Chapter 9: Hope

T/W: Abuse. Please note, there are hints of abuse in this chapter, but none explicitly called out. I will make sure to be calling out any warnings at the beginning of each chapter so that you can know what to expect.

Seth's Point of View

He's taking me away.

If it's possible, I will make my way back to you.

I can't live without you...

I will love you until my last breath.

Even in the darkness, Sky's words haunted Seth. He wondered if maybe this is what death felt like. He wondered if he would get to see her again.

As the darkness began to clear, he heard a loud beeping coming from his bedside. He heard his family crying from all sides. He felt one cool hand, and one warm hand clenching on to either of his own as if they were trying to anchor him down.

His eyelids fluttered open to a sight that clutched at his heart strings. Leah and his mother were the ones holding his hands as if their lives depended on it. His dad sat on the foot of his bed, applying a small reassuring pressure to his foot as if to say, I am here for you and I am never leaving you.

Behind his family, he saw a young doctor walk in, the same one who had treated Emily all those years ago. For whatever reason, he couldn't help but feel the air in the room tense.

"Hello Doctor Cullen. Thank you for agreeing to this. You know we would not involve you folk unless it were absolutely necessary. For my children, I would move mountains." Seth could hear just how tired his father was. He hated himself for being part of the reason.

Even though the comments were not the friendliest, the doctor still beamed. "Please, call me Carlisle. My family will do everything that we can to assist you. It would be our honor to show you we mean no harm. And to express our gratitude for all you did for Bella in our absence." Seth felt his face crumple in confusion. Carlisle turned his eyes to him. "Good afternoon, how long have you been up?"

The whole family jumped and turned their attention to Seth, fussing over him as if the world were coming apart at its seams.

"What happened? Why am I in the hospital?" Seth tried not to panic at the missing portion of his memory.

Leah gripped his hand a little tighter. "Do you not remember what happened?"

Seth's face hardened as the memories came back, full force. The pain that gripped at him, that felt as though it were tearing him apart. He tried to force it back down as soon as those ugly feelings resurfaced. "Oh." Seth made sure that his face did not give away his pain away. "Did I, um, well, did I pass out? That's embarrassing." He whispered the last part under his breath.

"Son... please just tell us what happened." Catching Seth's glance at the doctor, his father continued. "He isn't here to lock you away or any nonsense like that, him and his family are here to help. With these visions, or feelings you've been having, we are just trying to make sure you're okay. They are, er, talented at what they do and should be able to help. We hope at least."

Seth nodded as he looked at Carlisle who had begun to speak. "My wife, Esme, is a trained therapist who will be asking you some questions to try and get an idea about what has been occurring. Jasper and Edward will be there to analyze your responses to find any potential hidden meanings. If at any point you would like them to stop, all you have to do is say so. This is entirely in your control."

Seth looked around at his family, then back at the doctor. "Patient/doctor confidentiality right? My parents should probably leave."

His mom and dad grasped each other's hands and both reached for him. "Son, we are not leaving you alone with this."

Seth looked at them, and then at Leah. "No, I mean, yes I know that. I just think that it would be easier if it were just Leah and I with them, if that'd be okay?" In truth, he did not want to subject either of his parents to any more pain.

They looked deflated, but nodded at them as if they understood. Harry came over and placed his hand on Seth and Leah's joined hands. "I love you, my children. You are everything to your mother and I and we are so proud of the amazing, strong, independent people you have become."

"We love you too, dad," Seth and Leah spoke in unison and giggled lightly.

Carlisle cleared his throat, "Harry, Sue, I will show you to our living room and perhaps make you a cup of tea or coffee? Seth and Leah, the aforementioned members of my family will be here momentarily."

Once the door had closed behind them, Leah tugged his hand to grab his attention. She didn't need to speak, her face said it all. Spill your guts and tell me what just happened. "If there is any way to protect them, we need to protect them. You said it yourself, all those months ago. Where are we anyways?"

Leah looked around at the room they were in. "When you went under yesterday, Mom called dad at the tribal meeting they were having and told them about what happened. When we couldn't wake you up, we ended up bringing you directly to Doctor Cullen's house. Apparently he is really into the whole medicine thing because this little room he has set up, was already here when we got here."

