Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Noble, Fadewind, Bibika94, Skys the limit 7507, Lauren j, Alexsandra, Lsb123, Jaboo101,Alphabloodwolf and BellaNessieCullen
"Hello. It is I, Liza Summers. If you wish to know what happened to Malcolm meet me at the old Carson warehouse. You know where it is. And I advise you to come alone." I hung up before there was a reply and handed the phone to Mother who held onto it in case there was a returned call.
"Are you sure he's the one Lamb?" She asked with worry.
"Yes." I said firmly. "It is all well and good to frame someone who has already committed murder, but why not take someone off the street before they cross that threshold?"
"But isn't that like playing god?"
"No Mother. Gobbo is a nasty piece of work. He perverted Malcolm into being the perfect accomplice in rape, and then when Malcolm vanished he began to recruit Trick. In taking Gobbo off the street we not only save some innocent girl he might decide would be worth going that extra step and killing, but also we are saving Trick from his influence." I explained.
"But he can't be that bad?" Mother said, as if she hoped there was no such person in this world.
"If Mal and I had not been dhampir and able to fight them off then Gobbo would have murdered Mal while Trick forced himself upon me, then Gobbo would have had his way before killing me. Or possibly forcing Trick to do so." I said, thinking it best to be blunt in this instant.
"Oh my god!" Mother gasped as she read the truth in my mind.
"You'll have a better picture once he gets here." Mal stated.
"I don't think I want a better picture." Mother observed, looking a little ill.
Father took her hand in a comforting manner, but there was little comfort until she could confront the boy who sought to murder me.
"How you holding up?" Mal asked while Mother and Father prepared themselves for the arrival of Gobbo, and possibly Trick.
"Ok." I said, smiling as much as I could.
"Now come on Liza, I know you." He said, as he sat down on a chair. "If you use the word ok, then you're not."
I considered this for a moment; in the meanwhile Mal pulled me closer to him, until I was between his legs so that he could hug me closer before he released me, but leant his cheek on my head.
"Now tell me bach, how are you really holding up?"
I sighed and leant into his chest, resisting the urge to climb up on his lap and go asleep against his shoulder. I could not afford such luxury at the moment, not only would Mal disapprove, even if he did not say so he would not wish me to at present, not until I had explained myself fully. That I would do, once we had cleared our names. The question was how did I feel at present?
"Numb." I replied truthfully. "There are too many things I must concentrate on being at present for this to truly register. I know later I'm sure to feel upset, but at this moment in time I am ok."
"Glad to hear it." Mal said with a chuckle, and I felt it vibrate through my ribs.
I sighed and raised my hand to place my fingers against his hair, it felt so soft. And Mal's arms were around me as he held me to him, in almost a protective fashion. His cheek still rested against the top of my head as if he wished to hide me from the troubles of the world. If that was his intention I was very much for it. I would give anything to hide from the rest of the world with only Malachite for company, even if it were only for a few hours. How we would make use of those hours…
"Liza, he's just been spotted." Mother said and I was pulled from my reverie. "He'll be here in five minuets and he has the other one with him."
"Trick." I said as I pulled away from Mal. "Then I suppose we should take up our positions."
I sat in one of the fold away chairs at the metal table and Mal sat beside me. All the lights about the warehouse went out bar the one directly above the table and a few spots to light Gobbo's path to us. Mother and Jane were at the ready in the shadows nearest and Father and a handful of other vampires were stationed at other points in the off chance that either one of them would escape the inner confines of our trap.
The sound of the door opening echoed through the empty building and I took Mal's hand in comfort.
"Hello?" Trick called out but he was quickly silenced by Gobbo.
I turned to Mal who nodded.
"I'm in here." I called and my voice echoed.
Both sets of footsteps echoed along the corridors. They stopped short of the door where there was a whispered conversation. Then Gobbo entered alone.
"You came alone." I said, exuding naïve gratitude, but had I been human I would have known Trick was hiding outside the door regardless.
"You didn't." He said shortly.
"I did not state I would be alone." I said. "Mal is here for support."
"Why?" Gobbo asked suspiciously.
"Because you have tried killing us before and I could not take the risk. Please have a seat." I said as I indicated the swivel seat on the opposite side of the table.
"What do you know about Mal?" He demanded.
"Have a seat and I will tell you." I said, indicating the seat opposite Mal and I.
Gobbo gave me a dark look, but finally he relented and sat down.
"So what happened?" He asked, swinging the chair from side to side as he played at being confident.
"You killed Mal." I stated, reverting to the short form for the time being since it would help with our plan.
"What?" Gobbo exclaimed as he sat forward in the chair. "The hell I did!"
"Yes, you did." I said firmly as if it was an irrefutable truth. "You told me so yourself."
"When?" Gobbo asked, giving me an amused look as he thought I was going mad.
"When you attacked Mal Rogers and I, and I beat you to the floor, you mumbled a confession. You told me how you had groomed Mal over the years, turning him into your perfect accomplice in rape. However he was not as devoted to it as you, seeing it as merely a means to get the girl he likes, and not treat them as nothing more than objects to abuse and violate as you did. Then he went and betrayed you most grievously by falling in love with one of the intended victims and wished to woo her properly. You pressurised him into taking what he wanted, said I would never yield while he was being nice. Then when I fought him off you became angry and you killed him for his failure."
"What? You're crazy." He said with a snort. "Mal was my boy, why would I kill him over a stupid little bitch who don't know when to shut up and put out."
"Shut up and listen." Mal growled and he glared at Gobbo who appeared to be having trouble opening his mouth.
