I woke before dawn, which was disappointing. I prefer the poetic drama of oversleeping on important days. Edward had promised to take me to meet his family in their natural habitat. Which, apparently, was a baseball field during a thunderstorm. A fitting pastime for immortals with too much free time and superhuman strength.
I descended the stairs to find Charlie at the kitchen table, cleaning his gun with exaggerated focus. This was his version of parental anxiety, nonverbal and vaguely threatening.
"Morning, kid." he muttered.
"Morning." I replied. "I'll be gone most of the day. I'm meeting Edward for baseball."
Charlie blinked. "Baseball? You?"
"Yes. I intend to swing the bat with enough force to summon new weather patterns."
He set the gun down, expression shifting to fatherly concern, a condition he suffers from often.
"Before you go— Edward. I wanna meet him."
As if summoned by the awkward tension, a soft knock sounded at the door. Iopened it. Edward stood there, perfectly composed, as if the world bent itself to keep him immaculate.
"Morning." he said.
"Charlie wants to vet your existence." I told him.
Edward's smiled. "I know." He stepped inside. Charlie looked him over like he was inspecting a suspect.
"Sir, I'm Edward Cullens." Edward said, polite to the point of agony, "I'll take good care of Wednesday today."
"I don't need care." I said. "I once incapacitated six armed thugs with a stapler and poor lighting."
Charlie sighed so deeply it could've powered a wind turbine. "Just— be careful. Both of you."
Edward nodded solemnly. "Of course."
I grabbed my coat and stepped outside before either of them could manufacture more worry.
The forest was alive with storm winds by the time we reached the clearing. Thunder cracked above us like celestial applause. The Cullens waited on the field—Alice bouncing, Emmett grinning, Rosalie eyeing me, Jasper trying to look less like a war ghost.
I tilted my head. "You play baseball in thunderstorms? How poetic."
Emmett laughed. "Only time we can hit hard without drawing attention."
Edward added, "Thunder hides the sound."
I imagined one of them hitting the ball with enough force to decapitate a bystander. It made perfect sense.
Alice handed me a glove—child-sized, compared to her enthusiasm. "You're playing!"
"I assumed as much."
They took their positions. I stood at home base, waiting for the game to start. Lightning split the sky, thunder boomed, and the game began.
Alice smirked. "It's time." Her pitching skills were as I expected, non-human.
Rosalie hit the first ball so hard it vanished into the clouds. Edward chased after it with the speed of a possessed hummingbird.
"Edward is the fastest in the family." Esme mentioned.
"How lucky I am." I reluctantly added.
As they all played, it was fascinating to watch. A family of vampires, having fun. This must be a rare moment where they feel like a family.
When it was my turn at bat, I planted my feet, swung with precision, and sent the ball skimming through the trees like a furious meteor.
Emmett whooped. "Nice!"
Edward's smile was almost proud. "She's terrifying."
"Thank you." I said.
As I was about to sprint to first base, Alice suddenly froze, her expression turning sharp.
"Stop! Someone's here."
The Cullens tensed as if struck by lightning. They ran towards me as if trying to protect me.
"We're leaving." Edward demanded as he grabbed my arm.
"It's too late." Carlisle said.
Edward looked tense, protective, angry. I kind of liked it. "Stay behind me."
This time I had no smart remark, I was more curious at what they were afraid of. Three figures emerged from the mist: Laurent, Victoria, and James. They moved gracefully, predatory, curious.
Laurent bowed his head pleasantly as he introduced them. "We had no idea this territory was occupied."
Carlisle smiled, almost forcibly. "We retain a permanent residence close by."
Laurent smiled. "Well, our apologies. We heard the game. Is it ok if we join?"
Edward stepped closer to me. Subtle but protective. I pretended not to notice.
Introductions were as tense as one might expect with apex predators exchanging pleasantries.
Then the wind shifted. James inhaled. His eyes snapped to me.
"A snack?"
The forest seemed to exhale all at once. Edward stiffened, teeth clenched. Jasper and Emmett moved subtly into flanking positions along with the rest of the family. Victoria's smile sharpened, foxlike.
Laurent raised his hands peaceably. "We didn't know. We don't want trouble."
James, however, looked hungry— physically, mentally, spiritually hungry.
Edward's hand slipped into mine, grip cold but fierce.
Laurent tugged on James' arm. "We're leaving."
"That's right, listen to daddy." I remarked.
For a moment I thought James would lunge anyway. But he turned with deliberate slowness and followed the others into the trees, casting one last hungry glance over his shoulder.
Only when the forest swallowed them did the Cullens relax—slightly.
Carlisle stepped forward, voice clipped. "Edward. Take Wednesday home now."
