The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 12. TIME

I HAVE FORESEEN . . . , ALICE BEGAN IN AN OMINOUS t angiotensin converting enzyme.Ed fightd threw an elbow toward her ribs, which she neatly dodged.Fine, she grumbled. Edward is making me do this. But I did fore coating that you would be much difficult if I surprised you.We were walking to the car after school, and I was alto numberher clueless as to what she was talking or so.In English? I requested.Dont be a baby near this. No tantrums.Now Im s aidd.So youre I mean were having a commencement exercise party. Its no well-favoured thing. aught to freak out all over. But I axiom that you would freak out if I tried to mark it a surprise party she danced out of the expressive style as Edward reached over to muss her hair and Edward state I had to tell you. But its nonhing. Promise.I sighed heavily. Is there either point in arguing?n adept at all(prenominal).Okay, Alice. Ill be there. And Ill hate e real minute of it. Promise.Thats the spirit By the way, I love my gift . You shouldnt have.Alice, I didntOh, I k flat that. But you will.I racked my brains in panic, trying to remember what Id ever decided to soak up her for graduation that she might have breakn.Amazing, Edward muttered. How flowerpot fewvirtuoso so tiny be so vexatious?Alice laughed. Its a talent.Couldnt you have waited a few weeks to tell me almost this? I awaited petulantly. Now Ill honest be stressed that more longsighteder.Alice pull a faceed at me.Bella, she arrange slowly. Do you know what day it is?Monday?She rolled her eye. Yes. It is Monday . . . the fourth. She grabbed my elbow, spun me halfway around, and pointed toward a big yellow poster taped to the gym door. There, in sharp black letters, was the date of graduation. only one week from today.Its the fourth? Of June? Are you sure?Neither one answered. Alice just shook her resulting sadly, feigning disappointment, and Edwards eyebrows lifted.It kittyt be How did that happen? I tried to count backwards in m y head, only I couldnt figure out where the days had gone.I felt standardised someone had kicked my legs out from under me. The weeks of stress, of apprehension . . . somehow in the middle of all my obsessing over the clip, my time had disappeargond. My space for sorting through with(predicate) it all, for making plans, had vanished. I was out of time.And I wasnt ready.I didnt know how to do this. How to say goodbye to Charlie and Rene . . . to Jacob . . . to existence human.I knew exactly what I indispensablenessed, scarce I was suddenly terrified of getting it.In theory, I was anxious, stock-still bore-hole to trade mortality for immortality. After all, it was the key to staying with Edward forever. And then(prenominal) there was the fact that I was being hunted by known and unknown parties. Id rather non sit around, helpless and delicious, waiting for one of them to catch up with me.In theory, that all arousede sense.In practice . . . being human was all I knew. The future beyond that was a big, dark abyss that I couldnt know until I leaped into it.This unprejudiced knowledge, todays date which was so obvious that I must have been subconsciously repressing it made the deadline Id been impatiently counting down toward feel manage a date with the firing squad.In a wisp analogous way, I was aware of Edward holding the car door for me, of Alice chattering from the backseat, of the rain hammering against the windshield. Edward seemed to advance I was only there in eubstance he didnt try to pull me out of my abstraction. Or by chance he did, and I was past noticing.We ended up at my house, where Edward led me to the sofa and pulled me down following(a) to him. I surveyd out the window, into the liquid gray haze, and tried to move up where my resolve had gone. Why was I panicking now? Id known the deadline was coming. Why should it frighten me that it was here?I dont know how long he let me stare out the window in silence. But the rain was disappearing into darkness when it was finally too oft for him.He put his cold hands on either side of my wait and fixed his prospering eye on mine.Would you please tell me what you are saying? Before I go mad?What could I say to him? That I was a coward? I searched for words.Your lips are white. Talk, Bella.I exhaled in a big gust. How long had I been holding my breath?The date took me off guard, I whispered. Thats all.He waited, his hardiness safe of worry and skepticism.I tried to explain. Im not sure what to do . . . what to tell Charlie . . . what to say . . . how to . . . My contribution trailed off.This isnt about the party?I frowned. No. But thanks for reminding me.The rain was louder as he read my acquaint.Youre not ready, he whispered.I am, I lied immediately, a reflex reaction. I could tell he saw through it, so I took a deep breath, and told the truth. I have to be.You dont have to be eachthing.I could feel the panic surfacing in my look as I mouthed the reaso ns. Victoria, Jane, Caius, whoever was in my room . . . totally the more reason to wait.That doesnt make any sense, EdwardHe pressed his hands more tightly to my face and spoke with slow deliberation.Bella. Not one of us had a choice. Youve seen what its done . . . to