Chapter 6
Tossing and turning, Bella mumbles incoherently in her sleep. Twilight surrounds her in this dream world. Ice cold hands and red eyes seem to follow Bella's every move. Feeling tendrils of fear slither up her spine, Bella tries to avoid these unknown things that are trying to capture her and starts running through a forest that she has never seen. Bella wonders where she is and why this forest feels so familiar to her. Racing among the trees Bella felt compelled to seek out her wolf. Bella continues to run and frequently looks over her shoulder trying to keep those things that are chasing her in her line of sight. Before she could regain her focus Bella stumbles over a tree root. Just as she starts to brace herself for the fall; strong warm arms grab her and pulls her up to an unknown chest. Bella tries to get a look at her rescuer but he keeps her head pressed against his chest. His scent engulfs Bella and it puts her at ease. Knowing that he is part of her pack Bella waits to hear what he says next.
"When I let you go, run straight ahead and don't look back. Get to the settlement and they will help you there. No matter what you hear do not stop running until you get to safety," says the pack mate. As soon as he finishes his statement he pushes Bella behind him and yells "Go!" Bella wastes no time in not following the directions, for she knows that not only is her safety paramount, but also the lives that she was called to save needed her too. Getting captured was not an option.
As Bella runs, she hears a cacophony of sounds going on behind her. She hears snarls, growls, and sounds of metal hitting metal. Fearing what she might see if she turns around, Bella wills herself to run faster in the direction she was given. Soon she sees the glow of light ahead of her. Grateful that safety is at hand, Bella makes a mad dash for the illuminated settlement.
Upon entering the settlement Bella takes in the chaos that is before her. People are running around looking for loved ones, some are huddled together safely in each other's arms, and there are the remaining few who are seeing to the bitten and dead. They are the ones whom Bella is seeking to help. In the mist of the settlement Bella cautiously approaches a group who is currently working on keeping a teenaged girl steady as she thrashes about in pain. Just as Bella gets close enough to speak one of the villagers looks up and spots her. Giving a warning shout, heads raise to see who the intruder is. Understanding that caution, civility, and poise are needed to diffuse this volatile situation, Bella announces herself to the public.
"First I need you to know and understand that I am not here to harm, but to help. My name is Isa. I will tend to your wounded as my pack rids your woods of the threat."
"How do we not know that you are not one of them? Coming to finish the job?" shouts one woman.
"Yeah, how do we know that we can trust you? You did appear out of nowhere and all of a sudden you are offering your help?!" cried a man holding his dead child.
"You don't and I do not expect you to. There is no other way for me to show you that I am in fact trustworthy then to do what I came to do. Are all of your injured in the same area? If not bring them here. They must be treated at once! If too much time passes then they will become the very things that attacked you today! Time is of the essence, bring them now!" entreats Bella.
As one the people began to scramble about to do Bella's bidding. In ten minutes time the villagers brought a young boy no more than eight years old, a teenaged girl, and an elderly man to the center of the settlement. Immediately Bella moves to the teenaged girl, since she was placed right in front of her. Bella begins to look the girl over to see where she was bitten. Just as she began to become frustrated, the girl's mother softly approaches.
"I know it may be difficult to find, but the bite is in a place that is indecent for men to see," says the girl's mother.
"Then is there a place that we could go that would afford her the privacy that she needs?" Bella asks.
"Yes, our home. Please come and I will have the others brought there as well," the woman tells Bella.
"Mother, what is your name?" Bella inquires.
"Angela, you may call me Angela and this is my daughter Jessica. Please, if there is anything that you can do, do it! She is all I have now and I cannot bear to lose her too!" pleaded Angela.
"I will do my best. Let's move her now. Try not to jostle her around too much, she does not need the venom spreading faster," Bella instructs two men who were standing off to the side. The two men lift Jessica up into their arms and proceed to walk to the young girl's home. Once inside Angela directs the men to Jessica's room and the others are placed in the small living area. Bella follows the men into Jessica's room. Instructing the men to leave and to send in two women as replacements, Bella begins to unhook her bag from her waist. In this bag are tools to help those who were bitten by Vampires. The men leave and two women enter the room. Bella instructs them to help remove Jessica's clothing so she can properly locate the bite. Once Jessica is in her undergarments, Bella spots the bite on the inside of Jessica's left thigh; too close to the girl's vagina for everyone's comfort. At this time Jessica has passed out from the pain and intermittently lets out keening moans when her left leg was moved.
