2 new+moon新月-第37部分

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〃Shoot；　ow！〃　I　protested　as　he　hurriedly　jerked　his　legs　free　one　at　a　time。　

I　struggled　to　pull　myself　up　as　he　darted　for　the　back　door；　he　suddenly　froze　again。　

Alice　stood　motionless　at　the　foot　of　the　stairs。　

〃Bella；〃　she　choked。　

I　scrambled　to　my　feet　and　lurched　to　her　side。　Her　eyes　were　dazed　and　far　away；　her　face　drawn　and　
whiter　than　bone。　Her　slim　body　trembled　to　an　inner　turmoil。　

〃Alice；　what's　wrong？〃　I　cried。　I　put　my　hands　on　her　face；　trying　to　calm　her。　

Her　eyes　focused　on　mine　abruptly；　wide　with　pain。　

〃Edward；〃　was　all　she　whispered。　

My　body　reacted　faster　than　my　mind　was　able　to　catch　up　with　the　implications　of　her　reply。　I　didn't　at　
first　understand　why　the　room　was　spinning　or　where　the　hollow　roar　in　my　ears　was　ing　from。　My　
mind　labored；　unable　to　make　sense　of　Alice's　bleak　face　and　how　it　could　possibly　relate　to　Edward；　
while　my　body　was　already　swaying；　seeking　the　relief　of　unconsciousness　before　the　reality　could　hit　me。　

The　stairway　tilted　at　the　oddest　angle。　

Jacob's　furious　voice　was　suddenly　in　my　ear；　hissing　out　a　stream　of　profanities。　I　felt　a　vague　
disapproval。　His　new　friends　were　clearly　a　bad　influence。　

I　was　on　the　couch　without　understanding　how　I　got　there；　and　Jacob　was　still　swearing。　It　felt　like　there　
was　an　earthquake—the　couch　was　shaking　under　me。　

〃What　did　you　do　to　her？〃　he　demanded。　

Alice　ignored　him。　〃Bella？　Bella；　snap　out　of　it。　We　have　to　hurry。〃　

〃Stay　back；〃　Jacob　warned。　

〃Calm　down；　Jacob　Black；〃　Alice　ordered。　〃You　don't　want　to　do　that　so　close　to　her。〃　

〃I　don't　think　I'll　have　any　problem　keeping　my　focus；〃　he　retorted；　but　his　voice　sounded　a　little　cooler。　

〃Alice？〃　My　voice　was　weak。　〃What　happened？〃　I　asked；　even　though　I　didn't　want　to　hear。　

〃I　don't　know；〃　she　suddenly　wailed。　〃What　is　he　thinking？！〃　

I　labored　to　pull　myself　up　despite　the　dizziness。　I　realized　it　was　Jacob's　arm　I　was　gripping　for　balance。　
He　was　the　one　shaking；　not　the　couch。　

Alice　was　pulling　a　small　silver　phone　from　her　bag　when　my　eyes　relocated　her。　Her　fingers　dialed　the　
numbers　so　fast　they　were　a　blur。　

〃Rose；　I　need　to　talk　to　Carlisle　now。〃　Her　voice　whipped　through　the　words。　〃Fine；　as　soon　as　he's　
back。　No；　I'll　be　on　a　plane。　Look；　have　you　heard　anything　from　Edward？〃　

Alice　paused　now；　listening　with　an　expression　that　grew　more　appalled　every　second。　Her　mouth　
opened　into　a　little　O　of　horror；　and　the　phone　shook　in　her　hand。　

〃Why？〃　she　gasped。　〃Why　would　you　do　that；　Rosalie？〃　

Whatever　the　answer　was；　it　made　her　jaw　tighten　in　anger。　Her　eyes　flashed　and　narrowed。　

〃Well；　you're　wrong　on　both　counts；　though；　Rosalie；　so　that　would　be　a　problem；　don't　you　think？〃　she　
asked　acidly。　〃Yes；　that's　right。　She's　absolutely　fine—I　was　wrong…　It's　a　long　story…　But　you're　
wrong　about　that　part；　too；　that's　why　I'm　calling…　Yes；　that's　exactly　what　I　saw。〃　

