Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 05:

Bella POV

“Chris this is ridiculous. Let’s set up a tent or something.”

“It’s just a little rain Bella. Stop being a tenderfoot.” He replied.

It’s a damn monsoon!” We still had thirty miles to go. My ass had finally gotten used to this saddle. Thunder had stopped being such a bitch. The weather was nice. I was enjoying myself. Now this. A damn hurricane in Wyoming.

Still I followed. What else was I going to do? Ride my horse back 160 miles to the ranch?

Uh oh.

“Hey Chris? It looks like a river over there.” I knew it wasn’t a river. But it was a washout. A washout about 30 yards wide with running water and I was betting very slick mud at the bottom.

“It’s not a river.” He laughed. I didn’t. I was cold. Wet and cold. I hated being cold. I really hated being cold. I had spent too much time around the cold.

“I know it’s not a river. But we can’t get across it. Let’s set up a tent.” I argued.

“Nah. I’ve driven cattle through rougher water than this. We got it. Just stay in the front and they will follow you. I’ll bring up the rear.”

Fuck.

“You chicken?”

Damn it.

I trotted Thunder towards the water. Thunder stopped.

“C’mon girl.”

Thunder stepped back a few feet and threw her head up. I suppose that was her way of saying, bitch are you crazy?

I stroked her neck and patted her softly.

“Trust me. I need your help. We can get through it. I need you to trust me.” I whispered in her ear.

She took off at a slow pace. Her hoof touched the water followed by another. Soon we were completely in the water. We kept going. Deeper. Deeper.

Soon the top of the saddle and her head were the only things out of the water.

I was beginning to get concerned. The water was freezing. Thunder’s legs shook and almost slipped a few times. Still she muscled through and the water stopped climbing. Soon we were rising out of the water. After fifteen minutes or so we emerged from the other side.

“The cattle won’t make it Chris. It’s too deep!” I yelled over the wind and rain.

“I’m goin up a bit. I think it will be shallower at higher elevations.”

I tracked him from the other side. The cattle followed him because like me, what choice did they have?

He got off Shadow and checked the running water. He looked at it, walked over ten feet. Walked back. Shook his head. Walked back… what the fuck was he looking at? It was mud! You aren’t going to see through muddy water Chris. There could be a hole that drops straight into hell and you wouldn’t see it.

“Right here.”

Chris got back on Shadow and began driving the cattle into the water. I watched the cattle closely. Sure they were probably going to be steaks one day soon but they were my responsibility now.

A couple of the calves had trouble but the water did seem shallower here. I looked towards where we had been. I couldn’t see the end of the washout. May as well be a river.

The cattle had all entered the water and some were emerging. Chris had entered the water.

“Be careful.” I yelled to the idiot who made me ride a horse into a giant muddy water slide.

Shadow slipped. She regained her balance. I let out a breath until I realized Chris didn’t regain his balance. He fell off the saddle into the water.

Fuck.

“Chris!” He hadn’t come up. No, there he was. Speeding away with the water.

He went under again.

“Thunder go!”

Thunder to her credit took off along the bank. Chris was moving too fast. The water was getting deeper. Idiot. Fucking idiot.

Thunder couldn’t move as fast as the water. I just had to get near him. He went under.

He popped up. I saw him lift an arm in the air and I reached for him. From twenty yards away. A silver rope shot out and wrapped around his arm. I looked and saw my glove had returned. The silver cable was attached to the top of my glove. I wrapped my other hand around the cable to drag his ass back. The bracelet made me stronger. I should…

Oh fuck!

Damn it! That hurt.

Chris pulled me off the front of Thunder. I was sliding along the bank with him on my ass with my feet in front of me. I looked at my feet. Some of those armored boots with maybe some spikes at the bottom would be nice…

The boots appeared so quickly I couldn’t adjust. My feet caught and my body flipped over causing me to land face first in the mud. Still I held on. I was sliding on my belly. I had a ton of mud being forced into my blue jeans.

I twisted my body to the side and got my feet planted in front of me again. This time I was prepared. When I popped up I dug my heels in and leaned back. I felt his body jerk in the water. The cable held.

“Come back to me.” I whispered desperately.

