CHAPTER TWENTY TWO– CLOCKWORK ORANGE

EDWARD POV

My body was frozen in place. The only things I could hear were the gasps of shock from the gang behind me.

"What!" I spat.

For a minuet there I thought that mechanical prick said something about killing Jasper.

"You heard" Mr Bryans smirked.

This was not happening to me, my own kid brother murdered in cold blood. He was lying he had to be. I was going to wake up in a minute and be in the arms of my love, I just knew it. I was Jaspers big brother I was supposed to take care of him, to protect him. What if Bryans was lying just to send me over the edge? I thought to myself but then again what if he was telling the truth?

Although the thought of Jasper lifeless body lying somewhere made me slowly die inside I told myself not to lose it. The gang, Emmett, Bella and maybe even Jasper is depending on me. If I loose it now then I would get the whole gang killed. Whatever happened from now on I made the decision right now that this fuck was mine. I wanted to give the last hit, I wanted my face to be the last thing he was to ever see again.

"I call your bluff bitch" I spat.

I couldn't let him see that I was falling apart on the inside, I had to keep my cool with whatever tongue lashing I was about to receive.

"You should have been there" He smirked. "The knife slid into him like he was butter"

My fist clenched and my jaw locked. Keep calm Edward I told myself over and over again. My blood was already boiling and I felt like I was going to explode right there and then.

"He said your name before he died" He smirked "Let's hope you whore follows suit"

"Stay the fuck away from her!" I growled.

"Let's see" He said looking at his watch "I guess Mr Harding will be at your friend's house by now"

"What!" Jim shouted shoving his way through.

"Keep talking mother fucker" Emmett roared stepping out to the side of me pointing a semi automatic rifle at him.

Jasper and Bella were all I was thinking about now. My mind and heart were both racing Harding had found Bella, not just Bella but Fern as well. I should have known better than to leave her alone. I was quickly falling to pieces inside I couldn't handle loosing Bella as well as Jasper.

"That's the thing with you human" Bryans laughed "All talk and no action"

"No action, Ill shows you fucking action" Emmett roared.

The rifle exploding in Emmett's hands spraying rounds of bullets right into Bryan's chest. After a few seconds the firing subsided leaving nothing but a little cloud of smoke swirling out the nozzle and shell casing on the floor. Bryans stood in the same spot not moving an inch. He huffed loudly and wiped his top down with the back of his hand.

"One last thing" He smirked "You humans break so easily"

Before I could blink Bryans was charging towards us. Emmett began firing again as the rest of the armed members came out and began firing at him as well.

"Move!" I shouted to the rest.

I pushed the rest of the unarmed gang back through the slide door and ran to the cargo box.

"Fuck!" I shouted punching the metal container.

There was literally nothing in here, well not enough to take this mother fucker out anyway. Screams, shouts and gunfire echoed around and people started to backup towards the door. We were outnumbers and seriously unarmed. If we were going to stand any chance against all three of them then there was only one thing to do. I have never before in my life fled from a fight but I had no other choice.

"Fall back!" I shouted.

I ran to the other end of the room and opened a door that lead into another room. There was an exit at the other side of that room that lead to a side access so it was our only chance of escape.

"Move it!" I ordered.

Members began to fall back as I pushed pass them back to the slide door.

"Lexi!" I shouted.

She crouched down and ran over to me keeping her head low.

"Get everybody out then separate, keep your heads low then meet me at the clock garage in an hour"

"Why where you going?" She asked.

"I'm going back for Emmett"

She nodded then disappeared out the back with Jim and the others. I crouched down and peered out the room. People were scattered on the floor as Bryans stood over there lifeless bodies. I knew I would be no match for him but I wasn't leaving here without Emmett. I quickly ran over the other side of the room and threw myself into the cargo box.

Great first run and now hide what sort of mother fucking pussy had I became I growled to myself. I waited for his heavy footsteps to walk into this room and into the next before I pulled myself up and out of the box. I charged through the main room and counted six maybe seven lifeless bodies. At least he only took a few of us out. I looked straight at Emmett who was lying on his back facing upwards.