Seth looked around, wondering if there was a chance he could ever have a house like this, or whether he would even want a house like this. He didn't have long to ponder before 3 of the most beautiful people he had ever seen came through the door.

"Hello child, my name is Esme and these are two of my beautiful sons, Edward and Jasper. We are grateful to have the opportunity to help you." Seth wasn't sure a single word even processed in his head, he was too mesmerized by the sweet woman in front of him and her golden eyes.

Leah cleared her throat loudly. Seth knew he was blushing from embarrassment. "Sorry, hi. Seth. I mean me Seth, not you Seth. You're Esme."

Everyone in the room laughed, even Leah, and Seth couldn't help but feel proud. It was after all, his role, his burden, to make sure everyone was happy. Even if he never would be.

"I sure am. Now, do you want to start by telling us about what happened yesterday? And from what I have heard, what's been happening for quite some time?" Esme's voice was tender. It really sounded like she cared. It was a good feeling, having this kind stranger care so much about what he had to say. If only Sky had the same luxury.

Seth looked at Leah, who gave him an encouraging squeeze of the hand. Right as he opened his mouth to try and put into words all of the horrible shit that had been happening, (Seriously Sethie, no swearing!) He felt his heart rate increase.

He looked around the room slowly, determining if it was his own fear, or hers, when suddenly it was happening again. He glanced at Leah, who caught his eye and froze in place, hand squeezing even harder than she ever had before. "It's happening again," She whispered to anyone willing to hear it. But this time, Seth knew what to expect from the day before. He knew how bad the pain would get, and he knew he could protect, no he had to protect, Leah from having to see him fall apart again. He stayed still, not moving a muscle of his body, staring straight ahead. Even when chaos ensued around him, he didn't pull himself out of it.

Sam's Point of View

When Sam had heard Harry and Sue's insane idea, he was angry. He didn't want Leah anywhere close to those filthy bloodsuckers. He knew he needed to be there to protect them. He didn't know if these leeches could be trusted yet. That's how he found himself lying in the forest just off of the clearing that contained the Cullen house. The confessions of the two teenagers, trying like hell to protect their family, made him remember just how much love he had for them. When he heard Leah's panicked voice, scared for her brother, not a single thing could have kept him away.

No one noticed as Sam Uley made it to the doorway of the hospital room in his cutoff jeans, scouring the room for danger, outside of the leeches that sat in front of him, making sure his people were okay.

Edward clutched at his head, looking as though he were trying to rip his hair out. Jasper fell to the ground, clasping his chest, yelling for Carlisle. Esme looked between her two boys who were falling apart, to the boy sitting in the bed, not a muscle or a breath being made. She chose Seth, sensing he was in the most danger. She was on top of him, putting her cool hands on his face, trying to get him to come back down to Earth. Leah, well, Leah had never looked so helpless in her entire life.

In an impossibly quick amount of time, Carlisle was by his sons, checking each one to see what was occurring, to see where they were injured. Jasper gasped, "Is he, is he dying? I-I don't think I have ever felt this way before. I just, oh god Carlisle, is the boy okay?" He yelled at his father, terror lacing through his voice.

It was Edward who spoke next, though his fingers were still clutching his head. "Carlisle, it's not Seth. It's a part of him, I believe, but it's not something happening to his person. It's, its inside him, if that makes sense. Like his heart is being brutally attacked. Carlisle, it feels and sounds like the girls I rescued, in my Vigilante days." He gave Carlisle a look, as if trying to communicate more than what his words were saying. He nodded his head to an unspoken question.

Seth blinked as the pain receded enough for him to see clearly again. "Edward, what is happening to her? What is happening to Sky?" Edward glanced up at him, shocked that he had heard their conversation. "Tell me dammit! I can tell that you know what is happening to her, just tell me! I am a big kid, I can take it! She can't do this on her own, she can't." Sam saw tears begin to well in Seth's eyes as he searched the faces in the room, looking for a person who would be willing to tell him. It was then that his eyes landed on Sam and Sam watched as the young boy's whole body shook with anger. "Why the hell are you here, Sam? Does it look like you were invited to this private party? Get the hell out!"

