Chapter 18

Sage's point of view

I woke up, rubbing my eyes. They itched so much that I had no choice but to scratch at them until I realized I was crying. I shivered, despite the heaters and the fire that was cracking a few feet away from us. Plus we have all these blankets. But the heat didn't matter to me. It didn't match up to the heat that Momma and Daddy put off. I wish they were here. Were they even looking for us? Do they miss us?

I shook Gracie again but she didn't wake up. I didn't know why. Everything that night was so confusing. There were so many vampires-the bad kind. We used our gifts but even we were drained. I remember running with my sister when we were separated and I blacked out. After that, I had no clue what went on.

I was scared and angry. Momma and Daddy weren't here. They didn't care about us! My sister may be dead and they're not here! I thought they loved us! I thought Kaleb said he wanted to be friends. Why was Ethan and Emma dead? Why was my magic with my sister dying? Why did they want us?

I shivered again more furiously, my teeth chattering as I laid close to my sister. I curled next to her, letting her have most of our blankets. Her body kept getting colder and colder and I didn't know how to stop it. I can't let her die! I can't let her get sick! Daddy says I'm strong. I'm seven. I can take care of myself. It's my sister that needs help.

"We promised Stefan and Vladimir, Tuck. With them having the leverage over the Cullens, they'll easily join us without a second thought." I heard a voice say.

"They're unlawful!" another voice yelled, making me jump. "Let me have them. I will tell my masters to back off of your little…cause. We will simply handle these law breakers and you will be on your way."

Law breakers? Us? Momma and Daddy? Was this what it was about?

"Finn, we can't let you do that. They belong to us."

"They belong to their parents. Renesmee and her mate are probably going crazy without them. Their seven. They need to be with their mum and dad. These kids don't deserve to be something to fight over."

Tuck was the only one that seemed to be helping us. Everybody else looked at us with fear and ran. Tuck would bring us food, drinks, blankets, heaters, and fun games. I let them stack up so I could stay close to my sister and sleep. He's not mean to us. Somehow all of them know Mommy. They just wouldn't let us go.

"One, it's not our rebellion. We're just part of it. Two, there wasn't anybody hardly at home, so it seems they didn't really care if we borrowed the kids for a few months."

I shivered yet again and stopped paying attention to the conversation. All I wanted to do was go home. I wanted my mommy and daddy. I wanted to be in my own bed. I wanted my sister to aggravate me again. She may die and I'll never be able to say that I love her. I won't be able to apologize. I would never be able to tell her that I didn't hate her. I really do love my Grace. She's my twin. I can't lose her! We can't lose our magic!

I heard footsteps come to our door so I buried my head under the blankets and into my sister's back. I felt so hot but also so cold. I didn't know if I wanted the blanket on or off. All I could do was listen to my clattering teeth.

I think I was drifting off again when I heard doors slam and somebody touch my shoulder. I jumped awake, seeing it was Tuck. I scooted away from his touch. Even though I liked Tuck, something told me to back away. Like it was instinct or something.

"It's okay, dude. I just came in to check on you. I brought a friend of mine who use to be a doctor that can see what's wrong with you and your sister." He whispered.

I glared at him. I knew it wasn't Papa. Papa was a doctor but he would kill these people and take us back to Momma and Daddy. I knew if Papa was here, Momma and Daddy would be right behind him. They would push him out of the way and rush right to us. I would actually see Daddy cry. Something I don't think I've ever really seen.

"Are they awake?"

Another vampire suddenly came into this room. I jumped back at his eyes. They were read. Red like the vampires that took us. Red like the other vampires that want us dead. I've heard my family talking about them. The Vol…Volt…Volturi?

I stared at him, accidently letting out a hiss, and erased his memory. The burly man stared at us blankly until he started looking around in panic. I hugged my sister's body closer to me, daring them to come any closer. My body shook but it wasn't all due to being cold. I shook like Daddy and Kaleb do when they were holding back from turning into a wolf. I growled, my magic threatening to over flow. It wasn't as strong as mine and Grace's together but it was still powerful enough.

After Tuck explained what happen, the burly man just looked at us. "Eleazar was right. They are powerful-and smell delicious."

"You promised, Akken. If we can't give them back to their parents, the least we can do is take care of them until they're moved." Tuck said.

Tears filled my eyes. I wouldn't see my mommy and daddy again? I wish I begged them to stay. They would at least be with us. I wish I could hear Mommy's songs and Daddy's laugh. I want to go home!

The burly man walked over to me and knelt down. "Don't cry. We're not here to hurt you."

