The Cost of Keeping The Secret

by Clarity's Illusions

When a simple robbery goes bad, Bella and Carlisle are caught up in a dangerous hostage situation. As the minutes tick by, the gunman's temper grows volatile. A bullet won't physically harm Carlisle – but it would mean exposure for the Cullens. Bella won't let that happen, no matter what it takes to prevent it. Even if it means losing Edward all over again. COMPLETE! SEQUEL COMING!

4. Chapter 4

Don't hate me for the short chapter! More coming soon, I promise!

Bella's POV:

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

The sound of time passing was about to drive me up the wall. The old clock on the far wall dutifully marked each second, until I wanted to smash it.

After Robert had put on his show for the cops, he'd forced me back into my seat next to Carlisle, who relaxed a little. Not much.

"Are you all right?" he hissed, his gentle hands roving up my arms, where I could feel bruises already forming. "Did he hurt you?"

"Shut up!" Robert screamed, glaring at us. "Sit down and be quiet, or I will hurt her."

A snarl ripped from Carlisle's throat. Both tellers' head jerked in our direction, and I nearly choked on my own air. "Calm down," I begged him.

My voice was inaudible to a human but I knew he heard me just fine. "Please, Carlisle, you can't."

His ocher eyes snapped to mine, darkening slightly. He took a breath he didn't need and visibly forced himself to calm down.

And then we sat and waited, the air so tense you could see it. And waited.

And waited some more.

Robert went through another pack of cigarettes. Carlisle kept his hand on mine. The bank teller sweated. And I worried.

Why hasn't Alice seen us? I wondered silently. I know she must not have, because they would be camped outside with the cops – if they didn't do anything stupid. And I'm pretty sure Edward would.

I winced at the scenarios that ran through my mind. If Edward thought I was in danger, it would take more than the threat of the Volturi to keep him from exposing himself. So…what had happened?

Mary Anne caught my eye. After making sure Robert wasn't watching, she very deliberately shifted her gaze down, towards her feet and to the right. What was she trying to tell me?

Just then, something moved at the edge of the tellers' desk. Shocked, I watched a mop of thick black hair move into my line of vision…followed by a very familiar face. Seth Clearwater winked at me boldly, not an ounce of fear showing on his face. Nervously, I glanced at the gunman, but he hadn't noticed. Seth grinned at me – did he think this was a game? I mean, jeez – before ducking back into his hiding place.

Well, that explained why Alice hadn't seen us.

You promised not to hate me! Okay, now I need some input. Should Seth get caught? Or do you think he should help take the gunman down? I need to pick your brains, people!