30 Days of Em - Emmett McCarty - Bear Hunter

Here's a little o/s I wrote for the awesomeness that was 30 Days of Em. It's published on FF on the 30DOE page, but I feel like sharing my love of the big guy.


Title: Emmett McCarty – The Bear Hunter

Characters: Emmett, Rosalie, Edward, Bella, Alice, Jasper, Seth, OC.

Rating: M for language

Summary: Emmett McCarty, Wilderness Troupe Leader, naturalist, bear expert, Park Ranger is talked into doing a Black Bear special for an up and coming TV station. Follow him as he navigates not just the wilds of Tennessee, but also faces the challenge of a demanding director in order to produce 'movie magic'.

A/N Big thanks to PTB for the comma intervention and to AccioBourbon, Hmonster4 and Theheartoflife for running 30 days of Emmett.

SM owns it; I just kidnapped the characters and played with them a bit. I have no affiliations with Nat Geo, Animal Planet or Americas Funniest Animals, but I did get to fulfil a dream and work with a well known (and sadly deceased now) Australian Croc specialist, when he visited my former work.

---

I sat around the fire pit smiling to myself; I love it out here in the wild. The wind in my hair, the sun in my face. I love the green of the trees, the deep brown of the earth and the crystal clear blue of the fresh water springs and streams. The Great Smokey Mountains National Park, near Gatlinburg, Tennessee is, and always will be, my home from home. While Rosie isn't that big on the great outdoors, she has grown to love and enjoy our frequent trips out here. The seclusion from day to day insanity of the city is like a little slice of heaven.

"Emmett, tell us 'nother story. Pweaaaase," the timid childish voice of little Isabella Swan drifted over the fire.

"Yeah Em, tell us 'nother story," agreed the blonde haired, blue eyed monkey Jasper.

A cacophony of childlike whoops and squeals from the rest of the children followed. This is what I lived for. The kids from the wilderness group always knew what buttons to press to get 'Ranger Em' to tell them a story.

I smiled at the eager faces of the children around the fire. A small hand wormed its way in between my huge beefy fingers. Little Alice Cullen, a tiny little girl that you could just pick up and put in your pocket. She reminded me of a wood nymph. When she had joined my wilderness troupe she was so quiet and shy and I wondered how she would fare out here. Imagine my surprise when we set foot on the tree lined trail, weighted down with our packs, and she literally vibrated where she stood from sheer excitement. Little Alice lived for the great outdoors; suffice to say I was thrilled.

"Tell us how you became a TV star Ranger Em," Edward Cullen, Alice's 6 year old twin brother babbled out eagerly.

Edward, now there's a kid after my own heart. Where Alice was a wood nymph, Edward would be a guardian. Fiercely loyal, overwhelmingly protective, that boy was a mixture of smart and strong. 

To see them both together, you'd know they were related somehow, but twins, no, they were complete opposites. Where Alice was tiny with piercing blue eyes and sleek black hair cut into a cute little bob, Edward was tall and gangly with crazy auburn hair and the greenest eyes I'd ever seen. He was the calm to her crazy.

"Yeah! Tell us about the crazy man and the bear!" Agreed little Isabella.

She was a beautiful little girl, deep chocolate brown eyes that would bore into your soul and long mahogany hair. She had just celebrated her 6th birthday this week. She was both timid and brave, she had a strong sense of what was right and always had her head stuck in a book. She had a gap where her two front teeth used to be; apparently the tooth fairy had had to work extra hard last week as it left her a whole dollar under her pillow. The gap left her with a slight lisp, but that would soon go once her big teeth pushed through.

"Yeah the bear, the bear!" squealed Alice excitedly.

Jasper placed his hand on her shoulder as she was bouncing so hard he was being flipped along the log. She calmed instantly and smiled at him.

Jasper Whitlock was a very quiet child with an old soul. He rarely said much, but when he did it was normally something profound. He could read emotions and situations as if they flashed at him in neon. I smiled at the interactions between the children. I couldn't refuse them when they were so excited, even if they had heard this story many times before. It was something of a tradition now; I always shared the bear story on the first night of our summer camp out.

"Oh I suppose so," I said with a dramatic sigh.

Edward smirked at me knowingly; sometimes I swear that kid can read my mind. I grinned back, winking at him as he laced his fingers through Isabella's. They were like two peas in a pod, practically inseparable. It made me think of my Rosie. I wish she'd come with us, but she was heavily pregnant and didn't want to have our baby out in the woods. When she had told me this, I'd stupidly replied, "Why not? Bears do it all the time." Needless to say that was the wrong response. I could still feel the lump on the back of my head from where she'd thrown her purse at me. I wonder if she had a brick in that thing.

