Chapter 7: Sparkle Sparkle
"Bella it's Saturday, why are you going hiking?" I was lounging on the couch stuffing my face with bacon.
"I just want to okay. It's not like you're coming with me." Bella huffed sitting at the table eating her breakfast.
"You best believe I am. I have nothing else to do since Charlie won't let me hang out with Quil and Embry. I'm dying of boredom Bella." The last week had been so boring. I had to catch up on all of my homework from the week before and on top of that Charlie refused to let me leave the house. Charlie has been on high alert with work since hikers have been going missing this last week also. And I know Charlie knows that it's not "bear attacks" it's something else doing this.
"Bella if you don't let me come I'll tell Charlie and you'll be confined to the house like I am."
"You wouldn't."
"You wanna find out?" Smirking over at her I got up from the couch and went upstairs to change. Pulling out a pair and black leggings and a neon yellow sport bra I threw them on with my Nikes. Opening up the safe in my closet I grabbed the Colt, a silver knife, and a small thing of holy water. You can never be too safe, right? Hiding the Colt and knife in my waist band I put the holy water in my shoe. Grabbing my black zip up hoodie I checked my phone.
1 new message: Paul
The only good thing about this week has been Paul texting me. I still haven't understood why everyone was telling me to stay away. He was actually pretty nice.
Paul
"So what are your plans today? Charlie still have you on lockdown?"
Alexis
"Unfortunately, but fingers crossed I'm free after this weekend. But Bella is dragging me to go hiking somewhere."
Paul
"It's not safe to do that. You guys should stay home or come to La Push."
Alexis
"I can handle myself Paul. Besides we shouldn't be gone long."
Paul
"Just be safe. Please. Will you at least let me know when you get home?"
Alexis
"You're worse than my brothers. But yeah I'll let you know. I have to go." With that I pocketed my phone and headed to the kitchen.
"You ready Bells? Wait.. are you really wearing jeans to go hiking?"
"What's wrong with that? Come on let's go before Charlie gets back."
"Uh I guess just give me directions." We got in my car. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I forgot how much I hate hiking. My feet hurt. I was sweating to the point I tied my jacket around me. All of the bugs were making me their snack and to top it off I was out of breath.
"Are we almost there." I asked Bella between breaths.
"Yeah we just have a little further to go. You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine don't worry about me. I just forgot how much I hate hiking." We walked a little farther until we reached a clearing. My mouth dropped open slightly. It was actually really pretty. There were a few flowers that started to bloom mixed in with the flowy grass.
"How'd you know this was here Bella?" I looked at her curiously. "I mean you don't seem like the adventurous hiker type."
"Edward showed me this. It was our place."
I rolled my eyes. Of course it had to do with Edward. I sat my jacket down and laid on top of it. Trying to enjoy a few moments before we'd have to make the hike back to my car. It was so peaceful and quiet I must of dozed off.
"Laurent! What are you doing here?!" Bella almost shouted sounding a little excited. I jumped up to my feet looking around. I headed towards Bella.
"Who are you talking to Bella? I don't see anyone." The hair on the back of my neck rose as my hunter instincts kicked in. A man with dreads appeared from the trees in the direction that Bella was facing. His walk was slow as if he was stalking prey. I reached for the Colt and moved it forward on my waist band.
"Bella! I was looking for the Cullens but their house seems to be abandoned." His voice was velvety smooth.
"They had to move, Carlisle was starting to draw some suspicion, but Edward visits weekly."
What was Bella going on about? How were they creating suspicion..? And I know for a fact Edward hasn't been here in months. I looked between Bella and the man who was only about ten feet away from us now. My hunter instincts were in high gear as the man started pacing around.
"Well you see you two caught me at a bad time, I'm very hungry and well, Bella you smell just so sweet and you," he looked right at me, "you have this exotic smell.. I just can't wait to try." He laughed a menacing laugh taking another step forward. I grabbed Bella's arm pulling her behind me.
"They will know it was you! They'll come looking for me." Bella's voice was full of fear as he took another step towards us. I grabbed the Colt from my waist band holding it at my side.
"I wouldn't take another step if you value your life."
Laurent laughed even louder. "You think you can kill me with a gun! No no deary." He took another step and a ray of sunlight hit his face.
"Are you seriously sparkling." I said almost in disbelief. A laugh escaped my lips. "Seriously though, why the hell are you sparkling." I said while laughing.
