Chapter Twelve

My walk back with Emmett was silent for the most part. I wasn't surprised I was in trouble, but I did want a little bit of a heads up.

"How bad?" I asked quietly.

"Bad." He confirmed. He was so calm, giving nothing away about anything. I needed details!

"I know, I know." I muttered in hopes of gaining a few mercy points. "I forgot the phone."

He nodded. "You did, but that's not the only reason."

"Alice told on me." I grumbled.

"Surprisingly, no." He replied lightly. "She didn't see anything going wrong at all."

"Because it didn't."

"She wasn't the one that told us what you've been up to today." He said. "Heather called."

That stranger must have brought up my name. I groaned, slouching as I walked. Now that I knew what all they knew, I wasn't that eager to get back.

"What's it gonna take, shorty?" He asked, looking down at me.

"It wasn't that big of a deal." I sighed heavily.

"Oh." He chuckled. "You're so wrong there. It's a very big deal." We stepped out of the trees, into the yard. "My advice? Accept the fact that you're in the wrong here. It'll go a lot smoother."

I took a breath, and nodded. I'd take his advice, because despite my nonchalance, I did know I was in the wrong. What I'd done out of desperation was a very stupid thing.

Emmett ushered me into the house, and I took my time taking off my jacket. It really needed to be hung up to dry. I kicked off my shoes as well, my aching feet thanking me by briefly hurting even more. I was still a little damp from my time in the misting rain, but I wasn't too worried about that.

"How mad are they?" I asked quietly, nervously looking up at Emmett. I saw a little bit of pity soften his expression, and I sighed. I was afraid of that.

I knew full well I had nothing to be scared of. I was only terrified of seeing that disappointment. Shame curled in my stomach. I hated that so much, and I knew it was unavoidable.

I continued to hesitate.

"Leandra." I closed my eyes at Carlisle's call. "Come in here, please." Beside me, Emmett gestured that I go first.

Of course.

I took a few more seconds before I made my way forward. I'd done some stupid things in my life here, but this was probably one of the stupidest. Even deciding to go that far at all.

Bella was even looking my way when I entered the living room, but I mostly kept my eyes down.

It was quiet for a moment, and the tension was killing me.

"I know." I finally started.

"Sit down." Carlisle was calm, but I knew he was far from happy. I could tell. I sighed again, that shame only getting worse as I did as I was told. I wasn't scared. I just really wasn't looking forward to trying to explain what the hell I'd been thinking.

I stepped forward and sat heavily in the closest chair, wincing a little.

"Leandra, I'd like an explanation." Carlisle spoke again. I wished I could play stupid, but that probably wouldn't get me very far.

"I don't know." Was my brilliant response.

"Well, you're the only one that would know." Rosalie snapped at me, and I flinched a little at her tone. She was actually mad at me, and I also knew that she was holding a whole lot back, so I just prayed that dam held.

"I don't." I insisted, sitting stiffly in my seat. "I wanted to see how far I could get, but I didn't think about how I'd have to walk that same way back-"

"Leandra, you're smarter than that." Esme sighed heavily, and hearing her disappointment in the sound was just as bad as seeing it in her eyes so I kept my eyes down, studying my hands in my lap.

"I understand needing to go for a walk." Esme went on, thankfully instead of Rosalie. "But you knew to stay close. You knew not to leave here without a way to call one of us, Leandra."

It was very hard to earn a solid scolding from Esme. She was on my side through almost everything, but right then she was scolding me, and I knew I'd earned it.

"But to hear from someone else that you'd accepted a ride anywhere from a complete stranger?" She still had more. "I can't describe the complete panic."

"I was fine." I mumbled, probably at the worst possible time. "No big deal."

"The fact that you even said that proves you're not grasping the seriousness of what you did today." She replied nearly breathlessly. "And that terrifies me."

"So what?" I asked. "I know what I did was stupid, but I'm here now. Can we just drop it?"

"Leandra." Jasper muttered, and I looked over at him. I knew what he was getting at, and I took a deep breath.

"Okay." I sighed, which helped calm my increasing frustration. "I know, I know. Yeah, I was a little scared. He had Heather's address written down, and he needed to know how to get there. He was really nice, so I tried to tell him how to get there, but that just confused him more. So I let him give me a ride back that way."

"But what does it matter?" I added. "He didn't do anything but take me back to town. You guys are worrying over nothing."

"The point is he could have." Carlisle replied firmly. "He could have done so many things to you. It really concerns me that you'd make a decision like that, regardless of the circumstances."

Rosalie piped up next. "This isn't a game."

I closed my eyes. "I know, I know."

"No." She continued, stepping forward. I glanced up, and her arms were crossed, so she was still mad. "You're not hearing me. Every bit of you was at his discretion, and that is a big freakin' deal. He could have taken you, and nobody would have known you were gone. Understand? Like that." She snapped her fingers, pausing for emphasis.

"Nobody would have known to even look for you until tonight at least, when you didn't come back. In that time, absolutely anything could have happened to you. Did our entire conversation about Port Angeles not stick?"

I frowned. "B-But what about-"

"In case you haven't noticed, Leandra, we're stretched a little thin here." She snapped. "Which means Alice can't be watching out for every stupid decision you make."

"Babe." Emmett spoke from behind her, frowning.

"Too far." Esme corrected her as well, but I was already hurt. I was hurt, so my defensiveness sparked my anger. Anger ran my mouth for me. This was the part I hated getting to.

"Maybe sometimes I make stupid decisions, but at least it's better than sitting around here watching Bella die." I snapped back. "Because that sucks."

"Leandra." Esme corrected me next.

"You could be dead somewhere right now." Rosalie threw in, and I winced. "I think I speak for all of us when I say that I don't want that job. I don't want to be the one scouring the trees, looking for whatever is left of you."

"Hey." This time, Alice joined the ones disapproving of what was said.

"Everyone, calm down." To my surprise, Bella was the one that spoke up. She spoke up right in time to keep me from saying something I knew immediately I would have regretted, but that anger was still there.

Instead of saying what I really wanted to say, I groaned loudly and stood up.

"We're not done." Carlisle spoke up before I could even turn to walk away.

"Then make her leave!" I snapped, pointing to Rosalie. "I can't even talk with her around!"

"Rosalie." He looked at her. "Please. Let us handle this."

