Chapter Twenty Six—A Scream for a Life
Edward
I picked her up from the floor and carefully placed her bed. "Bella, please wake up." Her eyes fluttered open fear evident in her eyes.
She sat up in my arms, as tears started to fall down her cheeks. "Tell me about her," I whispered. I knew a little, but not the whole story.
As she remained in my arms, she told me everything she could about Jaime Cole. She was the only surviving victim that the media knew of since Bella was a minor when she was taken. Outside of family and few others, no one really knew that she was a victim, too. Charlie had found and stopped James before he killed Jamie.
Jamie was all alone, she had no family left. Her little sister and parents had died in a car accident a month before her abduction. She was held prisoner for about three days until Charlie found them. After Charlie saved her, she remained with Bella and her father in their home.
Jaime had been there with her father when Bella was taken. She also helped Bella heal after she escaped. To Bella, Jamie was more of a big sister than a friend.
James didn't rape his victims, but he had tortured them. That was bad enough.
"She's like my big sister," Bella whispered.
"They'll find her," I stated softly, kissing the top of her head. "I'm sure your dad and FBI will be able to help her."
I shifted us enough to lay down, holding her as close as possible. Knowing that he was out there, hurting someone that Bella loved made it impossible for either of us to fall asleep.
Hours later, somehow we did.
The following morning was quiet with nothing new on Jamie. On and off, Bella had spoken with her father, Alice, and Jasper. They were worried about her, and so was I. She was holding it all in, and I wasn't sure how long before she'd break.
After lunch, we spent a few hours watching television. We were scheduled to film later that afternoon and likely late into the night. It would keep us busy, and I thought that was for the best.
Bella's phone rang shortly before three and after answering, said she'd take the call out to the balcony. She said it was her father. She grabbed her laptop and closed the sliding door behind her. I fell back against the bed, trying to clear my head. I failed miserably. I felt helpless.
How do you help someone heal when the wounds just keep opening up?
Bella
My cell phone rang, and it said private, which my father's number usually showed up as. I told Edward I'd take the call outside, and I picked up my laptop to see what news I could find on the web. I had no doubt in my mind that my father would only tell me what he thought I could handle. I settled myself on a chair and table and answered my phone on its next ring.
"Hey, Dad," I said before he could greet me first.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Bella." That hauntingly familiar voice did not belong to my father.
"James," I whispered, closing my eyes as memories assaulted me. Ones I wished I could forget. His voice had plagued my nightmares for years.
"Yes. Do what I say and you'll see Jamie again. I'll send you a text with the link to meet me for a video chat. Please join me."
It was all he said before the line went dead. A few seconds later, I received his text.
I opened my laptop and looked inside the hotel room. Edward was in bed, laying down and not watching me for once. He'd been so sweet and exactly what I needed, he was my rock. I hated that I didn't have the courage to call him. I had to see what James wanted first.
I quickly opened a few programs and set something up that I would need later. I mentally patted myself on the back for reading through endless books and watching tutorials to be more computer savvy. It could save me. I tipped the screen a certain way, just in case Edward walked out onto the balcony.
Once done, feeling terrified, I typed in the link James sent me.
In a matter of moments, there he was. James. I had come face to face with my stalker, the star of my nightmares for over a decade. Terrified wasn't a strong enough word for what I felt at that moment.
"Hello, Isabella," he said calmly. "I'm glad I got your undivided attention." His face was composed, his real eye focused on me on his screen. Positive he couldn't see my hands, I pressed a button on the keyboard.
"Yes, you have my attention," I said as calmly, even though I felt as far from calm as possible. "Please tell me you haven't hurt her. She has a husband and a little girl. It's me you want."
"You're right," he said and sighed dramatically. "I get no satisfaction from watching her squirm. Don't worry I won't hurt her if—"
"What do you want?" I asked, wary of the answer. I already knew I'd have to face him again.
"For you to scream," James snickered. My stomach churned at the thought. Would he want me to just scream or would he want to make me scream? He was skilled in torture methods, I had no doubt he brushed up those skills since he had me in his hands.
"How about we meet somewhere public and you bring Jamie with you? I'll give you one hell of a scream."
"Just a scream?" he asked.
"I can shed a few tears if you'd like," I said sarcastically, causing James to laugh. The kind that sent chills down your spine, but I suppressed the shudder.
"Always the professional," he stated with a smile. "I guess I can live with that for now." His smile was slow to morph, and then he snarled, "But if I see anyone but you, I'll snap her neck."
