CHAPTER THIRTEEN
When I'm leaving Eric's to head to the beach, I can't help but smile at my stupid dog. Jupiter is wallowing in a pool of sunlight - one foreleg is thrashing the air wildly while low-level whiffles trouble whatever is a dog's equivalent to lips. I'd love to know what he dreams about - probably chasing rabbits. While I'm checking that Star is okay before setting off for the beach, a cold, prickly sensation spreads across my neck and shoulders despite being surrounded by a line of sweating animals steaming in the afternoon heat. Instinctively I suspect Jake is close by and waiting for me to drive away. Without a second thought, I return to the house to find Mike. He's in the hall with Jess saying goodbye to Eric and Angela.
"Can I have a word?" I ask and tug at his arm.
"Sure," he replies and breaks away."
Do you need to be anywhere right now," I say in a low voice. "I've got to get to the beach but I'm sure Jake Black's out there. He's been harassing me for a date since the party and won't take no for an answer. He frightened me twice when I saw him afterwards and he's been stalking me ever since. I'm scared to go anywhere alone now."
Mike takes hold of my arm and moves me further away from Jess. "Do you want me to talk to him?"
I almost scoff at Mike's suggestion because he has no idea how deranged Jake acted during our last encounter.
"Thanks, but I doubt whether that would do any good. Jake's an immature bully who can't cope with rejection. He's always been an ass, but lately, he's turned into an aggressive ass. He threatened to knife Jupiter at our last encounter."
Mike's face distorts from unease to fury in a second. He loves Jupiter as much as me but I guess my safety has caused this reaction. He turns back to Jess and whispers a promise to drop by later followed by a light kiss on the cheek. Well, well, well!
"Okay, Bella, let's go. I'll ride beside you, but only on the understanding that after you've done what you have to do at the beach, I'm escorting you all the way home to talk to Charlie. Deal?"
"Deal," I reply, and I'm relieved. Charlie is much more likely to listen to Mike's protestations than he would mine. Men!
We set off in blistering heat for late September. Fortunately, I'd remembered to throw my straw hat into the cart. My hands burn on the reins so I pull on the gloves I use at the beach. Even wearing my hat, the sun is blinding me, which reminds me of something Edward said on the beach. 'Sunglasses?' What the heck are those? I'll need to ask him.
We've traveled about two hundred yards when a horse blowing through its nostrils breaks the silence. An angry 'shhh' reveals Jake's hiding place - a dense clump of tall bushes behind the Farrier's workshop. My senses have saved me then. I look across at Mike. His knuckles are white on Mabel's reins but he continues to comment about how unusual this warm weather is for the time of year as though we hadn't noticed.
Jupiter's lip curls when he sniffs the air. To stop him from leaping off the cart, I maintain a firm grip on his collar even though if he decided to go, he would be strong enough to take me along for the ride. His growls continue until we reach the junction.
Neither of us checks behind us when we're at the spot where I turn left for the beach or home and Mike would turn right for the Medical Center. When Mike turns left with me, we hear a faint expletive coming from Jake's hiding place. A few seconds later, the sound of a horse galloping in the opposite direction reaches our ears.
"You can leave me to go on my own now," I suggest to Mike, even though I'd prefer him to stay. "Jake will presume you're going home with me now."
"No chance," Mike replies in a tone I'm unprepared to argue with. "He'll have seen the crab baskets so he'll know where you're heading. I wouldn't put it past him to backtrack and check if you're there alone."
"Thanks," I say as Jupiter jumps onto the cart bed and back onto the seat to sit close. I suspect he's noted my voice's tremor or is still picking up Jake's scent.
"This needs to be sorted once and for all," Mike continues determinedly as though he's already lecturing Charlie. "Jake has no right to terrorize you like this."
"I know," I reply.
"Anyway, Bella, it's been a while since I've visited the beach with you. Dipping my toes in cool water is appealing on such a hot day."
