Hi there, my lovely readers! Is the weather with you just as bad as it is with me in Holland? I hope not.
10 reviews?! Wow! I do believe that's the highest rate of reviews I've got ever since I started this story.
Manwathiel-Nanethiel: Eerst, dank je voor je review. Om wat uitleg te geven: Rachel heeft verschillende krachten en ik snap dat je het minder leuk vind dat ze daarmee iedereen onderuit kan halen. Daarom heb ik erover gekozen om Rachel weinig controle over haar krachten te geven. Ze heeft ze maar veel controle heeft ze niet, noch zijn ze erg sterk. Het zou inderdaad logischer zijn als ze er maar één zou hebben maar toen ik Rachel bedacht kreeg ik dit idee om haar iets anders te maken dan een mens of Vampier of Weerwolf maar toch bovennatuurlijk. Haar krachten en wat ze in werkelijkheid is zal in een vervolg worden onthuld. Meer kan ik er niet over zeggen.
lostfeather1: Thank you so much for your review. Rachel's past along with her ex-boyfriend will be further explored in a sequel, although some of it will be revealed before the end of this story. And your desire to see what Rachel will do when James, Laurent and Victoria come, the start will be this chapter. I hope it will not disappoint you.
sarahmichellegellarfan1: thank you for your review! It was indeed a big step for Rachel and your question... I wish I could answer it but I would give too much away if I did. I think that already tells you a bit what the answer is ;)
I Am Switzerland101: thank you for your review and that you liked the chapter. I hope this one will not disappoint you either.
Shika93: can I just say that my mouth dropped open when I opened my mail and saw I had 20 reviews?! I thank you for them all and I'm glad you like my story so much this far. I hope this chapter won't disappoint you either.
FeatherSun19994: thank you for your review and when I read that you finished all the chapters in one day, it made my day. I'm glad you think that Rachel is nothing like Bella, I'm trying very hard to keep her character away from Bella's character as much as possible. I give you a wink for catching the few Vampire Diaries references and as for Damon being her ex... You will just have to see. I think you will have figured it out before the end of this story. Here's the update and I hope it won't disappoint.
Guest reviewer who reviewed twice, Odette wasn't it?: thank you so much for your reviews. I was very happy to hear what you liked and what you disliked, or rather what you wished to see. I can assure you that there will be more interaction with the Volturi but right now it just doesn't really fit into the story. But they will make an appearance (in Forks) before the end of this story. As for the ex... I can't give say much about him because that would give too much away. And I will see what I can do about those references ;) And as for the updating... Just read at the end of this author's note and you might like what I have to say there.
WickedlyMinx: thank you for your review and an extra thank you too for your review was the 100th review this story got. Which earns an applause. The sequel... Yes, well I can tell you already that Edward will indeed hurt Rachel but if she will turn... I'm still debating on that. And Damon being her ex? I'm giving you a wink and that's all because I can't say too much. That would give away too much.
Bloody hell! Might I just say that! You lovely readers are getting really curious about her ex, which makes me happy! But it also makes it very hard to keep his identity a secret. I so much want to tell you guys but that would ruin the surprise. So I will not confirm or deny anything but I will say that most of you are thinking in the right direction with thinking about the Vampire Diaries.
Some good news next! I've finished quite a few chapters and since this story is already going on for a year, I think I should put finish it. And for that reason, I will update every Wednesday from now on until I run out of chapters. And during the christmas holiday (no idea how it's called for you) I will update twice a week. When the time will come, I will tell you the specific dates.
Now, this author's note is long enough. Here's the update, I hope you will enjoy it and if you want to see what Rachel is wearing, check out the link on my profile. There are more links there leading to pictures related to this story.
Enjoy it and please review! I love reviews!
Lots of love, Emmetje.
New Girl in Town
Chapter 20
The Baseball Game
When Rachel stepped out of the house, the first thing she noticed was the enormous Jeep that was parked behind Charles' car. She recognized it immediately. It had been the same Jeep Emmett and Jasper had arrived in at school when Edward hadn't been present, that very first week of school.
"You really couldn't have brought your Volvo?"
"We're going to have to drive off road for a while. My own car isn't suitable for that. And I thought you would like this better than having to run all the way."
