I Know What You Did Last Winter

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kelley Brady on January 27, 2013 at 6:40pm

great updates!  they can't really believe that she killed Charlie!  can't wait to read your next udpate!

 

Permalink Reply by balletgirl on January 28, 2013 at 11:36pm

Chapter 5 A Break- In
“What about the Swan girl, today, huh?” Det. Johns said, cleaning up his cubicle for the night. “She sure held her ground. Maybe you underestimated her, just a tad.”
I turned around from my computer and looked at Johns. “Maybe.”
“You’re so sure she did it,” he said. “Charlie’s murder is obviously connected to the other ones. That would mean that she killed her friends, too.”
“I get it. You think she’s innocent,” I scoffed, wanting him to stop rubbing in how wrong he thinks I am.
“She made a good point.”
“She made me look like a fool,” I mumbled, too low for him to hear. Aila Blue, the secretary knocked on the wall near the entrance. She was wearing a twill pencil skirt with a matching blazer and a cream silk blouse underneath. Her hair was done up in a tight, black ponytail as always.
“Det. Cullen, Det. Johns, the test results are here,” she said, letting the folder of papers go limp in her oustretched hand.
“Thank you, Aila.” I reached for them as Johns crowded me. Aila waited, nervously shifting her weight. We looked at her, and I tried not to make direct eye contact.
“That will be all, Aila,” Det. Johns said. She blushed and walked out, but not before almost walking into the wall. “What’s wrong with that one?”
“Two left feet,” I said with a shrug.
“I think she likes you.”
I looked up from the papers, baffled that he even said that outloud. “Let’s stick to the case, for now,” I said.
“All work and no play, huh. You’re a pretty serious guy,” Johns commented. I chuckled to myself. I didn’t respond. I didn’t want to give him any ideas, but he was already churning them out. We looked through the charts of the DNA samples on the knife and the towel. I looked at Det. Johns and smiled.
“What did I tell you.”
“Bella Swan’s DNA is all over that house,” he said, in defense. “She could have used that knife before the killer got his hands on it, to make dinner or something.”
I shook my head at him. “You are her number one cheerleader.”
“You seriously think she did it,” he said. “Alright. I’ll tighten the leash a little. We’ll get her back in here tomorrow.”
“I want a statement from her boyfriend, too. He was there that night,” I said.
“We’ll bring them both in and separate them. Make them give us a play by play, and not leave anything out.”
“Have you noticed there hasn’t been another murder since the night Chief Swan was killed,” I said. “She knows we’re on to her and she’s laying low.”
“But, why would she kill her classmates?”
“Revenge? It could be anything. We won’t know until tomorrow.”
“Make the call,” he ordered. I was happy to do it, but there was one flaw. I knew who the real killer was. I should feel guilty for what I was doing to this poor innocent girl.
I followed Det. Johns out the door. Aila was sitting at the front desk and we waved goodbye. I sighed before stepping out into the pouring rain. I put on my hat.
“How would you like to go on a date?” Det. Johns asked with a smile. He opened his blue umbrella for us to share.
I chuckled. “I thought you were a married man.”
“Not with me, ya goof,” he said. “Let’s make it a blind date. That’ll be fun.”
I knew where this was going before we stepped out the door, before he and Aila secretly nodded to each other. “I’ll pick the restaurant and take care of everything. All you got to do is show up,” he said.
“Sounds like a plan,” I said. More like an interference. “I must be doing something wrong for you to assume I’m single.”
He stopped. “Are you?” he asked, his face worried.
“Yes,” I said. I was to the human world. “So, who am I going with?”
“You’re not supposed to know that, yet. That’s what makes it a blind date.” But, I did know. And this was Aila’s idea, so it was only a blind date for me… sort of… since I knew everything.
“Who knows what could blossom from this,” he said, dreamily.
“Yeah,” I said, tone dry. I got into my car and Johns had his umbrella to himself.
“See ya in the morn,” he said.
“You, too.”
I said hello to Timothy at the front of the building and went up to my loft. I got a surprise when I flicked on the light. The place was trashed. There were slashes in the furniture. In my bedroom, the bed was slashed up, my clothes were scattered everywhere. The door to the closet was knocked off its hinges. I ran downstairs. Timothy was greeting some people walking in. I touched his shoulder and he turned around.
“Timothy, did you let anyone inside my loft?”
