All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
"You're sure he's safe?" I asked one last time.
It had been almost two weeks since I had fled from the Tracker. Edward's family was still in search of him. They had lost his trail a while ago and had yet to find it again. The female was still in town keeping a careful watch over Charlie. She had been everywhere it seemed, the school, and my father's work, even the grocery store. She had followed my scent everywhere, investigating every aspect of my life in Forks looking for any clue as to where I could be. It made me nervous to know of the danger I had left behind. Esme promised me that she was keeping Charlie safe. She hardly left his side. Of course he didn't know that. No one knew what was really going on.
"I'm positive. She won't find anything that will lead the Tracker to you." She assured me.
"Thanks."
If only that was my only concern. Honestly, I didn't care so much about my safety as I did the safety of those around me. I felt unbelievable guilt for endangering everyone's life this way.
I felt Edward's arms tighten around me, comforting me. I handed the phone back to him and rested my head against his chest as he finished talking to the others. He was speaking much to fast for me to make out what he was saying, but I could feel his body tense around me. He was not happy with what they had to say. He was incredibly frustrated with the situation, as we all were. I was tired of lying, running, and waiting. I just wanted everything to end, to be safe again, or at least have those I cared about be safe again. The stress of the situation was getting to us all.
I got up from Edward's lap, deciding to join Alice in the front room. He didn't protest too much, he was too engrossed in his conversation.
I was surprised to find Alice drawing a picture while sitting on the couch. Usually I would find her rolled up in a ball as she concentrated on the future. I quietly walked up behind her to see what she was drawing, though I knew she could hear me approach.
It was a room. Something about it was strangely familiar. I watched as she filled in more details and my eyes widened in surprise.
"Why are you drawing this picture Alice?" I asked slightly confused.
"I had another vision. This is where the Tracker is going. This is the room where he watches and waits." She explained as she defined more features of the room.
I swallowed hard as panic rose up in me. She had to be wrong. This had to be a mistake. "Are you sure?" I breathed as I tried to hide the rising terror from entering my voice.
I must not have been very successful. Within seconds I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist.
I bit my lip as Alice turned her head sharply to look at me.
"Do you know this room Bella?" Edward asked in a soothing voice.
Of course I knew the room. Alice had drawn a perfect replica of my living room in Arizona. I would recognize it anywhere.
I turned to look up at him as my breathing became more frantic. "Yes, my mother's house in Arizona."
He reached up and grabbed my face firmly between his two hands locking his gaze with mine. "We will catch him Bella. You're mother will be safe."
His words did not comfort me as they usually did. I pulled away from him to find Alice shutting the phone.
"Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper are on their way now. They will be in Arizona soon."
I shook my head slowly back and froth trying to process the situation. I had to call her—to warn her. What if he already found her? What if I was too late? I wave of nausea rolled over me as I considered my last thought. No, I couldn't be too late. I had to stop him. I couldn't live with myself if…if…
"I have to call her." I stated looking up at Edward with pleading eyes. "I have to warn her. I have to make sure she's okay."
He searched my eyes for a brief moment and then nodded. "You can't tell her where you are. No details." He stressed more firmly before placing the phone in my hands.
"Can I give her this number to call if she's not home?" I asked before I started dialing.
I watched as He and Alice exchanged a quick look. Alice shrugged. Edward's eyes were tight as he looked back at me. "Fine, but nothing else. You must be very vague."
I didn't answer; I only dialed. I waited impatiently as the phone rang and rang. As the answering machine picked up I convinced myself she was simply not home yet.
"Hey mom, it's me Bella. I need you to call me as soon as you get this message." I turned to Alice for the number, but she had already written it down and was handing it to me. I rattled off the number to my mother's machine and stressed once again how important it was that she called me before I hung up.
I handed the phone over to Alice as I silently prayed she was all right.
"Everything is going to be fine Bella. There's no need to worry." Edward comforted me as he began to rub circles into my back.
I'm not sure what possessed me to react the way I did, maybe it was the newly added stress, or the build up of days without knowing anything, but I snapped.
I pulled away from him sharply and glared. "You don't know that." I yelled. "Nobody knows that. Stop lying to me and trying to make me feel better."
He was frozen in shock before me, but I was too over come with anger to care. He took a step towards me and opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "How can you just sit here? We have to do something. I have to do something. I'm sick of being a coward!" I lowered my head as tears filled my eyes. "Everyone I know is in danger. It's not worth it—I'm not worth it." I concluded barley above a whisper.
The room was abnormally quiet. I kept my eyes on the floor. Silent tears were streaming down my face and I sniffled once breaking the silence.
"Bella." Edward whispered. He reached forward and placed his hand on my shoulder but I pulled away.
I could hear the pain in his voice. Knowing that I had put it there just added a new wave of guilt to pass through me. I didn't deserve to be comforted.
I quickly walked away and went to my room. I paused briefly before shutting the door behind me. "I'm sorry." I said softly then shut the door. I went straight to the bathroom. It was the one place I was guaranteed to be alone. No one ever bothered me there. I climbed into the bathtub and drew my knees into my chest. I wrapped my arms around my legs and rested the side of my face on top of my knees.
I really was a horrible person. I had acted childishly. Edward and his family had given up everything for me and this was how I thanked them. I knew how hard it was on Edward to do nothing, but that didn't stop me from accusing other wise. I had been mean almost cruel with my words. I really wasn't worth all this trouble.
At some point I must have fallen asleep. I awoke feeling much too comfortable for being in a bathtub. I shot up and looked around finding myself in bed. Someone had carried me out of the bathroom and placed me in bed during the night. I felt tears spring to my eyes again as guilt washed through me.
I looked around and froze as my eyes feel onto the person sitting against the wall in my room. They were smiling brightly.
"Sleep well?" Alice asked as she sprang to her feet and joined me on the bed.
"Yes."
"Edward's not here." She explained before I could ask. "He went hunting for a few hours. He thought you might want some time alone. He should be back very soon."
I dropped my head ashamed. I could feel face turn red. "I'm sorry. I was horrible."
"Bella, really it's fine. You're under a lot of stress. It's understandable—we all understand." She stressed the word we, but I didn't trust her words completely. How could Edward not be unset with me? I had been so unkind.
I nodded my head. "How did I get to bed?" I asked keeping my eyes on my hands as I played with the sheets.
"Edward." She answered simply. "As soon as you were sleeping he placed you in bed. He stayed by your side almost the entire night. He only left a few hours ago." She hesitated. "He was very worried about you."
I tried to swallow but the guilt was chocking me and blocking my passageways.
"Well." She sighed getting up. "I'll leave you to get cleaned up. Breakfast will be waiting for you when you're done."
Before she left the room I looked up at her with glistening eyes. "Has my mother called yet?"
She pursed her lips and sighed. "No Bella, not yet."
I nodded my head as a tear streamed down my face. "Thanks." I murmured.
I placed my head in my hands and took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. No word could be a good thing. Charlie had mentioned the possibility of her going to Florida with Phil. Maybe that was where she was, safe and oblivious to the danger waiting for her at home.
I threw the blankets off me and methodically picked out clothing for the day. I took a long shower as I contemplated my situation. By the time I was finished a few things became clear to me. I could no longer sit here and wait. I could no longer hide. I had to do something no matter how small.
I sighed as I considered Edward's reaction to my decision. He was not going to be happy. But I was decided; I was going to Arizona with or without him.