There was a slight lull for the last chapter, but, we shall be getting into the nitty gritty soon. Hehehe. REVIEW if you can, if it makes you all feel better, it seriously brings a smile to my face to get any kind of feedback. Thank you for choosing to be along for the ride!
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyers owns the characters. But, the plot is of my own. I am so happy that I chose to continue this story by the way! Hope everybody is enjoying it.
Song for the Chapter: Mazzy Star - Wasted
Young the Giant - Garands
AND Anything by Sierra Ferrell
Chapter 17
EPOV
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Leah's cousins had arrived one morning, perfect timing because Jacob had called that very morning asking if I was ready to help clean up at the bar. I'd started getting ready to go, giving Leah a dozen kisses before I left. Holding her face at some point and telling her how much I love her.
Jacob had arrived early, his truck pulling up to the curb just as I stepped out. I opened the passenger door, climbing up into the seat, and we exchanged a quick nod.
"Morning, man," Jacob muttered, glancing sideways as he drove off. "You, uh, get any sleep?"
I gave a wry smile, running a hand over the scruff on my jaw. "Couple hours. Been… a lot going on."
Jacob grunted in understanding. "Yeah, figured. Glad Leah's got you looking out for her, though. This whole mess..." He shook his head, eyes focused ahead.
I nodded, a dark determination in my gaze. "Not letting her go through this alone. Whatever needs doing."
We fell into a comfortable silence, the weight of what lay ahead filling the truck cab until Jacob finally spoke up again, his voice low. "Just so you know, anything you need, I got you."
I gave him a nod of gratitude, clapping him on the shoulder. "Likewise, Jacob."
We'd eventually gotten to the VFW. Pulling into the back parking lot, already gaping out the window to catch a glimpse of the massacre. Most all of it was gone, but we could still see the blood. Jacob parked nearby, he got out first.
I took a big breath, preparing myself for whatever this was going to be as I kicked open the door.
Jacob stalked forward, his face grim as he eyed the mess. "Holy shit," Jacob puffed out, his wrist covering his nose and mouth.
Oh fuck.
It was a sunny morning. These remains were roasting now. Although the air felt chill.
I stepped out after him, feeling the stale heaviness of the air hit me as we approached the back entrance. The scene had mostly been cleaned up, but dark, dried stains still clung to the pavement, and the smell lingered in the heat. I glanced over at Jacob, who was eyeing the ground with a hard expression.
Jacob stalked to the truck to get the pressure washer. I doused the area with a bucket of watered down hydrogen peroxide that Jacob brought, which bubbled and frothed on the pavement, turning the bloodstains a murky pink. The metallic scent, mingling with rot and bleach, was overpowering.
"Never seen anything like it," he muttered, still covering his nose. "I mean, you hear about shit like this, but…" He shook his head. "Whole new story when it's somewhere familiar."
"Yeah," I said quietly, the rawness in his voice settling somewhere deep in my chest.
He gave me a long look, something serious in his eyes. "Look, Ed, we're gonna get through this. Leah's got you, and we've all got each other. No one's dealing with this alone."
I met his gaze, nodding. "Appreciate it, Jacob. Really do."
I watched as Jacob hooked up the pressure washer. We left it sitting for about fifteen minutes. In the meantime we'd gone through the back door, finding blood stained linoleum all throughout the back room. Dirty foot prints from the paramedic team we assumed. My stomach was twisted in knots. At any moment bile could rise and decorate the dirty floor.
Jacob starting filling up the mop bucket, shouting expletives. I began to wipe up what I could with towels. He came back with a mop bucket, full with bleach. And a messy mop.
With a nod, Jacob went outside and began blasting the pavement, streams of water and disinfectant washing away what was left of that night. Inside, I grabbed a mop and went to work on the linoleum, trying to ignore the chill that seemed to seep through the walls. Every step felt heavier as I cleaned up the last traces of what had happened, a sick reminder of how quickly things could spiral.
When we were done, the place looked almost normal. But as I looked around, I couldn't shake the sense that something dark still lingered, clinging to the edges, refusing to let go.
Jacob met me on the patron side of the bar.
"Could use a drink?"
"A shot!" I perked up, stretching my tender back to get the stress out.
Jacob patted my back hard. His massive legs and body swinging over to the other side of the bar. Grabbing a bottle of Jack. Quickly fulfilling my request, eagerly I might add.
"This has been a shit show lately, huh?" Jacob asked with a stressed grin as he opened the bottle of Jack.
"Pretty unsettling, yeah," I muttered, rubbing my hand over my mouth. Contemplating whether I should even take the drink or not.
"I can't believe the prick is dead," Jacob said bleakly. The shot glasses he held in his giant fingertips settling on the wood of the bar with a couple of clinks.
My contemplations had been decided, I definitely could use the damn drink at this point. I think I've seen enough.
He began to pour the dark liquid. Sliding me mine. I lifted the glass, matching his raise before throwing it back, feeling the burn settle in my throat. I grunted, the warmth spreading through my stomach, muting the stale smell of blood that lingered in my senses.
Jacob tapped the bar, watching me. "Think the surveillance footage is still there?"
A shiver ran through me. "Maybe." I shrugged.
"You curious?" He asked hesitantly.
I rubbed my face roughly, not even sure if I was ready for all that right now. I signed up to clean, not to relive whatever shit show happened that night. I didn't want to watch Sam attack Leah—helplessness didn't even cover it.
"Not even a little?" Jacob pressed.
