AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I am so sorry for my lack of updates and I really apologise but I've been so busy lately. My life has been crazy but I know that's no excuse.

The main reason though as to why I'm writing this particular authors note is a result of a number of PMs and reviews I have received. Before I begin I just want to say that I have already replied personally to all the PMs and reviews that are in question.

Anyway, a number of people complained to me saying things such as they will no longer read my story because of the fact that I have killed off Alice.

First off, I apologise if I offended/upset anyone by killing Alice off. It was never my attention to harm anyone with this story.

Secondly, yes I completely understand that everyone on this site has their right to their own opinions as that's what the reviewing system is for HOWEVER I am not Stephanie Meyer. I am just a 17 year old girl from the west of Ireland and this is just a silly story I made up.

Though I appreciate your comments and as a reader you have the right to believe whatever you wish, I personally think you need to rethink your life priorities if you get so offended and distraught because I killed off a fictional character. Don't get me wrong- I wish the Cullens were real as much as the next fan girl but this is just a story! It is not real.

I'll repeat myself: THIS IS JUST A FICTIONAL STORY!

Also to warn any of the readers of this story what I am about to say is a slight spoiler. Alice will not be the only character I will kill off. Though I will not say which characters or whether it may be a Cullen or anyone else there are definitely going to be more people killed.

The reason for this is because the main message of this fan fic is how the world is ruled by the media and how it can destroy peoples' lives. So the deaths of these characters are actually a part of the story and I'm not just being cold hearted.

Also I want to say that it's your own prerogative if you don't read my story. In fact, I'd rather you not than receive hateful messages. Also I'm just going to be blunt and say it GROW UP!

Once again I want to apologise if I offended/upset anyone especially after my little rant lol.

Anyway your probably sick of me blabbing so here's the new chapter.

P.S. I wonder what the reaction would have been like if I killed off Edward lol. XxxxxX

(Unofficial Beta note: Raven-Rach: Personally I cannot believe some of the messages Áine has received because of the last chapter… It's fiction, people.

Fan*FICTION* exists so that a writer can manipulate popular characters they enjoy to read about into a fresh story, develop the characters to cope with new situations and create new and different scenarios for them.

I have seen stories on this site where writers have killed off main-characters (such as Edward!) in horrible and gruesome ways simply to kill them off. Áine has written this particular plot-line because it is important to the story. Seriously people, !relax!

Enjoy Áine's work for what it is: well-written, well-worded, vividly described and wonderfully interesting. I know FF is a place to indulge in fiction and escapism, but please get a grip on reality. Áine is not a murderer, simply a writer. lol.

And if anyone finds a problem with what I am saying here- don't hesitate to contact me personally. You'll find me in this talented author's Favourite Authors list. I hope the dedicated readers who understand this piece for what it is send Áine some nice reviews. After the last chapter, I feel she needs them.

Enjoy guys! Raven out xx)

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Chapter 8

Bella's POV

My heart stopped. Alice… Is dead?…

How could this be happening?

I couldn't breath. I pushed myself away from a still sobbing Esme. I staggered across the room and limply fell into my familiar seat beside the kitchen table. I was in shock.

"How?… Wha… What happened? I don't… I can't…" I stammered out incredulously.

"The bloody Volturi felt like making a point!" Emmett snarled as his fist came smashing down onto the counter in a fit of rage. He was holding back his strength but it wasn't enough. The countertop cracked straight through the middle. Charlie groaned and glared at Emmett.

"Sorry I'll, umm… Pay for that too," he apologised, quite embarrassed.

"But why?" I asked Esme. My voice was dead, emotionless. Empty.

"The Volturi believe that we had something to do with Victoria revealing us. They wanted to make an example of us. Show that they still had power over the vampire world," she explained, the pain evident in her voice.

"So they killed Alice?" I responded grimly with a hint of anger. Esme nodded her head. She didn't say any words but her sobs explained everything I needed to know.

"What about Jasper?" I inquired glumly.

