1We had just got back from the gym from our workout, my cell rang and it showed Bella's number. I told my brothers I was taking it into my room to talk. As I got to my door, I heard a strange voice on the other end. It said that Bella was being held captive and if I wanted to see her again I needed to go to the beach at La Push. I was not to bring my brothers or she wouldn't be breathing by the time I got there. I asked to speak to Bella to know she was ok but they said no and I could hear her whining in the background like her mouth was gagged. I had no choice, I dissipated and formed back a few blocks from the house. I was frantic! In my mind all I could see was Bella in trouble and I was never so scared in my life. I ran as fast as I ever had straight to La Push Beach. I was very wary as I approached. Looking for signs of who or what this was about. I got my answer soon enough.
I saw Bella, Rose, and Alice tied up and gagged standing against the side of the rock embankment. There were 5 guys with guns aimed straight at them. I was in the shadows trying to figure out my best move when I heard a guy call out to me. It was Chris Jetters who walked into view now, also carrying a huge gun. He said for me to show myself because he knew I was there. I walked slowly out of the tree line and stood a distance from him. I heard Bella catch her breath when she saw me, her eyes showed how scared she was. In my heart I wanted to run to her and tell her it would all be okay, but I knew I had to play this out and try to work our way out where no one was hurt.
Chris smiled a very ominous smile and told me to slowly walk over towards the girls. I did as he said and his guys stayed far enough back that I couldn't make a lunge for their guns. They had been trained well. He said it was good to see me again and I gave him a quizzical look. "Oh? Well Excuse me if I don't return the sentiment, but I didn't think looking at each other in a lunch room made us friends." He let out a huge belly laugh at this. Then his goons told us to walk and we were led into a cave at the bottom of the cliffs. It was obvious that in high tide you couldn't see this place. It was damp and musty smelling but they had placed a few battery operated camping lanterns inside to light the way. We went a fair distance toward the back and he made us all sit against the wall. I was really surprised they hadn't tied my hands or handcuffed me, but I assumed they didn't want to get that close to me just yet.
I tried to whisper to the girls to tell them it would be ok but the goons yelled at me to shut up. I stared at Bella and got her eye contact I needed to tell her to concentrate on me. I yelled in my head trying to reach her.
Bella! Bella! You have to listen to me! They don't know we can connect. We need to talk here so I can tell you what to do when the time comes for us to make our escape. BELLA PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!! Then I heard her quietly. I'll concentrate Edward, I promise. I'm so sorry we drew you into this. Her eyes teared up and she looked at me so sadly. Bella this is not because of you, I'm not sure what it's all about yet, but I promise you it is not your fault. I am going to send a message to Emmet and Jasper about where we are. I will keep talking to you every little bit like this. Don't lose your concentration okay? No matter what this guy says or does, I need you to concentrate on me so you can hear me. Do you understand? She nodded slightly. Yes Edward.
In all my years of training and battles nothing had me feeling so helpless as this. I normally wouldn't be phased by 6 guys. Emmet and Jasper and I had handled more than this before. We were far faster than the humans ever counted on us being and could take them by surprise. But this time I had the girls to be concerned about and that scared me. I called out to my brothers. Emmet! Jasper! I need your help! They both answered immediately. What's up Bro? Listen, I'm at La Push Beach, Chris Jetters and some others has the girls kidnaped and tied up here. We are in a cave at the bottom of the cliffs. You will sense me when you get here. But be on alert, I think there are more of them on patrol in the area. I'm not sure what all this is about yet, but they are holding some pretty big guns on us so be careful. They didn't ask a bunch of questions just said they were on their way.
I needed to get more information from Chris, so I started trying to get him to talk.
"Well, now that you have us here, may I ask what the plan is? If it's ransom you want you really should have picked more wealthy people you know. Like the banker's kid instead of the police chief's kid."
"This is nothing about ransom, Cullen. I'm not even gonna ask for one at all."
I noticed immediately that he used my last name. I wasn't sure how he found it out but it meant he had done his homework. This had to be more than a typical high school kid.
"Okay, well since it's not about the money, do you mind telling me just what the plan IS about?"
"You will find out in due time. No need to worry about it just yet."
Emmet and Jasper told me they were almost there, but had slowed down to try to scan the area so they could see how many we were up against. I told them to scan for humans then scan for the hostility so we could decide if it was all humans we were being held by.
Bella, are you with me?
Yes I'm still listening.
Good girl. Emmet and Jasper are on their way. Try to stay calm. I need you to think and tell me if he hinted in any way why he is doing this.
I don't remember Edward, when they grabbed me, they had a rag and put it over my face and I passed out. I didn't come to until they were making calls on my phone, and we were already here by then.
Ok, don't worry, we are going to get you girls out of this. Trust me Bella, I won't let them hurt you.
I trust you Edward. Just let me know what to do to help.
