Mortality

Schadenfreude

I force my fear down as I look at the photo on my screen. Charlie ... eye socket crushed, black and blue, with blood gushing from his nose. And James, with his sadistic little smile, taking a selfie while holding my dad's own gun to his temple.

Don't let anyone know you've seen this, pet. Wait for my call.

I sit up and turn on the TV, hoping and praying that Alice and Jasper will need to leave soon. They'll hear him over the phone, they listen to each other's conversations all the time. I know that they would ruin any chances of Charlie being saved, no matter how good their intentions are. The day passes slowly, aching in every atom in my skin until I'm drinking the Monster not for the flavor, but to keep myself from falling to the floor.

I stand and pace, Jasper attempting to mellow my mood as the sun rises for a new day.

"Bella, it isn't healthy for you to stay awake for so long," he says, walking up to me and putting a hand on my shoulder. "I know you're scared for him, but we will find your father. No pendejo vampire is going to take down Chief Swan, anyway. I've seen him shoot the head off a newborn."

But James isn't a newborn. He's more skilled. More controlled. And he has my dad.

Alice emerges from the bedroom, strangely with a new outfit on. Overalls and a floral button up. Strange ensemble, but I give her credit for pulling it off. She draws, her brows furrowed. Jasper and I exchange a look before creeping to her side to watch it.

"Something new, Alice?"

"He's back in with the VCR, but I can see more of the room now." A square room with low ceilings appears from the mess of scribbles. Dark patterned carpet lay under paneled, out-of-date walls, and a massive window on the wall facing south. On the western wall is a door that leads to the living room, and from this perspective the TV and VCR balance on a small entertainment center in the corner. And the shape of a man, of James, reclined on the sofa curved in front of the TV.

He's in Phoenix. The house, empty but still in my mother's name, is hers. I keep myself from saying that as Alice and Jasper have a quiet, quick-lipped conversation. Then Jasper lays his hand on my shoulder, and instantly my body goes down, back on our own couch.

"Bella," Alice says slowly through the brain fog. "We're going to go back to Forks. Edward is going to meet us at the California border and will drive you up there. Once we're back, you and him are going to go somewhere completely out of the way until we can settle this mess."

"I ... no," I shake my head slowly, trying to sit up. Jasper's hand stays strong, and my arms give out. "No, I don't like this. I need to help. I can't just sit on the sidelines with everyone else fighting for me."

"Bella, you're the most in danger of all of us. It wouldn't be right of us to let you go on the frontline. Not anymore." She looks at Jasper, and a fog of lethargy crashes over me. My eyes close without my permission. I groan and force them open, sending Jasper back a couple feet away from me, nearly crashing into the wall.

"I don't want to sleep, I don't want to leave. This isn't fair to you all or me." I keep my good hand raised, seeing the shield rise from it. Jasper stands on his feet and sighs, grabbing Alice's hand.

"We'll go get some supplies for your trip. Look ... I'm sorry, but your choice in this vanished when James did. This isn't anything against you, no matter how it may feel that way. We all just want you safe."

Alice opens her mouth to protest, but closes it when Jasper squints down at her. They put on sunglasses and their jackets, taking the car and my only choice for an escape vehicle with them. I only have a moment to consider throwing every pillow at the door and then barricading myself inside the room before my phone rings.