I do not own Twilight. I just enjoy writing stories about them.
Chapter 7
Voltera 1 Year After the New Laws – Charlie POV
It was early March and here I was kneeing in the dirt planting new crop in the newest field expansion after the guards cleared the area and raised a protective wall. Looking up wiping the bead of sweat from my brow before planting the last bulb into the earth. Completing my weekly turn in the fields.
Gathering my bag and water jug heading up the path towards the city, nodding to the Volturi guards as I passed.
The idea of vampires existing and that I live among them still gets to me sometimes. The Cullen's are good people, and some of the vampires here were not so bad.
Heading to my little home in the town, it was a three bed room flat. Jolene used one of the rooms, seeing as she didn't have anyone either. She clung to me and me to her in a way after my daughter's demise. She became a second daughter to me.
Sitting down in my office looking over a document Aro wanted to pass about humans now needing to produce 3 or more children. Shaking my head, I know the population was hurting but growing that fast and forcing it was a bad idea.
There had been 7 new babies in the past year. 4 boys and 3 girls all healthy, but there were people thinking the population would grow faster.
I had been impressed when they placed me on the counsel and took my input on things. It kept my mind off of my grief from losing my daughter, friends, even my ex-wife.
Furrowing my brows I couldn't help but think of the people I never found out what became of them. Billy Black and his son Jacob for two. After the fall out I made my way to the reservation with a nervous Carlisle.
When we arrived there was no one, not people or infected people. They were just gone.
Leaning back in my chair as I looked around the room, that was still confusing me but I had to move on.
Jolene stepped into the room holding up a small scroll wiggling between her fingers. "So guess what I got delivered today?"
Raising an eye brow and she smiled knowing what I was asking.
She walked over and sat on the corner of the desk, "I am to arrive for my first blood draw tomorrow morning." She looked down at her hands a bit nervous. "I turn 18 tomorrow."
Nodding, "I am sorry that it has to be this way. But it is for the best."
She nodded, "Yes I know. The guards have already taken note that I have a boyfriend too. I guess they don't care about the whole waiting for marriage thing." She looked upset mentioning it.
Nodding, "Yes population growth is important, but they are old fashioned. If you wanted to be married first, I don't think they would oppose."
She nodded, "Well goodnight Charlie."
Group Setting
Sitting in the grand hall in their chairs that Aro had brought in for the new council members as they discussed the new population proposal.
"They are not producing enough offspring, we have 89 humans living in the villa currently and only 7 births in the last year." Flipping the page Aro continued, "There are 21 individuals who are either too old or cannot produce offspring, 42 individuals 18 years or older and 16 of those are not married or in a relationship, leaving 26 children under the age 18."
Caius shook his head, "Out of 42 people in their prime there were only 7 births, they need to repopulate faster."
Carlisle shook his head. "Technically there are only 15 woman in their prime child birthing years. 13 are married women, and 7 of those gave birth in the past year. That is almost 47% success rate, and if you only count the married woman 54%. Those odds are actually really good all things considered."
Marcus looked up at him, "All things considered? What do you mean?"
Caius growled, "They are safe, fed, and clothed here. They should be fine."
Rosalie spoke up, "You must be thinking everyone never saw the destruction of their people, or that they have all been here a year. 4 of the couples and one of the single woman have only been here 2 months or less. And the other turned 18 today." She gave a nod at Charlie referring to Jolene.
Charlie nodded, "A year is not a lot of time, from the moment they get pregnant to the moment they deliver is about 9 months. Plus, while they are safe as they can be; many are still stressed about the world."
Carlisle nodded, "Charlie is correct. A stressed individual, especially a woman has a far less chance of a successful conception. Adding more pressure to get pregnant multiple times will only add to the stress they are in. Some are also scared of the pain. We are only using pain relieve if I need to do a C-section. Otherwise nothing. Women nowadays are used to epidurals and pain relief."
Aro shrugged, "Then give them epidurals."
Carlisle sighed, "The supply is low, and even if you created a lab to make more indefinitely there is a risk. Paralysis, nerve damage, damage to the babies. What would happen to the mothers and babies if that happened here? Will you create formula too if the mother cannot produce milk?"
Aro frowned, "I don't understand humans wanting pain relief even with those risks? The pain is only temporary."
Carlisle nodded, "I don't either, but it is the society they were brought up in."
Aro nodded, "Very well let's vote on the population amendment to require 3 offspring. Raise your hand in favor."
Only Aro and Caius' hands went up as Aro nodded, "Very well, we will keep it at a minimum of one."
