I am tired. I have schoolwork to do. Got a bad grade. Anyways. I'm not Stephenie Meyer. Thank you
Chapter 31: Minds
As the next few days tore by, I contemplated my decision. I was absolutely sure that I was deciding to go home after the phone call, but I did not want to impose on her life again. I did not want to make an impulse decision. I decided for the past week to sit here, looking out the window to fight the pain, to fight the thirst to see her again, to fight the yearn to see her cheeks blush, to fight myself from watching her through the domain of the windowsill that I had once found comfort.
It's late on a Friday afternoon. The children are finishing up their game of kickball on the paved streets, running backto their homes before their strict curfews, just an ordinary Friday. The other locals are walking along the side of the buildings to their new venue to find something to enjoy their night. I leaned out of the small window, looking over, listening to the thoughts of the locals around. Looking for a sweet, and joyful thought to keep my distractions past. Any thought would do, but joyful is what I need.
A woman, carrying her child with a bag of groceries, decides on the best dish to make for their meal tonight that would feed the rest of her coven. A man farther down the road had found spare change in the digits of the paved street. A child's glee to have kept the kick ball for the rest of the evening, and contemplating on whether he could get away with keeping it another night. None of these thoughts are the ones that tickled my interests.
The voice that chimed over the phone. The one that tore through my heart if it had existed. The one that made me almost turn back on my once promises. And could I? Could I do that to her, just to fill the pain that has been retching over me. To fill the pain and hunger to see her again. I could not hold myself in this crawl space of an attic anymore. I could not wither myself away, keeping myself here away from her. Her, my beautiful Isabella. The promises that had to be broken for this thirst to be relieved.
The sun stretched west along the sky, and the fog settled over the sunrays. I could choose this evening to go back, and allow myself to escape my endeavors, but I could not simply return, not without a call. I decided to pull out my cell phone, and I needed to talk to Alice before I decided to return to my world.
"Edward? I was expecting you," Alice replied with a smug tone.
"I counted on it. Alice, I need to know."
"Need to know what, Edward?" Alice asked.
"I need to see her; it pains me Alice to have heard her voice again. I've been keeping myself here, contemplating this decision, whether to break this sincerity I gave her. I need to know if she'd forgive me for being so selfish for returning back into her life."
"I can't see that. I can see you heading home, but I don't see anything after you get into Forks. And Edward, of course she would forgive you, but there's something you need to know."
"Get on with it," I said to her, impatiently.
"Bella has made a friend. An… unsuitable kind." She said hesitantly.
My eyebrow raised, and I shifted the phone to my other ear, "An unsuitable friend?"
"Yes… werewolves, Edward."
I paused. Ephraim Black had passed away many years ago, werewolves have not run through the treaty line in ages, and certainly none of the Quileutes I knew of had the gene. While it certainly was possible, they never had forth come since we had re-returned to Forks a while back. Bella could not possibly have encountered werewolves, let alone become friends with any. They are notorious beings, and most likely are young, and new, so they would be very uncontrollable, and easily irritant. She promised to keep herself safe.
"Edward?" Alice asked, to interrupt my silence.
"Who?" I said to her, sternly.
"His name is Jacob Black." I nodded at her response to the receiver. Jacob Black. The last that I have seen him was prom night, when he interrupted my time with Bella.
"It's decided, I'm going back. If not for my selfishness getting in the way of returning, I have to keep her safe."
"We will come with you; I need to call Carlisle"
"No— that won't be necessary."
"Edward, you can't be stubborn about this. I can't see what happens after you get to Forks."
"I just need to handle a problem, and after that, if Bella does not take to me, I will be leaving. There is no reason for us all to return."
"Edward, just wait, let me call Carl—" I snapped the phone shut, cutting her off. It was time to find a flight home.
-o-
The airport was infested with locals and travelers leaving and going. I did not quite take to the idea to look at my appearance before arriving, but many eyes had wondered over me. Some faces showed disgust, and others seemed to show fear, or empathy. It did not matter what my appearance was, I was dedicated to get on the nearest flight back to Seattle.
