I took inspiration from Stephenie Meyer but I own nothing of Twilight

Rescues

Prologue

***Flashback: 2 yeas ago***

"This is the worst day of my life," Isabella Swan muttered to herself as a car zoomed past splashing muddy water on her already soaked body. Although the rain had stopped, the night remained dark and cold. Shivering in her fleece coat, she kept walking along the side of the road and continually cursed herself for being so stupid.

Mother and Daddy will never let me forget this.

She had had her driver's license for only a month and they lectured her daily on the responsibility that came with it.

Running out of gas at 10:30 at night will not be considered responsible.

Her long brown hair whipped her numb face as she peered into the wind and tried to remember how far it was to the nearest house. She had thought it was only about half a mile down this hill but it seemed as if she had been walking all night.

If only we lived in town instead of up in these stupid hills.

What did her father always call it? Peaceful? Well, it certainly did not feel peaceful tonight.

In the next moment "peaceful" suddenly became the furthest feeling from her mind. It was replaced by fear, and then panic.

At first she had braced herself for another splash when she heard the car come up from behind, but the car never passed her. She heard gravel crunch under tires that were moving off the highway to the shoulder of the road. Afraid to look back, she listened to the sound of a slowing engine creeping toward her. It was no longer coming closer, just keeping pace several feet behind. Someone was following her.

In an instant Isabella's mind went blank. What should she do?

Should she run?

What if that makes them chase me?

She could pretend not to notice them and walk to the next house.

What if they try something before that?

She was not short, but she had a small build and was not in the habit of standing up to people.

How far is it to the next house?

She felt defenseless and alone.

What if they do try something?

Isabella quickened her pace; the distance between her and the car did not change.

Sweat broke out on her chilled skin; the car moved closer.

She thought of running; the brakes squeaked as the car stopped.

"Oh God!" she whispered. "Please save me."

The car door opened and Isabella turned around.

No! Why did I do that?

The head lights were blinding and revealed the helplessness of her face. She saw two shapes get out of the car and walk to the end of the hood. They stood over a head taller than Isabella with broad shoulders that seemed lazily hunched over.

The figure on the driver's side spoke first. "What's the matter, Honey? Lost your way home?"

His slurred speech and leering smile turned Isabella's stomach.

Run! Turn around and run!

It was no use; every joint was frozen stiff and her muscles felt like mush.

"We just want to help you. Isn't that right, Matt?" The driver indicated to his friend on the other side of the car who still held a bottle to his lips.

Isabella clutched her wet coat around her shaking body and managed a meek, high-pitched whisper. "Please, just leave me alone."

"Oh, we couldn't leave you out here all alone," the driver said in a voice that dripped with sweetness and made her sick. He began staggering towards her.

Please, God! Somebody help me!

"Why don't you come with us and we'll make sure you get home okay."

"No, I…" she began to protest and step back, but he grabbed her arm.

His grip hurt and she opened her mouth to scream but was silenced by his other hand. Within seconds she was completely powerless under his grasp. He dragged her to the car despite her fighting. His friend moved toward them to open the back door. Just as he did, Isabella planted her left leg securely under her and kicked her right leg as hard as she could into his groin. He toppled over in agony and lay groaning on the ground. The driver took one look at his friend and shoved Isabella up against the car, cursing at her.

He is going to kill me!

The door handle dug into her stomach and she squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see what would happen next.

What did happen next was the last thing she expected. The pressure was suddenly gone from her shoulders and she was no longer pinned under her capture's weight. Opening her eyes she saw that he had not released her but was being held himself. She could see him struggling against another person who had grabbed him from behind. Everything was happening so fast that it made a dark, confusing blur – a frightening blur that she wanted to get away from.

Turning quickly, she tried to run but her feet went out from under her. The man she had kicked, who still lay on the ground, grabbed her ankles and pulled her down. Her face hit the gravel hard and her head began to spin. She tried to roll away from him but he clawed her back.

Isabella screamed!

This time no hand covered her mouth as her voice vibrated into the dark, but there was no one near enough to hear. Once more she felt herself being overpowered. There was no possibility of escape now…

And then she was free again. Somehow. She scrambled to her feet. There was still a struggle taking place in the shadows, but it no longer seemed to involve her. The driver now lay in a heap on the ground, but there were still two other men fighting a few paces away.

Three?

Where had this third guy come from and why were they fighting each other?

Is he fighting for me?

Relief penetrated her confusion so suddenly that she began to cry. Both of her assailants now lay fumbling on the ground. Her rescuer stood over them a moment, his hands on his knees, breathing deeply. Then, straitening up, he slowly began to approach her.

