These chapters just keep getting longer with each one I write!

Previously: Alice catches a quick vision of Bella, Charlie reads Bella's goodbye letter, and Bella left for Alaska. Now she has arrived; what will happen to her, thousands of miles away from home, without any idea as to what she is planning on doing?


CHAPTER FOUR

Bella's POV

My scanty food supply is completely gone. Fruit, crackers, granola bars; all I could fit into my bag has been devoured. Not to mention I am extremely sleep deprived, and I still have no idea where to find Laurent (besides the knowledge that he was somewhere with the Denali clan). Juneau, Alaska; that's all I know.

I pulled into a park and lay down in my truck, locking the doors first, praying to God I'd be safe here; from both dangerous strangers and the city's police department. Luckily, I survived the night, not that I was able to sleep very well.

Juneau is 3225 square miles. How I was planning on finding these four pale people of stone, I didn't know. I wandered aimlessly around the city all day, watching for anything that resembled even remotely like what I was looking for.

"Hey, are you lost?" an older man of around 25 asked me. He was tall, well dressed in jeans and a jade sweater. He had olive eyes and long, shaggy dark brown hair. I didn't know what I should say. I decided on telling him the basics.

"I'm just looking for some old friends; I can't remember what part of the city they said they lived in." I lied casually, happy that my months of deceiving Charlie seemed to have paid off in some way.

"Maybe I can help, what's their name?" he inquired, sauntering closer to my open window.

"The last name is Denali. I believe that my friend Laurent is staying with them, although their names are Tanya, Katie, and Irina." I was happy I remembered being told this, although I was positive this man would have no idea who they were.

"I don't think I know them, but I can help you look..." he smiled at me; he was friendly. Very polite. I didn't think I could trust him, though. I know nothing about him. I might wind up dead by tomorrow morning, no vampires required.

"No thank you, I'm sure I'll find them. Thank you for your time!" I smiled politely as I quickly tried to force up the window.

"Aww, c'mon, you could use some company! Besides, you look pretty tired, like you haven't really slept in a while. You can come over to my house and clean up, have a rest, take a shower, fill your stomach." He looked hopeful. I didn't know what his intentions were; I hoped that he was just a kind soul who wanted to help out a girl in distress, although I could already tell that he wanted more than just the satisfaction of helping me out, but by now I was so hungry I couldn't refuse.

"Well, I guess. Where do you live?" I asked, ignoring the bitter feeling stabbing my stomach, warning me to speed away. I really hoped that I was right by trusting my instincts on going with him, and that this wasn't the stupidest thing I had ever done.

"Just a few streets away; I was just heading there. My car's being fixed right now so I have to get everywhere by foot." He tossed me a friendly smile as he walked casually to the passenger door, which I unlocked for him. He climbed in, and then directed me where to go.

His house was small, but comfortable. A bungalow, with yellow paneling and white shutters decorating the outside. He walked me to the door, making small talk all the while. There was a friendly emerald green kitchen beside a formal, old fashioned living room. It was a mixture of modern and traditional; I liked it.

"What would you like to eat? Fish, eggs, fruit, chicken... your wish is my command." He gestured to the fridge and a pantry stacked with food. I asked if he'd mind if I had some eggs. He smiled at me, and told me he'd be honoured.

"Sure, how's scrambled sound?" I nodded, and he continued talking. "Why don't you take a shower while I cook this up? It's is down the hallway to the right. There's an extra towel under the sink. You can borrow my clothes if you'd like; they'll be big on you, but at least they'll be clean."

I gave him a thankful smile before heading to the shower. I hoped that he wasn't some pervert with a video camera in his shower or some other similar thing. Maybe I was just paranoid; he was really very nice.

I had a nice, long refreshing shower, getting all of the kinks out of my back and neck. I lathered my hair twice before rinsing it thoroughly, then sighed and got out. I grabbed the toothbrush from my soiled backpack and began to brush my teeth. I towel dried my hair and combed out the tangles, before putting it in a messy ponytail. I opened the door and found he had left a pair of his clothes outside of it.

I pulled the oversized polo over my head, and then put on the sweat pants. Well; at least I got to wear something I felt comfortable in. I pulled the drawstrings as tight as they would go, and rolled up the pants bottoms so I wouldn't be tripping over them; luckily they had elastic ends.

