Chapter Four

Professor Whitlock

I had no idea what was going on, all I knew was that my student Bella Swan knew more than she was willing to tell about me or my ancestor and I was being followed, something she herself had confirmed although I believed her when she said she wasn't the one doing the following. This had all started when I wrote that paper about my ancestor which admittedly had upset certain members of my family because I called into question the legend that he had actually led the group of civilian women and children to safety before going missing. His body was never found and no one ever saw him again but that could be because he had fled, run like a coward from his duties.

He was young and probably scared, there was a tale by another of his companions that it had been in fact he, Captain Miller, who had led the group to safety after Major Whitlock had deserted. I didn't like to think that was true but it had as much fact to back it up as the Major's story had. I didn't like the thought I was named after a coward but I couldn't just blindly accept legend as fact. I'd tried to find facts to back up the Major's story and the few papers I had managed to find had told of a young man with a gift of making men follow him but it didn't make him a hero. Of course his rapid rise through the ranks pointed to a good soldier, even a good leader of men but during the civil war many young men had risen fast only to get themselves and their men killed by their cowardice under heavy fire. I wondered if he had his followers who were offended by my writing but that seemed highly unlikely.

At lunch the next day there was a tap on my office door and Bella Swan appeared looking anxious.

"Could I talk to you please?"

"I wish you would, it might help us both. Are you still convinced that I'm being followed?"

"Aren't you?"

"A question with a question? Very well, if I tell you my theory, crazy as it is will you tell me yours?"

She nodded hesitantly so I told her about the paper I'd written and I was amazed at her reaction, she was scandalized.

"What? How could you? A coward? A deserter? You don't deserve to carry his name. Jasper Whitlock is the bravest man I ever knew and he's suffered enough without you telling stupid tales like that. You should be ashamed of yourself giving your own ancestor such a bad reputation."

She stopped breathing hard, her eyes flashing with anger and I wasn't sure what to say but her use of the present tense caught me and I sat forward eager to hear her explanation.

"Right well I told you my story now lets hear yours Miss Swan. Firstly though I have a question for you, are you a time traveler or Methuselah?"

"What?"

"Well you said, and I quote, "Jasper Whitlock is the bravest man I ever knew and he's suffered enough without you telling stupid tales like that."

You spoke of Major Whitlock in the present tense, not only that you seem to be a friend. Would you care to enlighten me? Or do you have a mental problem?"

She didn't reply just got up and looked casually out the window before sitting down again.

"Listen, I need to speak to you but not here, somewhere private where we won't be overheard."

"Bella we are on the first floor of this building, who on earth is going to hear what we say? I can check the corridor if you like."

She shook her head and I could see her thinking fast,

"Listen, if I take you to my friends, the ones who told me about Major Whitlock, then you can ask all the questions you like and I promise to tell you everything."

"You want me to go off with you to God knows where?"

"If you want the truth about Jasper Whitlock, the real one then yes."

"How do I know this isn't all some elaborate joke?"

"Do I sound as if I'm joking?"

"No, you sound a little crazy maybe but not joking."

"Then I leave it up to you, I'll be outside in the sunshine."

Bella

What he'd told me didn't explain anything, why would a vampire be interested in Jasper's ancestor writing a paper calling into question his bravery? If it had been Jasper out there it might have made more sense but it wasn't and I hardly think he would worry what someone thought now, his family was dead and they were the only people he would want to know the truth of his actions. But a vampire was interested in him and it had to be connected in some way. If I told him the truth I was putting him in serious danger but it seemed he was already there. He could think me crazy but I'd had that too so I could shake it off.

The only place I thought we might be safe to talk was the middle of the field out front where most students would be sitting on a hot sunny day like this. The sun would prevent him showing himself which meant he would be at a distance and provided we kept our voices low I thought we could avoid being overheard. I gauged about the centre and sat down and with a frown he joined me looking around.

"And you think this is safer than my office? Care to tell me why?"

"The sunshine, its our only security against being overheard."

He smiled,

"You don't believe in conspiracy theories do you? Wear tin foil on your head? Check your room for listening devices?"

I ignored his comments and moved a little closer which felt very strange with Jasper's face looking at me.

"If you choose to think I'm a crank that's fine, I'll have done my best to warn you. Keep your voice down and your head bent so no one can lip read."

"Now I'm beginning to think this was a mistake."

"But you came so listen, then you can go report me to the authorities as a crazy. You know you're being followed and I have answers but you'll have to come with me if you want them."

"Why do I have to go with you? Why can't you just tell me?"

"Because unless I have back up for what I'm going to tell you then you won't believe me."

He looked at me intently for a few minutes then sighed,

"You know my one big weakness is a thirst for knowledge Miss Swan and I think you are playing on it but OK, I'll think about it. If you turn up after my last lecture tomorrow afternoon I'll let you know for sure but I warn you now, don't play around with me. I may not look as if I can look after myself but trust me, I can."

I smiled,

"Oh I don't doubt that Professor, not if you are anything like your ancestor."

I left him then, checking around but not seeing anyone suspicious.

As I walked slowly back to my room I just hoped he would be safe until tomorrow afternoon. I'd done all I could, more than I should probably, and I wondered why I was bothering. I could just sit back and allow whatever was going to happen to him to go ahead. Stay away from a situation involving vampires especially as I knew exactly how dangerous it was. After a while I understood, it was the memory of the real Jasper Whitlock that was spurring me on, I couldn't just abandon someone close to him even if he wasn't aware of their existence. After all he'd protected me before now so I was just paying him back.