flightless bird

Chapter 17

"Hey mom it's me again, um you must've let your phone die or something. I'm not in Forks but everything's ok and I'll explain it later. Uhh bye" said Bella before she hung up, letting out a deep sigh as she did. I hadn't heard anything from my mom or Edward since we had left Forks hours ago. I bit my lip anxiously as I watched the scenery pass.

"Try not to worry yourself too much Serena. Edward and your mom will be fine" said Alice as she turned looking at me. "I can't help it. You heard how Laurent described James. He's sadistic and malicious. He won't stop until he gets his hands on Bella and I" I said as I ran a hand through my hair. I felt a wave of calmness come over me and I looked over at Jasper.

"I'm sorry Jasper. I know that feeling people's emotions can be tolling on you" I apologised. "It's alright Serena. Why don't you and Bella try to rest? We've still got quite a journey" said Jasper and I nodded. I leaned my head against the window taking advantage of the lack of anxiety and soon fell into a slumber.

"Serena, we're here" I heard the soft voice of Alice say as she gently shook me. My eyes flickered open and I looked around to see we had arrived at our hotel. I grabbed my purse before climbing out of the car along with Bella. Alice handed the keys of the car to a valet before the four of us entered the building.

Bella and I followed Alice and Jasper to the front desk where we were handed our room key. We walked to the elevator and walked in before Alice pressed floor 5 as the doors closed. "Have you heard anything from the others yet?" I asked and Alice gave me a sad smile as she shook her head. I sighed as I leaned my head back and the elevator dinged as we arrived at our floor.

We walked down a hall for a few moments before we found our room. Alice slid the white card into the slot before pulling it out and we entered the air conditioned room. Jasper placed Bella and I's bags in the master bedroom before he joined Alice in the living room where the two quietly spoke amongst themselves. I walked into the master bedroom and closed the doors behind me before I walked over to my duffel bag.

I rummaged through and grabbed a change of clothes along with my toiletries before walking to the bathroom. I turned the shower on and undressed before climbing in. The water was refreshing both physically and mentally as I felt myself relax. This was all so crazy. 24 hours ago I was happy with Edward and now I'm miles away from home with a crazed vampire after me.

After my shower, I climbed out and changed into some fresh clothes. I left the room as Bella entered and heard her turn the shower on. I sat on the couch and leaned my head on my hand as I turned on my phone to see no missed calls or messages. The few moments of silence were broken by Alice's gasp. "What is it? What do you see?" said Jasper as he turned to her.

Alice's eyes were clouded as she stared off. "The tracker. He just changed course" said Alice and I felt my heart beat begin to quicken as I stood up and walked over to Alice and Jasper. The bedroom door opened as Bella walked out and concern filled her face as she walked over. "What's going on? Did something happen?" said Bella as she stood in a robe.

"I don't know, Alice is having a vision. Something about James changing course" I said as she stood beside me. "Where will it take him Alice?""Mirrors. A room full of mirrors" said Alice as Jasper handed her a note pad and pencil. She instantly began sketching, her hands moving across the page rapidly. "Christopher said the visions weren't always certain" said Bella as I stared at Alice's drawing.

"She sees the course people are on while they're on it. They change their mind, the vision changes" Jasper explained as Alice continued to sketch. "Ok so the course that the tracker is on now is gonna lead him to a...ballet studio?" said Bella as she looked at the piece of paper. "You've been here?" said Alice as she came out of her vision.

"I took lessons as a kid. The school I went to had an arch just like that" Bella replied as she pointed to the piece of paper. For a moment, I couldn't believe someone as clumsy as Bella had taken ballet lessons. "Was your school here in Phoenix?" Jasper asked as he looked up at her. "Yeah" Bella replied.

My phone began to vibrate in my hand as Bella's began to ring as well and I looked down to see it was Edward. I stepped away as I answered. "Edward, is everything alright?" I asked in desperation. "We've lost the tracker. The woman's still in the area. I've spoken with your mom and she and Carlos are going to track James' scent to find him before he finds you. I'm coming to get you then you and I are gonna go somewhere alone. And the others will keep hunting. I'll do whatever it takes to make you safe again" Edward explained and my stomach dropped.

"O-Ok" I stammered. "I'll see you soon. I love you Serena" Edward said into the phone. "I love you too. Bye" I said before hanging up. "We need to leave now before James gets too close" said Jasper as he stood up. "You girls pack whilst Jas and I go and check out downstairs. Come down as soon as you're finished" said Alice before she and Jasper left the room.

I ran into the master bedroom and began gathering my things when my phone began to ring once again. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw it was my mom. I clicked answer as I put the phone to my ear. "Hey mom. Edward just called me and let me know what was going on. I-" A malicious female laugh cut me off and I felt panic surge through me realising it wasn't my mom.

"Who is this?" I said into the phone. "My my. Your little mommy dearest certainly has an amazing tracking ability, but she was a little in over her head thinking she could take on both James and I. Pity her mate wasn't here to protect her. But James will handle that later " said the woman and I recognised her voice to be Victoria, James' mate.

"You leave her alone!" I exclaimed. "Well Serena, that all depends on you. Your mothers pathetic life is in your hands now " said Victoria, menace lacing her voice. "What do I have to do?" I asked. "Get away from your little friends and meet James at the ballet studio here in Phoenix. And FYI, James' senses are unlike any other. He will know if you've brought someone who wasn't invited. Keep that in mind. You wouldn't want your mommy paying the price for that" said Victoria before she hung up.

I stared at my phone for a moment before leaving the room to see a panicked Bella. "He has my mom" she said as she looked at me. "He and Victoria caught my mom as well. We need to hurry before Alice and Jasper come back" I said as I grabbed my jacket form the sofa and Bella nodded as she slipped her jacket on.

We left the room and went straight to the elevator pressing the button. I was praying the doors wouldn't open to reveal Alice and Jasper. Thankfully they didn't as the doors opened. Bella and I stepped in before pressing the lobby button. The seconds felt like forever before the elevator dinged as the doors opened.

Bella and I hastily left the elevator and saw Alice and Jasper still in line at the reception desk. We slipped out of the hotel and climbed into a taxi.