Ch. 10: The Glass Shatters

Thanks to ladysharkey1 for beta'ing this and Jen328 for pre-reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

BPOV

Monday Sept.20

The curtains were pulled back, letting the evening sun peak through the windows. We'd been curled up in bed all day. Sometimes we talked about what we wanted to do over the weekend, other times we were caught up in each other bodies too deeply to even form words.

I was lying on my stomach with my head turned facing towards Edward as he trailed a finger down my bare back. He smiled sweetly at me then started singing softly.

The loveliness of Paris
Seems somehow sadly gay
The glory that was Rome
Is of another day
I've been terribly alone
And forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the bay.

I left my heart in San Francisco…

I laughed quietly and he stopped singing.

"What?" he asked. He looked suddenly shy, biting his bottom lip. "I didn't realize I was singing loud enough for you to hear." Edward cleared his throat. "Should I not sing?"

I reached out and touched his jaw. "I hope you always sing to me."

A car honked in the street below and brought me out of my thoughts. I looked around the bedroom again and shook my head. Edward was always so cheesy and romantic that he didn't even realize it. I joked with him that he'd probably been there when that song was famous, and he promptly told me that he'd seen Sinatra and Tony Bennett each sing that song, and he like Sinatra better.

I sighed and opened my suitcase and started to unpack. I brought one of his shirts up to my face and relaxed a little. I wasn't really afraid, but the conversation with Edward had shocked me. I hadn't been off the plane ten minutes when he called and let it slip that I was the target. I knew that Edward had said before that the target wasn't to be harmed, so the Challenge might have already been over for all I knew. Any vampire that walked past me could have been a part of it.

There was nothing to worry about.

Edward just wanted to make sure that I was safe from the Volturi. Since they found out about our relationship they might take measures into their own hands. I couldn't help but think that Edward should have changed me a long time ago. We should have done things quickly and quietly.

There were a lot of things we should have done differently.

I needed to stay some place far away from home until Edward came and finally put our plans in motion. I had no doubts that I would become a vampire sooner than my next birthday, and that didn't really bother me. I'd been prepared for this step; Edward seemed hesitant on it though.

I tried to push away the feelings of anger and betrayal that had been working their way into my heart over the last few hours since Edward's text, then phone call. Hell, since the second night he came home from Volterra and I'd met William.

Edward hadn't been honest with me. He had never really told me the truth of how his world viewed humans. I knew that our relationship was unusual, but I had no idea that he wasn't supposed to be with me in that way. Even though vampires were the rulers over us, they were still very secretive. It was almost as if they didn't want to be known, they just wanted to make sure humans didn't kill each other and destroy the world. They were more like overseers than true government.

Still, it hurt to know that he had lied for so many years, even if it was to protect me.

I just needed to enjoy my mini vacation until Edward arrived.

I took a deep breath and finished putting away our things. I left the photo albums on the bed. They contained all of our cuddling pictures and just casual pictures at picnics along the river or sitting on the deck. I loved them.

I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen. It was almost eight at night and I had been traveling pretty much all day. I was starved and exhausted. Edward told me that the house held the bare necessities because it was rented out sometimes, so I was able to fix a sandwich.

I sat down at the kitchen table and looked at the beautiful living space I was in. The condo was located in the Marina District just a few blocks from the bay and Municipal Pier. It was two stories and had a garden out back with a few benches scattered around. I had wondered how Edward found this place on such short notice when we first visited and how we could afford it. I later learned that it was owned by his friend, Carlisle. Apparently, Carlisle bought it right after it was built in 1934 and held on to it through the years. In fact, he and his wife had lived in San Francisco during the sixties and seventies, Edward had visited quite often, he even stayed for a couple of years.

I picked at my food and wondered if I'd ever get to meet Carlisle and Esme. Edward talked about them once in a while, but I'd never been offered the opportunity to meet them. I was also sure that Edward didn't ask them if we could borrow their home for the weekend of our first visit or this time. The more I thought about it, the more I realized just how hard Edward worked to keep me away from vampires. In all our years together, William was the first friend I had met and I knew of no other vampires besides Carlisle and Esme, and that was in name only.

They didn't know about me either.

I pushed away my plate and stood up. I didn't like these thoughts. Edward wasn't here to refute them and right now, it started to look like he lived two lives and did everything in his power to keep them both a secret. The question repeated in my mind as I walked up the stairs and into the bedroom.

Which one was he ashamed of?

Tuesday September 21

I woke up the next day and realized I had slept in really late. It must have been all that running away in the middle of the night then traveling practically all day.

