~14~

I hurried down the stairs, tote in hand. I saw Jacob looking up at me with hurt and sadness written all over his face. I pushed passed him and got to the door, only to be blocked by a stone cold figure.

"Daddy, let me through," I said harshly.

"I'll take you. I'll go with you and Carlisle to Italy to rescue Aiden. Just let me go get my things," he said quietly.

I was thankful that my dad was cooperating with me and said, "Thanks, I'll be out by the boat."

I pushed my way out the door and walked along the sand until I got to the tiny dock. I flung my stuff into the speedboat that would take us to the mainland where we could catch a plane. I prayed the speedboat had enough gas in it and it could run fast enough.

I turned to see Jacob running toward me, hurt and worry plastered all over his face.

"Don't go Nessie. It's too dangerous," he whispered to me.

"Well maybe you should have thought of that before you decided to keep it a secret from me. Then you wouldn't have to worry about me acting out of shock and anger," I retorted back at him.

"Please Nessie, you'll get hurt," he pleaded.

"I'll be fine," I answered.

"You don't know them. They'll kill you if you get in their way," he said.

"I know what I'm dealing with and the danger I'm getting myself into and I know what and what not to do!" I yelled.

"Well then why are you risking your life going?" he screamed back.

"I have to save him! He's there all scared and alone and I know their hurting him!" I screamed.

"He's not the same human boy, Nessie. He's a full-fledged newborn vampire who could snap you in half in a second!" he shouted back.

"That doesn't matter, I still have to help him."

"Did it ever occur to you that he could hurt you? He could kill you. You have human blood running through your veins and he might not be able to control himself", he shouted.

"He would never hurt me!" I said.

"How do you know?" he dared me.

"Because I know him Jacob. He might be a monster, but he's good at heart. No matter what he is, the same soul is still living inside of him," I said earnestly, although I was really trying to convince myself and not Jacob.

"What about your dream? He tried to kill you in that. How do you know that won't happen?"

"Because I won't let it," I said, as I turned back to climb into the boat.

"Nessie, please, don't go," he whined.

"I have to Jacob," I said quietly.

"You told me you loved me, so why are you leaving?" he asked and he sounded as if he was about to cry.

"I do love you, but he's my best friend and I still love him too. I'm not going to let him be killed. I have to save him," I said quietly.

He walked towards me and stopped when he was right by my side. "Do you forgive me?" he asked staring into my eyes.

I had thought I forgave him, but in truth, I was still angry with him from hiding secrets from me. "Jacob, you didn't tell me my best friend was in danger, how can I be over that yet?"

"I was trying to protect you," he said earnestly.

"But instead you just let my best friend be persecuted for that and didn't even try to do anything about it. How can I take that lightly?" I asked.

"Please, Nessie, just don't go," he said.

"I'm sorry Jacob, but I have no choice. Now leave and let me go," I said.

Before he left, he leaned down and kissed me on the cheek and whispered, "I will always love you."

I watched him walk away hurt and in pain. I knew I was upsetting him, but Aiden was more important to me right then. I had to save him. His life depended on me.

My mother and father began to make their way toward the boat, my dad carrying a backpack slung on his back.

"Be safe," my mother whispered hugging me, once they finally made it over to the dock.

"Thanks Mom. Are you staying here?" I asked her.

"No, I will probably go back to Buffalo with Jacob and we will meet you there when you get back," she said.

I nodded and my father interrupted."We'll take the boat to the mainland and we'll catch a plane to fly to New York. From there, we'll meet Carlisle and fly over to Italy."

I nodded and gave me mother one last kiss and hug, "I love you Mom. I'll be fine, don't worry."

She nodded, and I saw the tears in her eyes. She was scared out of her mind for both my father and me. The two people she loved most were about to be in grave danger.

I stepped into the boat as my father and mother kissed passionately on the dock, saying their goodbyes and "I love you's". It made my heart sink to think that Jacob and I couldn't have that same heartfelt goodbye, but I quickly pushed it out of my mind so I could focus on the task at hand. I would deal with Jacob once I came back.

My father started the boat, and we drove out of the dock and for the mainland as fast as it could take us. I watched the sparkling water we drove over, making ripples and big waves. I looked back toward the island, and hearing the cry of a wolf in the distance, I knew I was leaving my safe haven and heading for a war zone.