1 twilight暮色-第39部分

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〃It's　a　ballet　studio；〃　I　said；　suddenly　recognizing　the　familiar　shapes。　

They　looked　at　me；　surprised。　

〃Do　you　know　this　room？〃　Jasper's　voice　sounded　calm；　but　there　was　an　
undercurrent　of　something　I　couldn't　identify。　Alice　bent　her　head　to　her　
work；　her　hand　flying　across　the　page　now；　the　shape　of　an　emergency　exit　
taking　shape　against　the　back　wall；　the　stereo　and　TV　on　a　low　table　by　
the　front　right　corner。　

〃It　looks　like　a　place　I　used　to　go　for　dance　lessons　—　when　I　was　eight　
or　nine。　It　was　shaped　just　the　same。〃　I　touched　the　page　where　the　
square　section　jutted　out；　narrowing　the　back　part　of　the　room。　〃That's　
where　the　bathrooms　were　—　the　doors　were　through　the　other　dance　floor。　
But　the　stereo　was　here〃　—　I　pointed　to　the　left　corner　—　〃it　was　older；　
and　there　wasn't　a　TV。　There　was　a　window　in　the　waiting　room　—　you　would　

see　the　room　from　this　perspective　if　you　looked　through　it。〃　

Alice　and　Jasper　were　staring　at　me。　

〃Are　you　sure　it's　the　same　room？〃　Jasper　asked；　still　calm。　

〃No；　not　at　all　—　I　suppose　most　dance　studios　would　look　the　same　—　the　
mirrors；　the　bar。〃　I　traced　my　finger　along　the　ballet　bar　set　against　
the　mirrors。　〃It's　just　the　shape　that　looked　familiar。〃　I　touched　the　
door；　set　in　exactly　the　same　place　as　the　one　I　remembered。　

〃Would　you　have　any　reason　to　go　there　now？〃　Alice　asked；　breaking　my　
reverie。　

〃No；　I　haven't　been　there　in　almost　ten　years。　I　was　a　terrible　dancer　—　
they　always　put　me　in　the　back　for　recitals；〃　I　admitted。　

〃So　there's　no　way　it　could　be　connected　with　you？〃　Alice　asked　intently。　

〃No；　I　don't　even　think　the　same　person　owns　it。　I'm　sure　it's　just　
another　dance　studio；　somewhere。〃　

〃Where　was　the　studio　you　went　to？〃　Jasper　asked　in　a　casual　voice。　

〃It　was　just　around　the　corner　from　my　mom's　house。　I　used　to　walk　there　
after　school…〃　I　said；　my　voice　trailing　off。　I　didn't　miss　the　look　they　
exchanged。　

〃Here　in　Phoenix；　then？〃　His　voice　was　still　casual。　

〃Yes；〃　I　whispered。　〃Fiftyeighth　Street　and　Cactus。〃　

We　all　sat　in　silence；　staring　at　the　drawing。　

〃Alice；　is　that　phone　safe？〃　

〃Yes；〃　she　reassured　me。　〃The　number　would　just　trace　back　to　Washington。〃　

〃Then　I　can　use　it　to　call　my　mom。〃　

〃I　thought　she　was　in　Florida。〃　

〃She　is　—　but　she's　ing　home　soon；　and　she　can't　e　back　to　that　
house　while…〃　My　voice　trembled。　I　was　thinking　about　something　Edward　
had　said；　about　the　redhaired　female　at　Charlie's　house；　at　the　school；　
where　my　records　would　be。　

〃How　will　you　reach　her？〃　

〃They　don't　have　a　permanent　number　except　at　the　house　—　she's　supposed　
to　check　her　messages　regularly。〃　

〃Jasper？〃　Alice　asked。　

He　thought　about　it。　〃I　don't　think　there's　any　way　it　could　hurt　—　be　
sure　you　don't　say　where　you　are；　of　course。〃　

I　reached　eagerly　for　the　phone　and　dialed　the　familiar　number。　It　rang　
four　times；　and　then　I　heard　my　mom's　breezy　voice　telling　me　to　leave　a　
message。　

