Chapter 4

Bella's POV

"What are we going to do?!" I yelled, my voice edged with panic.

He didn't answer me. He continued to stare straight ahead angrily as he sped through the quiet town of Forks with his hands tightly clutched around the steering wheel. I'm surprised he hasn't broken it, especially with the mood he's in now. I'm stunned that he hasn't ground his car into a fine silver dust.

I've been in a car with Edward plenty of times before but he's never driven like this. Sure, he's always driven like a maniac but at least he tried not to get caught. But now he was pushing the speedometer as far as it could go. His speed did make me nervous but I trusted Edward and his vampire reflexes. Being worried about crashing -to be fair- was the last thing on my mind. What was going to happen to Edward and his family… our family now?

He took one of his hands from the steering wheel and started pulling at his jeans pocket. Edward abruptly threw his phone into my lap.

"Dial Alice's number quick!" he ordered. I flipped open his phone obviously complying to what he asked without a second thought. I didn't really know how to use his modern phone but I saw the word contacts and I selected that.

Sure enough when I clicked on contacts Alice was on top of the list followed by me, then Carlisle. I quickly selected Alice's name and clicked the green button. Edward stretched his hand across for me to hand him the phone and I placed it in his palm. He quickly put it up to his ear as I watched. He groaned.

"Ugh! Try Carlisle," he said quickly as he handed back the phone. We were now on the outskirts of the town, heading in the direction of Edward's house.

I repeated the process and handed him back the phone after I dialled Carlisle's number. He groaned again.

"Try Jasper!" he said, practically yelling as we turned into the long drive that led to his house. I was beginning to panic. I tried Jasper's phone but still no answer.

"God! Edward, why aren't they answering?! I hope they're okay," I gasped. "Oh! You don't think the Volturi did any-"

"Shush Bella! It will be alright, they'll be alright. I am sure they're fine. They're probably in an audience with the Volturi or something," he said calming a little but his voice oozed with worry.

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair as the mansion came into view. The car quickly swerved to a halt. I could even hear the individual pieces of gravel hit the base of the car.

I gave Edward back his phone and we both jumped out of the car. Before I knew it I was on his back as he ran at vampire speed. I opened my eyes to find myself in Edward's sitting room surrounded by three very worried vampires.

They reflected our panicked yet shocked expressions. Edward placed me on my feet and put his arms around my waist. I was steady now, no fear of falling over, but it was like he was too afraid to let go of me. He took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry… this is all my fault," he began. Esme took a step forward and put her hand on Edward's shoulder.

"No, Edward, none of this is your fault," she replied. "We don't blame you in any way."

"Yeah! It's that cow Victoria that will burn in hell when I'm through with her!" Emmett exclaimed.

"Emmett please!" Esme scolded. "And Edward, really, not even Alice it seems saw this one coming."

"I can't get through to Alice, Carlisle or Jasper," Edward explained as worry flashed across the faces of the four vampires who stood before me. No doubt my own face expressed that same genuine worry and fear for our loved ones.

"We even tried the Denalis. Nothing from them either," Rosalie elaborated. A short silence grew between us before I broke it.

"What will we do now?" I asked surprised by how quiet my voice was.

"We should have ran yesterday, the moment Victoria spilled the beans on vampires. I think we should run, get out of here as fast as we can," Emmett suggested.

Edward didn't say anything but I could feel his icy breath on my neck.

"Maybe you're right. We should leave right now. I think its our only option," Rosalie agreed.

"But where will we go? What about the others?" Esme inquired.

"We can bring our mobiles and some cash. We will keep trying to contact them in Volterra even if it means going there ourselves. To be honest we don't really need to worry about where we go. If we hide ourselves from the humans we'll be fine. Stick to the forests," Emmett said, ready to leave as he spoke those words.

"We're obviously vampires, it's not like we need food, shelter or sleep," Rosalie added.

"True, and I suppose if it's our only option I guess it's what we'll have to do," Esme contemplated.

"But what about Bella?" Edward said softly. I noted that his voice sounded almost dead.

My body stiffened. That's probably why Edward grew silent when Emmett said that they should run. He realised what that would mean for me… for us.

It was obvious that I wouldn't be able to go with them. I would just hold them back. Moments like these I wished I was already changed instead of waiting until after graduation.

My heart and breathing rate increased. My vision began to cloud with tears swelling in my eyes as a blush crept onto my face. Edward's arms tightened around me and he pulled me closer to him and turned me to face him. His hand gently trailed up my arm.