Alice's　voice　was　very　hard　and　her　lips　were　pulled　back　from　her　teeth。　〃It's　a　bit　late　for　that；　Rose。　
Save　your　remorse　for　someone　who　believes　it。〃　Alice　snapped　the　phone　shut　with　a　sharp　twist　of　her　
fingers。　

Her　eyes　were　tortured　as　she　turned　to　face　me。　

〃Alice；〃　I　blurted　out　quickly。　I　couldn't　let　her　speak　yet。　I　needed　a　few　more　seconds　before　she　spoke　
and　her　words　destroyed　what　was　left　of　my　life。　〃Alice；　Carlisle　is　back；　though。　He　called　just　
before…〃　

She　stared　at　me　blankly。　〃How　long　ago？〃　she　asked　in　a　hollow　voice。　

〃Half　a　minute　before　you　showed　up。〃　

〃What　did　he　say？〃　She　really　focused　now；　waiting　for　my　answer。　

〃I　didn't　talk　to　him。〃　My　eyes　flickered　to　Jacob。　

Alice　turned　her　perating　gaze　on　him。　He　flinched；　but　held　his　place　next　to　me。　He　sit　awkwardly；　
almost　as　if　he　were　trying　to　shield　me　with　his　body。　

〃He　asked　for　Charlie；　and　I　told　him　Charlie　wasn't　here；〃　Jacob　muttered　resentfully。　

〃Is　that　everything？〃　Alice　demanded；　her　voice　like　ice。　

〃Then　he　hung　up　on　me；〃　Jacob　spit　back。　A　tremor　rolled　down　his　spine；　shaking　me　with　it。　

〃You　told　him　Charlie　was　at　the　funeral；〃　I　reminded　him。　

Alice　jerked　her　head　back　toward　me　〃What　were　his　exact　words？〃　

〃He　said；　'He's　not　here；'　and　when　Carlisle　asked　where　Charlie　was；　Jacob　said；　'At　the　funeral。'〃　

Alice　moaned　and　sank　to　her　knees。　

〃Tell　me　Alice；〃　I　whispered。　

〃That　wasn't　Carlisle　on　the　phone；〃　she　said　hopelessly。　

〃Are　you　calling　me　a　liar？〃　Jacob　snarled　from　beside　me。　

Alice　ignored　him；　focusing　on　my　bewildered　face。　

〃It　was　Edward。〃　The　words　were　just　a　choked　whisper。　〃He　thinks　you're　dead。〃　

My　mind　started　to　work　again。　These　words　weren't　the　ones　I'd　been　afraid　of；　and　the　relief　cleared　
my　head。　

〃Rosalie　told　him　I　killed　myself；　didn't　she？〃　I　said；　sighing　as　I　relaxed。　

〃Yes；〃　Alice　admitted；　her　eyes　flashing　hard　again。　

〃In　her　defense；　she　did　believe　it。　They　rely　on　my　sight　far　too　much　for　something　that　works　so　
imperfectly。　But　for　her　to　track　him　down　to　tell　him　this！　Didn't　she　realize…　or　care…　？〃　Her　voice　
faded　away　in　horror。　

〃And　when　Edward　called　here；　he　thought　Jacob　meant　my　funeral；〃　I　realized。　It　stung　to　know　how　
close　I'd　been；　just　inches　away　from　his　voice。　My　nails　dug　into　Jacob's　arm；　but　he　didn't　flinch。　

Alice　looked　at　me　strangely。　〃You're　not　upset；〃　she　whispered。　

〃Well；　it's　really　rotten　timing；　but　it　will　all　get　straightened　out。　The　next　time　he　calls；　someone　will　tell　
him…　what…　really…〃　I　trailed　off。　Her　gaze　strangled　the　words　in　my　throat。　

Why　was　she　so　panicked？　Why　was　her　face　twisting　now　with　pity　and　horror？　What　was　it　she　had　
said　to　Rosalie　on　the　phone　just　now？　Something　about　what　she'd　seen…　and　Rosalie's　remorse；　
Rosalie　would　never　feel　remorse　for　anything　that　happened　to　me。　But　if　she'd　hurt　her　family；　hurt　her　
brother…　