"Carlisle says he doesn't know where he could be. After everything happened Carlisle rang me. He said that Jasper ran away after Alice was killed. As you can imagine Jasper was distraught, worse than that even. None of us have any idea where he is," Esme explained brokenly.

"And Carlisle?" I inquired, emotionless, just absorbing the information I've been given.

"He's still in Italy with Carmen and Eleazar. They tried to find Jasper but they couldn't… and since they obviously can't use public transport with everyone knowing what we are now, they're going to have swim back. They're going to meet us in New York Thursday night after they look for Jasper some more," Esme continued.

"Okay…" I murmured. I stared at the dated lino as I tried to accept everything. Esme looked at me with deep concern etched on her beautiful face.

"Bella honey? Are you alright?" she asked softly. I lifted up my head, time seemed to be passing agonisingly slow. I looked to Esme who mixed with her pain looked unsure of herself. She didn't know whether to stay where she stood or to come over to me. Rosalie and Emmett were wrapped in each others arms. Rosalie had her head buried into his chest and Emmett ran his fingers through her blonde hair. I glanced at Charlie. I was surprised. He didn't look angry anymore he looked concerned even.

"Yes…," I mumbled, nodding my head slowly. Charlie frowned.

"Bella you are not alright. You're as white as a Vam… Ghost," Charlie said quickly.

"No… I'm fine. I'm fine…" I said as if trying to convince everyone else as well as myself. But I knew I wasn't alright. I couldn't feel anything. I was numb. I wasn't angry. I wasn't upset. The things I should be when you loose someone you love. I was dead. An empty vessel. A shell known as Bella and what I wanted, more than ever was to have Edward hold me. Though I know he can never come, not now.

I could see everyone's lips moving, I could even tell that they were saying my name but I couldn't hear anything. What I could hear was a buzz, a ringing, a headache. My vision filled with specks of white. They began to multiply. I felt like I was about to pass out.

Abruptly the word "Forks" filtered through my grim headache. It was said by a familiar but unwelcome voice.

I practically leaped from my chair and dashed into the cramped sitting room. My faint spell began to pass as a rush of air entered my lungs. I threw myself onto the couch. Fumbling, I grabbed the TV remote and turned up the television, catching the beginning of a segment on the nightly Channel Six news.

A male reporter with cropped, dyed black hair came on the screen. He was standing in front of Forks High of all places. The reporter himself looked no more than thirty-five and held his microphone with the Channel Six emblem a little higher than maybe it should have been. I began absorbing what he was saying as the others began to file in from the kitchen.

"Today has been a historic day for mankind. We have learned so much of the creatures known as vampires that share the world with us. We have even witnessed the first ever interview with a vampire. Yes, today has been an historic, positive step forward but the same positive outlook cannot be said for the humble, small towns people of Forks, Washington," the reporter began as Esme came to sit beside me on the couch. Rosalie was sat on the armchair while Emmett sat up on its armrest. Charlie hovered in the doorway. Everyone's attention was on the TV.

"I am standing in front of Forks High School and today this was the location of the latest discovery to the vampire world. As many of you who have heard from the interview with the vampire Victoria that was broadcast on this very channel know, there is a vampire named Edward Cullen. It has surprisingly been discovered that he attends this school as a student," the reporter continued. Hearing Edward's name being said on the news felt like being shot in the chest with bullets. One for each syllable.

"We have talked to a number of the school's faculty and pupils and this is just part of what they had to say," he said as it cut to interviews that were obviously taken earlier in the day due to the fact the sky was still bright in some of the images. Mr. Banner, my biology teacher was the first to appear on the screen.

"I didn't know what to think at first when Victoria said his name. He was sitting right in front of me among his class mates as he has the past few years. I thought it was just a coincidence both the names Edward and Cullen are common enough but his reaction and the fact she mentioned Bella Swan too… Well what else could it be?," Mr. Banner said before it cut to a freshman I recognised but whose name I didn't know.

