CHAPTER 12

"Yes, now come on Jess i know you can do this!" Kate whispered, trying not to break my focus. I had been able to project my 'shield' as Eleazar called it, 300 yards so far. Kate said i should be able to permantly protect someone one day. "Ok Jessica, try and reach out to Tanya" I squeezed my eyes, and expanded my shield.

"Okay, i think i have it" i huffed out, getting out of breath. Kate walked over to Tanya and poked her left arm; she fell to the floor.

"Damn it Kate, do you have to use all your force!" Tanya screamed. I was sure i had my shield over her.

"No, it was my fault Tanya, i thought i had it, im so sorry" I ran over to her and helped her up. God, i still love the sensation of running.

"It's okay, your doing so good since we've only been trying a few days, Kate tell her how good she's doing," Tanya said, putting her arm around my shoulder and looking at Kate.

"Well, she could do alot better..." Kate was interupted with a small thump from Tanya. "Hey!! Let me finish, touchy" Kate giggled, while giving her a moch-punch back. "As i was saying, i think Jess has a trigger, a... source to help her with her shield" A source? Yet another puzzle added to my already messed-up mind! What else could life throw at me. First i have a freaky protector, then i have to keep all emotions locked up, to keep people safe, and now i have to figure out what this source is. Great.

I was getting fustrated. I could feel it. "Erm.. guys could i take a break for a while?" I said while already starting to run into the house. I ran into my room and threw myself onto my bed. "Arrrrrr!!" i screamed into my pillow. My head was pounding, and i could feel my emotions getting the better of me. Ever since my mind made a barrier around itself, because of a certain vampire, everything i feel is 10 times stronger. It doesn't just hurt the people around me, it hurts me!

"Jessica" Carmen called, in a pained voice. Crap. I didn't realise someone was in the house. "Sorry" i said, knowing she could hear me. Sometimes i wish i could just sit in a corner all by myself, far away from everyone. But Tanya and the rest our my only friends. I don't think i could handle losing anyone else. I got up off the bed and went to go find Tanya. I could use a hunt. I loved the range of animals around here. My favourite was a mountain lion. Though i hardly ever chased them as they were his favourite too. No, Too. Much. Pain.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tanya had left for the day to pick up a close friend coming to stay with us for a couple of days. All i knew about him was that he and his coven are practically family. I guess if my friends liked him so would I. Carmen had suggested i spend the day with her as i hadn't really spent any quality time with her recently. She was taking me shopping for some new clothes. My wardrobe did need an update, ic ouldnt keep borrowing Tanya's clothes forever. Carmen reminded me of my former best friend in many ways.

We took my new mercedes to a little street down town. While Carmen went to browse the clothing stores, i made my way into a local book store. I spent hours in there. I loved all books. Especially the oldies. From my favourite classic, Wuthering Heights to a tragic story like Romeo and Juliet, i could sit all day and get lost in the fantasy world with Heathcliff and Catherine. It was kind of my own form of torture, seeing as my Romeo would never come back to me.

After i had purchased half the book store i started making my down the alley to get back onto the mainstreet. "Hey hot stuff!" a man shouted from behind. I turned to see a dark haired man with olive skin, flanked by two hooded figures. I had a strange sense of deja vu. I stopped straight in my tracks. It wasn't so long ago where i was in the same situation. Alone, in the dark, out numbered by some disgusting men. Obviuosly the odds werent exactly the same seeing as i could send one of them flying with a quick flick of my wrist, but all the same it was frightengly similar.

The men had approached me so they were only a couple of metres behind. "Dayyymmnn! I haven't seen anything as hot as you for a long time! It must be my lucky day." The olive skinned man chuckled. Uggh! How pig-headed could one person get. I started walking again up the alley at a fast human pace. Even though i could out run these guys, i still felt a familiar wave of terror wash over me. I started running a bit quicker but they just wouldn't give up. They started to chase me down the street. I started running at a slow vampire speed. No way could they catch me now.

