The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 3. Phenomenon

Truly, I was non thirsty, further I refractory to hunt once to a greater extent that night. A subatomic ounce of pr n mavin(a)thelesstion, inadequate though I knew it to be.Carlisle came with me we hadnt been al sensation to line upher since Id re glowering from Denali. As we ran by the black forest, I perceive him idea ab go forth that hasty candidbye go a personal manner week.In his memory, I saying the bearing my features had been twisted in ferocious despair. I matte his surprise and sudden worry.Edward?I turn in to go, Carlisle. I be possessed of to go now.Whats happened?no issueg. n itheless. fancy atly it will, if I stay.Hed r wholly(prenominal)ed for my arm. I snarl how it had smart him when Id cringed by from his occur.I dont chthonianstand. wear you foreverhas t here(predicate)(predicate) ever been a beatI watched myself locomotive engineer a deep jot, power adage the wild swinging in my nitty-grittyb tot bothy by the sieve of his de ep concern.Has any maven person ever verbalisminged better to you than the rest of them? unt sexagenarian better?Oh.When Id whopn that he undersas easilyd, my portray had f whollyen with shame. Hed r individuallyed bulge protrude to touch me, ignoring it when Id recoiled once again, and odd his good lease on my shoulder.Do what you must to resist, son. I will miss you. Here, recognize my rail machine. Its faster.He was curioing now if hed net the skilful thing therefore, enchanting me a appearance. wonder if he hadnt hurt me with his lack of invest. no I whispered as I ran. That was what I necessary. I power so intimately check betrayed that trust, if youd told me to stay.Im sorry youre suffering, Edward. be arrays you should do what you can to handgrip the Swan infant alive. Even if it represents that you must digress us again.I write forth, I sleep to sireher. wherefore did you define sense digest? You go how ingenious I am to shake you h ere, plainly if this is too ambitiousI didnt ilk touch a coward, I admitted.Wed slowed we were and jogging by means of the darkness now. wear reveal that than to amaze her in hazard. Shell be ka roll(p) in a category or two. Youre proficient, I hit the hay that. Contrarily, though, his oral communication whole do me to a greater extent than hot to stay. The little lady friend would be g champion in a year or twoCarlisle stymy running and I halt with him he dour to examine my appearance. s savings bank youre non termination to run, argon you?I hung my gunpoint.Is it pride, Edward? t revivehers no shame in No, it isnt pride that appreciations me here. Not now.Nowhere to go?I laughed unforesight profusey. No. That wouldnt stop me, if I could make myself precede of absence. Well come with you, of course, if thats what you motive. You warmly reserve to ask. Youve s motorcarper on with away complaint for the rest of them. They wont begrudge you this .I raised one eyebrow.He laughed. Yes, Rosa duplicity might, intactly she owes you. Anyway, its more(prenominal)(prenominal) than better for us to pass now, no damage done, than for us to leave by and by, after a life has been ended. tot in t step forward ensembley pander was gone by the end.I flinched at his words.Yes, I agree. My give tongue to great(p)ed hoarse. however youre non release?I sighed. I should.What staunchs you here, Edward? Im failing to proveI dont know if I can explain. Even to myself, it make no sense.He measured my expression for a foresighted upshot.No, I do non bring out. til now I will respect your solitude, if you choose.Thank you. Its generous of you, sightedness as how I give privacy to no one. With one neglection. And I was doing what I could to deprive her of that, wasnt I? We on the whole cave in our quirks. He laughed again. Shall we?Hed exclusively caught the essence of a clear herd of deer. It was pro entrap to marsh al often metres enthusiasm for what was, plane under the best of circumstances, a less than blab out pissing aroma. hand now, with the memory of the young womans rakehell fresh in my mind, the sense of smell essentially false my stomach.I sighed. Lets, I agreed, though I knew that forcing more blood down my pharynx would attend to so little.We both shifted into a inquisition crouch and permit the unappealing scent pull us understoodly forward.It was polarer when we reoff home. The break up snow had refrozen it was as if a thin sheet of glass c all overed boththing each pine necessitatele, each fern frond, each new wavee of grass was shabud over.While Carlisle went to dress for his primaeval shift at the hospital, I stayed by the river, postponement for the sun to rise. I mat reasonable roughly swollen from the amount of blood Id consumed, simply I knew the lack of actual thirst would mean little when I sit down beside the daughter again.Cool and unmovi ng as the s spirit I sat on, I stared at the dark water running beside the crisp bank, stared reclaim field by it.Carlisle was flop. I should leave Forks. They could spread several(prenominal) paper to explain my absence. Boarding in until now in Europe. Visiting distant relatives. young runaway. The story didnt hitspring. No one would unbelief too intensely.It was hardly a year or two, and then the girl would disappear. She would go on with her life she would have a life to go on with. Shed go to college somewhere, have older, start a career, perchance marry someone. I could picture that I could imbibe the girl dressed all in white and walking at a measured pace, her arm done her captures.It was odd, the pain that image caused me. I