Rachel thought about that and shrugged. Edward just chuckled and opened the passenger door for her. Her eyebrow shot up when she saw the inside. "What the hell is that?"
Edward gave her an amused smile. "It's a six point seatbelt."
"Why would you need a six point seatbelt?" questioned Rachel. "Aren't those things only used in racing cars and child safety seats?" Edward gave her a look and she responded by giving him a warning glare in return. "If you dare to say it is for a child's safety, you will regret it very much."
Edward was smart enough to take heed of her warning and helped her to get in the car, remaining silent while doing so. He watched her as she buckled herself up and when he tried to help her, since he thought it wasn't going fast enough, she slapped his hands away and glared.
He chuckled and moved to the other side of the car and got into the driver's seat. And by the time he had everything set to go, Rachel had finished buckling up.
"So where do you guys leave a thing like this?"
"In one of the outbuildings."
Rachel frowned when she suddenly realised something he had previously said. "What did you mean with not having to run all the way?" Edward gave her a pointed look and Rachel slumped back in the seat, pulling a face. "We will have to run at some point, won't we?"
Edward gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry."
Rachel shook her head, not wanting to hear the apology. "Just drive."
And so Edward started the Jeep, that came to live with a lot of noise. They drove for some time and finally Edward turned into a road that looked more like it was a path for walkers that wanted to go up the mountain.
They drove on for another while but finally they reached the end and Edward stopped the car and smiled once more apologetic at Rachel. "We'll have to continue on foot."
Rachel let out a deep sigh and unbuckled herself, jumping out of the car once she was free. "Let's just get this over with."
Edward crouched slightly together and Rachel jumped on his back, wrapping her legs and arms tightly around him. "Don't forget to close your eyes."
"Don't worry. I still remember the last time," told Rachel him with a humourless laugh. "It's still very clear in my mind so I won't forget a thing."
Edward started moving and Rachel quickly hid her face against his shoulder blade, much like she had done when he had dragged her up that mountain against her will so many weeks ago. It hadn't been that long ago, she realised while keeping her eyes close, yet it felt like an entire year had passed. Things had certainly changed dramatically since then.
Finally he stopped and Rachel didn't know how fast she had to let go of him. That turned out to be a bad decision as she felt down on the ground in her haste to get off, sending several fallen leaves up into the air and her hair to fall into her face.
Mumbling curses in herself, she pushed her hair back and glared at Edward before pulling a face when one of the leaves landed on her face.
Apparently Edward thought it hilarious and he burst out in laughter, causing Rachel to narrow in annoyance. She pushed the leave off her face and stood up while brushing all the dirt, leaves and moss from her jeans and coat. And then she put her arms over each other and waited for him to stop laughing.
When he finally did she crooked an eyebrow. "You done?"
Edward let out a chuckle. "You should have seen your face."
Rachel pointed at him. "I want you to think about this moment and then think back to the moment when I started laughing when you told me you sparkle. Imagine how you felt back then and then think back of this situation."
Edward's smile faltered a little, probably remembering how he felt when that happened. "Don't be mad," he pleaded.
"Mad?" It was Rachel's turn to laugh. "This isn't me being mad. This is me being annoyed. You haven't seen me mad yet and you better pray you never will. I'm not nice when I'm mad. Things get blown up and catch fire when I'm mad."
Edward gave her a tiny smile. "I will keep that in mind."
Rachel smiled back and put her arms down. "Wise decision. But since you promised Charles to not bring me home too late, I suggest we join the others before we keep them waiting even longer."
Edward mock bowed for her. "Certainly, Milady."
Rachel gave him a warning look. "Keep it up, Cullen, and you will find another object flying at your head."
Edward just smiled and took her hand into his before guiding her through the trees on. They had to walk several more feet before they stepped onto an open field lying at the foot of the Olympic Mountains.
The other Cullens were already there. Jasper and Alice were throwing a ball about, Carlisle was checking the bases that were lying twice as far away from each as in a normal baseball game, and Esme, Rosalie and Emmett were seated on a rock just a few feet away from them.
Upon seeing them walking towards them, the three got up and joined them. "Was that you we heard, Edward?" asked Esme in a kind voice.
"It sounded like a bear choking," joked Emmett, punching his brother playfully while doing so.
"Yeah, that was him alright," answered Rachel, giving Edward a slightly evil look. "He choked on a raindrop."
