Edward's POV:
Fuck! Just what exactly happened to Charles Swan and Renata Vancanti? There were too many holes in the description of the scene of the crime.
Who even found them? Why was Bella with them and not the tribe? Why were they the only ones killed?
Was it a case of 'wrong place at the wrong time' or were they slaughtered before their daughter for an ulterior motive? Or did they die trying to protect their daughter?
I call Jasper to see how everyone is… and to inform him of what Aro had done. Fucker laughed his ass off when I told him. My pixie of a sister then snatched the phone away from Jazz and began pestering me. So I hung up.
Now, I am expecting a call from my overdramatic mother. Funny thing, is she won't be able to reach me for a while, after tonight, we go off the grid.
No more calls, or contacting them unless it's absolutely necessary.
When I am done using the phone I crush it with the sole of my boot and turn off one of the laps to make the room darker. Then proceeded to pull off my shoes and socks followed by my shirt and pants before putting on a muscle shirt and some basketball shorts, quickly stuffing the clothes into my bag.
When I am finished, I look out the window to check for any abnormalities outside of the motel.
Falvio, the motel manager informed me earlier, that nights were usually quietly around here, with an occasional couple checking in for some shady rendezvous.
Everything seemed fine. So, I sat down and stared down at the maps, and possible trails Aro had provided me with.
"The bathroom is ready." Bella says as she walks out in a navy blue tshirt, no bra, and a pair of shorts that hit the top of her thighs, showing off the smooth creamy skin on her legs. I even notice the dark pair of socks on her tiny feet.
It makes me wonder if her size is close to a size four or five. I will make a note to check that out later.
All thoughts go out the window, when I see her attire, I bite down onto my lip to hold back the groan that threatens to leave my lips, and stand up grabbing a pair of boxers before rushing into the bathroom for a shower.
After a very cold shower, and some time to clear my head. I walk out of the bathroom and sit back in the chair by the window with the small lamp lit. I begin scanning the maps and trails once more, hoping to decide which trail we should begin looking at in the morning.
"Those aren't going to help at all, you know." I heard Bella call from one of the beds.
Fuck. She's still awake.
"How would you know?" I asked, scowling at her and then at the maps on the small table.
"Erhm… well for one, those trails all lead to different tribes… leading towards the Pantanal Wetlands...you're going to end up in the wrong tribe or get lost for days." She states, matter of factly.
"Wrong way?" I ask looking down at the map, and looking back up at her quickly.
When did she see these?
'Probably during your cold shower.' My conscience snarked.
In my moment of daze, I didn't notice her climb off of the bed, which is good because she unintentionally flashed me earlier, giving me a nice view of her round creamy posterior.
"Yes. You're heading southeast. The tribe is located northeast. Just past this river here." She said, pointing to the map.
Damn, Aro was right. I really do need her here.
"How do you know all of this?" I asked her amazed.
" I grew up here. I might have left but my heart never fully left." She shrugged sadly, before heading to bed.
I avert my gaze, looking back down to the map before sighing and putting it away, and heading to the empty bed.
I'm unconscious as soon as my head hits the pillow.
I wake up sometime later to a small whimper coming from the other bed, my eyes snap open as I quickly take in the scene before me.
Bella is curled into a fetal position, and she is shaking uncontrollably.
"Bella?" I call, to see if she is asleep or awake.
She whimpers again, pulling the blanket tighter around her. Fuck! She must be having a bad dream.
I quickly throw the blankets off of me and slowly try to wake her up by shaking her only for her to start thrashing around on the bed, and lift up her dainty little foot to connect with my nuts.
"Ah. Fuck!" I groan, cupping myself just as her foot lifts up and connect once more with my nuts, this time a small squeak escaping my lips.
I look at her, frowning before I pull the blankets off and shake her shoulders gently.
"Bella, wake up!" I call, straining from the pain.
I'm debating whether or not to slap her lightly when a small gasp leaves her and her eyes widen when they meet mine.
"What happened?" She asks, frightened.
"You kicked me in the groin twice." I deadpan. "
…not that that matters, you were also having a bad dream…"
"Sorry..." She whispers, flushing.
"It's ok. I'll survive. How are you feeling?" I ask, concerned, even as my groin felt as if it was throbbing painfully, and not in a good way.
She pulls the blanket back to herself before she looks up at me. "I'll be alright." She whispers, tiredly.
"Go back to sleep. It's still early." I reply tiredly, limping back towards my bed.
"When will we be leaving to look for the tribe?" She asks quietly.
"In a few hours. Get some rest." I tell her, as I lay down.
I lay there unable to sleep after that. Worried about this entire situation. Which only made me have more questions about her parents. Just what did Bella witness? Whatever it was, it must have been quite traumatic.
My mind only reeled more as I thought about the situation back at HQ. I realized that I needed answers and to get those I had to find Seth and Logan, that meant I had to put everything to rest and focus on the task at hand.
With a sigh I pushed the blankets off of me once more, grabbed my clothes and went to take yet another shower to begin the day.
Something tells me it's going to be a long day, and I'm not looking forward to it...