Thank you to everyone who has put this on story alert, and to those who have reviewed. I'm sorry that it takes me so long to update, but real life gets in my way. I will try to be more diligent from now on. I hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer: The great Stephenie Meyer owns these characters. I just had an idea.
EPOV
I had to get out of there. I couldn't be in close proximity of anyone right now. I was on an emotional overload, and I didn't want to snap. So I did what I did best. I ran. Straight up the stairs to my room, closing and locking the door. I played my Hinder cd, cause it was loud enough to effectively block out the world right now. I didn't want to think about anything. I didn't want to feel anything but the pounding beat of the music. I just wanted to be numb, wash away in a sea of nothingness. Escaping into my own little world was what I did best, creating my own personal happy place. A place in my mind where I wasn't some almost deaf freak, where I had parents who loved me, and cared for me. A place where there was no sadness, no pain, only love.
I laid there for 20 minutes, absorbing the deep bass and drum beats, letting them flow through my body into my soul. No one had come up to tell me to turn it down, so I guess it's not that loud. The only one who might have a problem would be Bella, and if she had a problem with Hinder, then I'd have a problem with her. Everyone should love Hinder. After listening for about 10 more minutes, I decided to take a shower. I felt kinda dingy from all the driving today, and I didn't feel like going to sleep dirty. I got up from my bed, stretched, and walked over to my suitcase. I stared in confusion at the empty interior after I had opened it. My clothes were gone. I turned to the closet and opened the door cautiously. Someone had unpacked all my clothes for me and put them in their proper places. I turned to the dresser and opened the top drawer. All my underwear and socks were in there. I pulled out some clean boxers and my sleep pants, laying them to the side. I popped out my hearing aids, placing them in their protective case, then put that on the nightstand next to my bed. The last thing I needed was to lose those and have to constantly say "huh? what?" That got annoying.
Pulling my clothes off, I wrapped a towel around my middle and opened the door slowly. I had left my music blaring, so if they were going to disturb me, they would think I was still in there. I crossed the hallway cautiously. The last thing I needed was someone catching me almost naked. I slipped through the bathroom door, closing it behind me. I didn't bother to lock it. I wouldn't be in there long, and they were all still watching the movie, so I had some time to kill. Standing in front of the mirror, I watched myself. I flexed my muscles, admiring the way they bunched and bulgded. I wasn't conceited about my looks, but I liked to take care of myself. Working out was a great way to release tension and stress, and I had a lot of both. I brushed my teeth while I was there, giving myself more time in the shower. I liked to relax under the water, letting the heat sooth my muscles. Removing my towel, I placed it on the hook by the shower door, then turned on the water. The first burst of water was icy cold, so I let my fingers test it till it was as hot as I could stand. Steam poured out of the glass enclosure, as I stepped under the water. This was the nicest shower I had ever been in. The showerhead gave the illusion of rainfall, and there were several jets down the side of the shower, hitting various parts of my body. I couldn't help the sigh that escaped my lips.
After I got my relaxing out of the way, I grabbed the first bottle of shampoo I saw. I chuckled to myself as I read the label. Strawberry. I wasn't a strawberry kind of guy. Don't get me wrong, it smells nice and all...but not on me. I replaced the bottle, and after going through a few of the other ones, I found one that said for men on the side. This one smelled manly, so I poured a dollop into my hand, leaned my hair back in the water to get it nice and wet, then lathered up my hair. 30 seconds of scrubbing was enough, so I leaned in and rinsed out my hair. I grabbed the body wash, and almost reached for one of the body poufs, but thought against it. I'm a guy. I can use my hand. So I scrubbed down my body, making sure I was nice and clean. I couldn't help standing under the water a little more, letting it pour down my body, relaxing me even further.
I figured I was done, so I reached down and turned off the water. I squeezed the excess water out of my hair and turned to the door, pulling it open. And I was frozen. I couldn't move, couldn't think, couldn't talk. She was there, staring at me. She didn't move, I didn't move. She just stared at me...naked. It took my brain a couple of second to register that fact, then it started working again. I covered myself as best I could with my hand, and I screamed at her.
"What the fuck!"
