A/N: Happy Monday friends! Here is the latest chapter! Don't forget to review and let me know what you think of these *developments*
Enjoy!
When You Love Someone
Chapter Nine: Lego House
Falling for what seemed like ages I landed delicately on my feet and opened my eyes to what awaited me and stifled a gasp.
It was another room except this time it was much bigger and much more filled. There was a huge table in the room taking up two of the walls, in an "L" shape with beakers, testing tubes and all kinds of tools on the table with glass jars filled with mysterious substances and labeled with the oddest sounding names. Along the wall were cabinets leading to a bookshelf, with dozens of books from the Children of the moon, vampire chemistry, vampires' venom and the effects of it, gifts, fairies and all things supernatural. Every book with a title but no author.
The crown jewel of my discovery however must be the chalkboard, filled with equations and notes in the handwriting I have come to know so well.
This was Didyme's workshop. It had to be.
Her handwriting was clear as day on the board, right in front of me. Slowly walking up I studied her notes trying to make sense of her thought process. She was working on something, but half of these equations were so advanced I didn't know how to make sense of them, and half of her notes were in Italian and the only Italian I knew were for restaurant dishes.
Quickly taking out my phone, I snapped a few photos of the board and turned my focus to the bookshelf, determined to find something, really anything that could be useful in finding out what really happened to her and as to what she was working on.
Looking through the books Didyme was quite the scholar, having gone all over the world to find new information. Fairies in what's now Norway, children of the moon and shapeshifters in America and Europe and I gasped of the mention of Taha Aki and Didyme's run in with his son.
Jacob would flip if he ever saw this.
Going through more and more books I didn't know how much time I spent down there, taking pictures of everything I see and reading almost everything she discovered and the different ingredients for new potions or uses that they did. She even made a map of the entire layout of the castle, including the tunnels that go through and behind the walls. She built these tunnels that I'm sure no one even knows are there!
There was so much information! Even a potion for a spray that can hide your scent! Taking a picture of the recipe, knowing it will come in handy later when a small leather-bound journal catches my eye.
Taking it carefully from its place, I slowly open it up and gasp at my newest discovery.
Didyme's personal diary, right here in my hands.
Shaking I looked to the last entry and noticed the date was one week before the battle where she died.
Shifting my eyes, her handwriting was jagged, the same scribble notes that was so like the pages in her book.
Flipping through the pages, the ringing of my cell phone scares me, and I drop her diary, making a flop on the floor and panicking I checked it over to make sure it wasn't damaged. Breathing a sigh of relief, I check to see who's calling me and answered
"Hey Jane, what's up?" I ask quietly trying to steady my voice to mask where I am.
"What's up? What's up really? Bella, where are you?" Jane asks alarmed "you've been gone for hours, no one can find you and you've been ignoring everyone's text messages!" She yells concern lacing her voice.
Cursing I check my phone to see that I had 256 missed messages, the majority from Jane worrying where I went, a couple from Felix and Dimitri wondering why I was hiding and surprisingly three from Alec asking why I disappeared.
I didn't even know he had my number.
"I'm sorry Jane, I went on a hunting trip that lasted longer than I thought, and I turned off my phone, forgetting to turn it back on. I didn't mean to worry anyone" I said, guilt eating at me.
"Well you could have left a note saying you were going to leave! Shit Bella, if the brothers found out that you went missing you would be in such shit right now." She says, calming down
"I didn't even think of that" I said quietly. I'm here on invitation only and if Aro wants me to leave then I would have no choice, leave all this behind.
"Ill be more careful next time, I promise Jane. I'm on my way now" I said, tucking the journal inside my jeans and covering it with my top.
"Okay, I'll see you here" Jane said before saying a quick goodbye.
I stand and after taking a few more pictures, try to find an easier way out of here. Crawling and jumping I don't mind but I needed to protect her diary.
It might be the only clue I have as to what happened on that day. Looking through the bookshelf I grab the heavy parchment map and try memorize each tunnel to help me.
Once I'm satisfied with what I have I look through the cabinets, praying some of Didyme's scent erasing potion is here. Looking quickly, I see a few vials with the name and smiling and breathing a quick thank you to whoever is watching me I grab some and quickly pocket whatever I could grab, knowing I'll need it later.
I'm going to have to come back but for now I'm out of time. Opening the door next to the table I quietly shut it as I made my way through the dark tunnel, using my phone's photo of the map to guide my way. There should be an entrance to the woods nearby and once I'm out of the castle I'll be home free.
Running quickly, I noticed light coming in from the walls and I knew I must have been getting close. Seeing the door that matches the map, I put my phone away as I strain my ears listening for anything or anyone on the other side. Smelling the air and not getting ant scents I hastily open and shut the door as I make my way down another long roughly built tunnel.
