FINALLY! Yes, I am back and no I am not going to go on with a list of excuses about why I hadn't updated sooner. I refuse to do that. So here's the chapter. I also wanna get a few things clear, that this particular chapter is a bit dark. Not right away and the main character does go through a downhill with her mood. I wanted to make her a bit more fun, but I still have to be true to the original intentions of this story. So I did. And hopefully, you all will enjoy it. That's all I gotta say for now.

So please, enjoy!

o~O~o

For the rest of the day, J.D kept a close eye on me. I'm not bothered since I knew it was out of worry and I greatly appreciated it. Hell, I was concerned about myself as well. I could just feel that something as really wrong with me. I didn't feel quite right, but refrained from showing it. Especially since Lauren had returned to school today as well. Yeah, I'm not entirely sure if that's a good idea, not with the way J.D is keeping an eye on her. Girl looks ready to rip Lauren's throat out. Now that I think of it, some darker part of me is wanting to do that as well. Oh, boy. I should probably give Lillian a call after I get home today.

"Sis?" Bella says, placing a hand gently on my arm. I still jumped.

"Huh?" I blinked, realizing that we were in the cafeteria and I hadn't gotten anything to eat. Uh, yeah, that's not good. Definite cause for concern.

Bella eyes softened as she saw the confusion. "Are you going to eat?"

"Yes, she is," J.D pipes up setting a tray of food in front of me. "You definitely need some food," she paused, staring at me a moment. "Might make you feel better too."

I snort. "Please take note of that for yourself." I am rather snarky today, that's not good.

J.D raised a brow at me. "You're a bit salty."

No kidding. "I know," I sigh. "Sorry about that. I just…don't feel right."

They both look at me.

"What do you mean?" Bells asks, concern creeping into her tone.

I shake my head. "Don't know. Just a feeling."

"Are you feeling better?" A voice pipes up from behind. I would've jumped if I had been in the right state of mind. Looking back I found Alice there, watching me with concerned eyes.

I blink, before shrugging. "I think so."

Alice smiles. "That's good to know. I'll be sure to let Dad know that you're feeling better."

Okay, that's got my attention. "Um…what?" J.D and Bella looked about as confused as I did. Took a minute before J.D started smirking at me. I will definitely have to wipe that off her face. She may be my best friend and I may not like violence, but that doesn't mean I won't use it in this instance.

The pixie grinned. "He asked me to keep an eye on you." I'm not sure how to feel about that piece of information. It sounds rather…odd. Maybe even a little creepy. "You are his patient after all."

Okay, that makes more sense.

"Why?" Bella asks, seeing as how I wasn't going to.

Alice was happy to answer. "Why what? Oh! Dad was just a little concerned after what had happened during her hospital stay. He wanted to make sure she was fine. Besides, Charlie was the one who asked if it were possible for someone to watch Sarah while she was here in school."

Dad?! He thought of this idea?! Why am I not surprised!

"Guess you worried him more than I thought," Bells stated as she looked me over in concern.

I sigh, letting my head fall onto the table with a thunk. "I guess I did. Damn."

"Yeah," Bells whispers. "You're looking a little green, by the way."

I grin like a loon, "You don't get to tell me that I look green, sis. You've been green more times this past year than I can remember."

A very dry, "Ha, ha," reached my ears. Glad to know she understood what I was talking about.

"Happy to be of help," I chirp, keeping my head down as I now feel a bit nauseous. Sure, Bella said that I looked a bit green, but until this moment I hadn't realized that I wasn't feeling so good. Very concerning.

"I'm gonna go now," I state getting up. "I'm not hungry."

J.D blinked, seeming a bit startled by the change of mood. "Are you sure, you're not?"

Bella looked distressed. "You're not?"

They both looked at one another for a moment, then look back at me. I'm not sure if I should feel badly or not for not even making the attempt to eat. But as of this moment I just want to lie down and go back to sleep. Maybe for the rest of the day. Now I know that's not possible since I am here at school, but the idea of it is nice.

I shook my head. "Nope."

J.D's eyes narrowed as she stood up as well. "I'm going with you."

She is? "You are?"

She nods. "Yup. Need to make sure you don't trip over your own two feet."

"That would be Bella," I state dryly, causing my sister to kick at my shin.

"You're a riot," Bella mutters.

I grin. "I try."

I feel like I've got a bodyguard. Fan-damn-tastic. "I should be able to make it outside without too much trouble, J.D. You just sit here and eat."

She shook her head. "Sorry, but I've already eaten. Nice try. Now let's get going," my friend looked back at Bella. "You stay here and eat."

We both blinked as Alice sat down next to Bells. "I think I'll keep her company, if that's okay."