The journey is pleasant enough, but suddenly I remember the new hitching post. Mike is bound to ask who put the replacement there because he'll remember the state of my hands on my birthday and my story about Star bolting after something frightened her. When the coast comes into view, I suggest to Mike that instead of hitching Star, he leaves me there with the baskets and takes Star, Mabel, and Jupiter to the nearby freshwater stream, which he agrees to. When we arrive at the beach, I position myself so he doesn't spot the shiny new post. Fortunately, he's keen to get the animals to the water so I'm relieved I've got away with it.
While I'm reeling the pots in as quickly as possible, I'm constantly watching out for Edward and Jake. Fortunately, Edward hasn't helped me out with the catch this time. A meager haul of two large and seven average-sized crabs only covers the bottom of one of the baskets. No worries though because Mom can still have her coat and I can set off for the stream.
I've just started to head towards where Mike should reappear when I spot Jake striding through the wide strip of long grass that stretches along the coast. Mike and Jupiter are too far away to hear a shout for help. Also, I don't want Jake to have the satisfaction of knowing that I'm frightened enough to want someone to rescue me. I just hope Mike spots Jake's horse that he's abandoned about two hundred yards away before things start getting ugly.
"Why were you at Eric's house?" Jake yells from a distance. "What was going on there? I demand to know."
Jake must realize that Mike is nearby because of the absence of the cart which means he daren't be as aggressive as before. I'm furious though that he still thinks it's okay to follow me here.
"What do you think was going on there, asshole," I yell back. "And why should I tell you anyway?"
Jake runs the last few yards and grabs my arm, forcing me to drop the heavier basket containing the crabs. I was wrong in my assessment of the situation. He's lost it completely.
"I warned you before that I'm watching you, Bella Swan. If I can't have you, no one else will. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"You're sick in the head," I spit at him and try unsuccessfully to shake away from his grip.
"Why were you there?" he hisses this time. "Are you dating Eric?"
I'm tempted to say yes but that could put Eric in danger. A good reason why I was there flows from me without too much mental effort.
"I don't have to tell you anything, asshole, but I will, even though it's none of your fucking business."
Jake flinches, like the first time he heard me curse.
"Jessica's friends met there to console her and her brother. I went to give my support and tell them I knew how they were feeling because the same thing happened to my gran. Of course, you don't understand the concept of friendship do you, Jake, because you don't have any?"
"I do have friends," he immediately spits back.
"No, Jake, you don't. You have family members who are obliged by accident of birth to look out for you. Friendship means being kind and supportive, loving and loyal – attributes that have never applied to you. Now take your hand off my arm before I kick you in the nuts."
While I'm yelling at Jake who's wearing even less clothing than when I last saw him, I notice one of the two large crabs has crawled out of the basket and is waving its pincer claw very close to Jake's bare ankle. 'Please, please, please do it,' I project at the feisty crustacean. I mentally do a deal - if it does go for Jake, there's no way he or she is ending up in the pot.
"Bella!" Mike shouts as he gallops onto the beach just as the crab launches its claw onto the nearby ankle. Jake's face is a picture. He drops my arm, flings his arms in the air and screams, and then falls backward onto his butt writhing in agony. I can't stop myself from laughing at Jake's predicament. Jeez – that must really hurt.
"Get the fucker off me," he shouts while trying unsuccessfully to punch the massive claw away. But the plucky crab is hanging on like its life depends on it, (which it actually does.) "Use your gloves," Jake pleads.
Mike pulls up, swerving Mabel at the last moment, which sends a spray of sand into Jake's face. I laugh even harder. Mike stares down at Jake, eyes narrowed in fury, wearing an expression I had no idea he possessed.
"Keep away from Bella, you asshole. Don't you get she's not interested in you and never will be? I'm giving you a warning – no, actually a promise. If anything bad happens to her anytime soon, my friends and I will presume it's you whether it is or not. Has that message got into your thick skull, Black?"
Jake nods his head vigorously so I pull my gloves on oh so slowly and gently coax the crab's pincer away from his rapidly reddening ankle. The skin isn't broken but Jake will have a vicious bruise for a while, hahaha. While I'm walking to the water's edge to place my gallant hero back in the foam, the words Mike shouts after Jake while he limps away through the long grass are certainly ones not spoken in front of ladies, plus a new word I have never heard before.
