CHAPTER TWENTY THREE– RIVAL DIFFERENCES
EDWARD POV
"What do you mean school?" Tyler moaned "Don't we spend enough time in school as it is" He paused "Hello" He began talking on the phone.
I rolled my eyes as Tyler arranged the call out.
"Dude, why are we going to school?" Jim whispered beside me.
"Because that's were Jasper is" I replied.
"How do you know?"
"Isn't it obvious?" I asked.
"No"
I rolled my eyes and huffed.
"Well as far as Jaspers concerned, I don't know I can't explain it I just know his alive. I feel it man, I do. As far as the teachers go isn't it funny how they just miraculously pop up everywhere? They must be hiding in there because if they were just roaming the streets then they would have been spotted by us. The schools familiar let alone like a prison already and besides its empty" I whispered back.
"So where do the Razor Heads fit into all this?" He asked.
"They're the only ones close enough with the amount of weaponry we need"
"What!" He shouted them went back to whispering. "Have you lost your mind there not just going to hand over there stash"
"Look just trust me alright" I said.
That was a hard thing to ask for considering the odds were strongly against us but what other option did I have.
"It's done" Tyler said throwing the phone back to Lexi.
"When?"
"Twenty minutes. What the fuck is going on anyway? I left for a couple of hours and I come back to this. Are you calling all the shots now?"
"I guess I am" I smirked.
"You can't do this, new leaders get selected only when the old leader resigns or dies" He spat.
"Well then looks like you're going to have to pick one" I spat back.
I turned around to face Bella and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Are you alright love?"
"I suppose" She whispered looking down making herself look small.
I placed my finger underneath her chin and pulled her face back up.
"Hey, where's that fiery Bella I caught a glimpse of earlier" I smirked.
"That's not me Edward, it was just an act"
"I know love and I applaud your efforts, you almost had me fooled" I smiled a cheeky grin.
I leaned down and softly pressed my lips to hers. I teased her lips with my tongue then pulled away from her.
"Tease" She pouted.
"You're not the only one who's bad" I smiled back.
"Here" she said passing me Sandy's gun.
"No you keep it"
"I don't want it"
"Bella take it" I said pushing her hand way.
"Why?"
"Bella I can't risk leaving you anywhere because it's not safe. The only safe place there is now is right by my side. I love you to damn much I can't risk losing you"
I knew this was a huge risk to take and I would probably lose focus all the time tiring to make sure that she was alright but I had no other option. The only people I could trust with her life were Jim and myself but Jim had himself to worry about so wherever I went she went.
"Alright, let's kick some fucking ass" She smiled shoving the gun in the back of her jeans.
"That's my girl" I smirked.
"Sorry to interrupt boss but, what's the plan" Jim asked.
I walked away from Bella and pulled Jim along with me so she was out of ear shot because I didn't want her to hear what I was about to ask him. When Jim told me that he took Fern around a friend's house I instantly knew that he was talking about Riley. He knew that whatever we were up against was going to get brutal and he loved Riley like a kid brother so it was only natural for him to not let Riley get involved. It was because of his ability to care why I could trust him with Bella's life.
"Can I ask you to do something for me?"
"Of course"
"I'm going to be straight with you Jim as I have always been. We both know that heavy shit is going down and we both know that not all of us are going to make it. If anything happened to me, I want you to look after Bella. I want you to make sure she gets out of this alive and safe, can you do that for me?"
"Of course Edward you have my word" He replied.
"Thanks" I said full heartedly.
"Where's Emmett is he meeting us at the school?"
Will this sadness and pain in my chest ever ease up? Will I have the feeling of emptiness and guilt eat me up every time somebody mentions his name?
"He didn't make it" I whispered.
"I'm sorry man" He said shaking his head.
I knew that the Emmett topic would be a sore subject from now on and I guess Jim caught on soon after.
"So what's the plan then" He said changing the subject.
"Were low on weaponry and ammunition so whoever had guns tell them to save their ammo"
"Wait, me tell them?"
"Yes, I'll meet James at the entrance and keep him busy so I want you guys to stay back until I give the signal then I want you to fall forward"
"Alright, but what if James blows your brains out?"
"Well I wont have nothing to worry about because I will be dead wont I" I sarcastically said.
"Then what, you have seen those teachers man there solid especially Bryans"
"You don't need to worry about him"
"Why what happened, did you kill him?"
"No, Emmett did" I whispered.
For some reason it felt right saying that because even though I killed Bryans physically, in my heart Emmett gave me the strength to kill him mentally so the least I could do was make Emmett the hero and let him have respect even after death.
