A/N: So… Bella's on the run. Nowhere in my research does it tell me how fast SM's vamps can run, so I'm taking a bit of liberty in that area. I'm estimating in the 150-200mph range, since it's been established that vamps can travel much faster than cars, and that they can move more quickly than the human eye can see. Speeds in that range would allow Bella to traverse Canada in the time-frame that I've presented here. I also made substantial changes after both my beta and pre-reader looked at this, especially in the final scene; any mistakes are mine.

Thanks to tiffanyanne3 for the beta and radar1230 for the pre-read.

Disclaimer: The Twilight Saga belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended

Sacrificial Love

Bella

Throughout the morning, I hunted, slowly replenishing the energy I'd depleted while running cross-country last night. It took more than I expected—more than I'd ever before needed—in order to feel replete. The first deer had only been an hors d'oeuvre to my starving body, and I'd quickly followed it up with a five-course meal. By the time I was finally satisfied, the sun was high in the morning sky.

In my rush to eat, I hadn't been neat. My clothes were stained with the lifeblood of my meal. My hands and arms were filthy, covered in dirt and the bodily fluids of my prey. My hair was a matted mess, full of plant debris and more blood. In short, I was an absolute mess. And I had no way to clean up.

I headed back to the bay and turned south. Following the coast, I resumed running, at a more moderate pace this time; I had no desire to deplete my reserves again. When I spotted the first signs of civilization, I decided to swim once more. Submerging myself, I could travel southward undetected, and I might even be able to clean up a bit in the process.

Although my swim took several hours, the sun was still shining brightly when I reached landfall at the southern tip of the bay. After pulling myself from the water, I took stock. While the water had cleaned my skin and hair, my clothes were still a tattered mess. Between my glittering skin and disheveled appearance, if anyone spotted me, they would be alarmed at the least. Taking care to remain unseen, I headed south.

I was reasonably certain that the Volturi wouldn't be able to track me beyond my point of entry into the water. The area they would need to search was far too vast for a handful of people to properly patrol—I'd swum several hundred miles. For the first time in almost twenty-four hours, I relaxed a bit. Release from anxiety allowed me to think while I ran, something I hadn't been able to do in the past day despite the infinite capability of my brain; I'd been too concerned with the immediate need to escape to consider anything else.

But now? I needed to contact my family. Edward was… incapacitated… and I needed a new support system.

I began thinking—really thinking—about where I would go next. I had no clue where the other Cullens were living, or where they might be at the moment, as Edward hadn't told me. With the turmoil of the past day, I could only hope that Alice would be able to see my decision. Relying on Alice's foresight wasn't enough, though. I had to talk to them. As soon as possible.

To do that, I needed a phone. And in order to find a phone, I needed to come in contact with… people. That was something I'd yet to do on my own, even after almost ten years —Edward had limited our contact with humans to make things easier for me. It was also something I couldn't do in my current state of disarray; I'd have to act covertly.

I'd been travelling for a few hours when I finally noticed increased signs of civilization. The sun had set by the time I reached the outskirts of a town in southeastern Ontario. Protected by darkness, I perused the area. It was a small town, not much bigger—or different—than Forks, its city center consisting of a grocery store, a post office, and a few local hangouts. It wasn't hard to locate the local tavern; bright lights and loud music identified it easily. All I had to do was wait…

The opportunity presented itself sooner than I expected when a couple stumbled out into the parking lot. The woman stormed to a car and yelled at the man before slamming the door. I didn't need to hear her angry words to know he was drunk; I could smell the alcohol from more than a hundred yards away. After she drove off, he wandered back to the bar and collapsed on a bench outside the front door. As soon as his breaths evened out, I slipped from my hiding spot and ran silently to his side. Luckily, I was still full from my morning meal, so his blood, while appealing, wasn't a serious temptation. I quickly and gently patted him down, sighing in relief when I located his cell phone and eased it from his pocket. I felt bad for taking it, but it was a matter of life or death.

I dialed the number I'd committed to memory as I ran. Alice answered before it even rang.

"Bella?" Her voice was short, anxious.

"Yeah, Alice, it's me."

"Thank God!" she cried. Then she started talking, rapid-fire. "Everything went blank last night right after I talked with Edward. Are you okay? Where are you? All I've seen are flashes of trees and water, but it's all moving so quickly, I can't pinpoint any particular location."

Just hearing her voice caused relief to wash through me. My feet slowed to a halt and my breaths, even though they were unnecessary, came in panting snivels as emotion finally took over.

"No," I sobbed. "Nothing is alright. Edward sacrificed himself for me, Alice. But I can't talk about that right now. I've been on the run for more than a day. I think I'm safe, though, for now?"

A moment of silence, then, "Yes, you're good. They're not following you." More silence. "They're—" she paused and gasped, "with Edward. He's alive, Bella. But… Something's not right." Her voice was frustrated. "Where are you?" she asked again.

"Somewhere in southern Ontario. I'm headed south."

"Yes, I know." She snorted. "Seriously, Bella… Niagara Falls?"

I almost smiled.

"It was the only place I could think of. I'll be there in a few hours. Where are you?"

"We're on our way, Bella. We'll see you soon."