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Death on Two Legs	By : Fourshotchild Category: Twilight Series > Het Views: 2926 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

Chapter List
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Author's Note: Okay, so this idea has been badgering me for sometime. I have in no way completed the outline for this story. I was hoping on gaining some direction from readers. Now, I hope ya'll enjoy this story. It's different from others I've read. I haven't set the pairings yet. For this chapter however, it's a Charlie and Bella tale. There will be no incest in this story. Well, enjoy! Review if you like! Thanks for stopping by!

Death on Two Legs

"You and I"

Chapter One
A call came through the radio around eleven o'clock. The intern reported a drunk teenager reeking havoc around the neighborhood. Several unhappy locals phoned in destruction of property including smashed mailboxes. The description of the perpetrator was vague at best: a female with curly hair. Charlie accepted the responsibility and toured the iced streets. He flicked his high beams on to see past the heavy rain. It was a fool's errand. Most intoxicated high school students perused Forks with a getaway driver. He'd dealt with countless cases. Without a license plate or identification, Chief Swan would be lucky to find the criminal.
He crept along Olympic Drive with a keen eye. True to the citizens' words, chunks of brick decorated the streets. Christmas lights wrapped around parked vehicles. Reindeer lay on their sides, while an inflatable Santa blocked the intersection. Charlie stopped the cruiser in front the holiday ornament. He grabbed a flashlight and tugged a parka over his head. The driver's door squeaked as he pried it open. Cold drops splashed his face sticking to his mustache. A frown marred his lax face. Carefully, he sauntered across the salted pavement. Charlie moved the obnoxious object to the sidewalk. It played carols across the distance. He never understood people's fascination with tacky displays.
With a huff, he returned to the squad car. His booted foot caught a slick patch of ice. Charlie's hands caught the fall. Sharp pain spread across his palms. "Damn," he hissed. A fresh coat of blood rose from torn skin. He picked himself up and examined the injuries further. It was unlike him to tumble. No, clumsiness fell upon Bella. A loving smile lifted his hardened features. The initial pain forgotten. He adored his daughter's inept ability to find trouble around every corner. She'd trip over thin air if he wasn't there to catch her. Oh Bells, he thought. It'd been a rough year. The Cullens leaving took a toll on her heart. Thankfully, Jacob gathered the broken pieces. He owed that kid everything.
The familiar creek of the cruiser broke him out of his thoughts. Charlie locked onto the aged vehicle. No one stood near it. "Strange…," and then, the headlights switched off. He walked to the passenger's side and flashed a light inside. The keys rested in the ignition. A dead battery was most likely the cause. Chief Swan grabbed the handheld radio from the belt and requested backup. The intern said it'd be about fifteen minutes before another officer arrived. He nodded to himself and returned the equipment to its holding place.
A harsh wind headed south as he waited. It pushed the water at an odd angle soaking his uniform. The cuts on his hands enflamed. Charlie moved to driver's side and searched for the first aid kit. He spotted the white case but didn't grab it. A loud crash interrupted his task. Chief Swan whipped around only to see a smashed sled. Splintered wood covered the ground. His brown eyes squinted to catch the ballsy student. He didn't have to look far. A woman around the age of eighteen leaned against the pickup directly in front of him. The only features he could make out were red curls and exceptionally pale skin. She wore a pair of holey jeans and a ripped t-shirt. It was odd considering the freezing temperature. "Miss, I need to talk to you." Her response was menacing laughter. It caused uncontrollable chills up his spine.
The strangest thing happened next. In a split second, she vanished. Charlie surveyed the area in complete disbelief. He inched to his handheld but a pale fingers stopped him. The teenager stood before him with a sinister smirk. Her eyes resembled toxic ketchup. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," she threatened. It seemed valid despite her petite stature. Charlie removed his grasp. "Good. Now, let's make this easy. You're going to answer some questions for me." Confusion pulled at his brow. She took it as an act of stubbornness. Her deathly cold fingers squeezed his wrist. Several snaps occurred. He crumbled in agony sinking onto the concrete.
"Now, Mr. Swan, have the Cullens left Forks? Do they visit?" He shook his head staring at his disfigured appendage. "That doesn't answer my question." Another crunch overshadowed the rain. Charlie spit out a response. She seemed to like it. Her painted lips pulled back revealing white teeth. "Excellent. I'd hate their interference. You know, it's been difficult trying to kill your daughter. I appreciate a good hunt. To bad it's about to come to an end." He didn't have time to process the words. The fiery female bit into his neck. Try as he might, Chief Swan couldn't remove her.
