Author's Note: This chapter is in an unfamiliar format. There are two points of views in this one. And I've never done EPOV in this story so I hope you like it. I don't know if I'll do it in the future, but I knew that I had to show how both characters were doing at the same time. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 35

Edward's Point of View

The bright light in my life had disappeared. I should have known. I knew that the light had been too good to be true. The light of reason and purpose of my life was gone now.

I resented my family. Why couldn't they let me go after her? I knew she was long gone. But I still wanted to look for her. Was that so wrong?

Every time I had tried to sneak out, Alice was there, blocking me. And then, it would be Emmett or Jasper. Sneaking out was impossible.

I hadn't hunted in weeks. She was all I could think about. I wondered where she now. Was she in danger? Was she safe?

And was she really planning to come back?

I stared into nothing. After a while, I realized that I was actually staring at a picture of her that was standing next to my stereo. Now, I was grieving for her even when I didn't realize it. How depressing.

But I didn't look away. I focused on each of her features. The more I looked at her, the more beautiful she became. How she managed to do that, even in pictures, I'd never know. She was a mystery.

I missed her. I felt like I was going insane. I had to see her. I was drowning in my own misery.

There was a soft knock on my door, but I didn't acknowledge it.

The door opened, and Carlisle entered. He came to sit across from me in an armchair. He looked around the unusually messy room.

My most prized possessions were strewn all around the floor. CDs and DVDs littered the floor, its cases cracked severely. The books that had been practically new, though decades old, were now tattered and shredded, pieces of paper in various parts of the room.

"Ah, Edward," Carlisle sighed. "I know what you're going through, but don't you think this is enough? You haven't hunted in three weeks. Your eyes are black. You need to hunt, son."

I didn't move.

"I'm sure Bella's safe, Edward," Carlisle said quietly. "Remember, she was a fighter. I can't see her getting herself hurt by those trackers. I'm sure she's safe."

I growled.

Carlisle hesitated. "We're thinking about leaving, Edward. This place is obviously a bad memory now, and… Well, it's time to move on."

That got my attention. It was a good idea. I needed to get away from here. And I wanted to be alone.

I moved. I headed towards the closet, disappearing through the doorway. Within a few seconds, I had reappeared, wearing different clothes.

"Edward…?" Carlisle asked, standing up uncertainly. "Where are you going?"

"I need some time alone," I answered quietly. "I'm going away for a while."

Carlisle looked alarmed. "Edward. You're not going…"

Suddenly, Alice was there, at my doorway, looking upset.

"I promise I won't look for her," I said, speaking to Alice now. "I just want to be alone."

Alice looked guilty again.

Sorry, she thought for the millionth time.

I walked away, past my father and sister. I descended the stairs quickly, pausing to stop in the living room.

The others had risen from the couch, looking just as upset as Alice had.

"Edward," Esme whispered, her eyes pleading.

I looked away. "I'm sorry, Esme."

"At least take this," Jasper said, tossing me a cell phone. "Pick up when we call. Don't just ignore it."

I pocketed the cell phone.

"Jeez, kid, you're a mess," Emmett said. "I hope you'll be better after a while."

"Come home soon," Esme said, moving forward to hug me. "We'll miss you."

I nodded once stiffly. It was a promise, I knew, that I wasn't sure I could keep.

I headed towards the front door.

"Edward."

I paused but did not turn around. I waited for her to continue.

"I really am sorry."

I turned my head slightly. Nodding slightly, I ran away from my family, running deep into the forest.

I had no idea where I was going.

Bella's Point of View

"Where is she?" Aro demanded. "You're supposed to be next to her at all times. She's going to be brooding all over again."

Chelsea couldn't look up. "I'm sorry, Master. She's… She's very hard to keep track of."

"Corin!"

"Yes, Master."

"I thought you were able to keep her happy with your gift. What happened?"

Corin bit her lip. "I… I was able to…for a while. She agreed to let down her mental shield. I didn't realize that she'd put it back up after a while. She slipped away while my back was turned."

Aro sighed, rubbing his temples and pacing agitatedly.

"I don't understand…" he muttered. "If you were wrapping her around in that happy aura, she wouldn't even had the urge to let her shield up again…"

Suddenly, Jane, who had been standing in the corner behind Aro, whipped around and looked towards the hallway.

Immediately, I withdrew, standing back in the shadows. The dark cloak that was wrapped around me helped to hide me. And I stayed silent.

I saw Jane turning to face the front again through her mind, knowing I was there. But she wasn't planning on telling Aro. She was one of the few who understood me.

"Demetri, Felix," Aro said.

The two guards were in front of him at once. "Yes, Master."

"Go find her," Aro said, waving a hand. "I'm sure she's outside. Maybe she's hunting."

They bowed low before disappearing through the gates.

