Chapter Seven
Bella
Half way through the film I felt someone slip into the seat behind me. I hated that, people who turned up part way through. On screen Angie's heart-throb was telling a mother that her son, who'd been too young to enlist had died saving a convoy of women and children by leading them safety from the battle area.
"Hello Isabella" I heard a faint whisper, "Don't turn round. I mean you no harm. I just wanted to make sure you were getting my messages. Don't speak or your friend will hear, just listen. Stay away from the wolves and the Cullens. Both are dangerous and the Cullens will be getting a visit from the Volturi. It seems someone has an inkling of your existence. Aro won't let you live if he finds out about you. I'd hate for that to happen".
There was a short silence then,
"Goodbye Isabella".
I turned as he said that but there was no one behind me. Angie looked at me as I moved so quickly.
"You OK Bella?"
I nodded still looking around but I couldn't see anyone moving anywhere near me.
"Bella?" she hissed.
"It was him".
"Who?"
"My secret friend, he was here behind us. He just spoke to me".
She looked round, "Well there's no one there now. Are you sure?"
"You mean am I hearing voices" I hissed back.
She put her hand up "OK Bella, sorry. What did he say?"
Now what did I tell her? I remembered the message on my computer.
"You fascinate me".
"Sounds creepy, shouldn't you tell your Dad".
"God no. I don't think he's threatening, just interested".
"Yeah if he's so interested how come he only leaves cryptic messages and little gifts". I
shrugged "No idea but I promise I won't agree to meet him".
She sighed "OK Bella but please be careful".
After the movie we went for a Pizza then headed home. It had been an interesting day and I knew my secret correspondent was male. I also knew he was more than human, he'd moved too fast at the cinema and he'd got into my room and onto my computer without leaving a trace. I wondered suddenly if it was Jake playing games with me but no. Whoever left the pictures had shown Jake and I in the truck as it was vandalized and he had been there. Did he get a friend to do it? Embry or Quil? The voice though, that wasn't Jake or anyone I recognized It was a deep velvety voice, one I could listen to for hours. Would I even hear it again?
My computer was off when I got back which disappointed me. When Edward rang I agreed he could visit although I was unsure whether to tell him the message I'd received. I didn't have to, he told me that a Volturi guard was nearby so I needed to stay away and more importantly he needed to stay away from me to keep me safe.
"You don't look surprised or alarmed" he remarked.
"Oh sorry. I guess after Phoenix anything seems a little tame".
"Bella are you OK? You're very distant, as if you've something on your mind".
"No just school work. So how long will you be staying away?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe a week. We wont be at school until they've gone. Carlisle's cleared it with the Head that we're off on an Adventure Camp".
"Nice" I said.
"No I'll be away from you so it wont be nice"
He pulled me into an embrace and kissed the top of my head.
"I love you Bella".
I knew he wanted me to return the sentiment but I couldn't. Since he started his "keep Bella safe" campaign I'd been uneasy. Controlling men scared me.
"I'll be OK while you're gone. No late nights, no wolves in my bedroom".
He stopped me, "I think I might suggest leaving Alice to look after you".
"Edward I'm fine. Stop worrying and I don't need a babysitter thank you".
I knew he would leave Alice in any case but she was the one Cullen I wouldn't mind seeing at the moment. "Alice, OK I'll take her".
He looked at me suspiciously,
"Do you two have something going on?"
"No why?"
"She offered to babysit you".
"Oh, great minds think alike".
He kissed me again as we heard the cruiser pull up.
"I'll be back later" he whispered but I shook my head.
"You don't want my scent on you when the Volturi visit".
He scowled but he couldn't argue the point.
"By the way where were you today?"
"Out with Angie, a girls day out".
"Oh I didn't think you liked those".
"Angie's good fun, it's the others".
Charlie asked about my day too, suddenly everyone wanted to know what I'd been doing. He was happy when I told him I'd been out with Angie. He would have been happy for me to go out with Jack the Ripper as long as it kept me away from Edward Cullen.
Alice turned up the next evening and Charlie was all smiles, he liked Alice Cullen but then everybody did there wasn't anything not to like. She came up with a story about being left at home for the weekend and Charlie offered my company so I got a weekend with Alice camping out on my floor. When we got back on Friday my computer was on so I sneaked a quick peek to see a message glowing on the screen.
"Hope you enjoyed the film. Nice to speak to you. See you soon".
I clicked it off as Alice walked in but she grinned.
"Another message from your mysterious stranger Bella?"
I groaned
"You haven't told Edward have you?
The smile vanished and she shook her head. "No Bella I haven't, but he will find out eventually".
"How?"
"Oh no. I'm not giving anything away. This is between you and Mr Mysterious".
"You know who he is though don't you?"
She nodded.
"You've met him?"
She shook her head looking a little hurt. "No. Almost, but no".
"So how do you know who it is?"
She shrugged, "I can't tell you Bella and if I did it wouldn't be helpful".
"Why Alice?"
She stamped her foot, "Bella I can't tell you".
I looked at her "There's more to it Alice. If you know who it is but you can't tell me, and I know it's a vampire".
She grabbed my arm. "How do you know that?"
"Because he contacted me in the cinema last weekend".
"Tell me" she said pulling me down to sit beside her on the bed.
"There's nothing to say Alice, he sat behind us for a few seconds and warned me to stay away from your place because the Volturi have some guards in the area".
"So he knew" she mused.
"Yes. Does he have a name?"
"Yes" she said, "a few".
"Oh great. Next you'll be telling me next he's got a split personality".
I saw the look on her face,
"Are you telling me there's a psycho vampire stalking me?"
She laughed "No, not exactly Bella".
"Not exactly? Is he dangerous Alice?"
"Yes very, but not to you".
This was going round in circles.
"Do I get to meet him?"
She nodded,
"When?"
I saw her thinking "Soon I think unless circumstances change".
"Do I come home afterwards?"
Again she gazed into space,
"Alice?" she was worrying me, "Yes. If you want to".
"What's that supposed to mean?" I hissed as we heard Charlie come upstairs.
"Nite girls".
"Nite Charlie" Alice trilled.
"Alice?"
"I've said too much already Bella. You just have to wait until he's ready to make a move".
I heard a ping as my computer received a message.
"Probably an e-mail from Renee" I groaned.
Alice smiled, "I don't think so Bella. I'd read it if I were you".
I looked at her suspiciously before clicking the mouse.