Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, the New Moon dialogues, parts of the plot and character names. All other plotlines, characterizations, and details belong to the author: Bronzehyperion. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without the author's authorization. ©2009-2010 Bronzehyperion. All rights reserved worldwide.

CHAPTER 9: GOING SOUTH

Bring me my whiskey
I'm checking out
Gonna be a long time, girl
I'm going south
Shot up the mountain
Robbed that train
No way out, little girl
To get away clean

Gasoline.

I hated the smell of gasoline.

Of course, as a vampire I hated many smells, because lots of them were so intrusive to our senses, but this one was rapidly becoming one of the worst.

Association by fragrance. Gasoline would forever remind me of Victoria.

Though right now, it proved to be helpful. The irritating stench invading my nostrils gave me the extra drive to find her.

Joe's information had proved to be helpful enough. There was a hint of vampire aroma in the air and it wasn't mind. It was small, barely detectable, but it was there.

Leading me to the gas station Joe had pointed me to.

Murphy's Oil was a gas station on 1760 S Broadway St. It was bigger than I had expected with 5 pumps and two solid buildings, one moderate, the other one smaller. The larger building seemed to contain a shop, while the other one served the purpose of harboring two rest rooms.

I breathed in deep, tasting the aromas of dust and oil in the air. And something else. Something familiar. It wasn't the hint of Victoria's scent that threw me. It was something more severe. More potent.

Something unsettling.

It weren't just my senses that were on alert. As I parked on the furthest outskirt of the gas station parking lot, I noticed there was a chaos brewing.

At first sight, nothing would look out of the ordinary here, were it not for the fact that it was surprisingly busy. For a second it surprised me that the gas station was crowded.

But then one second was all it took for me to assess the situation. To put together the cause of the commotion.

The place was swatted with cars, probably belonging to locals or people passing through, stopping for gas. That was the normal part. Or would have been anyway.

The abnormality came from the two police cars from the Sulphur Springs Police Department and a country Sheriff vehicle, parked on the curb next to the gas station shop.

It was obvious something had happened. And as I allowed air to hit my senses, I knew it was something bad.

Blood.

It was not fresh, but it was there. Heavily mixed with Victoria's smell.

Victoria had hunted.

And murdered.

It wasn't a surprise, though it seemed very callous of her to do this out in the open, in a public place like a gas station. It made me wonder why she hadn't just killed Joe.

It was all very unpractical.

The smell of the blood only hit my throat a little. There was a slight burn of venom, but it didn't make me incredibly thirsty. In fact, it had quite the opposite reaction with me.

I didn't want to hunt. I wanted to run away and hated the fact I couldn't. Well not if I wanted to find out where Victoria had gone.

This was something I didn't want to be a part of, nor be associated with. And since I was a stranger in town, a stranger who had just stepped into a bar, looking like a gigantic outcast a little earlier, I had to be very careful to not draw attention to myself. If Joe would get word of this, I was certain he'd point to the weird guy who had approached him at his favorite hangout.

But blending in or laying low was easier said than done. The whole point of following Joe's directions was so that I could find Victoria. And he had pointed me to here.

She probably got a ride there with another trucker.

Yes, she probably had. After she'd decided to have a little snack. And I had to find out if she hitched another ride and if so, where it had taken her.

I got out of the car and stalked a little closer to the gathered people. Their thoughts attacked my mind instantly.

I could hear the murmurs; they were easy to pick up. There was a body. With eerily looking marks on its neck, found in the small restroom. A young man, probably easily lured in by Victoria. A convenient pray. Maybe she had pretended to offer him sex but killed him instead to regain her strength. After all, she had been travelling for a while. And I had yet to find out what he purpose of this was, if she was meeting up somewhere with Laurent, for instance. If she was ever planning on going back to Forks. So far she was travelling further away from what Alice's warning vision had displayed.

Victoria was hard to read, literally and figuratively.

As I got closer to the crime scene, the smell of blood and excrement hit my nostrils.

