Sorry for the delay, but you have Edward's POV as promised!

Thanks for the feedback and support to all of you!! Enjoy & Review!

I went back to fix a little mess up that neither I, nor my beta, caught. Thanks Leeann!

BIG THANKS to BELLEDEAN for her beta magic! She's been a ton of help and has just started her first fanfic as well!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. All that is Twilight belongs to the brilliant Steph Meyer



"Far, far, far away - way

People heard him say - say

I will find a way - way

There will come a day - day

Something will be done."

I tapped my index finger rhythmically against the steering wheel while listening to the Pink Floyd tape I'd purchased a few weeks ago. Alice breezed through a fashion magazine in the bucket seat next to me with her hair bouncing around her face as she nodded to the beat of the music, her mind bouncing from thought to thought like a pinball in one of those mindless machines.

Oh, that dress is too cute! My God, that model is just hideous- Hm... This song is actually pretty groovy! Good music choice, Edward, Alice thought.

"Alice," I looked at her with disapproval, "did you just say groovy?"

"No, but I thought it," she frowned. "You really shouldn't be reading my thoughts, you know. It's not nice to eavesdrop."

"If I could block out your endless rambling, trust me, I would," I muttered.

We were a little over an hour away from San Francisco, about the same as the humans we were following since we'd stopped to hunt about 90 miles back. It was odd to taste the difference in the California animal's blood, seeing as their diet and environment would be slightly different due to the climate's natural effect on California vegetation. Not to mention the wildlife park we'd decided to dine in was exquisite; we had our choice of mountain lions, elk, red foxes, moose, etc. We decided to hunt for a bit longer than usual seeing as we would be engulfed in temptation once arriving at the concert.

As I was trying to busy myself with thinking of the vast array of dinner options we may have on the way back, I realized I had somewhat tuned Alice out. This isn't necessarily unusual considering I have had so long to perfect such technique, it comes in handy when I would rather not listen to all of the girls in high schools thinking of what they would like to do to me. But my mind seemed all too quiet... Then a series of visions sped through my mind and Alice dropped her magazine. Obviously, the same human girl was yet again starring in Alice's visions, and yet again, screwing them up.

"Al, you alright?" I reached out to touch her hand and let her know I was there.

She began shaking her head. "Dancing," she mumbled. "She's disoriented and smiling... And dancing, she's dancing like she's in her own world."

"Well, we are going to a concert, Alice," I smirked.

"Yeah, no shit!" She slapped my shoulder. "Whatever, I just... The glimpse I got of the rest of the crowd wasn't dancing like that... And it was really bad quality, worse than the ones before. The vision seemed chaotic and messy."

"Great. I'd say she's definitely going to be on something."

"I hope not," she murmured. "Then we won't even realize why she's been so involved in my visions. I never have these kinds of visions about strangers, especially humans, unless their life intersects with one of ours."

When we pulled into parking spot at a nearby lot, there were tons of people and just as many thoughts weaving in and out of my mind. I tried sifting through them as I stepped onto the gravel in my designer boots and slammed the car door.

"Easy with Christopher!" Alice shrieked.

"Sorry," I mumbled. "I'm just a bit overwhelmed with these ridiculous thoughts. Anyway, we're going to have to be a little careful with the sun today."

"Yeah, supposed to be mostly overcast, but a few stray rays could always be a nightmare," she said as she slipped on her large, black sunglasses.

Alice skipped beside me onto the concert grounds. Turns out it was free, which she failed to mention, therefore all of the loonies could come out to play. I was flipping through various thoughts for the brunette as I would occasionally catch stares from a range of different women, all eyeing me as if I was something to eat.

Oh, the irony... I thought.

"There!" Alice grabbed my hand and nodded her head in the direction of the crowd.

I was about to make an excessively smartass remark when I saw her. She was just beginning to make her way through the massive swarm of concertgoers, she was beginning to dance and hold her hand over her head. She wouldn't look at the people but they were all looking at her. She kept her head down as if she was embarrassed, hair dancing around her face and shielding her from the stares, yet she continued dancing through the flock of people. Before I knew it, Alice and I were carefully dodging bystanders and weaving in and out of the frail human forms just to keep an eye on her. I tried to peer into her thoughts but maybe the drugs had some kind of unusual effect on it. The stares that were focused on the beautiful brunette were quickly shifted to Alice and I, while the human girl left an unforgettable aroma in her wake. The thoughts that just seconds ago were fixated on the girls dress or her and her friends dancing were now curiously shifting to images of the little pixie and I making our way through the crowd. It made me uncomfortable just being here, and that taunting scent blending in with all of the other fragrant temptation definitely wasn't helping either of us.

