"Wait, wait, wait!"
Emmett stood stock still, Kit's arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. That was the third time she had demanded that he not move despite the fact that he had yet to do so.
"Babe, I haven't moved a single centimeter," he decided to point out.
She didn't seem to hear him as she mumbled quietly to herself, much like she had done before submerging herself under the water during their first date.
"Okay, Kit," she whispered, "You can do this. All you have to do is hold on and not let go. Is that really so hard? No, it's not. He's going to run, then he'll stop and that'll be it. Okay, okay…" she took a deep breath, speaking in a normal tone, "Go ahead."
Emmett could feel her arms tightening, "Are you sure?"
"U-uh-huh," she swallowed her nerves and took another deep breath, "Yes, go ahead, but be careful."
"Okaaaay," Emmett drawled out, giving her another chance to change her mind, "Close your eyes. It'll help."
She tucked her face into his shoulder blade, under her arm and squeezed her eyes shut, "Go."
The movement was smooth and natural and Kit questioned if he was actually moving as fast as he said he would be, but didn't take the chance to open her eyes and see for herself. She could feel her adrenaline and nerves pumping and prayed that she wouldn't get sick or accidentally loosen her hold. That would be disastrous. She couldn't tell how much time went by—if it was seconds or minutes, but either way, she was surprised to hear Emmett's voice.
"We're here," Emmett said, "Do you want to get down?"
"…"
He frowned when he got no response and could feel Kit's heart beating against his back. Too quickly? Too hard? He began to panic, worried that perhaps she had fainted or somehow lost consciousness on the short journey.
"Kit!?" he asked frantically.
"M-mhm," Kit squeaked, her eyes still shut.
Emmett breathed a loud sigh of relief, lightly patting her hand with his own, "Are you okay? Let me help you down."
He knelt in a crouched position, supporting her as he unlinked her arms and uncrossed her legs, setting her down on the ground where Kit sunk, sitting down carefully and looking a little pale.
"Kit!" Emmett gasped, kneeling beside her. His eyes were wide with alarm and he felt sick. Had he let himself get carried away with the high of running? Had he forgotten that she had been there and squeezed too hard? But he had been so careful…she hadn't cried out or screamed…or maybe she had and he hadn't been listening.
"Are you okay?" he asked, eyes sweeping her form as he managed to choke out the words, "Did I hurt you? Does anything hurt!?"
"M'okay," she promised, eyes fluttering open to reveal sparkling green pools. She smiled faintly, "Really, I'm okay. That was…I guess I didn't expect it to be like that. But it wasn't bad!" she added quickly, not wanting to offend him.
Emmett held her gaze for a moment, then nodded, offering a hand to help her to her feet, his other one going to rest on her free arm to steady her.
"You're not dizzy, anymore?" he asked, just to be sure.
She shook her head, brushing off the back of her dress and turning around to make sure there were no stains.
Emmett led her a few feet through the tall, wet ferns and draping moss, around a massive hemlock tree, to the edge of an enormous open field in the lap of the Olympic peaks. It was beautiful and twice the size of any baseball stadium. Not that Kit had been to any, it was an assumption.
As soon as Kit was spotted, Esme began to approach, leaving her sitting position on a bare outcropping of rocks that she had been occupying with Rosalie and Carlisle, the latter seeming to be having an argument with the other blonde.
"Don't," Emmett whispered to Kit when her steps began to slow, "Ignore her. You're welcome here."
"Yes, you are," Esme insisted, smiling, "Off you go, Emmett. Kit's going to be with Bella and myself today."
"Sure you don't want to play, babe?" Emmett asked, rubbing Kit's shoulder, "You can bat."
Kit stared at him for a moment, then laughed, shoving at Emmett, who let himself be pushed away.
"Go away," she told him, "Off you go," she repeated Esme's words, laughter coming from the older woman.
Alice bounded forward, having been throwing something back and forth with Jasper. She greeted Kit brightly and took Emmett's hand, prepared to run with him towards the others in the middle of the field.
"It's time," she announced.
As soon as she'd finished speaking, thunder boomed overhead, shaking the forest.
Emmett winked at Kit, "Eerie, isn't it?"
He dropped a kiss on her forehead, then he and Alice took off, both running graceful and fast.
"Come," Esme led Kit over to where Bella was standing at the edge of the field.
"Hi, Bella," Kit chirped, having yet to speak to her since they day she had dropped her off.
"Hey," Bella smiled, tense and Kit turned her attention to watch the Cullen clan all split into teams.
Alice was pitching, twirling the ball between her dainty hands as she took her place at…the place where pitcher's pitched—the pitcher's mound! Emmett was first up to bat and he winked at Kit when he caught her gaze, grinning widely as he swung an aluminum bat that whistled untraceably through the air. He was very far from the pitcher's mound and Jasper stood several feet from Emmett, catching for the other team. Rosalie stood near Emmett, waiting to bat.
She saw Edward far out in the left field and Carlisle stood between what Kit assumed to be the first and second bases.
