Chapter 5
The Swan's Residence
Bella parked her truck in the driveway, due to Charlie's cruiser is not anywhere to be found. Indicating he is working late but it is enough time for Bella to cook dinner and have it ready by the time he comes. After leaving from school, she manages to stop by and buy groceries.
Charlie never had time to cook for himself, even so he would cook only simple steaks or go out to eat at The Carver Cafe. When she spent time with Charlie once a month, she did have fond memories eating there, especially Cora, who works as a server and is also a close friend of Charlie's. She treated Bella like she was one of hers. Those were the only fond memories she has when she was a little child. Now, she has finally accepted a new chapter lay and she is relish to grasp it.
"I'm home!" Charlie's voice announced.
"I'm in the kitchen!" Bella calls out.
She finishes putting dinner at the table as he walks in smiling at her, lays his police jacket over the chair. Charlie gave Bella a peck on her forehead and hugged her.
"Mm, smells good, what is it?" He asked while sitting down.
"Chicken alfredo..." Bella then places a bowl in the middle. "...with broccoli salad."
"Wow! It has been a while since I had Italian food." He spoke enthusiastic as he began to dig in. Once he took the first bite of the chicken, he hummed in approved. "This is great, Bella."
"Thanks!"
She sat down in front of him as she served two plates for the salad. Bella made a promise that she will be cooking whenever she can, she will not allow Charlie to buy frozen food or steaks all the time. She is always used to this, since she learned to cook by herself to take care of her mom, Rene. Of course, occasionally they will either head out to The Carver Cafe or order some pizza when she is not feeling up to cook.
"So, how's school?" Charlie asked.
"I'm not going to lie, it was great!" Bella said honestly.
"Yeah, did you make some friends?"
"I did some and some were not so friendly or faking it." She spoke a little irritated with those last few words. Though, Charlie did catch on to it.
"Who is it?" He asked.
"W-What?" She hesitantly asked.
"Who are the not so friendly and annoying kids that's bothering you?" He took a sip from his beer.
"Oh... Just a couple of guys and one annoyingly girl." She rolled her eyes, but Charlie just chuckled.
"I'm sure they'll come around."
Bella stared at him blankly. "Okay, how about Tyler Crowly?"
"Stay away from him!" Charlie said it in a stern voice while pointing at her.
"I thought you said he'll come around?" She teases him with a smirk.
"Not Him! I've stopped him twice and gave him a speeding ticket. Him and that van with those ridiculous rims." Charlie scoffs, but Bella stiffs her giggles.
"Look, I have pepper spray and stun gun in my closet, which one do you want?" Bella looks at him surprise.
"In case he's going to bother you." He explains. "Or any other boys out there..."
Bella snorted her laughter. "I already have guys ogling on to me, but don't worry, I'm not falling in their attempts."
"Well... that's good." He awkwardly finished.
Bella and Charlie sat and ate silently for the most part. He never dwelled into her life, to which Bella came to appreciate. Charlie wants to make sure she is okay and well, that's all that matters to him. However, she is curious about the newcomers from Canada, so she wanted to break the awkward silence.
"Hey, do you know The Conolly's?" She asked, Charlie looked down for moment to think before he nodded.
"Yeah! Harry said they moved down not too far from his home. He said it was only a couple who came down to our next-door neighbor. He also said they seem secretive, like they moved-in, in the middle of the night while everyone was sleeping... that's odd." Charlie frowned, now that he's thinking about. The Conolly's never showed up in public or anywhere near town, everyone in town is always gossiping, like when The Cullens moved in two years ago.
"Not surprised, I met their son this morning at school." Bella spoke with a knowing look.
"You met their son at school?" Charlie's voice sounded disbelief as he raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, his name is Desmond." She happily answered.
"Harry didn't mention a boy with them..." Charlie scratches his head.
"...Or maybe he didn't see him at all, Dez told me that they are overprotective of him, and they wouldn't allow him to meet other strangers or go outside." Bella explains. "Complications due to his illness."
"Dez?" He asked quizzically.
"It's a nickname that he introduced me." She happily shrugged.
Charlie sighs. "Is he one of the boys that's bothering you?"
"Actually, he's one of the boys who acted naturally with me." Bella spoke with fondness.
"Really? How so?" He asked with doubt in his voice.
"Simple, he wasn't the one that tried to smooth his way with me, he acted like a human being, and he makes me smile." She spoke with a smile as she has gleeful in her eyes.
Charlie looked at her with a perplexed look on his face. Ever since Bella visits once a month, she has never seemed happy or shown any emotions throughout her stay. He knew deep down she loathed this town or staying in this house. Now, this is the first time he has ever seen his daughter with a smile, and she feels genuine happiness. On the other hand, his father's protective instinct is wanting her safe from any boy that has ill intentions for her, but the way she spoke those few words of this boy seemed like he's making her special. Charlie doesn't want Bella's happiness to be taken away, and he's relishing this moment to be a father and daughter moment.
"Okay then." He spoke as he finished eating, Bella narrowed her eyes on to him suspiciously while tilting her head.
"That's it?" She asked.
"What?"
"You're not going to lecture me to be on guard or give me strict rules for hanging out with boys?" She asked with dubious on her voice.
"As long as he's making my daughter happy, I won't butt in. I mean you're just friends with him, right?" He asked.
"W-Well, yeah w-we just met today." She hesitated, Charlie intuitively knew she's having feelings for this boy, but again this an experience she'll have to face while growing up.
"Alright then." He picked up his and Bella's plate. She was about to get up to help him do the dishes. "Uh-Uh! You cooked and I do the dishes, no questions asked."
Bella smiles and nods in defeat. Charlie picked up the rest of the plates and starts washing them into the sink, along with the kitchen utensils. He will be team player around the house, since Bella did promise him that she'll be taking care of him like she does to her mother. In this case, however, Charlie can also take care of himself, unlike her mother, he'll be helping Bella from now on, especially when she is staying with him until she graduates.
