Disclaimer: Don't own Twilight. Just playing in the sandbox.
AN: Oh Lord, this was hard to write. Has taken me all week! Actually wrote the second half first. It's split into two part because of the separate P. but should still be easy to read. This is the last chapter of Book Two ~ Hannah
Reviews for Chapter Forty-Four:
Arkytior's Song - I feel like you're going to shout at me again for this chapter :) like you did for Chapter 44 but hopefully in a good way?
Emz Fan - I've updated, yay. Sorry for the cliff-hanger but they're so fun to write!
Adela - Thanks
GraceEllingson - I assume I've shocked you? May this chapter bring you back.
Chapter Forty-Five – Rescue Me
Bella P.O.V – Part 1
Ella was amazing, her performance was by far the best of the lot and that ending with the smoke and the disappearing act was very well done. By this point everyone had taken up their positions yet I remained in the audience with Dad and Christine. I first new something was wrong when my gut twisted painfully. People didn't think twin intuition was a real thing but I knew it to be real. Even before Adrian came back with a scowl of worry upon his face did I know that something had gone wrong. With a glance towards Christine, I headed off with Adrian.
We should have told Dad, it's not fair that he knows of the supernatural world but we keep him excluded.
"What happened? What went wrong?"
"They're gone."
"What do you mean they're gone?"
"I mean they used the smoke as a distraction, or rather Marco did. We found Sophie backstage unconscious. A camp nurse is treating her now."
"What do we do?"
"Where would he have taken her?"
"Adrian, where would he go to escape being hunted?" asked Rose.
"The only place I can think of is the in-between world."
"Can you take us there?"
"Yes, but it'll be tricky. It's not easy to get there. There's a rite of passage ritual that needs to be performed to open the gate, if we gather all the ingredients in time we'll be able to open the gate at midnight but…"
"What?"
"Time passes differently in the in-between. An hour in there could be days out here. There's no way of knowing how long we'll be gone or how long Ella will have been stuck there when we arrive."
"Ok, plan of action. Christine will keep Charlie safe. Angela will go with Adrian and Tyler and gather the ingredients to use in the ritual. Bella will pack a small bag of clothes for Ella, including a first aid kit and—"
"What will you two do?" I asked Rose.
"Phone Alice. I don't care what Edward's doing, we need our family home now."
"So, this is the plan to rescue Ella?" I asked to which the group around me nodded.
"Adrian can the ritual be done anywhere? Or does it need to be in a particular place?" asked Rose.
"No, it can be done anywhere."
"Ok, meet back at our house eleven tonight, later if you're still gathering ingredients," she said.
Seven hours to pack a bag seemed a bit much but as I was barely holding myself together as it was, I guess I could use those seven hours to my advantage. I cannot tell you how I was still standing tall and not lying on the ground unmoving. Ella meant everything to me and to know that she had been taken from me wasn't something I wanted to entertain for long. I just wanted her back in my arms.
I cannot explain the feeling of not being able to sense my twin. It made me feel all sick inside. Nothing else mattered to me right now other than getting her back where she belonged.
Between my tears and my panic, packing took longer than I thought. I packed her favourite clothes and her favourite teddy bear but decided to buy a first aid kit from the local grocery store. Better that than Dad ask me what I was doing. I had nothing to do but twiddle my thumbs and I hated it.
[x]
The darkness of night rolled in slowly. I guess it was like the saying goes, time drags when you watch it. My truck spluttered to life as I drove towards the Cullen's home. Every inch of my brain was determined to bring Ella home, there was no room for failure.
The Cullen home always represented safety which was odd considering they were Vampires. In the darkness, it was lit up, looking warm and inviting, an escape from the cool air that was descending upon us.
Adrian, Angela and Tyler were already there. I could see them out the back of the Cullen property. I didn't want to interrupt them when they looked so involved in the task at hand. Everything rested on them getting the ritual right, without the ritual, we couldn't open the gate and find Ella.
"They got everything on time?" I asked Rose.
"Yes. Speared by determination I think."
