Chapter 11 – Surprised
What was that mongrel thinking? What was Bella thinking? Riding a motorcycle. A decrepit motorcycle at that, just like her truck. I ran home to check on her. Jacob was really getting on my last nerve. He needed to stay away from Bella. I was grateful to him, yes, but that only did but so much. He was deliberately putting her in danger. I was close to the house and I could hear Carlisle and Esme. "Is there another vampire in the area? Could that be what she saw?" I ran into the house and found them in Carlisle's office. "What are you talking about? Another vampire?" Carlisle and Esme took in my shocked expression. "That's what Bella thought. She said that's what caused her to crash. She said she saw something, but it was too fast for her to make out." My eyebrows furrowed, "What? Alice and I didn't see anything." "That's what Alice said." I looked between them and saw Carlisle's conversation with Bella in his mind. I looked at them, "You truly believe there is another vampire in the area. That caused Bella to crash." "That is what she believes and it is not an unusual idea. You remember she had to deal with Laurent and Victoria while we were gone." I sighed, "Where is she?" "With Alice." "Oh great, she's in even more danger." Not funny!, Alice cursed me.
I sat on the couch and Esme held my shoulders, "Edward, she is fine." I looked at her, "Fine? Fine! You think she is fine, Esme? She was riding a motorcycle with a werewolf. She was on a back road along a rock wall. Esme, she could have ….." "Edward, Edward! Calm down. I know you worry about her, we all do, but you are going to drive yourself crazy having all these concerns on your mind." My head fell into my hands, "Esme, I left her so she would be safe, but she wasn't. She was far from safe. She was in the worse possible danger." "Edward," Carlisle sat with us on the couch, "they kept her alive." "But, if I had handled Victoria, Bella wouldn't have to rely on them." Edward, if they weren't here, she may not be. I looked up, "They were doing what they were created for." Carlisle looked at Esme, "Oh, so, they needed to just that and leave Bella alone, is that what you're saying?" I looked at Carlisle, "What are getting at, Carlisle?"
He sighed, "Nevermind." I looked at Carlisle as he went to sit at his desk. He was careful not to look at me or let his thoughts wonder. Alice was dancing through her closet, "Bella, what about this one?" She groaned, "Next." Alice shook her head, I have missed this so much. Alice was keeping Bella very occupied. "Umm, Alice, can I borrow your phone?" "Sure, here." Alice was about to hand her the phone, but stopped, "Why are you planning on leaving?" "Because I have to get back to La Push. My truck is still there." "I can take you home." "Thanks, but my dad knows I was in La Push today." Alice gritted her teeth, No, she can't go back there. "Alice?" She sighed, "All right. Here you go." I went upstairs, as Bella stepped out of Alice's room and leaned on the door. "Hey Emily." "Bella! Where are you? Jacob is freaking out. Sam had to go calm him down." She sighed, "I'm fine, Em. Where is he?" "He phased and is running through the mountains; at least that's what Sam said before he left." Bella looked up and saw me, "All right. Do you think someone could get my truck from Jake's house and bring it by you? I'll be there soon." "Ok." Bella turned the phone off and stared at me, "What is it?" I stared at her. Her eyes were cold and hard; she never looked at me like that. "How's your arm?" "It's fine. At least nothing's broken." I stared at her, "Bella, I'm…." She held up her hand, "Don't say 'you're sorry.' If my sanity means anything to you, don't say it."
She walked back into Alice's room and closed the door. "Alice?" "No, you are not calling any cab. I'll drive you to the treaty line." "Then what am I going to do when I get there?" "Call Emily." "Fine, let's go." The door opened and Alice looked up at me, I'll keep an eye on her until she's home. But do not go to see her tonight. She'll still be upset. Bella walked past me, not looking at me once. I reached out for her, but she was already down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, Bella's heart began to race. From the living room, Rosalie stared Bella down. Though Bella was intimidated by Rosalie, she just stared back, "Rosalie." She walked past Rosalie as Jasper and Emmett came through the front door. "Bella!" Emmett bellowed. He took in her face, "What's wrong?" Alice flew down the stairs, "Nothing. She and I have to go." Jasper watched after them, as I came down the stairs, "Edward, what's wrong with Bella?" Who cares? Rosalie walked past me. Awww, did she hurt your feelings? I glared at her, "Shut it, Rosalie." Jasper and Emmett looked at me, "What's wrong with you? What happened today?" I shook my head.
