I was on my feet in an instant, remembering to switch my cell off to preserve battery life, and I streaked after her. She wouldn't get away this time. I had her now.

Don't do this, my imaginary Bella begged. She had always worried more about others than herself. I smiled, glad she had returned.

"I have to do this," I answered while careering across the countryside toward the red-head.

Not over me you don't! Her voice was angry now. How I missed her kitten-like ferocity she displayed, and the warm glow that rose in her cheeks when she did so.

The thought of never seeing that blush again, knocked the wind from my sails. I abruptly stopped my persuit. Though I didn't need the air, I had to catch my breath. It was the strangest feeling. It was like something was crushing my chest, not allowing any air back into my lungs. I couldn't do this anymore. The months, weeks, and days away from her, had done me no good at all.

I thought it would get easier, but I struggled even with my one goal of keeping Bella safe. All I wanted was to return and beg her to take me back, but, that too, would be futile.

I had to keep going to keep her safe. This was the only way to protect her. This fact I was finding more difficult to remember, the longer I stayed away. I could memorize tiniest details, but remebering why I was doing this, seemed to want to elude me.

My head snapped up as I regained my purpose, and started the chase again. The red-head shouldn't have gotten too far ahead, but I had no idea of how long I had been contemplating my thoughts.

I followed her all through the night, tracing her weaving trail. She was careful, as I heard no thoughts from her. She must have known about my gift. I guessed Laurent would have filled her in with as much information as he could.

She was tricky, I would give her that. Each time I thought I was closing in, she seemed to almost disappear. She had a knack of being elusive. Or was it a gift? I really hadn't paid any attention to her thoughts last spring, but I knew James liked to have her around. Perhaps this was why.

If this were true, I may never be able to catch her. I was fast, though, and if I could keep up my pace and concentration, it may just be possible. It would probably mean I would be gone much longer from my family, but in a way, I was quite pleased. I missed them, but with the way I was feeling, I didn't think they would want me around much. It would be better for them, and myself, if I were alone.

The next two days were a blur as I tracked her back and forth across Mexico. I remembered it was two days before Christmas, so I made myself take a break to call my family. They would be disappointed I wasn't going to join them, but I couldn't afford to stop the hunt now.

I switched my cell on, and I hoped it would be Carlisle to answer, and not Esme. I couldn't bear to hear the pain in her voice, when I told them I wasn't coming home for the holidays.

"Edward," Carlisle sighed with relief. "Son, how are you?"

"I'm good, Carlisle," I lied. The truth was, I wasn't good at all. I think I was steadily growing insane, but of course, I wouldn't relay that to my family. "How are you?"

"Better for hearing your voice," he replied.

"And the rest of the family?"

"They're good. Missing you, of course. Esme misses you desperately. Are you coming home for Christmas?"

I really didn't want to disappoint him, but I had no choice. "I'm sorry, no. I am so close to her, Carlisle. It would be foolish of me to lose her. And besides, I am in South Mexico. I wouldn't be back in time."

"I see," he replied, and although he stayed quiet, I could hear the discontent in hid voice.

"I'm truly sorry, Carlisle, but I have to do this. Please understand," I sighed.

"I do, Edward. I do. It's just that we miss you so. And Esme was hoping you would be coming home soon."

It pained me that I was hurting my adoptive mother so much, but I honestly believed it would hurt her more to see me the way I was now. A broken man. Or a broken creature, at least.

"You haven't told her why I've gone?" I asked, warily.

"Of course not. She would on worry all the more. I'll just tell her you are too far away to return at the moment."

"Thank you. Please let her know I will call her on Christams day."

"I will, son. Be safe."

"I will, Carlisle. I'll speak to you soon."

I hung up then, without another word. My actions had caused so much pain in all the people I cared for. I was a pathetic excuse for a man. If I could even call myself that. Monster would have been more appropriate. A disgusting, hurtful monster.

Switching my cell off, I started running again, my mind full of thoughts of my family. I had done them wrong by leaving, but it was a must. I would make it up to them in any way I could, when, and if, I returned. Hopefully I would be in a better frame of mind.

The next two days took me over the border of Mexico, and into Guatemala. Where was she heading? She was still weaving and spiraling, which meant I couldn't quite catch up to her. I was fast, but in a straight line. She seemed to know how to outrun me. I had to catch her quick, for at any moment, she could disappear into the Atlantic or Pacific seas, and she would be lost to me for good.

Christmas day, I took a short break to call my family. Esme cried, Emmett thought I was mad - he and Rosalie had returned for the holidays - Rosalie was ... well, Rosalie. Jasper was still blaming himself, but I never mentioned it. Carlisle was happy I had kept my word to Esme, though he had never doubted me. Alice was the last to speak to me.

"How have you been?" I asked her.

"Missing you, of course, but I have been busy. I've been doing some research on my past, and tracked down the asylum I was in. So, I went to Mississippi to try and find more information."

"How did that go?" I was genuinely intrigued.

"Well, my real name is Mary Alice Brandon. I had a little sister called Cynthia, and her daughter is still alive in Biloxi. I didn't find out much more about my parents, but at least I know I had a family back then," she sighed. "Even if they didn't want me."

"I'm sure they did, Alice. But, in those days it was harder for people to understand your gift. They wouldn't have known what to do for the best," I said, trying to comfort her.

"Yeah, I know. I try to tell myself that. Sometimes, I'm not convinced. But, hey, at least I know who I am and what happened to me. My creator just didn't run off and leave me undefen -" She paused, and I grew wary.

"Alice?" I asked, cautiously.

"It's nothing. I thought I saw ... something. But it disappeared," she whispered.

"What was it?" I was getting anxious.

"I'm not sure. It was just a flash. I didn't have time to grasp it."

"Is it the family? Was it ..." I trailed off, not wanting to say her name.

"No," she answered, knowing who I meant. "But ... I think ... you will go back."

"Oh," I said. I didn't know what else to add. I knew I was getting weaker in my resolve as the weeks past, but I also knew I was adament to stay away from her. To keep her safe.

"I'm sorry, Edward. It just popped in. I wasn't looking."

"I know, Alice. It's okay. But you already know my feelings on that subject."

Alice was quiet, and I waited patiently. I prayed her vision was nothing to do with Bella. When Alice spoke of her creator, she was going to say 'undefended'. Was that what I had done with Bella? Would she be in danger without me there? I was tracking the biggest threat to her now, but what about ...

"Alice?" I interrupted. "Where is Laurent? Can you see?"