Reading Eclipse: Chapter 9 (Target)

The song for this chapter is When They Came For Us by Shiny Toy Guns [suggested by Grant]

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I figured since it is Thanksgiving in the US I might skip reading the next chapter until Monday, as many of my readers won’t even be here to see it. But then I realized that this chapter was shorter than most and that a great deal of people from overseas also read here, and I can’t just skip over them simply due to Pilgrimsy holidays or my recent and time-consuming investigations. Thus, on to the condensed post for chapter 9!

Of course, Charlie is at it again: always taking the side of Jacob Black. As we all know, the Blacks and Charlie go back for a long time, and I’m sure Charlie would love for Bella and Jacob to be together, instead of that crazy ever-present Edward Cullen fellow he simply can’t get rid of. I laughed out loud at how much joy Charlie is taking in the fact that Bella and Edward appear to be arguing:

[...] I just stared at [Edward] in horror.

Charlie’s expression changed. Abruptly, he was grinning. “If you two are having a fight… well, don’t let me interrupt.”

Exhibit A - Edward Cullen

Like Bella, the cleaning of my bedroom has fallen a bit under the pile of daily things to do. I certainly wouldn’t notice if someone came in and moved things about (people who have seen photographs of my unattended possessions know this already) but I would certainly see a pillow being gone, as I have an important need for it every night.

Edward, however, has a strange sense that a vampire has been in the house (do vampires have a certain scent only perceivable to other vampires?). Understandably, he reacts in his usual barricade-the-doors fashion and swiftly brings Bella back to the Cullen’s house — a place that has become one of the few safe havens for her. One of the oddest things about this is that Alice hadn’t seen anything coming, despite the fact that she can usually see the future and has had her mind on watching Bella for some time now (especially with all the run-to-the-wolves incidents). I’m actually rather curious as to who this mysterious person could be. I’m tempted to say that it’s Victoria who put on a disguise or something to change her scent, but at the same time I wonder if it is one of the Volturi, as Edward is expecting.

Also, the strange stuff about the missing pillow and the shirt. There are so many theories floating around in my head for that one: does it have Bella’s scent that they’ll use later? Are they going to use it to track her down again somehow? Every vampire I’ve heard of is loaded with money, so I honestly can’t imagine anybody who would go through all the trouble, unless they are building a bulky Bella-scarecrow

There are many things that Jacob should know not to suggest to Bella Swan, and three of those are:

1. Motorcycle-riding

2. Volleyball-playing

3. Cliff-diving

so I wouldn’t exactly recommend him suggesting that anytime soon. We all know that no matter how much he promises to keep her safe, Bella is afflicted with a type of danger magnetosis that has no cure.

Exhibit B -- Parachutes

But, of course, the biggest thing that stands out is how suddenly, Jacob and Edward actually had a decent conversation without one erupting into snarls and the other into wolf-form. In fact, it almost seems like they’re working together on something — the only reason, of course, is because the safety of Bella is involved. I think both Edward and Jacob know that at this point, there will need to be some compromise in order to keep her safe. So, it’s great to see at least a bit of progress on that end

Again, posting today is short because of the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Question for the comments: When you read this chapter for the first time, were you surprised that Jacob and Edward spoke reasonably with one another and were able to make a plan?

——NOTES——

- I got a PO Box, for people who have been trying to send me mail. I’ll have info on it soon.

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