»—— act one. twilight
☽⋅── EIGHTEEN ──something i need to tell you all ─⋅☾

The journey to Eve's destination on her morning jog was peaceful and relaxing, her footsteps a quiet rhythm against the ground as the sun dipped beneath the horizon. The path was mostly empty, the only sound interrupting the serenity being the occasional bird's song or the rustle of leaves underfoot.

She ran for a while, her long legs propelling her through the soft terrain, the cool air a welcome relief from the humid morning air. The sky was mostly clear, though some dark clouds were beginning to gather on the horizon, a gentle rumble of thunder sounding in the distance as the storm rolled in.

As Eve arrived home, a smile lit up her face at the sight of Edward. His arrival in a different car than usual caught her attention.

"Hey, Edward," she greeted, her voice light and cheerful. "Is Eleanor up yet?"

Edward chuckled and shook his head, turning towards the house. "She just shut off her alarm," he confirmed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I think she took it as a sign to go back to sleep."

Eve chuckled at Edward's response, her determination to get Eleanor out of bed shining through. "Alright, let me handle it," she said, a playful tone in her voice.

Edward followed her into the house, taking a seat in the living room while he waited patiently, a faint smile on his lips. He could faintly hear the sounds of movement and muffled voices coming from Eleanor's room, indicating that Eve was taking care of the task of waking up her daughter.

After about thirty minutes had passed, Eleanor finally made her way down the stairs, her voice filled with a mixture of confusion and annoyance. "Why didn't my alarm wake me?" she complained, her voice laced with a hint of a whine.

Eve couldn't help but snort at her daughter's question. "Edward said you snoozed it," she responded with a chuckle, eliciting a sly grin from Edward.

Eleanor looked at Edward and frowned, a hint of chagrin on her face. "Oh, come on, did you really use your super hearing? Talk about ratting me out."

Edward chuckled a hint of smugness in his tone. "What can I say? I have a talent for hearing things that some don't," he replied nonchalantly, his words tinged with a playful teasing tone.

He then gestured towards the jeep. "Well, let's get going," he declared, opening the door for the girls. "We've got a game to play."

Eleanor's mood quickly lightened at Edward's invitation, her frown transforming into a smile. "Oh, finally, a distraction from the storm," she joked, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Eve rolled her eyes, her smile matching her daughter's enthusiasm. "Don't be dramatic, El," she laughed. "We're just going to play a little baseball. It's not the apocalypse."

"Oh, please, Mom," Eleanor retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're no fun."

Edward chuckled, his amusement at her feigned disappointment evident. "Alright, tough crowd," he joked, his tone laced with playful sarcasm.

Eve laughed at their banter, a hint of indulgence in her voice. "All right, all right, you drama queens."

As they all got in the vehicle, Eve settled back in the backseat, a small smile on her lips as she tuned out their ongoing banter.

Her eyes trailed out the window, taking in the changing scenery as the landscape rolled by, the trees stretching out on all sides adding to the peacefulness of the ride.

The jeep continued on its journey for some time, navigating through a cluster of towering ferns and moss-draped trees, eventually coming to a stop in a vast open field. The expanse stretched out before them like a sprawling masterpiece, larger than any baseball stadium.

Carlisle was setting up the bases, marking out their field of play. He suddenly stopped, noticing Eve's scent in the air. She didn't have much time to react, however, as he had already crossed the distance to stand in front of her, his gaze fixed on her.

He planted a soft kiss on Eve's cheek before turning his attention back to the field, revealing that he had just completed setting up the bases.

Eve's eyes flicked towards the bases, observing the greater distance between them compared to a traditional baseball field. But, given the speed of the Cullens, she immediately realized that this setup was tailored to accommodate their particular abilities.

As they approached the rest of the Cullens, Eve noticed Rosalie and Emmett seating themselves on a bare outcropping of rock, while Eleanor and Edward arrived by their side.

Meanwhile, Alice and Jasper were positioned further away, exchanging a ball back and forth, though Eve couldn't quite see the object herself. Carlisle smirked as he observed her squinting her eyes, clarifying, "It's there, but the ball is so fast that only we can see it."

Eve chuckled sarcastically, responding to Carlisle's explanation. "Well, darn my mere human eyes," she said with a touch of mock disappointment.

The rest of the family chuckled in response, amused by her comment.

Eleanor glanced up at the sky, noting the ominous presence in the air. Emmett, with a wink thrown in for good measure, remarked, "Pretty eerie, isn't it?"

Alice and Jasper returned from their warm-up exercises, and She moved confidently into position on the pitcher's mound. She called out, "Okay, let's go!"

Edward, his eagerness in his gaze, positioned himself as an outfielder, ready to join the action. Emmett standing further away.

Rosalie stepped up to the plate first, with Jasper officiating. Eleanor and Eve stood beside Carlisle who was after Rosalie.

A deep rumble of thunder echoed through the surrounding forest, followed by a loud crash as it travelled west towards town.

