A/N: A difference between canon and this story is the time of year that Bella has come to Forks. The movie selected March, so that's how I remembered it, but the book selected January. I decided to keep with March because it's closer to spring training (Bella's reason for leaving Renee and Phil). Also, I find March more believable for post-winter weather that may turn into frozen ice overnight. The reason I'm bringing up the date is to explain why the girls will be talking about Prom. The girls-ask-guys spring dance would have already happened before Bella came to town.
*WARNING* This chapter contains some horror. A portion is going to be told from Alonzo's point of view. For those of you who haven't read Midnight Sun, that's the name of the rapist serial killer that Edward saves Bella from in Twilight. These passages will be darker than anything that I've written before.
~*~ Chapter Four ~*~
Kids at school were curious about the bandages on Bella's fingertips, but they stopped asking after getting negative vibes from Bella. Bella was still able to take notes, albeit a little awkwardly, so she didn't suffer much through classes. All the same, she was happy to be at home again once the day was over. Charlie was gone, and Bella thought she'd curl up on her bed with a good book. She had been to visit the library, but the selection was small. Most of the books she might have picked up Bella owned already. Branch out and read something new? Nah.
Bella was about four chapters deep into Jane Austen's Mansfield Park when the phone rang. Surprisingly, it was Jacob.
"Bella," he sounded really glad to hear her voice. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, Jake." Bella managed not to wince. Jacob had more right than just about anyone to ask about her injury. "It's just a few stitches, and they'll be out in a couple of days."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it. I'm really sorry it happened, Bella. I should have been more careful."
"It's alright, Jake. This kind of thing happens to me all the time. It's really me that should be more careful."
"It's completely my fault. I can't believe I've sent you into the emergency room twice."
Bella laughed. Jacob was really remorseful and it made him sound years younger than he actually was. "Well, learn to pay better attention to your surroundings, young man, or you may never be allowed to come over for dinner again."
Jacob chuckled. "You really gave me a scare, you know."
"I guess I did. I just don't really like the sight of blood. Least of all my own."
"I guess I don't like the sight of your blood either."
"Then we're even."
"Not remotely. I really would have liked to have gone to the hospital with you, and I'm really sorry I didn't."
The idea made her pale with horror. Billy and Jacob in the waiting room while she was being stitched up would have been the last thing she wanted. "It was just a few stitches. I wouldn't have expected you to be there."
"Well, I wanted to, but Dad wouldn't let me go with you and Charlie." Jacob scoffed, as if he still couldn't believe it. Bella had the feeling that she was missing something.
"I'm glad you didn't, but why would Billy say no?"
"He's a superstitious old man. I never really minded it so much until you- until recently."
"He has a superstition about hospitals?" Bella was completely dumbfounded.
"No, not about the hospital. But it's true that Dad won't go near that hospital, and he's made sure that I'm not to go there either. Most of the tribe is actually following his lead, as though he were still chief and they didn't have a choice. Some superstitions are just plain ridiculous, but it's worse when people actually believe them."
"Jake, I'm completely lost here." There was a touch of impatience.
"Most of the Quileutes won't go to the hospital since Dr. Cullen started working there. I thought your Dad must've told you?"
What on Earth? Dr. Cullen? "Charlie never mentioned anything."
"Huh. Your Dad and mine fought over it for a while, especially when it means that Dad has to travel for his appointments when he could just go into Forks. They'd only just started hanging out again about a month or so before you came home."
Bella thought this was just about the weirdest thing she'd heard. "Maybe they figured that ignoring the issue was the best way to stay friends."
"I guess. That makes sense." Jacob sounded thoughtful, as though this was a new concept to him. "Hey, listen, I've got to go."
"Wait!" Bella spoke a little too loudly, and then felt embarrassed. "Um, what's the problem with Dr. Cullen?"
"I'll tell you some other time. I told you once already, actually, a long time ago, but I've got to run now."
