5 midnight sun午夜阳光-第27部分

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　straight　line　through　the　sleeping　forest。　It　took　less　time　than　the　first　journey　in　the　speeding　car。　It　was　just　minutes　later　that　I　scaled　the　side　of　her　house　and　slid　her　window　out　of　my　way。　I　sighed　silently　with　relief。　Everything　was　just　as　it　should　be。　Bella　was　safe　in　her　bed；　dreaming；　her　wet　hair　tangled　like　seaweed　across　the　pillow。　But；　unlike　most　nights；　she　was　curled　into　a　small　ball　with　the　covers　stretched　taut　around　her　shoulders。　Cold；　I　guessed。　Before　I　could　settle　into　my　usual　seat；　she　shivered　in　her　sleep；　and　her　lips　trembled。　I　thought　for　a　brief　moment；　and　then　I　eased　out　into　the　hallway；　exploring　another　part　of　her　house　for　the　first　time。　Charlie　s　snores　were　loud　and　even。　I　could　almost　catch　the　edge　of　his　dream。　Something　with　the　rush　of　water　and　patient　expectation　fishing；　maybe？　There；　at　the　top　of　the　stairs；　was　a　promising　looking　cupboard。　I　opened　it　hopefully；　and　found　what　I　was　looking　for。　I　selected　the　thickest　blanket　from　the　tiny　linen　closet；　and　took　it　back　into　her　room。　I　would　return　it　before　she　woke；　and　no　one　would　be　the　wiser。　Holding　my　breath；　I　cautiously　spread　the　blanket　over　her；　she　didn　t　react　to　the　added　weight。　I　returned　to　the　rocking　chair。　While　I　waited　anxiously　for　her　to　warm　up；　I　thought　of　Carlisle；　wondering　where　he　was　now。　I　knew　his　plan　would　go　smoothly　Alice　had　seen　that。　Thinking　of　my　father　made　me　sigh　Carlisle　gave　me　too　much　credit。　I　wished　I　was　the　person　he　thought　me　to　be。　That　person；　the　one　who　deserved　happiness；　might　hope　to　be　worthy　of　this　sleeping　girl。　How　different　things　would　be　if　I　could　be　that　Edward。　As　I　pondered　this；　a　strange；　uncalled　image　filled　my　head。　For　one　moment；　the　hagfaced　fate　I　d　imagined；　the　one　who　sought　Bella　s　destruction；　was　replaced　by　the　most　foolish　and　reckless　of　angels。　A　guardian　angel　something　Carlisle　s　version　of　me　might　have　had。　With　a　heedless　smile　on　her　lips；　her　skycolored　eyes　full　of　mischief；　the　angel　formed　Bella　in　such　a　fashion　that　there　was　no　way　that　I　could　possibly　overlook　her。　A　ridiculously　potent　scent　to　demand　my　attention；　a　silent　mind　to　enflame　my　curiosity；　a　quiet　beauty　to　hold　my　eyes；

a　selfless　soul　to　earn　my　awe。　Leave　out　the　natural　sense　of　selfpreservation　so　that　Bella　could　bear　to　be　near　me　and；　finally；　add　a　wide　streak　of　appallingly　bad　luck。　With　a　careless　laugh；　the　irresponsible　angel　propelled　her　fragile　creation　directly　into　my　path；　trusting　blithely　in　my　flawed　morality　to　keep　Bella　alive。　In　this　vision；　I　was　not　Bella　s　sentence；　she　was　my　reward。　I　shook　my　head　at　the　fantasy　of　the　unthinking　angel。　She　was　not　much　better　than　the　harpy。　I　could　not　think　well　of　a　higher　power　that　would　behave　in　such　a　dangerous　and　stupid　manner。　At　least　the　ugly　fate　I　could　fight　against。　And　I　had　no　angel。　They　were　reserved　for　the　good　for　people　like　Bella。　So　where　was　her　angel　through　all　this？　