Here we are again … I'm embarking on a new journey of a fanfiction story. This time, we're going with a post-apocalyptic vibe. I recently watched The 100 on Netflix. I'd been intrigued to write a story based off that show/series of novels. I decided to write it for NaNoWriMo. I'd starting almost halfway through the month, but I'm determined to, at least, get something going. My goal is to finish the story for NaNoWriMo July Camp …

Chapter Nineteen: At the Mountain

Edward

I was sitting at my desk, trying to make plans for Bella's rescue, but coming up with nothing. I was angry, scared, and sick with worry. I had to save her. I absolutely had to.

Think, brain think!

"Newton to Cullen," Mike called over the radio. "You've got some visitors."

"I'm busy," I snapped to myself. I picked up the radio, keeping my voice even. "I'm working, Mike."

"You'll want to see these visitors," Mike pressed.

"Unless it's Jacob, returning Bella, I don't want to see anyone," I snarled. "I've got to figure out how to save her and being interrupted? Not. Helping." I went to turn off the radio when it crackled again.

"Edward, it's your mother … please, let me see you. It's been so long and from I'm hearing, I'm worried about you," Mom said. "Your father and I both are."

I leaned forward, pinching my nose. Hearing my mother's sweet voice made my heart lurch, missing her and my father. It also made me want their comfort, even if I didn't deserve it. Bella was taken under my watch. I promised her that I'd keep her safe, and I'd failed. I'd failed her in the worst possible way. "I don't deserve your support or your love … I failed her, Mom." I swiped my fingers under my cheeks and wiped away tears. "I'll meet you in the dining hall. Cullen out."

I picked up my radio, clipping it to my belt and standing up on shaky legs. I walked to the elevator, punching in the code and rode up to the dining hall. I saw my parents speaking to Renee and Sinclair. I walked over to them. My mother's green eyes welled with tears as she ran to me, throwing her arms around my neck. She clung to me, sobbing quietly into my shoulder. I awkwardly patted her back, looking at my father.

"Es, you're smothering Edward," Dad said, gently tugging her away.

"I needed to make sure he was real," she sniffled, wiping her tears. "You look good, son. Healthy, but haunted."

"Bella was taken," I hissed. "Jacob Black, he used one of his men to capture Bella for reasons unbeknownst to any of us. I'm sick with worry. I can't lose her. How much do you love Dad?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Mom asked.

"Answer the question!" I snapped.

"Edward, I understand you're under stress and you're worried about Bella, but it's not any sort of reason to yell at your mother," Dad quietly, giving me a disapproving look.

"If something happened to you, Carlisle, I'd be a wreck," Mom admonished lightly. "And, to answer your question, I love you father more than life itself. He's my best friend, my confidante …"

"That's what I have with Bella," I breathed. "And, the son of …"

"The son of the man who raped me," Mom choked out. "He took her?"

"He also tried to …" I gulped down bile. "He beat the hell out of Alice after he tried to …" I pulled out a chair and took a deep breath. I sat down, looking up at my parents. "I'm sorry that I'm so short with you. We're in a holding pattern until we hear back from our scouts. They left early this morning and Bella was taken about an hour ago."

"I can't imagine what you're feeling, Edward," Mom whispered, taking my hand.

"I'm sick, Mom. Physically and mentally sick … I know I have to stay strong because Bella's going to need me," I whispered. "I also have to keep my shit together because I'm in charge of the mountain at the moment, with Rose as my right-hand. She's also dealing with her own things with the death of her parents."

"We're here for you, Edward," Dad said, giving me a tiny smile. "You might want to rally the troops. Tell them what happened to Bella and a plan that you might have regarding the situation with the Drop Ship."

"I was going to tell them before we ate dinner, but I can do an all call, asking to meet me in the garage," I frowned. "I just don't have a plan. Our plan was to scout out the allies and go from there."

"Tell them that, and listen to their suggestions," Dad said. "You'd be surprised what they might come up with. You also have all of us from the Ark to help out, as well. We might be in two locations, but we're one unit." He also gave me a secretive smile. "We also have some more transportation. We have ten motorcycles and the materials to make three more Rovers. They'll be smaller, but still capable of traversing this terrain."

"Motorcycles?" I asked.

Mom took my tablet, searching for something on it. "This is a motorcycle, but they have more off-road capabilities. Thicker wheels and such."

"We're learning how to drive them and it's a struggle," Dad snorted humorlessly. "Sinclair drove one of them here. Almost crashed the damn thing."

"I'll take a look at it with Rosalie, but after I speak to my people," I said. "Care to join me in the garage?"

