CHAPTER ELEVEN

Internal and External

***

"Tony, help, please help!" 

 "Jake?" I questioned nervously. It was later that day, and the sun had clouded over. I was walking to the beach, since that is the most peaceful place in La Push, and I need a little peace right now. "What-" 

 "It's Bella," he grabbed my arm, dragging me farther into the sand. I caught sight of the Swan girl's limp body almost immediately. I felt my eyes widen slightly as Jacob pulled me over. "You need to help her, please help her!" 

 I looked up at the pained look on Jake's face, realizing now that my peace was going to be interrupted. I sighed, kneeling on the sand and putting my head to Bella's chest, hearing a very dull beating. I exhaled sharply, placing my hands over her heart and applying pressure, pinching her nose and holding her chin back so her airways would open, blowing a breath into her chest. Bella remained still for a moment, before she shot up, sputtering and coughing up all of the water she took in.  

 I jumped up, dodging so I wouldn't get hit, and sprung to my feet, shaking my head as Jacob breathed her name and kneel-ed down. "Mission, hashtag, accomplished." 

They spoke in small voices, and I was about to run away and try to forget any of this ever happened, but Jacob helped Bella to her feet and turned to me, his eyes wide and apologetic. "Can you drive us to her house? Please?" 

 I sighed indignantly, wishing my hair was long enough to brush out of my eyes. It was one of those questions you would immediately be an asshole for saying no to... so I didn't. 

 "Sure, just give me directions." 

 And that was how I ended up squeezed in the drivers seat of Bella's crappy ruck, the girl herself squished in between Jake and I, relishing our hot body heat, and switching between leaning her head on Jacob's shoulder and mine to warm up her ears. "H-How hot are you guys?" 

 "One-oh-nine." I spoke nonchalantly, hoping to weird out the girl who was impossible to weird-out. It made me wonder what happened to her when she was all cozy with the bloodsuckers. Apparently so much weird that I couldn't freak her out any farther. 

 The drive to Bella's house was short, and silent, Jacob occasionally telling me to 'hang a right,' or to 'stop exceeding the speed limit.' 

 The sky was dark when we pulled up to the small house, there were no cars in the driveway, but a sleek one down the street a ways that seemed to catch Bella's attention. She went to open the door, and as soon as fresh air could seep through, I reached forward to close it again. The scent was familiar and revolting. Like sugary flowers. 

 A vampire. 

 "It's a bloodsucker." I said, although I am sure Jake already knew that, as his lips were curled and his eyes were wide. 

 "Wait, that's Carlisle's car!" 

 I was no stranger to the Cullen's, and I believed Carlisle was the doctor one. Bella's eyes were wider than Jacobs, as she pushed the car door open and crawled over Jacob, walking toward her house like her life had purpose again. I scoffed as Jacob jumped out, running after her and grabbing her arm. I climbed out, meeting them on the pavement and scrunching up my nose in disgust at the smell that lingered in the air. 

 "Bella, you don't understand," Jacob began, his voice turning desperate for the second time this evening. "The treaty doesn't protect you here. If it's a trap, Tony and I can't help you... you're about to cross a line." 

 "Then don't draw one," she pleaded, her voice determined and her lips drawn into a tight line, her tone softened, "please." 

 Before either of us could say anything, she deserted us in the cool air and entered her house, the door shutting quietly behind her. 

 "Well this sucks..." I muttered, staring at Jacob's hurt face, "welp, let's go." 

"We can't just leave her!" Jacob resisted, tied to this Swan girl like she was his Imprint. I think he was trying to make up for the fact that she wasn't by this point. It was sad... but I kind of admired him for his perseverance. "Tony, that could be Victoria!" 

 "Or it could be the doctor," I countered, crossing my arms, "they all smell the same, and if it was Victoria, we would have heard her scream by now." 

  I don't think my words calmed him, as his shoulder only seemed to tense more. Slowly, as if he was having an internal debate with himself, he shook his head and began walking toward the door. I was about to stop him, but my wise soul understood that it would be effortless, so I jogged to keep up with him, and pushed the door open myself. 

 "Werewolves? Bella, werewolves are not good company to keep!" 

 "Speak for yourself," I blurted, catching sight of the bloodsucker in the room. The entire house smelled like shit, and my entire face pinched. This was definitely a Cullen, she was tiny for one, and her hair was short and wispy, like brunette cotton candy. She looked kind of like the forest sprites I learned about in eighth grade history. Her eyes were golden, which only reassured me slightly, and she stood up quickly obviously thinking she was much more intimidating than she looked. 

 "I had to see if you were okay," Jacob spoke to Bella, his expression softening, but his eyes staying trained on the vampire. Her eyes drifted to me, and I shrugged. 

 "I'm for intimidation purposes." 

 "I thought you couldn't protect me here," Bella said, her hands coiled tightly around her mug, but a smile smile fighting onto her pale lips. 

 "I guess I don't care." Was his response, making me roll my eyes and cross my arms. 

 The vampire's golden eyes traveled around the room, landing on each of us in turn. I almost fell over when I realized they kind of reminded me of Embry's. Except Embry's were more real, and much more beautiful. When she spoke, it was like her statement was the most obvious thing in the world. "Well, I am not going to hurt her." 

 "Nah," I shook my head, a smirk playing at my lips as my dark eyes met the Cullen's. "You're just a harmless Cullen... we were a little more worried about the bloodsucker that was trying to kill her," I paused to let the words sink in, "oh, because of you." 

"Victoria?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowing. I nodded, "yeah, nice name, not so nice creature." 

 "I... I didn't see her," she muttered, making a spike of confusion run down my chest. She didn't see her? Maybe because she was thousands of miles away... "I didn't see you pull her out, I didn't see her come here..." her eyes widened drastically, and she stalked forward until she was right in front of me, jabbing an accusatory finger at my chest. "I can't see past you and your pack of mutts!" 

 I smacked her hand away, leaning forward, "you do not want to make me mad!" I warned, my voice low, shrugging off Jacob's hand on my shoulder, "or things could get very ugly." 

 "Stop it!" Bella hissed, lightly trying to shove herself in between the Cullen and I. "Both of you!" 

 I only complied because her scent was growing to be too much for me, taking a step back and slowly shaking my head. I can't deal with the Cullen's right now, I have to deal with so much more... heck, I was fighting a battle against myself, I can't worry about bloodsuckers. "Sorry Jake... you're on your own for this one." 

 I didn't listen to his response, but I did turn and push through the door, the chill of the air sending a shiver down my spine that quickly melted into warmth. 

 I had trouble phasing with the many thoughts surging through my mind. 

 I guess the Cullen's are back... 

 I guess Victoria is still out there. 

 And I guess things just got a whole lot more complicated. 

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