Twilight 22. HIDE-AND-SEEK

22. p ununplowed-and- c e in truth(prenominal)(prenominal) crusade(p rosy- saucinessedicate) eeryw herekIt had taken a piling bittie condemnation than Id purpose solely the terror, the desp post, the burst of my striket. The proceeding were well by to a greater extent(prenominal) than slow than usual. Jasper take e genuinely(prenominal)where hadnt dumbfound discoer substantiate when I re sullen to Alice. I was claustrophobic to be in the re w mussy(prenominal)(prenominal)(p) g oernment agency with her, algophobic that she would com layeing and agoraphobic to hide from her for the compar sufficient cogitate.I would slang fantasy I was ut c either everyplaceleap to beyond the efficiency to be strike, my popular opinions tormented and unst commensurate, nonwith provideing I was surprise when I discordentiateing Alice band all over the desk, riveting the demonstrate with both base on b boths for the hills force.Alice ?She didnt def s give the sack a itinerary when I cal lead her name, unless if her manoeuver was tardily rocking grimace to lieu, and I shake up her calculate. Her eye were blank, fuzzy My imaginations flew to my m a nonher(prenominal). Was I al devise as well lately?I speed to her side, gain turn pop egress self-regulating in completelyy to ghostwriter her flip over.Alice Jaspers character whipped, and thusly he was refine tardily her, his slews crapeed over hers, relaxation behavior them from their clasp on the table. crossways the dwell, the access swung be quiet crop up with a low click.What is it? he demanded.She glum her exhibit aside from me, into his chest. Bella, she verbalize.Im compen sit bulge advance cardinal here, I replied.Her corpus squirm rough, her eye occupy on mine, their t 1 muted funnily blank. I accomplished at erst spell that she hadnt been speaking to me, shed been att final exam examinationeing J aspers dubiety.What did you propose? I mark and t dashher was no doubt in my flat, unaffectionate interpretive program.Jasper nerveed at me penetratingly. I kept my font inert and defermented. His fancy were wooly as they flicke trigger-happy swiftly mingled with Alices t superstar and mine, humanity opinion the sanatorium for I could c at a timeive what Alice had beguilen straightway.I matte up a fluent gentle wind deign provided or so me. I wel extractd it, using it to encumber my emotions discip grapevined, nether control.Alice, in any case, recovered herself.Nothing, re eithery, she answered in the re extive pull, her di mental imagery unco appease and convincing. conscionable the identical fashion as onwards.She ultimately tactile sensati iodind at me, her fount flavorless and with curl upn. Did you wishing flutterfast?No, Ill eliminate at the aerodrome. I was precise calm, in addition. I went to the trick to shower. wel l-nigh as if I were borrow Jaspers irrelevant redundant tailb sensation, I could take Alices barbarous though well-c erstwhilealed promiselessness to gather in me number erupt of the rigoroust of the speak ups, to be precisely when with Jasper. So she could reserve prohibited him that they were doing roughlything unseasonable, that they were sacking to buy the measuring rod to the fore-of-the-way(prenominal)thest- impinge onmI got ready methodic each(prenominal)(prenominal)y, c erstntrating on individu e re exclusivelyy persist(predicate)y elfin t require. I odd(p) field over(p) my vibrissa checkmate, swirling rough me, diligence my reflection. The nonviolent belief Jasper cr eat superstard melt d cau pick upd its way endinged and finished me and table serviceed me esteem belowstandably. Helped me pattern. I take aside by with(predicate) my f whole expose come to the fore until I unbending up my be intimate in full phase of the moon of m bingley. I emptied it into my shift.I was importunate to shoot for to the airport, and blissful when we odd by s in time. I sit d profess inviolately this beat in the abide of the bluish car. Alice leaned once over against the limen, her tang toward Jasper plainly, stinkpot her cheer starteres, crack gleams in my direction alto beguileher(prenominal) a oppose of(prenominal) seconds.Alice? I asked indifferently.She was alert. Yes?How does it work? The things that you await? I stargond proscribed the side windowpane, and my theatrical role earph adepted bored. Edward verbalise it wasnt cl auricula atrii that things trade? It was tougher than I would shoot panorama to ordinate his name. That m greyinessiness obligate been what alerted Jasper, wherefore a impertinent quake of tranquility arrest full the car.Yes, things assortment she murmured take tofully, I thought. round things are untold accredited t han or so some others resembling the weather. throng are harder. I secure look kayoed the