"Tell you what." He had an idea. "Why don't you invite him over to dinner after school at Carver Cafe? Tell him dinner will be on me and I'll get to know the boy better."
Bella stares at him with a slight frown on her face, crossing her arms over her chest, looking suspiciously at him.
Charlie chuckles, raises his hands. "I promise I won't intimidate or interrogate the poor kid. I just want to know how this boy was able to make my daughter happy... might learn something from him."
Bella's frowned fades away, slowly smiles at him. She quickly got up and ran up to him to fully embrace him around him.
"Thanks, Dad!" She mumbled into his shirt.
Charlie was completely taken aback, his eyes widening. He has never heard her called him those three beautiful words in a long time. He embraces her back while closing his eyes, inhaling a fresh of air. Bella and Charlie stood there for moment before they slowly parted ways, he notices her eyes were tearily, straying down to her cheeks.
"You're welcome, sweetheart." He softly told her, wipes away her tears. "Now, go ahead, I'll finish up here." Bella nodded before she gave him a peck on his right cheeks and left to go upstairs to her room.
Once she was out of kitchen, Charlie stood there staring into space for a moment, contemplating of a beautiful moment, something he will have to store in his memory. Ever since she arrived yesterday, she has been in a shell on her own when he picked her up at the airport in Port Angeles. He knew that she and him were never talkative, it was an awkward drive here at Forks. Now she comes home with her spirit blossoming.
"I'm looking forward meeting this kid." He mumbles to himself, before returning to finishing the dishes.
The moment when Bella walked into her bedroom before she was going to shower and work on her assignment. She at once jumped into her computer to check her emails. Her mother sent her three frantic emails to her, swaggering about her trip with Phil and his work, she also asked Bella about her trip to Forks and the events at school. Bella wrote her back with vaguely everything that happened and she also mentioned to her good friends, like Angela and Desmond. When she finally sent the email message, she got up and went to take a shower. Thankfully, it was available as Charlie stayed downstairs in the living room drinking beer while watching TV; it was the only bathroom available in this house. When she returned to her room, after showering, her phoned rang. Bella picked it up and was surprised to see the caller id; Mom?
"Hi, Mom! This is coincidence for you to call me, did you get my email?" She asked as she sat on the bed.
"What's he like?" She at once asked, ignoring Bella's question.
Bella is taken aback. "W-Who?"
"Desmond, you silly! So, what's he like?" She asked once again.
"Well..." Bella then lays down on her bed. "He's a little bit tall, handsome, almost perfect in every way, and he has the most breathtaking eyes that I have ever seen, blue as the ocean." She spoke with fondness.
"Aww... I knew there was more to it than how you vaguely wrote him on email. And you just met him today?! How does he make you feel, sweety?!" Her mother encourages her.
Bella and Rene have always been open about each other as both are consider best friends. Anything that bothers either of them, they will openly talk to one another. Unlike Charlie, who's not much of a talker or doesn't know how to approach his daughter to be opened with him. Mostly due to Rene having custody of Bella and letting her stay with him for once a month.
Bella thinks for moment before releasing a heavy sigh. "He completes me... I can't stop thinking about him and I want to spend time with him. He makes me feel happy, like he may be the reason I can go through with this place until graduation." She explains.
Rene doesn't say anything for a moment. Bella realizes she may have spilled a little of the beans. She would expect her mother gushing about it, but not, she remined quite to which Bella sees this as something serious.
"Bella... Do you have feelings for this boy?" She asked.
'Shit!'
"I-I think so..." She lowly spoke, already expecting her mom to tell her to keep at distance.
"Bella, if you like this boy, then I want you to tread lightly." She spoke softly yet serious.
'Oh no! Mom, please!' She panickily thought.
"Mom... he's not a bad kid-"
"I'm sure he's a good kid, but that's not what I'm implying." She interrupted.
"Then what do you mean?"
"I want you to know first that you were never a mistake, Isabella Marie Swan. You are the most precious and miracle child that Charlie and I have been given, but I don't want you to make the same mistakes as I did when I met your father. We were so young and didn't know what we were doing at the time. I want you to first experience high school, go through college first, and then you can decide where both of you can be happy. Communication is the most valuable thing in a relationship. Do you understand, honey?" She asked.
Bella completely understood what she meant. Rene didn't want her to repeat the cycle of torture and unhappiness, along with a fatherless child. Is it possible that Desmond and she will be making the same mistakes as her parents? Will there be a future for both being together?
"Okay..." Bella sadly told her, but Rene catches on.
"I'm not saying you should stop persuading this boy, just telling you take it lightly and not rush things, that's all." She concluded.
Bella sighs in relief. "Okay, Mom."
"And Bella, one more thing..." Rene slowly inhales at other end of the line. "If you have this... urges ... please have a backup condom."
"Mom!" Bella chided as she shot up from her bed, her face twisted with embarrassment.
"Honey, you're already entering the face of being a young woman, these urges are normal to have-"
"Oh my god! I can't believe we are having this conversation!" Bella buried her face in the pillow.
"Would you rather have this conversation with your father then?" Rene suggested.
"No! He would be dying out of embarrassment."
Rene chuckles. "Okay, I get it... so tell me the rest of your day?"
Bella is once again relief that her mother decided to change the subject. However, she was more than happy to hear both her parents approve of continuing seeing Desmond. Of course, she will try to persuade him lightly but will be a challenging due to possible other competitors.
The Conolly's Residence
After arriving at the house, they first ate pizza for dinner as Evelyn has not arrived yet. To which it was strange for Desmond, but he left that aside as he went outside to their detach garage. Desmond stared in aww once he opened the garage door, an 86' Jeep J10 two-door blue truck is parked with a small bow on the hood. Goerge chuckled lightly as he stood beside him, seeing his reaction and patting him on his shoulder.
