CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Edward
With Charlotte safely deposited at the farm after which I spend a short time ensuring she's okay after our thrilling race across the Wastelands, and to share in Charlie and Renee's delight, I've set off for the Compound with a rough estimate that I have only an hours grace before Charlotte's disappearance is reported. On the way, I leave a cryptic note at Lauren's house. Of all of Bella's Gang she lives closest to the farm and hopefully won't question why Bella wants her to come over sometime in the morning and definitely before she sets off for the Gathering Hall. Charlie will fill her in then on what they want her to do after she's recovered from the surprise of seeing Bella's gran again.
The Compound's position deep inside the forest and next to the border fence makes it simple for me to approach the Gatehouse without being spotted. The ring of nervous guards armed with flamethrowers primed to prevent me from rescuing Bella have not got the common sense to look up as well as around them. Via the still leafy treetops, I swing and leap to reach a magnificent Cedar of Lebanon, conveniently situated to the right of the Gatehouse. The species' flat, evergreen branches will provide perfect cover while I attempt to locate exactly where Bella is being held by listening for her heartbeat. Once I'm satisfied she's okay, I can tap into what is being said in both the Gatehouse and the Compound.
When I'm settled on a sturdy branch that can easily hold my weight, tuning in to Bella's slightly erratic heart only takes seconds. She's asleep but not deeply. Most of the people in the Compound are either already awake or waking up. On the south side of the Gatehouse, there are only two rooms she could be in. One has a high horizontal window that is cracked open, the other has a standard square window that I presume is locked. There's one guard on the outside door looking outward into the forest but none on the window side. My guess is she's in the first room as the other window is easily accessible by her or a rescuer - in other words, me. A quick visual survey of the surroundings shows no obvious route if she attempts an escape. I have a couple of options but would need to be very quick if the guard is still there.
Before our early morning trip to the Meadow House, she took at least fifteen minutes to wake up and get herself together. I could rescue her now, but the risk that I wouldn't have to hurt the guard doing this would be too great. I'll wait for her to wake naturally and then see what happens. If the Elders are planning to break up the meeting in Forks, which I anticipate they will, then it would be best if they didn't know she had escaped. When Charlotte shows up with Lauren, no matter what has been said by the Elders to discredit Bella, seeing Charlotte will confirm to the people that the Elders have lied to them. Getting Bella there to tell her tale would finish them for good. If the Compound is depleted of guards when I grab her that would be preferable. I guess this won't happen until early afternoon. I don't know whether I can risk waiting that long.
Oh God, I wish I could read Bella's mind. My love for that girl grows every day, as does my admiration. When I list the strongest women in history, she could rightfully take her place among them. I've never known such spirit, especially in one so young, and who has been brought up under such an oppressive regime. She has her grandmother's sense of adventure too. What fun we could have if we were allowed to run free after this situation is resolved? What a life I could give her if that's what she wants. Eternity though, that's a big ask and not something she's ready to consider yet.
I'm still furious that I did not anticipate Bella's arrest before the meeting. Something must have happened because even I cannot believe the Elders would see fit to take Bella away because of a meeting about a memorial garden. Maybe they've found out about us which is probably why they visited Carlisle last night. If that's the case, I have nothing to lose whatever I do, but I'll never be able to go back to Seattle and be free to wander the streets in daylight again.
I guess the family will be prevented from leaving the Tower because of me. Rosalie will be incandescent if that is the case. Shopping is her number one hobby. She'll be like an addict with withdrawal symptoms and even less pleasant to be around. Of course, nothing can stop any of us from leaving the Tower if we want to, but to maintain the goodwill of the people in the city and effectively the governments of the world, we have always adhered to whatever restrictions are imposed on us. Maybe Carlisle will consider leaving Seattle if we're incarcerated again? The family discussed this option when Alice was determined to change Jasper whatever the government decided. That will be a disaster for everyone, including me. I want to give Bella a good life and not be on the run from the authorities for the rest of it, however long she chooses to live.
Heady scents emanating from the cedar's foliage have enticed me into a relaxing stupor. I need this after the stress of last night and the thought of what is to come. My comms device is dead again, so I can't even check in with Alice. When will manufacturers concentrate on producing decent batteries like they had in the 21st Century? It's so frustrating. Get the basics reinvented first before fancy additions like voice activation and other unnecessary applications.
