Chapter 2

I was completely anxious as we headed to the airport. Alice drove in silence, speeding through the lush green landscape that defined the Washington peninsula. I exhaled loudly, becoming more stressed about the current situation by the moment.

Alice frowned slightly, but kept on driving.

I decided to figure out what was going on. Could she hear me or not? I turned so that I faced her, and took a deep breath.

"Alice?" I asked, my voice authoritative.

Alice stiffened, her eyes darting around.

She reacted as she had the whole time I'd been with her. Did this mean she could hear me? Or did she simply sense me?

I used her reaction as a sign for me to continue, to try once more. "Alice?" I asked again. I tried to make my voice more recognizable, and friendlier, yet audible enough. I realized that if I were she, I wouldn't want to respond to ghostly whispers echoing around me. A friendly voice may be more suitable…

"Bella," she mouthed, she may have even spoken it, but her voice must have been to low for my hearing. I smiled; so she could hear me?

I thought for a moment. What could I say that would ensure to her that I really was here, not just a figment of her imagination?

"Can we save Edward?" I asked using the same tone I had earlier. Alice's eyes widened, before she shook her head as she had earlier.

I growled and looked ahead. This obviously wasn't working, and I desperately needed answers. I stared up at the cloudy sky, a small bit of light filtering through the clouds. My grandma had always mentioned to me that when the light passed through the clouds just as it was now, the angels are peeking at us from heaven.

I had never been terribly religious, neither had Renee or Charlie, but those words of my grandmother had always stuck with me.

I looked at Alice shortly before making up my mind. I needed to find someone who could explain to me what was going on. Though I knew I was dead, I desperately needed to know the mechanics of what I was.

I drifted up to the clouds, where the light was. It was a long shot that I'd even find anyone, or that my grandmother was correct at all, yet I had little options. Alice continued driving as if nothing had happened. I sighed and continued my trek to the clouds.

When I finally arrived at my destination, I was completely baffled. Dozens of people dressed in white were simply hovering around the cloud, conversing with each other and completely at ease.

I took a deep breath and wandered over to a girl who was apart from the others, staring over the edge of the cloud as she sat with her legs swinging over the edge of the cloud. Without looking up at me, the girl said softly, "I'm Madeline. Who are you?"

It was then that she gazed at me. She had shoulder length blonde hair and a very pale complexion. Her eyes were blue, and she had a few freckles under her eyes and on her nose. She seemed a few years younger than myself.

"I'm Bella," I said. "May I sit next to you?" She nodded and gestured to her right, where I could sit.

I smiled and sat next to her, discovering that she had a magnificent view of our surroundings. I could see the defined edges of the mountains, along with the deep blue of the rivers. "Where exactly are we?"

She smiled. "Well, we are on a cloud, Bella. I know that's not exactly the answer you were expecting, but it is the truth. We aren't quite in heaven, but we are simply wandering."

I nodded in understanding. "Why aren't we in heaven?" I asked cautiously.

Had I done something wrong? I didn't think of myself as a terrible child. Sure, I had lied a few times to my parents or neglected to do a few school assignments, but was that enough to keep me out?

Madeline looked back at her feet, which continued to swing carelessly off of the side of the cloud. "I don't know. I think you go when you are ready, Bella. I, as you can tell, haven't decided to pass on yet, and neither have those people," she gestured behind us to the rest of the people clothed in white. The majority of the people were adults, though a few teenagers and children were with them.

"How long have you been here?" I asked, not knowing if I had crossed a line.

She kept her gaze on the scenery in front of us. "Just over four months. There was a car accident…." She trailed off, then her face adapted an expression of curiosity. "And yourself?"

I shrugged my shoulders. How long had it been? "Very recently; maybe a couple of days ago, give or take a bit."

Madeline kept her curious expression, wanting to know more. "I cliff jumped," I explained. "It's a long story, but I was simply being stupid."

I gazed down at the small line that crossed the ground, small dots traveling slowly along it. "So, we are ghosts, right?"

Madeline giggled. "Yes, I guess we are."

I laughed with her, before realizing something. "Have you been around your family since…"

She looked at me and nodded. "They can't hear me, or see me, but when I touch them I swear they can feel it," She paused, sighing sadly. That's strange; I could have sworn Alice could hear me… "I've tried lifting objects, trying to catch their attention. Heck, I've even played the piano for them, yet they still don't believe I'm there. But that is all I've tried; I didn't want to see them so miserable any more, so I came up here to leave them alone. I may check up on them soon, though, to make sure they are still alright…"

I stared at her in shock. "You played the piano for them?"

