The Cullen's and Clearwater's did not appear at school. The halls were devoid of their awing presence, the parking lot empty of their flashy cars. Whispers shot through school like a disease, infecting, mutating. By now it was common knowledge Naomi was missing. The family stayed holed up in their lone mansion, Dr. Cullen only appearing to go to his shifts at the hospital.
Students volunteered to help sweep the woods. Some because they genuinely cared about the safety of their peer, even if she was only at Abbotsford High for a week. Others volunteered to get out of school. And some- these were the worst- volunteered because they couldn't resist the drama. They wanted to be the one to discover the body.
But nothing had turned up. There had been excitement when the police visited Naomi's house. Her parents had been strung out on drugs. The gossip mongers had seized upon this with rabid fascination. That had been days ago, and the story had spread and tired quickly. Word was that they were going to call off the search by Sunday. One week was all they could give a teenage girl who had been swallowed by the wilderness that surrounded them. So the town waited with baited breath for news about the girl who had appeared quietly in their midst, and disappeared with a bang.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Naomi tried to hold herself still. She had the supreme urge to pace, anything to help ease the nerves that wracked her body. Night had fallen once more, but Naomi quickly found out that night or day made no difference to the Cullen's. When you didn't sleep, each day bled together. But Alice said the Denali clan were minutes away, and the anticipation and anxiousness that Naomi had felt all day- and night- had skyrocketed.
"Don't worry." Seth said soothingly. "They aren't going to bite." Leah rolled her eyes. She was tenser than Naomi, something Naomi chalked up to her dislike of vampires. Although how Leah managed to live with so many for so long was a mystery to her.
"I'm just not that good at meeting new people." Naomi said, her voice tense.
"No time for self doubt!" Alice exclaimed. Naomi heard the sound of a car race down the street and screech to a halt in the driveway.
"That'll be Kate." Emmett said. Seconds later there was a knock at the door. "You'd think after this many years they'd walk in by now." Carlisle opened the door.
"It is common courtesy to knock, Emmett." said an outrageously beautiful girl cheerfully. Her blond, nearly silver, hair blew dramatically in the wind.
"It's good to see you again, Kate." Carlisle shook her hand. A tall, long haired man also shook Carlisle's hand. "Garrett." Carlisle greeted. Garrett had a distinctly wild look about him. He took in the faces of the Cullen's and Clearwater's with eager golden eyes. The rest of the Denali clan appeared behind them. A man with a shock of black hair embraced Carlisle.
"It's been too long, Eleazar." Carlisle said smiling widely.
"How wonderful to see our Olympic family again." he said.
"Olympic?" Naomi whispered quietly to Seth. She half hid behind his bulk.
"From the Olympic Circle in Washington." Seth murmured. The two remaining women were also shockingly beautiful, one with rich black hair and one with strawberry blond curls. Carmen and Tanya, thought Naomi. Her family had given her a brief description of each member of the Denali clan, enough for her to identify them by name. Nessie bounded forward and embraced Carmen.
"I've missed you!" she exclaimed.
"I've missed you too, bebé." Carmen replied. There was an expectant pause in conversation.
"We would like to our newest family member." Carlisle said. Naomi stood awkwardly as all eyes zeroed in on her. Seth stepped deliberately aside so she would be in full view. She held on to his warm hand, remembering to be careful so as not to hurt him. Esme smiled encouragingly.
"Hi, I'm Naomi… Cullen." Naomi introduced herself haltingly. If the Denali's thought her relationship with Seth was alarming, they didn't show it.
"It's wonderful to meet you." Eleazar stepped forward to shake Naomi's hand. "Alice told us that she would meet a human who would have the ability, as a vampire, to defeat the Volturi."
"That would be me." Naomi said giving a small smile. "But I'm not sure what that ability is. Bella said that you identified her power." Eleazar was nodding thoughtfully.
"Yes. I can tell you what your power is." he frowned. "It's very unusual. I've never encountered anything quite like this in all my years. It could possibly be utterly unique. What the Volturi would do to have you…You have the ability to control the minds of others. Mind control. A very powerful gift. The strongest can manipulate the thoughts of many. And I would say you are very powerful indeed." The room was quiet. Naomi frowned. Mind control?
"Try it." Seth urged. Now the families eyed her warily, readying themselves for an attack. What could I do that wouldn't harm anyone? Naomi thought to herself. She struck upon the perfect idea. A smile lit upon Edward's face. Alice grinned evilly.
"Excellent."
Naomi took a breath and focused on Emmett, who had long since fell out of the conversation and was now staring desperately at the television. You want a hamburger, Naomi thought. A look of confusion passed over his face.
"You need to mean it." Edward urged. Naomi nodded, centering her mind. She tried again. You want a hamburger.
"Man, I could really go for a burger." Emmett said longingly. "Not one of those pathetic thin ones, one of those really thick, juicy ones. With pickles." Everyone turned and faced Emmett, perturbed. They then looked to Naomi, who was staring opened mouthed at her brother.
"You did it!" exclaimed Seth.
"I did it!" Naomi echoed jubilantly. He swept her up in his arms and kissed her. Emmett growled ferociously.
"Aw Em, lighten up." Jake said punching Emmett lightly in the shoulder.
"Should have paid attention!" Naomi teased. Emmett leapt and put her in a headlock before Naomi could blink.
"Who should have paid attention now?" Emmett said playfully, mussing Naomi's hair.
"Mercy, mercy!" she cried, giggling uncontrollably. Emmett relinquished his hold.
"Success."