A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 9- The never-ending night

Bella's POV-

"Shit." I cursed out loud, my eyes wide in disbelief and absolute horror, the thought of what had just happened swirling through my mind- my truck had stopped- all of a sudden, deciding that he no longer wanted to budge or a far away possibility-run, almost as if he had a mind of his own and had the liberty of taking said decision….though to be honest, he had taken this decision and I had no other choice but to comply with it, unfortunately.

I rubbed my hands over my face, sighing heavily, attempting to get this thing to start. I tried….and tried, but nope, not happening. My truck simply refused to obey, stuck where it was, not even moving an inch or showing any reaction that it had any life left in it.

I was afraid though, that the latter was really a possibility in the scenario.

My truck- the one I had used for the past two years- had given away his life, leaving me at the worst possible moment there could have ever been.

Now, I was no mechanic. Actually, I was far from one. I had no knowledge of the inner workings of a car, having never needed to learn it, but what I knew with full surety was that I needed help, and fast at that. It was getting darker by the minute and I could not see anyone around here who could be asked for help.

The idea of lying here stranded was equally terrifying, as much as being worrying.

I took out my phone from my pant pocket, glad for the fact that I had made the smart decision of charging it this morning- I often forgot to, dialing one of the few phone numbers I knew by heart.

"Pick up….Pick up…." I pleaded, hearing the constant ringing, the only response I got back for the entirety of the few long seconds.

"Fuck," I cursed, shutting my eyes briefly in disappointment and worry.

Okay, so Jake was not picking up his phone. While that was a rarity- he rarely ever let his phone get out of his sight, unless he was out patrolling- and I was aware that it was not his turn for that. Paul and Jared were on patrol duty tonight. Anyway, I could still work with this.

I gave myself a small smile of triumph- having a backup plan in mind, dialing the Black house landline number- last resort Billy would pick up and pass my message to Jake.

Ring…..Ring…..Ring…..Ring

Oh! Come on!

Not this again!

Billy always hoards over the landline, never letting anyone get any close to it, for some obvious fear that only he is aware of. Anyway, point being, it is nearly impossible for him to not pick up a call. But, unfortunately, it seemed that the impossible had become reality for today.

Wait. Was everything alright?

I shuddered briefly at this thought as it passed my mind.

Jake hadn't mentioned anything as such, but then why weren't they picking up their phones?

No. This had to be a mere coincidence. Maybe Jake had gone out, somehow forgetting his phone at home- however unlikely that sounded, and Billy was in the bathroom.

Yup, that had to be it.

Billy would soon come out of the bathroom and answer my call, informing Jake as soon as possible that my truck had suddenly stopped working and I was stranded somewhere in Port Angeles- I did not even know where exactly I was. Jessica was the one who was familiar with all the by- lane and shortcuts of this small town, having memorized it years ago. I rarely ever visited Port Angeles, and never alone at that.

Damn you, Jessica!

I took a deep breath in, calming myself down; getting myself riled up would do me no favors. I nodded my head in agreement with this thought, trying the landline once again, garnering the same response of absolutely no response whatsoever.

Shit. This was certainly strange.

But okay, I could try someone else. Maybe they would answer and help out, either way the pack was almost always together.

Okay, so who's next?

Jared and Paul were out patrolling so calling them was a useless effort, Kim having the infamous reputation of never picking up her cell phone- so even she was out. Seth was underage, Leah worked till late and calling her and asking her to drive all the way till here to pick me up, would be a little uncomfortable, for the both of us- even if she never expressed this in words. I could call Quil, but again his sixteenth birthday was a few weeks away and no, I was not going to encourage him driving alone all the way till Port Angeles when he was only fifteen- Jake, he and Embry had all learnt driving together a little after Jake's fifteenth birthday- Jake having the excuse of needing to drive Billy. Anyway, Embry did not have his own car, or any knowledge of how to start a car that had gone dead.

Phew! So, who's left?

Sam….

The answer appeared to me out of nowhere, bringing a smile of absolute relief on my face.

