CHAPTER TWENTY– MENTAL TORTURE
EDWARD POV
"Bella!" I snarled.
Her body went limp in my hands and I gently lowered her to the floor. I didn't realise it at first but the alarm was howling out of control because of the smashed window but I seemed to ignore everything around me.
"Bella love" I whispered shaking.
What the fuck had that bitch done to her? Did she have injuries inside her body that I couldn't see?
"Bella, please love wake up" I whispered frantically kissing the top of her head.
She was still breathing and her heart beat was normal so again I could only hope and pray that she just fainted. Jim walked back through the front door panting heavily.
"She got away" He said bending over and leaning his hands on his knees.
"Alright" I huffed "Jim bring the car around we have to get out of here, the cops will be swarming this place soon"
"Alright boss" he said running back out the door.
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and my other one under her legs then swooped her up before I got to my feet.
"What do you want me to do with him?" Lexi asked nodding to Charlie's lifeless body.
"Leave him, the cops can sort him out" I told her "Grab my gun and the envelope on the counter please" I asked.
She nodded and did what I asked as I walked out the front door. Jim already had the car parked right by the porch as I descended the steps. Lexi descended the steps and opened the back door of Jim's car for me. I slid Bella in the back seat and took my bike keys out my pocket.
"Swap" I said throwing my keys to Jim.
He grabbed them then I closed the back door and proceeded to the driver's seat.
"My bikes just over there between the trees" I pointed in the direction.
Jim took off towards the trees as Lexi climbed into the passenger seat. I climbed into the driver's side and adjusted the rear view mirror so I could see Bella lying down on the back seat. I heard the sound of my bike engine then I waited for Jim to appear from the tree line before I put my foot on the gas and took off.
"What's in here?" Lexi asked examining the envelope.
"Not sure but whatever is in it Conner's didn't want me to have it" I replied.
When Bella threw it out the window earlier I climbed down to tree and received it. Not a moment too soon that bitch showed up in her car and as you can guess we weren't in the talking mood. She must have knocked me out because I woke up on the side of the road in town. She must have taken me in her car and tried to dispose of me or at least get me out the picture for a while until she needed to do whatever she was going to do. The big question was why didn't she just kill me there and then?
When I woke up I knew I wouldn't be able to make it back to Bella's house in time on foot so I ran to Jim's house. I knew he probably wouldn't believe the truth but I knew that he owed me a favour because of the time in the junkyard with Riley. I knew I could count of Jim because he wasn't the type of person to ask a hundred and one questions. I basically ran in and told him I needed his help and without a word he threw me a gun and grabbed one for himself. I didn't know he had company and by that I mean Lexi.
Lexi joined the Black Hearts two years ago near enough the same time I did and still to this day I could see that Jim had a soft spot for her as did Emmett at one time. Jim was the sort of guy to sit back and admire he never had the guts to ask her out, hell I've been in prison so who knows maybe they are finally item or maybe there not but it's not my business to ask.
I drove to Jims house and pulled up outside in less than ten minutes. We should be safe here or at least for a while until we figure out what our next move was. Now Jim and Lexi has seen firsthand at what Ms Conner's is capable of then maybe the truth will be easier for them to understand and more importantly believe.
I parked up on the driveway and climbed out the car. Jim pulled up on my bike shortly after and parked it up at the side of his car. I pulled the back door open and leaned in then I wrapped my arms around Bella's body and pulled her out the car. I closed the door with my foot the proceeded to the front door. Lexi entered first then I walked into the hallway.
"Put her in my sister's room" Jim informed me as he walked in and closed the front door. "Upstairs, second door to the right"
I nodded and proceeded to climb the stairs. I walked down the long hallway and the door was already open. A second after I was met by Jim's sister Fern. Fuck me she had changed so much I hardly recognised her. She was the same height as Bella but she had curves in all the right places. She had piercing blue eyes with brown hair which had a slight red tint in. You could tell that she was related to Jim because he had the same eyes as her. The last time I seen her was just before I joined the Black Hearts about two years ago. After examining her I couldn't see any Black Heart tattoos so she must not have joined us yet.
"Oh my god" She said with her mouth hanging open. "Quick put her here" She told me hopping off the bed.
I walked in and carefully lay Bella down on her bed were Fern had originally been lying.
"Is she alright" She asked leaning over me.
"Yeah she's just fainted I think" I replied brushing the hair away from Bella's face.
"What the fuck happened?"
"Long story" I huffed.