"A long time ago? Jacob, the Cullens just moved here."
There was laughter, with his final word, as if he realized that he was teasing her and liked it. "Bye!" With a click, he was gone.
Bella frowned at the phone as she pressed it off. "What the…"
(~*~)
The conversation with Jacob had so thrown her that when Bella was back at the hospital the following Tuesday to get her stitches removed, her eyes kept flickering over Carlisle wondering what it was about him that had Billy's stockings all in a twist.
Oh, ouch. Remembering that Billy didn't have working legs anymore made Bella wince at her thought. Idioms could really suck sometimes.
"Am I hurting you, Miss Swan?" Carlisle knew that his touch was gentle, but the girl wasn't sitting comfortably and the wince had made him speak out.
"No, not at all." Refocusing, Bella gave Carlisle a warm smile. It made her chocolate eyes shine in a way that really made Carlisle want to know what was disturbing the girl. "I'm just distracted, I guess."
"May I ask what by?" Carlisle continued his oh-so-gentle ministrations, careful not to make eye contact with her again. If she answered him, he wanted to be sure that it was of her own volition.
Bella wasn't really sure how she could answer. I want to know what's wrong with you, doctor. A good family friend seems to be spooked.
Bella shook her head. "It's nothing. Just silly thoughts."
Eyes still focusing on her fingers, Carlisle spoke again to encourage her. "Silly thoughts can be very worth getting distracted by."
Bella couldn't help but grin at the top of his golden head, a small half-chuckle audibly demonstrating her amusement. Seriously, there was nothing wrong with this guy.
Still, Bella couldn't think of anything quickly enough to cover with. So she turned the tables on him. "For instance?"
Carlisle was pleased that he'd been able to get a positive reaction out of her. He felt her body relax next to him as she stopped shifting as much. Looking up, he saw her warm brown eyes resting in a face that still carried some tension. She wasn't sharing, but she was making the effort to be more at ease.
"Oh, I don't know. Sometimes I wonder what some of my favorite authors would think of the changing times if they'd lived through them. It serves no real purpose, but it can keep my mind sharp focusing on bending philosophies."
"Wow." Bella hadn't been expecting such a highbrow answer. "I was defining silly as something more along the lines of frivolous. Like being at the beach and imagining the sun sparkling on the water is really dozens of little diamonds waiting to be scooped up."
"Sounds like that was a childhood memory."
"It was," Bella nodded, thinking about the beach as the doctor's chilled fingers continued hold hers while he worked. There was something she should remember about playing on the beach… but it wasn't coming to her. Hey, the beach! Here was her opening! "Have you ever been down to La Push, Doctor?"
"No, I haven't." His tone changed. It was still light, but it seemed somewhat more guarded.
"Don't you like to swim?"
Carlisle smiled, picturing the English Channel. "Actually, I am quite an excellent swimmer. Though it's true that I hardly ever go in the water these days."
"I haven't yet since I've been back. Though don't ask me why, living these California-sun days as we have been."
"You must miss the sun."
"Yes." Shoot! We're getting off track! "I should go to La Push soon, though, and visit the Blacks. Maybe I won't get hurt if I visit them for a change." Bella peered at Dr. Cullen, who was looking down again. "Do you know Jacob's Dad, Billy? Or any of the other Quileute elders?"
"I can't say that I do." Dr. Cullen's answer was monotone, neither friendly nor unfriendly, but Bella got the impression that further exploration of the topic would not go well. What on earth was going on with Dr. Cullen and the local tribe? Why would they not come to the hospital? Why would Dr. Cullen not go to La Push? These questions kept spinning around in Bella's head with no answer as the doctor finished with removing her stitches.
"Almost good as new." Carlisle smiled at her, wanting to be sure he didn't leave their interaction on a bad note. Yet the girl was distracted again, frowning at her own thoughts. "Miss Swan?"
