Here we go I really enjoyed writing this chapter. It's a bit longer than usual to make up for my lack of regular updating. Terribly sorry about that and I hope you enjoy the story! Chapter 10: Bella POV
"Try to sleep Bella."
"I can't."
"Please try."
"Sing to me?"
The sweet sound of his humming relaxed me immediately and I was able to organize my thoughts instead of suffering from the frenzied panic. Edward kissed my head and I felt him smile as I calmed down. Surprisingly little had happened since the phone call. We were just waiting for the others to meet us but that didn't stop my brain from nearly exploding. Edward had been very aware of my mental… fragility and he was doing his best to keep me calm. I don't think I'd left his arms for longer than a few minutes since the phone call. Without him, the guilt over Emmett's capture was simply crushing.
"Tell me things are going to be ok." I whispered. There were a few seconds silence.
"I can't." He said sadly. I nodded, knowing that Edward wouldn't lie to me. Tears pooled in my eyes and slowly started trickling down my face. Edward kissed them away between apologies.
"It's my fault." I blurted and he immediately grabbed my face between his hands. He tried to catch my gaze but I refused. It was the first time I had mentioned my feeling of guilt even though I'm sure it was obvious. I didn't want to say it simply for Edward to tell me it wasn't my fault. I'm not stupid and no amount of sugar coating could hide that fact.
"Look at me." He finally said forcefully. I couldn't refuse as I looked into his eyes, but for once, his powerful eyes didn't sway my emotions.
"This has nothing to do with you. It isn't your fault. We love you, we'd do anything for you and everybody was aware of the risks."
"That still makes it my fault."
"No, never."
"You can't just say that."
"You would do the same for us. Now please try to get some sleep. The others will be here tomorrow."
I nodded and fell silent but the thoughts still whirled in my mind. Edward was right. I would do the same for them. That only started setting off more thoughts in my brain. I had to protect my family just as they've protected me countless times before.
This entire thing was my fault and there was no denying it. I put the Cullens in danger by entering their family in the first place and then by attracting the Volturi's attention. Things didn't need to be this complicated. Just because nobody was prepared to do what needed to be done, doesn't mean that I shouldn't do it. I was ready. I was prepared. I was well aware that the offer of immortality was probably gone due to our little scheme to escape them, but that was ok. I would die to protect my family.
The thought actually settled my fluttering heart as my emotions set on determination. Now, I only needed to plan. Yes, it did panic me to remember that I had to outsmart vampires- extremely protective vampires- but I've been living with them long enough to have learnt some tricks. My best chance had to be before the others arrived. Once Carlisle, Rosalie and Jasper were gone, I'd have no chance.
To be completely honest, I wanted to avoid Rosalie. Seeing her share her goodbye with Emmett was bad enough, but I didn't want to see her once she had lost him. My relationship with Rosalie could be considered odd. I know she was very much my mother when I was first with the family as a baby. Not being able to have her own baby hit her hard when she was a vampire and I was a good substitute. However, Esme was better from an image point of view. Either way, I was taken away from them and when I was taken back, I was already grown up. It was only logical for Rosalie to be my sister as we were visually the same age. However, I still felt the nurturing love of a mother from her. In a way, she was still my mother- definitely more so than Alice. Alice was my best friend. I went to each of them regarding different issues. It was all a bit confusing, but it worked and that's all that matters. So that's why the idea of seeing her hurt distressed me. Not only because she was someone I loved, but also because I was always used to seeing her as a strong maternal figure and couldn't see her upset.
I turned my thoughts away from Rosalie as that path was becoming too painful. I sighed. Any path would be painful right now. I fleetingly considered Carlisle's disappointment and Jasper's guilt. No. I can't think about them like this. I would be doing this to protect them. I had to do it. I had to make it to the Volturi on my own before my family could stop me. There must be a way to do it. Vampires were fast and could easily outrun cars. My safest time will be when I'm on the plane, which will no doubt give me a head start once I reach Italy, but I know the Cullens would be following close behind. This means that the biggest flaw in my plan would be getting to the airport. The most obvious thing would be to let Edward, Alice and Esme drive me to there. The only way to manage this would be to go pick up the rest of the family; which would only grant me a very small window of escape.
