Broken record time..I don't own anything copyrighted...
Sorry if things aren't up to par, I've been home alone while my family is on vacation and my hubby usually looks over things with me. My other source of moral support just got a new job and has been working 50+ hours a week so they can take care of their family (You know who you are..Congrads BTW!) so I've been trudging on solo, tripping and falling on my face often. I hope I haven't disappointed too much these past few chapters.
AC/DC- Dirty Deeds
If you're havin' trouble with your high school head/huh, huh, huh, huh He's givin' you the blues/huh, huh, huh You wanna graduate but not in 'is bed/huh, huh, huh, huh Here's what you gotta do/huh, huh, huh Pick up the phone, I'm always home/huh, huh, huh, huh, huh Call me anytime/huh, huh, huh Just ring: three-six-two-four-three-six, hey I lead a life of crime
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap
You got problems in your life of love/huh, huh, huh, huh You got a broken heart/huh, huh, huh He's double-dealin' with your best friend/huh, huh, huh, huh, huh That's when the teardrops start FELLA, well-uh/huh, huh, huh Pick up the phone, I'm here alone/huh, huh, huh, huh, huh Or make a social call/huh, huh, huh, huh Come right in, forget about him We'll have ourselves a ball, eh
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap, oohh Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap Whoa yeah
You got a lady and you want her gone/huh, huh, huh, huh But you ain't got the guts/huh, huh, huh She keeps naggin' at you night 'n' day/huh, huh, huh, huh Enough to drive you nuts/huh, huh, huh, huh Pick up the phone, leave her alone/huh, huh, huh, huh It's time you made a stand/huh, huh, huh, huh For a fee, I'm happy to be Your back door man, hey
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap, yeah Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap Concrete shoes Cyanide T.N.T Done dirt cheap Ooo, neckties Contracts High voltage Done dirt cheap, eah
Dirty deeds, do anything you want me to, done dirt cheap Dirty deeds, dirty deeds, dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Yaaagh
Part 36
Coups and Monsters
(Carlie's POV)
"Come on guys, if you don't fucking listen, we'll never get this right," I complain as I wipe the water off of my face. The rain that's fallen steadily for the past three days has both helped and hindered our family's efforts to familiarize themselves with the purely human scent of each other and how to track one another by it. Allen sloshes is way to my side, "I thin a break is in order, Bella and Esme went to the campsite to get the food started." I nod and face the clearing," Okay, lunch time! We'll come back down this evening." I know I'm not in charge, but with everything going on, the pace has been set by the witches since we were expending the most energy perfecting these plans to keep our family alive. Jacob pads up beside me, his fur darkened but twinkling with water droplets. I scramble up onto his back and settle in with my cheek laying on the back of his neck as he digs his nails into the earth, then launches into a steady run towards our campground. We had chosen a remote part of Canada to spend our spring break at. It was an exceptionally isolated spot that offered plenty of hunting opportunities for the vampires and werewolves, if they wished to take advantage of it.
Once all of the wolves and humans are accounted for, the vampires leave to make a quick hunting trip. The rain had begun to fall harder as we climbed the hill and once we had reached the pavilion, Alice informed us that it would stay that way all afternoon unless we were going to start trying to tamper with the weather. Messing with the weather wasn't the best thing to do because it had a tendency to produce disastrous consequences like droughts and tsunami's if you don't get things perfect the first time. We don't tempt the weather gods today.
"Here, you have to eat sweetheart," Jake urges as he pushes a plate into my hands. I look down to inspect what he'd gotten for me. Grilled chicken, potato salad, and Doritos. I suddenly feel like I'm at a backyard cookout. "Thanks love," I mumble. I don't have much of an appetite, but it will keep him quiet if I just shut up and eat, so that's what I do. I watch the others occasionally flinging food at one another as they eat, so I find a dry spot under a large pine tree to safely lounge. Jake reappears with his own plate and seats himself beside me. We eat in comfortable silence, observing the childish antics with twin smirks of amusement on our faces. Sam's pack has joined us for a few days and that has amplified the normal insanity that comes with feeding teenage werewolves. They are so cleaning this camp up after lunch.
