For those of you who thought that first chapter was not total crap…And also to new readers if we have any… (No changes)

CHAPTER _2

In some part of my brain I was aware that the phone had been ringing for a long time now. I wanted to get up and answer the damn phone just to get the annoying ringing to stop, but I couldn't bring my body to do it. I even fantasized that I had gotten up and answered the phone when the ringing stopped for a while…but my fantasy was broken when the damned annoying ringing started again.

I tried again to get up, but failed. So I tried again…

I don't know how many tries it took me to drag myself on my two feet, but I finally did, and wretched phone was still ringing away merrily. Supporting my weight with the help of the wall and any furniture on the way, I finally reached the source of my annoyance.

I slammed my hand on the receiver and pulled it out, with half a mind to slam it back again, but stopped and put it to my ears. I glimpsed outside the window, it was dark now. Had the whole day just gone by? I almost wanted to celebrate.

I noticed that I was till holding the phone to my ear, and that nobody had spoken yet.

I rasped out an unintelligible "Hello."

There was a sound of a deep breath being let out, relieved. "Bella…?" Jacob asked hesitantly.

"Yeah."

"Oh thank God. Where have you been? I have been calling you since noon?" That was long time, right? "I would have busted through your door with a throng of cops by now, if I even knew where you lived. But I don't know anything. I don't know where you are, or how you are! Even dead or alive! Why didn't you bother picking up the phone for so long? What were so busy doing that you couldn't spare a little time for a phone call?" His voice sounded furious and frustrated. I should have answered him by now, but honestly I was too damn tired to. But I should now.

"I'm okay," was my brilliant reply.

He let out an angry breath. "Of course, I know now that you're okay. I just would have known it earlier if you had picked up the phone," he yelled through the receiver.

I stayed quite. I didn't know what to say.

On one hand, it was good to see someone caring for me, for once. It warmed my unfeeling heart to see him concerned about me. I wanted him to know that. But on the other I wanted to shake and scream at him for caring. I wanted to yell at him to stop caring about me. I was damaged goods, he was hoping one day could be fixed. But it wasn't like that. I would never be fixed. I would never be able to care for him, the way he did. I couldn't. I couldn't care for anybody now—not even myself.

"I'm sorry," I croaked, not knowing what else top say.

He sighed. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken it out on you like that. I was just so worried sick about you. I was driving myself crazy thinking about all the possibilities that could happen to you. That doesn't justify me screaming at you but you know… Just pick up the phone when I call. Okay?" He pleaded.

Though it being a simple thing, I couldn't promise it to him with surety. "I'll try," I said instead, truthfully.

"Hey, Bella," he said hesitantly.

"Yes."

"There was another reason I called you tonight." When I didn't say anything, he went on. "You didn't think I called just to yell at you, did you?" He was aiming for teasing, I think, but it came out with more edge than intended. He was nervous.

"What is it, Jake?"

"Well, you know the club near my house, the one that has just opened?"

I didn't. "Yeah."

"Great. Well…um…well…I am going to play there tonight. Um…would you like to… I mean I would like you to…Ugh! Well, I would like you come hear me play. Will you?"

"Jake," I sighed. "I don't know…"

"Please, Bella. You know as well as I do, that it does you nothing good to be locked up in your apartment whole day, drowning yourself in alcohol," he said sternly, then his voice again took on the persuasive tone. "Please, Bella, I would really like you to come. It would be nice to have friend there to support me."

I didn't want to go and I wasn't going to go, but to placate him I agreed.

"Awesome. I'll see you there at 8. You know the place, right? I could come pick you up." I could feel his excitement and happiness through the phone. But I really didn't want to go.

"I know where it is."

"Okay, I'll see you then. Bye."

I didn't bother with a goodbye, just hung up the phone, and started for the bar.

I was lying face down on the couch when it happened again.

I was attacked by the images

Our little house in Phoenix… Me holding little Vanessa's hand, while she tried to learn to walk… Me teaching her alphabets… She running around the house while I chased after her… Her giggle… The way her face lit up when she saw him… Picture after picture of him…flashes… Him only him… His face, his hair, his eyes… His eyes… His dangerous, haunting eyes…

I woke gasping for breath, my lungs felt constricted, I couldn't pull a breath in. I want to crawl out of my skin…claw it off me… I wanted to get away from here…from everything.

