The thrumming of my heart pounded louder than the thunder above as I ran through the thick woods of Forks, unable to know where I was heading but not caring a single moment. He was close, so close behind me, and I wasn't fast enough. My feet would never make me outrun a vampire, their supernatural speed was there specifically for these instances; chasing and catching prey.
A low branch caught the side of my cheek, the tip slashing a shallow cut over the wet skin from the rain just as my foot stumbles over a poorly placed rock, the other losing traction over the muddy terrain. The hill I stumble and roll down is riddled with pebbles, mud and dirt; all of which scratch at my face and arms, leaving small burns and cuts all over my pale flesh. Somehow I manage to register the scent of blood, that horrible rustic smell filling my nostrils as my body finally slows to a stop at the bottom. I know I need to get up, I need to run again, but it's too late. My predator is already there; the soft breeze caused by his speed alone signifying such.
My brown eyes look up expecting to see James with a smug grin over his terrifying features. But I only find Edward, his eyes as black as night. "Edward," I call out wistfully, prepping myself to stand and be held in his impossibly strong arms. But his low growl stops me cold, and I turn swiftly. Now James was coming, Edwards stance had told me as much. But I didn't see anyone; living or undead. Just the thick brush of the forest.
A warm liquid runs down my forehead, the copper scent rushing over me immdeiately all over again.
Edward's growl sounds again, and I have only a second to turn around before he's pouncing, his growl now more of a roar as his teeth near my flesh. And just as I shut my eyes and accept my fate, something cold surrounds me. I can't see what it is, but by the firm hold, cold skin, and sheer speed, I knew what species it was. Whoever they were they didn't speak, and for a moment I assume it to be Alice. Or possibly Carlisle.
But the harmonious voice that sounds doesn't belong to either of them, but instead the one Cullen that had never spoken so softly to me. The one Cullen that had never shown such tenderness. "It's okay, Bella." Rosalie said in a hushed voice, her cold arms holding me bridal style as we rush through the woods.
I'm much too confused to focus on the passing trees, or the inevitable nausea I'd undoubtedly feel if I had. My gaze stays locked to her pale arms, sparkling in the sunlight as it pokes through the periodic cracks in the treetops. Somewhere I register that it wasn't possible for the sun to be out; it was raining just seconds ago. But her voice has me much too distracted to care. "You're safe now," she whispers. I could feel her nose in my hair, could hear her breathe in my scent despite the blood still pooling down my cheek. I wondered how she was so capable of resisting the scent when Edward could hardly kiss me while I was in perfect condition. "It's just a dream. Wake up, Bella.
"It's only a nightmare." Rosalie's voice calls as my eyes flutter open. They found not the beautiful vampire but the dark car window, freeway still flying past us. It was evening now, the sun setting just off the horizon, and I couldn't tell where we were exactly or how far we had driven, but at the very least I could tell it wasn't California. My eyes focus in on the granite cool skin show just above Rosalie's v-neck, my head seeming to have fallen there while I slept. Which couldn't have been possible, considering Rosalie was in the passenger seat when I drifted off.
Jasper's eyes caught mine in the rearview mirror, his golden orbs shinning with a friendliness I only rarely got to see. Typically he was so distracted fighting off his bloodlust to give me the chance to even speak to him more than just a few sentences. "I pulled over not too long ago and asked Rosalie to help settle you," He explained in his velvet voice. "You were having a nightmare."
I nodded, though I couldn't understand why he didn't just use his gift to help, if for nothing else than to save Rosalie from having to be so close to me. He seemed to have sensed my confusion, and began explaining why Rosalie was currently holding me still. "You wouldn't wake when she tried to shake you, but it seems you've grown comforted by our cool skin." What I wished he could explain was why she hadn't let go yet. Already my heart began to quicken its beats, much to my humiliation. I knew she could hear it, was probably disgusted by it, but she held her arms still, ice cool and marble hard.
"How close are we?" I asked, trying to relieve Rosalie from her duties by sitting up, not even daring to look her in the eyes after having undoubtedly ruined her shirt with my tears.
"Just about to leave Oregon." I hadn't expected her to answer me, but even worse was her tone. It was just as gentle, just as soft and tender as my dream. "I don't believe we'll be much longer." Jasper just nodded from the front seat.
"Has Edward called?" I asked, still looking to the rearview mirror in the hopes of Jasper answering, my hopes dashed when it was Rosalie once more.