“Um. No, Sir. I would never do that without permission from you or someone in charge. Why? Is there a problem?”
I sighed. “No. No problem.”
I went back up to the loft. It had to be him. I made an appointment with the cleaning crew, then laid out something to wear on my ‘blind’ date across the slashed up bed. My throat was killing me. With the tightness and the burning, I could hardly see straight or think.
I opened the empty refrigerator, before catching a glimpse of my pale reflection on the toaster. What a miserable sight. I was withering away. I slumped down on the floor. Kate’s thoughts entered my head and soon there was knocking at the door. I picked myself up and dragged myself to the front door. I opened it. Kate was a blurry blob of a lady.
“Edward?”
My legs gave out and I fell. Kate flew into a panic.
“Edward!” She pulled me over to the black leather sofa. “Oh, this place is a mess.” She felt my forehead, like I was some child. “Oh, you poor baby. I told you about starving yourself.” She punched holes into her arm with her fangs, and put it up to my mouth. “Drink. Hurry before you die!” I obeyed, my head spinning. As my mouth became filled with her blood, the monster was awakening.
“Edward,” Kate moaned. She jerked her arm back, but my fangs were in her like hooks. “Edward, that’s enough…. I said that’s enough!” She yanked away from me and stood back. I pulled myself onto the couch, a bit exhausted.
“You are playing a dangerous game.” Kate paced around the room. “Do you not care about your life?”
I was still thirsty, but I ignored it… and Kate. “I knew I did the right thing by coming to check on you. And what happened to the loft?”
“He was here,” I uttered, laid out on the couch. Kate balled up both fists.
“Go feed. I’ll clean up here,” she said.
“The cleaning crew will clean it up,” I informed.
“Edward, you’re dying.”
I rolled my eyes and got off the couch. I left Kate alone in the loft while I hunted. I wasn’t really hunting, I was just strolling around in the night. Kate’s blood was enough to settle the cravings for a little while. She would have to hunt again soon, because of me. I passed a little book store and saw a familiar face through the corner of my eye. I backed up and looked into one of the windows. It was Aila. I shouldn’t be seeing any familiar faces in my condition, knowing what I could do to them, so I let her be and got back on the sidewalk.
A bell rang behind me. “Edward?”
I looked back. Aila was poking her head out the door of the shop. “I saw you through the window,” she said, holding the door open.”How are you?”
“Tired,” I replied. It showed in my voice. When I didn’t move, she came to me. I looked away from her, but not too much. She kept trying to make eye contact, which was annoying.
“You’re a little shy, I understand. I think it’s kind of cute,” she said, tucking a loose strand behind her ear.
“I am,” I said. “I’ve been like this since childhood.” I wanted to say that I can’t look into your eyes for too long or else the monster inside me will lash out and get you.
“Do you want to come inside? We’ve got coffee?” she said.
“No thanks. I have somewhere I need to be,” I said. Her thoughts raced with anticipation, excitement about our upcoming date. “See you at work.”
“Bye,” she said, half turning, not wanting to leave. I turned around and walked the other way. I strolled around some more. I wasn’t in the mood to kill anyone, so I headed back to the loft.
“Kate?” I called, stepping over the broken chaise lounge, which wasn’t broken when I left. I couldn’t hear her thoughts, so I assumed she left. I went up to my room and flicked on the light. There was Kate, tied to the bed by her hands and feet with my neck ties, her chest ripped open, and her eyes black as coals. One of my ties was around her neck. She was dead. I was calmer than I wanted to be. I had seen death so much, I barely felt the ping of pain that sprawled up inside of me. It was there. The more I studied the scene the bigger it grew. I looked away, not wanting to get too upset.
“Kate,” I breathed, my voice broke. I blamed myself. She was a strong woman, and would have fought and won, if I hadn't fed from her earlier. I walked closer to her, without looking. It was hard to see her like this. I undid the ties from around her four limbs and her neck. I dragged her body from the bed and tripped over one of her heels. I fell with her in my arms, and a wave of emotions hit me hard. I didn’t even know I was capable of crying. There was no time for this. I got up and leaned Kate’s body against the wall. I went downstairs and took out my cell.
“Hello,” a smooth, female voice said.
“Hello, Carmen. It’s Edward.”

