CHAPTER 26 – TAKING TIME
Joel and Luke – People Change
Wanna tell ya I'm alright
Wanna say I'm not in pain
But I would just be tellin' lies
I'm not okay, not okay
Wanna travel back in time
And say the things I didn't say
I wanna tell ya everything, if it's not too late
Is it too late?
A/N: Always loved this song and knew I had to use it somewhere.
On with the show…
We had been sitting in the deadened silence for a minute but to a vampire, that felt like an hour so I understood their growing impatience despite how necessary it was. The reason behind the silence was because they were permitting me with some time to gather my frantic thoughts which I was thankful for. However, I could feel them all becoming more on edge and it was effecting me too so I lifted my head to look up at them, much to their relief.
I wanted the form the right words but couldn't find it in myself to start spouting out the truth so I apologized "I am sorry to keep you waiting", hoping they would see through the sincerity.
"It's okay" Edward was quick to speak, "We understand" he gave an assuring smile before he squeezed my hand.
Emmett was first to speak, his loud voice vibrating through the atmosphere "First of all, what you did out there was…" he struggled for words making us chuckle at this before he finally settled for the classic, "MIND BLOWING"
Feeling pleased that I was able to awe vampires but also with the relief that was brought with Carlisle's presence, I felt encouraged to tease him back, "Wait till you see what I could do with fire" snapping my fingers and watched Emmett's mouth drop as he gaped at my thumb which was now alight with a golden flame.
I quickly shook off the energy that had flowed through my fingers so that the burn wore off, after seeing how their expressions had fallen back to the gawking state.
Emmett fell back on the chair with a disbelieving and impressed expression. His eyes, like the rest were wide as they all tried to process what I was capable of, only Emmett was faster in composing himself as he continued to compliment me, "You are like the coolest superhuman ever" he bellowed in great excitement.
"Superhuman?"I questioned with a hitched brow but from my peripheral vision, I caught Carlisle's knowing smile even though he had bowed his head.
Emmett caught my attention again when shrugging to defend himself, "Hey, it is a step up from alien" his words had us all in laughter which had broken the tension.
Once the laughs subdued, I nodded in agreement, "I suppose so"
After this the tension returned with the silence and I knew what they were all thinking – I'm sure Carlisle did too but I wanted to revel in the few moments I had before defining my future. Once I revealed it all, it would be done but part of me knew that it would all be okay.
When the taunting ticking of the beautiful grandfather clock grew too much for them, it was Jasper that one who braved himself to ask, "I'm sure you already know the question that's been plaguing all of our minds" he voiced what they had all been thinking.
"I'm sure I have an idea…" I continued to tease but the joking tone was lost from my voice as I knew what was to come. Even though I trusted Carlisle and knew my father wouldn't have minded, I couldn't help but feel as if I was betraying them. After everything, it still felt like I should leave and run away like I had planned.
My hand was squeezed and I turned to Edward with a weak smile. He locked eyes with me and I was surprised with the vulnerable look in his eyes, "You can trust us" he whispered and his thumb drew circles onto my skin, which seemed to be enough to relax me into his form.
I nodded already knowing this…but the fear was still there.
"I trust anyone who trusts Carlisle" I murmured and looked up to Carlisle who stared at me for a while before nodding in encouragement but even with this, I still I couldn't find the words to come out. What do I say? Where do I begin?
"Why don't we ask questions and you can choose whether you want to answer or not?" Esme offered with her gentle voice.
With a gulp and another squeeze from Edward's comforting hand, I nodded and before I could stop myself, I found that I was relaxing my stiff form as I slumped back into Edward's chest, laying my head onto him and was happy when he didn't move away. In fact, he corrected his position so that he could wrap his arm around me but still hold my hand in the other.
I didn't miss the hitched eyebrows, questioning looks and ecstatic expressions from Esme and Alice but I did choose to ignore them.
I, myself wasn't even sure what any of it meant but I decided to go with what I felt was right.
When they finally collected their thoughts and overcame the surprise, they readied themselves for my answers when Alice asked the first question, "How many powers do you have?"
I was thankful because she was starting on a neutral ground so I filtered through my thoughts and mentally counted them, replying once was sure, "Uh…7"
"Only?" Rosalie scoffed but there was no malice from her voice, only amusement and disbelief.
I'm sure I sounded ungrateful but it was only because I knew of stories of some of my kind that had more than ten so I didn't find it as being such a big deal.