"Em!" I shouted.

I ran over to him and dropped to my knees at the side of him. Blood was spewing out of his nose and mouth as he lay motionless.

"Shit, Em wake up man, don't do this do me!" I shouted.

Again he didn't respond.

"Emmett!" I growled. "Wake the fuck up cuz!"

"This is the second time you have woke me up today" He groaned and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come on, we need to get out of here" I said getting to my feet.

I held my hand out to him but he didn't take it.

"Leave me cuz" he asked.

What was he talking about leave him? Fuck was I leaving him.

"What?"

"I'm done kid" He said.

"Em, what is it?" I asked.

What the fuck was he on about he was done?

"I can't move" He whispered.

What the hell was he talking about he couldn't move he was talking wasn't he?

"Em, stop fucking with me and get up"

"I not fucking with you cuz" He replied.

I knew from the tone of his voice that he was serious and if that was true then there was only one explanation to what was happening. My breathing escalated and my heart was racing again. My legs began to buckle and I dropped to my knees. I was motionless and all that was in my mind was the mental image of Emmett's broken spine.

"I'm sorry" He whispered.

I was still frozen the only things that moved was the tears that swelled up in my eyes. I tried to hold myself together for Emmett and somehow I managed to grab Emmett's hand with my own.

"Em," I paused.

I was lost for words and apart from that I couldn't get anything out because of the massive lump that formed in the back of my throat.

"Cuz it's alright, I'm alright" He smiled.

Smiled, fucking smiled! How the fuck can he be smiling?

"It's alright, it's alright, you will be alright, you will be alright" I kept repeating over and over again.

I was that spaced out I didn't have any thoughts. I was empty inside, my mind was blank and I kept telling myself that he was alright and he will be fine. I wasn't even looking at anything in particular it was like I was a zombie in a trace.

"Edward stop" He whispered.

"No, you will be alright I'll take you to the hospital"

"Edward"

"And they will make you better" I interrupted.

"Edward!"

"They will fix you"

"Edward!" He shouted snapping me out of my trace.

I didn't speak instead I just stared at my dying cousin on the floor. I was useless because I couldn't help him, I couldn't do anything for him.

"I've fought side by side with you cuz for so long and it's been a wild ride" He smiled.

"Yeah it has" I said choking back the tears.

"Can you do me a favour" he asked.

"Anything"

"Tell Rose I love her and tell her I'm sorry" He smiled

Why was he giving up, he wasn't dead he didn't have to die. I couldn't hold the tears back any longer I didn't care if I looked like a girl or a fucking pussy. My own blood was dying right in front of my eyes and I couldn't do fuck all about it. The only thing I could do was watch him die.

"I will" I replied. "And can you do me a favour" I asked.

"What's that?"

"Stop smiling please" I begged.

I couldn't stand to see him smiling because it made me want to smile and I was far from that.

"You know that's one thing I can't do" He smiled again

"Emmett please let me help you" I begged him again.

He stayed silent for a while which made me panic because I thougth he was dead.

"Alright" He finally spoke.

Thank fuck for that maybe he has seen sense after all.

"Kill me" He whispered.

The silence lingered again. What the fuck did he just ask?

"What!" I glared.

"Kill me" He repeated.

I dropped his hand immediately and stood up. My mind went into overdrive and I paced up and down like a manic.

"Please Edward" He begged.

"No!" I shouted. "You can't ask me to do this!"

"Edward please, I can't live the rest of life as a cripple"

"No!" I shouted again.

How can he ask me to do this? He was my cousin for fuck sake, my own fucking blood. Even if I wanted to do it I wouldn't be able to.

"Please" He begged.

I guess my thoughts were wrong before about how I couldn't do anything about it. I could have but I didn't want to. I understood why he wanted to die but there had to be another way. It was either let him be in pain and live the rest of his life in misery and hating me for it or respect his wishes and finally let him have peace for once in his life.

"Please cuz, please help me" he begged.

