Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or Charmed.
Chapter 26
"Isabella, it's a pleasure to see you again," a low deep voice rumbles, accompanied by the sound of a gun cocking against my head.
I know that voice. My mind races trying to connect it with the face. The man obviously knows who I am.
But who is he?
I can't turn to look at him with the cool silver of the gun pressed to my temple and he's hidden at an awkward angle that I can't see him in my rearview mirror. My heart races as my fight or flight instincts kick in.
I still have the gun in my waistband, perhaps I can reach for it without alerting the man.
"What do you want from me?" I ask quietly. The man snorts.
"Oh Isabella, I don't think you could give it to me."
"I have money…" I continue.
He's full-on laughing now, deep belly laughs as If I've just told a hilarious joke.
I use this as an opportunity to inch towards my waistband.
He must be extremely perceptive or I've lost my stealth because I don't have time to grab my gun before his gun is back to my head and he orders me to put my hands on the wheel.
"Ok," I murmur and comply slowly. When my hands are on the steering wheel, the man reaches for Edward's gun and throws it in the back seat. Fuck. I'm out of options now.
I pray that Edward followed behind me, perhaps he'll be bursting through the front doors in a second and he'll notice something is wrong.
The man who was sent to kill you, saving you? Come on. My inner voice laughs bitterly.
I can't think about Edward right now, I need to focus on one crisis at a time.
"Now, Isabella we're going to go for a drive, buckle up."
Fuck, I have to stall.
"Listen, I don't know what's going on, but I haven't seen your face. You can still get out and I won't ever know a thing. You still have time to do the right thing…you won't get in any type of trouble," I urge him
I have a serious sense of déjà vu as I try and reason with him. I'm reminded of how I tried to talk to James Smith all those months ago. But something tells me I won't be as lucky this time.
"I'm not worried about that and plus you won't be able to say anything once you've seen who I am," he says sinisterly.
Chills rack my body. Oh God, this must be who was going to finish the job. Edward warned me and I walked right into this man's trap. He's going to kill me.
I need to think. What can I do? How the fuck can I get away from him?
"Now, I said buckle up Isabella. We're going for a ride," the guns back to my head and I know I have no choice anymore. Edward isn't coming after me. He won't be saving me. With this realization, I put on my seatbelt and start the truck. The man begins barking directions, as I drive to my fate.
We've been driving for about 25 minutes. He snarls directions every few minutes and I realize he's leading us closer to the docks and industrial area outside of San Francisco.
Not many people go out there this late. He must know that.
As I drive, I'm considering all my possible options to get away. One wrong move and all it takes is a pull of the trigger and I'm dead. But I know the further away we get and the more time away I am, the chances of me getting out of this alive get smaller.
There has to be something.
Suddenly, I remember it. Piled deep at the bottom of my purse that I left on the passenger seat is the lipstick Taser from Rose.
God, I hope it's still charged. Who would've thought I'd actually need the thing? I just need to think of a way to get it without him noticing.
Think Bella. How?
It comes to me in a split second. It's far-fetched, but it may work.
I began gasping for air. It grows slowly before turning into deep body heaves. I mimic the attacks I'd seen dozens of times before during clinicals and medical videos.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" the man asks
"I-it's my asthma, I'm h-having an attack," I get out through breaths.
"Asthma, really?" the man sounds skeptical.
"It c-can flare up… when I'm – stressed or nervous," I continue
"Well stop it," I can tell he's uncomfortable at my display. That's a good sign he may be more lenient in helping me.
"I-I can't I need to pull over… I have a pump in my purse," I cling tight to the wheel and nod my head towards the passenger seat.
"Oh, you got to be kidding me," he growls.
"P-please, I can't drive like this," I murmur.
The man sighs.
"Fine, we're about there anyway just pull under the bridge a little way ahead,"
He directs me to pull over and I can see the entrance to the junkyard now, it's filled with sky-high piles of old cars, metal, and more, all over the place. I park under the nearby bridge.
"Where'd you say it was?" He asks gruffly.
"In…my purse…right over …. there," I gasp. He's quiet for a moment and I think he can see through me, but then he sighs and grabs his gun.
"Get out, I'll follow you." Nodding, I continue to wheeze and remove the key from the ignition.
Once I'm out of the truck he stays close behind me. I'd give anything to see his face but he shoves the gun into the small of my back and orders me forward.
"No funny stuff okay? Make this quick."
I nod and began walking to the passenger door, he's right behind me. I take the time to survey the surrounding area. There's a warehouse a few hundred feet away. But we're far from the nearest main road. I'll have to run at least a mile to make it there. And that's hoping they'll be a car on it. I remember passing a gas station a mile and a half back, perhaps I can make it there and call for help.
Opening the door, I grab my purse and slowly began rummaging through it. I must act quickly or he'll notice there's no asthma pump I'm pulling out.
