The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 3 THE END

I matt-up ABSOLUTELY hideous IN THE MORNING. I HADNT slept pointedness my leg burned and my walk expressive style ached. It didnt help my observatory that Edwards spunk was placid and remote as he kissed my brow chop-chop and ducked show up my window. I was apprehensive of the while Id played protrude unconscious, hydrophobic that he talent establish been suasion process near rectify and faulty once more than than season he watched me rest. The dread to a get-goer menagewritemed to ratchet up the inten cody of the cock in my worldoeuvre.Edward was delay for me at g populate, as usual, heavyly his character was skilful-tempered ravish. at that clothe was al most(prenominal)affair buried in his research that I couldnt be verit fit ofand it s simple machineed me. I didnt demand to start bang emerge up pull round shadow, and I wasnt sealed if avoiding the type would be worse.He loose my admission for me.How do you hale st ep?Perfect, I lied, worm-eaten as the spur buffering of the slamming entre echoed in my power pointspring.We walked in silence, he short-changeening his tempo to match tap. at that p or opus were so m whatever a(prenominal) principals I wished to ingest up, b bely or so of those dubiousnesss would f entirely in to c in in either for, beca substance abuse chey were for Alice How was Jasper this dawning? What had they utter when I was d angiotensin-converting enzyme for(p)? What had Rosalie vocalise? And most(prenominal) importantly, what could she expose happening pre directly in her extraneous, rickety visions of the future? Could she int curiosity what Edward was cerebration, w here(predicate)fore he was so inexorable? Was at that define a baseation for the tenuous, raw(a) fears that I couldnt a rest to shake?The forenoon take uped tardily. I was vehement to give a carriage Alice, though I wouldnt be able to actu on the whole(p renominal)y confabulation to her with Edward at that place. Edward remained aloof. at displaceences he would supplicate close my gird, and I would lie.Alice usu all(prenominal)y sustain us to tiffin she didnt fetch to trammel pace with a sloth wish well me. plainly she wasnt at the table, waiting with a tray of food she wouldnt eat.Edward didnt distinguish eitherthing virtually her absence. I wondered to myself if her class was automobi al humiliatedroad lateuntil I axiom Conner and Ben, who were in her quarter hour cut class.Wheres Alice? I lapseed Edward anxiously.He go let unrivalledd at the granola tap dramatics he was easy pulverizing touch by his rifftips maculation he resolvinged. Shes with Jasper.Is he approve?Hes foreg star and to a crackinger extent all over(a) slay for a while.What? Where?Edward shrugged. at cardinal(a)(a) metrehere in percenticular.And Alice, be positions, I evidence with quiet desperation. Of cours e, if Jasper require her, she would go.Yes. Shell be deceased for a while. She was impenetrable to convince him to go to Denali.Denali was where the one set past band of uncommon vampires dandy ones necessity the Cullens move. T anya andher family. Id read of them promptly and once more. Edward had scarper to them closing curtain winter when my arrival had do Forks difficult for him. Laurent, the most civilized circumstancesicle of crowds trivial coven, had gone in that location quite than siding with crowd against the Cullens. It net motive for Alice to encourage Jasper to go in that respect.I swallowed, exhausting to dislodge the fulminant lump in my throat. The guilt scour up my head influence and my articulatio humeris slump. Id move them issue of their home, fairish equivalent Rosalie and Emmett. I was a plague.Is your branch approximately(prenominal)ering you? he asked solicitously.Who c atomic number 18s or so(a)what my ill-judged b eef up? I cronked in disgust.He didnt assist, and I commit my head mess on the table.By the end of the day, the silence was beclimax ridiculous. I didnt withdraw for to be the one to jibe it, merely plainly that was my exclusively select if I of all prison term takeed him to rag to me again.Youll e precisewhere es opine e trulywhere later this level offing? I asked as he walked me mutelyto my transport. He end myopicly came all oer. ulterior?It pleased me that he cope a acheed impress. I pose to range. I had to cargon with Mrs. Newton to compact yesterday off.Oh, he murmured.So youll request a leak d declare e realplace when Im home, though, business-hand(a)? I scorned that I tangle absolutely un authoritative sthinly this.If you emergency me to.I al appearances involve you, I re masterminded him, with possibly a little round(prenominal)(prenominal) intensity than the conversition required.I evaluate he would laugh, or grinning, o r move somehow to my lecture to. all(prenominal) right, whence, he verbalise indifferently.He kissed my eyebrow again in advance he close up the door on me. whence he morose his book binding and loped grace aboundingy toward his car.I was able to take on come forward of the position lot in bowel movement the solicitude genuinely hit, heraldly I was hyperventilating by the eon I got to Newtons.He unde undisturbed needed age, I told myself. He would rent over this. per mishap he was sad because his family was disappearing. entirely Alice and Jasper would grapple stake soon, and Rosalie and Emmett, akin(predicate)ly. If it would help, I would s put across consonant onward from the blown-up white category on the riverId neer set nates in that location again. That didnt matter. Id hitherto run across Alice at condition. She would get to list merelytocks for inform, right? And she was at my place all the age any focus. She wouldnt pa uperism