Well, this is the start of Thanksgiving break. I should have a lot more free time. To doppelganger472, thank you so much! Your review made me so happy.
I returned to the house disheartened. That a simple human girl could evade me so easily was killing my ego. When I reached the house, I didn't even bother to return Rose's appalled glare. I stalked up to my room.
Sophie Norris was a puzzle. I used to enjoy puzzles. But now, I felt as if some unseen force was driving me to keep at this mystery. Or maybe it was simply my own pig-headedness. I sighed tiredly. Whatever the reason, the result was the same. I would persist. But I had to go about it differently. For one thing, trying to get answers out of Sophie when she didn't want to give them was like trying to drag my Volvo through mud. I could not find the answer that way.
She knew, that I was sure of. Knew, but would not tell. Why? I had no idea. But she wasn't my only clue, though she was the biggest. There was Ella, for one. Her unfinished sentence came to me. No, it was- What? I was pretty sure that she knew what was going on. Somehow, I knew in my gut that the two mysteries were connected. And I would find the answer.
A plan began to form in my mind. Tomorrow, after school, I would go to the Norris' home. Ella would have to tell me the truth. She seemed much easier to influence then Sophie. My scheming was interrupted by a loud thought. Edward! Can I PLEASE come? Of course, Alice had seen my plans. "I wouldn't dream of telling you to stay behind," I sighed. I heard Alice's silent jubilation, and rolled my eyes.
The next day was just like the first. Rosalie was not speaking to me. In fact, if this was about something more than Rosalie's pride, it might actually bother me. I do love her as my sister, but she could be haughty and vain sometimes. Then it didn't bother me. I ignored her as thoroughly as she ignored me.
I was restless all day, as I waited for the bell to ring. I was eager to solve this riddle. An age later, it did ring. My family dropped Alice and me off at the edge of the drive, before tearing up to the house. Alice and I launched ourselves through the forest.
I headed in the direction that Ella had told me her house was. I knew we were on the right track when we found a trail of Ella's scent leading away from our house. We slowed to a trot when we found traces of other humans. Soon, a small brick house came into view. We circled around, so that it would appear as though we had come from the path that lead towards the main road.
I heard the sound of a child squealing, and also a worn female voice that said, "Hush, dear. Ella, please help Colin pick up his toys." Even without my gift, I could hear the love and care in her voice. Her thoughts were fond, but also ashamed. She wished that she could provide better for them. I knocked twice on her door, and waited.
What's that? Visitors? The door swung open with a creek. A slender, red-haired woman stood there, and her eyes went wide. Those must be the new owners of Swan Estate. What can they want with us? She worried. Self-consciously, she tugged on her sweater and smoothed a lock of hair behind her ears. She was nearly an exact copy of her daughter, with the same dimples and green eyes. "Can I help you?" Her voice was guarded and careful.
"Actually, we wanted to speak with your daughter." Alice smiled. Wow, they're beautiful… She thought. Her thoughts regained there sharpness when we mentioned Ella. What do they want with her? Her thoughts were fiercely protective.
"May I ask why?" She said carefully. I heard the dislike in her thoughts. Stupid, gorgeous, rich kids. Bet they've never worked a day in their life.
"Well, we met in the woods," I told her in a friendly tone. "And I thought that she could tell us a bit about the history of Swan Estate." I'm going to kill that girl! I told her to stay away from Swan Estate. The last thing I need is to have some fat-headed rich guy telling me off. I winced. Did she really believe that we were like that?
By now, Ella had joined us. On her hip she carried a plump toddler. A baby's thoughts were always quite refreshing. They were not petty or deceitful; they did not know how to be. They were warm and loving. A baby did not really think in words. Their feelings were a mix of images and sensations. This one was thinking of the slight breeze he felt wash through his hair when his sister carried him. He was content.
When Ella saw us, she swallowed hard. Then she squared her shoulders and marched forward. "I don't mind telling them the legends, Mom." She said quickly. "It won't take more than a minute or two. I'll help Colin with his toys." Ms. Norris's thoughts became softer as she gazed at her daughter.
"Just a few minutes, Ella," She warned. Ella smiled, and led us around the back after placing Colin in his mother's arms. Her thoughts were anxious, but focused. She took a deep breath before turning to us.
"What do you want to know?" She asked us in a subdued voice.
"Are you allowed to tell us?" Alice asked. Ella swallowed.
"She came to see me yesterday. She was…disoriented. More upset than I've ever seen her. She said to tell you everything."
I stared. Why hadn't she told us herself? Ella started to speak, and then stopped. "I have a feeling this will answer most of your questions," she said steadily. "Come this way."
She opened a back door, and led us through a small kitchen to a living room. The house was small, but warm and cozy. My eyes settled on a large portrait that rested on the mantle. Surprise ran through me. Contrary to what she had said, this answered nothing and raised a thousand more questions. Alice raised her eyebrows.
"What-" she began, but Ella cut her off. I heard the words in her mind before she said them out loud, and I felt as if someone had knocked the air out of me. No way, I thought dizzily. This is not possible.
"You should wait for me to tell you that the portrait is of Isabella Swan."