Chapter 55 - Reoccurrence
Perhaps he has moved on…
As I sat in another boring lesson, Rosalie's words were praying on my mind.
Perhaps…
And so were Alice's.
I knew her. And I could detect the uncertainty in her reply. And I knew, deep down, I would encounter Reuben again.
I didn't know how soon that encounter would take place, nor did I know what the circumstances would be.
But I did know one thing…
I would be alone.
Isolated from Alice, the rest of her family, and Jake…
I knew they wouldn't abandon me, but for some reason I knew I would be a single, solitary being when Reuben decided to seek me out, and play a new game…
But what amusement would he have in store for me?
The bell sounded, making me jump. As I closed and lifted my folder, something made me glance out of the window.
I froze.
It was him…
Standing on the field to the side of the classroom, so far in the distance I found myself squinting a little…
But I knew it was him.
Almost as though he had read my very thoughts…
What was I?
His pastime?
A happy distraction?
A diversion to his daily monotonous routine?
"Bella"
I turned to face Mike who was handing me some notes the teacher had passed around the class. Taking them from him, my head shot back to look outside…
He had gone.
Dissolved… if only he could fade away from my memory as quickly…
Okay… get a grip Bella… did you really see him?
Yes…
I swallowed hard, asking myself a question was bad enough, but to answer as well…
"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost or something"
A ghost?
I almost laughed at that.
He was far worse than any ghost…
"Yeah, I just thought I saw someone" I casually replied, as I lifted my bag and placed the strap across my shoulder.
As I left the classroom, I found my eyes darting to everyone who passed me by.
Reuben wouldn't venture inside, surely? Would he be that nonchalant?
Did I even need to ask myself those questions when the answer was clear?
Of course he would…
"Would you like a lift home Bella? I noticed your truck was missing this morning" Mike asked as we continued to walk towards our lockers.
A lift home… would he follow me? Follow me home?
Nothing was making any sense. Edward, Emmet and Jasper had gone looking earlier for Reuben and they couldn't detect him…
Was he playing games with them also?
"Bella?"
I looked up at Mike, who was waving his hand in front of my face.
"I guessed you had shut down in class, but you can flick yourself back on now, school is finished for the day" Mike continued with a smile.
"What? Oh, yeah… sorry Mike…"
Flick yourself back on… I had to ensure I was always switched on where Reuben was concerned. I needed to be alert and vigilant at all times, because he could show at any time…
Mike shrugged, "That's okay, so do you need that lift?"
I smiled, "No, I'm meeting Alice, but thanks for the offer"
Mike looked a little disappointed. "Oh, okay…"
Yes, I was meeting Alice, and I needed to tell her what I saw… how would she react? And how would I react if I came into contact with him again?
I placed my things in my locker, and then turned to face him again.
"Maybe Jessica needs a lift?" I asked, with a slight wink.
My constant fretting was getting me nowhere, I needed to calm down. Inner turmoil was only going to make me freak out even more...
Mike sighed, "I really, really hope not….."
Okay, there was a story here. My interest was piqued.
"Why?" I enquired gently, as Mike turned the key to his locker.
"Well, we had an argument at lunch and I'm not sure we're talking at the moment"
I nodded my head, it was hard to be understanding where Jessica was concerned, but I honestly felt for Mike.
"Maybe you both need some breathing space" I suggested, as we both started to walk towards the car park.
Breathing space… that's what I needed from… Reuben…
You honestly think he's going to freely give you that Bella? my mind questioned.
As we walked outside, and the warm air hit me, I found myself searching the car park for Reuben.
"…. and to be honest Bella, it was a mistake"
I glanced at Mike, flashing him an apologetic smile. I hadn't caught everything he had said, but I definitely got the gist.
"We all make mistakes" I replied truthfully.
I'd made the biggest one of my life when I'd left Jake's side and wandered into the forest alone…
"Hi Ya Bells"
It was Emmet.
I looked up as Emmet smiled his usual goofy grin. All of a sudden I felt safer.
"Hey" I replied, as he twisted the cap that was on his head so the peak was now facing backwards.
I watched him closely. He seemed… normal. Like the Emmet I was used to. He didn't seem agitated… perhaps I had been hallucinating before…
And you're deluded if you think that Bella my mind replied.
Mike shifted slightly before nodding, "Well, see you tomorrow Bella"
I smiled, "Till then"
Mike slowly walked towards his car as Emmet watched him leave.
"Sorry, was I interrupting something?" he asked, with a wink.
I sighed, "Not really… I think he may have wanted relationship advice"
Emmet laughed, "Hell, he should have asked me!"
I couldn't help but laugh too.