Sucking sounds replaced rain's patter. Charlie knew the girl was drinking his blood. He would've vomited had the pain subsided. It seemed with each disgusting slurp, the anguish intensified. A part of him wished for shock. It never passed. He felt his life force slipping and fire burning in its stead. The demented being pushed him against the cruiser latching on like a mosquito. Charlie shut his eyes willing death to meet him. No such luck. His backup arrived with a siren. The woman released her hold with a displeased growl. It gave him enough time to remove his pistol. He shot the girl at pointblank range. Imagine his surprise when the bullet bounced off her body. She laughed as if unloading a gun was a joke. Then, the cannibal disappeared.
"Charlie! You okay?" No, he wasn't. His body slumped onto the street. The burning sensation spread to his lower limbs. He tried to talk, but screams replaced the words. His fellow officer assessed the situation quickly. "You stay put! I'm going to call the ambulance." Some of the surrounding neighbors snuck outside. Gasps and unsubtle whispers shrouded the tension. Chief Swan focused on the gawking bystanders to relieve the torment. It helped kill time before the medics arrived. They strapped his body onto a lift and asked too many questions. What happened became a popular favorite. Charlie bit his tongue unable to understand the event himself. How does one explain a teenager took down a grown man and proceeded to drain him? Forget the damned whys. He needed morphine.
They carted him to Forks General and refueled his blood supply. It took the edge off slightly. Someone had called Bella during the debacle. She tripped into the intensive care unit demanding answers. A nurse explained that he'd been bitten and lost significant amounts of blood. Charlie pried his eyes open to see her. Bells looked a mess. Tear tracks stained her milky cheeks. It broke his heart seeing her fight for emotional control. She'd already been through enough. Somehow, he breathed her name. It took less than a moment to have her at his side. Her warm hands wrapped tightly around his. Charlie opened his mouth again but whined. It was pathetically painful. He expected her to breakdown. Surprisingly, her doe eyes analyzed the damage and recognized the problem. Several emotions seeped into her spheres: sadness, worry, and fear.
"Dad, I know it's horrible. Can you do something for me? I need you to nod yes or no." Charlie blinked in surprise. She smiled softly and squeezed his hand. "Did someone bite you?" He forced his head down offsetting the burn. His entire body flailed. "Dad, just breathe. That fire you feel won't last forever. You've been infected with venom. It's causing your body to undergo a transformation." Bella removed her right hand and lifted up her sleeve. A silvery bite mark scarred her wrist. "The same thing happened to me last year but Edward sucked the venom out. I didn't change. You will. We need to get you out of the hospital, Dad. I know this sounds crazy, but you're going to become a vampire. If you finish transforming here, you're probably going to kill everyone in the hospital. We can't have that."
A doctor holding a clipboard stopped the conversation. Bella put on a formidable face. She told him to scrounge up a wheelchair. He asked why which earned him a glare. "We're going home. He's been stitched up and needs a good night's rest." A argument ensued that ended in Bella's victory. Charlie imagined sweet talking hospital staff came from years of experience. The nurse unhooked the tubes and acquired wheels. His stubborn daughter rolled them to the truck with ease. She managed to buckle him up and drive home.
The ear piercing screams started when she parked in the driveway. Luckily, their neighbors were acres apart. She pushed him out of the metal contraption and hauled his large form by the arms. Charlie felt the gravel biting into his back. It surprised him further that she acted so rashly. He had no time to wallow. There were more important things to consider. Her knowledge of blood drinking monsters claimed first place. The redheaded woman said she'd been trying to murder Bells. What was their involvement? Chief Swan began to realize he didn't know his daughter as well as he thought. It put a bad taste in his mouth. Had she been upset for other reasons beside heartbreak? If only he could speak!
"Char-Dad, I'm going to lay you on the floor. I don't think I can lift you." She vacated the den to collect a pillow and blankets. The simple comfort did nothing for the pain. Chief Swan tried to smile between cries. Bella chided him for it. "Don't talk. It'll make it worse. You have about two and half days left. I'm going to call the station. We don't need them coming around." She left for the kitchen. Charlie heard the headset's dial tone moments later. Bells informed the boys that he'd be gone for a couple weeks. His shrieks aided in securing time off. It was incredibly embarrassing, but there were other matters at hand. Like the fact that his heart felt as if it'd been doused in gasoline. More screams poured from his lips.
