Have A Little Faith
Chapter Nine
A/N: I don't own anything, as always. Thanks for reading, and please review. Sorry for the wait!
Addison was running through the trees at a break neck pace. She was running so fast, she was practically invisible. Her life was as good as over, and she had nothing left to live for except running away from them and towards her last chance for survival. She didn't know anything. Not anymore. Every little life lesson, and fact had disappeared from her mind. All but one truth, one thing left that she knew for certain. She knew that she needed to keep running, that she could not stop, no matter what.
She could hear footsteps racing towards her from behind. These footsteps were familiar to her. She would have known them anywhere. At one time, she would have stopped and waited for him to come to her. The urge was still there inside of her, crying out to her, begging her to stop and wait for him. She wanted to, but she knew better. Now, if she stopped, he wouldn't hug her or have a warm smile for her. He'd kill her.
In the distance, Addison heard Demetri's voice yelling for her to stop.
She ran faster into the night.
*One Week Earlier*
Addison stood amongst the rest of the guard in Volterra, Italy. At her right was Jane and Alec. On her left was Corin. They all stood, listening carefully to Aro's heartfelt words of why their mission was so important. Why there was nothing that more important then what they were about to do, as sad and regrettable as it was.
The Guard listened with synchronized obedience. They hung off their master's every word. Addison felt guilty in their prescence, around all of these immortals who would obey the law, and were so committed to their job that they'd die for it. They thought she was one of them, but they had been decieved. She wasn't, not anymore, not with this burden that she carried with her.
She had been keeping her distance from Aro. One touch was all that it would take. One touch, and he'd have her killed on the spot. No question. No doubt. Just the simplicity of her fate; her decisions, intended actions, and her resolutions. She couldn't let any of them know what she was planning. Not even Demetri.
"I know what you're thinking, Addison," He'd said to her, just last night.
"And what's that?"
"You feel guilty, don't you? About killing people?"
Addison had remained silent.
"It's in our nature, Addison, you needn't feel bad about it. They're simply our natural prey and we're the hunters."
That doesn't make it right, Addison had thought, but she said nothing. She would admit nothing to him, though she was closer to him then she'd ever been to anyone else in her entire vampire life and her human life combined, times two.
"You can talk to me, you know."
But she couldn't, not really. He was more loyal to the Volturi then he was to her, and she understood that. It saddened her, obviously, but what could she do? She could live her half-life here, with Aro having sole ownership over her soul, or she could break free from this curse of sadness and regret. Her compassion had won over in the end. How strange that this moment had waited so long to come. She'd been so soulless in her human years...
She looked up, and the followed the Guard out of their secret chambers and onto La Push, Washington.
La Push, Washington
"They're coming," Alice announced to the vampires and werewolves. "They just left Volterra."
No one spoke. There was a sort of chill in the room, despite the fact that no one could feel it. It was a chill within their bones.
"How long do we have?" Sam asked finally.
"A week or less," she said, her voice half-dead with misery.
"That's all we have?" Paul said, feeble anger in his voice.
"That's all we have," Alice repeated hopelessly.
Carlisle moved, he went to sit by the window, his misery deeper then anyone else's. No one in this world hated violence, especially unnecessary violence, more then Carlisle did.
Esme moved, following Carlisle. On that not, everyone started to converse quietly with one another, their voices ranging from hopeless to desperate.
Edward and Bella moved towards where Alice sat, resting her head on Jasper's shoulder.
"So this is it." Bella said, her voice quiet, and hopeless.
"That's what it appears to be."
"If only we had more time..."
"But what would we do with it? Time won't bring us anymore answers and resources then we have at this moment, you realize."
"I know. I just wish-"
"We all do, Bella, trust me. We all wish things were different, that this was not necessary."
"I can't believe the Volturi will just get away with this, though."
"It's dreadful," Alice agreed.
"It's so hard to believe..." Bella trailed off.
"That our breaths are numbered?" Jasper spoke quietly.
Bella nodded, and Edward hugged her.
"There's just nothing we can do from here. We just have to rely on some indistinct fates and decisions. All that's clear is that they intend to fight."
"All of them?"
Alice smiled slightly. She knew what Bella was asking.
"And Addison?" Edward asked her quietly.
"I think we can rely on her."
"It won't be enough." Bella said tonelessly.
"It might be enough to tip the scale in our favor. She underestimates her own worth constantly, but I think there's hope." Alice said.
"She means that much to Aro?" Rosalie asked, as she and Emmett joined the conversation.
"I'm not sure. But she means much more to Demetri than she realizes."
"So when she turns up on our side..."
"He won't be happy, but he's not about to see her killed. Not while he lives."
"He'll follow her?" Jasper asked, his voice a bit hopeful.
"Maybe," Alice said, "I'm not sure. He won't attack her though, and he won't let anyone else do that either. I'm sure of that."
"It all seems so unlikely..." Bella said, the voice of pessimism.
"Have a little faith," Alice suggested. "Let that carry you through."