I do not own Twilight.

Chapter Eight

'Bella, you ready to go?' Jess asked as we walked back to our cars after a long day of school.

It dragged more slowly than usual, because Edward was not here today. None of the Cullens were. I can guess why, the sun was unusually warm for around these parts, and this time. The official statement I've heard around school is that their parents take them out to go hiking and whatnot, but I know it's because if they stepped out into the sunlight their apparent 50,000 carat skin would make people suspicious. As if they already weren't.

Jess, Angela and I were strolling to my truck and her blue land rover. Our shopping trip was today, so we were going to drive to mine so I could dump my school bag and my truck (an extra purse and handbag waiting for me inside the front door of my house) then we could speed out of this place, and away from people. For a few hours I didn't have to be 'Bella Swan- chiefs daughter' or 'Bella Swan protector of people' I could be, just...Bella.

The sun had melted most of the snow, and it was just black slush now causing more death traps for the unrequited driver, it was still chilly so I wore a jacket.

'Sure Jess,' I answered. I drove in front, showing them the way to my house. It didn't deviate too much from our course to Port Angeles. Jess pulled up on the curb, and I ran in to retrieve my handbag- it was old, but spacious.

'So Bella, are you thinking for buying anything in particular?' Angela asked. Jess was driving now; the interior of her car was polyester and warm and there was soft rock music playing in the background. Angela looked bright in a yellow top, and smiled as she awaited my answer.

'Well...Edward asked me on a...date so I thought I'd get a new outfit...' I said hesitantly.

The reaction was instantaneous: Jess screeched and nearly drove herself off the road. Angela started spouting 'ohmigodohmigod...'

'Okay guys! Not a big deal!!!!' I shouted over the din.

'Not a big deal?!' Jess said actually turning around in her seat to look at me

'Jess...the road...'

'It's Edward Cullen!'

'So where's he taking you?' Angela said

'Well, we going to spend the day together' I said, trying to keep the excitement to a bare minimum.

'Wow....Edward Cullen....' Angela said dreamily.

'Don't worry...we are gonna make you hot' Jess said smiling broadly into her mirror.

'I look like a two-cent hooker' I said grumpily. Angela giggled and turned to admire herself in a lilac prom dress.

Jess was wearing a shocking pink cocktail dress and was checking me out with her eyebrows furrowed.

The dressing room only had us in it, obviously a slow afternoon. It was poky but private.

I was certainly glad it was private. Jess had got me to try on a dress-much to my reluctance- that was bright and 'fuck me red' as she put it and it was entirely made of leather.

'I don't think it's...uhm...appropriate for a whole day together' Angela said.

'Definitely not...' I agreed, 'but those dresses are lovely' I added.

We searched for another hour or so, until Jess found a stunning black prom dress and Angela found a gorgeous deep green one. I tried to find something a bit more casual but still said I made an effort.

Eventually, I settled on black jeans, some blue flat shoes, a sea-blue camisole top and a matching soft fabricated cardigan.

'Girl...you are going to knock him dead! But please get a different handbag!' Jess said admiring the full outfit.

'And what are you going to do with your hair?!' Angela said.

To appease them, I bought a new black handbag that had a long strap so I could hang it over my shoulder.

We left with our purchases; I stuffed mine in my own big bag so it wouldn't weigh me down.

'So you guys wanna go to the video store then onto the restaurant?' Jess said happily.

'Actually would you guys mind if I went to a book store then met you at the restaurant?' I asked, remembering that there were some books I wanted to buy.

'Ok, don't be late!'

The book store was musty and dry-smelling. I loved these sorts of stores, I drank in the atmosphere. The store clerk was extremely helpful, and I eventually came out with a few cook books, and some fiction. Laden with new things I stepped out into the Night.

It had an air of foreboding that was not there before.

The smell of stale sweat and beer assaulted my nostrils. I walked quickly down the street, which was practically empty. The whiff of masculine sweat and alcohol intensified.

'Hey baby? Where you going?' a voice cat called from behind me.

