A/N: Now that all of my other writing assignments are out of the way, I will get right to work on chapter whatever this is, I've lost track of where I'm at lol.

Demetri

The words caught in my throat.

"They're not waiting for us any longer," he continued. "They knew we'd be watching Aro's decisions. Jane had someone keep tabs on us without Aro knowing. They're coming here."

All the blood drained out of me I'm sure of it, everything slowed down and blurred.

"Bella, did you understand me? We've got to go!"

"But Edward, my dad is here, my school…everything I've worked so hard for all these years. Where will we go? For how long?"

"I have a few places in mind. And don't worry about your parents, they might very well be the safest people on the planet. The Volturi aren't interested in bringing anymore attention to themselves. You should know what this will mean, Bella. We'll be on the run almost all the time. You won't be able to contact your family or friends for who knows how long, if ever. This is the way it has to be. We knew this time was coming."

"I know I just… I know. You're right." It was very hard to wrap my head around this. "How much time do we have?"

"Days, maybe hours."

"Oh Edward." Hearing this, it was hard to describe the feeling. Not too unlike someone reading the date on your tombstone I would imagine.

"I know." He held me close. "I've already packed our clothes and some essentials, just what we can carry. We have to travel light and be as inconspicuous as possible; leave no trace of where we were or where we're going."

I looked around me and noticed our luggage near the entrance of the hall that led toward the living room. Our whole lives in just a few bags. It was a sad sight in and of itself.

"What about money? Can't they trace us that way?"

"I have cash in several currencies. It's hard to decide exactly where to go because Alice is having a hard time getting a lock on him."

"Who?"

Some time during my confusion Edward had grabbed our bags and was moving to the door, "Bella, I'll answer all your questions on the way okay, but we need to go... NOW."

[In the car speeding to the airport….]

"It's part of his tracking abilities."

"What? How do you mean?" I asked.

"Demetri, it's why Alice can't find him."

Demetri. The Volturi's personal tracker was after me.

"Wait, I'm confused. I thought you said his skill was to be able to tune into a person, to track anyone anywhere - better than James. How could he find me? You were pretty confident I would block him the same way I block you."

"Yes, all that's true, however he's gifted in ways James could only have wished. His gift not only helps him to track others but keeps others from being able to track him. He's like a machine, virtually untraceable and unrelenting. He can't block me, or Alice but he's really deceptive. He knows I can only read his mind if he's near. Alice can see all the different scenarios, all the plans going on in his head all the time but she can't tell which one is the right one. I think it's because he doesn't even know himself until he's doing it. He runs almost completely on instinct making him virtually unpredictable. He can even mask his scent."

I was astonished, "Really? He can do that?"

"He wouldn't be much of a hunter if his prey could merely smell him a mile away."

Edward sounded almost impressed by Demetri.

"So how is Alice able to see anything now when she couldn't before?"

"Alice knows because Aro does. She was only watching Aro, Caius and Marcus. Jane and Alec took it upon themselves to keep watch over us. Even though Aro doesn't agree with Carlisle's lifestyle he respects him. While Aro trusts Carlisle, Jane doesn't. After we had been lulled into a false sense of security, they decided to tell Aro everything. Our deception infuriated him. Leaving you in Carlisle's hands was an act of faith, he trusted his orders would be carried out. An ex-member of the Volturi wouldn't dare disobey. Or so they thought.

"Aro is first and foremost an aristocrat for lack of a better word. What Carlisle did is considered the height of effrontery. Perhaps Jane knew this; or perhaps they were bored and just wanted to cause trouble, who knows. He gave the order to have you hunted down. He doesn't even care if you're changed or not."

It was sinking in now just how bad things had become. To know that even if I were changed into a vampire right this second, they would still kill me.

Then I remembered something. "So, how did he not know until now? I thought they all routinely shared their thoughts with him."

"Oh they do, believe me. For very much the same reasons we Cullens shouldn't keep secrets. However, there are holes in everyone's abilities."