"It was unbelievable! He ran faster than the eye could see. Just like Victoria had said!" he exclaimed, his voice mixed with excitement and astonishment. The vampires in the room tensed, watching the news report unfold. I groaned. Of all people Lauren Mallory appeared the screen.

"I always knew there was something, like, different about him and his family. They were so weird and never hung out with anyone. They kept to themselves," she spoke with a hint of smugness and resentment. It just made me dislike her even more. The report cut back to the reporter who still stood outside my school.

"Yes, Edward Cullen may be a student here but he is also a part of a group of seven vampires living here in Forks, posing as a family. We have since learned that Carlisle Cullen- the acting 'father' of the group- is a doctor at the local hospital. There is also his so called 'wife' Esme and as well as Edward four other vampires act as their 'children'. We have found out that their names are Alice and Emmett Cullen and Rosalie and Jasper Hale. As of yet not much is known about this so called "family" but researchers are working around the clock and an interview- still to be scheduled- will be broadcast with the vampire named Edward. As many of you know Edward Cullen is now being held at Seattle prison. He is under heavy, 24 hour surveillance in solitary confinement. He was arrested outside his home at approximately half past two this afternoon. It took many armed police officers to capture and detain him. Luckily for Channel Six we had a camera crew on site."

It cut from the reporter. I was dreading what I was about to see. Deep down I didn't want to look but I couldn't tear my eyes from the screen.

The video began. The image quality wasn't perfect but one could still see everything that was happening. I didn't like how the reporter was over-exaggerating everything and not once was it mentioned that Edward came peacefully and of his own free will. Instead they made it sound like the latest action blockbuster where the Cullens played the villains.

I could feel the blush creep my cheeks as the video played especially when our kiss was being shown. Watching it broke my heart. For a number of reasons: First it was a clear invasion of my privacy, and mine and Edward's personal intimacy as he said his goodbyes. Second, it made me miss and want Edward even more. The camera didn't do him justice. If anything all it did was prove how inadequate I am compared to him. It was even harder watching him again being handcuffed and forced into the armoured truck.

The video of Edward's arrest finally stopped. My blush faded and I exhaled. I hadn't realised that I was holding my breath. It cut back to the reporter.

"It has been discovered that the girl in the video with the vampire is Isabella Swan, an 18 year old senior here at Forks High. She is the only daughter of Forks' police chief Charlie Swan. We have been informed that she has been unharmed by the vampire but while we interviewed the residents of Forks many claimed that the vampire and the teenage girl were in fact romantically linked for almost two years. Though one could argue what the video shown explains this, their true relationship status has not yet been confirmed-"

"This is ridiculous!" I yelled angrily at the TV screen. No one in the cramped sitting room really acknowledged my outburst as they were all to focused on the TV.

"The police and special ops forces are now on the search for the remaining members of the Cullen family. Their location is unknown and their raided home gave no clues as to their exact whereabouts. However receipts to three plane tickets to Italy were found in their home and searches are now also being held by the Italian government. Our own government has released a statement and they wish for everyone to remain calm and continue with their daily lives. However, if you do spot a member of the Cullen family do not panic and contact the police immediately. Yes, they are extremely dangerous but everything possible is being done to insure their capture. Any new details about the Cullen family and the newly detained Edward Cullen will be broadcast first and exclusive here on the Channel Six news. Back to studio," the reporter finished.

It cut to the news anchor and he began to talk about the interview with Victoria. It was nothing I hadn't already heard before. Esme gripped my hands in hers.

"What will we do?…" she asked grimly. "This is just awful. If losing three of my children in one day wasn't bad enough."

"Don't worry, like I said: you can all stay here as long as you like," I replied. Esme was about to respond but Charlie interrupted her.

"I'm sorry but I don't think that would be such a good idea," Charlie stated in a calmer tone than earlier as he drifted further into the sitting room. The anger seemed to have completely disappeared to be replaced with a hint of sympathy or even concern. I was taken aback slightly. However I was the only one who seemed to pick this up in his voice as the others took slight offence to what he said.