"It's time," Alice declared, her voice firm and confident.

Alice stood tall, her stance both poised yet unnerving, her eyes seemingly unblinking as she held the ball in her hands. Her movement was eerily swift, like a cobra striking a target. From where they stood, Eve and Eleanor, could barely see the ball, it moved so fast.

Rosalie smirked as she prepared to swing, her bat making a swift circle around her, just in time to strike at the invisible ball. The impact was intense, a deafening crack that echoed off the surrounding mountains.

Eve, reacting to the sound, quickly covered her ears with a finger.

Eleanor, too, was struck by the intensity of the sound. Both of her hands covered her ears dramatically, her voice rising in exhilaration and surprise. "That was something else!" she exclaimed, clearly impressed by the power behind the strike.

Carlisle chuckled and wrapped his arm around Eve's shoulder. "And that, my dear, is why we play in thunderstorms," he explained, his voice filled with lighthearted pride.

Meanwhile, Eve watched Edward dart into the forest, a hint of doubt on her face. "Will he make it in time?"

Carlisle responded with a reassuring smile, "Oh, don't worry. Edward is incredibly fast, while Emmett, he hits like a truck."

At the same time, Jasper retrieved the ball thrown by Edward, and called out, making Rosalie sigh in impatience.

Carlisle playfully kissed the side of Eve's head. "All right, it's my turn now. Cheer for me," he declared with a wink as he tossed the bat in the air.

The rest of the family readied up, with Carlisle approaching the base, the bat in his hand prepared to swing.

Rosalie took up her role of referee, and playfully made Eleanor stand behind her to act as the umpire, which had the teenage girl brimming with anticipation.

As Jasper stood next to Eve, he shared his insight, "Carlisle usually isn't known for his powerful hits."

"Why not?" she inquired, her eyes still fixed on the field as Carlisle swung the bat, connecting with the ball thrown by Alice. She observed Edward and Emmett running to catch the ball but colliding with each other due to their combined speed. They both fell to the ground, resulting in both males sprawled out on the field.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she observed the comical scene unfolding.

Jasper couldn't help but chuckle as he continued, "Carlisle prefers to focus on strategy rather than brute force."

He tossed arouns his bat, preparing for his turn. "And it's my turn now."

Eve observed the ongoing game, unable to ignore the eerie sensation that washed over her. Crossing her arms, she briefly shivered, but the feeling wavered just as quickly, though she remained on guard.

The game carried on for another short while, when, as before, Eve felt a ripple of chills. She approached her daughter, who looked at her with concern, asking, "Mom?"

In that instant, just as Alice was about to throw the ball, she abruptly stood up, her focus trained on the dense forest behind them.

"Stop!" gasped Alice, and when Edward turned to her, he saw her thoughts clearly.

The Cullens had immediately encircled them, with Carlisle placing his hand on Eve's shoulder, and Edward protecting Eleanor behind him.

Carlisle's voice, firm and commanding, cut through the air as he addressed Alice, "What's going on?"

She responded in a soft voice, "They were moving much faster than I had anticipated."

Jasper, standing protectively beside her, asked, "What's the change?"

Alice replied sheepishly, her voice laced with a touch of remorse, "They've changed their path because they heard us play."

Meanwhile, Carlisle turned his attention to Edward, who displayed a look of intense concentration etched across his face.

"How long now?" Carlisle asked.

Edward responded through gritted teeth, "They're running—they want to play."

As Carlisle wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, Eve confessed, "I felt it earlier," she admitted. "I don't know how, but I did. I should've spoken sooner."

He spared a curious glance down at her before refocusing on their safety. He wanted to understand how she sensed it but prioritized protecting her and Eleanor.

"They don't emit any scent, so they shouldn't notice, right?" Emmett mused aloud.

Rosalie scanned the air with a sniff, confirming, "You wouldn't even know they were humans." Her gaze shifted to Eve and Eleanor, who looked visibly shaken.

Edward pulled Eleanor closer to shield her, while Carlisle momentarily tightened his embrace on Eve before whispering into her ear, "Stay behind Edward."

She obediently nodded in affirmation, and Carlisle placed a tender kiss on the side of her head before turning to join the rest of the family at the front.

Three figures materialized from the edge of the forest, their arrival occurring one at a time, each emerging from the trees in a separate formation.

The first man stepped back, making way for the taller, dark-haired male who took the lead. The third figure was a woman whose fiery red hair made her stand out vividly against the backdrop of the forest.

The three figures formed a tight formation as they approached them cautiously, displaying a natural etiquette akin to that ofa battalion of predators encountering a group of their own kind for the first time.

As they closed in, Eve noticed the dissimilarities between them. Their pace had a feline quality, always poised on the edge of transforming into a crouch. They wore the typical gear of hikers: jeans and loose-fitting shirts, made of tough, weather-resistant material. The clothes were worn and shabby, evidence of their journey, and they were barefoot.

