Chapter Fourteen
"Leandra," Carlisle spoke just moments later, and I looked up at him as I released Esme.
"I know." I mumbled, my slight smile fading, "I messed up bad, but I swear I tried-"
"What we asked you to do was far beyond what you were capable of, and as disappointed as I am, I'm more disappointed in myself than I am in you. I suppose I was hoping it would be simple."
"What are we gonna do?" I couldn't help asking, "I know what Emmett said about how you can't just leave him somewhere, but.."
"The venom won't allow us to.. Dispose of him just yet, but I believe it's possible for a short time before he wakes up." He replied quietly, and I shuddered.
"You can do that part." I mumbled, "Do whatever you have to do. I never wanna see him again." He gave an understanding nod.
"Of course." He said, "We'd never ask that of you." I nodded a little as well.
"What were you doing in Tacoma?" Esme asked me next, and I looked down. That must have been where they had come from. Tracking me.
"Apparently hunting humans." Emmett answered that for me, "And apparently, someone else has been teaching her."
"Just two humans." I admitted at the ground, and Esme looked to me, "And he only taught me a little bit. Like how to not kill the first human that walks by me. I thought that would be a good thing to know."
"Who has been teaching you?" She asked, obviously concerned.
"I can't tell you." I replied, looking up at her, "They don't wanna be found."
"That's all she told us." Jasper added quietly, shaking his head a little.
"Then how did you find them, shorty?" Emmett asked with a confused frown.
"I didn't find them." I replied, "They found me."
"That's so much more comforting." Emmett grumbled sarcastically.
I was about to reply, but I thought of something else.
"You followed me here?" I asked, looking up at Carlisle.
"So that means whoever she was with is near Tacoma." Emmett caught on as well, and I looked back over at him, "It wouldn't be hard to find them."
"We crossed your scent leaving Tacoma, yes." Carlisle told me, "Unfortunately, however, yours wasn't the only one." I tensed a little, "You picked up three followers about three miles into your run east. Those three followers trailed you nearly all the way here."
"No." I frowned, "I would have smelled them."
"Not if they were always behind you." Jasper corrected me, "Aside from that small detail, however, you should have been paying more attention." I looked down. He was right.
"Fortunately," Carlisle went on, "They turned back before they got too close, but it seems now they're aware of us."
For a brief second, I worried about the Tacoma kids, but then I thought about it. They'd been on their own from the start. Staying undetected for a good length of time. They obviously knew what they were doing. There had to have been a lot of other immortals they'd crossed paths with.
I felt confident that they'd be okay.
"Just stay away from them." I muttered, but once again, my thoughts changed directions, "Wait, if you're here.. Who's watching Jack? Wherever he is?"
"He's not going anywhere, shorty." Emmett replied, "Trust me. Even if he wasn't bound in blinding agony, there's no hope for escape where he's at." I nodded a little, sighing.
"I know I messed up," I admitted, "But in a way, I'm glad I did it. I really hope he's suffering. He needs to suffer before he dies."
Nobody replied to that right away. It took a moment before Emmett chuckled.
"That sounded really dark coming from you, shorty." He laughed, and I shrugged a little.
"It's true." I replied, "It's his own stupid fault. All of it. He got what was coming to him."
"Okay, Karma." Emmett laughed, "Easy there."
I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but it didn't matter. I wasn't going to feel bad anymore. It was Jack's fault I was like this at all. He took my life. Sure, it was that fall down the stairs that was the final straw, but bottom line, I wouldn't have been that bad off if he hadn't taken it too far that last beating.
I wouldn't have needed to be turned at all if he hadn't taken it too far.
Then he just couldn't let it go.
"Leandra." Jasper took my attention, and I looked over, "We're willing to compromise if you are. We're not asking you to give up a location, but we need to know who you've been talking to."
"Why does it matter so much?" I sighed.
"For one," He replied, "It's quite clear that you're not the best judge of character."
"I can't tell you." I stressed this time, "Because I know if I do, you'll want to find them. All they want is to be left alone."
"What did they want with you?" Carlisle asked before Jasper could press more, "These others?" I hesitated, thinking about it.
"If I tell you, will you make Jasper shut up about it?"
"If you tell him," Jasper spoke up, "I will stop asking about it." I glanced over at him, and for a moment, I wondered what his angle was, but Jasper had agreed. That was what mattered.
"And.." I went on, looking back up at Carlisle, "Will you promise not to try to find them?"
"If I think it's safe to do so, I will leave them be." He agreed, and I nodded. With a nod of his own, Jasper turned and walked away. No doubt knowing I wanted them to leave before I would say anything. I appreciated that, especially as the others left as well. Esme stayed, though, which I was okay with.
When I considered it safe, keeping track carefully of their scents fading further away, I looked down as I thought about where to start.
"They aren't trying to start any trouble." I started, "They came to me because they wanted to offer me a place with them."
Carlisle instantly frowned a little, "And why is that?"
"Because they're like me. Or I'm like them." I admitted, my voice quieter. He seemed confused, so I decided to explain, "They're kids too. Well, most of them."