"What I mean is," Charlie reiterated. "I don't think you should stay here because they'll obviously come looking for you here."

"He's right. The sooner we leave, the better," Emmett agreed. I squeezed Esme's hands. I didn't want them to leave- not yet, not now. Esme picked up on my anxiety quickly. Esme looked to me and sighed. She pushed some hair from my face behind my ear. Her eyes were a golden pool of agony, no doubt reflecting my own pain.

"Bella honey I'm sorry but they're right. We can't stay here, I'm sorry. We could start on our journey to New York," Esme said softly.

"But… But… No…," I whispered.

"I know this is hard on all of us, especially after what happened to Al… But you have to remember Bella, we're not human. Being on the run won't be so bad... For us," Rosalie surprisingly reassured.

"Look we won't leave till morning. Well stick to the surrounding forest if we have to. No human would possibly ever outsmart us. Plus, I'm sure Edward would appreciate it we kept an eye on you," Emmett suggested.

"Speaking of Edward," Esme began as the tone of her voice became reserved and glum. "Someone's going to have to tell him about Alice and everything else."

"Oh… I guess it would have to be me. I mean I could go visit him or something. It wouldn't be safe for any of you to make an appearance. Wait… Can Edward even have visitors? We don't even know how they're treating him," I replied.

"I could ring some of my friends who work as guards at the prison. Maybe pull a few favours," Charlie suggested. After everything that's happened I'm practically more in shock over Charlie's recent behaviour than anything else. He excused himself to the kitchen to make the phone call. However as soon as he left Emmett was on his feet. He stepped forward cautiously and sniffed.

"Do you smell that?" he asked suspiciously to the other vampires in the room. Rosalie joined him.

"Human…" she stated. A confused borrow developed in-between Esme's eyebrows and she let go of my hands.

"Is that?… The sound of cameras?" she questioned seriously.

"Cameras?" I inquired confused as Charlie's phone conversation leaked into the sitting room. It seemed pretty mundane, well that was until something caught Charlie by surprise.

"What the hell?!… John, hold on a second," Charlie said with a hint of irritation in his voice. He quickly came to the sitting room door covering the house phone with his hand as if in a lame attempt to stop the man at the other end of the line from hearing anything.

"Bella, come quick there's people outside!" he exclaimed perhaps a little to loudly.

"What!" I yelled annoyed as I pushed myself from the couch and passed everyone. I dashed into the kitchen and looked out the window.

"Oh my God! I can't believe this!" I practically screamed, exasperated. Everyone had followed me into the room.

"Paparazzi…" Rosalie said stunned.

"And news crews!" Charlie stated, his anger resurfacing.

"This is just getting ridiculous! They're from all over the word! CNN, BBC, RTE and TF1!" I exclaimed.

"Bella, calm down," Charlie scolded. I glared at him. I was finally showing some emotion, even if it was anger.

"How can I calm down?! First Edward, then Alice and Jasper and now this! I've ruined everything and it's all my fault…" I said as the tears I prayed for still didn't come. My emotions felt like they were all bottled up and compressed, searching for anyway to escape but I couldn't free the killing pain.

Abruptly two cold arms wrapped around me and they weren't Esme's. Shockingly they were Rosalie's.

"Never ever blame yourself. None of this craziness has ever been your fault. You've done so much for us Bella, even welcomed us into your home and I apologise for not treating you the way I should," she said as she smiled reassuringly and pulled me closer to her.

"You're the only sister I've got left and I'm sorry for everything I've ever said or done to you. We're in this together," she whispered in my ear so only I could hear. I wanted tears to come but yet again they didn't. My eyes stung but nothing came. It was like I was being punished, not being allowed to release my emotions until I combusted or something.

