If you ask me how I'm doing
I would say I'm doing just fine
I would lie and say that you're not on my mind
But I go out, and I sit down at a table set for two
And finally I'm forced to face the truth
No matter what I say I'm
Not over you
Gavin Degraw-Not Over You
Once we got to the theater we all got settled into our seats and I made sure to go in first skipping in front of Jacob while Bella got stuck in between the two. Giggling slightly I settled back into my seat pulling my legs up.
The movie itself was just as bad as I have thought it would have been. In just the first couple minutes four people got blown up and one got beheaded. I saw the girl in front of us cover up her eyes and turn away while I settled into my seat wondering if I could take a nap.
'Probably not with all the screams.'
So instead I sniggered along with Jacob at the obvious fake-ness of it all.
"What are you two doing?" Bella whispered.
"Oh c'mon!" Jacob hissed. "The blood squirted twenty feet out of that guy. How fake can you get?"
We chuckled again as a flagpole speared another man. She seemed to catch this and began laughing too as it got more ridiculous.
About halfway through the movie I saw Mike lean forward and put his head in his hands.
"Mike, are you okay?" Bella whispered.
"No," he gasped. "I think I'm sick." Suddenly he got up and bolted for the door. Quickly Bella got up and followed and Jacob got up too.
"No, stay," she whispered. "I'll make sure he's okay." He started anyways and I groaned, finally enjoying the movie, before getting up and following them out.
"You guys don't have to come. Get your eight bucks worth of carnage," she insisted.
"That's okay." I shrugged.
"You sure can pick them, Bella. This movie really sucks." Jacob chuckled as we walked out of the theater. Mike wasn't out there so Jacob went to check the bathroom and was back in a few seconds.
"Oh, he's in there, all right," He rolled his eyes. "What a marshmallow. You should hold out for someone with a stronger stomach. Someone who laughs at the gore that makes weaker men vomit."
'Yeah smooth Jacob.' I rolled my eyes
"I'll keep my eyes open for someone like that."
Used to they're mushy moments I clicked my tongue and leaned against the wall beside the bathroom door, blocking out their conversation until something knocked me back.
"It's still the other one, isn't it?" Both of us visibly cringed. "You don't have to talk about it," He said. "But don't get mad at me for hanging around, okay? Because I'm not giving up. I've got loads of time." I heard Bella sigh but I couldn't help the small smile on my lips.
"You shouldn't waste it on me," Bella said and I rolled my eyes.
"It's what I want to do, as long as you still like to be with me."
"I can't imagine how I could not like being with you," Happy I zoned out again paying more attention to the popping popcorn than the two people a couple feet away. I heard someone fumbling around in the bathroom and it brought me back. Taking a step away from the door I caught their conversation.
"How did that happen?" Jacob asked looking down at Bella's bite from James.
"Do you honestly expect me to remember where all my scars come from?" she said but her eyes glanced over at mine and I turned away biting my lip.
"It's cold," He murmured just as Mike stumbled out of the bathroom looking like he might drop any second.
"Geeze," I stepped forward grabbing his arm to help him walk.
"Do you mind leaving early?" he whispered.
"No, of course not," Bella got up helping me.
"Movie too much for you?" Jacob asked and I turned to glare at him.
"I didn't actually see any of it," He mumbled. "I was nauseated before the lights went down."
"Why didn't you say something," I huffed as we staggered towards the exit.
"I was hoping it would pass," He said.
"Just a sec," Jacob said and walked back to the concession stand.
"Could I have and empty popcorn bucket?" he asked the salesgirl. Her eyes quickly glanced over at us before practically throwing the bucket at Jacob.
"Get him outside, please," She begged looking at him and Bella and I quickly towed him outside. Just as before I got into the back and Jacob and I managed to get him inside before he thrust the bucket into Mike's hands.
"Please," was all he said before leaving.
'Please don't puke,' I chanted in my head knowing that was my downfall just like Bella's was blood.
They rolled down the windows letting the icy air blow over us. I tucked my legs up curling into a ball hoping to keep warm.
