Chapter 14~ The Game Changer

Edward and I enter the clearing to see grills, tents, bonfires and a mingling crowd. “Wow they set up really fast.” Edward takes my hand in his, “They are used to running Bella, fast set ups have become a talent for them.” I just shrug. “I suppose,” We go and sit by Maggie, “So Maggie tell me what’s on the menu for this evening?”  She lightly giggles; well for the vampire in you might I suggest the raw bar to the left of the oak tree, and for the human in you there are hot dogs and burgers on the grill.” I smile and give her arm a squeeze, “OK and what about for the witch in me?”  I wasn’t sure what I said but Maggie’s whole face turned solemn.  “I am afraid we can’t do anything about that my dear.” She got up and walked toward Alice. “Edward did I say something wrong?”  He wraps his arm around me, “No you’re fine.”  I elbow him in the side, “No lies Edward now tell me what’s up?” He rolls his eyes, “You are so damn stubborn, just let it go for now and go get something to eat.”

“No Edward, you go get something to eat,” I angrily get up and start walking toward the river that cradled the clearing.  Suddenly I feel a poke on my shoulder, “Hey Bells, where you going?” I turn to see Jake, smiling wide. “Hi Jake I’m just going to the river.”  He takes a bite of his burger, “Great do you mind if I join you?”  I slip my hands in my pockets, “Sure do what you want.”

We reach the river I take a seat on a large boulder, Jake sits next to me. “So Zaf told me what’s been going on, I am really sorry to hear about your father.” I take a deep breath in, trying so hard to focus on keeping my emotions in check.  “Thanks Jake and I am sorry that Caius and Marcus are raging another war.” He laughs, “Oh the delinquent duo are always upset about something I guess it was only a matter of time until they decided to check up on you again.” I shake my head, “The way I see it Jake is that there really doesn’t need to be a war, if all they want is me then it’s really very simple, I go.” He shifts toward me, “It’s not that simple Bella, you can’t just go up to him and say Hey Cai what’s up here I am for my death.” 

“Why isn’t it that simple?” He furrows his brow. “Seriously Bella, don’t you think if your death would end everything that Zaf would have killed you by now?” Confusion had found me once again. “What do you mean Jake?”  I can see by the look on his face he knew more than me and was upset I had not been informed about something. “Were they relying on you to just know Bella?” I slam my fist down, making a huge hole in the boulder, “For fuck sake I am so tired of the cryptic talk and the rubix cube that is my life!” Jake pays no mind to my emotional irruption, kind of like Edward. “ I am not sure why they keep information from you Bella, but it could be something Alice sees, I mean think about it what if the knowledge changes the course of how things should be, maybe you being in the dark is for the best.” I snap my head at Jake, “I am being consumed by the dark already Jake, maybe I should surrender to it because something tells me she will tell me.” Worry paints Jake’s face. “Don’t say that Bella, if you did that we would for sure lose you forever.” I put my head in my hands, “I can’t take it anymore Jake, I don’t understand anything, and if the reason I am being kept information about myself is because Alice says so, then I question her motives.” 

I hear a branch snap and turn to see Alice standing behind me, “What have I done to make you think my motives aren’t pure?”  Jake and I stand in unison. “Tell me something Alice, what would happen if I killed myself?” She crosses her arms, “Then you would die Bella, is that a trick question?” I smirk, “ Oh yeah you already know what I am going to ask before I say it, so you are prepared, but what would happen if I killed you Alice?” Jake takes a step toward Alice. “Then I would die Bella, and you would lose a huge advantage.”  I can see everyone in the clearing turning in our direction. “Why does my death not end all of this?”  Behind Jakes shoulder I can see Edward, his face in massive shock, almost mortified in a sense. “All these years we protected you, and you are so ungrateful, here you are questioning us and all we want if for you to be free.” 

“Ungrateful? You watched my mother die to bring me into this world, you tell me I pretty much poisoned her and that is why she died, Ungrateful is not a word for how I feel Alice!” And it was as if my own words presented clarity. Jakes face became placid. “Oh sweet Jesus, you did tell me Alice, I wasn’t paying any attention.” Alice unfolded her arms, and took a few steps toward me. “Your blood is very powerful Bella, in the wrong hands millions of witches, vampires, humans and wolves could be decimated in seconds, that is true but there is something else you need to know.” My head was spinning, Alice’s words were foggy, But I heard Edwards voice, “No Alice, Don’t you dare, it’s not your place.” I lift my head he is at my side, holding me up. “Tell me what Edward?” 

“Fine Edward than you tell her, but if she doesn’t know everything her poking will get us all killed.” Alice shifts her heels and walks toward the crowd, who are all engrossed in Edward and me. “Please Edward; tell me what I am missing.” He takes my hands in his, looks lovingly into my eyes. “Bella I didn’t keep anything from you to hurt you, it was only to protect you.” I crack a small smile, “I know Edward, I don’t blame you for what I can’t remember, but make it right.” The crowd begins to close in an inch or so. “Ignore them, they are worried about what I am about to tell you and what you’ll do.” I turn my head to them and then quickly back to Edward.  “There are massive gaps in your memory, and there is also parts that were replaced, this you know, and you have diligently been trying to figure it all out, and you probably will soon enough.” He inches even closer to me; his eyes are fierce like they are almost going through me. “The gaps are what Caius wants.” I shake my head, “Why what would he find?”  His face is full of pain; I can’t help but reach for his cheek. He puts one of his hands on top of the hand that is trying desperately to comfort him. He opens his mouth, his voice cracks slightly, he fails to get the words out, but a second later he just blurts out the words, the words that would change everything “He would find your sister, and our baby Bella.”