ALICE

I sighed and leaned against the wall next to the door of the second room on the fourth floor. It was around a half hour after Jasper had called to inform me that Edward had finished with Kenzi. Rosalie and I had only just gotten back to find Bella and Jasper standing in the hall. Jasper was pacing nervously, while Bella was leaning against the door just across the hall. She looked just as nervous and upset as the rest of us.

I walked right by them intent on getting into that room and seeing my little girl. The only thing that stopped me was Jasper's hand on my shoulder. He explained that McIntyre had insisted that he be left alone to perform his duty on Kenzi.

I, of course, didn't like it one little bit. McIntyre, after all, was on Edward's side and he could do anything that he wanted to Kenzi while he was treating her without anyone ever finding out. What if he decided to hurt Kenzi even more?

There were only two things that kept me from going in there, whether or not, McIntyre liked it. The first being, I knew McIntyre well enough to know that he wouldn't dare try to hurt one of the girls unless he was ordered too. According to Jasper, Edward left the house before he had a chance to order anyone to do anything. I could only hope that Edward hadn't given an order before he took Kenzi this morning.

The other was the strange; yet, wonderful instinct that came along with being a psychic was telling me that he wasn't going to do anything. I trusted that instinct with my life and the lives of the ones I loved. It never let me down before. I'd just have to relax and hope that it wouldn't let me down. Unfortunately, waiting was the hardest part.

I had never been a mother before, but I could honestly say that right then, I knew exactly how Bella felt on that fateful plane ride to Italy. Until then, I could've only imagined what it felt like knowing that your child had been hurt, and was possibly still being hurt, but not be able to do anything about it. To wonder if your child was okay or not. I knew at that moment that it was the worst feeling in the world.

Just standing in that hallway, unable to do anything other than let the doctor do his job was the hardest thing that I ever had to do. It was definitely not a feeling I'd wish on anyone. Not even my worst enemy.

Jasper, no doubt, sensing my worry and pain stepped in front of me and wrapped his arm tight around my waist. I felt feelings of peace and calm trying to force their way in as he drew me closer to him. However, I found it hard to open myself to them.

"Relax, love." he whispered. "I told you on the phone that she was alright."

"That's easy enough for you to say." I replied resting my head on his forehead. "You've actually been in there to see her. You know that she's alright. I can't believe it until I see her, too. Simply hearing you say it isn't enough. I need to be able to see it for myself."

"I know." Jasper sighed and rubbed my back.

"I should've been here." I said before I could stop myself.

I wasn't exactly sure where the words came from. I knew it was just as important for me to be where I was. Yet, now that I knew what happened while I was gone. Now, that I was standing here waiting to see if Kenzi was really going to recover. I couldn't make myself believe that my promises to the Denalis and those girls that had just lost everything were more important than the promises that I made to Kenzi.

"No, Alice, don't." Jasper said. "It was just as important for you to be where you were. The Denalis and Rosalie needed you."

"No!" I yelled and pushed away from Jasper. "Nothing is more important than Kenzi!" I was surprised by the vehemence with which I spoke the words. Sure, I thought of Kenzi as a daughter and would do anything for her. However, I had no idea exactly how strong that feeling had been. "At least not to me there isn't. Besides, she needed me more than the Denalis or Rosalie did. They could've handled the clean up by themselves. Kenzi didn't stand a chance against Edward. I should've been here to help her fight him."

"No, Al." Jasper said, not in the least bit upset by the fact that I was yelling at him. "Don't do that to yourself. You had no way of knowing that Edward was going to do something like this. And even if you did, do you really think that it would've made any difference? You know that when Edward wants something, he doesn't care what he has to do to get it. The only thing your resistance would've done was make things worse for Kenzi. I'm sure that's not something you would've wanted."

"You're right." I sighed. "It's not. It's just; I wish I could've been here to try. At least then, I wouldn't feel like I failed her."

"Oh honey." Jasper sighed pulling me back to him. "You know that she would never blame you for this. She knows that you can't save her from everything."