I shook my head, my lips pursing. I thought long and hard for a moment...
Fuck it...
"Alright."
The booze was settling in.
Together, we barreled into the tiny back office, digging through cabinets to find the VHS player. We realized the TV above the desk had it hooked up, along with a collection of labeled tapes. The latest one was still recording.
Jacob settled in, trying to work out the setup. Tech wasn't my strong suit these days; I'd left that behind a long time ago. He was working his magic, I knew nothing about that realm of technology. Not anymore. I used to be able to disarm any alarm to a car, house, you name it. I didn't feel like doing too much right now, I was beginning to feel sick with what we could potentially see.
Jacob figured it out, fast forwarding after Jade had left that night. Finally, he hit play, fast-forwarding past the earlier hours until it was just Leah, alone in the building, moving like she always did—calm and focused. She gathered bags of trash and headed toward the back door. I leaned back against the doorway, nerves building as I braced for whatever we were about to see.
The cameras didn't cover every location. We had clear view of the trash bins, but it was pretty dark back there. The only light source coming from the light nearest the back door. Leah tossed the trash in, she seemed to be doing all this cautiously. She was looking in a certain direction, before we knew it she was sprinting to the back door. Jacob kept his eyes glued to the screen, his jaw set tight, while I felt like my insides were twisting. Seeing it all play out, seeing Leah's fear, the way she'd bolted for safety, only for that bastard to come out of the shadows like that—it made my blood boil. Every instinct I had was screaming to go back in time and be there to stop it.
I watched Sam come into view for a millisecond before crashing into her. My fists bawled up, I cracked my knuckles as we watched the assault quietly.
Jacob's hand hovered over the screen, pausing at the moment Sam first made contact. "He came in out of nowhere, like he'd planned it down to the second," Jacob muttered, disgust lacing his words.
I could hardly look, fists still clenched so hard my knuckles were turning white. "He didn't just plan it. He stalked her. He'd been waiting for her to be alone."
Crushing blows to her stomach were the likely cause of the miscarriage, and I felt fresh tears stinging my eyes, yet again.
We continued watching, I thought I was going to pass out when he knocked her down again. The back of her head clearly hitting the concrete. He began to try to assault her is what it looked like to both Jacob and I. She was stirred awake and I was ready to cheer when she gave him a good knock to the cranium with her shoe.
With Leah standing slightly out of frame. Back towards the surveillance camera. We were staring at Sam straight on. Jacob and I both sat there in stunned silence, the footage frozen on that dark, unrecognizable mass tangled around Sam. The image was hazy, barely visible under the dim light, but it was unmistakably real. Whatever that thing was, it was feral, violent—it had come out of nowhere.
"What... the hell is that?" Jacob whispered, his voice shaking just slightly.
He paused at the point in which Leah had jetted towards the back door, to retreat from the grizzly sight.
I shook my head, my mind racing. "I don't know," I muttered, barely able to tear my eyes away from the screen. The initial shock was giving way to a creeping dread. This wasn't something we could explain away as a shadow or some trick of the camera.
Jacob cleared his throat, trying to steady himself. "Should we... rewind it? Look again?"
"No," I said quickly, rubbing the back of my sweaty neck. "Let's just... give it a minute. I wasn't sure what we'd see, but that…" I trailed off, unable to finish. Whatever that thing was, it had crossed into a whole new realm of terrifying.
I stopped suddenly, every thought ran from my brain. Other than to tell Jacob exactly what the fuck has been going on...
"Maybe Jr and Claire should get back," Jacob said gently.
I rubbed the back of my neck, staring up at the ceiling. "I'm thinkin' if he spoke to PD yet, he's probably already on his way," I said grimly. I felt like I needed another shot.
LPOV
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Feeling helpless had become a daily battle. It had been a week since I'd come home to Edward's care, healing slowly but restless for something—anything—that could help me feel like myself again. Even tinkering on old Berta sounded like a relief, a way to break up the monotony. My conversations with Mom kept her from showing up unannounced, but each call was a maze. She'd circle back to the same questions, her worry looping, unable to let go of her concerns about Sam. I kept the details light, assuring her I was fine, but her words always lingered.
"I need to call Allison," she'd quip. "Are you sure it was Sam?"
It was painful, talking to her, navigating her questions without causing more alarm.
Eventually I was going to have to get my ass over there to see her. Something I wasn't fond of doing.
One afternoon, Edward came home after Rebecca and Rachel had spent some time with me, or maybe it was a few days ago—I could hardly keep track anymore. But the moment he stepped inside, something felt different, a quiet tension in his movements, fear in his eyes.
Once the girls left, he turned to me, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity that told me there was something on his mind, something he wasn't ready to say aloud. He didn't speak much as he helped me prepare for a bath, his movements slow and careful, not his usual ease. Every touch was gentle, his hands lingering as he guided me into the soft warmth of the water.
Afterward, he dressed me in a long silk nightgown, letting his fingers glide softly over my skin as he checked my injuries, his focus unwavering. When he reached my neck, he leaned down, placing a tender kiss there, his warm breath sending shivers through me.
"You're healing beautifully," he murmured against my skin, his voice a soft reassurance as if his words alone could heal me.
But the way he touched me, the way his eyes softened, made me yearn for him in a way I could hardly contain. I felt my pulse quicken, my need for him igniting like a slow burn.
He got me into the living room and sat me down after I finished brushing my teeth. His eyes still showing the same expression as earlier. Finally, he spoke, breaking the heavy silence.
