Oops. I messed up a little you guys. I forgot to mention that Edward took Bella to the meadow. I had to get the computer just then, and I really wanted to get a chapter up. So sorry.
Edward recorded the C.D. Bella gets in this chapter.
I own nothing. You know that.
I released the vision with a small gasp. I sagged on the couch while Edward jumped up roaring. Matthew followed in suit. I stared blankly at the floor, breathing slowly. Everyone had jumped up by now in a horrific curiosity. Edward appeared by my side, his head in my lap. I was vaguely aware of Alice explaining what had happened through her tearless sobs. Jasper looked on in obvious pain as everyone tried to figure out what was happening.
My eyes flashed to Edward's; then I jumped up and ran to my room. I grabbed a bag and began shoving everything I could into it.
"What are you doing?" My angel demanded as he grabbed my wrists, trying to prevent me.
"Stop! Let me go." I told him. I couldn't quite look in his eyes. "I'm leaving. You saw the vision. She'll hurt all of you, and I can't have that."
"No! No, NO! You're not leaving me. I'm not leaving you. We are never going to be separated again. I've lived long enough with out you to know it is not possible for that to happen again."
By this time everyone else had joined us.
"Edward's right, Bella you can't go any where." Alice said.
I crossed my arms over my chest and arched my eyebrow. "Try and stop me, pixie." Emmett snorted.
"Bella, you can't possibly think of this. We just got you back." Esme said, I looked over to see Carlisle's arms wrapped around her, and she reached for me.
"No. I need to leave if it will keep everyone else safe." Edward bared his teeth and snarled at the thought.
"We're eleven strong, Bella. Nothing's going to happen." Jasper told me.
I looked over, "You didn't see the vision, Jasper, there was at least twenty." When I said this, Emmett laughed boisterously. "Good! I'm dead bored."
Both Rosalie and I grimaced.
I sighed. "Alice, when does this take place?" She concentrated for a moment, sticking her small pink tongue out.
"Two and a half weeks" She said. Her eyes closed for a second, and suddenly she started. "Turn the television to channel eighteen!" Bryan quickly, hitting the dial on the small twenty-four inch TV. We all heard the newscaster speaking.
"In other news, a rampaging killer stalks Alaska. We go to Michelle Lopez for the story. Michelle, to you."
"Thank you Allie." The other reporter started. "Over the past month, an out-of-control killer has been stalking major cities in Alaska. It appears to be the work of one person, as all of the horrendous deeds have been executed in nearly the identical circumstances.
"All of the bodies found had been burned to the point of needing dental examination to be determined. It also appears that the killer had tortured the victims, snapping limbs with incredible amounts of pressure.
"Perhaps the most unusual circumstances of this case are the victims. From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy, all serial killers generally have specific types of targets. It seems that the calculated killer picks his hapless victims randomly. Killing only to kill. They are racially and culturally diverse; they vary in wealth and age, men and women. The victims range from 74 year old Charles Willoughbrook to ten year old Logan Cooper.
"These murders have been linked to twenty-one other disappearances as well.
"As of right now, there are a total of twenty-seven murders, with a possibility of more unconfirmed. Back to you Michelle."
The TV clicked off. My eyes flashed to my family's faces. "That's why I need to leave. These people are innocent."
"And you think that leaving will protect them?" Edward glared. "It will only take her focus elsewhere."
"Bella?" Jasper said my name hesitantly, and I looked at him. "I've had to fight this kind of war before. The numbers go down, newborns fight amongst themselves. And they have no skill. It would be incredibly easy to pick them off, even if there are fewer numbers on our side."
"So it's settled. You aren't leaving." Edward declared.
I chuckled and turned my head, looking at him incredulously. "That's what you think." I started to push everyone out of my room.
"What are you doing?" Matthew and Edward asked at the same time, panicking.
"I need to be alone!" I hissed.
They relented and left me alone for the time being. As the last person exited my room I flicked the lock over and leaned against the door, sliding down to the floor. I ran my hair through my hair and rested my forehead against my knees. My face twitched as I tried not to cry. I stood up suddenly and walked to my dresser, where the CD Edward had given to me yesterday laid. I picked up, caressing the plastic jewel cover. I opened it and placed it in the stereo and pressed play.
I inhaled sharply at the familiar melancholy tune. The song played out and it switched to Esme's favorite. I jumped, landing on my soft bed. I curled up under the covers and listened to the soft music. My lullaby soon drifted from the speakers.
I could hear the angel's voice making plans. I bared my teeth as I felt the emotional pain, and concentrated only on the music. I truly wished I could sleep at this point, wanting the sweet relief from everyday pains and trials of life that humans escaped to in the darkness called night. I drew my knees up under my chin and wrapped my arms rightly around them, wishing I could feel the ache from my muscles tiring, but knowing I never would again. I truly wished I was human.
But then I reconsidered. If I was human, I would not be able to protect the people who beyond doubt mattered to me, those who kept me commonsensical in the world which felt entirely too small. I put my fist to my mouth to keep myself from screaming.
I heard the lock break off at the same time I sensed Matthew outside of the door. I heard him walk to the bed at a "normal" speed and felt the bed tilt as he lay next to me.
He wrapped his arms around me and I burrowed deep into his chest, wishing this simple gesture would whisk away my troubles as it used to.
"It'll be alright, baby girl." When I shook my head against his chest, he chuckled. "Come on, have I ever lied to you?"
When I raised my head to glare at him, he chuckled again. "Okay, so it's not the appropriate time for bad jokes. I get it." I cracked a tiny smile, and he beamed.
"Honey, I promise, everything will be fine. None of us are going to die, least of all you. None of us will let it happen. "I buried my head under his chin again he rocked us back and forth, trying to comfort me, though I knew I was far beyond comfort. It was nice to pretend for a small amount of time that everything would be all right, but I knew better. Nothing in my life had been okay in a long time, and I knew that I would have to eventually leave my family and left Victoria have her way if I was to save them.
Victoria would without a doubt kill me, though I didn't know why. Maybe for revenge in the small part I'd had in James death, though I had only ever seen him twice. I knew it didn't matter, for either way, I would die, and my family would be safe.
I hoped they would understand.