"Jane found a way around it," I realized.

He shook his head 'yes.' "There's a lot of turmoil going on over there right now, this could be to our advantage."

Buildings, street signs and cars whizzed by going practically unnoticed. I knew Carlisle was putting himself on the line for me, they all were. This day had finally come and all the mental and emotional prepping I did to prepare for this was practically useless. I felt completely and totally vulnerable, and I hated this feeling. In fact, I hated it so much it gave way to stronger more primal feelings; resentment and sheer unmitigated anger.

I had seen so many sad souls, people who had been thrown out of their homes without even food to feed themselves let alone their families. Good people who went from one option, to another until one day all their options had run out. Was this me? Is this where I am now?

So many emotions and ideas were tumbling over themselves I felt like I was going to explode with it all; and then, before I knew what was happening, I did.

"How dare they! Who the hell do they think they are? Who made them Kings of the world? I've known about the vampires all this time and I've never, EVER told a soul - not that anyone would believe me if I did! So why is this even an issue? They can't just come in here and ruin everyone's lives just because they're too bored to figure out what to do with themselves! Are they jealous, is that it? Are they jealous that I have a life and they don't?"

I didn't know where I was going with this. It was just babble, pent-up rage, but it had been coming for a long time. Edward, who had been prepared to comfort me only looked at me stunned.

"I hate this! I hate them! This is MY LIFE and they're making me go on the run like I'm a criminal, and for what? For living?" My nails dug deep into my palms but I was too mad to care.

"I've made a life for myself and I've worked damn hard for it and now they're just going to take it away like it's meaningless? How can they do this to people, Edward? Why doesn't anyone stop them?"

I knew that there had to have been hundreds, maybe thousands of others who also had been victims of the Volturi's imperious wrath. It galled me that in all this time no one had the courage to stand up to them.

Edward covered my hand with his, forcing me to release my nails from my palms. He didn't say anything and I'm not sure I would have heard it if he had. I was crazed with frustration but I tried my best to calm down. We still had to discuss deploying the second phase of our exit plan.

At the airport I was a mess. We were waiting for our plane now and I was so nervous I kept pacing back and forth. Edward kept trying to get me to sit but I just couldn't sit still. It wasn't only the Volturi that made me nervous but also the one thing I still had to do.

After much debate, we decided it would be okay to call my parents, just this once, and only at the last possible minute. That way even if the Volturi traced the call, with our new identities they would have no way of knowing which plane we boarded. I was anxious to get it over with; the wait seemed to take forever.

Then finally, it was time.

"Dad?"

"Bella, hey kiddo. Everything okay, it's kinda late?"

"Yeah, uh wait a sec. Mom?"

"Yes I'm here. Hello Charlie."

"Oh, hi Renee... Bells, what's going on?

"Yeah, I've got you both on the line because I have something to say to you and wanted to tell you at the same time. I'm just not sure how you're going to take it." Maybe it was the airport's air but my throat was bone dry.

"Bella, what's wrong?" dad asked.

"I'm leaving town for a while. Something's come up and I just didn't want to leave without first telling you both what I'm doing."

"What are you doing, Bella?" Mom asked.

I squeezed my eyes shut, "I'm going on a kind of sabbatical, that is to say a break...for a while. Six months, maybe a year, I'm not sure."

They were quiet but when the shock wore off their reactions were exactly as I expected.

"Are you insane? Renee, is this your doing?" dad grumbled.

"Me? Why do you automatically assume it's my fault? This is the first I've heard of it! Bella, what is going on?"

"I know this seems crazy and kind of sudden, what with almost graduating and all…."

"You can say that again. One semester, just one semester left to go and you want to take off?" mom cried.

"Mom, it wouldn't matter if it were one month or 5 years. I'm burned out. I've done nothing but school since I was 4. I never even took a break after high school and I probably should have. I'm real happy with school and stuff, I just need a break is all. I need to find myself." I was glad they couldn't see the look of disgust on my face.

