Chapter 2 Problems
"I want that power Isabella, just give it to me."
Edward's voice snaked itself around me like a veil that wouldn't let me think. It dripped with seductive longing that came dangerously close to crumbling my will.
"No, I can't!"
His luminous blood red eyes burned with murderous rage, he bared his teeth and I saw fangs dripping with blood. Before I was aware of what was happening, his glacial stone- like hand had me pinned against the wall of my room by my neck. I felt and heard the deafening growl that ripped from his throat.
"You will give it to me!"
The malice in his lethal voice pierced me with fear.
Paralyzing fear.
I stared into liquid blood; his eyes held no mercy, and yet I was at the mercy of a terrible inhuman creature whose very name should be evil.
There was an angry storm outside. I could feel the icy drops of rain being carried in through the open window with frigid winds. I could hardly hear myself think, fear was a dangerous friend to have around. Its shackles were almost impossible to break.
Almost.
His iron hands were half choking me, as I searched around in my mind for coherency. I broke through the drowning fear.
"I-I w-won't!" I spat with what little conviction was left in me.
"You leave me no choice."
Those words spelled out my death sentence. It was then that I noticed the knife that gleamed ominously in the limited moonlight. Terror seized my very soul, whatever happened I knew I could not let this monster claim my life…
"NO!" I shrieked as I bolted upright in bed.
My heart was still pounding and my hands were having seizures of their own. As I sat there, willing myself to control my hysteric gasps; I felt the horrible drowning fear start to slowly dissipate. There was a soft rain pattering on the half-open window. I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead, realizing that my shirt was sticking to me because of the sweat.
Wait.
Half-open window?
I was pretty sure, in fact, I was positive that the window was closed when I went to bed. I jumped out of my bed and raced over to the window. I opened it fully and stuck my head out, instantly feeling the wonderfully cold rain wash my clammy skin mixed with the familiar cutting pain on my face and neck. I saw nothing but darkness.
Strange.
How the hell did this window get open? The fear that I had managed to chase away came flooding back like an old friend. Maybe I was becoming too paranoid for my own good. I was still sticking my head stupidly out the window when my alarm clock startled me, making me hit my head on the window frame. Rubbing my injured head I stumbled over to my bedside table and killed the alarm. I swear, alarm clocks should be considered cruel and unusual punishment.
I rummaged around my closet for something water proof to wear whilst the pain on my face returned making me look human again. I finished getting ready and drove to school. I couldn't help but replay my nightmare over and over in my mind. I understood why Edward was there, our strange encounter the day before had understandably impressed me that much. I even knew that it would have been hopeless to have tried to defend myself from his wrath. But what was still a mystery to me was the fact that I knew I had to protect myself at all costs. Question is, why? What was there that was so important for me to protect (besides my life of course)? My inner self-questioning was interrupted by the school bell. I hadn't even noticed that I had already been parked for quite a while. It was only a miracle that I didn't hurt myself or anybody else.
The first part of the day was not the most entertaining; however everyone mostly left me alone. Some of the guys still gave me creepy stares, which was obviously going to be a problem, but they still left me to myself. I drifted from class to class, eternally thankful to the gods above for taking me out of the spotlight. Luckily Angela proved to be a valuable companion to keep close, seeing as we were both terribly shy and needed each others company so as to not feel like the isolated freak everyone loves to talk about.
As we entered the cafeteria for lunch, my eyes were drawn as if by magnetic power to what I had officially labeled as the Cullen Corner. They weren't there. A sick feeling in my stomach told me that their absence was because of me. But how could it be? I hadn't done anything to them, except maybe trip over a book. Each bite I took from my meal was as tasteless as the next. Was I really the reason? Or was I just being totally shallow and selfish, thinking their world revolved around me (okay, I didn't really think that)? The bell rung in the distance, I was still far away in self-babble land, but somehow I mechanically got up and went to class. Once I was seated in biology class, I realized that there was at least one positive outcome in Edward's absence― I didn't have to endure the horribly tense vibes that were emanating from him yesterday.
I distracted myself with the lesson, which was actually quite interesting. However, by the tenth page of notes I was wondering how many full pages of notes it took to make my hand fall off. I was on my twelfth page when there was a knock on the door, and the principal, Mr. Mathews walked in.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Banner, may I borrow Isabella Swan for the last few minutes of class?" Mr. Banner nodded, and the principal turned towards me expectantly.
I hurriedly packed my books and followed Mr. Mathews to his cold office.
"Please have a seat." He said, pointing to a chair in front of his desk and closing the door behind me.
His forehead was creased with worry as he took his seat in front of me; it was obvious that he didn't know how to approach the subject he needed to speak to me of.
"Is my father ok? Did he get hurt or something?" I inquired, immediately assuming the worst.
Mr. Mathews smiled humorlessly, "No, no, your father is fine" he paused, "I called you out of class because your mother just faxed me this," he held up a rather stuffed manila folder that was lying on his desk, "medical file of yours, alerting me to your condition."
Condition? He knew? I decided to play dumb; there was no way I was revealing anything.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't know what you are talking about."
His lips pressed into a thin line as he opened the folder and looked at its contents.