Edward pulled a face when she said that and Rosalie chuckled. "You've met your match, Edward."
"Yeah, it indeed looks that way."
Suddenly Alice danced towards them with a big smile on her face. "It's time."
She had just finished saying that when the sky was lightened by a lighting flash, followed immediately by loud thunder.
Rachel crooked an eyebrow and Emmett nudged her side with a wide grin. "Freaky, don't you think?"
"Absolutely," agreed Rachel, answering his grin with one of her own. "Does she do readings with a crystal ball and the summoning of the spirits of the dead too?" Emmett burst out in laughter and Rachel smiled when she realised she would get along just fine with Emmett.
Alice grabbed Emmett's arm and dragged him away from the human girl. "Come on."
In a blur they ran away. Edward's arm sneaked around Rachel's waist and he pressed a kiss on her cheek. "You ready?"
Rachel tapped with her finger on his cheek while giving him a playful smile. "Flirting with the empire, are we, Mr Cullen? You better be careful or I will send you to the penalty bench."
Jasper, who had joined them to grab a baseball bat, chuckled. "She's ready, alright."
Edward chuckled too and he and Jasper blurred away, joining Emmett and Alice who had now reached Rosalie and Carlisle. The two were playfully fighting over another bat.
Esme joined Rachel and guided her towards her place. "Call me when you see them doing it. I would just love to scold them for it. I did not raise them as cheaters."
Rachel gave her a funny look. "You sound a little like their mother."
"Well, in many ways I see them as my children," she told them. "I never really lost my motherly instincts, even after losing my only child."
"You what?" gasped Rachel in shock. "Esme, I'm so sorry! That's horrible!"
"It's alright. It was a long time ago and although I still miss him, I've gained five incredibly children that I wouldn't want to give up for anything in the world," smiled Esme sadly. "But I take from this that Edward didn't tell you that I lost a child." Rachel shook her head. "It's why I tried to commit suicide. My heart was broken after he died."
"I'm really sorry," said Rachel again in a soft voice, her eyes tearing up a little when she imagined how the kind Vampire must have felt when she lost her child.
"Don't be," assured Esme her. "The only thing that made me unhappy was seeing Edward alone and unhappy while we all had each other. And that's over now because he found you."
Rachel bit her lip when Esme told her that. "So you aren't against it, even though I'm so wrong for him?"
Esme shrugged. "It's you who he wants and I'm sure things will work out just fine. Love will always find a way."
Rachel pulled an amused face. "That's rather sappy."
"I'm an hopeless romanticist," told Esme her with a laugh.
They reached their places and Rachel now noticed that Alice, Carlisle and Edward were standing in the field and Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett were standing behind the home plate. Jasper was doing all sorts of tricks with the bat that made Rachel's eyes widen in amazement.
Esme took her place as catcher and Rachel took a place behind her. "Let the game begin!" she called. "And may the best team win!" She turned to Esme. "I don't have to force them to shake hands, do I?"
Esme laughed. "No, but you will probably have to force them to keep the peace once the game has begun."
Emmett walked towards the home plate and readied his bat. Alice, who was pitcher, moved and threw the ball. But her movements would be more at home on a ballet school then on a baseball field.
Emmett didn't move a muscle and the ball landed in Esme's hands. "Foul ball," called Rachel, not really raising her voice too much knowing the others would be able to hear her just fine.
Esme threw the ball back at Alice who then moved once more and threw for the second time. This time Emmett took a swing and when the bat came in contact with the ball, a loud bang that sounded an awful lot like thunder followed.
The ball flew away into the forest at the other side of the field and Edward ran after it while Emmett ran from base to base, being tailed by Carlisle.
Suddenly a ball came flying towards them from through the trees and Esme caught it and tapped Emmett out just when he slid to reach the home base.
They both looked up at Rachel and she shook her head and held her arm up. "Out."
Edward joined his team in the field again and Jasper was the next one up. He hit the ball the first time and sent it low to the ground. Carlisle however caught it and ran towards him and they ran into each other just by the first base. The impact sounded like two rocks running into each other but this sound was just like the sound of the bat against the ball, shielded by the thunder and lightning.
"In!" called Rachel, for once being happy that she possessed the ability of telepathy so she could see what the others saw.