The cold feeling of fear gripped Isabella again.

What if this is not a rescuer, but another attacker?

She watched cautiously as his face came into the light and, with her first clear view of him, her uneasiness lessened slightly. He was younger than she had expected, only slightly older than she. His steady steps showed he was perfectly sober which, no doubt, had given him an advantage in the fight since he was not nearly the size of the other two. His hair looked copper in the night and his sharp, green eyes almost glowed, but there was not a trace of harshness in them now. He stopped at least two paces in front of her, timidly, as if approaching a wounded animal.

"Are you okay?" he asked her. His voice was strong, but not deep, and he was still out of breath from the fight.

Isabella could not think how to answer. Of course she was not okay! She was scared. She was cold. Her entire body hurt and she could feel blood hardening on her cheek. Choking back her sobs, she only stared at him blankly until they both became aware of the some movement in the darkness. Turning they saw the two drunks trying, with little success, to get back on their feet.

"Come on," he said, holding his hand out to her. "We need to get out of here."

She shrank back from his hand as though it held a knife and looked up at him suspiciously. Their eyes locked for one tense moment, and then her gaze softened.

Why should I trust someone I know nothing about?

Out of the corner of her eye she saw one of her attackers had gained his feet.

But what choice do I have?

With a shaking sigh she took the stranger's hand and allowed him to lead her across the road. In the dark she could barely make out the shape of the motorcycle as he quickly climbed upon it and motioned for her to sit behind him. Isabella hesitated again.

He saved my life.

She positioned herself behind him and lightly put her hands on his waist.

I will trust him.

Seconds later they were speeding down the road.

Isabella gripped his vinyl jacket and held on. She knew she had left the nightmare behind her, but she still trembled with uncontrolled tears and cold that seeped through her wet clothes strait to her bones. She had to squeeze her eyes shut to keep them from stinging and let the wind from the ride dry the salty wetness on her face. A change in the bike's motion startled her eyes open. She had become so engrossed in her own condition that she had not thought to watch her surroundings. She had no idea where they were or where they were going.

Forcing herself to remain calm, she peered into the darkness. They had left the main highway. Tall trees cast strange shadows on either side and prevented her from seeing beyond the next curve. It felt as if they were traveling through a black tunnel. Abruptly the pavement ended and they continued on a dirt road going deeper into the woods. Fear mixed with curiosity nearly prompted Isabella to speak, but her teeth were chattering so violently she could not work her mouth. The bike turned again and a faint light suddenly came into view. As they moved closer she saw it came from a single house that was built high upon stilts, telling her they were near the river. As they came to a stop, the engine was silenced and she could hear the rushing gurgle of the water just beyond the far side of the house. That was the only sound now that was louder than the blood pounding in her ears. In shaky silence she sat and looked.

The house was badly weathered and in need of new paint. There were no vehicles parked about but she saw no place to put them other than directly under the house. Mostly mud and a few weeds covered the ground wherever there was a gap in the trees. There was no one else in sight.

"I guess I should have asked you where you lived before, but I didn't want to waste any time getting out of there."

Isabella jerked visibly when the young man's voice broke the silent night, but he paused only a moment before continuing.

"This is my brother's place. He's a cop. I thought he might be able to help you."

Silence was the only response he received. Sliding off the bike, he took a good look at the motionless girl behind him. She was obviously freezing.

"Do you want to come inside?" he asked.

Having grown too cold for any more thinking, Isabella nodded stiffly and followed him, ignoring the oozing ground that sucked at her feet. She had to grip the splinted rail as she climbed the eight steps to the front door that he already had opened and waiting for her. Walking inside, she immediately noticed that the interior of the house was as much in need of attention as the exterior had been, but at least it as warm.

The room contained a table with four oddly matched chairs across from a deep cushioned recliner and a long couch. The TV in the corner was the only modern-looking piece. The recliner was the only seat not covered with newspapers or laundry and, as she positioned herself there, she could see into the kitchen where dishes were piled high next to an overflowing garbage can.

His brother must be a bachelor.

Her "host" disappeared down the hall and returned with a blanket. He handed it to her at arms-length, still being careful not to crowd or spook her.

"I guess Jasper's not back from work yet," he said as he cleared a place for himself on the couch at an angle from her. "Sometimes he stays late, but he should be home soon." The continuous silence was not good for either one of them, so he asked, "What's your name?"

She opened her mouth slowly, it seemed a long time since she had spoken. "Isa…b…b…bella" her voice cracked. Clearing her throat she tried again. "Isabella Swan."