"Carlie, Jared won't stop fucking with me!," Mischa whines from the shelter. I roll my eyes at Jake's grin. "Turn him into a fucking poodle then give him one of those funky haircuts Misch," I answer curtly, willing my half-full plate into one of the trash bags set aside for waste. "I was just joking around and she didn't like it," Jared defends, moving away from the pissed off witch and into a camp chair on the opposite side of the shelter. I light a menthol and stretch my legs out in front of me while giving the the rain an evil glare.
I can't stop a shiver from coursing through me when a light breezes kicks up. Jake sets his empty plate aside and moves so that his back is against the tree and my back is pressed to his torso. "Better?" he asks as his heat begins spreading through my chilled form. I nod slightly and rest my head against him, "We're actually doing better than I thought we'd be, especially for only doing it this way for four days," I admit while sending his plate after mine, "By the time we go back to school, we should have it damn near perfect. Once that happens, we can just do a refresher every week or so until we have a better idea of when this shit is going to happen." He winds his hands around my waist and locks his fingers together, "Yeah, it's pretty cool that Seth was the one to think of coming out in the middle of nowhere to do this to keep the changing scents away from home, that kid is smarter than he looks. I can't complain about the rain though, everybody needs the rest, not to mention tempers are beginning to flare." Allen is nice enough to levitate two mugs of steaming coffee over to our little spot while we discuss the mornings progress and what changes can still be made.
The rest of the gang take the time off to catch up on sleep. I eventually have to force Jacob follow suit because he starts drifting off while I talk. Stupid uncanny ability to sleep anywhere at anytime. He only agrees after I promise to lay down with him and try to catch a few Z's myself. Luck must be with me today because after the gentle cadence of the rain lulls me to sleep in the embrace of my beloved, I don't dream at all.
"Wake up sweetheart," I hear as my mind returns from the oblivion that was sleep. I feel his hand stroking my hair down my back in a comforting rhythm. "I'm up," I mumble, marginally aware that the words sound like mush as they leave my mouth. Jake chuckles softly, "Do you want dinner or do you want to sleep some more? Bella made me wake you to ask, threatened to turn me into a sheep then shave me if I didn't." I roll onto my back and scratch my stomach as I stretch "What time is it?" I manage to get out more clearly. I open my eyes to see his beautiful face hovering over mine, "About 7. Carlie, you've only slept about four hours, if you want to grab a few more, I won't stop you." I shake my head and kiss the tip of his nose, "Nah, I'm good now, just need to get a few Red Bulls in me." His eyes search my face for a few moments, but finally smiles and nods after realizing my sincerity, "Okay honey, put this on then," he pulls his hoodie off and pushes into my arms, "I even warmed it up for you." After a not so chaste kiss, he exits the tent while I pull on the huge hoodie.
I emerge to find dozens of Tiki torches lit and most of the guys wrestling around on the other side of the clearing. The gloom created by the fading light feels thick and heavy as I trudge to where Jacob is removing two cans from a cooler. "What the hell are those apes up to?" I ask as he opens the first can and hands it to me. He cracks open his own and shrugs as he takes a drink, "I wouldn't know, I've been up about three minutes longer than you, but if I had to venture a guess, I would say that they were working on grappling." I dig in the side pocket of my cargo pants and retrieve my crumpled pack of smokes, "I'm sure. Like they needed another reason to fondle each other," I taunt as I light a cigarette. Jake rolls his eyes and chuckles, "Maybe we should have brought a video camera and made some money off of it." I bury my head in his arm as I laugh at his joke. Unfortunately, the others heard his little quip as well. In a flash, they've mobbed him and are carrying him over to their gathering. I watch with unabashed mirth, drinking my Red Bull as my fiance gets mauled by our brothers. Leah brings me dinner and I scarf it down quickly after realizing that everyone is preparing for a night practice.
That is how our spring break is spent. Training, goofing off, and dealing with spring storms in the wilderness of northern Canada. Ironically, the day we return to Forks, it's sunny and a balmy 72 F, but is rainy and 40F by dusk that night. Fate must have a fucked up sense of humor, having the rain follow us like that. School resumes with little fanfare, but that's expected at this point.