"Oh," Coming up with an easy fib, Bella looked at him and smiled. "I was just pondering, what would Jane Austen think about the role of women today, and how it has changed the constraints of romantic relationships that existed in her time."
(~*~)
It was April and prom was around the corner. At the lunch table with the usual group, Bella was inundated with prom talk by the incessant chatter of Jessica and Lauren. The subject of conversation had gradually but surely separated the kids on the table: girls on one end, boys on another. Bella would much rather have found herself on the other end, but wedged between Angela and Jessica she hadn't found an opportunity for escape. At least Angela wasn't creating a buzz in her ear, and through that side of her brain Bella had a chance to think clearly.
Unfortunately, that led to noticing that Mike was watching her from the other end of the table. Mike and Eric both were watching her.
"Bella, do you want to come with?" Jessica asked.
"To Port Angeles?" Bella hadn't been completely able to block out the conversation. "Sure, I need to get some books."
"She meant for prom dresses," Lauren clarified, her tone a little harsh.
"Yeah, I'm more than happy to help you guys look, but I'm not going to the prom."
There was silence. Even the boys weren't talking. Mike looked dumbstruck.
"Not going?" Jessica's voice raised in pitch.
"I don't dance. I can barely keep my feet underneath me as it is."
"You don't have to dance."
"Jess, let Bella alone. I'd be happy to have her along to get her opinion," Angela spoke softly.
"Well, this is ironic." Lauren twirled a lock of her curly blond hair. "I'm going to the prom, but not to Port Angeles. Bella's going to look for dresses, but she's not going to the prom."
"Why aren't you going to Port Angeles?" Bella asked. Clearly, she had missed part of the conversation.
"My mother still hasn't lifted the ban on P.A." Lauren shrugged. "She got freaked by some article she read about a blond waitress getting hurt, and I haven't been allowed there since. She's gonna take me to Seattle to look for a dress next weekend."
"I'll go with you," came the fervent vow from the best friend. Lauren smiled at Jessica gratefully. "Besides, maybe I won't find anything tonight. They should have restocked since the Spring Dance, but you never know."
(~*~)
Edward Cullen glanced at the caller ID when the cell phone rang. Only six people had his number, and he was with one of them.
"Hello, Alice," he answered.
"I'm calling in a favor, piano man," Alice started with no preamble. Edward listened to her story in increasing shock. Yet, she cut him off or gave vague answers whenever he asked questions. Rosalie had her eyes on him, listening keenly.
Irritated, Edward spat at Alice. "If this is so important to you, then why don't you do it yourself?"
"Why, Edward," Alice's innocent voice carried clearly. "I'll have school in the morning."
The conversation over, Edward slid shut his phone.
"Sounds like Alice has just found me exactly my kind of guy," Rosalie said, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
(~*~)
Alonzo Caderas Wallace was beginning to itch again. It had been almost two months since the last time he'd had some fun, and he just needed it again. It used to be that months would go by, the first time a little over a year, before he'd feel the urge. Now it had only been just over five weeks.
Sure, he had satisfied himself with a few whores here and there. In this podunk state he found himself a loose woman who didn't expect much and didn't ask questions. He figured she knew better. She'd been beat by her husband before he'd stumbled drunk into the ocean and drowned himself. She was a woman who knew how to take a good beating. Too bad she was only good for an appetizer, the trailer before the movie came on.
No, he needed to find himself someone tonight. That blond bitch with her waitress apron had been recent, but it was just too long ago. He remembered the way the tiny apron had looked while it was shoved above her waist. The way that it had looked when he'd used the strings around her throat. He should have taken it with him as a souvenir.
Too bad some of his guys had weaseled out. Jeff and Tommy took off before the fun was over, but Tommy not until after he'd jerked off watching him pump her. They were pussies. Cliff, however, had stuck with him until the end, holding the girl's arms down while he strangled her with her own apron strings. Remembering the fear in her eyes, he had to adjust himself.
