AUDEAMUS
Chapter 25
The only thing passing through her mind whenever she looked at him was their kiss.
Deep, slow, longing, passionate. A kiss from someone who wanted her in ways she had never experienced before. Bella had wanted him as well, had melted completely into his embrace and grown afraid of what they had done. But she wanted to go to him again, despite her pride getting in the way. She could no longer tease him as Cullen and then sit idly by him as Masen and act as if nothing had ever happened.
"My Miss Swan, you look positively flushed," Jessica Stanley said, straining her eyes on the brunette. Edward Masen, in his ever-extravagant attire, turned to look at the blushing young woman.
"I suppose I am too close to the fire," Bella excused, getting up and accepting the fan Alice handed over to her. In the small chimney of Jessica Stanley's drawing room roared a fire. They were redecorating the parlor for summer. But even in the cluttered drawing room, Bella found it hard to breathe, for they seemed to have drenched the drapes in strongly scented perfume here as well.
She strolled to the window. April was soon to be over, merging into her favorite month: May. Bella couldn't believe that almost a year had passed since the first appearance of Cullen. Many things had happened in that year. She leaned against the window and felt someone come up to her.
"Are you truly alright, Miss Swan?" came the vaguely thin drawl from behind her. Maybe it was her perception of him, but Edward Masen seemed to have toned down his act. Or maybe she only looked at him in a new way. His nose didn't point up as much as it used to. His hair wasn't as horribly gelled anymore. While still pressed down flat against his scalp, he had refrained from fixing each curl upon his forehead, they were brushed to the side now. He seemed less inclined to drop offensive remarks and insults wherever he went. It was as if Edward Masen had grown a semblance of tact overnight.
Carlisle Masen had discreetly noted the minuscule transformation in his son from one day to another. He had not inquired about it, he was still too stressed about what Cullen had stolen from him.
Edward had not yet approached his father for his involvement in what he now referred to as the Ridge affair. But there might come a time when he could need his help.
She turned around, clenching the black fan in her left hand, uncertain of how to truly face him. "I am…Mr. Masen," she began. This man had held her in his arms, had kissed her. Her cheeks started to heat up again and she fanned herself more rapidly.
His eyebrows furrowed together. "You remind me of a tomato, Miss Swan," he stated blatantly.
"Really now, Mr. Masen," she said in a strangled way.
"Come, come, tis not that bad. Here, I brought you some water," he told her, offering her the glass. His manner toward her was much like on their promenades; more gentle, softer around the edges.
"T-thank you, Mr. Masen," she managed, gripping at the glass and sipping down the water.
"Miss Swan," he bowed, offering his arm. Bella felt Alice Hale stare in bewilderment at the way her brother behaved. But she liked this new Edward very much.
Jessica Stanley was in deep conversation with Miss Webber and Miss Moore. Bella took in the sight of the drawing room. Despite not having liked the tea gatherings at Miss Stanley, they, together with her constant visits to the Masen townhouse, made Bella realize them to be the only true constants to her rattled life. Jessica, however vain and extravagant she could be, had offered her a place where she could frolic and be silly—get away from her everyday worries and be a young woman, listening to other silly young women speak of fashion, complain of men, and gossip.
They were about to leave when Jessica sought her out as she was handed her cape by one of the footmen. "Miss Swan," Jessica hastened. Her muslin gown in a soft lemon color swayed about her feet as she hastened her step.
Bella took the cape and placed it about her form. "Aye, Miss Stanley?"
"I…know we have not always seen eye to eye. I know you think I am a silly girl." Jessica stopped for a moment and nodded in accordance with what she had said. "But I hope you understand that I do not hold a dislike for you." Jessica grimaced. "Well, I do not completely dislike you, Miss Swan. Of course, there are some things about you that could be improv—"
"Miss Stanley, stop, you will make me flustered with such elevations and compliments," Bella deadpanned.
"Anyway!" Jessica continued, nervous yet expectant. "I…," she paused, trying to find the correct words. "You are a good person, Miss Swan. You abhor gossiping, you stand up for what you believe in."