I had picked up a long sleeve jacket, along with a hat from the gift shop in the airport. The flight was set to be almost 23 hours, and I needed to be able to hide any skin showing during the flight. I had purchased a first-class row seat, away from the window. The airline buzzed over the intercom for passengers to begin boarding their flights on the plane. There were two lines forming, one that proceeded for first class to board first, and the other for coach. I headed towards the first-class and handed the flight attendant. She looked at me, confused about my appearance.
Man, this guy has had a rough day. I bet he's handsome after a long hot bath.
I did not push any more eye contact towards her and proceeded onto the plane.
The plane took about an hour to finish boarding. I had one passenger sitting beside me several feet away towards the window. He had already made himself comfortable by putting the footrest up with the complimentary earphones and eye mask on. He was dressed well, in a blue button down with a beige blazer. Did not seem the appropriate comfortable attire for a twenty-three-hour flight, but he must have come here for a business trip.
As the plane took off, the sun began to set over the horizon. The night was advancing, and I decided to lean back in the seat, and turn on whatever movie was offered in front of me as to look normal.
Bella, how could she be so idiotic to befriend a werewolf. Even a vampire is dangerous, and she had done that, but a werewolf is uncontrollable. Any werewolf, especially one as young as Jacob Black, could lose control over any impatience he perceived. Bella is extremely lucky to not have endured that side yet, unless she had. Alice would have told me, but then again, Alice had not notified me about this until I had made my decision to return to Forks. I had been dodging her calls to plead for my forgiveness since that night I had called, and she very well could have wanted to tell me.
"Sir, could I get you anything?" The stewardess had asked me.
"No, thank you." I replied, coldly.
"Okay, let me know if you need anything," She laid her hand on my shoulder, implicating friendliness and awareness for my flight. I could have possibly returned the kindness in my response, but what would have that helped.
The flight went by, and the plane had to make a stop to refuel the engine. The sun was coming up, and I pushed the lid of the hat down lower over my face, lifting the jacket hood over the cap, and pulling the sleeves of over my hands. It didn't quite cover my fingers, but if no one was staring, the crowd should not notice. I sat farthest from the windows, closer to the bathrooms in the cross-section hallways. I heard a few vibrations coming through my phone and looked over at the missed calls I received from Carlisle and Alice. I ignored them. There was no reason for them to follow me back to Forks. I'm going to keep Bella safe, and leave when she asks.
The next flight was approaching aboard, and I followed my way over to the first-class line and proceeded on with the flight. It had one more stop before it would arrive in Seattle, and I grew impatient as the next 12 hours passed.
Finally, I had arrived in Seatle, and the evening was approaching. I decided to hangout in the airport until the night grew further, to deter from any wondering eyes in the late afternoon light.
The sun had finally set, and I left the airport. I didn't rent a car, because it seemed unnecessary. While it was faster to use one, Seattle had busy roads, and I did not want to get caught in traffic. I went down a few empty streets between the buildings before I darted into a run to head my way back to Forks.
By the time I had arrived to Forks it was late. Only a few cars passed on the dark roads, while I skimmed the tree line that hung over each side of the pavement. I made sure to avoid the once set land where the wolves in the past had claimed and avoided any line that they would possibly cross in the area. I ran my way down her street, rushing past the houses that were dimly lit, everyone was off to bed now. Hopefully, I would find Bella asleep, so I could peer into her room and watch her. To keep her safe.
I finally was able to reach her, but I could hear an irritated thought going across someone's mind. The voice in the thoughts was familiar, but huskier than I had remembered. The window was closed. A closed window was not a problem, as I could easily un pry the lock, but I did not want to barge in, barge in on her conversation. I trailed back farther into the tree line, listening from a far.
"Jacob, WHO CALLED!?" I heard Bella scream at the boy.
Ah, this was Jacob Black. The boy bringing more danger into my Bella's life. I investigated his thoughts to see her. She was so beautiful, and her damp hair fell in small loops, but she looked distraught.
