CHAPTER ELEVEN:
'The animal blood theory'
Edward Cullen had noticed something. It had been a strange night. Evelyn had thought about pain; possibly the most excruciating pain she had ever felt. But Edward could hear the girl sleeping peacefully upstairs. She must have been having some horrible dreams. But Carlisle insisted she need her rest, so they were all instructed to leave her in peace. So they did, but Edward kept a firm watch on her thoughts. And as morning approached, all of a sudden Evelyn's thoughts had become awfully loud in a way. He thought maybe she was dreaming again, but her tone seemed to have changed. She was more articulate, even to herself. It was odd. She sounded different to Edward, but he didn't know why. He shrugged it off and concentrated on his other target. Alice.
Oh, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no.
This couldn't be happening.
Not again!
Evelyn mentally screamed. She looked at herself in the floor length mirror, spinning in one spot, until she was certain that the girl before her was really her. She had the same pale blonde hair, though it was longer and the tight ringlets were now flowing waves that reached the middle of her back. Her face was similar, all her features were there, green eyes, thin nose, high cheek bones, but they were more defined; she was definitely older. But it was really the height that gave her away. She had shot up at least half a foot, maybe more. What was she before? She had looked about seven, maybe. Now there was no mistaking that she was almost a teenager. Eleven? Maybe twelve even.
Oh, no, no, no, no! Evelyn's mind freaked, completely and utterly perplexed. This had not happened before. She had never aged this much. Evelyn looked at the empty bags of blood beside the gurney. Three! Four! Five! She counted them off on her fingers.
"Oh my god," she whispered under her breath. After the initial shock wore off, Evelyn frowned. "Great, how do I explain this?"
It was the one thing Evelyn neglected to mention about herself: the fact that she aged dramatically if given human blood. And apparently Evelyn had been given more than her fair share of blood last night. She touched the white gauze on her head. The skin beneath it was tender. And her shoulder hurt. That must be why her arm was in a sling.
While Evelyn watched her reflection feeling horrified, Edward Cullen was downstairs with the rest of his family and just about to call Alice, she had not come home for over twenty-four hours and now Edward knew she was avoiding him. Just as he began dialing Alice and Jasper burst through the door.
"What's going on?" she demanded.
"I was about to ask you the same thing?" Edward said with a grin. "What have you been hiding from me Alice? You're avoiding everyone, but me most of all. I know you told Jasper so if you don't tell me I'll just read his mind."
Alice rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for that right now and I didn't tell him because I know you're so nosy."
Edward smirked. She was lying and he knew it. Alice told Jasper everything.
"Besides we have bigger problems," Alice spoke through her teeth, quickly changing the subject. "Has anyone checked on Evelyn lately?"
"Not since that last time Carlisle started her IV last night, why?" Esme asked, looking concerned.
Alice shook her head, gripping the bridge of her nose.
Edward's mouth dropped. "Impossible," he blurted out.
"What is it?" Emmett growled cracking his knuckles as a show of brute force. He was so scatterbrained right now, and he swore if anything else negative happened to his family he might just lose it: he might turn green and go all hulk.
Rosalie didn't wait for an explanation. She raced up the stairs. Her hand paused on the door knob; her fingers clenched it so tight the metal shrieked as it contorted beneath her grip. She pushed the door open.
Before her, looking terrified, stood Evelyn, at least she sort of looked like Evelyn. The girl was older, taller, the pink pajamas many inches too short as the pant cuffs hung just below the girls knees.
Rose stared, wide eyed and confused. "Carlisle!?" she screamed, the panic making her usually steady voice quiver.
Before Evelyn had a chance to speak or explain she was whisked away by Carlisle and into the spare room Carlisle kept his medical equipment in. She was hooked up to monitor that jumped and beeped each time her heart fluttered nervously.
"I can walk you know," Evelyn stated angrily as Carlisle moved her from the examination table to a scale that was set up against the wall.
"Does anything hurt?" Carlisle asked, filling out a flow sheet of vital signs and expected findings.