After I made some coffee, I sat down at the table and called work. I told them that I was going to be gone for a couple of weeks and that I was sorry for the short notice. It had worked out fine. I hadn't used any sick days or vacation time in two years and besides Jessica, a part timer, wanted the extra shifts. With my job taken care of, I called Alice. I figured that everyone would freak out when they realized I was gone and probably thought that Edward had finally done away with me.

"Bella?" Alice sounded hesitant.

"Hey, Alice."

"How are you?" She seemed really tentative as she spoke.

"I'm fine. I just wanted to let you know that Edward surprised me with a little vacation, so we'll be gone for the next two weeks."

"Oh." She cleared her throat. "Will there be any major changes occurring during this getaway?"

"No, Alice. I just didn't want you to worry. I need to go now."

"All right."

I hung up saying "bye" quickly. I had way too much to deal with without adding onto it. I would have to deal with our friends later after all this Challenge stuff was over. Until then, I pretended that they didn't have an opinion.

I pulled myself away from the table and went back upstairs. I took a long, hot shower and washed away yesterday's travels since I was too tired the night before. Afterward, I got dressed and opted for Edward's t-shirt. I knotted it at the side so it didn't hang so low on me and decided it was time to get some fresh air.

I made sure I had my key and wallet then locked up the house. I walked down the street toward the pier, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. I loved it here. The old houses, the steep hills, the view of the bay from the top of one of them. It was gorgeous and I hoped that one day, Edward would want to live here, too.

It didn't take but ten minutes to get to the bay and I smiled as a cool breeze blew off the water. It wasn't quite fall yet, but you could feel that it was getting cooler. After I watched the water for a few minutes, I went in search of food. I ended up buying a vendor corndog and fries then reclaimed my bench. It was calm and peaceful, a far cry from the looming danger that was supposed to knock on my door.

My phone started to ring in my pocket and I almost dropped my food as I hurried to answer it.

"Hello?" I gripped the container of fries as they threatened to fall.

"I love you." His voice was soft and earnest.

"I love you, too." I smiled as I looked out over the bay.

"It's a good day, isn't it?"

"Very. It's pretty here. I just wish you'd hurry up already." I needed him to kiss me and tell me everything was going to be all right and that he loved me more than anything.

"We're heading to Forks first before we meet you."

His words barely registered before my mind went into overdrive. "We? Is someone with you? Why are you going there?"

"I've gotten some help from four other contenders."

Four? My voice was giving away all my doubts as I rushed out, "Is that the best thing to do? Are you sure they're helping because they're feeling generous or because you know where I'm at and they want to win?"

"They're good guys, Bella."

How was I supposed to know if they were good guys? All my thoughts came back to me from last night; Edward never introduced me to anyone, never told me about his vampire acquaintances. What if he didn't know them as well as he thought? Why would he need their help anyway?

I didn't ask each of the many questions that spun in my mind, instead I condensed them. "I was just thinking, Edward. I'm the target and you said that the contenders aren't allowed to harm a target, so it doesn't really matter who wins as long as you show up and get me, right?" I heard a laugh and started to get upset. This wasn't funny at all.

"Who was that, Edward?" I said in a questioning tone.

"That's Vladimir. He's going to help us." His voice sounded strained.

"Well, what do you think? I'm not in huge danger right now. If a contender finds me then I'll be fine, but you just need to run for me, preferably soon because I really feel alone and kind of scared."

Edward was quiet for a few seconds before he finally said, "You'll be fine, Bella. Just stay right where you are and I'll come to get you as soon as we leave Forks, okay?"

Why was he so dead set on going there? I wasn't there! I began to think his strategy was stupid and pointless, but didn't want to start a fight so I kept my thoughts bottled up. "All right. I really miss you. It sounds ridiculous, but I can't sleep at all when you're gone." I know I sounded whiny and I did sleep fairly well the night before, but that was from exhaustion. Tonight would be difficult.

"Neither can I, sweet girl." He spoke softy.

"That was so cheesy." I couldn't help but shake my head. He was the same Edward; he was just trying to make sure I was safe. That was why he'd taken his time. He'd protect me at any cost.

In the back of my mind though, a little voice was telling me that something wasn't right, but I ignored it.

"I know. I got to go, Bella. I'll try and call again when we're on our way to you."

"I love you." I gripped the phone tighter, knowing our connection was about to end and willed it to stay with me.

"I love you. I'll see you soon."

Then he was gone.

I spent the rest of the day moping around in a haze.

Maybe this was what Edward's life had been like before me? It was probably worse.

I went back to the condo and ordered pizza then flipped through our album until I fell into a restless sleep.

Wednesday September 22

I stared out the window as the sun rose over the city.

I hadn't slept much at all and when I did I would have nightmares about a man with long blond hair as he chased me and no matter which way I turned, he'd always be in front of me. The dream ended with him twisting my neck to the side and biting down.

