Author's Note: Shortest Chapter ever! Sorry! :0 *Hint: Be prepared for a new take on the story....*
14. A Phone Call
The noises of the traffic did little to wake me from my reverie as I hurtled through town, pushing my unregistered car to its limits, which was saying something. I was not aiming for subtlety today, and that was well enough, considering my getaway car. I had not purchased another Mercedes, knowing that was what any of my close aquaintances would have guessed, although a Mercedes might have stood out less. I had tried to down-grade, somewhat, to be more practical. And a brand new, 2008 Viper was a slight downgrade.
My thoughts were far away from the glinting metal hood and smooth black dashboard in front of me, however. I was conerned about how I was going to evade the authorities and find a flight to Europe. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought I would be running from justice, not to mention desperate to board a plane and leave my entire life behind me. More than once I'd almost turned back, had almost fled to the shelter of the great Hoh Rainforest, where everything in the world that mattered was waiting, hoping for me to come back.
But I couldn't return.
There was no going back, not now. Not in the condition I was in.
And that thought was torturing me. I had never even said goodbye to them, my family. What if they never knew how much I hated to leave them? Edward, my first son to join me in this eternal life on earth; Esme, my wife, with whom I had hoped to spend forever; Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Bella, my other children. And, of course--
My phone buzzed, rattling against the cupholder in which it rested. I picked it up and took the call, dreading to hear the voice I knew would be on the other end. "Yes?"
"Carlisle?" It was her voice, the voice of the one whom I was condeming to death. I closed my eyes as she continued, trusting my other senses to keep me on the road. "I'm coming. I'll be at the Atlanta airport in half a day."
I tried not to think of the way her voice was shaking as I answered. "All right, Rose. I'll meet you there."