AN; Heyy . sorry guys, but I have kinda bad news. I know I suck at updating anyway, but I don't think I'm gonna be able to update until about the 13th after this. Sorry, but my dad is gonna kill me if I don't do well in my exams, so I'm gonna have to do some revision, as much as I hate itt :[[
I would've put this up sooner, but I hate when people just put up ANs instead of actual chapters, and didn't want to do that to you. Because of this, though, I don't know when I'll get this out. It's Tuesday now, so I suspect maybe Wednesday, or even thurs; I have three exams tomorrow, ugghh
Sorry again :[ but I'll shutt my trap now, and stop my fingers, and get on with thee chappyy;
Disclaimer; All stephss.
Recap
I decided to keep my sighting to myself. After all, if I was mistaken, then what was the point of worrying Edward for no reason?
"Carlisle, Esme," he said, breaking the short silence, "This is Bella."
"Hi Bella!" Alice said, and appeared by my side in a second, bouncing forward to kiss my cheek.
"Well, what do they look like, maybe I know them," I said, trying to lighten the suddenly tense atmosphere. The truth was, I was only half joking, and I couldn't help the sudden shiver down my spine.
"A small, dark haired girl," Alice answered me this time, "And a dark male,"
I froze. It couldn't be. But what are the chances?
Chapter 10; Fear
As everyone was still staring intently at Alice, they didn't seem to notice my newly tense posture.
"I can't be sure," Alice went on, oblivious to the fear her words were emitting in me, "But I think his name is –"
"Michael," I breathed, feeling suddenly colder as I said the name that I'd been dreading to hear again for the past four months. This seemed to get everyones' attention, and their heads all swivelled around in unison to look at me. If not for the subject we were discussing, the sight would have been comical.
"How did you…" Edward trailed off, slight understanding lighting his sombre face as he figured it out without me answering. The others weren't as fast, so I swallowed – my throat had become bone dry - and tried to regain a little composure.
"M-Maria, the female vampire," out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jasper tense slightly, but chose to ignore it and tried to carry on, "She said his name, wh-when they were at my house," this only seemed to confuse and shock them more, so I added, "In Phoenix."
That got a reaction. Gasps came from both Alice and Esme, whereas Edward and Carlisle seemed to be having a silent conversation between themselves, a mirrored look of horror on both their faces.
I glanced at Jasper, and was surprised to see that he too wore a mask of horror, but looked extremely shocked too.
"Maria?" he asked me, sounding a little hoarse, "You're sure that was her name?"
"Y-yeah," I replied, still a little shaky, but now confused too. Did he think I was lying?
"Tell her Jasper," Edward spoke, surprising me even more. I think I was missing something here, "She has a right to know now,"
He nodded and sighed, rolling up his sleeves; in the light of lamp he had positioned himself by, and the distance I was away from him, I could just make out hundreds of crescent shaped lines carved into his marble skin.
I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my mouth after I realised that they were in fact hundreds and thousands of scars, running all the way up his arm, and I imagined continuing along his shoulder, which was hidden by his shirt.
"I won't go into details," he said, meeting my shocked look with a wry smile, "Because I don't think… it's necessary at this time."
I nodded and swallowed again, motioning for him to proceed. I knew what he meant; he didn't want to say anything that might upset me. Which was good, because I was feeling pretty fragile at that moment.
"Before Alice and I met the Cullens, there were some wars in the South," Jasper explained slowly, looking at the floor, "Vampires were fighting over land. The most effective way of fighting was to create newborn vampires,"
He must have seen the growing puzzled look on my face, as he added, "Newborns are stronger, faster than mature vampires for a little while," I nodded again. "I was part of them, I helped train newborns," he paused and frowned, "My creator was called Maria," I stiffened, "And from what I can tell by both your and Alice's descriptions…" Jasper trailed off.
"It's her," I barely whispered. If she'd been training and creating newborns with Jasper, then was that what she was doing now, too? Was she making a newborn army to take over Forks? Or did she have another purpose in mind…
I faintly registered Edward move a little closer to me, as if getting ready to protect me any minute. This didn't do too much for my growing fear.
"But why are they here?" I croaked, "For me?"
"It's a possibility," Carlisle spoke this time. I'd almost forgotten his and Esme's presence, I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts, my mind still whirring from hat Jasper had told me, "Although it does seem a little strange for them to come so far for one human…"
"He must be," Edward said, looking at Carlisle intently. "There's no other explanation," I guessed he was answering his thoughts.
"A tracker..." Carlisle said, his face a picture of worry and concern, amber eyes on me.
"Tracker?" I replied, unfamiliar with the term. Was he some kind of stalker? Were there such things as vampire stalkers? This whole thing - as well as possibly giving me a heart attack, if the rate that it seemed to be throbbing was anything to go by, anyway, - was making my head hurt.
