Thirst
I got up from the couch, and peeked out the door to see if anyone was near enough to hear me. The hall was clear. I closed the door, and turned to the window.
"Where are you going?" Jasper called behind me. I flinched, but turned to answer him.
"Just hunting a little. I'm thirsty," I shrugged. Then I continued to the window.
"And since when have you been in the condition to do so?" He grabbed my shoulder and turned me around.
"Jazz, I'll be fine. I wont spend too long," I told him. He let me go, and I stepped quickly out the window.
"Jasper, you don't need to follow me. I swear I'll be okay," I told him when I heard his footsteps behind me.
"Well I'm not letting you go by yourself. Not if you're going to pass out again." He wasn't going to let this go.
"Fine," I replied as I rolled my eyes. He smiled and walked closer to me. He put his arm over my shoulders as I leaned into his chest.
"Why on Earth would you ever be tired? Is that possible?" he asked, half joking.
"I don't know. Maybe it has to do with being the only vampire on Earth who can get headaches. Beats me." This really was getting frustrating. I thought I heard something, but it was just the leaves. We kept walking. Eventually we came across a small herd of deer, and drained about four of them. Then we turned back for the walk home. We didn't get far before they appeared.
Caius and Jane walked out of the bush and approached us. Of course they had their demented little grins on.
"Ah, Alice. So great to see you. So, have you thought about joining us since we visited last?" Caius asked. No, it wasn't a question, it was a demand. Jasper pulled me closer. Jane set her gaze on me, and made my already terrible headache infinitely worse. Jazz held me tighter as I whimpered and trembled. He closed his eyes and looked like he were trying to calm himself. Jane laughed. That would've been the last of her if Jasper or I could move. I was frozen in pain, and Jasper refused to leave me. I was mostly waiting for them to come and take me, since it was inevitable. Through my haze of torture, I locked my arms around him. I did not, under any circumstances, want to join the Volturi. Until the strong vampire hands gripped my arms and tore us apart. Jane had stopped, but a whole new pain was growing in my brain. Despair. Which of course he was forced to feel as well.
They took me away, and the forest got thicker. I could still see Jasper. He leaned down to pick something up. It looked shiny and metallic. When he saw what it was, he picked it up quicker, but closed his eyes in sadness. My wedding ring.
We continued through the forest, until we came to a thin dirt road. Three cars were parked along the edge. Jane gestured for me to get in the back seat of the third, and I complied. Did I really have a choice? The black leather interior of the car was cold, and the windows were tinted almost black. Jane piled in on one side, Alec on the other. Well, there goes my plan to jump out the door, I thought. But, I figured it was only a matter of time before the rest of the family was on a plane to Italy. I just searched through the family visions for their message. Until it hit me.
Alice, I'm so sorry, we are going to get you back, Jasper thought. He was on a plane, of course, with Rosalie behind him.
"Jasper, don't beat yourself up. She'll be fine. Besides, if she doesn't get a new outfit soon, the Volturi will feel her wrath," Rosalie told him. I laughed at that part, because it was probably true. It was horribly ended when Jane's childish voice broke through the vision.
"What's so funny?" I don't think I've ever heard her as innocent as she sounded right then. Like she had nothing on you, like Emmett could beat her with both hands tied.
"Why in Hell would you care? It's none of your business," I said. I wasn't in the mood today.
"Uh, excuse me, Volturi, remember? It's all of my business," she snapped back.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't take into consideration how vain you are, now did I? Ok, let me tell you. It was an amazing vision. I was on the distant island of None Of, the peninsula of Your, and the city of Business! That answer your question?" I explained. Alec laughed. Jane pouted. I smirked. The car came to a quick stop, and we all got out. Had we really gone that far, that fast? I really must be going insane. I am a vampire! I could've gotten here faster if I'd been driving! I thought. I looked around quickly, and thought about if they were there. Edward would show some sort of sign. And then it came. Jacob (well, I assume it was Jacob, it might have been Seth) howled from somewhere in the forest. There's my sign.
"They'd better not come looking for you," Caius said gravely to me.