Alright, this was worse than gasoline. I watched three police officers – one of them seemingly a detective, the others lower in rank- and a man in sheriff attire walking around, the sheriff and one officer heading towards the shop, the detective and the other officer going into the rest room, the actual crime scene.

I noticed two other police officers, one male, the other a young woman, simply standing around the perimeter, basically keeping the gathered people at bay, but not actively participating in the investigation.

I didn't really care about the police investigation anyway. I could smell how the blood was rapidly drying up. It didn't make my mouth water. It was stale, not appetizing anymore.

Since it had been a small few hours since Victoria had been near Joe, I figured the poor guy who she had killed for a quick refill was dead less than a two hours. This meant Victoria had been here not too long ago. .

I didn't wonder anymore why she hadn't killed Joe instead of this victim. I didn't care. Joe probably got lucky. And with him had I, because without Joe, I would have never had any clue as to where I could find Victoria.

Unless I called Alice to see if she had a new vision, but I wasn't ready for that yet.

I sighed. This was really bad timing. I almost felt bad for the poor boy who had fallen into Victoria's clutching grasp and her bare fangs, but it wasn't going to help me speed this along.

Unless…

I used this poor man's tragedy to my advantage. An idea formed in my head the moment I thought of it.

I needed answers and I needed them fast. And instead of distancing myself from the entire situation, I could use it to get answers. A new lead.

I scanned my surroundings and focused myself on the one female police officer.

She was no taller than 4'9 and her build was just as tiny. Her eyes were grey and her hair dyed an unnatural black. She did not appear unattractive to anyone around her. I for one was relieved she didn't look like Bella.

Thinking of her was accompanied by the normal aching. I hadn't gotten used to it yet, but it helped to be distracted. I didn't allow myself to summon her face in my mind or allow my thoughts to wander down a path of guessing what she would be doing right now.

I tried to focus on the girl; she could be no older than in her late twenties. She looked unpleased, bored even.

Lara was her name, I could tell from her thoughts.

Now…it was time to play overprotective brother to my fictitious and mostly vicious sister.

I approached Lara with slow movements, not wanting her to frighten her but also make sure I'd not draw any extra suspicion to myself. I was already exposing myself too much with this plan.

I had almost reached her when I put my game face on. Overprotective, worried brother…

"Miss, excuse me….miss!!" I called frantically

Lara, the police officer was startled by my voice, by the edge and worry in it. Of course her thoughts became jumbled and all over the place once she looked me in the eye.

Great timing to "dazzle" her. I wasn't here to get my way – well not entirely – I was here to convince her I needed to find my sister.

Alright, so it was essential I'd get my way.

"Uhm…yes…what…what do ya want?" she wondered in a thick Texan accent, her voice stammering. Her eyes were still wide as she looked me over. Her heart started racing as she tried to hold my stare without ogling me.

Well, hello handsome.

At least the effect of dazzling was still there.

It was a strange sensation. I hadn't really dazzled anyone this much in a while. Of course when I thought of dazzling, I thought of faltering breaths, explosive heartbeats and…

Bella.

I'd never hear her heartbeat again.

The plain thought of that, innocent and uncalculated, hit me with a blow and it took me quite some effort to not allow the internal pain to visualize on my face.

Why was that thought so unnerving. It was a fact. I'd stay away from Bella, so I would never hear her heart beating for me again. Why did it feel like there was more to that thought?

I took a deep breath to let the unsettling feeling fade and focused on Lara with all the effort I could muster.

"What happened here," I asked her, the anxiety still forefront in my mind.

I expected her not to answer me, but I guessed my special dazzling power made her spill information she was probably not supposed to, easily.

"Guy got murdered. Not sure if it's a local yet. Sad, he was young and all. But...that's what you get with wild animals…" she said casually, as her heart was slowing and she could actually look me in the eye without losing her thoughts.

Wild animals. How typical.

"Wild….they ….you have wild animals here?' I feigned shock.

Well, he certainly aint from around here. Bet he never saw a bear before in his life…

"Yup," she grinned. "You not from here, huh?"