"What is going on, Miss Stanley?" Bella was now truly curious. Was Jessica Stanley in some type of peril?
"You are great friends with Jacob Black, are you not?" she asked.
"Yes?"
Jessica lifted her right hand and presented a small envelope, sealed in red wax. "I think you are discreet, Isabella. I would implore you to deliver this letter to young Mr. Black to…to pass on to Mr. Cullen," she said stifled. "I know he is with the rebels, I know Black can deliver this to him." There was a sadness in Jessica's blue eyes she had never seen before. It had always been hidden by her extravagant façade.
Bella's lips parted. "Why?"
The other brunette forcibly shook her head and looked pleadingly at Bella. "Please, ask me not. But I need you to know that I do this to help someone I care deeply for. It is someone who runs great danger of losing their life should they be discovered by…I think you can guess by who," she whispered.
"Why do you wish for this letter to reach Cullen?" Bella was not about to risk Edward's life and identity for a person she did not know.
Jessica gripped the letter harder. "Because the only safe place for them right now is among Cullen's men in Raven's Grove. They will be found out at their current location." Bella had never seen Jessica so downtrodden before. "Please, Miss Swan. Please do this one thing for me," she begged.
Bella pressed her lips together. She guessed there was no harm in delivering a letter. But she would have to do it this evening. Tomorrow the execution was to happen, and she didn't know how safe it would be to ride out of Hayes—or if such a thing would even be possible after Cullen had saved those men. For all she knew, a stricter curfew might be put in place.
"I shall deliver it, Miss Stanley."
Jessica's otherwise arrogant expression broke out into a genuine smile that softened her face. "T-thank you, Miss Swan!" She took Bella's hands in her own and squeezed them. "Thank you!"
Bella nodded, taking the letter and hiding it deep within one of her dress' pockets.
Edward and Alice had stayed behind, looking at the strange interaction between both brunettes. "I never thought I'd live to see the day when Jessica Stanley would thank Isabella," Alice mumbled with her eyebrows shot up to her hairline.
Her brother placed his hand on her back and guided her down the stairs. "I think we should refrain from asking her," he mumbled in her ear.
It caused a chuckle. "Good idea!"
They quickly climbed up into the carriage and were soon joined by Bella, who had a look of bewilderment as she quickly smoothed out the skirt of her dress while sitting down next to Edward.
The carriage took them through the center of the town. Alice carried most of the conversation, but it was downtrodden. They were unfortunate enough to ride by the main square and garrison, where the gallows were housed. Bella wished she could light them on fire and watch them burn down. Her heart could not imagine the sorrow the families of those men had to go through.
"There are several people who have taken rooms in Lucy's inn so that they might catch a glimpse of Cullen," Jasper murmured.
"How can they treat this whole matter like entertainment?" Bella spurted out. "It's disgusting!" She couldn't help but get riled up.
They all stayed subdued until someone waved at them. Bella hadn't happened upon Sgt. Thompson in a while. He looked as stout and pudgy as ever. But the usual light in his eyes was gone, put out. He neared them hesitantly. Edward told Joseph to stop the carriage.
"Ladies," he nodded to Bella and Alice. "Gentlemen," he bowed to the others. Thompson looked like a guilty child, caught in something he shouldn't be doing. Despite being angry with everyone wearing a uniform, Bella could never truly be angry with the kind sergeant. "Are you passing through or visiting someone?"
"Passing through, it's the quickest way home," Jasper answered. "Why do you ask?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" wondered Alice as she repeated her husband's question with more force.
"The…uh captain has ordered all access points into the square for vehicles and horse riders to be shut down at seven tonight. If you were seeing an acquaintance or going to Lucy's and stayed there, you'd be forced to remain within the confinements of the barricades. Only pedestrians may pass until ten, then the whole place will be shut down for the…the…well, you know."