"Mom, dad, I didn't work this hard to quit school. I swear it. It's just a break that's all. I know what I'm doing. I want to travel and figure my life out. Is that so hard to understand?"

"For you, yes it is. You love school, Bells."

"I know dad, I…" I looked over at Edward who was in line gesturing me to hurry.

"I, I'm going to be impossible to reach, I'll be traveling so much, it would be better if I contacted you and just let you know I'm okay. I've really got to go though."

"Wait, Bella, are you okay? When will we hear from you again?" mom asked. I could hear the worry in her voice, something practically unknown to me until now.

My eyes and nose stung. I didn't know if it was even possible to contact them again.

"Soon," I choked out. "I love you guys."

We said our goodbyes and it was all I could do to hit the red END button on my cell, it was so symbolic. Edward was frantically signaling me now as he approached the gate entrance.

A custodial worker had just picked up the trash bags from our area and was heading to another section. I grabbed a stray cup of Coke someone had left nearby and dunked my phone, put it in the trash - cup and all - and hurried back toward the gate. If the Volturi were to find it, hopefully, it would be completely ruined.

Several minutes later Edward and I were safely on the plane. As we were beginning to taxi down the runway I saw Edward concentrating out the window as if he saw something. He then solemnly pulled the shade down.

I asked him what was wrong.

In his own reluctant way he said, "We left just in time."

I tore my eyes away from his and glanced through the next row's window toward the airport which was about a couple hundred feet away now and getting further.

A chill went down my spine as I understood what he meant and it came out as barely a whisper, "Demetri?"

He nodded his head slowly, and squeezed my hand tight. Of course I couldn't see Demetri, but I had a mental picture in my mind of a figure with sunglasses standing at the window watching the planes come and go - watching us go - knowing that he was only minutes behind us, knowing he would always be just minutes behind.

This arrogance must be how a shark feels; gliding undetected towards its prey, a soulless predator with black eyes and unabashed certainty in his own power, living only for the hunt. Did he just miss us? Had he been there the whole time, circling, without us knowing?

We were in the air and it was only then I actually felt myself exhale a full breath. The flight attendants were speaking over the intercom giving instructions but it might as well have been in Martian for all the good it was doing me.

Later, while still in the air with tons of time to kill, a thought occurred to me that escaped me before.

"Edward, how did you know all that about Demetri?" I asked suspiciously.

I knew Edward didn't know Demetri personally and hadn't seen him since that time in Volterra. All this "new" information came as quite a surprise. It was the first I'd heard of it.

I wanted to think the best of Edward and I do for most things, but he's notorious for keeping things from me for fear of scaring me and filtering out whatever news he didn't think I could handle. This was actually the source of many arguments and was the biggest thing that annoyed me, that no matter how much I've already gone through or how old I get, he'll always think of me as a child in need of protection.

"I read it in the Volturi members' minds a long time ago," he said finally. It was just what I feared.

"You mean, you've known all this time, since Volterra," I couldn't hide the letdown I felt, the one I always feel when I happen on yet another secret. It amazed me that it could still hurt this much after all this time. You would think I'd be numb to it by now.

"Bella…"

"I know," I exhaled audibly, "you were protecting me," the bitterness in my voice couldn't be disguised. I rubbed my temple.

"Yes. It was to protect you. I will always do what I think is best to protect you, Bella, even if it's from yourself."

"From myself? I'm not the one that's keeping secrets, Edward!" Bad thing was that hadn't been entirely true. I remember a time when I tried to sneak out of the house to see Jacob and Edward dismantled my truck. He was protecting me then, too, although it was completely unnecessary. But he couldn't have known that. And while I understand his fear of the wolves and their unpredictability, that was a long time ago. He has no right to throw that in my face now.

He motioned for me to keep quiet, but I honestly didn't care anymore.