"You really must not know Forks. At all. I mean seriously, you see this huge forest, and you don't think there might be wildlife there? Really, if not what would we eat? And besides, the wolf pack only changes when vampires specifically attack their home." It didn't sound like I was lying at all. Caius just nodded and we all continued to the airport.
The plane ride was miserable. It took forever. I would kill for something to eat (wow…that really didn't come out as the metaphor it usually was used for), and that attendant was actually beginning to look kind of tasty…no, no, NO! What was this coming to? I had been taken by the Volturi for what, six hours? I wanted to get back to the house. Back with Emmett, Rose, Edward, Renesmee, Esme, Carlisle, and Jasper.. Wait. Em, Rose, Ed, Ness, Es, Carli, Jazz… someone was missing. Someone. But who? There were nine of us, counting me. Right? But someone was missing. Someone important. And then I realized. Caius. He was wiping my memory.
"Do you mind leaving my memory intact, Caius? I really have no choice but to join you now, so is there really a point?" I snapped. Everyone stared. Apparently I hadn't spoken for a while. Caius gave me a death stare, which I returned- a thousand times worse. It was the same one I used when Emmett teased me about my fashion. I did not stand for that. Caius kept his mouth set in a frown, but his eyes became frightened and surprised. I laughed, then turned back to look out the window.
Italy really was beautiful. It had ancient stone relics, but streaming skyscrapers and business buildings as well. It was like a mix between Ireland and NYC. If that's a legitimate comparison.
"Please secure your seatbelts, we'll be landing in three minutes. Thank you, and enjoy your flight," the captain said over the intercom. Of course, the vampires didn't need to, being indestructible, but it was all part of the act. I pulled the belt around and clicked the buckle, as the others did the same. The plane landed soon enough, and we drove the rest of the way to Volterra. They didn't have to lead me to the castle. I knew the way well enough. When we made it through all the sewage passages and offices, we arrived at the throne room. Jane was right by Aro's side in a heartbeat. Alec strode to her side, human pace. The rest continued to the line. Then Caius came into the room, looking like he was the high-and-mighty ruler of the world. He stopped by Aro for a moment, held his hand up, and Aro touched it to read his mind. They nodded, and Caius continued to his throne, to join Marcus in looking utterly bored.
"So, Alice, what a surprise this is. How is Carlisle?"
"Ha. Surprise. Right. I really don't want this war to break out, so will you just tell me why I'm here?" I was not in the mood today to be hospitable. Aro sighed.
"Well, Alice. As you know, we've had our eyes on you for a while, and you'd be such a great addition to the Guard. So, we decided we'd waited long enough, and brought you here to join us." I snorted at that.
"Well, Aro. You chose a pretty bad time for it. I won't be seeing any futures soon."
"May I ask why?"
"I got sick. God knows how. Never really have energy to see too often anymore. When I do it's not really that clear. So please, let me go, kill me, whatever. But find yourself a new psychic."
"Do you mind explaining the symptoms?"
"Let's see. Headache, passing out, hunting doesn't do much good at all. Oh, not to mention that somehow Renesmee could scratch a gash about an inch deep into my arm. And I actually get tired. Not no-energy tired, like, have to sleep tired. For all I know, I could be turning back into a human." I think they all really started staring when I said the cut part. But I wasn't paying way too much attention. Aro didn't seem surprised at all.
"Hmm. Well, that sounds about right. Annabelle, come here please." Who Annabelle was, I'd never known till then. A grey cloak approached. I could see bright red hair coming out from beneath the hood. She pulled the hood down to reveal her perfect face-as all vampires had. It would be so easy to be friends with her. She pulled the cloak off to reveal a flowing black dress, about knee length, with dark grey leggings. A black-and-white striped sweater was loosely tied around her shoulders. I simply must borrow that! I thought. The whole outfit looked familiar to me. The one I wore the first day Edward brought Bella over. Bella! That's who'd been missing on the plane. I walked forward to meet the girl. We shook hands, and her face instantly went blank. I pulled back quickly, and she came back.
