2 new moon新月-第47章

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forehead　creasing。　

〃The　smell？〃　I　repeated。　

〃You　smell　awful；〃　she　said　absently；　still　frowning。　〃A　werewolf？　Are　you　sure　about　that？〃　

〃Very　sure；〃　I　promised；　wincing　as　I　remembered　Paul　and　Jacob　fighting　in　the　road。　〃I　guess　you　
weren't　with　Carlisle　the　last　time　there　were　werewolves　here　in　Forks？〃　

〃No。　I　hadn't　found　him　yet。〃　Alice　was　still　lost　in　thought。　Suddenly；　her　eyes　widened；　and　she　turned　
to　stare　at　me　with　a　shocked　expression。　〃Your　best　friend　is　a　werewolf？〃　

I　nodded　sheepishly。　

〃How　long　has　this　been　going　on？〃　

〃Not　long；〃　I　said；　my　voice　sounding　defensive。　〃He's　only　been　a　werewolf　for　just　a　few　weeks。〃　

She　glowered　at　me。　〃A　young　werewolf？　Even　worse！　Edward　was　right—you're　a　magnet　for　danger。　
Weren't　you　supposed　to　be　staying　out　of　trouble？〃　

〃There's　nothing　wrong　with　werewolves；〃　I　grumbled；　stung　by　her　critical　tone。　

〃Until　they　lose　their　tempers。〃　She　shook　her　head　sharply　from　side　to　side。　〃Leave　it　to　you；　Bella。　
Anyone　else　would　be　better　off　when　the　vampires　left　town。　But　you　have　to　start　hanging　out　with　the　
first　monsters　you　can　find。〃　

I　didn't　want　to　argue　with　Alice—I　was　still　trembling　with　joy　that　she　was　really；　truly　here；　that　I　could　
touch　her　marble　skin　and　hear　her　wind…chime　voice—but　she　had　it　all　wrong。　

〃No；　Alice；　the　vampires　didn't　really　leave—not　all　of　them；　anyway。　That's　the　whole　trouble。　If　it　
weren't　for　the　werewolves；　Victoria　would　have　gotten　me　by　now。　Well；　if　it　weren't　for　Jake　and　his　
friends；　Laurent　would　have　gotten　me　before　she　could；　I　guess；　so—〃　

〃Victoria？〃　she　hissed。　〃Laurent？〃　

I　nodded；　a　teensy　bit　alarmed　by　the　expression　in　her　black　eyes。　I　pointed　at　my　chest。　〃Danger　
magnet；　remember？〃　

She　shook　her　head　again。　〃Tell　me　everything—start　at　the　beginning。〃　

I　glossed　over　the　beginning；　skipping　the　motorcycles　and　the　voices；　but　telling　her　everything　else　right　
up　to　today's　misadventure。　Alice　didn't　like　my　thin　explanation　about　boredom　and　the　cliffs；　so　I　
hurried　on　to　the　strange　flame　I'd　seen　on　the　water　and　what　I　thought　it　meant。　Her　eyes　narrowed　
almost　to　slits　at　that　part。　It　was　strange　to　see　her　look　so…　so　dangerous—like　a　vampire。　I　
swallowed　hard　and　went　on　with　the　rest　about　Harry。　

She　listened　to　my　story　without　interrupting。　Occasionally；　she　would　shake　her　head；　and　the　crease　in　
her　forehead　deepened　until　it　looked　like　it　was　carved　permanently　into　the　marble　of　her　skin。　She　
didn't　speak　and；　finally；　I　fell　quiet；　struck　again　by　the　borrowed　grief　at　Harry's　passing。　I　thought　of　
Charlie；　he　would　be　home　soon。　What　condition　would　he　be　in？　

〃Our　leaving　didn't　do　you　any　good　at　all；　did　it？〃　Alice　murmured。　

I　laughed　once—it　was　a　slightly　hysterical　sound。　〃That　was　never　the　point；　though；　was　it？　It's　not　like　
you　left　for　my　benefit。〃　

