Only Human24

8/14/2019 Only Human24

1/5

Chapter 24

Title: Only Human (24/27)Author: Amethyst JacksonRating: M/NC-17Category: Drama, Angst, RomancePairing: Edward/BellaSummary: A wish sends Bella back in time to Chicago, 1918, and to a human Edward.Disclaimer:All this genius belongs to Stephanie Meyer. Im just having a little fun.

Carlisle returned after sunset and came straight to us, checking over Edward and Elizabeth.

Whats the prognosis? I asked quietly to avoid wakingthem.

Its not wonderful, Carlisle sighed as he removed his stethoscope. Edwards condition appears

to be mostly unchanged, but Mrs. Masen Her lungs are worse. It sounds like theres more fluid

there than yesterday. And her fever is higher.

I think shes given up, I told him. His eyes were sorrowful butresigned a darkening brown. Heobviously hadnt taken time to hunt lately.

It happens too often, he said. As much as shes lost and stands to lose, I can imagine how easy it

would be.

For a moment, he looked as though he was speaking from experience, and I wondered if he was

remembering his first days as a vampire, how hed unsuccessfully tried to destroy himself. Again, I


2/5


3/5

I froze, not looking up. I wanted to hear what she would say to Carlisle, and some instinct told me

not to interrupt.

Mrs. Masen?

Save him! It was the strongest her voice had been all day, but anyone could hear what it cost her.

Carlisles voice wouldnt have sounded flustered to anyone unused to hearing it. Ill do everything

in my power, he told her.

You must! You must do everything in your power. What others cannot do, that is what you must

do for my Edward.

I clutched the edge of the cot, knowing for the first time exactly how much time I had. Carlisle had

told me that Elizabeth had died less than an hour after making her request. She had lost

consciousness and never recovered. After she died, he would take Edward from the hospital.

I looked up to Carlisle, whose eyes were somber.

Theres not much time left, I whispered.

No, he agreed. Are you prepared for this?

Theres no way I could be prepared, I sighed.

No, I dont suppose there is. Im going to make my rounds. Ill be back as soon as possible.

Okay. Iwanted to ask him to stay; I was afraid to be left alone to face Elizabeths impending

death. I could only hope he would return before that moment.

I held onto Edwards hand as I listened to Elizabeths ragged breathing. The inhales and exhales

grew quicker and quicker as she struggled to take in enough oxygen. It was painful to listen to. I

clutched Edwards hand tighter, though he took no notice. Suddenly, I felt desperately alone. I

would have given anything to have my unbreakable Edward with me now.

I thought the time would pass quickly, the way it does when a dreaded event approaches, but each

minute felt like an hour, filled with the sounds of suffering.

When she suddenly gasped for air, I felt as though my heart had stopped. I said Carlisles name

aloud, hoping he would hear wherever he was. It took him a minute to return, to remove himself

from whatever he was doing. By the time he arrived, limited to a human pace, it was all over.

Carlisle leaned over her, checking for a pulse. When he found none, he turned back to my tear-

streaked face and placed a hand on my shoulder.


4/5

Im sorry, he murmured. Ill have to take her to the morgue now. Thenthen Ill come back

for Edward.

I nodded my agreement. This was the way it had to be. I was long past fighting it. I watched as

Carlisle wheeled the cot away and then turned back to Edward. I studied him intently now,

knowing it was only a matter of time before he was bitten and began the transformation into theEdward I would meet in 2005. His face was flushed, streaks of red riding high on his cheeks. His

face was so soft, just hiding the chiseled jaw and high cheekbones that the transformation would

reveal. Sweet as a cherub now, soon to be a fallen angel.

Carlisle returned a little more hesitantly than hed left. Bella? Do you think you can get back to

my house by yourself?

Yes, I nodded. After this, I didnt care much about the danger the dark streets posed. How

could I survive this ordeal only to die on the street?

Carlisle rolled Edward away after his mother. It physically pained me to see him go, but I picked

myself up off the floor and made my way to the front exit. I saw nurses looking sympathetically at

me out of the corner of my eye, but I kept my head down. It was easier that way.

I was less than ten paces from the door when a hand darted out from one of the beds and caught

the edge of my skirt. I started in fear. The hysterical hallucinations of the fevered victims could

come to all kinds of insanity. I had a different kind of shock, however, when I looked over and

realized I recognized the face, pale and drawn though it was.

Norman!

Bella. His voice was harsh. He looked awful. His blonde hair looked brown, soaked as it was

with sweat, and his breath rattled, much as Elizabeths had in her final hours. I winced. Whether

or not I liked Norman, I wouldnt wish this fate upon him.

Bella, he said again. I want to apologize.

Apologize? I hadnt expected it.

For the way I treated you. The things I said. For trying to ruin your happiness. So sorry.

I stared in shock momentarily, trying to process the change in his behavior. But I supposed the

prospect of dying had a way of changing peopleespecially those with cause for a guilty

conscience.

I forgive you, I finally said. He hadnt done any harm in the endwhether he would have or not,

I couldnt say for certain. But there wasnt any point in holding grudges now that everything had

changed.

Thank you, he sighed, closing his eyes and releasing my skirt. I left then. I might have stayed

longer outof pity at any other timebut Edward and Carlisle were waiting.


5/5

Outside, the streets were quiet as the grave. I wasnt surprised. Anyone who wasnt already sick

would be best served staying out of the path of danger. I hurried through the darkness. I passed a

few lone figures, some ill, some not, but nobody bothered me. I was thankful; I couldnt handle

much more this evening.

Carlisle met me at the front door and hurried me inside. I heard a moan from upstairs andwinced.

I did it already, Carlisle explained. I wasafraid he wouldnt last long enough for you to arrive. I

didnt want to take any chances. Besides, its probably safer that you werent present.

Right, I agreed. Can I stay with him? Do you mind?

No, of course not, Carlisle smiled kindly. Perhaps we can keep you a bit more comfortable

here. You must be exhausted.

I cant really tell right now, I said ruefully.

Carlisle led me up the stairs to one of the normally unused bedrooms. Edward was on top of the

covers, writhing in pain. His fingers dug into the bed beneath him, his body tensed with the strain

of holding in his cries. I ran, stumbling, to his side. I assumed Carlisle remained, but I couldnt be

sure.

Edward? Edward, its going to be okay, I promised, afraid to reach out and touch him, lest I

cause him more pain. Dr. Cullen will take care of you.

His eyes flashed open to meet mine, lips trembling. B-Bella? He barely got my name out before

the sound turned into a tortured cry. His eyes held nothing but pain and fear, and Iwished Id

found a way to warn him, to prepare him, to let him know that this would all be worthwhile in the

end.

Yes, Edward, Im here, I said, tentatively touching his face. He didnt flinch but pressed into my

hand.

A-am Idying?

No, I said quickly. No, just changing. The pain will go away, and youll be just fine.

Stay, he pleaded. Stay with me.

Of course. I wouldnt have it any other way.

Only Human24

Documents

Transcript of Only Human24