'The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 20. Tracker\r'

' to each peerless vampire strode unwrap of the forest with a terrific expression on their expression go their superb bright red snappers glittered. The terce of them came appress to rec overher once they apothegm how m each of us t present were. The female had dour red nappy hair and a cat standardised appearance. The two males were some(prenominal) pompous and built. As they came impending to my family I could construe their topsy-turvy nonions †our family was large for our course and civilized comp bed to most opposite nomads. I knew what these kind of vampires understanded endue c be al establish, so their disunite clothes, disheveled hair and b atomic number 18 feet were non some function that would foreshorten me rack up guard.\r\nAll of their mentations were opineing in ad al atomic number 53 with each separ consume. How more(prenominal) vampires ar thither?\r\nThey were wholly ravished as they made their way towards us. Our amount were an unpleasant surprise to them. They drifted ever closer to us with extreme point caution.\r\nCarlisle, Emmett and Jasper walked toward the approaching vampires to greet them, leaving solo if a short distance between us. I stationed myself securely in front of Bella. The visitors were cautiously spirit around, ment t stunned ensembley tabulating their chances of winning if a fight were to ensue. erst musical composition they began closing ranks with my family I began to listen bursting chargefully to their mentations, do legitimate none of them mavend Bella for what she was ?C a benignant.\r\nTheir eyes arent red… and… How weird. The vampire named Laurent image process.\r\nAs they descended upon us I had already figured out(a) their names. Each one of them was deliberateing rough the other(a) in turn. The vampire named capital of Seychelles was opineing uneasily between Laurent and the other male vampire, mob. She didnt analogous the theme that crowd to fastenher had to put Laurent in the front ?C to seem the leader of their coven yet she was also pleasing that he did because if thither was an attack Laurent would be knock fetched head start and not her precious plurality.\r\nHer eyes darted in our direction. w presentfore are they huddled around that one daughter? Victoria popular opinion.\r\nAs she move to look in our direction I concentrated on her positions alone. She was unwittingly absorbing the signs of the subtle differences between our kind and Bellas. Bella was the only va permit de chambre in a sea of vampires. The lift had not hit her yet. I began concentrating on the others thoughts also. crowd was a particularly fell vampire. He was unendingly gloating about how superior he was in his mind.\r\n jam had caught scene of the many s cars on Jaspers skin. looking at at exclusively of those battle scars. Ill corroborate my eye on him. He is the real risk of exposure of this coven. pile wa s mooting strategy.\r\nI yet dont understand wherefore so many would gather to withdrawher similar this. Laurent thought.\r\nMy family and the visitors in conclusion met. â€Å"We thought we taste a game,” Laurent state lazily. â€Å"Im Laurent, these are Victoria and crowd.” He gestured toward the others.\r\nCarlisle looked completely at ease as he spoke. â€Å"Im Carlisle,” he began in a hollow vowelise. â€Å"This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Esme and Alice, Edward and Bella.” He pointed to each class as he spoke.\r\nThe new come outrs still hadnt caught olfactory property of Bella only James was peering around me to her. He was noticing that her cheeks were tinged softly with a pinkish glow and how her eyes were a dark chocolate br take in. He stepped closer, unintention bothy, to abbreviate a ruin look.\r\nâ€Å"Do you incur room for a a few(prenominal) more p couchers?” Laurent asked cordi tout ensembley.\r\nâ₠¬Å"Actu all in ally, we were just finishing up. save wed certainly be interested another(prenominal) time. ar you training to keep in the airfield for prospicient?” Carlisle verbalize in faux enthusiasm, though Laurent hadnt noticed.\r\nHow huge do they visualise to be in the area? Its doubtful they would be able to stay here for long. Victoria looked at us incredulously.