"Oh my…! What has that thing done to my baby?!" shrieks Angela.
"It marked her. The Vampire did not want to turn her but to use her as a beacon to come back to the village. In every village and settlement, the Vampires mark off those that they want to use so that they could return to finish their feeding. The marked person doesn't realize that they are being controlled by a minute amount of venom in their bodies. This small amount disrupts any and all sane thoughts and compels the marked person to act erratically, to endure severe depression, a loss of appetite and a desire to be careless and dangerous. The venom acts as a means of communication between the marked person and the Vampire who did it. Through this mark the Vampire controls the victim until it arrives to finish the job. Now we need to release the venom before it continues into her blood and takes root into her body," Bella explains. Just as she finishes her statement, a loud male's voice could be heard calling her name.
"Isa..! Isa! Where are you?!"
"Go and tell him that I am here. He is a member of my pack and I will need him around to help me," Bella tells the women.
"I'll go. What do you want me to do with him?" one of the women asks.
"Tell him that I need him to…" Bella begins, but she suddenly feels herself being shaken. Startled awake, Bella jolts away from the hand that was roughly shaking her shoulder and she tries to blink herself into wakefulness.
"What, what…? Edward! What are you doing here? I mean not that you can't be here but, I thought that you were hunting after the fight?" Bella ask Edward bewildered by his unexpected presence in her bedroom.
"Love, I could not stay away much longer. I was worried about you. I came and heard you talking in your sleep. You seemed worried and scared. I was hoping that it wasn't another nightmare so I woke you up. What were you dreaming of, Bella?" Edward states. Finding it hard to remember the dream with Edward being right there next to her, Bella shrugs it off.
"I can't remember. I hope that I didn't say anything embarrassing, did I?" Bella probes sheepishly.
"No sweetheart, nothing that you need to worry about. Soon you will not have to worry about that since you won't need to sleep anymore," Edward says. Feeling like she is missing something important, Bella struggles with the idea of her impending change and the dream that sits just at the edge of her memory. Bella startles herself when she realizes what Edward just said.
"Wait a minute, Edward. I thought that you did not want me to change just yet. You have been adamant about me having all of these human experiences before I change. What happened?" questions Bella.
"The newborn fight changed my opinion about your desire to become one of us. It scared me so much with the thought of losing you to anything like that, that I accepted your wish. I can give you three days to spend with Charlie and talk to Renee. It has to be done so soon before the Volturi returns. Alice has seen them coming back to check on us. By that time you will be already into your transformation and we can live peacefully without the threat on everyone's lives," Edward explains.
"But..." Bella starts. Moving closer to Bella, Edward wraps his arms around her. Letting his breath softly fall into her face, Bella greedily inhales the sweet scent.
"But what love? Surely you are not worried about that mutt? Let his own worry over him. You do not want to put Charlie in any more danger than he already is, do you?" Edward states. Worrying her bottom lip, Bella shakes her head no while tremors of terror goes through her body at the thought of what could happen if the Volturi found Charlie. Suddenly Edward moves Bella back onto her bed and rushes to her window. Not understanding what just happened, Bella looks to Edward in confusion.
"Charlie is waking up and is thinking of coming in here to check on you. I can't get a good read on his thoughts right now. It'll be best if he doesn't catch me in here. I will see you later today after I talk to Carlisle." Edwards says and immediately jumps out the window just as Charlie knocks on Bella's bedroom door.
"Bells…? Are you alright in there? I heard a yelp in there," Charlie asks Bella through her door.
"Yea, Dad, I'm alright. I just stubbed my toe on the bed. I'm getting dressed. I'll make breakfast while you do the same," Bella offers.
"Are you sure? I know last night was pretty hard for the both of us. You don't have to cook. We could go to the diner. I'll even get oatmeal for breakfast. How does that sound?" Charlie tells Bella.
"Ok, if you insist," Bella responds. Suddenly, Bella remembers what her father and mother told her last night. Finally sleep's hold is releasing her and she remembers what the next few days mean. Momentarily frightened stiff, Bella thinks about Edward's offer to change her in three days. Knowing that she only had three more days to make up her mind, Bella knows that she has to see Jake before all is said and done. Wishing that Alice does not intrude on her breakfast with Charlie, Bella hopes that he offers her a ride down to La Push to see her best friend.
