—We should've killed him right then! Seth is banging on the dining table, screaming in anger.
—He was asking for help. Carlisle can always keep his cool, and I'm thankful for that.
—He threatened Anne! He screams again.
—I'm fine. I'm not hurt. All this commotion about whether I got hurt or not is not the problem here. I wish they would move away from the fact that I can't fight for myself.
—More importantly, he has information. I can always count on Jasper to be objective about the big picture. Finally, we are on the right topic now.
—He wasn't lying about knowing where Padrone is. Also, about his wish to control his thirst. Edward must've read every thought in his head to make sure he wasn't a threat to be speaking like this.
—We can just beat it out of him! I take a step closer to Seth; he's too worked up.
—We are not savages, Seth. Esme says, discarding the option of torture.
—Calm down… I say quietly to him, touching his hand now closed up in a fist. The screaming is so not like him that it makes me uncomfortable. He opens his fingers to my touch, holding my hand and taking a deep breath.
—But we can't just let him near us like that; he's still a stranger, even if he has information. Carlisle is hesitant. I can count on Jasper's need for information to try and convince him, but I can't risk it. I need to talk to David.
—Would it be so horrible to teach him? He wants to stop hurting people. I'm hesitant but firm. If Carlisle says no, I know we can't have him here, so I appeal to the humanitarian in him. He wouldn't deny someone needing help.
—It's complicated. The process is long and requires discipline and trust. I don't know if we have either.
Sam and Jake arrive, announcing he is out of the city limits.
—I think we should give this a try. Jasper says. I knew I could count on him to help me keep David here. Although he's not exactly doing it for my sake. —It's not that bad of a trade. We only found some places he passed through and a few trails. That redhead said she locked the disk, not that she destroyed it. There is still a chance he can find a way to open it. There has been movement around the base we destroyed and people looking into what happened.
Jasper told me they found nothing so far. It shouldn't surprise me that he lied to me, but I used to trust Edward. Why did they keep this from me? I thought they were going to keep me updated about the search.
—Then how would we do this? He can't stay away from us during the process, and he can't just stay in the house. Carlisle says.
—No way! Seth was calm, but the screaming was back. I also would prefer that I didn't have to sleep in a room next to his after all of this. Maybe there is another way…
—I can keep an eye on him. Alice is talking about observing his future, his movements.
—That doesn't solve the lodging problem. Jasper's words give me an idea.
—What about that place next to the greenhouse? I ran past there so many times; the storage room.
—That's just a storage room. Esme is looking a bit taken aback by my suggestion.
—There is a bed. He can… ahm, sit there? It's not exactly a good bed, but it's close enough to the house to keep an eye on him, and he doesn't have to share the same space as us.
Esme doesn't comment on my words, and the confused eyes in the room seem to judge me.
—I didn't think you would agree to this. He did attack you. Carlisle wasn't wrong; I just had to get my answers, that's all. If the way to get them was to act the host for a few weeks, so be it. A happy guest is a relaxed guest that will reply to my questions.
—This is ridiculous. Seth's fingers are tight around my hand.
—I think we should try too. Edward can also see sense in all of this. I wonder if he's reading my thoughts and understanding my reasons. I also want to protect Renesmee from Padrone. She and Bella are at the house in the forest, and I'm sure the wolves are there, watching them.
—As long as he doesn't do anything stupid again, this could probably work. Emmett is reasonable as well. I have about half the room now.
—We all started the same way he did, Seth. Maybe something good will come out of this. I know after Jasper's words, it's done.
—So he'll stay here? Jake asks, wary —What about Nessie and Bella?
—We'll stay in the forest for now. Renesmee was their goal; we can't let her near him. Edward was right. I'll make sure to bring that disk back so she can be safe.
—As long as he behaves, he's your responsibility. If he attacks anyone, there won't be another conversation. Sam sounds very serious about it. Anything involving vampires around the city is where he draws the friendship line.
