Chapter 2: Alice & Jacob

Chapter 2: Alice & Jacob

I’d always had a talent for avoiding people. At school, I would find the most secluded places to just sit and think in total silence, uninterrupted by anyone.

So it was a simple matter to find just the right place around the back of the cafeteria where the forest almost touched the buildings and no one would see. I slipped into the forest, picking my way through the dense under brush.

I had had an idea, and in order to try it out, I had to be a good distance from humans, or it could go horribly wrong. Also, my only other way of getting home was to teleport, and I really didn’t want to deal with that twice in one day (it made me a little dizzy and it could get disorientating).

When I was sure I was far enough in, I stopped, putting my bag on the ground, and closed my eyes in concentration. I had to force my mind to match it all up, make things fit just right. I also had to word this carefully. If I wasn’t careful, I could end up... well, I don’t know what.

I focused, thinking carefully through the words. With practise, I knew I would be able to do this in my head, but it was better to speak aloud the first time. I took a deep breath and exhaled.

“Forces of the Multi-verse,” I said, my voice confident and clear, “I ask that you lend me your power to do with as I may, as my destiny has proclaimed I might, to grant my hearts desire.” The next part always made me feel like a little girl; it sounded so childish after the grand speech. “I wish to become as I would be if a vampire had bitten me and I had completed the Change. I wish for the control demonstrated by the Cullen family, so that I might have the benefits of the Change without being a danger to my fellow humans. As the Bridge, I am within my rights to ask these things and ask that you grant my wish.”

I felt the power surge through me as I finished speaking, a rush of heat through every inch of me. I waited until it calmed, feeling dimly the sensation of my feet lifting from the floor and settling again, before I opened my eyes.

It was amazing. I could see every tiny detail of the scene in front of me, every leaf and every twig and every speck of dirt. I could hear every insect in the dense brush of the forest floor and smell the trails of a thousand different animals around me. They didn’t smell appealing, but I knew that was normal. I turned to my bag, and I was suddenly standing in the spot it had been in, the brown fabric between my hands. It was just like Bella had described in Breaking Dawn; as soon as an action was considered, it was done. I laughed to myself, and it sounded like the sound they use in theatres, when they put on Peter Pan, to announce Tinker-bell’s arrival and illustrate her speech.

I hooked my little compact mirror out of my bag and flipped it open. The face I saw looked like mine, just a little more rounded and grown up, though I couldn’t be sure that was a result of my Change, as I had yet to see the 18 year old me. I smiled at the golden eyes staring up at me, and my teeth glittered in eight colour rainbows. It was perfect, just what I wanted.

I put the mirror away and slung my bag over my shoulder again. It was light as a feather, despite the big Biology text book and new gym clothes that had joined my pencil case and notebooks. I sniffed, trying to catch the scent of my new home, finding it easily, even with the plethora of other smells attempting to catch my interest. Then I turned for home, took a deep, unnecessary breath, and began to run.

I laughed as the wind whistled past me. This was phenomenal! I rocketed through the trees, scaring the little animals around me and scattering a herd of elk as I barrelled past them. Something occurred to me then that hadn’t before. There was no burn in my throat, not even a little bit. I knew it never went away, no matter how much a vampire fed, and being close to my preferred food source should have kicked it up a notch, but I had felt nothing. I was nearly home, so I decided to enjoy it now and worry later.

I Changed back about a hundred metres from the edge of my lawn. I was right on the edge of wolf territory here, and an unfamiliar vampire scent might get them agitated and hostile. I didn’t want a fight.

But when I walked through the last of the trees, still smiling and exhilarated after my run, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks.

A russet brown wolf as tall as a horse was standing calmly in the middle of the grassy space, staring at my house with his head cocked slightly to one side. I gasped and the big head twisted around to stare at me with curious black eyes. I listened carefully, trying to pick up his thoughts.

What is it Jacob? A voice asked. It was floaty and distant, like a memory of the words, but I knew immediately that this was the sound of the pack mind. It was uncluttered, almost empty. There were only five wolves at the moment, at it seemed that only a few were present.

