Chapter 2: The More That You Say The Less I Know
Agony.
A scorching unlike anything I could begin to express in words fills my consciousness. The feeling of fire coursing through every vein renders me paralyzed but awake.
This must be hell. I guess the Christians I called crazy in Tennessee were right about us gays. I try to open my mouth to scream, but am unable to let out even a whisper.
My entire body is numb, but my mind is awake. This has to be hell. It's pitch black, because I am unable to open my eyes. I try in desperation to open them even a little. All I can remember is being unable to move, paralyzed, when he found me.
I begin to pray, and ask God or any higher power for forgiveness, please make this end.
The pain engulfs me, and my vision remains dark. I start to feel myself fall back asleep. Maybe this time I really am dead. Maybe I just woke up for a second I think as all coherent thoughts escape my consciousness once more and fade into sleep.
Hello? I think to myself… I'm conscious again this time the pain has subdued immensely. I have no idea how long I've been like this, or how much time has passed. I still can't open my eyes, but I am able to hear voices in the distance.
A warm smell, one of cinnamon and bourbon fill my nose, bringing the smallest ounce of comfort. I feel something, or someone, long and muscular, like they may be laying in the bed next to me. Someone is holding my left hand.
I feel my heart beating abnormally slow. I am only able to draw low and shallow breath, way less than I should be breathing.
"That can't be…there's too much time in between the beats…I should be dead?!," I scream inside my head.
"Okay…focus Barron," I think, trying to muster all the energy of my consciousness on just opening my eyes or twitching a finger. I try and try for what seems like hours…but to no avail.
Two men are speaking in what sounds like a funnel, like a whisper inside a cathedral.
I feel my heart beat so slowly that I come to terms with my passing.
I try to relax, and welcome death. This time hoping I have been forgiven, and will not experience the pain I did before.
Maybe the angels that found me are deciding my eternal fate, I think.
The blackness takes over again, and if I was alive I would be smiling at the relief–at the peace.
Whispers of multiple people break me out of the black void of unconsciousness. Energy, unlike what I have ever felt before courses through my body. Without moving a muscle, I'm fairly certain I am capable of opening my eyes. I remain still, and try to listen to see if I am safe. I immediately realize…I am not breathing…I don't…need to. My head is swirling with anxiety and questions. I muster all of my strength to just lay still. Careful not to show the smallest sign I am awake, until I know I'm safe.
A woman's voice smooth and stern breaks me away from my inner thoughts.
"And then what…Carlisle?! Did you ever think, maybe he doesn't want this? The risk this has put us in again, should we get caught with a missing person. Demetri fears the Volturi…that they'll find out if he is seen," says a woman's smooth but frigid voice.
"He's meant to be here Rosalie…with us… by Emmett's side," says another female's voice. This one is sweeter, and fairy-like, although her tone is still defensive.
"The boy will be safe here…and we will accept him as one of our own. The search parties are all happening on the East coast. We will do everything to ensure his safety, that he remains out of the public eye-," a man's voice begins, but is interrupted by a deeper one.
"He is my responsibility…if anything happens…I'll take full responsibility I'll protect all of you, and him…I don't know how to explain it, but I think Alice is right, I mean look at him he's definitely looks-wise my type," says the deepest voice. A small amount of chuckles from the group is audible.
I am assuming all of this is about me. Search parties? And did he just call me his–mate? The deep voice begins again.
"I just want to see where this goes…I just want a shot at love, at having a mate like you and Demetri, Rose…or you and Jasper, Alice…You and Esme, Carlisle…and what I know will one day be you Edward…," says the voice I am assuming in response to the girl Rose or…Rosalie's opposition. I count in my head all of the names the voice listed. There are 8 people in the room…
"For now we just wait, and I'll sit here until…," this time I break the silence.
The smell of warm amber and teakwood fills my nose. I can't help but smile at the familiarity. I am able to smile!
I flutter my eyes open. I'm on a hospital bed inside an operating room shrouded with glass with tall ceilings and soft lighting. Rain pours outside the windows wetting the vast forest and vegetation beyond them. Every sound, every scent, seems amplified, and the world looks vibrant and vivid in a way I have never experienced before. I bring my hands back this time to my throat which burns, but not with the same intensity as before. My entire body surges with energy, for once I didn't feel tired from working 2 jobs to afford college. This energy though…I felt stronger…than anyone.
Sitting and standing around me are some of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. The pain I feel is now all inside my throat, but other than that I feel strong. Still…no need to draw a single breath. I bring my hands to my chest, desperately searching for a heartbeat, or something to show I am actually alive.