Okay Babygirl, just keep concentrating with me and I will try to get him talking so we can figure this out.
Her eyes sparkled when I called her that. I wanted so badly to untie her and just hold her. Then it hit me, I had been so worried about the happenings I hadn't even thought about our vision. This was the dark damp place. This is where I was trying to protect her. Well at least we knew that my visions were absolute.
"Well Chris, tell me, do you always use innocent girls to get what you fancy in life?"
"You have no idea Cullen, I use them for so much more than just what I fancy. I use them for entertainment, for pawns in larger games of chess, for experimentation, for all sorts of things." He finished that out with a grin made of pure evil.
He stared at me and I saw him. Not Chris, but who this really was.
EMMET! JAS! IT'S LUCIEN! DON'T COME CLOSER UNTIL YOU CONTACT DAD AND LET THEM KNOW WHERE WE ARE. I was screaming in my head trying to warn them in time.
Lucien? Are you sure Edward? How in the hell did we not pick up on him? We got no signs of alarms and he was right here under our noses!
I don't know how yet guys but I saw him, under his pretend cover. It's him, no doubt, and he is talking about using the girls for experimentation. We have got to get them out of here!!! You know what kind of things shape shifters do to humans!
He must have seen my eyes and noticed the fear I was trying to hide. He came a little closer, but enough he was still out of reach. He squatted down on our level and stared at each one of us. "Such pretty little humans don't you think Edward? You know I really didn't plan on making a move so quick, but when I saw you at the accident pushing her out of the way, I had to decide to either abandon the plan or speed it up. I saw you dissolve and tried to locate you, but couldn't get a lock on where you went. I knew if I stayed in this area that eventually you would show yourself. I felt your presence a few times at the school and decided if I latched onto the one you were showing interest in that I could get two birdies in one basket. At first I wasn't sure if she was one of your kind or not, but the stupid biology teacher fixed that for me when he had us use our blood for the lab. I just took her smear and had it checked. Once they told me she was 100% human that was all I needed. How do you think I was able to confuse your senses? We have perfected our human experiments enough that we can merge our DNA with theirs enough to almost pass completely for a human. The next step is to have a human female inseminated with our offspring and then see if that makes it completely stealthy to any others scans or senses."
As he began to brag about how brilliant he was during this whole deception I saw the fear and confusion in Bella's eyes. I had to reaffirm her it would be okay. Bella, there are a lot if things you are going to see and hear during this ordeal. I promise to explain everything as soon as we have you girls to safety. I need you to be extremely brave for me. I know who this guy is and he isn't named Chris. His name is Lucien and he is a member of a very bad clan. Do NOT underestimate him and don't try to do anything until I say. Promise me! Please Bella I need you to trust me now more than ever. Again she nodded. I promise.
Lucien moved to the front of the cavern to talk to a few of his men, I was pretty sure he was telling them to watch for my brothers. Rose and Alice were shaking with fear and I whispered as quietly as I could that we would get them out of this and that Emmet and Jasper were on the way. They seemed to calm a little after that.
"I have to admit Lucien, your research did a remarkable job of covering yourself this time. I never even had a clue it was you."
"You have no idea the progress we have made thanks to the volunteer humans we have come across." He laughed viciously.
"Volunteers? Is that what you call it when you chloroform people and tie them up? Or maybe that's the only way you can get a girl to go anywhere with you." The girls gave a little giggle at that and I knew that would rile him up.
"Listen Cullen, you and your goody two shoes Guardian Elites are no match for me. So I wouldn't be pushing my temper if I were you." He snarled quite convincingly.
" Oh Lucien, I would have thought your humor would have improved after all these years. Too bad it is just as moldy as this place you chose to hide in."
Edward, we just talked to Dad, there has been a major movement in the shape shifters regions. They are sending troops this way. He is gathering the Guardians and they are coming in as backup. He wants us to get these girls to safety as soon as possible before the main enforcement arrives.
I'm game when you are Jasper, just let me know your plan before you burst in.
Bella, I just heard from Jasper, they are calling in backup. Stay calm, it's almost over. I couldn't quite tell her that the backup was across the ocean and wouldn't get here until our ordeal here was over with.
"Honestly Cullen, I do admire how you stay on that high horse of yours when you can clearly see you are out numbered, out gunned, and out planned."
"Well I guess I just have more faith in my brothers than I do in all your little peons."
"Just because they are disguised as mere humans, does not mean they are lacking any of our usual strength and agility."
"That is a good thing, it keeps us from wasting our energy on you."
Lucien stormed off to the entrance once again and I took advantage of the situation to ease my hand behind Bella's back and untie her ropes. Bella, keep your hands behind you like they are still tied. I will tell you when to move.
Edward, we can see the cave from here, but when we move out into the open they are gonna hit hard, there are at least twenty of them up here. Can you tell us how many are on the inside with you and are you tied up?
