Chapter Six: Alice!
I followed Bella through the woods, my steps hesitant as we made our way to the beach. She walked ahead, leading the way, while Jake and I followed behind. It seemed like Bella needed the distance, as if she couldn't bear to be too close to him after learning his secret.
"Werewolf huh?" I voiced, shifting my gaze to Jacob, who met it squarely. A gentle breeze swept through, teasing my hair and causing it to sway in the wind.
"You're not freaked out by it?" he queried, arching an eyebrow in disbelief. Normally, one's reaction would involve screams and a swift retreat.
"Discovering werewolves and vampires exist on the same day? Might be the highlight of my year," I quipped, a soft laugh escaping my lips. It was a moment of playful banter, and he responded with a grin, but offered a suspicious glance. "I'm fine, really," I said, lightly bumping into him. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. Must be a wolf thing.
"Wow, you're really handling this so well," Jake remarked, surprised that I wasn't hyperventilating or showing any signs of distress. I simply shrugged, not wanting to give away any hint that I had an inkling of this supernatural world. As I too was one of them.
"You don't even know the half of it," I muttered quietly, my eyes following Bella as she led the way ahead of us. Nevertheless, Jake hurried ahead, catching up with Bella. I hung back, giving them space to have their conversation in private.
I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my jacket, feeling the cool fabric against my skin. My eyes focused on the ground, observing how my feet sank slightly into the damp sand. Puddles of water created small reflections, remnants of the recent rainfall that had left its mark on the shore. I lingered at the edge of a sizable puddle, peering into its reflective surface. My gaze met the reflection of my own emerald green eyes, their depth reflecting the memories of the recent events that unfolded.
My emotions teetered on the edge of control, threatening to spiral out of control. The mere idea of the havoc I could have unleashed if I had persisted in preventing their fight sent a shiver down my spine. I shut my eyes tightly, as if hoping to banish that unsettling thought from my mind. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around myself, seeking comfort as my eyes fluttered open once more. As I gazed at my reflection, I could swear I saw a faint smile, as if something hidden within me was reaching out, visible only to my mirrored self.
I shook my head, observing the water's ripples, as if they were contradicting what I thought I had seen. Glancing over my shoulder, I noticed Jacob and Bella engaged in conversation. Jacob's stance was tense as he stood before her, the air thick with their exchange. But soon enough, a flicker of concern passed over his expression briefly, signalling that it wasn't a good sign.
.................
Bella confided in me about the dire situation. A vampire named Victoria, seeking revenge for her lover James's death at Edward's hands, was now targeting Bella. Jacob, determined to shield her from harm, affirmed that they were actively pursuing Victoria. After Bella shared the unsettling news, she drove me back home. I watched her and Jake drive off, the weight of their burden evident in their expressions. Jake hesitated, offering to station one of his pack members outside my house for protection. I reassured him that it wasn't necessary, understanding that Victoria's focus was squarely on Bella, not me.
I ascended the porch steps, the chilly evening air nipping at my cheeks. Retrieving my keys from my coat pocket, I slid them into the lock and turned, the mechanism clicking open. Gripping the doorknob, I pushed the door inward and stepped inside, greeted by the warmth of the house. With a soft click, I shut the door behind me, tossing my keys into a nearby dish.
"I'm home," I let my voice resonate through the familiar halls of our home. The sound of shuffling footsteps echoed from the direction of the kitchen. Moments later, my grandmother emerged from around the corner. She was enveloped in a cozy, oversized woollen cardigan that seemed to swallow her petite frame. The soft glow of the evening light illuminated her face, accentuating the warmth in her eyes behind her small, rounded glasses. Though delicate lines adorned the corners of her eyes, they only added to the wisdom and kindness that radiated from her gentle gaze.
"What's the matter?" Her gentle inquiry sliced through the air, cutting straight to the core of my emotions. It felt as though she could peer beyond the facade of my smile and delve into the depths of my soul with just a single glance. With a sigh, I ran fingers through my soft blonde locks, the familiar gesture of vulnerability in her presence.
"Do..." My voice wavered, struggling to find the courage to voice my inner turmoil. "Do you think I'm a monster?" The words hung heavy in the air, with the weight of my fears and insecurities. Her eyes widened in disbelief, mirroring the shock reverberating within my own heart.
"Absolutely not!" Her voice surged with reassurance as she closed the distance between us, a beacon of warmth in the dimly lit room. A small smile tugged at my lips in response to her unwavering support. "Why would you ever think that?" Her inquiry was laced with concern, her hand tracing a comforting path along my arm before intertwining with mine, grounding me in her steadfast presence.
"Werewolves and vampires are real," I declared, cutting straight to the heart of the matter, but her steady gaze remained unfazed, as if my revelation held no surprise. And truth be told, it didn't. Not to her. She had told me countless tales over the years. "I didn't believe you until now... I saw... Jacob transform into a wolf." With my Grams, there were no secrets when it came to the supernatural world. "He got into a fight with one of his friends, trying to protect Bella and me. As I watched them fighting... I just..." I paused, sighing deeply. "I tried to stop them, but I nearly lost control," I admitted softly, my eyes drifting away from my Grams.