Either she's really into the music, or she's really messed up... Alice thought and shot me a concerned look.

I looked at her and gave her one apprehensive nod. When we looked back to the crowd, back to where she'd been, neither of us saw her. Alice looked ahead and stood on the tips of her toes to see over some of the people, while I glanced around frantically, searching for any thought that could link up to the girl. Then I saw her dancing in a circle with two of her girlfriends, just laughing and swaying. In whomever's thoughts I was viewing her from, her eyes were shut and she began twirling around with her hands in the air. I caught a glimpse of two small, pale hands waving aimlessly with a woven bracelet on the left wrist.

Since when did you become so obsessed with random human girls? I thought. It's just curiosity of her effect on Alice... That's it. That is definitely it. But what the hell is with her thoughts? Could be the drugs, or maybe the fact that you're not in close proximity to her, but either way- you're losing touch.

"Alice," I said quietly, tilting my head in the direction, "You go on the left side and see how we can approach amongst the friends..."

She nodded fervently and we began moving in the same direction, but the crowd became much more dense. Alice must have begun looking where I'd requested because I couldn't see the little pixie. I kept looking on the left side of where I'd seen the hands waving and, luckily, I found a break in the crowd to head toward for a better view. Then I saw her in a separate thought, and I was in it. Her arms were at her sides and it looked like she...

I turned around and caught her right before she stumbled over her own feet. She hit my chest, hard, and her eyes were still closed.

Great, she probably broke something hitting my stone cold chest.

She sniffed the air and then grinned. She was thinking of... Nothing? What? No thoughts? I tried reading her again now that I was, well, pressed against her, and I still was drawing a blank. The fact that I couldn't read her mind and she smelled sinfully enticing was excruciatingly frustrating. Plus, her excessive recreational drug use didn't make her a genius in my book. But I had never had an experience with a human whose mind I couldn't read. It was an absurd thought, considering they were so breakable and often transparent.

Her eyelids flipped open to display large, brown eyes. Honestly she was much more beautiful than she had been in any thought or any other view I'd had of her. And her eyes were stunning, but they held confusion. I realized my arms were still tightly woven around her little waist and even though I was very irritated about not being able to hear her thoughts, I didn't want her to fall if I let her go. Not to mention, her petite frame felt so incredible and warm in my arms. Slowly I loosened my grasp on her and she found her feet. Blood flushed into her cheeks beneath those beautiful eyes and it took every ounce of self-control I possessed not to let the monster within me come to life. She was too much for me handle right now, and there was no point in us even coming and putting her in such danger since we won't be getting any answers from her when she's so high.

Say something and just fucking get out of here, I thought.

"Um, excuse me," I began, "you need to watch where you, er, twirl..."

Smooth, Romeo.

Her blush faded and she glanced around. Once she broke our gaze, I could get my mind back on track with seeming human, blinking and inhaling. Big mistake. She smelled unbelievably mouthwatering. Putting myself through this any longer was just cruel. And judging by the sky, risking exposure by the sun would just be stupid.

"Technically I was dancing." She said, looking me in the eyes "Dance with me!"

I wanted to bolt, get the hell out of there as fast as I could- which was pretty damn fast. But I had to politely decline her offer and seem as human as possible, while sparingly taking breaths. Her scent, if not those eyes, could be the death of me.

"I don't dance." I replied, trying to hold my breath and quickly end the conversation.

She seemed embarrassed and uncomfortable. "Yea, me either," she murmured, looking down to her unfashionable brown boots. "Well, not usually. Too clumsy."

Then she looked up at me like a beautifully lost doe. Her big, brown eyes were begging for something from me- something I had no idea how to give her. It was painful to watch considering she had no idea I could break her in half with merely a finger. Yet she still stood, leaning into me without even realizing she was doing so.

Why would she trust me with these emotions? Why is she still standing here? Where is her logic? Her instincts? How can she not see that I am a monster?

"Sorry I ran into you." She looked back at her boots and kicked the toes towards the earth beneath her.

"Yeah," I said, "You really should be more careful."

And I realized I could go, quickly. No one was looking at and Alice was calling for me in her thoughts. So I stole one last glance at her, all of her beauty, and retreated back through the crowd.

"Edward!" Alice grabbed my arm as I hustled back through the masses of people. "Did you find her?"

"Let's go," I led her around the scattered people. "I can tell you about it on the way home."

"But-"

"No, I don't want to see the Rolling Stones. I really don't care that much. I just want to get the hell away from here."