I expected the surprise to cross his features. Esme's as well.
"I learned a lot while I was with them today." I went on, "A lot about me, and a lot about how their little group works. I won't tell you where they are, because they don't really trust anyone but a couple of teenagers that take care of them. That's why they don't want to be found."
"That certainly explains a lot." Esme murmured, still surprised.
"Where did they come from?" Carlisle asked.
"Everywhere." I answered sadly, "Most of them were turned like I was, but because of the rule and how different they are, nobody wanted to keep them. So a couple of them found each other, and sort of made up their mind to find all the kids they could, just to give them a safe place to stay when they were abandoned or chased away."
"What did you mean by different?" He asked, thankfully seeming to understand my explanation.
"I'm different." I replied, "It's a little hard to explain, but I know why nothing Jasper tries works. I need to be trained in a different way, because everything he knows about newborns won't work with me."
"How do you mean?" He asked. He was trying to understand, but I really wasn't as good at explaining as Shannon or the others were.
"Age makes a difference in a newborn." I tried another approach, "More than he thought before. He's doing it wrong." I was getting frustrated with myself, trying to explain but it wasn't going as well as I needed it to.
I looked over, though, at the sound of an approach. Given the scent, I was surprised to find out it was Shane. He wasn't approaching fast, so it was clear he'd been there for awhile. Carlisle turned, surprised by the approach but not reacting harshly to it.
"It's just Shane." I explained, "He's okay."
Sure enough, Shane stepped from the trees, but not an inch closer. Before Carlisle could even speak, though, Shane was already talking.
"I completely understand that this is your territory." He said, "All you have to do is say the word and we'll go, but I couldn't help worrying about her. I thought she might need some help explaining her absence, and I couldn't let her face the explanation alone, considering it was partially my fault she was gone so long."
"It's quite alright." Carlisle assured him, "I assume you're a part of this group of kids?"
"I help take care of them." Shane replied, "I share a part of the responsibility of keeping them safe."
"They're here, aren't they?" I asked, and he smiled a little at me.
"Only a few." He replied, "Olivia is guarding the others."
"How?" Esme frowned a little. She obviously couldn't smell any other scents anywhere around.
"Reese." I answered with a small laugh, "It's a long story."
"I understand how big of a risk this must be to you." Carlisle told him, "I appreciate your thought for her well-being, but I promise she's just fine here."
"See," He sighed, "I'm sorry, but it's so hard for you to promise that when you don't seem to have a clue about how to care for her. I'm only here to help you understand a bit more about the needs of an immortal child."
"Please," Esme spoke gently, "Come closer. You don't need to be afraid." He seemed to debate a bit, before he did as she suggested. He came to stand just a few feet away, instead of across the yard. He was putting a large amount of trust in them, and I knew that. All for me.
"I'm Carlisle," Carlisle told him, "And this is Esme."
"Nice to meet you." Shane replied, "I am sorry for trespassing like this."
"Don't be." Esme assured him, "You have her best interest in mind." She gently smoothed my hair in the back.
"Please tell me more about yourself." Carlisle requested, "I admit I'm quite curious."
"Understandable." Shane nodded, "No one ever expects these kids to exist, but it does happen a lot more often than you think. Most never make it out of their coven alive. The risk of blame, and everything, but sometimes, they get lucky and they're only abandoned or exiled." I looked down.
"We fully understand the risk." Carlisle replied, and Shane nodded.
"Most go forward knowing the risk." He countered, "Most do, but there's more to this than you think. I'm sure you're aware of the stages a newborn will go through? They're pretty strong for about a year, but after that, they become more average. Nobody thinks that far ahead, and as these kids' use wears down faster than a typical newborn's would, the risk gets higher. The risk then outweighs the benefit of keeping them.." He trailed off.
"That's horrible." Esme frowned.
"I'm glad you think so." Shane replied carefully, "She's going to require more than a typical newborn does, especially as her strength evens out."
"How so?" Carlisle asked and Shane looked to him.
"She cannot be trained the way an older newborn can." Shane explained, "She's different, as she was trying to explain. Their instincts and reactions are much different. Their minds work in a very different way, and the average training technique will only trigger them to run, or worse, act out or turn against you. As I'm sure you've witnessed for yourself." Carlisle nodded, so Shane went on, "Once you have the basic understanding of how their minds work, it is possible to safely keep her."
I looked up at Esme as she lightly hugged me from behind, more of a supportive gesture than a comforting one.
"That," Shane gestured to her, "Is a big part of tending to her needs. These kids crave the sense of safety any normal, human child would. They push for knowledge of boundaries, and they need guidance more than physical correction. They do require more effort on your part than a typical newborn would, but it's definitely worth it, knowing you're giving them a reason to feel safe and to trust you."
"That's the difference." I spoke up, looking back up at Esme, "Between you and Jasper. I trust you, so I let you walk over to me. I don't trust Jasper, so I didn't let him."
"I see." Esme murmured before she looked to Shane, "But I've known all of this from the start."