Seeing more and more light, I move a boulder out of the way as I'm assaulted by sunshine. Smiling, I move the boulder back to its place and run as fast as I can into the woods, putting in as much distance between myself and the castle entrance.
After putting enough distance between the castle and myself I start to relax and smile to myself as the weight of my discovery starts to settle in.
I found Didyme's journal!
This is most epic thing I have ever done.
Coming to a small clearing I quickly found a covered spot and digging a small hole, I ripped the bottom half of my shirt and wrapped Didyme's journal placing it there and covering it for the time being. No one can find out what I did, and no one can find out what I'm up too.
Taking a vial out of my pocket and popping the cork I spray a few drops, happy to know that Didyme's potion works.
I can't smell anything except nature and satisfied, I make my way back to the castle taking a different route. I didn't want any chance of anyone finding that diary.
Checking my reflection in my phone's camera, my eyes look way to dark for someone who just hunted for a day and half so finding a herd of elk, I make quick work of them until my eyes are back to their light, golden hue. By this time the sun has gone down and the moonlight shines. Sending a soft prayer that no one will find it I begin my journey back.
Running and seeing the castle entrance I notice a figure pacing up and down the door and with further inspection I notice its none other than Alec.
Slowing my pace, I come to a stop a few feet from the door as Alec's head snaps up. He looks concerned, angry and surprisingly a little sad.
"Bella" He says his voice hard "Where have you been? You've been missing for days!" He exclaims as he grabs my hand and squeezes it.
I look down and back at him when he quickly drops it and takes a step back, looking upset. "Everyone's been worried when no one's heard from you. I know Janie's upset." He says his voice losing that hardness and being replaced with a detached calmness.
"I've been hunting" I lie, shifting away from his hard gaze
"You've been hunting" He repeats slowly, raising his eyebrow
"Yes, I wanted to see more of the forest, and I lost track of time" I said
"I don't believe you" he said his gaze intense
Shocked at his boldness and getting defensive I replied, "Well it doesn't matter if you don't believe me, I lost track of time."
"and besides its none of your concern where I've been, not to mention your business" I said with anger in my voice as he narrows his eyes and when he opens his mouth to say something, I see Jane running down the hallway.
"Bella!" She yells as she hugs me and I hug her back tightly, grateful for her timing as I look at Alec, who is still glaring, sharply turns his back and stalks away and I can't help but feel I said something wrong.
"So, you've literally been hunting this entire time?" Jane asked as we walked, skeptical
"Yeah, during my stay I haven't really explored the countryside and thought it would be nice to see what else Volterra has to offer." I affirm looking straight ahead.
"Yeah, but, a day and half may seem excessive, don't you think?"
"It might but I was caught up with all of the nature around me. Plus, Jane Alec's back, isn't he early" I ask changing the subject quickly.
"Yes, apparently it was a quick job only half of the coven was left to be disposed of and everything else was just clean up." Jane said with a stink eye.
"Well that's good for Alec and especially for Heidi; she must have missed Santiago for all those days." I mentioned thinking of the quiet dark, haired man with Heidi.
"Yes, there spending the day in the rose garden today. I know Alec was glad to be home until he learned of your disappearance" Jane mentioned slyly
"How so" I asked, pretending to be disinterested but looking at her from the corner of my eye.
"Well…when he came back, I admit I was rather worried when I had hadn't heard from you and told him about your disappearance" She led on
"yes…you me as such on the phone" I told her scrunching my nose playfully at her.
"Well what I didn't mention was how worried he got. He thought he had upset you so much you up and left. So I told him that he was being a bit conceited and told me that he was going to check the east side of the castle while I checked the west; he was gone for a while and actually went to the forest to search for you and when he couldn't find you he even went to Felix to track you down." She says with awe in her voice. "I've never seen Alec react so…concerned before"
"Really? He did all that" I asked guilt hitting me hard.
"Yeah, only when I called, and you picked up did he calm down. Once you said you were returning, he waited at the entrance while I went to tell Felix his services were no longer required." She looked at me with a gleam in her eye as I shook my head.
Guilt was here and eating at me slowly. I shouldn't have snapped at him, especially after learning this.
"Jane, do you mind if we talk later? I think I owe someone apology" I asked looking at her while she quirked her eyebrow and nodded her head.
"I saw him disappear to the east side of the castle to broad" She quipped, walking away and pointed her head in the direction of the hallway.
Smiling gratefully, I took off, knowing immediately where he was.
His scent was strong and entering the hallway I saw him immediately, sitting under the tree and looking straight ahead. My eyes looked quickly to the back-glass wall, happy to note everything was the same before my little adventure.