Once we got back to the car, Alice barely put up a fight about driving Christopher. I had been planning on letting her drive back to Forks, but I hadn't planned on being so wound up. I knew I needed to tell her everything that happened but I also needed something to keep my mind occupied during our conversation, and driving was the perfect, mind-numbing task.

"Okay," Alice insisted, shutting the passenger door and getting settled in her seat. "What's the deal? What happened?"

"She was high, Alice... Really high. She ran into me," I hardly knew where to begin. "She wasn't frightened or aware of anything other than me. And I couldn't read her thoughts. That's never happened with a human before. It had to have been the drugs, I don't think she'd even remember me she was so messed up. And she smelled irresistibly good. I could hardly contain my thirst..."

"That's so weird, Edward... So did she say anything about Forks or Alaska or anything that could link her to us? Do you think she knew what you were?"

"No, she didn't say much. And no, I highly doubt she knew what I was. I don't see how she could have known. I didn't even get her name..." I trailed off.

How the hell could I not have asked her name?

"We'll have to discuss this with Carlisle when we get back," she decided. "I'm sure he will have some input."

"Sure," I said, absentmindedly.

"Edward?" Alice asked softly. "I'm sorry I left you alone with her back there. You came with me so I wouldn't be alone with the temptation and I should have been there with you. I really am sorry."

"Alice," I looked over to her, "it's not your fault. We needed to find her and it's all right. Nothing horrible happened, but I appreciate your concern. Don't mention it, Alice. It's okay; we're okay."

Her golden eyes sparkled as her mouth curved up into a smile as she picked out a magazine from her bag. There was no doubt that I loved Alice as my sister and she was one of my closest friends, but I was having a difficult time understanding why I'd agreed to go with Alice in the first place.

If I hadn't gone, maybe this girl wouldn't be consuming my every thought- my every sense. But I went because I care about my sister... I thought to myself... And because of the bet.

Ah, yes, how could I forget? Was it necessary for my siblings to constantly single me out? As if living with their thoughts weren't enough, I'm supposed to find joy in playing pointless games, too? I know that they're only having fun, and I know that my lack of enjoyment only makes Esme worry more. I guess if I'm being honest, I would join in their pointless games if only I didn't feel so extremely damned lately. After Alaska, and Tanya, I just feel more aware of how alone I really am. Will I ever find light in this dark existence I must face every second of every day? Tanya is a fairly good friend, but she would never be my mate. Her laugh and her smile seemed much too forced, and I suppose she may be just as lonely as I am. Still, I cannot simply settle just to have someone beside me. It seems as if hearing my family's worried thoughts have only rubbed off on me: now I am worried that this constant burning in my throat is the only thing making me feel remotely close to being alive. I cannot see the future as Alice can, and I am glad for it. For I know if I could see it, I'd see myself alone for eternity, in a dark, empty shadow. Why would I have ever bought into the idea that I am due anything more? From now on, I will have no expectations. What's the point anyway?

"How much longer? Are you thirsty? Want to stop and feed?" Alice's voice snapped me out of my mental revelation.

I sighed. "A while. Kind of. And yes in an hour or so when we get into Oregon."

"What about the county fair in Oregon? You know, the one we went to the other day on our way down to the concert?"

"What about it?"

"Well," she grinned, "what if we stop around there and see if we catch up with any smells or thoughts of the girl?"

Damn, the pixie was killing me. The girl's delectable scent still lingered on my clothes. But I couldn't deny that I wanted to see her again.

What the hell?! What's wrong with me? Why do I want to see her again? I am a whole new breed of monster; I am selfishly willing to place the girl in grave danger just to see her another time... At least Alice will be there, so nothing will happen. Right- nothing is going to happen... And Alice's plan may actually work since we saw the girl stopped there on the way to San Francisco, I thought

"I guess that'd be cool. If we don't get any answers, the trip may be considered a waste," I thought aloud. "But we'll have to hunt before coming into close proximity with the fair grounds. I'm warning you, Ali, she smells amazing."

"Okay!" Alice agreed. "That's fine by me. Oregon isn't my favorite state for hunting, but I guess it'll do... So wait, why didn't you get her name?"

I rolled my eyes. "I was trying to focus on not draining her entire body of blood, Alice. Besides, where the hell were you?"

"Well," she shifted in her seat, "I was looking for her when I noticed where her friends were standing. She wasn't with them so I figured she'd maybe just gone to get something to eat or to get her weed or something. You know how hippies are with their munchies... Well, anyhow, I was taking notes about some of the fashion trends I was spotting while waiting for her to return to her friends. At least the fashion mission was successful."

