Chapter 12: Carlisle's weed
I woke up the next day with an uneasy feeling. My dreams were a replay of everything Edward had told me – lies, violence and murder. For the first time I actually felt scared. For myself and for Edward. If Carlisle could hurt his own wife… I shuddered and dragged myself to the kitchen for some coffee. He was sitting there already, a cup of coffee ready for me.
Charlie had been less than ecstatic the previous night when I brought Edward home, asking if he could sleep on the couch. It was either my house or Jake. And between Jake and Charlie, the latter is probably less likely to attack Edward. But Charlie had given in when I asked nicely, explaining that Edward's parents were away for the weekend and he had lost his house-keys. Charlie seemed skeptical and was waiting with Edward in the kitchen. I smiled at them both and took my cup from Edward.
"Morning."
"Morning," they said, in unison.
"Sleep well on the couch, Edward?" I asked, wishing Charlie chill a bit. Wasn't he going to Billy's today. Charlie usually hung out with Jake's dad on Sundays. But he was obviously looming.
"I slept well, thanks Bella. And thanks for putting me up last night, Mr. Swan. I'll be out of your hair asap."
"I understand." Charlie stared at Edward for a while, sipping his coffee. "Are you parents back in town today?"
"Yes, sir. I'll be home again tonight," Edward answered. "Could I make you some breakfast? Just to say thank you for putting me up?"
Charlie drank the last of his coffee, and shook his head. "Thanks Edward but I have to get going. I am going fishing with Billy before we watch some football on the res. You kids be good, okay?"
I nodded to Charlie as he packed as few things for his trip. "I'll probably do some homework," I lied.
"Okay," he said. "Don't wait up. You can drop by the res if you want. I'm sure Jake would appreciate it," he said.
"I'll see if I can stop by."
"Okay, bye."
I turned to Edward. "Thanks for the coffee."
He was leaning against our kitchen counter, looking like a model. Not like someone who just woke up after experiencing the worst day of their life.
"Have you decided what you are going to do?" I asked.
"Not really. I thought about finding Alice and Rosalie, and maybe going to visit some family Alaska."
"What about school?"
He smirked. "That's the last thing on my mind. All I know is that we have to get away from Carlisle. And never look back."
I tried to hide the disappointment on my face. He'll leave forever, I thought.
"I want to apologize," Edward said.
"For what?" I asked.
"I shouldn't have told you about any of this. I reacted emotionally. But no I've put you in danger."
"Don't apologize. No one knows that I know. My lips are sealed."
"I'll make sure you're safe. I promise."
Edward left, surprisingly calm for someone who had nowhere to go except Alaska. Who lives in Alaska anyway? I wondered.
I spent Sunday morning reading but, just like yesterday morning, found my mind wandering back to Edward. I should tell my dad about Carlisle, right? I wondered. After Edward had gone and is safe. Before Carlisle disappears as well. He has to pay. Evil doesn't win, does it?
By lunchtime I was fed up with myself. I wanted to call Jessica to hang out, but she'd be obsessing over the story I had promised to write. The first issue was going to the printer's tomorrow morning. And I was about to head out when Jake called.
"Hey, Jake."
"Hey. How are you? What happened yesterday? Glad you hear you're still alive. At least, it sounds like it."
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Can I come over?" he asked. "Or is he there?"
"No, he isn't here. You can come. I was going to come to the res later today anyway. To join Charlie."
"Okay, then I'll be at your place in ten minutes."
Jake arrived precisely eleven minutes later. It was raining heavily since this morning and he was soaking when he reached our front door. We headed to the kitchen for some warm coffee.
"I have a confession to make, Bella."
"What?"
"I sort of…followed you yesterday. Into the woods."
"Jake! That is so not cool."
"I'm sorry. But I was worried about you. And I didn't think he was going to tell you his whole life story. Holy shit Bella. It's like something from The Godfather. By the way, you did not react like a normal human being. Normal human beings would run and scream and tell Edward to leave them alone."
"Why are you-"
"And I see three coffee mugs in the kitchen sink," he said, interrupting me. "So I assume he slept here. Bella, normal people don't let shady people sleep over. What did you tell Charlie?"
"I think we should slow down for a second, Jake."
"Bella, with people like Edward and his family you don't get to slow down. Don't you realize how stupid and selfish Edward was to tell you all of that. Your life is in danger. You know way too much now. Not to mention Charlie."
"I didn't tell Charlie anything."
"That doesn't matter, Bella. Why aren't you seeing how screwed up this is?"
"Of course, I do! But what do you want me to do? I have no evidence. Just what Edward told me. A conversation I overheard. And one photograph that I shouldn't have taken. I'm sure Carlisle will disappear soon enough. Then everything will go back to normal."
"So, is Edward staying in town?"
"No. He mentioned something about going to visit family in Alaska."
"So, you're fine with him leaving you here? Like an open target."
"Jake, you're overthinking this. No one knows that I know anything. Let's just talk about something else. How about the fact that you completely disregarded any sense of my right to privacy when you followed me yesterday?"
"I said I was sorry. And I'm glad I did. I'd do it again."
"Let's agree to disagree."
After a few minutes of silence, I felt less angry. Jake cares. Really cares. I'll be a better friend from now on," I promised myself again.
"So, what do you want to do today?" I asked, trying to sound cheerful.
"Anything you want."
It was dark by the time Jake and I headed to the join Charlie and Billy. The whole res was gathered at a warm fire, eating together. The atmosphere was cheerful and I felt relaxed for the first time in a while.
I couldn't find Charlie, though. He was probably off somewhere on the res, chatting away with someone about fishing. I stayed close to Jake, though, not really knowing anyone else.
We sat with a boy named Seth. He was telling us about how Jake was teaching him to do woodwork. But he was interrupted when a few men came rushing towards us. At first, I had trouble hearing what they were saying. But seconds later it became clear. "Fire!" Somewhere was a fire. I instinctively looked around for Charlie. But he wasn't anywhere. Everyone was rushing towards the fire, which, luckily, was quite far away from any buildings. Minutes later the smell hit me. Weed. It was sweet and sickly in my throat and nostrils. I looked at Jake.
"Do you smell that?"
"Yes."
But then there was another scream. A lot like the screams in the wood yesterday. Hair-raising. The smell of the weed was making me nauseous. I turned towards to crowd which had gathered a few steps away. I could see Harry Clearwater on the ground, in the middle of the ground, covered in soot. He was badly burnt and didn't seem to be breathing. Sue was hovering over him, crying.
What's going on? I wondered. How did anything catch fire in Forks? And coincidentally the weed. Carlisle's weed. Destroying evidence, maybe?
But none of the mattered. Because Charlie was being carried by two men. He was coughing, his clothes and skin blackened from the smoke. Here and there he had burn marks. His head was hanging down and his feet was dragging as they carried him closer. I was frozen on the spot. Jake and Embry were speaking to me, but my ears were buzzing. My eyes were glued to Charlie, who was visibly struggling to breathe. I heard sirens, though, in the distance. And I felt indescribable rage erupt inside me. Because obviously, only one person could have set that fire. Carlisle. And now I was the one who wanted to kill him.
A/N: Thanks for reading! And thanks for the reviews!