Another hour passes. Bella must be exhausted to sleep this long, which, I suppose, is my fault. Sneaking into her bed the previous night was probably not a good idea - awesome though. Wall sex is the best ... even better with no parents in earshot. Stop it, Edward. Concentrate on the mission!
Singling out the Elders' thoughts from their staff is impossible. What I am picking up though is general agitation. Word has got out of trouble brewing in Forks so the need to stamp hard on this before it goes too far is the main topic of conversation. Bella's name is mentioned several times but who is responsible cannot be determined from my position.
I don't have to wait long before a side door in the main Compound wall opens. A young man and an older woman come out. I don't recognize the woman, but I've seen the man several times in Seattle. I'm sure he's connected to the security services there. They cross the small path between the Compound and the Gatehouse and disappear through a door hidden from me. Immediately after, I hear Bella asking about breakfast and insisting she needs to pee, followed by an argument which she wins. Way to go, Bella.
While Bella is in the bathroom, an Elder who I recognize leaves the Compound to go through the same door. So three of them are planning to question her. Good luck to them – they'll certainly need it. Bella returns from the bathroom and I admire how she handles herself in there, especially when they show her a picture of what I presume is the Meadow House. So they claim they were watching us then. That's complete bullshit. I would have smelt humans if they'd been close to the house in the last month, or when I'd gone back there since then. Either they've got a camera hidden somewhere, or they're bullshitting, or someone has grassed on us. But who?
Ha! They've given up. Bella is alone again. The three leave from the door at the rear and return to the Compound, their thoughts drowned by animated conversation. The younger guy mentions my name but his fury is directed at Bella for not admitting she'd been with me. The older man quells his anger.
"It doesn't matter what Isabella did or didn't say, Roger. We can still tell the people of Forks she's admitted to conspiring with the Catchers. They will never have the opportunity to see or speak to her again to disprove our claim." All three are laughing when they disappear from view behind the Compound gates.
The temptation to leap over the fence and rip their heads off nearly overpowers me. To regain control I bury my face in the thick foliage in the hope that the hypnotic scent of Cedar will calm me. I need to get Bella out of there before those reprobates take the opportunity to silence her forever. However, I still think it would be better for the Elders to turn up at the meeting not knowing Bella has been rescued. If they return to the Gatehouse though, I may have to intervene. At the moment they believe they have the upper hand, which is good. I want it to remain that way, at least until Charlotte makes her appearance.
Charlotte, oh Charlotte. That was a fun race across the Wastelands. An experience she'd been begging me for from the moment she was discharged from the hospital after her treatment. When I entered her room and woke her, she guessed immediately why I was there. After dressing her in every stitch of clothing in the room and helping her through the window, then straightening the bars so it wasn't obvious how she'd got out, Charlotte cheered when we soared over the Village wall and continued laughing throughout the journey. When we jumped the border fence, she screamed her delight at being on Lympi soil again, despite always despising the place. When she recognized we were approaching Forks and the farm, I felt her tears on my neck.
Her journey eleven years previously had been much more sedate. Wrapped in a blanket, I'd carried her to the northernmost end of the fence, and then through a heavily disguised door. Waiting for her was a battery-operated cart, similar to the ones unfit and disabled golfers used on their courses before the catastrophe. I wished Charlotte good luck and left her with a nurse who'd performed this role many times before. Already an urge to return to the farmhouse was taking hold. Bella's scent had affected me instantly, like crack cocaine to an addict.
Until it was out of sight, I watched the cart trundle along a well-maintained path that led to the ferry. The path had originally been laid for nature walkers in the Olympic Park and only the Elders knew of its existence. Charlotte had cried when I left her. She cried again, but this time with joy, when we were coming the other way.
Poor Charlie. He collapsed on his knees when he opened the farmhouse door to let us in. Charlotte pulled him up and they hugged for at least a minute before Renee had her turn. While this was happening, a tearful Charlie hugged me and then grabbed my hand to shake, repeating thank you, thank you, thank you, so many times before he realized my hand was cold. He gave me a quizzical look and shook his head. His thoughts were clear enough though. He didn't give a fuck what I was made of. His mother was alive and home again. End of.
I'm picking up one more heartbeat in the Gatehouse. Bella has a new guard, I would guess female. This is confirmed when a breakfast tray arrives from the Compound. I hear two women talking about 'the prisoner' only having bread, butter, jelly, and water. The good stuff is for the guard. They laugh at an inaudible joke before the rear door closes and the other woman returns to the Compound. Two more for my revenge list if I ever get the chance.