"No, I'm fine," Evelyn crossed her arms against her chest. "This has happened before; when I have human blood I grow a lot."
Carlisle listened attentively and then dropped to his knee. "I just want to check your height and weight, Evelyn."
"Ugh, I'm fine, see, I'm about six inches taller and probably gained about twenty three pounds. I'm in the normal range for a twelve year old. Can I go now?" Evelyn begged.
"Not just yet, sweetie. I want to run a few more tests. You're going to be here for a while."
"Ugghh!" Evelyn whined. She rolled her eyes at him and Carlisle had to stifle a laugh.
"Her mental capacity has evolved as well," he whispered to Emmett and Rosalie, who were standing nervously against the wall, as he moved to the side of the room to retrieve his stethoscope. "She's more articulate, a little sassy too. It kind of reminds me of Renesmee."
"But is she okay?" Rose whimpered.
"So far everything checks out," Carlisle smirked. "Well accept for the fact that she seems to be five years older."
The rest of the Cullen's stood nervously in the door way. Alice and Edward were silently arguing about her visions, with Edward reading her current thoughts and Alice watching for his future reaction. They often communicated this way when the wanted to keep the conversation private. Edwards tone was accusing and Alice was starting to lose track of her thoughts. She hadn't seen Evelyn's strange growth spurt until it was almost complete and Edward wanted to know why.
Alice cut Edward off from her thoughts but Edward wasn't finished with her yet and continued out loud which shocked some of their siblings who had been oblivious to the heated argument that had been going on right under their noses.
"Are you even watching the future?" Edward spat angrily at his sister. Alice recoiled like he had screamed the words instead of whispered. His words had stung just the same. This was the second time in their lifetime together when Edward's accusation about her ability to watch out for their family had upset her. The first had been when Bella was still human and Victoria (a vampire with a grudge) had sent another vampire to search her room. Alice had missed that because Victoria had learned to play with the holes in her vision, deliberately refusing to make up her mind until it was too late for Alice to see.
"Of course I am," Alice said hugging her elbows. "Why would you even suggest-"
"Because things seem to be slipping Alice. You're not telling us what's going to happen before it happens as much as you are telling us what's going to happen as it happens. You almost missed the car accident and you totally missed this," Edward said gesturing towards the door of the room Carlisle was currently assessing Evelyn in.
"I don't control when the visions come Edward. I read them as they emerge, you know that. And don't tell me things are slipping. I've been monitoring this family, Evelyn, Renesmee: which is extremely difficult since you have three wolves with her right now. I've been keeping tabs on the Volturi and anything else you think might interfere with our family. So don't tell me I'm slipping. I am doing everything I can."
"Edward," Bella pleaded. He was being too hard on Alice. She couldn't be expected to watch everything all the time. It just wasn't possible. Bella had dropped her shield for an instant just so Edward would specifically hear her.
Edward had been listening to Bella's thoughts and shook his head forcefully. "She's the only one who can, Bella," he said talking to his wife but looking Alice straight in the eye. "I expect her to watch everything because she's the only one who can."
"She's only one person," Jasper said, angry now at Edward. "She may be immortal and gifted but her ability only extends so far. Alice can't possibly watch every second of every moment of the lives of everyone we know."
"It's okay Jazz," Alice said touching his chest. Edward and Jasper had been inches apart and the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. "I can fight for myself," she assured him.
"I know, but you shouldn't have to," Jasper retorted looking hard at Edward, whose face fell instantly.
"You're right Jasper," Edward said. He faltered as Jasper tried using his gift on him but another angry wave surfaced before Jasper could calm him. "She shouldn't have to defend herself because she shouldn't be missing this much."
Jasper growled. Bella stepped between them now.
"Edward this is enough," Bella muttered, frustration and disappointment lacing her words.
"No, I think Alice is spending far too much of her effort hiding things and now it's affecting her ability to see what is coming."
"Really Edward, this is all because I won't tell you what I saw?" Alice seethed. "Why are you being so petty?"
