Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer, but the plot is all mine!
Thank you for all your kind reviews and support! Twin68 don't choke but that does it… my minds made up I'm going to finish this story if it's the last thing I do lol! Let's go…. xx
Now the story continues…
Chapter 71 – Darkness gathers
It felt like the whole world was spinning to Bella as a myriad of lights flashed around her disorientating her even further when just as suddenly it had started… it stopped. With her ears ringing she slowly opened her eyes…This wasn't right she thought as she took in her surroundings, this wasn't right at all…
The forest around her was dark and unwelcoming and the all-encompassing silence was enhanced by the thick blanket of snow that left her with an uneasy sense of foreboding.
"Where am I?" Bella voice quivered a bit as she voiced her thoughts and picked herself up from the cold ground, turning a full 360 degrees as she tried to get some sense of exactly where she was. In her heart she knew she was still somehow spirit walking except this place was different, more real.
Slightly panicked by that thought her hand involuntarily grasped the small leather pouch that hung around her neck. It was then that she remembered Old Quil's words when she had first selected its contents. If she were lost it would guide her home.
"Of course…the shell…" Bella gasped "The shell from First Beach". But before she could open the pouch there was a rustle amongst the branches of a nearby tree. She narrowed her eyes trying to see what had made the movement and blinked not once but twice in surprise as out popped Raven, her spirit guide. That she thought ominously confirmed it, she was spirit walking…
The large black bird watched Bella with beady eyes as he hopped along the branch towards her, his small head tipping from one side to another as if he were examining her face. He stopped abruptly when he came to the tip of the branch and started to preen his feathers.
"I see you are full of ideas" Bella smiled a little as Raven studiously ignored her his sharp beak ruffling through his silky black plumage as she added "And there was I hoping you would know the way home" At the mention of home the Raven stopped ruffling his feathers and looked directly at Bella.
"You have a job to do before you can go home"
Bella almost shrieked out loud when that small voice popped into her head, her hands had shot to her mouth as if to stifle a scream that couldn't escape.
"That's it I'm mad" She squeaked to no one except Raven "Officially insane that I think I'm hearing voices in my head"
"You did" The raven shook himself giving her a side long glance that Bella could have sworn was indignant. "Things are very different here Isabella"
Now that startled her again but, intrigued she drew closer to where the bird perched. This was gonna sound crazy she knew it but everything was crazy now right?
"Do you know why I'm here?" Bella asked then added "By the way exactly where is here?"
"The Alpha… he needs you more than ever" The black bird calmly replied "Will you help him in his hour of need even if your life depended upon it? Bella looked startled at his words it felt that his sharp black eyes seemed to penetrate her very soul "The choice is yours Isabella…as it has always been."
Although taken aback Bella nodded her agreement and despite her better judgment, she could have sworn the bird looked satisfied with her answer.
"You are spirit walking" the bird squawked in her mind "Somewhere between here and there…"
"I don't understand…" Bella replied as all her old fears flooded through her mind "What if I make the wrong choice?"
"Just believe Isabella trust your heart and when we get to where we are going… you will understand it all"
Bella frowned as she stared up at the huge Raven drawing up the edge of her bottom lip she began to nibble as she always did when troubled.
"Where, where are we going?" Bella looked around at the forest she didn't have a clue where she was or where to go it felt like the middle of nowhere. The bird made a low whistling sound as if impatient with her question
"Feel for him let your emotions run free…"
Closing her eyes Bella did as she was asked and hoped with all her heart. She tried to slow down her breaths which were coming far too fast and her heart seemed to be beating wildly in her chest but with her brow furrowed she concentrated on Jake.
Nothing….
Disappointment flooded her small body and she desperately fought to keep the tears that burned her eyes from falling. She tried again but there was still an emptiness, she couldn't feel him no matter how hard she tried to reach out with her mind.
"I…I can't!" She cried "I can't do this!" Raven simply flapped his wings
"How much do you love him Isabella? He asked as Bella blinked in surprise surely the bird knew that already but…
"He's my world" she sighed in response "My everything" The bird eyed her again
"What would you give to save him if he were in danger?" Without a moment of hesitation Bella replied
"My life…" Her voice was confident it was the absolute truth
"Would he do the same?" the bird Squawked "If he knew you were in danger would he come?" Bella vigorously nodded
"Without doubt"
"Well the I think you have your answer" The bird ruffled his feathers satisfied with himself as realisation dawned upon Bella, she knew what she had to do…it had worked before…
Bella took one last deep breath and thought of how scared she was, alone and defenceless in this dark and dangerous looking forest. But despite the intense emotion she projected only silence remained and her shoulders drooped a little. She was about to give up again in despair when the first tremor hit her. It was faint hardly a tickle upon her mind but it was quickly followed by another and then another.