Bella is allowed to go to the bathroom again. On her return, she asks for a blanket which is refused. 'Mean bitch,' she shouts and then I hear something like a chair being kicked over. I remember being cold when I was a kid. Chicago winters were and still are merciless despite climate change. No wonder so many Chicagoans died of Spanish Flu. They were weak to start with.
Another hour goes by. By now they must know that Charlotte has escaped. The Elders have used comms devices ever since the first of the new breed of satellite was successfully launched into space ten years ago. A crude telecoms mast is situated on the far side of the Compound out of sight of any border guards who pass by. Maybe I should sabotage that while I'm killing time? Actually, Edward, that's an excellent idea. Cut off the Elders' ability to communicate with Seattle. That will seriously fuck them up. The sun's position tells me it's about ten now. I might as well be productive while I wait for the Compound to empty. My device is dead anyway, so I won't lose anything by partaking in a spot of targeted vandalism.
Swinging from tree to tree like the now extinct Orangutans makes me sad to think of the animals Bella will never see with her own eyes. Many species now lost to the planet were on a precipice before the meteor struck. Habitat devastation was the final straw. I live in hope that somehow, somewhere, animals we presume have disappeared for good have survived. Bugs though – how did they manage to endure practically intact? Snakes as well. And sharks? Worst of all - spiders. There's no justice.
A quick survey of the mast directs me to a weak spot on this very basic obelisk. My aim is for the damage not to scream sabotage, which could alert the occupants to my presence. A loose wire here and there should cut them off from Seattle for the rest of the day. Whether this is helpful to Bella's cause, I don't know, but there's no harm in trying. At least the government in the city won't be informed that Charlotte has arrived back in Lympi.
Stables and barn-like sheds occupy most of this side of the Compound. I take a guess this is where the vehicles used to transport supplies off the ship are garaged. There doesn't seem to be anyone around so I drop from the tree onto the fence then jump onto the roof of the closest shed to the mast and crouch down. For about thirty seconds I stay still to ensure an alarm hasn't been triggered. When I'm confident I haven't been spotted, I clamber over the roof and lower myself onto soft ground.
Before climbing the metal frame to where armored trunking that I have to presume contains wires is visible, I search the ground for a small branch or large twig. It doesn't take long to find one suitable which I shove under my jacket. With every finger crossed that no one is watching, I launch myself into the air to catch hold of a metal strut protruding from the side. With one more swing, I reach a handful of the trunking which disintegrates under my grip. A few tugs and electric shocks later, the branch is embedded inside a tangled mess of wires. When I'm satisfied the damage is not obvious from below, I dive for the fence, only just making it. The nearest sturdy tree is a long leap away after which I send the resident bird population screaming into the air. I stay as still as possible clinging to the trunk for at least five minutes before setting off for the Gatehouse. That was fun!
By the time I'm back at the Cedar, all hell is breaking loose in the Compound. People are pouring out of buildings holding their comms devices in the air as if that will do any good. With luck, they'll presume the satellite is the culprit. Whatever, they're now cut off from Seattle for a while. Ha effing ha.
Bella's heart has begun to race. Could she be attempting an escape? That wouldn't surprise me. Her guard is reading words I recognize. Good grief – Bridget Jones' Diary. Where the hell did she get a copy of that from? I can't help smiling. Alice and Rosalie loved that book. Concentrate, Edward. Something is going on in the Compound. Bella's name and mine are being mentioned. I have to be prepared to rescue her if they are planning to take her away or worse.
The door to the Compound opens. The Elder and the younger man appear and enter the Gatehouse. Instead of heading for Bella's room, they remain close to the door where they talk to the guard. I hear their instructions which removes the urgency for a rescue. Bella will be moved into the Compound when the Elders return from Forks. From there she'll be transported out of Lympi overnight. The guard is rebuked for allowing Bella to use the bathroom without two guards being present. They remind her that there may be an attempt to rescue her so she has to be vigilant. They've got that right - haha. As if one or even twenty of their guards could stop me! While they are talking, Bella is banging on her door and telling them to go f … gee, I hope she doesn't curse like that in front of Esme.
Another half hour passes. I'm comfortable on my branch when I spot Bella's face at the high-up window. I nearly fall out of the tree with shock. How the heck has she managed to climb up so high? She must be balancing on … I hear a crash. Whatever she was standing on has given way. At least I know for certain where she is. I just hope she hasn't hurt herself.
