Chapter 2: The Game Is On
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight
This story is dedicated to my faithful follower, silkyjacob who waited patiently for it to hit this site.
So far, there were no signs of lightning strikes, and not one drop of rain. It was eerie to say the least.
Alice would give the signal when to swing at the ball, and every hit corresponded to the crack of thunder. Emmett swung the hardest. No wonder there. Bella marveled at the strength of his brawny arms.
While Emmett was the strongest hitter, Edward was by far, the fastest base runner. And Alice… oh gosh, she knew where the ball was going to end up before the pitcher even threw it. Jasper laughed at his wife's uncanny talent, and taunted his teammates. She was wherever the ball landed—and it landed securely in her glove.
Bella stayed out of the way of the exuberant players, basically acting as a spectator, but when she finally was up at bat, three shadowy figures glided toward them out of a gathering mist. To Bella, they looked as if they stepped off the stage of a punk rock concert … until she noticed the color of their eyes.
In a flash, Edward grabbed the bat from her, dropping it to the ground, then stepped in front of her protectively. In the meantime, James began sniffing at the air. Edward looked worried, realizing that this vampire was a tracker. Perusing the nomad's mind, he gleaned his name, and that he was anticipating a snack—a snack that his lady love would provide. He couldn't blame the tracker, Bella's sweet blood was a constant torment even for himself.
He gently nudged Bella toward the Humvee, then half-carrying her, got her into the vehicle and sped off.
Bella looked over at Edward, and seeing his brow creased, asked, "What is it, Edward? You're scaring me."
"We're going to your home to pack your things. We need to get to Phoenix. Alice and Jasper will take you."
Frowning, she added, "But why? Those nomads are way back there at the field."
"Bella, you don't understand. The sandy-haired one is a tracker."
"What does that mean?"
"It means he'll track you down just for the sport of it, and I cannot take a risk with your safety. We must get out of Washington now."
Oh, god, Jacob warned me it would be dangerous to run with vampires, and now his prediction has come true.
She swallowed thickly, her heart beating so rapidly that she thought it would crash through her ribcage.
Charlie was at work, so throwing aside caution, Edward sailed around the room in a whirlwind, tossing her belongings into a bag. Bella left a note on the kitchen counter, advising him that she was staying at a friend's home for a few days. She would worry about what would happen as the days dragged on, when it actually happened. Poor Charlie, but it couldn't be helped.
After arriving at the Cullen's, Edward stashed her bag in Esme's car, along with Jasper and Alice's things. Then Alice re-dressed her friend in her own clothing to mask her scent.
It was all so confusing. "Why can't you come with us?"
"I've been targeted along with you, as well, Love. He'd expect me to accompany you. It's imperative that I throw him off the trail. If I remain here, he may wait to see if I lead him to his prey, and in the meantime, you'll be safe in Arizona. And, please, don't use your cell phone at all, not even to call me or your father. It may be that James has the means to intercept the calls. We can't take that chance."
He hugged her to his chest, kissing the side of her temple. Jasper jerked his head in an impatient gesture toward the door. Alice stepped forward, taking Bella's hand, and they took the first steps of their flight from Forks.
They drove both day and night with Bella curled up on the backseat during the darkest hours. While awake, she noticed Jasper sitting rigidly in front of her. Alice finally commented, "Relax, Jas. You won't hurt her." She turned around and winked at Bella.
I hadn't heard from Bella since our last visit together. I was gettin' so lonely. She said she'd come by the next day, but not even a call. It wasn't like her to break a promise. I'd left messages on her phone, expecting some kind of response, but so far—nothing. Then one evening, Charlie phoned to talk to me?
"What's up, Chief?"
"I'm concerned about Bells. She left a note behind, saying she was staying with a friend. I've called all her friends, including the Cullen kid, and no one has seen or heard from her. She isn't with you, is she?"
"Whaaaat? No. Jeez, Charlie, this is serious." More serious than you can imagine.
"Now, I'm really worried. I'll put out a bolo to see if anyone knows of her whereabouts. Do you know if she has any new friends that I'm not aware of?"
"She didn't mention anyone to me."
"Okay, I'll get right on it. If you hear anything, call me immediately, night or day."
"Sure, sure. You got it, Charlie."
Dad wheeled up to me as I hung up the phone. "What were you and Charlie talking about?"
"He says that Bells has been missing five days now. I knew something was wrong when she didn't return my calls."
My dad scowled, waving a finger in my direction. "I'm telling you, it's those cold ones. I warned her. She should have listened to me."
I felt a lecture comin' on. I shook my head. "Not now, Dad."
"It's how I feel. You feel it too, don't you, Son?"
I did. It was as plain as the nose on my face. Bella was in danger. Damn vamps. "I guess you're right, but how can I help?"