"Sergeant." Bella scooted closer to the edge of the vis-à-vis carriage. "Whatever happens tonight, please keep safe, would you?" She, like most of Hayes, knew there would emerge a confrontation—that Cullen would try to free the prisoners. Captain Forster probably counted on that. She'd hate to see Thompson wounded in the crossfire.
His face lit up, glad that there was still someone who considered him a friend. "Oh, don't worry yourself about that, miss! The captain has stated I am not experienced enough to face Cullen and his men; were they to come. So, he has me standing guard in an insignificant spot," the carefree sergeant boomed. He didn't realize, of course, that he was giving out valuable information.
However, Bella certainly did. And, she realized, if she could get more out of him in front of Edward, it might help him. For, surely, it would look strange now for Edward to be asking such questions.
"Oh, indeed?" she continued. "I do not think he'd place you somewhere insignificant, sergeant! I believe you to be very capable and courageous."
Thompson beamed further. "I…thank you again. But really, every soldier knows that guarding the latrines is not the most agreeable site," he continued.
Alice bit back a flustered laugh and Jasper arched an eyebrow, but he kept his genuine calm about him.
"Where would you like to stand guard, sergeant?" she asked, feigning curiosity. "A soldier's life has always intrigued me, you see. And I see myself forced to live vicariously through you since I could never become one," she lamented.
"Well, any of the usual sentinel posts are acceptable. But I'd wish to be in the thick of the action, even if you are so against me being it, Miss Swan. Yet, Captain Forster has strategically placed the entire garrison. There are even posts outside of it for once." Thompson started pointing at a few houses. "There and there," he said with the point of his finger. "Some of the more trained shots will be up there. I should think it thrilling to stand guard on a roof!" he exclaimed. He was about to go on his tirade when they all heard a roaring shout.
"Sergeant, stop wasting your time!" Captain Forster screamed from the open doors leading into the garrison. He had his hat low over his forehead, shielding a face he no longer wished to show out of embarrassment.
Thompson scrambled and sent them on their way, struggling to run back to his commanding officer. Bella turned around in the carriage with a sympathetic look.
When she turned back around, she noted that all three were staring at her. "W-what?" she blurted out.
"That was a strange conversation, Bella," Alice frowned.
"Indeed not, Alice. I was merely giving some words of courage to the sergeant."
"It looked to me like you were leading him to give you information, strategical information," Jasper said.
Bella crossed her arms before her, her eyes darting about as she tried to flee from their regards. "Really now, Mr. Hale, what a wild imagination you do have," she laughed forcibly.
"It looked like that to me as well," Alice joined in. "Didn't it to you, brother?"
Bella faced Edward and fought hard to keep a stern mask of indifference. But within her heart, she begged that he save her from the couple's inquisitiveness. It wouldn't do at all for them to know that she had done it for Cullen.
"Well, Alice dear, the sergeant has a tendency to give away such secretive things whether one asks him or not," he began with an irritated sigh in the signature thin voice.
"But this was different," Alice continued.
"Miss Swan," Jasper leaned forward. He studied her expression as his eyes squinted. "I have heard that you were once good friends with Jacob Black who now resides in Raven's Grove. Is it possible you did this so that he might deliver this information further to Cullen?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Mr. Hale!" They were a few more minutes from her home. Bella needed merely to stall and then run away. She would have to deal with the Hales in the morning, in the aftermath of whatever would happen in the garrison. "I severed my connection with Jacob when he left for the forest," she gulped.
But he did not believe her. Jasper Hale knew Bella enough to know that she wasn't the best of liars. She was genuine, honest and warm to anyone who knew her. He could see in the way she defensively crossed her arms before her to the way she avoided eye contact that she was lying through her teeth.
"Of course, how silly of me," he responded.
But the tension remained, and she knew that Jasper had not believed her. Neither had Alice.
"Well, here is your house, Miss Swan!" Edward Masen quickly blurted out. "Come, let me help you down."
He quickly got down from the carriage and extended a hand. Bella couldn't know, of course, the gratitude he felt toward her. But he also thought it strange that she so openly should be questioning Thompson and in front of his sister and brother-in-law no doubt. He suspected she was onto something. A part of him hoped she had not started thinking he had something to do with Cullen. The very thought of her knowing who hid behind the mask mortified him.
