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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I'LL FOLLOW YOU INTO THE DARK

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"Bella?"

Bella sat up in the chair she had fallen asleep in. She looked over to the couch. Charlie was awake and sitting up. Sadly he didn't look any better or any more rested than yesterday. If she was being honest with herself, he looked worse.

"Yes dad?" she answered.

"I feel horrible" he hoarsely whispered.

She jumped up from her chair and grabbed his medication from off the table and a glass of water from the kitchen. He accepted her help without fuss. It was a sign of how far gone he was. She sighed brokenly as she gently leaned him back onto the couch.

"Bella?" he asked once again.

"Yes Dad?"

He was silent for a few minutes, then...

"Will you...take me outside...one...last time" he wheezed.

Her breath hitched in her throat. "My wish is your command" she said trying to inject some humor into the situation.

He smiled at her not quite seeing her.

"I know just the spot" she whispered.

Alice and Jasper were creeping through the forests of Northern California. They had been at it for a few hours now. As soon as they would get close, Edward would disappear again. This was especially vexing for Jasper, who saw no plan, no logical reasoning in the paths that Edward was choosing to follow. Every once in a while, Alice would check in on Edward's future to see what he was doing, but he was changing his mind so fast. He knew they were after him.

This time they wouldn't let him escape. Alice knew they were close.

"Have you tried looking into Charlie's future?" Jasper said out of the blue.

Alice looked at him, "How would that help us find Edward?" she was so focused on the task at hand.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Fine" she said. She closed her eyes and focused.

Images of fire and pain tore through her vision, then everything was black.

"She's gonna turn him Jasper" she whispered. "But she's not going to succeed, she's going to kill him!"

She looked to Jasper who had gone into a defensive crouch.

"He's here!" she whispered. Quickly she sent out pleading thoughts for Edward to come back, sending him images of the vision she had just had.

Minutes passed in silence. With each moment that passed Alice grew angrier.

"Bella doesn't hate Edward and she's gonna kill her Dad" Alice seethed, "You'd think that would make him stop and think".

Jasper stood up and turned around.

"Maybe he's just slow" he said, pointing into the greenery.

Alice looked where he was pointing and saw Edward sitting on a fallen log. She narrowed her eyes, then marched on over to him.

"We have an emergency brewing and you just think its just great to sit here as if you have all the time in the world!" she said with her hands on her hips.

Edward looked up at her.

"I should have known" he said brokenly.

Alice stared at him, not knowing what to say.

"How could I have thought that she would write those hurtful things?" he said, "She must have been so confused after she got her memories back" he said with remorse, "I left her in her time of need".

Alice rolled her eyes.

"Edward, she's still alive" she said, "Haven't you heard a thing I've been thinking?"

"I know Alice" Edward said glaring at her, "I've heard everything" he said with emphasis on the last word.

"Well then, get off your butt and go make it better" Alice challenged. "Don't let Victoria get the last laugh".

She then got a faraway look in her eyes and was quiet for a few minutes. Edward watched her closely.

"Will it hurt Bells?" Charlie asked. They were in a meadow.

"I suppose it will" she replied, sighing. "Don't you worry about it" she said, kissing his forehead. "Its my choice, and I am sure of it"

Suddenly he stood up.

"We have to stop her!" he shouted.

"Hurry up!" Jasper called from his spot in the distance, her was already on his way back to their car.

Alice shook her head of her thoughts and grabbed Edward, leading him through the forest.

"We can be there in two hours" she said.

"One and a half," Edward clarified, "Let me drive"

She nodded and ran on. It was still dark, but the sun would be rising soon.

"Just a little bit longer dad" Bella whispered. Charlie was sleeping again. She had carried him to the car and made him comfortable before getting in and driving out of town. Now she was trying in vain to keep the drive smooth so as not to cause more pain to her dad. But alas, her car didn't have four wheel drive and the area that they were driving in desperately called for it. She didn't care though. If everything went as planned, she wouldn't be needing this car anymore.

Soon, she reached the point where she couldn't drive any further. Parking the car, she got out. It was nice outside. The sky was still dark, but it showed hints of a rising sun.

Making her way over to the trunk, she pulled out a set of blankets and went to Charlie. Taking him in her arms, she wrapped him up and started to run.

It was a nice run for Bella. Charlie was light in her arms. The winter air was so crisp and clean. She drinked it in.

