The speed at which I run holds nothing on Edward, though it is still fast and exhilarating. I don't even have to think about it, one foot places itself in front of the other gracefully, and I zigzag through trees like a second nature.
Of course E.J couldn't run, so I carried him cradled in my arms, where he belongs. He was so intelligent already, those big green eyes staring at me as if I am the most incredible woman on earth, which I guess to him I would be, me being his mom and all and being the only other "person" he has ever seen. I wonder what I must look like to him, my new granite skin sparkling every time I pass through a hole in the dense canopy above since up here we are out of the cloud bank. I wonder what he must think of himself, his own alabaster skin giving off a translucent glow in the sun.
When I pass by the heard of dear, I sent E.J down gingerly on a large, mossy rock, and hunt. The deer blood tastes foul and sour, but it soothes the burning in my throat which is all I cared about.
I run for I don't know how long, until I come to a big clearing. I recognize it immediately, though the human memories are muddy.
"It sounded like a bear choking." "It's time." "Eerie, isn't it?" "Are you ready for some ball?" "No I prefer to referee- I like keeping them honest." "Emmett hits hardest, but Edward runs fastest." "You're what he wants. It will work out somehow."
Their voices dance in my head, with a background of seven exquisite pale, angel like figures, running at top speed and hitting the nearly invisible balls with loud cracks, slamming into each other with deafening thuds. The last voice, Esme's voice, lingers. "You're what he wants. It will work out somehow." That makes me brake down. I sob tearlessly, thinking of everything that could have been. If Edward had stayed, we would be together now, I know he would have let me keep the baby, and I know he would have loved him. I would have my best friend, my second parents, and Edward and I might even be getting.....married...soon, though the thought of marriage is still a bit frightening. If I had been good enough for him, we would have the perfect life, and he would have been the one to change be after I gave birth. In the midst of my glorious, terrible, lovely, grieving thoughts, I hear light weightless footsteps running toward us. Ohhhh, this can't be good.