I was shaken from my musing by little Alice. "Ranger Em, tell us about the bear please," she whispered, her tiny hand curled around my ear as if she was telling me a secret. Her big blue eyes imploring with my own.

"Okay Alice, go take a seat."

"Yes!" she squealed before hurrying to sit next to Jasper.

"Okay kids, if I tell you the story, then you'll not argue about going to sleep straight after."

"We promise." They all rallied.

I cocked an eyebrow and looked at each of them in turn. I added another log to the fire and settled back down on my log. I glanced over at them expectant looks on their faces; bright, inquisitive eyes bore into my own.

"Okay, well it all started on a cold Saturday morning in June," I started. The memory of the strangest and somewhat amusing event in my career filled my mind.

"Ok people, two minutes!"

Seriously this feels so fake, I'm sure that Australian guy who played with crocodiles didn't have to put up with this crap. Right, deep breath, "I can do this, I do this every day, I just don't do this in front of a film crew of 25 with a camera shoved practically up my ass."

"Mr McCarty, we're ready for you."

"Fine fine, I'm coming."

One last, deep breath and I stepped out of the huge trailer they'd brought down to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Sure the amenities they had provided for me were great, but they just weren't me. I'd have been happy with my bed roll and my gun; this wasn't real, this was wrong, all wrong. 

I froze as the wiry little hobbit of a man ran at me; with his glasses perched on top of his head, his fancy suit rustling as he ran well more like waddled in my direction. I grimaced as his bony finger flicked out from his clenched fist like a switchblade, "Note to self, don't mess with switchblade fingers." I mumbled to myself.

"Mr McCarty, why aren't you wearing what I left in your trailer?"

"Oh I don't know Levi, or whatever your name is, maybe I don't want to look like an idiot," I retorted crossing my arms.

I can't believe that little freak wanted me to dress up like some fucked up Crocodile Dundee. What's wrong with my jeans and lumber jack shirt? Sure the blood stains are a bit disconcerting and I suppose the rips don't really give off the sense that I'm too good at this bear hunting stuff, but my Rosie says it makes me look rugged and handsome and I favour her opinion more.

"Just go and put it on, you're wasting time." He quipped as he raised an eyebrow at me before turning and flouncing off.

"Creepy little fucker," I muttered under my breath.

Ignoring the little freak I strode confidently across the parking lot and directed myself towards the film crew, mentally talking through the bear safety talk I would need to give them before we headed in. This is such a bad idea, I thought to myself.

"Ah Emmett, you're here." A thin, geeky looking guy said. I recognised him as the director, but for all I know he could've been an ice cream salesman. One thing is for sure I'd have my work cut out for me keeping this dude alive out here.

"Yep, here I am," I replied looking him in the eye.

Bear hunting 101, show no fear. Sure he's not a bear, but hey a predator is a predator and this guy was the top of his food chain.

"I see you're not wearing the costume." He eyed me speculatively.

"Nope, not going to either. If you want me, then you get me, not some wannabe Crocodile Dundee on crack."

He snorted in response. That was a better response than what I envisioned.

"So Emmett, the plan is, we head into the park, find a bear, you do your bear voodoo thing for the camera and then we finish up with some nature shots and stuff. You do your diary for the camera and then we pack up and come home."

"Bear Voodoo?" I laughed shaking my head.

"Yeah Bear Voodoo, make nice with the bears, I'd really like some close up stuff, maybe you could wrestle."

"Make nice with the bears and maybe wrestle? Dude, whatever you're smoking, pass it around."

"Look Emmett, the network has put a lot of money into this; Animal Planet and Nat Geo have the Australian and Brady Barr. We've got you and we expect nothing short of spectacular. So whatever it is that you do, you need to be sure that it's more than those other two yahoos or we'll go knock up Grizzly Adams and you'll be out on your ass," he responded with a snarl.

I rolled my eyes and stood at my full height. If this guy wanted to whip out his dick and see whose is bigger I was game, but I was not going to sell myself out just so he could make a mockery.

"Grizzly Adams? You know he's dead right?" I snorted.

"He can't be I used to watch him on TV as a kid!"

"That was an actor dude, Grizzly died in 1860. So unless you got a time machine, he won't be playing nice with the bears either," I responded, a smirk fighting to spread across my face at the sheer stupidity of this guy.

