Chapter 17 – Take me Away

I was dead. I had to be. If this wasn't death, I would welcome it with open arms. I couldn't move. Not even my eyelids could lift. Every single muscle on my body ached. Try as I might I couldn't even tune in to the sounds around me. I couldn't smell. I was totally consumed by the agony overtaking my body. The icy cold that surrounded me didn't help.

I tried to remember what happened. Jake hadn't turned up for our date. I had been in the forest. I had been about to return to my truck when the strong arms had encased me. Then I had fainted. But I still smelled the forest when I awoke again. A high pitched laugh in my ears as the forest rushed past me – the branches swaying alarmingly at the speed with which my captor and I zipped through them. Then I had fainted again, hearing the wolves' cries around me, but never close enough.

So here I was. The blackness was consuming me as I couldn't even open my sore eyes. I knew my captor. I was able to engage my senses enough to know that laugh anywhere - that cruel laugh. She had come – Victoria. It had to be. I couldn't get my thoughts past anymore though when I heard again the echo of the screeching howls of the wolves.

Jake?

I hoped my thoughts were so focused on him that he knew I was here, waiting. Alone. She hadn't come back to me yet. I was grateful. I knew she planned to torture me. I knew she wanted me dead. My only hope was for the wolves to be okay. For them to come save me. That was asking a lot of them but I needed this. I didn't want to die. I had just realised I had so much to live for. I had so many dreams that weren't fulfilled yet. I wanted to graduate from school. I wanted to go to college. I even wanted to be married someday. I felt tears building behind my blind eyes as I thought about these things – these things that hadn't meant so much to me not so long ago.

The wetness helped my sore eyes. I tried opening them again. A slither of light pierced through my lashes as the tears ran free. It was dark enough here. But where was here? The light seemed to be the moon, glaring through a window at me. A large window. As I opened my eyes further, I saw the large window I hadn't been really expecting but it made sense. This was the Cullen's house. I felt safe.

No. That feeling evaporated when I realised the Cullens weren't here. They were away. The only one here was me and…

My other senses tuned in as I began to panic. I heard the wolves still howling out in the forest surrounding the house. I strained my eyes to adjust to the lighting – I had to see if I could see any of them. Maybe I could signal – or was that too risky? My shallow breathing turned forced and heavy. I heard more cries, but they were screams. There had to be a fight going on. I needed to know if they were all okay. Who were they fighting though? I tried to move off of the floor in the magnificent room.

My stiff limbs protested horribly; shaking and jerking when I pushed myself off of the floor. My head was spinning. I made for the door. At least I knew my way around here. I tried to listen at the door. If she was here too, I would never get out. I heard nothing. I ran outside the room and galloped down the stairs – thankfully not falling in my haste. I reached the kitchen which led to the back of the house. The door was already open. The light breeze of the cold night washed over me. It was almost as cold as the arms that had bruised me earlier. I didn't even get to look yet – to see if I looked as bad as I felt.

The noises hadn't been coming from the surrounds of the house anyway. I was a little relieved. I was a coward right now and I wanted to hear the battle before I saw it. I was extremely lucky so far to get away from that house where I had been left.

"NO!" I heard that high-pitched voice screaming, getting closer to me as she drew out the word. I turned but I soon heard growls coming after her. I didn't dare look. I waited to feel that icy grip again. I was paralysed on the spot. I was almost as frozen as she.

It was not the icy grip capturing me this time – I felt a heavy blow to my abdomen as I was pushed to the ground by a something furry and warm. I hoped it might be Jake. But it wasn't. It was a grey wolf – Paul. Paul snarled at me while he raced back to stop Victoria coming any closer to me. I was so scared. I couldn't let him die for me. She was too strong for him.

"Stop, Paul, please?" I begged but he took no notice. The wolf and the vampire were sizing each other up. Both angry beyond reckoning and both willing to fight the other. I fell to my knees again, shaking with fear. There was no place for me to hide from all of this. I would just have to do all I could to help. Which I had to admit was not much. I thought of Jake, where was he, and how did he expect Paul to save me alone?

"Come on, dog. The freaks aren't coming to help. Just you and me. They may have killed the nomads but not me. I want her so I won't leave until she is dead or worse." Victoria sounded venomous. Her voice wafted through the air so daintily yet her words cut like a sharpened knife. Who was killed? Who wasn't coming? I was angry with myself for being out cold through all of this.

Paul snarled again, but this time at Victoria. The red head leapt forward but he blocked her, throwing her body back up against a tree. There was a cracking sound, a horrible crunching noise like marble breaking. Paul leapt back to fix himself in front of me again. When the vampire saw he was protecting me again her eyes lit up. She looked impressive in the light of the moon, her pale face glinting beautifully as she looked around her.

