Ness' Comet

Ch 81: Hospital

We told the police it was a hit and run. They believed us initially since they weren't going to question two pretty young women who were injured from a bad crash. I knew the lie probably wouldn't hold up, but they would never actually find out the truth, so my priority was making sure Lizzie was okay. Luckily, her leg wasn't actually broken, which made her visibly relieved. She would be laid up for the next week, but her dress would cover up any bandages from her injury and she could hopefully still walk down the isle.

I stood out in the hallway to give Seth and Lizzie some privacy. Seth was beside himself. I'd never seen him so enraged. He was holding it together for Lizzie's sake, but I knew the familiar fire behind a werewolf's eyes.

I refused to let the doctors look at me for too long, which was a nightmare because more than anything I hated seeming difficult. It was ridiculous how anxious I became in situations like this, especially when you're an immortal and none of it should matter in the long run.

As I stared blankly at the fluorescent lights of the hospital hallway, trying to distract myself from the smell of blood that permeated the air, Jacob approached.

He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. I knew Jacob was fuming internally, just as Seth was, but he clearly was trying to assess whether or not I was okay before he could indulge in his anger.

"You look terrible," he said honestly.

I managed a breathy laugh, but anyone could see how hollow it was. He was right, I'm sure I did look terrible. I had cuts all over my face and I was bruised in multiple places. Luckily for me, unlike poor Lizzie, being supernatural I had some accelerated healing. Not to mention, no matter how "terrible" I looked, I could never actually look ugly. My looks were the last thing I could ever be insecure about, so comments like that didn't bother me.

"How's Lizzie doing?" Asked Jacob.

I sighed. "She's doing as well as she can. She's a tough cookie."

"Well, she definitely has to be if she's marrying one of us." He was clearly referring to the werewolf thing.

I pushed myself off the wall that was keeping me steady. Jacob moved to help me but I gestured that I was okay.

"We need to talk about something," I said, jerking my head for him to follow me. He did without hesitation.

We found a spot outside the building that seemed private enough. I kept my voice low, always paranoid that someone would hear us.

"What happened after you two showed up?"

Jacob's eyes grew serious. "Well, those two bloodsuckers were hard to catch, that's for sure."

My heart sank. "So they got away?"

"One did."

"One?" I clarified. "What happened to the other?"

"We caught him. The dark haired one."

I was shocked. I couldn't believe Jacob managed to destroy one of them.

"Vladimir?" I uttered in disbelief.

"I guess so," replied Jacob. "But we need to find the other one. I'm sure it's only made him more intent on hurting you."

I nodded, lost in my own thoughts and half listening to him.

"Ness?"

I jerked my head up. "Yeah?"

"What do they want with you?" His voice was filled with incredulity.

I shrugged. "Probably to try a different method of getting my family to engage with the Vulturi. Their first plan didn't work and now they probably just want to straight up blackmail the family itself to provoke Aro and incite a war."

"But why your family?"

"Because we're the largest coven Aro knows about. And we all have powers. Given the chance we could bring together enough vampires to stand a chance against the Vulturi. At least, enough to weaken them so the two Draculas could reclaim their power."

Jacob growled in frustration. "This is ridiculous!" He ran a hand through his dark locks. "Im going after that albino bloodsucker. This has to end."

"No," I said firmly, grabbing his arm. He gaped at me, confused. "I'm going to help you."

"Ness," he started to say, but I wasn't going to let him use that patronizing tone with me. I wasn't so green anymore. If anyone was going to stop them, it was going to be me. I was the one they wanted, and if Stefan wanted to provoke a Cullen, then he was going to get what he wanted.

"Enough Jake," I stopped him. "This is my fight. I owe it to Lizzie, myself, my family," I looked down before murmuring, "and you."