21. Deception

I turned and buried my head into my pillow. When I looked at my charging phone, I saw that it was one in the morning. I sighed and placed my phone back beside my head. I was getting the schedule of my days and nights slowly reversed. I puffed out my cheeks and leaned up on my elbows. It would be a bitch to change up my sleeping schedule, should I live through this. I defeatedly slumped back down and and listened to the quiet voices of Alice and Jasper in the other room. They were loud enough for me to hear today. I idly wondered why they had let down their guard. I plucked my phone off of it's charger and rolled till my feet touched the floor. I staggered to the living room as I rubbed sleep out of my eyes.

Alice and Jasper were sitting together on the sofa. Alice sketched again as Jasper looked over her shoulder. They didn't look up when I entered, and I assumed that they were too engrossed in Alice's work.

I crept to Jasper's side to peek and quietly asked, "Did she see something more?"

He nodded, "Yes. Something's brought him back to the room with the VCR, but it's light now."

I avidly watched as Alice drew a square room with dark beams across its low ceiling. The walls were paneled in wood, a little too dark, out of date. The floor had a dark carpet with a pattern in it. There was a large window against the south wall, and an opening through the west wall led to the living room. One side of that entrance was stone - a large stone fireplace that was open to both rooms. The focus of the room from this perspective was a large flat TV and wii, balanced on a too-small wooden stand, in the southwest corner of the room. An aged sectional sofa curved around in front of the TV, a round coffee table in front of it. Dread pooled into my stomach as I took in this new picture.

I cringed and pointed to a side table that was still bare in her picture, "The phone goes there."

Two pairs of dark red eyes stared at me. I reeled back slightly and shook my head. I bit an inner portion of my cheek and muttered, "That's my mother's house."

Alice was already off the couch, phone in hand, dialing. I stared at the precise rendering of my mother's family room. Jasper moved uncomfortably closer to me. He lightly touched his hand to my shoulder, and the physical contact seemed to make his calming influence stronger. The panic that had surged in my stomached dull, and became unfocused.

I was worried as fuck, even though I knew that my mum and Phil were safely away from my childhood home. It was still disturbing to know that some psycho vampire was willing to get sizzled in the sun just to get at me. I idly wondered if James knew that my mother was a Higginbotham too. I honestly doubted that he would be able to catch her though. She had evaded any magical beings for seventeen years without a whiff of them finding us. I should probably ask her how she managed to pull that off when I had the chance.

Alice's lips trembled with the speed of her words, her low buzzing impossible to decipher. I sighed and tried my best to figure out what she was saying over the phone. I hoped that it was some sort of backup plan that involved ending this entire crazy hullabaloo.

"Eliza, Edward is coming to get you. He and Emmett and Carlisle are going to take you somewhere, to hide you for a while," Alice stated, a deep frown marred her face.

I shook my head and firmly stated, "He came here for my mother, Alice. It's obvious that he'll use anyone that matters anything to me to lure me into trap." Besides that, I didn't really want to be kidnapped again. Especially since, the other kidnappers probably wouldn't be as chill as these two.

Alice sighed, "Jasper and I will stay till she's safe." That wouldn't really help since I knew she was gone and far from any danger. Still.

I tried a different approach, "And what if you get hurt, Alice? Do you think that's okay with me?"

Alice looked meaningfully at Jasper. A deep, heavy fog of lethargy washed over me, and my eyes closed without my permission. My mind struggled against the fog, when I realized what was happening. I forced my eyes open and stood up, stepping away from Jasper's hand.

I shot a gimlet glare at Jasper and spat, "You can't make me go to sleep just because I said something that you didn't like."

I marched into my room and firmly closed the door behind me. The nerve of those two. Just because I said something that didn't agree with their perfect little plan...at least Alice didn't follow me. I immediately headed into my bathroom and plonked myself down into my tub. I rapidly texted my mum, a pout firmly affixed on my face:

"Mum. They want to send me to a different location since the tracker coming after me went through your house. The only good thing is, that they haven't taken away my gun or dagger. I don't think that they know the water bottle I carry contains holy water."

My phone vibrated immediately with her response:

"Let the stupid leech look. He won't find anything and I was smart enough to put a bit of magical incense on before we left. The only thing that our house smells like is dog, and they hate that smell. If you feel the need to escape, just douse your captors with holy water in the face, darling. I'm sure it'll incapacitate them."

I bit my lip and nodded. I felt a modicum of relief sway through me, "How'd you manage to hide me and you away from any magical beings, like vampires, for seventeen years? Also, I don't think I can do that. I'm actually starting to like some of them, against my better judgment."

I waited a little while and scrolled through Imgur and Facebook while my mum took her sweet time. When thirty minutes had passed I plugged in my headphones and watched binge watched How I Met Your Mother on Netflix.

