CHAPAPTER TREE

IN WHICH WE LEARN OF BELLA'S TRUE FEELINGS

Bella was still feeling light in the head after her whole ordeal. Streex explained to her exactly what had happened to him and what he was doing in her neck of the woods.

"So you're trying to find a cure to this… this affliction you have?"

"I was. But Doctor Paradigm drugged me and my brothers and I just woke up here. I sensed your danger and came to help. I don't know where my brothers are, though."Streex sighed.

Bella mused quietly on her situation. She wasn't sure if she ever wanted Streex to become just another normal boring human. The only way to make sure that never happened was to find this cure first and destroy it. Her mind was made up, then. She'll stick with Streex, and he will be hers.

"Oh, you poor dear. You're welcome to stay with me while we look for your brothers. I'll even enlist the help of some of my friends to look for them and this Doctor Paradigm of yours."

"Really! That'd be just great!" Streex picked up Bella and held her to his chest gingerly, yet the passion of his hug was evident. Bella leaned into his soft, rubbery skin and just breathed in his scent, one similar to the ocean after a fresh rain. As he put her back down she noticed he was looking at her wistfully.

"Streex, what's the matter?"

"I'm sorry, nothing's the matter. I'm just so used to being treated like a monster I was almost starting to think I was one. You're the first person who's treated me like just any other guy."

"But you're not just any other guy, Streex. Not any guy would save a girl from danger like that. And it doesn't hurt that you actually seem to care. Come on, let's get going."

After Bella got home and gave Streex the use of her garage, she was relaxing in her room. She turned on some music and sat down at her desk when there was a knock on her door.

"Yes, Streex, come in." Bella said.

"Streex? Who's that?" Edward questioned as he entered the room mysteriously.

"Edward! What are you doing here! We broke up!" Bella shouted.

"I'm sorry, Bella, but it's your mother. She's in the hospital right now, losing copious amounts of blood." Edward proclaimed, a solemn but brooding look on his face.

"But… but how?"

"We don't know yet, but it appears to have been some sort of large animal attack."

Bella's mind raced like a NASCAR driver, only slightly less trashy. Could this have been the work of Streex or one of his brothers? Was he not telling her everything? It doesn't matter, she thought. I'll figure this out later. Right now, I've got to see my mom.

Bella left a note for Streex and then got into Edward's sleek but efficient car for the drive to the hospital.

"Edward?"

"Yes, Bella?"

"Would you and your family be able to do one last favor for me?"

"That depends, Bella. What is it that you require me to do?"

"I need you to track down and capture a man by the name of Dr. Paradigm. He has something very precious to me."

"I'll see what I can do."

They spent the rest of the ride in silence since nothing good was on the radio.