And then an image of Reuben, with his red eyes and malevolent smile swam in front of me…
"Emmet, I think I may have seen Reuben when class finished just now… he was standing outside. He wasn't close, but it was him, it was…."
Before I could finish, Emmet had scooped me up into his strong arms, and was running across the car park with me, towards where Alice's car was parked.
"Emmet" I exclaimed, as he gently put me down.
"What?" he questioned, looking perplexed.
I took a deep breath; the whole action had winded me.
"I can walk you know" I replied, as Emmet shrugged.
"And people are looking" I continued, as a few students were now glancing across at us with a smile on their faces.
"Let them talk" he responded, "I promised Alice I would always keep you safe" he continued, adding "besides, from what Rosalie was saying, the whole school thinks she dating Eric, so now we can confuse them even more and they'll think I'm dating you"
With that he quickly lent in and pressed a chaste kiss on my forehead, before leaning back with that usual grin.
"Is there something I should know" Alice asked, as she appeared by our side with a smile on her face.
Alice seemed to be an absolute pro at arriving at a scene that involved someone kissing me.
Emmet mussed Alice's hair.
"Just keeping your girl safe" he replied, as he unlocked his jeep.
Alice smiled again, before looking at me.
"There is something you should know" I replied, as she cocked her head slightly.
I told her what I had told Emmet.
"Here?" she exclaimed, as I slowly nodded.
Something had caught my eye.
Alice was talking at a rapid speed to Emmet as odd words bounced at me.
"….safe…. school…home…"
But the object that had caught my attention engulfed whatever she was saying, as I slowly walked towards the front of her car.
There, on the bonnet, lay a single rose; the thorns still intact.
"Bella"
I vaguely heard Alice as I walked towards the red rose and lifted it, a frown appearing on my face.
Alice and Emmet were immediately by my side, as I turned the flower over to find a red ribbon attached to the stem.
A small white piece of card was affixed to the ribbon, folded in two. The outside was adorned with the initial 'R' in red ink…
I felt myself convulse…
At once Alice's arm was around me as she removed the rose from my shaking hands.
"What does it say" I heard myself whisper, as Emmet placed his hand in mine.
"We don't need to…."
Whatever Emmet was about to say was cut short as I turned to face Alice who looked more ashen than normal.
"What does it say" I repeated, as Alice pulled at the ribbon and opened the piece of card.
Slowly she started to read…
Rose, for you, my
Eternal sweet.
My thoughts of you,
Entwined, discrete…
Memories, they'll reappear
Beckon you to me.
Each vision, yes, will very soon,
Reveal your destiny
Memory Lane…
Envisage the pain.
Breathe, Bella.
Out, and then in… the way you always have… out and then in…
My hand gripped at Emmet's as he turned to face Alice.
The words swam around my brain.
Eternal…
Memories…
Vision...
Destiny…
Pain…
What did it all mean?
Alice pulled me into her as I buried my head into her chest.
I could hear voices, muffled…
It was Edward.
He immediately knew what had happened as he placed a hand on the small of Alice's back.
Alice remained still.
Gently Edward pulled the note from Alice's grip and read the words to himself.
Finally Alice spoke, "We need to get you home…"
I nodded as I took another gulp of air.
I had seen him… and he'd left this message…
Edward looked up from the card, his face also paler than I had ever seen before...
"Remember Me" he replied, his voice thick.
Remember me?
Alice looked up as Edward turned the card in his hand, the words now bouncing from the surface, boring into my eyes…
Slowly Edward pointed his finger down across each verse.
And then I saw it.
Rose, for you, my
Eternal sweet.
My thoughts of you,
Entwined, discrete…
Memories, they'll reappear
Beckon you to me.
Each vision, yes, will very soon,
Reveal your destiny
Memory Lane…
Envisage the pain.
REMEMBER ME…
I'd never seen Alice look so…
Wild.
As her foot hit the gas, we accelerated out of the car park and down the road like a bat out of hell.
Emmet was close behind us in his Jeep with Rosalie, Edward and Jasper.
I couldn't quite comprehend what was happening.
"Is he… would he follow us?" I asked, as Alice turned to face me.
"He wouldn't dare" she replied her voice raw with emotion.
I merely nodded as we soon appeared at my home.
Emmet pulled up beside us.
"I'm coming inside with you Bella" Alice continued, as she took both my hands in hers.
"I'm never leaving you alone for one moment" she carried on, as I found myself squeezing her fingers.
As we exited the car, I noticed my dad appear.
Great, this really wasn't the best time to…
"Hey Bella, Alice… and who do we have here?" Charlie asked with a raised eyebrow as Emmet lent his head out of the window. Edward and Jasper got out of the car. Rose remained seated.