"What are they?" Rosalie added with genuine interest.
"Well like I said before, I'm telekinetic but that's due to my physical shield-" trying not to make it into something more than it seemed.
Emmett stopped me when asking, "Physical shield?"
"Um, yes. My shield can be mental which protects my mind and body but the physical shield can be manipulated so I can push it out or attack or defend." it felt strange to reveal myself but it was a good strange. "I used the shield to push out Tyler's truck" I added and they all nodded in understanding.
"What else?" Alice quipped.
It was strange how they were so drawn into my life but I tried not to question it too much by continuing on with my answers, "I do have control over the mind"
"See now that's helpful" Rosalie's jab was directed at Edward who rolled his eyes at her. He didn't seem to bother with Rosalie which intrigued and strangely pleased me."How does it work?" she inquired.
I tried to find the right words that would best explain the use of the mind manipulation power, "Well, if I'm able to connect with another being's mind, I can place them into a trance where I have control over their mind" thinking back to Mrs. Cope and having the return of my regret.
"Does that last for a long time?" Edward asked and I could detect the thirst for knowledge that he shared with Carlisle in the burning curiosity when pulling me out of the daze.
"As far as I know it can last forever on humans…" my eyes remained on his, gauging his reaction and was satisfied when seeing his eyes widen.
"What about vampires?"
My attention was diverted to the boisterous Emmett whose excitement didn't seem to wear off as he was practically jumping on his seat with every answer that I gave.
"It takes a lot to get into a vampires mind and skin contact is needed" he nodded along with my answer, "With humans it's easier because all I need is eye contact and their minds are easily accessible" shrugging to place emphasis on my nonchalant tone.
It was bizarre just how easy it was to reveal my weaknesses to them when it had been incredibly difficult to even say it to some of my childhood friends. Although strange, it felt wonderful to relieve myself of the burdened that I closeted on a daily basis.
"Awesome" Emmett exclaimed with a joyous grin before the mischief set in, "So you could control anyone in our school…?"
The creepy look in his eyes had me unsettled so I grew hesitant with my reply, "Yes…" still cautious as to where his dangerous thoughts were leading him.
"Interesting…." he murmured before gaining a faraway look. I glanced at the others and saw them narrow their eyes suspiciously at Emmett.
My curiosity burned and I began to reach out for his mind, disregarding the tiredness that was slowly creeping in. I tried telling myself that it was only of the mind.
Once I felt my shield expand and hit Emmett's mind, I began to laugh with the mental images that ran through his thoughts.
There was one of me making Mike strip naked and dance around the cafeteria and another was me asking Jessica to give Edward a lap dance.
This one I did not really agree with but was pleased when seeing Edward shake his head with disgust, "That's not happening" his lips fell into a grim line while mine lifted into a victorious smile.
"What?" Emmett shrugged his shoulders, feigning innocence but the smirk remained firmly in place.
Edward narrowed his eyes at him so I sat up to take his hand in mine, "Don't worry" I assured him, "I wouldn't have done it anyway" he smiled back, a gentleness touched his eyes as he looked down to me with the same expression as before but still I could not understand what it meant.
Alice's eyes wandered between the three of us in question, before finally asking, "Done what?"
Her voice held an impatient tone so I quickly answered with a laugh, "He wanted me to compel Mike to dance around naked but why make others suffer" this time I shuddered when the image returned which only made them laugh at the idea apart from Rosalie who sneered at the idea.
"So you read his mind?" Esme smiled with a side glance towards Emmett.
When I nodded, I caught how Edward's furrowed his eyebrows in confusion before he asked, "I thought you needed contact?" he was confused over my explanation.
"Only when I want to compel a vampire" I elaborated and he nodded once he finally understood how it worked.
"Do you use it often?" Carlisle finally spoke and I'd almost forgotten that he was even here.
All of them inched forwards slightly but I doubt that they had noticed it.
"Only when necessary" Emmett appeared to be slightly disappointed with my answer, "I don't particularly enjoy having that much control", grimacing when thinking back to all the times I had had to resolute to drastic measures by controlling another being.
In the past, I had only used it when erasing memories if I slipped up or lost control over myself. Mind control was a dangerous gift as it sometimes controlled you. The overwhelming sense of being powerful would take over and this could evolve into something dark within which was only one of the many reasons that I chose to fight against it.
"What else can you do?"