"Of course," Dad nodded.

"Thank you," I said. I walked to a phone, pressing the code to reach all floors and rooms in the mountain. "Attention residents of Mount Weather. This is Vice President Cullen speaking. I need everyone to meet me in the garage in ten minutes. There is something we need to discuss. The garage in ten minutes." I hung up the phone, turning to my parents. "Shall we?"

We left the dining hall, taking the lift to the top level. I walked to one of the Rovers, sitting in the back of it. What I wanted to do was grab the keys and leave. Bella needed me.

I needed her.

In ten minutes, everyone was assembled in the garage. I hopped on top of the Rover so everyone could see me. I didn't stand on it, settling on the roof like Bella and I had when we watched the stars. I looked at everyone's expectant gazes and I felt nauseous. "Okay, a lot has happened. As Bella said yesterday, the Ark has landed. Chief Engineer Sinclair, Dr. Carlisle Cullen, Mrs. Esme Cullen, and Dr. Renee Swan are here. For the most part, the Ark will be used as their encampment, but we will need to help them get settled before winter comes in." I looked at my parents, calling on their steady presence to share the next part.

If only I didn't feel like puking when I had to say what I needed to say.

"Now, I've got some bad news. Our department heads were made aware of this situation last night, but I want all of you to know. Jacob Black, the leader from the Drop Ship, reached out to us and made demands regarding the mountain. He and his people want us to leave so they can move in, along with some of their allies."

"Allies?" Jessica asked. "I thought we were the only people on the planet."

"We saw evidence of humans on the ground, but we weren't sure of their numbers or the level of battle readiness," I explained. "So, we sent a scouting party early this morning to get intel about these elusive allies. But, the Drop Ship proved to be smarter than we gave them credit for. They called in a medical emergency. Bella responded to it. Unbeknownst to her, someone from the Drop Ship, Sam Uley, was lying in wait and kidnapped her."

"We need to get her!" Mike Newton yelled. "Why haven't we left?"

"Because of these unknown allies," I explained. "Once we get more information from our scouts, we'll move ahead with an extraction plan for Bella. Until then, we need to prepare. I'm open to suggestions. If you have any ideas, please speak to me after this meeting."

"We need to learn how to fight," Mike huffed. "Cullen, you're the only one fight training."

"I know how to fire a gun and use an electric baton," I said. "Could I physically fight? Yes, but I don't know the proper way to teach it."

"I can help," Chief Sinclair said. "If you want to learn hand-to-hand combat, stay with me. If you want to learn how to wield a gun or a baton, come work with Vice President Cullen."

Most of the people went to work with Sinclair, while I took ten people to go over the basics of gun safety. Once I felt they were comfortable with guns, I took them to gun range on the grounds of the mountain. They practiced and I lost two people who couldn't handle the kickback. I began working with the batons with them and showed them how cause the most damage, using the shock lash mode.

After spending most of the day training, we went in for dinner. I sat with my parents, Rose, and Renee. They were all hovering, like mother hens. When we finished our meal, I went back up to the garage because I couldn't handle being in the suite I shared with Bella. The intimacy we'd shared the night before was too fresh.

I saw the motorcycle that Sinclair rode in the garage. He was working on one of the Rovers. Blinking up at me with a sympathetic smile, he asked, "Edward, how are you doing, son?"

"Empty. I miss her," I answered, crouching in front of the bike. "How does this thing work?"

"I'm not going to show you how to ride the bike and have you go to the Drop Ship, half-cocked," Sinclair said, arching a brow. "I know that you want to do everything to protect her and avenge your sister, but there are too many unknowns. Have you heard from the scouts?"

"Not yet, but we told them to be radio silent, just in case there were scouts scouting them," I sighed, running my hand through my hair. "That made a lot more sense in my brain."

"Edward, we've only spoken in passing, but you're a good man. A strong and fair man … you remind me a lot of your father," Sinclair smiled. He tossed me a key. "For the bike. I struggle with the gear shift, but I think you'd get it pretty easily."

"How do you know I'm not going to take the bike?" I asked, throwing a leg over it, and turning it on. It purred between my legs. "Run on solar?"

"We had to modify it since it used to run on gasoline. It was an easy modification," Sinclair chuckled. "The range is for shit, but it's good for short distances."

I turned off the bike, staring off into the darkness surrounding the mountain. "What if Jacob succeeds? What if he kills Bella? Or does something else?"

"Jacob will be held culpable for his actions, as will the people who agreed with him. But, you need to have faith. Do you love Bella?" he asked.

