UPDATED 29/05/2011
Chapter 11
BPOV
It felt like we had been sitting in the cave for days. It didn't help that I struggled to tell the time of day, with the darkness of the cave it all felt the same. I knew of course that we had only been here a matter of hours and not days, but I didn't know how long we had been travelling before I woke. I wasn't sure how long I'd been gone.
"Seth, what time do you reckon it is?"
"About three in the morning."
I should be asleep in my bed, with Edwards arms wrapped around me. I sighed snuggling further into Seth's arms, trying to keep myself warm. My body wanted to sleep, I was exhausted, but my head knew that it wasn't safe.
The only sense of safe I had left was the comfort of knowing that with each passing minute Edward was closer to me, he would soon be here. Seth had told me his sister had found Edward and they had headed this way a few hours ago. I knew they had to be arriving soon. It wouldn't be long until I was in Edward's arms and I felt safe, like nothing in the world could hurt me. I had been wrong and selfish to hold what happened against him, it wasn't his fault. If anything he was the one that didn't want me going near him. Though I wasn't about to let up on the fact that I wanted him to change me. I don't think I would ever be able to get over this if he didn't.
I had been a fool to insist that I drove all the way over to the hospital on my own to see Carlisle. I shouldn't have put Esme in a position like that. I hoped that she didn't blame herself for what had happened. If she did I would have to convince her otherwise.
The whole thing was one big argument as to why I shouldn't be left human. If I was one of them then maybe he wouldn't want me. None of this would have happened. I would be forever by Edwards side, the way it was meant to be.
Seth jumped to his feet, snapping me from my thoughts. I looked at him trying to figure out if I should feel excited or scared? It couldn't read his face.
"Seth?" I asked.
I waited for a sign.
He didn't answer. He kept his eyes fixed on the entrance to the cave.
I was terrified. If it was Edward and his sister he would have told me by now, right? That meant it could only be one other person, it was him.
I sat there shaking with fear. I wrapped my arms around myself trying to offer some comfort and protection.
I glanced at Seth. What would he do to him? All this time I had only thought of myself and what would happen to me. I never thought of what would happen to Seth. Would they kill him? Tears came to my eyes. Seth was too good, too pure, he didn't deserve to die.
I froze when I heard an animal running towards the cave entrance. I sat there holding my breath, starring at the entrance, waiting for evil to come.
It wasn't evil that came. It was the most beautiful sight in the world, Edward, followed by a small grey wolf. He was carrying a burning torch, which I guessed was for my benefit. I started crying with relief and happiness. It was my Edward. He was here to save me. He was exactly as I remembered him, all expect the worry that was now scarred his eyes. I had to go tell him that I was okay, that he didn't need to worry. I was safe. I was with him.
I got up to run to him, not looking where I was going. My foot caught on a rock and before I knew it my face was hurling towards the rocky floor of the cave. I closed my eyes waiting for impact. It never came. His arms were wrapped around me, he had pulled me to my feet. He was holding me. I opened my eyes to look up at him. He had a smirk on his face. No doubt he found my clumsiness funny.
I ran my hand down the side of his face, tracing my finger over his lips. Taking in every inch of his face. I had missed him. We had been apart for so long. Long before Seth had taken me. I had pushed Edward away from me because of what he had done. I swore never to do it again. He was the one I needed, the only one. I would never keep anything from him again, I would bare my soul to him. No matter how painful.
I saw that it had been wrong not to tell him or our family. Jacob was dangerous. Things had gotten out of hand. I had been silly to think that if I hid this then it would all go away. I shivered at the thought of him, now wasn't the time. I was finally with Edward and I didn't want to think of anything else.
"I'm sorry..." I started to say, but he put his fingers up to my lips.
He looked deep into my eyes. I saw a longing in his I knew only too well. I put my hands in his hair, pulling him towards me. My lips met his. At first I had wanted to pull away, it didn't feel right, it felt dirty, it reminded me of him.
I forced myself to keep kissing him, reminding myself that this was the man I loved. He wanted and needed this comforting just as much as I did, I had to let him in. It was a kiss of love, full of passion, that burned deep within us both. His tongue licked at my lips, asking for entry. I hesitantly complied. After a moments of getting use to his tongue in my mouth, my tongue met his in a fight of love.
The fire within us was calling for more, but I knew it would be a long time before I was ready to give myself to him. He didn't push me any further, he had his hands on my face and kept them there.