A sudden, terrifying thought just struck me. Alice. I then realized that I hadn't really made any decision to do more than confuse the future as I hadn't made any clear plans. The future was already mixed up at the moment with Emmett being captured and the rest coming home. My plans wouldn't trigger anything in Alice's mind at the moment.
We were going to pick everybody up tomorrow. Rosalie and Carlisle were arriving at ten thirty and Jasper at twelve. I would have to disappear before any of them arrived, especially Jasper. My emotions would be like a beacon to him. Right now, I didn't really have any advantage apart from the fact that I knew their powers and was pretty sure I could avoid them. That still wasn't much to go on. How would I actually make it on the flight quickly once I escaped Edward?
I kept going through my plan before eventually my thoughts turned sluggish and I simply couldn't resist sleep. I relaxed against Edward's body, trying not to think about to tomorrow.
~~~~~
Even though I didn't get much sleep, I wasn't tired or groggy when I woke up.
"Bella?" Edward whispered before kissing my head. I was immediately awake.
"Yes."
"What would you like for breakfast?"
"Not hungry." He frowned at my response. I've never had a huge appetite, but out of force of habit, when I was stressed, I didn't eat a thing.
"Please eat something."
"You know I will." His frown deepened at my short response.
"Please don't be worried." He said as he stroked my face. "Everything's going to be ok."
"I know." I tried to sounds convincing but the two simple words came out flat. Edward tried to analyze my expression but I wouldn't give him the opportunity.
"I'm going to take a shower."
"Okay." He sighed as he hugged me closer before letting go.
I was dead inside. The only way to succeed in this plan was to disconnect from the whole situation. I couldn't afford to lose it now. I took my time in the shower. I was in no rush to return to my family. Eventually I heard a soft knock on the door.
"Honey," Esme's sweet voice called out; "Breakfast is ready and we need to leave in twenty minutes."
"Be right there." I wrapped myself in a towel in quickly skipped back into my room. I didn't expect Edward to still be there and I slipped on the last step. He caught me by the arm as I tumbled forward. He gently set me on my feet. He gave me a quick look then rapidly lifted my towel a few inches before looking away. I blushed as I realized what had happened. Edward pulled me into a hug and kissed me.
"So warm." He murmured. He pulled away. "I'll wait for you downstairs."
"N-n-no." I stammered, lurching forward to grab his arm. I regretted my actions as he turned back with a confused face. My mind and body was craving some sort of goodbye even though I know I shouldn't allow myself one. I put my hand behind his neck and pulled his face down to mine. I kissed him but had to hold back my passion. He couldn't know anything was wrong. He responded to my kiss hesitantly and eventually pulled away again.
"Go get ready." He said with a small smile. I nodded and he left the room. I guess that would be the closest thing to a goodbye that I would get.
I quickly threw on some comfortable clothes and then grabbed my small backpack. From it, I pulled out my wallet and passport. I couldn't bring anything else; it would be a dead giveaway.
Breakfast went by quickly and soon enough, we were in the car, on the way to Seattle. Edward surprised me by letting Alice drive and instead sit in the back seat with me. What would normally be an hour drive was probably thirty minutes maximum. The drive was silent apart from Esme's occasional attempts to start a conversation. I think she soon realized that her efforts were futile.
Once parked, we all headed towards the arrivals. I was lucky enough to know this airport well. Departures weren't far away which was incredibly lucky for me. I wouldn't be at the mercy of my slow pace for long. I chose the seats that would give me the shortest distance to travel. We sat down for a while before I decided that I should stop delaying this. It was time to move and stop thinking.
I stood up quickly, much to the surprise of my family.
"Everything ok?" Alice asked with a frown. It was a fair assumption that the future would be pretty messed up right now. This type of confusion always frustrated Alice and I wasn't blind enough not to the notice the frequent glances she threw my way. However I ignored them just as I ignored the probing tone of her voice.
"I'm going for a walk."
"I'll come with you." They all offered and even though this would usually make me smile, I forced the corners of my mouth to fall. I needed to push them away for them to give me some space.
"I am perfectly capable of walking alone." I snapped with as much venom as I could muster. In a way, it's a good thing I'd had an argument with Edward a few days earlier about not having any control. It made my childish argument believable.
"Of course," Esme soothed, "But just to be on the safe side-"
"No vampires will attack me here. Besides, Alice said they're tactics have changed. I'm in no immediate danger." I whispered coldly.