"Fine." She replied sharply. "Handle it." With that, she turned away and paced only a few steps away. It was quiet for several seconds, but I wouldn't sit back down. I wouldn't even look at them now.

"Leandra, I'm really not convinced that you understand just how much danger you put yourself in today." Carlisle finally said.

"I know!" I repeated. "I get it, okay? I know I'm stupid."

"You are not stupid." He replied immediately. "You're very smart. That's what makes this so frustrating."

I took a deep breath and held it, but it wasn't enough. That deep breath had calmed the anger enough to let my tears through. I hated this part too.

"Aw." Bella murmured at the sight, only embarrassing me further.

I wasn't standing there alone longer than a few seconds before Esme hugged me. I really appreciated that. More than I could describe. I knew she was still upset with me, but her hug told me she was still on my side too.

"Oh, trust me." Emmett replied to Bella's response. "Stick around long enough, you'll see this a lot. Shorty's a volcano, and that was mild."

I didn't bother attempting to correct him, because Esme was talking to me as she held me tightly.

"Go change into some dry clothes, sweetheart." She told me gently. "Go get warm. We'll talk more about this later." She was giving me an out, so I took it. I sniffled deeply, and nodded. Turning and walking away as quickly as I could.

I was going to go to my room, like Esme had told me, but I went out back instead. Nobody stopped me, so it must have been fine. I wanted more alone than my room could provide, and this was a good place to do that. It was harder to yell at me out here. The only problem was, I didn't have any clothes out here.

I hardly cared, though.

I chose the left side. The one with the loft. It comforted me quite a bit to be out here, especially as I laid down on the couch, and hugged a throw pillow. After today, I was convinced I could probably sleep out here just fine. I found it was a lot easier to calm down when I left before I got too mad, because I didn't break my own heart too much.

That was something I hadn't thought about. Rosalie sure hadn't gone into that kind of detail before when she lectured me about Port Angeles. I just didn't understand it. Didn't they trust me to make my own decisions? Stupid question, I knew, because I often made the wrong one, but I knew that guy wasn't going to be trouble. I was perfectly fine. Better than I had been when I was stuck out there by myself.

I closed my eyes, resting them.

I stayed there for a few hours, hating to consider the things Rosalie had said. I understood now that things could have gone really wrong, but I didn't get that feeling. The one feeling that usually warned me to stay away from someone. Sure, I was a little uneasy, but that instinct wasn't there. I couldn't explain that.

I was a little surprised when I saw Bella at the door. I wouldn't have expected her to come try to talk to me. That unexpectedness was probably what made me let her in. I wasn't mad at her.

"Hey." I muttered. "Come to tell me how stupid I am too?"

"No." She replied, walking in as I stepped back. "I actually just wanted to see how you're doing. They didn't mean to be so hard on you."

"I know." I sighed, returning to the loft. I sat down on the edge, my legs under the railing in front of me and hanging down. She looked up at me, and though she glanced at the bean bag chair, she didn't move to sit. I assumed it was because it would be a little hard for her to stand back up now.

"You're pretty darn grounded." She winced, and I nodded. I knew that.

"It's okay." I shrugged. "Not like I have anywhere to go anyway."

"What about your friends?"

"They bug lately." I admitted. "It's not them, though. Just me." I was quiet for a moment, before I sighed again and looked down. "I'm so confused."

"About?" She prompted. I didn't exactly know how to explain it to her. She didn't know me that well.

"If he was so bad, why didn't I know it?"

"It's not that." She replied. "No one knows if he was bad or not. It doesn't really matter. What matters is that you would do something so dangerous at all. You have to be careful about that kind of thing. You never really know someone or what they'll do."

"I wasn't trying to break any rules." I shrugged. "I was cold, and tired, and my feet really hurt. He was going to Heather's house. He showed me her address written down, so I know it wasn't just some trick. I guess I thought that if she knew him, it'd be fine. I just didn't think she'd call to rat me out."

"I get it now." She seemed to understand a little better. "Don't beat yourself up, and don't look too much into it. Just count this as a lesson learned." I nodded a little. "They really didn't mean to be so harsh. They just care about you."

"I know." I said again. "That's why I left when I did. I thought I'd be better off out here before I could yell back too much. I hate doing that."

"You did good." She nodded. "Are you ready to come back inside? It's a little chilly out here."

"Not yet." I replied. "I'm not cold. I love being out here." She nodded again, and sighed.

"It is really peaceful."

"If you ever need a place to go, you can come out here if you want. I can share." I offered, and she smiled.

"Thanks." She said. "If they let me, I might take you up on that offer."

"Thank you." I said as well. "For coming out here to talk to me."

"We're sisters now, aren't we?" She smiled again. I hadn't really thought about it that way, but she was right.

"I guess so." I replied. "But you knew them longer."

"Not by much." She laughed. "I think poor Rosalie was ready to go on strike." I had to laugh a little as well.

She left not long later, hugging her arms to herself despite the sweatshirt she wore. I didn't really get it, because I was okay. I wasn't cold at all.

I stayed out there as long as possible. The evening rain was so nice to listen to hitting the glass ceiling. I did eventually need to cover up with the throw blanket, but I was perfectly cozy like that. It brought a comfort and peace to me that I wasn't used to. Even knowing how differently today could have ended. Coming out here had been the right call.

I didn't say a word as I came back inside, but that was mostly on me. I wasn't really mad anymore. More confused than before, but I wasn't mad. I still got the feeling that there was something I was missing.

I was probably just overly tired. Everything still felt wrong, like I didn't want to recognize anything about anything.

I grabbed an orange from the fruit bowl on the counter on my way in, keeping my eyes down as I got to work on peeling it. My clothes felt stiff, because they'd dried on me, and I almost couldn't wait to change out of them. I was hungry, but not really in the mood for anything heavy.

"I don't wanna talk about it anymore." I finally muttered, just in case anyone had any ideas. "I'm sorry I got mad, and said what I said. I've never had to deal with anything like this before."

Which was true. I was usually kept out of the loop, but when that loop involved so much of my family, I was dragged right into it. Feeling helpless wasn't something I liked very much.

I jumped a little as my orange was suddenly plucked from my hands, looking over at Emmett there. I couldn't help smiling a little as he had my orange perfectly peeled in two seconds, handing it back to me.

"Thanks." I sighed, sitting down.

"No problem." He replied, sitting next to me. He looked at me as well. "Remember how much of a nervous wreck you were when you first got here?"

