Chapter 8

Hunting Trip

In preparation for the Volturi's arrival, we all went hunting that night. We went in two separate groups. Alice, Carlisle, Esme and Rosalie went first; the rest of us would go once they returned.

Emmett basically begged to go with our group, he seemed amused by the fact that Charlie liked to hunt bears as much as he did. Jacob also insisted on going so he could "protect" Renesmee.

Carlisle and the others took a little longer than expected. It was already getting light outside when we finally left the house. We wouldn't go too far, we wanted to be home before the Volturi arrived.

Emmet and Jasper walked in front of us, leading the way; Charlie was right behind them, with Renesmee holding his hand. She was ecstatic to have Charlie going hunting with her. Jacob was right behind them, which seemed to frustrate Charlie. Edward and I walked a little further back; holding hands… it was pleasant having Charlie with us now, with no more secrets.

We felt quite peaceful, considering the fact that we would have the Volturi coming in a matter of hours. We walked slowly, enjoying the moment, when Edward came to a sudden stop. He looked puzzled, almost out of place; lost.

I gazed at him, concerned.

"Bella, there is something wrong with me. I can't read anyone's mind."

Charlie chuckled.

"This is quite fun!" Charlie said in a sarcastic tone.

"Did you do this dad?"

"Well, don't act like this is a bad thing Bells. It is not very nice being this nosey. Edward shouldn't be reading people's minds like that."

Emmett was in disbelief and could not stop laughing.

"It is about time someone blocks his mind reading. I was tired of controlling my own thoughts around him."

Edward was frustrated, infuriated. I tried to calm him down, but it wasn't working.

Charlie turned to Edward and jokingly said. "Alright, if you can't function without being nosey go ahead…"

Edward relaxed a little. "Emmett, Rosalie would not be happy to hear your thoughts about Bella, and honestly neither am I. Please keep your thoughts to yourself!"

"WOW…Dad, how are you doing this, turning his powers on and off?"

"I don't know Bells. It sort of just happened. I only realized what was happening when Edward here got all uptight about not being able to read minds."

"Can you do this to anyone?" Jasper asked curious.

"I don't know. I guess I need to know what you can do before I can shut it off. I can't stop something that I don't know what it is."

"Let's try it." I said; eagerly to know more about Charlie's new ability.

At this point we were all stopped in the meadow. I called Jasper by my side and explained to Charlie that Jasper could control emotions. I asked Charlie to try and turn off Jasper's ability. Then I asked Jacob to say something to Charlie that would upset him. That was not hard for him to do.

"Wonderful, Chief bloodsucker has powers!"

That alone was enough to set off the frustration in Charlie's eyes. Only, the frustration did not go away.

We were all amazed. Charlie's ability was to turn powers on and off. Between my shield and Charlie's new ability, we might even have a chance to deal with the Volturi in a hostile situation.

We all agreed that we needed to focus. We got back on track and started hunting, but not before I promised Charlie that later on I would tell him what everyone's powers were.

Nessie led the way, still holding Charlie's hands. She stopped and took a deep breath, catching the scent of a bear.

"Grandpa, can you catch a bear for me?" She asked with her sweet voice.

"Well, that sure is an odd request." Charlie chuckled. "Sure Nessie. Stay right here."

Charlie looked at Emmett and said. "Are you coming?"

Emmett followed Charlie and that poor bear never had a chance.

We all finished hunting and headed back to the house. We were eager to share the news with the others.

As soon as we walked in, Emmett was already calling out everyone's name: "Carlisle! Alice! Rose! …"

They all came down from different rooms of the house, except for Alice. Alice had gone shopping, so she was probably too preoccupied to have any visions about Charlie's power. This didn't happen often, but we finally got to tell everyone something new, something that wasn't spoiled by Alice's visions. Alice meant well, but she always took credit for telling all of the exciting news.

"How was the hunt?" Carlisle asked.

"Great!" Emmet answered with a grin.

I interrupted Emmett before he said anything else. I was eager to tell everyone else what had happened. "We actually have some news to tell you Carlisle. Charlie has a special ability."

"Go on…" Carlisle said, eager to know more.

"Charlie can turn other's powers on and off."

"Really?!"

"We will show you."

I asked Charlie to turn off Edward's power.

"Wonderful." Edward said, rolling his eyes.

I asked Carlisle to think of something. "Think of something that you know for sure that Edward would react to."

Carlisle was deep in thought for a few seconds. Then he gazed at Edward, and was surprised when he noticed that Edward did not react.

"Impressive!" Carlisle was amused.

Alice walked into the house with what it looked like a new closet full of clothes. She actually had gone shopping for Charlie. Alice shopped for all of us; Charlie would get used to that…eventually.

As expected she already knew about Charlie's power. She said that his power was related to the skills that he acquired on his job throughout his life. It was a tool that he would be able to use to protect anyone who was against an evil power, such as the power of some of the Volturi's.

We all suddenly felt safer; Charlie could alone, protect us from any of the Volturi.

Alice went to the guest room, which was now Charlie's room, to put the clothes away. A few minutes later, she came back down stairs, in a cheerful mood.

"Our visitors are almost here!"