CHAPTER TEN – HIDE AND SEEK

EDWARD POV

"That didn't last long" Emmett mocked as Bella and I came back to the lunch shelters.

"Beats your record" I laughed back.

I didn't really care what he thought about Bella and myself I felt too hyped to even care. I told Bella my assumptions and I couldn't be more happier that she actually agreed with me about them. She had every right to tell her farther and run for the hills but she didn't, she chose to help me try and uncover the truth, if there was any. I scolded myself for shouting at her, I had no right to and I felt guilty for scaring her but I had to make her believe me that I was on her side and I was not judging her or her farther because of my assumptions.

The bell rung which was a surprise to me, had we been really talking that long? I walked through the side access and held the door open for the others. I prayed to fucking god that my next lesson would go fast because I didn't like the thought of Bella being in a lesson with Mr Harding alone. At least if we were together then if anything happened then we could be witnesses. Considering my condition I didn't think for a second that I could take on Mr Harding if it ever came down to violence but I would make fucking sure that I at least get a few hits in if he ever pulled something.

"See you in an hour" Bella whispered walking up the stairwell.

"Bella" I called.

She paused and turned around.

"Be careful" I whispered.

She nodded and continued up the stairs. I turned back and walked through the hallways to Math. I got to the classroom just in time to take my seat. I could see that she wanted answers to my injuries but it wasn't worth me telling her because it wasn't important. After Jasper woke me up last night I went home. How the fuck I managed to drive my bike back home was beyond me but I managed to do it within half an hour.

I walked, well limped in my house just after 2pm. I had a hot shower then after five minutes again the water turned cold but I just stood there and welcomed the cold on my skin. It did wonders for the swelling around my body and I felt a lot better when I stepped out. I didn't even bother drying myself. I just collapsed on my bed and slept until Jasper woke me up this morning. My whole body ached and the pain was worse than yesterday. Yesterday I felt like I got hit by a train, trampled on by a bull, and thrown in a vat of acid. Today I felt like all of them again but since this morning they were all put into a blender and the moment I woke up its been left on the highest speed.

Jasper insisted that I take Edge to take the pain away because it was like an anaesthetic but I refused to take it because once you start you can't stop and I would never go down that road again, so I opted for good old fashion pain killers and let me tell you that name does not do it an ounce of justice.

Math went slow as usual my mind was no where near my body it was in Bella's history lesson. I refused to think any negative thoughts because I would only get myself wound up so I ignored every word, every syllable Mr Bryans spoke and counted the seconds in my head.

One thousand two hundred and seventeen seconds later the bell rung. If it wasn't for my fucking right leg limping I would have literally ran all the way to Social studies. My left arm wasn't cooperating with me today either, it hurt to bend my arm so I had to keep it cupped to my chest.

Thinking back to the conversation Bella and I had yesterday, she told me that Social Studies was on the third floor, north stairwell in classroom three so that's where I went. I got to the classroom as the second bell rung. Bella was already seated in the front row but the chair next to her was already taken by another civilian. I walked up to the student and cleared my throat. He looked up and without a word he got up and changed seats. I sat down and scooted my seat and table closer to Bella.

"Hi" I smiled.

"Hi" she greeted me.

"Anything happened?"

"Nope" she said shaking her head.

I half expected nothing to happened but let's face it, what exactly did I except to happen and what exactly where we even looking for? I couldn't just ask him flat out about Eric and watch his reaction, how lame was that?

"How was his behaviour in History" I asked.

She bit her bottom lips and shook her head.

"I don't know, he was normal like nothing had happened" she said.

"Good afternoon students" Mr Harding said.

I turned back around and faced the front and he placed his briefcase down on the table. Bella was right he was completely normal, oblivious even as to what happened yesterday. Either he actually didn't have anything to do with yesterday's incident or he was just a great actor. I needed to find that gold chain that was the only concrete evidence I had to go on. I thought about actually taking a look in his briefcase but if he had taken it from Eric then I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't have kept it with him so it must have been at his home. Even if I wanted to search the briefcase I couldn't because even if Bella had distracted him I had a big fat security camera staring me in the face.

I suppose breaking and entering would go against my parole but let's face it I have already broken all the promises and rules I set for myself like, associating with Bella, getting into trouble with the gang so I might as well fuck my parole as well. Anything I did from now on that broke my parole was a good deed in my eyes so even if I did get thrown back in prison I would be happy to know that I did something good. Even though I would scream and protest until I was blue in the face I would always be just a worthless piece of scum that fucked up again, but the truth is I am just an ordinary guy who has had a troubled past and is now tiring to make a better future. If going back to prison was because I tried to do a good thing then I could live with that no matter how long I was confined in there.