"You knew what happened in that room because you were the one filming the entire thing so that you could peruse it later for your own sick pleasure. You were there in the closet filming through the slats in the door. You were so angry that Mal allowed himself to be overpowered by a stupid little bitch that you killed him without thinking. You tried to conceal the death, but when the body emerged you tried to pin the blame on me, after all I was the last to see him alive."
"Then why did I report him missing?" Gobbo demanded.
"To cover your ass." Mal stated. "You knew there was a possibility that the body might be found. Anyway, people about town were starting to mention his absence, it would look weird if someone other than his best friends reported him gone."
Gobbo shook his head.
"You're living in a fantasy world." He said with a snort.
"No, you are Gobbo and it is time you learned that there are worse monsters than you." I stated darkly.
Gobbo looked at Mal and I as if he doubted my words. Mother stepped up behind him and spun his chair around. She stopped it and leaned down, locking his eyes with hers. Then Mother set about using her Alpha voice to convince Gobbo that what Mal and I had suggested was true. He had killed Malcolm in a fit of rage when he had failed in his mission to put me in my place.
Mother allowed time for the order to sink in before she pulled away from Gobbo and a vampire ushered Trick toward her. Now she worked to have Trick corroborate events, but also make him as much a victim of this as Mal and I.
In the mean time the vampires moved away the table and placed the chairs Mal and I had occupied back to back. Mal and I took our seats while Father tied the ropes. He would trust none of the others to do this task for he wanted to ensure they looked inescapable whilst not biting too much into the flesh of our wrists.
Mal and I were soon bound together, and whilst my hands were bound my nose started itching, there was no way to scratch it. That seemed rather typical of my body. I wriggled my nose, trying to relieve it of the itching sensation as everyone took up their positions while Trick was deployed to bring Detective Hickman to us.
As Mal and I sat there in the cold I thought it might have been a better idea to deploy Trick, then wait five minuets or so before Mal and I would be tied. My nose was itching and now my bladder began to suggest that it might wish to be emptied very soon.
"I should have gone to the bathroom." I murmured.
"We won't have to wait that long." Mal assured me.
"Yes, but I had not factored my unruly body into the equation."
"You don't really need the toilet." Mal stated. "You just think you do cause you can't use it."
"Yes, well it certainly feels as if I need the toilet." I said, shifting uncomfortably in the little room I was afforded by Father's expert rope tying.
"You'll last." Mal whispered.
I wished I could believe him, but my bladder was distracting me. At this rate I would not be able to become upset and I was reliant on this for when Hickman turned up. I had been kidnapped and imprisoned by a psychotic murderer, needing to use the bathroom was the least of my worries. Yet I could not put my mind to right.
"For god sake stop fidgeting!" Mal snapped.
"Excuse me?" I demanded angrily.
"You're getting on my nerves! All I can feel is you moving against my back and it's damn annoying." He growled.
"I cannot help it if my body wishes to take a call of nature." I protested.
"Makes sense." Mal conceded.
"Yes." I said, feeling my point had been made.
"That your body would be difficult and contrary." He added in a low, criticising voice.
"What?" I asked, unsure if I had heard his words and inflection correctly.
"Well that is you all over isn't it? Running away from home because your mother was having a baby? No wonder you wouldn't tell me. You knew I'd feel ashamed to even sit next to you on the bus let alone call you my friend." He continued.
"But you said you'd hear me out…" I muttered as I felt a lurch in my heart.
"Yeah. Before I knew how much of a whiney brat you are! God how selfish can you get? You think you got problems? Well I got real problems Liza, ones that are a lot more important than the fact that I'm going to have to share my parents' love with one more person. I haven't got parents, and you were throwing yours away over something so trivial? I can't believe I stood up for you." He said in a rage filled hiss. "I'll never trust any one again." He added in a sad hurt voice that made me feel so utterly ashamed.
"Oh god, I am so sorry." I gasped and the tears began to roll down my cheeks, I gasped for breath, trying to sob, but it seemed such a hard thing to do as my nose became full and I found it hard to breathe.
"I'm sorry too bach." Mal murmured and he squeezed my fingers briefly.
He had not meant any of what he said and I felt relief, but did not allow it to take me. I stored it away while I allowed the all-consuming grief to take me. Mal had given me all I needed to reach a state that would convince Detective Hickman that I feared for my life. I'd spent nigh on a week being held and taunted by a murderer who hoped to bully Mal and I into taking the rap. We were holding it together, but barely. I was on the edge of unravelling and rescue could not come soon enough.
Gobbo had started pacing, muttering to himself. He seemed to be caught in an argument as if he were suffering from demons. Did we wish him to appear mad? Perhaps this was the effect of Mother's alpha voice settling into his mind, preparing him to confess. There was surely a part of him that would try and resist, but there was no fighting Mother's voice, it would win out eventually. I hoped it would take effect by the time Hickman arrived.
It seemed an eternity before we finally heard the sound of the door opening and two sets of footsteps.
"He's in here Detective." Trick said, his voice too soft for Gobbo to hear, but Hickman shushed him.
I could imagine him listening out, straining his ears until they rang with his heartbeat as he listened out into the silence for any hint of ambush. His footsteps came closer, echoing through the space, enough now to alert Gobbo that there was someone there.
"Trick?" He called out.
"Yeah. I got those…those cakes you wanted." Trick replied and Gobbo relaxed.
"Don't scare me like that dude." Gobbo sighed as Trick entered, carrying a doughnut bag in his hand that he was holding out to display that he wasn't hiding anything. "I thought you were the cops."
"Why would you think that?" Trick asked with a nervous laugh, his eyes flickering as far right as they would go for a moment, as if to look behind him. He would have given the game away had Gobbo not been looking away.
"I don't know. I'm just a little edgy. So what cakes did you get?" Gobbo asked, his voice sounding almost normal now.
"Doughnuts." Trick replied as he threw the bag onto the table.