Of course, this was my best option.

Why hadn't I thought of this before?

I searched through my phone, digging for Sam's phone number- he often worked till late, the burden of setting up his construction business from scratch on him, devoting most of his time to his work when he was not out patrolling or at home with Emily.

I put my phone to my ear, dialing the number and waiting for him to pick up.

But, surprise- surprise, his phone was switched off.

"Fuck." I cursed out loud. What was wrong with everyone?

Why was Sam's cell phone switched off? Why wasn't Jake picking up? Where was Billy? Was he not at home?

I shut my eyes once- tightly, refusing to give up. I had no other choice but to keep trying. I did not even know who to call in such a situation. I was not close to anyone in school or outside, the pack being my only friends and family.

I tried once again, dialing a new number this time around, and, fortunately, this one was answered.

"Bella," she answered, a tired voice saying my name.

"Hey, Emily, where is everyone? Sam's phone is switched off….Jake and Billy are not picking up…."I rambled, nervously.

Emily sighed on the line. "Jared found a new trail while patrolling. They think it is a group. All of them have gone to check, leaving only Brady and Collin behind to protect the res- with strict instructions that they don't have to phase back."

Oh.

My mouth dropped out.

I should have been there, if nothing else to help my brothers.

Damn you, Jessica.

I was stuck here because of her, and she was out somewhere with Mike, laughing and giggling at his stupid jokes.

It just wasn't fair.

Why had I even agreed to come on this disaster?

See, being nice also has a price to pay.

This was my price for being too nice.

"And Billy," Emily continued. "He is at Old Quil's. Billy wanted to discuss over the rise in vampires entering our territory these days…it is keeping him really worried, from what I heard from Sam. Anyway, are you okay? Where are you? Jake told me you are going with a few friends to Port Angeles. I thought you would be back by now."

This was my chance. I could tell her about my truck and she would offer to come over to pick me up. It was as simple as that….but I could not do it. My words stopped in my throat, not wanting to come out. Emily sounded so tired and worried, as was obvious. She wanted to be home for when Sam returned back from the threat looming over his head. I could not ask her to miss that. I could not worry Sam like that, leaving him wondering of where Emily was, when he would walk into their house after killing a bunch of vampires. He would freak out, not even waiting to check if Emily had left him a message or not.

No. I could not do that to him.

"Nothing," I added a false cheer to my tone. "I am on my way back. No reason to worry about. You… don't worry; the pack will be back soon- all fine and laughing over their latest victory, as always."

She sighed. "I hope so. I just worry for them."

I sighed as well, wishing once again that I was over there instead of stuck here. "It will be alright. I will talk to you later, once I am back on the res."

She gave me a whisper of agreement, cutting the call.

I frowned. Now what?

Okay, so what other options did I have remaining?

All who I could call were either busy or too close to the situation to be available to help me out. I did not know where to find a mechanic at this point of time, leaving my truck behind and somehow reaching home being my safest and most sensible option at the moment.

Wait. Hadn't Jessica mentioned something about taking a bus home?

Yea….

I could do that.

If I managed to somehow reach the bus stop, taking help from the locals, reaching Forks would not be much of a problem. After that…. I would manage something. Most probably by then the threat would be over and Jake would once again be by his cell phone, checking it and calling me immediately.

With this thought in mind, I pushed open the door of my truck, grabbing my bag and cell phone- making sure to lock the doors in my retreat.

I started to walk towards the street I had just passed by, remembering that there had been several passerby on that busy road, in the hope that at least one of them would prove to be kind to me.

I put my phone back in my pant pocket, clutching my bag closer to me as I continued to walk, darkness now settled all around me.

It was eerily quiet, a fact that did not go unnoticed by me.

I shuddered, going rigid in my posture, continuing to walk- knowing that I had no other choice but to.

Why wasn't this busy street appearing?

It should have been visible by now, even if it were at a distance.

But, unfortunately, I couldn't see anyone around yet, not even a whisper telling me that there were people somewhere ahead on this road.