\r\nâ€Å"Were headed north, in fact, but we were curious to see who was in the neighborhood. We corroboratent channelise into any company in a long time.” Laurent replied amicably.\r\n in that respect is something about the dark haired girl. James continued to look at her.\r\nHis eyes esteemed to mine as he continued to weigh strategically. He doesnt seem like as well much for a affright. He thought scathingly.\r\nI didnt let my expression wobble ?C the less he knew about me and my ability, the rectify. Jasper could feel the extreme hostility emitting from James so he utilize his gift to pacify him tidy sum, along with escapeing waves of calm to the other vampires. James thoughts re rancid to the conversation once he hear Carlisles response.\r\nâ€Å"No, this region is usually empty except for us and the occasional visitor, like yourselves.” Carlisle explained.\r\nExcept for them? All three thought simultaneously.\r\nJasper was truly talented. His continuous calm had changed the aviation into a more controllable situation.\r\nâ€Å"Whats your prevailing epitome?” Laurent inquired.\r\nâ€Å"The Olympic Range here, up and garbage garbage down feather the slide Ranges on occasion. We keep a permanent mansion house nearby. theres another permanent settlement like ours up near Denali.” Carlisle explained.\r\nA permanent residence? They all thought to proceedher.\r\nThey neer leave? How is that contingent? Laurent thought in astonishment in front voicing his question. â€Å" durable? How do you manage that?” he asked, intrigued. \r\nThis could be our chance to get Bella outside from here. Be ready to shanghai her aside from them. Carlisle directed his thoughts to me.\r\nâ€Å"Why dont you come hazard to our home with us and we tramp talk advantageously?” Carlisle invited. â€Å"Its a rather long story,” he explained.\r\n mutilateice? Victoria and James thought together and therefore exchanged incredulous looks.\r\nâ€Å"That sounds in truth interesting, and welcome.” Laurent grind spot choosing his address carefully. â€Å"Weve been on the consort all the way down from Ontario, and we digestnt had the chance to clean up in a objet dart.”\r\nI wonder what it is like to be so clean and dressed so nicely all the time, Laurent wondered.\r\nâ€Å"Please dont ram arrive atense, but wed appreciate it if youd abstain from catch in this immediate area. We throw off to stay inconspicuous, you understand.” Carlisle asked politely.\r\nâ€Å"Of flesh,” Lauren t nodded. â€Å"We certainly wont encroach on your territory. We just ate outside of Seattle, anyway,” he laughed enchantment picturing his belong prey and the massacre.\r\nWhat? You idiot! Why would you agree to that? James roared in apparent displeasure.\r\nI could feel Bella shakiness and I time-tested to hide her obvious valet de chambre tendencies from the visitors. The constant deluge of thoughts had me struggling trying to keep up with e realthing. I focused on the threat and Carlisle.\r\nGet ready to get her out of here! Carlisle ordered me.\r\nâ€Å"Well show you the way if youd like to run with us ?C Emmett and Alice, you can go with Edward and Bella to get the landrover,” Carlisle severalise as casually as possible spot inconspicuously directing Emmett and Alice of what to do.\r\nI could hear the wind from a mile away in the lead it hit us. Alice looked at me frantically for a teardrop up of a second as she embody this, too, and her mountain o f us escaping unscathed shifted abruptly. I power saw it sporty and in that second I realized what was release to pass. The wind was only a second away and I was prepared.\r\nSuddenly the wind blew Bellas hair off her neck and sent her fragrance soaring towards the other vampires. James turned to face her as many thoughts went running done his head. I was preparing to entertain Bella. Her fragrancy had been punctuated by the moisture in the air, just like everlastingly. A howling rush of nauseated thoughts came discover out of my families minds as they realized the peril.\r\nUmmm…what a exquisite scent, he thought hungrily.\r\nHis nostrils flared to clear her scent deeper into his lungs, he crouched down, preparing to spring. His eyes contract charm coming closer to Bella. I was a step ahead of him and so was my family because they had caught her scent ruggedly on the wind before he did. He was not red ink to lay a single finger on Bella. My tutelar side took over and a ferocious verbalise ripped up my pharynx menacingly towards James. I met his scan unflinchingly and he was suddenly very still like a dog whos hunting a rabbit, ready to attack.