Chapter 25

"Just Let Me Be"

Jacob's POV

Tracking was something I was born to do, track and kill. It was in my nature, but tracking for a human was different. I had been tracking Bella for months now, I felt horrible for leaving Esme behind, but Sam and Emily said they would take care of her. Esme had begged me to go and to bring Bella back, I promised her I would do my best. I knew making Bella come home would be the hardest part, she was hurting. I mostly worried that I wouldn't find her alive, that was my worst fear. Being away from Bella and not knowing if she was alive or dead was painful so I had to go after her.

Her trail was faint and really hard to follow, I was basically wondering aimlessly. Soon I caught onto a lead as I found the remains of leeches, remains that no one was claiming. It terrified me that Bella was going against them alone, but I was very impressed that she appeared to be holding her own against more then one at a time. Her anger must be driving her, but it was still dangerous for her.

The year mark was coming up from the loss of our family and I didn't want Bella alone on that day. I didn't want to be alone that day. I could almost feel that I was getting closer to Bella now, I had followed her deathly trail from North to South, East to West, there was no set pattern it was as if she was just running around like a maniac.

Though I could feel that I was close to her now, her scent was stronger. Bella had a scent about her that I would know anywhere, with my heightened senses all humans had smells, but most were similar to me, but not Bella's. She had a floral smell to her that drew you in and you couldn't get enough of her. Imagine standing in the middle of a flowered field and the breeze blowing the flowers wonderful scents around you, that was what Bella smelled like, but only better. That scent was getting stronger and stronger, I knew I was close to her. Closing in, I changed into human form and untied the tattered pants from ankle and pulled them on. It was a little harder to smell a human in my human form, but like I said Bella was different. It was getting stronger and stronger as I approached a highway, I could hear a few cars, but as I started to come up to the highway out of the ditch I glanced over and saw something that made my heart stop.

The shiny silver Volvo was buried in the trees, unseen from the road, but with my eyesight I saw it. I swallowed the fear that rose to my throat and jogged over to the car. My feet felt like they weighted a thousand pounds as I made my way over to the car. The hood was now in a U shape since it was smashed into a huge tree, I steadied my breathing before I went to the driver side door and peered into the car. It was empty I frantically looked around on the ground and tried to find her scent, but I was to worked up to concentrate. I needed to calm down, I took deep breaths. The cell phone that I had securely in my jean pocket rang loudly through the quiet wooded area. I was surprised the phone still worked being bounced around in my jeans as I ran from state to state.

"Huh." I answered the phone still trying to calm myself as tears pricked my eyes. I felt so unmanly the last year.

"Jacob are you alright?" Sam's voice came through the phone stressed.

"Not really. I found Bella's car wrecked, but she is nowhere in sight." I started walking around looking, trying to find her. "I am trying to search the area for her."

"Yeah your not going to find her." I stopped mid step as Sam's voice broke through to me.

"What?" My heart speed up, my body shivered.

"The Elders sent someone for her, they have her in custody." Sam explained.

"Where?" I asked worried and stressing.

"I don't know, I have already told you too much. Just come back." There was urgency in his strong husky voice.

"What are they going to do to her?" I asked knowing that she had broken a few rules, would they be understanding or would they punish her?

"That depends on how much she cooperates with them." Great Bella is too stubborn for her own good and in this case it would probably be costly.

"If they so much as lay a finger on her I will personally kill every.." Sam interrupted my rant.

"We will work this all out, but you really need to come back." I could hear the stress and grief in his voice.

"No I am going after Bella." I ignored his tone and tried to think of where the Elders could be and where they would have Bella.

"Look Jake we will all figure it out, but you really have to come back." He was getting angry and frustrated.

"What is it, Sam?" My voice shook.

"Esme."

Bella's POV

I was sure he knew I was here, how could he not? His sensitive ears would be able to hear my heartbeat, his keen eyes would see me in the dark, and he would above all smell the fresh blood that ran through my body. I readied myself, but there was more then a fight that I wanted. I still needed some information and I hoped I could hold him off long enough to get what I needed before I killed him. I blinked and he was gone, but I knew he was standing behind me, I could feel it. His presence was near me, I didn't turn I just spoke confidently.

"Impressive."

"Your not afraid." His smooth voice sounded amused.

Bella. Edward's voice was there warning me again, but I ignored it and answered the leech.