Um… "Sure."

~O~

J.D looked back a moment as she felt someone following us. I didn't need her to tell me whom it was as I had a pretty good idea. I mean, sure, Bella was still in the cafeteria, but there was no way that anyone was going to get information from her whilst Alice was there. At least I hoped they'd leave her alone. I wasn't too keen on leaving my sister at the mercy of anyone curious enough to inquire about anything that had happened.

"She's definitely asking for it," she hisses through clenched teeth.

I sigh. "Calm down, J.D."

The girl shook her head. "Sorry, but that ain't gonna happen, Sar. Lauren technically tried to kill you."

I glance at her. "Yes, well she didn't and I am pretty sure that it wasn't actually by her own will," that got my friend's attention. "While Lauren may have wanted to scare me, I doubt very much that my death would mean anything to her. I don't know her and she doesn't know me."

J.D snorts. "Jealousy is a pretty dark emotion, Sar. It can make anyone do things that they normal might not do. You know that."

I nod. "Well aware, but I stand by my thoughts.

"You think she was possessed?"

"It's a possibility," I answer. "I wouldn't rule it out."

J.D clenched her hands into tight fists. "Fantastic. Something else to worry about."

I nod. "Yup," I grin at her. "Looks like we get all the fun."

She snorts. "So not funny."

I shrug. "I thought it was."

"Of course, you would find that humorous," she snips. "You're about as demented as they come."

"I wouldn't go that far."

"I would."

"Why is she following us?" I inquire, keeping my eyes trained on the front doors that had been replaced at some point before I had returned to the school.

"You're kidding me, right?!" J.D piped up incredulous.

"Hm?"

"You were pushed through a couple of glass doors," she growled out. "You outta be sporting a ton of scars and as anyone who is paying attention, you're not."

Another sigh. "Why should it matter if I am or not?"

J.D blinks. "I think you hit your head harder than you thought because you are talking really insanely right now. I mean, I understand why you don't have any, but other people are not going to. They will be asking a shit ton of questions."

And I'll probably avoid them. "It's fine."

She looks at me like I've grown a second head. Maybe I have. "You definitely need to have a CT because there is no way you're fine with this."

"It's not like I have a choice," I reply as we exit the building. "And really, I am way too tired to actually give a damn," Crossing my arms, I turn to my best friend. "They can ask all the questions they want, doesn't mean that I have to answer them."

J.D shook her head. "Yup, there's the stubborn streak. I thought maybe that got knocked out of your head too."

I raise a brow. "Along with what?"

"You're common sense."

I shrug. "I can understand why you'd think that." I rub my arms, feeling a bit cold or at least colder since it was still considered winter here.

"You all right."

"No, I just got that feeling again."

She nods. "Me too."

We glance back to see Lauren going to the doors, looking rather determined. I was pretty sure that whatever was going on with her wasn't by any way normal. There was a distinct hint of magic flowing around the girl that definitely was not hers. Nope, it belonged to someone else and unfortunately, it eluded me as to whom it did belong – however it did feel familiar.

"You ready for this?" J.D asks quietly as Lauren comes outside.

"Nope."

"Well, that's good to know," she mutters dryly.

"Happy to be of help."

"That's not helpful."

I grin. "Wasn't meant to be."

"Smart-ass."

"That's me."

I leaned back against the wall, waiting for the shit storm that I knew was about to happen. I wasn't worried about Lauren trying anything as J.D used herself a human shield – I wish that she hadn't done that, but it couldn't be helped. Instincts and all that jazz.

I kept an amused expression on my face as Lauren stopped right in front of my friend. "Yes?"

"How the hell are you still here?!" she demanded.

I raise a brow. Cuts right to the chase doesn't she? "Care to explain the question."

"You should still be in the hospital," she snarls. "I saw the damage and there is just no way that you could possibly be able to come back to school after only a week. None!"

That same feeling of wrongness hit me again and I had to keep from cringing as that odd magic attacked my senses head on. Yeah, someone definitely had possessed this girl because there really was no reason for her to want me to be that damaged. At least that's what I am hoping anyway. It's been too long since I had to deal with a situation like this. Way too long.

I shrug.

"Not to mention there is no way you came out of that without a scratch!" she continued on. I was impressed that J.D hadn't snapped – her patience had never been the best, especially when she was in protective mode. Hell, after this I am giving the woman a cookie! Sure, she doesn't need any sugar, but it's the thought that counts.

Hm. "Does it matter?" I reply keeping my tone neutral, but still, I heard the edge in it.

"Yes, it does!"

I cock my head to the side, regarding the girl and trying to figure out what was going on. "Perhaps, but I've always been a fast healer."

