Ominous Outcomes
Washington Highway
March 8th, 2005
Used to the speed of a vampire, I drove much faster than Dad would've accepted, so we made it to Port Angeles by four.
It had been a while since our trip to Seattle and the estrogen rush was invigorating. We listened to whiny rock songs while Angela talked about how things were going between her and Ben. Apparently he had taken her out for dinner in Port Angeles this weekend and had been a real gentleman. She blushed as she described him holding the door open for her and pulling out her chair. I smiled, thinking how much I was used to that from my husband.
Port Angeles was a beautiful little tourist trap, much more polished and quaint than Forks. But Angela already knew it well, so she didn't plan to waste time on the picturesque boardwalk by the bay. I drove straight to the one big department store in town, making sure to wait for Angela's instructions so she wouldn't be suspicious, which was a few streets from the bay area's visitor-friendly face.
The dance was billed as semi-formal and Angela wasn't exactly sure what that meant. She was surprised and almost disbelieving, when I told her that I'd never been to a dance in Phoenix. Ren played along, acting shocked as well.
"Didn't you ever go with a boyfriend or something?" Angela asked, as we walked through the front doors or the store.
"Really," I tried to convince her, "I've never had a boyfriend or anything close. I didn't go out much." Which was the truth, if I had been the original Bella.
"Why not?" Monster chimed in, earning herself a glare.
"No one asked me," I answered honestly.
Angela looked skeptical, but not the way Jessica had the first time. "People ask you out here," she softly reminded me, "and you turn them down." We were in the junior's section now, scanning the racks for dress-up clothes. "Well, except for Eric," she amended quickly.
"Excuse me," I gasped, "what did you say?"
Ren giggled and answered. "Eric told everyone that he's taking you to prom." Oh that traitor, I thought, looking at my daughter's grinning eyes.
"He said what?" It sounded like I was choking, I was sure. Tyler, now that hadn't really surprised me so much, but Eric?
Sweet, smart, valedictorian Eric?
"I knew it wasn't true," Angela mumbled to herself. I knew there was a reason I liked her. I was silent, still lost in shock that was quickly turning to irritation. But we had found the dress racks and now we had work to do. "That's why Lauren doesn't like you," she said, "because her friend Katie has a crush on Eric."
"Katie Marshall?" I asked and she nodded. Now that I thought about it, I remembered the two of them dating in our senior year.
I ground my teeth. "Do you think that if I ran him over with my truck he would stop daydreaming about something that will never happen?"
"Maybe," Angela snickered and that was it. After all, Angela wasn't Jessica, thank God.
The dress selection wasn't large, but she soon found a few things to try on. I sat on a low chair just inside the dressing room, by the three-way mirror, while Ren was inside with Angela, helping her out. She ended up choosing the same one as she had the first time, a pale pink dress that draped around her tall frame nicely and brought out the honey tints in her light brown hair. I complimented her generously and helped return the reject dresses to their respective racks.
The whole process was much shorter and easier than the last time around, no longer filled with annoying gossip and drivel that made up Jessica's entire vocabulary. We headed over to shoes and accessories, just as I spotted them at the front doors. I ducked down, laughing and pulled Ren and Angela with me.
"What?" Monster whispered and I pointed to the direction I had seen them in.
"Oh God," Angela laughed and then covered her own mouth to silence the sounds of her giggles.
Jessica, Lauren and Katie had just walked in to the store and none of us wanted to deal with them right now, so, we hid.
When we were sure they were deeply imbedded into the dress section of the department store, we got out from under our concealment and continued through the large room.
While Angela and Ren tried on things, I merely watched and critiqued, not in the mood to shop for myself, though I did need new shoes. I glanced at my clock and realized that it was almost time for us to make our escape, but how? I gestured to Monster and she nodded infinitesimally, turning to our friend.
"Angela?" She began, hesitant, while she was trying on a pair of pink strappy heels. She was overjoyed to have a date who didn't care about the height difference.
"I like those." She chickened out.
"I think I'll get them, though they'll never match anything but the one dress," she mused.
"Oh, go ahead, they're on sale," I encouraged. She smiled, putting the lid back on a box that contained more practical-looking off-white shoes.