She stared another couple of seconds, then clapped her hand over her eyes and fumbled for the door. She was muttering something I couldn't hear, but I saw her lips move and it looked like some kind of an apology. She struggled with the door, then flung it open, throwing herself in the hall and running away. I tried to call for her, even though I wasn't sure why. For all intents and purposes, I should be pissed. I should want to yell and scream and holler. But I didn't. I don't know what I wanted to do, but I got a kind of sick glee from her staring at me. I stepped out, wrapping my towel back around my waist and headed for my room, not waiting to dry off. I didn't want to get caught naked again, so I locked my door. To say tomorrow was going to be interesting is an understatement. I have no doubt that Bella told at least one person about her little peep show. I was starting to feel embarrassment about this situation. I had just met these people, and now they'll think I walked around flashing people. I guess I shouldn't get too comfortable here. I'm sure I would be out of luck in the morning. I heard a thump outside my door, but I dismissed it. I put on my boxers and sleep pants and crawled into bed, letting the music take to my happy place. Maybe this will all be forgotten by morning.
BPOV
I didn't take long in the shower. I couldn't enjoy it the way I wanted to. I just got in and back out, performing only the basics to make myself clean. I wrapped a towel around my body, then a smaller one around my hair. I didn't want to hang out in here longer than necessary. I opened the door slowly, making sure the hallway was clear before I slipped out and to my bedroom next door. Pulling the towel off my hair, I sit down at the small vanity to brush out my long brown hair. Not a really hard job, just have to make sure the tangles are all out. I stand up to remove my towel and slip on a clean pair of panties. The next step in my nightly routine is a coat of lotion, then a tank top. Of course, my night routine was invented and enforced my Alice. She would know if I skipped a step. Hell, she knew if I even thought of skipping a step. Crazy little pixie.
I crawled under my covers, set my vibrating alarm clock, made sure the disc was under my pillow, and grabbed my ipod. I searched through my playlists till I found a mix that would be perfect. The first song, Foreigner's "Cold As Ice" blared through my ear buds. I loved 80s rock songs. Before I knew it, I was out like a light, and my dreams began.
"Bella...come back Bella. We aren't done with you yet."
I could hear them screaming for me, but I had to run. These people were after me. I don't even know why. I was apparently unconcious when they brought me here, and as I woke up, I was still disoriented. I couldn't make out much of what they were talking about, but I heard words like "evil", "vampire", and "destroy." The room had started to come into focus for me. There were about seven of them in there with me, all dressed alike, with yellow 'Light of Day Institute' t-shirts. I had heard of these people. They thought they were doing God's work, ridding the world of vampires. Why did they have me? Couldn't they tell I wasn't one of them? I had never even associated with a vampire. I moved my right leg and felt the heavy chain wrapped around it. There were chains wrapped around my other leg and both of my arms as well, and I was laying on what felt like some kind of examination table. I started to struggle, trying to get free.
"What the fuck is going on here? Who are you people and what the fuck do you want?"
"Quiet Bella." I looked at them in shock. "Yes. We know your name. We know all about you, and how you are consorting with vampires."
I had to laugh at that. "Consorting with vampires? You must be crazy. I don't know any vampires. Never have, never will. Your source must be off."
"We are never wrong."
I scoffed and continued to struggle. I wanted to be free, away from these nutballs. A crash and a yell outside had most of them running to see what it was. I heard the leader tell one of them to stay behind to watch me. I looked up at him. He looked like he didn't belong. His handsome face was too fresh and too innocent for this place.
"Please. Please. Help me. I didn't do anything wrong. Please."
I could see the emotions play over his face as his brain fought with what he had been taught and what he knew was right. He knelt down by my head and laid a hand on my forehead.
"Don't worry darlin'. I won't let anything happen to you. My name is Jason Stackhouse."
"I'm Bella Swan. Please. Help me."
"I'll help you. I thought this place was about God, but now I see it's an evil place." He undid the chains around my arms and legs and sat me up. I looked at him warily.
"Why are you doing this? Won't you get in trouble?"
"Probably. You remind me of my sister, Sookie. You have that same innocence she has. I can't let them hurt you. Now come on darlin'. Let's get you out of here quick. They'll be back soon."