"It says here that you are afflicted with a genetic disease called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Your mother also told me you would be reluctant to admit it. I must say Isabella, there is nothing to be ashamed about." His eyes looked at me with sadness and a hint of pity.
My mind reeled. My mother told him this? I didn't even have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She must have had her reasons though. I guessed the wiser choice would be to play along, even though I had no idea what this was about.
I looked at Mr. Mathews in the eye, "Yes, I do have Ehlers-Danlos, but please sir, I have dealt with it my whole life, and I know how to take care of myself. I don't need any special treatment or attention." I pleaded, I did not need a babysitter at school.
"I understand, but your mother requested that we take you out of gym due to the fact that the physical activities may do you more dangerous harm than good. I have to agree with your parent so long as you continue with therapy at home."
Therapy? "Yes, of course sir."
"Then I shall substitute your gym class for another elective. Is there anything specific that you would like?"
I was still asking myself what could my mother mean with this lie, but I forced those questions back.
"Is there an art class available?"
"Well, I know that at this moment all our art classes are full. However Mrs. Andrews holds a class that specifically teaches painting, would you like that?
I pondered for a moment. It had been quite a long time since I painted last. Perhaps this would be a good chance to practice.
"Absolutely, sir"
"Good, now I know that Mrs. Andrews' last class is actually a conference period but I'm sure she won't mind having one student."
We were interrupted by the bell.
"Very well Miss Swan, you are excused from gym, I will personally see to that. You may go home, however tomorrow, you begin class with Mrs. Andrews in building C room 43."
To say I was surprised was an understatement, but then again, I guess he needed to talk to Mrs. Andrews about a certain student she was not supposed to have.
I drove home, more than slightly disconcerted at the turn of events the day had put me through, wondering yet again why my mom would send a false medical file to my principal. I had very little homework that afternoon so I finished around six. With nothing more to do, my thoughts drifted to my mother. Though I hadn't been separated from her for long, I missed her. She always had been the one person I could rely on whenever times got rough. I could never really connect with people, but with her, it was like we were both each others open book. We understood each other perfectly― which is why I found myself in this miserable, wet, dead-end alley called Forks in the first place. Not that it mattered much, if it meant my mothers happiness.
I turned on the computer, thinking it was probably a very good idea to e-mail my mom, preferably before I started an unwanted journey down to the deep, dark land of depression just thinking of my mom.
I found three unread e-mails in my account:
Dear Bella,
I hope that you are home safely. How is Charlie? Are you going to tell him? In the next few days you should notice a few changes. They should be slight, but if they get too drastic let me know immediately. I love you.
Mom
The second read:
Bella,
You should be home by now, please e-mail me soon. I love you.
Mom
P.S.: By soon I mean NOW.
The third read:
BELLA,
It is imperative that you e-mail me as soon as possible. I have a horrible feeling about this. If you don't communicate with me by tonight I am calling Charlie! Please e-mail or call!
Mom
My mind flew to the dream I had last night. This was not good. My mom was extremely intuitive about her future and the future of those she loved most, 'something passed through the generations in some way' she always said. By the looks of it, she felt that something dangerous was coming. Could it be possible that my dream and her 'feeling' were connected in some way? I was relieved that she was online. I opened a messenger window and she immediately accepted my invitation.
(Bella/ Renee)
-Hey mom, I'm sorry it took me so long. I was still settling in.
-Bella! Thank goodness! Are you alright? You haven't gotten hurt or anything, have you? How is Charlie?
I sighed and smiled at her obvious worry.
-No, mom, I'm perfectly fine― well, apart from the obvious. Charlie is okay, he is actually very pleased that I decided to move in.
-Good, you haven't noticed anything strange have you?
Here came the lying. I felt absolutely terrible about it, but I sure as hell did not want to worry my mom.
-Not really. What do you mean by strange?
-Anything, at home, in school. Anything in the slightest?
The Cullen familly automatically came to mind. They, at least were strange. Maybe my mom was overreacting. I mean, the Cullens couldn't be that bad. Could they?
-Ummm, no. Well, actually, the school principal called me into his office today and told me about a medical file you faxed. I played along but I have no idea what it was about. Sound familiar?
-Oh, yes, but I wasn't referring to that. I've been so worried these past few days that it's been getting on Phil's nerves. I kept thinking how clumsy you have become and so I decided to do some research. The result was a suitable excuse for you to get out of your biggest threat.
I would have never in a million years thought that my own mother, who used to go on and on and on about how important school was, would send an entire false file for a medical excuse to get out of class.
-Wow, mom. That is amazing. Thanks a lot, really. Won't it attract too much attention from the teachers?
-Oh no, I specifically instructed your principal to treat you like a normal teenager. You will have more to thank me for later on though.
-What do you mean?
-I think that you're going to change more noticeably soon, I can feel it.
-Thanks for the heads up mom. I have to go make dinner. I love you.
-Bye, honey. E-mail again soon. I love you, and please be careful.
I was smiling as I switched off the computer. Talking to my mom always put me in a good mood. But unfortunately, the good mood was just the surface.
Surely it was not just a coincidence that I have a weird nightmare around the time that my mom had one of her prophetic feelings? Regardless, alarming my mom more than she already was, was unnecessary. As much as I loved and cherished my mother, I really did not want her looking after my every step.