Alissa Swan

Part 76

I was in an apartment in Rio. It was a dump, empty but for a table and chair. On the table laid the photos that once lined Alissa's walls. I stood in the center of the room, stock still, staring out at the rising sun. My face was as empty and desolate as I could imagine Alissa's was after I left.

My cell phone on the table rang jarringly. I didn't move. It continued. Finally, I whipped the receiver to my ear, exasperated. "What?"

"Wow," Rosalie said, probably to the rest of the family, "Edward finally answered the phone. I feel so honored."

"I'm hanging up now."

"Wait!... You should come home."

I didn't respond.

"Esme's a wreck, Carlisle never smiles. Even Emmett's depressed. You've really done a number on them."

I was pained. There was one more person I hurt, even more than my family. "I'm sorry. I am. But they wouldn't be happier with me around. Trust me."

"I... I just miss... us. The family."

"I know. But the further away I am, the safer Alissa will be. She deserves a shot at a normal life."

"But see, you don't have to worry about that, not anymore."

I sat up. "Why, Rose? Did something happen?"

"I - uh-"

"Tell me, Rosalie." I rose, fierce. "Tell me!"

"Alice had a vision. She saw Bella - throw herself off a cliff... She's dead, Edward."

I reeled, uncomprehending. "I... don't believe it."

"Alice is there now. Thought she could help with the funeral or something."

I hung up on her. I couldn't take it anymore.

Bella was dead. It was my fault. And there was only one thing I could think of to do to punish myself.

I would show myself to the humans.

That would make the Volturi kill me.

I sighed. I was heartbroken, but that's what I needed to do. And I was going to do it, no matter what.