"He's awake," exclaims a small pixie-like girl ecstatically. She comes to my right side of the bed as I sit up.
"Beautiful," a familiar deep voice this time comes from my left side.
I turn.
I lock eyes with the most handsome man I have ever seen in my life…the angel from the photo in the cabin…he saved me. I smile, and he smiles back revealing his charming dimples.
My left hand is being held inside one of his large ones. He is sitting in a chair pulled up to the side of the bed I am in while everyone else is standing around the bed.
He has on a gray hoodie, that hugs him tightly. It exposes all of his enormous muscles. His eyes are so dark almost…jet black…unlike the others. The other 7 people around me all have very…almost honey colored eyes.
"The angel…you and her…." I point to the blonde woman who is the only one looking more sorrowful than happy.
"You both…You saved me…I remember falling, and you were there, so was she…and one other person," I turn this time making eye contact with another man. The blond man from when I fell off the cliffside.
There is another blonde man too. He is standing behind the pixie-like girl. He smiles reassuringly. When I make eye contact with him, I feel extremely at ease. Next to him, is a more lanky, but beautiful guy. He has auburn hair similar to the woman next to the blonde man I saw when I fell. He looks at me quizzically. Like he is unsure of me or… reading me or something…
"Good…he thinks I'm an angel, let's keep it that way. I'm sure Rose here thinks she is," the man holding my hand on the left side of me says, earning an icy glare from the woman, I presume Rose or Rosalie, in return.
I turn, and look at him as a few chuckles are elicited from him and the others filling the large room.
"I'm Emmett Cullen, and you're Barron right? We have all of your license and belongings that were on you over there" says the strong handsome man in a softer and almost loving tone gesturing to my wallet and my bashed iPod on a side table.
I nod looking down at our hands intertwined, embarrassed about the angel comment.
"I just-just thought–" I began.
"Aw, don't be embarrassed, cutie…I know you're confused right now, but we'll clear everything up. Hey…," I look up at him this time.
"How long was I–" I trail off unsure where to begin with my questions.
"Where is everyone…my friends…do my parents know I am here," I say softly, but feel like the answer may be one I am not quite ready to hear.
"Barron…there's a lot…A LOT we need to tell you, but I will protect you…you're safe…with me–always…even though you don't know me well yet," he says, squeezing my hand ever so slightly in a reassuring manner.
Even though I feel scared…I am beyond attracted to this man. Is he flirting…or is he just like this? What should cause a deep blush to form from his words…I felt nothing…I immediately bring my hand to my right cheek. No warmth or change in temperature at all. My skin felt…different somehow.
All 8 of the gorgeous people in the medical yet homey room, shrouded in glass, unveiling a thick forest beyond the windows, look as if their skin was crafted from alabaster. I notice too that this room is…too nice to be inside a hospital.
Emmett looks over to Carlisle, almost like he is awaiting further instruction with a very serious expression, one I can tell already he doesn't wear too often.
"Hello Barron, my name is Carlisle," says the man stepping forward with a pleasant smile plastered across his face.
Emmett, still holds my hand protectively, never letting go for a second. Maybe I should feel scared…but I don't feel it with his touch that sends pure butterflies up my entire arm spreading through my being…His essence is nothing, but comfort in this war I am currently fighting within my head. I am battling the large amount of questions I have. Carlisle speaks again, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"I want to tell you that first, and foremost…you are safe like Emmett said, and you are alive."
"Sort of–if you really want to call it that," says Rosalie interrupting Carlisle. This earns icy stares from everyone except the man standing directly behind her with light brown hair, who just wears an indifferent expression on his face. I assume he is her partner.
"Sort of?...But-how…I died…my heart it-it was beating so slow–" I begin.
"So he could feel and sense some things," the woman on the right of Carlisle cuts me off, and looks worryingly at him. She had the softest expression. Her auburn hair was elegantly tied back into an updo.
"Barron…we have many things to explain to you. Why don't we head into the living room for a chat. I just ask that you trust us, and that you know we have nothing but respect and only offer safety for you…We will talk for as long as it takes to clear up any questions you may have. I know it's a lot to ask coming from complete strangers, but…"
"BUT- you can trust us. We don't bite," says the pixie-like girl smiling on the right of me. The blonde man behind her smiles too reassuringly.
I smile back at them. It is hard to pay attention because of the amount of senses overcoming me. The lights overhead buzzed in a way I had never heard so clearly before. The texture of Emmett's shirt, of each strand in the girl Rosalie's hair, Carlisle's voice, it was all so much to take in at once. Everything felt so foreign. I am broken out of my thoughts immediately by a new voice.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it," said the man with the auburn hair. I just looked back at him.
