4Gracie04 Jake did not intend to kill the man, he did not even intend to hurt him. Unfortunately you are right, all that pain came pouring out. Jake sees himself as a monster, I hope to put a conversation or two between him and his therapist in a future chapter. Thank you and guest for your reviews.

Chapter 32

Bella found herself standing at the edge of a beautiful meadow, her back to the dark forest. The meadow was filled with colorful flowers. The bright sun shone down like a spot light over the majestic land, a stark difference to the pine trees behind her.

Looking up she realized she wasn't alone. Standing across from her just out of reach was Edward. His skin shimmering like diamonds in the light. She tried to go to him, but something was wrapped around her ankle. Looking down she could see the roots of a tree holding her in place.

"Edward!" She called out, reaching for him desperately.

He didn't come for her. He stood watching, a cruel smile turning up his lips.

He chuckled. "Did you think you were important to me? That you meant something? You were just a bit of fun." He shrugged. "I'm bored with you now."

"I'm bored too, Eddy." Lauren came up to stand on his left side.

On his right side the mystery blonde from the party appeared. She said, "Come on Edward, let's go."

Without hesitation he turned, with a blonde on each side as he walked away. The further away he walked, the further back Bella was pulled into the woods until she was surrounded by trees.

She cried out, yelling for help, begging him to come back. His wicked laughter echoed through the trees. The roots started to pull her down into the ground further and further until she was surrounded by darkness.

Bella woke with a jolt. A whimper came from her lips as she tried to get her bearings, the soft moonlight that streamed through the window reassured her she was in her bedroom.

After Jacob brought her back to the truck, she drove them home. Charlie was nowhere to be found. When Jake called his father to let him know he would not be coming home, they found out her father was with Billy and not in any shape to be driving.

Billy and Harry had plied him with alcohol trying to calm him down and prevent him from doing something that would push his daughter further away from him, and more into her boyfriend's arms.

They had explained if he tried to force the situation it would only lead to her lying and sneaking around. Both men had to learn that the hard way. He needed to show her, to let her make the decision when she saw for herself, and that was going to take time and patients. Two things Charlie was afraid he didn't have.

Jacob told Billy Bella was safe but didn't specify that she was with him.

Bella told Jacob she was tired and just wanted to go to bed. It had been a long day. With all the information that was dumped on her today, she was exhausted. She just needed the day to be over.

Bringing herself back to the present she blinked her eyes. That mystery girl's image was tattooed onto her retinas. She couldn't make it disappear. He cheated on her. How could he do that. Did she really mean nothing to him when she was so willing to make him her world.

Sobbing, feeling like she was falling apart, she wrapped her arms tight around herself. She wasn't strong enough, her heart and soul were crumbling. She needed stronger arms, an embrace that would somehow hold her together.

Going down the stairs on autopilot, she allowed her feet to take her down the basement. Opening Jacobs bedroom door she stopped in the doorframe.

He was sleeping. This was so stupid, what was she doing here?

Bella started to turn to leave when she heard his sleepy croak.

"Bells? What's wrong honey?"

She turned back, hiccuped and sniveled out. "He cheated on me."

"Oh, sweetheart." He said, holding out his arms. "Come here."

She pushed the door shut behind her and rushed to him. He wrapped his arms securely around her pulling her into his bed. She buried her face in his neck and blubbered. He just held her, stroking her hair and back until she was asleep once more.

The next morning Bella woke to a soft snore behind her. A heavy wait lay across her waist, and hot breath fanned the back of her neck.

She didn't want to think about what led her here. She focused on how being here made her feel. She felt safe, comfortable. Two things Bella was just now realizing she hadn't felt in a long time.

Why was that? She didn't want to examine that realization.

To distract herself, Bella reached down and ran her fingers along Jacobs forearm. She grazed her finger tips across his wrist and down to his hand that was tucked underneath her, interlocking their fingers.

She realized the snoring stopped right before she felt his nose nuzzle the back of her neck. They didn't speak while they lay there. Looking down at their arms, she admired the contrast between light and dark.

After a while Jacob groned. "I have to get up." He said tightly.

Then he pressed a kiss to the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Sitting up he threw his legs over the edge of the bed away from her, and reached out he grabbed a pair of sweatpants. It wasn't until he stood up that she realized.

A horrified squeak came out of her and her hands flew over her eyes.

"What?" Jacob asked, a trace of confusion and fear lacing his tone.

Was he serious? She uncovered her eyes, looking up at him with her cheeks burning, she said. "You were in your boxers."

He chuckled. "Technically, they're boxer briefs, and you're not wearing much more." He said gesturing to her tank top and sweat shorts ensemble.

She gasped and crossed her arms over her chest. He chuckled again. Reaching down he grabbed a tee-shirt from the same place he had gotten his sweatpants from.

"It's not like it matters to me," He said, tossing the shirt at her. "but if it will make you more comfortable, you could put this on."

