"...O can't stop, I can't stop the rain

From fallin'..."

Chapter 14

EPOV

The next day, I had invited Bella to go baseball with me and my family but she refused and reminded me that i had to kill James and Victoria but I didn't know if I could.

"Are you ready?" Carlisle called to the family and there was a chorus of yes as me and my family ran towards the baseball clearing. We shot past trees and bushes, soundlessly passed animals and rivers.

I arrived at the clearing first because was the fastest runner and I waited. Finally Alice was running, or dancing, toward me. She hurtled to a fluid stop at my feet. "It's time," she announced. As soon as she spoke, a deep rumble of thunder shook the forest beyond us, and then crashed westward toward town.

"Let's go." Alice reached for Emmett's hand and they darted toward the oversize field; she ran like a gazelle. He was nearly as graceful and just as fast - yet Emmett could never be compared to a gazelle.

"Are you ready for some ball?" I asked eagerly. Everyone took there places on the field and Esme became the referee.

As Alice took the mound, Emmett made his way to the batting box, swinging an aluminum bat; it whistled almost untraceable through the air. Jasper stood several feet behind him, catching for the other course, none of them had gloves. There was no need.

"All right," Esme called in a clear voice, "Batter up!" And the game began.

Carlisle was up to bat, I catching, when Alice suddenly gasped. My eyes were on her, and I saw what Bella had warned me about. Three vampires with crimson eyes had now made the decision to come over to us.

"Alice?" Esme's voice was tense.

"I didn't see - I couldn't tell," she whispered.

All the others were gathered by this time.

"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked with the calm voice of authority.

"They were traveling much quicker than I thought. I can see I had the perspective wrong before," she murmured.

Jasper leaned over her, his posture protective. "What changed?" he asked.

"They heard us playing, and it changed their path," she said, contrite, as if she felt responsible for whatever had frightened her. "Just like Bella said, James and Victoria and another."

"How soon?" Carlisle said, turning toward me.

"Less than five minutes. They want to play." I responded.

As we waited I could help but think of the two options that my family had given me. I could either kill them or change the future, but then I realized that there was never an option to begin with. Bella wasn't here so James wouldn't pick up her scent, so we didn't have to kill them. I never wanted to to begin with. I could never be more of a killer than I already am.

"Let's just continue the game," Carlisle finally decided. His voice was cool and level. "They are simply curious."

The others returned to the field, warily sweeping the dark forest with their sharp eyes. Alice seemed wary and I wondered what she would do with the vampire that knew about her past and played a round in her turning.

The seconds ticked by; the game progressed with apathy now. No one dared to hit harder than a bunt, and Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper hovered in the infield. Then I turned towards the trees. Carlisle, Emmett, and the others turned in the same direction, hearing sounds of passage much too faint for human ears.

They emerged one by one from the forest edge, ranging a dozen meters apart. The first male into the clearing fell back immediately, allowing the other male to take the front, orienting himself around the tall, dark-haired man in a manner that clearly displayed who led the pack. The third was a woman; from this distance, all I could see of her was that her hair was a startling shade of red.

The first male had blond hair and from his thoughts I could tell that he was James. The dark-haired mans name was Laurent and the red-head was Victoria.

"We thought we heard a game," Laurent said, ""I'm Laurent, these are Victoria and James." He gestured to the vampires beside him.

"I'm Carlisle. This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Esme and Alice and Edward." He pointed us out in groups, deliberately not calling attention to individuals.

"Do you have room for a few more players?" Laurent asked sociably.

"Sure, why not." Carlisle matched Laurent's friendly tone.

"All right, Game on!" Emmett shouted and the game continued.