I climbed on the bed with Bella then I watched her sleeping for a while. I copied her breathing patterns and tried to listen for any signs that she might be in pain. I hated being in this mental torture not knowing if my love was suffering of not. I didn't know how long I sat there with her for but Fern was over the other side of her bedroom sat at a desk reading something by the time I looked up. I felt rude invading her space then completely ignoring her but my mind was just filled with the angel that was in my arms.
"Thanks" I said breaking the silence.
"Don't worry about it" She replied looking up from her book "Anything I can do to help" she added.
Fern was so kind, nice and helpful I guess it runs in the family. I was grateful that some of us including Jim, Fern and Lexi actually still treat each other like human beings instead of letting this fucked up town go to their heads. I will have to find a way to repay them one day if we manage to survive whatever was coming of course.
"I see you haven't joined us yet?" I smirked.
"Not yet, Jims organized my Rave for next week" She informed me "So until then I guess I'm just a crappy civilian" She smiled.
"At least you have the option" I whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said" I smirked "You have the option to leave town, to leave all this behind and escape" I said shaking my head.
She didn't know how much I envied her right now, to have the option to just leave anytime. If she chose to stay here and become part of us then she would ruin her life but there again I had no right to judge her decision because it was her life. I made stupid decisions in mine and now I had to live with it.
"Look I'm not trying to tell you what to do, I just think you should consider your options first that's all" I said.
I could see that she was debating with herself over my words so I could only hope that she made the right decision. I pressed my lips to the top of Bella's head and climbed off the bed.
"I've got to take care of some stuff, do you mind" I asked.
"Don't worry ill look after her" She smiled.
"Thanks" I smiled back then I leaned back down to Bella's ear.
"I love you" I whispered then kissed her cheek.
I gave a quick smile at Fern before I left the room and walked back down the hallway and descended the stairs. Jim and Lexi were in the living room sitting at opposite ends of the sofa making small talk. Jim was perched up with his back straight as Lexi balanced her legs on the coffee table in front of her.
"Is she alright" Jim asked as I entered the living room.
"Yeah"
"So are you going to tell us what the fuck just happened" Lexi said.
I sat down on the opposite sofa and stared at the envelope that was now sitting on the coffee table. It didn't matter anymore what was in the envelope because if I waited any longer then I would probably be dead by time I got the chance to tell anybody so it was now or never. The truth had to come out now and they had to believe me with proof or no proof. I didn't see any point in beating around the bush so I got straight to the point.
"The teachers are killing people, they have been for a while and only Bella and myself know about it"
It didn't take long for the weird looks to spread on both of their faces at one point I thought Lexi was going to burst out in laughter.
"Are you sure" Jim asked after what felt like hours of silence.
I nodded and ran my fingers through my hair.
"Is that what Conner's was doing there earlier?" He asked again.
"Yeah" I replied.
"Oh come on" Lexi perked up "Edward do you know how ridiculous your sounding, have you been doing edge?" She asked shaking her head.
I could tell that she was having a hard time in believing me but I couldn't care less who believed me right now because people had to know.
"Just hear him out Lexi, you were there too remember" Jim perked up.
Lexi rolled her eyes and continued to listen. I pulled out Eric chain from my pocket and threw it on the coffee table.
"I found this in the teacher's apartment, it was Eric's and it's got his blood all over it" I explained.
"I though he Od'd" Lexi said examining the chain.
"If the teachers are killing then why are they doing it?" Jim asked.
"I don't know" I said shaking my head "Bella told me her farther knew about it and if that was true then the department of education must know about it as well"
"So the school board is trying to eliminate us quietly without the feds knowing" Jim laughed "Well that's fucking believable"
"There's something else as well" I said pinching the bridge of my nose with my fingers. "Mr Harding was at the junkyard earlier, I watched him kill Mike"
"Are you serious?" Jim asked.
"Didn't that kid" Lexi said clicking her fingers "What's his name, um, Sam" She pointed "That Sam kid said he thought he seen Conner's there"
"Yeah I think she was" I confirmed "Anyway I emptied my whole clip into him and mother fucker didn't even go down"
"So what are you saying there not human" Jim half smiled with arched eyebrows.
"Or he had a bullet proof vest on" Lexi added.
"Lexi you were there earlier, you emptied most of your bullets into Conner's and yet she still had time to turn around, run and smash through a window then escape into thin air" Jim replied to her.
"Ok so if there not human then what the fuck are they?" Lexi replied.
"Let's find out" I said picking up the envelope from the coffee table.
"We can take them right?" Jim said as I was opening the envelope "I mean if the others are not going to believe us it's just us three in the same boat"
I pulled out a set of papers and contracts that were all stapled together. Every sheet had the logo Megatech and all the papers were signed by Charlie. It was dated six months ago months way before the school even opened.
