Chapter Seventy Eight
Bella
I wanted to chase after Charlie but Peter said he usually came back after he'd cooled off so we waited. While Peter and Jasper talked about the problem with Charlie Charlotte and I relaxed in the sunshine on the porch. She was amazed how calm and controlled I was in comparison with my Dad but as I pointed out to her I wanted to become a vampire to stay with Jasper, Charlie didn't and he was so angry he didn't know who to blame, Alice was dead which just left Jasper. We waited for hours but there was no sign of Charlie coming back. Eventually we went looking for him, Peter knew his favourite hunting grounds and I was shocked slightly that he'd taken to hunting humans although they were the kind that Peter favoured which was slightly less upsetting. There was no sign of him anywhere so we'd just have to wait for him to show up I guessed.
Peter
I needed to talk to Jasper alone, well out of earshot of Bella because if my theory were correct then it would really upset her. I suggested we hunt together,
"I don't suppose the odd elk would kill me" I joked when Bella looked up.
She was suspicious but let us go after laying down the ground rules,
"No humans, No women and back by bedtime".
When we got far enough to be out of earshot he found a tree trunk and we sat down,
"OK Peter what's got you so jumpy?"
Damn he always could read me too well!
"Its Charlie, I think I know where he might have gone."
He gazed at the starry sky,
"Go on"
"He's asked a lot about our world since he got here and he seemed real interested in the Volturi, especially the Volturi guard. I tried to explain that they aren't a Vampire Police Force but I don't think he got it. I have a nasty feeling he's sneaked off to join the fuckers."
Jasper looked at me and shrugged,
"Well if he has its his choice, not ours."
"No true but if Aro finds out that Bella's gift is that powerful he's going to want her too and Charlie hates you enough to want Bella away from you so he might well tell him."
I saw that register in Jaspers mind and his face went cold.
"No one is taking Bella from me, not even Aro. We need to find Charlie before he gets there. Does Charlie know how to find them?"
I shook my head,
"Not exactly although he remembers hearing Italy mentioned at some time. Do you think he'll be able to find them?"
Jasper looked away slowly,
"I think if Aro has his finger on the pulse and he usually does then he'll find a way to contact Charlie." "Fuck, then we need to find him fast."
He nodded and we ran back to tell the girls. Bella was really upset and demanded to go with us while Charlotte offered to stay here just in case we were wrong and he came back.
Jasper
We followed Charlie's trail to the nearest town where we almost tripped over his latest kill, a young male with a gun in his hand and several wallets in his possession all now empty although whether emptied by him or by Charlie we had no way of knowing. From there we had to be careful because Charlie was mingling with the humans in an attempt to hide his trail. It didn't work but only because Peter was such a skilled tracker, one of his talents that Maria had appreciated. His trail led towards the airport but we knew he had no papers so he couldn't fly out unless he tried to smuggle himself on board and that was very difficult with all the security around these days, even for a vampire.
Bella
I couldn't believe that my father was trying to get to the Volturi so he could wrestle me away from Jasper but his trail was leading to the airport. We knew he couldn't fly out legally but he might try illegally. Suddenly we heard a curse from Peter,
"Fuck me, look" he pointed out onto the airfield.
I couldn't see anything to get upset about but Jasper cursed too.
"What? Someone enlighten me please"
Jasper pointed to the shiny black personal jet that was just landing,
"That's the Volturi jet, remember?"
I did and I knew what it meant.
"They know he's here and they've come for him. But how and what can we do?"
Peter shook his head,
"Sorry Bella but I'm not going anywhere near the Volturi again, if Charlie wants to join them I say we let him."
I turned to Jasper,
"We can try to locate him before they do but once he connects up with them it's too late."
I knew he was right but I had to try to help Charlie, in his newborn rage he wasn't thinking straight.
"We have to try Peter, please?"
I begged him.
Peter
I knew this was a bad idea but I guess I'm just a sucker for a pretty face. We made our way onto the airfield while Bella went into the terminal, she was the only one he wouldn't attack on sight. We crossed the field keeping a wary eye on the jet, but it parked up and sat waiting, no one disembarked. Then I saw him, coming out of the terminal towards the private jet area. I motioned to Jasper and we crept up on him keeping a wary eye on the jet but it just sat there. As Jasper tackled Charlie to the ground I saw the jet door open and a figure walking towards it. I recognised the figure, Felix, who could miss his enormous silhouette. So they hadn't come to find Charlie. Perhaps the Volturi had got wind of newborn activity in the area and sent him to investigate. I was just glad he hadn't caught up with any of us because he wouldn't have waited to find out the truth, he'd have killed us quite happily and then gone home. I helped Jasper keep Charlie down and out of sight of Felix or any other Volturi who may have been looking out of the jets windows.
Bella
I recognised Felix in the terminal building and darted into the book store to avoid detection in case he turned round. As it was, he headed straight for the personal jet area and I followed at a safe distance. Looking round I couldn't see the others or Charlie so I was hopeful they caught up with my Dad and got him out of sight. As I watched Felix boarded the plane which started its engines almost immediately and was soon taxiing to take off. As I watched it leave the ground I saw motion at the perimeter fence and recognised Peter and Jazz struggling with Charlie, who was trying desperately to get away from them. I ran over and called his name
"Charlie"
He turned, "Bells is that you?"
I nodded and he stopped struggling. I held out my hand and he took it,
"Bells I don't know what's happening to me. I'm so angry and I can't control it. When ever I see Jasper I want to kill him for what he's done to us then when he's gone I know it's not his fault."
I nodded,
"I Know Dad, it's really difficult for the first few months but it will get easier."
"How come you aren't like me?" he asked confused.
"I don't know Dad. Maybe because I was changed by the man who loves me, or maybe I'm just odd but I'm here for you. We'll all help you if you'll let us."
He nodded,
"Yeah, I think I've been hard work for Peter too and I know he's only been trying to help me.
"I Have to tell you I'm getting heartily fucking sick of being your personal chew toy Charlie."
It was Peter who was still rubbing his arm where I saw Charlie had bitten him yet again.
"Sorry Peter. I'll try harder in future."
"It's OK Charlie we all had problems in the beginning. You just try and I'll do my best to keep you under control. You've got Bella and Jazz to help too."
My Dad looked at me and smiled faintly.
"With Bella I think I'll make it."
I think I'll finish this story here unless anyone has unfinished business they want me to address. Thanks for the reviews and to all those who read the story. Jules