Okay okay I know it's been awhile...but you guys still love me right? :))
As a reward for my absence, I come bearing good news to those of you (iLoveSON and iloveTRIPLEbrownies) that have asked me. *DRUMROLL PLEASE*
YES. I would love to write the sequels to Twilight! But the problem is...Edward isn't in New Moon for the most part, it's mostly Jacob. So that would mean not much Ashley...and more Aiden. Unless you guys want me to skip right to Eclipse? Or shall I try to write New Moon, and just put more Ashley in there? Its all up to you, my friends :))
FOF TIME!!!
Hotcutii3: Girl, do not be pulling out the puppy dog eyes on me!!! Those are my weakness lol.
tbplrbear1: You are so sweet! I can't even handle it lol. Seriously though, it means a lot that you think I'm "one hell of a writer" and that I leave you speechless :)) you're amazing! and yes, you make me blushh lol.
paragirl92riot: well, technically, this is Stephanie Meyer's property. I'm merely spinning it off to our two favorite girls :)) and YOU. ARE. AMAZING. End of argument, I win!!! :))
AnneBuffy: aww! yes! Such strong emotions from my reviewers is what I hope for :))
s0nFan16: here you go, WOMAN :)) oh, and thanks for reviewing every chapter. you're AWESOME!
Darlyka: addicted, huh? I'm flattered :)) I totally understand what you're saying!!! That's exactly how I feel! And don't worry, we're in the same boat with the whole being hopeless romantics thing :))
riahpebbles: *virtual hug* Couldn't resist :))
AnonymousDrifter: Withdrawls! lol well it's maybe it's your "own personal brand of heroin" like Ash tells Spence? :))
chrissyalexandrea: Thank you for following the story, I hope you're liking it and it means tons to me that you reviewed!! :))
esc15: pure poetry? I think you're my favorite :))
ElloEllo9: I like rocking people's socks off; it makes me smile :))
psparkle7189: haha okay good!!! i just like to compliment people; everyone is so beautiful! :)) I'm glad you're enjoying this story, and I hope you like this chapter!!!
iLoveSON: and I love YOU for coming out of your lurking to review! I love seeing new usernames on here, and it just made me smile that you took the time to review. and thank you so much, I try my best :))
Paulinne-V: you'll fall for me? awwww, you're too sweet! thank you so much, your reviews are definitely some of my favorites to read! and I'm glad I could make your day :))
Last but not least, this chapter is dedicated to for assuring me that I still have fans, even if I take a long time to update sometimes. That meant so much to me :)) As for your question about why the characters are who they are, I've always just considered Ashley to be more like Edward, and Spencer to be more like Bella. Aiden is always trying to break up Spencer and Ashley, and Jacob always tried to break up Bella and Edward. It was just how it worked out, I suppose lol. But I'm so glad you're enjoying my "sexy" writing! :)) Thank you so much!
Okay, I'm taking forever, let's get on with it lol. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!!! Love you!!!
***
I stayed in my room as long as possibly, attempting fruitlessly to slow my furious onslaught of tears. Every hour, every minute, every second, this was tearing me apart.
But I didn't dare speak to Kyla. She would see right through me in no time.
However, when I did walk into the living room, Kyla was gripping the edges of the glass table so hard that I could see the physical strain it was putting on her knuckles. Her eyes were glazed over in a faraway look, and her head was rocking from side to side.
"Kyla?"
She didn't respond. My thoughts flickered to my mother. Was I already too late?
Or worse. Had something happened to Ashley?
I sat blankly beside her, and gingerly touched one of her icy, tight hands. Just as I did so, Jake was behind her, prying her hands gently from the table.
"Kyla," Jake coaxed. The younger vampire shut her eyes, shaking her head.
My heartbeat sped up to an alarming pace. Something was wrong.
"Spencer," Kyla's small, soprano voice filled the room.
"I'm right here," I replied, willing her to look at me. But she simply turned her face into Jake's chest, and his arms were around her in a second.
Then, it hit me.
She hadn't been addressing me at all. She was answering Jake's silent question.
"What did you see?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even. The silence was deafening, and I caught Jake's onyx eyes fixed intently on me. I kept my expression carefully blank, not wanting to give him any incentive to think something was wrong.
"Just…the same thing as before," Kyla said finally, releasing Jake and slumping back against the couch.
That's a flat out lie. But I wasn't going to dwell on it.