He helped me down fromt he table and led me to the back door. Opening it slightly, he peeked out, then turned back to look at me. He kissed my cheek and hugged me tight. "Be careful little darlin'. You should be able to get away if you stick to the shadows. I hope I don't ever see you here again. God Bless You little girl."
I smiled and thanked him, then slipped out into the darkness. I had no idea where I was gonna go, or what I was gonna do when I got there, but I decided I didn't care. Anywhere was better than here. I could hear a lot of commotion in a lighted area to my left, so I went right, slipping in and out of the shadows. I knew exactly when they found out I was missing. They started screaming, running around calling my name. Those fools, like I was gonna answer them. I came across what looked like a clothes line, so I grabbed one of their shirts and a pair of shorts, trading them with my torn and dirty clothes. I was hoping that if I did manage to run into some others, they wouldn't recognize me. I tried to act as calm and cool as I possibly could, even though I was screaming on the inside. I rounded the corner of one of the cabins and came face to face with what looked like a huge party. They had a big bonfire, and they were dancing around and screaming. The smell around this circle was foul, almost like burning flesh. And I saw it. They had burnt someone alive. I had no idea what to do, so I just stared. Then it clicked in my head, and I ran. I ran away from that circle of death, trying to put some distance between myself and whoever it was that was on top of that bonfire.
I ran, and I was spotted. They had found me. I was officially terrified now. I knew I faced the same fate as that poor individual if they were to grab me again. So I started running down a road. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew they were behind me. Chasing me. Screaming for me.
And now to make matters worse, there was a car barrelling down the road towards me, it's engine rumbling loudly, it's headlights illuminating me and half the road. I turned to see the group of people getting closer. And I was getting tired, so tired. I didn't know how much longer I could keep this up. I couldn't run forever and they would get me. Suddenly, the car stopped about 500 feet from me, and both doors opened. I couldn't see who got out, but it was two people. I knew that if I was caught by them, I was a goner. I would be next weeks barbeque. I heard their boots crunching on the gravel road as they rounded the front of the car. I stared at them, but only saw black figures as they were lit from the back. Then I heard a voice that made me sigh.
"Bella? Is that you Bella? Hurry! Run!"
I about cried in relief. It was Sam and Dean. They were here to save me. I ran to them, wrapping my arms around Sam's strong chest and just cried. I had never been so happy in my entire life. Dean fired off a couple of rounds from his shotgun before turning to me.
"As much as I would love to kiss and hug, we need to get the hell out of dodge. Now!"
"It's good to see you too Dean. What the hell took you two assholes so long? I thought I was gonna be shish kabobed back there," I yelled back at him as I ran to the car and climbed in the back seat. Sam and Dean swung themselves into the car, slamming the doors behind them. Dean jammed it into reverse and stomped on the gas, hurling us backwards before fishtailing around and speeding off into the night. I sigh in relief and exhaustion, then leaned forward between the two.
"What the hell is going on around here."
"Don't you know?" Sam said. "We're in the middle of a war here. And you were just caught in the middle."
"Well...I'm glad that I'm with you guys now. How about we find somewhere where I can shower and eat. I'm starving."
They looked at each other and threw their heads back and laughed. I was confused. I didn't know what was so funny. Dean pulled off onto the side of the road and drove into a stand of trees. When he stopped the car, I looked at them both quizically.
"Why are we stopped guys. I said I was hungry. Can we go find some food please?"
They both turned and looked at me over the seat, the expression on their faces unreadable. Their eyes seemed like they were burning, and they weren't saying anything.
"Guys...what's wrong? Guys? Sam? Dean?"
"You see Bella, we are stopping to get something to eat. See...Sam and I are very hungry, and we can't just pass on a tasty little morsel when we've run across it."
I was confused...what? "What? What's going on?" I pressed myself back against the seat as they both started to descend on me, hands curled into claws, mouths open, teeth extending.
I screamed...
