Title: Screwed from the Start
Bella Swan - Day One
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: The characters of Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: When Bella Swan finally makes it to her prized summer vacation after a tough year of work, the last thing she expects is the danger that finds her the moment she hits the road. Will she come out on top, or will the sordid past of a haunted man manage to screw everything up before it even gets started? AH. Edward/Bella. No extreme violence.
Author's Notes: My first attempt at all human. Please let me know what you think.
**
I dug through my purse for some extra change and handed it to the cashier with a smile.
"You headed to the beach?" The friendly man behind the counter asked as he placed my money in the cash drawer and handed me a receipt for the gas.
I couldn't help but smile brightly, unable to hide my excitement at the fact that vacation had finally arrived. The few precious months of summer were a highlight for me. I looked forward to them when the stress of the school year and dealing with my students and their parents became too much. Now that I was finally on the road, headed toward my family's oceanside vacation home, I was able to relax and begin "recharging" as my best friend insisted I'd been needing to do since Christmas. My first real year of teaching was a challenge to say the least, and I was truly thankful when graduation day finally rolled around, bringing with it the promise of lazy days spent doing little more than working on my tan and perfecting my guacamole recipe. Make that establishing a tan.
"How did you guess?" I asked with a playful wink.
We both turned to look at my Chevy Traverse sitting at the pump with two large surfboards strapped securely to the top and numerous bags jammed roof-high in the back-seat. My car was the only one at the station, and the kind old man gave me a knowing look as I bounced eagerly on my toes. I gave him a friendly wave and turned to leave with my coffee in hand.
"Have a wonderful time. Drive carefully," he called as I made my way through the doors.
"Thanks!"
I was thrilled to be halfway there already and making such good time on the road. Two of my best girlfriends would be joining me at the beach in three days, but I was secretly glad their jobs were keeping them away for just a bit. The idea of some time by myself to just enjoy the ocean, with no expectations or demands from other people, was thrilling. I made my way back to the car, intent on filling up the tank and finishing the rest of the drive by sundown when I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Hey, what are you doing?" I called to a man who was crouched down by the back tire on the passenger side of my brand new car.
He shot his head up and met my stare. He was a handsome man with tan skin and a beautiful smile. He stared at me for a second, and I noted how insanely attractive he was, even with the black baseball cap and sunglasses obscuring most of his face.
"I was planning on helping you with this flat tire," he answered smoothly while gesturing to the disaster in front of him.
I followed his gaze and sighed. Of course.
"Oh, shit."
He laughed lightly and gave me a sympathetic nod.
"I didn't even know," I replied as I walked to the back of the car and opened it.
"I'm sure I have a jack and a spare. I've only had this thing a few weeks," I offered.
The man stood and brushed his hands off on the front of his jeans. I followed the motion and took note of his body as he moved closer. It was visibly strong but lean at the same time. He came to stand at my side, and I focused my attention back on the car as I dug through some bags and tried to retrieve everything we'd need to switch the tires out.
"You don't have to do this. I can manage."
"It's no problem."
I stood at his side awkwardly as he knelt down and used the flat edge of the lug wrench to remove the hubcap before he started to loosen the bolts.
"So, where you headed?" He asked after a moment of quiet while he continued to work.
I shuffled my feet on the asphalt and concentrated on his broad shoulders.
"Oh, just another hour or so north. The beach," I explained as I surveyed him. He was dressed casually, but his clothes were nice.
"Sounds like fun." His voice lacked any excitement.
"Yeah, what about you? You work around here?" I asked, wanting to make polite conversation with the man willing to help me so freely.
He huffed.
"No, actually I'm supposed to start a new job tomorrow morning, but a friend of mine didn't show up to drive me the rest of the way. We were supposed to meet here," he explained, a slight scowl taking over his otherwise beautiful face.
I frowned. Why would someone leave him stranded at a gas station with no word?
"They haven't called you?"
"No cell phone. Something must have happened to keep him. It's no big deal. I'll find work somewhere else," he added when I didn't immediately respond.
I instantly felt sorry for him. He seemed very kind, and I wondered how he was so unfortunate as to be without a car, cell phone, or friend when he obviously needed at least one if not all three. I was quietly waging an internal war. Everything about my upbringing ingrained "Stranger Danger" into my mind. Charlie, my dad, would have an absolute fit if he knew the idea of driving this man anywhere even entered my head for an instant, but I felt compelled to help him somehow.
"What's your name?"
He paused for a second before turning to look at me over his shoulder.
"Edward."
"I'm Bella. Nice to meet you," I replied, reaching my hand out and smiling when he took it warmly.
He didn't smile back, but he did nod once.
"Hey, can I grab you some coffee? It's the least I can do." I asked as he resumed changing the tire.
Edward answered immediately, "That would be great."
"How do you take it?"
"Black."
"Ok. I'll be right back."
A million thoughts raced through my mind as I filled a large styrofoam cup and grabbed a bag of chips for myself. I made more small talk with the owner of the store as I paid and assured him that Edward was helping me with everything. He'd noted the trouble himself, and was curious when my car didn't leave the station after a few minutes.
When I made it back to the car, Edward was just finishing up.
"All done?"
"Yes. You're set. The air pressure in the spare is fine, but don't go too far on it. Get it replaced as soon as you can," he explained, concern lacing his words.
I smiled warmly and handed him the steaming cup. His face brightened for the first time as he accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you so much."
"No, thank you," I replied fervently.
"Don't mention it," he replied.
"Ok, well I'm just gonna fill her up," I said lamely, frustrated with myself for not having done so while he was busy working. Now, I felt even more guilty about turning my back on him when he was obviously in need and had just done me a huge favor. His replacing the tire most likely saved me a good half an hour. I could have done it myself, but it would not have been nearly as painless as he'd made the whole process look.