Permalink Reply by balletgirl on January 29, 2013 at 10:54am

Chapter 6 Running Scared
We called Tyler and Eric and told them to meet us at First Beach, tonight. We explained the situation over the phone.
“I don’t understand why we have to get involved,” Eric said, when we all were together on the beach.
“Where is this list? I wanna see it,” Tyler said.
“The police have it,” I said.
“Guys, we can’t argue about this. We need to think of a plan,” Angela said. “Our friends are dead, and we could be next if we don’t stick together.”
We walked through the woods to an old Indian style plank house. Tyler wasn’t taking this seriously enough. He needed proof. Eric was shaking. “There’s no light switch,” Eric said.
“There wouldn’t be one, stupid,” Tyler said.
“Here’s what I think we should do. We should stay on the reserve-“ I said, before I was cut off by Tyler.
“Why do you get to make all the decisions?” he asked. “Some of us- like me- have things to do.”
“Tyler, listen to her,” Angela urged.
He shook his head. “I’m out of here.”
Eric hesitated, before following him. Angela and I looked at each other. This shouldn’t be this hard. We went after them.
“Guys, this is dumb,” Angela said. “A killer is after us and here we are, walking through the woods at night. We may as well be screaming here we are. Come and get us!”
“You’re being ridiculous,” Tyler said, looking back at her.
“You guys know what this is right?” Eric said. We all looked at him. “This is karma.”
“What the hell are you talking about, man?” Tyler asked.
“Last year, at Jessica’s parents’ Christmas party,” Eric started. We sighed. “The cosmic forces of the universe know all.” Tyler burst out laughing. Eric grabbed him by his jacket. “I’m serious, man!” He let go of him. “Don’t you ever think about him?”
“Eric, Cody’s dead,” Angela said.
“That’s the point,” he countered.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Tyler said. “I thought we agreed never to talk about this.”
“Yeah, and besides, that was an accident. The universe wouldn’t punish us for something that wasn’t meant to happen,” I said to Eric.
“You guys are talking about cosmic forces and bullcrap,” Angela said. “Someone is after us, someone alive and real, and healthy enough to plan out each of our deaths. But, no. It must be the ghost of Cody Todd! Whooo!” Angela waved her hands around, spookily.
“Don’t make fun of the dead,” Eric said, with a serious tone.
“You’re crazy, Eric.” Angela walked ahead of us. “I am the only one who gives a rats.” She kicked up dirt.
“Angela, wait,” I said, going after her. “Come back here!” Tyler and Eric followed me. “Where are you going?”
“Back to the reservation,” she said. The wind got colder and I shivered. Angela turned around to yell at us some more. She yelped, instead of fussed. She was quiet and trembling. The cold, surprised expression on her face scared me to death.
“Angela?” I asked.
“Angie?” Tyler said. “What’s wrong?” Angela opened her mouth, and out poured a waterfall of blood. I screamed. She fell to the ground. “Angela!” Tyler was about to sprint forward, but I stopped him.
“No. We have to go!” I said.
“We need to help her.” He pushed me away and ran towards Angela.
“Tyler, don’t!”
I looked at Eric and looked down at the wet spot on his jeans. He had peed on himself. He was too scared to move, so I went after Tyler by myself. We bent down and Angela was choking on her own blood.
“She’s alive,” he said.
“She choking!”
Tyler took out his cell phone about to call 911, when we heard the sound of leaves crushing, someone walking close by. Freaked, we got up and ran back to Eric. Then the three of us ran out to the beach, heading for the reservation.
“That could have been someone who could help us,” Tyler said as we ran.
“Or that could have been the killer,” I said.
“I’m with Bella. I ain’t taking no chances,” Eric said.
We banged on Billy’s door until Jacob opened it.
“Angela! She’s in the woods,” I said, out of breath. “He got her.”
Jacob let us inside the house.
“She's still alive,” Tyler said.
“I’ll go get her,” Jacob said. “You guys stay here and don’t go anywhere.”
“No, wait!” I said, but it was fruitless. He had dashed out into the night.
We managed to stay calm. Eric was by the window, his hands trembling wildly.
"Who was next on the list?" he asked, without turning around. Tyler looked at him, annoyed.
"It doesn't matter who's next," I said. "We can keep each other safe."
"Like we kept Angela safe? Who was next?" He yelled. "I want to know."
"Eric, don't do this to yourself," I said.
"It's me, isn't it," Eric said.
I paused. I didn't want either of them to know the order. That might turn us against each other.

