*** We did it folks! We reached the 100k word mark with this chapter! When I started writing this, I never believed I could get this far. Thank you to everyone who has read this story, commented, followed, and marked favorite on this story. We still have so much more to go. I can only hope you all continue to join me for the ride. Thank you so much for making this worth it. I baked some chocolate chip cookies to celebrate. I wish I could share them with you all! ***
*trigger warnings this chapter. Our girl comes from a very rough life. Death, abuse, neglect, phobias, and panic attacks take place or are mentioned in this chapter. *
SEATTLE TERRORIZED BY SLAYINGS
It's been less than a decade since the city of Seattle was the hunting ground for the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history. Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, was convicted of the murders of 48 women.
And now a beleaguered Seattle must face the possibility that it could be harboring an even more horrifying monster at this very moment.
The police are not calling the recent rash of homicides and disappearances the work of a serial killer. Not yet, at least. They are reluctant to believe so much carnage could be the work of one individual. This killer — if, in fact, it is one person — would then be responsible for 39 linked homicides and disappearances within the last three months alone. In comparison, Ridgway's 48-count murder spree was scattered over a 21-year period. If these deaths can be linked to one man, then this is the most violent rampage of serial murder in American history. The police are leaning instead toward the theory that gang activity is involved. This theory is supported by the sheer number of victims, and by the fact that there seems to be no pattern in the choice of victims.
From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy, the targets of serial killings are usually connected by similarities in age, gender, race, or a combination of the three. The victims of this crime wave range in age from 15-year-old honor student Amanda Reed, to 67-year-old retired postman Omar Jenks. The linked deaths include a nearly even 18 women and 21 men. The victims are racially diverse: Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics and Asians.
The selection appears random. The motive seems to be killing for no other reason than to kill. So why even consider the idea of a serial killer?
There are enough similarities in the modus operandi to rule out unrelated crimes. Every victim discovered has been burned to the extent that dental records were necessary for identification. The use of some kind of accelerant, like gasoline or alcohol, seems to be indicated in the conflagrations; however, no traces of any accelerant have yet been found. All of the bodies have been carelessly dumped with no attempt at concealment.
More gruesome yet, most of the remains show evidence of brutal violence — bones crushed and snapped by some kind of tremendous pressure — which medical examiners believe occurred before the time of death, though these conclusions are difficult to be sure of, considering the state of the evidence. Another similarity that points to the possibility of a serial: every crime is perfectly clean of evidence, aside from the remains themselves. Not a fingerprint, not a tire tread mark nor a foreign hair is left behind. There have been no sightings of any suspect in the disappearances.
Then there are the disappearances themselves — hardly low profile by any means. None of the victims are what could be viewed as easy targets. None are runaways or the homeless, who vanish so easily and are seldom reported missing. Victims have vanished from their homes, from a fourth-story apartment, from a health club, from a wedding reception. Perhaps the most astounding: 30-year-old amateur boxer Robert Walsh entered a movie theater with a date; a few minutes into the movie, the woman realized that he was not in his seat. His body was found only three hours later when fire fighters were called to the scene of a burning trash Dumpster, twenty miles away.
Another pattern is present in the slayings: all of the victims disappeared at night. And the most alarming pattern? Acceleration. Six of the homicides were committed in the first month, 11 in the second. Twenty-two have occurred in the last 10 days alone. And the police are no closer to finding the responsible party than they were after the first charred body was discovered.
The evidence is conflicting, the pieces horrifying. A vicious new gang or a wildly active serial killer? Or something else the police haven't yet conceived of? Only one conclusion is indisputable: something hideous is stalking Seattle.
John had put the paper down after reading the article out loud for the two women in his life. Sarah, his happiness, and Lily his sweet daughter, would soon be out of the house and off to the next great adventure. He only hoped that her plans didn't involve Seattle.
"John, why would you read something like that at the breakfast table? It's so gruesome."
"Love, Seattle isn't that far away. Its better to be informed than not."
"But still, I'd much rather you not read it out loud. The mornings are when I try and prepare myself for whatever is to come at the hospital while on shift."
"I'm sorry" John said, reaching out to hold his wife's hand. He hadn't intended to upset her. While the human body didn't bother his wife whatsoever, the idea of suffering did. And those poor people in the paper had certainly suffered. Which brought him to his next thought.
"Lily, I have a question for you hun."
The teenage girl in question was doing her best impression of a ghost, pale and silent, after having listened to the paper. She turned her face towards her foster father indicating she was listening, even if she wasn't talking.
"You're whatever you are dear. Are there other beings in the world do you think? I mean, all stories have some grains of truth in them." John asked, curious.
"Um. . ." Lily replied, unsure how to answer. "I think there are other beings in the world. But I think they would keep their secret close."
