xSixteenxVanessa POVx
"Mm, Paul?" I roll from one side to the other. My face encounters a cool piece of paper. "Ungh," I sit up and flip on the lamp beside me.
Sorry I'm not here; Sam found a few new leech trails so we had to go track them. I should be back soon. I love you
Paul
Ps. I love you more
I sigh and stretch, getting out of bed for the day.
"Ugh," I groan as a wave or morning sickness hits me. I rush to the bathroom and throw up into the toilet twice before I feel the nausea pass. I brush my teeth quickly before turning on the shower and going to find some clothes for the day when I hear the doorbell ring.
"Coming!" I yell as I cut the water. Guess I'll shower later, I think to myself as I open the door.
"Mom?" I ask, staring at the Australian woman on the porch.
"Hey, we came to talk. Can we come in?" dad steps towards me.
"I-I guess," I step aside.
"Nice place you got. How much was it?" my mother asks, worrying only about her money, as usual. Figures, I snort in my mind.
"It's not mine, its' my boyfr- fiancées," I tell them.
"You've only been here – what? – four months and you're already engaged? And gaining weight? You little whore," my mother spits at me.
"You know what? Just because you married rich with your skate partner and 'built up your relationship,' does NOT mean I have to, and just because you're stick fucking thin does NOT mean I have to be too! And for your information, I'm not fat, I'm pregnant, so excuse me if there's a difference!" I yell at her. "So you know what, get out of my kitchen," I hear the front door open harshly. "Better yet, get the fuck out of my house and off of this reservation, and leave me alone!" I scream at them as Paul runs, shirtless into the kitchen.
"What's going on; babe, are you oohk?" he wraps his arms around me, cradling my face to his chest.
"Really Vanessa? An Indian, really?" I hear my mother bite out.
"I thought she asked you to get out of our home," Paul growls as the tears pour down my face out of anger.
"You could do better," I hear her say under her breath as they shuffle out and I hear the door shut and the car starting before they drive away.
"Vanessa?" Paul asks after a few moments. "Are you alright?"
"I'm going to shower," I mutter. I go back to the bathroom and turn the shower back on and get in.
x
I step out of the shower and wrap a big white towel around my body. I look down at my left wrist, ashamed of the trail of blood that now streaks down my arm.
I wipe off the blood and rinse the blood from my razor before heading to the bedroom to find something to wear.
I pull on my pink and black Pink sweat pants from Victoria's Secret and my black cotton stretch. I check myself, making sure none of my cuts show and head towards the kitchen.
"Hey Ness?" Paul calls as he comes out of our bathroom. "Why is there blood in the tub?" he asks.
Shit.
xPaul POVx
I hear Vanessa in the bedroom getting dressed so I go to the bathroom to take a leak.
As I'm about to leave the bathroom, something red catches my eye in my shower. I sniff carefully and smell the salty, rusty smell of blood lingering in the room.
"Vanessa?" I call, finding her in the kitchen. "Why is there blood in the tub?"
"I don't know," she answers calmly as she assembles her sandwich.
Lies, my wolf tells me. "Vanessa," I say.
She looks up at me now. "Paul," she responds.
"Why is your blood in the bathtub?" I ask again.
"I nicked myself shaving," she says. I look at the parts of her calves showing and only see her smooth, yet still scarred skin…if that made any sense.
"I don't see anything on your legs," I tell her.
"It's on my thigh," she offers. I raise my eyebrows and sniff, starting at her calves. I sniff all the way up her, going down her right arm and back before beginning the left arm.
"Paul, what the fuck are you doing?" she asks as I reach her wrist. BINGO, I think to myself as the smell of fresh blood hits my nose. I push back her sleeve and freeze.
"Vanessa?" I ask her softly. I look away from her new cuts and old scars and look up at her face.
She's looking away from me so I merely pull her into a hug.
xVanessa POVx
"Paul, what the fuck are you doing?" I ask as he sniffs his way down my left arm. Paul stops as he reaches my wrist and pulls back my sleeve. He stands there, frozen for a moment before speaking.
"Vanessa?" he asks quietly, looking up at me. I look away, ashamed as he pulls me into his chest. "Why?" he asks, sounding broken.
"I'm sorry," tears pour down my face. I don't exactly know why I'm crying, just that I suddenly am.
"Why though? And why the other times? I see the scars from them, so don't lie to me." His voice goes hard at the end.
"Because it's a good distraction from my own pain. The physical pain helps forget about the emotional pain I've suffered. I only started after I couldn't skate anymore, though. Because before that, I had skating, and I could push myself until I couldn't move," I explain to him.
"Why didn't you talk to someone?"
"Because it showed weakness," I admit.
"Emotional pain," he says. "From what?"
"My…parents, my skating coach, myself," I say, only now realizing how harsh I'd also been on myself before in addition to my coach and parents and even in the beginning when I'd just moved here.
"But you had me to talk to, especially this time," he says, sounding stubborn.
