The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 17 VISITOR

UNNATURALLY STILL AND WHITE, WITH coarse BLACK EYES intent on my face, my visitor waited perfectly motionless in the center of the halt, splendiferous beyond imagining.My knees trembled for a second, and I nearly fell. thusly I hurled myself at her.Alice, oh, Alice I cried, as I slammed into her.Id forgotten how hard she was it was desire running headlong into a wall of cement.Bella? There was a fantastical mingling of relief and confusion in her phonate.I locked my beef ups well-nigh her, gasping to inhale as a lot of the scent of her struggle as possible. It wasnt manage anything elsenot floral or spice, citrus or musk. No centre in the world could compare. My memory hadnt d matchless it fairishice.I didnt notice when the gasping delveed into something elseI only agnise I was sobbing when Alice dragged me to the living room couch and pulled me into her lap. It was like curling up into a cool s tint, plainly a stone that was contoured comfortingly to the shape of my b ody. She rubbed my back in a gentle rhythm, waiting for me to wee control of myself.Im sorry, I blubbered. Im just so happy to gull youIts okay, Bella. Everythings okay.Yes, I bawled. And, for once, it seemed that way.Alice sighed. Id forgotten how exuberant you are, she said, and her tone was disapproving.I looked up at her through my streaming look. Alices neck was tight, straining away from me, her lips pressed unneurotic firmly. Her eyeball were black as pitch.Oh, I puffed, as I realized the problem. She was thirsty. And I smelled appetizing. It had been a art object since Id had to think rough that multifariousness of thing. Sorry.Its my own fault. Its been too long since I hunted. I shouldnt let myself fail so thirsty. only I was in a hurry to sidereal day. The look she directed at me so was a glare. Speaking of which, would you like to explain to me how youre alive?That brought me up short and stopped the sobs. I realized what must have happened immediately, and wh y Alice was here.I swallowed loudly. You maxim me fall.No, she disagreed, her eye narrowing. I saw you jump.I pursed my lips as I tried to think of an explanation that wouldnt sound nuts.Alice shook her head. I t oldish him this would happen, except he didnt believe me. Bella promised, her voice imitated his so perfectly that I iroze in shock succession the cark ripped through my torso. Dont be looking for her future, either, she continued to quote him. Weve done enough damage.But just because Im not looking, doesnt mean I dont see she went on. I wasnt cargo areaing tabs on you, I swear, Bella. Its just that Im alreacy attuned to you when I saw you jumping, I didnt think, I just got on a plane. I knew I would be too late, scarce I couldnt do nothing. And then I loll around here, thought maybe I could help Charlie somehow, and you fetch up. She shook her head, this conviction in confusion. Her voice was strained. I saw you go into the water and I waited and waited for you to get along with up, but you didnt. What happened? And how could you do that to Charlie? Did you stop to think what this would do to him? And my brother? Do you have any idea what EdwardI down her off then, as soon as she said his name. Id let her go on, til now so after I realized the misunderstanding she was under, just to describe the perfect bell tone of her voice. But it was time to interrupt.Alice, I wasnt committing suicide.She eyed me dubiously. Are you saying you didnt jump off a cliff?No, but I grimaced. It was for amateur purposes only.Her look hardened.Id seen some of Jacobs friends cliff diving, I insisted. It looked like fun, and I was boredShe waited.I didnt think astir(predicate) how the storm would affect the circulating(prenominal)s. Actually, I didnt think close to the water much at all.Alice didnt buy it. I could see that she still archetype I had been trying to kill myself. I decided to redirect.So if you saw me go in, why didnt you see Jacob?She coc ked her head to the side, distracted.I continued. Its rightful(a) that I probably would have drowned if Jacob hadnt jumped in after me. Well, okay, in that respects no probably to a gr go througher extent or less it. But he did, and he pulled me let out, and I guess he towed me back to shore, though I was kind of out for that situation. It couldnt have been more than a minute that I was under in the first place he grabbed me. How come you didnt see that?She frowned in perplexity. Someone pulled you out?Yes. Jacob saved me.I watched curiously as an enigmatic range of emotions flitted across her face. Something was bothering herher imperfect vision? But I wasnt