Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 27:

Narrator POV

The gathering was small. This was the first of many scheduled for today. A day of funerals. They would be going on all day for the next three days. Then La Push would be empty until the investigation was over. Billy looked around and wondered how many would come back to this land. Would there be a La Push when all was said and done? Would the Quileute people ever return?

Billy could only hope so. This was their home. No matter where in the world they roamed, this would always be home.

Only a hand full of people were here for the first funeral. The Pack, The elders, the imprints, Charlie, Bella and Renee. Chris had no family, no real friends outside of the people here. Billy was also struck by another visitor. He agreed with how Bella handled Agent Levoi. The man may be a gift from the spirits. He understood they would have to trust him. He expected to see him at Charlie’s tonight.

He did not expect to see him seated at Chris’s funeral. Yet there he was.

Old Quil stood behind Chris’s coffin. The casket was open for everyone to pay their final respects to the man who had saved four imprints. Because of what he did with Bella, a man who has had a large part in saving the world.

A procession began with the Pack. Each said a blessing as they stood over him. Bella stood last, Charlie behind her, Jake on her side. Billy was surprised when he saw her this morning. Her hair, that had hung so long and straight to just above the middle of her back, now was cut to just above her shoulders. Billy wasn’t sure why she felt the need for a haircut until she reached into her bag and pulled out a long lock of her hair. She placed it in the coffin on Chris’s side and then her legs nearly gave out. Jake and Charlie held her up but the tears would not stop. Old Quil walked in front of her and kissed her on the forehead.

With Billy’s new hearing, he listened from the back to the whispers between the two.

“What are we going to do without him Quilly?” Bella whispered.

“We honor his life by living ours the way he would want.” Quil whispered. He then turned around and pulled a blade from his back. He sliced a strand of his long gray hair off and placed it in the coffin next to Bella’s hair.

Billy had difficulty watching the two through the tears in his own eyes. He had not known Chris personally for long but the stories Old Quil had told him over the years, he felt as if he was a kindred spirit. Both men forced to live without the loves of their lives. Chris was with his now. Billy moved on without Sarah. It was not his time, but one day they would be reunited.

Agent Levoi stood in the back watching the gathering. Seeing the woman who had flown with him and stopped a bullet from his gun yesterday, he was struck by how different she looked today. Yesterday she looked like a super hero, straight out of the silver screen. Today she looked like a devastated young woman. She was thin, dressed in a simple black dress. Her hair was shorter but her eyes, he would recognize those eyes anywhere.

Graham was not sure he belonged here. But after sitting up all night, reflecting on what he had learned, he had to attend. He supposed Bella had told the others because no one gave him a questioning look or asked why he was here. Bella’s eyes were not the only ones he recognized. The well built young man behind Bella, who caught her when her legs gave out was the wolf who saved his life. He caught a glance from him earlier.

Watching that wolf attack the vampire… was impressive. He would have to apologize for trying to shoot him later. He knew the young man took a huge chance by saving his life. In his panic he pulled his gun, thinking he was the beast’s next target. He should have known better but in his defense it was a stressful situation.

Graham was frustrated. For months he had been on a team of FBI, Interpol, CIA, and Homeland Security operatives who have tried to solve the devastating attacks ravaging across the globe. Townships gone. People gone. No evidence of gunfire other than citizen’s weapons. Even that was slight. No biological weapons. Hundreds of people just gone. Then bodies began being left behind.

Through it all, no witnesses. Only bodies drained of blood. The Government had begun investigating possible vampiric species but everyone thought this must be terrorists. Regular people who killed in a strange manner.

When he heard La Push had been hit, he was excited. Not for the deaths of course but because he heard there were survivors. Witnesses. People who could actually tell him what happened.

Instead he got stories straight out of science fiction. People of all races and ages, strong, invincible. Cars being thrown in the air. People being bitten and drained of blood. Houses being destroyed by a single person in seconds. And then… wolves. Giant wolves attacking the perps. One old lady swore she saw a black angel in the sky raining down destruction on the enemies of the tribe, surrounded by wolves. The older generation swore that Taha Aki had returned to save them once again.

A walk in the woods to determine if he could find giant tracks led him to the truth.