"How did you know-?"
"Come with us into the living room darling, we will explain everything," says the woman next to Carlisle in a sweet voice. She sort of scowled at the auburn haired man. To which, he just grinned in return.
I nod, and turn my body towards Emmett, to step onto the ground.
He let's go of my hand for the first time, and I meet his gaze. He smiles again, reassuring me that I can trust him. Emmett…I thought…what a fitting name for his boy-ish yet protective charm.
He extends his hand, and I am able to sit up, off of the hospital bed. On my feet in a flash, I am amazed at the energy I feel coursing through my body like never before.
As I adjusted to the heightened senses and the strength coursing through my body, I noticed Emmett's gaze lingering on me, a hint of something I could only describe as desire flickering in his eyes. Did I hope that was true? God Barron! Awe struck in a time like this, I thought to myself.
He still held my hand after helping me off the bed. I look back now standing in my hospital-like blue gown. I notice every fiber of the gown as we begin walking out out of this medical room.
Out of the large paneled windows, I notice all of the trees surrounding the outside.
I can smell them. I can see each little bug, and bird, and detail of the bark. I know now that…something is for sure different…I don't know what they will tell me, but I mentally try to prepare myself.
Unable to explain, I desperately try to piece together the fragments of my memory.
"Barron, this is our home. It's the one place we are always safe to be ourselves," says Carlisle.
We begin to walk into the hallway with the other trailing close behind. Emmett holds my hand leading me towards what I presume will be the living room.
"Your home is beautiful…I just–"
I clamp my eyes shut. A rush of sensations overwhelms me.
Emmett immediately pulls me into his huge muscled chest. I burry my face, desperately searching for comfort.
"My throat it's…it's really bothering me…," I say quietly. The burning sensation, although not as intense as it was before, is beginning to feel like a dull scorching pain.
"Barron it's okay, hey look at me," he lifts my chin with his large index finger. I lock eyes with him, and I could stay in this moment forever…just admiring his beautiful face. The face like that of a Grecian God.
"I promise you are safe. Everything is fine I promise…everything is better than fine," Emmett coos in my ear. He rubs firm, soothing circles on my back. I look at him in the hallway. The others look at me with sympathy.
"I would normally never act this helpless…I'm just scared," I whisper softer than I have ever been able to before.
I can feel the others staring at Emmett and I as we stand in the hallway. This time I begin walking, and pull out of our embrace. He wraps his muscled right arm around me reassuringly. I smile despite the pain I am feeling.
Emmett leads all of us. We walk down the strange brightly lit hallway, and out into the main foyer to begin up the stairs that l assume lead to the living room.
"Incredible," I whisper looking out the windows and front door of this beautiful home. The woods outside are absolutely beautiful.
The wall decor is so intriguing…
Are these graduation caps, I think to myself. I hear the auburn haired man laugh trailing behind the others as we are all walking towards the living room. I whip my head around and make eye contact with him. Surely, that was just a coincidence I think. Emmett, looks back at Edward, and shoots him a sarcastic look emitting what I would describe as a fake laugh.
"And, here we are," says the auburn haired lady standing beside Carlisle warmly.
"Sit, please," said the auburn haired woman.
"I am Esme…I am Carlisle's m-...partner," said the auburn haired woman gesturing to the large cream colored sofa. I look at her trying to decipher what she was originally going to say before she corrected herself.
The room has amazingly high ceilings, and similar to the medical room, the entire house is framed with large glass windows. The atmosphere feels like we are sitting high up in the woods, inside but also outside at the same time.
Every fixture and appliance is so sleek–modern. The taste is just exquisite within the house. The sound of heavy rain with scattered inflections of soft thunder resonate throughout the room. I can see each trickle of precipitation so clearly on the windows outside. I can hear every ember crackling over the wood inside the fireplace.
Emmett sits on the large sofa first, patting a spot next to him, gesturing for me to sit next to him. He beams a warm, large smile at me. I smile back, unable to resist his charms. Once I sit, he looks like he's debating something, and then places his arm on the back of the chair not quite around me, but definitely behind me.
A large fireplace roars inside the living room, as everyone takes a seat around Emmett and I. I can't tell…is he just flirty with everyone? Trust me, I am not complaining…I just need clarity for so many things.
Alice the pixie-like girl sits on the left side of me, smiling at me supportively. I flash her a small smile back. The blond man, I assume to be her boyfriend, perches on the arm of the sofa.
