Chapter 8 – On the Run, Again
BPOV
When I woke up, the sun was setting and there were stars in the sky already. Their light was dull against the sun, but they would be brighter soon. The stars were so much brighter here than they were in Forks. Stone arms were still around me as I woke up, "Feel better?" he whispered in my ear. I shivered a bit from his cool breath on my skin. I turned over and nestled myself into his chest.
There was a knock on the door. I peeked over his body as the door opened. "Is she awake?" Carmen whispered, peeking into the room. I eased myself up, "I'm awake." She sighed and came into the room. "Good. I was thinking; after you have dinner, that we go shopping again. We had a lot of fun last time. And I saw an outfit that would be great for you." Edward looked at me and brushed his fingers along my jaw, while Carmen continued.
"Or is there something else you had in mind? We could go to the movies, or…." She hesitated for a moment, "Oh, I have the perfect idea. But you'll have to trust me." I smiled and nodded, "Ok. Let's go with your idea." She beamed, "Great, I will tell the others." Carmen left the room and called for Eleazar. Carmen really did remind me of Esme. She had a maternal aura about her. I think she wanted to distract me from this afternoon. I looked at Edward, "Where is she taking me?"
Edward kissed me, "No. I know where she wants to go, but I'll be going too. Don't worry, you will enjoy it." He kissed my forehead, "Tanya made you dinner. I'll get it for you." He dashed out of the bed and out the door. I got up and walked over to the doors, stepping out onto the balcony. It was cold, but I braved it. I wanted a better look at the stars. The sun was still in the distance, but the stars were getting brighter. There were so many of them, it was a little disorienting. My arms leaned on the banister as I continued to gaze at the sky.
I was lost in them, when Edward's cool hand on my back. "Bella, come inside. You don't want to get sick." My body moved slowly, wanting to stay, but he was right. He held my hand and led me to the bed. On the bedside table, there was my tray. My dinner was a large chicken Caesar salad. Vampires can cook, but they had no concept of proper portions. After I ate, Edward held out my boots. Putting these boots on made me think about the reasons I would need them. Edward took me in his arms and flew were downstairs. Everyone was ready to go.
Kate gave me the leather jacket I was wearing lately. Everyone walked outside, Edward took me into his arms again, and we were running. While we ran, Edward told me to close my eyes. I complied; did he think running with him still made me nervous? The wind in my ears slowed. "Keep your eyes closed," Edward said as he placed me on my feet. He took my hand and led me upward. Where we on a hill?
I felt Edward stand behind me and tilted my head upward. "Ok, open them," he whispered. I opened my eyes and I saw the surprise. I gasped in awe at The Northern Lights. My hands cupped over my mouth as it fell open. I was speechless. Edward's arms were around me and his cheek was pressed to my head, looking up with me. His glass smooth lips kissed my hair, "What do you think?" "It's amazing."
I finally took my eyes away and saw we weren't alone. Esme was with Carlisle, Rosalie with Emmett, Alice with Jasper and Carmen with Eleazar. I saw Kate and Tanya were further away, laying on the ground staring up. I felt a sudden sympathy for them. They had each other, but they didn't have a partner like the rest of us did.
I felt sorrier still, because of what happened with their sister. My eyes looked back up at the lights. The way they danced was mesmerizing. I could only think of one thing that was more beautiful than these lights and I was in his arms. Edward moved us to sit down. The air was still and quite, but cold. The jacket kept the cold off my skin. There were lights of purple, green, pink, blue and some red.
I don't know how long we stared up at the sky, because I didn't feel tired at all. I was lost in the lights. Alaska was very beautiful. I was looking forward to going to the University of Alaska. Edward and I could see these glorious lights whenever we wanted, only then, hopefully, my senses will be heightened and I could appreciate them more.
Edward kissed my hair, "Are you cold?" I shook my head. Edward took my chin to look at him. He pressed his lips to mine and held me closer to him. He tilted his body backwards, taking me with him. We laid on the grass, still looking at the sky. Edward hugged me to him and every so often, he kissed my forehead, my hair and my wrist. After a while, Edward brushed my face, "Come on. We should get going. It's getting colder."