She grabbed his hand as she lifted her skirts. Bella stepped down from the carriage, avoiding as much eye contact with Edward Masen as was humanly possible. She gave him a polite curtesy, stiff, awkward and dismissive. "Thank you, Mr. Masen," she mumbled before turning to the married couple. "I shall see you tomorrow, yes?" she asked them.
"Tomorrow, Bella," Alice nodded.
Bella Swan walked up the small steps to her front door and was ushered in by one of the maids. Edward leaned against the black carriage, still focused on her. "You know," he drawled casually as he turned back and hoisted himself up into the carriage. "I think she is the strangest girl I have ever met."
Joseph urged the horses into a swift trot. Alice fanned herself with her white fan, the gentle breeze dragging across her face. Her straw bonnet shielded her from the invasive sunbeams. She eyed her brother with a curious expression. "I know," she smirked.
"How can you trust her?" Jacob wondered, bewildered as he stared at her through the latticed opening.
"It's only a letter, Jacob."
"Tis Jessica Stanley!" he hissed, leaning in closer.
She was uncomfortable being back in the confessional. Bella remembered the limited space, Edward's body pressed up against hers, their breaths mingling, the softness in their kiss, the way he had caressed her; so gently, so softly. She squeezed her eyes shut, listening to the flapping wings of doves that flew by the stained-glass windows. She inhaled the smell of wax candles, burned wood and incense.
"Tomorrow they mean to hang those farmers. I only ask you to deliver this to Cullen before he rides into town tonight," she pleaded.
Jacob stared down at the letter, wondering what it might contain. "He is a good fighter, and…he has his wits."
In a placid silence, they regarded the other, separated only by the latticed opening. Bella thought it so strange. She and Jacob came from the same background. Their parents and grandparents had built up their wealth, had risen in society through hard work. Yet now they found themselves in completely different places. She understood, by the way in which he met her regard, that similar thoughts had to be passing through his mind.
"Will you give my regards to your father?" she asked. She had not inquired after his health for a while, not since she'd heard that Billy Black might have lost the capacity for walking ever again. "I heard from Lucy how he…rallied the people at the Goose." She fiddled with her skirt, casting her eyes down. "Be proud of him, Jacob. I know you idolize Cullen. But be proud of your father too, for what he stood for, for what he is yet standing for."
He did not expect such words from her. "I…I will. He will be gladdened to hear such words from you."
She pressed her hand to the opening. "Please take care tonight. They will know you are coming," she pleaded.
"I shall. But ride home now, Bella, before it gets too late and you are condemned for breaking the curfew. I doubt bribing the sergeant with pies might help you this time."
She nodded. "I am stopping by Lucy's on my way home to make sure all is well tonight."
Jacob remained silent and Bella made the sign of the cross and stepped out. She had ridden to St. Nicholas alone, snuck away from her parents as soon as she'd gotten the chance. In her own home, there was a subdued air. Her mother kept pacing the drawing room, casting her eyes to the opened window every so often. Bella suspected Renée Swan held some worry for what might go on in the garrison that night as well.
In fact, most of Hayes held its breath in silent anticipation. It was expected that Edward Cullen would make his most daring rescue yet. And Forster was waiting for it more than anyone: he had a bullet with Cullen's name written on it.
Collins had avoided the public eye mostly since her dismissal of him. The thought made her frown and feel downtrodden, hoping her words had not hurt him too much. Alas, despite whatever situation he might find himself in, she could still not accept that he had not at least openly admitted that Forster's actions were completely unreasonable. She suspected the captain had some type of hold over Collins, which made the whole situation even worse.
She took April through the south gate. Her hooves clappered down the cobblestone street and Bella tasted the metal waft in the air. A storm was nearing, despite the clear evening sky. April's hooves kept thundering down the cobblestone and she soon saw The Laughing Goose, with some sentinels placed before it. Bella took the back route and tied April in the small cove behind Lucy's bar where overnight guests would leave their horses. Then she felt the handle of the door leading into the kitchens. She shook her head when she realized it was open.
