EDITED RE POSTED JAN 22
Title: Twisted Twilight
Author: Midnight
BETA: Moonlitone
Synopses: A different version of Twilight. What if Renee never married Phil, but John Reed, a local cop. John is actually an alcoholic, and is abusive to Bella and Renee. It's after a brutal attack, that Bella decides to go to Forks to live with her Father. As Bella's life experiences have changed, so has our beloved story. See how!
Rating: T
Chapter: Fifteen
Chapter Title: Answers
Warning: Includes mention of violence, and rape.
Author's Note: It's been a really long time, I'm sorry. I've been dying with another TERRIBLE cold, not to mention I've got a killer amount of reading this term. Better late then never, though- right?
And I have a BETA reader now, so super special thanks to moonlite, who rocks.
Special Thanks: Suuz112, Drama Kagome(ditto), Salvations Redemption, switzerland10105, chloehudgens, Azn Grl Twilight Fan , Nekokitten1123, A is for Angel, Romance4ever, Angels heart1, Crystallized Hope, LaoR (You?), victoria, Gothic Saku-chanx2,Ghostwriter, Feenraix2, Little Silver Rose(bc im an idiot), divine divinityx2, TheKimikoGirl, mikan kisses, RoryAceHayden147, AJ Edwins, Stargirlrox-hearts-Avatar, unknown, bluehazegrl, Neko4, HerLadyship, iamkagomeiloveinuyasha(M?), VampsforChamps62, iamkagomeiloveinuyasha, DancinBlondeGurl, Stephenie-Meyer-Addicted
I awoke, suddenly, my heart pounding and my mind racing like mad. Nothing was making much sense; I had seen Jacob as a large wolf. Edward and Jacob hated each other. I looked from side to side, taking in my complete surrounding, and realizing the full extent- it was just a dream. Suddenly, a cold shudder ran down my spine. The book was waiting, patiently, for me. Beckoning. After tonight, I don't think there was any chance that I even could let this go, so I weakly pulled myself from bed, and stumbled across the black room.
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I saw the bright red numbers telling me it was only three am- plenty of time. Quietly as I could, I sat myself down at my desk and cracked open the index. Most of the chapters where on tribal history, and minor legends, but I didn't really know what I was looking for. Chapter 15- Cold Ones. Pages 254.
Edward's hand where ice cold- it fit. I flipped through the pages, desperately wanting to get to page 254, and yet fearing it at the same time. I stopped once I found it, and was faced with a strange picture of a Native American mask depicting the 'cold ones'. With one a last deep breath, I dove into the reading, knowing I was far past the point of no return.
But the book didn't tell me anything I didn't already know; super strength, and cold skinned. It also mentioned, as Edward tried to warn me thousands of times, that the 'cold ones' where incredibly dangerous. The author even made mention of a pack, made a long time ago, between a tribal chief and the head of a local clan on 'cold ones'. I recognized the last name 'Black' automatically, like it burned the skin.
Jacob Black. Billy Black....
Was Billy the new Chief of this tribe, passed on throughout the years, and gained through blood?
The legends of the cold ones dated as far back as the ones about the tribe being of Descendants of wolves, and some sooner then that. The more recent where mentioned with the alliance made between the Black chief.
The Wolf-man, more commonly known in modern culture as 'werewolves' and the cold ones are natural enemies. According to legend, as the book speaks about, the cold ones are the only known enemy of the 'werewolves', for reasons unknown to this day.
None the less, when a 'coven' of these cold ones found residence near the La Push territory, so many years ago, a war almost raged between the two. The head of the coven attempted to calm they where not like others of their kinds, and did not mean any harm. So a pack was formed between the two tribes; an understand that to this day has not been broken. As long as the coven stayed off the Natives lands, then they wouldn't reveal what they truly are to the 'pale faces'.
However, all of this is completely myth, forged on old tribal superstitions. No real evidence exists of this pack, or of the 'cold ones', or even that the tribe has descended from wolves.