"How'd it go, talking to Alice?"
"Very well I should think as it bought me home."
"Alice!"
I ran to hug her, excited to see the small Vampire.
"It bought everyone home," said Rose.
I followed her gaze and saw all the Cullen's standing before me. My eyes found Edward's last and hardened.
"Edward," I said coolly.
"I know. I'm sorry."
I glared at him some more before turning away.
"Are you all coming?"
"No, just Alice and Edward are accompanying you. Jasper is going to wait here with Esme and I'm going to the hospital. You'll need a Doctor on your return I'm sure."
"Did Adrian tell you he didn't know how long we'd be gone?" I asked.
"He did but if you bring Ella safely home, I do not mind how long it takes."
It still amazed me all this time later, how deeply Ella effected the lives of others. The Cullen's saw her as family. They'd left to protect her and they'd returned to save her. She was lucky.
We'd been kept out of the ritual, Adrian didn't want us to interfere with what was happening. I understood but it would have been wonderful to watch it take place. Sometimes I wished I was a little bit magical but then I'd remember how clumsy I was and how the two wouldn't mix.
When a bright white light shot out from where the ritual was taking place, I knew it was time.
"Stay safe," had been the parting words from Carlisle.
I felt nervous, fearful even. The boost of confidence Jasper had let out was welcomed but not enough to remove my feelings of doubt.
Adrian guided each of us through the gate with Tyler waiting on the other side of us. I don't know what I expected of this in-between world but it wasn't this. It felt like I'd stepped into Willy Wonka's World. Everything had a sugar like theme to it with a gloss coat of very pigmented colour. I felt like I needed to wear sunglasses to look at everything without squinting. At the same time, all this colour seemed fake. Like it would disappear at any moment and walking through it felt like I was walking through thick mud. Almost immediately I wanted to leave, there was something about this place that didn't seem right.
"How are we going to find her?" asked Edward.
"Angela cast a finding spell, all we have to do follow the cord coming from the object in her hands and it will lead us to Ella."
"Adrian this place is weird," I said.
"That's why it's called the in-between place. You aren't meant to stay here indefinitely. There are many in-between places all over. This one is specifically relates to the ground between the human and fey worlds. That's why it's overly bright."
"This 'walking through mud' feeling isn't going to go away then?"
"Not likely, it's a measure to prevent people spending too much time here. It's probably worse for you because you're human, I'm sorry."
"The cord is leading us this way," came Angela's voice from the front of the queue.
We all began walking while trying not to get annoyed at how difficult the walk was. The fact that the Cullen's seemed to have as much difficulty walking as the rest of us was a big deal. It made me feel better about my own annoyance.
Adrian had been right about time moving differently in the in-between. Already I couldn't tell how long we'd been here. On the one hand, it didn't feel like that long but on the other hand when I tried to think about it, my thoughts became confused and muddled.
I knew I shouldn't be thinking of this but I couldn't help but notice that our rescue mission could benefit from some high-tension music. I was starting to think that the in-between effected humans more than just the difficulty in walking. Never had my mind wander so in a situation that commanded seriousness. I would have slapped myself across the face if I thought it would make a difference. Trying not to focus on the confusion within my mind, I walked with determination and took in the faces of those around me.
Unsurprisingly it was Edward whose face I gravitated towards looking. The summer had been dragging along so slowly that I'd lost sight of the fact that he might return. Call me a protective Mother hen but I had to look out for my sister. I knew she loved Edward with every fibre of her being but I also knew that she was hurt by Edward's leaving, however much she tooted that she was not.
Edward's face was almost unreadable except for the twitch in his eye and the tightness in his jaw. He was coming to realise, I think, just how serious the situation before us was. I don't think he ever believed that Ella would be in danger without them here to protect her. I don't think he'd thought that far ahead. Knowing that his one goal – protecting her – had failed had to be hard on him. Despite my cold attitude towards him, I did feel for him. He wanted Ella back as much as I did and that put us on the same side.