Ren tried again. "Um, Angela..." She looked up curiously. "Bella and I were wondering if there was a decent bookstore in town? You know how we get," she said, getting a laugh out of her.
"Well," she said, unexcited, "there is a small one across town, but I don't know if it's anything for you." Of course, we already knew this.
I decided to give my two cents. "It wouldn't hurt to check it out." Now for keeping Angela safe. "Why don't you finish up here and then go to the restaurant to get us a table, while we check out the store?" I internally pleaded with her to accept.
"Sure," Bingo.
We planned to go to dinner at La Bella Italia on the boardwalk, but since the dress shopping hadn't taken very long,
Angela decided to go down to the water. I think she sensed that we wanted to be alone and yet did not seem resentful, thank God. I had to stop being so surprised, when she turned out to be nothing like Jessica.
I handed Angela my keys so she could deposit her things in my car and then we waved goodbye, as Ren and I turned down in another direction. Obviously we had no problem finding the bookstore, but we ignored it and went further down the road. We meandered down through the streets, which were filling up with end-of-the-workday traffic. We walked along in a southerly direction, toward some glass-fronted shops that had looked promising the first time around.
Of course, when we passed them, they were just a repair shop and a vacant space. We kept walking, Ren following what I was doing, as I intentionally turned in a wrong direction. The little foot traffic I had seen was going north and it looked like the buildings here were mostly warehouses, which told me that we were on the right path. My memories weren't completely trustworthy at this point and so I kept my eyes out for the four men.
We started turning down different small alleys, as I tried to remember exactly how it had gone down. When I suddenly recognized the brick wall where I had first seen them and there was still no sign of them, my heart began beating erratically and my pulse heightened. Where were they?
How could they not be where they're supposed to? I couldn't possibly fathom what I could've changed, for this to happen.
And then the next thought struck. What if they had found some other poor victim?
"Renesmee," I said, getting her attention, "we need to find them, now. Something's different." I didn't need to say anything more.
We ran quickly around the corner, past the backs of several somber-colored warehouses, each with large bay doors for unloading trucks, padlocked for the night. The south side of the street had no sidewalk, only a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire protecting some kind of engine parts storage yard. We kept running, as fast as we could and I wondered if Dad was still following close behind. I knew that Edward probably hadn't caught up to me yet.
It was getting dark, I realized with fear, the clouds finally returning, piling up on the western horizon, creating an early sunset. The eastern sky was still clear, but graying, shot through with streaks of pink and orange. The rush of adrenaline kept me warm however, as we hurried down the streets and through various alleyways. A single van passed us and then the road was empty, the air filled with silence.
The sky darkened further and as I looked over my shoulder to glare at the offending cloud, I realized with a jolt of appreciation that we were on the right path. I remember seeing two of the men behind me here, the first time. They had been walking quietly, twenty feet behind me. I grabbed Monster's arm, forcing her to quicken her pace. A chill that had nothing to do with the weather made me shiver. I had a bad feeling about all of this.
I listened intently for any sign of noise, any kind of noise, to guide us in the right direction. Breathe, I had to remind myself. You don't know that they've actually found someone else. I continued to run as quickly as I could, without stretching my limits too much. This wasn't the time to run out of breath and I couldn't stop to catch it. A blue car turned onto the street from the south and I recognized with a relieved sigh, that it was Dad's cruiser.
"What happened?" He practically yelled, as he parked illegally and jumped out of the car.
"I don't know," I almost whispered, out of breath. "Something changed and they weren't where they were supposed to be. I'm trying to remember where they cornered me, but I don't know if I'm even on the right path." I could feel the helpless tears coming. Please, let this turn out okay.
I could hear Ren behind me, standing still as she obviously wasn't out of air. "Alright," Dad said, pulling out his gun, "here's what we'll do. I'm gonna go around the buildings in my car, as far as I can and then take the rest by foot.
Meanwhile, you girls continue trying to find the place and please, be careful." With that he raced back to his car and was off like lightning.
I didn't wait to see if Monster was with me, as I raced back in between the warehouses, desperately searching for any sign of the four criminals. I reached the corner and only a swift glance told me that I was headed in the right direction, finally. I recognized the blind drive to the back of another building, quickly corrected myself as I had last time and dashed across the narrow drive, back to the sidewalk. I heard Ren behind me, but did not slow down.
