Saturday, December 14, 2019
The Twilight Saga 4 Breaking Dawn 12. Some People Just Donââ¬â¢t Grasp ââ¬Â¦ Free Essays
12. Some People Just Donââ¬â¢t Grasp The Concept Of ââ¬Å"Unwelcomeâ⬠I was right on the edge of sleep. The sun had risen behind the clouds an hour ago ââ¬â the forest was gray now instead of black. We will write a custom essay sample on The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 12. Some People Just Donââ¬â¢t Grasp â⬠¦ or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sethââ¬â¢d curled up and passed out around one, and Iââ¬â¢d woken him at dawn to trade off. Even after running all night, I was having a hard time making my brain shut up long enough to fall asleep, but Sethââ¬â¢s rhythmic run was helping. One, two-three, four, one, two-three, four ââ¬â dum dum-dum dam ââ¬â dull paw thuds against the damp earth, over and over as he made the wide circuit surrounding the Cullensââ¬â¢ land. We were already wearing a trail into the ground. Sethââ¬â¢s thoughts were empty, just a blur of green and gray as the woods flew past him. It was restful. It helped to fill my head with what he saw rather than letting my own images take center stage. And then Sethââ¬â¢s piercing howl broke the early morning quiet. I lurched up from the ground, my front legs pulling toward a sprint before my hind legs were off the ground. I raced toward the place where Seth had frozen, listening with him to the tread of paws running in our direction. Morning, boys. A shocked whine broke through Sethââ¬â¢s teeth. And then we both snarled as we read deeper into the new thoughts. Oh, man! Goaway, Leah! Seth groaned. I stopped when I got to Seth, head thrown back, ready to howl again ââ¬â this time to complain. Cut the noise, Seth. Right. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!He whimpered and pawed at the ground, scratching deep furrows in the dirt. Leah trotted into view, her small gray body weaving through the underbrush. Stop whining, Seth. Youââ¬â¢re such a baby. I growled at her, my ears flattening against my skull. She skipped back a step automatically. What do you think youââ¬â¢re doing, Leah? She huffed a heavy sigh. Itââ¬â¢s pretty obvious, isnââ¬â¢t it? Iââ¬â¢m joining your crappy little renegade pack. The vampiresââ¬â¢ guard dogs. She barked out a low, sarcastic laugh. No, youââ¬â¢re not. Turn around before I rip out one of your hamstrings. Like you could catch me.She grinned and coiled her body for launch. Wanna race, O fearless leader? I took a deep breath, filling my lungs until my sides bulged. Then, when I was sure I wasnââ¬â¢t going to scream, i exhaled in a gust. Seth, go let the Cullens know that itââ¬â¢s just your stupid sister ââ¬â thought the words as harshly as possible. deal with this. On it!Seth was only too happy to leave. He vanished toward the house. Leah whined, and she leaned after him, the fur on her shoulders rising. Youââ¬â¢re just going to let him run off to the vampires alone? Iââ¬â¢m pretty sure heââ¬â¢d rather they took him out than spend another minute with you. Shut up, Jacob. Oops, Iââ¬â¢m sorry ââ¬â meant, shut up, most high Alpha. Why thehellare you here? You think Iââ¬â¢m just going to sit home while my little brother volunteers as a vampire chew toy? Seth doesnââ¬â¢t want or need your protection. In fact, no one wants you here. Oooh, ouch, thatââ¬â¢s gonna leave ahuge mark. Ha, she barked. Tell me who does want me around, and Iââ¬â¢m outta here. So this isnââ¬â¢t about Seth at all, is it? Of course it is. Iââ¬â¢m just pointing out that being unwanted is not a first for me. Not really a motivating factor, if you know what I mean. I gritted my teeth and tried to get my head straight. Did Sam send you? If I was here on Samââ¬â¢s errand, you wouldnââ¬â¢t be able to hear me. My allegiance is no longer with him. I listened carefully to the