"Those words are nice and they may be true, but it doesn't do much for my guilt." I responded and buried my face in his chest.

"I know, love, I know." he responded running his fingers through my hair.

We fell silent after that.

I studied the three of them extremely carefully. It wasn't hard to see that the day had taken its toll on everyone. And unfortunately, both sides of the group only knew half of what had happened. We would have to fill each other in on the rest.

I knew that was the most important thing to be done after Kenzi was in the clear. It was especially important that Rosalie and I explain to Bella and Jasper everything we planned for the war. The sooner Jasper left to find "the traitors"- as Edward liked to call them- the better off we'd all be. However, all I could think about was Kari and how she must be feeling at the moment. I had no doubt that Bella told her everything that happened and why.

Now, I had only met and talked to the older of the sisters for a brief period, but I knew enough about their relationship to know that whatever Kari was going through was ten times worse than what I was going through. I was almost positive that she, like me, would want to see Kenzi and be sure that she was alright.

I knew that it was an extremely dangerous move to make and something that definitely wasn't as important as getting Jasper out there for his assignment. Yet, I couldn't just overlook Kari's need to see her sister. Especially not after the three years she spent not knowing what was happening to Kenzi. Besides, Jasper had said that Kenzi was already asking for Kari and, after everything the poor girl had most likely gone through today, I couldn't deny her this one request. It just wouldn't be right.

I pulled myself out of Jasper's embrace so that I could address everyone in the room.

"Now, I know that a lot has happened today and most of us only know half of it. And I understand the importance of discussing all of it thoroughly. I'm also aware that now would be the perfect time to do so, because Edward is gone, but we don't know for how long. However, I think there is something that needs to be done that is maybe just slightly more important than what happened today. And it's something that can only be done with Edward gone." I explained.

Jasper, who knew me better than I knew myself half the time, understood immediately what I was getting at. He gave me a sad smile and shook his head.

"I know what you wanna do, love." he told me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "And I really wish we could do it, but it isn't a good idea."

"And why not?" I asked trying to control my anger.

"Because, it's too dangerous." Jasper answered simply. "Do you have any idea what Edward would do to those two, if they got caught?"

I opened my mouth to reply then closed it again. He was right. God only knew what Edward would do if he caught the two of them together. I was sure that contact with Kenzi was one of the first things that Edward had forbidden Kari from having. If he caught her breaking the rules, he'd most likely punish her by making her watch him punish Kenzi. And I couldn't bear the thought of Kenzi having to go through any more of Edward's brutal treatment tonight. And I definitely didn't want to think about what watching it would do to Kari. She's already been through too much in the past week to half to live through torture like that. It was already bad enough that she had to live with what's already happened to Kenzi.

I knew in my head that Jasper was right and it was safer for everyone if we didn't try anything. However, my heart wouldn't let my mouth agree with him. It kept reminding me that there were some things more important than someone's safety. Besides, I knew enough about the girls' relationship to know that they'd both sacrifice anything and everything.

Hadn't Kari spent years putting herself through the worst kind of physical and mental pain just to keep Kenzi safe? And hadn't Kenzi just proved how much she was willing to endure for the sake of her sister? Surely the two would much rather risk getting in trouble for another chance, no matter how small, to hold onto each other.

They both deserved that, in the very least, after everything that Edward and this family had put them through. The both needed this chance to cry on each other shoulders. I mean they had both just spent, not just the last four or five hours, but the last three years, as well, being strong for each other. They both deserved the chance to break in each other's arms. We couldn't deny them that, not after everything that our kind's way of life had taken from them.

"You're right, Jasper." I finally said after a long moment. "It is too dangerous for both of them, but don't you think that being together is a little more important to them than their own safety. I mean, the both just spent three years going through the worst kind of shit and yet, all either of them ever worried about was; I hope my sister's alright? Not knowing must've been hell for both of them. This time, though, they have the chance to know. Don't you think they'd rather risk everything to make sure that the other is alright? Especially Kari, who's been like a mother to Kenzi since she was four."

