A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 19- I refuse to give up

Bella's POV-

A loud gasp left my mouth, my feet stilling at their place without a second's delay, as a fresh wave of tears appeared in front of my blurry eyes, my arms wrapping around my torso in desperation and need, well aware that I could not break down.

No. I needed to be stronger than that.

The woman sitting there in front of me, with her head in her lap, sobs crackling her small frame as every inch of her announced defeat, demanded that from me.

If I were to give up, what would happen to her?

Who would be her strength in this difficult time?

Who would console her and keep her sane?

No.

I could not give up.

I needed to believe in fate.

I needed to believe in him.

He would survive this.

He had no other choice but to survive this!

"Oh, Bella…sweetie,"

Paula opened her arms for me, with me running into them without a second's hesitation, unable to resist the comfort that her trustworthy arms would offer.

I needed it, desperately did!

"Oh, dear,"

She pushed an unruly strand of hair behind my ear, her eyes filled with sadness and worry, tilting to look at her son after every few seconds, a sigh leaving her lips with each attempt that passed by.

"I am so, so sorry."

Please. She had to believe me.

I hadn't meant to.

I had never wished for him to die!

"Paula, please believe me. This was never my intention…."

"Shush now, sweetie," she consoled me, my breaths coming out way too fast as I pleaded with her to re-consider. "I know that it is not your fault. You are not to blame. My son did what he thought correct, your actions irrespective. It is just…he looks so pale…."

I risked a glance at the man that lay in the bed in front of me, unconscious and well…. defeated, shame coating every inch of mine as I forced myself to look away, a heavy gasp leaving my mouth involuntarily.

I could not even look at him, at least not without contemplating torture on myself for causing this in his life!

He looked so weak and helpless, his skin sickly pale having lost all of its natural glow, his wounds lay open, limbs hanging through his body like they were attached with a thin thread capable of breaking any time now, dried blood coating his body like it were the costliest of fur available in the market…his arms and even face covered with ugly maroon lines- Quil's paws being the culprit for said catastrophe, blood oozing out of every scar that I could see, or even find…. there were just so many that it was difficult to even keep count….

But of course, had I never agreed to this nonsensical plan, none of us would have been here today.

So yes, I was to blame!

Entirely.

"Is…is he healing?"

My voice was a mere whisper as I pushed the words out, looking at her through downcast eyelashes, not having the courage in me to even look up and meet her eyes.

"No." Paula winced, a tear trailing down her eyes- one she refused to wipe away. "He has been in this same condition since hours now; trust me, I have not moved an inch from here. Not since they laid him on this bed today." she let out a humorless chuckle. "But no improvement whatsoever. He is not healing- not at all."

"Maybe…" I paused, gathering my messed-up thoughts together. "Can we take him to the hospital in Forks? There has to be something that they can do for him in there?"

Why were we wasting time here?

What the fuck was the purpose behind it?

Time was precious, and we needed more than enough of it in order to save him!

We did not have the excess time to waste here.

We had to save him…

Just had to.

And they had certified doctors in there- who would know when to do what to do.

They would be able to save him, or at least- if nothing more- the chance of him surviving would brighten up!

"I wish we could," Paula muttered under her breath, Sam appearing in the open doorway almost instantly, a sigh leaving his frown ridden lips, as he shook his head in repetition.

"His body temperature is too high to go unnoticed. There will be too many questions asked; questions we have no reasonable answer for. We can't risk the secret."

"I don't give a fucking damn about the secret, Sam!" I shouted at him; disbelief heavy in my stance.

Was the man serious?

Paul was about to die…and he was worried about blowing the secret?

Seriously?

Had he no value for a person's life?

Was keeping the secret more important than saving a living, breathing human?

"Bella," Sam let out a sigh, the effort visible for all to see, running an exhausted hand through his hair. "I don't like this anymore than you do, but we can't go to Forks hospital- or any other hospital for that matter. And that is final!"

"But…" I opened my mouth to protest, the injustice in the scenario evident. "He will die if we don't give him the necessary medical help!"

Wasn't this obvious?

I felt rather than saw Paula drop down to her knees, begging to every God that heard to spare her son's life, defeat visible in her eyes.

"Sam, you don't understand? We have to save him…"

"And we will try our best." He interrupted me; a finality visible in his eyes- indicating that the conversation was now over. "I have called for Sue Clearwater. She has a bit of medical training. We will do whatever we can to save him. He is my brother, too."

With that, he walked away, ironically speaking the biggest lie of his life mere seconds ago.

He was not Paul's brother.

Heck, he was not even his well-wisher.

Had he been, this would never have been his response; he would have moved mountains to save his family.

He wouldn't have given up.

He wouldn't have just let it go…leaving the outcome of Paul's life to fate.

No.

He would have fought.

He would have fought tooth and nail to save a person's life…to save his brother's life, secrecy be damned.

"He is my only family remaining." Paula's whisper made me look up, her eyes unmoving as she continued to stare at her son, lifeless and having given up every hope that her grey eyes had once held. "If he is not a part of this world, what will I live for?"

"NO!" I gasped out in absolute horror, running towards her and taking her hand in mine, squeezing it tight as I refused to let her do anything harsh or impulsive.

Paul would survive this.

Dammit.

He had to.

"We will not let him die." I assured her, nodding my head in sheer confidence. "He will get the necessary medical help. He will recover and live; this being an inconsequential part of his past."

"How?"

She did not believe me, and I didn't blame her for that.

Even I wouldn't have believed myself, had I not a full-proof plan in mind- a plan I was confident would work.

If Mohammed can't go to the mountains, the mountains will have to come for him.

"I have something in mind. Don't worry, the secret will not be blown." I added as an afterthought, storming out of the room in haste.

"Jake, I will need your help." I whispered to the walls, knowing that he would have heard me, but having no actual time to stop and have a real conversation.

I needed to hurry. I would have to give some time to him…as well.

There were too many steps to follow for this plan to work…not even one step could be missed.

We just could not afford the delay.

I quickly ran out of the house, sitting in my trusted truck and whipping out my phone, away from the curious ears of any passerby.

He picked up on the third ring.

"Dad, I need a favor. I need you to get me someone's contact number."