A/N: New chapter brought to you by tellingmelies, sorry it took so long to get out to you, but we hope you like it.

Disclaimer: we do not own

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Chapter 8

EPOV

I had to get out of the house. I needed to think; clear my head and I couldn't do that with so many people around. I needed to talk to Emmett, go over the things that we knew again and the things that we didn't. Everything had changed, it was different this time. She was different. But was she the one? I sure as hell didn't know but I knew that if I didn't get this mess under control that we would never be able to find out.

Earlier I had gone downstairs to try to apologize to Bella and Alice about my behavior. I knew there was no excuse that I could give them that would make any sense but I had to try. I found the four of them in the kitchen making food. I saw the bottle of my finest scotch on the table and thought about saying something but bit back my remark when I looked at Alice. Her normal bubbly personality was gone; she now sat beside me solemn as she laid her head on the table. I glanced around the kitchen taking in the appearance of both Bella and Quil, their expressions mirrored Alice's and I wondered what had happened while I had been in my room. The silence weighed heavy on me but I couldn't bring myself to break it. Instead I sat while they ate around me, my eyes trained on Bella the whole time. She never looked up from her bowl, her mind clearly in another place. Panic welled up inside me. Was she afraid of me? Have I pushed her away? The silence was pieced by a screech as Bella pushed back her chair and excused herself. I watched her walk away to afraid to talk to her. Alice ran after her and Quil followed soon after leaving me alone with the silence. I don't know how long I sat there staring at the table before I knew I had to get out.

I heard the slamming of a door from upstairs, the sound echoing off the walls, and I made my decision to go see Emmett. Walking upstairs to tell my guests that I would be leaving I ran into Quil carrying a crying Alice.

"Is she ok?" I asked concerned. All my guests seemed to be losing their sparks. It was the curse of this place.

Quil nodded, "She will be. Just having a hard time with all this shit, you know?"

I sighed and looked away from Alice, "I need to run down to my brother's store. The one you guys stopped at last night." I explained when he gave me a questioning look. "My brother needs some help with a shipment, and depending on how late it goes I may just stay at his place." I lied, instantly regretting having to deceive them.

"Ok, cool." Quil shifted the tiny girl in his arms.

"I'll let you lay her down. I just wanted to inform you of my absence." Quil nodded once more and disappeared into his room.

I took a deep breath as I walked towards Alice's room. I knew Bella was inside. I could feel her, almost like a second heartbeat within mine. I leaned my forehead against the door, feeling her life within mine. This had to mean something. Didn't it?

I knocked softly on the door.

"Alice, go away." came the muffled response.

"Bella, it's me, Edward."

I could hear the rustling of the bed before the door cracked open and Bella peeked through. Her brown eyes were wide, the rims red.

"Edward?"

"Hey, are you ok?" I asked, lowering my voice to match her whispered tone.

She sighed heavily and walked away from the door. She didn't shut it, but I didn't know if she wanted me to follow her or not. I stood in the doorway torn by what I should do when I realized that it didn't matter what I should do, I had thrown that decision out the window when I let her into my home. Begrudgingly, I pushed open the door and followed her in. I found Bella sitting cross legged in the middle of the bed clutching a pillow in her hands. I stopped at the foot of the bed not knowing if she wanted me any closer. Please want me to come closer.

"I wanted to let you know that I'm going to be leaving for awhile."

Her eyes shot up, "Leaving? You'll be coming back though, right?"

My heart soared, she wanted me to come back. "Yes, Bella. Why wouldn't I?"

She began picking at the frays of the pillow. "I don't know." She mumbled.

I sat on the end of the bed, still keeping my distance from her. "Bella, I want to apologize for actions earlier." She looked up at me. "I don't really know how to explain my reaction-"

"Edward, it's okay. You don't have to apologize. I mean, yeah it was a little sudden the way you ran out, but….umm…I should be the one to apologize."

I scooted closer to her, our knees barely touching. "Bella, what on earth do you have to apologize for?"

"The room." She bit her lip and looked down to where our knees touched. "I'll pay for the damages, and to have the carpet cleaned." I wanted to pull that damned lip out from between her teeth.

