Sorry for not updating in a long while. It's been a long nine months:
Back at the end of March, my stepdad was diagnosed with lung, brain, & bone cancer.
In May, he ended up with pneumonia.
At the end of May/beginning of June, he contracted some pulmonary lung infection.
He gave up in August & passed away in the hospital on August 10th.
Then a week after that, there were several other peroneal issues that happened & are still going on.
It's been hard of everyone, but Mom's been a wreck & IDK what to do for her. I've been trying to help her with what she needs, but IDK.
I've been so stressed, but I've been trying to keep up on my typing. I've just been typing what I've been feeling or editing older stories. A lot of my stories have been put on the back burner-something I never wanted to happen, but it is what it is I guess.
But I'm trying. So, plz & thank you for understanding & being patient.
Several Hours Later:
"What do we do now? Edward's been gone for hours. And Carlisle been locked in his study for nearly two hours. What is going on?" Rosalie demanded, annoyed.
"Did I do something wrong?" Halley asked, concerned.
"Now she asks…" Rosalie mumbled.
"Now, Babe—be nice." Emmet calmly told Rosalie, rubbing her shoulders.
"No, you didn't do anything wrong. I'm sure Edward will be back after a bit. Esme, can you please show Halley to a spare room for her and her cats—or two Edward's room?" Carlisle assured Halley before asking Esme.
"Come on, Sweetie." Esme gently urged Halley. The cats just followed along.
"What's going on, Carlisle?" Alice asked, concerned.
"Far more than any of you would ever wish to know. To make it short: Rosalie you were raped and left to die. Let's just say that what happened to Halley puts what happened to you to shame. I don't know who the perpetrators were per se, but I have seen what happened to Halley once before. I don't enjoy killing humans—and have only done so if absolutely necessary. I killed four men that night, not thinking anything of it. Maybe I should have because after seeing her files, I came to the conclusion that Halley was attacked by a cult of sorts." Carlisle explained, setting Halley's files on the coffee table.
"Esme knows?" Alice asked, watching the files.
"Yes, she knows." Carlisle answered, rubbing his brow.
"Who the fuck does this to anyone—let alone some mentally challenged child?" Rosalie demanded, horrified after opening the folder.
"The same people who did it and are still doing it to other girls fifteen to thirty who are mentally stunted." Carlisle answered, not realizing Edward walked in.
"Excuse me?!" Edward demanded, pissed off.
"Edward, please stay calm." "Halley's sleeping." Esme interrupted Carlisle in hopes that Edward wouldn't yell or destroy anything.
"What do you mean by they're still doing this?" Edward asked, trying to calm down.
"Exactly what I mean. Nobody knows who these men or women are, but there are a lot of them. Most likely generations. I read Halley's file and remember seeing something like this years before it happened to her—to a young girl named Rebecca Stills. It happened in Pennsylvania, ten years before Halley was attacked. Rebecca was born perfectly fine—no defects whatsoever. When she was fourteen, she was in some sort of accident, and ended up with brain damage, rendering her slower than others. She was nineteen when a group of men jumped, restrained, tortured, raped, and murdered her. I killed four of them—the four I knew were involved."
"Anyway: after reading Halley's case, I decided to go online and look to see if there were similar cases. I was not expecting to find what I found. There are dozens upon dozens of records of this happening dating back to 1905. Who knows? They could have gone further back. But 1905 was the first recorded case."
"This cult travels around the USA, torturing, raping, and murdering up to three mentally disabled girls per state before moving on to a new state. Depending on how quickly they find the "right" girls, depends on how long they stay in the state. And I'm guessing Halley was victim three around that time because there weren't any more attacks in Illinois until 1979. The most recent attacks were in Texas. Six men and two women were apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. However, they killed themselves before they could be taken out of the court room. This was after telling them there were dozens more of them out there and that they would never catch them all. They refused to give up any other names—only saying they were most definitely a cult." Carlisle explained, pausing a few times to let everything sink in.
"Why?" Alice asked, upset.
