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Rated M, for themes.

Notes: continues scenario and characters established in "Curtains". Un-beta'ed as all WitFits tend to be...

Prompt: Evil

It's been three weeks since Edward was shipped off to members of Esme's family in Alaska.

Alaska.

Who lives in Alaska?

Sitting at my ancient desk, which is crumbly on one corner which either age or termites, I google Alaska, interested to see what besides igloos, Eskimos and dog sledding Edward has to look forward to. Alice says he's on a little island named Ketchikan, so small people have to take ferries and seaplanes to access it from the mainland.

The Cullens returned to Forks ghosts of their formal selves. Even Alice is hollower, her eyes lackluster in the aftermath. She tells me, late one night on the phone, that it's like they've lost two sons instead of one. Her parents are being clingy and overprotective now, even encroaching on the time she's used to spending with Jasper.

Before, I would have been annoyed, and told her so. I would have called her ungrateful, reminded her that while her parents drew closer to her and each other in their time of loss, mine pulled further away.

Maybe I should move in with them, I think. I could have Edward's room, his bed.

His soothing quiet and fluttery curtains.

The pictures I see online are nothing like the stereotypical crap I'd envisioned. There are quaint shops and narrow streets and cars; no dogsleds. It looks rugged and fresh, pristine and crisp. Edward will either find himself there or lose his fricking mind altogether.

I just hope he lets out whatever was poisoning him. The anger he wields like a weapon comes from an evil place.

At school, I don't have to avoid Mike because he avoids me like I have leprosy. He makes wide arcs past my locker, as if Edward is standing in front of it, ready to defend my honor.

What a joke.

Still, the thaw continues and the slivers in my heart groan as they crack wider, deeper, letting sunlight in and stagnant out.

I don't know why I wasn't closer to Alice before; we are inseparable now even though she's a grade behind me and still goes to that prep school across town. My mother moves back into the house with me and Dad, bringing redecorating prowess and cleaning with gusto.

I find I'm not even angry at her anymore… but I do feel disconnected from both her and my father. They can work at fixing their Broken, I'll work on fixing mine. There are only about six months left before I graduate; I'm more interesting in setting myself up for my very near future than trying to repair my too sad past.

And, by the time we have our first snow, I am warmer than I have been in some time.

***

"So, do you ever hear from him?" I ask Alice, stretched across my bed.

She sits on the corner of the mattress tucked into the corner of the room, hugging her knees. "Edward? He calls the house sometimes. He's not so pissed anymore."

"He was pissed?"

"What do you think?" she laughs dryly. "They sent him to an even smaller town that Forks. I thought it was stupid, personally… everyone knows little towns get you into trouble if you don't stay busy."

"As we've seen," I sigh. "But, like, you haven't spoken to him?"

"No, I have. Why?"

"He hasn't texted me in a really long time…"

"Oh," Alice straightens her legs. "They took his phone before he left."

"Oh."

That's that.

There is a party at La Push later and even though it is freezing cold I feel pretty good, wrapped and warm inside a bulky coat. Alice is euphoric because Jasper is there, and I stay with them for a time.

After a while though, that just makes me lonely so I walk down to the sand, mindful to keep from the damper spots nearest the shore.

Huge hands close over my eyes and I jump up with a yelp, my own hands clamped over the ones blinding me.

"Relax, Bella," Jacob Black, family friend extraordinaire.

"Ooh, Jake, that was just evil! You know I hate being snuck up on". He chuckles; his laugh is lighthearted and free, reaching for the night sky like embers from the fire.

I take a good look at him, surprised at how different he looks. He's always been a cute kid but now he is handsome, mature and appealing. He plops down next to me, keeping me warmer just by being there.