"Can I pay you something, please?" I asked as I removed the nozzle and started to pump the gas.
Edward looked mildly insulted.
"No, don't be silly. Drive carefully, Bella. It was nice to meet you," he said.
I was barely able to manage a lame, "Thanks."
I watched him turn on his heel and start across the small parking lot. He ducked into a pay-phone booth and plucked the receiver off the hook. I stared after him, watching his back as he began talking animatedly with someone on the other end. Eventually, the tank was full, and I replaced the cap before making sure I was set to go. I climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. The radio came to life, and I took a minute to secure my coffee in the cup-holder and grab my cellphone from my purse. I hated digging through my purse, searching for it while driving, so I always placed it on the seat next to me before I got moving. The song playing came to an end, and the local radio host was giving the traffic report with extreme attention to detail. I was about to change the station, but I wanted to hear the latest weather forecast first, so I left it for a minute longer.
Just as I was about to go, I groaned and realized I'd left my bag of chips in the back of the car where I'd set them while I got the gas. I was so hungry, and that snack was going to have to get me to dinner. I put the car in park and hit the button to pop the back. As I made my way back there, I heard the DJ transition to the news portion of the segment, and his voice suddenly took on a much more lively tone.
"We have breaking news affecting Ventura County tonight. Authorities have released a press statement which indicates that an inmate of the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles escaped custody around noon today and is possibly in the area. The suspect's name is Edward Cullen; he is 6'2", twenty-five years old with brown hair and green eyes. He should be considered extremely dangerous and was serving a life sentence for the first degree murder of his wife at the time of his escape. Authorities insist anyone with information call 911 and do not attempt to intercept the," I felt the bag slip from my fingers as sheer panic rendered me unable to hear the rest of the news report. It couldn't be.
My heart was beating out of control in my chest. It had to be a coincidence. I kept repeating that to myself as I fumbled and reached to close the trunk with shaking hands. Edward was still on the phone. Unfortunately, it made noise closing, and I caught his attention. He turned around to face me. My heaving breaths and panic must have spoken volumes to him. I watched in horror as his face went from despondent and confused to desperate and determined. He knew I knew. It was obvious.
"Fuck." I whispered.
I felt my legs turn to jelly.
"No!" I screamed as loudly as I could as I made a dash for my open driver's side door. I was getting the hell out of there. Fast.
I gasped in absolute terror when I saw Edward drop the phone and start running towards me. I practically jumped into the car and then pulled my door shut before I turned to slam the lock down on the passenger side door. It would be faster than finding the right button on the clusterfuck of controls my side of the car included. Damn car! Why didn't the lock engage automatically?
He grabbed the handle just as I leaned over. The door opened, and I froze for just a second in disbelief. I looked at his face, my reflection staring back at me from the lenses of his sunglasses.
Before he had time to say anything, I threw my door back open in hopes of escaping. Edward reached for my arm, but I yanked it away so forcefully that I fell onto the ground as a result of the effort. I landed on my side, my arm flung out beneath me to absorb most of the impact. I stumbled to my feet and made it a pathetic few yards before he caught up with me. I felt his hands grip my upper arms harshly from behind an instant before he whipped me around to face him.
I screamed for help. Where in the hell was the old man at the register? Why wasn't he watching me now when I needed him? I mentally kicked myself for telling him we had everything under control. He'd probably left his post and gone to a backroom somewhere.
"Shut up and get back in the car," Edward seethed.
I gasped when his hands tightened.
"Just take it. God, please, just take the car," I cried.
He shook his head back and forth. His face was a picture of furry. I was experiencing a level of fear I'd never dealt with before, and I was having a difficult time completing any thought when I desperately needed to figure out an escape.
I watched helplessly as he released my right arm and lifted up his t-shirt with an urgent hand of his own. A gun.
He had a gun stuck in the waistband of his jeans, and his hand gripped it firmly. Then, it was aimed at me. I bit my lip and sobbed. I was so screwed. I clenched my eyes shut and tried desperately to get air into my lungs.
"I said get back in the car. NOW." His voice was cold, emotionless, and I realized I had no choice. I could try and run away from him, but there was no way I could outrun a bullet. He knew that I was aware of his identity at that point, and it only made sense that he thought he couldn't leave me behind. I knew too much.
"I won't...I won't say anything to anyone," I pleaded as I started shuffling to the car, forced by his shoving hands.
He sat me in the driver's seat and pointed the gun meaningfully at my head as he unlocked all the doors; he found the right button instantly. Then, he backed up a step and opened the back door on my side. I closed my eyes when I realized what he'd done. I was going to floor it the moment he walked in front or back of the car. If I had to hit him, I would. If he shot at me while I drove away, I'd have to take my chances. But, no, he got in the back. I tried to calm my racing heart.
"Close your door."
I took a ragged, deep breath and looked into the rear view mirror. He watched me fiercely.
"Don't make me do this," I had to try.
"Drive!"
I was breaking apart inside. My life was suddenly on a very different path than it had been only fifteen minutes ago. Suddenly, the warm balcony and gorgeous sunset I'd been anticipating as my haven for the night seemed a million miles away, and the idea of never seeing that view again was very real.
I gave the car some gas and shook as I gripped the wheel as tightly as possible. We approached the exit of the gas station, and I chanced another look at him. I was shocked when I met intensely green eyes instead of the dark shades he'd had on from the start.
"Go."
"Which way!?" I cried, completely overwhelmed and feeling way too panicked to function.
He took a deep breath and raked a hand over his face.
"Just go north."
I hiccuped.
"Go!"
"Okay!" I screamed.
We headed north.
**