"I saw the tape," he finally said, his voice thick with emotion.
And just like that, the tears came, welling up and spilling over as I broke down again, completely undone. I couldn't hold back the tears. They came fast, spilling over as I broke down, feeling exposed, vulnerable.
We'd gotten a visit that night too. Jr was back with Claire. She ran to me with a swiftness, her face etched with worry.
"Oh my gosh, Lee!" She wrapped me in a warm hug, holding me securely but careful not to squeeze too tight. As I raised my arms to hug her back, I winced, and Jr reached over to squeeze my shoulder, planting a gentle kiss on the top of my head. I watched as he and Edward moved into the kitchen, both of them quiet and weighed down, Edward's face drawn with concern.
"I'm so sorry, you guys!" I choked out, my voice trembling as I was on the brink of losing it again.
Jr continued talking in a low voice to Edward, and Claire's face softened as she wiped away my tears. "Don't be. As soon as we heard, we made plans to come back right away. We can take a vacation some other time." She hugged me tighter, her voice catching. "I was so scared, Leah. We watched the footage the second we got back into town."
We held each other, letting the tears spill out, sharing the emotions in tandem.
They had spent about an hour with us—Claire comforting me inside while Edward and Jr were locked in a conversation out on the front porch now. The minutes seemed to stretch into an eternity as I clung to Claire, letting her warmth soothe me, if only for a while. She even brushed my hair, weaving it into a long glorious braid. Which I thanked her over and over again for it. It's the simple things.
She made me eat some granola bars and drink water in front of her, she said I looked dehydrated. Probably from all the crying.
Eventually, they departed, leaving just me and Edward again.
I felt restless. There were too many things unanswered, and a sudden urgency had built up in me. I was itching to speak with my mother, knowing so much seemed to tie back to that night with her—the night before her stroke. Maybe tomorrow I'd ask Jess to drive me over there. I needed some kind of closure, some kind of understanding.
Edward watched me intently after he'd brought me to our bedroom, his gaze full of concern, checking in with me every so often to see if I was okay or if I needed anything. I didn't have the words to tell him everything swirling in my head. I just stared at him for a long moment, feeling the overwhelming rush of emotions, before I held my hand out to him.
Without hesitation, he sat beside me on the bed. His lips met mine softly, and in that instant, the weight of the world seemed to melt away, the tension in my body easing just a little. His kiss sent an electric shiver down my spine, sparking that part deep within me. The desire swelled up inside me, but I held back just slightly.
This man... he had a way of making me feel things that I couldn't quite explain. Now, of all times, my body ached for him more than ever, even though my mind was in a whirlwind. And my body was honestly in no condition. It hurts to fucking breathe.
But, Edward's lips were so soft, just a whisper of a touch, as though he was testing the waters, waiting for some kind of response. My breath hitched, caught between wanting to pull away and needing to feel him close. I couldn't resist.
As if sensing my hesitation, he deepened the kiss, his hand gently cupping the back of my neck, pulling me closer. His lips parted just slightly, brushing against mine in a way that made my heart race, and then his tongue brushed against my bottom lip. The movement was slow and deliberate, coaxing me to respond. And I did, my own hands sliding up to his chest, the warmth of his skin radiating through the thin fabric of his shirt.
The kiss deepened, the initial softness turning into something more intense, more urgent. I felt his breath in time with mine, every exhale a slow burn between us. His fingers threaded through my hair, tugging me closer, the weight of his touch steady and reassuring as he kissed me deeper, more passionately.
My body responded before I even had a chance to think, the ache I'd been suppressing flaring up like fire as his kiss left no space between us. There was something raw and desperate in the way he kissed me, as if he, too, was trying to forget the world outside and just feel—feel us in this moment. Like it would be our last.
And, honestly? That's how I had felt in that very moment.
My fingers encircling the back of his head, threading my fingers through his hair. "Can we?" I heaved, ignoring the throbbing in my sides.
Edward's body tensed beneath my touch, his breath shallow as I pressed my lips back onto his, the urgency building between us. He responded immediately, pulling me closer, but there was still hesitation in the way his hands brushed over my skin, like he was afraid that even the gentlest touch might break me.
His fingers lingered on my sides, his grip soft but firm, tracing the curve of my waist. I could feel the warmth of his chest, the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm, and it gave me strength to push past the pain. The throb in my sides only seemed to fuel the need for him, for this moment. He was right, though, to be careful—there was so much fear in him, in me. The uncertainty of whether we could really go there again after everything.
But the way his lips moved against mine, the desperate need in his touch, made it feel impossible to pull away. I let out a shaky breath as his hand slid down my back, sending shivers through me, his touch grounding me, pulling me into a place where the world beyond us didn't exist.
"Leah…" His voice was hoarse between kisses, like it pained him to speak. "I can't do this if it means hurting you."
I gripped his hair now. Pulling my lips from his to stare into those heavenly eyes. The same ones that make me fall every time. "Please," I whimpered. I was trying so hard not to wince from the pain I felt. I knew if Edward even caught a hint of my uncomfortably he'd stop it all right in that instant. Besides, I could withstand it for a moment of normalcy with my love.
He bit his lip, his chest heaving as he struggled to hold back. "I don't want to hurt you, darlin'," he said softly, his voice thick with worry. "That would kill me."
The intensity in his eyes was enough to make me freeze for a moment. But it didn't matter. Not now. Not when he looked at me like this, not when I was so desperate for his touch, his presence, his love. The green of his eyes were soft, almost moss-like, pulling me in.
