Bella, the Vanderbilt Vampire:
Recap: Bella's POV:"Is everyone ready to hike?" I asked. The pack and the Cullens all gave me affirmation. I nodded and faced the forest. "Let's do this," I said more to myself rather than the group. We began our trek into Oregon's wilderness. I hope this goes smoothly. Everything else in my life has been kind of rocky. But I have faith.
Chapter 18: Soul Searching in the Woods
BPOV:
I felt the pull strengthen as we drew closer to the ruins. We had a map with us, but my instincts were pulling our large group down all the right paths. Edward has kept ahold of my hand the entire hike. I love him. I quickly glanced at his handsome form beside of me before turning back as we reached a fork in the road.
"Which way Bells?" Emmett asked. I closed my eyes and then I heard a scream.
"Did you hear that?" I asked panicked.
"Hear what?" Carlisle asked.
"The scream." I answered.
"No." Embry said slowly.
"No one screamed love," Edward cooed concerned.
"Yes, they did," I insisted as another shrill ring rang out. I covered my ears. It came from the left pathway. I shot down the road. I need to help whoever that is.
"Bella!" I heard someone shout over the screaming. I didn't stop though. I can't. Not now. I rushed through the overgrown path. I shoved thick vines out of my way like they were mere cobwebs. The screaming stopped as I pushed the last bit of greenery out of my way. I looked at the decrepit house before me. This was not in the brochure pictures. I walked over the old house and looked in what remained of a window. I squinted looking for anything of value when there was something suddenly there. I jumped and let out a small scream. For there was a grey-tinged man staring at me from inside the house.
"Who are you?" I whispered.
"I am Mr. Balch. Danforth Balch." The man stated as he walked through the walls of the home. I took a minute to observe him. Obviously, I cannot make out the color of his wardrobe. However, his clothes looked dated. Well, of course there dated. Balch lived and died in the 1800's. I also noticed a rope was hanging from his neck. That was probably the one they used when the town officials hung him.
"Were you screaming?" I asked hesitant.
"No. I am a man. Why would I be screaming at such a high pitch?"
"Then who was it?" I wanted to know.
"That was Anna," a voice said from behind me. I whirled around to face another grey-tinged person. This time a tall slender woman with a frown etched on her face.
"Who is Anna? And who are you?" I asked.
"I am Mary Jane Balch. Anna is our disrespectful daughter. She is currently undergoing her punishment for what she did to us all." The woman explained.
"How is she being punished and what did she do?" I queried as another scream rang out from inside the home.
"She destroyed this family. She ruined our name," Danforth Balch growled out. "Anna must be punished until the end of time for her crimes."
"I understand your frustration and anger. But my name is Isabella Vanderbilt and I am here to help you." I said.
"How can you help? You're nothing but a creature of the night. A cold one." Danforth spit out.
"I am actually a bit more sir. I am actually the," I started to explain but Mary Jane cut me off.
"Venustus Eligitur Salvatoris. The Savior." Mary Jane whispered in awe.
"So, you have heard of me," I said sheepishly and picked at my finger nails.
"This has been a long time coming. We have been expecting you." She said to me, then turned to her husband. "Danforth, this woman is the savior she has come to help us and our family."
"How?" He asked.
"First can you summon your daughter here? I need to speak with her." My voice had taken on the other tone. The one that spoke through me when I healed Billy Black.
"Yes ma'am," Mary Jane complied and called for Anna. Anna immediately appeared. Her form was grey and transparent like those of her parents. However, she was kneeling on the ground in obvious pain. I felt my body walk toward her as Mary Jane and Danforth watched. I placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head. She looked into my most likely shining eyes.
"Are you here to send my soul to Hell?" She asked hoarsely.
"No, I am here to give you another chance to repent and make things right with your family." I told her.
"This is outrageous," Danforth bellowed.
"Watch your tongue," I snapped at him. "You might be older than I. But I am the Venustus Eligitur Salvatoris. My word is law." I hissed. "I came here believing that this family need assistance. Instead I find you. Arguing with me."
"You don't understand. She has sinned against us. You were supposed to send her soul away from here." He yelled. I let go of Anna and walked toward Danforth. I looked into his grey eyes and saw a black swirl swimming inside.