"None of them are wearing gloves," Kit said to herself, voicing her thoughts aloud.
"Way to state the obvious, baby!" Emmett called to her, making Kit narrow her eyes at him.
"Oh, you're so hilarious!" Kit called back sarcastically, rolling her eyes when Emmett laughed loudly, "I almost forgot to laugh!" that only served to make Emmett laugh harder, his family, minus Rosalie, joining in.
"Such a dork," Kit shook her head, nothing but fondness and love in her voice. However, it was drowned out by another peal of thunder and she turned to Esme for instruction.
"All right, everyone," Esme said in a clear voice that carried across the field, "Batter up!"
Alice threw the ball and it flew so fast that Kit couldn't see it, but as soon as Emmett swung the bat and hit the ball, she immediately understood why the thunder was necessary for them to play. The crack of impact was shattering, thunderous; it echoed off the mountains, sounding like another roll of thunder. Knowing how strong they were, especially Emmett, it surprised her that the bat didn't break in half. Maybe it wasn't really aluminum.
The ball soared past the trees like a meteor and Emmett was a blur around the bases, Carlisle hot on his heels.
"Isn't that a home run?" Bella asked and Kit turned to hear the answer.
Esme smiled a little, caramel hair swishing as she shook her head, "Watch."
Kit followed her gaze and she was surprised to see Edward emerge from the trees in a light spring, the ball in his uprised hand and a wide grin on his face.
"Wow…" Kit breathed. She hadn't even seen him missing.
"Emmett hits the hardest," Esme explained, "But Edward runs the fastest," she looked at the two human girls, "Call it as you see it."
"Out," Bella said and Kit nodded in agreement.
"Out!" Esme repeated.
"Aw, come on," Emmett complained. His eyes found Kit, "Kit!" he complained loudly.
"Emmett…" Kit warned sternly, shaking her head when Emmett groaned, much like a child.
"You heard her," Jasper goaded, smirking at Emmett, "We're already winning. What's the point?"
"To kick your ass," Emmett growled, leaning forward in anticipation.
After the small brotherly fight, the game continued and when Kit wasn't speaking with Bella and Esme about the rules, she was laughing at Jasper and Emmett, who apparently often fought while playing. Sometimes, the verbal taunting became physical, which Esme broke up by scolding them loudly and telling them to finish the game.
It was impossible to keep up with the speed at which the ball flew, the rate at which their bodies raced around the field, but still it was a lot of fun to see the family playing together. It warmed Kit's heart and she bit her lip shyly every time Emmett winked at her or called out another comment.
"Kit, have you never played before?" Esme asked, having noticed her lack of knowledge.
"No," Kit shook her head, "I've never even seen a game on television," she smiled, "Sports don't run in my family."
"What about you, Bella?" Esme turned to her.
"Hand-eye coordination doesn't run in mine," Bella admitted sheepishly.
"Emmett's told me how competitive they are," Kit said, keeping her eyes on the game. Rosalie was up to bat, "So, what happens to the team that wins? Is there a prize?"
"Bragging rights," Esme answered with a laugh, "For a very short period of time until there's a rematch or they find another game to play. Are your families competitive?"
"No," Bella said, looking up at Edward eagerly when he approached her having caught the third out.
Kit continued the conversation with Esme, not wanting to eavesdrop on the couple's conversation.
"My family's competitive," she told her, waiting for another roll of thunder to pass, "It can get a little ridiculous."
Esme smiled brightly, satisfied at hearing that, "Really? You all play games together?"
"Kind of. We all sort of work together," Kit explained, "It usually turns into a game. We'll play with my sister if she wants to do something. They're all crazy, but I love them to death."
"Come on!" Emmett roared, drawing Kit's attention before Esme could respond. He was struggling to get the ball back into play, his team losing by two.
Kit was laughing at him, like the supportive possibly-girlfriend she was, when Alice cried out, the game coming to an immediate halt as her eyes glazed over.
"Stop!" she commanded sharply.
Edward was at Bella's side before she could blink and Kit looked at Emmett, but he looked just as lost as she did. What was going on?
"Alice?" Esme questioned.
"I-I'm sorry," Alice gasped out, everyone gathering around her, "I didn't see…I-I couldn't tell!"
"Tell what?" Emmett demanded, his arm automatically going to wrap around Kit's shoulders when she was close enough.
Carlisle held up a hand, the picture of authority, "What is it, Alice?"
"The nomads," Alice glanced at Bella and Kit, worry evident in her voice. She failed to relax even when Jasper wrapped her in his embrace from behind, "They heard us playing and changed their course. They're coming."
"Less than five minutes," Edward answered Carlisle just as his father turned to look at him, "They're running and want to play."
"Nomads?" Kit questioned quietly.
"Vampires," Emmett said casually, "Ali, how many?"
"Three," she answered tersely.
"Three!" he scoffed, "Let them come," he grinned, the steel bands of muscle flexed along his massive arms.
Kit, usually comforted by Emmett's confidence, was starting to become frightened by the heavy anxiety in everyone else's eyes as the family surrounded her and Bella protectively.