"I'm a big girl," I whispered, my voice barely a murmur.
Before he could protest, I pulled him into a deeper kiss, feeling the ache I'd been suppressing flare to life. His groans were low and intoxicating as his hands moved slowly over me, every touch full of tenderness. He began his slow pace, making sure to kiss every part of me with care. Handling me gently.
My fingers slid under his shirt, tugging it free, the heat between us building as I kissed him harder. Our lips met again and again, his mouth finding every delicate place as he undressed with careful patience. His body pressed against mine, moving with gentle rhythm, matching the urgency in my touch with tenderness.
We continued kissing as he slipped my nightgown off, sucking and biting on each other as he stroked himself against my most sensitive parts. The nightgown pooled at my waist as he laid me back tenderly. I bent my legs as he knelt between them.
"I love you so much, Leah," he breathed against my neck before sitting up, guiding himself to me, entering me with the utmost care. A groan erupted from his chest.
"I love you, Edward," I murmured back, barely able to form the words. He moved against me, each gentle stroke and whispered breath making me feel whole again, like I was finally at peace. He knew just how to make me feel cherished.
I could see his eyes were fresh with tears, as were my own. He rocked into me so gently and sweetly. Our breaths entwining beautifully. He made me feel so majestic, even in my battered state. Always.
We were both probably thinking the same thing.
How grateful we were to have each other again.
I was trying to focus my breath. Shallow breaths.
His palms held my hips. Scraping against my skin softly, a sensation that enthralled me. Made me forget about the pain across my entire chest. His body lowered to give my nipples their rightful attention, slightly exiting me which made me want to scream. I was too weak. The break between thrusts was needed though with the stabbing pain.
Edward sat back up, massaging my thighs. "You okay?" He asked gently, kissing my knee.
I nodded, touching any part of him I could reach without strain. His deep mesmerizing gaze was charged with raw intensity. His hands continued traveling all across my body. Caressing me with such awareness. We continued, and I relaxed way more. We hadn't been messing around lately due to obvious reasons so he came minutes after he began his slow pace again. I actually was okay with not coming, it was too much strain. My chest couldn't take it. But, I just wanted to feel him against me.
I woke up the next morning with a familiar soreness that had become my constant companion. Funny how pain seems to get worse before it finally eases. Breathing hurt—each inhale sent sharp reminders of my battered ribs. Last night was fun and worth it though. But despite the discomfort, I knew I had to head over to my mom's. I asked Jess to come with me, trusting her to be there no matter what we found out.
Edward had to leave and run errands. Kissing me tenderly before going.
On the drive, I laid it all out for Jess, connecting the dots of the strange events since that night I drove home with my mom. Jess's unwavering belief made my voice shake with relief.
Hearing her say she believed me was enough for me to boil over. Paranoid she might drive me over to the looney bin.
"Don't fuck with me Jess, I know how it sounds," I muttered, fighting through the labored breath.
She looked at me with those rich, striking blue eyes, steady and unflinching. "I believe you, Lee."
That simple assurance broke down the last of my resolve. I felt so lucky, realizing that no matter how terrifying everything became, I had a friend who wouldn't judge—who saw me, even in the darkest times.
Once we pulled up to my mother's, I didn't wanna waste time.
When we pulled up to my mother's, I took a steadying breath, not wanting to waste any time.
But as soon as I stepped inside, she started in with the usual questions. "Are you sure it was really Sam you saw?" she asked, glancing at me with her usual look of disbelief. She also asked if I would like a cup of coffee.
"Mom, please," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice. "I need you to tell me what you really saw that night."
She paused, feigning confusion as she shuffled around, pretending to tidy things. "What night?" She looked over and finally noticed Jess standing beside me. "Jessica Stanley! I haven't seen you in years. Is your mother still hitting the sauce?"
Fuck, my mother can be a lot sometimes.
I glanced over at Jess apologetically. She had a too stunned to speak look on her face, which wasn't uncommon for my mother to get people to look at her that way.
"Uh, no, no...She moved to Florida, actually," Jess responded quietly.
"Mom," I said with wild eyes as I followed her shuffles all the way to the kitchen. Grabbing my side and gasping as I leaned against the arch way. "Mom!" I repeated.
"What-what's all the hull-a-balloo?" She asked sharply. Her tone making me flinch.
"Mom," I gasped. "I witnessed Sam being eaten alive by some kind of animal, if you could call it that."
She stopped at the counter near the fridge. Turning slightly to face me.
I was breathing hard, sweat pilling up on my face with the type of strength it took to stand up straight. "I have a feeling that something happened to you that night after Carlisle's party."
She paused for a moment, looking confused. "The-the stroke," she stuttered.
I shook my head, finding the strength to take a couple more steps towards her. "You saw something..." I stopped, tilting my head to the side. "What did you see?"
She deflated, shooing me off. "Oh Leah, with your conspiracies."
"Ms. Clearwater," Jess chimed sweetly.
My mother jumped, probably almost forgetting that my friend was here as well.
Jess continued, her hands clasped in front of herself. "We need to know what happened, we're afraid that whatever attacked both Emily and Sam is eventually going to come after your daughter, maybe even your son-"
"You wretched bi-"
"Mom!" I shouted. Which fuck all, it hurt so bad to shout. "Tell me what happened."
She looked off, eyes clouded with something old and dark.
"Please," I begged. "I know you saw something."
Her breathing became heavier. Psyching herself up to hopefully tell me what the hell is going on. Because I know she knows something.