"I think the order got messed up because of my father. I was supposed to die before Angela. So, I don't have a clear answer for you," I said.

"It's best we don't know anyway," Tyler said. "That would make it worse, knowing when you're going to die."

"We're all going to die," Eric said.

"That's not what I meant," Tyler said. "We don't need to panic."

"I'm not panicking," he said.

"Dude, you peed on yourself," Tyler said.

I closed all the curtains, and waited in the living room for Jacob. It crossed my mind that he might not make it back.

Permalink Reply by Seugnet du Toit on January 29, 2013 at 12:07pm

Scary!

Permalink Reply by maddie masen everdeen swan on January 30, 2013 at 8:16am

freaking hooked! cant wait for the next

Permalink Reply by Kelley Brady on January 29, 2013 at 11:54am

great udpate! can't wait to read your next one!

 

Permalink Reply by balletgirl on February 1, 2013 at 2:48pm

Chapter 7 Suspects
Tyler joined me in the kitchen. He stared while I was making spaghetti.
“How can you eat at a time like this?” he said.
“I’m trying to keep myself busy until Jacob gets back. All this standing around and waiting is making me nervous.”
“Guys,” Eric said, poking his head through the kitchen entrance. “Jacob is back.”
We all ran to the front door. Jacob was soaked from the fresh rain. He was by himself.
“Where is she?” I yelled.
“I couldn’t find her,” he said. “I combed every piece of the forest. There was no sign of her.”
“Maybe, she took off and got help,” Eric said.
“No, Eric. We saw her. She was in no condition to get up and go anywhere. He took her,” Tyler said. “He took her.”
“No. Jake, you didn’t look hard enough,” I said. “She was there!” Jacob caught my fists and brought me into his arms. I leaned against his chest.
“I’m not living like this,” Tyler said. “I say we grab some weapons and go after this psycho.”
“Are you nuts?” Eric said.
“You saw how fast he moved, Tyler. How quickly he killed Angela. We didn’t get to see him at all. Going after him is suicide,” I said.
“She’s right, Ty. I’m with Bella,” Eric said.
“You’re always with Bella.”
“You guys can stay here until the morning. My sister and dad will be back in, shortly,” Jacob said. Tyler and Eric slept on the furniture in the living room and I spent the night again in Jacob’s bed.
In the morning, I brushed my hair, my nerves rattled. I had that strange flashback again, where there was blood on my hands. The setting had changed, though. I wasn’t at Charlie’s murder scene. I was at someone else’s.
“Bella,” Jacob said. I saw him through the mirror. “Breakfast is ready. Better hurry before your friends get it all.”
I put the brush down and went to the kitchen. Billy and Rachel were back, Eric and Tyler were at the table. Rachel sat next to Tyler.
“I didn’t know you still have sleepovers, Jake,” she said, with a giggle. Tyler smiled at her, flirtatiously. She eyed him back with soft eyes and a smile.
“We better get a move on,” I said, after I finished my eggs and waffles.
“Not so fast,” Billy said. We all looked at him. “FPD called. They want to see you… and Jake.” Billy looked at his son with questioning eyes.
“For what?” Jacob asked. Billy shrugged.
“They didn’t really go into detail,” he said. “Go now, before they call again.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Eric asked, in a shaky voice.
“It’s broad day. I think we’ll be fine,” Tyler said, dully.
Jacob and I got into the Rabbit and drove down to the police station, both of us frantic and worried.
“What do they want to talk to me for?” Jacob asked, while he drove.
“You were there that night. They probably just have some questions. No big deal. Just be calm, okay?” I said. Jacob nodded.
We parked and walked into the Forks police station. We were greeted by two cops, who led us away from each other. I looked back at Jacob as he looked back at me, confused. I was in the interrogation room again. Det. Cullen stepped in with his partner. Both had an arrogant smirk on their faces.
“Good morning, Miss Swan,” Edward said, his smile stretching.
“You sure are cheeky, today,” I said, my arms folded.
“It’s a good day,” he replied. He pulled a chair around and sat backwards in it, in front of me. “We finally cracked the case. We have two suspects we’re looking at right now.”
The way he said that made my blood run cold. “You’re not under arrest yet, just a suspect in the deaths of Chief Charlie Swan, Jessica Stanley-“
“No, wait.” I couldn’t get a word in.
“-Lauren Perne, and Mike Newton-“
“This is a lie!” I stood up. “I didn’t kill anyone!”
“You’re boyfriend is only a suspect in Chief Charlie Swan’s death. He’s being briefed right now,” Edward said.
“Jacob didn’t do anything.”
“He helped you, didn’t he?” he said.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” I said, my hands cutting into the edge of the table.
“We’re letting you go, until your court date,” he said.
“Court date?”
“Don’t skip town,” he said with a grin. He stood up and twirled a pen between his fingers.
“I’m not the one you should be watching,” I said with narrow eyes. He looked at me with a challenging expression. Det. Johns touched his shoulder, pulling him away and breaking our stare down.

