A/N : Alright guys, here it is! The chapter you've allllll been waiting for! You sadistic readers! You WANT to see Jake's reaction to all of Bella's pain! This is tear wrenching. It's taken me so long to write this. One of the harder one's to write, for me. Review and let me know that my hard work is rewarded!

Thank you to all my reviewers. I didn't get the chance to respond to you all individually because I was so busy writing this. I'll get back into the habit. I'm brain storming tonight, and planning, and hopefully writing another chapter tomorrow!

Chapter 20 – Escape

Bella's POV

I felt myself rolling in bed. I tried to rouse myself. It became harder and harder. I was so disoriented. Then, my eyes fluttered open. There was barely any light streaming in through my window. I shoved myself out of bed, refusing to look at the time. Anything that would help Alice give me away. I threw open my window, grabbed my keys and flung myself out. As graceful as I was, you can imagine how the landing went.

I landed on my side, not feeling so well. I rolled over, getting to my feet in pain. I ran to my truck, yanking open the door and then shutting it after I got in. I started the monster and put her in gear, taking off to La Push.

I was going to make it to La Push, damnit.

My heart drummed in my chest. There was no way Alice didn't know about my decision now. But how quickly would Edward get to me? What would he do if he caught me? How insane would my escape make him? I forced these questions into the back of my head as I swallowed. I watched the road, pressing my truck to go faster than I ever had. I took curves twenty miles over the posted speed limit.

The sky was gray, with patches of light streaking through in certain areas. I gripped my steering wheel, willing my truck to go faster. My skin was on fire. I felt like millions of fire ants had bitten me. The closer I got to La Push, the more pessimistic I got. Any second, Edward would find me. He would be furious. It would be like that night… The memories of the pain in my shoulders still made me cringe. They were still tender.

Please… Edward, please, be feeding… Alice, don't tell him. I pleaded, in my mind. My hands began to shake on the wheel and I gripped it harder, my fingertips feeling numb. My stomach was churning. I pretended Emmett was in the seat next to me, telling me to make this piece of junk go faster. Faster than I'd ever made it go. I pressed my foot down further.

It took too long to get to La Push. It was the worst drive of my life. I glanced over my shoulder several times, expecting to see a shiny gray sports car tail gaiting me. I turned a curve and caught a glance of the reservation. I almost lost consciousness, with the happiness that surged through me. I was going to make it.

My foot let up on the gas a little as I took a tight curve. An open stretch now. Only a mile left? I didn't know exactly where the La Push treaty line was. I could only guess.

A dead weight fell into the back of my truck, making it creak. I cried out, glancing behind me, though I didn't have to. I knew what I would see. I slammed my foot on the gas, urging my baby to go faster.

"Please, please," I sobbed, not knowing where I was safe. I drove, but then the passenger door was flung open. I shrieked as Edward's eyes appeared.

"Bella, stop the truck," he said, as if it were a simple matter. I felt tears pulling at the back of my eyes. Apparently I didn't stop fast enough for him. He reached in and grabbed my wrist.

"Stop the truck, now," he said and the tears fell. Where was the line?! He yanked on my wrist and I cried out. I couldn't let him stop me. I was so close, almost there. I did the only thing I could think of. I yanked on the emergency break. His grip slackened as he reached for the wheel to keep the truck from flipping. I moved faster than I ever thought possible. I flung the door open and threw myself out as the truck went skidding.

I rolled, once, twice. Several times, I lost count as up became down and I couldn't tell where I was. I landed on something that made a crunch. I couldn't stop. Adrenaline was coursing through me. I tried to scream, but I had no voice. I rolled to my legs and ran, still hearing the truck fighting for control across the road.

I ran faster than I ever had.

Salvation lay just there. I could see everything I wanted in life, laid out right there on that reservation. I tried to cry for help again, but there was nothing left to my voice. It felt like a bad dream, where you run as fast as you can, but you get nowhere. You scream as loud as you can and nothing comes out. Straight panic gripped my stomach and chest.

I realized a wolf was running towards me. Where had he come from? Who was it? I couldn't decipher from such a long distance, not to mention I only knew how to tell Jake and Sam apart. Was this Paul? Quil, Embry? I could only think Please, save me.