〃Mom；〃　I　said　after　the　beep；　〃it's　me。　Listen；　I　need　you　to　do　
something。　It's　important。　As　soon　as　you　get　this　message；　call　me　at　
this　number。〃　Alice　was　already　at　my　side；　writing　the　number　for　me　on　
the　bottom　of　her　picture。　I　read　it　carefully；　twice。　〃Please　don't　go　
anywhere　until　you　talk　to　me。　Don't　worry；　I'm　okay；　but　I　have　to　talk　
to　you　right　away；　no　matter　how　late　you　get　this　call；　all　right？　I　
love　you；　Mom。　Bye。〃　I　closed　my　eyes　and　prayed　with　all　my　might　that　
no　unforeseen　change　of　plans　would　bring　her　home　before　she　got　my　
message。　

I　settled　into　the　sofa；　nibbling　on　a　plate　of　leftover　fruit；　

anticipating　a　long　evening。　I　thought　about　calling　Charlie；　but　I　
wasn't　sure　if　I　should　be　home　by　now　or　not。　I　concentrated　on　the　
news；　watching　out　for　stories　about　Florida；　or　about　spring　training　—　
strikes　or　hurricanes　or　terrorist　attacks　—　anything　that　might　send　
them　home　early。　

Immortality　must　grant　endless　patience。　Neither　Jasper　nor　Alice　seemed　
to　feel　the　need　to　do　anything　at　all。　For　a　while；　Alice　sketched　the　
vague　outline　of　the　dark　room　from　her　vision；　as　much　as　she　could　see　
in　the　light　from　the　TV。　But　when　she　was　done；　she　simply　sat；　looking　
at　the　blank　walls　with　her　timeless　eyes。　Jasper；　too；　seemed　to　have　no　
urge　to　pace；　or　peek　through　the　curtains；　or　run　screaming　out　the　
door；　the　way　I　did。　

I　must　have　fallen　asleep　on　the　couch；　waiting　for　the　phone　to　ring　
again。　The　touch　of　Alice's　cold　hands　woke　me　briefly　as　she　carried　me　
to　the　bed；　but　I　was　unconscious　again　before　my　head　hit　the　pillow。　

===========================================================================　


21。　PHONE　CALL　




I　could　feel　it　was　too　early　again　when　I　woke；　and　I　knew　I　was　getting　
the　schedule　of　my　days　and　nights　slowly　reversed。　I　lay　in　my　bed　and　
listened　to　the　quiet　voices　of　Alice　and　Jasper　in　the　other　room。　That　
they　were　loud　enough　for　me　to　hear　at　all　was　strange。　I　rolled　till　my　
feet　touched　the　floor　and　then　staggered　to　the　living　room。　

The　clock　on　the　TV　said　it　was　just　after　two　in　the　morning。　Alice　and　
Jasper　were　sitting　together　on　the　sofa；　Alice　sketching　again　while　
Jasper　looked　over　her　shoulder。　They　didn't　look　up　when　I　entered；　too　
engrossed　in　Alice's　work。　

I　crept　to　Jasper's　side　to　peek。　

〃Did　she　see　something　more？〃　I　asked　him　quietly。　

〃Yes。　Something's　brought　him　back　to　the　room　with　the　VCR；　but　it's　
light　now。〃　

I　watched　as　Alice　drew　a　square　room　with　dark　beams　across　its　low　
ceiling。　The　walls　were　paneled　in　wood；　a　little　too　dark；　out　of　date。　
The　floor　had　a　dark　carpet　with　a　pattern　in　it。　There　was　a　large　
window　against　the　south　wall；　and　an　opening　through　the　west　wall　led　
to　the　living　room。　One　side　of　that　entrance　was　stone　—　a　large　tan　
stone　fireplace　that　was　open　to　both　rooms。　The　focus　of　the　room　from　
this　perspective；　the　TV　and　VCR；　balanced　on　a　toosmall　wooden　stand；　
were　in　the　southwest　corner　of　the　room。　An　aged　sectional　sofa　curved　
around　in　front　of　the　TV；　a　round　coffee　table　in　front　of　it。　