"I've been trying to forget," she cried, spinning dramatically and slamming her hand against the fridge. "I was dreaming, so I thought," she spat.
Jess and I exchanged unnerving glances.
"I saw my mother as a child. Her father was doing… terrible things to her. My grandma was desperate, she loved her kids. One night a man from the forest came to her, who promised he could help, stop the suffering." The dread in her voice made my skin crawl.
"And what happened?" I whispered.
Her face went pale. "He was pure evil—death itself. He killed my grandfather, sucked the soul from him, and left his body in the creek. But there was a price. My mother then had to keep him at bay. My father, John… he didn't make it past forty."
"What are you saying to me?" I questioned frantically.
"I then had to do the same," she said warily. Her body pressing into the counter. Holding herself upright.
"You sacrificed Daddy?" My heart pounded in my ears.
Her eyes filled with regret. "I didn't know what was happening till it was too late."
What kind of generational trauma was this now?
A chill ran down my spine as my mom's words sank in. I stared at her, feeling the weight of her confession settle like a lead blanket over me. I could barely breathe, the horror of it all was surreal, like something out of a nightmare. Generations of trauma, tangled with shadows and something unholy lurking at the edges of her memories—and mine now too.
"Mom," I whispered, struggling to comprehend. "Are you saying... that thing, that darkness, it's tied to us? To our family?"
She closed her eyes, a mixture of regret and fear etched deeply into her face. "It's been following us. Every generation, it finds a way. And now… now, it's here again."
"Woah," Jess said, stepping past me, her voice filled with shock. She stood between my mother and I. "So how do we stop it?"
A deep silence resonated through the house. The only noise now being my mother sobbing quietly.
"I don't know," she whimpered.
Jess began to pace. "So what does any of this mean? Some curse?"
"It has to do with the men," my mother added.
"In what way?" I asked, but she remained quiet as if she hadn't heard me. "There has to be a way to stop whatever is happening." I said more to myself than anyone, my heart bursting in my chest. The stabbing pain came back.
...
..
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We'd left my mother's house in a flurry of emotions. Jess helped me into the car. I was in so much fucking pain. The drive was pretty quiet. She'd spent some time with me at Edward's, getting me comfortable, but I told her she could head out. I assured her I'd be okay, even though my heart felt hollow. Edward was out getting groceries, she didn't want him worrying or getting upset if he found me here alone. But, I had things to tend to—one of them being my brother. Not to stress him out with all this bullshit, but to hear his voice.
Punching in his number, I held my breath, hoping he'd answer. It rang over and over, and with each ring, my heart sank a little more. Just as the answering machine clicked on, I felt my throat tighten.
"Hey butternut, just wanted to hear your voice." My voice was rough with emotion, barely holding it together.
Then I heard a click, and Seth's familiar voice broke through. "Hey Lee!"
"Hey, bud," I sighed, a small smile creeping in.
"Sorry I hadn't recognized the number when you called," Seth said apologetically.
"Nah, no biggie, I'm calling from Edward's house," I explained. "How's everything?"
"Eh, same old. Your niece wants to say hi," he said.
I heard her little voice, soft and sweet, carefully enunciating every word. "Hi Titi, I wuv you! I was wondwin if you gots the lollys?"
I chuckled, holding back tears on the verge of spilling over. "Oh, you like lollipops?"
"Mhmm," she replied with a happy hum.
"Well, I'll bring a whole suitcase full of lollys just for you!" I promised, feeling the tears finally start to slip down my face.
"Yay! Tanks, Titi!" she squealed, her joy filling me with warmth I didn't realize I needed.
I took a shaky breath, laughing through my tears. "You take care of Daddy for me, okay, sweet girl?"
"Okay!" she replied with a bubbly giggle.
Seth's voice returned, gentle and full of warmth. "You alright, Lee?"
I wiped my face, trying to steady my voice. "Yeah, I just… I miss you guys. Needed to hear your voices."
"We miss you too, shit head," he replied softly, grounding me, even from miles away.
I chuckled, pretending to be excited to mask the ache in my heart. "She talks so well!"
He laughed, picking up on my tone. "I know, Miranda's pretty serious about this whole homeschooling thing."
"She's barely turning two, Seth!" I replied, wiping my nose with my sleeve, a messy blend of laughter and tears. The emptiness in my heart lingered from my own loss, but for now, hearing them brought some peace.
He chuckled again, the sound brightening my expression. "Never too early."
There was a brief pause.
"Is Mom okay?" he asked gently.
I rolled my eyes, despite the warmth in his question. "She's like something out of a medical textbook. Yeah, she's alright," I sniffled, half-laughing.
A longer pause followed, stretching between us.
"And you… Are you okay?" His voice was gentle, laced with that unshakeable sincerity.
I held my hand over my collarbone, breathing through the ache as I tried to keep my voice steady. "Yeah, yeah... sure I'm alright," I said. I shifted in my seat, wincing as the pain flared in my side. "Just a little accident," I added, my voice tight with the lie.
As expected, Seth launched into a barrage of questions. I offered only fragments of the truth, saying it was a minor hit-and-run, a careless fender bender.
"Fucking pricks," he muttered, voice tense. "Do you need me there? I'll be on the next flight out of Boston if you need me, Lee."
I panicked. "No!" My voice rose an octave or two. "No, no, butternut I'm good, I promise. Edward and everyone else has been taking care of me."