The street ended at the next corner, where there was a stop sign. I concentrated on the sound of the cruiser's breaks whining in the distance, secure in the knowledge that Dad wasn't far away. It seemed to take forever for me to get to the corner. I kept up my running, this time pushing myself a little harder as I saw the moon begin to peek out from behind the graying clouds. I saw two cars going north past the intersection and knew I was getting close. This was where I had felt relief the first time around. It didn't come now.
I slowed my running and stopped before I turned the corner. I waited for Monster to catch up and then, with slow, steady breaths, I peeked around the brick wall of the warehouse. The street was lined on both sides by blank, doorless, windowless walls. I could see in the distance, two intersections down, streetlamps, cars and more pedestrians, but they were all too far away. Because lounging against the western building, midway down the street, were two of the men from the group, both watching something with slightly excited and inebriated smiles. I realized then, what was happening.
I froze in horror.
I paused only for a second, but it felt like a very long time. I signaled to Ren then and, ignoring Dad's warnings, darted around the corner and toward the small group of people, some who were struggling heatedly. I had a sinking feeling that my attempts would be futile and wasted, but I had to try. Monster's footsteps behind me were loud in my ears as all the blood rushed to my head in an instant. This was not happening.
"Hey," I called out, successfully getting their attention, "what do you think you're doing?" I said, stalling until Dad showed up.
The front man, the one I remembered Edward saying was named Lonnie, the one who enjoyed the kill, slowly approached me. I shivered in fear, but stood my ground. I had done it again. I had changed something for the worse.
How long had they had with their new victims? Enough to scar them for life? This was all my fault.
"Why don't you come over here, darling," he leered at me, making me shake in fright, "and I'll show you." His friends cackled at his words.
My eyes narrowed. I was still scared, no doubt, but I had once been a creature far scarier than this little human man and it was beginning to show. If only I wasn't weak again, I could break him in seconds. And I would too, I knew that with certainty. I wasn't usually a violent person and as a vampire I had been strictly vegetarian, but if there was any one who deserved a slow and painful death, it was this man. Maybe not his friends, but he definitely did. Murdering bastard, I thought, as he came closer.
C'mon Dad.
I had barely thought those words, when I heard the telltale engine of the cruiser, revving in the opening of the empty street we were on. Lonnie looked up in shock and then it was his turn to narrow his eyes. He barked to his friends and they all went running. When it looked like Dad was going to stop I yelled at him to keep going. There was no way that those assholes were getting away.
When the men and the cruiser was out of sight, I could finally breathe. And hear. The sobbing, the heavy breathing, the exclamations of pain. I was brought harshly back into the situation, as I turned around to find Monster cradling a hysterical Jessica.
"Oh God, it was awful..." her mascara was running down her cheeks and her dress was ripped, "they just came out of nowhere..." she whispered, voice filled with anguish.
I realized why, when I further investigated the concrete ground. I didn't even register the gasp of shock I let out, as I ran to the still body of Katie Marshall. I knelt beside her, slow rivulets of blood still running down her legs. Her face was black and blue, with one eye completely swelled shut. Her once pale yellow shirt was now a shocking crimson, with rips and holes everywhere. With a shaky hand, I reached down toward her neck to feel for a pulse.
I found none.
"No!" I cried out, finally letting the tears fall. I vaguely heard Jessica's raspy voice in the distance, proclaiming that Lauren needed an ambulance as the blackness began to envelope me. And as I fell into the dark, one last thought rang out in my mind.
This was all my fault.
My hands were shaking uncontrollably, as I fisted them in my disheveled hair. Tears ran in streams down my face and my lips were dry and cracked. My thoughts were running a mile a minute, as the hospital personnel scurried about all around me. Dad was talking furiously to one of the doctors, while Ren paced in front of the chair area that I was currently sitting in. On my right side, playing with her fingernails and staring into space, was Jessica.
Lauren was currently in the OR, where Carlisle was doing his best to save her shattered and broken body. There had been no help for Katie. The EMTs had announced her dead, not long after they had arrived. Or so Monster told me, since I was not awake then.
My mind spun with all that had happened tonight. The guilt was gnawing at my insides and the only thing keeping me sane at the moment, was the need to know if Lauren would suffer the same fate as her friend. In any case, from what little Dad had gotten out of Jessica, even if she did survive, she would never be the same. Apparently, Lonnie had liked Lauren best out of the three and had zeroed in on her.
