Countdown to Florida
BPOV Thursday, 11.00 pm
First I thought that Jacob was angry with me when I called him. He seemed tense when he said: "Do you have any idea that you nearly caused a riot here because of your previous talk with my dad?"
But at once he eased the situation making a joke: "Yes, there's some people trying to pamper me."
But even though he cut our conversation short he sounded thrilled and almost hyper when he confirmed to accompany me to Florida. I'd heard muffled voices through the phone. The voices were strained, like fighting, but I only could make out that one of them belonged to Jacob. He pushed the red button wishing me nice dreams before I could ask him about it. But at least he seemed to be happy that I called through.
I got back the phone to the living room and told Charlie that Jacob would come with me. Of course, Charlie had made a face, but I still was so angry with him because of his latest activity to disturb Jake's and mine privacy and so I went into my room with the shortest "Good night" ever.
Tomorrow would be a long day for me with a lot of things to do. I had to work a full shift at Newton's and then to pack my stuff and to arrange everything for Charlie. I also had to check into Peninsula College for the schedule of the upcoming semester and to pay my tuition.
Eventually I snuggled into my pillows and drifted off to sleep thinking of Jake and all the things I planned to show him in Florida. Renee would be thrilled to see him in personal.
JPOV Thursday, 11.30 pm
Dad saved my ass!
That's what I really had to admit. As Sam left our house for controlling the borders and woods of La Push again, realization dripped through my aggravated brain and I felt the urge to run after him and apologize. But whatever was fighting in my system it made me damn tired. At least Thylenol was doing its job sparing me from the sore feeling but my body felt as heavy as a huge mountain and I barely could keep my eyes open.
After I had hung up the phone Sam had been literally fuming with rage, ready to kick my behind and I had been too ready to fight him back. We had been glaring at each other, my muscles were flexed and prepared to jump, Sam's face hovering inches from mine, his eyes boring into my eyes. I don't know what Dad had done to bring us down but it had been working perfectly. He just looked at us. I swear! He. just. looked. at. us. And I got calm at once and Sam, well, Sam stepped back, making room between us but then treated me as if my assault had been that of a harmless puppy. The stupidity of it made me laugh inside. I'm pretty sure that Dad had sensed my inner strife to prove Sam wrong. At this point he had sent me in my room barking it as command I followed at once. I nearly was glad about it and made a graceful exit. I was mentally and physically spent and not in the condition for another fight with anyone of them. And I knew I better kept my big mouth shut unless I wanted Sam to make me eat my own ass. A second time Dad wouldn't save me and he had would damn sure let Sam teach me a lesson.
There was still another thing bothering me. I had to travel on stinking vampire costs after I had confirmed Bella's invitation. But at least I would surely have some fun with Bella in Florida, and at any rate I would be leaving lots of my duties behind for a few days.
Even though I could find no comfortable position on my bed I now quickly dozed off, dreaming of Bella and being with her alone in Florida.
BPOV Friday, 7.00 am
I threw my clothes into my suitcase. There wasn't much I had to pack since I had left most of my summer clothes in Jacksonville. At 8.30am I had finished a quick breakfast and drove over to Newton's to work my shift. My truck was stuttering and doing strange noises. Back from Florida I needed Jake to check out on it.
Gladly there was enough to do at Newton's store with all those weekend hikers that needed things for their hiking equipment, so I hadn't had my head free to get excited at all.
I heard two hikers talking to Mrs. Newton that in the forests of Quinault a hiker was missing. I didn't pay to much attention because sometimes a hiker got lost and would appear a day or two later. It was so easy to get lost in those forests, I remembered with a shudder. Nevertheless I would tell Jacob what I had heard. He would want to know if he didn't know already.
Billy POV, Friday 10.00 am
I wheeled over to Old Ateara after I had ordered the council to gather. I had to tell them what had happened yesterday between Sam and my son. I needed to tell them about what I thought would be happening sooner or later. In spite of the fact that Jacob was still so young he reacted ever more aggressive on being leaded by Sam, what of cause was part of his true Alpha nature.
