Chapter 6: Need
A/N: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. (In other words – I don't own it, I'm just playing). Please take the time to leave some words if you really loved it or really hated it! Thanks to my beta FE71SH for working the magic.
- EPOV -
As I watched the brunette tear up our house, I clenched my hands into tight fists.
"Why?" I asked Alice. "What happened?"
I don't know, Edward, Alice thought. But I think Jasper is right. It's too dangerous to go back to that house.
I wanted to argue with her. I wanted to tell her that it was worth investigating, but I knew she was right. I couldn't ask any of my family to put themselves in harm's way because I had some strange fascination with a brunette vampire with a tantalising scent. Someone I didn't even know. Especially not when said vampire obviously had a violent nature.
"What was that?" I asked Alice. She had been turning the vision over and over in her mind. The last picture was the female falling to the forest floor. It was such a heartbreaking sight it hurt to watch it. "Why is she so sad?" I wondered aloud to myself.
"I don't know. It disappears after that," Alice replied.
I dismissed her with a flick of my hand. I needed to be alone with my thoughts. The sight of the female so sad... so broken... hurt me. A physical pain. I didn't understand it; my kind never suffered illness or injury, so why did a vision give me a tangible ache in my chest. I toted it up as another infuriating question that I would never know the answer to.
I exited the room shortly after Alice. Seeking solitude that couldn't be found within the confines of the four walls there. Everywhere I looked was blandness and nothing. There was no beauty, no peace. I roamed the castle, climbing higher and higher in an attempt to find comfort.
I stood alone on one of the turret towers, watching the sun break through the dark of night, wishing I had something to light the darkness I felt inside. I heard Aro coming in search of me before he even hit the stairs, giving me time to prepare. I knew the conversation I was about to have had been coming the entire time I was here. He had noticed how out of sorts I had been during my time in Volterra. He had seen the worry and concern in my family's minds and he had decided to prey on what he considered a weakness in my family's unity. He would be sourly disappointed, but there was little I could do to change that. I couldn't stay here.
"Young Edward," his feathery voice whispered behind me. You have much on your mind. Why don't you share your concerns? He held out his hand.
I knew it was regarded as the height of rudeness to refuse Aro's hand and it would be death to do so. I was depressed, but not suicidal, so I pressed my fingers against his. The first thing he tried to read - eagerly - were my true intentions regarding the Volturi guard. His face fell as he realised how adamant I was about staying with my family.
You are quite certain of this course? He asked. The echo of his own thoughts read through my mind had him reeling with excitement.
Yes, I thought in reply. I cannot leave my family. Even as the seventh wheel, as you so eloquently think, I am at peace - at home. I can't leave them. I won't.
Not even to find out more about the brunette that's in your mind? He asked. He showed me visions - my own memories - of my nights spent thinking of her. Of the questions I had surrounding her and why she seemed to have such a hold on me.
I was tempted, and he saw it in my mind, but it was too much to give up. My family for answers. I shook my head. Not even for that.
You are certain? I have excellent resources. There is no doubt I would be able to track her down sooner or later.
She doesn't mean as much to me as my family.
Such loyalty is to be commended. I just hope it doesn't see you get hurt. He released my hand and turned. I could see him formulating a plan in his mind. Whatever my previous thoughts were about her, whether she meant harm or not, I had just placed the unknown female into the path of danger. Aro thought that if he could find and claim her he would be able to convince me to join him to gain the answers I sought.
I cursed myself internally. I made the decision then and there that I would find the brunette before his guard could. I would ensure she was safe from the Volturi first and foremost. She didn't deserve to be in danger because of me. Then, I would see if she had the answers I needed. Finally, if she was going to be a threat to my family - I would destroy her myself.
I followed the thoughts of my family and found them in a planning session. Apparently Alice had given them the details of her vision and they all agreed that it would not be wise to return home. They had a map of the North America stretched out in front of them and were trying to decide where we should go next. Emmett and Rosalie were arguing for Canada, but Alice wanted to head back to Washington, despite Carlisle's concerns that not enough time had passed since we last resided in Forks.
Every time she thought of Washington she saw glimpses of me and the brunette; nothing solid that she could latch on to, but staccato images of the two of us running, of her by my side, of me hunting while the brunette looked on - her honey coloured eyes staring at my back. Her face was beautiful, even for our kind. I sighed in frustration - her eyes were not the ones I had dreamt of for so long, despite my mind mixing the images. In all the images Alice saw there was one constant. I looked happier than I had ever felt - at least since my introduction to my immortal life. I couldn't deny I was intrigued by what could happen in the state to change my demeanour so drastically. At the moment a scowl was the most emotion I could achieve. I placed my finger over Shelton, WA. It was far enough from Forks that even if people did remember our time there we would be unlikely to run into them.
"There," I said, before walking off.
I would leave them to their debate, now that they knew my say. I realised I was being even more of an ass to them than usual of late, but I couldn't help it with the pieces of myself that were missing. The mere fact that I was now using words like ass bothered me. Something had changed in me. Something that happened around the time my memory grew patchy. And I was more determined than ever to find out what it was.