"Cold, again?" Jacob asked looking over at Bella and I noticed she was doing the same thing.
"You're not?" she asked and he shook his head. "You must have a fever or something." She reached over and touched his head.
"Whoa, Jake, you're burning up!"
"I feel fine." He shrugged. "Fit as a fiddle." She reached over and touched his head again, "Your hands are like ice," he complained.
"Maybe it's me," Bella gave up.
Mike started groaning and I prepared myself leaning forward and away from him just as he threw up in the bucket. I gagged slightly and quickly covered my nose and mouth with my hand as Jacob checked over his shoulder to make sure that nothing had gotten in his car.
"Jacob if you don't hurry you're going to wish that you'd gotten two buckets." I muttered over the seat and he seemed to gain more focus at driving.
Needless to say that was the longest drive ever and as soon as we got back I abandoned ship as Bella drove mike home.
When I got back to my own house I explained what had happened then jumped in the shower to scrub every inch of my body.
That night or it might have been morning I would have known as I raced around the corner into the bathroom throwing up whatever I had in my stomach. Quickly after I was done my mom appeared in the doorway.
"Stomach flu?" she guess and I nodded curling up against the bathtub. "I'll bring you some water and a blanket."
I spent the rest of the day alternating between lying in bed and sitting against the bathtub until I finally just stayed in the bathroom. My parents just using the bathroom downstairs if needed. That night my mom tried to feed me some soup but it was useless because ten minutes later I was glad I had eaten in the bathroom.
Finally I felt good enough to get into bed and Dad helped me get there. Next thing I knew it was morning and I got up feeling slightly woozy but good enough.
Later that day I got a call from Bella who had, had the same thing but that not the reason she called. It was because Jacob was sick with something.
She said he sounded dead, "Maybe he just got a bad strand of the flu," I tried.
"No both he and Billy were adamant that I didn't go over there. They almost sounded rude."
"They probably just don't want you to get it Bella," I bit my lip wondering if maybe he was joining the gang.
As the week went on it seemed more and more likely until she said that she had gone to the house and it was empty. That's when I nailed it down that he had.
"He said he had mono Piper!" She exclaimed, "and absolutely no visitors. It's ridiculous."
"Billy just doesn't want to get you sick," I tried as she ranted.
"I'm giving him a week, a week is generous then I'm getting pushy." She decided and let me tell you that week was the longest week ever. Without Jacob there she slowly started to revert back, she had said that her nightmares were coming back. The hole in her chest was back.
"Piper I'm going hiking want to come?" Bella's voice sounded urgent of the phone.
"Umm sure," I said getting up and walking up to my room to get ready, "is Jacob better?"
"Yeah, he's gone out with some other friends," She said a little let down. "So I'll be around in 10 minutes to get you.
"Alright…" I started but the line went dead.
I quickly got ready and pulled on my backpack just as Bella pulled up. A bit later we were on the familiar road. It was a pretty nice day today, not sunny but dry.
When we had gotten there it took Bella awhile to point us in the right direction but we finally found it.
It was a little weird not hearing Jacob's whistling but we managed along as birds chirped.
Quickly into the walk I noticed her started to wrap her arms around her chest, holding it together in other words.
"Come on Bella we can do this," I whispered and held out my hand. Nodding she took it and we continued on the path. Somehow we managed to go faster both of us getting better at navigating the terrain.
A bit later we stumbled into a meadow, "It this it?" I asked looking over at her and saw that she recognized it. It was beautiful, almost a perfect circle, you could hear a stream over to the side. The ground was covered with thick grass that rippled with the breeze.
Smiling I looked over at her and watched as disappointment came across her features and she dropped to the ground. Quickly I was at her side as she started to gasp.
"Bella!" I asked alarmed.
"It's not the same," she muttered shaking her head and I wrapped my arms tightly around her desperately trying to hold her together as I started to see the cracks.
Looking around for anything at all I saw a figure step out of the trees a bit away. Bella saw it too and I started to take in the features, how still they were, no human could do that.