"If you say so Emmett, either way you need to man up and show us the magic."

I figured it would be easier not to say anything, the guy was an idiot, and nothing I say was going to change that. Scratching my head, I followed him across the parking lot to the trail head.

"Right Emmett, time to work your magic," he said before stepping away to stand by some guy with a huge ass camera.

I took in a deep breath and prepared myself for the hell that was to come.

"Rolling...and ACTION."

I leaned against a rock on the trail head and looked into the camera.

"Howdy, I'm Emmett McCarty and today we're at the awesome Great Smokey Mountains National Park to see if we can catch a glimpse of an elusive Black Bear. So how about you'ns join me for a walk through this beautiful patch of Tennessee parkland..."

"CUT!" shouted the freaky little geek, "What the fuck is you'ns Emmett, this is TV, not a journey into hick colloquialisms!" he screeched angrily.

"Dude chill out, that's how I talk, I can't stop speaking normally just because you can't understand me."

I stood there scratching my head, the feel of my fingers caressing my scalp calming me and preventing me from ripping this idiot a new one. I closed my eyes and sighed, 'Why oh why did I sign up for this again?'

The early morning air bit into me, a bitter chill running down my back like icy fingers. I looked up at the slightly dark blue sky, tips of the Spruce trees tickling its underbelly. The sun may just make an appearance today I thought to myself. An unconscious smile spread across my face at the thought.

"Emmett! We don't have all day, I want to see bears!"

That dude is really getting on my nerves. If he pulled this shit out there I was going to leave his ass in a cave, see how he likes to play nice with the bears.

I glanced up at the trailhead, the corridor of trees stood sentinel, just like they had every time I'd been here before. Something stirred within me, anticipation perhaps, it was like the wild was calling to me, like a siren. I hefted my pack over my shoulder; one last look behind me showed that they were set up to follow me. I took a deep breath and I stepped onto the worn trail.

For the next few hours we hiked; I was sure they had better things to film than the back of my head as I led them further into the forest.

"How much further Emmett, so far we have a lot of footage of your ass and too much bloody green. It's like a leprechaun threw up."

I shook my head in distaste, no respect.

"Of course it's green...in case you missed it, we're in a forest."

I clenched my fists in order to stop myself from punching the idiot in the face. Although I doubt that would've knocked any sense into him, you know what they say, 'no sense no feeling.'

A little over an hour later we trudged into a small camp ground that had already been set up by one of the rangers. It was set out in a secure ring, 7 large tents, a fire pit and a latrine. We had fresh water from a nearby spring.

"Welcome to camp gentlemen," I said, waving my hands around like a game show host.

A mass of relieved faces stared back at me; the crew had been working like pack mules all day, dragging equipment without complaint. Now the only person complaining was that punk of a director. He'd done nothing but whine and moan since we set out early this morning.

I unrolled my bedroll next to the fire pit; I rarely slept in tents, unless of course the weather turned bad. A night under the stars would do wonders to soothe my rising temper. Perhaps I'd wake in the morning and find that this was all a bad dream. I could only hope.

"No food in the tents, unless you want to wake up with a bear in your bedroll," I called out.

"And just where do you expect us to eat then, Emmett?"

"Around the fire like normal civilised people?" I responded. "Oh and don't forget to bag any garbage, and use the covered trash cans. We need to prevent any tempting smells from lingering, no need to encourage the bears to be too friendly."

"Emmett, we're here to see bears, so surely this is the perfect opportunity."

"No! If we get bears in camp, then we'll find ourselves in a whole heap of trouble that we really don't want, nor do we need."

I could see one of the younger guys from the crew smirking at our exchange from across the fire pit; it didn't escape my attention that he was filming either. I raised an eyebrow in question, he shrugged and continued to sit and watch the show. I smirked at the camera, hidden slightly by his pack. Rolling my eyes, I mouthed the word moron at the lens before standing and walking to the spring to wash up.

We sat around the fire, talking and laughing as the night drew in. Eventually someone produced a guitar and our time around the fire became more jovial. If it hadn't been for the idiot director the atmosphere would've been almost perfect.

"I'm going to bed. I expect my coffee at 7.30 no earlier, no later," he demanded before sloping off to the largest tent, which he had commandeered for himself. Heaven forbid he should lower himself to share with his crew.

"Is he always this high maintenance?" I asked the kid that had been filming earlier.

"Oh this is pretty tame; when we did the exclusive with Brady Barr in Africa, well let's just say that his desire to get water buffalo up close and personal lead to one invading his tent." He laughed.

