chapter 11 friends and foes

It was nearly two in the morning before Bella was allowed to see her father. In the hours that passed, she paced the lobby, the cross clutched within her palms. Edythe came with her, watching as she nervously made circles around the room. When she wasn't walking back and forth, she was glued to her chair, staring at the floor intensely, hoping it would give her some form of comfort. This was her fault, she knew it. If she had told him of the dangers... if she made him swear to wear the crucifix more then just one night... Maybe this could have been prevented. Edythe didn't speak to her. She supposed she thought it would only make things worse. She did, however, bring her hot chocolate once. She didn't drink it, though she was thankful of her consideration. When she finally was let in to see Charlie, she rushed from her spot into the hospital room. What a pitiful sight her father made.

Half of his face and neck were bandaged with gauze, his arm in a sling. He was asleep, a tube helping him to breathe. A heart monitor sat beside him, giving a paced, rhythmic beat. His leg had been broken and was cradled by a hanging strap. Bella weakly made her way to her unconscious father, dropping to the seat beside him. She moved her hands forward and gently took his own, amazed that she was not reduced to tears. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Edythe keep a respectful distance. Bella shook her head, putting her father's hand to her cheek.

"This is all my fault," she said softly. "I should have... I should have done something..." Edythe was silent, keeping her stone like eyes on the pair. It got to a point where it was disturbingly creepy. Bella looked up to her, hoping she would stop looking at her like that. "What...?"

"You weren't wearing your cross."

Bella blinked. "Oh..." She looked at the trinket in her hand. "Yeah... I gave it to him to try and protect him..." She looked back to her father, guilt trailing her insides. "Not like it helped..."

"You weren't wearing it," Edythe repeated. Bella looked to her, cringing slightly beneath her glower. "After I told you not to take it off, you did so deliberately. Even when you knew you were going into a house filled with vampires, you still didn't wear it..."

"I didn't know I'd be going to your house..." Bella defended softly.

"That's no excuse!" Edythe hissed. "I told you not to take it off, didn't I?"

"He needed it more then I did..."

"Did I or did I not tell you to keep it on," Edythe pressed, moving closer. Bella cast her eyes down to the floor.

"You did," she said weakly. She didn't want to here her badgering about something that shouldn't matter at the moment.

"So why did you take it off?" Edythe demanded. Bella looked up at her, starting to become angry.

"He needed it more then I did..." she began, amazed that she would even ask something like that.

"Fat lot of good it did him," Edythe snapped coldly. Bella stood at that, her face flushed with anger at the girl.

"I didn't know he'd take it off!" she defended, her guilt seeping from her tone. "I gave it to him the night I was in the hospital... He promised he'd wear it!"

"But he didn't!" Edythe retorted. "It would have been best if you just kept the damned thing! Alice could have killed you! Or worse, convinced you into letting yourself be turned! Is that what you want, Bella? You want to be a soulless demon for the rest of your damn life?!"

"Stop it!" Bella argued, gripping her arms. "Just stop it, Edythe!"

"No! You need to hear this!" She marched up to her and took her arms. "You need to focus on protecting yourself, do you understand?" She leaned in, her tone lowering and becoming more earnest. "Please... please just focus on protecting yourself from now on. These nomads know that you're connected with me. You're going to be facing some dangerous situations up ahead. You have to think about you, understand? And if anyone else gets hurt because they're not smart enough to prevent it, that's their fault."

Bella stared at her in utter disbelief at her crass statement. Her father was laying in a hospital bed, barely alive, and she shoved it away as though it was Charlie's fault? Slowly, Bella slipped away from Edythe's grasp, which she could have held with ease but didn't. Her face hardened, the usual meek tenor in attitude now gone. She pointed to the door.

"Get out," she said firmly.

Edythe's face took on a look of astonishment. She blinked several times, her lips parted. "What do you mean, 'get out'?" she began. Her eyes narrowed and her lips twisted into a scowl, her fangs bared. "All I'm doing is telling you the truth. Nomads like these won't go easy on you if you're being gallant. They'll rip you to pieces if they get the chance. They'll suck you dry; make you their plaything. They won't stop until you're dead, don't you get it!? You can't protect everyone! Only yourself!"

"I said get out," she repeated, a hard look in her eye. Edythe snarled and paced, having a hard time controlling her anger. She then leaned in close to her, attempting to intimidate the girl. She did not flinch or draw back, staring her down stubbornly.