"I can tell what you're thinking. That won't happen Bella... Not again..." he said as his hand came to rest on my shoulder.

Suddenly he growled and quickly pulled away from me. Was it something I said, did?

"Great!" he yelled with harsh sarcasm. "Looks like we'll have visitors!"

We all looked to him confused.

"Edward, what's going on?" Esme asked concerned.

"They'll be here in less than five minutes. It's the police. There's about five squad cars. It's a little hard for me to hear them as they're still a little too far away from me. They have an armoured truck. Like that would hold us! And for the love of all that's holy- a camera crew as well!" he exclaimed.

Everyone's expressions became serious.

"We have to leave now!" Emmett said sternly. Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I'll quickly go to the safe and get us some cash. Everyone only take what you can carry, what's really important," Esme said before she ran out of the room. Next Emmett and Rosalie were nowhere to be seen, leaving just Edward and I alone in the room. I stepped back over to Edward and clutched his hand in mine.

"Is there anything you need to get?" I asked somehow trying to lighten the intense atmosphere.

"No, I have everything I want right here," he said sincerely as the back of his hand gently caressed the side of my face. He sighed and squeezed my hand.

"I'm sorry Bella but… Your father…," he took a deep breath. "Is one of the police officers on their way here."

"Of course he is," I sighed. For once I wish he wasn't the chief of police.

"What is he thinking?" I asked quietly.

"He's still kind of in shock really. He doesn't want to believe it. Well, he believes that I could be a vampire but it's the fact that you're with me he's not happy about," he explained.

"Great!" I exclaimed as I stepped away from Edward and placed my head in my hands, sitting on the couch.

"We will have to talk to him. Get him to hear our side of the story," I said as I bowed my head towards the floor. I wasn't looking at Edward but I could feel his ice cold figure sit closely next to me.

"If you don't want to leave I'll understand. This isn't like when we had to fight James. This is different. I don't know when you will be able to see Charlie again," he stated.

"No. I have to go. Not only for you, for both of us," I responded.

"Okay," Edward replied simply through a sigh. He had given up arguing.

All of a sudden the three others arrived back ready to leave. Everyone's expression was stern. You could tell that no one wanted to leave. This was their home that they built together as a family. But this is what had to be done. Humans might not be able to hurt them physically or even kill them but they could do a lot worse.

We headed for the door. Edward and I were the last to exit the house. The others quickly ran to the edge of the forest waiting for us.

Though it was overcast the weather was calm for Forks, dry even. The peace was a contrast to everything that has happened the last couple of days. However even with my human ears I could hear the sound of the police cars winding down the drive to the mansion.

I looked to the others who were waiting for us as Edward pulled me onto his back. I knew I would be holding them back.

As I wrapped my arms around him I buried my head in the nape of his neck and closed my eyes. I didn't realise we were running until he stopped. We were standing at the edge of the forest next to the others. He turned and stared in the direction of the drive. The first police cars were now visible in the distance.

Edward stepped away from his family, further from the forest. What was he doing?

"Go…," he whispered. "Go now without me."

"What?! No!" Esme cried. I was stunned, and by the looks of things, so were Emmett and Rosalie. What was he saying!?

"It's me they really want. Maybe I could try to explain that we're not a threat. Bella gave me the idea that we should tell our side of the story. We shouldn't have to run from our home just because of what we are," he explained. I was shocked. I didn't know what to say. My arms tightened around his neck.

"Edward don't be ridiculous! What are you going to do? Walk over to them a say 'we come in peace!' ? We have to go now!" Emmett said. I had never really seen him like this before, very serious with a hint of anger.

"Emmett's right Edward. Don't do this. Come with us," Rosalie begged.

He shook his head. "No, I have to do this. I'm sorry." He took another deep breath. "Please try to contact the others in Italy as soon as you can."

Before I could blink, Edward and I were in the middle of the yard awaiting the arrival of the police. My heart was racing and my tear ducts severely betrayed me, spilling over at this the worst possible moment.

Edward looked straight ahead as the police cars swarmed towards us. They were speeding, sirens blaring.

"Go…" Edward whispered, emotionless. Though his family still lingered by the edge of the forest with their super hearing they could easily hear him over the police's ruckus.

I assumed to their better judgment Rosalie and Esme turned and ran deeper into the forest. Pain was evident on their faces. Emmett stayed behind. He shook his head, his face stern.

