Charlie remembered several things. He remembered that horrible hooded vampire with gleaming red eyes stopping to stare at him hungrily. He also remembered turning to run home, except the vampire caught up with him, and from then on he remembered mostly pain…splinters all over as something peppered him, and then a horrible weight across his torso and stomach and also a shadow over him at that point. He reasoned it was someone mourning over him and that it must be Uncle Paton, because the peppering of splinters could only be showering glass.
And then he remembered the burning.
The burning started from his hand, where he felt something wet puncture it. Then all his other pains were forgotten, and the only thing left was the horrible burning sensation. It was five minutes before he realized he was screaming. And then his screaming got louder.
Eventually he was too tired to scream, and her moaned and shifted instead. He remembered being carried away and the soft murmur of talking, of musical, beautiful talking.
Charlie felt lost and alone, as the burning went on.
-
Paton only left Charlie once over a period of three days. He stopped home and got his things together, and was so joyful that Julia had decided to pick Emma up for a girl's night out, so forth Emma wasn't attacked. Paton suddenly remembered that Julia was endowed too, and was immensely glad Julia wasn't around either.
After getting his things he strode at his quick pace to Diamond Corner. Lyell and Amy had to know the truth, because Charlie soon would not be their wonderful son, and from what Bella told him, they may not see their son until he was controlled, which meant until they were either dead or very old.
Paton took a breath and knocked.
"Paton!" Amy exclaimed when she opened the door. Paton bowed his head as Lyell called, "Come in, Paton, come!"
Paton took his long strides into the living room. The endowed lived a very long time unless they were murdered. But Charlie would live forever…
"Paton, sit!" Lyell boomed, a grin on his face. "Charlie out with friends, eh?"
"Not exactly, Lyell, and I prefer not to sit."
"Paton," Amy questioned softly, sensing his tone of voice. Something wasn't right. Lyell's grin faded, for he sensed Paton's grim emotion also.
"I'll come straight out with it," Paton said, taking a large breath.
"Please do," Amy whispered while Lyell held a furrowed expression. Paton wished he did not have to bear this news, but as a witness and family member, he must, and he dreaded it.
"The people who moved in across the street, at Number 12, they are not human," Paton nodded.
"Something expected," Lyell nodded. "Not everything you say about not being human is a shock."
"But I have something that will come as a shock. They are vampires, and they were followed by an Italian vampire enemy seeking revenge. Now the vampires across the street, the Cullen's, are good. However I cannot say the same for their enemy. Their daughter, Renesme, went to school with Charlie, pretending to be an endowed child. She does have a gift, but isn't endowed from the Red King.
"There was a war of vampires in our street," Paton said. He recounted every detail of the battle scene, explained the Cullen's, and then explained that Charlie was attacked. Amy gasped, and Lyell let out an angry protest.
"The Cullen family tried to save him, and I must add that all endowed people do smell extremely tempting to vampires, as I explained. The vampire was ravenous and ruthless against Charlie, and it wasn't until I used my talent to scare him away. I scarred his eyes, but I'm afraid they might heal."
"And…and Charlie?" Amy choked.
Paton looked at her with the most heartbreaking of faces, and Amy sobbed, thinking Paton meant he was dead, while Lyell was frozen in a state of shock.
"Charlie would have died," Paton added quietly. Amy looked up and Lyell stirred. "Alice knew Charlie would have died, and she saved him," Paton bowed his head sadly.
"Oh Charlie is fine, Lyell!" Amy cried.
"Not exactly," Paton said, looking to the ceiling now, avoiding their gaze. The light bulb above flickered but did not turn on, and it continued to flicker.
"Not exactly?" Lyell said sharply.
"Alice bit him."
"You mean…" Amy gasped.
"No…" Lyell whispered.
"I mean your son is turning immortal as we speak, and he will be in a lust for blood when he is, and he will be unsafe. Charlie is in the beginning stages of becoming a vampire. I am sorry I had to bring such news." Paton said firmly, and he got up quickly, walking himself to the door while Amy wailed and Lyell held her, sobbing with her. Paton did not look back.
His long legs carried him far and Paton walked all the way back, the long hour to Filbert Street. Coming had not seemed like an hour, even thought it should have for the dread of telling them. However Paton isn't that sort of man, and he continued.
-
Renesme stared at the sad boy. Her father, from what her mother said, hated being a vampire. He was a monster. Bella only wanted to be a vampire to be with Edward and the Cullen family forever, and now for her.
Renesme had mixed emotions about their state of being. But then for this innocent boy doomed to live forever, watch everyone around him die. The to wander, without anything. Renesme distantly wondered what would happen to him.
Edward was in the next room, talking quickly to Carlisle on the phone.
"That vampire is from the Volturi, damn it," Edward cursed. "It looks so much like Alec!"