At the same time that Bella decided to visit Jacob, Embry and Quil are thinking about the conversation that just took place between their Alpha and Dr. Cullen. It seems, to their bewilderment, that Jake knew a lot of what Carlisle was saying. Embry and Quil could not understand how, when they had just found out a few hours ago themselves. Both were wondering what was really going on and what it meant for Jake and Bella.
"Don't hurt your selves thinking about what we just talked about," Jacob says.
"Come on, Jake! What was that? Where did you get that information from? What are you planning on doing now that Dr. Cullen wants you and Bella together?" Embry asks in spitfire succession.
"Sheesh Em, let the man think a little. Ease up on the questions. Doc Fang just left the house not too long ago," Quil says.
"That's right. Embry open the windows so that we can air out that stench from my house." Jacob commands. Immediately both Embry and Quil begin to open windows. Going into Billy's room, Quil does a swift sniff check to see if the stench permeated into his room too. After Charlie had left, Quil and Embry had both helped Billy with his nightly routine and helped him to his room. They had just gotten back into Jacob's room when Carlisle appeared.
Jacob reclined on his too small bed, finally alone for a few minutes. With his eyes closed, Jacob thinks about all that he learned and heard today. It was all a bit much to take in. Not only did he visit the Spirit World, but he saw his mom, his wolf, and Bella's grandmother. Then to make matters even more serious, Carlisle comes in telling them that he is afraid for Bella and wants her to be free of Edward and Alice. What type of Vampire willingly gives up their prey? Because that is what Bella is to them. While they do not say it out loud their fierceness and selfishness, in keeping Bella away from all of the people who love her, shows just that. Now how does he get the girl in question to see what is going on in front of her? As Jacob ponders the answers to these questions, he hears the telephone ring in the kitchen. Embry picks up the phone since he was closest because he was just making his way back to Jacob's room.
"Hello…? Black residence," Embry answers.
"Hello, Embry?" asks Charlie. Shocked to hear the police chief on the phone Embry nods his head into the phone.
"Hello…? Hello! Embry, are you still on the phone?"
"Yea, Chief I'm here." Embry responds.
"Okay, good. Tell that old man there that Bella and I will be by this afternoon. There is a lot that we need to talk about. By the way, how is Jake?"
"Jake's great, doing much better than before," replied Embry.
"Great! Well, are you and Quil going to be there?" Charlie inquires.
"Um…I'm not sure. Why?" answers Embry.
"Well…uh… Maybe it would be best if one or both of you are there this afternoon." Charlie expresses in undisguised worry.
"Sure, if that helps."
"It does. See you guys soon." With that Charlie ends the call. Embry hangs up the phone and goes into Jacob's room. Thinking that Jacob was sleeping, Embry tries to leave back out the room.
"Who was on the phone?" Jacob asked Embry.
"It was Charlie, Jake. Charlie said that he and Bella were coming here this afternoon."
"Okay, I thought that Bella would be with the bloodsuckers right now…"
"Well…your dad and Charlie kind of argued yesterday. It was pretty bad Jake. I mean I have never heard them go at each other's throats like that," Embry tells Jake of the argument between Billy and Charlie. Stunned by the sudden turn of events, Jacob thinks about what needs to be done as soon as possible.
"Have Quil help Billy with getting ready. Then bring him into the living room." Jacob states.
"Sure. Do…do you need any help? I mean, I know that you are better, but…" Embry begins.
"Yea, Em. Go tell Quil what I said and then come back here and help me," Jacob says recognizing that Embry and Quil both needed to feel useful in this situation. Embry leaves to give Quil his orders. Jacob wonders how things could have gotten so bad in one night. He knew that having the support of his and Bella's fathers will help him in the long run. Plus, with all that he recently found out, Jacob understood that Bella would need all the love and support she can get.
In Billy's room Quil has just finished opening the windows. He also heard the phone ring and moved to answer it when Billy grunted in his sleep stopping Quil in his tracks. Quil heard Embry answer the phone and speak to Charlie. Quil knew that most people thought that he lived a carefree life. However, that was not true. By being so easy going, Quil was able to see the details that most people missed. It was this talent that helped him, Jacob, and Embry all of their lives. When Embry ended the phone call with Charlie and went to speak with Jacob, Quil decided that he will help Jacob turn things around so that not only will a life be saved from the clutches of Vampires, but the heart of his best friend, no brother, will finally be happy and free.