"When asked that very question by many people: they answered with "why not?" When asked how they chose their victims: they answered with "the retarded are easy prey." They strongly believed they were doing society a favor by riding them of people like "their kind." Then they killed themselves and that's that. Esme and I are going to go out for the night and spread the word to other vampires in other states to keep an eye open. Yes, I contacted Aro and let him know what was going on; he's agreed to this as long as the humans don't notice. Or if they do, to make it look like the work of a different cult. I also told him about Halley and her cats—and that they're staying here with us because she felt safest with Edward—and the cats stay with her. He agreed so long as she follows the rules and doesn't draw any unwanted attention to herself or any of us." Carlisle explained, shocking everyone.
"And? What else do they want? That can't be all they want in order to keep the girl here." Rosalie immediately became defensive.
"She's right; the Volturi don't just leave something alone." Edward spoke up, agreeing with Rosalie.
"I believe Aro and the others are afraid of Halley. He actually seemed incredibly relieved when I told him she was with us. I suppose, if anything; they'd want us to let them know if she ever ends up pregnant." Carlisle honestly explained, watching Edward, Rosalie, Emmet, Alice, and Jasper.
"Just who is this girl?" Rosalie asked in disbelief.
"Not Edward, but do we have any volunteers to help us spread the word about the cult to other states?" Esme asked, looking at her kin.
"Why am I being left out?" Edward asked, becoming defensive.
"You have to stay with Halley." Esme worriedly answered.
"Esme's right; you do have to stay with Halley. I don't have to be able to read minds to know she's already worried about you. Right now she's scared and confused, and you're the only one she truly knows and trusts. And on top of that: you made that promise. And unless either of you know how to reverse that, you can't afford to do anything to these people—not without hurting Halley." Carlisle firmly told Edward, adding to what Esme said.
"Stay with and watch over Halley. Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie, and Emmet will take care of letting others know." Alice enthusiastically told Edward, volunteering Rosalie and Emmet.
"Why are you just volunteering us like that?" Rosalie snapped, frustrated. It's not like she didn't see that coming. But still…
"Hide it all you want: you like Halley and you feel for her, and others like her. Maybe you'll run into some of these cult members and will be able to get some kind of retribution—for Halley and all the other victims." Alice very seriously explained.
This type of seriousness was scarce for Alice; it meant she saw something important or something.
"If you run into these people, you can get your frustrations out." Alice playfully added.
'There's the Alice we know.' Edward thought to himself, rolling his eyes.
"What about you and Jasper?" Emmet asked, interested.
"You can't expect Jasper to go out and be able to control himself if we were to see the cult. We'd get in major trouble with the Volturi. So, I'm going to go shopping and get Halley some new outfits. It's time for her to live in the here and now. And we'll have to get ready for our trip tomorrow." Alice happily answered.
"What trip?" Everyone asked, confused.
"I talked to an old friend who may be able to help Halley with her memories—or lack thereof. His name is Niko; he's also known as "The Memory Man." He has the ability to help people recover lost memories—or forget ones they don't want." Carlisle explained.
"Or if someone wants someone to forget something?" Edward asked, watching Carlisle.
"Yes—if he's paid a good price. However, I don't think someone asked to have Halley's memories removed. I mentioned Halley's name to Niko: he laughed and said he wondered when he'd hear her name again. He said bring her by and he'd talk to her and us. But with how he sounded: I'm thinking Halley asked him, herself, to take her memories. She's running from something. What, I do not know. But whatever it is; it's bad enough that she wanted to forget. But that's all I can say for now. The cats come as well: Bubby for sure, had his memories erased. The others, we're not sure about. For now: take it easy and watch over Halley. She's special—possibly more special than any of us think. And Alice: please, for now—just get Halley something she'd be comfortable wearing. Let's let her warm up to all of us." Carlisle explained, giving his honest opinion before telling Edward and Alice.
"Maybe a few fashionable outfits, but Carlisle's right." Esme told Alice after seeing a specific look cross Alice's face.
