She knew exactly where she was when she came tu, she was inside the cottage, not on a bed, no, she was on the rug by the fireplace. She could see the old woman now, ancient, almost witch like, not that she believed in such things but who knew anything was possible. Bella could feel the pooled blood at the top of her forehead, and the sting of the cuts on her face now appeared more ferocious as they were warmed by the fire, the fire that felt warm and homely.
"Where am I?" she asked, no thinking what else to say, expect who are you? have you seen my boyfriend his a vampire? are you a witch?
"Take it easy deary" the old crone gestured, aware that Bella was now awake. "Don't be startled you looked cold so I brought you in by the fire" Bella lifted the blanket around her a little more, now very aware of just how frozen she had been.
"Thank you, I guess." There was a moment of silence and then she added, "I'm Bella" Bella held her hand out and was frightened when the old women reached out and took it. "Wow"
"What is it deary, did I frighten you?"
"No, it's just"… it's just your hands area as wart ridden as a witches as well she thought to herself, "… my hands are a little numb."
"I'm sorry dear." The witch / sorry old woman handed her a hot cup of something that was still bubbling, graciously Bella took it but was too afraid to take a sip. Although it did warm her fingers up. "Here, this will help."
"Thank you." Bella was strangely at ease now, "Do you live alone?" she asked?
"No my dear, just passing through, I came to visit an old friend of mine."
"Anyone I know?"
"Probably not" The woman said nothing more and kept going about her business. Bella's happiness at finally being warm was starting to be overshadowed by the overwhelming unease that grew again in her stomach. Who was this woman, why was she living all alone out here and why did she feel like she was about to become her next meal. Bella was about to get up and excuse herself until the old woman stopped doing what she was doing and froze mid thought for almost five seconds. Bella was freaked.
"Thank you for the drink and the fire but my boyfriend is waiting for me. I think I best be going now.." Bella stood up and headed to the door, as she noticed her backpack on the chair and turned to grab it the old woman spoke,
"Don't worry dear, he'll find you eventually." Eventually, Bella didn't like the sound of that.
"I'm sure he would, he's very protective, but just the same I think I've out stayed my welcome." Bella grabbed her bag and turned to face the door, as she pulled it open an all mighty force grabbed the door from her and slammed it shut, Bella tried to open the door but it would budge. "Crap".
"What's the hurry deary?" All of a sudden Bella felt like Gretel and hoped that the tiny skin scrapings and broken twigs would be enough of a path for Edward or Charlie to follow. Defensively Bella spun around, prepared for whatever came next, and looking for the oven.
"What do you want from me?"
"Why my dear, there's nothing to be afraid of…" the old woman smiled, it wasn't comforting. Bella wished that she could call out to him, like Lois Lane calling to Superman, hell it was worth a shot, "EDWARD! EDWARD!" she screamed,
"He can't hear you my dear, but don't worry he'll be here soon."
"Why won't you let me leave?"
"There's a storm building out there, I can't let you get lost in that, he'd never forgive me."
"What do you mean he?"
"Why Edward of course."
"How do you know Edward?"
"I don't"
"Than what.." This conversation was doing her head in, "Please jus let me leave, my father is the chief of police if anything happens to me…"
"Nothings going to happen my dear, like I said I'm just here to see a friend."
"Yeah right, Who was that again?" Good Bella, get as much information as you can.
"Just a friend." The old woman came over to Bella and gestured to the chair by the fire, "Please sit, stay warm. They'll be here soon enough."
"They?" Bella's question remained unanswered. She decided to follow the old ladies instructions, she could always use the fire to her advantage. Bella sat down, never taking her eyes of the door or the old woman.