I thought I would start with what I had already told them, "Telepathic, Elemental manipulation, empath, clairvoyant dreams, biological manipulation-"
"Wait-" I was interrupted yet again but I didn't mind because I completely understood their confusion. I had once been in the same position so I was happy to answer Jasper's question, "What is the biological manipulation?" they all leaned in with interest but Carlisle looked wary – with great reason too.
"I-I uh…" still slightly reluctant to answer this one, "I have the ability to change my appearance"
"That's so cool" Emmett cheered with an impressed look, "Can we see?" his eyes twinkled with the prospect of seeing me change my features.
"I don't think that's a good idea" Carlisle interjected before I could answer.
"How come?" he pouted, crossing his arms childishly.
I didn't want them to grow more concerned over me that they already have but I knew that if I lied, Carlisle would jump in and tell them anyway seeing as he'd witnessed the aftershocks before so I decided to tell them the truth, "It takes a lot of energy to manipulate everything including your muscles and bones" pausing when I saw comprehension cloud their eyes as they winced at the thought, "There are side effects…" I trailed off.
"Side effects?"
"I just become drained…" pausing again as I did not like the pitying looks that shrouded their beautiful expressions when I continued, "…Occasional blackouts" I caught Alice's sympathy but could also detect the heavy disappointment, "Maybe a different day"
"Does it become easier?" Alice's fearful expression touched me and I was beyond flattered knowing that she cared to some degree to the point that she worried over my health.
Trying to assure her with a false smile, I nodded, "With practice and with time"
She didn't really need to know about the pain of changing the formation of your bones or the other side effects that followed and I hoped that none of them ever will. They were already too interested in my life - I didn't want to put them in any danger but a deluded part of me believed that I could trust them and all would be well. We would continue with eternity with no fear of what was to come.
My reply seemed to have pleased her as she'd grown even more exuberant that I thought possible. Hope filled her bright eyes when she flashed her pearly white teeth ignoring Edward and Carlisle's disapproving looks as she asked, "How old are you?"
Not really sure how I could answer without scaring them away (especially Edward), I chose to joke about it instead as I laughed, "Well after 1,000 you tend to lose count"
This time the silence was worse than the last as they all gaped at me with wide eyes. A mixture of emotions ran through them and played through their features before Carlisle finally gave up and laughed, releasing the chuckles that he had tried to reign in with sight of his family's faces.
His family…
As strange as it was to think of that, I was undoubtedly happy for him.
"You're over 1,000 years" Alice exclaimed between disbelieving gasps.
Still not certain as to whether I should be offended or not, I remained calm and waiting for them to wrap their heads around all the while casting wary glances at Carlisle who just held up his index finger to motion for me to wait.
Edward was rigid next to me which only sent me on my already haywire thoughts on a crazed frenzy. Within seconds my heart beat had quickened with the peak of my fear.
"And I thought Carlisle was old" Emmett finally spoke.
Carlisle glared at him before throwing one of the cushions at Emmet and I watched as it hit him on the face.
Our laughter seemed to diffuse the tension as well as their shock because Alice seemed more ready to continue with her previous inquisition, "When were you born?" her eyes still wide and awed.
"Born in the 6th Century" I answered, ignoring the several expected gasps that followed by choosing to taunt them further, "19th September 589 to be exact" my indifference was because I did not see it as a big deal as my parents had told me of tales of older beings.
"This is all so surreal" she was now between laughing and gasping.
I continued to joke with her, "Said the vampire" my sarcasm was answered with several sniggers, even from Rosalie.
I was just happy that I hadn't scared Edward away and was even happier when his hand remained in mine. He was even drawing figures of eights on my palm which rested on his lap.
My eyes moved from his fingers on my hand and onto his serene expression. There was nothing dark within his eyes and all I could feel was the purity of his soul as he gazed at me with such intensity that I felt the atmosphere buzz with a crackling electricity.
He parted his lips and breathed out, "What are you?"
It seemed like I had been waiting for this moment for such a long time and every time I had imagined this very moment, I had envisioned fighting them away, protesting against their coercion but still refusing to reveal anything but that was why there was reality.
I did not feel frightened when looking into the dark honest eyes before I finally spoke.
"I'm an angel"
A/N: It feels good to finally say that out loud – whooo…
How many said "I knew it". I do acknowledge that some of you guessed correctly. Wonder how the Cullens are going to take this?
Please review…
Move on to last BONUS chapter…