"Your graduation gift, kiddo!" Goerge said.
"Thanks, Goerge! I really appreciate this." Desmond gave him a genuine hug.
"You should also thank Evelyn too when you get the chance."
"She's not coming tonight?" Desmond asked, though slightly guilty for not because he was concerned, but more over curious.
"Just received a text, she'll probably arrive in the middle of the night while you are asleep." Goerge shrugged.
"So, she's aware you are giving me the gift early?" He asked.
"Yupers! C'mon, let's check out this baby."
Desmond at once, pulls out the spare keys Goerge has given him. He further inspects the truck as it has all-terrain tires and overhead bar lights on the roof. He opens the driver's side door and notices it's a manual transmission with eight shift gears. He enters the truck with enthusiasm as he closes his eyes, slides the key into the ignition, and brings the truck to life. The sound of the engine is almost a roar from monster who has come been awaken.
'This feels almost... nostalgia' He thought.
"B~e~a~u~t~i~f~u~l"
Desmond's eyes shot up as he slightly looks around the garage. He was not expecting the voice to return to him. He thought it only speaks whenever he's near The Cullens, are they nearby? He continues looking outside of the garage's window and door.
Goerge frowns at him. "You good?"
"Yeah, just lost of words, that's all." Desmond shrugged.
"Okay! Now remember, you can only drive around town, stop near any of the beaches, or Port Angeles. Seattle is off the list, city is to damn big, and you can easily get lost." His tone is on edge.
"You know there are maps on our phones, right?" Desmond teases him, but Goerge wasn't having none of it.
"I'm serious Desmond Conolly! I've done for you a few favors, now all I'm asking is for you do this one thing for me, please?" Goerge eyes look tense with a frown.
"Alright, I'll do it."
"Good, thank you!" Goerge walks a couple of meters out of the garage, but not before he stops and turns around with a smirk. "Oh, and one more thing."
"Yeah?" Desmond's head piped up.
"You're going to have to pay your own gas fuel, it's time for you to find a job, kiddo." Goerge is hopping to pull his leg on this one, expecting him to pout, but to his shock, Desmond's corner lips tilt upwards with a beaming smile.
"That won't be a problem!" He said with enthusiasm.
"Okay then! You should shower and get some sleep, it's getting late." Goerge then finally left, leaving Desmond alone with his truck.
He ran his fingers over the steering wheel, releases a heavy sigh of relief, finally some freedom that he craved for over two years. The truck almost looks brand new, whoever Goerge purchased it from, must have taken care of it like their life depend on it. Desmond killed the engine as he removed the key from the ignition. He made sure to lock the garage door before heading back inside the house.
Once inside, Desmond decided to first take a shower as he enters the bathroom upstairs. He removes most of his clothing until he gets to remove his shirt, exposing his upper waist bare skin. Desmond looks at himself in the mirror, his body reveal to be slim with fit muscular with a six pack. He's been contemplating on why his body has never change over the past two years since he woke up. He never lost or gain weight throughout this time, or never grown an inch tall. The only thing that does change slightly is his hair, it only grows a couple of inches every six months.
Strange... it's almost like he is frozen in time. Not even visible scar around his body, well there is one, Desmond turned his back towards the mirror. He looks over his shoulder to reveal a round wound scar lies in-between his shoulder blades. According to the doctor, in the wreck of the scene, an iron rebar was punctured from his back from the seat, it came through the back of the window. Forcing him pushed forward to the passenger's side dashboard with a failed airbag, resulting his chest impact first, to which he's diagnose with angina. Thankfully, he was not paralyzed, but was enough to put him in the coma, again that was according to the doctor's report. He still can't remember anything...
He enters inside the shower with room temperature water, usually, he prefers to switch it with chilly water. Something about the coldness also gives him a bit of nostalgia, just like the weather here in Forks.
Once he was done showering, Desmond stepped out of the shower, he quickly dried himself up and put on his pj's pants with a black T-Shirt. He steps out of the bathroom and maneuvered his way to his bedroom from the still unboxing packages. Goerge and Desmond were baled to unpack a couple of boxes before eating pizza for dinner. He quickly took out his unfinished homework that he began back at gym class before having a conversation with Bella and starts working on it near his desk.
BZZT-BZZT...
Desmond's phone buzzed as he picks it up, it was a message he received from Bella. He beamed with happy smile, as he opened the message. In all honestly, he couldn't wait to see again for tomorrow. He should have the other's phone numbers.
Bella: Hey! How are you doing?
Desmond: I'm good, just finishing homework, you?
Bella: Same
Desmond: So, what's up?
Bella: I was wondering if you needed a ride to school?
Desmond: That won't be a problem, I'll meet you at school.
Bella: You're driving with one of your guardian's cars?!
Desmond: You'll see...
Bella: You're such a fucking tease!
Desmond: All in due time, anyway, good night, Bells!
Bella: Goodnight Dez!
Desmond: Sweet dreams!
Bella: Oh, I know I will...
Desmond chuckled with that last message; this girl is unbelievable. In an effective way, he feels something special about her. Even though, she claims she's a simple looking girl with boring background, but Desmond finds her interesting. He would have taken up on her offer, but that would be a waste of gas and time. He would feel guilty for forcing her to wake up early in the morning and drive to his home. Now thinking about it, this would put Evelyn on edge and would confront Bella and demand her not to see me.
Speaking of Evelyn, a car just pulled in the driveway as he looks out the window; she just arrived at home. Desmond looked at the clock and it reads at 12:30 in the morning. It's that late! No wonder Goerge wanted him to get to bed, both were busy throughout this afternoon, and he never once paid attention to the time.