I was in a parking lot now, with still no people around. Panic rose in my throat. My pace quickened.

'Hey honey!' Another voice called, from in front of me. A chill ran down my spine.

From being alone on a cold dark night, I was suddenly surrounded by drunk and obviously horny men. I came to a complete stop, trying not to freak out.

There was about six of them, all built around the same: bulky, some with overhanging stomachs or the total opposite with steroidal muscles. I was already in defence mode. It was obvious what their intentions were.

'Hey honey, want some of this?' one of the sweaty meatheads leered at me, and grabbed his crotch.

I could kill every single one of these guys. My mind went through several effective ways of taking them out. They were closing in.

'Do not come any closer!' I said as loudly as I could.

'Ooooo! What you gonna do princess?' another one said mockingly. The anger rose like bile in my stomach and began to circulate in my body. The adrenaline began to pulsate in my ears.

'I'll kick your fucking ass!' I screamed at him.

Instead of answering, he made a grab at me, which I dodged and quickly morphing my hand into the paw of a leopard- I made precise swipes at his face. He hit the ground before a scream could even escape his mouth.

'Ahh Oh god you fucking bitch!' he whined clutching his face and rolling around in the dirt within the circle of his rape buddies. All of whom were angrily staring at me.

'You'll pay for that one kitty' a bald one sneered.

At that moment a car sped into the parking lot. Its headlights flooded the scene with light.

'Get in!' a voice said. His voice. I got a hold of my bag, and ran clear of the lot, where Edward stood silhouetted in the light like an avenging angel.

In a few disorientating seconds, we were speeding away from the scene.

'Are you alright?' he asked through clenched teeth.

'Are you alright' I fired back at him.

He laughed harshly through his still clenched teeth.

'Just distract me, so I won't go and tear those guys' heads off' he said with uncharacteristic violence in his voice.

'No, because we- I - should go and tear those guys heads off' I said grimly.

He looked sharply at me, studying my face.

'What?'

'Stop the car Edward.'

The streets weren't that busy now. It must have been late, but there were still a few people milling around by brightly lit restaurants.

Edward cruised along for a few seconds longer, before parking the car neatly in a designated spot. The silence in the car, without the rhythmic movement of the wheels was disconcerting.

'Edward,' I started 'It is my duty to go back there and...Incapacitate those men.'

'What are you talking about?' he demanded 'you nearly got yourself killed! You didn't hear what they were thinking...' he realised what he said, and looked at me nervously.

'What were they thinking Edward?' I asked and when he didn't reply, I asked another question.

'Did they think about other girls, about raping them and leaving them to die?' I said harshly 'I will stop them, with or without your permission'

'Please Bella...I don't know...' he struggled with his own thoughts and feelings 'If you got hurt...'

I sighed. 'Edward, I can hold my own. I have killed a few of your kind before.' I said daringly.

It was true. A Mutator formarum's job is primarily to protect human life and in the line of duty, I had been up against a few new born vampires, totally insane with bloodlust.

Edward stared open mouthed.

'What...are you?' he whispered.

'Save it for our date...if it's still on?' I asked.

He nodded silently.

'Excellent, because I just bought a new outfit.' I said without humour as I got out the car.

'Where are you going?' he said panicking.

'To find them.' I said simply

'Get in the car Bella' he said irritably 'we'll find them together'

'Excellent, But let me just phone Jess and Angela let them know I'm ok' I said, remembering them.

I flipped out my aged cell phone.

'Jess?' I said after it rung four times.

'Bella where the hell are you?!'

'I'm So Sorry guys! I got totally lost, and you'll never guess who I ran into?'

There was lot of squawking when I told her Edward had offered to drive me home, and she said that she would forgive me, if she and Angela could help me get ready for the date.

'Ok, Jess see ya later' I said quickly shutting the phone.

I got back in the car.

'So I'm giving you a ride home?' Edward accused.

'Not unless you don't want to, Edward.' I could just run home, in fact it would be exhilarating.

He looked at me weirdly 'let's just get this over with'.