A small bark reminded us that we were not alone. Edward pulled his lips from mine, resting his forehead on mine as we both composed ourselves.
When I turned I saw two wolves looking at us. Seth must have turned. I looked from him to his sister who was a smaller wolf, grey in colour. She had a beauty of her own, but her coat was not nearly as beautiful as Seth's white, snow like coat.
"Thank you." I said looking between them. "You both have risked a great deal for me. When you both don't even know me. I would like to repay you in some way when all of this is over." I looked at Edward, waiting for him to translate anything that was said.
"Seth, says your welcome, and that he didn't rescue you so you would repay him."
I sighed.
Edward as if he had read my mind whispered in my ear. "Don't worry, we'll find a way." He placed a kiss on my head. I was grateful that he knew me so well.
"We better head back. I want to make use of the darkness." Edward told to me, planting another kiss on my head.
I nodded.
Edward gently lifted me onto his back. I wrapped my arms around his neck, sinking my head into his shoulders so I wouldn't be able to see anything as we ran. We took off . I couldn't wait to be home.
We had been running for just over an hour. I had been drifting in and out of sleep; tiredness was finally over taking my body. I was slowly falling back to sleep when I felt Edward come to a sudden stand still. Before I knew where I was he slid me off his back. I looked at him through confused, sleepy eyes.
"Edward?"
He didn't answer. I saw the look on his face. This wasn't good. I looked around to see Seth and Leah standing on either side of us; both of them bearing their teeth. Fear crept over me. A growl erupted from Edward's chest; making me jump and confirming my fears. We were not alone.
I tried to hold it together, but I couldn't. I fell to the ground, tears streaming from my eyes. My full body shaking. This was how it was all going to end. This was how I was doing to die. How we were going to die.
Edward turned to me, dropping to my level. He took my face in his hands, making me look at him. "Bella?"
I couldn't answer for crying.
He pulled me tight against his chest. "Bella, everything is going to be alright. I won't let anyone harm you." he whispered in my ear.
"How many?" I finally managed to sob.
"Leah, says its the rest of the pack... five of them." He kissed my head before continuing. "I'm sorry there is not enough time to run and we cant risk one of us being singled out while we try to escape with you..."
Five against three. I didn't like the odds. The wolves were so big, we didn't stand a chance.
"Bella." Edward said snapping me back to him. He handed me his phone. "I want you to stand here against this tree, behind me. Don't move. I wont let anyone pass." He sighed. "I want you to call Alice, let her know what's happening."
I nodded as he pulled me to my feet, placing me against the tree. He placed a kiss on my head and then turned his attention towards the trees in front of us. Growls lashing from his throat.
I fumbled with his phone as I searched for Alice's number.
It rung twice before she answered.
"Edward, I'm so glad it's you, we've been so worried." Alice cried.
"Alice, it's Bella..."
"Bella! You're safe. Thank god. Where are you?"
"I... don't know." I whispered as I saw five snarling wolves step out from the trees in front of us. I looked down at the ground. I couldn't watch.
"Bella, what's that noise? What's going on? Where are you?" I could hear panic creep into Alice's voice.
I didn't answer.
"Bella, put Edward on."
"I can't."
I could hear clashing of bodies, bones breaking and trees crumbling. My eyes remained fixed on the ground at my shoes.
I couldn't help but cry. I felt useless, there was nothing I could do. We were all going to die and I was stood here doing nothing.
"Bella?" Alice shouted through the phone.
I had forgot she was there.
"Bella, answer me!"
"I'm here." I whispered.
"Bella, I know your scared, but you have to pull it together. You need to tell us where you are so we can help you. Tell us what's happening."
Upon her words I looked up. I didn't mean to. I wish I hadn't.
A black/grey wolf had Leah pinned to the ground; snarling above her; while a chocolate wolf was ripping chunks of flesh from her. I could hear her whimper. She was squirming in pain. There was nothing I could do to help her. I looked away from Leah, unable to watch her suffer any-more.
My eyes landed on Seth. He was fighting against a large brown wolf and struggling to keep his own. A sly silver wolf was circling behind him, clawing and biting at him when it had the chance. They were wearing Seth down, he wouldn't last much longer.
My mind wondered to Edward. Was he okay? I needed to know, but I didn't want to look.
My eyes betrayed me.