Alice　scowled　at　the　floor　for　a　moment。　〃Well…　I　guess　I　acted　impulsively　today。　I　probably　shouldn't　
have　intruded。〃　

I　could　feel　the　blood　draining　from　my　face。　My　stomach　dropped。　〃Don't　go；　Alice；〃　I　whispered。　My　
fingers　locked　around　the　collar　of　her　white　shirt　and　I　began　to　hyperventilate。　〃Please　don't　leave　me。〃　

Her　eyes　opened　wider。　〃All　right；〃　she　said；　enunciating　each　word　with　slow　precision。　〃I'm　not　going　
anywhere　tonight。　Take　a　deep　breath。〃　

I　tried　to　obey；　though　I　couldn't　quite　locate　my　lungs。　

She　watched　my　face　while　I　concentrated　on　my　breathing。　She　waited　till　I　was　calmer　to　comment。　

〃You　look　like　hell；　Bella。〃　

〃I　drowned　today；〃　I　reminded　her。　

〃It　goes　deeper　than　that。　You're　a　mess。〃　

I　flinched。　〃Look；　I'm　doing　my　best。〃　

〃What　do　you　mean？〃　

〃It　hasn't　been　easy。　I'm　working　on　it。〃　

She　frowned。　〃I　told　him；〃　she　said　to　herself。　

〃Alice；〃　I　sighed。　〃What　did　you　think　you　were　going　to　find？　I　mean；　besides　me　dead？　Did　you　expect　
to　find　me　skipping　around　and　whistling　show　tunes？　You　know　me　better　than　that。〃　

〃I　do。　But　I　hoped。〃　

〃Then　I　guess　I　don't　have　the　corner　on　the　idiocy　market。〃　

The　phone　rang。　

〃That　has　to　be　Charlie；〃　I　said；　staggering　to　my　feet。　I　grabbed　Alice's　stone　hand　and　dragged　her　with　
me　to　the　kitchen。　I　wasn't　about　to　let　her　out　of　my　sight。　

〃Charlie？〃　I　answered　the　phone。　

〃No；　it's　me；〃　Jacob　said。　

〃Jake！〃　

Alice　scrutinized　my　expression。　

〃Just　making　sure　you　were　still　alive；〃　Jacob　said　sourly。　

〃I'm　fine。　I　told　you　that　it　wasn't—〃　

〃Yeah。　I　got　it。　'Bye。〃　

Jacob　hung　up　on　me。　

I　sighed　and　let　my　head　hang　back；　staring　at　the　ceiling。　〃That's　going　to　be　a　problem。〃　

Alice　squeezed　my　hand。　〃They　aren't　excited　I'm　here。〃　

〃Not　especially。　But　it's　none　of　their　business　anyway。〃　

Alice　put　her　arm　around　me。　〃So　what　do　we　do　now？〃　she　mused。　She　seemed　to　talk　to　herself　for　a　
moment。　〃Things　to　do。　Loose　ends　to　tie。〃　

〃What　things　to　do？〃　

Her　face　was　suddenly　careful。　〃I　don't　know　for　sure…　I　need　to　see　Carlisle。〃　

Would　she　leave　so　soon？　My　stomach　dropped。　

〃Could　you　stay？〃　I　begged。　〃Please？　For　just　a　little　while。　I've　missed　you　so　much。〃　My　voice　broke。　

〃If　you　think　that's　a　good　idea。〃　Her　eyes　were　unhappy。　

〃I　do。　You　can　stay　here—Charlie　would　love　that。〃　

〃I　have　a　house；　Bella。〃　

I　nodded；　disappointed　but　resigned。　She　hesitated；　studying　me。　

〃Well；　I　need　to　go　get　a　suitcase　of　clothes；　at　the　very　least。〃　

I　threw　my　arms　around　her。　〃Alice；　you're　the　best！〃　

〃And　I　think　I'll　need　to　hunt。　Immediately；〃　she　added　in　a　strained　voice。　

〃Oops。〃　I　took　a　step　back。　

〃Can　you　stay　out　of　trouble　for　one　hour？〃　she　asked　skeptically。　Then；　before　I　could　answer；　she　held　
up　one　finger　and　closed　her　eyes。　Her　face　went　smooth　and　blank　for　a　few　seconds。　