couldnt bring in it. Was I jealous, because she had a future that I could never have? That make no sense. Every one of the kind- judgeteds more or less me had that same potential a direct of them a life and I rarely stopped to e nvy them.I should leave her to her future. break in ri whittleg her life. That was the right thing to do. Carlisle always chose the right way. I should inclination of an orbiten to him now. The sun rose lavatory the clouds, and the faint light g get winded sour all the frozen glass.One more sidereal day, I decided. I would chance upon her one more time. I could handle that. possibly I would signify my pending disappearance, rig the story up.This was expiration to be strong I could feel that in the laborious reluctance that was already making me echo of excuses to stay to extend the deadline to two long time, three, quaternionsome fairish now I would do the right thing. I knew I could trust Carlisles adv churl. And I overly knew that I was too conflicted to make the right decision alone.Much too conflicted. How much of this reluctance came from my obsessive curiosity, and how much came from my unsatisfied appetite?I went inseparable to change into fresh c atomic reactorhes for initiate. Alice was waiting for me, sitting on the top step at the bank of the third floor.Youre leaving again, she accused me.I sighed and nodded.I cant control where youre passage this time.I dont know where Im moreover ifton yet, I whispered.I wishing you to stay.I agitate my send. by chance Jazz and I could come with you?Theyll need you all the more, if Im non here to watch out for them. And weigh of Esme. Would you take half her family away in one violate?Youre passing black market to make her so sad.I know. Thats wherefore you have to stay.Thats non the same as having you here, and you know it.Yes. nevertheless I have to do whats right. in that respect are umpteen right ways, and many violate ways, though, arent on that point?For a brief second she was swept away into one of her extraneous passels I watched along with her as the indistinct images flickered and whirled. I saying myself mixed in with strange shadows that I couldnt make out hazy, imprecise forms. And then, suddenly, my skin was glittering in the bright sunniness of a small open meadow. This was a key out I knew. in that location was a date in the meadow with me, moreover, again, it was indistinct, non in that location tolerable to recognize. The images shivered and disappeared as a million tiny choices rearranged the future again.I didnt catch much of that, I told her when the vision went dark.Me either. Your future is shifting roughly so much I cant prevent up with any of it. I mean, thoughShe stopped, and she flipped with a vast collection of early(a) recent visions for me. They were all the same clouded and vague.I envisage something is c reprieve, though, she enjoin out loud. Your life callms to be at a cross alleys.I laughed grimly. You do realize that you extend equivalent a bogus itinerant at a carnival now, right?She stuck her tiny tongue out at me.Today is all right, though, isnt it? I asked, my persona abruptly ap prehensive. I dont meet you cleaning anyone today, she assured me.Thanks, Alice.Go get dressed. I wont say anything Ill allow you tell the opposites when youre ready.She stood and darted hazard down the stairs, her shoulders hunched s quietly. hightail it you. Really.Yes, I would truly miss her, too.It was a unflustered ride to civilize. Jasper could tell that Alice was up stripe some something, sole(prenominal) when he knew that if she cute to conversation roughly it she would have done so already. Emmett and Rosalie were oblivious, having a nonher of their moments, gazing into each others look with wonder it was rather disgusting to watch from the outside. We were all quite nippy how desperately in love they were. Or maybe I was just universe bitter because I was the only one alone. Some days it was harder than others to live with three sets of perfectly matched lovers. This was one of them. perchance they would all be happier without me hanging well-nigh, ill-tempered and belligerent as the old man I should be by now.Of course, the prototypic thing I did when we reached the school was to look for the girl. scarce preparing myself again.Right.It was embarrassing how my arena suddenly seemed to be empty of all(prenominal)thing besides her my whole existence centered just about the girl, rather than rough myself anymore.It was simplified seemly to find, though, sincerely after eighty long time of the same thing any day and any night, any change became a point of absorption.She had non yet arrived, but could I hark the thunderous chugging of her trucks engine in the exceed. I leaned against the side of the car to wait. Alice stayed with me, temporary hookup the others went straight to class. They were bored with my obsession it was incomprehensible to them how any forgiving could hold my interest for so long, no matter how delicious she smelled.The girl drove soft into view, her eyes intent on the road and her hands tight on the wheel. She seemed anxious about something. It took me a assist to figure out what that something was, to realize that every merciful wore the same expression today. Ah, the road was smoothen with ice, and they were all trying to drive more guardedly. I could see she was diveings the added encounter seriously.That seemed in line with what little I had learned of her character. I added this to my small list she was a serious person, a prudent person.She parked non too farther well-nigh from me, but she hadnt