So This is actually a pretty long chapter--like twice as long as usual. BUT trust me, it's interesting. I hope you agree! Do you think we could make it to like 25 this time? usually i just ask for an additional five, but this IS double the chapter than normal. Almost triple, actually. Please? Next chapter will be posted as soon as you guys make the goal! I just want to make sure people are still reading--not to be evil and hold it ransom. Don't hate me! :D
"What do you want with me, exactly?" my voice sounded so alien and quiet. So unlike me. I was curled up at the base of a tree, and Vincent had practically become my handcuff. His hand was probably leaving a bracelet of bruises right now…if that was possible. I felt like weeping…weeping for the reason I had escaped savagery, just to be sucked back into a similar lifestyle. It frightened me. I would never meet my blonde angel. I wanted so desperately to meet him…but now he was like a figment of imagination. One I would never meet--only in my visions.
As the words crossed my mind, I plunged into a new vibrant world.
I was stunned by the people staring at me…the vampires. It was like it was happening right at that second…I could see their burning gold eyes. They looked at me in pity, and I could tell I was far below them, perhaps on the floor.
Their faces were faraway like balloons…hovering above me. I gaped at their kind faces. It was odd--seeing kindness, though I was a stranger from it by only hours. I missed Jocelyn and Janine. I missed Figgie. I missed my imaginary friends Will and Kate.
The vampires smiled…all at once, bombarding me with delight. It felt so warm and oozy as it ran through me, racking my body. They said one word each--their names, it had to be. The beautiful blonde woman made me feel insignificant with her glorious beauty.
"Rosalie." She soothed.
The blonde man smiled, and I could see dimples on his pale face. "Carlisle."
The words were soft…they seemed to float. I sat in awe. The caramel colored haired woman smiled kindly. Her wide eyes looked down lovingly. "Esme…" Did she want to say more? Her voice was so fluffy and soft…everything motherly.
A tall bronze haired boy about my age--my age I turned…smiled crookedly. I found myself fascinated at his face, leaning upwards. He said to me, "Edward."
A dim light shone through the space between them each. A huge boy with a mop of dark hair smiled warmly, too, and I was shocked for a moment. Was that Perry--the shy henchman? When he uttered, "Emmett." I knew it wasn't from his comforting voice--even if he was lying he couldn't change his voice.
I looked up at them, the light shimmering like pale sunshine. I squinted, but I felt my face turn into a grin. Esme leaned forward, looking suddenly worried. But why?
I reached out to touch her face, to tell her it was alright--I was okay now, and found that my hand wouldn't move. It was tied up…it was so heavy…it wouldn't budge. I sighed and stared at her questioning face.
"Sweetheart…who's Jasper?" I closed my eyes against the harsh light. I wanted them to explain later…to question me later. Now I just wanted to be held in Esme's arms…maybe with Carlisle brushing the hair from my dirty face. I didn't want to speak…I didn't have an answer anyway. I hadn't ever heard of a Jasper in my life…
"But you keep saying his name over and over, Hon." Esme cooed, and I suddenly understood. In the future…carrying the knowledge of this very vision…I would be saying a name over and over…it had to be my blonde vampire. My angel. Suddenly the light became blinding, and though I shut my eyes against it, I nearly cried out in agony when I opened my eyes to darkness. And pain.
My cheek smarted. I touched it gingerly with my free hand…what had happened? Sharp fingernails burrowed into my jaw and snapped my head to the side, and I was suddenly centimeters from Vincent's face. His eyes glowered in the darkness like bright lights. It was both intriguing and heart-stopping (if mine was able to stop) at the same time. I gasped before he bellowed, "You listen when I speak, wretch!" I flailed up my free arm to put a surface between us. I tried to pry away…look away…anything!
"I couldn't help that!" I heard myself shriek in desperation. He was silent for a second, letting my jaw have some slack. I veered my eyes away...just to see Lee watching intently. The only good thing was that he wasn't inches from my face…but he seemed to be thinking about it. He was on his knees and hands, his shoulder blades protruding unnaturally. His eyes glittered lustfully. I was amazed to feel myself shrinking away--into Vincent's clutches once more.
"What do you mean you couldn't help it?" He sneered, imitating my voice in a nasally pitch as he repeated my words. Yet…I could hear the faraway fear as he wondered if I indeed had an ability. Had such an imbecile heard of that? I doubted it. I sighed.
