Chapter 7
EPOV
I woke up to discover Bella curled at my side; I grinned, stroking her chocolate hair. I felt her sigh; her eyes flittered open. She beamed beautifully at me. "Good morning," Her voice was breathy.
"It's a very good morning." I replied wholeheartedly. I stretched, feeling the joints pop as a wave of warmth washed throughout me. I sat up, smirking at the cute pout Bella had on her face.
"Morning Bella, Edward, good to see you guy's made up already." My sister, Alice, piped up from on the bed. Her hand was positioned at her neck, and her hair, clothes and makeup already perfect. "I have the best outfit for you today!" She squealed; Bella groaned out loud. I laughed.
"Well, you two go do that; I'll be in the bathroom, taking a shower, getting dressed, and then meeting your father for something important with Jasper." They nodded in approval. I strolled smoothly into the corridor, apparel in hand and started to take a shower.
10-20 Minutes later.
Refreshed, I saw Jasper waiting for me in the room. I looked around for the girls, but before I could open my mouth to ask, "They went to visit Emmett." He told me, settling my restless news. I breathed a sigh of relief. "I know; it's hard isn't it? Worrying about them, I mean." I nodded mutely.
"So, should we go warn Charlie now?" I interrupted the awkward silence.
"Yeah," He agreed curtly. I followed him out, chatting with him on how medical school was very interesting. I didn't pay attention to what was in front of me until I crashed into someone.
"My apologies, here, let me help you," I reached my hand down only to feel dread when I saw that my luck had just abruptly stopped.
Tanya.
"Oh, Edward, you can help me with anything," she cooed in a revolting fashion. I peeked to see Jasper hold back a scowl. After being dumped by me, she aimed for Jasper. She hugged him in front of Alice, knowing that my sister was already dating him. "So, what are you up to?" She licked her lips in attempt of looking sexy.
It made me want to gag.
"We were heading over to see Captain Swan. It's urgent business," Jasper explain swiftly, hinting that we didn't need her presence.
She was still on the floor, shifting her legs, pushing her skirt against the floor. "You know, you can still help me up." Tanya winked, shouldering her barely opaque top away to show more cleavage.
"You have legs; I'm sure that you can get up yourself," I commented rudely, surprisingly, I allowed my annoyance reign over my gentleman-ness. She pouted, flipping her hair.
"Please?" The strawberry blonde batted her eyelashes. I noticed Mike walking this way.
"Hey Newton!" I called; his gaze flickered to our little scene, settling onto the stripper on the floor, "here's a lady who needs your assistance."
He smirked, giving me a not-so-thankful expression, before murmuring under his breath, "watch how it's properly done." He stooped down, scooping Tanya up, "Hello, little lady." I nudged Jasper to move away. He shuffled away from those two, occasionally, we peeked back.
They chatted but then, Tanya, sensing that he was younger than her, and in her standards, unworthy, shouted, "Let me go you freak!"
Mike, now highly offended, dropped her roughly to the ground, "whatever, man." He stalked off, mumbling something. I exchanged a glance at Jasper, and we both burst into laughter as we rounded the corner to the Captain's cabin.
I tapped the door; it revealed a tired eyed Charlie. His eyes brightened slightly, seeing us. He welcomed us in, "hey, boys, so what are you guys doing here?" He sat at on a chair behind a pine desk. I analyzed his room; maps were hung around the four walls. A few feet away, there was a bed, unruffled, and unused.
"We came here to inform you that the serial killer came to Bella's room with Alice right next to your daughter." I told him quietly. Alarm broke chaos in his eyes. His mouth opened and closed, fingers flexing, and a vein in his head bulged. "Don't worry though; he or she was shocked away from her room, leaving both of them unscathed." I reassured him before he could do anything rash. Charlie calmed evidently, but the worry and chagrin was still radiating from him.
"I don't understand why they would do this," Charlie was shaking; I glanced at Jasper. He shrugged helplessly. "I've never killed anyone, and I'm pretty sure that Carlisle didn't either." I shook my head.
"Carlisle isn't a killer," Charlie smiled weakly.