I’m not sure Sam, Jacob replied, his mind much stronger, loud and clear, because he was standing right in front of me. I came out to run the line, check the bloodsuckers aren’t taking liberties, and this house comes out of nowhere. It’s weird; the line just bends around it on both sides, like it’s neutral or something, but I don’t remember it ever being here, or re-arranging the line, or anything. Then this kid turns up, just the same, out of nowhere. This is really weird-can you see Sam? - she’s just staring at me like I’m interesting her.

I giggled. “You are interesting me Jacob.” I said, realising that I must have unconsciously shifted to my true age as I Changed, because my voice was higher, more childlike. I checked Jacob’s thoughts and... yes, I was fourteen again, just a girl.

I laughed again as his eyes popped wide and his jaw dropped. The very human expression looked absolutely hilarious on his animal face.

What the... Sam’s voice said, Jake, do you know her?

No sir, I can truthfully say that I have never seen this chick in my life. I don’t know how she knows who I am or how she has basically just answered my thoughts or why she’s looking at me like that or what she’s doing here or anything and I am just plain freaked right now. He stopped, mentally breathless and unable to say more. I laughed again.

“You’re funny Jake,” I said, “A big strong werewolf like you freaked out by a teenager like me. By the way,” I pursed my lips, trying not to giggle, “ you’re on my lawn.”

One sec, Jacob thought, turning to face me fully now, Can you hear my thoughts?

“Yup.”

Everything?

“If you’re thinkin’ it, I’m hearin’ it.”

So how do you know what we are? Sam asked. He was catching on.

“That’s... complicated. And very hard to explain, or believe. Perhaps another time.”

Aww come ON! Seriously? Your just gonna leave us hangin’ like that? another voice yelled. I winced.

Shut up Paul. Sam and Jacob said in sync.

But...

No buts. Sam’s voice was full of authority. We’ll trust you for now, he said to me. You obviously know what you’re getting yourself into by putting your house there. If you need us, feel free to call.

But Sam...

I SAID NO BUTS! Phase back Paul, we’ll discuss this later.

Fine.

Paul’s awareness faded into silence.

“Thank you,” I said, and I meant it, “He was giving me a headache.”

Yeah, Paul’s like that sometimes. Jacob chuckled. Like Sam said, anything you need, just come down to the Rez and we’ll do what we can to help, um...

“Becky.”

Becky, right. Well, talk to you later?

“Sure, come by any time after school. Oh wait, one sec.” I had to let the natural forces have there way. Staying my proper age was tiring me out pretty quickly. I closed my eyes and felt myself growing taller by an inch or two, my hair creeping from my chin to my shoulders, ageing me exactly 4 years. Jacob yelped.

“This is how I’ll look while I’m here, but what you saw before was the real me.” I smirked at him. “Toodles!”

I left a dumbfounded Jake standing on my lawn and went inside. That was fun.

***

I checked my watch again. 11:26. They would be here any minute. Knowing Edward, they would probably be early. Anyone else would have given up hoping that he would bring Bella with him, but I knew her. If he was going anywhere, she would insist on going with him.

I sat up. I had been lying in the soft, damp grass of the meadow, in the exact centre, reading New Moon again and waiting. I didn’t need to be a vampire to have super hearing. Now I could hear the rush of wind and light thudding of infrequent steps that accompanied Edward’s run. I shoved the book back into my bag and took out Twilight, then stood and faced the direction I knew they would come from.

The wind stopped. I heard the soft crunch as Bella landed on the ground, and then two more as she began to walk this way. Edward growled.

“What is it?” she whispered, clearly startled. Time to make myself known.

“Come now Edward,” I called, loud enough for Bella to hear me, “Don’t be silly. If you thought she was going to get hurt, why did you bring her?”

He growled again. I switched tracks, knowing I wasn’t going to get a civil response from him.

“Come on Bella, I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk. Edward wants me to explain myself, and I will, but you have to come out of the trees first.”

Bella appeared then, pulling a resigned looking Edward along behind her. I smiled, and her face lit up.

“Hi Becky!” she said, her voice bright and bubbly. Either Edward had told her everything or she had recognised my voice. I tested my hearing, finding that I could get around her shield, and realised it was the former.

“I’m glad he brought you Bella. I was worried he would be difficult, but then, you can be very creative when you want something. Shall we get started?” I held out the book, an invitation. Bella took a step forward, but Edward growled again and held her back. I groaned.

“Honestly! I know you’re protective, but I didn’t think even you could find fault in a book.”