Whoever he was, he slammed to a sudden stop.

No, please! You need to help me!

He was pawing the ground, looking angry, but then his expression changed. What was wrong with him? Weren't werewolves MADE to fight vampires and protect the human race?! I was in danger. I tried to call for his help.

His shoulders were hunched, his fur standing on end. I was close enough I could tell! He was right there! He was growling.

"BELLA!" Edward yelled behind me. God, what had taken him so long to come after me? Had he gotten caught in the truck as it flipped? What state was my baby in now? Was he hurt? Was that what was allowing me to get this far? He sounded so close to me.

I begged the wolf for help, with my mind. I wish he could hear me. Please, cross the damn line and help me! I knew the wolves never really liked me. I knew they probably disliked me even more now, the way I had left Jake that night. But their job was to protect humans. Couldn't he just attack Edward now?

He crouched, seeming ready to attack. Was Edward that close behind me? I finally took a dive, as I felt I would make it past the wolf. I felt something cold brush my ankle but then break contact, instantly. A furious growl, a bark. A hiss, a crash of gravel on the pavement.

I rolled over on the ground and saw the most frightening image I'd seen since I went to Italy to save Edward. He was poised in a crouch, glaring at the wolf that now stood guard right in front of me. He was crouched, gnashing his jaws at Edward. Edward's eyes were black as night, his mouth open as he faced up against the wolf. His fangs showed. I feared he was going to jump the line and sink them into my furry protector.

Suddenly, Edward straightened up out of his crouch. He closed his mouth as his eyes drifted over the wolf, finally seeming to take him in. Then his eyes fell on me. All my breath stilled. My heart stopped. A smirk slipped over his marble face, causing the right side of his mouth to turn up. My blood turned to ice.

"Your blood is so intoxicating… Especially when you've cuts and bruises. They can only keep you here for so long, Isabella… They'll tire of protecting you. Especially from the onslaught of two vampires. They'll decide you're more trouble than you're worth. Just like you've already discovered. You'll come running back to me," he said. The wolf growled and made a furious bark. Apparently, Edward took that as a time to leave. He glanced at the wolf and with a resting smile on me, he turned and disappeared, running.

I turned over on the road, oxygen finally sweeping its way into my body via sharp gasps. My head was pounding, several parts of my body throbbing. I couldn't distinguish where all the pain was coming from, but I knew there was some from my heart. There was a long, loud howl, making me want to cover my ears. I couldn't bring myself to do it as I curled up on the ground, hunched over my legs. I felt a hot nose nudging my face, a tongue drift across my cheek, trying to rouse me.

Things started to dim. It was too much. It was all too much. My body was trying to relieve all the stress. I found myself thankful.

Jacob… I needed to see Jacob. The ice in my veins still hadn't begun to thaw. I needed my sun, my world, my choice. My decision. He was who I chose. But would he still have me? Or like Edward said… Would they tire of me? Find me a disadvantage? Jake couldn't have that much control over the pack.

Thoughts drifted from my head as I heard another long howl.

Jake's POV

I came out of the shower, feeling more able to move. The heat had soaked into my body completely, loosened up my joints and muscles. Everything was sore, but it felt entirely better. I wondered if Emily's soup that she'd fed me several bowls of last night was finally starting to live up to its reputation. I felt stronger. At least, able to walk, maybe run.

I made my way into my room and found some pants to wear. I stretched, feeling my muscles screaming at me. How dare you want to use us after giving us several days off! they said.

I should head over to Sam's and see if there's any word. I thought, glancing at myself in the mirror. At least to let them know to stop worrying so much. I was looking a lot better.

Aaaaaroooooooooooo!

I heard the cry like a life shattering hit to my eardrums. A shot of adrenaline laced its way into my soul. I threw open my window and jumped out, hitting the ground running.

That cry… That cry was for help. I didn't even need to shift to know that. I still didn't know if I was strong enough to shift. With my body already aching, I didn't want to force it. So I ran as fast as I could. It had come from the eastern entrance to the res. \

Was there another attack? Did they find the red headed leech? Was one of my pack mates in danger? After a moment, I heard another howl.

A cry for help.

