Empty Skies

New Moon from Alice's POV

Disclaimer: Not mine.

A/N: Hugs to my wonderful reviewers clumsy like bella, XxDoctoRxX, SpacePirateGirl, CherryWolf713, HeavenlyAngel14, ImagineXD, -autumnfierystar04-, Bexy2008, ZekeStar, Socialxxhazard, Nikkirenzo59, CBRH, mrs edward cullenxxx, merlins-most-dirty-pants, and misunderstood101! You have no idea how happy you make me. And now, Alice returns! Cue superhero music. Although there's more angst to wade through first (of course), things are looking up!

Chapter 13: Return to Forks

I pulled away from Jasper's arms. "I have to go," I stammered, stunned and disoriented.

He caught my arm. "What? Where? Talk to me, Alice," he pleaded, "what did you see?"

I looked into his eyes. "I saw Bella," I answered, my voice sounding wooden to my own ears. "She jumped off a cliff. I've got to go back, Jasper, I know it's too late, but I've got to do something." I sobbed once, and ran from the room.

He caught me on the stairs. "Alice, I know this is hard, but we promised Edward we wouldn't go back."

"Does it matter now?" I challenged, my voice breaking. "She'll be dead in an hour! She's killing herself, Jasper! Because he left her!"

He flinched at my words, but didn't back down. "We promised, Alice," he said again.

"Fine!" I snapped. "I'll go alone!" I broke his grasp and ran to my room, seizing my purse, wallet and latest ID. I was back down the stairs in less than a second.

He hadn't moved. Despite my anger and fear, my heart broke further at his expression. "I love you," I choked out before I turned and fled into the night.

The trip to Forks was pure hell. I wasn't even sure why I was going, besides being unable to stand the helplessness. Charlie would be devastated, I knew, and I could only hope I could be some comfort.

I drove the familiar road leading to Forks slower than usual, not wanting to see what I knew I would. An empty house, cold and dark and unlived in…the inanimate sights and sounds of grief.

I tried not to focus on any future beyond my trip here. Fear clutched at my stomach whenever I did so, for I knew that sooner or later Edward would discover Bella's fate. He would cave into the pain and try to return, or simply come to us for a visit, and I forced back thoughts of his reaction. Subconsciously, I think I've always known…

I parked my car on her street, studiously not looking at anything but the road. I took a deep breath, and focused on Bella's house. With a sinking heart, I took in its emptiness, reading all the signs I expected.

After all the past blank, pain-filled months, this was not the way I had dreamed of returning to Forks.

I slowly opened the car door and got out. Head bowed as though in a funeral procession, I mounted the steps and pulled the key from under the eave to unlock the door. How many times had I foreseen Bella and Edward entering this house the same way? I stepped inside, shutting the door and immersing myself in darkness.

The faint scent of freesia teased my senses and my nostrils flared.

Bella had been here, not long ago.

I closed my eyes and mourned my sister. Oh Bella, couldn't you have just waited a little longer? He was so close to coming back to you…

My head snapped up in surprise. The scent was not fading infinitesimally with time, it was intensifying

Bella's truck growled down the street. What the hell…?

I sniffed the air again, feeling my throat clench with thirst. It was Bella's scent all right, and very much alive. I searched the future in disbelief, but still couldn't foresee a thing.

Just in front of the house, the truck stopped, and all was quiet for a moment. A door opened, then slammed shut again and the truck hurtled away, the engine screaming in protest. Just as suddenly, the driver hit the break again.

Over the noise, I heard Bella's voice, higher than usual, and an unfamiliar man's voice answering her angrily. It sounded like they were arguing. Then the engine sputtered to life once more, and the truck returned at a slower pace to park in front of the house.

I heard Bella's faltering footsteps and pounding heart as she crossed the porch to the front door. She opened the door, and felt along the wall, searching for a light switch. Unexpectedly, she froze, her fingers a good six inches from the switch.

This had gone on long enough. I snapped the light on myself, and stared in wonder at the girl I'd spent the last few hours believing to be dead.

Edward was going to kill me.