Desmond quickly put away his homework, turned off all the lights, took his pills, and got to bed. He knew Evelyn won't be bothering him right now as it is late, might as well she's tired too. He closes his eyes for a moment to rethink everything that has happened today. Indeed, it has been a colorful, yet painful event that he has ever experienced. The sore throats, the unexplainable pain to his chest, the hunger for thirst which resulted in breaking the sink, and lastly; the voice. A voice that sounds exactly like him, does this voice know something about me or my past. I wonder...
"Who are you?" He asked out lowly to the voice.
Desmond waited for moment, nothing but silence along with the crickets singing outside of the window. Hoping that he would start communicating with his conscious voice,
"Oh, c'mon don't leave me here!" He expressed, slightly frustrated.
Once again, there is just silence. Desmond waited patiently for it to speak up, he closes his eyes and focuses on meditation. The only thing he can hear is his breathing and the beating of his heart. As time pass by, he gives up by releasing a heavy sigh with a roll of his eyes.
"Are you sure it was a teacher that pissed him off that spiked his readings?" Evelyn's voice reached into Desmond's hears.
He opens his eyes and looks towards the door. The faint light can still be seen under his door frame, coming from the hallway. He carefully steps out of his bed, slowly walks to the door as he crouches down to see under it. Expecting to see a pair of feet or shadow movements nearby, but to avail.
"That's what he said..." Goerge's voice responded.
Desmond's curiosity peaked him at this point. He slowly turns the nob of the door and peaks his head out into the hallway. Goerge and Evelyn's room door is still opened, but the light is turned off. The other rooms were also not occupied, strange, he could hear them like they are nearby.
"Bullshit! Something else tipped him off, I knew it was a mistake coming down here!" Evelyn exclaimed in rage as Desmond is taken aback.
He has seen her get angry multiple times with Goerge, but this is another new level. He slowly tips toe his way downstairs, hoping he wouldn't make a sound to alert them. He arrives downstairs at the living room, where it is openly connected to the kitchen. Still, neither of them was on sight nor anywhere in the house. Where could they be and how was he able to hear them?
He walks carefully around the living room looking outside the front porch. Still, neither of them was on sight nor anywhere in the house. It wasn't long before he finally spotted them, standing outside in the front of the separate garage building.
"Oh, c'mon! We just got here not too long ago and spent almost a fortune moving down here, give this place a cha-"
"I. Don't. Want. Another..." Evelyn gives a scowl look, her voice low in rage as she slowly steps closer to Goerge while pointing her finger on his chest, Goerge cowardly backs away until his back contacted the garage's doors. "...Accident!"
"Okay, I get it..." Goerge sighs. "Do you think he met one of them?"
"If so, we leave at once!"
"I haven't seen any of them in town for now, so we should be good. Let's just continue as it is and live on." Goerge suggested it.
"And if they are spotted in the area?!" She hissed with the continued hatred frown.
"Then we move!" He finally said. Evelyn stepped away from him as she began to walk back and forth on the driveway, it looks like she's contemplating.
"I don't want to end up like the previous team..." She sighs, ran her hands over her head. "It's getting late, we should head back to house."
Desmond at once bolted into the stairs and entered his room. He locks it once he shuts the door, he slowly backs away as his eyes are locked on to the door. He remarkably still hears both of their footsteps now entering the front door and then ascending from the stairs. His eyes widen when their footsteps came inches to his bedroom door, they abruptly stopped as the light emitted their shadows under the door. The doorknob slowly turned counterclockwise until it clicked.
"He's tired, let him sleep." Goerge spoke in a hush tone.
"I just want to see him!" Evelyn responded with sharp hush tone.
"You can see him in the morning, let's go!" Goerge concluded as he steps away.
"Asshole!" She mumbled as she also follows him.
The lights from the hallway have been turned off, Desmond can hear their bedroom door shut closed. He slowly walks up to his bed and sits down at the edge. Steading his breathing, ran his hands over his temples, as he is understanding so far what he had just heard.
First and for most, he couldn't believe he is able to hear them that far. It was like they were just nearby his bedroom, but that was not the case as they were just outside. Once again, he never had this before, having hearing sense that strong is something he was not expecting. Secondly, what were they talking about; another accident? earlier team? And who are them? Who are they talking about? Deep down, he knew something was not right with Goerge and Evelyn when he woke up. They've been keeping him secluded from the rest of the world and not fully telling him the truth, not to mention they are now tracking him all the time wherever he goes with that stupid watch. Truth be told, he wanted to sneak out and escape from them forever. Find out the truth for himself, but where would he go. He does have Bella, maybe he could give her a call and asked her for shelter? No, that would be weird and creepy to ask a girl who he just barely met. So, for now, he would just continue to play along, not letting them know.
Indeed, moving in this town has been quite eventful. Apart of him is afraid of what lies upon him on this road, however, another apart of him is looking forward...
The Cullen's Residence
"Who's that son of a bitch that took my son?!" Esme shrieks in rage.
After following Jackon and the new companion to their whereabouts before passing through The Treaty Line. The Cullens returned to their home and gathered up in the living room except for Alice, who she is on the third floor of the library and is researching through records of The Conolly's.
Esme is walking back and forth near the fireplace with both of her hands balding a fist out of anger. Carlisle is sitting on the only armchair near the fireplace, watching his wife's rage in concerned, hoping she won't lose control. Emmett sat on the sofa while comforting his wife, Rosalie lays her head on his shoulder while her face hidden in his neck; sobering. Jasper sits on the opposite sofa across from Emmett and Rosalie. He ran his hands over his temples as he closes his eyes to think. Lastly, Edward is sitting on the first few steps of the stairwell, his hand laid rest beneath his chin as he's deeply thinking, but Esme's thoughts keep interrupting as he is also beginning to concern for his mother. The only thoughts that he hears from her is one thing; kill.
Esme sighs in frustration as her patience is running thin. "Alice! Have you found something?"
