flightless bird

Chapter 50

I awoke the next morning to a cool breezing on my face. I opened my eyes and saw Bella still fast asleep beside me. I sucked in a deep breath as I rolled over and saw the tent flap open slightly. I looked up and saw Edward still sitting beside me and I gave him a smile. "Morning" I whispered as he gave me a smile.

"Morning" he replied quietly. "Are Jacob and Leah gone?" I asked. "No. They're outside" said Edward and I nodded before realising Christopher too was gone. "Where's Christopher?" I asked. "He left earlier. Like Jasper, he had experience fighting newborns and my family needed him today" said Edward and I nodded. "Did Bella know?" I asked and Edward nodded.

"I'll leave you to get dressed" said Edward before he stood up and left the tent. I rolled off the air mattress and grabbed a pair of jeans, moss green sweater and black cons before slipping them on. I threw my hair into a mid ponytail leaving some strands of hair in my face. I heard a yawn and turned to see Bella just waking up. "Morning Bells" I said as I buttoned my jeans.

"Morning" she said croakily as she sat up. "Is Chris gone?" She asked and I nodded. "What about Jake?" She asked and I shook my head. "No he and Leah are outside" I replied and Bella nodded. I walked out of the tent and saw Edward by the edge of the mountain. I approached him and wrapped my arms around him from behind.

"Jacob and Leah are quickly scoping the area out making sure it's safe before they leave. Then Leah's brother Seth will come up shortly" said Edward and I nodded as I walked beside him. Edward turned to me and I grabbed his hands in mine. "Sorry about last night. That couldn't have been comfortable for you. I know how I would feel if I saw another woman cuddling you" I said and Edward shook his head.

"Don't worry about it. You were safe and warm. That's all that matters to me" said Edward as he caressed my knuckles and I smiled. "How did you sleep?" He asked. "Good but I wish I could've been cuddling you instead" I said and he smiled. "Me too" he replied and I giggled before leaning forward pressing my lips to his.

We pulled away as we heard a grunt and turned to see Jacob and Leah had returned. Jacob was in his human form whilst Leah was still a wolf, a brownish wolf beside her. Must be Seth I thought to myself. Bella exited the tent and Jacob turned to her. I looked over and saw Bella wrap her arms around Jacob before they pulled away after a few moments.

Jacob jogged and Leah into the woods and I turned to Bella. "You ok?" I asked and she nodded. "Yeah. Just want him to make it back in one piece" she replied. Seth gave a grunt and we all turned to him. tHe walked over and stood in front of Edward looking at him. "It's starting" Edward said as he looked at Bella and I. I sucked in a sharp breath as anxiety filled my chest.

"Jacob just got there. He's good. Chris is alright too" Edward said and I saw Bella relax. "Is my mom alright?" I said and Edward nodded. "She and Carlos are doing fine" Edward replied as he stayed focused. After a few minutes I watched Edward's facial expression change into panic. "Someone's hurt?" Bella said and my heart rate began to race again as he looked around.

"She's close! I can hear her thoughts. Seth go!" Edward said and Seth ran off behind the trees. I ran over to Edward and grabbed onto his hand as I pulled myself closer to him. Bella stood behind me and I held onto her arm as I looked around. "She knew we weren't there but she caught Chris and I's scent. She knew you'd both be with me" Edward said. "She found us" I said as Bella grabbed my hand in hers.

I heard someone approaching and my breathing began to quicken as the fear and anxiety built in my stomach. "She's not alone" Edward said and I lifted my eyes from the snow to see someone walking out from the trees. I saw a face I recognised from posters around Forks, a missing man Riley Biers.

As Riley got closer, Bella and I hid behind Edward. I peered over his left shoulder watching, waiting for something to happen. Edward was outnumbered. "Riley...listen to me. Victoria's just using you to distract me. She knows I'll kill you" Edward said and out of nowhere I saw a flash of red appear to my left. I gasped slightly as my eyes fell on Victoria.