Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
So I'm making great progress in updating the new/improved chapters. :) If this is your first time reading, please...please, review. Although the story is complete, I still love to hear from my readers and I'm still very much involved with this story.
Chapter 9
When I awoke, Jacob was still lying in the floor. He was sound asleep. I started to maneuver myself around him, but then thought better of it. I looked at the clock, 9:30 pm. I'd been asleep for five hours. Judging by the snores rumbling through his chest, Jake must have been really tired.
So I lay there in the dark, surrounded by my own thoughts. I had so much plaguing my mind. So much that was unsettled.
I still didn't know anything about Jacob's meeting at Sam's place. I couldn't help but feel apprehensive about the situation. Was I on the verge of losing him? Did my heart already know what my mind was waiting to hear? I shuddered at the thought. My breathing was coming in rapid bursts and I steadied myself against the headboard of my bed.
I wanted to know what had happened in the woods last night. Jacob hadn't said anything about his encounter with Bruce. I knew that thanks to Charlie, Bruce had managed to stay alive. What would have happened to me if the pack hadn't found me?
Thoughts of last night brought me to Edward. Why had Edward's voice come to me last night? I was moving forward, how unfair of my abnormal brain to conjure up such a thing. Would I ever be free from Edward? Did I want to be free? I wasn't trying to hear Edward, but I wasn't disappointed that his voice had come to me.
My mind shifted to school, I couldn't possibly miss any more classes and graduate. I pulled the cover over my head to drown out some of my self-loathing.
The sounds coming from Jacob had grown louder, and I peeked out to make sure he was all right. He sounded more like a bear than a wolf.
The only light in the room was the moonlight from outside and the glow from my alarm clock, which now said 9:50 pm. Even in such dim lighting, I could make out Jacob's features. He of course, as usual, wasn't wearing a shirt. Clothes were confining to the wolves, so most of the time they only covered what was necessary, leaving the very little for the imagination to desire.
I couldn't take staring at Jacob for much longer, his beauty was overwhelming. At least having him here with me had settled the rolling waves of fear that had encompassed me. I moved closer to the edge of the bed and reached my hand down to touch his face. I moved my finger along his jaw line. His skin felt so smooth and soft. I started tracing his lips, and without realizing it, I had moved my hand down to his chest. My touch caused him to stir, and after a few moments, he was awake.
"I thought you would never wake up."
"You should have tried a kiss. Worked for Snow White," Jacob laughed.
"I'm starving, Bells. How about I go rustle us up some grub?"
"Sure thing partner," I said in my best Dirty Harry voice. I wasn't convincing. Jacob just laughed at my attempt.
After Jacob finished off half of the food contents in our house, we went into the living room.
I looked out the window and saw my truck parked on the curb. The light beaming down on it was coming from the lamp across the street. In the excitement of my latest death-defying event, I had forgotten that I had abandoned it on the roadway.
"My truck. Did you fix it?"
"Yep, it's amazing what a gallon of gas will do for a vehicle." Jacob said grinning sheepishly.
"I ran out of gas. Impossible" I exclaimed.
The fuel gauge was stuck. Don't fear though, already fixed. No need to thank me or nothing." Jacob said, while pointing to his lips.
"You are my hero." I said as I made my way to kiss him.
I should be accustomed to kissing Jacob. But each time we kissed, the excitement poured out of me. Just as I was losing myself in the moment, the phone rang.
Renee. I never called her back. The person calling had to be Renee.
"I'll get it, stay here." Jake said running to the phone.
I couldn't make out who he was talking to but he was in a deep exchange. I was certain it was not Renee.
By the time I made my way to the staircase, he had hung up. The color was drained from his face and he looked like he was going to throw up.
"Jake, what's wrong?"
I could feel the waves picking back up and my body was flooded with uncertainty.
"Bella, go pack a bag. Some clothes, a toothbrush, whatever you will need for a couple of days."
"What? What are you talking about?" I couldn't comprehend what was happening. My head started spinning. What could possibly be wrong?