"It takes a lot to earn a child's trust." He replied, "Especially right after such a traumatizing time, like being turned. They're confused and don't really comprehend what has happened to them. The very beginning in crucial in earning a newborn child's trust, which you seem to have done. Now it'll take a lot to break it, but it's also very easy to break. That bond is also crucial in keeping her safe."
"How do we safely train her?" Carlisle asked him, and he sighed.
"That's the difficult part." He said, "I'm assuming this Jasper is the one taking responsibility for the training?"
"Yes." Carlisle replied, "I am as well."
"Jasper's training will not work without her trust." Shane explained, "She needs that bond of trust, otherwise every single attempt to correct her will be seen as a direct threat to her safety. She seems to have built the strongest bond of trust with Esme here. I highly suggest that Esme be the one to train her, and have Jasper step down. Leandra needs patience and understanding to learn the rules. It does seem like a daunting task at first, but once you understand the concept and basics of training an immortal child, they can learn. They can be a productive member of any coven. All it takes is that trust and that understanding, and they'll do anything you ask of them."
"I can do that." Esme smiled a little at me, and I couldn't help smiling a little in return.
"That doesn't seem so difficult." Carlisle frowned, "Why would anyone feel the need to abandon their newborn?"
"It's harder than you think." Shane replied, "Don't take this lightly, Carlisle. Even when they do think to change their tactic, it's often too late and that trust has already been broken, so they believe nothing they do will work to train them. They give up on them, and that's when they're either killed, or chased away to try to fend for themselves. That's terrifying for anyone, but so much more to a child."
"That's where Gage comes in." I recalled, and Shane smiled a little.
"Yes." He replied, "Gage has taken it on himself to collect the kids he finds, offering them the safety of a group. It was never his intention to steal Leandra from you. He only wanted her to learn that she wasn't alone, if things were ever to go bad here."
"I understand." Carlisle assured him, "Out of curiosity, how many are there?"
"Around here?" Shane asked, "Quite a few. You won't be meeting them, for safety reasons, but rest assured they're well taken care of." Before he even finished saying, that though, I heard a smaller approach, and that smaller approach being trailed quickly.
I stepped away from Esme with a small smile as Shane and Carlisle got quiet, and met Reese as she stepped from the trees. I accepted her hug easily, returning it as Shannon stepped out behind her.
"She wouldn't stay." Shannon sighed over at Shane, "I tried."
"It's okay." Shane sighed, "I think it's safe." I stood up, lifting Reese with me as I did so as she clung to my neck. I didn't try to go back over to Carlisle and Esme, as Shannon's obvious distrust probably wouldn't have allowed that, but I could clearly see their curiosity.
"This is Shannon," Shane told them, "And that's Reese."
"Hi there, sweetheart." Esme greeted Shannon with a smile, which did seem to help a little, but not enough to make her comfortable.
"How old are they?" Carlisle seemed really surprised.
"Shannon is thirteen." Shane replied, "She and Gage are the ones that first started this group of kids. We really aren't sure of Reese's age, as she's never spoken to any of us. She seems a bit younger than our six and seven year olds, though, and she is the youngest."
Hesitantly, Carlisle and Esme both stepped forward. Shannon backed up a step, glaring at them. More specifically, Carlisle.
"Just Esme." I told them. With a polite nod, Carlisle backed up. Esme continued forward, and that seemed to be okay.
Esme slowly approached me, reaching forward and gently moving the solid curtain of Reese's blonde hair away from her eyes. Slowly, Reese looked over at her, turning her head a bit from where she had previously hidden it against my neck. I knew Esme's motherly air would give Reese a chance to really see her instead of being afraid.
I didn't want to speak and ruin it, so I stayed quiet. Letting Reese get her look. Slowly, almost nervously, Reese sat straighter in my arms and turned toward Esme.
"It's okay." I assured her anyway, "I trust her." She glanced to me before looking back over at Esme. The curiosity in Reese's eyes was almost as strong as the emotion in Esme's.
"Reese isn't even her real name." Shane spoke up.
"It's not?" I asked, surprised, and he shook his head.
"We don't know her name." He replied, "She's never told us what it is." He did have a point there. I wasn't sure why that was such a surprise.
"She's a darling." Esme smiled a little at her, and that was really all it took. Reese reached her arms out for Esme. Reese knew. She could tell easily that Esme was a very loving person.
The transition between my arms and Esme's arms was a smooth one, and I could see in Esme's eyes that she felt the same way I did, but compared to Esme, Reese seemed even smaller.
One glance over told me Shannon still seemed really nervous, and I could see her tension. Like she was ready to grab Reese and make a run for it at any second.
"It's okay." I told her this time, and she looked over at me, "Trust me, okay?" She pursed her lips in obvious doubt, but she sighed a little.
"She has no scent?" Esme asked, looking to Shane.
"That's her gift." Shane replied, "As long as you're holding her, you won't have a scent either. She hides them."
"She doesn't even know she does it." Shannon actually spoke up, "It's just something she does all the time."
"That's the only reason we would risk bringing her here." Shane murmured, "With these nomads around, I would rather not leave a trail."
