SM Owns it.
This chapter was fun to write. I want to thank Sushibrat, LivieLiv and PandorasFF for their amazing work. This fic is NOTHING without them.
Outbreak
Our ride home was filled with silence and tension. I watched Charlie white knuckle the steering wheel, while I ignored his curious glances.
He knew I wanted answers. There were too many things that happened inside that house, besides why they were here, and that was driving me crazy. There were too many holes in Carlisle's explanation. There had to be something more going on, why else would they all be so on edge?
Even Edward seemed nervous after he calmed his douche routine.
Edward was at the forefront of my mind, or least he kept trying to be.
Every time I thought about Carlisle's words, my mind traveled to Edward. Something about that day at the CDC had affected him. I couldn't help but wonder if what happened there was the cause of his attitude now.
I knew I should have been more worried about the outbreak Carlisle kept talking about. I knew it was important, but with Edward near me, I couldn't focus.
"Do you have questions?" Charlie asked as he cut the cruiser's engine. "You're too quiet, Bells. You should have questions." He started mumbling as we both stepped out of the car.
"I need to fix dinner, then you can tell me what the hell is really going on." I knew he and Carlisle had kept some things from me.
Outbreak
Dinner was made up of leftovers and more awkward silence. I tried to stay mad at Charlie, but the quiet dinner gave me a chance to calm down. Whatever Charlie wasn't saying, there was a reason for it. There always was.
I took a drink of my water, not bothering to clear the plates before I spoke up. "They didn't grow up here. I would have noticed them."
Charlie dropped his fork and looked up at me. I could see the stress this was putting on him, the dark circles under his eyes, and the constant frown marring his haggard face.
"They did and they didn't. It's harder to explain than you think." He sighed and went to the fridge to grab a beer. I was tempted to ask for one myself.
"What does that even mean?" I was annoyed at the way he seemed to be dancing around the answer.
"It means they aren't like us, Bells."
"No shit, Charlie." Laughing I motioned around the tiny kitchen we ate in since I was baby. Nothing matched in here, the cabinets were all different shades of wood from wear and exposure to rare afternoon sunlight. The counters were yellowed from use and the floor had scuff and scratches all over.
It was nothing like the Cullens' house and that was fine with me. Charlie made sure I always had everything I needed, and most of what I wanted. We were happy, but I wished he would just tell me everything without beating around the bush.
He gave me stern look before opening the beer. "I know you noticed more than that damn house. All of the Cullens grew up here at one point or another. I've known Carlisle since I was a boy in this town, and the rest followed not long after." He drained half the beer, his eyes studying the can, and I knew there was more to it than what he was telling.
"There are things in this town, people, that I've protected because they have protected us in return. Those people are the Cullens. What I'm going to tell you will be hard as hell to accept. Hell, it took me years to accept it, but I need you to really listen to me," he said with sadness in his eyes.
"You know I will." I was almost positive I didn't even want to know now.
He nodded once he took my hand in his, making me nervous. "Carlisle is part of a world that for you only existed in those books you're always reading. He and his family have been alive for over one hundred years."
"Charlie, have you stopped taking your blood pressure medication?" I deadpan.
"Dammit, Bella."
"Dammit, Charlie," I countered.
"They're vampires Bella. Every one of them. They came back here, their town, to help us because shit's about to get real bad," I knew he was trying to think of what to say to make me believe him.
I wanted to believe him. Charlie had never once lied to me in my entire life, but he'd also promised me vampires and the monsters I believed hid in my closet weren't real. I can still remember running to his room in the middle of the night begging him to check. He would rush in my room, flashlight and baseball bat in hand, and check, only to promise nothing like that had ever existed.
But now they did?
"I think I need to call your doctor." I sighed, Charlie had been so overworked. I was certain that to be the cause of his insane babble. Maybe if I called his doctor, he could tell me what to do to help.
"Go ahead."
Slowly I made my way to the phone on the wall and dialed the number on the notepad, my eyes on Charlie the whole time.
