Game Interrupted

 Bella and Edward walked to the group as Edythe started to tell me the rules of the game.

 "Because of how few people there are, we play a bit differently. The team that's up to bat is also the pitching side. If you do not hit the pitch, it's a strike no matter what, normal three strikes and you're out. There is no back fence, so no automatic home runs, no matter how hard you hit. We usually run two infielders and two outfielders, depending on who is hitting, that can change though."

 I looked over and saw Esme wrap a comforting arm around Bella. Then I asked Edythe, "How much do you guys need to control your strength to not explode the ball when you hit it with a bat?"

 She smiled, "We have gotten pretty good at it, though Emmett pushes the limits. That's the reason we bring multiple balls. If it explodes, it's automatically two outs. Another thing you have to watch for is that Jasper likes to cheat and throw rocks at the ball while it's in the air. It changes the direction and makes it harder to field. But he is very hard to catch at doing that. Rose does the same thing but is less subtle. They all claim Edward and I cheat by reading where people intend to hit the ball. Gives us a jump on the ball direction."

 I laughed, "Well, do you?"

 She smiled, "Hey, you're on my team, you shouldn't be asking that. You got any other questions on the rules?"

 Alice called out, "Okay, we bat first since you chose the teams, Rose. Let's get ready, it's almost time."

 In no time, everyone was spread out, and I could see the formations taking place. I knew I wasn't strong enough to be considered a power hitter like I was used to, and I had to make sure that Edward went before me so I wouldn't hold him back on base running. I was surprised at how much I was looking forward to the game.

 What followed was semi-controlled chaos and lots of noise. Edward was the first to bat, and when he hit the ball, it sounded like a crack of thunder. I was surprised that Bella didn't have to cover her ears from the noise. The ball flew just over Rosalie's head and into an open spot in the left field. Jasper was on it in a flash, but Edward had cleared first base and was halfway to second before Jasper could make a play on the ball. Damn that guy was fast.

 I was up next and was trying to decide between a pop fly to move Edward to third or try and drop it in the right field and see if I could beat Carlisle to first before Emmet got him the ball. I decided that either would move Edward at least one base, so let's see the pitch and decide.

 When I stepped up to the plate, I looked at Alice, who was at least double the normal distance from home base and waited for the first pitch. I had no plan to swing at it, I first wanted to see a pitch and mentally prepare for the timing needed to hit.

 Emmett called from right field as he insultingly moved forward, "Come on, get special teams off the field. Bella has a better chance of getting a hit in this game."

 It made me laugh inside, but all I did was take my spot and nod to Alice. She wound up and kicked her leg like a professional pitcher and let loose with a fast strike, right down the center. When the ball was caught by Esme, I could hear the thud. I nodded to myself, faster than any pitch I had ever seen. But I think I can still get the bat around and hit.

 "STRIKE!" Esme called out.

 "Send me another just like that Alice." I shouted out.

 Emmett shouted out, "Come on, George Clooney makes a better Bat Man than you!!"

 Bella broke out in laughter, and I smiled and shouted, "Sure thing, Emmett. This one will be just like Sesame Street. Over your head."

 Rosalie let a chuckle slip at the banter, and Alice had to pause in her windup because she was laughing so much. She stood back up and sent the pitch my way, and I brought the bat around as fast as I could. The impact rattled my arms. All big-league hitters say it's as much the speed of the ball coming in as leaving the bat that makes a long ball. With how fast Alice threw it, the hit actually launched the ball over Emmett's head. He started to run back, but the ball was going to hit the ground before he could get under it. Now, I just needed to get to the base before he could grab the ball, turn, and throw it to Carlisle, who was already at first base waiting. I put my head down and was running for all I was worth. Fortunately, when Emmett came up with the ball and turned, he was indecisive for a second on throwing to first or home. Edward had taken advantage of the pop-up and was already past third base and well on his way home. Thinking that stopping Edward from scoring first was better than stopping me from getting to first base, he tried to make the throw in time.

 I passed Carlisle without hearing the ball slap his hands and knew I was safe. I looked back to see that Edward had made it home, and Esme held the ball in her hand but was signaling safe at home. Yes, first point.