"You will do no such thing. From what I gather it was not your fault, therefore I will not let you pay." I was adamant about this. I had no clue what had transpired between her and Jake and as much as I wanted to ask her I knew that she needed to tell me on her own time.

We sat in silence for a few moments, both of us looking down at our legs. Bella cleared her throat and I looked up at her.

"He left."

"Who?" I asked but I was suddenly filled with a sinking feeling. Please, please not him.

"Jake." Shit.

I took a deep breath. "What do you mean?"

"We got into…well, last night he…ughh!" she threw the pillow on the ground. "He left! He just left! No words, nothing. Not even a goodbye." Her eyes met mine and they were filled with silent pools.

I didn't know what to say. What could I say? Hey Bella, your boyfriend didn't leave, he probably met up with the monster under the bed and I highly doubt you'll ever see him again. No. Instead I said.

"What do you mean he left?" Good Edward. "Maybe he just went out for a walk."

"Well, all of his stuff and his car are gone."

What? "What?" Oh good one.

She nodded. "Alice found it. Or lack thereof."

I nervously ran my hand through my hair. "I thought the car didn't work because of the crash."

"We all thought the same thing. I don't know. Jake's pretty good with cars, maybe he fixed it enough to get it running again." She looked at me, her eyes hopeful.

I couldn't help but feel slightly hopeful myself. If his car was gone that means that he had to move it. Maybe I had read the signs wrong. Maybe just maybe it didn't get loose. Maybe I had finally managed to keep it contained. My hope was instantly replaced with fury as I looked at the broken girl in front of me. How could he just leave her? Who would be so stupid? It didn't matter, I decided. I vowed right there that I would do anything to make her happy. Happy? Be serious, Edward, you can't make anyone happy. I felt a sharp pain in my hand and I looked down to find that I was clenching my left hand so tight that I had drawn blood. Luckily Bella had yet to notice this as I hid my hand behind me.

"I guess we just didn't mean that much to him." She whispered, her voice breaking at the end.

"Bella." I whispered, she didn't look up. "Bella." I tried again. When she didn't respond I reached out with my right hand, placing my hand under her chin and gently pushing upward.

"He's a fool. Anyone that would walk away from you is a fool."

Her eyes widened slightly, her lips shaping the perfect O. My hand slid from her chin coming to a rest on the side of her face. She closed her eyes and leaned into my palm. Did she feel it too? I could think of no other explanation as I stared at her. How could she go from sadness to such pure content in less than a minute? Her eyes fluttered open.

"Where are you going?" she asked in a small voice.

Nowhere. Everywhere.

"I need to go help my brother out for awhile." Emmett, I thought. I needed to see Emmett.

"But you'll be back?"

"Of course. Where else would I go?" I replied, my voice dropping as I unconsciously leaned towards her. I knew this was wrong, I knew that I should stop, but all thoughts were brushed aside as I saw her leaning in, matching me speed for speed.

We were mere inches apart when a glitter of gold caught my eye. I looked down to see that Bella's necklace had fallen loose of her shirt and was dangling in between us, the light from the window reflecting off of the jewel causing gold streams to pierce the room. The moment my mind made sense of what it was I heard it.

The growl.

The pounding.

Ripping.

I jumped up, quickly dropping my hand from Bella. I had moved so fast that she was still slowly moving forward when she finally realized that I wasn't there.

"Edw-"

"I have to go." I said urgently making my way to the door. I paused under the frame and turned back. My heart broke as I saw Bella once again sitting alone in the middle of the bed looking broken. Her eyes were trained on me, full of confusion and concern.

I looked her dead in the eyes, "I will be back, Bella."

She finally nodded and I left.

*****

It took me less than ten minutes to reach Emmett's store. I pulled my car into the deserted parking lot and rushed into the store.

"Edward? What are you doing here?" Jasper asked as he came around the corner.

I looked at the man in front of me, another person broken. I was instantly wrapped in guilt as I stared at him.

Jasper reached up and placed his arm on mine, "I don't blame you, Edward. I never have." His eyes were forgiving and I found myself nodding. Even if he didn't blame me, I did. Nothing would change that. Nothing would give Jasper back the use of his legs.