"Get ready and inform the others, keep your"
"Head down, I got it" He Interrupted walking away.
"And Jim"
"Yeah" he stopped and turned back around.
"Thanks again"
"Thank me when it's all over" He smiled then walked off "Aright everybody listen up" He shouted to the rest.
I walked back over to Bella and took her hand into mine.
"Bella I"
"Don't" She interrupted me.
She also knew that whatever was about to happen was not going to end good for some of us and she also knew that whatever I was about to say would have sounded like goodbye.
"I love you" I whispered.
"I love you too, always" she replied.
I pulled her close to me and placed a soft but urgent kiss to her lips. I didn't know what the next hour was going to hold so I cherished every last touch and savoured the taste of her lips. What I wouldn't give to just be alone with her right now. Just so I could see and touch her beautiful body, to feel the heat off her skin radiate against mine. To see her cheeks blush beneath my kisses as I made sweet love to her. I pulled away from her but just enough so I could mesmerise her face. I got lost in her melting chocolate eyes like I always did every time I looked into them, only this time her eyes were full of sadness and it pained me that much I had to tear my gaze away.
"Everything's going to be alright love" I whispered.
I knew she didn't believe the truth to my words because I didn't either, I knew some of us wasn't going to make it but I hoped and prayed that we were going to be part of the few that might.
"Ready?" I asked looking at my watch.
"Ready" She nodded.
I climbed on my bike then she climbed on after. She wrapped her arms around my waist and I signalled to Jim and the others. Who ever had bikes doubled up so they had passengers and the rest of them squeezed into Tyler's car. I took a deep breath in and out before I revved the bike up and took off in the direction of school.
Before the schools parking lot came in view I pulled up to the side of the road as did the others.
"Stay here with Jim and wait for my signal" I told her as she climbed off.
"What's the signal?"
"I'll whistle"
"Be careful"
"Always" I smiled before giving her one last kiss.
I revved the bike back up and continued the very short distance into the schools parking lot. James came into view as I parked up and climbed off. He was standing at the top of the steps having a smoke as I made my way over to him.
"So, looks like you showed up after all" He smirked.
"Of course I would" I said stopping at the bottom of the steps.
This was as close as I wanted to get even though he could have taken me out from a mile away with that assault rifle he had strapped around his shoulder.
"You came alone?" I questioned.
"Do I look that stupid" he smirked.
Just then the roars of bike engines came out of the two corners of the parking lot. The headlights blinded me as they came closer and parked up. Razor Head members sat on their bikes with guns of all shapes and sized strapped to them.
"Looks like you should have planned this better" He smirked.
"Don't worry about me James" I smirked back.
I spun around and put my thumb and my index finger in my mouth and blew as hard as I could. The roaring engines from the bikes came zooming around the corner as black heart after black heart piled in. I noticed Bella straight away on the back of Jim's bike and shot her my famous crooked smile that was meant for her only.
"Well isn't this nice" James said pulling me back reality.
I spun back ground and held my stance.
"Alright let's do this" He said throwing his smoke to the floor.
"Save it James I'm not here for you"
"What?"
"Someone's running a game on us. The same game that killed my cousin. The same game that kills Jacob"
"You killed Jacob" He spat pointing his finger at me.
"I didn't kill anyone. And I'm not here to fight you"
"Well, you got no choice" He smirked.
I rolled my eyes and started walking up the steps.
"Back me up Jim" I shouted.
"No, no, no, no. No one's going to be backing you up" James spat.
I turned back around at the top of the steps just as he was pointing his gun at me.
"A mind is a precious thing to waste Edward, don't make me waste yours"
"Inside this school are two fucked up inhuman teaching monsters. The ones running this game, they kidnapped my brother. They killed Mike, Eric, Jacob and Emmett"
"What, man I can't believe this your fucking talking shit about your own cousin?" James hissed "Eric was an edge head man he Od'd"
"Mr Harding killed him and took this" I said reaching into my pocket.
Fuck. I forgot to pick it up at the meeting. I looked up when I heard a whistle then Lexi stepped out and through the chain to me. I nodded to her to say thanks and through the chain to James.
"It's got his blood all over it"
I watched him look the chain up and down as he debated with himself. I didn't care if he believed me or not, I was going in this school wither he liked it or not and with his help or not.
"You got to know who your real enemies are. Now I'm going in there to waste some teachers. Are you with me?"
The Black Hearts erupted in cheers then followed by the Razor Heads.
"Could be fun" James said throwing the chain back to me.
