Taken

Today's date was something I should know. A nagging feeling at the back of my brain constantly told me that today was special but there was nothing in my organizer, nothing by mouth from any of the men. Nothing said today was important. I sighed and continued to check the progress of the one- yes one pregnant girl at our camp. The others who had arrived with her were lying, thinking that by faking a pregnancy they would get better treatment. My forehead wrinkled in frustration and I groaned. I'd improved the living here quite a bit but things still weren't as good as I would've liked them to be. This wasn't supposed to be a death camp- yet our mortality rates continued to rise. Malnutrition was the biggest factor and after checking the calculations again, I saw that the only way to give the workers better nutrition was to make the rest of the soldiers cut back- and that wouldn't go over well. At that moment there was a sharp knock on my door.

"Come in."

A soldier was dragging a girl by the arm and practically snarling.

"I want something done about this."

"About what?"

"She was stealing food from OUR supply. I saw her do it."

"You came here," I said slowly, "to have me not only punish her for being hungry but also for stealing an insignificant box of crackers?"

"If we don't do something about it the rest will do it too."

"This may be true. Why don't you go back to the kitchen and get something else and I'll talk to the girl, do you understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Dismissed."

He left quickly and the girl burst into sobs and pushed the box of crackers on my desk.

"They weren't for me! They're old and stale anyway and the cook was going to throw them out!!"

"It's alright," I said gently, "Calm down."

She had brown eyes and pale skin. She was pretty enough, certainly not very old- 15 at best but there was something about her I had the same nag in the back of my brain about.

"What's your name?"

She wiped her nose with her hand and sniffed.

"Brittany. Brittany Simmons."

The name itself wasn't familiar but I felt my heart jump at the sound of the B in her first name and the sound of the S in her last.

"Take the crackers Brittany. And give them to whomever needed them. I don't think it's worth a punishment do you?"

She shook her head rapidly and scampered out of the room before I could say anything else.

I frowned and stared at my calendar. Why did the sounds in her name make my heart jump? Why did I feel like today was important? I sighed and rubbed my temples. I didn't have time to think about it. I turned to my papers and wrote out an announcement, hoping that I wouldn't have to do too much damage control.

Notice:

All soldiers from today until further notice shall only eat three times a day. Each meal will consist of a main entrée and three sides to keep them full but that is all. If you have any questions, please see the head of the camp.

I groaned inwardly. The chaos would ensue after this was posted.

--Bella's Point of View--

Everyone was on edge today. Today was Alice's due date. She didn't seem worried and insisted it would be another week before anything happened but just in case, Carlisle was making her stay in bed until it happened. And Jacob was well- he was starting to become a pain. This time though, it wasn't because he was annoying, it was because he had a point. And then there was a knock on my door.

"Bella?"

"Yeah Jake?"

"Is it okay if I come in?"

"Go ahead."

As always, the first thing he did was hug me. That was his habit lately.

"Are you worried about Alice?"

"She's insisting it won't happen, and you know Alice- she's almost always right."

"Yeah it's creepy."

I laughed and stared off into the corner. It had been two days since I last saw Edward and I was feeling even more empty now that I hadn't seen him.

"Bells?"

"Huh?"

"You went away for a second."

"Sorry. What were you saying?"

"Quil and Embry sent me a letter."

"Did they?"

"A friend of ours who was rebel, she got captured."

"Oh Jake I'm sorry, who was it?"

"Brittany Simmons. You didn't know her."

"I'm really sorry."

"It's okay."

There was silence for a few moments and he coughed lightly.

"I've been thinking."

"About?"

"Well um, it's been a few months. You're holding up really well. I was wondering if uh, you wanted to go out outside of here, dinner or something."

I bit my lip and sighed softly.

"I don't know."

"I swear I wouldn't think about it like a date."

"Can Alice come?"

"If you can get Carlisle to let her out of bed, sure."

"Tomorrow then."

He gave me a hug goodbye and closed the door. I sighed again and looked at the wall.

"I'm sorry."

He just smiled that crooked smile.

"You can't be alone forever Bella. Besides, it isn't a date."

He winked and I had to laugh a little.