He dropped his arm, "What are you doing here?"

"I need to see Emmett."

Jasper stared at me for a second before turning around to get my brother. I could only imagine what was going on in his mind. I leaned against the counter and dropped my head into my hands. Please God let us figure this out. I just need it to be over.

I knew it was pointless. My prayers were never answered, only my nightmares.

"Edward? What happened? What's going on?" I heard my brother's frantic voice as I lowered my hands and looked up.

Emmett stood in front of me, fear etched in his features. I knew why he looked scared. I had never come to the store before, hell, I don't even remember the last time I left my property. Jasper was right behind him looking disgusted. Disgust because he feared for what had happened. I couldn't blame him, I knew my history.

I swallowed my increasing panic, "I need to talk to you."

"Is every…thing okay?" Jasper asked. I knew what he was originally going to ask. He wanted to know if everyone was still alive.

I met his eyes, "I don't know." His gaze faltered as he looked away and I was once again racked with guilt.

"What do you mean 'you don't know'?" Emmett asked placing a hand on my shoulder.

"One of the guests is missing." Jasper sucked in a breath as Emmett's grip on my shoulder tightened.

"The girl? The brunette?" he asked frantically, shaking me.

"No, not her." Emmett relaxed, releasing me and rubbing his arms.

Jasper moved up next to my brother, "Than who?"

"Her boyfriend, Jacob."

We were all silent for a moment. Jasper wheeled over to the door and turned the sign over so that it now read 'Closed'. He locked the door before rejoining us.

"Did it…?" Emmett trailed off breaking the silence.

"I don't know." I answered honestly. "A part of me wants to say yes, that it got…out."

"Shit." Emmett whispered, while Jasper looked positively livid.

"But then this morning, his car was gone along with all of his things." I finished.

Emmett clapped his hands together, "Well, there you go. It couldn't have been…it. The kid just got freaked and left."

"Leaving all his friends, including his girlfriend?" Jasper asked skeptically.

"Hey, maybe the guy's a prick. I don't know and frankly I don't care." Emmett looked from Jasper to me. "What about the girl?"

Bella.

I looked intently at my brother, "Emmet, why her? What about her made you think 'this is the one'?"

Emmett's face broke out into a grin, "She is, isn't she?" I didn't answer. "I knew it. Nothing else would get you out here." He leaned closer to me. "It's her, Edward. You know it too."

"But how?" I growled shoving away from the counter. "It's all stories, legends. How do we know that any of its true?"

He grabbed my shoulders and spun me around, our faces inches apart. "We have to believe." He gripped tighter. "I have to believe."

I realized right then that Emmett blamed himself for my plight. I placed my hand over his.

"This isn't your fault, Emmett. You weren't the first born, I was."

"It isn't yours either, Edward." came Jasper's voice from behind me. I turned slowly to face him. His blue eyes were fixed on mine filled slightly with anger.

"It's hard to believe you when I can see your emotions in your eyes." I said softly.

He sighed, "My anger isn't towards you, it never has been. But I can't pretend anymore. I love you Edward, you and Emmett are the only family I've ever known. But I can't keep looking away as people continue to get hurt! I want so bad to believe in this 'cure', but it's getting harder every time."

"You don't think it's hard for me?" I yelled. "I have to live there. I have to live with it. No one else! Do you know how that feels?" I took a deep breath trying to calm myself. I turned back to Emmett. "After they leave, no more. I don't care what happens to me, no one else will get hurt because of this."

My younger brother looked like he was going to disagree but then thought against it. Instead he shook his head, "It won't matter. This is it."

I watched him pace back and forth muttering to himself, willing himself to believe that this girl was special. That Bella was special. As much as I wanted to believe it, I couldn't allow myself to feel happy. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever feel happy.

"Why don't we all go sit down?" Jasper asked causing Emmett to pause and nod. I followed both of them out the back door of the store. We followed a cement path that lead to the house that the two of them shared hidden behind the store. Jasper switched on the light as Emmett went and grabbed three beers out of the fridge. We sat around the kitchen table, each of us lost in thought, silently sipping our beers. Finally I couldn't take it anymore.