Great, I knew this gig was a mistake when I turned up this morning. I'll kill Rosie for talking me into it.

"Wonderful, that ass is going to get someone killed. If it turns out to be me, I'll be pissed."

Eventually the chatter died down and everyone left for their respective tents. I reminded them about not eating in them, nor leaving any foodstuffs or wrappers. It wasn't just to stop the bears coming in, but I despised littering. I added another log to the fire and lay back to stare at the stars.

I must've fallen asleep quite rapidly, as the last thing I remembered were the bright stars shinning in the sky. A soft breeze caressed my cheeks in contrast with the heady warmth of the nearby fire.

The sense of peace was harshly broken by the sound of high pitched screaming accompanied by running footsteps. I mumbled under my breath, "Put the dog out Rosie," before turning in my bedroll to see what the fuss was about.

The sight that graced my eyes will forever be embedded in my memories. The punk ass director was running from his tent in the grimiest pair of briefs I had ever seen, screaming bloody murder. I choked on a laugh. A snort from behind me drew my attention and I looked over my shoulder and spotted the kid from earlier, camera in hand, trying desperately not to laugh out loud.

"Oh my god, I'm gonna send this into Americas funniest Animals." He giggled. Yeah the kid giggled.

I looked back at what he was laughing at as a relatively small black bear cub poked its head out of the director's tent. A pair of his torn trousers wrapped around its head and one of his no doubts, expensive hiking boots dangling by its laces in its mouth.

Ok, well that answers that question. "Hmm, so we've found baby, but what I want to know, is where is mama bear?" I questioned quietly.

Just then a loud roar sounded from where that idiot had run off to minutes before. 'Shit'.

"Follow me, but keep quiet," I said softly to the kid.

He nodded in response.

We approached the sound of the roar. We didn't need to go far, barely 40ft away we found the source of the commotion. Balanced precariously up a Douglas fir was both the idiot in his under-panted glory and mama bear trying to shimmy her way along the branch to bite his sorry ass.

I shook my head and turned to the camera. "Ladies and gentlemen, bear safety 101, if a bear comes into camp, don't climb a tree."

The kid snorted and motioned for me to continue. Perhaps this gig wasn't as bad as I thought.

"Black bears are omnivorous, and at this moment our director's rump is look particularly appetising," I continued.

"Get this bear away from me!" he screamed suddenly. Mama bear roared in response inching closer to him along the creaking branch.

"Easier said than done," I mumbled under my breath.

Just then baby came barrelling towards us, complete with hiking boot and trousers dragging behind it. Mama bear had gotten close enough now to tag the director on the ass. He yelped, more in surprise than pain, as she'd been distracted by her cub's appearance. I snorted under my breath; the wrath of this idiot later on would be worth this a million times over.

"Step back slowly, mama's coming down. We don't need to be in her way," I muttered.

With my hand gently pushing the kid behind me, we stepped away from the tree as mama bear gracefully... for a bear, climbed down from the tree and was reunited with her cub. A series of grumbles and growls were exchanged between them before she loped away back into the brush of the forest.

"Beautiful," I murmured to the camera.

"Yeah," the kid replied dreamily.

"Well I guess he got his bear," I said while smirking at the camera.

The quiet of the night engulfed us once more as we looked back up the tree. The idiot had passed out and was dangling over the branch as if he'd fallen asleep on horseback.

"What about sleeping beauty up there?" the kid muttered, his camera zooming in for a closer inspection.

"Well, we could leave him up there till the morning, or we could save on the future headache and get him down now. Just so you know I'm in favour of the first one," I replied, an evil grin spreading across my face.

Sure he would be unbearably pissed, but oh it would be so worth it.

The kid smirked in response, "Guess he stays there then." Before he turned on his heel and headed back to the camp. By the time we arrived everyone was up and mingling around the disaster zone that was formerly the directors tent. Looking through the gaping doorway I was met by what could only be described as complete chaos. Bedding was ripped and tossed everywhere; scraps of food, and clothing littered the ground. I bent to inspect the remains of his pack; candy wrappers and jerky were strewn haphazardly inside and out.

I stood again and turned to the crew behind me.

"Like I said earlier, no eating in the tents, just because the director is an idiot, doesn't give you all free reign to follow in his wake. So if you have any food in your tents, now is the time to clear it up and get it out. I do not want a repeat of this," I said, gesturing to the devastation behind me.

The crowd cleared almost instantly. With loud murmuring and a sense of urgency they all fled to their tents to clear out any tasty treats that they had.