"Then you should have scars."

I do, most of them are hidden. "In case you hadn't noticed, I'm wearing long-sleeves," I raise my arm. "So they're covered up."

Lauren's jaw snapped back up. "Oh…"

Yeah, 'oh'. "Don't jump to conclusions or make assumptions," I state, making a move to go back inside. "It's not healthy," I tap J.D's arm, getting her to relax as she had been rather tense throughout the whole thing. "Now if you don't mind, I am starting to feel a bit hungry."

"Oh, sure," J.D groans. "Now you want food."

I roll my eyes. "Shut up."

We walk back inside, me grinning like a total loon and watching J.D shake her head at my apparent craziness. I did not feel bad for leaving Lauren the way that we had. She obviously got the message that she hadn't thought out her questions all that much and I am thrilled that she hadn't realized that I had side stepped the first one. Doesn't matter if she hadn't as I was not about to answer why I wasn't in the hospital longer than a normal person would've been. In a sense, it wasn't really important, not right now anyway.

~O~

"You look psychotic," a voice chimes, stopping me and J.D on our way back into the school.

I smile widely. "And you look like you stuck your finger in a light socket," I pipe up cheerfully, making J.D choke on her laughter.

Edward actually grinned at my retort. Well, it's nice to see a positive emotion from this guy rather than a negative. Maybe I can find out if he actually hates my baby sister or not. Although, I doubt that he does – human or not.

"So, what can I do for you?" I inquire, keeping the smile on my face.

"Nothing. Alice just asked me to keep an eye on you," he replied.

I blink. "Um…why?" I don't need another bodyguard. I've got one and she's more than enough. Of course, I technically don't need her either, but J.D is as stubborn – if not more so – than I am. So even telling her that I won't need one would be like talking to a wall for nine hours straight and expecting it to answer the entire time. There's an image.

"I don't need a keeper…"

"Like hell you don't!" J.D interrupts. "Can't keep you out of trouble!"

Bronze haired male chuckled, especially after I whacked my friend upside the head.

"JESUS!" she snarled. "Did you have to do that?"

I snort. "Yes, yes I did. Besides, I am not the one who –" a hand clasped over my mouth. I felt thwarted. Not a good feeling.

"Now I see why Dad wanted us to keep track of you," Edward states, breaking us out of our argument.

"Say what?"

He asked all of them to keep an eye on me?! I'm not a walking danger magnet here!…Okay, maybe I am, but not in the way that most people would think. It's not my fault that all sorts of supernatural shit happens whenever I'm around. And why in Gods names am I blushing?! Good grief. What is wrong with me?

Don't answer that.

"He's a doctor," I mutter, looking towards the forest. "It's only natural that he be concerned with his patients." Yeah, but it's not natural for them to assign bodyguards to their patients…so why did he?

Silence.

I hate silence. It reminds me of that other place and it chills me to the bone. Of course, that didn't stop J.D from giving me a look that spoke volumes of what she was thinking. She found this to be as odd as I did and neither of us were wanting to voice it out loud.

"Of course." Edward said after a few more moments of silence. Even he doesn't seem convinced and that just makes me even more curious about what the hell is going on. However, I wasn't going to ask. Pretty sure I wouldn't get an answer anyway.

Sigh. I need to get away from all of these depressing thoughts. I need to get myself all nice and cheerful again.

J.D blinked. "That it?"

Edward nods. "Yup. Was there supposed to be something else?"

I stepped on J.D's foot, making her yelp. "That's quite enough out of you," I say with a smile. "Nope there wasn't anything else. Now, let's get back inside because I am famished!"

"Lunch is almost over…" J.D trails off at the glare I give her. "Okay, okay. Sheesh, I forget how much a crab you are when you haven't eaten."

"Damn straight!"

Edward chuckles, following us inside. Great, I've got three bodyguards now. I don't know how much weirder things can get…

~O~

Over the course of the next three days I found myself being followed by either Alice, Edward or J.D. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being escorted, but I swear this is starting to get a little annoying. Doesn't help that when at home Charlie keeps a real close eye on me too when he can. I swear it's getting to feel like people can't even leave alone for a little while. Really, they need to stop this before I get ticked off. I'm getting close as a matter of fact. Why? Because my father has just passed my bedroom for the eighth time in a span of ten minutes.

Sigh. I understand that he's trying to make sure that I am fine, but this is starting to get just a little bit ridiculous.

Pretending to work on homework, I tried really hard not to get annoyed with my own father. I did scare him with that nightmare that I'd had back in the hospital. So I can't blame him for the worry. In some manner, it was rather sweet of him, but I may have to knock some sense into my own father just to get him to back off a bit.