Time passes as we live our lives, but the sword hanging over our necks is never far from our minds. Us witches gather two nights a week after to school to experiment and practice together. Two nights a week we practice with either the vampires or werewolves and the other two nights a week our whole gang runs to another part of the region to train. We do our best to keep the chaotic scents and odors away from the area surrounding Forks, it's just one of many new precautions taken in a proactive effort to stay safe.
One rare day off in mid-May, we all made the decision to gather at the Cullen house and spend the day doing lazy things like watching movies, fighting the X-Box, or playing pool. Bella and I are sprawled out on the floor behind the couch, our heads in Edward's lap while Jacob massages my feet. Jasper is reading some of his original poetry compositions while Alice flits around, fussing with the bouquets of exotic flowers. Mischa and Seth are battling Emmett and Rosalie in a game of pool. Most of the family are outside in the pool, trying to drown each other. I can see Alice's eyes glazing over now and then, searching as many possible futures as she can, no matter how many times Jas tells her to let it go for a little while. I'm half asleep, lulled by Jasper's slow drawl, when I feel Edward tense up. I open my eyes in time to see Alice drop one of the crystal vases. As it shatters on the hard wood, I realize that I have never seen a vampire accidentally drop anything, ever.
We're instantly on our feet, but Jasper is already at her side. "What's wrong darlin', you're scarin' me," I hear Jasper whisper, his southern accent overtaking his voice. She doesn't answer so I look to Edward, "What is it?" He is still as a statue, his buttery eyes locked on our sisters tiny frame. I reach out with my mind, trying to connect with theirs and am brought to my knees by the images as I hear the frantic footsteps of our family. Bella falls beside me, our arms locked around one another while our minds are assaulted by Alice's vision, Jake standing over us protectively all the while. "What's going on?" Carlisle's concerned tenor cutting through the scenario unfolding in the corridors our my mind. "They're coming," Edward and Alice answer in a single voice, "All of them." "Who?" Mischa demands. "The Volturi," Bella and I answer. "When?" asks Leah, her husky voice quivering. "Soon," Alice responds, "After graduation." "We'll be able to plead our case, right?" Esme's voice in full 'Mom' mode. "They'll make a show of listening, but they're coming for one purpose. Death," Edward's velvet voice unexpectedly cracks on the last word. Fuck me running.
As the four of us regain control of our senses, the room stays silent as a tomb. I open my eyes to see both Edward and Jacob now hovering over my sister and I. They turn and drop to our level when they hear us move. Jacob draws me into his arms, "You alright honey?" he inquires, his panic barely hidden. I nod, what else can one do in this situation. "My head hurts, "I tell him, surprised with how raw my voice sounds. He picks me up and cradles me to him, "We can do this Carlie," his lips move against my ear, "We will win." I barely register the fact that the rest of the family has begun arguing as Jacob ghosts through the house and outside into Esme's garden. He lowers us onto a bench and covers me with whisper soft kisses and silken caresses to calm me. "Jake, we can't stay out here and hide," I complain, "We should be inside, finalizing plans with everyone else." He chuckles, but there is no humor in the sound, "What is it with you Swan's and your lack of self preservation?" I press my lips against his neck, "It's a gift. Now let's get back to our damn family before someone decides to go storm Voltera before we get a chance to help." He sets me on the bench and gets to his feet. I jump onto his back before he can turn to help me up, "Mush wolfy," I jest as I secure my limbs around him. He gives me a half smile, half growl, and begins jogging back towards the house.
(Bella's POV)
"We're going to have to find a way to keep them from getting close to town," Edward states while pulling me further onto his lap. Emmett and Allen look up from their prviate conversation, "We could always go level Voltera," Allen offers enthusiastically, "It's not like they'd be able to stop us if they are all coming here." I expect the idea to be shot down immediately, but no one voices a protest. Suddenly Alice jumps out of Jasper's lap and starts bouncing excitedly. "That will work! That will work!" she gushes as she hops. Of all the plans we had devised since discovering that the Volturi may visit, this has been the only one she has reacted to like this. Carlisle's face becomes a mixture of sadness and hope, "Is it the only way Alice?" She concentrates for a minute, then bobs her head, "It's the only one that we all walk away from Carlisle. Overthrowing their private city will break the Volturi's stranglehold on our kind and allow better leaders to emerge." Carlisle sighs and nods his head, "Then I guess we are taking a trip to Italy." Alice bounds over to him, catching his arm as he exits the room, "The Denali's go with us. If they stay, they die." "I will call them," Esme offers. Carlisle gives his consent and she follows him upstairs to his study.
