Sunrise

Chapter 12: Hear Me

Hear Me: Kelly Clarkson.

And… you people will think I have some weird obsession with Spiderman, but… I seriously don't. The spandex is awesome and everything, but really…

OOO

"What the hell are you doing here?" I forced my voice to be angry, annoyed. I didn't want him to know I was scared. He just smirked at me as I got up and wiped my jeans off. "I wouldn't take you for an Alabama boy."

"Nor I you," he answered. His voice was friendly, but I wasn't trusting him. When my gaze did not waver, he laughed. It was that trying-to-be-polite-but-I-know-something-you-don't-know laugh. Man, I needed to find I different name for it. "Actually, I skipped into town to round up a couple of old friends."

"Friends? You?" I scoffed, flipping my hair back. "Since when?"

His eyes flashed dangerously. Careful Cara, I warned myself. Watch it. "You don't know anything about me," he said, grinning, "or what I can do."

"You can't do anything to me anymore. I'm collected, and I'm in control. Watch. Your. Step, Lucas." I kept my face cool, betraying no more emotion.

"Are you?" he asked. "What exactly did dear Matty tell you about me? Anything? Nothing at all?"

"Why would he tell me anything about you?" I asked nonchalantly. He laughed his bitter laugh. I tried not to narrow my eyes in frustration. "Why?" I demanded again.

"You haven't guessed?" he said, faking astonishment. "Can't you see the resemblance? Can you really not tell?" No, I couldn't. I was completely lost. When I remained mute, he allowed, "We're brothers."

I tried desperately to keep the shock from my face. Lucas? Matthias's brother? Oh, the irony! The love of my life and my arch enemy… related? Impossible. They… well, on closer inspection, they did look something alike. But that was besides the point.

"Ah," Lucas sighed knowingly. "I see he kept that tidbit from you."

I suddenly felt the urge to defend Matt. "I never asked," I replied haughtily, my eyes glowering at him. "He probably—"

"Didn't want to upset you?" he finished for me. "That's a nice way of putting it. What he didn't want was for you to judge him based on me." Lucas's face transformed into a sneer. "He's always pushed me behind him, hiding me. I've always been his shadow."

I glared at him. "That sucks for you, then," I growled. He smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. It was a bitter one—probably at my stubbornness—and he wanted me gone. It was clear on his face.

"Do you think I didn't see it?" he asked. "Did you think I couldn't notice the way he gazed at you when he thought I wasn't looking? The way he protected you? The way he beat my ass just so I would stay away from you?" I refused the urge to bite my lip. Pain was uncurling through my body, emotional, hazardous pain. I hoped he wouldn't see it in my eyes. "Did you think," he continued, advancing while I stood my ground, "that I wouldn't notice that my one and only brother loved you?"

I glared up at him, my go-to-hell look (as Emmett had deemed it) clear on my face. "What the hell does this have to do with me? I didn't make him fall in love with me, so why are you here?"

"Oh, I'm not saying it's your fault at all." He grinned again, his teeth gleaming dangerously. I didn't let my guard down. "I'm saying that you mean something to him, and… haven't you ever watched Spiderman? 'Attack his heart' I think they said. Didn't sound like a bad idea."

He walked slightly away, and I followed him with my eyes. I didn't dare switch back to my vampire form—I hadn't fed in months. At least two. I probably stood no better chance at fighting him whether I was a human or a weak-freak (no offense). I had to bluff my guts out—that was the only way I stood any chance of survival whatsoever… unless my father showed up out of nowhere in the next ten seconds, but I highly doubted it. Even if Alice had seen this, I was doubtful.

"Love me?" I asked, trying to backtrack. "I'm a bitch. He couldn't love—"

"I don't doubt you're a bitch," he said, not turning to look at me. "So I guess my brother was into the bitchy type."

"Was?" The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them. Shit. I hadn't meant to betray anything.

I could almost feel the weight of his triumphant smile.

"He's dead," he said, shrugging. I didn't believe him for a moment. Why? First of all, I seriously doubted it would be that easy to kill Matt. He had only fought Lucas a gazillion times from what he'd told me, not to mention I had an eyewitness account. Second, I had just witnessed him trying to talk to me practically two minutes ago. So… Lucas had no idea about my powers. He thought I was just a human figure. Thirdly, it was so cliché, I wanted to throw up. Seriously. Get real.