"Can you read his mind?"
"No, he has some sort of shield from his mind only, it's frustrating enough not being able to read yours or Esme's as I speak to you now."
"I understand, son, I'm just trying to understand," Carlisle patiently explained.
"I know…" Edward sighed.
"Can you stick it out? How much room is there in that home?" Carlisle asked.
"Not very much. Charlie will have to live with us until he is ready," Edward said.
"Then I will rent a home not too far away. How is Charlie doing?" Carlisle asked again.
"He is mostly moaning now, he's too tired to scream anymore."
"Alright. I'll tell Billy Black to look after Chief Swan, because if they're following you, another can't be far away."
"And Rosalie? Emmett?"
"Either they are staying home to watch Forks or they are coming here to join us," Carlisle said firmly. Edward nodded into the phone, his eyes closed.
Carlisle noticed Edward's silence and added, "Is Jasper okay?"
"Yes he's fine. But we're all hunting in partners now," Edward said.
"Good. I want you to take Charlie to the forest before he fully turns, away from people. Far away. Then I want someone to keep an eye on the Volturi," Carlisle commanded.
"Yes," Edward responded, his voice dull.
"Son, it's hard to tell whether Alice did the right thing or not, but we have to trust that she did do right, you understand?" Carlisle implored.
"Of course," Edward nodded.
"I know you're worried for Renesme and Bella, but they will be fine," Carlisle assured.
"I…" Edward stopped himself from saying 'I know', because he didn't know.
"We'll be there soon," Carlisle said soothingly before hanging up and getting ready to leave.
Edward flipped the phone shut and put it in his pocket, before holding himself tightly, tempted to cry. Bella was there immediately, holding him now, comforting him. Edward didn't know where he'd be without Bella.
"We'll get through this, we always get through," Bella soothed.
"But what if we don't all make it?" Edward said stonily, holding her hand.
"I know we will, you have to trust, Edward," Bella told him, her musical voice trying to calm him. "I've put my shield around the house, I'll feel anything."
"Carlisle said we must take him out to the forest," Edward said.
"That's wise…I'll go tell Paton," Bella said, letting go reluctantly. Edward's pitch black eyes held her bright red ones before she turned away into the living room.
Renesme was sitting by Alice, in her arms while Alice stoked her bronze curls. Renesme shared all of her tangled and wild thoughts with her, and really, Alice was her best friend.
"I know it, and I feel awful. It was so hard to resist drinking Charlie's blood…but he's changing now, and to Paton…poor Paton, I can see it right now. He's going to be by Charlie every step of the way, and Edward is going to try his best to shake him…" Alice explained.
"I miss Jacob, and…and poor Charlie, he seemed like such a wonderful boy," Renesme said, a tear coming down her cheek. Renesme had the wonderful ability to cry and blush, and Alice was reminded.
"Edward won't let you go near Charlie, Nessie, you have blood running in your veins," Alice remarked.
"I can handle my own. Daddy is being overprotective, like always," Renesme huffed.
"No," Alice argued gently, stroking her hair again. "He loves you and I don't blame him."
"So you're on his side?" Renesme said hopelessly.
"And Bella and Jasper's too, honey," Alice chuckled. Nessie was willing to defy Edward but when it came to Alice she didn't want to. Was it a parent thing? Alice wouldn't know. Alice saw that Paton would want to come into the forest too. She decided to pry into the future, and she gasped, jumping up off the couch.
"What?" Renesme said, alarmed, her heart thumping wildly.
"Edward!" Alice called.
"What?" Edward said, running into the room at lighting fast speed. Bella and Jasper joined them while after a few moments Paton poked in, then ducked out. The light was on overhead. Edward quickly shut it off and Paton walked inside, the light flickering.
"The Volturi boy, he's coming," Alice said dazedly, halfway in the room and halfway in the future.
"And?" Paton demanded, which was surprising since Edward was usually the first to speak.
"His name is Amari. He is the distant relative of Alec, and Alec changed him. Alec is under strict orders to stay in Volterra, but Amari is free. He sent Amari for us, and is set on destroying us," Alice explained.
"And he explains this?" Edward demanded.
"Yes," Alice nodded.
"He plans to face us alone?" Jasper inquired.
"Yes!"
"How does he explain it?" Bella asked.
"He is in a room," Alice closed her eyes, then they shot straight open, and she stared at Paton a moment with pitch black eyes, making him uncomfortable.
"What?" Paton asked.
"He's going to take you prisoner."
"Let him." Paton seethed.
"Alice, can you see endowed children now?" Edward asked. Alice nodded. "I've grown accustomed to the area and their scents, so yes."
"Paton, I have to take Charlie to the forest," Edward said abruptly.
"Why?" Paton demanded.
"So when he changes, he won't kill everyone he loves," Bella said quietly. Paton stared into her deep red eyes for a moment before sighing and turning to Edward, straightening up.