"I can see the future. Some vampires…they have powers. It may sound weird…but I can." I squeaked, praying it was something somewhat common in vampires. He was silent, to my horror.
"You are quite the amazing thing, Alice." Vincent chuckled darkly. I barked out a laugh and curled up as much as I could with Vincent still attached to me. I was slightly relieved that he wasn't about to punish me for having an ability he didn't--he seemed like the type to harm anyone superior in any way to him.
"You know…Perry over there has a little power too." Vincent whispered, trying for seduction. After I got over my chills, I was open-mouthed.
"Really?" I gasped, praying for it to be beneficial. Two abilities could work together--we could be stronger than Lee and Vincent. Depending on what Perry's power was…
Vincent nodded--a quick jerk. "Hey--Per! Come tell the young lady what you can do with your freakish self." I averted my wide eyes to Perry, lumbering towards us, a little uncertainly. I watched intently.
He seemed uncomfortable. He grimaced subtly, but Vincent was too transfixed on my face and future reaction to notice.
"You can see the future?" Perry asked, his deep voice rather pleasant and unthreatening. It was even a little awed, to my surprise. I was flattered that he was so fascinated. Vincent huffed out an annoyed breath, and both Perry and I turned in distress to his disapproval. Lee sniggered darkly. I wanted to throw something huge at him. Like Perry.
"I didn't ask for a game of 20 questions, Perry. Tell her about your dumb power before she throws a fit." Vincent said acidly. I managed a glimpse out of the corner of my eye. Who did he think he was--insulting us all like that? Surely Perry could snap him in half. He had no right to say I would throw a fit. I was waiting patiently. He was the one being immature--
"I can see what people want the most. Like vampires…of course. More like vampires. Not really humans--I mean I don't really--"
"Oh, stop your stuttering, Perry. I swear that is one thing you should have left behind in your human life." Vincent spat, his voice becoming bored. At least he wasn't spitting flames…
I was glad that he was becoming tired of this conversation…then he wouldn't inquire Perry to see what--
"Per, what does our little sunshine want most?"
Oh, crap. I coughed into my white hand, keeping my eyes averted. Perry's feet shuffled. Vincent growled slightly before snapping, "I'll bet it's freedom, right?" He chuckled horrifically as he tweaked my cheek, rather hard. It would have torn off a human's flesh. I shuddered.
"No…" Perry whispered, his gaze fixed on me intently. I returned his frightened gaze. Vincent turned to him, cocking his head, truly perplexed. Lee slunk closer to me. I froze.
"There's a man…a vampire. A blonde one." Perry squinted and stared at me harder--so I looked away in discomfort. Vincent's grip lessened as he leaned in with interest.
"Really? Your mate?" he asked, sort of curiously...not exactly toxically. That surprised me…I could have sworn that was the reason I was here--to be his little plaything. Or maybe Lee's? He disgusted me--but Vincent weighed him down with the amount he terrified me. I didn't want to talk about…Jasper. I smiled despite myself at the thought of him. I could match a name to his face, and that was a huge treat for me. So was the escape to The Cullens…
"Well?" Lee hissed. I grimaced. He was like a fly that buzzed around your head. He was annoying and disgusting…and he was simply Vincent's parrot, echoing his threats so they sounded dumb. I rubbed my eyes with my free hand.
"No. He wasn't my mate. I've never met him before." I said simply, looking into the moon absently. The vampires bickered in confusion.
"Yet he's the one thing you want most in life?" Vincent scoffed. That sort of stung me. True, it was silly…but I never knew any other way to look forward to something in the horrible life of vampires. I heard myself whisper in a mangled tone: "Yes."
"Not power? You don't want an endless supply of human blood? Or to be able to sleep or eat like a normal human or not sparkle in the sun?" Lee asked. I sighed at his dumb questions as he tried to maintain a threatening position like some sort of puma. "No. I only want him."
It sounded desperate and pathetic, but it was true. I wanted him right there with me. Vincent was silent. They all were. They just stared. I didn't like those stares. They were like Figgie's. Though I loved him as a best friend, I hated how he gave me pitying glances. How he thought I was crazy. Just like in the asylum, where the nurses would walk by with trays of food, and peek through my door window like I was an exotic bird or rare art piece. Or circus freak. That fit the best. I was no beauty in such a time of utter desperation. I looked away, swallowing heavily.
Vincent sighed. I took advantage of his calm mood. "So what do you want me for? Tell me, I beg of you." He did something that made me want to slap him. He smirked, like I was some sort of silly child that he needed to explain something to. I tired to control my facial expressions and my hand from flying up.