"Petty?" Edward scoffed. "Are you kidding me? I'm concerned Alice, you're stretching yourself too far by trying to shield your thoughts. Just let me in. Even now you have a shield up. What is going on with you lately?"
"Honestly Edward, I'm not even having this argument-"
"Enough now, both of you!" Esme was between them now with a firm hand on Edward's chest and another on Alice's shoulder. "Take this downstairs. Evelyn can hear everything. I want this sorted out before Carlisle and I come down."
The Cullen siblings argued all the way down the stairs and continued as Bella steered them towards the back porch. They showed no sign of stopping anytime soon and for the fact this might get ugly Bella thought it best that they were far away from the house and anything that was breakable and difficult to replace.
"Alice, stop ignoring me! You know I'm right," Edward crossed his arms. Alice was stalking away towards the trees. "Don't even think about running. You know I'm faster, I'll be able to catch up with you."
Alice hissed. "Get out of my head," she spat. "And you don't know anything. You think you do because you read minds, but you know what that makes you, nosy, that's right I said it, you're a nosy, controlling freak Edward!"
Bella bit her tongue but the laugh still squeaked out somehow. As soon as it did Bella clasped her hands over her mouth. She shook with silent laughter and Edward stopped arguing to watch her.
"Wonderful, now you're siding with Alice?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry honey, I really am, but she's right you know. You are kind of a control freak," Bella chuckled.
Jasper was laughing now too. He preferred to pick up on lighter emotions and Bella's laughter was contagious. It was quickly overpowering the negative hostility between Alice and Edward.
Alice bit her bottom lip, but the smile was playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Oh, ha, ha, Alice, you are so funny," Edward mouthed but his lips were twitching now too.
Soon they were all outwardly laughing.
"Edward I know you worry but there is only so much we can do. Even having glimpses into the future doesn't guarantee anything. All we can do is keep trying," Alice said.
"I know, but after what happened with Renesmee and the Volturi all those years ago I don't want to take any chances with our family. I never want anything to happen to us and I rely on you to help me watch out for everyone. I'm sorry I'm such a control freak Alice and I'm sorry I'm so tough on you," Edward pulled Alice into a tight hug.
She squealed. "Let me go, you're wrinkling my shirt. I am wearing silk!" she fumed.
But Edward just hugged her closer. Part of it was because he was really sorry. He had been a bully and Alice had not deserved that. But part of it was also payback for Alice calling him a control freak. He released her slowly making sure to scrunch up the pristine white fabric as he pulled away.
Alice's mouth dropped a she examined her perfectly unkempt looking blouse. She scoffed. "This is hideous now. Look what you did, you did that on purpose." She glared dangerously at Edward.
"I would never," Edward began.
"Control freak," Alice spit.
"Hyperactive shopaholic," Edward muttered.
"I'll kill you for this," Alice warned.
"Only if you can catch me," Edward said and he was gone. Alice disappeared after him.
Bella sighed, "Well I must admit, that went better than expected."
"Edward can't stay mad at her. She's too lovable," Jasper agreed.
Bella nodded as Jasper hooked his arm at his side. She took his arm and Jasper escorted her back up to the house.
After Alice had failed to catch him and given up the chase, Edward counted it as a win and was going to gloat to the first person he saw when he heard Evelyn upstairs trying to make an escape.
Evelyn was tired of being poked and prodded. She didn't want to be stuck in the makeshift hospital bed anymore. When Carlisle left her to rest she slowly unplugged the machines so they wouldn't let out that horrible beep that meant someone had died. She tip toed to the edge of the room but Edward was there first.
She frowned but he just smirked.
"You're not being a very cooperative patient," Edward chuckled.
Evelyn shrugged, "I'm not a patient. There isn't even anything wrong with me."
Edward crossed his arms. "You have a house full of vampires, one of whom is a doctor, who would suggest otherwise."
Evelyn scowled. She didn't want to lie here anymore. Just then her stomach rumbled.
"Hungry?" Edward asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, thank you very much."
