Wasteland
Chapter 10

Disclaimer : I don't own Twilight. Stephenie Meyer does. I'm only borrowing them for some time.

A/N : I'm sorry this chapter took so long. I've been busy with work, and pretty much pissed all the time due to various reasons. I think that if I had tried to write while feeling that way, the Volturi would have won and the Cullens would have died a slow and painful death. ( Semi-borrowing Stephenie's words, I know. XD )

"Do you wish to talk about it?"

Carlisle's quiet voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I turned my head slightly to look at him. I leaned my elbow against the passenger window of the Mercedes, resting my head in the palm of my hand. "Speak about what, exactly?" He didn't look at me as he drove, keeping a careful, if somewhat unecessary, watch on the road ahead.

I was about to ask again, but when he turned his head, looking at me straight in the eyes, I finally understood his question.

My eyes. My crimson eyes.

I pressed my lips into a thin line, frowning as I tore my gaze away from his. "Not particularily, no." He didn't insist, and I was silently grateful for it. I knew he wouldn't judge me; he never did, but I still didn't want to relive those moments. Not now.

I barely took noticed of the scenery that flashed by as we drove home in silence. I was lost within my own mind, unwanted memories resurfacing every now and then, but mostly, I thought of my family. What would they think when they too saw the darkness in my eyes, proof that I had betrayed everything they believed in once more?

Carlisle may never judge me, but it would be a different story with Rosalie. I could already hear her sarcasm, as well as feel Esme's disappointment.

Had I been human, I would've probably had a panic attack by now.

I moved both my hands to my knees, my fingers clenching every now and then. I saw Carlisle look at me from the corner of his eye, but he remained silent as we pulled up into the driveway. I briefly looked at the house before taking a deep breath and stepping out the car.

The sudden feelings of excitement that hit me at that moment made me momentarily freeze in place. "Jasper!" The next thing I knew, I had Esme's arms around me, nearly crushing me. I couldn't help the weak smiled that appeared on my face as I returned the embrace gently.

"Come on now, there's lots to do." At Carlisle's words, Esme let me go, but stayed near me as we walked in the house. I had a feeling she wouldn't let me out of her sight for a while. It didn't matter me, I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

The rest of the family were waiting inside for us. Emmett's booming laugh greeted me, along with a playful slap on the back that would've broken any human bones beyond repair. "I knew you couldn't stay without a wrestling partner like me for too long!"

I merely smiled, awaiting the unavoidable questions. It wasn't long before Rosalie took notice of my eyes as I looked around the unchanged room. "So, the weakest link returns." Her voice was smug as she crossed her arms and leaned against the staircase. Contempt rolled off her in waves.

A low snarl escaped my lips, and she straightened, surprised by my reaction. Truth be told, I was slighty surprised as well. Her constant sarcasm was something I was used to, after all, after a few decades spent with her.

Edward finally spoke from where he sat at his piano, changing the subject. "So what is it you want to tell us, Jasper?" I stopped glaring at Rosalie and turned my attention to him. He already knew the reasons I had come back, having read them in my mind, but I voiced them out loud for the others.

"Alice is alive." The relief I felt coming off Emmett was almost painful. I ignored it, and went on, telling them how she joined the Volturi, and why. I paused for a moment, letting the news sink in before I went on. "So here I am now, asking for your help."

Emmett frowned at me, confused by my last statement. "Help for what, bro?"

I took a deep, unecessary breath, looking at the vampires present one by one before I spoke. "I plan to take down the Volturi." Rosalie scoffed, causing me to return my gaze on her when she spoke. "And just how do you plan on doing that?"

Carlisle spoke up before I could. "For now, we're going to get in contact with as many of our friends as we can. It might be safer for us to speak of the actual plan later." He cast a quick look at me, and I understood what he meant.

It was safer if Alice didn't see right away what I was planning.

"Who do you think would join us, Carlisle?" Esme put a hand on her husband's arm as she spoke. He looked down at her for a moment before speaking to me. "I'll contact the Denali clan first, since they're the closest and easiest to reach. I'll have to call in sick at the hospital for a week or so while Esme and I go looking for a few friends in England, Ireland and Europe." He turned to Emmett and Rosalie. "You two can start looking in South America, a-"

Rosalie cut him off before he could finish, her emotions screaming along with her voice. "What makes you think I want to help? If he's stupid enough to go and provoke the Volturi, of all people, then why should I die along with him!" Emmett murmured something to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She relaxed slightly in his embrace, but her glare never left me. "I won't do it."

I shook my head. "I'm not forcing you to join me in this, Rose. It's your same goes for everyone else in this room."

"I'll go look in South America. Do you think Peter and Charlotte would come as well?" Edward asked as he rose from his seat. I hesitated. Peter had been by my side many decades ago, and had escaped, wanting more than to the constant war that Maria believed in. Would he join me in something he disliked so much?

"I'll try to get in touch with him. We'll see." Edward nodded in understanding, and I went on. "It's settled then. I'll remain behind, and wait for everyone."

--

Alice's POV

I slammed my cellphone shut in frustration, only to reopen it and dial Edward's number once more. Why wasn't he picking up the phone? Was he so dazzled by Bella that he didn't hear his own phone ringing anymore?

I closed my phone again, and tried Rosalie's phone as I paced around my room.

How was I suppose to warn them they were heading straight to their demise if they wouldn't even pick up their stupid phone?

Don't hate me. o_o; I love ending chapters in cliffies. X3 As for them heading straight to their death... Well, you'll just have to keep reading if you want to know how this will end, I suppose. ^-^