Nuova Luna
New Moon, Alice's Story
Author: Arwens-light
Rating: T (Rating may vary by chapter)
Chapter 2: Failure to Communicate
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all
NO copyright infringement intended
Emmett was sitting on the shore when I arrived back in Port Angeles. He turned as I approached, the ocean reflecting the moon's shimmering light eerily onto his pale skin.
I stood beside my big brother, my arm resting on his shoulder.
"He's on the rocks," Emmett said, skipping several flat black stones into the ocean. "He's still pretty upset, Alice…"
I sighed. "I guess it's to be expected. He demands too much of himself…" I patted Emmett's shoulder. "Thanks for watching him."
Emmett shrugged. "Honestly, I doubt I would have been able to hold myself back much longer if I had stayed behind."
"It's a struggle for all of us, Emmett."
Emmett remained silent and tossed another rock into the sea.
I stood for a moment, gazing into the vast expanse of water. The tide gently lapped against the shore, scraping the dark stones together as it waxed and waned. I turned, allowing Emmett at moment, and continued up the beach toward Jasper.
The shoreline grew more dangerous, smooth stones turning into large rocks and boulders. Many of the rocks were covered with a thin layer of slippery seaweed.
I could see Jasper ahead of me, staring across the sea at Canada. He was seated on a rock at the edge of the water, his knees pulled toward his chest. I hopped down the boulders until I was directly behind my husband.
I slipped my arms around his broad shoulders. He tensed slightly under my touch. I immediately withdrew my arms, hurt. Jasper caught my hand as I withdrew it. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Alice." He glanced back at me, his darkening eyes swimming with guilt.
I caught his face between my hands before he could turn away. "Jasper, this isn't your fault. It's what we are, not you. You'll learn to control the thirst... it just takes awhile."
"But someone almost died tonight... someone we care about. Her death would have been by my hand."
I brushed his furrowed brow with my finger tips. "Jazz, please don't let this guilt consume you. Slips like this happen to the best of us..."
Jasper shook his head. "Our family hasn't had a slip since the eighties. I can't jeopardize everything Carlisle has worked for..." He paused and ran his fingers through his hair. "Alice... I need time. I need to refocus myself without any temptation."
I frowned. "Jasper, there will always be temptations--"
"Alice. I need to get away from here." His tone was rough and his words harsh.
I stared at him. "For how long?"
He looked away from me. "Until I'm strong enough to not want to kill her."
I bit my lip, calculating possible futures. If Jasper left, I would follow. My absence from school would be noticed, but excuses could be made. However, with our departure, Edward's future wavered between staying and going. His desire to protect Bella was his only focus and it was tearing him apart. Until Edward made a decision, I couldn't see beyond Bella's immediate future. Our family's departure from the area could only cause Bella pain... and as much as I loved Bella, I had to follow Jasper, wherever he might go.
I slowly slid down the wet rock to sit beside Jasper. I laid my head on his shoulder. "Where you go, I will go."
"Alice--"
I smiled softly up at him. "You can't stop me from following you, Jazz. I'll always know where you're going. I don't want to be separated from you."
Jasper rested his head atop mine. "Thank you." He drew his arms around me and held me close to his side.
A few moments later, the small silver phone in my pocket rang. "Carlisle," I murmured.
I flipped open the phone.
"Alice, Edward is back from Bella's... he wants to talk. I believe it is urgent."
"We'll be there."
I stood and Jasper followed. "We're needed back at the house. Emmett!" I called, gazing up the beach where I had last seen him.
My brother came toward us, leaping from one rock to the next. He landed in front of us, grinning from ear to ear. "Things settled then?"
I glanced at Jasper. "Carlisle needs us," I said, ignoring his question. I was sure it would be discussed once we were all together.
We stopped by Crescent Lake and caught up with a small herd of deer. Jasper drained two young bucks, his feeding almost a frenzy. Emmett and I exchanged a silent glance, but did not speak. I was sure Jasper could sense our concern. We ran the rest of the way back to the house. Jasper slowed once we hit the property line, but I pushed him forward, keeping pace with Emmett. The lights I had arranged along the lane for Bella's party illuminated the forest eerily, casting a luminous reminder of the disastrous evening.
The front door stood open, the light from inside casting a soft glow onto Edward's Volvo. Upon entering the house, the distinct smell of bleach filled my nose. Esme had made sure the house had been scrubbed clean of any trace of blood.
Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie and Edward were seated at the unused dining room table. Edward's head was bowed and he rubbed his brow, concentrating unusually hard at the engrained pattern of the table. Esme smiled sadly at us as we took our seats around the table. I sat beside Edward, who looked away from me.
You're really going to try to ignore me? I kicked him under the table.
Edward turned to scowl at me.
Carlisle cleared his throat. "Things did not go as planned tonight --" Jasper flinched. "-- but I cannot say that anyone in particular is to blame. It is not a matter of guilt, but rather a matter of safety, both for Bella and our family. Because of what we are, Bella can never be truly safe in our presence."
"Unless--" I began.
"Alice." Carlisle gazed at me, asking for my silence.