 Emmett kicked the grass in front of him, "Beginner's luck. Can't play too rough on your first at bat, kid."

 Next up was Edythe, and she got a hit into left field, but Jasper was on it too fast, and he connected to Carlisle on second before I could get there. Damn they were fast. I trotted back to home plate and started some banter with Bella. Edward went to pitch for Alice as it was her turn to bat. We didn't get another score before three outs, and we took to the field. Emmett was an amazing power hitter, but with Edward's speed, he nearly always got under it and had no trouble getting the out.

 The game went back and forth, the score stayed close, and everyone was having a great time. A couple of times there would be a collision, and it was another reason they only played in thunderstorms. Because when they crashed together, it made the same racket as thunder. The trash talk was amazing, Emmett telling Edward he had seen better batter at a Walmart cake shop had me rolling.

 Everyone was smiling and laughing, this was turning into a great memory. Suddenly, Alice froze up at the pitcher's mound, and Edward rushed over to Bella.

 "Everyone, circle up. Incoming!" Alice shouted.

 The whole group turned serious in a second and rushed towards home plate. Alice was panicking a little, and Edward looked furious, standing next to Bella.

 Alice was mumbling, trying to describe what she had seen. "They were leaving, but they heard us playing. They want to join. Something is wrong, parts of the vision keep going black." Then Alice turned toward me as if realizing that I was the problem.

 Carlisle asked, "Do we have time to get Bella and Thomas out of here?"

 Edward answered, "No. They are too close, I can already hear them. They are curious."

 Esme asked something that was too low for me to hear, so I turned questioningly to Edythe, who was clutching my arm. She whispered, "She asked if they were hungry." And then glanced at Bella.

 "You should get close to Bella, you have no scent, so maybe you will help cover hers, or at least dilute it some." Edythe then recommended.

 Everyone else stood together and watched the edge of the clearing, they stood with practiced ease. I could easily see that Emmett was smiling as if in anticipation, Rosalie next to him, but somewhat behind him. Jasper was standing in front of Alice, no mirth on his face, just pure battle readiness. Carlisle stood slightly to the front of everyone as the spokesperson, and everyone built a wall before Esme, Bella, and me.

 When they broke into the clearing, they paused in surprise, from what I could tell. They came together for a brief moment and then lined up as they approached our group. Bella had taken her hair down like Edward suggested, and Rosalie scoffed at the futility of the action. She was really starting to push my buttons, Rosalie was."

 When they got about 20 feet from our group, they stopped, and one stepped forward. I was taking in their looks and was a bit surprised at how wild they looked. They let off an aggressive aura, dangerous and untamed. The burnt sugar smell coming off them turned my stomach and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand.

 "Hello, my name is Laurent." Said the vampire who stepped forward. He was a black man with long corn rolled hair, though his skin had the paleness of a vampire. He was elegant in his mismatched outfit of jean pants and a maroon jacket with no shirt on under it. I watched his eyes study Rosalie for a very long time. His gaze then passed over the rest of us, almost disinterestedly. His accent was hard to place, though if I had to guess, it would be French. Regardless, he carried himself well despite his worn clothing.

 Laurent then pointed to the woman to his left, "This is Victoria." She had candy apple red hair color that was curly and frizzy. It looked like it needed a wash, bits of dirt and leaves were caught in the wild mess. But she didn't seem to care. Her eyes were a little wide, and her posture made it apparent that she was ready to flee at a moment's notice. Her eyes flickered to everyone, never staying on one for too long. She seemed the nervous type.

 Laurent then turned to his right and continued, "This is James." He was a white man with golden hair that was pulled into a ponytail. He was clean-shaven and handsome in a savage sort of way, he was well built and stood about 6ft1in. He exuded confidence and nonchalance from every pore of his being. He was a predator and a very confident one at that. His gaze lingered on Emmett and took in his size and imagined strength. He looked more interested than intimidated, though.

 "And finally, this is his brother Jessy, they are Victoria's mates." Laurent finished his introductions.