Sunrise
Chapter 19: I'm Going Home
I'm Going Home—Chris Daughtry.
If anyone's looking for good books to read, try the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine. Really good. Glass Houses is the first one. Don't own, sadly.
OOO
Alex was in bed, I was up, and Jaime was looking at me guiltily, but he was kinda pissed, too.
Let's recap: Before Alex had went to bed, I'd rigged Jaime's computer, sorting through his iTunes playlists. I normally wouldn't have done this, but when I was streaming Backstreet Boys, and 3 Doors Down, I couldn't help but notice a certain playlist. One that said Dec 20.
Seeing as December 20th hadn't happened yet, I clicked it open, and looked at the notes. These notes included that there was something going down on this date, and these songs were going to be sung by Jaime's band. On each note, there was a name—a few I didn't recognize, due to the fact I hadn't met Jaime's entire band yet—and by that name was the reason as to why they were singing it.
I saw Jaime, Freesia, and a few other names (which I didn't recognize, stated above). But then there was a name I did happen to know—and it wasn't anyone who lived in this house permanently. That's because it was my name.
Cara Cullen.
I had to admit I was a bit surprised at first, but then I remembered in the car earlier that morning (or technically, yesterday—considering it was now three in the morning now. And December 20th). "You can sing?" Jaime had asked, and I'd told him one of my many foster parents had been a chorus instructor.
So, point blank: Jaime had a gig tonight with the band. He wanted me to sing.
I hadn't sung in a while—really. I had tried to after I'd… left, but the words came out strangled and tired sounding. I didn't understand how he wanted me to sing. In front of people. And the thing was, the songs on my list were depressing songs. About romance.
He either had a sick sense of humor, or he just didn't get it—even after I'd explained the mechanics of my life to him.
So I glared at him now, my arms crossed and tight. "I cannot believe you right now, Jaime," I growled lowly.
"Me?" he asked, pointing to himself. "You ignored my list!"
"Do not," I said slowly, "change the subject. I explained this to you, you dork. Do I need to go over it again?"
He sighed. "It's not like I was going to force you to sing, Cara. I was going to tell you—"
"When?" I demanded. "Is this why you wanted me here an extra two days? So I could baby-sit and fill in for your band? You're keeping me from my family, Jaime. Just last night Emmett came to check up on me."
"Isn't your dad keeping your family from you?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Shut up," I growled.
"I'm stating facts! You told me about your conversation, right? Edward getting Carlisle to agree that the family doesn't screw with you right now. Do you know why?"
I did know, but I didn't say anything. He'd say it anyway—I knew he would.
"Because you're messed up."
I knew it was coming, I knew he'd say it, but that didn't stop my body from going to its natural defense—cold and detached. I shut my eyes, breathing deeply. Jaime's a guy, I told myself. When he's scared, hurt, or just plain backed into a corner, he lashes out. Gets angry. Takes it out on others.
I didn't blame him for saying that. I'd done all three: backed him in a corner, hurt him by accusing him of keeping me hostage, and scared him by bringing up Emmett.
But that didn't stop my eyes from stinging—didn't stop the memories from surfacing. I tried to push them back, but the flooded me anyway. I don't think I showed any sign of the pain I was feeling, because of that natural defense of mine. I think to Jaime, I looked like I was just sitting there with my eyes closed. I could probably pass for asleep.
Ironically, my mind was wide awake.
"Cara—"
"No," I said, keeping perfectly still. "You're right. I am messed up." My voice sounded strange. Different from my other detached voices.
"I didn't mean—"
I took another deep breath. "I was messed up from practically day one, Jaime. I get it. I've gotten it my whole life. When I finally found what I thought I was looking for, I wasn't ready to accept it, and so I found a way to take off. Even if it meant I was pledging my loyalty to a complete stranger." I sighed, a wistful sound. "And I was getting better after that, too. Being in Italy, with Matt. I didn't really think much of it. I mean—I'm not suicidal. Not emo. But my life was bad, okay? We've been over it."
He ran a hand over his face. "Sorry," he said. "I got carried away. I didn't mean it like that. But I think if maybe you allowed yourself to have some fun, instead of listening to depressing songs on your iPod twenty-four/seven in your room all alone, then maybe they'll see you're fine. Alex told me he thought you were having fun."
