Chapter Twelve
Bella
I waited until late then as soon as I was sure there was no one still looking for me here I came out of the rest room and into the café which was half empty but it had started to rain and the windows were fogged up so I wouldn't be seen by anyone outside. It also meant that I couldn't see if the guy with the photo came back but it was a chance I had to take, I was so hungry. I sat in the far corner near the fire exit which was propped open with a bucket of dirty water and mop. It gave me a quick exit if I needed one and the bulb overhead had blown so I was in semi darkness. As I sipped my coffee and waited for my food I tried to work out the best thing to do. I wondered if I dare take another bus now they had seen I didn't get the Port Angeles one. I could get one to Portland and find other transport from there. It was a gamble but I instinctively knew that I had to get north fast or I might never see my real father. Something else was urging me on, as if my brain knew safety wasn't that far away, it was a feeling that unnerved me even further. I took the small box out of my pocket and opened it looking at the silver bracelet with my real name on it, Isabella. I didn't like it much more than Annabel but I could see the connection, both could be shortened to Bella which I did like.
When I finished eating I went back out to see if there were any buses leaving soon that were headed north, I didn't have enough money left for the full journey but every mile closer to Forks felt a mile closer to safety. The rain had stopped and I checked to make sure there was no one who appeared to be watching, everyone still about was hurrying through the puddle scattered paths, heads down and shoulders hunched so I joined them, fitting in as well as I could with only occasional glances around as if I were waiting for a friend who was late. A friend! If only I had a friend I could contact, someone who could help me but I was all alone in the world, not even sure who my real parents were and almost too scared to find out. I checked the schedule posted in the window of the booking office, the closest I could get I guessed was Rapid city, then I'd have to try hitching or I could try hitching first and see how close I could get before resorting to the buses again. Deciding this was a better idea and meant I'd still have some money on me for a while I made my way to the nearest truck stop looking for any transport with a northern address on it but it was really late and most trucks had halted for the night with blinds pulled down and presumably drivers asleep. I would have to wait for morning when they started stirring again so I went in the café and ordered coffee sitting where I could see out but not be seen through the huge window and settled myself to wait in the warmth, daydreaming about the life I could have had if I hadn't been snatched, perhaps a happier one.
Alice
I was reading when I got a sudden flash of Annabel/Bella and I closed my eyes concentrating hard then grabbed my phone before hesitating. I couldn't afford for Carlisle to hear me so I went downstairs and checked the garage. His Mercedes was missing and I suddenly realized how late it was, he was on night shift at the Clinic so I was safe enough. I rang Jazz and he answered straight away sounding worried and hopeful.
"Alice tell me you have something more for me"
"I do, I had a brief glimpse of her. She's at a truck stop on the Kansas City limits waiting for a lift. She's going to wait until morning and see if she can can beg a ride."
"Will she get one?"
"I think so but I don't like the feel of him so you need to get there first. Can you do it?"
"If I break every speed limit yes."
I heard the engine snarl as he hit the gas pedal hard.
"What about Garrett? He might be closer."
"I'll contact him but he's headed my way."
"Peter?"
There was no reply, I really had ruined things between him and his friend and I felt very guilty.
"I'm sorry Jazz. Do you think it would help if I spoke to him?"
"No Alice. Just leave it."
"OK. Let me know what happens only she's gone again. It was really weird, as if a curtain were lifted then dropped again. Something is interfering with my sight where she's concerned, I've never experienced it before."
Jasper
I contacted Garrett, he was closer to me than Kansas City but turned straight round trying for the east of the city while I tried for the west side, Alice hadn't been able to be any more specific about where my mate was. I looked at my cell phone wondering whether to try Peter again, I hated the thought of begging for his help but if it meant saving my mate I was prepared to do just that and I rang him once more. This time he answered,
"If you're ringing to apologise don't bother. I'm glad I found out exactly where I stand in your list of priorities."
"Peter where are you?"
"Why? You gonna send the sabre toothed pixie to maul me again?"
"No. Alice isn't involved in this."
"Well hallelujah! So there is a God."
"Peter where are you?"
"In Shenandoah on vacation, why? You thinking of joining us?"
"I need you to get to Kansas City as quickly as you can."
"Really? Well it may come as a shock to you but I don't give a flying fuck what you need. I did, once upon a time but things change, friendships fall apart and guess what, that's what happened here."
"Peter, I'll beg if I have to."
There was a pregnant pause then his voice came again but less cold this time,
"What's the problem?"
"There's a girl, a human and she's in deep trouble. She's sitting at a truck stop in Kansas City waiting to hitch a ride in the morning and I need you to get there before she does."
"A human girl? Deep trouble? OK what's her name and where?"
"I don't know exactly where, just at a truck stop at the city limit headed north and she could be going by Annabel Harris or Isabella/Bella Swan."
"She's not schizophrenic is she?"
"No, just confused."
"Well that makes two if us and it's just a hunch but I'm guessing she wont be happy to hear I know you."
"She doesn't know I exist Peter. She's trying to get to Forks Washington and I need her to get there safely."
"Care to tell me why? Or is it a big fucking secret?"
I paused not knowing what difference it would make if I told him but then I just gave it to him straight.
"Your mate? A human girl in a shit load of trouble and she's your mate? Yeah well I guess that sounds about right. So how do I persuade her to go with me?"
"I don't care Peter, just get her away from there and on her way to Forks please."
"Fair enough."
He rang off but I knew he would do all he could for the very simple reason he hadn't told me to fuck off.
