Chapter Warnings:

Mentions of death, fighting, past trauma, war (canon typical violence); language

How Dare You?

The following week developed quite uneventfully. Sascha felt less like having to tiptoe around each day. She had also learned that what she preferred as a style wasn't actually called 'comfortable'. Apparently she liked a variation from 'casual chic' to 'vintage skater' - if she were to take Alice's word for it. It had been more than obvious that Alice's knowledge of and around fashion vastly overtook hers. So of course - she'd take her word for it. But really, at the end of the day, she would be fine with any label of style as long as she'd be given loose cut clothing that would fit her shoulders and maybe sleeves that reached further than barely just her wrists.

Sascha did find herself getting bored every now and again. She finally noticed how much time she actually had on her hands when she didn't need to sleep. She hadn't been aware of it until she stayed with the Cullens. Back at the other place, she was far too much on high alert to actually feel time passing. It had all become a blur.

She spent some of her time exploring Carlisle's extensive library after he had offered her to browse around. It helped quench her curiosity in some points. The rest of the time she spent with Alice and Jasper, or the entire family when they'd occasionally come together during the late evenings. Emmett and Rosalie kept to themselves a lot, so she hadn't had the opportunity to talk with Rosalie really. Sascha guessed the time would come eventually.

Alice had come knocking her door the day after their magazine scouring, arms full with bags and wrapped bundles. Most of it Sascha found was well aligned with her taste. But she could spot one or two items in between where Alice probably hadn't been able to stop herself from trying to expand Sascha's outfit range.

Sascha of course didn't mind. She was more than grateful that she had something to call her own. Not having to live out of someone else's closet was definitely helping her acclimatise more quickly.

She was currently tying the laces to her new sneakers, Jasper stood next to her and waited.

„So, what's your favourite prey?"

Jasper chuckled lightly. „Mountain lions, bears, carnivores in general."

Sascha nodded. The two of them were on their way out to hunt. The rest of the Cullens had already had their fill, now it was their turn.

„I see. I think I still have to expand my palate before I can build a preference." She stepped out after him into the garage, following him to a black Mercedes. Astonishment was written all over her face as she admired all the different vehicles. „Okay, wow."

„We're taking Carlisle's car today."

„You don't have one?"

„I usually drive that." Jasper pointed at a motorcycle which stood to the side of the garage so it wasn't blocking the entry way. A Ducati.

„Ooooh", Sascha gasped and looked at the bike a short moment longer before she got into the car. „That's just stylish."

Jasper started the engine and they swiftly drove off. „I quite enjoy it."

„I had always wanted to get a licence for cycles as well." Sascha observed the woods they drove through. „I didn't in the end when my father begged me not to. I guess he was right, it's not the safest way of transportation."

„Well, that's not something you need to worry about anymore."

Sascha looked at Jasper in confusion. He glanced at her for a second before focusing on the road again.

„It's not like an accident could harm you anymore."

Sascha's eyes widened in realisation. „Oh my god, you're right. The possibilities."

„For all its downsides, immortality does have some perks at least."

Sascha noticed some gloom washing over Jasper's face. Subtle, but definitely there. She wondered why that was. Alice had mentioned that none of them had an easy start into this life. Given the time that Jasper was turned, he probably had seen some gruesome stuff. The thought alone would have given her goosebumps if that were still possible.

„What is it?"

Sascha blinked. „Hm?"

„There was a spike of fear in your emotions."

„Oh", Sascha breathed out a chuckle. „Sorry about that… It's nothing."

She spotted Jasper's jaw locking suddenly, brows pulled together slightly as he kept staring ahead. Eyes almost black.

„The fear wasn't directed at you", she said quickly. „I was just thinking about what kind of downsides you could've meant. I'm sure it wasn't easy for you. Any of you."

Jasper relaxed a little again and hummed in reply. „I guess not."

„I don't want to pry. But… how were you turned? Wasn't that some time during the Civil War?"

Jasper's eyebrows rose in surprise. „You know about that?"

„We do have schools in Germany, you know."

„Apologies", he chuckled, „I wasn't aware you learned about American history there."

„We had some American history during English classes", Sascha explained and cringed a little at the next thought. „I had to give a presentation about the Civil War in 10th grade."

Jasper chuckled shortly. „Well, you are right. I was turned during the Civil War", he started, his voice growing somewhat darker. „There were actually vampire wars going on at the same time. The war gave the perfect cover for such many casualties. Covens were fighting for territory. It was the worst in the South."

„Are you from there?"

Jasper smirked a little, almost proudly. „Texas. I was in the Confederate Army at the time. Turning me was a strategic scheme of a Coven leader. She wanted to use my ‚uniform' and skill to build herself a proper army. She was quite the manipulator."

Sascha exhaled heavily. „Wow… that sounds… horrible."