"I was."
"Well, then. There you go." He grinned at me, and I tried to smile back, but my eyes were still stinging.
I sighed, pushing myself up from the couch and uncrossing my arms. "Fine," I said. "I'll do whatever it is that you're planning."
"And that's why you're the best vampire sister ever," Jaime replied, grinning. I scowled, but smiled.
"But I'm tired, and I'm going to bed. See you… well, not tomorrow, just later."
"Night, sis. Sorry, again."
"No blood, no foul," I assured him.
And I did go to bed, but I didn't sleep. My music rang in my ears as I stared up at the ceiling, and I couldn't help but think.
OOO
I must have fallen asleep along the lines of six in the AM, because when I woke next it was noon, and my hair was messy, and my music had stopped. I sat up in bed, glancing out the window and into the woods. I glared at the trees.
Dear Dad, I thought sarcastically. Hi! How are you? Well, just to let you know, I'm peachy! Miss you, Cara. I got up and washed my face, brushed my teeth, and skipped down the stairs, slightly fuming.
Even Emmett had seemed pissed. Which wasn't normal unless someone was threatening someone he cared about, or had beaten him in a wrestling match. Interesting.
When I got into the kitchen, I saw Freesia in sweats and one of Jaime's t-shirts. "Rough night?" I asked, grinning.
"Bite me," she teased, but then stopped abruptly, eyes wide.
"I know you didn't mean it." I waved it off, trying not to think of how two werewolves would… well, was the word mate, or make love? Who knew?
I really, really didn't want to think about it. At all.
"So… when is the gig tonight?" I changed the subject willingly. I grabbed some ice-cream from the fridge and plucked a spoon from a drawer. It was clean—surprise, surprise. I shoveled in massive bites of mint chocolate chip.
Freesia shrugged. "Whenever enough weirdos show up," she said.
"Weirdos?"
"Kidding," she told me. "I know everyone who's coming. Some of them are a bit… different, but hell, who am I to talk? I'm a werewolf." She rolled her eyes at me, adding, "And you're a half-vampire, legal sister of my imprint. Yay."
I smiled, no teeth—I still had ice-cream in my mouth. "Freesia," I said, mockingly serious, once I had swallowed, "I'm full fledged vamp when I want to be. Don't underestimate me."
"Wasn't trying to," she replied hastily; I don't think she realized I was only kidding around. "I know you're badass. Jaime told me everything."
"That boy cannot keep secrets," I sighed regretfully.
As we settled into a comfortable silence, I remembered my conversation with Emmett—he hadn't said a single word about Matt. I wondered why. Sure, Daddy Dearest thought I needed "time", but I should have asked, at least, about Matt. And the funny thing was I almost did ask, but I think I grew scared, not wanting an answer. I hadn't even asked myself. There was a thin line between what I should have done, and what I had wanted to do.
Wow. I sucked.
I shook my head, shoveling more spoonfuls of fat into my mouth. Yum.
OOO
Jaime had made me practice all day on the songs I had to sing. All day. I was afraid my voice would wear out.
"Are we done yet?" I asked later, sighing angrily. Jaime grinned at me, tuning his guitar, again. He shook his head, frowning as one of the strings popped. "That's what happens when you make me practice crap all day. It's called karma."
He glared at me, rolling his eyes. "Karma's what people make up so that the bigger, badder folks in town don't beat the shit from them. But hey—whatever. You wanna get beat up, go right ahead."
"You're talking bull," I told him as he tossed me a beer. I caught it—reflexes—and frowned at him. "You think this'll help me sing better?"
"Do you want some pansy-wine instead?"
"No."
He smirked. "I should have given you that a long time ago. You would have been more fun."
"I'm perfectly fine the way I am," I argued, knowing my words were lies. I was almost about ready to chew Jaime's head off because of the songs he'd picked. Most of them reminded me of things. Things I'd rather forget.
"Right."
"Don't back-sass me," I chided. "You're underage, mister."
