— A very tired Rory opened up the front door when she'd heard an obnoxiously loud knocking. Who could possibly be knocking on her door this early in the morning? "Bella?"

The brunette on the other side of the door gave her a slight smile. Rory had heard from Jacob that the Swan girl had begun the hang out with him, fixing up dirtbikes. "Hey." She greeted her friend awkwardly.

"What's up?" Rory asked her, considering the fact that Bella hadn't stopped by or even spoken to the girl recently.

In fact, it was strange. Bella's back to normal, according to Jake she had invited him to the movies and then it was radio silence.

Jacob Black had fallen off the face of the earth just like Embry Call had, and it only made Rory worry even more.

"Have you—have you heard from Jake, recently?" Bella asked, her tone was hushed as if she was afraid to speak any lowder. Roy shook her head in response, Jacob hadn't shown signs of life to neither her or Quil.

"No, actually. I called Billy yesterday and he said Jake's got mono, knowing him—he's not exactly the type of guy to go around kissin' girls; but i guess that's not the only way to get it..." she trailed off, her expression turning into a thoughtful one.

Bella listened intently as Rory rambled, when it seemed as if a light bulb lit up in her brain.

"Would you like to go on a hike?"

Rory's rambling was cut off, her jaw going slack. Rory Sinclair was not a outdoorsy person. No way! Just the thought gave her the heebie-jeebies.

The mosquitoes, the endless amount of trees...the mosquitoes.

Rory's mouth was moving before she could even think to answer. "Sure."

—

In true Rory nature, the brunette grumbled every step of the way. Sticking close behind Bella, sure she trusted her friend; but after figuring out her about the type of company she kept around...

Rory didn't trust her that much.

They came across an empty field, it had potential to be something more. By the look on Bella's face, the field meant something more.

She heard a twig snap, causing her to turn. Bella was more surprised, though. "Laurent!" Bella asked, making Rory raise a brow. How did Bella know this man? The look on his face was predatory...like a lion stalking its prey.

"Bella?" He stalked closer, and the girl seemed to relax; only making Rory stress more. "You remember.." The man's red eyes moved over to Rory, his eyebrow ticked. "You've brought a friend."

"I didn't expect to see you here." Laurent admitted, strolling closer.

"Should be the opposite, I live here. I'd heard you'd gone to Alaska." Was Bella seriously making conversation with not only a stranger but a vampire stranger.

"You're right." The man agreed. "I went to Alaska. Still, I stopped to visit the Cullens—and was surprised to see they had gone. Left an empty house."

"They moved on." Bella mumbled.

"I'm surprised they left you. Weren't you a sort of pet of theirs?" He quirked a brow, Rory felt an uncomfortable feeling settle into her stomach. This wasn't good.

"Do they visit often?" Laurent asked yet another question. What was this '20 Questions'? Rory thought as she inched closer to Bella.

"Now and again..." The Swan girl lied.

"I don't know—when I stopped by, the house smelt like it had been vacant." Laurent clearly didn't believe whatever lie Bella had said, making Rory doubt her trust in Bella.

They should've ran for the hills minutes ago!

"I'll tell Carlisle that you stopped by. He'll be sorry that he missed your visit." Bella lied once again. "I probably shouldn't tell Edward...he's got such a temper after the James—"

Rory felt like the next few moments went by fast, the way he spoke was as if he'd hurt them. She had no doubt that he would, it was in his nature, and after hearing his confession to cheating his animal diet.

Rory didn't want to find out the real reason he was there.

—

bit of a short chapter !