I smiled a little, recalling it instantly. I would have flipped out the second he took that orange from me. I'd gotten a lot better about that.

"I remember." I mumbled.

"Don't worry. I'm not here to bug you."

I looked back down, prying open the orange. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"There's nothing wrong with you." He said that so dismissively. Like he couldn't even bring himself to think about it. That was part of the reason why it was so hard to believe anyone when they said that.

"Then why does it feel like it?" I asked. "Nothing's right."

"You've had times like this before, right?" He asked. "When you just feel off."

"Not like this." I admitted. "Nothing I do helps. Walking used to help, and spending time with Andrew definitely used to help. Maybe that's why I went so far today. Maybe I thought if I just went far enough, something would feel right again, but.. It just didn't. I don't know. I just want normal back."

"That might be awhile, shorty." He murmured, and I sighed. I was quiet for a second, allowing the citrus smell of the orange in my hands calm me down a little. It helped.

"I don't wanna go so far away." I mumbled. "If Bella has to be turned. I wanna stay closer."

"That's okay." He assured me. "We can figure something out with someone around town." I nodded. "We're getting a better idea on the timing. We just need to wait and see, I guess."

"She's gonna be okay, though, right?" I looked over. "You guys won't let her die, right?"

"Carlisle's doing everything he can." He assured me, but it wasn't a promise.

In a way, I was glad he didn't promise, because Bella's health continued to decline.

She grew another month and a half in a week. It wasn't slowing down. On top of that, the baby had become active, moving and bruising her skin. It became painfully clear that the baby was much stronger than she was. Even I could see that.

I didn't know what bothered me so much about it, but after a certain nightmare one night, I figured it out. At least I thought I did.

It was so stupid to compare the two, but knowing it was Bella's choice that was hurting her so much reminded me more than a little bit of my mom. Her choices ruined, and almost took, her life on many occasions. Watching Bella essentially do this to herself bothered me on a deep level, and I hated having to see it.

I was grounded, though. I kept to that, because I knew I was entirely in the wrong. I tried to stay inside. I really tried to get passed that discomfort in an effort to be more of a part of the family, but I just couldn't. It was too hard.

September started, and I stayed home for the week, growing increasingly edgy, and by the time I was finally allowed to leave the house alone, I hit the door running. I hated seeing Bella going through that, especially when I knew the outcome wasn't going to be anything good.

It was hard for them to let me out again. I completely understood why, and I hated that I caused that reason to be worried, but they were giving me another chance.

With my family so focused on Bella, there really wasn't a lot of attention on me. I wasn't really used to that. I wasn't ignored, but they didn't seem to notice the things they used to notice anymore.

I held absolutely no resentment for that, but I might have felt a little pushed aside. How I felt didn't change the fact that I knew it wasn't a permanent situation and it was no one's fault, but watching Bella get more sick a little more each day was hard enough. I just needed something, anything to distract me from that.

Of course, with the cell phone in my pocket, and a promise to answer every call that came to it, I made my way toward town. I wasn't intending to go far. Just somewhere else.

I settled on going to Josh and Zack's house today. They were best at providing distraction without bothering to get too personal. Andrew was the best to talk to about my problems, but Josh and Zack were always moving too fast to think about that stuff too much.

Unfortunately for me, I had to wait for school to let out.

So I spent hours at the park, as it was only a short walk away. Just sitting on a bench, lost in my thoughts as the day grew more cloudy.

I honestly wished I could figure myself out. I knew whatever was going to happen was going to happen soon, and I felt completely unprepared. I knew I was going to be sent somewhere soon, but I had yet to decide on where.

I didn't want to go to Alaska. That was too far away, and way too cold for my taste. Plus every single one of them were still strangers, and I hated learning new rules. I wanted familiar, but that also posed a problem. Who could they get to watch me for some extended period of time without asking questions?

If what happened with Jasper was any indication, spending any time around a newborn vampire was out the question because she wouldn't have nearly the same amount of restraint. I also knew she'd be stronger than them.

This was a pretty frequented park, so people came and went, and since I sat near the parking area, I didn't pay much mind to those that walked by. It started to really clear out, though, and I began to consider heading home before it started to rain.

A strange sense of anticipation kept me sitting here, though. Like I was expecting something to happen, so I shouldn't have been surprised when it did.

I jumped as the open part of the bench next to me suddenly became occupied. Looking over to see the man that had given me the ride. The reason I'd gotten in trouble. It wasn't unusual for him to be here, and it wasn't like I could control where he went. I wasn't that scared of him, but I still didn't want to get into trouble again.

Subtly, I scooted away a bit, but I did my best to ignore him. I should have known that wouldn't last for very long, though.

"I know who you are." He started the conversation, but his voice was quite calm. "You're the Leandra. Jack's stepdaughter."

He didn't look at me, but I looked at him. The fact that he knew that made everything different. How did he know that? He was just a stranger.

"Not many people have your name, kid." He went on.

"Not anymore." I finally managed to reply. "That's not my life anymore."

"Because he's dead." He nodded, and I winced, looking down at the grass. I hated thinking about it, no matter how much relief it brought me. "You and I really need to talk."

"About what?" I asked, hating the nervousness now coloring my voice.

"You have the answers I'm looking for." He replied easily. "You're the only one that can tell me exactly what happened the day my son died."

It took me a second for what he said to register. His son? Jack. This guy was Jack's father. I recalled instantly the horrible things Heather had said about him, and I tried to hide the way my breathing hitched.

I looked over at him in surprise. He smiled, and held out his hand. "Call me Ken."

He was someone I immediately knew that I didn't want in my life. As soon as I remembered how to move, I stood up. All thoughts of Josh and Zack were gone, and all I could think about was getting back to safety. Not even ashamed for it.

"I gotta go home." I mumbled, and he reached out, lightly grabbing my wrist.

"I just want to talk."

The feel of his hand burned me.

"I can't." I shook my head, attempting to pull my hand away, but he held on. In fact, he only held tighter. I tensed in response, looking from his hand to his face.

"We're going to talk." He rephrased it, and with no other option, I took a breath.

"Okay." I muttered. "Just let go." Instead of doing so, he stood back up.

Now that that instinct was kicking me in the head, I literally couldn't listen to it. I needed to keep calm. Freaking out and panicking wouldn't help me here.