After he had phased for the very first time we had told him what and who he was, - we that meant Sam, me and the Elders -, but Jacob didn't accept being the Alpha of the pack. And as I had watched Sam and Jacob quarrelling yesterday I now was sure that Jake could no longer deny his true nature. And I was sure that Sam had been aware of that fact too which probably had been the only reason why Sam hadn't thrown any consequences on my son. Nevertheless, as long as Jacob positioned his rank under Sam, he needed to integrate into the pack and not to outstand and make his own thing. Jacob needed to learn that criticizing Sam would undermine Sam's position. And if Jacob still refused to lead the pack, more quarrelling could easily destroy the internal cohesion of the pack. He would have to learn a lot until the day he would take over as Alpha.
Sam probably would have tried to teach Jake some respect yesterday but the need to protect my son had been stronger so I had played out my cards. I possessed the power to control Sam for he was only the placeholder and I was a direct descendant of Ephraim Black our last true Alpha and therefore standing higher in command than Sam. What would be interesting to know, would I be able to control Jacob once he would be the Alpha?
JPOV, Friday noon
I awoke recovered and felt absolutely healthy. Dad wasn't at home, so I had some time on my own. First I managed the housekeeping, washing the dirty laundry, doing the dishes as well as cleaning my room and change Dad's bed sheets.
When everything was done I walked over to Clearwater's. I let myself in not bothering to knock. Leah was standing in the kitchen and in an astonishing good mood. She was even reporting me spontaneously about her patrol.
"No tracks, everything's clean." She told. "Your girly switched the lights off at 11.30 pm."
I shook my head and made a face. "You shouldn't control Bella but the area, Leah."
Leah grinned and blinked at me. Woha. Hadn't seen a smile on her face for, what, eons?
"I could listen to what she was talking in her sleep."
"Leah!" I answered running my hands through my hair. "Don't sneak into her dreams. It's not appropriate…" I blamed her.
I knew Bella was talking in her sleep. Having been around her house to keep her save I remembered that her dreams often enough scared or saddened her.
But Leah still grinned wickedly.
"I tell you…" She said and walked over to me. She tiptoed and whispered into my ears, imitating Bellas voice. "'Jake, oh Jake. Don't stop!'" She added a throaty sigh that made my stomach summersault. Leah punched my arm laughing loudly now. "Remember me to not let Seth do night patrol."
I stood there like an idiot. That sigh Leah made and only girls could do so sensual left me stunned for a moment.
"Argh. Jake. Get a grip on yourself." Leah teased me. But all of a sudden bitchy Leah was back. "I hope you know what you're doing." She stormed out of the house nearly running into Seth.
"Out of my way…" She hissed at her brother making him jump.
"What's up with her?" Seth asked.
The image of Bella, dreaming of me, and nasty Leah's whispering and sighing into my ear made me woozy.
"Donno." I mumbled and wished for a cold shower.
"She was runnin' around Bella's this night?" Seth looked up to me. He had grown a lot but still he was almost one head smaller than me.
"Yes, but why do you ask?"
"She hates having patrol there." Seth went to the fridge to find something to eat. He came out with a tremendous plate stuffed with delicious looking sandwiches.
"Hm, Mom loves me…" Seth said smiling hugely. "Hungry?"
He didn't need to ask me twice. With his mouth full Seth continued talking: "I once eavesdropped when Leah told Mom that listening to Bella crying in her sleep remembered her on her own misery."
My eyes grew big and I forced down the lump of food in my mouth suddenly feeling no hunger anymore.
Bravo. I thought. And now she knows Bella's dreaming of me and maybe, and with what Leah had teased me minutes ago I could hope, finally getting over the leech. And Leah would still be alone.
BPOV Friday, 4 pm
Sharp 4 o'clock I left the store to manage my college stuff. I tried to find my way through the college, looking for the bureaus and the blackboard. Then I met Angela at the blackboard and I learned that she would be studying the same study path.
"Do you know who else will stay here in Forks?" I wanted to know.
"Ah, I guess it's only Mike and Ben. But I don't know for sure."
She dragged me to the ice-cream parlour and forced me into eating a huge vanilla-strawberry sundae.
Soon we were having some girl talk about what we did since the day of our graduation. I freely could tell
Angela about how things went out between me and Jake and that I would be spending a few days with him in Florida and she was honestly happy with me.