thoughts mixed in with the words. If this was a diversion or a ploy, I had to be alert enough to see through it. But there was nothing. Her declaration was nothing but the truth. Unwilling, almost despairing truth. Youââ¬â¢re loyal tome now? I asked with deep sarcasm. Uh-huh. Right. My choices are limited. Iââ¬â¢m working with the options Iââ¬â¢ve got. Trust me, Iââ¬â¢m not enjoying this any more than you are. That wasnââ¬â¢t true. There was an edgy kind of excitement in her mind. She was unhappy about this, but she was also riding some weird high. I searched her mind, trying to understand. She bristled, resenting the intrusion. I usually tried to tune Leah out ââ¬â Iââ¬â¢d never tried to make sense of her before. We were interrupted by Seth, thinking his explanation at Edward. Leah whined anxiously. Edwardââ¬â¢s face, framed in the same window as last night, showed no reaction to the news. It was a blank face, dead. Wow, he looks bad,Seth muttered to himself. The vampire showed no reaction to that thought, either. He disappeared into the house. Seth pivoted and headed back out to us. Leah relaxed a little. Whatââ¬â¢s going on?Leah asked. Catch me up to speed. Thereââ¬â¢s no point Youââ¬â¢re not staying. Actually, Mr. Alpha, I am. Because since apparently I have to belong tosomeone ââ¬â and donââ¬â¢t think I havenââ¬â¢t tried breaking off on my own, you know yourself how wellthat doesn ââ¬Ët work ââ¬â choose you. Leah, you donââ¬â¢t like me. I donââ¬â¢t like you. Thank you, Captain Obvious. That doesnââ¬â¢t matter to me. Iââ¬â¢m staying with Seth. You donââ¬â¢t like vampires. Donââ¬â¢t you think thatââ¬â¢s a little conflict of interest right there? You donââ¬â¢t like vampires either. But Iam committed to this alliance. You arenââ¬â¢t. Iââ¬â¢ll keep my distance from them. I can run patrols out here, just like Seth. And Iââ¬â¢m supposed to trust you with that? She stretched her neck, leaning up on her toes, trying to be as tall as me as she stared into my eyes. will not betray my pack. I wanted to throw my head back and howl, like Seth had before. This isnââ¬â¢t your pack! This isnââ¬â¢t even a pack. This is just me, going off on my own! What is it with you Clearwaters? Why canââ¬â¢t you leave me alone? Seth, just coming up behind us now, whined; Iââ¬â¢d offended him. Great. Iââ¬â¢ve been helpful, havenââ¬â¢t I, Jake? You havenââ¬â¢t madetoo much a nuisance of yourself, kid, but if you and Leah are a package deal ââ¬â if the only way to get rid of her is for you to go homeâ⬠¦. Weil, can you blame me for wanting you gone? Ugh, Leah, you ruin everything! Yeah, I know,she told him, and the thought was loaded with the heaviness of her despair. I felt the pain in the three little words, and it was more than I wouldââ¬â¢ve guessed. I didnââ¬â¢t want to feel that. I didnââ¬â¢t want to feel bad for her. Sure, the pack was rough on her, but she brought it all on herself with the bitterness that tainted her every thought and made being in her head a nightmare. Seth was feeling guilty, too. Jakeâ⬠¦ Youââ¬â¢re not really gonna send me away, are you? Leahââ¬â¢s not so bad. Really. I mean, with her here, we can push the perimeter out farther. And this puts Sam down to seven. Thereââ¬â¢s no way heââ¬â¢s going to mount an attack that outnumbered. Itââ¬â¢s probably a good thingâ⬠¦. You know I donââ¬â¢t want to lead a pack, Seth. So donââ¬â¢t lead us,Leah offered. I snorted. Sounds perfect to me. Run along home now. Jake,Seth thought. belong here. I do like vampires. Cullens, anyway. Theyââ¬â¢re people to me, and Iââ¬â¢m going to protect them, ââ¬â¢cause thatââ¬â¢s what weââ¬â¢re supposed to do. Maybe you belong, kid, but your sister doesnââ¬â¢t And sheââ¬â¢s going to go wherever you are ââ¬â I stopped short, because I saw something when I said that. Something Leah had been trying not to think. Leah wasnââ¬â¢t