-1Cassie's POV
It didn't take long to find the house described by Mike Newton. There was a truck parked in the driveway but no one answered the door when I rang. So I sat on the doorstep to wait.
Scarlett woofed impatiently at me. I stroked her soft fur.
"It's okay girl. She'll be here soon. I hope" The two dogs had been my only friends and companions since I'd left England. Even before then they'd been my only friends through everything. They were twins, adopted from a rescue shelter after being almost drowned. Scarlett was the leader, the impatient one who always tugged on the lead (whenever she had one on which wasn't often). Buddy was the quiet, caring one. They both adored me and I knew they would fight for me to the death if I wanted them to.
A car pulled up in the drive. I could hear laughter. I squinted into the darkness. Bella was there, I could just make her out. There was also someone else…
"Honestly Jake, I'm not that fragile. I can carry my own shopping. The vegetables aren't going to attack me"
"I want to. Get off shrimpy" I stiffened. He sounded…big. I felt a wave of fear wash over me. Buddy broke his normal silence and barked. Scarlett echoed him, following up with a growl. I tried desperately to quieten them.
"What was that?" Bella asked.
"A dog Bella. I'm sure you've heard one before"
"Very funny. It sounded close" I rose, letting the car's headlights skewer me.
"There's someone there" said Bella, peering at me. It had been years but she hadn't changed. I sighed quietly, looking at her. Bella was my opposite. We looked almost the same (well, our moms were both twins) but Bella was the dark one, the warm one. I was the cold light one. I sometimes wished I had Bella's expressive brown eyes instead of my icy silver ones.
"Who's there?" called Bella. I didn't reply, still assessing the boy as whether he was a threat or not.
He darted forward and grabbed me, pinning me against the wall.
"Let go of me you fucking arsehole!" I managed to choke out. The dogs leapt forward, digging their teeth into his legs. He cried out in pain but held fast.
"Jake! What is it?" Bella called concerned, hurrying forward. She saw me and stopped.
"Jake, let her go"
"What? Ow! Get those dogs off me!" Bella grabbed them by the collar and pulled them off him. The pair kept struggling and trying to snap at anyone in reach.
"You can let her go now Jake" Bella said. Jake didn't release me, he merely loosened his grip. The dogs were still barking and thrashing.
"Scarlett! Buddy! Shut up!" I snapped. For once, they disobeyed. Clearly not liking the fact that I was being throttled anymore then I did "And let me go or I'll get them to rip your balls off"
"Who is this kid Bella?"
"She's my cousin Jacob. Now let her go" he did as he was told and stepped back.
"Can you let my dogs go now?" I asked. Bella hesitantly released them. Buddy stayed where he was, growling but Scarlett leapt forward again, eager to attack. I knelt in front of her and whispered in her ear. She froze and her snarls subsided into low growls.
I rose again and smiled at Bella.
"Nice to see you Bells. It's been a while hasn't it?"
"Cassie, why are you here?"
"What? I can't visit you anymore?"
"You haven't seen me in three years. We've only ever been able to email each other"
"Sorry. Now, can you please dismiss your pet gorilla so I can talk to you?"
"No way" said Jacob "I'm staying" I glared, my eyes darkening with anger. We locked gazes, a battle of wills. Eventually I broke away and shrugged.
"After you" I mock curtseyed. Bella unlocked the door and went in. I followed, whistling for the dogs. The gorilla, Jacob, came in last.
I settled happily onto the sofa while Bella stood looking nervous. Jacob was pacing.
"Okay, so this…girl is your cousin?"
"Yes, both on our mother's side. They were twins" Bella said "Renee and Rachel"
"What about her father?"
"She does have a name you know" I cut in "it's Cassie. That's Buddy and Scarlett" I pointed at the dogs who had taken up their standard positions, one on either side of me, at my feet. They weren't relaxed though. I could see the tension in them. They didn't trust him anymore then I did.
"I remember those two. I haven't seen them since they were pups!" Bella smiled for the first time since she'd seen me.
"Christmas right? 2007? That was the last time"
"Yeah, I remember. So why'd you show up now?"
"Maybe I just wanted to see you" I didn't really want to explain with giganto around.
"Nice try but unlikely. You would have rung first. Also, your emails stopped coming about three months ago. Why?" I shrugged.
"Were you worried?" I asked. Confusion flashed across her face.
"Of course I was. You just…stopped"
"No you weren't. No cared. And they won't. ever" my exhaustion from the travelling, my frustration and fear all leaked into my voice.
"What's wrong Cassie?" I shot a meaningful look in the direction of Jacob.
"Please?" he looked conflicted for a minute or two but nodded.
"I'll see you later Bella. Your shopping is in the kitchen" he said before leaving. I waited until I heard his car engine start and drive off before speaking again.
"Bella…things have happened…bad things. I don't really know how to tell you"
"Start at the beginning. What happened, when did it start?"