"He's good for you." Angela said. I knew what she thought but wouldn't say. How relieved she was that I was over Edward leaving me.
I quickly changed the theme and asked her about her twin siblings and her boyfriend Ben. After having talked for another thirty minutes I excused myself and headed home.
Billy POV, Friday 5 pm
I came home much later than I had wanted to. We ended up discussing that another hiker was missing - the second within seven days. It hadn't happened on our reservation but still it was close enough to be of matter for us. It meant that we would send over one or two of our wolf-boys to check what was happening there.
I shut the door and heard the noise from TV and a soft snoring. Jacob was soundly asleep. He must have crashed watching TV because he was spread all over our couch. I let him sleep. He needed his sleep now he was growing so much.
I already had done my own preparations asking Sue Clearwater if she was willing to help me when Jacob would be in Florida. No question about it anybody would help you here in our reservation.
Gladly the worst part of my latest exacerbation was over, I could do the most things on my own again. A new worsening I did not expect very soon.
I wanted Jake to go with Bella to Florida. I liked her to be with my son. Man, I remember the day when I found out that Charlie's girl was hanging around with a vampire. Sure, there was the old treaty that the Cold Ones wouldn't harm any humans in this area and as far as I knew they didn't even feed from humans, but still they were our natural enemies and I didn't trust them. And I for very sure didn't want a vampire dating with my best friends daughter. The day when Bella had been lost in the woods I was scared to death that we would find her drained and lifeless. Sam found her in a mental state that was beyond worse. The Cullen's had left that day and Bella, clinging on their "son" Edward fell nearly catatonic.
I sighed and heaved my body out from my wheelchair. I needed to walk a few steps after having been reliant on the chair for almost a week. Slowly and with heavy legs I started to prepare dinner.
Jake had a crush on Bella, since she moved back to Forks and I had seen him struggling with his emotions when Bella started to date another boy which he didn't know on that time yet, was a vampire. I had been so glad when Bella started to live up after spending weeks in a zombielike state and how much more I had been happy for Jacob as she chose to hang around with him and their friendship increased.
Jacob needed some normality after all those years he had done everything to help me. It hadn't been easy years for him after losing his mother too soon. He would have needed her longer as each child would. And then he had to watch my body getting weaker and weaker. And if it wasn't enough the Cullen's moved back a few months and triggered our genetic heritage that turned our kids into werewolves. Jacob needed some normality other teens had - at least for a week. He deserved to be happy.
JPOV, Friday 9 pm
I came back to my senses when my father touched my arm.
"Hey, sleepyhead. Dinner's ready."
Had I been sleeping again? Last thing I remembered was laughing at "The Simpsons". Man, actually I had wanted to pack my travelling bag and then spent some time with my dad before I would be gone for a while. Now I had to hurry because I would be doing the patrol around the Swan's home this night and then already meet her in the early morning hours for our trip to Florida.
The house smelled of pasta and tomato sauce. Dad had been cooking? Man, he shouldn't. But well, if he was cooking again he must be better a lot. I quickly checked on Dad who grinned over my puzzled face.
"Hungry?"
I nodded and followed Dad into the kitchen. We talked and laughed a lot during dinner but either one of us wanted to speak about my fight with Sam. Of course I was aware that Dad's keen eyes constantly lingered on me as if he was searching for something. But I didn't mention it.
"Sam and Paul are going to the Quinault reservation. There's a second hiker missing. The Quinault people asked for backing. I had a phone talk with their chief today." Dad reported.
I looked up from my plate.
"Did they tell if they already found the corpses?"
"They didn't find any. That's why they asked for help. They trust on the skills of our wolves."
"I see…" I only nodded. Paul and Sam would be telling us soon enough what was going on there. If there was a vampire roaming around, we would get rid of the problem pretty soon.
After dinner and watching the News on CNN with Dad I went to my room and packed my bag. It was quickly done, just throwing some shirts and pants into it.
Short before 10pm I dialled Bella's number just to hear her voice.
It was her answering the phone.
"Hi, Bells. Already sleeping?"
"Nope, actually I was reading in your book." I remembered that she had borrowed the Lord of the Rings book when she had watched over my father.
"It's not mine." My voice was suddenly thick. "It belonged to my mom."