Vampires—ones who didn't drink animals or had an old agreement with the Cullens like Peter and Charlotte—were coming.
The words finally registered and Kit gripped Emmett tight.
Seeing Kit's sudden fear, Carlisle spoke again, addressing Edward and Emmett, "Can you make it back to the house?"
"No," Edward's face held intense concentration,"Not carrying."
"We'll continue the game," Carlisle said finally, "They're simply curious."
"Esme, you catch," Edward said in a low and even voice, "I'll call it. Kit?" he moved his head, a gesture for Kit to come stand behind him.
"O-okay," Kit whispered, visibly shaken, hesitantly releasing her grasp on Emmett.
"Don't worry," Emmett said. He still wore a cocky grin as he removed his jacket, "We won't let anyone hurt you. You guys will be fine. Just stay behind Edward and hopefully they won't notice."
Kit blinked owlishly as Emmett helped her into his jacket and zipped it up for her.
"There," he mumbled, gently spinning her around, "Try to stay still and don't leave Edward's side, okay? And maybe try to calm down, we can smell fear."
"Emmett!" Edward scolded, when Kit gasped, "Knock it off, this is not a time to be joking around!" he growled.
Gnawing on her fingernails, Kit went to stand beside Bella who had taken her hair out of its ponytail and was shaking it out around her.
"The others are coming now," Bella said, oddly calm.
"Yes," Edward helped pull Bella's long hair around her face, "Stay very still, keep quiet, and don't move from my side, please. Kit, come closer."
Kit ambled forward, still biting her nails. She jumped when Edward grabbed her wrist, gingerly yanking it down to her side.
"Stay still!" he hissed to her.
"Hey, watch it, kid!" Emmett barred his teeth with warning, "Hands to yourself unless you want to lose 'em!"
"Shhh," Jasper hushed, his eyes sweeping the dark forest. He motioned for Alice and Esme to orient themselves around Kit and Bella.
"My apologies," Edward murmured, barely audible, "Forgive me."
"I-it's fine," Kit breathed, clamping her mouth shut when she saw him tense.
The nomadic vampires emerged from the darkened forest edge, each standing far from each other. It was the woman that Kit noticed first, her long curly hair a brilliant orange that closely resembled the color of fire, looking more wild with debris from the woods intertwining the strands. Her eyes were bright red, skin pale, her entire appearance like a powerful feline as her eyes shifted restlessly.
One of the men with cropped light brown hair fell back, allowing the male with cropped glossy black hair to take the lead. As they approached, Kit could see how cautious they were being. Their walk was slow and catlike, all dressed in worn, weatherproof jeans and casual button-downs. They were barefoot.
Carlisle, flanked by Emmett and Jasper went to meet them, Carlisle's posture regal and poised.
The man in front, with olive-toned skin beneath the usual pallor, flashed a brilliant smile and stepped towards Carlisle, his medium-build and hard muscle flexing slightly as he gestured to the other two vampires.
"Hello," he greeted, his French accent relaxed, "I am Laurent and these are Victoria and James. Did we hear a game?"
"Yes," Carlisle said smoothly, "I'm Carlisle, and this is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Bella, Esme, and Alice, Rosalie, Kit and Edward."
Kit's hand twitched when Carlisle said her name and a flash of fear went through her when she remembered Edward hissing at her to stay still. Had the nomads noticed? Had she completely blown it?
Her eyes landed on James when he grinned a sadistic grin, his eyes lingering a little too long on Alice before roaming over the others. She lowered her gaze before he reached her.
'Breathe, Kit,' she thought, 'Don't panic, it's okay.'
"Do you have room for a few more players?" Laurent asked hopefully.
Carlisle hesitated, but he didn't stay that way for long, "Actually, we were just finishing up, but we'd certainly be interested another time. Are you planning to stay long?"
"We're headed North, in fact," Laurent said, his tone still innocent. Suddenly, he seemed to realize something, "Is this your territory?"
Carlisle nodded, "We maintain a permanent residence nearby. We hunt in the Olympic Range here, up and down the Coast Ranges on occasion. However, this region is usually empty except for us and the occasional visitor, like yourselves."
Laurent returned Carlisle's nod with one of his own, stuck on the word 'permanent.'
"How do you manage a permanent residence?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine curiosity.
Kit's shoulders relaxed and she figured that Jasper was using his gift to keep things calm. She glanced at Bella, but was unable to read her face.
"There's another permanent settlement like ours up near Denali," Carlisle said. He managed a small smile, "It's a rather long story, you see. Why don't you all come back to our home and we can talk comfortably?" he invited, ever polite.
James and Victoria exchanged a shocked look, but Laurent's face remained passive as he smiled.
"That sounds excellent and interesting, thank you," he said, "We've been hunting since leaving Ontario and it has been sometime since we've been able to cleanup."
"We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand," Carlisle explained, "Please don't take offense, but we'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in this immediate area."