The cable started merging with my glove again.

The strain on my shoulder was killing me. Chris was in great shape but by no means a light weight. I grabbed my glove with my other hand and continued to lean back.

Armor began wrapping around my body. I could feel its power. It was radiating through my body.

I was stronger. I began to back up. The cable came back quicker. Finally Chris had been pulled out of the water. The cable unwrapped from his arm and shot back into my glove.

I looked. It was as if the cable was never there. Just an armored claw soaking wet and glistening in the rain. I wonder what other tricks it literally had up its sleeve.

I walked up slowly to Chris. I didn’t want to slip and fall. I don’t know why. Dignity I suppose. Not like I could get anymore filthy.

Chris was laying on his back laughing.

“You think this is funny?” I asked angrily. He was soaked. Covered in mud. He pulled off his boots and water poured out.

“You could have drowned you idiot! Of all the macho bullshit!”

He was still laughing.

“This isn’t funny!” I yelled. The rain was beginning to let up. Maybe he could hear that I was extremely pissed off.

He stood up slowly and smiled.

“Damn girl. Look at you!”

I looked down. My right arm was covered with my glove up to my elbow. My left shoulder had armor running down and covering my hand. I felt strands of armor wrapped around my midsection and upper back. My boots went past my knees, still bendable though. My jeans were ripped at the bottom where my boots had merged. The boots I had on were gone, torn to shred up the bank I’m sure.

I was also covered in mud. Head to toe. My hair was plastered to my scalp with muddy water. I could feel it. My face was covered with mud. I had some in my mouth.

“You think you look better?” I pointed out.

“No. But you are too cute to be looking like this.” He laughed.

“You almost died you idiot!”

“Nah. I knew you would get me.” He grinned.

Wait.

“You did that on purpose?” Now I was very pissed.

“Yeah. I don’t fall off horses Bella. You did just what I thought you would. I saw my wife use that grappling hook thing once. I figured you would be able to use it.”

He was putting his boots back on. I pushed him. Hard.

He fell on his ass.

“Idiot! Damn idiot!”

“Relax kid. You did good.”

“You risked your life to see if I could save you?”

“You are gonna have a lot more lives to save before this is over with. I’m your guide. It’s worth the risk of my life and Quil’s life to see you learn what you needed to learn. You learned a few things today. Some things about the armor and that pretty bracelet sitting on your wrist. A few more things about who you are. That’s what I’m supposed to do Bella. Teach you who you are. I ain’t just talking about super powers kid. You did good. Let’s get our horses and get these cattle to Cheyenne. The rodeo starts tomorrow. I’m meeting a guy about trading this herd for some horses. We get that done, I’m taking you to the rodeo.”

“I want to change clothes.” I mumbled, pouting under the mud caked on my face.

“You can when we get there. Ain’t much point in it now. The rain will wash you clean.”

“I need new boots unless you want me to ride into Cheyenne with legs that look like they came from the Middle Ages.” I pointed out.

“I got an extra pair for you. Let’s go kid. We got a herd to drive. We are on the home stretch.”

The rain finally stopped an hour later. By evening we were in Cheyenne. I helped Chris herd the cattle in a holding pen and we handed off our horses to a stable hand. Chris checked us into a motel room with double beds. I headed straight for the shower. I walked out and he took my place. Cleaned up I fell on the bed exhausted. I think I heard him say he was leaving to go met a guy. I don’t know. I knew nothing till the morning.

Chris was up as the sun was coming up. So was I. My internal alarm clock had set itself to a ridiculously early hour. I went to the bathroom while Chris sat by the window and sipped coffee. He was thinking about his wife.

By noon we had walked to a parade.

“Welcome to Cheyenne Frontier days, Bella. A celebration of the West since 1897. We got lots to do kid. There are concerts, crafts, and an amusement park. Tonight we go to the Rodeo.”

“Oh good. I was missing the smell of horses and cattle.” I mumbled. My ass was very, very sore. My whole body ached.

“Oh Bella this ain’t any rodeo. This is the granddaddy of them all. The oldest and largest rodeo in the world. You are gonna have a time kid. C’mon. We got lots to see.”

I followed him outside.

