The Forgotten Child-Twilight

Chapter 28 - Part 1

Synopsis: Carlisle and Christopher are captured, but then later manage to escape the Volturi yet again, but with an unlikely ally.

ANOTHER CAPTURE

Two weeks after I had found Christopher at the church I decided to go hunting again. I was attempting to curb my appetite towards human blood, but I was finding it difficult.

It was a freezing night as I sped deeply inside the forest, but that didn't bother me. I finally found some deer and made due with them...however they tasted awful.

When I returned to my cottage, again Christopher was no longer to be found. I'd have to scour the countryside again to search for him. Perhaps he'd be in one of the many churches that were here and about.

I suddenly noticed the stench of vampires within the cottage...two of the scents were easy for me to recognize as the scents of both Felix and Demitri.

Before I could ascertain the last smell I head a voice say, "Good evening, Carlisle."

I turned to meet the red-eyed gaze of Santiago.

"The boy's been captured, Felix and Demetri are on their way to Volturi with him as we speak," said Santiago

Suddenly Santiago virtually disappeared before my very eyes.

They knew...they all knew that as long as they had Christopher that I was putty in their hands. I was instantly in flight toward Volturi, where I knew where my son would be held prisoner again.

Days passed and I was eventually nearing Aro's palace. I didn't even receive an escort inside which is usually the norm. I made my way to the throne room, however Demetri, Felix and Jane were standing outside.

"You're not allowed to enter the throne room at this current time," said Jane.

"But, Jane, they have my son and I've ran all way back to Volturi!" I said to her.

Jane only replied, "That is irrelevant, you will be called when Aro wants to see you."

I knew not to bicker with Jane. Although she appeared this angelic twelve-year-old, I knew better than to disobey her. I had seen Jane's power of pain used upon others, and I did not want to experience it myself."

I went to one of the lower empty chambers to angrily sulk. I honestly had no idea how I could possible get Christopher away from here. He could possibly construct a new mental barrier wall....but he didn't even know if I were even here to help him. Perhaps, Singer had been right afterall....perhaps I should have let my son go with Singer to find their own people.

I just stood there and sulked, because there was nothing better to do.

I stood there for over a week...dust began to settle on my granite like body.

Then one day the vampire Alexandra entered. So, they had caught Alexandra the prophetess yet again. She moved her flowing long black hair away from her face so that she could see me with her pitch black eyes.

"If you had let your son go with Singer he would be with his own people instead of the evil Volturi," Alexandra stated.

I was shocked because Alexandra rarely spoke, most of the Volturi thought her insane, but they desired her because of her gift of seeing the future.

I tried to ignore her but she kept on speaking.

"You should actually be ashamed of yourself, Carlisle, treating the boy as if he were some type of toy," accused Alexandra.

"I don't treat my son like a toy!" I hissed.

"Yes Carlisle, you do. You still view your son as a small child. The truth is that he's actually wiser than you are," Alexandra insisted.

I just stared into Victoria's mysterious face with her black eyes.

"The boy only acts as a child because he knows you like it. The child loves you and lives to please you and make you happy," Alexandra said.

"Nonsense.. You're manipulating the truth," I told her as I shook my head.

Alexandra said, "You should have let the boy go to his people when he had that chance.... The boy is not immortal....and he never will be."

I tried to turn away from her as she said, "One day the boy will die and it will sting your heart."

She quickly turned away from me and left.

Soon, Santiago entered and said, "Aro is ready for you now."

I followed Santiago to the throne room and saw Aro, Cauis, and Marcus on their thrones. Alongside them were a host of guards.

My son was also there...again Christopher was dressed in a white robe and chained to the wall. He appeared worn and had dark circles around his eyes.

Aro looked upon me and said, "Christopher still refuses to sing."

"He can't help that," I thundered, "That's not his fault."

Christopher looked speechless and horrified.

"I want to try something special," said Aro, "Something that will convince our young Singer to sing again."

"Lucy," Aro said softly.

I remembered when Aro had discovered Lucy...he had actually stolen her from another vampire coven because of her gift.

Lucy's power is that she could practically drain her victim's body of all life substantial fluids. Her victims ended up like dried out prunes or raisins. It was a painful experience judging from her victim's screams.

"Please drain Carlisle...would you Lucy?" Aro commanded.

Lucy's red eyes turned upon me and I felt it at once...as all my vital fluids began to leave my body.

I had been in my prime when I had been changed.

As a human, I was always fed very well, so my face was a bit fuller than most. I also had a robust build...not fat...but healthily muscled.

I was an extremely handsome human when I was alive...I had a great build and dark blue eyes and the softest honey blonde hair.

When I was turned, I became impossibly beautiful and handsome.

But all this was changing now as I felt my vital fluids leave my body. I could hear Christopher's screams begging for mercy for me. When I looked into Christopher's eyes I know he could barely recognize me, as I was just a dried out husk.

- continued -