23: Katie

KATIE'S POVMarch 16th

I blinked awake, groggy, to the sound of Billy's low, gravelly voice. I had warmed up considerably next to Jacob, and my hands no longer felt frozen from the cold.

The door opened, and the light flickered on. Jacob and I sat up straighter when Billy came in. He didn't seem concerned with how we were entangled on the couch. Billy's face looked sad, solemn.

I blinked back tears. "Oh, no, Billy." Bella said, low and sympathetic.

He nodded slowly, expression hard with grief. Jacob was the first to stand up, rushing to clasp hands with his father. I could see his pain, in the way his shoulders curled inward.

Bella and I made eye contact, then. We were outsiders here. This wasn't our place.

But then Jacob angled his shoulders outward, and like gravity, I turned towards him. I strode to his side, resting my head on Jacob's shoulder. However much I wanted to comfort Billy, to hold his hand... I couldn't. Because, if I did, i'd see how deeply this was hurting him. And that was a violation that I couldn't— wouldn't do.

So, I gently rubbed my hand up Billy's back, trying to be as comforting as I could. "I'm sorry, Billy." I said, voice hoarse. After that, we were silent.

Sam opened the door, expression having lost all of the brightness and life I had seen before. "I'm so sorry," Bella ventured.

"It's going to be hard all around. You two should go support Charlie. He's at the hospital with Sue. He needs you." Billy said, voice still low. "There's a lot of arrangements to be made."

I swallowed hard. We all watched as Sam left, and then Billy. It felt quiet.

We all sat on the floor, shoulder to shoulder. Jacob tucked his head into the crook of my neck with a shuddering sigh. I lifted an arm and ran my hand through his hair.

Bella rested a hand on my other shoulder, somewhat awkwardly, but I understood what she was doing. And it was like it had been months ago, when we shared a bed and I rubbed circles on her back to soothe the nightmares away.

I felt like a child. Hopeless and devastated.

"I'll be right back," Jacob whispered to us, and untangled from our trio. I watched him stalk towards Billy's room, his eyes rimmed with red, and my heart felt heavy.

"I feel terrible," Bella said. I turned to her, and I could see it, too.

"Are you feeling okay physically?" I asked, observing her features. She was pale and, now that I was paying attention, her hand was freezing cold. "We should've taken you to the doctor."

"I'll be okay," she murmured.

I covered her hand with the back of mine. "I know you will."

Jacob emerged not much later, car keys in his palm. "Let's get you two home before Charlie gets back from the hospital."

I shook my head. "You should stay here with Billy. I can drive home."

Jake shook his head. "We still haven't caught the bloodsucker, remember?"

"Jake—"

I begin to protest, but he grabs my arms to look me in the eyes. "I can't take any risks now, okay? I won't let you out of my sight until all of this is finished once and for all."

I glance back to Bella, who's brows are furrowed, but she nods. And that's enough for me to follow Jake out the door and to my car.

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I stare out of the car window the whole way back to the house, feeling guilty. I wish I had been there for them when it... happened. I wish I had convinced Bella to get down and start thinking rationally. But I didn't. And it was another mistake I could never take back.

When Jake pulls into the driveway, something feels... off. Bella opens her door, and a gust of chill air drifts into the cab of the car. It takes a second to resonate, but suddenly Jake and I still at the same time. "Holy shit," Jake curses, reaching over Bella to slam her door. He twists the key in the ignition, pulling into reverse.

"What?" Bella asks, voice high. She glances out the window quickly.

"Vampire," I choke out, head throbbing.

Jacob closed his eyes, murmuring to himself. "Phase, or get her out of here..." he said it so quietly that I wasn't sure he knew he was speaking out loud. "Get her out," he decided, turning to scan my expression.

The engine caught with a roar. He must've seen the answer in my eyes, because Jake seemed set on flying us out of here, if necessary.

"Wait!" Bella shrieked, throwing open her door. "It's the Cullens!"

Then, I saw what she had. A black, glossy car. One that looked suspiciously like Carlisle's car. I knew, because I had driven in it to school dozens of times in the last year. Before they left, of course.

She hopped out of the car cautiously, creeping closer to the Mercedes. "Bella!" I shouted, throwing open my door to follow her. Jacob caught my hand, panicked, tugging me back inside. "I have to follow her!"

"It's not safe. I can't—" He looked torn. I could tell this was eating him up. "Katie, please."

Bella had reached the car. "Jake, that's the Cullens' car. That's why she's running inside. I need to go after her—"

"If it's the Cullens, I can't protect you. This is their territory. I'd break treaty if I defended you. I can't leave you defenseless." Tremors rocked his body, and I could tell he was fighting every instinct to either turn or flee.

I hated the pain I was causing him. "I can't leave Bella defenseless. Can't you see? They ruined her. If they're back— if any of them are back?" I couldn't finish the sentence. "She's not going to listen. She's going to investigate."

"Then let her. If it's the Cullens, they won't hurt her physically, right?" His eyes were glossy and hard. This choice was hurting him.

"And if it's not the Cullens?" My voice had risen an octave in my panic. "Please."

Jacob squeezed his eyes shut. His inhale was shallow. "Be careful. Please. I'm going to go to the woods. I need to alert Sam. If anything goes south... tell me?" I knew what he meant.

Promise, I pushed into his mind, caressing his cheek.

I followed Bella's lead, creeping up the steps and to the front door. The lights weren't on, and the door was still locked.

Bella slid the key into the lock with trembling hands, pushing the door open. I searched the walls blindly for the light switch, holding my breath, and when I finally flicked on the light, Bella gasped.

Standing there, in the flesh, was Alice Cullen. I had almost forgotten how unnaturally still Vampires were, how pale their skin was. Her black eyes were wide, scanning over Bella.