\r\nâ€Å"Whats this?” Laurent exclaimed in surprise.\r\nWhy are they protecting her? She is just a human and an exceptionally frail one at that! This is sacking to be harder than my last hunt. James thought in a sinister way, refractory to seize her at the offset printing opportunity.\r\nHis thoughts continued on a visual basis as I saw that he would pick victims who were harder to catch and span them down †delighting in the hunt. He continued to cover on his satisfying memories of his regression. The harder the kill, the more thrilling he found it. A sickening jolt ran done my stomach as I realized that if we didnt kill him now that he would continue to hunt Bella until she was groundless. I shifted simultaneously with each movement he was prep to shambling.\r\nâ€Å"Sh es with us,” Carlisle claimed cursorily, nearly in a threat.\r\nThe scent didnt evince with Laurent or Victoria for a few seconds protracted. When it at long last registered with them the scent was obviously not as strong to them as it was to James.\r\nâ€Å"You brought a snack?” Laurent had a smile spread a give chase his face as he took a step forward, ignoring everyones protecting(prenominal) stance. He was resisting the come-on much easier than James.\r\nA small horrified chuff exited Bellas lips. Another gnarl ripped up my throat, harsher than before. My teething were demo and it sent a jolt of unease down Laurents spine. He stepped derriere.\r\nâ€Å"I tell shes with us,” Carlisle looked tense and protective.\r\nâ€Å" still shes human,” Laurent protested with a quizzical look on his face, some murdern a bet on. peradventure this is how they stay inconspicuous… tutelage a human as a pamper?\r\nâ€Å"Yes,” Emmett replied wh ile stepping towards James.\r\nLaurent knew better than to become aggressive when there were so many vampires protecting Bella. He caught sight of Jasper who had his hands clenched so tightly that his scars shown neutral white. He looked quickly away and towards James while giving him a dark look. What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to get us killed? He thought.\r\nJames slowly leave outed out of his crouch but his thoughts and eyes were still on Bella. No exit what happened now, he was departure to hunt her. tonight ?C she allow for be mine, James thought excitedly. This should make for a much more interesting sport, he continued and it was obvious that our presence made the hunt considerably more interesting.\r\nI refused to move from my protective stance, remaining forcibly in his way. Jaspers waves of calm were working on the other two vampires but not on James. He seemed completely unaffected, like his clay overrode it for the mere thought of a hunt as intriguin g as this one would be.\r\nThis one should be fun; I bet James is already making political programs. Victoria thought while impuissance extravagantly to hide the excitement of the hunt on her face.\r\nâ€Å"It appears we have a lot to learn about each other,” Laurent spoke smoothly, trying to placate the situation.\r\nâ€Å"Indeed,” Carlisles voice was comparatively calm.\r\nI dont understand the fascination. â€Å" unless wed like to accept your invitation.” Laurents eyes darted toward Bella and me and whence quickly away.\r\n healthy…Good, keep talking. This should help me out, James thought while his face lit up with a sick fanatical glow.\r\nâ€Å"And, of course, we forget not harm the human girl. We wont hunt in your range, as I said.” Laurent added.\r\nJames threw him a disgruntled look. Well that doesnt help me out at all, he thought angrily. Or… by chance this ordain bring them into a false sense of security and they allow let th eir guard down, James continued to plan in his head.\r\nCarlisle studied Laurents expression for several seconds. He seems to be use this relatively well. I dont speak out inviting them over will stand anything, Carlisle contemplated. â€Å"Well show you the way. Jasper, Rosalie, Esme?” he called.\r\nAll three of them go forward blocking Bella from their view. Alice bounded up beside to Bella while Emmett walked keystonewards to us, neer letting James out of his sight, agniseing that I could see everything he saw.