I'm sorry. It's impossible to comprehend how insanely busy I have been. I have already started the next chapter, so reviews will push me along to finish it soon. Hopefully within a couple days time since I've already started.
Thanks for the reviews )
Chapter 13
It was hard to remember most of the journey.
After Maria had come in… well, the details aren't something I like to think about. Or, I couldn't think about. Something was blocking it from fully coming back to me. Maybe it was that I had been so frightened I just couldn't think enough to go back to that day. Was it yesterday? Two days ago? Maybe three? I didn't know.
I'd heard that your mind can sometimes repress certain memories. If there's a memory that your mind knows it doesn't want to relive or remember, it can block them. Maybe what had happened lately had been so bad; my memory acted on its own and repressed them from me.
And that scared me. But I still wanted to know.
There were bits and pieces I remembered. I know I had been thrown around some more by Phil. He seemed to enjoy that. I was surprised Maria didn't have a turn though. Maybe she just liked to watch the show.
They must have a good amount of self control, I reflected now. There was plenty of dry blood caked onto my skin now, but they didn't show the slightest temptation to my blood.
The next part of memory I remember was being put in a car. Well, thrown, rather than put.
And that's where I still was.
I had no clue where we could be, considering I had no clue how long I'd been sitting in this car, huddled against the window. I'd float in and out of consciousness, but I tried to keep myself awake. I told myself it was because I wanted to see if anything changed. The truth was the dreams that took over the second my eyes closed terrified me.
It isn't that hard to figure out who my dreams were about.
They involved him and others with red eyes like Phil and Maria's. His family was there too, but he was my main focus. All my dreams had the same main idea, he would scream my name, but it would be cut off. The ones with the red eyes would advance on him…
I shuddered and then jumped in my seat, not allowing myself to fall back into those nightmares.
Edward.
I forced myself to think the name, and it sent a shudder of pain throughout my body, settling in my ribs.
Edward.
I made myself think it again. A fresh new wave a pain came with it.
Edward.
Why was I doing this to myself? I was hurting myself and I knew it.
Edward.
I deserved to be hurt, was that it? He could be dying or dead right now because of me. I should be in pain, too.
Edward.
Hadn't I been in enough pain? There had to be some sort of limit, where the pain has to just stop, because it can't get any worse. But then you get to that point, and it just keeps getting worse.
Edward.
Was there anything I could even do to help this situation? What was I, normal human Bella, supposed to do to save a group of vampires from another group of vampires that wanted to murder those vampires, then probably murder me.
And then I was numb. Numb in shock and probably fear.
Because the car had stopped.
It was so dark in the car I couldn't see into the front where Phil and Maria sat, but suddenly I heard a phone ring, and then Phil's voice.
"Yes, she's right here," I could almost hear that slimy smile on his face, "Yes… almost there. You'd like to talk to her?"
"Here you are, Isabella," I was shocked he was speaking to me. I thought the conversation had been about Maria.
A small phone came into view, so I reached out hesitantly and took it. I stared at it for a few moments, and I was stupid enough to hope it was Edward. I knew who it really was.
I brought it up to my face, and it took a few tries mouthing the word until it finally came out in a cracked whisper, "Hello?"
"Hello, Bella." The voice was unfamiliar, but it had the same smooth tones as other vampires.
"James," it wasn't a question, more of recognition, I knew it would be him.
"Very good, Bella. Now, I'm going to let you know of our plan. Sad enough as it seems, I don't believe we'll be meeting in person. I suppose Maria would allow Phil to inform you, but being second in command, I know more of the plan."
This shocked me, my brain clouded with confusion. I was sure that James was the one "in charge" of this whole thing. So it's Maria? It had been James that had found Edward, hadn't it?
It seemed James could read my mind…
"Now Isabella, don't let you imagination get too far. I presume they told you how I found your Edward? It's true, his smell and taste was better than any I had ever had. The Cullen's, as you call them, arrived before I was able to finish him off. I hunted him then. It was mainly for recreation, but after observing for awhile I noticed his abilities. Maria, as well, became interested after I told her. He is needed now, for our army. Maria's army."
I was too shocked to speak; my mouth was hanging wide open.
