Pulse (On Hold)

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

*Emerald’s P.O.V*

I sit on the couch with my face in my hands and Jared’s arm wrapped tightly around my waist. I can feel the stress building up inside me to the point I feel like I might explode. Renee’s disappearance… The vampire threatening me… Logan killing people… Jared and Michael hunting him… My life’s so messed up right now I can’t even make out the pieces to put them back together again.

Jared and I look up at the same time in response to the doorbell ringing. It tools three times and we look at each other. I nod at him and he gets up from the couch, squaring his shoulders like it poses a threat. He walks over to the door slowly, takes hold of the gold knob and yanks the door open.

Standing in the door way is my best friend Renee.

I run from the couch and engulf her in a hug, sobbing into her shoulder. I tell her how much she means to me and how happy I am that she’s safe. I look over her body and cry harder as I notice how utterly perfect she looks. Her auburn hair is shinny, her face and legs aren’t bruised anymore, she’s wearing her school dress not her crimson stained pyjama top and she looks so happy I can’t help but smile back.

“If I knew you’d be this welcoming every time I went away for the weekend I’d do it more often,” she says, stepping into the house and smiles her wonderful smile at me.

Jared and I exchange a look. Went away for the weekend? I could feel my eyebrows furrowing and my heart pounding crazily in my ears. Did I just hear what I think I heard? I search her face for clues and capture both of her hands in mine.

“What are you talking about Renee? You were abducted,” I say, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. “How did you escape?” I ask as an after thought.

Renee’s laugh is musical and totally amazing. “Abducted? Gosh you are silly Emerald!” She says, squeezing my cheeks like I was a little girl telling her about a nightmare. “I went to the hot spring spa. You know? To get away and all. Mum has been hassling me about my future lately and I just needed a break from it. Sorry I didn’t tell you.”

I look away from Renee for a quick second and lock eyes with Jared. The cold, analysing expression on his face has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. He’s looking at Renee like he doesn’t know who she is anymore.

I squeeze my best friends hands. “No, you were abducted. You came to my house a few nights ago, dripping in blood and covered in bruises and kept asking me if I had vervain. What’s happened to you? Why can’t you remember?” I don’t really care that Renee thinks she went to a spa, I’m just so overwhelmingly happy that she’s here I can’t stop crying.

Renee’s smile fades with worry. “You look really tired Em. Maybe you should get some sleep? You’re eyes are very red and your nose is all snotty.” She strokes my cheek with the back of her hand before turning to face Jared. “Is it okay if she sleeps in the spare bedroom?”

Jared stares at her for a long time before replying. “I’m going to have a talk to Michael,” he says, before giving me a concerned look and leaves us alone.

“What’s got into him?” She asks, her gaze following his broad back as he turns the corner into the kitchen. I wipe my tears from my eyes so I can look at my best friend properly. She looks so normal that I feel my heart give a little squeeze in my chest.

“I missed you so much,” I say, flinging my arms around her neck and hugging her so tightly she gasps for air. “I love you, Renee, my best friend, my sister. I’m so sorry for letting you go. You mean the world to me and I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you again,” I say, tears flowing freely down my cheeks again. I kiss her hair and vow to always be here for her.