CHAPTER 33

BELLA

"Damn!" I heard Jeff swear when he realized we were being followed.

"It's no point in trying to outrun them!" I yelled. "They are too fast."

"Really? Do you have a better option?" From the way Jeff was speaking, I could make out that his teeth were gritted. It happened whenever we were in the middle of a situation and he was thinking of ways to escape.

"How about putting me down?" I suggested.

"Not a chance!"

Rolling my eyes, I looked at Jasper again. The gap between us was reducing. He was catching up. "I'm not interested in getting imprisoned again" I said and bit my tongue. Because, what the hell, I hadn't said these words. I had sang them.

As if like I was enjoying this wild, goose chase! FUCK NO!

"You need serious mental help" Jeff declared as he increased his pace. How was he able to manage my weight while running faster? Yeah okay the years of running had increased our tolerance and stamina to impressive levels but come on, we were just humans. Then I remembered how I had escaped.

Or maybe not.

I wanted to punch Jeff in the face but my loyalties were preventing me from doing so. Yes he had lied to me and I don't know what else he was hiding from me but there was no doubt that he had always protected me all these years with utmost sincerity and dedication. So turning my back on him would be a bad thing to do. I decided to be helpful.

"You know, after discovering what I can do, there is no need for you to hide your, um, legacies, from me either" I said. "I'm sure, the tricks which you have up your sleeve aren't normal but, if they can help you in escaping from here then I guess, you should go ahead."

"You won't freak out?" The excitement in Jeff's voice made me wish I hadn't said that but I decided to indulge him anyway.

"Honestly, after this, nothing can surprise me"

"So do I have your permission?"

In response, I gave a solid punch on his back that made him grunt.

"You nutcase! I thought you understood English!"

"Then buckle up your seatbelts Bella" Jeff's infectious laughter made me smile amidst my anger and discomfort. "Because we are going for a ride"

"By seatbelts do you mean I should pull your shirt from your pants and tie it to my waist with your face?" I asked sarcastically "or your hair will do the job?"

"I never knew you could joke so bad"

The retort I had been about to make died on my tongue when next moment, I found myself flying across the forest. My hair was flapping on my face as everything around me blurred to the point of no vision. Trees were being left behind faster than light and the feel of chilled wind against my skin was making my eyes water and teeth chatter. That was when I realized that we weren't flying. Jeff was running! This supersonic speed was undoubtedly his. I could barely feel his feet touching the ground. He was shooting past everything like a burnt meteor. Unstoppable and unbeatable. How on earth did he, wait, did he even belong to earth?

I was right. This was not surprising at all. This was shocking!

I held on the back of Jeff's shirt tightly as he covered the distance of I don't know how long from the forest to our home within minutes.

Suddenly, he stopped and the impact made me bang my face hard against his back. But I was too breathless to react. Slowly, and gently, Jeff brought me down and as soon as my feet touched the ground, he scooped me up in his arms. Thank god he did that because I was sure that right now my legs did not have the strength to walk. I was too shaken to look at his face or celebrate the joy of finally returning to my home. My body felt lifeless, drained of all energy. I couldn't do anything anymore.

I closed my eyes and let Jeff take me inside. There was a sound of click and I knew Jeff had locked the door. As my mind became more aware of the surroundings, I recognized the living room. Jeff put me down on the couch and vanished. I had barely blinked when he was back with a glass of water.

"Here" he supported my back as he helped me in sitting up and held the glass to my mouth. I realized my throat was parched so I drank the water thirstily. It helped. The moment water went down my throat, I felt my energy returning. Jeff made me lie on the couch again. After sometime I could feel that my body did not feel as lifeless as before. Slowly but steadily, I was recovering, but from what, I had no idea.

"Feeling better?" the question made me look up at Jeff.

Sighing, I shook my head. "I don't know" I said in a weak voice. "I will have to find out." Before Jeff could ask what, I balled up my hand into a fist and slammed it on his jaw. The sound of crack followed by Jeff losing his balance and falling on the floor was the most satisfying scene I witnessed after a long time.

"Bella!" Grumbling, Jeff stood up but the look on my face stopped him from saying anything further.

"Alright" I said. "Start talking."