Thanks for all your support. This will be a shorter chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or Charmed
Chapter 27
It takes seven seconds to register that I feel nothing.
It takes four seconds to open my eyes and see Edward standing a few feet away, the gun still clutched in his hand. But his eyes are no longer on me, they're fixated on something behind me. I feel the confusion on my face as I turn around unprepared for the sight.
Behind me on the ground lies Alec, a single gunshot in his forehead, blood oozing onto the ground beneath him. His eyes are still open, vacant.
He's dead.
Edward shot him.
Turning back to Edward, I meet his eyes. My mouth has opened though no words escape. I must look like a fish. He slowly drops the gun to the ground, his eyes boring into mine as though he can see into my soul.
"Do you believe me now?" He utters those five little words and it's like a fire has been lit underneath my feet as I run towards him at full speed. Crashing into him, I wrap my arms around him so tight I knock the wind out of him. But he wraps his arms around me just as tight as we hold each other.
He shot his brother. He saved my life. He chose me.
I don't forget any of the things he's revealed to me, and I haven't forgiven him for them either. But at this moment, nothing else matters. The weight of what he's just done isn't lost on me.
His wince reminds me that he still has a serious wound. I pull back slightly, careful not to hurt him anymore. He doesn't seem to care as he pulls me back to him even tighter.
"Edward you're still hurt, we have to be careful," I warn.
"I don't care," his hands have found my hair as he stares down at me. His gaze is full of reverence as if I'm his salvation.
Taking his palm, I give it a slight kiss. I'm mindful that we don't have much time left. I'm sure someone has heard the multiple gunshots and commotion. It's only a matter of time before the police arrive at the area to investigate.
"Edward, you have to go," I state slowly.
It's as if he's been doused with water. He looks at me like I'm insane.
"I'm not leaving you," his tone is adamant.
"Please listen to me! I'm sure the police are on their way. Someone must have heard the gun go off. You can't be here when they come, I can just tell them the truth that Alec kidnapped me and I shot him, but you have to go!" I stare into his eyes heatedly.
Please listen to me for once Edward.
"And leave you here to face the police and who knows what else? People are still after you Bella. No," he shakes his head stubbornly. I see him wince slightly as he grips his side briefly. He's putting too much stress on his body, his recovery could be slowed, the stitches could've come out. Edward needs rest, now.
"Think about it Edward, they'll figure out that you and Alec are connected, how long do you think that'll take? Huh?" I grab his hand desperately. "They'll tie it back to you and who knows what else. If it's just me here I can say self-defense and that I shot the gun. I don't want anything to happen to you Edward…please."
He saved me, he may have been sent to kill me but he spared my life and killed his own brother. I may not forgive him for everything, but he saved me and now I have to try and save him too.
And that involves him getting the hell out of here.
His face is conflicted for a few moments and finally, I think he's going to give in and leave. But his gaze hardens and I've come to know that look of determination over the past few months.
He's not going anywhere.
The sigh escapes me and my eyes close. I know I've lost this battle.
"I'm not going to let you take the fall for this. I'm going to come clean to the police about everything. The organization, who we are, and what we do. Everything."
I don't know all the details yet, but I know this organization he's involved in is dangerous. I know Edward has done unspeakable things in the past, he's a criminal. And I know the police wouldn't think twice before putting him away forever.
"No! Are you crazy? You said it yourself we don't know who to trust. Once this becomes public they'll know, whoever's after me will know you didn't kill me and that Alec is dead now. You're a wanted man. Think about it Edward, you don't have a choice right now, you have to go."
He gives a slight grimace and steps back. He's pacing now. I see there's slight blood on his bandage again.
"Edward your wound…" my voice trails off as he shrugs me off, pacing continuing. And I know at that moment what I have to do. Who knows how deep this danger runs? I don't know who we can trust right now. I don't know who else is after me and now him. But I know that he can't stay here and wait for the police. And I know damn well Edward isn't leaving here without me.
