Bella's Point of View
After the meeting, Tidus requested a private meeting with me, to discuss how my training was coming along. Edward wasn't thrilled about the idea, but he reluctantly granted Tidus his request. Edward promised that he would wait close by.
Darius and Casey went off on their own, to spend time together, as they usually did. It really seemed like their relationship was about to take a more romantic turn. I could see it coming. But my mind was other places in the moment.
Tidus and I took a casual stroll towards the forest. At first there was a peaceful silence between us, but once we passed the tree-line, into the thick woods, Tidus began. "Can I ask you a personal question?"
"Sure," I said with a shrug.
"Why do you want to end this battle peacefully?" Tidus asked with a curious look on his face. "Caius caused you a lot of personal pain. Out of everyone here, you have the right to revenge."
"To be completely honest… I don't really remember what Caius did. I've lost a piece of my memory." I admitted with a sigh. "I know that he was the cause of Jasper and Esme to die… I know that because of him my family has had to be on the run."
"You don't remember your time in Italy." Tidus continued on.
I shook my head. "No, but Casey suggests that I should attempt to get that memory back… process it… and deal with it. She thinks it will help improve my abilities."
Tidus and I continued further into the woods as we spoke.
"I've heard from Casey that Demetri is trapped within his subconscious, battling some of the memories of his past." He gave me a slight smirk. "I'm sure you are pleased with that situation."
"As awful as it sounds… yes. It's been much more peaceful for me with him gone." I admitted.
At this point, we had nearly made it to the middle of the forest. Tidus and I paused at the base of a huge tree. This was the farthest from home I've been for a really long time. I usually hunted a mile or less from home. I wanted to be close, just in case something happened at home, that I would have to make it back quickly.
I felt uneasy being out here.
"With your permission, I'd like to help you… with your memories." Tidus said with a smile coming to his face.
I raised a brow, feeling a smile come to my face. "How can you help?"
"Well, I know the details of your time in Italy. Actually, I was there during that time." Tidus said with a nod. "I could give you a little information, maybe it can open your mind up."
Tidus was there. I had know idea. No one had mentioned ever seeing him.
"Alright, I guess we could try that…" I muttered, as I attempted to read his expression. His vibrant blue eyes were dancing with an emotion that I could not decipher.
"Close your eyes." Tidus said quietly.
I had a nagging feeling that I didn't want to do this, that I would regret this. But, I had to be completely ready for this battle with Caius. I had to get my memories back. I needed to keep my family safe. So, I closed my eyes and let out a low sigh.
"Very good, let's begin." Tidus' voice was gentle.
Tidus' Point of View
"You, and several other women were imprisoned, in a dark, cool cell." I spoke, watching Bella's expression closely.
Her entire body began to tremble, I saw pain flash across her face. I could see that she was instantly recoiling from the memory.
"Stop, accept the pain. Let it consume you." I said placing my hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, you are safe here."
"It hurts…" Her voice sounded weak.
"I know, but you can handle this… you will survive. You are a fighter." I attempted to boost her confidence.
Her body stopped trembling as she took another big breath. "Okay… I'm ready… continue." She spoke breathlessly.
"Aro originally had kept you and a bunch of other women there as livestock, an endless supply of blood. But Aro and Caius took a special interest in you and Monica." I continued.
Bella didn't respond, she kept her eyes closed.
"They took turns raping you and her… and the other women in the cell. Some of the other members of the guard took part in this. Until it was believed that Aro had impregnated you."
With that being said, I watched as Bella's breathing stopped. Her body fell to the ground, she went still. Just like Demetri, Bella was now battling her inner memories.
My mission was complete.
I didn't know how long she was going to be unconscious, so I had to do this quickly. With my help, Caius would finally set me free. I could escape his control over me.
Quickly I picked her up, slinging her body over my shoulder. I needed to get out of here, before Edward came searching. Hopefully Casey was distracting everyone enough for a quiet exit. I didn't want to hurt these people, but if it came to a fight… I would do anything it takes, to get Bella back to Caius.
Running through the woods, I felt guilt prickling at my chest. But it only pushed me to run faster. I had a far way to run. Caius was waiting for us back in Italy. I would get her there as fast as possible. I just needed Casey to stall the others long enough for me to get to the airport. From there, they would have no idea where to look for Bella.
Darius' Point of View
Casey and I decided to take a walk to the lake. That's where we normally went to talk. But today she seemed anxious. She was usually so cheerful and outgoing. But she was quiet and the look on her face… it was so broken.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, as we walked along the lake.
She didn't respond, it was like she was lost in her thoughts.
