DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyers owns these characters. We've only borrowed them for this story.
Chapter 12
Edward's POV
I just now realized 3 days had passed since my conversation with Bella and since my world, and my daughter's, came crashing down around us. After I hung up that phone, we headed out toward the village. Zafrina was surprised to see us arrive earlier than scheduled, but welcomed us with open arms. When she asked about Bella and the rest of the family, I only responded to her with as little information as necessary.
"Ah, my dear friend. I am sorry for the change in plans. Unfortunately, the rest of the family is unable to join us after all. They send their regrets and look forward to seeing you soon." Her disappointment was obvious, but so was her underlying suspicion that there was more to it. She didn't press any further than saying "I was so looking forward to seeing your family and of course, your dear wife. Please send our regrets when you speak with them." I nodded and smiled politely. Knowing full well, that wouldn't happen any time soon.
I felt the pang of hunger for the first time. I had ignored all the signs my body was giving me, in our haste to leave Forks. I needed to hunt. I looked for Renesmee and found her near a stream, Zafrina was seated beside her holding her hand. I began seeing flashes of the memories that already haunted my mind and realized that she was telling her what had transpired just a few days ago. I couldn't bear it. I interrupted politely. "Nessie, dear. I'm sorry to interrupt but I fear we've waited long enough. We probably should hunt now." She turned to me with a soft smile on her face and I realized that now Zafrina was helping her focus on happier images to ease her sorrow--even if only for a moment, I too felt at ease. She then rose and walked over to me. "Ok, dad. I'm ready to go. I could go for some lion---ooh or maybe even a panther?!" I laughed for the first time in a while. "Anything you want sweetie. Let's go." We waved to Zafrina and went off into the jungle.
After an hour or so, we had already caught a wild boar, a small jaguar and couple of large apes. Nessie got the female and I the male. He was feisty and put up a big fight, but I was able to easily overpower him with a couple of leaps to confuse him. His blood was sour to the taste, but I ignored it. I hadn't had this type of primate before so their taste was unfamiliar to me. I looked to Nessie and she was full. So we headed back to the camp. "Did you notice a strange flavor from that last kill? The ape's blood was almost sour." Nessie replied with confusion "No, not at all. Actually I was going to comment on how she was quite flavorful…mine tasted almost human. I guess it's because they are so close genetically." "Interesting. I wonder why the male would taste like that?" We were back at the village hours later. Kachiri and Zafrina were taking turns playing songs on their drums while some of the others danced around. The fire was burning and Nessie and I were feeling rather relaxed considering recent events. Suddenly I felt a stabbing pain in my stomach. Then it crept through my limbs. I felt dizzy and weak. Nessie saw me fall over. "Dad! Dad. What's wrong…are you ok?" I could barely make out the words, I was buckled over now "I..I…I'm not sure. I don't know what it could be."
Nessie's POV
Suddenly my dad fell to the ground in a ball. "Oh my god! What's going on! Zafrina-Kachiri-please help!" Everyone was there around us. My father was lying there in agony. The next thing I knew he was silent. I was stunned. Zafrina quickly picked him up, brought him to the hut and laid him on the bed. She stopped me in my tracks as I went to follow "My dearest Nessie, it seems your father is gravely ill. Allow us to examine him. We are more familiar with what this jungle is capable of." "No, I have to be with him. What is it-what's wrong with him? I thought Vampires never got sick?!" Kachiri then spoke "Renesmee, our jungle can do things to our kind that happen nowhere else in the world. Let us see what we are dealing with." I gave up, all I cared about was my dad and if he would be ok.