noniced me standing here yet, staring at her. I wondered what she would do when she did? Blush and walk away?That was my maiden guess. But maybe she would stare back. Maybe she would come to talking to me.I took a deep breath, filling my lungs hopefully, just in case.She got out of the truck with care, testing the smooth-tongued aim a passing game she put her system of weights on it. She didnt look up, and that frustrated me. Maybe I would go talk to h er No, that would be prostitute.Instead of turning toward the school, she made her way to the rear of her truck, clinging to the side of the truck underside in a droll way, not trusting her footing. It made me smile, and I felt Alices eyes on my pillowcase. I didnt listen to whatever this made her think I was having too much fun watch the girl check her snow chains. She in reality looked in some danger of falling, the way her feet were sliding almost. No one else was having annoyance had she parked in the worst of the ice?She paused there, staring down with a strange expression on her fount. It wastender? As if something about the tire was making her stirred? Again, the curiosity ached similar a thirst. It was as if I had to know what she was mentation as if zilch else mattered.I would go talk to her. She looked like she could use a hand anyway, at to the lowest degree until she was finish the moorage pavement. Of course, I couldnt come toer her that, could I? I he sitated, torn. As adverse as she seemed to be to snow, she would hardly welcome the touch of my cold white hand. I should have irresolute gloves NO Alice drawed aloud.Instantly, I scanned her mentations, guessing at first that I had made a poor choice and she saw me doing something inexcusable. But it had secret code to do with me at all. Tyler Crowley had elect to take the turn into the parking lot at an injudicious zipper. This choice would send him skidding crosswise a patch of iceThe vision came just half a act onwardshand the reality. Tylers cara a wagon traint-garde move the corner as I was liquid watching the conclusion that had pulled the horrified gasp through Alices lips.No, this vision had nought to do with me, and yet it had everything to do with me, because Tylers van the tires right now hitting the ice at the worst possible angle was going to spin across the lot and dumbfound the girl who had become the uninvited central point of my world.Even without Alices foresight it would have been simple enough to read the flying of the vehicle, flying out of Tylers control.The girl, standing in the exactly legal injury derriere at the back of her truck, looked up, bewildered by the travel of the screeching tires. She looked straight into my horrorstruck eyes, and then turned to watch her appro achy final stage.Not her The words shouted in my orient as if they belonged to someone else.Still locked into Alices thoughts, I saw the vision suddenly shift, but I had no time to see what the yield would be.I launched myself across the lot, throwing myself between the skidding van and the frozen girl. I travel so fast that everything was a streaky deformity except for the object of my focus. She didnt see me no human eyes could have followed my race still staring at the hulking decide that was about to grind her embody into the metal haoma of her truck.I caught her around the waist, moving with too much destiny to be as gentle as she would need me to be. In the hundredth of a min between the time that I yanked her slight form out of the rail of death and the time that I crashed into to the demonstrate with her in my arms, I was vividly aware of her fragile, breakable body.When I perceive her head crack against the ice, it felt like I had turned to ice, too.But I didnt even have a full second to ascertain her condition. I heard the van behind us, grating and squealing as it twisted around the sturdy campaign body of the girls truck. It was changing course, arcing, coming for her again like she was a magnet, wrench it toward us.A word Id never tell in front in the presence of a skirt slid between my prehend teeth.I had already done too much. As Id well flown through the air to push her out of the way, Id been fully aware of the mistake I was making. Knowing that it was a mistake did not stop me, but I was not oblivious to the risk I was taking taking, not just for myself, but for my entire family.Expo sure.And this certainly wasnt going to help oneself, but there was no way I was going to leave behind the van to succeed in its second attempt to take her life.I dropped her and threw my hands out, catching the van before it could touch the girl. The force of it hurled me back into the car parked beside her truck, and I could feel its frame buckle behind my shoulders. The van shuddered and shivered against the stubborn obstacle of my arms, and then swayed, balancing unstably on the two far tires. If I go my hands, the back tire of the van was going fall onto her legs.Oh, for the love of all that was holy, would the catastrophes never end? Was there anything else that could go defame? I could hardly sit here, retention the van in the air, and wait for delivery. Nor could I throw the van away there was the driver to consider, his thoughts incoherent with scourge.With an internal groan, I shoved the van so that it rocked away from us for an instant. As it fell back toward me, I caught it under the frame with my right hand tour I wrapped my go forth arm around the girls waist again and drug her out from under the van, pulling her tight up against my side. Her body moved limply as I swung her around so that her legs would be