Chapter Fourteen

Bella

He didn't answer, just twisted the throttle and we went up on the rear wheel before shooting forward so fast everything was a blur. I guessed that was the end of the conversation for now. I had no idea why but I felt safer with my tattooed biker than I had in a long time. He still reminded me of someone, his mannerisms, his general attitude, the way he made me feel safe, and then it all came flooding back. All the memories of the baseball match, the nomads and the run down to Phoenix. I had been terrified for myself, for Charlie and for Edward and I was surprised when not only Alice but Jasper too had taken me to safety. Jasper who had always been so reserved and quiet, keeping his distance although Alice told him he wouldn't hurt me. His kind words and reassurance before I tricked him in order to meet James. Hearing the voices as they saved me, Edward shouting for Carlisle to stop me changing, Alice smelling my blood, Carlisle's words of comfort, Emmett's whoops of excitement as he and Jasper dispatched James. They were all jumbled up in my mind but there was another memory that I'd never thought about before. As I looked over at the flames, at the jumble of figures, one stood out from the others, Jasper looking over and locking eyes with me for a split second before Edwards face obscured the view.

I tried very hard not to think about the Cullens any more, it just made me mad. I clutched tighter to my companion and heard a chuckle..
"Don't worry Bells, I wont let you fall. I'm a red hot rider, never had an accident"
He was so confident but I believed him. He wasn't bragging, just stating a fact. It occurred to me that he felt hard under the leathers as if it were only his jacket that gave, he was cold too but that could have been the leather. How could he be a vampire? He had that huge tattoo and I couldn't imagine a needle that would penetrate vampire flesh. He seemed more relaxed than other vampires I'd met so he must be a friend to one of them, a human friend. Alice sprung to mind. She said she wanted to be friends. This must be her way of doing so. I didn't want to be beholden to her but I was grateful to be away from Edward. Was Benny a friend of hers too?
I decided to try out my theory,
"So how long have you known Alice Cullen?"
He stiffened,
"A while" he answered cautiously,
"Oh, why is she helping me Peter?"
"No idea, I just follow orders."
I tried asking more questions but once again he was silent. Knowing who my mystery friend was, helped.

By the time we stopped again I was stiff and starving and I staggered as I dismounted. Peter took my arm gently to steady me and I looked into his eyes through his helmet. They were a strange brown colour but as he didn't take it off, that's all I could see. He pushed me in the direction of the Café while he started to fill the bike again. I went inside and ordered coffee and a burger, I didn't know how long we were stopping for. I'd finished by the time I saw his helmeted figure gesturing to me. Once on the bike again I tried to start a conversation again,
"You not hungry?"
"I had a snack while I filled up and checked the tyres. You OK now? Its only about another five hours, or do you want to stop for a rest?"
"No let's get where we're going but thanks for asking."

The road flashed past and I started to feel sleepy so I closed my eyes and leaned my head against his back. I must have fallen asleep because when I next remembered he had one arm snaked around me, keeping me close to his body.
"Oh sorry. How stupid."
"No my fault I should have thought about you sleeping. Nearly there now so you can rest in a bit."
As I woke up properly he took his arm away, and I felt its loss. He made me feel safe when he touched me. Strange, the only other people who'd managed that were Edward, Jake and...

We drove up a winding steep track before coming to a halt outside a cabin set in a clearing surrounded by trees. Again he helped me off and I took the helmet off with relief, rubbed my spiky hair with my hands and stretched.
"Its beautiful here. This is your place Peter?"
"Sure is. Come inside and I'll show you your room."
I followed him in, a little warily now, after all I was in the middle of nowhere with no way out. And with a guy I knew nothing about. He ignored my reticence showing me the kitchen and family room before we climbed the stairs to a bedroom with bath off.

"Only one bedroom?" I asked suspiciously,
"Sure but its yours"
"Where will you sleep?"
He looked at me and laughed,
"I'll be down stairs if you need me. Let me light the stove so we can get some hot water then you can shower and get some sleep. If you write a list I'll get you some food in while you're asleep."
"Do you have any coffee?" I asked.
He thought about that for a minute.
"Nope sorry. Only water till I get supplies."
I thought it odd that he had nothing in. Most of these cabins had tinned goods sealed in a cupboard but it wasn't my place to ask so I just nodded. He came back in a few minutes later with some logs and I watched as he lit the stove.

It was cold here and I shivered.
"Sorry Bells I forgot you'd feel the cold here"
He shrugged out of his leather jacket and handed it to me. I wanted to look at his face but the tattoo dragged my eyes to it every time."
"That's beautiful. It must have taken a long while to do"
He touched it
"Yeah. Does its job. I've got used to it now"
"Have you had it long?"
"About a year I guess. Anyway enough about me. You get some rest, I'll get supplies. See you soon"
He strode out of the door and I watched as he pulled a wheelie in farewell then disappeared back the way we had come.
I checked the water and decided it was warm enough for a shower so I grabbed my bag and went upstairs to the bathroom. I took a shower using the shampoo and shower gel already there. It was rather masculine but beggars couldn't be choosers. Then dragging on a pair of leggings and a tee-shirt I flopped onto the comfortable looking bed and fell asleep almost instantly.