CHAPTER 8 ...part 2

(Fictional — Khloe Rose)

BY the time September ended and October began, Alma finally could bend her leg at a 20-degree angle and could finally walk around without those pesky crutches. Her recovery process was looking more like a year than a few months (that was including Alma's physiotherapy), but Alma's stay in La Push was proving to be more pleasant than anticipated.

Oddly enough, Sam's kids seemed to enjoy spending time with 'Auntie Alma', even if that time was usually spent with Alma watching Lacrosse teams while Peter and Ruth coloured or did 'whatever kids do' as Alma so eloquently puts it.

Thank God that Alma never really ran into Sam, he always seemed to be away on 'business' or whatever the fuck that meant. Emily always flicked her hand like that was just 'regular old Sam', but Alma couldn't help but find it odd.

I mean, it wasn't like Sam and the jorty boys were business moguls, like Patrick Bateman and the other eggshell white jerk-off's. Hell, if you asked anyone on the rez, no one knew what Sam even did for work, the council always said he and the boys 'worked for the rez', or whatever the hell that meant.

But Alma couldn't find it in herself to care, it wasn't exactly affecting her so why should Alma ask questions. Another oddity amidst the no shoes, no shirt, that's the service crew, was their appetite. Sure, Alma was known to push back a couple burgers in one sitting, but that was because of how many calories she needed to consume for lacrosse, and last Alma checked – Paul was the only one who even played recreationally.

Alma had much more to care about, like what the hell she was gonna wear for Halloween. Sure, she could have refused Ruth and Parker's begs for her to go trick-or-treating with them, but how could she say no? Alma Uley was no monster.

Parker decided to go as Alma, complete with a copy of her brace in cardboard and duct-tape ('are you sure you're okay with this Alma? I mean is it to soon?' 'Shut the fuck up Em, he looks adorable') and little Ruthie decided to go as 'the pretty lady from Auntie Alma's game' (this was of course in reference to Legends of Zelda when Ruth was being watched by Alma) and insisted that Alma match her because 'the princesses is the best and Auntie Alma is the best' – sound logic if you ask her.

Then came the brilliant idea from Emily that Embry dress up as Link, because 'every princess needs her knight in shining armour' and 'there's safety in numbers' – whatever that meant.

Ruth giggled at that, Alma did not. Even if Emily meant it for Ruth, Alma knew better. Because the moment they stepped out those doors to take the three and five year old's to trick-or-treat, Alma knew the rumour mill would begin turning.

She hated how good he looked once Hallo's eve dawned on La Push. How, despite dressing as a Hylian from a considerably nerdy game, Embry somehow managed to pull it off. The sage green nicely contrasted his russet skin, his hair softly swept under the green hat atop his head.

A small part of Alma (miniscule really) liked how he paused when he saw Alma in her costume. He went slack jawed once she walked in, even there was still a limp in her walk.

A pat on the back was due considering how alike she looked to the character in the game. The white, gold and lavender meticulously sewn and glued to perfection. Two portions of her hair was wrapped in white ribbon and the gold crown framed her face nicely.

As they waited for Emily and Sam to finish getting their kids ready, all Embry and Alma could do was give quick glances only to quickly avert their gaze as a soft blush coated their cheeks.

Parker was the first out, Alma's jersy so large on him that they had to use a hair tie to fit it better. He ran to Alma, careful not to trip over the makeshift lacrosse stick in his hand.

"Auntie Alma! Auntie Alma! Look at me!" He did a quick spin, beaming from ear to ear as he did so.

Alma slacked her jaw in faux awe, pressing her hands to her hips as she said; "Well I did even know it was you, thought I was looking into a mirror!" She turned to Embry, only now noticing his soft gaze and bright smile. "Did you know it was him?"

He turned his attention to Parker, portraying that same fake enthusiasm. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've got yourself a clone Ally!" He turned back to Alma as he spoke, Peter erupting in giggles as the two adults played along.

"It's me Auntie Alma!"