"Of course, could you imagine a real-life Buffy or ghost hunter actually capturing something? The world would lose its mind if it ever got out."
"Love, you're starting to sound like a conspiracy theorist" Sarah said teasingly, happy to have the topic of the morning changed.
"No, I'm being serious here Sarah. Look, our daughter has abilities. I doubt she was bitten by some spider or dropped in a vat of something toxic when she was younger." John continued before turning to face his daughter again. "Well, I don't think she was at least. It's hard to tell with her medical records."
"You're being pedantic John."
"You just wanted to use your word of the day!" he accused.
"Maybe, but its still the truth" Sarah said with a smile. "Get on with it dear."
"What I'm saying is Lily was born this way. So, the theory stands that its genetic. Meaning, there may be other mutations out there that have different skills."
"Now you're sounding less like superheroes and more like x-men."
"Just saying, if I were in x-men I'd like to be mystique" Lily interrupted having found her voice again.
"No, you're way more awesome as you are now kid" John said firmly before continuing. "I think its something like Lily that's out there, doing these killings. I've been reading more old folklore books lately after Lily started going through her second puberty."
"Hey! I thought we agreed not to call it that!" Lily interjected unhappily.
John ignored her and chose to continue with his train of thought. "Stop interrupting you two! Christ I'm going to lose my mojo here! Anyways, I think its something that just woke up, something much more dangerous than our gentle little flower. I think it was someone without a support system. Or maybe they have one and it's a negative influence. Either way, it's getting bigger and stronger, whatever it is. I don't want you ladies going to Seattle any time soon, okay?"
"John, be reasonable."
"No, I am being reasonable. Even if it isn't something superhuman, it's something or someone is out there killing all those people at random. Until we know who or what it is, we could all be at risk. I need you both to promise me as a family we will not put ourselves into danger willingly."
"John"
"Sarah"
They locked eyes for several moments, talking in the way only a couple who know each other so well could talk. Eventually, Sarah nodded before kissing her husband on his forehead, kissing Lily on the top of her head, grabbing her coffee to go, and stepping outside to drive to work.
John turned towards the girl who had become his daughter in everything but blood.
"I know I may seem like I'm being heavy handed, but you're worth it. Please, promise me you won't willingly run into danger?"
"You do realize I'm more of a lover not a fighter, right?"
"I do, but I also know when you have your mind set up you would destroy anyone who gets in your way."
Lily frowned at hearing that.
"Its not a bad thing, in fact in my opinion it's an exceptionally good thing. Ruthless women, regardless of how history portrays them, are always strong. All I can ever ask for you is that you are strong, happy, and healthy."
John reached over and grabbed Lily's hands in one of his larger one before putting his right hand on top of all three of them. "You mean the world to Sarah and me. I keep having this. . . dream that you're going to get involved in whatever this is. Whether that's just the parent in me catching up to several years worth of worrying or some otherworldly message nonsense you know I don't follow, I just have this feeling you'll get involved. I need you to promise me you won't willing run into danger."
"Dad. . ." she didn't use the honorific of mom or dad. But John and Sarah had become so close to her, caring for her, loving her, accepting her for who and how she is, she just couldn't stop the word from leaving her mouth.
"Kid don't get too mushy on me now" John warned with a smile on his face.
"I won't willingly rush into danger if I can help it, I promise." Lily whispered, afraid of saying anymore more than that.
"Good! Now, tell me about this Jasper situation."
"Okay! I'm going to school now! Have a good day bye!" Lily said quickly, grabbing her backpack and rushing out to find Rosalie outside in her convertible.
Nothing had actually really changed between her and Jasper. After he had finally told her what they were supposedly to each other, he didn't change how he had been treating her or suddenly demand her full attention all of the time. They still talked nearly every day, even if it was just a simple text saying that they hoped the other had a great day. He wasn't suddenly obsessed with her, nor she him. They just kept their easy friendship going.
Rose had opened the door from the inside, letting Lily slide in easily. It had become something of a daily ritual for her and Rose. Rose would show up to take her to school, they would talk about what they had planned for the day or gossip, and then depending on the timeframe they were working with they would listen to music in the car and plot pranks on Emmett or John.
What she hadn't expected was for Rosalie to hold out an invitation in fancy big golden cursive letters once she finished clicking her seatbelt.
"What's this?" Lily asked, weary to take the envelope from her friend.
"Alice has decided to throw a graduation party for you and Bella. She says its important for the human experience" Rosalie said offhand, tossing the envelope into Lily's lap.
"Is this some sort of sick masochistic joke you guys are playing on one another?" Lily asked, picking up the envelope and opening it to reveal a fancy "you're invited!" card.
"You just think you're so funny, don't you" Rosalie said, eyes on the road, in a bored voice.