The game continued and the teams exchanged places after Rosalie had made a home run and Emmett was called out again.
When Edward joined Rachel, his eyes were sparkling from excitement. "What do you think?"
"Well, this is certainly much more fun to watch than normal baseball games," answered Rachel. "How am I doing so far as emperor?"
Edward pressed a kiss on her cheek. "Best emperor we have ever had." He then bolted away, his eyes sparkling like a child's eyes upon seeing all the Christmas presents under the tree. "I'm first."
The game continued again. Edward's tactic was smart and helped him to the second base. Carlisle was next and hit the ball so hard that he made a homerun and helped Edward to return to the home base. Alice was next and knew exactly to which direction she would need to send the ball to get a homerun. And a homerun it was.
The score kept changing and was standing in the favour of Edward's team when it was Carlisle's turn again. That was when it happened.
Alice gasped from beside Rachel but the girl paid no attention, as she was too focussed with making sure no one cheated. So far she had succeeded into preventing it from happening, although she had caught Emmett a few times trying to do it. Esme had been more than happy to scowl him for it.
Edward, who was in the field, looked immediately up and his eyes widened. Then in a blur he was standing beside the human girl, taking her arm and dragging her away from the field.
"Hey!" protested the person in question while planting her heels in the forest floor and stopping Edward from dragging her further away. "What the hell, Edward?!"
The others had now joined them too and all looked at Alice, who was gazing into space. "Alice?" asked Esme, her voice sounding rather tense.
"I didn't see it," whispered Alice, still gazing. "I didn't know."
"What's wrong, Alice?" asked Carlisle in a calm voice.
"They were travelling a lot faster than I thought," mumbled Alice. "I saw it wrong."
Jasper leaned towards her and Rachel noticed how protective the air around him had gotten. This was a man who wasn't afraid to put himself between the ones he cared for and danger. "What has changed?"
"They heard us playing and changed course." She snapped out of her gaze and a remorseful look spread over her face. "I should have seen this coming."
All seven Vampires looked at Rachel, who was starting to freak out by their strange behaviour. "What is going on?" she demanded to know.
They looked away again. "How long until they reach us?" asked Carlisle Edward.
"Less than five minutes," answered said Vampire. "They're running. They want to join the game."
Carlisle looked at Rachel again for a moment. "Can you make that?"
"Not if I carry her." Edward's face hardened. "Besides, they would pick up her smell and start hunting it. That's the last thing we want."
"How many?" wanted Emmett to know.
"Three," answered Alice.
"Three?" Emmett laughed contemptuously. "Let them come. We can take them."
Before anyone could continue, Rachel interrupted them, yelling rather angrily: "Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?!"
Everyone looked sadly at her but no one answered. After a few minutes it was Jasper who gave her an answer. "The Nomads responsible for the killings, they're about to join us."
Rachel felt how all the blood from her face drained away. She was going to meet the Vampires responsible for killing all those people. Savages who killed anyone who smelled nice, who didn't live of animal blood and weren't civil.
She swallowed when she realised what that meant. "I'm screwed. They will try and kill me the moment they catch my scent."
"No, they won't..." tried Esme to calm her down.
But before she could continue, Rachel interrupted her. "Yes, they will! I'm a walking Vampire buffet, God damn it! No Vampire like that is able to resist my scent!" Her eyes stung when she realised what she was saying. "No Vampire can walk away after smelling me."
Edward grabbed hold of her shoulders. "Nothing will happen. We will keep you safe." Rachel shook her head and opened her mouth to go against him but he was having none of it. "Make sure your hair covers your neck and don't say anything. Just stay behind me. Everything will be fine." Rachel gave him a look and his grip around her arms tightened. "Don't look at me like that! Everything will be fine!"
Rachel didn't go against him this time and moved her hair so it was covering her neck. When she looked at the other Cullens she saw that they agreed with her. This wasn't going to end well.
The looks snapped away from her when they heard footsteps she couldn't hear yet but she could hear the thoughts and they made her sick.
They appeared several minutes later and stepped through the tree line on to the open field and it immediately felt like someone was pinching her throat close. She wanted to run. She wanted nothing more than to run. Every fibre in her body screamed that she needed to run, that she was in danger. But she couldn't move and she knew running wasn't going to help her. The best thing to do now was to stay put, say nothing and pray to every God in the universe that this wouldn't end badly.