The frustrating thing about it, is he knew the truth and could tell no one. The girl was right. If he told his superiors they may believe him in light of what has happened across the country. But the government would insist on studying the wolves. Bringing them in and placing them in custody for the greater good. The greater good in Agent Levoi’s mind was those men and women continuing to fight. They had proven they could stop this enemy. Everything Bella told him, made it clear law enforcement had no chance. He had to stay quiet. But he did not have to stand to the side.

Everyone sat and the old Medicine man, a wolf himself, began to speak. Agent Levoi pulled himself out of his thoughts and focused on the man’s words. From what Bella told him, this man died a hero. He wanted to know more.

Old Quil began to speak.

“I met Chris Jennings many moons ago. I didn’t have the nickname of Old when I met him. The spirits had spoken to me. They sent me on a quest. I drove without knowing the destination. I drove for days, finally stopping in front of a ranch. I pulled up to the closed gate and waited. I didn’t know what I was waiting for. A few minutes went by and a lovely young lady in a cowboy hat walked up to the gate and opened it. She came to my window and smiled. When I lowered it, she said ‘welcome Quil. Lunch is almost ready.’ Then she got into the passenger seat of my truck and I drove us to the house. I didn’t speak. I didn’t ask questions. We reached the house and a tall, slim cowboy, in his mid twenties was standing in the front. He walked up and stuck out his hand.

‘Chris Jennings. This is my wife Serena. Pleased to meet you Quil.’

I asked him how he knew my name. His wife, Serena told me I was not the only one who could walk between worlds and she had been told to expect me. She asked me why I was here. I told her I had been told by the spirits the cold ones would come back in my lifetime and I needed to be prepared. Chris laughed.

‘Well if it’s killin’ vampires that you are interested in, you have come to the right place. Wait till you get a load of what my wife can do old man.” Quil paused.

Catching his breath, he looked at Bella and continued.

“I traveled to visit with Chris and Serena often after that. We studied magic together. I learned of the origin of the cold ones. I became a friend to them. Chris was a loner. He only needed his wife in his life. I was blessed he seemed fit to include me. One of the worst nights of my life was when I received a call from Chris. He was crying. I could barely understand him for the first ten minutes. I understood enough though. I knew the cold ones had attacked his love.

I went as quickly as possible. When I arrived I found him sitting in the middle of his living room on the floor. The house was destroyed around him. I will never forget the look of utter devastation on his face. His life was gone.

Over the next years, Chris focused on protecting the bracelet and learning magic. When his wife knew she could not win, she sent her bracelet to Chris who was being masked by a spell she put him in. He could not move, he could not be seen. Serena knew Chris would die with her. So she froze him. Before the final blow came she sent the bracelet to his hands. He kept it. It became his sole focus in life. He hid the ranch from vampire eyes, reinforcing wards every year. He learned every bit of magic he could, hoping one day to find Irkalla. To live long enough to see her dead. To play a part in it.

Still the life was gone from his eyes. That bright happy young man who was so in love, never returned. Not until I brought Bella to his ranch.”

Quil paused once again and wiped his eyes.

“He always felt I would be the one to find the next warrior witch. He said it was a feeling he had and I was to keep my eyes open. When I brought Bella to his home, Chris became alive again.

The reason he had life again was not because we had found the next witch. He expected that to happen one day. The reason was you, Bella. Your smile, your kindness, the way you looked to him for guidance. Your funny attempts at sarcasm. The look on your face when you would come into the kitchen at 5:30 A.M. looking like a zombie. Watching you build yourself back up from the brink of death. The hugs you gave him each night before you went to bed. Chris told me once he always wanted children. You let him feel like a father for a short time and it meant everything to him.”

Bella sobbed and laid her head on Jacob’s shoulder. Charlie patted her other shoulder, tears brimming in his eyes.

Old Quil looked down at Chris’s coffin.

“Old friend, younger brother, your journey on this plane is over. You are with your love, but you will always be with us in our hearts. I love you brother. I will see you again.”

Quil stepped down and sat at the end of the front row. Bella stood.

“You don’t have to do this Bella.” Jake whispered in her ear.

“Yes I do.”

Bella ran her hand over Chris’s coffin then turned to the gathering.

“The first time I met Chris I was nearly dead and he was sitting by a campfire. I barely understood what was going on. Quil had just pretty much saved my life, at least for a few days, but I was so tired. I had been beaten. I felt ready to die.

