Trust Factor

Chapter 22: Everything is as it Should Be, For Now

Monday January 26- 1:00pm- Ash's house- Mexico

Rikki finished her packing just to get the, hurry up your going to be late, from Alice for the third time that day. Her plane didn't even leave till 5. Everyone's plan was to get out of Mexico before Zane found them. Well that is except for Lewis, who disappeared right after the fight. Rikki, Bella H., and Ash were to head back to Australia. Cleo was sticking with Seth and heading back with the others to Washington.

Rikki ran down stairs with her bags. She jumped the last two steps and landed right in Ash's arms.

"You alright?" Ash asked setting Rikki's bag down beside them.

"Fine," Rikki answered. "Except that Emma is gone, along with Will. And then there's Lewis and Zane being MIA…" She would have gone on to mention something about Cleo, but at that secant Ash had placed his finger to her mouth.

"No, I mean are you ok," Ash whispered, looking her straight in the eyes.

"I'm fine," Rikki answered, pulling away from Ash and taking her bag.

As she walked back, she bumped right into Jasper. Turning around quick, she screamed. Then she said, "You boys need to stop doing that."

"You like him," Jasper commented.

"No, no, I… kinda," Rikki confused, remembering she can't lie about her feelings with Jasper.

"He likes you," Jasper answered before he moved around her and into the back yard, where Rosalie and Bella C. were having some privet conversation.

Rikki dragged her bag into the living room, where she found Cleo almost asleep in Seth's arms. That was a good thing, for Cleo hadn't slept since she left Forks 3 days ago. Rikki smiled to see her, like she was a little kid who was finally doing what she was told.

Rikki rounded the house and made it into the kitchen, where Jacob, Edward and Nessie were working on getting everything ready for their road trip. Rikki slid up onto the stool and watched as the boys put food in paper bags and Nessie took something's she knew Bella was going to make her eat, even though she only liked blood. Rikki laughed because Edward, who knew what she was doing, didn't care.

"We got the tickets," Alice said in her music like voice racing into the kitchen, Esme and Carlisle right behind her.

"Anything on…" Rikki started to ask Alice but she knew Alice knew who she was talking about.

"Nothing at all," Alice said softly. "If he really wants to make himself known, Rikki, he will, but right now, I don't even think he knows what he is doing."

Rikki nodded and looked down. She was hoping for some good news, anything that would cheer Cleo up, just a little bit.

"We all would want that," Edward said to Rikki. Rikki looked up and nodded.

Leah staggered in with Bella H. on her heals, ready for departure. Bella H. noted Rikki's mood and took a deep breath before asking, "So what about Emma's dad and the company?"

"Well we might want to get past the whole, Emma's parents, Zane's dad, Will's family and Lewis's family. Then Cleo's family. Then we can worry about our sinks till they drop it." Rikki explained. "Right now I just want to get home, see my dad and maybe try to think that this whole situation will be ok one day."

"Everything is how it should be," Alice chimed. "For now at least. Maybe one day you will take us up on the offer."

"Maybe after my head stops spinning and I can get into Cleo's mind," Rikki said, getting a small laugh from everyone.

Monday January 26-2:00pm-Somewhere in Mexico

Lewis's new eyes could catch everything that passed him, even a vampire girl. Her short strawberry-blond hair was very visible in the dark.

"Hey, you there," Lewis called to her.

She stopped in her tracks. Her eyes were the same crimson as the Cullens, not red like Zane and his group. She was dressed as a girl from the 90's would dress. She smiled and waved at Lewis as he dashed with his new speed over to her.

"Um… can I help you," She asked sweetly, almost as Cleo would.

"I'm lost," Lewis said softly.

"I can see that, and a new-born, poor thing. Must have been mixed up in the southern wars. I don't like passing through here, but I will occasionally. Names Bindy," She told Lewis. "You're welcome to stay with me."

"Thanks, I'm Lewis," Lewis said as he started to follow Bindy to the border of Mexico and Taxes.

"Just stick with me, you'll be fine, baby," Bindy said as they ran.

Monday January 26-3:00pm-somewhere in Mexico

Zane rounded the corner of the small building. The street was packed with people, it was hard enough trying to keep out of the sun light and unseen. Two teenage girls passed by Zane, not even seeing him hidden in the dark. Both spoke Spanish, but Zane understood enough to get that they were getting things for their mother. The older one was Zane's prize. The other just a mere target.

The two girls rounded to the back of another building, taking a short cut home. Zane followed. As soon as they were well hidden, he jumped on the older one. The little one screamed. Letting go of the older one, Zane jumped the younger one and killed her. He was left with the older one flopping and screaming on the ground. Before anyone could see what he was doing, they were gone.

Zane had his plan in action, and Maria was going to get it.