I allowed a little smile to make her feel more comfortable and shook my head.

"I am looking for my sister. She hitched a ride to here with a trucker named Joe. I met him at a bar and he told me he had dropped her off here," I explained, still sounding slightly panicked.

Lara nodded in understanding.

"Well, I bet she got another ride, before this guy in there got killed," she said confidently as she pointed to the small outer building.

"But you can't be sure," I murmured sadly. "My parents have been so worried. She has this condition and needs medication. We don't even know when she last took her pills," I said in whisper, adding dramatic effect.

Poor guy, he looks so sad.

"Well, we only found one body here. So you don't have to worry about your sister being hurt," she told me.

"Well not here anyway," she added quickly as she gave me an apologetic smile.

I took a deep breath, knowing I had an in and needed to execute this properly and fast too. Victoria was having more of a head start by the second.

"Do…do you think…anyone here….would know where she went?" I asked.

The girl in front of me shrugged. "I don't know. I think everyone here is preoccupied with the murder."

Hmm, so Lara was less perceptive than I wanted her to be. Needed her to be.

I had to throw in some extra charm to make sure she'd help me find a single clue as to where Victoria went. I supposed subtlety didn't work on her.

"Can you help me?" I asked softly, flashing her a smile again. "I know you probably have better things to do than help me, but it's important I find her," I said sincerely.

"Coz of her meds?" Lara remembered

I nodded. "Yes. I don't like the idea of her being out there somewhere alone. That won't help with her anxiety. She might lash out and hurt herself or someone else," I said matter-of-factly.

At least that wasn't a lie...

I could see the hesitation. She wanted to help but didn't know if it was appropriate. I was certain one of the policemen inside was her supervisor. She just needed a final push.

"I know it probably goes against the rules and all. I don't want to get you into trouble. Especially not since everyone is very busy with this...animal attack?" I quizzed innocently.

She smiled.

Man, he is so hot. How can I resist him? Maybe I can slip him my number or help him look or something. Better than waiting for detective Peltzer to give me a task.

Peltzer, her boss. The type of person to treat her like a doormat, I gathered from her thoughts. The type of guy who she'd gladly defy. Much to my benefit. Finally she seemed to understand where I was going with this, even though she didn't know she was being manipulated.

"Maybe the clerk knows something. As soon as the sheriff is done with him, I could ask…" she offered.

That was something at least. But not enough. I couldn't wait for her to wait for someone else.

I tried to be discreet about tasting the air around me, but the more I tried – and it wasn't easy to do this stealthily – to find a hint of Victoria's fragrance, the less it was detectable. It was fading and time was running out.

Maybe it was faith, maybe I was simply lucky, but as I looked over Lara's shoulder I noticed the detective walking away from what seemed to be the shop clerk.

"I…know it's so much to ask, but could you perhaps… ask him now?" I said as I pointed to the shop window.

Lara glanced over her shoulder and nodded. "I guess he's available now."

"What does your sister look like?" she asked me.

I stared at her blankly for a second. Of course, she needed to know that.

Answer, my subconscious demanded. Hesitation makes you look suspicious.

"She looks like me. Her hair is more of a fire-y red though. And long. She's about 5'6"

Lara nodded. "Let me see if the sheriff is done and I'll ask the clerk, okay?"

I gave her a small smile. "Thank you. That means a lot to me," I said.

Damn, that smile.

Lara gave me one more look and then took off into the direction of the actual crime scene. I figured I would wait for a few minutes, try and pick up what I could from the clerk's thoughts and answers, before I'd leave this place behind and get on my way.

Victoria already had enough time.

I stalked a little closer, casually trying to mingle in with the crowd that had gathered. I knew I still needed to maintain a certain distance to make sure I wouldn't be drawing extra attention to myself but they were so occupied with the chaos they barely paid any attention to me.

I stood there amongst them, throwing myself to the mercy of a stranger, wanting a waiting for answers I might never get.