„It's not a time I like to think back to."

„What's going on now must be hard for you. It's like history repeating itself. Even if on a smaller scale."

Jasper pulled the car over to the side of the road. They were quite a distance away from Forks by now. „We'll all be better off once all this is over."

Sascha took that as a cue to drop the topic and jumped out of the car. „Well, then let's catch some fast food to power up."

Jasper snorted and looked at her over the roof of the car. „Fast food?"

„I'd imagine a mountain lion to be quite fast."

Sascha giggled when Jasper rolled his eyes. Though she could tell he was amused as well.

„Come on, I'll race you for some bears", she smirked and sped off.

They returned about 2 hours later, having taken their time to hunt as long as they needed. Sascha mostly just followed suit after Jasper, having not yet developed her own hunting strategy. Though she already found it easier to rely on her instincts more than the time she had gone hunting with Alice.

Back at the house, Sascha followed Jasper into the living room where Carlisle and Emmett were sitting, watching some news on the television. Emmett perked up visibly when he noticed them.

„Sherlock! How was your hunt?"

Sascha shook her head fondly at the nickname. „Quite good, thanks."

Carlisle smiled. „You seem to adjust well."

„Day by day. Your company helps."

Emmett laughed loudly at that and slung an arm over her shoulder, pulling her down to the couch. „Glad to hear it."

Sascha chuckled with the big guy when Jasper also took a seat next to Carlisle.

Suddenly, a live report cut into the news block and Sascha quickly detangled herself from Emmett.

„Seattle is in a state of terror. Police are baffled by the escalating murders and disappearances. Theories range from a vicious new gang to a wildly active serial killer. Reporting live-"

„It's getting worse." Carlisle moved to switch the TV off as Isabella and Edward entered the room. „We're gonna have to do something."

Sascha kept looking in horror at the black screen. She felt sick.

„It takes more than one of our kind to cause the damage they are reporting." Jasper clenched his jaw. „Quite a few more. They're undisciplined, conspicuous."

Edward nodded grimly. „It's the newborns."

Isabella shook her head in confusion. „What, like, the ones which Sascha escaped from?"

„When we're newborns we're at our most uncontrollable. Vicious", Jasper paused for a second, his freshly golden eyes almost darkening again. „Insane with thirst."

„It fits the pattern", Edward said.

Emmett smirked darkly at Isabella. „Something to look forward to."

Sascha smacked his leg at that, brows knotted together tightly. This was no time for jokes.

„No one's trained these newborns. But this isn't random." Jasper's frown deepened considerably.

„Well, he made us fight each other", Sascha intervened, teeth gritted. „For training."

Carlisle nodded. „Someone's creating an army."

Sascha leaned back and covered her face with her hands. „Jesus…"

Emmett jumped from the sofa and stood. „Well, now we're definitely going to Seattle."

„An army of vampires?", Isabella repeated, disbelief clear in her features.

Jasper looked her way. „And they're created to fight someone."

Edward shook his head almost helplessly. „We're the only clan even close to Seattle."

„Regardless of why there were made, if we don't put a stop to this, the Volturi will", Carlisle said. „I'm surprised they let it go on for this long."

„Or they are behind it." Everyone looked at Edward in surprise. „In Italy, I read Aro's mind. He wants me and Alice to join him. And he knows we'll never choose so as long as our family is still alive."

„Well an army could solve that for him", Jasper said.

Sascha frowned. „Does that make any sense though? I don't know anything about the Volturi, but would they choose some random kid to do all this? I mean, I never got a good look at Riley, but he looked younger than me."

„Looked younger", Jasper reminded her. „He could've been older."

„How common was the name ‚Riley' a hundred years ago?"

Jasper acknowledged that notion with a nod.

„The Volturi would never involve themselves directly", Edward explained. „If they are behind this, they'd have to act through third parties."

„This is just insane", Sascha whispered. Then suddenly dread filled her, causing both Edward and Jasper to snap their eyes to her. „God, my father is still in Seattle. What if something happens to him?"

Edward shook his head. „There's nothing we can do for now."

Sascha stood from the sofa. „Then I'll go alone and get him out of there." She was just about to leave the room, when Edward blocked her way.

„You can't do that."

Sascha's eyes snapped to Edward's in a dangerous glare. „Who are you to say that, huh? That's my father."

„We have to be careful about this, Sascha", Carlisle tried to reason with her, calmly. „Whoever is doing this could recognise your scent easily and re-capture you."

„And you're not safe to be around so many humans just yet. You could be more of a danger to your father than those other newborns."

That's what caused Sascha to snap. She grabbed Edward by his collar and pushed him against the wall with a dangerously loud thud. He tried to push against her, off of him, but it was no use.

„How dare you? I have no problems being near Isabella. None at all. I came to Forks, without issues. How dare you say I would be a threat to my own father." She pushed him against the wall once more with the last word, her blood-orange eyes burned with anger.