"I'm hilarious. You just keep missing my Saturday night specials."
"Hmm. . ."
"But seriously, human experience? What's that about?"
"Well, Bella is going to have to become a vampire one way or another. Her timeframe she gave herself was graduation. She would already be a vampire if she had it her way."
"Wouldn't it be vampiress? Sense, you know, she's a girl?"
Rose pulled into the school parking lot, unbuckled her seatbelt, and just stared at Lily without blinking.
"I mean, not to assume or anything but is vampire a species or a gender specific word?"
"What goes on in your head?"
"I don't know! Ask Edward, he's the mind reader."
"I'd rather not, thanks. He's been in a mood for the last century."
"Funny, isn't he older than you?"
"Some of us lose our training wheels faster than others." Rose replied, shaking her head so her hair fell over her right shoulder. "Now, get out or you'll be late for school."
"You miss me during the day, don't you" Lily joked.
"No, I have long bouts of passionate sex with my husband while you humans aren't around to interrupt."
"Wow."
Rosalie rolled her eyes before responding. "What did you expect? Us to have hobbies and a life outside of you humans? As if."
"You know Rose, I'm quite sure you need your own comedy special. You'd make a killing."
"Get. Out." Rose growled.
Lily blew kisses ate Rosalie before leaving her car. Rosalie sped off to do whatever it was that she had planned for the day.
"I see you've been aggravating people early today" came from behind her. Turning, Lily saw that it was Bella. Edward was hanging back behind her by a few feet talking with Alice.
"Well, some of us have hobbies. What's up?"
Bella made a face before lowering her voice. "Did you see the paper this morning?"
"Yeah, John read it out loud over breakfast. It was hard to miss. Is your dad okay?"
"Charlie? Why?"
"I mean, he's a police officer. Have they been forcing him and the rest of the team to work extra hours to help investigate? One of the people who went missing is from here after all. His posters are everywhere."
"I don't know. He seems fine. Anyways, listen. Someone was in my room the other night when we had the sleep over. A vampire that the pack and the Cullens didn't recognize the scent of. Has anyone been in your room or house?"
"I have no idea, but I don't think so" Lily said, sounding unsure. "Besides, why would they even be interested in me when you attract all the trouble?"
"I don't know! But if they were after me, they may have picked up your scent and followed it to your home."
"I didn't think of that. Sorry for jumping down your throat." Lily said, truly feeling apologetic.
"Its fine. But we seriously need to be on the same side of things. We are the only humans in the mix."
"No, actually we aren't. The pack are still human. They just change shape."
"You know what I mean!"
Just then Alice came over, hugging Lily tightly before pulling her towards Edward's Volvo.
"Um, has there been a change of plans I wasn't aware of?"
"Bella wants to talk to Jasper about what was in the paper. It'll be best if you hear it too at the same time."
"You realize we have math in 10 minutes? We are supposed to review for finals."
"Lily, you'll pass your math final with a 96. You don't need to review."
"I do if I want to make that 96."
The entire time the conversation took place as Alice dragged Lily into the car, shutting the door.
"I think this constitutes as kidnapping" Lily continued, although nobody seemed to pay her any mind.
"Lily, I'll help you study myself for the test. But we need to talk to Jasper. It's about the baby vampires in Seattle."
"Um what?"
Everyone in the car turned towards Lily at that moment.
Bella was the one who broke the silence. "They're after me most likely. I wanted to talk to Jasper to see what we can do about them before they come after us."
"Bella, once again I would like to remind you that you are human. We," lily said, pointing between herself and Bella a few times "are not really able to do anything. Besides, you think badgering Jasper is going to work?"
"Well, you'll be there to get him to open up" Bella said as if it was already decided.
Lily was about to argue but Edward and Alice spoke at the same time. "Don't" before putting on music for the rest of the ride.
The drive to their house was a tense one. Lily was fuming at the idea of being used to push Jasper into doing something whether he liked it or not. She didn't want to be a part of that. She didn't want to miss classes so close to finals. She wanted to go to school, graduate, and continue with living her life and trying to find happiness. Whether that was in her garden, sleepovers with Leah sneaking a bit of wine, cooking with John, or a number of other things she had grown to love about her life.
Instead, she was packed up into the backseat of Edward's car without being allowed a say in the matter.
The seatbelt was too tight. She tried to loosen it, but it was locked because of Edward's driving.
Some people were afraid of clowns while others had a deep irrational fear of spiders. Others were claustrophobic while some people hated wide open space.
Lily hated not being in control of herself and her surroundings.
She knew it was from the childhood she had experienced.
The seatbelt got tighter. The cold started to seep into her bones as she remembered, as if muscle memory was kicking in.
