Authors Note: Thanks for all the reviews! On with this chapter!
Disclaimer: Sigh. I don't own anything!
I was surprised to see Esme's sudden hostility. I flinched when she ran out of the room mumbling things under her breath. I heard her leave the house and run into the woods quickly. I was all alone with Edward. I stood nervously and walked to the bed.
Edward lay there twitching and I felt terrible. His heart was beating furiously. Now he would be forever condemned to this life. Another side of me rejoiced at the thought of Edward becoming a vampire.
Now I can be with him forever.
I froze. How could I deserve someone as perfect as Edward? He would be angry with me for turning him into a vampire. Even if I eventually confessed my love for him he wouldn't express the same feelings.
I sat there wallowing in my own personal hell when a phone rang somewhere in the house. I bolted downstairs to see a silver phone vibrating on the table. I grabbed it and answered.
"Hello?" I asked shyly.
"Oh! Bella! I'm glad you answered." Esme's voice said. Why would she be calling me?
"Yes Esme? IS there something wrong?" I asked worriedly.
"I can't find them! I have horrible tracking skills! Do you have good ones?" Esme cried desperately.
I was taken aback. Tracking.
I was pretty good at doing that since I had hunted down many vampires in the past. I only did this to meet them again. Many were our friends from the plague. Many were also turned as well.
Charlie had commented on how well I tracked.
I swallowed and then answered.
"I guess. I mean I've only tracked a couple of times." I admitted sheepishly.
"That's great! How about I come back to the house and we switch?" Esme said.
"Sure." I said simply.
"Great! See you soon Bella!" Esme said happily.
I snapped the phone shut and put it in my pocket. I rushed upstairs to sit with Edward while we waited for Esme. I approached his bed and grasped his hands in mine.
"Edward? If you can hear me please squeeze my hands." I whispered. I waited.
Nothing.
I tried again.
"Edward! Can you move anything?" I asked desperately.
Nothing.
I sighed and heard Esme approach the house. I blinked and dropped his hand swiftly and backed away before Esme burst through the door. She breathed a sigh in relief to see us in one piece. She was probably terrified something would happen.
"I'll be back as soon as I can Esme." I promised.
"I know you will dear." Esme said putting a hand on my cheek.
She dropped her hand and grabbed Edward's hand. I nodded to myself and walked to the door. I was about to walk out when Esme cleared her throat. I turned to look at her.
"Bella, thanks for everything." Esme said with her voice that was thick with the tears that would never fall.
I looked at her sadly and spoke.
"You're welcome." And with that I ghosted down the stairs and out into the darkening forest. I was flying through the woods trying to pick up their scents. Once I did I would be able to find them soon. I looked around at the silent forest to see no animals lurking about. They were all cowering in their homes or under brush or trees.
Their instincts told them there was danger. Their instincts were right.
I looked up to see the inky black sky looming over my head as I blew through the dense trees. I hadn't come across their scents yet. They must have been on a different trail. All of a sudden I stopped. Three distinct scents hit me. I stopped cold.
I recognized the scents immediately. It was Alice's and Jasper's and Rosalie's scents that were the strongest. There were two more that were less powerful. Carlisle and Emmett had strange, weaker scents. I breathed them in deeply and then took off in the direction they went in.
I pushed myself faster as their scents got more and more powerful. Soon I heard voices but they were about three miles ahead. They were faint whispers that carried through the trees. About a minute later their voices got louder and louder by the passing second. I slowed down my pace and slowly ran through the woods.
"Shh! Jasper stop whining. Carlisle do you hear that?" Rosalie asked curiously.
"Yes." Carlisle murmured.
"It's a vampire." Emmett said loudly.
"Stop freaking out guys it's just Bella." Alice said annoyed.
"Oh!" Rosalie said, surprised.
I broke through the last remaining trees and entered a small clearing in the deep forest. Their heads were already turned in my direction.
I waved slightly and sat next to Alice.
"Esme is pretty angry with you." I said to Carlisle.
"I know!" He whispered in agony.
Jasper looked at Carlisle with torture written on his face.
"Please Carlisle don't leave me!" Jasper said.
I looked at Jasper.
"Jasper, Esme and Edward need him." I said moving from Alice to kneel in front of Jasper.
"I know that nothing I say will make you feel better, but Jasper you need to understand that we all forgive you. I know exactly what you are going through. I've had that happen to me as well. I know you feel terrible and feel that you are nothing but you need to forget about this. We all make mistakes and no one hates you Jasper. Please try and forget this so we can all go back to Esme and Edward who needs us greatly." I finished.
Jasper looked at me with pain shining in his eyes. Alice kneeled beside me and hugged Jasper who held on to her, gasping. I stood slowly and backed to the edge of the woods. I turned and prepared to leave.
"Bella! Wait! Don't leave! I need to come back." Jasper said determinately. Alice cheered as Jasper stood still clutching Alice. Rosalie and Emmett stood holding hands. Carlisle stood as well with his hands in his pockets. I turned and darted into the forest. Soon I heard them all running behind me.
I was faster than most vampires so I easily became ahead. I soon found my recent trail and followed it back to the house.
