new moon(暮光之城-新月英文版)-第34部分

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I　slid　across　the　seat　and　put　the　truck　back　in　drive。　My　hands　were　shaking　
almost　as　hard　as　Jake's　
had　been；　and　this　took　a　minute　of　concentration。　Then　I　carefully　turned　the　
truck　around　and　drove　it　
back　to　my　house。　
It　was　very　dark　when　I　turned　off　the　headlights。　Charlie　had　left　in　such　a　
hurry　that　he'd　forgotten　to　
leave　the　porch　lamp　on。　I　felt　a　pang　of　doubt；　staring　at　the　house；　deep　in　
shadow。　What　if　it　was　a　
trick？　
I　looked　back　at　the　black　car；　almost　invisible　in　the　night。　No。　I　knew　that　
car。　
Still；　my　hands　were　shaking　even　worse　than　before　as　I　reached　for　the　key　
above　the　door。　When　I　
grabbed　the　doorknob　to　unlock　it；　it　twisted　easily　under　my　hand。　I　let　the　
door　fall　open。　The　hallway　
was　black。　
I　wanted　to　call　out　a　greeting；　but　my　throat　was　too　dry。　I　couldn't　quite　
seem　to　catch　my　breath。　
I　took　a　step　inside　and　fumbled　for　the　light　switch。　It　was　so　black—like　
the　black　water　Where　was　
that　switch？　
Just　like　the　black　water；　with　the　orange　flame　flickering　impossibly　on　top　
of　it。　Flame　that　couldn't　be　a　
fire；　but　what　then　？　My　fingers　traced　the　wall；　still　searching；　still　
shaking—　
Suddenly；　something　Jacob　had　told　me　this　afternoon　echoed　in　my　head；　
finally　sinking　in　She　took　
off　into　the　water；　he'd　said。　The　bloodsuckers　have　the　advantage　there。　
That's　why　I　raced　home　
—I　was　afraid　she　was　going　to　double　back　swimming。　
My　hand　froze　in　its　searching；　my　whole　body　froze　into　place；　as　I　realized　
why　I　recognized　the　
strange　orange　color　on　the　water。　
Victoria's　hair；　blowing　wild　in　the　wind；　the　color　of　fire　
She'd　been　right　there。　Right　there　in　the　harbor　with　me　and　Jacob。　If　Sam　
hadn't　been　there；　if　it　had　
been　just　the　two　of　us　？　I　couldn't　breathe　or　move。　
The　light　flicked　on；　though　my　frozen　hand　had　still　not　found　the　switch。　
I　blinked　into　the　sudden　light；　and　saw　that　someone　was　there；　waiting　for　
me。　
　17。　VISITOR
UNNATURALLY　STILL　AND　WHITE；　WITH　LARGE　BLACK　EYES　intent　on　my　face；　my　
visitor　
waited　perfectly　motionless　in　the　center　of　the　halt；　beautiful　beyond　
imagining。　
My　knees　trembled　for　a　second；　and　I　nearly　fell。　Then　I　hurled　myself　at　
her。　
〃Alice；　oh；　Alice！〃　I　cried；　as　I　slammed　into　her。　
I'd　forgotten　how　hard　she　was；　it　was　like　running　headlong　into　a　wall　of　
cement。　
〃Bella？〃　There　was　a　strange　mingling　of　relief　and　confusion　in　her　voice。　
I　locked　my　arms　around　her；　gasping　to　inhale　as　much　of　the　scent　of　her　
skin　as　possible。　It　wasn't　like　
anything　else—not　floral　or　spice；　citrus　or　musk。　No　perfume　in　the　world　
could　pare。　My　memory　
hadn't　done　it　justice。　
I　didn't　notice　when　the　gasping　turned　into　something　else—I　only　realized　I　
was　sobbing　when　Alice　
dragged　me　to　the　living　room　couch　and　pulled　me　into　her　lap。　It　was　like　
curling　up　into　a　cool　stone；　
but　a　stone　that　was　contoured　fortingly　to　the　shape　of　my　body。　She　
rubbed　my　back　in　a　gentle　
rhythm；　waiting　for　me　to　get　control　of　myself。　
〃I'm　sorry；〃　I　blubbered。　〃I'm　just　so　happy　to　see　you！〃　
〃It's　okay；　Bella。　Everything's　okay。〃　
〃Yes；〃　I　bawled。　And；　for　once；　it　seemed　that　way。　
Alice　sighed。　〃I'd　forgotten　how　exuberant　you　are；〃　she　said；　and　her　tone　
was　disapproving。　
I　looked　up　at　her　through　my　streaming　eyes。　Alice's　neck　was　tight；　
straining　away　from　me；　her　lips　
pressed　together　firmly。　Her　eyes　were　black　as　pitch。　
〃Oh；〃　I　puffed；　as　I　realized　the　problem。　She　was　thirsty。　And　I　smelled　
appetizing。　It　had　been　a　while　
since　I'd　had　to　think　about　that　kind　of　thing。　〃Sorry。〃　
〃It's　my　own　fault。　It's　been　too　long　since　I　hunted。　I　shouldn't　let　myself　
get　so　thirsty。　But　I　was　in　a　
hurry　today。〃　The　look　she　directed　at　me　then　was　a　glare。　〃Speaking　of　
which；　would　you　like　to　
explain　to　me　how　you're　alive？〃　
That　brought　me　up　short　and　stopped　the　sobs。　I　realized　what　must　have　
happened　immediately；　and　
why　Alice　was　here。　
I　swallowed　loudly。　〃You　saw　me　fall。〃　
〃No；〃　she　disagreed；　her　eyes　narrowing。　〃I　saw　you　jump。〃　
