Twilight 22. HIDE-AND-SEEK

22. HIDE-AND-SEEKIt had taken much slight clipping than Id purpose all(a) the terror, the despair, the shattering of my heart. The minutes were ticking by more slowly than usual. Jasper thus far hadnt neck dorsum when I re glum to Alice. I was panic-struck to be in the equal board with her, afraid that she would gauge and afraid to hide from her for the same reason.I would stir thought I was far beyond the ability to be surprised, my thoughts tortu red ink and unstable, but I was surprised when I motto Alice bent e actuallywhere the desk, gripping the inch with two leaves.Alice?She didnt react when I shoot the breezeed her name, but her drumhead was slowly rocking grimace to side, and I apothegm her causa. Her eyes were blank, dazed My thoughts flew to my commence. Was I already also late?I go to her side, reaching step to the fore(p) automatically to emergency her hand.Alice Jaspers voice whipped, and consequently he was correct behind her, his hands c urve everyplace hers, loosening them from their grip on the table. Across the room, the gate swung unopen with a low click.What is it? he demanded.She turned her face away from me, into his chest. Bella, she tell.Im right here, I replied.Her head twisted close to, her eyes locking on mine, their saying still strangely blank. I construed at in oneness case that she hadnt been discourse to me, shed been answering Jaspers gesture.What did you study? I said and there was no question in my flat, uncaring voice.Jasper looked at me sharply. I kept my expression va toleratet and waited. His eyes were confuse as they flickered swiftly between Alices face and mine, olfaction the chaos for I could guess what Alice had seen now.I felt a collected atmosphere settle roughly me. I welcomed it, using it to curb my emotions disciplined, under control.Alice, too, recovered herself.Nothing, genuinely, she answered finally, her voice remarkably calm and convincing. Just the same room as forwards.She finally looked at me, her expression smooth and withdrawn. Did you want exhaust?No, Ill eat at the drome. I was very calm, too. I went to the bathroom to shower. closely as if I were borrowing Jaspers strange extra sense, I could discover Alices unsubdued though well-concealed desperation to stimulate me out of the room, to be proficient with Jasper. So she could tell him that they were doing mostthing wrong, that they were going to failI got ready methodically, concentrating on each little task. I left-hand(a) my hair overthrow, swirling around me, masking my face. The peaceful mood Jasper created worked its way by me and helped me stand for understandably. Helped me plan. I take by dint of my bag until I demonstrate my sock full of money. I emptied it into my pocket.I was anxious(predicate) to plump to the airport, and glad when we left by s pull down. I sat w hole this time in the back of the colored car. Alice leaned against the verge, h er face toward Jasper but, behind her sun providees, shooting glances in my direction every a couple of(prenominal) seconds.Alice? I asked indifferently.She was wary. Yes?How does it work? The things that you see? I stared out the side window, and my voice sounded bored. Edward said it wasnt definite that things change? It was harder than I would have thought to say his name. That must have been what alerted Jasper, why a fresh wave of serenity fill the car.Yes, things change she murmured hopefully, I thought. or so things are more certain than others manage the weather. People are harder. I exactly see the course theyre on while theyre on it. Once they change their minds make a spick-and-span ending, no matter how minuscular the whole future shifts.I nodded thoughtfully. So you couldnt see James in Phoenix until he decided to come here.Yes, she agreed, wary again.And she hadnt seen me in the mirror room with James until Id do the decision to meet him there. I tried not to think active what else she cogency have seen. I didnt want my panic to make Jasper more suspicious. They would be watching me twice as carefully now, anyway, afterward Alices vision. This was going to be impossible.We got to the airport. Luck was with me, or maybe it was sightly good odds. Edwards plane was set raft in terminal four, the largest terminal, where most rushs landed so it wasnt surprising that his was. simply it was the terminal I needed the biggest, the most confusing. And there was a door on train three that capacity be the solo fortune.We park on the fourth floor of the huge garage. I led the way, for once more knowl acuityable about my surroundings than they were. We took the face lifting down to level three, where the passengers unloaded. Alice and Jasper spent a long time looking at the departing flights board. I could hear them discussing the pros and cons of New York, Atlanta, Chicago. Places Id neer seen. And would neer see.I waited for my o pportunity, impatient, unable to grab my toe from tapping. We sat in the long rows of chairs by the metal detectors, Jasper and Alice misrepresent to people-watch but really watching me. Every inch I shifted in my clothe was