"I agree with you, Al." He said trying to pull me into another embrace. I, of course, pulled back. I wasn't going to let him distract me with his gift for emotions. "But I don't want to see Kenzi or Kari go through any more pain. We've already torn them apart enough. Don't you think we should limit the risks to what's necessary?"

"Again Jazz, you're right." I told him. "But I honestly believe that this is necessary. You said that Kenzi was already asking to see Kari, didn't you?"

"Yes, but..."

"And I'm almost positive that Kari is downstairs begging Ben to find a way to bring her up here."

"You're probably right about that too, but it doesn't..."

"So why can't we figure out a way to make it happen?! We owe both of them that much after all of this shit!"

"Calm down, Alice." Bella whispered. "If someone hears you yelling about bringing Kari up here, we won't ever get the chance."

"Right, Bella." I said taking a deep calming breath. "Sorry."

Jasper helped me calm myself a little before he continued his argument.

"Once again, I agree with you, Al." he told me. "I think that we do owe them this and so much more, but it isn't only them that I'm worried about. It's Ben."

"What about Ben?" I questioned, because that was definitely something that I hadn't considered.

"He's the only one, other than you or Bella that she'd trust to bring her up here." Jasper answered. "And considering that the two of you are already up here, he's got to be the one to bring her. However, if the wrong person sees him doing it, they'll tell Edward. And you remember what happened when he caught Tyler trying to help one of the other girls break the rules. He was burned on the spot."

I knew he was right on that point too, however, my psychic instinct was telling me that we'd be able to find a way around that. I was about to open my mouth to tell Jasper this, when Rosalie spoke.

"What if we could find a way to do it without anyone noticing Ben?" she asked.

"Why?" Jasper questioned. "What are you thinking?"

"Let's just say that I have an idea." Rosalie said. "And I need help from you and Bella."

"Okay," Jasper answered sounding a little confused. "What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to go down and find, Reece, Avery, Angela, Cara, Melanie, Andi, and Carver. Have them meet me in yours and Alice's in twenty minutes." Rosalie explained.

Jasper nodded, pecked me on the cheek and took off down the stairs.

"Now, Bella, I need you to call Ben's phone for me." Rosalie continued. "I'd do it myself, but I left my phone on my dresser when we left this morning."

Bella was already dialing before Rosalie even finished her sentence. She put the phone to her ear and after a few seconds, I heard it ringing. Ben answered on the second one.

"Bella, thank God." he sighed. "Kari's going crazy over here. I tried to distract her with explanation of what's been happening, but that didn't last too long. Once, she found out why Edward was hurting Kenzi, she totally flipped out. She's a mess. Please tell me that I can give her some good news?"

"Actually, we don't know, yet." Bella sighed once he finished his speech. "McIntyre isn't finished treating her. We've just been up here discussing some things and Rosalie needs a word with you."

"Okay." Ben said confused.

I could understand why, usually when there was something important going on, he talked to me. He and Rosalie didn't get along very well, so I always tried to keep them away from each other and prevent them for so much as speaking to each other when they had to be together. Now, he was being told to talk to her for further instructions. It had to be odd for him.

Bella handed the phone to Rosalie.

"Hi Ben. It's Rose." Rosalie stated to let him know that she was there. "Listen to me, Kenzi has been asking to see Kari and I'm sure Kari's been bugging you to see Kenzi. Well, with Edward gone, we figured now would be a good time to do it. I've been thinking and I'm sure I've come up with a plan that will allow you to bring her up without being seen."

"Okay." Ben answered. It might've just been the connection, but I was sure that he sounded extremely relieved by the fact that we had a plan. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just be ready to unlock Edward's door when you hear Andi yell, "What the hell did those stupid wenches do now." Rosalie explained. "Do you understand?"

"Yeah. I got it." Ben answered sounding slightly offended by her tone.

"Good. The plan should be ago in about thirty minutes." she finished explaining. "However, I'm not sure when Andi will reach you, so be ready."

