A/N: So I was so excited about this next chapter that I just put it together and had to post it! I'd love to get your thoughts. This is a big one.
Recap. Previously on Kidnapped: Edward tried to protect Bella and then tried to kill her - only narrowly stopped by Carlisle and his brothers. After being away for an unknown number of days, Alice and Bella are finally heading back to Forks. Meanwhile, the last we heard of Edward is that he has apparently given up on trying to save Bella's life and is aware they are heading back to Forks.
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Book Two.
Reflecting.
About half an hour later: "Wait, did you just say that I gave up on you?"
I gave her a look that said, Seriously?
"You're such a child, Bella. I'm not giving up on you," Alice growled.
I glanced away, fighting not to shudder at the inhuman sound.
"This happens to be the fastest way to get to the happy part!"
"Is that the part when I'm dead? Way to rip the band-aid off, Alice!"
She sighed. "Listen, you asked for the secret, Bella. No, don't worry, I'm not going to tell you the secret - I can tell you need to process that on your own - but I can tell you a smaller secret, if you'd like." Alice smiled at me conspiratorially. "I can see the future." She wiggled her fingers as she spoke for additional dramatic effect.
I choked a laugh.
"In all seriousness, it's a very limited perception. Things change. I just see from others' current decision matrices. So I know you already know what we are, because you'll tell me that you already knew. And I know that Edward, the idiot, can't figure out any way to deal with the pain of losing you than to get it over with. But I know a secret, Bella - a good one. One that'll probably save not only you but Edward, too. So please be a good girl and don't fight me any more on this."
Well, I certainly didn't see that one coming.
Less than ten minutes later, we pulled into the driveway of a large estate, and things started moving very fast.
My door opened and I gasped when I was caught in a stone embrace. In a flash, I found myself on my feet again - wobbling slightly, trying to catch my bearings. I stood on a wood flooring that touched the forest just one foot ahead of me. That doesn't look right…
It took me a minute to realize there was a solid wall of glass that shielded me from the outdoors.
"Bella," Alice shook my shoulders. "Pay attention."
I turned my head, wide-eyed, to Alice.
"Things are going to be overwhelming and scary but I promise we will be here and we will take care of you."
I nodded shakily.
"I just need to do two things for me, Bella. Do you understand? I need you to sit here - don't move - and I need you to remember what we talked about earlier."
"Are you...going somewhere?"
"I'm sorry, Bella, but I can't be here when Edward gets here. But remember what I told you-" Alice touched her head with a grin. "- everything will go well, and we can get to the happy part." Her grin slipped for a second. "Just a little bit longer, Bella, then you won't have to be strong anymore."
Alice patted my shoulder twice, and then she was gone. I slowly lowered myself to the floor as she asked, facing the natural landscape on the other side of glass. Then, I sat and I waited.
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As I waited, I pondered. Alice was so convinced that I already knew the answers - and from what she'd just said, I got the impression that my understanding was somehow crucial to the success of this next scenario.
I glowered at the faint reflection in the window. What if my stupidity is what kills me? What a depressing way to go.
Of course, a small voice whispered back, it wouldn't really be your stupidity that kills you, is it?
No, I sighed, and I knew that. If I died today, it would be at the hands - claws? - of Edward Cullen.
The final moment of my last interaction with Edward flashed through my mind.
The ghastly sounds mutated into something that didn't really sounds to my ears, but instead seemed to directly rip my heart out.
"Edward," I found myself murmuring, stumbling toward him.
He cowered. I felt a sharp pang of guilt. I didn't use to be like this, he'd said. I did this to him.
The thought gave me strength to speak. "Let him go." I glanced at Edward's captors, recognizing them at Emmett and Carlisle with a shock. "He's better now."
Edward mouthed something, shook his head, and seemed to try again. "No, Bella." His voice hardly audible, his arm flaccidly wobbling.
They dragged him away.
That was Edward Cullen, I thought forcefully. Everything before that - the fear, the terror - I refused to think of that as part of him.
"If you don't know the answer then you don't want to know the answer." Alice's words chastised me as I realized all I'd been doing since that incident is remind myself of this Edward Cullen - the one who knelt and cried for me.
The other Edward Cullen - the one that haunted my nightmares - was the one I refused to acknowledge during the day. I told myself I would look death in the eyes but here I am again, unwilling.
I put my palms against the cold glass and closed my eyes. The chill on my palms grounded me as I allowed myself - for the first time - to truly process what had happened to me all those nights before.
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A/N: Please don't forget to review and subscribe! It means so much to me and your thoughts are very helpful for seeing how I can improve the story!