Chapter Four: Blind

– Carlisle

Alice would come any time now. Jasper had given the warning and fled. Esme had taken the others out hunting. I had a table inside set up for treating my patient. And Edward… Edward would come back.

“C-Carlisle?” I reached out to take the girl, knowing Alice could also crack at any time. The very fact she had brought the human back, blood crusting around her neck, without drinking her dry showed her control enough. But…

“There is no blood.”

“Carlisle. I-I’m sorry.” Alice refused to meet my eyes, ignoring my outstretched arms and hugging the girl — Bella — tight. “I’m sorry. But I had no choice.”

“Alice…”

“I didn’t know how much he drank! I ran as fast as I could! I—”

“Alice—”

“I know I should have told you, together we might have stopped him before it was too late, but it would have broken Edward, and I couldn’t do that to him, he looks up to you so—”

“Alice!” She finally looked up. “It’s ok.”

“Wh-what do we do? The wolves…”

“They are not strong enough yet. We have time, not a lot, but enough. Bring her inside, she will be in pain soon enough. How much blood was there before she started changing?” I led my adopted daughter, still clinging to the unconscious Bella, into the house and to the bed I had prepared.

“I don’t know, there wasn’t very much left. Is it too late? Will she survive?” She gently placed Bella onto the bed, glancing worriedly at me before staring at the still unmoving almost-vampire.

“Can’t you see anything?” I looked at her sharply, apprehension rising.

“No.” She turned to me with human-like fear. “What does it mean? Why can’t I see anything? I can’t — I can’t —”

“The wolves are coming.”

“I know that! Of course they will! Unless… will it be enough if I leave too? We didn’t kill anyone, not yet at least.” She glanced at Bella. “I didn’t know! I thought I could help! I couldn’t leave her there…”

“I know.” I wrapped my arms around her, remembering my own moments of fear before Edward changed. Before I changed him. “We will all leave, when appropriate, and take Bella with us.”