"She's it for me. She's my rock and … love is too small a word," I answered honestly.

"Will you love her always? Even if she comes back … different?"

"Of course!" I replied, shooting him an angry scowl. Sinclair held up his hands, in a gesture of peace. "Sorry. I'm just on edge. And, that's my biggest fear is that they break her spirit along with her body. I saw what it did to my mother. She was a shadow of herself for years because of what William Black did to her. And now? History is repeating itself."

"History might be repeating itself, but the difference is you. Yes, you want to protect Bella, but you have to maintain a cool head," Sinclair said. "When you're cool, you're focused. When you're not … that's when mistakes get made. Stay focused, calm, and cool." He squeezed my shoulder, giving me a gentle smile. "Get some rest. Perhaps the scouting party will have information for us."

I nodded, getting off the bike and walking back into the mountain. With a quiet goodnight, I rode down to the command center. I couldn't sleep in my suite without my beautiful Bella. Slipping off my coat, I curled up on the floor. I stared blankly, allowing the tears to fall.

Please, let her be okay … please!

xx MWMA xx

"Edward, wake up," came a soft, feminine voice. A tiny hand gently shook me. "Please? We need you."

"Bella?" I croaked, peeling my eyes open. Blinking a few times, Lauren came into focus. "I thought it was a dream …"

"Not a dream," Lauren frowned. "Why are you sleeping in the conference room?"

"I can't be in my suite without Bella. It's too much," I said, sitting up and leaning against the wall. "I miss her, Lauren."

"We all do," she said softly. "Anyway, we were looking for you. Your radio was turned off."

I reached into my pocket of my jacket. I went to turn it on, but nothing happened. "More like the battery died. I need to charge it. I'm sorry. I'm an awful leader."

"No, you're grieving and worried about the woman you love," Lauren said sagely. "I'm freaked out that Tyler is enemy territory, but I have faith that he'll come back to me."

"You and Tyler?" I asked.

"We're taking it slow, but he's an amazing guy," Lauren grinned softly. She took my radio and handed me a new one. "You're needed in the garage. We have a … visitor. A representative from the Drop Ship." She stood up, offering me a hand to help me to my feet.

I got up, slipping my jacket on and cracked my neck. "When you say representative, did you mean to say prisoner?" I asked coldly.

"Oh, he's locked up. Mike had cuffs on him faster than a blink of an eye, ready to shock lash him," Lauren replied with narrowed eyes. "He's not the only one."

I nodded, skirting past Lauren. I opened up the weapons locker and grabbed a baton along with my side arm. Lauren and I walked past Eric, who was scanning the security feeds. We left the command center, riding up to the top level of the mountain. In the garage, tied to a Rover, was Quil. He had a black eye and several scorch marks on his biceps, indicating that Mike didn't maintain his cool with shock lashing.

"Quil," I snapped. "What do you want?"

"I'm here to deliver a message," Quil snarled. "A message from our leadership … the true leadership of the mountain."

I reared back, slamming my fist into his face and I felt his nose crunch from the power behind my fist. I went back to hit him again, but I was held back by several strong arms. "True leadership? Are you serious?" I shouted.

Quil looked up at me, blood dripping down his face and he smiled darkly. "Jacob Black and Aro Volturi," he spat. "They are the true leaders down here. Not you. Not your whore. Not the council from the Ark. They are."

"Aro survived?" I asked. "There was no way that anyone could have survived that."

"Even if he did, he'd be burned and have numerous broken bones," Dad muttered. "He's not long for this life, if you ask me."

"That's why we took Isabella," Quil smirked. "We needed a doctor. She can save Aro. If she doesn't save him, her life is forfeit. If you don't leave the mountain, her life is forfeit."

"Not even I could save Aro," Dad frowned. "I've been a doctor longer than Bella's been alive. Your mission is fruitless, Quil."

"Exactly, we're not leaving the mountain, but we will be getting Bella back," I snarled, glaring at the man in front of me. "Jacob and Aro will pay for their crimes, as will the rest of the traitors in your group."

"Tell us more about these allies," Renee said, stepping forward. "How many are there?"

Quil didn't respond. He just stared at her impassively.

Mike stepped forward, shock lashing him in the back. "Answer her, asshole!" He shock lashed him again, this time in his stomach. "Tell us about the allies!"

"Stop, Mike," I told him sternly. "Torture will not help loosen his lips." I glared at Quil. "Take him to lockup. It's on the second floor. Keep him isolated. No food. No water. No contact." I looked at Mike, giving him a glower. "Do not think about shock lashing him again, Mike. None of you."