I catch a glimpse of Carlie and Jacob slipping back into the room while the rest of us discuss strategy and make arrangements. Alice informs us that we will have to be in the air ten hours before the Volturi are set to arrive, so we opt to reserve a private jet and keep it on stand by to leave at a moments notice. The wolves concoct a cover story for the now imminent mass disappearance. Embry, Quil, and Jared are on laptops, trying to get satellite images of the vampire city. Rosalie, Emmett, and Edward are on the phone, trying to contact other vampires that Alice insists will make this easier. Alice presently is locked away in her her sewing room with Mischa, making something for the werewolves to wear that will withstand multiple furplosions. Seth, Leah, Paul, Nicoli, and Alexi go out for patrols while we work.
Within 24 hours, most of the groundwork has been laid for our trip and we do our best to maintain the illusion of everyday life. This isn't for us though, it's for those we encounter in our mundane lives. We can't afford to let anything out of the ordinary slip, especially if we are being watched. To complicate things, Embry imprints on a new student that bumped into him in the hall. Rainne Brock is her name. A half Irish, half Japanese firecracker that takes the news quite well when she's informed of our unique situation. She's a senior, like most of us. When she turned 18 on April Fools Day, she started looking for a way to get out of her foster parents house in Port Angeles. She up and left when she found a small apartment she could afford in Forks. Unfortunately for her, Alice immediately told us that she must accompany us to Italy as well.
The poor girl feels helpless most of the time, being the only quote/unquote "normal" human in the group. She also happens to be terrified of the witches. It's laughable because she has fewer issues with the werewolves and vampires, but the magic wielders scare her stupid. Everything changes when Rainne is chasing Embry around with a folded belt and loudly snaps it right behind Carlie, sending my sister into a screaming heap on the floor. Edward, Jake and I rush to her aid, but Rainne manages to touch her before we can warn her. Carlie slams a fist into the girls chest, sending her flying into the giant fish tank. Luckily it doesn't shatter. Rainne is frightened but tries to help anyway. "What's wrong with her?" she inquires as Jacob is lifting my sisters quivering form off of the carpet. "Let us get her calmed down first, then we'll talk," I answer, not realizing the bite in my voice until she flinches at my words. We weave our way through those that came running at Carlie's terrified wails. They are all furious, their eyes sparkling with anger as their focus moves from Carlie to Rainne and back again. "Don't be mad at her," I ask them as we march past, "She doesn't know what she did wrong." Embry gathers his imprint and leads her into the kitchen, away from the unrelenting glares of our protective family.
It takes almost an hour to soothe Carlie back into reality. That's longer than normal, but with the stress we've all been living under, I can't hold Rainne entirely responsible for the setback. I'm shocked when Carlie asks to be the one to explain what happened. We make her wait an hour more, allowing her trembling to fade to a barely perceptible level before going back downstairs. It's times like these that I'm ashamed of myself because I am unable to help her more. My vampire mind works so much faster than my younger siblings that I was able to heal sooner than she. To compound my guilt is the knowledge that she could have these problems for her entire existence.
We find Rainne in the kitchen with Embry, her posture resembling a woman preparing to be executed. When she sees Carlie, she begins apologizing profusely while keeping her distance. Carlie tells her to shut up and listen to what she has to say before things get blown out of proportion even further. Edward and I sit on either side of Rainne while Jake sits on the island counter top, his eyes never leaving his mates pacing figure as Carlie relays our nightmarish tale.
