A/n: Hey guys, I know it's been a while which I am sorry for. I know it dreading to wait for the next chapter. Anyways, school has been keeping preoccupied and unfortunately, my chapters will most likely come infrequently because it's getting close to the end of the semester. I have to study for my exams in December, blah! I hate math tests and final projects!
Chapter 11
Verdict
I was utterly shaken by the intense gaze that Patrick gave me. His golden eyes stared in disproval at the arm that was wrapped around my waist. I could almost feel his ache to rip Edward into shreds and to that thought, I felt utterly weakened by my fear. Every fiber in my being begged Edward to take me away from Patrick. To my apprehension, I wanted to crumble and be a coward leave this moment of debating where my life should be with. I mentally cursed my curiosity for the Tresser's; however I don't regret it for I would have never been with Edward. Quickly I turned my gaze away to his family, feared to look back at those golden eyes for they held a secret torture that tempted me to enter.
Before for me, the Tresser's lined together their eyes were guarded and patient. Their stance mimicked the Cullen's in perfect reflection. I recognized most of them apart from two in the middle who I guessed were Professor and Mrs. Tresser. Professor Tresser was lean and agile, almost as slithering as a rattler. He had pale dark skin but not as dark as Anacron nor as tall, possibly a light African-American. Strangely, I felt warily towards him even though I've seen many golden eyes, his reminded me of a rattle snake: dangerous, threatening, and prepared to strike.
Next to him, Mrs. Tresser who I heard Carlisle named Elise. She stood slightly behind him, similar to an old century obedient wife. Her posture was perfect and elegant, she moved mysteriously as a belly dancer. Brown long hair tied in a tight braid that traveled down her back with loose bangs that cupped her oval head. Her hands clasped before her as she stood silently in the back but her eyes moved across our faces with caution. She's possibly serving as a backup for any danger.
We stood in silence; their eyes stared defensively at each other, almost having a mental conversation. The thunder rumbled loudly as the darkened clouds traveled to the clearing with haste. The clouds molded together dangerously, prepared to release lightning from its unyielding grasp. Flashes of light appeared in the clouds along with deep rumble of thunder. I tied to breathe easily through the harsh tension that developed in my chest. With the anger between the families and the blaring thunder that forced me to flinch, had me over the edge.
Prof. Tresser stared questionably at Carlisle while he tilted his head and his pupils narrowed across our faces, studying us carefully. He breathed a deeply through his parting lips as his chest raised to the bundle of air before he released his air. Those golden eyes slightly darken, probably to my scent or attempt to intimidate the Cullen's, "Carlisle Cullen." Prof. Tresser deliberately said with out any respect for announcing Carlisle's profession of being a doctor. His voice was soft-spoken and calm but with a hit of resentment.
"Professor Joseph Tresser." Carlisle resorted with respect and his voice echoing in a hospitable tone compare to Prof. Tresser.
I briefly thought a slight tug targeted Prof. Tresser's lip but the moment was too fast for my mind to comprehend, most likely my own imagination. "We have some negotiations that need to be…handled…" His voice grew deeper and demanding to the word negotiations as he softly trailed off. Deliberately, he flickered his eyes to me, long enough for me to see his actions. My heart dropped in fear to that short gaze while my muscles tightened. I felt Edward's arm wrap tighter around me in protection, I wasn't sure if it was for my benefit or his. However, Patrick's eyes burned with a fury as he dipped his head to gaze up beneath his lash, threateningly. Almost, Patrick tried to intimate Edward to move from his territory. "My son has chosen her to be his mate."
I quickly I glanced at Carlisle who's lip was tight in dismay, "As have mine."
I glanced up at Edward curiously with wonder in my eyes. Of course, I've heard him his whole confession about his feelings from me but hearing it in that format had me stun. In many ways, my heart swelled with pride to that thought as I fought a small smile that threatened to reveal itself upon my lips. I wanted to hold Edward's hand in mine although; it'll only fuel Patrick's anger and make things worse. I prayed to God that this would end. Everything surrounded me, trying desperately to rip Edward from me. The tension in my chest tightened painfully, almost too hard to breathe through. I wanted to sleep and then wake in Edward's arms as if nothing had ever happened with Patrick.
A 'ah' came from Prof. Tresser to this new revelation, "That explains a lot. I came to the conclusion that you held an animosity against my son and that why you taken the human from him. But it's obvious that I was wrong." He explained in a alleviate tone as his tense features lessened slightly but he remained cautious. Soon, the lightness of his face darkened along with his voice grew threateningly. "Well, if you give up the human now, there will be not need for fighting."