Edward and Jacobs bodies were locked together as they wrestled on the forest floor. Jacob had the upper hand, he took a bite at Edward's arm, ripping off a chuck of flesh.
I crumbled to the ground, looking away as tears blinded me. My Edward. He was hurting my Edward and there was nothing I could do.
"Bella? Bella? Bella?" Screams echoed out of the phone.
Alice. I had forgot about Alice.
"I'm here." I sobbed.
"Bella, it's going to be okay. I promise. I just need you to focus for me. Tell me where you are."
"I can't... I don't know..." I whimpered. I was useless. I was the final nail on the coffin. I was killing them all.
"Okay. Then tell me what you can see." Alice said trying to remain calm.
"Trees."
"Is there anything there other than trees? Did you see anything else?"
"There... there was a river, we crossed a river about half an hour ago."
"Good. Is there anything you can tell me about the river, Bella?"
"I can't remember." I whimpered; admitting defeat.
"Think Bella!"
"It had a bridge..."
I was knocked to the floor before I could finish my answer. The silver wolf ripping the phone from my hand, crushing it in his mouth. I screamed in panic, trying to fight my way free.
This was it. I wasn't ready to die.
The wolfs drool fell onto my face as it towered above me, snarling. I clammed my eyes shut. I waited for the pain. I wait for death to take me, but it didn't come.
When I found the courage to open my eyes again the wolf was still there snarling me, but he wasn't hurting me. He wasn't biting me like the others. I didn't understand.
I squirmed trying to see around me. I couldn't see Edward or Seth.
I caught sight of Leah. She had just about given up fighting. Both the chocolate and patchy grey wolf were ripping and clawing at her as she lay on the ground, she was almost lifeless, expect for a few jerks.
Her body was covered in flesh wounds; her fur matted with blood. She was shredded to pieces. How could they do that to her? Why weren't they stopping? I lay there weeping for her. She was dying. They were killing here and there was no one here to help her. I had given up hope. I was waiting to die. We all were.
Then he came.
A black wolf jumped out of no where. It launched itself at the two wolves attacking Leah. Taking them in it's mouth, one at a time; shaking them like a doll then tossing them into a tree. They lay unconscious, piled in a heap.
The black wolf walked over to Leah, hoovering above her body. A whimper escaped it's mouth.
I watched as the silver wolf left me and leapt towards the Leah and the other wolf. I lay there frozen. Starring, as they rumbled around the ground. Seconds later the silver wolf joined the pile of unconscious wolves. I sighed in relief.
Without even thinking, I was on my feet, running over to Leah. I knelt down beside her, gently rubbing her head. Her pained eyes looked at me, the rest of her body lay there limp. I wanted so much to be able to do something for her. To help stop the pain. Seth whimpered at my side as he joined me. He licked at her face, she whimpered back at him.
Edward was the only one left fighting, it didn't look like anyone was going to win soon. We had to get Leah some help.
I got up to feet, taking a deep breath. I would have to make them stop, for Leah. I walked over to them, ready to get in the middle when the black wolf stood in my path. I tried to side step it, but it moved, blocking me again.
"Please, you don't understand, we have to get Leah help. I have to speak to Edward."
Nothing happened.
It sat there looking at me.
"Move out of my way!" I screamed at the dumb animal.
He turned from me and bounded at Jacob, knocking him onto the floor. Edward growled. I grabbed Edward's arm, standing in front of him.
"Please, we have to go."
I shook him trying to catch his attention. His eyes were fixed on the wolves. I put my hands on his face, slowly forcing against his strength to make him look at me.
He snapped out of his trance.
"Bella, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Edward we have to go. Please, we have to leave now. Leah needs help, we have to get her to Carlisle."
He turned, looking behind us to see Leah crumbled on the floor. He was at her side in seconds, picking her up in his arms.
"We have to hurry. Bella, climb on Seth's back."
I looked back at the black wolf who was struggling with him, to keep him away. "What about...?" I realised I had saw this scene before. The black wolf was Sam. Sam had come to our rescue. "What about Sam?"
"He's going to keep Jacob here. Make sure we get away."
I began to protest. It wasn't safe for him to stay here. What about happen when the others woke?
Seth nuzzled his nose between my legs and flipped me onto his back. I grabbed onto his fur quickly, trying not to fall off as we raced through the trees. Edward was in the lead as we hurried home. Battling time to save Leah.