For the next 8 hours I had a great time. Chris bought me a new straw cowboy hat. I checked on Thunder. That bitch and me had come to an understanding and she had started to grow on me. We ate cotton candy and barbecue and I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I had this much fun.

That night Chris got us passes to the rodeo so we could go back to the stall area. The contestants waited here before their events. I was impressed with the bull riding and bucking bronc events. Chris apparently was well known for a guy who never left his ranch. He talked to everyone. He introduced me as his cousin from the city.

“Hey Bella I need to go speak to a gentleman over there. He is a real asshole so you don’t have to meet him. Hang out here and I will be right back.”

Alright then.

I walked over to the chutes to look at a bull and a cowboy about to ride. Then I saw him.

He was standing alone watching the arena. On leg kicked up on the fence and arms crossed over the top. I don’t know what drew me too him. He looked lonely. He was smiling though. He had a beautiful smile. He was lean. About 5’11. Kinda shaggy hair but not long. He was taller than most of the bull riders back here but lanky. I knew he was a bull rider though. He was wearing chaps and had a number pinned on his back. Number 2

I walked over to him. He saw me and smiled.

“How you doin ma’am? Nice hat.”

“Thanks. When are you up?”

“Oh I already rode.” He said casually.

“How did you do?”

“Scored an 85.” He replied proudly.

“That’s good right?” I asked.

He chuckled. “Ain’t from around these parts are you?”

“No, I’m not. Is it obvious?”

“Nope. You look good in that hat. Don’t give it up.” He winked.

“I’m Bella. Bella Swan.”

“Lane. Lane Frost. Pleasure ma’am.”

“So you from Cheyenne, Lane?” I don’t know why I decided to talk to him. He just looked… lonely.

“No ma’am. Oklahoma.”

“Long way to come for a rodeo.” I mentioned.

“Yeah. But I love this place. It means a lot to me. So you with Chris?”

I laughed.

“Yeah. You know him? Everybody else seems to.”

“Chris is a minor legend around these parts. He used to ride bulls and bareback broncs here. Pretty good at it too.”

“Chris rode?” He never told me that. No reason he should have, I suppose.

“Yep. We started out at the same time. I saw him around. We talked. Hung out. He fell in love I guess and gave it up. Rodeo is a hard life. Especially for a married guy. Believe me I know.”

Wait.

“What do you mean you knew Chris when he started out? How old are you? Because you look…”

“25 ma’am. I got to go. It was a pleasure meeting you ma’am. I want you to remember something Bella. At times you are gonna feel like the world is beating you and you can’t go on. Get tough girl. You’re stronger than you think you are. Good luck. I’ll be watching you ride. Tell Chris I said hi.”

That was strange. I was about to ask him what the hell he was talking about when I heard Chris call me.

I turned at his voice and saw he was walking towards me. I turned back to Lane hoping he would talk to Chris and I could get some answers.

Lane was gone.

“Bella you okay?”

“Yeah Chris. Why do you ask?” Chris had a worried look on his face.

“Sweetie I get that the bracelet talks to you sometimes but you can’t talk back to it in public. People gonna think you have gone looney.” He chuckled softly. I didn’t get it.

“I wasn’t talking to the bracelet or myself Chris. I was talking to Lane.”

Chris’s normally tan face just turned white.

“Who?” he asked quietly.

“Lane? Lane Frost. He said he knew you. I didn’t know you rode bulls. It must have been recent because Lane said he knew you when you started out and he can’t be that old. He said he was…”

“25.” Chris nearly whispered.

“Yeah. Did you know his dad or something?”

“Bella, Lane Frost died in 1989 in that rodeo arena. Gored by a bull after a ride. He was… he was a good guy. A good man. One of the best I have ever known. That sculpture of a bull rider outside the arena. That’s him Bella. What did he say to you?”

“He scored an 85 didn’t he? On his last ride?” I asked as realization dawned on me.

Now Chris had a tear in his eye.

“Were you here?” I whispered.

“Yeah.”

A shiver just went up my spine.

“So I guess I can speak to the dead huh?” I laughed but I didn’t feel much humor.

“What did he say Bella?”

“He told me there would be tough times and I had to be stronger than I thought I was. He said you were a good guy and to tell you hi. Then he said he would be watching me ride.”