sure. Then she deliberately leaned in and sniffed my shoulder.I froze.Dont be ridiculous, she muttered, sniffing at me some more.What are you doing?She ignored my question. Who was with you out there just now? It sounded like you were arguing.Jacob Black. Hes sort of my best friend, I guess. At least, he was I thought of Jacobs angry, betrayed face, and wondered what he was to me now.Alice nodded, seeming preoccupied.What?I dont acknowledge, she said. Im not sure what it means.Well, Im not dead, at least.She rolled her eyes. He was a fool to think you could survive alone. Ive never seen anyone so prone to life-threatening idiocy.I survived, I pointed out.She was thinking of something else. So, if the currents were too much for you, how did this Jacob manage?Jacob is strong.She hear the reluctance in my voice, and her eyebrows rose.I gnawed on my lip for a second. Was this a secret, or not? And if it was, then who was my greatest allegiance to? Jacob, or Alice?It was too hard to keep secrets, I decided. Jacob knew everything, why not Alice, too?See, well, hes sort of a werewolf, I admitted in a rush. The Quileutes turn into wolves when there are vampires approximately. They know Carlisle from a long time ago. Were you with Carlisle back then?Alice gawked at me for a moment, and then rec all overed herself, blinking rapidly. Well, I guess thatexplains the smell, she muttered. But does it explain what I didnt see? She frowned, her porcelain eyebrow creasing.The smell? I repeated.You smell awful, she said absently, still frowning. A werewolf? Are you sure about that?Very sure, I promised, wincing as I remembered Paul and Jacob fighting in the road. I guess you werent with Carlisle the kick the bucket time there were werewolves here in Forks?No. I hadnt found him yet. Alice was still lost in thought. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she turned to stare at me with a shocked expression. Your best friend is a werewolf?I nodded sheepishly.How long has this been going on?Not long, I said, my voice sounding defensive. Hes only been a werewolf for just a hardly a(prenominal) weeks.She glowered at me. A young werewolf? Even worse Edward was rightyoure a magnet for danger. Werent you supposed to be full stoping out of trouble?Theres nothing wrong with werewolves, I grumbled, stung b y her critical tone.Until they lose their tempers. She shook her head sharply from side to side. Leave it to you, Bella. Anyone else would be fall apart off when the vampires odd town. But you have to start hanging out with the first monsters you can occur.I didnt privation to argue with AliceI was still trembling with joy that she was really, truly here, that I could touch her marble skin and hear her wind-chime voicebut she had it all wrong.No, Alice, the vampires didnt really leavenot all of them, anyway. Thats the wholly trouble. If it werent for the werewolves, Victoria would have gotten me by now. Well, if it werent for Jake and his friends, Laurent would have gotten me forwards she could, I guess, soVictoria? she hissed. Laurent?I nodded, a teensy bit alarmed by the expression in her black eyes. I pointed at my chest. Danger magnet, remember?She shook her head once again. split me everythingstart at the beginning.I glossed over the beginning, skipping the motorcycles and the voices, but telling her everything else right up to instantlys misadventure. Alice didnt like my thin explanation about boredom and the cliffs, so I hurried on to the rummy flame Id seen on the water and what I thought it meant. Her eyes narrowed almost to slits at that part. It was strange to see her look so so dangerouslike a vampire. I swallowed hard and went on with the rest about Harry.She learned to my story without interrupting. Occasionally, she would shake her head, and the crease in her forehead deepened until it looked like it was carved permanently into the marble of her skin. She didnt speak and, finally, I fell quiet, struck again by the borrowed grief at Harrys passing. I thought of Charlie he would be home soon. What condition would he be in?Our leaving didnt do you any pricey at all, did it? Alice murmured.I laughed onceit was a about hysterical sound. That was never the point, though, was it? Its not like you left for my benefit.Alice scowled at the fl oor for a moment. Well I guess I acted impulsively today. I probably shouldnt have intruded.I could feel the blood run out from my face. My stomach dropped. Dont go, Alice, I whispered. My fingers locked around the collar of her white shirt and I began to hyperventilate. Please dont leave me.Her eyes opened wider. All right, she said, enunciating each word with slow