Volterra Academy

The Clue

I woke up to the sun shining through my window, which is pretty rare in the town of Forks, Washington. For me a sunny day meant something big and exciting was going to happen, and yet today this "big thing " felt like it wouldn't be on good terms.This past week had mixed emotions going through my family and I. One moment, we're smiling and laughing. Then, there's a letter sent to Grandpa Carlisle's house. All of a sudden Mom and Dad are calling everybody we know. They even had to call in Jacob and Sam's pack! I don't exactly know what's going on l, but what I do know is that no sunny sky was going to make it better.

I got ready for my day, not being surprised as to how the day would go. Mom was silent and she's been daydreaming more often than usual. Jacob who definitely hasn't been himself won't tell me a thing. Which is weird because he tells me everything. And Dad? Dad's working on the cottage for my cousins. He's had Jake and the other guys help him. No wonder he hasn't talked to me because my dad's probably brainwashed him into keeping this stupid secret. He'll say things like "Don't worry, Ness. Everything's alright." or "Nothing's going on. Would you just back off? Go play with someone."

Good thing the extended family's coming into town. It's been a year since I've seen the Denalis. Or anyone for that matter. Everyone was at the wedding for Garrett and Kate. That's when we all met each other, us hybrids. I've been talking to there children, Gary and Tess. Even the other hybrids are coming, like the Amazon and the Irish. Even the nomads, although Jasper was a bit hesitant to bring Maria. Well hate to break it to him, but if you're gonna have a kid with your current wife and your ex-girlfriend, prepare for sudden contact uncle. But I will admit that Mariah the hybrid is crazy. Everything about her attitude spells BITCH. Good thing he's got Allison and Jesse I guess.

Coming out of my thoughts my laptop was beeping. It was a video chat from Gary. They should've been here by now.Or maybe it's just me being anxious. I click the ANSWER button and Gary's face pops up on the screen. He looks lazy like he hasn't slept in days. "Hello Denali! " I greet him. "Hello, Loch Ness Monster!" Jacob and my mom had finally decided to tell that story at the wedding last year. Sometimes, the name got annoying. People hear, and then I have to give the whole background story behind it. I figured other names would be good like Ren or my middle name, Carlie. There were so many other options.

''How's your trip?'' I asked.

''Long and quiet...for the rest of the people in the car!'' He grinned like Jim Carey in the Grinch. ''I just got some new headphones, so if anyone's been saying anything during this car ride, I can't hear a thing. And they also got me some cards for more music on my IPod!'' He looked like a kid that found his bicycle on Christmas morning. It was nice seeing someone in a good mood finally. It's like a part two of the Great Depression in Forks. As Gary went on to talk about what was going on in his fun life, I couldnt help but think about his father, and my father. And his mother, and my mother. Everyone was on their way, so obviously they knew something we didnt. And Gary is like this century's Encyclopedia Brown, so I was pretty sure that he already knew something.

          After he was done rambling, I gave an irritated sigh and closed my eyes to start talking. "Gary, you wouldnt happen to know anything about why you're coming, would you?" Both of us had our headphones in so it wasnt like anybody could hear us. He gave me that slick grin like the Grinch when he was about to steal the presents from Whoville. "Oh, baby! You know I do!" I smiled at the fact that he had his old habits of cheering you up when you were down. I'd been talking to him and his sister for some time, and we all knew how cranky I got when I wasnt getting what I wanted. "I cant really discuss it now, but I promise the moment we get there, I am gonna t- tell you all about what happened in Paris! I mean I am telling you it is like a rain forest under those armpits in France!" He was obviously stalling because his parents were in his range and would probably be suspicious of what he was talking about. I smiled and said my goodbyes, knowing that the moment they got here, I would get the answers that I have been begging for this whole time.

          After I said my goodbyes to Gary, there was a knock on my door. It was my father, who kept his expression completely normal and happy, as if there was something to celebrate. "Hey! We finished the house! You wanna come.and see it?" He asked. "No thanks, dad. I think I'll just wait until everybody else gets here." My dad nodded his head in an understanding agreement. He still looked so uncomftorable, like a father meeting his daughter for the first time, not knowing what to do. My dad looked as if he didnt even want to be there, like someone had forced him up the stairs. He rubbed his hands together and sighed. I was always pretty honest with everyone so he never really saw a purpose in reading my mind.

          "So, I think Deja should be here pretty soon. You havent seen her in a while!" Really, dad!? I just saw her a week ago, and now you are making her turn back around to come back here for God knows what! He shut his eyes as if he realized he'd said something stupid. He probably read my mind. I honestly didnt care at this point if my behavior was out of line or inappropriate. They had no right to keep whatever this was from me. I deserved an explanation for my family's behavior.

          I sighed as I hopped off my bed. "I'm hungry. I'm gonna go grab something from the fridge." I went downstairs and walked through the living room, where my mother sat on the couch, reading another Shakespeare tragedy. She looked up and smiled at me, the same fake smile that she'd still been giving me.

I felt my eyes about to roll and my legs about to walk off like I was on a runway, but I stayed where I was and gave her a subtle grin. "How you doin, sweetie?" She asked as if my attitude was out of the blue, as if nothing had been goin on these past days. "Nothin. I was just hungry." I replied.

     "Well, I could make you something." She said as she closed her book. Just before she got up, I said, "Oh no need. I just wanted a small snack, thats all." I walked right passed her and went down the hall. Before I turned the corner, I saw Carlisle and Jasper in my Dad's office. They didnt notice my presence when I peeked my head through the crack of the door, obviously deep in thought of whatever they were observing. They were a few pieces of paper, with like 17th Century type writing. It was a letter. They were readinh over it, murmering the words. I looked on my father's desk for anymore evidence, and then I saw it: the dark crest embedded with a grey V in the middle.

          I covered my mouth as I walked away from the door with my eyes wide in shock. This was about the Volturi? Oh god! Not again! I thought we were done with them. This must be about coming to visit me and my development. But then what would everyone else hsve to do with this? I walked to the kitchen for some chips and juice. As I grabbed the juice, someone walked through the backdoor. It was Jacob. I would usually have more enthusiasm, but his attitude was in a category right along with my family's. He wasnt even spending time with me anymore.

          He faced my direction snd smiled. I poured my chips, took my drink, snd walked off. Before I got out of the doorway, he took a handful of my chips and stuffed them in his mouth, just like the dog he was. I rolled my eyes. I knew that he was obviously trying to provoke me to speak to him. But honestly, I couldnt stand his mood swings. He didnt wsnt to talk to.me, he kept waving me away like a child he didnt want to deal with. And now all of a sudden he knows me? Screw him! I walked off up to my room, leaving him to look stupid.

          As I drunk my juice, I was still trying to think about the letter. I hadnt thought about Aro and the others in forever. I hadnt seen them since that New Year's Eve, when he threatened to kill my family. Aftervthst, no one really had them in mind. Now what did they want? I knew that this probably wasnt much, considering that I dont know exactly whats going on, but considering theres nothing else, I would take sny information I got my hands on. I knew that I definitely had to tell Deja when she got here.