Chapter Sixty Three
Carlisle
Things had turned out far worse and far better than we could have expected, we were alive and free at least for now. Unfortunately the same could not be said for poor Bella or indeed Charlie who now must live with the knowledge he had killed his daughter although quite by accident. He was sick himself and in terrible pain, physical as well as mental and extremely confused. The only thing we could do was to take him with us but sooner or later he would have to be taken in our confidence which meant changing him.
It enraged me the lives Edward had ruined with his spite and greed, Bella dead, Charlie Swan no longer able to go back to his former life and racked with guilt, Alice taken by the Volturi and poor Charlotte. Esme and Emmett had wanted to go back and fight for her but we all knew it was futile. We couldn't beat The Major and his small band. Instead I rang Darius and arranged a flight out of the country. He promised to watch out for Edward and Alice in Volterra and let me know the moment he had pinpointed the former.
Charlie was unconscious as we drove to the airport and that was for the best considering the emotional pain he would now carry with him to add to the physical pain he was already feeling. Once aboard the plane and in the air I relaxed and was able to check his vitals. The collar bone was now supported by a proper sling and really the make shift one he had been wearing when we found him had done a good enough job. His ribs appeared fractured rather than broken so there was less chance of a bone splinter puncturing his lung.
He came to and sat propped up by pillows and sipping warm tea Esme had made him but when I had finished speaking to the pilot he asked me over.
"Who was that Carlisle? What happened? How did Bella get mixed up in this?"
"It's a long story Chief Swan but I guess you have a right to hear it. I would warn you that you can never go back to your old life and learning the truth is dangerous for you."
"I have to know Carlisle. I need to understand why all this happened, why Bella died."
I sat beside him taking over from Esme who looked on him with pity and moved away as I began to speak. I told him everything expecting him to laugh n my face about vampires or at least call me a liar but instead he looked at me grimly but silent until I finished speaking,
"So you see Chief Swan it's really all my fault, but I intend to hunt Edward down and make sure he pays for what he has done."
Charlie
I wanted to laugh in Carlisle's face as he started talking of vampires and killers but I could see he was telling me the truth. My daughter had been involved with the family aware what they really were and because she broke up with Edward he had handed them all to the Volturi, their rulers knowing it meant death for everyone, including my daughter. I looked at Carlisle Cullen through pain dimmed eyes,
"She's really gone isn't she?"
"I'm afraid so, it's what he does. He eliminates problems and he likes to inflict as much pain as he can along the way. It wasn't your fault Chief, it was his. He knew exactly what he was doing and what would happen."
"Why though? Why did he want her dead? She's just a kid. I don't understand what she can have done to someone for them to want her dead and why take her body away? I can't just leave Bella up there Carlisle."
"I doubt you'll ever find her Chief, he will have made sure of that, it's all part of his make up."
The man who had kidnapped and tortured me was an enforcer for the Volturi and I was sure even Carlisle had no idea why he had allowed us to live. However he had and I vowed to find Edward Cullen and this Major and kill them both for what they had done.
"I'm coming with you Carlisle and I want you to turn me."
He looked at me startled at my sudden outburst,
"Are you sure about that Chief? Its not easy becoming a vampire."
"And you think knowing I killed my own daughter and not being able to avenge her death is? I can't hunt The Major down as a human and kill him, I have to become a vampire and you can do it. Do it for me please?"
He closed his eyes, hurt flashing across his face then sighed heavily and nodded,
"I have never changed anyone who wasn't dying Charlie, it's a great responsibility taking a human life."
"Yeah, you don't need to tell me that Carlisle."
He had the grace to look embarrassed,
"I'm very sorry Chief Swan that was exceedingly tactless of me. Very well."
"Now?"
"No, not aboard a plane, it could be difficult to get you off. When we land and get somewhere safe then I will."
"OK, where are we going now?"
"Overseas, to Spain, my friend has friends there who will help us to hide for now. Friends who hate the Volturi. Darius has already spoken to their leader. I'm sure they will be only too happy to help out and it's closer to Italy if Edward does seek refuge in Volterra."
"So you'll have to go into the Volturi stronghold to reach him?"
"Possibly, but Aro will not be happy to have Edward there under the circumstances, he is an honorable man and Edward has betrayed our family."
"What about the girl they took? Alice?"
"She will be safe in Volterra, she has a gift they value. As for Charlotte, well there was nothing we could do to save her but hopefully it will be over quickly."
"Do you think there's any chance of finding Bella's body?"
"Not really but If there is the wolf pack will retrieve it and give her a decent burial for your sake. At least I hope so."
"Yeah the wolves. I thought I was hallucinating when I saw that wolf turn into a boy I knew. I guess I didn't know anything about the real Forks did I?"
"It was safer that way Chief, your friends saw no need to tell you their secret and they knew my family would never hurt Bella."
"Yeah well they got that right I guess. I'm feeling tired Carlisle. I think I'd like to sleep a while now."
What I meant was I wanted time alone to make sense of everything and try not to think of the blow that had killed my daughter.
Carlisle
Sleep was the best thing for Charlie right now and the heavy shot of pain relief I had given him would help keep him asleep for a while. Esme and Rose stayed with him while I rang Darius to see if he had anything more for me.
"Sorry Carlisle, it's all quiet. Caius is en route to Volterra with Alice, Aro has tried contacting The Major but he's not answering, neither is The Captain."
"Really? Is that unusual?"
"Not necessarily except that Caius told Aro he has a message from The Major, use or kill the two of his group who accompanied Alice Cullen with her. Now what do you make of that?"
"He's cutting himself off from the Volturi maybe, himself and The Captain but why? Does he think Aro will disapprove of what he did?"
"Marcus or Caius maybe but not Aro. No, but there's something going on and I don't like it when someone like The Major acts out of character, it makes me nervous. I'm watching, as soon as he surfaces I'll know."
"Any news from the Quileutes?"
"They contacted Johnny H and told him Bella was dead and The Major took two of your group with him. Its over as far as they are concerned. They aren't going looking for the Chief, they have orders to stand down so you don't need to worry about the guardians, not that I expected any different from them. Johnny H is too cautious to start a war over two humans. I'll be in touch when I have any news. In the meantime the Fraternidad are meeting you at the airport, they'll keep you out of circulation while I find that bastard son of yours."