"Edward, you could have told me about Demetri. You should have. Yes, I'm sure it would have scared me a little, but don't I get some props in how I handle things? Why are you always making things so much harder than it needs to be? Why do I always feel like I have to second guess you now?"

I could see him clinching his jaw, "I'm sorry you feel that way, love. I'm not trying to make things harder."

"I'm sorry too," and stared off into the next row of seats across from us. It's very hard to be in a relationship with someone that not only doesn't trust you, but makes it impossible to trust them. And as usual I knew he was going to pull the immortal card.

"It's just that, when it comes to things like this, I have the knowledge and the advantages you don't. It could be the only thing that keeps us alive at this point. So even if it means you get to be mad at me for a while, so be it. At least you're alive to be mad."

I just sat there fuming. His arguments that used to seem so valid in the past now just felt like excuses. I kept my mouth shut for fear of saying how I really felt. Dad does that, too. When he'd get so mad that he was about to explode he'd hold it in but you could still see every volatile thought brewing inside.

We agreed to just let it drop for now. I could kill him later, he said. We had been in the air a few hours and the anxiety was finally wearing off and I began to feel tired. Edward hummed my lullaby as I finally drifted off to sleep.

When we finally landed I was relieved to get off the plane only to learn we would have to board yet another plane, a charter to go the rest of the way as it was too remote by car. We were in Yellowknife, Canada in the Northwest Territories. This was a definite first for me. I had barely even heard of this place but as little as I knew about Yellowknife, I knew even less about where we were going. Even though we had gone as far north as I ever thought I might go in my lifetime, we were about to go just a bit further.

It was a lodge, cabins to be specific about 100+ miles northeast of here at Mackay Lake. It's a great place if you love extreme cold, hunting, fishing and all kinds of outdoorsy fun. So in other words I felt pretty sure I was going to hate it, I couldn't imagine what I'd like about this place. But as long as it had heat, I would deal. It was just temporary anyway.

Even though I was exhausted, I was ecstatic to finally see someone I knew that would cheer me up. As we walked up to the lodge I saw a tiny form come out whose little feet were practically floating on the frigid air.

"Bella, Edward!"

"Alice!" I rushed over to her and slipped on the ice, but she reached out and caught me, lifting me slightly and hugged me at the same time. I hadn't seen her in almost a year, not since she decided to go up North and try out some "new cuisine." Alice and Jasper had been staying in this general area on and off for months, long enough to develop a sense of familiarity among the inhabitants but not so much that people felt comfortable getting into their business.

"How are you? When Edward said you were heading here I almost couldn't believe it."

"Really? Surely you saw us coming," my teeth were chattering.

"Nope, I think Mr. Smarty Pants here was playing games with my vision," she said, kicking some snow in his direction.

He smirked, "Not intentionally anyway, it was last minute, I didn't even know myself until I was at the ticket counter." He walked over and hugged her, too. I was trying my best to adapt but there was no way I think I could ever get used to this kind of cold, it was shocking. It was like jumping into a tank of frigid icewater, without the water.

Alice quickly led us to the door and shut it behind her, and even though it was nice and warm in the cabin, somehow it made me shiver more. I could tell by the way Edward was fidgeting that he wanted to hold me but didn't dare try it.

"Just give me a minute, I'll be fine," I gritted my teeth to keep them from chattering.

Alice dashed to the couch and was back in a second holding up an afghan, wrapping it around me. "It hasn't been too bad today actually," she said. "Unseasonably warm; around −30 F."

"Negative thir…!" I couldn't get the rest out. Just the thought of this made me even colder.

She dashed again to the kitchen and brought me some hot cocoa she already had prepared for me.

"Thank you."

She got me settled onto the couch and once she was done tending to me, she stood next to Edward. "Ok, so you're going to stay here a couple of weeks and then off somewhere else, is that right? Have you figured out where, yet?"

"Not until I can get a better idea of where he is. He has no way of knowing where you are?" Edward asked.

