Chapter 26 New Moon

The journey to Chicago took almost five days. After leaving Tanya and Dave in Seattle, Edward and I proceeded along the road. New cities and towns began flashing before our eyes. Spokane, Missoula, Billings, then Glendive and West Fargo – first three days of the week were full of new impressions.

At first I felt nervous and too awkward, but constant staying with Edward helped me calm down. It was just me and him driving the car, surrounded by highway, and I had nothing to fear. Strange, but it really gave me some kind of relaxation. I found some time to calm down and let myself not to think about anything. I didn't have to worry about René or take care of Charlie – all what I needed to do was enjoying the moment we had.

Juke like he promised, Edward took care about everything. After reaching a new destination and examining the new city, we always had dinner in a good restaurant. At first I felt a bit shy, but it all gone in a day or two; by the middle of our journey I stopped suggesting paying for dinner and feeling awkward in unknown places. Edward seemed have noticed that change in me, but he still didn't press on me. He was trying to make my life comfortable, but he wasn't overprotective, and I was grateful for that. Perhaps, these changes weren't that bad. Perhaps, growing up wasn't such a bad idea.

Thursday appeared to be the best day. We reached Minneapolis in the early morning, and Edward suggested me to take a pause and spend the rest of the day there instead of returning to the road. The weather was cloudy, but it wasn't cold, and I agreed. In the end, what did we lose?

I didn't think to get anything special from it, but that day exceeded all my expectations. I had never been in Minneapolis before, and Edward was glad to be my guide. We saw the sights and spent a few hours in a Sculpture Garden. After having dinner, we continued our day, and Edward showed me Chain of Lakes which appeared to be extremely beautiful.

We were walking near Lake Harriet, when Edward suddenly said:

"I always liked lakes…They remind me of home."

I glanced at him in astonishment. Edward told me a lot of stories, but he hadn't said anything personal yet. He had never remembered his human past, so that phrase sounded so unusual.

I looked at the water. I should have guessed. Edward was born in Chicago which stood on Lake Michigan.

"Have you ever been here?" I asked. Edward's old home was situated not far from there. "I mean, in your past life… Do you remember?"

Edward shrugged.

"I'm not sure," he was staring at the water too. "But this place looks familiar. The distance between Minneapolis and Chicago isn't that big. Perhaps, I could visit it with my Dad…" Edward sighed. "I don't know."

There was something strange in how Edward picked his words, and then I got it: he was vulnerable. Edward Cullen, a perfect marble statue, a vampire, a boy with silent heart wasn't as confident as he looked in my eyes. Edward wasn't an immortal now – he looked like a lost child who was looking around, searching for the way home.

There was some space between us, and I made a step towards him, joining his hand. Edward gave a start, but squeezed my hand back.

"Do you miss them? Your parents?" I asked quietly.

Edward shrugged.

"I don't know. I don't remember them much. My human life is nothing more than a defective record. All what I have are blurred hazy pictures, nothing more."

"But you still have feelings. You still remember them," I said. "Maybe, that's why this place fascinates you – it opens the feelings which you had already forgotten."

I didn't know where I found that idea and those words, but I felt that I needed to say it. Edward needed my help, and I felt that I needed to help him. I was a grown up now, and I could be useful.

I smiled, looking him in the eyes. That moment broke something inside of me – inside of us, as I hoped. It felt like the last wall between us was finally broken, and we could be together again.

I hoped that Edward noticed that too. We stopped, and after finding something in my eyes, Edward suddenly hugged me, enveloping me with his wonderful smell.

"Thank you," he whispered quietly, just like he was telling me big secret, "for your wisdom. I had no idea that I really needed it."

I smiled back and closed my eyes, enjoying Edward's coldness. I had a feeling that everything would be all right now.


We had been walking for a few hours, and I didn't noticed the moment when it got darker. Cold evening became the real host of the city. The sky covered in a thin dense film, and I could recognize neither the moon nor the stars.

As a real gentleman, Edward gave me his jacket, but it didn't help. I began freezing.

