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Alice pulled up next to us in a yellow Porsche. Me and Jasper had just let go of eachother, I had no idea if she had seen us kissing or not. Surely she wouldn't be comfortable with that, even if she had been very understanding. I cared about her and I didn't want to hurt her anymore than me and Jasper already had.
We climbed into the car. Jasper took the back seat this time around, most likely giving Alice her space. Her foot slammed on the gas, and the car peeled out of the parking lot and shot towards Volterra, angry honks of other drivers sounded from behind us. I thought over how lucky she was for finding such a fast car at a car rental, then I noticed the lack of key in the ignition. She had stolen this car.
"Alice you stole this?" I asked in disbelief. I had never imagined the small pixie girl to be capable of stealing so easily, she seemed too kind hearted and bubbly. I guess I had underestimated her.
"Of course I stole it! What else was I supposed to do?" She practically yelled. She had a fair point, so I remained silent.
The terrain flashed by, and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful Italy would be under different circumstances. The rolling hills and blue sky would have been breathtaking. The entrance to Volterra was quickly approaching, and Alice shot straight into the city. She narrowly missed pedestrians on either side. Her driving would appear reckless to most, but Alice knew exactly what she was doing, and she navigated the car with meticulous accuracy. I had never seen anyone so intensely focused on anything.
The crowd of people was getting thicker. Everyone had on a red clothing, creating a sea of blood that stood in our path. The car came to a stop, we couldn't go any further without running over unsuspecting tourists.
"What's with all the people?" Jasper asked looking around nervously, his eyes were a deep coal. The blood was tempting to him, you could see the pain his eyes from denying himself sustenance.
"It's St. Marcus's Day. All these people are celebrating." Alice informed us both. Her eyes clouded and her lips formed a thin line on her face. "We won't be able to go any further. Bella you have to go on foot." She explained. Her visions showing her the best course of action, at least I hoped.
I didn't argue, there wasn't much time left. The clock in the car read 11:47, and I wasn't sure how accurate that was. If I didn't leave now Edward would most likely die. Jasper had apparently caught something that I hadn't in my rush.
"She's going alone! She can't, that's too dangerous!" Jasper protested. I stopped for a moment. Facing Edward and the Volturi alone was a massive task, and I didn't know if I could manage it.
"She has to. Edward knows our thoughts and he'll reveal himself before we get the chance to save him. She's the only one who can do this."
I turned my attention to Alice. There had to be some other way. I couldn't do this by myself. She had a steeled expression on her face.
A large hand grabbed mine, I recognized the touch instantly; Jasper. He looked at me and his black irises lightened ever so slightly. I felt his emotions course through his palm, surrounding my entire person in a veil of his encouragement and love.
"I'll be as close as I can. Go. You can do this." He encouraged. Once the initial shock wore off, I nodded my head and quickly leapt from the passenger seat and into the thick, red sea of people.
My feet pounded against the pavement and the wind whistled past my ears. My legs ached in protest as I pushed them as fast as they could go. The cobblestone streets seemed to narrow, and the crowd seemed to grow in size. The clocktower in the distance taunted me as the large hand moved closer, and closer to the twelfth mark.
What would I do if I didn't make it in time? If Edward were to die, what would happen to me? Would they leave me again? Would Jasper still love me, even if I were the cause of his brother's death?
And on the other hand, what if we by some miracle succeeded. Would Edward be angry with Jasper for coming to Forks? Would he be upset with me for falling for his brother? What would be his reaction?
There were too many questions swarming my head and virtually no time to think any of them through. Instead I tried to focus my brain on the task at hand. Save Edward. That was my only concern, everything else would come later.
I sprinted into town square, breathing heavily, and drenched in sweat. I pushed people out of my way. I was so close. I couldn't fail now. I slipped over something and fell, scraping up the entire length of my forearm. I could feel the warm blood slowly oozing into my shirt. I continued on, ignoring the pain.