I looked up, my stomach twisting again. Jacob- wolf. I head seen Jacob in both of my dreams as a wolf. How had I known that, if this was the first time I had even ever heard of this? I closed the book, and turned on my computer- more research was needed. All the book had given me was an idea of where to start, but absolutely no real answers. Part of me was beginning to wonder if I had figured it out, any ways, but I refused to say the word to myself.
As soon as I loaded up Google, I typed 'cold ones' and hit enter. Results 1 10 of about 41,800,000 for cold ones. (0.16 seconds) seemed to proclaim proudly from the right corner. I clicked the first result; an article by Richard Pitaniello © 2003. It was a story about Vampires, clearly false, saying all the stars in the universe had disappeared. My space, an different liqueurs obscured my search. I was frustrated.
I clicked one of the many 'O's' at the bottom of the page, just at random, and hoped for the best.
World Legend: Fantasy or Reality? Was the second result- I clicked it. It was like fate had been guiding my hand.
The page itself didn't say anything besides what was mentioned in the book I had bought, but at the bottom of the page, there was a link "compare this to other world legends...." read aloud before clicking it. This was it.
Several countries, continents even, where listed as having related stories. And as I read, several words seemed to jump from the screen to me;
Super-strength
Unseeable speed
Cold-skinned
Sun Sensitivity
Immortal
I knew then I couldn't avoid it any longer. I finally clicked North America, which I had been avoiding. Vampire. The word seemed to burn the top of my screen, like it was alive. And as I stared at it, expecting the fear to come, it never did. At last, I had an answer.
Curiosity now taking over, I reopened google.
I had attempted, unsuccessfully, to go back to sleep, but simply tossed and turned until five am. When I couldn't take it anymore, I pulled myself form the blankets, and walked in a
slight daze. I was standing on the edge of a cliff now, waiting for his response. I wondered if he would be angry, or happy, or- indifferent?
Was I taking this to a level he never wanted it to reach? That's what scared me the most; to think that he didn't care like I did- that he didn't want this, like I did. My stomach tightened as I showered, the hot water blurring the world around me.
But no matter what his reaction was, it was too late now. I couldn't turn back, even if I wanted to. The hard part for me had always been making the decision, and now I had made it. I took a huge breath, while running the hair brush through my long hair. What strange world had I crossed into here? What realm of insanity was I walking? Everything I thought I knew, was being questioned. But that was part of the deal, I guess.
Only two options seemed practical. The first was to take Edward's advice: to be smart, to avoid him as much as possible. To cancel our plans, to go back to ignoring him as far as I was able. To pretend there was an impenetrable thick glass wall between us in the one class we where forced together. To tell him to leave me alone- and mean it this time.
I was gripped in a suddenly agony of despair as I considered the alternative. My mind rejected the pain, quickly skipping on to the next option.
I could do nothing different. After all, if he was something.... sinister, he'd done nothing to hurt me so far. In fact, I would be a dent in Tyler's fender if he hadn't acted so quickly. So quickly, I argued with myself, that it might have been sheer reflexes. But if it was reflex to save lives, how bad could he really be? I retorted. My head spun around in answer-less circles.
But the truth be told, I couldn't leave him. And I don't think he could leave me. The next step would be- painful, in a sense, but not as painful as separation. He would attempt to push me away, but I wouldn't let him.
Because some part of him, however small, felt strongly for me, and I couldn't ignore that. We had some connection- one, so controlling, and so powerful, that to break it would end terribly. Like fate itself had places it there.
Then I knew I had my answer. I didn't matter to me what he was.
The idea of that didn't terrify me anywhere near as much as it should have.
The drive to the school was bleak, and silent. Charlie was still sleeping as I left- it was only six am. I debated leaving him a note, but reality didn't really seem to matter. It was cloudy today- perfect weather. I pulled into the parking lot next to the shiny Volvo, the only other car in the lot, and climbed out.