"Bella," he gave her a satisfied smile. "I like that."

"W-w-what's your n-n-name?" she was still shaking from the cold.

"Edward Cullen, at your service," he said, leaning back.

Isabella managed only a bashful smile. Then, noticing his sweat shirt for the first time, she grew curious.

"You go to Forks High School?" she asked.

"Yeah, for another few months. I'm supposed to graduate at the end of this semester. That is, if I pass Biology." He eyed her closely a moment. "You don't go to my school. Do you?"

Isabella shook her head. "I go to Western Washington Academy. It's a…"

"Yeah, I know," he interrupted. "It's the fancy private school on the hill."

She only nodded again. Why was she suddenly embarrassed of that?

Still watching her closely, Edward shook his head in amused frustration. "How old are you, Bella?"

"Sixteen."

"I'll bet you're just barely sixteen."

She had to shrug her shoulders and admit that was true.

"What were you doing out there all by yourself?" His voice sounded more concerned than annoyed.

Isabella sighed and looked down. He did deserve some sort of explanation after all he had done.

"Well, I just got a job at the hardware store in town, you see," she began softly, trying to keep her tone low. "I thought I would make a good impression by staying late to clean up. Then on my way home it started to rain…" Her voice went up half an octave. "And my car ran out of gas. I thought I could find a house and use the phone, but there weren't any." She sniffed. "Houses, I mean. I just kept walking and those guys started following me. I was so scared I didn't know what to do…" she broke down sobbing.

"It's okay; I can guess what happened next." Edward mumbled softly, feeling a bit awkward. "I'm just glad those jerks were stupid enough to leave their headlights on or I might not have seen what was happening when I drove by. See, I was already heading out here. I come to Jasper's every time my mom and I fight, which is a lot," he rolled his eyes at that point. Changing his voice, he suggested, "Maybe you should call your folks."

"Oh no, it will be awful! My parents will go through the roof!" Her eyes were wide and full of dread.

"Why should they? It's not like you did it on purpose."

Isabella shook her head. "You don't know my parents. They never wanted me to get a job of my own to begin with and they hate for me to be out when it's dark. After tonight I know they will make me quit." She leaned her forehead on her palms. "I will probably never be let out of the house again."

"So, don't tell them," Edward said simply as if the solution was obvious. "Call them up and explain that you had to take someone from work home and it took you a long time because of the rain. Tell them you're calling from your friend's house and you won't be home for another hour at least. Then we can get some gas for your car, clean you up, and they'll never know."

Isabella looked at him as though he had just suggested she flap her arms and fly home. "They would never believe me!" she demanded. "I don't know how to lie. I mean, I cannot lie, not to my parents. That is, I have never done it before."

Now Edward thought she could not be serious, but her face told him otherwise.

"Besides," she went on, "I should report this to the authorities, right?"

Edward shrugged his shoulders. "It's up to you," he said casually. "Personally, I don't think it will do any good. I have little faith in the legal system. My brother wouldn't agree with me, though. He'll help you if that's what you want."

Isabella felt so lost. She looked at him hopefully and asked, "What do you think I should do?" For a moment she wondered why his opinion was so important to her, but it just was.

Edward was silent a long time and when he spoke his voice was low with hard anger. "Spoiled assholes from the city most likely. Probably thinking a sports scholarship gives them the right to do anything – to anyone." Leaning forward, he stared Isabella in the eyes. "I would love to see them pay," his voice softened slightly, "but it wouldn't be much fun along the way. I got a real good look at them, and you probably got a slight one, so between the two of us we might be able to identify them. Maybe, if we're lucky. Even so, they wouldn't get the punishment they really deserve. For your own sake, make very certain it will be worth all your time and pain before you decide."

Isabella could not help smiling at his attempt to counsel her and asked, "Are you always this concerned about people you don't know?"

Edward found himself wanting to smile too, but he feigned a hurt look instead.

"I know you," he insisted. "You're Bella Swan. You go to West Washington. You work at the hardware store, at least you did before tonight. You don't know how to check your gas gauge. And you can scream louder than anyone I've ever met!"

She tried to laugh, but it caught in her throat. The chill was gone from her body, but the cold chills of fear remained letting the reality of the night's events become piercingly clear.

"If you hadn't been there tonight," she whispered intently, "I… I just don't want to think what would have happened. You saved me, maybe even my life."

"Well, kido," Edward smiled sheepishly, "Let's hope I don't have to make a habit of it."

Thank you for giving this new story a chance :)

~Alexanya