"Okay." I mumbled again. With my apparent cooperation, his hand loosened. Not enough to let me go, but enough to allow the circulation through again. Without a word, he looked around and started walking. Tugging me along with him, straight toward his car.

Rosalie's warning ran rampant through my mind, and the fact that I sensed his instability now made panic almost impossible to fight.

"We can talk here." My voice trembled lightly with every quick step I took to keep up.

"I'd rather have a bit of privacy." He replied instantly.

Right as we reached the car, my phone suddenly rang in my pocket, and I jerked my hand free and stumbled half a step back while Ken was distracted by the sound. He actually allowed me to pull the phone out of my pocket.

"Thank god." Was how I answered the phone before its second ring. I hadn't even checked to see who it was.

"Leandra." It was Carlisle. "Are you alright?"

I sighed, looking down. "Yeah, I'm.. I'm fine."

I wasn't sure why I fibbed. Maybe it was something in his voice that told me he had something more to deal with, and I really didn't want to be one more thing. I might not have known what to expect with Ken, but whatever it was, I could handle it.

"I want you to come home as quickly as you can. Something's come up." Carlisle continued. "But be careful." What was that something?

"What happened?" I asked, now nervous about that as my thoughts landed on Bella.

"I'll explain when you get here."

"On my way now." I said. "I'll be home as soon as I can get there." There was a pause.

"Really." He insisted. "Are you okay?"

"Um.." I hesitated this time, looking up at Ken. I was torn. Should I tell Carlisle exactly what was going on? I wanted to, but Ken was a lot closer to me than he was. Ken only nodded, so I took a breath and went with it. "Yeah. I'm at the park. Just.. Talking to someone."

"Come home." Carlisle repeated, but this time, I heard the worry there.

"I will." I replied, sighing. I hung up, and nearly got away. "My dad wants me home."

"I'll give you a ride." My heart dropped again, and I could swear it stopped as he managed to catch a hold of my wrist again. He wasn't giving me an option either.

I could have fought. I could have flipped out on him, and run for my life, but I didn't. Everything was happening so fast, I had no time to realize that I'd just missed an opportunity. It also didn't help that I didn't know what the situation was, and I was second guessing myself.

I stumbled a little as he dragged me right to the passenger side of his car, opening the door and shoving me in. He closed the door firmly in my face, and in the time it took me to flinch, he had the doors locked with the remote in his hand.

Unfortunately this car was newer, and the passenger door wouldn't open automatically from the inside if it was locked like that. That didn't stop me from yanking on the handle, though. He climbed into the drivers seat quickly with a small chuckle.

"Flight risk, eh?" He laughed, starting the car. I whimpered silently, looking out the window as we started moving. It didn't even really hit me until right then.

My stomach was in knots. I hadn't been this scared in a very long time. Not with Bella, not at any point with my family. I knew to be afraid of him. I still didn't know if he was crazy enough to say anything. Not knowing was what was scared me the most.

The feeling I got when he went the opposite direction of where I wanted to go went straight to my head. Scattering my thoughts.

"Let me start by saying I don't want to hurt you." He spoke clearly, turning onto the main street.

"You're going the wrong way." I pointed out shakily.

"I know." He replied. "That's the point."

He knew. Why did that surprise me? Every known curse word crossed my mind as I looked worriedly out the window, biting my lip.

"Where are we going?" I felt like I needed to ask that.

"You'll see soon enough. Just taking a little detour." He replied with a nod.

I was quiet as I watched the rest of town pass by. There wasn't much I could say.

"I don't want to hurt you." He said again after several silent minutes. "You helped me find my daughter. She'd done her best to stay hidden for many years, but I finally found her, so I owe you that at least." His tone had lightened.

My heart dropped as I realized that he was talking about Heather. I remembered how scared I was when I learned that Jack had found me again. If she'd been hiding from this guy for many years, I screwed all that up. I hadn't known who this guy was, otherwise I wouldn't have helped him at all. I suddenly felt horrible for what I'd done.

"All I want is some answers." He continued. "There are things that really don't add up here, and since you're the last person Jack saw, you're just the person I came here to find. Lucky you fell right into my lap, isn't it?"

I stayed quiet, so he just went on.

"He told me all about you, Leandra." He said conversationally. "He's told me everything there is to know about you, and about your mother, and frankly, I don't approve. I never did." I looked over, but he didn't look back at me. "I told him he didn't know what he was getting himself into. I just knew he'd fuck up."

"I didn't-"

"Hush." His voice was stronger than Jack's was as a command, and it instantly had me cowering in my seat. "Did I tell you to talk? No? Then shut up."

Nobody had talked to me that way since Jack. This was a very harsh lesson. One that I already knew, but this just became real. Don't fucking trust strangers!

"Honestly." Ken continued. "If I wanted your opinion, I would beat it out of you." He gripped the wheel tighter. "If Jack would have just been smarter, I wouldn't have to clean up after him."

"You can't do anything to me." I told him, glaring over at him. "My dad will kill you." It was true.

"Well, damn. Really?" He asked, seeming honestly surprised. I was confused at first, until he spoke again. "Is he here right now? Because I'd love to meet the guy." He was mocking me. "When he shows up, let me know, okay? Then I'll definitely let you go."

"Fuck you." I spat in his direction, not appreciating his sarcasm, and received nothing but his hand around the back of my neck.

His hand had snapped out and closed on the back of my neck before I even had a chance to flinch. He squeezed tightly, and yanked me closer, drawing a gasping whimper from me.

I winced heavily, bracing myself on the center console now digging painfully into my side. I didn't dare bite him, knowing he wouldn't stand for that. Even if I could reach him.

The strength in his one hand was more than enough to hold me right there, and I was stuck.

He glanced over at me.

"What was that?" He asked innocently, meeting my eyes briefly before looking forward again. "I didn't quite hear you." I didn't repeat it, and after awhile of holding me there without a word from me, he laughed, shaking me roughly. "Come on, kid. I'm getting older. You have to speak up."

"I'm sorry." I whimpered, trembling in my pain and fear.

"One more time, honey." I was really hurting now, and losing my temper quite quickly. I clung to it desperately, knowing I wouldn't benefit in the slightest by losing it.

"I'm sorry!" I finally shouted, squeezing my eyes shut.