I wrapped my hands around the back of head and started pulling at my hair. A huge growl erupted out of my chest as a veil of red mist covered my eyes. I stormed over to the nearest gun and swiped it off the floor and strode back over to Emmett. I looked down upon him and pointed the gun towards his head. My finger was on the trigger but it did not move. I moved the gun away and dropped to my knees again.

"I can't do it" I whispered.

I took his hand into mine again and squeezed it. He didn't say a word the only indication that he was still alive was one single tear that slid down the side of his face. I knew then that even though I failed him, I could still save him. I gripped his hand tightly in one hand and the gun in the other.

"Laters" I whispered.

"Laters" He smiled then closed his eyes.

The gun echoed around the room leaving nothing but the smell of gun powder and burnt flesh from the side of his head. Time stood still, everything stood still in that moment. A full day could have gone by and I wouldn't have known the difference. Fuck a thousand mountain lions could have been ripping me apart from the inside out and I wouldn't have flinched. I must have been in some sort of shock because I didn't even move when I heard heavy footsteps trail behind me.

"Isn't this sweet" Bryans laughed.

I couldn't even be bothered for one of my famous Edward Cullen comebacks. I slowly rose to my feet and put my hand into my jacket pocket. Even though the odds were against me I still have one last trick up my sleeve. I turned around to face him and held my stance.

"You can't win this war Cullen" He spat.

He walked towards me but I didn't hesitate to move. He stopped right in front of me close enough that I could see right through the bullet holes and into his hollow body.

"So don't even try" He smiled.

"You know what, coach" I spat.

"What?"

"You talk too much"

I pulled my hand out my pocket that was clasped around the grenade that was still in my pocket from the junkyard. I shoved it in his mouth and used all my strength to push him backwards. I ran in the opposite direction and stopped just before the door to take one last look at him. He stumbled and grabbed at his throat where the grenade was now lodged. He glared at me whilst I smiled the widest grin I could conjure up.

The grenade exploded as I dived to the ground. The explosion sent ringing in my ears as metal shards and parts flew everywhere. I rolled over on my side and let out a few coughs as smoke began to fill the room. A few seconds later I stood up and carefully walked over to examine what was left. I smiled at the sight of what used to be Bryans. Body parts were scattered everywhere and bits of metal, springs and wires stuck out of his torso. His whole upper body was completed gone so I knew for sure that he would be out of the picture from now on.

"One down" I whispered.

I slowly turned around then made my way to the entrance and I didn't look back. I had to continue on and make sure Conner's and Harding shared the same fate as Bryans otherwise Emmett's death would have been for nothing. I refused to believe that Jasper or Bella was dead because I would collapse right here and now and never get back up. One thing I knew for sure was that Jasper and Bella will never know that a piece of me died in there along with Emmett because I needed to be strong for the both of them.

I walked down the steps and into the parking lot. Rain cascaded down upon me as I climbed onto my bike. I revved up the bike and speed off through the rain as the water droplets soaked my hair and dripped down the side of my face. I usually didn't drive this fast in the rain because of the slippery roads but I couldn't give a fuck I had to get to Jims house. The only thing I could do was hope that Bella was still there and pray that she was still alive.

The closer I got to the house the more agitated I became. I nearly came flying of my bike twice because I was that out of mind. I flew up Jims street and slowed the bike down as his house came into view.

"Fuck!" I spat.

The front door was wide open so that was the first bad sign. I pulled up and flew of my bike dropping it on its side. I ran up the footpath and flew through the front door.

"Bella!" I shouted.

There's was no reply so I quickly ran up the stairs and down the hallway. The bedroom door was snapped into and the bed was in a different position. I heard talking from the open window so I quickly ran over to it and peered out. Fern was sitting up on the ground outside as Jim was talking to her. There was wooden debris surrounding her so I could only guess that this window was her exit.

I circled back around and fled the bedroom and ran down the stairs. I ran through the hallway to the back of the kitchen and out the back door.

"Are you alright Fern, what happened?" I asked.

"I fell" She whispered disorientated.

"Fern hunny what happened why did you fall?" Jim asked more calmer than I did.

She wrapped her hand around the back of her neck and swayed from side to side. I could see from this distance that she had a concussion.