Listening to the frenzied minds, the speculative thoughts I found these people were half impressed, but also equally unimpressed with the murder that had taken place at the gas station. It surprised me. For so long my family and I had hided ourselves in a small town, never wanting to be associated with anything sinister, despite the fact our nature was something dark. But this small town, it was divided in its interest, its shock. Some minds were not even the slightest hint of impressed. It baffled me.

With a shock I realized, as I stood there that I hadn't thought of Bella for more a second. I hadn't thought of her for minutes even.

It was a shocking realization, and it was scarily liberating. My heart, my insides, they ached all the time, yearning for days where I had been with her. The memories eating away at me. The everlasting desire for wanting to go back to Forks and claim her as my own. It was all I could think of for days at a time. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks etcetera, it was Bella who took over every thought I ever had all the time.

Until now. I had actually been engrossed in the way I had to play Lara for answers and while it indirectly had everything to do with Bella, she hadn't actually been on my mind for a few small minutes. It seemed like nothing, but it was a lot.

Of course, now every thought on her was back. And with that a certain guilt, since I had actually managed to 'forget' her, albeit for the briefest of time.

That was inexcusable. The pain was my reminder. The memories forever my torment. Her face in my mind was the only reason I still existed. The only thing to ease the pain and to make it worse at the same time.

I tried to distract myself by looking for Lara and her inner voice.

I found her easily, since I had heard it before.

She was talking to Derk, while her boss, the detective had moved his expertise to the rest room where Victoria had killed her prey.

Derk was 20-something, had sand colored hair and a big smile. He was obviously very interested in Lara's attention from the moment she had started talking to him. His thoughts allowed himself step away from the horror for a bit and appraise Lara with the right amount of awe and lust.

Lara, whether she knew what he was doing or not, remained professional and told Derk about Victoria.

"Did you see a red-haired woman here, a little while ago...?" I could hear her ask.

Derk seemed surprised at her question because he blinked a few times and then started fidgeting.

Oh yes, he had seen her. No doubt about it. His body language gave him away.

"I uh....well...look...I didn't know what she was gonna do...I thought that guy was her boyfriend, but when she came out alone... guess she just wanted something quick...it happens all the time," he stammered.

So he had seen Victoria go into the bathroom with her prey. That wasn't good. If a random guy like Derk could be found smart enough to tie Victoria to the guy's murder, Lara would definitely be able to put it together. The last thing I needed was for her to suspect me because my 'sister' has been seen with the victim. That would lead to fictitious questions I would not be able to answer without looking strangely guilty myself.

"Did she say where she was going? Talk to you at all?" Lara pressed with authority.

Derk shook his head, I could tell that much from where I was standing. "Just smiled and approached the guy....in there..." I saw him pointing towards the small space of the rest room, which he was watching through the window with a combination of fear and fascination.

"Where did she go after she came out of the rest room?" Lara asked.

Thank you, at least she was asking the right questions.

Derk frowned and seemed to be thinking. An image of another truck driver, resembling Joe but this one with a more exotic complexion flashed in his mind, along with him a truck. The brand name was foreign, exotic too.

Mexican.

"Some trucker heading south. Probably Mexico or something."

"What kind of license plate?"

"I don't know. The side of his truck said something like..."Viva Nature" or something..."

Viva Nature. A brand of some kind, perhaps.

"Did you get a good look at the driver?" Lara continued.

Derk shrugged. "I only saw him when he paid. I could see through the window she was already in the truck. He looked sweaty to me. Definitely Mexican though, he barely spoke English. They come here a lot," he said with confidence.

"How do you know he went south?"

Thank you Lara, that was what I wanted to know as well.

"He inflated his tires. Most truckers do that after they have delivered a heavy load somewhere. Makes the tires softer because of the weight."

"How do you know he delivered a load somewhere?"

"To determine the air pressure needed for the tires, there's a device that measures the weight of the truck. It's all electronic."

"Air in the tires had an under pressure, which means the truck wasn't that heavy."

Looked like Derk wasn't a simpleton either. What he said made sense. And was helpful.

Victoria was going south.

"How long ago was he here?"