Sam shared a knowing look with Edward, communicating what was happening and the urgency that needed to occur with getting the boy outside. Edward moved faster than the speed of light to grab Seth and bring him to the backyard. Oh shit, he is way too young. Why is this happening? As Sam went to follow Seth and Edward out to the backyard, he felt a hot hand seize his wrist.

"What the hell was that, Sam? You lost every right to this family the moment you chose to walk away from me! Where the hell did you have that stranger bring my baby brother?!" Leah's entire frame was shaking, Sam blinked his eyes in confusion and before he even processed what he was doing, he threw Leah over his shoulder and sprinted towards the back entrance of the house.

Leah was thrashing about, visibly and vocally angry that Sam had the audacity to touch her or her brother.

Their fear and anger consumed them. They were both yelling at Sam, pushing him. The Cullens tried to get in the way, they tried to help. But Sam refused to let them, knowing full well that when the transition occurred, the first thing the Clearwater children would try to do would be to maul the vampires themselves on instinct. Even if they weren't technically the bad guys.

"Get in the woods!" He yelled at Leah and Seth, insinuating a little of the Alpha command in his voice so they would obey. Sam always knew how close Leah, Seth and Sky were, but it was eerie to see it in action. Both Clearwaters ran from him and into the woods at the very same second, and Sam had a feeling their first phase would be much the same.

Sam turned up to nod at Harry and Sue, to let them know that he would take care of their children. When he looked up through the glass panels to the living room, he only saw Sue. She was alternating between staring down at where her children had just disappeared and staring deeper into the room, a tear stained face.

Sam looked towards the woods he had just sent Seth and Leah towards and back up at Sue, to see Carlisle holding her hands. "He's gone, Sue. I'm so sorry. The heart attack was over too quickly for us to restart the heart. I wish there was more I could have done." The remorse was clear in his voice.

Sam rubbed a hand down his face, desperately trying to erase those thoughts from his head so it wouldn't be the first thing Harry's kids heard when he phased.

He nodded to the vampires that were outside, and promised someone would be back later for the body.

Stepping into the woods, he shifted and prepared himself for panic and chaos.

Took you long enough, Sam. Jared joked, before he sensed the mood of his Alpha.

Where are they? Sam asked, short, sniffing the ground and racing after the combined trail that both Leah and Seth had taken.

Wait, is Seth phasing? Isn't he like 13 or something? The fear was evident in Jake's voice. He wouldn't wish this life on anyone, especially no one that young.

They both are. Sam answered curtly. He could feel everyone's astonishment and disbelief that a female was about to join their midst. Grateful that he could see both kids in a clearing up ahead.

Before he made out what the argument was about, he saw both Leah and Seth explode into their wolves at the same second.

That was creepy. Jared noted. Too bad Paul isn't out here, he would have thought that was so cool.

Lee Lee, did you hear Edward? Did you hear what he was saying? Sky is hurt! She is being hurt! We need to get to her. Seth's voice was so panicked, that all of the wolves whined, wanting to help their newest brother.

Of course I heard him! That idiot didn't have the common sense to speak quietly. Leah scoffed. It doesn't change the fact we don't know where to find her, Seth. She could be anywhere. But I swear to the Spirits, we will find her. And I will slit that man's throat.

All the wolves howled in agreement, knowing the tale of the lost Chambers girl.

Leah's head whipped around, sensing the presence of others inside her head. It was in this action that Seth and Leah locked eyes for the first time, and rather than the normal sense of fear new wolves were known to have, they cocked their heads to the side.

Okay I am starting to get the creeps too, just watching them. Are they twins? I thought Leah was older? Jake chimed in.

In sync once again, they turned for the sound of the voices. Sam approached them, head bowed to try and be less intimidating. Leah jumped in front of Seth, baring her teeth. What the hell are you?

Leah, Seth. Welcome to the pack. As I am sure you might be piecing together right now, our legends are true. You are part of a long line of previously dormant Spirit warriors. We are here to protect our people from the Cold Ones.

Leah's mind was blank, recognizing the voice of the man she had once loved. She wouldn't allow herself to think.