"It's the skin of a killer, it's like attracting moths to light. I'd be a little more frightened if I were you." With that he had vanished, his voice now came from behind us. "You act as if you could out do me. As if I couldn't kill you in the blink of an eye." He appeared in front of us again only a few feet away. Bella gripped my arm harder than I thought possible.
"I'm warning you. Take another step and you'll have a bullet through your head."
"Lex, it won't do anything to him." Bella's voice whispered.
"Why the hell won't it Bella." I whispered harshly back to her.
"That's because I can't be killed. I'm a vampire deary and you're my prey." Another menacing laugh passed his lips. "You know I think I'll drain Bella first, then you. You're feisty, it'll be a fun little game with you." Laurent said his eyes turning blacker.
"First off, vampires don't sparkle. Second didn't your mom tell you to never play with your food?" I replied sarcastically. Laurent smiled as he looked me up and down. Before I could blink, he was gripping my cheeks with his hand, taking a long slow sniff.
"Ahhh.. I've never smelt anything like you before.. and it's just. so. appetizing." He said slowly his nose dangerously close to my neck. "I'll make this as painless as possible for you Bella, Victoria wants slow painful revenge. But I can't say I can say the same for your friend. She'll put up a fight." His voice drifted as I started to fidget with the Colt trying to figure out how to use it with him this close. You really screwed up this time Lex. Just as Laurent was going in for another sniff on my neck, his eyes snapped up as something behind us caught his attention. He took a giant step back releasing me.
"I don't believe it." He was looking behind us. There was a loud growl that erupted from behind. Well it's now or become someone's dinner Lex. I aimed the Colt right between Laurent's eyes and pulled the trigger. It felt as if everything had slowed up as I watched the bullet in the air. The growling behind us was getting closer and Bella was pulling on my arm. The bullet hit its target, right between Laurent's eyes. He blinked. His attention turned back to Bella and I, a smile appeared on his face. He tried to laugh but it was caught in his throat. He blinked again and as he did he fell backwards.
"Lex! What did you do!" Bella howled running towards Laurent.
"What did I do? I just saved our asses."
"H-h-He's de-dea-dead." Bella's eyes were wide.
"No shit Bella. I literally shot him between his eyes. What did you expect?" I looked at his body on the ground then back at the Colt. "It fucking worked." I mutter in disbelief. I looked up at Bella who was staring wide eyed behind me. Holy shit. There were three giant wolves only feet away from us. Bella was frozen in her spot with her mouth open.
"Bella lets go! We can talk in the car." Grabbing her arm I started pulling her with me. I looked back at the wolves. A black one, a brownish gray one, and finally a silvery gray one; the last one was staring at me with worry in its eyes. That's fucking weird. I picked up the pace.
"Bella I swear if you don't stop dragging your feet I'll carry you back to my car." I threatened as she proceeded to go dead weight on me. I glanced back to the wolves to make sure they weren't following us, they were now sniffing the body. Except the silvery one was still staring in our direction. "Fine have it your way Bella." Grabbing her arm and leg I fireman carried her out of the clearing, picking up the pace.
"Alexis! Put me down!." She was thrashing trying to kick her arms and legs.
"No. Not until you tell me what the fuck was going on back there!" We finally made it back to my car and I dropped Bella to her feet. She stood there crossing her arms glaring at me.
"How'd you kill him Alexis." She asked me accusingly raising her eyebrows.
"I shot a man right between the eyes Bella. What else do you want me to say."
"You're hiding something Alexis."
"And you aren't Bella. Why are you so hung up over the fact I probably killed the thing that's been murdering people around here, Bella!" My voice kept raising. "Because last I knew most people don't run with open arms to psychopaths and yet you practically did! How are the Cullens involved with this Bella."
"Just take me home Alexis." She got in my car slamming the door. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After I dropped Bella off I headed over to the station to talk to Charlie.
"Hi how can I help you." The front desk lady asked.
"Is Charlie available? It's urgent."
"He should be, if you want you can head to his office it's the third door on the left."
Knock. Knock.
"Charlie? Can I talk to you." I stood in the doorway hesitating.
"Alexis? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" Charlie said sounding surprised. I closed the door before I sat down. "Alexis, what's going on. Where's Bella?" Charlie said getting worried.
