Had to have high, high hopes for a living
Shooting for the stars when I couldn't make a killing
Didn't have a dime but I always had a vision
Always had high, high hopes
Mama said don't give up, it's a little complicated
All tied up, no more love and I'd hate to see you waiting
They say it's all been done but they haven't seen the best of me
So I got one more run and it's gonna be a sight to see
High Hopes, by Panic! At The Disco, from the album Pray For The Wicked, released in 2018
The world, God, or whatever was up there, seemed to have it out for either me or Bella. Or the both of us. Because so many things have been going wrong that I'm beginning to think that we're cursed. On the topic of what was going currently wrong with me, there were numerous things. Let's start with the most obvious one, shall we? My Imprint was missing, and we couldn't find her. It was like the god-damn blood sucking, imprint stealing, son of a bitch had disappeared into thin air.
His scent had carried a fair distance, intermingling with Bella's in a sense that churned my stomach, before cutting off abruptly as he crossed the boggy river. Every wolf we sent, and even the vampires couldn't find it after it had cut off. That did nothing to ease my worry. The Cullens were searching their usual haunts, and questioning several of their Leech acquaintances, while we were sending pairs of wolves to both search in each direction. It wasn't yielding much though..or enough.
The second problem that helpfully appeared was that there was something wrong with mine and Bella's bond. She had woken up a couple of hours ago, much to my grateful thanks, but her stream of emotions were like we were under water.. any emotions almost drowning; any emotions that I did get through were quiet and almost uninterpretable. It wasn't as strong as it should have been, and that was worrying.
Charlie, Billy and Sue- since they couldn't do much on the searching end- were scanning various books (including the one that they got the original legend from) to try and discover why it was happening. The emotions I had felt when the bond first subtly slid back into the back of my mind were probably very mixed messages- because I had the urge to maul Edward into tiny pieces, burn him, and then bury his ashes fifty thousand feet below me and then blow up the ground around it.
But, aside with that, I had been glad: at the very least, she was okay, worried emotions and small notices of pain aside. I could tell that she was trying to send something to me, but it wasn't working. You know when you connect two cans via a string and you can very make out small hints of what someone is saying? It was like that.
Then there was the third problem. Remember when I mentioned that I was going to eventually be forced into my wolf form? Yeah, that time was going to happen sooner or later, edging onto sooner. I was snappy and irritable, and prone to snarling or growling at a moments notice. Both me and my wolf were trying to push it off for as soon as possible, but to no avail. What I truly needed, was my Imprint to be safe and sound, but it was beginning to look like that might be later rather then sooner.
By this point, I'd exhausted all of my arguments and options. My every waking thought was surrounding her- I couldn't settle down long enough to even try and work on a car, and even the longest run wasn't even to drain me.
The only thing I could do was pay attention to our bond, watch it slowly deteriorate, as both me and Bella tried to tunnel along it to find one another. All I could do was feel the diluted pain of her trying to push out her shield to reach us, the pain of being alone, the worry of her trying to reach me, the unadulterated fear of Edward. And that, well, that was worse then missing her at all.
Which was how I was halfway to Canada. Or there abouts. It was becoming harder and harder as the days passed to remain in human form as the length of Bella's abduction increased. And since my body was hardwired to remain awake until I'd found her, it left me patrolling and running, and doing anything to tire me out. It hardly ever worked, of course.
The Cullens were taking their sweet damn time- and I loathed the fact that we had to trust them, before I blatantly didn't- asking their sources, and despite the pack's best efforts, and Charlie's searching through CCTV, we had no idea where they were, or even where they were heading. Edward, as much as I hated to admit it, had done a damn good job of A. Carrying a horse sized wolf, and B. avoiding the cameras. Of course, with a mind reaching ability..
Shaking my head off that thought, I tried to use the bond like a compass. You know, find the direction where is the bond is strongest and track it that way. But it was being stubborn, and uncooperative. It was torturous, to have Bella so near mentally, yet out of my reach. Skidding to a stop, I caught my breath, looking at my surroundings. The flowers were breathing, dancing, petals and pollen swirling around me in the air.