Chapter 8 Keeping the Heat on Bella Swan
I wasn't really planning on convicting her or the boyfriend. I wanted to buy some time to catch the real killer, then I could take my thumb off these two. Bella and Jacob left the station, just as a group of cops entered in a frenzy.
“There’s been another murder,” Officer Lancaster said. Her blonde hair was done up in a knot. Her hazel eyes wide, her body trembling softly. “The Red Rose Killer.” Johns and I looked at each other. I invited Officer Lancaster into my office. Johns shut the door.
“The body of Angela Weber was found on a roadside. She was slashed up, and a rose was sticking out of the pocket of her jeans,” she said.
“Any idea what happened?” Det. Johns asked.
“Not yet, but Angela’s parents said that they last saw her leaving their home, in Bella Swan’s truck. They didn’t ask where the girls were going. They didn’t think they needed to,” Officer Lancaster said.
Johns watched me, with doubt about Bella’s innocence for the first time swirling through his mind.
Johns leaned down, over Officer Lancaster’s shoulder. “They think Bella killed their daughter?”
“They didn’t say that, but they implied it,” she said.
“Maybe it’s all they had to go on,” Johns said.
“Maybe,” I offered.
Johns shook his head.
“I want an officer on Bella Swan and Jacob Black, twenty four seven,” I said, as I stood up.
“Edward, they’re not going anywhere,” Johns interrupted.
“I know you trust them and think they’re great kids, but this is serious,” I said, eyes boring into him harshly. “Where is the body, now?” I asked Officer Lancaster.
“At the morg, being examined further,” she replied.
“Thanks, Officer Lancaster.” I led her out the door.
“I know how this looks, but there has got to be another explanation,” Johns said. “Bella wouldn’t hurt a fly. Her father was on the force.”
“Or maybe she isn’t the girl you think she is,” I said. “You’re going to have to set your personal feelings aside, if we’re going to get through this.”
“You’re right, but I just don’t see-“
“Anyone can kill, Johns, even the ones that look like they couldn’t.”
Aila came by. “Det. Cullen, you have a visitor,” she said. I saw Irina Denali inside Aila’s head and the jealousy that was boiling up. I hesitated. Irina Denali was the last person I wanted to see right now.
“Send her through,” I said. Det. Johns and Aila left to give me some privacy. Irina entered dressed in a tight black dress and a black hat. Her and Kate could have been twins, except Irina had black hair. That was because she had plastic surgery done one time to look like Kate, to fool me into thinking she was Kate. Her blue eyes were real though, and icy, not soft like Kate’s were.
“What are you doing here?” I mumbled, nervous that I couldn’t hear her thoughts.
“I came to see how you were holding up.” She removed her black gloves and pressed them inside her purse. “My sister is dead, and you know who killed her.”
“Don’t pretend that you care about Kate’s death.”
“I have known Kate for thousands of years,” her quiet voice was sharp. “She was many things to me good and bad. My love for her is not pretend. You insult me with your assumptions.”
I went and closed the blinds. “Keep your voice down.”
“I want you to hear me, Edward.”
“You’re not here because you care about Kate. I don’t have to know your thoughts to know that, either. You’re just that predictable.”
A laugh escaped her. “In that short time that we were together, you were happier with me than you ever were with my sister.”
“That wasn’t happiness. I was hexed. That was dishonesty and a trick.”
“Call it whatever you like, but it made you feel how you have always wanted to feel. I made you normal, Edward. I did that. I am the only one who can.”
“I don’t want your tricks.”
“Edward, we belong together. Why are you fighting it?”
I set her down in the chair and looked into her eyes. “Why would you want to be with someone, who doesn’t want to be with you? What we had, that wasn’t love. That was your magick, controlling me. And you’re still using it.”
I went and leaned against the wall, distressed.
“Fine. You just find that little scoundrel that killed my sister, or the Volturi will hear about your little slip up. Perhaps, they already know.”
“Wow. You’ve been spying on me.”
She shrugged. “I need to stay informed for my plan to work.”
“What plan?”
“You’ll see.” She walked to me and pressed her cheek against mine. “It involves you, me and a pretty little red rose.”
She backed away and I glared at her, bug-eyed. She laughed too loudly, then covered her mouth. “You will love me, Edward. I’ve seen our future. It has changed now that my sister is out of the way.”
She turned the knob and left my office.
“Irina,” I said, through gritted teeth.