Bella stepped inside, met by Lucy's busy workers as the evening would soon turn into night. Yet, soon the guests that were not staying overnight would be sent home as the curfew was set in place and the square was closed off for everyone. She recognized both Ted, Joe, and a few of the female staff.
"Miss Swan?" one of them blurted out as she stepped inside. She smoothed out her lavender muslin gown under the dark cape. She took out the needles holding the black straw bonnet to her head.
"Where is Lucy?"
Joe who was big, burly, strong and taller than a house walked up to her. He scratched his beard and his hazel eyes were wide as he regarded her. In the limited space of the tavern kitchens, standing next to a heated fireplace where the embers still glowed furiously, one of the maids answered. "She be outside, miss." She paused slightly, wiping away some sweat on her forehead. "Bu' the inn be filled wi' soldiers, n' the rest of the patrons are goin' 'ome except some who 'ave rented rooms fer the night. Mr. Masen is one of 'em," she tsked to herself.
Bella arched an eyebrow at the words. Yet, she suspected it would be easier for Edward to have a room at the inn. He could appear and disappear rather easily during the night. "I'm surprised Captain Forster would let the lancers in here and drink when such an important night is ahead."
The staff all pressed their lips shut and avoided her gaze.
"What is happening here? What are you not telling me?" she asked with her hands placed on her hips.
Ted, who usually spoke before thinking, blurted out immediately. "Well, see here, the soldiers came in and Lucy had a mind to send 'em all away. Bu' Joe and some others told her to keep 'em inside and give 'em free refreshments!" he smiled.
Bella now understood why Ted was being kept in the back; for he was not the most discreet of men. Lucy was making sure some of the posted guards were kept drunk through the night. She was doing her part in helping Edward.
She turned to Joe. "Will you tell her I am here? I wish to speak to her before leaving," she sighed as she removed the cape. In half an hour the square would be shut down, she had little time.
Joe's arms fell down to his side in an act of indifference as he nodded. He walked to the front, through laughing soldiers, drinking men, and merriment at its finest. The moment he told Lucy who was in the back, she looked as if she'd tear him in two and demanded him to take the front as she rushed back.
The heavy wooden door to the kitchen opened and Lucy's dark eyes searched the crowded room, all standing completely still, afraid of the wrath of the heavy-set woman. Her graying strawberry blonde curls jumped slightly with each move of her head.
She finally spotted Bella, seated in a corner, leaning against the wall, carefree and curious. "Isabella Marie Swan!" she practically screamed. Lucy was on a war-path as she pushed her way forward to the young woman who stood up, her expression neutral. "What on earth are ya doin' here?"
Bella parted her lips to answer but was promptly silenced when an accusing finger pointed to her face.
"Are ya completely mad?"
"I ask myself that sometimes, Lucy," Bella mumbled. She had never seen Lucy so angry and desperate before.
"They'll shut the square down soon!"
"I do not know what folly overcame me when I rode up here, Lucy. I agree. I should have cantered home, but I wanted to come and make sure all was well…I have an unsettling feeling I cannot explain," she blushed.
Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose, taking deep breaths and couldn't help as a gleeful chuckle erupted. "Come here," she cooed, dragging Bella into a hard embrace. "I thank ya for worryin' fer us, but as ya can see, we manage."
Bella could hear the merriment coming from the other side of the door. She heard a guitar singing loudly in a vibrant tune and clapping accompanying it.
"Ya best get goin' now, Miss Swan," Ted told her.
"Aye, he's right, miss," Lucy agreed. "Tomorrow we shall see what remains after this bloody night." Lucy eyed her, the wrinkles in her chubby face more prominent. There was a tired air to her that Bella had not perceived before.
Bella took Lucy's rough hands in her own and squeezed them. She took in the other faces and then left again, in time to see that the sun had set. A feeling of doom settled in the pit of her stomach. She hoped she would make it out of the square in time.