"No." I said turning slowly to face him, he had a smirk on his face and just like a puppy he tilted his head. "Are you?" He laughed at my words, but he obviously didn't know what was coming for him.

"You are the huntress?" He asked looking me up and down. "It will be my honor to kill the legend. There is a bountiful reward for your head and an even bigger one to capture you. Though you smell delightful and I doubt I can resist your blood long enough to turn you in for my prize." I stared at him confused as to what he was talking about.

Huntress? Legend? Prize? There was no denying that I was confused, but I had other things that needed to be addressed.

"Tell me what you know about the Volturi in Italy." I ordered him and he laughed at me.

"It is ironic that you want to know about them, when they are the ones offering the prize for you."

"Tell me these Volturi, what city can I find them in?" I ignored his words and continued on with my questions. Bella you can not go find them. Edward was in my head again.

"Are you going to pay them a visit? If so perhaps I could take you and collect a prize." He wanted to bargain, I could bargain.

"That could be arranged and I might spare your life if you give me some information." He laughed even harder at this, what made him think I couldn't take him? I know they are all confident, but if I was known as a huntress or legend how could he defeat me?

"Your amusing. What do you want to know?" He stepped closer to me, standing only fingertips away. He leaned down brushing a stray hair back and sniffing me. I resisted the urge to stab my knife into his chest.

You need answers, wait for it. I thought and Edward growled.

"The Volturi where can I find them?" I asked my voice strong.

"That wouldn't be a wise decision."

Listen to him that actually makes perfect sense. I must be going crazy, if Edward is telling me to listen to a monster.

"Just answer the question."

"Volterra, Italy. The largest and oldest building in the city, home of the cloaked vampires." He chuckled grazing his nose across my skin. "Though there isn't much point in knowing this since you will be dead in moments."

That is good enough time to die leech.

I looked up at him confident and he smiled widely at me showing his pearly white teeth. I knew as soon as any part of my body moved he would move also, but I would just need to be quick. Which when it was a human against a vampire it wasn't very possible, but I would do my best. As I made my first move he grinned and stared at me as if he was trying to do something, after a moment a look of panic crossed his eyes. Though as soon as I saw it, it was gone replaced by confusion and anger.

"What's wrong?" I asked truly curious, though I usually didn't wait to ask questions.

Bella just kill him and stop all this. I ignored Edward's voice.

"Why isn't it working?" He was speaking to himself and I took his small distraction to raise my knife and stab him. He moved though and all I did was stab into his arm, he screeched and knocked me to the ground. Pain split through me, but I tried my best to ignore it and pulled out another knife from my shoe. "Why isn't it working on you? What did you do to me?" He started yelling at me and I was even more confused then before.

I tried to figure out what he was talking about, but I truly had no idea. He stalked towards me and grabbed me by the throat, he lifted me into the air and stared into my eyes.

"Why can I not control you? My talent works on everyone, even mere humans. What did you do to me?" His hand was tight around my neck and I couldn't breath much less speak. I had to think fast or I was going to blackout and for sure die. Death sounded appealing, but not yet. Not like this. I had already planned the way I was going to die and it wasn't like this. The knife was still in my hand, but I wasn't in the right positioning to stab him, so I tried to grumble out words.

"I..grr…" He did just as I thought he would and he lowered me so that he could figure out what I was trying to say. As soon as I was in the right positioning I stabbed him before he could realize I was close enough to do so. Luckily he had been so distraught that he hadn't already noticed, the knife cut into him with a screech and he crumbled to dust around me. "Another one bites the dust." I mumbled, but my throat ached as I spoke.

I tried to clear it, but it caused a sheering pain. I lit the fire needed to destroy the leech, I had the information I needed and now it was time. Time to go to Italy. I gathered my things and made my way for the car, my throat hurt worse then any injury I had ever had. My head was splitting with pain, there was defiantly something wrong. I managed to stumble my way to the car where I climbed into the driver seat and drove my way back to the highway. Lights came out of nowhere behind me and I moved to the side of the road to let them pass, but they stayed on my tail. Something didn't seem right and as they flashed their lights at me I realized they wanted me to stop. I didn't. I continued on, they tapped my bumper to warn me and that was when I knew someone was coming for me. I wondered if it was a human or vampire and opted that at this moment I wasn't in a condition to fight. I speed up flooring the car down the disserted road other then myself and the person in pursuit of me. They bumped my finder making me swerve a little, I corrected myself and drove faster, but I was feeling dizzy and my head throbbed. I lost control of the car on the next hit to the side of the car. I felt the car fly off the smooth road and down and embankment and I saw the tree coming for me. I reached for the handle, but I didn't get the door open in time.