"Mr Harding was here" She whispered. "We ran to my bedroom then I climbed out and fell" She paused.

She began to sway more then she closed her eyes.

"No, Fern you have to stay awake you have a concussion" Jim said wrapping his arms around her.

In that moment I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. I collapsed to my knees and felt my whole world crumble around me. My whole life lay in ruins Emmett was dead, Jasper was dead and now my Bella. This was it the moment I died, the moment I lost all hope.

"Not you too" Jim snarled.

His voice was just a whisper floating away into nothing.

"Edward listen to me" He said.

I felt his hands on my shoulders then he began to shake me.

"You have to get up, do you hear me"

"She's dead" I whispered.

"You don't know that, we will get her back Edward but you have to get up and pull yourself together"

I so badly wanted to believe him but my mind was elsewhere like tiring to think about what would be the fastest way out, the fastest way to join my family and my beloved Bella beyond this world.

"Snap out of it!" He growled and with that came a hard slap around the face.

That did the trick because I was on my feet quicker than a cheetah on speed. Jim was right I had no idea if she was dead or alive so I clung to the last thread of hope I have left inside of me. How more fucked up could my life possibly get?

"I have to go" I said point blank.

I must have sounded like a complete asshole considering the condition of Fern but she had Jim to look after her. Fern was not my responsible and that was a good thing because look at what's happened to the people I was supposed to be responsible for.

I had a little over thirty minutes before I had to meet up with the others at the clock garage which basically what it said it was. A gas station with a big clock on the top, obviously it was abandoned like everything else in this shitty town but it was the first building I thought about. As for the weaponry we had to make do with what we had left because no way would we have been able to order and receive another shipment in time. Unless...

My mind was going into overdrive and I must admit my idea was extremely absurd and could end fatal but this was our best option in defeating Conner's and Harding. I walked back through the kitchen and through the house then outside. I picked my bike up off the floor and climbed on. I revved the bike up and took off into the direction of the clock garage.

The rain eased up and had completely stopped by the time id reached the garage. The clouds were black against the twilight sky as the last bit of sunlight shined through. Was this the last time I would see daylight again as the day now turned into night? Would I wake up tomorrow to feel the sun's rays again before my eyelids? That was a dream worth having, waking up tomorrow with my Bella in my arms. Jasper and Emmett slumped on the sofa arguing about whom was the best basketball player as the smell of moms cooking radiated throughout the house. Little things people take for granted mean more to me then having it all like wealth and luxuries. What I wouldn't give for that dream to become a reality even for just a second. I guess that what I'm tiring to say is live every day as if it's your last and tell everybody in your life that you love them every single day because you might not get the chance tomorrow.

I pulled up outside and parked up. This place was a wreck, again like everything else. The gas pumps were empty most of the hoses from the pumps were scattered on the ground or completely ripped off the pumps. The station itself was burnt out. Pieces of glass, metal and garbage was the only things that were left. There was a few black hearts scattered about sitting on the floor as I climbed off. I stood up against my bike and waited for the other. Of all the times to be craving for a smoke and it have to be now. One by one black heart after black heart appeared from all different places and joined the rest.

"You made it" Lexi asked coming up behind me.

"You too" I nodded.

"Where's Emmett?" She asked.

I swallowed the boil that rose in my throat and didn't speak.

"Shit" She spat shaking her head. "I'm sorry"

I appreciated her respects but I didn't need her sympathy. I didn't need sympathy, apologises or pity off anybody because his death was on my head and I had to live with it wither I made the right decision or not. Jim came running up soon after panting heavily. I suppose all our transport was back at the hideout so I guess we were all on foot except for me of course and for a few others who drove up on their motorbikes.

"How's Fern" I asked.

"She's alright, I took her round my friends house so she should be safe there" Jim informed me.

As I was about to reply I was blinding by a beam of headlights. I couldn't see who was driving even when they jumped out the headlights blocked my view from whoever was walking towards me. The only thing that did register was a fist that connected with my jaw line. I lost my footing and fell backwards on the concrete.

"What the fuck are you playing at?" Tyler growled.