I caught it mid air and put it in my jacket pocket.
"But if there not in there then the wars back on" He said.
I walked back down the steps and patted his shoulder before returning to the parking lot.
"Aright shitheads make room" James ordered to his gang.
The Black Hearts that were in the car jump out and climbed on the back of the Razor Heads bikes so that it would be more convenient for us to travel around the school.
"Give me your gun" He said to another member.
He took an assault rifle off the member and threw it at me. I caught it and strapped it to my shoulder.
"Thanks"
"Don't thank me, and this still doesn't mean we're friends, got it?" He glared.
"Got it" I agreed.
I signalled for Bella to come to me. She climbed off the back of Jim's bike and walked over to me.
"Felix, blow it" He said to one of his men.
The guy named Felix jumped of his bike and grabbed the grenade launcher off his back.
"Close your eyes" I whispered to Bella before placing my hands over her ears to protect her from the noise.
She did as instructed then Felix aimed for the entrance gate and fired. Bella flinched a little in my arms as the gate exploded sending a ball of fire in the shape of a mushroom up into the air.
"Aright lets go" James ordered climbing onto his bike.
I removed my hands from her ears and planted a soft kiss to her lips as her eyes were still closed. She opened them immediately when my lips touched hers.
"Alright man cut the crap and lets go" James snarled.
I reluctantly pulled myself away from her then we both climbed on the bike. I made sure that her hands were securely around my waist before I revved the bike up and ploughed up the steps.
The bikes passed the entrance with ease. A few people that were on foot opened the main entrance doors for us then we drove inside the hallway and regrouped once we were all in.
"There's only one rule. Jaspers in here somewhere, if anybody finds him then make sure that he doesn't get hurt" I said.
"Very romantic Edward" James snickered.
"Jim, take a couple bikes up the north side then circle back around and check out the north tower" I asked.
"Alright boss"
"Hey Felix, take a couple Razor Heads and head up to the library, I hear they got the new playboy" James laughed.
"No shit, been wanting to see that" Felix replied. "Who's got there library card?"
"I've got my library card" A few members laughed in the back.
I couldn't help but smirk and I could just imagine Bella tiring to hold one in behind me. I couldn't describe the feeling I felt towards working with the Razor Heads. It felt wrong, weird and almost made me want to throw up but at the same time I was happy. I couldn't help but wonder what the aftermath of tonight would hold. Would we still be rivals? Would we still hate each others guts and attemp to kill each other the first chance we had even though we worked together? Would we remember this time? The time that we put all our differences aside to work together to terminate the threat that invaded our homes? Stupid questions really considering I knew the answers to all of them. The answer was a big fat fucking no with a capital N because for as long as I could remember there has always been a blood feud between us and one night of working together will never change that.
"Move out!" I shouted.
Jim and a few bikes took off up the hallways and disappeared out of sight.
"I remember in junior high man, you kicked ass" James smirked.
"Yeah, you were pretty bad yourself" I smirked back remembering the good old times before we didn't even know what the word enemy even meant.
"Well, let's go show Ms Conner's exactly what we have learned." He smiled.
I followed close behind him and we both took off down the hallway. We started on the first floor and checked all the rooms slowly driving our bikes in and out the classrooms. The hallways were dark, the only light that we had was from the headlight of our bikes and a few emergency lights dotted around. When we were finished on the first level we made our way up the stairs to the first floor. Bella gripped onto me for grim death so I was carefully not to put to much power up them so the bike remained on both wheels. Once on the first floor we heard bursts of gunfire echo around the hallways but I couldn't pinpiont which floor it was coming from even so that gave us clear indication that Conner's and Harding must be here.
"Check in there" James said pointing to a classroom.
I rolled my bike in the doorway then I felt a hard blow to the face and before I could regain control the bike toppled over sending Bella and myself crashing to the floor. I spun quickly around on the floor and watched as Conner's appeared from behind the door and smacked James right off his bike as well.
"Bella!" I growled pulling her towards me.
James shuffled backwards of his ass using his feet to push himself backwards. I pulled Bella with one hand and I ended up doing what James did just to get away from the clicking of Conner's heels walking towards us.
"Here I am boys" She smiled.
"Shoot her!" I shouted realising that my gun had fallen off.
James emptied a clip into her stomach then she stumbled backward and started laughing.
"Die you fucking bitch!" James spat shooting her again.
I pulled Bella towards me then stood up and barricaded myself in front of her. Conner's began laughing again then she grabbed at her stomach with her hands and pulled open her chest and stomach revealing her mechanical insides.