〃Bella；〃　Alice　whispered。　〃Edward　won't　call　again。　He　believed　her。〃　

〃I。　Don't。　Understand。〃　My　mouth　framed　each　word　in　silence。　I　couldn't　push　the　air　out　to　actually　say　
the　words　that　would　make　her　explain　what　that　meant。　

〃He's　going　to　Italy。〃　

It　took　the　length　of　one　heartbeat　for　me　to　prehend。　

When　Edward's　voice　came　back　to　me　now；　it　was　not　the　perfect　imitation　of　my　delusions。　It　was　just　
the　weak；　flat　tone　of　my　memories。　But　the　words　alone　were　enough　to　shred　through　my　chest　and　
leave　it　gaping　open。　Words　from　a　time　when　I　would　have　bet　everything　that　I　owned　or　could　borrow　
on　that　fact　that　he　loved　me。　

Well；　I　wasn't　going　to　live　without　you；　he'd　said　as　we　watched　Romeo　and　Juliet　die；　here　in　this　
very　room。　But　I　wasn't　sure　how　to　do　it…　I　knew　Emmett　and　Jasper　would　never　help…　so　I　
was　thinking　maybe　I　would　go　to　Italy　and　do　something　to　provoke　the　Volturi…　You　don't　
irritate　them。　Not　unless　you　want　to　die。　

Not　unless　you　want　to　die。　

〃NO！〃　The　halfshrieked　denial　was　so　loud　after　the　whispered　words；　it　made　us　all　jump。　I　felt　the　
blood　rushing　to　my　face　as　I　realized　what　she'd　seen。　〃No！　No；　no；　no！　He　can't！　He　can't　do　that！〃　

〃He　made　up　his　mind　as　soon　as　your　friend　confirmed　that　it　was　too　late　to　save　you。〃　

〃But　he…　he　left！　He　didn't　want　me　anymore！　What　difference　does　it　make　now？　He　knew　I　would　
die　sometime！〃　

〃I　don't　think　he　ever　planned　to　outlive　you　by　long；〃　Alice　said　quietly。　

〃How　dare　he！〃　I　screamed。　I　was　on　my　feet　now；　and　Jacob　rose　uncertainly　to　put　himself　between　
Alice　and　me　again。　

〃Oh；　get　out　of　the　way；　Jacob！〃　I　elbowed　my　way　around　his　trembling　body　with　desperate　
impatience。　〃What　do　we　do？〃　I　begged　Alice。　There　had　to　be　something。　〃Can't　we　call　him？　Can　
Carlisle？〃　

She　was　shaking　her　head。　〃That　was　the　first　thing　I　tried。　He　left　his　phone　in　a　trash　can　in　
Rio—someone　answered　it…〃　she　whispered。　

〃You　said　before　we　had　to　hurry。　Hurry　how？　Let's　do　it；　whatever　it　is！〃　

〃Bella；　I—I　don't　think　I　can　ask　you　to…〃　She　trailed　off　in　indecision。　

〃Ask　me！〃　I　manded。　

She　put　her　hands　on　my　shoulders；　holding　me　in　place；　her　fingers　flexing　sporadically　to　emphasize　her　
words。　〃We　may　already　be　too　late。　I　saw　him　going　to　the　Volturi…　and　asking　to　die。〃　We　both　
cringed；　and　my　eyes　were　suddenly　blind。　I　blinked　feverishly　at　the　tears。　〃It　all　depends　on　what　they　
choose。　I　can't　see　that　till　they　make　a　decision。　

〃But　if　they　say　no；　and　they　might—Aro　is　fond　of　Carlisle；　and　wouldn't　want　to　offend　him—Edward　
has　a　backup　plan。　They're　very　protective　of　their　city。　If　Edward　does　something　to　upset　the　peace；　he　
thinks　they'll　act　to　stop　him。　And　he's　right。　They　will。〃　

I　stared　at　her　with　my　jaw　clenched　in　frustration。　I'd　heard　nothing　yet　that　would　explain　why　we　were　
still　standing　here。　

〃So　if　they　agree　to　grant　his　favor；　we're　too　late。　If　they　say　no；　and　he　es　up　with　a　plan　to　offend　
them　quickly　enough；　we're　too　late。　If　he　gives　into　his　more　theatrical　tendencies…　we　might　have　
time。〃　

