Chapter
7 Saving Edward
1/Emmett
"We
can't just stand here
and wait for the others!" I fumed.
"What do you propose we
do?" Jasper replied calmly.
Some of his calm was trying to find me. I felt it smothering me like a warm blanket, but I shrugged it aside and stepped away from him.
With
hard eyes, I protested vehemently. "I don't
want to be calm. I want to do
something!"
"What?"
he repeated, a desperate edge creeping into his voice.
We were all feeling it. It may have been for different reasons, but we were all feeling useless and trapped. We needed to get out of this place and make a difference. Carlisle and Esme would not make it here in less than a day, and waiting seemed out of the question and yet… it was all we had.
Not knowing what was happening didn't help matters at all. Jasper had tried to phone Alice, but her phone had been switched off, and this gave us all a reason to worry. It either meant that something incredibly bad had happened… either that, or she was about to do something incredibly stupid.
This couldn't go on. We were all in a blind state of worry. There was no need for a coin toss or any form of argument. If someone was going to go off and do something, it would be me. Jasper's talents would be needed to make everyone else stay put and keep them safe.
I did not care about his worries for his love. I would not let anyone or anything touch any of my family, and anyone who tried would get their limbs torn from them, one by one.
I plunged my hands into my pocket and pulled out the key to my vehicle.
"I'm going," I announced.
To my surprise, Jasper only nodded.
"And you are coming with me," I stated, throwing my wife a meaningful glance.
If anyone was going to help me get Edward out of this mess, it was going to be her.
"Of course…" she mumbled timidly.
Grabbing her arm, we flitted upstairs. Rummaging around, I packed a few items that would be useful for our journey, especially if we ran into any trouble. Then we made it to the Jeep.
Slipping the key into the ignition, I turned the key and the engine roared to life. Giving Rosalie an oblique look, I saw that her face was determined, and her eyes shone with something, that both made me proud and also set my heart racing.
Her upper lip was turned upwards, the start of a snarl, and the look she wore was predatory, territorial and would strike fear in the hearts of any in her way. Never had I seen her look more dangerous or wonderful. Her behaviour may have led to all this, but now, she would do anything to get her brother back, and that was all that I could ever ask for.
Reaching out a tender hand, I stroked her face. For a moment, her features softened and she closed her eyes. The second my hand dropped away, we both glared ahead, our expressions ferocious.
My foot was just about ready to come down on the gas pedal, when Jasper was at the window, banging hard against the glass - phone in his hand. I swore, killed the engine, and rolled down the electric window.
"What?"
I growled impatiently.
"You can't go. Neither of you," he
said, leaning inside the window.
I couldn't go and save my brother? Ridiculous. Ignoring his words, I began to roll up the window, in a vain hope that he would leap backwards and we would be out of sight, before he could do anything stupid… like jump in front of the Jeep.
He didn't move. The window tried to move upwards and I listened in horror, as the mechanisms broke down. Curse him; I loved my means of transport.
"Jasper, you'd better have a damn good reason for this," I stated, leaning forward threateningly, until our faces were inches apart.
He didn't flinch. I didn't really expect him to. Being ex- militia and all, there wasn't much that scared him.
His
expression was stern. "Alice called."
"And…?"
I asked acidly.
"She's already on her way," he replied.
My
face twisted in rage. "She's going by herself!
Why the hell didn't she ask for back up?! Why the hell aren't you
jumping into the back seat right now
and opting to come with me? If she goes by herself, she is going to
get herself killed!
Get in!" I yelled,
cocking my thumb to the backseat.
He eyed the backseat longingly, but made no attempt to move.
"We
can't go after
her…and she's not alone,"
he muttered reluctantly.
"She's not alone?
But the rest of us are
all here?! Who is she
going with?" I demanded.
Hearing a sharp intake of breath from my side, a name popped into my head and I wanted to dismiss it, but it was too late. Rosalie's reaction had proved that I was not the only one to think it, and my face paled further that I thought possible.
"No…" I whispered and then slammed my hand hard against the wheel. "NO! You can't be serious!?"
Something snapped beneath my hand… the wheel. I roared and punched the dashboard hard, leaving a gaping hole where my fist broke through.
