Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all characters.
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Chapter 11: Telephone
...A flash of white over took us. My eyes widened at the sight of a giant wolf being thrown off of me, sending him crashing into a tree. She snarled viciously, her white teeth gleaming as she crouched between us. A loud growl ripped from Jacob's throat. He thundered back from the edge of the forest, springing to attack. I shrieked in horror, "Jake, NO!!!"
His wild eyes met mine in a fury. They flashed golden with recognition as he came to a screeching halt at Alice's feet. Both stared furiously at one another, still positioned to pounce. The tension slowly released its grip as Alice backed away, her gleaming eyes never leaving Jacob's. Jake whimpered and turned slowly trotting to the edge of the forest. I was still too stunned to move. I fell back into the softness of the grass breathing heavily. I closed my eyes, still consumed with thoughts of Jacob as his seed swam inside of me. My moment of relaxation must have given Alice time to run inside because a white cotton blanket fell over my exposed body.
I felt the tiny pixie settle into the grass next to me. I turned my head lazily to the side. Her delicate features were unbearably still. Golden flecks danced in her eyes. She lifted her hand and ran it lovingly down my face, "Too late," she whispered as sadness smoothed over her expression.
The soft tread of feet approaching sounded like drums in the distance, "To late for what?" I heard Jacob's voice gnash through clenched teeth. Pulling the blanket from my face, I was astonished to see a fully exposed Jacob standing before us, his hands poised threateningly on his chiseled hip bones. Alice didn't flinch. She just turned her attention back to me, her sorrow spilling recklessly from her tiny crinkled expression. Her head shook sending the spikes of her hair spindling like arrows against the backdrop of the nearly rising sun.
I reached for Alice's hand, but she pulled it away. "The things that have taken place within the last couple of days have set in motion a horrifying turn of events. My visions of somethings are cloudy and uncertain, however, there is one thing, one being, that will most definitely consume our future-- All of our futures." I had never seen Alice so stoic, so sure of the malignant events to come. I bit my lip in earnest, trying to decipher her cryptic speech.
"But who?" I said slowly, judging her reaction, "What being?" Alice turned her gaze to the approaching sunlight.
"Nessie, you know who. I have already shown him to you. There is much more to tell, but we must wait for the others. They will be arriving at day break." She turned her angelic face back to Jake, "You better get dressed, I'd hate to see the expression on Edward's face if he saw the two of you like this." For a second, her ominous state broke, just enough for the edges of her lips to curl into a smile. She reached for my hands, but stopped herself just short, "Nessie, I love you and I will do everything in my power to support you, but you need to understand that there is only so much I can do. The future will reveal itself in time, all too soon I'm afraid. I have accepted what is to come, but the others... the others may not see things the way that I do."
"But Alice, what are you talking about? What future?" A million thoughts and questions shot like bullets through my mind. I traced back to the last horrible vision I had received from her. The one who was held captive by him. "Who is he, Alice?" She turned her face away from mine as the sun broke apocalyptically over the horizon.
"We will soon find out..."
Jake had disappeared into the house and I hurried to do the same. Rushing up the stairs to my room, I threw my jeans on and pulled a t-shirt over my head. I paused to run my fingers through my knotted hair and darted down to the kitchen to clean up mine and Jake's mess. I found him already half way through the task. Our eyes met as we reached for the same dish laying haphazardly on the floor. The moment was too much given our resent tryst. He pulled me into his arms, pressing his lips against mine. For a moment time did not exist. I was paralyzed in his gaze. I was pushing thoughts of his hands all over my body into his open mind. "I love you, Nessie." He pushed me away and quickly replaced the remainder of the dishes.
I caught wind of my father first. "They're outside," I whispered to Jake trying to act natural and most of all block my thoughts. I threw Jake a look, warning him to do the same. He nodded, concentrating.
Their entry was delayed by the surprised and overjoyed sight of Alice lying lazily in the grass. I heard Esme's voice chiming like tiny silver bells as she readily embraced her daughter. I smiled, feeling the waves of love and happiness that Jasper could not help but to fill the air with. Jake and I walked out the double doors to meet everyone. "Oh and Nessie too!" Esme was overjoyed and so relieved to have us back. It felt good to have her arms wrapped tightly around me. I took care to disguise my thoughts and not project anything confidential. Alice and I were both received with hugs and kisses from everyone, everyone except my mother. She had approached me slowly as if she sensed something strange. Her gaze was dark and cold. The air seemed to hang heavily around her. I felt acutely aware of her inspecting me as her eyes made their way imposingly up and down my form and then shot directly to Jacob. He looked down before she could catch his eye. On high alert, her expression engraved itself into her soft face. She looked like a heroine of Greek mythology, strikingly beautiful and dauntingly strong. A tiny gasp escaped her lips as if the truth had suddenly spelled itself out across my forehead. Her eyes turned fiercely to Alice.
"Bella," Alice's voice echoed in my head, "Bella, wait, let me explain." But my mother was gone. She had turned and bolted back into the confinements of the trees. My dad was about to rush to follow her when Carlisle's hand fell swiftly on his shoulder, "Edward, I think you should let Alice handle this. There is someone here that needs you as well." He was reluctant. I could see the pain swallowing his happiness. His love for her was so strong, he could not bear her suffering. But he was patient and accustomed to my mother's way taking things upon herself. He sighed, but said nothing, he only turned slowly to me, taking me into his icy arms. He always seemed to trust me. Dad and I understood each other, he respected my privacy as much as he could and usually waited for me to tell him things before questioning my thoughts. "I'm so glad that you are okay. What happened?" His silent eyes imploringly asked for permission to open my mind.
