This isn't beta'd. Any mistakes are my own.
Bella's alarm pulled her from a really good dream.
She buried her face in her pillow, telling herself not to fall back asleep or else she'd be late. After five minutes of just lying there, she got out of bed. When she opened her bedroom door, she noticed how quiet it was.
"Hm, weird, he must have gone in early," She said aloud as she peered down the hallway.
Her dad's door was cracked open, showing her that he wasn't in there. She shrugged it off and continued on to the shower to get ready for school. As she brushed her teeth, she stared at herself in the foggy mirror. She thought she was pretty enough, all pale skin and dark eyes and hair. She had a clear complexion but she couldn't hold a tan even if she wanted to. She looked down at her body and chewed on the inside of cheek. Did Edward really like what he saw, she wondered. He had no reason to lie because if the rumors of him being snobby were true, he was choosing her to give attention to. That made her smile to herself. She had never really liked attention of any kind but something about the way Edward looked at it her made her want to melt.
She decided to put on some mascara and lip gloss. She wasn't into makeup but she liked to do something different every now and then. She blow dried her hair straight down her back and was happy with what she saw. She tugged on a baby pink long sleeve top and a pair of black skinny jeans before she headed down the stairs to grab her jacket. She made her way into the kitchen and found her dad's note. She silently sent up a small prayer, hoping her dad stayed safe out there. She had a quick breakfast of a banana and granola bar before heading out.
When she arrived at school, Edward was waiting for her. He was leaned against his dark grey Volvo. God, even with the drizzling rain on him he still looked inhumanly beautiful. After admiring him, she took a second to admire his car and he grinned at her.
"Do you like it? It's a s60r model," He asked her after her eyes connected with his.
She nodded, "It's a beautiful car, is it fast?" She wondered.
"Do you want to find out?" He questioned and his voice was like velvet.
She smiled at him, her bottom lip in her mouth, as she looked behind her at the school. After a long minute of thinking, she turned back towards him.
"Screw it, let's go, show me how fast this thing can go!" She said and he laughed in delight as he opened her door for her.
He climbed into the drivers side easily and it revved to life. She rolled her eyes at him causing him to laugh again. Every time he laughed, she felt butterflies go through her stomach. It thrilled her to no end and she very much enjoyed the feelings that swept through her. As Edward pulled onto the road, leaving their school behind, Bella had a horrible feeling go through her. She looked around her, confused, before checking her phone.
"What's the matter?" Edward asked her as he watched her.
"This is going to sound so stupid but I have the worst feeling right now, like something is very wrong," She told him honestly.
He continued to look at her, eyes off the road, "Like what?" He pushed.
She shook her head, "It's probably nothing, it's just my dad went out early to work today to find a missing kid and... I don't know," She said lamely.
"Don't disregard your feelings, Bella, why don't you try calling him?" Edward suggested.
She scrunched up her nose, thinking, "No, I don't want to bother him at work, what if he's really busy?" She said worriedly.
"But if you don't try you're going to be worried the rest of the day," He countered.
"Ugh, you're right, okay, I'll be quick," She promised and pulled out her phone from her bag.
She found her dad's number in her contacts easily and dialed it. It went straight to voicemail. Bella's shoulders tensed and she left him a quick voicemail asking him to call her back when he got a chance to assure her he was okay. Bella sighed heavily and shoved her phone back into her bag.
"Maybe he's in an area where there's poor service?" Edward offered.
"Yeah, maybe," She said and then smiled at him again, "I thought you were going to show me how fast this thing goes."
Edward grinned back at her and floored it, causing Bella to fall back against her seat with a squeal.
After speeding down some back roads that were empty, they ended up parking on the side of a dirt road.
"Do you want to check out my secret spot?" Edward asked her.
"Is this where you kill me? You're taking me out to a deserted area with no witnesses?" She returned.
He leaned in close to her, his nose brushed hers, "I wouldn't have to take you out to an isolated place, Bella," He joked.
She giggled, rolling her eyes, "Okay but if I break my ankle it's on you because I didn't know we were hiking," She said and held up her foot for him.