"Let's return to the car," he suggested, and we turned to the exit. We didn't hold hands any more – Edward didn't want to make me feel colder.

"It's sad that we haven't seen Falls," I noticed. Our time there was almost over.

When we made a decision to spend a day in Minneapolis, Edward mentioned Minnehaha Falls - a true beauty of that land. I recalled it now, glancing at the water for the last time. I was saying goodbye to that place in my mind. It was a piece of memory I'd like to save.

I just said that, without having any plan in my head, but Edward's mind worked much faster.

He gave me an examining look.

"Well, I think we can fix that."

I frowned. It was the late evening, and the park must have been already closed. What he was talking about?

But I didn't hear his explanation. Edward changed the subject, suggesting me to have late dinner. I had nothing against it – I was hungry, I was cold and I was tired, and a good dinner in a warm room would make that day be totally perfect.

Relaxed, I wasn't watching the road when we left the restaurant. I woke up from my thoughts only after looking out the window and noticing the forest.

"I thought we're going to the hotel," I said in a weak tone, looking around.

Edward smiled.

"Well, you said you wanted to see Falls, and I thought that we must use this chance. Who knows when we can visit this place again?"

I rolled my eyes.

"The park is already closed, Edward. It's too late."

Edward's smile became wider.

"Well, I think that nobody can catch us."

He was suggesting me to break rules and visit the closed park at night. I glanced at him, making a decision. I was a grown up now, and grownups don't break rules…

"Aren't you afraid that I will be freezing? I can catch a cold," I asked, surprising myself with having sudden confidence in my voice.

"I can lend you my sweater," Edward found the answer immediately. "It's right here, in the car."

I didn't notice how it happened, but soon after midnight I burst into the Park's territory, carried on Edward's back and wearing his white sweater. His moves were fast, and I held him tight, my eyes closed. Vampire speed was too dangerous, even if vampires didn't think so.

"Open your eyes, Bella," Edward said, stopping. His velvet voice sounded like music.

I obeyed and saw Falls right in front of us - it took my breath away. The weather got clearer, and pale stars were seen in the sky, but it was still dark. I threw my head back and saw the reason for that deep darkness.

New moon.

Lack of light made the water shine with silver and blue, making it look fabulous.

"It's so beautiful," I said, unable to find proper words.

It was quiet there, and the air was fresh, with a scent of forest tress and grass. That smell intoxicated me.

Edward didn't say anything, letting me enjoy that wonderful moment.

"Thank you for bringing me here," I whispered knowing that he would listen.

I didn't see his face, but noticed his smile.

At that moment I suddenly thought that if Edward tried to kiss me, I wouldn't mind.


A soft touch woke me up. I started and opened my eyes.

"It's just me," Edward murmured quietly. "We have almost reached Chicago. I thought you'd like to know."

I looked around, trying to realize what was going on. After watching Falls my strengths abandoned me. It was deep night, I was too tired, and my body needed rest. My eyes were heavy with sleep, and everything started to blurr before my eyes.

Edward chuckled, noticing that.

"Good night, my love," he said, rocking me to sleep. "Sleep tight."

His cold, but comfortable hands were the last thing that I remembered.

"We didn't go to the hotel," I guessed, looking out the window.

"We didn't," Edward answered. "You fell asleep so quickly. I was afraid to wake you up," he confessed. "So I decided to continue driving at night. It saved us a little time. We passed Madison about five hours ago, and now we're one step away from Chicago."

I nodded. It was a good decision.

I moved my neck, relaxing my muscles. My stomach growled.

"How's about having breakfast?" Edward asked, noticing that. "We're going to drive by one good café... I think you'll like it."

I turned my head to him.

"How do you know that'll like it?"

Edward smiled.

"Well, you have no choice, actually. It's the only café that stands on this side of the road. Moreover, Alice saw this place before she stopped seeing the future, so I always knew that we would have to visit it."