"Not yet," I couldn't hold out any longer, I had to face her before it came off as rude, or unappreciative. "He will though. When it's safe." I was only left to nod and feel the panic begin to rise once again. Not nearly as strong as before, but very much clear as the past few hours rushed back to mind. The way Charlie looked at me when I left had me nearly out of breath. How was I supposed to come back to him after that, after breaking his heart and making him relive his most heartwrenching moment? I didn't feel as if 'I'm sorry' would quite cut it this time. He'd want an explanation, and if I ever got the chance to give him one, he'd know I was lying the second I opened my mouth. I was an awful liar, and an even worse schemer. So the idea of returning seemed less and less likely. Much to my utter dismay. I refused to think about a life outside of Forks unless Edward was in it. Unless Charlie was safe. With Alice left behind I didn't worry too much, she'd be able to see if Victoria would harm him. And they'd call if anything ever did. At least...I think they would. They had to, they couldn't just leave me in the dark. But then, hadn't Edward done exactly that before? It was for good reason, though. He couldn't tell me about his family because he was afraid I'd expose them. It was safer if I didn't know in his eyes. Would he think it was safer if he didn't tell me about Charlie?
My eyes found the window again in an attempt to push back the back and forth tennis match of worry in my mind, though this time I chose the one to my right, the one facing away from Rosalie and any glare she might suddenly flash my way. All I saw for miles was open fields and green trees. Nothing looked all that familiar just yet, but I knew it would soon enough, and oddly I felt an incredible comfort in that. Seeing Phoenix again would at the very least make me feel like I was somehow close to home. The familiarity would be better than any randomly picked spot Edward would have come up with; immensely greater than Alaska.
As I lost myself in the memories Phoenix held, a soft growl sounded from my stomach, causing Jasper's golden eyes to fall to mine with a knowing smirk hidden there. "Looks like it's time to feed the human." He teased lightly, his accent slightly more noticeable now than in Forks. I wondered if he hid it to try and keep less attention to his family.
"I can wait," I insisted, using my arms to cover my stomach and press down, hoping to supress anything else it might reveal. "Really, I just want to keep moving." My nightmare flashed to me suddenly, the way I knew how I could run as far as I wanted and it would never be enough. A shiver shot down my spine at the thought.
"Bella, we're not going to let you starve. Especially since we're going through all these extra efforts to keep you alive." I couldn't be sure, but I think that was Rosalie trying to make a light joke. The corners of her lips curved just so, but her eyes still held that hard unidentifiable gaze that practically taunted me. Guarding their emotions must be necessary in the Cullen home I supposed, what with Jasper and Edward around at all times. I couldn't imagine what that must be like, and was positive I'd be a blushing mess at all times if I lived that way.
Despite having turned to argue it out with her, to explain that we didn't have time to stop, that James could be on his way right now, I couldn't seem to find the words. Rosalie's golden eyes had moved to look out the window, this topic apparently no longer up for debate. Much like many things in my life were at this point. I glared at Jasper, feeling his calming influence and wanting nothing more than to throw something at him. But he was stronger, and with a soft grin he just shrugged as I slumped back in my seat, accepting my fate.
He pulled off at the next exit, and we drove for another fifteen or so minutes, neither of them liking what few options there were. Apparently they would rather die than have me eat McDonalds. It all seemed rather unimportant all things considered. "Can we please just grab something and go? I don't want to stay still for too long." I finally begged, speaking up for the first time since Jasper had influenced me. They both eyed me, and sighed - Rosalie huffing more than sighing - before pulling into the parking lot of a Subway.
I assumed one of them would accompany me for such a short period oftime, but both of them stepped from the car and walked on either side of me, eyes looking straight ahead. My hair swayed as I shook my head; yes I understood I was in danger, yes I knew Edward wanted me to be protected, but the way they walked - stiff and almost too graceful - it made it seem like I had two bodyguards rather than friends. Of course, that may have been true in Rosalie's case.
In my completely expected fashion, I tripped while stepping up on the curbed sidewalk, caught just before I would have wound up scraping my knee on the cement. Thegratefulness dissipated when I felt my heart skip, realizing it was Rosalie that had caught me. "Do you think you could try and be more careful?" She hissed, helping me stand upright again. I didn't bother answering her, but did apologize to Jasper, knowing that the smell would have made this a much more difficult experience for him.
