Chapter 11: Connection
Renesmee's Point of View
When I opened my eyes the room was the same. My heart began to hurt, and my tears began to fall as I turned my face into my pillow crying again. My dream showed me angry, mean wolves at my house and Harvey and Gracie trying to protect me, but they couldn't because the wolves were too strong. The rest was what I didn't want to think about and I kept crying because I knew my friends were gone now.
My stomach began to burn, but I didn't care. Everyone here acted so nice to me. They even let me go outside before the sun came up, and I saw snow and it was very cold, but better than being inside. It's like we are in this big castle, but its all underneath the ground. If I was smart I'd remember all the turns and figure a way to get out of here, but I'm afraid because of the mean wolves.
The door opened and I took in a breath while my chest shook.
"Renesmee, what is wrong?" Anna asked as she came over to my bed. She is human, young and pretty, but not like my mom.
"They hurt my bears," I whispered, not moving my face from my pillows.
"Did you dream something bad?"
The humans who sometimes took care of me didn't understand, but I didn't feel like pretending today, and rolled over so she could see me. "My bears are friends, like my tiger was, and the wolves killed them," I said, before remembering that Anna would tell Nicoli. That made my stomach burn and I hugged my arms around it, shutting my eyes.
Her hand brushed over my forehead, and I could hear her heart beat getting faster. That meant she was afraid of me. Anytime I said things that weren't normal to her or the other lady who helped me with my baths, they got afraid.
"I'm sure it was just a dream, is your stomach bothering you?"
I nodded, knowing that she already knew, and hated that they treated me like a baby. My mom and dad did sometimes, but they were allowed too. "Anna, do you think we can go outside again?" This time I was going to count all the turns, and maybe I could get away on my own.
She smiled at me and her heart beat went back to normal. "I'm sure Nicoli wouldn't mind, but maybe if you would just talk to him a little more?"
He scared me so much now that when I was with him, my mind froze, and it was hard to talk. Not too long ago, I heard him yelling outside my door at Grigory, one of wolves who went to my house, and there was a lot of loud noise. Now Grigory doesn't come around anymore and I think that means they killed him too. I think that Nicoli didn't want him or Vasile to kill my bears, or do anything bad, but for some reason Vasile still brings me my dinner and my medicines.
"Why don't you get up and get dressed. I will bring Nicoli for a visit."
I didn't smile at her and her heart beat got fast again. When she was gone I sat up and the burning got worse. My medicine wasn't doing what it needed, but only because they won't let me have human blood now or even animal. Knowing that Nicoli would have a mean face if I didn't get up and dress, I went over to my chest of drawers and picked out a pair of warm jeans and a red sweater. After that I put on warm socks and got my hair brushed.
By the time the door started to open again, my bed was made and I was reading The Wonderful Wizard of OZ, wishing that I could find ruby slippers and go home like Dorothy had.
"Anna says you are showing interest in going outside again," Nicoli said as he sat beside me.
My heart beat was faster than normal and it made the burning worse, but I wasn't going to show Nicoli that it was hurting. "It felt good to breathe the air outside," I whispered, not wanting to look at him.
"Renesmee, I am aware you have been having sad dreams, and I was curious if they were at all connected to anyone you loved."
Anna did tell him, but how could I get mad at her. She and the other humans had to be just as scared as I was. "I dreamed about my bears. I made friends with them like I did with Saber, that tiger, and in my dream wolves killed them because they were trying to keep me safe."
"What do you think those dreams meant?"
If I shared what I knew, would he get angry? He wasn't going to like it if I lied or didn't. I didn't have any choices that were my own. "I know they were real, that two Children of the Night killed them when they went to get my medicine."
Nicoli was very quiet and I couldn't help it when I pulled my arms around my stomach. The burning was hurting me too much now.
"You are becoming more ill. I think perhaps it is time to try something new."
When he got up and suddenly left, I felt better and shut my eyes. That was when I saw my favorite memory of me and Jacob with the bird, and the other memory of my dad taking me for a walk outside telling me how much he wanted to show me things.