The reason she's still alive and Katie isn't? Lauren was smart enough not to struggle.
Suddenly, another thought occurred to me and I sat up straight in my seat. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jessica's shock at my movement, but I didn't care. There were more important matters to tend to right now. I ran up to Dad, interrupting another round of his yelling and quickly told him that I had somewhere that I had to be. Monster quirked an eyebrow as I passed her but I payed her little attention right now. I ran through the automatic doors and out to the parking lot.
Where a silver Volvo was parked.
"Get in," he said softly, sympathy in his eyes as he stood in front of the passenger door, "I'll drive you to the restaurant." I was not shocked that he knew where I was going.
In all the commotion we had forgotten all about Angela, who had my keys but was too nice to drive home without us. "Thank you," I whispered solemnly as I got in the car.
It was dark in the car, no light had come on with the opening of the door and I could barely see his face in the glow from the dashboard, as he got into the drivers side. The tires squealed as he spun out of the parking space, accelerating too quickly, swerving toward the road. "Put on your seat belt," he commanded and I realized that he was clutching his seat with one hand, the other on the wheel. He must've been terrified tonight, hearing what had happened. After all, it could've been me.
It was supposed to be me.
He took a sharp left, racing forward, blowing through several stop signs without pause. But, of course, I felt utterly safe and, for the moment, totally unconcerned about anything else. His presence always calmed me, the way nothing else could. I stared at his face in profound relief, relief that went beyond saving me from utter despair. I studied his flawless features in the limited light, waiting for my breath to return to normal, for the first time since I ran through town earlier, until it occurred to me that his expression was murderously angry.
"Are you okay?" I asked, surprised at how hoarse my voice sounded. It must be all the sobbing.
"No," he said curtly and his tone was livid.
I sat in silence, watching his face while his blazing eyes stared straight ahead, until the car came to a sudden stop. I glanced around, but it was too dark to see anything beside the vague outline of dark trees crowding the roadside. We weren't in town anymore.
"Bella?" he asked, his voice tight, controlled.
"Yes?" My voice was still rough. I tried to clear my throat quietly.
"Are you alright?" He still didn't look at me, but the fury was plain on his face.
"Yes," I croaked softly.
"Distract me, please," he ordered.
I thought of how I had done it last time. "I'm going to run over Eric Yorkie tomorrow before school." I stated, without humor.
He was still squeezing his eyes closed, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "Why?"
"He's telling everyone that he's taking me to prom. I think he must be insane. So I figure if I endanger his life, he might finally get the hint and leave me alone. I don't need enemies and maybe Katie..." That thought brought me up short. What have I done?
"I heard about that," he said, sounding a bit more composed. I knew that the change of subject was just as much for my sake, as it was for his.
"You did?" I asked in forced disbelief. "If he's paralyzed from the neck down, he can't go to prom, either," I muttered, trying to find the proper emotion to go with the words. I was numb at the moment.
Edward sighed and finally opened his eyes.
"Better?" I asked.
"Not really."
I waited, but he didn't speak again. He leaned his head back against the seat, staring at the ceiling of the car. His face was rigid.
"What's wrong?" My voice came out in a whisper.
"Sometimes I have a problem with my temper, Bella." He was whispering too and as he stared out the window, his eyes narrowed into slits. "But it wouldn't be helpful for me to turn around and hunt down those..." He didn't finish his sentence, looking away, struggling for a moment to control his anger again. "At least," he continued, "that's what I'm trying to convince myself. It helps to know that they're behind bars right now."
"Oh." The word seemed inadequate, but I couldn't think of a better response. We sat in silence again. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was almost ten. "Angela must be so worried," I murmured. "Vanessa and I was supposed to meet her hours ago."
He started the engine without another word, turning around smoothly and speeding back toward town. We were under the streetlights in no time at all, still going too fast, weaving with ease through the cars slowly cruising the boardwalk. He parallel-parked against the curb in a space I would have thought much too small for the Volvo, but he slid in effortlessly in one try. I looked out the window to see the lights of La Bella Italia. Angela was outside, pacing the sidewalk anxiously.