Had I somehow missed the turn that was supposed to be taken, or was I miscalculating the distance there was supposed to be between where my truck had stopped and the street I had been on with Jessica- the one buzzing with the moviegoers and food lovers?

I tightened the hold over my jacket as the cold around started to make itself known, assuming it to be the latter- and hoping it was so, continuing to walk ahead….only stopping when I reached a crossroads.

Shit. Which way was I supposed to go now?

I somehow doubted that I had passed this crossroad while I had been driving out of Port Angeles less than twenty minutes before.

The idea of that being true was extremely scary.

Please don't let me be lost!

I removed my phone from my pocket, once again trying to call Jake.

I trusted him, probably most in this world. He would find some way out of here, I was sure of that.

But, once again, his phone lay untouched and unanswered- telling me that the pack was still not back from killing those stray vampires they had gone out to kill.

How many of them were there?

I could only hope it was not very serious, but somehow I doubted my own self at the moment. There would be no need for so many if there would have been only one or two of those bloodsuckers. The whole pack going meant that it was a serious business. It was proof enough that all had gone, leaving only the two pups behind.

I groaned internally. Apart from missing out on that fun, I was stuck over here- kind of scared at the fact that I was in even more trouble than before. I was lost. I had no freaking idea of where I was, and that was even more worrying than facing the prospect of having a broken truck.

Maybe….I should go back, a part of me suggested, telling me that walking back towards my truck would be for the better.

And, do what? another part of me argued, an internal conflict raging in my mind.

How long could I even sit in my truck?

That was not a very safe option, either, considering it had been stuck on a nearly abandoned street.

Being around the crowd was for the best….

Yes, I had to keep walking. I would find someone sooner rather than later in this way. There had to be someone around. Port Angeles was not that small, for that matter.

I continued to walk in my chosen direction, the thought of going deeper in the pit swirling in my mind. I was aware that there were these industrial areas in this town, that saw no man after dark, and I started to worry that I had accidently stumbled into one of these industrial areas, probably missing a turn or two.

The thought of that was frightening enough that it sent me running ahead.

Anything to get out of here….

Why hadn't Jake called back by now?

They should have been done by now.

It had been twenty minutes since I started walking, and I had called Jake even earlier than that.

What was taking them so long?

I hope no one gets hurt.

Shit. I should have been there for this.

I should have been there for my pack.

But, no, I was stuck here- in this literal middle of nowhere, darkness being the only thing visible to me.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, I heard the sweet melody of someone talking and rushed in said direction, a look of relief heavy on my face. I could hear a man talking- or rather shouting- at someone, a joyous laugh the only response from the other.

Finally, I heaved a sigh of relief!

I had found someone. They would tell me where the bus stop was, hopefully.

And that would be it.

I would reach Forks, walking up to Jessica's house and slapping the shit out of her, or at least punching her hard once….or maybe twice.

I had not even asked for this shit. She had grabbed me into it, telling me of how no one was free to go shopping with her. Of course no one would be, if she behaved like this with them, ditching them at the first possible opportunity.

It was simply low of her to leave me hanging in this manner.

Like I said, I was not even familiar with this town.

I knew the streets of La Push because I lived there, and of Forks because of my childhood and because of school. But I rarely ever visited Port Angeles. How was I supposed to get my way out of here?

I followed the chattering, seeing four people in the distance.

"Hey," I instantly called out, a small smile on my face.

They turned at the sound of my voice- all four of them men, I realized. The youngest looked to be around thirty five, with the oldest being forty. They all looked kind of dirty, with grease stained clothes and hair.

I held to my bag tighter, and my phone even tighter, the situation causing a sort of unease in me.

I just had to ask for directions and get out of here, as simple as that, I repeated to myself.

"Yes?" one of them grinned at me, his yellowish teeth smiling widely. The others just nodded their heads in acknowledgement, waiting for me to speak.

"Um," I waved my hand in discomfort. "I seem to be lost. Could you give me the direction to the closest bus stop?"

