wars, but the wolf made it sound like someone was behind it and other future attacks.
"You are free, but you'll help us destroy the one responsible the one responsible for the war." Caius took out the bar keys and let the two out. They both held out their hands to show they wanted their necklaces back. Caius gave them back and turned towards to main castle.
Upstairs the few maids were standing dead in their tracks and staring out the few windows. We all raced to the nearest open window just in time to see a bright white, yellow, and orange explosion in the sky. Fire fell from the sky but never landed on the Earth below. Then, like those adjustable lights, the sky slowly darkened until the only light left was from the stars.