"Bella?"
Rosalie whispered from my side.
"Yes," Jasper confirmed.
His brow creased in worry and his tone was thick with poorly concealed disapproval.
"She
says it's the only
way… If we go after him, it will only make things worse…
He will sense us before we get there, and it will only make him act
faster… We couldn't
sneak up on him… There is no other way…"
"But Bella?!"
Emmett shouted. "What can she do?!"
"The
Volturi…they have declined his request to kill him," Jasper
informed us bleakly.
I wanted to relax, but my brother's face did not show the relief that I expected to find, which only told me that the worst was yet to come.
"He
is taking the matters into his own
hands," he said bitterly.
"The idiot!"
I complained, grabbing fistfuls of my curly hair and peeking at my
brother sideways. "Well, what the hell is he thinking now?!"
"Alice
saw many things…He panicked at first and he considered a long list
of actions that would get him promptly slaughtered,
but he finally settled for the dramatic…"
"Typical!"
I snorted in disdain.
"It's what they need for their plan to
work…" Jasper said quietly.
My face darkened. "What
plan?"
"To save him, when he plans to expose himself in the
most ludicrously
dramatic way possible," he replied evasively.
Groaning, I leaned my head back against the headrest and thought about the millions of ways, in which Edward could achieve such a thing. The possibilities were endless.
"I still don't see how Bella can fit into all of this!" I continued to argue. "It's madness and far, far too dangerous for her!"
Picturing the girl's innocent face, I couldn't imagine her being involved in something…anything like this. It was a suicidal mission enough for our kind…but for her? What chance did she stand? What benefit could she possibly provide?
"She can walk in the sun…" Rosalie said suddenly, her voice filled with an unexpected surge of respect.
We both turned to look at her then, her tone taking us by surprise. She stared at us in turn, her eyes filled with understanding and awe.
"Don't you see? She is the only help that he has left…"
Her voice did not carry a trace of despair, and that gave me some hope. She was scared, but she saw this as a good thing. We had to take strength from our sister's plan…we couldn't do much else.
"What
about Alice?" I
asked, in defeat.
"Once Bella makes her presence known and
brings Edward back to safety, she will bring them back," he stated
carefully.
Silently, we absorbed the plan, and knew that despite its simplicity - it was still highly dangerous. But it was the only plan that could possibly work. We couldn't go after him. It really was down to our sister and the human girl and we were left once more, to sit behind and wait.
Looking at my brother, I saw the anguish that was tearing him apart. No calm emanated from him now, as he considered the fates of our brother and his love. Reaching out, I slapped him hard on the shoulder, stared down at my wife for an immeasurable moment and then got out of the vehicle.
As I ambled back towards the house, Rosalie's hand found mine and I squeezed it hard. Jasper did not re-enter the house. He folded himself on the front porch and stared ahead at nothing.
"Did
you phone Carlisle?" I asked, before I closed the door.
"Not
yet," he replied distantly.
I nodded. "I'll deal with
it."
"Allow me," Rosalie offered, holding out her hand.
I gave her a long look, before I handed her the phone and headed towards our room to sit out our wait. Would they succeed? If they didn't, how would we be informed of their…failure? Did the Volturi provide such a service? This was an agony beyond anything that I had ever had to endure.
Collapsing upon our large bed, I rubbed my hands across my face and willed Edward to bide his time, to not be stupid, and prayed that Bella would be enough and that Alice could do whatever it was that she planned.
And most of all, I prayed that if they managed to pull though, if Edward and Bella were reunited…some good would come from his disaster. But first…they needed to survive…
2/Jasper
When
I had answered the call, I had been close to ignoring Alice's pleas
all together and racing Emmett to Italy myself. She wanted me to stay
behind; she wanted us all to
stay behind. She made me promise not to come after her and that
promise had killed me.
The only way I had managed to make it; was by demanding that she make one in return. I made her promise to stay alive and return to me. She'd laughed and made her promise.
Sitting here, I tried not to think of all the things that could happen to her when I wasn't there to protect her.