I flopped into a chair, staring at my feet. This time tomorrow, I'd be home-free. I sighed loudly, popping off the beer cap easily and taking a swig. Then I clasped both hands around it, staring at nothing. Empty words floated through my head, taunting me. I felt a chill go down my back, and I glanced behind me when I saw Jaime turn.
The beer bottle flew upwards, spinning, and I cringed. I felt my mouth move, but I couldn't hear my scream. It was like the waves of sound had stopped, and I could only see what was happening. Jamie's head whipped back at me, sorta in slow motion.
And then everything sped up, and I began to process what the hell was going on.
I was wet and smelled like beer—courtesy of my throwing it halfway into the air. I was screaming, and that I stopped. I blinked rapidly, wiping alcohol from my forehead and near my eyes. I glanced back behind me slowly.
Nothing.
But he had been there—I'd seen it. Lucas had been perching on the couch beside me, just staring at me. That wasn't what scared me though. It was the smile. The Cheshire cat smile that chilled me to the bone. And I hadn't just seen him, I'd felt him. I'd felt the hairs rise on the back of my neck, I'd felt the shiver run down my spine. Felt the goose bumps jump up along my body.
Jaime glanced at me before surveyed Freesia and Dan, who were also in the room. They were all staring at me like I was crazy. It didn't count if I was—but they were.
"Jeez, Cara," Jaime said. "I know girls don't like to get wet, or drenched in beer, but even Freesia doesn't scream that loud." I shot him a grateful glance, quickly turning it into a glare for the act he was putting on.
I flung bits of beer at him, acting annoyed. "You gave me a defective bottle, you twerp!" I yelled, and he grinned, playing along.
"Good, wasn't it? Man, I gotta start teaching Alex some of these." Freesia and Dan laughed, completely buying it. I guessed Jaime was liable to do something like this any day.
"Your loss. Your couch is completely wigged out now. Jaime, I need another shirt."
"Coming!" he called, and I knew he was winking at Dan and Freesia for extra emphasis.
When I was in my bathroom, changing, Jaime spoke from the other side of the door. "What happened?" he asked, and as I opened my mouth to reply, he added, "Don't even think to bullshit me."
I sighed, peeling off my top and sponging. I felt a thud against the door as Jaime leaned on the other side of it. "Hallucinating again. No biggie."
"Hmm. I think my BS Detector is beeping."
"Shut up," I grumbled. "It happens a lot. I'm almost used to it."
"Beep. Beep. Beep—"
"You are so obnoxious. Look, it was just a slip up. I was remembering some things and I forgot to keep my guard up. I just need some more sleep. That's all." I put on a pair of cotton shorts and a tank. No need to get dressed up before I had to. I opened the door and Jaime staggered a bit.
He rolled his eyes as I glared at him. "Then go to bed," he said, ignoring me. "You've practiced enough. I'll wake you up an hour before the show, okay?"
"You don't need to tuck me in."
"I had to scare away the monsters, didn't I?"
I didn't say anything for a moment. "We are monsters."
"No," he disagreed. "Being a monster is part of our mindset. You've never killed anyone who didn't deserve it. You saved Alex and Maddie. What could you possibly have done that's monster-like?"
I didn't answer, because I knew what it was, and I didn't want to admit it. But the back of my mind was chanting, reminding me of what I did. Of who I left. How many people I left. I turned around casually before he could see my reaction. "You're right," I lied easily. "Never mind. I'll see you later."
As he left, I curled up and locked away my emotions, at least for a while. I didn't even turn on my iPod.
OOO
"Up and at em!" Jaime yelled from the doorway, and I shot up from bed, my eyes wide, my heartbeat accelerating.
"Frick, Jaime!" I complained. "Aren't you supposed to wake people gently?"
He grinned. "What's the fun in that? Oh, and you should brush your hair. You look gross."
"Thanks so much."
"Anytime."
I did what he said, and changed into the clothes Freesia left for me. They were nice, but Alice would shake her head in shame. Then I raced downstairs and the rest of the household was down there, waiting. Freesia jumped up when she saw me, hugging me. "So where's this gig?" I asked over her shoulder.
"The roof," Jaime replied smugly. "Where else?"
"You're kidding."
"No, I'm not."
I shrugged, looking down at the high heels. "Great."