Gobbo moved to get them and out of my line of vision, in that moment Hickman entered the room swiftly and had his gun held at the ready.
"Hands over your head and turn around slowly." He growled.
"What?" Gobbo replied.
"This is Detective Hickman of the LAPD. You're under arrest for kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. Hands over your head and turn around slowly or I'll assume you're resisting arrest." Hickman ordered, with a steely gaze and a steady gun hand.
"You got me officer." Gobbo said in slightly maniacal voice that suddenly recalled Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. "I confess to everything."
"Everything?" Hickman asked carefully, his gun still trained on Gobbo as he reached for his handcuffs.
"Yeah. I kidnapped that stupid whore and her boyfriend. She corrupted my boy, made him care. That's why I had to kill him." Gobbo explained in a low intense voice.
"Who?" Hickman asked, his tones suddenly cautious as he worried he was dealing with a nut job.
"Mal of course." Gobbo retorted as if it should be obvious. "Warned him not to cross me, to just get on with it, make that bitch realise her place. But he failed me, let her knock him away and she escaped. I was so angry I just went and killed him. Snapped his neck like a pencil."
"You do realise that I got enough to convict you. You've given a verbal confession to an officer of the law." Hickman stated.
"Yeah. Well that would work, if you were getting out of here." Gobbo said cheerfully. "But you're not. I'm gonna kill you along with these two."
"Sorry son but I'm the one aiming the gun." Hickman said levelly.
"But you should have called for back up." Gobbo sang. "Trick. Get him."
Trick trembled for a moment, and then seemed to find some strength.
"No. I'm tired of you making me do bad things. I'm not gonna assault a cop for you." He said firmly.
"You'll do as I say." Gobbo snapped.
Trick shook his head.
"You can't control me anymore. I'm fed up with you ruling my life. You don't own me. I hate the stuff you made me do. Not anymore, I'm turning my life around and that don't start with assaulting a cop." Trick growled.
"And I called back up before I got here." Hickman stated as the sound of sirens drew closer. "So just give it up kid, you're making it worse for yourself."
Gobbo was stalling, he didn't care if he was going to be arrested he wanted his moment of glory. I was reminded of those shows where a serial killer was after the infamy. The killing was good, but if you were never caught how would you be known throughout history. I felt a strange chill through me in that moment. Gobbo had killed no one, why would he want such infamy? It was so very strange, but then Gobbo kept talking.
"You know, Mal wasn't my first." He said in an intense voice. "Not by a long shot. First was this nerd at school, can't even remember his name, but he was always following me around, taking pictures. I made sure he never got to develop them. Should never have took them pics of me and Patty Henning."
This was not part of what we had instructed, who was Patty Henning? What was going on?
"And then there was that drifter Gigi, do anything for ten bucks, and I mean anything. Well for a hundred she was willing to play at being my love slave. Stupid bitch didn't realise there was no playing about it. She tried to escape, I lost my rag, slapped her till she bled and didn't stop there."
The sirens were now outside and police were pouring into the building.
"Then I meet my boy Mal, he was so easy to mould, his mind so similar to mine. Girls were nothing but toys to be played with when we chose. Why should they have any choice? We were the men and they were nothing but stupid whores in their short skirts and low cut tops just begging for it. Ain't nothing worse than a dick tease. What good's a girl who'll rev your motor then put on the breaks before you hit the road? I take what they're advertising, it's my right. So what if I got rough with a few? Not like they were worth anything anyway."
Detective Fraser came up besides Hickman frowning. Hickman cocked his head and Fraser raised her gun and trained it on Gobbo. Hickman holstered his gun and moved beyond my field of vision, but from the sounds I was certain he was putting the cuffs on Gobbo.
"Gob 'Gobbo' Johnson, I'm arresting you for the murder of Malcolm Donaldson and for trying to pervert the course of justice. I am also arresting you for two counts kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. Attempted murder. Two other counts of murder and numerous counts of rape. You have the right to remain silent…"
As Hickman read Gobbo his rights, Fraser holstered her gun and approached me.
"Are you ok sugar?" She asked.
I managed to nod my head, but I was sure it was unconvincing. I was still tearful over Mal's words. Confused with the extent of Gobbo's confessions. It was unlikely that Detective Fraser would think I was ok. I was merely putting on a brave face.
"Soon have you out of them ropes." She stated as she began to untie them.
As soon as I was free I went around to Mal, to look into his face and I saw the worry in his eyes. The worry that his false words had turned me from him. How could he think such a thing? I hugged him to show there was no ill will, and it was reassurance for myself when his newly freed arms encircled me and pulled me up onto his lap. I hugged him tighter, resting my chin on his shoulder and I could feel myself drifting.
But now was not the time for sleep. There was more to do. We had to give our statements, and before that we had to be checked over by the paramedics. They were in fact two members of Jane's guard, I recognised the female as Rea. They had blankets, which they draped around us as they led us out to a waiting ambulance.
In the ambulance Rea sat in the back as her partner, I recalled his name as being Alvin, drove us toward the nearest hospital.
"You did good kid." She said, and tapped my shoulder. "Just keep up them acting skills and I'll give you an Oscar."
I chuckled slightly as I sat next to Mal, holding his hand, not willing to let it go.
"Now for the hard part. Getting you both into the hospital and onto the right ward. We've got our people already infiltrated, but you can't factor in hospital busy bodies."
"What is it that you require us to do?" I asked.
"So you're actually gonna follow my advice this time?" Rea said sarcastically.
"I'm sorry I did not sit tight, but I knew not how long rescue would take and besides, freeing myself and Mal would have helped your plan. If only Alec had taken Gofer or Curly then we could have overthrown the other and ambushed Alec when he returned." I lamented.