I located where it was coming from and ran towards where I had guessed, the entrance to the res. There was a wolf, walking around a figure lying in the road. The wolf was Quil. His tail was between his legs, his head low. He looked like he didn't know whether to run and hide or to cower at the figure's side.

Another wolf bounded past me. It was Sam. Even as I watched, he was transforming into a human, the sack at his leg slipping to the ground. He yanked out a pair of pants and threw them at Quil, then attempted to put his own on. I was close enough now to see the body of a young, fragile, sweet, innocent girl on the ground. My heart had stopped several seconds ago. Breath was something I no longer needed. Movement was something I could no longer do.

Bella was lying on the ground, blood pouring out of her in several areas. She was curled over herself. She was covered in dirt and scratches. I concentrated on her chest, watching as it rose up and then compressed down. She was breathing. She was alive. I felt the quivers yanking at my bones then. I took in a deep breath, trying to settle the need to shift. There were no words, no sounds. Until Sam's voice rang out to Quil, who was now dressed.

"Run back to the house, tell Emily to get her first aid kit-"

"What the fuck happened?!" I yelled, finally finding use of my limbs again. I ran to Bella, skidding to a stop even as Sam had been reaching for her. He stepped back as soon as I got to her side, backing away a few steps. No doubt he saw my shoulders heaving, from the effort it took not to shift.

"Edward-" Quil started but Sam gripped his shoulder, signaling him to shut up.

"Jake, calm down… Think of Bella-" Sam started, looking at me now.

"I am thinking of Bella! What happened?! Tell me now, Quil!" I yelled, reaching down to brush the hair out of Bella's face. The pain from five nights ago returned. The night I imprinted on her. The night I saw the bruise on her wrist. My mate. My imprint. My whole fucking solar system lie on the ground, a battered mess, and I didn't know a damn thing. The tears started pulling at my eyes. I don't know how I had let this happen. What had I done?

"Jacob, this is not the place. We need to get her to Emily, and you need to chill out. You're of no use to Bella if you're a wolf," Sam said. His words were a smack to the face. I was of no use? No use? I couldn't help? Sam reached for Bella but I slid my arms around her immediately, as delicately as I'd ever touched Bella before.

Flashes of the time we first took the motorcycles out collided in my mind. Blood, oozing out of her head. Her eyes, confused, lost. She couldn't push the breaks. She looked then how she did now. There was more blood, and there was no fluttering of her eyes. They were pressed shut, like she was sleeping.

She cried out in my arms as I lifted her. I gritted my teeth, knowing there was nothing I could do. Her body felt ready to fall apart in my arms. I cradled her close to my chest and Sam looked like he was going to reach for her but thought better of it.

"Quil, run ahead of us and tell Emily," Sam demanded, as I took my first step back towards the houses. I could carry her to Emily's. I would carry her, and bear all the shame and the misery that accompanied my soul. Sam was at my side, seeming like he wanted to help.

No, this was my doing.

I should have gone to her earlier. What had happened? Why did she look like this? How did she get here? Where was her truck? Where was that leech? Had Victoria been trying to get her? Had she killed Edward and then kept after Bella?

Fear pressed its way through my heart, anew. As if it hadn't crept there already, it iced over my thoughts, my blood, my heart. When I found out who did this, I would kill them.

It took five minutes to get to Emily's. Bella had cried out several times, each time I had cringed. I didn't know what I was shifting with her injuries, if there was anything breaking inside her. If I was fucking up things worse by moving her. But I couldn't have left her lying in the road while the others ran for help. No.

I stumbled into the house and took Bella to the couch. As gently as I could, with Sam's help, we lowered her into the cushion. She screamed out like something was attacking her. I brought my hands to my ears and pressed them against my head, hard. If I heard her again, I would shift. It had been so hard to keep my body from quaking as I walked her here.

She seemed to be coming to now.

I took a step back from her and spotted Quil as he came walking in from the kitchen. Emily was behind him. I walked over to him, shaking. Forever shaking.

"What happened to her?!" I yelled, but Emily touched my chest, standing between Quil and I. Her hand was outstretched, keeping me back.

"Not here, Jacob Black. Not inside this house. If you dare shift in here, so help me…" she said, before dropping her hand and hurrying over to Bella. I followed her with my gaze and then turned back to glare at Quil.