My phone suddenly vibrated in the middle of Barney and Robin's wedding. I opened up my phone tabs and tapped on my mum's message:

"Well that's lame. I guess you'll have to think of something else than, sweets. I kept us safe from dangerous magicals. Our neighbor, Mrs. Fitzgerald, the one who taped all your ballet recitals. You know the one with the VCR?"

I looked up at my bathroom ceiling and thought about it for a moment before replying: "Yup. I remember her. She always dressed like she was colorblind and back in the seventies all the time." Even though she dressed far too strangely for my tastes, she was one of the nicest old ladies I had ever encountered.

My mum sent me a text in less than a second: "Lol. Well, she's a witch and a good friend of mine. She helped put some protections on our house so none of the baddies would find us. The necklace, that you currently wear, also helps keep most vampires, that are unfamiliar with our family's scent, stay away. Besides that, if you go and fiddle around and find the browser Duckluck on the internet that can take you to a magical craigslist. Well kind of like craigslist, but less shady. Those stones that I liked putting around the house did have a purpose. As did all the little squiggles that I wrote on the tags on your clothes. ;)"

I looked at her text again and tried to absorb it all. Huh. So...well...damn. I pulled my hoodie off and looked at the tag, and sure enough, there were strange little squiggles on it. I took a photo of it with my phone and sent it to my mum along with my text:

"Thanks, mum. What's this mean?"

I pulled my hoodie on again and tried to sort out all this new information in my head. Her next text message came just as fast as the last one:

"Oh! That's just a couple of protection runes that I had Mrs. Fitzgerald enchant on all your clothes. I made doubly sure that they were working before you left. It basically means good luck and a safe journey. I don't know if they're working though since those trackers did find you...but on the other hand...somethings just can't be helped I suppose. I love you, sweetheart."

I blinked rapidly. That was probably why Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett had come out unscathed when it came to Victoria. I sighed and tapped in my reply:

"Thanks mum. I love you too and hopefully I'll see you soon."

I swiped the message away and sighed. I decided to watch a couple more episodes of How I Met Your Mother before I went back into that front room to face them. A couple hours flew by and I stretched out of the bath tub.

When I returned to the front room, a little ashamed of my behavior, I was still mad at what they tried to do. I still thought what they tried to do was wrong, but at the same time...I probably shouldn't have walked away and explained why I was hurt.

The phone rang and Alice was talking as rapidly as ever, but what caught my attention was that, for the first time, Jasper was not in the room. I looked at the wall clock - it was five-thirty in the morning.

She shot me a slight smile, "They're just boarding their plane. They'll land at nine-forty-five."

I nodded and looked around the room, "Where's Jasper?"

"He went to check out," she stated as she pocketed her tiny silver cell phone.

I tilted my head and curiously looked at her, "You aren't staying here?"

She shook her head, "No, we're relocating closer to your mother's house."

My stomach twisted uneasily at her words. That honestly didn't seem like a good idea, but before I could protest her phone rang again, distracting me.

She answered it and looked moderately surprised, "Hello?"

Her face soured slightly, "No, she's right here." She held the phone out to me. Your mother, she mouthed wordlessly.

I raised my brow at that, "Hello?" I knew it couldn't be my mum. I had just spoken to her moments again, and I was certain that she and Phil were safe. Could vampires imitate people's voices? I shivered at that possible skill.

"Eliza? Eliza?" my mum's familiar voice called out. It was a tone that I had heard a thousand times in my childhood. The same tone that she used anytime I'd gotten too close to the edge of the sidewalk or strayed out of her sight in a crowded place. It was the sound of panic. I shook my head. My mum was safe, but I would play along with this sick fucker's game. Right until I had the perfect shot that is.

"Calm down, mum. What's wrong?" I calmly asked as I slowly walked away from Alice.

I paused, and waited for his trap to spring, "Hello?"

"Be very careful not to say anything until I tell you to," a sickeningly familiar stated. It was the same pleasant tenor that James had when he had been talking to Carlisle. I idly wondered why he didn't decide to mask his voice.

He rapidly continued, "Now, I don't need to hurt your mother, so please do exactly as I say, and she'll be fine." He paused for a minute while I listened in, rolling my eyes during the silence that dragged on.

"That's very good," he congratulated letting out a dark cackle, "Now repeat after me, and do try to sound natural. Please say, 'No, Mom, stay where you are.'"

I inwardly sighed and nodded, "No, Mom, stay where you are."

"I can see this is going to be difficult," James stated in an amused, light and friendly voice.

