M I S T A K E N

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, or any of the characters.

Yeah – I know. I'm a horrible person, killing Aki. Bwahahaha-((gets choked by dead man)). Anyway, I'm glad there was an emotional response to the past two chapters. Sorry for any tears! ((passes out Kleenex)) At least I was able to trigger something! Maybe I'm somewhat of a writer after all. XD Cool! Over two thousand hits! Thanks, everyone. Please enjoy. First update of the year—whoooot!

14) vengeance )

I could feel my eyebrows pinching together as I concentrated on Jacob's face. For hours I had been laying there, on top of his chest, feeling it rise and fall with his steady breathing. Jacob's embrace was restricting. If I stretched my fingers as far as I possibly could, I could reach the remote. I was capable of pulling his arms apart, but I didn't want to wake him.

I hadn't been able to sleep the entire night, due to the fact that I kept having horrible visions of myself facing the Volturi and watching my brother die. Every time I lunged for the shapeless, pale murderer's throat – I'd hear Aki cry out, and see him get butchered by another vampire. I'd always be too late, I'd always wake up in tears.

I looked up when I heard Billy's voice. He was greeting someone at the door. I realized it was Charlie, Bella's father, from Jacob's memories. He glanced at me, but ignored me, not realizing that I was awake. He greeted Billy and sat down at the kitchen table, since Jacob and I had taken over the couch.

"…glad he's found himself a girl. He's healed really fast."

"He just wanted to take his cast and bandages off. You know how boys are, restless. Jacob's pretty useless though, he just sits on the couch all day."

Charlie laughed, his voice suddenly become hard. "Did you hear about that triple murder in Seattle? The entire family was killed in their house – except for their daughter who's gone missing," Charlie's voice lowered. "The son's arm was ripped off with the force of some sort of an animal. Whoever did this was deranged."

I pressed my lips against Jacob's neck, unable to move my arms, in hopes that I'd be able to hide my sob. I hadn't done a good job because I heard Charlie's gasp of shock.

"Billy, is she okay? I didn't even know Jacob was…into that kind of relationship, especially in his condition…"

Billy laughed; thinking Charlie's words absurd. "He isn't. She's been sick, she's probably trying to wake him up."

"Oh… " Charlie cleared his throat. I could hear the door open as he stepped outside. "Well, I'll be by later to go fishing."

Jacob rolled over. I squeezed his shoulder, crying hard. He opened his eyes slowly.

"Ari," He released me, his face sad. "I'm sorry. Have you been awake long?"

Lying, I shook my head, unable to speak. Jacob sat up and held me close, rubbing my back.

"Everyone's dead," I finally managed to wail. "That man said everyone died."

"What man?" Jacob asked.

"Charlie," Billy explained. "Jacob, let's try sleeping in separate rooms, okay?"

Jacob looked confused, but he nodded. I shuddered, unable to do anymore than sob. Jacob was patient. He sat with me until I was finally able to acknowledge the day.

"I'll make us something," He said gently, watching me stand up. "You bag's by the door."

Nodding, I took my bag and went silently to Jacob's room. I pulled out what I'd need to change into and went to the bathroom. I took a cold shower in hopes that the shock would wake me up from the horrible nightmare that was my reality, but I barely noticed the chilled water against my skin. I washed my hair and brushed my teeth. I dressed in dark wash jeans and a gray tank top. I wanted to wear black. I wanted everyone to know my suffering.

I dug through Jacob's clothes until I found a black shirt. It was much too large for me, so I rolled up the sleeves and tied it up so that my midriff was exposed. I dried my hair and let it stay down, not able to put much effort into my appearance. I was afraid to look at myself, because looking into my eyes would mean facing what I knew had happened. I avoided the mirror in the bathroom and shuffled into the kitchen. Jacob was just sitting at the table when I entered the room.

"Sorry if it isn't clean," He apologized, seeing I had worn his clothes, probably from the dirty hamper that had been covered with clothes. "I haven't been able to do any laundry lately."

As soon as he said the word laundry I sat down. The last thing I had done for Aki – folding his clothes. Laundry. It was so trivial, but meant so much. I'd never be able to do it for him again. I'd never be able to hear his laugh as he called me a wench who couldn't even press his pants correctly.

