I placed Alice into the passenger's seat and fastened her seatbelt before running to the driver's door, firing the engine, and speeding out of the lot as fast as the vintage car would allow.
We were halfway to the family house before Alice started to stir.
She pulled her knees to her chest and tucked her dress under her legs to ensure modesty.
"Darlin'…" I breathed as I reached out my hand to brush her hair out of her face. Pushing my thirst as far back in my mind as was possible.
"I…I'm sorry." She murmured.
"What?" I turned my full attention to her.
"I made a fool of myself…I…that must have been so embarrassing for you." She buried her chin into her knees, covering her face with her hands.
"…Ali," I almost laughed. "If anyone made a fool of themselves, it was me. I am the one that growled at innocents." I tried for a lighter mood but failed to diminish my strained and monotonous voice.
She unlatched her seatbelt and nestled herself into my side. "I trust you can manage to get home without launching me through the windshield?"
I kissed the top of her head and wrapped my arm around her, acting in place of her discarded safety belt.
We turned into the drive and steadily made our way down the steep and winding hill to the house. The car struggled, but remained victorious in its efforts.
They were all standing on the front porch as we pulled into the garage. Carlisle sped to open my door. "Jasper. You are home awful early…Is..Is everything alright son?" he stammered as he took in Alice's condition.
"Father…Do we still have those bags set aside?" he regarded my eyes and slowly nodded his head before making his way to the cooler in the back of the garage. I followed him and deeply took a controlled sip from the bags of animal blood we had learned to preserve after our encounter with Jacob's pack when Bella was with Nessie.
Doing so was dangerous with Alice in such close proximity, but so was doing nothing. Edward had moved to take Alice from the car, but I issued a warning growl and thought in his direction. She was not to be anywhere without me. Not now that we knew she had a hand in what was going on.
I carefully finished the last bag and wiped my mouth with one of Rosalie's car towels. I leaned under the shop sink and filled my mouth with water, swished it around in my mouth and quickly discarded the vile liquid.
Alice had gotten herself out of the car by then and made her way to my side. She seemed so small, almost like a child. She was cradling my jacket I had given her, closely to her chest and partially hiding her face.
"I'm sorry for that Darlin'." I lowered my gaze towards the floor.
She shook her head and hugged me tightly. "It's alright Darlin'. You're safe here. She can't get to you here." I raised her chin to meet my eyes. Tears stained her cheeks, though her makeup didn't budge. I shook my head with a slight chuckle of relief.
"Won't you tell me what you saw?" I sent her waves of reassurance.
She hesitated and then finally nodded with fresh tears in her eyes.
I extended my hand to her before guiding her inside. She took my hand gracefully, but trailed behind me like a shadow.
I certainly had never seen Alice like this. So small and fearful. It awoke something deep within me.