"That would have worked." Rea conceded. "But Alec insisted on me. He seemed to think I'd have better knowledge of contraception. Go figure? I tried to get him to let me stay, insisting that it was more a man's area of expertise, but Alec weren't buying. I said what if you needed the john, had to translate that to toilet. That's when he told Jed and Bert to move you up to his room where you'd be more comfortable and there was the en suite if you needed to freshen up."
"And thus Gofer and Curly returned to the prison room to find me freeing Mal." I realised. "It was in panic that Mal managed to move us through solid rock."
"Yeah. That was pretty impressive. Pissed Alec right off, he didn't know you could do that." Rea stated.
"I didn't know I could do that." Mal replied. "It's amazing how you can learn a new level to your power when your mind is so focused. Guess it was the thought of impending death, there was no way out, but I can control molecules right? Why can't I move my molecules through the ones in the wall? So I did."
I wondered at Mal's statement, but before I could question it we arrived at the hospital and Rea left the ambulance and appeared a moment later with Alice and Rose who were in nurses uniforms. I said nothing as I sat in one of the wheelchairs while Mal took the other. We were whisked into the hospital, straight through A&E and into an elevator. There were others in the elevator so we were unable to converse.
We rode three floors up and alighted onto a floor that was clearly designated for the rich who could afford the best in medical care. I wondered how much the family were paying out to ensure a room on this ward. How much had they bribed the officials that allowed Rose and Alice to pose as nurses and for Edward to pose as a doctor? I wondered for a moment why they had not used Carlisle, before I recalled he was back at Tregarran, ready for when Ebony gave birth.
This was a consultancy room rather than a room for a long stay. Somewhere a rich person might be checked over without having to suffer the indignity of being near the rabble. It sickened me to think there was such a divide between rich and poor. Good healthcare should be available to all on an equal level.
"If you'd both like to sit up on the beds it will look more convincing when the detectives arrive." Edward stated as he wrote on a clipboard.
Mal and I obeyed, although we both sat with our legs dangling, facing each other. It was something we would do if we were being held here until the police came to take a statement. I wondered how long it would be. I was feeling ever so wary now. I wished to sleep, but there was still much to do. Would there be a chance of some blood? No, that was not needed.
I felt a pinch on my right arm and looked to find an intravenous connector had been inserted. Edward was now inserting a pipe and I looked along its length and up to the bag of clear liquid hanging on the silver stand.
"What is that?" I asked.
"A saline drip." Edward supplied. "And this is a boost of nutrients to replenish your system." He added as he inserted a hypodermic needle into the relevant valve on the IV connector. "Standard procedure for someone who is dehydrated and suffering mild starvation."
"But what will it do to me?" I asked.
"Nothing drastic." Edward said levelly. "It will stop you craving blood by making your system feel rejuvenated."
I nodded; it was something I needed if I wished to give the police my statement without feeling the need to tear out their throat. I would not be able to concentrate under such circumstances and I could already feel a clarity descend upon me that had not been there previously. It was a clarity that would get me through the next few hours until I could finally sleep.
I locked on Mal's eyes and looked into them as Edward attached a drip to his left arm since Mal is right handed. I wished hard that I could communicate with him now, but it would have to wait until we were alone. I had so much to explain to him, so much to atone for. I would not blame him if he turned from me now.
I know the words he spoke in the warehouse had been used to make me cry, but they were true. Even if he did not believe it now, the thoughts must have past through his mind at some point for him to have them at hand so quickly. Regardless I owed him an explanation, for other than keeping the fact I had left home because of a new baby, I had lied to him since Thanksgiving.
Why did I not say immediately that I had spoken with Mother? It would have been good news to him. Then I realised I was being selfish. I had not mentioned my daily communication with Mother since then for a very simple reason. To tell him that I had broken my silence then I would have to tell him why I had employed it in the first place. I would have to show him how unreasonable I could be and he would see me as nothing more than a child and should be treated as thus.
I did not want Mal to treat me as a child, but his equal as we shared eternity together. Was that dream now lost? Had I caused irreparable damage by lying? After all, lying was worse than the crime itself. I had knowingly lied to him and I felt ashamed, I could not look him in the eye. I did not deserve to look him in the eye. I dropped my head in shame.
I had a lot to explain to Mal and what would he make of my seduction of Alec? What were his true thoughts on the matter once we were home and replenished and he had time to think? Would this be the thing that would kill any chance of romance, if there had ever been any, between Mal and I? It was such a depressing thought.
I heard the squeak of wheels and the bed depressed beside me. I felt Mal take my left hand and I looked up at him and he gave me a smile. He kissed my hand then put his arm about my shoulder as he pulled me closer and kissed my forehead.
"Don't worry bach, it's nearly over." He whispered as he put his left hand over mine, his thumb curling beneath my palm to stroke it gently.
I did not deserve such comfort from him, but I was too lost in Mal's presence in that moment. I merely rested my head against his shoulder as I thought about the fact I had placed my hand on his leg as he'd pulled me closer to him, but he had not removed my hand. In fact he had placed his own hand over mine. Was he holding it in place? I should not think too much into this, he was merely comforting me after our ordeal, our boundaries were a little closer than usual, nothing else.
"Well isn't this cosy." Detective Hickman announced as he entered the room.
Mal and I looked up and broke apart with a guilty start.
"First I have to issue you an official apology." Detective Hickman said. "Gob Johnson has confessed to everything and then some. He's still confessing to more as we speak. The recorder's gonna be there all night at this rate. Anyway, thought you kids could do with a reprieve after everything that's happened. So I'll just take your statements then I can leave you in the capable hands of Dr…"
"Cullen." Edward provided.