"Why me, what did I do to deserve this?" I sighed to myself.

The next morning as we broke down camp, we were interrupted from our merry ways by the high pitched screams of the idiot up the tree. I shrugged, shook my head and continued to pack up my gear. Five more minutes would not hurt him.

Once I'd finished I walked over to the small clearing the tree resided in only to be faced with the punk, still in his underpants clinging to the tree for dear life. I smiled up at him.

"Morning," I called. "Sleep well?"

"Sleep well? Sleep well?" he bellowed angrily.

"Guess that's a no then."

"Just get me the hell down from here."

"Sure, anything you say."

"I'm on to you McCarty." He snarled.

"Hey, you're the one who climbed the tree."

After quite a struggle, I eventually managed to get him down. Of course he didn't thank me, he was furious. I apparently misrepresented myself as a bear expert, because a bear still attacked him. I laughed in his face. He stormed off to the camp, the tattered remains of his underpants, complete with claw shaped tears across his ass, draping from his body.

It wasn't long before he was shouting again, for one the cub had run off with his pants and he now only had one hiking boot.

"Didn't you bring a change of clothes with you?" I asked.

"Of course you idiot, but I only have one boot and that god awful animal ate my candy."

"So you were eating in your tent last night and then thought it would be logical to climb a tree when a bear, a bear that I warned you wouldn't resist investigating any food type scents, paid you a visit." I shook my head.

"Don't you blame me! If you had done your job with the Bear whispering voodoo stuff, I wouldn't be in this situation."

"Look..." I started through gritted teeth, "I gave everyone the same safety talk, it's not my fault you're an idiot. I am NOT your personal bodyguard, baby sitter or lackey, so shut up, grow a pair and pack up your gear, if you're not ready in 10 minutes we'll leave you behind."

I fumed; he was really trying my patience. Clenching my fists I stormed from the camp and took a seat at the small spring. Never again Rosie, never ever ever again.

Thankfully the idiot was ready when we were. I would've made good on my threat to leave without him. We joined the trail and headed back towards civilisation. Throughout the walk the idiot jumped and squealed at the slightest noise or stirring of branches. It made for some amusing banter amongst the crew. We finally reached the parking lot in the late afternoon. The kid with the camera and a few of the crew guys parted with good wishes and promises to stay in contact. The idiot couldn't get out of there fast enough. So much for me being the next big thing.

I climbed into my Jeep and headed home to my Rosie.

Six months later, life had pretty much gone back to normal. I spent most of my days at the National Park; I was working with rangers on a bear tagging programme. The kid, who had filmed our expedition, had turned out to be a genius: the footage from the trip had been used by National parks as a bear education resource. While I wasn't the next Croc hunter, or Brady Barr or whatever, I was now the voice of reason in a nationwide Bear Safety video. The execs at the TV Station had gotten wind of the 'idiot's' actions during the filming and he was moved on to in house editing. He was too much of a nightmare to let out in public. The kid, who had later told me his name was Seth, was now directing his own Nature Documentaries and I couldn't be happier for him.

As for the story of what happened on our trip, that would grace the ears of many during dark evenings seated around a fire pit. I'm Emmett McCarty – Bear Hunter, and that was my story.

"Right kids, time for bed," I stated firmly, but with a smile.

"Okay Ranger Em," replied little Isabella with a yawn.

I smiled widely and mussed her hair.

"Before you head to the tents kids, what are the rules?"

"Don't roam the woods. Stay in the camp," replied Jasper a serious look on his face.

"And..."

"No food in the tents," responded Alice with a small giggle.

"And..."

"Clean as you go, no littering," added Isabella, blushing in the firelight.

"And..."

"If there's a bear in camp, don't climb a tree," Edward said with a grin. "Oh, and don't forget your pants."

I laughed at his addition. "And always tell me where you're going. Even if it's just the bathroom," I said.

"Yes Em!" they replied in unison.

"Okay, off to bed."

They all traipsed off to the tents together; Edward and Jasper had one, Isabella and Alice the other. As always, I had my bedroll around the fire pit.

"Night Em," they called. The camp ground becoming silent, the only sounds coming from the small brook nearby and the cicadas chirping a jovial tune. Fire crackled, trees swayed and I was lulled into slumber by the sounds of the wilderness and the dreamlike whimpers of the four children, sleeping under canvas nearby.

Chapter 5. 14th June 2010 – Springfield Virginia.

Chapter 5.

14^th June 2010 – Springfield Virginia.

