The city was actually quite comforting. I had been here many, many times, and I knew every street, back street, and alleyway. I knew where the regular haunts of my kind were, so I would try a few of them first.
The first few places I tried, were empty. It seemed the city was quiet tonight, of my kind, anyway. I continued walking, searching the dark corners of alleys, and finding nothing.
I decided to go back to the hotel and watch some of the news channels on tv. I would start in the libraries in the morning. As I headed back, I kept my eyes open for anyone that might help. I passed by yet another side street, and stopped dead in my tracks. I had caught a glimpse of shocking red hair running down the street. I spun on my heels and sprinted down the road.
As I whirled around the corner, I ran into a group of humans. The red-head was with them, but it wasn't Victoria. I should have known by the scent it wasn't her, but my mind seemed to be in disarray.
"Sorry," I mumbled, as the group jumped back from me. I walked back the way I'd came with their thoughts of fear in my head. I knew this would be hard, but it wouldn't help if I didn't use all my senses to their full capacity. I had to be more vigilant.
I got to the hotel, and went straight to my room. I switched on the news channel to see if there was anything interesting that I could use.
As I listened to normal, mundane trivia, my mind began wandering again. I wondered if she had tried to follow me and if Charlie found her. Of course he would. He was the Chief of Police and had everything at his disposal if a search was needed. Yes, I needn't worry there. I knew she would be well looked after.
I wondered what she was doing right now. Was she asleep? Could she sleep? Probably not. She had a hard time settling into sleep if something was bothering her. And my departure had been a little more than troublesome. I had devastated her, to say the least. I could almost feel the warmth of her body in my arms, as I imagined cradling her, soothing her.
The agony engulfed me again, as I rolled into a ball on the bed, trying to comfort myself. I had promised myself I wouldn't think about her, but I couldn't push the image of her face from my mind.
"What have I done?" I whispered to the empty room.
Alice had mentioned distractions before she left Forks. What exactly would Bella's - I winced at her name - distractions be? She was determined to condemn herself to eternal damnation. Surely she wouldn't go looking for our kind in order to do that? I groaned at the possibility.
No, I argued with myself again. She promised. She wouldn't go back on the last promise she made me. And besides, I don't think Charlie would let her out of his sight, anytime soon.
My tearless sobs began again, and my whole body ached for her. But it was too late to turn back now. The whole point of this torture was so she could have a normal human life. Meet someone else that wouldn't endanger her life every second. Get married … have kids. That thought brought on a fresh wave of pain.
But, I would endure it, knowing she was safe. I would survive knowing she was alive and well, somewhere in this world. And my parting gift for her would be me hunting down Victoria, making sure the red-head would be no danger to her, and then I could curl up and grieve until the end of eternity. Until then, I had to keep a level head. The game was just beginning.
I sat up, taking a deep breath to try and compose myself, and flipped through the news channels. I stopped at one that had caught my attention.
"Five hikers have gone missing in the past three weeks, and another was reported missing this morning, in the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park. No details have been provided of the missing. However, Park Rangers have discounted bear attacks, as there has been no evidence of such."
I switched the tv off and called Alice.
"Hi," she answered on the first ring.
"Hey. I was thinking I may visit sooner rather than later."
"Great! When shall we expect you?"
"I'll leave on the next available flight. So, hopefully sometime early tomorrow," I said, packing my bag as I spoke.
"Esme will be pleased." The excitement in her voice was unmistakeable. I smiled a little.
"Alice, can you do me a favour?"
"Of course, Edward."
"Can you ask the others not to speak of … well, you know … when I get there? I need to keep my head clear, and also …"
"You said one, Edward," she said, chuckling.
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, there have been some hikers go missing in Wrangell Park. Could you have a look and see if there is anything of interest?"
"Of course. Shall we be travelling to Denali together?" she asked.
"I'm not sure yet, Alice. It will depend if you can see anything useful or not."
"Okay, I'll get right on it. You get yourself to the airport."
"Thanks, Alice. See you soon."
"See ya, Edward."
I checked out, drove to the airport, and waited for the next flight to Vancouver.