Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Overgrown
I could feel my entire body tremble as I watched Felix walk away. Jacob was at my side, hugging me, but even his warmth couldn't dissipate the chill traveling up and down my spine. A rasping sound came from somewhere until Jacob knelt in front of me to give me a firm shake.
"Bella, snap out of it," he said, his eyes glancing to other patrons. That was when I realized I was hyperventilating.
"I can't go to Italy in a couple weeks. I have finals in a month," I said, my hands grabbing his arms.
He laughed, shaking his head at me. "Only you would be threatened by one of them and worry about school." He stood up, taking me with him, his face grim. "Come on, let's find the others."
"Jacob, what about my dad?" I asked.
"Maybe he's bluffing."
"It didn't feel like bluffing." As soon as we were out of the store he swung me up into his arms, all but setting me on his shoulder, in order to weave more easily through the crowds. My eyes scanned every face, but they were all human. More than anything I wanted my vampires.
The promised sunlight was once again being taken over by clouds when I finally spotted Edward. He was trapped in the corridor through Cinderella's castle, the sun tenaciously shining down in that one spot, looking anxious. As soon as Jacob crossed into the shadow I was in Edward's arms.
"I heard Felix," he said, almost crushing me to him. "Don't worry, Bella, we'll think of something. First we need to get out of here."
A glance back the way we came showed that the sun would not be cooperating. "Maybe we can make a diversion? Then you can run behind the crowds?" I asked.
"Yeah, because humans never notice something shiny," Jacob said, rolling his eyes. "Come on, Bella. Put that Dartmouth education to use."
A door opened behind us, followed by a whispered, "Excuse me." Turning we saw Cinderella coming from a door.
"The tunnels…" I started, but Edward was ahead of me.
Yanking out his phone he called Alice. "We're stuck in the castle," he told her before his words became too quiet and fast for me to make out.
It seemed Jacob didn't have any trouble making out what was being said. "I'm not going to phase into a wolf and run through the park," he said through gritted teeth. He glared at Edward, then stormed out into the sunshine.
"What?" I asked, turning to Edward.
"Alice can't see," he murmured to me before saying to Alice, "Look now."
Visions of possibilities roiled through my head, drowning out the noise of the crowds. The thought of kneeling to Aro, becoming one of his guard, made me physically ill. I knew he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, and that what he wanted most was ultimate power. Were a few vampires gathering together really a threat to them? What would he do to my family to remain secure in his position?
Edward's arm came around my waist, pulling me close, snapping me out of the frightening thoughts. A gentle kiss to my temple calmed me enough to see that others were noticing us, looking at us with concern.
"Get ready to run, Bella," Edward whispered in my ear. There wasn't time to ask him what we were running from when the entire passageway was set aglow as lightening struck. The thunder reverberated from the walls, painfully loud, forcing my hands to my ears in protection. With an oath Edward picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder he darted out into the subsequent downpour.
Jacob was beside us a minute later. "I thought you were going to use the tunnels?" he shouted as we wove through the crowds.
"Alice said this would be faster. The lightening has shorted their systems and it's going to be a madhouse down there," he shouted back. "I still wish you'd phase. An overgrown dog would clear a path much faster."
"And create panic…"
"They'll think it's part of an act…"
"Quit whining and run," Jacob said, only both of them slid to a stop. Quickly I was spun around and placed on my feet. At first I was thankful to not be looking backward. That lasted until I saw what was in front of me. "Let me handle this." Jacob's entire body began to shake.
"Oh, great, now you phase," Edward murmured as he thrust me at Jacob. "Take Bella."
"No!" I screamed, reaching for him, but Jacob had me.
"I'll take her to the car," he shouted, carrying me more conventionally and blocking my view of Edward facing off with Felix. "Quit squirming, Bells. People will think I kidnapped you."
"You have to take me back to him!" I shouted, fighting against his impossible strength. Twisting my body I looked back in time to see Carlisle, Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie take up positions around Felix. Esme was pushing my mom and Phil in front of her, Marta trailing behind them.
A roar came across the asphalt, drowned out quickly by more thunder. Jacob stopped and turned, running back to the confrontation. For a moment I was elated he was taking me with him, until he handed me off to Esme.
It seemed that all human eyes were on the confrontation playing out just inside the gate, so the appearance of a giant wolf caught them all off guard. A gasp ran through the crowd, and I could hear comments of how impressively life-like the animatronics looked.
Edward spread his hands wide, looking pointedly from Felix to his family and on to the people pointing at them. With a smirk, Felix bowed and rushed forward to attack my husband. Edward sidestepped quickly, reached out and, with a foot on Felix's back, ripped his arm off.
"It's so realistic," a woman next to me said as Felix roared in pain. "I wonder how they do it."
"There's no blood, though," a man next to her said. "I guess it is Disney. They can't have it be too graphic."
"Bella, what is going on?" Renee asked. That's when I realized Esme hadn't pulled them away.
"I don't know."
"You're a terrible liar."
"I'll explain later," Esme said, the fear in her voice palpable.
With an arm gone Felix was noticeably more cautious. He and Edward circled around each other, feinting, but neither going in for more. The crowd began to take sides, cheering for one or the other. Another clap of thunder shook the ground, and with it Edward rushed in, twisting Felix's head off his body. The shrieking sound could barely be heard over the waves of sound.
The crowd erupted in cheers. "At least they gave us a show to entertain us during the rain and power outage," the man who spoke earlier said.
"It wasn't very long, though," his companion complained. "The least they could have done is draw it out. I wonder how they made it look so real, though."
Edward was bowing to the crowd, introducing the others, who were picking up Felix's body. They each waved as they were introduced, and exited through the gate, carrying the body. Loud cheers followed them. "Great special effects!" and "How did you do that?" were shouted out, only to be answered that secrets were never revealed.
It was a quiet drive home. I was thankful Carlisle and Esme were riding with Phil and Renee in one car, leaving the rest of us to pile into the van. Questions and worries went through my mind, but after being quieted by Edward so he could listen into the other car's conversation, I didn't speak.
Jacob was driving, and made a stop for food, putting distance between us and my parents. When we finally arrived Emmett and Jasper unloaded the grisly reminder of the fight to start a bonfire on the beach as Edward walked me into the house. The others were watching a news report about a flash-mob of actors entertaining by putting on a mock fight when the power was down at Disney. Thankfully, none of us were on camera, they arrived after we left.
Renee listened to the gushing onlookers for a few moments before turning off the TV and throwing the remote on the couch. "Okay, I'm ready for the truth. What really happened?"
To all who celebrate it, Happy Easter! I'll have about 20 people at my house, so it should be fun. Hopefully all the snow that fell today will melt by then.