"Charlotte," her voice was gentle and compassionate, making me raise my head back up to meet her warm gaze. "You've always struggled with keeping your emotions in check, but you're an empathic person. That's who you are, and you can't change that," her words enveloped me, and I managed a faint smile, acknowledging the truth in her words. "Come, let's sit," she guided me to the right, through the archway, and into the living room. We settled on the couch, her hand still intertwined with mine.
"Deep down, I believe you fear losing control because you've seen the consequences," her words stirred a mix of sadness and fear within me, though whether she was aware of the full extent or chose to keep it to herself remained unclear. "But darling, if you can't trust yourself, your magic won't trust you," she added, her tone gentle yet firm, emphasizing the importance of self-trust in wielding magic. "You're stronger than you think," she concluded, prompting me to lean in and embrace her. My arms enveloped her in a tight hug, and she accepted it graciously.
"I believe you. I do," I murmured against her chest, avoiding eye contact. "But I just don't want to hurt anyone," my voice was barely audible, softened by the warmth of her hand gently stroking my arm, providing some solace.
"It's up to you to find control. You've excelled in everything I've given you, just like your mother," Grams reminisced, evoking a smile at the memory. Though I might not have known my parents, she kept their memory alive for me. "Women in this family hold devastating power. I, your mother, and now you. We learned to control it by not fearing our power, but embracing it, allowing it to become a part of us," she explained, her tone not that of a lecture, but of sharing truth and experience.
I embraced her words, deepening the hug to express my gratitude for her guidance over the years. We remained there for a while, in tranquil silence, cherishing the embrace I didn't want to release. She was right; I had to confront my fear of losing control, acknowledging what I couldn't admit to myself outright.
..................
Lost in my grandmother's words, I found myself drifting through the rest of the school day without much interaction with Bella. Once classes were over, I headed straight home, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of control and power. With graduation looming ahead for us seniors, I wasted no time in tackling my homework as soon as I got home.
Finishing my homework, I glanced out of my window, greeted by the darkness of the night. My gaze drifted to the edge of the forest, its silhouette blending with the night sky. An unsettling feeling crept over me as I stared, captivated. Then, for the briefest moment, I could have sworn I saw a shadowy figure among the trees, obscured by the bushes. But what chilled me to the bone were the crimson eyes glowing, glinting in the darkness.
A sudden intake of breath caught in my throat, and just as quickly as they appeared, the mysterious eyes vanished. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that what I saw was real, not just a figment of my imagination. Hastily, I reached for my phone on the bedside table and dialled Bella's number, only to be greeted by her voicemail. The same result came when I tried Jacob's number. Frustration simmered as I lowered my phone, realizing I was on my own. However, a sense of security washed over me as I remembered the protective boundary spell my Grams had cast around our house when we first moved in.
With my grandmother out for our weekly shopping, the house felt eerily empty as I left my room and descended the creaky wooden staircase. Determination set in as I reached the front door, grabbing my jacket before stepping out into the cool night air. The decision was made. "I needed to check on Bella, see if she was home, and tell her what I saw.
Leaving the warmth of the house, a shiver raced down my spine, despite the absence of any breeze. I descended down the porch steps and began to walk down the path to the sideway. But I halted in my path and felt an intense gaze upon me. Following this pull; my gaze fell upon a redhead illuminated by a streetlight. Her curls framed her face like a halo, but the sight filled me with dread. I recognized her instantly, Victoria. Fear gripped me tight. I staggered backwards, feeling like I'd stumbled into a nightmare. In the blink of an eye, she vanished, but the unease lingered, refusing to dissipate.
As I pivoted to retreat indoors, my heart racing, I was suddenly confronted by piercing red eyes, freezing me in my tracks. Without conscious thought, my magic surged, a primal force propelling her sideways as though she'd been struck by an invisible truck. It was that powerful. I didn't linger to ascertain her intentions, instead opting to turn away. Yet, as I shifted my gaze, a momentary blur obscured my vision, and suddenly, my surroundings seemed to shift.
Outside Bella's house, my heart hammered against my ribcage, the adrenaline from the encounter still coursing through my veins. I stood there in disbelief, stunned by the sudden display of power I hadn't known I possessed. Gradually, my breathing steadied as the realization of my safety settled in. With determined steps, I hurried up the porch steps, my hand trembling as I grasped the door handle and pushed it open. It swung inward easily, revealing the familiar interior, and I stepped inside, relieved to find it unlocked.
"Bella!" As I called out her name, the sound echoed through the empty house, resonating off the walls. Closing the door with a soft click, I ventured further inside, my senses alert. The living room greeted me with emptiness, prompting a swift turn to head towards the kitchen. Yet, just as I was about to step through the doorway, a sudden presence halted me in my tracks.
Startled, I whirled around to find a petite figure standing in the doorway, her golden eyes locking onto mine. A gasp escaped my lips as I instinctively placed a trembling hand over my racing heart. Her appearance was ethereal, her skin a pallid contrast to the darkness of her hair, which fell in a sleek bob. Despite the unfamiliarity of her face, there was a strange sense of recognition that coursed through me. How did I know she was a Cullen when Bella had only spoken of Edward?