"Don't worry, a part of it's flat. We had that done a while back—it's been useful." Dan glanced up as his mouth said the words, and grinned at me. "We couldn't let Jaime's sister fall off the roof, even if you are a vamp."
I knew he was teasing, and I retorted, "Sheesh. Werewolves are grumpy today. When do we do this?"
"In about… oh, five minutes?" We all looked at each other, grinning. The show was on.
We went up to the attic, and opened the door to the flat section of the roof, where a band member was already addressing the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen! You've seen the flyers around town, you've heard the buzz, now please give it up for your neighborhood band—The Wolfgang!"
There was a roar of approval, and I glanced at Jaime suspiciously. "So incognito," I commented, and he just grinned.
All the lights were off, and strobe lights, skylights, and spotlights had been installed while I was asleep. The band was in complete darkness as I took my space beside Freesia, Dan at the drums, Jaime at the center front. The two other members of the band, Henry and Vince were flanking my brother, rock-grave looks on their faces. Jaime turned from the crowd, and then it began.
First it was just the strobe lights, flashing in time with the drums, and then a mist appeared on the roof, engulfing our feet as the base players began to strum their guitars. Then, as Freesia and I began clapping our hands—hey, we were only the back-up singers (at least on most occasions)—a spotlight appeared on Jaime, and he came to life. His eyes met with Freesia's for a moment, and he winked at her before leaping around to face the crowd, his hands moving in a blur with the strings of his guitar.
"We're gonna start it off with a classic, folks," he shouted, still jamming his guitar. "If you're familiar with rock, this concert's gonna be a blast."
The crowd screamed their support as he nodded slightly to Dan, who tuned the drums up a notch. Then he began to sing and yell at the same time, and I felt my heartbeat synch itself to the music. It was a familiar sensation to me.
Jaime sang Forsaken, by Skillet. It reminded me of my change, and I cringed from the memory.
The crowd roared as our song halted. I leaned over to breathe—I hadn't been singing much, but I'd felt the rush.
Jaime glanced back at me as the roar died down. He grinned, motioning to the mic. I shook my head, but he spoke into it anyway, smiling hugely. "Hey, fellow people of the audience!" he called, and they immediately quieted. "I know the flyer doesn't say anything about what's coming next, but I have a proposition for you. My sister, Cara Cullen, has a wonderful singing voice. I think you guys would be missing out if she didn't sing for us tonight. So what do you say?"
The crowd hollered their thanks and encouragement. I blushed slightly, standing up, and walking toward center stage. Jaime kept the mic out of my reach and declared one last mini-speech. "Give it up for Cara Cullen!"
Another howl.
The music began playing immediately—thank you, Jaime—or else I'd have to give a mini-speech, too. One of the base players—Vince, I think, moved to the piano, and he began to play. It was just me and the music. No backup singers this time.
"I
waited for you today,
but you didn't show no, no, no.
I needed
you today
So where did you go?
"You
told me to call,
Said you'd be there.
And though I haven't seen
you,
Are you still there?
"I
cried out with no reply,
and I can't feel you by my side.
So
I'll hold tight to what I know:
You're here, and I'm Never Alone.
"And
though I cannot see you,
and I can't explain why,
such a deep,
deep reassurance
You've placed in my life.
Oh!
"We
cannot separate
cause you're part of me.
And though you're
invisible,
I'll trust the unseen.
"I
cried out with no reply,
and I can't feel you by my side.
So
I'll hold tight to what I know:
You're here and I'm Never
Alone.
"We cannot separate,
you're part of me.
And
though you're invisible,
I'll trust the unseen.
"I
cried out with no reply,
and I can't feel you by my side.
So
I'll hold tight to what I know:
You're here, and I'm Never Alone."
And then, one other song.
"Raindrops,
Fall From, Everywhere.
I Reach Out, For You, But Your Not
There.
So I Stood, Waiting, In The Dark
With Your Picture, In
My Hands
Story Of a Broken Heart.
"Stay With Me
Don't
Let Me Go
Cause I Can't Be Without You.
Just Stay With Me
And
Hold Me Close
Because I've Built My World Around You.
