Chapter Nineteen

Edward

I found the disused printing works but the gate was heavily padlocked and I saw a sign warning of loose guard dogs. Was Bella in there? I stepped back and jumped the fence landing quietly on the other side, listening for the sound of paws on the compacted earth. Hearing nothing I went through the buildings one by one but they were all derelict, parts of walls caved in, doors hanging at crazy angles as the hinges rusted through, only one building looked as if it might hold something. It was the last building I checked at the far end of the compound. Its walls looked sturdy enough and the door was still intact so I approached warily all my senses alert. I couldn't hear any human heart beat or scent any vampires and I would recognise Victoria's scent easily enough. Pushing the door open I entered an office with a desk and chair in the centre and on the back wall in red paint was another address. I assumed Victoria had left the message although I couldn't smell her and cursed as I ran back out and over the security fence already tired of her games and wanting to find Bella before Victoria got tired of the game and killed her.

Bella

The fence seemed to go on for ever and my ribs slowed me down to a crawl, my hand ran along the chain link hoping with every foot to find an opening, a way out of this hell. Tripping over a timber unseen in the darkness I landed heavily on my bad arm and stifled a cry with difficulty. I swore if I got out of here alive I would never leave the house again without a torch and preferably a shotgun, I was getting a little sick of being the punch bag for the human and vampire scum. It was as I got up I saw a gleam of light in the distance, not broken up by the diamond criss cross of the fence. Saying a silent prayer I headed towards what was a break in the fence, leading out into the open. I climbed through the hole that had rusted through this portion of fence and almost fell onto the scrubby grass outside in relief.

The sky was getting lighter now and I knew it must be getting close to dawn. How long I would have to hide before Victoria found out I had gone I didn't know but I had to find a way of disguising my scent. Keeping still I listened and heard water running nearby, if I could get in the water and stay in there she might not be able to track me. It was a slim chance but the only one I had left so headed for the sound. A few minutes later I slipped off a bank into a culvert filled with cold running water. The freezing temperature made me gasp and shudder but it was the cold or Victoria, what a choice! I mentally tossed a coin, heads upstream, tails downstream. I headed downstream as quickly as I could, hoping to get as far as possible before my escape was discovered. As the sun came up I could see my surroundings, I was in a storm culvert headed away from the town into scrub land. Would I find somewhere to hide? Somewhere safe? Would Jasper find me? If not what could I do? I had no money, no phone, and no idea where in the country I was, what a mess!

Jasper

When I hit the town Charlotte had news. Peter had found Edward who was still being led a merry dance by Victoria while she had found the trail leading towards an old printing factory on the edge of town. She hadn't gone in for fear of spooking Victoria into acting hastily, putting Bella at risk. I couldn't wait for Peter to join us so Char and I went in, our keen sight not bothered by the dark all around us. We checked the buildings one by one but there was no sign of anyone being here and I began to wonder if we'd been wrong when Char called me over. In the corner of a warehouse was an office which seemed intact and I could smell Bella's scent but it was fading. The door was locked but a shoulder to it soon broke it open and inside were signs that Bella had been a prisoner here, a blanket was thrown over the mattress and the bottles of soda had all been opened although most of the contents were still inside. Baffled by this I looked around, the plastic window in the office was broken and I could smell Bella's blood, she had got through the opening and out in to the main building which meant she was on the run from Victoria somewhere, alone, frightened, and by the smell of it, hurt again.

"How did she get out through there with busted ribs and a recently healed arm?"

I shook my head unable to answer at first,

"Fear and determination I think."

Looking around I saw a few drops of blood on the floor, almost dry now, and followed them outside. Where the hell had she gone?

"Put yourself in her shoes Char, what would you do?"

She looked around and pointed,

"Head for the light."

I followed her over and by the fence we found another drop of blood.

"Now where?"

She looked both ways.

"Well she'll have followed the fence hoping for a break but she could go either way. I think we have to split up and try both ways. If you find a trail buzz me, I'll do the same."

We split up and I followed the fence to the right scouring the ground for any sign. When I came to a timber blocking the path I saw more blood, Bella had fallen over it in the dark. I buzzed Char and saw the break in the fence as she joined me and the sun banished the last of the shadows.

"Now what?"

I answered my own question hearing water running.

"She's going to try to lose Victoria in the water, hoping she wont be able to trace her, but which way?"

"Split up again I guess but keep an eye out for Victoria she must be close by."

Char went upstream while I followed the culvert down going as silently and invisibly as I could. Up ahead I saw movement then a flash of red. Victoria was searching down here for Bella too. At least she wasn't going to get to Bella before I had a chance to close the gap. Then I heard a cry of laughter

"Bella, come out. You really are a nuisance you know. Edward will be here soon and we don't want to disappoint him now do we."

There was movement from behind some rocks and Bella stood up, her hospital pyjamas soaked through and stained with blood, her jaw swollen and her arm hanging almost useless at her side, yet still she hadn't been cowed. She stood erect and defiant facing her worst nightmare and I loved her even more if that were possible. On her finger I noticed the paper ring, sodden but still there. Neither of them saw me, Victoria was focused in on Bella whose eyes were wide but more with anger than fear. If Id' been asked I would have said she looked totally pissed off.

"Go to hell Victoria. I already told you I'm not Edwards mate, I never was, you got the wrong couple."

"Really? And just who would your mate be my little kitten with claws. Who was so in love with you that they made that pathetic ring you are wearing? A little human somewhere crying for his lost little kitten?"