Bella
"None of the imprints can go," Sam says, worry for Emily clear. "The partner won't be able to focus if they're wondering if their imprint is safe."
There's several nods around the group and it's soon decided that Sue Clearwater would be best for the job given her knowledge but no active part in the council. Given my suspicions about my dad's feelings for Sue, I briefly worry about what would happen if she got hurt, but then pushed that thought aside to focus.
"Was there a location or any other information?" Old Quil asks both Jacob and I.
Shaking my head, I say, "Nothing."
"Then we have to assume that she has multiple men watching the area. Be ready for attacks from anywhere. Are there any suggestions on the best location?" It's then that I realise that some of the elders may well have never ventured as far as Port Angeles in recent years.
Several suggestions are shouted out from the younger members and it's agreed that the docks are a sensible suggestion. Not only will it reduce a side of easy attack, it's public enough for them not to try anything, yet open enough for Sue to wait and follow.
Resigned to the fate that's awaiting me, I trudge along behind the pack as they start to vacate the clearing.
As much as I wish I could plaster on a smile to reassure some of the worried looks around me, I can't. I think through everything I wish I had said, and done. The biggest being saying goodbye.
Someone comes to speak to me, giving me the option to back out. I don't respond to them, too caught up in my thoughts and memories and dreams.
This is it. My final moments. Whatever happens next is going to be life changing and there's no turning back.
Peeling away from the group once we reach the road, I start to walk back down the main road towards where my truck is waiting. It's a long walk and as I plod onwards, the silence and lack of companionship starts to affect me.
This is how jumping should have felt, it should have been heavy and hard. Instead, I'd just leapt off that edge like it was hopping off a curb. Why can't I channel that feeling now.
I push the faces of everyone out of my mind, all the people who have supported me in recent weeks and who had been fighting for me. I keep reminding myself of the pain I've caused them, the stress. How much better their lives will be without me in them to mess it up.
When I reach the truck, my hands are trembling. I try to put the key in the door, but I just drop them to the floor. Crying out in fear and frustration, I sink down against the truck on the side of the road, putting my head in my hands.
I could run, right now. Get away, tell someone what's happening, get out of this. Why don't I?
"Araghhhh," I scream pounding my fists into the tarmac and barely feeling the pain as they make contact.
Looking around, no one has followed me.
No one has chaperoned me to ensure I follow through with my end of the plan. Or maybe they're watching from afar, not wanting to be responsible for sending someone to the lions den.
I caused this, I remind myself. This is my duty.
Scrubbing at my face to try and remove the traces of tears, I stand up and unlock the truck.
Thankfully, my hands are no longer shaking. The tears seem to have washed away any remaining emotion and I'm just left feeling numb. It's not the same feeling of emptiness that lingers, it's as though someone has turned out the lights.
The drive away from the reservation feels as though it takes a lifetime, while also feeling as though it's far too short.
As I reach the edge of town, I notice Edward standing on the side of the road, flagging me down.
Considering stopping and spilling everything, I grab hold of the steering wheel tighter and keep pushing the truck forwards. Out of the mirror, I can see the dejected look on his face and I don't doubt I'll see him again.
I don't even stop as I pass by home. There's nothing there I need. Besides, it's not worth risking Charlie seeing me like this.
I just keep driving straight.
As I leave the area and head out onto the main roads, I briefly pass under a canopy of trees and I hear a thud on the bed behind me.
"Go away," I say, knowing without looking that it'll be someone I don't want to see right now.
When the passenger side door opens and Edward gracefully slides into the seat, I pull the truck over into one of the laybys. I stay silent, keeping a tight hold of the wheel.
"You're scaring me," Edward says trying, but failing, to meet my eyes. "First you send Carlisle to banish me, you disappear for ages and then show up again like this. Tell me what's going on."
Forcing a calm I don't feel, I say, "Get out of my truck."
"No, not until you give me some sort of explanation. Where are you even going?"
This isn't something I'd factored into my plan. We'd considered that Edward could hear thoughts so we'd agreed that the wolves would travel across country and Sue would travel some time behind me so that Edward would only have my protected thoughts, Now I'm stuck with him here I don't know what to do. It's taking everything I've got just to hold the pieces together.
"Talk to me!" Edward says, his voice rising in his worry. Slightly surprised by the sudden show of emotion, I twist my hands around the wheel. "Charlie's looking for you. When you up and left, he got worried."
I don't take the bate. If he has been looking for me, I need to get going so he doesn't catch up with me.
"Fine, don't talk. Keep driving."
What else can I do? It's not as though he's getting out of his own free will, and I'm not strong enough to remove him.
Turning the key in the ignition, I carry on down the road.
It's emptiness feels ominous. Usually this road is fairly busy, even at night, so something feels wrong.
Pushing down the feeling, in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter, I keep driving along with my silent passenger. Somehow, I need to get rid of him.
I drive for another 20 minutes when I realise why the road is so quiet. There's roadworks completely blocking the road.