"She's at home. But she drug me with her to go hiking earlier. We ran into the thing that might of been killing the hikers." I looked up at Charlie his face was hard. "And?" "It- I'm not sure what it was- he claimed to be a vampire, bu-but he started to sparkle in the light and he felt like ice. Bella knew him Charlie. He knows the Cullens. But Bella..she talked to him like he was a friend she hadn't seen in awhile. She said the Cullens left because Carlisle was creating suspicion." I looked at Charlie, his face was unreadable. Charlie's fist balled up and the vein in his head started to bulge.
"I knew there was something up with those Cullens." Charlie's fist hit the table. "I just didn't know what they were. I wanted to figure it out so I could be prepared but then Bella started dating Edward." Charlie stared at the wall for a long moment before he turned to face me. "He said he was a vampire?" Charlie rubbed a hand over his face. "It's consistent with how the bodies have been drained of blood, but I've never heard or seen one that sparkles or that is ice cold. If it was a "vampire" how did you get away? How does Bella or the Cullens know him." He voice was on edge as he stared at the wall behind me.
"Well..there were these giant wolves that showed up and chased him off." I said not wanting to tell him about the Colt. "I mean I'm guessing Bella knows him from the Cullens? I tried asking her and she just stopped talking to me. I don't know Charlie, should we call Dad and my brothers? Maybe they'll know what to do."
"Let's wait on that. This place might be crawling with hunters before we know it."
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
My phone kept vibrating on my lap. 3 missed calls: Paul
Buzz. Buzz.
"I need to take this call. I'll see you at home Charlie."
"Alexis. Wait. Just please for once don't get in over your head with this. We don't know how to protect ourselves yet."
I gave him a small smile, standing up I left the office before I hit answer on my phone.
"Hello?"
"Thank god Lex. I thought something happened to you." Paul's husky voice sounded concerned.
"Oh crap. Sorry Paul. I got busy after the hike I spaced texting you." I said sounding distant.
"Are you sure you're okay? Can you come to La Push tonight?"
"Um I might be able to I'll have to check with Char..." I started to space out. Wait who was this Victoria person that Laurent was talking about earlier and what did she want with Bella?
"Lex? I can come over to Charlie's now if you want?" Concern laced Paul's voice.
"I-no no. I'll just head over to La Push now. Where are you?"
"Emily's. Sam's fiancé. I'll text you the address."
"Okay cool. I'll see you in a bit." Hanging up I got in my car and pulled the Colt out of the center consul. Shit. I only have four bullets left. I grabbed my phone and and called Kelsey.
"Hey Lex!" Her cheerful voice came through on the other line.
"Hey can you do some research for me?"
"Sure what's up?"
"Can you see if you can find any information on the Cold Ones? And also can you see if there's a way to make more bullets for the Colt?"
"Uh sure girlie. What's going on? And why do you want to know that for the Colt?"
"I-I don't know Kels. Something is going on here..something big. I think these so called Cold Ones are the center of it."
"I'm in Montana right now. I can head over tonight Lex. Should we call your brothers?" Her voice was full of concern.
"Let's wait on that. Just to make sure there's something actually happening here."
"10-4 Lexy. Ill do some research now. I should be there tomorrow night." She hung up the phone.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pulling up to the address Paul sent me I got out and headed to the door. Man, the Quileutes sure like the color red. I now noticed most of the houses near by were all the same shade of red. Pausing at the door I lifted my hand up to knock and hesitated. Should I knock or walk in? Before I could decide the door flung open and I was wrapped up in a hug.
"Lex! I was wondering if I'd ever see you again!" Embry said enthusiastically.
I looked up at Embry. He had grown at least two feet since I saw him last week and packed on the muscle. I looked at him confused. What the hell is going on.
"So what you're a hall monitor on steroids now?" I looked at him puzzled. "I thought you loathed these guys."
"They aren't as bad I thought they were." He shrugged and pulled me inside. "Come on Emily made food. Paul and the others should be back soon." He drug me into the kitchen where a woman was pulling muffins out of the oven. "Emily, this is Lex, Paul's friend." He winked at me as I elbowed his ribs. I rolled my eyes at him as Emily walked over and hugged me.
"It's so nice to meet you finally. I hope you're hungry I made lots of food." She passed me a muffin as Embry started dragging me over to the couch. We spent the next hour laughing and joking around with Emily until Sam, Paul, and Jared showed up.
Paul grabbed a muffin and sat down on the opposite side of me. While Sam was all lovey dovey over Emily. Jared had made himself right at home on the recliner by the tv.
