Chapter 16 – Blind
I dashed out of the room as Charlie came into the house. I called Jasper and told him to stay away from the house for now. He agreed, "Send Emmett. I want to follow this trail. He's really getting on my nerves." "Mine too." I paced the forest outside my house, watching Bella through everyone's minds. "What the hell happened?" Charlie demanded. "Car accident. Alice saw the whole incident." Alice played her role, "I saw the truck in the middle of the road. When I recognized it was Bella's truck, I just had to get her to Carlisle. I was on my way home from Port Angeles." Charlie sighed, "Thank you, Alice." What could have caused her truck to slide off the road? Charlie was planning on staying the night. Esme offered him my bedroom. Edward, do you mind? "No. I'm not going to be in there tonight." My phone vibrated. "Jasper?" He sighed, "He went over the treaty line, again." I growled, "This is getting frustrating. This is the second time he's tried to kill Bella. By the way, Charlie is here for the night." "Then meet me in the clearing. We could keep searching." "Not tonight, Jasper. I cannot leave her." "I think she'll be safe in our house, Edward, but I understand. Keep an eye on her. This one is getting brave. He must know we're here and he's still trying."
Charlie sat in with Bella for more than an hour, but Esme convinced him to go to sleep. There was a spare bed in the basement, which was always intended it for my room. While Charlie was with Bella, Esme and Alice put it together. When Charlie was in my room, I scaled the house and went through Alice's bedroom window. Alice was in her closet, putting away Bella's clothes. She changed Bella into a set of pajamas. Alice had experience taking care of Bella, being her primary caretaker when her leg was broken. Alice sighed deeply, trying to choke back her sob, "This is really scary. Whoever this person is, we have to stop him. If Emmett and Jasper weren't there, I don't even what to think about what could have happened." I'm so glad I didn't have a vision of what could have happened. I hugged Alice tightly, "I know, Alice. We'll figure this out and stop him." "He keeps disappearing and I'm looking out for him, but I see things at the last minute." "At least we're here now and she's safe." I looked at Bella's sleeping body in the bed and Alice looked back, "You're going to stay here?" I nodded. "I didn't need a vision to know that. When I've seen when she wakes up, I'll let you know." Alice opened the door to Rosalie, who was looking at Bella. "How is she?" "Emmett and Jasper got there in time." Rosalie closed her eyes and snarled, "Did they find anything?" Alice looked at Rosalie, "No." Rosalie looked down at Alice, then to me, "I know you're both thinking since when do I care about Bella, right?" Alice and I shared a glance, but neither of us answered. Rosalie shook her head, "I may have my issues with her, but what I don't like is one of our kind picking on her for some unknown reason. She is innocent and it's not right. I think it's wrong that someone stronger is purposely hurting someone weaker."
Alice began to smile, but I just stared at her. Alice left the room, quietly. Rosalie looked at Bella, This is really despicable. She's just a girl. I hope we find this monster soon. Her mind drifted to her own misfortune of being the weaker one being hurt by someone stronger. I can't wait to rip him apart. I blinked several times, "Rosalie, you're serious about this?" Rosalie looked at me, "Yes. You know it happened to me, but far worse." All the memories I've most and that one I cannot forget. "I never told you that I thought you did the right thing in Port Angeles that night you saved her. You were just far better than me." I half-smiled, "That's true. You still think about that night you killed Royce and smile about it." She smirked to herself and shrugged, "I know it was wrong, but at the time, it felt right. In a way, I wish Bella was one of us, so she could have the same thing." I sighed, "I don't think she would have." Rosalie smiled, "Edward, first, she's a woman. And second, she has a bad temper. Combine those factors with being a newborn, she would have." I laughed and she joined me. "I'll leave you two alone." I nodded, "Thank you, Rose." I heard a phone ring from the floor above, "Hey Billy. Yea, I'm at the Cullen's house. Carlisle examined her, she's fine. She's asleep." "Dad, let me talk to him." I snarled under my breath at my impatient rival. "Charlie, Charlie, how is she? Where are you?" "At Dr. Cullen's place. Alice brought her here." "The Cullens! Charlie, she should be at the hospital!" Charlie sighed, "Jake, I know how you feel about them, but Dr. Cullen is the best doctor at the hospital. And he's doing a major favor by seeing her at his house." Jacob groaned, "Whatever. I just wanted to see her." "Jake, she's resting right now. You could see her tomorrow." "She'll be home tomorrow?" "I think so. But I have to go. It's been a long day and her mom is on the other line."
