Disclaimer: The plot belongs EstrellaGrace and the rest is Stephanie Meyer's. There is abuse in this chapter so if you are uncomfortable….Please stop reading. Proofreading by Strongwolfprincess
JPOV
Fortunately, none of Mike's ribs were broken. Mostly bruised. Someone like me can do a lot of damage in a pair of cowboy boots.
Somehow, Edward had sprung me from the nurses' office. The last bell had rung for the day already. Mike had taken his own car and left. At least it was still a fair bet he would go back Jessica's house.
Edward filled me in on a few details later as we left the school parking lot. Mike didn't go to the hospital. The EMT that pulled up in the parking lot had cleaned Mike's cuts and bruises and then sent him on his way. I was relieved. I still considered him my closest friend.
I knew Mike didn't want to go home and explain why were both suspended for the next two days. His dad would probably beat the holy living shit out of both of us for this when he did find out. That would be all Mike had to worry about. I, on the other hand, would be homeless. Very quickly.
Now I find myself speeding down the road with Ed the speed demon. He barely slowed down to turn down a long gravel driveway.
"No matter what, stay in the car." That was all I heard as he jumped out of the car. Slamming the door as he hurried to the front door. Damn, he could run fast.
Not two second later he was hauling ass out the front door. He was holding what looked like an ancient black leather doctor's bag.
I didn't say anything as he got back in the car. He wasn't talking either. Then we were off again. He spent a few minutes just driving aimlessly before coming to a stop at a dead end road.
Ed turned in the seat. His eyes were studying me. I watched his eyes change from a beautiful liquid gold to a depthless obsidian. They reminded me of Uncle James's girlfriend. Her eyes would do that sometime. She was also cold to the touch. She used to like to reach out and stroke my cheeks. She thought I was cute.
Edward didn't creep me out like she did (as bad). He still had his moments. His eyes were a different color too. Vicky's eyes were more of a ruby to a rusty brown color.
He broke eye contact. Then gracefully reached into the backseat and got the black bag. He pulled out something that looked like a 2-inch cotton pad and doused it with something. Ed preceded to clean my cuts and scrapes. I ignored the burn of the alcohol as he cleaned me up.
We didn't talk, but it still was a comfortable silence. I had a thousand question for him. At this moment I didn't care. That was a lie, but I had other problems.
This little fighting stunt might have gotten both Mike and me kicked off the team. The Principle had made a point of coming to see both of us before we left school this afternoon.
Edward carefully put all the medical supplies away. Then, he placed the black bag in the backseat. I could tell he had something on his mind. He didn't seem to be in the mood to talk.
Ed fiddled with the CD player instead. Even watching him move around the car was interesting. Even when he was motionless, it felt like he was still moving. It was hard to explain.
My brain was going a thousand miles an hour. I couldn't turn it off. I laid the seat back and watched the rain come down.
Edward finally decided on what he wanted to listen to. I was surprised. I was excepting pop rock, metal, or rap. No, this was old and bluesy. I didn't bother to listen to the singer, so I paid it no heed. The steel guitar was nice. I mildly enjoyed it. I closed my eyes and listened to the music and the rain blend together.
Nothing mattered anymore. I was living with another family that could care less about me. And there was a chance that as soon as they found out about the fight, I would be homeless. All this hinged on Mike and what he did next. There was a chance that tomorrow he would act like nothing had happened.
"How old are you." I liked the music that was playing. But it sang of a much older time.
"Seventeen," came an automatic answer. Then a wash of guilt. I forced my mind to remain blank just listening. Allowing myself to feel the atmosphere.
"No, seriously. How old are you?" Then there was a blind rush of panic. That came from Edward. What the hell? I had meant that last comment as a joke.
Ma called it a gift. Pa called me a jinx. I have always been able to feel out a room. I could feel what someone nearby was feeling. When given half a chance, I tried to be as charismatic as possible with the tools I was given.