"Fine." Alice pouted before heading out.
"We'll be back as soon as we can." Carlisle told Edward before he, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmet headed out.
"Have fun." Emmet teased, just barely dodging a pillow that Edward chucked at him.
"Sure, I'll play a game of Chess. And I'll do my best not to read your mind." Edward answered Jasper after reading his mind.
"It will help ease your mind. The moment it starts to look like you're beating me, I'll know you're cheating." Jasper calmly told Edward, making him chuckle a little.
"Right. I'm just that much better than you." Edward shot back.
"We shall see. Tell me about Halley. Aside being a little ditzy, what's she like?" Jasper took on Edward's challenge before starting a conversation.
It was rare that it was just the two of them in one room together like this.
"She's a sweet girl. She's always been a sweet girl. Despite how those people treated her; she's kindhearted." Edward answered.
"Those people? Her family, you mean?" Jasper asked for clarification.
"Yeah—them. I mean—I suppose I'm glad she had some kind of family who cared. Until she was killed, she was with people who loved and cared for her. And at least she hasn't been alone all these years; she's had her cats. I just wish I could've done something or been there for her. Maybe things wouldn't have gotten this bad for her. Maybe I could've gotten her to understand who and what she is now easier." Edward responded, running his hand through his hair.
"Maybe? Edward: knowing you and how you feel for Halley—how you've felt for her for a long time; I have no doubt in my mind that you would've done everything for her. And depending on her situations: you never truly know how she would've adjusted with or without you. Well, clearly we see how well she's adjusted to being a vampire without you. But with her mental hindrance, we don't know how well she would've adjusted even if you were with her. But—that being said: she's here now, and she's safe. More importantly: even though it's been over a hundred years since you last saw her; she still remembers you—and you her." Jasper wisely told Edward.
"Thank you. I suppose that makes me feel a little better." Edward replied, moving a Chess piece.
"Do you know what the best thing about Halley is?" Jasper asked with a slight smirk.
"Don't say it." Edward grumbled.
"None of us wanted to eat or rip her throat out. Bella was a nice girl, but I'm glad you left her when you did. It's a real shame she started dating that dog, though." Jasper told Edward what he didn't want to hear, causing him to growl in frustration.
"Another good thing about Halley—and Bella? Talking about them gets you so distracted that you don't cheat at Chess. Check mate." Jasper finished with a smile; he just beat Edward.
"Sure. Sure. How do you know I didn't just let you win?" Edward asked, leaning back in his chair.
"Oh, did you, now?" Jasper asked, intrigued, leaning back in his chair.
"You will never know. So, now what? Are we at a standstill?" Edward replied before asking, challenging Jasper.
"You want to go another round?" Jasper asked, sitting up straight.
"Sure, why not?" Edward replied, quickly setting up the board for a new game.
An Hour & A Half Later:
Edward's P.O.V.:
"I'm home!" Alice called, walking through the living room with several bags on her arms.
That's kind of light for her—especially when buying things for other people.
"Welcome home." Jasper and I stoically replied, concentrating. We were on our twelfth game of Chess.
"Who's winning?" Alice asked, walking over.
"Currently, Edward." Jasper sourly answered.
"How many games has he cheated at?" Alice asked with a smile. I could just feel my eyes start to twitch.
"The last two games and this one. Before that, his mind was too—distracted." Jasper answered, watching me with a smirk.
"How many games did you win?" Alice asked, wrapping her arms around Jasper's shoulders.
"Nine." Jasper answered with a somewhat victorious smile.
"How is Halley?" Alice asked, watching me.
"She's sleeping peacefully. She's dreaming." I answered.
"Oooh! What about?" Alice asked, interested—way too interested if you ask me.
"Sparkles and butterflies." I answered with a smile, getting under Alice's skin.
"Sparkles and butterflies? Edward, really?" Alice asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Her dreams are her dreams. I shouldn't be able to see or picture them, but they're so big and loud, that's all I can hear aside from when Jasper says something directly to me." I firmly told Alice, letting her know I wasn't budging.