The men sported cropped hair, and the woman's fiery red locks were laced with foliage and twigs.

The sharp gazes of the newcomers meticulously assessed the more polished and urban demeanour of Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper, who advanced cautiously towards them. Without any exchange of words, they straightened themselves, adopting a more relaxed and upright stance.

The head man was undeniably the most striking, with olive-toned skin contrasting against an undertone of pallor, his lustrous black hair emphasizing his features. Standing at an average height, he was muscular, yet not comparable to Emmett's sheer strength. He smirked, revealing a dazzling array of gleaming white teeth.

The female stood out from the rest, her eyes darting frantically between the men facing her and the group gathering. Her tousled mane danced in the gentle breeze, and her demeanour exuded a wild cat-like energy.

The second male shadowed the others, with a lean physique and unremarkable features, yet his gaze, despite its static stillness, appeared the most vigilant.

Curiosity overcoming caution, Eleanor discreetly peeked over Edward's broad shoulder, her throat constricting at the sight of the striking red eyes. Edward, attuned to her inner emotions, sensed her fear but sought to conceal it. He discreetly reached for her hand behind his back, and she communicated to him her recognition of the blonde male as the one from her past, the assailant from her childhood memories.

Concern for Eleanor, who was visibly shaken, prompted Eve to instinctively reach out and place her arm over her daughter's shoulder. As Edward was the only one aware of Eleanor's rough past, Eve assumed her daughter's trembling was a result of the three towering figures before them, rather than due to a specific recognition of the blonde male who had almost ended her life in the past.

The man at the forefront, Laurent, introduced himself with the subtle lilt of a French accent. His tone was casual as he spoke, "We thought we heard some sounds. I'm Laurent. These are Victoria and James."

Turning his attention towards them, he continued, "I'm Carlisle. My family is Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Alice, and Edward, along with Eleanor and Eve." He pointed to them in groups, deliberately avoiding referring to specific individuals.

Laurent's cheerful inquiry about joining the game was met with Carlisle's equally affable response.

"In fact, we were just wrapping up," Carlisle replied, "but we'd certainly be interested in joining another time. Are you planning to stay in the area for long?"

Laurent informed them, "We're headed north, actually. But we were simply curious to meet the neighbours. We haven't encountered any company in quite some time."

"Well, the region is generally deserted, aside from our presence and the occasional passerby like yourselves."

Laurent casually inquired, "How wide is your hunting area?"

Ignoring the underlying assumption, Carlisle responded, "Our hunting grounds include the Olympic Range here, and occasionally the Coast Ranges. We maintain a permanent residence nearby."

Laurent leaned back slightly, his curiosity palpable, "Permanent? How do you manage that?"

Carlisle extended an invitation, "Why don't you come with us to our home? We can discuss further comfortably there."

James and Victoria shared a surprised glance upon hearing the word "home," while Laurent maintained his composure more effectively.

"That sounds very intriguing," he responded cheerfully.

"We've been exploring from Ontario, and we haven't had a chance to freshen up for some time yet, but we are going to continue our travels" he remarked, his gaze appreciatively appraising Carlisle's refined appearance.

Carlisle explained, "Please don't take offence, but we'd ask that you avoid this area for hunting purposes. We understand the need to remain inconspicuous."

Laurent nodded in agreement. "Of course. We have no intention of encroaching on your territory either. We just finished dining outside of Seattle," he added with a chuckle.

"Thank you," Carlisle replied with a nod, "We value our privacy and the protection of our secrecy."

Laurent raised an eyebrow, "How long have you been in your current... situation for? You all seem remarkably unbothered by your circumstances."

Carlisle pondered a moment before responding, "We've been in this state for quite some time now. We've become accustomed to it, although it took some adjusting at the beginning."

"We had our struggles, of course," he acknowledged. "But we've learned to adapt and make the best of it."

Laurent nodded slowly, his interest clearly piqued but still maintaining his polite demeanour.

After a brief exchange of words, the three outsiders departed swiftly, disappearing into the woods. The Cullens stood in silence until they could no longer hear their sounds. Once they were out of earshot, Carlisle hurried to Eve's side.

Edward remained facing the forest, contemplating the developments, before finally turning his attention to an equally rattled Eleanor.

Eve, despite being comforted by Carlisle's embrace, could sense something more serious behind Edward's expression and Eleanor's terrified state.

Her voice softened as she spoke to her daughter, "Eleanor?"

Eleanor flinched slightly but slowly turned her gaze to her mother, her face pale and dotted with perspiration.

"Mom," she began, her voice shaky, "Wait, no...everyone...there's something I need to tell you all."

Eleanor directed her words towards the group, excluding Edward, who was aware of her past.

Carlisle responded with a nod, "Let's all return to the house. It will be safer than remaining out here."

Edward, sensing the gravity of the situation, spoke in agreement, "Yes, let's get back to the house. It's more secure in there."