Chapter 20

           WhenIwokeupIwasconfused.Mythoughtswerehazy,stilltwistedupindreamsandnightmares;ittookmelongerthanitshouldhavetorealizewhereIwas.

           Thisroomwastooblandtobelonganywherebutinahotel.Thebedsidelamps,boltedtothetables,wereadeadgiveaway,aswerethelongdrapesmadefromthesamefabricasthebedspread,andthegenericwatercolorprintsonthewalls.

           ItriedtorememberhowIgothere,butnothingcameatfirst.

           Ididrememberthesleekblackcar,theglassinthewindowsdarkerthanthatonalimousine.Theenginewasalmostsilent,thoughwe’dracedacrosstheblackfreewaysatmorethantwicethelegalspeed.

           AndIrememberedAlicesittingwithmeonthedarkleatherbackseat.Somehow,duringthelongnight,myheadhadendedupagainsthergraniteneck.Myclosenessdidn’tseemtobotherheratall,andhercool,hardskinwasoddlycomfortingtome.Thefrontofherthincottonshirtwascold,dampwiththetearsthatstreamedfrommyeyesuntil,redandsore,theyrandry.

           Sleephadevadedme;myachingeyesstrainedopeneventhoughthenightfinallyendedanddawnbrokeoveralowpeaksomewhereinCalifornia.Thegraylight,streakingacrossthecloudlesssky,stungmyeyes.ButIcouldn’tclosethem;whenIdid,theimagesthatflashedalltoovividly,likestillslidesbehindmylids,wereunbearable.Charlie’sbrokenexpression-Edward’sbrutalsnarl,teethbared-Rosalie’sresentfulglare-thekeen-eyedscrutinyofthetracker-thedeadlookinEdward’seyesafterhekissedmethelasttime...