He'd been nearly caught twice before. The first was in his home state, Oklahoma, with a girl he'd known in high school. She had been his first rush, so he treasured her for that. However, he'd been sloppy. Hey, it was his first time; give a guy a chance. He'd gotten better, but then he'd been sloppy in Texas. Nearly got caught again in Houston. It had been time to move on.
Soon he'd have to move on from here, too. This podunk city in this podunk state was too small a pool for him. Maybe he'd take Cliff with him when he left again.
Alonzo thought of the blond, and the redhead he could have with the press of a button on his phone.
Yeah, he'd call Cliff. Maybe together they could find a brunette.
(~*~)
Jessica already had Angela with her when she arrived in her hand-me-down Oldsmobile to pick up Bella. She drove faster than Bella was used to, but then at that point she had only herself in the ancient truck and her poky father to compare to. Renee never drove if she could help it. They reached Port Angeles in just over an hour.
It was the first girls' night out in ages that Bella had gone on, and her spirits had lifted as Jessica had zoomed away. Jessica jabbered on about why it was such a good idea to go to the prom, while Angela slightly encouraged. Jess was hoping to go with Mike, as they'd gone together to the last dance. Angela was happy to be going with Ben this time around. He'd asked her the last week. Jessica was too mundane to pick up on it, but Angela's face had a special little glow when she mentioned it. Bella was very happy for her, and would definitely help to find her something to look beautiful in.
Bella hadn't shared with anyone that Mike had cornered her in Biology and asked if it was true that she didn't have any intention of going to the prom. "I'd be happy to take you, if you're worried about being alone," Mike had said almost shyly, revealing that it was more than a casual offer. Bella had assured Mike that she had absolutely no intention of attending what would be for her a personal horror come to life. She'd also nudged him a little toward Jessica's way. Bella wasn't one for playing matchmaker, but if it made Jessica happy and got Mike off her back, she wasn't opposed to dropping a hint.
Jess drove straight to the one department store that the bay-town boasted. Jess immediately found a small strapless black dress. That's it, done, decision made. Surprisingly, Angela took a bit more time. Bella and Jessica played audience and critics as Angela modeled gowns. While Jessica pushed for a sleek blue that had a slit going up to the knee, Bella agreed with Angela's final choice: a simple deep red with spaghetti straps and a matching wrap. Bella thought it brought out the subtle exotic beauty in her friend's face.
The girls moved on to look for shoes. Bella expected Jess to be just as decisive, but unfortunately just about every pair of shoes there came in black, and Jess had to try them all on. Angela quickly found herself a pair of sandal-straps, and together they both waited on Jessica. Bella began to get a bit antsy to move on the to bookstore, when Jessica started putting the pressure on her to try some on just for fun.
"Oh, my god, aren't these fabulous? You've got to try these on for me, Bella!"
Bella stared at the hot purple 4-inch heels with straps that went up the ankles, and gulped. "Y'know, I think I'm going to find that bookstore."
"Wait, we'll go with you." Angela, ever steadfast, wasn't comfortable with the idea of Bella going off on her own.
"No, that's okay. You don't know what I can get like when I'm in a bookstore. I'd prefer to do it alone."
"Are you sure? Jessica won't be much longer and we can all walk down the bay together afterwards."
Bella laughed. "I'm sure, I'll probably still be ensconced by the time you and Jess are finished touring the bay. Why don't I just meet you at the restaurant we passed in about two hours?"
"Oh, let her go, Ang. I remember what Bella was like when she first turned to books. We'll just be standing around bored."
Ouch, Bella thought. If that wasn't a reminder about being eight years old again…
"I wouldn't be bored." Yet, Angela saw on Jessica's face there was absolutely no chance that she'd be able to sit still while Bella toured and she found herself a nice Nora Roberts to read. Angela sighed, weighing the warring needs. Jessica would probably just be a pain in the ass at the bookstore. Facing Bella, she took on a tone that unconsciously mimicked her mother's: "An hour and a half."
