Friday (Day One):
News about what had happened to Kit spread quickly throughout the town. It was like those wild brush fires.
Rumors started circling the schools, that a senior from Forks High, Kit Algren, had attempted suicide.
It was all the Cullens heard about when they stepped out of their car on Friday.
"Is she in the hospital!?"
"I don't know!"
"I heard ambulance sirens!"
"I didn't know anything, I heard it from Tony."
"I literally just saw her, yesterday."
"I keep thinking about all the classes I-I had with her. I had, like, two."
"She was in my Spanish class."
"She's so nice!"
"Nothing ever happens around here!"
"I can't believe it!"
"You see this shit on TV, but, like, Forks!?"
"I feel so bad."
"Oh my God, the Cullens showed up."
"Look at Emmett. Weren't they dating!?"
"Did they break up?"
"Is that why she killed herself!?"
"She killed herself because they broke up!"
Emmett startled when he felt a hand on his shoulder and he whipped his head to the side, then dropped it to look at Alice.
"We can go home," she whispered to him, "Esme said it would be okay. The humans would understand. We can just be at home and go see Kit tomorrow."
They were given permission, by some chick named Vanessa—Kit had mentioned her a couple times—to go to the hospital and see Kit on Saturday. Kit had been admitted Thursday, but Everly and Blake needed some time.
The call had come early that morning.
Much earlier that morning, around 3:00AM, his family had returned, early from their hunting trip. Esme looked confused, he didn't bother to look at Rosalie, Edward had probably gone off to Bella's and Alice and Japser…
They had no blood circulation, yet Emmett had never seen his siblings so pale. He actually thought that Alice might pass out. She wasn't her usual graceful self and needed Jasper's support to take each and every step.
He was about to ask what was wrong, when she had stared at him with bright eyes that were darkening by the second.
"Please!" her voice had been shrill, "Please, don't ask. Carlisle said I-I can't, I'm so sorry," and she and Jasper had retreated to their room.
At first, Emmett hadn't stressed about it. He had other things to worry about.
On Wednesday, after leaving Kit's house, he had planned to go straight to the hospital to get his father, but Alice had intervened. There was some kind of heart trauma and Carlisle wouldn't be available for hours nor would he be returning home until very late, Thursday.
It would be sunny, Thursday and as long as Carlisle stayed inside, he could easily pull a long, overworked shift, safe under the florescent lighting. He had done it before under worse circumstances. Forks General Hospital was so small, all the doctors and nurses often worked overtime. Sometimes, 48 hour shifts. Carlisle hadn't gone in until the late-afternoon Wednesday. No one would question it.
The family was due for a hunting trip, anyway and if they were to leave Wednesday night, unable to return Thursday, then there was no point in going to school Friday and they might as well head up to Canada and hunt there and have fun until Sunday or early Monday.
Emmett hadn't really been for it, not even when Jasper bet him a fight if he spotted a grizzly. He would wait to go until Friday and in the meantime, call Carlisle's cell until his father picked up. Carlisle was still playing human and would need to take breaks at some point.
Besides, Emmett was still hoping for Carlisle to yell at Rosalie or at least punish her. More importantly, Kit needed help.
The sounds of her crying still horrified him.
With his mind made up, the rest of his family had left Wednesday night, leaving Emmett to his own devices.
He had called Carlisle and left him voicemails, texted Kit a few times, played some video games, then brought his laptop downstairs and opened up a window.
All night he researched eating disorders, clicked boxes in symptom checklists and saw disturbing images of emaciated girls. He could count every bone and every tendon in the pictures.
And that wasn't due to his enhanced eyesight.
Did Kit look like that? He had never seen her naked before…
He read horror stories about girls who had heart attacks, cardiac arrests from their body giving out. One girl had completely starved herself into osteoporosis caused by severe malnutrition. She had died from fainting on her way down the stairs and had broken every bone in her body.
Another girl died from a ruptured esophagus. It had been her fist time throwing up—purging, the websites called it.
He couldn't read anymore after that. Kit did both. Did that mean she was at higher risk of death? Did that make her anorexic or bulimic?
Thursday, it was sunny. Alice's prediction had been right, but it had changed. The weather couldn't make up its mind. One moment it was lightly sprinkling and the next moment, the sun was shining.
Later Thursday afternoon, Emmett had finally gotten a call from the hospital. It was some lady at the front desk.