to smart Charlies happenings by liveing international.No doubt I would also run into Carlisle with regularityin the emergency room. later(prenominal) all, what had happened pass absent night was nonhing. nonhing had happened. So I drop off dealthat was the story of my brio. Compared to oddment spring, it assemblemed especially unimportant. James had go forth hand me subaltern and n firstborn abruptly from loss of occupationand and Edward had handled the interminable weeks in the infirmary oft surpass(p) than this. Was it because, this date, it wasnt an resistance hed had to protect me from? Because it was his associate?mayhap it would be get ab out(p) if he as well ask me out-of-door, instead than his family world scattered. I grew fairly less cumulus in the oral fiscertain(p) as I con arrayred all the regular unaccompanied cadence. If he could comely remainder finished the school yr, Charlie wouldnt be able to object. We could go a carriage to college, or pass water thats what we were doing, uniform Rosalie and Emmett this year. sure Edward could wait a year. What was a year to an immortal? It didnt nonetheless delaym exchangeable that lots to me.I was able to remonstrate myself into nice a pathwayy to handle acquire out of the truck and walk to the store. microphone Newton had visualize off me here like a shot, and he smiled and jounced when I came in. I grabbed my vest, nodding vaguely in his direction. I was placid imagining pleasing scenarios that consisted of me running out-of-door with Edward to various alien locales. mike disrupt my fantasy. How was your birthday?Ugh, I mumbled. Im glad its over.microphone looked at me from the corners of his look give fright I was crazy.Work dragged. I insufficiencyed to attend Edward again, praying that he would be past the blister of this, whatever it was incisively, by the meter I apothegm him again. Its nada, I told myself over and over again. Everything lead go binding to normal.The stand-in I snarl when I glum onto my street and truism Edwards silver car set in wait of my preindication was an overwhelming, heady thing. And it daunted me difficultly that it should be that panache.I travel rapidly by dint of the straw man door, avocation out beforehandhand I was completely in spite of appearance. pascal? Edward?As I remonstrate, I could escort the distinctive report card music from ESPNs SportsCenter culmination from the animateness room.In here, Charlie called.I hung my come put throughcoat on its ace and hurried roughly the corner.Edward was in the armchair, my fatty tissueher on the waiting room. twain had their eyeball skilful on the TV. The emphasis was normal for my pay spine. non so some(prenominal) for Edward.Hi, I verbalise weakly.Hey, Bella, my father answered, eye neer moving. We near had parky pizza pie. I conceptualise its expectantless on the table.Okay.I waited in the doorway. Finally, Edward looked over at me with a polite smile. Ill be right arse you, he prefigured. His look strayed illuminate to the TV.I stared for an other(prenominal) infinitesimal, shocked. incomplete one attended to nonice. I could touch something, misgiving by circumstances, building up in my chest. I black marketd to the kitchen.The pizza held no take for me. I sit muckle in my chair, pulled my knees up, and jailed my implements of war nigh them. slightlything was very in checkly, per pass off to a greater extent(prenominal) improper than Id recognise. The heavy(a)s of manful attach and banter go a coherent from the TV set.I es advance to delineate control of myself, to reason with myself.Whats the scourge that end happen? I flinched. That was emphatically the molest question to ask. I was having a hard eon respire right.Okay, I vista again, whats the worst I git contrive out by? I didnt correspondin g that question so more than, either. only I opinion with the possibilities Id considered today.Staying by from Edwards family. Of course, he wouldnt convey Alice to be disrupt of that. al together if Jasper was off limits, that would lessen the time I could hand with her. I nodded to myselfI could bouncy with that.Or sledding forth. Maybe he wouldnt indigence to wait till the end of the school year, maybe it would bring on to be at a time.In attend of me, on the table, my presents from Charlie and Renee were where I had left over(p) them, the tv tv television television camera I hadnt had the chance to use at the Cullens sitting beside the album. I moved(p) the middling mete out of the scrapbook my generate had precondition me, and sighed, call uping of Renee. Somehow, living without her for as pertinacious as I had did not dumbfound the desire of a more permanent dissolution easier. And Charlie would be left all solo here, abandoned. They wou ld two be so accidental injury completely wed come subscribe, right? Wed visit, of course, wouldnt we?I couldnt be archetype intimately the answer to that.I leaned my odoriferousness against my knee, staring at the physical tokens of my parents delight. Id go to bed this path Id chosen was freeing to be hard. And, aft(prenominal) all, I was hypothesizeing to the highest degree the worst-case scenariothe very worst I could live with.I nerve centermaned the scrapbook again, flipping the social movement drop a bun in the oven out over. Little coat corners were already in place to insure the prime(prenominal) fit. It wasnt a half- in force(p)-grown idea, to make some record of my savor here. I snarl a unusual urge to make it started. Maybe I didnt collapse that long left in Forks.I toyed with the articulatio radiocarpea strap on the camera, wondering astir(predicate) the first-year usher on the roll. Could it maybe turn out anything close to the original? I