"Goerge and Evelyn Connolly." Alice appears next Esme with arms full of papers. She made multiple copies for each of them to read as she begins to hand them over. Each one read everything that she was able to hack and search for background checks and records. The Cullens read each paper with cautious, never missing out any detail of the mysterious couple. So far, Goerge Conolly was born in August of 1965 in Canada while his wife, Evelyn Harper, was born in July of 1968 in Alaska, USA.
Rosalie carefully read further into their records as she sat next to her husband, until her eyes widened in shock then anger built when she read the following. The couple got engaged and had their first-born child in September of 1987 by the name of Desmond Conolly.
"Fucking bullshit!" Rosalie yelled, jerked up and ripped the rest of papers in half like a toothpick. "That's around the same time Jackson disappeared!"
"It's them Carlisle, they are the ones who took our son!" Esme tone is equally like Rosalie's. It's understandable, both women were and still are motherly figures towards Jackson, it's quite an interesting story to be told. Carlisle finished reading the rest of the papers, he places them down on top of the coffee table and sighs.
"These records look too perfect." He comments as he runs his hands on his temples.
Alice groans in frustration. "I know! I'm sorry, this is as far as I can hack into the system. It's almost like they were expecting somebody to search them, and I couldn't find much about the name Desmond, other than joining to our school this year and birth certificate." She drops down on the sofa next to Jasper. "This so vexing!"
"Do you think they work for the government?" Emmett inquired.
"If that was the case, why leave Jackson out in the open with the rest of the public? No, this some cultural group who's doing this." said Jasper.
"Whoever they are, they will be dealt with soon." Carlisle spoke as he stood up and looked at Edward directly into his yellow eyes. "You have him in your Biology, did you see or read anything in his mind? Did you talk to him?"
Edward stood up and joined with others in the living room. "Yes, I have spoken with him. He says that he was involve in a vehicle accident two years, which cause him to have amnesia, and he is also diagnosed with angina."
"Angina? That's when your blood reduces flow into your heart, right?" Rosalie asked.
"Correct, to which I assume he's prescribed with Nitroglycerin?" Carlisle asked as Edward nodded.
"I didn't find no hospitals records of an accident under that name; they are lying to him." said Alice.
"Exactly!" Esme spoke, her anger faded as it is replaced with confusion written all over her face. She walks up to Edward and place both of her hands on his cheeks to hold, looking him in the eye. "Has he said anything about those two vile parasites?"
Edward knew who she was talking about, her tone came back with sharp edge of anger when she said parasites. "Yes, he told me he feels uncomfortable calling them as his parents."
'Wonderful! He knows they are complete strangers to him.' Esme slightly beamed at this info; her eyes shine like a candlelight.
Edward smiled at this as he goes on. "He also says that he doesn't know who he is or where he belongs to this world. The couple were there when he woke up in the hospital, claiming to be his parents. He doesn't see it that way and just calls them as guardians."
"If he doesn't feel comfortable, why can't he just leave them?" Rosalie asked.
"Goerge and Evelyn have been keeping him indoors after waking up. He told me that he was homeschooled with private tutors and received visits from physicians to help him to his feet. He says he doesn't know where to go or who he has other families out there." Edward shrugs as he releases a heavy sigh. "Today was his first day to step out of the light."
"Well, he's wrong. He has us and we are here for him." Carlisle spoke as the rest of the family nodded in agreement. "Did he say anything else?"
"Yes, he said when they moved down here, he developed new symptoms, but I fear and theorize the worse than our previous conversation." Edward cautiously spoke, hoping not to send the wrong hint.
"Which is?" Carlisle asked.
"He has been feeling sore throats with coughs, like fire burning through his muscles around his neck while his mouth is dry, always thirsty..." He concluded.
Carlisle's face drops in shock at the realization. "The venom."
"Yes."
"Are you sure, Edward?" Carlisle carefully asked, his eyes never leaving Edward's.
Edward nodded. "I heard it... I know when one of our kind is hungry."
The rest of the family members, except Emmett, have finally caught on what Edward and Carlisle are thinking about. Each member has a horrifying look in their face, everyone turned their heads to the dining table where the sketch still lies on top. Alice's vision of the dark silhouette figure does have a significant meaning, and the situation at the realization has gotten unfortunate.
"Oh, my goodness!" Esme exclaimed as she dropped to her knees, covering her mouth with both hands.
"The venom is still with him! B-But he's so human and alive! How is that possible?" Rosalie exclaims.
"I theorize those pills are not Nitroglycerin, but something to contain the venom from spreading his body and taking control once again." Edward explained.
"You may be right, my son, but I fear those pills won't last long. The hunger will dominate his control." Carlisle whispered in unbelievable tone.
"Do you think we were the cause of his awakening?" Jasper asked.
"Maybe, being close to another one of our kind." said Edward.
"Or maybe being close to his family." Rosalie suggested it.
Emmett stares back at everyone as he hasn't comprehended the situation. "Well, that's good, right? We just take the pills away and he can come back-"
"Emmett, my love..." Rosalie gently interjected, kneeling in front of him with a disbelieve look on her face. "Have you ever seen a vampire come out of the shadows without being fed for almost twenty years?"
"No..." Emmett thought for moment before his eyes widen and gasped in shock as he caught on. "Oh, Shit!"
"Exactly!" said Rosalie.
"He hasn't been properly fed for all this time..." Alice spoke sympathetically.
"...and he's attending a school full of innocent young people who can be a ready meal snack for him anytime, if the venom takes over him." Jasper added.
"Which leads nothing but a blood massacre in that building." said Carlisle.
"Those poor children!" Esme spoke with sorrow, images of all students lying on the ground with pool of their own blood flashed through her eyes. The grief of all parents who lost their own children if the day ever comes. No parent should bury their own child.
"We will be put on the map from the eyes of The Volturi." Carlisle added on.