He curved his arms underneath me and ran back to the house. Edward didn't stop go through the front door. He took me straight to my room, through the balcony doors. I wasn't ready to go to bed, but I guessed he wanted to keep me for himself again. "What time is it?" I asked. "It's just after 10. Do you want to go to bed?" Edward asked. I laughed, "No. What do you want to do with me now?" Edward pretended to deliberate, "We could do our homework. Esme got the fax for our assignments."
I grimaced, "No. Technically, I'm on vacation, so homework can wait." Edward looked at me, "Are you planning on going back soon?" Edward let me back on my feet. "Well, I have to. Charlie would flip out even more if I didn't come home soon." Edward took my face in his hands, "Don't worry about that. We'll tell him that things are getting worse here and you want to stay longer." I looked down, "I appreciate that, but still. I do have to get back. Once I'm done with school, I'll tell Charlie I'm coming here to start my semester earlier. That should be fine."
Edward's hands dropped from my face, "No, that's not fine. Now that the treaty is broken, we can't go back to Forks. You'll be exposed for Victoria." I looked at him, "Jake's pack is there. When you were gone, he said he always ran around my house. And now that they know what she's after, Sam's going to have one of the wolves watching me. It'll be fine." Edward's face grew harder, "No, Bella. That's not guaranteed. You will only be safe if you stay here." My shoulders slumped, "I can't stay here. What about my dad? If I don't go back, Victoria may go after him to get to me. She may hurt him. I can't live with that."
Edward stepped passed me, "Bella, I can't protect you in Forks anymore. I know that it's my fault, but, please…. You must remain here. This is the safest place for you to be. With all of us here, she won't get to you." "True, but as long as I'm human, she'll still hunt me. Victoria will do test my protection, like she did with the wolves. She will try to get through your defensive line. Edward, you and I know she will not stop."
Edward took my hand, "All the more reason for you to stay here. Those dogs don't have our advantages. Please, Bella." His hand touched my face, "Twice now I almost lost you, I refuse to go through that again." He almost broke my resolve, but I shook my head. "Edward, I cannot and will not stay here and hide, while people I love are in danger because of me. I need to go back. I know you want me to stay and I do too. But, I know the pack will keep her away from me. Once, I've graduated, I will come back." His brow furrowed, "No. Bella, trust me on this. It's better you stay here." I looked at him coldly, "You're doing it again. You don't trust my judgment. I know I'll be fine. I need to go back."
"I'm doing what is best, not only for you, but for my family. You heard them, if something happens to you, it will hurt all of them. I won't mention the pain it will cause me. Bella, you are staying here." I wanted to cry. His words, his promise of trying to understand meant nothing. How could he expect me to stay here, when I have a life I need to get back to? Even though, Edward was my life, but like the Cullens, I have a life to maintain. I looked away from him, "Edward, Jake can keep me safe. His whole pack was worried about me when you took me away. Trust me, please, they can keep me as safe as you can."
Edward released me, "Bella, you are staying here. I will not leave your safety up to those mongrels. You say they're safe for you to be around, but I don't trust their abilities to protect you and stop Victoria. With my family, I know you will be safe and protected." My eyes glared up at him, "If they couldn't protect me, I would have died months ago. Laurent would have killed me easily. Edward, you cannot hold me here. I have to go back."
"No!" he practically roared, "You will stay here and we will handle Victoria." He moved to leave the room, but there was something else I had to know, "What if you got her, then could I go back, or would you find another reason to keep me here?" He turned to look at me. "Because I believe you would. 'Trying to keep me safe,' right?" Edward turned for the door, "She will be handled and then we'll discuss what we will do next." He left the room and I stood there, glaring at the door.
My body trembled until I fell to the floor and cried. I wasn't on the floor long before my door flew open. Alice came in and hugged me. She helped me up from the floor and sat me down on the bench. Rosalie was on my bed, behind us. My head was in my hands.