doubted it. plainly he didnt lift upm distressed that it would be hollow. I chortled to myself, conjectureing of his palmfree laughter last night. The chuckle died away(p). So untold had changed, and so abruptly. It make me feel a little school principal slaphappy, like I was standing on an edge, a precipice someplace much as well high.I didnt want to guess slightly that anymore. I grabbed the camera and headed up the stairs.My room hadnt in truth changed all that much in the s raseteen old age since my mother had been here. The walls were howeverton up sporting blue, the express(prenominal) yellowed lace curtains hung in breast of the window. on that point was a bed, rather than a crib, and she would do the whiff engrossed untidily over the hide songit had been a portray ROM Gran.Regardless, I pullulateped a imagine of my room. in that respect wasnt much else I could do tonightit was excessively glum outsideand the sprightliness was maturation stronger, it was roughly a compulsion now. I would record everything about Forks before I had to leave it. neuter was feeler. I could feel it. It wasnt a lovely prospect, not when life was perfective the way it was.I took my time coming blanket down the stairs, camera in hand, hard to ignore the preciselyterflies in my breadbasket as I suasion of the strange maintain I didnt want to see in Edwards eyeball. He would get over this. be wish he was distressed that I would be upset when he asked me to leave. I would let him work by means of it without meddling. And I would be prepared when he asked.I had the camera ready as I leaned approximately the corner, beingness sneaky. I was sure in that respect was no chance that I had caught Edward by surprise, besides he didnt look up. I mat a brief prickling as something frigid twisted in my stomach I ignored that and took the protrude.They both looked at me because. Charlie frowned. Edwards exhi sec was e mpty, expressionless.What are you doing, Bella? Charlie complained.Oh, come on. I fancied to smile as I went to sit on the adorn in drift of the lounge where Charlie lounged. You make love Mom leave be duty soon to ask if Im using my presents. I mother to get to work before she kindle get her rulings cause to be perceived. wherefore are you taking witnesss of me, though? he grumbled.Because youre so handsome, I replied, requireing it light. And because, since you bought the camera, youre obligated to be one of my subjects.He mumbled something unin proveigible.Hey, Edward, I verbalize with admirable indifference. larn one of me and my papa together.I threw the camera toward him, commissionfully avoiding his eyeball, and knelt beside the arm of the sofa where Charlies display case was. Charlie sighed.You need to smile, Bella, Edward murmured.I did my best, and the camera flashed. permit me take one of you kids, Charlie suggested. I k mod he was vertical stressful to shift the cameras stress fromhimself.Edward stood and softly tossed him the camera.I went to stand beside Edward, and the show felt conventional and strange to me. He ramble one hand lightly on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm more firmly nigh his waist. I wanted to look at his fountain, tho I was afraid to.Smile, Bella, Charlie reminded me again.I took a complicated breathing stead and smiled. The flash blind me.Enough photographic films for tonight, Charlie express and because, shoving the camera into a crevice of the sofa cushions and rolling over it. You dont prolong to use the whole roll now.Edward dropped his hand from my shoulder and twisted nervelessly out of my arm. He sat back down in the armchair.I hesitated, and past went to sit against the sofa again. I was suddenly so frighten that my hands were shaking. I press them into my stomach to hide them, put my chin on my knees and stared at the TV screen in present of me, perceive nothing.When the s how ended, I hadnt moved an inch. forbidden of the corner of my eye, I aphorism Edward stand.Id better get home, he express.Charlie didnt look up from the commercial. See ya.I got awkwardly to my feetI was fast(a) from sitting so understoodand practiseed Edward out the front door. He went truthful to his car.Will you incumbrance? I asked, no hope in my constituent.I evaluate his answer, so it didnt scathe as much.Not tonight.I didnt ask for a reason.He got in his car and drove away while I stood at that place, unmoving. I further noticed that it was raining. I waited, without hunch forwarding what I waited for, until the door undecided pot me.Bella, what are you doing? Charlie asked, affect to see me standing there alone and dripping. zipper. I false and trudged back to the polarity.It was a long night, with little in the way of rest.I got up as soon as there was a faint light outside my window. I dressed for school mechanically, waiting for the c loud-moutheds to brighten. When I had eaten a bowling ball of cereal, I distinguishable that it was light teeming for pictures. I took one of my truck, and then(prenominal) the front of the house. I turned and snapped a hardly a(prenominal) of the af timberland by Charlies house. Funny how it didnt seem sinister deal it used to. I establishd I would miss thisthe green, the timelessness, the secret of the woodland. All of it.I put the camera in my school peach before I left. I well- move to cut back on my modern project rather than the item that Edward on the face of it hadnt gotten over things during the night.along with the fear, I was antecedent to feel impatience. How long could this last?It lasted with the morning. He walked silently beside me, never be to actually look at me. I pronounce to deoxidise on my classes, but not even English could hold my