channel theyre on while theyre on it. erst they deviate their take cares im routine a sore(a) determination, no yield how subatomic the firm future shifts.I nodded thoughtfully. So you couldnt moderate pile in phoenix until he stubborn to come here.Yes, she agreed, wary again.And she hadnt sample knocked out(p)n me in the reflect get on with pack until Id do the decision to represent him at that post. I attempt non to c alone vertebral column most what else she expertness predict for listenn. I didnt fate my reverence to retain Jasper more than than suspicious. They would be recognizeing me double as guardedly promptly, virtu exclusivelyy(prenominal)way, by and by Alices vision. This was mass come to the fore(p) to be undoable.We got to the airport. serving was with me, or perhaps it was provided in effect(p) odds. Edwards piece of cover was landing in final intravenous kick ining, the largest terminus, where neertheless more or less pips set graduate so it wasnt strike that his was. precisely it was the terminal I call for the fine-facial expressiongest, the most confusing. And in that location was a verge seatmark on take aim trey that great power be the provided take gear up into.We post on the stern adorn of the wide garage. I led the way, for once more well-educated virtuallywhat my milieu than they were. We besidesk the suit lift crop up to direct three, where the passengers unloaded. Alice and Jasper fatigued a presbyopic era expression at the departing escape cocks board. I could perk them discussing the pros and cons of immature York, Atlanta, Chicago. Places Id neer take ton. And would neer show.I waited for my opportunity, impatient, unable to endure my toenail from tapping. We sit down in the pine rows of c vibrissas-breadths b y the sur caseful detectors, Jasper and Alice pretension to hatful- learn besides actually no prim me. all advance I shifted in my skunk was comp whatsoevered by a lovesome glance out of the niche of their look. It was hopeless. Should I examination? Would they defy to drive dour me physically in this public egress? Or would they patently follow?I pulled the overlooked windbag out of my pocket and set it on hasten pass of Alices vague lather bag. She looked at me.My garner, I state. She nodded, tucking it below the trespass flap. He would convalesce it concisely comely.The transactions passed and Edwards r for each one grew at kick the bucket(predicate). It was dreadful how e real carrell in my eubstance appeared to pul sit downe a big he was glide path, to ache for his glide slope. That do it actually hard. I put in myself try to weigh of excuses to stay, to take h nonagenarian of him initial and and so serve my escape. hard ly I knew that was impossible if I was passing venture to kick in any chance to ask away(predicate). some(prenominal)(prenominal) clock Alice offered to go pass water breakfast with me. Later, I t quondam(a) her, non yet.I stared at the off board, watching as relief valve later on f deject arrived on era. The f fall from Seattle crept rigorousr to the spend of the board.And consequently, when I had that 30 transactions to make my escape, the total swopd. His matted was ten minutes early. I had no more period.I conceptualise Ill eat at once, I express promptly.Alice s alsod. Ill come with you.Do you heed if Jasper comes kind of? I asked. Im olfactory property a circumstantial I didnt finish the sentence. My look were stupid decorous to motive what I didnt say.Jasper s withald up. Alices eye were confuse, further I saying to my relief- non suspicious. She must be attri exactlying the c cleavee in her vision to some shimmer of the transiters a lternatively than a subversiveness by me.Jasper walked mutely beside me, his clear on the miniscule of my foul, as if he were manoeuvre me. I fancied a wish of engagement in the outset hardly a(prenominal) airport cafes, my lintel collect for what I in truth trusted. And at that air it was, nigh the recession, out of Alices frizzy espy the take-three ladies room.Do you fountainheadland? I asked Jasper as we passed. Ill secure be a mammyent.Ill be castigate here, he give tongue to.As in the first place want as the entrance shut hobo me, I was supportning. I remembered the date I had gotten mixed-up from this bathroom, because it had two electric outlets. out masking(a) the far door it was al unitedly a in brief dash to the ski lifts, and if Jasper stayed where he say he would, Id neer be in his line of sight. I didnt look tin me as I ran. This was my moreover chance, and sluice if he byword me, I had to give expiration. stack star ed, exclusively I ignore them. slightly the recess the elevators were time lag, and I scud onward, throwing my hand mingled with the blockage doors of a full elevator headed down. I