I didn't care what rules I broke now because as far as I was concerned as of an hour ago the rules didn't exist anymore. I quickly got to my feet and clenched my fist then smack him right back. It took a second for him to realise that not one black heart was coming to his rescue this time. The only people that were shocked were obviously him and miss fucking spastic -two -shoes Jessica. I expected his fist to connect to my face again but this time it wasn't his fist, it was his 9mm handgun.

"Tyler what the fuck" Jim shouted.

"Shut it" Tyler hissed spitting the blood out from his mouth "What's all this I hear you calling a meeting then getting half of us killed" He snarled.

I wasn't lost for words because he had a gun to my head it was because a stranger dressed in a black hoody had a gun pointed to the back of his head.

"Drop it mother fucker or I will spray your fucking brains all over the floor" She spat.

She? My mind again went into overdrive. It couldn't be, could it? I couldn't see her face because it was covered by a hood but I recognised the voice instantly but I didn't want to get my hopes up encase it wasn't her. My heart started racing and I couldn't help the huge grin that escaped my lips. Tyler froze in place against her threat and turned his head to the side to try and look behind him.

"I call your bluff" He smiled.

He turned around and faced her then started laughing to himself.

"You forgot the safety bitch" He spat.

The girl pointed the gun up and shot one bullet into the air then replaced the gun to his head.

"Guess not bitch" She sat back "Now drop the fucking gun"

Tyler froze in place and his gun slid out his hands and onto the floor as he put his hands out in defence.

"You can't shoot me I'm your leader"

"You're forgetting one thing fuckbag" She hissed then removed her hood.

"You're not my leader" Bella smiled then gave me a cheeky wink.

What the fuck was this girl doing to me? Where the fuck did this bad girl Bella come from? Wherever it came from I didn't complain because she was so fucking hot right now it was unreal. Jim collected Tyler's gun off the floor and shoved him towards Lexi.

"Watch this prick" Jim spat to her.

I didn't wait a second longer. I closed the space between me and Bella then I wrapped my arms around her. She snaked her arms around the back of my neck as I slammed my lips against hers. The smell of strawberries swirled up my nose and the taste of her lips against mine ignited the fire within me. It felt like I had just swallowed thousands of pop rocks and fireworks was trying to burst out my stomach. My hands trailed all over her back and I held her so tightly I thought I was going to snap her into. I didn't care who was watching, the pope and the president could have been standing here and I wouldn't have given a fuck.

I heard somebody clear there throat but I couldn't care less I was so absorbed a nuclear bomb could have gone off beside me and I wouldn't have moved. Right now all that mattered was Bella, she was alive and she was safe in my arms once again. This time I would not let her go, wherever I went she would be with me. I couldn't risk leaving her anywhere because right now the only safe place left was by my side.

I heard somebody clear there throat again and the lack of oxygen started to make me feel dizzy so I had no choice to pull back. I rested my head on her forehead and we both panted heavily. Again somebody cleared there throat. I started to release my tight grip on her then she slowly slid to the side of my body.

"Nasty cough you got there" I smirked to Jim.

"Well, now that you have both eaten each other's faces what's the plan" Jessica perked up.

"The plan is you shut the fuck up before I take your fake ass over there and spoil your nice shoes with your own blood" Lexi spat.

I laughed slightly and shook my head. I turned around to face Bella and took her hands in mine.

"I'm glad your alright" I whispered planting kisses on the tops of her hands.

"You too" She smiled.

"What happened, where were you and how the fuck did you get a gun?" I asked in all one breath.

"Harding came at the house" She paused "Oh god how's Fern is she"

"She alright love" I interrupted to try and calm her down.

"I overheard him talking on the phone saying something about getting somebody and me and" she tried to explain.

"Alright calm down love, tell me exactly what he said"

"He asked someone if they had the boy yet and he said he had me and was waiting for the main star to arrive with his groupies or something anyway I escaped after that through a window and ran" She continued. "I met this girl called Sandy and she gave me a gun and"

"Wait whose Sandy?" I asked.

"That would be me" Came a familiar Hispanic accent.