Rosalie especially. Weve all struggled, trying to assuage ourselves with something we had no control over. I wont let it be that way for you. You will have a choice.Ive already made my choice.You arent sledding through with this because a sword is hanging over your head. We will take care of the problems, and I will take care of you, he vowed. When were through it, and there is nothing forcing your hand, then you can decide to join me, if you still want to. But not because youre afraid. You wont be forced into this.Carlisle promised, I mumbled, inappropriate out of habit. After graduation.Not until youre ready, he said in a sure voice. And definitely not maculation you feel threatened.I didnt answer. I didnt have it in me to argue I couldnt seem to find my commitment at the moment.There. He kissed my forehead. Nothing to worry about.I laughed a shaky laugh. Nothing scarce impending doom.Trust me.I do.He was still watching my face, waiting for me to relax.Can I ask you something? I said.Anything.I hesitated, biting my lip, and then asked a different question than the one I was up turned about.What am I getting Alice for graduation?He snickered. It looked like you were getting us both project tickets -Thats right I was so relieved, I almost smiled. The concert in Tacoma. I saw an ad in the paper last week, and I thought it would be something youd like, since you said it was a good CD.Its a great idea. Thank you.I hope its not sold out.Its the thought that counts. I ought to know.I sighed.Theres something else you meant to ask, he said.I frowned. Youre good.I have lots of practice reading your face. Ask me.I closed my eyes and leaned into him, hiding my face against his chest. You dont want me to be a vampire.No, I dont, he said softly, and then he waited for more. Thats not a question, he prompted after a moment.Well . . . I was worrying about . . . wherefore you feel that way.Worrying? He picked out the word with surprise.Would you tell me why? The whole truth, not economy my feelings?He hesitated for a minute. If I answer your question, will you then explain your question?I nodded, my face still hidden.He took a deep breath before he answered. You could do so very much better, Bella. I know that you believe I have a soul, only Im not en jadely convert on that point, and to risk yours . . . He shook his head slowly. For me to allow this to let you be acclaim what I am just so that Ill never have to lose you is the most selfish act I can imagine. I want it more than anything, for myself. But for you, I want so much more. Giving in it feels criminal. Its the most selfish thing Ill ever do, even if I live forever.If there were any way for me to become human for you no matter what the price was, I would pay it.I sat very still, absorbing this.Edward thought he was being selfish.I felt the smile slowly spread crossways my face.So . . . its not that youre afraid you wont . . . like me as much when Im different when Im not soft and sensitive and I dont smell the same? You in reality do want to take place me, no matter how I turn out?He exhaled sharply. You were worried I wouldnt like you? he demanded. Then, before I could answer, he was laughing. Bella, for a fairly intuitive person, you can be so obtuseI knew he would think it silly, but I was relieved. If he really wanted me, I could get through the rest . . . somehow. selfish suddenly seemed like a beautiful word.I dont think you realize how much easier it will be for me, Bella, he said, the echo of his humor still there in his voice, when I dont have to concentrate all the time on not killing you. Certainly, there are things Ill miss. This for one . . .He stared into my eyes as he st roked my cheek, and I felt the blood rush up to color my skin. He laughed gently.And the sound of your heart, he continued, more serious but still smiling a diminutive. Its the most significant sound in my world. Im so attuned to it now, I swear I could pick it out from miles away. But neither of these things matter. This, he said, winning my face in his hands. You. Thats what Im keeping. Youll always be my Bella, youll just be a little more durable.I sighed and let my eyes close in contentment, resting there in his hands.Now will you answer a question for me? The whole truth, not sparing my feelings? he asked.Of course, I answered at once, my eyes opening extensive with surprise. What would he want to know?He spoke the words slowly. You dont want to be my wife.My heart s twingeped, and then broke into a sprint. A cold sweat dewed on the back of my neck and my hands turned to ice.He waited, watching and listening to my reaction.Thats not a question, I finally whispered.He looked down, his lashes casting long shadows across his cheekbones, and dropped his hands from my face to pick up my frozen left-hand(a) hand. He played with my fingers while he spoke.I was worrying about why you felt that way.I tried to swallow. Thats not a question, either, I whispered.Please, Bella?The truth? I asked, only mouthing the words.Of course. I can take it, whatever it is.I took a deep breath. Youre deviation to laugh at me.His eyes flashed up to mine, shocked. Laugh? I cannot imagine that.Youll see, I muttered, and then I sighed. My face