precision. Im not going anywhere to dark. Take a deep breath.I tried to obey, though I couldnt quite locate my lungs.She watched my face while I concentrated on my breathing. She waited till I was calmer to comment.You look like hell, Bella.I drowned today, I re geniused her.It goes deeper than that. Youre a mess.I flinched. Look, Im doing my best.What do you mean?It hasnt been easy. Im working on it.She frowned. I told him, she said to herself.Alice, I sighed. What did you think you were going to find? I mean, besides me dead? Did you expect to find me skipping around and whistling show tunes? You know me split up tha n that.I do. But I hoped.Then I guess I dont have the corner on the idiocy market.The phone rang.That has to be Charlie, I said, staggering to my feet. I grabbed Alices stone hand and dragged her with me to the kitchen. I wasnt about to let her out of my sight.Charlie? I answered the phone.No, its me, Jacob said.JakeAlice scrutinized my expression.Just making sure you were still alive, Jacob said sourly.Im fine. I told you that it wasntYeah. I got it. Bye.Jacob hung up on me.I sighed and let my head hang back, staring at the ceiling. Thats going to be a problem.Alice squeezed my hand. They arent excited Im here.Not especially. But its none of their business anyway.Alice put her arm around me. So what do we do now? she mused. She seemed to talk to herself for a moment. Things to do. Loose ends to tie.What things to do?Her face was suddenly overcareful. I dont know for sure I need to see Carlisle.Would she leave so soon? My stomach dropped.Could you enlistment? I begged. Please? For just a little while. Ive missed you so much. My voice broke.If you think thats a good idea. Her eyes were unhappy.I do. You can stay hereCharlie would love that.I have a house, Bella.I nodded, disappointed but resigned. She hesitated, studying me.Well, I need to go get a suitcase of clothes, at the very least.I threw my arms around her. Alice, youre the bestAnd I think Ill need to hunt. Immediately, she added in a strained voice.Oops. I took a step back.Can you stay out of trouble for one arcminute? she asked skeptically. Then, before I could answer, she held up one finger and closed her eyes. Her face went smooth and blank for a few seconds.And then her eyes opened and she answered her own question. Yes, youll be fine. For tonight, anyway. She grimaced. Even making faces, she looked like an angel.Youll come back? I asked in a small voice.I promiseone hour.I glanced at the clock over the kitchen table. She laughed and leaned in readily to kiss me on the cheek. Then she was gone.I took a deep breath. Alice would be back. I suddenly matte up so much better.I had plenty to do to keep myself busy while I waited. A shower was definitely first on the agenda. I sniffed my shoulders as I undressed, but I couldnt smell anything but the brine and seaweed scent of the ocean. I wondered what Alice had meant about me smelling bad. When I was cleaned up, I went back to the kitchen. I couldnt see any signs that Charlie lad eaten recently, and he would probably be hungry when he got back. I hummed tunelessly to myself as I movedaround the kitchen. spell Thursdays casserole rotated in the microwave, I made up the couch with sheets and an old pillow. Alice wouldnt need it, but Charlie would need to see it. I was careful not to watch the clock. There was no reason to start myself panicking Alice had promised.I hurried through my dinner, not tasting itjust feeling the ache as it slid down my raw pharynx. Mostly I was thirsty I must have drunk a half gallon of water by the ti me I was finished. All the salt in my system had dehydrated me.I went to go try to watch TV while I waited.Alice was already there, sitting on her improvised bed. Her eyes were a liquid butterscotch. She smiled and patted the pillow. thanks.Youre early, I said, elated.I sat down next to her and leaned my head on her shoulder. She put her cold arms around me and sighed.Bella. What are we going to do with you?I dont know, I admitted. I really have been trying my hardest.I believe you.It was silent.Doesdoes he I took a deep breath. It was harder to say his name out loud, even though I was able to think it now. Does Edward know youre here? I couldnt help asking. It was my pain, after all. Id deal with it when she was gone, I promised myself, and felt sick at the thought.No.There was only one way that could be true. Hes not with Carlisle and Esme?He checks in every few months.Oh. He must still be out enjoying his distractions. I focused my curiosity on a safer topic. You said you flew he re Where did you come from?I was in Denali. see Tanyas family.Is Jasper here? Did