He kneeled next to Esme, wrapping his arms around her and smoothed her for comfort. Carlisle is contemplating on what to do next without allowing a blood to be spilled and have The Volturi on their tales or The Quileute Pack in case Jackson loses control on their side. Edward thought for moment, how could they return their brother without him losing control. They are basically laying on thin ice, once it breaks, chaos will erupt. How will they separate him from those two nut jobs without them alerting their secret group organization. How will they help Jackson return his memory.
Carlisle looks up. "You have any ideas, Edward, please spill it... I'm running out."
"Remember what I said back at Elk Creek that we will approach him and befriend while leaving clues to bring him out into the light?" Edward asked him, to which Carlisle nodded.
"Memory Relation Theory." Edward answered. The family looks at him in question, but patiently waited for him to continue. "Memory Relation Theory holds that the hippocampus supports, and amnesia following hippocampal damage impairs, memory for all manner relations."
"I see..." Carlisle nodded.
"You think that's going to help bring Jackson's memory back?" Emmett asked with doubt in his tone.
"Relation memory is the ability to remember indirect associations between people, places, objects, or events that happened in his life." said Edward.
"Right... the problem is that he saw us and didn't even recognize us, so how do we know it's going to work?" Emmett pushed on.
"Perhaps facial recognition didn't, but the moment I shook his hand and hugged him. He and I felt a familiar connection almost like a sparkle of a brotherly bond reunion... If I am making sense." Edward explains.
"Basically, it all takes place hippocampus. The neural connection is formed which the senses allow the neurons express signals that travels back in the brain as before where our memories stored." Carlisle explains to Emmett.
"No wonder he felt so familiar connected to you, Ma." Jasper spoke to Esme. She stood up and stare him in surprise of this news, but she knew the moment Jackosn saw her in the parking lot. She knew and felt that bonding reunion connection if it wasn't that parasite man who blocked her way and Carlisle at once taken her away from the view before the man sees them.
"He's right, mother, Jackson felt an urge to run towards into that field. Perhaps, you can greet him properly, without drawing any attention when the right time comes." Edward spoke carefully, hopping she won't get upset, but Esme scowls at him for suggesting that.
'Edward, I will meet him when I choose the right time comes!' She mentally told him.
Edward sighs. "I'm just asking to not reveal everything to him at once, let him figure it out."
"So, you want to drop Scooby-Doo clues for him to solve the mystery of himself and that somehow would bring back his memory?" Emmett asked.
"Worth a try..." Edward raises his fingers to start naming the objects. "It must be related to only him and we cannot appear in any of them... Like photos, music, vehicles-"
"What happens if he is not interested in investigating the objects?" Rosalie asked in worry.
Edward smiles at her. "Firstly, you know well Jackson never stopped being curious for knowledge or mysteries, even after he turned into one of us, I know that's his nature. Secondly, I read his mind... he wants to find out about himself."
"That's good!" Carlisle commented.
"Okay, what about his hunger, what can we do to help him control it?" Jasper asked.
"That's the beauty about memory relation." Edward skipped towards the kitchen and returned in mere seconds with a cylindrical container cup in his possession. "Food and drinks."
"What?" Jasper asked in bewildered.
"Think about it when you eat or drink something delicious, it activates and brings back your inner childhood memories of that same familiar taste. This will allow him to be curious as to why he feels familiarly which will encourage his curiosity." Edward spins the container cup around the palm of his hand. "Perhaps, we can also divert his diet with of course a little bit of mixture of-"
"Blood!" Esme exclaimed excitedly. Edward was worried that she would reject this idea, but soon was relief when he read her mind as she finally caught on of what he's planning to do. Esme walked over to him and gently took away the cup from his hand. She examined it with a beaming smile on her face.
"Jackson loved smoothies! His favorite flavor anything with mixed berry." She explains with fondness. Esme cherish the memories when she cooked for Jackson when he was a child under their care. She was able to experience to be mother to take care of a child like he was one of her own.
"I can help you, Esme, if you like?" Rosalie peaked up and stood near Esme while wrapping an arm around hers.
Esme nodded in appreciation. "Of course, sweety."
"It is not just smoothies he likes; we have a list of recipes of his favorite foods when we cooked for him. Madely proud none other than Esme and I." Rosalie spoke with pride.
"Won't he notice the taste of the flavor mixed with blood?" Emmett asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Probably... but his hunger will tell him to shove it down your throat or else teeth will sink into a human's neck until dried out." Alice said to which Emmett snickered but stopped once he notices Carlisle's stern look.
"Okay, controlling his hunger has been checked. What about the pills? When do we seize them?" Jasper asked.
Carlisle releases a sigh of defeat. "I hate to disappoint every one of you, but I wish he continues to take them unti-"
"What!" Everyone exclaimed in unison, shock and disgust.
"Until he gets his memory back. I would rather have him return and gain control of his conscious body and mind. He has the same control as Edward and Rosalie." Carlisle explains gently. "I do not want the venom to take control of him before his memory is recovered. It would be less risky and dangerous."
"Why can't we just build a cabin deep in the forest from hundreds of miles away from humans and captivated him there until we help him recover? This whole thing seems like long stretch of progress, let's take the easy route." Emmett suggested.
"I don't want to find out what a hungry vampire can achieve at any way possible to get to their meal. I also don't want any of us, including Jackson, to get harmed while he will attempt to escape." said Carlisle.
"I'll hold him. Remember, I'm the strongest in the group." Emmett showed off his muscles.
"We are not talking about just Jackson escaping from our grasp, we are talking about the inner beast that will tame him and will do whatever it takes to kill any human on sight." Carlisle gently explains to him. "Jackson is secondly the fastest in this family right before Edward."
"Plus, the beast will use his ability to mind manipulate against us." Jasper added on.
Emmett thought for a moment, until he threw his arms up and groaned in defeat. "Fine! We'll take the slow route..."
Carlisle looks at Edward. "I need to examine and run test of those pills, can you snatch a few of them without him noticing?"