Slowing the truck down, I come to a complete stop and drop my head on the wheel.
There's no sign saying how long they're going to be and I hadn't seen any signs the last few days in warning, so this must be an emergency repair of some form.
Just as I'm pulling my head up and preparing to turn around, Edward starts growling beside me.
Terrified of the sudden change in behaviour, I push myself as close to the door as possible, putting as much distance as I can between us.
"Tell me it's not true," he manages to snarl.
Confused, I look over. Just past his ear, I can see the shape of a wolf in the treeline. Having realised the road was closed, they must have waited to talk to me about what to do next. Obviously, not realising that Edward is with me.
"I said, tell me it's not true!" his voice is getting louder.
Throwing caution to the wind, I say, "You're scaring me." In the past that has broken through any slight rages, and I hope that it will this time too.
Without another word, he throws himself out the side of the truck, and too fast for my human eyes, disappears off into the woods.
Worried about everyone's safety, I don't know how many pack members Edward is about to run into, I quickly dial the Cullen's home phone, thinking it'll be the fastest way to get hold of someone.
It only rings once when Jasper's voice comes down the phone. "Hello?"
"It's me, it's Bella. Edward. I think he's in trouble." The words are spluttered out at a rapid speed.
"What sort of trouble? Where are you?"
"At the roadworks on the road up to Port Angeles. The pack and I, we were doing something. I think Edward heard and he's not happy. He's gone after them. I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Another hairbrained solo rescue mission of yours?" I flinch at the disappointment I can hear in his voice. "We'll be over soon. Just get yourself home."
The line goes dead.
Fighting back tears again, I spin the truck around and head back towards Forks.
Of course this would have gone wrong! Everything I plan goes to pot.
All the way back, I keep glancing out of the window looking for any signs of, well, anything! But, as expected, both parties remain out of view and when I pull at home I'm still non the wiser.
Not thinking clearly, I get out of the truck and head inside.
I barely take a step in the door when Charlie is on top of me.
"Where've you been?" he demands instantly. "I've been worried sick. After everything that happened?"
"I'm fine," I mutter trying to push past him and keeping my head down to hide my expression.
"No, Bella." He says moving to block my path. "It's not. Edward didn't know where you were either."
Unable to hold back the stress of the day any longer, I throw myself into his chest and let the tears come. "It's all my fault," I sob.
Charlie, stunned by my response, stands frozen for several moments. Finally relaxing, he holds me closer into him and tries to mutter general reassurances.
"It's not your fault. I'm sure it'll all make sense soon, it'll just be the emotions. Calm down."
His words don't reassure me, how can he possibly understand. It's a world that he's barely dipped his toe into, and apparently hasn't been coping with the small amount he's been given so far.
"I'll be fine," I say, coming to my senses and realising I'm here really pushing the boundaries that I have with my dad, I pull backwards and take his moment of composure to push past him.
I've barely made it a step when he grabs my arm.
"Is this something to do with… Well, you know?" he asks, worry on his face.
"Just drop it," I say dejected.
Something on my face gives away the real answer because he continues to push, "I think we need to leave."
"What do you mean… leave?" I ask sceptically. "Leave where?"
"Here! All of this!" His voice is panicked and I realise just how much his world has been shaken. "It's clearly not safe, and if the only way to make you safe is to leave, we can go. Now even."
"No!" I stumble backwards, alarmed by his suggestion. "I can't leave, not now."
"Then tell me what it is that's got you so upset?!"
"I can't. There's things happening that you can't understand. But, I can't leave. If I do, more people are going to get hurt."
"What about you getting hurt?" he shouts and then stands there abashed by his outburst. "I'm worried about you."
"I know. You've got to trust others for now. Even as Chief, this is out of your jurisdiction." I take a breath to steady myself and continue, "Sometimes, we just have to wait. Running won't work, it'll just turn into a game of chase."
"Why do I get the impression you're speaking from experience there?" He waits a moment for my response, but suddenly slaps his hand to his forehead, "You didn't fall down the stairs last summer, did you?"
I don't answer, not knowing what I could possibly say, but my lack of response speaks volumes.
"It doesn't matter either way. We can't leave. Please, just pretend that nothing has changed."
"It has changed!"
"No it hasn't. The situation hasn't changed, you just now know it exists and you don't know nearly enough to be helpful in the solution, so just drop it!" My words rip at him and I immediately want to take them back. He's only worried about his family.
"I want a say in the decisions," he says, a broken look on his face.
"You can't be. Argue this out with someone else, there's nothing more that I can do."
I turn and stomp away from him.
When I reach my bedroom, I force myself to close the door softly. The anger and stress is really starting to build up and take a toll on me.
There's no one waiting for me and I try to take that as a good sign. If something serious had happened, ending the fight quickly, they'd be here by now.
I check that the window is unlocked ready for anyone who is will come and bring me news. Preparing myself for a long evening of waiting, and likely another visit from Charlie, I sit on the bed and pull one of my cushions into my chest.
"I'm sorry," I whisper into the silence.