Edward didn't argue. His grip tightened. He sat me in the car, quickly putting my seatbelt on. Then we drove away. We moved toward the trees as if we were running from death itself . Branches blurred past. The storm rumbled like an omen.
Edward looked bothered. "We have to get you far away."
"Why? Are you afraid of someone else stealing me from you?"
However, Edward wasn't in a joking mood. A little embarrassing I'll admit.
"James noticed my gaze toward him. He sees this as a challenge. This is a game to him now."
I love games, but it seemed like this isn't one I'm able to play.
"And I'm assuming I won't be able to return to Charlie's house?"
"No, that's the first place he'll look. You'd be in danger."
Somewhere between adrenaline and dread, I actually cared about Charlie. "If I don't go, will Charlie die on my behalf?"
Edward drive silent for a few seconds, debating between telling me a truth or a lie.
"I don't know."
I actually started to feel bad, I had to think of something. And fast. My body felt as if I'd been running a 300 mile dash in high heels.
After critical thinking, I finally figured out how to trick an unwanted vampire. "I have a plan."
Charlie may be stubborn, oblivious, and armed, but he doesn't deserve weaponized teenage melodrama The poor soul.
I stepped into the house calmly, as if I wasn't being stalked by a supernatural predator with a fondness for human blood. Charlie looked up from the couch.
"You're home early."
"I need to pack." I said.
He blinked. "Pack? For what?"
"I'm going to stay with the Cullens for a few days. School project. Group work. Forced socialization. I'm already suffering."
He frowned. "Now? It's late."
"Better late than early. Teenagers make terrible morning people."
Charlie studied me, concern knitting his brows together. "You sure everything's okay?"
I kept my expression smooth. "Everything's fine. But if anyone calls, I'm out of town on school business. Tell them nothing else. Mystery enhances my credibility."
He stared… then exhaled. "Alright, kid. Call me when you get there."
"No promises."
I walked to my room, locked the door, and began packing with surgical efficiency. Edward was there to help pack, clothes, journal, knives, anti-tracking powder made from ash and graveyard soil. You know. Essentials.
"I'll be in the truck." He says in that same tone before jumping out of the window again. I'll never get tired of seeing that.
When my bag was full, I stepped back into the hallway, gave Charlie a simple, "Try not to die while I'm gone."
He sighed. "I'll do my best."
I barely drove away before a quiet thud hit the roof. Edward.
He crouched on the top like a predatory gargoyle, less Batman, more overprotective Victorian vampire-boyfriend.
He slid down the windshield and opened the driver's side door, slipping in smoothly.
"Your plan," he said, "will it work?"
I slid over to sit in the passenger seat beside him. "I've fooled fae lords, poltergeists, and the IRS. One undead tracker is nothing."
He blinked. "…The IRS?"
"Long story." I buckled my seatbelt. "Point is: James is observant. Predictable hunters are easy to manipulate. I left just enough clues that he'll assume I'm going somewhere I've been living my whole life."
"So he'll think you're running to another city." Edward finished.
"Humans flee. I don't."
Just as the truck started, a heavy THUMP hit the roof. Emmett.
He grinned in through the passenger rearview mirror like an excited, muscular golden retriever. "Let's go, little human!"
"I'm not little." I said. "You're simply unnaturally large."
He laughed and climbed into the truck bed, cracking his knuckles like he hoped something would attack us so he could use them. Behind us, headlights flashed.
Alice, following in her car, face firm with determination—and a hint of glee. She enjoys chaos more than she admits.
We pulled into the Cullen driveway. The house glowed like a sterile sanctuary of very expensive anxiety.
We entered the house and spotted Laurent with Carlisle. Edward of course, became defensive.
"Wait!" Carlisle held out his hand. "He is not a threat. He came here to warn us."
Laurent looked.. bothered. "This isn't my fight. I'm through playing this game." He faced me. "James is an extraordinary tracker. Once he starts he won't stop until he wins. And Victoria.." He faces Edward as he began to leave. "Don't underestimate her."
Laurent left instantly after that. Edward looked at me, confused. I myself wondered whose side Laurent was really on.
The garage doors slid open. Inside, Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, and Rosalie stood around the vehicles like generals at a war council. Maps, clothes, scents, routes.
Alice rushed to my side, taking my hands. "You're not scared."
"I don't have time for fear. It ruins decision-making."
Jasper watched me with quiet fascination,probably cataloging my emotions and finding a disturbing lack of the expected ones.
Carlisle began outlining the plan. Edward interrupted to glare at everyone who breathed near me. Emmett cracked his knuckles again just to feel involved. Rosalie complained but complied, grumbling like a glamorous chainsaw.
I stood in the center of them all, calm as a sharpened blade. James wanted a frightened victim. Unfortunately for him, he got me.
And I already had a counterattack forming in the back of my mind.