"Of course," Laurent nodded quickly, "It is your territory, after all. Besides, we're full having just eaten outside Seattle, anyway," he laughed, James and Victoria joining in with light chuckles.
Kit and Bella both shuddered and briefly, they met each others gazes, silently communicating their fear.
"We'll be on our way, then," Carlisle said with a smile, "Emmett and Alice, why don't you go with Edward, Kit and Bella to get the Jeep?" he phrased it as a question, though it was anything but.
They nodded and followed after Edward who was already leading the two girls away. It was when a breeze blew, that Edward froze, dropping the hold he had on their arms to whirl around.
James and Victoria, suddenly whipped their heads around, nostrils flaring. Victoria had her teeth barred, her tongue going to run over them as she swallowed, her throat evidently burning.
It was when Victoria lunged for Kit, a feral screech torn from her throat that Kit screamed, Emmett shoving her backwards as his family left their positions to flank his sides, hiding Bella and Kit from view. Menacing hisses escaped their throats.
Laurent was the one to stop Victoria, his hand slamming hard into her chest before he stepped in front of her as she recovered.
James was occupied, his eyes wide and on Bella from his crouched position that matched Edward's who let out a feral snarl.
"What's this?" Laurent exclaimed, looking from Victoria who writhed in his one arm hold, to Kit, to James, then Edward and lastly, Bella.
Kit stayed on the ground, not wanting to stand and risk Victoria jumping at her again. She scooted backwards a little, noticing Emmett shift his position to always stand in front of her. She was shaking, breath coming out in shuddering gasps.
James, looking pleased at Victoria's reaction, took an involuntary step forward, his eyes black with thirst and want.
"You brought us a couple snacks?" he taunted, inhaling deeply.
Simultaneous snarls ripped from Emmett's and Edward's throats, Emmett readying himself for a fight. His eyes never left Victoria's form. Her chest heaved as growls and venom rattled through her clenched teeth, her eyes darker than midnight.
"The girl's are with us," Carlisle said firmly.
Laurent, clearly astounded, shook his head, "But they're human!"
Carlisle's eyes hardened, "They. Are. With. Us," he repeated firmly, "They are members of my family."
"Yes," Emmett agreed, eyes flicking from Victoria to James, narrowing dangerously, "Carlisle…?"
Carlisle nodded, seeming to understand, "I think it'd be best if you leave."
"Now!" Emmett drew up on his toes, making his frame appear larger and more menacing.
"Yes, of course," Laurent took a few steps back, forcibly yanking Victoria with him with surprising strength while James straightened from his crouch, "We will not harm the human girls nor hunt in your range as promised."
Kit tensed when Emmett began to back up just as slow, one of his hands extended behind him. With a trembling hand, Kit took it and pulled herself to her feet. Her legs were shaking and she struggled to steady herself.
She could feel Emmett's continuous glances, but she couldn't meet them, her own bulging eyes locked on the nomads' retreating figures. She could still hear Victoria snarling and wondered what had set the redhead off like that.
She tried to speak, but only a strangled sound escaped, causing Emmett to turn to face her, still blocking her from view. His hands cupped her face, running down her cheeks, to her arms, where he held both her shaking hands. That redhead—Victoria had been so close.
He didn't want to ask if Kit was okay because clearly she wasn't, but that had never stopped him before.
"Emmett, we have to go!" Edward snarled before he could do so, "He's a Tracker, let's go."
"A-a what?" Kit choked out, finding her voice.
But Emmett didn't answer, pulling Kit to walk promptly back to the forest's edge, his family behind him and Alice particularly close.
"I—s-she was going to-
"Don't worry about that," Emmett slung Kit over his back, breaking into a run behind Edward.
Kit kept her head low and squeezed her eyes shut, too terrified to worry about where the others had gone. Where were they going? Back to the house?
She got her answer shortly, when Emmett was suddenly strapping her into his Jeep before he went to sit in the middle, getting to work on helping Bella into the harness, Edward and Alice in the front seats.
The Jeep roared to life and swerved backward, spinning around to face the winding road.
Edward was growling, continuing to push the Jeep to go faster and Kit couldn't make out a single word he was saying. The ride was jolting and rough, the darkness only adding to the scary situation.
"Where are we going?" Bella asked. She glanced at Kit, recalling her earlier question, "And what's a Tracker? What's going on?"
"We have to get you both out of here," Edward growled, "Far away before he—they find you and they will. So, we have to go!"
Edward's words made no sense, Kit only understanding that they were leaving Forks. The speedometer was well over 100 miles per hour and Kit began to panic.
"No, we can't go!" she shouted in earnest, "Take me home, turn around!"
Bella joined in with protests of her own, "Edward, you can't do this!"
"I have to," Edward said, "Now, please be quiet."
Kit was furious at the command, no matter how kind Edward was trying to come off. Was he being serious?
"Yes," Edward answered her thoughts over Bella shouting something about Carlisle and Esme and the FBI.
"Please…" Kit begged. She looked at Emmett and he looked just as worried.