Reese seemed like she was adjusting to this meeting a lot easier than Shannon would. Most of the uncertainty had left her crimson eyes, replaced by pure curiosity.
Esme, however, was just fine with letting Reese get her look, the smile permanently stuck on her face as Reese examined a large strand of Esme's hair between her hands.
"We keep them safe." Shannon added, "We're not looking for a fight or anything."
"Please don't worry, honey." Esme assured her, "Who would hurt precious ones like this?" She looked to Reese again.
"Lots of people." Shannon mumbled quietly as she looked over at Shane.
"Just ask Brett." I had to add, glancing at Esme.
"I know." Shane replied with a sigh, "But I think it's a good idea. Look how happy Reese is."
"Who is Brett?" Carlisle asked curiously.
"Brett is our exception." Shane answered, "He chose to run away, while everyone else was forced to leave their creators." Carlisle waited for him to continue, so he reluctantly did, "He was badly mistreated by them."
"How horrible." Esme frowned, turning a little to look back at him, "Who would do that?"
"He'll never mention their name." Shane replied, "He refuses to speak them."
"He doesn't talk his old life much, either." Shannon added quietly, and I could see she was making an effort.
"He's a good kid." I murmured, "He helped me choose to come back home."
"We won't be a problem to you or your coven." Carlisle told Shane, and he smiled, "You're welcome to stay as long as you want."
"I'm so relieved to hear that." Shane replied, "But it's not my coven. It's a mutual effort. I'm only a protector of sorts, and I tend to represent them in times like now."
"I understand." Carlisle nodded a little, "Regardless, you seem to be doing an astounding job keeping them out of trouble. We had no idea you were in the area."
"We know." Shannon replied, and Carlisle looked over, "We're good at staying out of sight. Our lives kind of depend on it."
"How long have you been around?" Esme asked her.
"We've been here almost two years." She answered, "Well, not here, but near Tacoma. We came here after finding Cody, and we liked the area. So we settled in."
"I see." Carlisle said, "It's quite impressive, and I appreciate your efforts to reach out tonight." Shannon took a breath and nodded. She was easing a bit more just by talking to him. I knew that feeling, so I smiled a little at her.
"What more can you tell us about this little one?" Esme asked, obviously referring to Reese.
"Not much." She replied almost apologetically, "When we found her, she was trying to force herself to eat a Reese's cup. She was too afraid to hunt on her own. All she knew was that she was thirsty, but she thought she was hungry, so.. We called her Reese."
"Can you tell me your name?" Esme tried asking Reese herself, but she just shook her head. Not wanting to press, she just nodded.
"May I come closer, just to take a look?" Carlisle asked, and though she tensed a bit, Shannon didn't protest.
"Go ahead." Shane replied, nodding a little.
As soon as Carlisle moved forward, though, Shannon darted forward to Esme's side, very skeptical about Carlisle's approach. That didn't stop him. He approached slowly, probably not wanting to provoke her into reacting harshly. I didn't think she would, but he was right to be cautious.
At first, Reese hid her face from him, more shy than anything, it seemed. Her reaction told me she had more memories of being taught to be afraid of adults, than her own experiences.
"It's okay." He told her, and I could clearly hear the comfort in his tone. Shannon was right there to watch, but hadn't interfered yet. Shane stood back and watched, no doubt trying to show Shannon that he was trusting of Carlisle. I appreciated that.
"Reese," I spoke up, "It's okay. He won't hurt you. I trust him too." She slowly looked over at me before looking over at Carlisle. Just the same way she'd done with Esme.
The first sound I'd ever heard her make was a small whimper just now as he gently reached up and cleared her hair from her face. Clearly a sound made out of fear as she leaned away.
I came over now, hoping me being there too would make her cooperate a little better. It seemed to help as he reached up again. Slowly, more cautiously than she had with Esme, she looked over at Carlisle. I could see the emotions change in his eyes as he really saw for the first time how little she was.
He seemed to study her face a bit, before he reached around and lightly felt along the back of her neck. Once he was done with that, he shook his head, gently lowering her jaw a bit to get a look at her teeth.
All I saw was a mouth full of pearly baby teeth, just like any young girl would have, but he seemed to get the answer he needed.
"She couldn't have been more than four years old." He murmured gently, allowing her to close her mouth again. She continued to sit there watching him as he looked toward Shane.
"I believe it." Shane nodded, "It sort of explains why she has never spoken. She's our youngest, and the most protected."
"Why would anyone turn someone so young?" Esme asked sadly.
"We don't know." Shannon answered, "The younger ones have a hard time remembering their human lives or where they came from, and we don't pressure them."
That must have been it for Shannon's trust, because she reached for Reese. Though seemingly reluctant to let her go, Esme handed her over with a small smile.
"If you ever need anything at all," Carlisle told them, "Please feel free to ask."
"Thank you." Shannon mumbled, holding Reese easily.
"It's very much appreciated, Carlisle." Shane replied as well, "And.. One more thing.. I really didn't mean to over-step earlier by taking her hunting. All I saw was someone in agony."
"It's alright." Carlisle replied, "I anticipated a few accidents, as our way of life isn't what you would consider natural."
