And suddenly it hit me.

"People!" I exclaimed.

Alice and Jacob looked at me in confusion.

"What about people?" Jacob asked.

"Oh!" Alice said suddenly. "That may just work!"

"Can someone please explain to the normal people what's going on?" Jacob demanded.

"We need people. If we can get a crowd that outnumbers the Volturi, they may hesitate long enough for us to explain ourselves." I explained. I felt the hope flowing through everyone, including myself. "Alice, go find Carlisle."

She nodded and flew through the front door.

At the same time, Jasper came through.

They paused and gave each other loving glances.

I flinched and turned away, heading to the kitchen where I could be alone.

The thoughts came before I could stop them.

Bella and I used to have that.

I could almost imagine her standing next to me, her beautiful chocolate eyes filled with concern. I could almost hear her asking me what was wrong. I could almost feel her lips touching mine, the electricity coursing through both of us.

My body shook and my breathing hitched.

I put my head in my hands, the dry, silent sobs racked my body once more.

I sank to my knees.

I couldn't hold myself together anymore, not for anyone's sake.

That same crushing pain filled me.

I needed escape. I needed something, anything to get me away from the pain.

The pain, the pain, the pain, the pain.

I couldn't take this anymore.

I put on a careful blank expression and darted into the living room, pausing to kiss Renesmee's forehead.

"Edward?" Jasper asked, feeling the emotion which strangled me.

I couldn't pause for a second more. My careful control was coming to an end.

I rushed out the front door, grabbing a random set of car keys in the process.

Of course the car keys I had grabbed were the ones of Bella's Mercedes Guardian.

I opened the car door and was hit with a blast of Bella's scent.

I welcomed it, but the smell wouldn't help with my grieving.

I put the car in drive and hit the accelerator.

I was way over 100 mph, but it was still to slow. I almost regretted the choice of driving instead of running, but immediately, Bella's scent made me change my mind.

I made it to my destination and ran from there.

All I could think about was Bella. All I could see was Bella. All I could taste, all I could feel was Bella.

Bella, Bella, Bella.

The meadow was covered in frost from the cold, but I lay down anyway.

I felt the cold, damp earth seeping through my shirt, but I didn't care.

I closed my eyes and breathed in.

The smell of Bella lingered and I touched the ground next to me.

She should have been there. She should have lain next to me, and I should have stared into her eyes, feeling the warmth her body provided.

I put my hand into my pockets and felt the cloth and hair that was lying there.

God, I missed her.

"Why?" I shouted aloud. "Why did you take her from me?"

My voice broke and I sobbed.

"I need to leave." I whispered quietly to myself. "I need to get away from here. Just until I can get myself together."

But what about Renesmee? that small part of me asked.

I would miss her horribly. I knew that. But I think she would be okay for the time being. I would be back before the snow stuck to the ground. I would protect her.

But I needed to protect myself first.

It sounded so selfish, but I knew if I came back like this, I would hurt them more than if I disappeared for a while

I got up and walked back to the car.

And I left.