Falling for doom: Fire and ice

Chapter three

Bella's pov

My pulse quickens as I go deeper in the thick forest. I have never been this deep in the forest.

As I walk further to my doom, I hear something like a groan. I freeze mid stride. That sounded like.....

Before I could finish the thought I hear it again. My eyes widened in fear and curiosity. Someone is hurt. I walk towards where I heard the sound coming from and I see a body of a man slump on the ground. I take in a sharp breath when I notice the man on the ground. Even if I can't see his face, the red tips of his ebony strands give his identity away.

I feel slightly panicked upon seeing him in such pain. I turn him "Atom what happened to you?" I ask with a shaky voice. I frown at my voice, I intended to sound more confident than that.

"What are you doing here?" He asks instead of answering my question. Before I can answer he falls back in pain. That's when I notice that his shirt is torn in front and three nasty claw marks are on his chest. It's like my eyes just got open. There is so much blood around him and his clothes are soaked in it.

I feel lightheaded at the scene. I thought since I see my own blood almost everyday I would get used to it but it still makes me sick.

"Are you gonna stand there looking pretty or will you help me little one." He says clicking his teeth. I look at him for a moment and I hear a voice whisper in my hear. " Take him to the lake " I jump in surprise and look at Atom who has a bored expression on his face. I take a deep breath to calm my jumpy nerves down. I swear am going crazy.

I help Atom up and led him to the lake. When we get there Atom turns to me and looks at me like am some complicated calculus equation he can't solve.

I let out a tiny scream when he starts stripping right in front of me. My hands fly to his hands which are about to unbuckle his belt. "What. Do. Think. You. Are. Doing?" I grit out every word. Atom raises an eyebrow at my and gives me a slow smirk. I look at where my hands are. I blush furiously and let go of him like he just burnt me. "What's wrong little one ?" He says coming closer to me and my feet somehow glue themselves to the ground.

"You don't expect me to swim in my clothes now do you?" His muscular tall frame towers over me. I tilt my head to look up at him and my mouth goes dry. I don't trust myself to say anything so I just shake my head.

Atom chuckles lowly and I feel a bit dizzy due to his closeness. He moves away from me and takes of all his clothes and remains with his boxer briefs. I probably look like an overripe tomato.

The dude is pure muscle. No signs of fat anywhere, no wonder I felt like I bumped into a brick wall. As I watch him in the water I realize something. All the heart floating around my head collapse to the ground and die.

Atom is no longer spotting the three deadly claw marks on his chest. I blink twice but they are gone. Maybe I was just imagining it? I look at his pile of clothes and I can see the blood on his blue jeans. I look at him, suddenly feeling weary of him. Is he like me?

Atom finally decides he has swam enough and he gets out of the water. The sight makes me forget the weariness I was feeling and am gripped with a great attraction towards the wet handsome man who is walking towards me with confident and graceful strides. He looks like some king, like he rules this place. Our eyes are glued together and I can't look away.

He stands in front of me and I feel the heat coming off his body. He is so warm and am not touching him. His eyes drops to my lips and I unconsciously lick them. It's like his eyes got brighter, like dancing flames.

"Who are you Bella?" He whispers more like to himself. His hand comes up and caresses my cheek. I breath out in content. There is something soothing about his touch. My eyes flatter closed as his other hand runs through my hair. Then in a flash his touch is gone and I feel cold. I open my eyes and see him pulling some clothes out of his bag.

I feel my face grow red. What am I thinking. This is Atom Flames for goodness sake. Wake up Black, get yourself together. I mentally pep talk myself.

I am about to ask about the claw marks but Atom suddenly turns to me all serious. "I would try to be curious about what you are doing here but I don't care. I really appreciate you helping me. The woods are dangerous now allow me to walk you to your house." I look at Atom confused at his sudden change of mood. I mentally roll my eyes. Bipolar much.

I nod slowly and he takes my hand in his urgently but gently. We walk through the woods hand in hand and I can't help but notice how hot Atom is not only in looks but his temperature as well. He is hotter than usual but am not complaining. Our walk is done in a comfortable silence.I admit am enjoying holding his hand more than I should.

When we get closer to my house I gently tug on his arm. I break the silence "I think am okay now." I say to him and he looks at me for a while. He nods slowly and I try to let go of his hand but he just holds me tightly and pulls me to him. He kisses my cheek and looks me in the eye " I will see you tomorrow little one." He reluctantly lets go of me and I walk away too stunned by his kiss to say anything.

I dare to look back and am met with Atom's intense stare. I almost trip and fall on my face. But I catch myself. I speed walk to my front door and quickly enter and shut the door behind me. I lean on the closed door and let out a breath I was holding. My demons are not home yet so I head to my little bedroom and fall on my bed.

My hand goes up to my cheek where Atom's soft lips touched. I feel my stomach do a summersault. Atom kissed me. That's my first kiss since ages. I feel my lips spread into a wide grin. Atom the most handsome guy in school and most scary saved me from a brutal beating, walked me from school and kissed me. I know it's just my cheek but am still counting it as a kiss.

I grab my pillow scream in it. I feel my heart beat faster as I think about Atom. I think I like him.

I breath in deeply to calm myself down. Am kidding myself, Atom can't possibly like someone like me.

I change and pull my long hair in a messy bun and head down stairs. I cook dinner and serve them. When they arrive at the table I stand by the side and wait to be excused. "You can go." Uncle James says with a wave of his hand. I quickly make my way to my room and I let out a breath of relief. No beatings today. Maybe today is truly a good day. I think with a smile.