She slipped the soft material over her head and took in his scent on the fabric. It smelled like pine trees and ocean breeze. The short sleeves fell below her elbows and when she stood up the hem hit her between her knee and mid calf.

Jacob had walked out of the room before she finished putting the shirt on. She stepped out the door to find him standing at the bottom of the stairs. He was still as a statue.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

He turned wide eyes to her. A loud bang came from upstairs that made her jump, then a scream.

"Where are you!" Edward's voice echoed through the house. "I know you're here!"

Jacob hurrily whispered. "Go back into my room, lock the door and call Charlie."

Bella opened her mouth to protest, to try to protect Edward. Then thought, why would she do that. There was another crashing sound.

"Go!" He insisted. "Do not come back out."

Bella's hands shook as she struggled with her phone. Finally she was able to call Charlie.

"Hay kiddo. Do you need me to come pick you up." He answered.

"Daddy." She cried shakily.

"Bella, What's wrong? What happened?" he asked, now panicked.

"Daddy, you need to come home."

"Okay baby. I'm on my way, I'll be there soon."

Bella dropped the phone when she heard another crash. She peeked out the door to find Jacob missing. In a panic Bella ran out the door and up the steps.

"Where is she!" Edward shouted.

"Edward please, just leave her alone." Alice cried. "Please just leave." she begged.

"Never!" Edward screamed.

"Hay!" Jacob yelled. "Over here! Look at me, not at them."

Them?

"Charlie is on his way here." Jacob's voice was eerily calm. "You want to be gone before he gets here."

"Not without Bella." Edward hissed.

Bella peeked around the door. The first things she saw were the overturned kitchen table, chairs knocked over on their sides and backs, silverware and broken glass scattered around the floor. Her eyes followed a trail of blood droplets to Jacob across the room. He must have cut his feet on the glass. He was standing partly facing her. His hands were held up in front of him facing out. He must have seen her because his eyes widened and he made a slight motion as if telling her to back up. So slight she was sure she was the only one to notice.

She couldn't see Alice but she could hear her sobbing.

She needed to see her, to know she was alright.

She stepped out the door for a peek around the kitchen. She glanced at Jacob. He was now grinding his teeth and motioned again for her to go back.

She couldn't, she had to see Alice. Before her eyes could find her friend they fell upon Edward. He was facing Jacob but he was closer to her. He was turned just enough for her to see a sneer on his face and a knife in his hand. The knife was drenched in blood. Bella gasped, drawing his attention to her.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion after that. The sneer dropped off Edward's face as he looked her up and down. His eyes opened wide, pure fury filled his face. He lifted the knife. Bella thought he was going after her, but he turned and went after Jacob.

Slashing the knife through the air it sliced across Jacobs arm and chest.

"NO!" Bella screamed.

Jacob grabbed Edwards arm and swept his legs out from under him, slamming the knife wielding hand into the ground. The knife clattered across the floor. He rolled Edward onto his stomach and pinned his arms behind his back sitting on top of him for good measure. Edward flailed causing blood to pool on Jacob's skin and drip from the knife wound.

Bella cried out but realized someone else's cries were louder.

Alice, she turned to find the small girl in the hall doorway. She was curled in a ball, her hand reached out pushing down on a blood soaked shirt, her head on the shoulder of the prone body before her.

Jasper lay there motionless, blood trickling from his mouth, a wheezing sound coming from his lips.

A noise behind Alice cought Bella's attention. The first thing she saw was a gun, barrel up. The next was the face of deputy Mark.

He fell to one knee beside Alice. Keeping his eyes on Jacob and Edward he pressed two fingers into Jasper's neck. Then stood back up and stepped over him making his way to the two boys. He put his gun in his belt and clicked the cuffs onto Edwards wrists relieving Jacob of his burden.

Her father came bursting in the door. His eyes found her and then Jacob before he crouched down by Alice pressing the same two fingers deputy Mark used, against Jasper's neck. His other hand went to Alice's back.

"Alice," Charlie said gently. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head.

"Okay." Why don't you get up so the paramedics can take care of your boy here, okay."

She nodded her head, but when she pushed herself up she just fell right back down. He asked if she was sure she wasn't hurt, when she nodded again he scooped her up into his arms and carried her away.

Bella felt a large hand touch her arm. She looked up to find Jake trying to coax her further into the kitchen.

"The deputy has to take him out this door." He said softly.

She looked up to see Mark wrestling a still struggling Edward toward the kitchen exit. She let Jacob guide her away.

When they stopped, she turned to look at him. Lifting her hand up she hovered it over his wounds.

"Jake." Her voice came out broken.

"I'm okay honey, It's just a scratch." He said, smoothing a hand over her back in reassurance.

"You will still be getting checked out by the medics. And call your father before he has a heart attack." Charlie said coming up behind her.

"Daddy!" she cried, practically jumping into his arms.

"It's alright baby. It's all over now, everything's going to be okay."

"Jasper?" Jake whispered.

"Still alive." Charlie answered. Then thought sadly, for now.

Thank you for reading.