Chapter 4: Like Ice

Paul POV

Bella's screaming startled me awake and I awoke in darkness. The room was ice cold and I jumped up, quickly making my way toward the bathroom. Modesty wasn't a big thing to me, so I had no problem barging through the door. I looked around the room quickly, calming after seeing nothing.

Bella was in the tub staring into space screaming still. Her face was in a mask of shock and horror, her brown eyes looking vacant. "Hey, hey, hey. Bella?" I whispered kneeling down in her line of sight. Her eyes landed on me and she promptly closed her mouth breathing deeply. I noticed the mist coming from her nose, realizing how cold it was in this room alone. She seemed to be in shock as all she could do was stare blankly at me shivering. I put my hand into the water, testing out the temperature, wrenching it back as the ice cold water was like a sting to the hand.

I stood quickly grabbing her towel and pulling her up from the water, adverting my eyes from looking anywhere but at Bella's face. I wrapped the towel around her and helped her stand on the tile. Her knees buckled and I swiftly picked her up bridal style as she clung to me shivering. "P-p-p-Paul? It-It's c-c-cold." Her teeth chattered as she spoke to me and I grunted a response as I laid her on the bed. I went back into the bathroom to retrieve her clothes, quickly discarding them as everything was short sleeved. I went into her bag pulling out a pair of sweat pants and a long sleeved shirt. "Please tell me you can put on your clothes." I said. She sat up and nodded, holding her shivering hands out. I watched for a moment as she took them from me and I just knew she'd need help. Her hands were shaking too much. I sighed and took the shirt from her hands and put it over her head, making sure the towel covered everything. I slipped it over the towel and took her arms gently, maneuvering them to slide into the sleeves.

I moved her legs a little, as I slipped the pants on and as I got to her thighs, she lifted herself a little and I slipped them over the towel. I grasped the towel, pulling it from under her clothes and she shivered again, pulling herself under the covers. I watched her for the moment knowing that I would most likely curl around her to get her body temperature back on track. First, I needed to find out what was going on.

I looked around for the thermostat, locating the device noticing it was on 75 degrees. I turned it up anyway until I could smell the heat kick on. Kicking off my pants and socks, along with my shirt, I made my way to the bed and laid down pulling the covers up. It was even too cold for me. I glanced at Bella who was on the edge of the bed shivering. I turned on my side and reached over, wrapping my arm around Bella's waist, pulling her flush against me. She was ice cold and I hoped my warmth was seeping into her skin.

I buried my nose into hair, breathing deeply as a sweet smell tickled my nose. I hummed contently as I snuggled closer into the sweet scent. I blinked open my eyes slowly as light snoring reached my ears. I looked down at Bella who looked to be finally warm. I could've moved away knowing she was warmed up, but I was too content here. "Fuck it." I muttered, wrapping my arm around her waist tightly, pulling her closer.

I woke again hours later to an empty bed and empty room. I rolled over, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Sitting up, I reached for my discarded pants, slipping them on as I grabbed a fresh shirt, making my way toward the bedroom door. I opened the door, peeking my head out, looking for any sign of Bella. I stepped out into the hall, looking around once again. I noticed a man doing the same a few doors down. "Hey." I called. He looked to me with his eyebrows raised, pointing to himself. "Yeah. Have you seen my friend. She's short, 5'3, brunette, pale." I rattled off. He shrugged and pointed downstairs. I sighed, making my way down the flights shaking my head as I went.

It didn't take me long to spot her staring out the window holding a mug in her hand. I walked up next to her and sat, too gazing out the window. "You alright?" I asked. I ran my hand through her hair, watching her face. "No. I don't like it here. Last night...thank you." I nodded and understood because I didn't like it here either. "Come on. Let's go get our things. We can see if we can get the car started or we'll walk until we find a signal." I led her upstairs and we packed our things, closing the door behind us. We were hasty making our way downstairs and I stopped at the end of the last step as I heard a quiet woosh. Pulling Bella back against me who was standing right in front of me, I looked up watching as something was pushed off the banister.

In seconds a dead body fell against the floor, spattering blood over the walls and pieces of furniture. Bella gasped in shock and surprise as I turned her around, blocking her view of the corpse whose head was no longer attached. In seconds a few screams sounded and sounds of horror and shock. It was time to go.

I pulled Bella along with me throwing $200 on the desk, sparing no one a glance. I grabbed our bags throwing the doors open and the sun had me squinting my eyes. I let Bella walk ahead of me as I scanned the lot around us. We walked to the street and made a left, the truck shouldn't be far.

I knew within a few minutes that the truck was gone and I put the bags down, reaching in or of the duffel bags to grab one of our phones. "We'll call a cab Bella." I called out to her as she just nodded. I recalled a number from memory and dialed coming up with nothing but static and that 3 high pitched tone.

We're sorry, but the number you have called...

I pressed the end button and sighed running a hand through my hair. "Bella, I'm going to go phase. Stay here, and if you see someone stop them." She nodded saying nothing but staring into the trees. I was starting to worry about her mental state. She's been quiet since we left.

Walking into the woods, I stripped, phasing. I was hoping to catch one of the guys on patrol. I was in luck as Sam was phased in.

Paul. You're checking in early. Everything alright?

I know. I'm with Bella...

I rolled my eyes in annoyance as he stopped me.

Wait, Bella? Paul if this is some way to get at Jacob..

No look, I left with her. The thing is, we broke down and we ended up at this place. We have no reception. I need you to call a cab and tell them we need one at The Lakefield Estate.

The Lakefield Estate? Paul do you know what that is?

No, should I? I spoke to Nana Trish yesterday, she asked me the same thing. I just know I don't like it.

You shouldn't either. A cab won't reach you. I won't reach you. I'll just be sucked into the mystery.

Mystery? What are you talking about?

Every year people go missing, their last location pinging at the estate. Only after they disappear, so does the estate. People have 1 week to figure out what's going on. A woman died there, she fell from the fifth floor. Many assumed she jumped as she was distraught over her missing son. She never got any help and every year on the day that he goes missing, she sucks people inside and 7 days later, she commits suicide.

Nobody knows what happens to the people who end up there. It's rumored that they become apart of the hotel, dying a death either horrible depending on if they paid the woman any mind, or die in their sleep, forever hearing that woman asking about her son. It's been what? 2 days? Close to 3? Go back. I hate saying this but you can do it. Bella is perceptive as ever. On that 7th day, I know you'll be fine. By the 5th day, contact me. I'll send someone who could help.

Why the 5th? Who will you send?

Sam sighed and took a shaky breath. The 5th day, a newcomer came, who immediately went to the aid of the woman. That person tried so hard and her 5th day is having hope. As for who I'll send, I have to know that you'll let them help, and promis e me you'll keep Bella with you at all times.

Sam?

Promis me.

Okay, I promise.

I had a feeling I would regret this.

Jasper Hale. I'll be sending Jasper. He's an empath and even with people who aren't so connected to their bodies can have feelings. I've been keeping contact with The Cullens, keeping an eye out for Edward. Jasper and I spoke one night and he wanted to do what he could to make up for Victoria hunting Bella and trying to kill her. He can help.

You want to send in a leech that almost killed her?! What's wrong with you?

Paul...you promised. It wasn't his bloodlust that pushed him to snap, it was Edwards. He owes me a favor, and I'm calling it in.

What favor?

He saved Emily.