After they had gone, Aro waved away Chelsea and Corin, who disappeared through the other chamber, back towards the wives. And he continued to pace anxiously, muttering nonsense under his breath.

"Are you happy, avoiding him like this?"

I didn't turn to acknowledge the now-familiar, bored voice.

"I would be, if I were you," Jane said quietly, sliding to stand next to me.

I still didn't answer.

"Slipping away…" Jane continued. "Hiding. Standing in the shadows while you think of your family… Are you satisfied like that? Will you continue to do this?"

Finally, I turned to look at her coldly. "Do I look pathetic to you?"

Jane blinked, surprised. "What?"

"You heard me," I said in a dead tone that was similar to Jane's apathy. I turned swiftly and walked back the way I'd come from. Jane followed quietly. "Answer me. Do I look pathetic to you, Jane?"

Jane was quiet for a moment. Then, she replied, "No."

I stopped in front of my room. "No?"

"No," Jane confirmed. "I understand why you're doing this. It makes me frustrated to see you trying to go against the masters, but what can I do? Your shield is always up, and my gift can't get through you. But even if it can… I don't think I would hurt you."

I laughed once bitterly. "Gee, thanks. That's something…coming from you."

Jane smiled. "People don't understand me. But there's a reason why that is. I never let anyone see me. I just let my gift control my image. It's useful sometimes, when I actually want the person to be intimidated. But there are times when…I get frustrated with myself."

I smiled slightly when I saw her meaning in her head. "Interesting."

"Isn't it?" Jane asked. "I know I shouldn't think this way, yet, I do. If I could, I wouldn't choose this lifestyle. Chelsea's power binds me to Aro, but if I had the choice, I probably would run away, like you're planning to do someday."

I was silent. How had she figured it out?

"But then again, maybe not," Jane admitted. "Aro gave me this life. I would have been burned at the stake for fake accusation of witchcraft centuries ago if he hadn't rescued me. I have to repay that, don't I?"

I shrugged, opening the door and making a move to close it in Jane's face.

"I wouldn't run away secretly if I were you."

I paused and studied her eyes. "Meaning?"

"He'll just track you down again," Jane said fervently. "If you really want to get away, I suggest you wait a few decades before you talk it out with him. There's a better chance of him letting you go peacefully."

I snorted. "And if he doesn't let me go peacefully? What's he going to do, kill me?"

"Yes."

I started laughing.

"I've seen it happen, Bella."

"Sure, sure," I chortled. "As if he could beat me."

"He has his guards."

"Chelsea's not much of a fighter. Neither is Renata."

"Felix," Jane pointed out, raising her eyebrows. "Demetri. Colin."

"Colin created me," I said dismissively. "I know him well. He'd be a piece of cake. As for Felix, well…" I laughed once. "Not everything can be done with strength."

"Demetri?" Jane repeated. "He's no pushover. Don't underestimate him."

"You want to know a secret that only Aro and I know?" I asked mysteriously, smiling.

Jane blinked, curious.

"Demetri seems good at fighting, doesn't he?" I asked pleasantly. "But the truth is…he relies totally on his gift."

Jane frowned. "What do you mean?"

"His tracking abilities doesn't work merely when the target is far away. It also works with people that are extremely close to him. Physically, I mean. So when the opponent is right in front of him, all he does is track ahead of time where the other person will be stepping next. It's kind of like mind-reading, but not really." I shrugged. "All it does is give him a slight advantage. But you know what?" I smirked. "I get a better advantage than he does. Do you know what that means? I always win." I tapped my forehead.

Jane laughed. "All this time, I was impressed by his skills. Thanks for telling me, Bella."

"So you still think I can't break out myself?"

"No, I don't doubt that," Jane said. "But if you could, why don't you do it now?"

"I'm not an idiot, Jane," I said. "I know that everything you just told me is true. Aro will not let me go until I've served him for a few decades, at the very least." I shrugged. "I'm bidding my time. That's all."

Jane grinned. "You know, I think I'm going to like having you around. Even though you're more powerful than I am, I wouldn't mind getting to know you as a real friend."

"Friend?" I thought for a moment, then shrugged. "We'll see." And I closed the door on her.

I sighed as I took off the cloak and threw it carelessly over my shoulder. I got back in the huge, king-sized bed, and threw the covers over my head.

I did not resurface until exactly twenty-four hours later, when Chelsea burst into the room to tell me that Aro needed me.

AN: I know that Bella's time with the Volturi is killing all of you. It's all very sad, but, as one fan requested for me not to do, I will not make Bella stay with them for ten chapters and make her pretend to be happy. I'm evil, but I'm not that evil. Besides, I wouldn't be able to live with that either. Hang on. Just a couple more chapters, and our heroine with a backbone will escape Italy