"Because I'm no good at talking about my feelings like that," I say quietly. I hate talking all feely, mushy gushy crap, what good does it do? Nothing; that's what it does. Abso-fucking-lutely nothing at all.
"Please, promise me you'll talk to me or at least someone next time? Please?" he begs.
I know I can't promise him this; I know I'll only end up breaking it; breaking his trust in me. "I'll try," I whisper.
He nods and kisses my forehead before turning for the door. "I have patrol," he calls on his way out.
Sure, I think to myself. Just run away from the problem, it'll all just go away on its own. I think bitterly as I go and clean out the tub.
"What the fuck," I mutter as my phone vibrates from the bedroom.
I check the ID and raise my eyebrows as 'restricted' flashes across the screen.
"Hello?" I answer.
"Miss Rochester? This is Stephanie, a nurse at the Alice Springs Hospital," she says chipperly.
"Oohk…?" I respond.
"Your grandmother, Aleah, is in here, she's just suffered from a massive stroke and asked if we could call you, she hasn't much time Ms. Rochester," she says.
"Alright, I'll be there as soon as I can," I say. "Thank you, and please tell her I'm on my way." I tell her before hanging up.
"What the FUCK!"I scream and yank duffle out of the closet. I throw in some sandals and clothes before throwing on a pair of grey skinny jeans and a red corset type top with a grey sweater over it. I slid on my fed flip flops and call the airport.
"Hi, I'd like to arrange a private flight to Australia as soon as possible." I tell the male who answered the phone.
"That's an expensive flight, miss-" he pauses.
"I know, just get me the private flight. I am Vanessa Rochester," I say bitterly. "When can I come?"
"A…an hour and a half miss. Thank you," he hangs up quickly.
I take my kitten, still unnamed and put her in my oversized purse. I leave the letter for Paul and go.
"Come on kitten, we're going on a trip," I whisper to her as I head out the door and start my truck. I slide my iPod into the dock and plug my phone into the car charger before pulling out of the driveway. I open my purse on the passenger seat to find my kitten curled up in a ball, sleeping; so I decide to leave her be and continue on.
An hour and a half of going a little faster than I probably should have, I arrive at Port Angeles airport and tell the secretary who I am. He nods and tells me my plane will be ready in fifteen minutes before handing me the bill for my ticket and private plane rental.
I slide my card through and sign before grabbing my ticked and heading towards terminal four.
"Private flight six-forty-seven boarding now in terminal four, boarding now in terminal four," the secretary guy announces. I stand and head for the terminal when a security guard stops me.
"Surprise luggage check," he says. I surrender over my duffle first for inspection before pulling kitten out of my bag and handing that over too.
He gapes at me, open-mouthed for a moment before resuming his search.
"You can have German Shepards come and search me, but I can guarantee you that I'm not a terrorist," I say to him innocently.
"You're free to go," he says gruffly as I put kitten back in the bag and board my plane.
xFast ForwardxLanding in Australiax
"Please be seated, we will be landing momentarily." The pilot announces as I peek open my eyes. I look down to see kitten sleeping my hands once more.
I get off the plane and flag down a taxi. "Australia Springs Hospital," I direct him. He nods and we make it there within fifteen minutes. "Thanks," I throw him some money and head into the receptionist. "Aleah Fleur," I ask.
"Four-B in icu." She says emotionlessly. I nod and head off towards the icu.
"Grand-mére?" (Grandma?) I ask in her native tongue.
"Ma fille?" (My girl?) she whispers.
"Grand-mére? Comment allez-vous?" (Grandma, how are you?) I ask. "A vez-vous appelé papa?" (Have you called dad?)
"No," she closes her eyes softly. "No."
"Grand-mére, regardez ce que j'ai apporté," (Grandma, look what I brought.) I hold up my kitten.
"Chaton!" (Kitten!) she says softly.
"Grand-mére," (Grandma,) I settle the kitten next to her. "Regardez ce que j'ai en d'autre," (look what else I brought,) I flutter my left hand near her for her to see it.
"Une bague de fiançailles!" (An engagement ring!) she exclaims. "Qui est le garçon?" (Who is the boy?)
"Son nom est Paul," (His name is Paul.) I say and find a picture of him on my phone.
"Beau," (Handsome,) she says gently, touching the picture.
"Grand-mére, je t'aime," (Grandma, I love you.) I murmur. She stares up at me blankly for amoment before pulling her long, thin gold chain with the ring her mother gave her and hands it to me.
"Grand-mére?" (Grandma?) I ask.
"Il est à vous maintenant," (It is yours now,) she whispers to me. "Je t'aime," (I love you,) she whispers before her hand goes limp and the heart monitor flat lines.
"Grand-mére," (Grandma,) I cry. "Ne me quitte pas," (Don't leave me,) I cry more. "Je t'aime," (I love you.) I kiss her forehead. "Au revoir," (Goodbye,) I cry softly as I begin to sob harder.
xPaul POVx
I feel the sudden urge to sob and head back towards the house. I'd been out patrolling for about sixteen hours now. I felt bad that I hadn't told Vanessa that we were on longer shifts again, but she'd understand.