I had reached the room I was staying in, and had begun throwing things hastily back into my bag, before I realised something that had eluded me. It was obvious once I knew and I grew angry at myself for not having seen it sooner. I had mixed the brown-eyes of my dream with the unknown vampire to come up with a dream girl, but I had just witnessed the topaz colour of the female's eyes. I shuddered again at the feeling of loss I felt on seeing her eyes. But what had alluded me in the moment was that her eyes should have been red. I leaned against the wall to ponder that for a few seconds. Then I pulled up the images of her destroying our house, replaying them in my mind. I watched as she threw herself out of the house and saw her as she sunk to the ground. At the last moment, she raised her eyes up once, as if imploring the heavens for something.
Her eyes were golden.
I hurtled from the room in search of Alice. She left the group to find me when she saw I was searching for her.
When I found her I clutched onto her shoulders. "What can you see about the female now?"
She shook her head. "Nothing. Why?"
"She's like us, Alice."
"What do you mean?"
"Her eyes. Look at her eyes."
Alice replayed a couple of snippets of the visions she'd had over again in her mind. I watched as she came to the same realisation I had. We had another 'vegetarian' vampire.
"Do you think that Tanya's family..." Alice asked.
I shook my head. "I think Tanya would have mentioned a new family member."
"Then how?"
"I don't know, Alice. But I am going to find out. I'm getting a plane home. Tonight."
"Edward, you can't go alone."
"Please, Alice, I need answers, and for some reason I think she's the one who has them. But I can't risk anyone else's life if I'm wrong."
"But it's suicide going there alone."
"I don't think so," I countered. "But regardless, I have to try. You can keep an eye on me."
"You put too much faith in me sometimes."
I shook my head. "I put just enough faith in you."
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and was in contact with the airlines before I'd hit my room. I grabbed my bag and before I knew what was happening I had said farewell to my family, promising to meet them again once they had decided where to move. I had my phone and charger and would be in near constant contact with them.
Carlisle and Esme pulled me into an embrace. Come home soon, son, Carlisle thought.
Come home safe, Esme pleaded.
I nodded to both of them. Then slipped from the castle and into one of the Volturi's cars. Aro had granted us permission to use them at our leisure, I just hadn't had a need until now.
Within twenty-four hours I was on a flight back to JFK. From there I would head back to our house in Rochester. I had no idea what I would find. Or who. I just knew that was where I needed to be. Every mile closer I drew, my body seemed to sing for the touch of another.
I arrived at the airport and checked in quickly with my family. They were making their own arrangements to leave. Alice informed me that Aro had already sent out a search party for the female too. I was suddenly glad we knew so little about her - at least she wouldn't come to harm because of me. I knew nothing about her, but I knew I didn't want to see her hurt... at least not yet. Not until I could assess the risk she posed.
I drove to our house as quickly as I could, I estimated three days had passed since Alice's vision. Three days could change a lot. I pulled slowly into the drive, trying to assess the damage inflicted from a distance. But more importantly, trying to see if I there was any sign of the female. I didn't want her to have a chance to attack before I even knew she was here. She'd already proven that she was able to get around my family's talents somehow. She could be lying in wait and I might be blind without my ability to read her thoughts. I climbed out of the car and stopped in my tracks.
Werewolf.
The scent was rich and thick on the air. The putrid smell entwined through my senses and left me reeling, yet somehow I also felt comforted.
Jacob.
The name swirled through my mind, a familiar but strange comfort filled me. Jacob was a... friend. I shook my head a little. I had memories of friendly wrestles in the back of this house. But no recollection of why I would be friends with a werewolf. I examined a memory in my mind.
Jacob was in his wolf form, hiding in the shadows of the trees across from me, a low, feral growling issued from him. On three, he thought.
I nodded and crouched low, ready to attack.
One, Jacob counted.
Two.
He crouched backwards, ready to spring.
Three.
We both launched ourselves across the space and collided hard. I twisted Jacob around and threw him off me. I heard his laughter in his mind. That the best you've got? He threw himself at me again.
My memory stopped. I even couldn't remember the outcome of the mock-fight.
My phone rang, I ripped it out and pressed it to my ear. "Hello?"
"Edward?" Alice's voice flooded with relief as she heard my voice. "You just disappeared. I thought..."
"It's okay, Alice. I think there is a werewolf here."
"A werewolf." Her voice rose a full octave in panic.
"I think it's Jacob," I whispered, wondering if she would even know who I was talking about.
"Jacob," she repeated, deep in thought. "But why..."
"Why are we friends with a werewolf?" I answered for her.
"Yes," she replied. "I remember him, but not why we met."
"I think he was here. Recently. I'm going to see what I can find."
"Edward..." her voice was broken. "Be careful. I... I can't see what's going to happen next."
"I know, Alice. I'll touch base shortly."