"You won't let me see my parents!" I sobbed.

"I'm sorry. We can't. There's a revolution going on. Pretty soon your family will join. I hear that you and your sister are very powerful. It's a sad thing that your parents try to hide it. Just imagine the stuff you can do with a little training. You'll be able to save so many lives. There's a coven out there that really needs to be taken down. Hopefully with you and your twin, we will succeed in winning."

I nodded, believing him for some reason. So the next question I asked was, "Who are you?"

"My name is Akken. I know your family."

"How?"

"A long story that I believe you're too young to hear." He said. "You look like your mother, you know."

I knew. "Everybody says me and my sister look like Daddy."

"I do see it; but you have your mother's intelligent gaze and your father's willingness to protect. A nice combination."

I let out a giggle by accident. I covered it up and asked, "Who's the Volturi?"

"A bunch of bad vampires that let power go all to their heads. The vampire world would be better without them." Akken answered.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm a doctor-well, used to be. Tuck asked me to come look at you and your sister. What happen?"

I buried my face in Grace's waves. "They came after us. Gracie and I tried to run but we were separated. I don't really remember much."

Tears fell as he touched my temple, which I flinched from. His cold hand touched around my face. "You are very sick, my friend." He whispered.

"Do we need a doctor-I mean, a hospital?"

He checked me once more and then moved to checking my sister. I wanted to protect her, but what if I was making it worse by not letting her get help?

"She needs something-they both do, but whatever has happen put her in a coma."

NO! I know what that means! She can't be in one of those! She can't die! I was supposed to protect her! I promised her I always would! I can't let her die thinking that I lied to her!

"And his cut is infected. I brought some medicine, but they really need serious medical attention. They won't let us take them to the hospital, will they?"

"No. They're watching me like a hawk. Nessie's going to kill us more than she already is."

I flinched at my mother's name. Will I ever see her again?

"Let us go!" I begged. "Let Mommy and Daddy know where we're at! Don't let my sister die! Please!"

"Your sister will not die. We're trying to protect her and you."

I shook my head, coughing. I breathed heavy afterwards as my world spun around me. They were lying. They weren't trying to protect us! They were going to let us die!

"Is your uncles away?" Akken asked as I went into another coughing fit.

"Yeah." Tuck answered.

"Good. He needs medicine. They both do. They also need beds. No more floors."

"Gotcha."

Get them some food. I'll see if I can find some cough syrup to at least give him some relief. It's getting worse than last time."

I hate how they talked as if I wasn't here. "I have a name." I snapped.

"Yes. Wise. Your parents named you both right. We'll be back shortly."

Akken and Tuck left and I curled into my sister even more, crying into her wavy hair. "Please don't die, Sissy! I love you! I don't hate you! I need you! Momma and Daddy needs you. Ka-Kaleb does too! Please don't leave us." I begged.

I hope she can hear me.

~~~~~~ Forever ~~~~~~

I tried falling asleep but couldn't. I couldn't relax. When I did I went into another coughing fit. So Akken rushed in with medicine. I refused to take it, saying my sister needed more help than I did, but mostly I didn't trust what they gave me. What if it was some type of poison?

We were moved into a room. I thought Grace would wake up with that but she didn't. When I realized we were taken I knew something was up with her. When I ran my finger up her spine, there was no movement. She hates that. Normally when I do that she jumps out of bed and slaps me. She'll even throw her shield at me, all depending on her mood. She never did any of that stuff. That's when I knew something was dangerously wrong.

"Come on, Sage. I know you're hungry." Tuck pleaded with me. Normally somebody doesn't really plead for thirty minutes for somebody to eat. Hybrids like Momma are stubborn.

"There's nothing in there, Sage. I promise." Akken smiled. I believed that smile and something slipped through my body. I picked up my spoon and ate with guilt. How can I eat when my sister can't?

Afterward I became so sleepy. I didn't have the energy to hold on any longer. I only paid attention when some man with a funny accent was talking about my family.

"They do smell delicious. We need them useful though. We plan to make our attack on the Volturi soon. The Cullens will definitely side with us now that we have leverage."

"You know they wish not to join our cause, Stefan. They'll only fight us to get them back. We can't kill them and they will surely kill us."

"Then what do you suggest, brother?"

"We make them believe they are dead. The Cullens are far too smart and we now have one thing that will make them dance."

"Not a bad idea. Tuck, if you would please?"

I was close to sleep when I felt hands touch me. I was whisked away to complete darkness.