As I walked back to the kitchen, the man smiled at me happily and placed a plate of scrambled eggs on the table, motioning me to sit down before taking the seat opposite to me.

"I hope you don't mind the clothes, I know they're a little big, but they seem to fit you well. The eggs are a little brown, is that okay? You can go rest when you're done; I don't want to overwhelm you." I smiled back at him, puzzled by his generosity.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know your name." I told him, while eating my delicious meal; anything would taste like paradise to my ravished stomach.

"I'm sorry, I'm a bad host! How could I forget to tell you that! My name is Christopher. I'm a photojournalist for the local paper, and I live here with my brother Alex, except he's out of state on a business trip. What about you, what's your name, where are you from, and what are you doing here?"

I had to think about this for a minute. I didn't want to tell him my real name, just in case he heard I was missing. He couldn't know where I live either.

"I'm Marie Hale. I'm from Toronto, Canada, and I came here to track down some old friends." There, Toronto; that should work. I passed close to it on my way here, and I've been there a couple of times with Renee.

"Really? Toronto? I have a few friends who live there; they like it. What part are you from?" he inquired, interested.

"Thee, uh, Scarborough area." I think that's a part of Toronto, although I wasn't sure.

"Oh, really? A couple of friends are from there, although most are from Etobicoke and North York. Well, anyways, how are you enjoying Juneau?"

"It's a bit cold for me, but then again, the winters get a bit chilly where I'm from, so it's nothing I'm not used to." I flashed him another quick smile.

"Okay, cool. So, what makes you come here alone looking for your friends whose address you don't even know?" He asked, trying to be polite and discreet, but I could hear the curiosity burning him.

"Well, I graduated from high school last year and felt like it was high time I used my new freedom, so, I thought I'd go on a road trip. I can't say I prepared the greatest, though. I probably should've packed some more food and clothes, but hey, it's an adventure." He smiled at me, clearly interested in what I was saying.

"Well, if you need anything I'm here. I hope you'll stay for a little while, though, Miss Hale; I think we could really become good friends."

"Yes, it would be nice, but I really should be finding my friends. Do you have a phonebook anywhere?"

"Sure, I'll go grab it for you. You should really get some sleep though, you look really tired."

"Thanks, that sounds great." I replied, smiling tentatively.

"There's a spare room next to the bathroom, you can sleep there. I'll leave the phonebook in the room for you when you wake up."

I thanked him, cleared my spot, and headed for the room. I switched into my ratty clothes while I slept so I could keep the new clothes clean.

Surprisingly, I slept easy that night. I guess after having only minimal hours of sleep in your truck, a warm bed becomes quite an attractive idea.

When I awoke, the phonebook was at the end of the bed like Chris had promised, along with a sticky note attached to it saying, "use the phone whenever you please. I have to get some information from my work, but I'll be back by ten. Help yourself to food. Don't leave before I get back. I'll be home soon, Chris."

Really, he was so sweet. Why, though? He has to have some kind of a story. I couldn't think of it right now, however. I had more pressing matters.

I made the bed and got dressed into my alternative set of clothing, then got some fruit and cereal from the kitchen. As I ate, I looked up the last name "Denali" in the phonebook. With any luck, they'd be there.

There were 39 Denali's in Juneau, Alaska. I began at the top of the list. At each house, I asked for Laurent, because I didn't want the others to know I was here in case Edward had mentioned our split to them.

Each person I called told me that I had the wrong number, and when I asked if they knew a Laurent, Tanya, Katie, or Irina Denali they all told me that they had not. All but one.

"Hi, is Laurent Denali available?" I asked in the sweetest tone I could manage.

"Sorry, may I ask who's calling?"

"It's an old friend, Bella Stanley" I didn't want to say Hale, just in case they matched it the Cullens.

"I'm sorry, dear, there is no Laurent here." Her voice sounded a bit different than it had a minute ago; strained. Why did she ask who I was if she knew I already had the wrong number?

"Well, do you know where I can find him? Or my other friends Tanya, Katie, and/or Irina Denali?" the lady on the other end paused.

