Both Bella and Edward's stories are now interesting, so I decided to switch POV's this chapter. I hope it doesn't get too confusing.

In between enemy lines

Edward was playing his piano without thinking about the keys he hit. He needed to do something until Bella returned, because otherwise he would go crazy. Carlisle and Esme were watching the news in the living room, Rosalie was in the garage working on her cars, Jasper and Emmett were out hunting and Alice was standing like a statue next to the piano. He knew that the only thing on the mind of all of them was Bella. Alice had been checking her future from the moment she left until now, seeing nothing the whole time.

Edward played another set of keys, his mind was in Alice's head, following her empty visions. Suddenly Edward hit the keys falsely and loudly, making a sound that mirrored his sudden panic. His whole family was immediately alert. Even when he didn't think about it he could play the piano flawlessly, so there was no way he made a mistake. He had seen Bella's future in Alice's head and it was the cause of his panic. Carlisle and Esme were rushing in quickly.

'What is wrong?' Carlisle asked.

'It is Bella.' Alice answered. 'She has left us.'

Bella was leaving a lot of decisions open referring to her escape, all because of Alice's visions. She could see the other side of the water she was crossing with the ferry. She needed to decide what to do next. The quickest way to get to the other side of the country was of course a plane. Money was not an objection, she had a creditcard and a lot of money in cash. The trouble with an airplane was that once she was stuck on it, she couldn't get off and to make sure her family couldn't follow her, she needed to switch destinations as often as possible. The best way to do that was by train. She would take a bus to the nearest train station. Her family couldn't follow her on the ferry as long as the sun was shining and it was the shortest way to Victoria. Before they could finally reach Victoria by car, she would be long gone.

'What do you mean, Bella has left us?' Rosalie asked, arriving from the garage.

'She has gone off on her own.' Alice answered.

'How could she, she was with a half a dozen werewolves?' Esme asked.

'I don't know, but somehow she shook them off, she is alone on a ferry.'

Those stupid dogs, can't trust them with anything. Rosalie thought. I knew we should have never left her alone with them.

'What is she going to do, Alice?' Carlisle asked.

'The only thing I can see is that she is going to take a train, no, many trains. Her destination is unclear.' Alice's look saddened. 'She is doing this on purpose, she is making sure I don't know where she will go.'

'But if she is doing this intentionally...' Esme started. It means she has really left us. 'Why?'

Esme was devastated and the rest of the family with her. Edward could only feel the panic of his precious Bella on her own in a much too dangerous world. His only concern was her safety and not the reasons she might have for her disappearance.

'It could only mean one thing.' Carlisle said softly. 'She thinks she is protecting us from something.'

'Her life is in danger.' Edward concluded breathless.

He could hardly say the words, but remembered her depression right after the dream a few days ago. It had to be the moment she had realized it was over for her.

'We have to get her back.' Edward said with frantic impatience.

He started to run towards his car, when Carlisle's thoughts halted him.

Edward no! Tarry a moment.

He wanted to growl to make his impatience known, but Carlisle's severe look stopped him.

'We have to think, if we follow her without a plan we won't find her. Bella is smart and if she doesn't want to be found it could be really difficult.'

Thinking was not really an option for Edward right now. He tried to clear his emotions and think in a rational way, but failed miserably.

'We can't follow her on the ferry, because of the sun. She has planned this. She even asked me when the next sunny day would be and I gave her the information without thinking twice about it.' Alice said softly, she was very sad and troubled because of her own role in the crisis.

Alice felt as if she had failed in her role of protector of this family, that her visions had failed her. Bella was gone and it was too late to stop her. Esme took her in an embrace, sensing her pain.

'Esme, check out all the possible train destinations of the station near Victoria. Alice, call Jasper or Emmett and get them back here as soon as possible.' Carlisle ordered.

Alice and Esme immediately did what they were told.

'The wolves are here.' Edward hissed angrily.

It was their fault Bella was gone and they had the nerve to show their faces in the yard. He was very angry, but it was nothing compared to Rosalie. She growled so harshly, Edward was afraid she was going outside to kill them all herself. She was ripping them apart in her mind. Edward, Rosalie and Carlisle walked outside to meet them. It was only half of the pack and Sam was the only one in human form. Edward read their minds and found that they felt extremely worried about Bella and there was not much else on their minds, except for some guilt. Part of the pack had left to meet Jacob and follow Bella on the next ferry.

'We should kill you right now for betraying our trust.' Rosalie snarled.

The wolves didn't answer her threat and that surprised Edward. On their minds was only Bella and they had not even the smallest intention of defending themselves if Rosalie was to attack. Edward placed a hand on Rosalie's shoulder to calm her down and restrain her. This was not the time and place for their rivalry.

'You can do whatever you want with us after we find Bella. We need you to tell us what you know about her whereabouts.' Sam said clearly.

'We don't need to tell you anything.' Rosalie said, she was still very angry. 'You did enough damage, we will get her back ourselves.'

Alice joined them outside, saying softly that Jasper and Emmett were on their way.

The wolves were growling now and Sam gave Rosalie an agitated look.

'We need to find her, you know that. We don't care what you think. Tell us what you know!'

Rosalie was about to give another snippy response when Alice held up her hand.

'Stop bickering! I need to concentrate. Bella is going to write something down, a message for us.'

Silence fell over the yard immediately, when all eyes turned towards Alice.

The train travelled on and Bella stared to her surroundings. The seat next to her was empty. She didn't know where she was going, it was important to switch as many trains as possible, without knowing where she was heading herself. Alice would follow her every move and she couldn't have them track her down. She purposely hadn't made any decision concerning her whereabouts. She took out the pen and paper she bought in one of the stations and began to write.

