25. THE MEADOW
BELLA LAID ON THE GRASSY GROUND. SHE AND Eduard were finally alone in the meadow. Jim was still there in the corner, but he's head was detached from his body and he's already dead. Bella though was unconscious as a starfish, fresh red blood dripping from her neck. Eduard slowly took his steps towards the passed-out Bella. When he was close enough, he kneeled down and slowly raised Bella's bloody neck for it to touch his lips. The thirsty predator was ready to kill his prey.
"Eduard don't!" Carlyle suddenly appeared in front of him, as timely as he could be. And as a good boyscout as he could be, he was carrying a hand bag—his medical kit.
Eduard growled as he hesitantly withdrew his excited mouth from Bella's throat. Dropping her like she's hot, he let go of Bella.
His wet hair covering his hair, he said with intense emotion never heard from him before. "She's dying Carlyle!" Then he added sourly, "She might as well be useful."
"That doesn't mean it's alright to feed on her," Carlyle spoke, his facial expression really serious. He actually didn't need to speak his mind out, for Eduard knew what's in it already. But Carlyle believed that it would be effective if he talked Eduard out of it in his face. "You're stronger than this, Eduard. Don't give in."
Eduard was clenching his fist. Once again, he looked he's constipated. Jim's black blood must've really upset his vampire stomach.
"I…I…c-can't," he choked.
Carlyle came closer to Eduard that only the lifeless Bella was between them two. He bent down to level with Eduard. "Bella Swine has a life ahead of her. Don't take it away." Then he zipped open his bag and picked out his intimidating medical stuffs.
Eduard watched his brother and spat, "You can't save her, Carlyle."
Carlyle smiled. "Yes, I can," he said sounding like Obama. Then she carried Bella in his arms as he brought her to the nearest tree root where Bella could rest as she would be treated by the skilful hands of the vampire doctor (oxymoron unintentional, or is it?).
"What are you gonna do Carlyle? Make her one of us?" Eduard's tone was pure sarcasm.
Eduard stood up and turned his back like he was grossed out by the sight of Bella under the knife. He remained standing still in the very middle of the meadow even when the rain had started to pour once again. If it wasn't for the shower, tears would have been recognizable.
"Go clean the mess up," he then heard Carlyle's thought. The downpour wasn't still stopping but the vampires, without some help from any expensive watches, could easily distinguish time of the day. It was already almost dawn.
Eduard, like an obedient robot, went to do his errand—picked out Jim's headless body with one hand, while his other held the hideous head; then flew across the Knives forrest to look for the nearest dry land where he could burn Jim into ashes.
On his way back he saw a deer—the one like Bambi. He snatched Bambi away and like any thirsty vampire he sucked out the blood from the crippling deer.