Alice…you'd
better keep your promise…
3/Rosalie
Having
completed the task of informing our "parents,"
I headed towards my room, but then, changed my mind…and headed for
Edward's. If Emmett had heard my change in course, he made no
movement to stop me, or object. My guess was that he needed to be
alone in order to deal with this catastrophe…we all did.
Slowly, I stopped outside my brother's door, pushed down the handle and stepped inside. It was a mess - just as he had left it. Boxes of his countless CDs were stacked high. As I stepped through, I noticed splinters of wood across the floor and huge, chunks torn out of the doorframe. I had never noticed them before, I had never even been in his room before - it had held little interest for me, until now.
Now, things were different. From now, this place could be the last place that held any recollection of my brother's life, and what a pitiful life he had led here. Mourning in his torment, suffering so terribly…and I had ignored him completely.
So, we had never been particularly close? But before all this, I had never gone so far as to cut him off - pretend that he didn't exist. Ever since he had met Bella, I had been a terrible sister…jealous for the most ridiculous of reasons and so selfish. More so than usual, more than I would ever admit…
It had never bothered me before - it was who I was…but I'd never ever intended my actions to lead to such disaster. I did not hate Edward. As far as brothers went, he was decent, accepting, funny, loyal and caring.
All right, so he was clearly the family's favourite - but it was irritatingly obvious as to why. A more likeable person didn't exist, and maybe soon he wouldn't…because of me.
If I could have done anything right there and then to make it all right, I would have. But I knew that I could not turn back time, and there was no way any of us could help now. It was down to Alice…and to Bella.
Even after we had left her, deserted her for months, she had still dropped everything, to go and save my brother. Did she really love him so unconditionally? I do not know what I thought of their love. I supposed I had always just thought it as something silly. I never took account of her feelings - she was only human after all and destined to die sooner rather than later- so what did it matter?
I always thought that it was just Edward indulging himself. But for her to make this sacrifice? Maybe she really did love him? Maybe their love really was worth fighting for? Maybe I had been wrong all along…
…I
had
Would I ever have a chance to apologise to them both? To make amends to them? To everyone? Even if they returned, would they wish to give me another chance? Imagining Edward's face made me shudder. And as for Bella? I had been terrible to her! When I hadn't pierced her with hateful eyes, I had treated her like thin air. There was so much bad behaviour to atone for…too much.
Slumping down against the doorframe, I fitted my fingers where my brother's had once been. Closing my eyes, I wished that in time, they would forgive me…but first, I wished that they would live.
4/Carlisle
Sliding
the phone back into my pocket, I wanted to turn my head, meet my
wife's eyes and show her that I had complete confidence in the
situation. That Edward would return; that Alice's plan would work,
and that the human girl we had sought to keep safe; would return
unscathed, but I could not.
The only two factors that worked in the plan's favour, were time and luck. It could work…As long as Edward didn't change his mind, or Alice didn't come within range of his senses, and as long as Bella was fast enough, and did all that should could where Alice could not.
Dear
God, please help them…
From the corner of my eye, I could see my wife's shaking form. I reached out a hand to comfort her, but it dropped to my side, and clenched into a tight fist, as I struggled to suppress my own emotion.
Don't…
I urged myself. Don't
give up yet. There is still hope. There is always hope…
"We must have faith," I said in a voice, which was not entirely steady.
I didn't look at her, but I made out the movement, as she bobbed her head up and down once. She would believe, as would I…until we wee told otherwise.