Shock hits me while I'm scooping up the smaller crabs that have also made their escape. Mike is off his horse now and is eyeing the hitching post, but he doesn't make any comment. When the basket lid is secure, we set off to where Star and Jupiter are waiting by the stream – well in the stream where Jupiter is concerned. When he spots us coming he bounds towards me as if he hasn't seen me for days. He's soaked and proceeds to shower us both when he shakes himself dry.
Even though I'd witnessed the crab getting the better of Jake, and had the best laugh I've had for a long time, I want to cry. Being here on the beach without Edward is depressing, especially as the feeling I won't see him again for a while has been growing since last night. Not being completely honest at Eric's gathering is also not like me, especially now that the others are so supportive. Mike's confrontation with Jake was not a pleasant experience either. I'm only glad Jupiter didn't sense that Jake was around. I couldn't tell whether Jake was carrying a knife but I wouldn't be surprised.
I can't wish to turn the clock back to the time when one day plodded along the same as all the rest because that would mean Edward would not be part of my life. But stress on top of stress is not something I'm used to.
Mike helps me onto the seat but instead of getting back on Mabel, he secures her reins to the back of the cart so she can trot behind us then clambers up next to me.
"I'll drive," he says and takes the reins. "You can relax now, safe in the knowledge that Jake has just given me all the evidence I need to make it plain to Charlie that he is not a good pick as a future son-in-law. He'll have absolutely no doubt of that when I'm finished with him."
"Thanks, Mike," I mumble before my head drops on his shoulder. His free arm pulls me close. His lips rest on my head.
"Bloody rules," he hisses. I know full well what he means.
Edward
"Darling boy, sit. You must tell me what's happened."
Charlotte leads me to her sofa and pushes me down. Warmth still lingers in the soft grey cushions that mold to my back as I make myself comfortable. Before seating herself, she tugs a thick curtain across the outside door and taps the reading lamp on a small wooden table for extra light. She's wearing a pale blue sweater with dark blue pants – old-fashioned clothing compared to the styles worn in the city but the color suits her. Her room is furnished and decorated in an old-fashioned, simple way which is standard for this community. The architects that re-designed these residencies about fifty years ago took the view that to drop extracted Lympians into modern, contemporary living after existing in what could only by comparison be described as the Dark Ages, would be too much of a cultural shock.
Rocky as usual signals his displeasure at my presence by repositioning himself on a chair that resembles a throne. Before settling with his back to me his top lip curls - also normal behavior for this over-indulged mutt. I guess if he ever got stroppy with Jupiter, Jupiter would eat him for breakfast.
Charlotte places herself sideways on the sofa so she can see my face and takes hold of my left hand. I don't need to read her thoughts which I'm able to. Excited anticipation in her eyes tells me she's assumed I've brought good news from Lympi. I have news, but not what she's expecting.
"What was Isabella's reaction to my letter, Edward?"
Bella's reaction? What could I say, when to be honest Bella had hardly questioned me about the content? During the precious minutes we'd spent together since her birthday, we'd only lightly touched on her gran's cryptic words. I have to tell Charlotte something though.
"Curiosity, Charlotte, as you'd expect. She pressed me on where you were taken that night, but she didn't ask me directly whether you were still alive. My guess is she believes you are. You must understand though, that I daren't risk confirming that if she asks, so I'm relieved she didn't … not yet anyway. She's not ready for the shock. Also, I'm not yet prepared for the repercussions with my family if she can't keep the information to herself."
Charlotte nods her head. A lock of silver drops over one eye. She brushes it away along with the customary tear that appears whenever we talk about Bella. Her thoughts are pure sorrow. Anger on her behalf as much as mine bubbles up inside me. Even before the reason she was taken had been explained to her, I was certain, given the choice, Charlotte would have preferred to stay with Bella and suffer the consequences of the tumors on her spine and in her lymph nodes rather than endure this comparably solitary life.
"So … what is Isabella planning to do to end all this?" Charlotte grips my hand even tighter. "She must do something before she's obliged to marry, Edward."
My lips settle on Charlotte's forehead. Then, with my free hand, I brush away another tear and stare into a pair of glistening eyes that remind me oh so much of Bella's.
