Unexpected Visitors

I don't own twilight.

○●○ Unexpected Visitors ○●○

It had been a few weeks since I found out about Jacob. I had visited the little red house a few more times, but Jacob was never home. He was definitely trying to avoid me. All other time that I had was spent waiting for a letter from Jasper and trying to find the meadow.

My searches for the meadow were short, and generally left me just as lost as before. It was hard to get anything done as the temperature was decreasing lately. Although, I believe that I had it narrowed down enough that in the next few trips I would find it.

I was in my room watching small flurries of snow fall down outside. The snow wasn't sticking to the ground yet, but it still made it colder than usual. I threw on a large coat, along with boots, a hat, and gloves. I packed a bag, and went outside to my truck. I knew hiking in this weather was not smart at all, but I had to do something to keep my mind busy. I looked in my empty mailbox one last time before driving to the small pull off.

I wondered what was taking Jasper so long to send me a letter. Normally I would have a new one by now. Maybe he was mad at me for losing the swan. I couldn't bear the thought of losing my only connection to his world.

I parked my car in the small dirt patch, that was quickly turning to mud as more snow fell. I pulled the hood of my jacket up and pulled my bag on to my shoulder. I hopped out of the car and nearly fell as my feet hit the ground. I kept my balance by holding on to my truck. The cold air bit at my nose, but I ignored the uncomfortable sensation and started making my way through the forest, in what I hoped was the correct direction.

I walked through the thick forest for a long time, and so far so good. I was starting to recognize small details from when I last came up here with him. I walked further and further away from the safety of my rickety, old truck. The snow was starting to stick to the ground, and the temperature was dropping quickly.

After what must have been hours of searching, I came across a small stream cutting through the freshly fallen snow. I remembered it. I was going in the right direction. I crossed over the stream and walked briskly in the direction of our meadow.

I came out of the treeline and into the meadow. It was nothing like I remembered. There wasn't any wildflowers or sunbeams shining down making the most gorgeous creature on this planet sparkle like a million diamonds. I didn't know what I was expecting, but this barren wasteland was not it. Long wild grasses were being covered by white powder, and the grey sky loomed above me.

A sharp pain resounded in my chest, throbbing painfully. Tears came to my eyes, and I found myself curling into a ball. Old memories of this place flooded me and it was too much to bear. Thank the Lord that I was alone. How could one place be so painful to look at? I tried to breath through the pain, desperately wanting to escape the abyss I had fallen into.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted a black speck coming into view at the other side of the meadow. I quickly pulled myself together. At first I was confused I was far away from any paths, why would anyone be up here? Then I realized who exactly was here with me. He wasn't the vampire I wanted to see, but he was a vampire nonetheless. I was almost relieved knowing that I hadn't made all of them up.

"Laurent!" I called across the field. I wondered what he was doing here. The last I'd heard about him he was in Alaska with the Denali. Something was off about him, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Whatever that something was, it was making me nervous.

"Bella?" He asked, continuing his steady gait toward me. His red eyes met mine with clear astonishment in his perfect vampiric features. The red color was offputting, but I didn't want to leave him. It was ridiculous that I would want to be near him. He would have made me a meal last year if it hadn't been for the Cullens, but I loved seeing the proof. The proof that they existed. That he existed.

"Laurent." I repeated, smiling like a fool.

He smiled back at me, and took more steps toward me. It never ceased to amaze me just how graceful vampires were.

"I didn't expect to see you."

"Well, I do live here." I said with a quiet chuckle. "I think it should be the other way around, I never expected to see you here. I thought you went to Alaska?" I said. He cocked his head slightly to the left, and stopped walking. He was only a few feet away. His face was the most handsome face I had seen in what felt like forever.

"I did go to Alaska. I just thought.. well when I came back to the Cullen's place and saw it empty, I just assumed that they would have taken you along." He stated casually.

"Oh, uh.. yeah." I mumbled, biting my lip. I took a moment to breath through my strong emotions, as Laurent watched me with a curious expression.

"Weren't you like a pet of their's?" He asked with an expression that shown he didn't mean for me to take offense, but instead like he was just stating a fact.

"You could say that." I whispered. He watched my every movement, his eyes never leaving me. I took a step backward as more anxious feelings erupted in the pit of my stomach.

"Do they visit you often then?" He asked, still with a calm casualness about him. He took a step toward me, and I flinched backwards. He watched my movements with too much interest for my liking.

"Lie Bella." A smooth voice whispered in the back of my head. I nearly jumped out of my skin. I hadn't expected to hear his voice ever again. I had assumed by now that the voice I heard the night I went to the movies was just a figment of my imagination, but this was real. His voice was as real as the wild looking man in front of me.

"Yep, all the time. Just um.. a few months ago, they all came for a short visit." I lied. I knew that I was definitely not convincing in the slightest.

"Hmm.. the house seemed to have been vacant for some time." He said with a look of skepticism. He was definitely catching my bluff.