"Done." Bella held up her fingers in a Boy Scout oath. Then she was out the door and free.
(~*~)
Sitting on the folding chair in his dump of an apartment, Alonzo looked at his cell phone again. Where the fuck was Cliff?
His foot tapped erratically against the floor; his hands clenched and released. He itched. He needed to get his next fix, and he needed it bad. He wanted to hear some whimpers, feel female flesh trembling in his hands. He wanted the feel and sound of fabric ripping under his fingers.
Alonzo remembered how he'd bit the blond waitress when he came, his teeth tearing into the flesh of her shoulder. There'd been blood, and his tongue had lapped at it, savoring it while his seed spilled into that dry pussy. That had been new, and exciting. He wanted to taste blood again, again while his body trembled with pleasure.
Forget Cliff, he decided, standing and heading out his door.
(~*~)
"Alice, what is it?" Carlisle spoke first, though he and Jasper were both the first to notice the change in her face. Esme and Maggie stopped what they were doing and turned.
Alice looked at them all, eyes focusing, though the urgent tension remained in her expression. "They're not going to get there in time." Swiftly, she grabbed Jasper's hand and was up and running. "Come, Jazz!"
(~*~)
It had been more than an hour and a half. Twilight had already fallen by the time Bella left the used bookstore she had found. Originally Bella was at a new age bookstore, where Jessica's directions led her. She'd barely hovered on the threshold before moving on. It was ironic that she actually found what she was looking for on the bay where Jessica and Angela intended to window shop. She half expected Angela to show up and check on her, dragging Jessica behind.
Bella tucked the three paperbacks into a pocket of her purse before draping the strap across her body, resting it on the left shoulder. She wasn't completely oblivious to the fact that she was alone in an unknown town, so the common sense safety precaution was easy. Looking up and down the street, Bella figured that she had come in the long way around, and the best direction to go would be to take a new path and head south.
(~*~)
Buzzing against his hip, the cell phone signaled an incoming call. Alonzo wasn't stupid enough to waste good money on a ringtone that would bore him after a month, and he certainly wasn't stupid enough to have the ringer on while he stalked in the shadows. "Pisshead, where are you?"
"Lonnie, chill, I'm nearly to your place now," Cliff answered. No need to tell Lonnie that he'd been held up by a phone call from his chatty sister. Who cares if she was pregnant again with brat number three?
"Well, I'm not at my place. Think I'd wait around hours for you?" Alonzo was tempted to just tell Cliff to piss off, but that idea of trapping the waitress he'd had last month had worked out well. He'd need at least one other person to do it again. "Come meet me by the bay, you know the warehouse."
(~*~)
"Since when do you drive so slow?" Alice wasn't usually this snappish, but the tension vibrated off of her in such strong waves that Jasper knew not to take it personally.
"Since when is one hundred and twenty miles per hour slow?" Jasper smiled at the love of his life and attempted to calm her down. "You just make sure we don't get caught, darlin'."
Relaxing slightly, Alice nodded.
(~*~)
Crossing another road, Bella realized that she'd gone in the wrong direction. Others she'd seen on the street had been heading north. That really should have been her first clue. The buildings here were mostly warehouses or closed businesses. Bella decided to turn east and loop back up to the boardwalk, hopefully.
(~*~)
Aw, she was a sweet little thing. Long brown hair hanging untidily about her shoulders. As the light from the side of the building caught her, he could see her countenance more clearly.
A heart-shaped face, he thought to himself. God, I love me a heart-faced bitch. He remembered the way his hands held against such cheeks before as he rammed himself into the mouth. He could picture the wide-eyed fear as he did it to this girl. Oh, he had to have her. This one was his.
He made a motion towards Cliff and together they stepped out of the shadows to meet up with the teenaged brunette on the sidewalk.