going anywhere. Thought this was about Seth,I thought sourly. She flinched. Of course Iââ¬â¢m here for Seth. And to get away from Sam. Her jaw clenched. donââ¬â¢t have to explain myself to you. I just have to do what Iââ¬â¢m told. I belong to your pack, Jacob. The end. I paced away from her, growling. Crap. I was never going to get rid of her. As much as she disliked me, as much as she loathed the Cullens, as happy as sheââ¬â¢d be to go kill all the vampires right now, as much as it pissed her off to have to protect them instead ââ¬â none of that was anything compared to what she felt being free of Sam. Leah didnââ¬â¢t like me, so it wasnââ¬â¢t such a chore having me wish she would disappear. She loved Sam. Still. And having him wish she would disappear was more pain than she was willing to live with, now that she had a choice. She would have taken any other option. Even if it meant moving in with the Cullens as their lapdog. donââ¬â¢t know if Iââ¬â¢d go that far, she thought. She tried to make the words tough, aggressive, but there were big cracks in her show. Iââ¬â¢m sure Iââ¬â¢d give killing myself a few good tries first. Look, Leahâ⬠¦ No,you look, Jacob. Stop arguing with me, because itââ¬â¢s not going to do any good. Iââ¬â¢ll stay out of your way, okay? Iââ¬â¢ll do anything you want Except go back to Samââ¬â¢s pack and be the pathetic ex-girlfriend he canââ¬â¢t get away from. If you want me to leave ââ¬â she sat back on her haunches and stared straight into my eyes ââ¬â youââ¬â¢re going to have tomake me. I snarled for a long, angry minute. I was beginning to feel some sympathy for Sam, despite what he had done to me, to Seth. No wonder he was always ordering the pack around. How else would you ever get anything done? Seth, are you gonna get mad at me if I kill your sister? He pretended to think about it for a minute. Wellâ⬠¦ yeah, probably. I sighed. Okay, then, Ms. Do-Anything-I-Want Why donââ¬â¢t you make yourself useful by telling us what you know? What happened after we left last night? Lots of howling. But you probably heard that part. It was so loud that it took us a while to figure out that we couldnââ¬â¢t hear either of you anymore. Sam wasâ⬠¦Words failed her, but we could see it in our head. Both Seth and I cringed. After that, it was clear pretty quick that we were going to have to rethink things. Sam was planning to talk to the other Elders first thing this morning. We were supposed to meet up and figure out a game plan. I could tell he wasnââ¬â¢t going to mount another attack right away, though. Suicide at this point, with you and Seth AWOL and the bloodsuckers forewarned. Iââ¬â¢m not sure what theyââ¬â¢ll do, but I wouldnââ¬â¢t be wandering the forest alone if I was a leech. Itââ¬â¢s open season on vamps now. You decided to skip the meeting this morning?I asked. When we split up for patrols last night, I asked permission to go home, to tell my mother what had happened ââ¬â Crap! You told Mom?Seth growled. Seth, hold off on the sibling stuff for a sec. Go on, Leah. So once I was human, I took a minute to think things through. Well, actually, I took all night. I bet the others think I fell asleep. But the whole two-separate-packs, two-separate-pack-minds thing gave mea lot to sift through. In the end, I weighed Sethââ¬â¢s safety and the, er, other benefits against the idea of turning traitor and sniffing vampire stink for who knows how long. You know what I decided. I left a note for my mom. I expect weââ¬â¢ll hear it when Sam finds out . .. Leah cocked an ear to the west. Yeah, I expect we will,I agreed. So thatââ¬â¢s everything. What do we do now?she asked. She and Seth both looked at me expectantly. This was exactly the kind of thing I didnââ¬â¢t want to have to do. guess we just keep an eye out for now. Thatââ¬â¢s all we can do. You should probably take a