Alice's pov
The cabin was just in view. I felt my body relax and breathed out a sigh. Feeling the release in my tension, Jasper squeezed my hand and smiled sympathetically. It had been a rough few months and it was nice to be able to get away and spend some time with our extended family here in Denali. Edward had not been able to stay with us after we left Forks. He checks in with us from time to time, but even when he calls, he is absent. I feel bad for him, but angry, as well. I do not agree with his decision. She is my friend, too. My heart is broken, too. Carlisle and Esme ache for their son, as well. Emmett is not as happy-go-lucky and even Rosalie is moping more than usual. I was sinking into the sadness around me. Feeling my sadness, Jasper suggested we get away for a while. As we edged close to the cabin , I felt like this trip would help. Tragedy would be absent from THIS house at least…Or would it?
As we approached the porch, a vision flashed before me…Irina? …Yes, it was definitely Irina…She was arguing with someone…a man…he tried to hug her and she pushed away…he turned around and I saw clearly it was Laurent. I gasped…It was his eyes. They were bright red. Jasper watched my reaction throughout the vision with severe concern. "What is it? What is it, Alice," he asked anxiously.
"Nothing," I assured him. After all, it was none of our business. We continued up the steps and knocked on the door. Tanya answered, her face was full of anxiety and expectancy. Her face floated into disappointment when she saw our faces. "Tanya? Are you alright," I asked. She forced a smile on her worried face. "I'm so sorry," She sighed, "it's so good to see! I was just hoping it was going to be…"Her voice trailed and she went to hug us. "Come in! Welcome," She forced her voice to be cheerful. We walked in and saw Carmen, who was walking towards us with open arms. She greeted us cheerfully, but there was a sad undertone to her words.
"Okay, what's going on," I asked, concerned. Tanya sighed. Just then, Kate stepped into view. "Irina has run off…" Kate said in a panic, "…It's been a week and still no word. She's with-"
"Laurent!" I finished, understanding, now, their concern.
"Yes…he didn't take to our lifestyle for very long and began reeking havoc here…even though he denied it," Tanya said, looking aimlessly out the window. She explained that Irina had grown close to him as she tried to coach him at the beginning. He showered her with affection. As he began to break away from the proposed diet, she would make excuses for him.
"Finally," Carmen cut in, "We had to ask him to leave. We have worked hard to make a life for ourselves here. He wasn't respecting that."
"But Irina left with him," I concluded. They nodded simultaneously. I thought back to my vision just before we had entered. "I have a feeling she will be back soon," I reassured them. Kate smiled in response, knowing of my gift of visions. The tension in the air eased a little, maybe from my assessment or maybe from Jasper. Either way, we got settled and began sharing stories of old times.
A few hours later, the door creaked open. A broken-hearted Irina stepped into the house. Kate, Tanya and Carmen jumped up and went to her. They talked softly and hugged her. She explained through dry sobs they had an argument and that it was over and that she was sorry for leaving. Irina's eyes then looking through the room and she stopped when they found Jasper and I. She jumped and gasped at our presence and a look of guilt washed across her face. She started towards us at a fast pace. "Alice-I…"She started and then stopped. She swallowed hard and looked to the ground. I looked towards Jasper and his face showed the confusion in emotion he felt from her. Her eyes came up slowly to rest on mine once more. Her face was covered in torment. "Alice…how close are you to that girl in Forks," She asked, slowly, cautiously. This question disturbed me.
"Close. Why," I asked, almost accusatorily.
She sighed again. "Because Laurent-Well, Victoria his friend- She is planning to kill her. Not just kill her, TORTURE her and kill her and she is sending Laurent to check on her before she goes in for the attack and I told him to stay out of it! If he loved me, he would stay with me and not listen to that-that vulgar WOMAN!" She explained quickly.
If I had a beating heart, it would have stopped right then. I looked desperately at Jasper. He was already on the phone talking in hushed and hurried tones. He looked at me and asked, "Run or book a flight?"…In a flash, we were out the door headed towards Forks.
