Chapter 22
One lost, dozens dead.*
(*Disclaimer: scene of aggression)
I am amazed to find myself in Edward's Vanquish.
"I didn't know you liked cars.
I know how to appreciate comfort and quality.
Does that mean you'll let me replace your truck.
It's different ! My attachment is sentimental.
I would have tried… Edward sighs. »
The path to the gymnasium is decorated with multiple lanterns and booming music blares from the front door. I almost jump on the spot.
"I can't wait to dance with you," Edward whispered in my ear.
Me too, I answer him with a smile. »
As I walk in, I see Jessica and Jared dancing in the distance…I know one who is going to have a great time tonight and judging by Jared's greedy gaze on her cleavage, she won't be the only one. I pull Edward onto the dance floor by pulling his tie and he pulls me against him. We dance to several pieces of music before going for a drink. I see in the distance Jessica and Jared kissing next to the bar. I chuckle, but stop right after.
Jacob steps off the dance floor with Lauren on his arm. He draws all eyes to him. He has grown up a lot since I saw him… yet it hasn't been that long. I take advantage of the fact that Lauren goes to the bathroom to meet her with Edward. He towers over me by a head now.
"Hello Jacob," I say, smiling at him. »
He answers me with a half-smile that doesn't reach his eyes. I see that his pupils are dilated and he is sweating.
" Are you doing well ? I ask him
Yes why ? Jacob replies curtly. »
I feel Edward tense beside me.
" Well…
But who is it! exclaims a nasal voice behind us. One rider is not enough for you, you also need those of others...
Lauren, I was just saying hello to a friend. »
Jacob raised an eyebrow at my use of that word. I grab his arm and pull him towards me, whispering in his ear:
"Just because I can't tell you everything doesn't mean I don't consider you a friend. »
Lauren pulls Jacob from me and Edward wraps his arms around me in protection. I catch eyes with Jacob, who thinks, then nods. Well, I don't know if it worked, but at least he knows that I hide things from him out of obligation. It's a grumpy boyfriend that I lead to the bar for a drink. I squeeze myself a little punch.
"It contains alcohol Bella," Edward explains to me, taking my drink.
I know, I reply, taking the glass back. This is precisely what I use it for.
Do you want to end up drunk? he replies reproachfully.
Who knows ?! It's true that I take a big risk… You could play the average teenager and take advantage of my vulnerability. I retort, sardonically. »
He rolls his eyes and follows my glass when I start to drink it, eyes widening when he sees me finish it dead. I laugh at his scandalized face. It's been weird to me to feel the effects of alcohol all this time. And I feel that Bella has a lower alcohol tolerance than me. We're going to take it slow. We dance together again before Alice takes me with her in a sensual dance. We laugh as we sway to the rhythm of the music glued against each other.
It reminds me of student parties in my old life. I feel that my new body is slowly assimilating the movements that I had learned over twenty years ago. Dancing comes more naturally. We sense classmates getting closer, but I'm not really paying attention, having too much fun with my best friend. When suddenly I feel an arm around me. It's not Edward's scent and it's not his phone in his pants pocket either. I nudge and walk away as soon as the arms loosen. I then see Tyler holding his abdomen. Edward approaches him, furious and drags him after him, putting an arm around his shoulders.
"You and I are going to have a little chat, Crowley. »
I sigh. Alice was joined by an over-protective Jasper, who glared at the teenagers eyeing his wife. I nod to Alice indicating that I'm going to the bathroom. She nods, then focuses back on her man, whose anger radiates several yards around them.
I find a semblance of calm in the bathroom. Two girls walk out of the room laughing and I find myself all alone. I enter one of the cabins and I hear the front door open and then close. I have a strange feeling. Like when Lauren pushed me into the closet, only worse.
I call then.
"Lauren?! It's you ? »
I then hear a noise coming from the door and the light goes out.
"Lauren, it's not funny! »
I unlock the door and find myself facing a torso. It's clearly not Lauren and it's clearly not a girl either. I feel someone snatching my bag and pushing me back against a closet door. I scream, but my mouth is covered. I kick the door behind me and it slams open. My assailant loses his balance and I take the opportunity to grab my purse, which has fallen to the ground, extract the pepper spray and spray its contents in the face of my attacking assailant. He shouts and I recognize Mike's voice. I gasp.
"Secondary quest: Get rid of your attacker before he kills you… Reward: a clue to the next quest… Penalty: death… duration: five minutes"
"You shouldn't have done that," he threatens me. Now I have no choice. »
He grabs my head and tries to push it violently back onto the tiled floor. I scream in despair but my voice cracks and I run out of breath. I call Edward with all my might in my head and with the little voice I have left. Suddenly a huge noise echoes in the room. I see light on the side and the door that landed next to me. The roar that fills the room gives me a good indication of the author of this bouquant. I sigh in relief when Mike's hands let go of me. I hear footsteps and Jessica calling me:
"Bells," she shouts in a panic. How are you ? You have nothing ? »
I see Jared helping me up. Edward holds Mike by the collar and the teachers frantically try to get him to let go. I call him :
"Edward…"
He immediately turns his eyes to me and releases Mike to rush towards me. He uses me against him. I feel him shaking. I gently stroke her hair to soothe her. Mike struggles next to me. But the teachers hold him tight. I still don't realize what just happened to me. It was absolutely not in the book. At the same time, Bella wasn't supposed to come to this ball. Why did he act like this?
Edward leads me away from the hustle and bustle, carrying me like a bride.
"Quest successful, a reward will be given to you. »
"Shock resistance: level 3"
"Unlucky Collector: You have just escaped imminent death for the 5th time. Your luck increased by 5. Current luck: 20"
Talk about luck! Situations are more and more difficult to prevent… What a bunch of crazy people!
"Bella, I'm sorry," Alice cried as she joined us. We had been out in the forest with Jasper. »
From the leaves I see in their hair, I imagine how they eased the pressure of our dance together.
"It's okay Alice, I'm starting.
No it's not, Edward spits.
Sweetheart, I'm warning you that if you take it out on Alice, I'm going to get angry, I'm intervening. Your sister is neither my bodyguard nor omniscient. So let her go! »
He groaned and buried his head in my neck. I feel him sniff my hair. His cold breath makes me shiver and relax me. I can't help but chuckle when I realize what he's doing. He jerks his head up, wondering what's happening to me.
"You know you don't need to mark your territory. No one will take me from you, I explain to him, putting my hand on his cheek. »
If he could blush, he'd be red with embarrassment and it was Jasper's turn to laugh. Edward glares at him, then turns his head towards the gymnasium door.
"Your father is coming…He is panicked. »
Indeed, it is a Charlie in all these states which advances in the room. He looks for me and I see the panic in his eyes. Alice leaves to fetch him to bring him to me. Reluctantly, Edward lets go of me as he approaches and Charlie hugs me tight. Then I hear him hiss between his teeth:
" Where is he ?
In the girls' bathroom, Alice told him. I will drive you. »
Charlie kisses me on the head and follows Alice. I hear bursts of voices and I see him embarking unceremoniously Mike who claims that he did nothing. I hide in Edward's arms when I feel his gaze pointing in my direction. I finally pull away from him and watch as Mike walks out of the room in handcuffs. Several students follow to see him leave in the back of the police car.
Suddenly a red flash catches my eye. I gasp. I hear Edward swear. He too saw it. Jasper runs after him. Edward grunts after a few minutes and explains to me:
"He lost her. »
Victoria was in the gym. I could have died at his hands tonight in the bathroom. I feel my legs go weak and Edward hugs me tight.
"I'll catch it, I promise you my love. »
He takes me home. I take a shower while he stands guard at the foot of my stairs. I step out of the bathroom in my pajamas and melt into his arms while I wait for Charlie. A sweet melody then resounds in the room and I fall asleep to the sound of honey in his voice. When I wake up Charlie has replaced Edward and I'm in bed. My father slept sitting up in the rocking chair where he rocked little Bella. I'm about to get out of bed when a blue window appears before my eyes:
"Special quest: find what disappeared… duration: one year… The longer you take to find, the more victims there will be…"
My heart sinks and I start crying.