Chapter Seven

Bella

When I got back in my truck I opened my bottle of painkillers and shook one out into the palm of my hand, small, white, with a line across the center, the same as the others I thought until I shook one of them out to lay beside it. They looked the same but the one from my bottle was much more creamy in color and slightly larger. I shook more from the cafe bottle but the difference was the same. My pills were different and I had no idea how or why. Putting the ones from my apartment back in the bottle I screwed the top on tightly and threw them in the glove box, I'd worry about them later. For now I needed to get moving again. I had no idea how long I would have to drive or how I was going to find this Peter but I'd trusted Alice this long so I had to carry on. Turning back onto the Interstate I put my foot down and drove on, the nagging pain in my back easing a little although I felt sick. Maybe fritters hadn't been such a good idea, funnily enough I rarely had them at all but they'd looked so good and I really enjoyed them. I switched the radio on and a country station came through, it wasn't my favorite music but it was easy listening and the Southern accent of the DJ reminded me of Jasper so I left it on. I wondered if I would ever see him again and return the things I'd salvaged from the Cullen house to him. I drove on for another hour before deciding I needed to stop again, I felt sick and I needed to use the rest room so I pulled in to a Truck Stop and locking the truck went into the restaurant deciding to get a coffee while I was here. As I went through into the rest room I remembered I'd left my cell phone in the truck but decided I needed to throw up more than I needed to fetch it, I just hoped it wouldn't get stolen but knowing my luck it would be, it was probably worth more than the truck now anyway. All thoughts of phones and trucks disappeared as I ran for the bowl, a hand over my mouth.

Peter

We'd been driving for about two hours when Char called to me,

"What?"

"A battered red truck look, at the rest area on the other side"

We'd gone past by now but Char insisted we turn round at the next opportunity and go back,

"It'll probably be gone by the time we get there"

"Well if it has we'll try to catch up now go and stop whining"

I grumbled but turned us around as soon as I could and we went South. I'd already decided I wasn't going any further on this wild goose chase. If it wasn't Bella, god what was I saying? It wouldn't be, then I was driving back home. Alice Cullen could go fuck herself.

"There Peter. Pull in, look its got Washington plates. An old battered red truck, just like Alice said"

"Darlin' there are hundreds of battered trucks on this road and a lot are red or rusty."

"Not with Washington plates."

I threw my hands up in exasperation,

"OK, go find the mysterious Bella. I'll wait here."

She glared at me and got out slamming the door before walking off to the Restaurant. I'd give it five minutes tops before she found out the truck's driver was a whisker sprouting kid of about eighteen with acne and a missing front tooth!

Bella

Feeling better after throwing up and rinsing my mouth with cold water I decided to chance a coffee and sat on a stool by the window. I saw a car pull up and after a few seconds a beautiful young woman got out and slammed the door. It looked like a lovers tiff and I had to smile, life was going on as normal in the world around me. The woman looked at my truck curiously and I wondered if she had noticed my phone, she didn't look like the type who would steal anything but I guess you never know. She looked around and then walked into the restaurant looking round and paying a lot of attention to a young woman sitting alone at a booth near the back. I wondered if it were an older sister looking for her or something then turned back and sipped my coffee. It tasted good although I wasn't sure my empty stomach would be as happy with it. Then hearing a discreet cough I looked up to see the woman standing beside me,

"I'm sorry to bother you but is that your truck outside, the red one?"

I nodded noticing how pale she was, and wearing sunglasses despite the overcast day.

"In that case are you Bella?"

I looked up shocked,

"Why?"

"This is going to sound quite bizarre but I think we have a friend in common"

"Oh really? Look I don't have any money so if this is a scam go annoy someone else."

She took the stool beside me and ordered coffee,

"Would you like another?"

I shook my head again and went to get up but she touched my hand with hers and I stopped shocked, looking at the pale, slender, ice-cold fingers, touching the back of my hand on the counter. I sat back down slowly,

"Maybe I will have that coffee."

She smiled at me in relief.

"Thank you Bella. I've been looking for you."

"Oh why?"

"Alice Cullen"

I looked around,

"Are you alone?"

"No, my husband is waiting outside"

"What's his name?"

"Peter, Peter Whitlock and I'm Charlotte."

Those names rang a bell...the photographs, then I recognised her face.

"Well Charlotte maybe you can tell me what's going on because I'm frankly baffled. Alice told me to drive South and I'd meet a Peter. That I was in danger"

"From Carlisle Cullen, we know."

"Did she tell you why?"

She nodded apprehensively,

"Are you going to tell me? Or is it a secret?"

"It's a little awkward really. Have you seen Jasper recently?"

"Jasper Hale? Alice's Jasper? No, not for a long time but I am looking for him"

"Oh why?"

"I have some of his things I salvaged from the Cullen house in Forks. It looked like he and Alice had a fight, at least I think it was her who destroyed most of his stuff."

"So how come you have it?"

"I went there looking for clues about Carlisle's whereabouts"

"Oh why?"

"You haven't answered my question yet"

"Why are you looking for Carlisle and Jasper?"

"I think I'll be going now. Its been nice talking to you Charlotte."

I got up and threw some money down for my coffee before making for the door.

"Bella please. We want to help you."

I turned back,

"You're about a two hundred miles and a thousand years too late Charlotte, but thanks anyway."

I went back to my truck unlocking the door to get in before realizing I wasn't alone.