"Oh, Jake. I didn't know. Do you want me to bring it back?"
"I want you to read it. It was one of her favourite books and it's mine as well…" I blinked away a stray tear that wanted to well from my eye.
"Are you okay?" Bella asked worried. She was so sensitive of course would she feel my distraction at once.
"Yeah, give me a moment. You just took me off-guard…" I answered huskily.
Bella was silent and I heard her walking around in her room.
"How's your fever?" She wanted to know seconds later.
"I'm fine. I slept for some hours and everything's back to normal. Can't wait for tomorrow."
"It's only 8 hours 'til then…" Bella must be smiling it made her voice soft like velvet.
"Jake?" Her voice changed again into worried. "I've heard about a hiker missing."
"Yeah, I already know. We will keep an eye on that."
She deeply inhaled. "Is it a vampire?" Fear lingered in her voice.
"I don't know yet, Bells. Sam and Paul are running over to Quinault tonight." I wanted her to feel safe. "We are checking the whole area around Forks and La Push. If anything comes near, we will know at once."
"'kay…" She still was concerned.
"Don't be afraid, Bells. It can have a natural reason." I said trying to assure her.
"Says the werewolf…" Bella grumbled which made me laugh.
"You're worrying to much. You have to trust us. We will protect this place. That's what we are made for."
"Hmpf."
"Relax, Bella."
"I'll do my very best. But I would feel better, if I knew the reason already."
I hated talking about things like that over the phone. I would better be with her and hold her. "I promise, Bella. As soon as I know ANYTHING I will tell you. And now, you better catch some sleep."
"You better, too." There, she was smiling again.
"See you at six. Sleep well, Bella."
BPOV, Friday 11.50 pm
Shortly before I fell asleep I startled with my heart pounding in my chest. They would know that I had used the airplane ticket. The Cullens would know! Since I had altered the ticket to Jacob they would see the change on their credit card billing statements.
My heart was hammering so fast I thought it would jump right out of my throat. I was close to cry out in something between shock and terror. What had I done? I sat up in my bed trying to get a hold on myself. I forced my breath to an acceptable speed. It started raining outside, the wind swishing through the tree standing at the house and forcing the leaves of its one longest branch brushing over the glass of my window.
I tried to think rational. Why should they want to know what I was doing? Why should they mind if I went to Florida and whether I was taking a boy with me. It was them who left, not me. And it was HIM who told me that I wasn't good for him. I got really angry now causing fury tears running down my cheeks. I neither wanted to feel the hurt nor the feeling of being rejected and utterly and downright didn't want to feel hope that HE could want me back. If he had wanted to be with me he could have done so for the longest time. But after all this time there never came a phone call, email or written letter.
I really hated myself now wasting further thoughts and tears on him but still I couldn't fight away his picture appearing before my eyes and I couldn't fight back desperate sobs and tears.
Get finally over it, Swan. I told myself.
Get. over.
Get. over.
Get.
over.
g.
e.
t.
o.
v.
e.
r.
Desperation made way for another picture. Mental sunlight pushed back twilight.
You've got Jake now.
I wouldn't shed another tears. I would hold on with all my might to what I had now and what Jake was willing to give me.
Jake.
Edwards POV, over in Germany, Saturday, same time as Bella is lying in bed
The last months I'd been avoiding anyone's thoughts successfully. But since Alice came back from her latest trip from Russia something was strange. She was hiding her thoughts from me. As well as Jasper and Carlisle. Why did I mind at all? I don't know but I felt uncomfortable as she was repeating a Tibetan chant all over and over again. I could easily overhear Jasper re-planning Siege of Vicksburg and Carlisle concentrating on a minimally invasive heart surgery. But I couldn't blend out Alice constantly humming her "Om Mani Padme Hum".
I always considered my vampire patience being endless but being exposed to that chant for over 48 hour non-stop made me more than curios. She definitely hid something important from me. Which meant it had something to do with Bella. Wince. But how could I get through that barrier? She must know I would come sneaking. Therefore we knew each other for too long. So I finally walked straight into her room where I found her furiously hitting the keys of her computer. I expected her to know that I was coming along but she jumped from her chair and chirped surprised: "Edward?!"
