Chapter 5: Bella's POV
I forced a weak smile at the cashier, my hands trembling slightly as I grabbed the bags of snacks and supplies. The air inside the store felt stifling, like the walls were closing in. Desperate for the open air, I turned quickly and headed out, weaving around the side of the store toward the truck where Jacob waited.
But as I rounded the corner, I froze. Standing directly in my path was a pale face framed by fiery red hair, her eyes the color of freshly spilled blood. That smile—a sly, predatory grin—spread across her face like the Cheshire Cat.
"My, my," she purred, her voice low and mocking. "Look at little Swan. Where's your mate?"
The sound of her voice sent an icy chill down my spine. I gasped, barely able to get the words out. "Victoria…"
Her smile widened, triumphant. "See, you do remember."
Before I could react, her cold fingers brushed against my cheek, the touch sending waves of revulsion through me. She moved quickly, faster than I could register, her hand wrapping around my throat like a steel vice. With horrifying ease, she lifted me off the ground. My hands clawed at her arm, desperate for release as black spots clouded my vision.
"Do you know what an eye for an eye means?" she hissed, her voice dripping with malice. Her grip tightened, cutting off the last bit of air from my lungs. My struggles grew weaker as darkness began to overtake me.
"BELLA!"
The voice was distant, almost like a dream. But then I felt it—Victoria's grip loosening as my body crumpled to the ground. I gasped, clutching at my throat and gulping in air like it was the sweetest thing I'd ever tasted. Blinking through my tears, I looked up to see Jacob charging toward Victoria, his massive wolf form barreling into her with the force of a freight train.
Victoria snarled in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden attack. Jacob's jaws clamped down on her arm, and with a violent shake, he tried to tear it from her body. The sheer ferocity of his attack made my heart race, hope surging in my chest. But Victoria wasn't fazed.
With a sharp, calculated punch, she struck Jacob square in the snout, sending him tumbling backward with a yelp. He hit the ground hard, his large body shuddering as he whimpered in pain.
"JACOB!" I screamed, scrambling to his side. My hands trembled as I stroked his fur, trying to soothe him. His golden eyes met mine, filled with pain but also a fierce determination.
Victoria chuckled darkly, her gaze flicking between Jacob and me. "How interesting," she mused, her tone dripping with disdain. "A vampire and a werewolf protecting little Swan. You've got quite the entourage."
Her voice shifted, taking on an almost playful quality. "Let's make a deal."
In a blur of motion, she grabbed the gas station cashier, who let out a terrified scream. Her hand wrapped around his neck, holding him like a ragdoll. The man flailed helplessly, his cries for help piercing the night air.
"You see," Victoria continued, "I'll still kill your dear Edward eventually. But right now, you have a choice. Save this man's life, or let him die. All you have to do is—"
Before she could finish, Jacob lunged. His powerful jaws clamped down on her neck with a sickening crunch, severing her head from her body. Victoria's grip on the cashier loosened, and he crumpled to the ground as her headless body collapsed in a heap.
"Bella! Get in the car—now!" Jacob barked, his voice low and commanding as he shifted back into human form.
I didn't hesitate. Grabbing the bags I'd dropped earlier, I bolted to the passenger seat and fumbled with my seatbelt. Jacob ran to the driver's side, throwing himself into the seat and starting the engine. Tires screeched as we sped away from the gas station.
"Jacob, what about the cashier?" I asked, my voice tinged with panic.
Jacob kept his eyes on the road, his jaw tight. "I put him back inside the store before we left. He was out cold, but he'll be fine. Maybe he'll think it was just a bad dream."
I stared at him, trying to process everything that had just happened. "And Victoria?"
He glanced at me briefly, his expression unreadable. "I made sure she's somewhere no bloodsucker will ever survive." His words were clipped, but the faint sound of an explosion in the distance told me all I needed to know.
I swallowed hard, gripping the seat as adrenaline coursed through me. "Jake…we need to head to Chicago."
He raised an eyebrow, sparing me a glance. "Chicago? Why?"
"Because if we're going to survive this, we need to get ahead of them. And I know exactly where to start."
His expression darkened, but he didn't argue. Instead, he nodded, tightening his grip on the wheel. "Alright, Bella. Chicago it is."