"Are you one of the Cullens?" I asked, my eyebrow raised in curiosity, my breathing gradually steadying, though I knew she could likely hear the thumping of my heart.
"Alice," she replied with a wide smile, a glint of recognition shining in her eyes as if she already knew that I wasn't going to freak out.
"I'm Charlotte, Bella's friend," I responded confidently, feeling no need to fear her presence.
"More than a friend, if you know," Alice replied softly, indicating to her for a mere moment, her demeanour exuding an aura of warmth and happiness that enveloped the room. I mean I did tell Bella I was a witch before she told me about Edward. Her face saddened as if she had some news to tell me or something.
Before she could utter another word, Alice disappeared before my very eyes, and simultaneously, the front door swung open. Then, the lights flickered on, and a gasp echoed through the hallway as I stepped forward to see Bella.
"Alice?!" Bella exclaimed, rushing towards her friend and enveloping her in a tight embrace. "Oh, my God! What are you?!"
"Bella!" Alice's reply was filled with shock as they parted from their embrace.
"I'm sorry. I just... I can't believe you're here," Bella spoke, her disbelief evident. "I-Is..." Her words trailed off, lost in her thoughts, likely wanting to inquire about Edward. As I stepped forward, a floorboard creaked under my weight, causing Bella to turn and meet my gaze. "Charlotte?! What are you--"
"Would you like to explain to me how you're alive?" She asked franticly, confusion evident in her eyes and facial expression. I arched an eyebrow, wondering what she was talking about.
"What?" Bella asked, clearly puzzled by Alice's statement.
"I saw a vision of you. You jumped off a cliff," Alice stated matter-of-factly. I stepped forward, my eyebrow arching even higher, arms crossed over my chest as I fixed a piercing stare on Bella. She shifted uncomfortably under my gaze.
"Why in the hell would you try to kill yourself?! What about Charlie? What about--" Alice's questions poured out, her eyes briefly flickering to me, adding me into the mix.
"I didn't try to kill myself," Bella interjected, cutting off Alice. "I was cliff jumping. Recreationally. It was fun." I knew Bella well enough to recognize when she was lying, and there was definitely more to her story than she was letting on.
"I don't know whether to hug you or kill you," I declared, my tone dead serious as Bella finally turned to look at me with a sheepish expression. "Go sit, I'll make you some tea," I gestured towards the couch as Bella offered me a smile, and she and Alice went into the living room and sat down.
In the kitchen, I popped the kettle on and waited for it to boil. Their conversation drifted in from the living room. Bella asked if Alice had told Edward about the vision, but Alice replied that he only called every few months and preferred to be alone.
"Bella, what's that God-awful wet dog smell?" Alice asked in disgust, her voice carrying into the kitchen. Bella admitted that it was probably her, that it was Jacob, his scent probably all over her. Then she told Alice that he was a werewolf.
"Bella! Werewolves are not good company to keep," Alice exclaimed, her voice raised. Just then, heavy footsteps approached from behind.
"Speak for yourself," Jake interjected. Alice sprang up from the couch and turned to him, while I entered the room from behind. There was a pause as both Bella and he locked eyes. "I had to see you were safe," Jacob explained, his gaze shifting from Bella to me. "Both of you," he added, causing my heart to skip a beat, knowing he cared for us both.
"I thought you couldn't protect me here," Bella questioned Jake, her eyes also darting to me for confirmation.
"Guess I don't care," Jake shrugged, his love for Bella evident in his every move. It was clear to anyone who looked.
"Well, I'm not gonna hurt them," Alice assured in her sweet tone, her sincerity shining through.
"No, you're just a harmless Cullen," Jake retorted, his gaze fixing on Alice. "I'm talking about the other bloodsucker who tried to kill Bella because of you."
"Victoria?" Alice turned to Bella with a puzzled expression.
"Yeah, Victoria's been around," Bella responded casually, omitting the near-death encounter she'd had.
"I didn't see her," Alice admitted, her gaze drifting from Bella. "I didn't see you get pulled out of the water, either," realisation dawned on her that something was interfering with her visions. "I can't see past you and your pack of mutts," Alice stated, casting a disdainful glance at Jake.
"Don't get me upset," Jake warned, advancing slowly towards Alice, a hint of threat in his movement.
"Hey, stop, stop, stop," Bella interjected, stepping off the couch and positioning herself between Alice and Jake, hoping to diffuse the tension. She exchanged silent words with Alice through their eye contact.
"I'll give you a minute," Alice replied softly.
"I'll go too, leave you to talk," I offered, moving towards Alice as we made our way to the door.
"Hey," Bella called out, halting Alice and me. "You're not going anywhere. You're gonna come back, right?" She pleaded, her desperation to keep Alice around palpable, knowing she was her only link to Edward.
"As soon as you put the dog out," Alice quipped with a smirk. I couldn't help but grin at her remark. With a swift turn, she opened the door and stepped out first, with me following behind, giving Bella a reassuring smile before closing the door. I hoped I would be safe being left alone with a vampire...
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