"Uhm, no...I don't think I do..." I would've hung up, except for something about the way she said it seemed to imply that she did know exactly who they were.

"Please, Miss, this is very urgent. I need to talk to them; it really is a matter of life or death. My sister is fatally ill and needs a kidney transplant, and Tanya is the only person we know who we think may do it. Please, please Miss! I can't have my sister die!" I insisted urgently into the phone, pleased with how believable the lie sounded.

"Well, actually, I do. Please don't mention me though, there's just something about them...but please, just don't mention me. I want to help your sister, so I'll give you the best information I have.

I ran into them at the shopping centre a few months back, surprised when they were subscribing to a store's points program that we shared the last name. You see, my sister was separated from me when I was 6, and I wondered if it were her. Anyways, it wasn't my sister, but I had a...nice conversation with the lady. She did happen to mention she lived a couple streets away from the Super Mart we were at. I hope that helps; it's all I know." She seemed a bit hesitant to talk about what she knew. I was utterly thankful for this information, but I still had more questions.

"Thank you so much ma'am. But may I ask, you seem afraid of her, why is that?"

"I uh, well, I...she just, she was very beautiful, and a bit intimidating." She cut off after that, as if she'd said more than she'd intended on saying.

"Well, I must go, I hope I helped, wish your sister luck for me! All my hope, goodbye!" And with that, she hung up. Luckily, she had given me the exact information I needed.

I devoured the rest of my meal rapidly before cleaning up. I was just about to write Chris a thank you note when he strolled in the door.

"What are you doing?" he asked me, seeming concerned by the note I had started

"Well, I didn't know how long you would be, and I really do have to get going."

"You're going to leave? Just like that? After all I've done for you?! How could you?" he seemed upset and angry. Why? I was deeply confused. I supposed after all he'd done he wanted some kind of repayment, but what?

"Well, I do have to go find my friends. Is that a problem?" I asked, hoping he'd tell me 'no' and 'have a safe trip'. No such luck.

"You're not going anywhere." He growled, rage burning in his eyes

"Um, excuse me?" I asked meekly, scared by the look in his eyes. His body tensed.

"You heard me. I fed you, clothed you, let you clean yourself up and have a good nights sleep. You weren't just about to leave me unpaid, were you?"

"Umm...unpaid? How much did you want? My money's in my bag, I don't have much, but name your price." I practically whispered. His posture and actions were beginning to really frighten me.

"I don't want your money." He said with an evil glint in his eyes.

"...uhm...Christopher...?" I whispered

"Baby, come on, you know I want..." he smirked, coming closer to me. His voice was low and husky. I hadn't realized in the dim light yesterday just how large his muscles were. He could take me easily.

"Please...please...Christopher...please...let me go." I begged, staring at him with desperate eyes.

"Darling, sweet darling, I need you. I want you. I've waited all night and morning....you can't deny me any longer." With that, he took another three large strides and placed his oversized hands around my small wrists. I hadn't been close enough to him before to realize, but he smelled of vodka and whiskey. He stared at me longingly with hungry eyes.

"Baby...oh, sweet baby. You're so beautiful, it doesn't matter if you're in rags my oversized clothes or rags, you're so hot. I want to see you, every inch of you...every curve...." He reached out and yanked his polo off over my head. I cowered in front of him. If I attempted to call the cops, I'd be taken home. If I didn't, well, I'd probably rather be dead than face going home at this point anyways, right?

I wish I had found Laurent already; if I were a vampire I could easily fight this monster off.

He reached towards me, caressing my arms and back. I flinched at his touch. He put his hands on my chest, and a few tears slid down my cheek as his hands continued to invade my body.

If only Edward hadn't stopped protecting me. At one put in life, he used to protect me from events such as this. Now, he couldn't care less. 'Oh, Edward. I love you.' I thought in my head over and over again.

He then continued to slide one of this hands down over my stomach, passed my midriff....

His touch burned me; scarred me. I wanted to be struck dead right there. If only earth would be so kind.

He tossed me against a wall, pushing me against him. His eyes lit with passion as he furiously began to try to rid me of my coverings.

Just then, my saviour came through the door.


I hope you liked it! It has a bit of a cliffhanger. Who will save her?!

Review please!! :)