Chapter Fifty

Bella

I knew hitting the road was going to be painful but I had no idea how painful it would be. As I bounced off the road surface for the second time Alice screeched to a halt and I knew they would be on me in seconds but a patrol car came round the corner and spotted me laying under a street light. As my vision clouded I saw the tail lights of Alice's car disappear into the distance and heard the crackle of a police radio summoning an ambulance. Every inch of my body was hurting, from my scalp down to my toes and I knew I'd done myself some serious damage this time. I smelled salty, metallic blood and tried to turn over and vomit, unfortunately I only managed the vomit part and I started to choke before one of the police officers rolled me onto my side. As he did so I felt bones grating against each other and everything went black.

Jasper

I ran after the car praying that I would catch it before it got onto the main highway, I would be way too noticeable there under the huge lights. I saw it turn a corner at high speed and as it did something flew out and hit the road. I knew without seeing clearly that it was Bella's body, what I didn't know was if she had jumped or been thrown out of the door. I stopped as the Patrol Car pulled up beside her and two police officers got out. As one kneeled down beside Bella the other one looked around, presumably for witnesses and I melted into the shadows. I couldn't get involved with the police it was just too dangerous, so I was forced to watch from a doorway as an ambulance came along blue lights flashing. Bella was put on a stretcher and driven away at speed. At least I knew she was still alive and I thanked god for that much luck.

Emmett's truck pulled up as the ambulance drove off and the door was thrown open,

"Tell me that wasn't for Bella" growled Emmett.

"Follow the ambulance, I need to know where they take her."

Emmett took off after the blue lights as I told the others what I'd seen.

"So what now?" asked Emmett as I flipped open my cell phone.

"I have to tell Carlisle so he can find out what's happened. Then I have to ring Charlie."

"What the hell are you going to tell him?" Rose asked.

"I don't have the faintest idea, but he has to know." Rose took the phone from me

"You tell Carlisle. I'll ring Charlie and tell him she was with me when she got knocked over by a speeding car. The Patrol officers didn't see her jump from the car did they?" I shook my head.

"OK then. I'll tell them I panicked and ran for help then saw their lights and came back."

She climbed from the truck,

"Ask Peter to leave his car for me. They might wonder what we were doing on foot this far from home."

I nodded and she ran off towards the police who were inspecting the site of the accident.

Rose

I knew I could have the Police Officers eating out of my hand and I needed that. They had to believe my story and I just hoped that Bella's injuries would be consistent with being knocked down. As I ran up they turned, hands on guns, until they saw me. It didn't take long for them to drive me to the hospital to be with my friend and tell her father what had happened. Once they knew she was Chief Swans daughter things went pretty quickly. I gave them a false number plate and description for the car involved and they put it out over the air as we drove.

At the hospital they left me to wait for news but I rang Charlie to tell him anyway and I got in before the police did. He was frantic with worry not even stopping to wonder why Bella and I were in Port Angeles the evening before they were due to fly out for her mothers funeral. I'd think of something before he got round to asking me about it. While I waited I noticed Jasper standing outside with Peter and then Charlotte was with me.

"Any news?" I shook my head,

"They didn't tell me much, just that she's critical and they are operating now. Hows Jazz holding up?"

She glanced at him, "He's not. He blames himself, reckons we should have used her shield and gone in together."

I looked at him again, standing with Peter.

"Yeah he always was good at beating himself up. Tell him as soon as I get any news I'll ring his cell. I spoke to Charlie and he's on his way. I'll make up something by the time he gets here."

"Good luck with that" she said nodding to the door, "because unless I'm mistaken that's him now"

I cursed under my breath then got up to meet him.

"Chief Swan I'm Rosalie Hale. One of Dr Cullens daughters"

He came over and shook my hand

"What happened Rosalie? Why were you in Port Angeles? I thought she was out with Jasper. Where is he anyway?"

I pointed outside, "He just went out for a breath of fresh air."

"So what happened? The local police told me she'd been hit by a speeding car.

I nodded and proceeded to tell him the story of coming here to get a dress from the late night mall."

He looked confused, "A dress?"

"Yes she thought it would be nice to have something decent to wear for the funeral" He nodded,

"I guess so, but a dress?"

Charlie

I didn't know this daughter of Dr Cullens but she seemed sensible enough. I was hoping maybe Jasper hadn't been with her but there he was standing outside. It seemed he hadn't been involved in the accident but I still didn't like the guy. Seeing that I'd arrived he came back in and walked over, hand out to speak to me. Touching his hand I noticed how cold it was, seems he was in shock too. I was about to ask him where he'd been when Bella got run over but the Doctor came out calling for her relatives and I went forward to speak to him. Jasper took a few steps with me but I glanced at him and shook my head. He could wait I wanted to know what was going on first, she was my daughter.

The doctor took me into a small almost bare room and indicated a chair for me.

"Chief Swan, we haven't met before and I just wish it had been under better circumstances now. I'm afraid Bella is very badly injured. She was knocked down by a speeding car and dragged along the road a way before being dropped. I've got her in Intensive Care and I'm hopeful. She's young and healthy so I think she'll pull through but I do have one piece of bad news. Does she have a husband, fiancé or boyfriend?"

I nodded, "Yeah he's outside."

"Perhaps it might be better if I were to get him in then".

I looked at him trying to work out what he was on about. He opened the door and asked,

"His name?"

"Jasper Hale" I replied and he called the name.

Jasper came in and looked at me, "Chief Swan"

"I think you might like to sit down Mr Hale"

It was the doctor and suddenly I knew what he was going to say.

"I'll stand" said Jasper.

"Very well. As you know you're fiancé..."

"girlfriend" I interrupted.

"Sorry girlfriend, is in a critical condition but we are hopeful. I have to tell you though that she has unfortunately lost the baby."

I saw the shock on Jaspers face, he didn't know.