"I was instructed by Dr. Cullen to call and inform you that your father has received your messages, but he had an emergency to tend to and will most likely, be tied up the rest of the day. He will call you when he can."
Now thinking back on this short conversation, Emmett realized that the "emergency to tend to" had been Kit and before that, Alice must have had some kind of vision while hunting. Perhaps Carlisle had one of his hunches and had called Alice to tell her to keep her mouth shut about what she knew and that's why they had returned early.
It had still been dark out, so the family divided off to do their own things, whether alone or with their significant other. It was one of the few unspoken rules among the family. They took their breaks during the night hours and unless it was an emergency, no one was to be bothered.
Four hours later, at 7:00AM, the phone rang. Esme answered. It was Vanessa Briar.
Checking the caller ID, Emmett would later realize that Vanessa had called from Everly's cellphone.
"I'm so sorry to disturb you at such an early hour," Vanessa had said in a light, professional voice.
"Oh, that's quite all right," Esme had reassured, "I was up, anyway. What can I do for you, Vanessa?"
"Ah, um…" Vanessa had sighed heavily into the phone, "I'm not sure how to say this—I understand that Emmett Cullen, your son, is Kit's…boyfriend?"
The way she spat the word, made Emmett frown and he dropped his backpack from his shoulder, down to his hand.
"Yes," Esme said in a clipped tone, glancing over at him. He arched an eyebrow, "He is."
"Please—I-I feel bad delivering this news on the phone," Vanessa had started again, "But Everly wanted me to call. Esme, Kit's currently in the hospital," Emmett swore he felt his heart stutter, "She took an overdose and fell into a coma yesterday morning."
Esme had to cover her mouth with her hand to stifle a cry.
"What!?"
Simultaneously at her exclamation, Emmett had dropped his bag to the ground, his mouth falling open even wider.
An overdose? That didn't even make any sense. Kit wasn't stupid enough to take an overdose. She knew how to read labels and the potential of an overdose was exactly why they didn't keep medication in the bathroom she shared with Indigo.
Besides, he had just seen Kit on Wednesday, and left her a voicemail yesterday. She was fine.
"Emmett…" Edward breathed at his thoughts, "Alice-
"I'm sorry," Vanessa had apologized, unknowingly interrupting Edward, "You and your family can come and see her, tomorrow, if you would like. Everly and Blake just want some time…"
Esme had lowered her hand, "Yes, of course, we understand," her voice trembling, "Is there anything we can do? For Everly or Blake or Indigo?"
"Oh, Indigo!" Emmett had heard Alice gasp from upstairs. She and Jasper still hadn't come downstairs.
As smart as he was, Emmett's brain couldn't register what was being discussed during this phone call. Even if Kit had taken an overdose, couldn't doctors just make her puke and send her on her way? How did taking too many pills put someone in a coma?
He shook his head, right when Vanessa spoke again.
"Indigo was kept from school, today," Vanessa had informed Esme, "I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done, right now, but I know Everly would appreciate the offer. Thank you."
"Yes, of course," Esme had repeated, "Thank you for calling and we'll come by, tomorrow. Please, give Everly and Blake our condolences and really, if there's anything that they need…" she trailed off, letting the offer hang.
"I'll pass that along," Vanessa had promised, "Thank you," and then she had hung up without another word.
Esme stood like that, the phone to her ear and the dial tone rang out in the silence until it cut off to an automated message.
It was Edward who had gone over to pry the phone from her grasp and placed it back onto the cradle. He drew Esme in for a hug and she broke down into loud sobs, her hands fisted in his light beige leather jacket.
That whole ordeal had happened only an hour ago and now, here they were.
"I don't want to go home," Rosalie piped. No one responded.
Emmett didn't spare his sister a glance. Of course she wanted to stay. All eyes were on them, more than usual and she was practically salivating with all the extra attention she knew she would be getting. They still weren't on speaking terms.
"We can go home," Alice said softly. She looked at Jasper, who had his teeth gritted, "I don't want Jasper here, anyway. You don't have to do this, you don't have to prove anything. We can still play human on Monday. Em, you look so out of it."
"Yeah…" Emmett murmured, "Home…okay…"
"I'm going to stay with Bella," Edward said, his eyes on her rusted red truck, "I'll see you at home."
Alice glared at him, but said nothing as she ushered the rest of her siblings back into Rosalie's convertible.