"Definitely not." Shane chuckled quietly, "But I am quite interested to hear more another time. For now, though, we have to get back. I don't like being away from the others for very long."
"Of course." Carlisle nodded.
"We're keeping a close eye on the nomad situation right now," Shane went on, "But if you ever need anything as well.. Maybe tips or hints, feel free to visit Tacoma. We watch that city constantly, so someone will let me know you're there."
"Even if you just need a babysitter," Shannon added, "She'll be safe with us."
"Hey." I frowned, looking over at her. She wasn't even joking, but in a way, I could sort of see what she'd meant.
"Thank you." Carlisle replied, and they both nodded.
"And thank you." I mumbled, looking to Shane, "You didn't have to help me out."
"So many of our kids never get their happy ending, Leandra." He replied, "If I could do just one thing to help you keep yours, I wanted to try." I smiled a little, appreciating the gesture.
I watched them leave, feeling one-hundred percent better about this whole thing.
We stood there in silence for a minute after they were gone, just listening to the quiet night sounds.
"See?" I finally mumbled, "I'm not crazy." I finally felt like I was starting to adjust. Problems and all. I finally felt like I had my feet under me.
"We never thought you were." Esme smiled a little at me, and I sighed.
"I did." I replied, glancing up at her, "It was so hard at first. I couldn't figure out why I was acting the way I was acting, and it wasn't getting any better like it usually did. I thought something was messed up with me."
"Everything you feel is completely natural." Carlisle told me, "You really had nothing to worry about."
"Yes I did." I mumbled quietly, "Nobody knew what I was gonna be like."
"Every situation is different." He replied, "No two newborns are ever the same. It's true you didn't fit the typical description, but now we understand why. Everything we were told tonight will help. We'll adapt, adjust our methods accordingly." I felt even better hearing that from him. I finally had hope that this could work out.
"Can you promise me something?" I asked hesitantly and he looked down at me, "Promise you'll never get rid of me?"
"Of course not." He said, "Leandra, I made a choice the day I turned you, despite the potential consequences. Knowing more about you and your differences only makes it easier to find a way to make this work for everyone. I will never abandon you."
"What about Aro?" I had to ask.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." He replied quietly, "Together. For now, we'll do everything we possibly can to figure things out."
I hesitated in my reply, listening to the others approaching. I had to admit they had good timing. Taking a deep breath, I nodded as Esme hugged me into her side. Supporting me, despite what I was.
"So?" Emmett asked as they arrived, "What's the verdict?"
"Her reasons were valid." Carlisle replied with a small nod, "From now on, things will be done a bit differently."
I felt far less defensive, knowing Carlisle was willing to explain for me. For once, really, I felt like I didn't have to be worried about how to explain myself. I didn't have to explain myself.
At the end of the explanation, though, they had one question.
"How do you know so much about this?" Emmett asked, frowning a little.
To my surprise, though, I heard small footsteps coming right at me. From the direction Shane, Shannon and Reese had gone. I was very surprised, considering they had to know the others were back now, but oddly, Reese was alone.
I caught her just as she ran straight into me, nearly knocking me over.
Emmett was the first to ask, "What the-"
"Reese?" I asked, cutting him off, "What's wrong?" Like I expected her to answer me. I was confused, but a lot of horrible scenarios crossed my mind.
"Who is this?" Alice asked, clearly very interested. I turned a little, still holding onto Reese while the others got their look.
"This is Reese." I answered quietly, still puzzled. I waited to hear the sound of the others following her, but I never did. I went on, my confusion clear in my tone, "But she's alone."
Reese had yet to let me go, so I picked her up as I looked back at Carlisle.
"Is that a bad thing?" Emmett asked.
"Very." I replied, "She's never supposed to be alone. It's one of their only rules."
"What rule?" Rosalie asked, irritated at all of my vague answers.
"Stay here." Carlisle murmured, and to my surprise, he started off. As if in reflex, Emmett and Jasper both followed him. Not knowing where he was going, but sensing the tension in his voice. Esme came to my side as we watched after them.
"I hope they're okay." I mumbled, glancing over as Alice arrived curiously at my other side. Reese looked over at her as well, but I looked to Esme instead.
"Reese, honey.." Esme spoke to her, "Can you tell me what happened?" Still studying Alice, Reese seemed to ignore her, which I expected.
"If they can't find them," I told Esme, "I have to take Reese home."
"She's adorable." Alice laughed, obviously very taken with her.
"But she's not ours." I pointed out, looking over at her, "Even though she keeps running at me."
"Then whose is she?" Rosalie had drifted closer, no doubt curious as well. I hesitated in answering, but I figured I probably should just tell them. I wasn't going to, but this new set of circumstances pretty much demanded that I tell them.
"There's a group there," I said, "In Tacoma. The ones that had found me. They're kids, just like me."
"There are more?" Rose asked, surprised.
"I was surprised too." I mumbled, "It's a really, really long story, but.. They said that.. More kids are turned than people think. It happens all the time, but only a few ever make it out."