This is getting beyond ridiculous, I thought with a laugh, shutting the book that I had been reading. At one point I started drumming my fingers on the bed cover waiting for him to walk passed my door again. Imagine my happy surprise when someone else popped their heads into my room.

"Sis?"

I grinned widely as she came in. "Hello my dear baby sister," I began causally, "What can I do for you?"

She shook her head at me. "You okay?"

I shrug. "I'd be a lot better if Dad would stop walking passed my door every two minutes," I chuckle, "I'm waiting for round nine."

She sighed. "That's what I told him. Guess he didn't listen."

I bark a laugh. "And you're surprised by this?"

Bella shook her head. "Not really. After all that you'd been through I think it's perfectly normal for Charlie to worry like he does."

Sigh. Yes, it is normal for our father to worry about us, but still there isn't anything normal about me. Wow, I am getting very angsty. I need to get out of here. Get some fresh air maybe. Yeah that sounds like a very good idea.

"So," my sister started, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Any plans for today?"

I blink rapidly before smiling slightly. "It scares me when you start asking me if I have plans."

A grin. "I know. That's why I ask." She's picking up on my mannerisms way too much. Kinda cool.

"So far I have nothing planned except staying inside and vegetating for awhile," I begin cheekily. "Why?"

"Thought we'd go for a walk in the woods or down to the beach," she answered happily.

I raised a brow. "Again why? I'm asking because you don't have the greatest coordination in the world Bella. Last time we went on a nature walk you wound up breaking not only your left ankle, but your right wrist as well." Takes a lot of talent to do that! "Pretty sure having another one of his daughters visiting the ER is not something that Dad wants to go through."

Bella glared. "If I recall the last time you went on one you wound up in the hospital yourself."

"Different circumstances," I reply stiffly at the reminder. "Didn't enjoy either experience as a matter of fact." I hadn't meant for my tone to become edged, but that reminder was like a punch in the gut. It's not that I wanted to forget, more like I didn't need a constant reminder.

From the corner of my eye I saw her flinch.

My eyes snap to her. "Don't you dare apologize," I begin softly, voice a little watery. "It's not your fault. So don't worry about it."

"So do you want to do something?" she asked, going back to her previous question.

I started tapping my pencil against the book on my lap. "A walk in the woods would be nice," I grinned then, "As long as you can keep an eye on where you step. Or maybe I should just piggy-back you through 'em." Her jaw dropped nearly to the ground before she took another book from the floor and flung it at me—would've hurt if I hadn't caught it. Bell cursed my reflexes and threw another one at me. I caught it as well, grinning widely the whole damn time.

"Problem?" I inquire all too innocently.

"You can be a real bitch."

I chuckled. "And your point would be?"

She shook her head. "I don't have a point."

"Just as I thought."

"You're impossible!"

"Just now figured that out, sister dear." I nearly fell over laughing as she launched across the room to choke the living out of me. Happily I rolled off the mattress onto the floor, still giggling like a mad woman with my sister glaring hell fire at me. This was all in good fun.

"That was not funny!" she hissed after about five minutes of trying to wrestle me to the ground. "Damn your heavy!"

I was sitting on her stomach, cross legged and still with that grin on my face. I hadn't retorted to her taunt as I knew that I was rather heavy although I didn't look it. Being what I am, it's hard to tell that I weigh a lot.

Bella growled, actually growled at me! "Just wait until I get back up!"

I laughed. "You'd have to move me first, kiddo."

"You're not being fair!"

"Life ain't fair." A statement of fact. Not trying to be a bitch.

"Did I even say life?! No I said you! Now get off me you cow!"

I gave her the cutest look I could. "But cows are cute. And you like cows." I never even acknowledged the first part of her sentence. Why? Because it's funny to see how annoyed she'll get at me for not bothering to say anything.

Silence.

Oh, so now she's gonna give me the silent treatment? It won't work. I had dealt with this for so long during our childhood that any time she gives me this treatment I'd just sit there, smile widely and wait. Yes, I won't say anything either and that just drives her nuts. To add to it, I stare at her. Normally, she'd drop her eyes, but this time she kept contact starting the contest. One that she rarely ever won. Again, that's pretty entertaining for me.

"Bella," I sang after ten minutes of this, she never won the staring contest by the way. "Neither one of us has anything pressing to do today so I can sit here till the world dries up. So either we can go do something a little more productive or we, rather I, can just sit here in silence whilst you lie there wondering when I'm gonna move," I chirp happily.

She huffed, relaxing in defeat. "Fine."

The end of the silence.

I smile. "Good," I hop up, take her hand and help her up. "Let's get this show on the road."

