I started working again the following September. I hadn't regained any more memories but Edward and I had continued to grow closer. When I went back to work Esme started to watch the kids. I always felt like I was being watched but I hadn't seen James anymore. Everyone was being extra vigilant though because his body was never found.
On my birthday Edward took me to a special dinner. He had Esme and Carlisle watch the kids. We went to a nice restaurant where Edward had made reservations. We ate and danced most of the night. On the way home I fell asleep. When I woke up I as wearing a button up shirt and jogging pants. There was a note on the nightstand.
Had to go into work early. Breakfast is in the fridge. Have a good day at work.
I don't know why but that simple note, those three simple sentences meant a lot to me. For the first time since I had come home I started to feel like I loved Edward. Very quickly after coming home we had become close friends but this simple little note made me fall in love with him.
I looked at the clock. I technically didn't have to get up for another 15 minutes but decided to get up anyway. I took a shower and headed to the kitchen. Edward had left the coffee pot on and a fruit salad for me in the fridge. After eating I got my stuff in the car and headed into work. The morning was uneventful. After lunch I had two Shakespeare classes.
As I was lecturing in the first one an announcement came over the PA system, "Ms. Beretta please report to the office. Ms. Beretta please report to the office."
I ran to the door and quickly turned off the light switch and locked the door, "Kids" I said this quietly as I headed back to my desk, "Get in the corner. Stay down and be quiet." I pointed where I wanted them to go as I started shutting down my computer and the projector.
"What's-"
I cut the student off, "Now, no questions"
I headed to the windows and pulled the blinds shut then headed back to the door and put the magnet over the window. I then head over to the desk and using the light from my phone I grabbed the red folder from my bottom drawer. I found the green paper and walked back over to the door with it. I slid it so it was halfway under the door and halfway in the classroom then went and sat by the kids.
"What's going on?" One of the kids whispered panicked.
I hesitated but knew it would get worse if I didn't say anything, "That's the code for active shooter. I'm hoping it's just a false alarm." I took a deep breath, "Does everybody have your phone ringers off?"
Everybody nodded so I just sat there and waited. After a few minutes I heard sirens and I knew it wasn't a drill. After an hour with no texts from the school I checked the news. I knew by this point it wasn't a false alarm. It didn't take me long to find information.
Lincoln High School is currently on lockdown due to an active shooter. Police have confirmed that this is not a false alarm or drill. Paramedics and two local doctors, one an emergency room doctor and the other a pediatrician, are on site for any injuries. At this time there is believed to be one dead and three injured but there are no exact numbers. There are police and swat on site as well. We will keep you updated throughout the day.
I turned my head and saw the kids looking at me expectantly. I could tell they were hoping that I would tell them that it was a false alarm or drill. I just locked my phone and looked away. We sat there for a couple more hours before I checked the news again.
Update: The two doctors on site are the best from a local hospital. We are being told they are Edward and Carlisle Cullen. We have been told that police are going through the building looking for the shooter. They should finish up in about half an hour. At that time they will start to evacuate the building. Students will be loaded on busses and taken to Angel's Embrace Church about 5 miles from the school. Police are asking parents to go there. We will update you as we learn more.
As I sat there I was hit by another memory. This one was weird because normally to remember I would have to be in a similar situation. But this one I was in a completely different situation.
I was sitting in an old truck on the side of the road. It was cold and storming. The truck wouldn't start. Emmett was on a date with Rose, Charlie was out of town, Carlisle was working, Esme was volunteering, and Alice and Jasper were spending the night in Port Angeles over for a sale the next day. Edward was the only one who was available for help. We had gotten in a big fight a few days before and I didn't want to speak to him. Finally I broke down and called him. He was by my truck within a matter of minutes and determined that it needed to be towed. He drove me back to his house and called a tow truck while I took a shower and warmed up. When I came downstairs he had his guitar. As soon as he saw me, he started to sing.
Just One more moment, that's all that's needed.
Like wounded soldiers in need of healing.
Time to be honest, this time I'm pleading
Please don't dwell on it, cause I didn't mean it.
I can't believe I said I'd lay our love on the ground
But it doesn't matter cause I've made it up forgive me now
Everyday I spend away my soul's inside out
Gotta be someway that I can make it up to you now, somehow.