"Hurry up," the man growls.
"Okay," I gasp. God, where is that thing?
My fingers grasp something metal. Bingo.
I unscrew the cap and make sure it's on. I feel it vibrating under my fingers. Now or never.
"I-I got it, just let me take a f-few pumps,"
"Okay, m-" he breaks out in a scream, as he feels the pain of the electroshocks flow into his body. The shocks are so strong he falls to the ground, gun clutched in hand. I can't risk grabbing it I need every single second.
I grab my purse and hightail it out of there.
"You fucking bitch!" I hear behind me, but I don't turn around. Something tells me he's going to be close behind pretty soon and I have to put as much distance between us as possible.
I pump my legs faster than I ever have before, pure adrenaline coursing through me. The only thing fueling me is getting away from this man who wants to kill me.
Suddenly, I can hear his footsteps not too far behind, he's gaining on me. God, just let me reach the main road where someone can see me and he'll be forced to retreat. I'm about 100 feet away now I can see a few cars passing through, but not many. Suddenly, gunshots ring out.
I scream and stumble slightly, the noise throwing me off. But I pick up speed again and keep running. Another shot rings out. My stumble is all he needs because I feel a hand grab my leg and pull.
Fuck!
I fall with a scream, splaying on my back on the concrete. His grip is tight.
"You think you're so smart huh, I should kill you now for that little stunt."
Staring up, I finally see the face of the man and I can't control the gasp of pure shock.
A flashback courses through my mind from weeks ago. Arriving at Edwards office, the intense exchange with the man with dark hair.
"You must be the lovely Isabella, I've heard so much about you," he reaches his hand out. I return the handshake against my will, withdrawing it quickly. A small smile covers my face.
"Yes, that's correct. Though I can't say the same for you," I say coolly.
Alec.
"Alec," I whisper. The shadowy business associate from Edward's office that made me uneasy. He's dressed in a similar dark suit like the one he had on in Edward's office, his hair is slicked back.
"Ah, you remember me. I'm flattered," he holds the gun against his chest dramatically.
"W-what do you want? Why are you doing this?"
"Don't worry Isabella you'll get all the answers that you seek soon. Now, get up. We're low on time," there's a small smirk on his face, though it doesn't reach his bright blue eyes. There's something so predatory about him. I noticed it all those weeks ago and now I understand why. Whatever Edwards wrapped up in, Alec is too.
I haven't moved yet, perhaps still in shock. Alec sighs and cocks the gun again.
"Last time. Get up now."
I can't feel my legs but I shakily pull myself up, he grabs my purse.
"I'll hold on to this, now walk."
We're heading back to the junkyard, and I realize I've exhausted all my options. Short of a miracle, I don't know how I'm getting out of this. With any luck, someone heard the gunshots, maybe the police will come to investigate. I can only hope.
I must have a death wish, but my curiosity takes over.
"How do you know Edward?" I ask. Alec is quiet, he keeps his eyes ahead as we walk.
"I know you're not really a business associate of his," I continue. He snickers but remains quiet.
"Are you the one that hurt Edward?" I ask heatedly. I'm getting pissed now.
"You know you talk too much, anyone ever told you that?" he locks eyes with me, eyebrows raised.
I don't respond.
"No more questions until we get where we're going. I'd fucking kill you now if I didn't need you. So be a good girl and you get to live…for a little while," my stomach drops but I refuse to let it show. I raise my chin haughtily and continue walking.
We walk for a few more minutes until we reach the gate of the junkyard. From there we wind around piles of junk getting closer to the water. Finally, he orders me to stop. There's an old metal chair nearby that he grabs and plants down firmly in front of me.
"Sit down," he snaps.
"Aren't you going to tie me up?" I ask sardonically.
'Careful Bella, you've pissed him off enough,' my inner voice warns.
"Trust me, you've learned your lesson, I know you won't run again. Now sit down and wait for the show to begin," he smirks and points to the chair.
I slowly take a seat, keeping my eyes on him. He says nothing as he stares at me for a moment. He looks like he's trying to solve a math equation as he studies me. But then he quickly turns and walks towards the water.
He pulls a cheap flip phone out of his suit pocket and walks a few feet away and makes a call.
I consider running away again but this time he may really shoot me. There has to be another way out of here. How? I wasn't sure. But I knew I was running out of time.
He seemed as if he were waiting for something or someone. If he really wanted me dead he would've done it by now, right?
'Wait for the show to begin?'
What did he mean?
What was he waiting for?
Suddenly, I hear tires squealing not too far away.
Someone's here. Alec must hear the tires too because he quickly ends his call, breaks the phone into pieces, and throws them into the water. He doesn't look frightened or surprised.
This must be what he's waiting for.