The next time I opened my eyes I was blinded by bright lights. Hospital? Then as my eyes adjusted and I looked around I quickly realized this was not a hospital. I was in a bedroom of some sort, it was made up of neutral colors and scenery photos on the walls. There was no personal touch to it so I was sure it had to be a guest bedroom of some type or something along those lines.

"Miss Swan you are awake." A women's voice spooked me and I raised up a little too fast. My head throbbed and spun as I took in the sight of a short lady wearing scrubs. Though I was still fairly sure this wasn't any type of hospital I had ever seen.

"Where am I?" I asked quickly.

"Good Defenders and hunter headquarters." She said smiling at me.

"Miss Swan, welcome back." A vaguely familiar voice called into the room. I looked over to see it was one of the Elders flanked by two body guard type men. I decided it was best not to speak to them, I wanted nothing with them. It was partially their fault that my family was dead. "I am deeply sorry about the lose of your unit, it was a great loss for all of us. With that said I afraid Isabella that you have broken a few rules. If six months ago you would of come back and worked things out we may have been more lineate, but now their will be consciences."

"My entire family dies and all your worried about is punishing me for breaking your precious rules. Well I have news for you the only way you are going to stop me or keep me here is to kill me." I had to speak up and that was all I planned on saying.

"Lets not be dramatic, your hearing will be tomorrow morning. There are plenty of cloths and other needs in the room." He smiled like he was a good person or something. It was strange that the good weren't even that good. My whole family was dead and they acted as if it meant nothing, as if it was just another day.

"Oh and don't think about trying to escape I have a guard on your room and a very good security system." He added before leaving the room, once I was alone I heard a lock go into place.

Did he seriously think that a lock, a guard, and a security system was going to stop me?

I was going to Italy and nothing was stopping me. I had a schedule to keep.

I waited until after I was served dinner and well into the night. The guard outside my door was appearing to get sleepy and bored with each minute that passed. Apparently they weren't very smart since they had put a butter knife and a fork in with my meal. Those two could be deadly weapons if found in the wrong hands and at this time my hands were the wrong ones. All my time spent out traveling alone and killing had opened my eyes to many things. Things I had never seen before.

There were a few things I was going to need and since I had no idea where I was or where my things were, I would need to find them before I left here. I sat trying to formulate a plan, but my head was still throbbing. I instantly reached my hand up to feel the huge bump on my head and the feel of stitches. There had to at least be five or so stitches and I wondered how that vamp didn't kill me as soon as my head cracked open.

Oh well it was done and over with and I was still alive. My throat and head both ached like no other, but I pushed that aside. My plan came together and I waited until the moon was high outside before I put my plan into action. The windows were barred so I couldn't just open it and climb out. I would have to take out the guard and then find the things I needed before I got out of here. I put the weapon I had made out of the fork and the knife into my back pocket after I pulled the jeans and t-shirt on. I went over to the door an knocked on it.

"Yeah?" The guard questioned from outside of it. I whispered so he couldn't fully hear me.

"What? I can't hear you speak up." He sounded agitated. I mumbled into the large wooden door, I heard him sigh heavily and snap the locks undone. He opened the door and leaned in to see what I wanted, as he did so I got him in a headlock and pulled him. He acted quick, but he was nothing compared to the leeches I had fought. I kneed him to the floor and then saw the bulge of his gun on his hip. I pulled it out and pointed it at him.

"Get up slowly." I told him the gun cocked. He held his hands up in surrender and he looked afraid as he rose slowly before me. "You are going to do exactly what I say or I am going to kill you."

The thought of killing him made my stomach turn, he wasn't some sort of monster. He was human just like me and he was someone's Carlisle, Emmett, or Ed… I wouldn't kill him, but I needed him to think that I would. He nodded his head in understanding.

"Is anyone else here?" I asked wondering if everyone stayed here or if they had their own homes.

"Yes the Elders live here and their families. Small children." He informed me and I nodded in understanding.

"Take me to one of them that does not have small children." He nodded and walked ahead of me. "Don't try anything funny." I warned him.

Bella love this is crazy.

Sure, but I am crazy so what does it matter.

