4. AWAKENING
The signs were unmistakable. Carlisle hovered over Bella's still frame, and witnessed the miracle form in front of his very eyes. Inside her ravaged body, a persistent heart beat slower and slower until at last, it beat no more. Bella, as everyone had known her, was dead.
And a new Bella was born.
"Shh! Everyone, stand back," Carlisle commanded, and those present obeyed without a word. All eyes were on Bella as she stirred for the first time, raising a ghostly white hand to her brow, feeling her face for the first time with new skin.
No one breathed. All simply stood still, waiting to meet the newest member of the Cullen's family of flesh eaters. Her eyes opened, blacker than ink. It was a new world!
In a flash that startled even Bella, she leapt off the bed, backing up against the broken window, cornered like a frightened animal.
"Bella," Carlisle said gently, all the while smiling. "You are not alone. We are with you. You do remember us, do you not?"
His eyes were patient, she could easily discern that. A memory stirred, but not once did she let down her guard. There was only one who she wished to see. Only one who could appease her. It was his scent that she hungered for, but even as she glanced about the room, she knew he was not there. "Edward?" she asked, unnerved by the silkiness in her new voice.
Upon this, Alice stepped forward. Her face was cautious, but steady. Jasper was not far behind. Wherever she moved, he moved. So should it be, thought Bella, with her and Edward. So had he promised her it would be. But where was he?
"Edward's gone out," Alice said gently, trying to mask her trepidation. "Don't worry, Bella. He'll be back soon."
"He left me?" Bella asked, hunting their faces for answers. Even Esme, whose face always was kind and gentle, could not hide from her searching gaze. Secrets and lies filled the room, and Bella's anxiety grew.
"Just calm down, Bella," Emmett said roughly, stepping forward.
Instinctively, Bella hissed, and leaned into the attack stance.
"Emmett, no!" Carlisle ordered, holding out his arm, and Emmett reluctantly retreated. "Jasper, this situation is getting out of hand."
Jasper clapped eyes on Bella, and made a step toward her. However, far from soothing her as he used to, she hissed again, edging ever closer to the broken window, shards of glass cracking under her bare feet.
His face contorted with concentration, and he turned away, exasperated. "I cannot, Carlisle. She is blocking me somehow."
"This isn't right," said a quiet voice, snatching everyone's attention. All eyes turned to Rosalie, who stood shaking her head, fighting the demons within herself. "She deserves to know the truth."
Esme touched Rosalie's shoulder, but she jarred it away, her eyes holding fast to Bella's dangerous black pearls. "He left, Bella, and we don't know where. He's not answering his phone, and he's hiding from Alice." She shook her head, her eyes sparkling with hate. "Must you ruin everything for us?"
"Rose," Emmett said, his voice firm, letting her know she had gone too far. She simply shrugged him off, and stomped away. Her words had struck a chord in Bella, however, that no one, not even Alice, could have foreseen. As the rage of the newborn savage swelled within her, the human child within cried out in agony. Edward had changed her, but didn't want her anymore. She let out an anguished wail that startled all but Carlisle, and without a moment's hesitation, she leapt from the second story out the window out into the night.
Alice rushed to the room's edge, watching as some glass shards soared over the edge. But, Bella was nowhere in sight. "We need to find her! It's too dangerous. She won't be able to control herself!"
Carlisle took a deep breath. "Alice and Jasper, track Bella. When you find her, convince her to come back home. Say whatever you have to, but make sure she's safe. Emmett," he said, turning to his son who towered over him, "You and Rosalie find Edward. He needs to be made aware of what's happened."
"It's been two days," Emmett said, shaking his head. "He could be anywhere by now."
At that moment Esme chimed up, speaking everyone's worst fears. "The Volturi?"
Carlisle turned to Alice's small, anxious face, but before he could speak, she exclaimed, "I've been trying, Carlisle! He won't let me see! Somehow he's avoiding decisions, maybe just accepting whatever presents itself."
Jasper placed a tender hand on her neck, soothing her. "Just focus, Alice. Try again, for Edward's sake."
Yielding, Alice closed her eyes, standing as still as a statue, desperate for anything to show itself. It was the tiniest of visions, merely a glimpse, as though Edward's eyes flashed open for only a nanosecond, but it was enough. "I see...water. An ocean, I think." She sighed heavily when no more would come. "I'm sorry, that's all. He knows I'm trying."
"An ocean?" Emmett said, smiling. "Well, that narrows things down a bit, doesn't it?" He then strode from the room, not wasting a moment.
Alice, however, was hesitant. "You know what needs to be done, Carlisle? It won't be pleasant."
"I'll do it," Esme said, leaning into Carlisle as he wrapped his arm around her. "I don't mind."
With that, Alice and Jasper exchanged a pregnant glance, and soared from the window.
"Don't worry, love," Carlisle breathed as he pulled Esme close to him. They'll all return safely. I'm sure of it."
"All of them?" Esme wondered aloud, praying that Carlisle was right, and there was nothing to fear.