"Laurent!" Bella cried surprised just as my mind recognized him.
'This doesn't feel right.'
"Bella?" he asked focusing on her and she seemed elated that he knew he name, "and the other human Piper."
"You remember," she smiled.
"I didn't expect to see you two here," he grinned walking closer.
"Isn't it the other way around? We live here. I thought you'd gone to Alaska." I asked a bit warily. He stopped cocking his head to the side.
"You're right," he agreed. "I did go to Alaska. Still, I didn't expect…When I found the Cullen place empty, I thought they'd moved on."
"Oh," Bella bit her lip trying to compose herself. "They did move on," she managed.
"Hmm," he murmured. "I'm surprised they left you both behind. Weren't you sort a pet of theirs?" His eyes lingered on Bella innocently.
"Something like that." She smiled.
"Hmm," he said again and his eyes focused on mine.
'If he'd gone up to Alaska his eyes should be golden,' I thought looking into his deep red ones and quickly took Bella arm pulling her back.
"Do they visit often?" He asked still casual.
Bella tensed slightly before responding, "now and again. The time seems longer to me, I imagine, You know how they get distracted…" she started to babbled and I stopped her with a sharp poke in the side.
"Hmm," he started again, "the house smelled like it had been vacant for a while…"
Examining his movements I heard her start again, "I'll have to mention to Carlisle that you stopped by. He'll be sorry they missed your visit." She hesitated for a second, "but we probably shouldn't mention it to Emmett and…" She struggled to force out the name, "Edward, I suppose, they have such tempers…well I'm sure you remember. He specifically is still touchy about the whole James thing." I nodded as she rolled her eyes waving her hand.
"Is he really?" Laurent asked
"Mm-hmm." She responded.
I watched as he took a seemingly casual step towards us.
"So how are things working out in Denali? Carlisle said you were staying with Tanya?" I asked my voice betraying my confident stance a little bit.
"I like Tanya very much," He mused. "And her sister Irina even more…I've never stayed in one place for so long before, and I enjoy the advantages, the novelty of it. But, the restrictions are difficult…I'm surprised that any of them can keep it up for long." He smiled at us. "Sometimes I cheat."
Slowly I started to ease back with Bella but stopped when his eyes flicked down to catch the movement.
"Oh," I said my voice wavering a little. "Jasper has problems with that, too." I started to move again but Bella stopped me.
"Really?" Laurent seemed interested. "Is that why they left?"
"No," Bella answered. "Jasper is more careful at home."
"Yes," Laurent agreed. "I am, too." I watched as he stepped even closer.
"Did Victoria ever find you?" Bella asked.
'What the hell Bella?' I screamed in my head and hoped that he said no.
"Yes," he said. "I actually came here as a favor to her. She won't be happy about this."
"About what?" I asked as he looked away and we both moved back slightly.
"About killing the both of you." I staggered back with Bella. "She wanted to save that part for herself," He went on. "She's sort of…put out with you both."
"Why?" I managed to get out.
"Well James was her mate, and your Edward, and your Emmett killed him," He looked directly at me and added, ", and she was more than happy when I formed her of your mortality. She thought it more appropriate to kill you than your mates. She asked me to get the lay of the land for her, so to speak. I didn't imagine you would be so easy to get to. So maybe her plan was flawed, apparently it wouldn't be their revenge she imagined, since you must not mean very much to them if they left you here unprotected."
Quickly I took another step back as his weight shifted, "I suppose she'll be angry, all the same."
"Then why not wait for her?" I choked out.
"Well, you've caught me at a bad time, Piper. I didn't come to this place on Victoria's mission, I was hunting. I'm quite thirsty, and you do smell more mouthwatering that the last time we met." I worked to step in front of Bella.
"They'll know it was you," I whispered. "You won't get away with this."
"And why not? The scent will wash away with the next rain. No one will find your body, you'll both simply go missing, like so many, many other humans. There's no reason for them to think of me, if they cares enough to investigate. This is nothing personal, let me assure you. Just thirst."
"Please," she gasped as his eyes set on me and I put on an emotionless face.