(~*~)
Two guys were on the sidewalk, coming out from an alley between two of the buildings. They weren't dressed business-like enough to be leaving one of the offices. They were young, early twenties, one dark and one sandy-haired fair. The fair one was laughing as the darker one said something to him. Bella moved to the inside to give them enough room to pass.
"Hey, there," the sandy-haired one smiled at her as they nearly brushed shoulders on the narrow walk.
"Hello," Bella murmured politely. Her eyes flickered to the other man, and the intensity of his gaze had her pulse suddenly beating a little faster. Bella quickly looked away and quickened her pace. She was up the hill and around the corner before she slowed and tried to breathe again. Something about that second guy had definitely creeped her out. She couldn't wait to get back to Jessica and Angela.
As she continued, she realized that she wasn't approaching the boardwalk like she'd hoped. She was lost, and this was the worst time to be lost. She stopped and looked around her, trying to figure out better bearings, and froze. The dark-haired man was about twenty feet behind her, and he was alone. He must have ditched his friendly companion to follow her.
Her throat went dry as Bella kept walking on, in the direction she'd originally intended, as if she knew exactly where she was going. The idea crossed her mind quickly to drop her purse for the creep and run for it. It was rejected because she didn't know where she'd run to, and she was pretty darn sure from the look in the dark one's eyes that it wasn't her purse that he wanted.
Bella took the next turn, but corrected herself. It was a blind, leading to the back of a building. The dark one behind knew now that she didn't have a clue where she was. Walking as fast as she could without actually running and causing herself to trip, Bella prayed for the next corner to be less empty, and leading to somewhere.
It was. The dank alley was dark; two bricked windowless walls lined the alley that held one other person. The dark one's companion. Bella didn't think that he was so friendly now. They'd deliberately herded her.
Bella darted for the other side of the road, but it was a wasted effort. They both quickly gave chase, and being closer, the dark one caught up to her first. He grabbed her right wrist and twisted it behind her back. His left arm came across her, pressing her left arm to her side and pulled her against his torso. His breath stank of whiskey as he breathed across her face. "I forgot to say hello back there. Didn't want you to think me rude."
"Oh, not at all. Don't know why you'd think I'd find you rude."
The man behind her laughed as the man in front of her chortled. Bella used the moment to test the man's grip on her wrist. As she remembered, she could twist her wrist to grab hold of his own, and then yank it behind him. He was obviously stronger than her, his left arm held her tight, and as though he had sensed her thought, his hand squeezed harder around her wrist. Bella let out an involuntarily grunt of pain.
"You're such a small thing, you know. Nice tiny wrists I can wrap my fingers around. Wonder what else we can find to hold on to."
As if taking a cue, the man in front of Bella moved closer, his eyes anticipating as he reached a hand up to cup her breast. Bella felt her throat go dry.
"Bella!" A voice Bella didn't recognize came from the top of the alley where the partner had made his appearance. The sudden unexpectedness of it made the man's hand drop before he touched her. "There you are!" Bella couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Alice Cullen walking down towards her.
"Alice, no. Run away!"
Alice kept walking down as though she hadn't heard, stopping just short of the threesome. "Jasper and I have been looking for you. We figured you got lost."
Jasper emerged from the shadows right beside Alice. "Looks like," he said, eyes holding steady on the men around Bella. His voice held a sort of darkness that Bella had never heard before. Her heartbeat quickened even more, and she could feel it pounding in her throat. Jasper's eyes seemed to flicker over to her for a second, but no, she must have imagined it. His gaze, as well as Alice's, never moved away from the two men. "Best you move along and leave Bella with her friends."
The other man had already taken a step or two away as soon as Jasper had arrived. Now he seemed to have made up his mind. "Hey, guy, no harm done."
The dark one behind her didn't seem too happy that his back up was backing up. "That's right, no harm done." The leer in his voice belied the mildness of his words. "We just wanted to get to know your Bella a little better is all."