"I fucking hate that nickname," he laughed. "But, I love you. And well, I'm thinking me and the girls will probably come out for a visit after Elena turns two in the summer."
I sniffled again. "Oh wow, that's so great!"
"Yeah..." he paused. "You sure you're okay though?"
I hesitated just slightly, "Ye-yes, Seth, I promise I'm okay."
"If I've gotta come up there and smash some heads for you, you know I will," he half joked.
Now it was my turn to laugh. "Oh yeah, I know."
He almost had me. I could feel the tears fighting their way up, ready to spill out with the whole truth. But I remembered everything—the years I'd spent as Seth's anchor, the one constant when life felt like a storm. I'd been the one to get him up for school, to steer him from trouble, to make sure he was fed and clothed. Our mom had been lost in a fog of drinking, barely holding it together from sunrise to mid-afternoon. By the time Seth and I got home from school, she'd usually passed out on the couch, leaving it to me to keep us both afloat. Putting my own education to the side at times to make sure he had everything he would need.
I couldn't drag him into this psychotic mess. He'd already taken enough blows just by association. People mocked him for the strange stories about our family, and even though he was softer than me, he never backed down. If anyone so much as whispered something to me, though, I'd be ready to fight back in a heartbeat. Then I'd end up in the office at school.
After a few more minutes of catching up, I told Seth I'd call him later, before we got to hang up I got to hear from Elena again. As I hung up, I sat in the quiet of the house, biting at my lower lip, turning an idea over in my mind. I'd once watched my grandma perform a strange ritual, something she'd done with intention, though she never explained it. Just the memory of it tugged at me now.
I remembered the bundle of dried sage stashed away in the shed at my old pink house on Lone Pine. Maybe it was impulsive, but I felt a pull—this felt important. Ignoring the dull ache in my ribs, I grabbed my keys and drove over, determined. Which was fucking stupid, I was clearly in no condition. But, I didn't care.
Once there, I walked around the weathered "For Sale" sign and headed straight for the shed out back. I barely even looked over the house. Of course, I'd forgotten that I'd locked it from the outside with a bolt. And naturally, the key was long gone. My gaze fell to a pile of rocks along the garden border. Finding the heaviest one, I bent down, feeling the pain flare up in my sides as I picked it up.
With gritted teeth, I lifted the rock and slammed it down on the lock, the impact rattling up my arm. After a few hard hits, it cracked and dropped to the ground in pieces. I let out a shaky breath as I entered.
The door creaked open, the rusty hinges wailing in protest, and I froze for a moment, the noise echoing louder than expected. Inside, the shed was stale and dim, filled with the musty scent of old wood and dry leaves. I found the bundle of sage tucked away on a high shelf, my sides burning again in protest, and the second my fingers closed around it, a chill ran down my spine.
I was ready to leave, but a crackling noise came from somewhere outside. The sound was faint, almost directionless, like something shifting through dead leaves. My heart raced as I strained to listen, every nerve on edge. The old house had always held shadows, but right now, they seemed to close in tighter. I forced myself to take a breath, pretending it might just be the wind.
My sides ached again as I took the deepest breath I could muster. My feet began the slow walk back to the open door of the shed. Before my foot even hit the grass I heard my name being whispered in the wind. Again in no apparent direction.
My heart skipped, and I didn't wait to hear it again. I bolted, pushing through the sharp pain with every step. Reaching Berta, I threw myself inside, slamming the door shut behind me. My hands shook, and I dropped the keys more than once, each fumble making me flinch as I scrambled to grab them. My body was tense, every nerve on edge, my hands sweaty and clumsy with fear.
Before turning the key, I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer under my breath, the words barely audible but grounding in some small way. I just needed to get out of here, away from whatever was lurking, unseen and waiting.
Once I got back to Edward's house, I whispered a quick prayer, hoping he wasn't home yet. Parking my car in the exact spot as before, I made my way inside, lighting the burning sage with a lighter on the front porch, gripped tightly in my hand.
I began moving through each room, murmuring prayers and casting out whatever evil presence might be clinging to the shadows. I felt like a woman possessed, each step and word both desperate and determined. It probably looked insane, but right now, it felt like the only answer I had left.
"By the power in the Name and the Blood of Jesus Christ," I began for what felt like the hundredth time.
I'd heard the front door opening.
"Baby?" Edward's soothing voice chimed from the living room.
I started to back out of the bedroom and went down the hall towards him, he was placing grocery bags down near the couch. Looking at me with brows furrowed, startled.
"I decree and declare that no curse, no weapon, no declaration against me shall prosper," I continued, with baited breath.
"Leah," he said a little more gruffly as he shut the door shut behind him.
"I stand in the Blood of Jesus and I cancel, negate, nullify and destroy every curse fashioned against me. Whether self-imposed or not-"
"What is going on?" He stepped towards me with the sage still burning in my fist. His face a mixture of confusion, and slight amusement now. His mouth hanging open, as his brows knitted together.
I felt rabid. But, I continued over his questions. I had to protect us. "-regardless of the source or cause, I decree and declare that no weapon and no curse fashioned against me shall prosper and I erase it and its effects in My Life with the Blood of Jesus in Jesus Name."
He shook my softly by my shoulders, now looking a little more serious, his grip firm. "Talk to me, darlin'," he begged.
I could feel the panic radiating off him as he held my shoulders, his voice raw with concern. But I kept going, clutching the sage tightly, feeling as if every word was a barrier I was desperately building against something dark, something hungry.
"By the Blood of Jesus, every dark force, every lie and every curse is broken," I went on, my voice trembling. "They have no power here."