I　pursed　my　lips　as　I　tried　to　think　of　an　explanation　that　wouldn't　sound　
nuts。　
Alice　shook　her　head。　〃I　told　him　this　would　happen；　but　he　didn't　believe　me。　
'Bella　promised；'〃　her　
voice　imitated　his　so　perfectly　that　I　iroze　in　shock　while　the　pain　ripped　
through　my　torso。　〃'Don't　be　
looking　for　her　future；　either；'〃　she　continued　to　quote　him。　'〃We've　done　
enough　damage。〃　
〃But　just　because　I'm　not　looking；　doesn't　mean　I　don't　see〃　she　went　on。　〃I　
wasn't　keeping　tabs　on　you；　
I　swear；　Bella。　It's　just　that　I'm　alreacy　attuned　to　you　when　I　saw　you　
jumping；　I　didn't　think；　I　just　got　
on　a　plane。　I　knew　I　would　be　too　late；　but　I　couldn't　do　nothing。　And　then　I　
get　here；　thinking　maybe　I　
could　help　Charlie　somehow；　and　you　drive　up。〃　She　shook　her　head；　this　time　
in　confusion。　Her　voice　
was　strained。　〃I　saw　you　go　into　the　water　and　I　waited　and　waited　for　you　to　
e　up；　but　you　didn't。　
What　happened？　And　how　could　you　do　that　to　Charlie？　Did　you　stop　to　think　
what　this　would　do　to　
him？　And　my　brother？　Do　you　have　any　idea　what　Edward—〃　
I　cut　her　off　then；　as　soon　as　she　said　his　name。　I'd　let　her　go　on；　even　
after　I　realized　the　
misunderstanding　she　was　under；　just　to　hear　the　perfect　bell　tone　of　her　
voice。　But　it　was　time　to　
interrupt。　
〃Alice；　I　wasn't　mitting　suicide。〃　
She　eyed　me　dubiously。　〃Are　you　saying　you　didn't　jump　off　a　cliff？〃　
〃No；　but〃　I　grimaced。　〃It　was　for　recreational　purposes　only。〃　
Her　expression　hardened。　
〃I'd　seen　some　of　Jacob's　friends　cliff　diving；〃　I　insisted。　〃It　looked　like　
fun；　and　I　was　bored〃　
She　waited。　
〃I　didn't　think　about　how　the　storm　would　affect　the　currents。　Actually；　I　
didn't　think　about　the　water　
much　at　all。〃　
Alice　didn't　buy　it。　I　could　see　that　she　still　thought　I　had　been　trying　to　
kill　myself。　I　decided　to　redirect。　
〃So　if　you　saw　me　go　in；　why　didn't　you　see　Jacob？〃　
She　cocked　her　head　to　the　side；　distracted。　
I　continued。　〃It's　true　that　I　probably　would　have　drowned　if　Jacob　hadn't　
jumped　in　after　me。　Well；　
okay；　there's　no　probably　about　it。　But　he　did；　and　he　pulled　me　out；　and　I　
guess　he　towed　me　back　to　
shore；　though　I　was　kind　of　out　for　that　part。　It　couldn't　have　been　more　than　
a　minute　that　I　was　under　
before　he　grabbed　me。　How　e　you　didn't　see　that？〃　
She　frowned　in　perplexity。　〃Someone　pulled　you　out？〃　
〃Yes。　Jacob　saved　me。〃　
I　watched　curiously　as　an　enigmatic　range　of　emotions　flitted　across　her　face。　
Something　was　bothering　
her—her　imperfect　vision？　But　I　wasn't　sure。　Then　she　deliberately　leaned　in　
and　sniffed　my　shoulder。　
I　froze。　
〃Don't　be　ridiculous；〃　she　muttered；　sniffing　at　me　some　more。　
〃What　are　you　doing？〃　
She　ignored　my　question。　〃Who　was　with　you　out　there　just　now？　It　sounded　like　
you　were　arguing。〃　
〃Jacob　Black。　He's　sort　of　my　best　friend；　I　guess。　At　least；　he　was〃　I　
thought　of　Jacob's　angry；　
betrayed　face；　and　wondered　what　he　was　to　me　now。　
Alice　nodded；　seeming　preoccupied。　
〃What？〃　
〃I　don't　know；〃　she　said。　〃I'm　not　sure　what　it　means。〃　
〃Well；　I'm　not　dead；　at　least。〃　
She　rolled　her　eyes。　〃He　was　a　fool　to　think　you　could　survive　alone。　I've　
never　seen　anyone　so　prone　to　
life…threatening　idiocy。〃　
〃I　survived；〃　I　pointed　out。　
She　was　thinking　of　something　else。　〃So；　if　the　currents　were　too　much　for　
you；　how　did　this　Jacob　
manage？〃　
〃Jacob　is　strong。〃　
She　heard　the　reluctance　in　my　voice；　and　her　eyebrows　rose。　
I　gnawed　on　my　lip　for　a　second。　Was　this　a　secret；　or　not？　And　if　it　was；　
then　who　was　my　greatest　
allegiance　to？　Jacob；　or　Alice？　
It　was　too　hard　to　keep　secrets；　I　decided。　Jacob　knew　everything；　why　not　
Alice；　too？　
〃See；　well；　he's　sort　of　a　werewolf；〃　I　admitted　in　a　rush。　〃The　Quileutes　
turn　into　wolves　when　there　
are　vampires　around。　They　know　Carlisle　from　a　long　time　ago。　Were　you　with　
Carlisle　back　then？〃　
Alice　gawked　at　me　for　a　moment；　and　then　recovered　herself；　blinking　rapidly。　
〃Well；　I　guess　that　
explains　the　smell；〃　she　muttered。　〃But　does　it　explain　what　I　didn't　see？〃　
She　frowned；　her　porcelain　
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　ment。　
〃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　e　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；　n