"I need to go to her," I said, but turned back to him before opening the door, "don't go anywhere, I'll be right back. We need to talk." I said severely and didn't wait for a reply.
I softly closed the door behind me, catching up to Angela before she could walk back into the warm restaurant. "Angela!" I called out, as she had her hand on the knob. She rushed to my side as soon as she spotted me and enveloped me in a tight hug.
"Oh my God, Bella," she cried out, "I was so worried. Where were you?" She backed away, but kept her hands on my shoulders. "Where's Vanessa?" She looked around me, confused when she didn't see her other friend.
"Angela," I said harshly, needing her attention back on me, "do you still have my keys?"
"Yeah, sure," she said, digging them out from her coat pocket, "here." She tried to hand them to me, but I refused.
"No," I said quietly, "I need you to get in my car and drive to Olympic Medical Center, right now. Understand?" I asked, severely.
She looked scared now. "Bella," her voice shook, "is Vanessa okay?"
"Yes, she's just fine. Lauren however, is another story." I whispered solemnly.
"What? What are you talking about, Bella?" Now she was shaking too.
"Katie Marshall is dead, Angela." I didn't have the energy to sugarcoat right now.
She let out a strange sound and almost fell to her knees, before I caught her in my arms. After all, these were girls that she had grown up with. Girls that, prior to mine and Ren's arrival, had been her friends. I could only imagine what she was feeling right now. At least she didn't have to deal with the guilt.
"Do what I said, Angela." I demanded.
I felt a presence beside me and looked up to see Edward standing there. "She's in no condition to drive right now. Why don't we go in my car? We'll come back for your truck later." He offered, looking with worry at my friend.
"Okay," I said dumbly, as my emotions were all over the place at the moment.
With some help from my husband, we got a hysterical Angela into the back seat of the Volvo and I slid in beside her. The drive back to the hospital was eerily quiet, only interrupted by the occasional sniff or sob from Angela. Minutes later we were back in the parking lot, but one look at Edward through the small mirror and he knew better than to actually park.
We still had things to talk about.
After tonight, there were certain secrets I was sick of keeping.
"Angela," I said, loud enough to catch her attention, "my dad is inside right now, with Jessica and Vanessa in the waiting area. Go inside and they'll answer all your questions, okay?" She just nodded numbly and left the car.
It said a lot for her emotional state, that she didn't even wonder why I wasn't coming with her.
"Drive." I said, as I crawled into the front passenger seat. Edward did as I asked, not saying a word. Before I knew it, we were back in front of La Bella Italia.
"You need to eat, Bella." He said, not looking at me.
"I'm not hungry," I said, but the words sounded weak even in my ears.
His expression was unreadable. "Humor me."
We left the car and he walked to the door of the restaurant, holding it open with an obstinate expression. Obviously there would be no further discussion. I walked past him into the restaurant with a resigned sigh. It wasn't crowded, it was off season in Port Angeles. The host was female and slightly familiar, I thought, as I saw the look in her eyes when she assessed Edward. She welcomed him a bit more warmly than necessary.
"A table for two?" His voice was alluring, whether he was aiming for that or not.
I saw her eyes flicker to me and then away, satisfied by my obvious ordinariness and by the cautious, no-contact space Edward kept between us. She led us to a table big enough for four, in the center of the most crowded area of the dining floor. I stayed on my feet, knowing what was coming.
"Perhaps something more private?" He insisted quietly to the host.
"Sure." She sounded surprised. She turned and led us around a partition to a small ring of booths, all of them empty.
"How's this?"
"Perfect." He flashed his gleaming smile, dazing her momentarily. Though I was sure that wasn't his intent.
"Um" she shook her head, blinking, "your server will be right out." She walked away unsteadily.
"You really shouldn't do that to people," I criticized. "It's hardly fair."
"Do what?"
"Dazzle them like that. She's probably hyperventilating in the kitchen right now." He seemed confused. "Oh, come on," I said dubiously, "you have to know the effect you have on people."
He tilted his head to one side and his eyes were curious. "I dazzle people?"
"You haven't noticed? Do you think everybody gets their way so easily?"
He ignored my questions. "Do I dazzle you?"
"Sometimes," I admitted. I had gotten better at gaining immunity over the years, but not much.