he come with yourShe shook her head. He didnt approve of my interfering. We promised she trailed off, and then her tone changed. And you think Charlie wont mind my being here? she asked, sounding worried.Charlie thinks youre wonderful, Alice.Well, were about to find out.Sure enough, a few seconds later I heard the cruiser pull into the driveway. I jumped up and hurried to open the door.Charlie trudged slowly up the walk, his eyes on the ground and his shoulders slumped. I walked forwardto meet him he didnt even see me until I hugged him around the waist. He embraced me back fiercely.Im so sorry about Harry, Dad.Im really going to miss him, Charlie mumbled.Hows Sue doing?She seems dazed, like she hasnt grasped it yet. Sams staying with her The volume of his voice faded in and out. Those poor kids. Leahs just a year older than you, and readiness is only fourteen He shook his head.He kept his arms tight around me as he started toward the door again.Um, Dad? I figured Id better warn him. Youll never guess whos here.He looked at me blankly. His head swiveled around, and he spied the Mercedes across the street, the porch light reflecting off the glossy black paint. Before he could react, Alice was in the doorway.Hi, Charlie, she said in a subdued voice. Im sorry I came at such a bad time.Alice Cullen? he peered at the slight figure in front of him as if he doubted what his eyes were telling him. Alice, is that you?Its me, she confirmed. I was in the neighborhood.Is CarlisleNo, Im alone.Both Alice and I knew he wasnt really asking about Carlisle. His arm tightened over my shoulder.She can stay here, cant she? I pleaded. I already asked her.Of course, Charlie said mechanically. Wed love to have you, Alice.Thank you, Charlie. I know its horrid timing.No, its fine, really. Im going to be really busy doing what I can for Harrys family it entrust be nice for Bella to have some company.The res dinner for you on the table, Dad, I told him.Thanks, Bell. He gave me one more squeeze before he shuffled toward the kitchen.Alice went back to the couch, and I followed her. This time, she was the one to pull me against her shoulder.You look tired.Yeah, I agreed, and shrugged. Near-death experiences do that to me So, what does Carlisle think of you being here?He doesnt know. He and Esme were on a hunting trip. Ill hear from him in a few days, when he gets back.You wont tell him, though when he checks in again? I asked. She knew I didnt mean Carlisle now.No. Hed bite my head off, Alice said grimly.I laughed once, and then sighed.I didnt want to sleep. I wanted to stay up all night talking to Alice. And it didnt make sense for me to be tired, what with crashing on Jacobs couch all day. But drowning really had taken a lot out of me, and my eyes wouldnt stay open. I rested my head on her stone shoulder, and drifted into a more peaceful oblivion than I had any hope of.I woke early, from a deep and dreamless sleep, feeling well-rested, but stiff. I was on the couch tucked under the blankets Id laid out for Alice, and I could hear her and Charlie talking in the kitchen. It sounded like Charlie was fixing her breakfast.How bad was it, Charlie? Alice asked softly, and at first I thought they were talking about the Clearwaters.Charlie sighed. Real bad.Tell me about it. I want to know exactly what happened when we left.There was a pause while a cupboard door was closed and a dial on the stove was clicked off. I waited, cringing.Ive never felt so helpless, Charlie began slowly. I didnt know what to do. That first weekI thought I was going to have to hospitalize her. She wouldnt eat or drink, she wouldnt move. Dr. Gerandy was throwing around words like catatonic, but I didnt let him up to see her. I was afraid it would scare her.She snapped out of it though?I had Renee come to take her to Florida. I just didnt want to be the one if she had to go to a hospital or somet hing. I hoped being with her dumbfound would help. But when we started packing her clothes, she woke up with a vengeance. Ive never seen Bella throw a fit like that. She was never one for the tantrums, but, boy, did she fly into a fury. She threw her clothes everywhere and screamed that we couldnt make her leaveand then she finally started crying. I thought that would be the turning point. I didnt argue when she insisted on staying here and she did seem to get better at firstCharlie trailed off. It was hard listening to this, knowing how much pain Id caused him.But? Alice prompted.She went back to school and work, she ate and slept and did her homework. She answered when soulfulness asked her a direct question. But she was empty. Her eyes were blank. There were lots