My eyes where locked on Edward Cullen, sitting on a bench with Alice, but none of the others. Alice motioned to my approaching figure. My heart raced. I was terrified he was going to be angry with me; I hated angry guys. She stood, gracefully, in time with Edward, but then left. He turned to face me, his eyes a warm honey color. A good sign- men are always less cranky when they're not hungry. Edward started to smile, but stopped when he got a look of my expression.
I walked right past him, after a quick moment of eye contact. It worked- he followed.
I lead the way across the grounds, into the damp forest. Silently he treaded behind me. I kept walking until I could trust myself to speak.
The action of leaving the yard was pointless at the time- no one else was here yet. But, I wanted to make sure that we'd be safe if things- carried on for awhile.
"Bella?" Edward suddenly called, causing me to stop. I turned around, and dropped my bag.
"Why didn't you just tell me?" I suddenly asked, surprised at my own anger. "Instead I had to spend sleepless nights trying to figure out if I was insane, and if I wasn't, then I had to find a rational explanation. But there isn't a rational explanation."
"Your book was of no help?" He tried to smirk, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"No, it was useful." I muttered. "You didn't answer my question. Why didn't you just tell me yourself?"
"Bella," he said, placing his forefinger and thumb on his nose. "I don't know what you're even talking about. You're not making any sense." His hand dropped, revealing his honey eyes.
"You're impossibly strong, and fast. Your skin is pale white, and ice cold. You eyes change colour. You never eat or drink anything. You don't go out in the sunlight," I chocked out.
"I was very wrong; you're much more observant then I gave you credit for," Edward's voice was muffled, a clear attempt to hide his pain- it failed.
"And sometimes you act like you're from a different era," I pushed on, then paused, "how old are you?" I asked softly, stepping towards him. His response was automatic.
"Seventeen."
"How long have you been seventeen?" His lips twitched up slightly.
"Awhile." He admitted at last.
"I know what you are, Edward Cullen." I said slowly, the sound of his name escaping my lips sent chills down my spine. Edward looked up, waiting for his judgement. I smiled softly.
"I read that book, then did research on the Internet."
"And did that convince you?"
"I searched through countless pages for a long time, and none of it fit. Most of it was actually pretty silly. But I found one page- different related myths from around the world- and bits and pieces sort of matched. When I knew for certain I'd figured it out, I was worried you be angry-"
"That I'd be angry?" This idea seemed to amuse him, pulling of the dark sheet that was slowly suffocating him.
"I-" I quickly stopped myself to gather my words. "After everything I read, I realized an important conclusion."
"What was that?"
"It didn't matter."
"It didn't matter?" Edward's light humor, and soft sadness both suddenly vanished and was replaced the anger I feared. I stepped backwards intuitively.
"No," I said softly, attempting to stand my ground. I hate angry men. "It doesn't matter to me what you are."
A hard, mocking edge entered into his voice. "You've clearly got the wrong answer, Bella. Believe me, you would care if you knew- knew that I was a monster." He was disgusted with himself, I realized quickly. My fear was replaced empathy.
"I know what you are." I said confidently.
"Say it aloud." He said, his tone bleak and cold. "If you really think you know, then say it."
"Vampire." The word escaped my mouth for the first time, and it didn't scare me like it should have. His face looked shocked- then confused- then warm- then, the smallest flicker of hope seemed to flash in his eyes, even though he didn't dare smile.
"Are you afraid?" he asked, slowly.
"No."
"You don't care that I'm not human?"
"No," I repeated, strongly. "Edward, good and evil exist everywhere, in every realm of this world- that includes races- or species- I don't really know what the difference between you and me is." Edward finally smiled. "And the truth is, everyone has issues or baggage or whatever you want to call it."
It was only then I realized he was inches away from me. My whole body longed to reach out and trust him, but I was afraid that if I did, he would just vanish before my eyes.
"This is a mistake." He closed his eyes, and turned away from me. My heart sank. "A very dangerous mistake."
"I would never tell anyone," I whispered, shocked. "Believe me, I know how to keep a secret."
He looked into my eyes, his glance held me in a strange trance. The gold was hypnotic- and I lost my train of thoughts.