The SUV sped through the streets of Springfield, the darkness of the day's events paired with the darkness of night clawing at the bumper, taunting at the occupants, daring them to step out into its deathly embrace. I sat flanked in the rear, wide eyed, nervously chewing on my bottom lip and ringing my hands. All too soon the scenery changed from tall apartment blocks, to highways dotted with sparse forest before finally rejoining civilisation. Store lined streets, dwarfed by smaller apartment buildings and ultimately the tree lined suburban lanes that would be our salvation.

The SUV came to a stop outside a small condo. Red bricks and white slat boards adorned the outside, white columns created a long porch way the length of the front of the house. A black suburban sat in the driveway with two men in the front, one had a cell phone to his ear, while the other looked over at us. Along the street two more men sat conspicuously in a town car. I shook my head, and chuckled to myself, so much for being able to keep a low profile, even my blind old gran could spot these agents. 

"Sit tight for a minute," said Edward from my side, "we need to check out what's been set up."

I nodded in silent acquiescence, as Jasper and Edward excited the SUV and strolled to the Suburban. After a hushed conversation with the two agents inside, they stepped into the house, presumably to check it was safe. I shrugged to myself, not used to this much attention and certainly not keen on being under what appeared to be house arrest. A short while later they reappeared from the back of the house having satisfied themselves that it was as safe as it could be and motioned for Emmett to escort me inside. The two agents from the Suburban joined us in the kitchen.

"Ok Bella, this is where we leave you, Agents Tyson and Henry will remain with you in the house." Edward continued, "There's two more guys down the street and there's an emergency button by the phone. The house is alarmed, so you should be fine.”

I nodded to confirm I'd heard him, while glancing at my new surroundings. I wanted to be here just as much as Angela would want to be in hospital at this moment. 

Suck it up Swan, swallow some cement and get hard for fuck sake.

Without further ado, Edward and his team left and I watched from the front door as the Black SUV peeled off from the front drive and disappeared into the night. Agent Henry stood beside me like a sentinel, I hoped that he wasn't going to stick so close to me that it would get oppressive, it was bad enough being out of the loop as it was.

"I'm gonna head to bed, unless there's anything else" I said to the agents, before heading up the stairs to the master bedroom.

I didn't think that I would be able to sleep, but the weight of the day's events, paired with my injuries, brought on a sudden all encompassing tiredness and I drifted into an unconscious state the moment my head met the pillow.

**********

15^th June 2010 – Springfield Virginia.

I woke late in the evening of the following day, feeling somewhat restless, and very disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. It took me a number of minutes to register where I was on opening my sleep fused eyes.

Glancing at the clock on the nightstand it was nearing 7pm, I'd obviously been more tired than I thought, having slept the whole day, not even stirring for meals or the bathroom. After a quick shower and finding some clothes in the closet, I headed down the stairs to the kitchen. Agents Tyson and Henry were sat at the table drinking coffee and chatting. The house was silent except for them. I walked to the counter and helped myself to a much needed coffee before sitting down. I sat in silence, quietly observing the two agents; they were both young, similar in age to me, no doubt straight out of the farm. I'm sure they were no doubt good at what they do, but would've felt so much better with perhaps at least one older agent on babysitting detail, I didn't feel safe, something felt wrong, but  couldn't put my finger on it.

"Miss Swan, the ‘DO’ wants you to check in as soon as you're ready, there's a secure line over there," said Tyson, the elder of the two young agents, I guessed that he had superiority and nodded to him, before walking across the kitchen to call Phil Dwyer.

"Sir? This is Bella Swan," I spoke quietly

"Ms Swan, I'm glad you're safe, now then down to business, I'm afraid you're going to have to lay low for a while, it appears that we have a situation here..." he started before the line went dead.

"Sir?" I tried the line a few time, but couldn't even get a dial tone, something was wrong. I looked over at the two agents, concern etched across my face.

"The lines dead," I stated.

Tyson looked at me speculatively, cocking his head to the side, considering what I had said. Suddenly there was a loud explosion from in front of the house, I jumped, taken by surprise, Agent Henry told me to stay there and insisted I hit the panic button, while he and Agent Tyson went to investigate what was going on. I pushed the button then backed away from the doorway, glancing around the room for anything that could help, a weapon, a hiding place, but came up empty, I eyed the glass doors, but quickly realised they were locked. I leant up against the kitchen wall, partly to hold myself up, but mostly in hope that I could maybe just blend in, I hoped that back up was close and that I'd make it out in one piece, but at that moment that very thought pretty much went to shit as the tell tale thud of gunfire sounded at the front of the house, my final line of defence was now down to me.  