I entered the house and walked from room to room. The damage was largely superficial. Dust covers had been removed. Drawers pulled off their rails. Nothing permanent, except in my room. There the destruction was absolute. The bed lay on its side, twisted around the broken window pane. The drawers from my dresser were broken and splintered, almost as if they had been pushed back into place with too much force. I checked through the jewellery that my mother had bequeathed to me. I was horrified to find two items missing. One was a plain necklace that I didn't care about. The other was the most precious thing in the world to me - my mother's engagement ring. The ring I had hoped that I would, against all odds, be able to give to someone else one day. But now it was gone. Stolen by a home-wrecker. It made me all the more anxious to find the brunette. I needed some goddamn answers.
I heard a sound downstairs. I froze momentarily before tuning into the thoughts of the person.
Jacob.
He was here and he recognised my scent.
"Jacob," I called.
"Hello?" he answered cautiously.
"Jacob... it's me, Edward."
An audible sigh of relief came up the stairs. "Great. I mean, good, I mean, I wasn't sure if you would remember me, so I didn't want to call out."
He came into my room, his eyes cast around for a moment, but he wasn't surprised by the mess. If anything he looked... embarrassed.
"Why wouldn't I remember you?" I wondered if he knew what was happening to me. Could he know some of the answers to my questions? "Do you know..." I cut off. I didn't want to admit I was having problems with my mind - with my memories - to anyone. But I especially didn't want to tell an enemy who was inextricably a friend.
He sighed. "I don't know what I can say, man. I don't know the rules in this type of situation. And now she's run off. She's made everything so complicated."
"Who has?" I asked.
He walked over to the smashed window and looked out, away from me. "I want to answer that, but I can't. Like I said, I don't know the rules. But I do know that everything I say about her will be meaningless to you."
"Who, Jacob? Tell me." I demanded.
He sighed. Bella, what have you done? He picked up a piece of the shattered glass and was turning it over in his hands.
"Who's Bella?" I asked.
The piece of glass in his hand shattered and spinters pierced his skin. The smell of his rancid blood filled the room. "Oh god," he whispered. He really doesn't remember a thing about her. He doesn't even care that she's gone.
"Who's gone? Jacob, please give me some answers. Why are you at my house? What's happening?"
"I was helping a friend."
"A friend?" I repeated.
"She called me. She wasn't sure what to do. I flew down to help her."
Realisation dawned on me. "You mean the brunette?" I asked.
"Bella," he repeated.
"Why was she here?" I asked, my voice cold and hard.
"I... I can't answer that. I don't even know where to begin trying to answer that."
"Do you make it a practice to be friends with vampires, wolf?" I didn't know where my antagonism came from, but I was irritated that he was supposed to be a friend of my family, and yet he was helping the one who had destroyed our house. The one with eyes like ours, and who I couldn't get out of my head.
His eyes met mine, a deep sorrow existed within them. "Only certain ones," he snapped. "Ones worthy of friendship. And right now, Bella needs a friend. She's got herself into a large mess." He looked down at his hand, it was healing around the chunks of glass. He gritted his teeth and yanked each one out.
"Bigger than you might think," I said.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if she is your friend, than you should be able to give her this warning. Tell her someone is coming for her. They will find her, and when they do, they will corrupt her or destroy her. The Volturi think they can use her to get to me, but I have no interest in joining their guard and nothing will lure me to them. She needs to go into hiding and stay hidden."
"She knows about the Volturi. That's why she..." he cut off abruptly.
"Why she what?"
"Nothing," he mumbled, his thoughts went to his family and friends. He was practised in the art of blocking me.
"Tell me."
"I can't," he said. "I promised I wouldn't and there is no way you would believe me."
"I am a vampire who can read-minds and is friends with a werewolf. I think my ability to believe the unbelievable is pretty strong."
"Regardless... you wouldn't believe this. You need to see it for yourself. She needs to show you herself."
"Then where is she? Have her come. Have her show me. But be warned - I can take care of myself." I injected my voice with venom.
He sighed. "I know, man. Look, I don't know where she is at the moment she ran. But when I find her, if I find her, I know she'll want to get in contact. I know she wants to find you."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because she needs you."
I furrowed my brow in frustration as his words ran circles in my mind. She needs you.
"What do you mean, she needs me?"
He sighed again. I can't say more than that.
"At least tell me where she is."
"I don't know." She ran before, but I don't know where to. I flew all the way here for her, and she runs off.
I sighed and took in the worry in his mind. I closed the distance between us and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Look, we're friends. I don't know why we're friends" - I tried again in vain to remember the events leading to our friendship - "what I mean is I can't remember..."
"I know. Look, what happened to you sucks, man. I wish she hadn't done it, but I can't change it."
"You... you know what happened to me."
To your whole family.
"Tell me," I demanded.
He dropped his chin to his chest. "I can't, not without breaking a promise to Bella."
"Time may come when you have to pick sides." I tried to make it clear that time was now.
He shook his head. "I won't. I can't."
"You must."
"Then I pick her. You've got your family. At the moment, she's got no-one."
"Then go – get out of my house."
He hung his head again, then he took a few steps. He looked back over to me, opened his mouth as if to talk but closed it again and turned to lop from the room. I heard him phase when he hit the bottom of the stairs.
As I began to fix some of the more superficial damage to the house, his words played out again and again in my mind. I realised I had been right - the female had something to do with my missing memories. Now I was more determined than ever to find out what and make her pay for what she'd done.