Seth on the other hand, had a mind like a pinball machine. His thoughts bounced back and forth and back and forth. Oh my GOD. Was I right about you and Emily? It was fate, fate forced you to do what you did! Leah I told you that Emily wouldn't do that to you on purpose, I told you! Wait does that mean I am a wolf too? Looking down at his paws, he jumped in surprise. Oh my. Yup I am. Wait does this mean we can go back to liking Emily, Leah? Wait, wait. Cold Ones. Esme. OH MY GOD. Are the Cullens Cold Ones? Double Oh my God, are Cold Ones vampires? OH! We need to go get mom and dad, they are alone with vampires!

As he took off back towards the house, Sam yelled, commanding him to stop. His mind flashed to the image of Sue with Carlisle's hands clasped around them. The devastation was clear on Sue's face. Jacob, phase back. Get Paul and go to the Cullens Residence to pick up Sue.

When Sam turned around to face the Clearwater wolves again, he noticed Leah's penetrating gaze. What about my dad? Sam was silent for a moment. Tell me what happened. Her voice left no room for negotiation.

Sam bowed his head and replayed his memories of what occurred. The anguish and desperation could be felt by each wolf in that moment. Jacob phased out, to do as his Alpha ordered and to give Seth and Leah a little privacy in their grief.

Leah took off running towards the Cullen house, this can't be happening, this can't be happening.

Seth dropped to the ground as if his paws were made of lead. Sam, no. Please, no. I can't break my promise. I need to protect her. She can't lose anyone else. Sam felt his heart break all over again as pictures of Leah flooded through the pack mind. Leah alone. Leah abandoned by Sam. Leah abandoned by her friends. Leah abandoned by Sky. Now Leah, abandoned by Harry.

Leah howled in agony as she arrived at the Cullens and saw her father laid peacefully on the ground in the backyard, awaiting someone to come and take him home. Sue clutched his hands and sat in the grass, not willing to leave her husband's side.

Sam felt his heart break for the Clearwaters, knowing this was going to be a very long night.

Sky's Point of View

Sky wasn't one to believe in dreams. She used to be, but that part of her had died a long time ago. She thought of the dreamcatcher that Harry had made for her when she would sleep over their house and how much she wished it could be here to protect her, even if just from the plaguing nightmares.

The last of her innocence had been stripped away days ago. She wasn't sure if she was even still alive enough to be worth rescuing. She wondered if her family had given up on her.

It was in the middle of her musings that she heard the door at the top of the stairs open and she heard loud footsteps approaching. Oh god, please, Spirits, please not again. She wondered if her terror meant there was something left to save.

When the door to her room had opened, she wished she could go back and take her wish away. Maybe if she had not tempted the Spirits, she wouldn't be staring at a young girl draped in Steve's arms.

"Well now, Sky, don't look so surprised. I told you I would get you a friend if you behaved like a good little girl. And now you have one." He bellowed out a laugh as he threw the new girl on the bed and swung the door shut as he left them to their devices.

A hand clasped over her mouth she looked up through the small window above her. "Oh, Spirits, no. No, not another girl. I will be good, I will take more of the suffering should I have to. Oh, please protect her."

It was probably another hour or so before the girl stirred awake. Sky moved away from her spot on the bed and knelt across the room. She did whatever she could to make herself appear small, hoping not to intimidate the girl any further. She was so little. Sky feared for her innocence.

When her eyes finally landed on Sky, a hand came up to her chest in surprise. "Where am I?" The girl had tears in her voice as she spoke.

Sky looked up at her from her hands. "Nowhere good, I'm afraid. Tell me, what is your name? How old are you?"

The girl sniffled, "My name is Nina. I am 9 years old. How old are you?" Sky felt her heart plummet.

"I... I don't know. 13 or 14 maybe. Actually maybe 15. I'm not sure how long I have been here. I lost track. That man who carried you down here, he is a very bad man. He also just so happens to be my father. Biological, at least." Sky wasn't sure what to say to this girl who had just joined her in Hell.

"What are they going to do to me?" Nina's eye's filled with tears as she looked to Sky.

Sky came to her slowly and got on the bed, wrapping her arms around the younger girl. "Baby, I do not know. But I will do everything I can to protect you. Come now, let's get some rest before we have to face tomorrow."