I kept my composure, though my nails bit into my thighs. Thankfully, he couldn't see that. "I understand. Meet me at some movie theatre."
"Which one do you want to meet at? The one on Victoria Lane or on Richards?"
"You know where I am?" Of course he did.
"I always know where you are, Isabella." I hated the way my name sounded coming from him.
"Fine," I snapped, showing him for once how upset I was. "The one on Victoria." I could hear that he was typing.
"They're still showing your boyfriend's movie," he said, chuckling. "I'll see you at the four-fifteen show. Don't be late."
"I'll be there," I said. A second later the screen went blank. I choked on my next breath, having to cover the sob up with cough. "Oh God, oh God." It took several breaths to gather some control.
"Bella," Edward called through the glass door. He was fully dressed. "The car is here, should I cancel filming for tonight?"
"No, I'm okay," I replied, offering him a smile. He made everything better, even at a time like this. "I need to work. I'll be ready in ten minutes."
I grabbed my laptop, walking back into the suite.
Edward made his way toward me, bending down for a sweet kiss. I love you. "I'll be downstairs," he said. "Jensen insists on showing me his bike." He rolled his eyes, but I knew he was curious. "Are you sure you're okay?"
I simply nodded, because if I said anything, I'd ruin any chance of saving Jamie. It was only a scream, I reminded myself.
Seconds later, he was gone. I quickly slipped on a skirt, a sweater, and a pair of flats. I ran back to my laptop and left Edward a video message. I labeled the file For Edward Only, leaving it right on the desktop. I made it password only accessible. I left a piece of paper with L.A.F.T. with the T underlined on it, placing it between the lid and keyboard of my laptop.
I needed time, but not too much of it, and prayed that it would work to give me what I needed.
A few minutes later, I was in the lobby, my laptop in my hands. I had less than an hour to get to the movie theatre. That didn't leave me a lot of time to get away from a very protective Edward and security. We were shooting just a few blocks away.
I found Jensen and Edward in front of the hotel, checking out a motorcycle.
"Hi guys, nice bike, Jensen," I said, putting on a smile. None of them seemed to notice it was forced, but then again, they were too busy drooling over the motorcycle.
"Thanks, Bella, how about a ride?" Jensen asked. I looked at Edward and the look he gave me said "no." He wasn't too keen on the idea of me straddling the bike behind Jensen's ass. I didn't blame him. Having my arms wrapped around Jensen probably didn't help matters, either.
"No, I don't think that's a good idea," I said, my eyes widening as if I was terrified. "I don't like those things." I laughed to myself since I had two motorcycles, one at my Dad's place and one at the beach house. Edward smiled at my answer, probably believing me. He didn't know about my motorcycles either. We were wasting time, and we needed to leave. "We better get going."
Edward nodded in agreement. I headed to the car that the studio had sent. My studio assigned bodyguard followed me like a puppy. I had to think of a way to lose him, and fast once we reached the studio. That wouldn't be the easiest thing to do, because he was good at his job. Edward and I slipped into the car, my head resting on his shoulder the moment we settled inside it. He kissed the top of my head, he always did sweet things like that, and I loved it.
"Bella, don't worry yourself," Edward whispered. "They'll find her."
I loved him so much, I knew what I was about to do would hurt him. Would he forgive me?
"I love you so much," I replied, smiling and trying to fight my tears.
"And I love you with all that is me." Edward kissed me gently on the lips. The kiss was so sweet and tender that the threat of tears almost won again. I pulled away to hide them against his chest.
I'll come back to you, love. I will, somehow, I'll come back.
Once we made it to the set, I excused myself to go to the bathroom. My bodyguard dutifully remained outside the room, but what he failed to realize that there was another way out. I set up my laptop on the paper towel dispenser and left the water running at the sink.
In seconds, I climbed out of the window, ready to meet my stalker.
Traversing the set was harder than I originally thought. At every turn was a familiar face that would undoubtedly stop me. I avoided the area I knew there was more security to keep fans away. Out of breath, a few blocks away, I immediately flagged down a cab.
I checked the time, by then I only had thirty-four minutes to get to the movie theatre, get a ticket, and find Jamie in a dark room probably filled with people. I avoided thinking of Edward and what he'd do once he saw I was gone.
Again.