The thick brushes of trees standing tall, watching and looming, just like soldiers. The wind travelling around like a soothing melody. Yet to me, it all seemed dead. Cutting in between my dismal thoughts, the familiar tone of my phone was ringing. I'd taken to wearing a small satchel that hooked round my neck much like a collar (but it wasn't. I don't appreciate being compared to a dog) so I always had it with me in the case of any news.
I wriggled out of it with a shake of my head, and nosed the pouch open, before practically clawing the 'answer call' button. Funnily enough, I had several claw marks on my phone by this point. I sat down on my haunches, being able to hear the tinny voice coming from the phone as clearly as I could had it been next to my ear. Almost hyper-vigilant, I focused at the phone, with my surroundings blurring around me.
"Jacob? We have news about where Bella might be. Come back."
I barked twice in an affirmative, before the dial tone hung up. Nudging the phone back into the pouch, and slipping it back on (like Bella did with her bracelet..) I did a complete one eighty, and pushed my paws deep into the ground as I hurtled back to La Push, blood pounding in my ears. For the first time in a few days, I had hope. And that was more then I'd had minutes prior. That's why I ran at my fastest, my mind being a perfect combination of the wolf and the human, joined together by one goal- to rescue our Imprint.
I had made it back in record time. Several others had phased in, distinguishable pulses merging into the pack mind, as the unanimous message to meet at the former treaty line were sent. I skidded off from the course home, instead making a sharp turn and heading towards the treaty line. By the time I had gotten there, Sam, as our resident ambassador, was standing up at the front of us, as the rest of the pack gathered behind him.
The pack parted as I walked up to wait at Sam's side, taking place next to Sam. The Cullen's, minus the tall butchy one and the snarky bitchy blond, were standing at their side, with Doctor Leech standing at the front. I fought hard to swallow my emotions down, knowing that Empath Leech could read us all since Bella wasn't here. Still, Sam began our meeting, as I watched with wary brown eyes and hackles just itching to be raised.
"What lead do you have?"
Sam spoke clearly, with no sense of worry or fear. He spoke like a leader, even if the underlying tenor of his voice was more that of a Beta then an Alpha. Maybe one day I would reconsider whether I should take my position or not. I'd have to talk with Bella if- when we found her.
"Jasper and Alice travelled up to meet our cousins, another vegetarian coven, up in Alaska. From them, we learned that there was a possible sighting of Edward, heading south, towards Anchorage."
What's in Anchorage? Was the question in my mind. Of course, there's nothing to suggest that he had been going to Anchorage, but let's face it, Alaska is hardly the most occupied place. But then again, it was a relatively easy place to run around with a massive wolf in your arms. Sam seemed to narrow his eyes, as I ground my teeth in an attempt to not say something I was going to regret (because the more people who were looking for Bella, the better), before taking a calming breath in.
"Do we know what his intentions are in Alaska?"
Empath Leech shook his head, his face as blank as a slate, and a small bit of my hope died. But I refused to give up. I would find her, and I wouldn't give up until she was safe in my arms. And if the worst happened...nothing could stop me from tearing him limb from limb. And I mean, limb from limb.
"Edward is capable of flying several aircrafts of varying size. While none of ours were taken, it is possible that he stole one, in which case he could be anywhere in the world. We are watching and investigating the airport to see if he could have taken a plane."
That would suggest where the tall butchy Leech and snarky bitchy blond were. I looked at Sam, who was deep in thought it looked like. The pack mind was oddly silent, as the whole conversation between Leech and wolf came to a stop.
"I'm going to send some wolves to Alaska. Jacob and Jared, and Embry and Seth. They will travel up and do some investigating of their own."
There was a lack of a question in Sam's words, no asking for permission, no hint of indecision in his voice. As there shouldn't. We had a right to look for our missing pack member, especially if they were an Imprint, such as in Bella's case. I almost thought we'd come to blows, but Carlisle seemed willing to acquiesce. Which was good for us, as we hardly had any time to argue. Well, we had better things to do then argue over something something so pitiful. Carlisle nodded in response, without much sense of argument.
"Would you like to use our private aircraft to travel?"
