AN: Sorry, for the delay. My beta/husband went camping. Funny how roughing it for him is having me cook and pack all the food with heating instructions LOL! Well he's back and the story can now be posted. Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Hope?
With appraising eyes we watched only Mike and Jessica's monologue. Knowing if we saw the footage of our fallen home again no work would be accomplished.
The Footage in Italic - Interpolation in Regular Font:
"Well as you can see the devastation in District 12 has only added to a tragedy this district has already suffered. First the abduction of Isabella Swan-Cullen now this. Our country mourns the losses of such hard working people and hope for the safe return of their hero Isabella.
"That's their way of addressing you, by stating your name not once but two time, they are calling attention to you." Jasper assessed.
"The whole 'return of their hero' is to say they believe you are still their's." Rose added.
Authorities have ruled the collapse of District 12 was due to faulty support beams. A tunnel cave-in triggered a domino effect. This in turn created the large sinkhole." Mike said in a monotone voice.
"Note Mike is monotone. He isn't used to such ridged scripting and I'm sure the Royals were present to supervise the taping." Carlisle states.
"They will be sending in a new work force to reinforce the remaining mines with new support structures. Work to reestablish coal production is a top priority for Capitol officials at this time. Thankfully the coal storage facilities were not harmed in the accident.
"They'll be in the area if I can getaway. They wish to reestablish our agreement and will not harm my family if I return to them." I think out loud.
If the individuals who have taken our Isabella are watching. Please, send her home. She has just lost some of her family and friends in this horrible catastrophe and those left behind could really use her support." Jessica said, sounded as if she was reading a script not pleading my release.
"they want me to sent her back and they are saying Jake and Nessie are still alive, again. Probably to appease, Bella's pleas for their safety." Jasper utters thoughtfully.
"The Kings and Capitol officials are too busy to make a statement at this time but, have sent their sympathy to those that have lost loved ones in this tragedy. A moment of silence will be held nationwide at noon tomorrow for our fallen friends in District 12." Mike continued.
"Noon tomorrow in District 12 they'll be waiting for you." Emmett pipes in.
"I have a feeling the Kings will actually be there as well." Carlisle ponders softly.
"They are offering a chance to regain their favor and a safe return of your remaining family. And, I agree with Carlisle they will most probably be there for the exchange." Jasper replies.
"I just don't understand their motives here. First they destroy my home, what to force me into staying with them if I can escape my supposed prison. And then, offer the safe return of Jake and Ness who aren't even there. How are they going to prove they're safe, if they aren't even there. Are they just looking to recapture me, to torture me further for information and to use me for their own sick agenda. I just don't get it." I trailed off at the end.
"I don't get it either. They tortured me and imprisoned Nessie to control Bella, granted she knew we weren't in the Capitol anymore but, they didn't know she knew. She didn't kill Nahuel and so they killed Renee. Now they don't have anyone, not friends, family, no one to hold over her head. They can only lie for so long before she would figure out they don't have Nessie and me. So, I guess the better question is, how do they plan to control her once they have her in their grasps?" Jake said thoughtfully.
"What did they shoot Bella with at the end of the games?" Alice spoke for the first time.
She couldn't be suggesting what I think she is, could she?
"It was a tranquilizer. Just meant to knock her out not kill her." Jasper answered.
She is suggesting what I think she is!
"Do you know for a fact they used something different on Edward? Are you sure they didn't just let everyone assume Edward's dart was poison? His injuries looked bad but, I know they are capable of saving almost anyone from deaths door if they so choose." she asked.
Several gasps were heard throughout the room.
Esme and Nessie started to cry.
Carlisle muttered to himself, 'No it can't be, Is it even possible, Should we even dare to hope'.
And, I sat frozen. Letting what Alice suggest and what Carlisle murmured bounce around in my head. Darkness swirled around the edges of my mind but, I pushed it back. Now was not the time to panic or pass-out.
"Why keep him alive, after all their promises of his immanent demise?" I say to myself but, everyone seemed to have heard me.
"Good question." said Jasper.
"They want whatever information my grand father had." Carlisle said in a far away voice.
"So they know he had the data but, how?" I ask.
"Does it matter? As soon as they find out were it is they will destroy it." Carlisle replies.
Then it hits me, "They have already destroyed it and the only reason Edward isn't dead right now is they have found another use for him. He can be used against me." I say in a small voice.
"Not to be rude but, what data and why would your ancestry matter?" Jasper interjects.
"My grandfather was a member of the original uprising. He received important information and was in rout to District 13 but, before he could get there 13 was destroyed. He hid the information in District 12 before they caught up with him and publicly executed him.
My family has attempted to hide their linage and held the secret through the years. The King somehow figured out who we are and had Edward's name pulled during the reaping and planed our down fall for shortly after the end of the games.
Evidently things didn't work out as planed and the Kings took a different approach." Carlisle explained.
"So, it's possible my boy might really be alive and in the hands of the very people that hate us the most?" Esme's voice cracked.
Carlisle pulled her closer but, it was Alice who spoke next,
"The royals love causing their enemy pain and suffering. They will want you to find out that Edward is alive and torment you with that knowledge. They didn't tell us this time because they want Bella to come running to them.
I bet if we make them wait they will let us know Edward is alive. This would serve both purposes. One the hurt you and second to get encourage Bella further to escape."
"I can't just sit here knowing there is a possibility Edward is in their clutches. I have to rescue him!" I exclaim.
"I feel we need to wait and see what comes next. We need to make sure our assumptions are correct before we can take further action." Jasper says remorsefully.
"I agree. As much as I'd love to charge in there guns blazing. It would only cost us our lives and wouldn't help anyone. We need to get as much information as possible then evaluate the best coarse of action." Jake states.
Although Jake seemed laid back and careless at time, there was a reason he was an excellent hunter back home. He thought things through before taking drastic action.
"Sorry Bella, I also think we have to wait. If we are going to take down the Volturi we have to do it carefully and going in now without all the information is suicide." Rose added.
Feeling out numbered and knowing deep down that they were right I agreed to wait. But, the idea that Edward could be alive and being imprisoned in the Capitol, was almost to much to bare. Sensing my despair Nessie nudged me,
"I'm not ready to say good-bye yet, not so soon after getting you back. I say we wait, and get all of the facts. Then we can send you in prepared and ready to save the day. But, until then you promised me some quality time, and I plan on making you keep that promise."
"When did you grow up and start playing with the big kids?" I retort.
"About the time I had to see you leave in my place on reaping day." she said not missing a beat.
Everyone was quiet giving us our little moment. The intercom broke the bubble we seemed to have created.
"Jacob Black, your siblings and father have requested your presence back at the infirmary. Please, join them when you are done here. Thank You."
"Well that looks like my signal. Come find me if anything new turns up." Jake says while getting up and heading towards the elevator.
His leaving seemed to make our impromptu meeting to an end. With arrangements being made, to get together tomorrow. We all went our separate ways.
Nessie and I entered our pod silently. Once we both were ready for bed she did something unexpected yet again.
"Can I sleep with you tonight, like we did back home?" she asked.
We hadn't shared a bed in awhile. Normally we didn't share unless it was supper cold or Ness had a bad dream. She wasn't asking for her own comfort this time, she was asking to comfort me instead. It filled the hole in my chest, just a little but, it helped none the less.
"I'd like that." I answered honestly.
We climbed in to the small bunk together, holding on to each other. For today they were safe and together.
AN: Well the seed is planted. Edward Alive? I know this chapter was a little short but, I felt that I needed to end it here. Hope you all liked it. Please, review!