Rosalie pokes my arm with a little rounded metal thing and points to my cheek. The label says it's for cuts and burns; medicine.
—Thank you. I say, picking it up.
—All right. We need to decide how we are doing this. He can't be out of our sight. Carlisle sounds like he's about to talk about complicated details about this, and I could use a place to sit. The kitchen is so packed I can't just sit down and relax, so I whisper to Esme that I'm going to my room.
—Sure. Do you need anything? She asks, touching my hair. Seth looks at us when I let go of his hand.
—I just need to sit. I walk past the crowd, Seth following me.
—You can stay if you like. I know he seemed worried about how this was going to go.
—It's ok. He follows me to my room and grabs the metal jar from my hands.
—Let me see. I'll help you.
—It's nothing. It just stings a bit. He touches my face where the dry blood is. He's always like this when I get a tiny cut or get hurt. I know the imprinting is to blame and let it go even if I'm embarrassed by his touch. Every time he looks at me like that, I remember that day in Rome, under the olive tree.
—I should've killed him. I don't like when he talks like that, like killing him was the only solution to this. I'm not saying I wouldn't hurt him if I could for what he did, but not kill him.
—He needed help. He was just scared.
—Why are you justifying what he did?
—I'm not. I just think it's a good idea to help him so we can find that man. Seth wouldn't know how much I needed answers from David.
—He can't hurt you anymore. I won't let him. He acts like everyone else. Like I'm afraid of Padrone, but I'm not. Not anymore.
He holds my hand again and sits me on the bed, taking a bit of the cream and putting on the cut, making it sting again.
—Ouch!
—Don't be such a baby. I look serious at him. I don't want to pressure him, but I wish he would agree to let David stay here too. I don't want to do this without him or fight every time I ask to talk to the vampire. He looks away with a big sigh.
—Fine. But, I don't want you near him.
—Excuse me?
—He's a vampire! He can't control himself. He always seems to forget that I'm a vampire, too, even if it's just a tiny part of me. —What if he attacks you?
—He said he knew me. I can't just not question him.
—Doesn't mean it's safe. He's being stubborn again. I know he sees how much this is necessary.
—Doesn't mean it's a reason not to try.
Before our fight moves any further, Esme enters the room. —They have a decision.
We follow her downstairs, back into the kitchen where Jasper and Carlisle are in front of everyone, waiting for us to start.
—We'll make a deal with him for information. Jasper says, and I hold back my smile. This is not the time.
—And I'll try to teach him as he wants. He'll stay in the storage room since it's easier to keep an eye on him there, and we'll take rounds watching the entrance.
—Don't get close to him alone for now. We don't know what he can do. Jasper continues.
—And keep as calm as you can. Let's avoid unnecessary conflict. Carlisle is always thinking about peace first, as usual. This is going to work!
—As long as you keep him out of the city… Sam seems to agree but also would jump to any opportunity to kill David at the slightest slip. I guess I'm lucky he's never around the house.
—Don't worry. Jasper says with a grin. David wouldn't sneeze without us knowing. He's not going anywhere.
—All right. He'll be here at sunset. Until then, we decide the watch schedule and how we are teaching him. Carlisle says, making all disperse. I'm not sure how that will work, but I feel I won't be allowed to help. I'll have to talk someone's ear off to get close to him.
—Anne, you must be hungry. I'll make something for you. Esme starts to get some things from the fridge in a hurry.
—I'm ok. Take your time. I say, sitting down at the table.
—Well, I'm starving! Seth sits down next to me, hurrying Esme. I give him a dirty look, but he only shrugs, like he doesn't care.
She makes us something quick, and we eat together. Now that I'm calm again, I remember what today was supposed to be. At least I want to complete the most crucial task I had planned, collect those flowers and find the tree.
—I forgot something in the woods. I say, giving Esme the dishes. —Can I go back?
—We can't just walk around out there again! Seth was overreacting again.