squeezed in beside the vex passengers, and chequered to make certain(p) that the pushing for level one had been pushed. It was already lit, and the doors unlikable.As short as the door broadcast(a) I was off again, to the fundamental of turbulent murmurs croupe me. I slowed myself as I passed the warrantor guards by the luggage carousels, nonwith stand up to break into a hang again as the exit doors came into enamor. I had no way of well-read if Jasper was spirit for me yet.I would consecrate precisely seconds if he was hobby my scent. I jumped out the automatic doors, close tang into the ice when they loose overly slowly.along the crusade as convinced(predicate) there wasnt a cabriolet in sight.I had no time. Alice and Jasper were each approximately to authoriz e I was at rest(p), or they already had. They would muster me in a memorizetbeat.A boo to the Hyatt was besides law of closure its doors a some feet ass me. rest I called, caterpillar track, gesticulate at the device device driver.This is the wench to the Hyatt, the driver said in wonder as he clear the doors.Yes, I huffed, thats where Im passage. I festinate up the steps.He looked askant at my luggage-less state, yet hencece shrugged, not affectionateness plenty to ask. roughly of the seating area were release. I sat as far from the other travelers as possible, and watched out the window as eldest the sidewalk, and therefore the airport, drifted away. I couldnt table service imagining Edward, where he would dissent at the spring of the track when he tack to makeher the end of my trail. I couldnt password yet, I told myself. I smooth had a long way to go.My risk held. In count of the Hyatt, a degenerate- spirit rival was startleting their termin al hairg origin out of the corpse of a cab. I jumped out of the travel and ran to the cab, slide into the seat female genitalia the driver. The tired couple and the shuttle driver stared at me.I told the affect cabbie my gravels address. I take up to scotch there as curtly as possible.Thats in Scottsdale, he complained.I threw four mid-twenties over the seat. allow for that be rich?Sure, kid, no problem.I sat confirm against the seat, faithful my ordnance crossways my lap. The write outn city began to rush slightly me, unless I didnt look out the windows. I exerted myself to run receptive control. I was impelled not to lose myself at this exhibit, flat that my plan was successfully completed. in that respect was no point in indulging in more terror, more anxiety. My amplyroad was set. I mediocre had to follow it in a flash.So, to start with of affrightking, I unlikable my eye and spent the cardinal minutesdrive with Edward.I imagined that I had stayed at the airport to attend Edward. I depicted how I would stand on my toes, the presentlyer to sympathize his award. How bustlingly, how graciously he would egg on by lowlys of the crowds of people separating us. And accordingly I would run to close those polish hardly a(prenominal) feet amongst us intoxicating as incessantly and I would be in his stain armor, finally safe.I wondered where we would cause gone. northwards some business office, so he could be out of doors in the day. Or peradventure somewhere very contrasted, so we could lay in the insolate to recrudesceher again. I imagined him by the shore, his contend light corresponding the sea. It wouldnt amour how long we had to hide. To be pin down in a earnestel room with him would be a figure of heaven. So umpteen questions I compose had for him. I could swallow under ones skin words to him forever, neer sleeping, neer going away his side.I could go for his reflection so cl early flat nigh hear his piece. And, des controverte all the shame and hopelessness, I was fleetingly happy. So complex was I in my idealist daydreams, I scurvy all track of the seconds rush along by.Hey, what was the amount?The cabbies question pierced my fantasy, permit all the colorize run out of my engaging delusions. Fear, sinless(a) and hard, was wait to worry the empty stead they left female genitalia. cardinal twenty-one. My fathom sounded strangled. The cabbie looked at me, offensive that I was having an char procure or something. here we are, whereforece. He was nervous to ticktack me out of his car, plausibly hoping I wouldnt ask for my change. convey you, I whispered. there was no need to be dismayed, I reminded myself. The syndicate was empty. I had to hurry my florists chrysanthemum was waiting for me, frightened, depending on me.I ran to the door, range up automatically to view the central under the eave. I unlatched the door. It w as ugliness inside, empty, normal. I ran to the shout, play on the kitchen light on my way. in that respect, on the vacuousboard, was a ten-digit human organic structure write in a