I smirked. "So, I finally could take you by surprise. A day to remember."
"So, I … ah, … was otherwise occupied." Not the slightest thought aside from the mantra escaped her brain.
"I wonder, what you hold back from me, Alice." I spoke directly into her face.
"If you think you could dazzle me, Edward, you're wrong." Alice said coolly.
"Dazzle you?" I raised my eyebrow and shook my head.
After being numb for so many weeks my dead heart started cramping dangerously. "I know you're hiding something from me. And I want you to tell me!" I demanded to know, feeling the familiar pain becoming alive again.
"Why should I tell you?" Alice turned around and left me standing. For the shortest second her mind opened and I saw her crying in Jaspers arms and wait, had there been venom glistening on her neck?
"What happened, Alice?" I followed her and grabbed her arm. Alice hissed and yanked her arm free.
"Listen, Edward." She yelled at me. "I'm pretty pissed off with you. So why don't you just leave me alone?!"
Another thought was flooding from her. Alice missing Bella like heck. Yeah, I miss her too. Then I understood, of course. Alice blamed me for the loss of her best friend. I let Alice go feeling wrecked up and guilty. As I wanted to leave her room to give myself over to brooding and moping again I recognized that she had left her screen running. I stepped closer to her desk. One step. And another one. Should I spy her out?
The next step brought me in front of her screen and I heard Alice frantically yelling: "Keep out, Edward!"
But I had already seen what she had tried to keep from me. Our post-box contained an email from the airline, informing us that a voucher was going to be used. I clicked open the attachment and learned that Bella was about to use the tickets Carlisle and Esme gave her to her birthday. And she had altered the ticket being meant for me to take Jacob Black with her. Like a sleepwalker I left Alice's room, walking out of the house, out of the garden, out of the town the hurt in me roaring to life like a dangerous beast.
I wouldn't allow any feelings.
I would welcome the pain.
I wouldn't get jealous.
I wouldn't get
I wouldn't
I
I
ROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAR!
JPOV,
Midnight until dawn
I was running fast to Bella's house. The grass, the leaves and the grit under my paws were barely making a sound. It had started raining some time before but I didn't get wet. My fur was thick and didn't let the rain through to my skin. I reduced the radius of the circles I was running and came near as close as I could risk without being seen by Charlie. He wouldn't hesitate, a wolf on his property wouldn't have a long life. Not that he could seriously harm me with his gun, but I wasn't keen on some bullets in my ass. Ugh.
Besides the rain everything was quiet in and around the house. I heard Charlie's snoring and Bella's uneven breathing. She was tossing and turning a lot and I wondered what she was dreaming about. Eventually her breathing slowed down to a normal level as she drifted off even deeper in her sleep. I stretched my fours and laid to the ground right in front of the door steps. I placed my muzzle on my fore legs and snorted the raindrops away that fell on my nose. I watched the forest through my half closed lids, listening to the nightly sounds.
I let my mind wander to the situation in Quinault while I still stayed on guard. If there really was a vampire roaming around it would be an easy thing for the creature to come to Forks. Before I would be leaving for Florida I needed to tell the boys that they had to keeping an eye on Charlie as well. But I didn't expect that a vampire would be running around for very long now that Sam and Paul would be taking care of the "problem". I snicker-snorted a wolfish laughter and run another circle around Bella's house.
Charlie was shifting in his sleep, mumbling words so low I couldn't understand. So Bella wasn't the only one talking at night? I looked up to her window. I just needed to phase and climb up the tree. Would she let me in? I could lie down beside her, slide a little closer, wrapping my arms around her. I could kiss her lips, inhale her lovely scent which would be rich from her sleep. I growled as my body temperature heated up over the pictures in my mind. I plopped my rear side to the ground and with my head held high up I watched the forest, the street and the sky. I wouldn't let myself get distracted. But as time dragged by my eyelids became heavier and I had to force them open ever often. A big yawn gave proof of my sleepiness and I snapped my teeth together loudly. I couldn't be tired again I had slept nearly the whole day long.
I stood up, shook the rain from my fur and circled the Swan's property once again. I listened if I could hear Sam or Paul in my head, but probably they were too far away to be heard or they weren't in their wolf form.