—What is it? I'll get it for you. Esme says. I wish I could just leave it, but it's not right. I have to go back and do it myself.
—Ahm… How can I explain that to her?
—All right. I'll go with you. Esme put the dishes in the sink and looked ready to go.
—Me too. Seth jumps up, also ready to go.
—Ahm… How in the world can I explain it to her?
—You're not going alone. Seth says.
—I know, but Esme is enough. I'll go with her. It might be easier to speak about this if it's just her and me.
—What now? Seth tends to feel left out when I'm with Esme. For some reason, he has difficulty understanding why I want to be alone with her sometimes.
—It's a… girl thing. This is the best excuse to keep boys away. Seth's confused face is almost funny.
—Don't ask. Esme, is that ok?
—Sure. Everyone is on high alert, Seth. We'll be fine. She walks next to me to the front door.
—But… He still won't let go.
—Wait here. Please? I make my best puppy eyes face, hoping it's good enough to convince him.
—Fine. He snorts, crossing his arms.
I walk with Esme to the flower field again. The flowers are where I left them, now scattered a bit because of the wind. I gather them together, remaking the bouquet.
—Flowers? Esme sounds confused.
—Yes. I picked them earlier. Where is the biggest tree around here? I know it's cheating to ask Esme to take me to the tree, and dad would call foul play, but I can't be out here for too long.
—I'll take you there. Being carried never gets normal. I guess it's better than hopping on Seth's back. He made me do it once, and I thought I would die of embarrassment. He's not a horse, and there is nowhere to hold, so I fell on my face on my first try. I eventually could do it, but I swore I wouldn't if I could avoid it.
Esme takes us to the tallest pine tree I've seen. Perfect. As my mom taught me, I placed the flowers by the base and kneeled, saying the words in my mind. May you rest in peace. I love you, and I won't forget. When I stand up, Esme seems unable to hold back her questions.
—Why did you want to come here?
—These are for my parents. I haven't had the chance to bury them, and I don't remember which day they died, so I'm doing it today. Her eyes are wide open, looking at me and back at the tree.
—Anne, I…
—It's ok. I hug her tight for a moment. —I just wanted to do this today. Let's go back.
I never talk about my old life around them because it doesn't seem relevant, but most of all, they never ask. Anything related to their death or what happened to me is only discussed in short conversations, and they soon change the subject, like they are sheltering me.
I never complained, but it did bother me that they thought I couldn't take it. The thing is, I was never the type to make people uncomfortable on purpose, so I never confronted them. Maybe they need more time to be able to talk about it than I do. Grief is much more uncomfortable for the people around you.
We approach the greenhouse, and I can see the storage room where they'll put David.
—Can we stop by the storage? I ask Esme, curious to remember how it looks.
—Why?
—I'm just curious. I haven't been there in a while. She agrees, and we walk inside.
The house is tiny and smells moldy because of the rain. It looks more uncomfortable than I remember. The bed, too, is in a corner, looking dusty. I should've thought of a better place for him.
—Will it be ok? To let him stay here?
—You'll be safe, don't worry.
—I mean, it's very small and dusty.
Esme is looking at me with the same eyes as Seth. Like I'm crazy.
—Why are you acting as if you care for his comfort?
—I'm don't; it's just… I look behind her, pull her arm so she'll squat with me, and whisper very quietly. —I think I know him too.
—What? She says in a normal voice.
—Shhh! Any vampire could hear her voice that loud. —I don't want anyone to know. Especially Seth.
—Why? She is whispering like me now.
—I think he was there when they… experimented on me. David's eyes were engraved in my mind because I'd seen them before. I can't find him in Mirania's memories, but I'm almost sure he's in mine. The glow from his eyes is too familiar to ignore.
—You mean… he tortured you?!
—No! I don't know. Please don't tell anyone. I want to talk to her about this, but it's so difficult to keep secrets in this house it's almost annoying.
—Why?