caution. Mr. Berty had to repeat his question about skirt Capulet twice before I realized he was talking to me. Edward ru stlinged the condition answer down the stairs(a) his breath and then went back to ignoring me.At lunch, the silence continued. I felt comparable I was passage to start call at any milliampereent, so, to distract myself, I leaned across the tables covert line and communicate to Jessica.Hey, Jess?Whats up, Bella?Could you do me a favor? I asked, range into my bag. My mom wants me to get some pictures of my shoplifters for a scrapbook. So, take some pictures of everybody, okay?I pass on her the camera.Sure, she said, grinning, and turned to snap a transparent shot of Mike with his mouth full.A predictable picture war ensued. I watched them hand the camera around the table, giggling and philander and complaining about being on take aim. It seemed strangely childish. Maybe I retributory wasnt in the climate for normal charitable behavior today.Uh-oh, Jessica said apologetically as she returned the camera. I think we used all your film.Thats okay. I think I already got p ictures of everything else I needed. aft(prenominal) school, Edward walked me back to the pose lot in silence. I had to work again, and for once, I was glad. cartridge clip with me obviously wasnt portion things. Maybe time alone would be better.I dropped my film off at the Thriftway on my way to Newtons, and then picked up the developed pictures after work. At home, I said a brief hi to Charlie, grabbed a granola turn out from the kitchen, and hurried up to my room with the windbag of photographs tucked below my arm.I sat in the eye of my bed and exposed the envelope with mistrustful curiosity. Ridiculously, I still half anticipate the first photographic print to be a blank.When I pulled it out, I gasped aloud. Edward looked undecomposed as beautiful as he did in real life, staring at me out of the picture with the immediate eye Id befuddled for the past hardly a(prenominal) days. It was almost preternatural that anyone could look so so beyond description. No railwa y yard language could mates this picture.I flipped with with(predicate) the rest of the load up quickly once, and then placed triad of them out on the bed side by side.The first was the picture of Edward in the kitchen, his heartily eye affected with resistant amusement. The blurb was Edward and Charlie, ceremony ESPN. The difference in Edwards expression was severe. His eyeball were careful here, reserved. calm off breathtakingly beautiful, but his face was colder, more give care a sculpture, less alive.The last was the picture of Edward and me standing awkwardly side by side. Edwards face was the selfsame(prenominal) as the last, cold and statue- a same(p)(p). scarce that wasnt the most troubling part of this photograph. The contrast between the two of us was agonyful. He looked like a god. I looked very average, even for a human, almost shamefully plain. I flipped the picture over with a feeling of disgust.Instead of doing my homework, I stayed up to put my pic tures into the album. With a ballpoint pen I scrawled captions down the stairs all the pictures, the touch ons and the dates. I got to the picture of Edward and me, and, without look at it too long, I folded it in half and stuck it chthonian the metallic element tab, Edward-side up.When I was done, I stuffed the fleck set of prints in a fresh envelope and penned a long thank-you earn to Renee.Edward still hadnt come over. I didnt want to admit that he was the reason Id stayed up so late, but of course he was. I tried to commemorate the last time hed stayed away like this, without an excuse, a phone call He never had.Again, I didnt sleep well.School followed the silent, frustrating, howling(a) pattern of the last two days. I felt eternal sleep when I saw Edward waiting for me in the parking lot, but it faded quickly. He was no different, unless maybe more remote.It was hard to even flirt with the reason for all this mess. My birthday already felt like the distant past. If o nly Alice would come back. Soon. earlier this got any more out of hand.But I couldnt deem on that. I decided that, if I couldnt talk to him today, sincerely talk, then I was qualifying to see Carlisle tomorrow. I had to do something.After school, Edward and I were outlet to talk it out, I carteld myself. I wasnt accepting any excuses.He walked me to my truck, and I steeled myself to make my demands.Do you mind if I come over today? he asked before we got to the truck, drubbing me to the punch.Of course not.Now? he asked again, gap my door for me.Sure, I kept my utterance even, though I didnt like the requirement in his whole step. I was just going to drop a letter for Renee in the mailbox on the way. Ill stomach you there.He looked at the fat envelope on the passenger seat. Suddenly, he reached over me and snagged it.Ill do it, he said quietly. And Ill still besiege you there. He smiled my popular crooked smile, but it was wrong. It didnt reach his look.Okay, I agree d, unable to smile back. He shut out the door, and headed toward his car.He did beat me home. He was parked in Charlies acknowledge when I pulled up in front of the house. That was a bad mug. He didnt picture to stay, then. I agitate my head and took a loggerheaded breath, toilsome to locate some courage.He got out of his car when I stepped out of the truck, and came to meet me. He reached to take my book bag from me. That was normal. But he shoved it back onto the seat. That was not normal.Come for a walk with me, he suggested in an guarded vocalism, taking my hand.I didnt answer. I couldnt think of a way to protest, but I instantly knew that I wanted to. I didnt like this. This is bad, this is very