Right now Ed's emotions were running a full gauntlet. A joke about his age had him ready to bolt. Those strange beautiful eyes that changed at strange times and actions. Anyone would love to spend time with a fine specimen like him. Women and men, I was willing to bet. He was too perfect for a normal human.
As a little boy, I use to swear that Vicky wasn't human. Was his skin as hard as hers?
Slowly, I sat up in the seat. He was turned in his seat with his back to the window so he was facing me. I felt like I was trapped in a car with a feral cat. He felt dangerous. At the same time, I still felt safe. I chalked it up to he was scared of something but didn't view me as a threat.
I slowly reached out with both hands. I took his left hand in mine and pulled it to me. Ed didn't put up a fight. I noticed that he wasn't breathing normally. H was using short shallow breaths. I could tell he was trying to get himself in check. I could still read him and he was calming down. He was in better control now.
No matter how upset Ed was, his hand was still steady. They were icy cold and hard like marble. Smooth too. Midway up his arm, I pressed down with both of my thumbs. I couldn't even make an indention. Muscle always has some give.
I moved my hand up his arm and then up his shoulder. He had quit breathing and his eye was almost closed. The fear was tangible enough that I could almost taste it. A small part of Ed was in enjoying it. Like the way, a cat liked to be petted. I wanted to touch more. To move my hand up his arm and to explore the rest of him.
I restrained myself. I needed answers, and this kept my mind off of the other events of the day. That was a clusterfuck, too. A bad one.
"What are you?" I felt his whole body tense up and go completely still. He was still afraid, but he was afraid for me now. I should be afraid for myself. I can not bring myself to be. I know he won't hurt me. I don't know how, but I know. "I know you won't hurt me. I'm not going to tell." I was showing my cards slowly. I didn't want him to run away.
"I won't run," he whispered. I hadn't said anything. "I can hear thoughts. Sometimes you are harder to hear. Some people are louder than others. You don't think in straight lines. It's quieter around you."
Can you hear me now? He nodded in response. Damn. You're not human, are you?
"I can't tell you. If this conversation goes much further, I will only be left with two choices. One is your death." I can tell he is thinking about the other alternative. A part of him is strangely hopeful, but he quickly buries it deep inside. "I'm not ready for this Cowboy. I want to, but I need to work some stuff out in my head."
"Ed, it's okay," I pulled my hands away from him and instantly missed the feel of his skin. I had liked the chill of his skin. I felt my skin starting warm up and to mentally restrain myself. I wanted to reach out and touch him again. I was hoping he didn't notice. I didn't understand the emotions churning in me.
"Tell me about Vicky," he asked gently. Now, it was my turn to want to run. The cold patter of rain outside the car was looking appealing.
"I can't talk about her," I said. I knew my thoughts betrayed me. I couldn't turn them off. Every rotten act of abuse flood the front of my mind.
I was eight when I moved in with my uncle James. Things were good, kinda, for about a week. Then my uncle got his check on payday. The man that came home that night, was mean, drunk, and wanted something.
He enjoyed hot sleazy women, but I found out his other secret. He enjoyed the soft touch of little boys. My stomach hurt from this and my head felt like it was reeling. I could feel the bile rising up in my throat.
One of Ed's cold hands came to rest on my knee. Grounding me for all those memories. I closed my eyes, refusing to let the tears slide out. I had promised myself I would never cry again.
When Vicky came home with my uncle one night, I thought I was safe for a little while. That's the problem with children. They are innocent and naive. Too trusting. No, she took the abuse to a whole new level.
Vicky introduced physical torture and blood play. She would cut me just so she could lick off the blood. This only excited my uncle more.
After he had met a brutal death, I was bounced around from one abusive foster family to the next. They never did find his body. I remember the EMTs and the cops telling me there was no way a human could lose that much blood and survive. I couldn't prove it, but I was sure Vicky was involved.
I cracked my eyes open. The sky outside was noticeably darker and it was still raining. Why was I surprised, it always rains in Forks. This far north it got darker quicker than Texas. I miss the feel of the hot sunshine on my face and the hot breeze blowing across the long sweet grass.