And then our server arrived, her face expectant. The hostess had definitely dished behind the scenes and this new girl didn't look disappointed. She flipped a strand of short black hair behind one ear and smiled with unnecessary warmth.
"Hello. My name is Amber and I'll be your server tonight. What can I get you to drink?" I didn't miss the way she was only speaking to him. Edward looked at me.
"I'll have a Coke."
"Two Cokes," he agreed.
"I'll be right back with that," she assured him, with another unnecessary smile. But he didn't see it, he was busy watching me.
"What?" I asked when she left.
His eyes stayed fixed on my face. "How are you feeling?"
I decided to be honest. "It's hard, but I'm hanging in there." I whispered.
"I'm... amazed at how well you're dealing. Most people would be going into shock, right about now." He studied my face for any sign of weakness.
"Well, I'm not most people," I gave him a small smile, "I've always been very good at repressing unpleasant things."
"Just the same, I'll feel better when you have some sugar and food in you."
Right on cue, the waitress appeared with our drinks and a basket of bread sticks. She stood with her back to me, as she placed them on the table. "Are you ready to order?" She asked Edward.
"Bella?" He looked at me, forcing the waitress to unwillingly turn toward me as well.
"Um," I looked at the menu, remembering how much I had liked the meal the first time, "I'll have the mushroom ravioli."
"And you?" She turned back to him with a smile.
"Nothing for me," he said. Of course not.
"Let me know if you change your mind." The coy smile was still in place, but he wasn't looking at her and she left dissatisfied.
"Drink," he ordered. I sipped at my soda obediently and then drank more deeply, realizing how thirsty I actually was. Probably from all the running. I finished the whole glass in one, long sip and he pushed his own across the table.
"Thanks," I muttered, still parched. The cold from the icy soda was radiating through my chest and I shivered. I grabbed the coat lying beside me on the seat and quickly slipped into it. Though I wish I had an excuse to wear his this time as well.
"That color blue looks lovely with your skin," he suddenly commented, watching me. I smiled my thanks, without the blush thank God, as he pushed the bread basket toward me. "Eat something," he ordered, though softly, "even if it's just to humor me."
"I really am fine," I said, deciding once again to just be honest with him, "I feel very safe with you," I confessed, hoping to open his eyes a bit.
My words displeased him though; his alabaster brow furrowed. He shook his head, frowning. "This is more complicated than I'd planned," he murmured to himself.
I picked up a bread stick and began nibbling on the end, measuring his expression. I wanted to confess my knowledge to him, but the waitress chose that moment to arrive with my food. We had been leaning toward each other across the table, but as she came closer, I mirrored Edward when he straightened up. She set the dish in front of me and turned quickly to my husband. "Did you change your mind?" she asked. "Isn't there anything I can get you?" I clearly heard the double meaning in her words.
"No, thank you, but some more soda would be nice." He gestured with a long white hand to the empty cups in front of me.
"Sure." She removed the glasses and walked away.
We sat in silence for a few minutes, until the waitress returned with two more Cokes. She sat them down without a word this time and left again. Once again, I immediately downed one and then started sipping on the other. I knew that Edward was waiting for me to speak, knowing I had something on my mind. He had no idea.
"I know why you're in Port Angeles." I said, in a quiet voice.
He looked down, folding his large hands together slowly on the table. His eyes flickered up at me from under his lashes, the hint of a frown on his face. "Do you now?" he said, in a controlled tone.
I looked down, frustrated. I unrolled my silverware, picked up my fork and carefully speared a ravioli. I put it in my mouth slowly, still looking down, chewing while I thought. Why did he have to be so masochistic and moody? I thought he wanted me to know, if only for his own peace of mind. I continued to busy myself with the food. The mushrooms were good. I swallowed and took another sip of Coke, before I looked up.
"Yes," I kept my voice clear and steady, "it wasn't really that difficult to figure out." He smiled now, probably thinking that whatever theory I had come up with, was the wrong one. "I bet the waitress is thinking some... unclean thoughts about you. Am I right?" I lifted one eyebrow, testing him.
He seemed to be wavering, torn by some internal dilemma. His eyes locked with mine and I guessed that he was making the decision right then, whether or not to simply tell me the truth. I reached forward, to touch his folded hands, but he slid them away minutely.