〃The　phone　goes　there；〃　I　whispered；　pointing。　

Two　pairs　of　eternal　eyes　stared　at　me。　

〃That's　my　mother's　house。〃　

Alice　was　already　off　the　couch；　phone　in　hand；　dialing。　I　stared　at　the　
precise　rendering　of　my　mother's　family　room。　Uncharacteristically；　
Jasper　slid　closer　to　me。　He　lightly　touched　his　hand　to　my　shoulder；　and　
the　physical　contact　seemed　to　make　his　calming　influence　stronger。　The　
panic　stayed　dull；　unfocused。　

Alice's　lips　were　trembling　with　the　speed　of　her　words；　the　low　buzzing　
impossible　to　decipher。　I　couldn't　concentrate。　

〃Bella；〃　Alice　said。　I　looked　at　her　numbly。　

〃Bella；　Edward　is　ing　to　get　you。　He　and　Emmett　and　Carlisle　are　going　
to　take　you　somewhere；　to　hide　you　for　a　while。〃　

〃Edward　is　ing？〃　The　words　were　like　a　life　vest；　holding　my　head　
above　the　flood。　

〃Yes；　he's　catching　the　first　flight　out　of　Seattle。　We'll　meet　him　at　
the　airport；　and　you'll　leave　with　him。〃　

〃But；　my　mother…　he　came　here　for　my　mother；　Alice！〃　Despite　Jasper；　the　
hysteria　bubbled　up　in　my　voice。　

〃Jasper　and　I　will　stay　till　she's　safe。〃　

〃I　can't　win；　Alice。　You　can't　guard　everyone　I　know　forever。　Don't　you　
see　what　he's　doing？　He's　not　tracking　me　at　all。　He'll　find　someone；　
he'll　hurt　someone　I　love…　Alice；　I　can't　—〃　

〃We'll　catch　him；　Bella；〃　she　assured　me。　

〃And　what　if　you　get　hurt；　Alice？　Do　you　think　that's　okay　with　me？　Do　
you　think　it's　only　my　human　family　he　can　hurt　me　with？〃　

Alice　looked　meaningfully　at　Jasper。　A　deep；　heavy　fog　of　lethargy　washed　
over　me；　and　my　eyes　closed　without　my　permission。　My　mind　struggled　
against　the　fog；　realizing　what　was　happening。　I　forced　my　eyes　open　and　
stood　up；　stepping　away　from　Jasper's　hand。　

〃I　don't　want　to　go　back　to　sleep；〃　I　snapped。　

I　walked　to　my　room　and　shut　the　door；　slammed　it　really；　so　I　could　be　
free　to　go　to　pieces　privately。　This　time　Alice　didn't　follow　me。　For　
three　and　a　half　hours　I　stared　at　the　wall；　curled　in　a　ball；　rocking。　
My　mind　went　around　in　circles；　trying　to　e　up　with　some　way　out　of　
this　nightmare。　There　was　no　escape；　no　reprieve。　I　could　see　only　one　
possible　end　looming　darkly　in　my　future。　The　only　question　was　how　many　
other　people　would　be　hurt　before　I　reached　it。　

The　only　solace；　the　only　hope　I　had　left；　was　knowing　that　I　would　see　
Edward　soon。　Maybe；　if　I　could　just　see　his　face　again；　I　would　also　be　
able　to　see　the　solution　that　eluded　me　now。　

When　the　phone　rang；　I　returned　to　the　front　room；　a　little　ashamed　of　my　
behavior。　I　hoped　I　hadn't　offended　either　of　them；　that　they　would　know　
how　grateful　I　was　for　the　sacrifices　they　were　making　on　my　account。　

Alice　was　talking　as　rapidly　as　ever；　but　what　caught　my　attention　was　
that；　for　the　first　time；　Jasper　was　not　in　the　room。　I　looked　at　the　
clock　—　it　was　fivethirty　in　the　morning。　

〃They're　just　boarding　their　plane；〃　Alice　told　me。　〃They'll　land　at　
ninefortyfive。〃　Just　a　few　more　hours　to　keep　breathing　till　he　was　
here。　

