Fooled

I almost went to Laurent's outstretched hand and grasped it in my own. Almost. Something held me back. It could have been Laurent's eyes piercing into my own. Devouring my presence with an eerie stillness. His eyes flickered over my face and I snapped out of it. He tried to move forward and I unconsciously took a step back. I turned toward Jacob but no one was there. I moved my head frantically looking for my friend. Only one thought filtered in my head. He left?

Laurent smiled at me. The air grew chillingly cold and I gathered my arms around me. My stomach was tightening and I felt my hands shaking. I quickly bunched my fingers into my jacket lining. Laurent noticed my reaction and his smile grew wider.

"Don't be afraid." Laurent said and he started walking to me. He stopped a few feet in front of me and looked into the forest trail. I followed his gaze and saw huge trees line the path into the woods. The leaves were quiet and I only heard my breathing. The path looked haunting awaiting someone's descent into the shadowy, woods. Laurent looked like he saw something and then the moment passed.

He turned back to me. "Bella where's your friend?" He waved his long finger at me. "Not such a gentleman to leave you behind with me."

"Why are you going to hurt me?" I whispered and wished I hadn't voiced my frightened thought.

"I suppose not. Although sometimes I just can't help myself. She will be disappointed but it's only because you're so appealing." He did move closer and leaned into me. He moved his head and savored the last breath. "Yes, Victoria will be upset with me but if she was in the same position as I am in she would do the same."

"Victoria?" I questioned and the scenes of James's ugly murder played in my mind. James luring me into a trap and Edward fighting him to save my life.

"She wanted me to bring you to her, she's not happy with you. She is avenging James's death." Laurent walked around me slowly. "It's just that you smell so good I can't resist."

He leaned in closer and I saw the crimson of his eyes stare straight into mine. His cold eyes raked over me and I knew he would kill me. I was going to die on the side of the road and never get to see Edward again. If fate was going to intervene I welcomed it right now.

Laurent stopped smiling and stepped away from me. His hand that was outstretched ready to kill me went down lightening fast. He turned away and bent his head closer listening for something. He stepped away from me as he looked deeper into the woods.

Now was my chance to stall him. "Edward will be here." I said pathetically. Edward's apparition appeared beside me. I jolted back and had to look again to make sure I wasn't seeing things. His ghostly image looked at me with concern. He pursed his lips and smiled my favorite smile. Then he glared at Laurent.

"Lie to him." Edward requested. His body stood scarily still and I glanced at Laurent to see if he heard Edward. Edward the name still hurt my inner core. I stilled my rapidly beating heart.

"He'll come looking for me." I warned Laurent a little more firmly. Edward nodded along provoking my sudden burst of confidence.

"Hmm," Laurent smiled again. "I don't think he will." He moved a little closer to me and leaned down. "I think he's gone, I went to his home and it looked like nobody had lived there for awhile." Laurent looked at me with knowledge of my dishonest words.

"That's only because they went on a hiking trip. You know for sustenance." I lied quickly. Edward shook his head then stared eagerly at Laurent. His smile was gone and he had the most melancholy look on his face. He glanced one last time at me and was gone.

Wait, my mind shouted at him. My inner voice screamed at the top of her lungs. Don't leave me, again. Again. Laurent actually smirked at me letting me know that this was the end for me.

I closed my eyes and waited to die. The only resounding thought that floated into my mind was I love you, Edward. I wish you were here. But I will always love you. I shrinked away and prepared to be mauled to death. I stayed still and felt the time pass. I finally opened my eyes in time to see Laurent's face fall.

"It can't be." Laurent looked into the woods again and this time I turned my head and stared in that direction also.

A huge animal walked out of the path and I thought it was an overgrown horse. Then I saw the face of the animal and knew it was a wolf. An impossibly large gruesome wolf walking towards both of us. I would have preferred to be killed by Laurent then ripped in half by this monstrous wolf.

Laurent didn't move for a second. The wolf continued towards both of us. My heart was pouncing in my chest. My ribs were constricted and I was holding my breath. The wolf snarled and that must have jolted Laurent because he ran away. I saw a glimpse of him as he ran like a lightening bolt. The wolf stared at me for a second and took off after Laurent. I heard tons of thumping and thunderous steps. I could see nothing anymore. The trees obscured my view. I ran down the highway. My feet hurt from the constant pounding on the road.

My only thought at the moment was I didn't want to die. Edward leaving me was horrific but dying and leaving Charlie was appalling. I ran till I saw a sign that proclaimed Pacific Beach 3 miles. I groaned and continued my half jog half run attempt.

I started limping and glanced around to see if any cars were heading west. None. I put my head down and limped again. My right tennis shoe was loosing the sole pretty quick. I could feel each groove on the ground twist and mark my bottom foot. Where is Jacob? I didn't dare call his name. I didn't want to alert the wolf if it was prowling for its next meal.

My shoe started to squish and I didn't dare look. If it was blood I would pass out on this highway and probably be killed by a forest animal. It hurt to breathe.

I was still staring at the ground when I heard my name. I glanced up quickly and turned in that direction.

Jacob was running towards me with Sam behind him. I couldn't run to him I could barely walk anymore. My feet were on fire. Jacob reached me in a second.

"Hey," he said softly. Sam stood awkwardly behind him.

"Where were you?" I hadn't meant to accuse him of leaving me. Well, on second thought hell yeah I did I was pissed!

He looked sheepishly. Then he turned to Sam. Sam nodded and sprinted away. I watched his body disappear into the pathway.

"Where is he goin?" I muttered and glared at him with a withering stare. Jacob bit back a smile.

"He's getting his truck. He's going to take us back to La Push." Jacob looked down and kicked the pebbles. "You're not safe at the house." He said more seriously.

"Jacob I'm not going anywhere with you. You left me." I tried to punch his arm but he caught my hand. "Let me go."

"Just calm down. I'll explain everything on the way to my house." He said more calmly. "Try not to punch me again I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

I rolled my eyes and Jacob grinned. I was still flaming mad but my feet were practically falling off. I stumbled forward and Jacob caught me.

"Okay, I guess I'll have to carry you." He scooped me up into his arms effortlessly. I struggled in his embrace. "You can't walk anymore you're feet are bleeding." He looked pointedly at my shoes and I glanced down. The tops of my shoes were covered in blood. I groaned.

"Okay, I'll go." He nodded. "But I want the truth No more lies." I said cautiously. He didn't look too happy about that. Sam pulled up to us and Jacob leaned in closer to me. "Okay but not till we get back to my house then I'll explain everything." I nodded satisfied and he put me in the truck.