I was getting worried. Quickly I stopped, taking a hold of her hand, which made her instantly stop walking. She looked at me, with a cautious look on her face.
"W-what?" She stuttered.
"Are you okay?"
She shook her head slowly. "I just… don't feel right…" She barely was able to get her words out, before falling to the ground.
My heart dropped. "Casey!" I gasped, picking her up.
She didn't respond, she looked like she completely passed out.
Quickly I went running with her in my arms. "Edward!" I made it over to where Edward was pacing back and forth at the edge of the woods. "Something is wrong, Casey just fainted."
"We need to take her to Carlisle." Edward said, appearing tense. Edward gathered Casey in his arms and we both went running to find Carlisle.
As Edward and I made it to Carlisle, we were shocked to see that he was already tending to someone. Avery was hunched over vomiting profusely. Her skin looked more pale than usual. Her blood had an off smell to it. As if it was tainted.
Carlisle had Avery sitting up, with a basin under her chin to catch her vomit. Alice stood behind her, holding Avery's hair back away from her face.
"Carlisle, Casey just collapsed outside. I don't know what's wrong with her." I said, trying to keep myself calm. But seeing how sick Avery was… I was hoping this wasn't going to happen to Casey.
"Go ahead and put her on the couch." Carlisle said with a calm tone. "Alice, could you get me a full set of her vital signs."
Edward laid Casey down on the couch, in time for Alice to come over with her equipment to take her vitals. I didn't leave her side. Edward went to Carlisle to help with Avery.
"She was poisoned, I can smell it in her blood." Carlisle said, slowly shaking his head.
"Do you know what kind of poison?" Edward asked with a frown on his face.
Carlisle shook his head. "The smell isn't familiar, this must have been a specially crafted poison."
"You know what that means." Edward muttered, his frown deepening.
"What does it mean?" I asked, watching between Casey and Avery.
"Someone is attempting to kill Avery. This wasn't an accident." Alice said, with a concerned look on her face. She now turned to Casey. "Casey has a stable set of vitals, everything within the normal range. I'm not seeing anything that would cause her to faint."
"Could it be some type of mind attack? Could there be someone here causing this to happen to her?" I asked frantically looking around the room. "It's pretty clear this has to be a sign of an attack."
Everyone looked around the room at one another, their expressions grim.
"I need to go get Bella." Edward said with worry on his face.
Just as he said that, Casey took in a huge breath, her eyes opening. She looked around, appearing to be startled.
"What's going on?" She whimpered.
"Casey, are you ok?" I quickly took her hand.
She jumped at my touch, looking into my eyes with an emotion that I couldn't read. She didn't respond to me, instead she looked to Carlisle. "What happened to Avery?"
"She appears to be poisoned, but how are you feeling?" Carlisle asked with a serious expression on his face.
"I'm fine… I just… need a second." She said looking down at my hand.
Avery started vomiting again, harder. She puked so hard that all the blood vessels in her face burst, leaving her face a mess of red dots. Her vomit now had turned color, it was now crimson red.
The smell that hit the air confirmed my suspicions. Avery had started to vomit blood. She seemed to have a hard time to breathe, with how much she puked.
"This is going to turn fatal, very soon," Carlisle said quietly. "We have already tried giving her nausea medication, but she couldn't hold it down. Let's get her connected to IV fluids, before she gets any more dehydrated."
Alice and Carlisle went back to tending to Avery, but I could see that Edward's thoughts were in a different place.
Edward narrowed his eyes as he glanced out the window, towards the forest. "Things started happening, since Tidus came around."
"Tidus is a good man. You can trust him." Casey spoke up with a frown. "Come on, I'll take you to him and Bella."
"Alright, let's go." Edward nodded, watching Casey with a suspicious look.
"I'm coming with you." I nodded with a frown.
Casey glanced at me, shaking her head. "No, you need to stay here with Avery, and help keep her alive."
"I don't want to leave your side, what if something happens." I argued.
"I'll be perfectly fine, please… just stay here." Casey said quietly, not making eye contact with me.
Edward touched my shoulder, giving me a serious look. "It's alright, I won't let anything harm her." He promised.
I believed him. If anyone could keep Casey safe it was Edward. I knew how far he would go to keep my mother safe. I had faith in him. I didn't want to be left behind, but I'm sure Carlisle and Alice could use a hand right now with Avery.
"Alright, just please hurry back." I sighed.
With that, I watched as Edward and Casey walked briskly out the door. Now that I was alone, I focused my thoughts on Avery now. I had a job to do. Keep Avery alive.
Hope you enjoyed the read. Next update is coming soon.
