Trust Factor

Chapter 12: As Cold as Vampire Skin

Wednesday January 21-10:35am-Internatanal airport -Australia

"Em, you have the tickets?" Lewis asked as he pulled up the address to Ash's house on his phone.

"Yep, and our parents think we are doing a project in Mexico while we are there. Oh and the plane leaves in an hour," Emma said.

"So we have to stay in this airport for an hour?" Lewis asked slipping his backpack back to his back.

"Yeah, so…. Do you want to get something to eat? I saw a great restaurant back there," Emma asked with a smile.

Lewis turned his head away from her and said, "Sure, this way."

Emma followed him down the crowded airport to the restaurant. She kept her head lowered, as to avoid Lewis's eyes. They spent their whole time in the airport avoiding looking each other in the eyes.

Wednesday January 21-1:12pm-La Push beach-Forks Washington

"Thanks for coming down to the beach with me, even if you aren't getting in," Seth said smiling at Cleo.

"Oh, no problem. I think Alice was getting annoyed with having you and Jacob always at the house," Cleo said with a laugh looking to where Jacob was talking to Quil, Sam and Emily. Nessie was by his side, memorized by what they were talking about. Emily and Quil both had their eyes on Claire, who was running around on a nearby pier looking for pebbles.

"Hey, guys," Seth called out.

"Hey, Seth, Man," Quil called back. "And you must be the mysterious Cleo." He shock Cleo's hand and smiled.

"Oh, the girl we went on a crazy search for the other night," Sam said, "I'm Sam, and this is Emily."

"Nice to meet you, and sorry about the search," Cleo said.

"Oh please, don't apologize, it gave us something to do," Quil said with a laugh.

"He's right, if you want to go all crazy and run away again, we won't complain about having to look for you." Jacob said laughing along with Quil.

Cleo smiled. She looked around the beach as the boys started up a talk about something nonrelated. Nessie was going crazy about some rare shell she found as Claire was trying to get a look at some fish that had just swam by. Claire was getting closer to the water and was close to slipping in. With the winter air chilling the beach, it would end drastically if Claire fell in. Cleo could see where this was headed before the splash sounded.

"Claire!" Quil and Emily called at the same time as Cleo made a dash for the water. Quil started to take his shirt off but Jacob and Seth stopped him. Cleo was in the water before Quil could argue.

"What is that girl doing?" Sam asked. "I mean she is going to freeze."

The others made their way to the pier just as Cleo came up with Claire in her arms. Quil, Sam and Emily were shocked by her top change. Seth and Jacob helped Claire out of the water while they were in a gaze about Cleo. They handed a shivering Claire to Quil. Then Seth said, "Oh, we must have forgotten to mention, Cleo's a mermaid."

And with a flick of her tail Cleo was gone.

Wednesday January 21-9:45pm-Ash's house-Mexico

Rikki walked up to the window with a bowel of popcorn. Ash was sitting there with binoculars and was watching the sun set. He looked up as Rikki approached.

"Why on earth do you have popcorn?" He asked.

"I have popcorn to help me enjoy the show, and you look like you are ready for a science experiment," Rikki admitted as she sits down.

"This is not a show. We are spying on vampires," Ash said as he turned his attention to the darkened drive. The light from the moon casted a creepy shadow over the yard.

Rikki watched as birds flow to trees, and squirrels ran home. The night was setting in. Noises were calming and nothing was happening. Rikki put her hand to her face and rested her elbow on the window sill. Ash kept the binoculars glued to his face as if he were watching a show. The night dragged on with them like this for hours.

"Ok, Ash, Nothing is happening," Rikki said. "I'm leaving."

"Hold on, I see something," Ash said pointing to the small gassy area near the drive.

There standing in the shadows was the blond, Amelia and another boy with short brunette hair. Ash silently pulled the window down, letting in cool air. He gave Rikki the quiet sign as he listened to what the two were saying.

"Amelia, we need just a few more and we could beat Maria," The boy said calmly. "And our new finds are excellent. she has no chance, not that she ever did. She has been going downhill since she lost that boy, whatever his name was."

"I know, Tommy, if Maria is hopeless then we should be fine with what we have. We just need to teach those new borns and we will be good to go," Amelia said with a smile showing her razor sharp teeth.

"But if we had just a few more…."

"No, Tommy, you do as I say, I created you," Amelia said sharply. "And I can easily destroy you."

"Yes, Amelia," Tommy said with a shy face. "We need to get back."

Amelia nodded and the two of them disappeared. Ash looked toward Rikki who was in shock. The two vampires were talking about making more vampires to destroy another. That's why they needed the stripy girls and idiot boys who passed Ash's house.

"What are they doing? Starting a vampire war or something?" Rikki asked searching for her phone. "I calling Cleo. She needs to hear about this."

Rikki dialed Cleo's number and waited as it rang. There were six rings before it switched to voice mail. Cleo's recorded voice filled Rikki's ear before a short tone. After the tone Rikki started to speak, "Cleo, this is serious, you have to answer your phone. Vampires are here turning anyone who passes by Ash's house into one, and they've took Zane. I don't know what is going to happen to him. All I know is it isn't good. Please call."