Chapter Eleven
I can't get close if you're not there
I can't get inside if there's no soul to bare
I can't fix you; I can't save you
It's something you have to do
Come back to me – David Cook
-0-
2 weeks. 2 long, torturous weeks had passed since Jacob had disappeared from his trip to the movies with Bella, and I hadn't seen him once. Rumour, according to Harry Clearwater had been that Jacob had mono and seeing as how Harry had no reason to lie to me, I accepted that, despite the nagging voice at the back of my mind screaming at me that something else was going on. I reasoned with myself that I was being paranoid, that Jacob was sick and when he was better, I'd be allowed to go around but no matter how much I tried to placate that voice in my head it only continued to grow louder and louder.
Bella wasn't helping matters either, the way she was acting you'd almost think it was her boyfriend who wasn't answering her calls. It was frustrating more so because in a way it was almost like she didn't take my feelings into account, only what Jacob's absence was doing to her…not worrying about whether he was okay or not and yes, the nightmares had once again started.
So instead of being able to focus on school and worry about Jacob, I was left to worry about Bella again as well and question why Jacob's absence had set her back again. I'd taken to sleeping on the floor in her bedroom, to be on hand for when the nightmares kicked in, it wasn't comfortable but easier for both Dad and me.
"I'm going out."
Looking up from the book on my lap I frowned at Bella, my eyes following as she grabbed the keys to the truck from the hook. I quickly marked my page in the book and stood, hurrying out into the hall to catch up with her before she left, half expecting her to be getting ready to march over to La Push. "Bella where are you going?"
"Hiking." She stated, slipping on her boots. Frowning again I stared down at my sister, seriously questioning the truthfulness of that answer. Bella didn't hike and last I'd checked we'd been warned to stay away from the woods with the recent attacks. Before I could formulate a response, she was out the door, forcing one arm into her jacket.
"Wait up!" I called after her, grabbing my coat and slipping my sock clad feet into my own boots and hurrying out after Bella. She didn't say anything as I climbed into the passenger side of the truck, didn't even look my way. "You do remember that you don't hike, right?" I said after a few moments of us driving down the road in silence.
"There's a place…a meadow, it's beautiful." She replied, her eyes focused on the road ahead, "I want to try and find it." She finished with a nod of her head, a determined edge to the look on her face.
Deciding not to question it anymore I just nodded my head, reasoning with myself that at least we were together, so it wasn't like she'd be hiking alone. Dad would no doubt be furious but maybe we'd win some brownie points being together. Plus, Bella was out and maybe this little trip could edge out some of the friction in our relationship. I could at least take comfort in the fact that she'd taken time out of fretting for my boyfriend, that was a huge plus.
After driving for a little while, Bella pulled the truck over in a quiet spot and climbed out. Following her, I stepped around the truck and looked around, before trailing after her into the woods. Of course, the walk mainly consisted of Bella stumbling over tree roots and rocks, but none of that seemed to slow her down. In fact, she remained determined and focused, in a way it was almost like she had tunnel vision, blocking out everything else around her including me.
Still, I digress, it was nice to be out and I was beyond curious now to see this meadow, that she thought was so beautiful, she was prepared to tackle hiking to get to. The forest itself seemed completely alive today and it made me sad I hadn't brought my camera. The way the sunlight seemed to filter through the trees set an unearthly glow all around us, it was beautiful, but I'll readily admit that constant sense of unease in the pit of my stomach only seemed to grow the deeper we went.
I wasn't sure how far we'd walked but it had felt like a few miles and my legs were aching, part of me was beginning to question whether we were heading the right way, Bella though didn't slow down. Then with a sudden abruptness that caught me off guard she stopped, causing me to knock into the back of her as we stepped through some sort of arch. Scowling at her back I was ready to ask why she'd stopped when she took a step away from me.
Was this the meadow? I quietly let my eyes look around, taking in the circular clearing, it was beautiful but somehow, I couldn't help but think that maybe it looked different to what Bella was expecting. Hadn't she mentioned wildflowers? Biting down on my lip I turned to Bella, instantly seeing the way her body arched forward, her face filled with disappointment.
Then she sank to her knees, gasping and wrapping her arms tight around her chest. Momentarily stunned I didn't move, just gaped down at my sister with wide eyes before hurrying to her side. Falling to my knees next to her, my hands reached out, gently grabbing her hands, touching her hair, "Bella…?"
"He's not here…it's not the same…" she gasped, pushing my hands away as she hurried up from her knees to stand, her arms wrapping tightly around her chest. There was despair as she looked around the meadow and that's when it hit me. Why she'd wanted to come here, who she'd been here with before.
