perennial - rosalie hale of twilight

Chapter 8

We got to the house fifteen minutes past midnight. Alice was waiting for us on the front porch. Naturally, she had already seen what we've decided to bring home.

   Emmett carried Lily again with her permission.

   I'm guessing Alice hasn't told them yet because Carlisle and Esme appeared by the front door, watching us in utter confusion.

   Emmett headed for the living room, but Alice advised we bring her straight to the bathroom. Emmett carried her to the upstairs bathroom. Edythe and Alice followed them.

   As soon as they were inside, I heard Lily throw up. Emmett got out of there as fast as he could and went to our bedroom; probably to change into regular clothes. Edythe and Alice, on the other hand, comforted Lily and held her hair.

   Edward got out of his room and rushed downstairs. He was glaring at me. "Why did you bring her here?" Edward hissed as soon as he was at the foot of the stairs. "This isn't safe for all of us."

   "The girl is drunk, Edward," I snarled. "We couldn't just leave her."

   "I know," he replied. "But why bring her here?"

   "Where else do you suggest we bring her, then?" I challenged. "You already know we couldn't get her address or reach her parents."

   "The hospital? The station? Somewhere her parents could pick her up."

   I scoffed. "She can't even sit up on her own! What makes you think she'll be safe around strangers?"

   "What makes you think she'll be any safer here with us?"

   We glowered at each other. Edward had a point, but I wasn't going to admit that out loud.

   Carlisle cleared his throat. "Would you care to explain first who she is?"

   "Carlisle, that's Lillian Hale," said Emmett, taking a seat on the sofa next to Jasper.

   Esme and Carlisle exchanged a look of panic.

   "No. They didn't kidnap her," Edward assured, probably answering Carlisle's or Esme's thoughts. "And they're not planning to assassinate her either."

   They both exhaled in relief.

   "First, we already spend five days a week around humans in case you're forgetting. I'm sure we can all control ourselves tonight," I continued. "Besides, the girl smells like rubbing alcohol anyway."

   "But this is different. In school, we can just tell ourselves that there are hundreds of witnesses. One slip in school and we're going to be exposed or we'll have to slaughter the entire student body to avoid exposure. Then we'll have to move." He paused. "But this . . . the human is in our house. No human witnesses, no risk of exposure."

   "Ruby Davis knows she's with us. If we really need a reminder not to kill her. If she goes missing, Ruby will be able to point it to us."

   "But that's the thing. Ruby is just one witness," he argued. "Much easier to take care of."

   I sighed. "Will you stop overthinking this?"

   Edward shook his head in disapproval but decided to drop the subject. He sat next to Emmett on the couch.

   The bathroom door swung open. I could smell Lily's vomit and sweat all the way from here. Edythe helped her walk to Alice's room as Alice rummaged through Esme's closet—she looked the closest to Lily's size and height.

   Wanting to get away from Edward's glare, I went upstairs to change out of my costume. I wore the most comfortable-looking clothes I could find—a beige over-sized sweater and black leggings.