"You can trust me, y'know," I whispered, trying to show my honesty through my eyes.
"I don't know if I have a choice anymore." His whisper was almost too low for me to hear. "I was wrong. You're much more observant than I gave you credit for." He shook his head again. "I was wrong about you on another thing as well.
You're not a magnet for accidents, that's not a broad enough classification. You are a magnet for trouble. If there is anything dangerous within a ten-mile radius, it will invariably find you." He stated, in a hard voice. I couldn't help but agree with him on that one.
"And you put yourself in that category." I stated.
His face turned cold, expressionless. "Unequivocally."
I stretched my hand across the table again, ignoring him when he pulled back slightly once more, to touch the back of his hand with my fingertips. His skin was as cold as always and hard, like stone. "Thank you," I whispered, "for being there when I needed you."
"I should have been there earlier. I always seem to be too late, when it comes to you." He said with a humorless laugh.
I knew that he meant the accident with June Richardson and then, again tonight. I didn't want him to take on all the blame, but experience had taught me that I could do nothing to stop him. Besides, I wasn't much better myself. Even if I had many more reasons to actually feel guilty in this case.
"I followed you to Port Angeles," he finally admitted, seemingly desperate for a subject change. "I've never tried to keep a specific person alive before and it's much more troublesome than I would have believed. But that's probably just because it's you. Ordinary people seem to make it through the day without so many catastrophes." He paused, checking my expression with a guarded face.
I suspected that he wanted to make sure I was okay with the topic of conversation. I was still trying to deal with the life that was lost tonight, but being here with him now, helped immensely. He pressed his lips together, staring at me through narrowed eyes, deciding again. His eyes flashed down to my full plate and then back to me.
"You eat, I'll talk," he bargained. I quickly scooped up another ravioli and popped it in my mouth. "It's harder than it should be, keeping track of you. Usually I can find someone very easily, once I've heard their mind before." He looked at me anxiously and I realized that I had stopped eating. I made myself swallow, then stabbed another ravioli and tossed it in.
"I was keeping tabs on Angela, not carefully. Like I said, only you could find trouble in Port Angeles, and at first I didn't notice when you and Vanessa took off. Then, when I realized that you weren't with her anymore, I went looking for you at the bookstore I had seen in her head. I could tell that you hadn't gone in and that you'd gone south... and I knew you would have to turn around soon. So I was just waiting for you, randomly searching through the thoughts of people on the street. To see if anyone had noticed you or your friend, so I would know where you were. I had no reason to be worried... but I was strangely anxious..." He was lost in thought, staring past me, seeing things I couldn't imagine.
"I started to drive in circles, still... listening. The sun was finally setting and I was about to get out and follow you on foot. And then..." he stopped, clenching his teeth together in sudden fury. He made an effort to control himself.
"Then what?" I whispered. He continued to stare over my head.
"I heard the thought of an officer. He was seeing the witnesses in his mind... when I saw your face..." He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose between two long fingers. "It was very... hard, you can't imagine how hard, for me to simply go to the hospital. I almost turned in the direction of the station several times..." His voice was muffled by the hand that now covered his mouth. "I could have stayed away and you would never have known what I'd done, but..." he trailed off in a whisper and I knew what he wasn't saying.
Even if I never knew, he would. And he wouldn't be able to live with himself, or me, if he had done such a horrible thing.
I sat quietly, my thoughts swirling around in my head. I had heard most of this before, but was still overwhelmed by the pain in his velvet voice. My hands were folded in my lap and I was leaning back against the seat. He had his face in his hands and he was as still as if he'd been carved from the stone his skin resembled. Finally, he looked up, his eyes seeking mine, full of his own questions.
"Are you ready to go back to the hospital?" he asked.
"I think you should just take me back to my truck. My dad's probably at home now, waiting for me." I reluctantly told him, wanting more time with him.
He seemed to be considering something and when he spoke I realized what it was. "How about I take you home instead." I knew better than to ask what we would do with my truck. I smiled instead and he seemed slightly shocked by my lack of questions.
The waitress appeared, as if she'd been called. Or watching. "How are we doing?" she asked Edward.
"We're ready for the check, thank you." His voice was quiet, rougher, still reflecting the strain of our conversation. It seemed to muddle her. He looked up, waiting.