Nothing happened during the whole lesson, no hints, no sinister looks, nothing. I was starting to get a bit aggravated because I wanted something to happen, anything to happen so Bella and I could catch him out. This was going to take longer than I anticipated. I growled at myself.

The bell rung and everybody rushed out as another day came to a close.

"Well that was um" she paused.

"Agreed" I huffed.

She was deep in thought as we left the classroom.

"What are you doing now?" she asked.

"Nothing why?"

She was silent all the way down the stairs.

"I was thinking about checking out my dad's office" she informed me walking down the hallways.

Was she really considering going through her dad's things? I must admit I didn't for a million years think that Bella would do something like this, maybe she did believe me after all and this brought a smile to my face.

"Bella, his office is probably guarded by security cameras, guards, and staff I know we said we would be like ninjas but this is a bit out of our league" I laughed.

"No I meant his office at home"

"Ok" I stalled.

"Maybe there's something in there?" She said as we walked out the main entrance.

I couldn't believe it, she was actually serious.

"Bella, I don't know"

"Look are we in this together or not" she said raising her voice.

I couldn't help but smile at her attempt to be serious. She was like an adorable little tiger, and there I go with the word adorable again, fucking new found feeling and words. I growled at myself.

"Yes we are but" I protested.

"My dad's out of town so don't worry" she told me as we walked through the detectors and down the steps.

"Bella" I protested again.

"Just follow me and keep up" she smirked.

She was so stubborn but I laughed at her statement.

"Yeah it's going to be really hard to keep up with 30mph" I laughed.

She paused and gave me a wondering look. I climbed on my bike and tried to hide my smile.

"After you" I signalled to her as she climbed into her car.

I followed behind her for a good twenty minutes and eventually came off a dirt road and to her house. I suppose if I hadn't stumbled across this place the other night then I would have had my mouth hanging open to the size of it but all the surprise factor was gone. She parked up outside but I kept driving and parked my bike in the tree line like I had done the other night.

"What you doing?" she asked getting out the car.

"You wouldn't want to have to explain it to daddy if he came back early" I smirked.

I walked over to her and followed her into the house. I winched as the sound of howling echoed around us as we entered the front door. She turned and quickly ushered me in then closed the door. She punched something into a control panel and the howling stopped. She ushered me into the living room and I guess you could say the surprise factor was back. Everything was beautifully modernised and in that instance I fell I love, with the huge flat screen mounted on the wall. It was like I had stepped back into the past because my house used to be like this.

"Would you like a drink" She said pulling me back to reality.

I considered it then thought back to the time I was last here secretly. I had joked with myself saying that she wouldn't have me over for coffee anytime soon, fuck me how wrong was I.

"Coffee please, if you have it"

She nodded and retreated back from where she came. I wondered if the rest of her house was this nice, I bet the bathroom was the size of my whole house and I bet her bedroom was.

No, don't even think about her fucking bedroom. I scolded myself.

I walked around the living room and stalled as I caught silght of pictures on the mantel piece. There was one of Bella sleeping in a bed full of flowers. Another one was what I guessed was Bella as a baby and she was sitting on a lap of a woman who had long dark brown hair like herself, I could have only guessed that was her mother because they looked awfully similar. The other photo was of her dad back in his younger days, he was cuddling baby Bella but the picture was ripped in half. I could see stands of brown hair down the rip line so I could only guess that her mother would have been on the other side.

"Not the baby photos" Bella groaned standing next to me with a cup in her hand.

"Thanks" I said taking the cup from her. "You were a cute baby" I smirked making her blush.

"No I wasn't" she protested.

"Yes you were, you should be grateful because you had it lucky" I smirked again taking a slip of coffee.

"What do you mean?"

"I was a fat baby" I laughed.

"Yeah right"

"I was" I laughed again.

"Hmm" she said.

"Believe what you want Swan" I smirked.

We stood there just smiling and looking at each other awkwardly. After a few seconds I could just feel myself being pulled towards her like a magnet. She cleared her throat which made me snap out of it.

"We should probably um"

"Yeah" I finished for her.

I followed her through the living room and down a short hallway to a wooden door. I entered a study that had been refurbished in dark oak. There were rows of books stacking neatly on bookcases and there was a desk at the far side of the room with a computer on it. She sat down behind the desk and I put my cup down on the table and propped myself up on my elbow as she began looking through his draws. She pulled out folder upon folder and handed them to me. I took it out her hand but accidently grabbed her hand instead.

