Twenty-First Century Twilight; A Fanfic

Chapter 3 The Van

It was another cold, rainy day in the parking lot of school. I sat in the front seat of my truck, the heat blasting, waiting a little while before I headed in to class.

I watched as a shiny silver car pulled in and I felt that tingly sensation across my skin. It was him and I knew it before he stepped out and said something to Jasper, who was exiting the Jeep beside him.

He didn't know I was here and that gave me a moment to take him in without feeling judged. He was hard to look straight at when he was watching you so intently. Now though, I saw the way the light lit up the red in his hair and also the way his rear looked in those jeans.

My phone went off, telling me it was time to go in, so I turned off my truck and opened the door. I pulled out my bag and closed the door behind me.

As I turned to face the school, I took out my headphone.

A loud screeching sound hurt my ears and I was grabbed by someone, pulled down to the ground. Metal on metal screamed all around me and I realized it was me screaming too.

Something hot to the touch shielded me from the cold metal and it encircled me like a cozy blanket.

Beyond that, I felt a coldness seeping from the back of my head.

"Bella?" It was Edison's angelic voice, full of worry. "Bella, drink."

Warmth dripped down my throat and I coughed hard. My head throbbed painfully.

"Okay..."He breathed in relief. "You're going to be okay."

I looked up into the shaded face of Edison, in darkness, contrasted sharply by the holes of light breaking through the metal that surrounded us. I could barely make out that our prison was sort of shaped like Edison had blocked it with his limbs.

"What..."

"Shh," He hushed quickly. "I'll explain later. You don't remember anything, okay?" The way he looked so intently into my eyes left me breathless and helpless.

"Okay."

Only we were trapped there, encased in a metal tomb. Outside, I could hear panicked screaming.

"Can..." I didn't know how to phrase my question. "Can you free us?"

He met my eyes and I noticed I could see the whites more than before. It wasn't the light making his eyes black. "Yes, but it would draw attention I don't want."

The tingling in the back of my head brought my condition to the front of my mind. "Did I hit my head?"

"Yes, but-" He cut himself off.

"What?" I pressed, needing to know.

"I healed you."

"How?" I couldn't believe him, but I did notice how different my state was than moments ago.

"Bella." He said firmly. "Please."

I didn't say anything else. We were trapped in the most confined space I'd ever been in, pressed together under my truck and... maybe a van?

Edison let out a long sigh and I couldn't help but be concerned.

"Are you okay?" I asked, feeling guilty I only just now asked.

"No."

He didn't elaborate and I didn't ask. I assumed maybe he was feeling sick again. Or maybe it had something to do with however he stopped the van. Maybe an adrenalin rush? No, this was superhuman. Lifting a van was one thing, not being crushed by one was a whole other beast.

Metal crunched and light opened up above us.

"They're alive!" Someone yelled and a crowd cheered. The whole school must be out there.

They dug us out with a machine until the EMT could reach in and pull us out. I emerged from the darkness and breathed fresh Edison-free air for the first time in too long. I felt dizzy and nearly fell off the back of my truck when Edison caught me by the upper arm, steadying me.

I held onto his arm for balance. Gravity was not my friend just then.

Edison was the one to help me to the ground and I was grateful, though he left me alone as soon as my feet touched the ground. I watched as he went to his friends and they began talking all huddled together.

The EMTs insisted I be checked out and I let them do all their tests. I felt fine, if a little tipsy. Even though my vitals were fine, they decided to take to the ER considering the blood that apparently poured out of the back of my head.

I didn't bother insisting I was fine. They seemed worried so I appeased them.

At the hospital, I sat in a bed surrounded by a curtain for an hour and a half before the curtain parted and a doctor almost as beautiful as Edison entered.

"Isabella?" He asked, looking down at my chart.

"Bella." I corrected out of habit.

"Well, Bella, you are very lucky." He said with a subtle English accent, much like Edison's. "You're free to go."

"Oh awesome." I sighed, sliding out of the bed.

Dr.Cullen, as his name tag read, pointed me in the right direction and let me leave. As I rounded a corner, I saw my dad standing there and froze.

"Bella?" He cried out when he saw me, rushing over. "Are you okay? I saw the truck."

"Yeah, yeah." I insisted. "I'm fine. I got lucky."

"The truck is totaled, but I had insurance so don't worry about that." He said. I hadn't even thought about that, but that was good to hear. "Oh, and call your mom."

"You told her?!" I almost screamed. I looked around to make sure no one heard my outburst, and saw Edison standing down the hall, talking to Dr.Cullen. They both looked over for a second.

"Of course I told her, Bells." Dad breathed. "I thought you were hurt."

I felt bad. Obviously, he called Mom. She'd be freaking out, assuming the worst as usual. I'd have to call her and settle her down asap.

I pulled out my phone and saw it was shattered. It wouldn't even turn on. Great.

Dad had to go back to work, calmed now that he saw me alive and well. I decided I was brave today, riding on my high from surviving, and walked down the hall toward Edison and the Doctor. As I approached, they parted and Edison met me half way.

"How are you?" He asked.

"Alive. You?"

"Breathing."

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" I asked, cutting to the chase.

He looked me in the eye and I felt almost hypnotized. "Not here."

Edison could have said anything and I would have agreed. Seeing him up so close in such good lighting really set him apart from normal people. His skin was flawless, not a pore or scar on him. Everything about him drew me in like a moth to flame. No matter how hot, I wanted to touch it.

"Where?" I asked.

He looked around and jerked his head as if to say I should follow him, which of course I did.

We ended up in the woods outside the hospital. Despite the wilderness growing between us and civilization, I felt safe. If anything could keep me safe, it was Edison.