And I
Don't Wanna Know What's It Like Without You,
So Stay with Me
Just
Stay With Me.
"I'm Trying And Hoping, For The Day
When my
touch is enough
To Take The Pain Away.
Cause I've Searched For
So Long
The Answer Is Clear:
We'll be OK if We Don't Let It
Disappear.
"Stay With Me
Don't let Me go
Cause I Can't
Be Without You.
Just Stay With Me
And Hold Me Close
Because
I've Built My World Around You.
And I Don't Wanna Know What's it
Like Without You,
So Stay with Me
Just Stay With Me.
"I've
searched my heart over
So many, many times
No you and I, is
like no stars to light the sky at night.
Our Picture Hangs Out Of
Tune
Remind Me Of The Days
You Promised Me We'd Always
And
Never Go Away.
That's Why I Need You To Stay.
"Stay With
Me
Don't let Me go
Cause I Can't Be Without You.
Just Stay
With Me
And Hold Me Close
Because I've Built My World Around
You.
And I Don't Wanna Know What's It Like Without You
So Stay
with Me
Just Stay With Me.
"Ooh... oh oh
Don't
leave
So I stay waiting in the dark..."
I took a deep breath as I finished, forcing back memories. You're fine, I told myself. You're perfectly okay. Fun, this is fun.
But I knew it wasn't fun, and I knew that if I stayed too much longer, I'd crack. I stayed for two more songs, and then I gave a mini-salute to Jaime during a break. He nodded, his smile grim.
"At least you sang twice," he said. "Wasn't that fun?"
"Extremely," I lied. He didn't catch it this time, and I was thankful for that.
He smiled again. "Well get going, kid. Come around soon, I'll miss you."
"Love you, Jaime." He returned it with a hug, and then I was in my room, grabbing my duffle, and racing out the backdoor, already phasing into a vampire, running to the forest.
An ear-shattering shriek pierced the forest quiet. I skidded to a halt, frozen. My indecision wavered: home, or did I turn around and save this girl. I only barely had to think about it before I was turning and streaking back to the concert, my duffle previously dropped in the dirt.
As I sped back into the light, Jaime saw me. He was coming out the back door to grab a water bottle and as I rushed past, he grabbed my arm. "What's going on?" he shouted over the buzz of the crowd.
I tore my arm free, glancing behind me. "Did you hear a scream?" I asked, and he shook his head, a confused look on his face.
"No, I, well—"
"Well, I did," I interrupted, glancing around. "I gotta go."
"Cara!"
But I was already running, racing past the groupies at human speed. Another guy grabbed my arm, and asked, "Hey, Baby. Why you running so fast? I bet I could make you stay."
I grabbed the nearest drink and flung it in his face, not sticking around to hear the: "Bitch!" I ran faster and faster, and I heard another shriek. I was getting closer.
I halted silently in front of the next alley, listening intently.
"No, no! Please, don't—I'll do anything!"
I shook my head. You don't plead with attackers; you act badass and hope they'll leave you alone. I listened again, my expression grim.
"Now why would we do that, Sweet?" I mentally gagged, hearing another cry.
I peeked around the edge of the wall, taking in my surroundings. Think first, act later, Jasper's voice rang. Good military advice, but hey—I couldn't wait too long.
The girl was maybe fourteen, tiny and vulnerable, not to mention scared. Three burly guys were crowed around her, one's hand reaching out to her pale skin. One of the guys had a gun.
Fantastic.
Another strangled cry and I couldn't bear to wait anymore. I stepped out from the wall and strode easily down the dark alley, confidence radiating off of me easily. Pain rippled through my body as I changed into my other self, my vampire self, but I ignored it.
The girl locked eyes with me, scared, thinking I was another attacker. I very well could be, I decided grimly, but that wasn't what I was here for. Instead, I pushed past the guys and linked my arm around the girl's shoulders, challenging our enemy with my dangerous eyes.
They all mocked fear, elbowing and laughing at each other. "Ooh, another chick," one of them called. My eyes narrowed: Mistake number one.
"I think you have the wrong girl here, men," I said quietly, making sure to leave the "gentle" out of gentlemen. "Now, if you'd be so kind, I'd like to take her back to the party."