God, if I don't figure out what happened right this fucking second, I'm going to combust.

"Skipping past the unnecessary parts, I was patrolling and I saw Bella running towards me. Her truck had crashed. As she was running towards me, I discovered she had rolled out of her truck," Quil started, watching me before he glanced at Bella. I tried to move so I could have them both in my line of sight.

"No, stop-" Bella started to say. She tried to sit up, but Emily pressed her hand on her. She already had a shirt in her hand soaked with blood. The sight made my stomach heave. I bit it back.

"You jumped out of your truck, Bells? What were you thinking?!" I asked, watching her. Quil interrupted as she opened her mouth to speak.

"She was running at me, and I noticed she was scared. I couldn't pass the La Push line, after Sam's order. Not unless the treaty was broken. The treaty isn't broken until a Cullen bites a human," Quil said, addressing Sam over my shoulder. I heard Sam mutter what sounded like "Fuck" under his breath. I was going to lose it. I was going to shift in the house.

But there was more. There was more, and I needed to hear it.

"I saw Edward the next second. He was running after her. I don't know why he was going so slow. I know vamps move way faster than that. I don't know if he'd fucked up his leg or something. I wanted to cross the line, to attack him, but I couldn't. He hadn't attacked her, and Bella's always been confused about whether she wants you or the leech," Quil spat, glaring daggers between me, Sam and Bella. I would wipe the look off his face. I don't know how I kept it together. The world seemed to be spinning. I turned into the wall, pressing my head against the cold.

Edward had been the one to do this to her? It had never crossed my mind. I had only thought Victoria, the whole time. It couldn't have been the leech. He said he wouldn't hurt her. She had gone back to him. I had let her, because she thought she knew he wouldn't hurt her. I rolled my head along the wall, feeling the guilt washing over me.

"Quil, stop! Jake, please-" Bella cried. Quil interrupted her again. I couldn't speak to tell him to stop. The sound in Bella's voice. She was in tears. My eyes were pressed shut. It was agonizing.

"She made it across the line, just as Edward made a grab for her. I protected her. You'd kill me if I hadn't. He stopped, and he looked like he was going to attack me. He must have thought better of it, because he stopped and threatened her instead-"

"That's enough, Quil!" Sam yelled. I turned, trying to watch Bella. Tears leaked over her cheeks, her eyes whipping frantically between me and Quil. She stopped on Quil, looking like she was begging him to shut up. I wanted to beg him to shut up. I dug my fingernails into the wall, trying to stay grounded. Trying not to tear Emily's house to pieces.

But Quil kept going. He seemed to want to batter me into an outrage. Something had come over him, just as it had come over me. Was it the thrill of having faced a vamp, one on one?

"He said we wouldn't be able to protect her, that she wasn't worth-"

"No! Quil, please!" Bella screamed, like a knife was digging into her side. Emily was having trouble keeping her on the couch. The thing beating in my chest, supposedly keeping me alive, my heart, beat deadly slow. I straightened against the wall and walked towards Bella.

"What the fuck did he say? What did he say to you, Bella?!" I shouted. Emily was on her feet, pushing me back.

"Jacob Black, knock it off!" she yelled. Sam was at my side the next second. Of course, there was no way he would let me, the nasty, confused Jacob Black do anything to harm his sweet, innocent imprint. I shook with so much anger, so much rage, but most of all, fear. Had I almost lost Bella today?

I turned on Quil then. Since he wanted to talk so much, I would let him.

"What did he say to her, Quil?!"

He took in a deep breath, no longer seeming to want to talk. Was it because now, not only Bella didn't want him to say anything, Emily and Sam were standing up against him too?

Don't pussy out now, Quil. Keep going. Tell me, I urged. He was looking me straight in the eye now.

"We won't be able to protect her against two leeches. He said she would come running back to him, that she wasn't worth all the trouble-" he said. I cut him off, the words igniting fire in my veins. All the cold, the ice had gone. There was nothing but fumes and flames now. I stepped toward him, shoving him back. He barely caught his balance. To me, it wasn't Edward who said those things, it was Quil. He was saying them now.

