CHAPTER 5

My backpack and jacket were still on the ground, I scooped them up as I ran past. Edward was close behind in pursuit. All of a sudden he tackled me from behind. My jaw hit the ground hard and I split my lip open by biting it. The metallic taste of blood spread over my tongue. Yummy.

He kneeled beside me, pinning me down. His breath was ragged, trying to hold me still.

"Bella." He said slowly "Listen to me. I know something is wrong. Don't try to run away from me again, you won't make it. I promise you that."

"Well that's a promise that you'll have to break." I twisted out from his grasp and was up and running before he could blink.

"Stop! Bella…" He shouted, I knew he was after me again, but he wasn't running as fast as before. When I was far enough from him I stopped to turn and look at him.

He stopped as well.

"Edward just stay away from me OK! Look, there are some things that I can't explain so don't ask me to!" Tears were starting to run down my face, and they mingled with the rain that soaked me. When I noticed that he was slowly walking to me I took a coupe steps back.

"At least just let me take you home." My face must have shown a mix of fear and distrust. "You won't make it in the rain, not in your condition anyway." I gave him no answer. "We won't talk OK? Just let me help you." My eyes trailed his face. So honest and beautiful. Kind Edward. Not like Angel anyway.

"Fine then. But I refuse to talk." I said storming past him, grabbing my stuff.

We rode in the car in silence, and arrived in front of Charlie's in less that three minutes.

"Bye." I reached for the handle.

'Wait…" he started. I waited. "You don't have your truck."

"Yeah?" I replied. "What about it?"

"Do you mind if I pick you up tomorrow?" I thought about it quickly. He was right (big surprise there) I didn't have my truck, and it was only a ride after all…I would make sure of it.

"I suppose" I started out of the car again.

"See you in the morning." He called after me. I lammed the door and waked to the front door, glancing at my watch again. 4:47. Ha! Charlie wouldn't be home until six. As soon as I got in the house I went to the phone and rang Charlie. The phone rung twice before he picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey dad it's me."
"Bell? What do you need Hun?

"Uh. I was over by the beach a little while ago, and two of my tires must have drove over a nail or something. But anyway two of them are flat. So I kinda had to walk home."

"You walked all the way home? In this weather?"

"Yeah, but it wasn't that bad. Listen do you think that you could bring my truck home?"

"Sure, I'll be home a little later then planned then."

"Ok. Thanks dad."

I hung up, let out a whoosh of air, and then trudged upstairs. I had to get these clothes off me. After which I jumped in the shower. God, it felt good. I let the hot water wash away all my confusion and pain. I felt a sting where the water hit a certain part of my back. Probably where I got smashed into the tree and sliced it open.

After my shower I turned around so that my back was facing the mirror, and looked over my shoulder. There was a long gash that ran from my mid-upper back, down across to my lower left side of my waist. It wasn't bleeding anymore, but if it didn't heal soon, I'd have to be brave and get stitches. Wincing at the thought, I inspected the other damages that Angel had done. Along with the gash in my back, a cut on my forehead, my split lip, and a bunch of bruises that hopefully I could hide I wasn't that bad. I had surrendered to more damaging fights that almost put me in the hospital.

Suddenly a thought crossed my mind…Charlie! What was he going to say when he saw me?

"Oh shit." I muttered to myself. Umm I needed to think-

Oh! Got it! I would tell him that I tripped on the stairs coming down and hit my head on the corner of the wall. Hey, it was believable enough. Then I went back to my room to do homework.

Around seven thirty I heard two cars some into the driveway. One was my truck, obviously. Charlie walked in just as I came down the stairs.

"Thanks Les!" he shouted out into the rain, then closed the door.

"Hey dad."

"Hey Bell-" he stopped when he saw me. "What happened to your head?"

"Oh, that." I said shrugging "I tipped on the stairs, and hit my head on the corner of the wall."

"Are you OK?" He asked as he started towards me.

"Oh yeah." I answered as if nothing happened. "Hey thanks for bringing my truck home. I really appreciate it." He looked at me long and hard before replying.

"Yeah, about that bell. Your tires look as if someone slashed them." He gave me a quizzical look. As if I had anything to do with that! Well I did, kinda. I shrugged again.

"Huh. Well I have no idea then. It must have happened while I was on the beach. You hungry?" I asked, hoping to change the subject. "There's some leftover chicken in the fridge. If you want some, I can heat some up for you"

He looked exhausted, but he declined my offer to help. "Thanks Bell but I can do it. You look pretty worn out yourself. Get some sleep. I'm just glad you got home OK."

"Me too." I said and headed upstairs. "Night dad!" I called to him. I heard the fridge door slam closed.

"Night Bell!" he answered.

I flopped down onto my bed and stared at the shadows playing on the ceiling. I mulled over all that had happened to me today. Why was Angel here? I didn't think that he knew I'd left. But apparently…And what was with Edward? And why can't I stop thinking about him? Those mysterious eyes, his gorgeous smile that made my hears melt.

Stop it Bella. I scolded myself. Don't go making a fool of yourself in front of him. You do that enough as it is. My thoughts wandered to Angel again. No doubt I would receive another visit from him soon. He'd better not hurt anyone I love, to get to me. If he does, then I'll really kill him. Soul and all.