Emmett, still tense and in shock, didn't know what to say. He could feel Jasper calming him, but he knew he was anything but.
"I'm so sorry, Emmett," Alice whispered, for what was the thousandth time.
Carlisle heaved out a heavy sigh, snapping his phone shut to slip it into his pocket.
That had been Esme. The kids—Emmett specifically—had tried and failed miserably to attend school. They hadn't needed to go, anyway. They were still supposed to be out hunting and Carlisle would have left Thursday night to go and join them.
Emmett, Esme said, was having a hard time believing what Vanessa had relayed to his family and perhaps that's why he had forced himself to go to school.
He couldn't even take one step in the parking lot and Carlisle was relieved that his children had returned home. His family needed to be together.
Carlisle had tried his best to confirm what Vanessa had already told his family without actually saying it. Unless Everly or Blake gave him permission, he could not speak specifically about Kit's case, what he was treating her for or how she was doing.
And that's exactly why, when getting the chance, he had texted Alice just in case. She was not, under any circumstance, allowed to tell anyone of her vision. Especially Emmett.
Because this was it, Carlisle knew. This had to be why Alice could never see Kit in her visions because there was the pretense that Kit would possibly not be in their lives. Not because she didn't want to be a vampire, but because she might die.
It was a horrible thing to think about and he had promised Kit during their first appointment that things would stay between them. He was going to keep that promise despite the supernatural loopholes.
In his office, about to go check on his favorite patient, he took a moment, steadying himself on his desk.
"Attempted suicide," he had to breathe the words aloud to believed them while disbelief colored his pale face.
Never in a million years did he think—how had he not noticed, when he had done the very same? How many times had he submerged himself deep under water, only to stay under for weeks? How many cliffs had he thrown himself off of, only to plummet into the earth and get back up without a single scratch on him? How many knives had bent and warped when he tried to plunge them into his flesh? How long had he refused blood, until he couldn't take it anymore and slaughtered a herd of passing deer?
Yet, with his past record, he had been unable to even comprehend that Kit would ever think of attempting to take her own life.
He had given her the proper depression and anxiety test and still with the diagnoses of both, her answers showed no signs of suicidal ideation or thoughts.
Yes, Carlisle did blame himself for letting it get this far. There was so much he could have…should have done and he hadn't done it.
But now there was something he could do.
Picking up his clipboard, he left his office and made his way towards the ICU, when one of the nurses working on Kit's case, stopped him.
"Dr. Cullen?" Julia asked, flustered as she gazed at him beneath her eyelashes, "Are you going to Kit Algren's room?"
"Yes," he showed her the chart, "Why? Is there something you or Lina missed in the report?" he flipped through the chart, though he had it memorized down to every word and every period.
"No," Julia shook her head, "It's the mother. When Lina and I changed the bags, checked the catheter—especially when we had to clear Kit's chest through the ventilator—we suggested that she leave, but she refused and watched the whole thing. I mean, it still grosses me out," she pointed to herself, "And she was in the way."
"She was alone?" Carlisle asked, frowning.
"The black woman was with her, right?" Julia asked and Carlisle nodded, "She left when we asked her to leave and said she needed to make a couple phone calls, anyway. Just…watch out for the mother. Oh, and we already updated her on Kit Algren's condition. No change, but O2 levels were a little low."
Julia left, after that, murmuring about another patient. Carlisle, keeping what she said in mind, continued on his way to Kit's room. He wished Julia would drop the 'Algren' and just say Kit.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Whoosh.
He spotted Everly. She was sitting up in one of the beige patient room recliners, her elbow resting heavily on the armrest to hold her head up. Her hollow, red-rimmed eyes were trained longingly on Kit.
She had been in the same position for twenty-four hours, now, her features etched with anxiety.
"Everly?" he spoke softly, trying not to startle her.
It didn't work. She jumped, her head snapping in his direction. He smiled softly to ease her fears and walked further into the room as she turned her full attention back to her daughter.
"Good morning," he went over to Kit and his face fell, "Good morning, dear," he turned to Everly, "I just spoke with the nurse. She informed you there was no change?"
Everly nodded and sighed. She didn't look at him again, but blinked very slowly.
Only when he checked the machines and IV's, did her red-rimmed eyes follow him. He left the ventilator settings as they were. Someone had already turned them up.
"Do you have any questions, for me?"