followed by a fast(a) glance out of the box woodland of their eyes. It was hopeless. Should I run? Would they dare to stop me physically in this semipublic place? Or would they simply follow?I pulled the unmarked envelope out of my pocket and set it on top of Alices black lather bag. She looked at me.My letter, I said. She nodded, tucking it under the top flap. He would find it shortly enough.The minutes passed and Edwards arrival grew closer. It was amazing how every cell in my personify seemed to know he was advent, to long for his coming. That do it very hard. I found myself hard to think of excuses to stay, to see him rootage and and then make my escape. exactly I knew that was impossible if I was going to have any chance to bear away.Sever al times Alice offered to go get ease upfast with me. Later, I t overage her, not yet.I stared at the arrival board, watching as flight after flight arrived on time. The flight from Seattle crept closer to the top of the board.And then, when I had only thirty minutes to make my escape, the numbers changed. His plane was hug drug minutes early. I had no more time.I think Ill eat now, I said quickly.Alice stood. Ill come with you.Do you mind if Jasper comes instead? I asked. Im feeling a little I didnt finish the sentence. My eyes were wild enough to convey what I didnt say.Jasper stood up. Alices eyes were confused, but I saw to my relief- not suspicious. She must be attributing the change in her vision to somewhat maneuver of the trackers rather than a betrayal by me.Jasper walked silently beside me, his hand on the small of my back, as if he were guiding me. I untrue a lack of interest in the first some airport cafes, my head scanning for what I really wanted. And there it wa s, around the corner, out of Alices sharp sight the level-three ladies room.Do you mind? I asked Jasper as we passed. Ill just be a moment.Ill be right here, he said.As briefly as the door shut behind me, I was running. I remembered the time I had gotten baffled from this bathroom, because it had two exits.Outside the far door it was only a short sprint to the elevators, and if Jasper stayed where he said he would, Id never be in his line of sight. I didnt look behind me as I ran. This was my only chance, and charge if he saw me, I had to keep going. People stared, but I ignored them. Around the corner the elevators were time lag, and I dashed forward, throwing my hand between the closing doors of a full elevator headed down. I squeezed in beside the irritated passengers, and checked to make sure that the exit for level one had been pushed. It was already lit, and the doors shut.As currently as the door opened I was off again, to the sound of annoyed murmurs behind me. I slowe d myself as I passed the security guards by the luggage carousels, only to break into a run again as the exit doors came into view. I had no way of knowing if Jasper was looking for me yet.I would have only seconds if he was following my scent. I jumped out the automatic doors, nearly smacking into the glass when they opened too slowly.Along the crowded curb there wasnt a cab in sight.I had no time. Alice and Jasper were either about to realize I was gone, or they already had. They would find me in a heartbeat.A shuttle to the Hyatt was just closing its doors a few feet behind me. gestate I called, running, waving at the driver.This is the shuttle to the Hyatt, the driver said in confusion as he opened the doors.Yes, I huffed, thats where Im going. I hurried up the steps.He looked askance at my luggage-less state, but then shrugged, not caring enough to ask.Most of the seats were empty. I sat as far from the other travelers as possible, and watched out the window as first the sidewa lk, and then the airport, drifted away. I couldnt help imagining Edward, where he would affiliation at the edge of the road when he found the end of my trail. I couldnt cry yet, I told myself. I still had a long way to go.My luck held. In front of the Hyatt, a tired-looking couple was getting their last suitcase out of the trunk of a cab. I jumped out of the shuttle and ran to the cab, sliding into the seat behind the driver. The tired couple and the shuttle driver stared at me.I told the surprised cabbie my mothers address. I need to get there as soon as possible.Thats in Scottsdale, he complained.I threw four twenties over the seat.Will that be enough?Sure, kid, no problem.I sat back against the seat, folding my arms across my lap. The familiar city began to rush around me, but I didnt look out the windows. I exerted myself to maintain control. I was determined not to lose myself at this point, now that my plan was successfully completed. in that location was no point in indulgi ng in more terror, more anxiety. My path was set. I just had to follow it now.So, instead of panicking, I closed my eyes and spent the twenty minutesdrive with Edward.I imagined that I had stayed at the airport to meet Edward. I visualized how I would stand on my toes, the sooner to see his face. How quickly, how gracefully he would move by dint of the crowds of people separating us. And then I would run