Dear Mr Swan.
I know that when the department of education and defence asked Megatech to help you with your problem it was not an easy decision to make. You are after all educators and we are automatic and robotic specialist, but the current situation in our high schools calls for such measures.
We have created and engineered three artificially tactical education units who have been thoroughly programmed in Chemistry, History, Mathematics, Art, Social Studies and of course Physical Education. They have the optional XT6 Hardware for discipline and are more than capable of educating and discipline students if need be.
This secret program sponsored by the department of education and defence and of course Megatech is going to make it possible for classes to resume once again at Forks high school. You all know what we have to face in the past, drugs, gang activity, rampant violence and of course this group of troublesome students with prison records. It is down to this experiment that student learning, respect and obedience will once again be recognised in Forks. The program will commence as soon as the department of education of defence finishes the refurbishments to the school and announces the schools reopening.
Sincerely.
Mr Langford
Head chairman of Megatech.
My mouth was that wide a flock of birds could have nested in my mouth. I was completely speechless and even though everything we needed to know was on this paper I still have a thousand questions flowing through my mind.
"Were going to need a bigger boat" I managed to push out.
"Why what does it say?" Jim said standing up.
I pasted it to him and just sat there in shock. This was not fucking possible, I knew we had the technology to make a robot but it had to be controlled by a human but I didn't know we had the technology to make a fully functional killing machine.
"What the fuck" Jim shouted pulling me out of thought.
He threw the papers down on the table and Lexi picked it up.
"This is one fucked up terminator bullshit, they could fucking annihilate us all" He said rubbing his face with his hands.
That wasn't an option in my book. I could not and would not let these mechanical fucks even touch my Bella and the people I cared about.
"We need to call a meeting now!" I growled standing up
"Tyler's still at the hospital with the others so you have to organise it with the person he left second in command" Jim said.
I guess luck was on my side because that person was me.
"I just did" I smirked.
"Why couldn't they be nice things like genies, fairies or vampires" Lexi moaned standing up.
"Yeah because I'm sure vampires are nicer than killing machines" I laughed.
"Shut it" She smirked crossing her arms.
I grabbed the papers and Eric's chain then put them in my pocket as Jim walked to the bottom of the stairs.
"Fern!" He shouted up the stairs.
"What!" Fern shouted coming to the top of them.
"We need to take care of some shit lock up and let no one in"
"Alright" Fern said rolling her eyes and disappearing out of sight.
"Everybody split up and spread the word, we will meet at the main hideout in one hour" I said.
"What you going to do with your old lady?" Jim asked.
I didn't want to risk Bella's life even more by dragging her back out on the street where we could possibly run into the teachers again and besides unless they were also physic as well then they should have no reason to come to this house so she was safe here.
"She's staying here I can't risk taking her" I said.
"Alright, come on Lexi" Jim said walking out the front door.
I followed behind and climbed on my bike as Jim and Lexi climbed back into Jim's car.
"One hour" I said as Jim rolled his window down.
"Be careful man" He replied reversing out the drive.
"You too" I replied then reversed myself.
I followed Jim down the road then took off up a different road towards my house. I could only hope Emmett and Jasper were still at home.
I pulled up outside in five minutes then parked up and climbed off leaving the bike running. Emmett's jeep was still here so at least I knew he was still here. I jogged up the footpath and into the front door. Emmett was fast asleep on the sofa in the same spot he was in earlier but Jasper wasn't here. I ran over to him and shook his shoulder with my hands.
"Hey Em wake up"
He mumbled and lifted his head then fell back to sleep.
"Wake the fuck up" I shook him again more vigorously.
"I didn't do it!" He shouted then opened his eyes. "Oh Edward, what's going"
"Were having a meeting in one hour" I interrupted then let him go.
He stretched and let out a huge yawn.
"Where's Jasper?" I asked.
"Don't know, what time is it?"
"5:23pm" I told him looking at my watch.
"Get everybody together and find Jasper, meet me at the hideout in one hour" I said walking back to the front door.
"Why what's going on? Is Tyler back yet?"
"No and ill explain when you get there" I said walking out the front door.
I jogged back down the path again and climbed on my bike. I took off down the street and shouted meeting at any available Black Hearts that was loitering the street. After about thirty minutes of driving around aimlessly I proceeded to the hideout.
There were several cars and bike already outside as I pulled up. I climbed off and headed up the steps to the entrance.
"Guard this door and make sure nobody except us enters it" I said to a boy named Luke who was standing by the door.