"Your beloved bloodsucker that you care so much about." He yelled back at her.
Bloodsucker? Are they speaking of me? Of the conversation from last week? I could see tears streaming down her face. She looked horridly annoyed.
"Bella, I- I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything,"
"Why didn't you tell me. I could've talked to him!"
"He hung up on you, besides he asked for where Charlie was, not you."
Ah, yes. This was the conversation I had last week, and this must be the boy that answered the phone.
"I don't care who he asked for, you should've never answered the phone. It should've been me. I could've heard his voice. I could've talked to him."
Oh, how I wish I could have spoken to her.
"No, Bella, he hung up once you began to speak. I don't think he wanted to talk to you."
The tears streamed more down her face. I could see him thinking about leaving and going to run into the woods. I pushed myself deeper into the tree line, but close enough to continue my eavesdrop.
"Jacob, what are you doing?"
He's noticed something, something that smells like a vampire. He started to think about grabbing a tool to open the floorboards. Ah, the floorboards where I had left the pictures and my gifts to Bella. His mind began to scramble up with irritation, and jealousy.
"You kept all this. And hid it?" He sounded confused and hurt.
"What? Jacob no, I didn't know they were even there. Oh my-"
"Yeah? You didn't? Again, Bella. I'd like to say I'm sorry for assuming you were showing me affection, and assuming that we had a chance, or assuming that you were stringing me along, but no. You were stringing me, and all while keeping this stuff as well. Hidden away, but easy enough access to get back to it."
Affection, chance, stringing him along? Had my Bella found happiness? Found a boy to make her happy? A werewolf, no less.
"Jacob, no I swear I didn't know. He must've put it there. I thought they were all gone, I thought he took them."
I could see the wretched look on her face, of pain.
"Please, Jacob don't leave, please. PLEASE,"
"Give me a reason to stay, Bells. Please, give me a reason. Give me a good enough reason to not leave, go back to the pack, and live the rest of my life without being hurt by you over and over."
Choose me, choose me. The boy chanted in his head. No way in hell would Bella go for a dog.
"Jacob, please come here and kiss me."
Kiss you? Bella, no! No, he's uncontrollable. This cannot happen!
I darted past the tree line, up to her window, and tried prying it open with my fingertips. I peered in, intruding on an intimate moment with the love of my existence, and this filthy mutt. I could see Bella moving away from him and turning around to peer over to me as my finger hit the glass. I immediately leaped off the house, trailing a long leap a few hundred feet away from her house. I headed my way farther down the street, gaining a mile or two. I kept searching for that boy's mind. Listening to it. He seemed to have found a track, mine at least. It should be too brief for him to notice, besides the scent that lingered in the woods across the house. It should not be too familiar to these mongrels. And my time against the house was too brief to be able to track.
What have I done? I just allowed it to happen, I allowed her to kiss that dog that could have mauled her in an instant from lack of control. And if I had stopped it, what would she have thought of me? Intruding on her intimate moment with this boy that seemed to care for her. No, I could not intrude. I had promised to give her a life, and with that life of me being away included her finding happiness. But happiness that entailed her safety?
I listened in some more. I could not hear Bella's voice anymore as I was too far away, but I concentrated on the mind of the boy. I could not intrude at this moment. The tribe does not know of my returning, and the treaty would have to be discussed before I reveal myself back in town again. I stood by, far away, listening to the boy. He seemed to have been panicking, but he was not aware of whose smell it was. I suppose that is a good thing, I did not want my visitation known, not just yet, especially not. I would have to return to her room whenever he decides to leave.
I saw the boy's mind looking around her room, thinking of a way to shift into his wolf form without leaving Bella unattended to for her safety. I could see her pushing her out into her hallway, closing the door behind her and then… many voices came through. All the voices were unfamiliar, and they streamed in. I could not understand where they were coming from.
Jake? Where are you?
Vampire? At Bella's?
Damn, that red headed bitch doesn't take a hint.