"Why her, Emmett?"

He leaned forward on his elbows, "You felt it too, didn't you?"

"I won't deny that there's some…draw towards her." I hesitated and Jasper noticed.

"What sort of draw?" he asked.

"I don't know how to explain it." I played with the rim of my bottle. "I can feel her everywhere. I know when she's coming before she arrives. She calms me before I know I'm angry and I feel…protective of her." I slammed my fist on the table. "It's only been one night. How is this possible?"

I looked up at the faces surrounding me, pleading with them to help me understand. Anything. I just needed…something. I was met with confusion and fear.

"There's another thing." They both leaned forward. "She wears this necklace, this amulet type jewel. I think that this, this jewel, somehow calls to it."

Jasper sucked in a breath while Emmett was bouncing in his seat. "An amulet?" Jasper asked. I nodded. "Can you describe it?"

I reached behind me and grabbed the notebook that was sitting on the desk. I pictured Bella's neck in my mind, the amulet glowing against her pale skin. My hand flew across the page as I drew from memory. When I was done I looked down and saw the amulet staring back at me, every detail perfect down to the markings on the jewel. I shoved the paper towards Jasper. He scrunched up his nose in concentrations and he looked over it.

"The markings are old, possibly early Wiccan. I can't be sure though. I'll have to do some research." He tucked the paper into his pocket and leaned back in his chair. "But Edward, I don't want you to get your hopes up. This could turn out to be nothing."

"I know, Jasper, believe me, I know." A look passed between the two of us before Emmet jumped in.

"Let's go through what we know." I nodded, this was what I came here for, to go through the history once more. "We know it began in 1692….."

*****

We relived our history until it was dark outside, no more closer to an answer than before. Emmett yawned loudly, stretching in his chair. I rubbed my eyes and noticed the time. Jasper followed my gaze to the clock on the wall.

"Do you need to get back?" he asked, a slight hesitation in his voice.

I shook my head, "I told them if it got to be too late I would just stay here."

"Is that wise?" Jasper was watching my reaction.

I nodded, "They're as safe there as they will ever be." He seemed to think about that before nodding.

Emmett stood up, "Your room is still the way you left it."

"Thank you." I said and I didn't mean just for the room. Emmett smiled, a timid smile and then he turned and walked towards his room. I left Jasper sitting at the table going over the papers and made my way to my old room. Emmett wasn't kidding when he said it was still the same. I had lived with Emmett and Jasper up until my parents died, then I moved to the house. In hindsight it was the best decision I've made. It's kept Emmett and Jasper safe and it's easier to control it when I'm at the house.

I laid down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling, smiling at the poster of the Pittsburgh Penguins that hung there. I remembered going to games with my father, Emmett and Jasper when we were young. I missed those days terribly. I rolled to my side and closed my eyes. Visions of Bella swam behind my eyelids and I drifted off to sleep.

*****

Jasper's POV

I woke up to sunlight on my face. Damn, I had forgotten to close the curtains before I went to bed. Settling myself into my chair I made my way down the hall. The house was still quiet leading me to believe that everyone was still asleep, but I had to be sure. I checked on Emmett first and found him passed out on top of his blankets. I smiled to myself and made my way to Edwards's room. I paused at the door. Taking a deep breath I pushed myself in. Edward was curled up in the corner of the bed, blanket pulled way up to his chin. He looked so peaceful then, almost like the boy I remembered. It was so unfair the life that was given to him. My hands gripped the sides of my chair as I leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"I love you, brother." I whispered before leaving the room.

I came to a stop by the desk pausing before I picked up the phone. I hated to do this, but at the same time I couldn't just sit by and watch more lives get torn apart. It had to end. If this girl was the one, it would all work itself out. If she wasn't, then I needed to get her and her friends out.

With a heavy heart I put the phone to my ear and dialed.

"Sheriff's Department."

*****

A/N: A little more insight into Edward here, probably just made you guys slightly more confused. We want to know what you think so just hit that little review button and you might just get the answers you want in the next chapter or so…heehee