Chapter Sixty One

Peter

I'd been patient enough and I rang the Cullen house but I got no reply and cursing I rang Carlisle's cell, that went straight to voice mail so I left a message, short and sweet

"You are fucked."

Now what do I do? While I was scratching my head trying to think who else I could ask my phone beeped with an incoming message, I read it and cursed roundly, the bastard!

"SORRY PETER. HAVE DONE THE ONLY THING I COULD. HELP IS ON ITS WAY FROM ITALY. C"

He'd told Aro who would leap up and down at the chance to get his hands on Bella again and this time she would owe him and he would know he had a hold over her in The Major. I swore then that I would find Carlisle Cullen and make him pay for this if it took the rest of his unnatural life. I doubted I could get there before the Volturi unless they had to send help direct from Italy. It was a long shot but it was all I had left, all any of us had left. I turned the car towards the Mexican border and put the pedal to the metal, racing for our lives quite literally.

Bella

I was left to my own devices in the compound, after all where was I going with Jasper in that pit? I walked out into the trees just to see if anyone would stop me, they didn't so I walked on a little further just to get away from prying eyes. After my stunt with the pig I'd been removed from the shack and it was now guarded by a newborn. As I walked I heard something in the tree above,

"Don't look up or speak, just listen. I don't know where The Major is but I'm guessing he's in the guarded shack. I think we might get you away, just possibly. Can he walk? Just lift your left hand if its yes"

I lifted my left hand and brushed my hair.

"Good, is he free to move?"

I left my hand down,

"Shit. Is he in a cage or pit or something?"

I brushed my hair again.

"I thought she might still use that. OK, tonight I want you to insist on seeing him then make a fuss, a big fuss about how he's being treated. Keep their attention for as long as you can. Once the fireworks start you find the switch that operates the lid. It used to be to the left on the back wall if memory serves me. I only saw it in use once and I think she's moved it since then. Try to get hold of a rope or something, if not well just have to improvise. Tell him before if you can that Charlotte's here."

I lifted my left hand again.

"Sorry I wasn't there to help Bella but I won't leave you in this mess and I know Peter's on his way."

The rustling stopped and I saw a guard sauntering in my direction so I speeded up back towards the compound. I went into my room and looked around for rope or anything I could use, sheets and covers they would do. I pulled all except the coverlet off and knotted them together just hoping Jaspers hands would let him grip. I knotted it in a few places and prayed it would be long enough, there was so much that could go wrong.

I went back out and walked over to the shack, the guard there wasn't taking much notice so I looked in. On the back wall I could see a couple of levers, one of which must operate the grating, one problem solved. I called out to Jasper and heard his voice,

"You OK Major?"

"Hi gorgeous."

"Nice day out here. Could be fireworks tonight"

"Oh right. You take care darlin'"

"You too, how are your hands?"

"Good enough"

"I love you"

"Love you too"

I saw Maria looking over so I turned and walked away from the shack, throwing her a dismissive look over my shoulder.

Charlotte

I watched all day, the compound wasn't as full as it used to be so either Maria had sent out a raiding party or she'd cut the number of newborns she kept around. Either way it was good news for us as the ones I saw were badly trained and very sloppy. The biggest problem would be getting the grating off the pit quickly and hauling Jazz up. I had no doubt that Maria would have been amusing herself with him. It was a pity she didn't decide to have him out to play with but I guess she thought that was just too dangerous with Bella and her gift around. I stayed very still, watching out for hidden security but if there was any it was too good for me. When I heard sounds below me I peered through the foliage then hissed quietly. Peter looked up, seeing me he smiled.

"Thank god you're here. We've got a problem" he whispered climbing up beside me.

"You mean on top of the obvious ones?"

"Yeah. Cullen told the Volturi they're here"

"How the hell did he find out?"

I looked at Peter in disbelief,

"You told him?"

"I needed help and there was no one else"

"You asked Cullen the Pacifist to help you? Had you lost your mind totally?"

"Well my mate had left me so I wasn't thinking straight"

"You moron. How long do you think we have?"

"Fuck knows, if they're coming from Italy a few hours, a day at most. If they've got anyone closer we could already be too late."

"Remind me to kick your ass later Peter."

"I'm glad you're here" he said with a smile and I couldn't help a smile in return.

Jasper

I knew what Bella had been telling me but I didn't think she stood a chance unless she had help. Was it possible that Peter had made it here? Even if he had I doubted he and Bella alone could disrupt Maria's camp enough to get me out. I wanted to speak to her again and tell her to save herself and leave me. I wasn't worth her own life. I listened but I couldn't hear anyone near except the guard Maria had put on my prison although what she thought I could do stuck in this pit I couldn't even begin to imagine but it was good to know she didn't underestimate me, even after all these years.

Bella

I couldn't keep away from Jasper for long so as soon as Maria went back inside I wandered back over, the same guard scowled but didn't try to stop me talking to my mate,

"Hey Jazz, you feeling better?

"Soon as I hear your voice darlin'. I want you to go if you get the chance. Not sure if our friends from France will know but they're good in a pinch."

I knew what he was trying to say and I took a breath before I could answer.

"Trouble is never far away you know that. Very stubborn like me"

I hope he knew what I was saying. There was no way I could even think of leaving without him. I just hoped Charlotte had a good plan.