"And is that what you think? Do you think she's nothing? Not worth it? Do you think-" I roared, shoving him again. This time he caught me, and shoved me back. I made a swing at him, but he shoved me out of the house and down the porch steps. I ended on all fours as a full, dark alpha sized wolf, scrambling sand all around me. I snarled and snapped at Quil as he stood at the top of the porch, shaking.

"I never said that, Jake! I'm just telling you what the leech said, calm down-" Quil said but I lunged up the porch at him. I landed on his chest but he transformed beneath me and kicked me off, back where I'd come from.

I couldn't contain all the rage anymore. Not after the night Bella and I walked on the beach together and I had imprinted on her. Not after I hadn't seen her in five days. Not after all of this. But Quil's baiting had taken me over the edge. Quil jumped off the porch and made a lunge for me.

Would this fight appease me? Would I attack Quil, hurt him, make him suffer, and then cower in a room? Or would I run after the leech that threatened my life's existence, my Bella? My oxygen.

I dodged Quil and he went sliding into the sand, making a u-turn.

Chill out, Jake, I'm warning you. I get what you're feeling, now let it the fuck go!

I was dimly aware of Emily holding Bella inside the house, her screams in the back of my head. I snarled over them, gnashing my teeth at the beastly wolf before me.

You don't think she's worth it! None of you give a damn about Bella, and in turn, you don't give a fuck about me! If you cared at all, you'd understand I can't live without her, and you would have kept a better watch over her! You never would have let this happen. I blame you all! I screamed at him, mentally breaking down.

I felt intrusions on our conversation of thoughts. The pack must have shifted also, listening to everything, catching everything. I lunged at Quil again but missed as he ducked around me. He made a snap for my tail but I whipped around too quick for him. He lunged at me this time, going chest to chest. His paws were on me, trying to shove me back. I lost my balance and he pinned me.

Jared's voice sounded in my head.

You blame yourself, Jake! Come on man, we all care about Bella! You're not thinking clearly, chill out! None of us want to lose you as our pack mate.

Quil got caught off guard by the intrusion and I shoved him off, sending him into the sand. I lunged at him and sank my teeth into his shoulder, shaking my head. A yelp and shriek came from him and I refused to let go. I was blood thirsty. Someone needed to pay. Everything needed to go away. They needed to suffer. I needed to suffer.

Someone, attack me. Someone, make this go away.

Jacob, knock it OFF! Sam's voice intruded and something pummeled me from the side. I yelped as I rolled into the dirt, the sand gripping every wet part of me. The saliva from Quil's snapping, the blood on my face. I flipped over and got to my feet, watching Quil limping off into the forest.

I lunged after him again but Sam jumped towards me and pushed me back, his paws scraping across my neck.

Look at what you're doing to Bella, Jacob! Sam yelled in his head. I glanced around, expecting to see nothing. Nothing but blood. Blood was everywhere. I needed revenge. My eyes settled on Bella.

She had slipped to the floor of the porch, cradling her stomach. It was raining. When had it started raining? I never noticed anything. Her face was wet, but I didn't know with tears or rain. Her eyes were red, puffy. She was crying. I felt my heart plummet into my chest, all thoughts of revenge gone. Remorse flickered through me. Too many thoughts ran through my head. Too many people, too many blameful faces. Pointing, like clowns at a carnival, I felt trapped. I was to blame. It was all my fault. If I had been strong enough to go after Bella, if I had brought her back. If I had never let her leave in the first place.

Guilt swam into my stomach then up into my throat. It rose in the form of bile and I turned, lunging towards the forest. I made it past the line in a matter of seconds and shifted, crawling across the ground and throwing up the soup that had so helped me get my strength back. The strength back to fight my own pack. It wasn't difficult to shift back into my humanity. There were too many voices, too many thoughts, emotions. I couldn't handle it all on top of my own. Being human was much easier right now. I shook on the ground, resting my head against a tree, on all fours. I wiped at my mouth and collapsed against the tree, a naked mess.

My hands ran through my hair, gripping it tightly and pulling. I needed pain, I needed something to take away the look on Bella's face. I needed something to just make it all stop. I wasn't the type to cry, but I was starting to run a record this week. A tear slipped from the corner of my eye and felt the pain grip my chest and take over.

A/N : Wow, this took a lot out of me. I've been writing all day. This story is everything to me right now. Haha.