"How sad." Alice murmured, clearly horrified, and I couldn't help looking over.
"And this one doesn't speak?" Rosalie asked, trying to understand.
I shook my head, vaguely noting Edward's arrival, "She never has, I guess."
"Carlisle called." Edward explained as I looked over at him, "I suppose I don't need to ask what the urgency is."
"Did they say anything?" I asked, but I doubted they would.
"Only that I was needed here." He replied, shaking his head a bit, "I spend a few nights with Bella, and everything falls apart-"
"Shut up for a second." I said, "Listen to her. Find out what she knows." With a nod, he focused on Reese still clinging to my neck. I decided to nudge her thoughts in the direction we needed them to go, "Reese, where is Shannon?"
Of course she didn't answer, not even acknowledging that I'd asked, but I didn't need her to answer out loud. Edward frowned, so I knew it was working.
"They sent her home." He explained after a few seconds of silence, "They crossed paths with the three nomads, and they told her to run."
I understood now. Her ability wouldn't help them if they'd already been spotted. It would help her, though. In telling her to run, however, she must have gotten confused in the search for safety. After all, we were closer.
"Carlisle is out there." I looked over at Esme, worried.
"They'll be fine." She assured me, and I knew she believed that.
I looked down as Reese looked toward Edward now.
"It's okay." I assured her before she could get worried, but Edward tensed a little where he stood. Reese whimpered a bit, and I glanced down at her.
"What is it?" Esme asked, having noticed as well.
He took a moment to reply, his eyes on me now as I looked back over. I wasn't sure I liked the way he was looking at me. Part confused, but another part almost fearful or accusing. I
When he did speak, it was quiet, "It's so hard to describe, but it's slightly unsettling."
"What is?" She frowned a bit, glancing to Reese and me. I frowned in my own confusion, but I decided to wait for him to explain.
"Their bond is.. A lot deeper than I've ever really seen before." He murmured, "Something has changed. It was one thing to listen to Leandra's thoughts when she was by herself, but now.." He frowned a bit more, but I continued to wait.
"Now?" Esme prompted him to finish.
"Their instincts.." He shook his head a little, "Reese's emotional and physical reaction to my tension triggered Leandra's own emotional and physical reaction, which then told Reese's instincts to tell herself to be afraid. It was a chain reaction. Passed between them, and neither of them even noticed it."
Beside me, Alice looked over at us as he went on.
"Because Reese's fearful instincts were triggered by Leandra's reaction.. That, in turn, caused Leandra to be afraid as well. They feed off of each other's instincts on a very, very basic level. That would be why Reese ran here instead of following the learned instinct to run to Tacoma. Leandra was closer, so she was drawn here like a magnet."
That explained why she seemed so attached to me. It didn't seem so hard to believe. None of them had seen the other kids yet. Just thinking about how the kids interacted with each other made it very easy for me to believe what Edward was saying. It was an unspoken thing, pure instinct to notice the smallest details when it came to them. Maybe it was only because I was one of them.
"It's amazing." Edward told me now, "Leandra, that kind of bond is usually very difficult to form. You're saying you made that bond in only a few hours?"
"No." I said, "I noticed it as soon as I met Gage."
"Really?" Esme asked, surprised as well.
I nodded a little, "I just didn't know that's what it was. Shannon told me that immortal kids are different than the older immortals. We see and think in different ways, and sometimes, we can just tell things about people that the older ones can't. That we still have that sixth sense, whatever that means. Maybe what Edward just said is part of it."
"It would make sense." Edward nodded, "Their other senses compensate for the fact that they're very vulnerable to the world around them, due to their lack of physical strength. No one understood that before, because it's very subtle and very difficult to catch."
"Shannon says that some kids can tell when someone is more compatible with their personality." I added, "Some are drawn more to others than anyone else. Maybe that's because they can just tell. Like I did about Reese."
"I fully believe that." Edward confirmed, "How you react to someone tells her whether or not they're able to be trusted. She's too young yet to trust her own instincts, so she relies on others to do it for her, just as a human child would rely on their parents to keep them safe. Which explains why she warmed up to Esme more than she did to Carlisle. You're still learning to trust Carlisle, so she was hesitant. Babies and young children read their caretaker's emotions on an instinctual level, which is how they learn about the world around them until they're old enough to understand for themselves. It's basic survival."
"I'm not a caretaker, though." I replied, a bit confused, "I can't take care of anyone."
"She sees you as one." He pointed out, "As you pointed out, some are drawn to others more than anyone else. She's chosen you."
"May I?" Esme asked, unable to help it. She was asking to hold Reese, who immediately allowed that. Reaching for her, Reese seemed just as comfortable with Esme as she was with me, but she was a better fit in Esme's arms. It was a bit awkward for me to hold her.
"As impossible as I know it will be, I would like to meet these others." Edward said, "If only to get a glimpse at their instincts in a group setting."
"I don't think they would like that very much." I replied apologetically.
"I understand." He nodded a little, "Perhaps one day."
A short moment of silence later, we all clearly heard the sound of Carlisle returning. Jasper and Emmett with him, as well as two others. I nodded a little, relieved.