His voice took on a darker tone, "Why don't you walk into another room now so your face doesn't ruin everything? There's no reason for your mother to suffer. As you're walking, please say, 'Mom, please listen to me.' Say it now."

"Mom, please listen to me," I pleaded. I wasn't sure if I was convincing, but I did give it my best shot. I walked very slowly to the bedroom, and as I did I felt Alice's worried stare bore into my back. I shut the door behind me, and plopped down onto my bed. If I had to run with this crazy scheme, then I wanted to be comfortable.

"There now, are you alone? Just answer yes or no," James stated firmly. Honestly, this kind of reminded me of those pervy chat rooms that I once caught Jacob on.

I pulled down my amusement and pulled on a straight face before muttering, "Yes."

James chuckled darkly, "But they can still hear you, I'm sure."

I rolled my eyes at that stupid question, "Yes."

"All right, then," he agreeably continued, "say, 'Mom, trust me.'"

I rose my brow at his strange request, but obliged anyways, "Mom, trust me,"

"Now I want you to listen very carefully. I'm going to need you to get away from your friends; do you think you can do that? Answer yes or no," James patiently stated.

I remembered that we were going to the airport. Sky Harbor International Airport: crowded, confusingly laid out... I bet if I had the chance, I could do so. I wondered if it could work though.

I nodded and muttered, "Yes."

I could hear the smile that must've been on James's face, "I'm sure it won't be easy, but if I get the slightest hint that you have any company, well, that would be very bad for your mother. You must know enough about us by now to realize how quickly I would know if you tried to bring anyone along with you, don't you? And how little time I would need to deal with your mother if that was the case. Do you understand? Answer yes or no."

I ground my teeth, "Yes." Congratulations, you're a huge asshole. That was all unnecessary and he really didn't need to continue needlessly threatening to harm my mum when I knew that she was safe.

"Very good, Elizabeth. Now this is what you have to do. I want you to go to your mother's house. Next to the phone there will be a number. Call it, and I'll tell you where to go from there. Can you do that? Answer yes or no," he chirped.

I sighed and simply stated, "Yes."

"Before noon, please, Elizabeth. I haven't got all day. Also, it's important, now, that you don't make your friends suspicious when you go back to them. Tell them that your mother called, and that you talked her out of coming home for the time being. Now repeat after me, 'Thank you, mom.' Say it now," he said politely.

"Thank you, mom," I blandly said. I tried my best to keep the irritation from my voice, but at this rate...my temper was starting to spark. In the back of my mind I idly wondered why I hated it when someone told me what to do. Well when assholes told me what to do, I supposed.

"Now say, 'I love you, mom, I'll see you soon.' Say it now," he demanded.

"I love you, mom, and I'll see you soon," I promised. I rolled my eyes inwardly. I wondered if any of my eavesdroppers noticed that I hadn't ever said mum. I doubted that they knew me well enough to know that little change meant something.

"Goodbye, Elizabeth. I look forward to seeing you again," he hung up.

I dropped the phone into my lap and sighed as I tried to think of what I could possibly do. I knew that I would have to shoot James in the face, but at the same time...I knew that I would probably not be able to come out of this unscathed.

I knew that my mum had an emergency first aid kit in her house. It was hidden underneath the sink. I definitely had to stop by Mrs. Fitzgerald's house for some magical help to get everything into my tiny bag.

Slowly, I stood up and stretched my limbs. I took in a deep breath and continued to plan. I had no choices now but one: to go to the mirrored room and blast open James's skull because I wasn't going to die. Not by his hands. I refused. I knew that I had no guarantees that I would live through this, but I had to try and plan for any mishaps. I idly wondered if Alice would see my decision. I decided to keep changing my mind now and again. It wouldn't do if they decided to kidnap me again. The next time, I might not be so lucky with my loved one being safe from James's claws.

I was grateful that Jasper was gone because I doubted that I could've kept my jig up if he had felt my sudden changes in my emotions. I would've definitely have been suspicious. I gathered my things and stored them away into my backpack. I tightly wound my hair into a braid and concentrated on my escape. I had to hope that my familiarity with the airport would turn the odds in my favor. I silently thanked God for all the times I had to go through that airport to visit my dad. Somehow, I had to keep Alice away thought...that would be a bit of a pickle.

I pulled out the phone that my mum had given me and shot her a text. I was kind of worried that I would be wrong. A couple seconds later, relief washed over me when my mum replied:

"Yes, sweets?"

I smiled and rapidly texted out my message:

"Just checking that you're safe mum. The tracker managed to get some sort of vocal recording of you. Is it okay if I take your emergency first aid kit and a couple other things when I stop by your house? He wants to lure me into my old ballet studio for some reason."

Her next text was instantaneous:

"Put your head phones on."