Chris took me in. He fed me, he took care of me. I missed my mom and dad. I missed them very much. It would have been easy to feel alone in the world. To feel sorry for myself. Chris and Quil wouldn’t let me though. I had nightmares nearly every night when I first arrived. Nightmares of vampires, nightmares of being in a ballet studio and having my leg snapped in half. Nightmares of Edward Cullen. They were similar but a bit different every night. One thing was consistent though. No matter what time of night it was, when I woke up screaming or moaning, Chris and Old Quil were sitting by my bed. They made me feel safe.

I learned a lot from Chris. Not just about magic. Not just about the bracelet on my wrist. I learned a lot about life. I learned about love.

One night I had gotten into an argument with Quil about Jacob. We had talked about love. Quil told me that Jake and I were meant to be and there was no point in fighting it. I was a bit defensive. I never told you this story Jake, but at the time I had so many choices taken from me, that I did not like being told who I was going to love forever. Quil called me an idiot child and I called him an out of date bastard and went to the stables.

Chris walked out not long after. I figured he would try to ease things between Quil and I. He was usually our referee when the two of us got into it.”

Bella looked at Quil with a smile. Quil smiled in return, a tear falling down his cheek.

He said he felt like talking about his wife. I had already met Chris’s wife when I learned to commune with the bracelet. I wanted to hear more.

He told me the story of how they met. How he fell in love. I asked him how she made him feel when she was alive. I thought he would tell me stories of passionate kisses and romantic adventures. Instead he told me stories about her cooking. Or lack of cooking skills. He told me about the two spraying water hoses at each other in the yard. Snapping her with a towel when she got out of the shower. The way she left her shoes in the middle of the bedroom floor and how it drove him crazy. She slept with earplugs because of his snoring.

Sometimes she would watch him train horses. She would sit for hours and just watch him work. He loved when she did that. He told me about feelings of passion and intensity when the two were together. But that was not what mattered.

‘Bella, the thing I miss the most is the feeling of being in the same room with her, just knowing she is there. Waking up in the morning and knowing she is next to me. Just being with the one you know you are supposed to be with. The peace you feel in your heart.’

It was at that moment that I realized I had already fallen in love with you Jacob. I had never been in true love before I started hanging out with you. The way he described his feelings for Serena were the exact feelings I felt when I was around you. The passion I tried to deny, the feeling of warmth. Wanting to be in your presence. That was the way Chris was. He never told me what to do. He made me think and make the decision on my own. I knew he had my back, no matter what.

Chris spoke to me about my family. I have never been one to talk about my emotions. I pretty much bottled everything inside. He told me about his father and how he missed him. He told me about his mother. He talked about things that were unsaid between him and his father, because they were both strong, silent men. He talked about how he regretted the things that were left unsaid. This led me to think about my father. My mother. I promised myself after that talk that I would open up more to my father. To my mother. To any friends I might make. I didn’t really have any outside of Jake at the time.

Chris has pretty much influenced every area of my life. He taught me to fight, to work, to curse when I needed to. He taught me about responsibility. He taught me to appreciate life and nature and the world around me. He gave me advice when I asked for it and space when I needed it. He threatened to put me in a corner when I needed it too. He fell off a horse and nearly drowned once on purpose, to show me that I was strong enough to save him. He…”

Bella broke down.

No one approached her for a few moments. Jacob finally rose and Bella waived him down.

“I’m going to make you proud, Chris. I swear. I won’t become something I’m not. I will make you proud of me.” Bella whispered. Old Quil walked up and wrapped his arms around her.

“He has always been proud of you child. Just like I am. Just like we all are.”

Bella hugged Old Quil and turned back to Chris’s coffin.

“I will always love you. Thank you so much for everything.”

Bella walked to her seat and sat in Jacob’s lap.

Old Quil began a blessing. Soon it was over and the Pack helped lower Chris’s coffin in the ground.

Agent Levoi noticed that none of the attendees left. They stayed so he stayed. All day long until the sun set, they all sat through funeral after funeral. His agents reported to him in silence in between ceremonies. Nothing new. Stories of giant wolves and dark angels. He told them he spotted large eagles and the area had good sized wolves but nothing special. A pack was probably running through in the chaos. Due to the panic the citizens most likely saw the animals and they took on supernatural aspects. The investigation needed to focus on physical characteristics of the attackers. It would lead nowhere which is where it needed to lead.

