Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [93]
I wasnt ready to be logical yet. Still seems stupid. They could bring most of it with them, right? And steal what they need wherever they go. Who cares about legal crap when youre the undead?
Edward doesnt want to take any risks moving her.
Shes better than she was.
Seriously, Seth agreed. In his head, he was comparing my memories of Bella hooked up to the tubes with the last time hed seen her as hed left the house. Shed smiled at him and waved. But she cant move around much, you know. That thing is kicking the hell out of her.
I swallowed back the stomach acid in my throat. Yeah, I know.
Broke another of her ribs, he told me somberly.
My stride faltered, and I staggered a step before I regained my rhythm.
Carlisle taped her up again. Just another crack, he said. Then Rosalie said something about how even normal human babies have been known to crack ribs. Edward looked like he was gonna rip her head off.
Too bad he didnt.
Seth was in full report mode now-knowing it was all vitally interesting to me, though Id neverve asked to hear it. Bellas been running a fever off and on today. Just low grade- sweats and then chills. Carlisles not sure what to make of it-she might just be sick. Her immune system cant be in peak form right now.
Yeah, Im sure its just a coincidence.
Shes in a good mood, though. She was chatting with Charlie, laughing and all-
Charlie! What?! What do you mean, she was talking to Charlie?!
Now Seths pace stuttered; my fury surprised him. Guess he calls every day to talk to her. Sometimes her mom calls, too. Bella sounds so much better now, so she was reassuring him that she was on the mend-
On the mend? What the hell are they thinking?! Get Charlies hopes up just so that he can be destroyed even worse when she dies? I thought they were getting him ready for that! Trying to prepare him! Why would she set him up like this?
She might not die, Seth thought quietly.
I took deep breath, trying to calm myself. Seth. Even if she pulls through this, shes not doing it human. She knows that, and so do the rest of them. If she doesnt die, shes going to have to do a pretty convincing impersonation of a corpse, kid. Either that, or disappear. I thought they were trying to make this easier on Charlie. Why ?
Think its Bellas idea. No one said anything, but Edwards face kinda went right along with what youre thinking now.
On the same wavelength with the bloodsucker yet again.
We ran in silence for a few minutes. I started off along a new line, probing south.
Dont get too far.
Why?
Bella asked me to ask you to stop by.
My teeth locked together.
Alice wants you, too. She says shes tired of hanging out in the attic like the vampire bat in the belfry. Seth snorted a laugh. I was switching off with Edward before. Trying to keep Bellas temperature stable. Cold to hot, as needed. I guess, if you dont want to do it, I could go back-
No. I got it, I snapped.
Okay. Seth didnt make any more comments. He concentrated very hard on the empty forest.
I kept my southern course, searching for anything new. I turned around when I got close to the first signs of habitation. Not near the town yet, but I didnt want to get any wolf rumors going again. Wed been nice and invisible for a long while now.
I passed right through the perimeter on my way back, heading for the house. As much as I knew it was a stupid thing to do, I couldnt stop myself. I must be some kind of masochist.
Theres nothing wrong with you, Jake. This isnt the most normal situation.
Shut up, please, Seth.
Shutting.
I didnt hesitate at the door this time; I just walked through like I owned the place. I figured