Sometime later I found myself in Atticus car, after he asked for a chance to speak with me- alone.

The city lights of Las Vegas blurred behind us as the engine of Atticus's sleek black car hummed beneath us, cutting through the night. The neon glow slowly faded into the rearview mirror as we sped out of the city, the long stretch of highway ahead now our only focus. I could feel the tension of the past few hours easing out of my shoulders, but a gnawing feeling still lingered in my chest. There was no escaping what was to come.

Atticus, ever the calm, composed figure beside me, turned his head slightly, his dark eyes catching the faint light of the dashboard. "Given the circumstances, you handled yourself well out there."

I scoffed, shaking my head as I kept my gaze fixed forward. "Given the circumstances, Atticus? I am not an animal. I wasn't about to slaughter all of Las Vegas."

I knew what he meant, but still, the idea of losing control was never something I took lightly. Vampires like us, like me, were meant to be in control—of our instincts, our hunger. Yet, here I was, constantly questioning if I could keep that control when it mattered most.

I glanced at him, watching his brow furrow slightly as he processed my words. "I know, but it would have been very easy for you to lose control, and I didn't see that. Useless killing is dangerous. I would never want to see you out of control."

I stayed silent. I didn't need to respond. He knew me well.

After a few moments, he asked, his voice softer but still laced with concern, "Will you be okay in Forks?"

I let out a small sigh, my gaze flickering to the moonlit road ahead. "Yes. The Cullens are long gone. I'm not worried." My voice was steady, but I couldn't ignore the quiet bitterness that clung to my words. "And you and I both know I can protect myself if needed."

Atticus didn't respond immediately, his eyes scanning the road as the car hummed down the highway. We all knew the power we had—the power we'd trained with for centuries.

Lukas, Atticus, and I weren't just any vampires. We were a force. Our abilities made us formidable opponents, and I trusted in that.

"I know you're strong, Clara," he finally said, breaking the silence. "But sometimes strength isn't enough. I just worry about you."

I let the words hang in the air for a moment, my thoughts drifting to the vampire abilities I had mastered over the years. Lukas could vanish from sight entirely, a skill that was always handy. Atticus—well, Atticus had electrokinesis. His control over electricity made him deadly in ways most people could never fathom. As for me, I have the rare ability to absorb energy from others. I can take on physical, electrical, or even emotional energy. It is a strange, unsettling power, but it has always served me well. Unfortunately, it hasn't protected me from my own emotions.

Atticus words were precise and calculated, "You're strong, Claralise. You handled yourself better than most would have in that situation. But helping a human—through her pain—benefits you in no way."

I couldn't hold back the quiet laugh that escaped my lips. "Ah, Atticus. Always so logical, never letting emotions cloud your judgment."

I turned my gaze back to the road, the endless stretch of asphalt swallowed up by the dark horizon ahead. "It benefits me none, you're absolutely correct. But you know I can't stand by while someone is hurting. Not when I can help." I glanced at him, my voice softening. "She needs someone. He left her with no one. No one knows what she's going through but us... and the Cullens." I spat their name, venom tinged in my voice.

The bitterness I felt towards them was still raw, despite the years of distance that had put physical miles between us. They had taken something from me. And while I was not the same person who had left Forks years ago, I still carried the weight of their betrayal. His, more specifically.

Atticus exhaled, his grip tightening slightly on the wheel. "I still don't understand why you're doing this. This human isn't our responsibility."

I turned my head toward him, narrowing my eyes. "She isn't yours. But I won't turn my back on her."

His jaw tensed. "And why does it have to be you? You said it yourself—The Cullens are gone. She has no ties to us. You don't owe her anything, Claralise."

I clenched my hands in my lap, forcing myself to remain calm. "Maybe I don't," I admitted, voice softer now. "But I know what it's like to be abandoned, Atticus. I know what it's like to feel like you're drowning, and no one is there to pull you up. If I can stop someone else from feeling that way, I will."

Atticus remained silent, his eyes focused on the road ahead. Finally, he sighed. "I still think it's a mistake."

I smirked slightly, letting some of the tension ease. "You always do."

That earned me a small chuckle. "And I'm usually right."

I scoffed. "Debatable."

Atticus stayed silent for a long moment before speaking again. "I admire you, Clara. I wouldn't do what you're doing."

His words were tinged with something else now—an understanding that was unspoken. "Anne and I will remain in Las Vegas. We're set up here. And who knows how long you'll be in Forks? If your posting becomes more permanent, we'll reconsider our position. Lukas and Mags are going to travel with you."