Time felt like it had slowed down as I stepped onto the rim of a large stone fountain. Edwards's pale face was in the distance, his eyes closed. Couldn't he smell me? Why hadn't he looked up?
Tick. Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
I glanced up at the clock just as it struck noon. A deep bong sounded, nearly shaking the ground. I jumped into the fountain, nearly tripping once again. I screamed Edward's name as I raced to him. I leapt out of the fountain and pushed a few more people out of the way.
So close.
Edward dropped the cloak from off his shoulders.
I screamed his name again.
He took a step forward, skin shining from the direct sunlight.
I launched myself at him.
I tried to cover as much of his body with mine as I could. His hard, marble-like flesh would have meant everything to me months ago, but it didn't feel the same. As he curled his arms around me I cringed away from his touch. It was no longer my safe place.
"Heaven." He whispered, his voice echoing deep in his chest. His grip tightened slightly, and he buried his face in my hair. I stood frozen, trying to understand why this felt wrong.
"Edward get out of the sunlight." I said, trying to make it sound like a demand.
I didn't want to take the risk of anyone seeing him. My body wasn't large enough to cover him entirely. He could very easily still be spotted. I couldn't let that happen. He didn't seem to respond, so I tried pushing him backwards. He moved under my weight and back into the shade. I sighed in relief.
He moved backwards so he could look at my face. His cold hand cupping my face. His eyes scanned over my body and his lips perked upwards. I stared back at him, the strangest feeling in the pit of my stomach. This was the man I used to love. He had been my everything, and he had betrayed me. He hurt me like no one else could.
"Incredible. Carlisle was right. I never thought we could truly have an afterlife, but this is simply amazing." He sighed.
"Edward you aren't dead." I stated. Why would I be part of his heaven? He hadn't wanted me. I wasn't good enough for him. My presence should prove to him that he's still alive.
"Bella, what do you mean love?" He questioned with a slight tilt of his head. "I've returned to you. I know I promised I wouldn't but you must understand-"
"I never died. I was trying to get you to come home. I had no idea you would try to kill yourself out of guilt." I interrupted.
He opened his mouth to speak but closed it quickly after. He glanced around and I could see everything starting to click in his brain. He glanced back down at me and smiled just slightly. His hand brushed through my hair, and he set his lips against my forehead.
"Thank God." He sighed in relief. "I thought I had lost you forever."
"I don't understand." I moved my head away from him. This wasn't right. None of this was right. "You left me. I wasn't enough for you. You didn't want me. You left!" My voice increased in volume the longer I ranted. I just couldn't wrap my mind around this. Edward didn't want me. I had believed that for months.
"I had to lie. It was to protect you, I promise. I thought you might be able to move on if you resented me. I wanted you to live an ordinary human life. I wanted you to have a future, with children; a family."
I was speechless.
This was just the problem, wasn't it? He always assumed and took control. He never took my opinion or thoughts into consideration, I didn't matter. He knew best, that would never change. Edward wanted me to have a family. He thought I would be happier if he left, so he did. There was no discussion. Why would he need to ask for my opinion? I was wrong, he was right. I was human, easily manipulated, and stupid. He was the vampire, he called the shots.
That's precisely why I loved Jasper. He never assumed. He acted like my opinion mattered. He treated me like a competent person, not some pet he could walk around on a leash. I wasn't his to be groomed and shown off. We were equals. He promised not to leave me unless that's what I wanted. He stood by my side. He had faith in me when no one else had. He was equally mine, as I was his. We were partners.
I let go of Edward and stepped away completely. He couldn't control me. He couldn't manipulate me. I didn't want anything to do with him. Not anymore.
"You've succeeded." I mumbled.
"With what Bella?" He asked, his deep voice ringing in my ears.
"Getting me to resent you." I whispered, surprised by my bluntness. I had never dared to say anything like that to him since we had met. I had to admit, it felt good. The look of utter surprise that crossed his perfect features felt even better.