Chapter 4: The Reporter

There was a lot of fuss in front of the doors at the police station. Many reporters were there waiting for some words to write in their papers or to let other people see thanks to the help of a camera.

'Are there any donuts?' asked Kenny.

'Move it, Kenny,' said the reporter because Kenny was blocking the way out from the car.

'But they won't let anyone in,' replied Kenny.

'Well, I'm not just anybody,' said the reporter and stepped right into the crowd. She pushed herself through it and reached the front door of the station while talking into the camera: Hay, Esmé Evenson reporting live. We're seeking a glimpse of Isabella Swan.' But Esmé's hands are suddenly captured and another hand takes her by the pulse. The two police officers are holding her there, much to the dislike of Esmé Evenson. 'Hey! Watch the hand!'

'Wait for your lawyer,' said one of the two police officers who held Mike tight to their arms. Mike must go to prison for a night.

'Come on, Bella,' said Mike when he saw her sitting on the chair near the desk. 'Bella, you know me! Bella!'

But Bella wouldn't listen anymore to a word what Mike said… But she was crying. It hurt that Mike could actually have done it. That he killed Angela and Ben and almost her. She hated this.

Jessica walked over to Bella and tried to calm her down: 'Shhh, you're going with us.'

'With us?' asked Bella.

'Yep, Charlie is coming with us too!' answered Jessica.

'They sell this costume in every dime state,' said Charlie to Biggle, not so far from Bella and Jessica. 'There is no way to track that byer.'

'What about those phone records?' asked the chief.

'There working on it,' said Charlie and nodded. 'But we won't know anything until the morning.'

Jessica was becoming impatient and she wanted to go far away from this station. To her safe house, almost in the middle of the town. Where no single person would ever come because neighbors would hear it. 'Come on!'

'Do you think that he did it?' asked Charlie.

'Twenty years ago, I would say not a change, but with these kids from today,' sighed Biggle. He didn't know it. At all! Besides, who would do such thing? And more important: why?

'Hey deputy Swan, can we go now?' asked Jessica.

'Hold on a second!' said Charlie.

After a few minutes was the whole group ready.

'Take the back entrance. It's more serene over there,' said chief Biggle.

'Let's get back to work,' said Biggle when they were gone through the door that led to the back door.

It was very busy in the street from the police station. It was like the other people didn't know what else to do. The street was blocked and the pedestrians had to walk on the sidewalk. More reporters came and the street on the side of the station was almost filled with those people. Well, people… Bella always thought that it were Egyptian vultures that had nothing to do then just follow people around. And all that was proven right when her mother was found.

Esmé was looking around for another entrance and suddenly she thought of something: 'Isn't there a back door for this station?'

'Yeah, in that alley,' answered Kenny. He pointed at the alley just some meters away from the main entrance where they were standing.

Esmé stepped towards the alley.

'Stay here, I'm getting the car. Don't move and don't make a sound,' said Charlie when they came through the door. He ran away and left Jessica and Bella behind.

Bella inhaled deeply and didn't know what else to do. She was so terrified by the thought that she almost had sex with a killer. Who knows what he would've done if she didn't agree to it?

Jessica saw the thinking of her best friend and laid her hand on Bella's left shoulder. She robbed the back of Bella for a split second. She felt so sorry in way.

'There she is!' said a voice. 'Isabella! I mean, Bella!'

Bella heard the sound of shoes with high heels that came running towards her. She turned around and so did Jessica. It was Esmé Evenson, the famous reporter. Everyone knew her and the ones who didn't… well, they probably didn't have television or a computer.

'What a night. Is everything alright?' asked Esmé and placed her microphone in front of Bella.

Bella got pushed away by Jessica who replied: 'No comment, Evenson! Just leave us alone!'

'No, it's okay, Jessica,' said Bella and pushed Jessica away. 'She's just doing her job, right Esmé?'

'Yes, that's right,' said Esmé in a smile. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Was this some kind of joke? But she believed Bella.

'So… how's the book?' asked Bella.

'Well, it will be out later this year,' answered Esmé, still amazed by this.

'O…' sighed Bella in some tears. 'I'll look for it.' She didn't mean that and that was hearable in that phrase and the way she said it. She turned around and wanted to walk away.

'I'll send you a copy,' replied Esmé and just smiled.

That was it for Bella. She turned around and punched Esmé hard on her left cheek. Esmé fell in the left arm of Kenny who almost dropped the camera. Esmé looked more astonished then a minute ago. Bella had to fight against her will, not to punch her again. Tears filled her eyes and Charlie came running from behind her. The car was parked just some meters away.

Charlie had seen it all, but all he said was: 'Nice right one!'

'Bitch,' whispered Bella.

'Where did you learn to punch like that?' asked Charlie while he dragged Bella away from the crowd and into the police car. Jessica followed and just smiled. Even laughed!

A couple hours later were Jessica and Bella in Jessica's room. Thank god Jessica had an extra bed in her room. It was handy when there was a sleepover. Or a "sex-over" with Sammy. The beds were vertical against each other. But they were horizontal with the door. When you came in the room, you saw the beds on your right. A desk and two closets were on the other side of the room. There were many posters… Even one of Brad Pitt, two of Zac Efron, three of Paul Wesley, five of Ian Somerhalder and ten of Taylor Lautner. Jessica really had a thing for actors. Not so much for singers or jocks or sportsmen, however she thought that Jesse McCartney was cute as Christiana Ronaldo.