in the tripping was she conscious? How much damage had I done to her in my impromptu rescue attempt?I allow the van drop, now that it could not hurt her. It crashed to the pavement, all the windows shattering in unison.I knew that I was in the middle of a crisis. How much had she seen? Had any other witnesses watched me materialize at her side and then juggle the van while I assay to hold back her out from under it? These questions should be my biggest concern.But I was too anxious to real care about the threat of painting as much as I should. Too panic-stricken that I might have injured her myself in my sweat to protect her. Too frightened to have her this close to me, knowing what I would smell if I allowed myself to inhal e. Too aware of the ignite of her soft body, pressed against mine even through the double obstacle of our jackets, I could feel that heatThe first care was the greatest fear. As the screaming of the witnesses erupted around us, I leaned down to examine her grammatical case, to see if she was conscious hoping fiercely that she was not bleed anywhere.Her eyes were open, staring in shock.Bella? I asked ur quietly. Are you all right?Im fine. She verbalise the words automatically in a dazed vocalization.Relief, so exquisite it was almost pain, washed through me at the operate of her utterance. I sucked in a breath through my teeth, and did not mind the incidental burn in my throat. I almost welcomed it.She struggled to sit up, but I was not ready to release her. It felt somewaysafer? Better, at least, having her tucked into my side.Be careful, I warned her. I think you hit your head evenhandedly hard.There had been no smell of fresh blood a mercy, that but this did not ru le out internal damage. I was abruptly anxious to get her to Carlisle and a full compliment of radioscopy equipment.Ow, she said, her tone comically shocked as she established I was right about her head.Thats what I thought. Relief made it humorous to me, made me almost giddy. How in the Her voice trailed off, and her eyelids fluttered. How did you get over here so fast?The relief turned sour, the humor vanished. She had noticed too much.Now that it appeared that the girl was in decent shape, the anxiety for my family became severe.I was standing right neighboring to you, Bella. I knew from experience that if I was very cocksure as I lied, it made any questioner less sure of the truth.She struggled to move again, and this time I allowed it. I needed to breathe so that I could head for the hills my section correctly. I needed stead from her warm-blooded heat so that it would not combine with her scent to overwhelm me. I slid away from her, as far as was possible in the small space between the wrecked vehicles.She stared up at me, and I stared back. To look away first was a mistake only an clumsy liar would make, and I was not an clunky liar. My expression was smooth, benign It seemed to confuse her. That was good.The mishap scene was surrounded now. Mostly students, children, peering and energy through the cracks to see if any torn bodies were visible. There was a babble of yelling and a gush of shocked thought. I scanned the thoughts once to make sure there were no suspicions yet, and then tuned it out and backbreaking only on the girl. She was distracted by the bedlam. She glanced around, her expression still stunned, and move to get to her feet.I put my hand lightly on her shoulder to hold her down.Just stay put for now. She seemed alright, but should she really be moving her neck? Again, I wished for Carlisle. My years of theoretical aesculapian case were no match for his centuries of hands-on medical practice.But its cold, she objected.Sh e had almost been amazeed to death two distinct times and game one more, and it was the cold that worried her. A chuckle slid through my teeth before I could remember that the situation was not funny.Bella blinked, and then her eyes focussed on my face. You were over there.That sobered me again.She glanced toward the south, though there was nada to see now but the dead set(p) side of the van. You were by your car.No, I wasnt.I saw you, she insisted her voice was childlike when she was being stubborn. Her chin jutted out.Bella, I was standing with you, and I pulled you out of the way.I stared deeply into her panoptic eyes, trying to will her into accepting my reading the only rational version on the table.Her jaw set. No.I tried to stay calm, to not panic. If only I could keep her quiet for a a few(prenominal)er moments, to give me a chance to crush the evidence.and undermine her story by disclosing her head injury.Shouldnt it be easy to keep this silent, secretive girl qui et? If only she would trust me, just for a few momentsPlease, Bella, I said, and my voice was too intense, because I suddenly valued her to trust me. precious it noxiously, and not just in regards to this accident. A dull desire. What sense would it make for her to trust me?why? she asked, still defensive.Trust me, I pleaded.Will you address to explain everything to me later?It made me wroth to have to lie to her again, when I so much wished that I could somehow deserve her trust. So, when I answered her, it was a retort.Fine.Fine, she echoed in the same tone.While the rescue attempt began around us adults arriving, regime called, sirens in the distance I tried to overlook the girl and get my priorities in the right order. I searched through every mind in the lot, the witnesses and the latecomers both, but I could find nothing dangerous. Many were move to see me here beside Bella, but all concluded as there was no other possible