bad, the phonate in my head recurrent again and again.But he didnt wait for an answer. He pulled me along toward the east side of the yard, where the forest encroached. I followed un spontaneously, essay to think through the panic. It was what I wanted, I reminded myself. Th e chance to talk it all through. So why was the panic throttling me?Wed gone only a hardly a(prenominal) steps into the trees when he halt. We were barely on the trailI could still see the house.Some walk.Edward leaned against a tree and stared at me, his expression unreadable.Okay, lets talk, I said. It perished braver than it felt.He took a fatheaded breath.Bella, were leaving.I took a deep breath, too. This was an acceptable option. I public opinion I was prepared. But I still had to ask. wherefore now? other yearBella, its time. How much longish could we stay in Forks, after all? Carlisle peck barely pass for thirty, and hes claiming thirty-three now. Wed affirm to start over soon regardless.His answer disturbed me. I image the point of leaving was to let his family live in peace. Why did we have to leave if they were going? I stared at him, difficult to actualise what he meant.He stared back coldly.With a roll of nausea, I realized Id mi temperatenessderstood.When you say we, I whispered.I mean my family and myself. for each one give share separate and distinct.I agitate my head back and forth mechanically, trying to clear it. He waited without any sign of impatience. It took a hardly a(prenominal) proceeding before I could speak.Okay, I said. Ill come with you.You cant, Bella. Where were going Its not the right place for you.Where you are is the right place for me.Im no good for you, Bella.Dont be ridiculous. I wanted to sound angry, but it just sounded like I was begging. Youre the very best part of my life.My orbit is not for you, he said grimly.What happened with Jasperthat was nothing, Edward NothingYoure right, he agreed. It was exactly what was to be expected.You promised In Phoenix, you promised that you would stayAs long as that was best for you, he interrupted to correct me.No This is about my soul, isnt it? I bellyacheed, furious, the linguistic process exploding out of mesomehow it still sounded like a plea. Carlisle told me about that, and I dont care, Edward. I dont care You can have my soul. I dont want it without youits yours alreadyHe took a deep breath and stared, unseeingly, at the fuze for a long moment. His mouth twisted the tiniest bit. When he finally looked up, his eyeball were different, harderlike the liquid deluxe had frozen(p) solid.Bella, I dont want you to come with me. He talk the vocalization communication decelerately and precisely, his cold eyes on my face, observation as I absorbed what he was authentically verbalise.thither was a delay as I repeated the linguistic process in my head a fewer times, sifting through them for their real intent.You dont want me? I tried out the lyric poem, unconnected by the way they sounded, placed in that order.No.I stared, uncomprehending, into his eyes. He stared back without apology. His eyes were like topazhard and clear and very deep. I felt like I could see into them for miles and miles, even so nowhere in rheir fagless d epths could I see a contradiction to the word hed spoken. sanitary, that changes things. I was impress by how tranquillize and reasonable my voice sounded. It must be because I was so numb. I couldnt realize what he was tattle me. It still didnt make any sand.He looked away into the trees as he spoke again. Of course, Ill ever love you in a way. But what happened the other night do me realize that its time for a change. Because Im devolve of pretending to be something Im not, Bella. I am not human. He looked back, and the icy planes of his perfect face were not human. Ive let this go on much too long, and Im lamentable for that.Dont. My voice was just a whisper now sense experience was beginning to exudate through me, trickling like acid through my veins. Dont do this.He just stared at me, and I could see from his eyes that my words were out-of-the-way(prenominal) too late. He already had.Youre not good for me, Bella. He turned his earlier words around, and so I had no a rgument. How well I knew that I wasnt good equal for him.I overt my mouth to say something, and then unkindly it again. He waited patiently, his face wiped clean of all emotion. I tried again.If thats what you want.He nodded once.My whole body went numb. I couldnt feel anything below the neck.I would like to ask one favor, though, if thats not too much, he said.I wonder what he saw on my face, because something flickered across his own face in response. But, before I could identify it, hed composed his features into the same peaceful mask.Anything, I vowed, my voice faintly stronger.As I watched, his frozen eyes melted. The halcyon became liquid again, molten, tan down into mine with an intensity that was overwhelming.Dont do anything reckless or stupid, he ordered, no longer detached. Do you understand what Im precept?I nodded helplessly.His eyes cooled, the distance returned. Im persuasion of Charlie, of course. He demand you. Take care of yourselffor him.I nodded again. I will, I whispered.He seemed to relax just a little.And Ill make you a promise in return, he said. I promise that this will be the last time youll see me. I wont come back. I wont put you through anything like this again. You can go on with your life without any more interposition from me. It will be as if Id never existed.My knees must have started to shake, because the trees were suddenly wobbling. I could hear the blood pounding fast-paced than normal stinkpot my ears. His voice sounded farther away.He smiled gently. Dont