"I figured he wouldn't come easily. Then I realized the most obvious solution- you. Your Edward couldn't stand to have you taken, could he? I was prepared to come steal you, which would have been difficult. But Isabella, you just helped me out so much! Using my gift, I was able to change what that little one saw. Then you left! Right back to Phoenix, where Phil was conveniently located, and he got to work on your mother. Such good luck we had!"
My mouth had yet to close.
"Where am I being taken?" I managed to breathe out after a few moments.
"Now, that would be a little too much to give away. But don't worry," I heard him chuckle quietly, "I took care of a few things already. There wasn't much that I had to do… but you'll have some company."
I didn't have time to think over his words before he started talking again.
"Edward must be coming to find you soon. If he hasn't yet, I'll set things in motion. Goodbye." He hung up quickly. I took the phone off of my face and just stared at it.
I looked up then, jumping slightly as I saw two red eyes staring at me. I was able to make out Phil's face. I wondered why Maria hadn't turned around yet. Or said a single word.
"We're here, Isabella," I saw that sly smile begin to form. I wondered if he knew that he wasn't really second to Maria. He probably thought he was sucking up to her.
"Where?" my voice only shook slightly.
He just smiled that slimy smile slightly and turned back around. He opened his door and a rush of light came in, showing me to Maria for the first time in the car.
She wasn't looking at me, but kept glancing around. Fidgeting? I didn't think vampires fidgeted. She looked… anxious.
It startled me slightly when my door was opened. I took a quick glance back at Maria, and her red eyes were on me. Her glance had that same power over me. I was nothing but I small human girl, she was in charge of everything here. I didn't think she liked me being part of their plan to get Edward. It made me seem too important for her tastes.
Phil grabbed my wrist and yanked me out. Before I had a chance to take a look around and register where I was, a cold, stone hand was roughly put over my eyes, blocking all vision.
I was walked forward, and gasped when I was picked up by just my wrist and ran to the door. Ran would be an understatement. When Phil grabbed me, he flew through the air. I didn't even hear his feet touch the ground. I just felt the wind on my face and then we were there.
He let his hand off my eyes when he opened the door and pushed me inside. The room was very dimly lit, but I was able to see, to my surprise, Maria slide in after us and close the door. She looked even more anxious than in the car.
"This is where we'll keep you, for now." Phil said, pushing me forward slightly.
"Where is he, Phil," the words shot out of Maria's mouth like venom. It wasn't even a question… a demand.
"Who's he?" I bit my tongue after the words left my mouth.
Luckily, neither one decided to acknowledge that I had spoken.
Phil mumbled something too quickly for me to understand, although I thought I heard "in the other room" in it somewhere.
Maria confirmed my idea by perking up and shooting her eyes towards a door at the end of this big room.
She made a movement to walk over, but then she was at the door. She had moved so quickly I hadn't even seen her do it at all. And then Phil was right next to her.
I clumsily walked over to see what was behind door number one.
A huge, weird smile lit up on Maria's face as she grabbed the doorknob and pulled it open. She disappeared inside and Phil followed. I walked in as well, my own anxiety building. I thought of what James had told me, that I had "company." What did that mean? Was this person the company he was talking about?
The room was lighter, so I was able to make out the scene. But none of the details even mattered as they disappeared from my head the second I saw the person sitting there in the corner.
He looked fine physically, but completely and utterly helpless. I knew he would be able to get up and use that speed Maria and Phil had to get away… But why didn't he? Why didn't he use that super strength all these vampires had?
I had no idea how he had gotten here. The Cullen's never would have let this happen, even though I barely knew them. I knew they wouldn't, they must have not known.
Maria's smile somehow got even bigger, and it sickened me. She got a look of complete pride on her face as she stared down at him. It gave me a chill up and down my spine.
At that same moment, his eyes locked with mine. And from what I remembered, they were much too dark.
Her elegant voice, thick with excitement broke the tense silence. I realized then why she had been so anxious.
"Oh, Jasper. How long it's been…"
Sorry for the cliffy again. Thanks for sticking with me guys! Like I said, I'm working on the next one, so some reviews will pop it out in a few days time! :)