of little thingsshe wouldnt listen to music anymore I found a bunch of CDs broken in the trash. She didnt read she wouldnt be in the resembling room when the TV was on, not that she watched it so much before. I final ly figured it outshe was avoiding everything that might prompt her of him.We could hardly talk I was so worried about saying something that would upset herthe littlest things would make her flinchand she never volunteered anything. She would just answer if I asked her something.She was alone all the time. She didnt call her friends back, and after a while, they stopped calling.It was night of the living dead around here. I still hear her screaming in her sleepI could almost see him shuddering. I shuddered, too, remembering. And then I sighed. I hadnt fooled him at all, not for one second.Im so sorry, Charlie, Alice said, voice glum.Its not your fault. The way he said it made it perfectly clear that he was property someone responsible. You were always a good friend to her.She seems better now, though.Yeah. Ever since she started hanging out with Jacob Black, Ive detect a real improvement. She has some color in her cheeks when she comes home, some light in her eyes. Shes happier. He paused, and his voice was different when he spoke again. Hes a year or so younger than her, and I know she used to think of him as a friend, but I think maybe its something more now, or headed that accusation, anyway. Charlie said this in a tone that was almost belligerent. It was a warning, not for Alice, but for her to pass along. Jakes old for his eld, he continued, still sounding defensive. Hes taken care of his father physically the way Bella took care of her mother emotionally. It matured him. Hes a good-looking kid, tootakes after his moms side. Hes good for Bella, you know, Charlie insisted.Then its good she has him, Alice agreed.Charlie sighed out a heavy(p) gust of air, folding quickly to the lack of opposition. Okay, so I guess thats overstating things. I dont know even with Jacob, now and then I see something in her eyes, and I wonder if Ive ever grasped how much pain shes really in Its not normal, Alice, and it it frightens me. Not normal at all. Not like someone lef t her, but like someone died. His voice cracked.It was like someone had diedlike I had died. Because it had been more than just losing the truest of true loves, as if that were not enough to kill anyone. It was also losing a whole future, a whole familythe whole life that Id chosenCharlie went on in a hopeless tone. I dont know if shes going to get over itIm not sure if its in her nature to heal from something like this. Shes always been such a constant little thing. She doesnt get past things, change her mind.Shes one of a kind, Alice agreed in a dry voice.And Alice Charlie hesitated. Now, you know how fond I am of you, and I can tell that shes happy to see you, but Im a little worried about what your visit will do to her.So am I, Charlie, so am I. I wouldnt have come if Id had any idea. Im sorry.Dont apologize, honey. Who knows? Maybe it will be good for her.I hope youre right.There was a long break while forks scraped plates and Charlie chewed. I wondered where Alice was hiding t he food.Alice, I have to ask you something, Charlie said awkwardly.Alice was calm. Go ahead.Hes not coming back to visit, too, is he? I could hear the suppressed anger in Charlies voice.Alice answered in a soft, reassuring tone. He doesnt even know Im here. The cash in ones chips time I spoke with him, he was in South America.I stiffened as I heard this new entropy, and listened harder.Thats something, at least. Charlie snorted. Well, I hope hes enjoying himself.For the first time, Alices voice had a bit of steel in it. I wouldnt make assumptions, Charlie. I knew how her eyes would flash when she used that tone.A chair scooted from the table, scraping loudly across the floor. I pictured Charlie getting up there was no way Alice would make that kind of noise. The faucet ran, splashing against a dish.It didnt sound like they were going to say anything more about Edward, so I decided it was time to wake up.I turned over, bouncing against the springs to make them squeak. Then I yawned loudly.All was quiet in the kitchen.I stretched and groaned.Alice? I asked innocently the soreness rasping in my throat added nicely to the charade.Im in the kitchen, Bella, Alice called, no hint in her voice that she suspected my eavesdropping. But she was good at hiding things like that.Charlie had to leave thenhe was helping Sue Clearwater with the funeral arrangements. It would have been a very long day without Alice. She never spoke about leaving, and I didnt ask her. I