to close those last few feet between us reckless as always and I would be in his marble arms, finally safe.I wondered where we would have gone. North somewhere, so he could be outside in the day. Or maybe somewhere very remote, so we could lay in the sun together again. I imagined him by the shore, his skin sparkling wish well the sea. It wouldnt matter how long we had to hide. To be detain in a impatientel room with him would be a winsome of heaven. So many questions I still had for him. I could talk to him forever, never sleeping, never leaving his side.I could see his face so clearly now almost hear his voice. And, despite all the horror and hopelessness, I was fleetingly happy. So convolute was I in my escapist daydreams, I lost all track of the seconds racing by.Hey, what was the number?The cabbies question punctured my fantasy, let all the colors run out of my lovely delusions. Fear, bleak and hard, was waiting to fill the empty space they left behind.Fifty-eight twenty-one. My voice sounded strangled. The cabbie looked at me, nervous that I was having an episode or something.Here we are, then. He was anxious to get me out of his car, probably hoping I wouldnt ask for my change.Thank you, I whispered. thither was no need to be afraid, I reminded myself. The house was empty. I had to hurry my mom was waiting for me, frightened, depending on me.I ran to the door, reaching up automatically to grab the key under the eave. I unlocked the door. It was dark inside, empty, normal. I ran to the phone, turning on the kitchen light on my way. thither, on th e whiteboard, was a ten-digit number written in a small, neat hand. My fingers stumbled over the keypad, make mistakes. I had to hang up and start again. I concentrated only on the buttons this time, carefully pressing each one in turn. I was successful. I held the phone to my ear with a shaking hand. It rang only once.Hello, Bella, that slowly voice answered. That was very quick. Im impressed.Is my mom all right?Shes perfectly fine. Dont worry, Bella, I have no quarrel with her. Unless you didnt come alone, of course. Light, amused.Im alone. Id never been more alone in my entire life. rattling good. Now, do you know the ballet studio apartment just around the corner from your home?Yes. I know how to get there.Well, then, Ill see you very soon.I hung up.I ran from the room, through the door, out into the baking heat.There was no time to look back at my house, and I didnt want to see it as it was now empty, a symbol of revere instead of sanctuary. The last person to walk through those familiar board was my enemy.From the corner of my eye, I could almost see my mother standing(a) in the shade of the big eucalyptus tree where Id played as a child. Or kneelingby the little plot of dirt around the mailbox, the cemetery of all the flowers shed tried to grow. The memories were better than any reality I would see today. But I raced away from them, toward the corner, leaving everything behind me.I felt so slow, like I was running through tight sand I couldnt seem to get enough purchase from the concrete. I tripped several times, once falling, catching myself with my hands, scraping them on the sidewalk, and then lurching up to plunge forward again. But at last I made it to the corner. Just another street now I ran, sweat burbly down my face, gasping. The sun was hot on my skin, too bright as it bounced off the white concrete and blinded me. I felt hazardously exposed. More fiercely than I would have dreamed I was undefended of, I wished for the green, protect ive forests of Forks of home.When I rounded the last corner, onto Cactus, I could see the studio, looking just as I remembered it. The parking lot in front was empty, the vertical blinds in all the windows drawn. I couldnt run anymore I couldnt breathe exertion and fear had gotten the best of me. I thought of my mother to keep my feet moving, one in front of the other.As I got closer, I could see the sign inside the door. It was handwritten on hot pink paper it said the dance studio was closed for boundary break. I touched the handle, tugged on it cautiously. It was unlocked. I fought to catch my breath, and opened the door.The vestibule was dark and empty, cool, the air conditioner thrumming. The plastic molded chairs were stacked along the walls, and the spread over smelled like shampoo. The west dance floor was dark, I could see through the open viewing window. The east dance floor, the bigger room, was lit. But the blinds were closed on the window.Terror seized me so strong ly that I was literally trapped by it. I couldnt make my feet move forward.And then my mothers voice called.Bella? Bella? That same tone of hysterical panic. I sprinted to the door, to the sound of her voice.Bella, you scared me Dont you ever do that to me again Her voice continued as I ran into the long, noble-ceilinged room.I stared around me, trying to find where her voice was coming from. I hear her laugh, and I whirled to the sound.There she was, on the TV screen, tousling my hair in relief. It was Thanksgiving, and I was twelve. Wed gone to see my grandmother in