5 midnigh+sun-第53章
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The trip was very short on the dark； empty road。 I left off my headlights to keep
from attracting attention。 It made me smile to think how Bella would have reacted to this
pace。 I'd already been driving slower than usual—to prolong my time with her—when
she'd objected。
Carlisle was thinking of Bella； too。
I didn't foresee that she would be so good for him。 That's unexpected。 Perhaps
this was somehow meant to be。 Perhaps it serves a higher purpose。 Only？
He pictured Bella with snow cold skin and blood red eyes； and then flinched away
from the image。
Yes。 Only。 Indeed。 Because how could there be any good in destroying
something so pure and lovely？
I glowered into the night； all the joy of the evening destroyed by his thoughts。
Edward deserves happiness。 He's owed it。 The fierceness of Carlisle's thoughts
surprised me。 There must be a way。
I wished I could believe that—either one。 But there was no higher purpose to
what was happening to Bella。 Just a vicious harpy； an ugly； bitter fate who could not bear
for Bella to have the life she deserved。
？ 2008 Stephenie Meyer
216
I did not linger in Port Angeles。 I took Carlisle to the dive where the creature
named Lonnie was drowning his disappointment with his friends—two of whom had
already passed out。 Carlisle could see how hard it was for me to be so close—for me to
hear the monster's thoughts and see his memories； memories of Bella mixed in with less
fortunate girls who no one could save now。
My breathing sped。 I clenched the steering wheel。
Go； Edward； he told me gently。 I'll make the rest of them safe。 You go back to
Bella。
It was exactly the right thing to say。 Her name was the only distraction that could
mean anything to me now。
I left him in the car； and ran back to Forks in a 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。
？ 2008 Stephenie Meyer
217
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 hag…faced 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 sky…colored 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 self…preservation—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 comfortably 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。
？ 2008 Stephenie Meyer
218
11。 Interrogations
CNN 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。 I would put this behind me； and concentrate on what was
most important。
I'd left Bella's room less than an hour ago。 I was already aching to see her 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。
？ 2008 Stephenie Meyer
219
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。 What Bella wanted and what was best for Bella were two
very separate things。
I started to feel