"Are you hungry?" Kyla looked wearily at me, and I instantly felt guilty. In that moment, she looked so vulnerable, and it was hard to believe that I was actually going to hurt her.
I'm such an awful person.
"Not really, I'll just grab something at the airport," I assured her, standing up and walking in the direction of the bathroom.
I was in need of a scorching shower; one that could burn my troubles away.
I got ready methodically, thinking of every little detail of my plan. I was remarkably calm, even though I knew that in the next room, Kyla was telling Jake how much of a mistake this was.
Time passed too quickly, and before I knew it, we were at the airport. Kyla and I sat in the terminal where Ashley's plan was due while Jake went to check arrival times. Kyla was perched delicately on the edge of her seat, sunglasses covering her iridescent eyes.
Even though I couldn't see it, I could still feel her questioning gaze on me.
"Kyla…" I began. Her head snapped toward me, but with the sunglasses, I couldn't decipher her expression. So I continued, working harder than I needed to in order to keep my voice steady.
"Ashley said your visions are never positive…so, how do they work?" When I said Ashley's name, my heart nearly jumped into my throat. I could feel tears pulling at the backs of my eyes, but I busied myself by pretending to examine a loose strand of my blonde hair.
I have split ends. Too bad I'll never get another hair cut…
"Things change," Kyla murmured, breaking me out of my reverie. "People are the most difficult to see; once they make a new decision, the whole future shifts."
I nodded, trying to make myself look bored. "You couldn't see Carmen in Ohio until she made up her mind to come here?"
"That's right." Her voice was suddenly wary. I averted my eyes to the floor, processing what she had just said. Basically, Kyla's earlier vision was me in the mirror room with Carmen because I had made the choice to go there. I shuddered, thinking back to the way she reacted when her episode was over. She looked so…frightened, and hurt. And considering that she had clued Jake in, they probably wouldn't let me out of their sight.
This was officially impossible.
Minutes passed. Ashley was getting closer with every passing second, and my heart was torn between a frenzy of excitement that she would be back in my vicinity, and a raging bout of aching depression that I would never get to see her.
"Their plane arrives in ten minutes," Jake informed us, coming to stand next to Kyla. She had her sunglasses off now, but she wasn't looking at him.
She was watching me closely, and I fidgeted nervously in my seat. I was never going to get away.
Then, all at once, a string of ideas hit me like a cannonball.
I glanced at the arrival board, and watched as the Seattle plane crawled closer to the small neon terminal.
Ever so slowly, as if it was my own personal form of torture.
"I think I'm hungry now," I said a little too loudly, and jumped up. My legs felt like jell-o; they were far too shaky for any normal human being.
Then again, I'm not a normal human being, now am I? "Alright, let's go," Kyla said, smiling slightly as she stood with me. I pushed her smoothly back into the seat with a trembling hand.
How did she not feel it?
"Actually, do you mind if Jake comes with me? I could use the relaxation," I asked sweetly, plastering a fake smile on. She nodded, her relieved expression gone, as she stared keenly at me again.
As Jake put his hand on the small of my back, and guided me toward the food court, I remembered something. Whipping around, I sprinted back to Kyla, and took the letter to Ashley out of my back pocket. Kyla looked at me blankly.
"My letter," I explained.
"Of course, Spencer," she took the letter, and carefully tucked it into her black leather bag. I shot her a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes, and I think she noticed. But before she could badger me about it, I hurried back to Jake.
His hand was on the small of my back again, and I felt an intense wave of serenity wash over me.
This was exactly how I wanted it to happen. My fear and anticipation at what I was about to do was being cleverly masked by Jake's gift without him even noticing.
Sometimes, I like to consider myself pretty smart.
I concentrated on the tranquil feeling spreading from my chest through every inch of my body. I spotted the ladies room, and halted.
"I didn't go before we left," I told him sheepishly, and pointed in the direction of the bathroom. "I'll only be a moment."
"Take your time," Jake said warmly. "I'll be right here."
I smiled, and quickly looked him over, memorizing exactly what he looked like.
After all, this would be the last time I would see him.
As soon as the door shut behind me, I was running. I remembered there was a back exit in this bathroom, because I had gotten lost here as a child when my family was going to Hawaii. I burst through the exit, and skidded into the opposite elevator just as the doors were closing.
The small crowd inside was looking at me irately. I didn't care though; I clenched my fists, and studied the steel of the door.