Chris smiled and wiped his eyes.

“You want a corn dog?”

I took a deep breath.

“Yeah. A corndog would be good right now.”

“C’mon. Let’s grab some seats and get a corndog. Maybe some nachos. The leaders are about to ride. You should see it from the stands. It’s something else.”

“You lead and I will follow.” I told him honestly. Wherever this ride ended I would follow him and Quil. I just hoped I could hang on.

Jake POV

“Jacob? Jacob?”

I slid the picture of Bella and me on the beach back into my book and looked up at the teacher I had been doing my best to ignore.

“Everything okay Mr. Black?”

“Yes ma’am.” I sighed.

“Do you think you could answer the question?”

“What question would be that ma’am?”

She sighed. My classmates snickered. I didn’t give a fuck. I spent half the night with the Pack tracking a leech. We finally killed him at 3:30 AM or so. I dragged my ass to bed at 4:00 but couldn’t sleep. Adrenalin. I stayed awake until my alarm went off at 6. Dad told me I could stay home. I wished I had now.

“Could you repeat the question Ma’am?”

“The first capitol of the United States?”

“New York City ma’am.”

“Very good Jacob. And the second since you are on a roll?” she smiled.

“Philadelphia. Then Washington when George Washington picked a plot of land to build the capitol on.”

“Very nice Mr. Black. You may go back to day dreaming now.”

“Thank you ma’am.”

I sat through the rest of class but didn’t listen to a thing. I didn’t care. All I wanted was sleep and Bella. Bella first. Sleep second.

I had enough.

I walked into my house straight up to Dad.

“I hate to do this but I can’t take it anymore. I need to talk to Bella. She doesn’t have to tell me where she is but I have to hear her voice. If I can’t I am leaving. I am phasing and I will run the entire United States looking for her. I’m sorry Dad. I’m trying to be the man you want me to be. I’m killing leeches all hours of the night. You told me we changed because of the Cullen’s. But it isn’t Cullen’s that are bothering us. This is turning into a full time job. You want me to keep going to school. You want me to learn to lead a Pack. Fine. I’m doing it. I’m doing it all. But I need her Dad. I can’t do this without her. So what’s it going to be? You getting her on the phone or am I running across the US?”

Dad sighed deeply but finally turned towards the end table and grabbed the phone. He dialed. My heart stopped. I felt like a junkie needing a fix. I suppose that is what I was.

“Hello Quil.”

“Billy. Everything okay?” I recognized Old Quil’s voice. I knew she had been with him. I knew he was supposed to help heal her. I didn’t know how or why though. Apparently it was important that I not know.

“Quil, Jacob needs to talk to her. It is important.”

“She needs to focus on…”

“I know Quil. But I have an angry wolf who needs to hear his Mate’s voice. I doubt he will be a distraction to her. It may help her. How has she been doing?”

“She has asked about your son.” He admitted grudgingly. I knew she missed me.

“Could you put her on the phone?” Dad asked.

“I can’t. She is not here. She won’t be back for a few more days.”

“Where the hell is she?” I barked out. Dad gave me a sharp look.

“She is on a cattle drive young Jacob.”

Dad asked before I could.

“Did you say a cattle drive?”

“Yes. Cattle drive.”

“This is part of the secret you two have been keeping form me? You’re turning her into a cowgirl Dad?”

“I will have her call you when she returns… wait. Jacob how would you like to see her?”

I rolled my eyes. What a dumb fucking question.

“Of course I want to see her. Tell me where she is and I will be there.”

“You can’t come here. No one is allowed at this place. You couldn’t get in if you tried. However if you are willing to do what I ask I will arrange it so the two of you may see each other.”

“Whatever I have to do, I will do it.”

“Give it a few days. Once she returns we have some work to do. Once she is ready, say the end of the week I will arrange it so you can see her. Your father will prepare you. He knows what needs to be done.”

“You mean?” Dad began.

“Yes. He is the Alpha. It is time he learned.”

“Okay. I will teach him. If you think he is ready.”

“The pull to her is strong enough that he will be grounded. He will not be lost there. He is ready.”

“And her?” Dad asked.