Whatever situation we found Ella in, she would be changed by her experiences and changed in a way none of us knew. Even Alice, couldn't see the future clearly and therefore couldn't give us any words of comfort. Ella had suffered a lot in life, I knew first-hand how she'd been at the hands of our Mother and how she had risen from the ashes once we'd moved from Forks. I worried how she'd cope with this latest situation. How far can you push someone before they break? I didn't mean to think so negatively, but someone had to think of the fallout. My top priority was to care for my sister as she would care for me. Once all of this was over, she was going to need someone who stood by her side and did not judge her. Looking at the faces around me, I knew that job was going to fall on my shoulders. I didn't mind and I could take it willingly. Everyone needed a supporter in life, some more than others.
"How long have we been walking for Adrian?" I asked.
"It's difficult to tell. The sooner we find her the better. It feels longer than a couple of hours doesn't it."
"The cord is getting stronger, there are other colours entwined now. I think we're getting close," said Angela.
That got excitement from most of the party. I could hear my heart rate escalate. Alice glanced at me worriedly but I shrugged her off.
"What are we going to do when we find her? Considering that she is probably still with Marco?" asked Rose.
"I say we pummel him," replied Emmett.
"While I'd like nothing more than to do that Emmett, we have to consider that he'll be holding her hostage. I wouldn't want to hit Ella by accident, no, we need someone to talk to him rationally before we make any sudden moves."
"Are any of us rational right now?" I asked.
"I'll do it," said Edward.
"Really? Are you sure you're in the right frame of mind for that?"
"Not particularly but I do have control of my emotions. Besides if I can hear him then I can interrogate him on a deeper level."
"Getting inside his head would give us an advantage. I vote Edward be the main speaker, I'll step in if needs be," said Adrian.
They seemed to be the obvious choices in the party, however much I agreed with Emmett, I knew that violence wasn't the best option with someone so mentally unstable. Speaking of mentally unstable, I caught a glimpse of something out in the distance. Too far for my human eyes to make out what it was but enough to know that it was indeed something.
"What's that?" I asked, unconcerned that I was stating the obvious.
I was met with grumbles of 'not sure' and 'I don't know', till Adrian answered with the words everyone was hoping for.
"It's what we're looking for."
Fierce determination entered my heart and the hearts of those around me as we fought our way through the mud like slowness to reach what we searched for before it disappeared.
I'm coming Ella, hold on.
[x]
Ella P.O.V – Part 2
It had to be a mirage, there was no way that Edward was standing before me now. I wasn't worthy of his presence. I wasn't worthy of anyone's presence. I knew because I had the marks to prove it. It felt like weeks since Marco had captured me, weeks of putting up with his rambling, weeks of begging him to let me go and weeks of being trapped in my mind.
I knew my mind was free from his powers but it was stuck with my own sinister thoughts. The fire I'd had to keep him talking had withered with each passing moment I was left without rescue. There was a bruise on my forearm from where I told him I didn't love him. There was a cut on my knee from when I fought to get away from him and the pain from my face wound had never lessened. Whether it was infected or not I had no idea but it burned with pain each time I changed my facial expression.
There was an evil in Marco that had festered and grown with each passing hour. It was a crazed evil that would have gotten a human locked up for life. He rambled to himself over in the corner before darting his beady eyes towards me and yanking me to a new destination.
We were constantly on the move, never stopping for more than a couple of hours. I couldn't tell the difference between day and night in the in-between world. There was no way to tell the time here. I was exhausted.
What was I doing? Where was I? Wait! Edward was here! Wasn't he?
I wanted to scream from my conflicted thoughts. Maybe I was going insane, maybe that was the cost of being kidnapped was. Blinking did nothing to remove the mirage of Edward that stood before me. He looked so lost, so sad and so guilty. I didn't understand his emotions, he wasn't real. He was never real, Marco said he was a figment of my imagination. Someone like Edward would never want someone like me.
"Ella, can you hear me?"
What is that angelic voice? Why is it talking to me?