Another one, standing a step behind the one who had earlier spoken- took a step ahead in my direction, his eyes never straying from mine, causing me even more uneasiness than before.

"Where are you going to? We can drop you to your destination." He said, fake sweetness dripping from his mouth.

"Our car is just right there." The third one added grinning, creepily, I must say.

"Um," I looked to the ground. "That will not be necessary. Thank you, though."

I had to get out of here.

I had to get out of here.

"I should get going." I mumbled in haste. "I am sorry I disturbed you."

I turned, not wasting even another second- a big mistake apparently as greasy, dirty arms came to wrap around me, clutching me tightly.

"Hey baby, where are you going?" he slurred, alcohol heavy on his breath.

"Let me go." I shouted, trying to get out of his grip.

"Now," the oldest in the group winked at me. "Won't you let us have our fun?"

No.

No.

My breath quickened, a shudder passing through me.

I had to help myself.

I had to get myself out of this.

"Please let me go." I pleaded, shutting my eyes when laughter was the only response I got in return.

They were laughing at me, finding my plight terribly amusing.

"Not so soon, sweetheart." Another one came closer, pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear.

I flinched from his touch, once again trying to loosen the grip that held me tightly at my place.

I had to do something.

But what could I even do?

I was physically no match for four, I was aware of that, but I would not let this happen to me.

No. I had to try. I could not lose strength.

I could not give up.

I knew it was risky, extremely at that, but I had no other choice.

I had never harmed a human using my gift, but I had no other choice, it seemed.

I forced all the energy that lay within me towards my hand, taking a sigh of relief when I felt my power being activated.

I voluntarily touched the one holding me tight, disgusted by this action of mine, attempting to burn a bit of his skin- not enough to cause serious harm, but enough to push him away from me.

He screamed at my touch- as expected, jumping four steps away from me.

"What the fuck was that?" he demanded to know.

"What did she do, Gary?" a second one asked, confused.

"The bitch burnt me." Gary accused, pointing a finger at me. "Look," he put his hand up for everyone to see, frowning in pain.

I shrugged. This was what they would get if they tried to come closer to me.

"I don't believe this." a third one muttered, coming closer to me….only to fall victim to my power, yelping in pain.

"If you value your life, get away from me." I stated. "I will kill you if you don't."

I could only hope that they would take my word to be the truth, I did not know if I had it in me to actually kill someone.

They stumbled away, their faces showing their wariness.

"What are you?" one of them demanded to know. "How did you do that?"

"Does not matter," I informed them- keeping my voice as calm as I could at the moment, hoping that they would blame this bizarreness on the fact that they were so heavily inebriated, assuming this to be a weird dream.

They moved away- running in the opposite direction- and I shut my eyes briefly, heaving a sigh of relief…when I heard it.

A snap…a clearly audibly snap….

I opened my eyes, my eyes instantly going wide at the sight in front of me.

All four of them- that had just run in the opposite direction- lay dead on the ground, their necks snapped and body lifeless.

What had happened?

How had this happened?

I had just shut my eyes for a few brief seconds.

How could something like this happen in such a less a time?

I started to breathe heavily, confused and equally shocked by this turn of events….my eyes going even wider when a figure came out of the shadows, coming to stand in front of me.

Jasper Cullen, this was who it was.

He had done this.

It was obvious.

He had most probably killed them using his vampire speed and so I had not seen anything.

"You killed them."

It was not a question.

He shrugged. "They deserved to die."

I stared at him, horrified. "You don't decide that. You are not God."

He shrugged, once again. "I could feel their emotions. Trust me; this was not their first time."

I shuddered in fear, the possibility of what could have happened clear in front of my eyes.

"Still," I said, weakly. "You should not have killed them. I had handled it."

He stared at me for a few long minutes, his expression unreadable. "They had it coming. They deserved to die."

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could even get a word out, he had walked away in the opposite direction, disappearing almost as mysteriously as he had appeared.

I frowned to myself.

What had just happened?