"I don't know why I even tried," she hissed. She turned on her heal and stormed off, slamming the door as she went. Bella let out a low breath, the tension leaving the room with the vampire. Bella sat back where she was on Charlie's bedside, taking up his hand. She looked at the cross in her other palm. They probably wouldn't attack Charlie again. It wouldn't be any fun for them now. So, instead of putting it around his neck, she put it around her own. She then sat there, staring at her father, refusing to move until he woke up...

She wasn't quite sure how or when she fell asleep, but the next thing she knew, she was being gently shaken awake. Her name was called by a familiar voice. She blinked, grogginess trying to sway her back to sleep, but she sat up anyway. When her eyes focused, she saw the faces of Jessica, Mike, Tyler, Angela and Eric all smiling at her.

"We heard about what happened," said Angela sympathetically, putting a small vase of flowers on the bedside table. Interesting to hear her talk first.

"Hell, the whole town knows," said Mike. However, he was promptly shut up by Tyler, who elbowed his ribs. He rubbed them and frowned at the boy, who only gave him a pointed look.

Jessica shook her head. "Anyway, we came by to show our support." She hugged Bella, who smiled thankfully and hugged her back.

"I really appreciate this," she said to them. "I was so scared when I got the call... I thought he'd be dead by the time I got here..." She looked over to Charlie. "He still hasn't woken up yet." Jessica hugged her shoulders.

"He'll come around," she promised.

"And we'll bring your school work for you for as long as you stay here," said Tyler, handing her a bag of a couple fresh note books. "So don't worry about missing anything."

Bella took the bag, her heart swelling. Two weeks and she already had the kind of friends who would go out of their way to make sure she was supported. She hadn't met any group of people that were so thoughtful to her. She held the bag to her chest, happy tears welling in her eyes. She looked at their faces. "Thank you..." she said softly. "I... thank you all so much..." She put a hand to her face, her lip quivering. She felt like she didn't deserve all of this kindness. What had she done for them other then invite a blood sucker to a snowball fight? Just as she looked ready to loose it, they crowded around her, hugging her in a group. She laughed outright at herself, wrapping her thin arms around as many bodies as she could. They all assured her that they'd be there for her, no matter what. She thanked them profusely, unable to do it enough. In such an unsure and scary time for her, having these new friends in her life was like a blessing.

"Knock, knock," came another familiar voice. They all turned to see Julie Black standing at the door way, smiling at them. A few noticed her from a group visit from when Bella was in the hospital just twenty four hours previous. She walked in with a charming smile on her face. "You guys are cursed, I swear. First you and now him."

Bella smiled weakly, wiping her eyes. "I know... we're terrible." After a light and uplifting visit from the group, they all broke off, soon leaving Julie and Bella the only ones awake in the room. She waited until they were all out of ear shot before sitting by Bella and taking her hands.

"Did you see what happened?" she asked urgently. Bella shook her head. "But you know..." She nodded.

"I gave him my cross... to wear." She sniffed and wiped her face. "He only wore it one night I guess..." She looked to her weakly. "Do... do you think if I told him about the nomads...?"

"No," said Julie instantly. "It's best if he doesn't know. But I promise they'll be caught for doing this to him." She sighed. "I don't know if they'll leave or not... but be on your look out until we know for sure they're gone, all right?" She folded her arms, frowning at the floor. "This whole thing stinks of the Cullens," she seethed. "And if they find out that you and Edythe have any connection... even if you simply know who she is, they might come after you."

Bella remained silent, fear curling up inside her. She nodded. "I'll be careful." She clutched her crucifix and Julie smiled at her.

"You look like hell," she commented lightly. "You want me to drive you home so you can take a shower and change your clothes?"

Bella looked outside. It was nearing sunset. Even so, the hospital wasn't that far away from home. "No," she said, standing. "I'd rather if you watch my dad for me, ok? I'll be coming right back in my truck with some extra clothes, anyway."

Julie frowned. "I don't think you should head out alone..." she remarked, standing as she stood.

Bella smiled at her. "Don't worry. I have this, remember?" She tapped her cross. "I won't be long ok?" She hugged her and placed a light kiss on her cheek, before heading out of the room. "Just keep an eye on him for me!" she called. "And tell me if he wakes up!" After that, she left the hospital, the cold wind waking her up. It was a pretty clear day outside. It wouldn't be likely that they'd come out like Edythe did, anyway. There was hardly a cloud in the sky. She walked home without anything stopping her, glad to be in her house by the time the sun set. She took a good, quick shower and changed, putting a few spare clothes into an over night bag. She'd stay as long as her father was in the hospital. After that, she looked out. It was dusk now, but she was sure she'd be fine. She'd be in the truck, anyway. So, she hurried downstairs and made sure her cross was secure around her neck, before heading outside. She froze on the porch.