"Sorry" I whispered letting go remembering that she didn't like close contact.

"Its fine" she blushed looking down to the files.

Her hand felt warm and soft I wondered if she moisturised. What the fuck! I screamed in my head. First I was thinking about her bedroom now I'm wondering if she fucking moisturises. What the fuck was wrong with me? Why don't you just ask her what flavour lip balm she uses or what colour underwear she's got on you fucking pervert! I shouted in my head.

"Just scan through them, I don't know what were looking for but tell me if anything helps" She said breaking my thoughts.

"Alright"

I sat on the top of the desk and dangled my legs off the edge. I took folder after folder into my lap and scanned the pages. Documents, files, reports but nothing that could have helped us. After what felt like hours of sighing and groaning to ourselves, two more coffees and a change of seating I was about to give up. I was now sat behind the desk with my feet up on the table. Bella was spread out across the floor and she was propped up on her elbow, her eyes began to drift shut and her head began to fall forward. She stopped herself and woke back up then turned the page again.

"This is ridiculous, were getting nowhere" she yawned.

"Maybe not" I paused.

I pulled out a letter that was addresses to a Mr C Swan and was signed by a Mr Langford. The letters company logo was something called Megatech.

"What is it" Bella asked.

"Ever heard of a company called Megatech?" I asked scanning the letter.

"No"

"Or a Mr Langford?"

"Yeah, I heard my farther speaking to him on the phone a couple of times" she told me. "Why what does it say?"

"Dear Mr C Swan, we are delighted to inform you that Megatech and the Department of Education and Defence have coherently, blah blah blah" I said missing out the boring bits "The program will commence exactly one week from today's date and run exceedingly throughout the duration of the set period, blah blah blah" I said again "This was dated over three months ago" I informed her looking at the date.

She got up and walked over and leaned over me to scan the letter. The scent of strawberries nearly knocked me off the chair.

"Is there any more?" she asked still looking at the file.

"This one's dated a month ago" I said pulling another letter out.

"Dear Mr C Swan, We have been aware of the unexpected errors and we have resolved the issue. However new parts have being arranged and organized due to resent accuracies during the program, blah blah blah" I finished.

"Does any of this make any sense to you" I asked.

She shook her head and began to think.

"I heard my dad speaking about programs and errors to this Langford guy but I don't see what this has anything to do with the teachers." She sighed.

"I've never heard of Megatech, but from hearing the name it's not rocket science to know that they must be associated with computers and technology" I said.

I rubbed my face and winched forgetting about my injuries.

"Maybe we should just forget it, there's nothing here" I groaned.

I began clearing the folders away and Bella grabbed the folders off the floor. I put them back in the desk and Bella handed me her folders. She kept one in her hands and I filled the draw back up.

"Was Eric's last name Yorkie" She perked up.

"Yeah why?" I asked.

She didn't answer me instead she just continued to read.

"What that?" I asked.

"His death certificate" she whispered.

"What?" I asked standing up.

I stood behind her and looked over her shoulder and scanned the paper.

"Eric Yorkie " I began to read out loud

Deceased – 2012-01-22
T.O.D – Around the hours of 12-1pm
Cause of death – Drug Overdose
Injuries - Swelling of the oesophagus, Puncture to the right lung, Head trauma causing intracranial haemorrhage of the brain, Nasal fracture.

"Why the fuck would your farther have this" I hissed.

"I don't know" she shook her head in disbelief.

"His injuries look kosher" she added after a moment of silence.

"But they also look like foul play was involved as well" I told her.

She growled to herself and closed the file. In spite of it all I couldn't help by smile at her frustration, she really did remind me of a playful tiger about to prance on her prey but the only difference was she would probably lick them to death instead of actually causing damage.

"What so funny?" she asked putting the folder away.

"Nothing" I said shaking my head.

"So what now?" she said crossing her arms.

"I need to find that gold chain it's the only thing to prove that Mr Harding had anything to do with Eric's death" I said.

"So what's the plan?" she asked.

As I was about to speak the sound of howling made us both spin around to the door.

"Shit" she panicked behind me "Follow me, quick"

Without thinking she pulled my good arm and led me out of the study.

"Bells" her dad shouted over the alarm.

I ran with her to the end of the hallway and she opened another door.

"Stay here" she warned me pushing me into the room.

She closed the door behind me, I couldn't see anything but I could tell that it must have been a closet of some sort. The alarm stopped and I heard footsteps. Their voices sounded a bit muffled but I could still make out what was said.

"Bells" he called her again.

"Yeah" she replied catching her breath.