Hickman looked at Edward for a moment and I could see the wheels turning in his head. Did he recognise the signs of the vampire within the pale, flawless skin of my great-grandfather?
"Is Detective Fraser here?" I asked. "I would rather she took my statement all things considered."
Hickman's head snapped around and he pinned me with a cobalt glare. I was too exhausted to return it fully, but I allowed the defeated fear I felt to show on my face instead. After all, the detective had threatened me with a gun, would I not feel weary and averse to him interviewing me? He was worried I would complain about him.
"After all, I have been treated badly at the hands of men recently. And there are some things I would rather tell a woman." I invented quickly.
Hickman knew it was a made up excuse, but it was one he would accept if it meant I wouldn't report him. I wouldn't report for one simple reason, he was a human with knowledge of the supernatural world and already well situated within the world of law enforcement. With the right incentives would he not make an effective ally?
"Fraser will be here in a minuet or two." He said. "I guess I'll start taking your statement Mr Rogers."
Mal nodded and stood.
"Is there somewhere quiet we can go Dr Cullen?" Hickman asked.
"Right this way Detective." Edward said and led him from the room.
As Edward returned Detective Fraser made her appearance.
"What's the prognosis Doc?" She asked.
"They're both dehydrated and have been starved for days. There are no serious injuries, all they need is a little R&R and they'll be back to normal in no time." He stated. "Physically they will be back to normal, there is going to be some emotional trauma involved."
"Of course." Fraser agreed. "Am I able to take a statement?"
"Yes Detective." I replied despite the fact the question had been intended for Edward. "I would much rather have it out of the way. I wish this whole sorry mess behind me. I want to go home…"
"You can, just as soon as I've taken a statement and the nice doctor there has discharged you." Fraser said as she pulled a plastic chair close to the bad and used the bed tray as a desk. "Now Miss Summers, I know this will be difficult, just take a deep breath and tell me all that happened."
I took a deep breath and began the story that had been agreed on. We had been prepared for this, knowing it would look strange if our accounts did not tally. Of course if there were no discrepancies whatsoever it would seem equally as odd. Mal and I had been tied back-to-back, witness to different things. Not to mention the fact that no two people ever observed an event in exactly the same way. I was more than familiar with this sharing a mind with Tony most of my life.
Once I had finished Fraser read the statement back to me and I agreed that it was what I had said. I signed the bottom and was happy that was one task out of the way. I hoped Mal's statement had gone so well.
Mal was returned to the room five minuets later and he sat beside me once more, taking my hand and I felt the comfort of the gesture. Oh to be out of this hospital now and sleep in the comfort of Mal's presence. That would be great.
"Where is my daughter?" Mother demanded from the corridor.
Hickman stiffened slightly and turned as Mother pushed passed him and came before me, placing her hands to my cheeks.
"Oh Lamb, what have they done to you?" She asked. "And Mal." She added as she hugged us both. "When can they go home?" She demanded.
"As soon as I sign the release papers." Edward replied.
"And you're the detective right." Mother said, singling out Hickman, giving him a steely glare that put his own to shame. "You're the one who was harassing my daughter when she was a victim in all of this. Maybe if you'd been doing your job properly then my daughter and her friend wouldn't have spent the last week tied up in some godforsaken place!"
"Mother, please." I said softly, taking her hand.
Mother looked back at me and I caught her intention in her thoughts, this was a show to shame the detectives into allowing Mal and I to leave Riverside.
"You're right. This isn't the time. We just need to get you home. And by that I mean Washington." Mom said firmly. "I'm not having my daughter stay one more second in this dangerous place. Rape, kidnap, murder! I heard California was bad but this is ridiculous."
"As long as you leave a valid address and phone number then Liza can leave. Unless we have anything else to follow up on, we won't need to see her until the trial." Fraser stated.
"And Mal too? His family are in Tunisia at the moment and can't get passage back. Since they're old friends it's only right that I take him in during this time."
"As long as he doesn't go to Tunisia." Hickman stated, feeling he had to insert a little authority here.
"Of course not. They need some rest and they'll get that at Tregarran. I've already spoke to the college board, they're happy to give them an extension on any papers that are due until after Christmas given the circumstances." Mother stated.
"You organised an extension before coming to check on them?" Hickman asked, his suspicious frown returning.
"Don't get smart with me detective." Mother snapped. "I know enough about procedure to know that I wouldn't be able to see Liza until the doctor was through with his assessment and you'd want to get your little statement. Well I don't want to wait around in this place any longer then necessary, so I thought I'd sort something out while I had to wait."
Hickman was eyeing Mother thoughtfully. Edward froze for a moment and I wondered what Hickman was thinking. Whatever it was he obviously decided to dismiss it, or possibly save it for later, for Edward visibly relaxed. I wondered what Hickman would say if he knew he was in a room full of supernatural beings two of which could read his mind? It would be intriguing to find out, provided all weapons were removed from his person.
"Well in all your organising make sure you drop off the contact details at the precinct." He stated.
"Can't I just give them to you now?" Mother asked.
"Of course Mrs Summers." Fraser said, taking out her writing pad.
I saw Mother stop short of correcting her name to Black. She gave our address and the human landline of Tregarran. Everything the police would require in order to contact us. Before the detectives left Fraser informed us that we could retrieve our property from our rooms, but that which had been taken in as evidence, for it would have to be processed and released. Unfortunately that also meant my car.
Mother offered to pressurise them, but I thought it best not to push our luck. I would have my property returned in due time, and for the time being it would not be missed. I merely wished to return home and not think of this place until after Christmas. For now I wished nothing more than to retrieve the belongings I could and return to Tregarran.