There were two man and a woman and Rachel noticed how ready they looked while walked towards them. They were ready to catch a new scent, hunt it and kill the person carrying it. And she got the incredible bad feeling that that person would be her.
The man who was leading their little group, was dressed in an ugly orange suit that was obviously worn off and he was the first Vampire she met with a dark skin colour. He was the exception of the paleness that she had written down as a sign to recognize a Cold One. However, the two piercing red eyes that were seated in that tanned face, framed by black dreadlocks, would even have convinced the disbelievers that he was a Vampire.
The woman was walking on his right side and was the most colourful one. She was dressed in a pair of jeans that were ripped on several places, a green shirt with a lot of dirt – and was that blood? – on it and a fur drape. Her hair was a red mess of curls and several leaves and twigs were stuck in it. She seemed rather nervous and her eyes kept darting around as if she was trying to find a way out and escape.
The last man sent shivers down Rachel's shine and she got the ominous feeling that she should know him from somewhere, although she could not place him.
His blond hair was pulled in a tail and he was dressed in a ripped pair of jeans and a jacket that she had seen before only she could not remember where or on who. Although his eyes weren't darting around from side to side like the woman's, Rachel knew that he was the most observant of the three.
The three stopped a few feet away from them and she couldn't help but notice that they weren't wearing any shoes and it felt once again like some was pinching her throat close when she realised one of them must have made that footprint that Charles had found.
The tanned man stepped forward towards Carlisle and smiled. "We already thought we heard a game going on." He had a faint French accent and although French accents normally gave Rachel a safe feeling, his only made shills run down her spine. He raised a hand and showed them a ball. "I believe this belongs to you."
He threw it at Carlisle who easily caught it and smiled. "Thank you."
"I'm Laurent," introduced the man himself. "And this is Victoria –" He gave a small nod towards the woman who looked at everything except at them. " – and James."
"I'm Carlisle," introduced the head of the Cullen family himself. "And this is my family: Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Esme and Alice, Edward and Rachel."
James crooked his head a little when Carlisle said her name and looked at her. Rachel swallowed and tightened her grip around Edward's hand when she looked back at him.
"Could you use a few extra players?" asked Laurent, still being friendly and obvious to the fact that James seemed so fascinated by Rachel.
"Actually we just finished playing," answered Carlisle, also remaining friendly. "But you're more than welcome to join us next time. Will you stay long in this area?"
"No, we're heading north but we were wondering who else was here," answered Laurent. "It has been a while since we last had any company."
"This area isn't visited a lot, besides us and a visitor passing through, much like yourselves."
"Is this your hunting area?" asked Laurent, sounding generally interested.
"We hunt by the Olympic Range and from time to time by the Coast Rangers. We maintain a permanent residence here close by," answered Carlisle and Rachel couldn't help but feel slightly relieved when she realised they were having a civil conversation. "If you keep heading north you will come across another permanent residence much like yourselves, the Denali."
"A permanent residence?" Laurent's eyes were sparkling with curiosity. "How do you do that without raising suspicion?"
"Why don't we come with us to the house where we can talk a bit more comfortable?" suggested Carlisle with a smile. "It's a rather long and complicated story."
The surprise on the faces were clear when he invited the three of them but only James' face didn't change. He just kept his eyes focussed on Rachel, which was starting to make her uncomfortable.
"That sounds very interesting and very hospitable." Laurent's smile was warm and the surprise had washed away. "We've been on the road to hunt since Ontario and we haven't had the time to wash ourselves ever since."
"Please, do not take this the wrong way but we would appreciate if you wouldn't hunt in the vicinity. We have to keep a low profile," explained Carlisle, still remaining polite and friendly. "I'm sure you can understand that."
"Of course," nodded Laurent. "We shall respect your wishes. Beside – " He laughed a little. " – we ate while we passed through Seattle, not that long ago."
That was when another thing happened and Rachel got the incredibly need to shot down Lady Fortune for she wasn't smiling down at her, not at all. The wind suddenly picked up and pushed her hair back and forward for a moment before moving on again.
The human girl cursed and quickly pushed her hair in her neck again before locking eyes with James again, this time hers were widened in fear. And she had all reasons to be so.