"Like thirty minutes ago...maybe forty-five. I went to the bath room right after and found the other guy dead...and called you guys. Well...you ain't a guy....but you get what I mean" he mumbled.

"He took the exit to the highway to Dallas. Guess he is going south from there."

I could have waited for more, but didn't. Instead I allowed myself one more glance at Lara, silently thanking her for her help. I sprinted to my car and sped away, leaving suspicion with the onlookers.

Victoria had hitched a ride to the south.

I didn't have much time to plot. If I tried to speed, I'd possible be able to catch up with the truck though a skilled river would have probably neared Dallas by now.

I tasted the air through the open window and while I caught something that resembled Victoria's scent, it wasn't very strong. It was enough for now. It would lead me back to Dallas. But I needed more. She was heading south.

South from Dallas could be Houston, or Austin.

And while my senses were working. It was apparent Victoria's desire for self preservation was very effective. I knew she was very careful to leave a trace and while it seemed like she was slipping a bit, I didn't have much to go on.

I needed more.

And so, in a sense of small frustration to be heading back to Dallas, where I had started, I switched on my phone, forcing myself to call Alice.

I didn't have to go that far.

I already had three new text messages. All from my sister, of course.

Victoria went hunting, careful you won't stand out too much and raise some sort of suspicion.

It was dated an hour earlier. Darn, Alice would have seen this coming.

I know you are ignoring all of us, but this is rather disrespectful.

Edward, when you read this, call...please...

I sighed and decided I really should call. I didn't even have to dial to have Alice pick up.

"Edward!" she nearly yelled in triumph. "Finally, you call! Esme was worried, you know," she scoffed.

"Thanks for the immediate guilt trip, Alice." I muttered.

I could hear her snort. "You're the one who doesn't call and ignores any form of communication. I think I am entitled to point that out to you," she stated firmly.

"And now you have," I grumbled.

"Anything new?" I asked, hoping she would be done with the lectures and move on to helping me out with a fresh vision.

"Why, yes, we are all doing well. Just arrived in Ithaca. Lovely place. Nice climate. Good food," she chuckled.

"I meant a vision, Alice..." I spat.

"Oh, I know what you meant. I just decided not to care and ignore your urgency, the way you do ours. "

"Alice, I spoke to Carlisle a few hours ago. I am certain nothing life changing or earth shattering has happened in those few measly hours," I said sarcastically.

"The world could end in a few measly hours, Edward."

"But it didn't because you are still here to irritate me. So, I'll ask again, any news..."

"Rosalie and Emmett are doing great. Well, as long as Emmett isn't complaining about the locations and the lack of annoys Rose," Alice spoke, refusing to give me the answer and possible information that would proof useful to me.

"Alice..." I threatened. "I will hang up."

"What else is new," she said and I could almost feel her roll her eyes. "You know Edward, you could stop being a jerk for one second and ask about your family, before you start demanding things," she muttered.

"We have been nothing but supportive," she added.

"I didn't ask and yet you told me. What I did ask what for news on a possible vision. So answer me, please?" I said.

"Wow..." was all Alice said.

Now what? Seriously, she was a professional at playing mind games.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing," she hesitated. "It's just...Bella would have never allowed you to be this big of a jerk to the people around you, who want the best for you. Care for you."

"Be proud of yourself, Edward. really. This selfish 'I am all alone and need to be reckless by finding, fighting and hopefully killing a ruthless wild vampire' behavior is not only rude, it's also getting old," Alice told me angrily.

I would have listened to her tirade, were it not for the fact she had mentioned Bella.

Of course that would be enough to put me in my place. Alice knew how to reach me. Hit me. And I deserved this low blow. I was being anything but a loyal family member. A good Cullen.

And Bella. Bella would be disappointed to know of my recent behavior. For a moment I wondered if Alice would have the heart to contact Bella and fill her in. I wasn't putting it past her.

"Edward, are you still there?" Alice wondered quietly.

"I didn't mean to bring up Bella. It's just…we are all worried about you. Carlisle and Esme especially. Jasper keeps telling us you just need more time," she told me softly.