Faint sirens began to sound in the distant background. They are miles away, but they'll be here in no time.
"If I go with you, will you run?" He freezes at my words.
"Bella, I don't know if that's the best idea. I can't ask that of you…" he grimaces taking a deep breath.
"Please, just for a little while until we figure this shit out. I won't leave your side, I don't want your wound to become infected. We can figure everything out together. I promise," I whisper the last two words, our eyes locked.
I don't know what he sees on my face, but he pauses for a second, brows furrowed, and then nods.
Sighing in relief, I close my eyes. But only briefly because the sirens continue to get closer. We need to be long gone by the time they arrive.
"Here help me get his body under this car, it'll buy us some time," he thinks quickly, I nod and we drag his body the few feet under the abandoned Subaru. The police will have to search the whole yard for him.
Breathing heavily, Edward surveys the scene quickly before picking his gun up and gestures towards his car.
"Come on we can take the back road away from here towards the freeway. Get your bag," I nod and grab it. "Let's go."
With one brief glance back at the car covering Alec's lifeless body, we run to Edward's car.
"I'm driving," I murmur grabbing the keys from him. He pouts slightly but nods staggering towards the passenger side. I'm going to have to check him out as soon as possible, who knows what he's done to his injury.
I wonder what the police will think. How long will it take them to find Alec? How long before we're suspects and our faces are everywhere wanted in connection with the murder? People will start looking for us, there are only so many places we can hide.
I can't think about that right now. We need to get as far away as quickly as possible. We'll have to worry about those questions later.
The sirens are much closer, maybe three minutes give or take. I quickly start the car, it jerks when my foot hits the pedal. Edward hits the window with a groan.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I've never driven anything this fast," I apologize and ease off the gas.
He smirks slightly, shaking his head.
"It's ok Bella, just go easy on it you'll be fine. Here, turn down this street," he gestures down the dimly lit road leading towards the freeway. I follow his directions, glancing behind us every few seconds. I have an irrational fear that someone will see us and follow, but I know it's just paranoia.
Edward's hand covers mine on the steering wheel. I didn't realize how tight I'd been clutching it until now.
"It's ok," he whispers, green eyes full of reassurance. I nod in agreement, but I feel anything but ok right now. I almost died. I thought I was going to be killed. Then I watched a man get killed. And now we're running for our lives.
I wasn't ok.
But Edward was right. We had to focus on the task at hand which involved getting far away and figuring out our next move.
A few minutes later we're on the interstate heading south, I'm still not sure where we're going and it seems as if we have no destination in mind, just driving as far and fast as we can.
I'm pushing 80 miles now and only picking up speed. Edwards quiet. I glance over at him, he's leaning back against the headrest hand draped across his stomach. There's no doubt he's in pain, but his face tries not to show it. He only looks uncomfortable.
"Edward, we need to pull over and get some medical supplies. I'm afraid your wound may have opened up."
"It didn't, I'll be okay Bella," he says softly.
"Edward, I don't care if you say you're fine I want to take a look at it soon," I retort.
"You will Bella, but for now just drive. We'll take care of it later," he murmurs still looking away.
I sigh in displeasure but don't push it. We'll get to Southern California, then I'll stop and find a pharmacy, no matter how much he protests. I've got to get him well enough.
Who knew what laid ahead of us? Ahead of me? Someone wanted me dead. No, someone still wants me dead and he wouldn't rest until it happened. What if he knew where we were? Someone could be following us at this very moment. Edward said there would be more. How many more was the question. How could we fight them off? Who could we trust to help us?
How could we ever be safe again after what happened tonight? Hopelessness washes over me.
"Edward, what are we going to do?" I whisper desperately. He's quiet for a moment, as he stares straight ahead, headlights shining into the windshield across his face. Finally, he turns to me. And the look on his face is pained but determined.
"I'm not sure Bella…but I'm going to figure it out, I promise. But first, we're going to put as many miles between us and San Francisco as possible."