Sitting in the chair that was never too far from Billy's bed, Quil waited for Embry to come into the room so that he could bounce a few ideas off of him. He hoped that in return Embry would tell Jacob and then he, Jacob, Embry, Billy, and Charlie could come up with a plan to help save Bella. Embry knocked on the door, open it, and gave Quil Jacob's orders. Quil held up a finger to stop Embry from leaving.
"Wait, Em. I think that we need to get Charlie and Billy to talk to each other and really listen to what the other has to say. Jake can't really do much and he needs to get better as soon as he can. So I was thinking that we talk to Bella while Jake, Billy, and Charlie hash things out. What do you think?" Quil suggests.
"That's not a bad idea. I mean Bella is our friend too, so maybe if she heard how much we care as well that will help her out," Embry says. With that Embry leaves Quil to help Billy and he goes back to help Jacob. When Embry reached Jacob again, Embry told Jacob of Quil's idea. Jacob thought it over and thought that it was a good idea, but one that he wanted to run by the two fathers since they had just as much to lose as anyone else.
Jacob noticed the time and began to wonder what Bella was doing. He hoped that Edward had actually stayed away from Bella for the night like she asked, but knowing Edward he would run all over Bella's wishes for his own. Jacob knew that time was of the essence and that he needed to figure out the best way for Bella to leave Edward for good. Thinking back to the conversation he had with Carlisle, Jacob thought about how to best use the vampires against each other. Carlisle mentioned that he and the blond vamp did not want Bella to join their family and become one of them. He also mentioned something about a mark. If this mark was located where he thinks it is, then Jacob knew that he would have a difficult time controlling himself and not going after Edward, banged up and all.
In the meantime while waiting on her order at the diner, Bella began to run her dream and this morning's unexpected turn of events over in her mind. She knew that if Jacob caught wind of Edward's plans then all hell would break loose; even with Jacob being practically in a body cast. What Bella just couldn't figure out was why Edward woke her up when he did. Usually he just lets her wake on her own. This is the first time that he physically shaken her awake and stopped her from seeing her dream through. She also wondered about the sudden change of heart that Edward had. Bella couldn't help but think that there was more to the situation than she or anyone else knew. Plus, Renee's frantic email still played on her mind. There was no way that her mother would make any of that up. Bella knew that it had to have happened. Yet, how can she protect her mother and father except by becoming a vampire too?
"What am I to do? I don't want to lose Edward, but I just can't help but to think that becoming a vampire will not change anything. The Volturi want me no matter what and I know that they will do whatever they need to, to get me," Bella muttered out loud.
"Bells, what did you say?" Charlie asked.
"Oh, nothing dad," Bella hedges while trying not to really answer Charlie's searching gaze.
"Bella, I know that our conversation last night was pretty heavy. I don't want to rush things, but I get the feeling that something is about to happen soon and it involves all of us. Bella I love you, you know that. I want you to make the best decision. I'm not going to lie and say that I don't hope that you choose to talk to Old Quil and that you find whatever you need to help you. I really just want the chance to be your dad and to build the relationship that we never really had the opportunity to." Charlie says as he holds Bella hands around the drinks on the table.
"I know," Bella responds just as the waitress brings their meals to them.
"Ok, two bowls of oatmeal, a plate of waffles and eggs, and a bowl of fruit. Need anything else? Any refills on the drinks?" the waitress asks.
"No. I'm good, Bells?" Charlie says turning to Bella.
"I'm fine, thank you," Bella tells the waitress.
"Ok, just holler if you need me," the waitress told them and walked away.
Both Charlie and Bella waited for the waitress to leave them alone again before talking again. Charlie looked at Bella's face and he could see the conflict going on in her mind. He wished that he could just do or say something to get his daughter to choose right. The only thing that came to mind was to tell her that they were going to La Push to see Jacob. Hopefully, seeing Jacob again would do something.
"Bells, I called Billy this morning. Embry answered the phone. I told him to let both Jake and Billy know that we were coming over this afternoon."
"What! Dad! You know what just happened last night! Why would you do that?" Bella exclaims.
"Bella, sometimes you have to face the music, especially when you don't want to and when it will probably hurt. I have to mend things with Billy and you need to do the same with Jake. You two have been friends for too long to let this break you apart." Charlie expresses to Bella hoping that she would see the truth in what he said.
"Okay dad. We can go. Although, I am not sure what good it will do."
"That's the spirit Bells." Charlie laughs.