Time was caught in limbo for me. Somewhere between too fast and not fast enough.
When the dial above the door dinged, signaling our landing on the ground floor, I shoved two harried businessmen out of the way, and sprinted through the lobby. I didn't even bother to slow my pace when I passed the annoyed security guards.
I had absolutely no time. Kyla would have seen by now, and she and Jake would be on my scent.
To my luck, a lone, empty cab stood at the end of the walkway. I jumped inside, and hurriedly told the driver the address of my old ballet studio.
"That's twenty minutes away!" he whined, a vein pumping in his forehead. If I wasn't so apprehensive, I would have found this funny.
But Jake's calming effect on me had worn off, and my heart was beating anxiously.
I slid four twenty dollar bills into his hand. "Please sir, I need to get there as soon as possible. It's an emergency." He smiled gratefully, revving the engine.
Ah, the things money could do.
I breathed deeply, reveling in the silence of the cozy vehicle. I still detected undeniable remnants of my terror, but most of it had wasted away. My plan was complete, and now all I had to do was follow Carmen's instructions.
Regardless if she hated me or not, Paula Carlin was still my mother.
My thoughts roved to Ashley, and I instantly felt tears well up in my eyes. But I didn't bother trying to stop them. I imagined the clear disappointment in her perfect features as she stood in front of the hotel, my scent lost. Realization would hit her, and then…
I don't even want to think about what she would do.
Then, I fantasized what would happen if I wasn't going through with my plan. I would stand on the runway, craning my neck the better to see her just as she stepped off the plane. We would lock eyes from at least a mile away, and she would easily move through the crowds of people, wind whipping through her chocolate locks, as she moved toward me. She would smile crookedly as I run forward, and leap into her strong, cold arms. She would kiss my head, and whisper how much she loves me.
And I would be safe. I would be able to breathe again.
We would go somewhere secluded; just the two of us. Somewhere where she could be outside, and I could be free to gawk in awe at her flawless, gleaming body. We would lay side-by-side, and talk for endless hours about everything and nothing.
To be anywhere with her would be heaven.
I didn't even notice the silent tears cascading down my cheeks as I pictured her angelic face, and bright, crinkle-nosed smile. I could almost hear her velvety voice flooding my mind as I remembered exactly what she said to me before she hung up the phone for the last time.
"'I will be with you soon,'" I whispered her words into the silence, and felt the cab stop.
"You okay, kid?" The driver asked nervously, and looked over his shoulder. I didn't dare look at him; instead, my eyes flickered toward the ballet studio outside my window.
"I'm fine, thank you very much," I whispered, and stepped out of the cab. I stood motionless, waiting for the distant droning of the cab to die away. A fresh surge of terror gripped me, and I fought to focus on Ashley's face in order to calm myself.
This was it.
I walked across the street at a snail's pace, staring at the entryway. I remembered how my mother used to drop me off at the door, kiss my cheek, and usher me inside, always telling me I would be late for class. The way she would hold me close to her when I got too near to the street, as if she were afraid that I would idly walk across and get hit by a car.
Much like I was doing now.
Yes, I was stopping traffic with my lack of speed.
I tripped as I arrived at the opposite curb, toppling over and scraping my hands. I cursed under my breath, and looked fearfully up at the ballet studio. I wobbled unstably as I strode to the door.
I couldn't seem to walk straight; I felt a bit like a drunkard in my panicky state, if you want to know the truth.
A hot pink slip on the doorway announced that the studio would be closed for break. I scoffed at the flowery script, and dropped the paper carelessly. I grasped the handle, but couldn't bring myself to pull the door open.
Despair and fear seized me so forcefully, that I nearly collapsed right then and there. The blinds were drawn shut, and the streets were now vacant.
No one would be around to hear my screams.
My screams of agony. My death in vain, for Ashley and her family would always be in danger, and I would hurt them more than Carmen ever could.
I struggled to breathe. I couldn't run from this anymore.
Squaring my shoulders, I focused on saving my mother, and pulled the door open with a quivering hand.
I refused to let my mind wander to my girlfriend. If I thought of Ashley, I would have no strength whatsoever for what I was about to do.
The room was cool, and pitch black. Well, not completely. The bits of light that streamed in came from the windows above the mirrors. The studio was just as I had remembered, and exactly as Kyla had sketched. The floor smelled like it had been waxed, and the mirrors were so polished that I stared back at myself in at least ten different reflections.