"Right," I drawled, a smile etching its way onto my face. "And how exactly is he dead?"

He turned, and his expression was so composed and malicious, I would've believed him if it weren't for my uncanny ability to know things. "I killed him," he said simply. I knew he was lying through his teeth, but I had to come up with something that wouldn't give away my power. I looked up at him, and I was sure my expression was triumphant.

"You? You killed him?" I laughed, my voice a taunting sneer. "The brother who was always in the shadow? How could you possibly kill him? What could you possibly have done? That's the biggest load of BS I have ever heard in my entire existence."

I was still laughing when I realized I was pinned to the ground, his foot on my chest. My mind fazed back to the night everything had changed, when Jasper had been trying to stop me from escaping. I only half-wished I had listened to him. Lucas looked down at me in mock pity.

"You said you wanted to know how the little brother couldn't have possibly killed the vampire that was forever above him? I don't know, Cara. You tell me. See, after you… escaped, my brother began to spiral downwards. He put on a good show for Alec and the rest of the guard, but Caius—the relationship man—realized what was going on." He smiled a smile full of malice, and my mind was calculating fast. What could I do to get the hell out of this situation? "So, my brother was becoming pathetic. He was mopey, he wasn't talking as much. He wasn't even feeding. Aro had to command him to go on hunting trips." I was staring up at him in horror—had I really had that much of an effect on him? "So… he was defenseless. I caught him by surprise."

"You're a horrible liar!" I hissed before I could stop myself.

He raised an eyebrow. "Denial? Nice. But, by curiosity, why on earth would you think I'm lying?"

"You said you wanted to wound his heart. You wouldn't be trying to do that if he was already dead, imbecile. Dur." I grinned in my triumph. "You do know it's a given fact women are, in general, smarter than men?"

He glared at me. "Maybe I'm trying to break you."

"You said you're quarrel wasn't with me. So," I halfly waved my arm. "Get the hell off me. Either he's dead and you hate me, or he's not dead and you still hate me. Pick your poison. Should be a TV show, don't you think? Vampires and all? That'll give the Volturi a kick in the ass—" I stopped abruptly. The Volturi… something that Lucas had said made no sense.

"How could you have known all of that?" I asked him, my eyes narrowing. "You were expelled! Or was that a lie, too?" My mouth was set in a firm line. Truth was, I was scared, and I wanted to go home now. But I didn't know If I would live long enough to be able to.

"I can stalk people, Cara. It's really not that hard. You're little boyfriend went looking for you almost a week after you left and didn't show back up. Caius said, on dear Matt's behalf, he couldn't… 'exist without the one he loves'." I felt my jaw clench tighter as he laughed a brutal laugh. "Don't look so upset, Cara," he told me, still using his friendly tone. "I'm only telling you the truth as any good friend would."

My teeth grinded together and I spoke through them. "You're no friend of mine. You never will be."

He removed his foot and began walking away. I stared after him, sure he was planning on giving me false hope and then attacking me with full force. But he kept walking, and I didn't dare say anything or call out a rude insult. Hell, I was lucky to be alive.

My breath baited as he stopped. Then he turned, and I could only see a quarter of his face. But what I saw chilled me more than I was already chilled in the cool night air. His eyes were aflame in hatred, and even though he was roughly a mile away, I could hear him clearly as he hissed, "I always get what my brother gets, always wants what he wants. So you can run if you like, but know… I'll catch you. I'll do anything to get my hands on something of my brother's. And that's what you are—property."

As he disappeared, my finger strayed to where my bracelet would've been had it not broken. Property… His harsh words echoed loudly in the recesses of my mind. Was that what he saw me as? Some prize he needed to win to prove himself better than his brother?

My earlier relief was flooded over with dread. I needed to get home. Now.

OOO

That night I packed my things. So you can run if you like, but know… I'll catch you. Those words haunted me as I packed away my clothing, stored food, and tucked away any loose items into my duffle. I was holding back crying in my shock. I should've paid more attention. Should've listened harder. I could've prevented it.

