AN Thanks to everyone reading and enjoying!

So prepare yourself for some confusion ;)

One more chapter after this one and then there will be an Edward POV!

As always let me know what you think!

Chapter 12 - Did I fall down the rabbit hole?

Jacob, Quil and Embry were apparently masterminds. Within just one night between the three of them they had managed to plan an elaborate escape for me.

Jacob was still arguing that he should join me. I was against that. It would only draw suspicion to them and I was vehemently opposed to anything that would get them in trouble or diminish their standing here. Although they were insistant they could get Sam to agree, I didn't want to hear it.

Jacob was now planning on letting me go the first night and then following me a week after. I wasn't entirely sure I wanted that either. I liked Jacob well enough, but it seemed he was getting a bit intense about everything… a bit protective or even possessive. And although I considered him a good friend. That was all and I didn't feel right leading him on.

'Jake… please reconsider this.' I said yet again, for what felt like the thousandth time.

Quil and Embry nodded in agreement. 'You're better off helping her from here.' Embry supplied.

'You guys can help both of us from here.' Jake interjected.

I shook my head at him. 'It will be too suspicious. Both of us leaving.'

'I'll start hinting to Sam that I want to go back to the Rez.' Jacob shrugged easily as if that made all the sense in the world.

'And if he notices you're not at the Rez?' Quil interjected.

'I'll deal with that when I have to.'

'Jacob this is insane.' I finally said, crossing my arms over my chest. 'I won't let you come with me.'

'Isabella. I'm coming.' He said, mimicking my pose and use of his full name.

Quil and Embry groaned.

'God there is no talking to your bull headedness.'

'Yep. So we agree then?' he said smugly.

'No, this is not over.' I insisted.

But Quil and Embry were already hanging their heads in defeat. 'We'll keep trying and talking to him.' Quil finally mumbled towards me.

Jake threw him a glare to which he shrugged in response.

'Fine.' I huffed.

'Okay. Once more then.' Jake said. 'Tomorrow evening during the change in guards you're going to tell Kate and Zafrina you're taking a walk after your training session. You'll insist on going alone.'

'I'm going to saunter in the gardens for at least three minutes, so they can see me enjoying the gardens and be satisfied. Then I'm going to head towards the forest edge. I'm going to walk towards the southern corner of the garden because that is where the blind spot is from the house. Once there, you will be waiting with a bag. I'll take it from you and run as fast as I can through the woods without looking back.'

'And which direction will you be running in?'

'East' I replied.

Jake nodded. 'Good.'

'You'll need to pack the bag tonight. We can smuggle everything out of the room between the three of us. It would be weird if we were spotted carrying a bag around since we have no need of one.'

I nodded. 'Good idea.'

'We should probably head back anyway.' Embry said. 'it's nearing sunrise and Angela is bound to be here soon.'

I looked out the window and indeed noticed the first signs of the sky lightening. I sprung up and headed into my bedroom. I took out my duffle bag and put the few items I called my own in there securely. Then I put a few changes of clothes in there as well and some toiletries which would always come in handy, like a hairbrush and some mascara and blush in case I needed to look more human. One thing that had definitely worked in my favour was the animal blood diet. My usually ruby red eyed had changed into a lovely amber colour. Though still slightly weird to pass off as completely human, it no longer was a beacon that signalled to every human within a ten foot radius that something was wrong with me.

I had also found that I really enjoyed the animal blood. Though I had yet to actually hunt myself, the blood tasted well enough and quenched my thrist just as well as human blood, but I never felt bad about driniking it afterwards as I had with human blood. Killing was no longer a necessity and that seemed to lighten my heart immeasurably.

I handed the items over to the boys and they divided everything amongs themselves disappearing small items into pockets and hiding things underneath shirts. Which they had apparently worn for just this reason. I had been almost surprised to see them covered for once, as their defealt state of dress appeared to be a small pair of cutoff shorts.

'That's all?' Jake asked frowning slightly.

I nodded. 'I never needed much.' I smiled sadly at him. He gave an understanding nod, then jumped to his feet.

'Alright. We're off then.' He said. Again I nodded and the boys made their way out of the room. 'Remember guys, thoughts elsewhere.' Jake warned the other boys with a stern glance.

I frowned at that. What did that mean? 'See you tonight.' I said, as I walked them to the door and waved after them. All for show of course. Because just as I fnished waving Angela's door opened.

'Jake gone for the day?' she asked giving me a once over.

I gave an innocent nod. 'Yep. It's just you and me again.' I smiled at her.

'When are you meeting Emmett?' she asked.

'Oh I've rescheduled with Emmett.' I shifted uncomfortably. I was actually really upset with Emmett's behaviour. He kept hiding things form me and after that whole fiasco yesterday I just couldn't bring it in myself to face him. 'I'm meeting kate in a few minutes, though'

'And Emmett after?'

'No, tomorrow. I just didn't feel ike combat training today.'

Angela nodded but her eyes told me she wasn't convinced. There was a knock at the door and I frowned. I wasn't expecting anyone. Angela frowned at me as well, but then headed towards the door.

