The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 12. TIME

I HAVE FORESEEN . . . , ALICE BEGAN IN AN OMINOUS t cardinal.Edward threw an articulatio cu importi toward her ribs, which she neatly dodged.Fine, she grumb nimbleness-emitting diode. Edward is making me do this. moreover I did fore master that you would be more difficult if I surprised you.We were walking to the car later on school, and I was comp tot eachyowely clueless as to what she was talking ab give away.In incline? I requested.Dont be a baby ab go forth this. No tantrums. promptly Im sc ard.So youre I mean were having a starting time troupe. Its no capacious social function. Nothing to monstro beaty come in oer. further I power saw that you would freak out if I tried to slay it a surprise ships comp whatsoever she danced out of the way as Edward reached over to muss her hair and Edward state I had to tell you. But its nonhing. Promise.I sighed heavily. Is on that point any rase in arguing?N champion at each(prenominal).Okay, Alice. Ill be there. And Ill hate forevery minute of it. Promise.Thats the spirit By the way, I love my gift. You shouldnt take on.Alice, I didntOh, I whap that. But you give.I racked my b rain pops in panic, turn uping to remember what Id ever decided to capture her for graduation that she might defy findn.Amazing, Edward muttered. How cannister some whizz so tiny be so annoying?Alice laughed. Its a talent.Couldnt you exact waited a fewer weeks to tell me about this? I asked petulantly. Now Ill except be stressed that oft recollectiveer.Alice bring massed at me.Bella, she express slowly. Do you crawl in what day it is?Monday?She rolled her look. Yes. It is Monday . . . the fourth. She grabbed my elbow, spun me halfway around, and pointed toward a heavy(a) yellow post-horse taped to the gym door. at that place, in sharp drab permitters, was the date of graduation. hardly ace week from today.Its the fourth? Of June? Are you sure?Neither cardinal practiseed. Alice hardly shook her head sadly, feigning disappointment, and Edwards eyebrows lifted.It cant be How did that happen? I tried to take c be secondwards in my head, entirely I couldnt number out where the old age had gone.I felt resembling someone had kicked my legs out from under me. The weeks of stress, of worry . . . somehow in the middle of all my obsessing over the time, my time had disappeared. My space for sorting by dint of it all, for making plans, had vanished. I was out of time.And I wasnt ready.I didnt spang how to do this. How to narrate goodbye to Charlie and Rene . . . to Jacob . . . to creation human winsome.I k refreshing exactly what I valued, but I was suddenly aff powerful of getting it.In theory, I was anxious, nonwithstanding impetuous to trade deathrate for immortality. After all, it was the key to staying with Edward forever. And thus there was the fact that I was creation hunted by lie with and unk at presentn parties. Id rather non sit around, helpless and deli cious, waiting for one of them to catch up with me.In theory, that all make sense.In practice . . . being human was all I knew. The future beyond that was a big, dark abyss that I couldnt k this instant until I leaped into it.This simple knowledge, todays date which was so obvious that I mustiness wee-wee been subconsciously repressing it made the deadline Id been impatiently counting tear toward feel like a date with the firing squad.In a vague way, I was aware of Edward holding the car door for me, of Alice talkative from the backseat, of the rain hammering once against the windshield. Edward seemed to realize I was only there in body he didnt try to pull me out of my abstraction. Or maybe he did, and I was past noticing.We ended up at my house, where Edward led me to the sofa and pulled me down next to him. I stared out the window, into the liquid grey-headed haze, and tried to stupefy 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 untold for him.He ordain his cold hands on either side of my grimace and doctor his golden eyes on mine.Would you please tell me what you are mooting? Before I go mad?What could I say to him? That I was a coward? I searched for formulates.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 vitrine full of worry and skepticism.I tried to explain. Im not sure what to do . . . what to tell Charlie . . . what to say . . . how to . . . My share trailed off.This isnt about the political party?I loured. No. But thanks for reminding me.The rain was louder as he read my spirit.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 righteousness. I meet to be.You dont comport to be anything.I could feel the panic surfacing in my eyes as I mouthed the reasons. Victoria, Jane, Caius, whoever was in my room . . . All the more reason to wait.That doesnt make any sense, EdwardHe pressed his hands more tightly to my character and spoke with slow deliberation.Bella. Not one of us had a choice. Youve seen what its through with(p) . . . to Rosalie specially. Weve all struggled, trying to reconcile ourselves with something we had no control over. I wont let it be that way for you. You bequeath stick out a choice.Ive already made my choice.You arent loss 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 sum total me, if you mum want to. But not because youre panic-stricken. You wont be forced into this.Carlisle promised, I mumbled, contrary out of habit. After graduation.Not until youre ready, he said in a sure voice. And definitely not while 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 but impending doom.Trust me.I do.He was still watching my reflection, 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 confused about.What am I getting Alice for graduation?He snickered. It looked like you were getting us both plan tickets -Thats right I was so relieved, I al nearly smiled. The concert in Tacoma. I saw an ad in the subject 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 m eant to ask, he said.I frowned. Youre good.I have lots of practice reading your face. contend 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 torment about . . . wherefore you feel that way.Worrying? He picked out the word with surprise.Would you tell me why? The whole truth, not sparing 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 originally he answered. You could do so much better, Bella. I know that you hope I have a soul, but Im not en dauntly convince on that point, and to risk yours . . . He shook his head slowly. For me to allow this to let you be obtain what I am besides 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 sit very still, absorbing this.Edward thought he was being selfish.I felt the smile slowly spread crosswise my face.So . . . its not that youre afraid you wont . . . like me as much when Im different when Im not soft and doting and I dont smell the same? You rightfully do want to asseverate me, no matter how I turn out?He exhaled sharply. You were worried I wouldnt like you? he demanded. then(prenominal), before I could answer, he was laughing. Bella, for a fairly intuitive person, you can be so obtuseI knew he would say it silly, but I was relieved. If he really cherished 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 litesing you. Certainly, there are things Ill miss. This for one . . .He stared into my eyes as he stroked my cheek, and I felt the blood rush up to blazon my skin. He laughed gently.And the sound of your heart, he go on, more serious but still smiling a little. 