I still get nightmares. In fact, I get them so often I should be used to them by now. I'm not. No one ever really gets used to nightmares.
Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves
BELLA'S POVAction filled the screen with James Bond in a hovercraft chasing the evil Dr. Blindside in hopes of regaining a top secret power crystal. Why did I let Sammie talk me into to coming?
Once the credits started rolling, I said, "I want to go home, Sammie, I haven't spent much time with Danielle and Matthew this month, and I really need to spend time with them before I go to Scotland."
"Come on, Bella, a quick stop to eat then I'll take you home."
"No. I don't want anything to eat. I want to go home."
"Okay, okay. Cool, your jets. I'll take you home."
A half hour later, I was bidding Sammie good-bye. "Danielle, Matthew, I'm home. Do you want to play a game or watch a movie?"
"Isabella, run… hide. Don't stop running until you know no one is following you," Danielle yelled from the kitchen.
Thinking nothing serious was wrong, I headed toward the kitchen. Matthew lay in a pool of purple blood, gripping his chest when I entered. I screamed at the sight, looking up and into the kitchen.
"Run," Danielle yelled at me again as a knife descended twice in rapid succession.
The intruder turned, wiping the knife on his shirt sleeve. He gave me a full view of his twisted face. There was a faint scar above his right eye and it went in a downward path to just below the left side of his face under his chin.
I screamed again and ran, running up the front stairs.
Where to hide? Hall closet… it's too small. Bathroom… no, the lock is broken. I dove under my bed hoping whoever was downstairs would leave me be.
"Run if you can, Isabella, I will find you. You will never get away from me," the man said, his voice gruff and harsh.
I put my hand over my mouth to prevent the scream that was building from escape. I had to stay quiet.
Someone walked into the room, and I let out a scream as the bed skirt rose.
EDWARD'S POVFinally in my room for the night, I turned on my CD player. Debussy's wonderful piano music soothed me as I tried to read. My mind kept replaying what Alice saw and what everyone had said. There was nothing I could do about my split second decision, all I could do be there for Bella. Protect her in any way I could from whatever the fallout would be.
Around midnight, Bella's screams pulled me from my room and to hers. My family was right behind me.
"I'll check it out," I whispered.
They stopped where they were and watched as I entered the dark room, closing the door slightly behind me.
Bella screamed again as I approached her sleeping form. With my enhanced sight, I could clearly see everything in the room. When my eyes landed on Bella's face, it was contorted in fear, much like the day I took her to Carlisle. Something was wrong, and I again try to breach her mind… nothing.
"Bella, it's all right," I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. She screamed again, shooting up.
My hand blurred as I withdrew it.
"Bella," I said again, kneeling beside the bed in an attempt not to scare her further. "I'm not going to hurt you."
I watched as Bella looked around, taking in her surroundings before turning to me. "Edward?" she said, throwing her arms around me and sobbing into my shoulder.
I rubbed comforting circles on her back. "It was only a nightmare," I whispered. "It wasn't real."
"Yes it is," she said, crying even harder.
I stiffened momentarily. It was real! What?
"Careful, Edward." Jasper thoughts entered my mind.
He was sensing my curiosity no doubt.
"She's terrified. No sudden movements," he said. "Continue doing what you are."
"Let her cry." Rosalie and Alice both threw at me.
Alice added a moment later, "I can't see her talking about whatever it is right now, but she will."
"How is she?" Carlisle and Esme asked in unison.
"Not sure," I whispered so low that Bella couldn't possibly hear.
Bella's head shot up unexpectedly. "Who are you talking to?" she asked.
I gave her a confused look. "Do you want to talk about it?" I asked, instead of answering her question.
BELLA'S POVWarmth surrounded me, and somehow I knew Edward held me. He was soothing me, but the very real nightmare wouldn't vanish. There was a soft murmured in my left ear, almost like a buzzing bee. Had he spoken?
Pulling away from his chest,I asked who he was talking to.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, evading my question.
Of course, I wanted to talk about it but not with him. "I know it's late but do you think you could take me to the base. I need to talk to Daniela and Charlie."
He turned to look at the door and then back at me. "Are you sure? You can talk to me or even Carlisle," Edward suggested, his eyes softening as his hand moved along my spine.
"No. I need to speak with them about my nightmare and the phone won't do," I said.
"Okay. I'll drive you. Give a few minutes to dress and to let my parents know. Met me downstairs in five," he said, standing.
After dressing simply in sweatpants and shirt, I made my way downstairs.
Carlisle was at the foot of the stairs. He looked like he was debating going up them. He gazed traveled up and his eyes met mine. I could see fatherly concern shining in his gold eyes. "Bella, are you sure I can't help you?"
He was wearing a black silk pajama set with a silver robe tied over the top. I knew he meant well, but without context he wouldn't be able to help me.
"I'm sure. I have spoken with my godfather and Daniela about this nightmare before, and they know a little about why I might be having it. It would be best to talk to them. Thanks for offering to listen, though," I said.
EDWARD'S POVIt was a silent drive to the base. I desperately wanted to encourage Bella to talk to me, but Jasper said he felt absolute terror from her when she woke. Jasper was rarely wrong, so I remained quiet. Although, I wondered what the nightmare was and why Bella thought it was real.
Pulling up to the guard shack, I hit the button to roll down the window. Bella leaned across me, her scent wafting up to fill my nostrils. I didn't move or breathe.