Emmett grabbed my arm, "Let's go. Get a few animals in you and you'll talk." I fought against his hold, but Emmett wasn't letting me out of this. "We can do this the easy way and you come quietly or we do it my way and I drag you through the forest. Make your choice?" I glared at Emmett, but he was right; I needed to get out of the house. So, I went quietly. We got into Emmett's jeep and drove south, where the animals were bigger. We were heading for Mt. Rainier. Emmett drove quickly down the road, "Ok, talk. What happened?" Jasper looked back at me, "Edward, we are just worried about you. This has been a stressful week." I sighed, "I think there is another vampire near Forks." Emmett and Jasper looked at each other, "What makes you think that?" I sighed and told them about this afternoon.
Alice and I drove in silence. "Bella, if you need anything, just call me, ok?" "Ok, Alice and thank you." She smiled, "You don't have to thank me." I heard the deafening roar of my truck. "Bye Alice." I walked away from the silver Volvo as my truck came into view. The truck stopped and Emily jumped out of the cab. Emily hugged me and I groaned, "Ohhh, sorry. Are you all right?" I heard a car door open and looked back. I smiled, "Come on. I want you to meet someone." Emily hesitated. "Emily, its fine. Trust me." Emily walked with me over to Alice. "Emily Young, this is Alice Cullen. Alice, this is Emily Young." Alice beamed, "Hello, Emily." She held out her hand, but Emily hesitated. "Emily, it's okay. I've wanted to meet you since I got back." Emily took Alice's hand and gasped. Alice and I smiled at each other. "Emily, thank you so much for being the friend to Bella that I wasn't over these past few months." I gasped, "Alice, how could you say that?" "She was here and I wasn't. Thank you so much, Emily." Emily smiled timidly, "Don't thank me. Someone had to look after her." Alice giggled, Emily laughed and I rolled my eyes. "Right, I really need a babysitter." "Pretty much" Alice said at the same time as Emily said "definitely." They looked at each other and laughed.
I shook my head, "Anyway, Emily, what did you want to do?" "I actually needed to go to Port Angeles." "I'll take you. I want to get out of town." Emily smiled, "Sounds like fun." I nodded, "Yes, but Alice will most likely want to take her car." Alice smiled, "Bella, park your truck on the side of the road and we can go." I smiled, "Yes Alice." Emily stayed and talked with Alice while I parked my truck. They were chattering as I walked over to them. "No, I think that is a great idea." Emily and Alice were smiling as I got closer, "I think I'll ride in the back." I got in the car and my heart felt like it fell out of my chest. I sat in the back as Alice flew down the road. I was used to the Cullen way of driving, but Emily was nervous. I leaned forward, "I told you they drove like maniacs." Emily clung to her seat, even with her seat belt on. Soon we were in Port Angeles and Emily calmed down. The three of us walked through the bookstore that I went to my first trip here. I shook off the creeping feeling of fear when I thought about what occurred soon after I left this store. "Bella?" Alice looked at me. I shook my head and smiled, "I'm ok."
Emily spoke with the elderly woman behind the counter. "Bella, I really like her. She's very sweet." I smiled, "I think so, too. Emily is the only human I can talk to about everything." Alice smiled, "Well, besides the smell, I could really get along with Emily." I looked at her, "Smell?" "The wolves' scent is all over her. It smells like wet dog, only worse." Emily came up behind us, but she was smiling. "I like you too, Alice. Sam told me the way you smelled to them." I nodded, "Yea, Jake said it was icy." "Icy?" Alice asked. Emily made a face, "Yes. They say you smell sweet. Too sweet, to the point it burns their noses. When they're in wolf form, it's even worse." "Well," Alice sniffed, "that's interesting." Alice smiled, "Well, let's get you two something to eat." Emily smiled, "You're not mad?" Alice shrugged, "Why would I be mad? You told me the truth. Just promise me you won't tell them what you told me and I'll keep this info to myself." Emily smiled, "You got it." Alice took both of our hands, "Great and dinner's on me."