'I'm fucked'

"Shit" I muttered to myself.

I pressed myself closer to the wall, holding my breath with my hand firmly clasped across my mouth in fear that I would be heard.

"Bellaaaaaaaa," a male voice called.

My eyes went wide in fear, knowing that Agents Tyson and Henry must be dead, I steeled myself, a sudden shot of adrenalin surged through me, I grit my teeth in determination.

"D-don't c-come n-near m-m-me," I responded.

"Don't be like that Bellaaaaaa, we're going to be great friends," he replied, I could sense his sinister undertone.

"N-n-nooooo," I cried, as the giant man ran at me, tackling me to the floor. I kicked and punched and screamed beneath him, but it egged him on further.

"Don't fight Bella, although I admit this is most enjoyable, I don't have the time right now," He grinned at me.

I cringed as he stroked my face; his hot breath blew across my cheek as he spoke to me. 

"So pretty, we have such wonderful plans for you," he sneered at me.

I managed to get a leg free from beneath him and connected my knee to his groin, he let out a feral growl and rolled away as I sprung to my feet and darted from the kitchen.

"You little slut!" he bellowed, while writhing on the floor.

I'd barely reached the front room before my assailant had regained his feet and I felt him slam into me from behind, throwing me across the room, where I landed painfully, my back taking the full brunt of the fall and splintering the coffee table beneath me. I groaned in pain, the wind effectively knocked out of me, as the large man grabbed me around the throat and rammed me against the wall, I gasped in his grip, staring pleadingly into his dark angry eyes. My breaths were coming in shallow gasps, as I fought to remain conscious, but it was all in vain as he thumped me in the jaw and I slumped, succumbing to the oblivion.

*****

Felix heaved her body over his shoulder and stepped out into the night.

Lifting his cell to his ear, he spoke quickly on his way back to his SUV. "I have her.” Before clicking his cell closed.

*****

I was lulled into consciousness some time later, by steady rocking and the low hum of a car radio. I squinted my eyes trying to make out the fuzzy shape of the person driving but saw nothing but the back of the seat. I tried in vain to wipe my eyes only to find my hands were bound behind me and that I was lying uncomfortably in the back, pressed up against a large metal lock box and a wheel brace. I groaned uncomfortably, needing to stretch my legs. My neck cracked with my movement and I winced in pain, perhaps a massage would help, but it's unlikely I'd be getting one soon, if ever.

A number of hours later, the SUV came to a slow steady stop, I could just make out that it was dark, I could hear the steady patter of rain on the roof of the vehicle, the DJ on the radio was talking about a baseball game, I could smell grease, hair gel and after shave, a hint of mint and sugar. The sound of a door opening then closing was soon followed by crunching of rock underfoot, and then the trunk opened and torchlight was waved in my face.

"Ah sleeping beauty is awake, hello princess, you and I need to have a talk, get acquainted some," the man said.

I cringed, I didn't want to get acquainted with him, I wanted to go home, get on with my life and stay the hell out of the way.

"Now then princess are you going to be a good girl for me?" the large man grunted.

I flinched under his stare; my eyes wide in fear, my body trembled as he leant towards me and dragged me from the back of the SUV. The rocky ground scraped against my knees, as I was dragged out into nearby woodland. The fine rain soaked into my clothes, my skin glistened with the moisture, intermingling with my tears. I sobbed into the gag around my mouth. My mouth dry from hours of being stuffed in the back of the SUV and unwillingly being forced to suck on the dirty cloth.

I was unceremoniously dropped, the darkness preventing me from gaining any knowledge of where we were. Fear had a strangle hold on me and I felt that I would die of fright at any given second. I could hear murmuring all around me, heavy footsteps to my rear, I was surrounded by large foreboding trees, their shadows casting an eerie dominance across the ground. I curled into a ball, my arms strained in their bonds behind me, I could smell the rain, it used to be soothing, but now it just felt like a freezing death. I prayed he would just shoot me, or let me go, I would tell no one if he asked it, but I knew I couldn't bargain with this man. He'd killed four agents without batting an eye; he'd taken me from a safe house, ha! What a joke, safe house my arse! Now I was out on my own, in the middle of who the fuck knows where, with a silent killer who held my life in his hands and had no way of knowing when my last second would be.