She nodded. "Yes, I simply focused on it a lot. I had to want it more than anything in order to get my hands to play the keys, rather than flow through them like water. Haven't you tried any of that?"

I shook my head, wondering why I hadn't. "I think it sounded too cliché, the ghosts moving objects around and such." A new thought came to my mind. "Hey, Madeline?"

She tilted her head as she gazed at her swinging feet. "Hmm?" She said softly without lifting her head.

I sighed, wondering which of my numerous questions to ask next. "Why do you think we can travel so quickly?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I've heard a few of the others tossing around phrases like 'guardian angel', though I doubt that's the case. I personally think that it would take hours for us to come up to the clouds if we traveled at walking pace, and that's why we have this speed."

I nodded, understanding. I gazed down at the ground, then gasped, remembering Alice. I needed to find her so that I might know more about what was happening to Edward.

"I need to check up on a friend of mine. Her brother is in danger, and she's trying to help him," I said quietly.

Madeline gasped. "I hope he'll be alright!"

I smile at her kindness. "I sincerely hope so," I said softly. "Thank you so much, Madeline. You've been a great help."

She smiled at me widely. "See you later Bella," she said as she gave me a small hug.

I hopped off of the cloud, drifting aimlessly until I stumbled onto the highway. I hurried along the road, trying to find Alice in her father's Mercedes.

Finally, I came across a shiny black car weaving through the traffic swiftly. I rushed to the car, gazing at Alice. She looked the same as she had when I left, her eyes still worried, her mouth still set in a small frown. If it was over her brother or her hearing my voice, I wasn't sure.

I thought to myself, wondering what I could do to get her attention as we pulled into the airport-parking garage. She spent no time getting out of the car and locking it; she didn't have any belongings with her to bring.

I waited with her as she showed the airport personnel her ticket Jasper had purchased online for her after she printed it at one of the booths, and as she stood in line for the security checkpoint.

She wasted no precious time getting to the gate, moving at a brusque human jog. The plane was just finishing boarding as she arrived, which was perfect timing on her part.

She sat next to the window in first class, an empty seat next to her. Apparently the flight was not completely sold out, which helped Jasper get this ticket. I couldn't imagine if Alice had to be stuck on stand-by.

The plane took off swiftly, the flight attendants immediately in the aisles to offer beverages. Alice, of course, rejected any soda or water they might have with a smile.

I simply sat next to her, wondering if I should even try to catch her attention. I knew I had to be there with her; this whole event was something I had to be present for. Would it be comforting to for her to know I was here? Or would it be too much for her to handle?

I placed my head in my hands, looking at the few magazines that were tucked in the back pocket of the seat in front of me. I looked at Alice, whose eyes were closed, her hands on the side of her head to try to help her focus on the possible outcomes of the situation.

I returned my gaze to the magazines, placing my hand cautiously on the first magazine. I tried to grasp it, and found that my hand still went directly through the paper.

I sighed, and stared at the magazine. I had to want it, Madeline had said. I hesitantly placed my hand on the edge of the pages once more, and took a deep breath. I desperately needed to know if Edward would be okay, and if this was the only way that Alice would be convinced that I was here, then so be it.

I grasped the magazine, and to my surprise, I saw that I could feel the slick pages. I smiled at my small victory and lifted the magazine slightly. The smiling face of some celebrity stared back at me from the front cover. I released my hold on the magazine, leaving it in the pocket.

Before I knew it, the plane was beginning its decent. When the plane touched the runway, Alice was still in her concentrating state, her eyes still closed. I reached over to her and placed my hand on her shoulder. "Alice, let's go."

She blinked a few times and looked around, as if trying to find me. She sighed and shook her head. When the plane came to a stop, Alice stood, stretching so as to seem more human.

We walked at a hurried pace to the next gate, which was finishing boarding right as we got there. Alice brandished her ticket as she ran past the ticket ladies, stopping only so that the women could scan the edge of the ticket. I followed her, becoming more and more anxious.

When we arrived at the plane, Jasper was sitting in the second row, in the business class section. Alice smiled softly at the sight of her husband and sat next to him. She kissed him softly, and then sighed.

"You know, you really didn't have to come," she said disapprovingly. "It is dangerous."

"Which is exactly why I should be coming with you," Jasper said, matching her tone.

Alice shook her head and smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. "I love you," she said softly, before closing her eyes.

Jasper chuckled, "I love you, too. Now, what's the update with Edward?"

Alice stiffened. "It's not good, Jasper. They've said no to his request. I can't imagine what he's planning on doing to get them to change their mind."

My breath caught in my throat. What did she mean?