We finally did manage to get our shoes on after she shoved me off of her. I let her. I did deserve it. I was quite relieved to know that whilst we were having our wrestling match upstairs that Dad had parked himself in the living room to watch a game. Baseball if my hearing hasn't deserted me. Guess hearing the noise made him feel a bit more relaxed about my general mental health. That's good. I don't want him to go around watching me like a hawk all the time. Bella and I did get a slightly worried look when we mentioned going for a walk in the woods. Mainly because of Bella's lack of coordination, but that's all right. I'd be there to make sure that if she did trip I'd be able to catch her. Even if she tripped over air – which she has done and I have laughed. To which she wanted to throttle me for laughing as I had helped her up.

I did not blame her for that whatsoever.

It was rather fascinating that after about twenty minutes of walking and she hadn't even staggered. I was very impressed. Happily I didn't make a comment because I knew she'd hit me upside the head...probably with a stick. Bella did mention her own awe at the fact that she hadn't tripped over air yet. I just smiled. Believe me it was difficult not to make a comment that would get me slapped, punched, or pushed over. Or shoved into a tree.

Yes, she's done that last one. Almost broke my nose in the process if I recall the incident correctly.

"It's beautiful out here," she sighed happily.

I blinked at her a few times, clearly startled. "I thought you didn't like Forks?"

"True, I did. I'll always miss the heat..." Bella stated. "But the sun is out today and for some reason makes the whole forest look quite beautiful. Can you blame me for enjoying the scenery?"

I shook my head. "No, I can't. It's just a switch, that's all."

A laugh. "There's nothing wrong with being honest. I do miss home. I will always miss home."

"Home is where the heart is, Bells."

"I know."

"You can't tell me that your heart is back in Phoenix."

"I don't even know where it is."

I have an idea. "Uh-huh, sure you don't," I saw with a grin.

I got shoved into a tree for that comment. Let me tell you, that hurts, especially if you don't even bother trying to secure your own footing. I know that I could've braced myself to not move, but I did deserve to hit the tree and I know that if I didn't, Bella would tell me how unfair it was for me to use those abilities. So I didn't use them.

"OH my god! Really, Sarah?!" she exclaimed. "I know you could've dodged that trunk. Why in the hell did you allow yourself to hit it?"

After watching the world spin for a moment, I shrug. "Seemed like a good idea at the time." Words that people have died by and ones that I have used frequently.

Bella face-palmed. "Seriously! Why do I put up with you?"

Sometimes, I wonder why she does. But then I shrug it off, grin and just annoy the hell out of her. Why? Because we're sisters and this is what we do. Trust me.

Looking at her blankly, yet amused, "Because you're life would be dull otherwise." I swear I am trying to get myself beaten to death with either a tree branch or a shoe. In either case, this is rather hilarious since I started laughing immediately after I had made that remark. Of course, the glare I received was worth it as I noticed her failed attempts to not smile. I still had it in me to make my sister not only wanna punch me in the face, but also amuse her because of my antics. Well, at least she won't go telling Dad that I may need to be checked into the loony bin. That's something.

"You're impossible!" Bella exclaims with a dramatic flare of her arms.

"I believe we've already covered that," I state, moving forwards to avoid getting knocked over again. I wouldn't put it past her to try to knock my lights out either. Bella wasn't some weak-willed female. No matter what people might think. Of course back in Phoenix no one paid any attention to either one of us. I liked it that way—being in the background of everyone's notice allowed the two of us to be a lot more observant. Not to mention we didn't have to worry about what other people thought. We weren't noticeable after all. Then we moved here and all that went right out the damned window. People started to notice us.

Now on the one hand it bothered us, but on the other we were just going to roll with it. After all, I had always told her that one day this might happen – so we can't say we weren't prepared for it.

"Can you please stop being so damned sarcastic?!" she hissed behind me much like an angry kitten.

I giggled, "That would be a no," I reply jogging a bit as she threw a rock at my head. I blew a raspberry at her as I took off at a run with Bella following along right behind. I was amazed that she hadn't fallen over. Hopefully she wouldn't. I'd feel horrid if she hurt herself because of me. "C'mon sis, you can do better than that! I know you can," I taunt, knowing just what buttons to push.

"Just wait until I get my hands on you, Sarah!" she snarled trying to catch up with me. I knew that I could easily outrun her, but I refrained once again from using those enhanced abilities. At least for a few second before I heard her give a shout as she tripped. Time slowed down as I pushed myself to run back and catch her before she hurt herself. She blinked a few times feeling a little disoriented at the suddenness of everything. "Whoa..."

I shook my head as I steadied her. "That's putting it lightly."

"Sorry," she breathed, leaning on me for support.

"For what? Being a klutz?" I laughed. "I'm used to that."