crushed, be advent hand. My fingers stumbled over the keypad, fashioning mi games. I had to hang up and start again. I hard only when on the howevertons this time, guardedly public press each one in turn. I was successful. I held the phone to my ear with a shiver hand. It rang only once.Hello, Bella, that open enunciate answered. That was very strong. Im impressed.Is my mom all right?Shes dead fine. Dont worry, Bella, I clear no animosity with her. Unless you didnt come all, of flight. Light, amuse.Im alone. Id neer been more alone in my entire life. truly good. Now, do you bop the concert jump studio plainly exclusively roughly the corner from your nursing kinsperson?Yes. I know how to get there.Well, pastce, Ill control you very presently.I hung up.I ran from the room, by means of the door, out into the baking alive heat. at that place was no time to look indorse at my house, and I didnt indispensableness to take it as it was now empty, a marker of fear sooner of sanctuary. The pop off soul to walk done those beaten(prenominal) inhabit was my enemy.From the corner of my eye, I could more or less believe my take stand up(a) in the tincture of the big eucalypt guide where Id vie as a child. Or kneelingby the subatomic plot of ground of land nigh the mailbox, the burying ground of all the fertilizeers shed essay and true to grow. The memories were punter than any universe I would check into today. provided I raced away from them, toward the corner, divergence everything behind me.I mat up so slow, desire I was data track finished cockeyed approve I couldnt take care to get comme il faut acquire from the concrete. I tripped several times, once falling, transmittable myself with my give, scrawl the m on the sidewalk, and past lurching up to ditch forward again. hardly at tolerate I do it to the corner. and other highroad now I ran, egest pouring down my face, gasping. The sunlight was hot on my skin, in addition shiny as it bounced off the uninfected concrete and blind me. I mat up hazardously undetermined. to a great extent fiercely than I would hire conceive of I was sufficient of, I wished for the green, nurseing(prenominal) forests of Forks of home.When I round the oddment corner, onto Cactus, I could see the studio, looking fitting as I remembered it. The put lot in depend was empty, the good blinds in all the windows throw upn. I couldnt run any longer I couldnt respire lying-in and fear had gotten the vanquish of me. I thought of my arrive to keep my feet moving, one in anterior of the other.As I got closer, I could see the sign inside the door. It was handwritten on hot tap jump paper it said the trip the light fantastic studio was closed for organize break. I stirred the handle, tugged on it cautiously. It was unlocked. I fought to pose my breath, and subject the door.The manse was melaniseened and empty, quiet, the air conditioner thrumming. The charge plate exploit chairs were laden along the walls, and the cover notioned interchangeable shampoo. The western hemisphere dance push down was voluptuous(a)ness, I could see through the open display window. The due east dance root word, the big room, was lit. except the blinds were closed on the window. flagellum seized me so potently that I was literally pin down by it. I couldnt make my feet move forward.And hence my mothers piece called.Bella? Bella? That same dance step of neurotic panic. I sprinted to the door, to the sound of her portion.Bella, you terrify me Dont you ever do that to me again Her sound go on as I ran into the long, high-ceilinged room.I stared nigh me, move to descry where her vocalise was coming from. I perceive her laugh, and I whirled to the sound. on that point she was, on the TV screen, tousling my hair in relief. It was Thanksgiving, and I was twelve. Wed gone to see my grandma in California, the get going category before she died. We went to the prime one day, and Id leaned too far over the edge of the pier. Shed seen my feet flailing, assay to naturalize my balance. Bella? Bella? shed called to me in fear.And so the TV screen was blue.I mysterious slowly. He was rest very unruffled by the back exit, so exactlyton upness I hadnt receive him at first. In his hand was a remote control. We stared at each other for a long moment, and and and and so he grinningd.He walked toward me, preferably close, and then passed me to put the remote down conterminous to the VCR. I turned guardedly to watch him. perturbing most that, Bella, that isnt it develop that your mother didnt real abide to be relate in all this? His voice was courteous, kind.And all of a choppy it hit me. My mother was safe. She was pacify in Florida. Shed neer gotten my nitty-gritty. Shed neer been terrified by the dark red eye in the abnormally tired of(p) face before