"…"
He turned his head when he got no response and he saw that Everly's eyes had closed. There was a deep furrow in her brow. He turned fully towards her.
"Where's Vanessa?"
Everly's eyes fluttered, bright with tears, "She stepped out to go call Blake and check on Indigo a-again," she choked out, "H-he kept h-her home f-from school."
"Is he going to come by, later?" he asked and Everly nodded, "Good. That's good. Do you have any questions for me?" he asked again.
Everly reached forward and took Kit's hand. Her face crumpled, "I don't understand!" her voice was timorous and she shook her head, "I-I thought she was sleeping! We had a meeting that morning. I-" she couldn't talk anymore.
Carlisle nodded. Back in Canada, he had once encountered a mom who upon taking a quick peek into her daughters room, thought she was kneeling in her closet, looking for a pair of shoes. It was discovered later, by the older brother that the daughter had in fact, hung herself.
"When Kit came over to meet the family and I—we played baseball," he reminded her, "I overheard her tell my wife that you all play games and you work together. She said you all get ridiculously competitive."
It was a small, pitiful laugh that came from Everly's lips, but it was something and Carlisle hoped, that it offered a small bit of comfort.
"Yes," she said, "We do. She's helped with a few of my paintings and before Indigo got old enough, Kit would go with Blake and take pictures," she looked at Carlisle expectantly, "Have you seen her drawings before?"
"No. Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure."
She hummed, "She can show you when she wakes up."
Carlisle nodded slowly, "Certainly. I'd love to see them. She's quite the talented young lady, isn't she?"
One side of Everly's mouth turned up in the smallest of smiles and she nodded.
Carlisle could hear footsteps rapidly approaching and through the hospital scents that he was accustomed to, he could easily identify Blake.
"Everly," the man rushed to his wife's side to stroke her hair, "Oh, darling, sweetheart," he blinked up at Carlisle, "How is Kit?" he demanded, white-faced and frantic. His eyes moved to the screens by Kit's bed, monitoring her bodily functions.
"Her oxygen levels depleted a bit," Carlisle answered, "But they're stable now. As is she. She's stable for the time being."
Blake nodded and bent down to press a kiss to Everyly's forehead and then to Kit's, straightening up to touch her her face.
"Daddy's here, Kit Kat, I'm right here," he turned to Everly, addressing both her and Carlisle, "I didn't think I would get to come, today—I didn't want to leave Indi, but she begged me to come and check on Kit, so Ness and I switched places."
Everly didn't respond to that and Blake kissed her head again, perching himself on the arm of the chair and wrapping his arm around Everly's shoulders. Together, they watched Kit.
Carlisle's shoulders slumped, taking in the sorry sight. He doubted Blake had gotten any proper rest. He knew Everly hadn't, nor had she eaten anything.
"Everly," he started slowly, "If you'd like, I could show you to the cafeteria? Get something to eat, hmm?" he suggested lightly.
"No, but thank you," said Everly without missing a beat, "I'm all right."
"Darling, he's right. You should go and eat something," Blake began to rub her back, "Low blood sugar comes from your side of the family. You need to eat or you'll become faint."
Everly gave him a watery smile, "I'm okay, right now," still clutching Kit's hand, she moved her thumb in small circles, "She needs me."
Carlisle stood silently, watching the interaction.
"You need to take care of yourself," Blake glanced at Carlisle for a moment, who nodded, "The doctor says that's the best thing we can do for Kit. We need to take care of us in order to take care of her."
If Carlisle was able, he would bring food to the ICU for them, but that was impossible. He didn't want to come off as trying to force Everly to leave Kit alone, but he worried for the mother. She had to be feeling unwell, especially after witnessing the clearing of the ventilator.
"I will," Everly promised, "I just…need another minute. Tomorrow, okay?"
Blake gave in easily, "Okay. Tomorrow."
Saturday (Day Two):
Kit had now been in her coma for two days, and today was the day, the Cullens and Bella, were given permission to visit.
Out of respect for Emmett and his mate, they had all stayed home to give him time with Kit.
Emmett hated hospitals and he didn't understand how his father could do it. Harsh chemicals from the myriad of drugs poisoned the usual sweet scent of human blood. He could smell death, vomit, festering wounds, and sickness. It made his stomach churn and he held his breath.
His free arm went around his middle and he rubbed his side, having to remember to move his shoulders.