"I'm not sure whether she's made any firm plans yet, Charlotte, but what I do know from reading her friends' minds is she won't be alone when she does make her move. Her cousin, Mike, and other kids her age, are also beginning to put the pieces together and want to rebel. A few days ago my sister was spotted by one of these kids extracting Mrs Stanley …"
"I remember Mary Stanley," Charlotte cuts in. "She's still young – Renee's age. What's wrong with her?"
"Leukaemia … blood cancer. It would have killed her very quickly if left untreated. Alice said Mary knew she was sick and was resigned to dying soon. Now she's here, she'll be in the medical facility for about three months having her therapy before being settled in the community to continue her treatment. I'm sure she'll be pleased to see a familiar face."
Charlotte angrily shakes her head. Reading her mind, she's re-living the desperate weeks and months after her extraction when she refused to see anyone – even her dearest friend who'd been brought here two years previously. Charlotte refused treatment until after I'd visited her secretly. It was then I assured her that one day, and definitely in her lifetime, the Lympi Experiment would come to an end and she would see Bella again, but only if she took the treatment and lived. Wishful thinking on my part, but I didn't tell her that then.
"She'll be devastated, Edward. Mary doted on those kids. Her son … Jack isn't it … was only three when I … left. Why wasn't she given the choice?"
Charlotte knows why. Once a resident of Lympi has contact with one of us, they have no option but to leave. That rule had been laid down five hundred years previously when the Lympi community was being imagined. At the time it was deemed a necessary but kind rule. Now, it's just cruel. The Experiment the current residents of Lympi had no part in agreeing to had gone on far too long, even though it was still only halfway through.
My thoughts go back to a recent argument I'd had with Alice. She knew that my ability to read her mind and the rest of the family's had faded over the years. Before that happened though, she was the most skilled of all of my family in masking her thoughts from me which I had no objection to. My gift, as some might call it, was a personal embarrassment. I hated being able to experience the most intimate thoughts of the people who were closest to me. What I'd kept to myself, admittedly sneakily, is that occasionally I was still able to see clearly into Alice's mind, and, occasionally, Carlisle's too.
Our argument occurred after I tapped into her watching an image of what I took to be the final implosion of Lympi. The usually peace-loving, almost feeble residents of that verdant peninsula were rising against the Elders and breaking into their Compound, but I couldn't make out why – or more importantly, when. Would it be during Bella's lifetime, or a long way in the future, like at the end of the experiment? Would the Lympians riot when they were told about the world beyond the Wastelands and, more importantly, the easier life that had been denied them?
If I'd been forced to live in what could only be described as medieval conditions, similar to the world Carlisle was born into in the fifteenth century, I'd be fucking angry too. When I fronted Alice up about what I'd seen, she wouldn't tell me when the uprising would happen. We've been at loggerheads ever since.
Charlotte shifting to make herself more comfortable on the sofa brings me back to the present. I don't answer her comment about choice. There's no point.
"I hope Mary Stanley will see her children again too, Charlotte. In the meantime, I want you to be very careful about what you say and do in the community from now on. If shit … sorry, if things start happening in Lympi and Bella is singled out as the ringleader, you may come under closer observation. They already have you marked down as a rebel, remember? I'll never forget what you said to the minister in the Medical Center when you arrived and I'm sure he won't either."
Charlotte laughs and smiles.
"I certainly gave him a piece of my mind, didn't I? What on earth was the government back then thinking? The current lot maintaining those ridiculous rules is just as guilty though. Making us live like that just to prove a point? They're evil and mad – all of them."
"I agree," I say, "but the point was, and still is, an important one. Five hundred years have passed and the secular side seems to be winning the argument. Whether this would be the case in another five hundred years or even a thousand – well I hope for the people of Lympi's sake it never comes to that."
"Do you believe there's a God and an afterlife," Charlotte asks.
"I suppose I do, but …"
"But what, Edward?"
"Heaven is not for the likes of me."
I'll just leave that there for you to speculate. A quick clue though, in the first chapter, Mike spotted a cross poking out of the sea and didn't know what it was. Hmmm!
Joan x