Chapter 2

I wasn’t quite sure what to think about the night before. If I was being honest, I didn’t remember most of what happened. It all just seemed like one big dream, though I was almost positive that Jasper was real. There was no way I had imagined that breakfast and waking up in a house that had been empty for as long as I could remember—even if it did look better now than when Angela and I had entered on a dare.

It was Saturday and I was, unfortunately, working at the bookstore. I’d been fifteen minutes late, because I had to go home and change. I was lucky that Charlie was already gone to work for the day or he would have freaked out over my neck.

“Bella?”

I looked up to find my boss, Esme, staring at me with curiosity in her eyes. I couldn’t blame her; ever since I had started working for her two years ago, I hadn’t been late ever. I had worn to her hat I could be trusted. It wasn’t required that teenagers had jobs because they provided help for families with minors, but I wanted to prove that I could work and keep up with school.

“Sorry I’m late,” I apologized. “I got stuck on the other side of town last night.”

She nodded in understanding, before her eyes narrowed at the sight of the gauze on my neck. “What happened?”

I hesitated before answering, “We were attacked. It’s really fuzzy and I don’t even remember it.”

She gave me a sympathetic look. “Why don’t you go home for the day? I can handle the store for the day.”

“N-no.” I stuttered. For some reason, I felt like I had to work this shift. I had always felt like that, but now it seemed more important than anything else. “I can work.” She didn’t look too certain. “I promise, Esme. I’m okay. I just need something familiar.”

She nodded in understanding. “Alright, but you’re at the register today. And I want you to see Carlisle when he stops by tonight.”

Carlisle Cullen was one of the only one of their kind that I was comfortable around. He was actually really nice and I knew for a fact that he had a thing for Esme. Especially considering he always brought her something really sweet, like flowers or chocolates, whenever he came to visit. It was a very refreshing change from the others who came through town.

“Carlisle’s coming?” She nodded, a bright smile lighting up her face. I bit my lip, knowing that there was something that I had to do. “I-I really want to see him, but I have a date tonight. There’s this new boy who just moved in and we’re having dinner.” I noticed her giving me a strange look. “What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing, Dear. Now get to the register and we’ll talk a little later.”

The entire day, I was stuck at the front counter, helping the few customers that came by. It wasn’t my favorite thing to do, but I got to read between helping them so I couldn’t really complain.

When it was time to close up, I put on my jacket to head over to Jasper’s. That was when Esme asked me if I could help her with something in the basement. It was dark, and as soon as I was half way down the steps, the door slammed shut, locking me in.

“Esme?” I called out, running back up the stairs and tugging on the door. “Esme, help me!”

“I’m sorry, Bella,” she apologized. “This is for your own good.”

I continued to jerk at the door, before heading downstairs in search of some windows. I had never been close enough to the walls to see if there were any windows. Of course, knowing Esme, there were since she hated using anything besides natural light.

Unfortunately, the only windows were about the width of my arm, so there was no way to get out of the basement. I was panicking; worried that Jasper would be angry at me for being late. Something inside of me told me that I absolutely had to be there or something bad would happen.

As soon as the last bit of sunshine was gone, my panic grew. My breathing was getting heavy and I could feel myself getting close to passing out. Luckily, the door opened and I was able to run out. Instantly, my mind told me to head straight to Jasper’s, but I was grabbed around the waist and held where I was.

“Let me go!” I cried as I tried to break free from the strong grasp. “I have to go. I have to go to him.”

“I see what you mean,” a familiar voice spoke as I was held down. “Bella. Bella, you need to calm down.”

“No. I have to go.”

“Isabella, you will stop.” I felt my mind clear and saw Esme standing to the side, looking fearful. “Who do you have to go to?”

I shook my head, feeling the pull that was telling me I had to get to Jasper again. “He’ll be mad,” I whimpered.

“Bella, do you know where you are?”

“Bookshop.” My voice was barely a whisper.

“That’s right. Can you tell me who bit you last night?”

I shook my head. “Don’t remember.”

“Who is this boy? The one you told Esme you had a date with?”

“He’s... home schooled. Protected me... made me breakfast.”

Carlisle sighed as he tightened his hold on me. “Did you meet his parents?”

“Parents... killed. Lives with... big brother.”

“That’s not uncommon,” Esme spoke for the first time since she locked me in the basement. “Carlisle, do you think this boy’s a vampire?”

“I don’t know. Call Charlie. Tell him that something’s happening and Bella’s staying with you for the night. I’ll make a call of my own and see if someone can give me some information on this boy.”

I felt myself be carried to my truck which Carlisle climbed into. He kept hold of me the entire drive as if he thought I would jump out of a moving car—exactly what my brain was telling me to do. I’d do anything to get to Jasper, even knowing that he’s already mad because I didn’t show up for our date.

When we arrived at Esme’s house, Carlisle took me inside, keeping a tight hold on me as Esme walked in shortly after. She said, “It’s all cleared with Charlie. I told him Bella passed out at work, so I closed early and brought her home.”

Carlisle nodded and pulled out his phone, dialing some number while I was still grasped in his other arm. “It’s Carlisle. I need some information. Is there anyone who has moved to Newport, Oregon lately?” He paused. “I understand. Thank you.” He hung up. “There is someone planning on coming, but he’s not scheduled to arrive for another month.”

You will come to me.

I kicked Carlisle, so happy at the moment that his kind could still feel pain in that one particular spot. He loosened his grip enough for me to get away from him and I ran towards the front door. If only I could get out of the house, I could find someone to give me a ride to Jasper’s.

Before I could reach the door, though, Esme beat me. She held me until Carlisle recovered and came towards us. He grasped my neck and gripped it tightly, causing me to choke on my breath. I whimpered, wanting Jasper there to protect me.

“You will stop.” I could feel tears sliding down my cheeks at Carlisle’s tone. I had never been afraid of him before, but this was someone else entirely. “Isabella, you are not leaving this house.”

“Carlisle, stop,” Esme ordered, causing him to let go of my neck.

I stared at Carlisle, backing away in fear. He looked so upset at what he did, but I couldn’t help being scared.

Quickly, I ran outside and took off down the streets, when a car pulled up. “Isabella.” I looked at Jasper, who was giving me a worried look. “Get in.” I climbed in without hesitation. I could feel the tears still sliding down my cheek. “What happened?”

“Don’t make me go back,” I whimpered. “Don’t let him near me.”

“Shh.” He stopped the car and reached over, wrapping an arm around me. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promised you that last night, remember?” I nodded. “Now, take off that bandage.”

I lifted my arm up to peel away the gauze, feeling my brain go fuzzy again as he leaned down towards my neck.