Carlisle was finishing up, briefing him on Kit's appearance as if he hadn't seen some disturbing things in his 69 years. He had, after all, been forced to cover up the murder of two young women and plenty other humans when he had…accidents.
Carlisle must have seen the irritation on his face, "I'm simply trying to warn you. If you want to hold her hand, that's fine, just be very gentle."
Emmett nodded fiercely and followed Carlisle to the ICU. He didn't know what to think. Part of him was still in disbelief and shock and he wasn't sure what the other parts of him were feeling either.
"I'm hoping that seeing you will help bring Everly and Blake some comfort," Carlisle said, "Make sure you sanitize your hands before entering the room."
Carlisle held up his hand when they reached the nurses station, making Emmett stop. He watched his father go forward, pause at the door to sanitize his hands and enter a room marked ICU 202.
The entire wall and sliding door going into Kit's hospital room was all glass and he looked at the ground, not wanting to look in on a private moment, when he could already hear it.
"Blake, Everly," Emmett heard Carlisle speak gently to the young couple, "Emmett's here. Is it all right if he comes in?"
"Yes, of course," Everly croaked. Her voice sounded raw and broken.
Guilt flooded Emmett, weighing him down. Everly and Blake…Kit's parents. He had met them, many times in the three months they've been in Forks, but he had never been so nervous. What was he supposed to say to them? 'I'm sorry'? Or, 'hey, by the way, the day your daughter took a bunch of pills, I caught her in the bathroom puking her guts out'?
Did they need to know that? Maybe it didn't matter, anymore. Did any of this matter or was it all about getting Kit out of the coma and getting her home?
"Darling," Emmett blinked, hearing Blake speak, "If Emmett's here, why don't we give him and Kit Kat some time alone? You didn't get to eat, yesterday. We can go down to the cafeteria…get something to eat and call Indi?"
Everly whimpered, "Blake…"
"Ten minutes?" Blake pleaded with her, "You need to eat something."
"But I…" Everly sniffled, "I don't wanna leave her…"
"I don't either," Blake admitted, his throat clogged, "But...I'm worried about you too and if Emmett's with her, she won't be alone. You know how Kit worries about us…"
"I know!" Everly wailed and Emmett's heart dropped into his feet. He heard Blake shush her.
"Come on, now," Blake tried to coax, "Just an apple or some warm oatmeal."
Carlisle spoke up, "While you're in the cafeteria, I can assure you that Kit will not be left alone. Emmett will stay with her or I will. No strangers. I know she gets anxious."
"She does," sniffled Everly, "Okay…not long."
"Not long," Blake promised. He sounded so relieved, "Here, lean against me, I've got you."
Emmett listened to tearful goodbyes and declarations of love. He stiffened when Blake and Everly shuffled out of the room, the latter tucked completely into Blake's side as he held his wife up entirely. Carlisle stayed in the room, near Kit's bedside.
They were both close to Carlisle's frozen age, yet looked so much older, hunched over by the grief of what had occurred.
"Ten minutes," Blake murmured again, "Less if we eat quicker."
Everly answered with the barest of nods, gasping when she saw Emmett, as if Carlisle hadn't told her seconds before that he was there.
"I'm so sorry," Emmett said to them, not knowing what else to do. Blake was staring at him oddly and Emmett shifted his weight.
"I-I'm sure she'd love to hear your voice," Everly managed, clutching tightly to Blake, "Go on, honey," she had to bite her lip and lowered her head.
Emmett nodded, "Thank you."
He met Blake's gaze. The man was still staring at him.
"We need to talk," Blake mouthed and Emmett nodded slowly, not breaking the stare until Blake led Everly away.
"Brace yourself, Emmett," Carlisle murmured as he approached the room. He pumped sanitizer into his hands.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Whoosh.
Emmett's eyes widened when he saw Kit and he walked as close as he could get to the bed, his breathing getting faster. Carlisle watched him with wary eyes.
Kit's eyes were closed and she looked pale. There was a tube shoved into her gaping mouth and a thinner tube in her left nostril. They were held in place with what looked like masking tape and there was another tube interested into one of her arms. On her right side, Emmett could see the blanket bulging with something else. The scent of urine was pungent.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Whoosh.
She looked so small.
"You can touch her, Emmett," Carlisle beckoned him forward, "Just watch out for the equipment," he made his point by gently running his fingers lovingly over Kit's forehead, "And you can talk to her."