I don't know how long I cried, but Alice and Rosalie sat with me until I was able to stop. "Are you going to be okay?" Alice asked. I shook my head and went to the bathroom. I wanted to clean my face. I purposely didn't look into the mirror, afraid of how I looked. Back in the room, I sat back on the bench with Alice. Rosalie took the headband out of my hair, "Do you want something to drink?" I shook my head, unable to speak. "Do you want to talk about it?" Alice asked, taking off my bracelets.
"What difference does it make? I can talk and talk, but it won't change anything. Edward won't listen. I thought he would understand that I have a life I have to get back to. When I explained why I need to go back, he was adamant about me staying. He doesn't want me back in Forks because Victoria is still searching for me. Jacob told me that his pack faced her. She was angrier and she lashed out at them. She knows I'm not in Forks. But my dad is. She knows where I live."
More tears fell at that thought, "Jake said the wolves will be watching out for him, but still. I should get back. I told Edward we only have a few weeks of school left. After graduation, I'd come back here and he could take me all over the world if he wanted to." I stared out the balcony doors. Alice sigh, "I understand both of sides. He wants to keep you safe, but you want to keep your dad safe. He wants to keep you close, but you have a life. There doesn't seem to be a compromise in sight."
My mind was going a mile a minute. What kind of compromise could help with both of us? "Where is he?" I asked Alice, trying to calm myself. "He left. He was angry, so Emmett and Jasper went after him," Rosalie answered. That's good. He wasn't in the house. "It looks like they aren't coming back until the morning. He needs the time to calm down," Alice added. Even better. My mind reached a decision and I knew Alice was seeing it. She looked at me with shock in her eyes, "You can't. He would explode. Bella, can't just leave." Her lips moved quickly, explaining to Rosalie.
Rosalie moved to sit on my other side, "Bella, you can't do that. And you won't be able to. You know he wants us to watch you whenever he's gone." I looked back at her, "I know and I have an idea about that too. But I'd need your help." "What is it?" Rosalie asked. Rosalie's voice was calm and concerned. "Could you take me back to Washington and I'll take a train back to Forks. I can call Charlie and he could pick me up." Rosalie looked to Alice, who was shaking her head. "I don't know. That's really risky. I mean, Victoria is still hunting you."
I sighed, "I know. That was reaching." Alice sighed heavily, "Rosalie, get your car ready. I'm going with you, Bella. Rosalie, will you drive us to Washington and come back here? I'll stay with Bella, the whole time." Alice turned her eyes on me, "Bella, you will inform the pack that I'll be with you. Tell them I'll be looking for Victoria too, so please ask them to not attack me. I'll keep in contact with the family and let them know what's going on. We'll continue to go to school and as soon as graduation is over, you and I will come back here. Rosalie, you'll come back here and all of you will keep Edward here."
Alice stood, "That is the only way we will do this. Do you agree?" I smiled and hugged Alice, "Thank you." Rosalie nodded, "Get your clothes packed. I'll get my car." Rosalie flew out of the room, while Alice and I got my clothes packed. She had my bags downstairs, while I wrote Edward a note.
Edward, when you read this I will be heading back to Forks. I went back and don't worry, Alice is with me. I know you wanted me to stay here, but I need to go. When school is over, I'll be back, I promise. I have my phone and I will keep it with me at all times. Don't be mad at Rosalie, she wanted to help. Alice is staying at my house for the rest of the school year. Please, please remain here. Don't come back to Forks. I don't want the wolves after you. If you truly love me, please do as I ask. This will work, Edward and I will come back to you. I love you and I'll call you when I'm home.
Bella
PS, if you have to be angry with someone, just be angry with me.
I left my note against the vase of roses and went downstairs. Esme and Kate were at the bottom of the stairs. Kate handed me the leather jacket and hugged me, "Come back soon. It was fun having you here." "Thanks, Kate. I'll be back really soon." Esme hugged me, "Bella, keep yourself safe. I don't want to lose my daughter." "I will, Esme. I'll call when I'm home and every time I have new information."