'God, I loved it. "I'll send you a copy" BAM! Bitch went down,' said Jessica. 'BAM! Bella! Super bitch! You were so cool!'

Charlie walked into the room. 'I thought you might want some ice for that right hook.' He threw the icepack across the room, right in Bella's hands. She laid it on her right hand and it felt good.

'I'm next door. Try to sleep, okay,' said Charlie and left the room. He screamed: 'Give a scream if you need anything!'

Jessica closed the door and some music started. She had pushed on the ON-button from her radio and music started. It was music that Bella knew. One of the good old days: Madonna with Like A Prayer. Bella laid on the bed and thought a lot… Mainly about her mother.

'Do you think that Mike did it?' asked Jessica with all the innocence she had.

'He was there,' replied Bella in a sigh. She couldn't believe it either, but he was there and he had a cell phone.

'I knew he was too good to be true,' began Jessica, 'because nobody is perfect. I knew all along that something was seriously wrong with that mother's baby. I thought all the time that you should break up with him. But here it goes: I never dared to tell you and…'

'Jessica,' said Bella. 'Can we sort of skip this talk?'

Jessica gulped and thought again of all the things she just said. Shit, was the only thing that came in her mind.

There was a knock on the door and Jessica turned her head. Her mom came in and saw Jessica sitting on the bed. 'Telephone.'

'Who is it?' asked Jessica.

'It's for Bella,' answered the mom.

'Is it my uncle?' asked Bella when she turned around.

'I don't think so. It didn't sound like him at all,' replied the mother. She just waited there and fiddled with her white skirt.

'Take a message.' Jessica wanted to talk with her best friend.

'I'll take it,' said Bella and just smiled at her best friend. Jessica smiled back and Bella knew what Jessica was thinking. Bella stood up and followed Jessica's mother. They stopped in front of the white telephone that Bella picked up. 'Hello?'

'Hello Bella,' answered the same sexy voice that belonged to the killer.

'No!' yelled Bella.

Jessica's eyes went wide open and she stood up and ran to the room next to her. This took her only two seconds. She was so concerned about her friend.

'Poor Mike. Such an innocent guy doesn't stand a chance against you,' laughed the person.

'Leave me alone!' yelled Bella into the phone.

Jessica's mom left the room. She ran to the room were Charlie was sleeping and she opened it immediately. 'Charlie! Come quick! Your daughter!'

'You pointed at the wrong guy… AGAIN!' yelled the voice through the phone.

'Who are you?' asked Bella in a scream. Her eyes were almost filled with tears but she fought the feeling of crying. She didn't want to do that when the killer could hear it.

'Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough,' answered the man. Then he hung up. Bella couldn't help it anymore. Tears rolled down on both of her cheeks. She was so scared! It wasn't Mike after all! Shit!

Bella ran to Jessica's room, followed by Jessica herself. That last one closed the door and Charlie looked at the phone. He picked it up and said: 'Hello?'

'There's no one on the phone, stupid,' said the voice on the other line. It was the same voice of some seconds ago.

Charlie jumped from terror and pointed his gun at the phone. Then someone hung up again.

The next morning drove a vehicle through the streets of Forks. It was the machine that cleaned the streets. Some skater boys were skating over the streets just in front of the wagon.

Not so clever from them, thought Bella who looked through the window. But hey… it are skater boys for something. Bella watched them as they turned to the right and disappeared into another street. She looked back at her plate and ate some of the eggs with bacon that Jessica's mom made.

The TV was on and a reporter said: 'Isabella Swan, who escaped a vicious attack last night, was the daughter of Renée Dwyer who was brutally killed last year by convicted Waylon. Waylon got the death penalty after Isabella traversed an aggravating notification against hi….'

The television was turned off by Bella's dad. He took place at the table after he took a plate. He laid some slices of bread on it and ate them.

'It's never gonna stop, is it?' asked Bella with a fake smile.

'Mike was released,' sighed Charlie. He hated it that his daughter was dating. He had now a perfect excuse to dislike him, but it wasn't true. 'He didn't make those calls. They're checking who called you and Angela Weber.' He gulped and finished his conversation with them: 'It's going to take a while, but we'll find him.'

Bella wasn't able to hide concerned face. She was thinking and thinking… Who could that Ghost Face be?

Jessica slapped very soft Bella's right arm. She looked her right in the eyes and said: 'Everything is gonna be alright, Bells.'

Bella almost jumped from the nickname Jessica used. It was the nickname that Jacob mostly used when he saw Bella. God, she missed him. She loved him so much… as a friend. To the chagrin of Jake – that was his nickname – who wanted more than just being friends. The killer wouldn't be Jake, right? she asked herself. But what if he is? I mean, he's my best friend. He won't do that, will he? She didn't sound very convincing to herself. What if he was?

I hope that you liked it and that you'll review... Reviews are always welcome.

I also made a trailer for this story. Check my profile and look for my youtube account if this link does not work:

Red Sun Trailer

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