Chapter 4: Encounter

Despite the height, lack of air and the fact that the where vampire killing guards, Alice was quite pleased to be in charge of the trip. It meant she could go nuts and pack anything she wanted.

While she was busy packing unnecessary equipment, I went to see Sam and Jacob at La Push reservation.

'Edward's missing and I need the pack's help getting something to get him back,' I explained briefly.

Sam raised and eyebrow and Jacob looked away with a snigger.

I glared at Jacob and continued talking to Sam, 'There is a temple on the top of Mt Everest in the Himalayas and it contains a special vampiric artefact called the Ice Rose. It's the only thing that can save Edward now'.

Jacob composed himself and turned back to face me, 'Explain…why do we need to get this "Ice Rose" And what is it anyway?'

I sighed, 'Not sure. Carlisle explained it to me and I must say I wasn't entirely listening. But somehow Edward is telepathically communicating to me. Something…a creature of death, I think is what Carlisle said, has him'.

Sam raised the other eyebrow. Jacob joined him with the eyebrow raising.

Sam shook his head, 'And why do you need the pack. Why should I risk my pack's life for you leech?'

The words stung but I ignored it, 'Technically your pack won't be in any danger. The temple is guarded my vampire slaying creatures but that's the only thing they can do. They can't sense humans or werewolves. So that means we should be able to get in and out undetected'.

Sam sighed and looked at Jacob. He shrugged in response.

I continued, 'The only danger for your pack is the long climb up the mountain. The air is thin and the weather is cold…even though that's not a problem for you lot'.

Sam shrugged, 'We just need to get you up the mountain and back down again, right?'

I nodded, 'Yep. That's all'.

Sam shrugged once more, 'We take you up then back down. No danger. It's a done deal'.

I grinned, 'Cool. We leaving tonight'.

'We'll be there,' Sam said stiffly. He turned and walked away briskly.

I turned to climb into my trusty truck.

'Bella…wait,' Jacob caught my arm, 'After you rescue the bloodsucker…'

I cleared my throat.

Jacob rolled his eyes, 'Edward. After you rescue Edward…will he…you know…change you?'

I rolled my eyes in return, 'Don't worry Jacob. I'll be a "leech" soon. So you and you're little pack can go play fetch why I dominate the world'.

'Be serious Bella,' Jacob muttered.

'I am being serious. Deadly serious,' I chuckled at my lame attempt joke

'Hahaha…very funny Bella,' Jacob said sarcastically.

I laughed and climbed into my truck and started the engine. It roared to life, deafening Jacob by the look on his face. I laughed to myself and revved the old engine and pulled out of Jacobs drive.

I drove my truck to its limit of fifty kilometres an hour. Eventually I arrived back at the Cullen's.

I froze as I saw Charlie's cruiser parked behind Emmett's red jeep. I put the brake on as Charlie and Carlisle walked out the front door.

Charlie's face was murderous. Man, he was angry.

'Isabella Swan! You are in big trouble!' he yelled across the yard, not even waiting for me to turn my truck off. I pulled the key out.

'Hi dad,' I muttered.

'You have been gone three days. I tried calling. Last time I saw you, I had just gone to work after you woke up, screaming enough to wake the dead,' Charlie roared.

'Sorry dad,' I shrugged.

'Now don't argue with me…wait…what did you say?' Charlie looked at me.

'I am sorry dad,' I repeated slowly

'Oh…That's okay, Bells,' Charlie whispered.

'This is really important to me dad. Edward is my life and I know he left before but this is different. He's in trouble and he needs me,' I walked forward and hugged Charlie, 'I need him… and now he needs me'.

Charlie reluctantly hugged me back,' Okay Bella. Be safe and don't get into trouble and…bring Edward home'.

I gave a slight nod and walked inside the spacious house the Cullen's lived in. I heard Charlie's cruiser drive off and Alice ran down the stairs.

'Okay…I think I have everything but I'm not sure,' Alice was holding two different colored parkas, 'And do you want the blue one or the green one…'

'Uh…Alice…' I frowned, 'I don't think that it matters'.

Alice frowned at the parkas, 'Hmmm…I pack both'.

I rolled my eyes and walked into the kitchen. I knew my hopes of finding food were ridiculous but since I spent ninety percent of my time at the Cullens I hoped they had put food in the cupboards.

I opened a stylish cupboard and was surprised to see that there was food in the cupboard.

'You practically live here,' Esme said from behind me, 'So I decided to put food in the cupboards. So we don't always have to buy food. You can get what you want'.

'Cool,' I nodded appreciatively and fished out a bag of corn chips and walked up stairs to Edward's room.

It seemed so empty without him. I walked to his music collection and pulled out the CD with my lullaby on it. I placed it in Edward's expensive Hi-Tech CD player and it started playing.

It swell and dipped and flowed easily and I imagined Edward at the piano playing this wonderful song.

I sat on the huge bed and closed my eyes as the music grew beautifully.

I fell asleep but I didn't talk to Edward. The Creature was obviously keeping him away from me. I saw glimpses of him, whenever he broke away but disappeared as the Creature tightened his hold.

DREAM

'Bella,' a voice whispered. It was a bone chilling sound. I frowned and looked around. I was in the woods again. This time Edward wasn't there. I looked around, spinning in circles, frantically searching for my vampire.

I shape began to form in the swirling fog. Edward emerged from the fog.

'Edward?' I rushed forward but he held up a hand and stopped me.

'I have been waiting for you, Bella,' He whispered in a husky voice. He raised his head and looked at me. His eyes were bright crimson.

'Edward…your eyes,' I gasped. Where were my favourite butterscotch eyes?

'Bella…come to me Bella,' Edward grinned, glinting points that shone with venom. His body shifted and morphed, changing and flexing. The Creature took shape out of my Edward.

'Beeeellllllaaaaa!' it hissed, 'Beeeelllllaaaa! Cooommee tooo meeee, Beeelllla'

I screamed and fell backwards. I sat slightly stunned on the damp grass then scrambled frantically backwards.

'Bella…Bella…Bella…Bella…Bella…BELLA!' Alice called in my ear,

I sat up gasping, my heart pounding. My eyes adjusted to the dark room. It was night.

'Let's go Bella. Let's go get Edward,' Alice whispered, pulling me gently from the silky sheets. I stumbled after her and walked slowly down the stairs, trying to wake up.

At the front door, Alice shoved my arms into a dark blue parka and pushed me out the door.

My brain worked sluggishly as I was still frightened from my encounter with the Creature.

Carlisle frowned at me as Alice have pushed have carried me out the door.

'Alice…What's wrong with Bella?' Carlisle asked.

'I just woke her up and she was with Edward again,' Alice shrugged.

'Alice! You are supposed to tell us,' Carlisle frown deepened, 'Edward might have said something important'.

'I know but…we're about to go rescue Edward and I'm sure Edward could tell us in person,' Alice mumbled with a slight pout, 'And…I forgot'.

'Oh Alice,' Esme smiled and shook her head at her daughter's forgetfulness.

Carlisle turned to me, 'Bella…,'he whispered, 'What did Edward say?'

I froze at Carlisle's steely gaze, 'Nothing…he said nothing. We just sat with each other'.

My lie was feeble and even I didn't believe it. Carlisle frowned and shook his head but let it drop.

I heard rustling behind and I spun around. It was too dark for me to see but I knew it was the wolves. I heard them panting and out of breath.