I ran the spokes with Seth, Leah was worried about Jake but that was before she finally passed out. The night passed and the following day, Leah sent Seth to check on Jake.
I still think he just collapsed human. I thought as I ran deeper into the forest, checking for Sam's pack, but all I was getting was Cullen stench and our own scents.
A few hours later, Jake rejoined us.
Nothing but us and the Cullens. I reported
Get some sleep you two, I'm good to run for a while. Jake replies
I slowed to a walk and found a patch of ferns that looked good enough to be a bed. Fine by me.
My mind slowly woke when I sensed Jake and Seth talking, I was still confused by sleep to make out what they were talking about, something about the Cullens hunting and going on a deeper run to make sure that the Sam's pack wasn't out hunting strays.
Oh, I already asked Edward about that. Seth thought.
About what? I wondered without really waking up.
What? Jake asks
I asked him why they hadn't taken off yet. Gone up to Tanya's place or something. Somewhere too far for Sam to come after them. Seth replies
So what are did he say? Are they waiting for a window? Jake asks
No. they're not leaving. Seth answers
That didn't sound good.
Why not? That's just stupid. Jake replies
Not really. Seth states, defensively It takes some time to build up the kind of medical access that Carlisle has here. He's got all the stuff he needs to take care of Bella, and the credentials to get more. That's one of the reasons they want to make a hunting run. Carlisle thinks they're going to need more blood for Bella soon. She's using up all the O negative they stored for her. He doesn't like depleting the stockpile. He's going to buy some more. Did you know you can buy blood? If you're a doctor.
Still seems stupid. They could bring most of it with them, right? And steal what they need wherever they go. Who cares about legal crap when you're the undead? Jake asks
Edward doesn't want to take any risk moving her. Seth answers
She's better then she was. Jake states
Seriously, Seth agreed, he compared the images of Bella all hooked up in the hospital setting and the way she looked this afternoon when he left. She'd smiled at him and waved. But she can't move around much, you know. That thing is kicking the hell out of her.
Yeah, I know.
I felt my own stomach react to that statement, oh well I wasn't getting back to sleep now that my interest was peaked about Bella. I started running after shaking out my coat. Man, I need a hair cut. I was getting a little bit to shaggy.
Broke another one of her ribs, Seth told Jake somberly. They were so focused on their own conversation they didn't notice my mind waking up. Carlisle taped her up again. Just another crack, he said. Then Rosalie said something about how even normal human babies have been known to crack ribs. Edward looked like he was gonna rip her head off.
Too bad he didn't.
Seth was in full report mode now. Bella's been running a fever off and on today. Just low grade—sweats then chills. Carlisle's not sure what to make of it—she might just be sick. Her immune system can't be in peak form right ow.
Yeah, I'm sure it's just a coincidence Jake agreed
She's in a good mood, though. She was chatting with Charlie, laughing and all—
Charlie! What?! What do you mean, she was talking to Charlie?! Jake interrupted
Guess he calls every day to talk to her. Sometimes her mom calls, too. Bella sounds so much better now, so she was reassuring him that she was on the mend—
On the mend? What the hell are they thinking?! Get Charlie's hopes up just so he can be destroyed even worse when she dies? I thought they were getting him ready for that! Trying to prepare him! Why would she set him up like this?
She might not die Seth thought quietly
Seth. Even if she pulls through this, she's not doing it human. She knows that, and so do the rest of them. If she doesn't die, she's going to have to do a pretty convincing impersonation of a corpse, kid. Either that or disappear. I thought they were trying to make this easier on Charlie. Why...?
Think it's Bella's idea. No one said anything, but Edward's face kinda went right along with what you're thinking now.
Jacob was thinking along the same lines as the bloodsucker...just great.
Jake started down a new line.
Don't get too far.
Why?
Bella asked me to ask you to stop by.
Jake's teeth locked together.
Alice wants you, too. She said she's tired of hanging out in the attic like a vampire bat in the belfry. Seth snorted a laugh. I was switching off with Edward before. Trying to keep Bella's temperature stable. Cold to hot, as needed. I guess, if you don't want to do it. I could go back—
I could do that as well. I thought softly bringing attention to myself. I was waking up when Seth phased so I heard pretty much all the conversation.
No, I'll do it. Jake replies
Okay. Seth and I reply.
We couldn't help but listen to Jake's thinking.
There's nothing wrong with you, Jake. This isn't the most normal situation.
Shut up, please Seth.
Shutting.
Jake, I thought softly not letting anything else out. I felt his pain as if it were my own.