Chapter Forty Four

Bella

It was almost the end of summer recess and I couldn't say I was sorry, I would be glad to get back to school but this weekend I had off from work to go shopping for supplies and some new sweaters, after all this was Forks and fall would soon be on us!

Charlie was on an early shift so he'd left before I got up and as I ate my breakfast I checked my emails, Renee had been bombarding me with notes about things I shouldn't forget to buy as if I were a five year old instead of a few weeks shy of my 18th birthday.

I always hoped there might be another from Alice but again I was disappointed and glad I'd opted to go shopping alone to Port Angeles instead of with the others who were driving all the way to Seattle for the day. I just didn't feel much like company. In fact I had the oddest feeling, like the air before a thunderstorm, that kind of hushed expectancy.

I parked up in the outskirts and walked the rest of the way, I hated the parking here, it was too small for the volume of traffic and I liked to look in some of the smaller specialist shops you missed if you parked in the center of Port Angeles. Taking out my list I started to check the things I needed when it was suddenly snatched from my hand and a voice I recognised whispered in my ear,

"Care for some company? You know how good I am at shopping."

I whirled round to see Alice standing there grinning just like I remembered.

"Alice!"

I hugged her and she laughed her tinkling little laugh I had missed so much.

"Well it's nice to know you missed me too. Come on, let's get you sorted with this list then you can have lunch and we can talk. Until then no questions."

I nodded just happy to have her here and we soon got the shopping done although I wouldn't have picked the pink fluffy sweater or the white pants. Still I was enjoying myself so much I didn't worry.

She grilled me about our school friends and of course about prom. When I told her I'd gone with Eric she groaned,

"Not much fun then?"

"It was OK but I know you would have, made it more lively."

I was getting hungry and thirsty now so we found a quiet corner in a small diner on a side street, though how Alice knew where it was I had no idea, she being a vampire, and once my meal arrived and the server left she smiled,

"Go on, I know you have a million questions."

I started with the easiest, how was everyone but she looked discomforted by it,

"Not so good Bella. I should tell you why we left but you aren't to get worried, Carlisle made sure you would be safe."

I listened aghast as she told me the story, Edward had betrayed them, and me, to the Volturi? If he'd spoken to anyone but Aro we could all be dead by now but perhaps that waS why he chose Carlisle's friend.

"Not only that but he tried to steal from Carlisle."

"Steal? I thought he had money of his own."

"He does but Carlisle has some put away in case things ever went wrong and I guess Edward decided he needed it to keep ahead."

"Ahead?"

She shrugged,

"What would you do if someone you loved and trusted betrayed you?"

My eyes widened,

"You mean Carlisle will go looking for Edward? What's he going to do if he finds him?"

She just stared at me and I swallowed nervously,

"You mean…..?",

"Well, don't forget Carlisle is a vampire. You've only seen one side of him. Are you feeling sorry for Edward?"

"NO!"

I was shocked that she might think that but she just winked at me,

"Didn't think so. He doesn't know I'm here, none of them do. I don't think they'd be very happy."

"Especially Rosalie I'll bet."

"Actually Rose doesn't blame you. They just don't want you in danger and Carlisle thinks any contact with you is dangerous….for you that is."

We chatted for the rest of the day just wandering around Port Angeles and then suddenly I noticed the time. I had to get back but I didn't want Alice to go. She sighed and bit her lip much like I did when I was making a difficult decision.

"OK Listen, when you get home open your bedroom window. I'll let myself in and hide if Charlie comes but I can only stay tonight or they'll be sending a search party out for me. I'll be in enough trouble slipping away as it is."

She followed me until I reached the outskirts of Forks and then disappeared and I worried that she might not come back.

Charlie was home and wanted to talk which was frustrating but I'd opened my window when I took my things upstairs so I made dinner while he told me about his day and asked about mine. I didn't mention Alice, that was our secret, but I heard about a hunter who got shot by his partner and was now in the clinic,

"Shame Dr Cullen isn't still here, he'd have had the guy sorted quick enough. The new doctor's OK but he's not a patch on Cullen, wish I knew if they were ever coming back."

After dinner I cleared up quickly then made my excuses and left Charlie in front of the TV watching Ice Hockey with a beer in his hand relaxing after a hard day. I opened my door and my room was empty or so I thought until Alice's head popped round from the other side and pulled me inside.

"Will Charlie come in and say goodnight?"

"No, he'll probably fall asleep in his chair we're OK now."

She joined me on the bed and we chatted in low voices although I doubted Charlie would hear anything over the sound of the TV even if he was still awake.

I learned they had moved north although Alice was careful not to tell me exactly where. I think she knew I might try to find them if she did. She was amused to hear that I missed them all,

"Bella you are the craziest human I have ever come across. You miss a family of vampires living down the road, visiting them? You are loco girl."

I nodded smiling, put like that it did sound crazy but I did miss them, even Rosalie.

"Will I see you again? When you leave I mean? You won't come back to Forks to live will you?"

"No, that would be bad for all of us. As for seeing me, I don't know Bella. I miss you too but it's dangerous keeping in touch and I've no idea how much longer we'll stay in Washington. I think Carlisle would like to move away, its Esme who wants to stay. She's scared and I think she would like to see our friends but that wouldn't be a good idea either. It would put them in danger too."

"Does Carlisle really think his friend in the Volturi will be able to keep it quiet?"

"He should be able to, he's the head of the Volturi."

I hadn't understood just how powerful Carlisle's friends were!

Eventually I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer and Alice moved off the bed while I had a quick shower after making her promise not to leave while I was gone. I climbed into bed looking over at her,

"You're going aren't you?"

"I have to Bella, I stayed longer than I should have anyway. Listen, if things settle down I'll let you know but for now I really have to go."

"Alice, how did you know where to find me?"

"I saw you decide to go to Port Angeles and my vision was right, I just wish it always worked as well. Now go to sleep."

I tried hard to stay awake but eventually sleep overtook me and when I opened my eyes the next morning she was gone.