Alice,

I know you are watching me.
I am so sorry, I know I am hurting you, but I didn't have a choice.
I have seen the future and this was the only way I could protect everyone from it.
Please, don't be mad at Jacob, I tricked him, it isn't his fault.
I want you to know that leaving you was the hardest thing I ever had to do and that I love you all so much. I will never forget what you did for me and I will never forget you.

Please forgive me,

Bella

The trees passed her by and hours passed. Darkness spread outside the train, the sunlight wasn't covering her anymore. It was almost time to switch trains again. Suddenly she felt something. She turned her head towards the seat next to her.

'Little Bella, we meet at last.'

She was so startled her heart skipped a beat.

'Who are you?' She asked breathless.

The vampire, because that was who he was, grinned to her widely, but there was something evil in his eyes. In his voice rang a certain arrogance and power. This vampire thought himself above each and everyone.

'My name is James and I have been looking for you.'

She controlled her breathing and emotions and gave him a stoic glance.

'It took you longer than I expected to find me, you must not be as talented as Maria said you would be.'

The vampire next to her gave her a low growl, but he couldn't intimidate her. If he wanted to hurt her he would have done it already.

'I was a little bit inconvenienced by the sunlight, which was exactly your plan, wasn't it?'

She shrugged. The sunlight had been more a cover for her family than for her enemies, but he didn't need to know that.

'What do you want from me?'

James chuckled and caressed the hairs out of her face. The coldness of his touch brought a sudden fear inside her, it was such a complete opposite reaction to what she had from Edward's touch. She quickly moved away.

'I need you to follow me, of course. She is waiting for you.' His voice was filled with desire.

She didn't have to guess who she was. She glanced back to James, she could freeze him and make a run for it, but it would only be delaying the inevitable. Maria would hunt her down wherever she went and she didn't want to spend the rest of her short future running for her life. She would face her enemies.

'Fine, I will follow you.'

'Good girl and very brave.'

He moved closer to her again, taking in her scent. It made her nauseous. She pulled up her tough face.

'I said I will follow you, but if you come close to me again, I will take you down. This will be my last warning.'

'Playing hard to get, I like that in a girl.' His broad grin showed that he was not intimidated by her.

'Hmm, you are even more beautiful than I thought you would be and you smell incredible. One of a kind.' He chuckled. 'Maybe I should just take a little taste, just to see if you taste as well as you smell.'

He placed his face close to her neck and inhaled deeply. Bella shivered. This vampire was one to be reckoned with and if she wasn't sure he would need her alive, she would have fled the first chance she got. She calmed herself and placed her fear deep in her heart.

Courage, Bella! She thought to herself. This is what you wanted.

She followed James out of the train and into a nearby forest. The darkness closed her in like a black blanket. James grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder. She couldn't see anything besides blackness and the only reason she knew they were moving was because of the wind blowing in her face. She wondered if she got far enough away from her family for them to be safe. She missed them so much already, it closed down her throat, but before she could fall too far into her depression, James placed her on the ground again and she looked around. They were in a large field and a small fire gave her enough light to see many vampires surrounding her.

'Maria.' Bella greeted softly.

'Welcome, sweetheart.' She turned to Bella's captor. 'Good work, James.'

Maria's eyes gleamed in the light of the fire and Bella saw the fanatic sparkle inside them.

'Finally, I have you in my grasp, child and there is nobody here to protect you.'

Bella walked closer, it was exactly her intention to have nobody here to protect her, but Maria didn't know that. Her secrets were still her own, she was immune to Maria's powers. She decided to try to get some of Maria's secrets.

'Alright Maria, you have me. Did you actually think about what you are going to do with me?'

Maria laughed aloud and Bella shook her head. She wasn't really powerful, she was of no use to anyone. She could not see what Maria gained by having her close.

'Do not worry your pretty little head about that, angel.' James replied.

Bella gave James an angry look.

'Was I talking to you?' She turned back to Maria. 'You have told me once yourself, Maria, that I was not a threat to you in any way, that my powers reflected the path I was on.'

Maria laughed some more.

'You are so naïf, child. You have not even begun to scratch the surface of your potential. Did you really think I took all these chances trying to find you for a few pathetic powers? Besides it is not what you can do at the moment that is important, it is what you are.'

This wasn't what she expected and confusion troubled her thoughts.

'What am I?'

Maria smiled, clearly enjoying her confusion.

'I don't think you have to know that, darling, at least not yet. Stay calm and I promise you I will not hurt you.'

'What are you waiting for?' Bella asked, still very confused.

'Some guests, they will arrive shortly so don't worry, it won't be long now.'

Fear overwhelmed her, what if her family found her.

'If you hurt my family, I swear I will kill you myself.'

'I said you had to stay calm, it is not your family I am interested in, at least not the family you are talking about. They won't find us in time.'

Bella exhaled relieved and thought about what Maria had said. What other family did she have?

'Are you waiting for Coraline?'

Maria smiled appreciative this time.

'You are such a bright girl, I can't really say anything around you, can I? Enough with the questions now, be quiet and wait.'

The wait gave Bella time to think. She couldn't make sense of Maria's words. All this time she thought they were after her because of her gifts, only to discover too late that was not the case. Deep in thought, she was startled by a sudden voice.

'I believe you have something of me.'

Bella looked up and saw Aro standing a few yards back, surrounded by Jane, Alec, Felix and Demetri.

'I was going to say the same thing to you.' Maria answered. 'Aro.'

She nodded to him.

'Maria.' He answered back.