Not five minutes later and we were back on the freeway, Jasper driving again, me sitting in the back like before, and Rosalie choosing the seat to my left, exactlyas it was. I didn't think she'd take Edward's plea so seriously, I didn't for a second believe she'd be so protective, but it seemed as if she wanted to keep my nightmares away. Going as far as to letting me rest on her should I need that comfort once more.
Once the car reached a speed that had me nails digging into the leather of the seat, I shut my eyes tightly, willing sleep to overtake me once more. I'd never been in the car when Jasper drove, and while Edward had swore that I was perfectly safe in the car while it sped away, it didn't stop me from feeling incredibly ill and carsick. Each breath was slow and deliberate, an attempt to get myself to relax while I welcomed the waves Jasper sent from the front seat. Rosalie, however, seemed less than enthused with the use of his gift. Ironically, it was the one time I welcomed them willingly, knowing it would be better than sitting in the back petrified for my life. "Slow down!" She shouted, the faint sound of a low growl finishing her order. "You're supposed to keep her safe, not make her terrified of cars for the rest of her life."
"It's fine," I attempt to mutter, my gaze flashing between both Rosalie and Jasper. They didn't need to fight, and Rosalie really didn't have to try so hard to pretend to care about me. I understood why she disliked me so much; or at least, I did to an extent. I was a threat to her family, and that was enough for her to distrust and even dislike me so much. "Edward drives like this all the time, I'll get used to it." But despite my words, the car slowed to an even sixty miles-per-hour. Jasper's eyes weren't as friendly, they actually seemed to carry that same look of complete pain I'd seen when he first entered the cafeteria back in Forks. It was instinct to check and make sure I wasn't bleeding, going as far as to lift my pants leg and inspect the skin under there. But nothing, and when I went to look back at his reflection in the mirror, his golden eyes were locked to Rosalie, who stared back with absolutely no emotion on her face. The same cold hard look I've seen her give Edward before. Only it made less sense now, considering Jasper couldn't read minds. "What's wrong?" I ask finally, my heart beginning it's aching pounding. "Is something wrong? Is it Edward? Did something happen- Is Charlie okay? Or is it Alice? Did she have a vision?" My questions only led to worse and worse scenarios play out in my mind, causing my entire body to run cold as I inched in closer to Jasper pleadingly. My hand landed gnetly on his shoulder, my brown eyes already brimming with tears. "We have to go back. If they're hurt we have to go back. We can't just let them do this. They can't die because of me, I'm not worth-"
"You're plenty worth it," Jasper interupted, his face now back to its normal self, smiling at me as he faced away from the road for a moment. "No one's hurt, I promise. I'd be able to tell if Alice was injured, and we'd be called the moment something did happen." Somehow I wasn't convinced, and I turned to the one person in the car I knew would tell me the truth, no matter how much it hurt.
But as I turned and faced the beautiful blonde now sitting behind my leaning form, she only smiled. The first smile ever directed my way before. "He's not lying, everyone's safe," Her smile held, which only made me believe her less. "Come lay down, you'll feel better."
I glared at her, then to Jasper, who only began laughing. Now I wasn't so sure he couldn't hear thoughts. "Why are you laughing?!" I shouted.
"You would be too if you had an outside perspective on your emotions," he teased, his eyes now back on the road. I felt his influence again, and I had had just about enough of that.
"Stop! I'm not tired, and I'm not calm. I want to know what's going on." My voice held far more conviction than I felt, but their odd behavior had me more on edge than a vampire chasing after me.
"Bella," Rosalie called, that same soothing tone wafting over me once again. I felt yet another onslaught of calm and my eyes narrowed back on Jasper.
"Stop it, I'm serious!"
"That wasn't me! I swear, you felt calm all on your own. I won't do it without your permission anymore. Cross my heart." My jaw tightened closed, now completely embarrassed that Rosalie knew just how welcome her softness was. I sighed, but fell back in my seat and leaned against the cool marble skin. I watched Jasper turn the heat on, keeping my temperature as warm as possible while laying on Rosalie. Her hair smelled wonderful, a honeysuckle mixed with something floral. It only added to my state of calm, and soon my eyes shut, allowing me drift off for all of two minutes before I heard Jasper speak to Rosalie, just quiet enough to be out of my hearing capabilities. But the one thing I was able to hear was Rosalie's growl, rumbling against my cheek as it rested against her chest. I wanted to know what was happening, but I couldn't find the effort to care, not when Rosalie placed her arm around my frame, keeping me still and firm at her side.