Edward's grip tightened, his eyes searching mine, trying to make sense of it all. "Leah, you're scaring me. What's going on?"
I took a few deep breaths, the sage burning my throat. "I spoke with my mother today," I muttered back with wide eyes.
Immediately realization flickered in his eyes. His grip loosened and he began to caress my arms. "Tell me what's goin' on, now. Please, Leah."
Edward kept his hands on me, steadying my shaking form as I poured everything out—the twisted family history, the haunting feeling that this curse was more than a story. That whatever had stalked generations might still be out there, watching. He took it all in, his expression darkening as he tried to grasp the weight of it.
I knew how it sounded, and a part of me expected him to tell me I was losing it. But he just pulled me closer, one hand drifting up to cup the back of my head. I believed that there was no other way to break this curse than to pray. I felt crazy saying it. I just didn't have any other answers right now. Every curse can be broken. There is always a loop hole to this shit. Whether it was a disturbed Indian burial ground like the movies, or some mantra that we need to say aloud for the demons to hear. I didn't understand yet. And I was on the verge of hysteria.
"Whatever this is, we'll get to the bottom of it. And you're not going to face it alone." He paused, then took the sage from my hand gently, setting it aside. "If you need me to pray with you, to fight this with you, you know I'm in."
I held onto him tightly, the weight of his stoic words seeping into the dread that had been gripping my heart. "Edward, I don't even know where to start with this," I whispered, feeling a tear slip down my cheek. "All I know is that I can't let it take any more from us."
We made some phone calls. A group has started forming at Edward's house. It was me and him, plus Jessica, Jacob, Emmett and Jr. We basically mapped out a whole presentation for everyone. Most had been filled in with certain conversations from before. But, we let the whole cat out of the bag. By the end of it, taking a whole forty five minutes by the way, everyone's faces were filled with a mixture of horror and distress.
"Everyone is filled in, correct?" Edward asked.
There were silent nods.
Edward continued on. "We trust you all, and we know how all this shit sounds-"
"Nah dude," Jr sighed. "We all saw that thing on the surveillance footage, even if I didn't see that I'd still believe my cousin."
Edward took a deep breath, his jaw clenching as he nodded toward Jr. "We need to figure out how to make this shit stop, once and for all."
"We going to fuck up some demented creature?" Emmett cracked his knuckles, his massive frame sprawled across the couch, taking up more space than seemed humanly possible. Jr and Jacob flanked him, deep in thought, while Jess stood at the back near the wall, her expression unreadable.
"So, there has to be a physical thing tying it to this place, right?" Jacob said, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"Are we talking dimensions now?" Jessica scoffed, raising an eyebrow. Emmett shot her a long look, his silence heavy.
"Hey," Jacob started, his face serious. "Anything is a fucking possibility at this point."
"We don't even know what it really is," Emmett added, his voice filled with frustration.
"How else are we supposed to find out?" I blurted out, my words coming out sharper than I'd intended. "Wait until it kills someone else?" The room fell quiet. I swallowed, my throat tightening. "My mom said it started with Great Gram," I said, my gaze shifting to Jr. He mirrored my expression, his own fear matching mine. "Like a curse."
All eyes were on me now, the weight of their attention pressing down.
"Did she say how to break it?" Jacob asked, his voice low and focused.
I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears. I couldn't break down in front of them—not now. "No," I whispered, swallowing hard.
"Great, go Sue," Jr muttered, a sarcastic edge to his tone. "Shouldn't be that hard. How many horror movies have we seen that sound just like this shit?"
"Not now, Jr," Jess interjected sharply, her voice full of disgust.
"What if it's something like bones? Or what if Gram Gram stumbled onto something in the forest?" Jr suggested, his earlier cynicism fading into a more coherent thought.
"Maybe we need to find its breeding ground," Jess said softly, her voice carrying the weight of an idea that made everyone pause.
The room fell silent for a moment, stares of bewilderment directed at her. Jess took a small step back, her back lightly pressing against the wall beside the kitchen entrance. "Wherever it lives..." she continued, as if the words made everything clearer.
"It obviously has an affinity for Leah," Emmett said, his voice carrying a dark note. I felt the chill of goosebumps spreading over my skin before he even finished the thought. "Maybe we can use her as bait?"
A low, furious growl rose from Jacob as he stood up, pointing a finger at Emmett, ready to lash out. "Oh, fuck you!" he shouted, his body tense with anger. Emmett stood as well, his fists clenching. I felt my pulse quicken, panic setting in. The last thing I needed right now was them going at each other.
Before things escalated, Edward stepped in between them, his voice strained but firm. "Emotions are high, guys," he muttered, trying to keep them from tearing into each other. It was almost comical, seeing Edward, tall and muscular, sandwiched between the sheer bulk of Jacob and Emmett.
"My cousin almost died, okay? Died!" Jacob bellowed, his voice raw with emotion.
"Jake!" Jr warned, his hand grabbing Jacob's arm, trying to calm him down. But Jacob shrugged him off, the tension between them thick. Jr kept his hand on him, though, determined to keep the peace.
"I know," Emmett snapped, his fists still tight at his sides. "You think I don't care? I wouldn't be here, listening to this insane shit if I didn't give a damn!"
"If it weren't for your fucking brother, you wouldn't even be here to support her!" Jacob shot back, his voice rising.