Just then, Ruth walked out in a costume that was unlike the one Alma wore. Instead, she was dressed in fairy wings, a soft light illuminating the parameter of the wings. She still wore a golden crown atop her head, though it was daintier and minimal compared to Alma's one.

Emily, as if sensing Alma's confusion, spoke from behind her daughter; "It was last minute, but she wanted to go as one of the sprite's instead."

She only nodded. Was this the plan all along? To trick Alma into a couple's costume with Embry with the power of Ruth's cuteness? One look at Embry's furrowed brow and tense jaw let Alma know that even if the other's may have planned it, Embry was on the same team as her.

So she smiled and went with it.

"Well then oh mighty Sprite, would you be so kind as to lead us on our quest?"

Ruth began to giggle, jumping to grasp Alma and Embry's hand's towards the door, cooing to alert her readiness to leave.

"If you could get them back before 9 that would be perfect, thank you so much for this you guys." At Emily's statement, Alma and Embry nodded, promising the Uley woman they'd be back in time and wishing them a good evening.

***

Embry had never felt so giddy, beaming like an idiot whenever anyone said they looked like a 'cute family' (even if he and Alma weren't even together, let alone parents). Even if he had no part in it, he had to commend the other's for their involvement in this predicament, namely the cute three year old clutching his hand.

Even if the rest of the pack teased him relentlessly over his costume, nothing could bring Embry down. He was spending time with his imprint, dressed like her favorite videogame couple – what more could Embry want.

Then a howl wrung out, and Embry's smile was wiped clean off.

'Embry head over, we've got a problem.'

'Can't you get someone else?'

'No, everyone else is already here, we're just missing you.'

'Why can't you guys do it without me, you know how much I need this Sam.'

'I know Embry, and I'm sorry, I really am. But I wouldn't be calling you unless it was important.'

'Fine, give me 15.'

'Thank you.'

"Hey, are you good? You look like you've seen a ghost." Alma, sweet, beautiful, perfect Alma asked, smiling at him and glowing under the moon's light, ethereal in every sense of the word. She looked breathe taking before, when he first saw her in her costume, but now, she looked like she was pulled from a cut scene, meeting Embry under the night's embrace.

"Yeah, sorry I uh, I gotta go, I'm sorry."

He tried not to notice the confused look on her face, the hurt look in her eyes. "Is..Is everything okay?" Are we okay?

"Yeah, my-my mom needs me like now so I need to leave."

"Do you need me to come with you?"

"No!" She jumped at his sudden outburst. "I mean, uhm no thank's, I've got it covered."

Alma's eyes hardened then, unflinching to the way Embry looked positively broken at her expression.

"Yeah, sounds important, don't want to keep you."

"Ally, I-I'm really sorry-"

"No, No it's totally fine, you've got more important things to do, I get it."

She didn't get it. How could Embry sit there, pretending to care about Alma, when all he ever ends up doing is walking away when things got good?

"Al-"

"Seriously go, I don't want to keep you."

And he did, running off into the forest to save some other maiden.

***

When the clock hit 8:30, Alma began to guide Parker and Ruth back to the Uley cabin, Ruth propped on her hip and Parker clinging onto her hand.

Alma tried not to think about Embry's hasty exit, tried not to remember his forlorn look when Alma dismissed his apologies. She wanted to hear him out, truly, but Alma wasn't exactly up to getting her heart hurt again.

All Alma wanted to do was curl up into her bed and try not to think about why her heart ached when Embry left and why calls with Toby didn't soothe that pain.

"Well, look who we have here."

Alma froze, that voice, that fucking voice, she knew it all to well.

"Hello Alma."

KOREY SPEAKS !

So, how we doing? Shit's about to hit the fan for Alma and Embry (mostly Alma though) so get ready! Who do we think Alma ran into?

If y'all couldn't already tell, Legends of Zelda is one of my favorite videogames lol, I'm definitely gonna force my future man to dress up as Link with me as Zelda. I'm incredibly geeky if you couldn't already tell haha.

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