He chuckled. "Come on, I think Esme has a snack ready." Edward offered her his hand and Evelyn took it. The slightly warmer temperature of her skin suddenly made Edward think of Renesmee and he was wondering if it would be okay for him to tell Jacob to bring her home soon. He missed his daughter terribly and he knew Bella did too. He had only let this little trip go on to protect Renesmee, but as much as strange things kept happening to his family, none of them really seemed to be putting the Cullen's in any immediate danger.
Rosalie could see Evelyn through the kitchen window and was watching her eagerly. She was perched on a bar stool beside Bella, her long blonde hair now hanging close to her waist as she sat waiting for Esme to finish making lunch. Rose had been trying to wrap her head around what happened and what this meant for her family so she had moved the conversation with Emmett and Carlisle outside. She didn't want to scare Evelyn more than she probably already was. Going to sleep one night and waking up as an older version of yourself was probably pretty terrifying, though Evelyn seemed to be taking it well. She seemed bored of it really and annoyed that they were all fussing over her. But Rosalie was concerned and she wanted answers but the only person who might have had them was coming up empty handed.
"What does this mean? Every time she feeds on blood she is going to age rapidly?" she freaked.
"Well we can try to limit her exposure to blood," Carlisle suggested as a preventative measure.
"Oh yah, that's great Carlisle. Living in a house full of vampire who feed on blood regularly and being half vampire herself and she's just not going to have any blood?" Emmett mumbled sarcastically.
"I meant human blood. But we could try animal blood," Carlisle said, wondering out loud.
Rose shook her head. She wasn't willing to risk it. "What if continues to age? What if she isn't immortal? We may be rushing her closer to her death."
"But we need to know," Carlisle said. "We can keep depriving her of something her body is craving. She is vampire to some extent and will always have an uncontrolled thirst for blood if we don't try to rein it in. Hunting animals might be enough. We'll monitor her with just a little animal blood at first."
"She's not a test subject to experiment on!" Rosalie was angry. "No blood!" She stormed away. Emmett reached for her arm but she through him off.
Carlisle sighed watching as Rosalie stalked back to the house and slammed the door. He could understand her frustration. "I don't know what else to do," he said dejectedly. This was one time where is medical expertise was useless. He had absolutely no experience with this type of thing.
Emmett shrugged. "No one expects you too."
Carlisle smirked.
"Well except Rose," Emmett murmured. "But she's just scared." Emmett looked nervously at the house. "Carlisle, what if she gets hurt again? I mean, what if she needs another transfusion?"
Carlisle looked sick for a moment. "There's no choice. She is half-human; or maybe more. I'll have to give her the blood. Even if that means that the same thing saving her may actually be killing her."
Emmett rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. "Let's not tell Rose about this, she's already freaked enough. But I do think we have to test out the animal blood theory. It would make it a lot easier for her to be around us if she could hunt normally with us. And it might make it easier for her to be around humans. We don't want another Charlie incident."
Carlisle nodded, "No we definitely do not." He followed Emmett back to the house.
Meanwhile…
Meanwhile the strange vampire hiding in the woods had become quite comfortable watching the peculiar and yet amusing Cullen clan. The addition of the half-vampire child had made the past few weeks quiet entertaining. Her ability to take away the vampire curse would be of great interest to his friends in Italy, though he couldn't really call them his friends since he was actually being hunted by the guard. Aro wanted him dead, but Philip wanted to live, so he used his certain knack for eluding people: for existing unseen. He couldn't really explain it only to say that if he didn't want to be found then he wouldn't be. His sister had the same type of ability. She could evade people, just managing to slip away when she had too. But Philip had not seen Victoria for a long time, not since their falling out, many decades ago. That had been the reason she was turned in the first place. Philip always thought she should thank him for making her immortal, but his little sister was always a stubborn one and immortality had made her more so.
Oh well. Now he had a bargaining chip: something that might make Aro desire a trip to the Cullen's more than he wanted to rip Philip limb from limb. It was a worthwhile risk, for Philip was tired of running. And he knew Aro couldn't resist the idea of adding to his guard. And the girl who could turn vampires human would be his greatest treasure of all.