I jogged back to camp fuming, wondering what the hell had gotten into Edward. What was with the attitude? Did it have anything to do with Jacob? I couldn't help but worry that it did, and I didn't understand why it was upsetting. I didn't have to care what either of those boys thought of me.

This is so cliché, I growled at myself, skidding right to the edge of camp when I saw beams of flashlights shining through the trees. Those were in very limited supply, and they were only used when it was incredibly important. Had something happened?

"Bella!" a voice barked, and someone pulled me to them; I recognized his smell and the thick black hair that tickled my face. "What are you doing out here? It's not safe."

"What happened, Jacob?" I demanded, pulling away from him; I pretended not to notice the hurt on his face as I did so. He kept his hands on my waist, and it reminded me of those awkward high school dances from the movies. I only needed to put my hands around his neck, and we could sway to the sounds of the officers several yards away from us.

"There's been a…disturbance."

"What kind of disturbance?" Instantly, a million images flashed through my mind; my mom, my brother, even my father, hurting, in pain. Covered in blood the way Jacob had been. For the first time, the memory of him being brought back into camp after that day made my stomach twist, and I reached out to him, digging my fingers into his shirt. "My family?"

"They're okay, Bella."

"Then what happened?!"

He sighed, pulling me further into the trees and away from the voices. "Harry got a hold of one of Avery's guns. She was sitting with him because he was having one of his breakdowns, you know." Jacob had more pain in his eyes, and I remembered his relationship to Harry. The old man was nearly 75, and we had found him several years ago walking on the side of the road, sunburned to all hell and talking nonsense. My mother had nursed him back to health, but he had never been totally normal. He was even more reclusive than me.

Jacob hadn't known Harry longer than any of us had, but they had both been under my mother's care at the same time. Jacob's attack had occurred just days before Harry had been picked up. They had bonded together in the hospital, so Jacob had a soft spot for him. Kindness coming from Jacob without any incentive was rare to see, which was why I had been surprised the night before at him comforting me in the forest. However, the boy had never hesitated to show kindness and love to Harry.

"Where is he? Where's Avery?"

"We don't know where Harry is. He's off in the woods somewhere. People are looking for him. God, I can't believe you're out here. You could have been hurt." He pulled me into his arms again, and this time I let him, closing my eyes. Where was Harry? Was he okay? Had he hurt himself, or anyone else?

"What was he saying when he took the gun?"

"We don't know. Avery is unconscious."

"Did he shoot her?!"

"No. Just knocked her out. The only reason we found her was because someone heard a gunshot in the woods and went looking. We don't know what he shot."

"How do you know it wasn't himself?"

"We haven't found blood trails or anything. He might just be letting off steam somewhere."

"Did we check the springs yet? He could drown."

"Everyone is looking, Bella. Did you see anything? What were you doing out here?"

"I was hungry," I said simply, blinking slowly. Edward was still out here. Edward could be in danger from Harry. It wasn't like I could tell Jacob that; surely he'd find some way to blame the Cullens for Harry's breakdown, or even not allow the other officers to look for both missing men. My stomach sank. What would happen to them?

I had to go find Edward. I had no other choice.

"We need to get you back to your house. Do you want me to stay with you?"

"Aren't there officers there already?"

"Yeah, a couple."

"Then keep doing your job, Jake. I'll be fine. Thank you, though." I smiled weakly up at him, and he beamed back, sliding his arm around my waist and starting toward the middle of camp. It seemed that every single officer was on duty, running around, discussing plans. I didn't see my dad, which I guessed was a good thing, because surely I would be in trouble for roaming the woods at night.

Jacob dropped me off at the front door, and I thanked him, hugging him tightly once before heading inside. I couldn't help but be worried about him, and simultaneously confused about why I was worried. Three days ago I wouldn't have been worried.

Feelings could grow for someone though, couldn't they? You didn't always like someone right away. Maybe my hatred for Jacob had stemmed from my hatred of feeling like an animal in a cage; my parents wanting me to follow the path they had for me, marrying Jacob and taking over camp and living this same simple life forever. Now that I knew Jacob better as a person, with compassion and drive, maybe I was more capable of having feelings for him.

Either way, I was still worried.

Isaac was sleeping on his cot when I walked in, but my mom was sitting up in her bed, leaning against the wall and flipping through a book she'd probably read a thousand times. Her eyes lifted to me and then did a double take, and she jumped up, hugging me and tugging at my hair as if to check if it was okay. "Bella!" she cried. "Where have you been?! We've all been so worried!"

"I just wanted to get an apple," I breathed, feeling tears similar to yesterday's brimming; why was I such an emotional wreck lately? What was happening to me?

"Oh, honey," she said, holding me tightly and then walking me toward my cot. "It'll be okay. Just try to get some sleep."

"You try too, then," I said, and she looked contemplative, nodding. Good. If she was sleeping, that would mean I could go look for Edward.