By now you'd know that I'd come for you
No one but you, yes I'd come for you
But only if you told me to
And I'd fight for you
I'd lie, it's true
Give my life for you
You know I'd always come for you.
I was blindfolded, but now I'm seeing
My mind was closing, now I'm believing
I finally know just what it means to let someone in
To see the side of me that no one does or ever will
So if you're ever lost and find yourself all alone
I'd search forever just to bring you home,
Here and now this I vow.
By now you'd know that I'd come for you
No one but you, yes I'd come for you
But only if you told me to
And I'd fight for you
I'd lie, it's true
Give my life for you
You know I'd always come for you
You know I'd always come for you.
No matter what gets in my way
As long as there's still life in me
No matter what, remember you know I'll always come for you.
Yes I'd come for you, no one but you,
Yes I'd come for you
But only if you told me to.
And I'd fight for you
I'd lie, it's true
Give my life for you
You know I'd always come for you.
No matter what gets in my way
As long as there's still life in me
No matter what, remember you know I'll always come for you
I'd crawl across this world for you
Do anything you want me to
No matter what, remember you know I'll always come for you
You know I'll always come for you.
That memory did it. I was completely in love with Edward. A few more hours passed and I heard three distinctive pops in the hall. I knew instinctively that it was the sound of a gun firing. I jumped up and grabbed the fold up table that ran along the wall behind the kids. With their help I was able to lay it on its side so it was in front of the kids. I then ran to a nearby bookshelf. I pushed it in front of the kids. I then grabbed another nearby bookshelf and pushed it in front of the kids. It fit perfectly so it looked like the bookshelves were just pushed against the wall.
I crawled over to my desk, grabbed a pair of scissor, and hid underneath it. While I was under my desk I heard the kids shuffling around but I couldn't tell what they were doing. It wasn't long before I heard several gunshots and glass breaking. Then I heard the door handle turn. The door opened, the room flooded with light, and the shooter stepped in the room.
"Bella" I knew that voice, "I know you're in here. I had to kill a lot of people to find out that information." It was without a doubt James, "Come out please"
After a few seconds I heard the sound of several gunshots. He was using an automatic weapon. I heard the sound of splintering wood and knew he was firing at the bookshelves.
I hid the scissors up my sleeve and jumped up, "Please stop!" I cried desperately.
I glanced over at the bookshelf. It was riddled with bullet holes.
He seemed really calm, "It's good to see you Bella. I've missed you." He lowered his weapon.
"I've missed you too." I thought it would be best to play along.
He raised his weapon and aimed it at me, "Don't lie to me!" The calmness was gone, "I've been watching you! I know you haven't missed me! I gave you everything and you threw me away like I was trash! You broke my heart!"
"I'm sorry"
He was once again calm, "It's too late for sorry. You have to pay."
He fired. I felt a searing pain as I fell to the floor. I stopped breathing and played dead as he walked closer to me.
"I'm really sorry I had to do that to you but you had to pay."
I could feel his breath on my face and knew this was my chance. In one move I pulled the scissors out of my sleeve and jammed them in his neck. He screamed and stumbled backwards. I jumped up ignoring the pain in my left shoulder. I ran at him. He was only a few inches away. I tackled him and landed on top of him. The gun landed just out of his reach. He easily pushed me off and I landed about a foot away. He grabbed the gun and fired at me again. This time the bullet hit my chest. When it did I could barely breathe. He stood up and started to walk towards me. I could see blood running down his neck and knew he wasn't going to last much longer.
He raised his gun, "Goodbye Bella"
I heard a shot. Instead of a searing pain I saw James go down. I looked towards the doorway and saw a SWAT officer. Several people rushed into the room. Some were SWAT, some were cops.
"I need the doctors in room 319." One cop said into his radio.
Another cop knelt next to me, "It's going to be okay." He pressed down on one of my wounds.
I coughed and when I did I felt something dribble down my chin. A couple paramedics ran into the room and straight for me.
"No" My voice was barely a whisper, "The kids" I pointed weakly towards the bookshelf.
Some cops and the paramedics went over to the bookshelf as Edward entered the room. He ran straight to me and dropped to his knees.
"Oh, god" I could see tears running down his face.
With the last ounce of strength I had I took my final breath and whispered, "I love you."
As I closed my eyes I heard him say, "I love you too Bella"