Permalink Reply by Seugnet du Toit on February 2, 2013 at 11:55am

What is going on with Irina?!

Permalink Reply by balletgirl on February 5, 2013 at 1:15pm

Chapter 10 Interference

Det. Johns entered the office, glancing at Irina on her way out.

"Friend of yours?"

"Not exactly," I said.

"So about the blind date- I was thinking Bertelli's Italia on fourth street, tonight."

"Sounds good."

"Wear something nice."

"I will."

I went home and Carmen and Eleazar were standing in my living room. Her dark brown hair was in waves and pinned up on her head. Eleazar was wearing a grey suit with a velvet undershirt and tuff.

"Edward, we need to talk," Carmen said, with a thick Spanish accent.

"I'm really sorry about what happened to Kate," I said.

"Kate was family," she said. "We need to know how she died and why." She looked at Eleazar.

"I guess what we're looking for is closure," he said. Eleazar's posture was unusually stiff and he was monitoring his thoughts, being careful not to think of something he doesn't want me in on.

"I get the feeling something more is going on here- besides Kate's death," I queried. "Why are you really here?"

"We're here for Kate," Carmen said. "We buried her and thought we could bring life back into her, but it didn't work." Her and Eleazar looked at each other.

"We believe she was killed with some type of magic force," Eleazar said.

"You're not going to like what I'm about to suggest, but I think Irina killed Kate," I said. I waited for their reaction. They looked at each other again. Eleazar's mouth fell open.

"Edward, you lost someone too. She was the love of your life, but we cannot jump to such conclusions. Irina loved Kate," Carmen said. "They were sisters. She would never do anything to hurt her."

"You don't know Irina like I do." I went and sat on the sofa, and put my hand up to my aching head. Carmen leaned down over me.

"Edward, whatever you think you know about Irina, it's simply not true," she said.

"I'm beginning to think she's behind other things going on in this town, besides Kate's death. She came to my office and practically confessed," I said. "And she's using him."