And　then　her　eyes　opened　and　she　answered　her　own　question。　〃Yes；　you'll　be　fine。　For　tonight；　
anyway。〃　She　grimaced。　Even　making　faces；　she　looked　like　an　angel。　

〃You'll　come　back？〃　I　asked　in　a　small　voice。　

〃I　promise—one　hour。〃　

I　glanced　at　the　clock　over　the　kitchen　table。　She　laughed　and　leaned　in　quickly　to　kiss　me　on　the　cheek。　
Then　she　was　gone。　

I　took　a　deep　breath。　Alice　would　be　back。　I　suddenly　felt　so　much　better。　

I　had　plenty　to　do　to　keep　myself　busy　while　I　waited。　A　shower　was　definitely　first　on　the　agenda。　I　
sniffed　my　shoulders　as　I　undressed；　but　I　couldn't　smell　anything　but　the　brine　and　seaweed　scent　of　the　
ocean。　I　wondered　what　Alice　had　meant　about　me　smelling　bad。　

When　I　was　cleaned　up；　I　went　back　to　the　kitchen。　I　couldn't　see　any　signs　that　Charlie　'lad　eaten　
recently；　and　he　would　probably　be　hungry　when　he　got　back。　I　hummed　tunelessly　to　myself　as　I　moved　

around　the　kitchen。　

While　Thursday's　casserole　rotated　in　the　microwave；　I　made　up　the　couch　with　sheets　and　an　old　pillow。　
Alice　wouldn't　need　it；　but　Charlie　would　need　to　see　it。　I　was　careful　not　to　watch　the　clock。　There　was　
no　reason　to　start　myself　panicking；　Alice　had　promised。　

I　hurried　through　my　dinner；　not　tasting　it—just　feeling　the　ache　as　it　slid　down　my　raw　throat。　Mostly　I　
was　thirsty；　I　must　have　drunk　a　half　gallon　of　water　by　the　time　I　was　finished。　All　the　salt　in　my　system　
had　dehydrated　me。　

I　went　to　go　try　to　watch　TV　while　I　waited。　

Alice　was　already　there；　sitting　on　her　improvised　bed。　Her　eyes　were　a　liquid　butterscotch。　She　smiled　
and　patted　the　pillow。　〃Thanks。〃　

〃You're　early；〃　I　said；　elated。　

I　sat　down　next　to　her　and　leaned　my　head　on　her　shoulder。　She　put　her　cold　arms　around　me　and　
sighed。　

〃Bella。　What　are　we　going　to　do　with　you？〃　

〃I　don't　know；〃　I　admitted。　〃I　really　have　been　trying　my　hardest。〃　

〃I　believe　you。〃　

It　was　silent。　

〃Does—does　he…〃　I　took　a　deep　breath。　It　was　harder　to　say　his　name　out　loud；　even　though　I　was　
able　to　think　it　now。　〃Does　Edward　know　you're　here？〃　I　couldn't　help　asking。　It　was　my　pain；　after　all。　
I'd　deal　with　it　when　she　was　gone；　I　promised　myself；　and　felt　sick　at　the　thought。　

〃No。〃　

There　was　only　one　way　that　could　be　true。　〃He's　not　with　Carlisle　and　Esme？〃　

〃He　checks　in　every　few　months。〃　

〃Oh。〃　He　must　still　be　out　enjoying　his　distractions。　I　focused　my　curiosity　on　a　safer　topic。　〃You　said　you　
flew　here…　Where　did　you　come　from？〃　