Anyone? I called out in my silent voice and then I became aware of the slow tapping of other wolf paws.
I'm here.It was Quil answering me. Everything alright in La Push.
Nothing unusual in Forks as well. I reported back taking another round.
Eventually I lay down again in her doorway like a guard dog hiding in the shadow of its frame. I listened to the raindrops which were dripping from the gutter and watched them falling down on the stairs.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
A shrill shriek cut the silence and pierced my eardrums. I jumped to my wolf legs, wild growls and feral snarls erupting from my throat. My fur stood on end. Had I missed something? I hectically turned my head in all directions letting my eyes scan the area. My paws started to run but slipped away on the wet wooden patio making awful scratching noises. I panicked. What had happened? I run a full circle around the house, finding no evidence of an intruder. Still she was shrieking and gasping but it was more muffled now.
Lights went on and I heard Charlie open the door to her room: "Bella, you're dreaming. Wake up."
Finally my brain kept up with my instinctual reaction and I could stop my barking and growling. But it was already too late. I heard Charlie pushing the window open exactly when I crossed the space between the house and the woodside.
"Damn, what's that?" Charlie cursed and rumbled down the stairs grabbing his pistol from its holder. I took my heels and vanished into the woods.
Idiot! Moron! Silly wolf! I yelled in my head while I hid behind the trees. You're the stupidest wolf ever roamed the world.
Jake? What's up? Quil's voice chimed in panicky himself. He must have heard Bella screaming over our mind link and clearly he was reacting to my shock as well.
Nothing! I barked. It was only a dream! I told him embarrassed. It was good I couldn't blush in my wolf form.
God! Jake. You nearly gave me a heart attack! Quil snickered and then vanished again from my mind.
I watched Charlie slowly open the door and I knew he saw my tracks. But at least he didn't follow me. He went inside, talking to Bella who came down the stairs. The night faded away and I had to rush home so that I would be back at time.
While running I still felt the adrenaline rushing through my system. I grumbled and barked at myself for being so stupid to fell asleep on my watch. And then the fury came, boiling up my blood. Though being in my wolf form I started shaking at the thought of what the leech must had done to Bella. What had happened that she still was an emotional wreck months after he had left? Could a human mind ever heal once being exposed to things out of any natural explanations? Would she forever be broken? Would I ever be able to heal her? I growled and snapped uncontrolled needing an outlet to my rage.
The tremors became stronger and I dug my paws deep into the earth to stop the trembling. My vision got blurred as I crossed the borders to La Push and I literally saw red. I needed to stay in the woods. I couldn't get out as long as I wasn't in control of myself. Murder was in my mind! I felt the animalistic urge to tear that leech apart and to hide its every body parts just to see him struggle in pain the same Bella did.
A strong spasm rocked me and forced me to the ground. My legs were wobbling under me as I tried to phase back but I couldn't. And the more I tried the more the shaking increased. Then the shaking changed into hurting cramps, the ferocity and rage made way to sheer terror and angst and then I felt as if my skin would burst open and my mind went blank.
BPOV, Saturday 5am
I couldn't remember my dream. I only felt the aftermath: trembling hands, sore throat and sweaty cold skin. And I saw the pale face of Charlie who was constantly muttering to himself about needing to keep the bears out of town while glaring at me as if expecting a new breakdown.
It was still raining, but I didn't give a damn about it. In a few hours I would walk under the sun of Florida. I took a shower and ate some cereals. When the clock finally showed 5.50am I took my travelling bag and put it next to the door. I slipped into my boots and dressed into my jacket. Nervously and excited I tapped my feet to the ground, tracing circles in our living room.
6.00am: Jake didn't show.
6.10am: No Jake.
6.15am: Still no Jake to be seen.
"Where's that boy? We've got a plane to catch…" Charlie grumbled impatiently.
I took the phone dialling the Black's number. Maybe he had overslept?
"Black." A still sleepy Billy answered the phone.
"Where's Jake? He should've been here fifteen minutes ago!" I was sharp before hysterics. We would miss the airplane!
"I haven't seen him yet." Billy answered and then I heard him yelling: "Jacob?!"
Given to his strained breathing I know that he was wheeling over to Jake's room. "Jacob?" He didn't get an answer.