Alice finally spoke up, "Edward pull over, let's talk this through," she suggested.
"You don't understand!" Edward roared, his voice raging throughout the Jeep, "Alice, haven't you seen!? You know he's a Tracker. Tracking is James' obsession and Victoria!? Kit smells just as good to her as Bella does to me!"
Kit ignored Emmett stiffening next to her and Bella's loud gasp. Kit tuned everything out and closed her eyes, trying to think past her paralyzing fear. Scent. She tried to remember everything that Emmett and Bella had told her about the brunette's blood smelling stronger to Edward.
"It's a huge test of his self-control," Emmett had said. Self-control that Victoria, a vampire who fed from humans on a daily basis, did not have.
They were in Forks, a small town; and in a nice house, surrounded by trees, held three people who smelled either exactly or at least very similarly to Kit…
Slowly, Kit's eyes opened and her breath hitched when her throat tightened. If anyone had been speaking, she hadn't heard them.
"My sister," she squeaked, knowing she'd be heard, "And my parents…don't they smell like me?"
Emmett's hand ran up and down her arm as he tried to soothe her to no avail.
Bella gasped, catching on, "Charlie! You can't leave him there! You can't leave him!" she thrashed against the harness and Emmett had to hold her hands.
"She's right," Alice said, "They both are."
The car slowed slightly.
"Let's just look at our options for a minute," Alice coaxed.
"We're taking them back," Emmett said, firmly, "We have to take them back."
"No."
"Yes," Kit interjected, "If you think I'm leaving my family, then you've got another thing coming, Edward. I swear, I will jump out of this car!" she saw Emmett smile a little from the corner of her eye.
The Jeep screeched to a halt at the shoulder of the highway and Emmett's hand kept Kit from slamming into the harness.
"He's no match for us, Edward," Emmett said, always confident, "He won't be able to touch them," he grinned and even Kit, with her matching sick sense of humor, couldn't fathom how he could still smile, "You think I'm going to let him lay a single hand on my girl?"
"He'll wait," Edward insisted.
Emmett snickered, "Fine. I can wait, too. We have all the time in the world."
Edward didn't find this humorous, "You didn't see—you don't understand. Once he commits to a hunt, he's unshakable. We'd have to kill him."
Emmett didn't seem upset by the idea and shrugged casually. "That's an option."
"And the female," Edward continued, "She's with him and after Kit. If it turns into a fight, the leader will go with them, too."
"Great," Emmett shrugged again, "There are enough of us."
"There's another option?" Alice said quietly.
Edward turned on her in fury, his voice a blistering snarl, "There—is—no—other—option!"
Alice seemed unsurprised by this, the silence long-lasting as she and Edward stared each other down.
Bella broke the silence, "Does anyone want to hear my plan?"
"No," Edward growled.
"Yes," Kit said.
"Listen," Bella pleaded. "You take us back."
"No," Edward interrupted.
Bella glared and continued. "We need to go somewhere, right? Great, okay. So, you take us back. Me first and I'll tell my dad I want to go home to Phoenix. I pack my bags, we go to Kit's house, she…comes up with something, we wait 'till this tracker and the female is watching, and then we run. They'll follow us and leave our families alone. Charlie won't call the FBI on your family. Then you can take us any damned place you want."
Edward wasn't convinced, trying to find a loophole in Bella's plan, "Kit's family will never believe that she's running away."
"I…" Kit didn't know what to say and floundered for words. He was right about that.
"I'll go in with Kit," Alice came to the rescue, "Kit, you can say that we're taking you on vacation. It is Spring Break after all."
"It's not a bad idea, really." Emmett said, surprised, "We can't leave their families unprotected, that's not an option and that Tracker's not getting through us. Neither is the redhead."
Alice thought for a minute, "I don't see him attacking. He'll try to wait for us to leave them alone and it won't take long for him to realize that's not going to happen."
Kit didn't speak, unsure how to feel about the plan. She was terrified, not wanting to leave her family.
'But it'll be safer for them if I'm gone,' she concluded, fighting back tears. Edward giving her a small nod to confirm her thoughts.
Edward pressed his fingers to his temples and squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't look up. When he spoke, his voice sounded worn, "Bella, you tell Charlie that you can't stand another minute in Forks. Tell him whatever story works. Pack the first things your hands touch, and then get in your truck. I don't care what he says to you. You have fifteen minutes. Do you hear me? Fifteen minutes from the time you cross the doorstep."
"No, change it," Kit interrupted shakily, "Bella, if Charlie thinks you've run away, he'll call my parents. They know we're friends. The stories need to match up. Vacation."
"Okay," Bella nodded, "It will be a girl's trip, then, whatever—the Tracker will still follow us and it's not like Charlie will question it. We're going shopping or something and the boys are going camping."
"Fine. This is how it's going to happen," Edward told them, the Jeep roaring to life, "When we get to the house, if the Tracker is not there, I will walk her to the door. Then she has fifteen minutes to pack and explain," he glared at Bella in the rearview mirror. "Emmett, you take the outside of the house. Alice, you get the truck and stay with Kit. I'll be inside as long as Bella is. After she's out, you two can take the Jeep home and tell Carlisle."
