Chapter 14

Bella's POV

I couldn't believe what I saw.

Everyone in the town was smartly dressed. The men in suits were escorting the ladies in dresses. There wasn't many cars only two or three drove by. Even a group of about five soldiers walked buy. It was like a picture out of a World War I history book.

Edward took his hand from around my waist, clutched my hand and he carefully stepped forward, edging away from the tree. I followed behind him as he lead the way, both of us completely silent. We tried our best not to draw attention to ourselves.

We exited the forest. Only a few people noticed us but it was nothing more then the usual stares. We walked across the road and stepped onto the footpath, all at a casual human speed. The amount of stares became overwhelming as more people began to notice us. It was like we were at the centre of attention. The topic of their whispers and gossip.

A tall woman walked by us, heading in the opposite direction. She looked me up and down before stopping her gaze at our intertwined fingers. Then raised her nose in disgust.

"That was very rude," I thought to myself as I let my shield down to let Edward hear my opinion. He didn't seem to acknowledge it. He just continued to stare forward.

I bowed my head and looked at myself to see what could of offended her. I quickly realised my clothes must have been to blame. Edward was ok, he was wearing a blue shirt with brown trousers and shoes. I on the other hand was wearing this white, turquoise, skinny jeans monstrosity. No matter what I could do I would stand out. Why of all the days did I have to try to please Alice.

I wanted Edward to say something but he just stayed quite. Suddenly he picked up our pace heading in the direction of this man. The man was no more then fifty, was wearing a hat and had a newspaper rolled up under his arm. The man looked slightly bewildered as we approached him. What was Edward doing?

"Excuse me Sir, could we borrow your newspaper for a minute please?" Edward asked, polite as ever. The mans stunned expression quickly relaxed as he responded.

"Of course you can son. Actually you can keep it. I have read it all already. All it is, is tripe any way," he said, as he handed the paper to Edward.

"Thank you Sir." Edward replied with a polite smile before he pulled on my arm gently signalling me to follow him. I could still feel the stares bore into me, resulting in me becoming more uncomfortable.

We walked quickly now, but not at a speed that would cause any human to become suspicious. We turned a corner before entering an alleyway. Edward stopped and let go of my hand. I dropped it to my side as Edward began to unroll the newspaper.

"What's the paper for?" I asked, still not able to comprehend his actions.

"The date," he replied simply.

"Also it might give us an indication of where we are," he continued.

"Oh… I get it," I thought aloud. He looked at me bewildered. He caught me off guard. "What I mean is: I didn't understand what you wanted the paper for. I didn't think this was the best time for reading," I confessed.

He half smiled before turning the front page towards me and pointing to the top right hand corner. "Look, we were right we're in 1917. The 20th of August to be exact."

"Whoa," I gasped, as I glanced at the rest of the page. The paper's name was what caught my attention.

"Wisconsin… we're in Wisconsin!" I stammered, stunned. Edward turned the paper back to face him.

"Yes, I guess so," he said as he began to read a loud. "The Eagle Tribune, Wisconsin's finest newspaper," he paused. "That must have been the Kettle Moraine State Forest we landed in. I hunted here about thirty years ago, I was even in this town Eagle but it looked completely different in the 70's."

"So we know where and when we are. All we need to do now is contact the Doctor," I said trying to continue our plan.

"Yes, we should make our way to Carlisle. I'm assuming that he's working in Chicago. We are not too far. It might take us a little while but we can run at top speed to get there," he frowned.

"Edward, are you alright?" I asked my voice filled with concern. "You've been awfully quite."

"Have I?…" he asked stunned. He sighed "Sorry, this has just being a lot to take in."

"I know what you mean. I feel the same," I reassured as I placed my hand on is shoulder "Do you know how to get there?" I asked.

"If we run east and once we hit Lake Michigan we can follow it south. If you want we can hunt on the way. It's been a while since we both went," he suggested.

"No, I'll be fine. I'd rather we got home as quickly as possible. We can hunt back in Forks. I'd planned to go later anyway." I replied sincerely.

"Okay… come on, the quicker we go, the quicker we will be home. It's dark and if we keep in on side roads, forests and such, people won't notice us," he said as he took my arm from his shoulder. He rolled up the newspaper and took about four steps forward, deeper into the alleyway. Then he threw the paper into an abandoned bin. He returned to me once again taking my hand in his.

We started to run as fast as we could. We ran and ran. All the while Edward was silent. There's something definitely wrong with him. Maybe it is just the situation were in. I wish he would share what was going on in his mind with me.

The distance between us and Carlisle's hospital seemed to be getting longer and longer. I knew it obviously wasn't but I just wanted to get home so badly. Normally I love a speedy run with Edward but this was different. I wanted our journey to be over as quick as possible. To pass the time I concentrated on Edward running beside me with our fingers interlocked. I needed him now more then ever. I don't know what I would of done or how I would of reacted if I was stuck here by myself. I will be forever grateful that he tried to save me from the Weeping Angels attack. I let down my shield to show him this.