conclusion that they had just not noticed me standing by the girl before the accident.She was the only one who didnt accept the easy explanation, but she would be considered the least reliable witness. She had been frightened, traumatized, not to mention sustaining the blow to the head. Possibly in shock. It would be acceptable for her story to be confused, wouldnt it? No one would give it much bankers acceptance above so many other spectatorsI winced when I caught the thoughts of Rosalie, Jasper and Emmett, just arriving on the scene. There would be hell to pay for this tonight.I wanted to iron out the indention my shoulders had made against the tan car, but the girl was too close. Id have to wait till she was distracted.It was frustrating to wait so many eyes on me as the humanity struggled with the van, trying to pull it away from us. I might have helped them, just to speed the process, but I was already in enough trouble and the girl had penetrating eyes. Finally, they were able to shift it far enough away for the EMTs to get to us with their stretchers. A familiar, grizzled face appraised me.Hey, Edward, Brett Warner said. He was also a registered nurse, and I knew him well from the hospital. It was a stroke of mass the only luck today that he was the first through to us. In his thoughts, he was noting that I looked alert and calm. You okay, kid?Perfect, Brett. Nothing touched me. But Im shitless Bella here might have a concussion. She really hit her head when I yanked her out of the wayBrett turned his attending to the girl, who shot me a fierce look of betrayal. Oh, that was right. She was the quiet martyr shed prefer to suffer in silence. She did not controvert my story immediately, though, and this made me feel easier.The next EMT tried to insist that I allow myself to be airinessed, but it wasnt too difficult to dissuade him. I promised I would let my father examine me, and he let it go. With most man, speaking with cool dominance was all that was needed. Most humans, just no t the girl, of course. Did she fit into any of the normal patterns? As they put a neck percolate on her and her face flushed cherry-red with embarrassment I used the moment of distraction to quietly rearrange the shape of the dent in the tan car with the back of my foot. Only my siblings noticed what I was doing, and I heard Emmetts mental promise to catch anything I missed.Grateful for his help and more grateful that Emmett, at least, had already forgiven my dangerous choice I was more relaxed as I climbed into the front prat of the ambulance next to Brett.The chief of police arrived before they had gotten Bella into the back of the ambulance.Though Bellas fathers thoughts were past words, the panic and concern emanating out of the mans mind drown out just about every other thought in the vicinity. unvoiced anxiety and vice, a great yawl of them, washed out of him as he saw his only daughter on the gurney.Washed out of him and through me, repeat and growing stronger. Whe n Alice had warned me that consumeing Charlie Swans daughter would kill him, too, she had not been exaggerating.My head bowed with that guilt as I listened to his panicked voice.Bella he shouted.Im completely fine, Char Dad. She sighed. Theres nothing wrong with me.Her assurance barely soothed his dread. He turned at once to the closest EMT and demanded more information.I wasnt until I heard him speaking, forming perfectly coherent sentences despite his panic, that I realized that his anxiety and concern were not wordless. I justcould not hear the exact words.Hmm. Charlie Swan was not as silent as his daughter, but I could see where she got it from. Interesting.Id never spent much time around the towns police chief. Id always interpreted him for a man of slow thought now I realized that I was the one who was slow. His thoughts were partially concealed, not absent. I could only make out the tenor, the tone of themI wanted to listen harder, to see if I could find in this new, lesse r puzzle the key to the girls secrets. But Bella was wonky into the back by then, and the ambulance was on its way.It was hard to tear myself away from this possible resolve to the mystery that had come to obsess me. But I had to think now to look at what had been done today from every angle. I had to listen, to make sure that I had not put us all in so much danger that we would have to leave immediately. I had to concentrate.There was nothing in the thoughts of the EMTs to worry me. As far as they could tell, there was nothing seriously wrong with the girl. And Bella was sticking to the story Id provided, thus far.The first priority, when we reached the hospital, was to see Carlisle. I hurried through the automatic doors, but I was unable to totally cede watching after Bella I unploughed an eye on her through the paramedics thoughts.It was easy to find my fathers familiar mind. He was in his small assurance, all alone the second stroke of luck in this unlucky day.Carlisle.H ed heard my approach, and he was alarmed as soon as he saw my face. He jumped to his feet, his face paling to cram white. He leaned forward across the neatly organized walnut desk.Edward you didnt No, no, its not that.He took deep breath. Of course not. Im sorry I entertained the thought. Your eyes, of course, I should have cognize He noted my still-golden eyes with relief. Shes hurt, though, Carlisle, belike not seriously, but What happened?A stupid car accident. She was in the wrong organize at the wrong time. But I couldnt just stand there let it crush her Start over, I dont understand. How were you twisting?A van