Chapter Thirty Four

Bella

The first hour was fine, we chatted and then I dozed off again, the heater and the thrum of tires lulling me gently to sleep. I don't know how long I slept but the car suddenly sped up and Rose was shaking me urgently.

"Bella, Bella, wake up and listen. We've acquired a tail. I'm going to stop soon and I want you to get out and run, find somewhere to hide and I'll be back to find you once I shake them off. You got that?"

I nodded still a little sleepy and then turned around to look through the rear window but it was raining hard and the view was obscured.

"Who are they? Do you know?"

She shook her head then twisted the wheel suddenly and screeched to a halt.

"Go, hide. I'll be back!"

I grabbed my jacket and tumbled out of the car not waiting to see Rose drive off, instead I ran across the empty road and dived into some thick shrubbery at the side.

Hunching down and wrapping my coat around me I pulled some branches aside to peer out just in time to see the rear lights of Roses car disappear around a bend while the pursuit car a light colored sedan that was quite obviously trying to catch her came into view. I debated trying to follow them but on foot in this rain it would be almost impossible and then there was a terrible screeching of metal and a loud bang. I knew the two cars had collided and I left my hiding place to go see. There was another sharp bend and just around it I could see the two cars twisted together, two figures on the ground while a third was illuminated by the flames devouring it from within the light colored pursuit car. Which meant one of the bodies on the ground being soaked by the heavy rain was Rose. Ignoring that of my own safety I ran forward calling her name just as one of the figures stood up swaying with what looked like a leg hanging on by no more than a thread. It turned hearing my shout and I saw a male face just before Rose lifted herself up too, ready to fight, her own body looking distorted from the crash too. As she lurched towards him he hesitated, threw me another glance then made his mind up and ran for it, away into the darkness. I went to Rose's side to see her left side was badly injured, venom leaking out but she just scowled at me

"I told you to hide, Come on quick."

She grabbed my hand with her remaining working one and we half limped half ran from the scene of the crash with lights from another vehicle headed straight towards the crash scene. We tumbled into the undergrowth as the car lurched to a halt and a couple got out looking around for any casualties before phoning for the emergency services.

We crawled away further into the bushes and I tried to see how badly Rose was hurt but she just shook her head and grabbed her cell phone.

"Keep watch in case the police start searching here for casualties. I have to let the guys know what happened."

I nodded and made my way back to where I could see the road just as the police and ambulance turned up. Both cars were now engulfed in flames and I thought they were of the opinion that everyone might be trapped inside although they did split up to search the area and I was just thankful they didn't have dogs with them as I eased away as quietly as I could. Rose had finished on the phone and was straightening her buckled leg when I got back with my report.

"Lets go."

She took my hand once more and we retreated further into the wooded area Rose limping badly, one arm still hanging at an odd angle.

"You're hurt."

"Don't worry about me Bella I'll mend but for now I'm in no fit state to protect you so come on we need somewhere to hide. The guys will be here in a couple of hours at the most."

"How did you get injured? The crash?"

She shook her head,

"I left the car there hoping they'd crash into it and they did. One was trapped but the other managed to get free, we fought but he was more experienced. I think I did enough to ensure he would be slowed but he's still out there and he might come looking for us once he's healed. Unfortunately his food source is more plentiful around here than mine Bella."

I wondered if perhaps he might ambush one or more of the police out here checking the scene of the accident and hoped not. Still for now my greatest concern was Rose and finding something for her to feed on and somewhere to lay low until the guys got back to help us.

We found what must have been a children's camp built during the summer with a tarp for a roof which was reasonably waterproof and dried leaves underfoot. It wasn't much but it was a welcome respite from the pouring rain and we huddled in its shelter as I watched out for any animals but of course they too were busy hiding from the rain and I saw nothing. Rose was holding her damaged arm in position to heal and I went to help, the venom on her skin numbing my fingers and stinging but not unbearable.

"Its OK Bella, you don't have to, I can manage."

"I want to Rose, you got hurt protecting me, its the least I can do."

The rain finally eased up and Rose was able to walk with more ease so we started back to the motel deciding to hide close by and wait for the guys to get back. I was forced to stay at a distance until Rose had done three circuits of the complex to assure herself that no one was waiting there to ambush us. Much as I longed for the warmth and dry of the motel room I knew it would be foolhardy to trap ourselves in there alone so we waited as patiently as we could Rose ringing Emmett once more to tell him where we were. As she put her phone back she sighed,

"They're just landing Bella so they'll be here very soon, just a little longer to wait. From what Emmett managed to hint I think Jazz and Jay are having problems, a little jealousy maybe."

"Jealousy? I never had anything going on with Jay, he thought I was crazy."

"Yeah well I don't think Jazz is thinking very clearly where you are concerned Bella, after all you two haven't made the final commitment to each other yet have you?"

I blushed and shook my head,

"Everything happened so fast Rose, I haven't had time to stop and think yet. All I know is that I love Jasper and I need him to come back."

To my horror I found myself crying and Rose put an arm comfortingly around my shoulders pulling me close.

"He'll be here soon enough Bella, don't worry."

I closed my eyes trying to calm myself and cursing my human weakness that had made me start to cry but I felt so alone, so scared and even depressed without him. How had this crept up on me so rapidly? He had become the most important thing in my life within days of finding out what I meant to him.

I tensed every time a car drove by or pulled in to the motel parking lot hoping it would be them but it was over an hour and a half before I recognized one of the cars and the driver, my mate Jasper. Rose held me back and I saw that they weren't all back.

"Where are the others?"

"Keeping Alice and her mate safe I should think. Give them a minute to check the area then we'll go over."

In the event I didn't have to wait, instead Jasper came running over to our hiding spot and I found myself safe in his arms while Rose was picked up tenderly by Emmett and cradled in his arms.

"Bella, I'm so sorry. Are you OK?"

I nodded, well I was now he was here and I allowed him to lead me back to the motel room followed by Em and Rose to find Darius waiting for us already busy on his computer.