Well, here we are again. Sorry for the long wait but I've finished my exams and another chapter is here! We're starting to get into the good stuff soon too. I can't wait to see what everyone thinks of it. Enjoy!
~Tori~
It felt great to be back in school again. I mean, I loved spending time with my family, and especially Jade, but there was something about returning to a few hours of relative normality that made me relax. Here there was no danger, no worrying about someone endangering me or my mate's life. It was almost impossible what with humans swarming the place. It would be too easily witnessed. Of course, there would always be a possibility. Should there ever be a disturbance around humans, well, I guess we would deal with it when the time came. There was no use thinking about it now. I eased away from those thoughts and prepared for the task at hand. Currently I was standing on the small yet prominent stage in Sikowitz's class, gearing myself for the chase through the woods Jade and I had to act out. Sikowitz had required that it be exciting, action packed, shocking, and emotional. Not too hard if Jade was thinking the same thing I was. This was sure to make an impact. A soon as Sikowitz called to us to start I began chasing Jade. Well, not real chasing, but running in place. We acted like we were jumping logs and dodging branches, the movement natural. We had done this for real on more than one occasion. Almost as one, Jade took a skidding step forward like she had stopped on a dime while I advanced on her. We grappled, pushing against each other, strength equal.
"I told you, I don't want to hurt you! I told you I cared for you, so why would I turn you in?" I pleaded, my voice wavering. Jade shook her head and shoved just enough to upset my footing but I stood my ground.
"No, you're kind do nothing but take and we get left with the remains! Even now, you took from me!" she yelled, moving forward to slam into me. I staggered back but didn't fall, our grapple severed. I saw the class stare at us in awe, already sitting at the edge of their seats.
"I may have taken but you have too! Do you think it's easy for a wolf to love a vampire?" I demanded, voice raw. The class gasped and Sikowitz leaned forward.
"A twist!" he shouted, to which those surrounding silenced him like he was interrupting a movie. My mindset finally clicked into place, imagining a world where Jade and I really weren't allowed to be together, where we were forbidden to. Jade tensed at my words, looking away and refusing to make eye contact.
"Answer me!" I yelled at her, my voice almost a growl.
"Yes, I know, but it's just as hard for a vampire to love a wolf! You think we can just run off into the sunset? It isn't that easy and you know it! It's better if I just leave. Forget about me," Jade spat back, her voice going from acidic and scathing to quiet and hurt. She turned away and took a single step before I shot forward and grabbed her arm. She yanked it away but I just kept holding on. We struggled for a moment as Jade tried to get away but she was effectively trapped once I slammed her back against the white board and held her there, imagining that I had her pinned to a tree. The class hurriedly stood to gather to one side so that their view wasn't blocked. We sure had their attention. They waited with bated breath, still on edge.
"No, I won't let you go! You can't just walk away from this! We should stand up for our love," I disagreed, my face inches from hers. My eyes bore into her fierce returned gaze. Her scowl darkened before she sighed and relaxed in my grip.
"How? How can we get them to understand?" she inquired in defeat. I released my hold on her wrists to cup her face in my hands. I hoped our performance so far was making an impact on our people at this point. I knew the humans were just interested in our acting skill but the vampires and wolves in the class were getting an entirely different show.
"We don't have to make anyone understand. We know in our hearts that this is right. It's natural and meant to be. It's like we have a connection between us. It's the reason I know what we're feeling is real. Can't you feel it too?" I responded with as much hope straining my voice as I could gather.
"Yes, I do, but that won't be enough for them," she replied, her tone reflecting vulnerability and her voice cracking. She retreated from me and turned away, a hand against the board as if she were resting against the tree.
"No, it won't, but…" I began, reaching out to pull her closer. I held her to me with my left hand and stroked her cheek with my right.
"As long as I have you in the end, then I'll be ok. No matter what happens, I know I'll always have you and that's all that matters," I told her, actually meaning my words now. It helped our performance that Jade and I faced this in reality except in a less extreme situation. Her hands slid up to brush over my face before her arms wrapped around my neck. Her expression was accepting, a small, hopeful smile turning up the corner of her lips.