I open the door and hear nothing in response. Not even the greeting 'mew' of the still unnamed kitten.
"Vanessa?" I call you, receiving no response.
I go into the bedroom and find a letter on my pillow, addressed to me.
Paul, it reads.
I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you in person, but I know you're on patrol, so I just wanted to let you know that I love you and that I'll be back soon. I don't know when that will be, but just know that I love you.
Vanessa
Ps. I love you more.
Where could she be? And why did it sound like she was saying goodbye for an extended period of time? I shove the letter into my pocket and sprint over to Sams place to find Emily sobbing.
"Em? What's wrong?" I ask.
"Why aren't you with her?" she asks.
"What? I don't even know where she is, she just disappeared," I say sadly.
"So she's alone, with Grand-mére, dead," she clarifies tearfully.
"Dead?" I panic.
"Grand-mére just died, not two minutes ago," she whispers.
"She's alone?" I demand. "Why would she go alone?" I'm pissed now.
"I have to go," I murmur.
"As do I," Emily stands.
"Then I'm coming too," Sam says. I call the airport as they pack.
"The only way there right now is by private plane, three thousand dollars for the plane and tickets. We'll have to split it," I say. They nod and both write me a check for one thousand each before we hop in Sams truck and go.
An hour later we're at the attendants' desk, paying, and fifteen minutes later we're boarding this tiny little plane, two wolves and an imprint, this should be interesting.
Fourteen hours later we're landing in Australia, and twenty minutes after that we're standing in the lobby of a hospital in somewhere called Alice Springs.
"Is a short, tan girl still here? Or has she left already?" Em asks the receptionist.
"She left about an hour after her grandma passed. When she left she turned left, but that's all I know," she supplies helpfully.
We leave the hospital and I pick up her scent easily. We follow it to a hotel, Alice Springs Hotel, how ironic, and head in.
"Is somebody staying here under the name of either Vanessa Rochester or Vanessa Mai?" Sam asks calmly.
"Yes," he says.
"Well, I'm her fiancée, and this is her cousin and her cousins' fiancée, so could you tell us where she is? And possibly give us a room key?" I ask.
"She's staying in suite two, here's the key card; top floor. Enjoy your stay." He says as we head off.
I unlock the door and head silently over to the door I hear her behind, I'm assuming it to be the bedroom.
I hear her crying so I try the handle to find it locked, so I merely knock quietly.
"Aller loin," (go away,) she tells me. But before I have the chance to respond, Emily comes to my side.
"Laissez-nous entrer soeur," (let us in sister,) Emily replies.
"No," she says.
"S'il vous plait?" (please?) she asks. "Pour Paul?" (for Paul?)
"Aller loin," (go away,) she repeats monotonously.
"What is she saying?" I ask.
"She says 'go away,' so I asked her to let us in, and she refused." Emily translates. "My French is limited though, so don't expect much more," she tells me.
"Thanks," I mutter to Emily. "It's oohkay, I love you," I whisper to Vanessa before laying on the couch and falling asleep.
X
I wake up and feel something huddled into my side, so I look down to see Vanessa curled up into the smallest ball I've ever seen with the kitten asleep by her head; curled up equally as tight. I kiss her forehead and pull her closer to me as I turn, letting her snuggle into my torso instead.
"Matin," (Morning,) she mumbles as she stretches out slowly. I wince as I hear things cracking.
"English Ness, I don't understand," I tell her.
She nods and yawns. "Morning," she mutters.
"Good morning," I respond, kissing her gently. She smiles a weak smile and heads to the shower. I sit patiently for forty five minutes until she finally emerges, wrapped in a small white towel. Ah, if only she'd bend down…I lose my mind to the gutter for a few moments before coming back to my senses and walking into the bathroom to inspect and find no blood, not even the lingering scent, but instead am overwhelmed by a coconut smell mixed with the sweet smell of Vanessa.
I nod to myself; glad she hasn't cut again and hear her sobbing in the bedroom.
"Vanessa?" I whisper as I enter the room to find her in her grey matching bra and panties, no doubt from Victoria's Secret, curled in a ball on the bed. "Ness," I say softly, hugging her to me. "It's alright, baby, cry it out. I'm here, it's oohk," I say.
"Je suis désolé," she whispers.
"What? Ness, speak English, honey." I ask.
"Je suis désolé je coupe encore," she says.
"Nessa, I need to translate, I'm no genius hon."
"Sorry," she says in plain English before drifting off to sleep.
xVanessa POVx
Paul's arms appeared gently around me and it only makes me cry harder.
"Je suis désolé," (I'm sorry,) I whisper.
"What?" Paul asks. "Ness, speak English, honey." He reminds me.
"Je suis désolé je coupe encore," (I'm sorry I cut again,) I repeat in French.
"Nessa, I need to translate. I'm no genius, hon."
"Sorry," I whisper in plain English before willing myself to sleep.