Chapter Three
"There's a very good chance that they will eliminate us all - though in your case it won't be punishment so much as dinnertime." - Alice - NM - Pg. 468
When Alec woke her in the morning, he was not dressed in his usual black cape, but in black slacks, and a button up satin shirt. He seemed relaxed in his movements, more human, and he was inexpressibly handsome. It sent Bella in a startled daze until they reached their destination an hour later.
At the end of Sandro Pertini road was a little shop named Style World's Abbigliamento. It's where Alec took Bella the next day to shop for clothes. They hung on movable racks throughout the large white room, tables of colorful handbags. It was much too sterile for her taste.
Alec admired a black and white photo of a city while she browsed. She didn't know the conversion from euros to dollars, and she didn't know if €50.00 was a good deal on a shirt. She also didn't know what size she was in Italy. She didn't think she would ever miss shopping with Alice as much as she did then. If she was with her she would know what to buy and know her size. All Bella would have had to do was sit back and the let the horrendous overspending take place, but without her, she was lost.
She bit her lip and glimpsed at Alec desperately. She caught his eye and he strolled over.
"Trouble, Bella?"
"I don't like shopping."
"So you have said."
"I like jeans. T-shirts. Comfortable clothes."
His eyes roved over her, and he left her standing there to go to the back of the room. He came back with a slender blond lady, her hair pulled into a loose bun. He spoke to her in fluent Italian, and she eyed Bella critically, not liking at all what she was hearing. Whatever that was.
"Come," the lady said in English, grabbing Bella's arm roughly. "I get you dress."
Alec nodded in consent when Bella looked to him. "She speaks very little English, be brief. Yes or no."
She was taken to a back room and onto a platform. The lady scurried about, throwing clothes over her shoulder. She was mumbling in a dissatisfied tone, and Bella assumed that whatever she was saying it had something to do with her build or liking of style. Or lack of style, as Alice had once told her.
Bella stood rigid, more frightened of this human woman than she was of the non-vegetarian vampire outside. If only she could understand what she was saying. She used to think that when she became a vampire (because ultimately, she would), she would have to learn multiple languages. That was all changed, now it all depended if she was able to get out of Volterra alive. There was little chance of that happening, but she would try, because she wasn't going to be without the Cullens. They were her only reason for wanting to be like them.
Like a doll, she was dressed in many fitted jeans and t-shirts. Bella had horrid flashbacks of when Alice played with her the same. Of course, that was omitting the attitude the woman had, while Alice was cheerful and a little menacing.
In the end, she had fifty pairs of each article of clothing, right down to bras and underwear. She couldn't describe even one of them, they all blurred together to her. She was in a haze of textures and colors when she was returned to the main room, with a pleased Alec.
"How do I pay for this," she asked quietly. "I have no money."
He chuckled, "we have a near endless supply."
"I'll pay you back." Somehow...
He turned to her then, all trace of humor gone. "Isabella, with the Volturi, you have nothing to concern yourself with. You will be taken care of."
She didn't like that one bit, and Alec seemed to have noticed that.
"Think of serving us as your job."
"I told you, I don't want anything to do with your family," she spat the last word, not certain that family was a good way to describe them.
He shook his head, bringing out his wallet, a gold card between his fingertips. "You are not going to change your mind, I see that. However, I can do nothing for you. The plans are set, you are to be one of us. Make it easier for yourself and accept your fate."
"I will die before I join you."
He averted his gaze, turned, and said, "and die you shall." And he handed the card to the abominable Italian.
As he was paying, Bella exited to the alleyway. She inclined against the wall, her hands in her pockets, taking deep and even breaths. She knew that she was doomed, but to hear it in such a callous way, by a boy that was supposed to be protecting her, it was a blow to her stomach. What was going to happen to Charlie? Who was going to take care of him? Would the Cullens ever learn of her death? Maybe she could stay in Volterra long enough to send them a message, then she would escape. They wouldn't kill her willingly, she would have to make them.
The only idea she had to survive was to gain their trust. Eventually they would have to trust her outside of Volterra, and then she would leave and never come back, but where would she go? She couldn't return to the Cullens, the Volturi would surely be hunting her. They would be the first place they'd search, and she couldn't possibly put them in anymore danger than she already had. That meant that she couldn't see Charlie, her mother, Jacob... She would be on her own. Forever. She may as well let Aro murder her.
She tugged on the material covering her stomach, sliding down the wall to a heap on the ground. Hopelessness smothered her, making her weak. There was no way out. No matter how she looked at it, she was going to die.
"Bella." Alec knelt next to her. "Are you ill?"
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"Shall I take you back to your room?"
"No," she said, shaking her head, forgetting her fate for that moment. She didn't want to be stuck in that room more than she had to be. It may be the last time that the sun touched her skin without it sparkling. She wanted to enjoy that.
Alec helped her to her feet, and she brushed the dirt off.
"I would like to show you something. If you don't mind."
"What about my clothes?"
"They are being sent there as we speak." He reached into his pocket and withdrew leather gloves handing them to her. "It's to protect your hands from my cold."
She slipped them on as he offered his hand. She hesitated only a second before taking his. Despite that there was the thick fabric between them it felt right, as if she had held his hand so many times before. It was comfortable, but most importantly it was real. Everything before had seemed like a dream, and he was the only tangible part of her life. That was it, without a choice Alec was in her life, whether or not she liked it, and she feared that she liked it all too well. It was becoming harder and harder to hate him, and she reminded herself that every kind act he was doing was for Aro's sake. He didn't want her "damaged."
They made their way out of the alley taking many turns, past houses with woman tending to their vibrant flowers in their garden, men cutting the grass. They were friendly, smiling cordially at them as they past, as if they were a sweet couple on a stroll, although they apprehensively gave Alec a strange look. The Volturi never left their home, and it the sun was partially out. Alec had no choice but to wear his robe, covering every inch of his body.
It felt like they were a couple. A normal, everyday couple, but they were anything but ordinary. They weren't even a couple. It occurred to Bella then that she hardly thought of Edward. When she did it was out of worry for his safety, but none more than the worry she felt for the rest of his family. Did that mean she was over him?
Out of the sight of the village they came upon a small hill. Alec took them off of the dirt path they were on to climb up. He was patient, unhurried, and she was grateful, but angry that she couldn't move at the pace he would usually take.
They stopped at the top, and her breath was taken by the sight.
The small hill was at the edge of Volterra, the wall coming to her midsection. It looked out on modest villages that appeared to be subjected to time's forgetfulness. The rain-filled clouds cast over them like an omen of doom. The brightest point in the sky was above them.
"Without vehemently remembering our human life the memories fade and vanish. This village aids me in remembering mine."
"Is this where you came from?"
"No. This village is a resemblance."
"I guess you miss it."
"Is that what you gather from me showing this to you?"
She nodded.
"Bella, there are times you have to remember the bad, for that is where your lessons grow."
She didn't want to remember the bad. She had formidable talent at blocking unpleasant things. It was just as useful as her talent of blocking people that try to play with her mind.
"This place is yours. You will find happiness here."
She shook her head stubbornly, but surprisingly, he placed his hand in hers, lacing their fingers.
"You have a friend at your disposal. There is no need to feel alone." He smiled at her confusion. "I told you, I cannot feel your emotions, but I can read you."
That was strange to hear. No one had been able to read her, even as a child, her mother had no clue what she was thinking. Then there was Alec, a string to her pulling her closer. She didn't mind being close to him, it was the future he was giving her that she didn't want, but if Alec was in it, could he be right about being happy?
Bella didn't think about it further, she didn't like the answer.