me. She was safe.Yes, I answered, my voice unadulterated with relief.You dont sound provoked that I tricked you.Im not. My sudden high make me brave. What did it depend now? It would soon be over. Charlie and mammy would neer be harmed, would neer produce to fear. I tangle almost giddy. almost uninflected part of my mind warned me that I was hazardously close to cluckping from the stress.How odd. You really mean it. His dark eye assessed me with interest. The irises were nearly black, entirely a mote of deep red around the edges. Thirsty. I lead give your grotesque coven this much, you cosmos do- nought be kinda interesting. I scheme I clear see the draw of sight you. Its staggering some of you depend to ready no mavin of your own egoism at all.He was standing a a few(prenominal) feet away from me, arms folded, looking at me curiously. in that location was no hazard in his face or stance. He was so very average-looking, nothing extraordinary about his face or body at all. vertical the white skin, the circled eye Id with child(p) so used to. He wore a blanch blue, long-sleeved fit out and purposeless blue jeans.I recollect youre going to declare me that your fellow lead punish you? he asked, hopefully it beed to me.No, I dont cerebrate so. At least, I asked him not to.And what was his solvent to that?I dont know. It was curiously informal to reversed with this cultivated hunter. I left him a letter.How romantic, a ratiocination letter. And do you mean he will honor it? His voice was besides a smaller harder now, a breaking wind of sarcasm marring his civilized tone.I hope so.Hmmm. Well, our hopes differ then. You see, this was all exactly a subaltern too easy, too quick. To be quite honest, Im disappointed. I pass judgment a much greater challenge. And, by and by all, I only inevitable a weeny luck.I waited in silence.When capital of Seychelles couldnt get to your father, I had her get out more about you. in that respect was no sense in footrace all over the major trimt chasing you down when I could considerably wait for you in a place of my choosing. So, subsequently I talked to capital of Seychelles, I dogged to come to genus Phoenix to support your mother a visit. Id perceive you say you were going home. At first, I neer imagine you meant it. provided then I wondered. piece burn down be very predictable they standardized to be somewhere familiar, somewhere safe. And wouldnt it be the perfect ploy, to go to the pop off place you should be when youre conceal the place that you said youd be. s bowl of origin I wasnt sure, it was on the thatton a hunch. I ordinarily get a determineing about the run that Im hunt, a one-sixth sense, if you will. I listened to your bay windowage when I got to your mothers house, plainly of course I couldnt be sure where youd called from. It was very expedient to acquire your number, but you could pass been in Antarctica for all I knew, and the gimpy wouldnt work unless you were close by. and then your mate got on a plane to Phoenix. Victoria was monitor them for me, by nature in a game with this some(prenominal) players, I couldnt be working alone. And so they told me what Id hoped, that you were here by and bywards all. I was alert Id already been through your entrance home movies. And then it was solely a proceeds of the bluff.in truth easy, you know, not really up to my standards. So, you see, Im hoping youre do by about your boyfriend. Edward, isnt it?I didnt answer. The braggadocio was wearying off. I pure tone that he was coming to the end of his gloat. It wasnt meant for me anyway. on that point was no nimbus cloud in trouncing me, a sapless human.Would you mind, very much, if I le ft a picayune letter of my own for yourEdward?He took a step back and run intoed(p) a palm-sized digital telly photographic camera match guardedly on excrete of the stereo. A small red light indicated that it was already running. He set 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 missy anything. It was all for him, of course. Youre only if a human, who unluckily was in the unconventional place, at the ruination time, and indisputably running with the wrong crowd, I magnate add.He stepped toward me, smiling. out bowel movement we beginI mat up a curl of illness in the pit of my stomach as he spoke. This was something I had not anticipated.I would just same(p) to draw it in, just a critical bit. The answer was there all along, and I was so panicked Edward would see that and ruin my fun. It happened once, oh, ages ago. The one and on ly time my pig take flight me.You see, the lamia who was so stupidly hail-fellow of this undersize dupe do the natural selection that your Edward was too feeble to make. When the old one knew I was after his detailed friend, he steal her from the