You can stop all this and act like a normal human.

Nope. I am too far gone.

I stopped listen to Edward's voice at that point.

The guard and I walked down the long hall and I keep my eyes open looking for camera's or other security devices. I didn't see any, but that didn't mean they weren't there. We got to the far end of the hall and entered another part of the extravagant house or mansion.

"Elder Jones is through that door, he has no wife or children." The guard informed me.

"Alright have a seat in that chair." I told him pointing to a chair in the hall, he did as he was told. I walked over and tied him to the chair. It wasn't anything stronger then fabric rope off of the curtains, but it would hold for a little bit.

"You make a peep and I will kill everyone in this area." I gave him a final warning and entered Elder Jones's room.

I was as quiet as I was when hunting bloodsuckers, I could see his curled form in the bed. I went over and stuck the metal of the gun barrel to his bare back, he jumped up and looked over at me in the dark room.

"Get out of bed." I told him in a menacing voice.

"Isabella this is not a good idea." He warned getting out of the bed. I ignored his words and continued on with my plan.

"Tell me where I can find weapons, money, and a car." He let out a heavy sigh.

"You won't make it past the gate." He went over to the nightstand.

"I will do that." I pushed him back not wanting any weapons in his hands. He held his hands up and backed away. Inside was a black bag, I pulled it out setting it on the bed. Inside were three diamond knives, two diamond crested whips, and a wad of cash.

"Keys aren't found on this floor." He said in a snotty tone, for someone that had a gun pointed at him he was well at ease. "You won't get away, you are only making it worse on yourself."

"I don't think things could get any worse, plus in a week none of that will matter." I told him honestly. "I can handle vampires, I don't think any of you will be a problem."

"We don't use fangs, we use bullets." He was trying to scare me, but it wasn't working.

"Yeah and so do I." I said turning the gun to make it obvious that I wasn't going down without a fight. I heard movement outside the door and was sure that the guard had gotten loose and had backup.

To fast for Jones to do anything I had him head locked and in front of me as a shield. I grabbed the bag and kicked the door open. Sure enough a handful of guards stood facing the room guns out and ready.

"Put your guns down and back away or I will shot him." The did as I said and I moved my way out of the confined space, they walked slowly following me as I backed away. We kept this up down a flight of stairs and then out a door. I had no idea where we were, but I guess it didn't matter. A car would be ideal, but I could see that it wasn't going to happen. I made my way to a wooded area and then knocked Jones to the ground with the back handle of the gun and took off. I threw the gun down and ran as fast as I could. I could hear them yelling behind me and the ground under their feet. I ran faster, one thing the two years had gotten me was speed and grace. Two things I didn't know were possible to learn, but I was proof that they were.

I wasn't sure how long I ran for, but at some point the sun started to rise and a town came into view. I must of ran more then ten miles, but I didn't see anyone behind me now. I was exhausted, but I had to keep moving. I just had to find an airport and get off the ground. I went into the first open store that I saw and tried to get a map, but they didn't have any.

"Where am I?" I ask the man at the counter, he looked at me like I was crazy. Which I was so it didn't bother me so much.

"Frankford." He told me in a curious voice.

"Connecticut?" I asked bewildered.

"Uh yeah. Are you alright?" I ignored his question.

"Where is the nearest airport?"

"Fifteen miles south of here." He pointed South.

I didn't say anymore I just left the store and started heading south. I walked along the road, but hidden behind businesses and trees. If anyone was looking for me I had to stay out of view.

By the time the airport came into view my feet would barely move under me. My head throbbed and my throat ached with pain and dryness. I could barely speak to get a flight, but there was one problem. I didn't have a passport, so I had to make a stop out of the way. I went to California and saw Mr. Jenks, he had made fake documents for us before. I had never dealt with him personally, usually Jasper did that, but he was more then welling to help me. Now I had one more thing to do before I could head to the airport. I called an hotel outside of Volterra and reserved a room. Under a alias of course, then went to the post office and mailed my weapons ahead. I was sure that it would be a problem carrying them on the flight with me. Once that was taken care of I got my flights to Italy, it would take two connection flights, but hey I would get there. I drank more water then I think I have in my whole life and slept as much as possible, because once I got to Italy there would be no time to sleep. I had to bunch a month long amount of stuff into just a week.

Soon my family I will be with you in the afterlife or whatever happens when you die. Soon my Edward.