Somehow, I managed to get to the theatre on time. I bought my ticket, and sat in the front row to ensure that James would see me. The seats started to fill, but thankfully nobody sat near me. I started to worry when the first previews started to play and there was no sign of James or Jamie. Shortly, the room started to darken. It was then, when I felt that all too familiar feeling of being watched.
Had someone recognized me? Was it James?
I felt a hand gently wrap around my neck from behind. "Hello, Isabella."
I closed my eyes, keeping my reactions and emotions in check. I'd done it for so long, it felt natural. "James," I said quietly, even to my own ears, it sounded detached. My heart was pounding erratically in my chest, but I kept that from him, I was an actress after all.
"Jamie and I decided to come and join you," he whispered, but his voice was quick to turn into a hiss. He was fucking pissed. "It was smart of you to sit in the front." I heard a small whimper behind me, one that didn't come from James.
Was Jamie really here?
"Where is she?" I asked, wanting to turn. To face him, claw at him, anything to get as far away from him as I could, with Jamie beside me.
He petted my hair. It wasn't the smooth stroke that Edward did to soothe me. It was awkward, too disturbing to feel good, and since it was from him it made my skin crawl. I wanted to shudder, but I kept the urge in check.
"She's sitting right beside me, but she can't move. I gave her something to make sure she couldn't."
Damn it, I cursed internally and called him every name in the book. There was no way I could grab her and run, screaming at the drop of my lungs to get away from him. I knew that before I could even get to my feet he could snap her neck.
I had no doubt about that. He often threatened to it to me.
"Fine," I stated. "What do you want me do now?" I silently prayed for Jamie, and for James to get on with it.
"I just want to talk, Isabella," James whispered. "How's Edward doing?"
"Edward is perfect. He loves me and I love him," I answered quickly. I needed this done and James to leave before Edward showed up. If he did, he'd likely involve police, and James would kill Jamie. Edward could also get hurt in the crossfire.
That wasn't an option.
"Hmm, you'd think after everything I've done to you, you wouldn't be capable of that kind of love," he said thoughtfully. "It's nice to be proven wrong. I'm happy for you, Isabella. That means there are more ways to hurt you. Edward, your parents, and friends. Anyone will do."
That was my breaking point, the last damn straw. As he threatened my loved ones, I saw bloody, battered images of them flow in my mind.
"Don't touch them," my voice hoarse, but I snapped at him. I felt my tears flowing by then.
"That's it, Bella," he said softly, leaning in closer. "Show me some emotion. I want to hear you scream." He licked my shoulder, and I didn't bother to hide my shudder.
I conjured every emotion, remembered every shock I felt when I was held hostage, every punch, every slap, every scratch, and then the most powerful fear I felt for those I loved.
I screamed. It was loud, high pitched wail of tortured pain and utterly real.
"That's my girl."
And he was gone. I turned and saw Jamie's eyes widen with fear and she whimpered, tears running down her cheeks. Her eyes rolled back and she slumped in her seat, slipping out of it. I scrambled out of my seat, screaming for help. Screams erupted around me as James ran toward the exit.
Edward
I was worried about Bella and what would happen if Jamie could not be saved from James. I knew she wouldn't handle it well. As I spoke with Jensen and the director, I quickly glanced in the direction that Bella had left with her bodyguard. I saw him standing beside a bathroom, and it felt eerily familiar.
When several minutes passed, something felt off. We were running late, so I walked toward the bathroom and looked at her bodyguard. He shrugged. Confused, I stepped cautiously inside, knocking on the door. "Bella." The faucet was on, but it was obvious she was gone. Her laptop sat on top of the paper towel dispenser. "No, baby, what did you do? Fuck!" I called her bodyguard and told him to start the search for Bella immediately. I grabbed her laptop and went to seek privacy elsewhere.
I opened her laptop, and on the desktop was an icon folder for me, along with a piece of paper with Bella's writing on it. The door opened, Jasper, who I knew was coming in that afternoon, walked in, followed by another man I only recognized from photos was right behind him.
"Where is she, Edward?" Jasper growled, glaring at me.
"I don't know," I snapped at him. "She went into the bathroom. I think she left intentionally. She wasn't taken."
"Why do you think that?" the man behind Jasper asked. "Sorry, I'm Bella's father. Charlie."
I never met him since he'd been laid up because of broken leg until now. I rose from my chair, and greeted him.
"Sorry we're not meeting under better circumstances." I shook Charlie's hand. His eyes were darker than Bella's, as was his thick hair. He nodded. "The reason why I think she left on her own is because she left her laptop behind. When you called earlier, she was working on it. She never leaves it anywhere."