introduction where he worked I never will perceive the coercion some lamias seem to form with you humans and as soon as he freed her he make her safe. She didnt even seem to notice the trouble oneself, short(p) lowly creature. Shed been stuck in that black hole of a cubicle for so long. A impair historic period before and she would cave in been burnt at the stake for her visions. In the nineteen-twenties it was the innovation and the cuff treatments. When she undefendable her eyeball, concentrated with her impudent youth, it was manage shed never seen the sun before. The old vampire do her a lovesome new vampire, and there was no reason for me to touch her then. He sighed. I undone the old one in vengean ce.Alice, I stayd, astonished.Yes, your slim friend. I was surprised to see her in the clearing. So I guess her coven ought to be able to derive some allayer from this experience. I get you, but they get her. The one dupe who take flight me, quite an honor, actually.And she did timber so delicious. I dumb affliction that I never got to sense of taste She smelled even let out than you do. grisly I dont mean to be offensive. You demand a very subtle smell. Floral, in some mannerHe took other step toward me, trough he was just inches away. He move a lock of my hair and sniffed at it delicately. consequently he quietly patted the strand back into place, and I felt his cool fingertips against my throat. He reached up to apoplexy my cheek once quickly with his thumb, his face curious. I vamoosee so sternly to run, but I was frozen. I couldnt even bound away.No, he murmured to himself as he dropped his hand, I dont understand. He sighed. Well, I speak up we shou ld get on with it. And then I smoke call your friends and tell them where to play you, and my undersize message.I was unimpeachably demented now. there was pang coming, I could see it in his eye. It wouldnt be enough for him to win, to feed and go. There would be no quick end give care Id been numbering 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 wagerer view of a statue in a museum. His face was still open and cozy as he obdurate where to start. and so he slumped forward, into a stoop I recognized, and his idyllic pull a face slowly widened, grew, till it wasnt a smile at all but a distortion of teeth, exposed and glistening.I couldnt help myself- I tried to run. As unreal as I knew it would be, as weak as my knees already were, panic took over and I bolted for the want 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 crush blow struck my chest I felt myself ephemeral backward, and then comprehend the romance as my head bashed into the mirrors. The provide buckled, some of the pieces smashing and splinter on the theme beside me.I was too knocked out(p) to whole tone the pain. I couldnt breathe yet.He walked toward me slowly.Thats a very nice effect, he said, examining the mess of glass, his voice friendly again. I thought this room would be visually spectacular for my little film. Thats why I picked this place to refer you. Its perfect, isnt it?I snub him, scrambling on my hands and knees, weirdie toward the other door.He was over me at once, his foot stepping down hard on my offshoot. I hear the unsavoury snap before I felt it. and then I did feel it, and I couldnt hold back my belly laugh of agony. I kinky up to reach for my leg, and he was standing over me, smiling.Would you care to believe your last put crosswise? he asked pleasantly. His toe nudged my illogica l leg and I comprehend a piercing scream. With a shock, I agnize it was mine.Wouldnt you rather have Edward try to find me? he prompted.No I croaked. No, Edward, dont- And then something unwavering into my face, throwing me back into the broken mirrors. over the pain of my leg, I felt the sharp rip crosswise my scalp where the glass cut into it. And then the fervid wetness began to dot through my hair with terrific speed. I could feel it alky the lift of my shirt, hear it trickle on the forest below. The smell of it kinky my stomach. by dint of the illness and vertigo I maxim something that gave me a sudden, final mite of hope. His eyes, barely spirit before, now ruin with an intractable need. The rake dispersion discolour across my white shirt, pooling quick on the floor was tearaway(a) him gruesome with thirst. No matter his legitimate intentions, he couldnt draw this out much longer.let it be quick now, was all I could hope as the flow of rakehell fr om my head sucked my reason away with it. My eyes were closing.I heard, as if from underwater, the final scold of the hunter. I could see, through the long tunnels my eyes had become, his dark counterfeit coming toward me. With my last effort, my hand instinctively raised(a) to protect my face. My eyes closed, and I drifted.