I could still hear lots of howls and screams from the direction of the forest. I wanted to get there, but I had to stay for Paul's sake. Or maybe I had been doing worse by staying here. I wasn't sure anymore I couldn't think straight…

Another flash of colour around me and I realised there was a fight before me. Flashes of red and grey filled my line of vision as the wolf and the vampire fought so viciously that I couldn't even see it. I didn't know who had the upper-hand… or who was failing. I didn't like this. I listened intently as I kneeled on the hard ground, frozen. I heard growls and jeering. This wasn't too bad. There were no whimpers from Paul, so he was doing okay.

"Ah, you stupid mutt. Look what you've done? I will kill you too!" Her voice scared me so badly. I jumped and strained my eyes to make head or tail from the blur. But I couldn't. Some rocks flew towards me. Nice little white pebbles.

No. no. no. Those weren't rocks, or pebbles. Those were fingers. Victoria's marble fingers. Paul had torn them off. She had to be furious now. Oh, just let this be over now, I strained to think that over and over again in my head.

More echoing cracks and growls issued from the source of the fight. Many more 'pebbles' came flying out. But there was also an increased amount of whining from Paul. I watched in horror as he was suddenly lifted in the air. The wolf writhing and squirming against her crushing hands. She flung the huge animal across the clearing behind the house. The limp form landed with a thud beside a large rock near the trees. It let out a low but loud moan, signalling his brothers.

I felt the icy grip again. She had me now. I had forgotten what was at stake here I had been so caught up in Paul. Paul, I wished he was okay. He looked alive if anything, but only just so. The wolf's from was shaking and twitching. I assumed he would change back soon if he knocked himself out with all of that movement.

The pain that had left me on my joy of escaping had come back. The bruises that I was sure were there seemed to deepen and multiply as the furious vampire kept me held. I heard the pounding of feet – or paws? – against the earth. They were coming for me. I had to stop them before it was too late, I didn't want to be responsible for another injured wolf.

"Ha! More dogs for me to maim… You're duller than I thought…" Victoria laughed dangerously again. I was unsure of myself now so I stared at the ground instead of looking at the pack. I was so ashamed. This was my entire fault. They should just let me go – tell her to take me. I deserved this. I had dragged her here in the first place.

The wolves were growling and I could hear the impatience in their tones. It didn't sound like too many of them. I hoped someone had gone look after Paul. I couldn't watch. I didn't want to see Jake's eyes as I asked for this…

"Please, please. Just take me please. I don't care just don't hurt them, please." I begged for mercy. Quietly, so that the wolves might not hear over their own groans. The tinkling laugh filled my ears again. A cold finger pressed hard into my cheek. I felt searing burning pain as the nail drew blood. She dragged her finger down my face, but before she finished a wolf had leapt at us from either side. One pushed me away and onto the ground again – standing over me protectively. I think it was Embry. I couldn't tell from this angle. Sam's wolf was fighting Victoria now.

I didn't watch the fight. I couldn't. I tried to still the blood pouring from the gash in my cheek. I looked and noticed my arms were bleeding as well. So that had been the pains. There was blood running all over me. Fainting now explained; I felt a bit more relaxed – considering the circumstances. I knew victoria hadn't drunk from me; I had felt that before. She was telling the truth. She wanted to torture me.

Embry's wolf pushed me backward again from the fight. The other wolves were standing by watching. I heard moans from across the field. Paul was still awake. I couldn't see Jacob. I worried again. A dizzy spell washed over me making me waver on the ground; I was too weak for this.

I tried to keep up with the fight but it was too complicated. Victoria was working with the hand she had cut me with, the other long gone. But she was being overtaken by Sam. He ripped again and again at her other limbs mercilessly. Tearing chunks from her rock hard frame. She looked demented. Haunted. I was so afraid – even in the presence of the pack. but that all changed quickly…

Two more ghostly figures burst from the trees. One running and one skipping towards us. I knew that tiny girl. Alice. My heart seized up inside of me. I had missed Alice so much; now here she was, coming to save me. I looked at the taller figure and my stomach lurched this time. Edward. What was he doing here? I tried to turn away but they were already beside me. both of their noses crinkled up with the combined smell of me and the wolves. I searched the two of them, my eyes hungrily devouring their perfect gait.

Alice was the same as she used to be; but with slight dark circles under her eyes. I guessed she had been trying to predict this all day long. Or had been tortured with visions of what will happen further into the night. Edward. Once I looked I couldn't stop looking. His perfect tall hard marble body. His strong shoulders. Every part of him called out to me. I wanted to look in his eyes but I was afraid. His eyes had always sucked me in before; always kept me captive. But I dared to look. I hadn't been able to in so long.