"I meant dangerous for you, Bella." Edward blinked, and his eyes became cold, hard. "You haven't asked the most important question."
I blinked, still dazed, "Which one is that?"
"Aren't you concerned about my diet?" he asked, sarcastically.
"Oh," I murmured, "that."
"Yes, that." His voice was bleak. "Don't you want to know if I drink blood?"
"Everyone has to survive," I whispered. I had to looked down at my feet, so he couldn't see the pain in my eyes. What if he did? Could I truly date a killer?
"Nothing you read said other wise, did it?" he pushed.
"Well, the book mentioned that when a treaty was formed with the La Push tribe, the head of your coven made a clam that you weren't like others of your kind." I muttered, surprised I remembered.
"The Quileute people have a long memory," he whispered. A long moments passed between the two of us.
"You can trust me, Edward. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that." I sat down on the wet ground, and looked up at him patiently. He followed suit. For a long moment, we just stared at each other, each lost in our own thoughts. I gazed into his golden eyes, welcoming the warmth with suddenly radiated from them- the warmth that signaled he made up his mind.
"We don't want to be monsters, Bella." His voice was very low, and he tried to looked away from me as he spoke. "So we hunt animals instead."
"But animals aren't enough?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
"I can't be sure, of course., but I'd compare it to living on tofu and soy milk; we call ourselves vegetarians, our little inside joke. It doesn't completely satiate the hunger- or rather thirst. But it keeps us strong enough to resist. Most of the time." His tone turned ominous. "Sometimes it's more difficult then others."
"Is it very difficult for you now?"
He sighed. "Yes."
"But you're not hungry now," I said confidently- stating, not asking.
"Why do you think that?"
"Your eyes. I've noticed that people- men in particular- are crabbier when they're hungry."
He chuckled, causing my heart to flutter. "You really are extremely observant."
I didn't respond; I just listened to the sound of his laugh, committing it to memory.
"Were you hunting this weekend with Emmett and Jasper?" I asked when it was quite again.
"Yes." He paused for a second, as if deciding whether or not to say something. "As I said; I didn't really want to go, but I had to. It's easier to be around you when I'm not thirsty."
"Oh," I nodded, understanding.
"Don't laugh- but how can you go out during the daytime?" I asked, trying to lighten the conversation again.
"Myth."
"Burned by the sun?"
"Myth."
"Sleeping in coffins?"
"Myth." He hesitated for a moment, and peculiar tone entered his voice. "I can't sleep."
It took me a minute to absorb that. "At all?"
"Never," he said, his voice nearly inaudible.
"Give you a lot of free time to think then, I guess." I said, and shrugged.
"You said you where only gone for three days, right?"
"Yes?"
"But the sun doesn't hurt you?"
"No." He was confused; he looked absolutely adorable when he got confused.
"Then why weren't you in school- you selectively avoided that question last night."
"Well, the sun doesn't hurt me, but I still can't go out in the sunlight. At least- not where anyone can see."
"Why?"
"I'll show you sometimes," he promised.
"Okay." I agreed. After a moment, I let myself lay down into the wet grass; Edward followed suit beside me. "Do you believe in fate?" I asked again.
"I think so." He whispered.
"Me too." Edward suddenly sat up straight, and leaned on his side so he cloud look me in the eye.
"Bella I can't read you mind, so you have to tell me what you're thinking. Tell me the truth." He suddenly said.
"I always tell you the truth." I whispered, taking in his angel like face.
"You edit." he accused, causing me to chuckle.
"Not much."
"Just enough to make me crazy." He whined. I prompt myself up on my elbow, so we where at eye level.
"What are you thinking?" he agonized.
"That I'm afraid now." I whispered, our faces far too close together then was safe. He looked sad, and tried to move back. Very carefully- deliberately, I reached up to his face, careful to make me movements known- causing him to pause. My hand stopped on his icy cheek. "I'm afraid of losing you. I feel like you're just going to vanish."
"I'm not going anywhere; I can't." He whispered back. My thumb gently traced his cheek bone. We stayed like that for a long moment, until he finally broke the silence.