Who　was　watching　over　her？　I　laughed　silently；　startled；　as　I　realized　that；　just　now；　I　was　filling　that　role。　A　vampire　angel　there　was　a　stretch。　After　about　a　half　hour；　Bella　relaxed　out　of　the　tight　ball。　Her　breathing　got　deeper　and　she　started　to　murmur。　I　smiled；　satisfied。　It　was　a　small　thing；　but　at　least　she　was　sleeping　more　fortably　tonight　because　I　was　here。　Edward；　she　sighed；　and　she　smiled；　too。　I　shoved　tragedy　aside　for　the　moment；　and　let　myself　be　happy　again。　11。　Interrogations　N　broke　the　story　first。　I　was　glad　it　hit　the　news　before　I　had　to　leave　for　school；　anxious　to　hear　how　the　humans　would　phrase　the　account；　and　what　amount　of　attention　it　would　garner。　Luckily；　it　was　a　heavy　news　day。　There　was　an　earthquake　in　South　America　and　a　political　kidnapping　in　the　Middle　East。　So　it　ended　up　only　earning　a　few　seconds；　a　few　sentences；　and　one　grainy　picture。　Alonzo　Calderas　Wallace；　suspected　serial　rapist　and　murderer　wanted　in　the　states　of　Texas　and　Oklahoma；　was　apprehended　last　night　in　Portland；　Oregon　thanks　to　an　anonymous　tip。　Wallace　was　found　unconscious　in　an　alley　early　this　morning；　just　a　few　yards　from　a　police　station。　Officials　are　unable　to　tell　us

at　this　time　whether　he　will　be　extradited　to　Houston　or　Oklahoma　City　to　stand　trial。　The　picture　was　unclear；　a　mug　shot；　and　he　d　had　a　thick　beard　at　the　time　of　the　photograph。　Even　if　Bella　saw　it；　she　would　probably　not　recognize　him。　I　hoped　she　wouldn　t；　it　would　make　her　afraid　needlessly。　The　coverage　here　in　town　will　be　light。　It　s　too　far　away　to　be　considered　of　local　interest；　Alice　told　me。　It　was　a　good　call　to　have　Carlisle　take　him　out　of　state。　I　nodded。　Bella　didn　t　watch　much　TV　regardless；　and　I　d　never　seen　her　father　watching　anything　besides　sports　channels。　I　d　done　what　I　could。　This　monster　no　longer　hunted；　and　I　was　not　a　murderer。　Not　recently；　anyway。　I　d　been　right　to　trust　Carlisle；　as　much　as　I　still　wished　the　monster　had　not　gotten　off　quite　so　easily。　I　caught　myself　hoping　he　would　be　extradited　to　Texas；　where　the　death　penalty　was　so　popular　No。　That　didn　t　matter。　most　important。　I　would　put　this　behind　me；　and　concentrate　on　what　was　I　was　already　aching　to　see　her　I　d　left　Bella　s　room　less　than　an　hour　ago。　again。　Alice；　do　you　mind　She　cut　me　off。　Rosalie　will　drive。　She　ll　act　pissed；　but　you　know　she　ll　enjoy　the　excuse　to　show　off　her　car。　Alice　trilled　a　laugh。　I　grinned　at　her。　See　you　at　school。　Alice　sighed；　and　my　grin　became　a　grimace。　I　know；　I　know；　she　thought。　Not　yet。　I　ll　wait　until　you　re　ready　for　Bella　to　know　me。　You　should　know；　though；　this　isn　t　just　me　being　selfish。　Bella　s　going　to　like　me；　too。　I　didn　t　answer　her　as　I　hurried　out　the　door。　That　was　a　different　way　of　viewing　the　situation。　Would　Bella　want　to　know　Alice？　To　have　a　vampire　for　a　girlfriend？　Knowing　Bella　that　idea　probably　wouldn　t　bother　her　in　the　slightest。　I　frowned　to　myself。　separate　things。　What　Bella　wanted　and　what　was　best　for　Bella　were　two　very　I　started　to　feel　uneasy　as　I　parked　my　car　in　Bella　s　driveway。　