Chapter Fifteen

Caden

I loved being at Uncle Charlie's, his yard was cool and he always had fun things to do but I remembered my talk with daddy before we came, the one about remembering to keep our secret. We both knew Charity wouldn't say anything and even if she did Uncle Charlie would think she was making up one of her stories like always.

She wanted to hide first so I closed my eyes and started to count to fifty. It always took that long for her to decide where to hide although her giggling always gave her away, that and the fact she always chose the same place..

I could smell smoke, the smell of wood burning, someone had a bonfire lit. I loved bonfires, especially with Uncle Charlie because he cooked marshmallows and potatoes in the hot ashes. Maybe we'd have a bonfire this weekend, that would be great. It wasn't until I was at about 30 that my vampire senses started screaming danger. It was actually before then, at 10 I started to feel uneasy, like we were being watched, but I kept on because it wasn't really strong and I thought it might be because we were here on our own without mom or dad.

But when I got to 30 it hit me like a rock that I couldn't sense Charity in the spot she usually chose. She always hid in the same spot but being the gentleman that my dad and mom had raised me to be I always made sure to make it seem as if I didn't know where she was.

I ran to that spot but sure enough she wasn't there. There was a horrible smell in the garden that made me start to gag. It was very strong and I suddenly had this horrible feeling that my little cousin Charity was being lured away. I tiptoed forward, following the foul smell that was mixed with Charity's. As I moved I began to feel afraid, very afraid. Where was she?

I opened my mouth to call her name, then I saw the edge of her jacket peeping out from the back of the shed.

"Charity? Charity come here."

Fear rose higher in my stomach, there was something very wrong, she didn't answer me. I ran towards her still calling her name only to find her staring into the corner of the garden at a heap of old grass cuttings and fallen branches.

"What's the matter Charity? What did you see? Why didn't you answer me?"

She turned round smiling, holding Daisy close to her chest,

"Doggie."

I looked round, there was no dog here. Then I heard barking from the other side of the fence and understood, she'd been listening to the dog in the street and hadn't heard me although that didn't explain the smell or the feeling of fear that had gripped me. I felt uneasy and took her hand leading her inside and shutting the door.

Sam

By the time I got to Charlie's the first attempt had been made and failed but neither Jake nor Quil could fully explain why.

"It was weird, we heard the kids in the yard and Quil checked that Charlie and Billy were inside before I jumped the fence and came face to face with the girl. She smiled at me and said "doggie" and started forward towards me her hand out like she was going to stroke me but as I tried to move close enough to grab her I found myself unable to move, I was petrified but I have no idea why. I literally couldn't move for fear. It was like I was frozen with terror. If Quil hadn't jumped down and pulled me back over the fence I think the boy would have seen me too. There's something strange about those kids Sam. Or do you think the leeches are hiding around here somewhere?"

"Did you come across any trace of them close by?"

"No, I didn't."

"No?"

"Then it wasn't them."

"I don't think the kids will come back outside on their own, I saw the boy's expression as he took the girl inside, he looked uneasy but as if he wasn't sure there was anything to worry about. She mentioned a doggie to him but Quil covered that, he made some noises like a dog the other side of the fence. I think the boy thought that's what she was talking about, the dog she'd heard."

"I'm going to call Billy, tell him to use the bottle. This might be our best chance to grab the children, while the leeches aren't around."

Charlie

The children came running in then stopped dead seeing Billy who was a stranger to them. I introduced them and while Charity seemed happy enough showing him Daisy, Caden was more cautious although polite as always. He turned to me,

"Uncle Charlie, there's a strange smell in the garden."

"Probably Mr Hughes bonfire. I don't know what he puts on it but there are some pretty strange smells sometimes."

He didn't look convinced but before he had time to say anything else Billy's cell phone beeped and he took it out looking at the message then grunted putting it away.

"Sorry Charlie. Sue promised to let me know how Harry is, he wasn't well this morning and you know his heart's a bit..."

I nodded,

"Yeah, it's always a worry when he's sick. I feel bad missing a couple of our fishing trips, he seemed to understand but I get the feeling I'll be making it up to him later somehow."

"Uncle Charlie took me fishing and we cooked and ate the fish we caught. I caught two but they were too small so we put them back."

"You did? Well, maybe you'll catch them again when they are grown up, then they'll be big enough to eat."

I could see that hadn't occurred to Caden but he was filing it away for later questions such as how long does it take a fish to grow up? I'd have to do some quick research to be ready for that one!.

"Would you like a drink Billy?"

As I rose ready to get them Charity told me she needed the bathroom and Caden wanted to get his car from upstairs and while I knew he was capable of taking her I decided to follow them up the stairs. I didn't want one of the kids falling and breaking a leg or something.

"Don't worry Charlie. I'll get the drinks. Do the children want one too?"

I looked down at them, Charity nodded smiling, she loved her milkshake and she knew I had some strawberry flavor especially for her.

"Milk shake for Charity and Dr Pepper for Caden please Billy, thanks."

How did it take so long for a little kid to pee? I guess the chatter slowed her down because Charity could talk up a storm. I sometimes watched to see her take a breath and decided she had the lungs of a free diver! By the time she had gotten herself dressed again, washed her hands and gotten back downstairs I was glad Billy wasn't making coffee or it would have been cold! Instead the drinks were waiting on the coffee table along with some cookies I had left on the side for the children, double chocolate chip, I knew they were bad for their teeth but hell, as an uncle I was allowed to spoil them.

While Billy sat talking to Caden about his remote control car Charity started on the cookies, taking two. One for her and one, of course, for Daisy. That doll could eat almost as much as Charity given the opportunity! I picked up my beer and took a gulp, ice cold just the way I liked it. There was a strange after taste but it was a new brew I had picked up to try and decided it wouldn't make my shopping list again.

I looked over at Billy listening to Caden, he was a good friend even though he hated the Cullens for a reason he refused to disclose. He knew that my niece had married one of them but he still came around. He seemed to be enjoying the kids attention too, asking Caden about his remote controlled car and admiring Charity's doll. I considered myself blessed to have such friends as him.

If only I had paid attention to how strongly he hated the Cullens. If only I had realized that he had ulterior motives for being such a good and "kind hearted" person that afternoon. If only I had not underestimated just how far he would go to protect me and the kids from what he saw as danger.