Minutes later, she sensed an opening in the trees ahead. The sky was starting to lighten now. Slowing down to a brisk walk, she forged ahead.

Breaking through the trees, she found herself in a beautiful meadow. It held both happy and sad memories for her, but right now, it simply was peaceful.

Laying Charlie down gently on the grass, Bella grabbed one of the blankets and spread it out. Then she put Charlie on it and covered him with another blanket. He was still asleep.

She took the last blanket and laid it out next to Charlie, then she laid down and stared at the still present stars. Her thoughts strayed to how she had gotten to this point in her life, to when she was changed. She had been so naive back then...

She had gone to school that day, like any other day. On the outside, she looked the same as she had those past few months after Edward had Left. Jacob had managed to bring a little sun into her life, but on that day she had realized that he couldn't be relied on. After telling her on the phone that he was sick and couldn't see her, a little trip down to the reservation had shown her how much he had simply used her and that he was now over her and didn't want to see her. He had been running around, perfectly healthy and with a bright grin on his face as he played with his friends. She had called him once more only to be told to never call again. All men were the same, she had thought. They use you until they loose interest, then they throw you to the curb.

She had vowed that she would never again be used. She was going to change herself, because it was obvious to her that Bella Swan was no good. She would be Bella Swan no more.

Foolishly, she had packed up her bags, not telling anyone what she was thinking, even Charlie, and fleeing Forks. She hadn't gotten far when a red headed blur had appeared in the road ahead her causing her to veer off the road in an effort to avoid the object. She had driven straight into a tree and, looking back on it, probably gotten a concussion. From that point on, her memories of the day were scattered and didn't make much sense. All she could put together was that Victoria had taunted her and tortured her, making her run to and fro before plucking her off the ground and taking her away. She had vague memories of Laurent being there too, but she couldn't be sure.

When she had woken up, she had been slapped by Victoria and questioned. When the woman had realized that Bella didn't have any memories, she had laughed so evilly, the sound was permanently etched in her mind. The worst part of all, was the last thing that Victoria had said to her. She had said that she would always be watching and waiting to get her final revenge she had. No matter where she went over those years, she would always see a random red flash. Now she knew who it was.

At least now she understood why Victoria had been vindictive toward her. For Victoria, she was the reason that James, her mate, had been killed. It was not enough for Victoria to know that Edward had abandoned her. She wanted more, and she had gotten it. Bella had been rejected twice by Edward and now knew that he hated her. Though Victoria was still suffering over the loos of her mate, watching Bella go through hell and back had apparently been enough for her to die a happy woman.

Bella shook her head. Some people...

Beside her, Charlie was beginning to stir. As he opened his eyes and took a look around, a smile graced his face.

"This is beautiful Bella" he said appreciatively.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Better" he replied.

Bella smiled, "That's good".

Above them, the sky was turning into a gorgeous shade of purple.

I'm glad" Charlie said.

Bella looked at Charlie. His eyes were closed, but she could tell he was content.

"I've missed you for so long and these past few weeks have been more than I could ever have dreamed of" he said.

Bella smiled, "They have been the best for me too".

"I wish I didn't have to go so soon" he whispered.

Bella propped herself up on her elbow. "Then don't".

Charlie opened his eyes and turned to Bella. He looked at her for a moment then began to shake his head. "I'm sorry Bells, it has to be this way" he looked at her again, "I couldn't imagine living forever and having to drink blood".

He sighed at the heartbroken look on Bella's face. "I've lived a full life" he pleaded, "Sure it's been more sad than happy, but those happy times have been worth it all".

"I have no regrets Bella" he said seriously, "I've done my best and that's all I can do".

Bella nodded and fell back on her blanket.

"Bells, don't cry for me okay?" Charlie asked, "Promise?"

Bella slowly nodded.

Charlie turned at stared at Bella. She had closed her eyes and for all appearances looked like she was asleep.

The two sat that way in silence, enjoying the peaceful silence of the sunrise.

"We're not going to make it Edward" Alice said holding her head in her hands. Jasper was doing his best to comfort her, but it was not enough. The atmosphere in the car was one of doom and sorrow.

Edward pushed the gas even faster. He would make it there if it was the last thing he did.

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One more to go! I'm so excited to post it but sad at the same time cause it's done. Oh well, all things must come to an end eventually. Just prepare yourselves, this ending is a far cry from a fairy tale ending...