Rosalie the blonde woman sits in a large armchair, the beautiful brown haired man warmly smiling at me for the first time standing behind her supportively. Rosalie's expression is the only one filled with concern. She shoots me an almost pitiful expression.
Carlisle and Esme sit in front of me on another larger couch facing us, with the auburn haired man sitting last to the right of Carlisle. A large glass coffee table is placed between us.
"Why don't we each take a moment to introduce ourselves, or again for some of us, and we'll get right to it," says Carlisle.
"This is my beautiful partner, and mate, Esme," says Carlisle gesturing to the auburn haired woman with the most loving and proud look. She beams back at him.
Mate, I think to myself…
"This is Edward," he gestures to the auburn haired man.
"Rosalie…and her partner Demetri," they both look at me with more serious expressions than the others. "Sitting to the right of you Barron, is Jasper and his mate…Alice." The pixie-like girl beams and squeezes my leg gently. I smile softly back at her.
"And you already know me gorgeous," says Emmett. I turn this time.
"I have a lot of questions Carlisle…But first is he always like this with everyone," I say lightly, squeezing Emmett's hand. Everyone laughs.
"No just…it's just you cutie…you have that effect," he winks back at me. He still keeps his arm behind me resting on the sofa, but enough space so that I feel comfortable.
"I don't know why…I trust you…all of you… already, or maybe I'm a little apprehensive to know," I say the last part quietly. I have a feeling from the looks of concern from Demetri and Rosalie's look of sadness upon me, that it may not be exactly good information.
"So kind…and so smart you are Barron," Carlisle says.
"Firstly, I want to tell you that we are no longer in the Smokies, or in Tennessee at all. You are currently sitting in our home just outside Forks, Washington."
I knew it…I think to myself. The vegetation outside the windows had to be on the west coast. I try to push away the thousands of questions swirling inside my head.
"This next part, Barron…I just ask you to keep an open mind."
"Well I thought I was for sure dead…so try me," I say trying to lighten the mood. Everyone chuckles, and Emmett looks down at me grinning.
"I am aware you are of course from Tennessee…were you…religious at all?" Carlisle asks.
"Kind of…I definitely believe in a god…or an afterlife…definitely the paranormal," I say back.
"Well, what you may know as immortals…as…"
Emmett tightens his arm ever so slightly in a protective way around my back. This reaction brings me closer to him. I feel every curve of his hard chest, and defined torso pressing into my side.
"As…vampires…well, we live off of the blood of animals you see."
My eyes are probably the size of dinner saucers. For the first time…I really notice I no longer need to draw in breath, although the reaction of Carlisle's statement would certainly call for it.
"We can live as long as we are sustained this way…we are immortal…through the consumption of animal blood…we never sleep…you will not age a second past when you were…bitten and turned by myself. The burning you have felt the past 4 days…that was the transformation happing. The vampire venom spreading and freezing your entire body…strengthening your entire body beyond anything a human could ever imagine…like all of us experienced before you. Except, unfortunately, you were paralyzed from the impact of your fall. I know how scary that must have been, not to be able to move at all. We thought with the use of morphine it may help, but I see we don't have a clear conclusion if it does or not."
Emmett interrupts Carlisle this time. I turn to him feeling incredibly shocked and for the first time extremely scared.
"Carlisle…and our family…we would never do this to someone, but right before we found you…Alice…" Emmett looks over to her on the other side of me, and she places a light and supportive hand on my back.
"Well, some of us have gifts in this life. This second life. Alice can see visions of the future. It's a super rad gift actually…" this time it's me that laughs. I can feel Esme relax some seeing my reaction to Emmett's humor.
"Thanks Em…" says Alice softly.
"Alice saw you…with me…as…mates" I look now at my hands trying hard to avoid any contact with everyone's eyes on me.
"Right before we found you…we were in Gatlinburg, because that's where Rose found me in 1935…bleeding out from a brown bear attack. The cabin you saw in the woods. Sometimes we hunt around those parts of the Smokies…I like to see the place I grew up, to make sure it's still there…that I don't forget. Eternity will do that to you. I just…we are partly to blame Barron…because we were hunting…it's us that provoked the bear, we were hunting it…and…"
I stop him, letting go of his large hand.
Author Note- THANK YOU FOR READING! Let me know what you are thinking so far! I wonder how Barron will react knowing that the Cullens were hunting the bear that chased him?! Will update chapter 3 ASAP, and I promise for more sexy times and adventure coming before we launch into the first Twilight book when Barron will attend Forks High School with the Cullens.
Hoping wherever you are in the world reading this, that you are having a safe and happy weekend!