"Obviously, this blonde wonder boy isn't around. Don't you think you need a man in your life, sweetness?" He wrapped his arm around me. It was like a rope of rocks. I groaned. I didn't care what he did to me. The thought of being with him was worse than being slapped repeatedly by his hand.
"Don't you do--" Vincent hissed as he felt me tense.
"You will never be my mate." Once the words were out, a fire blazed inside of me. I pulled his hand, still linked on my wrist, and brought it to my lips. I summoned all my strength to collect in my jaws--and clamped down. He howled as my teeth sunk in…ever so slowly. Skin pushed against my gums in a satisfying discomfort. I pushed away his limp hand and stood up, ready to make a run for it. The thought of being with this horrible monster was too much to bear.
As my feet hit the ground in a pitter-patter, I heard an outrage voice shriek, "GET HER!" I gasped and pumped my arms, willing myself faster. Faster than I'd ever ran. I thought I was gaining distance between us after a while, not daring to look over my shoulder--until a huge hand grasped my shoulder. It whirled me around fiercely, and I shrank back and flinched, preparing for a smash, a slap, a bite, a tear. Nothing came.
My eyes widened. It was Perry who had caught up to me. "I'm sorry." His lips moved fast, and I could faintly hear the lithe and sneaky footsteps of Lee approaching. I suddenly grabbed Perry's huge arms.
"You must help me!" I hissed urgently. I could see Jasper in my mind. "You are big and tough! We can get away from Vincent--!" Perry's large finger crushed my lips.
"You don't understand, Alice." he said back, just as tight lipped, like we would be caught. I actually could hear Lee coming nearer… "Vincent is keeping something from you! He does have a power!" My eyes widened as I stopped struggling against his melon like arms.
"What is it…?" I asked, my lips numb. My eyes pricked in fear.
Perry bit his lip, his face agonized. Lee was only miles away now…Vincent must have stayed behind… "He can erase your memory."
I froze like a statue. He could erase memories? I realized that was the most terrifying thing I had ever thought of…more than getting mutilated by his physical attacks or Lee coming in contact with me. He could make me…forget…Jasper. I gasped, my non-pouring tears clogging my throat. It felt like the size of a straw. I felt like I was leaning backwards, but Perry shook me back to life.
"What will he be taking from you…if…?" Everything I said was barely a whisper. Like I was recovering strangulation. Perry grimaced.
"I still remember my family. My mom. My dad…my fiancé." I balked at this. How could someone even consider this? This horror? It was all either of us had.
"How old are you?" I asked him softly. His red eyes flashed.
"I've only been like this for one year." I nodded at him, trying not to weep for him. For me. Somehow, I didn't think Lee was too keyed up about losing his memory. Unless…
"Has he done it to Lee?" I hissed beneath my breath. Perry slowly let go of me. He nodded.
"We were actually friends as humans. He was my best friend. Vincent got us both at once, wishing to create a coven. He could use his power as a threat or tool. I don't know if he'll just turn it onto me later so I won't be so…" He shuddered. I clasped my white hands in the darkness. I pressed them to my forehead, wishing this all away. Pointless. "That's a story I shouldn't tell. You are upset…"
"No. Just tell me later. I would like to know…but--"
Lee flew through the air, a black stain on the blue sky. His arms seemed to reach out to grab something. He landed, his shoulders hunched, his teeth bared. "Come on, lil' princess." His spindly arms were stretched…I stepped away. Perry cocked his head.
"I got her, Lee." His hand gently wrapped around my arm, as to not hurt me. I played along and gasped in faux pain. Perry furrowed his brow, hiding his red eyes in the shadows. Lee snorted and turned around, leading us back to where Vincent was. I was pleading into Perry's ear for ideas on what was to come, but he wouldn't tell me. Or couldn't; his voice choked each time he began.
When we got to the camp, I understood why.
The next morning when Lee and Vincent were at the creek, scavenging for hikers, Perry soothed me and tried to take my mind off the cuts riddled over my arms. They stung horrendously. I was glad they weren't venomous bites...but it was close in pain. Fingernails...steely and sharp...scraping across my once-flawless skin. I wondered if we could travel today--wherever we were heading. Perry said nothing as he held my arm, staring at the purple gnashes.
Song Choice of the Chapter: Let it Happen by Jimmy Eat World