"Hi, Clyde. I need to speak with my godfather, Charlie Swan," she said.
"You know the rules, Ms. Swan," Clyde said. "And, for the time being, they apply to you, too."
Bella's head dropped. "I know, but this is an emergency."
Clyde eyed her and then me. "I can't go against procedure," he thought.
"Please," I said. "Bella had a nightmare and needs Charlie's reassurances it wasn't real."
"It will be Captain Swan's call," Clyde reluctantly said. He allowed us through the gate to park in the visitor's lot near the shack.
Bella fell quiet, playing with edge of her sweatshirt. She looked up every few seconds, and when Charlie came into view, she was out of the car rushing to him before I could even blink.
CHARLIE'S POVThe ringing of my cell woke me from a sound sleep. Grabbing it, I looked at the time, nearly one in the morning, and it was the front gate. The guards knew I wasn't to be disturbed unless it was for a damn good reason.
"Captain Swan," I answered.
"I'm sorry to wake you Captain Swan, but Isabella is here. She is demanding to speak with you. I asked her and a Mr. Cullen to wait inside the gate. Should I send them back on their way?" he asked.
"No," I replied. "I'll be right there." I dragged myself out of bed and threw on some sweatpants over my gym shorts.
The brisk walk helped to wake me up. Hopefully, whatever Isabella needed would be quick and I could send her back to safety. Jaurdena and her team were having no success on back tracing the email or phone message, so it still wasn't safe for Isabella to be on the base.
"Isabella," I said, wrapping her up in my arms. She was trembling. I glanced over at Edward. He shrugged and shook his head. "What are you doing here?"
"The nightmare is back, Charlie," she whispered.
I kept an arm wrapped around her and started walking toward Daniela's quarters. With a quick glance behind me, I saw Edward following with his hands stuffed in his jeans pockets. It pleased and worried me that he drove her and, for some reason, I felt he would be the one to help her remember the murderer her mind was trying to bring to justice.
The light was on in the window of Daniela's quarters, and she opened the door before I even pressed the doorbell.
"I was about to turn in when I saw you approaching. Bella," Daniela said, pulling Bella out of my embrace and hugging her. "Come in, and you, too, young man."
Bella's back went rigid. She must have forgotten Edward brought her.
Daniela motioned for us to sit on the couch as she plopped down in an armchair. Edward sat on Bella's left as I sat on her right.
"What's wrong?" Daniela asked.
"The nightmare," Bella replied simply.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Do you remember anything that could be helpful?" I asked. Reopening my eyes, I noticed Edward's wrinkled nose and creased eyebrows.
Had Bella not told him about the nightmare?
"I think so," Bella replied. She took a breath and let it out before turning to Daniela. "He had a faint scar above his right eye. The scar crossed to the left side of his face, stopping under his chin. I'm not sure if I told you that before."
Daniela picked up a notebook from the coffee table and leafed through it. "I don't see any mention in my notes," she said a moment later before writing the new information down. "Was the scar straight or ragged?"
Bella was talking to Daniela about what she witnessed. Why didn't I know?
"I don't know," Bella responded, putting her head in her hands.
Edward's right hand went to her back, rubbing soothing circles while he left came to a rest on top of her left hand. Bella relaxed a little.
Interesting.
"This was big, Isabella. You should be proud," I said, knowing she was still frightened. Warning bells went off in my head a little too late.
Her head shot up. "Proud," she yelled, turning head to face me. "I should be proud I am haunted by this nightmare of what I witnessed. Or because I remembered something that may or may not be helpful… may or may not be true."
"No, not proud," I said, backpedaling. "You recalled something big that will be helpful in finding the killer. Whoever slaughtered your guardians will pay." I glanced at Edward as his eyes went wide and understanding flashed across his face.
Looking back at Isabella her eyes were seething and filling with tears. Edward turned her and drew her to his chest as the tears spilled over. He glanced at me again. His eyes seemed to be telling me not to worry, he would protect her.
EDWARD'S POVBella's guardians were slaughtered, and she saw who killed them. No wonder she didn't want to talk to me or Carlisle. She would have had to explain.
"Oh no! What have I done?" Charlie thought. "I shouldn't have said anything about her guardians. Once she realized Edward knows, she's going to hate me."
I drew Bella to me. Within minutes her tears were soaking through my shirt and she was fisting it. Glancing over her head at Charlie, I tried to convey I protect her with my life, well un-life.
Charlie looked relieved.
Several minutes passed and no one said anything. During the silence, I felt Bella still. "She cried herself to sleep," I said in a low voice after a few more minutes.
"Edward, I shouldn't have said what I did with you here. She has been through a great deal these last two years. First her grandmother died, then she found out the clan arranged her marriage, and finally the murder of her guardians. The last she does not remember much about, but she did walk in as it was happening." He shook his head before continuing, "It comes out as a nightmare every so often as her mind tries to sort it out. Please don't ask her about it. Let her come to you."
"I promise. I better get her back where she'll be safe. I take it whoever murdered her guardians hasn't been caught," I asked, gathering Bella up into my arms.
It was a while before Charlie answered. "No. I believe he's the one terrorizing Bella."
"Can I share this information with my father?" I asked as we walked back to the parking lot.
"Please do. This might happen again, and I want her to be able to talk to someone if Daniela or I are not available." We were back at my car, and Charlie opened the passenger door for me so I could put Bella in. I shook his hand and thanked him for seeing us.