"Using who?" Carmen asked.

"Cody."

"Oh yes. Cody; your vampire child who ran away," Eleazar said.

"I need to find him," I said.

"He is still a newborn," Eleazar said. "You should have never let him out of your sight."

"I know!" I stood and turned around to Eleazar. "Irina killed Kate, I'm willing to bet. She's got Cody working with her."

"All you have are accusations," Carmen said.

"Maybe it was Cody who Kate," Eleazar said.

"He's being influenced by her." I glared at Eleazar, sharply.

"When the Volturi find out about this, who do you think they will destroy- Irina or some crazed newborn? Kate is dead and someone will pay for this."

"Eleazar, Cody is innocent."

to be continued...

(I'll be back go to go!)

Permalink Reply by Seugnet du Toit on February 5, 2013 at 2:47pm

Interesting!  Both Edward and Bella have a connection with this Cody!  I wonder what Irina's role is in all this?  Bella and her friends are in much bigger trouble than they could ever imagine!  Can't wait to see how things develop further!

Permalink Reply by balletgirl on February 7, 2013 at 2:37pm

Chapter 10 Interference (continuation)

"You're right," Eleazar said with a cold stare. "I don't like it. And you may not like the truth Edward, that your Cody is dangerous. He is a loose cannon. If he can kill a vampire like Kate, someone he was close to, and practically family with, he will kill any vampire. You have got to make this right, or I will."

"And how are you expecting to do that, Eleazar?" I asked.

"I will go to the Volturi myself."

"Eleazar, that is not necessary," Carmen said, clutching his sleeve. "Everytime the Volturi get involved, there's always death and destruction. You want to give them a reason to come down from their arrogant high horse and mess with us again?"

Eleazar sighed. "No, but we must think rationally. What if he comes after you or me? He has made it very clear that family means nothing to him."

"Cody didn't kill Kate," I said.

"Irina did, Edward. You expect me to believe that? Let's see what the Volturi think," Eleazar said.

"No," I jumped infront of him. "This is my problem, not theirs. You should listen to Carmen. Don't give them another reason to come stomping their big feet all over the place. They think they're kings. How do you know they won't remember last winter, when they were here, and they spared you-"

"Edward, don't. Those are harsh memories for us," Carmen broke in, protectively for her mate.

"I'm just saying," I said, as I backed off the subject.

"Well, don't. The fail of the uprising is still fresh in our memories," she said.

"Then, we understand each other. Don't bring them here again," I said to Eleazar. "They are not your friends as you may recall. Especially don't bring them here for something that neither of us have any proof."

"Wise, as always, Edward," he said, uncomfortably. "Let's go, Carmen."

"We'll be in touch," she said, and took his arm. "Please let us know if you find Cody."

"I will." I let them out the door. I went upstairs and looked at the suit I laid out for the blind date. It was black with a milky white, button down dress shirt. My phone started ringing and I reached inside my pocket to answer it. "Hey, Johnny."

"Just checking up on you," he said. "And making sure you're not getting cold feet or anything like that."

"I'm fine, Johnny." I chuckled.

"You know how to find the restaurant, don't you. Do you have any questions?"

"I've got everything under control," I said.

"That's great. See you tomorrow."

"Bye, Johnny."

I went downstairs because someone was relentlessly knocking on the door. I opened it and Alice was standing on the other side. She pushed her way in.

"I heard about Kate," she said. "Edward, I am so sorry. She meant a lot to you."

"Thank you, Alice. I'm surprised I'm just now seeing you." It sounded as if I were accusing her of something.

"Oh, Edward. My visions have been so off lately. If I had known something was going to happen to Kate, I would have intervened. There is some sort of weird blockage going on inside my head." She made hand gestures.

"Is that my raincoat?" I pointed to the plastic covered fabric on a hanger, hanging over her shoulder.

"Yes. I wasn't sure what color you wanted, so I got it in my favorite color." She smiled. "Stop making that face. Don't worry. It's a classy navy blue."