Jacob's demeanor changed from extreme fear to frustration. His brow furrowed and his hands were balled into tight fists.
"Go, Bella, now. Go pack."
His tone of voice was so urgent that I didn't hesitate any longer. There would be time to ask questions later.
As I was packing my overnight bag, I could hear Jacob downstairs on the phone. His tone was strong and fierce. Although I couldn't make out the words, he reminded me of an army general the way he was passing out orders.
A few moments later, I had packed up everything I needed, and I grabbed the fishing trip picture on my way out. I ran downstairs, bag in tow. I didn't know where I was going or how long I would be gone. My thoughts raced and I struggled to keep up with them.
"What's going on? Jake, I need to know."
"I'll explain on the way. Go get in the car."
I hurried to Jacob's car. I began looking over my shoulder, unsure of what it was that was chasing me. I was running. Again, I was always running.
"Is this necessary?"
Jacob started the car and sped out onto the street. He seemed intense in his thoughts, and I wasn't sure I should interrupt him. We were leaving Forks, but I didn't know why.
I couldn't take the silence anymore.
"Tell me what's going on. Who was on the phone?" I blurted out.
"It was Charlie." Jacob replied.
Charlie. Something was wrong with Charlie. Had he gotten hurt on the job? Oh no, Charlie.
"Bella, Bruce David was released from the hospital a couple of hours ago. He was being transported to the county jail. The police cruiser that was transporting him slid off the road."
He paused, trying to find the words.
"He escaped. The officer driving was unconscious and somehow he escaped. He's armed and probably looking for you."
We had pulled into an abandoned gas station by a pay phone. Jacob got out of the car and started pacing. The phone rang, and he grabbed it immediately. He pulled a pen and a piece of paper from his pocket and wrote something down.
"Bella listen to me, Charlie has arranged for you stay in Port Angeles for a couple of nights. He's going to join you in the morning. It's my job to make sure you get there safe. "
"Why can't I stay in La Push?"
"Bella he knows that you would go to La Push. He could find you there. Charlie made reservations in Port Angeles. Here's the address," he said, waving the piece of paper at me.
We drove about two miles down the road and pulled into an old church parking lot. We were met by Quil and Embry, waiting in Emily's car. At first, I didn't understand why they were there. Wouldn't this just slow us down? Jacob seemed so persistent to get to Port Angeles. Then I realized that Jacob must have been talking to them while I was packing. They must be part of the plan.
At that realization, my sense of fear was heightened and I felt like I didn't fully comprehend the severity of the situation. Tears began to flow from my eyes. My body was full of panic.
More waves.
Jacob was discussing something with Embry and Quil. More orders. He came over to the passenger side of the Rabbit and opened the door.
"Come on. You've got to get out."
I got out and followed Jacob over to where Embry and Quil were standing. Jacob handed Quil the piece of paper he had written on earlier.
"Guess we'll take it from here," Quil said, putting my overnight bag into the trunk of Emily's car.
"Jacob, you're not coming with me? I refuse to go without you." I had started sobbing at the thought of being without Jacob.
"Bella, listen I can't go with you. You'll be safe. Quil and Embry will stay with you tonight and Charlie will be there in the morning. You have to promise me, you'll look out for yourself."
"Why can't you come with me? Jacob, I need you." I was clinging to Jacob's arm, begging him not to go.
"Jake, why haven't you told her? She has to know." Embry said.
"Know what? Tell me what?" I screamed.
"We don't have time to get into it right now. Bella trust me if I could go with you I would. I can't. OK. I'm sorry." He kissed my forehead, then both my cheeks.
"Bella, honey, I love you. You will be safe. You will."
"You need to be going. Call me when you arrive." Jacob squeezed me. Usually his warmth was comforting to me, but I didn't feel comfort from him. I felt betrayed.
My life was at the mercy of some crazed killer, and the person I loved more than anything else, was deserting me.
This seemed all too familiar.