No, believe it or not they haven't got close enough to tie me. I have Bella's hands untied, but can't reach Rose and Alice yet. There are six to ten down here with us. And most are well armed with guns, including Lucien.
Ok, if we head your way it will take us a few minutes to get inside. Can you cover the girls and keep them safe until we do?
Yea, I'll head them back further into the cave away from the guns until you make it in. Be careful boys, these assholes mean business.
You just keep our ladies safe and we will get to you.
I leaned over and told Bella, Rose, and Alice that when I gave them the signal, I wanted them to get up and run back further into the cave until I got to them. No matter what they heard or how long it took they were to stay hidden in the dark back there until me or one of my brothers came to get them. No questions asked. Just do it and keep quiet.
That's when we heard the commotion, it sounded like all hell broke loose. Guns were firing, guys were screaming out directions, people were crying out in pain. I grabbed Bella and helped her up, then I grabbed Rose and Alice, I shoved them all towards the back of the cave and told them to run! As I turned around Lucien was there, he hit me upside the head with the butt of his gun and I went down. It took me a second to get back on my feet but he had already grabbed Bella and jerked her back to where we were. I looked up to make sure Rose and Alice made it. Then I leaped at Lucien. I heard Bella scream and all I could think of was keeping him as far from her as possible. I grabbed his hands and tried to pry the gun from them, but he was right, there was no lack of strength in him. I worked my way between him and Bella and kept my body between her and the barrel of the gun. The fighting was getting intense outside and I didn't dare to contact my brothers and break their concentration.
I thought I actually had a chance to get the better of Lucien when one of his goons came up quickly on my left and before I knew what happened I was on the ground again after being smacked with something. When I started to get off the floor, Lucien yelled at me to freeze unless I wanted Bella splattered all over the cave. I froze where I was at and looked around. He was holding the gun 6 inches from her face. I couldn't breathe. I knew what he was capable of. She was shaking so hard. He was smiling and daring me to flinch a muscle.
Bella don't move. Don't push him. Please.
"Ok Lucien, you win, I quit. Just move the gun. Aim it here at me, Bella hasn't done anything to you. I'm the one always pissing you off remember? Wouldn't you rather kill me?"
Slowly he turned to me, "Not just yet Cullen, I have much more exciting plans for you both. Now get over there by Bella and remember if you try another stupid stunt I have no problem having to sacrifice her to get your attention."
I moved very slowly to Bella and she clung to me in fear. This did not go unnoticed by him or his goons that remained in the cave with us. We could hear Emmet and Jasper working their way through the squad outside, but had no idea how it was going.
Once they saw we were under control where we were, Lucien sent a few of the men from there up to the mouth of the cave. He kept his gun trained on us and I was holding Bella as best as I could and covering her with my body. I didn't want any stray shots hitting her.
The next thing I knew it was pitch black and Bella was screaming, something or someone had knocked the lights over. I knew Lucien would not hesitate to shoot so I scooped Bella up in my arms and made a run to the back of the cave. I couldn't see as clearly as with a light but I could see the walls and manage to maneuver through without smacking anything major. I heard the cussing and the gunfire and could only hope I got her out of there fast enough. I ran as fast as I dared carrying her in the dark and zig zagged back and forth in case anyone took pot-shots in the dark. Bella clung around my neck as I ran and we dodged around a corner and into a nook. I sat her down and took inventory.
Are you hit? Are you hurt anywhere? Please God tell me you are okay?
I'm okay Edward. Are you hurt bad?
No I'm fine. Let's see if we can find Alice and Rose they must be out of their mind with fear.
I eased around the corner and half expected to hear Lucien or his goons headed our way. I knew the shape shifters could not see in the dark, so that was a bonus to us. Barely making a sound I whispered Rose and Alice's names. Keeping Bella behind me in case we met a foe, I eased along the tunnel hoping to find them in good condition. Careful not to make any noise, I went extremely slow as I made our way through the dark. Bella grabbed hold of my shirt to give me room to move but to keep her with me. I would have loved to had her in my arms to reassure her, but knew if we came across one of the goons I would need both my hands.
I heard heavy breathing and whimpering from a corner a few feet from us and stopped and whispered to Rose and Alice that we were almost to them, not to scream or jump. They both grabbed us when we got to them and just held each other until the girls could get hold of their emotions. I explained that Emmet and Jasper were in the front of the cave and I needed to leave Bella here with the others so I could go help my brothers.
At first Bella grabbed me and said she wouldn't stay without me, but I had to tell her, as long as we had to worry about the girls safety, we were putting us all in danger. If we had the freedom to fight them as we were trained without them being able to hold the girls as hostage against us we could take care of these goons and get everyone out of here quicker. Rose and Alice agreed with me and they pulled her over into the corner with them. I reached over and held her hand tight and promised to be back soon. Then I ran off into the darkness back towards the front of the cave.