"Why are you hiding demon? Come out and face me." I commanded. Danforth suddenly fell forward as a black mist shot out of his spine.
"This imbecile always had a weak spine," the demon bellowed before taking the shape of the beast it truly is. Standing above six feet tall, sharp horns protruding from either side of its head and eyes as red as the crimson blood in my veins. The demon continued to stay black as night while facing me. Then it spat at the true Danforth before turning to me. I squared my shoulders as its eyes moved up and down my form. "But you have such a fire inside. As with the nature of the Venustus Eligitur Salvatoris. But the fire will do you no good you little wench. Now leave me be with these souls."
"Never. I command you to leave them and return to the lakes of fire." I ordered.
"You will have to make me." The demon hissed.
"With pleasure," I whispered and held out both hands and watched them begin to glow with an ethereal white light. It continued to grow while the demon stood there laughing.
"You think a little light can hurt me?" It asked. I shook my head no.
"This will though," I spoke and felt the power from my hands shoot forward into the demon. The light went inside his dark form.
"Ha! Your little plan did not work. Now I get to eat your soul as forfeit. Hopefully it tastes the same as it originally did some centuries ago." The demon exclaimed gleefully and swiftly came to stand in front of me. As it began to reach into me for my soul we heard a sickening crack echo through the forest. The demon froze and grasped at his chest. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
"What I should have those many centuries ago," my soul whispered to the demon. It in turn began shrieking as the light that was shot inside of him began imploding his soul. The demon's screams began to die down. Thank Heaven. I looked into his crimson eyes as the last bit of light caused his entire form to shatter. The remains floated down to the grass below before seeping into the Earth.
"What did you do?" Mary Jane asked.
"The demon that was previously possessing and harming your daughter has been punished accordingly and will not bother you." I informed.
"Why was he possessing us and why this long?" Danforth asked.
"The tragic nature of your family attracted him. He must have been a witness to what happened to the three of you back in your original time period. Demons such as that feed on emotional, soul-retching pain. The everlasting pain your family was enduring was an eternal food source for him." I explained. "Now my question is, would you like to finally know peace?"
"More than anything." Danforth answered.
"I agree." Mary Jane agreed.
"Before we do. I would just like to apologize for my actions which caused all of this strife. Mother, father. What can I do for you to forgive me? How can my soul repent?" Anna pleaded.
"Daughter. You sinned. But you have also more than paid the price for those sins. Let us be together as a family once more." Danforth assured and hugged his daughter. How sweet. The love a family is supposed to give is unmatched by any other love that exists on Earth.
"We are ready to go home Savior," Mary Jane spoke hoarsely and wrapped her arms around Anna as well. I nodded my head.
"Will it hurt?" Anna asked me.
"No sweet one. You will never feel pain again. Where you are going joy and happiness are the only things you will feel again," I guaranteed them. Then I took a step back and concentrated. A warm yellow light traveled from my hand and surrounded the family. They began to disappear into the air. As the last pieces of them vanished the floating sparkles and light shot up into the Heavens. I knew this was a good idea. But now I am exhausted. My spine is aching and my head is pounding. I continued watching as the clouds began moving in front of the sun. Rain began falling on me as the sky darkened.
"Bella!" I heard Edward call out to me. I turned and began seeing black spots as my wonderful love rushed toward me. I felt my knees get weak before crashing to the soft grass below. Well, now it is more wet and slippery grass due to the rain. Edward's face was then directly in front of my own.
"Edward," I whispered and cupped his smooth face.
"It's me," He said. "What can I do for you, love? What do you need?" He asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, just need sleep." I murmured.
"Alright, when you wake up, we can go to Crater Lake with our family." He told me.
"Sounds nice. Family." I slurred before giving up the fight and giving in to sleep.
(AN: Hello all readers. Thankfully I was able to write this new chapter for you so soon. I hope you enjoyed this crazy action chapter. It is a little shorter than previous chapters. Forgive me folks! This is where it had to end. Until next time! I don't own Twilight. I do own this though! Please review and tell me if you enjoyed it! Have a fantastic day)
○Forever and For Always ○
~LHNT~
A.K.A.
*Heather* :D