(Carlie's POV)
I light the last menthol and throw the empty pack in the trash. "Any questions?" I ask the stupefied girl before me. She stares into space a few moments before bursting into tears. "Don't fucking cry for us," I snap, "I didn't tell you this shit so you'd pity us." She gets to her feet and I warily take a few steps back. This girl is so touchy-feely and I'm not ready for anyone to touch me right yet. "I'm so sorry Carlie, Bella," she sobs, "No one should ever have to live through something like that." I snort, "Technically only one of us lived in the end, Rainne. I just lost my mind, but Bella lost her human life, and we both lost our uncle. I'm going to tell you something right now, just so you are forewarned, okay?" She sniffles and bobs her head. I flick my ash and look her straight her ice blue orbs, "Those fucking fairy tales you read, where everything turns out sunshine and roses? They are absolute bullshit. We're not the dashing heroes and we don't always save the day. Hell, look how fucking damaged most of us are just from trying to make lives for ourselves. The closest thing any of us fucking monsters get to a happy ending is when we're still here after the latest attempt at someone trying to exterminate us. This isn't a game, people actually fucking die in this morbid tale. If you had a single functioning brain cell, you'd walk right out that fucking door right now and never look back Rainne. You're a good kid and I actually kind of like you. I'm going to hate seeing how warped this is going to make you, so think about this little pearl of wisdom before you choose; if you decide to stay, prepare to be as fucked up as the rest of us real soon."
I turn and take a drink of the coffee Jake poured during my rant, then look back at the scared girl, "Oh, and one more thing. Regardless of what I've just spewed at you, stop fucking feeling guilty because you're human. I used to freak out over the same shit and it got me nowhere fast. If you are determined to stay, I suggest you suck it up and grow a thick hide real soon. Any questions?" She nods and takes a deep breath before asking, "How do you deal with it?" A bitter laugh escapes me before I can choke it back, "Do you want the truth or do you want me to lie to you?" Rainne wrings her hands and glances to Embry, who nods sadly. "The truth, always, please. Don't spare my feelings just because you think I'm naive," she decides. I pull my hoodie and tee shirt off, then unbuckle my pants and let them drop, exposing all of my flaws in an instant, "I kill the pain with body piercings and tattoos, occasionally slice myself to ribbons with a straight razor to fend off psychotic episodes and every now and then I weakly attempt suicide. Aren't my attempts just the fashion statement?" I finish sarcastically. She launches out of her seat and is violently ill in the sink. I refuse to look a her as I redress and open a fresh pack of cigarettes. "Wow, I think that's the first time I've managed to make someone vomit with just my body," I hiss bitterly, "I love it when I can bring out the best in people, it makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside."
"That's enough for now Nessie," Bella whispers, "I think she's beginning to understand." Jake comes over and puts his arms around me. "That was very brave Carlie, I'm proud of you. Love you," he murmurs as he holds me. I let my rigid posture melt away and mold myself to him, "Love you more," I whisper and raise my head, expectant. He doesn't disappoint either. Fervently claiming my lips with his own, we become temporarily oblivious to the world around us. I'm brought back by a hand timidly coming to rest on my forearm. Unwillingly, I break away from the little bit of peace I'll ever know. "What?" I snarl as I open my eyes. It's Rainne, looking like she's going to give up and run for the hills any minute. "I wanted to thank you for sharing you and your sisters story with me," she proclaims, "I don't think I will ever be able to imagine exactly what went on to make you as messed up as you are, no matter how many times you explain it, but at least now I know you are an uber bitch and Bella is so distant for a reason. I'm not going to run away though, this, Embry, it's my life now, and I'm going to do everything I can to help all of you in any way I can." I nod, "Good, then you can help Embry not run off and attempt this coup all by himself. We'll probably have the shit from your apartment moved here this weekend." Her eyes widen in surprise, "I can't do that! Besides, where am I going to sleep?" I snicker, "That's easy. The attic has been converted into more bedrooms. That decision was made the day Embry informed us of his imprinting. Welcome to the Wolves Den, now get the hell out of my face so I can make out with my fiance." She bobs her head and silently pads back over to Embry, who takes her hand and leads her upstairs to their room.
"You know sweetheart, you're pretty damn scary when you want to be," Jake muses between teasing kisses. I smile against his lips, "I have to be, I'm the Alpha's mate. I also have my reputation as a certifiable lunatic to live up to." I feel his tongue touch my lips, asking for entrance. I don't deny him. After all, we monsters take a slice of peace when and where we can find it.
Sorry....No big battles just yet! *Dives for cover*
REVIEWS ARE MY SLICES OF PEACE SO REIVEW OR DIE.