Edward.
"Let's go then." I said carefully, wondering how I hadn't even considered that this place may have been her way of reconnecting her memories of Edward. That bastard sure had done a number on my sister and my hatred for him doubled again. My hand reached out to steer Bella backwards, but she remained rooted to the spot, eyes staring at something behind me.
Looking over my shoulder, I slowly began to turn. As it turned out we weren't alone, which was strange considering how off the beaten path this place was. Some thirty paces away stood a man, and as my eyes focused on him, I couldn't help but notice how still he was, motionless as he stared back at us. My grip on Bella's hand tightened as I tried to urge her back, but she refused to move.
"Laurent!" she cried out and I almost detected happiness in the way she said his name. Looking at her with a frown I could no longer deny that sense of unease, in fact now I was feeling fear. Some instinctual voice in my head was screaming at me to run now, to take Bella and run.
"Bella, please let's go." I whispered, gasping in shock when the man was suddenly stood at least 10 paces in front of us. My mind began scrambling to explain how he'd moved that fast; had he been moving when I wasn't looking? I pulled against Bella's hand, my frustration growing when she continued to remain rooted to the spot.
"Bella?" the man she'd called Laurent said her name so softly, before his sharp gaze latched onto me, "And who are you?" he asked, inhaling as he did. I clamped my mouth shut, trying to ignore the voice screaming in my head, the voice begging to know why his eyes were so red. The voice that was screaming at me the reason, that deep down I knew why his eyes were that colour, but it couldn't true. Could it?
"This is my twin sister Grace" Bella offered him, and I gaped at her in disbelief. Bella though still wouldn't take me on, her eyes focused solely on the man in front of us. I shifted uneasily, feeling sick to my stomach as his eyes hungrily scanned over me. "I thought you'd gone to Alaska?"
"I did. I came by to visit the Cullen's and found their home empty." Laurent said, tilting his head to the side as he observed my sister, whose body had now gone rigid at the mention of the Cullen's. "I'm surprised that they left you behind, aren't you sort of their pet?" he asked curiously.
"Something like that." She agreed, smiling slightly.
Pet?
I looked between Laurent and my sister feeling completely clueless or was its denial? What the hell did he mean the Cullen's pet? What had Bella gotten herself into? I watched Laurent's eyes flash dangerously, following Bella as she seemed to come to her senses and take a step back. At Laurent's next question about whether the family visited, Bella gasped, and I had to look back to see what the matter was.
"All the time." She lied, her grip on my hand tightening in a way that only seemed to highlight to me the obvious. We were in danger. So, glancing at Laurent I nodded my head in agreement. Laurent though seemed amused as he stared between us both.
"The house smelled like it had been vacant for quite some time." He said, his tongue flicking out to run along his bottom lip. We needed to go, to get out of here, there was something not right…more to the point this man seemed more dangerous than anything else my Dad had been worried about lurking in the woods. The way he stared at us like a starved man faced with an all you can eat buffet.
"I'll have to mention to Carlisle that you stopped by, he'll be sorry they missed you." Bella piped up, her grip on my hand almost painful now. "With Edwards temper though I shouldn't mention it to him, he's still very touchy about the whole James trying to kill me thing." She rolled her eyes and waved her hand.
Laurent's amusement only seemed to grow as he nodded his head, and one look at him was all it took to realise he wasn't believing any of Bella's story. As she took another step back, pulling me with her Laurent's eyes flashed to us and Bella stopped. The instinct to run was almost too great but I wouldn't leave without my sister and part of me couldn't help but think that Laurent would get a kick out of it if we ran.
"I actually came to see you as a favour to Victoria…" he said, making a face. "She really won't be happy about this."
"About what?" Bella asked and Laurent smiled. My fingers fished around in my coat pocket before I realised, I'd left my phone back in the truck, we were truly alone. I didn't know how I could get us out of this.
"About me killing you." He replied, a seductive purr to his voice. My eyes widened then, and I was sure my heart was two beats away from bursting out of my chest. "Lucky me though I get two for the price of one. I have no doubt you'll taste divine" He added, turning his dark red eyes onto me.
"Why…?" I croaked out, surprised at my ability to talk. Things were beginning to click into place in a way I really hoped they hadn't. I wasn't stupid, quite the opposite. Though to be honest I felt slightly crazy.