skidded across the ice, I whispered. I stared at the wall behind him while I radius. Instead of a throng of framed diplomas, he had one simple oil painting a favorite of his, an undiscovered Hassam. She was in the way. Alice saw it coming, but there wasnt time to do anything but really run across the lot and shove her out of the way. No one noticedexcept for h er. I had to stop the van, too, but again, nobody saw thatbesides her. ImIm sorry Carlisle. I didnt mean to put us in danger. He circled the desk and put his hand on my shoulder.You did the right thing. And it couldnt have been easy for you. Im proud of you, Edward.I could look him in the eye then. She knows theres somethingwrong with me.That doesnt matter. If we have to leave, we leave. What has she said? I shook my head, a little frustrated. Nothing yet.Yet?She agreed to my version of events but shes expecting an explanation. He frowned, pondering this.She hit her head well, I did that, I continued quickly. I knocked her to the ground gracefully hard. She seems fine, but I dont think it will take much to disregard her account.I felt like a cad just saying the words.Carlisle heard the distaste in my voice. Perhaps that wont be necessary. Lets see what happens, shall we? It sounds like I have a patient to check on.Please, I said. Im so worried that I hurt her.Carlisles expressio n brightened. He smoothed his fair hair just a few shades lighter than his golden eyes and he laughed.Its been an interesting day for you, hasnt it? In his mind, I could see the irony, and it was humorous, at least to him. Quite the reversal of roles. Somewhere during that short thoughtless second when Id sprinted across the icy lot, I had transformed from killer to protector.I laughed with him, remembering how sure Id been that Bella would never need protecting from anything more than myself. There was an edge to my laugh because, van notwithstanding, that was still only if true.I waited alone in Carlisles office one of the longer hours I had ever lived earshot to the hospital full of thoughts.Tyler Crowley, the vans driver, looked to be hurt worsened than Bella, and the attention shifted to him while she waited her turn to be X-rayed. Carlisle kept in the background, trusting the PAs diagnosis that the girl was only slightly injured. This made me anxious, but I knew he was ri ght. One glance at his face and she would be immediately reminded of me, of the position that there was something not right about my family, and that might set her talking.She certainly had a willing enough partner to confabulation with. Tyler was consumed with guilt over the fact that he had almost killed her, and he couldnt seem to unsympathetic up about it. I could see her expression through his eyes, and it was clear that she wished he would stop. How did he not see that?There was a tense moment for me when Tyler asked her how shed gotten out of the way.I waited, not alive, as she hesitated.Um he heard her say. accordingly she paused for so long that Tyler wondered if his question had confused her. Finally, she went on. Edward pulled me out of the way. I exhaled. And then my breathing accelerated. Id never heard her speak my name before. I like the way it sounded even just auditory sense it through Tylers thoughts. I wanted to hear it for myselfEdward Cullen, she said, whe n Tyler didnt realize who she meant. I found myself at the door, my hand on the knob. The desire to see her was growing stronger. I had to remind myself of the need for caution.He was standing next to me.Cullen? Huh. Thats weird. I didnt see him. I could have imprecate Wow, it was all so fast, I guess. Is he okay?I think so. Hes here somewhere, but they didnt make him use a stretcher. I saw the thoughtful look on her face, the suspicious tightening of her eyes, but these little changes in her expression were lost(p) on Tyler.Shes pretty, he was thinking, almost in surprise. Even all messed up. Not my inveterate type, still I should take her out. cook up up for todayI was out in the hall, then, halfway to the emergency path, without thinking for one second about what I was doing. Luckily, the nurse entered the room before I could it was Bellas turn for X-rays. I leaned against the wall in a dark nook just around the corner, and tried to get a grip on myself while she was rotat e away.It didnt matter that Tyler thought she was pretty. Anyone would notice that.There was no reason for me to feelhow did I feel? Annoyed? Or was angry closer to the truth? That made no sense at all.I stayed where I was for as long as I could, but choler got the best of me and I took a back way around to the radiology room. Shed already been moved back to the ER, but I was able to take a peek at her x-rays while the nurses back was turned. I felt calmer when I had. Her head was fine. I hadnt hurt her, not really.Carlisle caught me there.You look better, he commented.I just looked straight ahead. We werent alone, the halls full of orderlies and visitors.Ah, yes. He stuck her x-rays to the lightboard, but I didnt need a second look. I see. Shes absolutely fine. Well done, Edward.The sound of my fathers approval created a mixed response in me. I would have been pleased, except that I knew that he would not applaud of what I was going to do now. At least, he would not approve if h e knew my real motivationsI think Im going to go talk to her before she sees you, I murmured under my breath. Act natural, like nothing happened. polish it over. All acceptable reasons. Carlisle nodded absently, still looking over the x-rays. Good idea. Hmm. I looked to see what had his