8 THE FIRST ATTEMPT

It was sunny outside. A bright and sunny day with the harsh rays of the merciless sun falling down upon every unsuspecting soul who dared to come in its golden path, uncaring in its wrath and pride.

It was…. heaven!

I smiled to myself, taking another step ahead on my wobbly- still learning how to get back to normal- legs, the wide, wooden door that had held me a captive finally pushed open after this long wait, what seemed to be heaven waiting outside for me.

I took a deep breath in, the fresh air that surrounded me inhaled, with the expectation of it curing me of every pain that I had borne in these past few days.

It felt good. It felt natural.

Just the way it was supposed to be!

I shut my eyes tight, simply existing in this moment, the cold wind that passed through the air, whipping through my hair and face, goosebumps forming over my skin as I rubbed my hands over my arms, seeking relief from this sudden terrifying cold.

How I had managed to sleep these past nights without a blanket or a thick jacket on me, I had not a clue.

It was freezing out here!

'Here.' Edward was quick to offer me his parka- I hadn't even noticed that he was wearing one. 'Take it before I change my mind.'

I grabbed the garment from him without a second thought, my eyes wide as I was forced to accept that this moment had actually, indeed, occurred.

He had indeed offered me his parka?

Who was this man?

When had he undergone a personality transplant?

'But…then…you will feel cold…' I hesitantly whispered, refusing to let myself live for a second more in this misery as I wrapped the parka over my frozen arms, a sigh of relief instantly leaving my lips.

He waved me off. 'I lived in Siberia for a while. No cold can compare to that.'

I nodded my head in agreement. Siberia winters indeed were horrifyingly brutal!

'Is it generally this cold out here?' I turned to look at him. While it was sunny outside, the temperatures had not risen to a bearable level, the wind still as harsh and merciless as one would expect on a sunless day.

'Yes.' He curtly responded. 'Not everyone likes to live in such exceptionally predictable climate.'

Which would make this the perfect place to keep a person a prisoner, I added in my head.

'But you don't mind the cold.' I deduced; my chin raised as I waited for his answer.

'I don't care. It doesn't matter to me.' He shrugged, taking another step ahead, his eyes trained on the scenery that surrounded us, equally glad to be out and away from that dark dungeon that had been mine- and even his- temporary home for these past few days.

I offered him a slight nod, turning to look ahead, my eyes wide in astonishment and disbelief as I took in the sight that greeted me with open arms.

It was…beautiful.

No. In fact, it was beyond beautiful.

I had never known that beauty like this existed out of books, my eyes unable to look elsewhere. Not that I even wanted to attempt that impossible feat.

It would be a crime to look away.

It was green everywhere my sight landed, the sky a clear blue as white, shapeless clouds littered through the blue sheet, the sun peeking out and making its presence known, tall strong green trees completing the gorgeous picture formed.

It seemed as if someone had drawn this spectacular image for the world to witness, the air so pure that no evil could last in front of it.

'Wow.' I muttered to myself, taking another step ahead, curious to experience more of this incomparable beauty that lay in front of me.

We were on the top of a steep hill, my feet impatient as I walked closer towards the edge, restless to find out what greeted me at the bottom of this brawny hill.

And certainly, I wasn't disappointed!

As far as my eyes could see, all that lay around us were huge green mountains, the valley wide and picturesque as it covered a vast expanse. A clear blue river, serene and patient, flowed through the mountains, touching each mountain like a mother touches her new born child, her touch protective yet careful.

A few houses, resembling the ones you generally found in a game of Monopoly, lay littered at the bottom of the valley, their existence radiating peace and comfort, as I admired the simple design with which each house was constructed. They looked nothing grand, and yet denoted that desired feeling of home.

I couldn't see anyone out there now, not that I would have been able to see anything more than a vague blur resembling a human from this far away.

It would be next to impossible to do so.

No matter how sharp your eyesight was.

I could hear the chirping of birds, my eyes looking upwards to recognize the robins, sparrows, eagles and crows as they flew all around us, a smile gracing my face as I observed them go about with their day, so unbothered and devoted to their work.

Never had I observed nature this keenly and closely.

It was magical!