"Vicky was like me," Edward soft velvet voice shattered my reverie. I felt my inside grow cold. "I promise to never do the things that they did to you." He paused to gather a breath. "I am sorry for the injustice that was done to you. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. What's done is done. Another one of my kind will never hurt you again."
Gingerly I reached out my hand. If he was the same as Vicky...I place a hand over his heart. Nothing, still as the dead. Just like her. I wish I knew his secret. He would be forced to finish the job that Vicky started. I would have to die like my uncle did for knowing the secret. As if my day couldn't get any worse.
"You said there was two option?"
"It's still the kiss of death. To make you, like me." Ed's voice had become a whisper. This was worst than pulling teeth. I could feel the sorrow rolling off him.
"What is going to happen to me, Ed?" This was just another thing to pile up on me. Might as well lay the whole deck of cards out and see what there was to play.
"I have to talk to someone. I have to be careful what I say. If I say too much, I can endanger my whole coven." Shit, that was the last thing I wanted to do. Coven, were they some kind of witches? That would explain how he could read my mind. "Personally, I'm not that worry about it right this moment. Oh, by the way, you are way off base."
"Why is that." My head was starting to hurt. I had so many questions I wanted to ask, but I was feeling so scattered brained I couldn't put them together in my head.
"You don't to want to go home, do you?" I shook my head no. "Where do you want to go to tonight?" Good change of subject. Good question. One I didn't have an answer.
"Would it be too much trouble to take me out to First Beach. I think I want to camp out at the dunes tonight. Light a fire, do some thinking. I really need some time to think." His eyes were searching me for something. He felt torn and upset.
"That's on the Reservation isn't it?" Now he looked unhappy.
"Yeah. Why?"
"I can take you to the borderline. But that's as far as I can go." That was about a 30-minute walk. Not bad. Walking always eased my mind. "In the dark?" This mind-reading thing was annoying. "Sorry, I can't turn it off. I hear everybody. All the time." Well damn, that sucks. But in a strange way, I could understand. I had more in common with this strange beautiful boy then I thought. "Beautiful?" I gave him an exasperated look. Then I demanded that he start the car and head to the reservation. Shaking his head, he started the car and headed out. We both stayed quiet it for the remainder of the ride.
EPOV
Jasper had dozed off during the ride to the border. I couldn't cross the invisible line with him. I would just have to trust that he could take care of himself. He was already upset about all the stuff that happened today. He was worried about what was about to happen at his home. Then I put a few more things on his plate.
Mike was pissed when he drove off today. He was planning on heading straight over to Jessica's house. In his head, I saw how he was planning on working his frustration out. Using Jessica body of course. A perfect match made in hell. They deserved each other.
Honestly, I don't think Mike would say anything. Jessica was the wildcard. She was the controlling type. Tomorrow at school I would be able to get a better read on her.
When I got to the edge of the reservation, I pulled off the side of the road and turned my lights off. I didn't want him to leave the safety of my car, but I couldn't hold him against his will.
I let him doze. He hadn't been sleeping very well. I got the impression he had this problem a lot. Seeing his dream the other night had shaken me to my core. The mating bond was already talking to him subconsciously.
The pull would only get worse over time. I had only seen a hint of what had happened to him in his mind. My mate was wounded but he was still whole. I was proud of him. He was a survivor. He was strong.
It scared me to know he had come in contact with another vampire. I had the rest of my life to hunt down Vicky. I planned to take my time on making her suffer.
He had taken my mind-reading in stride and didn't freak out. That was something. And he confirmed what I had suspected before. He was gifted. An Empath. He knew I was something else and that didn't freak him out either.