nap, Leah. Youââ¬â¢ve had as much sleep as I have. Thought you were going to do what you were told? Right. Thatââ¬â¢s going to get old,she grumbled, and then she yawned. Well, whatever. I donââ¬â¢t care. Iââ¬â¢ll run the border, Jake. Iââ¬â¢m not tired at all.Seth was so glad I hadnââ¬â¢t forced them home, he was all but prancing with excitement. Sure, sure. Iââ¬â¢m going to go check in with the Cullens. Seth took off along the new path worn into the damp earth. Leah looked after him thoughtfully. Maybe a round or two before I crashâ⬠¦. Hey Seth, wanna see how many times I can lap you? NO! Barking out a low chuckle, Leah lunged into the woods after him. I growled uselessly. So much for peace and quiet. Leah was trying ââ¬â for Leah. She kept her jibes to a minimum as she raced around the circuit, but it was impossible not to be aware of her smug mood. I thought of the whole ââ¬Å"twoââ¬â¢s companyâ⬠saying. It didnââ¬â¢t really apply, because one was plenty to my mind. But if there had to be three of us, it was hard to think of anyone that I wouldnââ¬â¢t trade her for. Paul?she suggested. Maybe,I allowed. She laughed to herself, too jittery and hyper to get offended, i wondered how long the buzz from dodging Samââ¬â¢s pity would last. That will be my goal then ââ¬â to be less annoying than Paul. Yeah, work on that I changed into my other form when I was a few yards from the lawn. I hadnââ¬â¢t been planning to spend much time human here. But I hadnââ¬â¢t been planning to have Leah in my head, either. I pulled on my ragged shorts and started across the lawn. The door opened before I got to the steps, and I was surprised to see Carlisle rather than Edward step outside to meet me ââ¬â his face looked exhausted and defeated. For a second, my heart froze. I faltered to a stop, unable to speak. ââ¬Å"Are you all right, Jacob?â⬠Carlisle asked. ââ¬Å"Is Bella?â⬠I choked out. ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢sâ⬠¦ much the same as last night. Did I startle you? Iââ¬â¢m sorry. Edward said you were coming in your human form, and I came out to greet you, as he didnââ¬â¢t want to leave her. Sheââ¬â¢s awake.â⬠And Edward didnââ¬â¢t want to lose any time with her, because he didnââ¬â¢t have much time left. Carlisle didnââ¬â¢t say the words out loud, but he might as well have. It had been a while since Iââ¬â¢d slept ââ¬â since before my last patrol. I could really feel that now. I took a step forward, sat down on the porch steps, and slumped against the railing. Moving whisper-quiet as only a vampire could, Carlisle took a seat on the same step, against the other railing. ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t get a chance to thank you last night, Jacob. You donââ¬â¢t know how much I appreciate yourâ⬠¦ compassion. I know your goal was to protect Bella, but I owe you the safety of the rest of my family as well. Edward told me what you had to do___â⬠ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t mention it,â⬠I muttered. ââ¬Å"If you prefer.â⬠We sat in silence. I could hear the others in the house. Emmett, Alice, and Jasper, speaking in low, serious voices upstairs. Esme humming tunelessly in another room. Rosalie and Edward breathing close by ââ¬â I couldnââ¬â¢t tell which was which, but I could hear the difference in Bellaââ¬â¢s labored panting. I could hear her heart, too. It seemedâ⬠¦ uneven. It was like fate was out to make me do everything Iââ¬â¢d ever sworn I wouldnââ¬â¢t in the course of twenty-four hours. Here I was, hanging around, waiting for her to die. I didnââ¬â¢t want to listen anymore. Talking was better than listening. ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s family to you?â⬠I asked Carlisle. It had caught my notice before, when heââ¬â¢d said Iââ¬â¢d helped the rest of his family, too. ââ¬Å"Yes. Bella is already a daughter to me. A beloved daughter.