I wasn't scared of my dad. If anything, he was one of the gentlest men in this entire town. I knew he would never hurt me. Something was definitely wrong though.
Maybe the Cullens were manipulating him, or he hit his head. Hell, maybe I got damaged when I fell and this was some fucked up dream.
"Isabella, is everything alright?" Alice asked... My stomach dropped at the sound of her voice. I didn't bother to respond. Instead, I slammed the phone down so hard I knocked it off the wall and spun to look at Charlie.
"He's your doctor?" I cried out in shock, as my hands shook.
"He's been my doctor for years, Bells." His cellphone on the kitchen counter started to ring and Charlie moved to grab it.
"Don't you dare." I got to it before he could and shoved it in the fridge. "Not until you tell me what's really going on." I slammed the door, but could still hear the damn thing.
"I know this is a lot to take in," he started and my mouth dropped.
"A lot to take in? A LOT TO TAKE IN?" I screamed at him as I paced the kitchen. "Vampires. Of course vampires are real. I bet wolves and the tooth fairy exist too. Who the hell am I kidding, the gnomes in the yard probably come to life at night and raid my panty drawer," I rambled and began laughing maniacally.
"Now just calm down. Take a deep breath and try to relax." Charlie stood, looking at me with concern.
"You can not tell me vampires are real and then tell me to calm down." I gave him a sideways glare, as I tried to figure out the punchline to this massive joke.
"I'm not lying, Bella. I wouldn't lie to you, not about this." He looked dead serious, but nothing was making any sense.
Vampires were not real.
"You're telling me Dracula lives in Forks."
"They aren't those kind of vampires." Charlie shook his head at me, clearly annoyed at my joke.
"Oh," I laughed, my entire body shaking. "Right."
"Bells." Charlie warned. I knew he wanted me to take this seriously, but really? Maybe I was high. It had been a few months since I took a hit from that joint Mike had, but apparently anything was possible.
"So they're the Mr. Rogers kind of vampire, then?" I could be open minded, I could accept change. Talking about vampires who protect people sounded like some kind of a delusional fiction writer with too much time on her hands.
If I hadn't known Charlie hated to read, I would have thought he was quoting some love story.
"They don't have fangs and they don't drink human blood." Charlie acted as if it was the most normal conversation ever.
"Well, that's a relief."
"They don't burn in the sun either, but they don't travel in it," Charlie continued, sitting back a little and starting to enjoy his beer once again.
"Then how does it affect them?" I asked warily, suspicious of everything now.
"Um..." he hesitated, his eyes never leaving the half empty can in front of him.
"Charlie." He was starting to worry me again and my head was already spinning from all the shit people had told me today.
"They... uh, they sparkle." His head was down as he mumbled the last word, but I heard exactly what he said.
"No. Fucking. Way." I was going to piss myself.
"Isabella Swan." Charlie tried to scold me, but I could see his mustache twitch.
"Sparkling vampires?" I almost choked and I knew my eyes were about to pop out of my head. Who the hell would do that to someone?
"Yes, Bella, I think you're missing the point though." Charlie sighed, growing frustrated with me. I couldn't not focus on it though.
They glittered...like a kindergarten craft. Someone created and bedazzled vampires.
"You mean like 'Shine bright like a diamond' vampires?" My giggling was bordering on insane and my sides were cramping so bad. This was seriously the funniest thing I had ever heard.
"I don't even know what that means." He was irritated now, but I couldn't stop.
"You are trying to tell me we have real life vampires who live here, who have lived here for years, hundreds. You say they sparkle and they drink what, pigs blood? You can't be a big bad vampire, vowing to protect our town if you are covered in pixie dust and sparkle in the damn sun." This was like some alcohol induced dream.
I didn't know what he was thinking telling me this. Why did he think I would believe it? Who the hell would believe it?
"That's exactly what I'm telling you, Bells. The Cullens are real. They are vampires and they want to protect this town, and all the people who live here. I told you this was a lot to take in, but you need to just stop for a second and think. Think about what you've seen, what you've felt. You've touched them, seen their eyes. Hell, Edward didn't hide a damn thing when he ran out of the room earlier."
