I heard a car door shut and an engine purr to life and then my car speed away. Alice, Esme and Carlisle got into the Mercedes and began pulling out of the parking lot we were in. Alice was in the backseat with me and she brought my head into her lap, brushing dirt off of my face while murmuring that everything would be alright.

Everything wouldn’t be alright though, everything was very, very wrong. My hands were constantly clenching and unclenching as each wave of pain rippled through me. I realized Alice was trying to hide something from me in her mind, though. She was actually trying very, very hard to hide something from me and so I sat up quickly.

“What was that?” I asked crisply.

Esme turned around in her seat while Carlisle peered through the review mirror at me, slightly raising his eyebrows at my sudden speech

“It’s nothing Edward. Quit.” Alice commanded.

“Was that Bella? What did you see? Show me!” I demanded.

At the sound of her name she slipped for only a fraction of a second, but the second was long enough for me to see. I gasped in horror.

“When was that?” I cried.

“After you left her in the woods,” she replied glumly.

“No!” I moaned. “Is she okay? Please….Tell me she’s okay! Tell me that I didn't break her.”

Alice placed her hand gently on my forearm and answered softly, “Edward, she’s…alive.”

“Alive?" I questioned, feeling more out of control as each second passed. Had I needed to breathe, I was sure I would feel dizzy.

“Well…yes…she is not physically damaged but she hasn't left her room in a week and…..” I cut her off.

“Stop. Stop right there.” I begged though the visual pictures continued in her head.I put my head into my hands and cried dry tears. I broke her. What have I done? Will she ever forgive me.

“Take me back,” I demanded.

“If that’s what you want,” Carlisle looked at me in the review mirror with a look of pure worry.

“Of course, take me back now!” I yelled.

We drove for several hours until we reached the outside of Washington. Carlisle pulled the car over.

“I’m not going to take you back there, Edward. If you wish to get out of the car the run the rest of the way I won’t object but with everything that has happened I won’t so easily bring you back there when you are in this kind of a state,” he explained.

I looked out the window longingly, wishing that I could make myself get out of the car. I promised her that she would never see me again. She had never broken a promise to me and I wasn’t going to break this one. I couldn’t – Charlie will take care of her.

I looked at Alice but she already knew my decision.

“Drive,” Alice commanded Carlisle.

He turned to look at me. “Drive,” I shouted.

I looked behind me while watching the orange street lights become smaller and less distinct as we passed the many cities in Washington, wishing that I could return to her.