I felt like I waited for hours, lying wide awake in bed, eyes staring up at the dark ceiling. Isaac's soft breaths continued next to me, and my mom's slowly elongated. I waited another good twenty minutes before I slid carefully onto the floor and tiptoed across the room, looking down at my mom. She was sleeping, that was for sure. Nervously, I crossed back to Isaac's bed and lifted him, carrying him to lie next to my mom. Not only did Edward have to be safe, and Jacob, but absolutely nothing could happen to Isaac. Nothing.

I listened at the door for voices of officers, and it seemed most of it had died down. Were they all out looking? That wouldn't help me much. I wanted to get Edward back to the hospital safely, and without the others knowing he had been out. Imagine the trouble he would be in. Would Jacob have them kicked out? Or worse?

That reminded me of Edward's smart comment about my being able to sway Jacob's decision, and I gritted my teeth. I was risking a lot for that asshole.

I waited for total silence before tipping my front door open just wide enough for me to slip through, and then I took off at a sprint to get under the cover of the trees, thankfully not seeing anyone around me as I ran. I honestly didn't even know where to start. I could go back to the garden, I guessed. I jogged in that direction, hearing voices and immediately skidding to a stop.

Flashlights shone a couple feet away from the tree I was hiding behind, and I held my breath, begging them not to find me. They passed eventually, and I heard no recognizable voices. Jacob and my father were still out here somewhere. I had to be especially careful.

I ran another fifteen minutes, circling the garden slowly and climbing up into several trees, trying to see something telling. It was too dark. I had no flashlight, and having one wouldn't bode well for my secrecy anyway. A thought rose to the front of my mind: why not check the hospital for Edward? Maybe he had made it back safely after all. That would solve a lot of my problems.

I made it to the hospital and had to quickly climb into a tree for cover; there were at least six officers standing out front, keeping watch. There was no way I was getting in through the front door. Glancing around, I noticed a window further up that was relatively close to a branch. I had never done something like that before, but there was no harm in trying. Unless I fell and broke my neck, of course.

The climbing was the easiest part, and managing to slide myself out onto the limb was only slightly more difficult. I had to fight with the window, however; this one hadn't been opened in years, probably. I wondered if it was locked just as it screeched open, and I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for someone to voice concerns about the strange sound. I heard nothing. Maybe I was too high up to have been noticed.

The window opened into an empty storage room, and I kept scanning for others around me, just waiting for the reprimand I'd hear from my father if I was caught. Padding into the hallway, I glanced up and down, at the bare walls and open doors. This floor was basically abandoned. I starting jogging again, looking for the staircase.

I searched two floors before I even found the Cullens' room. I knew it was theirs due to another two officers standing in front of it, talking in low voices to each other. How was I going to get in there?

I had to create some kind of diversion, didn't I? Or would my status as the chief's daughter help me out?

Holding my head high and straightening out my messy hair, I walked right for the Cullens' door, ignoring the guards as if they weren't even there. One of them, an older man named Stanley, moved to stand in my way.

"And what do you think you're doing, miss?"

"My father instructed me to question the Cullens about their role in Harry's breakdown. I'm supposed to see what they know."

"We'll come with you."

"No, I have to do this alone. This is a learning opportunity for me, if I'm to follow in my father's footsteps." I gave them the sternest face I could manage, and they met eyes, shrugging and moving out of the way so I could go in the door. I didn't thank them, closing the door quickly behind me as soon as I had entered.

Carlisle and Esme were already awake, and they leapt to their feet, nervousness in their eyes. I looked behind them, at Edward's bed, full of pillows as if to pretend he was still underneath the covers. We all knew he wasn't.

"He didn't come back," I said, swallowing hard. "He's still out there."

"What's happening, Bella?" Carlisle asked me, and I couldn't meet his eyes.

"An older man is out there with a gun, he's having some kind of mental breakdown and stole one from an officer. Edward is also out there." I looked up, my heart beating out of my chest. "I'm trying to find him."

"Try the springs," Carlisle said. "He loves those."

"You can't tell her to go back out there," Esme scolded. "She'd be putting herself in just as much danger as Edward."

"Where else does he like to go?" I asked. "I checked the garden already."

"Around the cars," Carlisle said. Esme grabbed his arm, desperate, but I was already on my way out. My eye caught on a window at the edge of the room, just like the one I'd climbed in through.

"Is that how he got out?" I asked, and they met eyes and nodded. I sighed. Edward and I were more alike than I'd thought.

"Be safe, Bella," Esme pleaded. "Don't get yourself in trouble."

"I'm the chief's daughter," I said, as if that explained everything, and then turned and opened the door again. The officers were still out there, eyes curious, but I stalked past them soundlessly, returning to the staircase where I would escape the hospital the same way I'd come in.

—

The springs were empty, except for another search party I had to avoid. The cars were the same.

I went back to the garden, finding myself sitting in a ball on the ground and fighting even more pathetic tears. I hated this. Why was this so frustrating? Why did I care so much?

Because Jacob and Edward were both out here, and both in danger. I cared about them. I didn't want either of them to get hurt. What if Edward had been caught by the officers? What if Jacob was sentencing him as I sat here, worrying?