"I love you," she whispered, leaning in closer. I smiled and moved forward too.
"I love you too," I replied. Our lips met in a short but sweet kiss, bittersweet in the moment. When we parted, Jade pulled away until she was just holding my hands.
"Run away with me. If we're to be executed we should at least try to escape. It's better than letting them get their way," she proposed, her voice strengthening into determination.
"Wherever you go, I'll follow," I agreed, my hands tightening on hers. She grinned and I returned it before we both jogged over to the edge of the stage. At this point, the forbidden lovers would run off together, hopefully to safety. As for Jade and I, we stood, holding hands, to bow to the class together. They stared with mouths hanging open. It was then I realized I couldn't see Sikowitz.
"Hey, where's Sikowitz?" I questioned out loud. The class seemed to break from their trance at the mention of our missing teacher. We all looked around until Andre pointed to a spot on the floor.
"I think he passed out," he commented. I hadn't even heard him hit the floor because I was so lost in the scene and the class most likely hadn't for the same reason.
"Oh no!" Cat cried out, her hands over her mouth in worry. Robbie crouched down to check on him when he sprang to his feet, knocking Robbie over.
"Great Gandhi! How in the holy coconuts did you girls pull off such an amazing performance without killing each other? I was fully expecting a fight scene full of anger and hate, one in which there is a victor and a loser. I was expecting all this and yet I received better. Great job you two! Very exciting and shocking with plenty of emotion! Thank you for that high level display. You may take your seats," he praised, walking over to take our place on the stage. We sat down, hands still linked together.
The class followed suit, most of the students passing by giving us some form of positive acknowledgement. All except the two I had my eye on. They were too suspicious for my liking and I was sure Jade felt the same way. Each of our friends congratulated us, impressed smiles like the rest of the humans in our class. They were unaware of the message we just put out there, a message that was specifically directed at the world hidden in plain sight. The rest of the lesson went by normally, or as normal as it could get after that. The bell rang at the end of class, comically cutting off Sikowitz midsentence like it tended to do more often than not. We all trickled out of the room to head to lunch.
"Man, you guys, that was amazing!" Andre said as we walked.
"Yeah, it was soooo romantic, but sad," Cat added, nodding enthusiastically as she agreed with Andre.
"I don't know if anyone can ever top that," Robbie commented.
"Why thank you," I replied with a mock bow, making Jade shake her head.
"It was nothing. Too easy in fact for an actor as skilled as I am," she stated cockily yet playful. I laughed and took her hand in mine to tug on her arm.
"Don't be like that, Jade," I scolded her just as playfully.
"Be like what? Awesome?" she continued, looking at me with that smirk that always made me anxious yet excited.
"Yeah," I replied easily with a shrug. She laughed and tugged me closer to press a kiss to my lips, effortlessly executing the action and letting me go so that we continued to walk unhindered.
"You guys are going to need a room now, aren't you?" Andre teased, making Cat giggle. Jade glared at him but I joined Cat in laughing.
"Jade will," I quipped cheekily. She turned her glare on me next.
"Oh man, Rex is missing out," Robbie said excitedly. Jade's glare then fell on him and he flinched.
"No!" I yelled at him just as Jade did. He cringed but nodded rapidly to show he wouldn't go get his annoying, flirty, and downright vulgar at times, puppet. We all ordered something at the grub truck and found a table in the shade. Jade had adamantly refused to be in the sun and told the others they could sit alone for all she cared but she was sitting in the shade, so we did as she was evasively asking for without really asking. I had noticed the sun didn't really bother her this morning but prolonged exposure to it would most likely be too much.
"So, now that you guys have returned, I was thinking we should…" Andre began but his words faded. We all gave him a questionable stare but his eyes were locked on something somewhere over my shoulder. Jade and I stopped eating to turn around in our seats. We looked back at him to try and gauge where his line of sight led to. When we figured it out we both groaned at the same time. Emily had just swung into an empty parking space, her ostentatious red convertible catching eyes as well as she was. Nathan and Lara sat in the back. Nathan wore a scarf around his neck and a pair of dark shades sat on his nose. Emily adjusted her hair in the mirror before putting a wide brimmed hat on and wide framed sunglasses tinted brown.