I stumbled off the couch, bumping my head on the table in the process. I pressed the heel of my palm to my head, it wasn't bleeding. I was almost disappointed. Pushing the feeling aside, I pulled myself onto my feet. I didn't pause to look at myself in the mirror, I just dashed for the house key, ran out of the house. I was eager to escape the images that—though not traditionally scary—never failed to terrify me. I walked—though my pace was a little to fast and agitated to be called a walk—toward Jacob's house. I walked blindly toward it, knowing when I reached there; comfort would be within reach.

I reached his door, panting. I assaulted the doorbell, ringing mercilessly—still the door remained closed. After a few futile attempts at knocking the door down, and bruising myself in the process I remembered that Jake was supposed to be performing tonight—he had called to invite me. I looked around, he had seen that the club was near his place. There was nothing similar to a club nearby. I wandered down the street, looking for flashy light, my clumsy feet making it difficult—I stumbled and almost landed face down many times. I wobbled and swayed, looking for somebody who could tell me where the place was. I detected somebody in the shadow of the street, I started toward him. The person was very old, withered, holding a joint in his hand, a bottle of beer at his feet—I almost asked him for one for myself.

"Do you know where the new club that opened around here is?" While asking the directions I realized that I didn't even know the place's name. Did I not remember it, or had Jacob forgotten to tell me?

"Huh?" he said gazing up at me, maybe a little to intently.

"The new place—that's opened around here?" I knew it was futile to ask this man—he couldn't ever know any place, but nonetheless I asked.

He was still staring up at me with a blank, clueless, still disgusting look, when I heard my name being called.

"Bella!"

I turned to see Jacob running toward me—he was panting my name. He was still at distance.

He came to a stop near me, breathing heavily. "Where have you been? I have been waiting for you for so long. I have already sung two songs—about to do last few. Come on!" He took me by the elbow and pulled started pulling me in the right way.

I let myself be dragged, until we reached a building, that rather than looking like a nightclub it looked like a homely get together place…the kind where you would go to have a drink, meet with buddies, play a game of pool and listen to good music. I guess that is where Jake came in. There were all kinds of people here, some old, having came here to relax after a long day at work, some were young, who had come here to hang out with friends...to enjoy. I didn't fit in any category. I was out of place.

"Jake, I thought you said it was a club." I looked down at the clothes I was wearing for the first time. I had a long, black sweater, that came mid-thigh, on. I guess it could double as a dress, and I had my converse on—well, that's not going to change ever. At least I had shoes on.

"Yeah, it is. The kind where you have to be a member." He was leading me up the stairs now.

"Jake…" I whispered but I'm not sure if any sound came out, as I was inside the club now.

Though the exterior should have tipped me off, I was still surprised by interior of the "club" . No flashy, neon lights that hurt your eyes. Instead it was warm, with wooden interiors, dark red leathered booths. A small section of the wooden floor was elevated, which I guessed served as the stage. The bar was near the right of the entrance—it appeared well stocked.

I started toward it.

Slight pressure on arm my made me aware that Jacob was still standing beside me, with a firm grip on my elbow.

"This way, Bella." He had meant to be casual as if just leading me in the right direction, but I detected a tone of heavy disapproval in his voice.

I stumbled behind him as pulled me along to one of the dark leathered booths.

"Sit."

I sat down.

"Just hang around here for a while, okay? Don't lead yourself to the bar"—I frowned—"by mistake, I'm sure." He chuckled. "I have to perform few more song—you're late, I already did a some—and when it's done I'm going to come and get you. Just stay put till then," he emphasized, and then added, "and listen"

He sauntered over to the stage, sat down on the high stool and began his song, strumming his guitar.

I listened enraptured, he sang beautifully…his voice felt like he was taking you through a journey...to some place far away... then his voice slowly gave way to the noise of gunshots...

I was aware in some part of my consciousness that I was still in the club, Jacob was still singing…but I couldn't hear a word of if, not a single chord, not a single key—nothing. I was surrounded by the blaring noise of guns being fired, people screaming—some screaming in fear, some screaming orders—but the most important and clear was the sound of that beautiful voice as it screamed in fear for its life.

