Chapter 23- Hunt
I stretched my arms as I yawned loudly. "Did you sleep good?" Edward smiled. "Actually yes." I responded cheerfully. "It's been awhile since I had a good night sleep." I revealed. Edward kissed my forehead as I gasped. "What is it?" Edward asked worried.
"The sun's out." I choked out as I stared dazed at Edward's skin. Edward chuckled as he took in my expression. "Seems the day matches our moods." Edward smiled his crooked smile. I blushed as my heart fluttered at the image of Edward in the sunlight.
"I can make you breakfast while you get ready." He proposed. "Where are we going?" I asked somewhat anxious. I threw the covers off and made my way over to Edward. "Actually we're not going anywhere." He said slightly mysterious. "Ok." I said confused.
"I'll wait downstairs." Edward mused. He kissed my lips softly and disappeared. Edward Cullen was definitely up to something. I couldn't help but smile. Edward was right. I felt extremely chipper and well rested. I showered quickly and brushed my teeth. When I reached my room I giggled.
I turned on my stereo and blasted whatever was on. I slipped into a pair of black shorts and a long sleeve dark blue V neck. I spun around the room as music filled the soundless house. I moved my hips to the melody of the music as I couldn't contain the joy I was experiencing.
I froze when I heard a low chuckle. "Don't stop on my account." Edward smiled. My cheeks burned with embarrassment instantly. Edward quickly grabbed my hands and spun in sync with the music. I laughed as we danced together. I smiled as Edward grooved to the music. "Mr. Cullen has moves." I teased playfully.
"Thank you Ms. Swan." Edward replied. "That's future Mrs. Cullen to you." I corrected. Edward spun me around and gripped my waist. He pulled me closer our lips almost touching. "Bella." He whispered sweetly. He locked his eyes on mine and spoke softly. "I have never been this happy in my entire existence. You accepting to be my wife is by far the greatest moment of my life.
I smiled knowing I had made Edward happy. Perhaps not as happy as he always made me. He would never know how much better my life was with him in it. "Mine too." I smiled happily. Edward hugged me tightly. Edward's body stiffened as a low growl erupted from chest. "Edward. What is it?" I whispered frightened.
Edward quickly lifted me into his arms and jumped out my opened window. Edward ran with great anticipation as I held him securely. When we came to a stop, Edward placed me on my feet. I tried to calm my breathing as I tried to collect myself completely before questioning Edward.
"I'm sorry for the instantaneous run." Edward said apologetically. "It's fine." I said still out of breath. "Why are we at the hospital?" I asked puzzled. "We need to see Carlisle." Edward explained briefly. Edward held my hand as we quickly walked out of the woods behind the hospital.
"Edward the sun." I tried to pull him back into the cover of the trees. He chuckled as he pointed at the sky. "No more sun." I said disillusioned. Seems the Sun lasted as long as my happiness did.
When we entered the hospital, a flash of painful images filled my head. I cringed as Edward quickly gazed into my eyes. "What's wrong?" He asked concerned. "Nothing. I just feel a bit dizzy from the run." I lied. Edward seemed to believe my lie.
I knew it was due to the fact that I was flushed and he knew running like that always terrified me. I tried to shake the images out of my head. I was able to suppress them to the back of my mind. I knew I had to deal with sometime. But that time wasn't now.
I followed Edward eagerly as he never released my hand. I was pulled out of my thoughts when we stopped moving. "Ah Edward. Hello Bella." Carlisle greeted warmly. "Is there something wrong Edward?" Carlisle asked attentive to his sons expression.
"Can we talk in your office at home?" Edward stated urgently. "Of course. I'll meet you there in ten minutes." Carlisle told us. He smiled quickly and left. "Edward. What is going on?" I asked more nervous then before. "I will explain just not here." He promised. "We're not safe here." I guessed. Edward's head cocked to the side, shock spreading across his flawless features.
"I assumed that's why you asked Carlisle home. And stormed out of my house." I explained. Edward smiled impressed. "Edward. When Heidi attacked me in the Radiology room. She turned one of the nurses. A male nurse." I whispered low enough for Edward to hear.
He became thoughtful as he took in the information I just shared with him. "Do you remember what he looked like?" Edward asked curiously. "Yes." I answered immediately. "Let's go." Edward suggested as he held my hand once more.
"Edward your still here. I was just on my way home." Carlisle said. "Actually we aren't leaving just yet. Bella says she can identify the nurse Heidi turned." Edward said in a low whisper. If I hadn't known what Edward was going to tell Carlisle I might have missed the conversation. They spoke extremely fast and quietly.
"I have the employees file in my office." Carlisle stated. I knew he only spoke out loud so I was in on our current mission. I couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed that Edward wasn't filling me in on anything. We followed Carlisle to his office at work. When we were inside Edward locked the door as Carlisle quickly pulled out a stack of Vanilla folders. "Bella. Says it was a male nurse." Edward informed Carlisle.
Carlisle quickly separated the folders faster then humanly possible. My mouth hung open. I could never wrap my head around how fast they moved. "Shouldn't be to hard to find him. We only have five male nurses." Carlisle stated. Edward stood by my side as his father placed five files in front of me. I carefully stared at each file as I tried to get a hold of that awful memory.
I knew racking my brain for that memory would cause all the other painful memories to surface. But I had to help Edward identify the vampire nurse. I couldn't have anything or anyone come in between Edward and me. I let out a sigh as I quickly scanned the photos once more just to be certain.
"Him." I declared as I pointed to the file that read Riley Summers. "He hasn't been to work since. Well since Bella was attacked." Carlisle said certain. "Ok. So we keep an eye out for this Riley character." Edward announced. "But Edward why this sudden goose chase?" I asked slightly irritated. Edward read my expression and sighed.
"When we were at the house. I picked up a scent. It was unfamiliar then I was able to hear his thoughts. He's been keeping tabs on you." Edward said slowly letting the news sink in. "For Heidi." I whispered almost silently. "He messed up when he got too close. Heidi had warned him of my power. He's a newborn. So he's experiencing all kinds of urges and sensations." Edward explained thoroughly.
"But the number one thing all Newborns crave, is blood." He stated a matter of fact. "Is that all I'll crave?" I gulped. Edward hesitated before responding. "Yes. But you'll have me guiding you the whole way." Edward said hopeful. But it didn't reach his eyes. I took a second as I processed everything.
"So how do we stop Riley?" I asked quickly changing the subject. I didn't want Edward using my new found fear against me. I wanted to be with him forever. Whether that meant craving blood or not. "We'll have to take turns searching." Edward said still in thought. "Edward it would be quicker if you all hunted together. Not to mention it would be safer." I added.
Edward's face became tortured as my words rang loudly in his head. "Out of the question." Edward spat angrily. "Edward. Just listen." I brushed the side of his cheek as I stared into his golden brown eyes. "If you all rotate to protect me and hunt Riley down it will only slow down the process. Plus you'll have to hunt and you can't do all that and protect me." I paused briefly knowing that Edward had to consider my plan.
"Edward she has a point." Carlisle agreed. "We can't leave her unprotected." Edward growled as he leaned against the door. "I won't be alone." I interrupted. "I could stay in La Push. I'd be safe there with the pack." I proposed. Edward stared at me in disbelief. "No." He said sternly.
"Then where Edward? Where else would you like me to go?" I asked confident. I knew he didn't have an answer. Wrong. "That's not a bad idea." Edward smiled relieved. I smiled victoriously. "Contact them at once." Edward told Carlisle. "Wait. I can talk to Jacob myself." I interjected. "Your not going to La Push." Edward said in a strict voice.