I stood stock still, listening to the sound of my own breathing.
That girl staring back at me was broken.
"Spencer? Spencer?!" my mother's hysterical cries sounded from the south end of the room, and I hurried toward her voice. My breath picked up in large huffs, and I sprinted toward the source of her voice.
"Spencer Marie, don't you ever do that to me again! You scared me!" Her voice was now coming from the opposite direction to which I was running.
And as I whirled, I noticed it.
A small TV that the teachers used to make us watch instructional videos on glowed in the corner. I stood, frozen in shock, and watched my mother fondly ruffling the hair of my eight-year-old self. It was Christmas; I had been desperately trying to perfect a turn I had learned in class, but couldn't quite achieve it. I sat in her lap, pouting as I played with the hem of my tutu.
"I fell once, Mom. I suck," the digital, eight-year-old version of me complained. I smiled a little, kneeling in front of the screen, and touching my fingers to the glass, as if I could feel the softness of my mother's skin.
As if she still loved me like she used to.
"Sweetie, suck is not a nice word," she admonished, tickling me. My eight-year-old self giggled with delight, and then, the screen went blue. Me eyes widened, and I turned sluggishly.
There was Carmen, twirling the remote swiftly between her fingers.
"I apologize for that, Spencer," she said softly, offering a glittering smile. "I just figured it would be a lot easier if we didn't have to involve your mother, wouldn't you agree?"
And comprehension dawned one me. My mother was completely oblivious. She was still with Ben, but not at home. She had never gotten my message, and if she did, she had ignored it.
Like every other time.
"Yes," my voice was thin, and I flexed my jaw. But I was determined not to let Carmen see how I really felt about all of this.
"Aren't you angry that I tricked you?"
"Not in the slightest," I told her warily, standing up. I felt so forlorn, reckless, standing here alone. I was going to die, but at this point in time, maybe it was better that way. Paula and Ben would be safe, and so would the Davies' family.
Ashley would be safe.
The thought made me euphoric, and some inquisitive part of my mind was wondering if I was going crazy.
I probably was, but that's nothing new.
"You know, you have absolutely no sense of value concerning your self-worth," Carmen said, stepping forward and licking her lips. "I will give the Davies' coven this much: you humans are quite interesting."
I instinctively took a hesitant step back, nearly bumping into the TV. I surveyed her features. She wasn't nearly as beautiful as Ashley; actually, I didn't find her attractive at all. She donned black jeans, and a black, leather jacket.
Leather jackets look so much better on Ashley.
"I suppose you're hoping your girlfriend will come to your rescue?" she asked, a tinge of hopefulness coloring her voice. That's when I noticed her eyes; a coal black, circled by rings of deep scarlet.
She was thirsty. Very thirsty.
"I don't think she will. I asked her to stay back." I was surprised at the volume of my own voice; it sounded almost foreign to me.
"Ah, the letter," she chuckled, looking at her nails. "Do you believe she'll honor your request?"
I know she won't. "I hope so."
Carmen folded her arms, and centered her curious, red eyes on me. "This was all too easy. To be frank, I expected a much greater challenge."
I waited, my heart pulsating at an inhuman pace, and gripped the edges of the TV for support. I was leaning against it, practically cowering in fear.
I was afraid. Extremely afraid.
"When Kelly couldn't get to your father, I had her do a little more digging about your life. Then, I discovered that you were planning on coming home; here, to the glorious state of Ohio, where it was most dangerous for you. Humans are very predictable, Spencer, and you are no exception."
I swallowed, and I wondered why she didn't hear it. In that moment, I longed for the comforting, rainy days of L.A. more than anything else.
But I waited for her to continue.
"I listened to the message you left at your mother's house. Of course, I couldn't trace it, because it just went back to L.A. and I knew you and your friends were at least a bit smarter than that. Nevertheless, I got this hunch that you were coming home to be with your mother. I refer to it as a sort of sixth sense for my prey, if you will. Then, your girlfriend got on a plane to Ohio, and my suspicions were confirmed. As you saw in one of your lovely home videos, I simply had to prepare the bluff. It was almost too straightforward, so I'm hoping for some surprise from your girlfriend. Ashton, isn't it?"
"Ashley," I growled tersely, stepping forward. Carmen merely snickered, stepping forward as well.
Uh-oh. What did I just do?