"Renesmee, you need to listen to what I am going to tell you and do what I say. If you do not then I'm afraid you will see something much more frightening than your bears," Nicoli said, using a very friendly voice.
The memories went away and when I opened my eyes, Anna was standing with Nicoli and Vasile. She looked really afraid and I didn't know why.
"I believe the reason you have become so ill, is that you are being made to suppress the natural order of things. You see, while we try to control our own nature, we take away what we were meant for. I believe you were meant to take from the humans just as you do from the animals."
"I…I don't understand," I whispered seeing Anna glance at me with really big eyes.
"Anna will sacrifice her life so that you may become stronger," Nicoli smiled at me.
Now I knew what he wanted and I shook my head. "My family doesn't do that."
"Your family abandoned you Renesmee. How hard would it have been for your mother and father to call out for help that day we took you away? I believe they didn't because they wanted to be rid of you," he growled.
I backed up until my back was against the wall, not wanting to believe his words, because he was mean and bad. "My mom and dad are smarter than you Nicoli, and I will not kill a human."
"Then you will watch as my sons do, and learn your place."
I shut my eyes and put my hands to my ears. My memories showed me Jacob and I screamed his name in my mind.
Strong hands pulled my own away from my ears and hugged me very tight. "Open your eyes, Renesmee," Vasile demanded.
"No!"
"If you will not open your eyes then we will let you hear all of the humans being killed, not just Anna. By watching her death you will save the rest of them."
I tried pulling away from him, but I was too weak. Not having any blood for a while had made it that way for me.
"Renesmee, please do as they say, and save the rest of those I love," Anna cried out.
I didn't want to be here and I shook my head. "You kill me instead," I yelled opening my eyes. It had to be night because there were two wolves waiting for Nicoli to tell them what to do.
They didn't kill me, and all I could do was watch as they attacked Anna, ripping her apart and all while they rest of them laughed outside my chamber.
~*~*~*~*~
Jacob's POV
For three days, Alice and I had been going through all the books we could get our hands on at the Library of Congress. We snuck in at night, though how Alice figured out a way around security was beyond me. There wasn't any book there that had any information on a werewolf born into that sort of life.
Back at Edward and Bella's I sat on the floor trying to figure out what I'd seen in my dreams that one time. It had been like looking through Nessie's eyes, and it was too fast to find a place to start.
My head was hurting again and I shut my eyes, rubbing my figures against my temples, hoping that it would go away soon. Alice and I had another night at the library, but I was almost tempted to back out and go off on my own. If Edward and Bella thought that Nessie was someplace in Europe, then me being here was pointless.
That was when my head felt like it was going to split open. I'm not sure how Alice figured out I was hurting, but when she called my name it felt like she was on the other side of the house. Just as my head felt like it was going to explode, the pain stopped and I heard laughter and smelled blood and old death strongly.
Nessie open your eyes so I can see where you are.
Somehow I knew we had connected in a way that I'd have to figure out later.
I suddenly felt confused and knew she didn't understand what was going on. It's me, cutie, open your eyes and let me see.
What I saw turned my stomach. The room was a cavern and a body was being taken away. There was a man with a cane walking toward me looking pleased.
"The next time you will listen to what we want," he said.
They left her and I felt sadness, and exhaustion as well as burning in my stomach that was almost as bad as the headache. I was afraid to let this go, but we had too so I could get her some help.
Nessie, can you show me memories?
What I felt next, as I saw dark passages, was hopelessness.
Don't give up, cutie, we are trying to find you. Keep showing me memories.
What I saw in my mind was darkness with lots of snow and really cold weather. The next thing I saw was Renesmee killing a tiger, one she had befriended.
"Jacob!"
Seth was shaking me and I opened my eyes. I was lying on the floor and Alice, Seth, and Embry were watching me. "She's someplace cold, underground. They killed a human in front of her and she had to kill an animal she befriended." It all came out in a rush of words but they all knew what I was saying.
Alice was on the phone talking to someone and Embry and Seth helped me sit up.
"You saw her?" Seth asked
"More than that. I saw what she was seeing, and felt what she was feeling, at least I think that's what it was."
