Chapter 11: Croatoan pt 2
"What do you mean you don't know Dean!"
"It means I don't know!" Deans voice raised as he started pacing the room. "She was with us earlier then poof she was gone."
"How?"
"I don't- have you been listening to what I've been saying." Dean threw his hands up in defeat as his eyes bore into mine clearly frustrated.
"It doesn't make any sense." I crossed my arms across my chest continuing the stare down with him. "How does someone just vanish into thin air?"
"You've got to be frickin kidding me." Dean placed his folded hands behind his head as he continued pacing the room. "Have we not been over this like a hundred times already Alexis." And there it was; Dean's tone screamed for me to drop it. I stopped in my tracks before actually looking at Dean for the first time in weeks. The sparkle that was usually in his green eyes was gone and his face that usually had his signature smirk was now gone exhaustion replacing it.
"We came here on a-a hunch.. we were checking out this house and Kels went back out to the car and when we made it there maybe a minute later she was gone."
"You're hiding something Dean." My voice turned accusing as I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why did you guys really come out here. Because Kelsey called me yesterday asking if I was going to be in this God forsaken town today. So you guys had to of known I was going to be here."
Dean froze in his tracks as his head snapped in my direction. There was a strange tension in the room as the words left my mouth. So there was something he was hiding from me.
"All I've ever wanted was for you to have a normal life Lex." Deans voice sounded exhausted as his shoulder slumped forward. "You know.. but I guess that isn't in the pages for any of us. Not you or Sammy."
"What are you talking about Dean?" My brow furrowed clearly confused by the change of subject.
"This is going to sound crazy. And I mean crazy." Dean sunk down to the floor to the left of me. "Sam-he had this..vision.. of you here about a week ago. He saw you shooting some kid in cold blood. I-we just had to come to make sure it wouldn't happen. I didn't know that Kelsey called you. I wonder if that has something to do with why she's missing."
"A vision? Like some weird psychic thing?"
"Yeah. He's been having them a lot recently." Dean turned his head in my direction. "I don't know why or how this is happening.." Dean adverted his eyes from mine, "I mean Sam's harmless."
"You think Kelsey knowing about all of this is why she disappeared?"
"I don't know. But I promise we'll find her." Dean stood up abruptly and brushed his jeans off and nodded in my direction. "We probably should head out there, but Lex, promise you won't tell Sammy I told you."
"I promise."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I wonder what Paul's up too. I kept tracing the lines on the ceiling with my eyes out of boredom. We've been here for almost four hours and I was dying of boredom. No phone, Lauren and Jessica had actually stopped talking about an hour ago, and Dean was currently outside trying to find any signs of Kelsey.
"Will you stop that." The man the Sam had called Sarge earlier stood tense by the door looking annoyed at the tongue clicking I was currently doing. I rolled my eyes at the man and grabbed my phone scrolling through pointless apps that weren't working without service. I almost wish I never came here. I could be hanging out with Paul and maybe Embry not dying of boredom. I let out a big sigh.
"Seriously Lex. Can you just stop." Lauren's annoyed voice came from across the room. I looked over in her direction before standing up and pocketing my phone. Wow. It feel so good to stretch. The words that Dean said earlier still echoed through my head as I was trying to make sense of it. But within the last few hour I still drew a blank on figuring it out. There has to be a bathroom somewhere in here I started to aimless walk around.
"Where are you going." Sam looked up from the computer he was typing furiously on.
"Bathroom. I'll be back soon Sammy." It's got to be here somewhere I turned down the hallway that Dean lead me to earlier.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
I felt subtly vibrations against my leg. That's weird.. I reached into my pocket pulling out my phone.
Paul Lahote
His name flashed on the screen. I fumbled with the phone dropping it in the process of hitting answer.
"Shit!"
"Lex you there?" Paul's husky voice came from the other side. "Lex?"
"Oh my god Paul! You have no idea how great it is to hear your voice." Relief coarsed through my veins at the sound of his voice.
"How's the dress shopping goin-"
"Paul I don't have much time to explain but I need you to find Uncle Charlie. Tell him River Grove and tell him Hotel Sierra."