He chuckled at her black and white Adidas, "Come on, I'll give you a piggy back ride," He told her and climbed out of his car.
Before she could even reach for the handle, he was there opening it for her, "Thank you," She said softly as he took her hand and helped her out of the car.
"Of course," He replied and then lowered himself so she could hop onto his back.
"I feel like a kid," She giggled as she wrapped her legs around his narrow waist.
"I feel like I can be myself around you," He murmured as he began walking.
She pressed her face into his shoulder, inhaling, "But are you truly? There's something you aren't telling me, I can feel it," She whispered.
He hummed and she felt it against her cheek, "There are some things that I'm not allowed to talk about," He said vaguely.
"Because you're worried how I would react?" She questioned.
"In part but also because it's not just my secret," He allowed.
She slid her tongue over her teeth, thinking, "So this involves your family as well," She guessed.
He chuckled, "I feel like I can't hide anything from you, you're to perceptive," He accused teasingly.
"Well, not so much, you're pretty vague about things but I can still put the pieces together if I think about it long enough," She supplied.
"So, how would you react?" He wondered.
"To a big secret? It depends, are you guys serial killers?" She asked playfully.
He hesitated for a brief second, "No, not serial killers," He responded.
She thought about it for a long time and then winced before asking, "It's not something weird right? Like incest?"
His laugh burst from his chest, "What? No! Gross!" He said, continuing to laugh.
"Hey, I don't know! There's a rumor going around that says that you guys are all siblings but coupled up," She defended herself.
He shook his head, still chuckling, "We're not related at all, not even step-siblings, we are close like family and I do consider Alice a sister that I never had but we're not related," He explained.
"So, the man that you live with didn't adopt you?" She questioned; trying to make sense of it.
"No, he took us in because we all had nowhere else to go, I was made an orphan when my parents died and he took me in and raised me like a son," He answered.
She smiled again, "He sounds like a great man, has to be because you're a great man, Edward."
"Thank you, Bella, I truly appreciate your words and Carlisle is a great man, I hope one day soon you'll meet my family," He said and then slowed his walk.
"I would like that," Bella said, her face warm.
Ahead, through the dense trees, there was a clearing.
Bella gasped, the sound loud in Edward's ear, and he grinned.
"This is my secret spot that I like to come to when I need to think or just get away from everything," He told her and gracefully carried her towards the open field.
The field was beautiful covered in luscious green grass and purple flowers surrounded the area.
"It's beautiful, Edward!" Bella told him in awe.
"I thought you would enjoy it," He said and lowered her to the ground.
She wobbled slightly, her legs numb, and laughed when he caught her around the waist. Any touch from him sent a shock of electricity through her.
"Do you feel that to when you touch me?" She whispered as she looked up at his face.
The light rain fell against her face and she closed her eyes to it.
Edward studied her face and decided that she was the most gorgeous creature he had ever laid eyes on. Of course, it didn't hurt that she was the most delicious thing that he had ever smelt either. With her eyes still closed to him, he raised his pale hand and stroked his fingers down her cheek. He felt her shiver under his touch and went to pull away. When he did, she opened her stunning liquid chocolate brown eyes and frowned at him.
"Why'd you stop?" She wondered, unhappy.
He looked at her in surprise, "I thought you were cold," He said truthfully.
"I shiver like that because it feels like lightening when you touch me; I've never felt that before in my life," She admitted.
"I feel that jolt of electricity as well, I wondered what it was," He murmured and caressed her cheek again.
She had the softest skin he had ever touched under his marble fingertips. He was afraid to hurt her, she was so fragile.
"It feels like you were meant to touch me," She told him, her eyes closed again.
He smoothed his fingers across her cheekbones and down her jawline. This time, when she shivered, he didn't stop. He trailed down her throat, stopping to feel the bounding of her heart, before continuing down to her collarbone. He knew he was pushing his limits and he stopped to control himself. He shut his eyes and startled slightly when he felt her warm fingers against his cold skin.
"Wow, you're so smooth and hard," She said thoughtfully as she ran her fingertips down his perfect nose.