My thoughts began to spill into his mind. Our silent conversations were one of my favorite things about Daddy. There was no need for words, no need to form pictures, he just understood. He just knew what I was thinking and feeling, and oh god, how could I keep this from him? I paused. He was immediately aware of my reluctance. "Maybe, I better tell everyone what happened." Carlisle nodded and we all followed his lead into the house. I turned back searching the dark tree line for my mother, but to no avail. I sighed and followed the rest of my family inside.
We all gathered in the living room, each of taking places on the lavish couches and chairs. Jake found his place on the floor in front of me as I sunk into the velvety cushions. Rose took the opportunity to sit beside me and run her fingers nervously through my hair, all the time staring shamelessly at me gripped with worry and fear. "It's alright Auntie. I'm okay now." She didn't seem convinced. Her blond hair fell around her shoulders like golden straw waiting to be weaved into gold. "Should we wait for mom and Alice?" I said looking up at my grandfather.
"I'm sure they will be along soon enough my dear, why don't you tell us what happened." His voice was soothing and commanding. He had a way of letting you know what you needed to do and made you feel okay about it even when you were shaking in your boots. I took a ragged breath. I let my eyes wander around the room.
"I think that you all may understand a little better if I show you rather than tell you, but first I need to tell you all something-- something new." I paused, collecting my thoughts. "Before Alice went into her trance, we tried a little experiment of sorts." Rose immediately took on an expression of disapproval. Looking away, I continued, "She tried to send me one of her visions. Just like Mom has learned to lower her shield and sort of reverse her gift, Alice thought that I may be able to do the same. It turned out that she was right, partially anyway. I am able to receive her thoughts through touch, much how you can all receive mine, but there is one difference. Alice was able to chose the point of view that I saw the vision from. At first it was purely accidental," I looked at Jasper, "She showed me a vision of her last birthday present," he nodded, "but I didn't see it like a picture or a movie, I was Alice, I knew her thoughts, her emotions," I blushed. "I knew what it was like to be a full vampire, I felt her strengths and gifts, everything." Carlisle was absolutely absorbed. He was nodding, clearly anxious for me to continue. I turned to him next, "Alice showed me the vision that convinced her to seek you and Esme out." Carlisle nodded, "When I found Esme. Yes, Alice has told me of that vision."
"I felt your amazing self control. I felt your love and thirst for her and saw and experienced how she was changed. I felt what it was like to be you." I hesitantly continued, "So when I was upstairs with Alice, a very strange thing happened. Her hand began to burn. Now understand, burn, quite literally. Tiny sparks ignited into flames, I screamed and reached out to smother the fire. When I touched her a vision overtook me. It was the strongest, well," I stammered, "one of the strongest that I have felt. So that is what I am going to show you all now. Remember that it is from an inside point of view, so it is a bit confusing and I must tell you that I don't really understand it. I was hoping that Alice could explain things for me..." I trailed off.
"So Nessie," my dad said, "Do you want to show us one by one?"
I turned to him with confidence, "Daddy, I think my gift is strong enough now to show you all." He looked surprised, his perfectly arched eyebrow lifted slightly. "I have begun to think of it as an electrical current. I'm fairly certain that through touch, I can send the thoughts down the chain as long as everyone is open to receive."
"Interesting," Emmett spoke for the first time, "I hope this doesn't end up like that telephone game that kids play." He chuckled in spite of himself. Rosalie gave him a half-hearted slap and a nasty look. "What?" He laughed again. "Come on Ness, knock us dead!"
I rolled my eyes, "You asked for it." Emmett always had a way of lightening the mood, thankfully. I reached my hands out, one to Rose, the other to Jake. Esme took Jake's hand since my dad looked less than thrilled about the idea. Esme took Daddy's and Carlisle took his and Jasper's.
"Hey man, don't be such a homo," Emmett roared in laughter as Jasper reached for his hand. Jasper shot him a childishly mocking grin, "Real mature, Emmett"
"Oh get on with it already," Rose shouted impatiently. Snickering Emmett took Jasper's hand, "Oh all right, but just this once." I laughed squeezing Rose's hand.
"Okay, so everyone quiet for a minute and try to clear your thoughts." They all settled down, I closed my eyes and with all the determination I could muster, I let the memory of Alice's vision flow openly through my hands and spread like a spider weaving its web through my family's minds.
Less than a minute passed before I reached the end of the vision. Carlisle broke the chain of touch. I opened my eyes to everyone's expressions locked in shock, fear and horror. I felt Rosalie shudder beside me, "Oh Nessie, you poor thing, that probably scared you to death."
"Aro," my dad said angrily turning to Carlisle, "He is the captor, and that insufferable little demon Jane. So no doubt the Volturi is the culprit here, but who is this creature?"
Carlisle was still, vampire still, almost stone. Esme looked up at him, her face twisted with worry. It was Jasper who broke the silence, "I have heard legends of creatures who are like us, but much stronger. In South America, some bands of rogue vampires have been rumored to have been destroyed by something ancient. The tales tell that they have the gift of fire. They can literally set fire telepathically and destroy our kind." A wave of calmness flowed through the room, obviously created by Jasper because we should all have been horrified by this story. He continued, "Of course, I have never been witness to such events and have always thought the stories to be ludicrous and more likely the work of the Volturi."
Carlisle hadn't moved from his meditation like state. I turned to my dad, "What do you think, Daddy?"
"I don't know honey. We need to talk to Alice, surely she must have seen more. She must know something more."
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