I started to cry, my tears spilling over the damming wall that was my denial. Jacob looked pained, trying to figure out what he had said to trigger such a reaction. I saw him mouth the word 'help' to Billy.

"Would you like something to eat?" Billy asked kindly, pushing a plate in front of me. I glared at him and he lowered his eyes. How was I supposed to eat at such a time? How could I eat? I couldn't even stomach the fact that-

"Sam called," Jacob murmured, interrupting my thoughts. I could tell he didn't want to bother me with anything while I was in my current condition. "He wants us to come over. We really don't have to…We could stay here, if you like."

I made no movement to show that I had acknowledged him. He and Billy ate quietly, the only sound came from their silverware scraping against the plates and the television. I hadn't noticed that it was on before.

"…standing before the house where this horrific tragedy occurred. Colleagues of the two doctors – Olufemi Duduyemi and Lindsey Duduyemi have closed their offices in memory of their work. The medical community will forever remember their sudden endings. Their son, Akinwale Duduyemi was to become a freshman in the University of Washington this year. He planned to pursue a career in medicine.

"So far no suspect has been named. There are no leads on the disappearance of fifteen year old Arinola Duduyemi. Bloodied, torn clothes were found on the porch and strewn across the backyard. The blood on the clothes was said to have been from her brother. It is not yet known if she is injured.

"If she is spotted, please call 911 immediately. Here is a picture."

I leaned back in my seat so that I was able to see the picture of me that was flashed across the screen. It was from my yearbook. I was about to return my seat to the correct position when I heard a familiar voice.

"Whoever took her, please,please, bring her back home," Mrs. Neil sniffed. It sounded as if she were talking from a completely different universe; one I had left a long time ago. "Ari – if you can hear me, I want you to know that I'd be happy to welcome you into my home…" She broke off, collapsing into a fit of tears. "They were such a lovely family…"

Jacob stood to turn off the television. I left the table and exited the house. I could hear Jacob coming after me. I could also hear Billy telling him to let me have a minute to myself. I was dully aware that I was expected to feel a sharp pain of losing my brother.

Now I knew I had lost my entire family.

How was I supposed to take that? How would any sane person take that? Thinking was beyond me. Reaction was beyond me. The only thing I could do was stare at everything through blurred eyes.

I waited by the Rabbit until Jacob came out.

"So you don't mind going to Sam's?"

I shook my head and slipped into the passenger's seat. My eyes were closed during the ride. Jacob didn't say anything. He only announced when we had arrived. As soon as I entered the house Emily enveloped me in a hug; Leah did the same as soon as Emily broke away. I blinked at them, not possessing enough will to ask for them to leave me alone.

"We're so sorry."

I flashed an empty smile and walked past them into the living room, ignoring the looks of the rest of the pack as I sat down in an unoccupied corner and tried my best to stay inconspicuous.

"We're here today because the Volturi have attacked," Sam started, his voice solid despite the circles that darkened the skin underneath his eyes from lack of sleep. "Sadly, Ari is now an orphan, but we're glad she's here and still a part of the pack. I've come up with an idea which most of you will disagree with, but you have to keep in mind that it's being done in the best interest of La Push." His gaze caught mine, and I knew the words that would come out of his mouth next would make me hate him for a very long time.

"Ari, I know you now have a reason to kill any vampire you come in contact with. I know all of us do – but you especially, since your wound is fresh. I need to use your hate now. I need you to come with me – to ask the Cullens for help."

I'm sure a wicked grin was on my face, one that would look out of place considering the fact that I was mourning.

I'd get my vengeance. I'd kill every vampire, because they didn't deserve to live, not after killing my family and ruining my life.

Yay! Now – I know this chapter didn't have too much feelings towards the slaughter of her family, but the next one will. Right now she's in a bit of a mental stupor because of the shock. I'll try my best to keep the Cullens in character, but be patient with me. I've got a project due next week, so I may get one more chapter up this weekend. Please leave a review. Hope you're all having a great new year!

--Blessed.