Chapter 7
During the long drive to the ballet studio, the Cullens and Bella were silent for most of the journey. The Jeep pulled into the small parking lot of the studio halting to an abrupt stop as Carlisle parked in the compact space. Emmett eyes light up as a grin spread across his face. Emmett got out of the Jeep first, followed by Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, then Bella and Edward trailing behind. Walking to the front doors of the ballet studio, Carlisle stopped and turned around swiftly. Everyone waited in anticipation of Carlisle's words of wisdom. Carlisle whispered loudly enough for Bella to hear, "Bella will have to enter alone through the front entrance because James will be expecting her. We will either enter through the windows above the studio or the emergency exit door. First, Alice have you had any new visions?"
Alice retorted, "I had two new visions though they have been a little blurry and not too clear of any plans that James has. The first one was with James talking to some women in the shadows of the studio, though the women had fiery red curls so I am assuming it was most probably Victoria with him. Then the second vision—"
"Oh dear, my worst nightmare has come alive. Now if Victoria is involved we have a little problem. Victoria is probably helping James by distracting us, so James can get to Bella with little interference or resistance," Carlisle muttered under his breathe.
"I don't know if I should reveal my second vision then," Alice hesitated finishing the details of the last recent vision.
"Just spit it out, Alice," Edward stated bluntly.
"There was--Never mind what I saw it will not happen if we can get to Bella in time before James gets the chance to harm her," Alice decided contorting her face into a strange facial expression.
Jasper looked at Alice, who had a pained facial expression, and couldn't figure out whether it was based on her vision or just the recent dilemma. He softly spoke in Alice's ear, "Don't worry about what you saw that will not happen whatever occurred, and just tell us what you caught a glimpse of in your recent vision. If you don't tell us we will not be able to prevent that from occurring, please Alice."
Alice gazed deeply into Jasper's topaz eyes for a while before speaking in a hushed tone, "This vision was the clearest vision I've had ever. Bella had tried to fight off James the best she could, but James had more power. James shoved Bella to the ground causing her to hit her head against the corner of the stairs making the bleed a little, and then Bella did her best to get away though James just blocked her way to escape. James knocked over a glass mirror in the process of tackling her to the ground, Bella landed on the broken shards of glass. A pool of blood was slowly forming as Bella lay helpless in pain. Finally, James crouched looking at Bella with an evil grin then took her right arm and bit her watching her suffer a slow and painful death. Though the worst part was that ---" Alice looked at Edward, but looked away unable to say anything to console him.
Edward cut Alice off, "That's enough, Alice!" Edward looked at Alice intensely with his pained expression for a brief moment, then glanced at the ground burying his hands in his face as he tried to get the image out of his head. Edward felt not only terribly guilty, but also anxious because he knew he had no control of the outcome though he would do everything to save Bella. Bella had made his life worth living. If she wasn't there was no point in continuing an eternity all alone in misery.
Bella semi-composed facial expression had changed to a horrified, blank expression as she tried to grasp the possible outcome of this dangerous encounter. The image caused Bella to shudder, but Edward pulled her almost quivering body into his arms before Bella could react anymore. Bella took comfort in Edward's arms since this maybe the last time she will ever see Edward. She broke out in a quiet sob as Edward cradled her gently stroking her hair.
Carlisle cringed at the possible though of watching Edward suffer for an eternity if Bella died. There was nothing worse than losing someone that you loved and having to live with that for the rest of your never-ending life. Even being a vampire came with some disadvantages since you would just live forever while everyone you knew and loved dies around you.
Jasper sensed the glum vibe that everyone was feeling except for Emmett who was waiting impatiently. Jasper sensed that though Emmett may not be too fond of Bella like Edward, Alice, Carlisle, and Esme he would hate anything to happen to her though he may not show it, so not to look vulnerable.