"Yes. There are vampires, like this 'Michael', that want more than just a hunt. They follow a person, track them. It's more of a challenge," he spat, voice filled with venom and disgust.
"And you think he's," I gulped, "Tracking me?"
"It's the only explanation," he repeated simply, sounding defeated.
***
The car sped along the road, skidding to a stop just outside my house.
Edward was at my door in an instant, taking my hand and pulling me towards the house. He was still very much on edge, and frantic to get me 'safe at home'. I had a feeling that being locked up in my house wouldn't do much to stop hungry vampires from coming in and killing me, but humoured him, and let – although that probably isn't the right word, seeing as I doubted I'd have been able to resist – him drag me to the front door and inside.
Maybe Edward being there would though. Stop them, or at least make them pause a little, I mean. I'd said this to Edward, and he seemed to agree, not making any move to leave once we got inside.
I slowly sank into a chair in the kitchen and put my head in my hands; this day had certainly turned out a lot differently than I'd expected.
Within seconds I felt two cool hands on my wrist, tugging them away from my face. I flinched a little, jumpy from the memories the day had pulled into my mind. He removed his hands instantly, and I sighed, instead resting my chin in my hands and looking at him.
"What will happen?" he understood without me having to elaborate any further, thankfully, and answered as calmly as he could manage.
"From what Jasper remembers, what I've seen for myself, from his mind, Maria is vicious, spends her whole life fighting, or scheming." He swallowed and bowed his head, not wanting to show me whatever emotion that provoked in him. Fear, most likely, if what he was feeling was at all similar to me anyway. "I suspect," Edward continued, slowly lifting his face again, on it a controlled neutral expression, "She'll be willing to fight,"
He paused, waiting for this to sink in. There was obviously more. What more could there be? Wasn't it bad enough already? I'd known the Cullens, excluding Edward, for what, a couple of hours? And already I was potentially endangering their lives with my stupid bad luck.
Maybe I was better off going back to Phoenix. I should have died with my mom, with Phil, instead of dumping my problems on innocent people – well, vampires.
I took a deep breath, and motioned for him to continue.
After scrutinising my face carefully for a few seconds, he said, "And she'll use newborns to do so,"
I blew out my breath, and returned my face to my hands. What did this mean for the Cullens? Jasper had said that newborns were faster, stronger than them; surely, it would end in disaster. And not for Maria.
Maria. Just thinking the name made me shudder slightly. I had no doubt that this would end badly.
"What are you thinking?" The hands were back, and tugging again. I released my hands, and shook my head slightly.
Thinking that Edward wouldn't much appreciate the plan that was slowly forming in my head, I quickly mumbled "It's all my fault. Your family is in danger because of me."
Edward sighed, and placed his hand on mine where it now rested on the table. I know it was wrong to be excited by such a small thing, and during the current situation. But I couldn't help it; a note for later, sympathy equals comfort, and contact.
"If you hadn't come here, you would've surely been killed," I winced slightly, but he continued regardless, "It's our job to protect you. We can look after ourselves." He said softly looking into my eyes the whole time. I was soon lost in pools of gold I felt a tiny bit better. Only a tiny bit, though.
"But how are you going to fight against them? I mean, apart from being completely outnumbered, if she does use newborns that is, then aren't you at a disadvantage for power and speed too? How can you look after yourselves?" I replied, a brand new picture popping into my mind.
Esme, fighting against the monsters that had killed my mom. How could someone so sweet, so loving, as Esme, be any match for that? I'd only known them for a day, but I couldn't bare it if any of the Cullens were hurt.
"We have friends," Edward returned simply.
That was the last he would say of it, and we spent the rest of the afternoon mostly in silence, both lost in our own thoughts.
I didn't care what Edward thought; if any of his family were harmed, it would be on my conscience. It was my job to look after them. I'd gotten myself into this mess, I would get myself out, hopefully without hurting anymore people in the process.
Growing more and more determined as each hour passed, I decided I'd go back to Phoenix. Back to my old house. They couldn't do anymore harm there then had already been done. And, with me out of the picture, they would leave the Cullens alone.
I'd go, never return, and life would go on.
I just hoped Charlie would be okay.
And Edward. It would be hard to leave him.
But I'd do it. I'd sacrifice myself to save him. To save his family.
To save Forks.
Yep, bella's in major martyr mode ;) Sorry it took so long! And sorry there isn't gonna be another update for a while . And sorry its short. And I'm just sorry about everything.
Sorry it sucked.
Don't review, doesn't deserve it.
Idc if I sound emo – which I do.
Love Ellenn
x x x x x