Alice paused before continuing. "He's picturing ways to expose what we are, Jasper. It's awful." Edward's guilty conscious was definitely getting the better of him. What about his distractions? Shouldn't they be stopping him from doing something so stupid like this?

Jasper's eyes widened, any sign of hope fading from them completely. Then he looked at Alice strangely. "Alice, why do you feel so heartbroken? It coming from you strongly…"

Alice looked at him strangely. "What do you mean?"

Jasper shrugged. "It was always present as soon as you came onto the plane, but it's gotten quite unbearable. Did I do something?"

Alice shook her head. "No, Jasper. You haven't done anything wrong at all. Are you sure it's coming from me?"

Jasper nodded. "Its definitely coming from you, unless the people across the aisle," he gestured with his head to the couple sitting across the aisle who were contently in each other's arms, "have just broken up. Though I highly doubt it."

It was then that I realized that Jasper could feel my emotions. The way we were positioned made perfect sense. Jasper sat next to the window, with Alice to his right, with me right next to her.

I drifted so that I was standing in front of both Alice and Jasper, in the ridiculously large space between the rows of seats. What should I do to grab their attention? I thought to myself.

Jasper pulled out a book, a thick nonfiction work about some war, by the looks of it. I smiled to myself, realizing that I knew exactly how to make myself known. I moved so that I was sitting on the unused armrests that sat between Alice and Jasper. Alice had resumed her sleeplike pose, looking out for any changes in the future.

I leaned over slightly so that I was looking at Jasper's book with him. I read over his shoulder, trying to find something to help keep me busy as I summoned more courage. "Jasper," I said calmly after hours had passed, trying to make my voice recognizable. I prayed silently that he would hear me.

He stiffened, and placed the book down on his lap. He looked directly at me, and I noticed that Alice was also looking in my direction. "Alice, did you hear that?" He asked quietly.

Alice nodded. "I've been hearing my name also. It sounded a lot like-"

"Bella, yes," he said quietly. He looked around where I sat curiously.

"So you definitely heard it as well, then?" She asked softly, her eyes curious.

Jasper nodded. I smiled, hopeful. Now Alice wouldn't feel so crazy, that Jasper had heard me as well.

Jasper looked at me curiously, "I think she's here, Alice."

Alice stared at him incredulously. "Why? We could have just been hearing things."

Jasper shook his head, his gaze never leaving where I sat. For a moment I felt like he really could see me. My hopefulness grew. "Alice, I can feel her emotions right here. You aren't hopeful right now, are you?"

"No, I'm completely worried!"

Jasper nodded, accepting that. I sighed and tapped Jasper's shoulder. "Thank you for trying," I said quietly.

Jasper gasped, and Alice's eyes widened. "Bella?" Jasper said quietly.

I smiled. "Yes?"

Alice gasped, "Oh my god."

Jasper reached over to hold her hand. "You heard that, too?"

Alice nodded fiercely. "She really is here, Jazz."

I groaned. Now she believes what she hears? "Edward," I said, not needing any more words. They would know.

Jasper frowned, "She's completely forlorn when he's mentioned, Alice. And it's my entire fault. If I hadn't-"

"I forgive you," I said, effectively ending his remorseful speech about my birthday. "Just tell me, Alice. What is he doing?"

Alice sighed and closed her eyes. "How much did you hear?"

"Tell me your latest update."

Alice groaned. "He's going to walk into the sunlight. The Volturi guards will be watching, and he'll be dead in an instant. He wants the biggest crowd possible, and he'll be as dramatic as viable. It'll take place at noon."

I gasped. Edward walking into the sunlight… the act was simple, yet perfect to expose what he was. The image of his glimmering skin was enticing to me, yet to others it would be frightening enough for them to question their safety.

"Can we save him?" I asked, fearing what the answer may be.

"I don't know," Alice said softly, closing her eyes once more.

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AN: Thank you so much for reviewing! It got me to write more for this story, seeing as enough of you seem to like it.

You may be wondering why Alice and Jasper may hear Bella, yet Madeline's loved ones can not hear her. Well, I'll tell you. Jasper and Alice, being vampires, have much better hearing than Madeline's loved ones (which you are to assume are human.)

Any other questions you may have, please let me know! I'd love to answer them for you as well as I can!

Um, I think it may help a little if I put Alice's POV as the next chapter. I'd like to know what you want, either having Alice's interpretation of the last two chapters next or simply moving on with Bella. And if Alice's POV is next, I promise the chapter after will be back to Bella, just continuing the story line. (So, basically the next chapter will be placed as chapter 4). Does that make sense at all? I'm sorry, I know, I suck at explaining.

Thank you so much for reading and please let me know what you think!