Update: What can I say? I'm bored.
"Bella?"
"Hey, Dad."
"Something wrong?"
"I need to go back to Phoenix."
"Are you alright?"
"I will be, but I have to go back to Phoenix!"
"Did something happen?!"
"Just a flashback, Dad. Nothing major. I just need to go back to Phoenix. I'll call Phil and let him know that I'm coming and I promise I'll call you as soon as I get there but I have to go, Dad!"
"How are you even getting there?"
"I'll take Edward with me. We'll be okay, Dad! I'll be okay but you have to let me go."
I saw the resolve crumble in his eyes and he nodded.
"That boy better keep you safe, Bella. Not a scratch at all or I'm tearing him a new one."
"I love you, Dad." I told him.
"I love you too."
I packed my bag and raced back down the stairs, flying out to my truck. Edward was already in the front seat.
"How could he just let you go like that?"
"He knows me well enough. I'll call him when we're safe and it'll be fine. James won't get anywhere near me, I can promise you that."
When we got back to the house, the others were discussing battle plans.
It was decided that Edward would be hunting with Carlisle and I would go with Alice and Jasper to Phoenix. Esme and Rosalie would be tasked with throwing the hunters off my scent with Emmett waiting in the wings in case anything went wrong.
I didn't even have to knock before the door opened and I was engulfed in a tight hug.
"Hey, Bells."
"Hi Andrew."
"Golden eyes?"
"They drink from animals. They're really cool."
"Come in before you all burn to a crisp." He ordered.
I loped in, motioning for Alice and Jasper to join me.
"Well?" Andrew growled once we got situated.
"So you know that vampire Jason was talking about? The one who was supposed to help him?"
"Sure, guy was some sort of doctor."
"Yeah. I found him. He lives in Forks and these are two of his kids. We became pretty close and they invited me to play baseball. The game got interrupted and one of the red-eyes was the one who tried to go after Mom."
Andrew let out a low mumble of curses and rubbed his fingers against his temples.
"So now you're being hunted and this is their idea of keeping you safe?"
"Yep. It's working so far." I offered.
Andrew rolled his eyes.
"Times like this I wish he was actually here. None of this would have happened-."
"Well it did, and he hasn't woken up yet. You don't have to help me. I just wanted you to be up-to-date so you wouldn't kill the wrong vamps."
"I'm in." He growled.
"What?"
"Whatever half-cocked plan you have, count me in. I'd rather not have to tell Jason why I couldn't save his apprentice."
"You are his apprentice."
"You know what I mean, kid. So what's the plan?"
"We stay in Phoenix while the others cut him off via false trail and hopefully they film it because I, for one, wouldn't mind watching him burn."
"They're not going to film that, it's sadistic. Like filming school shootings."
"Or watching Law and Order SVU. Sue me; I have a mean streak and a personal vendetta."
"You wouldn't know a mean streak if it smacked you upside the head, kid."
"You'd be surprised."
"I bet I wouldn't. Half the high school has proof to the contrary."
"The other half are jerks who like to kill people for fun."
"Don't remind me." Andrew shivered, and then he looked thoughtful.
"That wasn't your fault."
"I should have seen it coming." I groused.
"You couldn't have, Bella. Yes, you knew he was playing you and yes, he gets jealous easily but honestly, even his parents didn't think he would go that far. It's not your fault."
"That idiot died for me. How is that not my fault?"
"Did you kill him?"
"No."
"Then it's not your fault."
"But-!"
"It's alright to be sad but you can't start blaming yourself for every little thing. You'll go mad long before you grow old."
"It's kind of hard to do that when half of them have to do with me in some way."
"This isn't just about Brian, is it?"
"That idiot almost killed my mother. I want to watch him burn."
I picked up the phone when it rang.
"Hello?"
"It's pathetic, the amount of security they allow for student files."
"Good to know, now what do you want?"
"I have your mother here. You'll have to come here if you want her back." I rolled my eyes.
"You're so cliché," I snorted. I knew there was no way he was talking about Leah. She wasn't one to be fooled easily, and she didn't like making the same mistake twice. "I'll come, if only to make sure you haven't sucked her dry. I want her alive if you want any chance at me, are we clear?"
"Sure thing, kid. I'm at the old ballet studio on the corner of 58th and Cactus. You have fifteen minutes or Mommy Dearest will make a nice first course."
The connection died and I turned to find Alice, Jasper, and Andrew all waiting by the door.
"She's not the best but I can't let her die." I admitted.
"You're not going alone. The vampires are fine with cooperation and it's either work with them or get torn to pieces when Jason comes around… so I did myself a favor and chose the lesser of two evils."
"Thanks."
"Anytime. Either that guy is a major stalker or it's a complete coincidence but I guess your old ballet studio is perfect for a sadistic vamp like him. Let's go kill us some idiot, Bells."
It turned out that I was glad to have the three of them with me, because James attacked me as soon as I walked through the front door. One minute I was calling for Renee and the next I was flying into a mirror with venom leaking out. I don't know how that happened but it would definitely hurt later. The look on Andrew's face told me it was on like Donkey Kong. He was pissed, and it showed in the way he retaliated. Between him and Jasper, James was toast. Or maybe not. Yeah, dude put himself back together because apparently all they've done so far was rip off his limbs but hey, the others are here! Now I get to watch my favorite people kick butt! Or not… I was feeling kind of weird. The venom was trying to spread but it was being repelled by… something. I could tell because the pain shot up my arm and stopped and then it went for my legs but got frozen at the knees and now it's all ffffuuuuuuzzzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyy! Oh, it's Copper! He's all fuxxy too! Hi, fuxxy Cullen! Wait, why are you- Ow!
Okay, maybe a nap would help. Night fuxxy Eddie!
That last part is my poor attempt on Bella gone loopy because of the whole fire/venom thing. Does it seem like I'm rushing to anyone? REVIEW!