James had taken a deep breath in on the exact moment as when the wind had picked up, closing his eyes while doing so, and when he opened them again after the wind had passed on, they were pitch black and she got the feeling that if he had been able to salivate, he would have done so.
He took a step forward, determination burning in his eyes, and the moment he did so, Edward pushed her further behind him and crouched together and growled.
James crouched together too and hissed as response, his black eyes never leaving Rachel. He tried to move past Edward and get to her but the first time he tried, Emmett shot between, also crouched together and hissing.
"What the hell?"
Laurent was confused while Victoria came to James' aid and crouched together too, hissing and growling while her now black eyes darted around again.
"She's with us," told Carlisle him. His whole body was tensed up too, just like the rest of his family. They were all ready to come to Edward's aid if that was needed.
Laurent stared at Rachel and took a deep breath in, also closing his eyes. And her worse fears came true when she saw his eyes were black too when he opened them again. But the surprise on his face gave her a bit of hope. "You brought a snack?"
"I said she's with us," repeated Carlisle, this time there was no trace of any hospitality or friendless to be found in his voice.
Laurent just stared amazed at Rachel. "But she is human."
"I am," answered the human girl, glaring slightly. "You got a problem with that?"
There was something in her eyes that caused the dark skinned Vampire to take a step back. "It seems – " he started slowly, his voice soothingly while he tried to put an end to the hostility. " – we have to learn a lot about each other."
James slowly got up, his eyes still not leaving Rachel, and she could not help but shiver a little when she heard his thoughts. The three Nomads were used to give in to their desire whenever they came across a nice smelling scent but where Laurent was civil enough to reconsider, James wasn't. And his thoughts made her realise how incredibly bad things were looking for her.
Edward heard them too and growled, moving a little forward but Rachel grabbed his arm and stopped him from launching. "Edward, please," she begged. "Don't do anything stupid. Don't start a fight that will put you and the rest in danger."
For it was exactly what the blond Vampire wanted. He wanted Edward to attack him, he wanted a fight. And Rachel knew all too well why. In a fight things were chaotic and she would be an easier target for him.
Edward slowly got up too, tightening his hand around hers while doing so. He did not say a word nor did he look at her. He just kept his eyes focussed on James, who was still looking at her.
His gaze finally snapped away from her when Laurent said: "As long as we're here, we will not hunt in your area. Just like we promised. We will not hurt the human girl." The look in James' eyes became hostile and for a moment Rachel was afraid he was going to attack the tanned man but luckily he didn't. Instead he put an arm around Victoria's shoulders and hid his face in her hair. "We would like to accept your invitation and talk more at your house," continued Laurent.
Carlisle slowly got up, as did the others, and gazed for a moment at Laurent's face, searching for anything that indicate a lie. When he found none, he nodded. "We shall lead the way. Jasper, Rosalie, Esme?" The two women blurred away and after James had shot one last look at Rachel, he and his two companions blurred after them. Carlisle then turned to the remaining three Cullens and said to them: "Get her out of here and do it fast." The three nodded and Carlisle and Jasper blurred away too.
Silence fell over the field and no one moved. Alice, Emmett and Edward all stared at Rachel, who was staring at the ground.
Now that the three Nomads were gone, the adrenaline she had felt before was wearing off quickly and it made her breathing quicken. Slowly the facts started to become clear and the iron grip of fear tightened itself around her, causing her body to start shaking and the tears to start filling her eyes.
The now clear facts were that James was going to hunt her. No matter what Laurent had promised, no matter what he would promise, the blond Nomad was going to hunt her. And the woman, Victoria, she was going to help him. In her eyes he was the love of her life and she would do anything for him.
She was going to be hunted and after reading James' thoughts, she knew he wasn't going to stop and he had never lost a hunt before. He always caught whoever it was he wanted. And she, Rachel Grey, was his next target.
That realization fell so heavy on her that her legs gave in from under her and she fell to the ground, where she broke down.
Hysteric sob after hysteric sob escaped her throat and she cursed the Cullens and herself, for her choice to join the Cullens for a friendly game of baseball had ended into her signing her own death warrant.
What could have possibly happened, she had wondered. She knew the answer to that question now and she didn't like it one bit.
I hope you guys like the chapter and let me know what you liked and perhaps what you didn't like in a review.