"The blonde looks familiar but who are the other two?" Robbie asked, truly confused. Andre continued to stare like he was hypnotized and Cat kept tilting her head one way then the other, trying to make sense of it all. Jade gave me a look that clearly asked what Nathan and Lara were doing here. I knew she could feel my nervous anxiety, and a moment later, her hand fell on my leg in an attempt to calm me down. It worked, but only slightly. Our vampire acquaintances stepped out of the car and began walking over, their sights set on us almost instantly.
"Shit," I heard Jade curse under her breath. They stopped at our table, Nathan and Lara offering smiles while Emily frowned.
"We tried both of your phones but you didn't answer. We need to talk," she stated in a deadpan.
"Later. Can't you see we're in school? As you should be," Jade snapped, emphasizing our predicament. Her eyes flicked over at a table full of curious humans not too far away. When they realized Jade was glaring daggers at them they hastily turned away as if they hadn't been staring at all. Jade's wrath was a good reminder that they should mind their own business. Emily opened her mouth to answer when she was interrupted.
"Why hello there, who are you? I'm Andre Harris," Andre suddenly said, standing to offer a hand. Emily's lip curled in agitation.
"Uh, Andre, I really don't recommend pursuing her," I advised him kindly with a discouraging shake of my head.
"Yeah, she's a bitch," Jade chimed in helpfully, but not really. Emily snarled and turned her eyes on Jade.
"At least I'm not someone else's bitch," she said acerbically, her eyes flicking over to me before focusing on Jade again, a smug smirk gracing her face. Was she referring to me or Jade? Heck, it didn't matter. That was a low blow and she knew it. My temper rose a notch but Jade already had me beat in that department. I felt the sharp biting anger shoot through our Bond before she stood to confront the blonde.
"What did you say?" she growled, tone low and dangerous. I looked around frantically before standing to grab Jade by the arm. Andre didn't seem at all worried with the way things were going because he looked at me and then back at Emily whose scowl deepened when she caught him staring. His eyes widened before he moved on to Lara, offering her his hand and another introduction. I shook my head again.
"Not her either. She's taken," I told him, beginning to get irritated. Andre never seemed to catch a break when it came to dating, and any other time I wouldn't mind, but now was really not the time. Nathan had already gripped Lara's hand possessively and pulled her back just enough to show she was taken. Andre deflated and dropped his hand, Lara giving him an apologetic smile.
"Sorry," she further apologized.
"Aw man, and she has an accent! Why do hot chicks show up and I can't even talk to one of them!" he complained, stomping his foot at every word before returning to his seat. Cat patted his shoulder and Robbie gave him a shrug.
"You get used to it," he reassured his friend.
"But I don't want to get used to it," he mourned, shaking his head dejectedly. Jade shot them an annoyed frown before facing Emily again. She was probably determined to pick a fight and Emily was someone who could guarantee that. I knew school wouldn't keep her interest for long.
"What do you want Emily? You better talk fast before I decide to do something about your earlier comment," Jade warned, her mouth set in a heavy frown. I could see she was trying hard to keep herself from showing her fangs.
"What makes you think I'll tell you now?" she stated, childishly crossing her arms and turning away.
"You little-" Jade grumbled, taking a step forward only for her to be yanked back by my hand.
"Emily, stop," Nathan spoke up, voice soothing. He placed a hand on her shoulder, catching her attention, before he removed her from her stance in front of Jade.
"We came to tell you the Bucket is free and very useful," Nathan shared, his eyes staring at us pointedly. I was seriously confused now because, what the heck was he talking about? But suddenly, I understood and Jade's eyes lit up in acknowledgment too.
"Where?" she demanded, stepping forward with hands clenched.
"A little shop by the edge of the woods. You have to hurry because I'm not sure how long it'll be there," Lara told us urgently. I nodded and grabbed my bag, Jade following next to me.