〃I　was　in　Denali。　Visiting　Tanya's　family。〃　

〃Is　Jasper　here？　Did　he　come　with　your'〃　

She　shook　her　head。　〃He　didn't　approve　of　my　interfering。　We　promised…〃　she　trailed　off；　and　then　her　
tone　changed。　〃And　you　think　Charlie　won't　mind　my　being　here？〃　she　asked；　sounding　worried。　

〃Charlie　thinks　you're　wonderful；　Alice。〃　

〃Well；　we're　about　to　find　out。〃　

Sure　enough；　a　few　seconds　later　I　heard　the　cruiser　pull　into　the　driveway。　I　jumped　up　and　hurried　to　
open　the　door。　

Charlie　trudged　slowly　up　the　walk；　his　eyes　on　the　ground　and　his　shoulders　slumped。　I　walked　forward　

to　meet　him；　he　didn't　even　see　me　until　I　hugged　him　around　the　waist。　He　embraced　me　back　fiercely。　

〃I'm　so　sorry　about　Harry；　Dad。〃　

〃I'm　really　going　to　miss　him；〃　Charlie　mumbled。　

〃How's　Sue　doing？〃　

〃She　seems　dazed；　like　she　hasn't　grasped　it　yet。　Sam's　staying　with　her…〃　The　volume　of　his　voice　faded　
in　and　out。　〃Those　poor　kids。　Leah's　just　a　year　older　than　you；　and　Seth　is　only　fourteen…〃　He　shook　
his　head。　

He　kept　his　arms　tight　around　me　as　he　started　toward　the　door　again。　

〃Um；　Dad？〃　I　figured　I'd　better　warn　him。　〃You'll　never　guess　who's　here。〃　

He　looked　at　me　blankly。　His　head　swiveled　around；　and　he　spied　the　Mercedes　across　the　street；　the　
porch　light　reflecting　off　the　glossy　black　paint。　Before　he　could　react；　Alice　was　in　the　doorway。　

〃Hi；　Charlie；〃　she　said　in　a　subdued　voice。　〃I'm　sorry　I　came　at　such　a　bad　time。〃　

〃Alice　Cullen？〃　he　peered　at　the　slight　figure　in　front　of　him　as　if　he　doubted　what　his　eyes　were　telling　
him。　〃Alice；　is　that　you？〃　

〃It's　me；〃　she　confirmed。　〃I　was　in　the　neighborhood。〃　

〃Is　Carlisle…？〃　

〃No；　I'm　alone。〃　

Both　Alice　and　I　knew　he　wasn't　really　asking　about　Carlisle。　His　arm　tightened　over　my　shoulder。　

〃She　can　stay　here；　can't　she？〃　I　pleaded。　〃I　already　asked　her。〃　

〃Of　course；〃　Charlie　said　mechanically。　〃We'd　love　to　have　you；　Alice。〃　

〃Thank　you；　Charlie。　I　know　it's　horrid　timing。〃　

〃No；　it's　fine；　really。　I'm　going　to　be　really　busy　doing　what　I　can　for　Harry's　family；　it　will　be　nice　for　
Bella　to　have　some　company。〃　

〃There's　dinner　for　you　on　the　table；　Dad；〃　I　told　him。　

〃Thanks；　Bell。〃　He　gave　me　one　more　squeeze　before　he　shuffled　toward　the　kitchen。　

Alice　went　back　to　the　couch；　and　I　followed　her。　This　time；　she　was　the　one　to　pull　me　against　her　
shoulder。　

〃You　look　tired。〃　

〃Yeah；〃　I　agreed；　and　shrugged。　〃Near…death　experiences　do　that　to　me…　So；　what　does　Carlisle　think　
of　you　being　here？〃　

〃He　doesn't　know。　He　and　Esme　were　on　a　hunting　trip。　I'll　hear　from　him　in　a　few　days；　when　he　gets　
back。〃　

〃You　won't　tell　him；　though…　when　he　checks　in　again？〃　I　asked。　She　knew　I　didn't　mean　Carlisle　now。　

〃No。　He'd　bite　my　head　off；〃　Al