But where to go to? I didn't have a home. I didn't know where my family was, and even if I wanted to find out, I couldn't bring Lucas there. My foe had said Matt had been trying to find me, but every time I tried to find him, he shut me out. Except that last time… but I was too scared to go back there. What if he was fed up with caring? What if he didn't care?

What was I to do?

I had no where to go, no one to turn to. I couldn't lay my head on anyone's shoulder—what if Lucas followed me as threatened? What would happen then? Would they die? Would he kill me in front of them? I shuddered, huddling deeper into the blanket I now had wrapped around me.

I want my daddy, I thought helplessly. I sounded like a child to myself, and it hit me just how much I was. I was practically twenty in the years I had been alive. I needed an adult. I wasn't ready to face the dangers of the vampiric world alone. I needed my family. I wanted my family.

Please, I thought again, too devastated to think clearly. Please, please, please. I didn't know what I was pleading for. I only knew I needed someone, and that someone couldn't know about anything.

As I lay there, hoping to get some sleep despite my silent pleas, I felt something wet hit my arm. I moved my hand to my face and gasped at the liquid on my cheeks. "Oh, man," I mumbled, my voice cracking. I wanted to go to sleep and wake up at home—Emmett jibing me about my anger management issues, Alice and Rosalie sighing and saying how much I was like Edward. Then I would get angry and Jasper would plead me to tone it down. Edward would be playing the piano, Bella sitting beside him. I would watch them with slight jealousy—wishing that were me and Matt together. And Esme would be gardening or cleaning while Carlisle saved lives.

I'd take that anyday. I did not want some insane freak stalking the life out of me, literally.

I carefully grabbed my pillow and cried into it—cried until I fell asleep.

OOO

The next morning, I woke with tear-tracks down my face. I rubbed them off in anger, looking at my room. Clothes were strewn everywhere—it was as if a tornado had passed through. My pillow had salt residue from my tears, and I bit my lip.

I had to get out of there. There wasn't any other choice. Sure, he'd said I couldn't run. But screw that—I'd be an idiot for not trying. So… I would leave today. I was almost sure Alice had seen my encounter with Lukey-Darling, because my dad probably had her keeping taps on me. She would probably be freaking out by now, and they would be coming any time to get me.

I took a deep breath, glancing around the room for any other items I might need. I packed the rest and shouldered my bag, using the stairs instead of the window this time. I stopped in the living room as Mrs. Henry glanced up at me.

"Going somewhere, sweet?" she asked, and I sighed. I was starting to feel compassion for people, which wasn't really a good thing.

"Yeah," I said, faking a smile. It apparently worked, because she smiled back. "You see, my cousin called, and she said I could crash with her for a few months. Not like I don't absolutely love Waterloo, it's just—"

"You miss your family." Her face had that knowing look that only old ladies got. But I appreciated her. Respected her.

I sighed again. "You have no idea," I said darkly, and she didn't. "I just wanted to thank you for your hospitality. I don't know where I would've gone had it not been for this. Again, thanks. I really felt welcome."

"You are welcome, sweet," Mrs. Henry said kindly. She, despite her great age, reminded me of Esme. "If you ever happen across Waterloo again, just give us a ring."

I smiled, this time genuine. "I might," I allowed. No need to tell the woman I was either never being let out of the sight of my father again… either that or getting captured by a psycho vampire who was intent on being better than his brother, my maybe-lover. She would probably be liable for a heart attack.

"I'll tell Mr. Henry of your thanks. Now get goin', darling. Your car is in the garage out back." She gave me a long look. "I'll miss you," she told me earnestly. I smiled hugely and gave her a hug.

"Again," I said, "thanks for everything."

We said out last goodbyes and I trudged out to my Aston Marten, frowning slightly. Her comfort had not sated my anxiety. I still felt the bad premonition that something horrible was going to happen. I wanted to crawl into a hole and fall asleep, and when I woke up, I'd be home and safe, and even Matt would be there.