The cold nights, the abuse. The starvation. Her brother's death. . .it was all coming weighing down on the forefront of her mind.
She couldn't breath.
She couldn't breath!
She was seeing the dirty blankets she and her brother had made into a makeshift bed. The bathroom bucket was in the opposite corner of the room. It was dark. It was always dark. They had covered up the windows with felt cloth so that the neighbors couldn't see in.
They couldn't get out.
She was trapped.
Something was squeezing her; it was too tight. It reminded her of the jackets the used on people in institutions.
"Come on Darlin' deep breaths"
Darlin'? she wasn't anyone's darling. She was brat. Bitch. Filth. Useless. Never Darlin'.
"Follow my breaths. Count them. Breath with me. In two three out two three. I know you can do it. Its as natural as life."
The hold on her felt less constricting and more comforting with every breath she took. Her eyes began to see again instead of reliving memories.
Memories.
They couldn't hurt her anymore. They were locked away. She was safe.
Safe.
"You're doin' so good doll. Keep it up."
Jasper.
"Jasper?" Lily whispered, having finally come back into herself and the present.
"That's right, its me. You're safe. You're sitting outside. Can you feel the wet grass and feel the breeze?"
"Yes" she whispered.
"Good, tell me what else you feel. What do you see and smell?" Jasper said encouragingly.
"I. . .I. . ."
"That's it sweetheart, take your time. It's just us here. We have all the time in the world."
"I smell jasmine from Esme's. . . vines."
"What else?"
"I think I hear a bird singing."
"Open your eyes sweetheart.
Lily did just that to find that she was indeed outside behind the Cullen's house near the greenhouse. She was sitting on the grass with Jasper in front of her. She wasn't being held or trapped. She was outside. She was free.
"I don't know what happened. I. . ."
"Darlin' you don't have to explain yourself to anyone, least of all me. Alice can see the future. Edward can read minds. They knew what would happen, and they chose to go along with it anyways. They're being yelled at by Esme and Carlisle as we speak."
"Why. . . why would they just. . ." Lily didn't finish her sentence. She found that she didn't have the words to continue with the thought.
"Edward. . ." Jasper started to say before growling and closing his eyes. He took an unnecessary breath before continuing. "He was thinking of Bella and her wishes. That comes before anything or anyone else in his books, regardless of the damage it causes."
"They could have asked me to come. Why didn't they just ask?"
"You'd have likely said no, which they didn't accept. Neither one of them is fond of the word."
"I don't want to be used."
Jasper gently took Lily's hands in his own, rubbing circles over the tops of her hand with his thumbs. "They fucked up. Edward keeps fuckin' up whenever Bella is involved. It's like he can't think straight anymore. Now, his choices are hurtin' you, and that can't continue."
That scared Lily more then it ought to. "What are you saying?"
A wave of calm washed over her. She probably should have an issue with Jasper manipulating her emotions but found that she couldn't blame him for trying to comfort her. After all, trying to comfort someone you care about is natural.
"I'm sayin' a very round about way that I'm gonna knock some common sense and manners back into his thickheaded skull once things are safe again" Jasper growled out. "You aren't some accessory in his life or Bella's life to move around however he or Alice feels."
"Jas"
"No Lily, they both need to realize that."
"I was going to say I should be fighting my own battles cowboy."
Jasper smiled at her attempt at lightening the mood.
"Now, what type of gentleman would I be if I let a lady fight all her battles herself?"
"One that knows she can take care of herself?"
Jasper kissed her knuckles at that point before smiling down at her. Even sitting cross legged as they were, he was still so much larger than she was.
"Darlin' you have some of the sharpest claws I have ever met on a person. I know you can fight your battles. But they're my siblings. Let me handle them, please?"
When Jasper put it like that, how could she really deny him?
"Why are we outside?" Lily asked, all of a sudden realizing she had no idea how long she had been stuck in her memories.
"Well. . . the trees started to try and hit the car with you all in it apparently. Then, when they pulled up the driveway the vines started reaching out for you. A few windows were broken and Edward's gonna need a paint job. And a new car. And an arm."
"An arm?" Lily asked, mouth open.
"I lost my temper when I saw the state you were in." Jasper replied unashamed.
Remembering the story from the other night about the vampire who tried to pull himself back together, an idea formed in Lily's mind. "I mean, do you still have it?"
Jasper's eyes flashed with an emotion Lily wasn't quite sure of yet before replying. "Why, yes. As a matter-of-fact darlin' I do."
"let's hold on to it for a bit, okay? I don't think he's learned his lesson yet about taking choices away from people."
Rosalie's voice rang out from a few feet away, having walked up to the couple now that Lily had calmed down enough. "You are a treasure and a joy. I'm keeping you" she said before smirking.