Beauty and danger

Bella Swan sat in the trees watching her mother Renee. Her mother was taking pictures of the gorillas. Renee had told her a thousand times not to interact with them but a baby crawled his way over to her wanting to play. He was her mother's favorite. She called him Joe.

Renee saw her daughter getting closer to Joe making gorilla noises to make him trust her. Renee smiled at the seen before her before scolding her daughter, "I've told you Bella, it's not good for them to get used to being around humans. We are here to observe and nothing more. How would you feel if Joe got too used to people and couldn't make it on his own?"

Bella moved away from the gorilla and answered, "I wouldn't like it. Mommy why do people hurt animals? Joe is so cute and he wouldn't hurt a fly."

Renee hugged her daughter she knew this question would come one day, "Sweetie some people just don't see the jungle the way you me and Emmett do. That's why I take pictures and study these gorillas. I want people to see the beauty and grow to love it the way you have. Now let's get home and get you to bed ok?"

Bella nodded and whispered, "Good night Joe."

Renee smiled down at her little girl. She looked so much like Charlie but she had her spirit and love for all wild life. When they reached their hut Renee kissed her daughter's cheek, "Get into bed sweetie. That wasn't Joe sweetie. Joe is only six months old. I've checked the notes a hundred times."

Bella laughed, "Check the pictures mommy. I know I'm right. I know that was Joe."

Renee helped Bella into her bed and kissed her cheek then she began to sing an old African lullaby, "Sing a song and for a moment you will be visited by the wind sing a song and for a moment dream sweetly of the wind."

Renee stopped singing when a native named Emmett ran into the hut. Bella sat up when she saw her favorite uncle, "Goodnight Emmy."

Emmett forced a smile, "Goodnight pretty Bells."

Bella started to lie down again when she heard Emmett say, "You must come quickly!"

Bella loved going out into the jungle at night. She asked, "Can I come? I promise I'll be good."

Renee saw the panic in Emmett's face and knew almost instantly what was wrong. She didn't want to risk her daughter in the face of poachers she had lost Charlie that way. She kissed her daughter's cheek, "No Bella. You must stay here my angel. Get some sleep. Mommy loves you."

Bella whined, "I want to go!"

Renee ran out of the hut with Emmett and had her fear confirmed, "Is it poachers? Where are they?"

Emmett answered, "East of village."

Renee took off running through the trees on her own without waiting for back up. Emmett told the rest of his people to spread out. What he didn't know was the poachers were in the very place Renee had run off to protect. They were after the gorillas.

Meanwhile the head poacher, stared at his men and said, "The only thing you have to be afraid of in this forest is the one thing we are after, gorillas."

He smelled the air, "The little demons are close. I want any babies alive. Kill the rest."

Renee heard those words and her heart nearly stopped. She ran forward to where the nest was trying to find Joe. She knew it would break Bella's heart if they got him. She had nearly reached him when she heard James swear and then shoot his gun. She tried to run but she fell down and rolled into a clump of trees. Beside her she saw something that hurt more then the bullet wound she had received. Joe's mother was dying beside her. She groaned and rolled on her side pulling the gorilla into her arms. She stroked her fur and made a silent promise to the mother, "I will protect your baby. I promise."

Then a thought crossed Renee's mind what if Bella had tried to follow her. She got up slowly and shinned her flashlight in the trees. If Bella were out there she'd shine hers to. It was their silent signal for each other.

Renee saw a flashlight bounce left and then right very fast through the trees. She ran down the hill and into her daughter's arms. Bella sobbed, "Mommy. They got… please don't let them…"

Renee crooned, "I know sweetie I know."

Her breath was coming out in short painful bursts and she hugged her daughter to her chest. Bella picked up on this and whispered, "Are you ok mommy."

Renee took in another painful breath and then she saw Joe. She smiled through the tears of pain that were on her cheeks, "Joe… Joe is alright sweetie."

Bella heard the frightened cries Joe made and said in a small voice, "He's scared mommy. Can I hold him? I know its bad to have them trust people but he's sad."

Renee hugged her daughter, "He's just a baby Bella. He lost his mommy tonight. He needs someone to protect him…. Promise me you'll protect him…"

Bella answered in a small voice, "I promise mommy."

Renee knew she was dying and she didn't want her daughter to be frightened, softly she began to sing, "Imba wimbo Wa upepo. Wakati unajiwa Na. Imba wimbo upepo wakati ndoto tamu."

Bella held Joe close to her and fell asleep with her head on her mother's chest. Emmett woke her up gently and said, "Pretty Bells I am so sorry."

Bella sobbed into Emmett's shoulder, "I just don't understand. First daddy now mommy. I hate this."

Emmett stroked Bella's hair, I know sweetie. It's not fair. No child should ever lose their mother at your age much less for a reason like this. She loved you very much. Would you like to sing at her funeral?"

Bella nodded, "I'd like to sing our lullaby."

Emmett nodded, "Alright pretty Bells. Let's get you home. Honey you need to put the gorilla down."

Bella sobbed, "I promised mommy… I said I'd protect him from those men. The leader said he wouldn't rest until Joe was dead. He called him a monster. I can't leave him Emmy. I just can't."

Emmett hugged Bella, "He has to stay in the jungle. It's the safest place for him. You can come see him anytime you want. Now let's get ready for the day. Your mother would be very proud of you."

Bella followed Emmett out of the jungle and got ready for her mother's funeral. Emmett stood next to her and held her hand tightly when it was time for her to sing. She opened her mouth but she started to cry. In between sobs she sang "Sing a song and for a moment you will be visited by the wind, sing a song and for a moment dream sweetly of the wind. Sleep now until dawn. The wind and the night song, they are there. However the song my child will go on forever."

Bella finished singing and heard a noise in the trees. She looked and saw Joe staring at her with frightened eyes. She ran from Emmett over to him and led him back through the trees. Bella spoke gently to him, "Come on Joe its ok."

Emmett smiled as he watched the scene in front of him. Bella was so much like Renee. He knelt down on the ground in front of the cross, "Renee if you could see your daughter now. You'd be so proud of her. You and Charlie both."