CHAPTER 8:

DISTURBED

Edward slipped me off his back as we arrived at his front porch. The tears still swelled from my eyes, I could feel that my face was red and puffy. Seth was dead now, and it was all my fault. It never would have happened if I had been in the woods with Jacob. THAT never would have happened if I hadn’t resisted speaking to him in private.

“Bella, it’s alright. You aren’t to blame,” Said Edward, holding me.

We stood there in the dark for a long time. I forced my tears to stop, not wanting Charlie to see me. Charlie. He had seen everything!

“Edward-”

“They told Charlie,” Said Edward as if he had read my thoughts again, “They had to, what with Jacob phasing in front of him…and while they did that, they told him everything.”

“You mean…he knows you are all vampires?”

Edward nodded once. He let go of me, but took my hand, “He’s fainted, we’d better go revive him.”

When we entered the house, Charlie was on the couch, as Esme frantically fanned him with a T.V. Guide, one of their many props. Alice sat on the floor, cross legged, so that she would be the first thing Charlie saw when he woke up. Her face was not at ease. Nobody’s was.

“I saw him,” Said Alice, “I saw Jasper. He was running from something. What was it, Edward?”

“He killed Seth, Alice.” Was Edward’s blunt reply as he left the room.

Alice’s face turned to me with more worry emerging. Esme faced me too, eyes wide.

“It’s true,” I shrugged, “Edward was trying to attack Jacob, but Seth jumped in front of him. Jasper lost control and attacked as well, and bit Seth.”

“Vampire’s venom will kill werewolves.” Esme said calmly.

“I know,” I said quietly, “I just thought for a moment that he had a chance. Even though he would be…changed…”

Alice hugged me, and I cried into her shoulders. After a while, Esme took over, her motherly touch comforting me.

“Emmett’s coming back,” Said Alice, her voice filled with melancholy, “Jasper ran.”

She then fled up the stairs..

Edward returned, Carlisle and Rosalie following.

“The battle lines are drawn,” Said Carlisle.

“Thanks to an immature little pup,” Scoffed Rosalie. If only she knew how much Jacob had changed. Esme said nothing. Edward neared me and whispered into my ear, “We’re going to protect you.” His arm wrapped around me, and I buried myself into him.