Esme walked me to the car, where Carlisle and Tanya waited for us. Carlisle held the door open for me and Tanya hugged me, "Don't worry about Edward. We'll keep him here," Tanya promised. Carlisle hugged me and helped me into the car. "Get back here as soon as you can," he said as he closed my door. "I will." Then, we were gone. I watched as the house disappeared behind us. It was dark, but I could still see how fast we were going. It was another full moon in the sky. I would miss this, the clear night sky, with the moon and bright stars.
But I was going home. Going home to Forks, to Charlie, a wolf pack and to a crazed vampire that wanted me dead. I was anxious, but determined. I prayed that Edward wouldn't show up in the middle of the road and take me back to the house.
If he did, he would literally lock me in the room and have someone stand guard around the clock. I almost laughed at the thought.
I was able to stay awake as we crossed over into Canada. It would be only another two hours or so until we reached Washington. Edward was going to be furious when he finds that I'm gone. I hate being separated from him, but this is what I had to do. There was another reason why I wanted to go back, to end this. For months I lived in fear of Victoria and I wanted to be finished with that. If I were in Forks, she would hunt for me, and with Alice with me and the wolves, she would be stopped. The fear would be over and I could go back to Edward.
"We're almost there. Rose, stop before you cross over." We were back in Washington already. The sun was starting to rise over the trees. Rosalie nodded and hit the accelerator. After a while, the car slowed and pulled over to the side of the road. All of us got out of the car. Alice walked over to the driver side and I went to the passenger side. Rosalie stood with me, "Take her straight home, Alice and call me when you're there." Alice nodded and got in the car.
Rosalie hugged me, which still shocked me. "This will be fine. And don't worry about Edward. If he tries anything, he'll have to deal with me." She made me smile, "Thanks, Rosalie and thank you for your help. Just keep him there. If he wants to hunt Victoria…" I cringed at the thought, "Just keep him away from Washington." She nodded and dashed off in the opposite direction. I got in the car and Alice headed to my house.
When we arrived at my house, the cruiser was still in the driveway. He must be getting ready for work. When the front door was open and I was inside, Alice flew in behind and shut the door. There were sounds of movement coming from upstairs, "Dad?" Charlie looked down the stairs and he smiled, "Hey Bells. Hey Alice." "Hi," the both of us answered. He hugged the both of us and stepped back.
"Alice, how is your mother?" Alice fell back into her role, "She's fine. We're all still upset. I don't know when everyone else is coming back, but I had to come back to finish school." Alice's face was so sad and convincing that I wanted to console her. Charlie hugged her again, "If there is anything you need, just ask." Alice smiled and she eyed me. That was my queue.
"Dad, I hate the thought of Alice having to stay at her house all by herself. Until her family comes back, can she stay with us?" Charlie didn't even think about it, "Of course she can." Alice smiled her dazzling smile, "Thanks, Charlie. By the way, I didn't tell you. I applied to the University of Alaska and I got in. Now, Edward, Bella and I are going to college together."
Charlie laughed, "That's great." He seemed more enthused with the fact that Alice and I were going to college together, not just me and Edward. He must be beyond happy to have me home again and that Alice staying with us. The house must have been too quiet for him these past few days. "And we while were up there," Alice continued, "We signed up for early classes." This news made Charlie's smile drop, but only momentarily. He was glad that I was really going to college, just that sooner than he thought. "When are you going?" he asked looking at me. Alice answered, "Soon after graduation. We'll be staying with my family until we get our dorm assignments."
Charlie deliberated, his face starting to turn red. I knew he wanted me to stay longer, but he's want for me to go to college was warring with that. "Well, that's great and I'm proud of both of you. If you don't want to go to school today, that's alright. I'll call and tell them."
Alice looked at me; she would only go if I did. "I think we'll take one more day. It was a long drive." Charlie nodded and left for work. It was almost 8am. Alice and I were on our phones. She was calling Rosalie and I had to make the phone call I was dreading.