"Thank you Rose," I responded genuinely as I took a deep breath and calmed down a little. As Rosalie went to a step towards Emmett he and Esme exchanged looks. They both realised what a huge moment that was for me and Rosalie. Though she whispered to me they heard every word due to their vampire ability's. Charlie was oblivious. He didn't know much about our relationship. In fact he had hardly spent time with any of the Cullens that were now in my kitchen. Edward and Alice were the only two who used to spend any time here and he knew Carlisle through his work at the hospital.

Charlie went back to his phone conversation as I pulled the curtains over the kitchen windows. He said his goodbyes and hung up the phone.

"Okay, that was John Reynolds I was talking to. He used to work at the station here in Forks and now he's a guard at the prison. Anyway he said he should have no problem getting you in except I'll have to go with you. With me being a police chief we could lie and say I'm needed for part of the investigation or something along those lines. Sway things to our favour," Charlie explained.

"Dad I don't expect you to come all the way to Seattle with me, especially if you've got to work tomorrow," I replied.

"Actually I would much prefer if you didn't go on your own and well… I don't have to work tomorrow anyway," he said being obviously cautious with the way he phrased his words.

"Why?" I asked surprised. I thought Charlie- the ever practical man- was saving his holidays even though he had nothing planned.

"That's not important right now," he said frowning, brushing off the conversation as he always does when he doesn't want to talk about something. I wasn't in any mood to press on any further so I let it drop.

"What is important is that we leave before anyone catches us," Emmett said changing the subject.

"He's right and Bella, don't worry this won't be the last you see of us. We will be in the forest keeping an eye on you… On both of you," Esme said as she stepped towards me to hug me goodbye.

"Tell Edward that we love him and that we hope he's okay. Also tell him that we understand why he's doing this but we need him with us too. After what happened at Volterra, even though what Edward's doing might be for the best, I just want my baby boy to come home," she vented as we held each other tightly. If it were possible her face would have been streaming with tears. I hugged both Rosalie and Emmett and we too said our goodbyes.

"Maybe we could go hunt for a while, get our minds off things" Emmett suggested nonchalantly. All of a sudden Charlie looked furious.

"Look. I might have been wiling to help you but I'd rather you didn't kill anymore humans or I'll turn you all in myself," Charlie said with the familiar enraged tone returning.

"No, wait dad! You don't understand. The Cullens aren't like other vampires," I said quickly, trying to get him to understand.

"Yes Charlie, we don't kill humans. We only drink the blood of animals," Rosalie explained.

"Oh… I didn't know your kind could do that. I'm sorry," Charlie responded taken aback slightly. I didn't like the fact he said: your kind. I would be a vampire as soon as I graduated. I wonder how he'd respond to that. Maybe now's not the best time to find out.

"It's okay Charlie, we're not offended. You didn't know, so really it's fine," Esme smiled.

The remaining Cullen's said their final goodbyes and then they were gone.

They left faster than my human eyes could comprehend. I suppose it was the only way they could leave, with all the paparazzi outside they couldn't risk being seen.

As soon as they were gone I felt my lifelessness return. I needed Edward like an addict needs their vice. I'm hopeless.

The atmosphere in the room became awkward. It was just me and Charlie alone again and I slumped into my kitchen chair. The dreaded silence between us returned. Charlie sighed.

"Look… I'm going to board up your broken window so you can use your room tonight. While I do that I want you to ring your mother. She's worried sick about you," he said as he handed me the house phone.

I couldn't muster up a noise so I just nodded my head. He turned and went up the stairs, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I suddenly became nervous. The nerves churned in my stomach so strongly it was almost like it overruled the agonising pain I felt. Though it could just have been the result of that dodgy pizza I ate earlier.

I dialled the familiar number. My hand was trembling. What would I say? What would my mom say? I had no clue how she would react but if its anything like Charlie then it should be okay.

I'm actually really stunned about Charlie's behaviour. His attitude seemed to completely change when the Cullen's came here. But I knew my time talking about this with him wasn't finished just yet.

The phone rang out a small number of times before it was quickly answered.

"Oh my God, Bella! Is that you?!" my mother yelled down the line frantic.

"Yes mom… It's me…"