"Ahh...Holy Shit!" I screamed into the darkness of my room as I shot straight up from the bed. What the fuck was that? That was the creepiest dream I have ever had. That'll teach me to watch too much Supernatural and True Blood. I ran my hands over my face and turned to the clock. 4am. Perfect. I'll never get back to sleep. Huffing out a breath, I swung my legs over the side of my bed and stood up. I lifted my hands up over my head and stretched, bowing my back before standing back up straight. I had no idea what I was gonna do now. Luckily it was only sunday. If it had been monday, I would have been pissed. I slipped my feet into my fuzzy slippers, pulled on my robe and opened the door. The house was completely silent, at least from what I could tell. I hadn't put my hearing aids back in, and I didn't feel like turning around to get them. I padded downstairs, not bothering to turn any lights on. I knew where everything was, and if I tripped, that meaned someone moved something. I made my way into the kitchen, grabbing a spoon and the little half pint of Ben and Jerry's. I turned to place them on the island and screamed. A large black figure loomed on the other side of the island from me. I felt around the top of the island for the knife block I knew Esme had there. I was just pulling one of the knives out when the light flicked on. I threw my arms up to cover my eyes as the light burned into them. I couldn't see anything for a couple of seconds till my eyes adjusted to the light. Once I could see, I was pissed. Edward was standing across from me, a cocky smirk spread across his face. He started talking to me, but stopped when I didn't reply. I pulled my hair back from my ear to show that I didn't have my aids on. I picked up my spoon, flipped off the lid from the ice cream, and dug in. I looked up at Edward, seeing he still had that smirk on his face, his incredibly gorgeous face. Stop that Bella. He's not the one for you. I shoved the spoon in the ice cream and started to sign to him.
What are you doing down here? You scared the shit out of me.
He smirked a little wider then signed back. I was just coming out of the bathroom when I heard you scream. I followed you downstairs, not sure if there was something wrong or not. Seeing as how you are stuffing your face, I see that everything is okay.
You know what, you're an asshole. I was so mad at him. Could he be more rude?
An asshole and proud of it. Did anyone ever tell you that you have a smart mouth? Or seeing as how we aren't actually talking, I guess you have smart hands. He laughed to himself at that joke. I was not amused.
You know what? I don't have to deal with this. I'm going back to bed with two guys who aren't assholes. Ben and Jerry...they have my heart.
He chuckled again. And soon they will have your ass, and your thighs, and your stomach. The only thing those two are good for is making you fat.
I left the room. I couldn't be there any longer, or I would punch him. Or kiss him. I had no idea what. I could remember all the movies I had seen, where the two main characters would fight and argue and be angry, then they would kiss out of sheer frustration and pent up tension. I don't think my situation was similar though. I was the only one who was mad, and I didn't really see Edward wanting to kiss me. He was too much of an asshole. I couldn't deal with an asshole.
As soon as I was upstairs, I had lost my appetite. I love ice cream, but Edward had ruined it for me. God...he made me so mad. Why couldn't he just climb down from his high horse and be nice. I'm sorry that other people treated you like shit, but that's no reason to treat us the same way. I flopped down on my bed, screaming into my pillow. I grabbed my ipod and put in the buds. I set my playlist to random and laid back as the first song came on. Bon Jovi's- Living on a Prayer flowed into my ears. I couldn't help but sing along a little bit.
Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks
Unions been on strike
He's down on his luck...its tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love - for love
She says we've got to hold on to what we've got
cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - we'll give it a shot
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin on a prayer
Tommy's got his six string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used
To make it talk - so tough, its tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers baby its okay, someday
I couldn't help myself. I grabbed my hairbrush and jumped up on my bed, belting the lyrics out as loud as I could. You could do no less when listening to this song.
We've got to hold on to what we've got
cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - well give it a shot
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin on a prayer
We've got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when its all that you've got
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin on a prayer
I was too keyed up to sleep. I had no idea what to do, and glancing at my clock, I figured it was okay to wake up Alice. She was always jumping on me at ungodly hours, so now it was time for a little taste of her own medicine. I opened my door, all excited about what I was about to do, until I lost it. Standing against his door was Edward, with that same damn smirk spread across his face. He had probably heard everything that had been going on in my room. I wasn't exactly quiet, and I wasn't really sure how good I was either. I laughed a little bit, flipped him off, and ran downstairs to Alice's room. That evil little pixie had no idea what was going to hit her!
Please don't hold anything back. If I suck, tell me I suck. Let me know where you would like to see these guys go from here. I'm always open to suggestions.
And I did have that dream. I happened like that, except as soon as Sam and Dean showed up, I woke up. I do watch too much Supernatural and True Blood.