"That's not fair!" she whines, making me frown.

"Bells, chill out," I giggle. "Besides, it's just the way the ground is. I know you're not this clumsy."

She shook her head. "How long have you known me?" Bella sighed. "I've always tripped over shit."

I bit my lip. Better to just not say anything.

"Are you okay?" I inquired when I thought she had her equilibrium back and effectively changing the subject in my own mind.

"I think so. Thanks for catching me."

"As amusing as it would've been for you to fall face-plant into the dirt," I began dryly. "I don't think Dad would've found it too terribly funny."

"You're terrible," she giggled, nudging me in the side.

"I think we've covered that too," I say way too happily considering what we were talking about.

"Yes, we did, sis."

"C'mon, let's get back home," I say as I start back to the house. "Don't want Dad to get too worried and send out a search party for us."

"You've got a doctor's appointment later on today too," she says offhandedly.

I pause, mostly in shock. "Um…what?" Talk about a curve-ball.

"Oops," she gasped, staring at me wide-eyed.

I click my tongue a few times, waiting for Bella to explain, but she remained silent looking really terrified. I could not have that. I'm not necessarily mad, just…stunned.

"Do I need to repeat the question?" I ask gently.

"Okay, okay," Bella breathed. "Charlie asked Dr. Cullen to come by and check up on you for…the next couple of weeks," she finishes in a hurry.

I purse my lips a moment. Yup, definitely a curve-ball. Not sure how to feel about this.

"This isn't a joke is it?" I ask, deciding to just roll with it. Couldn't hurt.

"No," Bella says slowly, seeming quite shocked at my calm attitude. "Charlie asked him since you've had nightmares since…the hospital." I raise a brow. Here I had thought that no one had noticed. Damn. I did not want to worry either of them, so I kept slapping a smile on my face. Looks like I need to work on my acting around my own family. "Charlie doesn't know," she adds, again making me pause. "I told him."

"Ah." It's all I can think to say. I mean, of course, Bella would notice if I was having nightmares or not. She'd been there after the incident or rather when I had been allowed to go back home. She had witnessed every single horrible nightmare that I had ever experienced – and there were a lot of them. Not just the ones that I had when sleeping, but the ones I had whilst awake. Yes, sometimes I would have a memory out of nowhere just assault my mind. Flashbacks of things that would just make me wish I could bleach my own brain. I can't be angry. Well, I can be. At myself. For making her worried enough to tell our father what was going on with me. Hell that actually explains a few things now that I think of it.

"Explains why Dad kept pacing in front of my room," I comment as if I were talking about the weather. "Here I thought it had something to do with school."

Bella shook her head. "Nope. I'm sorry."

I look over at her. "For what? Worrying about me?" I shake my head, chuckling. "That isn't a reason to apologize. So don't. Okay?"

"Okay."

~O~

We had started to head back, but before we broke the treeline, a chill ran down my spine forcing me to a complete stop. Something was there. I wasn't entirely sure what it was that was lurking, but deep down, I knew. Not sure if that makes any sense, but to me it did and left me feeling completely alert. Not to mention frozen in place. At least, until Bella caught my attention since she was still using me as a walking stick. We hadn't realized at first that she had twisted her ankle. Yeah, that had been a fun discovery and I felt horrible that she'd been hurt when I had promised our father that nothing would happen to either of us.

"Sis?" Bella whispered, "What's wrong?"

I shake my head. "Not sure…but…"

"You sense something," she states matter-of-factly.

I nod. "Yeah, I do."

"What is it?"

I sigh, willing myself to relax as I had tensed up quite a bit. "Not a clue."

"You're lying."

I smirk. "Maybe, but as of this moment I honestly don't know what it is that I sense…but…"

"It's making you edgy."

I give her an annoyed look. "I'd be nice if you didn't always finish my sentences."

She grins widely. "Isn't that what sisters are for?"

"Using my own words against me, that's just mean."

She snickered. "Oh, stop whining."

"Whose whining?"

"You are."

"Am not."

"What are we, five?"

"Yes."

She rolled her eyes at me, realizing that I was stalling us. Or at least trying to at any rate.. "C'mon ya big scaredy cat," she laughs twinging her arm with mine. "Let's go deal with the big bad doctor."

I grimace. "You just had to remind of that, didn't you?"

"You're memory isn't that bad," Bella teases, guiding us back to the house. "There's nothing to be scared of."

I shake my head. "I know…it's just…I really don't wanna do this."

"Well aware of that," she states as the back door opened, our father and the doctor stepping out to meet us. In all honesty this is the moment when my flight button went off. I went rigid to keep from bolting, relaxing a second after Bella placed a hand on my forearm. "You gonna be okay?"