Please
God… How
much can one family...one person, bear to loose? I had tried to take
my former life, when my poor, beautiful baby had died. Then Carlisle
had brought me back. What for? Only for me to endure losing two more
of my children? My
Edward…My Edward was seeking his own death. And my sweet Alice was
risking her life to help him! And Bella…the daughter I would have
loved; was with them. If
they failed…If I lost them all…I didn't know if I could hold on
to what I had left. My children were my life. I
could not lose a child… not again. My
mind was running wild and scaring me…would the others be enough? I
could not think about that now. Now,
all I could do was think of those that were far away, and aiming to
achieve the impossible. It had to be possible. For the love of all
that was good in this world, it had to work…they had to save my
son…they had to save each other. Trembling,
I imagined a place in the sun where the only being able to do
anything was a human. I only prayed that Bella could do enough… 6/Alice That
was a lie of course…I could never do that. I could never abandon
Edward. Someone needed to save him, and we were the ones who were
destined to do it. It was already terrible enough that Bella was now
involved, but it wasn't like there was a choice anymore. It was
beginning to feel like destiny… as if the two of us were meant to
embark on this rescue mission. With
the two of us racing past the glorious Italian countryside, that we
were far too preoccupied to admire, it was easier to focus on the
task at hand. The ride on the plane had been torture. Bella
had had it easy- she simply had to sit there, and wait for me to tell
her something that she didn't know. In the long stretches of time
where I had nothing to say, she slept. I
couldn't even relax for a second. I constantly had to keep my mind
open, keeping myself susceptible to Edwards's decisions, and in the
meantime, I had the near impossible task of informing the others of
what was happening, and convincing them not to come after us. That
had been the worst part. Hearing Jasper's voice and knowing that it
could be the last time. But I couldn't get anyone else involved. It
wasn't just that it would have made our task even more difficult -
I couldn't endanger anyone else. If
they became involved, what if I started seeing flashes of their
deaths? How on earth could I concentrate on my task, and saving
Edward? It would have been too much. It
was bad enough that I may lose one brother. To lose another brother,
a sister, or my lover would be intolerable. I did not risk Bella's
life- this was a risk she took for herself, and I was past fighting
to keep her safe for Edward's benefit. This
human girl, that he was so adamant to protect, had courage that was
beyond belief. She loved him and now matter how badly he had
convinced her of his lack of interest- and he had - she still wanted
to save him…was willing to die trying. On top of all that, she knew
what she wanted, and she knew what we were, and she wanted to become
one of us. I
had "seen" it, and Edward, being Edward, had been so determined
to push the idea aside - to convince her that it was the worst idea
possible. But was it? Was it really? If
we saved him and brought him back, and he saw the result of our
actions, would he not see that it was better for all of us if she did
join us? It wasn't as though she were a complete and utter child.
For a teenager, she had a very adult head on her shoulders, and she
knew what she wanted, and she wanted him.
Was it so bad? So,
she wasn't on her deathbed, the way Carlisle may have opted to
"change" someone. She was willing, and that made all the
difference in the world. If our plan worked, I had already made up my
mind - we were all going to have a very serious talk about the issue. Bella,
sat squirming beside me, was already ecstatic about the idea. I
almost regretted suggesting it on the plane, but it seemed to give
her some kind of hope and confidence for the coming situation, and
Lord only knew that we needed plenty of it. Thankfully,
since Edward had settled for his latest decision, my mind had a
chance to rest, and it was easier - more comforting, knowing that he
had settled for his one plan. Although,
now there was a new problem that hung over my head - what if he
changed his mind? What if he acted sooner? What if he did something
different entirely? I was driving as fast as I could. My speed
terrified the life out of my passenger, but somehow, it didn't seem
fast enough. We
reached Volterra, he hadn't yet showed any signs of having a change
of heart and it was nearly time…and I could go no further. Every
muscle in my body was tense, and I found myself risking glances at my
accomplice - the most accident prone being on the planet. This
was down to her. I could stick to the shadows, but she had to get his
attention, before he did what he was about to do. I
stopped the car, told her where to go, and then went to rid myself of
the stolen vehicle. After that, I would follow her as quickly as I
could to the alley, and hope that I would avoid detection and find
them both there, in the safety of the shade. Swallowing hard, I set
about my task. 7/Edward The
innocent people that began to fill the streets should have considered
themselves lucky. They walked around, oblivious to the real monsters
that existed here - where the only real
threat was I. There had been many a moment in the past few hours,
where I would have leapt out and attacked any of them…or all of
them. When
Aro had refused my execution, I had been beyond furious. Not that I
had thought that it would have been that
easy, but… well… I
actually had hoped. It
was hardly a difficult request to grant. I
was one vampire,
simply asking for death, and I think they even would have granted my
wish, had it not been for their past ties with Carlisle. I had begged
and tried to reason with them, but they did not want to upset their
old friend. And
then, most unexpectedly, the conversation had taken a different turn.