Jasper was right. I did need time. Unfortunately there was no limitation to how much time I actually needed. There would not be enough time to make me feel better. Because I never would. I knew my family was aware of this as well but kept trying against knowing better. And I was repaying them how? By ignoring them and demanding visions without even showing some sort of courtesy and ask them how they were doing.

My selfishness indefinitely knew no boundaries.

"I just want to find Victoria," I said. "That's all that counts now. Nothing else."

"And after? After you find her? Kill her…"

"Then what?"

Carlisle had asked me this before and it had been difficult to give him a satisfying answer. I kept telling myself that was a bridge I'd cross, or jump off of if that's what it would come down to. But the reality was less easy. Less set in stone.

As long as Bella was alive, I'd always have a reason to stay around. Si it was unlikely I'd jump off that proverbial bridge. I might even really cross it and have to think of my future. As excruciating as that sounded.

"I don't know." I said honestly.

"Would you come to Ithaca?"

I could tell her I would not. The truth was, I wouldn't. I'd probably find seclusion somewhere. Or some sort of resolution, somewhere.

"I don't know," I repeated myself.

"You wouldn't, would you?" Alice determined.

"I'd be better off on my own." I spoke with conviction.

"You don't know that. You could benefit from the love and support of your family," Alice said.

"But you would not benefit from my presence at all," I said honestly.

"Already I am putting you through enough, Alice. Like you pointed out; I never call, I never text you back. I don't ask you how you are doing."

"Well, that's true. But that's because you've been alone for too long."

"We both know that's not true," I countered. "I know I am beyond selfish about this. But this is the only way I know how to deal with this." I told her honestly.

"We figured that much, Edward," Alice chuckled.

"Thanks."

"I take you want to know about my vision now," she teased.

"Please," I said quietly.

"Alright, then. I would have told you this sooner, had you picked up your phone and not shut it off."

"Alice," I groaned. "I get it. I promise to not shut my phone off again."

"Liar," she countered.

"Alice, if you would get to the point, instead of always having these dragging conversations, I would not have to shut off my phone." I snapped.

"Easy there, grouchy pants. We just agreed you were selfish and needed to try harder. Already you are slipping into negative behavior."

"You started it. And we never agreed to anything."

"Do you want to hear about my vision or not?"

"Yes," I muttered.

"Fine…"

"I keep seeing a truck with the words 'Via Natureba' and a border sign. The truck is heading south." Alice told me.

Via Natureba? Why did that sound familiar?

"Via Natureba?" I asked.

"Yes, it's apparently a Brazilian company for gluten free products."

Brazilian?

"Are you certain?" I demanded.

"What Are you questioning my powers now? Such faith, Edward, such faith. It's heartwarming," she muttered sarcastically.

"No, Alice. I didn't mean it like that. It's just that the clerk at the gas station said the trucker had probably just unloaded somewhere. That he was going back south," I said.

"Like I said, Edward."

"To Brazil," I added, whispering to myself.

Victoria was heading for Brazil.

"Edward, you…" Alice started.

"Alice, I have to go. I am near Dallas and I need to get on a plane. I can't keep my phone on during the flight, so text me if you have a new vision."

"You're going to Brazil...."

First things first. If you want to when I update, you can follow me on twitter: twitter (dot) com (slash) bronzehyperion

This isn't the longest chapter, because dragging things out is so easy with Edward and I wanted to move the story along. It won't be long until Edward realizes he's been missing some clues and he is not actually hunting Victoria. Like he said…he is not very good at it ;)

These side characters are insignificant, merely designed to help out Edward.

Next up…Edward's heading to Brazil!

Words at the beginning are from a band naméd Dead Moon with the song "Going South". The song is not very significant, but the lyrics seemed appropriate.

I love reviews but don't expect them. I admit this is a difficult story to write because I don't want to make it completely unbelievable and move away from the premises of New Moon. Fine line ;)

Thanks for your ongoing support :)

Happy Sundance weekend!