"Wait are you okay Lex?" Paul voice was full of worry.
"I need to you tell Charlie now Paul. It's Hotel Sierra at River Grove-he'll know what it is. Repeat it."
"Hotel Si—a at Riv—- -oove." Paul's voice was barley heard over the static that was taking over the line. I pulled the phone away from my ear as Call Failed flash up on the screen. Well at least Charlie will know what I'm saying. I quickly pocketed my phone feeing a lot more relaxed after hearing Paul's voice. I turned back around and headed back to the waiting room to at least tell Sam I finally got in contact with someone.
"What are you smiling about?" Jessica asked me glancing up at a magazine she had found.
"I don't know." I tried to shrug off her question.
"She's probably thinking about some guy." Lauren said while looking at her nails, "you know the one you told me about Jessi-"
There was a loud banging on the door cutting off Lauren's words as everyone stared towards the noise. Angela grabbed onto my arm her slim fingers digging into my skin as she moved behind me. Sam got up from the desk and crossed the room in a few giant steps before he nodded his head at Sarge as they approached the door with caution.
"Every possible way out of town is blocked." Deans voice floated through the air. "They said it was a mandatory "quarantine "-no one in and no one out."
"Any sign of Kelsey?" There was a bitter cold that ran through me veins as Dean looked over in my direction. He didn't have to say anything his face was enough.
Kelsey was still missing.
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Paul's POV
"Can you please stop picturing Lex like that Paul? I'm about to throw up over here." Embry's voice snapped Paul out of his daydream.
"Stay out of my head then." Paul snapped back feeling on edge that Alexis was hours away by now.
"Come on. We should get heading back and I'd rather not see those images in your head." Embry started fake heaving. Paul rolled his eyes, he hated not knowing what Lex was doing. He spun around taking off in a sprint heading back towards La Push. Besides maybe, just maybe she had come back early. Paul knew he sounded like a love sick puppy but of course, he would never admit it.
He emerged from the tree line not much later fixing the tattered shoes on his feet waiting on Embry to catch up. Embry emerged from the trees holding his shoes shaking his head in Paul's direction. Before sitting down to put his shoes on.
"So what's it like? You know imprinting?" Curiosity filled Embry's voice as he was tying his shoes.
"It-" Paul let out a sigh, "I don't know. It's like the world stopped when it happened. You've hear Sam and Jared both talk about this. Why are you asking me?"
"It's just weird seeing you like this." Embry shrugged and he stood up, "I mean if you never became a wolf you probably never would of settled down or whatever you guys are doing."
"Shut up."
They walked back toward Sam and Emily's house in silence. Paul was silently steaming over what Embry was saying. It's not his fault he imprinted and who knows if he never met Lex he'd still be in his old ways. He felt a slight tug at his heart over the thought of never meeting her before brushing it off as he walked through the front door.
"I hope you boys are hungry!" Emily's cheery voice filled the air as she was pulling some muffins out of the oven. Paul gave a slight smile in her direction before grabbing his phone. He couldn't help the flash of disappointment when he saw he had no calls or messages from Lex.
"He's just love sick." Embry's voice drifted in the air as other pack members showed up for lunch.
"Of all people I never would of picture Paul." Leah chimed in as he made his way back into the kitchen. He couldn't help the small trembles that ran through his arms from what they were saying. Before he sat down looking back at his phone.
"Oh just give her a call Paul." Leah said from across the table staring at him. "You look like a kicked puppy." He let out a snort before hitting send on Lexy's name.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Call failed.
Huh. That was strange. An uneasy feeling made it way into Paul's stomach as he hit redial, maybe it was a mistake. He could hear them talking about him as he stood up from the table pacing into the living room.
"Shit!" Lexys voice was a harsh whisper as a thud noise made its way through the phone.
"Lex you there?" Paul's voice was full of worry as she didn't respond. Maybe she didn't hear him? "Lex?" Paul made his voice a little louder not caring if the rest of the pack heard his conversation, there were no secrets for long.