Jasper spoke up finally, "Not to rush to the next topic. However, we have been receiving reports of various sections around the world were vampires are collecting humans and using them for food, killing them."
Marcus looked up concerned, "Where is this happening? We have declared it law to all vampires, killing humans is forbidden due to the situation."
Aro nodded, "We will send the guard out to stop these individuals immediately. Do you have the locations?"
Jasper nodded, "There have been two confirmed reports however there are rumors about others, one in the France area and the other in the Texas area in the United States."
Aro nodded, "Do we know who?"
Jasper sighed, "We have uncovered the name Marcelo in France as the ring leader, and …. Maria in Texas. She was a leader during the Southern wars in the late 1800s as well."
Caius grinned, "So you know her then."
Jasper nodded gravely, "Yes I know Maria. It does not surprise me that she is one of the ring leaders. I had thought she met her demise years ago, but I guess she escaped."
Aro glanced between Caius and Jasper, "Brother, you know Jasper has been pardoned for his crimes as a newborn. Let's not bring them up."
Turning back to Jasper, "I will be setting up a group to see to the matter of the France and Texas issues. Demetri and Felix will be able to handle the France issue without fail. However I would like you to accompany them to Texas."
Jasper nodded, "Of course. Seeing me would likely throw off Maria initially, it would give us the advantage."
After everyone agreed on the plan people got up to head their separate ways.
Demetri, Felix, and Emmett were in the hall as Jasper came over and discussed the upcoming plans for France and Texas. Emmett had joined the guard after seeing them truly trying to save the humans.
Carlisle headed back to hospital to relieve Edward from his rounds, after arriving in Volterra Edward followed in his father's footsteps and became a doctor since Carlisle had to split his time. There would always be a doctor available for the humans.
Rosalie was helping Esme and Jolene with the orphans that had been brought into the city, when she was not sitting on the council. Most of them were older, but some were as young as 4.
Alice did her best to 'see' where there would be a group of humans and went out with the guards to bring them back to the villa safely. She was still having problems forcing visions, however when she was out, they came to her easier.
1 Week Later
Heading back to his villa after a long meeting, Demetri's group had just returned from France with 19 humans. There were more people, but most had run off in different directions and were lost or killed in the chaos.
Only 5 had been adults, teachers actually. Most were children they had apparently holed up in their middle school when the outbreak happened. That is where Marcelo's people found them and took them prisoners.
It had been a gruesome story upon Felix and Demetri's arrival.
Charlie left after and headed straight to him flat to get some sleep if he could.
Charlie sat on the edge of his bed staring at one of the pictures of his young daughter Isabella wondering what she would be like today if she had survived.
Huffing he laid back, "I wouldn't want her to see this hell." Closing his eyes hoping her death had at least been quick for her.
It had only been a moment when there was a knock on the front door.
Sighing, "Of course…" Sitting up pulling on his pants and shirt before heading down the narrow wooden staircase to the front door.
Opening it seeing Felix and Jasper as he stepped aside, "Come on in. Something wrong?"
The two men stepped inside, Jasper nodding his head in thanks before answering him. "We have been talking, you were a police chief. I know you were not a counselor, but you were able to handle tense situations and calm people down."
Nodding his head, "Yes that is right."
Felix continued on, "When we arrive in Texas there will most likely be a fight between us and the guards they have. That is what happened in France. The people scattered."
Charlie shook his head, "So what would I do?"
Jasper put a hand on his shoulder, "While we are fighting, you would lead the humans away to a safe point we designate."
Looking at Felix and then back to Charlie, "The humans would see your eyes and trust you. Odds are the vampires are not treating them well, the ones they found in France were starving. Some beaten. They do not trust us."
Charlie swallowed, "They might not trust me either. I am a new face, who is allied with vampires."
Felix thought about it for a moment, "True, we would go in first. You follow and start unlocking the humans. They might think you are escaping and go with you fairly easy." He sighed "We underestimated how the humans would react to us."
Jasper nodded, "We are asking you to go with us to Texas, it will be a longer trip but we think it will be worth it."
Charlie thought about it and then nodded, "I guess you would need the boat to bring back the survivors anyway." Sighing, "Alright I will go, I need to let Jolene know I am leaving though."
Felix and Jasper both nodded before Jasper put his hand on Charlie's shoulder, "We will be leaving in the morning. Demetri is going tonight to load food and water for you and any survivors. Just pack a bag and meet us in the conference room at 7."
Charlie nodded, "See you at 7."
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