He laughed and let me go. Shoving me away from him hard enough to send me back against the passenger door. I tried the door handle again in my panic, but realized it was still locked. As long as the car was running, it stayed locked. I couldn't pull up on it either, because the little knob disappeared into the door itself. I was stuck.

"Nifty little feature, isn't it?" He asked, amused. "In all honesty, though, I'm fully aware of the fact that I can't do anything to you. I'm a big believer in the 'eye for an eye' policy, but in this case, it wouldn't accomplish anything but more of a mess for me. Am I right?"

I immediately nodded.

"I'm only here for answers." He went on. "Anyway, I only want a little bit of information from you. Among other things, but you're going to find out fast that it'd be in your best interest to keep your smart ass mouth to yourself. Understand me, girl?"

"What do you want to know?" I demanded, turning back around in my seat and flattening myself back against the door. As far away from him as I could get.

"If we're going to get along, you need to understand that I'm not here to play games." He said, and I immediately noticed as the car started to slow down. We were out here in the middle of nowhere, so I knew I should be worried. This was as private as it got, and I'd never been out here this far.

As we drifted to a stop, he looked over at me in the sudden silence.

"See that spot up ahead?" He asked me, and I hesitantly looked forward.

On the side of the road up ahead, there were trees that came right up to the edge of the road, but these trees were different from the rest of them around. They'd been badly burned. The evidence of a very large fire reached up the base, the trunk, nearly reaching the bottom of the higher branches. The lower ones had been burned off.

"That spot, right there, is where they found what was left of my son." He pointed out.

I had no idea why that little bit of information bothered me so badly. I looked away so fast, I nearly hurt myself. It registered to me that I'd caused that. That was my fault, and seeing the physical evidence of what I'd done made it real again.

"If anyone running this goddamn town had any kind of sense, they would find as many problems with that spot right there as I do." He went on, ignoring my reaction. "I wouldn't even have to be here."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I focused on keeping my tears back. I didn't want to be here.

"Please take me home." I whimpered.

"You're going to answer my question, and you'll answer it promptly and honestly." He wasn't joking around anymore, and it startled me how quickly he could change tones. His tone wasn't one to deny, so numbly, I nodded.

"Good. I want to know about the day my son died." He said and I waited. "Last I heard from him, the day he died, he was going to see you. He told me he had a little score to settle, and would call me later with the details. I never got that call." He paused, and my mind was running a hundred miles an hour.

I desperately searched for a pack of lies to give him, until he continued,

"It took him ten minutes to get from where he was staying, to your house." I went to speak, but he interrupted me with just a raise of his hand. "I know exactly where you live, darling. The address, and the location of that address. Save your lies." I was quiet now.

"Continuing, the time it took him to get to your house from his place was ten minutes. If that. Not to mention.." He trailed off with a pause, narrowing his eyes a little bit. "The complete opposite direction of this spot right here. Now, I don't know about you, but that seems a little suspicious to me. I want to know what exactly happened that day, and I want to know now."

He waited, but I was petrified. I couldn't speak, even if I had anything to say. Glancing around, I spotted the unlock button on the console, but it was closer to him than it was to me. I couldn't touch it without him stopping me first.

"Promptly, honey. Remember?" He grumbled, and I heard the last of his patience trail away with his voice. He knew more about that night than even I did.

"How did he get out of prison?" I asked instead. Hoping that would buy me some time. To my relief, Ken laughed. Finding my question funny.

"I wasn't born yesterday, sweetheart." He replied. "I know the loopholes, and I know a lot of people. Not that you made it easy. His record was spotless, until you opened your fucking mouth, and ruined that for him."

My heart pounded, and I could clearly see the truth in the old saying, 'Like father, like son'. Except this father had a score to settle, and I was the one that caused the need to settle that score. He wasn't happy with me.

"Now." He barked, making me jump. "Your turn."

"I-I.." I mumbled, flattening back against the door even further. I couldn't tell him the truth. I couldn't. He'd think I was lying anyway if I did.

"Trust me, kid." His tone was a lot darker now. Darker than I'd ever heard someone's voice before, and that included Jack. "It'll be in your best interest to just answer the question." I was silent in my fear. "This is my son we're discussing now. My only son. I am furious. He meant more to me than you ever will, and I have no doubts you know exactly what happened."

I continued to hesitate.

"You can't even look at it." He snapped, and I jumped. I shook my head. "I think I deserve some fucking answers!"

"You do!" I snapped in reply. "But I don't have any!"

"Don't you lie to me." He warned me clearly.

"He showed up." My voice shook. "I let him in, but I swear I don't know what happened after he left."

"What kind of score did he have to settle?" He asked firmly.

"I don't know." I said again. "He makes stuff up to be mad about. I get it. He was your son, but he was a horrible person, and I'm glad he's gone."

He seemed surprised, so I went on when I really should have shut up.

"He was a horrible person." I repeated. "And he deserved to die for the things he did. What he got was too good for him."

He stared at me for several tense seconds before he nodded.

"You remind me so much of my daughter." He finally chuckled, pointing at me. "I have half a mind to knock your teeth in."

Nervously, I leaned back, but I tried to keep that anger.

"But there it was." He went on. "That attitude he told me about. He just couldn't cure you of it."

"He tried." I mumbled. "But my family helped me find it again."

"If there was anything left to find by the time that family got a hold of you, he failed miserably." He countered.

"That's not my fault." I looked over at him. "You can blame me if it makes you feel better, but that doesn't mean anything. I don't know why he came out here. I don't know why he did anything he did."

He was just sitting there, staring out the window at the spot in the trees.

"What do you even want from me?" I asked, looking back down. "I can't give you anything. I can't tell you anything that'll make him come back. Nothing at all will change. I heard about how you treated them when they were kids."

"I'm sure you have." There was no regret in his tone. He was completely unapologetic.

"How do you live with that?" I asked quietly, looking over at him. "Jack died because he was the way he was, and you made him that way. Doesn't it bother you that he died because you made him a monster?"

He looked over at me.

"You want answers, right?" I asked. "You want somebody to blame, so take a look in the mirror. What happened to Jack isn't my fault, but what Jack did to me and to himself is your fault."

I jumped as his hand slammed into my upper chest, his fist closing and balling in my shirt. There were no words to describe how terrifying it is to be slowly pulled toward someone. I'd been thrown, jerked around and shoved, but to be slowly pulled forward with no hope of escape paralyzed me. He saw this.