By now, all I had wanted to do was to leave and end my misery, but
apparently Aro had wanted to talk.
The others did not seem interested in the last, but Aro insisted on
shaking my hand and, only then,
was I aware of his power…and was he aware of mine…and
my coming intentions. It
was an interesting situation. He knew that I was about to cause some
form of trouble, but he did not let on. Instead, he offered me a
position amongst his Guard, and introduced me to some of his current
members. Members, whose talents and attitudes I found to be
disturbing, and their mutual dislike of me was startling clear - to
everyone but Aro. His
offer of employment was laughable for many reasons, but only several
sprang to mind. The love for my family being one, the fact that I
intended to die shortly after our little chat being the other, and
then the obvious differences in our choices of diet. After
a polite refusal and a courteous farewell, I was permitted to leave.
I did not get far, before I was in the very alleyway where I now
stood, and I begun to contemplate every single way in which I could
stop this insanity right then and there. I had come here to die, and
that was exactly what I intended to do. People were
everywhere…and so were the Guard. All I had to do was jump out and
attack someone. I could not deny the appeal. If this was going to be
my last act, why not drink human blood? Have one final taste, before
the members and protectors of the Volturi disposed me. The
idea was dismissed as quickly as it arrived. What a poor way it would
have been to thank Carlisle, for all the years that he had taught me
to curb my thirst. If he ever heard about that final act, his shame
would be great and wherever I went - even if I only became nothing,
I was sure to feel it even there. And
then, to taste another human being was…just wrong.
There was no rational way to explain it. It seemed stupid to even
think it, but it would be as if I was cheating on the one that I
loved. There
had only been that one time…The
time when I had to extract James' venom from her body, and that had
been…words could not describe how difficult had been. Difficult was
not a strong enough word. People
used to word "difficult" in the most mundane and simple of
circumstances. The act of stopping had been impossible,
and yet, I had
stopped…because I loved her more than life itself. I still did,
and if I did not join her in death soon, I was going to do something
rash… Ruling
out the option of attacking someone, I thought of other avenues to
take. There were so many to choose from. In the act of assessing
every option, I found my obsessive-thinking manner taking over the
situation. I analysed each and every choice, closing my eyes and
visualised scenarios in the back of my mind. There
were things that I needed to consider. How easy would my plans be to
achieve? Would they be visible enough for all to see? Would they
attract the attention of a few, or many, or merely just enough? Was
that good enough? If I wanted to end my life, did I want it to just
end, have them kill me and have it over and done with? Yes…and no. These
Volturi were an arrogant lot, and maybe, it would do them some good
to be humbled. Maybe if I only did something minor, I would receive
the equivalent of a slap on the wrist, and then be escorted from the
city, where they were sure I could behave myself. Or, Aro would
attempt to sway my decision into joining him once more. I
needed to find a way that would be so obvious, and so insulting, that
it would be unforgivable.
I could not risk them letting me live, and I needed to do something
that was expose us completely. Something that could not be easily
explained, and something that would guarantee a first class ticket to
wherever it was, we soulless creatures went. What
talents did we possess that could cause alarm? There was strength of
course, and our speed. But who hasn't seen a film or a read a book,
where some being had the power of super strength? It would be
offensive enough to throw a car through a shop window, or
meaninglessly flit across the square, spooking a crowd… but it was
too… unoriginal.
There had to be something else…and then it hit me. So
simple…so easy…and
it would catch the eye of every
human being in the square. It was so brilliant; I had to chuckle to
myself. …I
would walk into the sun. Just
thinking of it made me smile. A memory came flooding back... the
first time in the meadow with her…Made me think of things that made
me ache all over… Looking
up at the sky, it was too early to act- but soon, on this day, St.