"No way," Emmett broke in. "I'm with you."
Kit looked up at him, shocked and was about to say something when Edward beat her to it.
"Think it through, Emmett," Edward said, "I don't know how long I'll be gone."
"You're coming!?" Kit blurted.
Edward narrowed his eyes at her in the rearview mirror, "Yes!"
"No," Kit shook her head, "I mean, wouldn't he know? The Tracker? He saw how you acted, how protective you were of Bella. Wouldn't his first thought be that you'd be wherever Bella goes?" she looked at Emmett, "You too, Emmett. I moved an inch and you followed. You should stay."
"What?" Emmett asked disbelievingly.
"You'll get a better crack at him if you stay," Alice agreed.
Edward stared at them all, "You think I should let them go alone?"
"Goodness, no," Alice shook her head, "Jasper and I will take them."
"I'm fine with that," Emmett conceded easily. He trusted Jasper.
"I can't do that," Edward repeated, but this time there was a trace of defeat in his voice. It was clear that he didn't want to leave Bella, but the logic was working on him.
"You and Emmett need to hang out here for a week—a few days," Bella cut in, "It's supposed to be a girl's trip and you're supposed to be camping, remember? Lay low. That way, our parents won't think that you guys kidnapped us. Lead this James on a wild-goose chase and make sure he's completely off our trail. Then come and meet us. Take a roundabout route, of course, and then Jasper and Alice can go home."
Edward still looked unsure, but he was considering it, "Meet you where?"
"Phoenix," Bella said, the 'duh' implied in her tone.
"No. He'll hear that's where you're going," Edward said impatiently.
"Obviously. He'll know that we'll know that he's listening," Kit said, getting impatient herself, "And we won't actually say that we're going to Phoenix. Edward, it's a good plan!"
"You're diabolical," Emmett grinned, kissing the top of Kit's head, "Hot."
"Emmett, really?" Alice snorted when Kit flushed, "Is now seriously the appropriate time to be flirting with Kit?"
Kit leaned her head on Emmett's chest, "Behave," she warned him.
"I'm quite old enough to get my own place," Bella said, answering a question that Kit had missed, her face cooling down.
So, this was really happening, then? Kit couldn't believe it. Vampires, wanting to kill were coming after them and they had to leave…
Would her family really be okay? Indigo was smart, but she was still a child. What if she got tricked? Well, it was Spring Break, one of her parents would be at home with her. Indigo wasn't old enough to stay home alone. But what if she went to a friend's house—like that Melody girl? Did her and Indigo share the same scent? What about her mom or dad? What if one of them went somewhere alone?
A guttural snarl echoed in the Jeep, caused Kit to snap back to the present, her eyes wide with terror.
"It's just Alice," Emmett soothed, "We're at Bella's house. There's been a change of plans. She's going to go talk to Charlie and Edward and I are going to stay. We'll take Bella's truck and Alice is going to take you home with the Jeep and I'll meet you there while Edward and Bella go back to the house. Okay?"
"O-okay," Kit whispered back, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. Her breath hitched again.
Edward who had been sitting ramrod straight in his seat, turned to face Kit, taking in her shaky appearance.
"Are you going to be able to keep it together?" he demanded.
"Watch your tone," Emmett warned, helping Bella out of her harness, "That's strike two, kid."
"She'll be fine," Alice quipped, "Don't worry, Edward."
Kit gave the barest of nods, blinking back tears.
"Hey," Emmett, having yet to leave the car after Bella and Edward, drew his thumb under Kit's eyes, "It's going to be okay."
"There's no way I can stay?" Kit asked, "If someone will be watching the house…" she trailed off.
Emmett sighed sullenly, "It really will be safer if you go," he smiled, "Look at it this way: It'll be some time away from Forks! You can't tell me that's not tempting and you can leave your phone behind…" he wagged his eyebrows.
"There," he traced the curve of Kit's mouth when she forced a smile for his sake, "That's better," he looked at Alice, "Take care of her."
"Of course!" Alice's eyes never leaving the forest they trailed over, "You have to go, now. We're wasting time."
"Okay, okay," Emmett winked at Kit, "See you soon, babe."
And then he ghosted his lips across Kit's ever so lightly, the Jeep tearing down the road again before Kit knew it. She hadn't even been able to say anything to Bella, but was comforted by the fact they would meetup again in due time.
"It will be okay, Kit," Alice said from the driver's seat, "If you're gone, they shouldn't touch your family."
Kit had no choice but to believe her as Alice did see the future. As they neared her house, she really didn't know if she'd be able to keep it together. Sure, she had been lying to her parents, but this was different. Their lives were at stake.
Another thought struck Kit, one that had nothing to do with the dangerous situation she was in, and her hand went to her mouth, her fingers touching her lips as she was momentarily distracted.
"Did Emmett kiss me?" she asked, unsure if the question was even appropriate or if Alice had seen the exchange.