Emmett shook his head, unable to look away from Kit.
"All she did was take pills," he mumbled, "That's it. Why is she in a-a coma?"
Carlisle looked at Kit also, "There's a number of factors. I know it's lot it take in and it's a hard concept to grasp—that taking too many pills can cause so much damage, but that's the reality. It's a very real, life-altering thing that can affect and change even the healthiest of people. I've seen it happen."
Emmett bobbed his head up and down. He still didn't understand. He had seen her that day…
"I'll give you a few minutes," Carlisle clapped Emmett on the shoulder, heading out the door.
"I caught her throwing up," Emmett said, looking at Carlisle's back. His father had stopped walking, but didn't turn around.
"At school," Emmett continued, "That's why I called you so many times. I wanted you to give her medicine or take a look at her. I caught her making herself puke and she said she couldn't do it anymore. She yelled at me and told me to go away…I shouldn't have left her."
He saw Carlisle's back arch and settle with a sigh.
"Take time, Emmett," was all he said, "And be alone with your mate. She needs you right, now."
Emmett nodded and went to take the seat Everly had recently occupied. He took Kit's white hand as gently as he could. It was still warm and she still wore the ring he had given her only four days ago.
How did they get from a fun date at a Japanese garden, to here?
"How?" he asked aloud, "How did we get here, Kit?"
She didn't answer. Was he supposed to talk to her as if she would?
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Whoosh.
"I love you," he reminded her. His eyes burned and he choked on the air that hitched in his throat.
He was crying.
He blinked furiously against the venom and his eyes swept over the many monitors and intravenous drips before going to Kit's face again. There was another freckle on her forehead.
She looked so much thinner than she had on Wednesday. So frail. He could see her collarbones poking out, the skin sticking to her bones.
He frowned at the sight. This time, not over her appearance.
He bent down and pressed his lips to the back of Kit's hand, "I'll be right back," he whispered to her, standing up.
He marched to the door, then stopped, remembering how Blake and Everly felt about leaving Kit alone. He stayed where he was, though didn't have to wait for long.
"Excuse me?" he said to a passing nurse.
"Yes, Sir?" the nurse turned to him, wide-eyed and startled by his appearance.
"This patient-
"I'm not allowed to say anything unless you're family or given per-
"Yeah, that's great," Emmett was cross, "I'm telling you, this patient was wearing a locket. It's oval shaped, silver and really old with roses carved into it or engraved…whatever you want to call it. She always wears it."
The nurse blinked her brown eyes at him, tilting her head and reviewed the clipboard in her hands, then at the room number, then back at him.
"Um, okay? Upon admittance to the ICU, clothes and other accessories are usually removed. For the machinery and the patient's comfor-
"But she's not comfortable," Emmett's voice rose, desperately trying to make this stupid nurse understand, "She's not comfortable because some idiot took her locket off!"
This was so disrespectful, making a scene at a hospital like this, but Emmett couldn't find it in him to care. The nurse looked terrified, seconds away from bursting into tears. Emmett didn't feel bad for her. Kit needed her locket, didn't this "medical professional" understand that!?
"Emmett, honey?"
Everly and Blake had returned from the cafeteria, diverting Emmett's attention for a mere second. The nurse took that chance to escape and Emmett followed her with a steady glare.
"Emmett," Everly said again and Emmett shifted his gaze over to her.
She looked a little better…kind of-ish. She was still clutching Blake, but at least, he was pretty sure that she wasn't going to fall over anymore.
"Come on," Blake led Everly back into the room and Emmett had to move aside, further into the room so that they could get past his large frame.
"What's going on?" Everly was lowered into the chair by Kit's bed, looking her over frantically, "Did something happen?"
"I…" the word was awkward and Emmett felt bad, "I'm sorry. No, I—her locket was gone and I freaked. She…she always has it."
"Oh!" Everly gasped and reached down into her purse. She pulled out a small ziploc bag and began to sniffle again.
"It's in here," she fixed her glassy eyes on him, "I'm so frazzled…do you want to hold onto it? I think Kit Kat would like that when she wakes up," she could no longer speak and looked at Blake to do so for her.
"Yes," Blake rubbed her shoulder and took the bag from her trembling hand, "I agree."
Emmett took it from him and said a quiet thanks. He had never felt so awkward and unwelcome in front of Kit's parents before. He felt like he was intruding on another private moment and he had no business being here.