"Jacob, Edward needs to speak to you," Alice informed me, handing me the phone.
I tried remembering the most important part, which was the man with the cane. Old death was rolling from his body. "Edward, I connected to her, and saw the one you think was born." I told him everything that I'd seen and felt and about the cold and snow.
For a few seconds I thought the connection had been lost, but Edward started talking, "Jacob, Alice will get you two a flight into England. The rest of my family will meet us here. If you can, try and find a way to connect again."
"I don't think I had anything to do with it. What she saw was too much and she connected with me."
"We will find her." That was all he said before the line went dead and I shut my eyes feeling dead on my feet.
~*~*~*~*~
Nicoli's POV
Sometimes my control slips and the things I do I regret. It was that which occurred just moments ago with the girl. My sons caused her vision and her illness is more than we can handle. In a moment of rage I allowed my sons to attack a woman she had become close with. The child won't speak to any of us now and I don't think I blame her. Before the sun rises we will let her see the outside world again and it is with hope that this will help her see that we meant her no harm.
Regrettably, in my rage, I took the life of Grigory. Vasile's was spared because he is my first son, the oldest of the rest, and I rely upon his wisdom at times, enough to need him with me.
"Father, may I speak with you?" Vasile said as he stepped inside my chamber.
"Yes?"
"Maybe it is time to go on with the plan."
"She hasn't eaten?"
"No, and if she becomes anymore incapacitated, I fear that the ones we are going to give her to may not see it as a fair and equal trade."
I shook my head, not wanting to give up on her just yet. I still had so much to learn, if only my anger would not have gotten the best of me. "Give her blood with her medicine."
"But she will get strong. She tried to get away earlier with Anna," he said, concern etching his voice.
"We need her better, and I need her to trust me. Do as I say!"
He nodded and left. Once he was gone I felt my rage taking me and knew I could no longer deny my own need. I got up without my cane and ran from the room through the passages and out into the night. The light of the moon warmed me and gave me strength. The change didn't hurt and my primal needs took over as I ran on my four feet toward the town of Prague.
~*~*~*~*~
Renesmee's Point of View
Natalie helped me hold my cup, just like my mom did, and the blood was sweet and warm making the burn go away just a little. "How old are you?"
"Thirteen," she said softly, brushing her blond hair away from her eyes.
"Will you help me?"
"H…how?"
"Leave the door unlocked."
Her heart began to beat fast, and my heart began to hurt for her. "Please? I have a mom and dad like you do, and I want to see them."
"It is a full moon, and they have all gone away. Only my people are here now, but if they see you, they might bring harm to you."
"Please?"
She nodded and I quickly got dressed. I tried thinking to Jacob, but nothing happened and after I had a small pack of food, Natalie took my hand and we left. As soon as we were in the passage, I pulled her with me remembering the first turn. That was when I heard voices up the passage.
"Hide. I think I can get them away from where we need to be. I will tell them that Nicoli wants them to wait in his chamber."
There was a big crack in the wall and I hid, listening to Natalie, wondering if she would help me. When I heard her tell them that I was making her take me away, my heart beat got fast.
I was hidden well and she hadn't seen where I went.
"She was just here."
"Natalie, do you know what they will do if she gets away?" a big man said. He was the same one who had taken me away from Mom and Dad.
I felt really mad, and wanted to get them, but I didn't. If I went out now I might hurt Natalie, and I wasn't going to let Nicoli get his way, no matter what.
When they were all looking for me, I got out and began to walk, sniffing the air. That bad smell was there, and also smells of pine and snow.
A turn left, two right turns, another left turn and a right and I was at a big door. I listened very carefully, but only heard the snow as it fell to the ground. With all of the strength I had, I pushed the door and it opened enough for me to squeeze out.
The light of the moon made it very easy to see, and as much as I wanted to look at how pretty it was, I knew I had to go away as fast as I could. If I could run until the sun got up in the sky, then maybe they wouldn't get me.
