Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter 10 - Idiot Ideas

Friday January 16th Night

I could already feel the shift before we even stepped out of the theater. Bella looked hollowed out. Jessica was rambling about some guy in the movie—I hadn't really paid attention. Something with zombies. Predictable. I'd chosen a different kind of horror: magic, fire, dragons. "Goblet of Fire" wasn't the most cheerful thing either, but at least there was something noble in it. Something worth fighting for.

Jessica's voice grated as she pointed out how "hot" someone was—probably the one male lead who wasn't rotting or snarling. I trailed a few steps behind, only catching half of it. Not that Jess cared whether I was part of the conversation or not. She barely acknowledged I was there, which was fine by me. I wasn't here for her.

Bella was quiet. Too quiet. It wasn't unusual lately, but there was something off about it now. Tighter. Stretched thinner. I kept an eye on her, just in case.

We wandered toward some food place—Jess mentioned McDonald's. Of course. I didn't argue. If Bella needed this night out to pacify Charlie or just to breathe, I could deal with greasy fries and an overly enthusiastic cashier.

That's when I noticed something shift. Jessica's voice faded out mid-sentence. I stopped, alert, and scanned the sidewalk ahead. Bella wasn't paying attention to the sidewalk. She was focused across the street—One-Eyed Pete's, a seedy bar glowing with too many neon lights and not enough decency. Four men leaned against the brick like they owned the night.

Jessica stiffened like a frightened rabbit. Bella took a step forward.

Hell no.

"Bella?" I called, stepping closer. She didn't respond. She was moving—slow, deliberate, eyes locked on the group like she was in a trance. Jessica stammered something and grabbed at her arm. I caught up fast, ready to drag Bella back if I had to.

"What the hell are you doing?" I hissed, but she barely looked at me.

"I think I know them," she muttered, dazed.

My spine stiffened. Déjà vu. This wasn't curiosity—this was a bad memory with teeth. I recognized the weight in her shoulders, the way her muscles tightened like she was about to run or punch someone. I'd seen that in the mirror before. I didn't know what happened to her in this city last time, but I knew that walk. That stare.

Jessica babbled about suicide. Not helping. My jaw clenched.

"Bella, stop," I said, stepping in front of her now. "You don't need to prove anything to them—or yourself."

But Bella kept moving. She looked glassy-eyed and focused, like something inside her was unraveling and she didn't care if we watched.

Then she froze.

It was like her whole body locked down at once. Her lips parted like she heard something. But I hadn't said a word.

Bella looked around slowly, like she'd just woken up from underwater. Then she whispered something—too low for Jessica to hear, but I caught it.

"You promised."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

Hallucination. Voice in her head. Her shoulders trembled. Whatever she was hearing, it was loud. Important.

She didn't move toward the bar again. Instead, she looked at Jessica—then at me—and turned away from the men. The light in her eyes faded.

I didn't say anything as we walked the rest of the way toward the McDonald's. Jessica looked freaked out and kept her distance.

Me? I stayed close. Bella was fighting something I couldn't see, and even if I wasn't sure how to help, I wasn't about to let her fight it alone.

"Thanks, but I can't," Bella said quickly, her eyes still distant.