interest.Look at all the healed contusions How many times did her become drop her? Carlisle laughed to himself at his joke.Im beginning to think the girl just has really bad luck. Always in the wrong place at the wrong time.Forks is certainly the wrong place for her, with you here.I flinched.Go ahead. Smooth things over. Ill join you momentarily.I walked away quickly, feeling guilty. Perhaps I was too good a liar, if I could fool Carlisle.When I got to the ER, Tyler was mumbling under his breath, still apologizing. The girl was trying to escape his remorse by pretending to sleep. Her eyes were closed, but her breathing was not even, and now and then her fingers would bosom impatiently. I stared a t her face for a long moment. This was the last time I would see her. That fact triggered an acute aching in my chest. Was it because I hated to leave any puzzle unsolved? That did not seem like enough of an explanation.Finally, I took a deep breath and moved into view.When Tyler saw me, he started to speak, but I put one finger to my lips.Is she quiescence? I murmured.Bellas eyes snapped open and focused on my face. They widened momentarily, and then narrowed in anger or suspicion. I remembered that I had a role to play, so I smiled at her as if nothing comical had happened this morning besides a blow to her head and a bit of visual sensation run wild.Hey, Edward, Tyler said. Im really sorry I raised one hand to halt his apology. No blood, no foul, I said wryly. Without thinking, I smiled too widely at my private joke.It was amazingly easy to edit out Tyler, lying no more than four feet from me, covered in fresh blood. Id never understood how Carlisle was able to do that ign ore the blood of his patients in order to treat them. Wouldnt the constant temptation be so distracting, so dangerous? But, now I could see how, if you were focusing on something else hard enough, the temptation was be nothing at all.Even fresh and exposed, Tylers blood had nothing on Bellas.I kept my distance from her, seating myself on the foot of Tylers mattress.So, whats the verdict? I asked her.Her lower lip pushed out a little. Theres nothing wrong with me at all, but they wont let me go. How come you arent strapped to a gurney like the rest of us? Her impatience made me smile again.I could hear Carlisle in the hall now.Its all about who you know, I said lightly. But dont worry, I came to spring you.I watched her reaction guardedly as my father entered the room. Her eyes widened and her mouth actually fell open in surprise. I groaned internally. Yes, shed certainly noticed the resemblance.So, Miss Swan, how are you feeling? Carlisle asked. He had a wonderfully soothing beside manner that put most patients at ease inwardly moments. I couldnt tell how it affected Bella.Im fine, she said quietly.Carlisle clipped her X-rays to the lightboard by the bed. Your X-rays look good. Does your head hurt? Edward said you hit it pretty hard.She sighed, and said, Im fine, again, but this time impatience leaked into her voice. Then she glowered once in my direction.Carlisle stepped closer to her and ran his fingers gently over her scalp until he found the bump under her hair.I was caught off guard by the wave of perception that crashed over me.I had seen Carlisle work with humans a thousand times. Years ago, I had even assisted him informally though only in situations where blood was not involved. So it wasnt a new thing to me, to watch him interact with the girl as if he were as human as she was. Id envied his control many times, but that was not the same as this emotion. I envied him more than his control. I ached for the difference between Carlisle and me that h e could touch her so gently, without fear, knowing he would never harm her She winced, and I twitched in my seat. I had to concentrate for a moment to keep my relaxed posture.Tender? Carlisle asked.Her chin jerked up a fraction. Not really, she said.Another small piece of her character fell into place she was brave. She didnt like to show weakness.Possibly the most vulnerable creature Id ever seen, and she didnt want to seem weak. A chuckle slid through my lips.She shot another glare at me.Well, Carlisle said. Your father is in the waiting room you can go home with him now. But come back if you feel woozy or have trouble with your beholding at all. Her father was here? I swept through the thoughts in the crowd waiting room, but I couldnt pick his subtle mental voice out of the group before she was speaking again, her face anxious.Cant I go back to school?Maybe you should take it easy today, Carlisle suggested.Her eyes flickered back to me. Does he get to go to school?Act normal, smooth things overignore the way it feels when she looks me in the eyeSomeone has to spread the good word of honor that we survived, I said.Actually, Carlisle corrected, most of the school seems to be in the waiting room.I evaluate her reaction this time her aversion to attention. She didnt disappoint.Oh no, she moaned, and she put her hands over her face.I wish that Id finally guessed right. I was beginning to understand her Do you want to stay? Carlisle asked.No, no she said quickly, swinging her legs over the side of the mattress and sliding down till her feet were on the floor. She stumbled forward, off-balance, into Carlisles arms. He caught and steadied her.Again, the envy inundate through me.Im fine, she said before he could comment, faint pinko in her cheeks.Of course, that wouldnt bring out Carlisle. He made sure she was balanced, and then dropped his hands.Take some Tylenol for the pain, he instructed.It doesnt hurt that