Matt. I blinked back the tears and bit my cheek. Don't think about him, I told myself. I didn't need distractions when I was trying to save my own life. That was just one more thing I couldn't add to my list. But I couldn't help but wonder if he still loved me. If he could possibly love me after I knew what he was doing, and he'd tried to talk to me, and I wasn't giving anything back. I promised myself that if I ever saw him again, I would apologize tenfold, do whatever he wanted so he knew he could trust me again. Not like I didn't have to do what he wanted before… but still. It was the thought that counted.

But I was realizing something. I was making myself a hell of a lot of promises that might never happen.

As I reached my car, I saw a piece of paper in the windshield wipers. My heart constricted and my face flushed in anticipation—despite the cool February air. I snatched it and read it quickly, letting my face go blank as I understood the meaning.

I always get what I want.

That son of a bitch! I ground my teeth. I should've known he was stalking me, and what's more, was that I'd led him to the Henrys. Guilt washed over me as I ripped it in half, glaring at the strips as they fell to the icy ground. Screw it, I thought, getting into my car and throwing the duffle in the back. I didn't care if he followed me for a thousand miles—I was going to go home, dammit, and he wasn't going to stop me.

My tires squealed again as I drove the short spurt to Robbie's place. I needed to talk with him first, let him know nothing had happened to me last night… And well, what had happened he didn't need to know about. I couldn't burden him with that information. It would probably cause his demise.

My life just kept getting more freakin complicated.

I stopped the car and stared up at the house for a while, not sure if I really wanted to go in. Not sure what my story would be. Not sure how I was going to live through this. My journey was stretching ahead of me, and I knew I wouldn't be able to turn to anyone for help for the next few days. I'd be racing along the interstate, trying to outrun my enemy. That was, if he chose to follow me, which I was pretty sure he would. I couldn't stop to feed. He'd probably get me when my instincts were on food and not on protection. I had to stay human until I got to… somewhere.

I got out of the car and walked up the driveway. I had to speak with him just for a moment. Then I would be able to leave and never look back. I was already calculating my every move. I wished Alice were here. She would let me know about my future. I could look myself, but I had absolutely no idea what to look for.

Robbie was at the door before I could knock, and let me inside. "What happened to you?" he whispered as he closed the door, giving me a once over.

"Hey," I growled. "I resent that. I thought I did a proper job in making myself look normal." But my tone was too bitter and strangely shaky. I shoved my hands in my pockets and sat down on the couch. Robbie sat across from me, but I didn't meet his gaze.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" he asked so quietly I wasn't even sure I heard him. But I answered anyway.

"I have to. Seemingly my family's found me," I lied. "I have to meet up with them. I'm finally going home." I tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace, and Rob noticed.

"You don't have to go, you know," he told me. "You can stay here. Do they even know where you are?"

"I'm pretty sure," I allowed. I was sure Alice had seen me here, but I didn't want to tell Robbie everything. "So, why run? I mean, it's going to catch up with me sooner or later, so I'd rather it be sooner." My words were lies, and I felt horrible, but I had promised myself that I wouldn't bother with troubling my best friend.

He sighed. "Well, before you go then, I have something that's yours."

I blinked. "What?"

"Maddie, my sister, left it for you. Somehow knew you'd be back someday." He tossed me a bundle wrapped in tissue paper, and I carefully peeled it back. Inside, I found an iPod nano, but I wasn't sure what the significance of it was. When I gave Jaime a quizzical look, he shrugged and said, "She put songs on there for you. I don't know. It's rather strange, I think, but, whatever. I guess she thought you needed more music in your life."

"If you ever see her, tell her thank you for me." I knew it would somehow come in handy… somewhere. But right now I needed to leave. I got up and hugged him. "I'm sorry," I told him, "but I've really got to go."

"I understand," he said, and I left. I was walking down the driveway, placing the earphones in my ears and turning on a song at the highest possible volume when I heard something loud. Loud and devastating. I felt heart wash over me, and I looked behind me with resent.

Shit.

It was more than that, really. My whole body constricted in shock, my mind racing ahead, my legs already ahead of it. I pulled up my sweater to cover my nose and mouth, tumbling into the flames.

Rob's house was on fire.

No, it was destroyed. It looked like aftermath, the way only the frame of the house was in tact, the way I smelled burning wood and sulfur. I was already in what I thought was the hallway, searching desperately for a nonexistent door I knew Robbie would be behind. "Rob!" I yelled, instantly coughing. "Rob! Where are you? Answer me!"

