A multitude of emotions flew across his previously vacant face as he soaked in every detail of my presence.

“Am I dead?” He frowned.

“No, regrettably, you will survive.” I joked halfheartedly.

“Why are you here, then….”

“To save your ass.” I raised my eyebrows.

“Leave.” He broke eye contact abruptly.

I paused for a moment. I had expected this. I had prepared myself to be banished like this, I just didn’t expect it to sting so badly.

“Fine.” I let the resentment creep into my voice as I spun on my heal and made a fast exit, slamming the door behind me.

I was greeted outside by a very tense and uncomforting environment.

“How is he?” Billy stared at the ground as he spoke.

“Fine.” I snapped. “In fact, he is fine enough to be an ungrateful little twerp and banish me without thanks. We’ll leave you all alone now, I’m sorry to intrude. I’ll be more considerate next time I come here with the intention of saving someone’s life.” Sarcasm dripped off of every word. I wasn’t trying to hide that I was hurt. I was angry and upset with Jacob. He had the nerve to betray my trust and treat me so ungratefully when I generously rescued his undeserving ….. I let the thought trail off, not wanting to allow my temper to flare up any more.

“Lets go.” I ordered authoritatively as I stomped off of the porch and in the direction of the cars. Edwards strong arms caught me and spun me around to face the crowd that I had been fleeing. Jacob appeared in the doorway that I had just left and stared out at us with fury in his eyes.

“Why are you here!” He directed the question at the entirety of the Cullen family.

I expected Alice or Edward to be the ones to deliver the response to him, but instead it was Sam who spoke up. “They are here because Bella was the only one capable of saving your life.” He scowled back menacingly.

“Then you should have let me die.” Jacob growled darkly.

I closed my eyes and erased all of my emotion. I felt a dark pit in my stomach threatening to engulf me completely, but I refused to break down in front of Jacob. I would not let him see that he had won. I forced myself to go completely numb.

“Lets go, NOW.” I hissed through my clenched teeth.

Edward threw Jacob a dark glance and led me to the Volvo. The rest of the Cullens fell behind and in moments we were speeding out of the driveway, leaving the pack in a cloud of dust.

Alice began grumbling something about “ungrateful mongrels” and ranted endlessly from the passengers seat. I stopped listening and focused on erasing my emotions entirely.

“Bella? Did you hear me?” Alice ordered my attention back to her.

“No, Sorry, what?”

“I said that they released Charlie from the hospital today. He will be arriving home soon.”

“How soon?” I asked.

“Hang on, I’ll see.” She stiffened and sat perfectly still as the disconnected look filtered her eyes like she always did when she consulted the future. Edwards eyes closed simultaneously and he read her visions as they appeared to her.

Their body language mirrored each others. Both of them immediately snapped around to face each other with panic and fear in their eyes.

“What!?” Jasper frowned.

They remained silent.

“GUYS!” He protested. “ I could cut the panic in this car with a knife! What’s going on?!”

Still- No response.

“Edward!” I yelled.

“If you two don’t start talking right now….” Jasper growled. “Don’t make me stop this car!”

Alice’s mouth opened slightly. “Charlie.” She whispered.

“WHAT!? What about Charlie!?” I shrieked.

More silence.

They were unreliable and annoyingly unhelpful to me. I decided to depend on my own senses. I shut my eyes and focused on my nose. Charlie’s scent was only 10 miles from us, I caught it easily. There were other scents too, I realized. One very recognizable one.

“Jane.” I gasped. “NO!”

“Jasper, get to Charlie’s house – now!” Alice shouted.

The car gained speed and lurched violently forward.

“What does she want with Charlie?!” I sobbed.

“He knows too much, same as you did.” Edward whispered.

“She wont kill him, will she?” Jasper gasped.

“If we don’t make it in time- yes.” Alice sounded horrified.

My whole world was crashing around me. First Jacob, now this. What more could go wrong? I leaned my head back against the headrest and focused on retaining consciousness.