"She thought it more appropriate to kill your sister instead of Edward, you know eye for an eye, mate for a mate. As it is the plan is obviously flawed, Edward obviously doesn't care as much for you if he left you here unprotected…" he directed the last part at Bella, and it was hard not to miss the way she curled into herself slightly.
"Bella come on." I whispered, taking a step back only Laurent's eyes were fixed on me and he growled dangerously before a mischievous grin appeared on his face.
"I am going to have fun with you." He chuckled, making my stomach churn dangerously. "The plan wasn't to kill you at all Bella, in fact I was thirsty and hunting…and then you both appeared and well…you do smell simply mouth-watering." His movements were lithe, graceful and each step he took around us seemed to bring him that much closer.
"He'll know it was you. You won't get away with this." Bella whispered, but still she made no moves to move or escape. Laurent turned to her and smiled.
"Oh, but I think I will. I think we've already established you meant nothing to him. If he cared he'd be here now, and you and your sister would be safe." He said before shaking his head as though sorrowful, "If you knew what she had planned, you'd be thanking me for this Bella, I'll make it quick."
"Bella come on please!" I cried, pulling at her hand. This wasn't it, if we ran now, we had a chance of making it out of here alive. Bella though refused to move, and Laurent chuckled at my obvious distress.
"I'm sorry Grace" Bella whispered, closing her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Edward, I love you."
"Bella please!" I cried out again, a yelp of horror escaping my lips when Laurent appeared in front of me, his fingers reaching up to grip my hair tightly, pulling my head back and exposing my neck. His other arm lashed out and suddenly Bella's hand in mine disappeared and I was alone. Crying out I pushed against his chest but as though made of stone he didn't move, instead he smiled, inhaling deeply before he began leaning towards my neck, purring as he did.
"Mouth-watering…"
Mom. Dad. Phil. Jacob. Their faces flashed through my head and I sobbed, none of them would ever know what had happened to me, to us. We hadn't told anyone where we'd been going. I was never going to see them again and Jacob…I'd always thought there'd be more time, but I'd never told him that I loved him. I'm sure he knew but why had I never said it, now it was too late…
I was so busy focusing on the faces of my loved ones that I didn't register Laurent letting go of my hair until I fell back onto my butt. Bella was by my side in an instant, her arms around me as Laurent continued to back away slowly, his head turned to the left. "I don't believe it." He whispered.
Daring to look away for a moment, my eyes scanned the trees, but I saw nothing. But there had to be something, something had startled him enough to let me go…
…then it appeared. Coming out of the forest to my right, a huge, unbelievably huge black wolf, much bigger than a horse and focused solely on Laurent as it stalked forward. Laurent was slowly backing away, and the black wolf growled causing me to grab a hold of Bella's arm, neither of us daring to move.
No matter what, someone was against us escaping this meadow alive today. No sooner had the black wolf appeared, then two more shapes appeared from the forest. A grey wold and brown wolf appeared, flanking the black wolf in some sort of strange battle formation…but that couldn't be right…
"Don't move…" Bella whispered, and I fought back the irrational sarcastic response that I had no intention of doing so, when two more wolves appeared behind the other three. Another grey one and a reddish brown one, flanking again and forming a ginormous V, all of them focused on Laurent.
The russet brown one was close enough to touch, all I needed to do was reach out my hand to touch its beautiful fur. In fact, its front paw brushed against my leg, causing me to gasp involuntarily. The wolf in front of me turned its head, just enough to look at me. Its beautiful, intelligent dark eyes were almost black as they locked with mine and took me in.
Something shifted. Something inside me shifted. Like the world had been tilted on its axis. Like an earthquake. I went dizzy momentarily, clinging to my sister and then it was gone. Just like that, as quick as it had begun. Just like an earthquake, a small one. It was over in a few seconds but it's after effect was unmistakable.
The russet wolfs entire body shook; it's stare almost becoming hungry as he looked at me. Strangely though I felt no fear. Bella pulled me back and the russet wolf let out a whine, almost sounding as though he was in pain before the lead wolf's sharp bark drew his focus.
Jumping back, I turned to watch as Laurent blurred into the trees, all the wolves barking loudly as they tore into the forest after him. Just like that Bella and I were alone again.
For a long moment neither of us could move but as the silence in the meadow lingered, the urge to flee returned and I surprised even myself with being able to stand with no help. Grabbing Bella's hand, I pulled her towards the trees, happy when she didn't resist and seemed as eager to get out of here as I was.