The jeered again, and I sighed. Mistake number two. They obviously hadn't registered the danger in my tone. "Not likely," taunted the man again. I figured he was the leader. He smirked, reaching out to grab me.
Mistake number three. Game on.
My hand collided with his before he came within a foot radius, and I squeezed hard. Vampire hard. I could feel the bones crush beneath the force of my hand, and the ligaments tearing. A look of terror spread across his face, and his mind registered the pain a millisecond later. He yelled out, cradling his hand to his chest and backing away from me.
"There's something funky about that bitch," he told his men. "Flank her."
I shifted my feet, placing myself in front of the girl as the other two advanced. The terrified teen's breathing was ragged, and she kept repeating, "Oh God. Oh, my god…" I ignored her, my eyes focused on the bastard with the rifle. As he raised it, aiming the barrel at my face, I leapt into action—literally.
I jumped, one foot hooking around the barrel of the gun while the other braced my fall. I brought the rifle to my hands and swung it in a large arc, cracking one of the guys on the side of his scalp. There was a sick, crunching sound as they collided, but I wasted no time. Next, I bent my leg as far in as possible, and rocketed it back out, slamming the second guy in the stomach.
While they were struggling to get up, I dragged the girl to he mouth of the alley and pushed her under a streetlight. She was clutching her shirt together, just in case. I disregarded that. Now or never.
"You know the concert going on about a block from here?" I called out to her.
She nodded, gulping in air. "Of course. I was heading over there when—"
"I don't care," I interrupted, glancing behind me. "The Hispanic/ Native American dude on stage is my brother, Jaime. Tell him Cara sent you, and tell him exactly what happened. If you can't find him, ask anyone for Jaime, Dan, or Freesia. Go."
"But—"
"GO!"
She tore off in the direction of the party, and as I turned to survey the damage I'd caused, two rough hands caught me, dragging me back. One leered in my face, making me scowl. "You just lost us our bundle of fun," he sneered. I shot my leg up and kicked him in the groin. He doubled over, and I twisted my arms, bringing the man that was detaining me up and over my head. The angle he laid in on the cold ground was definitely not normal.
I turned to the dark alley, appraising the damage (something I had tried to do before). The dude who'd I conked with the gun was out cold, and the guy I'd kicked in the groin was the leader—I hadn't only crushed his reproductive organs. They guy who'd been holding me was stirring, so I raced down the alley. I stomped on the gun as I roared past, destroying it.
I sprung as I reached a picket fence, digging my nails into the wood. My body slammed against the panes—let me tell you: breasts plus planks equals hurt. I winced as the unpolished wood dug splinters into my fingers, but I ignored the pain and pulled myself over the barrier, falling into the ground and rolling.
"Shit," I muttered as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I bet ten zillion big ones that it was Jaime. "Yes?" I asked as I rose to my feet, wincing as streaks of cutting pain ran up my leg. No biggie. I pushed it to the back of my mind and began running.
"Cara?" a panicked voice asked. Yup—Jaime. "What the hell is going on? This kid named Halley—" He broke off, hysteria bubbling in his tone.
I rolled my eyes. "Three words, brother," I said slowly, but a shot rang out, taking my voice with it. I ducked behind a dumpster, breathing hard.
"Was that an effing gun?" my younger brother demanded. Oh, boy.
"Yeah, probably," I answered, "but three words."
I began to flee again as he asked, "Oh yeah? What's that?"
"I can't die," I told him, and hung up.
Boy, I was in for it later.
I skidded, slipping, as I faced a dead end. Shit, shit, shit! What had I been thinking? Hello, I knew things—I definitely should have known where I was going. I was doomed if no freaking miracle was in store for me.
I turned slowly, and my eyes locked with the man who'd held me down. He had a gun in his hand—a thirty-eight revolver. I tried not to show fear, but my mind was screaming. I didn't think I could die—I was pretty sure I couldn't.
But the theory had never been tested.
"Nice time, bitch," the guy said. He was the only one I hadn't severely injured.
I heard the click of the gun, the bullet shooting from its barrel to whiz towards my head. I heard the air part as the shot raced at my face, and I felt the precipitation bead on my skin. I wrenched my eyes shut, turning my head, my senses heightened in my time of dying.