"So Lex what did you do today." Jared turned toward me. A tension appeared in the room as everyone's eyes went to me. Paul's fist balled up as he started to shake a little. I turned my attention back to Jared.
"Nothing too much really." I shrugged looking back at him. "Bella made me go hiking with her, then I had to do chores so Charlie would let me leave." I said calmly.
"Huh." Jared looked at me not believing what I said. "Do anything else?"
"What's with the third degree?" I narrowed my eyes in Jared's direction.
"Alright that's enough you two." Sam's voice came from the kitchen. Embry got up from the couch and headed toward Jared.
"We can put that new movie we got in Jared. I mean if Lex can handle scary movies that is." Embry sent me a smirk as he said the last part.
I rolled my eyes at him, "It's not me you should be worried about." I peered out the window, the sun had started to set. It must be later than I thought it was. Checking my phone it was a little after 5pm. I scooted to where Embry had been moments before and use the arm of the couch as a pillow and throwing the quilt that was over the back of the couch on me. Paul looked over at me and gave me a small lingering smile.
"You ever going to put the movie in Embry? Or are you too scared." I sent a smirk in his direction.
"Calm down princess. We're deciding on how scary we want this movie to be." It felt like an hour later when they finally decided on a movie. Embry turned the lights off "to make it more authentic" and sat in the other recliner by Jared. That left Paul and I on the couch as Emily and Sam has disappeared. I swore everytime I looked over at Paul he was either staring at me or had moved a little closer to where I was sitting. We finally made it halfway into the Conjuring. Embry was hiding halfway under a blanket his eyes were only showing and Jared looked bored out of his mind texting on his phone.
"Hey scoot over a little." Paul whispered leaning toward me.
"Move where Paul? This couch isn't that big."
Rolling his eyes he proceeded to lay down by me pushing me against the back of the couch.
"Jesus Paul, why are you so hot?" I was awkwardly pressed up against his side and he felt like he was burning up.
"I mean have you looked at me?" He sent me a flirtatious smile and winked at me.
"That's not what I meant." I rolled my eyes.
"It was uncomfortable sitting. So make yourself comfortable buttercup, there's still like an hour left of this movie." He reached down and pulled the blanket around us, slyly wrapping his arm around me in the process. The butterflies in my stomach went into high gear as he started tracing small circles on my back with his fingers. The electric shocks weren't as intense as the first time I tried shaking his hand but they were still there. Pull it together Lex. Nothing good will come out of this. Sam and Jessica immediately popped into my head. Nothing good would come out of being with Paul. It's only a crush Lex, I mean he walks around shirtless 99% of the time. It's the abs. I tried to sneak a glance up at Paul to find he was already looking down at me with a small smile on his lips.
"Just relax Lex. You're safe here." With his other hand he grabbed my arm and rested it on his stomach and kept his hand on top of mine. Trying to relax a bit more I put my head on his shoulder and tried watching the movie. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I must of drifted off to sleep because Paul was shaking me trying to wake me up.
"Lex..Lexy you're phone has been going off non-stop for the last twenty minutes."
"Not now Dean, have Sammy help you." I muttered still half asleep. A warm hand grabbed my arm and yanked me up.
"Okay okay I'm up I'm up!" I tried rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. "Shit. What time is it?"
"It's almost 10pm. You've been sleeping since like 6:30." Paul passed me my phone. "Your phone keeps going off." Paul sat right by me on the couch, he was so close I could feel the heat radiating off of him. Still in a sleepy state I leaned up against his arm, yawning.
"Winchester." I said answering my phone.
"About time you answer Alexis." Kelsey sounded annoyed on the other line.
"Sorry Kels. I fell asleep you know busy day and all." Yawning I lean into Paul more as he wrapped his arm around my back. He let out a small laugh.
"Wait. Are you with someone?" She must of heard him laugh.
"I-uh sorta?"
"Well tell me more later. But I found somethings out for that um research paper that you might want to use."
"Oh yeah. One second Kels." I turned to Paul. "Hey I need to step outside for a moment. You know girl talk." He gave me a small nod.
"I'll wait."
Getting up I walked out the front door and stood in the porch. I really should of remembered a jacket. I was still wearing only a sport bra and leggings. I bet Pul could warm me up.
"So what's up?"