"What's going on, why you out of breath" he asked.

"Um, just doing a bit of exercising" she lied.

I couldn't help but laugh at her attempt of lying. Even thought I couldn't see her I pictured her blushing.

"What's so funny" her dad asked.

Shit he must have heard me laugh.

I covered my mouth and was careful not to even breathe too loudly. The walls in this place must be fucking paper thin.

"Nothing" she slightly laughed.

I guess she was tiring to cover up my mistake.

"You sure you're alright, you seem a little, off" he asked her again.

"Yeah I'm fine, how was your day" she asked changing the subject.

"Nightmare" he huffed.

"I'll um, get dinner started" Bella replied.

I heard more footsteps then it was silent. I looked around and from what I could make out there was a shelf behind me. I leaned up against it and sat down because for all I knew then I could be in here for a while. I felt like I was back in my childhood playing hide and seek with Jasper and Emmett.

A few more minutes past by and I actually considered about taking my shoes and jacket off and actually getting comfy. I'm sure I could conjure up a make shift bed on the floor here no problem.

"Bella" he shouted.

"Yeah" she shouted even louder.

"Why is there a coffee cup in my study?"

As soon as he said it I froze. Shit, Shit, Shit, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT was all that was going through my mind.

"Oh, good you found it I forgot where I left it" Bella saved the day again.

"What were you doing in here?"

"I was studying for History class, I needed to research a few books" she told him.

"Oh, is dinner ready?" he asked.

"Yeah"

A few more footsteps and there was silence once again. Fuck this I hissed at myself. I took my jacket off and held in my cry of pain from my left arm. I spread my jacket out on the floor and sat down on top of it. What I wouldn't give for a smoke right now. A few minuets later I heard some more footsteps, the door slowly creaked open and Bella's hand appeared from the side and surprisingly a plate of food.

"You didn't have to" I whispered taking the food from her.

"I know and you're welcome" she whispered back before closing the door behind her.

I smiled as I tried to look down upon the plate. I didn't know what was there but it smelt delicious whatever it was. I dug in and quickly discovered it was lasagne. I had to stop myself from moaning with every mouthful, I haven't had a proper cooked dinner in forever, it reminded me of my mother's cooking back in the day. I quickly devoured the plate and put it to one side when I finished, now I would absolutely do anything for a smoke.

"That was great bells as always" her dad spoke.

"Thanks" she replied.

"Well I'm off to bed, goodnight kiddo"

Kiddo? So lame. I scoffed.

"Goodnight" she replied.

I heard footsteps ascend the stairs and a few creaks above my head. Then I heard a new set of footsteps quickly rushing down the hallway. The door flung open and revealed her.

"Comfy" she smirked.

"Actually I am" I smirked back.

I pulled myself up and grabbed my jacket. I slowly put it back on as I walked back into the hallway.

"I thought I was going to have to sleep in there" I sarcastically said.

She smiled and rolled her eyes. I followed her out the living room and into the hallway. She disabled the alarm and was about to open the front door but we froze as we heard footsteps again. She grabbed my good arm again and pulled me into the kitchen, I hugged the side of the wall as the footsteps came down the stairs.

"Left my briefcase in the car" He told her heading out the front door.

"Quick" she said pulling me again.

She pulled me through the kitchen and into the pantry. She unbolted a narrow window and slid it up.

"You're so glad I'm so skinny" I teased her.

"Quick, quick" she grinned.

"And disabled" I scoffed.

I crawled out feet first and landed on my feet as I hopped out. I growled as shooting pains shot up my leg. I heard the front door shut again but I didn't make any movement to leave.

"Night" her dad shouted

"Night" Bella replied.

After a moment of silence she turned back around to me and hung out the window.

"Let's never do that again" she said relieved.

"Well I wouldn't say never, I actually enjoyed myself" I smirked.

"Me too" she admitted blushing.

"We would just have to be more careful next time"

"Next time" she said a bit too loudly.

"Well you can't expect to feed me food like that and not expect me to return for seconds" I teased her.

She blushed and giggled and yet again I felt like I was being drawn to her. I was that close to her I could literally feel her breath against my skin. She didn't object to me being so close so I didn't fight against it.

"So, um" she began but started to tremble because of the proximity.

I could have easily taken an inch step towards her and my lips would be on hers but I pulled back.

"Whats the plan?" he asked looking down.

"I'll let you in on it on Monday" I told her.

She looked up and I could see that she wanted to protest about it.

"Why Monday?"

"Because they will be home during the weekend" I said.

"Who will?" she pushed.

"See you Monday" I smirked before I took off towards the tree line.