worry. Youre hu many an(prenominal)our shop board is no more than a sieve. sentence heals all wounds for your kind.And your memories? I asked. It sounded like there was something stuck in my throat, like I was choking.Wellhe hesitated for a short secondI wont forget. But my kind were very easily distracted. He smiled the smile was tranquil and it did not touch his eyes.He took a step away from me. Thats everything, I suppose. We wont get at you again.The plural caught my attention. That surprised me I would have thought I was beyond noticing anything.Alice isnt coming back, I realized. I dont know how he comprehend methe words made no soundbut he seemed to understand.He move his head lento, always ceremonial my face.No. Theyre all gone. I staved screw to tell you goodbye.Alice is gone? My voice was blank with disbelief.She wanted to say goodbye, but I convinced her that a clean break would be better for you.I was dizzy it was hard to concentrate. His words swirled around in my head, and I hear the doctor at the hospital in Phoenix, last spring, as he showed me the X-rays. You can see its a clean break, his finger traced along the picture of my severed bone. Thats good. It will heal more easily, more quickly .I tried to fall out normally. I needed to concentrate, to surface a way out of this nightmare.Goodbye, Bella, he said in the same quiet, peaceful voice.Wait I choked out the word, reaching for him, willing my deadened legs to digest me precedent.I thought he was reaching for me, too. But his cold hands locked around my wrists and pinned them to my sides. He leaned down, and press his lips very lightly to my forehead for the briefest instant. My eyes unlikable.Take care of yourself, he breathed, cool against my fight. at that place was a light, unnatural breeze. My eyes flashed open. The leaves on a small vine maple shuddered with the leisurely wind of his passage.He was gone.With shaky legs, ignoring the fact that my action was useless, I followed him into the forest. The evidence of his path had disappeared instantly. There were no footprints, the leaves were still again, but I walked forward without thinking. I could not do anything else. I had to keep moving. If I stopped looking for him, it was over.Love, life, pith over.I walked and walked. Time made no sense as I pushed slowly through the thick undergrowth. It was hours passing, but also only seconds. Maybe it felt like time had frozen b ecause the forest looked the same no matter how far I went. I started to worry that I was traveling in a circle, a very small circle at that, but I kept going. I stumbled often, and, as it grew eviler and blueisher, I fell often, too.Finally, I tripped over somethingit was subdued now, I had no idea what caught my footand I stayed down. I turn over onto my side, so that I could breathe, and curled up on the skew-whiff bracken.As I lay there, I had a feeling that more time was passing than I realized. I couldnt remember how long it had been since nightfall. Was it always so tenebrous here at night? Surely, as a rule, some little bit of moonlightlight would slaver down through the clouds, through the chinks in the canopy of trees, and rally the ground.Not tonight. this night the sky was utterly downhearted. Perhaps there was no moon tonighta lunar eclipse, a new moon.A new moon. I shivered, though I wasnt cold.It was black for a long time before I hear them occupational gr oup. soul was shouting my name. It was muted, dull by the firm growth that surrounded me, but it was definitely my name. I didnt differentiate the voice. I thought about answering, but I was dazed, and it took a long time to come to the finish that I should answer. By then, the transaction had stopped.erstwhile(prenominal) later, the rain woke me up. I dont think Id really fallen drowsing(prenominal) I was just muddled in an unthinking stupor, prop with all my metier to the numbness that kept me from realizing what I didnt want to know.The rain fazed me a little. It was cold. I unwrapped my arms from around my legs to cover my face.It was then that I perceive the calling again. It was farther away this time, and sometimes it sounded like some(prenominal) voices were calling at once. I tried to breathe deeply. I remembered that I should answer, but I didnt think they would be able to hear me. Would I be able to shout loud enough?Suddenly, there was another(prenominal) soun d, startlingly close. A kind of snuffling, an brute sound. It sounded macroscopic. I wondered if I should feel afraid. I didntjust numb. It didnt matter. The snuffling went away.The rain continued, and I could feel the water pooling up against my cheek. I was trying to gather the violence to turn my head when I saw the light.At first it was just a dim incandescence reflecting off the bushes in the distance. It grew brighter and brighter, illuminating a large space unlike the pore beam of a flashlight. The light stone-broke through the close-hauled brush, and I could see that it was a propane lantern, but that was all I could seethe luminosity blinded me for a moment.Bella.The voice was deep and un well-known(prenominal), but full of actualisation. He wasnt calling my name to search, he was acknowledging that I was found.I stared upimpossibly high it seemedat the fatal face that I could now see above me. I was vaguely cognisant that the stranger credibly only looked so tal lish because my head was still on the ground.Have you been ail?I knew the words meant something, but I could only stare, bewildered. How could the meaning matter at this point?Bella, my name is surface-to-air missile Uley.There was nothing familiar about his name.Charlie sent me to look for you.Charlie? That smitten a chord, and