"Oh my god Paul! You have no idea how great it is to hear your voice." Lex sounded relieved and he couldn't help the pride that coarsed through his veins. Man who knew shopping could be that bad.
"How's the dress shopping goin-"
"Paul I don't have much time to explain but I need you to find Uncle Charlie. Tell him River Grove and Hotel Sierra."
"Wait are you okay Lex?" It felt as if there was a rock in Paul's stomach as the conversation took a unexpected turn.
"I need you to tell Charlie now Paul. It's Hotel Sierra at River Grove; he'll know what it means. Repeat it." Lex's voice was desperate as a static noise began to creep on the line. Paul noticed that the house was silent as they were listening in on his call.
"Hotel Sierra at River Grove. Hello? You there Lex?" The static was uncomfortably loud as Paul pulled the phone was from his ear. What was she talking about. But something wasn't right. He pressed redial again hoping it was a dead spot that she had gone through but silence filled the other line.
"Isn't Hotel Sierra code word for shit hit the fan." Seth pipped up from the kitchen. "Or I mean that's what it means in one of my military video games." Seth sunk down in his chair when he saw Leah staring him down for using that language.
"That's just crazy talk Seth." Embry slapped his shoulder before letting out a small laugh.
"But is it though? I mean have you ever wondered how she killed that leech in the clearing." Jared interjected looking around at the pack.
"Wait-" "She did what?" "How?" Leah and Seth said at the same time.
"Don't know. She literally shot and killed it with some old gun, she didn't even bat an eye when she did it." Jared started to pick at his half eaten muffin casting a glance at Paul who was still in the living room messing with his phone. "There's something she's hiding, I just know it."
"Just give it a rest Jared." Paul shoved his phone in his pocket with a scowl on his face before storming out the door.
"Hey wait man! Where are you going?"
"To find Chief Swan like Lex asked me to "
"Well I'm coming with!" Embry sped up to catch up with the taller boy as they ran to the tree line to transform.
The run to the Swan's house was quick especially since Paul refused to slow down. He scrunched his nose as the Cullen smell hit him, it was obvious that they were here not too long ago. Paul slowly knocked on the door waiting for Chief Swan. The door swung open as Charlie looked between him and Embry confusion clear in his eyes.
"Do you guys know what shirts are?" Charlie glanced between the two before locking eyes with Paul. "Let me guess Alexis's friend...Philip right?" Paul's nose scrunched up taken off guard that Chief Swan called him that. Embry swiftly elbowed him knocking him out of his trance as he cleared his voice.
"Uh- It's Paul actually- Lex's friends." Paul said the uneasy feeling had creeped back nodding his head in Embry's direction. "She wanted us to tell you Hotel Sierra at River Grove? I don't know why but she said to tell you that.." Paul trailed off when he saw something flash through Charlie's eyes that confirmed that he should be worried. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts.
"I-thank you." Before the boys could blink Charlie slammed the door shut.
"Well that was weird."
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Alexis POV
Dean brushed by me as he made his way to the counter. Jessica, Angela, and Lauren were all standing near it looking perplexed.
"So no one has really told us why we can't leave. It doesn't make any sense for us to be here!" Lauren voice was high pitched as she clutched her phone in her hand.
"It's complicated alright." Dean spun around facing her frustration clear in his face. "Being here is the only thing that's keeping any of us alive."
"How do we even know if you're telling the truth." Lauren shot back crossing her arms across her pink shirt. "For all we know is that your lying."
Before Dean could comment back a loud knock came from the door. Everyone head snapped in the direction before Dean and Sam started to approach it.
"Help—please! Let me in!" A young man's voice was screaming from the other side.
"We don't know if he's one of them." Dean whispered harshly at Sammy as he started to open the door.
"Thank you-those those people..tried attacking us." He young man had busted through the door when Sam unlocked it leading an older woman behind him. Must be mother and son, they had similar features as I glanced between them. The older lady was trembling her eyes were wide in fear looking around. Just as Sam started to close the door a hand shot through the opening preventing him from fully closing it.
"Dean!" Sammy shouted as he struggled with the door.
"Wait-let us in!" A familiar voice shouted from the other side.
