Chapter 25 Wake Up Call
Bella
The sun's rays were hitting my face, waking me from my much needed sleep. Eyes still closed, I stretched, yawned and searched for Edward amongst the sheets. My hands found nothing but rumpled fabric where I hoped to have found his cool form.
Worry entered my mind, causing my eyes to spring open and sit upright in the bed. Looking around the room, I quickly scanned each corner hoping perhaps Edward was somehow there.
Had it all been a dream? Was the very fantasy of having Edward back caused me to hallucinate and believe so fully in the vivid dreams I had been having lately. Slapping my hand to my forehead, I felt a slight sting. Running my fingers above my eyebrow, I felt the open cut, that ran just above an inch long.
YES! I didn't imagine it I happily thought, lying back onto my pillow, slowly rewinding and replaying the evening's events in my head. Just thinking about Edward's body and the way he made me feel, had the hairs on my arms standing up.
"Edward", I breathed out, barely audible as a whisper.
"I didn't want to wake you, you looked so peaceful. But I didn't want your cut to go unattended, as last night I was a bit preoccupied to dress it". He stood at my bedroom door, having already shut the door so carefully, I hadn't noticed it open.
I was unable to control the smile that plastered my face as I suddenly jumped up and slide to the corner of the bed.
In his hands he had several cotton balls, antibiotic and a small bandage. "For someone who takes a lot of tumbles, you are somewhat lacking in first-aid supplies", he said, getting to his knees before me and placing his tools on the floor.
Still experiencing the euphoria that came with having my dream come to life, I clutched his shoulders and embraced him using all the force I could. Having him so close, had images of last night resurfacing.
Embracing me right back, he breathed into my hair whispering "I'm sorry I missed watching you wake…I cherish being there for the start and end of each of your days".
Kissing his neck I let him know no apology was needed, "It's okay, we have forever to make up for it". His body became somewhat frozen then, as he considered my words.
"Bella…lets get this taken care of before Charlie makes his way upstairs. He is sitting in the kitchen as we speak, waiting for you to join him for breakfast", he somberly replied. Working very quickly, so quickly I barely noticed what he was doing, he tended to the cut.
I was so lost in his caring eyes, I didn't utter another word till he kissed the bandaged area and started to sweep my bed-head hair away from my face.
"Wait..", I started, "Charlie had fishing planned this morning, it's Saturday", I replied, rubbing circles on his marble neck.
Shutting his eyes and sighing heavily, he sat himself next to me on the bed. I knew I wasn't going to like what he had to tell me but I couldn't help but place myself in his lap, interlocking my arms around his neck.
"Bella last night when you asked what was wrong, I didn't lie when I said I didn't know everything. Charlie's thoughts are hard to interpret but I knew he was worried about something, someone". He continued on, securing his hold on my body, as if preparing my body to brace itself.
"It wasn't till after you'd fallen asleep did he reveal why he was so upset." Looking deeply into my eyes he sighed, "People…some high-schoolers were attacked last night in the woods, just on the outskirts of town. According to Charlie, they were severely attacked, leading to thoughts of an animal attack but I'm afraid he might be wrong".
I don't know how long it took for his words to sink in but after the words attacked and high-schoolers was uttered, my mind began to race. Who had been attacked? Forks high was so small, I knew every single member of the Senior Class, meaning I knew whoever had met a undeserved fate.
As if reading my mind but obviously watching my expressions, he went on. "Love, I'm not sure of the specifics or who was involved. Charlie hasn't revealed anything else since last night, all his thoughts are on you and how you will react…something I, myself am worried about". When I had no response to give, he took my face in his hands and whispered "Bella…Bella, I'm truly sorry but I wanted to prepare you for whatever Charlie might say this morning. I just need you know that I will protect you, no matter the outcome".
I sat still in his lap, dazed from all that he shared with me. I didn't realize I was on the verge of tears till Edward clutched me tight to his chest. "Oh, please don't cry…I hate to see you in pain, especially when I don't how to ease it", he pleaded.
I had never really bonded or become tight friends with those at school, save for Angela, Ben, and Mike but I had talked or known all of them. I had seen them everyday for the past 2 years, shared a smile or a brief conversation in the hallway. I couldn't really call them friends, yet my heart still ached for those who I would no longer see. The knowledge that it could be ANYONE brought me out of my daze.
"OH MY GOD! Edward, what if it was Angela and Ben, or even Mike", I suddenly asked, panic all over my face. The tears came faster then. "I have to talk to Charlie, I need to know, I need to know NOW", I said bolting for the door.
Edward's firm yet gentle grasp around my waist restrained me from taking another step. "Please listen to me Bella. You have to remember Charlie doesn't realize you know and he will be more than disturbed to know that you do. You have to go downstairs and remain calm", he said. Turning me, so as to face him, his voice became softer and full of concern.