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Ugh, okay, whatever. We'll find her in Oregon and you can bombard her with pointless questions regarding her name, favorite color, birthday, etc."

Yea right. You probably won't let me get anywhere near her, Edward, she thought with a teasing smile.

"I'm glad you're having fun," I growled, frustrated.

Around twilight, I had just finished draining a buck within the shield of Oregon's vast forest when I heard Alice drop the remnants of her meal about a mile away. In merely a moment, she was by my side with an excited expression. I suppose her enthusiasm was necessary, especially since I understood how frustrating and nerve-racking this whole situation was. She began her graceful strides in the direction of fair grounds as I followed anxiously. We chose to stroll through the forest at a little faster pace than the usual human speed since we weren't sure how many random fairgoers would be wandering through the property surrounding the fairground. Plus, I appreciated the extra time to decide how to go about the situation if we did in fact see the human girl.

About 10 miles from the fairground, we heard laughter and the Rolling Stones playing on a shitty radio. We could smell humans and gasoline. It seemed much too close considering we made it a point to hunt at least 15 miles away from the fairgrounds.

"Alice," I said in a low voice, "let's walk and see what's going on."

She nodded and we slowed down to a human pace.

"I can see her, Alice."

"What? You can see her in her thoughts or in her friends?" She was clearly excited, but I could also sense the nervousness in her voice.

"Her friends," I frowned. "I still can't read her thoughts. Maybe she's still on something that is acting as a blocker? Anyway, they're eating about a mile away and setting up camp for the night."

Let's go watch for just a minute, Alice pleaded in her thoughts.

I nodded and hummed along to the song growing louder as we drew nearer to the girl's campsite.

When you were a child

You were treated kind

But you were never brought up right.

You were always spoiled with a thousand toys

But still you cried all night.

Your mother who neglected you

Owes a million dollars tax.

And your father's still perfecting ways of making sealing wax.

We saw a few of her friends through the trees dancing and singing. She was poking around at her dinner and nodding her head to the song, sitting in the open doorway of the VW bus. All but one of the guys with her were having absurd thoughts about her, and she seemed completely oblivious. No, it was more than that... It was as if she was altogether uninterested, entirely apathetic.

What's wrong with her? Alice thought.

"I was just thinking the same thing," I whispered.

We watched as she left the remainder of her meal on the floor of the bus and threw her bag around her neck. She picked up a few wadded up sleeping bags and a small, water resistant bag.

"Bella, come dance with us!" A dark haired girl yelled in her direction.

"I'm going to set up my tent," she seemed to force her grin. "Maybe after, Ang."

Bella, Alice and I thought in sync.

"Pretty name," I whispered, nearly forgetting Alice was there to hear me.

Alice grinned from beside me, while Bella's friend frowned. She was concerned about Bella, so apparently this lack of interest was out of character for her. I couldn't help but wonder what made her look so sad as she set up her single tent. At the same time, I was quite impressed she knew how to set up a tent in the first place. Thankfully she was setting up her sleeping quarters further away from us, so I didn't have as hard of a time with restraint.

I doubt we'll be getting a chance to talk to her, Alice thought. Want to leave once she goes to sleep?

I nodded stiffly. I didn't like the idea of leaving Bella out in this cold, in the middle of Oregon's forest, all alone. Well technically, not all alone. I guess her weak teenage friends could provide a bit of protection, but I would bet on the girls before I'd expect any of the scrawny boys to put up a fight. Not that any kind of human could fight off our kind anyway. Hopefully we were the only vampires in this region. If not, I didn't even want to think about the atrocious possible outcomes of this evening. If I did allow my mind to play out all of the horrible scenarios, Alice wouldn't get me out of here tonight. If I had it my way, we would stay by Bella's tent all night and make sure she was safe.

After Bella was done arranging sleeping bags in her tiny tent, she wrapped her frail arms around her small waist inside of her sweater. She walked back to the van and sat on the edge next to one of her male friends. He handed her his cigarette as he started rolling a joint with the weed in his lap. She pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them to her. I didn't like the smell of cigarettes, or marijuana, but I was glad when the sad look on her face turned a bit more content after the first inhale of tobacco. When her friend lit up the joint, she seemed much happier. And that was it- I kind of understood her.

Or at least I think I understand her, I thought.

She finished smoking with her friends, said goodnight, and strolled to her tent. Before Bella closed the tent and cut off Alice and mines eavesdropping, I couldn't help but notice the peaceful look on her face. After about 15 minutes, her friends were each arranging themselves in tents or in the van, while Alice and I ran back to her car parked near the interstate.


Get ready for the story to really get intense once we get back to Forks!

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