"You've got to be kidding me." I mutter under my breath heading towards my brothers. In a blink the door was ajar enough that Bella slipped through the door followed, of course, by Edweird and Alice. Sam, Dean and I all looked at each other before Dean turned around to check on everyone else.
"What are you doing here Bella." I crossed my arms over my chest looking between her and Edwin. "I thought you "couldn't join us" today." Sam shot me a look before he looked at Edwin giving him a suspicious look.
"I-" Bella was cut off as Edward started talking over her.
"Well we heard you guys were headed here so Bella asked if we could drive her down here." Edwards voice was back to it's sickening sweet tone as he made eye contact with me. "And of course my sister Alice couldn't miss a shopping day."
"Weird. I'm pretty sure none of us told you or Bella we were headed here. So how'd you know where we'd be." I crossed my arms again staring hard at Bella and the two Cullens. Edward let out a small strained smile but was cut off by the conversation behind us.
"Ms. Tanner! Are you alright?" The vet assistant ran up to the woman pulling her into a tight hug. Ms Tanner crumpled into the woman's arms trying to wipe the tear from her face.
"Here you go," Angela squeezed her way in between my brothers holding a towel, "your arm is bleeding." Before she could hand the woman the towel Dean grabbed her arm yanking her backwards.
"Don't touch her."
"Ms Tanner, is it? How did you hurt your arm." Sam asked while trying to steady Angela on her feet. Ms Tanner looked between everyone fear in her eyes.
"We were attacked by our neighbors.. one of them had a knife and must of got me." She looked down at the floor tears escaping her eyes once again.
"Did you come in contact with their blood." Dean shot back slowly inching closer to her. She cowered back trying to put some space in between them. "Look. Did you or didn't you."
"I—I I don't know." She wailed clutching onto the vet assistant.
"You know what we have to do right." Sarge said grabbing the gun he had around his waist.
"No! That's my mom! Please don't hurt her." The young man shoved his way to the front putting himself in between them.
"And how do we know you aren't infected? Huh." Sarge turned his attention to him anger clear in his voice.
"Look no one is killing anybody alright?!" Dean put his foot down trying to get control. "Let's clean her up before we start blowing peoples heads off." The room went quiet as the Vet assistant lead to Ms Tanner into one of the rooms, Sam following close behind.
"What was all that about." Jessica questioned looking at us like we were crazy.
"Yeah and no one has explained why we can't leave." Lauren stood up from the chair sounding frustrated.
"It's complicated alright?" Dean shot back his temper on the rise.
"Complicated how."
"Look. There's some sickness that's spreading around out there. It makes people act rabid. So this whole place is on lock down." Dean said lying through his teeth.
"And you know that how?" Dean let out a big sigh as he pulled his wallet out fumbling around in it before pulling out an identification card.
"See I work for the CDC so I think I know what I'm talking about."
"I thought you guys were exterminators." Jessica pipped up looking confused.
"I-Sam is, I really wasn't up for the family business." Dean shot a quick annoyed look in my direction before heading over towards Sam.
"Why did we even come here!" Jessica sunk to the floor before she realized that there were three more newcomers.
"I hope I don't catch whatever this thing is." Lauren sat down By Jessica looking at her nails.
"Bella!" Jessica jumped back to her feet before pulling her into a hug. "How-when did you get here!"
"Not too long ago." Bella looked down at her shoes before she moved closer to Edward. My gaze never left the two Cullens who were tense and looking in the direction that Ms Tanner has gone; I swore their once honey colored eyes had turned a few shades darker.
This was going to be fun, I wonder how long it'll take Sam and Dean to notice something with the Cullens. I turned on my heel hoping to find somewhere I could think about what all was going on. Why was Bella, Edward and his "sister" here?
"Lex! Where are you going now!" Lauren's voice cause me to stop mid-step.
"To find some peace and quiet." With that I headed towards the back of the waiting room ignoring the glare that Sarge was giving me. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"What do you want Edwin." I opened one eye and glared over at him as he sat down beside me. I instantly felt cold.