April kept alert as she took her away from The Laughing Goose. Most windows stood dark and, ahead, she spotted one of the barricades now up, promptly guarded by some soldiers she recognized. Bella swallowed hard as she saw the street was shut down.
"Halt, who goes there!" one of them said and aimed a musket at her. He immediately got a slap on the back of his head from his fellow guard.
"Idiot, can you not see it's Miss Swan?" he spat, pointing at her. Bella tilted her head to the side.
"Yes, but the captain said—"
"Nevermind what the captain said!" the soldier continued. "You could have shot her!"
"Gentlemen," she began, with a carefree smile. "I am awestruck by your determination to safeguard your post and have not taken offense."
They both straightened up, quite taken by her compliment. The eyes lit up like beacons shining on their sun-kissed faces and smiles split their shaved chins.
"Still, Miss Swan, as you heard us mention, there is a blockade here. No one is allowed to leave the square—"
Bella put up a gentle hand. "Of course!" she exclaimed. "But," she leaned forward. "From what I understand, both of you frequent Little Lucy's establishment quite often, is that not so?"
"Undoubtedly," the second soldier sang.
The other, who had pointed the musket at Bella scratched his head and then leaned to his friend in an indiscreet whisper. "Do you even know what that word means?" he asked.
His friend shook his shoulders. "I've heard the major use it, so it must be a fancy word," he hissed back in his faint Cadherran accent.
Bella firmly pressed her lips together, a blush creeping up her neck. She had overheard their rather indiscreet conversation. "Then you must also know that I am almost as a daughter to her, I'd consider Lucy my aunt, even my god-mother," she continued.
"Indubiously," the first soldier said to her.
"Hey Ulric, I don't think that's a word!" his friend hissed smugly at him, causing Ulric's cheeks to redden.
Bella Swan neared a little bit more. "If I were to tell Lucy that you had not permitted me to pass, do you think she would allow you to ever set foot in The Laughing Goose again?"
They thought long and hard for a good answer to give, only to both, simultaneously, say: "No."
"No," Bella agreed. "Then, I ask, will you let me pass, gentlemen?"
More time passed as both processed her words. But it appeared their fear for Captain Forster outweighed being banned from Lucy's tavern. "I'm sorry, Miss Swan," the first soldier said. "But you'll have to turn 'round. Orders are orders and we cannot let you pass this point."
She paled, now trapped within the blockade, unable to inform her family where she was. "And what shall I do to tell my family that I am detained thusly?" she asked them indignantly. "For I've nowhere to go."
"That ain't our problem. If you're such good friends with Mrs. Berg, then I'm sure she'll let you have a room in the Goose for the night."
"The Goose is filled to the brim," Bella deadpanned. "But," she started turning April around. "I suppose she'll find me a place to rest somewhere in the back. I wonder how she'll react once I tell her how badly I was treated by you. I do not suppose you'll ever step foot into her establishment again!" she spat, urging April into a trot.
She stepped back inside to the kitchen defeated and ashamed. Before any of the staff could say anything, Bella interrupted them. "Hold your remarks for yourselves! I know it was silly of me to ride here so close to the curfew and blockade of the square," she sighed. Joe came up to her.
"They did not let ya pass?"
Bella shook her head. "I am as trapped here as you…and my family must be worried sick," she lamented. She had snuck away to St. Nicholas hours ago. They probably thought something had happened to her by now. "I cannot communicate to them where I am."
Joe leaned down to her with a comforting smile. "Fear not, Miss Swan, we'll not send ya away. I'll explain the situation to Lucy."
In the five minutes that transpired, Lucy made her way to the kitchens and regarded Bella with a defeated expression.
"Linnea!" Lucy shouted.
"Yea, Lucy?" a scrawny young kitchen maid mumbled, stepping forth.
"Ya will send Miss Swan with some stew and port into my personal quarters n' keep sure she keeps there till the sun comes up!"
"Thank you," Bella whispered.