'Did Jake forget something?' she mused as she turned the knob and started opening the door.

Instead of Jacob's kind face, however, we were greeted by an angry looking Edward standing behind the door. I rolled my eyes as I saw him.

'Angela, close the door.' I said.

She looked back at me and then back at Edward. She slowly started closing the door.

'Wait.' Edward said, putting his hand on the door.

'I don't want to hear it or see you.' I said firmly. 'Close the door.'

'You heard her.' Another voice said from behind him. Angela opened the door further to reveal Emmett and Jasper standing there.

'I'm not going to do anything. I just want to talk for a moment.' Edward said turning back to look at them.

I scoffed. 'I've heard that before.' I mumbled.

Emmett and Jasper were looking sternly at him as well.

'Then start talking.' Emmett suggested.

Edward took a deep breath. Then he turned to me. 'Fine. I had hoped to do this without an audience.' He said, looking pointedly at me. but I just stared aback at him. 'but here goes. I'm sorry.'

It was silent for a beat. Then another.

Edward was looking at me expectantly. I stared back.

'What?' I asked finally as the silence stretched on. 'You're sorry… that's it?'

His brow furrowed. 'What do you mean?'

'I mean, you've dogged my every step, you've belittled me, humiliated me, and used me over and over again and now you come into my room yet again uninveted and tell me "I'm sorry" like that's supposed to make everything better?'

Edward looked away slightly embarrassed.

'I was wrong.' He mumbled.

'No shit sherlock.' I spat at him.

'I'm sorry for how I've treated you. I shouldn't have.'

'No you shouldn't have. But this still doesn't mean anything.' I growled. 'I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses'

'Look I know I've been acting horribly and I am sorry for that… there are just… reasons that I can't explain right now, for my behaviour'

'Oh I've got a reason for you. You're a dick.' I spat. 'A giant dick, whose entitled ass has been indulged for far too long.'

'I know okay. I know. And I just wanted to ask you if we could start over.'

'Start over?' I asked incredulous. 'Start over?'

'Yes.' He said.

I stood up from the couch and marched over to him. He shrank back slightly from me, and it gave me a statisfying feeling to know he was the one stepping back for once.

'You had your chance. Lot's of them. In fact you had a whole two months to act like a decent person. You didn't. So. Fuck. You.' I put my hands on his chest and pushed him hard. He stumbled back a few paces and I slammed the door in his face. Locking it.

Of course Edward wasn't used to being told no. He banged on the door with his fist immediately. 'Open this door.' he demanded.

'No.' I yelled back.

'I own this door. I own this house. If I tell you to open a door, you do it.' He said angrily.

'Fuck you, you entitled piece of shit.' I yelled back.

'Edward, enough man.' I head Jasper say through the door.

'Fuck off.'

'No. You asked us if you could speak to her, we gave you the opportunity to apologize. Now it's done.' Emmett said.

'But she didn't accept!' Edward said, a new edge of desperation seeping into his voice.

'And that's the consequence of the actions you felt you needed to take.'

'You know I had to take them!' he yelled back.

'I'm not taking sides. I'm just saying, she has the right not to accept your apology after what you put her through.'

'But how will I ever get her to give me another chance?' he pleaded with them.

'Perhaps you won't.' Jasper answered quietly. The banging on the door stopped.

'Did I mess it up that bad?' I heard him whisper, his voice suddenly completely lacklustre.

'You were pretty damn horrible.' Emmett scoffed.

'I'm surprised she hasn't actually broken parts of you off yet.' Jasper said.

'Hell, I'm surprised Rosalie and Alice have let you live.' Emmett continued.

'Fuck.' He whispered. There was some shuffeling on the other side then a clap.

'Come on. let's go hunt. You need to let off some steam.' Emmett said.

'I can't leave here… the situation…' Edward said, but his voice had no fight in it anymore.

'Is handled by Alice and Rosalie and Carlisle and Esme. It's over Edward. You can relax now.' Jasper said soothingly.

Confusion. That was the only emtion that I could discern within the tumultuous cloud that was my mind.
What was going on? That whole conversation seemed from another universe. It was so different from anything I'd ever heard Edward say or do. The first part, the demanding I open the door that was familiar. But the rest… his tone had been absolutely defeated. He'd seemed… broken…

And what was all that about having to do it? And a situation that was being handled? What the fuck was going on?

Angela put her hand on my arm. 'Bella.' She said gently. 'I know you are confused right now. I know Edward has been horrible to you. But please… don't do anything rash.' She pleaded.

I stared at her surprised. Did she know I was about to leave.

She grabbed hold of my hand tightly. 'Please, think about it.' She pleaded. 'You can be happy here, I promise you.'

'I don't know what you're talking about.' I said innocently. But I'm sure my face was betraying my shock.

'Just think about it, Bella.' She said, squeezing my hand once more before letting go and sitting down on the couch. I gave her one last look before excusing myself and heading into the bathroom to take a bath. I had a feeling it would be the last for a while. So I decided to make it worth it.