"Please…" Edward whispered again emotionless. Emmett reluctantly nodded and headed in the direction the other two went, pain clear on his face as well.

It was almost like they were synchronised. The five squad cars semi circled around us. Followed by the armoured truck and the news van. Channel Six… Perfect…

It was like a scene out of any action movie. The police officers jumped out of their cars, then used them like shields, hiding behind the doors. They were armed and pointed their guns at us.

I reburied my head into the nape of Edward's neck. I didn't want to see Charlie, not like this. I closed my eyes though tears still escaped. I was scared and oddly enough it wasn't because of the fact that I was surrounded by guns. It was because of Edward. What was he going to do now? What will he say? What will they do to him now?

"Put the girl down," I heard a harsh, male voice say. A few sobs escaped my lips as Edward slowly reached his hand up and detached my arms from around his neck. He pulled me off his back and in front of him. I turned and buried my face in his chest. I didn't want to let go of him.

"Bella, step away from Edward... Please..."

I was like my heart broke when I heard those word being spoken. It was Charlie. I hadn't had the courage to even look at him yet. I wouldn't move. I couldn't move. All my body seemed capable of doing was betraying me with tears. Edward cupped my jaw with his hand and pulled my face you to look at him.

"Bella," he whispered so only I could hear. We were giving each other complete eye contact.

"My original idea was to explain to them that I'm not a threat. But by the looks of things they're not going to listen. That much is obvious because of the fact some of them think I've kidnapped you. They are here to arrest me and it will be easier if I comply instead of fight them. I don't want anyone to get hurt. Do you understand?" he asked. I nodded as more tears began to flow freely.

"Edward don't do this," I sobbed.

"I know I said I wouldn't leave you and I'm truly sorry but I have to do this. For our whole family. It will be only for a few days. I promise. If they won't listen to me I will break out and get you straightaway, okay?" he continued as he used his thumbs to caress the fallen tears away from my cheeks.

"I love you," I breathed through a sob. He half smiled though his expression was filled with obvious pain.

"I love you too," he replied as he wrapped his other arm around my waist. His other hand still cupped my face as he pulled me towards his. Our lips crashed together. We kissed passionately yet frantically. Our kiss deepened. We never really kissed like this before. It was unlike Edward to be so forward and forceful but this was a goodbye.

I didn't want him to leave even if it only is for a few days especially now after all what has happened. The kiss was wonderful and a savoured every second of it but as always Edward pulled away. A sight blush crept my cheeks when I realised that everyone was watching our very personal moment, including my dad and the Channel Six camera crew. I'd never kissed Edward in front of Charlie before, well not like that anyway. It annoyed me that some people looked disgusted. Edward stepped away from me and toward the police officers.

"Don't move!" one officer yelled, armed like the others. Edward slowly raised his hands making a gesture of his surrender. The officers flinched. They were scared of him, all except for Charlie.

I finally allowed myself to look at him. He was standing, unlike the ten or so others who were half hidden behind their cars. Charlie and his partner were the only ones I recognised. None of the rest were from Forks. I don't know why, but I expected him to look or have something different about him when he found out about Edward. He was obviously the same but he wouldn't give me eye contact. Almost as if it was on purpose.

"Put down the guns before someone gets hurt. You know they wont hurt me," Edward warned calmly. He took another step forward. He was now closer to them than he was me.

"Want to do the honours, Chief Swan? It's not every day someone gets to arrest their daughters boyfriend," said an officer who seemed to be leading them. Whoever he was I didn't like him.

Charlie looked to Edward. He took a step forward as he reached for his handcuffs. He stopped in his tracks. He stared at me, his eyes lingering on my tear soaked face. He sighed.

"No…" he stated simply while shaking his head.

The other officers looked at him incredulously. The leading officer grunted.

"Chief Swan that's an order," the man yelled but my dad still didn't move.

"Fine! When you want a job done right," he groaned and he, quickly followed by another two policemen, walked towards Edward. My heart was racing. They grabbed Edward and shoved him, pulling his arms back to handcuff him.

I wanted to scream something like 'leave him alone!' but what was the use. I didn't have any control over this situation. My vision once again became clouded. I felt like I couldn't breath. Edward was pushed forward and his rights were stated to him. I broke down, fresh tears streamed down my face. My knees buckled and I fell to the ground.

I couldn't feel any physical pain. I was on my knees and I was numb. I just stared at the gravel covered ground as the gray pebbles darkened with the drops of my tears.