His words sent a chill up my back in fear as my body became utterly immobile. My chest sank along with my muscle tightening painfully. The thought of moving an inch was painfully as I feared for the others. They were going to fight on my behalf? I contemplated on giving myself up, however, I flinch suddenly to Alice's hand that wrapped around mine in comfort or perhaps she saw my plans. Obviously my ideas won't work considering Edward tightened his hold on me again to the point that I was pressed against his side. His cold body made me shiver but I forcefully ignored it.
"I believe that is Bella's decision." Carlisle said calmly with inconspicuous defiance.
Prof. Tresser remained silent while his eyes peered at Carlisle with such intensity. I was forced to look away for it pieced my heart with utterly fear. I pressed my face into Edward's shoulder to avoid their gazes. My body shook as my legs became weak from my mental health. Luckily, Edward held me tightly or I would have fallen. My breathing was heavily as I tightly closed my eyes and forcefully tried vanquish the thoughts of the Tresser from my weary mind. "Hmmm." Prof Tresser began before hardening his voice firmly, "She'll come with us."
My eyes snapped open abruptly to his words as I felt a painful jolt in my body due to my disbelief. "Do you often take those without a choice?" Carlisle asked with a hint of disgust.
Curiously, I shifted my eyes to Prof. Tresser with a search of the answer. He simply smiled before glancing over his shoulder to his mate, Elise. I felt his feeling of territory over the woman as he hand gracefully touched her cheek. "Of course, how else do you take what you want?" He said nonchalant. His thump stroked her cheek lovingly as she smiled back and rested her on top of his.
When I heard his statement, I shivered as my heart raced horrendously. My eyes widened when I can picture myself in her shoes with Patrick stroking my cheek. I can see myself taken by this creature without a word in protest. Forever detained by this insane family. The picture was vivid in my mind, almost haunting me deliberately. I unconsciously shook my head as I took a single step back while I grasped Edward's attention for I can feel his worried gaze on me.
Suddenly, Patrick voice registered in my ears with a soft mellow tone. Quickly, I snapped my eyes to him reluctantly. His eyes were softer and liquidly compare to a few minutes ago. "Bella….." His voice was smooth and soft as he held out his hand to me, expectantly. The moment my eyes locked on to his I couldn't look away. My thoughts and feelings vanished abruptly leaving me defenseless. My body was jelly and weak after my muscle lost their tension. Unexpectedly, all sounds that surrounded me faded to leave me alone with my beating heart. I briefly see lighting strikes in the background but that thunderous blare was inaudible. The only thing I heard was Patrick's soft voice, "Come with me…We can be together for an eternity,"
I can hear his words but I was too dazed to comprehend or fear them. His voice echoed lovingly in my mind as I felt a sudden urge to walk forward. However, a small voice in the back of my head muffled me to be cautious but I couldn't react. Before I had the chance to move forth, Alice immediately stood in front of me. When she did, Patrick lost eyes contact with me which released me from what Edward called…dazzling. I blinked frantically while oblivious to what happened. The sounds around me rushed back with force as the pressure of the tension and fear ambushed me without mercy. My breathing momentarily stopped to the tension until I grasped to the suddenly deep growl from Alice. Her stance was defensive and protective. She slightly crunched with her eyes bored with a furious gaze at Patrick. "You're mind games won't work." Alice hissed protectively, I felt utterly blessed to have Alice in my life.
Suddenly, Alice's growl was overlapped by multiply growls from both families. Curiously and fearfully, my eyes grazed their face as anyone's lip curled back warningly. Their perfect white teeth gleamed to the vivid lightening in the short distance. The younger Cullen's slightly crunched with their eyes watched for any signs of attacks. Abruptly, my eyes altered to Edward who's chest was trembling to the rubble that awakened. I looked at Jasper who concentrated on Robin for his eyes were dilated along with his features stiffened as Robin looked too weary to growl. Emmett flexed his muscles in excitement, anticipating their attack. Carlisle and Esme were perfectly still and watching the others carefully.
Patrick's growl stood out from the others for his was deep and furious. I unconsciously looked his way and flinched to his angered face. I've seen him upset before but this…this was utterly frightening. Every muscle in his being flexed beneath his pale skin and his angry features were defined greater on his horrifying face. My heart raced in fear as I wanted to run from this carnivore that threatened to take my life. "Bella!" His voice erupted in a deep and menacing hiss that made me go pale.
Immediately, Edward protectively growl back at Patrick, his teeth bared. He took a step forward as he slightly released me but not fully or I would have fallen. Edward crunched behind Alice, he growled warningly at Patrick to not repeat the hiss at me again. The moment Edward crunched to my defense, the whole family followed. Their moments were too quick but their matured snares grew louder.