"Oh, I know Edward. I know, but why would anyone would want to hurt my children?"
"Actually, Edward and I were thinking about hurting them to get to you," Charlie focused his eyes on us with more force now. "Also, we believe that the killer could possibly use the entire ship against you and Dr. Cullen." Charlie's eyes grew in understanding.
"Oh God…" He trailed off, rubbing circles on his temples. "This isn't helping my job or my sanity," He joked humorlessly. "Thank you for telling me boys; I'll talk this with my staff. You're dismissed."
Jasper and I ambled out the door. "Well, that went well," Jasper commented, flashing a smirk to me. I returned the look despite the time. Abruptly, a small ball impacted toward him, knocking him off balance. He caught himself before I could reach out to help him.. "Good to see you again, Alice," Jasper commented, unlocking her arms from around his waist. She giggled, flashing her eyes to me, directing me to Bella with her eyes.
"How's your brother?" I questioned, my arm claiming her waist.
She shrugged, "He's alright, back to himself practically. He's been discharged, since his wound wasn't that bad. Compared to a few earlier cuts in his High School era, he's not going to complain." I laughed, holding her tighter against me. "So what did you and my father talk about?"
"It's nothing," I replied quickly. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"If you say so," She mumbled laconically. "Alice and I already ate," She mentioned, when my stomach grumbled a little.
"Hungry, Edward?" Alice grinned. Jasper teased me with his eyes.
"Bella, go with Alice, I'll go grab something to eat." I excused myself, sprinting toward the mini-mall section of the ship where Bella and I went for our first date. I found a small café, and casually walked up to the menu that was on a billboard in the back.
I moved out of the line's way, deciding what I wanted to eat. Before long though, I was in line with a few other customers. The café was packed, everyone was everywhere. Jazzy notes and beats lingered in the air, overpowering the soft murmurings of the other people in the café. Soon, I was in front.
"One beef and cheese sandwich please, with a small coffee," I requested, and the man at the counter took my money, processing it into the machine. He gestured to the next window where others lounged at, no doubt waiting for food. I grunted my thanks, taking up my food.
My eyes zoned in on an empty seat at the far side of the café. Squeezing past other members in the café, I landed in a couch where there was a small table planted in between another couch. I chewed into the crispy bread, humming with one of the songs that played. The buttery taste washed in my mouth, temporarily making me feel happy.
Sipping at my coffee, I glanced at the person across the little table from me. Her face was hidden behind a book that she was reading, but her fiery hair flamed up even in the artificial lighting. Chewing thoughtfully through the last of my meal, I concentrated at the thought of what I was going to do with this killer going around threatening Bella and my sister.
"Miss me?" Immediately, I scowled at the familiar voice.
"Not really, Tanya," I ground my teeth to hide my annoyance. She wasn't helping with her persistent ways of using her body to attract people who didn't want her.
"Oh, you're just saying that," She giggled, sitting on the armrest and crossing her legs. "So, are you going to let me have a sip of that?" She reached for my coffee, but I knocked her hand away. I saw her mask waver a little, but she composed herself fast enough.
"I have a girlfriend now, Tanya. I suggest you stop going for me," I said, getting up from the couch.
"Don't chya wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don't chya wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?" She started to sing and heads swiveled to stare.
"No," I answered, continuing to walk away.
"You'll be mine, Edward Cullen. You will, and don't forget it!" She called after me. I rolled my eyes. "I will have you!"
"Good luck with that," I mumbled under my breath. Noticing Rosalie and Emmett, I waved my hand at them as I galloped toward them.
"Good to see you Emmett," I greeted, "You too Rosalie." Rosalie's returning smile was blinding.
"Hey, Edward, who was that girl that was screaming after you?" Emmett pointed back at the café with his thumb.
I shrugged, "A desperate, desperate woman."
"Hey Bella," Emmett grinned, waving his uninjured arm. His other arm was slung around his neck, covered in layers upon layers of white cloth. I could tell that he wasn't comfortable wearing the sling. "It's still early, what's up?"
"Nothing really, I'm glad that you're discharged," She replied, hooking her arm around mine.