I looked around me desperately. Sure, I wasn't the only one hearing this pounding, loud noise—others could hear it too. I searched the see of unfamiliar faces before me for any signs of distress, I knew I wouldn't find. Sure enough of most people's eyes were trained on Jacob, who was still singing, but now his eyes were locked on me, his expression one of intense worry and concern. He seemed as if he couldn't get through the song soon enough.

I dashed out of the booth, not caring about the disapproving eyes that turned toward me; reaching the main door, I wrenched it out of way and ran like a maniac, out into the road, until I felt cold air and dew saturating in my hair and forming a cold, calming film on my skin. I slowed down a little, feeling the burn in my lungs. I bent over myself, bracing my palms on my knees. I was panting heavily and felt sick. I tried to control my breathing but my body didn't seem to be in a mood to cooperate with me. I leaned against the railing on the road and slid down against it so I was sitting leaning on it. After a long fight to get my breathing to slow down and push away the sickness in my stomach, I had an ounce of victory. Once I was sure that I wasn't going to throw up, I raised my head from between my knees and looked around. I had known I was on the road but looking around I found that I was actually on bridge, I could now hear the river flowing violently, over the cacophony of the traffic blurring past me. Surveying my surroundings I also realized that I had no idea where I was, or how to get home. I could feel another wave of panic coming, even more fueled by alcohol.

I concentrated on my breathing, put every bit of my might in not panicking. The cars were zooming past me; their horns making a horrible frightening noise as the passed by me.

It was not going to do me any good, just sitting here on the side of the road, I had to get moving. Swaying dizzily, I got up on my feet. I had to clutch the railing to keep myself from falling face first on to the asphalt. I started walking—still clutching the railing—to the direction I thought I had came from. Tripping throughout, I shuffled my feet a good distance, I could almost see the end of the ridiculously long bridge.

I was at the point where bridge met solid ground when I heard my name being called desperately from a distance. The voice was getting closer for I had stopped without realising and he was running toward me.

"Bella!" He was panting, heavily. "Bella! Bella, wait!"

Jeez! I had already stopped!

He reached me heaving for breath. I had taken him to be the fit kind…Guess not.

"God! Bella! What the hell are you doing here? Trying to get yourself killed?"—Definitely not! My mind shouted—"Why did you bolt so suddenly?" he heaved out. "I was singing—keeping an eye on you–you were all fine. And then suddenly your face got a funny look, next second I see you're making a mad dash for the door! You were gone just like that!" He shook his head. "I was ready to run after you; mid-song. And I did! I had a few more songs planned for tonight…" He trailed off sadly.

Wow! Nice to know he had made such a big sacrifice for me! I was in his debt now. "Uh-huh."

His breathing got less erratic. "Okay…Now would be a nice time to explain, what are you doing here? In this condition?" He looked disapprovingly over my make-shift dress. I felt very conscious all of a sudden; I had not been too uncomfortable at the club, but here, before him… "And how did you get here, anyway?"

"I ran." I answered the easiest question.

"Oh…You ran…Right…Umm…Well…You know how far you are…?"

"Umm…yeah…?" His reaction was weird.

He looked at my face for a beat; something there must have told him t halt the inquisition because the question stopped.

"Okay. Lets get you home and warm, shall we?" he said quickly.

I nodded.

I trudged limply as he pulled me forward; in the opposite direction of the one I'd been heading for. My arm was wrapped around his waist and his was wrapped around mine; supporting my weight. I rested my head on him.

We crawled a long way, till he hailed a cab and we started for home at much more respectable speed.

It sometime in the middle of the ride—with my head resting on his shoulder, his head on top of mine with his arms around me—I remembered that he wasn't supposed to know where I lived at any cost. I wasn't allowed let anybody know where I lived—where, now, was my home…

Okay so there you go! Second chapter…I have no idea how good a job I'm doing of getting the story across… Please, tell me. I really want to know and also I'm kinda starved for reviews. Heehee!

Next chapter, if this one gets a thumbs up, will be up soon! Its already written!

REVIEW! I don't think this one is as good...but, oh well! I was watching a movie while writing this and I cried buckets...I'm still am!

And I was really glad to to see people putting this story on alert..never thought I'd see that in my life! Thanks, thanks so much!