My mom and dad, and everyone else in my family can run without needing a break. I ran until my lungs burned worse than my belly, and even then I knew not to stop. While I ran I kept my ears very alert, listening for wolves. If I heard them howl I knew I would be in trouble.
What had made Jacob hear me? If I could just figure that out, he could see where I was and come and get me with Mommy and Daddy. I kept trying to figure that out and didn't see where I was going. Suddenly something was holding me and I screamed pushing my arms out. I fell into the snow and more hands were on me. "Nooo."
Nessie?
"You thought you could get away from us, just wait until Nicoli finds out your betrayal."
It was the big man and I pushed back and heard him fall. Back on my feet I started running again, using my memory for Jacob to see. There were lights that were just dots and I ran for them as fast as I could.
Keep going, cutie, don't stop no matter what.
Jacob was thinking to me and I was hurting and tired. My hands and feet were getting colder and colder but I wasn't going to let the big man take me again.
"You better not let me catch you," he yelled.
He wasn't as close to me, and I felt stronger. I was going to make it and see my mommy and my daddy again.
Nessie watch where you're running, baby, don't lose focus just yet.
It felt like Jacob was with me and I listened to him, wanting to show him more memories but I couldn't, not yet.
A wolf howled and it wasn't very far away. There were a lot of feet on the ground and I felt afraid.
Run, baby, run. Jacob called out.
I couldn't get my breath and needed to stop but I didn't. The feet were paws and they were closer. There were buildings not far away now and I tried to scream but my breath was gone.
Nessie look at that sign!
I did before something jumped on me. Jacob was gone and something scratched my back through all my clothing.
"Don't kill her," Vasile yelled.
They were going to take me back again and I didn't have a way to fight all of them.
"You thought you could get away from us?" Vasile pulled me to my feet and turned me around so I had to look at him. His face was scary but I knew I had to see him so Jacob would know him if I could connect again. "What you did will require punishment, Renesmee."
I was tired and tried to lie down but he made me stay standing up.
"My back hurts."
"You are lucky that is all that hurts, now walk."
I did, feeling my lungs getting better air in them. It was so cold but it was better than the caverns.
The rest of the werewolves were trotting in front of us growling and scary. My legs were shaking and I fell down a lot of times before the big man picked me up and slung me over his shoulder. "What does the master want us to do with her?"
"He has a plan," Vasile told him.
When Nicoli called my name I knew I had gone to sleep and that I was back at his underground castle. I opened my eyes and was in a small room. Nicoli was there and Natalie was too with tears on her face.
"You ran away and as such lost my trust in you. Now you will stay here in this room until you punish this girl for letting you go." He was pacing the small space we were in, and he was mad.
"It was my fault," I whispered rubbing my eyes.
Nicoli laughed and I scooted back against the wall. "It was your cunning ability which I knew you had. You will kill this girl and until you do, no one will bring you anything."
He shut the door and it was very dark, and I was in my dream only there wasn't anything tying me up. I remember how mad I was at Natalie for telling her humans on me, and there was a little bit of me that wanted Natalie to be hurt, but I couldn't do that.
"Please, don't hurt me."
Why did I want to be mean to her, my daddy would be angry if he knew how I was feeling right now and I felt my tears again. "Why did you tell them I made you do it?"
"I was afraid of Nicoli and you too."
"You are taller than me, and you get fed and get to see everyone you love." I tried not to cry but I did, and she hugged me as she cried too.
~*~*~*~
AN: Thank yous go out to Mac for her wonderful Beta job, and to everyone who is sticking with me. Also thanks for all of you who take time to review, knowing what you think keeps me going so keep it up.
Things are getting pretty bad for Renesmee, but I've already pre written Chapter 12 and there won't be too much more bad to go before things turn around. I'll probably try to force myself to update Mondays and Fridays, but we'll see. I don't want to rush this, and the pre write of 12 felt to rushed, so I need to chill out and see what the muse comes up with.
Maddy, I'm sorry about the bears, but as you can see Nicoli wasn't too happy by their actions. He's also not used to having someone willful like Renesmee, so thats one thing. Anyway I don't want to give away too much.
Thanks again everyone.
~Ella~