After the last funeral of the day, Bella and Jake walked up to him.

“We are heading to Chief Swan’s house in Forks. You know where it is?” Bella asked. Graham nodded.

“Good. Try not to be followed.” Bella walked away with that statement. She looked horrible. Graham did notice her eyes seemed a bit lighter. Not as black. Bella wrapped her arms around Chief Swan’s waist and he walked her to his car, a woman he assumed was her mother following. Jake had stayed.

“I’m sorry for trying to shoot you. I was kind of surprised. I know you took a big chance saving me and I…”

Jake interrupted him.

“Yesterday I figured the worst that could happen when I saved you is I would be found out. I was willing to risk that to save you. Now Bella is in danger if you open your mouth.”

“I won’t say anything. I give you my word.” Levoi told him solemnly.

Jacob nodded and stepped closer, leaning down to the agent’s ear.

“There is only one thing I would kill a human over, Agent Levoi. One person. You talk, you screw her over, I will kill you. I won’t turn into a wolf to do it either. I will beat you to death with my bare hands. Your fancy FBI lab will need to run tests to identify you. Do you believe me?”

Agent Levoi was not a man to be intimidated. He looked into Jacob Black’s eyes and… was intimidated. He could tell that Mr. Black would definitely kill over Ms. Swan and meant every word he just said.

“I give you my word Jacob. I want this stopped. I won’t do anything to betray her. To betray any of you.”

“Good. See you at Charlie’s.”

Bella POV

I had the AC down to 60. The house was filled up with overheated bodies. Agent Levoi began sweating within minutes of walking in. Furniture had been moved and folding chairs from the police station had been set up.

The arguments started quickly. Quil informed me that after he and Chris left Wyoming, Chris had ordered construction to begin on houses at the ranch. He told Quil he wanted a fall back place in the event we ever needed to get away and hide for a while. Quil said the wards would be easy enough to reestablish. With La Push off limits, Quil felt this was a good base of operations. Some of the Pack refused to leave the area, and thought the Makah reservation would be a better place to go. Billy pointed out that our presence could make an attack there more likely. Sam stated that we would not be taken by surprise again. Charlie brought up the need to continue his job. I admitted it would be difficult to be chief of police of Forks in Wyoming.

I stayed out of it. I didn’t care. I knew where I had to go. In my head I had a plan. The first stop was a certain Congressman’s office in Denver. His Chief of staff had been in contact with Burk. They had discussed plans in the event that something happened to Irkalla. There were also feeding grounds I wanted to hit. I felt confident that I could draw roving groups in. Eventually we would need to head southwest. And overseas.

God we had so much to do. Who gives a damn what airport we fly out of.

Listening to the lively debate, I became very aware of how tired I was. Maybe we should have done this tomorrow.

I walked outside and looked at the dark sky.

I wanted to fly. To go high and be alone. I wanted to find a fight. I wanted to have tobacco. Cigarettes, cigars, Copenhagen. I wanted a drink. A shot of Tequila would be nice. Playing pool. Dancing. Dressing to make every man in the room look at me with lust and every woman with jealousy.

I told Chris, I promised him, that I would not give into my urges. I would not get carried away with power. But the temptation. I never expected it. The power in my hands.

I was so depressed. I would fight it. I can’t believe the last day of Chris’s life he saw me drunk.

I don’t know what I will do without him. I am grateful for the people I have. My parents, Old Quil, Billy, Jacob. But Chris was my calming force. I knew he wouldn’t be in the spirit world. He passed on. He would be in a hurry to get to Serena. I couldn’t blame him. I had hoped he would visit. But I knew he wouldn’t. I was alone.

Maybe I should leave. Go off and just give into the power I have on my wrist. With no one around, I could give myself over completely. I could be powerful enough to destroy every leech on Earth with a look. No one around would be hurt. No one would have to go to war. I could win. No power on Earth could stop me. Why did I even involve the Pack? I shouldn’t have. Chris and Quil were wrong.

They were holding me back. Afraid of letting me become too powerful.

I didn’t need any help. I didn’t need family. I didn’t need love. I could save them all by leaving them. No more pretending to be something I’m not…

No!