Edward was about to answer but stopped at once. The task is simple, any of his siblings can also do it, but they are a set of eyes who will be on the lookout in case he makes a move to steal a few of those pills. He nearly forgotten about the one thing that will complicate him only, Bella.
Carlisle notices his face dropped in serious. "My son, is everything alright?"
Edward didn't respond so he pushed on. "Did something trigger your hunger earlier in school?"
"Yes..." He answers with a low whisper. "I met my blood singer."
Carlisle's and Esme's face stare at him with a horrified look. At first, they thought his hunger was triggered due to the lack of missed diet for this past two days to find their son. Now, the situations are much worse with another vampire in their family, only this time he met his Cantante.
"She also happens to be in the same class with me." said Edward.
"Oh, Edward! Why didn't you leave when you found out?" Esme chided.
"Because when I found out, Jackson happens to be there at my class on time before I would have done something to her, and he was the reason I was able to distract myself to get information from him." Edward explains.
"What's her name?" Carlisle asked.
"Isebella Marie Swan." Alice answers. "She is Chiefs Swan's daughter. I'm so sorry, Eddie. I thought she was the new girl who will be connected to you... but I was wrong, she's Jackso-"
"Don't you dare start, Alice!" Rosalie hissed in disapprove at the still argument.
"Wait! What? Jackson and Bella are soulmates?" Edward asked in disbelieve.
"No! The two are just talking like puppy love. We've seen it plenty of times throughout our school years of eternity with other students. I know when and see how one of our kind meets their soulmates." said Rosalie.
"You don't know that, Rose!" Alice pointed out.
"Enough!" Esme spoke with her mother's tone authority.
Everyone silences at once, they know better to not argue with the women who treated them with passion, love, and kindness. A mother they yearned after being transformed or being alone for quite some time, but Esme is the only one with open arms to welcome anyone in her home.
Carlisle ran a hand over his head while shaking in disbelieve with another situation. If Edward loses control because of a singer, Chief Swan will be investigating and hunting down whoever killed her daughter. Carlisle has gotten to know that Charlie is the type of men who will not rest until he will get justice. "I'm sorry, Edward, but I cannot allow you to retun-"
"I'm not abandoning my brother all because of this girl!" Edward yelled.
"Your brother and sisters will-"
"We need him!" Alice spoke in support of Edward. "I have seen it before arriving here, he is the only one who spoken to Jackson and read his mind. I can hack into the school's system and switch my classes with Edward in Biology for mere support. Besides, I've been wanting to reunite with my dear little brother."
Alice's cheery voice really does impact with calming the rest of the family, same with Jasper, who been is using his abilities to lift everyone's spirit and hope. Carlisle sighs at her plan, contemplating whether to agree with her or not, he then looks into Edward's eyes. His eyes plead with hope and trust. Of course, Carlisle does trusts Edward as he was his first child to be adopted under his surname, but the question still lies whether Edward can trust to control his hunger against the singer, Isabella.
"Are you sure about this?" Carlisle cautiously asked him.
Edward nodded with confidence. "I can do it, consider it an experience to practice in case I come across with another one."
Carlisle raises his finger at him. "Careful! This is a human life we are speaking, am I understood?"
"Of course, I apologize." said Edward, he looks down slightly shamefully.
"Good! Now, on to the last discussion of this meeting." Carlisle clears his throat. "Goerge and Evelyn Conolly... if that's the names they are going by, what to do with them?"
The room once again grew intense within hearing the captor's names, the only noise filling in this room is the hissing and growling coming deep within their teeth. Their anger and hatred grew strong to the point their eyes darkened from their amber color.
"I say we should tear them apart from limb to limb once we get them both the opportunity when no one's around." Emmett suggests as he cracks his knuckles.
"As much as I want to agree with you, honey, but I want to know more who they are and what are their goals is if they have knowledge of our world before we engage." said Rosalie.
"I agree, we don't what they are capable of. If they manage to capture your brother, what are the chances they can capture each of us on our own. I want everyone to be on the lookout for each other." Carlisle spoke with stern authority as he didn't want to lose another family member.
"We also don't know how many of them they are, or perhaps they're more than two in this town or nearby." Edward spoke with worry.
"Which is exactly my point!" Carlisle sighs in frustration. "I need to examine Jackson before they realize something they do not wish to happen."
"I did recommend him to you in case he needed a second opinion." said Edward.
"What did he say?"
Edward smiles. "He's considered it, but I feel he's hesitant to go to the hospital on his own due to these 'overprotective' guardians."
Esme scoffs in disgust. "More like they don't want a doctor who is not associate with them will launch an investigation against them if they find any wrongful doing against him. These sick parasites are keeping him tabs all the time, quite sure they have him tracking with any electronic devices his carrying."
Carlisle thinks through for this important crucial part. If this people don't want him to voluntarily be going places where they don't approve, how will he get the opportunity to examine him without alarming them and take him away. Carlisle then looks over at Alice for any future scenery choices that he can make, but notices that she is staring blankly out of space. They all knew she's seeing something and hopping it is good news.
Alice blinks a couple times before beaming at Carlisle. "How about a donation to the School's Gym Expansion?"
Carlisle raises his eyebrows in question, but Alice continues. "The School Board have been discussing an extension of a newly building for all sports activity due to the increase of students. The school was able to get approve by state, but only cover seventy-five percent of the project and were soon planning to ask the community to donate. Perhaps Dr. Cullen would dearly love to honor the community by covering the rest of the project. You can get the Hsopital's help to promote the community of all parents of this gym expansion project by performing a Physical Examination to all students."
Carlisle corner lips tilt upward. "This is why I dearly love your ability, my dear daughter."
Alice giggles. "Your very welcome, Dad!"
"Yes! This will enforce them to comply with the school's order to all parents and you can talk to your son and examine him." said Esme.