Laying atop her truck, tapping on the roof, was Victoria. She smiled, watching her own fingers loftily, her bushy hair frizzed around her face and neck. "Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor..." Her sharp eyes trailed up to her, a sly grin curling about her lips. "Our wrath punishes all without distinction..." She turned herself and hopped down to the snow lightly, barely making a sound when her feet hit the ground. Bella began to ease back, moving to her house and clutching her crucifix. Vampires couldn't come into a house without being invited in, right?

"That little trinket won't help you as much as you think it will." Bella jumped as the french voice of Laurent breathed behind her. She scuttled back to the steps and looked between the two, her head pulsating loudly. They both smiled at her wickedly, their fangs bared. In a rush, she turned and ran to the other side of her truck, but pulled back and wound up falling as James popped out of nowhere, standing just in front of her door. The others laughed at her fear as she struggled to get back up again. James leaned forward, smelling her hair. She shivered and tried to pull back, but the fact that she was petrified didn't let her move.

"She smells like them..." he growled, his white teeth close to her face. He pulled back and looked to the other two, who were closing in. Bella felt a finger trail her lower back and she turned to watch Laurent circle her.

"What is your connection with the Cullens...?" Bella remained silent. "Come now... no use trying to hide it... You were with one of them that day..."

"Not to mention you wreak of them," Victoria purred, absolutely loving the way Bella was reacting. She only gripped it tighter.

"Stay away from me..." she warned, in a much smaller voice then she had hoped for.

Victoria cackled. "Or what, you pitiful little human?" She leaned forward, grabbing Bella's chin roughly. She had an iron clad grip, and Bella feared that she would try and break her jaw. "What can you do, hm? What could you possibly do to defend yourself against the likes of us..." She stopped suddenly when James put a hand on her shoulder.

"Wolf."

The others turned to see a black truck heading in their direction. Julie parked the truck and stepped out, her hand clutched to her side. Her eyes flashed a bright looking silver. "Let her go." Her voice was low and prickled, her walk much different then what Bella was used to seeing. And she smelled different too... The vampires could detect it much sharper then she could, she was sure, but it was defiantly there. It was something... primal. James growled at her, but didn't advance as Laurent stepped in between the two of them.

"We have no problem with you, wolf," he said bluntly. "Our problem is with the Cullens."

"Then it's also with us," Julie insisted. "My people and the Cullens have a peaceful pact. You're violating that."

While the two parties argued, Bella kept her eyes on Victoria's hand. It went from her face to her shoulder. All eyes were on Julie, and she guessed that they couldn't read minds, or else they wouldn't ask questions. So, in a quick motion, Bella pressed her cross onto Victoria's skin. It sizzled and charred her hand, causing her to scream out in anguish. While they were distracted, Bella ran out from behind them and threw herself at Julie, who pulled her aside and stood in front of her. She gripped her shirt, shaking against her. Victoria screeched at her, clutching her wounded hand. "You bitch!" she yelled, her eyes glaring at the human. However, they didn't advance because of Julie. Laurent straightened up as Victoria swore under her breath.

"Don't think this is over, Isabella Swan," he said smoothly. "Yes, we know who you are. You're treading very dangerous waters. Get in our way, and we'll destroy you..."

"Get any closer to her, and you'll have an entire hoard of shifters on your doorstep," Julie threatened. Laurent sneered at her and turned to the others. With a nod, they left, leaping into the air and disappearing into the new night that fell on Forks. Julie turned to her. "You ok?" She nodded, hand on her forehead. She rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm guessing you've figured out what I am...?" She smiled a bit.

"It's not like you hid it all that well..." She laughed at that.

"No... I guess not." She hugged her tightly. "Come on. I'll take you back to the hospital." She took her into her truck and they drove back to where her father lay, waiting. Bella leaned on the window, staring to the snow.

"I don't want anyone to be hurt..." she said softly. Julie gripped her hand and she looked to her.

"Don't worry," she said softly. "You have me. And my father will be talking to Carlisle tonight. Things'll be straightened out, and soon those nomads will be gone for good."

Bella nodded. "I certainly hope so..." She looked back out to the snow, sighing.

This was going to be a long winter.