Chapter 6

Alice had insisted that they both ditch their cell phones when they landed in Frankfurt. Bella knew that Alice would be aching to call Jasper and inform them of where she had gone. Charlie would now be aware that Bella was missing. He'd have seen her pathetic excuse for a note and gone into panic mode. He'd have her phone tracked. He would find out, somehow where she had gone. Edward was also sneaky. He would also be using his sources to find their whereabouts. They had to get moving.

The layover wasn't very long, and before they knew it, both girls were on board the short flight to Pisa. The captain made good time. The mid afternoon weather was on their side, and the trip was just over an hour and thirty minutes.

Alice was able to use her fabulous people skills and had the pair of them fast tracked through security. By that point, Bella was utterly terrified. She wondered if she had been reported missing. Did they have her photo? Would they be asked to stop her. Alice held onto her arm gently, reassuring her. "It's ok, Bella. Nothing is going to happen. Just breathe and smile. We'll get past, get a car and be on our way. Just try and calm down for the next ten minutes.

Naturally, Alice was right, they got through the border without a second glance. They'd done it! Alice ushered them to the rental car booths and talked her way into the fastest car they had, and moments later they were walking towards an Audi Q8. It was graphite gray and shiny. Alice babbled on about its power and gas milage and the fact she would have preferred it in red. And if it had been a Porsche. Bella, acknowledged by giving her friend a small smile and nodded politely. She wondered if she would suddenly have a love for vehicles after she was changed.

Alice was unusually quiet as they drove. Bella turned in her seat and studied her. Both hands were on the wheel - another thing the Cullen's didn't often do, and both eyes were on the road.

"Alice? Are you ok with all of this? Really?

Alice nodded. "I have to be. It's for the best...and it'll work out for the best. I've seen it."

"How is it going to end?" Bella asked.

"I'm not telling. You have to figure that out on your own. But you'll chose the path that's right for you. Follow your heart and it'll come through for you. I've tried looking forward and trying to see what it would be like if a changed you back in Forks...or if someone else were to do it...and it doesn't look great. You are never entirely satisfied. Whilst the route we are taking doesn't have its difficulties...it's the best one all round."

Bella inhaled sharply.

"Trust me on this and trust yourself, Bella. It'll all be okay."

"I trust you." Was simply her reply.

Bella watched the road signs they passed, counting down the miles to Volterra. Rapidly thirty turned into twenty five...and then twenty, fifteen, five...then two miles until their ramp. Bella opened the window of the Audi and inhaled the air of the Tuscany countryside. She wanted to memorise it. The air would smell different to her as a vampire. She would smell the blood running fresh though the veins of those around her, both human and mammal.

Alice awoke her from her silent reverie. "Bella? Sweetie. It's time."

Bella opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. They'd pulled into what looked like a disused rest stop. A long since closed fuel station sat abandoned behind them, the shop-front windows boarded up. It all sat back three hundred yards or so from the main road.

It wasn't how Bella had pictured the location of her change. She'd always dreamt of it being at the Cullen house - either in Carlisle's office or even Edward's bedroom where she would spend the days of her painful transformation being watched over by those she loved. Instead she was in a car.

Her mind was set however. It didn't matter where it happened. As significant as the act, she was just glad it was happening and that Alice appeared content in being the one to help her on her way.

"Ok, I'm ready." She breathed. "So, where do you want me?

Alice modded mutely and guestered to the back seat. "I'm thinking it would be more comfortable for you. I'll change you here, and then we'll drive into the square and you can complete your transformation there, in Dracula's castle. They'll want to keep you safe there. I'm sure they're probably already expecting us."

Bella silently climbed out of the vehicle and back into the back. The leather seats were soft and large. She'd be able to lay herself down with no issues. The windows were blacked out. She only hoped that she would be able to keep the noise down. After having been bitten by James, she knew to expect excruciating pain. It was going to be unbearable.

Alice slipped in beside her. "Are you ready?

"I'm ready."

Alice hugged her best friend close, inhaling her sweet, human scent for the last time. "It's going to be strange. You won't be running on hot anymore. You'll be like me. I'm going to miss not wanting to taste your blood."

"Don't drink too much." Bella jested as she tried to keep the moment light.

"I'll do my best. You smell amazing though. Maybe just a little snack"

Bella chuckled but pulled away and looked at Alice dead in her golden eyes. "Please forgive me if I think I hate you. I'll remember that I wanted this more than anything. Promise me."

"I promise." She whispered as she lowered her mouth to Bella's neck. She felt and heard her heart rate increase. Heat radiated from her frail human body and Alice could feel it all over her tongue. She closed her eyes and bit down deep. Bella gave out a small cry and her fingers gripped into Alice's stone hips as she braced herself.

Alice drank slowly, the blood of her best friend, her human sister passing through her lips. It's been decades since she'd fed from a human. Deer and mountain lion were nothing compared to the heat and texture of real, human blood. It had its own distinct flavour. The beauty of it, was that each person had their own unique aroma. Bella's was like nothing she had ever tasted. There was sweetness, maybe like how Alice thought she remembered chocolate. There was hints of berries.

She drank some more and pulled long and deep. She inhaled through her nose as though she were sampling a fine French wine. Bella's brown eyes were fixed on her but they were glassy. Her hands fell limp onto the plush leather. It was then Alice knew she had to stop. Had she gone too far?

Somehow, the petite vampire was able to tear herself off her friend. Her hand flying to her mouth. The pungent smell overtook her and she felt like she was choking.

Bella was still, oh, so still.

o_O

This will complete today. It was supposed to have finished posting at 7am (40 minites away!) but stupid me drcided to take it in a different direction.