The kitchen maid took her to Lucy's quarters without a word, leaving Bella to her own design, letting her sit in that desolate space as she munched on the rich stew. The hours passed, the tension rising.
Yet she heard little.
Soon, The Laughing Goose settled for the night and she was certain that most had gone to bed. Lucy stepped into her quarters somewhere after midnight and placed a makeshift cot next to the bed. Bella was about to switch places with her when Lucy growled at her that "under her roof, she'd never make a Swan sleep in worse conditions than herself". Bella, flustered, got back into the bed, fully dressed, yet unable to sleep. Lucy's snores soon indicated that the older woman had succumbed to her dreams.
She lay awake, staring out the window, wondering if Edward was actively trying to rescue the five farmers while she lay there, passive, afraid. But she heard nothing, no indication to him being close to helping the farmers out of the garrison.
In what she figured had to be the wee hours of the morning, Bella thought Cullen would not rescue the farmers and grew almost close to crying when tumult erupted somewhere.
Much like the very first night of his appearance in Hayes, the town was rocked violently by an explosion. She could practically sense the ground shaking, shouts flying and horses neighing in panic. Bella and Lucy rushed up without a word, knowing very well where that sound came from.
The garrison.
"Ya stay in here now!" Lucy hissed as she grabbed her robe and shawl, pulling them closer about her body. Yet, the young woman sat up in the bed, searching for her boots.
"I must—"
The stout woman's chubby and roughened hand shot out in the small room, grabbing hold of Bella, squeezing so hard that she thought her arm might crumble. "Ya stay. Tis not a suggestion. Outside it will be dangerous!" she growled. The pale moonlight which seeped through Lucy's dirty window cast eerie silver reflections across her features, making her as pale as a corpse.
Bella, with a hard-set expression and wide eyes, nodded hesitantly while watching Lucy put the dressing gown over her wrinkled muslin night dress. She changed to a thick woolen shawl for extra measure; it might be spring, but it was still chilly outside.
Lucy Berg rushed out of the small room, leaving Bella feeling alone and exposed. She strained her ears, hearing shouts, screams and an abundance of hooves drumming upon the ground in a loud backdrop.
Bella pressed her hands together and said a silent prayer, urging Edward to take care, almost shivering in fear for him.
Even from the backroom of the Goose, Bella saw the smoke particles of the explosion roll up like an imposing wave of asphyxiating clouds and press against the window. She discerned commands belonging to none other than Forster and was, for the first time, glad to be in the safety of Lucy's tavern.
She strained to listen, but the sounds mingled together into something indiscernible. For the first time, she smelt the waft of something burning, of shattered stone and crumbling brick. The earthy scent blended with the waft of burnt wood and fear. Somewhere thunder roared madly, crackling high up in the sky as the storm neared.
So much fear could be heard, felt, and smelt.
Yet Bella was blind for her main sense—that of sight—was confined by the smallness of the room in which she found herself. Her boots that had been stacked next to the bed had fallen over due to the force of the explosion.
She put them on and started pacing in the small room, unable to keep still.
Then a gunshot sounded.
It was strange; for if the backdrop had been chaos before, this gunshot violently ripped through it, managing to still everything after.
Another gunshot echoed, swiftly followed by a third and fourth.
After the fifth, Bella placed her hands over her ears and squeezed her eyes shut. The nightmare seemed never to end. Her premonition had been right; the feeling of dread was yet to leave her, and she stood poised in the middle of the room, breathing shallow breaths, only hearing her loud pulse as she pressed her hands harder against her ears.
She didn't know if seconds or hours had passed. All Bella knew was that a wave of hooves left for the northwest, no doubt chasing the culprits.
She finally removed her hands from her ears and stilled to see if anything else might stand out. But she only heard the rustling of the patrons, the loud chatter from the front of the tavern as they all no doubt tried to work out what had just transpired. She could hear Lucy's booming voice shout commands, urging them all to calm.
Bella, bathed in the silver light of the moon, supposed Edward and his friends had saved the farmers' sons and managed to flee to Raven's Grove.
