Edward.
I didn't waste any time in scooping Bella's fragile body up into my arms. I immediately cringed at her scent. That beautiful, flowery, delicious freesia scent of hers was now heavily tinted with venom. I was frantic as I sped back to the house. I could almost hear the poison seeping through her veins, destroying every inch of humanity she had. I gulped down my anger, and focused on getting back to Carlisle. Surely, there had to be time. I could suck out the venom just like at the ballet studio. There just had to be time.
Carlisle has got everything prepared upstairs for Bella. Alice's thoughts were loud, and I could hear the worry that strained them. She met me at the front door, holding it open for me so I could keep my pace. I entered the house, blocking out the rest of my family's thoughts as I kept running up the long staircase, until I reached my room. Carlisle was standing patiently next to the gold bed, his medical instruments laid neatly on the dresser next to it. I gently set her down, and snapped my head up to meet my father's gaze.
"Do I have time?" I seethed between gritted teeth. Carlisle lowered his head to Bella's wrist, and I stiffened on instinct. This isn't good. I stood immediately, dropping Bella's cold hand. My eyes narrowed at him, and he sighed softly as he looked up at me. I could see the disappointment on his face. I swallowed hard.
"I'm sorry, Edward. The transformation has already begun," he announced in shame. Please, try to calm yourself, son. There's nothing we can do. I growled loudly, making Carlisle jump. I snarled, and stomped to the door in anger. Where are you going? I laughed bitterly.
"I'm going to destroy the wench that did this to my Bella," I snapped. I ignored Carlisle's pleas for me to return as I raced down the staircase. My hard fingers were curled into tight fists as I headed for the door. I was going to find this vampire, rips her limb from limb, and spit on her remains as I burn her to her death. I was going to avenge Bella's "death." A new emotion hit me suddenly, and I turned to see Jasper. I snarled, shaking my head.
"This wasn't supposed to happen!" I yelled. Jasper nodded understandingly, and lowered his head. I felt a twinge of guilt. I knew my anger was effecting him just as much as it was myself. I turned around, and made a break for the door once more. Edward, there's something you should know. I stopped again, closing my eyes in frustration. Could they not see what was happening here? Bella's life was over. Why couldn't they realize how this was affecting me, and let me leave?
"Alice, I don't have the time-"
"The vampire that bit Bella, her name is Matilda. She's 214 years old, and she's from a vegetarian coven in California," Alice stated. My anger only built at the sound of her name. I laughed, sarcasm coating the bitter sound. Alice looked nervous as she clung to Jasper. She was biting her bottom lip, watching me cautiously. I took a step toward them, and Jasper stiffened. Back off, Edward. Just listen to Alice.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I huffed, trying to keep my voice calm. From upstairs, Bella's screams had begun. My non-existent heart fell to my knees, and I whimpered at the sound. For the next three days, Bella was going to be in an immense amount of excruciating pain. And it was all my fault. I didn't go after her. I let her roam the forest on her own. I didn't protect her.
"Edward, I don't think it'd be wise to hunt Matilda," she said. I growled loudly at her again, and Jasper stepped forward, baring his teeth at me. Alice sighed, and stepped away from him. She raised her hand to her face, and her palm covered her mouth for just a few seconds. She was blocking her thoughts from me, and if she were human, she probably would've vomited by now. I watched her movements. Her eyes were pained as she listened to Bella's tormented shouts from upstairs. She snapped her eyes back toward me, and took an unneeded breath.
"Bella asked Matilda to bite her. She begged her."
I'm sure the horror on my face didn't do any justice to how I really felt. This wasn't right. Alice was mistaken. Bella wouldn't do that to me. She wouldn't go against my word and do something like this. I knew Alice wouldn't lie to me, but this was just one big misunderstanding. Alice had seen it the wrong way.
"I'm not mistaken, Edward. After you left, I saw it. Bella got on her knees, and begged her. She promised Matilda that none of us would go after her," she said. She dropped her head in disappointment. Everything began to spin once more. The anger that I was carrying seconds ago was now dissolving, but wasn't leaving me completely. My anger and fury at Matilda had lifted, but found a new occupant. Bella. I never once thought it'd be possible to feel angry at her, but she proved me wrong yet again. Bella let out another painful shriek, and I winced.
"Don't be angry, Edward. She was upset. This was what she wanted." I couldn't hear who the words had came from, but at this point, it didn't matter. Nothing mattered. Bella was upstairs, turning into a monster, and it her fault. Bella's fault. The words clashed horribly together. Nothing had ever been her fault. She was perfect, and I was convinced that nothing could change that. But now ..
"I have to get out of here," I muttered, heading back upstairs. I could hear Alice and Jasper gasp loudly, and their footsteps were close behind mine. They followed me into my room, where I had kneeled by Bella's side, gripping her hand tightly. Her body was jerking violently, and Carlisle watched with saddened eyes as I brought her limp hand to my lips. I pressed them against her skin, and frowned. Her body temperature was already changing. The once pleasant warm feeling was already now a dull cool feeling. I stood up straight, and walked to my closet, where I pulled out a suitcase. I could hear Carlisle's gasp as well.
"Edward, what are you doing?"
"Leaving," I retorted. I yanked open my dressers, and hurriedly began throwing clothes inside. You bastard! I turned to look at Alice. She was fuming, her once excited face twisted into anger. She stepped forward, and jabbed a hard finger into my chest.
"She did this for you, and you're leaving her? You're the first person she's going to want to see when she wakes up!" she spat, keeping her voice down. I threw another agonized look at the trembling Bella on the bed. I couldn't do it. I shook my head.
"I can't stay here and watch her turn into a monster. I listen to her screams, I can't watch her face, I just can't," I muttered, as I continued to pack. Carlisle took a step forward, sighing loudly.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Edward. What about Esme-"
"I'll come back .. eventually. I just .. I have to get away for awhile." I zipped up my bag, and pulled it to my side. I returned to Bella's side, and let my eyes linger on her face. Lowering my head, I let my lips brush softly against her cold cheeks. The pain of seeing her like this was unbearable, and if I were able to, I know I'd be shedding tears. I leaned closer to ear.
"Until we meet again, my love," I whispered. She twisted her head and moaned in pain, and I stood upright. I sighed, as I exited the room, and descended the staircase. I knew the other three were following me. I stopped when I reached the front door. I turned to Alice.
"When Bella awakens, let her know that I love her, will you?" I asked. She shook her head in shame. I noticed her eyes were now black, but I knew that she wasn't thirsty. She was angry at me.
"Not a chance in hell," she spat at me. She turned on her heel, and scaled the staircase. I sighed, and returned my attention to Jasper and Carlisle.
"Give my goodbyes to Esme, Em, and Rose," I mumbled. I couldn't catch their stares. I knew they were just as upset with me as Alice was. I felt guilt run through me, and for a second, I thought it was Jasper's doing. But I knew this was all on me. Maybe leaving was the wrong thing to do. Maybe I'll regret it, but I had to do it. Just like I had to leave when I first stumbled upon my angel. This was necessary.
"You don't have to do this," Carlisle said, but his voice was pleading for me to stay. I shook my head, and closed my eyes as another one of Bella's shrieks filled the house. I turned back to the two golden haired vampires before me, and nodded my head.
"Yes, I do." And with that, I was gone.