Chapter Five
Bella
"Charlotte this is Bella Swan"
"It's the girl in the photograph, how did you find her? Sorry Bella, how do you do"
"She just appeared while I was waiting for the attack. I was right about which village by the way, but I didn't get to talk to him. I fell over Bella and her friend first."
Charlotte looked over at the truck expecting to see someone else,
"I sent Sam back home, she doesn't need to get caught up in this. I just hope she'll be safe. Do you think they'll try tracking her too?"
I looked at Peter feeling worried but he shook his head,
"No, she flew in any case but I think they might try to track you if The Major doesn't recognise your scent first and call the dogs off. I'm going back, see if I can contact him or at least check on what they're doing. Bella you stay here with Char until I can find a way of contacting him safely."
I argued about his plan but he was adamant, there was no way he was going to let me get close to Jasper unless Peter got him on his own first, so I had to watch as he drove off back towards Mexico.
Charlotte took me inside and showed me to the Guest Room so I could freshen up and change.
"It's not used much, only when Jasper comes to stay and I'm afraid that stopped about the time he got together with Alice Cullen. I rather think she thought we were a bad influence on him. A tie to his old life when she only wanted the new improved version."
I showered and put on fresh clothes, thinking about all I'd heard about Jasper and the Cullens. I was seeing them in a whole new light now, not the angelic, wonderful, peace-loving, and thoughtful coven. They were in fact spiteful, judgmental and cruel. Words I never thought I would hear in reference to them, let alone think myself. When I went back downstairs Charlotte was in the kitchen cooking an omelette and when I looked at her puzzled she explained,
"Peter likes to have chickens around, it reminds him of his boyhood. Usually we give them away to a local homeless shelter but there were a few in the barn. I hope you like omelette"
I asked her about how she and Peter knew Jasper and while I ate she told me the full story, fleshing out the bones that Peter had told me.
"So Jasper changed both of you yet you became friends and kept going back for him until he escaped with you? Why?"
She looked taken aback by my questions.
"He wasn't responsible for his actions towards us, he was under orders and he knew no different. We never blamed him and he let us escape when he knew it would cost him dearly."
"Really? Maria found out what he'd done?"
"Maria always knew everything. She had spies all through her camp. Everyone watched everyone else."
"So why did he do it?"
"No idea, I never asked him. I guess it just never occurred to me."
"And now he's gone back to her?"
"Yes but Peter is still trying, he won't leave it until Jasper's out again, if he ever gets out that is."
"He has to, he's only there because of me, my mistake. I have to talk to him, make him understand it wasn't his fault Charlotte."
She smiled at me but as she was about to speak the phone rang.
"It's probably Peter. Sorry Bella."
She answered then her features went from surprise to anger and then to fear. As she put the receiver down she grabbed my arm,
"We have to leave Bella, now"
I scraped my chair across the floor getting up hastily.
"What did Peter say?"
"It wasn't Peter, it was Alice Cullen with a warning. They've found your trail and will be here before Peter gets back."
"Why would Alice Cullen warn you though?"
"I have no idea but I'm not risking it being a hoax so come on"
"Where are we going?"
Charlotte shrugged,
"I'm not sure but away from here. Somewhere we can get help and protection."
"Perhaps we could kill two birds with one stone. How about we go to the Cullens, maybe they'll help if they know what's happened. At least we can tell them about Jasper, what they've driven him to"
"Do you know where they are Bella?"
I didn't and neither did she. We tried ringing Alice back but it went to voice mail, but as she was about to hang up Alice cut in.
"Charlotte, I don't think they will help but it's up to you. They're in Boston."
She gave us an address but wouldn't speak further, was she split from the Cullens too? Did that explain why she contacted us with the warning? Who knew with her?
"Well its your decision Bella but we can't stay here. If Nathan finds you first then you are dead."
I didn't want to leave, I really wanted to speak to Jasper but I would hopefully get a chance if Peter found him and was able to talk to him so we left heading towards Boston.
Esme
Alice had been gone far too long, I knew she felt guilty about Jasper's departure but it wasn't her fault. He was too dangerous to be in our family. Carlisle had gone to a Medical Conference and Edward accompanied him so I was left here alone with Rose and Emmett who had been very subdued ever since the incident at Bella's party. I knew Emmett felt guilty for leaving without a word of goodbye but we had agreed to follow Edwards request. Rose, who I thought would have been over the moon to be free of the human she had hated for the danger she posed, now felt guilty too. It seemed they couldn't see how much better for us it was without Bella around. Edward had finally got over her and started talking to Tanya in Denali, I had high hopes there. We were no longer in danger from the Volturi and our lives had returned to normal. Alice had looked into Bella's future just once at Carlisle's request, he was too soft-hearted by half and she told us that Bella was in Montana and seemed happy enough.
When there was a knock on the door I listened, one of the visitors was a human and I groaned. Not now, I was busy on a new design for our Master Bath. I heard Emmett open the door then a name I had hoped never to hear again
"Bella"
I rushed downstairs to see her standing on our doorstep with a vampire I didn't recognize. She looked at me as Emmett grabbed Bella in a bear hug.
"I'm sorry Esme but I wasn't sure where I could take Bella to keep her safe"
Her words sent dread through my body. Every time I saw Bella Swan it brought trouble to my door.
"And just who are you?"
Rose turned at my curt question but I ignored her.
"I'm Charlotte Whitlock."
Oh great! More Whitlocks, that's all I needed here in our quiet house,
"He doesn't live here any longer I'm afraid. I don't know how to contact him so you've had a wasted journey. Bella, its good to see you looking so well"
Bella pulled herself free of Emmett and bit her lip, looking at me searchingly,
"I'm sorry Esme, I told Charlotte this was a bad idea but she couldn't think of anywhere else. We know Jasper doesn't live here. He was in Mexico, its him we're running from.
Bella
Esme's eyes narrowed,
"You are running from Jasper and you thought we might protect you from him? Why should we help you? My family almost disintegrated because of you and him. I won't have you here if it will bring him back. In fact we can't help you Bella. I want you to go now, away from here before you draw him here too."
Rose intervened,
"Esme, is that really necessary, I'm sure if Bella is here then she needs help"
"It's OK Rosalie, I didn't really expect any help here. Especially when you are responsible for what's happened to your own family and to him"
"Bella I have no idea what you are talking about"
Esme
I looked at Rose
"Don't encourage her Rose."
Bella smiled in understanding,
"You never wanted him in the family in the first place did you Esme? Why did you all blame him for the accident? It was my fault, I cut myself and he acted on your combined thirst. You were wrong. Come on Charlotte, let's go."
I watched as they got into a small car and drove away, glad to see the back of her again, would we never be free of Bella Swan? Then I heard Rose calling from upstairs,
"Emmett hurry up or we'll lose them"
I looked up to see the pair coming back down with a bag each.
"Where do you think you are going?"
" Emmett begged me to see Bella before we left Forks and I refused. I've felt guilty ever since. Now he wants to help Bella and I won't refuse him again. We both feel that she needs help and wouldn't have come here if she had anyone else to ask."
"I forbid you to go at least until you've spoken to Carlisle."
"Tell you what, you speak to Carlisle, we have to go. Sorry Esme but Bella's correct and we need to put things right if we can."