â⬠ââ¬Å"But youââ¬â¢re going to let her die.â⬠He was quiet long enough that I looked up. His face was very, very tired. I knew how he felt. ââ¬Å"I can imagine what you think of me for that,â⬠he finally said. ââ¬Å"But i canââ¬â¢t ignore her will. It wouldnââ¬â¢t be right to make such a choice for her, to force her.â⬠I wanted to be angry with him, but he was making it hard. It was like he was throwing my own words back at me, just scrambled up. Theyââ¬â¢d sounded right before, but they couldnââ¬â¢t be right now. Not with Bella dying. Stillâ⬠¦ I remembered how it felt to be broken on the ground under Sam ââ¬â to have no choice but be involved in the murder of someone I loved. It wasnââ¬â¢t the same, though. Sam was wrong. And Bella loved things she shouldnââ¬â¢t. ââ¬Å"Do you think thereââ¬â¢s any chance sheââ¬â¢ll make it? I mean, as a vampire and all that. She told me aboutâ⬠¦ about Esme.â⬠Tel say thereââ¬â¢s an even chance at this point,â⬠he answered quietly. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve seen vampire venom work miracles, but there are conditions that even venom cannot overcome. Her heart is working too hard now; if it should failâ⬠¦ there wonââ¬â¢t be anything for me to do.â⬠Bellaââ¬â¢s heartbeat throbbed and faltered, giving an agonizing emphasis to his words. Maybe the planet had started turning backward. Maybe that would explain how everything was the opposite of what it had been yesterday ââ¬â how I could be hoping for what had once seemed like the very worst thing in the world. ââ¬Å"What is that thing doing to her?â⬠I whispered. ââ¬Å"She was so much worse last night. I sawâ⬠¦ the tubes and all that. Through the window.â⬠ââ¬Å"The fetus isnââ¬â¢t compatible with her body. Too strong, for one thing, but she could probably endure that for a while. The bigger problem is that it wonââ¬â¢t allow her to get the sustenance she needs. Her body is rejecting every form of nutrition. Iââ¬â¢m trying to feed her intravenously, but sheââ¬â¢s just not absorbing it. Everything about her condition is accelerated. Iââ¬â¢m watching her ââ¬â and not just her, but the fetus as well ââ¬â starve to death by the hour. I canââ¬â¢t stop it and I canââ¬â¢t slow it down. I canââ¬â¢t figure out what it wantsâ⬠His weary voice broke at the end. I felt the same way I had yesterday, when Iââ¬â¢d seen the black stains across her stomach ââ¬â furious, and a little crazy. I clenched my hands into fists to control the shaking. I hated the thing that was hurting her. It wasnââ¬â¢t enough for the monster to beat her from the inside out. No, it was starving her, too. Probably just looking for something to sink its teeth into ââ¬â a throat to suck dry. Since it wasnââ¬â¢t big enough to kill anyone else yet, it settled for sucking Bellaââ¬â¢s life from her. I could tell them exactly what it wanted: death and blood, blood and death. My skin was all hot and prickly. I breathed slowly in and out, focusing on that to calm myself. ââ¬Å"I wish I could get a better idea of what exactly it is,â⬠Carlisle murmured. ââ¬Å"The fetus is well protected. I havenââ¬â¢t been able to produce an ultrasonic image. I doubt there is any way to get a needle through the amniotic sac, but Rosalie wonââ¬â¢t agree to let me try, in any case.â⬠ââ¬Å"A needle?â⬠I mumbled. ââ¬Å"What good would that do?â⬠ââ¬Å"The more I know about the fetus, the better I can estimate what it will be capable of. What I wouldnââ¬â¢t give for even a little amniotic fluid. If I knew even the chromosomal countâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re losing me, Doc. Can you dumb it down?â⬠He chuckled once ââ¬â even his laugh sounded exhausted. ââ¬Å"Okay. How much biology have you taken? Did you study chromosomal pairs?â⬠ââ¬Å"Think so. We have twenty-three, right?â⬠ââ¬Å"Humans do.â⬠I blinked. ââ¬Å"How many do you have?â⬠ââ¬Å"Twenty-five.