He nodded then I walked inside and across the concrete room and through the slide door. Jim and Lexi were both here and there were several members talking amongst themselves as I entered. There was only about twenty or so people here but I couldn't wait any longer, the others would find out soon enough.
"What the hell Edward is this true" Emmett asked from the back of the room.
Jim was sitting on top of one off the tables. He jumped down off the top when he noticed me and came jogging over then stopped in front of me.
"I tried to explain what you told me but there being a little" He paused tiring to find the right words.
"I'll handle it" I said walking passed him to the head table.
"Alright everybody listen up" I shouted in an authority voice. "We have a situation that needs to be addressed and dealt with immediately"
"The Razor Heads made another call out haven't they?" A member moaned.
"Don't you want to wait for the others" Lexi interrupted from across the room.
"There no time, we can fill them in when they get here" I told her.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out Eric's chain along with the envelope.
"Pass these round and take a good look" I said passing them to the nearest Black Heart.
I watched as they all shared the same expression of shock and disbelief as they passed around the evidence.
"The Razor Heads didn't kill Mike and Eric didn't die from taking edge. Mr Harding killed them both, he could have along with Conner's and Bryans killed a lot more people but I can't say for sure"
"Do you really expect us to believe this" Emmett laughed.
"Believe what you what Cuz" I hissed "But you all need to know who your real enemies are. These teachers have being playing both us and the Razor Heads against each other. Some of you may think that I killed Jacob and that's why the call out was made but I can assure you that I didn't. I can't say for sure who killed Jacob but I have a pretty good idea as to what happened. I believe Sam when he said he seen Ms Conner's at the junkyard because Harding was there as well and I watched him kill Mike. These teachers are not all what they seem, for those of you who have read the evidence then I will admit that it is hard to believe and come to terms with but the evidence is right there in black and white"
I think this is the first time ever that the Black Hearts were lost for words. The silence lingered for ages and people shot confusing looks back and forth between each other.
"So what now" Emmett asked breaking the silence.
That was the million dollar question and I seriously didn't have an answer for it. The main priority was to establish to the others about whom and what we were all up against and now that was complete we had to put a plan in motion. Considering the fact that now we had two enemies the Razor Heads and the teachers we were extremely outnumbered. I had no insight to how many Razor Heads were left after the call out or if any of the teachers had even killed any of their members. For all I knew James and his minions were laying dead at the other side of Forks, hell for all I knew Tyler and the others were dead and it was just us left in this room. I erased that thought as soon as it came because the majority of the people I cared about weren't even in this room like Bella and Jasper.
"Are we still going to school next week?" Lexi perked up.
"I'm not going" A different member shouted.
"Me neither" Another one agreed.
The gang started bickering then and I had a headache that couldnt take the noise level.
"Everybody shut it" I ordered. "I know what you're all thinking and to be perfectly honest with you all I'm just as clueless as you are. I have no idea what to do and I have no idea what damage has been caused or if any damage has been caused over the south side. What I do know is this school is as of now officially out. The Razor Heads are still our rival but not our main priority anymore. These teachers are killing machines and they will stop at nothing until each and every of us are dead. It's up to us to take them down and to show them and the department of education and defence that we will not go down without a fight, we will not be tamed and we will not surrender, this is our home!"
"Freedom!" Emmett roared at the back.
The whole room began laughing and yet again within all the shit that's going on Emmett still managed to pull a smile from me.
"Yeah yeah alright Wallace" I sarcastically laughed to Emmett.
It only took a split second for all the laughed to stop. A loud crashing sound made several black hearts jump off the table and I myself became rigid.
"What the fuck" Jim said behind me.
I sprinted over to the side door that was half closed and peered out of it. My heart plummeted into my stomach and I could almost picture my bronze hair turning a bright shade of white as I laid eyes upon Luke that was lying on the ground with his head twisted in the opposite direction. My eyes rose up to the figure standing at the bottom of Luke's feet in all his glory was Mr Bryans. This fucker had taken us by surprise so half of us weren't even armed yet and I didn't know how much weaponry was left in the cargo crate.
"Sorry Cullen did I catch you at a bad time" Bryans smiled.
It didn't take long for the rest of the gang to pile up behind me.
"Every times a bad time when we meet" I hissed.
Somehow my little comment had him in hysterics.
"It's good to know that Megatech at least made you fucks with a sense of humour" I spat.
"So you finally figure it out, well I was just going to kill you and your little whore but now it looks like I'm going to have to terminate all of you" He smiled.
My blood boiled just hearing him speak of my Bella like that.
"Fuck you pig" I growled.
"Funny you said that because that's the last thing your brother said right before I slit his throat"