I tried to shake it off, but a feeling of dread crept up my spine the entire time I got dressed. I craved Edward's scent and it made me feel safe even though he wasn't with me, so I pulled on another shirt of his and tied it to the side.

"You need to get here soon." I whispered and hoped that he'd feel that I needed him.

I made a breakfast out of cold pizza and coffee. It wasn't too bad of a combination. I needed to grocery shop a little if I had to be here much longer, but I figured I would wait until Edward called again. Hopefully, he'd be in Forks soon.

I mean, the man doesn't sleep or get tired, surely he ran straight through.

It was lunch time and I got the last two slices of pizza out of the box, grabbed a book from the small library, and then headed to the back garden.

I sat down on one of the benches and untied the shirt to pull it down over my bent legs. The wind was a bit chillier, and I didn't want to go back inside for a blanket so it sufficed.

Several minutes later, the book was balanced precariously on my knees as I took a big bite of pizza. Then I heard a branch snapping behind me. I turned quickly and was greeted with the man, the vampire, the blond killer from my dream.

He looked down at the stick he had broken and sighed heavily.

I turned and ran while he was distracted, but just like in my dream, he was in front of me before I could stop and I ran right into his stone chest. He was cool to the touch like Edward, but gripped my arms too tightly. I knew that I'd bruise later and I sincerely hoped that's all I came away from this encounter with.

He smiled down at me then scrunched his face up and sniffed directed into my face. He moved to my neck and sniffed there too, like he was some hunting dog.

"Fuck!" He shouted and pushed me away.

I stumbled backwards and almost landed on my butt. When I found my balance, I stared wide eyed as he paced and muttered to himself, "Fucker always wins everything. Thought I got here fucking first and now I can't fucking have her." I expected him to kick some rocks to end his childish tantrum, but he stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned back to me.

"Well, at least he did things differently, I guess. I wouldn't have even considered keeping you as a toy before I drained you. Although, I'm not sure the Volturi said we could use you first." He scrunched his face and shrugged. "Tell Edward I said "fuck you" when you see him because I sure as hell ain't waiting around for him to prance back in here." He was almost to the fence again when he turned and looked around. "I don't expect you'll be able to leave the house again so it's nice that you have this little garden."

He jumped the fence and I heard a crash and a muted, "Son of a bitch!"

My heart pounded and I was on the verge of crying.

I was just attacked by the dumbest vampire in history.

Still, I kept repeating his words over and over.

Before I drained you. Before I drained you. Before I drained you.

The contenders were allowed to harm me?

Oh my God.

My breathing had turned ragged and I ran into the house. I left my meal and book scattered in the rocks. I locked the door, but a strangled laugh escaped when I realized that it wouldn't really matter if it was locked or not.

I ran upstairs to the bedroom and slammed that door too. It was all futile. If a vampire wanted me then all they would have to do is come inside. Locks didn't work on them and the old myth of a vampire needing permission to enter was a load of shit.

I huddled up on the bed and pulled Edward's shirt to my face and breathed him in. It was the only thing that saved me. His smell. I knew I still faintly smelled of him because he told me before he left, but his shirt, drenched in his scent, it's what saved me.

That and the fact that the blond vampire was clueless.

I started rocking slightly and my previously disintegrated anger returned full force. Edward wasn't just consistently cheesy, apparently he was pretty adept at lying too.

Everything was lie. Our relationship was forbidden, yet he kept that from me. He never told me about the danger we were in or trusted me enough to talk to me about our situation. Edward took everything on himself and I was just there. The Challenge had either changed its rules or Edward had lied about not hurting the targets. I couldn't decide if he didn't want me to know that he would kill someone or if it was just this time. Just me.

My mind was reeling and I sobbed hysterically.

What if all this was a lie? What if I was just the girl he was messing around with? What if this was all some sort of elaborate scheme to have another vampire kill me and then he would get off free.

This is Edward. Edward loves me. Edward would never hurt me.

I tried to calm down, but it just got worse because I kept hearing Alice's voice in my head asking how many girls he'd treated like this before me.

I don't know how long I sat on the bed and cried while I struggled to breathe, when my phone rang out with Edward's ringtone.

I choked out between sobs, "You're a liar."

So there you have it.

With this update you were given dates, just to make the days more tangible. Remember, Bella is human and days have names and meanings. You know now that Edward

called her late Sunday night (Monday morning in Italy for him) and told her to run. She arrives in SF, Monday afternoon. I hope that doesn't confuse you at all.

Thank you for reading & I'd love to hear what you think about this. Next week, we pick up with Edward at his convo with Emmett.