But the bullet never collided with my skin, and when I was positive it had to be over by now, and as I slowly opened my eyes, shock must've been present on my face. I couldn't believe it—how had he known?
The bullet had slammed into the wall next to me—the guy was probably drunk and couldn't aim. "You really want to move the gun," I told him, voice strong and low, hinting at a dangerous promise. "Now."
He grinned a manic grin. "Alright," he concurred, lowering the gun to it was pointing at my heart. I glanced at it dismissively, and then behind him.
Hurry up, I thought as his finger teased the trigger. He had no clue what was in store for him.
I hadn't blinked, and my eyes were stinging like hell. I was almost starting to wish I hadn't let them chase me.
In a flash—a blur so quick that I didn't even have time to twitch—my attacker was up against the wall beside me, a pale hand bracing him in place. My gaze trailed to the owner of the hand, and I slid down the wall in relief.
It was Edward—my dad. And he looked mad. In his other hand was the thirty-eight revolver, and he crushed it slowly, a slow smile spreading across his face as the metal groaned in protest.
"Get up." He hadn't glanced at me as he ordered the command, and I rose shakily to my feet, bracing my hands on my knees and bending over. "Emmett," I heard my dad say, "as much as I'd like to kill this man, I'll let you take care of him."
"Hell, yes!"
My dad was by my side in a flash, checking me over. "I'm fine," I told him, clinging to the part of my mind that was just accepting his presence, and not screaming in shock.
"That was the stupidest thing—by far—you have ever done." He sounded a little smug as he said this, though. Almost proud. "I can't believe you did that alone."
I rolled my eyes, still gulping in air from my trauma. "Hello, vampire," I intoned, pointing to myself. He chuckled a little. "What made you decide to intervene now?"
"Just the small fact of your life being threatened."
"So you just stuck around for thirty minutes while I beat a bunch of jerks' asses?" I asked, kinda stunned. That didn't sound like my family.
His expression, when I glanced up, was sick. "Alice was sure you could handle it," he explained sourly.
"I almost did," I argued, ignoring the sound of a neck snapping. "If I hadn't run, I probably could have—"
I bent over again, overcome with dizziness. I had tried to stand up—not smart. "Are you alright?" my dad asked, grabbing my arm to steady me.
"Where's everyone else?" I asked stupidly, breathing hard. He didn't answer for a moment, but mulled over my question.
"At the concert."
"Excuse me?"
"Alice, Rosalie, and your mother stayed. I kind of had to persuade Bella, but nothing out of the ordinary. Carlisle and Esme are at the house, and jasper and Emmett are here with me."
"Hi, Jasper," I called out.
"Squirt!" he shot back.
I tried to stand again, not wanting to feel weak in front of my vampire family. But Jasper hissed as I was overcome with a wave a nausea, black spots appearing in front of my eyes. I felt my consciousness slipping, and heard Jasper say, "Get her off her feet—"
But it was too late. I was already in la-la-land. And for once, I didn't mind.
OOO
Sorry, sorry, sorry that took so long.
Now, before you all say something, I know you wanted her rescuer to be Matt. I know. But I was reading Twilight, and I remembered the part where Eddie said he only killed the bad people, and that's not Matt. And I just thought it would be FANTASTIC (haha) if Edward saved the day so his daughter could see him in his shining glory. You CANNOT argue with that.
BTW, the songs were Never Alone, by BarlowGirl and Stay With Me, by Danity Kane. Um, I didn't know the first was a Christian band until recently, so don't go getting the wrong message. Jaime made Cara think of her love for MATT and her change. And Never Alone symbolized the time she was in the prison.
And J (anonymous reviewer): You said I should write something form Alex's POV. Good idea, but I most likely won't make it a story—more of a one-shot or outtake. Why? Because not many people want to read OC stories, and the people who are familiar with mine won't have a problem reading a oneshot. Plus, I just don't have enough time on my hands to be working with the sequel to this, outtakes, and another story. It'll be a really long oneshot, I promise, but not a story. :)
Hahaha. I'll begin the next chapter as soon as I can.
Jamie