He leaned toward me just enough to meet me halfway, and underneath the gray of his eyes, I saw something there I never wanted to see again. This was worse than any feeling I had with Jack. At any point.

He was perfectly calm, but I could see the chaos behind it. There was something definitely wrong with him that I'd never seen before.

"Run." He told me. "Get as far away from me as you can before I break your legs." I heard the doors unlock a second before he reached up and roughly smoothed my cheek, breathing in through his teeth. He sighed and shoved me back.

I didn't need to be told twice. I got out of that car as fast as I possibly could, nearly falling out. I took off, getting ahead of myself and stumbling, but I continued on.

Racing over the grass on the shoulder of the highway, I jumped into the trees. Pushing, ducking my way forward with no breath.

I didn't stop to catch my breath until several minutes later, looking around myself in the trees. I knew he wasn't the type to chase someone down, but that didn't stop me from keeping as quiet as I could, diving over a boulder and pressing back against it an attempt to hide.

I couldn't hold it back, though. I started to cry after only seconds of needing to stay quiet.

I didn't know how to answer him. In a way, I understood why he was mad, and why he would want answers. I didn't know they'd slipped up like that, and Jack was his son. I was involved somehow, and it wasn't like he could ask Jack.

But god. He was so scary. I felt the danger even now, out of his reach. Especially knowing that Jack had learned all he'd learned from experience. It was really no wonder why Heather felt the need to warn my family about him. That man had raised the worst man I'd ever known, and that fact wasn't lost on me.

I needed to catch my breath, so I sat down when I felt sure I wasn't going to hear any footsteps, and I continued to sit there, despite knowing I needed to get home. I wasn't sure why, but it only seemed to help. I closed my eyes, forcing my breathing to slow.

I didn't want anyone to see me like this, so I forced myself to think about the trip home instead of what just happened. That somehow really helped calm me down. Like I was okay so suddenly.

I still listened hard for any hint of discovery, but when I heard none, I looked up.

I jumped, startled as I spotted someone standing there.

It was only the briefest of glances, but in that brief glance, I knew it wasn't Ken. Before that thought even clicked, that person was gone.

I didn't know what made me do it, but I spoke.

"Wait."

The sound was loud and tense, clearly reflecting my stress, but why on earth would I want that person to wait?

I wasn't even sure at first if he'd even heard me, but a second later, he was back. Across the small incline and several feet away, someone stood there. I knew without even thinking about it that this person was a vampire. Without question, that part was established first.

I'd never seen this guy before in my life, and the whole stranger thing went through my mind, but I wasn't sure if that applied here. The fact that I even had to wonder seemed odd to me. He looked at me in about the same way I looked at him. It was weird, but not scary. I didn't want him to get bored and just leave anyway, so I took a calming breath and spoke.

"Where'd you come from?"

He kept his distance. In response, he pointed to the left.

"Not really what I meant." I replied, standing up slowly and dusting off my butt. I didn't try getting any closer, which seemed acceptable. It was a little awkward, especially as I didn't want to talk too loudly, and the fact that I knew I had to look exactly like I'd just felt. Complete crap.

"Can you talk?"

He blinked in surprise at my question, before he laughed a little.

"What?" He asked, speaking to me for the first time. I smiled.

"You weren't talking." I laughed a little as well in my defense.

"Only because I'm a little surprised." He replied. "How.. How do you smell like that?"

"Like what?" I asked, sitting down on the boulder behind me. I was too shaken to stay standing.

I blinked and he was closer, and though I was a little startled, I still wasn't afraid. I blinked again, and he was sitting in the tree I sat under. I tilted my head back to look up at him, ignoring the ache on my neck in the shape of Ken's hand. I'd deal with that later. I'd deal with everything later. I wanted to be here.

"Like seven different vampires." He clarified, peering down at me. The cloudy daylight played in his dark hair in an interesting way. His voice was so clear and smooth, like audible water. Every part of his demeanor was calming. I found that and clung to it immediately. I'd never, not once, been drawn to someone so quickly. Not even Carlisle or even Esme.

A quick glance back through my memories of the day told me this was the cause of that sense of eager anticipation. I was supposed to be here to meet him, but it wasn't a bad feeling.

"Oh." I smiled again, amused. "That's my family."

"Your family?" He asked, landing on the ground beside the boulder. I finally got a close look at him.

His coal black hair fell naturally back, a little on the longer side. It reminded me of Zack's hair cut, but shorter. Even his deep crimson eye color didn't scare me, because they were so open. He looked a little young, but I knew that was just the way his features fell and rounded.

He crouched next to me, not more than a foot away. I understood completely that I should have been terrified, but I really wasn't. I wasn't afraid at all, but it wasn't in a weird way. It was only natural to be talking to him.

It was that automatic confidence that made it almost easy to forget that danger.

"My family." I confirmed. "They're vampires."

"Are you a pet?" Was his reply. I rolled my eyes.

"No." I answered. "I'm their sister, and their daughter. It's a family, not a zoo."

He smirked. "I only ask, because I've never heard of it. I've never come across a human that isn't affected by that instinct."

"Maybe I'm just weird." I shrugged.

"I doubt that." He replied immediately. "But I am a little curious. How do they keep you?" I knew what he meant.

"That's a long story." I said. "They just do. It just works."

"What's your name, princess?"

"You first." I insisted.

"Ah, but I asked first." He pointed out, and I laughed a little. I shrugged again. "Does this mean we don't have names?"

"Just for now." I played along. "Do you always talk to your food?"

He laughed this time. "You're not food. The scent on you is more than enough incentive to resist. You're automatically off limits. That's how it works."

So my family were able to protect me from other vampires, just with their scent. That was good to know, and he'd explained it in such a laid-back way. Why was he so interesting?

"So what's the story?" He asked, resting his arms on his knees. "Who was that guy?" He'd obviously been around awhile.

My smile faded, and I looked down as I was forcefully reminded of what I'd just been put through. Being reminded, I looked back in the direction I'd just come. Just to make sure he wasn't standing there.

"I was passing by, and I heard some things." He added quietly. "I was going to mind my own business, but then I smelled you, and.."

It wasn't lost on me exactly how strange it was to feel safer in the presence of a human-hunting vampire than I would in the presence of a particular human.

Of course he saw that.

"Do you need me to go kill him?" He asked without hesitation. "I can kill him if he's a problem."