"I hate to ask that of you but the only way to find out what we need to know, you cannot arouse any suspicions from Charlie. I KNOW this is difficult and I hate that you have to experience it at all".
Rubbing the tears out of my eyes, I knew he was right but couldn't help but voice my concerns. "Oh Edward, I'm just hoping it wasn't them. Not THEM", I croaked out.
"As am I", he said, staring off into space, regret, anger and pain filling his voice.
After a quick trip to the restroom to regain some composure and a semi-state of normalcy, I made my way to the stairs. Edward kissed me sweetly before allowing me to go down. "I will be just outside the door, listening in and watching. You won't be alone through all this, I'll be here", placing his hand over my heart while moving mine to his chest, mirroring the same action.
Taking a deep breath before entering the kitchen, I found Charlie at the table, mindlessly stirring a cup of coffee that had long ago lost its warmth.
"Hey Dad" I exclaimed, trying to sound surprised.
"Bells…hey", he said looking up as if I had brought him back from wherever his mind had gone. His expression changed when he noticed the bandage. "What happened"?, he asked concerned.
"Oh..this", I said touching my head. "It's nothing. I tripped yesterday and got a cut...nothing to worry out", I lied.
"Oh", he said simply, directing his attention to his coffee, his pained expression back on his face.
"No desire to fish today", I asked casually, grabbing a bowl and the nearest box of cereal. With my back to his face, it was easier to lie and pretend I didn't know what was to come.
"Umm, No, not today", he said before clearing his throat. "Honey, I actually had something I wanted to tell ya". His hands were in a tight fist now, but his eyes remained glued to the cup of coffee.
"Sure Dad", I responded, sitting down across from him with my breakfast, pretending to have an appetite.
"There's really no easy way to say this…but two people were attacked last night out by the woods near the city limits. They were attacked pretty viciously and unfortunately they didn't survive".
"Oh, god, that's…horrible", I said back, not saying too much as that would surely cause me to break out of character.
"It actually gets worse Bells. The people who were attacked, they were students at Forks high" he groaned out, looking up for the first time in the conversation.
"WHAT…WHO" I blurted out. I felt the tears begin to well up in my eyes yet I still had control of them.
"We had to have help identifying one of the bodies but we got a confirmation it was Lee Stephens, a Senior at your school", he spit out, as if the very thought of saying this made him ill.
Lee Stephens. "Lee Stephens" I said robotically. Doing a quick inventory of the Senior Class, I scanned my thoughts for evidence of Lee. I think we had several classes together the first semester I arrived in Forks but we had never gotten close. Sadly my heart jumped to my throat when I realized Lee was one of Mike's best friends, as they both made the basketball team at the same time.
"Lee Stephens", I repeated, sadness filling each syllable.
"I'm so sorry Bells. I didn't want to hurt you but I also didn't want you finding out some other way, from someone else", he explained, his eyes full of concern.
"And who else…who else was killed", I asked, not really wanting to know yet absolutely crazed at the thought of not finding out.
"We aren't sure. We interviewed a few people who said they saw Lee leave last night's pep rally with Lauren Mallory. We can't confirm till we find her body", he responded.
"Lauren", I simply said. Lauren had hated me with a passion since I had gotten to Forks yet I never clearly understood or cared why. She often made rude comments or completely ignored me while I was in her presence. Despite this, my heart again sank for her and her family.
Charlie's explanation suddenly had me asking questions.
"What happened to her body" I asked.
"We're thinking whatever kind of animal that attacked them, dragged Lauren off. We will do a sweep of the area until we find her".
"Maybe she's still alive", I hopefully offered.
"No…there was too much blood, too much destruction to have been any survivors. Whatever did this to them was out for blood ", he angrily responded. Noticing my silence he got up and squeezed my shoulder before leaving the room. "I'm sorry Isabella. It's always a tragic thing when young ones die but I promise we'll find the animal that did this and make sure everyone in Forks is safe".
The sadness that had weighed me down was momentarily replaced with curiosity and fear. Edward had told me that Charlie's thought of an animal attack was wrong; meaning whatever did this was human. NO! Not human, something different, something much more powerful and dangerous.
Charlie's words echoed in my mind as I pieced together my fears. It dragged Lauren off…too much blood, too much destruction…whatever did this to them was out for blood…
It suddenly all became clear and I knew that Charlie was only slightly wrong, as an animal had done this, just not the kind that walked on all fours and could easily be captured and taken care of.
No…this attack was something different all together and deep in my heart and mind, I knew no one in Forks would be safe….
Ah! I hope you like where I'm taking this as I see a fight coming up and possibly visitorsJ
Comment if you can but reading is a MUST!!