-0—
"Bella stops with the bullshit!" I exclaimed, as I jumped out of the truck. I watched Bella's steps falter as I swore, giving me enough time to get in front of her. I was beyond angry and just about done with all the lying. Her trying to blow me off and pass what had just happened with Laurent as nothing had me angrier than I'd ever felt before. "He tried to kill us…to kill me! Like hell I'm not telling Dad!"
"Grace, you don't understand…" Bella sighed, combing her fingers through her hair frantically as she gaped passed me towards the house.
"You're damn right I don't understand Bella because you're not explaining what the hell just happened." I answered, I felt like crying, overwhelmed by what had happened and the undeniable truth I had been faced with. "What the hell did that family pull you into?"
"Don't…don't you dare blame them for Laurent…" Bella snapped, her eyes blazing with a fire I hadn't seen for a long time. A slightly hysterical giggle escaped my lips as I looked back at her.
"Do you even hear yourself?" I exclaimed, dragging my hands over my face I shook my head, "What did Edward do to piss off someone enough to send a psycho like that after us?" Bella flinched when I mentioned Edward, but I no longer cared what saying his name did to her.
"Grace just let it go!" she whispered, brushing past me and heading towards the porch steps. Swallowing back the lump in my throat I turned to watch her, staying rooted to the spot.
"Are the Cullen's vampires too?" I asked, watching as her knees buckled just before she got to the steps, her hands reaching out to catch herself on the bars. A heavy silence hung in the air between us, the seconds ticking along before Bella turned to look at me, her face blank.
I was right. I knew I was, despite what she said next.
"Don't be ridiculous Grace." She sighed, looking at me as though I was insane before carrying on her way into the house and calling for Dad.
I knew I was being anything but ridiculous, I could still feel Laurent's stone-cold hands in my hair as he leaned into my neck. I wasn't being ridiculous, right? I mean it all made sense…as much sense as my sister associating with vampires could make. How fast Laurent moved, his eyes. Was my frazzled brain just jumping to conclusions? I didn't know…in a way I hoped it was.
As the wind picked up, I looked around, unable to shake off the feeling of being watched. The world suddenly feeling like a more dangerous place. Wringing my hands together I hurried towards the house, locking the front door behind me. "Grace?"
"Yeah Dad…" surprisingly I managed to keep my voice steady, forcing a neutral look onto my face as I stepped into the kitchen, refusing to look at Bella and instead focusing on Dad.
"What were you girls thinking going hiking?" he groaned, doing a quick assess to make sure I was okay, the same one he'd no doubt done with Bella when she'd told him. "Do you both have a death wish?"
"Bella's probably the best one to ask about that." I replied, unable to hide the bite in my tone. Shrugging my shoulders, I ducked my head ashamed I'd said anything, "There were five wolves Dad, bigger than horses…" I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
Dad's eyes were tight as he looked at me and I had to resist the urge to tell him I'd only gone so Bella wouldn't be alone. His eyes seemed to take me in, and it was then I realised I might be a bit of a mess, I had fallen after Laurent had let go of me and my hair…
Laurent…why hadn't Bella told him? Then again, knowing what he was now, part of me knew I couldn't tell him, chances where I'd get locked up. Combing my fingers over the back of my hair I forced a smile onto my face, hoping to appease him.
"What happened?" he demanded, looking between us again. This time I did turn to Bella, but she wouldn't meet my gaze.
"We went hiking…we saw the wolves, but they didn't pay any attention to us Dad, really we're okay but you might want to put a warning out." I said honestly. Dad narrowed his eyes slightly in my direction, but I kept his gaze.
He called the station a few minutes later to report what we'd seen and whilst he was doing that Bella escaped upstairs, still not looking at me, but that was more than fine, I wasn't looking at her either. Crouching down instead I fussed over Kitchi, he'd been a little clingier as of late and I knew he was missing Jacob as well, so I suddenly felt bad for leaving him alone this morning.
"You heard anything off Jacob yet?" Dad asked some minutes later, the question catching me off guard. I looked up to see him reaching into the fridge for a beer. Frowning I looked back down at Kitchi, chuckling as the little dog jumped into my lap as I stayed crouched down.
"Not yet." I replied, confused by the suddenness of the question. "Why?" I asked, scratching behind Kitchi's ears in the way he loved.
"I saw him today when I went to meet Harry. Stood out in front of the store with some of his friends. Don't think he saw me…looked like he was arguing with the guys he was with." Dad explained, "Kid seems to get bigger every time I see him."