She sank down on the bed, trying to stifle her heart which had been riled up from the tension.
Bella Swan had never once believed in the supernatural, in ghosts, in fate, in prophecies. She was never the one to believe that 'one was at the right place at the right time'.
That, of course, would change forever after that fateful night.
First, there were vague and weak thuds against the back façade of the tavern—sounds she didn't pay much heed to, assuming them to be the wind. But with their increasing frequency and volume, she could no longer ignore them. When Bella Swan heard the grunts, she darted up from the bed; frozen and listening.
Someone was right outside the back of the tavern.
She knew it was her solemn duty to investigate. Bella was a curious young woman and, as many times before, she disregarded her own safety.
The door leading to the hallway—past the kitchens and to the same entry where she had entered hours before—beckoned. She licked her lips and stepped forth; the palms of her hands sweaty in anticipation. Bella turned the handle; the conversation in the front room as lively as ever. It seemed none of the guests or the staff in the tavern would get some rest as they were actively analyzing what had just transpired.
The tumult served as a perfect cover as she snuck out of Lucy's room and down the narrow hallway until reaching the scrawny back door. Bella cast a swift glance behind her, making sure she was not followed, lest she be reprimanded by Lucy or Joe and locked into her room. Her hand gripped around the wooden pommel and turned it. She flinched when the door squeaked slightly—something she hadn't paid any mind to when she'd been coming and going earlier.
The chilly night air hit her face like a brick as she stepped outside and Bella shivered from the cold, regretting she hadn't looked around Lucy's room for another shawl. The dust from the presumed explosion was still settling and she coughed as she inhaled her first breath of it.
The grunts came from her left and Bella froze when her head turned in that direction. She stood on the threshold, wondering if it was still a good idea to leave. But what if it was a soldier that was wounded? Or maybe worse…what if someone like Jacob had been hit by the earlier gunshots? The young woman mustered her courage as she stuck her chin up and took her first step out into the mystery of the night. Again the thunder roared in the distance.
She waded through the blinding smoke, listening to something which might indicate to her where the presumed person was.
Bella saw—in a corner by the sheds adhered to the tavern, right next to the stables—a figure on the ground. She grabbed the skirt of her dress as she gasped. Yet her feet kept dragging her forward. The young woman kept nearing the figure, which she could not yet discern. It was hard to see it through the cloud of dust. She only saw dark muted colors partly illuminated by the silver lights of the moon as they tried in vain to break through the dust.
She heard the grunts and winces again as the figure sat up. Bella hurried to get closer, for now, she knew he had to be wounded. "H-hello?" she whispered.
It froze as it discerned her silhouette through the smoke.
Bella neared further, now shaking, afraid of what she might stumble upon. She refrained from speaking until she got closer, her knees wobbly and weak enough for her to almost drop when she saw who was in that corner.
It was what she had feared. Cullen lay in a heap, gasping, the top of his black shirt unbuttoned, some blood smeared over his exposed skin, mingling with perspiration. "N-no," Bella Swan breathed with a waiver to her voice as she rushed to him.
He was leaning against the wooden façade of the tavern, holding his side, a slightly cloudy look in his eyes. But he was still conscious. "Miss Swan," he said in recognition as he saw her. "F-fancy meeting y-you here," he winced. His breaths were shallow, his voice very frail. The usual depth and velvety charm it held was all but gone. It was so weak, so unbecoming of him.
She was down on her knees next to him. "Where did they hit you?" she asked, trying to search his body for the obvious wound. She saw the sweat run down his exposed chin and upper chest. Bella bit down her teeth hard, trying to see past the picture of defeat that he presented and rather tried to be as distant emotionally as possible.
He looked at her, the cloud in his eyes growing, the emerald sparkle fleeting away. She took his masked face between her hands, forcing him to look at her. "No, you must stay awake, Cullen!" she urged him, but he was slipping.
In the moments that Edward seemed to be losing consciousness, his eyes drifted to something behind her. Bella froze, realizing there was someone standing behind them.
A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger :3
Cheers,
Isabelle