"Eventually," I answer honestly, hoisting her up a bit as she drooped. "You planning on visiting the ground?"

"No, not yet," she says as Dad rushes to us, looking as worried as I had feared.

"What happened?" Dad asks, motioning for me to sit her down on the back steps.

"She tripped," I state, sitting her down before taking a seat next to her. "She's fine Dad," I add as he opens his mouth again. "I managed to catch her before she hit the ground. She's just twisted her ankle is all."

Dad sighed. "I thought I told you girls to be careful.

I blink. "We were, but ya know Bella isn't that well coordinated," I state. "OUCH!"

"Way to have my back," Bella mutters darkly.

I rub my leg. "Well, ya didn't have to kick me."

"Sure I did."

"For stating the obvious? Yeah, that makes sense."

"Girls!" Dad calls, catching our attention. "Enough, I get it. Bella, are you all right?"

"I'm fine Dad."

"Good, now that that's taken cared of, Sarah, you need to go inside to get yourself checked out," he says, motioning to the house and I forgot that Dr. Cullen was even here. Not good since he had been standing right next to Dad. I had to stop the blush that threatened to erupt from my face. Really, I don't recall ever getting this flushed from anyone before and I don't know how to handle it.

I sigh, getting up and heading inside. "Aren't you guys coming in too?"

"Bells and I are going into town real quick," Dad stated from outside after having Dr. Cullen check to make sure that Bella was really all right.

Oh, boy. I'm not sure how I'm gonna make it through this without turning into a tomato, I thought with nerves running rampant. Yes, I wanted to bolt, but with a lot of effort I managed to keep from doing such.

I frown, looking over at the doctor. "Well, this got awkward real fast," I mutter, walking into the living room. I sat down on the couch and looked at him. "I know you're not here to look at my injuries."

He shook his head. "No. I'm not.

I raise a brow, blinking a moment before sighing. "Nightmares," I whispered, frowning a moment. "That's why you're hear."

He nods. "You're father called me."

"I figured he did," I reply, making sure to keep a respectable distance while on the couch. "I didn't realize you were a shrink."

"I did study psychology for several years," he answered, somewhat amused. That immediately got my attention as if I he knew something that I was completely unaware about. If that wasn't annoying, but I shook it off. Pretty sure since he's not human there's a good chance that he's lived far longer than what many would believe.

Raising my legs to my chest, I wrapped my arms around them. "And Charlie wants me to talk to you about them." It was a statement not a question. I lay my head against my knees. "Why are so interested in hearing about them anyway?" I can't help but feel a bit defensive as the nightmares are from a time in my life that I'd rather not talk about. There are just some things that a person cannot discuss without wanting to bolt.

There was an intensity to those eyes that I swear hadn't been there before, but it was gone as fast as it had appeared. I wonder if I had imagined it? Then again, why would he give me such a look in the first place…it doesn't make any sense. "Most nightmares don't last several days, weeks or even years without something to trigger them. Something connected to a past memory or horrid event."

My eyes widened a fraction before chuckling. "Perhaps." Memories of the past flashed through my minds eye. Dead bodies littering the grounds, torn all over the place…blood splashed everywhere, pooling everywhere including me. My hands tightened into fists as I forced my entire body to become so tense to prevent from bolting out of the room and the house. I couldn't do that. I refused to allow myself to be dragged into the past or I had tried anyway.

I jump up, my eyes completely unfocused on the present—like tunnel-vision, and went to make a break for the door when arms wrapped around me from behind to keep me from moving. I struggle, feeling the fire in my veins and the monster inside my mind demanding that I eliminate that which was keeping me in place. My breathing was labored as I struggled. However, some part of me knew that whoever it was that was keeping me still, but still I continued to struggle, allowing a dangerous snarl to escape from my throat. My whole being stilled when I got a dark growl in return, feeling something nuzzle against the left side of my neck the growl fading to a purring sound. My whole body stiffened for a second before becoming limp – the memories were slowly fading into the background, the demon in my mind retreating as the tunnel-vision dispersed for me to discover that I was standing in the middle of the living room.

And I am being held by Dr. Cullen.

Oh.

Holy.

Shit!

I blink rapidly, finally feeling my heartbeat and breathing go back to normal. Did that just happen? Oh, gods, no! Please, please, please tell me that I didn't hurt anyone…

"Are you all right?"

I blink, finally feeling like I was normal again. "I'd say that I was fine, but I'd be lying…"

His arms tightened around me as I started to shake a little. I felt comforted and so safe that I am rather surprised that I didn't start to freak out right away. I mean, last time I knew, this guy was married…"Relax," he breathed in my ear as I had somehow gone stiff again. Sweet Gods, what on earth was bothering me? Why did I suddenly feel afraid? Normally I wouldn't be this scared, yet I am. "Sarah, you need to calm down."