"So the Cold Ones, most of the information I found was either from the Quileute tribe or from this town in Italy. But basically they call themselves vampires. Their skin is practically like marble, they're fast and strong, aaaand they sparkle? Well along with being immortal, their teeth contain venom that'll change you into one of them if you're bitten."
"Huh. I mean they might have some vampire in them, that explains the need for eating human blood and they strength, speed, and immortality makes sense. But the rest doesn't."
"Did you have a run in with one Alexis?" She sounded worried.
"Well sorta. Bella knew him which has really thrown me off. I wonder if dead mans blood would work on them?"
"I mean if they're part vampire it might. It's just hard to tell. I'll call around and see if any hunters have had run ins with them before."
"Sounds good Kels."
"I just left Billings so it'll be about fifteen hours until I get there. Please don't do anything stupid Lex."
"I won't. I promise." I hung the phone up. Turning to head back in the house I ran into a large warm body.
"Jesus Paul. I thought you were inside."
"I was. But Sam and Emily are going to bed so I figured we should leave." He shrugged and grabbed my hand in his pulling me along.
"Um-where are we going?"
"My house. You look like you could use a hoodie." Releasing my hand he threw his arm over my shoulder. "I was right you are cold."
"Shut up Paul. I forgot to grab my jacket when we left the hiking spot." I could feel him tense up by me.
"Yeah speaking of that you probably shouldn't be hiking anymore. It's too dangerous."
"I didn't see anything dangerous." I looked up at him, his face was hard and expressionless. I swore I could feel his arm trembling.
"Paul are you okay?" I asked tentatively placing my hand in the small of his back. It was almost instantly that he stopped trembling and looked down at me.
"I'm fine. Just please promise me you won't go hiking until whatever this is stops? I mean you can hang out here, I know Emily would love that." He led me up to the front door of a house a block away from Emily's. He opened the door and ushered my through.
"I still don't get how you're not freezing."
"Well once you're as hot as me, you'll understand." He started laughing and headed up the stairs. "You coming or not?"
"Your dad won't mind that I'm here?"
Paul snorted, "No, he's hardly here anymore. He's usually either working long hours or at the bar drinking." He walked into his room and started rummaging through his closet.
I sat down on his bed looking around his room. It was small, with a queen sized bed, and some clothing thrown around it. The walls were a light red color with some black curtains over the window. I leaned back on the pillows throwing his comforter over me. Carrying Bella all the way back to my car had exhausted me.
"Here you can have this." Paul threw a black and white hoodie at me. Putting it on I snuggled more into the bed as Paul turned his tv on. "Geez have a long day Lex?" Paul said sounding knowingly.
"Something like that." I said while stretching.
"You know you really worried me today." Paul was looking intense as he spoke. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you."
"We've known each other for a week Paul. Isn't it a little too soon to be thinking like that?"
He shrugged his shoulders laying on his bed. "I don't know. I'm just saying if you ended up dead like the other hikers I don't know what I would do."
I turned to face him and he was already looking down at me the worry clear in his deep brown eyes. Once again it was like I was too memorized to look away. Paul shifted his body so he was facing me our faces only inches apart. Damn he smells good. He brought one of his hands up to my face caressing it gently, his eyes getting more intense.
"You really don't know how much you mean to me Alexis." His thumb stroked my cheek.
My brow furrowed as I continued looking at him. "I mean we've only known each other a week and this was our first time really hanging out." I started to ramble. "I mean, you're really nice and I still haven't found out why people tell me to stay away from you but I'm a mess Paul. I mean once I'm done with school I plan on helping with the family business, so that's a lot of trave-" his lips were on mine effectively stopping my ramble. My mind went to mush as he was being so gentle as if I were made of glass. He started to pull away breaking the kiss, I pulled his face back to me.
"Excuse you. I wasn't done." I breathed out. Trying to heat up the kiss I started to trail my hand down his chest.
"What are you doing Lex." He muttered against my lips, his hand stopping mine from going any further. He pulled back looking at me. "We've only known each other for a week Lexy." He said mocking what I had said earlier.
"You started it Paul." Looking at his lips I wanted to continue. "So I was going to finish it." He leaned back down and pecked my lips, rolling on to his back he pulled me half way on to his chest.
"I mean it's only our first time hanging out Lex." He said continuing to mock my words from earlier. "And you should try and get some sleep you've had a long day." He started tracing circles on my lower back.
I lifted my head to have a better look at his face, only to find him lightly snoring already. Well that was fast. I laid back down snuggling a little closer as sleep took over.