"I thought we could talk. I'm not going to bite." He shot what was supposed to be a dazzling smile in my direction but it faded when he saw me glaring.
"Yeah sure you won't." My voice dropped with sarcasm as I scooted farther away trying to put some distance in between us. "Why are you guys even here. I know for a fact we never said anything to Bella, let alone you or your sister about this." He turned his attention to the floor avoiding my gaze.
"You're even harder to read than your cousin is and I usually can read people like an open book."
"That didn't answer my question." A smirk played on his lips as he met my eyes with his.
"I know. How about I tell you why we're here if you tell me about yourself."
I rolled my eyes, so this is the game he wants to play.
"Or how about this Edward." I turned toward him, only a mere inch from his face; I could tell he stopped breathing. "How about you tell what the hell you are first. I know you aren't human." I ran my hand down his arm as he froze not expecting that; I jumped up to my feet before he could respond. I casted a look over in Bella's direction she was staring at me in disbelief with how close I had got to Edward just seconds ago as I made my way towards her.
"Don't worry sweetie. He's not my type." I brushed past her as I made my way back towards the bathroom. I was stopped mid-step by Sam shouting for Dean. Shit this can't be good. I turned as fast as I could to get to my brothers when an ice cold hand yanked my arm back stopping me in my tracks.
"Let me go Edwin!" I tried jerking my arm out of his grip but it was too strong. "I swear to god if you don't let me go-"
Bang. Bang. Gunshots pierced the air making everyone freeze.
"Oh my god we're going to die!" Lauren latched onto both Jessica and Bella tears running down her face. Edward and Alice were both still frozen, their eyes turning even darker than before. I yanked my arm again this time escaping Edwards grip and ran to the room where the shots were heard.
"—- you don't I will!" I made it to the room just as Sarge was pointing his gun at Sammy.
"No one is shooting my brother!" Dean stood in Sarge's way before shooting a glance in my direction making me freeze where I stood. This can't be good. A chill ran down my back as I felt Edward's cold hand gripping my arm again.
"Let's get you out of here." His cold breath tickled my ear as he tried to lead me out of the room.
"Let go of me!" I thrashed against his grip as he tightened it. That was going to leave some bruises. Dean's eyes shot to me as he broke contact with Sarge.
"Let her go." Dean said his voice was stone cold as he refused to move away from Sarge. Edward's hand dropped as he took a step back and raised his hands.
"Sammy!" I ran over to my brother wrapping my arms around him.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Sarge said from behind Dean. "You saw what she did." He motioned to Ms. Tanner who was slumped on the floor. "He's going to be one of them! What don't you understand." He turned his attention back to Dean trying to stare him down.
"Here, take this." Dean pulled his keys out of his back pocket. "You guys get out of here, if he's infected I'm staying."
"Wait-what. Dean..." I froze turning my attention back to Dean. "What do you mean you're staying? Sammy is fine.." my voice trailed as I noticed Sam was bleeding on his arm.
"I'll be okay Lexy." Sam gave me a half smile trying to loosen the tension that was in the room.
"Lex get your friends, and get them out of here." Dean said looking defeated.
"What! You can't make me go Dean. I'm staying with you and Sammy!"
"We aren't doing this now Alexis. Get Bella and your friends and get the hell out of here. That's an order Alexis." Dean's voice barked out as his stare was now emotionless. "Look, my car has an arsenal in it, it should be enough for you guys to get out." Dean had returned his attention back to Sarge.
"Sam, I want to stay with you and Dean. You're all I have left." My voice was desperate.
"I know Lex, but we need you to find Kelsey. She's still out there somewhere." I froze, how did I forget about Kelsey. We have been here for hours and she only crossed my mind once. Dean roughly pulling me up to my feet snapped me out of my thoughts. He wiped his thumbs across my cheeks wiping away tears I didn't know wee falling.
"Don't make me leave you guys. You're all I have left."
"Like Sam said you need to find Kelsey for us. We'll be out of here in no time and helping you." Dean sounded unconvinced as his gaze was locked on Sam.
"Well you don't have to tell me twice." Sarge pocketed Dean keys as he went to leave the room. "Ya'll are crazy and if you know what's best for you girlie you'd leave too."