Thinking hard, I tried to imagine a place Edward would hide if he realized there were officers everywhere. He probably wouldn't even realize that they weren't looking for him. He would think he was in trouble. He might try to escape, to get away.

My heart ached as I worried he would think I had turned him in. What if he thought I had sent all of these officers out looking? And if Harry found him, and attacked? Edward could die thinking I had betrayed him.

I couldn't come up with anything. My mind was completely blank.

I stood up, legs wobbly, and started off toward one of the places I had shown Edward on his first day here. The place we emptied our waste, several miles away. It was all I could think of.

Halfway there, I heard an incredibly loud bang, echoing in my skull. A gunshot? I froze, eyes scanning every direction. Where had it come from?

Another gunshot. Closer this time.

I bolted forward, running as fast as I possibly could; where was Harry? Who had he shot? I didn't stop sprinting toward where I had heard the sound come from, seeing familiar bronze hair nearly fifty feet ahead of me.

"Edward!" I cried out, and I saw his shoulders tense, but he didn't turn around. I made it to his side, grabbing onto his arm and starting to pull him. "Come on, we have to go," I begged, breathing heavy. "Let's go."

I didn't realize right away that he was staring straight ahead, not even looking at me as I attempted and failed to budge his strong stance, and I followed his gaze. Harry stood between two trees, facing us, gun held in front of him with his elbows locked. His arms shook slightly, but his eyes were glued to Edward's.

"Harry," I said, looking Edward up and down. He hadn't been shot. Harry didn't have any blood on him either. "What are you doing?"

"He brought it with him," Harry insisted. "He brought it."

"Brought what, Harry?" I asked, starting to step forward, and Edward's arm shot out, pushing me behind him. I tried to fight him, but his arms were too strong.

"Stay behind me," he ordered.

"Edward," I growled, but Harry was speaking again.

"B-brought it," Harry hissed. "All of them. We have to watch out. We shouldn't have."

"Shouldn't have what?" I asked, trying to get out of Edward's arms and still failing. "Harry, put the gun down and talk to us."

"No!" the old man barked, and Edward tensed, his fingers digging into my arms. "No, I can't… I have to protect."

"Protect Bella," Edward said. "Put the gun down. You could hurt her."

"I have to protect her from you," Harry said, and I felt Edward's arms still completely. What was Harry doing? Edward was too tall, his arms too tight, for me to see anything.

"Bella," Edward said, almost too quietly for me to hear. "Bella, run."

"No," I whispered in reply. "I'm not leaving you here."

"Go back to your mom and your brother," he told me sternly, still too quiet. "Go home."

"Not without you," I said, fighting his arms again. This time I broke free, and he kept his arms behind him, eyes still locked on Harry with the gun. "Edward."

"Bella, get the hell out of here," Edward demanded, and I remembered me telling him the same thing just hours ago. "He's going to hurt you."

"He's going to hurt you, too," I countered, my eyes flicking from Harry to Edward and back again.

"I know."

"Bella!"

I jumped at the sound of my name, looking around us, and Harry was looking around, too, both of us scanning for flashlight beams. Edward saw the opportunity and took it, leaping toward me and taking both of us down to the ground. Three gunshots went off, and I clung to Edward, burying my face in his chest. His arms were too tight around me, but I didn't care. As long as he was safe.

"Come on," he said, standing up with me still in his arms. "We have to run."

Another gunshot went off, and I jumped, Edward noticing my shock and taking my hand. He began pulling me, the same way I had done with him, except this time both of us sprinted away. I didn't know where we were running. I was too disoriented to notice the direction or the trees around us. I just knew I had to get out, and I had to stay with Edward.

Before I knew it, we were at the spring. We stopped running and my legs gave out; his strong arms caught me, laying me gently on the grass where we had washed clothes together. He lay down next to me, taking my hand where it sat on the ground and squeezing it once. "We're safe now," he said, and I looked at him slowly, seeing his green eyes on the stars.

"I know," I breathed, unable to pull my gaze from his face. His jawline, the curve of his neck. The way his bronze eyelashes caught the white light from the stars. Edward was safe. I was safe.

I don't know how long we lay there, Edward's eyes on the stars and mine on him, before footsteps sounded and flashlights shone down on us. "Bella," Jacob's voice said, and he swept me up, my hand still tangled with Edward's. "Are you okay? Why are you back out here?"

"Edward," I breathed, blinking and looking around for him. My head was still pounding from the sounds of the gunshots, and gray was closing in on either side of my vision as I searched for him. "Edward!"

"I'm okay, Bella," he told me, and I just barely saw the shape of him standing up, officers on either side of him, their hands on his arms. "We're safe now, remember?"

"Keep Edward safe," I told no one in particular, leaning my aching head against Jacob as he held me. "Keep Edward safe." The last of the color drained from my sight, and slowly changed from gray to black. All sound faded out. The last memory I had was the white light in his eyelashes.