BPOV
I was elated when Carlisle told Emmett that he could go around again, but I was still frightened and worried for everyone on the ship. I caught Rose's stare, and I glanced back at her questioningly. She nodded toward a small group.
I turned around to see blazing yellow eyes. There was a girl about twenty with flame colored hair draped around her face, framing her eyes. I quickly turned away because her stare was so intense.
"Do you know her?" I asked, still refusing to meet the woman's gaze again.
"No, I don't," Rose squinted at her face, "I think she's staring at you." I nodded, feeling as if holes were being drilled into my neck.
"I've never met her in my life," I murmured.
"What's wrong?" Edward saw me duck my head.
"Someone's staring at Bella," Rose averted her gaze to Edward, "Hey, she's gone…"
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Could it the murderer?" He questioned anxiously. Rosalie shook her head.
"She doesn't seem capable."
"Looks can fool you," Emmett piped up. Edward nodded in agreement.
"It's not her!" I said, exasperated.
"If you say so sis," Emmett boomed, leaning in, "I think your man is being hunted," My head shot up to gape at y brother. What did he just say? Emmett nodded gravely, "There was this girl who was yelling after him." He whispered into my ear.
"Could the girl who was yelling at you be the murderer?" Emmett rephrased the question for everyone's ears.
"Tanya?" Edward's eyes widened.
"The strawberry blonde," Emmett clarified.
"No, she's desperate, but not in that way. I would know, she's been in the same high school as I was," Edward's eyebrows furrowed.
"I don't know, Edward, it could be anyone other than us," Emmett mused.
"True." Edward ran his hand through his hair.
"I don't like this; I feel like we're worrying too much," Rosalie frowned, "We should take a break for a little bit, to lighten the mood." Alice brightened up at the thought.
"Yeah! Since we're already at the entertainment wing, we should go check out a dance club," The pixie started to jump up and down in excitement. I could tell the men were wary.
"It's only for tonight," I added. Edward glanced at me; I could tell that he was stressed over this matter.
"Alright, alright, we'll go," Jasper caved, "How about that one over there?' He pointed to a dance club at the opposite end.
"That's the one you and I went to," Edward murmured, "Remember?" I nodded, following Emmett and Jasper into the bright club. The club was dark with bright lights swimming all over the place just like we saw it on our first date.
"Edward! What a lovely surprise to see you here, you too Jasper," Edward groaned, tightening his hold on my waist. "You must be Bella, my name is Tanya," Tanya held out her hand. I looked at Edward, and he shook his head a millimeter.
"Hello," I replied shyly, not reaching for her perfectly manicured hand.
"You must have heard about me from Edward, of course," She beamed at me, and I shrunk back into Edward's arms. "Edward and I go way back…," She began.
"I'm sure you surely have something else to do other than tell our past," Edward interrupted, which surprised me; Edward was never rude to people, especially women. Tanya huffed, stalking off indignantly.
She spun around; her tone ominous, "I will get you Edward Cullen; I will, just wait for it." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Edward roll his eyes, but I panicked. Could she be serious? Was she the killer? Is that why she was threatening me? But then why would it say the Cullen family too?
A feeling of dread crept up in my chest, constricting it. Edward must have sensed my panic. "Shh, shh, Bella, don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you," He kissed the top of my head comfortingly. Suddenly, the pounding music overhead stopped, leaving the lights twirling mindless patterns across the room. I saw the others' dancing halt nearby.
"Hey, hey," The D.J. sounded from the stand at the front, "We are now announcing that we will accept song requests, so come up here if you want a special song played just say the name and we're all game.." (A/N: Okay, that was kind of lame.)
"Oh, thank you, we have a request from…" He paused, mumbling into the microphone, "Where did she go? Anyway," His voice louder, "Here's the song," He shut off his microphone, and the song started to play.
Adrenaline pumped into my veins as I heard the eerie lyrics, the haunting tune.
I know; I know, not much of a cliffy. But let me tell you, the lyrics are all made up by yours' truly, so it's not a song that you guys would know. I'll tell you what song it somewhat sounds like, though…when I finish it. So I hope you enjoy this chapter, and Review please?