Carlisle arrived first, followed shortly by both Shane and Shannon, while Emmett and Jasper followed. Shane's first look around at the everyone else was slightly tense, but he was obviously friendly. Smiling at Alice warmly. She returned it, of course.
Shannon, pretty much ignoring the others when she found Reese, immediately sighed in relief. She walked over, looking up at her in Esme's arms right as Reese looked down at her.
"Good job, Reese." She told her, "I'm so glad you're safe."
I spoke up, "It was lucky she got away. How did you keep them from trying to follow her?" He glanced over at me, acknowledging that question, but this was different.
"We cannot stay too long." Shane told us, ignoring me, "We've already been too long as it is, and the others are going to start worrying, but I do want to thank you again, Carlisle."
I frowned a little at his blatant avoidance of my question. It was a simple question, I thought. For really the first time, I started to feel a little suspicious of Shane. A pang of different distrust sparking up in my stomach. I watched him closer as he and Carlisle spoke. Shane was being introduced to Edward, Rose and Alice while I vaguely noticed Edward glance down at me from where he stood next to me.
I trusted my intuition enough by now to know for sure that he was hiding something. Simply by asking one question, and his reaction to it, I suddenly distrusted him.
Shannon didn't seem to notice anything was off, so I stepped closer to her. I wondered if I could talk to her as quietly as Gage was able to talk to me. I'd never tried, so I thought this was as good a time as any.
She looked over at my approach, so I glanced back at Shane in a pointed way. He was talking to Carlisle, but he glanced over at me.
"Be careful." I whispered as quietly as I could to Shannon. It was more of a quiet breath, hidden under the sound, and I could tell she heard me. Given the way she glanced over at Shane as well, a slight confused frown on her face.
I looked around briefly, and though Emmett had noticed my movement, nobody else seemed to be paying attention. Nobody had noticed I'd said anything.
"Of what?" She asked in the same whispering voice.
"He's hiding something." I replied softly, "I don't like it."
She sighed, "I know. Trust me. It's okay."
"You know?"
"Yes." She answered, glancing around, "I'm one of the only ones that do know. He's okay."
"But-"
"Okay, you two." Emmett spoke up, and we both looked over at him, "I see you talking." But he didn't hear anything. I looked down, shrugging a little, uncomfortable at the attention he brought to us.
"It's a little trick of theirs." Shane explained before anyone could ask, "As far as I know, they all can do that. Talk without making any audible sound." I did appreciate that, but I still didn't like it. That suspicion sitting in my stomach had me moving again. I found myself wandering over a bit, landing at Esme's side. Without even thinking about it.
"It's audible to us." Shannon replied, "You just don't listen close enough."
"What she said." Shane chuckled lightly.
"Do it again." Emmett challenged, and I couldn't help smiling a little as I shook my head.
"It doesn't work like that." That was the first light-hearted thing I'd heard Shannon say to them, much less to the biggest one in the group. She was obviously getting used to them, and I wondered briefly if there could be a way for Edward to get what he wanted. In time.
"And why not?" Emmett asked in return.
"Because I barely hear it." She replied, "And I had to learn how. It comes naturally to Leandra, because she's still little."
"Then teach me." He chuckled, "Because that's cool."
She smiled a little, amused, "You'd have to teach yourself. It's not something I can teach you. You just have to remember how to listen." He shook his head with another small chuckle.
When it came down to it, I honestly felt a million times better. Knowing more about me and what set me apart from the others. I finally understood what made me so different. I just hadn't grown up yet, and that truly made a world of difference.
"So.." I mumbled, "What happened?"
"Curious nomads." Emmett replied simply, and given his nonchalance about it, he was being truthful, "Just passing through."
"We don't like finding others much." Shannon explained quietly, "And if they had seen Reese, who knows how it would have turned out. So we sent her back."
"I'm still confused." I admitted, "How did you have enough time to send her back if-"
"We really should be going." Shane spoke up again, and I looked over at him.
"But how?" I pressed, but he obviously ignored me. Reaching for Reese still sitting in Esme's arms. Reese responded with a hug to Esme's neck before easily going with Shane. Reese clearly trusted him, and though that tried to ease my suspicion a bit, I still couldn't help it.
"Don't worry about it so much." Shannon whispered to me, and I frowned over at her. I didn't like not understanding.
"Thank you again, Carlisle." Shane said with a small, relieved sigh.
"You're very welcome." Carlisle replied, "If you ever need anything again, please feel free to stop by."
All three of them left without providing an answer, which really bugged me. I was glad they were able to help them, though. I could easily understand now how important it was to them to hide the younger ones. How fast things could turn dangerous. It seemed, though, that I would have to just let it go.
"There is a logical explanation, Leandra." Edward answered my thoughts.
I was about to ask, but Alice spoke up, "He has an ability." I hesitated for a second, thinking about it, and suddenly it made sense.
"Oh." I murmured, "Like yours?"
"A bit." She allowed.
"How do you know?" I couldn't help asking.
"I just do." She assured me with a smile, "Intuition. It usually happens when two of the same gifts are together."