Growing up in a big city had stolen these smaller moments away from me, my daily routine too complicated to waste precious time looking outside the window.

It had always been so.

Since the time I could remember.

Wake up for school at six each morning- rush through breakfast to catch the bus- spend a better part of the day in that brick building I called a school- running to attend a list of extracurricular activities that my mother insisted were essential for a successful living once I was out and away from that gloomy building, I was forced to call a school. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were reserved for ballet, pottery and art class, with Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays being devoted to music, theatre and baseball. Sunday- which was technically my only free day in the week- was spent debating with other children forced by their parents to attend a class on Sunday. Be it a holiday or a long weekend, I was never at home for longer than those eight hours that I compulsorily slept, excluding those ten minutes between classes. It was always this class or that, the concept of free time one I had no clue of till the time I packed my bags and left home for further studies; Ali forcing me into that first weekend spent doing nothing but placing our ass in front of the laptop as we watched and re-watched popular TV series, not a worry in the world.

'It is so quiet here.' I whispered to the winds, taken aback by this unknown silence.

'You are not used to it.' Edward stated.

I shook my head, admitting to his statement. 'While I was in there, it didn't seem… this eerily quiet. I am now realizing the actual impact of this silence.'

He hummed in agreement. 'It can be a bit too much to take in, in the beginning.'

'I get it now, you know?' I let out a sudden laugh, shaking my head. 'I never really understood my parents' reasoning to shift base to a small town. But I get it now. They craved this peace and relief.'

This was what they experienced each morning; this peace…this serenity…this untroubled air…uncomplicated and filled with freshness.

How could anyone manage to resist this temptation was beyond my understanding?

Edward hummed in response; no words needed to be spoken between the two of us. I continued to look around me, taking in the sights, aware at the back of my mind of what exactly I was searching for.

I may have been temporarily mesmerized by this serene beauty, but I had never forgotten how great an opportunity this was that had landed right into my open palm.

I was free, those tight ropes no longer holding me a prisoner, out of that dark dungeon that I couldn't even see clearly in, out in the open where opportunities lay several.

I could not- not take advantage of this situation.

And so, I continued to look around me for an escape route, realizing rather soon that it wouldn't be that very easy to find. Right in front of me lay a wide dangerous valley I wouldn't dare to jump off- I wouldn't survive; that was a guarantee. And behind me lay the very cabin I had just escaped from. There was a thin driveway that led to somewhere, but without a vehicle to lead me through it was a futile attempt to even consider.

I wouldn't get any far.

But then how did Edward travel around here?

He did not have a car or a bike on him…

No. Wait.

He went for a walk each night… returning before the sun rose….

That means…there had to be a path for walking around here somewhere.

He wouldn't head towards a dead-end most possibly, and even if he was indeed heading in that direction…. I would face that problem when I reached to it.

For now, I had to take that first step ahead, finding that one path that would lead me to freedom.

'Edward,' I prayed that he would listen. 'Can I…I know it is a lot to ask for,' I hesitated, 'but I would feel better after a short walk? I need to walk a bit to loosen my legs. Any direction you prefer? Please.'

'Bella.' He offered me a displeased look. 'I don't think this is wise. We should be returning. I have already given you enough freedom for one day…'

'I know.' I agreed with him. 'I won't prove you wrong. Please.'

I now knew that he wasn't a "bad" person, and maybe this made me a terrible person, but I was out here to take advantage of that fact!

He let out an audible sigh, shutting his eyes tight. 'I can't…'

'Just for a few minutes.' I begged him with my eyes. 'I won't prove you wrong. I promise. I will come right back in with you once I can feel my feet again.'

Please fall in my trap.

Please fall in my….

'Fine.' He sighed, mumbling to himself. 'I don't know why I am agreeing to this; I shouldn't be. Even I know that!' He looked me into the eyes, his voice dropping down to the level of a whisper. 'I am being too generous here; if you betray me, I promise you the consequences will not be something you like.'

'I won't.' I shuddered to myself, looking away from him, as I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

'Fine.' He grunted. 'Only for five minutes. And you walk at my pace.'

'Of course,' I would agree to anything at this point of time. 'Thank you.'