There was no sense of an underlying question, as I scrutinised Carlisle's face. He seemed to be making an honest offer, and as much as I hated the Leeches, I was willing to sacrifice a lot if it meant I could save Bella faster. Admittedly, flying to Alaska was a lot faster then us running, even if we travelled through the day and night.
And while we could use a public flight, not only would it be difficult for those of us who were stuck in their wolf forms (read, me.), but it would be expensive and tough for us to get a plane last minute. Especially for those of us who didn't have passports. So really, taking this option was the most beneficial for us. Jared, Embry, and Seth turned to approach me, as we gathered in a small circle, our differing forms almost clashing together.
"The decision is up to you Jacob. I'll suffer through the plane ride if it means that you and Bella are reunited."
Those were Jared's words, wise and almost old for his age. Seth, gangly wolf and awe, nodded in agreement, as did the normally quiet Embry. The words of thanks didn't drip from my tongue, caught up in the sheer amount of loyalty that the pack had to me. But I could tell that they received my unspoken message, and for that, I was grateful.
Turning back to face Sam, and breaking our little impromptu circle, I headbutted Sam in the lower leg. As he looked down at me, I made a nodding gesture, before flicking my head in the general direction of the Cullens. Accepting their deal was a necessary evil, one I was willing to go along with if, like I said before, if it meant saving my Imprint.
"We would like to accept your offer."
Admittedly, the whole idea of flying wasn't one that appealed to me. It was just one of those forms of transport that I hated- even before I became a wolf. Having my feet off the ground.. the lack of control, it was just something that made me nervous. Of course, when you are currently in wolf form, that feeling was made fifteen times worse. I was just grateful that I didn't have to go in the cargo hold..rather being allowed to sit on a chair which had been slightly lowered for my benefit.
Also, it turns out werewolves suffer badly from our ears popping, because it hurt like a damn. My guess would be because we are more sensitive to thing around us, especially hearing. That would be my explanation anyway. I managed to ignore it well enough though. Although I had to hand it to the Cullens: they had a nice ass plane. It wasn't a small one like I was anticipating, but a full and long jumbo liner.
For the sake of 'our comfort' they said, the four of us were in the back, while the two of them (Carlisle and Psychic Leech.) were at the front, flying the plane. We were told to help ourselves to whatever we wanted, but we hadn't taken up on that. None of us felt comfortable handling or ingesting something that a Leech had touched. We had the sense to bring our own provisions- especially for a 17hr flight.
Well, I had googled the rough time it would take, but if the Leeches flying skills were anything like their supposed driving skills, then it would probably take us half the time. God only knows what they had done to this plane. I don't think I wanted to know. Regardless, I curled up in a ball, and tried to catch up on some of my missed sleep. It wasn't like I could do anything almost thirty one thousand feet in the air.
Bella's POV
I had lost track of time. For all I knew, it could have been a matter of days, weeks, or even months. I doubted the latter though. I had been moved though, that was all I knew. When I had first woken up, in the cage, my surroundings had been cold, but not overly so. Edward had come in since then, cruel and sadistic in all his glory. If he truly claimed to love me, then why would he kidnap me like this?
Why would he force me to stay in my wolf form? Treating me like I was nothing more then a dog? There were no thoughts of mine that I could use to even come to a reason why, other then the fact that he was ill. And that seemed to be a running theme lately.
"Ah Isabella. It's time for us to move I'm afraid: The dogs and co have caught on to where we are."
I didn't dignify that with a response, pointedly ignoring him. It sounded petulant, but I was hardly in the best of moods. Do you blame me? A part of me wanted to stand up to him, to snarl and bite and claw until he finally gave up this hopeless crusade, but the rational part of me was telling me that it was a very stupid thing to do. Trying to claw someone when there were thick and heavy chains dragging you down was easier said then done.
Where the hell he got these damn things I had no clue, but I was beginning to want to burn them to shreds. Edward, apparently displeased with my lack of a decent response, grabbed me by my scruff as I tried to dodge away, wincing at the pain. He yanked me close to the bars, and slowly wrapped his free hand around my chained throat.
Not only was he cutting off my oxygen, but the cold chain loops were digging deep into my neck, leaving red and angry marks. I flailed awkwardly, my limbs numb and uncooperative, as I tried to scratch him with my hind legs, or do anything to get him to release my throat.