\r\nIm coming with you, Edward. I wont let anything happen to Bella, Emmett thought protectively.\r\nWe need to leave now, Alice thought urgently.\r\nâ€Å"Lets go, Bella.” I commanded.\r\nBella didnt move; her eyes were full in terror and shock. I grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her towards the jeep. Emmett and Alice stayed behind me, protecting both of us from any form of attack they magnate try to come at us with, all of us working as a unlin ed team.\r\nWe dont have much time, Edward. James will be after Bella shortly. Carlisle wont be able to stall them for long. Alice looked upset.\r\nMy ire of her slow human pace was unbearable so by the time we reached the forest edge I threw Bella on my back as gentle as I could without slowing down and then I ran for it. Emmett and Alice were struggling to keep up with me; I was travel through the forest in a hysterical neurosis trying to get Bella away from the danger. I knew that this substantial experience was jarring for Bella but the most all important(predicate) thing right now was for her to be safe. When we arrived succeeding(a) to the jeep I opened the door to the backseat and a great deal threw her in as the rest of us go into the jeep.\r\nThe key was protruding from the ignition already and I turned it quickly while the engine roared to life. â€Å" gash her in,” I ordered Emmett who was already in the backseat.\r\nWe have to go ?C now! Alice shouted f rom her head. She was already sitting in the passengers seat looking super anxious.\r\nHer thoughts were unnecessary because I was already spinning the landrover around to face the mountain road.\r\nHurry, hes close. Alices eyes were wide with terror for Bella.\r\nI was muttering ferociously while several profanities come through my lips, speech that I would never use in front of a lady. Emmett and Alice were on full alert, constantly updating me in their thoughts at what was going on around us.\r\nI cant hear or see anything. Emmett sensible me urgently.\r\nHe lost Bellas scent once we took off in the Jeep, she explained to me, relaxing slightly.\r\nI watched Bella in the check up on reverberate and through Emmetts eyes. She was bouncing up and down on the seat, her eyes wide. I suddenly wished Jasper had come along with us to keep her calm.\r\nGo southeast, they will split up but the prospects of them finding us are slim. Oh, she paused in thought, looks like they arent plan ning to leave so quickly after everything after all. I wonder what they are going to do, Alice tried to look moreover in the early but there were too many decisions that hadnt been decided yet.\r\nI turned south on the main road.\r\nâ€Å"Where are we going?” Bella finally spoke with a squeak.\r\nNo one answered her.\r\n vindicatory come apart her, Alice commanded.\r\nI shook my head slightly. Emmett realized we were having one of our private conversations and understood what I was answering.\r\nâ€Å"Dammit, Edward! Where are you taking me?” Bella shouted this time, looking horrified.\r\nI looked in the review mirror at her slightly apex fallen face and it skint my resolve. â€Å"We have to get you away from here ?C far away ?C now.” I said hastily.\r\nI pressed the accelerator down harder at my words while the Jeeps speed reached a hundred and five miles an hour.\r\nâ€Å" caper around! You have to back out me home!” she vehemently exclaimed.\r\nTh is is exactly why I didnt wish to tell her where we were going because I knew that she would demand what I couldnt give her. I looked in the review mirror over again to see her face. She was fighting with the harness, tearing at the straps with snap welling up in her eyes.\r\nâ€Å"Emmett,” I called.\r\nEmmett looked down at her while she was angrily grasping at the straps. Jeez, she is in a fury. Emmett thought. He brought his hands to her wrists and held them tightly in his grasp. Bella looked in the review mirror with splendid worrying in her eyes.\r\nâ€Å"No! Edward! No, you cant do this,” she cried out.\r\nWhen she begged and pleaded with me like this it broke my pith. I returned her gaze in the mirror. â€Å"I have to, Bella, now please be quiet.” I implored.\r\nShe was stubborn, as always. â€Å"I wont! You have to throng me back ?C Charlie will call the FBI! Theyll be all over your family ?C Carlisle and Esme! Theyll have to leave, to hide fore vermore!” She shouted with a tragic expression displayed on her face.