Carlisle looks towards everyone with a confidence look. "Then the Cullens will be honored to do something for the community of this lovely town, how long until the examination?"
Alice smiles. "Whenever you'll announce the donation to them, and you say the word and they'll immediately say yes."
"Excellent! Then it's settled, does each one of us acknowledge what to do for these coming days?" Everyone nodded in agreement. "Good!"
"Yay! I'll go voluntarily switch my classes with Edward." Alice happily dances her way to the third of the library.
"Jasper, Emmett." Carlisle calls them, to which they stood up and walked over to him. "I need you bring a couple of deers for we can began processing to drain their blood in order for your mother can prepare meals for Jackson."
"You got it, Pa!" Emmett spoke with excitement as he pats Jasper's shoulder before running outside an opened window, Jasper follows without word.
"Well then... Now if you'll excuse, I need to make a few phone calls." Carlisle firstly kissed Esme with passion before he ran past them to his office.
Edward then looks at Esme. "Mother, with your permission, I like to enter Jackson's room and find anything that can help him remember that will connect his previous life?"
Esme nodded. "Of course, dear. Follow me."
"I'll help too, I can find something that has deep meaning to him." Rosalie volunteered.
The Cullen's house layout is separate into three floors. The first and main floor of the house is the entrance along with the garage, storage closet and a guest bedroom. A small stairwell leads to the next level further into the rest of the first floor which is completely opened with the living room, kitchen, dining room, and study room. The second floor of the house is where it leads to Emmett's and Rosalie's room found on the East side where their view faces the front of the house. Jasper's and Alice's room are found near the West part of the house where their view faces southeast of the forest. Both rooms have their own privately respectful bathrooms and study rooms. Jackson's room is found on the East side of the house faces south, right next to Edward's room, while Carlisle's and Esme's room is on the West side.
The trio made their way to the third floor where his room is found, but not before Esme ran to her room first to grab his key. When Jackson disappeared, Esme forbid anyone entering his room unless asked permission to find any clues to where he's gone or cherishing memories of him, mostly Esme. Upon entering his room, it was left neatly the way it was this past twenty years ago. Of course, Esme does come in and clean his room twice a week, hopping he would return one day.
Jackson's room is open and simple with not much furniture put in place. He wasn't the type of person to have such furniture to take much of his space, like the rest of his siblings. He would prefer an open space where he could work on his oil on canvas art or whenever he draws an architectural drawing and makes models. Jackson adopted this life by none other than Esme, who she does run a business of renovating homes when she's home alone.
Jackson's room lays out the following order; On the right side of his room is the large windows that reaches to the ceiling, it faces South of the forest view, and the back of the room leads to his bathroom. On the left side of the wall near his door, there laid stacks of shelves with VHS movies and music albums with a CD player system. In the center of the left wall has sliding door windows to access his wardrobe, a feature that Esme designed and is proud of. On the corner far left near his bathroom is another stack of shelfs with an L-Shape, but this time with books of knowledge of art and architecture textbooks. A leather armchair sits next to it with a small coffee table nearby. His tripod canvas is placed on the right corner past the bathroom door along with his stacks of his art supplies. A drafting table desk with a stool lays center of the right side of the window. His giant box of TV still sits on the right corner near his bedroom.
The designed of the room has not changed when he disappeared, making the room look outdated. Esme will gladly upgrade the designee and furniture within a sec if she has the chance, but she wants to do this with Jackson. She always enjoys working with him when they both designing rooms and renovating homes. However, right now is to find an object that can relate to his past and place them unbeknownst to him, she knows where to start.
Esme walks over to his closet and slides the door open to look through the hidden boxes behind his clothes. Rosalie follows while Edward heads to his artwork and looks through some of his drawings or paintings. Some of his arts were painted based on his life and he would prefer with surrealism or metamorphosis. Esme pulled out a wooden box, she opened it and pulls out an old large blue photo album. Esme and Rosalie chuckles at the title that he placed...
My Eighteen Years of Human Life
Esme shakes her head while rolling her eyes, her son always had a humor. Once she opens the first page, she and Rosalie whole heartedly gasped at the first sight. It was photo of him, right after he was born. Esme will never forget the moment she laid her eyes on him when she found him at the nursing wing back at Rochester, New York. He is the most precious baby that she ever cared for, he made her dead heart once again beat like she was alive. He is part of her life, and she will do whatever it takes to bring him back.
"That's Little Jacky?" Rosalie asked in surprise.
Esme happily nodded. "Indeed, adorable, isn't he?"
"He is!" She gushed.
"But I don't think this will help..." Esme put the photo back.
"Why not?"
"He would see it just like any other baby photo you would find in history books, there needs be a photo that can help him investigate further-" Esme abruptly stops when she turns the page, and another photo showed Jackson when he was five years old. Jackson was wearing a fashionable hat with a polo shirt and knicker pants.
"This one will do!" Esme announced. Rosalie and Edward examined the photo, to which they both looked at each other and nodded.
"It's perfect it has everything for him to further look into." said Edward.
"Have Alice make a copy; I don't want to give him the real photo." Esme spoke softly.
Edward took the photo with gentle. "We can leave the photo inside an envelope along with a note, inside his locker would be the best place to start."
Edward then walks out of the room as he carries a few art papers that he believes will be helpful. Rosalie and Esme turned back to look at the rest of the photo albums when Jackson was a child. The most beautiful moments they had while he was growing up, it felt like they were alive once again at the time, but even after he turned, it was still like they were a whole complete family.
"God! I wish he never grew up." Rosalie gushed.
Esme hummed in agreement. "So do I..."
If the Volturi never would outlaw immortal children in the vampire world, she would selfishly at once turn Jackson into vampire the moment he was brought into her home back in 1933.
"You will always be my son, Jackson, no matter what... I will always love you, my boy!"
-Esme Cullen