We ran her off last week, we haven't tracked her scent since.
No, it wasn't hers, it was someone else. I can't figure out who it is. It smells familiar, but not anything I can remember it being from. Jacob had thought.
Are the Cullens back?
No, they can't return without our say.
Yeah, like that would stop them
Damn blood suckers.
It's probably not them.
Okay, then who?
I don't know, but you should stay with Bella tonight. Jared, stay near her house, and watch it, tonight. Paul, Quil, hang behind in the woods, make sure no one slips by. I'll check along the perimeter.
I haven't slept, Sam. C'mon.
That must be Jared. And the thought before that must have been Sam. I would like to assume he is the alpha, giving the orders.
Hey! I can smell it in this tree line, but it stops on her windowsill.
Alright, we will take it from here. Jake, go back up there with her. Make sure to alert us if need be.
Don't gotta tell me twice. Jacob had thought.
It was very peculiar to listen into. I suppose when these Quileute boys shift into their wolf form, they can communicate telepathically. How interesting. Less interesting is that Bella's night would now be occupied by a wolf in her room for the rest of the night. I'd have to see if I can see her tomorrow somehow. I need to get her away from these wolves, but right now, I would have to slip away back onto our territory that they cannot pass while they are searching for the missing vampire scent.
I headed back to our Fork's home that has not been inhabited in six months. It felt sort of nostalgic to see it as I walked down the driveway to the front door. The doors are never locked, so I headed my way inside. Sheets laid over the furniture, along with the paintings on the wall to keep out the dust. The house was dark, no lights were lit. I suppose to keep a low profile, I would have to keep it the same. One sheet caught my eye. I glanced over to it, lifting it up. The beautiful grand piano that had lied untouched in a long time glistened through the moonlight that beamed through the windows.
I slid back the stool in front of the piano and took a seat; lifting the lid that covered the keys. I hovered my hands over the keys, looking at the keys that were lightly dusted. I ran my finger over the dust, pinching it off, and held my hands over the keys again. I could feel my phone vibrating again in my pocket. I took it out, checking the Caller ID. It was Alice, no surprise. I might as well answer it, to let her know I made it here and that it was still unnecessary for the family to come back.
"Yes, I made it back." I said to her.
"I know dingbat, but I lost you for a while. I couldn't see you, Edward. What were you doing?"
"Exactly what I told you I was doing, but I did not fulfill what I came here to do. She was with him."
"You saw her?"
"Yes, and him." I said in a monotone voice.
"I didn't see you, or her, or that boy. Edward, something is wrong."
"It is probably just your visions acting up, Alice."
"No, Edward. I couldn't see you when you got into Forks. Only thing I could eventually see was you heading back to our old home."
"Strange, you are not one to not be persistent."
"It is giving me a headache trying to watch you. I can't even watch Bella either, right now. Is everything okay? Is she safe?"
"I said she was with him, she is obviously not safe, Alice."
"Then do something! Go over there!"
"I—," I did hesitate. I did not protect her. I felt halted in my tracks seeing Bella's body on top of his. Seeing her lips smashed into the bronze boy. "I could not, the rest of their pack showed up once they caught my scent."
"The rest? Edward, we have to come home. You're going to need us."
"Not yet, Alice. I would very much appreciate it if you withheld this information from the others," I said back to her, closing the phone shut.
I'll have to see her tomorrow, follow her. To keep her safe. I shifted myself back to the piano, and ran my fingers over the keys, proceeding to start a familiar tune. The tune I composed a long while ago. The tune of my Bella. Bella's lullaby. I filled the chords flawlessly as if I had not quit playing it since last year. The tune filled me with grief, but joy. Joy to have seen her, joy to have heard her voice from a distance. And hope.
As I stroked the keys, continuing the tune, I thought back a little bit, at the pack's conversation. They mentioned running off a redhead a week ago. A redhead. A redheaded vampire… Victoria?
I slammed my fingers against the keys, creating a loud flat tone that echoed through the walls of the house.
Victoria.