"You DO NOT ignore me Isabella!"
He threw me to the back of the cage with a strong degree of force, causing me to land rather awkwardly on my already injured ribs. I was too busy inhaling air like it was the tastiest food on earth however to really concentrate on the pain. Without much further grace or care or even more abuse, he picked up the cage I was held captive in, and loaded it onto what could have been anything. I could hardly see, but judging by the soft smell of rubber, I would guess I was in a trailer.
Further using my powers of deduction, I came to the conclusion that something was blocking the outside of the cage. Something that Edward could pull back whenever he felt like it, it seemed. Trying to ignore the odd dilution of my senses that I had slowly gotten used to, and the confining nature of the chains and cage, I tried to look for anything that I could to help the wolves find me. It seemed like they were on our tail, if Edward felt the need to move.
And I was glad, because while I had enhanced durability due to my wolf, there was only so much I could take. Licking my wounds, I could faintly hear the sound of metal meeting metal, like a door closing, but it was difficult to make out. Whatever Edward had done to dull my senses was working too well for my liking: and left me with a sense of weakness that I fought hard to conceal.
Like many other things. The dulled sounds and the vibrations of an engine came to my notice, before the air became noticeably thinner, and my ears began to feel like they were popping. Something else to add to my 'What I Despise About This Scenario: Bella's Discomforts and Felt Iniquities'.
That should be the name of my memoirs- although they would have to be pretty damn edited. I could hardly mention the whole 'Vampire Vs Wolves' thing could I? That was something to think about later, one of many half finished thoughts created to try and distract me.
However, there was one thing that I knew for certain- we were in the air. Having been on many flights in my lifetime, I had grown to recognise the feeling of going into the air. And if that realisation didn't make my stomach feel like it was about to plummet, then I don't know what would.
Author's Note
Did I use a Panic! At The Disco Song twice for a chapter title? Yep. Do I care? Not really. I really like the band.
On another note of borrowing something, 'We're in the Endgame now'. Quite an apt phrase, I think, to be used in this circumstance. Once Jacob and Co have found Bella, we'll be finally seeing the outcome- Will Edward be cured? Will he be mangled? What will the consequences be? Several questions that presumably will need to be answered.
Right, time to talk about Reviews. Thank you, to everyone who reviews! I really do appreciate it. I do send you all replies back, but for the guest reviewers or for people who have PM's disabled, I'll quickly address you guys here.
MammaNita4 - Thank you for your several reviews, across the now numerous chapters of this story. I read every single one, and I really appreciate all of your comments. I'm sorry I haven't mentioned your other ones, or addressed them. I always mean to, but I've got the memory like a sieve on the best of days. So, my apologies about that. Bella's shield was on, but it doesn't have a physical manifestation as of yet, so while it protected Bella and Charlie from the telepath part, it couldn't protect them physically. I hope that clears it up.
Tabi123 - Thank you for your review for last chapter. I really appreciate your support, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I can't say I'll never stop, but I'll keep going until I physically can't! I hope that's an okay compromise. Also, if you've drawn fanart, I'd love to see it! But only if you'd want to, of course. I've never had someone, other then me, draw something for my stories. I really, really, really, appreciate it! And in regards to the typos, I do try to double check for errors, but sometimes they slip in, unnoticed by me. I'll try to improve on it, so I'm grateful for the comment.
With that concluded, I don't really have much else to say. Haven't got much to mention either. I'm in England now? For those of you who are interested, I'm here to see my family, who I only see once or twice a year. Other then that, not much has happened. So here's the weekly question, if you could have any celebrity as a friend, who would it be? I think it would either be Brendon Urie (of Panic! At The Disco. Seriously, who doesn't like his joy and cheer and musicianability [Yes, that's a word I've just created] or Tom Holland (His accent is amazing, and has a similar infectious laughter and joy as Brendon has. Helps that he's a Marvel Lover)
One, final, final thing. If anyone wants to ask me any questions, please feel free. I'm pretty open to most questions, provided it isn't asking after my address.
Anyway, I need to go get food. I'm starved.
Have a nice week and I hope to see you next time!
~Cait