Another hour passes. Bella is in the bathroom again. Sounds from her room indicate the guards are removing whatever furniture is in there. While this is going on about twenty men are congregating on the paved area in front of the Compound door with their horses. The guard on the front door has joined them. Good. This is it then. These assholes are off to Forks to terrorize every inhabitant that has turned up at the meeting. When the double doors swing open they ride through in pairs. Leading them are three Elders, but not the ones who interrogated Bella. Paper tigers wearing ridiculous blue sashes, emblazoned with a silver knife. What on earth do they think they look like?
Bella
Hunger, tiredness, and cold are getting to me. That one bread roll must have been at least three days old. No butter or anything to spread on it either. Is their plan to starve me into naming Edward? If so, they may win. I hate feeling hungry, especially when I'm cold. Despite my size, I'm regularly accused of eating like a horse. Jess says this isn't fair, because everything she eats clamps onto her hips whereas food doesn't touch the sides with me.
Where is Edward though? I've been here for hours. He must know by now that I've been taken from the farm unless he's returned to Seattle to make peace with his father. No, he wouldn't do that - well, not yet. With the meeting happening today, he'll want to be around to ensure the Elders don't retaliate against me. I wish he'd hurry up though, unless he's waiting for something to happen. What though? Maybe this Gatehouse is surrounded by guards? Pity I couldn't see anything when they brought me in last night. I was concentrating on walking on stony ground, not whether I was being taken into a fortress.
Why did they arrest me last night and not today? Wouldn't their case be stronger if they'd waited until after the meeting? No doubt the people of Forks will be told that I've conspired with a Catcher which would then be used to discredit my evidence of Gran being cured of cancer, if that is what she had. Maybe they plan to stop the meeting before it starts because they don't want any evidence to be shown that there could be a grain of truth in what the Gang says. If I'm right, why didn't they arrest Mom and Dad, or Jess, or any of the others?
Okay, it was stupid to put the chair on the table to see if I could climb out the window. The floor is cold, hard, and filthy. Being tired, hungry, freezing, and uncomfortable is about as miserable as I can get. At least I didn't cave in front of them, but I'm cross with myself for giving away that I recognized the Meadow House. I hope Mom and Dad are okay, and Jupiter. Shit, I'm going to miss them if I'm never allowed to return to Forks which seems likely. And Star, and Ranger, and the pigs, and the effing cockerel, and his brood. Jeepers, I do love that farm.
Another hour passes. I've no idea what time it is, but guess it must be early afternoon by now. I've shouted to my guard twice that I want to pee again but either she's left the building or she's ignoring me. Horses passed my window about ten minutes ago. No doubt the riders are off to terrorize my friends and neighbors. Much as I want my absence to be confirmation that the Elders are bullying assholes, I feel useless and cut off now. My being here is a disaster for our cause.
I'm feeling rather emotional when I hear my name being hissed rather than whispered. Have I imagined it? Not moving an inch I concentrate on sounds coming from outside. My heart is thumping so hard when I hear my name again.
"Bella … knock twice on the outside wall if you hear me."
Luckily I have my back to that wall so don't need to cross the room. My legs might give way I'm shaking so much. I knock twice.
"Great. I'm going to punch my way through the wall directly under the window in about ten seconds, so stay out of the way. Okay?"
I knock twice in affirmation. I'm crouched on the floor under the window so roll out the way. Now completely covered in dust, I've only counted to five when the wall disintegrates. Edward appears, scoops me up with one arm, and settles me on his hip like an infant, and then we're outside. Before he gives me a chance to say 'Hi, what took you so long,' we're up in the branches of a nearby tree where he kisses me and gives me one of his dazzling smiles. He's enjoying this I can tell.
"We can't go to the Meadow House," I say.
"I know," he replies. "So I'm taking you to the last place they'll think of looking."
"Where?" I ask but he doesn't respond. Instead, he slings me across his back and says, "Hold on tight ..."
All together now ... spider monkey!
Sorry to keep you waiting for what's going on in the Gathering Hall, but Charlotte will be spilling the beans in the next chapter. I hope you enjoyed both the Great Escapes. Edward was right to hold out from rescuing Bella. The Elders wouldn't lie as much at the meeting if they knew Bella had already escaped.
The good people of Forks are in for some serious shocks now. Some of you have already guessed what might happen (darn it). Anyway, enjoy!
Joan x