I think I know you as well as I would ever want to, creep. Bella kept the thought to herself, not wanting to give him an opening, and definitely not wanting to antagonize him. Yet, he was outnumbered, especially since his friend was easing off. Let me go, Bella thought instead. Just let me go.
Alice and Jasper had moved in, and now were on either side of Bella and her captor. It was unnerving, for their eyes had never left the face of the man above her the entire time. Bella felt very grateful that they were on her side. Alice looked down to meet Bella's gaze. They stood eye-level to each other. She extended her hand, "Come, Bella."
Somehow, miraculously, the man's grip on her eased, and Bella was loosened enough to break free and grasp Alice's hand. There was a coolness in her touch that, even through the adrenaline rush, caught Bella's attention. Alice quickly walked her up the alley, and wanting to get away from there as fast as possible, Bella had no trouble keeping up with the pace Alice set. Jasper was soon on her other side, hand on her upper arm.
Must be his longer legs. Confident that the men weren't following, and definitely not wanting to see them, Bella didn't look back.
Before Bella knew it, they were on the boardwalk, and there were snatches of people walking here and there. Bella relaxed, the tension leaving her as soon as she felt the increase in population. Jasper and Alice both let go of her at the same time, and Bella shivered at the change in temperatures. Their grasps were even cooler than Dr. Cullen's. Then again, he had always touched her at least through a pair of latex gloves.
"Thank you," Bella said to them both. "Seriously. I don't want to think about what almost just happened back there." She was surprised at how hoarse her voice sounded. She felt so safe now, why wasn't her voice back to normal?
Jasper nodded at her politely. Alice smiled. "No problem, Bella."
Bella didn't know what to do. Should she hug them? Jasper didn't look like he'd welcome that. Shake their hands? It felt weird to introduce herself; they all obviously knew who each other were.
"Did you come to Port Angeles with someone, Bella? Or are you here alone?"
"No," Bella shook her head. "No, I'm here with Jessica Stanley and Angela Weber. They're, ah, waiting for me at La Bella Italia."
"Do you know how to get there from here?" Alice seemed to want to help, though there was some sort of distance in her voice. It was obvious that this was going to be the end of their interaction, and they wouldn't exactly be hanging out together at school the next day. Jasper remained stoically silent.
Bella looked around. "I think so, but, ah-" She felt terrible asking for more of their help. They clearly wanted to get gone. Unconsciously, her hand rubbed the bruise on her wrist. "Ah, after my last effort in direction, I'm not too confident."
Smiling, Alice simply took Bella's forearm again and started guiding her down the streets. Jasper trailed behind. Bella remained silent. She didn't know what to say to these two beautiful people that she had always wanted to know better. The situation was more than awkward. Why didn't they seem to want to socialize? They probably didn't want her going hysterical, or plastering them with gratitude. Well, she wasn't about to do either.
Jasper walking a few paces behind them actually made her uncomfortable. Was he playing bodyguard? Or did he just dislike her that much? Cautiously, she looked over her left shoulder at him. His golden eyes met hers, though his expression never changed.
Wait. What? Bella couldn't believe what she was seeing. Jasper had golden eyes, just like Dr. Cullen's and Alice's. Hadn't they been black before? Quickly looking away, Bella turned to the more friendly face of Alice. "It's really nice of the two of you to help me." Then, God help her, she went for the lame conversation topic starter. "You're Alice and Jasper, right? I know your - I know Dr. Cullen. A little."
Alice simply nodded at her. "Do you like Carlisle?"
What a bizarre question. Was there actually something wrong with the doctor, and his foster kids knew about it? "Yeah, he's a really nice guy."
Alice gave her a winning smile, her eyes shining. "Yes, he is." For a moment Bella felt a strong familiarity with Alice, as though they were fast friends. Then she noticed Alice's eyes. They weren't gold anymore. They were black, black like Jasper's had been. What the hell?
