Chapter 10 Mind Games

To a normal person this plan would have been outrageous, but I sort of liked it. If it would save Edward it was a good plan in my eyes. "Alright," I said, "sounds good to me."

Dean snickered. "Looks like you're just like your cousin then. You know this is suicide, right?" He asked.

I sighed and shrugged. "It could work." I replied.

Jo was vigorously shaking her head at me. "No way Bell, Charlie would slaughter me."

With an effort I smiled. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

Sam looked concerned. "I don't like it Dean." He said seriously.

Dean raised his eyebrows as he made a half-turn to look his brother in the face. "You got a better plan college boy? If he's after her then we'll just let him find her- then we can save the vamp. Just like that job with the shtriga." He said.

Sam did not look happy, but he dropped it, obviously he had no other ideas.

After the guys and Jo had a beer we all loaded into our separate cars and returned to the hotel Jo and I were staying at.

Soon the three of them were deep in a conversation about different hunting techniques and their pros and cons in our current situation. I tried to follow it for a while, but after it got too depressing I got up and headed for the door.

"Where do you think you're goin?" Dean asked, looking up from the intense discussion.

"Just for a walk. I'll be right back, I need to make a quick phone call." I said, swinging the door open and grabbing my jacket and Jo's cell phone from the desk by the window.

"You shouldn't go alone," Dean said, throwing a glance at Sam. "Go with her Sam, we'll fill you in when you get back."

Sam gave his brother a look I didn't understand, but hopped up from the bed where he had been sitting next to Jo readily enough.

I wasn't in the mood for the company and I needed to think through the best way to get Edward back in case these 'hunters' couldn't come up with anything.

"Thanks, really, I appreciate it, but I'll be fine by myself." I said quickly, pulling the knife from where I'd gotten into the habit of wearing it at my hip and waved it in front of them as proof that I was armed.

Jo was studying my face, probably trying to figure out if I was safe going by myself or not. I'd told her about my bad luck, a move I regretted at that moment.

"Its okay Sam. She can handle herself. Just stay close to the motel okay Bell?" She finally said.

I nodded vigorously. "Sure. I'll be back in fifteen minutes." I promised.

Once outside I hit a dead sprint and kept it up until I was out of the parking lot and deep into the surrounding trees. I knew it was dangerous here, and the fact that evil seemed drawn to me made it even more so, but I needed to get away from everything that was happening so fast.

Two weeks ago Edward and I were planning a vacation for right after graduation. A week ago I was impatiently awaiting his return from a routine hunting trip. And suddenly my world, not ordinary by any standards, was turned even more upside down.

I took a deep breath, looking around me, while my hand tightened around the knife Jo had given me. I couldn't see any light, just the trees, creating a thick wall between civilization and myself.

Suddenly I had a feeling that eyes were boring holes in the back of my neck. I turned slowly, straining to see anything through the dark. A branch snapped behind me, and I spun, trying to catch my breath.

'Geez, breath Bella.' I muttered to myself.

I jumped a foot in the air when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Needing no persuasion I twisted around and swiftly shoved the knife against the stranger's neck. My hand barely shook at all and I marveled that I must have actually found my forte.

"Man Bella! Jo wasn't kidding. Put that thing away before you kill someone. It's just me." I recognized Sam's voice, though I still couldn't see his face well.

I slowly lowered the knife, keeping a firm grip on it nonetheless. "What are you doing out here?" I asked warily.

"I should ask you the same thing. I saw you take off from the window and came to make sure you were okay." He said, casting a cautious look around.

"I just needed some air. I needed to think." I said, frustrated.

Sam nodded. "I know how you feel. It can be a lot to handle sometimes. But things will work out. Dean and Jo are working on a plan right now."

I was about to tell him that I didn't think it would work when there was another loud noise, coming from further in the trees. Sam took a step in front of me, pulling a gun out of his jacket. "Stay quiet and stay still." He whispered. I was more than willing to obey.

Even though it was dark, I could see the shadow building upon itself. It was like black smoke, billowing from an invisible origin. Slowly it took the shape of a man, the only thing I could tell about him was that he had sickly yellow eyes… and they were full of amusement.

Sam sucked in his breath. "Bella, run." He said seriously. But I was frozen in place. Not only from fear, but because this was what we essentially wanted to happen. This was the demon that had Edward.

So instead of doing what Sam had said, I flung myself around him and straight at the demon. He disappeared before I could even touch him and I landed with my hands thrown out in front of me. A sickening burst of pain shot up from my wrist to my elbow but I ignored it.

Grabbing the knife again I jumped up and whirled in circles, waiting for him to reappear.

"Oh, real brave of you." I spat. "You can't even come out and fight a little girl."

Then I was unexpectedly ripped off my feet and thrown against the nearest tree. The wind was completely knocked out of me and it took me a moment to regain proper vision.

When I did I saw Sam, trying to avert the demon's interest, but I would have none of that. While his back was turned I once again jumped at him, this time catching him by surprise. I didn't think, just shoved the knife as far into his back as I could.

I was once again hurled to the ground, but this time I had the satisfaction of hearing a horrific screech coming from the evil thing.

It turned on me. "well," it hissed, "I didn't give you enough credit did I? My mistake, won't happen again. On the bright side, the fact that your life is in my hands will act in my favor. I think this will work quite nicely when I try to persuade your boyfriend to join me."

I heard Sam yell something, but then I was engulfed in darkness.

A/N: sooooo sorry that I waited so long to update guys!!