"Anna is our other psychic. Her powers are limited though, such as mine. She must obtain contact to see someone's future. She's had this 'sickness' before. All the symptoms. It happened around her hundredth year or so. How old are you, Alice?"
"I don't know, like…" I trailed off as I counted the years in my head, "A few years over a hundred this year, I think. Is that what's happening?"
"Probably. Oh, and just so you know, this happens every hundred years. And…oh my gosh. Is that the Urban Decay eyeshadow in midnight indigo? They like, stopped making that last year!" Anna sounded totally excited. I didn't blame her. This makeup is practically impossible to get your hands on anymore.
"Yeah, I know! I totally stocked up. I can let you borrow some, if you want. I also have the emerald dusk."
"No way, seriously? You are officially my hero now."
"May I cut in?" Aro asked. We both straightened our faces quickly.
"Now that you're finished with your little makeup fest, let's continue. How did you cure the sickness again, Annabelle?" he continued.
"Oh, I don't know. I think it just wore off after about a week, but then you have to sleep like humans for the rest of your life, pretty much," she replied.
"So I have to wait just like, two more days for this to wear off? That's nice to hear. Am I allowed to leave, or does this war really have to happen? They'll be here in like, an hour or so. Really," I said. I wasn't way to great at convincing people of things, though. Except for Jasper, but…
"Hmm. Not sure yet. Are you sure a war will happen?" he asked.
"Well, it might, because that's what you've already decided. But I don't make those decisions." He nodded, and walked over to converse with Caius and Marcus.
"Okay, Annabelle, I so need your cell number." She nodded, and walked up. We swapped phones and put our info in. Then, as childish as it may sound, we happy danced. Until Aro cleared his throat for us to come back to reality.
"Alice, will you be willing to make a deal? If we give you another fifty years, will you come and join us?" I thought for a second.
"I'm a package deal. Whole family."
"How about just Jasper."
"I only have to stay for a limited time, then." He thought for a moment.
"Deal." I nodded to him.
"You are free to leave," he said, regret clear in his flawless voice. I walked to the door but didn't leave. Aro began to speak, but I held up my hand and shushed him. Then I slowly pulled open the door, right at my family entered. I stepped from behind to greet them.
"Okay, let's go," I told them.
"Wait, isn't there some custody-war type thing coming on?" Rosalie asked.
"Nope. Oh, and Jazzy, you have to join the Volturi with me in fifty years. Come on!" I kept walking out the door. Everyone stood in shock for a moment, but then caught on and followed. We made it to the airport and bought tickets for the next flight. Jasper and I walked outside to wait. We walked to the front and laid on the grass.
"So, Alice. What was that about me joining the Volturi?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing. Aro gave me options. I could either die, or join in fifty years. I told them I came in a package."
"And so I was volunteered?"
"Would you rather that or be in despair, sadness, aloneness, tragedy…" I trailed off. He didn't need to have to feel those things, and he got the idea.
"A lot of sad feelings, I get it!" he laughed. I smiled at him.
"I figured out what's wrong with me," I said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"What?"
"I got this weird sickness thing that all psychics get every hundred years. Not really pleasant. It only lasts a week, though."
"So we're going to have to deal with this every century? That should be fun."
"Yeah. Oh, and apparently, I have to sleep now too. Like humans."
"Hmm. Oh, and before I forget…" he trailed off, as he turned to kiss me. He slid something on my hand. I pulled back for a moment, to see my wedding ring back on. I fingered it momentarily, then turned back and hugged him.
"Hey, if you two love birds are finished, plane's gonna be here in five minutes! Let's go!" Emmett called. We pulled ourselves up, and walked back to the building.
The plane ride home was one of the most boring things I've ever experienced. Most of my time was spent just staring out the window. Eventually I fell asleep. That'd take some getting used to. I woke up in the passenger seat of my Porsche. Jasper was driving.
"It's really going to be weird if you have to sleep. But Esme'll like redecorating to fit a bed in the room," he laughed. I smiled back.
"Yeah. And at least Nessie won't be alone on everything anymore." Then a wave of silence hit. We just sat there, not knowing what to say. We reached the house a few minutes later.