Red. Fire. That was all I saw in his eyes. his eyes weren't the beautiful topaz I remembered them as. He turned towards me when I gasped. His beautiful eyes were ruined. He had drunk human blood. How could he? Is that why he had left? No. I assured myself that he had left for me. for my safety. Oh my god. No. even still – not for that reason. The sorrow in his eyes behind the red irises made me see he did not want this. He reached a hand out towards me. A snarl issued abruptly from Embry.

"Love, I am so sorry. I know what this looks like… What I look like…" He said in that perfect voice. I was weak again just looking and listening to him. I had always been taken in by this perfection. Alice chirped up then and pulled him away by the arm. She was muttering silently to Edward. The two of the headed for the fight which had almost reached the cover of the trees now.

I looked around again, searching for Jake. But he was not here. Maybe he didn't want to save me. maybe he was afraid. Like I was. I wouldn't blame him. Maybe he didn't love me the way I thought. Maybe I was supposed to be with Edward.

I had to stop myself thinking those things. I knew deep down that Jacob did love me and there was a good explanation for him not being here.

There were screams as Paul's body changed back to human form. Quil appeared naked from behind him and I tried not to look. He was dragging him away from further harm. Paul was screeching just as he had done in his wolf form. this was all my fault. Quil's face was covered with frustration and worry lines. He looked so much older than he should. And I was worried for my friend Paul too. He had tried to save me. he had really tried. I knew he would eat himself up about not being able to stop Victoria but that could be helped.

I turned my attention back to the pack, still surrounding the fight. I saw Jared, Brady, Colin and Seth. And one other. I didn't know that wolf; it was smaller than the rest and a very light silvery grey. It was growling and snarling and frothing at the mouth, looking very much the temperamental pack member. Sam was still fighting for his life. But Alice was joining him now. Edward stood back a little, crouched down. He was reading her thoughts I bet. He really did know how to fight – he knew everyone's moves before his own. Alice was jumping and zipping around Victoria and Sam, helping out significantly. More cracks and crunches reverberated into the night air. I knew she was all but finished.

Edward joined in. He moved so swiftly. I could barely even see his hands as they crushed Victoria between them. Sam and Alice stepped away. Edward looked fearsome. His eyes burned into Victoria's fearful ones. The intimidation pouring from him was enough to make me question how I had ever stayed near him for so long. I should have been terrified. I cowered behind Embry again. I wished someone could put their warm arms around me, but the only beings here with arms were cold as ice. I shivered as I heard another crunch. A screech echoed into the night air. The wolves were still circling round and round the two vampires fighting but one was sorely losing out. Sam stood his ground behind Edward. How he kept his eyes focused on Victoria was beyond me.

I couldn't bear to watch any longer. It was torture to watch them all willing to put their lives on the line for me. another scream cut into the night around me. I dropped to my knees again, a slight moan issuing from Embry. His wet warm nose prodded at my chest, trying to bring me back to earth. I couldn't focus. I blocked my ears and lay down and cried.

I cried for everything. I let it all out. I cried for Edward who was obviously not what I thought. I cried for my absent boyfriend. I cried for Alice who hadn't wanted to see me until now. I cried for how I brought Victoria here. I cried for Paul. Everything that had happened on this horrible night was racked out of my body through sobs and whines. I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I couldn't hear what was going on around me. I closed my eyes – scrunched them up tight. I wanted this to be a horrible nightmare.

At least then I wouldn't wake up to this.

When I felt warm hands pull me from the freezing ground, my heart skipped a beat. Jake, Jake, Jake; was all that ran through my mind. But his smell wasn't there. It was Embry. Back to himself again, he pulled me into him and hugged me. This comfort stopped the tears I hadn't realised were still flowing. Embry soaked all of my insecurities up and replaced them with a comfortable warmth.

I looked over his shoulder at the scene around me. Sam's wolf was staring down the line of wolves left after the fight. Colin, Brady, Seth and the stranger; I wondered who it was. That was wiped from my mind when I saw that the vampires were all gone. The wolves ran off as Sam changed back to himself. He walked over to us, me averting my eyes as usual. It was then I realised Embry wasn't clothed either. his warmth was too nice to tear myself away from so I just overcame that discomfort.

"Bella, she is gone. Edward and Alice are helping the pack …clear up. I'm sorry. It came on us unannounced. And at a bad time. Leah had just… I shouldn't even be telling you this. Go get some rest." He expected me to go home? I was shocked. I clung to Embry still. Not willing to let go. I didn't care about Leah Clearwater right now; I needed Jake.