The　human　adage　said　that　things　looked　different　in　the　morning　that　things　changed　when　you　slept　on　them。　Would　I　look　different　to　Bella　in　the　weak　light　of　a　foggy　day？　More　sinister　or　less　sinister　than　I　had　in　the　blackness　of　night？　Had　the　truth　sunk　in　while　she　slept？　Would　she　finally　be　afraid？　Her　dreams　had　been　peaceful；　though；　last　night。　When　she　d　spoken　my　name；　time　and　time　again；　she　d　smiled。　More　than　once　she　d　murmured　a　plea　for　me　to

stay。　Would　that　mean　nothing　today？　I　waited　nervously；　listening　to　the　sounds　of　her　inside　the　house　the　fast；　stumbling　footsteps　on　the　stairs；　the　sharp　rip　of　a　foil　wrapper；　the　contents　of　the　refrigerator　crashing　against　each　other　when　the　door　slammed。　It　sounded　like　she　was　in　a　hurry。　Anxious　to　get　to　school？　The　thought　made　me　smile；　hopeful　again。　I　looked　at　the　clock。　I　supposed　that　taking　in　account　the　velocity　her　decrepit　truck　must　limit　her　to　she　was　running　a　little　late。　Bella　rushed　out　of　the　house；　her　book　bag　sliding　off　her　shoulder；　her　hair　coiled　into　a　messy　twist　that　was　already　ing　apart　on　the　nape　of　her　neck。　The　thick　green　sweater　she　wore　was　not　enough　to　keep　her　thin　shoulders　from　hunching　against　the　cold　fog。　The　long　sweater　was　too　big　for　her；　unflattering。　It　masked　her　slender　figure；　turning　all　her　delicate　curves　and　soft　lines　into　a　shapeless　jumble。　I　appreciated　this　almost　as　much　as　I　wished　that　she　had　worn　something　more　like　the　soft　blue　blouse　she　d　worn　last　night　the　fabric　had　clung　to　her　skin　in　such　an　appealing　way；　cut　low　enough　to　reveal　the　mesmerizing　way　her　collar　bones　curled　away　from　the　hollow　beneath　her　throat。　The　blue　had　flowed　like　water　along　the　subtle　shape　of　her　body　It　was　better　essential　that　I　kept　my　thoughts　far；　far　away　from　that　shape；　so　I　was　grateful　to　the　unbeing　sweater　she　wore。　I　couldn　t　afford　to　make　mistakes；　and　it　would　be　a　monumental　mistake　to　dwell　on　the　strange　hungers　that　thoughts　of　her　lips　her　skin　her　body　were　shaking　loose　inside　of　me。　Hungers　that　had　evaded　me　for　a　hundred　years。　But　I　could　not　allow　myself　to　think　of　touching　her；　because　that　was　impossible。　I　would　break　her。　Bella　turned　away　from　the　door；　in　such　a　hurry　that　she　nearly　ran　right　by　my　car　without　noticing　it。　Then　she　skidded　to　a　stop；　her　knees　locking　like　a　startled　colt　s。　Her　bag　slid　further　down　her　arm；　and　her　eyes　flew　wide　as　they　focused　on　the　car。　I　got　out；　taking　no　care　to　move　at　human　speed；　and　opened　the　passenger　door　for　her。　I　would　not　try　to　deceive　her　anymore　when　we　were　alone；　at　least；　I　would　be　myself。　She　looked　up　at　me；　startled　again　as　I　seemingly　materialized　out　of　the　fog。　And　then　the　surprise　in　her　eyes　changed　to　something　else；　and　I　was　no　longer　afraid　or　hopeful　that　her　feelings　for　me　had　changed　in　the　course　of　the　night。　Warmth；　wonder；　fascination；　all　swimming　in　the　melted　chocolate　of　her　eyes。　Do　you　want　to　ride　with　me　today？　I　asked。　Unlike　dinner　last　night；　I　would　let　her　choose。　From　now　on；　it　must　always　be　her　choice。　Yes；　thank　you；　she　murmured；　climbing　into　my　car　without　hesitation。　Would　it　ever　cease　to　thrill　me；　that　I　was　the　one　she　was　saying　yes　to？　doubted　it。　I　flashed　around　the　car；　eager　to　join　her。　I　She　showed　no　sign　of　being　shocked