I could see other people crowding my vision but I couldn't put names to faces at present. My soul seemed to know them but my mind didn't. Marco grabbed me from behind, he didn't like these people, these strangers. They'd try to take me away, he whispered sweet nothings in my ear but they were more like psychotic ramblings. His grip on me was tight, he wasn't going to let me go, not for anyone.
"Ella…"
My gaze was drawn to a girl. She had long brown hair and brown eyes, her face was kind. My soul sang for her, pulling me in and comforting me in my anguish. I knew this girl but how? Whoever she was she was safe.
"Let her go Marco."
"I won't she's mine. We're forever after."
"She was never yours Marco. Look what you've done to her. Where has Ella gone?"
"I'm right here," I said quietly.
"Yet you aren't Ella and you can't see how lost you are."
Who was this man to tell me who I was? Didn't I know who I was? What was my name? Ella? Marco was the only thing that made sense.
"Marco this has gone on for too long. Whatever you thought to achieve has failed. Give her up before you meet your doom."
"Can't, can't give her up. She's mine, mine. You can't take her, if you take her I'm dead."
"If I leave her with you, she's dead."
"No, no. I love Ella. Ella loves me. Separating us will only cause us pain."
"What happened to Ella Marco? There is a lot of blood, what happened to her face?"
"It was an accident. She was being disobedient. She needed to learn."
There were gasps all around. Gasps were bad. My face hurt. Marco hurt me. Marco was bad?
"Can you not see what you've done to Ella? Look at the bruises."
"I love Ella."
"Yet you hurt her."
"No, no. I teach her. She must leave the past behind. No more friends, no more family and no more Edward. She has to be alone for me to have her."
"Adrian, we're getting nowhere with this line of questioning. We need to get her out of here."
"You lose Marco."
"Wait, wait, WAIT!" I shouted.
Everyone and everything seemed to stop.
"What's that?"
They looked where I pointed. Like a sand storm a great cloud of black seeped from every corner of the in-between land and began moving towards us. It was intense, the blackness was so full and yet so empty. It was like staring into nothingness. It made my heart ache.
"No, no, no, he's found us. Ella, we must run. He can't find us, he can't get us."
"What is that?" asked someone.
"Ella please."
"Is that the Master?"
"His power."
Marco tried to get me to run with him but my feet were glued to the floor. I couldn't move. His arms seemed to burn against my skin and he quickly removed them. He was in a full-blown panic, hysterically chanting to himself and his movements agitating. I couldn't concentrate on the noise around me when I had to concentrate on myself.
Something was in my mind. Something dark and twisted. A shadow perhaps? What was it? I don't know but it engulfed my mind in total darkness, took away my sense and left me in the darkness alone. I felt my heart cry out in pain yet I could nothing to stop what was happening. I had never thought darkness to be scary, to be so consuming. This was unlike anything I could have imagined. I hated it. I immediately wanted to get rid of it but how could I? The darkness tried to comfort me like it would a child but I wasn't falling for it. Whatever was in my mind was crazy, it wanted me and it was only a matter of time until it got me.
It wouldn't take me now though, not with so many witnesses.
I heard the screams before my eyes opened. The darkness was still there, trying to pull me under but for now I was stronger. Marco did not go without a fight, he must have ripped his nails clean off his fingers the way he desperately clawed along the ground and tried not to be pulled away. The darkness was unrelenting, it did not give up on its mission to reclaim Marco for its own.
What had Marco said all that time ago? I was his mission, he'd been asked to befriend me for another. That that other come to collect? Marco had failed, hadn't he? Instead of turning me over he'd kept me as a pet. He wanted me for himself and the Master wouldn't have liked that. The Mater only liked darkness it seemed. As the darkness took Marco away it retreated from where it came. Slowly the in-between world went back to normal but the darkness lingered in my mind. It seemed like it was whispering to me, whispering of things to come.
"Soon…"
The darkness left suddenly, my view of those in front of me was blurry. A different kind of darkness greeted me.