Thirty minutes later we stopped near a small, but nice café. Its building must have been a rebuilt from an old house, but it looked neat and inviting, and I liked it. To my surprise, the café was full despite such an early hour.

"It's a bit crowded," I said after entering inside and looking around.

"Yeah," Edward was disappointed - I could read it in his voice. "But it's the only place where you can get a bite before we return to the road."

All tables were occupied, and Edward made a decision to talk to the waitress, trying to solve that problem. Of course, she was dazzled by him momentarily. Poor young girl lost her tongue and just started at him helplessly while Edward was trying to make her find a table for us. He didn't notice anything, or pretended not to know how attractive he really was for her – but I did. I sighed and shook my head. It would never change…

The problem was solved when somebody beckoned her to the bar. The waitress apologized and went away unsteadily; then she began talking to a middle-aged tired man who gave us a quick glance.

"What's going on?" I asked, staring at Edward.

"This man owns this café," he explained shortly. "He wanted to know what happened."

"Do you think he can help us?"

"He's thinking about it."

Edward was right. The waitress returned a few minutes later and suggested us to take a reserved small table in the corner.

"This table is always reserved for our owner," she said, "but Mr. Blunt says that you can take it."

The waitress pointed at the man who had already began hurrying somewhere. He was saying goodbye to other personnel, leaving the café. I glanced at him and noticed how pale he was – what if the man was sick? The man looked absolutely terrible, just like he had just seen a ghost. I glanced back at Edward and realized that he noticed that too. Edward was frowning, staring at the café owner until the man left the café. Mr. Blunt was almost running. What was wrong with him?

The waitress asked something, and Edward woke up from his thoughts. He thanked the girl for her help and let her lead us to our table.

"What's wrong?" I asked when the waitress offered us a menu and left.

Edward shook his head. He didn't open his menu - of course, not.

"The café's owner… I was just a bit amazed by his thoughts," he answered. "His way of thinking is very unusual. His thoughts are confused, and it's hard to read something clear. The only words I heard were: "too young". The man was repeating it again and again involuntarily, without even realizing it."

I felt relief to hear that.

"Well, it's not surprising, then," I answered. "You look much younger than me."

A sudden bitterness sounded in my voice. I thought that I really stopped worrying about the fact that Edward looked a bit younger. In the end, his soul was much elder… but still, he looked like a teenager. I didn't.

Edward grimaced.

"The difference in our age isn't that crucial. I'm quite sure he was thinking about you as well. Perhaps, we both just looked like teenagers, and that surprised him, that's all."

It was so touching. Edward was trying to comfort me when I was still full of doubts. I shook my head, guilty of my thoughts. I was a grownup now, but still behaved like a sensitive teenager. I needed to try to be more optimistic.

"Well, let's hope he won't call the police," I tried to joke. "We don't look like runaway kids, do we?"

It cheered Edward up a little. The waitress brought my breakfast, and he changed the subject quickly and began to tell me about Chicago while I was eating. A sandwich and a big cup of tea did its work. Relaxed, happy and satisfied, I was ready to get back on the road.

"You can get in the car while I'm paying the bill," Edward said.

"I'll just wait outside," I suggested. I didn't want to sit in the car alone. Moreover, it would be nice to stretch my legs a little. Travelling by car wasn't that easy.

I was standing not far from the parking lot when somebody said in a low drawling voice:

"You've got a very interesting friend."

I turned and noticed a man sitting on the bench in the tree shadow. A Native American, middle-aged, confident, long-haired, he looked like a young version of Billy Black. The man was calm, although his dark black eyes were fuming.

I smiled politely, but didn't say anything. The man must been noticed us when we arrived. He was like a raven, like an old wise bird, watching the forest.

"You two remind me of one old legend," he continued as if we had a real conversation.

I furrowed my brow. Another story about the cold ones?

"What legend?"

I wasn't curious and I didn't like that man, actually, but it was impolite to keep staying silent.

Something like smile appeared on the man's face.