Marcus's Day- the area would be filled. And at noon, when the sun
shone it's brightest and lit up the square…I could walk out. Just
walk out…and shine. That
had been hours ago. Now, the sun was high, and I was waiting for the
exact moment, when the clock would strike twelve. When the final
chiming of the bell could be heard - then,
I would move. It
was 11:59... I
was seconds away from death, and I found that I was smiling. It
will soon be over, I assured myself, and
undid the buttons of my shirt. For some reason beyond comprehension,
I actually folded it neatly, before I placed it on the floor. Straightening
myself up, I listened with a growing sense of peace, as the sounding
of the first chime echoed through the air. A flock of startled birds
soared over ahead. From somewhere close by, some children squealed in
delight at the sudden, loud noise. Taking
one last deep and unnecessary breath, I began to step forward. One,
slow step at a time, savouring the last moments, and looking forward
to whatever end awaited me. As each chime sounded, I took another
step. It
was odd really. As my feet carried me forward, my mind began to play
tricks on me. I could hear the voice that I longed to hear, but it
wasn't happy or delighted to see me. It sounded scared… She
was calling my name, over and over again. Maybe she was calling me
from the other side? Warning me not to join her, and telling me to
stay where I was? Silly girl, as if I could live in this world
without her. Ignoring
the beautiful voice, I continued forward. The tenth chime passed;
then the eleventh and finally the twelfth. My foot was the first
thing to enter the shaft of light, when something slammed into me. In
surprise and mild irritation, I turned and then…froze. She
was there…it was
her, looking exactly
as I remembered her. Startled as I was, I
took a reflexive breath, and her heady scent filled my being. I
am dead… Maybe
they had developed ways to dispose of troublemakers quickly and
painlessly? I can't say that I minded. It was almost as though
nothing had happened, and now I was here… wherever here
was. Very
strange indeed. It looked as though I hadn't moved at all, and yet,
here she stood, before
me, looking both overjoyed and panicked at the same time. She even
smelled as incredible as she had in life…in some ways, even better. Was
this some other plane of existence? It must have been. So this
was what had awaited me all along. God did
have a place for us, and he did
see me fit to spend my afterlife, with the one that I loved. To think
that all this time, I had dismissed Carlisle's beliefs, when he had
been right all along. My
love spoke to me words that made no sense. She appeared to be trying
to convince me, that I was alive.
It seemed highly unlikely, because for starters…she
was here. But then, her words came faster, her eyes became more
desperate, and I felt their
presence, before I could see them… The
Guard… Suddenly
aware of how dangerously close I had been to the mouth of the alley,
I stepped back, pressing my love against the wall and shielding her
from view. And sure enough, two very real, very solid cloaked figures
emerged from the crowd and stood, blocking the other humans from
view, throwing us into their shadows. My head was
pounding, and every nerve in my body was reacting to what was
happening. My love was in danger, and she was very much alive. The
hand that I held behind me belonged to a living
person, and it was warm
and it felt wonderful. With fingers that had
been desperate for her touch for so long, I held her hand tightly,
and she attempted to crush mine back. We
were in trouble, but suddenly, it didn't seem so frightening,
because she was here, holding my hand and I would do anything to get
her out of this - anything to get us out of this, and even if we
didn't make it- we would be together. Staring
up at the hidden faces that loomed above mine, I prepared to fight
for our right to live.
…I do not ask you for much, and I do all that I can to
make my existence worthy of your attention…
I have never asked
you for anything…
…but now, I ask you just this one
thing…
Please help my son…
…Please, please help my
Edward
Please…
5/Esme
Thinking
was a dangerous thing and I didn't have time for it. If I started
thinking about what we were doing, I may have just turned the Porsche
around and headed in another direction…straight back to Jasper's
side.
I
stood in the alleyway by the square, leaning with my back against the
stone wall. My final moments were nearly upon me, and the wait had
been a painful one. There nearly hadn't been a wait at all, but I
had forced myself to keep from doing anything drastic. Said he,
the vampire, who was about to take his own life.
It did not matter that she was dead and gone. She had been
the only one that I
had ever wanted, in every way possible - her body, her mind and her
blood. To take from another was an insult. And even then, I never,
ever would have allowed myself to drink from her.
Touching
her face and inhaling deeply, I smiled to myself. Well that
hadn't been bad at all?
I had been expecting the Guard to drag me to some far off corner, and
take their time, ripping me apart - probably enjoying the opportunity
of some sport, in this boring and safe city. And I had definitely
expected much more in the way of pain!