But who could it be? I doubt anyone knows we're out here. Perhaps it's back up to help him kill me.
My heart goes into overdrive. I'd thought about my death a lot in my life, since the death of my parents. Not many kids do, but when you experience a loss like mine, you don't see life as a normal child. Death becomes much more real and always near to you.
However, I'd never have thought it would end like this. Will the police find my body? Will they be able to identify me? My poor parents, and Rose and Alice. They'll all be so devastated.
I can't let this happen.
"Stand up," Alec sneers. I stare into his cold menacing eyes and something catches my eye. On his neck, there's a top half of a tattoo that's slightly visible. But it's not just any tattoo, I've seen this one before. On Edward.
A memory from long ago, it feels like a lifetime comes washing over me.
"You ever gonna tell me what this means?" I can't help but bend down and place a faint peck on the tattoo on Edward's chest.
"It's a family tattoo. When some of us…turn 18…. it's a tradition, I guess. It represents brotherhood and unity."
Brotherhood? I look up meeting his eyes. His brows are furrowed as he returns my gaze. He has a brother? Or multiple brothers? I'm hungry for more information.
"You don't like talking about your family much, do you?" The question slips out before I can stop it.
He shrugs. "Not much to talk about I guess."
"I understand. Trust me."
That's when I hear him. It's as if he's stepped out from my thoughts.
"What are you doing Alec?"
I swing around, my eyes wide.
Edward. Standing maybe 20 feet away between two abandoned cars.
He looks disheveled and tired, dressed in his clothes from earlier. But he's standing tall, his voice hard, he looks pissed. His eyes scan me quickly, giving me a once over. He must find me suitable because his eyes find Alec once again.
Alec grabs my arm tightly.
"I was waiting for you brother."
Wait, what? Brother?
They were brothers…but there was no resemblance between them whatsoever.
This couldn't be the family Edward spoke of. Could it? But that explained the similar tattoos.
"Alec let her go," his voice is calm but the fire in it is clear.
Alec continues as if he didn't hear anything
"Well, it's nice of you to join us. Finally here to finish the assignment?" I can hear the mocking tone in his voice as his grip tightens even more.
"Why are you doing this?" Edward sounds exhausted as if they've had this dance before.
"I wanted to test you, see how far gone you were. Either you kill her or I do. And if I have to… the leaders won't be so happy when you get back to Chicago."
Leaders? God, I wish I could understand who and what they were talking about. It's as if they're speaking gibberish at this point. But I do understand one thing, multiple people wanted me dead for some reason and they weren't going to stop until I was.
"Alec, your problem is with me not her."
"How quickly things change," Alec says cryptically.
Edward takes a few steps forward.
"It was my mission and I failed Alec. I walked away and I'm sorry," Edward says as if he's trying to reason with Alec.
The bad blood between them must run deep because there's an intensity between the two. There's history there and anger. So much anger.
My eyes are pinned on Edward. What is he going to do? Alec obviously isn't letting me go.
"I don't want your fucking apologies. You disappointed everyone, especially Carlisle, how could you? You betrayed us? You betrayed your family? Your brothers? Over this …woman. You chose her over the people who've been there for you… for a snitches daughter," the disgust in his voice is palpable, confusion washes over me. "The rat was a nice touch, wasn't it?" He adds with a chuckle.
I slowly begin to put the pieces together. The box on the doorstep…the rat was from Alec. The man who'd been snooping around the apartment…Alec. Edwards brother.
Edward knew all along who it was from.
"Alec, I'm sorry that I let you down. I truly am. I didn't betray anyone, here let me prove my loyalty to you... to everyone. I still have a job to finish, right?" Edward's voice is cold now, there's a slight shift in his tone.
Alec and I both pick up on it.
A decision has been made.
And it's one that ends with me dead. My heart stops for a moment before beating furiously.
I've never had a fear of dying. After the death of my parents, it became the one thing I would always be certain of. Everyone's time on earth was fleeting, destined to come to an end.
But the thought of it being at the hands of the man I loved. No, the man I love…was unfathomable.
They pause staring intensely back at one, another unspoken conversation going on between the two.
Alec pauses for a second.
"Very well then." He pushes me away from him, straight in the line of fire, in front of Edward. "I know you think you're in love with this… rat. But it must be done, for the brotherhood...for your legacy. Finish the job so we can go home. So you can be free Edward."
"I know Alec," Edward's voice is cold as he stares at me, our eyes locked. His are emotionless, mine filled with resignation.
My heart beats erratically. How could I have been so naïve? I overlooked everything about Edward. I misjudged him, believed he loved me. I didn't believe my own best friend. I chose to see the good in him, and look where it got me. I was about to be killed by him.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and brace myself, trying to make peace in the few moments I have left.
I hear the gun cock. Edward lifts it to aim. I take a deep breath.
There's a deafening bang.