â⬠I frowned at my fists for a second. ââ¬Å"What does that mean?â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought it meant that our species were almost completely different. Less related than a lion and a house cat. But this new life ââ¬â well, it suggests that weââ¬â¢re more genetically compatible than Iââ¬â¢d thought.â⬠He sighed sadly. ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t know to warn them.â⬠I sighed, too. It had been easy to hate Edward for the same ignorance. I still hated him for it. It was just hard to feel the same way about Carlisle. Maybe because I wasnââ¬â¢t ten shades of jealous in Carlisleââ¬â¢s case. ââ¬Å"It might help to know what the count was ââ¬â whether the fetus was closer to us or to her. To know what to expect.â⬠Then he shrugged. ââ¬Å"And maybe it wouldnââ¬â¢t help anything. I guess I just wish I had something to study, anything to do.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wonder what my chromosomes are like,â⬠I muttered randomly. I thought of those Olympic steroids tests again. Did they run DNA scans? Carlisle coughed self-consciously. ââ¬Å"You have twenty-four pairs, Jacob.â⬠I turned slowly to stare at him, raising my eyebrows. He looked embarrassed. ââ¬Å"I wasâ⬠¦ curious. I took the liberty when I was treating you last June.â⬠I thought about it for a second. ââ¬Å"I guess that should piss me off. But I donââ¬â¢t really care.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry. I should have asked.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sââ¬â¢okay, Doc. You didnââ¬â¢t mean any harm.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, I promise you that I did not mean you any harm. Itââ¬â¢s just thatâ⬠¦ I find your species fascinating. I suppose that the elements of vampiric nature have come to seem commonplace to me over the centuries. Your familyââ¬â¢s divergence from humanity is much more interesting. Magical, almost.â⬠ââ¬Å"Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,â⬠I mumbled. He was just like Bella with all the magic garbage. Carlisle laughed another weary laugh. Then we heard Edwardââ¬â¢s voice inside the house, and we both paused to listen. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll be right back, Bella. I want to speak with Carlisle for a moment. Actually, Rosalie, would you mind accompanying me?â⬠Edward sounded different. There was a little life in his dead voice. A spark of something. Not hope exactly, but maybe the desire to hope. ââ¬Å"What is it, Edward?â⬠Bella asked hoarsely. ââ¬Å"Nothing you need to worry about, love. It will just take a second. Please, Rose?â⬠ââ¬Å"Esme?â⬠Rosalie called. ââ¬Å"Can you mindBella for me?â⬠Iheard the whisper of wind as Esme flitted down the stairs. ââ¬Å"Of course,â⬠she said. Carlisle shifted, twisting to look expectantly at the door. Edward was through the door first, with Rosalie right on his heels. His face was, like his voice, no longer dead. He seemed intensely focused. Rosalie looked suspicious. Edward shut the door behind her. ââ¬Å"Carlisle,â⬠he murmured. ââ¬Å"What is it, Edward?â⬠ââ¬Å"Perhaps weââ¬â¢ve been going about this the wrong way. I was listening to you and Jacob just now, and when you were speaking of what theâ⬠¦ fetus wants, Jacob had an interesting thought.â⬠Me?What had thought? Besides my obvious hatred for the thing? At least I wasnââ¬â¢t alone in that. I could tell that Edward had a difficult time using a term as mild as fetus. ââ¬Å"We havenââ¬â¢t actually addressed that angle,â⬠Edward went on. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve been trying to get Bella what she needs. And her body is accepting it about as well as one of ours would. Perhaps we should address the needs of theâ⬠¦ fetus first. Maybe if we can satisfy it, weââ¬â¢ll be able to help her more effectively.