He kept perfectly still; holding his breath as she continued to explore his skin.
"I love the way your skin feels against mine," She said breathlessly.
She smoothed across his lips and he kissed her fingers. She giggled which made him smile against her hot skin. God, he imagined what she would feel like pressed against him but forced himself to stop. Thinking about that was causing him to be uncomfortable and he didn't want her to find his erection and think he was a pig. So, he shifted slightly and became a statue once more.
"It's okay to feel things," She said suddenly and made him open his eyes in surprise.
"What?" He wondered, a little out of breath himself from her touch.
"Tell me what you're thinking," She prompted.
He shook his head, "You don't want to know what I'm thinking, it would not be gentlemanly of me," He replied.
She laughed, "It's not the 1950's, Edward, you don't have to be gentlemanly," She told him.
"It's just how I was raised, Bella, I don't want you to think I want you for one thing," He said seriously.
"What if I want that though?" She demanded.
"You want me to only want you for your body?" He countered.
"So that's what you were thinking about? Hm, I was having some thoughts of my own while I was touching you if I'm honest," She said and her cheeks flushed pink.
Edward followed the blush down into her shirt, grinning, "How far down does that blush go?" He wondered aloud before he could stop himself.
Bella bit her lip, "Want to find out?" She challenged and moved to take her shirt off.
"Hey!" He laughed and pinned her arms down.
He had to put some distance between them before they both did something they'd regret. He moved a couple steps away from her.
"I'm sorry," She said automatically, "Are you...religious?"
He exhaled loudly, "Um, no, I mean, I believe there's a God, Hell and Heaven but I don't go to church if that's what you're asking," He replied.
"I was just wondering if you were waiting for marriage or something like that?" She questioned, her eyes watching him.
He tilted his head, "And if I were? Would that be a bad thing? A deal breaker for our relationship?" He asked.
"No! Not a deal breaker! So, you are? Waiting for marriage? I can respect that," She said softly.
He grinned at her, "Doesn't mean I can't kiss you," He teased.
"Are you going to?" She asked, her hands on her hips.
"If you can catch me!" He said playfully and took off running at an average pace.
She laughed gleefully and followed after him. He was much faster than she was and he disappeared into the woods.
"Has this turned into hide and seek?" She called after him, searching around her.
"Come find me then!" His voice replied eerily in the trees.
"I have to warn you, I'm pretty good at this game!" She warned him and moved deeper into the woods.
The skies had darkened even more from the impending rain and the noises that surrounded her spooked her. She heard a stream nearby and the sounds of nature. She continued to walk, looking for paleness in the green around her.
"What do you get if you win?" She wondered loudly.
He responded with a dark laugh that seemed closer to her then she expected.
"Come out, come out wherever you are, Edward!" She taunted.
She laughed at herself when she tripped over a tree vine on the ground; catching herself on a tree.
"Are you alright?" He asked, suddenly next to her.
She jumped, startled, but then grinned, "Got you!" She cried and slid her hand down his shoulder.
He rolled his eyes at her but grinned back at her. Her hand went lower and she wrapped their fingers together. She gave a soft tug and their chests pressed together.
In the darkness of the woods, just as it began to pour, their lips connected.
Charlie and Mark decided it would better if they separated to cover more ground.
The trees seemed endless as Charlie followed the trail farther and farther. He noticed that the farther he went, the quieter it got. It seemed as if all the noise was sucked out around him, like a vacuum.
"Riley! Riley Biers! Are you out there!" Charlie shouted in the vast emptiness.
There were no other sounds for a long second before an agonized scream cut through the air. It made Charlie freeze and draw his weapon.
"Riley!" He shouted loudly again.
The scream echoed around him again and dread filled him. He followed the cries, leaving the trail, and went through the thick bushes. As the screams got louder and louder, the feeling of dread consumed him. He thought about fleeing but knew he couldn't leave Riley behind especially if he were still alive out there. He looked up, searching the green around him, and took a step forward.
Suddenly, his foot gave out and the ground seemed to disappear from below him.