by　my　sudden　reappearance。　The　happiness　I　felt　when　she　sat　beside　me　this　way　had　no　precedent。　As　much　as　I　enjoyed　the　love　and　panionship　of　my　family；　despite　the　various　entertainments　and　distractions　the　world　had　to　offer；　I　had　never　been　happy　like　this。　Even　knowing　that　it　was　wrong；　that　this　couldn　t　possibly　end　well；　could　not　keep　the　smile　from　my　face　for　long。　My　jacket　was　folded　over　the　headrest　of　her　seat。　I　saw　her　eyeing　it。　I　brought　the　jacket　for　you；　I　told　her。　This　was　my　excuse；　had　I　needed　to　provide　one；　for　showing　up　uninvited　this　morning。　It　was　cold。　She　had　no　jacket。　Surely　this　was　an　acceptable　form　of　chivalry。　something。　I　didn　t　want　you　to　get　sick　or　I　m　not　quite　that　delicate；　she　said；　staring　at　my　chest　rather　than　my　face；　as　if　she　were　hesitant　to　meet　my　eyes。　But　she　put　the　coat　on　before　I　had　to　resort　to　manding　or　coaxing。　Aren　t　you？　I　muttered　to　myself。　She　stared　out　at　the　road　as　I　accelerated　toward　the　school。　I　could　only　stand　the　silence　for　a　few　seconds。　I　had　to　know　what　her　thoughts　were　this　morning。　So　much　had　changed　between　us　since　the　last　time　the　sun　was　up。　What；　no　twenty　questions　today？　I　asked；　keeping　it　light　again。　She　smiled；　seeming　glad　that　I　d　broached　the　subject。　you？　Do　my　questions　bother　Not　as　much　as　your　reactions　do；　I　told　her　honestly；　smiling　in　response　to　her　smile。　Her　mouth　turned　down。　Do　I　react　badly？　No；　that　s　the　problem。　You　take　everything　so　coolly　it　s　unnatural。　Not　one　scream　so　far。　How　could　that　be？　It　makes　me　wonder　what　you　re　really　thinking。　Of　course；　everything　she　did　or　didn　t　do　made　me　wonder　that。　I　always　tell　you　what　I　m　really　thinking。　You　edit。　Her　teeth　pressed　into　her　lip　again。　She　didn　t　seem　to　notice　when　she　did　this　it　was　an　unconscious　response　to　tension。　Not　very　much。　Just　those　words　were　enough　to　have　my　curiosity　raging。　purposefully　keep　from　me？　Enough　to　drive　me　insane；　I　said。　She　hesitated；　and　then　whispered；　You　don　t　want　to　hear　it。　I　had　to　think　for　a　moment；　run　through　our　entire　conversation　last　night；　word　for　word；　before　I　made　the　connection。　Perhaps　it　took　so　much　concentration　What　did　she

because　I　couldn　t　imagine　anything　that　I　wouldn　t　want　her　to　say　to　me。　And　then　because　the　tone　of　her　voice　was　the　same　as　last　night；　there　was　suddenly　pain　there　again　I　remembered。　Once；　I　had　asked　her　not　to　speak　her　thoughts。　Never　say　that；　I　d　all　but　snarled　at　her。　I　had　made　her　cry　Was　this　what　she　kept　from　me？　The　depth　of　her　feelings　about　me？　That　my　being　a　monster　didn　t　matter　to　her；　and　that　she　thought　it　was　too　late　for　her　to　change　her　mind？　I　was　unable　to　speak；　because　the　joy　and　pain　were　too　strong　for　words；　the　conflict　between　them　too　wild　to　allow　for　a　coherent　response。　