I plugged in my headphones and popped them into my ears:

"Ten four, big boss. What's going on?"

Suddenly my phone chimed in my ears. She was calling me through Google hangouts. I chuckled to my self and rolled my eyes. I answered and found that my mum was staring at me with worried eyes. It looked like she was at my grandmother's old house. Huh. I guess that could be counted as a safe house. It was in the middle of nowhere.

"Elizabeth. I'm glad you look okay. You can take whatever you need, but please go visit Mrs. Fitzgerald on your way to this death trap. I can't say I'm not worried, and I know that you can't really talk right now. I just wanted to be able to see you and remind you that you're not allowed to die until I have great grandchildren. Is that clear?" she stated rapidly. I could see my mum's eyes water and I suddenly felt a lump in my throat.

I nodded and pulled on a watery smile. It was really nice to see her again. I mouthed out a silent 'I love you'.

She nodded and smiled, "I love you too, sweets. More than a million sparkly shoes. Phil is okay. He's really enjoying hunting deer here, so there's not complaints from him. Be safe, and make sure to buy some liquid luck from Mrs. Fitzgerald if you don't get anything else. Tell her to put it on my tab."

I raised a brow at her and tilted my head.

My mum tilted her head back and laughed at my bewildered expression, "I've bought so many things from that woman that I have a tab now. I always pay her, but it's a little hard to get magical currency through this digital age. The magical world hasn't yet caught up yet. Go now, sweetheart. May the force be with you."

I shot my mum a disgruntled look and mouthed 'really?'

Her eyes sparkled, "Star Was is better than Star Trek! Don't be mad because it's true!"

I rolled my eyes and smiled before tapping the end call button on my phone. I smiled to myself. I really needed that. My nerves felt better and I figured that I would be okay. I was really glad none of the vampires had thought to confiscate any of my things. I think I would've been a bigger mess inside, if they had.

I knew Alice was in the other room waiting for me, curious. I would have to try and bullshit my way out of this. I kept my pulse as calm as I could and walked back into the other room. I pulled on an apologetic smile, "My mom was worried, and she wanted to come home from their vacation earlier than planned. Don't worry though. I managed to convince her to stay away."

Alice shot me a relieved smile, "We'll make sure she's fine, Eliza, don't worry."

I turned away; I couldn't let her see my face. The utter disbelief that she bought that bull. I was eternally grateful that she wasn't a mind reader right now. However, I was a little disappointed to find that she couldn't see that one coming. I wondered if she had to look into the person's future to find a difference or if they just came at her like with Edward.

My eye fell on a blank page of the hotel stationery on the desk. I went to it slowly, a plan forming. There was an envelope there, too. That was good. This could work.

"Alice," I slowly asked, without turning, "If I write a letter for my mother, would you give it to her? Leave it at the house, I mean."

"Sure, Eliza," Alice carefully stated.

I went into the bedroom again, and knelt next to the little bedside table to write. I figured now would be the best time to spill the beans to Edward. Just in case all of this went badly, I did want him to know that he still had living descendants wandering around. I didn't really know how he would react to his dad cheating on his mum all those years ago. I shrugged. Eh.

"Edward," I wrote. I took in a deep breath and continued on. My hand felt funny writing all this out. I was much more used to typing, but I continued onwards.

My mum sent over a family tome of ours. A Higginbotham tome along with our family tree. It's a pretty cool family tree since it detailed out all the roots. I know you guys don't believe that I am a Higginbotham, but that's just because you can't smell the difference. My necklace, the one that I always wear, along with my bracelet, does that.

I found out a while ago why you love me in the way that you do. It's because I'm your descendant on my dad's side. I was actually given the name Elizabeth because it's been passed down in my family for so many years. You might not believe me, but if you look it up Edward Masen Sr. did have another son with my great so on grandmother on my dad's side. That son went on to have children and every daughter was called Elizabeth. I think that would sort of make me your great so on grandniece. I am so sorry you had to find out this way. Also, I think that all people who smell so appetizing to vampires, like me, might mean that they're descendants of sorts of that vampire. At least that's what I think. I don't think you should tell Emmett though. It might depress him.

James says that has my mom, and I guess that I have to try to thwart him. It seems like a deathly stupid idea, but what the hell.

Don't be angry with Alice and Jasper. If I get away from them it'll be a miracle. Tell them thank you for me. Even though you guys kidnapped me and kind of imprisoned me in a hotel room for a while, they were very nice.

Forgive me.

Love your awesomely cool great so on grandniece,

Elizabeth Marabelle Higginbotham Masen Kites

I folded the letter carefully, and sealed it in the envelope. I would make sure to leave it behind somewhere he would find it. I sighed and readied myself for, what would probably be, a foolhardy adventure.