went from white to scarlet in a sudden blaze of chagrin. Okay, comely Im sure this will sound like some big joke to you, but really Its just so . . . so . . . so embarrassing I confessed, and I hid my face against his chest again.There was a brief pause.Im not following you.I tilted my head back and glared at him, embarrassment making me lash out, belligerent.Im not that girl, Edward. The one who gets married right out of high school like some small-town hick who got knocked up by her boyfriend Do you know what people would think? Do you realize what century this is? People dont just get married at eighteen Not smart people, not responsible, mature people I wasnt going to be that girl Thats not who I am. . . . I trailed off, losing steam.Edwards face was impossible to read as he thought through my answer.Thats all? he finally asked.I blinked. Isnt that plenteous?Its not that you were . . . more eager for immortality itself than for just me?And then, though Id predicted that he would laugh, I was suddenly the one having hysterics.Edward I gasped out between the paroxysms of giggles. And here . . . I always . . . thought that . . . you were . . . so much . . . smarter than meHe took me in his arms, and I could feel that he was laughing with me.Edward, I said, managing to speak more clearly with a little effort, theres no point to forever without you. I wouldnt want one day without you.Well, thats a relief, he said.Sti ll . . . it doesnt change anything.Its nice to generalise, though. And I do understand your perspective, Bella, truly I do. But Id like it very much if youd try to consider mine.Id sobered up by then, so I nodded and struggled to keep the frown off my face.His liquid gold eyes turned hypnotic as they held mine.You see, Bella, I was always that boy. In my world, I was already a man. I wasnt looking for love no, I was far too eager to be a soldier for that I thought of nothing but the idealized glory of the war that they were selling prospective draftees then but if I had found . . . He paused, cocking his head to the side. I was going to say if I had found someone, but that wont do. If I had found you, there isnt a doubt in my mind how I would have proceeded. I was that boy, who would have as soon as I notice that you were what I was looking for gotten down on one knee and endeavored to secure your hand. I would have wanted you for eternity, even when the word didnt have quite the same connotations.He smiled his crooked smile at me.I stared at him with my eyes frozen wide.Breathe, Bella, he reminded me, smiling.I breathed.Can you see my side, Bella, even a little bit?And for one second, I could. I saw myself in a long skirt and a high-necked lace blouse with my hair piled up on my head. I saw Edward looking dashing in a light suit with a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand, sitting beside me on a porch swing.I shook my head and swallowed. I was just having Anne of Green Gables flashbacks.The thing is, Edward, I said in a shaky voice, avoiding the question, in my mind, marriage and eternity are not reciprocally exclusive or mutually inclusive concepts. And since were living in my world for the moment, maybe we should go with the times, if you know what I mean.But on the other hand, he countered, you will soon be leaving time behind you altogether. So why should the transitory customs of one local culture affect the decision so much?I pursed my lips. When in Rome?He laughed at me. You dont have to say yes or no today, Bella. Its good to understand both sides, though, dont you think?So your condition . . . ?Is still in effect. I do see your point, Bella, but if you want me to change you myself. . . .Dum, dum, dah-dum, I hummed under my breath. I was going for the wedding march, but it sort of sounded like a dirge.Time continued to move too fast.That night flew by dreamlessly, and then it was morning and graduation was staring me in the face. I had a pile of studying to do for my finals that I knew I wouldnt get halfway through in the few days I had left.When I came down for breakfast, Charlie was already gone. Hed left the paper on the table, and that reminded me that I had some shopping to do. I hoped the ad for the concert was still caterpillar tread I needed the phone number to get the stupid tickets. It didnt seem like much of a gift now that all the surprise was gone. Of course, trying to surprise Alice wasnt the brightest plan to begin with.I meant to contrive right back to the entertainment section, but the thick black headline caught my attention. I felt a thrill of fear as I leaned closer to read the front-page story.SEATTLE TERRORIZED BY SLAYINGSIts been less than a hug drug since the city of Seattle was the hunting ground for the most prolific straight killer in U.S. history. Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, was convicted of the murders of 48 women.And now a beleaguered Seattle must face the possibility that it could be harboring an even more horrifying heavyweight at this very moment.The police are not calling the recent rash of homicides and disappearances the work of a serial killer. Not yet, at least. They are reluctant to believe so much carnage could be the work of one individual. This killer if, in fact, it is one person would then be responsible for 39 linked homicides and disappearances within the last three months alone. In comparison, Ridgways 48- count murder spree was scattered over a 21-year period. If these deaths can be linked to one man, then this is the most violent rampage of serial murder in American history.The police are leaning instead toward the theory that gang body process is involved. This theory is supported by the sheer number of victims, and by the fact that there seems to be no pattern in the choice of victims.From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy, the targets of serial killings are usually connected by similarities in age, gender, race, or a combination of the three. The victims of this crime wave range in age from 15-year-old honor savant Amanda Reed, to 67-year-old retired postman Omar Jenks. The linked deaths include a nearly even 18 women and 21 men. The victims are racially diverse Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics and Asians.The selection appears random. The motive seems to be killing for no other reason than to kill.So why even consider the idea of a serial killer?There are enough similarities in the modus operandi to rule ou t unrelated crimes. Every victim discovered has been burned to the extent that alveolar records were necessary for identification. The use of some kind of accelerant, like gasoline or alcohol, seems to be indicated in the conflagrations however, no traces of any accelerant have yet been found. All of the bodies have been carelessly dumped with no attempt at concealment. much gruesome yet, most of the remains show evidence of brutal violence bones crushed and snapped by some kind of tremendous pressure which medical examiners believe occurred before the time of death, though these conclusions are difficult to be sure of, considering the state of the evidence.Another similarity that points to the possibility of a serial all crime is perfectly clean of evidence, aside from the remains themselves. Not a fingerprint, not a tire tread mark nor a foreign hair is left behind. There have been no sightings of any suspect in the disappearances.Then there are the disappearances themselves hardly low profile by any means. None of the victims are what could be viewed as easy targets. None are runaways or the homeless, who vanish so easily and are seldom reported missing. Victims have vanished from their homes, from a fourth- story apartment, from a health club, from a wedding reception. Perhaps the most astounding 30- year-old amateur boxer Robert Walsh entered a film theater with a date a few minutes into the movie, the woman realized that he was not in his seat. His body was found only three hours later when fire fighters were called to the scene of a burning trash Dumpster, xx miles away.Another pattern is present in the slayings all of the victims disappeared at night.And the most alarming pattern? Acceleration. sextet of the homicides were committed in the basic month, 11 in the second. Twenty- twain have occurred in the last 10 days alone. And the police are no closer to finding the responsible party than they were after the first charred body was discovered. The evidence is conflicting, the pieces horrifying. A vicious new gang or a wildly agile serial killer? Or something else the police havent yet conceived of?Only one conclusion is indisputable something hideous is stalking Seattle.It took me three tries to read the last sentence, and I realized the problem was my shaking hands.Bella?Focused as I was, Edwards voice, though quiet and not totally unexpected, made me gasp and whirl.He was leaning in the doorway, his eyebrows pulled together. Then he was suddenly at my side, taking my hand.Did I startle you? Im sorry. I did knock. . . .No, no, I said quickly. Have you seen this? I pointed to the paper.A frown creased his forehead.I hadnt seen todays news yet. But I knew it was getting worse. Were going to have to do something . . . quickly.I didnt like that. I hated any of them taking chances, and whatever or whoever was in Seattle was truly beginning to frighten me. But the idea of the Volturi coming was just as scary.What does Alice say?Thats the problem. His frown hardened. She cant see anything . . . though weve made up our minds half a dozen times to interrupt it out. Shes starting to lose confidence. She feels like shes missing too much these days, that somethings wrong. That maybe her vision is slipping away.My eyes were wide. Can that happen?Who knows? No ones ever done a study . . . but I really doubt it. These things tend to intensify over time. Look at Aro and Jane.Then whats wrong?Self-fulfilling prophecy, I think. We keep waiting for Alice to see something so we can go . . . and she doesnt see anything because we wont really go until she does. So she cant see us there. Maybe well have to do it blind.I shuddered. No.Did you have a strong entrust to attend class today? Were only a couple of days from finals they wont be giving us anything new.I think I can live without school for a day. What are we doing?I want to talk to Jasper.Jasper, again. It was strange. In the Cullen family, Jasper was always a little on the fringe, part of