"What? No." I didn't want that. "Shut up. That's how I got in this mess."

"What does that mean?" He asked, interested.

"Nothing." I sighed. "Trust me. That's a really long story too."

It was also strange to see sympathy fill his eyes, but it clearly did. I hadn't met many vampires with blood red eyes, but he wasn't what I was expecting at all. I was even afraid of Laurent, but not this guy. Or kid? I wasn't sure.

"How old are you?" I asked, curious.

"Sixteen." He smirked a little. "You?"

"Eleven. You don't look sixteen."

"You don't look eleven." He countered, and I laughed.

"How old are you.. The other way?" I was still curious.

"A little over a year." I was surprised by his answer.

"You're still a newborn?"

"I hate that term." He laughed. "But technically, yes."

"How long did it take you to learn how to control it?" I asked, sitting up straighter.

"I have my struggles." He allowed. "But for the sake of answering you, I'd say I had pretty good control by seven or eight months."

This was pretty good information to have. It gave me some sort of idea how long I'd need to avoid Bella. I was satisfied with that answer, so he spoke again.

"Are we really not giving names?"

"Nah." I replied. "It's not like I'm ever gonna need to know it."

"True." He nodded. His smile faded a little, though, as he looked down.

"I don't wanna leave you." He admitted. "I don't like that you're out here by yourself, because to be honest, that guy really seems.." He trailed off, but that reminded me.

"I gotta go home." I slowly stood back up. He did as well, and I noted how much bigger he was than me. He was pretty slight, average height, but there was a definite difference.

"To your coven?"

"Family." I corrected. "I won't say anything to them about you, if you're worried."

"I'm not worried." He smiled a little. "I'm not here to bother anyone. I'd offer to give you a lift, but I don't want to mess up any of.." He gestured to all of me. "That."

"The scent, you mean?" I found that funny.

He took a nervous breath, huffing it out in a laugh. "Yeah. I really don't want to piss anyone off."

"I know." I replied honestly. "If you wanted to hurt me, you would have. Are there more of you around?"

"Besides your coven?" He smirked.

"Family." I corrected again. "Besides them."

"One." He answered. "But he's not gonna be a problem either. We're just passing through."

"Is he a friend of yours?"

"Probably not right now." He laughed. "He's actually kind of mad at me right now."

I looked around again. I didn't see anyone else, but that wasn't surprising.

"For what?"

"Taking unnecessary risks." He said. "He's worried about trouble."

"From my family?" I asked, curious.

"Coven." He corrected, but I ignored that.

"They won't bother you either." I waved it off. "You didn't hurt me, and you're not causing problems around here, so don't worry."

He smiled, and it was a kind one. Genuinely easy, light. I didn't want to leave that, but the reminder that Carlisle was expecting me back made that decision for me.

"Thank you." I said. "For talking to me." It gave me the distraction I needed to calm down.

"Stay safe, nameless-little-human. I kind of like you." He bowed to me. I smiled, and I was suddenly standing there alone. I blinked, and looked around myself again.

As bad as a day as I'd had, it seemed lighter somehow. I knew full well I needed to focus on what I'd just learned, and I would, but it was weird to realize I even could. I couldn't explain it.

I had to get home first. I would figure it out from there.

Once I shook that off enough, I got moving. I didn't dare leave the trees, but I returned to the highway, and followed it back toward town. Running as fast as I safely could in the direction of home. Of the safety of my family.

I kept careful watch for Ken's car, but I didn't see it the entire way. Panting hard when I had to slow to a quick walk, looking around me before running again. I just needed to be careful. Through town was tough, because there was a lot less coverage, but again. I didn't see him.

It took me a lot longer than I wanted.

I didn't stop to notice how quiet it was on the driveway. Normally, there were plenty of birds chirping in the thick trees on either side of the drive, but today, there weren't any. Whatsoever. I continued running, though, cutting through the trees when I didn't feel like following the curve of it. Feeling eyes on me the entire way.

Running as quickly as I could across the yard, and straight up the steps. Over the porch, and slowing to a jog as I made it onto the porch closest to the front door, coming to stop beside Alice as she stood just inside the doorway.

She and Jasper had been waiting there, knowing I was coming. I was breathing too hard to talk at first, and I fought to catch my breath, bracing my arms on my knees.

I looked over as Emmett arrived as well.

"Let's get inside." He suggested, and I didn't like the tension in his voice.

Before I could even stand up straight, I turned slightly at a deep, rumbling growl further off in the trees. It was loud enough to faintly hear it. My curiosity piqued. Alice took my arm lightly, leading me the rest of the way into the house.

"What was that?" I asked, watching as Emmett closed the door behind us.

"Them learning that you're still living here." Emmett grumbled, glaring out the window as we made our way further into the house. I was curious, but I didn't want to ask just yet.

I was safe, and I was at home. That's all that mattered to me right then. I just wanted to hide out here for awhile.

I thought about the person I met in the woods. I wasn't sure about talking about it right then, but I knew I should be honest if it involved another vampire. I found I really wanted to be honest about it.

"There's something you should know." I muttered, sighing as I sat down. Gaining everyone's attention immediately. "I met someone. In the woods."

"Who?" Emmett asked firmly. He was in a bad mood, and realizing that made me briefly rethink my decision to be honest.

"I don't know his name." I admitted. "But he's.. He's like you." Before anyone could get too mad, I went on in a faster tone. "He said he wasn't gonna be a problem, and I'm fine. He.. Kinda helped me in a way." I hesitated. "Wait, Alice didn't see any of this?"

"No, I didn't." She was just as upset about my news as Emmett was.

"That means you didn't see how I got way out there." I added. "You didn't see what happened."

"Okay, now you're freaking me out." Emmett replied. "Start talking."

Before I could, however, Jacob came into the room. I looked up, surprised before I narrowed my eyes.

"Oh God." I grumbled. "Just what I need."

"What is she doing back here?" He asked, Carlisle and Esme trailing in from behind him. Suddenly he was here, and demanding to know why I was here. Esme crossed the room to my side, sighing in relief and clearing my hair from my shoulder. I gave her a small smile before turning my eyes back to Jacob.

I narrowed my eyes. "I live here, remember?"

"Yes." He said in a very obvious tone. "But I would have figured they'd find a safer place for you, considering-"

"Jacob." Carlisle spoke up, and he looked to him.

