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Dream's Shadow

Summary:
This is my take on the over- and usually poorly- done plot. Edward leaves Bella again. She is changed and they meet again in the future. There will be a big twist! Requested by Iris. Banner by Iris!

Notes:
Try it! I know stories like this usually stink, but I thought I'd give it a try. I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

13. Chapter 13

Rating 5/5   Word Count 702   Review this Chapter

The house was jaw-dropping in majesty. Unlike their earlier residence, it was butter yellow. The windows were edged in tan. It was lovely.

I gulp back fear. The sheer size of it makes me want nothing more than to sprint for safety, for somewhere, anywhere, else… but it is the only place I can be without pain. Now I have a new fear. What if I am discovered?

I walk up to the house and knock twice on the door. Esme answers it. My mother. I want to throw myself into her arms and sob. Instead, I reach into her mind. Who is that? The face is familiar…

I edit these musings. I’ve never seen anyone like him. I wonder why he’s here.

I look into her eyes, golden and beautiful. “Hello. My name is Jacob. Will you teach me how to live on animals?”

I am surprised at my own choice of pseudonym. It will only cause more pain. However, it may distract them. Yes, a good idea. And I won’t have any trouble remembering it.

Esme smiles at me, the familiar motherly joy. “Why, of course! We’ll be glad to. Come on in, dear.”

I feel my heart thaw a little. They will accept me. I will not be so alone in the world. My family is mine again, although I am not myself.

“Everyone!” Esme calls, in a pitch no louder than human conversation. They tumble gracefully down the stairs, my beautiful family.

Rosalie is first. Her eyes are shaded, her loveliness somehow wan.

Emmett follows right behind her. His eyes narrow when they see me…

Then Carlisle. He is shocked.

Alice isn’t… she never is. But she smiles. I am relieved to discover her mind has no memory of making me this person. She doesn’t know me.

Jasper holds her hand.

Finally, he walks down. Edward. I choke back a thick sob. They can’t know. Edward. He is so beautiful. My soul heals. I can breathe. I can breathe! There is pain, but it isn’t the choking, all-consuming, agony it was. It is merely the pain of knowing he doesn’t want me. As long as I am with him, I have a heart to be broken.

“Everyone, this is Jacob.”

“Hello,” I say. “The Volturi changed me, but I… I heard about you. I don’t want to kill people.”

I speak simply, knowing a complex lie will trip me up. I stink at lying.

“We’ve always got room. Would you like to get settled? I think there’s an extra room.”

“At least mine won’t be hijacked again,” Edward teases, elbowing Alice in the ribs.

The beauty of that voice! It is as pure and sweet as an angel’s prayer.

I forced myself to focus.

“I can read thoughts,” Edward offers, “but I’m not getting anything from you. Any idea why?”

I come up with a way to further the deception. “That’s my power.” Keep them from suspecting their minds around me.

It hurts to lie to the people I love.

“Oh. That makes sense.”

Without any further words, Edward runs upstairs. Esme watches him leave, and then she shows me to a room. It’s small and lined with books.

I like it quite a lot.

Esme sits on the bed and pats the seat next to her. “Sit down, Jacob.”

I do so.

“I need to tell you something. Edward, my son, the one with the bronze hair. He is depressed right now, for lack of a better word. The girl he loves… he couldn’t read her mind. I think you are reminding him of her.”

“What happened to her?”

“She was human, and she left him, for a werewolf named Jacob.”

So that’s the lie he told them. “Poor guy.”

“I just hope he can be happy with someone… so if he’s not his usual charming self, don’t you blame him. It’s not his fault…”

I hear her mind complete, It’s hers.

Esme stands and leaves.