36.

Lisa's perspective –

I couldn't keep up with the pace Edward was traveling at. The trees whizzed past my head and I heard Alice somewhere behind us, running like mad to keep up with Edward.

The sensation of being lifted off the ground had sent my stomach rolling. I felt like maybe I might faint if I didn't get any blood soon. All around I could smell small animals like rabbits, hiding as we ran through the woods. I could see the sun was rising when we passed an open area; light filtered through the spaces in the treetops.

Why is he taking me so far?

Though I wasn't expecting an answer, I could hear Edward's answer ring in my head. To be safe.

I didn't know what to make of this open dialogue I was having with Edward inside my mind.

Edward, this is far enough!

All these voices I was hearing in my head made me wonder if I was going insane. But I had no time to think about it as Edward slowed to a stop and put me down. "Can you hunt?" he asked me, squatting down in front of the rock he'd placed me on.

"Edward," Alice scolded her brother softly. "Of course she can't. She can barely sit on the rock."

I wondered if I could think up a smart reply but nothing came to mind. It would probably come to me hours after this, like it always did. Instead I shook my head, though it felt like I was dragging a stone with it for all the energy it required.

"Edward! Get her something, she's about to fall over." I felt Alice's hands grab unto me and hold me up. I hadn't realized I was falling until she stopped me. "Stay with us, Lisa," she whispered to me. Her scent flooded over me like perfume and I leaned forward, burying my head in her shoulder. "Alice," I murmured weakly. What is happening to me?

Seconds later, Edward came running back. Over Alice's shoulder, I could see he had a small deer clenched in his teeth. It fell at my feet, a huge gaping hole torn into its neck. In desperation for it's blood, I fell to the ground without even trying to catch myself and sank my teeth into the wound. Warm blood pulsed into my mouth as the door took it's last breath.

"More!" I heard Alice say to Edward as I moaned. I could feel my strength coming back to me with each gulp. I sucked it completely dry and pushed myself up on my hands and knees, panting. Slowly my sight came back to me and I noticed Alice watching me, worry creasing her face and shinning in her eyes. She was watching me carefully. When she saw I was getting better, her face broke into a smile. "I knew it would be okay," she whispered under her breath.

I pulled my hands up to look at them. The scars that had ringed my arm from where Edward had reattached it began to slowly disappear. I clenched my hands.

Edward was back in a flash, this time he laid a buck in front of me. Without thinking, I lunged for it. The burning in my throat subsided as I drank the huge animal dry.

Lifting my head to the sky and gazing up at the rising sun, I smiled and let out a contended sigh. I pushed myself up and rubbed the dirt off my jeans. I glanced at Edward and Alice, who were watching expectantly. I flashed them a grin. "Well, that was interesting," I commented.

I heard Edward's chuckle reverberate inside my head. Alice winked at me.

"Let's go home," I said.

We broke through the woods at lighting speed; the first thing I saw was the two cars and my husband pacing anxiously in front of one. "John!"

I skidded to a halt as he ran forward, slamming into me. He held me tightly, his breathe puffing on my neck. "Oh Lisa," he whispered as I kissed his head.

"I'm right here, baby," I whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I was so worried; I blamed myself for what happened. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault, John."

"But I wanted to keep you safe and then this happened… I'm so sorry."

"Stop apologizing. You couldn't have done anything to stop it."

He glanced at me with sad eyes and whispered slowly, "I know."

His thoughts started running through my head, all his doubts and fears, everything he wanted to say but couldn't find the words for. I wondered if it would be like this always now, hearing everyone's secret thoughts. I glanced at Edward and he shook his head, still unsure what to make of it all.

Carlisle will know, he thought hopefully.

Keeping my eyes on Edward, I kissed John's forehead. Glancing down at him, I saw that he had put on a small smile. I smiled back up at him.

"I've missed you," I whispered happily.

He nodded. "Me too."

We stood for a few more minutes, whispering together, when Emmett called out, "Okay, you two lovebirds. Let's get moving!"

The sun was just coming over the top of the trees as I shut the car door. The tint on the car windows kept the sun out as it shone brightly on us.

We went from a winding country road to busy city streets. Edward pulled the car into a parking garage, explaining that they had some stuff in the hotel next to it. We piled out of the cars and made our way to the exit. John took my hand in his as we walked through the empty alley into the hotel. The hotel was nearly empty and we made our way to the rooms in silence. Alice grabbed my hand and whispered she would get me a change of clothes. I followed John into his room and helped him pack his bag. Occasionally he would look up at me and whisper an apology. When we were done packing, he took my hands in his and kissed them softly. "I love you," he whispered, looking up at me. Pulling one of my hands free, I put it against his warm cheek and whispered, "You won't loose me again."

A soft knock on the door came a few seconds later, and I opened it to find Alice standing in the hallway with a pile of clothes in her hands. She smiled as she breezed past me into the room. She turned to me and handed me the clothes. "I thought you might want to wear these," she said with a wink.

I laughed. "Thanks, Alice. How many changes of clothes did you bring, anyways?"

She was looking around the room and said casually, "Oh, about five or six."

I couldn't help but smile and shake my head as I made my way into the bathroom. My clothes smelled musty with splashes of blood here and there. I pulled it all off and stuck it in one of the small garbage bags at the bottom of the trashcan. Alice had given me a pair of jeans with a tank top and a light knit cardigan. I pulled the jeans on and noted that they fit remarkably well. I wondered if Alice had packed a pair of my jeans; the jeans were too long to fit her. As I picked up the cardigan, a small bottle rolled out from the folds and nearly smashed to the ground. My hand flew out to catch it and I glanced at it curiously. It was Alice's favorite perfume. I pulled on the cardigan and spritzed a little of the fragrance on my wrists and neck. The flowery scent filled the room instantly, though I noted it was not as strong as most perfumes. I exchanged my dirty socks for the pair Alice had given me and pulled on my black boots.

Before leaving the bathroom, I glanced in the mirror and noticed that I had some smudges on my cheeks. I looked around until I found a small washcloth and wet it, rubbing my cheeks clean. The white cloth came away from my face nearly black and I decided to wash my whole face just in case. When I was clean, I tossed the washcloth unto the marble sink counter and stepped out of the bathroom. John had already left, leaving Alice sitting on the bed. She looked up when she heard the door open and glanced me up and down. She smiled approvingly. "Cute shirt," she said with a grin.

I chuckled and replied, "Who would have know you had such good taste."

"Hey!" Alice replied, but she was laughing. We walked out of the room together. I glanced down the hall before stepping into the elevator and nearly tripped over myself. At the end of the room was Aro, walking towards us. He had a hood pulled over his face but I could tell it was him when he glanced up at where I stood. I froze in fear.