"My forefathers came from Oregon; when I was a child, my grandfather told me their old legends. One of them concerns the Island of the Dead," he paused a little. "Our people buried dead there, they believed that sprits inhabited that place. The legend I heard was telling about a young girl who came on that island to live there with her dead lover." {1}

"Sounds creepy," I said. "I'm not sure that I want to hear it in full."

I had already guessed what was going on. He knew. The man knew who Edward was. The mentioning of that story wasn't just a coincidence, and even if the man didn't know about vampires, he had guessed that there was something wrong with Edward. Maybe, he just sensed it, but couldn't describe it completely.

The man shrugged.

"I can't make you listen to the whole story, but all stories have something to teach," he answered. "I think that the legend is still actual - it gives something to think about."

"Really?" I asked, hoping that he would notice sarcasm in my voice.

The man was staring at me without blinking.

"I thought that the legend taught us the truth about relationship. If you love somebody, you must accept his lifestyle. Love is always a sacrifice… I thought about it when I saw you and your friend."

"Bella?"

Edward was shifting his gaze from me to the man and back, his lips pressed together, his glance cold.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a serious tone. Too serious. Just like I was in danger.

He didn't like the conversation I had with the stranger. Of course, he didn't.

"Yes, I'm okay," I smiled to him. "Did you pay the bill?"

We needed to forget about it and return to our normal life as fast as possible.

Edward nodded. My smile helped him relax a little.

"Yes. We can continue our journey, if you're ready."

I nodded and then turned to the man for the last time.

"Thank you... for your story," I wanted to stay polite, even if I didn't like the conversation at all.

The man didn't say a word, and I thought that he completely ignored us. Well, it didn't disappoint me at all.

We almost reached Edward's car when the man spoke again.

"It's a new moon," he cried so loudly that I could hear every word. "Don't start anything new at that time… they say it's bad luck."

"Get in the car," Edward commanded.

I obeyed. I didn't want to confess that I was scared now.


Daniel Blunt crossed the parking lot and almost jumped in his car. His breath was short and hungry, Daniel was sweating, and his heart was beating too fast. When he started the engine, Blunt noticed that his hands were shaking.

Following the instructions, Blunt continued thinking about rubbish in case if the boy could hear him. He still remembered about radio waves. Daniel knew that the boy could read his mind, and he was attentive. The only thing Blunt missed was his shock after seeing the young couple. God, he couldn't imagine they would be so young…

Blunt put on speed. He promised Victoria to fulfill her order, so he needed to do everything quickly. Daniel drove a few miles ahead, too far to be heard, and made a turn to the roadside. Then Daniel gave himself a few minutes for preparation. He was sitting in the car with his eyes closed, trying to calm down. He needed to make that phone call, he need to make that stupid phone call…

…but his time wasn't endless, and Blunt needed to hurry. Victoria would kill somebody anyway. Yeah, he needed to stop worrying about those kids and start worrying about himself. It was him or them.

Daniel opened his eyes, stretched out his hand, opened the glove box and took out the old notebook. After a short search he found a piece of paper with a phone number written on it.

Blunt took out his phone. His hands were still shaking.

They picked up the phone after two rings.

"Good morning," Daniel cried. He glanced at the rear-view mirror. His eyes looked scared. "I'm calling to report a crime…"

He knew that the woman that was talking to him was human, not a vampire. Her voice didn't sound as perfect as Victoria's, but it was even better. Human voice gave Daniel something like hope.

"What crime?" The woman asked him a question. Her voice sounded professional.

Daniel paused a little, trying to recall the words Victoria ordered him to say.

"The reason is a menace to vampires' existence," Blunt made a deep breath. "I want to report about a vampire who revealed the main secret to a mortal."


{1} the Island and the legend are actually real. I just mentioned the beginning of the story.


Writer's note:

Hey, guys! I apologize for a long waiting, but I have some good news to share - there are four last parts left (three chapters + epilogue). I have just finished them all, and I'll try to edit& publish them as soon as possible. I hope you're still here, and you'll be here to read the end of the story and say goodbye to it.

Sincerely yours, a. kingsly