"What the fuck!" James spat standing up.
Even though I knew what she was it was still a shock to see how something like this actually existed. It was as if I was watching a 3D movie especially when she ripped her right arm clean off. That was not the reason why we were all stood frozen solid it was because of what was now in place where her arm used to be. What the fuck? Had she had that under her arm all this time since she was teaching? What sick twisted fuck would build a school teacher and equip it with its own flame thrower? I grabbed Bella's hand with urgency and turned on my heels.
"Run!" I growled.
I took off running with her and James was close behind. I felt the heat from the flames behind me as I could only guess that she took aim and fired. I charged down the hallway and dragged Bella along with me.
"I'll keep Conner's busy, get the others and watch out for Harding!" I said to James.
"Alright, make sure you don't get your balls burnt off" He replied.
I got to the end of the hallway and slammed into the stairwell door making it fly open. James took off downstairs as Bella and I ran up them. I looked over the railing and seen Conner's quickly ascending the stairs after us. I looked just in time to see her point her arm upwards. I slammed Bella against the far wall causing her to fall flat on her face. I sprayed my body across the top of her to protect her from the perfect line of flames that travelled up the middle of the stairwell just inches away from us. She let out a gasp as the weight of my body crushed her. I felt disgusted with myself for hurting her but I had no time to feel guilty about my actions, that would had to wait. It was either be crushed by me for a few seconds or be burnt alive and I would be damned before I let the latter happen to her. I quickly got off her and pulled her up. I ran with her though the door and into the hallway where the chemistry classroom were situated.
"In there" I pointed and dropped her hand.
I ran around the corner and used my elbow to smash open an axe cabinet which was located next to the fire extinguish. I grabbed the axe and ran to a chemistry class and guided Bella inside.
"Quick turn on the gas" I whispered.
She ran towards the tables and turned on the little gas values. We never actually used them before in class, well I didn't anyway. They were only supposed to be used when we needed to use bunsen burners in our work. I grabbed a pencil off the side and signalled for Bella then ducked behind the teacher's desk at the front of the class. Bella crouched down beside me then we played the waiting game.
It didn't take long for the clicking from Conner's heels in the hallway to emerge and make me tense up. Bella put her hands over mouth to try and keep quite. I killed me every second seeing her like this and I cursed at myself for ever allowing her to be a part of this. I so badly wanted to hold her right now and to comfort her but I couldn't. The only thing I could do was to reach over to her and rub circles in her back. It helps a little because she became more relaxed to my touch. We both heard the clicking of her shoes again which made Bella go rigid again.
I heard her enter the room but because I couldn't see her I had to hear the click from her shoes to find out where she was going. A few more clicks later I could tell that she was going to leave. I moved my arm to the side of the desk and threw the pencil I had and listened to it hit the back wall. The clicking of her shoes stopped and then they started moving again. I took the chance and stole a peek from the side of the table and she came into my view as she walked up the steps and headed towards the noise. I nodded to Bella to tell her to get ready then I stood up from the desk and raised the axe in there air.
"Right hear you mechanical bitch" I spat and threw the axe towards her.
The sharp blade penetrated her chest causing a white mist of gas to burst from one of the canisters inside her chest. Bella was already out the room before I even had a chance to move. I ran towards the door and dived into the hallway as she fired her flame thrower. Conner's let out a scream as a massive bang erupted and the classroom engulfed into flames. I spotted Bella on the floor then crawled to her. Once again I lay my body over her as the explosion caused bits of wood, metal and glass to blow out of the doorway.
"Two down" I muttered.
I waited for a while until I rolled off her and got to my feet. I took her in my arms and pulled her into a hug. We both let out little coughs because of the black smoke that was now escaping out the classroom.
"Are you alright love" I asked.
Stupid question really but I had to know.
"Yeah" She answered after her coughing subsided.
I pulled back to look at her face and it only took one look at her head for the cursing and hatred for myself to start all over again.
"You're bleeding" I hissed.
I removed my hands from her waist and placed them to my stomach. I ripped a piece of fabric from the bottom of my top to use as a make shift cloth then I gently pressed it to her head.
"I'm sorry love" I whispered when she winched.
"Its fine, I guess it could be worse considering the circumstances" She managed to push out a smile despite of everything.
"It's not over yet love" I reminded her.
Luckily the wound wasn't as deep as I thought. The bleeding had stopped so I threw the make shift cloth on the floor. I kissed the side of her cheek before taking her hand again and I pulled her down the hallway.