"Poor Bella, I wonder if she even knows what she's gotten herself into?" Bella sat quiet, the old woman continued, "I should know, a life of loneliness, surrounded by people but never really fitting in, never really being loved. I should know…" The old woman shuffled around the make shift kitchen, a pot boiled, old herbs let off their potent aromas, "Do you know passion my dear, true passion and the conviction of ones beliefs to never waiver from what is right no matter how strong the temptation?" The old woman took Bella's face and looked into her eyes, "I think not… no the youth in your eyes gives you away, you think you understand but you don't" Bella struggled against her hold, the old woman let go and went back to tending her pot, adding more herbs and spices, "I was young once, like you. Oh how the world excited me then captivated my youthful imagination. I thought I knew what I wanted from life, what I wanted to do. I was so sure that I knew it all. How wrong I was." Bella couldn't help herself, who was this woman,
"What happened?" She asked, ignored by the old woman,
"He was so fine and distinguished, old money as my father would say. All the girls wanted him but he only had eyes for me. He'd take me to dances, on walks by the lake, Oh" she reminisced, "We were the talk of the town. I thought that all my dreams had come true, I had someone I loved who loved me, my father approved and it seemed that we were destined to grow old together." The old woman shed a single tear at her next thought. Bella had heard this tale before, it was sounding all too familiar as a shudder ran down her spin. "That was until my perfect world came crashing down around me. One day we were talking marriage, the next he was gone. When he finally returned to me he was cold and distant, his eyes grew dark and his gorgeous smile was now something akin to an evil grin. He was changed, he wouldn't talk of where he'd been. The parties stopped, we never went out and I wasn't allowed visitors. I became trapped in my own nightmare. It wasn't until the night I found him, slumped over some young girl of the night, her blood all over his shirt that I realised what he'd become." Bella let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding, "I stood frozen, certain I would be next now I knew his dark secret. That was until the man, who I hadn't noticed standing by the front parlor, stepped in to defend me." The old woman looked up at Bella, "Henry was enraged, his eyes blood red. He dropped the girl and started for me. I raced up the stairs but I was too slow. Henry grabbed me by my nightgown and I fell down the stairs. I was a mess. I felt Henry on me, his breath icy as his mouth closed over my neck. I wished for death…."
"Did he turn you?" Bella had felt the woman, she was warm, and she couldn't have been more than twenty in her story so how could she have aged?
"… I prepared myself for death, and then he was gone. The young gentleman in our presence had grabbed Henry and thrown him across the room as if he was nothing but a rag doll. Henry ran out into the night leaving me there dying. The young man picked me up and took me to his father. In my shocked state it was several days before I could fully understand what had happened. They said Henry had left town, that I never had to be scared of him again but the pain of what had happened both emotionally and physically was too much. I promised them that I wouldn't expose what I knew, and in return they agreed to help me whenever I needed it. Such things, such unions always end in tragedy… there is no happily ever after" The old woman looked at Bella longingly, "You are so young girl, run, run while you still can" she warned before being startled by something outside in the woods. Bella heard nothing but the woman's demeanor changed. "They're here." Bella braced herself for whoever or whatever was coming. The old woman looked too calm for someone who sounded afraid of what was coming.
The door opened effortlessly to announce its visitors, Bella's heart froze as she watched the two dark figures draw closer, and then become relieved when she recognized who they were. One tall and lean, his eyes showing wisdom beyond his looks, his expression was also one of trepidation but not anger. He seemed displeased to see Bella, frightened like a deer, stuck frozen to the chair she was in. He looked at her and acknowledged Bella's presence, glanced her over and then refocused on the old woman. The second, slightly shorter but almost a copy of the first looked only at Bella. His was an expression of relief, relief mixed with frustration.
"Edward" She reacted like a giddy school girl upon meeting her idol, not like a captive about to be freed. She was so embarrassed.
"Frieda?" Carlisle spoke, more a question than an acknowledgment. "What happened here?" The woman seemed frightening, although oddly at ease. Edward came to her side and assessed her condition, he ran a finger over her scratches and through the bloody mess in her hair. He kissed her forehead and for a moment she forgot where she was.
"I found the girl wandering in the forest, I couldn't let her leave with that storm coming in now could I." Carlisle took another look at Bella, he too approached and assessed her wounds. As he pressed on her leg she couldn't help but let out a small hiss at the pain, "Tss"
"Sorry." He apologized, "What have you done to yourself now?" he asked smiling. Carlisle had become used to her clumsiness and often treated her wounds. It was kind of handy to have a doctor on speed dial.
"I must have cut myself as I walked through the brush, it was so cold I didn't even notice." She said as she looked at Edward, she didn't need to be a mind reader to know he had questions to ask, and a lecture as well. She was glad they were with company although she was sure she would cop it later. "What were you doing out there Bella, it's freezing," She looked away from Edward, "I was coming to see you guys, I didn't feel like going to school today." She lied, no need for them to know how stupid she had been.
"You could have called us Bella, we would have come for you."
"I know, but I didn't have my phone on me." At that Edward stepped forward and handed her, her phone, she opened it and there were two missed phone calls and a message… Edward had tried to contact her after all, she just hadn't known,
"I found it under your bed" He smiled, he must have seen the broken lamp as well, "Have a tantrum did we?"
"No. Just a bout of clumsiness that's all." Carlisle finished cleaning the wounds on her legs and took a look at her head.
"And this?" he asked, Bella blushed from the memory of peering through the old ladies window,
"I startled her" the old woman interjected. Edward laughed under his breath, he must have read what really happened.