I walked over to Quil, who was panting heavily. I picked him by his shirt. From the smell of him, he hadn't showered since our first trip to the mountain. His hair was greasy, and he looked gaunt and sickly. "Aro and Jacob? They will be floated for their crimes. They will feel my wrath if one hair on her head is disturbed." I tossed him onto the ground, blinking to my security team. "Lock up. Now."

Mike and another member of my security team, Owen, picked up Quil and dragged him away from the garage. I blinked to my parents, Renee, Rose, and Lauren, gesturing to the elevator. They followed me to the lift. "Enough pussyfooting around … it's time to put some plans into action."

xx MWMA xx

Bella ~ At the Drop Ship

When I was woken up a couple hours later, I was so sore with a throbbing headache. Sam grabbed me and he demanded I address the bleeding with Aro. I did some examining, finding several bleeders in his torso that were from the skin coming apart. I asked for clean water, cloths and my kit. Sam just glowered at me.

"If you want me to save him, I need those supplies," I said wearily.

"Sam, get her those things," Aro demanded. "I hurt and she's the only one who can help me. The healers from the Grounders haven't done enough. She can save me."

"She's got a smart mouth," Sam sneered. "Maybe, I should knock out your teeth or break your jaw like I did to Alice."

"Sam! Now!" Aro yelled, and then promptly started coughing heavily.

I moved to help Aro sit up, rubbing his back. By the time his coughing jag was over, Sam came back with my kit, rags, and a bucket of water. I leaned Aro back, lifting his tattered shirt and carefully wiping down his burnt torso. Before I began suturing his wounds, I administered more morphine which helped him with his pain. "Your wounds are getting infected, Aro. You have too much damage," I whispered.

Aro's eyes drifted shut. "I can't let your father win."

"He's already lost. He'll die on the Ark," I argued, making quick work of his bleeders. "I understand wanting the mountain. It's got all the amenities of the Ark and then some. We can share the mountain, work collaboratively."

Aro's dark gaze found mine and I could see the cogs working in his brain. He was considering my diplomatic suggestion. But, his gaze grew cold, and he shook his head harshly. "No! We deserve the mountain."

"Do your people know how to work the parts of the mountain? Maintaining the hydroelectric generators, caring for the hydroponic gardens, having a doctor for medical? There's a lot of moving parts and to be honest, the people you have don't have the expertise to work those systems," I countered. "Aro, I'm going to be perfectly honest with you. The probability of you surviving these injuries is pretty slim to none. I can make you comfortable."

"And, you are. I do appreciate that," Aro said softly. "Despite all I did, you still have a kind heart."

"You're my patient and I take care of my patients," I replied. "But, with the number of burns, broken limbs, and open wounds? You might have a couple of days, at most."

Aro was about to respond when Jacob came lumbering into the Drop Ship. He had another bucket and some more rags. He leered at me, licking his lips. "What's the word, Isabella? Are you going to cooperate?"

"I'm treating him, aren't I?" I replied. "With the few supplies I have, I'm doing the best I can."

"You need to fix him!" Jacob growled. He pushed me away from Aro's pallet, backhanding my cheek. "You're worthless. If we had Cullen or your mother, they would have been able to save him."

"They had the same training I did," I argued, sitting up slowly and moaning quietly. "They would have told you the same thing. His injuries are far too severe."

Jacob's glare turned predatory. He grabbed my jacket, getting into my face. "Your usefulness is coming to an end, Isabella. Cullen and the rest of your assholes will find your body in parts." He slammed me against the bulkhead, making me yell out in agony. I crumpled to the floor, curling into a ball, trying to protect my body from his harsh kicks to my back. "Worthless piece of shit!"

"Jacob! Enough!" Aro snarled. "She's helping the pain. Stop using her as a punching bag." I whimpered, looking up at Jacob as he scowled at Aro. "I can't move my legs. My body is burnt and I'm in pain. Whatever she's doing is helping with that pain. You kill her? I'm going to die a slow, painful death. At least I'll be comfortable if she's around. You and your mongrels will need to keep your cocks and fists to yourselves. If she's damaged, you will die. I have no doubt of that."

Jacob blinked back to me, shifting his gaze down my body. "He saved you, Isabella. Next time? Not so much …"

A/N: Jacob's a few crayons short of a box. He's the picture of insanity … asking the same thing over and over again, expecting a different response when there's only one option. Ya know? I'm also not prolonging Bella's absence because I don't want that to be the focus.

We're going to hear more from the valiant heroes … which brings us to the next chapter.

Leave me your thoughts and thank you for your support!