Chapter 2: Final Decision

I jogged up the stairs, trying to fight the feeling of alarm and indecision that was threatening to overpower me. I couldn't hear Edward behind me, but I knew he was following me – I could sense him. I came to a stop back in my room, flipping on the lamp beside my bed and eyeing the room for a bag.

"Bella," Edward said, already beside me. I wondered mildly why I hadn't closed the door. It's not like it would have mattered anyway. A door wouldn't stop Edward.

I spotted my backpack and was about to go and grab it, until I was stopped by Edward, who sat me firmly on the bed.

"Bella, just stop and think about this."

I sighed anxiously. "There's no time to stop and think!"

"Why did he call you?" Edward asked me, sitting next to me and holding my hand again, so that I wouldn't try and leave. "Why didn't he call Billy or his pack?"

As much as I wanted to get moving, I couldn't help but stop and think about that. Edward was right. Why had he called me? Did he really have that much faith in me? I was a magnet for danger. And the other wolves were stronger and faster than I was. If he really wanted to be rescued, I was probably the last person to call on.

This was beginning not to make much sense. I shrank back on the bed, defeated.

"But it was him, on the phone," I said softly, helplessly. "He sounded so scared. I need to do something."

"Call Charlie, then," Edward replied. "Just don't try and do this by yourself, Bella. That phone call didn't sound right to me."

"Maybe Jacob called Billy and everyone else first?" I suggested in a tiny voice. Maybe they were all on their way. Maybe we were all going to save Jacob together.

"Maybe," Edward said doubtfully. "But think about it, Bella. If Jacob has been kidnapped and he's sneaking phone calls, then I don't think he'd have time to call everyone. I don't think he'd even have time to call Billy, and then you. He probably only called you."

I was torn. And I couldn't ignore Edward's voice of reason. Suddenly exhausted, I dropped my head in my hands, trying to ignore the pounding that was making it hard to think.

"Bella," Edward whispered gently, kneeling in front of me and tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I looked up at him wearily.

"I know he's your friend. And I want to help you. But running impulsively after him isn't the thing to do." He paused for a moment, before going on. "I'll go and talk to Carlisle. I want to see what he thinks, and then we'll figure out what we can do."

The panic began to build again. "But what am I supposed to do until then?" I asked frantically. "What about Jacob? There's no time, Edward!"

"Bella, sshh," he said, taking my hands away from my face. I hadn't even noticed that I was on the verge of pulling my hair out. "It won't take long. Just promise me that you'll stay right here."

I couldn't promise him that. I stayed silent, knowing that Edward probably wouldn't move until I promised him.

"Bella," Edward urged. "Promise me, please."

"Okay," I whispered, before I could stop myself.

"I'll be back," he promised in turn, standing and kissing my forehead. And with that, he disappeared out the window into the darkness.

I lay back on my bed and turned onto my side, horrified. My mind was spinning dangerously. Indecision prodded me viciously in my gut, as I tried to decide what the right thing to do was.

Should I break my promise and go find Jacob myself, or should I stay and wait for Edward, and risk Jacob's life?

It seemed to be a question of loyalties, but I also considered it a question of life and death. I rolled back onto my back and stared at the ceiling. What was I going to do?

I had to admit that Edward had a point about the phone call, it was a little strange. It was Jacob all right and he sounded scared, but why had he called me? Was I just being unconfident? Or did he think I was really capable of saving him? But still, even if I was, it would have made more sense for Jacob to get in touch with his pack.

B what if he couldn't get in touch with them? That didn't make much sense either; he was missing, they would surely be waiting for any word. But also, if he hadn't been able to get a hold of them, and had called me instead, wouldn't he have asked me to get in touch with them for him?

There were so many possibilities, as well as unsolved mysteries. Nothing made any sense.

I let my mind conjure up Jacob's face, a clear and exact portrait from memory. He was smiling brightly, on the verge of laughing. This had always been my favorite way of seeing Jacob.

But that image mutated horribly a second later, as I imagined him on the ground, his face twisted in pain and his eyes wide with fear. I sat up immediately and felt my strange, new awareness strike again. I didn't need to consult Alice on this one: I knew Jacob was in serious danger.

And that settled it. I went and grabbed my backpack, emptying the contents onto the floor. I grabbed my sock full of money (complete with leftover money from my trip abroad) and some clothes. I shoved them into my bag and rushed to the bathroom. I grabbed my toothbrush, shampoo, and other necessities, not sure if I would even get a chance to use them. It's not like I would be staying in a luxurious hotel; in fact, the best I would get would probably be a river.

I scrambled down the stairs, flinging my backpack on the floor momentarily. I jotted down a quick note to Charlie saying that I was out with friends for the day, and then I rushed out of the house, grabbing an atlas of Charlie's on the way out.

I would deal with the consequences, such as Charlie and Edward's reactions to my disappearance), later. There were more important things to worry about right now.

I yanked open the door to my truck and got in, throwing my bag onto the passenger seat. I backed out of my driveway, and scanning the atlas quickly, went in the direction of Lewiston, Idaho.

I desperately hoped that the atlas would be helpful. I hadn't had time to wait forever for my old computer to start up so that I could consult MapQuest. I also tried not to think of how disappointed Edward would be. Instead, I concentrated on the task at hand: finding Jacob. I turned up the radio loudly to drown out my irritating thoughts and focused on beginning my journey.