"Yes!" Alice sounded oddly chipper, "He did. Did it bother you?"
"No," Kit said shyly. She lowered her hand, hoping that Alice couldn't see her blush, "It didn't."
Her thoughts on the kiss, however, left her mind completely when Alice pulled up at the side of her driveway. Both her parents cars were parked and there was no doubt that Indigo was home.
"Alice-
"You can do this, Kit," Alice interrupted, "You have to, understand? You've told me that your sister is your whole world, right?" she didn't wait for Kit to confirm this and got out of the car to help Kit out of the harness, "Keep it together for her."
Kit hurriedly wiped her eyes and accepted the hand that Alice held out, hopping down from the Jeep. Together, they walked up to the front door, Kit trembling.
"Don't lose it," Alice warned fiercely, just as Kit managed to get the door open.
"Kit, is that you?" came Everly's call from the living room.
With a small push from Alice, Kit staggered into the living room where her parents were sitting on the couch, Indigo squished between them.
"Alice, what a surprise!" Blake greeted, smiling, "Did you two have fun?"
"Yeah, we played baseball," Alice supplied, "My team won and Kit helped referee."
"That sounds fun," Everly commented, "Kit, honey, are you okay? Where's Emmett?"
Showtime.
"I—camping," Kit cleared her throat, "Um, Emmett's at home…packing. E-every year for Spring Break, the guys all go camping and the girls go to a spa. T-they invited Bella and I a-along."
"This is very last minute," Blake said with a frown.
"Well, Emmett was supposed to tell her," Alice scowled, looking irritated, "But he's such a dork. I swear, he would forget his last name if teachers didn't call attendance," she glared at Kit, "Then, I tried calling you, but you're phone's always off!"
"Ow!" Kit jumped, batting at stone when Alice pinched her, "Hey, watch it!"
Alice gave her a stern look and Kit pressed her lips together for only a moment, bringing her hand up to bite her nails.
Indigo giggled, "Isn't a spa, like, mud baths and stuff? Can't you just jump in a puddle or something?"
"That's different," Everly said absently, "Spas use clean mud," she looked at Alice, "How much is this trip?"
"No cost," Alice assured, "We book it every year. It's down in Seattle, not too far and she'll be gone for the week."
Seattle? Kit looked away, her throat tightening again. When she composed herself, she removed her hand from her mouth and looked back.
'For your family, your family, your family,' she chanted.
"Can I go?" she asked, "Please? I'll call when we get to the hotel."
Blake looked reluctant, but then Everly spoke.
"I don't know, Kit…" she said, "A whole week? We haven't even spoken to Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, yet."
"I can have my mom call you," Alice promised, "Though, if you're really not comfortable, I understand. We can do something during the summer. It will be more planned out."
Kit stared at Alice, perplexed, "What?"
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Blake interjected, "It is a supervised trip, you are sixteen, and a break might be nice. You know, get away from Forks and get a facial or something. Paint your nails and relax."
"Seattle is only a few hours away…" Everly added, contemplating, "But, Kit, if we say yes, you'll have to take your phone with you. No forgetting to charge it. I want you to have it on you at all times."
Kit nodded slowly, picking at her jagged nails, "Yes, ma'am, I understand. So, I can go?"
"You can go," Blake concluded, "I trust the Cullens and it is a girl's trip. I like that. Hurry, go pack."
"While Kit's packing, I'll tell you more about the trip," Alice offered.
"Great, I'll be right back," Kit rushed from the room, tears immediately welling up in her eyes. Upon reaching her room, she closed the door and locked it, unsure of what to do or where to start.
"Babe, you have to hurry."
Kit's eyes flew open and without thinking, she launched herself at Emmett, burrowing her face in his chest.
"Emmett…" she begged.
"I know, I know," Emmett tucked her head under his chin, "It's all right, you're going to be safe. Your family will be protected just as much as you will be. I promise. C'mon, I'll help you pack."
With that, they separated, Kit replacing Emmett's phone that was still tucked in her cardigan with her own and handed it back to him.
"So much for leaving my phone here," she joked coldly, folding clothes and stuffing them carefully into her leopard print, carry-on bag. She made sure to grab only pants and shirts, not having time to match her clothes. She went to the bathroom to retrieve her toiletries.
"Did it bother you?" Emmett suddenly asked, grabbing a skirt which Kit promptly took from his hands.
She put the skirt back in her closet, grabbing a couple of dresses and some heels. She knew what Emmett was referring to and cleared her throat, willing away her nerves,"No. I-I…liked it."
At her admission, her face heated up dangerously and she grabbed fistfuls of socks and underwear, "C-can you pack my book, please? The one on my bedside table and my CD player?"
"You liked it," Emmett repeated, placing the two items into her bag, "I've been wanting to kiss you for awhile, but I wasn't sure..."
"…If it was too fast," Kit finished, a small smile twitching her lips at his nervousness, "You really are the sweetest. Don't worry, it wasn't too fast," she told him, zipping up her bag. She sighed, "That's it."