〃Let's　go！〃　

〃Listen；　Bella！　Whether　we　are　in　time　or　not；　we　will　be　in　the　heart　of　the　Volturi　city。　I　will　be　
considered　his　acplice　if　he　is　successful。　You　will　be　a　human　who　not　only　knows　too　much；　but　
also　smells　too　good。　There's　a　very　good　chance　that　they　will　eliminate　us　all—though　in　your　case　it　

won't　be　punishment　so　much　as　dinnertime。〃　

〃This　is　what's　keeping　us　here？〃　I　asked　in　disbelief。　〃I'll　go　alone　if　you're　afraid。〃　I　mentally　tabulated　
what　money　was　left　in　my　account；　and　wondered　if　Alice　would　lend　me　the　rest。　

〃I'm　only　afraid　of　getting　you　killed。〃　

I　snorted　in　disgust。　〃I　almost　get　myself　killed　on　a　daily　basis！　Tell　me　what　I　need　to　do！〃　

〃You　write　a　note　to　Charlie。　I'll　call　the　airlines。〃　

〃Charlie；〃　I　gasped。　

Not　that　my　presence　was　protecting　him；　but　could　I　leave　him　here　alone　to　face…　

〃I'm　not　going　to　let　anything　happen　to　Charlie。〃　Jacob's　low　voice　was　gruff　and　angry。　〃Screw　the　
treaty。〃　

I　glanced　up　at　him；　and　he　scowled　at　my　panicked　expression。　

〃Hurry；　Bella；〃　Alice　interrupted　urgently。　

I　ran　to　the　kitchen；　yanking　the　drawers　open　and　throwing　the　contents　all　over　the　floor　as　I　searched　
for　a　pen。　A　smooth；　brown　hand　held　one　out　to　me。　

〃Thanks；〃　I　mumbled；　pulling　the　cap　off　with　my　teeth。　He　silently　handed　me　the　pad　of　paper　we　wrote　
phone　messages　on。　I　tore　off　the　top　sheet　and　threw　it　over　my　shoulder。　

Dad；　I　wrote。　I'm　with　Alice。　Edward's　in　trouble。　You　can　ground　me　when　I　get　back。　I　know　it's　
a　bad　time。　So　sorry。　Love　you　so　much。　Bella。　

〃Don't　go；〃　Jacob　whispered。　The　anger　was　all　gone　now　that　Alice　was　out　of　sight。　

I　wasn't　about　to　waste　time　arguing　with　him。　〃Please；　please；　please　take　care　of　Charlie；〃　I　said　as　I　
dashed　back　out　to　the　front　room。　Alice　was　waiting　in　the　doorway　with　a　bag　over　her　shoulder。　

〃Get　your　wallet—you'll　need　ID。　Please　tell　me　you　have　a　passport。　I　don't　have　time　to　forge　one。〃　

I　nodded　and　then　raced　up　the　stairs；　my　knees　weak　with　gratitude　that　my　mother　had　wanted　to　
marry　Phil　on　a　beach　in　Mexico。　Of　course；　like　all　her　plans；　it　had　fallen　through。　But　not　before　I'd　
made　all　the　practical　arrangements　I　could　for　her。　

I　tore　through　my　room。　I　stuffed　my　old　wallet；　a　clean　Tshirt；　and　sweatpants　into　my　backpack；　and　
then　threw　my　toothbrush　on　top。　I　hurled　myself　back　down　the　stairs。　The　sense　of　deja　vu　was　nearly　
stifling　by　this　point。　At　least；　unlike　the　last　time—when　I'd　run　away　from　Forks　to　escape　thirsty　
vampires　rather　than　to　find　them—I　wouldn't　have　to　say　goodbye　to　Charlie　in　person。　

Jacob　and　Alice　were　locked　in　some　kind　of　confrontation　in　front　of　the　open　door；　standing　so　far　
apart　you　wouldn't　assume　at　first　that　they　were　having　a　conversation。　Neither　one　seemed　to　notice　my　
noisy　reappearance。　

〃You　might　control　yourself　on　occasion；　but　these　leeches　you're　taking　her　to—〃　Jacob　was　furiously　
accusing　her。　