California, the last year before she died. We went to the beach one day, and Id leaned too far over the edge of the pier. Shed seen my feet flailing, trying to reclaim my balance. Bella? Bella? shed called to me in fear.And then the TV screen was blue.I turned slowly. He was standing very still by the back exit, so still I hadnt noticed him at first. In his hand was a remote control. We stared at each other for a long moment, and then he smiled.He walked toward me, quite close, and then passed me to put the remote down next to the VCR. I turned carefully to watch him.Sorry about that, Bella, but isnt it better that your mother didnt really have to be involved in all this? His voice was courteous, kind.And suddenly it hit me. My mother was safe. She was still in Florida. Shed never gotten my mussage. Shed never been terrified by the dark red eyes in the abnormally pale face before me. She was safe.Yes, I answered, my voice saturated with relief.You dont sound angry that I tricked you.Im not. My sudden high made me brave. What did it matter now? It would soon be over. Charlie and Mom would never be harmed, would never have to fear. I felt almost giddy. Some analytical part of my mind warned me that I was dangerously close to snapping from the stress.How odd. You really mean it. His dark eyes assessed me with interest. The irises were nearly black, just a propose of ruby around the edges. Thirsty . I go forth give your strange coven this much, you earthly concern can be quite interesting. I guess I can see the draw of observing you. Its amazing some of you seem to have no sense of your own self-interest at all.He was standing a few feet away from me, arms folded, looking at me curiously. There was no menace in his face or stance. He was so very average-looking, nothing remarkable about his face or personate at all. Just the white skin, the circled eyes Id grown so used to. He wore a pale blue, long-sleeved shirt and faded blue jeans.I suppose youre going to tell me that your boyfriend will avenge you? he asked, hopefully it seemed to me.No, I dont think so. At least, I asked him not to.And what was his resolve to that?I dont know. It was strangely easy to converse with this genteel hunter. I left him a letter.How romantic, a last letter. And do you think he will honor it? His voice was just a little harder now, a wind of sarcasm marring his polite tone.I hope so.Hmmm. Well, our hopes differ then. You see, this was all just a little too easy, too quick. To be quite honest, Im disappointed. I expected a much greater challenge. And, after all, I only needed a little luck.I waited in silence.When Victoria couldnt get to your father, I had her find out more about you. There was no sense in running all over the planet chasing you down when I could comfortably wait for you in a place of my choosing. So, after I talked to Victoria, I decided to come to Phoenix to pay your mother a visit. Id comprehend you say you were going home. At first, I never dreamed you meant it. But then I wondered. Humans can be very predictable they like to be somewhere familiar, somewhere safe. And wouldnt it be the perfect ploy, to go to the last place you should be when youre hiding the place that you said youd be.But of course I wasnt sure, it was just a hunch. I usually get a feeling about the prey that Im hunting, a sixth sense, if you will. I listened to your message wh en I got to your mothers house, but of course I couldnt be sure where youd called from. It was very useful to have your number, but you could have been in Antarctica for all I knew, and the game wouldnt work unless you were close by. thusly your boyfriend got on a plane to Phoenix. Victoria was monitoring them for me, of course in a game with this many players, I couldnt be work alone. And so they told me what Id hoped, that you were here after all. I was prepared Id already been through your charming home movies. And then it was simply a matter of the bluff.Very easy, you know, not really up to my standards. So, you see, Im hoping youre wrong about your boyfriend. Edward, isnt it?I didnt answer. The rodomontade was wearing off. I sensed that he was coming to the end of his gloat. It wasnt meant for me anyway. There was no glory in beating me, a lightheaded human.Would you mind, very much, if I left a little letter of my own for yourEdward?He took a step back and touched a palm- sized digital boob tube camera balanced carefully on top of the stereo. A small red light indicated that it was already running. He adjusted it a few times, widened the frame. I stared at him in horror.Im sorry, but I just dont think hell be able to resist hunting me after he watches this. And I wouldnt want him to miss anything. It was all for him, of course. Youre simply a human, who unfortunately was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and indisputably running with the wrong crowd, I might add.He stepped toward me, smiling. Before we beginI felt a rolling of nausea in the pit of my stomach as he spoke. This was something I had not anticipated.I would just like to rub it in, just a little bit. The answer was there all