Huh? Oh, guess I started to struggle again. My, oh, my. I am not handling this all that well. "I-I'm trying."

Dr. Cullen sighed, pressing me even closer to his body – if that was possible. "I won't let go until you're calm."

I focused on my breathing, not realizing just how odd this situation had become. "Okay, okay…" I still have no idea why I was so worked up in the first place. Then it hit me…what I had felt out there in the forest I was feeling closer to the house. It must've happened whilst I was stuck in that memory. That's what was bothering me the most.

Dr. Cullen released me after a few moment, once he was sure I had calmed down. It was a struggle since my first instinct was to rush out the door and find whoever or whatever it was that had me on high alert. I know, I know I recognized the aura that I had been feeling earlier. But I could go rushing out to confront as it would look a little too weird and I'd probably have to explain the reasons why. As much as I would love to do so, I can't.

I turn and smile shyly at him. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

"I'll make sure not to," I joke, before looking off to the side. "Look, I know that Dad asked you to come here to discuss what those nightmare are, but honestly, I would rather not talk about them. There are just some things that a person can't discuss," I sigh. "Maybe one day I'll open up about 'em, but not right now."

"That's understandable," he replied gently. I was a little surprised.

I gift him with a soft smile. "Thanks. Most doctors, even shrinks, would try to fight me on my silence. I'm not used to having someone…give up, so to speak." Really, Bella had harped on me about them…even though she knows what I had gone though. I shake my head, inwardly chuckling at how stubborn my own flesh and blood could be. I loved her dearly for that trait alone. It gave the strength that I needed a few years back to pull myself out of the darkness that I had momentarily fallen into.

Carlisle grins. "Who says I've given up?"

Wow. I think my insides just melted by his tone alone. I wonder what it is that I've just gotten myself unknowingly into because this is really odd. And rather amusing.

I raise a brow, laughing a little, feeling so much more light-hearted than I had a few days ago. "Good luck. You're gonna need it."

"Is that a challenge?" Did his eyes just darken?…Wow.

"Take it however you wish," I say grinning cheekily. Honestly, I can't believe that I'm flirting, but I am.

Before h could respond the door opened. I leaned towards the door, blinking a few times as Dad and Bells came into the house. I hadn't even heard the car pull back into the drive. I wonder if they had actually left or maybe when I had that damn tunnel-vision thing going on more time had passed than I had thought. Wow. I really do need to not have that happen again. It's scary when it does because I have no idea what I do when that happens.

"Welcome back guys," I greet, feeling surprisingly calm. "What'd you bring back?"

Bells sighed, carrying in some bags. "Mainly stuff to go with the fish that we're having for dinner tonight."

I perked up at that. "Fish? We're having fish?"

My sister nods. "Yeah, Dad figured you'd like to eat something since we hadn't had breakfast." I wince, knowing full well that she wanted to say on how I hadn't really been eating the last couple of days. Thank heavens my sister decided not to shell out that little detail – I'd never hear the end of it otherwise.

"We also stopped by the post office," Dad stated carrying a few bags as well. "Got a package for you from Atlanta?"

I blinked. Atlanta? "Huh…must be from Michael." That cause everyone in the room to pause and look at me. Oh, boy. Dad is gonna flip out…or everyone is going to start bombarding me with questions like they are right now. That's wonderful. Oh, man, I'd like the world to swallow me whole right now. "Um…one person at a time, please."

"Who is Michael?" Dad demanded after that. Really, I should've kept my big mouth shut. Dad didn't even know that I had been to Atlanta. The only people in my family who had known about me going were Mom and Bella. No one else was supposed to know about my going there.

I shrug. "Michael is an old friend of mine from back home," I said with a sigh. "He moved to Atlanta a few years back and no he's not single. For crying out loud Dad, I'm not going to date anyone without letting them meet you first," I chuckle. "So calm down."

Dad sighed. "Guess I overreacted."

Bella snorts. "Understatement of the century."

Yeah, I'll say, I thought as Dad escorted the good doctor to the door no doubt wanting to know whatever it was that I had told him. Yeah, I'd prefer that my own father did not know about the episode that I had experience not to long ago. If he did I'd never be allowed out of the house.

o~O~o

There we go! Now I have nothing really of importance to say except that typing this out for editing and combining chapters this wound up being at least 42 to 43 pages long (including these notes). Yeah this is one helluva chapter and I do hope that you've all enjoyed. Don't forget to leave me a line and let me know how I did with this edited edition.