After Midnight

Chapter Twelve

As promised, Sam, Quil, Embry, Seth, and Leah kept Frank very busy over the next three days. On the first day, he went to the beach with Seth. He went to a lively party that night. The next day, he took a long and weary hike with Sam, Quil, and Embry. In the evening, there was a cookout on the La Push beach with most of the natives. The last day he hung out at Jacob's dad's house and watched a football game with Billy Black without interest. This is how it had been since he first arrived at La Push. No interest in anything. No thought that didn't involve Joe…Joe hurt…Joe screaming…Joe dying…

He knew without a doubt that Alice was just trying to calm him down; Joe's injuries were so extensive that he would be lucky to live through this; and it would be an absolute miracle if he didn't wind up completely paralyzed and mentally ill. All he wanted was Joe, and the natives, no matter how nice their façade, didn't have any intention of letting him escape the reservation.

After dinner on the third day, Sam escorted Frank to the La Push borders and waited for Jacob to pick him up. Soon Frank and Jacob were moving at a leisurely pace toward the Cullens' house. Jacob seemed to be happy and carefree. Frank felt the opposite.

"Where are we going?"

"Back to the house."

Frank winced. "Joe's took a turn for the worst, hasn't he? I need to be with him; I need to see him…"

"Calm down," Jacob ordered, barely concealing his grin.

Ten minutes later they pulled up in front of the Cullens' house. "You ready to see your brother?" Jacob asked. Frank nodded, his eyes tearing up as he imagined his baby brother, broken and hurting. But he would be strong for Joe; he had to be. "Wait here," Jacob ordered, and knocked twice before being let inside. The door closed, and Frank stood like a statue, petrified.

This was how bad off Joe was? Jacob had to check and see if he was still alive before letting Frank in? Frank felt a knot in his stomach; he knew he couldn't live without his baby brother. He turned his back to the house, allowing his sorrow to wash over him.

Oh, Joe…

Suddenly two rock-hard, ice-cold arms threw themselves around Frank's neck and shoulders, crushing him in a painful hug. "Frank!"

Frank knew that voice…he spun around and hugged his baby brother tightly, not knowing how it could be possible, and not caring at the moment…

After several long minutes, the brothers pulled apart and Frank gasped. Just three days ago, Joe had broken almost every bone in his body. Just three days ago, Joe had been paralyzed. Now he was looking fitter than he had ever been, his muscles hard as rock. Frank blinked.

Joe had changed in other ways, too. His skin was no longer perfectly tanned, but a flawless, chalky white. His eyes were still blue, but more intense, almost violet. Frank had never thought it would be possible for Joe's eyes to be more blue, more…electric. But they were. His teeth were gleaming white and seemed a bit sharper. And the hug…

Joe's skin was colder than death, his skin like iron. He was more graceful, alert, and healthy than he had ever been.

"Frank…you okay?"

Joe's voice was the same; maybe a bit smoother, a little more musical, but it hadn't changed as much as his appearance.

"Joe…how…how is this possible?"

Joe smiled that same crooked smile that he had smiled so many times in the past, and Frank knew that everything was going to be okay, somehow…

"How is anything possible?" Joe laughed, and his laughter was contagious and magical. Frank couldn't help but laugh along. When their chuckles had subsided, Joe was serious. "Carlisle said it would be best if I explained everything to you myself." He nodded toward the woods. "You wanna go for a walk?"

Frank nodded and followed his younger brother deeper into the forest, wondering vaguely what he was going to find out. Right now, the details didn't seem all that important. Joe was alive, and that was all that mattered.

They reached a clearing after walking for about an hour. Frank was feeling a little short of breath but Joe seemed to be perfectly fine; he wasn't even breathing hard in the slightest.

Joe plopped down on the ground and sighed contentedly. Frank took a seat beside his brother. It was beginning to get dark, but neither of them cared. Millions of stars winked at them through the gap in the canopy of trees. After what seemed like ages, Joe sat up straighter and said, "I guess you want to know what happened."

Frank nodded. "Sure, if you're up to telling."

Joe laughed dryly. "I'm up to just about anything now." He sighed, put his chin on his drawn-up knees, and pouted. He looked so vulnerable again, so much like the younger brother Frank was used to. Instinctively, Frank hugged him and was once again shocked by how frigid Joe's skin was. Joe didn't seem to notice Frank's surprise. Instead, he looked at the ground and muttered, "I've went over this a thousand times in my head, but I still don't know how to tell you…"

"Tell me what?" Frank asked gently.

"Frank…you won't believe me…it's not very…realistic."

Frank laughed bitterly. "After what I've seen in the past few days, I'd believe just about anything."

Joe grinned slightly. "Alright, you asked for it, Big Brother. No build-up, no warning. I'm just gonna come on out and say it, but you have to promise me you won't laugh."

Frank shook his head. "Trust me. I won't."

"Says you," Joe muttered darkly, but he took a deep breath, looked his brother in the eye and announced in a clear, unwavering voice, "Frank, I'm a vampire."

~Emachinescat ^..^