I smirked at the mention of Lukas and Mags. He knew I didn't need an explanation. Lukas had always been my closest confidant, and Mags was no stranger to trouble. They both understood the weight of the choices I was making, even if they didn't always agree with them.

"Yes, sir." I saluted him mockingly, the faintest trace of a smile pulling at my lips.

Atticus chuckled, and for a brief moment, the heaviness of the conversation seemed to lift. It was rare for him to show any sign of amusement, but in this moment, I was grateful for it. His chuckle was the kind of rare sound that reminded me he wasn't always the serious, calculating figure I often saw him as.

"In all seriousness," I continued, my voice sincere now, "thank you for setting all this up so quickly. I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm going to miss you."

Atticus's expression softened, but only for a second before he responded. "It will be nice to have a break from your incessant complaining, Clara," he said, his voice still laced with humor, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile.

"Oh, now you're just being mean," I laughed, playfully punching his arm.

Atticus tried to push my arm off, his voice rising in mock protest. "Claralisa Bow Thorne, remove your fist from my body right this instant!"

We continued laughing as we drove back home. The brief moment of levity was a welcome distraction, but I knew it wouldn't last. There was still much to do, and the weight of the journey ahead lingered in the back of my mind.

Inside, the familiar scent of the house greeted me as I walked into my room. It didn't take long for the heaviness to return. My mind swirled with thoughts of Forks, of Isabella, and of the choice I had made. The room felt small and suffocating, so I started packing quickly, tossing clothes into my suitcases in a rush. The sooner I left, the better.

Downstairs, Lukas and Mags voices were muffled, but their casual conversation made the house feel strangely distant. I envied their ability to be lighthearted in a moment like this. For me, the weight of everything pressing down on my chest was nearly suffocating.

I glanced at the clock. We had to leave soon.

I could hear Lukas and Mags' voices carrying from their room. Their words were indistinct, but their laughter was clear. I hesitated for a moment before heading down.

When I stepped into the doorway, Mags grinned at me, leaning against the bedpost with her arms crossed. "There she is. Brooding already?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not brooding. Just—thinking."

"Uh-huh," Lukas drawled, tossing a shirt into his duffle. "That's just a fancy way of saying 'brooding.'"

Mags chuckled, then tilted her head. "How's Atticus taking this?"

"He thinks I'm wasting my time."

Lukas snorted. "Shocking."

Mags shrugged. "He's not wrong. But he also doesn't have your annoying need to save people."

I smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Lukas zipped up his bag and gave me a knowing look. "We ready to go?"

I nodded, already feeling the itch to leave. "Yeah. Let's get on the road."

Minutes later, the cars were loaded, and the house was eerily silent. The only sounds were the faint clinking of metal and the soft thud of doors closing. Lukas came toward me, his hands resting on the edge of the door to his Dodge Ram.

"Mags is going to drive the truck, and I'll drive your car," he said, his voice low and steady.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Fine by me. I enjoy being passenger princess."

Lukas chuckled, but I could tell he didn't want to leave me alone with my thoughts, and I was thankful for that. He knew better than anyone that my mind wasn't always my friend.

As Atticus, Anne, and Mags joined us in the garage, the finality of the moment settled in.

Mags had her duffle bag slung over her shoulder, and her usual cool, collected expression was soft with something unspoken. She moved over to Lukas with a small nod, and together they stood, all of us waiting for the inevitable goodbye.

The garage felt suffocating with the weight of our departure hanging in the air. Atticus stood with Anne at his side, his arms crossed as he watched me carefully.

Anne stepped forward first, pulling me into a hug before I could react. "Be careful out there, Clara," she murmured. "And don't do anything reckless."

I huffed a small laugh against her shoulder. "You know me."

She pulled back just enough to raise an eyebrow at me. "Exactly why I said it."

Atticus was next. He didn't go for a hug—of course not—but his hand gripped my shoulder, firm, grounding. "Don't be a stranger," he said simply.

I smiled. "I hear humans use something called FaceTime these days. We could try it."

Atticus smirked. "I don't need any more FaceTime with you, Clara."

"Now you're just being mean again," I pouted, then, before he could react, I hugged him again.

Lukas snorted from the side. "I should record this."

Atticus shot him a glare as he pried me off, though there was a rare amusement in his eyes. "Go. Before I change my mind about letting you leave."

"I'll call often," I promise.

"You better." Atticus and Anne say in sync.

Lukas and Mags hugged them next, their farewells just as heartfelt, though they were quieter, more restrained. When the last of the goodbyes were said, I climbed into the passenger seat of my Range Rover, gripping the seat like it might slip from my grasp.

The road ahead was unknown, but it was time. Time to face whatever came next.