Chapter Eight

Bella

As I got to school the next morning I looked out for the Cullens. Angie's words, "They seem to be watching you" was running through my head, but the Volvo and monster truck weren't there. The usual Cullen parking spaces empty so far this morning. I wish I could talk to Angie about my findings but they sounded so bizarre even to myself that I knew I'd have to wait and try at the Res. I walked slowly towards the main entrance until a pricking between my shoulder blades made me turn round. I saw a figure beside my truck before it was obscured by the shiny silver Volvo that Edward Cullen drove. When he passed I looked again but there was no figure, it had vanished.

I turned again thinking I'd imagined it, too many strange things in my past spilling into the present. Then I heard a shout

"Bella, you dropped something"

I turned to see Emmett Cullen walking towards me, a book in his hand. I stopped and he jogged over, a broad smile on his face as usual

"I think this is yours. It was beside your truck".

I took the book from him looking at it

A Tale of Two Cities

I was about to deny knowledge of it when I saw a note protruding from the edge.

"Thanks Emmett"

I sat alone in maths, my partner Jessica Stanley was off sick so I could look at the book. I knew it wasn't mine but the note folded inside was addressed to me. I opened it as our teacher walked in. I knew he would take his time putting stuff on the blackboard so I had time to take a quick look.

"Bella,

Stop looking for answers before you draw attention to yourself. You'll learn the answers to all your questions in time".

It wasn't signed but I was relieved that the writing wasn't the same as the note of warning left for Renee. Had this been left by the figure I thought I saw or by Emmett Cullen? If it was him though wouldn't it have been easier to just tell me?

The rest of the morning went by slowly and in a blur. For once I paid little attention and Angela at least noticed.

"Bella what's up with you today?"

I made some lame excuse and went to the office at lunchtime pleading a dental appointment in Port Angeles. I couldn't stay any longer, I needed answers and the only place I could think of was the Reservation.

I drove straight there, parking outside Billy's place. I saw him look out of the window and frown before opening the door.

"Bella why aren't you at school?"

"Billy I really need to talk to you about Renee"

"No Bella I'm sorry but I wont discuss your Mother with you, I can't"

"But you know why she left, you know about the Cold Ones, you gave me a charm to keep them away and I put it in Renee's coffin. Now I'm getting messages warning me to stop asking questions"

"Then perhaps you should listen to the messages"

"Tell me about the Cold Ones"

"No Bella. They are a myth, nothing more. Go home. You are perfectly safe".

"I don't believe you Billy. You won't tell me but you know something. You know about me don't you?"

"What about you Bella?"

I took a deep breath before blurting out,

"You know Charlie isn't my real father".

He turned and wheeled himself back into the house, shutting the door on me. I wondered whether to try and speak to Harry Clearwater but I doubted I'd get any different from him so I drove my truck off the Res and back towards Forks.

Harry

When I heard Billy's voice I knew we had trouble, Bella's truck had been spotted entering the Reservation a little while earlier.

"Bella's just been here and she knows too much. I think Renee left her details and now she wants to know the rest."

"What does she know?"

"That Charlie isn't her real father, about the Cold Ones and she's received a warning message."

"She needs to stop looking for answers. Does she still have the amulet?"

"That's another problem, she put it in Renee's coffin"

"Damn then he will be able to find her. Get Jake to make her a new one and make sure she wears it at all times. In the meantime we need the pack to watch over her."

"What about the warning?"

"That will be from them. I thought when they turned up here that trouble was on its way. They have the same problem we do though, Keeping her in the dark for her own good. Tell the boys not to get in the way of them but watch for others. If they get her away safely then it wont be our problem any more. I just wish Renee had taken her secret with her to the grave."

"As it was it killed her Harry."

"Yes, but we're the only ones who know that, Charlie must never know."

Bella

Half way back I had to slam my brakes on when a figure appeared suddenly in the middle of the road in front of me. It was a stranger, a man, and he held his hands out in the universal sign of surrender. I locked my doors and waited. He approached my door with a smile and mimed winding the window down so I cranked it open just a little, not enough for him to get his hand in.

"Bella don't you ever listen. The Quileutes won't tell you anything, you'll just stir up old feelings. I hoped the note might get through that stubborn head of yours but obviously not. Leave things alone before you put in motion things that can't be stopped. I promise you'll get your answers. You just have to wait."

I looked at him

"Do I know you?"

"No you don't but I am a friend".

I shook my head

"Friends don't ambush you on a lonely road"

He laughed

"It's hardly a fucking ambush Bella. I'm trying to help you"

"I don't trust you"

"Few people do. Just do as you're told Bella. If you don't you could put a lot of people in danger".

"Who and why? Who are you?"

"I'm someone trying to keep you free and alive"

"Why? Why should I believe you?"

"No fucking idea but you should. Is there someone at school you trust? Someone you can confide in?"

"No, only Jake"

He pulled his fingers through his hair and groaned.

"I said at school".

"No".

"I kinda thought you might say that. Well just keep a low profile for a few days at least. Give me time to work things out".

"What things? What's going on?"

"Nothing I hope, but I can't see yet".

I started the truck engine,

"Get out of my way, I'm going home"

"Good. Stay there and stop asking fucking questions".

I drove off down the road narrowly missing him as he jumped out of my way. I was frightened now, there was a stranger warning me off, one who could be a friend or a foe. Everyone wanted me to stop asking questions but no one would answer any. I couldn't just drop it, I was in danger from an enemy I couldn't recognise and for a reason I didn't understand.