Though, it would kill him to leave.
"I...should probably go," he had to force the words out and he wiped the venom that sprayed on his lips, "Thank you for letting me see her."
Everly nodded and Emmett felt his eyes burn again. Was this the only time he was going to get to see her?
"If it's okay…" he prodded, "I'd like to come back…tomorrow?"
Everly still couldn't speak.
"Please do," Blake said, looking at Kit, "And if your siblings would like to visit, they can. I bet Kit would get bored with just us," he tried to smile, but it was a pathetic try.
"Yeah, okay," Emmett nodded, "Thanks. If there's anything that my family and I can do, please don't hesitate to ask," they had probably heard that a million times already.
Neither responded and Emmett took that as his cue to leave. He didn't feel any better. He felt awful and horrible inside. He didn't want to leave. Maybe he could pull an Edward and take refuge in a tree outside Kit's hospital room?
No. Kit wouldn't like that. She hated it when he watched her.
"Son," it was Carlisle, waiting for him and the blonde jerked his head, "Come with me."
Emmett followed his father to his office, his mind whirling. Blake hadn't asked to talk to him, yet. So, when? Was Emmett supposed to call him or something?
He felt like a child when Carlisle closed the office door and demanded that he sit. It didn't help, that when he did so, Carlisle knelt in front of him, instead of going to sit at his desk.
Emmett began to shake his head, "I knew," he admitted, "I covered for her a million times. I lied, I-" he stopped shaking his head, "Oh God. What if she did this—I said I wasn't going to cover for her anymore! What if she-
"Emmett, Emmett," Carlisle reached up and placed his hands on his son's broad shoulders, "Son, you can't blame yourself for this."
"This is it," Emmett mumbled, "This is why Alice couldn't see, Kit! Oh, God, this has been set in stone for months-
"Emmett. Calm. Down. You need to calm down."
"I can't breathe."
"You don't need to breathe."
Emmett shook his head again. He was freaking out, "I have to go."
He nearly ripped the doorknob off of Carlisle's office door and he walked, too fast, down the corridor, trying to find his way to the exit.
His head was spinning. This was terrible and so horrendous, he couldn't comprehend it. So much could happen in one night.
How had they gone from laughing on their date to this?
His feet took him to his car. The silver one that he used to pick Kit up from school. He got in and sat in the hospital parking lot.
He couldn't breathe. Neither could Kit. She needed a machine to do that for her.
He buried his face in his hands, his shaking fingers running restlessly through his curls. Freaking out, crying and hyperventilating wasn't going to change anything. Still, how do you call something not a big deal when it was one? He had easily done it before, but now it was lost on him.
"Okay, okay," he took a deep breath and leaned his head back against the headrest.
He needed to get it together. They would be returning to school Monday after failing to do so on Friday. It was going to be hard and he would need to hunt before then.
Still in his hand, he glanced down at the locket still in its plastic bag. He would keep it on his person at all times. So that when Kit woke up, she would see that he had it.
After all, Kit was going to wake up…wasn't she?
Author's Note: I tried my best to portray Emmett's emotions and I hope I did a good job and that you felt a little something while giving this chapter a read.
So, regarding my other stories 'A Little Heart Hope', 'The Meaning Behind Special', and yes, 'His Pull, Her Push'. I'm sorry to say that despite what I've written in their notes, I've had more time to think and I'm sad to announce that I will not be republishing those stories.
Honestly (and this is a conversation I had with my Beta Reader) ignorance is bliss and a small part of me wishes I had remained oblivious to the knowledge that I am now aware of, but a bigger part of me is not regretful.
It's made me realize that I've outgrown the Twilight fandom. Again, it portrays Native Americans as less than real people and the whole story is just problematic and not something I desire to write for.
With that said, I will be continuing Kit's story because it's so personal, the most important thing I've written on this site and I feel like I owe it to those who have reached out to me both in PM's and reviews to finish Kit's story to the end. When it comes to the Quileutes, it's not those characters story-it's about Kit and I'm at a point in my story where I can rework the characters to be more realistic and try my best to portray the tribe and characters correctly.
So, that's that. I've moved fandoms and have returned to the Harry Potter side and have already published a story there. Feel free to check it out and leave a review for that story as well as this one!
Thank you for your continuous support,
FictionChic