„Deep down, we're all monsters", Edward hissed, almost a whisper, a snarl tugging at the corner of his mouth. „There's no guarantee you wouldn't lose control."

Rage rose up higher within Sascha before it suddenly vanished. Partly. A soft hand rested on her shoulder and she snapped her head around to come face to face with Carlisle. Compassion on his face.

„I understand this is more than painful for you", he said and gently pulled her away from Edward. Reluctantly, Sascha let go of the latter and let herself be turned around to Carlisle. „But we must act with caution. At the right time. We'll do what we can, okay?"

Sascha pressed her lips in a thin line, before she gave a curt nod. Carlisle put his hands on her upper arms and gave her a comforting squeeze. „We'll get behind this."

When he let go of her, Sascha looked over at Jasper who still had his eyes fixed on her, trying to reign in her emotions. „You can stop. I'm fine." She took a breath to steady herself. „I need some air."

Nobody stopped her as she quickly turned to leave the room. Just before she was through the door to the backyard, she glared one more time at Edward and made sure to think one sentence extra loud.

Fuck you.

Sascha sat on a log near the tree line, chipping away at a small stone with her finger nails. It wasn't long until she could hear the glass door slide open behind her. The heart beat gave her away before she spoke.

„Is- is it okay if I join you for a moment?"

Sascha nodded her head briefly, still looking to the ground. „If you're not afraid."

Isabella sat down next to her. „I'm sorry about what Edward said."

„Don't be. It wasn't you."

Isabella sighed. „I feel responsible though. I'm the reason he is so on edge to begin with."

„Please, he's not a child. He can take responsibility for his own actions by himself."

„Then I'm sorry about the situation with your father", she gave in. „I would go mad too."

Sascha dropped the stone, now mere pebble, to the ground and pulled her legs up to her chest. „It's just all so fucked up."

„That's true", Isabella nodded. A few beats of silence passed between them. „You can call me Bella, by the way."

Sascha turned to give her a questioning look.

„Inside, you called me ‚Isabella'. Bella is just fine."

Sascha smiled weakly and reached a hand out to Bella. When she took it, Sascha was careful to not use any strength and gave a small shake. „Nice to meet you, Bella."

„You too", Bella smiled, some awkwardness lifting off her in that moment. „Please don't take what Edward said to heart, okay? He overstepped a line. He… is not really at peace with himself at the moment."

„He has called himself a monster before?" Sascha wrapped her arms back around her legs.

Bella nodded, sadness in her eyes. „It pains me that he thinks that way. But yeah."

„Seems like he should deal with his issues and not let it out on others."

„You're completely right. I don't want to defend his behaviour… just-"

„-you just want to explain it?", Sascha interrupted. Bella gave a nod. „Yeah… I see where you're coming from." She sighed heavily.

„He'll get an earful from me later."

Sascha breathed out a laugh at that. „I'll greatly appreciate that."

„And everybody here knows, at least by now, that questioning your self-control is just", Bella blinked quickly as she looked for the right words, „it's just nonsense."

„It's a coping mechanism really", Sascha muttered.

„What do you mean?"

„I don't want to dump all my stuff on you, I-"

„No, it's fine, really. I - I want to know."

Sascha sighed once more. „I guess I always had good self control. Over a lot of things. My emotions, my actions. Too much maybe." She paused for a few seconds. „When I control myself, I don't really have to deal with all this stuff. Or any stuff in the past."

Bella seemed to understand in that moment as she nodded carefully. „But some of that is also just you being in control of your instincts, probably. I've seen what a vampire can be like when blood is near."

Sascha stared into nothing as she remembered the others Riley had brought. How they were when humans were thrown into their midst. „Well, you could be right about that."

„It's not hard for you at all? Not even tempting?"

Sascha hummed in thought, then turned to look at Bella. „I suppose you could compare this to being insanely hungry and then deciding against driving to McDonald's because you know it's bad for you, and just waiting until you're home and done cooking. The temptation is there, but it's not even a question to resist."

„Great, so I'm a… Big Mac?"

„On a second thought, you're more like a huge cheesecake", Sascha laughed. „I don't really like McDonald's."

The two laughed together before quieting down slowly. They sat in silence for a few moments, just being. Existing. Sascha observed a few beetles scrambling around some branches. She then took a deep breath, the fresh air bringing some ease to her nerves.

„Thank you."

„For what?"

„Talking. It helped."

End Notes:

I hope you liked this one. I don't know if you can tell, but even this tiny bit of putting dear Eddy in his place felt immensely satisfying to me. You can look forward to more.

As always, I'd be happy to read your comments and thoughts on this chapter.
Have a nice day~

Posted: 27.01.23
LastEdit: 27.01.23