Chapter Sixty Two

Maria

I had a bad feeling and I never ignored these things, they'd proved right in the past and I knew better than to dismiss them now. I turned to the soldiers watching the compound,

"I want the prisoner incapacitated, now."

They turned to me,

"Permanently?"

"No you fools, I want him incapacitated not dead."

The quality of soldiers from the last batch of newborns left a lot to be desired and it made me think fondly of the old days when The Major had trained them. We never had problems with idiots then, our partnership had been an excellent one until Peter came along and after him Charlotte.

I turned seeing them still there,

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

They moved quickly then but I knew I would have to supervise or they'd either kill him or be killed themselves. They were no match for My Major, even weakened by thirst.

Bella

I turned as the guard straightened up and saw Maria approaching with an escort,

"Bella I want you to go out with these soldiers and look after them while they scout, one of my rivals is in the area and I don't want him to know I'm aware of it".

"Not a chance Maria. We had a deal and you welched on it."

She smiled and I saw a ghost of the beautiful girl that had captured Jaspers heart so long ago.

"True but I am sorry, and as a gesture of good faith I have had my guard hunt up some food"

She gestured and two came forward with a deer carcass which they threw down while I watched.

I didn't like leaving him but she had fulfilled her side of our bargain and I hoped this would strengthen him for tonight so I had to agree. As we left I saw her watching, an enigmatic smile on her face and I dragged my feet somewhat. The patrol never found a trace of her rivals scouts although they were out for a good few hours and I started to worry we wouldn't get back before night fall. In the event it was getting dusk as we returned to the compound to see the bonfires lit and the remaining human women being passed around. It sickened me and Maria smiled as she saw my face. I turned and walked out of the compound away from the screams.

Charlotte

I didn't know what had happened when Bella left the compound but from the noise it was nothing good and I just hoped we would be able to get The Major away with Peters help. He and I had discussed it and decided not to tell Bella anything until it was too late for her to panic. We knew it would be his wish that we got her away at least. When I saw her coming through the trees I watched, but she wasn't followed so I found a perch above her while Peter got into position.

"Bella, you ready?"

She lifted her left hand and brushed her hair back.

"All hell should break out in about fifteen minutes. As soon as it does, you get out. Peter's here and he'll help Jasper. He knows his way round the compound better than you. We meet up in a clearing by the river one mile North of here. Do you think you can find it?"

Her left hand raised once more. What I liked about Bella was she didn't ask stupid questions or waste time.

"OK Get back but stay by the edge of the compound ready to run as soon as it starts."

She walked away stretching as if her muscles were tense.

Peter

I'd listened in on Chars instructions and seen Bella's reaction, she was one cool customer and we needed her moving fast before I got The Major out of that pit, if I could. If she saw him she might just get the Red Mist and try killing Maria before she was really able to. Her shield was good but it wasn't offensive unless she was up against an offensive gift and here she wouldn't be. We needed to get out and away fast, we weren't in a position to fight, not yet, but I promised myself a return match with Maria and I knew I wouldn't be alone. I'd set the makeshift explosives, hopefully I'd remembered the mix, and they'd blow with plenty of noise and smoke. The smoke was the most important thing, I needed the cover of it to get to the pit and back out. I counted down, ready to run as soon as it all started.

Charlotte

I'd got some home made Molotov Cocktails at the ready, gasoline and bottles being easily scrounged in the deserted villages near Maria's compound, the humans had fled leaving everything behind and most of it wasn't interesting to the vampires, only us rebels. One thing Vampires were scared of was fire and I meant to send a storm of it down on the compound in a few seconds. As Peter's explosives started I threw the first of my bottles, aiming for the main cabins, the command centre of Maria's camp. They soon caught fire and it started to spread as Peters smoke bombs spread a thick oily screen across the compound causing panic and confusion. I saw him head in and watched as Bella ran North towards the river. I continued raining the fire down as long as supplies lasted then with a prayer for Peters safety I followed in Bella's wake.

Bella

I ran as fast as I could away from the screams and fire, the smoke making me cough until I got far enough out for fresh air, then I stopped and dragged lungfuls down coughing and spluttering. Hearing someone coming up behind fast I crouched in the long grass, then seeing Charlotte I jumped up,

"Where are the others?"

"They'll be along soon. We need to get to the river and the boat."

"Boat?"

"Its the quickest way out of here and we need to get out as quick as possible. The Volturi are on their way."

"The Volturi? How do they know where we are?"

"The Cullens, now stop asking questions and run. I'll explain later."

I knew I was holding Char back but she didn't complain, she just slung me over her back and set off again my weight hardly slowing her at all.

Peter

I remembered the compound perfectly and Chars Molotov's were working their magic as vampires ran from the flames or burned like tall flares where they stood. I crashed into the shack and leapt over the pit lid grabbing the lever and pulling on it, waiting impatiently as the lid started to slide open. As soon as I could wriggle through I dropped the unfastened end of the rope I'd brought with me down and jumped after it. At the bottom by the lights of the myriad fires now burning I could dimly make out The Major slumped in a corner and looking at his legs I saw why and swore.

"Hey Major. Up for a little trip?"

He looked up and smiled,

"Fuck you Took your time Peter."

"So sorry, stopped to do a spot of sight seeing."

I swung him onto my back ignoring his hiss of pain and started back up the ladder arm over arm,

"Just like old times"

He laughed,

"Yeah, I'd forgotten how much fun it was."

We reached the top and I pressed the lever again, it might slow Maria down if she thought Jazz was still down there. This chaos could be the result of her rivals, at least that's what I hoped as I ran.