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not following you, Edward,â⬠Carlisle said. ââ¬Å"Think about it, Carlisle. If that creature is more vampire than human, canââ¬â¢t you guess what it craves ââ¬â what itââ¬â¢s not getting? Jacob did.â⬠I did? I ran through the conversation, trying to remember what thoughts Iââ¬â¢d kept to myself. I remembered at the same time that Carlisle understood. ââ¬Å"Oh,â⬠he said in a surprised tone. ââ¬Å"You think it isâ⬠¦ thirsty?â⬠Rosalie hissed under her breath. She wasnââ¬â¢t suspicious anymore. Her revoltingly perfect face wasall lit up, her eyes wide with excitement. ââ¬Å"Of course,â⬠she muttered. ââ¬Å"Carlisle, we have all that type O negative laid aside for Bella. Itââ¬â¢s a good idea,â⬠she added, not looking at me. ââ¬Å"Hmm.â⬠Carlisle put his hand to his chin, lost in thought. ââ¬Å"I wonderâ⬠¦ And then, what would be the best way to administer___â⬠Rosalie shook her head. ââ¬Å"We donââ¬â¢t have time to be creative. Iââ¬â¢d say we should start with the traditional way.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wait a minute,â⬠i whispered. ââ¬Å"Just hold on. Are you ââ¬â are you talking about making Bella drink blood?â⬠ââ¬Å"It was your idea, dog,â⬠Rosalie said, scowling at me without ever quite looking at me. I ignored her and watched Carlisle. That same ghost of hope that had been in Edwardââ¬â¢s face was now in the doctorââ¬â¢s eyes. He pursed his lips, speculating. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s justâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I couldnââ¬â¢t find the right word. ââ¬Å"Monstrous?â⬠Edward suggested. ââ¬Å"Repulsive?â⬠ââ¬Å"Pretty much.â⬠ââ¬Å"But what if it helps her?â⬠he whispered. I shook my head angrily. ââ¬Å"What are you gonna do, shove a tube down her throat?â⬠ââ¬Å"I plan to ask her what she thinks. I just wanted to run it past Carlisle first.â⬠Rosalie nodded. ââ¬Å"If you tell her it might help the baby, sheââ¬â¢ll be willing to do anything. Even if we do have to feed them through a tube.â⬠I realized then ââ¬â when I heard how her voice got all loveydovey as she said the word baby ââ¬â that Blondie would be in line with anything that helped the little life-sucking monster. Was that what was going on, the mystery factor that was bonding the two of them? Was Rosalie after the kid? From the corner of my eye, I saw Edward nod once, absently, not looking in my direction. But I knew he was answering my questions. Huh. I wouldnââ¬â¢t have thought the ice-cold Barbie would have a maternal side. So much for protecting Bella ââ¬â Rosalieââ¬â¢d probably jam the tube down Bellaââ¬â¢s throat herself. Edwardââ¬â¢s mouth mashed into a hard line, and I knew I was right again. ââ¬Å"Well, we donââ¬â¢t have time to sit around discussing this,â⬠Rosalie said impatiently. ââ¬Å"What do you think, Carlisle? Can we try?â⬠Carlisle took a deep breath, and then he was on his feet. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll ask Bella.â⬠Blondie smiled smugly ââ¬â sure that, if it was up to Bella, she would get her way. I dragged myself up from the stairs and followed after them as they disappeared into the house. I wasnââ¬â¢t sure why. Just morbid curiosity, maybe. It was like a horror movie. Monsters and blood all over the place. Maybe I just couldnââ¬â¢t resist another hit of my dwindling drug supply. Bella lay flat on the hospital bed, her belly a mountain under the sheet. She looked like wax ââ¬â colorless and sort of see-through. Youââ¬â¢d think she was already dead, except for the tiny movement of her chest, her shallow breathing. And then her eyes, following the four of us with exhausted suspicion. The others were at her side already, flitting across the room with sudden darting motions. It was creepy to watch. 1 ambled along at a slow walk. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s going on?