"Shit!" He cried out as he fell down into a deep hole.
He landed on his back and the wind was knocked out of him. He lay there catching his breath when the screams came again. They deafened him and caused his ears to ring. His hand searched for his gun and he exhaled in relief when his fingers touched cool metal. He sat up, looking around, and saw he was surrounded by darkness. The only light he saw came from the small hole he had just fallen in to. The screaming continued and Charlie got to his feet. He pulled out his heavy flashlight that was hooked to his belt and clicked it on. As he shined the yellow light around, he realized he was in a cave.
He took a deep breath in and forced his feet to move. He walked slowly, his boots echoed off the cave walls and made him cringe. He looked around as he followed the screams deeper into the cave. His heart was hammering loudly in his chest and he forced himself to breathe. The screams of pain were getting louder, so loud it sounded as if he were standing next to Niagara Falls. When the screams paused, his heavy breathing seemed to bounce around him. The walls around him seemed to narrow and he had to turn sideways to scoot his way through.
With his flashlight pointed down at his boots, something reflected back at him. After a second, he realized it was a puddle of blood. When he raised his flashlight, the light captured a body crumpled on the dirt ground. He moved quickly over to it and avoided slipping in the blood that was everywhere. When he knelt, an arm grabbed his ankle and made him yelp.
"Help me!" The boy moaned in pain.
Charlie couldn't breath as he moved the light over the boy's body. He was covered in blood and paler than a ghost. His blue eyes begged him for help.
"Riley?" Charlie asked as he looked for the source of the blood.
When Riley rolled weakly towards him, the gaping hole in his neck was visible.
"I'm gonna get you outta here, son," Charlie promised and stuck the flashlight under his armpit to allow him to drag Riley.
Riley moaned in pain as Charlie moved him, "No, I can't! It hurts! Kill me before it returns!" He begged.
Charlie hesitated, "Before what returns? Did a wolf get you?" He questioned.
Riley coughed, splattering blood across his chin, "No wolf, a m-m-monster," He choked; struggling to breathe.
Movement deeper in the cave made Charlie jerk his flashlight up and when he did, something flew towards him and knocked him back. Riley began screaming again but before Charlie could react, there was a loud snapping noise and Riley went quiet.
"No!" Charlie shouted as he realized whatever was attacking him had just snapped Riley's neck.
As the heavy thing slammed Charlie harder against the ground, he was able to move the flashlight and the yellow light illuminated the thing's face. Charlie screeched, startled by what his eyes saw, and shoved hard against the creatures chest. It's skin was hard as steel and cold. They struggled against each other but Charlie was soon overpowered and the creature bit into his neck. Charlie screamed and brought his hand up with his gun. He shot the creature in it's face and smacked it with the heavy flashlight. Blood sprayed from the creature and drenched Charlie. As the creature snarled angrily down at Charlie, it's blood dripped into Charlie's open mouth. He gagged and tried to move but the blood covered his face.
Pissed, Charlie began shooting again but this time he hit the rocks above them. The rocks shifted and when the creature looked up, confused, Charlie took his chance and rolled away. When it looked back at him, baring it's sharpened teeth, the rocks fell. They crushed the creature underneath them and Charlie stood. He didn't hesitate and ran back towards where he had fallen in. The creature's growls followed him and he ran for his life.
With his flashlight still clutched in his hand, he used the light to look at the wall. There were areas where the creature must have made with it's claws. He used the holes in the walls and with sheer adrenaline, he pulled himself up. As his hands clutched the grass, the creature grabbed his ankle. He struggled and as he raised his gun to shoot the creature, it shrank back. He stared, confused, but then realized the sun had broken free and was glaring down into the hole. The creature roared in anger but stayed away from the sunlight and Charlie was able to pull himself all the up.
He collapsed onto the grass and laughed deliriously. He had made it! He had escaped a creature he was sure no one would believe existed. A demon he had seen with his own eyes. As he continued his manic laughter, he heard his name being shouted by Mark.
Beside him, in the hole, the demon creature gave him one last snarl before disappearing back into the belly of the dark cave.