"Don't worry, we will be."

"Good. Bella will call back as soon as McIntyre gets finished. Just to let you guys know how the damage."

"Right."

"And that's it."

"Okay."

"Bye"

"Bye."

Rosalie flipped the phone shut and handed it back to Bella.

"I have to go down and organize everyone now." She told me. "Don't worry. I'm sure everything will work out fine. I'll send Jasper back up once he's got everyone together. I figure the three of you can talk then and you can fill me in later."

"Don't worry. I will." I told her as we embraced.

"And remember, this isn't your fault."

"I'm trying."

"I know you are."

She too then disappeared down the stairs. I sighed and leaned back against the wall staring at nothing. Bella did the same on her side and neither of us said a word for the next fifteen minutes.

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER...

When McIntyre finally came out the door, I pushed right past him to get in the room. I needed to see Kenzi and I was sure that Bella would fill me in on what he had to say about her condition anyway.

I had seen quite a bit in my century or so or life, even before the war, however, nothing prepared me for what I saw when I entered that room. The first thing that I noticed was the smell of the blood all over the sheets and the walls. Unlike other humans' blood, Kenzi didn't burn its way down my throat, at least not in the I want it, and I need it kind of way. No, it did burn but in the churning my stomach wanting to vomit kind of way. I hadn't even seen Kenzi, yet, and I already wanted to kill my brother for what he had done to her.

The bed was in the furthest corner of the room, so it was a moment before it came into my line of sight. When it did, I was ten times more sickened and horrified by what I saw.

Kenzi was lying on the bed, naked with her back facing me and the sight of that back made me want to turn around and run away. Just about every each of it was covered in nasty black and blue bruises. I was sure that I couldn't see even a hint of that natural paleness that I had always found so beautiful.

In addition to the horribly ugly bruises, were the angry red lines running in God only knew how many directions all over her back. Some were deep, but most were shallow enough to hurt, but not to cause too much damage. They were all covered in this glossy, shiny, yet, clear substance that looked to be liquid stitches. McIntyre had no doubt put them there to protect them from infection.

She wasn't covered up at all, so I could see her butt as clearly as the rest of her backside. I could tell immediately that Edward hadn't left that alone either. I could see deep bruises that were just as dark and ugly as the ones on her back. To make matters worse, the bruises were accompanied by a great number of ugly red welts and blister that were no doubt the result of a paddling.

How I wished I could just throw up as I stood there and watched her? I noticed after a moment that her body was shaking, like she was still silently sobbing. I really couldn't blame her she was. Hell, I'd be crying to if some monster came in and did something like this to me.

I let out a small sob of sorrow as my heart broke for this girl. How could anyone ever be so cruel to someone so sweet and innocent?

I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder and turned back to see Bella standing behind me. She too looked like she would be crying if she could. Her mouth was most definitely curled up in disgust.

"Bella, do you think that you could go downstairs and find something for her to wear?" I asked not really recognizing the sound of my own voice. "Make sure it's comfortable, but that it covers everything as well."

"Sure." Bella replied solemnly.

I stood there staring at Kenzi's back, unable to move, as Bella walked out the door. I didn't want to move to her front, because my extra instinct was telling me that I wouldn't like it very much if I did. However, the motherly instinct that this little girl brought out of me was screaming that she needed me there to comfort her.

Finally, knowing that I couldn't just stand there all night, I walked around to stand between the bed and the wall where she was facing. She didn't even move or make a sound to acknowledge my presence. She just continued laying there as if she didn't care.

I was fully in front of her before I did look at her body and when I finally got the courage, I wished I hadn't. Once again, there were angry red marks going off in every direction across her stomach and her breasts. There was even one across her cheeks. These were covered in the same clear and glossy substance as the ones on her back.

The only difference between the marks was the ones on her back were made by a whip or something, but the ones on her front had been made by some kind of knife or dagger or something.

I let out another little sob, this time the girl on the bed flinched, as if she had only just realized that I was there.