\r\nOf course Bella was creation selfless. It was just in her nature to care about everyone else when her life was in danger. This was nothing to our family †the FBI ?C its happened before with Jasper and Emmett.\r\nâ€Å"Calm down, Bella.” I commanded. â€Å"Weve been there before,” I was almost crying with exasperation.\r\nâ€Å"Not over me, you dont! Youre not ruining everything over me!” she began struggling under Emmetts hold.\r\nEdward, what do you wish me to do? I dont compliments to go against her but she is going to ache herself with all of her struggling. Emmett thoughts became hard put immediately.\r\nâ€Å"Edward, pull over,” Alice directed. Bella has a good plan if you will just listen to her.\r\nI gave Alice a serious look while pressing the gas down even harder, showing her that I wasnt even going to slow down, let alone pull over.\r\nâ€Å"Edward, lets just talk this through,” she continued. Hes not following us; he actually has no idea where we went. Now pull over, she inclined her head toward the roads shoulder.\r\nâ€Å"You dont understand,” I emit in frustration.\r\nAlice had no idea that James was a tetherer †that when he run his prey he never gave up and always conquered. I couldnt bring Bella back to Forks, he would find her and she would be in danger again. If she were to die, I would too.\r\nâ€Å"Hes a tracker, Alice, did you see that? Hes a tracker!” I shouted.\r\nCrap! Emmett looked grim.\r\nâ€Å"Pull over, Edward.” Do it now! We have to talk about this now! We are in this together and we all have to make the decisions together. That includes Bella! Alice brocaded her eyebrows like she was daring me to disagree with her.\r\nI looked down at the speedometer as the Jeep had reached one-twenty.\r\nâ€Å"Do it, Edward,” Alice said to me in a bossy pass judgment voice while glarin g at me.\r\nShe postulate to understand, I had to explain to her but I didnt want to say this in front of Bella. I didnt want her to be more terrorized than she already was. I looked into the review mirror again as I saw Bellas encouraging eyes telling me to pull over. Her heart was hammering jazzyly in her chest and her scent was circling all of us in the Jeep, emphasizing her human frailness. I closed my eyes for a split of a second, hoping when I opened them again that this would all be over with. I couldnt stop, I must keep going!\r\n â€Å"Listen to me, Alice,” I gave her a reproachful look. â€Å"I saw his mind. Tracking is his passion, his obsession ?C and he wants her, Alice ?C her, specifically. He begins the hunt tonight.”\r\nâ€Å"He doesnt know where ?C” Alice began but I cut her off.\r\nâ€Å"How long do you think it will take him to cross her scent in townsfolk? His plan was already set before the words were out of Laurents mouth.”\r\nI perceive a timid gasp come from Bellas lips and I looked quickly in the review mirror to see her lips parted in pure horror. â€Å"Charlie! You cant leave him there! You cant leave him!” she shouted and began thrashing against Emmett and the harness with nothing but pure worry in her expression.\r\nâ€Å"Shes right,” Alice said while she looked to the future and then she looked at me in horror.\r\nI quickly dived into her mind, her mountain was devastating. Bella! She will be so endure and broken I dont know if we could fix her if Charlie is killed. We have to stop him ?C now!\r\nAt the thought of what this could do to her I automatically slowed down. I didnt want her to die, but I could protect her from him… but I couldnt protect her from the agony, the grief that she would have to suffer if her perplex was killed. It would be torture to see her in such(prenominal) pain or worse, if she finally took the blame off herself and realized it was entirely my fau lt and refused to let me babys dummy her.\r\nAlice could almost see my brain hard at work. â€Å"Lets just look at our options for a minute,” she said coaxingly, knowing that I was deep in thought about our options.\r\nThe Jeep slowed as I took my alkali off the accelerator slowly and the speedometer showed the Jeep slowing down to ninety miles an hour.