DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyers owns these characters. We've only borrowed them for this story.

Chapter 13

Nessie's POV

It seemed like days had passed, but it was only hours. I had stopped pacing and sat by the extinguishing fire. Zafrina came out of the hut looking very concerned "Nessie, did you father say anything about what he encountered on your hunt? Did he get attacked at all?"

I shook my head "No. Nothing." She shook her head

"I can only assume th…" I suddenly remembered our conversation

"Wait! He did say something. We had killed 2-some type of apes-and he said the male he killed had tasted "sour". Does that help?" It was as if a light bulb went on.

"An ape? He fed on an ape? Was it brown with black and white patches on its torso?"

"Yes, yes! Both of them were. I fed on the female, but I she tasted fine to me." She then sat near me by the fire

"Renesmee, that breed of ape is normally fine for our kind to feed on, but at certain times of the year they are susceptible to a virus-usually through their diet. That virus is poisonous, and can even be deadly, to our kind. We only feed on them during certain months to ensure we don't get exposed."

"But I fed on them too and I'm ok." She placed her hand on mine "but you are not full vampire my dear. You are part human, if the other ape was infected at all, that must be what has protected you."

It took a minute to understand what was going on. My father was sick, a vampire that got sick. Who ever heard of such a thing? "Is he going to be ok? Is there some kind of medicine or cure?" She looked at me for a long moment

"Not that I know of my love. We have never seen anyone of our kind survive this virus." This couldn't be. No. Not my father. My loving, amazing, selfless father. How much more would I have to endure?

"Oh my god. Please no." and I began to sob in her arms.

"Renesmee. My family and I are going to everything in our power to find some way to help your father. He is family, and I know he would do nothing but the same for us. But we must travel to another village to find the man we need to help us. We must leave at once. I will leave Kachiri here with you. Why don't you go to your hut and get some rest. We will be back as soon as we can." I was still crying

"No, I'd like to be with him. I don't want him to be alone." She nodded and walked me to his hut. I collapsed onto the floor next to him. "Oh dad. Please hold on. I'm here. Please don't die on me." I eventually fell asleep.

Bella's POV

Three days have passed with no word from Zafrina. I was pacing back and forth in the living room. "Bella give it a rest for god's sakes." Emmett said. I gave him a look but then I sat down. The phone started to ring. We all jumped up. Carlisle picked it up after the 1st ring. "Hello. Yes. I'm so glad you called. They are-good new…what? I don't understand. Did you say ill? How can that be?" I was now getting very nervous. What was he saying? Who was ill-Nessie? "Yes, I see. Of course. It makes sense. I will be there as soon as I can." He hung up. We all stood there waiting impatiently for him to speak.

It seemed to take a moment for him to gather his thoughts. "It appears I was correct. Edward and Renesmee are with Zafrina and her family. There seems to be a serious problem and we need to go right away. Edward has taken ill. Some type of jungle virus which vampires are not immune to. She is seeking out the medicine man from the other village. He's the only one who's seen this before. We must go immediately." I didn't know what to say. Was I hearing him right?

"Carlisle did you say Edward is ill? How can that be?" I started running around the room with no direction. "We have to go right now. I must be with him."

Jacob yelled "Is Renesmee ok? I'm coming with you. No way I'm staying behind." Carlisle nodded

"Yes, thank goodness, she is fine. Very well Jacob. I'll make the arrangements."

There was so much confusion after that. Alice was sitting at the table with her fingers pressed to her forehead, hoping to see any more. "No I can't see anything. Nessie must be right next to him." Carlisle made some calls and booked our trip. We were all on our way within the hour. The whole way there I couldn't help but wish for the first time since my transformation that I was still human. All I wanted to do was cry.

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