Chapter 15: Without A Trace

Finally it was Friday! The week had been so long and I still hadn't figured out what was wrong with Connor. I felt Bella watching my every move that day in Biology. She was hiding something and every time I brought it up she changed the subject. The final bell rang and I went to my locker.

Bella was already there looking slightly nervous until she caught sight of me. She was at my side in a second and I wrapped a comforting arm around her waist. I grabbed my book bag and we left. Bella had taken it upon herself to drive me to school, though I was the one driving. Bella sat in the passenger seat and seem more relaxed then she had for the past couple of days.

"I'm guessing that your still not going to tell me what's had you so on edge these past couple of days?" I said, breaking the silence. Bella averted her gaze and watched the road; she was avoiding my question, again. I gritted my teeth and slammed my foot on the break. The car slammed to a halt and Bella glared at me.

"Are you trying to commit suicide?" she hissed.

"I'm not letting you avoid my questions, Bella just tell me!" I demanded. Bella bit her lip, "you remember a couple of days ago how I was acting weird?"

"Yeah" I answered in a calm voice.

"Well, when we were in the living room I caught the scent of another vampire" Bella whispered, so low that I almost couldn't hear it.

"I'm guess that this vampire isn't like you and your family" I replied knowingly. Bella nodded. I turned my attention to the road and began driving again.

"Do you know why the vampire is here?" I questioned.

"Nope" Bella said simply.

"But…" I knew she had a theory, she always did.

"Maybe you should talk to Connor" Bella replied. I hadn't realized it but we were at home. I got out of the car and Bella slide into the driver's seat.

"I will be back tonight, Ok?" Bella asked.

"Ok" I said and gave her a kiss.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too." With that she drove away. I watched her go and a sudden burst of anger shoot through me. Connor always brought trouble with him but now it was deadly. I whipped the front door open and it banged into the wall.

"CONNOR!" I heard loud footfall from upstairs and Connor came flying down the stairs.

"What? What Happened? What?" Connor stuttered.

"Apparently there is a new vampire in town and I think you two might know each other!" I accused him.

"Edward let me explain" Connor begged.

"How? How are you going to talk your way out of this one?" I demanded.

"I…when…I placed a bet and I…I couldn't pay it off so now the guy's bodyguard is looking for me" Connor explained while terror slowly filled his eyes.

"You were gambling?!" I shouted going into complete shock, for one because Connor's dad was a big business man who would never allow his son to be mixed up in that, and two our friend Kyle had a father who had had a gambling problem and we saw what that did to him. I was growing to agitated to continue so I made my way up the stairs and into my room. Connor followed behind; trying to redeem himself.

"I ran here trying to hide and just my luck you were being protected by a vampire so I was absolutely safe," Connor continued.

"Connor you put my father and I at risk, do you realize how selfish that is?" I yelled.

"Yes very selfish" came a bone chilling voice. Connor and I turned and saw a figure leaning against the doorframe.

"No" Connor whispered. I knew that this was the vampire Bella warned me about.

"Looks like your girlfriend can't save you now" the vampire said with a blood curtly laugh.

Bella's POV

No he won't die, please don't let him die. My mind was pleading as I ran faster than I ever had back to Edward's. Alice had had a vision and I was determined to stop it. Before his house even came into sight I could smell blood. The front door was open and I ran right through it.

I followed the smell of the blood and it led me to Edward's room. Edward wasn't there but Connor was. He was crumpled on the floor with blood around him. The silence cut through me; no heartbeat. I collapsed to my knees and checked his pulse knowing that it was useless. Nothing.

The monster inside me began to surface. That vampire had taken Edward and killed Connor. He wasn't going to get away with this, I would make sure of that.

"Bella?" a quiet voice came from behind me.

"He's dead, Carlisle" I said. I stood up and turned to him. His face was contorted with sympathy and sadness.

"What are you going to do?" he already knew but he still asked.

"I'm going to find Edward and then I going to rip that vampire to shreds."