"I don't see how he could, no one knows I'm here except you and Carlisle," she seemed distracted. "Since you and Bella made that connecting flight in Chicago he's really off the trail now. As near as I can tell he's weighing ALL of his options. He knows about some of your contacts in Brazil, he's thinking of checking that out."

"Good. I was hoping he'd do that. I've already reached my contacts down there and they won't make it easy for him, they're going to be pretty hard to find. Even if he does find them they won't have a clue where we are and he'll have to start all over from scratch. By the time he makes his way up here we'll be gone."

"It's a good plan, I just wish I could tell you how it comes out. I hate being blind like this."

"You're not blind, just a little nearsighted," I joked.

She smiled at me and came over to hug me again, now that I was warmed up it was safe to do that.

"So where's Jasper, I thought he'd be here."

"Hunting, he'll be back by morning. Since he heard you were coming he uh, wanted to be topped off if you know what I mean." She winked at me.

"Oh yeah, good call."

"Well now that you're here let me show you to your room."

Alice gave us the grand tour and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. There was definitely evidence that this is a hunting and fishing cabin what with the great big huge fish on the walls and sprinkled all around it were antique fishing lures and the occasional trophy staring back at me, antlers and all, but by the way Edward described this place I was sure it would be run down and downright primitive but it was anything but. In fact, it was quite warm and inviting with the rock fireplace, native style rugs, handmade wooden furniture and all the comforts of modern living. It was downright quaint. I finally figured that it must not be trendy enough by Cullen standards, but then again neither was I.

But the Cullens love me just as I am, quirks and all. It took me a while to see that but I finally do. I know I love them, quirks and all. There have been no more close calls since my fateful birthday party and while Jasper knows I certainly have no qualms about putting the past behind us, I've often wondered if I'm the reason for their abrupt departure last year. Before they left there would be times when we would all be together, and I would catch a glimpse from Alice or Jasper that worried me; nothing that you could really say was any one particular expression just - something off when they looked at me.

It took me a while to figure out why that must be. When a vampire feels strongly about something or someone it leaves an indelible mark on them, not physically but it's just as present as if it were. If they love someone, they always love them, if they mourn someone they always mourn them. It doesn't get any better, it doesn't go away with time. It's as new and fresh today as it was the day it happened, however long ago that was. You can never get away from it. It's a completely different kind of heaven…and hell.

Alice feels guilty about the whole wedding fiasco, she took as much responsibility as I would allow her to have in that mess. Afterwards, she said that she could see what it was doing to me but she ignored it, all to have "her" perfect wedding day. She convinced herself it would be fine, but she sees now how miserable things had become. 'How could a seer not see what was right in front of her,' she would say. The guilt must be eating her up still.

Jasper of course will always regret what happened at my party. It was hard to see them both in such pain all the time, seeing it in their eyes when they look at me. I have completely forgiven them both but it's not as easy as that. They'll always feel guilty for the pain they've caused. They suffer from it, everyday.

The minute Alice left us in the bedroom I stripped down, changed into my night shirt, climbed into bed and fell asleep almost the moment my head hit the pillow. The day had been too long and I was too exhausted to care about tomorrow. Once Edward felt sure I would stay asleep he sneaked off to chat with Alice.

(Third person POV)

"She fell asleep fast," she said as he was pulling the door to.

"It's been a hell of a night, Alice, can you blame her? I would expect no less. If you'd have given us more time we could have planned things out better."

"Oh go ahead, chastise me. I know you want to."

He thought about it for a few seconds.

"Edward! I do the best I can, what else could I possibly have done? Watch every single person on the planet or just the ones who want to kill Bella? Which as it happens is nearly everyone on the planet!"

"Shhh!" he said angrily.

Once he determined her voice hadn't disturbed Bella he turned back to Alice.

"Listen, it's my fault she's in this mess all right? I wish I could think of a way to undo it but I can't. I'm not angry at you, exactly, so if I take it out on you, I'm sorry. I'm just so mad all the time I can hardly keep it in anymore."