Luck had surely favoured me today; his birthday definitely coming to my advantage!

He waved me off, starting to walk towards the terribly small and shabby cabin again, expecting me to follow him.

What the hell?

Was he bipolar?

Didn't he just agree to…

'Do you want to go for a walk or not?' he gave me an annoyed look, turning half way to look at me. 'It is this way.'

'Sorry,' I sheepishly smiled, running ahead to catch up with him.

So, he did live up to his word?

Hmm.

The two of us continued to walk ahead in silence, the chirping of the birds all that reached our ears, a melodious sound that convinced me to hum to myself, giving chorus to their melody.

'You sing?'

I shrugged in response, my lips halting to answer him. 'At times. It is soothing.'

He nodded his head in agreement, turning to look ahead once again, the conversation having seemingly ended.

'What about you?' I forced an expression of curiosity onto my face. I could not afford to let him get suspicious before the time arrived. 'Do you like singing?' I clarified when he was yet to respond a long few minutes later.

He waved me off. 'Don't know. Never tried.'

Um…what?

'You have never tried to sing?'

I have had to have heard this wrong…right?

'Yes.'

Apparently, not!

'But how?' my eyes were wide in question, as I furiously waved my hands in air. 'Don't you like ever hum to yourself, or sing in the shower? I believe everyone is a culprit to the latter, if nothing else.'

How could you be of thirty- one years and never have attempted to sing before in life?

Was something like that even achievable?

He shrugged me off. 'Never felt at enough peace to express myself in that manner.'

Ouch.

'Even when you were a kid?' I whispered, a hesitant frown on my face.

Weren't kids supposed to be carefree and away from any and all troubles?

'No.' He curtly stated, adding absolutely nothing to that.

Okay then!

I let out a sigh, my eyes wide, as I turned to look ahead, continuing to walk, my humming once again resumed. Edward, a stranger to my true intentions, seemed relaxed enough to not suspect a thing.

Just how I wanted it to be.

'My mother had me take vocal lessons.' I added after a brief pause. 'She believes that it is an essential life skill to survive.'

'But you don't believe so.'

It wasn't a question.

'It became a burden after a point. I used to enjoy it in the beginning,' I broke into a deep sigh, my mind recollecting those long-ago vanished days of my life, 'but then I was expected to sing in competitions, and if I didn't win, it was something to be ashamed over. Took the fun element right out of it.'

Brutally crumbled it- after tearing it into a thousand pieces, in fact.

He nodded his head in agreement. 'Did you ever try to quit it? Considering you didn't enjoy it.'

'Nah.' I stated. 'I enjoyed singing more than I enjoyed kickboxing. It was the lesser of the evils.'

'Oh.' He frowned to himself.

I waved him off. 'It was a long time ago. Obviously, it does not matter now.'

He nodded his head, accepting my answer.

I offered him a brief smile, turning to look ahead, my eyes alert for a way out as my mind began to construct its plan.

We were walking on the trail that Edward generally walked on, a downhill slope that I came to understand was our way towards the bottom of this hill.

Perfect.

Just the route I wanted to walk on!

Thick trees surrounded us on both sides, giving the area a gloomy and dull visage. Fallen leaves and small broken branches lay littered on the ground, and I carefully stepped over them, my mind hard at work as it planned and re-planned a way to escape my captor.

'We should return. I think we have walked enough for the day.' Edward spoke a few minutes of silence later, stopping mid-way, as his risen eyes waited for me to respond.

I soundlessly nodded my head, appearing as calm as I could, letting him take the lead as he assumed that we were returning back to that prison of mine, turning back and beginning to walk in the direction that we had just come from.

I silently followed him for possibly the longest two minutes of my life, my fingers crossed in anticipation of what I knew was coming ahead.

'Oh.' I muttered all of a sudden, pretending to bend down to investigate something, my barren feet at focus, the pink half-there- nail paint that I had applied a while ago staring back at me.

Edward briefly stopped, but assuming that it was nothing worth pondering over, continued to walk ahead, his back to me.

He was being way too careless today!

Worked perfectly for me.

I took one last deep breath in, praying that this would work out, before beginning to run in the opposite direction, back towards the bottom of this slope and my freedom.