She hurled herself at Alice with a desperation I'd never seen before. "Alice, oh, Alice!" She cried.

Alice looked confused. Confused, and relieved. "Bella? How—" she turned to me, as if realizing I was there.

I frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Bella's cries had turned to shuddering sobs. My face twisted as I watched the scene. Seeing Alice... she had forgotten I was there. Call it stupid, but I had thought... I dunno, that maybe she had finally forgotten about the Cullens. Had found more comfort our bond more than she found in the vampires.

I guess I was wrong.

Alice led Bella to the couch, rubbing circles on her back. When Bella finally looked up, Alice asked, "Would you like to explain to me how you two are alive?"

It hit me— she had seen us jump. Had assumed that we died. That's why she was here. "You saw me fall?" Bella asked, voice thick with emotion.

"No, I saw you jump." She shook her head. "I told him this would happen, but he wouldn't listen. 'Bella promised. Don't be looking for her future, either. We've done enough damage.'" Her Edward impersonation was spot-on. I watched Bella's shock with disdain.

Us Swans were silent. So, she continued. "Just because I'm not looking doesn't mean I don't see. I wasn't keeping tabs on you, Bella, I swear. I'm just attuned to you. When I saw you jump... I hopped on a plane. I knew I'd be too late, but I couldn't stop myself. I thought at least I could help Charlie or something. But then you drive up..." she shook her head. "I saw you go down, and not come back up, Bella. And Katie— just standing there and watching her jump in? That was stupid. Plain stupid. Did either of you stop to think what this would do to Charlie? To Edward?"

Bella cut her off at the mention of Edward. "Alice, I wasn't committing suicide."

Alice eyed her suspiciously. "Are you trying to say you didn't jump off a cliff?"

"No, we did. It was for... recreational purposes only." I could tell Bella wanted to elaborate, to ramble. "And Katie didn't just stand there. She jumped in after me."

Alice's eyes darted to me. "What?"

I crossed my arms over my chest. "You didn't see Jacob pull us out of the water?" Alice stayed silent. "I pulled her to the surface. She was unconscious. The current was too strong, so Jake swam to us and helped tow her in. Performed CPR. You didn't see any of that?"

"Someone pulled you out?" Alice asked, stunned.

"Must we repeat ourselves?" I snapped, unable to contain my anger. She had no right to be here. She left. "And clearly, we're fine."

Suddenly, Alice sniffed Bella's shoulder. "Who was outside with you two? I heard arguing."

"Jacob Black," Bella offered. She looked to me for support.

"My best friend." I waved dismissively. She didn't deserve an explanation.

"So... if the current was too strong, how did Jacob pull you in?"

I swallowed. "He's strong."

"He's a werewolf." Bella said at the same time. I turned to her, eyes wide, feeling betrayed.

"That explains the smell," Alice scrunched her nose. "But does it explain what I didn't see?"

"The smell?" Bella asked, looking self-conscious.

Alice nodded. "You two reek. Especially Katie." She didn't say it to be offensive, but I was quick to anger. "Are you sure he's a werewolf?"

Bella nodded. "It's... new. He has been for a couple of weeks."

Alice groaned. "A new werewolf? Bella, that's even worse! Only you would hang out with the most temperamental monsters you could find once all of the vampires left."

I snapped. "Thanks for showing up, Alice, but we're alive. That's all you came here for, right? I think it's time you leave."

Bella ignored me. "Not all of the vampires left. That's the whole trouble. If it weren't for the wolves, Laurent and Victoria would have gotten me by now."

Alice stilled. "Victoria? Laurent?" She hissed, looking about as angry as I felt.

"Danger magnet, remember?" Bella joked. It was worrying how comfortable she was becoming again. Clearly, Alice wouldn't stay for long. And Bella would be bad again.

"Tell me everything. Start at the beginning."

I couldn't handle it anymore. I stalked out of the room as Bella began to recap everything for her, feeling so hopeless again. So utterly hopeless. Because I had been clearly cast aside.

I laid my forearms on the counter and rested my head on them, savoring the cool countertop. I eavesdropped on their conversation, though, not fully trusting them alone.

"Our leaving didn't do you any good at all, did it?" Alice murmured.

No, I wanted to say. She was miserable. And it's your fault.

Bella laughed, slightly hysterically. "Well, it's not like you left for my benefit."

"I probably shouldn't have intruded." Alice said eventually. I stood, then.

"Please don't leave," Bella pleaded, so desperately that it physically pained me. "Don't go."

I wished I could see their expressions. "I'm not going anywhere tonight. You look terrible, Bella."

"I drowned today."

"It goes deeper than that. You're a mess."

"I'm doing my best."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Alice, what did you expect to find? Me skipping around, singing show tunes? That's not me."

My chest contracted painfully.

"I do. But I hoped."

The phone rang, then, and I went back into the living room so I could be the first to pick it up. "Charlie?"

"Katie," Jacob said, relieved. "Thank God. I'm glad you're alive."

A weight was lifted off my shoulders as soon as I heard his voice. I turned towards Bella and Alice, expression sour. "Yeah."

"Are you okay?" His voice was breathless.

"Fine." I couldn't very well explain how I was feeling with them in the same room. "Did you tell them?"

"Yes. Sam's not happy."

I sighed. "I don't think she's staying for long."

"She?" Jacob sounded confused.

"I'll tell you soon. Just... don't go far?" I begged, not caring that Bella and Alice could clearly hear me.

"Of course." Jacob said.

I looked back at the pair on the couch. "Call back in an hour?"

"Half an hour." Jacob negotiated. "I still don't like not knowing what's going on."

"Okay," I agreed. "Half an hour."

"Be safe," Jacob whispered, and hung up the phone.