For a while, the mood was melancholy as Edward wallowed in his self-conscious. Alice stood still like a Greek statue with a somber expression molded on her small, pale face. Jasper was next to Alice attempting to comfort her painful vision. Bella still was motionless shocked trying to accept that she wouldn't die. Edward held Bella tightly in his arms cherishing any last moment he had to remember he by if she didn't survive. Emmett had his usual brave expression on his face as he looked at Carlisle. Carlisle just stared blankly at Emmett for a brief second then turned his gaze at Bella and Edward watching as the two cherished the moment since they may not have another chance. He could tell Edward was eating himself inside for ever putting Bella in danger and being with her even though it was not the best thing for her safety. It seemed like a lifetime the Cullens and Bella spent out in the front of the ballet studio saying their good-byes. Bella had gained some composure though she had accepted her fate and wanted to say a few things to everyone before entering the studio doors. She picked her head up and gazed at Edward adoringly as tears formed in her eyes and rolled down her check.
Edward brushed the tears from Bella's rosy checks. "There's no need to cry, Bella. We will pull through there's no need to say good-bye. Nothing will happen to you," Edward spoke tenderly.
"You keep saying that, but there's no guarantee of that. If anything does happen to me, just remember that I will always love you, Edward." Bella gazed at a distraught Edward and softly kissed his lips hoping that he would continue with his life even if it meant a life without her.
She got out of Edward's strong embrace and could feel her heart breaking as she looked at Edward's distraught expression. Bella sauntered towards Alice and pulled her into a bear hug. "You are like a sister to me, Alice. You are also the best friend I could ever—"
"Please, don't say any final good-byes, Bella. You will not DIE!! I would not know how to deal if you died because you are a sister to me! You have to be optimistic even in a morose time like this," Alice exclaimed.
"But I don't want to go without thanking all of you even you," directing her glance at Emmett. "You have taken me in as a part of your family. You have been so loving and compassionate towards me. I will never forget all the adventures and fun I've had spending time with ya'll."
"We have also been honored to meet someone special like you," Carlisle commented. "As long as you provoke or try to fight James, you will make it out safely. We will take care of the rest our main goal is to keep you protected from James. There's no need to panic about James and Victoria."
"How will we know to enter the studio?" Emmett mused.
"I will either be watching from the window or the emergency exit when I signal we will surprise attack James and Victoria," Edward explained.
"You better be careful Victoria may be keeping watch for us, so she may be patrolling the back area of the studio just in case she sees us try to sneak in or we need to create a diversion to distract her which gives us a small pocket of opportunity to get in," Jasper warned.
"Alight, everyone so we know the plan. Bella will enter the studio by herself, then Alice, Jasper, and myself will be waiting near the entrance watching. Emmett and Edward will keep watch from either the emergency exit door or the windows. Alice thinks that Victoria will most probably with James in the studio preventing Bella from escaping. We can enter through the entrance or the emergency exit because it's the best way to surprise them," Carlisle said detailing the plans of their mission.
"Remember Bella you need to pretend to be worried because James has your mother, so you don't blow our cover," Alice kindly reminded Bella, who was looked so nervous as if she was going to puke.
Carlisle, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Edward waited around the corner of the studio building waiting for Bella to enter the building, then everyone split up to their assigned locations. Emmett and Edward were walking in opposite directions of Carlisle, Alice, and Jasper who were heading into the front lobby entrance of the studio. Around the back of the studio, Emmett and Edward evaluated the scene and decided it was best to hide in the windows overlooking the studio rather than peering out through the emergency ext window. Edward jumped up to the window sill waiting for Bella to entering the studio and James waiting in the shadows, while Emmett stayed on the ground to alert Edward if Victoria was approaching. Alice, Jasper, and Carlisle entered the dark lobby cautious of Victoria's presence watching Bella from afar as she approached the studio. Jasper tuned to his wife sensing a lot of tension and other various emotions as she watched Bella from a distance. Alice felt Jasper gazing at her and looked deeply into his eyes understanding everything he was saying without even speaking. Carlisle was trying to stay focused and not letting his emotions affect is thought process and actions. Emmett carefully guarded the backside crouching at the corner prepared to attack Victoria if she approached him. Watching anxiously Edward fought the urge to break the glass window and attack James, but that would ruin their plan. Victoria hid in the shadows of the studio watching James's glance following Bella with a devious smile spread across his pale face.