It felt strange entering my building with Mother and Father, Marlin having provided adequate cloud cover to make this possible. I reached for Mal's hand as we began to ascend the stairs, it was an accustomed gesture, something we often did. It felt a great comfort in that moment, as I feared entering the common room. It was around this time on a weekday that the common room was normally full.
It was half full and we almost managed to slip through unnoticed, but as Father and Mal headed to Mal's room and I led Mother to mine, I heard the susurration begin. I tried to ignore it and Mother gave my shoulder a squeeze, thinking comforting thoughts toward me. It helped to drown out the rumours as I came to my door.
I did not have the key. I tried the handle, but it was locked. I knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
There's two people in there. A boy and a girl. The girl is real worried about you. Mother informed me, having checked with her mind.
"Dove. It is I, Liza. Please open this door." I called.
"Liza?" She called.
"Yes."
"How do I know it's not another one of the vultures?" She demanded angrily.
"Dove, stop being over dramatic, it does not suite you. Besides, I am the neurotic one in our friendship, you are the level headed, straight talking one." I replied.
There was movement from within and the sound of the key in the lock. Dove opened the door, looked at me, and then dragged me into the room, enfolding me in an embrace that almost choked me.
"I am pleased to see you too my friend." I said as I hugged her back.
"Oh god Liza, I've been so worried. I thought you were dead or something when the cops couldn't find you and I couldn't even let anyone know about my worry since you told me to play down our friendship. Now it's all around campus that Gobbo killed Malcolm and had taken you and Mal hostage." Dove said in a rush.
"Not so much as hostages." I conceded. "He did not intend on giving us back."
"Oh god, he really did kidnap you?" Dove gasped.
"Yes." I replied. "And I have been strapped to a chair for the past week with my life constantly at threat. It has been a horrific week and now I wish to rest and recuperate. This is something I intend to do between now and January."
"You're leaving?"
"Only temporarily. I am in need of some thorough rest. Besides, Christmas vacation begins on the weekend, I am merely leaving a few days early." I explained.
"But where are you gonna go? I thought your parents travelled everywhere." Dove protested.
"Mother and Father have come to escort me to my grandparents house where we were to spend the holidays regardless. Talking of which, Dove, and Dermot." I added because he was sitting on the edge of Dove's bed. "I would like you to meet my mother, Essie. Mother, this is my best friend Dove and her boyfriend Dermot, who is also a good friend of mine."
"Pleased to meet you both." She said and shook each of their hands.
"God you're tall." Dove observed. "I mean, compared to Liza." She back pedal.
"Did I not tell you Mother was tall?" I asked.
"I think you did, but I didn't get how tall. I mean everyone's tall to you."
"Yes." I said. "Everyone is a giant to me." I added and I realised that I was speaking too much of my mind in the delirium caused by my lack of sleep.
"Sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound… I guess I should shut up now. You're clearly not in the mood for even slight teasing, and who blames you after the week from hell." Dove spluttered.
"Thank you Dove." I said kindly. "And we can talk more on this in January. For the moment I merely wish to retrieve my belongings and go home."
Dove tapped my arm in sympathy before standing aside and I walked over to my closet.
"I tried to put everything back neatly after the cops ransacked the place, but I'm not as good as you. And they took a lot of stuff too." Dove said apologetically.
"I know." I said as I stood before the closet door. "Detective Fraser told me as much."
I took a deep breath and opened the closet. It was almost empty; the police had taken half of my clothing and all of my belongings that did not pertain to college work. I sighed and shut the door.
"I think I shall leave everything here until after the holidays. This room will not be in use and we are allowed to leave our belongings are we not?"
"Yeah." Dove confirmed.
"Then I have no need for these things until January."
"I guess not." Dove conceded.
"Thank you for tidying up my belongings for me." I said to Dove as I hugged her. "I will see you in the New Year."
"Ok."
"And you too Dermot." I stated as I hugged him too.
"Are you sure you don't want to take your stuff?" Mother asked.
"Yes Mother. There is no point. I merely wish to go home now." I stated warily.
"I know how you feel." Mal murmured as he entered the room with Father in tow. "My room is in a hell of a mess, I'm leaving it as it is. Maybe I could sue the cops. Well whatever, I need a cleaning crew in there."
"I will clean it when we return." I stated. "It is the least I can do."
"Now Liza, it's not your fault. You've nothing to make up for." Mal said softly as he placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Perhaps I will offer my services too." Father stated. "It would not do, come January, for you to go into a messy room. I will ensure it is immaculate before you need step foot in there again."
"Thanks Tobias." Mal said with a small smile.
"It is the least I can do after all you have done to watch over our daughter." Father said with a nod of his head.
"Oh, now it makes sense." Dove observed as she looked between Father and I. "You did say you looked more like your father and that your brother Tony, your twin brother right? That he looks like your mother? I got to see this in real life; the pictures don't give a proper scale of things. Is he here too?"
"No." I replied. "He has gone on ahead to our grandparents to warn of our imminent arrival."
As I spoke of Tony I felt the strangest surge of fear. I was suddenly wary of Mother's explanation of Tony's whereabouts. There was something wrong with my twin, although it was taking a while to register because of my exhausted state and the fact that Tony was not distressed; he was simply not there.
"And we really should be going now, before people realise we are here and start hounding us." I said in quick explanation as I felt an urgency to be out of human earshot.
"Yeah. Of course. Well I guess I'll see you after the holidays." Dove observed.
"Of course." I stated, and hugged her again before Mal and I left with Mother and Father.
Once we were in the rental car and on the road I decided it was time to ask.
"Mother, Father, what fate has befallen Tony?" I demanded.
"None. We told you, he's helping Carlisle." Mother said firmly, but there was no mistaking that she was covering.
"No. He is lost to me." I stated. "He is somewhere in the ether, beyond my comprehension. There is something that has happened to him, perhaps you did not know it yesterday, but you do today. What is it?"