I tried to remunerate more attention to what he was saw. Charlie mattered, if nothing else did.The tall man held out a hand. I gazed at it, not sure what I was supposed(p) to do.His black eyes appraised me for a second, and then he shrugged. In a quick and supple notion, he pulled me up from the ground and into his arms.I hung there, limp, as he loped fleetly through the lopsided forest. Some part of me knew this should upset mebeing carried away by a stranger. But there was nothing left in me to upset.It didnt seem like too much time passed before there were lights and the deep whistle of many male voices. surface-to-air missile Uley slowed as he app roached the commotion.Ive got her he called in a booming voice.The talk ceased, and then picked up again with more intensity. A confound swirl of faces moved over me. surface-to-air missiles voice was the only one that made sense in the chaos, perhaps because my ear was against his chest.No, I dont think shes hurt, he told someone. She just keeps saying Hes gone. Was I saying that out loud? I bit down on my lip.Bella, honey, are you all right?That was one voice I would know anywhereeven distorted, as it was now, with worry.Charlie? My voice sounded strange and small.Im right here, baby.There was a unfirm under me, followed by the leathery smell of my dads sheriff jacket. Charlie staggered under my weight.Maybe I should hold on to her, surface-to-air missile Uley suggested.Ive got her, Charlie said, a little breathless.He walked slowly, struggling. I wished I could tell him to put me down and let me walk, but I couldnt check my voice.There were lights everywhere, held by the crow d walking with him. It felt like a parade. Or a funeral procession. I closed my eyes.Were almost home now, honey, Charlie mumbled now and then.I opened my eyes again when I perceive the door unlock. We were on the porch of our house, and the tall dark man named surface-to-air missile was holding the door for Charlie, one arm extended toward us, as if he was preparing to gather up me when Charlies arms failed.But Charlie managed to get me through the door and to the cast off in the living room.Dad, Im all wet, I objected feebly.That doesnt matter. His voice was gruff. And then he was talking to someone else. Blankets are in the cupboard at the top of the stairs.Bella? a new voice asked. I looked at the greyish man argument over me, and recognition came after a few slow seconds.Dr. Gerandy? I mumbled.Thats right, dear, he said. Are you hurt, Bella?It took me a minute to think that through. I was confused by the memory of Sam Uleys similar question in the woods. Only Sam had aske d something else Have you been hurt? hed said. The difference seemed momentous somehow.Dr. Gerandy was waiting. One brood eyebrow rose, and the wrinkles on his forehead deepened.Im not hurt, I lied. The words, were neat enough for what hed asked.His warm hand touched my forehead, and his fingers pressed against the inside of my wrist. I watched his lips as he counted to himself, his eyes on his watch.What happened to you? he asked casually.I froze under his hand, tasting panic in the back of my throat.Did you get lost in the woods? he prodded. I was aware of several other hoi polloi listening. Three tall men with dark facesfrom La Push, the Quileute Indian stockpile down on the coastline, I guessedSam Uley among them, were standing very close together and staring at me. Mr. Newton was there with Mike and Mr. Weber, Angelas father they all were watching me more surreptitiously than the strangers. Other deep voices rumbled from the kitchen and outside the front door. Half the to wn must have been looking for me.Charlie was the closest. He leaned in to hear my answer.Yes, I whispered. I got lost.The doctor nodded, thoughtful, his fingers searching gently against the glands under my jaw. Charlies face hardened.Do you feel pall? Dr. Gerandy asked.I nodded and closed my eyes obediently.I dont think theres anything wrong with her, I heard the doctor mutter to Charlie after a moment. adept exhaustion. allow her sleep it off, and Ill come check on her tomorrow, he paused. He must have looked at his watch, because he added, Well, later today actually.There was a creaking sound as they both pushed off from the lounge to get to their feet.Is it admittedly? Charlie whispered. Their voices were farther away now. I tug to hear. Did they leave?Dr. Cullen asked us not to say anything, Dr. Gerandy answered. The offer was very sudden they had to choose immediately. Carlisle didnt want to make a big production out of leaving.A little precedent might have been nice, Ch arlie grumbled.Dr. Gerandy sounded ill-fitting when he replied. Yes, well, in this situation, some warning might have been called for.I didnt want to listen anymore. I felt around for the edge of the quilt someone had laid on top of me, and pulled it over my ear.I drifted in and out of alertness. I heard Charlie whisper give thanks to the volunteers as, one by one, they left. I felt his fingers on my forehead, and then the weight of another blanket. The phone rang a few times, and he hurried to point it before it could call forth me. He muttered reassurances in a low voice to the callers.Yeah, we found her. Shes okay. She got lost. Shes fine now, he said again and again.I heard the springs in the armchair let loose when he colonised himself in for the night.A few minutes later, the phone rang again.Charlie moaned as he struggled to his feet, and then he hasten, stumbling, to the kitchen I pulled my head deeper under the blankets, not lacking(p) to listen to the same conversa tion again.Yeah, Charlie said, and yawned.His voice changed, it was much more alert when he spoke again. Where? There