"Chose wisely, Bella" Prof. Tresser advised warningly, not removing his cautious eyes from Carlisle. I thought over his words as I took step closer to Edward, indicating my choice. My resolve wavered for the Cullen's survival as I wondered if I shoulder go to Patrick for Edward's safety. Then it happened….Everything happened to quickly for me to comprehend.
I felt Edward's cold hand push me back as I lost my footing. I was too stun to realize that a pair of hard, cold arms wrapped around my stomach and roughly yanked me away. My head was whirling from the rapid actions of my grabber. From a short distance, I can hear loud clashes almost like thunder along with loud growls. Before I knew, I was place in the backseat of Carlisle's car along with the seatbelt wrapped around my waist. I remained obviously to what was going on until my eyes stared horrifyingly through the window shield that displayed the battlefield of vampires. The loud clashes of thunder were from their stone hard bodies colliding together in a furious battle. I can only see their bodies briefly before they disappear once again.
My heart sunk to the display before me as my heart cried out for Edward. The tension returned to me in a vengeance. The pressure of their lives on my shoulder because of my behalf finally took its toll on me. I breathed heavily through my mouth in disbelief as I felt a heavy tear hanging on the brink of my eye. The salt tears burned my widened eyes to the emotions that rose in me. I trembled in my seat as the heavy tear slowly dropped from the corner of my eye and slid down my pale cheek. I felt utterly guilty for the nuisance that I was on this family.
Abruptly, my attention was grasped by the saddened opened door by Esme who swiftly got in her seat and without me comprehending what happened, she was already driving away from the clearing. The car engine purred loudly to Esme's command as my body struggled to stay in control as she turned around in haste. However, I was emotionally and mentally weak to even try to stay in control.
"Hang on, Bella." Esme said maternally as her eyes were fixed on the forest before us. Her foot slammed on the petal to urge the car to drive faster. My body flung back into the seat to the pressure as I resist the dizziness. My heart was beating rapidly and I stared in disbelief at nothing.
Suddenly, my heart jumped in fright when something landed loudly on the roof of the car. I let out a scream of fright when I noticed the dent in the roof from feet. Esme's head momentarily looked up with a low hiss as she pushed the car at full speed. Quickly, I sunk myself down into the seat to move away from the dents above me. I couldn't control my breathing as my heart beat harshly against my chest. My eyes widened when hearing more sounds from above.
Before I knew it, Robin's hand broke into the window across from my window. I shrieked loudly in a high pitch voice in fear. Pieces of glass flow across the inside of the car and towards me along with the wind rushing furiously into the car, tugging on my stands of hair. Quickly, I closed my eyes and turned away from the glass as I felt some landed in my hair. I shield my face with my arms before I looked at Robin. She was hanging upside down from the roof with one hand inside of the car.
Her teeth were bare and hissed in frustration. She stretched herself towards me with her hand fanned out to grab any part of my body. I attempted to move back but the door blocked my escape. I couldn't help but scream in fright to her attempts. Abruptly, Esme began to drive wildly around the edge of the forest. Her driving skills had me jerking around along with me screaming. No doubt Robin had confined Esme's mind to a hallucination.
Robin continued to move forth even with the window frame in her way, she simply moved her body into it until the window began to curve in. The window frame whined in protest as I stared in disbelief to her strength. She moved faster against the current that Esme had created until something from behind her pulled her out abruptly along with the car door. The car door flew into the air twisting rapidly until landing harshly into the clearing. Dirt rose from it along with a loud muffled blare. The cold wind rushed into the car as I squint my eyes to due to dryness of the wind as I saw small glimpses of Jasper attacking Robin.
Immediately, Esme stopped the car that jerked me forward. I grunted in pain while hearing Esme's worried voice for my wellbeing. I whimpered an 'ok' to her however she didn't buy it. From looking at her face, I knew she wanted to comfort me but her mission was to get me away from this battlefield. Swiftly, Esme spurred the car towards forest to head to the house and relied on the others hold off the Tresser's while we made our getaway.
When the clearing was out of sight, I sunk into the seat ignoring the glass around me. My whole body was sore along with my mental health. Every inch of my body became immobile; I can't even wiggle my finger. Even though Esme wasn't swirling the car, I felt utterly dizzy. My mind was under harsh pressure due to the experience. Without any warning, I was taken over by darkness.
Well, I hope that was interesting. I tried to make it frightening, so I hope I was successful.
Once again, I am sorry for the long wait
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