"Give it a little time. Something will come to you, by and by, eh?"
The three travelers arrived at the Phoenix Hilton—nothing but the best for Mrs. Whitlock. The hotel was beautiful, but Bella felt trapped in her room, even though it was spacious enough. The thought that she was confined there with no means of outside communication gave her a severe case of cabin fever. She wasn't much for TV. If only she had brought a book or two along. Alice went down to the gift shop, and returned with several magazines to ease the boredom. Some were ladies' publications, filled with the newest fashions, of course, and a few celebrity tabloids—not much to consider, let alone read.
Boredom aside, at least for Bella, Alice seemed to enjoy the seclusion. She chatted on and on endlessly, bustling about, and looking out the window. She opened it, and a blast of blistering air entered the room. "My, but isn't it hot here? 106 degrees, and it's only May."
Bella, put one of the magazines down on the chair beside her. "You never get used to this heat," she grumbled.
"I'd never get used to all this sunshine!" Alice fired back.
Jasper snickered. It came from the far side of the room. He wasn't about to tempt fate by getting too close to Bella's sweet blood.
Bouncing right next to her counterpart, and with arms around his neck, Alice bubbled, "We'd literally have to stay under wraps in this weather, wouldn't we, Jas?"
"You bet your boots, we would."
Piping up once more, Bella stated, "My mom used to keep potholders in the glove compartment of our car. She used them so the steering wheel wouldn't burn her hands—seat-belt buckle too. Actually, it's best to keep under wraps, and slather on 50+ sunscreen around here. Your skin can turn to leather in no time, that, or scorch and peel like me."
Nodding in agreement, Alice said, "A far cry from Forks, hmn …"
Bella fidgeted in her seat, one thought pricking at her brain. The question had to be asked: "Alice, how long do you think we'll have to stay cooped up like this?"
Closing the window to conserve the cooling by the air conditioner, Alice replied, "I don't know, a week or two, I suppose. Give or take a couple of days."
Jerking upright, Bella exclaimed, "A week or two? My dad's going to have a heart attack by then. He'll be worried sick wondering, where I am."
Jasper sat on the sofa, arms folded, "Better than the alternative."
Alice and Bella had gone quiet after that last comment. A while later, Alice, glaring at her husband, remarked, "You just had to say that, didn't you?"
In defense of his argument, Jasper murmured, "Darlin', it's the gol-durned truth. There's no gittin' around it."
"But still, you needn't scare her to death."
Bella touched Alice's sleeve. "It's alright, Alice. What he said is true. We have to accept that. I just wish Edward would call to say the tracker got tired of waiting, and went home."
"What home?" Jasper blurted. "He has no home to get to, Bella."
"What I mean is, maybe he'll move on."
"Not likely, but I do git your point, tho' it may take him a dog's age."
I don't have a dog's age.
Letting out a yawn, Bella stood. "I think I'll go take a nap."
With a nod to her, Jasper got to his feet also. He walked to the front door, careful to keep a safe distance from her. "I'll stand guard."
And so it went, day after day, same old routine for the human—up, breakfast, lunch, nap, dinner, bedtime. She never was allowed to leave her prison of safety. All her meals were brought by room service, and even then, Alice made her stay out of sight of the man bringing the cart of food.
As the second week rolled around, Jasper and Alice let their guard down. They were in the front room, engrossed in a movie on the TV, safe in the knowledge that Bella was asleep in the other room. Since she'd been napping, they were not alerted to her movements, nor her cell phone when it vibrated, announcing an incoming call.
She sat up, and grabbed her phone hastily. "Edward?"
At first she heard a laugh, then, "Good guess, but no cigar, doll. Oh, forgive my manners, not doll: Bella, is it? Beautiful name. Huh … Well, I'll just get to the point. You are a sly one, but did you really think you could outrun me?"
Bella was speechless. He'd found her.
"Don't alert the others. That would ruin all my fun. I don't like it when someone ruins my fun, ya know?"
Summoning up her courage, she said, "We'll just leave then, and you'll have to chase us all over the country."
"Not so fast. I know what you're thinking. Why not? Because you're gonna come to me, that's why not."
Her voice quavered. "Why would I do that?"
"Shh … shh… just listen."
Her breath caught in her chest as she heard her mother's cries.
James' voice sounded again, "I thought so. Meet me at the ballet studio in twenty minutes—alone if you please. When you arrive, and only then, I'll let your mother go. Goodbye, Bella. Don't make me wait too long this time." The phone call ended.
With trembling body, she released the phone, and managed to sit up. She couldn't let her mother suffer for her own mistakes. Slipping off the bed, she snatched up her Converse and crept out the side door.
