Chapter Three
Edward's P.O.V.
Sleeping Beauty
I couldn't believe my eyes, but before the situation could get any worse I decided to hurry and get out of here as fast as we could. I picked up Bella's lifeless body and hurried toward the door, followed silently by Alice and Carlisle. I ignored their questioning thoughts unable to take anymore. I just had to get out of here, get somewhere safe where I could help Bella and think through what just happened.
No one spoke as we hurried out of the fortress. Night had fallen so not many people were on the streets though we still kept to the ally ways. Once we were inside the car speeding down the dark abandoned road, I broke the silence.
"What the hell just happened? What's wrong with her? She can't be dead but we cannot sleep either," My words were directed toward Carlisle but it was Alice who answered.
"No she isn't dead, I'm not sure what's wrong with her," Alice stared at my precious Bella curiously.
"She may just be recovering from whatever happened back there. I am not sure but I don't think she wanted to do it, I'm not even sure if she was there at all. Her eyes were completely black just like her victims and her voice was not her own," Carlisle's brows were turned up in thought.
"I agree, or at least I hope that wasn't my Bella. I have never seen power like that! She took them all down and once they fell to her tortuous gaze I was no longer able to hear their thoughts… I hope she wakes soon, it has been half an hour already," I was worried now; I didn't care what happened; only Bella mattered. "Please wake up my love, everyone is safe," I whispered into her ear.
"Yes, we cannot bring her on the plane like this, they will think she is dead. She isn't even breathing," Carlisle took his eyes off Bella and turned to face the road again. Why wouldn't she wake up! I pulled her closer to me begging in her ear for her to waken. Softly, I pressed my cool lips to hers and withdrew when there was again no response. Once my lips left her she suddenly took in a sharp breath, in and out, she was breathing now!
"Carlisle she is breathing! Bella honey can you hear me? Please wake up, everyone is ok and we are going home now," her breathing continued but there was no other response to my words.
"Edward we cannot stay here, we have to get on the plane soon before the Volturi snap out of whatever trance Bella placed them under," we were approaching the airport as Carlisle spoke, "Alice I need you to get some sunglasses for her, and Edward you will have to hold her up convincingly." He stopped at a small shop for Alice to run in and grab the glasses. I pulled Bella up so that she was sitting next to me rather than lying across my lap. Alice was quick and we were at the airport in no time. While Carlisle dealt with the issue of the rent-a-car, Alice and I tried to make Bella convincing. With the sunglasses on, I carried her in way that looked like she was walking with her head on my shoulder.
We were convincing enough to get her on the plane without much trouble. Those who waswho weren't as fooled by our display were quickly convinced by Alice inescapably persuasive to humans. The trip home seemed to take forever as I waited impatiently for Bella's eyes to open, but they didn't.
"Carlisle are you sure she isn't dead! My Bella is gone, please come back to me please!" It had been 24 hours now since she entered this catatonic state and I was insane with worry. I held her in my arms tearlessly crying for her to open her eyes.
"Edward you need to calm down. I have no idea what is happening, I have never seen anything like this but I am quite positive she isn't dead. For one she is breathing, and two there is only one way a vampire can die and you know that," Carlisle was worried about her too, we all were, but he insisted she would snap out of it sometime. I just hoped it was soon.
When we arrived back home, Esme was scared to death as she watched me carry in Bella's limp body. Alice explained what had happened as best she could to the others although we weren't really sure what exactly happened ourselves. I took Bella up to our room and placed her on the bed, sitting down next to her. I won't leave her side no matter how long it takes for her a wake up.