We reached their house and I ran in the back door and shot up the stairs and reached Edward's room before they were even out of the woods.
Esme blinked and then smiled at me.
"I knew you'd bring my family home." Esme said warmly.
Soon the family filed in and Esme flew at them. She hugged them all and gave them each a kiss on the cheek. When she reached Jasper she kissed him twice and ruffled his hair slightly. I giggled and Jasper shot me a sharp look. I noticed Charlie wasn't here.
"Where is Charlie?" I asked.
"He went back to the hospital but now he is probably at your house. You're welcome to stay here or if you'd rather go home that's up to you. We don't mind if you choose to stay though." Carlisle said.
I nodded. I wanted to stay here so badly. On the other hand I wanted to go home. I had to go to school tomorrow anyways. Tomorrow was Friday and I had an English test. I was going to be here all weekend though so they would throw me out on Monday when they got sick of me. I made up my mind.
"I'll just go home. Are you going to school tomorrow?" I asked Alice. She smiled.
"Of course we are Bella. We wouldn't want to miss that English test now would we?" Alice teased. I smiled back and said my goodbyes. I walked down the stairs at a human pace and slipped out the door. I walked swiftly to my car and got in. I started it and drove quickly to my house. I parked in the driveway and listened for signs of Charlie. He wasn't here.
Sure enough there was a note explaining his absence. He was hunting and he would be back later tonight. I decided to work on that mountain of homework that had been building. I walked past the mirror and caught a flash or ruby.
I spun around and gasped at my complexion. My eyes were a dark red and stood out vibrantly against my pale skin. I heard my cell ring in my purse on the kitchen counter and I grabbed it up and hit 'talk' after the first ring.
"Hello?" I asked breathlessly.
"Bella! Oh I'm glad you answered. Anyways don't worry about your eyes. Come over tomorrow before school and I'll give you some contacts. Then we can drive to school ok? Bye Bella I got to go! See you tomorrow!" Alice said and then hung up before I could utter a word.
"Uhh…..thanks?" I said. It sounded more like a question so I trudged upstairs to my room. I finished my homework in 45 minutes and wandered to my bookshelf. My eyes roamed over the many different choices and I finally chose Shakespeare.
The book was very big since it was a collection of his different works. I read and read till the first signs of light were breaking through the trees. I looked up startled. Sure enough the sky was a very faint blue and almost pink from the sun. I glanced at the clock to see it was almost 6:30. I jumped up and ran to my closet.
I decided on a red blouse and dark washed jeans with no jacket to go with it. I wore black flats and I put my hair in a pony tail. Normally I wouldn't worry about my hair since it would always be perfect but I felt like putting in into a pony tail today.
I thought Charlie had gone to work and I glanced out the window to see his car parked in exactly the same spot as yesterday. Then I realized he hadn't even come home last night. I shrugged though and thought maybe there weren't many animals out since it was only January.
I grabbed my keys and jogged to the car. I turned the car on and sped down the road to the Cullen's house.
I reached their house and parked quickly. I stepped out and walked to the front door. I hesitated on knocking on the door or just walking in. I heard a chuckle and Alice said.
"Come on in Bella!" I could hear a laugh in her voice. I smiled and entered the house to see Alice walking down the stairs.
"Very nice Bella!" Alice said happily. I was puzzled.
"Huh?" I asked.
Alice rolled her eyes playfully and reached me.
"Nice outfit today Bella!" She said happily and grabbing my wrist to lead me upstairs.
"Oh" I said simply.
She laughed quietly and led me to her room. I heard Edward's heart beating furiously from the study/medical room down the hall.
"How is he?" I asked when we walked in her room.
She shrugged.
"I don't know. Good I guess." She said while rifling through her drawers.
"Here they are!" She said excitedly.
She motioned for me to come closer and she made me be still.
"These might be a little uncomfortable. These are the closet I could get for them to be dark gold. There almost light brownish-dark gold." She said.
She inserted them swiftly and backed up to see them fully.
"Great!" she said giving me a thumbs up.
I blinked and immediately knew what she meant by saying they were uncomfortable. My eyes kept blinking because they didn't like this object.
"Nice." I commented.
"What?" Alice asked worriedly.
"These things are terrible! I can't see good with these things!" I said angrily while closing my hands to fists to keep from clawing the contacts out of my eyes.
Alice actually laughed.
"Come on Bella! They can't be that bad. I know there not comfortable but would you rather go to school with glowing red eyes?" She questioned.
I thought about that and then gave up.
"Yeah." I said, annoyed.
"See. Don't worry your eyes will be back to normal color in no time." Alice said to try and cheer me up.
I managed to plaster a tiny smile and my face and walk back downstairs with Alice. Jasper was sitting in a chair with a thick book in his hands and he was absorbed in it.
"Jasper?" Alice called standing at the front door with her purse, jacket and bag on her arm.
Jasper jumped and looked around dazed. He looked at us and was puzzled.
"What?" He asked annoyed.
"It's time for school Jasper!" Alice said while smiling. Jasper smiled as well and placed his book back on the table and grabbed his bag. He joined Alice by the door and grasped her hand. He then looked up.