~~~~~~ Forever ~~~~~~

Grace

I ran towards a scream. I know that scream. It was Momma's

I ran to the little brook, seeing Liam's sad face. "What's wrong? Why is Momma screaming?" I asked, scared.

"Look for yourself. I'm so sorry, sissy. They don't know."

I stepped forward and looked, seeing Momma on the ground, screaming and sobbing. I saw Grandma hold her up while she clutched Daddy, who was yelling on the phone and saying words I never heard him say before.

"THEY CAN'T BE DEAD!" she screamed.

"WHERE ARE THEY?!" Daddy yelled. "AT LEAST LET US SEE THEM!"

Daddy seemed to be getting nowhere so Papa took the phone from him and started talking so fast I couldn't understand him. Even he seemed to be getting upset. I didn't care about that though. I focused on watching Momma and Daddy. I felt bad for them. They're so use to coming in and saving us. Now their hands are tied.

"Jake…they can't be dead! It's all our fault!" Momma sobbed into Daddy's neck.

He held her tight. Daddy shook and breathed heavy. "I know." He said, his voice shaking. He looked like he wanted to cry at any moment.

"The picture! I don't want to believe it but then I do!"

I saw Daddy's face as my parents held each other tight. Tears fell from his red eyes. I've hardly seen Daddy cry. I always pictured him the strong hero that comes in and saves the day. I've never seen him so broken with fear written all on his face.

"Does he really think we're really dead?" I asked Liam, meaning our father. Even my tears started to fall. This place of happiness and peace was something I didn't want anymore. I hated this place. I want to go home.

"They're stuck. They don't know what to believe at this point."

Can't they believe us? Believe me? "I'm powerful! Sage is powerful! They're powerful! Me and Sage have our magic! Can't we use that and tell them that we're kind of okay? We can let them know where we're at or what happen."

Liam shrugged and I got aggravated. I've only felt this way when I didn't get what I wanted. Well…I wasn't getting what I wanted-but this was worse. Momma and Daddy were giving up. They can't! I've got to tell them about Liam! I've got to tell Daddy that I saw his mom and she loved that we named me her middle name. I've got so many things to say so they can't just give up.

I turned my attention back when I heard a sound come from Aunt Alice. Her eyes were black like the rest of my vampire family but her face was completely blank. It was complete chaos. I noticed something on Momma's cheek. A bruise. It looked like somebody just reached out and slapped her. Somebody with a really big hand.

"London." My aunt whispered.

"What"

"London. I can't see there so they have to be somewhere over there."

Momma yanked out of Daddy's hold and went to Aunt Alice. "They're there? Can you see them? Please, Aunt Alice, tell me if my babies are alive or not!" she asked.

I wanted to reach out and touch her. I wished I spent more time with her. I wish I could tell her it would be okay. She and Daddy were strong and they could find us. At least that's what I hope happens. Momma was superwoman and Daddy could rope the moon. They could do anything.

Momma kept insisting and Aunt Alice kept replying the same answer. They were both getting kind of scary. So bad that Liam wrapped his arms around my side and buried his face in my dress as we both cried. Was this what they kept trying to hide from us? The wild, crazy side?

"You have to get to them now! That's all I can make sense-"

Momma lunged at Aunt Alice. I was shocked. I've seen my mommy angry plenty of times that I knew she had a temper when her buttons were pushed. She was kind of scary and she definitely was now. I've never really seen Momma this bad before though. She actually looked like a whole vampire instead of a half one. It was something that she always tried to hide due to us. I was scared of her, scared of this situation, and I was scared that I would die. I can't die without my family knowing that I love them.

Grandpa, Daddy, and a bunch of others stopped Momma. She thrashed around before just finally collapsing in Daddy's arms. She was calm. Uncle Jasper must have did something to change her moods. There might be an upside to me not being there to stop their gifts. I don't like it.

"Is this what I get for doing bad things? For being a spoiled brat?" I asked, wiping the tears away but they kept coming.

"I don't know. Fate-"

I pushed him off of me. "Stop talking about fate!" I yelled. "My momma and daddy think I'm dead! Sage thinks I hate him! I can't do anything because I'm stuck here! It isn't fair!"

I shook. I wish I had my family with me. I miss how warm they were. I miss Kaleb and his jokes. I missed my Sage. We were twins yet we were the total opposite. Our opposites balanced each other out. Sage calmed me down while I brought him out of his box

"I'm sorry!" Liam cried. "I know you want your family; but please, don't go! I want you here with me! I get lonely. I love you, sissy. Don't go! Mommy and Daddy will understand."