“She is strong Billy. She truly was born for this. No one will be able to walk there better than she can. Not even me.”

Dad hung up the phone.

“What was he talking about Dad?”

“It will be difficult, son. You have much to learn in a short amount of time. But Bella will be waiting at the end.”

BPOV

Chris and I rode back from Cheyenne along with 6 horses he traded for. They were a lot easier to handle than cattle. We made much better time. I just wanted to get home and put ice on my ass.

I walked in and headed straight for the phone. I called Dad.

I missed him. He wasn’t the only one I missed but apparently Jacob was off limits. I wonder if I pointed my big shiny claw at Quil if he would still feel the same way?

“Hey Dad.”

“Bella. Are you okay? I haven’t heard from you in days. I was worried.”

“Sorry Dad. I’ve been on the back of a horse for the past week.”

“Oh. Okay…”

“How are you doing? You’re not eating every night at the Diner are you?”

“Nope. Been following the recipes you have been giving me. Going to Harry’s tonight for fish. Sue is cooking. Other than that things have been pretty quiet.”

“No they haven’t.” I told him. I don’t how I knew. Something in his voice. Something different than just missing me.”

“Bella you take care of you. Don’t worry about this. You are out there to focus on how to control your jewelry. Let me worry about things down here.”

“Is something wrong with Jake, Dad?”

“No. I actually saw him the other day. He looks good.”

“He came out of La Push?” I asked. Charlie had told me he never came out anymore.

“Yeah…”

“What happened Dad?”

“Alice Cullen showed up in Forks. Asking about you.”

Oh fuck. It was too soon.

“What did you tell her?” I all but whispered.

“I didn’t speak to her. Jacob did. It’s why he was here.”

“What did he tell her?”

“That he thought you were in Florida, recovering from an unknown illness.”

“She will figure that lie out soon enough.”

“Yeah. I know. When they come back Jake may have to be more aggressive.”

There was a time I would have been worried about Jacob talking to the Cullen’s. Afraid he would be hurt. No longer. I understood in my heart what he was capable of. Jacob was sweet, caring, and funny. But he was a warrior. Only a warrior could have a heart as big as his.

“Dad keep me updated. I need to know what is going on. But let Jacob know not to piss the Cullen’s off too much. I may need them.”

“Need them! What the hell are you talking about! You are not to have anything to do with them ever again! Have you lost your damn mind?”

“Dad? Let’s try to use our inside voices. I didn’t say what I needed them for. It isn’t for friendship or family, that’s for damn sure. I am… I don’t know how to explain it right now. But we are after bigger fish than the Cullen’s Dad. They may be a tool I can use. That’s all.”

“Oh. A tool? I… I’m sorry Bella. I shouldn’t have yelled…”

“Hey? It’s okay. I know what I have put you through. I love you Dad. If it makes you feel better after I am done with them they will probably never want anything to do with me again. But for right now let Jacob know not to start a war. Play dumb about me. Jacob doesn’t really know much nor anyone outside of Sam. It needs to stay that way. Just let him know, that I need the Cullen’s alive. Okay?”

“Yeah Bella. When can I come see you?”

I hadn’t really talked to Chris or Quil about this.

“Let me talk to Quil. Maybe a couple weeks?”

“Great. I miss you Bells.”

“I miss you too Dad.”

“You’re doing okay? Your wrist? That thing on it?”

“Everything is fine Dad.”

“Okay. I love you kid.”

“I love you too old man.”

“Don’t forget to call your Mom. I told her Alice Cullen may approach her and I lied and said you were in Florida so they would leave you alone.” He told me.

“Got it. I will call her and tell her the same thing. Bye Dad.”

“Bye baby.”

I ended the call and turned around. Then I screamed.

“Damn it Quil! You can’t just stand silently behind someone!”

“I could have been a vampire. What would you have done then?” he smiled.

“I would have formed a very big sword in my very big metal hand and slice you into two pieces!”

“Good answer. Now would you like to talk about seeing Jacob?”

“I thought I couldn’t see Jacob?” If Quil was messing with me.

“Not physically.” He said.

“Then how…”

“Are you ready to learn to walk in the spirit world little Swan?”