"Bye! We'll see you later!" He called.
Mumbled goodbyes were said from upstairs and then we left. We took Rosalie's car and soon we drove off down the road towards school.
"So how was Charlie?" Alice asked curiously.
"Oh Charlie wasn't home." I said while looking out the window. I felt their gazes on my face but I didn't look up.
"Why not?" Alice asked.
"He was out hunting." I said simply.
"Oh." Alice said and then she dropped it.
We arrived at school and I glanced up to see Alice give Jasper a quick but sweet kiss on the lips and then Jasper smile sweetly before we all got out of the car. Alice and I walked together towards our classes.
The morning went by as usual and I went to lunch surrounded by Jessica and her friends. I bought an apple and water and walked towards the Cullen's lunch table. Alice was sitting beside Jasper who had his arm wrapped around her shoulders. Her hand was on his knee and they were gazing into each other's eyes.
They jumped when they heard my chair scrape across the linoleum.
"Hey Bella!" Alice said excitedly.
"Hi Alice." I said happily.
"How did your English exam go?" Alice asked.
"Oh it went fine." I said.
I looked around the cafeteria at nothing in particular while Alice and Jasper went back to gazing into each other's eyes. My mind was too preoccupied though.
Why hadn't my father come home? This wasn't like him. He had never done this before. If he was longer than he expected he would always call. But I didn't get any calls from him whatsoever. I had checked my phone in 1st period.
I didn't realize my fingers were drumming on the table loudly before Alice spoke up.
"Is something bothering you Bella?" Alice asked leaning forwards. I looked up and saw Jasper looking at me pointedly.
"Oh no! Nothing's wrong it's just that I got a lot of things on my mind." I tried my best at lying. Alice didn't buy it.
"Please Bella you can tell me anything. Now what's the matter?" Alice said. I lied again.
"Alice there's nothing. I'm fine." I said holding my hands up. Alice narrowed her eyes.
"No there's not. I know there is something you're keeping from me. What is it?" Alice pressed. I was getting annoyed now.
"Alice! Seriously there is nothing wrong!" I said.
"Bella! Seriously spill the beans!" Alice said, growing impatient. Now I was mad.
"There is nothing Alice. Now leave me alone!" I said angrily through clenched teeth. The words lashed at her like whips. I saw her face become hurt. She backed away and I stood abruptly. I threw away my apple and water and stormed out of the cafeteria into the drizzling rain.
I hadn't noticed it had gotten cloudy. I walked to the benches and sat down while I waited for lunch to end. Mostly I sat there because I was angry at myself for being rude to Alice. I didn't mean to snap at her it was just that she was steadily pushing me.
I would apologize later because now I had class.
The bell rang and I rushed to the car quickly. Alice stood there leaning against the car with a guilty expression. When she saw me coming she ran up to me and stopped me.
"Bella I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you mad! Please forgive me!" Alice cried. I felt horrible.
"No Alice. It isn't your fault. It was totally mine. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I have no excuse because it was my entire fault. I'm so sorry Alice it's just that my dad...and...I…" I didn't finish because I broke down sobbing.
I clutched to Alice and she didn't seem to mind at all. She must have known it was going to and she was obviously prepared. I cried and cried for what seemed like hours. I stopped crying and slowly calmed down but I didn't let go of Alice. Alice was rubbing my back soothingly and whispering words of comfort the whole time. We sat there while she continued to rub my back.
"I'm sorry Alice. I didn't mean to cry like that." I whispered.
"It's perfectly fine Bella." Alice said.
"Alice what time is it?" I asked curiously.
"It's almost 6." She said simply.
I jerked back.
"What?" I asked, surprised.
"Don't worry Bella. We'll get you home come on." Alice said quietly while taking my hand and leading me to the car. She smiled and helped me in. Jasper sat there staring straight ahead.
"Jasper let's take Bella home." Alice said.
"Of course." He said.
Then we drove towards my house. I rested my head on the back of the seat and closed my eyes. Soon I felt the car gracefully stop and I opened my eyes. We were sitting inside my house which was dark. I was puzzled. My father's car was still sitting there.
I opened the door and tried my hardest to compose my face.
"Thanks guys for everything." I said sadly.
"No problem Bella." Alice said worriedly.
I turned on my heel and walked swiftly to the house. Fear pooled at the bottom of my stomach and if my heart were beating it would be beating furiously. I swallowed and grasped the door handle. I expected it to be locked but it wasn't. I instantly knew something was on.
I slipped into the dark house. My eyes were instantly adjusted. I edged forward slowly and breathed hard. I was panicking and my fear was so intense I felt like I wanted to collapse. I walked to the living room and listened for any sounds.
Nothing.
The only sounds were my footsteps echoing throughout the rooms and my fast, loud breaths. I walked into the living room and flipped on the light switch.
I looked up and then I screamed.
Authors Note: Whoa! Cliff hanger! Thanks for all the reviews! This chapter officially is the longest chapter I have ever written! Yay! 3,144! That is a lot! I would appreciate if you would review! Tell me if you liked it, loved it, hated it. Anything. Maybe if you have ideas? I would love to hear from you! ;)