"Bella what are we going to do with you?" Carlisle jeered. "It doesn't look too deep. One or two stitches and it will be good as knew." The old lady handed Edward a small bowl of hot water with something that smelled like lavender in it, Edward used the small sponge to start cleaning the dried blood from her hair. Carlisle turned his attention to the old woman,
"How are you Frieda, what's it been? Three years?"
"I'm well. Carlisle. I was going to stop by and say hello. How is Esme?"
"She's well. She'd love to see you." It seemed like an average afternoon tea date at any old ladies house, what was going on? They were interrupted by another of her cries of pain. Edward placed his cool hand over the wound to numb it a little. Carlisle turned his attention back to Bella. "That should do Edward, thank you." Edward stepped back and Carlisle stepped forward, he grabbed the needle and thread from his bag, she shut her eyes, nausea threatened to overwhelm her as her face turned white. Edward moved behind her and took her hand, all to aware of her phobia of needles. Bella looked to see his face, but coming face to face with the needle approaching her head instead she felt herself overcome with darkness.
Edward caught her and held her in his arms. "Hmm" Carlisle snickered as he repositioned himself, "It never fails, hold her still." Three stitches was all it took, then he placed a small bandage over the wound. Edward held her until I came tu. As she did Bella looked around the room momentarily startled, then raised a hand to feel her head,
"Not again." Bella joked embarrassed, "I'm sorry Carlisle, nothing personal."
"I know dear. Think nothing of it. In truth it makes it easier." Edward smiled at her as she sat up.
"I'm going to get Bella home." He said, lifting her into his arms preparing to carry her through the forest.
"I can walk." She assured him, although not too confidently as she wobbled where she stood.
"Bella, please indulge me." Edward pleaded, knowing he'd get his way, "It's getting dark and I'd hate to have you fall over and break those fine stitches of yours."
"I'll meet you at home son." Carlisle called to him. Edward smiled an affirmation, then they were out in the woods, alone.
"How did you know where I was?" She asked, a little groggy.
"Bella. You are so predictable, I'll I had to do was search the forest for your scent. It didn't take long. Carlisle and I were already out here on our way to Frieda. When you didn't answer your phone I traced your steps which led me here."
"Oh"
"Oh. That's all you can say. What were you thinking Bella?"
"When you didn't show up I got worried."
"So you went looking for me in the woods."
"It seemed quicker than taking the roads." Edward smirked, she felt so stupid,
"Bella, promise me you wont do that again. You had me worried."
"I promise." She was in no mood to argue. Bella was suddenly overcome by exhaustion. She didn't know when it happened she just remembered drifting off to sleep in his arms, finally she felt safe again. "Who was that woman?" She had asked but she had fallen asleep before he could answer.
Was I dreaming?
When Bella woke up the next morning she was overcome with panic like it was a nightmare that had not ended. "Edward" She cried out as she reached around in the darkness to find him, he grabbed her hand and pulled me close.
"It's all right, I'm here." He said as he kissed her on the forehead, and then again.
"Don't leave me." Bella begged.
"Never." He promised.
He held her close for almost an hour before the sun started to stream through the window. His skin glistened as the soft beams of light spread out across her bed and she traced the voids where the sunlight couldn't reach. He moved a stray hair from her face and kissed the cut above her eye. It didn't hurt as much as yesterday but it still ached. Gently, sensing her subtle flinch Edward blew on the area with his cold breath at the area felt instantly numb. If she was his own personal brand of heroine, then he was her own form of portable anesthetic, which for a person as clumsy as herself was a handy thing to have around. Bella groaned as he sat up, she didn't feel like going to school today, but he stole the covers from her bed and lifted her up until she was standing there right in front of him, in her old sweats and t-shirt. He held her embrace as she found her balance, and then not so accidently lost her balance and fell into him, kissing him on the lips as she landed. He allowed her a moment of victory before pushing her back. Bella bit her lip and smiled, then she remembered that the last thing she could remember was being in the woods, how did she get into her pajamas? Bella blushed with embarrassment, and as she was tugging subconsciously at her shirt She guessed that he knew exactly what she was thinking about. He took her by the shoulders and grinned,
"Did I get it wrong?" He asked knowing it would embarrass her further.
"No, I just wish I had of been awake for the experience that's all." Edward sighed, she leaned in to kiss him again, "Bella"
"Hmm"
"We're going to be late." He picked up her robe and gestured towards the door. "Go on." He continued, "I'll wait for you." Then he let me go and moved over to the window where he stood gazing out at the morning activities below. Looking at the alarm clock beside he bed she knew he was right. Round one to Bella, round two to Edward, Bella could hardly wait for round three.