I don't own Twilight.

Five.

There was fog in the air now. Everything seemed to still, leaving us all in hushed quiet. Jacob wouldn't…

The shakes were so apparent that the few people who had been lingering around the shops began to scatter with their little crowds. As I looked around, I could see the wind picking up in the trees, blowing harder in the wake of this callous hatred.

Edward crouched, shoving me back ever so slightly – but still enough that I landed with a small, "umph" on a bench next to the door of the store. I had watched him behave this way once before – the animalistic primal growl that he had done in warning at his own brother.

This time, it wasn't family.

All my thoughts splintered at the sight of the; this couldn't be happening. The consequences of this moment wouldn't just be disastrous; it would alter the very strings of life that any of us led. Everyone they loved, everyone I loved, would be dead. I thought of the Volturi and other humans that lived in Forks – in Olympia for that matter.

"Edward, you can't do this." I knew he heard me, but he didn't care any longer.

From the other end, Jacob took some deep breaths. "Bella, you know the deal, if any of them bites a human, the treaty is over. Wherever this trip was headed, it ends now."

And then, it occurred to me; the third option. One that made the air rush through me while I glanced down at the bag in my hands. If there was no Bella to protect, if I ran now while they were both distracted enough to not care, I might change the course of the problem we were all walking so thinly on.

I pushed myself up off the bench and turned just as Jake tipped his head in confusion.

Then, I ran.

Alice had said there would be no sun today, which was good for Edward and yet bad for me He would be able to catch up easily, but at least there would be no fight.

As I got in the truck, I could hear them running behind me. They would have to run at a human's pace, which meant that I would be free to drive as quickly as the truck would take me, and they wouldn't' be able to do anything – at least not for a little while.

I settled into the fact that they were both coming on this trip, however, as soon as they could catch up. If I didn't get to spend some time on the road by myself, at least I was still skipping out on Forks, and everything that it entailed, behind.

%*%*

Edward was the first one in the truck. Jacob was right behind him. "I can't wait until we're back in Forks," Edward spoke up.

"So, you weren't going to go away to turn her?" Jake looked on, confused.

"No, Jake." This time I really rolled my eyes. "And by the way, we're not going back to Forks. At least, I'm not."

They both looked at me, stunned. "Why not?" Jacob asked.

I shrugged. "I need a change, guys, I need to stop living this mundane life. It just seems like every day I wake up and do the same thing over and over. I need a break."

Edward spoke then. "So, we're really doing this, huh? We're really going on the road? Because if we are – I want some clothes, and I want a better car than this piece of junk."

"Fair enough."

"Really?"

"Yes. I want some clothes too, obviously, and Jake will need some as well."

Edward's phone dinged. "It's Alice, she will meet us in Seattle."

I chuckled. "Of course."

"Look, if we do this, I need to call Sam," Jacob spoke again.

I agreed reluctantly, the pack were not going to like this any more than Edward and Jacob, but I figured as long as he was along for the ride, they would trust him to make sure I stayed human.

It was a long ride, but we did make it to Seattle. Alice met us at the gigantic mall, and as we walked around, she and Edward went over the details of our trip – she knew what it was going to be like already, and I loved that she smiled when she thought about it.

It gave me hope.

Soon we were done and Alice gave me a hug, then Edward. She merely smirked at Jake, who in turn, shot back a glare.

"I hope you're right, Alice," Edward sighed.

"Everything will work out in the end. You'll all see."

And then we left. Alice had switched cars with us, giving Edward his Volvo. We came to the conclusion that Alice should get the truck home so that she could inform Charlie of exactly what was going on and what my plans were.

I thought back on my time with out Edward, and even Jake – to a time before Forks when I was in Phoenix with my mom. I mean, I guess there was some adventure. But it wouldn't be this. As much as I loved her, this trip had to be just the three of us. I had been so careful then. Even around her, I was too strict with myself.

I thought of the book I bought and decided to open it.