"We should get back, if we hurry no one will even notice we where up here."
"Okay." Edward stood with impossible speed, and helped me to my feet. He even picked up my bag for me. Suddenly, I shuttered at the cold, wet grass made it's marks. Edward looked ashamed of himself, and he dropped my bag.
"How had I forgotten?" He muttered, "I'm so sorry." He shrugged off his jacket, and put it around me. "Better?"
"Thanks." I smiled warmly, and put my arms through the sleeves. He picked up my bag again, and we kept walking.
As we breached the tree line, I remembered an important factor. Only Alice had been sitting with him. "Where's the rest of you family."
"They took Rosalie's car." He shrugged as he pointed out a glossy red convertible with the top up- it was a BMW M3; I would be surprised if I was drooling. "Ostentatious, isn't it?"
"Um, wow," I breathed. "If she has an M3, why do they ride with you?"
"Like I said, it's ostentatious. We try to blend in."
"You don't succeed." I laughed and shook my head as we got closer to the pavement. "So why did Rosalie drive today if it's more conspicuous?"
"I came here to meet you," he said, like it was obvious. "Alice is the most- supportive, so she came with me." Edward was staying very close to my side as we walked across campus. I wanted to close hat little distance, to reach out and touch him again, but I was afraid he wouldn't like me to.
"Why do you have cars like that at all?" I wondered aloud. "If you're looking for privacy?"
"An indulgence," he admitted with an impish smile. "We all like to drive fast."
"Figures," I joked.
Under the shelter of the cafeteria roof's overhand, Jessica was waiting, her eyes about to bug out of their sockets. Over her arm, bless her, was my jacket.
"Hey Jessica," I said when we were a few feet away. "Thanks for remember." She handed me my jacket without speaking.
"Good morning, Jessica." Edward said politely. It wasn't really his fault that his voice was so irresistible. Or what his eyes where capable of. I took one last sniff of Edward's coat as I shrugged it off, and handed it to him. He quickly put it on, and helped me shrug into my own.
Such a gentleman.
"Er... hi." She shifted her wide eyes to me, trying to gather he jumbled thoughts. "I guess I'll see you in Trig." She gave me a meaningful look, and I suppressed a sigh. What on earth was a going to tell her?
"Yeah, I'll see you then."
She walked away, pausing twice to peek back over her shoulder at us.
"What are you going to tell her?" Edward murmured.
"Hey, I thought you couldn't read my mind?" I hissed.
"I can't," he said, startled. Then understanding brightened his eyes. "However, I can read hers- she'll be waiting for ambush you in class." I groaned.
"So, what are you going to tell her?"
"A little help?" I pleaded. "What does she want to know?"
He shock his head, grinning wickedly. "That's not fair."
"Please?" I gave the best puppy dog impression I could. He chuckled, and lead the way to my first class.
"She wants to know if we're secretly dating. And she wants to know how you feel about me." he finally said.
"What should I tell her?" I tried to keep my expression very innocent. People were passing us on their way to class, probably staring, but I was barely aware of them.
"Hmmmm." He paused to catch a stay lock of hair that was escaping the twist of on my neck and wound it back into place. My heart spluttered hyperactively. "You tell me."
"What?" I asked, confused. Edward chuckled, then looked away- was that an embarrassed expression?
"It would be easiest to say yes to the first, as opposed to any other explanation, but I would never assume such a thing without your consent."
"Are you asking me out?" I asked, bluntly without thinking. He merely nodded. I didn't think it was possible, but my heart got going faster. I blushed madly, then also simply nodded in response. I looked up to see him smiling, revealing his prefect white teeth. I smiled back, still blushing.
"As for the second, I'll be waiting for that one myself." One side of his mouth pulled up into my favorite uneven smile. I couldn't catch my breath soon enough to respond to that remark. He turned and walked away.
"I'll see you at lunch," he called over his shoulder. Three people walking in the door stopped to stare at me.
I hurried into the class, flushed but excited.