Darkness plagued Charlie's vision after the first night. He assumed it was a defense mechanism to the torture. Bella wetted wash clothes to cool the ache. It barely dulled the anguish. Poor girl. She tried her damnedest to take the edge off. The only relieving medicine was her voice. It kept him from wishing death. Bells laid all her secrets on the table. With a calm tone, she rehashed her junior year of high school. The Cullens were vampires that entrusted her with their existence. She explained her sudden departure to Arizona. A nomad leech attempted to drain her. It ended with Carlisle's children dismembering him. The woman hunting her was the mate of the departed. She desired vengeance. It's what brought on the current change of events. Bella apologized profusely taking full blame. Charlie found her a victim in the entire ordeal. The fault rested on the Cullens' shoulders. They left her to handle a supernatural murderess with a vendetta. If it was the last thing he'd do, it'd be confronting the perfect family.
Time ticked by at an uncomfortable pace. Chief Swan used his heartbeats as a stopwatch. They sped up as the transformation persisted. He'd never forget the last pump. It signified the beginning of many things. The suffering ceased and created an indescribable thirst. It burned at the back of his throat. Charlie sprang completely disoriented. He clutched his throat trying to coax the sensation away. A sharp intake of air snapped him to attention. Bella stood frozen near the entry. Instinctually, Charlie sniffed the house. Red clouded his heightened vision. He pounced on his unsuspecting daughter and sank venomous teeth into her flesh. The taste of her sweet blood rivaled any food. She squirmed in his clutches. "Dad, stop! You don't want to do this!" Oh, but he did. It sated the burn. "Please," she choked. "Daddy?" The simple word realigned reality. Charlie released her in utter shame. He was no better than the vile redhead. "It's okay. It's okay."
"Bells, I'm so sorry! What can I do?" The voice belonged to a musician. Charlie clamped a hand over his mouth. It caused Bella to chortle. Between harsh breaths, she told him to hunt in the woods and to avoid humans. He obeyed only out of guilt. "Okay, I'll be back soon. Everything will be fine." She nodded and followed his miserable example. Her eyelids closed to suffer in solitude.
It took several hours for Charlie to finally accept his predicament. The whole vampire thing threw him into a loop. A part of him shamefully disbelieved Bella's prior explanation. Vampires were fictional creatures portrayed in books and movies. He hardly found truth in wooden stakes and invisible reflections. However, certain facts stared him in the face. He attacked his child for blood, his senses were enhanced in an unnatural matter, and he could run faster than a car. Chief Swan thought the entire occurrence was a nightmare, but Bella's screams disproved that theory. He could hear them a mile away from home. It's what made him pounce on an grazing buck and suck its life away. To say it tasted terrible would be an understatement. In truth, it barely quenched the burn.
For three days, Charlie hunted. He wanted to return home but fear reigned in the desire. Every time he inched towards the house, he picked up Bella's bloody scent. It sent him into uncontrollable bloodlust. He stayed near for her protection but kept from view. Thank god, she'd called the station. If a human had strolled onto their property, Chief Swan wouldn't have been able to resist. It was pure instinct. The hunger and undeniable need to protect Bells overshadowed everything else. Being an undead monster hadn't changed the love for his daughter.
Imagine his surprise, when Bella awoke sane. The scent of dry blood didn't effect her. What a sight, she was. The transformation polished her form. She resembled a fallen angel with crimson irises. Her skin cleared, hair shined, and her girlish body grew. Dad was the first word spilled from her pout mouth. Pride uplifted his heart. Selfish as it was, he'd always been jealous of Renee's relationship with her. They connected on a more personal level. It seemed now was he chance to seize that role. "How do you feel Bells? Are you thirsty?" She nodded with a small smile. Charlie hugged his daughter tightly.
They exited the house with unparalleled grace. Chief Swan instructed how to take down a mammal simply. Of course, his daughter was a natural. She caught a scent and took down a moose with one satisfying crack. After feeding, her ruby orbs sparkled with wonder. Bella had always abhorred blood. She'd fainted on countless occasions from the smell alone. Now, she stood covered in the herbivore's tide. Her eating habits were a bit messier than his. "You did good, Bells. Want another? I know that damn thirst can be trouble." Her smile widened a fraction.
"Actually, I'm good. I think I need a shower more than anything." She paused and scanned the southern wilderness. "We need to talk about this. There are some things you need to know before venturing off into the world. The main thing being to keep your identity a secret. If someone finds out what we are, we have to kill them or change them. That's what I've been told anyway. There's vampire royalty that disciplines unruly immortals. They'll kill us if we blab our existence."