"Bella, you must lie better." Edward instructed me. His gorgeous voice becoming more urgent.

"I could tell them you stopped by." I offered, trying to act as casual as possible and save as much of my act as I could. "I suppose I shouldn't mention it to.. uh.. to Ed-Edward." I said tripping over his name. I had to take a moment to calm myself and still the throbbing pain in my chest. This just made it all the more obvious that I wasn't being truthful. "He's still a little sensitive over the whole James issue." I mumbled.

"Really?" Laurent asked, tilting his head to the side in what I perceived as skepticism.

"Uh, um.. yep." I whispered, trying to hide my panic and sudden urge to run away as quickly as possible. Of course I wouldn't get far, if he wanted to kill me then there would be no escape. Laurent nodded slightly, and watched me with his increasingly terrifying eyes.

"S-So did Victoria join you in Alaska? I heard you were staying with the Denalis. Did she ever find you?" I asked after clearing my throat, in a last desperate attempt to change the subject. I cursed myself for picking this subject, out of everything I could have said. I really didn't want to know anything more about that vile woman.

"Yes, she did find me. Although, not in Alaska. While the Denali were all very friendly, especially Irina, their feeding habits were a little.. difficult. I couldn't help but cheat on occasion, and eventually I left them." He said in a smooth pleasant tone that sent chills down my spine.

"I actually came here as a favor to her, if you'd believe it." He said, taking another step forward, forcing me to step back.

"Oh, what favor?" I asked, my stomach dropping. He ignored my question, his eyes searching mine.

"She won't be happy about this you know, but I will be much more gentle then she would have." He whispered in a low voice.

"Wh-What?" I stuttered. I didn't know if I had heard him right.

"Don't be afraid Bella. Compared to what she has planned for you, this is merciful. I promise you won't feel a thing." He whispered, putting his hands up as if he was trying to calm me. I was starting to hyperventilate. I prayed to whoever was listening to spare me. I didn't want to die, not like this.

"Good afternoon, Laurent." A calm voice rang out across the meadow. I turned my attention to where the voice had came from. A gorgeous blond stood at the edge of the frosted meadow. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his curly hair fell lightly to the sides of his face. Deep golden eyes stared at me, sending me silent promises; he was going to protect me. He nodded in my direction, and started walking towards us. My heart jumped and I couldn't stop myself from smiling, despite the dangerous situation I was in.

"Oh.. what a surprise." Laurent said taking a single step away from me. In Laurent's intense crimson eyes there was a sign of fear.

"I could say the same about you. Now, what were you planning on doing?" Jasper said, stepping between me and Laurent.

"You must understand, I wasn't doing this in an act against your coven. Victoria simply finds the girl extremely vexing. It is only fair that Edward's mate be killed. A mate for a mate, you see. I was doing her a great kindness in comparison of what Victoria would have done." He explained quickly. Jasper shifted position, he spread his legs a little further apart and dropped his hands to his sides. His shoulders rose, and he became like a shield in front of me.

"It wasn't Edward who killed James. It was me. I ripped him to pieces. I burned him. You have no business with this girl. I think it would be wise for you to take your leave now." He said in a deep intimidating tone.

"I can't do that. I made a promise to Victoria.. and she does smell simply remarkable." Laurent whispered, practically licking his lips in anticipation.

Jasper got into a lower position. He was going to attack. A low growl resonated in his chest. Laurent copied the movement, and started to growl back. They both began to circle each other.

"Bella go. Now." Jasper instructed, never taking his eyes off of the red-eyed vampire. I took some steps backward, but I just couldn't leave Jasper. I had to make sure that he would be okay.

Laurent pounced and resounding crack echoed across the meadow. I watched in horror as they fought each other. They were so fast that I was having a hard time perceiving what was happening. I was pretty sure that Jasper was winning. He was agile, and I didn't see him get hit nearly as much as he hit Laurent.

There was a pained yell, and Laurent's disembodied arm flew across the snow covered field in my direction. I fell over in an attempt to get out of the way of his limb. It hit the ground with a thud.

"Get her out! Get her away!" Jasper screamed as he tried to dodge Laurent's crazed attacks.

Two strong arms wrapped around me, and I immediately started to kick and scream. I was so terrified, and my natural reflexes were telling me to run and fight as hard as I could. All my effort was futile against the strong man who had me in his grasp.

"Help! Let go! Help Jasper!" I screamed and started to struggle harder.

Jasper's pain filled yell was the only response I got. Laurent's jaw was locked on his shoulder, and he was trying to rip Jasper's arm off.

"No!" I screamed and kicked at my captor.

"Bella, calm down!" Jacob yelled. I stopped my struggling. I looked back and almost had a heart attack. Jacob had his arms around me, and there were four giant wolves standing behind him. Jacob started pulling me away from the meadow.

"No Jake! Stop! He needs help!" I screamed, and pushed myself away from him. The giant wolves started to sprint forward at the two vampires, while Jacob continued to drag me through the forest.