Chapter Twenty One
Bella
As soon as I saw Darius running towards the cabin I knew something was badly wrong, he was a blur and crashed through the cabin door ripping it from its hinges.
"Bella did you go on the computer?"
I looked at him terrified and nodded my head
"Yes but I didn't contact anyone I promise."
He pulled me into his arms and kissed me,
"Bella you're in great danger, the Volturi had a watch on certain websites and they've traced us even though they don't know it's actually you. We have to get out now."
"I'm so sorry Darius I didn't know or I wouldn't have touched the computer."
He shook his head still holding me tight,
"It doesn't matter, just grab your things, we have to go."
I picked up my jacket and the I pod he'd given me and followed him out of the cabin.
"Are you leaving all your things?"
"Yes, I can replace them but I can't replace you now quickly get in the boat"
A he said this his head snapped up,
"What?"
"There's a boat headed this way and its my guess its the Volturi or some of them anyway, Listen to me. You know how to steer the boat. I want you to take it out into the centre of the river and stay in the centre but head upstream. In about ten miles you'll come to a landing stage with an old blue pick up parked at the end. The keys for the pick up are taped to the handle of the outboard. Drive due south about twenty miles until you see a motel, The Blue Moon. Get yourself a room and wait but keep out of sight. I'll meet you there when its safe, If I don't make it wait no longer than a week then contact Garrett, he'll help you. Here take my cell phone and wallet, you'll need some money."
I had been shaking my head as he spoke but he stilled it by placing his hands either side of my face and kissing me again,
"You have to go Bella before they get here. You know I can fight and I will beat them but I need to know you are safe first. You mean a lot to me Bella and under other circumstances maybe you and I could make something of it but I'm a bad bet for a beautiful intelligent woman like you. Remember everything I said and go now please sweetheart."
He picked me up and carried me to the boat placing me in gently and kissing me again.
"You're going to hear an explosion but keep going, it will just be the cabin, I rigged it just in case they ever found me. Go and good luck."
He pushed the boat out as I started the outboard and I steered the boat into the centre of the channel as he'd instructed. I couldn't tear my gaze away from him although I was getting further away and then another boat came round the bend with six men in it and headed straight for the bank. I slowed the engine as I saw them clamber out and three faced Darius lone figure while two headed into the cabin. Only one stayed with the boat and I didn't think he'd really noticed me yet his eyes were on Darius too. The sudden explosion came as the two men exited the cabin shouting in Spanish and shaking their heads. One was tossed up in the air and came to rest in pieces on the ground while the other was thrown into the water. As his head bobbed to the surface I saw the first of the alligators slip silently into the murky water and head straight for him. I put a hand to my face to stop myself screaming as he suddenly thrashed about screaming in a high pitch before being dragged under by two fighting alligators. The man still in the boat spotted me then and I turned back pushing the outboard to its limits while trying to stay in the centre of the channel. I risked a look round and he was gaining on me while Darius seemed to have beaten his opponents so I turned the boat to head back for him. I realised my mistake as the boat bottomed out and the man in the other boat smiled as he came alongside, his hand reaching out to grab the edge of mine. As if in slow motion I saw Darius leap from the bank to crash into the guy and knock him to the bottom of the boat.
"Go Bella quickly."
Darius shoved hard and my boat drifted free of the shallows. I pushed the outboard full ahead as the guy stood up and threw a punch which hit Darius in the side of the head. He staggered loosing his footing and grabbing the other guy by the arms they both fell into the water. Before I could turn around again I saw the alligators attack and screamed his name. His head came above the water and he smiled,
"Go Bella, be safe I'm going to join Sara."
Then he was pulled under again and the surface of the water boiled with froth before it settled down with no sign of either man or the alligators. I could hardly see for the tears streaming down my face but knowing it would be dangerous to stay here I turned the boat and headed in the direction he had told me, being very careful to stay in the centre of the channel. If I got stuck again I would never be able to free the boat and would die here in the swamp.
I saw the jetty blurry through the still falling tears and headed for it praying there wouldn't be a reception party waiting for me and heaved a sigh of relief to find myself alone. I unpeeled the key from its hiding place and climbed in the truck wiping my face with the back of one trembling hand noting with shock that I was still grasping the I pod Darius had given me. The very thought of his name started the tears once more and I sat a few minutes pulling myself together so I could drive the pick up safely then remembering his instructions I headed south. The road was almost empty, I passed only a couple of other pick ups who ignored me as I did them. When I finally saw the motel Darius had told me about I was relieved, only holding myself together with difficulty. I took some dollar bills from his wallet and walking slowly into the office I woke the desk clerk who had been dozing in the back. He didn't ask any questions or even really look at me, just took my money and handed over a room key in exchange,
"Management doesn't like you girls working out of here so be discreet"
I nodded not even understanding him straight away and drove the pick up to room 10. I parked it outside and just made it inside the room before the shock hit and the tears started again but this time I couldn't stop them from flowing and I didn't even try. I just curled up on the floor and allowed myself to grieve.