"Oh no you're not," Edward growled.
Paton snorted, "You don't even-!" Then he stopped. "Oh, right." Paton forgot that Edward could read minds and found it highly upsetting. Julia could read minds too and she never did this.
"I'm sorry I do that," Edward mumbled. "Habit, but anyways, you're not going."
"I am so too! Edward, Charlie is my nephew, and I love him. If you think I am going to wait the rest of my miserable, hiding, cowering life in the darkness with not a clue where my Charlie is, you're wrong! I don't care if I have to shove my hand in your mouth to make me a vampire so I can join him, but I am not staying and I don't give a damn if I die!" Paton thundered defiantly, puffing out his chest. Edward was appalled, and he closed his eyes and rubbed his temples in concentration.
"Fine, you can go, but if you die, I am not responsible, Paton Yewbeam, and I won't be the one to tell your wife and niece that you're dead," Edward gave in a harsh snarl.
Paton nodded curtly and added, "I can promise you this, Cullen, you won't have to tell them, because I won't die, and Charlie will not kill me."
Edward mumbled, "You don't know that," under his breath and straightened. "We have not a moment to lose. Charlie will be changing soon and we need to move him to the forest now!"
"Edward, is Carlisle coming?" Bella asked her love timidly, holding Renesme in her arms.
"Yes," Alice and Edward answered at the same time. They looked at each other for a moment before turning away and setting to work, Alice to accompany Jasper hunting and Edward to prepare a stretcher to carry Charlie in.
Paton saw that the meeting was over, and rushed into the living room to Charlie, who was still moaning. Paton was horrified to see Charlie's features had dramatically changed. Charlie's face was smooth and angular and his face was paler. His entire body was amazingly perfect. Paton knew this could only mean one thing.
"Edward!" Paton shouted.
"What?" Edward said irritably, immediately at his side. Paton shook his head wildly. Hadn't he just been to the other side of the house?
"I'm a vampire, I am fast. Get on with it Yewbeam!" Edward demanded. Paton glared at him.
"I am under pressure, Paton, and you're tempting enough as it is," Edward threatened.
"It's Charlie. Do vampires normally change this quickly? Bella said three days," Paton said, gesturing to Charlie. Edward's eyes widened in shock, and if he could have, he would have gone pale.
"No…Paton, we have to get Charlie to the forest now! Alice will take you after me, AL-!"
"I'm here. Let's go." Alice stood in the doorway, having seen already Edward's intentions.
"Go!" Edward shouted. "Bella, we're in the forest, my love! Go hunting with Jasper and take Nessie, then switch shifts to watch the house!" Edward bellowed out his orders. There was a scuffle in the next room.
"Edward, Carlisle…" Jasper said, running into the room, as Edward scooped the amazingly beautiful Charlie up in his arms.
"Is he here yet? No. When you come back with Bella and Nessie keep an eye out for Carlisle and Esme. Bella will take Alice hunting soon when you return." Jasper nodded and hurried out the door, Bella and Renesme not far behind.
Paton had been standing helplessly, and thinking also of how bossy Edward Cullen was. He could hardly understand how Bella could love him and let alone the others stand him.
"Enough ridiculing me!" Edward cried out to the ceiling. Alice snickered. "WHAT!?"
"I can't stop my thoughts, Edward, let's get Charlie out, now!" Paton ordered.
"Fine." Edward sneered. He turned to Alice, who nodded. Suddenly Paton found himself being scooped up in tiny arms by someone half his size.
"WHOA, WHOA! You didn't tell me I was being carried!" Paton cried. "I am the fastest runner in the city! I can go myself!"
"But not as fast as us," Alice reminded him.
"You'll slow us down, are you coming or not?" Edward demanded. Paton glanced at Charlie in Edward's arms, feeling uneasy at the sight. He nodded firmly. Seconds too late, Charlie mumbled, "Stop arguing…"
And Charlie was screaming again.
"We have to take him now, it's almost complete," Edward said worriedly over Charlie's howls. Indeed Charlie's heart was a blur and hum of sound and the pain was the worst yet.
Alice swung Paton onto her back for easier carrying, and they were off.
It was the most amazing sensation he had ever felt. Everything whisked fast, faster than any car. He could hardly look at the lights, therefore the streetlamps did not shatter. Paton was about to tell them to avoid the streets, but already the Cullen's knew the most deserted routes, and suddenly they were winding through the trees, and he couldn't tell one tree from the next.
Abruptly they stopped and Paton stumbled off. He realized just how amazing it was, that he was riding on tiny Alice, and his size hadn't bothered her a bit.
"Paton, back away," Alice cried.
Paton ran off at least a hundred yards away, as Charlie's heart slowly infinitely stopped and he began to wake up.
