CHAPTER_3

I didn't panic though, as I would have before…I stayed calm and buried my face more into Jacob's chest as he held me. "Jake," I whispered, "I don't want to go home."

"Why?" he asked.

"I just don't." I drew myself more into him.

"Bella," he said slowly, " but we have to get you home. You're freezing, you have to warm up. Just tell me where you live; I'll take you there, and take care of you." He didn't mean it romantically, he just said it as it was job to be done.

"But all that stuff you mentioned can happen at you place too." I hate myself.

He finally caught on…but not in the way I was hoping for. "You're trying to hide where you live, again, aren't you? I don't get it honestly! What harm would it do if I knew where you lived!" It would do harm, not just to me but to him too.

"Just take me to your place." I hugged him tighter as he held me. Why did it matter?

Jacob gave in and gave the cab driver his address and rest of the drive passed in silence, but I could tell he was fuming inside. It annoyed him to no end that I wouldn't even trust him enough to give him my address, when he had been nothing but understanding and supportive from the beginning…

I had been here for a long time now, I was aware of that but I couldn't make myself leave. This was only place that offered me some kind of comfort, solace, a break from the never ending pain…the gnawing pain of loss.

I gestured the waiter to give me another drink, he obliged instantly. Thanks. This place had become my only escape since…how long ago was it? It didn't matter. Only thing that mattered right now that I had been reduced to nothing but a sad, drunken bitch that had troubles keeping herself upright. I chugged down another shot.

I felt the seat—stool—beside me move. I didn't bother turning until a voice came from that direction. "Hello."

I winced, the sound hurt my head.

"Hmm," I acknowledged and turned back.

"I would ask if I could buy you a drink but I see that you have already got that area covered.," he chuckled, a stupid sound.

"Uh-huh. I like to drink."

"So I can see." Stupid sound again.

"Yeah, well, you have got eyes."

He smiled an insanely wide smile. "I'm Jacob."

"Bella," I nodded, looking straight, not at him.

"Bella," he mused, "Are you from Italy?"

How stupid can a guy be! "Isabella Swan! My name is Isabella Swan." Not Cullen.

"Beautiful name."

"Thanks," I hissed, and drowned another drink.

Fortunately the stupid chuckler didn't bother me again while I was there, but he didn't leave either, even though I was there a very long time.

I just sat there dumping in drink after drink. After I don't know how long, I got out of my seat and started for home; I had no idea how far it was. As I moved my knees wobbled and threatened to give out underneath me. I somehow made it out of the door. The air outside felt cool—too cool. Chilly. I wrapped my arms around myself and treaded in the chilly weather. Oh, I hate the cold. I kept walking. This was not a nice area, but then again which was? I passed alleys after alleys, all seemed to hold something sinister. I kept walking…until I reached an alley from which noises could be heard… Despite my better judgement I stopped to peer into it…

There were four people…A heavy looking man was standing in front of the other three—who seemed to cowering way from him—holding an aggressive stance. Oh my! There was a child with them. Now that I looked it seemed that the three were a family…the father, the mom, and the frightened child…I couldn't move now even if I wanted to. I stood there frozen as the burly man hurt the child…hit the mother…and when the father tried to protect them knocked him on to the ground…

I hadn't realized I had stopped breathing, I drew in a heavy breath. And then it seemed like it was all I can do. I my breaths started coming in shorter and faster. My legs felt weak, and my knees as strong as a sponge. I sagged down, hitting the asphalt with a force.

Child…He had hurt the child…Hurt the mother…Drew the father away when he tried to help…

Oh no! Not again! I could see it coming…and there it was…

Colors. Red. Images. Flashes. Pain. Lot of pain…Can't bear…

I passed out…

The surface underneath me felt soft somehow, though I remembered the last time I had…laid down, it wasn't. The air around me smelled…good. I couldn't comprehend that either. I sat upright on the bed—couch?—to inspect my surroundings.

