The Whispering Woods
Chapter Twenty-Three
The sound of running footsteps was at the forefront of the sounds coming from every direction, brutal in their approach. A door swung open; a blast of air felt like ice on his skin. Her voice was loud and clear among his crowded mind. "Step back from him, now."
Edward didn't have to look up to know those surrounding him listened.
"You've infected him with your freakiness, Bella," someone hissed.
"Yeah, remember that Jessica, because he's mine," Bella snarled back.
A warmth engulfed him, the whisper of her breath in his ear. "Imagine a door, reinforced steel. Layers and layers thick, yet light as a feather."
His eyes clenched harder, his hands fisting over the noisy assault.
"It's the only way, baby. Imagine it or something just as strong, and place it in front of the voices, in front of their memories."
Instead of the door, it was her he imagined. Battle-ready in gleaming armor, complete with shield and a broadsword. Her stance didn't instill fear in him, but protectiveness.
He was her protector and she was his.
The roar turned to a low murmur, until only her whispered words filtered through. She, along with the teacher, helped him to his feet. He kept his head down, grateful for his clammy skin, anything to get him out of there fast.
"Can you take him to the nurse, Ms. Swan?"
"Yes, sir." She showed her capability to keep him up despite his weak knees. Someone offered to help, but she stated she was fine.
Once they were outside, Edward could finally take a full breath that didn't hurt his entire body. "What the fuck was that?"
Bella sighed as they shuffled down the hall. "We need to talk."
He snorted, regretting it instantly. "You think?"
She poked his side. "Every time I tried to talk to you, you ran away. This isn't my fault."
"Nor is it mine."
She shrugged. "Before my mom disappeared, we traveled a lot, didn't always live in Forks, too. We were miles from here, where the whispers weren't as strong. Nor the 'knowing' I seem to have. We moved back here because my mom got sick."
"But the gift was still there when you were away?"
She nodded. "There's something about Forks that amplifies what I can do, and I'm guessing it's the same for you."
He wanted to deny it. Run away, as instinct usually made him do when things got strange. The flight response wasn't as strong as the need to protect.
"The whispers told me to protect you."
She stilled their forward motion, thankfully, because he was seconds from throwing up. He'd been mortified enough in her presence.
"Is that why you opened up your mind? You heard whispers?"
He watched her face as he nodded. She didn't look surprised, more like scared. "What is it?"
Something in her eyes softened, but there was still fear. "I don't know. What are you supposed to protect me from?"
"There's more you're not saying," he urged her.
She wanted to deny it, but decided hiding things wouldn't help either of them. "The whispers said you were my guardian."
It was as if the title cleared his mind; his back straightened as his strength returned. In fact, he never felt better; it was almost as if he accepted what the role entailed.
"Whoa," she whispered, stepping back. "You're fucking glowing." Her head turned left and right, then she tugged him toward a dark classroom. The door clicked harshly as she locked it behind them. Her hands rose to his face, her brow furrowing. "What the hell was that?"
Though his mind never felt clearer, there were still areas and memories left undiscovered. He trusted it would come to him when needed. "I don't know, Princess."
AN: Sorry for the delay, it's been a bad day and shaping up to be a hard week. So...what do you think? Thanks to MC for your help with this fic that is growing longer than I had anticipated, likely needed a sequel. We'll see.