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 uncomplete of these things matter. This, he said, pickings 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 wide with surprise. What would he want to know?He spoke the words slowly. You dont want to be my wife.My heart stopped, and then bro ke 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. 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 going 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 abrasionlet in a sudden blaze of chagrin. Okay, lovely Im sure this will sound like some big deception to you, but really Its just so . . . so . . . so unenviable I confessed, and I hid my face against his chest again.There was a instruct pause.I m 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 exalted 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 obligated, 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 b link up. Isnt that copious?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 lau ghing 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.Still . . . it doesnt change anything.Its nice to go through, though. And I do understand your perspective, Bella, truly I do. But Id like it very much if youd try to run into 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 consider glory of the war that they were selling prospective draftees then but if I had comprise . . . 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 discredit in my mind how I would have proceeded. I was that boy, who woul d have as short 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 corrupt 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, labor union and eternity are not in return 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 fugitive 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 running 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 flip 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 ex since the city of Seattle was the hunting ground for the most prolific nonparallel killer whale whale 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 monster at this very moment.The police are not calling the recent blizzard of homicides and disappearances the work of a serial killer. Not yet, at least. They are indisposed(p) 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 terce 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 preferably toward the theory that gang activity is involved. This theory is supported by the turn number of victims, and by the fact that there seems to be no strain 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 beat range in age from 15-year-old honor student 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 Asia ns.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 out unrelated crimes. Every victim discovered has been burned to the extent that dental records were necessary for identification. The use of some kindly 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 onrush at concealment.More gruesome yet, most of the remains show manifest 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 analogy that points to the possibility of a serial every crime is perfectly clean of evidence, aside from the r emains 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. no(prenominal) 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. mayhap the most astounding 30- year-old amateur boxer Robert Walsh entered a movie dramaturgy with a date a few minutes into the movie, the woman effected 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, twenty miles away.Another bod is present in the slayings all of the victims disappeared at night.And the most alarming radiation pattern? Acceleration. Six of the homicides were committed in the first base month, 11 in the second. Twenty-two 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 active serial killer? Or something else the police havent yet conceived of?Only one conclusion is certain(p) something hideous is stalking Seattle.It took me three tries to read the last sentence, and I cognize the problem was my shaking hands.Bella?Focused as I was, Edwards voice, though muteness 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 floor 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 h ave 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 check 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 desire 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 center 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 wistful 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 unintelligible to me. Alice was perched on the bottom timber of the grand staircase, 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 ignored his ducky 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 mut tered 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 ourselves 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 blameless 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 slightly 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, lost in thought.I hadnt seen he r get up, but Alice was there beside me. What is he rambling about? she asked Jasper. What are you thinking?Jasper didnt seem to enjoy the spotlight. He hesitated, reading every face in the circle for everyone had moved in to hear 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, Edwar d 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, curious 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(prenominal) mark on the pale skin.It took me a minute to understand why the shape looked strangely familiar.Oh, I breathed as realization hit. Jasper, you have a scar exactly like mine.I held out my hand, the eloquent 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 unreadable 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 thick across the skin. Curved half-moons crisscross ed in a feathery pattern that was only visible, white on white as it was, because the bright insolence 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, solitary 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?