"We made Tony stay in Tregarran because he was acting irrationally with you in danger. He really can think up good strategies, but only when he takes a step back. He was thinking up good ones too, directing the rescue mission from so far away. When he found out you were being misled by that illusionist, he wanted to help. As far as the rest of them know, Tony went spirit walking and drained himself trying to reach you. Last I heard he was stuck in a dream and Grace was trying to get him back." Mother replied.
"Oh god! It is my fault! I must be with him at once." I gasped, feeling the sudden wish to teleport.
"We can't teleport and we're gonna have to use the road." Mother stated. "We got an RV waiting so you can sleep while we travel."
"How can I sleep now knowing Tony is in such danger?" I demanded.
"Because it's what Tony would want you to do." Mother said firmly as she met my eyes in the rear-view mirror. "Besides, you're his twin, connected to his mind since the Time Before. If no one else can bring him back, maybe you can. But you need to sleep in order to be able to do it."
"Of course." I replied.
We fell into silence for a while and I looked to Mal who was looking out of the side window of the car deep in thought.
"How are you feeling?" I asked as the car drew to a stop.
"Well I think I might just be cracking up." He stated as he rubbed his eyes and did a double take.
"Why?" I asked.
"I swear I just saw Jane materialise out of thin air." He said, pointing to Jane who was standing in an alley between too buildings.
I looked toward Jane, tried to look behind her and found my eyes drifted away. I smiled.
"She did." I stated.
"So now there's not just the burning, she can teleport or something?" Mal asked, sounding truly frightened by the prospect.
"No." I replied as I tried not to laugh. "She is with Fred."
"Who's Fred?"
"I'll tell you about him later." I promised since it was clear we had to leave the car.
"Like you'll tell me about your sister later and why you left home?" Mal asked in a careful way.
I thought about this as I got out of the car.
"I will tell you everything later." I promised, going on my toes to peer at him over the roof of the car.
"Well, whenever you're ready to talk, I'm all ears." He replied as he shut his door with a thump.
I felt flutter of unease in that moment, would he understand my reasoning? Would he accept my stubbornness to adhere to the decision I had made in a moment of anger? Would I still have my friend?
It was a worry, but for the moment I had to concentrate on Tony. Please let him come back to us! How could I ever forgive myself if my brother became trapped permanently in a living dream for the crime of trying to help his sister? I had been a bad person all around and now it was time to make up for it.
As we were crossing the lot to the office building I heard a phone ring and Father reached into an inside pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He answered it and stopped walking. We gathered around him as his face became serious, then he broke into a smile. I felt hope rise in my heart, was that a flicker of consciousness on the other end of my twin connection?
Father hung up the phone and smiled at all three of us.
"It is good news." He stated. "Ebony had a boy, just as predicted, she has settled on Maurice, although Nahuel is still trying to convince her otherwise."
"Any other news?" Mother and I said in unison for there was a more pressing matter than Ebony in that moment.
"Tony is returned to us. Grace managed to help him from the dream and he is out renovating his old fort with Billie and Grace at this very moment."
My heart soared to learn that Tony was well, now I could allow myself to wish congratulations upon Ebony. She would make a fine mother I'm sure, and I could see nothing wrong with the name Maurice. It was French, like Ebony, and it meant dark wood, like ebony. It was a good name for her son.
At this point Jane joined us.
"Did I hear right?" She asked. "Tony is back with us?"
"Yes." Father replied.
"I am glad." Jane said. "Tregarran would not be the same without both the twins there."
"You're coming back with us?" I asked.
"We're going to hold Alec's trial there. I thought it would be safer than at the HQ. Everyone thinks it will be there, I don't want crowds." She stated.
"I understand." I said sympathetically.
"Yes, well I'd better get going. I'll meet you there once I return the car." She stated.
Mother handed the keys over and Jane got into the car. After a moment the passenger door opened of its own accord and then my eyes would not focus on the passenger side of the car.
"Now I really think I'm going crazy." Mal observed.
"Fred can become invisible." I stated. "Or at least make himself unnoticeable."
"I think I heard about him, but I never really believed it." Mal observed.
"You heard of Fred but not of the Coalition?" I asked.
"This was before I went back to Volterra." Mal stated. "When I was still sociable."
"You are still sociable." I stated.
"Only with the right people bach." He said as he put his arm about my shoulders and gave me a brief hug. "So where's this RV?" He asked as he turned to Mother and Father. "I don't know about anyone else but I'm about to fall asleep on my feet by here."
"Right this way." Father said, indicating the way and Mother put her arm about my shoulders to guide me toward the building.
As we neared the building the RVs became apparent behind the high wooden fence. I wondered which one would be ours. Would it have a shower? I would like a shower for I was feeling somewhat dirty. Could I shower in a moving vehicle? Did the shower work when it moved?
To be honest I was so exhausted that for the first time in my life I would willingly give a shower a miss. I could bathe back at Tregarran in my big bathtub with a thousand bubbles and boiling hot water. Perhaps Mal would care to join me…
I had to watch such thoughts now. Mother may overhear and it would be most embarrassing.
I cannot remember the attendant in the building. I was in somewhat of a daze as we were led out along the line of RV's to the biggest in the lot. It was truly a house on wheels and one could comfortably live in it if it was your desire.
We climbed on board and I felt as if it was the epitome of luxury transport. I could imagine having one of these if I ever became nomadic. What a way to travel the country, pulling up in remote spots for hunting. Not tied to anywhere in particular, yet still have all the comforts of home.
There was a shower and it worked whilst the bus was mobile, although the supply of water was limited to a fifty-gallon tank. The shower was at the back of the bus in a partitioned area with enough room to dress once showered and little else.
