All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

"Yes." I called to the person behind the door. "Come in."

The door slowly opened to reveal a happy looking Carmen. She was smiling hugely at me as she walked into the room and sat next to me on the bed.

"How are you feeling today?" She asked concerned in a faint Spanish accent.

"I'm better. I think I will be healed enough to leave tomorrow." I added trying to reassure her that I would not over stay my welcome.

"That soon? Are you sure you'll be up to it? You can stay as long as you need." She assured me in a light tone.

"I'm sure, but thank you." I noticed my voice still sounded disconnected and dead. I tried hard to sound upbeat for her, but it just made me sound wrong and fake.

She smiled warmly at me nodding her head. "So Bella where are you from?"

I looked down nervously. I could not tell her I was from Washington. She could connect me too easily to the others that way. I looked down avoiding eye contact as I answered, "Originally Arizona, but right now nowhere." It wasn't a total lie, just not the entire truth.

She raised her eyebrows at me and nodded her head, "Hmm."

"How long have you been a vampire? You are still pretty new." She stated taking in the bright red color of my eyes.

I shrugged my shoulders keeping my gaze on the bed in front of me. "A few months."
I wasn't exactly sure myself. I didn't know how long I had been wondering around to know the exact number of months.

"Do you know who turned you? It seems odd that they would have left you all alone." She questioned incredulously.

I shrugged my shoulders again and shifted uncomfortably on the bed glancing at her from behind my eyelashes. She stared at me for a moment deciding whether or not to push the issue. Thankful she decided to move on, though her next question was not much easier.

"What brings you to Alaska?"

Where were all these questions coming from? Why did she care? Her questions were making me uncomfortable. I knew she was digging for information but I wasn't sure what she was hoping to find out. I was trying to keep my answers as simply as possible, giving as little away as I could.

"Just wondering." I hedged. In truth nothing had brought me to Alaska. I just kind of ended up here.

"Who was that you were fighting with in the forests? " She questioned with an edge to her tone. It was obvious she was getting tired of my vague answers. "She seemed to know you."

I snapped my head up to meet her gaze. I was anxious afraid of what she might have heard during my fight. She seemed to know something and I was afraid to find out what that might be for fear of exposing myself.

"Just someone I met once. Did you see much?" I asked uneasily.

She nodded her head in reply watching me carefully.

"How much did you hear?" I whispered swallowing hard.

"Enough. That's why I came to help you. I don't like to see people fight and I heard the other one mention a family that I am friends with. I figured any friend of theirs is a friend of mine." She assured me with a gently smile.

My eyes grew wide as I took in what she had said. My fears had been realized. This was the same family that Edward, I winced as I said his name hoping she hadn't notice as I wrapped my arms around my body, had mentioned."

I looked away quickly hiding the fear in my eyes from her. I needed to leave and now.
I got up off the bed and grabbed my bag as I walked towards my door. As I put my bag over my shoulder I cringed as the strap rubbed up against a wound that was not yet healed.

"Wait." She demanded as she ran in front of me blocking my escape. "Don't worry. I don't know why you are running from the Cullen's," I flinched slightly hearing their name as she continued, "but you're secret is safe with me. I will not tell the other's where you are, nor will I alert my family."

I looked up into her eyes and knew she was telling the truth. My instincts told me that. I smiled warily at her, "Thank you." I walked back over to the bed and sat down removing my bag from my back feeling instant relief.

She looked at me curiously for a long moment. "You seem like such a sweet girl. I can't imagine why…" She trailed off shaking her head. "Rest now." She said before she left my room shutting the door behind her.

I sighed heavily lying back down on the bed covering my face with my hands. What a mess, I thought to myself.

I spent the next few hours lying on my bed in a trace like state trying desperately to think of nothing. I was failing miserably. Edward was always there just behind my eyelids haunting me with his beautiful face. If my mind refused to stay blank I decided to focus on things less painful, like where I would go tomorrow. I needed to leave as soon as possible. I knew Carmen would not give me away, but I had imposed on her long enough. I was thinking about going east, maybe New York. I had never been east of Albuquerque, and decided I might as well see the World. I wasn't sure if I was strong enough to resist human blood yet, so I might have to put off big cities for now. I had always admired the countryside of the east, especially in the fall, and decided if I stayed in the mountainous areas I would be just fine.

I heard the phone ring downstairs and hushed voices, but I ignored them planning my next trip when I noticed the voices becoming more panicked. I sat up quickly trying to listen closer to see what was wrong.

"Bella." Someone called from below before I had time to decipher what was going on. I instantly got to my feet and rushed downstairs. Had I already cursed this poor family with trouble?

As I got to the kitchen all five vampires were looking intently at me, and I waited impatiently for one of them to explain.

"Bella, we need to leave tonight. Some friends of ours called and need our help. You are welcome to stay for as long as you need, but we will be leaving as soon as possible." The one named Tanya explained.

"Do you need help?" I offered. It was the least I could do after the hospitality they had shown me. I was almost healed and had no commitments.

Carmen stared at me intently and explained slowly, "We will be going to help our friends in," she paused briefly before finishing her sentence, "Washington."

My face paled as the realization of what she said sunk in, the Cullen's. My eyes went wide and I whispered, "What's wrong?"

Tanya gave me a curious look before she clarified, "They seem to be having a dog problem." She spat her voice thick with disgust.

I stared at her in shock. They were supposed to leave. They were supposed to be safe. Why hadn't they left? Carmen was watching me intently as I gripped my chest trying to ease the pain I felt.

"I'm coming." I breathed.

Tanya nodded her head and got on the phone making reservations. Carmen led me to the living room looking at me with concerned eyes.

"You don't have to come you know." She whispered.

"Yes I do. It's my fault they are in trouble. I have to help." I said barely above a whisper.

She nodded her head and said, "You will have to explain to the others. They need to know what is going on before we get there."

I agreed wordlessly and watched as she flew out of the room to pack for the trip. I slowly made my way up the stairs to change and get my things. I was going to see the Cullen's in less than twenty-four hours. I was going to see Edward…What was I going to do? He must hate me. Would they accept my help? Would he even want to see me? How was I ever going to leave them again after this? My breathing became labored as my mind swirled with all the many possibilities. I didn't have time to think them all through. Carmen was at my door telling me it was time to go. I took one deep breath trying to prepare myself for what was to come.