Chapter 9

Everybody was at the parking lot checking last-minute details: Jacob giving a serious talk to two older men, James Hunter and Laurent Dubois I guess, Charlie fitting the last bags in the trunk of the van, Edward talking to his siblings. I felt like something was missing.

"Psst, psst."

I turned around and found Tanya hiding behind a tree.

"Please come, I have something for you." While it wasn't a bomb...

"This gives you internet access no matter where you are. The password is Victoria." She gave me a little device, like a flash drive. "Take care of Edward he's a very nice man and I don't trust your partners."

"Ok?"

"He's old-fashioned and shy. So maybe you'll have to make the first move." She winked and left. I suppose this was her way of saying she's backing off.

Charlie yelled "I want you all up, we leave in five minutes."

I walked to the van, where Jake was holding the door open for me.

"I ask the back!"

"No Bella, you're sitting in the middle with me."

He held my arm. James and Laurent, who were already inside, were looking at us.

"Oh no Jacob. There's no way I'll leave Charlie sitting with Edward." I used my most indignant tone, that way I didn't have to say I'd planned to sit with Edward.

"But baby!"

Oh no, he didn't!

"Listen Agent Black, I'm not your 'baby' or anything else. I was giving you the chance to save face with our new partners. Now get out and let me get inside."

I didn't turn to see his face, I'll ask Edward later. He was right behind me, getting into the van.

He gave Jacob his most terrifying glare. Once we were seated, he showed me a little whiteboard and a marker. He looked at Charlie and a brooding Jacob, then he wrote in the board 'Charlie is comforting him, but in his mind he believes it was perfect.'

In that moment, James turned to see Edward "So we go up 'til the point you marked in the map, right?"

"Yes, then we'll have to go on foot."

On foot? I turned to see him. That's why Alice insisted I wore hiking boots? And a little short? But that wasn't professional, I don't want Jacob hounding me, I'm glad I just accepted to wear the boots.

Edward wrote 'Don't worry, I can carry you the whole way.'

'And let these nincompoops find out?'

Edward smiled, and God! He was beautiful. He touched my nose with his finger and wrote 'Just let me take care of it, I'm very resourceful.'

I just shook my head, because Jacob was staring. His momma never told him it was rude. I pulled out a book from my bag, Jane Eyre. A classic. I'd read it thousands of times, which allowed me to pretend I'm reading while I listen around.

Charlie nudged Jacob and he turned to talk with him, perfect! After five minutes Edward's brows furrowed, making me ask

'What are they talking about?'

'Charlie told him you liked to be tamed. He's encouraging to pursue you.'

That lying piece of crap! He knows I despise him! Now I'm mad, he's the one leading on Jacob.

'Remember me to set a skunk on him.'

Edward smiled, but he regain his seriousness immediately.

'Charlie thinks everything is going according the plan.'

'What plan?'

'He avoids to think of it.'

'And the guys at the front?'

'They're fighting over music.'

Men! They act like children.

The radio played the 'Barbie girl' song. Ugh!

'They're trying to torture me with awful music. Thinking then I will accept his demands.'

I nodded and returned to my book, better ignore them.

Twenty minutes later I was the one fed up. Edward was smiling, probably trying to annoy them. Jacob and Charlie wore headphones. James had a cruel smile, maybe he loved catchy 90s songs?

Edward showed me the board. 'You're singing.'

Just kill me now! I blushed.

He wrote 'Let's get ashamed together' and started to sing. Laurent looked to us, grunted, and changed the music. The 'Adagio for strings from Barber began to play. Depressive, but I could read now.

Edward closed his eyes, and pretended to sleep while he wrote.

'Laurent is worried, he isn't sure Charlie got the other two ingredients. He knows I'm not quite human. James thinks is hilarious how Jacob is sulking, he can't wait to get rid of him.'

'what are we gonna do when we get there?'

'We have one day to find out the other ingredients. I have to show them that where we'll be staying it's the right place.'

'Do they know what you are?'

'No, they think I'm like the gypsy; that I can do a little magic trick here or there. They hadn't found any supernatural being. Sadly, all their cases resulted to be tricks.'

'Then what they think you'll do?'

'I'm going to make them believe, trust me. you'll see.'

We finally left the highway. Edward and Jacob pulled a couple of trolleys to fit our things. We started to walk, Edward leading the way.

"So Mr. Cullen, are you sure we will find something? Twenty-five years had passed." James taunted.

"You're so skeptic. ask me again when we get there."

We hiked through the woods. i was so glad I only brought one bag, damned Alice and her need to be always fashionable. Jacob was behind me, trying his best to keep Edward's pace. Oddly enough, the other three were way behind.

Edward yelled "It's the clearing behind those bushes"

He pushed the tree branches aside. I looked and it was an enormous meadow. Five hundred feet, probably.

I guess I wasn't the only one surprised, Jacob had a 'what the hell?' face.

"It's exactly in the middle of the meadow."

Edward said to me in a low voice "Look how you can't find insects in the middle" Pointed to a butterfly flying in that direction, the butterfly was there and then it vanished!

"My whole family was here after, you know. It's funny once you find out."

Charlie said angrily "You're kidding me? There's no way this could be the entrance."

Edward pointed to a stone in the center "That is the lock, go and reach it."

Charlie walked to the meadow, and zap! he suddenly vanished, only to appear immediately at the other side of the meadow.

I was shocked.

Edward smiled to me and said "Do you want to try? It tickles. I just wanted another human to try it first."

Jacob ran and zap! He was on the other side. James was feeling the air, thinking it was an energy field or an invisible dome. Laurent just said 'Well, we have to wait 'til Friday."

We all helped to assemble the camp. Edward's tent looked too cozy so I invited myself in, much to Jacob displeasure.

Edward was seated on a rock, very quiet.

"Are you afraid I'm going to kick you out of your tent?"

"No, Alice will keep you company. I'm hearing a mental voice, but it's so different. It speaks with images, not words. And I think it's a child."