"Oh, Jasper," I whispered too softly for his human ears to hear. "I wish I could take your pain away. I would take you away from all this. All you have to do is say the word. We can go anywhere." I reached out traced the hallows of his cheeks. Jasper instinctively followed my touch. He was just beginning to wake up, but he was aware me. I pulled back. The last thing I wanted to do was to creep him out, again. I had no idea what his sexual orientation was. I wanted him so bad it hurt sometimes. On the other hand, he seems to shy away from anything that had to do with sex. Tonight I had learned why. I still have so much to learn about him. He was the human version of an onion. Very layered.
He woke up after a few minutes later. He didn't say anything. He just gathered his jacket and cowboy hat and told me, thanks. Slowly he wandered his way out of the car and out into forbidden territory. It was painful to let him walk away.
I sat back in the driver's seat and watched him walk away from me.
JPOV
I liked the way the driftwood fires would turn green and blue as it burned. There was always some scattered around the beach. The rain had ended hours ago and the wind had died down.
Yes, I was worried about Mike's Dad, but that wasn't the only thing. If Mike went to Jessica's, then I had nothing to worry about.
Problem number two. The suspension could kill my fledgling chances of a football career. Our first game wasn't this Friday night, but next. So I wouldn't have to sit out. But being kicked off the team was a valid fear.
Problem number three. Edward. That could cost me my life. I didn't know what he was. He was really upset about Icky Vicky. I was too. She haunted my nightmare as much as my uncle did. Many of times together. What now?
Edward said the other alternative was the kiss of death. Death, but not death. For me to be like him. This idea had scared Ed. But something deep inside was excited about the idea. I didn't understand what he was feeling and I scare of the answer.
"Hey look what the Cat dragged in," I damn near jumped out of my skin. It was Jake.
"Damn dude. Put a bell on."
"Not my fault you weren't paying attention." Jake flopped down beside me. He looked happy. Then he wrinkled up his nose.
"What?" What the hell was his problem?
"Nothing, I think your cologne is a bit on the strong side, buddy." I wasn't wearing any but okay.
"What brings you out, don't you have school tomorrow?"
"Oh, nothing." I catch him sniffing the air a second time when he thought I wasn't looking. "The elder were having a bonfire and storytelling tonight. Quil's grandfather was the teller tonight."
I perked up immediately. The old man was good. "So tell, impart your tribal wisdom to me, Jake." He eyed me for a few seconds then slowly nodded his head. He was weighing something in his head. Debating.
"Look whatever I say next, you must never tell anyone I told you. Understand?" I frowned at him. This wasn't normal Jake behavior.
Over the summer Jake started acting weird and shot up to 6'7". His biceps alone were huge. Several boys on the Reservation were doing that too.
"Yeah. No problem." He eyed me strangely. He was dead serious. "I mean it, this secret stays right here Jake." His tribe had lots of stories. I had heard many of them since I started hanging out with him. Even ones that went as far back as the great flood. I loved to hear them. Even the strangest ones had a grain of truth. Maybe they would take my mind off of today.
"You have heard the story that my tribe is descended from wolves right?" I nodded. That was one of my favorites. "Then let me tell you the story of the Cold Ones." Oh, cool. I was happy for something to get my mind off of what was hanging over my head. "Tell no one you understand? I can get in a lot of trouble for telling you this." I quietly agreed and let him get started.
He wove a fantastic tale that left my head spinning at the end. Not one of us said anything for a for a few minutes after he was done. He acted like he was spinning a campsite story. Something to scare off the white kid. But the story had me thinking about Edward. He was cold, fast, and hard to the touch. I hadn't seen him in the sun, but I had seen Vicky. She glimmered just like the woman in Jake's story.
"Vampire," Jake whispered in my ear. I couldn't help but shiver. It made perfect sense. Way too much. "Legend has it that one family has a treaty with my tribe. They bite no humans and they stay off our land." That explained Edward not coming on to the Reservation.
"Family?" This was the first time I had spoke since he had started this. He gave me a long look. Again he was thinking it over in his head. I felt guilty that I knew something already and I hadn't told him. But I needed these answers. My head had a blade hanging over because of my past. If Edward had figured it out that quickly. Who else could?
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