—He wants to change; also, we need him to trust us. It's in the past, and I'm not sure if it's true. Let's find that man first. She doesn't look convinced at all.
—Please? Today is… kind of my birthday.
—WHAT? She shouts aloud, making me jump.
—What's wrong? Alice pops through the door, followed by Rosalie and Seth.
—Nothing. I say, waving my arms in front of my body. This is not happening.
—It's Anne's BIRTHDAY today! Esme shouts again, making me blush.
—No, it's not.
—What?! And you didn't say anything? Alice looks pretty offended by it.
—It doesn't matter anymore.
—Ridiculous! You're having a party right now!
—Alice…
—We need cake. Esme says, looking at her phone for a recipe.
—I'll get decorations. Rosalie storms out back to the house, and I can't believe she's into this too.
—I can't go out to buy anything. This is a nightmare. The day it's still sunny, and somehow this is Alice's idea of a nightmare. —Esme, come on. We are doing this. They leave the storage room together, disappearing.
—You're having a party. Seth stayed behind, probably to tease me.
—I know. And in the middle of all this.
—Why didn't you say anything?
—I was going to. I asked for a cake, remember? I had the intention to tell them about it that night, but well, a lot happened. —But David showed up.
—"David"? Seth's voice is full of sarcasm when he says his name.
—That's his name, no?
—No, his name is "disgusting vampire" I'm not doing this all day with him, so I just sigh and walk back to the house.
—Let's go back inside.
Alice prepares everything before sunset. I'm not surprised it took so little time to get everything done because she's Alice, after all.
She put me in a dress and styled my hair. She also made everyone change, and Rosalie took pictures of us in front of the cake. I almost lost it when they all sang happy birthday, and I blew the candles. Although I wanted to disappear into a hole of embarrassment, it was nice to do this. Every year, it was always only me, mom, dad, and Toby, but it always felt special, just like today.
Esme remembered my cake request and made this big vanilla whipped cream cake for me. After the embarrassment of having them wish me happy birthday, Seth and I had some.
—You like vanilla cake? He seems displeased but is eating all he can.
—What? It's good.
—Chocolate is better.
—No, it's too sweet.
—Vanilla is too plain.
I just let it go and continued eating my cake. Why can't we agree today?
When the sun finally set, they all went out to stand in front of the gazebo, waiting for David to show up. I stood in front of the big window, watching him walk to the house. Observing his face, I look for his eyes inside my mind. I'm sure he's there, lurking inside a shadow.
—We'll accept a trade. Jasper says, stepping forward. —But, you have to follow our rules.
—Ok. What are the rules? David still seems wary. The wolves are there too, behind him, and Seth is staring at him on our side.
—You can't go to the city. You'll stay in a house and only leave when we tell you to. If you attack anyone, the deal is off. Jasper has his commander posture on. Arms back and looking like the person in charge.
—I understand. Is Dr. Cullen teaching me?
—I'll help you the best I can. Provided you'll tell us what you know. Carlisle says.
—Absolutely. David seems to avoid looking at me, but I can see it now. I can see his eyes in my mind clear as day. He was there. More than that, Esme was right; he conducted experiments on me too. I remember touching his hand to heal myself. I remember him screaming when I had to absorb his powers. He was like a way to keep me alive and going throughout it all.
Like he heard my thoughts, he looks straight at me, making me step back. Seth must've noticed his eyes and moved to the side, blocking my view and his.
—Needless to say, she's out of limits. Edward says what Seth must be thinking.
—I know… I won't hurt her. His voice is calm and gentle again.
—We'll show you where you'll stay. Carlisle walks towards the storage room, and I can't see them anymore.
My head is spinning. That's how I know him? How many times did I do that to him? Was he an experiment, too, like Mirania? What do I do? Edward will listen to my thoughts. If they know what happened… Would he keep a secret if I asked?
I run to the observatory room to see them by the storage through the big window.
—I need to talk to him.