"Look at it this way. You're very lucky I was the one to find you."
"Am I?" I muttered pushing us both back a step.
"Yes," He assured. "I'll be very quick. You won't feel a thing, I promise. Oh, I'll lie to Victoria about that later, naturally, just to placate her. But if you knew what she had planned for you, Bella…" He trailed off and flipped his red eyes back to me, "or you Piper for tricking us all, much worse."
I took in a shaky breath as the wind blew our scent right into his face. , "mouthwatering," he repeated. I tensed, keeping my eyes open not missing a second of movement from him as he crouched as stiffened, poised to strike. Suddenly pictures of Emmett filled my mind and I felt my breath catch in my throat
'I'll miss you.' I watched as he paused and whipped his head to the left but I kept my eyes on him. I let out the breath I had been holding as he started backing away.
"I don't believe it," he said and I couldn't help it anymore and looked over. Slowly a huge black shape eased out of the trees. I was gigantic taller than a person probably as big as a horse. It snarled revealing large sharp teeth. It was the wolves. Quickly I started backing up but for some reason Bella halted me as another growl ripped through the air.
After the large black one two more came to it's side a deep gray one and the other brown neither quite as tall. My mind quickly reeled and somehow clicked into place that the black one was Sam and the others were either Paul or Jared. All three had their eyes locked on Laurent. Just them two more came and the locks opened in my mind, Embry and Jacob. One of them was so close that I could reach out and touch it's rusty brown fur.
Suddenly Bella gasped jumping back and the wolf closest looked at her.
"Bella come on," I muttered as Sam let out a low growl drawing the russet wolf back to attention. Just then Laurent ran and the wolves were after him sprinting. Quickly her knees buckled and she fell to the ground.
"Bella we need to go," I urged even though I knew she had no clue what just happened. She had no clue about the wolves. Quickly I tried to pull her to her feet and we started stumbling back until her mind kicked in and we dashed into the trees. The trip back to the truck was nerve racking and long, both of us were jumpy and I wished that the wolves would come back. Finally we broke through the trees onto a road and jogged up about a mile until we were safely in the cab of the truck.
When we got back to the Swans we both rushed into the house.
"Bella?" Charlie called out.
"Yeah, it's me and Piper." Her voice called back a bit unsteady.
"Where have you been?" He thundered and I quickly bowed my head as he came into the room.
"We were hiking," she admitted.
"What happened to going to Jessica's?" He asked.
"I didn't feel like Calculus today."
"I thought I asked you to stay out of the forest."
"Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I won't do it again." We both shuddered and I looked up to see him examining our clothes. I realized we must look horrible.
"What happened?" Charlie demanded and I mentally begged her not to say anything.
"I saw the bear. It's not a bear, though, it's some kind of wolf. And there are five of them. A big black one, and gray, and reddish-brown…" I grimaced with each one wanting to tell her to shut up.
Suddenly he was across the room grabbing the tops of Bella's arms, "Are you two okay?" both of our heads bobbed.
"Tell me what happened?"
"They didn't pay any attention to us. But after they were gone, we ran away and fell down a lot." I nodded going along with it.
He let go of her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. The room was silent for a long moment.
"Wolves," he murmured.
"What?"
"The rangers said the tracks were wrong for a bear, but wolves just don't get that big…"
'Mythological ones do.' I thought as Bella said "these were huge."
"How many did you say you saw?" He looked in-between me and her.
"Five."
He shook his head frowning, "No more hiking either of you."
"No problem," she promised and he went to call the station.
"I'm going to walk home," I muttered when he'd left the room.
"Are you sure?" she looked worried.
"Yeah I'm good, it's only a couple blocks" I smiled patting her shoulder. "Need some time to sort out my thoughts."
"Alright," she frowned slight and I left without another word. I got home quickly enough and went up to take a shower. Both of my parents were busy so neither questioned what had happened as I quickly ate a piece of cold pizza and went up to bed.
'Victoria's looking for me.' Was the last thought I had when I drifted off into a fitful sleep.