I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly to my chest. I was sure, though, that it would be extremely painful for her, if I did. Instead, I dropped to the side of the bed and clasped her hand in mine. It was only then that I noticed the burn marks on her wrist. The monster had even tied her up. How dare he do this to her and not allow her to defend herself?

She squeezed my hand back and the two of us sobbed together for a very long time. Every once in a while, I would tell her how sorry I was and she'd just shake her head. I wasn't sure if it was because she was too afraid to say something, or if she just couldn't get the words out. Either way, I understood the head shakes to me that she didn't think any of this was my fault. I was grateful for that, even if I didn't believe that it was true.

I finally moved when Bella returned with the clothes and Jasper following at her heels. I knew dressing was going to be a long and painful process for Kenzi, but I was sure she'd feel, at least somewhat better when we she was dressed.

"Kenzi, sweetie." I said slowly and carefully. "Would you like to put some clothes on?" She simply nodded her head. I gave her a sad smile and explained, "It's going to be very painful, and I'm sorry, but I need you to sit up for me. Bella will help you."

She nodded again, and with Bella's help and several small whimpers she did as I said. After that, it took Bella and I several long and, for Kenzi, agonizing minutes for us to get her into the large sweatpants and very loose fitting camisole that Bella had brought up for her.

"Maybe, we should move her into another room." Jasper, who was facing the opposite corner - out of respect for Kenzi and her body, suggested just as we were finishing up. "There's just too much blood in here."

"I agree." Bella stated. "Besides, I'm sure Kenzi would rather have clean sheets to sleep in, rather than ones coated in her blood."

I looked to Kenzi, who didn't seem to look quite ready to speak yet. She seemed to understand the look without my having to say anything, because she nodded.

"Alright," I sighed, "But this might hurt quite a bit." She just nodded again. I sighed and hoped that she'd find her voice again soon. I'd hate to think that Edward had knocked the courage to even speak out of her. "Jasper, if you could please carry her into the room across the hall?"

Jasper just nodded and came to stand beside her.

"I'm going to try to be gentle." he whispered. "But I need you tell me if I do hurt you."

"Okay." she managed to whisper this time.

Once again, moving her from room to room was a long and extremely painful process for Kenzi. Jasper had to stop seven or eight times to readjust her, so he wouldn't hurt her anymore.

When we finally made it to the other room, I sat down at the top of the bed and had Jasper set her gently on my lap. I cradled her gently in my arms, doing my best not to touch any of her bruises or wounds.

Once I was sure she was comfortable, I wrapped the sheet around her. I knew it wasn't much in warmth, but I didn't want to put too much pressure on her back. She curled herself into my just and began to sob again.

I soothed her as best I could, but nothing I said seemed to make any difference. Bella and Jasper sat beside on the bed and I could feel Jasper attempts at sending her calm and peaceful emotions, but she just wasn't accepting them.

I could understand that completely. She had just been through what was probably the worst trauma of her life, she deserved some time completely break down and cry.

Her sobbing continued for another few minutes before the door creaked opened and Rosalie stepped inside. Surprised that she knew which room we had moved to, all four of us, including Kenzi looked up at her. She looked a little nervous, but, at the same time, extremely proud of herself.

"What's up?" I asked, not even in the least bit concerned at how she figured out we moved into this room.

"Well, I just planned everything with the others." Rosalie said. "Angela, Cara, and Carver are scouring the grounds and keeping an eye out for Edward's return. They'll text me if they so much as smell him. Reece and Avery should be starting a distraction in the kitchen any minute now. Melanie is on her way to distract Mike, just in case he decides to go check on Kari. And Andi is waiting by Edward's door to give Ben the signal. I imagine it'll only be another five to ten minutes before they get here."

I nodded but Kenzi turned to look at me with a confused and slightly fearful expression.

"Only another five to ten minutes before who gets here?" She whispered.

"Only another five to ten minutes before Ben and your sister get here sweetheart."