The True History of the Cullen Family

The Shape of Things That are to Come

Aro sighed as the room, which once had 50 children in it, was completely empty. The talk then turned to what was going to be done about the riot. Many people were killed in the riot and many more were missing. Plus, scores of buildings were either badly damaged or destroyed. Vampires who witnessed the riot had swarmed into the city, killing as many people as they could.

"Such a sad day indeed," he said as the three vampires sat on their thrones.

"What a waste of time," Marcus muttered to himself.

"If you ask me, which I know you won't, I say let the punishment fit the crime," said Caius. The other vampires stared at him. "They should have known better than to have that riot. What were they thinking? That they wouldn't be eaten by vampires? I say that we let them eat the stupid ones! They will learn that we own them!"

"Surely you don't mean that, Caius," said Aro. "Not all humans are stupid. Where are you getting these ideas from?"

"It doesn't matter," Marcus muttered. "They deserve to die. It's no less than what we would have done to them."

"Indeed," said Aro as they saw Heidi, Felix, and Renata leading a group of 15 men into the throne room.

*****

Jacquelyn was staring at herself in the mirror. Her hair had turned into a dark brown color and her skin was a light tan color. Her eyes were blue and gray. Minerva came to her and said, "Why did you walk into the fire?"

"Because I knew my life was over," said Jacquelyn. "I was nothing more than a walking corpse by the time we met. You knew about the snake that killed our parents."

"So you sold your humanity just to set me free?" said Minerva. "Why?"

"I cannot be human anymore," said Jacquelyn. Minerva stared at her. "They mistreated me at the foster home. They did so much crap to try to force me to be happy, but I don't deserve to be happy at all, not since my mother's death and such. They even tried to imply that I was being possessed by an evil spirit that told me that I was better off dead. I was forced to see all sorts of quacks and whatnot; small wonder why I decided to go into the Goth culture when I was 10 years old."

Little did she know that Jasper was standing by the door, overhearing everything. He shook his head as he thought about the sad girl who didn't have a good life after a tragedy. He knew that Jacquelyn would have to explain everything and soon.

*****

Jacob frowned as the doctor told him that his father was alive, but he was never going to walk again. The others nodded, knowing that Billy had been their chief since the death of his father, Gerald. What were they going to do until he woke up?

Sam said, "Well, I say that I take over for a while."

"I don't think so," said Quil. "Jacob is supposed to be the chief."

"Really?" said Paul. "When last I checked, Jacob was so busy chasing after Bella and destroying her marriage that he can't even lead our tribe. Why do we need him, anyway?"

"Because Jacob is the descendant of Ephraim Black," Leah snapped at them. "Haven't you forgotten that? Jacob's family came from the chiefs of our tribe. Let him lead us."

"Not until he breaks up with Bella and she leaves the reservation," said Embry. "Yes, Bella's father may be friends with Billy, but she doesn't belong here. Send her back to the palefaces and let Jacob choose a bride from our people."

"Are you all insane?" Jacob snapped at them. "Bella Swan isn't going anywhere! In fact, I intend to marry her before she decides to give that foolish husband of hers another chance."

"That may not be the best idea," said Old Quil as he sat up in his seat. Everyone stared at him. "No good is going to come from this. Bella cannot just give up her life in the White man's world and become like us. It hasn't been done."

"You know as well as I do that Bella doesn't belong to the White man," said Jacob. "How could you suggest that she go back to the man who broke her heart? She doesn't need Mike Newton; she needs me. And I'm going to make sure that she stays here for good."

He stormed away as the others shook their heads. "This isn't going to end well," said Sam.