Bella's POV:
I woke up to the familiar smell of freshly brewed coffee. The sweet familiar aroma caused me to groan before turning on the bed, on to my stomach.
I peeked through my lashes and found the time on the alarm clock placed on the bedside table saying it was a quarter before four in the morning.
Damn, the earlier we started the earlier we could come back.
With a sigh, I pushed the blankets off of me, rolled off the bed, and pulled out a pair of army green cargo capris, a thin cotton gray T-shirt with a white tank top under that, and a pair of thick cotton socks.
I quickly changed, and drank my coffee, unable to savor it like I want to, before pulling my hair away from my face.
By the time Edward walks back into the room, I'm shoving my feet into my hiking boots.
" G'Mornin'." He said, as he walked towards the table.
"Good morning." I greet him back. "So, where are we going to start?" I asked, sipping my delicious coffee as I stared at him, waiting for a reply.
"Well, I've spent the last two hours searching for hiking gear we failed to bring, luckily, I found a store a few streets over that sells such things, but unfortunately they won't be open for another three hours." He says, taking the other cup and taking a sip from it.
"I see… what exactly are you expecting this to be? It's a forest, you hardly need to climb, anything here. If anything, what you do need is to get a canteen of water, sunscreen, and some food, because that's essential, but that's about it." I said, rolling my eyes at him as I pulled the small backpack onto my lap.
He raises an eyebrow at me in question.
"If you plan on taking your gun, make sure it's not visible, otherwise the tribe, any of the surrounding ones, will see you as a threat and get on the defensive." I inform, eyeing the butt of his gun, which happens to be sticking out of the waistband of his pants.
" I underestimated how observant you truly are." He commented dryly.
I snorted in response, before showing him what I brought with me. "My father's lucky compass." I whispered, showing him the object in my hand.
I watched him tilt his head to the side curiously, and look down at the small gold compass. I could feel his gaze on my wrist, causing my skin to break out in goose pimples, despite the fact that the room was warm from the sun beaming through the window.
" I have a question." I whispered, closing my hand around the compass and lowering it, before slipping it into my pocket.
"Ask away." He replied as he walked over to his bed and plopping down, before he looked up at me expantantly.
I then noticed he too was wearing something similar to what I was, from the thick socks, to the pants.
"How close were you to your friend, the missing one?" I asked, staring out the window.
"We all met in the army. Completed two tours together. Then when we got out a few of us went back to school, we were on our way to a class and we saw a flyer, they were looking for certain things, and I got interested and decided to go. The rest is history as the saying says." He replied shrugging.
"I see.." I replied, trailing off, looking at the time. "Are you ready to go?" I asked suddenly.
"Bella, it's a few hours before everything is opened. We do need to take at least some food for later…" He mumbled dryly.
"The bistro two streets over sells sandwiches and fruit. It opens at half past six. Come on, let's see what they do have so we can start the search. We're wasting valuable daylight." I say, grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder.
I can hear him grumble something as he gets to his feet and follows me out the door.
When I look back at him I notice he has our bags from last night and a brown leather satchel hanging from his body.
"What are you doing?" I asked as we stopped at the car.
"Always be prepared for a quick get away." He mumbled as he struggled to open the trunk with his key.
I nodded in response, before snatching the keys from him, and quickly shoving the key in, smiling angelically at him as the trunk popped opened.
He scoffed and rolled his eyes at me as I watched him unlock and lift the bottom part of the trunk to reveal a hidden compartment next to where the spare wheel does. He shoves both our bags into the small compartment before slamming it closed, and grabbing the glock that was hidden by the lid closure.
"Put this in there. If something happens to me I want you to run and don't look back." he instructs, pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to me.
"What's this?" I ask, gulping at his words.
"If something happens to me, call this number and ask for Jasper Whitlock, he'll help you." He says, stepping closer to me.
"Edward, you're starting to scare me." I whisper, feeling sweat gather on the nape of my neck, though that could be due to the warm weather we are experiencing.
"I'm not trying to. I'm just being honest with you. I need to prepare you, in case of an emergency." He says.
"Nothing is going to happen." I say fiercely, looking down at my boots, trying to keep the sudden panic and fear I feel away.
"Bella, no. Look at me." He says, though I hear him far away. "Look at me." He says again, firmly, this time pulling my chin up to make me look at him. "Nothing will happen, I promise. I just need you to be prepared in case something does." He says, in a low tone.
His tone of voice briefly reminding me of hot melted chocolate, smooth and dare I say, sweet?
I nod, feeling dazed, as I stare up at his deep-sea green orbs.
When he turns around to lock the compartment and the trunk, I let out a small breath and fan myself before he turns back around.
"Are you ready to go?" He asks me.
I nod, dumbly, and begin to follow him as he walks across the parking lot.
We don't speak again until we arrive at the small bistro. I can feel my mouth begin to water as the smell of chocolate wafting through the air hits my nose.
Damn the cocoa bean and my weakness for it!
We quickly buy a few sandwiches, fruit, water and juices before we walk back in the direction of the Motel.
"Wait here, I'm going to speak to Falvio, I'll be back shortly." He instructs as we reach the outside of the building.
I nod in response, turning to look at the woodland area across the street from the motel, or more specifically at the familiar sign which happened to be in Portuguese.
'Cuidado com o perigo' Or Danger Beware.
Without thinking I slowly began walking towards the woodlands, into the familiar path leading into the thicker greenery. I could feel the relief of familiarity as I walked deeper into the trees , marveling at nature's beauty.
I let out a small gasp as I reached the small babbling brooke.
"I thought I told you to wait outside?" I heard someone say, behind me.
I gasped jumping up in surprise as he chuckled at my response.
" What the hell is wrong with you?!" I gasped, pressing a hand onto my chest in an attempt to calm my racing heart.
"Me? What about you? I asked you to wait for me…why did you do that? What if something had happened to you?" He asked, towering over me.
"I'm sorry…" I mumbled, my eyes tearing up.
He sighed, "No, I'm the one who would be sorry, for yelling at you.. it's just...being away from you… It made me anxious." He explained.
I stand there awkwardly, not knowing what to respond. How can he get anxious if he doesn't see me? I was fine. I gave up trying to decipher what he meant and gestured for him to follow me.
"Come on, we are wasting valuable daylight…" I mutter, shaking the confusion out of my head and walking toward the rocks that were placed along the brooke.