Bella looked up, shaking. "Who are you?"
The tall, shadowed figure had been standing over her, inspecting her closely to try and figure out what was wrong with her.
Now he crouched down to her level, and looked at her sympathetically, though she couldn't really see his expression.
"Don't be frightened, milady. I have no intention of harming you."
Her voice shook from the cold. "Who are you?" she asked again, unable to comprehend much.
"I could ask you the same question," he responded casually.
"Bella. . .Bella Swan."
"Well, since you've answered, I suppose it's only fair that I do the same. My name is Charles Owens. Pleased to make your acquaintance." He offered her his hand.
She reached out, and jumped as she felt the cold of his hand. She pulled away quick.
"Don't be afraid," he assured her. "I won't hurt you."
"I'm not. Where's Edward?" she said, looking around for a few seconds.
Charles blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"Edward Cullen."
He couldn't believe it. If he didn't know that vampires couldn't dream or hallucinate. . .
Her voice became more incoherent. "What?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen him in years. I'm sorry."
She curled into a tighter ball.
"You must be freezing."
"I. . .I-I'm f-f-fine." She shivered.
Charles picked her up, carrying her in his arms.
She curled there, thinking that the cold coming from him might calm her a little.
He carried her through the woods. One of his coven ran ahead to look for shelter.
"Where are we going?" she asked him.
"Somewhere to get you out of the rain," Charles answered.
She gave him a thankful look. She wondered if he knew that she knew that they were vampires.
He wondered why it was that he couldn't read the mind of this one seemingly insignificant human.
"You've met the. . .them?" she asked, not wanting or able to say the name of the Cullens.
"I've met who?" Charles asked, looking down at her.
"The person I said before."
"Yes, I've met Edward, a long time ago. I'm surprised you know him."
She closed her eyes at his name. "Yes. . . .He and I. . .used to be. . ." She trailed off, unable to finish.
Charles waited for her to finish, curious.
"Used to be friends," she blurted out, closing her eyes as she said this.
The male newborn with glowing red eyes was suddenly in front of Charles, not breathing, just looking at him. Charles nodded in understanding. "Go now. Lead the way," he told him.
"Who was that?"
"One of my good friends. His name is Jesus," Charles answered, watching him.
"Oh," was all she said. "Where are we?"
"You don't know?" Charles asked, confused.
"We're still in Forks, I hope," she said quietly.
"I'm not sure where that is," he told her, following Jesus with the rest of the coven. "We're new to the area."
"Where you found me was Forks, Washington. Does he know where we are going?" she asked.
"He knows exactly where we're going."
"Okay," she said, and fell silent.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, really," she said, trying not to think about why she felt so empty.
"What's 'nothing, really'?"
"Just that he, you know, Edward. . . .left. I. . .never thought he would," she said, almost starting to cry.
"Don't cry. I apologize for asking."
"No. . .it's okay. It's not your fault. . .you just asked a question. How much longer?"
"Our guest is growing impatient, Jesus," Charles told him. "I think it's best if we run."
"Look, I know what you are. Vampires." She said the word with almost complete calm. "And sorry if I'm rude. I don't mean to be."
He looked at her curiously, then at the coven, who were waiting for him. He could wait to talk to her.
They ran to the Cullens' abandoned house.
Bella looked around, and knew where she was immediately. She made no comment other than, "Thanks for helping me."
Charles smiled. "It's my pleasure."
She walked to one of the corners of the house, and sat down with her legs to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs.