Author's note: Within this chapter, one of the characters (Deidre) uses language that is derogatory to people with disabilities. This is called ableist language. For example, Deidre says I am 'confined to a wheelchair'. A wheelchair doesn't make me confined, it gives me freedom. She also calls me 'poor Ella'. She pities me but I shouldn't be pitied because I have a disability. She also says some offensive words such as 'crippled' instead of disabled.
I hope I don't offend anyone but I just want to show that Deidre is ableist and a horrible character.
Editor's note: To learn more about ableism, read this article.
I eyed the message from Deirdre with distaste. Even the sight of her fake auburn curls and heavily eye lined eyes made me recoil.
I couldn't believe it. We had just got to the point where all was well. The dogs were happy, I was happy and life was good. And now, Deirdre swooped in to take my happiness from me.
From one perspective, I was a thief. I had stolen nearly 100 dogs. But I felt morally pretty good about it. These dogs had grown up in atrocious conditions and they had the right to live a happy life. If I had to steal them for them to be safe, then so be it.
If Deidre was going to tell the world about this, I might be arrested. The dogs could be sent away and Bruce and I could be separated. I could not let this happen!
Ping! Another message from Deirdre arrived.
"Ella darling, let's meet at 4pm instead. I have to get my nails done so 6pm won't be convenient for me. And bring Brucey. I don't think he should be living with a criminal like you!"
Will she never leave me alone? I thought sadly.
As if reading my thoughts, Alice moved next to me and put her arm around my shoulders. I turned the screen in Alice's direction so she could read the nefarious messages for herself.
"It seems Deirdre is up to no good. Again. How many times do we need to deal with her? Honestly!"
"What are we going to do?" I asked fearfully.
"Don't worry," she reassured me. "I have a plan that will get rid of her once and for all."
At 4pm we made our way to the Forks Community Library.
The Forks library stood proud on top of an emerald hill, righteous in its unwavering solemnity. The white columns which sat within the red brick facade glistened with a sun-kissed glow.
When I was human, my best memories were created within the manicured walls of this library. I remembered with fondness the smell of old books, the dim glow of stained glass lamps and the secretive whispers of pages being turned.
I returned from my reverie to hear the sounds of an engine idling. A flashy red car squealed to a stop. Gravel from the side of the road billowed up from underneath its tyres. With a self righteous grace, Deirdre emerged. She was dressed in a garish bronze gown that would have been more suited to a cocktail party than a library driveway. A long, checkered cloak was draped around her shoulders. Fur detailing brushed against her neck. I had no doubt that this was real fur, as Deirdre would have no problem sacrificing a poor innocent animal for her fashions.
Deirdre tottered over to me. Her heels sank into the grass with an insulting stab. After every step, Deirdre extracted her shoes with frustration.
"Poor, poor Ella," began Deirdre. "As if you didn't have enough problems..."
"What do you mean?" I asked warily.
"Well, you are already crippled, wheelchair bound and an orphan. As if that wasn't bad enough, now you are a criminal. It is tragic, truly tragic."
"I have no need for your histrionics," I said wearily. "What do you want?"
"I want you BACK," she said. "And I want money, lots of money. Judging by their enormous house, it seems like your new friends have lots to spare. Let's end this charade now."
She extended a bony hand in my direction.
Suddenly, I heard a rustling in the tree adjacent to where we were standing. With feline grace, Jasper emerged. He walked purposely up to Deirdre and stared deep into her eyes.
Deidre's eyes glazed over.
"You don't know about Ella rescuing the dogs," Jasper said hypnotically.
"I don't know about the dogs," repeated Deirdre robotically.
"You will leave Ella alone," Jasper said soporifically.
"I will leave Ella alone," Deidre repeated mechanically.
"You will forget you ever knew Ella," Jasper intoned smoothly.
"I will forget I ever knew Ella," Deidre repeated habitually.
"You will leave this town and never come back," Jasper said evenly.
"I will leave this town and never come back," she said unthinkingly.
Without another word, Deirdre headed back to her car and drove off.
"You will never have to deal with her again," said Jasper.
A we walked back to the Cullen house, I reflected on everything that had happened in the last few weeks.
I had been adopted by Bella and Edward so I was now Ella Georgiana Cullen;
I had started school as a vampire alongside my new sister Renesmee;
I had found out that my beloved childhood pet was alive;
and I had rescued and re-homed almost 100 dogs.
Tomorrow was the start of a new week of school and I was looking forward to things getting back to my new normal.
As 'normal' as a disabled vampire teenager could possibly be...
Soundrack:
While I was writing this chapter, I was listening to:
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