"S-sure," she stuttered, "Here you go." She pulled a small leather folder from the front pocket of her black apron and handed it to him.
There was a bill in his hand already. He slipped it into the folder and handed it right back to her. "No change." He smiled.
Then he stood up and I scrambled to my feet as well.
She smiled invitingly at him again. "You have a nice evening." He didn't look away from me as he thanked her and I waited for him to turn his back, before I let her see my victorious smile.
He walked close beside me to the door, still careful not to touch me. I sighed, wondering if I would have to wait as long as the first time, before anything physical happened between us. Edward seemed to hear me and he looked down curiously. I looked at the sidewalk, grateful that he couldn't read my mind.
He opened the passenger door, holding it for me as I stepped in, shutting it softly behind me. I watched him walk around the front of the car, amazed, as always, by how graceful he was. I probably should've been used to that by now, but I wasn't. Edward wasn't the kind of man you could get used to, to be honest.
Once inside the car, he started the engine and turned the heater on high. It had gotten very cold and I guessed the good weather was at an end. Edward pulled out through the traffic, without a glance, flipping around to head toward the freeway. Before reaching our turnoff, he parked in front of the hospital and I thanked him with my eyes, as I left the car and ran quickly through the automatic doors.
I didn't recognize any of the people in the waiting room and made my way to the nurses desk instead, hoping to get some answers. I tapped my nails impatiently on the counter, staring at the empty chair. Where was everyone? I felt a presence behind me and turned to see Edward watching me. Apparently, he had decided to help me.
"Follow me," he whispered and I knew exactly where he was taking me.
We made our way to the elevator, rode up a few floors and then stepped off, heading down a long row of white walls. Several personnel passed us on the way, but one look at Edward kept them from protesting. I guess visiting hours were over. We finally reached the door of an office. The tag on the outside said Carlisle Cullen, simply. There was no need to knock, as the door opened and my second father stood there, staring at us with a small smile playing on his lips.
"What can I do for you, son?" He asked, though I wondered if he didn't already know.
Edward turned to look at me, silently telling me that I should speak up. I gave him a grateful smile and then focused my eyes on Carlisle. "Dr. Cullen," I said, reminding myself that he did not know me as anything other than a patient right now, "I was wondering if you could tell me anything about Lauren's progress? I left while she was still in surgery." I pleaded with my eyes.
I could see the struggle in his eyes, not wanting to give up private information, but not wanting to disappoint me either. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Edward's lips move slightly and I knew that he was asking his father to tell me the truth. I would have to remember to thank him for that later. I acted ignorant to the exchange, waiting for Carlisle's words.
"Well, Ms. Swan," he said, with a gentle smile, "your friend was quite lucky. Most of her injuries were only skin deep, though we did have to stitch up the wound in her stomach." His smile fell and he reached out a hand, patting my arm softly. "She'll have to stay here for observation for a few weeks, just to be sure and to let her wounds heal. But, with time, she should be just fine."
I didn't even realize that I had been holding my breath, until I let it out in a relieved sigh. I thanked him profusely, both for the information and for saving her life. I didn't correct him when he called Lauren my friend, since there really was no need. I had been worrying for her, the same way I would for someone I actually loved and I knew that even with her harsh ways, she had come to grow on me, in the short time I had spent at Forks High. Both times.
Edward told me to go downstairs and wait for him, while he spoke a few words with his father. I suppose he wanted to tell him his own story of what had happened tonight. I conceded without a word or complaint, making my way back down the long hallway, toward the elevator. I was too spent from the long day, to fight anything or anyone right now, even him.
I walked out into the cool breeze of the night air, letting the wind blow through my long hair. Closing my eyes, I wrapped my arms around my stomach, allowing the memories of tonight to course freely through my mind. All the what if's came streaming in, quickly. If I had only been faster, if I had only left earlier, if I had only accepted Jessica's invitation, if, if, if...
My head hurt.
As always, I felt his presence before I heard him and I turned to find him looking at me with a frustrated expression, once again. He shook his head slightly and waved out his arm, gesturing for me to walk ahead of him, back to the Volvo. We walked in silence to the car, getting in and leaving the parking lot. Only once we were back on the long, winding road, did he speak up again.
"Now," he said, significantly, "it's your turn to answer my questions."