"I don't want anyone but you," I said quietly.

"I know."

Always so understanding.

"Maybe though, you should let yourself see what he has to offer. He would take care of you, and I know he would love you almost as much as I do."

"I don't want anyone else to love me though," I protested.

He nodded again and chuckled.

"So stubborn. Just don't let yourself stay miserable Bella, I don't want that."

I pouted, but gave a quick nod.

"Are you happy where you are?"

He shrugged.

"You're not here, but I can't complain beyond that."

I smiled again.

"Love you."

He nodded.

"You too."

And he was gone. I sighed and went to talk to Carlisle and beg to let Alice come with me tomorrow.

There really was nothing funnier than watching a pixie waddle. We were in Port Angles while it was still early and we'd just finished breakfast.

"There's a store over here with some baby clothes, can we go look?"

"Whatever you want preggers."

"Jake!"

They were getting along pretty well but he kept giving sarcastic comments and I was sure Alice was about to beat him senseless.

While we were inside the store and Alice browsed, Jake leaned in close to me.

"Are you doing okay?"

I nodded.

"What made you laugh last night?"

"What?"

"I was tying my shoe when I was outside your door. You laughed at something."

"Oh. It was nothing."

He eyed me suspiciously but at that moment Alice saved me from having to bear much more.

"We should get back, I promised Carlisle we wouldn't be gone for more than a few hours."

As we walked back, and Alice waddled I heard the strangest sound from down the street. It sounded like shouts but there was really no one else around.

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

I shook my head. I really was losing it now.

"Nothing."

Jake and Alice got into the car and I turned the key. Nothing.

"Crap," I muttered.

"Want me to look at it?"

"No I got it Jake, stay with Alice."

I went around to look at the engine and groaned when black smoke billowed out after the hood was opened.

"Can I help you miss?"

I shrieked and jumped into the air as the soldier behind me spoke.

"I'm sorry, you scared me."

"My apologies. Are you having car trouble?"

"Yes. I think the drive here after so long of not doing anything shot the engine or something."

He nodded slowly and adjusted his hat.

"Why don't I take you and your friends back to where you need to be?"

At this, I frowned. If he was a soldier then he had to know something about engines, or at least someone we could call that could get us home.

"I don't know if that's best."

His eyes narrowed and his hand went to my wrist.

"Really. I insist."

I closed my eyes to remember what little self defense I'd learned from Emmet and tried to twist my arm out of his grasp but he pulled me closer to him.

"Look at your friend," he said with quiet menace.

Another soldier was next to Alice with a gun pointed at her. She was hiding her fear well but I knew her better than anyone and she was terrified.

"Wait. I'll go. Please don't hurt her, she's pregnant."

At the last word his eyes lit up.

"Pregnant?"

"She's due any day. Just let her go home and I'll go with you."

He smiled to the other soldier and he took Alice out of the car.

"I have a better idea."

Another soldier who had somehow snuck around the car out of my sight dragged out Jake and stood him next to me.

"All of you are under arrest for rebel activity. You will be located to a worker's camp immediately."

My jaw dropped and I saw Alice tremble.

"She can't travel this late into the pregnancy. The baby could die."

"It's a short drive."

"Wait! I'm married to one of the soldiers working in a camp. Edward. Edward Cullen."

It tore me apart to say his name but if it would save Alice then it was worth it.

The soldier holding me frowned.

"Don't know what you're talking about."

He dragged me along the ground and I shrieked, kicking my legs and thrashing as much as I could.

"Let her go!! She's not going to be able to work!"

He put his hand over my mouth and shoved me into the back of a truck along with Alice and Jacob.

"Enjoy the drive," he said with a wink.

I hit the side of the trunk and screamed again.

"Dammit!"

Alice wasn't speaking and Jake was glaring angrily at the front of the truck.

"Alice I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," she whispered.

"No it's not," I groaned and I put my face into my hands.

She smiled wrly.

"It will be. I can feel it."

All I could do was stare.

--

Since today's my birthday I decided to give all of my faithful readers a present from me. :) I really hoe you guys love the chapter and I'm sorry it's short. Review and be honest! :)