"Did you get contacts recently?" Bella asked the question openly, as if she weren't directing it at just one of them.
Alice laughed. She actually laughed. "No. It's dark tonight." Well, that was as clear as mud. Alice answered as though she were lying by telling two separate truths. Suspicion rose heavily, though of what, Bella couldn't quite put her finger on. Maybe there was something wrong with all of the Cullens. They all had weird eyes and cold skin. The way Alice and Jasper had appeared out of nowhere.
"Hey, how did you guys happen to come to that alley?"
Bella didn't get an answer. "Look, we're here." Alice spoke to divert Bella's attention. "There's Angela."
Sure enough, Angela hovered in the doorway to La Bella Italia, looking anxiously up and down the street. When she saw Bella she squealed with relief and came rushing down the two cement steps to hug her, not mindful of her company and the cool hand that slid away. Bella felt a wave of calm envelop her along with Angela's arms. It was damn good to see her.
"Bella, where have you been? I've been so worried!"
"I got lost." Bella decided to not tell the whole truth. "It was actually kind of scary. I'm glad to be back here. Really." Bella gave Angela another hug, taking comfort. When she straightened and stepped away, she discovered that it was just the two of them in front of the restaurant. Alice and Jasper were gone.
Angela also looked around. "And the Cullens saw you and got you here?" Bella nodded. "That's good of them. I've always thought that they were nice. Too bad they left."
"They kind of keep to themselves, don't they?"
"Yeah. Come inside. Jess is keeping our table, and I managed to convince her not to order until you arrived. That whole story about why Lauren couldn't come had her worried, too, a little. I'm so glad you're safe."
Me, too, Bella thought, and looked around her again as Angela led her inside. It was two rapidly sucked down glasses of soda later that her brain began to clear a little more. There was definitely something going on with the Cullens, and she was going to find out what.
(~*~)
Alonzo watched the girl walk away with her friends, still not sure why he had backed down. He turned to Cliff, and then turned even more, nearly doing a three-sixty. Cliff was gone.
"Cliff, where - oof," Alonzo cut off as he felt himself grabbed. He was moving fast, held tight by the throat in an icy grip. He clawed at the fingers, feet kicking in the air as the speed made his legs fly out. This wasn't possible. What the mother-fucking hell was going on?
He felt himself thrown to the ground, dirt and tar scraping the skin of his face and hands. "Who are you?" he called to the darkness. He was lying behind a car. The trunk was open. "What the fuck is this?"
The hand grabbed him by the throat again. He was tossed into the trunk, landing roughly on a tire iron. He was sure he felt it cut through his shirt and into his back. A shape loomed over him, and he held up his hands loosely.
"Edward." A seraphic female voice came out of the black night. It was full of warning, a command to stop.
"That scent…" the looming shape spoke harshly, greedily, and the predator knew within the cold running through his veins what it was to be prey.
A female hand lashed out against the side of Alonzo's head, knocking him unconscious before slamming the trunk shut.
A/N: So, we got a peak of Edward and Rosalie far earlier than I expected to write one. Those of you who have read Midnight Sun know that it was actually *~*~*~*~ who kidnapped Alonzo, but this serves the purposes of my story more. I will say that Edward and Rosalie do with him exactly what *~*~*~*~ did in canon. If you haven't read Midnight Sun, you'll find out later when Edward and Rosalie reappear in the story after Bella and the Cullens get together.
This was my first attempt at writing some thriller action. So, I'm really interested in knowing what you thought, if you'd like to take the time to jot down a line or so.
Just for fun, I posted links to the girls' dresses on my profile.
On a different note: Ladies, please know how to defend yourself. A dramatic turn down a dark alley with rescues from vampires is not real life, but creeps like Alonzo and Cliff are. Keep your body strong, your mind alert, and take precautions.