I pursed my lips and nodded.
"Bella does know the risk of being around our family. I feel that she makes that decision with the possibility of danger in mind. Regardless of her state of mind and her personal wishes, remaining as she is in her human condition still can create... issues, I suppose you could say, with our family." Carlisle looked around the table at his family. Rosalie sat between Emmett and Esme, a tight smile pulling at her lips. Jasper sat at the other end of the table, opposite Carlisle, his face in shadow. Esme nervously glanced at each of her children. Carlisle sighed. "We have been in Forks almost four years now. Edward has pointed out that people at the hospital are beginning to notice that I do not appear to be as aged as I should be. It is our custom to move away after the school year is finished, and perhaps go onto another educational institution. However, the situation with Bella does complicate things, regardless of the circumstances that transpired tonight."
Rosalie shifted in her chair, her face dropping.
I glanced at Edward. He was pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "Edward?" I said softly.
"No, Alice, it's not what you think," he said, his voice emotionless.
I stared at him. "You're leaving her?" The words tasted bitter on my tongue.
He turned his full gaze on me. "What would you have me do, Alice?" he snarled, "I will not turn her into a monster or rob Bella of her soul. This is the only choice I have left."
My mouth hung open. "Edward, what about Victoria? She's still out there. She could come back, looking for revenge against Bella…"
Edward shook his head. "That won't happen. I'll track her down, I'll find her… I won't let her come close to this place…"
"Bella is a walking hazard! Things happen around her, dangerous things that don't happen around other humans… she needs someone to look after her, Edward!"
Edward looked away. "I'm her only true hazard. What we are makes me the most dangerous thing around her. What happened with Jasper tonight could have easily been me… I've tasted her… I've—" Edward shuttered and then composed himself. "I've tasted her before. I know the pleasure, the satisfaction of her blood… Tonight could have easily been me taking her life."
I shook my head. "But it wasn't! Nothing happened!"
"Come on, Alice!" Rosalie snapped. "The human girl would be better off without us. Can't you see that? She can live a normal life. She can still have a normal life!" Rosalie's fist can down on the table. "We should all just leave. It's almost time for us to leave anyway, why wait?" She flipped her golden hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms.
"Rosalie's right," Edward said. "Bella deserves a normal life… a chance to live…"
I opened my mouth to protest, but Carlisle held up his hand. "We're a family. We make our decisions together. Bella is Edward's decision. It is his choice alone."
Edward nodded gratefully to Carlisle.
Carlisle sighed. "So we put our family's move to a vote. Do we stay until the end of the year, or do we move on now?"
"Regardless of your decision tonight, Alice and I are leaving now," Jasper said quietly.
Esme gasped, her hand trembling at her mouth.
Carlisle stared at Jasper and then glanced at me. I swallowed, clearing my throat. "Yes," I whispered. "We're leaving for Denali tonight."
"It is for the best," Jasper said. "Whatever you decide, I need to regain my control. I lost it tonight, and for that, I am eternally sorry, Edward."
Edward looked up at Jasper, reading the guilt and anguish of his mind. He nodded silently and returned his gaze to the table.
"If you feel you must, Jasper," Carlisle said.
Jasper nodded. "Yes."
Carlisle sighed. After a moment of silence, he gazed around the table. "I know Rosalie's vote is to go. Emmett?"
Emmett glanced at his wife. "Well… I suppose this technically wouldn't affect us, seeing as we're supposed to be off at college on the east coast…" He paused, struggling. "It's just… I don't see the point in Edward leaving like this. Don't you love her? Why would you want her to be out of your sight for one minute?"
Edward growled, his eyes turning dark. "How dare you question my love for Bella! It is completely different from you and Rose! You can't put Rosalie in danger like I place Bella in every day of her existence! It would be the death of me if any harm befell her by my hand. Don't you see? The only way to protect her is to leave…"
Emmett and Edward stared at each other. Emmett finally sighed. "Whatever Rose wants," he said. He stood and walked away from the table, disappearing up the stairs.
Esme looked after him, her eyes reflecting her concern. She turned back to Carlisle. "I can't stand the thought that Edward would lose Bella… especially like this, but I hate to see our family in such distress. If this is for the best…" A soft sob escaped Esme's lips. "If it is truly for the best…" She bit her lip and simply nodded, unable to finish.
Carlisle sighed, rubbing his brow. "It is decided then," he said quietly. "I'll tell the hospital I received an offer that I couldn't turn down." He rose from his chair and gazed out the window, arms clasped behind his back.
Jasper touched my hand. "Alice, let's go."
I looked up at him, my eyes aching to cry. I was about to leave my friend behind, without comfort, explanation, or a word of farewell. I nodded and stood with him.
"I'll call you," I whispered to Esme as we withdrew from the room.
Esme nodded before dropping her face in her hands. Edward remained at the table, still as stone, his face vacant.
Jasper disappeared through the front door. I stood a moment longer as the future began to piece itself together.
Bella will not be the same without you. I warned Edward. She can never be the same without you.
Then I followed my husband into the dark.