The smoke was curling around my face; I knew I would die if I didn't save him soon. I heard a groan from the burnt door on my left and knocked it down. Robbie was lying there, his legs and arms burnt and his hair singed. His blood was everywhere. I refrained from screaming. "W-what happened?" he asked through his teeth.

"I guess it was a bomb," I said, my voice lightning quick. "But who would bomb you? Who would have the tools?"

"I don't know." It was obvious he was in pain, maybe slightly delusional. Then his eyes snapped open. "Cara!" he exclaimed, grasping my arm and forcing me to bend over. "What are you doing here?" Okay, he was really delusional.

"I'm saving you!" I growled, looking around for something I could drag him on. There was still time—his burns weren't that bad.

"No, Cara. There isn't time. I'm dying anyway, and the nearest hospital is two hours away. I'm not going to make it." My mind went blank, shielding me from his words. I stared at him in shock. Yes, he was. I could drive him. He was strong, he'd make it through. I knew it. "Just. Go."

"No!" I yelled, slightly hysterical. "I'm not just going to leave you!"

"Yes you are." Robbie's eyes were determined. "I can feel it. It's my time to go."

"Oh, please!" I hissed, angry at him for giving up so easily. "Do not pull the 'white light' shit on me. I'm getting you out of here, and you're coming with me. Then I'll speed you over to the hospital, and they can treat you for those burns. I'll even pay for it, you'll be fine—"

He yanked on my arm again. "No, I won't. If you stay here any longer, you'll die from the smoke. You'll suffocate or burn. You can't be Spiderman, Cara. You aren't that talented." There was a ghost of a smile on his face as his eyes started to fade. "Make sure you tell my sister I love her, and make sure you get back together with your someone. I love you, Cara. You're the best friend I've ever had. Tell Kayla I love her too."

I gapped at him. No! This wasn't happening. "I love you, too, Robbie."

Then he was gone.

I stood up, but before I did, I carefully unfastened the shark tooth necklace from around his neck. I placed it around mine, and walked out the door, oblivious to the fire swarming around me. The movies got it right, I thought, because I could hear nothing. Everything was slightly slow-mo. But when I reached the door, I saw the red eyes of my enemy, standing in the far off trees. A smirk was present on his face. I told you, he mouthed.

And then it was extremely clear to me. His presence had brought back my sense of time.

"I'll kill you," I vowed, my words forced out through clenched teeth. "I promise you on Robbie's grave I will kill you."

And then the eyes disappeared.

To angry to yell at him, I walked to my car. I took deliberate steps, afraid if I got too carried away, I would hit something. It didn't feel right to leave his body to burn. But he'd told me he'd always wanted to be cremated. I shook my head at my cruel humor. Truth was, he was right—if I stayed, I would die. And Robbie didn't want that. I knew he didn't.

I left my friend behind me, screeching away into the dusty road. I refused to let my tears fall, but I felt the sting behind my eyes. I'm so sorry, Robbie, so sorry, I kept repeating, over and over again until that was all I could think. I knew it was my fault. If I had just left without talking to him, Lucas wouldn't have worried about killing him. If I had just left, Robbie would be alive.

"Bastard," I muttered angrily a while later, thinking of Lucas. I was nearly a couple states up. "Good for nothing son of a—"

My breath caught. My eyes widened. I saw it before I felt it, which is a strange sensation, if it ever happens to you. I tensed, preparing myself for death, for absolute oblivion. I felt the metal crush around me, constrict my chest. I gasped out, trying to change—but there wasn't enough room, not enough time. I screamed as I experienced the awful pain—the blood running across my eyes as the glass groaned in protest and cracked, showering me.

I might've hated fainting, but I gave into the blackness without restraint. Anything was better than this.

OOO

Again, please don't kill me. I know this chapter was dark, but this is only another plot twist, which will mean more story. And this chapter was long, so hopefully it will sate thee.

If you aren't able to figure out what happened at the end, either enjoy it, or if you're absolutely dying to know, ask. But whatever. I tried to make it pretty obvious.

Jamie. :)