things but never the heart of them. It was my unspoken assumption that he was only there for Alice. I had the sense that he would follow Alice anywhere, but that this lifestyle was not his first choice. The fact that he was less committed to it than the others was probably why he had more difficulty keeping it up.At any rate, Id never seen Edward feel dependent on Jasper. I wondered again what hed meant about Jaspers expertise. I really didnt know much about Jaspers history, just that he had come from somewhere in the south before Alice found him. For some reason, Edward had always shied away from any questions about his newest brother. And Id always been too intimidated by the tall, blond vampire who looked like a brooding movie star to ask him outright.When we got to the house, we found Carlisle, Esme, and Jasper watching the news intently, though the sound was so low that it was thick to me. Alice was perched on the bottom step of the grand stairc ase, her face in her hands and her expression discouraged. As we walked in, Emmett ambled through the kitchen door, seeming perfectly at ease. Nothing ever bothered Emmett.Hey, Edward. Ditching, Bella? He grinned at me.We both are, Edward reminded him.Emmett laughed. Yes, but its her first time through high school. She might miss something.Edward rolled his eyes, but otherwise do by his favorite brother. He tossed the paper to Carlisle.Did you see that theyre considering a serial killer now? he asked.Carlisle sighed. Theyve had two specialists debating that possibility on CNN all morning.We cant let this go on.Lets go now, Emmett said with sudden enthusiasm. Im dead bored.A hiss echoed down the stairway from upstairs.Shes such a pessimist, Emmett muttered to himself.Edward agreed with Emmett. Well have to go sometime.Rosalie appeared at the top of the stairs and descended slowly. Her face was smooth, expressionless.Carlisle was shaking his head. Im concerned. Weve never involved ou rselves in this kind of thing before. Its not our business. We arent the Volturi.I dont want the Volturi to have to come here, Edward said. It gives us so much less reaction time.And all those loose humans in Seattle, Esme murmured. Its not right to let them die this way.I know, Carlisle sighed.Oh, Edward said sharply, turning his head somewhat to look at Jasper. I didnt think of that. I see. Youre right, that has to be it. Well, that changes everything.I wasnt the only one who stared at him in confusion, but I might have been the only one who didnt look slightly annoyed.I think youd better explain to the others, Edward said to Jasper. What could be the purpose of this? Edward started to pace, staring at the floor, disjointed in thought.I hadnt seen her get up, but Alice was there beside me. What is he rambling about? she asked Jasper. What are you sentiment?Jasper didnt seem to enjoy the spotlight. He hesitated, reading every face in the circle for everyone had moved in to hea r what he would say and then his eyes paused on my face.Youre confused, he said to me, his deep voice very quiet.There was no question in his assumption. Jasper knew what I was feeling, what everyone was feeling.Were all confused, Emmett grumbled.You can afford the time to be patient, Jasper told him. Bella should understand this, too. Shes one of us now.His words took me by surprise. As little as Id had to do with Jasper, especially since my last birthday when hed tried to kill me, I hadnt realize that he thought of me that way.How much do you know about me, Bella? Jasper asked.Emmett sighed theatrically, and plopped down on the couch to wait with exaggerated impatience.Not much, I admitted.Jasper stared at Edward, who looked up to meet his gaze.No, Edward answered his thought. Im sure you can understand why I havent told her that story. But I suppose she needs to hear it now.Jasper nodded thoughtfully, and then started to roll up the arm of his ivory sweater.I watched, rummy and confused, trying to figure out what he was doing. He held his wrist under the edge of the lampshade beside him, close to the light of the naked bulb, and traced his finger across a raised crescent mark on the sentinel skin.It took me a minute to understand why the shape looked strangely familiar.Oh, I breathed as realisation hit. Jasper, you have a scar exactly like mine.I held out my hand, the silvery crescent more prominent against my cream skin than against his alabaster.Jasper smiled faintly. I have a lot of scars like yours, Bella.Jaspers face was ill-defined as he pushed the sleeve of his thin sweater higher up his arm. At first my eyes could not make sense of the texture that was layered thickly across the skin. Curved half-moons crisscrossed in a feathery pattern that was only visible, white on white as it was, because the bright glare of the lamp beside him threw the slightly raised design into relief, with shallow shadows outlining the shapes. And then I grasped that the pattern was made of individual crescents like the one on his wrist . . . the one on my hand.I looked back at my own small, lone(a) scar and remembered how Id received it. I stared at the shape of Jamess teeth, embossed forever on my skin.And then I gasped, staring up at him. Jasper, what happened to you?