\r\nIn Alices vision James would give Victoria the first kill ?C Charlie. Victoria was his mate and they were extremely vicious together, feeding off of each others ruthlessness. She would display Charlies dead body to try and coax us back ?C and it would work! I slammed the brakes while force into the shoulder. I felt horribly powerless. The car behind me screeched to a halt too and honked their horn. I saw Bella slam back into the seat and I was instantly nervous I had done something to have her but she looked unscathed.\r\nI turned to look at Alice. â€Å"There are no options,” I howled.\r\nTo bring her back when that monster was hunting her ?C I just couldnt bare it if something were to happen. My brain was in limbo.\r\nâ€Å"Im not leaving Charlie!” Bella yelled louder than I had ever heard but I ignored her.\r\nâ€Å"We have to take her back,” Emmett said quietly.\r\nâ€Å"No,” I said with authority.\r\nâ€Å"Hes no pock for us, Edward. He wont be able to touch her,” Emmett promised.\r\nâ€Å"Hell bear,” I explained.\r\nWell beat him at his own game then! â€Å"I can wait, too.” Emmett said while grinning widely.\r\nâ€Å"You didnt see ?C you dont understand. Once he commits to a hunt, hes unshakeable. Wed have to kill him.” I shouted.\r\nAnd this is a paradox because? â€Å"Thats an option,” he replied unperturbed.\r\nI was becoming angrier because I knew I was going to lose this argument. â€Å"And the female. Shes with him. If it turns into a fight, the leader will go with them, too.”\r\nThree against seven? Please! â⠂¬Å"There are lavish of us.”\r\nâ€Å"Theres another option,” Alice replied quietly.\r\nShe saw what Bella was planning in her head and the only way she saw this plan was if it was a possibility. This made me angrier than before. â€Å"There ?C is ?C no ?C other ?C option!” I shouted.\r\nI could see the shock on Bella and Emmetts face in the mirror. I turned to look at Alice. She has a good plan and you know it! Alice barked in her head.\r\nI continued to survey at her with deepest dislike.\r\nIf she doesnt convince James that she is no longer in Forks than he will let Victoria kill Charlie. You cant let that happen. What would Carlisle say?\r\nI continued to glare at her and her logic.\r\nâ€Å"Does anyone want to hear my plan?” Bella asked.\r\nâ€Å"No,” I growled because I already knew her plan and disagreed with it.\r\nIve had large of this! Alice glared at me so menacingly I almost thought she was going to burn holes through me.\r\nâ€Å"Li sten,” Bella pleaded desperately. â€Å"You take me back.”\r\nâ€Å"No,” I cut in.\r\nI turned to look at her and now she was glaring at me. â€Å"You take me back,” she continued anyway. â€Å"I tell my dad I want to go home to Phoenix. I pack my bags. We wait till this tracker is watching, and then we run. Hell follow us and leave Charlie alone. Charlie wont call the FBI on your family. therefore you can take me any damned place you want.”\r\n howler monkey! I like her style. She fights dirty! Emmett looked surprised.\r\nJust let her do this, Edward. Alice continued to glare at me.\r\nâ€Å"Its not a bad idea, really.” Emmett allowed.\r\nâ€Å"It might work ?C and we simply cant leave her father unprotected. You know that,” Alice replied in a I told you so tone.\r\nEveryones eyes were on me. I took in a deep breath. â€Å"Its too dangerous ?C I dont want him in spite of appearance a hundred miles of her.”\r\nâ€Å"Edward, h es not acquiring through us,” Emmett said confidently.\r\nI wish I were as confident as he was. I looked at Alice because she started flitting through the future again. Ah, yes, the future is getting clearer. I see… â€Å"I dont see him attacking. Hell try to wait for us to leave her alone.”\r\nâ€Å"It wont take long for him to realize thats not going to happen,” Emmett said.\r\nâ€Å"I demand that you take me home.” Bella said firmly.\r\nMy brain was swelling with the onslaught of reading ?C the past events, the present and the future. Bringing my fingers to my temples and press my eyes shut while trying to fool away all thoughts was useless but I tried anyway.\r\nâ€Å"Please,” Bella whispered a cry.\r\nI knew I had to do what was outperform for Bella all around, not what was just best for me. I decided a compromise would be the best I could deal with.\r\nâ€Å"Youre leaving tonight, whether the tracker sees or not. You tell Charlie th at you cant stand another minute in Forks. Tell him whatever story works. Pack the first things your hands touch, and then get in your truck. I dont care what he says to you. You have fifteen minutes. Do you hear me? Fifteen minutes from the time you cross the doorstep.” I conceded.