"I didn't call Bella this morning," Charlie stated, shaking his head. "Once I knew Jamie was missing I made sure Jasper, Emmett and I could get here quickly. I was worried about my daughter."
"It must've been James," I said nervously, my heart aching at the thought of his hands on her again.
"You said that she left her laptop?" Jasper asked.
I nodded and returned to the chair, studying the screen again. "Yes, she left a file on the desktop that says that it's for me and a note with initials." I clicked on the file but a password box popped up.
"Type in LAFT," Jasper said. "They're the initials she put on the paper." I typed it in and access was denied. I thought for a while, noticing the T was underlined in her note. A memory popped in my head of the first morning after sleeping with Bella that night I found about her connection to a serial killer.
"Love at first touch." I stated. "The T is underlined. Touch," Jasper and Charlie looked confused I typed in touch and clicked a video file to play. It was James. We watched horrified that Bella was talking to him. We watched the whole conversation and realized that Bella had gone to save Jamie, but to do that, she had to see James.
There was another video and I quickly clicked play. Bella's beautiful face appeared on the screen, tears falling from her eyes. She looked terrified.
"I don't know what's going to happen. I just wanted you to know that I'm truly sorry for putting you through this and I love you so much, Edward. I hope, no. I will see you soon."
Then the screen went black.
"Fuck!" I hissed and jumped to my feet. We ran for the door. "The theatre is not too far from here. What time is it?"
Charlie looked at his watch. "It's five after four. We've got to get down there."
By the time we reached the theatre, she'd been in his presence for at least twenty minutes. When we arrived, people were running out of the building as an ambulance and police cars pulled up.
Charlie, Jasper and I ran inside, looking for the right theatre. Inside, there on the floor was a slumped body, with someone hunched over it.
"Bella!" I called out for her. She looked up, her face covered in dry tears and new ones formed another trail as they continued to fall. She hovered over the prone figure.
"Edward!" she cried. "Jasper, Dad help Jamie please." Charlie knelt down beside her, checking on the body of a woman. She looked to be in her thirties with blonde hair and pale skin, Jamie.
My arms wrapped around Bella's waist from behind. "I'm here," I whispered. She lay her head on my shoulder, as I sat down on the floor, pulling her onto my lap.
"Where is he?" Jasper asked as two paramedics started to examine Jamie.
"Once he got what he wanted he left through the emergency exit," Bella said, pointing at a door behind us her eyes never leaving Jamie.
"Do we know what was given to her?" a paramedic asked.
"He said he gave her something so she couldn't move. He used it on me before and I was aware the whole time. The color of it was bright orange. She was awake when I first saw her but she just slumped in her chair. Is she going to be okay?" Her body shook as she rambled.
"It's probably just shock," he answered. "We'll know more once we get the hospital and run some tests."
"I'll go with her, Bella," Charlie said firmly as Jamie was rolled away on a gurney. "When I get back to the hotel I want an explanation."
"I want to go to the hospital," Bella stated as I helped her to her feet.
"You can't," Jasper said, crossing his arms across his chest. "We're going back to the hotel before the press get here."
"No, we're not," Bella said firmly. "I have a job to do. If I can't go to the hospital, then we're going to the studio."
Jasper stepped into Bella's personal space, clearly angry. "You just walked into a trap with that bastard willingly. I think we need to have a long fucking talk, Bella!"
"What was I supposed to do, let her die?" she hissed, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "He would've killed her if I chose not come here. All he wanted was a scream for her life. That was it. He still wants to play games. He's not ready to kill me yet."
Though I saw both of their points, I had something to say, too. "You should have told me, Bella," I said, making her look at me.
She shook her head. "If he would have seen you he could've hurt Jamie or you. I couldn't risk that."
"You need to tell us what happened," Jasper said, gesturing for Bella to lead the way.
"Fine, I'll tell you but on the way to the set," she said. Jasper rolled his eyes as he handed her a hooded jacket in case there was fans or paps. "Maybe the media won't find out I'm here."
I flipped my hood on as precaution, following Bella and the others out through the emergency exit. Thankfully, there was no media yet. At the curb was a car waiting for us, Emmett behind the wheel.
As we made our way to the set, Bella told us about her encounter with James. The more she told us, the more I feared for her life. It was as if she had no sense of self preservation.
Something had to be done about that and soon.