He looked wary, but when she moved again, he let her go. I gave her the book and watched her studying the cover; the white hands, the red apple, the title and the line of text informing her that it was an international best-seller.

“Read the blurb.” I prompted.

“Out loud please.” Edward added. He hadn’t moved with Bella, and probably felt a bit left out. I smiled encouragingly at Bella and she flipped the book over.

“About three things I was absolutely certain,” she began. She didn’t continue. She was frozen in shock, her eyes wide as they scanned the extract and the short paragraph that followed. Her mouth dropped open, and there was a whooshing sound as Edward flashed across the grass, taking her into his arms and looking deep into her blank, staring eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

“It’s...it’s...it’s not possible!” she spluttered.

He gently eased the book out of her frozen hands and passed it to me.

“Read it.” he growled, his glare murderous. I didn’t argue with that look.

I spoke slowly, not emphasising any particular words or phrases. I knew this paragraph almost by heart, but I didn’t look up.

“About three things I was absolutely certain. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him, and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be, that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

I took a deep breath and looked up. “I won’t read any more. You can probably guess the rest. I just want you to know, this doesn’t make you less people. These books exist because of you, not the other way around.”

“These books?” Bella asked, her voice shaking a little.

I nodded. “There are four; Twilight and New Moon, which have already happened, and Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, which will happen in the next year. And no, you can’t read them.” I held up my hand to halt Edward’s protest. “If I let you see your future, it could be disastrous. And I’ll get in trouble for it. So you’ll have to be content with Alice for now. Speaking of which...” I cocked my head to the side, listening.

Yes, I could hear it clearly now, the approaching footsteps, light and quick.

Running.

And that mind! I listened to it, intrigued. It was a mind that lived forever two steps ahead of everyone else. Always in the future, seeing every inch that was decided and seeing the things that changed with every tiny decision. Such an original perspective, I’d never heard anything like it.

I turned to face the edge of the clearing, pushing the book back into my bag. Edward turned too. Bella looked confused.

“Alice is coming?” she asked, unsure.

“Yes.” I said, smiling. I unhooked my barrier, like I had with Edward earlier, letting Alice see me here. Her racing steps moved faster, and she broke through the trees, a streak of white skin and black hair and piercing gold eyes.

“Tell me,” she pleaded, her high voice trilling like a bird, “Tell me everything.”

I walked slowly towards her. I could feel the thrill I had fought to suppress all day bubbling up. I was well and truly star struck.

“Hello Alice,” I said, trying to control my voice, “My name is Becky. It’s so nice to finally meet you in person. You look lovely, of course. If you don’t mind, I haven’t got time to really explain it all right now. It will be easier to put it straight into your head. Do you mind?” I’d done it again, speaking too quickly, leaving her reeling.

She nodded, a look of conviction in her eyes. She could see that this was the only way.

“This may sting a little.”

I placed my hands on her cheeks and closed my eyes. I let it flow over me, and her, all the things I needed to share about me and The Necklace and the Sisters and the Multi-verse, and everything that I could do. She gasped a few times and winced once under my hands, but otherwise she seemed ok. I finished and let go.

Only to catch her again as she toppled forward. Edward was there in a second, lifting her off me before her weight became too much.

“Alice?” he asked, clearly worried.

“'m fine,” she mumbled, “'s jus' a headache.”

“You head home,” I encouraged him, “I’ll make sure Bella’s safe, don’t worry. You get Alice home and in bed. She just needs to lie down for a while.” I turned my eyes to Alice. “I can make you sleep if you’d like. A nap always gets rid of my headaches.”

She just shook her head, wobbling when the action made her dizzy.

Edward swung her up into his arms, and, with a parting ‘sleep well’ to me and Bella, disappeared into the dense forest.

Bella looked at me. “How are you gonna get me home?” she asked, speculation obvious in her eyes.

“Like this.” I said, smiling and taking her hand. I closed my eyes, instructing her to do the same, and snapped my fingers.

The next second, we were in Bella’s messy bedroom. She looked startled, but so much time around the supernatural had made her ‘a pro at weird’ as she put it. I smiled, wished her good night, and then teleported home to a well deserved hot shower and bed.

As I drifted to sleep, I heard a wolf howl in the distance. But it wasn’t pitiful or sad.

It was comforting.