〃Yes。　You're　right；　dog。〃　Alice　was　snarling；　too。　〃The　Volturi　are　the　very　essence　of　our　kind—they're　

the　reason　your　hair　stands　on　end　when　you　smell　me。　They　are　the　substance　of　your　nightmares；　the　
dread　behind　your　instincts。　I'm　not　unaware　of　that。〃　

〃And　you　take　her　to　them　like　a　bottle　of　wine　for　a　party！〃　he　shouted。　

〃You　think　she'd　be　better　off　if　I　left　her　here　alone；　with　Victoria　stalking　her？〃　

〃We　can　handle　the　redhead。〃　

〃Then　why　is　she　still　hunting？〃　

Jacob　growled；　and　a　shudder　rippled　through　his　torso。　

〃Stop　that！〃　I　shouted　at　them　both；　wild　with　impatience。　〃Argue　when　we　get　back；　let's　go！〃　

Alice　turned　for　the　car；　disappearing　in　her　haste。　I　hurried　after　her；　pausing　automatically　to　turn　and　
lock　the　door。　

Jacob　caught　my　arm　with　a　shivering　hand。　〃Please；　Bella。　I'm　begging。〃　

His　dark　eyes　were　glistening　with　tears。　A　lump　filled　my　throat。　

〃Jake；　I　have　to—〃　

〃You　don't；　though。　You　really　don't。　You　could　stay　here　with　me。　You　could　stay　alive。　For　Charlie。　
For　me。〃　

The　engine　of　Carlisle's　Mercedes　purred；　the　rhythm　of　the　thrumming　spiked　when　Alice　revved　it　
impatiently。　

I　shook　my　head；　tears　spattering　from　my　eyes　with　the　sharp　motion。　I　pulled　my　arm　free；　and　he　
didn't　fight　me。　

〃Don't　die；　Bella；〃　he　choked　out。　〃Don't　go。　Don't。〃　

What　if　I　never　saw　him　again？　

The　thought　pushed　me　past　the　silent　tears；　a　sob　broke　out　from　my　chest。　I　threw　my　arms　around　his　
waist　and　hugged　for　one　tooshort　moment；　burying　my　tearwet　face　against　his　chest。　He　put　his　big　
hand　on　the　back　of　my　hair；　as　if　to　hold　me　there。　

〃Bye；　Jake。〃　I　pulled　his　hand　from　my　hair；　and　kissed　his　palm。　I　couldn't　bear　to　look　at　his　face。　
〃Sorry；〃　I　whispered。　

Then　I　spun　and　raced　for　the　car。　The　door　on　the　passenger　side　was　open　and　waiting。　I　threw　my　
backpack　over　the　headrest　and　slid　in；　slamming　the　door　behind　me。　

〃Take　care　of　Charlie！〃　I　turned　to　shout　out　the　window；　but　Jacob　was　nowhere　in　sight。　As　Alice　
stomped　on　the　gas　and—with　the　tires　screeching　like　human　screams—spun　us　around　to　face　the　
road；　I　caught　sight　of　a　shred　of　white　near　the　edge　of　the　trees。　A　piece　of　a　shoe。　

19。　HATE　

WE　MADE　OUR　FLIGHT　WITH　SECONDS　TO　SPARE；　AND　THEN　the　true　torture　began。　The　
plane　sat　idle　on　the　tarmac　while　the　flight　attendants　strolled—so　casually—up　and　down　the　aisle；　
patting　the　bags　in　the　overhead　partments　to　make　sure　everything　fit。　The　pilots　leaned　out　of　the　
cockpit；　chatting　with　them　as　they　passed。　Alice's　hand　was　hard　on　my　shoulder；　holding　me　in　my　seat　
while　I　bounced　anxiously　up　and　down。　

〃It's　faster　than　running；〃　she　reminded　me　in　a　low　voice。　

I　just　nodded　in　time　with　my　bouncing。　

At　last　the　plane　rolled　lazily　from　the　gate；　building　speed　with　a　gradual　steadiness　that　tortured　me　
further。　I　expected　some　kind　of　relief　when　we　achieved　liftoff；　but　my　frenzied　impatience　didn't　lessen。　

Alice　lifted　the　phone　on　the　back　of　the　seat　in　front　of　her　before　we'd　stopped　climbing；　turning　her　
back　on　the　stewa