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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐔𝐍 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 Edward, Carlisle, and Emmett, unwilling to guess their route. Every now and then Edward would catch up the edge of James's thoughts, but never more than a few words, or a view of the Jeep. He followed on higher ground, in the mountains, unconcerned when it took him miles from the road. James still could see them.
Edward didn't want to think about where Athena was at that moment, nor what she might be doing and saying. It would be too distracting. But there were a few things undone. He whispered instructions to Carlisle and he typed messages to Alice's cell phone. It probably wasn't necessary, but it made him feel better.
"Athena needs to eat at least three times every twenty-four-hour period. And hydration is important. She should have water on hand. Ideally eight hours of sleep."
Carlisle, still keeping the phone low, texted as quickly as his son could speak. "And..." Edward hesitated. "Tell Alice not to talk about our conversation before in the Jeep. If Athena has any questions, deflect them. Tell her I'm very serious about this."
His father looked at him curiously but typed his message.
She only texted back the word kay in acknowledgment. Edward took that to mean that Athena was still awake, and Alice intended to keep his instructions to herself. She must have seen an unpleasant reckoning if she ignored him.
Emmett was mostly thinking about what he would do when he had the tracker at his mercy. His imagines were very pleasant to watch.
When they had to refuel, Edward used one of the large gas cans Emmett had loaded into the backseat. In his pocket was one of Athena's shirts that would leave the faintest trace of her scent in the air. He moved in a blurred rush as if his only goal was to race away again, and he was satisfied when the tracker came closer to see what was going on. For a moment he was no more than a mile away. Edward wanted to take advantage of that situation, to flip the flight into an ambush, but it was too soon. They were still too near the water.
Edward didn't try to be evasive about their route, driving in the straightest line the curving freeways allowed toward his destination. He hoped James would interpret the way he wanted him to - that he had a destination in mind, somewhere defensible, somewhere they all felt safe. The tracker knew little about the family, but he knew this much: They had more physical assets available than the average nomad. Also, they were many. Perhaps he would imagine even some allies waiting in the forest to the north.
And Edward had considered running toward Tanya's family. He was sure they would help. Kate, particularly, would be an excellent addition to their hunting team. But they were also too close to the water. The tracker might take a look at the five of them and break for the ocean. All he needed to do to disappear was submerge. It is impossible to track someone underwater. And he could come out anywhere - five miles down the beach, or in Japan. They'll have to regroup and start over.