〃Where's　Jasper？〃　

〃He　went　to　check　out。〃　

〃You　aren't　staying　here？〃　

〃No；　we're　relocating　closer　to　your　mother's　house。〃　

My　stomach　twisted　uneasily　at　her　words。　

But　the　phone　rang　again；　distracting　me。　She　looked　surprised；　but　I　was　
already　walking　forward；　reaching　hopefully　for　the　phone。　

〃Hello？〃　Alice　asked。　〃No；　she's　right　here。〃　She　held　the　phone　out　to　
me。　Your　mother；　she　mouthed。　

〃Hello？〃　

〃Bella？　Bella？〃　It　was　my　mother's　voice；　in　a　familiar　tone　I　had　heard　
a　thousand　times　in　my　childhood；　anytime　I'd　gotten　too　close　to　the　
edge　of　the　sidewalk　or　strayed　out　of　her　sight　in　a　crowded　place。　It　
was　the　sound　of　panic。　

I　sighed。　I'd　been　expecting　this；　though　I'd　tried　to　make　my　message　as　
unalarming　as　possible　without　lessening　the　urgency　of　it。　

〃Calm　down；　Mom；〃　I　said　in　my　most　soothing　voice；　walking　slowly　away　
from　Alice。　I　wasn't　sure　if　I　could　lie　as　convincingly　with　her　eyes　on　
me。　〃Everything　is　fine；　okay？　Just　give　me　a　minute　and　I'll　explain　
everything；　I　promise。〃　

I　paused；　surprised　that　she　hadn't　interrupted　me　yet。　

〃Mom？〃　

〃Be　very　careful　not　to　say　anything　until　I　tell　you　to。〃　The　voice　I　
heard　now　was　as　unfamiliar　as　it　was　unexpected。　It　was　a　man's　tenor　
voice；　a　very　pleasant；　generic　voice　—　the　kind　of　voice　that　you　heard　
in　the　background　of　luxury　car　mercials。　He　spoke　very　quickly。　

〃Now；　I　don't　need　to　hurt　your　mother；　so　please　do　exactly　as　I　say；　
and　she'll　be　fine。〃　He　paused　for　a　minute　while　I　listened　in　mute　
horror。　〃That's　very　good；〃　he　congratulated。　〃Now　repeat　after　me；　and　
do　try　to　sound　natural。　Please　say；　'No；　Mom；　stay　where　you　are。'〃　

〃No；　Mom；　stay　where　you　are。〃　My　voice　was　barely　more　than　a　whisper。　

〃I　can　see　this　is　going　to　be　difficult。〃　The　voice　was　amused；　still　
light　and　friendly。　〃Why　don't　you　walk　into　another　room　now　so　your　
face　doesn't　ruin　everything？　There's　no　reason　for　your　mother　to　
suffer。　As　you're　walking；　please　say；　'Mom；　please　listen　to　me。'　Say　it　
now。〃　

〃Mom；　please　listen　to　me；〃　my　voice　pleaded。　I　walked　very　slowly　to　the　
bedroom；　feeling　Alice's　worried　stare　on　my　back。　I　shut　the　door　behind　
me；　trying　to　think　clearly　through　the　terror　that　gripped　my　brain。　

〃There　now；　are　you　alone？　Just　answer　yes　or　no。〃　

〃Yes。〃　

〃But　they　can　still　hear　you；　I'm　sure。〃　

〃Yes。〃　

〃All　right；　then；〃　the　agreeable　voice　continued；　〃say；　'Mom；　trust　me。'〃　

〃Mom；　trust　me。〃　

〃This　worked　out　rather　better　than　I　expected。　I　was　prepared　to　wait；　
but　your　mother　arrived　ahead　of　schedule。　It's　easier　this　way；　isn't　
it？　Less　suspense；　less　anxiety　for　you。〃　

I　waited。　

〃Now　I　want　you　to　listen　very　carefully。　I'm　going　to　need　you　to　get　
away　from　your　friends；　do　you　think　you　can　do　that？　Answer　yes　or　no。〃　

〃No。〃　

〃I'm　sorry　to　hear　that。　I　was　hoping　you　would　be　a　little　more　creative　
than　that。　Do　you　think　you　could　get　away　from　them　if　your　mother's　
life　depended　on　it？　Answer　yes　or　no。〃　