"Wait, you guys are ditching school for a bucket? And who are these guys?" Robbie asked, puzzled expression set in all our friend's faces.
"Lara, Nathan, and Emily; our friends," I answered hurriedly, not slowing down at all.
"Sure. See you guys," Jade said just as hastily.
"Let's get going," she directed at me. We gathered our things quickly and I grabbed my lunch to go. I wasn't willing to skip out on eating. We all power walked back to our cars.
"Why isn't he still in jail?" Jade questioned quietly once we were far enough from earshot.
"We'll explain later. Not here," Emily snapped. Jade growled but didn't retort. I knew she didn't like being told what to do, especially from someone she disliked, but she had no choice.
"Follow us," Nathan instructed before we split to get in our respective cars. I sent out a message to Trina, telling her not to worry or sound any alarms until I said so. She was reluctant but agreed only because she was glad I told her where I was going in the first place. She told me she would be checking in and advised me to stay close to Jade. I smiled at that and thanked her before returning my attention to the situation at hand.
"What did Trina say?" Jade questioned me as she started up the car.
"How did you-" I started to question but she cut me off.
"I can feel you communicating through a different link. So, what did she say?" she explained before repeating her question. Her eyes stayed on the rearview mirror, waiting for Emily to drive by so we could follow.
"She thanked me for telling her where I was going. She promised she wouldn't say a thing unless I tell her to. She said she would check in and that I should stay close to you," I explained, a small smile spreading as I reiterate the conversation. I began digging into my lunch, glancing over to see Jade smirk knowingly at the end of my explanation and then began backing out as soon as Emily passed by.
"Well at least we have her watching out for you. I mean, sisters do know best," she replied teasingly. She nudged my shoulder and I laughed. We stayed close behind Emily as she led us towards the outskirts of town, nearing the location the nomads usually frequented.
"I wonder why he's out here or how he even got out. And why the fuck are they helping him instead of taking him back to jail?" Jade fumed.
"He must have a good reason," I pointed out, setting aside my now empty container. We stayed quiet the rest of the way after that. Emily pulled off onto a side road that curved down an incline following the woods. A small stream I had never noticed before lined the other side. She pulled up to a stop by a small cabin tucked in by the edge of the woods. They climbed out and we did too, meeting up with them by their car.
"He got word from another inmate who had just returned from questioning. He refused to speak until Beck told him he was a fellow follower of St. Claire. He told him everything, and soon after, Beck mutilated himself in an effort to get out," Emily began to explain without preamble upon seeing us.
"What did he find out?" Jade asked her.
"We don't know. He wouldn't say anything until we got you guys," Lara answered.
"Yeah, and he's pretty messed up. Like Emily said, he mutilated himself so that he would be taken out to the infirmary. On the way there he broke loose and escaped. They thought he was really injured so they let their guard down, but I guess he wasn't really if he managed to get away. Either that or he's stronger than we thought," Nathan continued, taking over explaining.
"That sneaky bastard," Jade grumbled, crossing her arms like she was angry yet I could hear the reluctant admiration in her tone.
"Yeah. I was surprised he found us at all. He was practically dragging himself by the time he reached us," Lara mentioned. I exchanged a look with Jade before turning back to them.
"Take us to him," I requested. Lara nodded and took Nathan's hand before dragging him along behind Emily who was already walking up the hill to the small cabin. I started forward with Jade right next to me. My nerves were making me anxious. What could Beck have possibly found out that was so important he had to escape jail and risk far worse punishment should he get caught? I didn't like the direction things were taking. That weird ominous feeling coiled in my stomach, warning me of something I had no choice but to face head on.
Random thought of the day that really confuses me: how in the heck do some people get like hundreds of reviews a day? Especially when the fic is crazy short or (to me) could use more. Maybe I bore people with details or they have to read too much? Is that it? Or maybe it's because I refuse to beg for them or set limits on how much I get before another chapter (that always sucks and reminds me too much of a business demanding from consumers). I don't know what it is. but, whatever. I'm happy to see the same readers still sticking it out through the whole story. Thanks for that and to anyone (member or not) for the awesome reviews! Keep 'em comin'!