"I love you," I thought. He half smiled and began caressing my thumb with his, though his silence didn't change. His frown returned as I let my shield spring back.

As an incentive for this run I concentrated on my family at home who were no doubt waiting for us. Also the scenery of 1917 was amazing, surreal even. But I couldn't absorb it fully as I was too worried about being stuck here. I was latching on to any hope our plan could give me.

The run felt like it was lasting forever, but thankfully I can never get tired. Suddenly Edward began to slow until he completely stopped.

He turned to face me and finally broke the silence that was plaguing us the past few hours. "Ok, we are close. So act human." he whispered.

I assumed we were getting deeper into the city. The more time I spent here the more I felt like I just stepped into a period movie.

The scent of human was very strong and coming from all directions. The burn in my throat was getting stronger and more persistent. I probably should have taken up Edwards offer to hunt. Then again, being home with my family is more important. I have enough confidence in my self control so I know I will be fine.

We walked quickly through the streets, but they were quiet. I didn't know what time it was because my watch was still set to Forks and 2009. I could tell it was late and that most of the humans must have been in bed. However any time a human did walk by us they stared at us intensely. If I could blush the red would never leave my cheeks. The staring irritated me but I don't think Edward even noticed. What ever was going on in that mind of his, he was completely absorbed by that.

We turned a corner and I saw the sign for Chicago University Hospital. We headed in that direction. I continuously followed Edward, he seemed to know where he was going. A large building came into view. I assumed it to be the hospital. It had a huge gate and we entered following the signs to its main entrance.

It was faint, but I could pinpoint his scent. Carlisle must have been here earlier or he was definitely inside the hospital.

There were no humans in sight as we made it to the main entrance. The scent of blood and sick was strong as obviously it would be. The sounds and smells emanating from the hospital were surprisingly not much different from today's hospitals.

I went to push open the door but Edward suddenly froze.

I turned to face him. My expression confused. He squeezed my hand and closed his eyes tightly. A furrow developing between his eyebrows.

"I can't go in there Bella" he mumbled as he shook his head.

"What? Why? Edward." I asked placing my hands on his face.

"Edward, please tell me what's going on inside that mind of yours. I know there's something wrong with you. Please open up to me, you know I'm always there for you."

His eyes shot open and he took my hands from his face and grasped them in his. "Bella. If you had a second chance to do something, would you take it?" he asked, almost sounding pained.

"It depends," I replied honestly and confused. "Edward please tell me what's going on?" I begged.

"Bella… I have to… I can't…" he began as if looking for the right way to phrase his sentence. "Come with me" was all he could manage to choke out.

He turned quickly as if he was about to run as fast as he could dropping my hands in the process. I gripped his shoulder and pulled him around to face me again before he could do anything.

"Bella, please…" he begged. " I have to go before I change my mind again!"

"Edward! Where do you have to go? Please let me inside that head of yours!" I practically screamed.

Suddenly my whole body grew stiff.

I could feel my shield begin to detach from my body. Not in the way it would when I would want Edward to read my mind, this was different. It wobbled unsteady, weak almost. it reminded me of when I first began to practice with it. Whatever it was doing I couldn't control it. It was taking all my strength.

It spread more slowly and carefully around Edward then it normally would. First it engulfed his entire body, then it slowly lifted from his feet, trailing up his legs then over the rest of his body. It stopped at his head and began to contract even more slowly and uneasy.

Suddenly Edward broke my stunned silence "She looks shocked. God, what's wrong with her. I hope she's okay. I shouldn't put her and myself through this. We should just go straight to Carlisle and go home as soon as possible."

I gasped as I realised his lips weren't moving.

"God, something's definitely wrong with her," he said panicked, but this lips were still not moving.

"Bella love, are you all right?" he asked panicked, but this time his lips did move. That's when I realised what was happening.

"I… I… can read your mind" I stammered out incredulous.

"But Bella that's impossible. That's not your power," he responded, confused.

"You thought, 'God, something's definitely wrong with her'" I said waiting for his reaction. He gasped, bewilderment engulfing his face.

"But how?" he asked stunned.

"Its like my shield has detached from my body and stretched itself around your brain," I explained in disbelieve.

Edwards face relaxed, with any sign of confusion disappearing. A huge grin stretched across his face. He wrapped his arms around me pulling me into a tight hug. My feet dangled of the ground. Simultaneously my shield left his body and returned safely to mine.

"Carlisle said your powers would develop! I'm so proud of you Bella. I love you so much!" he exclaimed while kissing me on my forehead.

I couldn't believe it. I was already stunned by how powerful my shield was, but now it was overwhelming.

"Wow…" I gasped.

"Wow, indeed," Edward chuckled while kissing my lips this time.

"Can you do it again?" he asked looking into my eyes.

My smile turned into a grimace "Just because this happened doesn't mean I've forgotten about before. Tell me what's going on with you. Where do you have to go?"