\r\nThe engine roared to life as I turned the key. I whipped the truck around while listening to everyones thoughts.\r\nI knew this was going to happen, Alice thought smugly.\r\nYes! We get to fight! Hell yes! Emmett rejoiced.\r\nâ€Å"Emmett?” Bella said. I looked in the mirror and she was looking down at her hands.\r\nâ€Å"Oh, sorry.” Emmett said while letting go of her wrists.\r\nThis is the most exciting thing since mine and Jaspers trip to Africa. I hope Edward always keeps Bella around, everything is always so interesting! Emmett continued to think happy thoughts the whole way back to Forks.\r\n mend everyone else was silent I was working plans in my head. â€Å"This is how its going to happen,” I began to explain our strategy. â€Å"When we get to the house, if the tracker is not there, I will walk her to the door. Then she has fifteen minutes.” I gave Bella a dark look in the mirror to let her know I wasnt going to change my mind on this point. â€Å"Emmett, you take the outside of the house. Alice, you get the truck. Ill be inside as long as she is. After shes out, you two can take the Jeep home and tell Carlisle.”\r\nWhat? No fight! â€Å"No way,” Emmett interrupted. â€Å"Im with you.”\r\nI sighed. â€Å"Think it through, Emmett. I dont know how long Ill be gone.” I explained.\r\nYou arent going to ruin this for me. â€Å"Until we know how far this is going to go, Im with you,” Emmett said with authority.\r\nA growl almost escaped my lips. â€Å"If the tracker is there,” I frowned, â€Å"we keep impulsive.”\r\nNo worries! â€Å"Were going to make it there before him,” Alice said wi th confidence. Oh no you dont, Edward, Im staying with her. She thought when I planned to send her home.”What are we going to do with the Jeep?” Alice asked to blight me.\r\nI gritted my teeth as I spoke. â€Å"Youre private road it home.”\r\nNo way! â€Å"No, Im not!” she said coolly.\r\nTonight I just couldnt help myself, a flowing of profanities come through my lips, but low enough I was sure Bella couldnt hear them. Would she think of me as a gentleman after this? What a taciturn thing to be thinking about in such a crucial moment, I thought to myself.\r\nâ€Å"We can all fit in my truck,” Bella said quietly.\r\nI ignored her, she wasnt helping my cause.\r\nâ€Å"I think you should let me go alone,” Bella said even more quietly, purposely provoking me.\r\nI clenched my teeth and breathed through them slowly. â€Å"Bella, please just do this my way, just this once.”\r\nâ€Å"Listen, Charlies not an imbecile,” she continued like she hadnt heard me. â€Å"If youre not in town tomorrow, hes going to get suspicious.”\r\nWhy does she continually worry about me when she should be worried about herself? Beautiful, selfless, warm, trusting human…why do you do this to me? I roared internally. â€Å"Thats irrelevant. Well make sure hes safe, and thats all that matters.” I told her.\r\nI could see her rebutter churning in her eyes before she spoke. â€Å"Then what about this tracker? He saw the way you acted tonight. Hes going to think youre with me, wherever you are.”\r\nWhere on earth did this shaft come from? Emmett wondered. â€Å"Edward, listen to her,” he urged. â€Å"I think shes right,” Emmett said, positively delighted.\r\nHum, she has a point. â€Å"Yes, she is,” Alice agreed.\r\nThey already convinced me to come back to Forks and bring her back to the vampire who hunted her and now they expect me to stay behind! â€Å"I cant do that.” I barked.\ r\nIt was true, it was almost physically undoable for me to leave her now.\r\nâ€Å"Emmett should stay, too. He definitely got an eyeful of Emmett.” She continued.\r\nYou have got to be kidding me! Shes turning on me now! â€Å"What?” Emmetts eyes narrowed in her direction.\r\nIll placate him. Dont worry. â€Å"Youll get a better crack at him if you stay,” Alice suggested.\r\nThe way they were planning was driving me insane. I had to put my foot down at some point. â€Å"You think I should let her go alone?” I said incredulously.\r\nDo you think Im an idiot? â€Å"Of course not. Jasper and I will take her.” Duh.\r\nI felt like I was being beaten down. They were making sense and I knew it, but I just couldnt stand the pain if something was to happen to her and I wasnt there to protect her. â€Å"I cant do that.” I repeated.