Somehow；　there　had　to　be　a　way。　I　remembered　that　we　were　going　to　the　
airport。　Sky　Harbor　International　Airport：　crowded；　confusingly　laid　out…　

〃Yes。〃　

〃That's　better。　I'm　sure　it　won't　be　easy；　but　if　I　get　the　slightest　

hint　that　you　have　any　pany；　well；　that　would　be　very　bad　for　your　
mother；〃　the　friendly　voice　promised。　〃You　must　know　enough　about　us　by　
now　to　realize　how　quickly　I　would　know　if　you　tried　to　bring　anyone　
along　with　you。　And　how　little　time　I　would　need　to　deal　with　your　mother　
if　that　was　the　case。　Do　you　understand？　Answer　yes　or　no。〃　

〃Yes。〃　My　voice　broke。　

〃Very　good；　Bella。　Now　this　is　what　you　have　to　do。　I　want　you　to　go　to　
your　mother's　house。　Next　to　the　phone　there　will　be　a　number。　Call　it；　
and　I'll　tell　you　where　to　go　from　there。〃　I　already　knew　where　I　would　
go；　and　where　this　would　end。　But　I　would　follow　his　instructions　
exactly。　〃Can　you　do　that？　Answer　yes　or　no。〃　

〃Yes。〃　

〃Before　noon；　please；　Bella。　I　haven't　got　all　day；〃　he　said　politely。　

〃Where's　Phil？〃　I　asked　tersely。　

〃Ah；　be　careful　now；　Bella。　Wait　until　I　ask　you　to　speak；　please。〃　

I　waited。　

〃It's　important；　now；　that　you　don't　make　your　friends　suspicious　when　
you　go　back　to　them。　Tell　them　that　your　mother　called；　and　that　you　
talked　her　out　of　ing　home　for　the　time　being。　Now　repeat　after　me；　
'Thank　you；　Mom。'　Say　it　now。〃　

〃Thank　you；　Mom。〃　The　tears　were　ing。　I　tried　to　fight　them　back。　

〃Say；　'I　love　you；　Mom；　I'll　see　you　soon。'　Say　it　now。〃　

〃I　love　you；　Mom。〃　My　voice　was　thick。　〃I'll　see　you　soon；〃　I　promised。　

〃Goodbye；　Bella。　I　look　forward　to　seeing　you　again。〃　He　hung　up。　

I　held　the　phone　to　my　ear。　My　joints　were　frozen　with　terror　—　I　
couldn't　unbend　my　fingers　to　drop　it。　

I　knew　I　had　to　think；　but　my　head　was　filled　with　the　sound　of　my　
mother's　panic。　Seconds　ticked　by　while　I　fought　for　control。　

Slowly；　slowly；　my　thoughts　started　to　break　past　that　brick　wall　of　
pain。　To　plan。　For　I　had　no　choices　now　but　one：　to　go　to　the　mirrored　
room　and　die。　I　had　no　guarantees；　nothing　to　give　to　keep　my　mother　
alive。　I　could　only　hope　that　James　would　be　satisfied　with　winning　the　
game；　that　beating　Edward　would　be　enough。　Despair　gripped　me；　there　was　
no　way　to　bargain；　nothing　I　could　offer　or　withhold　that　could　influence　
him。　But　I　still　had　no　choice。　I　had　to　try。　

I　pushed　the　terror　back　as　well　as　I　could。　My　decision　was　made。　It　did　
no　good　to　waste　time　agonizing　over　the　oute。　I　had　to　think　clearly；　
because　Alice　and　Jasper　were　waiting　for　me；　and　evading　them　was　
absolutely　essential；　and　absolutely　impossible。　

I　was　suddenly　grateful　that　Jasper　was　gone。　If　he　had　been　here　to　feel　
my　anguish　in　the　last　five　minutes；　how　could　I　have　kept　them　from　
being　suspicious？　I　choked　back　the　dread；　the　anxiety；　tried　to　stifle　
it。　I　couldn't　afford　it　now。　I　didn't　know　when　he　w