We descended the stairs to the first floor and walked through the hallways hand in hand. She cringed when we walked over a few bodies that lay lifeless on the floor. Some were torched and some had holes in their foreheads. Weird considering they didn't look like bullet holes. I squeezed Bella's hand and pulled her to my side as we made our way to the reception hall. I had no idea where Jasper was, I didn't even know if he was still alive but I didn't let that thought cross my mind. I haven't heard gunfire since I was with James but with everything that went on with Conner's I wouldn't have heard anything anyway so I couldn't deceiver how many of us were left or where anybody was.
The only place I had left to check on this floor was the reception area then it was on to the basement. I knew this building had one but again I have never been down there. I thought about looking in the reception area in the first place but decided against it because I figured that because it was right near the entrance then that would have been too easy for Jasper to escape from.
My thoughts were correct as we entered the reception area. Everything was abandoned even the holding area and Charlie's office. I was beginning to think that maybe I had been wrong all along, that Jasper was well and truly dead but until I had checked every single classroom and closet in this place I couldn't let that thought enter my head again.
I pulled Bella along with me back through the main building to the end of the hall until we reached the door with read Basement Keep Out. I opened the door and descended the long flight of stairs into this mammoth size sanctum. We walked into a room full of old and unused furniture like chairs, tables, desks, filing cabinets and so forth. I let go of Bella hand but made sure she was close to me as we walked through the mountain of crap piled up.
"Edward" Bella whispered.
"Yeah" I replied then turned around to face her.
"I'm sorry about Emmett"
Her comment took me a little by surprise it accrued to me then that I didn't actually tell her until I blurted it out during my speech to the Razor Heads.
"Thanks" I smiled and bend down to kiss her when I heard a mumble.
We both paused and tensed up at the same time. I listen for it again and it sounded muffled. I spun around and continued walking towards the noise then finally we broke free from all the junk.
"Jasper!" I shouted.
I ran towards the gated fence and breathed a sigh of relief. He was bound and gagged and judging by the look of him he must have put up a good fight considering the amount of cuts and bruises he had.
"Hang on" I said tiring to find a way to open the gate.
There were no locks or no handles so it must have been an electronic gate like the ones in reception. I looked around for the switch and came across a little button on the other side of the room. I quickly ran over to it then pressed the button. The gate slid open with ease then I quickly ran back over and inside the holding cell. I knelt down and immediately he became alert and tried to tell me something.
"Hang on man" I said rolling my eyes and yanking at his gag.
He was becoming more agitated with every second that ticked by. I finally untied the knot and it couldn't slip of his mouth quick enough.
"Behind you!" He shouted.
I spun around to see Harding standing behind Bella.
"Bella!" I growled.
She spun around just in time for her face to connect with his hand. She flew backwards and crashed into the fence then rolled on her back. A veil of red mist descended over my eyes and a huge growl erupted out of my chest. I quickly got to my feet and lunged forwards at him through the gate.
Before I could get one hit in he locked his hand around my throat. He lifted me up into the air and brought his other arm up. His hand was replaced with some sort of metal claw that had a spinning drill bit in the middle. Looking at that now I knew all too well how the other members from the hallway had died. His grip was that tight I was beginning to lose oxygen. He lifted me even higher and used his claw hand to give me a blow to the face. I flew back through the gate and crashed into the brick wall at the back. I slid to my knees then my body collapsed forward.
I could feel the blood oozing down the side of my face and the taste of blood in my mouth started to make me feel nauseous.
"Edward get up!" I heard Jasper shout.
My eyes were heavy as was my head when I tried to lift it. The cold concrete felt nice against my head as all I wanted to do was sleep.
"Edward get up!" He repeated again.
I opened my eyes again but my vision was blurred. His voice sounded like he was shouting at me through a megaphone.
"Edward!" He shouted again.
My body was giving out as my mind tried to fight unconsciousness. I opened my eyes and tried to focus on finding only one thing. It only took me a second to see her unconscious body still lying on the floor.
"Bel..." I tried to speak but my voice wouldn't allow me to produce words.
I needed to stay awake, I needed to get up to help her, to help Jasper. I fought against my body and struggled to even lift my head but somehow I managed to get to my knees. Before I could push myself any further I flet my hair being pulled which made my head snap backwards. My body went flaccid and if it hadn't had been for Harding holding my head back I probably would have collapsed.
I stared back at him with hatred in my eyes because that was all I could do at this point because my body refused to work. He brought his claw hand up and clamped it firmly down around my face. The only thing I could do was close my eyes so I could see my Bella behind my eyelids one last time.