"I know you're upset, Edward, I am, too, but it'll be all right. I mean, I don't really know that for sure but I feel it will be. Besides, it's my fault, too, remember. Don't think I don't think about that."

"I know you do."

A few moments of silence later, "You're worried about something else," she asked.

"I don't understand, Alice. He found us so fast! I've never seen anything like it. I told Bella it may have been because they were tracing the phones but I just don't know. Maybe she's not able to block him. Was he there already? If so, why let us go? Why not just take us then?"

"It's a game. It has to be," she said. "I saw him there at the airport but I could also clearly see you and Bella on the plane and leaving him behind. I thought it was because the timing was off but I guess it wasn't. He just let you go. And what's worse, I can't see how he knew you'd be there. His mind is just everywhere all at once, very seldom in any one place for any amount of time. I don't know how he decides on anything, I can't isolate one idea from the other. It's maddening!" Alice said rubbing her temple.

"There must be a way of figuring out what his next move is. If I could just figure him out," he said.

"I don't know if we can. The only thing we know for sure is that humans are nothing more than cattle to them. They're bored, Edward. Eternal life has made life eternally dull. It's the thrill of the hunt now, nothing more."

A darkness fell over him. "There's more to it than that. I can feel it. We'll leave soon. I shouldn't have come here, it's put you and Jaz in danger."

"We can take care of ourselves you know, you just worry about that one in there," pointing to his bedroom.

"I never should have come back."

"Come back?" she said.

"From Denali; when she first arrived in Forks and I discovered how much I wanted to kill her. I remember it so clearly, Alice. My mouth fills with venom at just the thought of it, even now. My strength has never been tested so much, ever. When I left I never wanted to come back. I felt like a failure, I've never felt so out of control of myself not even as a newborn. Why couldn't I have just stayed away, Alice? If I had been stronger and stayed away like I planned, none of this would be happening. She wouldn't be mottled with scars, she wouldn't have suffered so much pain and broken bones and cuts and she wouldn't be scared for her life 24/7. She might've had a normal life," the pain on his face was hard for Alice to watch.

"We're talking about Bella Swan, Edward. Of course she'd be all banged up and bruised, it just wouldn't have been because of us. She's the biggest klutz in the world, and we all love her for it. That's what makes her unique, that's just one of the things that makes her special. Maybe that's what drew you to her, and why you came back. To find out what it is that makes her so special."

"I don't even care about "the why's" anymore, Alice. It's my fault she's having to go through this. All I care about now is keeping her safe."

"Then, if you really feel that way maybe it's time to consider Plan B."

"NO, are you out of your mind?" he growled.

"Why not? Just because it's not palatable doesn't make it a bad idea. I don't much care for it myself but you and I both know it's probably her best chance."

"I don't know that, and neither do you, remember? That's a "last option only" scenario. Things aren't as bad as that yet."

"Uh Hello? Edward, look around you. Look where you've taken her. Can it be much worse than this?"

When Edward didn't answer, Alice did. "Okay, okay, Plan A first. We'll see it through as far as we can. I just hope you know what you're doing, 'cause I don't."

After Alice left to hunt, Edward snuggled back into bed with Bella and caressed her hair. Many things were coming; morning, Demetri, the unknown future. Bella didn't know if she was ready for any of it but ready or not, it was coming anyway.

A/N: Sorry about switching out the POV's, but there was kind've no way around it. I hope it wasn't too confusing. I originally did it all in Bella's POV but that last bit would have had to be completely redone or cut out and there are interesting hints at things in that last part that get revealed in the next chapter. Although it seems like I'm taking Bella further and further away from where she belongs, I'm actually not. Once this turn is made it'll make all the difference in the world why I went this direction. :)

***Disclaimer: The characters setting and familiar situations belong to Stephenie Meyers. References to films or music also do no belong to me. No copyright infringement intended. I'm not making any monetary profit from this.***