Knowing he knew I was there I sat next to him and crossed my legs as I said to him "You know, it seems that whenever we meet here, one of us is apologizing."
I smiled lightly at him and seeing no reaction, I let out a breath, changing tactics. "Alec I'm sorry I snapped at you. It was unkind of me and I admit I let the stress of the situation get to me. I didn't mean to worry anyone, and I didn't mean to worry you" I said softly looking at the wall in front of us.
"You didn't worry me" He replied, grumpily
"Alec, you're a horrible liar" I say tartly
"So are you" He retorts turning to me, his eyes fierce. Shrinking back a little, surprised by his ferocity he leans back muttering an apology.
"Why do you think I'm lying" I asked, curious
"because you're not one to lie and your scent is different. Usually when you return from hunting you smell like oak and grass and you always have some type of debris in your hair. Except this time, you smelled like parchment and sand wood. You were hunting but you were somewhere else first." He claims, looking at me with his unreadable eyes.
Surprised by his observations, I turn away looking at the wall.
"So, that's how I know and I'm going to ask again, where were you?" He said, an edge to his voice.
"Nowhere" I lied, but even to my ears it didn't sound convincing.
"No, you were somewhere. Why won't you tell me or tell anyone at least?" He asked, frustration leaking through.
"Because no one can know" I whispered, looking down
"And why is that" He asked, suspicion coloring his tone.
"Because of that" I claimed meeting his glare with one of my own "the suspicion and questions. Look if I could, I would tell as many people as I can, but I can't because if I do then I won't be the only one who – "stopping myself and look away.
"Who, what?" He urged
"I can't. You have secrets, I have mine" I said tautly
"I deserve to know, Bella these people are my family and I will not tolerate anyone putting them in danger! So, if you know something then talk!" He exclaimed, losing his patience.
Giving him a stony stare, I say calmly "That's precisely why I can't say anything, if I even breath a word of what I've found, everyone involve would be in danger. So, if you have any care about your family you would leave this alone. In fact, just leave me alone." I said, standing and looking down at his surprised expression.
With that I swiftly turned away and ran back out ignoring the calls of my name.
No one can know, and if I entertain this thing with Alec, I would be putting him in danger as well as anyone else. It's better if I keep my distance for a while.
"Bella, damn it, slow down!" I hear Alec yell behind me, running to my room I close the door and lock it tight. Before long, I hear his repeated knocking.
"Bella open the door." He asked knocking
"No" I whispered
"Bella open the door, its rude to leave mid conversation you know" He tells me through the door.
"yeah well you do it all the time, I'm just following example" I retort
"Damn it, Bella! You can't say something like that and run off!" He said frustrated "I'm not leaving until you talk to me!" He warns
"Don't hold your breath" I say to myself
"Don't have too, you stubborn woman"
Glaring at the door, I'm determined to make him wait. Fine, if he wants to waste his time then so be it.
An hour goes by and I know he's still there. Two, then three and four. I make it to six hours before the tapping starts.
I don't know what he has or what he's tapping on but its annoying as hell and I know he's making a point. I'm just glad everyone is out right now, otherwise this would be embarrassing.
Two hours of incessant tapping and somehow, he's gotten ahold of a metal object that grates on my ears.
Losing my patience, I growl as I angrily open the door only to see him tapping one of his shoes and scraping a nail on stone.
"What the hell are doing!" I asked annoyed as he quickly puts on his shoe and throws the nail.
"Getting you to talk to me" He said triumphant, smiling.
Rolling my eyes and ignoring butterflies in my stomach I glare.
"Where did you learn to be so annoying" I asked, ignoring those feelings, walking down the hallway as he walked beside me.
"I have a sister you know. Whenever she gets mad and doesn't want to talk to me, I just annoy her until she does. I'm glad to know it works on other females" he said.
"Whatever" I mutter crossing my arms
"What did you mean back there Bella?" He asked, grabbing my arm and making me look at him, his eyes intense and if I didn't know any better, scared. "Is anyone in danger? Is there a threat?"
"I meant nothing. I already told you too much" I hissed, looking up and down the hallway listening to anyone who may be nearby.
"You haven't told me anything, except about your impending doom; damn it, Bella if this is a game you learned from that Cullen kid – "
"This is not about Edward!" I snarled balling my hands. "Maybe if you stopped ignoring me, you may actually learn something about me that isn't related to the Cullen's!" I grit out, turning on him, my anger bubbling to the surface.