I shrunk into myself, thinking of everything I had achieved, I thought of Renee and Phil, thought of Charlie back in Forks. How proud he was when I graduated from MIT, how he told the guys down the station that his little girl was head hunted by the CIA! That's right, the CIA. How I'd cracked that case in Seattle, the promotion to Senior Analyst and Ben and Angela's engagement. I thought back to missed opportunities, the cute guy at the lodge last time I went home, the blind date Angela had set up with that awkward kid from IT. Angela! She'd looked so frail, so broken in the hospital, but she would get better, the injuries would heal and she'd get her happy ever after with Ben. I sobbed; there would be no happy ending for me, for all I knew I was going to die right now in the middle of nowhere and at the hands of the big crazy man behind me.

No I was not going to feel sorry for myself, so I'd not completed all of my goals, but I'd made an impact in my chosen life, I'd proven myself in my field, I'd stood up for my country and I would die with honour. I may not want to die right now, but that didn't mean that I wouldn't do so proud for what I was. A new determination filled me; I moved to my knees, straightened my back and looked on my captor with a face that said, 'you may have bested me, but you'll never beat me'. I was ready to take whatever came, with pride and honour.

****

The large man stood by a tree, mumbling into his cell phone, he raked his hand through his hair with agitation. Demetri had said this woman had knowledge of what they were planning and could also prove to be a useful source of Intel, which they could use to further their plans. Felix however felt she was nothing more than a waste of air. An unnecessary stumbling block, she was in the way and as far as he was concerned the sooner she was dead the sooner they could complete the mission and move on.

He groaned into the cell phone, angry that he was being forbidden from disposing of her, this was the perfect spot, woodland for miles, hell he wouldn't even need to make a clean kill, her blood would draw predators in and they'd eat her alive. He grinned at the image that appeared in his head, it would only take a few cuts, perhaps he'd break one of her legs so that she had limited mobility too, if she didn't bleed out, she'd maybe starve to death or succumb to the elements the possibilities pleased his twisted mind. But no Demetri wanted her. He huffed with annoyance, and strode over to her, she'd risen from the floor and was eyeing him with a defiant glint, perhaps she wasn't a complete waste, and perhaps he could have some fun.

****

I glared at him, I'd heard him literally begging to kill me, but he'd been denied it seemed. However, the wicked glint in his eye told me, my nightmare wasn't over, I forced myself to sit taller, pushed my chin out in defiance and dared him to kill me, for I was not going to crumble and tell him or anyone else anything, I am a patriot and I will fight for my country. He growled at me, his face literally inches from my own.

"Now then princess, what makes you so special that my bosses want you alive?”

"I'm not telling you anything, I'll die first.”

I cocked my head at him a smirk across my lips, mission 'piss off the big guy' in full effect. He ground his teeth and glared at me, before backhanding me across the cheek. My head shot sideways with the force of it, blood pooled inside my mouth and I spat it out before righting myself in front of him, a look of absolute defiance across my face.

"Fuck you" I spat.

He kicked me forcefully in the stomach and I fell back against the leaf covered ground, the breath knocked out of me, I gasped in pain, but grit my teeth and forced myself to sit back up.

"Is that all you have, arsehole?" I smirked.

He blew out a breath in anger, before kicking me again, I fell back, sure that he'd broken a rib this time.

"Stay down if you know what's good for you," he sneered into my ear.

I gasped for air, struggling to gain my balance to right myself, I fixed him with a glare, 

"What if I don't, it's not like you're allowed to kill me.”

****

Felix stomped back over to the trees and leant against one to regain his composure, she was proving to be an insufferable bitch and he wanted nothing more than to put her out of her (his) misery. He turned back to her to see her still struggling to right herself, he walked over and grabbed her under the arm and dragged her back to the SUV, forcibly throwing her into the trunk, where she smashed her head into his lockbox. Serves her right if it knocks her out. The more he thought about it, if she was unconscious it would be better for him, he didn't think he could put up with her crap all the way to Port Angeles.

Bella groaned, her head was throbbing, she was in agony from his kicking her in the ribs. She was second guessing herself over defying him, was all the pain really worth it, No she couldn't think like that, the pain was nothing if she could find a way of stopping these sickos, it would be worth it. She would take whatever they had to throw at her.

Felix loomed over her, an evil sneer plastered over his face, he grabbed her arm roughly and stuck her with a needle, forcing the plunger all the way down. The heavy concoction of barbiturates would keep her sedated and he would get the peace he craved. Bella eyed him woozily, her vision blurred, her tongue felt like cotton, she wondered if he'd finally decided to kill her, this was the end, her final thought as she slipped into unconsciousness was that she hadn't stopped them, and that she had failed.