"Oh, poo. You're no fun." Alice whined, huffing a little.
"Did you just start this game?" Alice asked after a minute or two, sounding interested.
"A few moves ago." I answered with a sigh.
I instantly knew where this was going.
"Oh. Well, Edward's going to win this game—and the next three, but you would've won the fourth game after all that. Now, can you two be gentlemen and help me carry in bags? There's so many." Alice spoiled the game before asking Jasper, wrapping her arms around his shoulders even more.
And there it was.
She was—I don't want to say angry. Annoyed? Yeah, we'll go with that.
Alice was annoyed that I wouldn't tell her what Halley was dreaming about, so she looked into the future to see how many games we would play and who would win them.
'You should've just told her what she wanted to know, and we could've continued our games.' Jasper directed his thoughts at me.
"Uh-huh, sure… She has more bags she wants us to help carry in. Just how much did you buy Halley?" I replied in a whisper as we followed Alice to the garage before asking her—almost fearing the answer.
"Just a few." Alice happily answered.
"Just a few?" Jasper and I asked, looking in her car: it was filled with bags.
"Don't forget the trunk." Alice told us, popping the trunk.
"Just a few?" I asked again, only slightly shocked.
"I'm sorry. I guess I should've gone with her." Jasper apologetically told me.
"Come on, you two. Chop. Chop. These bags won't just get up and walk into the house." Alice ordered, grabbing bags.
Jasper and I just gave each other a quick look before bringing things inside.
She may be small, but we learned a long time ago that it best not to argue with Alice.
"Food?" I asked, looking at some groceries.
"What? I got hungry. I figured I'd get some groceries now that we can eat regular food if want to now. I just kind of started craving some yogurt." Alice defended herself.
I just sighed.
"Ok. I'm going to find out what room Esme put Halley in and check on her." I told Alice and Jasper.
"I think she put her in your room." Jasper spoke up before eating a carrot.
'Of course, she did.' I thought to myself, walking up the stairs.
Sure enough, Mom put Halley on my futon.
Well—she was on the futon. She has some height on her levitating now.
A foot and a half?
I suppose I should get Halley some kind of bed.
"Edward…" Halley mumbled in her sleep, turning a little, slowly lowering back to the futon.
Well, that's new.
Halley—what happened to you?
What happened that made you want to forget?
What is this heavy feeling?
Normal P.O.V.:
Once Halley was on the futon, lying on her side, Edward sat next to her; he placed his hand on her face.
She was cold to the touch like Edward and the others, but she wasn't hard like vampires; she was soft like most humans. Yet, earlier, when she hugged him, Halley was hard like him and the others.
After a few minutes, Edward started feeling heavy—drowsy almost.
And after another minute or two of him fighting whatever was going on with him, Edward's world went black, and he fell into a deep sleep.
That's how the others found him hours later when the sun started to rise:
Edward was lying on his back with his arms above his head, sleeping.
Halley slept on her stomach with her head on Edward's chest, one arm clinging to his shirt, and her other arm at her side.
"I thought the cop said we couldn't sleep like her." Rosalie huffed, standing there, watching Edward and Halley.
"That's what he said." Emmet replied.
"Maybe it has to do with their bond." Esme suggested, watching Edward and Halley with a smile.
"Maybe. Halley's an anomaly among vampires. It's no wonder the Volturi are so intrigued, yet fear her at the same time." Carlisle stated with a smile.
"Come on; let's let them be." Esme insisted, walking away with Carlisle.
"Carlisle?" Jasper asked as he and the others followed Carlisle and Esme.
"Yes, what is it?" Carlisle asked, watching Jasper.
"About Halley. It may not be much, but you found out something about her, didn't you?" Jasper asked, reading Carlisle's body language.
"Halley's special. That's all I'll say until she and Edward wake up; they have a right to know what's going on as well. And it's not something I learned: it's something I remembered. What I will say: we're lucky she knows and has Edward—and that she's on our side." Carlisle vaguely answered Jasper before they all went to do their own things…