â⬠Bella demanded in a scratchy whisper. Her waxy hand twitched up ââ¬â like she was trying to protect her balloon-shaped stomach. ââ¬Å"Jacob had an idea that might help you,â⬠Carlisle said. I wished he would leave me out of it. I hadnââ¬â¢t suggested anything. Give the credit to her bloodsucking husband, where it belonged. ââ¬Å"It wonââ¬â¢t beâ⬠¦ pleasant, but ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"But it will help the baby,â⬠Rosalie interrupted eagerly. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve thought of a better way to feed him. Maybe.â⬠Bellaââ¬â¢s eyelids fluttered. Then she coughed out a weak chuckle. ââ¬Å"Not pleasant?â⬠she whispered. ââ¬Å"Gosh, thatââ¬â¢ll be such a change.â⬠She eyed the tube stuck into her arm and coughed again. Blondie laughed with her. The girl looked like she only had hours left, and she had to be in pain, but she was making jokes. So Bella. Trying to ease the tension, make it better for everyone else. Edward stepped around Rosalie, no humor touching his intense expression. I was glad for that. It helped, just a little bit, that he was suffering worse than me. He took her hand, not the one that was still protecting her swollen belly. ââ¬Å"Bella, love, weââ¬â¢re going to ask you to do something monstrous,â⬠he said, using the same adjectives heââ¬â¢d offered me. ââ¬Å"Repulsive.â⬠Well, at least he was giving it to her straight. She took a shallow, fluttery breath. ââ¬Å"How bad?â⬠Carlisle answered. ââ¬Å"We think the fetus might have an appetite closer to ours than to yours. We think itââ¬â¢s thirsty.â⬠She blinked. ââ¬Å"Oh. Oh.â⬠ââ¬Å"Your condition ââ¬â both of your conditions ââ¬â are deteriorating rapidly. We donââ¬â¢t have time to waste, to come up with more palatable ways to do this. The fastest way to test the theory ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve got to drink it,â⬠she whispered. She nodded slightly ââ¬â barely enough energy for a little head bob. ââ¬Å"I can do that. Practice for the future, right?â⬠Her colorless lips stretched into a faint grin as she looked at Edward. He didnââ¬â¢t smile back. Rosalie started tapping her toe impatiently. The sound was really irritating. I wondered what she would do if I threw her through a wall right now. ââ¬Å"So, whoââ¬â¢s going to catch me a grizzly bear?â⬠Bella whispered. Carlisle and Edward exchanged a quick glance. Rosalie stopped tapping. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠Bella asked. ââ¬Å"It will be a more effective test if we donââ¬â¢t cut corners, Bella,â⬠Carlisle said. ââ¬Å"Ifthe fetus is craving blood,â⬠Edward explained, ââ¬Å"itââ¬â¢s not craving animal blood.â⬠ââ¬Å"It wonââ¬â¢t make a difference to you, Bella. Donââ¬â¢t think about it,â⬠Rosalie encouraged. Bellaââ¬â¢s eyes widened. ââ¬Å"Who?â⬠she breathed, and her gaze flickered to me. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not here as a donor, Bells,â⬠I grumbled. ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËSides, itââ¬â¢s human blood that thingââ¬â¢s after, and I donââ¬â¢t think mine applies ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"We have blood on hand,â⬠Rosalie told her, talking over me before Iââ¬â¢d finished, like I wasnââ¬â¢t there. ââ¬Å"For you ââ¬â just in case. Donââ¬â¢t worry about anything at all. Itââ¬â¢s going to be fine. I have a good feeling about this, Bella. I think the baby will be so much better.â⬠Bella:s hand ran across her stomach. ââ¬Å"Well,â⬠she rasped, barely audible. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m starving, so Iââ¬â¢ll bet he is, too.â⬠Trying to make another joke. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s go for it. My first vampire act.â⬠How to cite The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 12. Some People Just Donââ¬â¢t Grasp â⬠¦, Essay examples
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