"How thoughtful..." I took the raincoat from her and leaned it over the sofa. "You could have just mailed it to me."

"I was on my way over and decided to just deliver it in person." She looked around and then looked at me. "How's the brat doing?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Wow. You weren't kidding about the blockage."

She squinted her eyes and then opened them. "Has something happened?"

"Cody ran off and has been on a killing spree," I informed, too casually for my liking.

"Edward, you were suppose to be watching him," she said, shocked. "This is my fault, my faulty visions."

"I don't think there is anything wrong with your visions. Someone is tampering with our heads, literally."

"Who?"

"Irina."

"Irina? She was the one who came and told me about Kate. When she left I couldn't see any of her decisions. It was strange, she gave me a gift. She never gave me anything before."

"What gift?"

"A rose."

I bucked my eyes at her. "Why would she give you a rose?"

"I don't know?"

"What did you do with it?"

"I put it in one of my flower vases."

"Alice, Irina is using her magic on us."

"Why? What did we do?"

"Nothing. She's just messed up in the head and can't take no for an answer."

"Is she still in love with you?"

"We were never in love. She was obessed with me and she still is!"

"How do we stop her?" she asked. She stared at me, as I turned my loft upside down looking for a single flower.

"Did she say anything about where she was going?"

"No," Alice said. "I assume she went back to Alaska after telling me about Kate... Edward, did you lose something?"

"Go home and destroy that rose she gave you. It's probably hexed."

"Hexed?" She shrunk back and bucked her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"No. But I'd rather we be safe than sorry. I couldn't hear Irina's thoughts when she came to visit." I pulled the pillows off the couches and looked under them. "Maybe it's in my office."

"What's in your office?"

"A rose."

"Irina is using magic roses to throw us off our powers? Edward, that's stupid. We're just having bad reception."

"Both of us?" I said. "She's up to something, something she doesn't want us to know about. If she doesn't want us to know, then it more than likely, involves us."

"I know she can be a little extreme sometimes, but Irina is our friend."

"No, she isn't," I snapped. Alice gulped. "I'm sorry."

"No. You're paranoid is what you are. You're grieving." She touched my shoulder.

"How can you not believe me? Kate is dead. Cody has lost his mind."

She moved me over to a couch and picked up the cushion off the floor and fluffed it. "Sit down, Edward."

"I can't. I have a not- so- blind date I have to get to."

"With who?"

"A woman from work."

"You're dating already?"

"Apparently."

"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

"My friend thinks I don't have a life, so he set me up with this girl who has a crush on me."

"At least she likes you. I would suggest you hunt first, though. You're looking a little pale- er than usual."

"I will."

She fixed my hair for me, before heading out the door. "Alice," I called, as she walked down the hallway. She turned around and looked at me. "Be careful."

"I always am." She smiled and got onto the elevator. What if she was right, and I was being paranoid. Well, my paranoia told me to check under the coffee table. I felt around and felt something sticking under there. I pulled it out of the wood. There it was, a red rose between my shaky fingers. I didn't really know what to do with it, so I crushed it under my shoe. A loud, floral aroma went up my nose. I probably did the opposite of getting rid of it.

My eyes started to bleed and my head throbbed. Was it the rose or was I just thirsty. I looked up and saw a dark figure standing on the glass part of the ceiling, looking down at me, grimly.

"Cody?" My body felt like jelly, and I leaned on the couch when I lost my balance. Suddenly, there was a crash, and glass shards fell on me like rain. I covered my face.

"Don't close your eyes just yet," A voice said. "The fun is just beginning."

"Cody." I looked up and weakly charged him, throwing myself into him and causing us to fall. He laughed, and kicked me across the room, out into the hallway. I looked up and saw that I crashed through the front door, which was now just a big hole.

"Destructive as usual," I groaned, my eyes going in and out of focus. Cody stepped through the hole in the door.

"Did you take drugs or something?" he asked. A woman and two kids peeked down the hallway at us. "Let's take this party somewhere more private." Cody grabbed me up and started running.

Permalink Reply by Seugnet du Toit on February 7, 2013 at 3:24pm

Oh no!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page