I looked at him. I've seen a lot of selfish people, including myself, but this topped it all. How could he want me to stay here? I love Liam…but I can't stay. He was the best little brother, and I would tell everybody about him, but I can't stay here. I can't let Sage be alone with this magic we don't understand. I can't let Kaleb live in guilt. I can't let Momma and Daddy fall and crumble. They already lost Liam. If anything else happens it will be a disaster for them. They'll get a divorce. Sage will have to be shipped from Momma to Daddy like my friend Tyler. It's not fair to anybody, including me and my brother.

Life stinks.

"No. I can't…I have everybody. They need me. I have a life." I told him.

He stood up, angry. "I did too! I could of have a life if it wasn't for you and Sage being bad and making Mommy stressed and upset!" he shouted.

I stared at him in shock. It was our fault? We were just babies. Momma said sometimes a mother's body can't hold the baby and they lose it. That wouldn't mean it was our fault, right? But that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"Stay. Please, sissy. You like making people happy. I need to have somebody here with me. It get lonely and scary here sometimes.

Seeing him cry made me cry even more. He was too cute. Maybe I should stay. Nobody would understand but they would get over it maybe. No, they wouldn't; but nobody should spend forever alone. It was the right thing to do. Momma says sometimes we have to do the right thing whether we like it or not. But if it was so right then why did I hate making that decision.

I shook my head, running away. I didn't know where I would end up, or even if this strange place had an edge, but I couldn't stop. Maybe if I ran far enough I could run back to the real world. I could be back with my family, safe and sound. Back to Daddy's hugs, Momma's kisses, Kabe's jokes, Sage's smiles. We could run away from the bad guys and hide. My family was big and strong. If it comes down to it Sage and I could even use our magic.

I stopped, out of breath. I wish I had energy like Momma. Now all I could do was breathe heavy and pull my knees up to my chest, rocking back and forth. I was so scared. Do I stay? I enjoy Liam, I love him, but I enjoy my life too. I'm only seven. I have a lot of other things I need to do.

After what seemed like a really long time, I decided to wonder back to the brook. I needed to check on Sage. I had to see if his strength was enough because it looked like I was never getting out of here. I wanted to. I want to go.

I walked over to the brook. I thought it was beautiful but that was gone now. Now, despite the beauty, I found it scary. Like they were never going to let me go. How could something so beautiful be so scary and dangerous? It reminded me of my werewolves and vampires. Beautiful but if you look close enough, you can see the danger lurking underneath.

I touched the water with the tip of my foot, jumping back with a yelp. It burned. Did water just shock me? I remember learning in school about how water and electricity didn't mix, but there was nothing around here electric. It wasn't raining. I paid attention that much to my teacher. Plus it's easy when you're brother is really smart.

I crept closer and saw my brother in a bed. He was as still as I was. A man was over him, touching his chest. I stood on the edge, ready to do something but knew I was useless. No! Momma and Daddy can't lose the both of us!

"Sage!" I shouted. Maybe he could hear me. Anybody would tell me it was stupid, but this was Sage. He was smart. He could hear me.

I waited impatiently until Sage coughed. At first I thought I was just a bad cough until he started gasping for breath. My excitement went way out the window.

"Sage? Can you hear me?" I pushed, hoping he could hear that.

"Gra-Gracie?" he rasped. His head turned to my body and he shook me. When I didn't wake he shook his head, flopping back onto the bed and moaned. What was wrong with him?

"Come on, kid." A strange man said. "I'm taking you and your sister to the hospital. Damn the consequences. I'll call your parents from there."

"They-they think me and my sister are dead!"

There was silence for a really long time (in my book at least) until the man swore, picking up me and Sage. He flew out of the window in a blur. He was a vampire, which I should have known that. It made me worried even more for my brother's safety.

I touched my face, feeling wind tickling my cheek. That was strange. Wind never blew here before. I could sense something bad would happen but my attention was taken away and back to Liam. He hugged me tight. Confused, I hugged him back.

"What's wrong, Liam?" I asked.

"Good-bye, sissy. For now at least. I love you! I'm going to miss you! Tell Mommy and Daddy about me-and Sage too! And don't forget to tell Mommy-"

I could hear what Liam was saying but it was distant. So distant that it became a mere echo until I forgot about what he was saying. What was I supposed to say? What was I supposed to do? Who was I supposed to tell this to? Who told me this? Where was I? Who was I?

I felt light erupt and pain flashed through my body as I fell to the ground, letting darkness overwhelm me.