Chapter Nine

Bella

I tried to look in the corner. "Have you spoken to Jasper?" I asked. Charlie shook his head, "No he's a bit shaken up so I told Dr Cullen I'd see him in a while but Jake was pretty clear about the details". "Jake" I called and he came over, "Hi Bells, sorry I argued with you but it was pretty stupid running into the road". I looked into his face, he was lying I knew, the question was why? "Can I see Jasper?" I asked. Charlie was about to say yes when Jake interrupted. "Not a good idea Bella. It might make you relive the accident". So, he was trying to stop me. "I'd like to thank him Dad" I explained still looking at Jake who spluttered, "Thank him for running you down. He was driving too fast and on the wrong side of the road." I closed my eyes and thought back. Then I opened my eyes. "Can you remember what happened?" asked my dad "Only Dr Cullen said you might be hazy on details after banging your head". So Jake was hoping I thought, but why hadn't Jasper said anything? Was he waiting to see what I'd say? Did he think I would protect Jake?

There was a disturbance in the corridor and Alice Cullen came running in. I groaned and closed my eyes again. Things just got better and better I thought. "Bella I'm so sorry, I should have gone slower on the bend. What an idiot I was and then I just panicked and ran. Poor Jasper, I should never have left him to take the blame. I apologise Chief Swan". That was it. "Hey, stop. I want to talk to Jasper then give my story". Both Alice and Jake looked appalled, "You don't remember Bella. You hit your head" complained Jake. "Yeah I know, but its pretty hard. Can I see jasper?" Charlie went to get him, leaving me with the Barracuda and Jake. Alice glared at him then turned to me, "I wont let you get Jasper in trouble to protect the dog". I looked at her puzzled but before I could answer the door opened and Jasper walked in, looking very subdued. He opened his mouth but I shook my head in warning and he shut it again.

"I remember most of it, up to the point I hit my head, after that its fuzzy. Jake and I were having an argument and I asked him to let me out because he wasn't taking me home. He tried to pull me back into the car and I pulled away as he let go. I fell onto the road and Jasper coming round the bend swerved to avoid me. That's when it all gets fuzzy". Charlie looked from me to Jake to Alice. "Right, Jake you come to the station in the morning. I don't like being lied to young man, and as for you Miss Cullen. I shall be talking to your father about your behaviour, now beat it the pair of you". When they had reluctantly gone Charlie turned to Jasper. It seems you saved my daughter, I'm very grateful. Jasper nodded but it was me he was looking at. "Glad I was there Chief Swan. Would you mind if I stayed a few minutes? I'd like to speak to Bella quickly?" Charlie nodded and walked out where I heard Jake's voice again.

Jasper came to sit on the edge of the bed and took my warm hand in his cold one. "I'm glad you aren't badly injured Bella but it might be a good idea if you kept away from us in the future. Jake's right you know, we aren't good for you". I swallowed hard, feeling butterflies in my stomach from the feel of his hand in mine. "Jasper. I'm like a magnet, I draw accidents to me and don't worry about Jake. He's just...Jake" I laughed. "I'm sorry I got your girlfriend into trouble but I wasn't going to let Jake lie about what happened". Jasper let go of my hand and stood up. "Bye Bella". As he left Alice came in and I groaned again. The look on her face wasn't so vindictive this time. "Sorry Bella. I underestimated you." and she too was gone.

Dr Cullen insisted I stay in over night because I'd cracked my head pretty good, so I groaned and lay down again. I must have fallen asleep because the lights were on when I woke and Jake was sitting stony faced by the bed. Great I thought as he saw me open my eyes. "Pretty happy with yourself I guess after that little performance" he growled. I considered closing my eyes again until he left but I knew it would only delay the inevitable. "Jake I've got a stinking headache and I'm sore all over so I don't want to have a row with you. It wasn't a story, it was the truth. My accident wasn't Jaspers fault, it was yours. You acted the jerk and then tried to grab me. If you hadn't I wouldn't have fallen, and by the way Jasper was not speeding or on the wrong side of the road". His face got darker and darker as I spoke.

"Bella you don't know what's good for you. The Cullens are bad news, and you need to keep away from them. They're dangerous and one day you'll find out about them. I just hope it won't be too late that's all." I looked at him steadily, "Why don't you just spit it out instead of the cryptic comments. What's up, can't you think of anything? How about monsters, aliens, blood suckers, how am I doing? Oh yes and by the way, do you know anything about a wolf? I thought I saw one on the road". His face went as pale as it had gone dark and his eyes were full of some kind of apprehension. "So Jake?" He shook his head, "You know too much already. Just stay away.. "I cut him off, "Yeah I know, stay away from the evil Cullen's. Its getting boring Jake". He took my hand and his was hot and shaking. "They are dangerous Bella. They're killers" he whispered. I started to laugh until I felt my head throb again. "Please Jake, what bullshit". He shook his head again and I heard a growl in his chest...a growl I would have sworn I'd heard before. "Its true however much you laugh" he spat.