Then, Carmen flew forward, and I had been slammed up against the adjacent wall. Her hand on my chest had me locked in place, and she was much too close. She leaned in, and trailed her nose along my neck, inhaling deeply. I leaned as far away as her grip would permit, struggling futilely.
Nobody was allowed to get that close to me. Nobody but Ashley.
Then, Carmen pulled back, and withdrew a palm-sized video camera. She expertly popped open the frame with her free hand, and held it in front of my face. I stopped my exertion, watching her intently.
Her smile was pure evil.
"I'd just like to rub it in Ashley's face a little. You know, Spencer, the only victim that ever did escape me is your girlfriend's sister. Kyla, isn't it? You see, I hunted her. She was so weak in that mental asylum. Easy pickings for a vampire who hadn't feasted in days. However, Raife Davies got to her before I did. So it's a fair trade; they get her, I get you."
She then shoved herself against me, burying her cold face in my neck. I couldn't move, but I was dying inside. The camera was getting all of this on film, and Ashley would see. Carmen was smelling every inch of my neck, and it was making me sick to my stomach.
No one was supposed to touch me except Ashley.
"You smell so nice," she breathed onto my skin, and I shivered involuntarily. "Your scent is so poignant; I think it's floral." She pulled back, and began to stroke my cheek delicately. She backed off, holding the camera in front of me, and I was finally free of her crushing weight.
"Well, let's get on with it. Any last words to your darling Ashley?"
My knees knocked together, and I suddenly felt very faint. Nausea ripped through me, and I clutched my stomach. There wasn't going to be a quick death. She was going to make this genuinely painful.
And Ashley was going to be forced to watch.
The thought filled me with rage, and as a result, I acted on foolish impulse. Panic engulfed me, and I rushed past her, toward the emergency exit.
She was in front of me in less than a second. She grabbed my neck, and flung me backwards into a mirror. I felt my head crack against it, and the glass shattered around me as I crumpled to the floor.
I didn't feel any pain though, despite the fact that I was bleeding from the head.
I couldn't even breathe. I was too stunned.
"Visual dynamics," Carmen said politely, shoving the camera in my face again. "The effects are perfect for my little video message."
I ignored her, and the now present sting of my head, and crawled feebly toward the door.
"Not so fast," Carmen whispered playfully, and kneeled. She grabbed one of my calves, and twisted it in one hand.
That time, I was painfully aware of the affliction.
The sound of my leg snapping was sickening. I couldn't fight my voice back, and I screamed with agony, falling hopelessly to the floor, and breathing heavily. She smiled venomously, and readjusted the camera.
"You know, you don't deserve a last request. I'll create one for you," she told me ever so quietly. She grabbed my leg, and wrenched it to other way. I flinched when I realized the second earsplitting cry I heard was my own.
I could feel everything and nothing, and felt as if I was going to die right there on the spot.
I have to get out of here.
I attempted ineffectively to stand up, but Carmen beat me to it, and stepped on my leg. I screamed myself hoarse, and my hand slammed right into a sharp piece of glass.
Excruciating pain clouded my vision. I could hardly see anymore.
Carmen crouched in front of me again, leaning forward with her camera. "Tell Ashley how much it hurts."
"No!" I whimpered, tears streaming down my face. "NO, ASHLEY, DON'T--"
But I didn't get to finish my plea.
A crushing blow collided with my stomach, sending me flying backward into another mirror. Glass rained down around me as I laid helplessly on the floor, unable to move.
Unable to try and escape anymore.
The smell of blood filled my senses, and through my haze of looming unconsciousness, I glimpsed the crimson liquid pooling out from beneath me. It soaked the back of my shirt and jeans, and I felt nausea rip through me again.
My blood.
I just wanted to die.
As if she were answering my prayers, Carmen turned off her camera, and licked her lips. Her red eyes were wide with hunger and pleasure as she stared down at my twitching, wounded form.
Let it be quick, I hoped. That's all I wanted now. I didn't want to suffer anymore.
And as the tracker's dark form strode toward me, I heard her distinct growl as she crouched. I half-heartedly covered my face with my bloody, glass-bitten hand.
Then, I felt my eyelids grow heavy, and my breathing turn shallow. I drifted, losing all sense of myself.
The last thought on my mind before I blacked out was Ashley.
My Ashley.
***
R&R PLEASE :))
SPASHLEY FOREVER&&EVER!!!