Jake…
His instinct to protect her when she was sacred had kicked in… he had felt her she was sure of it. Bella opened her eyes and then instinctively moved forward following her instincts…but deep inside another feeling was growing…something felt out of kilter…something was wrong…
000
Billy stared at the Old man in front of him. There had to be something they could do surely. His eyes snapped back to Bella's body maybe he was fooling himself but he could have sworn he had just seen her chest rise a little as she took a tiny breath.
"Quil" he murmured "Quil did she just take a breath?" The old man did not immediately respond he was busy holding Bella's small wrist and counting. He looked up at Billy with relief in his eyes
"She's still with us Billy" The old Elder began "But her pulse is very slow it's as if she is in a deep sleep."
"Is she…is she really stuck Quil? I…." Billy's voice faded before he could finish the sentence. Last time they had nearly lost her if it hadn't been for Jacob… but he couldn't come not this time. Old Quil sat back in his chair as he contemplated what to do next.
"I don't believe she is stuck Billy" He began "She still walks because there is something she needs to do. Maybe…" The old Elder looked uncertain for a moment then added "Spirit Warriors" he almost whispered it in awe "The legends Billy"
Billy Black looked startled for a moment as he looked back at his old friend, was he be referring to Taha Aki and the first pack? Their ability to leave their bodies and walk unseen by living beings?"
"How we became united with the wolves?" Billy asked
"Exactly" The old man replied "I always said this girl was sent for a reason Billy by the great spirits themselves. She will be their guide"
As if on que long drawn out howls in the distance drew their attention away from Bella and Billy wheeled his chair over to the window. He drew the curtain back slightly as he peered out into the falling snow. More agitated howls filled the air as the younger wolves left guarding Bella and the rez answered the pack's call in the distance. He turned back to Old Quil
"Its begun" He grunted as the old elder nodded in return
"I think that confirms why Bella hasn't returned to us yet" Old Quil replied as he covered the girl in a throw "Best keep her warm old friend, the great spirits have more work for her I feel it " Billy rolled his chair back towards the old battered sofa
"I hope you're right Quil" Billy replied silently praying that they would all survive this day.
The door to the living room swung open and Joy bustled in carrying a tray laden with mugs of steaming coffee and a small packet of biscuits. She nervously eyed Bella who remained lifeless and pale upon the sofa.
"How is she?" Joy almost whispered the question as she handed a mug to each of the men.
"Doing fine I think" Old Quil replied. Joy wanted to yell what do you mean "think" but decided that her old father in law most likely knew better. Her dark eyes once again slid back to Bella
"Is she…." The question sort of hung in the air but the inference was there. Old Quil nodded smiling a little
"Yes, she spirit walks if that's what you're asking" Joy's mouth popped open in surprise at the old man's answer. She kinda knew that was what was happening anyways but having never actually seen it for herself part of her had always been a little sceptical. She sunk down onto one of the faded armchairs her eyes never leaving Bella's face.
"Is she ok?" Joy asked "She looks…well she doesn't look…" She hesitated trying to find the words that weren't so abrupt
"Alive" Billy's deep voice made Joy jump
"I wasn't trying to…" Joy fell silent as her father in law reached over and patted one of her arms
"We know Joy we know" he smiled a little "Bella's spirit has left her body and so yes she has a deathly look about her if that's what you mean" Joy nodded her head as Old Quil became more serious "Which is why Bella must do whatever she needs to as quickly as possible and return back to the living or..."
Joy searched his face with disbelief before her gaze snapped to Billy whose face was as drawn and serious as the old Elders
"She dies" Billy added
"Oh my" Joy gasped as realisation of how serious the scenario in front of her had become finally hit her.
000
Demetri raced through the still snow-covered forest his mind focused on one thing and he could feel her not too far in the distance. He came to a sudden halt skidding slightly in the soft snow, even vampires could slide here it would seem. He cocked his head to one side and listened to his senses.
Damn she had stopped yet again. What the hell was going on with the red head? If he didn't know any better, he'd say these were diversery tactics, as if she knew someone was following her. Demetri frowned hard narrowing his eyes in response. How in the hell would she know that? He rubbed at his face as he pondered the question and brushed the snow that had gathered in his hair to the ground.