"Sam, Sam, please? Where's Jake? I want to see if Paul is okay… Please Sam let me come with you all…" I begged him. I really needed to make sure everything was alright. I had to have at least that comfort that I wasn't being blamed. And I needed to know where Jacob was. My Jacob.

Sam ignored me but still beckoned me to come with them. He gave a defeated nod to Embry who picked me up – after putting on some sweats – and carried me off through the trees. A pungent smell filled my nostrils. It wasn't the forest as I knew it. It was something terrible. I smelled like something was burning. The guys ignored my curious face too. I decided not to ask.

When we arrived at Sam and Emily's place, Emily was waiting by the front screen door. Her features softened automatically when she saw Sam. As we entered the house we heard cries and profanities curdling through the bright kitchen. Paul.

I rushed through the house to get to him. I didn't care that they were telling me no. Paul and I were friends. Better than any of them knew. It wasn't just for my self-satisfaction that I needed to see him. It was for him – if he wasn't okay I didn't know what I would do.

"GET OUT! Get her out! Go away!" Paul tried to stop me seeing him. He was being held down by three of the pack. Colin and Brady instantly let him go and tried to usher me away from the room. But I slipped past them both. Quil caught me by the arm, it hurt quite a bit. I had forgotten about my own injuries. I didn't care anyway. I would deal with it so long as Paul was alright. If he had gotten hurt protecting me…

His face was pale and gaunt. He was jerking and twitching fiercely on the small bed. There was blood running down the right side of his body. The smell of it reached my nose and I wanted to vomit. I swallowed trying to keep the gag reflex at bay. Paul seemed to be trying not to yell as Quil washed him down. My mouth formed a little 'o' while watching. When the blood was nearly cleaned away, it was clear that Paul had gotten some terrible gashes during the fight. The cuts were deep and considering how fast werewolves healed – it didn't bear thinking about what they had been like.

"Oh, Paul. I'm so sorry. This is all of my fault. You shouldn't have. If you just let her take me… everything would be okay here…" I began to mumble. Paul spat on the floor – more blood. He raised his chin in the air as he drew in a deep breath.

"Bella – go away. Stop playing the guilty party. It's our duty to protect you from leeches. So just leave and get yourself cleaned up. I'll be fine in another hour or so… I'm sure you have bigger problems right now than my minor injuries." The sarcasm was enough for me.

I burst straight out of the room covering my face. I crumpled in the hallway. I could hear Quil and the others telling Paul he was too harsh with me, too cruel. But he wasn't. I did have bigger problems. Where was my boyfriend? And when would I have to face my ex?

Just as that thought occurred I knew what I had to do now…

But it could wait.

As I walked to the kitchen I heard Sam talking to Seth, Embry and Jared.

"…Well, the small one said once the red head was gone, we would be free for a while. The Cullens won't stay unless Bella chooses them to. I had to keep Jake on the Rez tonight so he wouldn't see them. I know there's a lot more to his hatred than just pure instinct. The only thing is none of us can be sure what she'll do. The pixie is still not telling us. But she did say things could get a lot worse if Edward is found out …But I'm not sure what that means."

"Man, Sam… Jake cooped up at home and you let Leah out on her first night. She won't phase back for a week after that. She's gone running now… I better go check on her…"

When Seth left, I felt safe to enter. All eyes bore into me as I entered. But just as I caught their discouraging stares, Emily whipped me away to clean me up. I looked back at Sam and I knew he knew that I had heard everything. It couldn't be helped. Now I knew why Jake wasn't here for me. He had been ordered. Sam wanted me to make a decision. This did all rest on my shoulders.

That great weight settled in as Emily planted me on the couch. She was muttering about Billy and Charlie and other things I didn't care about right now. All I could feel was that numb setting in all over my body. I could feel the pain of my open wounds but I could not feel anything beyond that. I just sat there as Emily checked and cleaned me up. It hurt like hell but I just endured. I couldn't bring myself to cry. She had to put gauze on my cheek – that wound was deep.

"It'll heal Bella. Don't look so forlorn. It's going to be okay. Everything will be back to normal in a few days, you'll see. Come on. Say something Bella. Don't black out, please… SAM!"

I felt myself falling before I knew it in my mind. I couldn't explain it. Emily just got farther and farther away. My upper body strength holding me to the chair gave away. My head hit my knees and I lolled off the side of the couch. I felt the bang as I hit the stone floor but it was only then I knew I was gone…

This was what I needed. I needed to get away. I needed to feel nothing – not the numb feeling again – but really nothing. I felt myself laughing as my final bit of sanity and energy gave in and succumbed to the blackness around me.

I didn't want to wake up.

A/N - I hope you all liked it. It was hard to write... Please Review and let me know.

Thanks for reading anyway, keep on reading, this is not the end! :)