"Alec, I don't get you!" I say, my frustration finally reaching a boiling point "You are the most perplexing man I have ever met! One minute it seems you like me or at the very least can tolerate me and the next it seems you hate the very sight of me! I don't understand! You ignore me for weeks and then you come out of nowhere, making it seem you give a shit about me then leaving me in the middle of the woods! News flash, been there, HE did that and quite frankly I'd rather not repeat the experience! I have enough on my plate to deal with than some hormonal, teenage, angst or whatever the hell you have going on then to wait on the sidelines until you figure out what your problem is!" I yelled, seeing his still face as his mouth hangs slightly open in shock. On a roll I couldn't stop the words from escaping my mouth and honestly it felt good to get it all out.
"So yeah I disappear for a while. Sometimes you need to leave to figure out your own head and in case you haven't noticed, my head has been messed up for a while and its finally getting cleared up. So, Alec I really don't know what your issue is with me but quite frankly I'm tired of it. We're both adults, we can both talk and I'm sorry I'm yelling at you like a toddler but quite frankly this is the most time we've ever spent together that didn't have you running off. So, until you have your shit together, I'm going to run off now because I wish I could run away from everything else!" I yelled, looking at his shocked face and as I calmed down, I gasped and covered my mouth with my hands.
Oh my gosh.
What did I just do?
Staring wide eyed at him I clench my teeth together and close my eyes, fighting the tears. Turning quickly, I leave a bemused Alec in the hallway as I quickly walked to the library and hide myself in my favorite spot.
What the fuck was that? Is that what a breakdown is because I feel like I'm having a breakdown. Balling my fists in my hair everything that I've been pushing down the last few months comes right back up.
Alec, Alice, Jane, Edward, Didyme, Marcus everything is so much. If Didyme was murdered I may be the only person who knows and if her killer is still here, I may be next. Is this what Alice meant about danger? Plus, everything with Alec, I mean shit! How much more can there be? I'm tired and so mentally exhausted from everything that maybe I shouldn't have been saved that day. I mean fuck what's the point to this existence if there's nothing but confusion and misery?
It all started with that book, and from that point on its unraveled everything and now I don't know what I'm doing. I should have jumped five minutes earlier. I would still be dead but at least I would have peace.
Feeling a hand on my shoulder I shoot up to see a regretful looking Alec.
"Your crying" He said softly "I'm sorry I did that to you" He said hanging his head
"Don't give yourself so much credit. It's not just you" I said, wiping my eyes as I brought my knees up to my chest.
"Do you mind if I sit with you" He asked softly.
"Sure" I said, defeat in my voice.
"Bella, I'm sorry for I've been treating you. I have been unfair to you and I haven't been very kind either. I have my own demons to work on and my head isn't very clear either. However, I have noticed by the way." He said/
"Noticed what" I asked my voice thick
"You accused me of not noticing you're going through some difficulty since your arrival and I'm sure I haven't made it any easier. I'll be brave here and say I don't know what this is between us, but I do know that you are a very good friend."
"Friend?" I questioned, skeptical
"Yes friends, I would like to think we're friends. You are the closest friend my sister has and despite what you may think, I do tolerate you Bella Swan, so yes, we're friends" He said smirking
Snorting I whispered "Weird friends"
"Indeed, but friends none the less. So, I propose we start over." He says straightening and getting up and walking behind a bookcase he comes back around and over to me, holding out his hand.
"Hello, my name is Alec Volturi, I'm not good at relationships, any kind of relationships for that matter but I can try being friends. I admit I have my own demons to fight and my head is I quote 'a little messed up' but I'm working on it. I can be cold and sometimes I do things impulsively that can hurt people I tolerate but despite that, I hope we can be friends" Looking up and seeing him be vulnerable I smile, appreciating his effort. I stood and shook his hand, the electricity tickling like always.
"Hi, my name is Isabella Marie Swan, but I go by Bella. I have just gotten out of a serious relationship that I'm still healing from, I discovered something that I'm not ready tot share and thus makes me a little disoriented. My head is a little messed up, and I tend to say things without thinking which can hurt people I tolerate but despite that, I would really like to be your friend." I said and still shaking his hand I sat down with him as I had my first 'real' conversation with Alec Volturi where neither one of us ran away, but we sat right there and talked.
Turns out we both had a lot to say.
I'm out of touch, I'm out of love
I'll pick you up when you're getting down
And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now
I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind
I'll do it all for you in time
And out of all these things I've done, I think I'll love you better now
Lego House: Ed Sheeran
A/N: So, their *friends* now haha it's a step in the right direction, it will pick up next chapter and well see what they talk about. As for Bella's breakdown, totally unplanned, in fact they were supposed to have a simple conversation with Alec running off again, but Bella wasn't having it. Tried to rewrite it but nope; this version was always the best, so I hope you guys like it. Don't forget to Review, Review, Review and tell me what you think!