I frowned again, "Then why couldn't I tell?" That question obviously made her think.
"I'm not sure." She replied after a moment, "You should have known easily."
"Okay, shorty." Emmett had something else on his mind, "We need to pause for a second and regroup, because this is really confusing. Are you okay now, or aren't you?"
"I'm okay now." I replied quietly, "Well, mostly. What made it so hard before is that I was really confused. I couldn't figure out why I was so different than what I remembered before. The 'before' part was messing me up. Since I met Shannon, Gage, and the others, they told me about me and what made me so different. Knowing why made me feel better, so I'm not so mean now."
"So.." He went on, "There are other kids? Around here?"
"Yeah." I hesitantly answered, "I won't tell you where, but there are others. Like me. Younger, even."
"And just so we're clear, you're still refusing to talk about Jack?"
"Yes." I muttered, looking down, "I know I messed up there, so whatever you have to do to fix it, I don't care. I just wanna be done." He nodded a little.
"Now, about this hunting humans habit-"
"I know." I sighed, "I know I can't keep doing that. It helped me learn how to not hunt them, too. I need to practice some more, though, so the next time I see Mikah-"
"Whoa, whoa." Jasper spoke up, "Leandra, you can't keep doing that."
"Why not?" I asked, deeply disappointed.
"Because he's human." He answered as if it were obvious.
"I know that."
"I understand you have some attachment to him," He said, "But I'm sorry. That needs to be broken. You need to let him go."
"But.." I whimpered, looking over at Esme. Hoping for a different opinion.
"I'm sorry." She murmured, smoothing my hair, "But he's right, honey. It's too much of a risk. Wouldn't you rather keep him safe?" She had me there.
"What if I get better?" I asked, "Then can I?"
"I'm afraid not." She replied, "Keeping him safe involves more than your self-control." As much as I wanted to, I wouldn't keep arguing with her. I would stop arguing, but I wouldn't accept it. Not yet.
"Back onto the subject of Jack.." Jasper went on, and I sighed.
"The whole reason I said I would do it is because I thought that once I was done with that, I would feel better." I explained quietly, "I just thought that if he had the proof he wanted so bad, he would go away for good. That's all I wanted."
"Leandra, I was there." Jasper said, "In those split seconds, my ability did nothing for you. That's a problem."
"I tried." I whimpered, "I thought I was doing okay, until Carlisle left. After that, I guess I got scared."
"Aww, Jazz." Emmett spoke up, "Leave her alone. The kid knows she messed up. Why do you keep pushing her on this? Can you seriously blame her?"
"If I can't control her outbursts," Jasper explained, looking at him, "That can become a problem. We need to know she can be controlled. Especially when it counts."
"Maybe it's not always about controlling her." Emmett countered, "Maybe she just needs to know that even if she does screw up, you're not going to pounce on her like she's a criminal."
Jasper was about to reply to that, but Carlisle spoke up.
"Jasper." Carlisle murmured, "I understand your point, but I think this situation is a little different. All she's asking for is a little understanding on your part. I don't think that's too much for her to ask, given the circumstances surrounding the incident."
I looked up at Carlisle, suddenly deeply appreciative of his input. He was standing up for me, and that meant a lot to me. Now that I knew I had him on my side, I felt a lot more confident in being here. I wasn't too sure before, with only Esme I fully trusted, but now that I allowed myself to trust Carlisle as well, that made it a lot easier.
Jasper was about to argue yet again, but he looked over at me instead. I immediately looked down, unable to hold his gaze at all. I was fully aware that I'd messed up, and I was sure it showed in my expression. I knew that what I'd done was bad, but it wasn't like I'd gone into that knowing I was going to do that. I'd doubted myself, but I had no actual intentions of it going so wrong.
"You're right." Jasper eventually murmured, "You're right. I'm sorry." That surprised me to hear, but I was no less grateful to hear it. He went on, "We'll fix the problem, and that'll be the last you'll hear of it, Leandra."
"Thank you." I mumbled, deeply appreciative.
Where I would have felt exhausted after the long night I'd had, I didn't now. It was the oddest thing to realize, but it wasn't bad. I was awake to watch the sky lighten with the coming new day. I knew, though, with the coming day meant one more day closer to Jack finishing being turned, but I still appreciated it for what it was. I knew without that looming over my head, I might appreciate the sunrise a little more.
A/N: I know. I know how long this took. Forgive me! I might have more free time now that Little KNeu's 1st birthday is over with.
BIG, GIANT, HUMONGOUS THANK YOU to those of you kind enough to leave me your review! You're AWESOME, and AMAZING, and INCREDIBLE, and EVERYTHING ELSE GOOD!
I wanted this chapter to be a bit of a regroup chapter. To get not only my mind, but my reader's minds back on track after the long wait. I'm hoping from here, we can start tapering down to the end of the story. I have a few plans for the next one, but we'll see where Leandra takes me in the end of this one. She's very stubborn, not very cooperative, and I'm fairly certain she's mad at me. ;)
Until Fourteen, my wonderful readers! :D