[x]
I knew I was in the hospital even before I opened my eyes. Between the smell and the gentle hum of machines there was no other place I could have been. Since I'd moved to Forks I'd been in the hospital more than ever. The world was a blurry haze of images and colours. None of which I could really work out.
I was surprised that my face didn't throb as I'd become accustomed to it doing. Noticing the IV in my arm, I guessed that was helping with the pain. My face felt rugged but not as bad as the time in the in-between. Looking at my body – or at least what was above the hospital sheet – I noticed several little nicks and bruises and was startled to realise I didn't know what they were from. Had I really retreated into my mind that far?
"Bella," I whispered, my voice hoarse.
No one came running, so I tried again, "Bella." I was louder this time, at least it sounded louder to my ears.
"Ella? Ella!"
She came running then, but careful of my injured state, Bella merely wrapped my hands into her own and squeezed tightly. She looked worn out, anxious and sad. Tears leaked out of her eyes and I wished I had the ability to move and catch them from her face but the mere thought of moving made me want to groan in pain.
"Hi Bella."
She giggled but it was a wet crying version.
"I'm sorry."
"No, no, I'm sorry. Ella, we failed you."
"You didn't fail me."
"We did. We should have been more aware. We should have protected you."
"Bella. This wasn't anyone's fault except Marco. We were dealing with things we had no knowledge of. How were we going to fight that?"
"Please don't talk so rationally. I can't even begin to understand what you went through but I know you Ella and you don't have to keep things so contained."
"I, I don't remember what happened."
"Really? Are you being serious? How could you not remember?"
"Where's Dad Bella?"
I didn't even want to entertain the thoughts of what had happened to me. I wasn't lying to Bella, most of what had happened I didn't remember but what I did, I didn't want to think of. I was another person during my time in the in-between. I didn't want to remember who that person was and what that person had gone through. I would have to talk about it one day but that day wasn't today.
"He went to get some food but Ella he's so angry."
"I'd expect nothing less."
"Ella, you don't realise. You were gone for two weeks. Dad really lost his shit and he's so angry at us and you."
"Oh."
"He's going to punish you, I know it."
"What about you?"
"I've already received my punishment. Two weeks without seeing Adrian. I can talk to him on the phone but he's not allowed to come around our house and I'm not allowed to go to his."
"I knew we should have told him."
"We all make mistakes."
I resisted the urge to touch my face. I'm sure my jerky hand movements didn't go unnoticed by Bella but she subtly ignored them. Between my broken foot and my scarred face, I was going to cause a lot of whispers when school started once more.
"Ella, you haven't asked me about the others who found you."
"I'm sorry, how are Adrian, Tyler, Angela, Rose and Emmett?"
"They're fine but that's not what I meant."
"He wasn't real. Just a figment."
"I'm quite real, I assure you."
Bella hopped away from my bed as Edward appeared by my side. He hadn't changed a bit, not that I expected him too. I thought I had stopped imagining him long ago but perhaps my mind was still trying to cope. Perhaps this mirage of Edward was what I needed in my life.
"You cannot be real."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because I made you up. You were just a fantasy."
"I was never a fantasy. I have been yours Ella, since the moment we met."
"You're not real."
"How can I persuade you otherwise?"
"I have no answer for you."
"Hello Ella."
"Alice?"
I remembered this person, this flighty pixie. I had memories of her in my mind.
"Alice, we were talking," said Edward.
"Hmph! With your talking I would have had to wait days to reunite with Ella."
"She doesn't remember us."
"No, she doesn't remember you and I doubt she wants us to talk like she isn't here. Ella, you're going to be fine. I know your head is all jumbled up right now but I promise that's just because of the hospital medication and your time in the in-between. Give it a couple of days and all your memories of us will return. I give you my word."
"Alice is never wrong you know," said Bella.
"Are the others outside?"
"Yeah, we didn't want to overwhelm you and bring everyone in at once," said Bella.
I yawned.
"Tired?"
I nodded.
"Try and get some sleep."
"Will you be here when I wake?" I asked while looking only at Bella. "All of you," I added.
"We wouldn't be anywhere else."