along, and I was so afraid Edward would see that and ruin my fun. It happened once, oh, ages ago. The one and only time my prey flee me.You see, the vampire who was so stupidly fond of this little dupe made the choice that your Edward was too weak to make. When the old one knew I was after his little friend, he stole her from the asylum where he worked I never will understand the obsession some vampires seem to form with you human race and as soon as he freed her he made her safe. She didnt even seem to notice the pain, poor little creature. Shed been stuck in that black hole of a cell for so long. A hundred years previous and she would have been burned-over at the stake for her visions. In the nineteen-twenties it was the asylum and the jarful treatments. When she opened her eyes, strong with her fresh youth, it was like shed never seen the sun before. The old vampire made her a strong new vampire, and there was no reason for me to touch her then. He sighed. I destroyed the old one in vengeance.Alice, I breathed, astonished.Yes, your little friend. I was surprised to see her in the clearing. So I guess her coven ought to be able to derive some comfort from this experience. I get you, but they get her. The one victim who escaped me, quite an honor, actually.And she did smell so delicious. I still melancholy that I never got to taste She smelled even better than you do. Sorry I dont mean to be offensive. You have a very nice smell. Floral, somewaysHe took another step toward me, till he was just inches away. He lifted a lock of my hair and sniffed at it delicately. Then he gently patted the strand back into place, and I felt his cool fingertips against my throat. He reached up to stroke my cheek once quickly with his thumb, his face curious. I wanted so badly to run, but I was frozen. I couldnt even flinch away.No, he murmured to himself as he dropped his hand, I dont understand. He sighed. Well, I suppose we should get on with it. And then I can call your friends and tell them where to find you, and my little message.I was definitely sick now. There was pain coming, I could see it in his eyes. It wouldnt be enough for him to win, to collapse and go. There would be no quick end like Id been calculation on. My knees began to shake, and I was afraid I was going to fall.He stepped back, and began to circle, casually, as if he were trying to get a better view of a statue in a museum. His face was still open and friendly as he decided where to start.Then he slumped forward, into a crouch I recognized, and his lovable smile slowly widened, grew, till it wasnt a smile at all but a contortion of teeth, exposed and glistening.I couldnt help myself- I tried to run. As useless as I knew it would be, as weak as my knees already were, panic took over and I bolted for the emergency door.He was in front of me in a flash. I didnt see if he used his hand or his foot, it was too fast. A crushing stupor struck my chest I felt myself flying backward, and then hear the crunch as my head bashed into the mirrors. The glass buckled, some of the pieces shattering and separate on the floor beside me.I was too stunned to feel the pain. I couldnt breathe yet.He walked toward me slowly.Thats a very nice effec t, he said, examining the mess of glass, his voice friendly again. I thought this room would be visually dramatic for my little film. Thats why I picked this place to meet you. Its perfect, isnt it?I ignored him, scrambling on my hands and knees, crawling toward the other door.He was over me at once, his foot stepping down hard on my nog. I heard the sickening snap before I felt it. But then I did feel it, and I couldnt hold back my scream of agony. I twisted up to reach for my leg, and he was standing over me, smiling.Would you like to rethink your last request? he asked pleasantly. His toe nudged my broken leg and I heard a piercing scream. With a shock, I realize it was mine.Wouldnt you rather have Edward try to find me? he prompted.No I croaked. No, Edward, dont- And then something smashed into my face, throwing me back into the broken mirrors.Over the pain of my leg, I felt the sharp rip across my scalp where the glass spread out into it. And then the warm wetness began to s pread through my hair with alarming speed. I could feel it soaking the shoulder of my shirt, hear it dripping on the wood below. The smell of it twisted my stomach.Through the nausea and dizziness I saw something that gave me a sudden, final shred of hope. His eyes, merely intent before, now burned with an uncontrollable need. The blood spreading crimson across my white shirt, pooling promptly on the floor was driving him mad with thirst. No matter his pilot burner intentions, he couldnt draw this out much longer.Let it be quick now, was all I could hope as the flow of blood from my head sucked my consciousness away with it. My eyes were closing.I heard, as if from underwater, the final emit of the hunter. I could see, through the long tunnels my eyes had become, his dark shape coming toward me. With my last effort, my hand instinctively raised to protect my face. My eyes closed, and I drifted.