Alice was quickly in control, so calm as she flashed a smile at Charlie. Her masquerade even fooled me…
"Hi Charlie, my brothers and sister just wanted to stop by and introduce themselves"
I watched as Edward stepped forward and held out his hand, which Charlie took.
"That's a nice gesture" he replied, as he shook Edwards hand and then took Jaspers.
Emmet jumped from the car as Rosalie also stepped outside and walked towards Charlie.
I watched as my dad raised an eyebrow at Rosalie.
Please dad, don't whistle…
"It's very nice to meet you all" he continued, as he shook Rose's hand and then finally Emmet's.
Turning to face me, he smiled.
"I have to go to the station, there's been some trouble again and I'm needed, will you be okay on your own this evening?"
Trouble.
Reuben...
I watched as Edward peered at my dad; he was reading his mind…
Before I could answer, Alice spoke.
"We were actually hoping Bella could stay with us tonight, Charlie"
I watched as Charlie frowned and then nodded, slowly…
Stay with us… and my dad was now probably a little uncomfortable at the idea of me staying with Alice… don't rush things, he had said…
Edward continued, "You see, Chief Swan, Bella and I have a project we need to work on. My parents are happy for Bella to stay, we have a spare room"
I watched my dad ponder as Jasper's eyes narrowed slightly… his gaze firmly on Charlie…
Nice one Edward…
Nice one Jasper…
Please dad…please let me…
Charlie smiled, "Well, I don't want to stop you kids from doing your school work, and if it's okay with your parents, it's fine with me"
I sighed, as Jasper turned from facing my dad, his gaze now on me.
He winked.
Charlie walked towards his car, before turning to face us all.
"I'd like to meet your parents Alice; perhaps they would like to come round here for dinner one evening?"
Everyone nodded…
Okay, so everyone has also just lied, but often circumstances dictated a white lie…
I watched as my dad pulled out of the drive in his car, waving from the open window.
"Is he going to be safe" I asked, as five pairs of eyes were on me.
"We'll make sure he is" Emmet answered, as he climbed back into his jeep closely followed by Rosalie and Jasper.
Edward looked at Alice, "Collect some of Bella's things, and we'll be waiting for you at home. We need to tell Carlisle what happened"
Alice nodded as we both walked towards the door.
I turned as I unlocked the door "Thanks for before Edward"
Edward smiled, "What are family for?"
Family.
I really felt like part of this family…
And I really wanted to be part of this family…
Suddenly Alice gripped at my arm as her eyes seemed to cloud over…
"Alice, what is it? What's wrong?"
Edward was immediately by her side, "It's okay Alice… we're all here… tell me what you see…"
She was having a vision.
Her grip tightened as I swallowed hard.
Jasper had now excited the car and was by our side.
"No......" Alice almost gasped, as Jasper placed his hands on the side of her face.
"Calm… feel the calm…." He whispered as her eyes blinked rapidly.
There was always calmness before the storm…
Alice's head shot up, "He was in her room…." She whispered, as she turned and reached out for me.
My room?
Edward beckoned to Emmet and Rosalie, who appeared within seconds next to me.
Jasper's hands were on Alice's shoulders, "When, Alice… when…"
I watched as Alice continued to grip me, "Bella… stay with me…."
Edward's brow furrowed as he looked from Alice and turned to the rest of us.
"Reuben was in Bella's room, a matter of moments ago…."
Moments ago? He was in my room while we were all standing… outside?
I shivered as Alice enveloped me in her arms. Her hold was tight.
Edward continued, "Emmet, Rosalie, take Alice and Bella home now"
Rose nodded as Emmet began to speak...
"But you may need us…."
Rosalie turned, "Alice and Bella need us" she murmured, as Emmet glanced down at me.
"Understood" he answered, as Rosalie ushered us both into the jeep.
Alice's hold was still firm as we sat in the back of the jeep.
I watched as Emmet hit reveres… soon we were heading back to the Cullen's.
Edward looked at Jasper.
"He isn't here, I can't sense him" Jasper spoke, frustration visible in his tone.
Slowly they both entered the house, and then Bella's room…
There, on the bed, was another rose, with the same red ribbon and white card attached.
"What does it say" Jasper continued, as Edward picked up the rose and opened the card that was marked with an 'R'
Edward began to read;
Lo and behold,
Eternal truth,
Time will unfold.
The beating till,
High pulse slows and,
Ending gets its fill.
Forevermore,
Unity is mine,
Now keeping score.
Before, desire,
Everything new,
Gold flames in fire.
I play my game, and
Nothing will ever be the same…
Edward came to the end and turned the card towards Jasper, pointing his finger tips to the letters that started each sentence; "Let the Fun Begin" he whispered.
LET THE FUN BEGIN…