"She doesn't know." Jake replied, but it wasn't a question. "Are you all allergic to telling humans the truth or something?" I didn't appreciate the tone he used toward my family.

"Watch it." I barked at him, and to my slight surprise, Rose smirked.

"We haven't had a chance to tell her yet." Carlisle explained.

"Instead of bringing her here, why didn't you just make arrangements for her wherever she was?" Jacob demanded. "She could have been just fine-"

"Shut up." I barked again, glaring. "It's not up to you."

"Aren't you precious?" Jacob was obviously irritated with me.

"Normally, I'd be inclined to agree with you, Jacob." Carlisle said. "But she's a special circumstance."

"And I'm plenty safe here, thank you very much." I continued at Jacob. "Safer than anywhere else." I didn't need to know the truth to stay on my family's side. They would tell me whatever it was when I needed to know.

"Special enough to risk her life?" Jake asked Carlisle in return. "Were you listening to a word I said?" I didn't like the way he was trying to get me kicked out. I hardly knew the guy. I was about to speak up again, when Rose said something first.

"Don't worry, Leandra." She told me, again to my surprise. "You're not going anywhere." I glanced to her briefly, before turning my eyes back to Jacob and settling back further into the chair.

"I'd feel better keeping her here, Jacob." Carlisle wasn't budging on this, much to my relief. "I'll explain, but she stays." Carlisle gave a final nod, and Jake sighed, looking to me again. He didn't know me any more than I knew him. Who was he to demand that I leave? I didn't like it.

"Then explain." Jacob said, looking back to Carlisle. Carlisle sighed and gestured that Jacob follow him. I watched after them, glaring at Jacob's back.

"I don't like him." I muttered, cuddling the pillow closer to me.

"You're not alone there." Rose nodded, taking her usual place beside Bella.

"Rosalie." Esme sighed beside me, and Rose sighed as well.

"I know." She rolled her eyes a little. "He's done a lot for us, but still. Look at her." She gestured to me.

I jumped a little as I heard the front door slam.

"I'm just tired." I shook my head. "That's not his fault." I was tired of blaming people for things they had nothing to do with. I didn't like Jacob, but this wasn't on him.

"He's made her uncomfortable. In her own house." Rose added. I wanted to ask why she suddenly liked me now, but I didn't want to change her mind.

"I'm sure her afternoon didn't help." Alice murmured, her eyes on me. That reminded me once more of our previous conversation. Emmett was too.

"Story time, shorty." He crossed his arms. "Tell me about your day." I sighed, defeated.

"It kinda sucked." I replied simply, glancing over as Carlisle returned. Without Jacob.

They wanted more, so I told them. For once, I was completely honest about everything. I told them about the conversation I had with Ken, and what he said to me as well as the reason behind it. I told them the truth, that I was perfectly fine. I told them about the vampire in the woods, and how kind he was to me.

I was nearly word-for-word honest, and I could tell by the way they didn't interrupt me that it was okay.

Once I was done, I looked down with a sigh. Laying my head down on the armrest of the chair, I closed my eyes. Fully realizing then just how tired I was. I was also preparing myself for the inevitable fight.

"First of all, thank you for being honest." Carlisle was the first to speak, and I looked over at him, surprised. "Second, unfortunately-"

"I think I'm gonna stay home." I mumbled, drawing my legs up. "I don't wanna go anywhere anymore." I wanted to spare him that worry.

"I need to ask you to stay in the house." He continued anyway. "Until further notice."

"Wait, like.. I can't leave at all?"

"For your own safety." He confirmed, and I frowned.

"Even the tree house?"

"Unfortunately."

"Why?"

"That's a little difficult to explain." Carlisle sighed. "Until we can make different arrangements." I glanced at Bella laying there. She was awake, but barely.

"Now about that boy.." Emmett spoke up.

"Which one?" I stupidly asked.

"The vampire one." He clarified, and I smiled a little. "Shorty, you can't just walk up and talk to anyone."

"He walked up to me." I reminded him. "I can't really explain it. He was nice to me, and after what had just happened with Ken, I didn't want him to leave."

"Still." He insisted. "You're okay?"

"I'm okay." I confirmed. "Tired, though. That was a long run."

"He didn't bother to help get you home?" Emmett snorted.

"He probably wanted to avoid leaving his scent on her." Jasper muttered, and I pointed at him.

"That one." I said. "He said he didn't want to mess up your scents on me."

"Smart." Jasper nodded. "And the less contact with her, the better."

"I'm not worried." Esme smoothed my hair again. "I'm grateful for that boy."

I really was too, and it was nice to be on the same page again.

"This poses a problem." Carlisle spoke up again, and I looked over at him. "We had originally determined that you'd be staying with Heather once Bella is turned, but-"

"I still can." I assured him, sitting up. "I'd rather stay with her."

"What about her father?" He reminded me.

"You didn't see how hard she tried to protect me from Jack that day." I said. "I know she wouldn't let anything happen to me. Especially her dad. I trust her more than any other human, and Mark is always home."

That seemed to help.

"I'm still uncertain how long you'll be staying there." He added, and I nodded. I recalled what I was told by that vampire. About eight months. That was nearly a year, and my heart wanted to break at the thought, but I knew this was different.

"As long as you don't forget about me, I think I'll be okay." I mumbled. "As long as I'm with Heather. I think I'm picking her."

Emmett piped up. "I'll only agree with this if you promise to punch those boys in the face if they-"

"I promise." I easily replied. "Besides, I don't think they'll bug me. It'll just be like.. A really long sleepover."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Emmett replied. "I'm going to be there every day, just to make sure you're still in perfect condition."

I smirked, shaking my head. I didn't need to remind him that I hadn't been in 'perfect' condition since the day I was born. It was like he doubted my ability to protect myself.

"I'll be okay."

A/N: Woo. So much stuff in here, I can barely stand it. I'll keep this short and sweet.
YES. Ken is a problem now, but I don't think he'll be as big of a problem as you might think.
If there are any mistakes in this chapter, I do apologize. I've hardly slept or eaten in the last three days or so. Feel free to leave me your thoughts. I love to read them. Chapter thirteen will probably be a bit of a wait. I've got so much crap piling up on me this coming week, it's not even funny.
THANK YOUUUU to my beautiful, fantastic reviewers! You rule. (: THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Anyhoo. So much for short.
Until next chapter, guys!