"That's rich. Where are these leaders located?"
"Somewhere in Italy. Edward didn't go into great detail. He just passed along that they're ruthless and unmerciful. The leader, Aro, likes to collect vampires with special abilities for his guard. The Cullens are considered somewhat of a threat because Edward, Alice, and Jasper each have gifts." Charlie's brow rose causing Bella to chuckle. "Edward can read minds. Well, he can apart from mine. Strange, right? And Alice can see the future. Her mate, Jasper, is empathic. He can manipulate and feel the emotions of others."
"That boy could hear my thoughts," Charlie growled.
"Well, he said your thoughts were fuzzy. Edward could pick out bits and pieces from your brain but nothing solid. He said I probably gained my talent from you. I don't know what that means exactly. Someone explained that your human traits are enhanced when you turn. I might be able to block all sorts of things now. You might even have a gift you're unaware of too. It's hard to tell. Powers are suppose to be rare in the vampire community. Hence why Aro collects them like figurines."
"Well, what else should I know?"
"Um, well, we don't turn to ash in the sunlight. Our skin sparkles instead. It's a predator mechanism. We lure people in with our beauty. We also aren't allergic to garlic. Stakes through the heart are a no-go. The only thing that can kill a vampire is fire. You have to decapitate the body for it to truly work. I've seen it. Pretty disturbing. And what else? Uh, oh! We can see ourselves in mirrors. That's just a myth. I think some ancient vampire made up a bunch of crap to throw humans off."
"Do you know how long this bloodlust is going to last?"
Bella wilted shoving stained hands in her pockets. "Dad, it's going to last a year or two. As newborns, we're volatile and constantly hungry. Usually, a seasoned immortal helps us through the process, but we're alone. Our safest route would be to leave Forks for a while. We can focus on hunting and learn control. If we stay in town, we're bound to eat someone. I can't do that. It's why I pulled you out of the hospital. It only takes one innocent to bring our secret into the open. Look at me. I'm a prime example."
"So you're telling me that I have to quit my job, move away from my home, and wander around the wilderness like a wild animal? Isabella Swan, that is not happening! We'll figure something else out."
"We can't Dad! Haven't you been listening? We'll kill people! It's not like I can continue going to college. What if I attack my friends? People will know about us! Think rationally. We can come back in a year or two. I'm sure the station will take you back. We'll just say that a family emergency came up. Maybe, Renee hit her head and went into a coma. They'll understand. Plus, when's the last time you went on vacation? This isn't some little change. We're vampires with red eyes! It'll take months before they turn gold. It'd be in everyone's best interest to hide. Hell, maybe we can find an older vamp to teach us how to survive."
"I don't like this Bells," he huffed.
"I don't either."
Charlie paced creating divots in the moist earth. A series of emotions clouded his judgment. Fear took precedent. He'd never ventured far from Forks. It'd been his home since birth. Even when the love of his life insisted on a change of scenery, he stayed. It cost him her devotion and their child. Chief Swan hated change. He felt no need to travel abroad or even drive outside the city limits. The last trip he'd taken was to pick up Bella from the airport. That was two years ago. Sure, Billy and he fished near the coast, but that was different. Home always waited for him. Every bit of him demanded staying in the withered, old house. His dark eyes shifted to Bella. Her arms were crossed, stance hard. She held her ground betting he'd cave. Of course, he did. How couldn't he? She had valid points and knew more about the supernatural than him. His daughter never steered him wrong.
"Alright, here's the plan. We're going to clean up. I'll call the station and concoct some lie. Gather some necessities and be prepared for a long trip. We'll head northeast. There's plenty of hunting grounds around the Canadian border."
"Sounds like a plan," Bella smirked victoriously. She relaxed her body and flew towards the house. Charlie followed hot on her heels. His little girl wasted no time in hogging the hot water. He could smell the animal blood circling the drain. Avoiding further exposure, Chief Swan settled in the master suit packing possessions. With inhuman speed, the chore lasted five minutes. He used a backpack for camping supplies: knives, waterproof matches, a pistol, a couple of wilderness guides, nails, a tent, and the parka he'd worn the night of his death. His suitcase was more personal. It consisted of clothes, photos, novels, and his gold plated badge. No matter where he went, his title tagged along.