I showered although it was only to get the worst of the dust from me, I would bathe thoroughly once home. Then I dressed in a t-shirt that belonged to Mother and a pair of clean delicates that had been in my backpack. It had been rescued from Alec's bunker and I wished I had packed one set of spare clothing.
However, Mother's t-shirt covered me as well as a dress and it would suite me for sleep.
Mal had a brief shower too; dressing in the shorts and t-shirt he had packed for spare in his bag. Then it was time to attempt sleep. There were four bunks altogether. Mal took the top right one; therefore I took the one on the bottom left, thinking he would want his distance from me for a while as he processed everything I had told him.
There was still more to tell him, primarily my reasoning behind my decision to leave home. It all seemed so childish now, but at the time I had thought it valid. What would Mal think?
It was time to sleep now, not worry. But despite the fact I was tired, more so than I had ever been, in the rocking of the RV I found it hard to sleep. Worse was the knowledge that Mal was finding difficulty sleeping too. I considered for a moment my options, then without another thought I slid off my bunk and took the two steps to his.
"Mal." I whispered as I touched the back of his head since he was turned toward the wall. "Can I climb up with you?"
He turned to me and nodded.
I smiled then climbed up and over him, settling into the little space between him and the side of the RV, although it was with my back to him since there was so little room. He hugged me into his chest so that we were both comfortable and could fit properly into that little space. I sighed as I snuggled into him, revelling in his warmth as I worried this would be the last time I'd get to experience it.
"Can't sleep?" Mal murmured.
I shook my head as I wrapped my arms around his.
"Me neither." He said. "You think I'd be able to after all those days running in the desert, but I can't settle my mind."
I sighed sadly.
"Why can't you sleep?" He asked.
"Because I'm worried that now you know why I left home you will turn from me too. If I go to sleep I'll wake up and you'll be gone." I admitted sadly.
"You really think I'd do that bach?" Mal asked, and e sounded upset that I would.
"I am so confused right now." I said forlornly.
"I said I'd hear you out didn't I?" Mal asked.
"Yes." I replied.
"Then let's hear it." He stated.
"What? Now?" I asked in shock, feeling my heart rocket with my un-readiness.
"Yeah."
"But we're supposed to be sleeping." I stated.
"We're grown ups, there's no supposed to about it." Mal countered. "Besides, you're not gonna rest until you get this off your chest and I'm not gonna rest until you can settle down."
I was silent while I thought.
"Come now Liza, you are the one complaining that no one is listening to you and now's your chance to explain exactly what upset you." Mal whispered into my ear and I felt bolstered by his words.
"I was not jealous." I said firmly.
"Ok."
"I just, it seemed unfair that this child would get everything I was denied. She would know our parents from her first days and not feel those years of abandonment." I stated.
"But that wasn't her fault. Or your parents for that matter, it was all down to the Volturi." Mal replied.
"I know that, but…" I broke off again. "Let us take it from the beginning. Tony and I were an accident, we were not a choice, we merely occurred. We were accepted because we were already there, but we weren't planned. This child would be wanted before it was even conceived. It would have my parents' love before it was even in existence. Then there would be no worry that the child would harm Mother, as they had worried Tony and I would, for they know well that Mother can withstand the pregnancy. However, I would have dealt with this had I been there to help Mother plan, to be there to feel the first movements, to contemplate names, to knit garments and wait on Mother hand and foot until my new sibling arrived." I explained at length, my voice rising with every sentence until I let out a sob.
"But you run away." Mal said, as if it negated my argument somewhat.
"Because I was going regardless." I stated. "I was off to college, leaving home, truly leaving home for the first time. I know I spent the last few years staying the week in Forks with Zarek, but I could run home in two hours if I had need to, and I saw my family at the weekends. I was moving to California and I would be away from my family until Thanksgiving. I know that it is part of growing up, but I always assumed that when Tony and I moved on with our lives then Mother and Father would experience the life of a young couple that was denied them before they considered more children. But as soon as I was to leave Mother wanted another baby and it felt like a replacement. One child out, another one in. I wished to be part of it, but Mother had chosen a time that I would be unable to since I was already signed to the university. If I could not be part of something so special, then I wanted no part in my family."
I was crying and I wished that I wasn't, my behaviour was appalling, and I was not allowed to feel sorry for myself.
I felt lips press against my head and Mal pulled me closer still, shaping his body around me as if he meant to protect me from the world.
"I think I understand." He whispered in my ear as he moved his hand up to stroke my cheek. "It came at the wrong time. It wasn't so much that Essie was having a new baby, it was cause she chose to do it when you couldn't be there."
"Yes." I said with a sniff.
Oh Lamb, why didn't you say… Mother thought and I lifted my head, turned and leant over Mal to peer out of the bunk.
Mother was still sat in the front next to Father and I had no idea if she had heard us, or if our minds had told her all she needed to know.
I'm sorry Mother. I thought and she turned to me and there were tears in her eyes but she smiled at me.
No need to apologise. We can talk about this later. She assured me. You really should sleep now.
Yes. I agreed before turning my attention to Mal. "Thank you for your understanding." I whispered and kissed his cheek before I turned and snuggled back down in that space he had made for me.
"I just wish you'd told me sooner." He murmured as he shifted a little to find more comfort. "You can tell me anything Liza."
"I know that now." I said with a smile. "My good friend Mal." I added as I pulled his hands closer to me.
"My Liza bach." He murmured, as his lips brushed my hair and I felt happy and content to be held in his arms.
We both settled down satisfied that we had cleared the air. I drifted into a blessedly dreamless sleep that was divine after days of excitement. I relished this chance to simply relax as Mal held me and I was lost to the world once more.
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