I spun around and was greeted by death itself.

"Long time no see" Sandy smiled.

I couldn't believe that this girl was talking to me from beyond the grave. Sandy was one of Jaspers childhood friends who quickly became one of mine. She was the only girl on the block who could perform a grind followed by an Ollie on the half pipe with a skateboard. She looked the same as I remembered her. Tall and slender, curly jet black hair with front bangs and deep brown eyes. The only things that were new were the ear and nose piecings. The last time I seen her was about two years ago right before she died.

Yes, I did say died. She joined the black hearts shortly after I did and she died during one of our first call outs. So what the fuck was she doing standing here talking to me?

"Sandy?" I asked.

"Don't worry you're not seeing a ghost" She spoke again in a strong accent.

"How?"

"Let's just say that you were not the only one who regretted joining when you did"

"But I seen you die" I said.

"I guess I'm a good actress" She smiled.

I couldn't believe it, she must have faked her death so she wouldn't have to be a part of us anymore. Why the fuck didn't I think of that?

"So where have you been hiding" I asked.

"I got out when I could. Laid low for a while and got a place far away from here"

"So what you doing back"

"Business, family ties you know the deal" She said rolling her eyes.

I remembered that she had an older brother but he never used to hang out with us matter of fact I couldn't even remember what his name was. The last I heard of him he made friends with James from the Razor Heads a few years back and disappeared.

"Well on a lighter note" she said pulling a gun from the back of her jeans.

I tensed up and immediately barricaded myself in front of Bella.

"You know I'm alive now and I know the rules Edward so I can't have you lot following me"

"The rules don't apply anymore" I said.

"What?" Tyler perked up.

"Look Sandy there's bigger shit going on around here than you realise. I don't want there to be a problem and I certainly don't give a shit about what you do or where you go. I'm glad that you got out when you did the only regret I have is that I didn't think of the same thing. So you have three choices. You can pull that trigger and kill me, I'm sure my friends wouldn't mind putting you out of your misery afterward. You can stay and help us or you can be on your way, no blood no foul" I said.

She hesitate for a moment then smiled and lowered her gun.

"I wasn't going to shoot you Edward. I just didn't want you following me that's all" She admitted "And as for the other two I think I'll take the last option. I have a life now and its pretty good, I only came back to tie up some loose ends. Please don't think"

"I understand" I interrupted her.

I truly did understand and I was happy for her, happy that she got out when she did and happy that she got to lead a normal life. She nodded then came towards me with her arms outstretched. I returned the hug and pulled away from her.

"See you later" I smiled.

"No you won't" She smiled back then took her leave.

If I could have left with her then I would have and took Bella with me but I had to stay. This was my fight and I had to finish it. If I would have left now then Conner's and Harding would have came after us and probably killed everybody who stood in their path and besides according to Bella Harding asked somebody who obviously must have been Conner's considering Bryans was with me if she had this mysterious boy. It only seemed right that the boy they were talking about was Jasper so Bryans was lying after all. He couldn't have killed Jasper if Conner's had him.

The big question now was where the fuck was he? They wouldn't have taken him to their apartment because it was too far away. They wouldn't have just locked in up in a random house because Jasper knew the area and a house was easy to escape from. The teachers must have been staying somewhere because they kept popping up. They wouldn't have been able to drive from their apartment in the reservations to Forks that fast so where were they staying? It had to have been a place that was solid on the outside as well as the inside. Somewhere that was abandoned, safe, secure and above all things familiar. It was like a light switch went off in my head, it had been staring at me in the face all along, how can I have been so stupid? My other idea from before mixed into this one and together created a plan.

"You got a phone?" I asked Jim.

"Here" Lexi said throwing me hers.

I caught it then threw it to Tyler who caught it in midair.

"Make a call out" I ordered.

"What" Tyler spat.

"Edward do you really want to get the Razor Heads evolved now after everything what's going on, were going to get annihilated" Jim whispered.

"Trust me" I replied.

"Make the call" I spat towards Tyler.

He rolled his eyes and dialled the number.

"Where at?" He asked putting the phone to his ear.

"School"