My bracelet was buzzing. My sister’s wanted to commune with me. I couldn’t face them. Not with those thoughts. Those were the thoughts Chris warned me about. He warned me. I needed him. I needed him to ground me.

“Bella?”

I realized I was in the backyard on one knee. I turned and saw a tiny figure staring at me.

“Claire?”

She grinned. I had not had much contact with her but Emily had mentioned once she was very bright and a talker. She liked to have conversations.

“Yep. That’s me. I’m Claire. You are Bella.” She told me slowly, I suppose to make sure I understood. She even pointed the two of us out so I would understand.

“How are you Claire?” I asked.

“I miss my mommy and daddy. Unca Sammy says we have to say goodbye to them tomorrow. They died. Do you know what that means?”

“Yeah Claire. I definitely know what that means.”

“My friend says you are tough.” She giggled. “Is that true or was he fooling me?”

That caught my attention.

“Who told you I was tough, Claire? Quil?”

“No. My friend that told me not to worry when the bad man was in Unca Sammy’s house. He said you and Quil would save us.”

There was no one in that house except Chris and he wasn’t talking.

“What’s your friend’s name Claire? Where did you meet him?”

“He’s funny. I met him when that bad man hit my big puppy. He stood in front of me and Aunt Emmy. I like his hat. He told me you had one.”

“What hat? What was his name Claire?”

“His name is Lane. He said he had a message I was supposed to tell you but it doesn’t make sense. I think he was kidding with me.”

“What was the message honey?”

She laughed.

“He said to cowboy up. You’re not a cowboy though. Maybe a cowgirl. Do you have a hat?

“Yeah little darlin. I got a hat.” I whispered.

“You should wear it. I want to see it.”

Claire ran up to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I was so shocked I froze.

“You are supposed to hug me back.” She whispered.

I wrapped my arms around her gently.

“Lane told me I am supposed to hug you every time I see you.”

“Why?” I whispered more to myself.

“He said you might forget who you are sometimes. That’s why I pointed out who you were when I said hi. I figured you had problems memberin. Let’s go inside.”

Claire led me inside by the hand. When I walked in, the room was quiet.

“What’s with the quiet?” I asked everyone, still a bit shaken by the conversation I just had. I figured they would still be arguing.

Billy cleared his throat. He looked very pale.

“Apparently three young men in the Forks hospital who had been in casts with broken legs and other injuries, became very angry and walked out of the hospital. One went through the wall of his room and jumped three stories to the ground.”

Three new wolves.

“Okay…”

“That’s not all Bella.” Jake said.

“What?”

“Rachel received a call from Rebecca. She has been running a high fever lately but feels great. She told Rachel she has had a short temper lately and isn’t sure what to do. The Doctor wanted to hospitalize her because she was running a nearly 105 degree fever but she refused because she felt… great. Irritated but great.”

Oh shit.

Jake and Billy were scared. Everyone else was silent. No one wanted to say anything.

Make Chris proud, Bella.

“Billy… no Rachel, get Rebecca on a flight to Casper, Wyoming. Jake, take the boys out quickly and get those wolves before the feds see them. Agent Levoi find out where your guys are and bring them in for a meeting or something. Get them in once place. Old Quil, I want all the parents of the wolves, and imprints talked to. We are all going to Wyoming. We are going to protect our loved ones so we can fight. Wyoming will allow us to train new wolves without having to hide from prying eyes. The two of us can reinforce the wards.

Dad? Sorry but I need you to be my chief of police now.”

Dad nodded without hesitation.

“Also we need to talk projects. You and Billy are going to determine what La Push needs to rebuild. When this is over we are all coming back home. We also need to look into buying a private plane and basing it in Casper, Dad.”

“Uh, what are you talking about?” Paul asked.

“I’m rich Paul. Very fucking rich, Rich enough that none of us will have to worry about bills or anything else for the rest of our lives, no matter how long or short they are. Now listen up. We don’t have time to discuss that now. We have scared kids out there. When the kids are calmed down, start packing. We leave tomorrow afternoon. Billy, you think you can gather the parents in the morning?”

Billy nodded.

“Everybody with me?”

I looked them each in the eyes. It was Leah that answered.

“Yeah. We are definitely with you.”

“Then let’s move our ass’s people. We have work to do.”