I shook my head. Bella moaned lightly in her sleep, but remained unconscious. I went to lay in bed with Bella. I put my arm over her and she exhaled deeply in her sleep. I laid with Bella for hours, keeping her cradled in my arms. This was getting out of hand. This one was trying to kill Bella, but for what reason? She shook her head against the pillow, making her hair graze my face. I had to take my mind of this evening's events. I thought about our summer together. All those summer nights, which seemed endless. Those nights when I would persuade her to sleep, but she insisted on staying awake to speak to me. The times I refused to go on extended hunting trips with my family, because I refused to be apart from her. The times we stayed in my room, for hours, when she would just let me hold her. My mind drifted to other fantasies; to all the places I wanted to take her. I thought about taking her to New York. When James was hunting her, that was the first place I thought of. Taking her to all the theaters and museums; she would have loved them.
It felt like I was dreaming when Alice's warning drifted in, Charlie's coming to check on her before he leaves for work. I lifted my head and looked towards the door. No, couldn't he just leave without checking on her? Of course not, he was her father. I waited in Alice's closet, when Esme and Charlie came into the room. "Don't worry, Charlie. As soon as she wakes up, I'll call you myself." He sighed, "Thank you, Esme. Really. You have no idea how much of a help you are to her." Esme smiled, "Don't thank me, Charlie." "No, I should. You really have been like a mother to her." "Charlie, to me, Bella is one of my daughters." "Even with the whole….. thing, you still….?" Esme sighed, "What happened between Edward and Bella is their business. It was mine and Carlisle's idea to end their relationship. We thought it would be easier for both of them. We were wrong, so very wrong." More than you'll ever know. She smiled, "But we can discuss this later. Bella needs peace."
I hung my head in shame. It was wrong for Esme and Carlisle to take the blame for my poor judgment. There were so many I had to make amends with. I resumed my post with Bella, holding her while she slept.
The muted light of day woke me up. I groaned as I sat up. My torso was sore. I looked from side to side and groaned again. "Bella?" I looked up to Edward, who was sitting on the bed next to me. "What happened?" I whispered. He moved closer to me, brushing my hair, "What do you remember?" I blinked wildly, "I was driving home and I hit something?" He sighed, "It was that vampire again." My eyes widened, "What?" "We were so foolish to let you go home alone. I should have stayed and on gone hunting later." I sighed, "My truck?" "It's totaled. Jasper moved it to the side of the road and took down a tree, making it seem like you skidded of the road. He turned the truck over onto its wheels. It looked like you slammed into a tree and it landed on your truck." I closed my eyes, "Why is he after me?" I shook my head, "I don't know, but I'm going to find out. He is going too far." I laid down on the pillows, slowly, "Where's Charlie?" "He was here. He came to see you after Carlisle examined you. He slept in my room." I arched an eyebrow and made a face, "Just when I got over my shoulder, this happens."
"I am so sorry, Bella." "Edward, this isn't your fault." The door opened, "Oh good, you're awake." Esme sat on the bed, "Would you stop scaring me like that?" I smiled, "You were scared? How do you think I felt?" Edward got up, "I'll be back." He was gone for more than an hour. Alice stayed with me, making sure I didn't lift a finger. "Emmett was wrong. You baby me too." "Ha ha. In this case, you need to be." She shook her head, "If those dogs weren't in the way, we could have stopped this one in no time." I looked away from her. "I know, I know, you don't like it when we talk about the wolves, but it doesn't make it any less true." I looked at her, "I know you're frustrated, Alice, but it will be over soon." She laid down next to me, "I hope so. He keeps trying to get to you and I don't know why. It's maddening. What if he tries to get you again?" I leaned my head on her shoulder, "You'll figure this out, Alice. I know you will." "But Bella, it's your life being put in danger." "Jasper caught his scent. He's running along the coast." Alice and I looked up at Edward standing in the doorway. Alice closed her eyes, "Tell Jasper he's going to go for the ocean."
Edward's phone was already in hand, warning Jasper. Alice sat up, "Bella, you're staying here today. And I don't want to hear another damn word about it." I looked out the window, "Whatever you want." Edward looked at me, "She's trying to watch him closely." I made a face, "I know. But you should know, tomorrow, I am going home." He blinked, "But Bella…" "Edward, you want to catch this one, then Emmett and Jasper is going to need all the help they can get. You all should be out there." I closed my eyes. I didn't want this. I didn't want them putting themselves in danger because of me, but I knew they were stronger as a family. "She's right, Edward," Rosalie was right behind him, "We have to stop him. He may start attracting attention and that's worse." Edward and Rosalie stared at each other. "Fine, in this regard, I think she'll be safe. But one of us is staying close." It was odd seeing Rosalie stand up for me and Edward agreeing with her. I hope they were finally starting to get along.
