Darkness Begets Dusk

Bells was invested in going to see J. Jenks. We talked about it with Edward and the Cullens, and everyone was on board. Carlisle said, "I'll make sure that our guests remain civil with each other". I was worried for him since there's a whole convention going on their house at the moment. But it was me, Maxwell, and Bella to go see this mystery man.

Edward wanted to come but he wanted to make sure his father wasn't completely defenseless. We arrived there, and it was downtown which added more suspicion to me. I wasn't sure how this guy was going to help our problem, but if Alice and Jasper have faith in him then I suppose that's enough.

It was a seedy type of area, and there was a guy who was lurking around. He looked very out of place, but he was waiting for something....or someone. Bella figured that was this Jenks character. Maxwell and I both got out of the car to go greet this stranger. She asked, "Um. Hey, are you J. Jenks?". He looked at her and went, "Why're you looking for J?". I was in no mood for the bullshit and said, "If you're not him, then stop fucking around with us". Maxwell looked at me with a subtle stare to, calm down. I was a bit on edge, since this place isn't safe and this guy is giving us the runaround.

Maxwell said firmly, "We wouldn't be here if we didn't know what we were in for". The shady guy looked at him up and down and said, "Touché". Bella asked him, "What's your name? If you care to share?". He said, "Max". Maxwell snickered and said, "We have so much in common". This Max said, "If you have a last name or moniker I could use to see if J knows you".

Bella and Maxwell held each other's hands and said, "Cullen". The guy called who I believe to be Jenks, and was gushing over Bella and her looks, "Well, she looks like a freaking supermodel, that's what she looks like".

After he mentioned the last name Cullen, the tone of the phone call switched. "He wants to see you three immediately", he said. He gave us the address and went back to his routine of loitering. We got back to the car, and I immediately said, "Geez. I don't wanna have to come back here, cause if I do I'm kicking his ass for wasting our time". Max said, "I'm glad you didn't have to. Besides, we have bigger fish to fry". Bella replied, "Thank you both for coming with me". I said, "Of course". Maxy said, "As if we were gonna let you go through this alone".

We headed for an office building on the other side of town. It looked more decent than that place we were before. At first I thought we were at the wrong firm because the sign said Jason Scott. Not J. Jenks. Probably a pseudonym to protect his actual identity, and I can't blame him.

If he's dallying with vampires and people like us, he would have to have a hundred different identities to keep himself and his associates safe. We got there, and there was a lady at the desk named April. We barged in there without a scheduled visit, so it was a bit awkward.

But since Jenks knew we were coming thanks to his weird employee, we got in quick to see him. His space was a typical attorney office. His degrees displayed on the wall, a bookcase, a cup of coffee and dressed in a well pressed suit. He said, "Ah! The Cullens and Mr. Black". I was a bit shocked since he knew me, directly. But then I figured Alice and Jasper must have told him about all of us, in detail. He said, "I have worked with Jasper for quite some time now". I inquired, "Really? How long?". He was a bit nervous and replied, "He is, uh, unusually well-preserved".

I almost laughed since, yeah, Jasper's a vampire. I'm not sure how Jenks met Jasper, or how that connection started, but that was not the purpose of this impromptu meeting. Bella said, "Alice left me a note to find you. How can you help us?". Jenks got up from his desk and went to a filing cabinet. He opened it and gave Bella a folder.

She opened it and we were all shocked. It was passports, forged passports, to be more precise. It was filled with cards, bank accounts, and all types of stuff. They were made for me, Maxwell and Renesmee. Bella was stunned by the information, but she nodded grimly and said, "Thank you".

Everything clicked into my mind like a puzzle finally being finished. This was a failsafe, in the event we failed. If our collective witnesses and our last stand with the Volturi ended in blood. It was for me, Maxwell and Renesmee to flee the country and to protect her. We left the office and headed back to the car. Bella was overwhelmed by the visit. Maxwell gave her a hug, "This is not the end all to be all. This was just a necessary alternative if things didn't work out. But I promise you it will, it'll never have to get to this point".

I replied, "This won't happen. We'll get this done and we'll all be safe". Bella calmed herself, and we got back to the house. Edward was pacing when we arrived, and he ran to Bella and held her close. We told him and the Cullens privately what happened. We didn't need prying ears from the other vampires to know what kind of day we just had.

Carlisle said, "It would be Alice and Jasper to make this kind of call. It was a smart one to make". Bree replied, "We got a friggin army to help us now! I'd say we're okay". Emmett replied, "It'll be a rough one though little sis". Rosalie patted Bree on the shoulder, "We have to stay realistic Bree".

Esme stated, "All we can do is stay focused on the task ahead". Maxwell said, "We have a lot to work to do". I said, "We can do this. We've faced hard times, and we can get through this". Tomorrow, was training with our vampire visitors. But I just wanted to go home and just relax.

When we got in the door I was exhausted. I fell unto the couch in a dramatic way, which garnered a large laugh from Max. He said, "Of all times, now you want to be silly". I wanted to make him laugh, and just see him smile. After today, we needed a bit of laughter.

M decided to be just as silly and he gracefully, ceremoniously fainted onto the couch alongside me. We both laughed and we held each other. In these times, after experiencing J. Jenks we needed just some downtime. I asked Maxwell, "Hey. Are you okay after everything today?". He looked down, and I picked his chin up and turned him to me. "You can tell me anything".

He said sadly, "It's heartbreaking that it has to resort to that. To flee the country with Nessie, if everyone we love is slaughtered. If Bella and Edward were....". He couldn't even say it, and it broke my heart too, to face that cruel reality.

I said, "I faith in me, you and everyone". Max replied, "So do I". I told him, "We can't give into despair, that will ruin us before we're even ready to face those bastards". I gave Maxwell a tender kiss, and he burrowed his body next to me, and I just held him. I'll never let them hurt you, Max. I promise. We managed to get to bed and face the next day. Not too long after, it was Christmas.

-To Be Continued

Thank you so much for reading!! ~TheeOnly