\r\nBella spoke up, â€Å"Hang out here for a week ?C” I looked at her in the mirror and she could see my I dont think so expression and amended â€Å"- a few days. Let Charlie see you havent kidnapped me, and lead this James on a wild-goose chase. Make sure hes completely off my trail. Then come and meet me. Take a roundabout route, of course, and then Jasper and Alice can go home.”\r\nIt will work. Really. Alice thought to me.\r\nâ€Å"Meet you where?” I conceded, curiosity getting the best of me.\r\nâ€Å"Phoenix.” She said matter-of-factly.\r\nâ€Å"No. Hell hear thats where youre going,” I said impatiently.\r\nOh! Great plan…Alice thought beholding what Bella would say before she spoke again.\r\nâ€Å"And youll make it look like thats a ruse, obviously. Hell know that well know that hes listening. Hell never believe Im actually going where I say I am going.”\r\nInteresting, always interesting. â€Å"Shes diabolical,” Emmett began to chuckle and I ignored him.\r\nâ€Å"And if that doesnt work?” I muttered.\r\nâ€Å"There are several million people in Phoenix,” she informed me like that settled it.\r\nHow did our conversation end up like this ?C here, in Forks embracing danger? We should be a hundred miles away by now! â€Å"Its not that hard to find a phone book,” I said grimly.\r\nâ€Å"I wont go home,” she said happily.\r\nThis is entertaining, really. Emmett thought with another chuckle in his head.\r\nI wanted to roll my eyes at her or shake some sense into her. Maybe she had lost her mind with the stress of the ordeal. â€Å"Oh?” I asked, utterly perplexed.\r\nâ€Å"Im quite old enough to get my own place,” she smiled at me in the mirror.\r\nIt wont come to that. Dont worry. â€Å"Edward, well be with her,” Alice winked at me.\r\nEveryone had lost their minds. A sadistic vampire was hunting Bella and everyone had turned it into a big joke! â€Å"What are you going to do in Phoenix?” I rebuked.\r\nIf I have time, shop. She thought but sour that she didnt thi nk that when she looked at me and replied, â€Å"Stay indoors.”\r\nI threw her a disgruntled look.\r\nWith Jasper gone Edward and I can track this James down and kill him! â€Å"I kind of like it.” Emmett grinned stupidly.\r\nI glared at him. â€Å"Shut up, Emmett,” I commanded and I meant that for his thoughts too. It didnt stop him.\r\nâ€Å"Look, if we try to take him down while shes still around, theres a much better chance that someone will get hurt ?C shell get hurt, or you will, trying to protect her. Now, if we get him alone…” we can hack him up into little pieces and burn him! Emmett finished in his thoughts with another wide grin spreading across his face at the thought.\r\nI saw the bright orangeness streetlights as they grew brighter and larger as Forks loomed into view. We had finally arrived back in town and I was suddenly anxious that our plan wont work. The streets were empty and it felt like it was an alarming sign. Alice could se e the grim expression on my face.\r\nShell be fine, Edward, Ive seen it. Alice thought calmy.\r\nâ€Å"Bella,” I began while Alice and Emmett became alert immediately, gazing raptly out the windows. â€Å"If you let anything happen to yourself ?C anything at all ?C Im holding you personally responsible. Do you understand that?” I said softly.\r\nI heard her loud gulp. â€Å"Yes,” she whispered.\r\nI looked at Alice who turned back to me. â€Å" provoke Jasper worry this?”\r\nHe cares for Bella, too. â€Å"Give him some credit, Edward. Hes been doing very, very well, all things considered.”\r\nI raised an eyebrow. â€Å"Can you handle this?” I asked.\r\nI have fewer problems handling it then you do. Id never hurt Bella. How dare you. Alice thought while a growl ripped up her throat and she pulled back her lips to show her gleaming teeth.\r\nComing from Alice, the very tiny Alice, made me smile despite the events of this evening. â€Å"But k eep your opinions to yourself,” I said harshly, knowing that the friendship of her visions would be too much for Bella to handle.\r\nYou mean the one where I think you should change her into a vampire so she can live with us forever? She thought with great smugness.\r\nI grimaced while pulling into Bellas driveway, looking out at the dark reason surrounding her house. A lump formed in my throat at the thought of what had to happen next.\r\n'