"I have a feeling Edward rarely gives a shit what anyone thinks."I laughed, remembering the way Edward acted around me to begin with. He didn't give a shit if I saw how quickly he left. He didn't even care if I felt how rock hard his body was when he was on top of me. Or how his hands felt as they skimmed over my...
Jesus, it's hot in here.
"Stop focusing on Edward and focus on what I'm saying." He huffed.
Easier said than done.
"Vampires, I know. I got it." I rubbed my temples. A headache was starting from this insane conversation.
"Bella, this town is in danger. The people in it could die if Carlisle doesn't find a cure. He's here to help us, he knows the risks and still wanted you to know." Charlie was angry, I knew by that mustache twitch. Right side meant fighting a smile, left side was Chief Swan coming out.
"Fine." I took a breath before settling in the chair beside him. "Let's say I believe you, that they are real. Why here? Why now?" I wanted to believe him, and knew he could see that I didn't. I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
"Alice, the perky short one you met, she sees things." I bit my tongue on this one. "She saw the outbreak happen. It didn't start here, it already started in Atlanta. They aren't saying a word to the public, however. She says it will come closer and closer over the next few weeks, if not days. They came here as soon as she saw it." I wanted to hug Charlie so bad. He was trying so hard to convince me, but there was just too much too take in at once, too many questions and not enough answers.
"Why aren't they in Atlanta, then? If he's trying to create a cure, shouldn't they have stayed there?"
"They tried to help there, Bella. Carlisle fought to help, but they turned him away even though he knew his stuff." He took another gulp of his beer before continuing. "He's here because, like I said, this was their home before. He has access to medical equipment here. Nobody will question if he takes it home, and he has a lab if he needs it."
"Okay," I sighed. It was the only thing I could say, the only thing that would keep me from crying and ask why he lied to me.
Charlie grabbed my hand, making me look right at him. "When Edward touched you, how did it feel?"
Like I was about to explode. Like my world was spinning and he was burning everything inside of me. Like he could light me on fire and put me out all at once.
"Cold."
"And when I touch you?" Charlie grabbed both my hands in his, and I wanted to jerk away.
"I know, dad," I squeezed his hand, because he was right. He was warm and comforting, alive.
"I think I need some sleep." I was already so exhausted from being attacked by an asshat vampire today, then everything Carlisle said, and now this crazy conversation.
I knew I should be scared out of mind, but I felt numb and my eyes were getting heavy.
"Pretend what I'm saying is the truth. Wouldn't you do whatever you could to keep your friends and your family safe?"
"You know I would. It's just a lot for one night, Charlie. I need some alone time." I didn't want to snap at him, he didn't deserve that, but I needed time to take this all in.
"I know. I'm sorry." He hung his head as his fingers fiddled with the top on his beer can. I wanted to wrap my arms around him like he used to do when I was little and scared of the dark.
Now I might actually have a legitimate reason to be.
"Why are you sorry?"
"Things are about to get real bad around here, Bella. I'm sorry for that. For not telling you sooner and for throwing all this at you so fast. I was in your shoes once, not the outbreak part, but the Cullen part. They're good people, Bells." Charlie was being so adamant and I wanted to tell him, to shout, that I believed him.
A part of me did, but the part that he used to tuck in at night, wanted to sleep and pretend all this was just as made up as it was back then.
"Goodnight, Charlie." I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and kissed the top of his head before heading for the stairs.
"Night, baby girl." That was his way of telling me he loved me, and before I made it up the stairs to my room, I was already in tears, whispering it back.
AN:I tried to make Bella's reaction as real and raw as possible. Hope I did that justice, and for those worried, Edward is next!
You guys last chapter BLEW ME AWAY! I'm serious. The response for this story is just nothing less than amazing to me. I was so sure a zombie/vamp fic would be unwelcomed here and you just... thank you. You have no idea how much it meant seeing so many reviews and alerts. I hope I responded to everyone, if not, THANK YOU!
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