"It's ok. We'll wait for you here." Edward said sadly. He didn't understand what was going on and I couldn't blame him. I could see the longing to keep me safe and happy in his eyes. I looked away.
"Thank you." Curt.
I set off in the opposite direction of my desired destination. Stupid. Simple ploy but it would maybe gain me a few seconds. I knew the small loop leading behind the confectionary shop that will set me back on the way to departures without passing our previous seats. Only a small detour. I knew that thanks to my little scene, the Cullens wouldn't come looking for me for a while. At least not until the others arrived. That is unless Alice sees what's about to happen.
I knew I needed to pull myself together for the next part of my plan. The whole idea was weak and the chances of it working were minimal, but I would try anyway. If my escape was successful, it would all be thanks to the Cullens. I grabbed my newly acquired credit card and strode in front of all the queues, do the front desk. Shocked and angry whispers followed my arrival but I brushed them off.
"I need a flight to Italy." I said with confidence and the man at the desk just stared at me.
"Excuse m-me?"
"It's not that difficult to comprehend. It's rather urgent too." Again, angry complaints could be heard behind my back, but I didn't remove my gaze from the man in front of me. He seemed nervous, hadn't dealt with a situation like this before.
"I'm afraid that you will have to join the end of the queue." He said while gesturing to the crowd of people. I cringed, hoping that my poor acting skills were enough. I flipped my hair and sighed.
"I don't think that will be necessary." I slid my passport and credit card forward. He seemed confused for a minute before his eyes widened. He looked up at me, only to meet my gaze and lower his head immediately.
"Of course, Miss Cullen." He mumbled before hastily typing some keys on the computer.
This would have seemed exceedingly strange to everybody standing behind me, but they couldn't understand. Couldn't understand that my each member of my family was practically a celebrity when it came to travelling or anything that was related to a fresh start. Not to mention that they were incredibly rich. Jasper and Emmett once joked about how they scared people to death on airlines and related things by intimidation. They had to do this on numerous occasions and now it had come to the point where the very name inspired fear in the employees. As much as I would have usually hated this kind of manipulation, I had to admit that it was useful.
"Could you please speed things up? I'm in a hurry." I said coldly.
"Yes, of course. I'm terribly sorry, but there doesn't appear to be any room on the next flight."
"Make room."
"Well you see, that's impossible." My heart quickened but I didn't drop the façade.
"I would like to speak to your manager … Daniel." I said after a quick look at his nametag.
"H-however, I can quickly slot you into the flight that's just about to leave. I'll have someone escort you through security."
"Perfect." My brain was reeling at my luck whereas my heart was desperately hoping for failure. Daniel quickly printed off my boarding pass and called another member of staff to show me to the plane whilst over looking security and passport control.
Everything happened quickly, the adrenalin in my blood was pumping as I was eventually shown to my seat. First class. I have never flown first class and this occasion didn't bring me any pleasure. I chewed on my fingernails nervously as the seconds ticked by. How long had I been gone? Had they noticed? Had Edward noticed? Were the others back yet? Constant questions swirled around my brain as I gazed out of the window sadly. I couldn't believe this had worked. I didn't want this to work.
It's only when the plane lifted off the ground that I was able to lose my composure. Tears rolled down my cheeks endlessly. I wasn't sure what was going to happen next, but my longing for Edward was nearly unbearable. Oh how I wished there was another solution. Tearing myself away from my family and from Edward was the most painful thing I've ever had to endure. More painful than all the physical abuse I had to suffer, more painful than the endless teasing and tormenting.
It was probably a good thing that nobody seemed to be seated near me, because soon my silent tears turned into sobs. A few flight attendants fluttered around me but I demanded privacy, which they granted.
I needed to focus on Emmett. I needed to draw some last determination from the fact that I was saving him. All this was worth it. It would be better for the Cullens once I was dead. No more being careful around me, they could lead a normal life. I kept forcing myself to think these thoughts over and over again. This was for the best.
Eventually I gave up. There was no point in trying to be strong right now. It would be the only time I didn't have to be strong. This was the safest part of my plan. Edward couldn't reach me here. That simple thought sent another wave of pain my way. Edward. My mind shied away from the topic as pain engulfed me.
I missed him, I loved him, and I would probably never see him again.
Please let me know what you think!
Iole01 xxx