I couldn't take it anymore. My emotions, the strain of everything, broke through as the arguing continued, and I began to cry out of frustration, the sound of my sobs filling the room. "Please, stop," I cried, the sharp pain in my ribs nearly knocking the breath from me.
"I'm not saying to let her die, dude, listen!" Emmett yelled, his face beet red, his anger palpable. "Bait! Bait! We need to figure out what this thing is!"
Edward, still trying to keep the peace between the two men, rubbed a hand over his face, clearly struggling to stay calm.
In the chaos and ensuing arguing, I heard Jess, her voice breathless, say, "What if it can't be hurt?"
"There has to be a way," I spoke towards Jess quietly, although she probably couldn't hear me over the bickering. I felt determined enough. Fuck it, I will die trying. I don't want this thing hurting anyone else. "I'll do it!" I said loudly, forcing the words out even though pain shot through my ribs. I cradled myself tenderly, but my determination was clear. "I'll do it, if it means stopping this."
The room went still. Everyone's eyes locked onto me, and I could feel their concern weighing heavily on me. Edward's gaze lingered for a moment longer, as though holding back tears, a silent sorrow in his eyes.
Jacob spoke first. "Leah, you really don't have to."
Jacob was the first to speak, his voice soft but firm. "Leah, you really don't have to do this."
I stared him down, unblinking. "Let's kill this fucking thing," I said, the words coming out with a force that surprised even me. I've always been impulsive, but I had been raised by Sue Clearwater. I could handle this. I think.
There was a long drawn out beat.
There was a long, heavy pause before Jr was the next to speak. "Ah, fuck!" he sputtered out, shaking his head. "Not the way I was expecting to spend my weekend, but fuck it!"
Edward looked at me again with that lingering sorrow but with some added determination in his voice as he said, "If you're in, I'm in. But we're going to do this right and safe, Leah. You don't have to put yourself at risk."
I nodded, even though deep down I knew the risk was inevitable.
Jessica stepped forward then, her voice steady as she addressed the group. "We need to find out more about this thing, whatever it is. Maybe it has rules, or a specific ritual that'll break its hold." She held my gaze, her eyes offering silent support, her hands gesturing as if to reassure me. The hand movements almost made me laugh in the moment, distracting me from the tension.
Emmett turned to Jacob, some of the tension easing as Emmett spoke, "alright, so we're all agreed: figure out what we're up against, find its weak spot, and take it out."
Jacob grunted, still riled but more focused. "Agreed. But Leah, we stick together on this—no one is going off alone. Got it?"
"Got it," I replied, feeling the fear creep in but pushing it aside. I'm not alone in this.
Jr cleared his throat, a more thoughtful look crossing his face. "You think Uncle Luke would know anything?"
The question caught me off guard. I hadn't even considered it. I shrugged, a mix of confusion and uncertainty on my face. "My mom doesn't even talk about him... Sometimes I forget he exists."
"Have you spoken to your brother?" Jr questioned urgently.
My eyes darted to him. "Today, but not about this shit."
"Obviously this is tied to our blood, so maybe it's not just going after you," Jr said wearily.
A chill ran through me at Jr's words. The idea that this thing could be targeting more than just me made my stomach twist.
"Unc has been off the grid for a while," I said, my voice faltering. "But… you're right. If it's after the family, he could be in danger too, maybe?"
Edward nodded thoughtfully, glancing between Jr and me. "Then we need to get your uncle in on this. If others are even remotely at risk, we can't just not do anything at this point."
Jacob sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "We're gonna need all the help we can get. Even if Uncle Luke doesn't know anything specific, just having him aware of what's happening could make a difference."
Emmett added, "If this thing is bound by something in your family's past, then your uncle's perspective might help us understand. He could have pieces of the story we don't."
I took a deep breath, savoring the little pinch I felt from my ribcage. Jess came over to hold me reassuringly. "We're in this together, remember? We'll get through this, put an end to it for good."
"I know where he's at," Jr said, his tone steady. "We should take a trip."
"Now?" Jess asked, clearly surprised.
"Let's go tomorrow morning, bright and early," Jr said with a grin, that familiar, confident smile lighting up his face. "We'll figure this shit out."
With a plan of some sort in place, everyone began to file out shortly after. I decided to walk Jess to her car.
With a plan of sorts in place, everyone began to file out, heading toward their respective cars. I decided to walk Jess to hers, my steps slow, careful not to trip over anything on the uneven street.
"Hey," Jess whispered, leaning in close as we walked. "You think when this is over you could hook me up with the strong man?"
I nearly burst out laughing, but I managed to hold it back, knowing my ribs wouldn't appreciate the effort.
"Are you talking about Emmett?" I asked quietly, poking her side with a teasing look.
She gasped in mock shock. "What!? Did you see those muscles?"
I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I thought he was talking to some blond from Florida, but I can ask if he's seeing anyone," I offered, still grinning.
Jess bumped my shoulder, and I caught the glint of a smile on her face, even in the dimming light of the evening. "Thanks, babe."
I winked at her. "Besides, I'd love to be the maid of honor at your wedding."
She laughed, rolling her eyes playfully. "Always the charmer."
I shook my head, feeling a rush of warmth. This crazy day had gone from burning sage to finding comfort in the knowledge that I had people who cared—family and friends who would stick with me through whatever mess we were about to dive into. And, for the first time in a while, that thought made everything feel a little more manageable. Although I could barely breathe, this was the lightest I've felt in years. Like something is easing off my shoulders. Something heavy.
More to come soon, stay posted! Review if you can! Let me know your thoughts!
-A