bad.Carlisle smiled as he subscribe her char t. It sounds like you were extremely lucky. She turned her face slightly, to stare at me with hard eyes. aureate Edward happened to be standing next to me.Oh, well, yes, Carlisle agreed quickly, hearing the same thing in her voice that I heard. She hadnt written her suspicions off as imagination. Not yet.All yours, Carlisle thought. cover it as you think best.Thanks so much, I whispered, quick and quiet. Neither human heard me.Carlisles lips turned up a tiny bit at my irony as he turned to Tyler. Im afraid that youll have to stay with us just a little bit longer, he said as he began examining the slashes leftfield(a) by the shattered windshield.Well, Id made the mess, so it was only fair that I had to deal with it. Bella walked deliberately toward me, not stopping until she was uncomfortably close. I remembered how I had hoped, before all the mayhem, that she would approach me This was like a chaff of that wish.Can I talk to you for a minute? she hissed at me.Her warm breath br ushed my face and I had to lurch back a step. Her appeal had not abated one bit. Every time she was come on me, it triggered all my worst, most urgent instincts. cattiness flowed in my mouth and my body yearned to grave to wrench her into my arms and crush her throat to my teeth.My mind was stronger than my body, but only just.Your father is waiting for you, I reminded her, my jaw clenched tight.She glanced toward Carlisle and Tyler. Tyler was paying us no attention at all, but Carlisle was monitoring my every breath.Carefully, Edward.Id like to speak to you alone, if you dont mind, she insisted in a low voice. I wanted to tell her that I did mind very much, but I knew I would have to do this eventually. I may as well get on with it.I was full of so many conflicting emotions as I stalked out of the room, listening to her stumbling footsteps behind me, trying to keep up.I had a show to put on now. I knew the role I would play I had the character down I would be the villain. I w ould lie and ridicule and be cruel.It went against all my better impulses the human impulses that Id clung to through all these years. Id never wanted to deserve trust more than in this moment, when I had to destroy all chess opening of it.It made it worse to know that this would be the last memory she would have of me. This was my farewell scene.I turned on her.What do you want? I asked coldly.She cringed back slightly from my hostility. Her eyes turned bewildered, the expression that had haunt meYou owe me an explanation, she said in a small voice her ivory face blanched. It was very hard to keep my voice harsh. I saved your life I dont owe you anything.She flinched it burned like point to watch my words hurt her.You promised, she whispered.Bella, you hit your head, you dont know what youre talking about.Her chin came up then. Theres nothing wrong with my head.She was angry now, and that made it easier for me. I met her glare, making my face more unfriendly.What do you wan t from me, Bella?I want to know the truth. I want to know wherefore Im lying for you.What she wanted was only fair it frustrated me to have to track her.What do you think happened? I nearly growled at her.Her words poured out in a torrent. All I know is that you werent anywhere near me Tyler didnt see you, either, so dont tell me I hit my head too hard. That van was going to crush us both and it didnt, and your hands left dents in the side of it and you left a dent in the other car, and youre not hurt at all and the van should have smashed my legs, but you were holding it up Suddenly, she clenched her teeth together and her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.I stared at her, my expression derisive, though what I really felt was awe she had seen everything.You think I lifted a van off you? I asked sarcastically.She answered with one stiff nod.My voice grew more mocking. Nobody will believe that, you know.She made an effort to control her anger. When she answered me, she spoke each word with slow deliberation. Im not going to tell anybody.She meant it I could see that in her eyes. Even furious and betrayed, she would keep my secret.Why?The shock of it ruined my carefully designed expression for half a second, and then I pulled myself together.Then why does it matter? I asked, working to keep my voice severe.It matters to me, she said intensely. I dont like to lie so thered better be a good reason why Im doing it.She was asking me to trust her. Just as I wanted her to trust me. But this was a line I could not cross.My voice stayed callous. Cant you just thank me and get it over with? Thank you, she said, and then she feel silently, waiting.Youre not going to let it go, are you?No.In that case I couldnt tell her the truth if I wanted toand I didnt want to. Id rather she made up her own story than know what I was, because nothing could be worse than the truth I was a sustainment nightmare, straight from the pages of a horror novel. I hope you enjo y disappointment.We scowled at each other. It was odd how endearing her anger was. care a furious kitten, soft and harmless, and so unaware of her own vulnerability.She flushed pink and ground her teeth together again. Why did you even bother?Her question wasnt one that I was expecting or prepared to answer. I lost my hold on the role I was playing. I felt the masquerade costume slip from my face, and I told her this one time the truth.I dont know.I memorized her face one last time it was still set in lines of anger, the blood not yet faded from her cheeks and then I turned and walked away from her.