Resilient

Chapter Twenty-Three: Do Vampires Posses Brain Cells?

        I tried to smile for the sake of Bella, but it came out as more of a sneer. I watched in utter impatience as Edward was introduced to Charlie. I did not like Bella bringing him into this mess. I knew she wasn't telling Charlie what they were, but they are still vampires, whether he knows or not. Luckily for me the introductions did not last long and I was soon leaping from the driveway into a massive jeep. There I was forced to endure a half hour of Edwards reckless driving. We lurched along trails until we reached a sort of field. The rest of the Cullen family was there, all doing various activities. Thunder rumbled in the distance. I was seriously considering just staying in the jeep the whole time, but I forced my unwilling feet to move and followed a couple paces behind Bella and her boyfriend. Edward delivered Bela to the motherly figure of the Cullen family Esme.

"I'm glad you two are here. We could use some more umpires." She said. Emmett had wandered over and chose this time to speak up.
"She thinks we cheat." He said with a grin that left no doubt of the fact that he most definitely did cheat.

"I know you cheat." Esme said with a tired, yet fond glance toward the bear-like man. "Call them as you see them girls." She smiled at us. I gave a ghost of a smile back, then began trekking toward the far tree line. I had no intention of participating in the game, but I still felt as though I had to be here for some reason. There was something that didn't feel right. The faintest whisper of something that wasn't right in the wind. Too faint to grasp, but enough to feel.

"It's time." I heard Alice announce just as a loud rumble of thunder rolled. Then the game started. I was surprised. I was absorbed in the game. Granted, I could not see much, seeming as they moved two fast, but what I did see was impressive to say the very least. On a good day I tolerated sports, never before had I so thoroughly enjoyed a game of baseball. To be fair they did not play within normal standards. In a way I hated the fact that I was enjoying it. I would much rather have hated it so I had a good reason to be angry and to tell Edweirdo that he was nothing special. But with this display it would be a clear lie. I am sure I looked like an awe-struck five year old. I moved a little close after I watched Bella announce to the blonde that she was out. The glare she gave her could rival mine. I did not like Rosalie at all, nor did I trust her. Nonetheless the game continued. And I am 99% positive I saw Edward flip off Emmett after they ran into each other jumping after the ball. Jasper was up next to bat, as of course he nailed the ball. Before Edward could take off to chase it Alice suddenly screeched.

"Stop!" The Cullen family immediately did as she said, obviously used to this. Edward got a far away look on his face as he read into her mind. "They were leaving. Then they heard us. They're coming." The Cullens all seemed to understand, but I remained confused, as did Bella. Edward suddenly sped over to Bella a furious and predatory look in his face.

"Put your hair down." He all but snarled at her. Rosalie scoffed.

"Like that'll work, I could smell her across the field." She said, seeming very disgusted. Edward ignored her, too focused on positioning Bella's hair around her as to cover as much of her neck as possible. No one seemed to care that I was still here. Scowling I positioned myself in front of my sister. I understood now, there were other vampires coming. Bella and Edward continued a scared conversation behind me, but I ignored them. I suddenly realized just how willing I was to die for my sister. I could not bring myself to hate it either. I would do it without a second though. Which was a good thing considering I was currently doing just that. At least she had a horde of vampires to protect her. They could do a much better job than I could, but I would never forgive myself for not trying. It was with these thoughts that I faced the trees, waiting for the vampires that kill humans daily, knowing I could be next. 

The grace with which they walked was unnatural. Which was not surprising, seeming as all vampires seemed to carry themselves in this way. There were three of them, and they all walked with a grace that screamed dangerous, if that makes any sense. Well, even if it doesn't I really don't care. I am trying not to die here, so I don't really care if you are confused with my description of my murderers, that sounds like your problem. The one in the middle appeared to be the leader, but the way the other two regarded him seemed almost rehearsed. If I had to bet I would say the blonde man was in charge. He had that aura about him, and it wasn't a good one. The wanna-be leader raised his hand, the Cullens baseball clutched tightly in his fist. He offered it to Carlisle, apparently recognizing him as the leader of the coven.

"I believe this belongs to you." He said with a slight accent. Australian? No, I suck at accents. For all I know it could be North Polian. Carlisle accepted it with a tight smile.

"Thank you." He said, although it sounded strained. I mean the guy pretty much plays with his food all day and can resist the temptation of killing them without so much as batting an eye. But when he is faced with others of his own kind, that's when he gets stressed? I mean I guess he has two humans with him, but so what? As long as brains don't disappear in the process of becoming a vampire they should realize that three against seven is not good odds. Although with the amount of brain these vampires have shown I would not be surprised if they lose a few brain cells in the changing process. Somehow during my pondering of vampire brain cells I managed to miss part of the conversation, which is not really a good thing seeming as I could easily be dead if this conversation went wrong. I tried to pay closer attention. I took time to examine each of them, when my eyes fell upon the woman I almost gasped. It was the one that had tried to kill me in the woods. That was the day the wolves saved me. I don't know how I didn't notice her before. She was hard to miss, with her flame-like hair. The blonde haired man gave me the creeps. Something was not right with him, other than the fact that he was an immortal creature who enjoys sucking a life giving substance out of living creatures. I tried my best to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach, given to me by the two vampires, and focus on Carlisle's conversation with the third. He was not as bad, but I did not fancy being killed by him either. He wanted to join in the game.

"Sure, a few of us were just leaving, you could take their place." Carlisle tried to give us a plausible reason to leave in a smooth way. I am not so sure about the smooth part, but we did kind of have a reason to leave now. Everything was going well, as Jasper and the red-head bantered back and forth over pitches. Then something happened. The breeze shifted. It came from behind Bella and I and hit the red-eyed trio right in the face. There was no hope of the Cullens scent masking ours anymore. The thing I found most strange was that as soon as I panicked about the breeze it changed direction away from us, but the damage was already done. The blonde whipped around and took up a hunting crouch.

"You brought snacks." He said. All at once the Cullen family surrounded us. Carlisle spoke out,

"The girls are with us. It might be best if you leave." He said, sounding firm, but still polite. The other male seemed to want to carry on with the civil conversation and hastily agreed.
"Yes, that may be for the best." With a wave to his coven he turned and began to walk away. With a second's hesitation the female followed, but the blonde stayed rooted to the spot. "James." The leader of the coven said shapely. With a snarl the blonde, apparently called James, straightened up and followed. He wrapped an arm around the red-head as he went. As soon as they were out of sight. The Cullens all unfroze. Edward hastily ushered Bella and I to the jeep, he attempted to buckle Bella in but she yelled at him. I think it was long overdue. He was suddenly in the driver's seat and we were rumbling along the path, hunted.