"I'll be waiting outside by the Jeep," Emmett said, cupping her face, "Unfortunately, you can't take your car."
"My…mom's…car," Kit corrected, her heart speeding up when he leaned closer, "A-are you going to kiss me again?"
Emmett chuckled, his cold breath hitting her face, "Do you mind?"
"Mm-mm," Kit hummed absently, eyes fluttering closed as his lips finally touched hers.
Kit had never been kissed before and had no idea if she was even doing it right. If she wasn't, Emmett didn't seem to mind, his lips being cold and very firm against her own, molding perfectly. She could tell he was trying to be careful. It was a wonderful feeling being kissed by Emmett, the butterflies in her stomach going wild. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him back.
Too quickly, it was over, and Emmett pulled away, a few inches of space between them. He gazed at Kit with such affection, still cupping her cheek.
"Too much?" he asked worriedly.
Kit pursed her lips and shook her head shyly. They hadn't...made out or anything and he hadn't pressured her to do anything or go any further. No, it hadn't been too much.
"There's something I really want to tell you," Emmett said softly, bringing Kit back to the present.
"Don't," Kit said, eyes bright, "Not yet. If you do, I'm going to completely lose it and burst into tears like in an old movie and I still need to say goodbye to my family," she swallowed thickly, "So, you'll have to be patient. Can you wait until we're together again?"
"I can," Emmett promised. He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips, "Go. I'll see you outside and I'll be running behind you guys. Keep it together. You can do it."
"I have to," she mumbled, going to lock her window after Emmett exited.
She grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder, pausing to look around, making sure she didn't forget anything. When she was sure that she hadn't, she left her room and took slow steps, stalling as long as she could.
Alice met her at the bottom of the stairs, "Ready?"
"No," Kit breathed.
"Fantastic!" Alice grinned, knowing she was still in earshot of Kit's parents.
"Honey, you look a little pale," Everly said, standing from the couch, "Are you feeling okay?"
Kit opened her mouth, then closed it again. She nodded jerkily, biting her lip, "M-mhm. Nervous."
"It will be fun," Everly assured, "Come here," she hugged, Kit, "Oh, I love you."
Kit hugged her mother tightly, "I love you too, mom," her voice cracked and a tear escaped, "Be safe."
"Are you sure you're all right?" Blake asked, the wind getting knocked out of him when Kit threw herself into his arms, "What's wrong?"
"I'm not allowed to hug my father?" Kit's voice shook and she forced a laugh, "Is that such a crime?"
"I guess not," Blake chuckled, "But you're being weird about it."
"I have cramps," Kit supplied, hoping the period excuse would once again, explain why she was so emotional.
"Oh," Blake said. He pulled away from the hug and looked Kit up and down, "Well, get some rest and take some pain medication. It'll probably help."
Kit nodded, picking up Indigo who cried out in protest, "Hey!"
"Shush!" Kit said, crushing her sister to her chest, "And give me a hug. I won't see you for a whole week," she buried the sound of her sniffle in Indigo's shoulder, "I love, love, love you."
"That's two more love's than usual," Indigo said, pushing herself back, "Will you bring me back something from the spa?"
Kit laughed through her unfallen tears, "Like, what? Lotion or something?"
"Or something," Indigo agreed. She wriggled in Kit's grasp, "Now, put me down!"
Kit complied after peppering the side of Indigo's face with kisses.
"You guys should get going, it's getting late," Everly said, "Kit, call if you need anything or if you need us to come get you."
"And make sure you eat dinner," Blake scrunched his nose at Kit's pallor, "Low blood sugar runs in the family. You look a little pale."
"I will," Kit promised, "I love you guys."
"We love you too, Kit Kat," Everly smiled, "Have fun and drive carefully. You too, Alice."
Sensing that Kit was about to lose it, Alice took Kit's hand, "Thanks, you guys. Bye bye!"
"Bye, Alice, bye, Kitty!" Indigo called after them.
The door shut and the three returned to the couch, resuming the Hello Kitty movie they were watching.
"Kit was acting weirder than normal," Everly said, "I was waiting for her to have some kind of breakdown."
"She's been having a rough time," Blake told her, "And she's on her period. I bet she's so relieved that she gets a break, that she's emotional. What do you think, Princess?"
"Daddy, shhhhh!" Indigo hissed, "Mimi and Kitty are bringing color back!"
"Of course, what was I thinking?" Blake pulled his daughter closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Author's Note: Another chapter posted and finished!
A quick disclaimer (?): A reviewer kindly pointed out that perhaps this story could encourage people to hide bullying and not get help - you know, send the wrong message and I hope it does not. I wrote this story to bring light to bullying and the effects it can have.
As someone who has been bullied before, it really is best that you tell someone whether it be your parents or a counselor at school. Keeping it to yourself really is much worse and I encourage everyone to get help and if you are being bullied, then I'm sorry. You don't deserve it and I'm sure you're a lovely person.
Thank you,
FictionChic