The room looked subtle and classy with light walls and smart furniture. It seemed like any normal house. And that, right there, was the problem. I wasn't used to normal. I was used to filthy apartment, bad smelling air , noises and noises—not this calming silence. The silence was another problem.

And the biggest problem and question was: How in the world did I get here?

What was I doing here? What had happened last night? Something bad? Oh, what was I thinking! Of course something bad had happened, other wise how would I end up here. But I couldn't remember anything…Last thing I was able to recall was me staring as the beefy man destroyed a family—a perfect, happy family. Oh God!

I was just working myself into a full-blown panic attack when I heard footsteps…Control your breathing, control your breathing, I chanted to myself, You don't want to look scared.

But of course I was scared.

Step…step…step…

I large figure appeared around the corner…and I let out a huge breath I had been holding. But then as the fear faded away, annoyance took its place.

"Jacob!" I seethed, I was momentarily distracted by how I remembered his name. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I think it would be more appropriate if you asked, what you are doing here? Don't you think so?"

Well, that would have been the more apt question but I didn't want to ask it. I just narrowed my eyes at him.

"Okay, okay. I found you in the alley, unconscious, you were not in a state to give me your address so I could drop you at your house so I brought you here. This my home so that is what I'm doing here." Smirk.

Ugh! I hate it!

I stared at the tray he had brought me. It had all kinds of stuff that would help with a hangover… coffee… juice… other things I couldn't recognize. None of it would help me…my problem was not alcohol. Alcohol was the only escape I had found from my problems.

"You're welcome." A voice came, it was somewhat mocking.

"If you're waiting for me to say thank you; you'll be waiting a long time."

"I know. I somehow knew were not the grateful type." Definitely mocking.

"Thank you," I spat as I reached for the juice. I was thirsty, my throat felt rough.

"You're welcome. Always." His voice was not mocking now.

"So why exactly did you decide to take night time stroll into a dark alley?" He asked, in an uninterested tone.

My breath caught. " I thought I heard something."

"And you thought to investigate it?"

"Yeah." Why was I answering him, I answered no one. Well, no body cared enough to ask questions. But just the same I didn't care to answer.

"And what did you find as a result of your Nancy Drew act?" Who did this guy think he was!

But images of last night floated through my brain and stopped, whatever comment I had prepared, on its way.

"I saw a guy…a big guy…and a family…a child…and he hurt the kid…Oh my God, Jacob, he hurt him; hurt him so bad…there was blood…streaming out of his cheek…And…and…and I…God, he... the father tried to save him but he shot him in the legs…gun…He already had thrown the mother on to the pavement…she was passed out…She couldn't do anything, even thought she wanted to, she couldn't, because she was unconscious…you see? She couldn't! The father was in so much pain…but he tried…oh God, tried to get to his family but just couldn't make himself…couldn't crawl…And he just…just…just…limp…" I trailed off, with heavy sobs that made any kind of speaking impossible, as I had a much too clear picture of last night's happening in my front of me. I also realized I was not making much sense and was just babbling like a crazy person that I probably was.

I looked up at Jacob, tears blurring my vision, shaking from reliving the horrific event.

His eyes were wide and hurt…it held sympathy, which I didn't like much, and it held concern…care… He looked nearly as haunted as I did

"I'm so sorry," he said simply as he hugged me, completely enveloping me.

The hug felt weird, as nobody had hugged me in a long while…and certainly not with the tenderness and concern as he was. It was awkward. But as weird and awkward as it did feel, it didn't feel uncomfortable…it was warm. Different. I reveled in the feeling and knew I would not get rid of the stupid chuckler any time soon…

I wanted to stretch out this chapter but this just seemed like a good place to stop…With Jake and Bella becoming "friends", since we were talking about how it all began in this chapter…Hope it was okay! Please keep letting me know if its going okay. Hate it, like it? I'm learning here!

P.S. the chapter was not proof read, so there might be words missing...But I just really wanted to post it, as it has been way too long!

Review, please...Even just to trash it!

Love!