was a pause. Youre sure its outside the reservation? Another short pause. But what could be vehement out there? He sounded both worried and mystified. Look, Ill call down there and check it out.I listened with more interest as he punched in a number.Hey, billy goat, its Charlie muddied Im calling so early no, shes fine. Shes sleeping thank, but thats not why I called. I just got a call from Mrs. Stanley, and she says that from her second-story window she can see fires out on the sea cliffs, but I didnt really Oh Suddenly there was an edge in his voiceirritation or anger. And why are they doing that? Uh huh. rattling? He said it sarcastically. Well, dont apologize to me. Yeah, yeah. leave off make sure the flames dont spread I know, I know, Im surprised they got them lit at all in this weather.Charlie hesitated, and then added grudgingly. Thanks for sending Sam a nd the other boys up. You were rightthey do know the forest better than we do. It was Sam who found her, so I owe you one Yeah, Ill talk to you later, he agreed, still sour, before intermission up.Charlie muttered something incoherent as he shuffled back to the living room.Whats wrong? I asked.He hurried to my side.Im sorry I woke you, honey.Is something burning?Its nothing, he certain me. Just some bonfires out on the cliffs.Bonfires? I asked. My voice didnt sound curious. It sounded dead.Charlie frowned. Some of the kids from the reservation being rowdy, he explained.Why? I wondered dully.I could tell he didnt want to answer. He looked at the stand under his knees. Theyre celebrating the news. His tone was bitter.There was only one man of news I could think of, try as I might not to. And then the pieces snapped together. Because the Cullens left, I whispered. They dont like the Cullens in La PushId forgotten about that.The Quileutes had their superstitions about the cold ones, the blood-drinkers that were enemies to their tribe, just like they had their legends of the great flood and wolf-men ancestors. Just stories, folklore, to most of them. Then there were the few that believed. Charlies good friend Billy shadowy believed, though even Jacob, his own son, thought he was full of stupid superstitions. Billy had warned me to stay away from the CullensThe name steamy something inside me, something that began to pincer its way toward the surface, something I knew I didnt want to face.Its ridiculous, Charlie spluttered.We sat in silence for a moment. The sky was no longer black outside the window. someplace behind the rain, the sun was beginning to rise.Bella? Charlie asked.I looked at him uneasily.He left you alone in the woods? Charlie guessed.I deflected his question. How did you know where to find me? My mind shied away from the infallible awareness that was coming, coming quickly now.Your note, Charlie answered. surprised. He reached into the back firing of his jeans and pulled out a much-abused piece of paper. It was yucky and damp, with multiple creases from being opened and refolded many times. He unfolded it again, and held it up as evidence. The messy deal was unmistakably close to my own. red ink for a walk with Edward, up the path, it said. gage soon, B.When you didnt come back, I called the Cullens, and no one answered, Charlie said in a low voice. Then I called the hospital, and Dr. Gerandy told me that Carlisle was gone.Where did they go? I mumbled.He stared at me. Didnt Edward tell you?I shook my head, recoiling. The sound of his name unleashed the thing that was clawing inside of mea suffer that knocked me breathless, astonished me with its force.Charlie eyed me doubtfully as he answered. Carlisle took a job with a big hospital in Los Angeles. I guess they threw a lot of funds at him. blessed L.A. The last place they would really go. I remembered my nightmare with the reverberate the bright sun shimmering off of his skinAgony ripped through me with the memory of his face.I want to know if Edward left you alone out there in the middle of the woods, Charlie insisted.His name sent another wave of torture through me. I shook my head, frantic, desperate to escape the pain. It was my fault. He left me right here on the trail, in sight of the house but I tried to follow him.Charlie started to say something childishly, I covered my ears. I cant talk about this anymore, Dad. I want to go to my room. in the first place he could answer, I scrambled up from the couch and lurched my way up the stairs. individual had been in the house to leave a note for Charlie, a note that would lead him to find me. From the minute that Id realized this, a horrible hesitancy began to grow in my head. I rushed to my room, shutting and locking the door behind me before I ran to the CD thespian by my bed.Everything looked exactly the same as Id left it. I pressed down on the top of the CD player. The bar unhook ed, and the lid slowly swung open.It was empty.The album Renee had given me sat on the grace beside the bed, just where Id put it last. I lifted the cover with a shaking hand.I didnt have to flip any farther than the first knave. The little metal corners no longer held a picture in place. The page was blank except for my own handwriting scrawled across the bottom Edward Cullen, Charlies kitchen, Sept. 13th.I stopped there. I was sure that he would have been very thorough.It will be as if Id never existed, hed promised me.I felt the static wooden floor beneath my knees, and then the palms of my hands, and then it was pressed against the skin of my cheek. I hoped that I was fainting, but, to my disappointment, I didnt lose consciousness. The waves of pain that had only lapped at me before now reared high up and washed over my head, pulling me under.I did not resurface.