Sky really tried not to believe in dreams. Thinking they held too much hope. But when she opened her eyes and found herself on the beach back home, she found herself wanting to believe and wanting to make it a reality. She was so relieved to be surrounded by something that she loved so much, she fell to the sand and cried. She hugged her knees to her chest and watched as the water came closer. She missed her family more than words could describe. She missed her Seth. Her whole being ached for them, her heart called out to him, begging him to be there for her.

She heard a light rustling behind her and felt her body tense with fear. She turned to see who was approaching her, how her dream would be shattered. She should have known more than to believe in the peace, even if for just a moment.

Her eyes widened in horror as she took in the large man's appearance. He was unlike the men that had hurt her as his girth was from muscles exploding out of his shirt. The thought of how different he was, didn't calm her nerves in the slightest. There was no way she could begin to fight back. She curled up into a ball, making herself as small of a target as possible. "Please don't hurt me. Please. I-I don't want to... I just... Please." Her whole body trembled in fear and agony about what was to come.

The large man knelt down beside her, maybe 5 feet away. He had his hands held up in surrender. "Sky? Sky, is that really you?"

Her head whipped up faster than she thought possible. That voice was the one she had longed to hear during her entire stay in her own personal hell. She looked into his eyes and knew there was no denying that this was him. That the eyes that stared back were the ones she dreamed off when she needed an escape from the pain. "Seth?" He nodded in affirmation. She stared for a moment longer, trying to confirm her confused thoughts, before launching her small frame at him.

The pain she felt from her injuries, as he squished her in a tight hug, was worth it. She was grateful for the reminder that he was real, that he existed somewhere out there in the universe. The feeling of his arms around her, heck, even his scent, was comforting her in this weird dream landscape of theirs.

She sobbed, without a care in the world who heard, because she knew, at least until she woke up, she was safe. "Oh, Seth. I missed you so much. I miss our family. I d-don't know how much longer I can keep going. And now... now he brought a new girl here. She's only 9. Sethie, I don't know what to do." Her voice was just over a whisper.

Seth's grip tightened. "Who has been hurting you?"

She straightened up. "Who says someone's been hurting me?"

He rolled his eyes. "Even if I didn't see the cuts and bruises all over your body, I would have known."

"How?" She gasped.

She felt him tense beneath her arms. "Well... your pain is my pain, I guess. Since right before you were taken, I have been able to feel what you are going through. At first it was really bad, and hard not to react to. But I've learned how to hold it in, so that no one else has to see it. Mom was hurting so much already, I wanted to protect her. But then... The last few days, oh god, it's been so much worse. What are they doing to you?"

She looked out into the open water. "Something that I cannot allow to happen to Nina. Seth, I need to escape, I just don't know how. I need to rescue Nina before her innocence is taken away too."

"Do you know where you are? I can send people to you, we can finally bring you home." Sky hated that she would need to crush that hope that filled his voice.

"Somewhere in California is all I know. They have been very good about not letting me know. Though it's not like I have left the house since we got here. I'm not even sure I remember what sunlight feels like."

Sky felt a tear drop land on her cheek and she looked up at Seth's face. "Are we dreaming?"

He nodded. "I think so, though I feel like I need to consult some legends to see if they can explain this."

"Will we remember it?" She whispered.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure. I hope so... It will keep me going until I can finally hold you in my arms in real life."

She cleared her throat. "Speaking of arms, are you taking steroids? How old are you now? Pretty sure you shouldn't look like that yet."

He laughed softly. "A lot has changed in the time you've been gone, but no you goober it is not drugs. I promise you, I will be able to protect you when we get you back. Leah and I both are ready to prove that to you."

She nodded as she absorbed what he was saying. "Sethie... I can't lose you. Please don't forget about me."

Seth hugged her tight, "There is no chance of me ever forgetting about you. Even once I am dead, my spirit will search for yours. I am yours until the end of time." As she held onto Seth and his words like a lifeline, she allowed the soft tugging on her sleeve, to pull her from her dreams.

A/N: And there you have it! I would love to hear what you all are thinking so far.