"Oh." I replied, pulling my phone out of my pocket, half hoping to see a txt or a missed call but still there was nothing. Complete radio silence. I'd thought Jacob was still sick, that's what Billy had told me but if he was well enough to be out with friends then why hadn't he called or at least txt me. I couldn't deny that it stung. Feeling dejected I pocketed my phone and cuddled up to Kitchi, the pup somehow sensing my mood was being more loving than usual and cuddling up to me.
"You hungry?" Dad asked, obviously not picking up on my mood for which I was thankful because even I wasn't sure what I was feeling right now. I felt overloaded in a way. Looking up at him I noticed him holding up some takeaway menus.
"Can we order from that Mexican restaurant in town?" I asked in the mood for something a little different to our usual. Dad nodded and went about placing our order after consulting Bella. My eyes caught on the book I'd placed aside this morning, the one I'd borrowed from Bella the night before, when I'd been curled up on her bedroom floor. The book on Quileute legends. Picking it up I let my fingers run over the spine of it, hoping it might give me some more answers on what had happened today in the meadow.
Pulling myself up from the kitchen floor I made the excuse of needing to get a shower and changed and moved up the stairs to my bedroom. Sparing no look towards Bella as she stepped out the bathroom, I walked into my room and shut the door behind me, effectively shutting her out.
Loneliness settled into my chest. I missed Jacob, not only was he my boyfriend, but he was also my best friend and I missed him something fierce. On top of that I felt terrified. The world was changing, becoming much more darker and horrifying than I ever could have imagined. Vampires were real. Despite Bella's refusal to be honest with me, I knew what I knew. What had happened today it all fit and for some reason it fit in a strange way. I knew the truth and I didn't think I was ready for it.
Vampires were real and if I'd taken anything from this afternoon it was that the Cullen's were vampires and somehow, Bella had gotten herself tangled up in that world and now someone was out to kill her and possibly everyone else she knew.
That realisation settled in with a violent, nauseous roll of my stomach. Vampires were real and Bella had spent her last few months pining after one. Edward was a vampire. The situation was even more terrible than I'd originally acknowledged, it wasn't just Bella who was in danger now it was Dad and me. What would happen when or if that vampire managed to find us here…would he finish off what he started in the meadow. I trembled, my teeth chattering with the violence of the motion.
Before I knew what, I was doing I had my phone in my hand, dialling the number of the person I most wanted to talk to right now. As I held it to my ear though and it continued to ring out, I let out a small sob and hung up, tossing the phone onto my bed. Squeezing my eyes together I took a deep, calming breath willing myself to calm down. Whilst part of me wanted to hunker down and hide away and pretend this was all bad dream, the bigger part of me, the loneliest part of me wanted to go back downstairs and share a meal with my Dad, watch a stupid programme and live in the denial that my world hadn't just completely changed.
I made quick work of getting changed into my pyjamas, pretending I couldn't hear the haunting noises coming from outside.
The howling that would no doubt follow me into my dreams.
-0—
Did you guys pick up on it? That moment between Grace and the wolf Jacob? He imprinted on her! Finally! If only she knew though right? So what do you guys think Jacob's next move will be, will he go find her and tell her or will he continue to keep her at arm's length. And why has he been MIA? Find out what happens in the next chapter!
Also, have a fantastic Christmas tomorrow guys! I am going to try and post but it might be late, if I don't it'll definitely be Boxing Day morning, meaning Saturday! Much love you beautiful people!
Thanks again to the new followers and favourites hope you guys let me know how you like this so far - Essence of Heroism, BreezyBee7, it's-that-ravenclaw
Asiasea – Thanks for the review lovely! It did happen, he changed and definitely poor Grace. As you can see they haven't reunited as of yet, there's a lot for them to work through when they finally do see each other again. I can promise they will be face to face next chapter but will it be the reunion we were all wanting? You'll have to wait and see! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think!
Twin268 – Thanks for the review love! The fun has indeed begun and it's only going to get more and more interesting from now! Grace knows! She knows about vampires at least, even though she's not sure if she should believe her own mind! That and Jacob imprinted on her so you got your wish, it's just a shame she doesn't know it was him. I am planning on messing with the whole imprinting thing though and making it more powerful than Meyer did in the books. I'm not changing loads just making it's effects more powerful! Next chapter we'll see a reunion but whether it's a happy one remains to be seen. These next few chapters are going to be incredibly trying for poor Grace, they're really going to test her. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, remember to let me know and can't wait to see what your sister thinks!
Chamberstaneshia69 – Thanks for the review love! As of yet, Grace doesn't know about Jacob, she's just come to the realisation that vampires are real. She will figure it out soon but whether it's before or after Bella remains to be seen! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!