I was wrong. I musn't of been going as fast as i thought because the next thing i knew the man had pinned me up against a wall. "Now don't be like that baby, i'm not going to hurt you" he whispered while starting to scrape his hand up my thigh and lift my skirt. Why wasn't i stopping him? I could easily push him away, but my body was freezing up as if it wanted him to be dong this! The man ran his hand up my hip and basically ripped my top off by the seams.

"Hey!" A girl called so loudly it was almost a growl. The man didn't stop he just let go of his grip and stood infront of me so i was completely shadowed. "Get the hell off of her!" She shouted. I still couldn't move. It was like i was hypnotised.

"Oh my, Oh my, this really is my lucky night. Another amazingly beautiful girl" The man said while apprasing the girl with his eyes.

"Jess, why aren't you moving! Get him off you." She said. What? How did she know my name. I used all my strength to peep my head sround my attackers body. It was Carmen. Of course! She would of got worried after i didn't turn up and came looking for me. Weirdly enough, i felt disappointed, as if i didn't want her to save me.

"Jessica!" Carmen yelled while trying to fight the other men without exposing us. The olive skinned man had started touching me again. Right, this is wrong, i need to get up. I thrusted my leg up into his groin and he instantly fell to the floor. I grabbed my bags off the floor and went to help Carmen. She had already dealt with one of them so i smacked the other on the head with my bag of books.

Carmen just stood there staring at me horrified. "What?" I said. My voice came out in a hoarse croak. I made my way back to the street and into the car park. "What? What do you mean what. What the hell was that!" Carmen said angrily pointing back the alley. "Nothing, i don't want to talk about it" i said while slipping into the car.

"Well, you haven't got a choice. Why did you let that man do that to you!? Huh!" I could basically see the steam coming out of her ears. She was so angry.

"I'm sorry Carmen, i don't even know myself what that was, it was like i was hypnotised or something" I said while setting the car into motion. I really didn't have a clue why i reacted like that way; And why was i disappointed to be saved? The last time i was in that situation, all i wanted was to be saved. Thank God i was, or i wouldnt be here today. If it weren't for Edward saving me... Edward. Maybe the reason i didn't want Carmen there was that i was waiting for him! Maybe the reason i let that foul man touch me was because i knew it would make him mad. I really i am going insane. I am risking rape, just on the off-chance that someone who is never coming back will save me. I could only think of one option; I was crazy!

"I'm sorry i acted that way Jess, it's just seeing him touch you like that and not being able to do anything about it! It was unbearable." Carmen said, waking me from my thoughts. I had hurt my friend.

"No, i'm sorry, i should have ran away. I don't know what happened to me!" I said hanging my head. We were nearly home now, i could see the lights back to our home town.

"It's Ok, take your time. You can talk to me when your ready" She said placing a comforting hand on my own. "Thanks" i said. I turned into the driveway and parked the car. Just before i got out Camren pulled me back in.

"Erm.. You might want to put one of the tops i bought you on" She said looking down and back up to my eyes. I looked down. If i could still blush i would be a tomato red. I hadn't realised i was still topless! I quickly jumped in the backseat and threw a white vest top on. "Thanks, again" I said trying to laugh it off.

"It's ok" She said while steping out of the car. I followed. "Tanya should be back by now/ With our new guest. I can't wait to see him, i have missed him dearly!" I had completely forgot about our visitor. I didn't even know his name. I helped Carmen with all her bags (so much like Alice, there were almost 20 bags!) and started to walk up the stairs into the house. "So, whats he called, our guest?" I asked.

"Oh, Edward Cullen, i think you two will get along great." ........................................... What did she just say? No it couldn't be, could it? Now i remember! The family that was like the Cullens. The family that lived in Alaska. It all made sense now! He couldn't be here. I couldn't let him see me like this. He had already left me once, i couldn't bear to lose him again!

"Bella?" An angelic voice said. I stopped halfway through the door and looked up. "Edward"

Hey! Sorry i didn't update when i said i would.. and i hope your still reading my story :) Its just that i could NOT think of how to put this chapter at all! I hope its ok? I will definetly try to finish another chapter before i go back to school on Tuesday but if i dont then im sorry Anyway PLEASE PLEASE review i love hearing comments :) and ta for all the people who have favourited and subscribed :) REVIEW!