Dean pulled me in for a tight hug before wrapping his arm around my shoulder leading me out of the room, Edward was waiting in the hall a puzzled look on his face.
"See I'll help you get everyone rounded up to go Lex. But when you find Kelsey will you tell her I'm sorry. I'm sorry to you to Lex."
"What are you talking about Dea-?" Dean roughly pushed me fully out of the room before slamming the door shut and locking himself and Sammy in the room. "Dean! No! Please don't do this!" I started pounding on the door, hot tear freely flowing down my face. "Dean please. I can't loose you and Sammy too."
"Come on Alexis. There's nothing you can do now." A cold arm wrapped around my waist as I was lifted back to my feet with ease. We slowly made our way back into the waiting room where Sarge had finished up explaining what was now going on. I wiped the tears from my eyes before composing myself, Bella was shooting daggers through me when she saw that Edward still had him arm wrapped around me.
"Do you guys have all your things?" I turned my attention over to Jessica and Lauren as I pushed Edward away from me. "We're leaving." My voice was emotionless as I glanced back down the hall.
"We wasted all that money on a hotel for nothing." Lauren was grumbling as she stood up. "This has been such a weird day."
"Bella!" She jumped when she heard me yell her name. "I need you to take Jessica, Lauren, and Angela with you guys."
"Um..we-we don't have room." She started fidgeting with the hem on her shirt.
"Alright. Then I need either Edwin or Alice to take them in my car."
"But..but you're coming with us right?" Bella looked puzzled as her eyes darted from me to the hallway.
"No. If my brothers are staying I'm staying."
"You're crazy." Sarge said in disbelief. "You're whole family is crazy." I rolled my eyes and I grabbed my keys out of my pocket and tossed them towards Alice.
"Oh and Bella. One thing. Can you tell Paul and Kelsey I'm sorry if you see them." Bella looked at me confused at my request.
"I-I guess."
I plopped down in a chair in the waiting room only to see the Cullens, Bella, and my friends staring at me.
"Well you guys might want to get going before anything else happens."
"So why aren't you coming?" I nearly jumped out of my chair when Edward had said that only a foot away from where I was. Everyone had started gathering together getting ready to go.
"They're the only family I have left." I shrugged confused on why he wanted to know.
"I wish I could see what was going on through your head." Edwards brow furrowed as he glanced back to Bella. "Bella and you both are just so hard to read." I couldn't help but snort at what he said. We were such polar opposites, if only Charlie raised Bella like the rest of us... The room fell silent as Sarge lead Ms. Tanner's son, the vet, and her assistant out the door. But it wasn't silent for long as the Vet ran back through the door and towards the room where Sam and Dean were.
"What's going on?" I muttered under my breath before standing up and heading towards the hall. Only to almost be ran over by Dean in the process.
"You guys must see this!" The vet said excitedly. "It's like everyone just up and vanished." She held the front door open as everyone walked outside. It was almost an eerie silence in the darkness that was now surrounding the town.
"Where did everyone go?" Angela's voice was barley a whisper as she grabbed onto my arm.
"I don't know."
"Well this has been great and all but we're gonna head out." Sarge motioned to Ms. Tanner's son and he shook Dean's hand before they took off towards an old truck parked down the street.
"Well I guess that means we should go too, right Edward." Alice pipped up as she made her way to the front of everyone passing my keys back to me. "Everyone's probably worried sick they haven't heard from us in hours."
"Yeah. I agree let's get out of here." Lauren said as she pushed her way between Angela and I, pulling Angela over by the Cullens. "But I want to ride with you guys. I don't feel safe riding with her." I rolled my eyes before glaring at Lauren.
"That's fine with me. Someone needs to be here when the cops show up." I shrugged looking over at my brothers. "I mean if that's fine with Edwin and Alice."
"That's no problem., we'll make room." Alice gave me a tight smile before she motioned them to follow. Dean and I watch as they all piled into Edwards Volvo and sped off down the road.
"So Lex." Dean turned giving me a hard look. "What in the hell were those people."