"He's not in the house. I'm going to call one of the boys. Maybe he stayed at Quil or Embry overnight." Billy seemed to be confused.
Charlie took the phone out of my hand. "Billy?" He rumbled into the receiver. "We're already going to Port Angeles. Jake needs to meet us there. Wanna know where your boy's hanging around. If Jake's directly driving to Seattle he still could make it in time."
Charlie pushed the red button and threw the phone on the kitchen table.
"Come on, let's go. Plane won't be waiting for you!" His face was colored in a deep angry red. He took my bag and opened the door.
"Some more minutes, dad." I urged him. I was cold and I was afraid. Why wasn't Jacob here? Did something happen to him? Or did he change his mind? Didn't he want to be with me in Florida? Didn't he want to be with me anymore?
"No time left. We should be gone 10 Minutes ago." Dad grabbed my arm and almost dragged me out of the house.
"I don't wanna go without him." I started crying.
"Don't, Bella. You will go to Renee. She is so happy that you will be there."
"But …"
"Don't answer back, Bella. Jacob can catch us in Port Angeles, still no need to worry."
I climbed into Charlie's Police car, wiping off the tears from my face.
"Something could have happened to him." I mentioned sobbing.
"Ah, Bells. This boy is old enough to take care of himself. I believe Jacob made the night out with his friends and forgot about the time." Dad tried to soothe me, but I knew Jacob would have told me if he had planned a night with his friends. Dad started the ignition and pulled out of our side way. With more speed than usual he headed to Port Angeles. Halfway there Dad's cell phone buzzed with an incoming call.
Charlie POV, Saturday 7 am
I always knew the boy would break Bella's heart. I tried to calm her down. She was near desperation, I could see it in her eyes and hear it from her ragged breaths. I had so hoped that Jacob would be better for her than that Cullen boy. But obviously boys that young age couldn't be responsible enough to keep their promises.
Halfway Port Angeles my cell phone hummed. I drove aside and stopped the car. Then I answered my phone. It was Billy calling.
"He is here, Charlie. I found him." Billy said. His voice was all strange and tense.
"What's up, Billy? Everything alright?" I asked him seeing Bella's eyes getting bigger.
Billy seemed kind of unapproachable: "I'll tell you later, Charlie. Can't explain."
I couldn't make sense on what he was saying. I got angry.
"No, you better tell me right now. What's going on? Is Jacob breaking up with Bella?" I raised my voice. Bella winced and shrunk into her seat.
Billy rushed: "No. He doesn't leave your daughter. But he can't be with her right now. It's a Quileute thing. That's all I can say. You have to trust me, Charlie. Everything will be fine again." It was getting stranger and stranger.
"I did always trust you, Billy. But now…? You're hiding something. What is going on your reservation?"
I felt Billy batten down the hatches. And I got even more suspicious. For months I had watched strange things going on in La Push and the surrounding area. The big bears that had been seen. The dead hikers. Then Bella reported about those massive wolves in the forest. Some Quileute teens disappeared for days and their parents didn't seem to care. The mysterious gang Bella told me about which Sam Uley was leading on. And now Jake better wouldn't meet with Bella? Had he disappeared as well and Billy was just lying to me? I didn't want to believe it. He was my oldest friend. But the whole situation was odd. And I being the Chief of Police simply had to react.
"You have to trust me. Bring her to the airport. She has to be with her mother. Out of Forks." Billy repeated in a hollow voice.
"I will find out, Billy. You better have a good explanation for everything what's going on in your reservation or you will have to bear the consequences!" I really angrily barked into the phone. "I won't let Bella get hurt again. Tell your fine son he better not crosses my way. I'm fed up!"
I broke the connection and started the ignition.
"I'll get you to the airport."
Bella watched me.
"What did he say?" She finally whispered.
"Jacob can't come. A Quileute thing! That's all what Billy would tell me. But I find out!" I threatened fiercely.
Bella turned her face to the window and pressed her lips to a small, hard line. She didn't say another word until I had her sitting in her airplane. Only the silent and constantly flow of her tears displayed her disappointment and desperation.
My poor little girl. Heartbroken. Again.
A/N: Pleeeeeaaaaaaaase leave your comments!