The upstairs water switched off and Bella's footsteps tapped on the carpeted floor. Strawberry scented body wash perfumed the stale air. Charlie listened to her change. Wisps of cloth scraped against her marble skin. She dragged her childhood luggage from the closet. Its wheels whined from lack of use. Bells unzipped the first bag and tossed several sets of clothes in its confines. The cotton and denim rubbed together like sandpaper. She deposited a set of books in the same compartment. Chief Swan knew these to be her backup. His daughter read classics as if they were going out of style. Like him, Bella preferred the simple things in life. She hated attention and expensive gifts. No, that girl loved a worn Austen romance. It amazed him that Renee hadn't ruined the child.
Her second bag was nylon. Its scratchy fabric hissed beneath her fingers. More paperbacks plopped into the main pocket. She added some knickknacks he couldn't discern. Knowing teenagers, it was probably a MP3 player or a camera. The slight twinge of plastic rubbed against the lining. Bella stashed a few pictures and a chiming object. It reeked of leather. Charlie pushed her progress at the back of his mind. He gathered some clean clothes and proceeded to the restroom. Bells had already set aside a towel for use. Thoughtful kid.
The following hour passed quickly. Bella had packed away their belongings in the bed of the Chevy. She'd even added a couple of gasoline canisters for the ride. A blue tarp covered the precious cargo from the elements. Charlie phoned the station and talked to one of his buddies. It shocked the daylights out of him. Like Bells mentioned earlier, he never took time off. However, he swore up and down a position would be available when he returned. Chief Swan locked the doors, latched the windows, and took the wheel. Sadness radiated between the family. It was first time, he'd realized Bella would hate leaving Forks too. He patted her knee in reassurance. She forced a tightlipped smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Silence rode backseat during the drive. The only words exchanged revolved around directions. They'd taken I-101 north into the less populated cities. Several bridges allowed them to cross the Olympic harbors. Bella recommended Vancouver as a stopping point. Their map depicted miles of natural terrain. Charlie concurred allowing her to dictate their next move. She didn't disappoint. Bells directed them deep into Coast Mountains. A single, dirt packed road curved around the thousand foot monstrosities. Eventually, the lane came to a dead end. She instructed him to stay put while she knocked down some evergreens. A kick here, a punch there, and Bella cleared a hidden path into the woods. Charlie nestled the pickup in the chaos.
"We can probably build a makeshift shelter with the trees."
"Yeah, but let's move it further from the road. Help me block the new trail. We don't want hikers wandering around." Bella grabbed a particularly large log and carried it to the road. She splintered the wood into chunks. A plentiful pile lay between the forest and the road. Charlie placed another pine two miles down the road to deter any drivers. No human without a forklift could remove it. Dusting his hands, he returned to the site. Bells had already set aside usable trees. She stripped the trunks of their branches. He'd never pictured his daughter as the construction type.
Charlie ran up the mountain side and discovered a hidden ledge. The rocky surface was sturdy and flat. He cleared it of debris and beckoned Bella. She sniffed out his location toting materials. "It's perfect!" The green logs tumbled from her arms into a thudding heap. "I'll get the other trees. We could probably make a cabin or something by tomorrow. Vampires don't need sleep, which you've probably already figured out." Chief Swan sputtered. He'd completely forgotten about sleeping. "Sorry, I thought you'd noticed! I mean, you've been awake for six days."
"I think I should hunt, Bells. Why don't you bring our things up?" His tone sounded hard and domineering. Her original cheer faltered. She obeyed leaving him to his own devices. Charlie traveled east towards the river. His thoughts went in several directions. He'd never again eat a bacon cheeseburger at the diner or drink cheap beer during a Mariners game. Naps after a hard day's work were no longer possible. Even fishing under the sun with Billy was no longer an option. Every pastime Charlie had cherished, was blinked from his life. How could he live this way? What of Bella? She'd never graduate from college or have children. At least, Chief Swan had experienced life's journey. He was forty-one years old. Bells would remain nineteen for all eternity.
Two black bears died within his clutches. He focused all his frustration on the towering carnivores. They put up a fight. It ebbed some of his self-pity but not the guilt. Charlie Swan would forever hate himself for killing his daughter. She deserved a beating heart and a human existence. He'd never voice his opinions knowing she'd shoulder the blame. The most he could do was care for and love her. His first act would be building that girl a sensible house. He knew little to nothing about architecture but damn it, he'd learn. With a new sense of purpose, Charlie returned to his daughter's side praying for better beginning.
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Death on Two Legs