It　was　silent　in　the　car　except　for　the　steady　rhythms　of　her　heart　and　lungs。　Where　s　the　rest　of　your　family？　she　asked　suddenly。　I　took　a　deep　breath　registering　the　scent　in　the　car　with　true　pain　for　the　first　time；　I　was　getting　used　to　this；　I　realized　with　satisfaction　and　forced　myself　to　be　casual　again。　They　took　Rosalie　s　car。　I　parked　in　the　open　spot　next　to　the　car　in　question。　I　hid　my　smile　as　I　watched　her　eyes　widen。　Ostentatious；　isn　t　it？　Um；　wow。　If　she　has　that；　why　does　she　ride　with　you？　Rosalie　would　have　enjoyed　Bella　s　reaction　if　she　were　being　objective　about　Bella；　which　probably　wouldn　t　happen。　Like　I　said；　it　s　ostentatious。　We　try　to　blend　in。　You　don　t　succeed；　she　told　me；　and　then　she　laughed　a　carefree　laugh。　The　blithe；　wholly　untroubled　sound　of　her　laughter　warmed　my　hollow　chest　even　as　it　made　my　head　swim　with　doubt。　So　why　did　Rosalie　drive　today　if　it　s　more　conspicuous？　she　wondered。　Hadn　t　you　noticed？　I　m　breaking　all　the　rules　now。　My　answer　should　have　been　mildly　frightening　so；　of　course；　Bella　smiled　at　it。　She　didn　t　wait　for　me　to　open　her　door；　just　like　last　night。　I　had　to　feign　normality　here　at　school　so　I　couldn　t　move　fast　enough　to　prevent　this　but　she　was　just　going　to　have　to　get　used　to　being　treated　with　more　courtesy；　and　get　used　to　it　soon。　I　walked　as　close　to　her　as　I　dared；　watching　carefully　for　any　sign　that　my　proximity　upset　her。　Twice　her　hand　twitched　toward　me　and　then　she　would　snatch　it　back。　It　looked　like　she　wanted　to　touch　me　My　breath　sped。　Why　do　you　have　cars　like　that　at　all？　as　we　walked。　An　indulgence；　I　admitted。　If　you　re　looking　for　privacy？　she　asked　We　all　like　to　drive　fast。　Figures；　she　mumbled；　her　tone　sour。　She　didn　t　look　up　to　see　my　answering　grin。

Nuhuh！　I　don　t　believe　this！　it！　Why？　How　the　hell　did　Bella　pull　this　off？　I　don　t　get　Jessica　s　mental　boggling　interrupted　my　thoughts。　She　was　waiting　for　Bella；　taking　refuge　from　the　rain　under　the　edge　of　the　cafeteria　s　roof；　with　Bella　s　winter　jacket　over　her　arm。　Her　eyes　were　wide　with　disbelief。　Bella　noticed　her；　too；　in　the　next　moment。　A　faint　pink　touched　her　cheek　when　Bella　registered　Jessica　s　expression。　The　thoughts　in　Jessica　s　head　were　fairly　clear　on　her　face。　Hey；　Jessica。　Thanks　for　remembering；　Bella　greeted　her。　the　jacket　and　Jessica　handed　it　to　her　wordlessly。　She　reached　out　for　I　should　be　polite　to　Bella　s　friends；　whether　they　were　good　friends　or　not。　Good　morning；　Jessica。　Whoa　Jessica　s　eyes　popped　even　wider。　It　was　strange　and　amusing　and；　honestly；　a　bit　embarrassing　to　realize　how　much　being　near　Bella　had　softened　me。　It　seemed　like　no　one　was　afraid　of　me　any　more。　If　Emmett　found　out　about　this；　he　would　be　laughing　for　the　next　century。　Er　hi；　Jessica　mumbled；　and　her　eyes　flashed　to　Bella　s　face；　full　of　significance。　I　guess　I　ll　see　you　in　Trig。　You　are　so　going　to　spill。　I　m　not　taking　no　for　an　answer。　have　details！　Edward　freaking　CULLEN！！　Life　is　so　unfair。　Bella　s　mouth　twitched。　Yeah；　I　ll　see　you　then。　Details。　I　have　to　Jessica　s