He was after all secure in the knowledge that he was the best tracker in the vampire world. It had never happened before he reassured himself unless…His head whipped around fuck she was circling back and coming straight for him. Nimbly he jumped up into a nearby tree and waited. He could feel Victoria she was a few miles out but he could feel her all the same, almost see what she could see as she scanned the forest around her before seemingly satisfied that no one was there, took off again at high speed towards the Quileute reservation. Demetra waited a few seconds before he chased after her.
He was only a few miles into the renewed chase when he felt the distinct presence of another vampire who was coming in fast from the north. Demetri slowed a little searching for a clue… he felt for that unique "signature" his gift would instantly recognise if he had encountered the vampire before and…yes, he knew that vampire alright.
"What the fuck does he want?" he asked the silent forest but nothing answered for all living creatures had fled.
000
Angela drove carefully along the icy roads of the rez they were dangerous most of the time with deep pothole's but in winter they became treacherous. A car could easily spin off into the ditch that ran alongside the road and that she decided would certainly piss a vampire off.
"Pick up some speed" Alice hissed from where she was hiding on the floor behind Angela. "We're late enough as it is and we have to head her off. I need to be where Bella is"
Angela swallowed hard as she pressed her foot to the gas pedal and prayed that she wouldn't die in the next 5 minutes. Something about the thought of meeting Victoria out here on the road sort of infused her with a very urgent need to get to their destination and fast. The last chase in Bella's truck had left an indelible scar on her mind.
They were now very close to the little red house it was around the next bend in the road and she had already passed one of the young wolves en-route. How she longed to open the window and shout for help but Angela knew she would never make it before a vampire would ensure she never opened a window again. With that terrifying thought Angela managed to muster the courage to speak she had to try something her friend was in real danger and she was essentially helping the enemy.
"Bella will be guarded you know…" Angela almost whispered in terror "No one will be able get to her" Angela glanced into her rear view mirror even though she knew she couldn't see anyone before adding "Jake would never leave her alone"
"I'm counting on that" Alice hissed "At least they might buy me some time when all hell breaks loose" There was silence for a moment then Alice laughed "You really think I don't know that Jacob isn't there Angela?"
Angela didn't reply but her fingers gripped the steering wheel a little harder. What the hell was she doing? She really didn't like the sound of that and here she was helping by driving to the victim. Out of nowhere Sam's face popped into her mind and her heart ached. He certainly wouldn't want to know her after this she sighed and that made her even more determined that if she survived this ordeal, she would leave he deserved better especially after this betrayal.
Eyes staring straight ahead Angela peered nervously into the swirling snowstorm that had enveloped La Push. The only sound was the car engine and the swish of the windscreen wipers as they fought to clear the slushy fallen snow. Not a soul was outside in this awful weather the place was deserted.
A few more minutes she told herself… just a few more and you will be there. Angela desperately wanted out of the car the atmosphere had become almost claustrophobic. She swallowed hard again her heart picking up a fast pace as the little red house came into view.
"Angela trust me please…" Alice had changed the tone of her voice it was sweeter, lighter even. "Try to calm down a little and remember why I'm here…your hearts banging like a drum and the pack will hear it" In response the girl took some deep breaths in an effort to stay calm but to be honest she didn't think she could hold out for much longer. Alice seemed to forget that she hadn't made it clear as to why they were here and she feared the worst.
Waving at another wolf who was on the edge of the forest Angela parked the car close to the house as instructed she opened the door and got out before opening the door to the little red house. Moving so fast she was a blur to human eyes, Alice rushed from the car and into the house. Angela closed the car door and followed. What had she done she thought doing exactly what Alice had asked by bringing her here and more importantly where was Edward Cullen?
Billy sat upright in his chair every sense in his body told him what he didn't want to believe as his eyes snapped to the door. There was a little tap and then it opened and to his horror in stepped Alice Cullen
"Billy" She murmured as she glanced around the room before her eyes settled upon Bella. Billy Black frantically calculated whether he could reach the window in time to call a wolf but knew he'd never make it. Damn his legs he thought frustrated at what he had become through his diabetes. Once upon a time he would have defended Bella but now... He glanced at Old Quil who sat dumbstruck before the vampire and Joy? Well Joy looked like she was about to pass out.
Time seemed to stand still as the door opened again and in stepped Angela. Seeing the young woman walk in somehow Billy found his voice…
"What the hell is gong on? He challenged his onyx eyes glinting hard. No one was prepared for what happened next especially Angela
"I've come to save Bella" Alice trilled "And believe me it's a matter of life and death"
000
A/N: Here we go indeed!
Till next time XOXOX