knew it was inevitable, but I put it out of my mind.Instead, we talked about her familyall but one.Carlisle was working nights in Ithaca and teaching part time at Cornell. Esme was restoring a seventeenth century house, a historical monument, in the forest north of the city. Emmett and Rosalie had gone to Europe for a few months on another honeymoon, but they were back now. Jasper was at Cornell, too, studying philosophy this time. And Alice had been doing some personal research, concerning the information Id a ccidentally uncovered for her last spring. Shed successfully tracked down the asylum where shed spent the last years of her human life. The life she had no memory of.My name was Mary Alice Brandon, she told me quietly. I had a little sis named Cynthia. Her daughtermy nieceis still alive in Biloxi.Did you find out why they put you in that place? What would drive parents to that extreme? Even if their daughter saw visions of the futureShe just shook her head, her topaz eyes thoughtful. I couldnt find much about them. I went through all the old newspapers on microfiche. My family wasnt mentioned often they werent part of the social circle that made the papers. My parents engagement was there, and Cynthias. The name fell uncertainly from her tongue. My birth was announced and my death. I found my grave. I also filched my admissions sheet from the old asylum archives. The engagement on the admission and the date on my tombstone are the same.I didnt know what to say, and, after a short pause, Alice moved on to lighter topics.The Cullens were reassembled now, with the one exception, disbursal Cornells spring break in Denali with Tanya and her family. I listened too eagerly to even the most trivial news. She never mentioned the one I was most interested in, and for that I was grateful. It was enough to listen to the stories of the family Id once dreamed of belonging to.Charlie didnt get back until after dark, and he looked more worn than he had the night before. He would be headed back to the reservation first thing in the morning for Harrys funeral, so he turned in early. I stayed on the couch with Alice again.Charlie was almost a stranger when he came down the stairs before the sun was up, wearing an old suit Id never seen him in before. The peak hung open I guessed it was too tight to fasten the buttons. His tie was a bit wide for the current style. He tiptoed to the door, trying not to wake us up. I let him go, pretending to sleep, as Alice did on the recliner .As soon as he was out the door, Alice sat up. Under the quilt, she was fully dressed.So, what are we doing today? she asked.I dont knowdo you see anything interesting happening?She smiled and shook her head. But its still early.All the time Id been spending in La Push meant a pile of things Id been neglecting at home, and I decided to catch up on my chores. I wanted to do something, anything that might make life easier for Charliemaybe it would make him feel just a little better to come home to a clean, organized house. I started with the bathroomit showed the most signs of neglect.While I worked, Alice leaned against the doorjamb and asked nonchalant questions about my, well, our high school friends and what they been up to since shed left. Her face stayed casual and emotionless, but I sensed her disapproval when she realized how little I could tell her. Or maybe I just had a guilty conscience after eavesdropping on her conversation with Charlie yesterday morning.I was literally u p to my elbows in Comet, scrubbing the floor of the bathtub, when the doorbell rang.I looked to Alice at once, and her expression was perplexed, almost worried, which was strange Alice was never taken by surprise.Hold on I shouted in the general direction of the front door, getting up and hurrying to the sink to rinse my arms off.Bella, Alice said with a disembowel of frustration in her voice, I have a fairly good guess who that might be, and I think Id better step out.Guess? I echoed. Since when did Alice have to guess anything?If this is a repeat of my egregious lapse in foresight yesterday, then its most likely Jacob Black or one of his friends.I stared at her, putting it together. You cant see werewolves?She grimaced. So it would seem. She was obviously annoyed by this factvery annoyed.The doorbell rang againbuzzing twice quickly and impatiently.You dont have go anywhere, Alice. You were here first.She laughed her silvery little laughit had a dark edge. Trust meit wouldnt be a good idea to have me and Jacob Black in a room together.She kissed my cheek swiftly before she vanished through Charlies doorand out his back window, no doubt.The doorbell rang again.