I was surprised to see that Carbomb intended to go with Fredward. I realized suddenly, with a stab of fear, that they made up the hunting party.
"Alice," Carbomb asked, "will they take the bait?"
Everyone watched as Alice shook her eightball and peered into is murky depths.
"It says, 'He'll track you. The woman will follow the truck. We should be able to leave after that.'" Her voice was certain.
"Good enough for me. Let's go." Carbomb began to walk toward the kitchen.
But Fredward was at my side at once. He caught me up in his iron grip, crushing me against his impossibly hard body. He seemed unaware of his watching family as he pressed my face to his, lifting my feet off the floor. For the shortest second, his lips were icy and hard against mine and I could barely breathe. Then it was over. He set me down, still holding my face, his glorious eyes burning into mine.
His eyes went blank, curiously dead, as he turned away.
"Fredward, why are your eyes—"
And then they were gone.
I stood there, the others looking away from me as the tears streaked noiselessly324 down my face.
The silent moment dragged on, and then Esme's telephone vibrated in her hand. She held it to her ear, where it vibrated again.
"Hello?"
The phone vibrated a third time.
"Now!" she said. Rosalie stalked out the front door without another glance in my direction, but Esme touched my cheek as she passed.
"Be safe, baby." Her whisper lingered behind them as they slipped out the door. I heard my truck start thunderously, and then fade away.
Jasper and Alice waited. Alice's phone seemed to be at her ear before it buzzed.
324. "I've always found it curious how tears, the very essence of crying and human sadness, are themselves silent." - The Author, Charlie Rose, September 9, 2009.