I pushed the terror back as well as I could. My decision was made. It did no good to waste time agonizing over the outcome.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 would return.I concentrated on my escape. I had to hope that my familiarity with the airport would turn the odds in my favor. Somehow, I had to keep Alice away…I knew Alice was in the other room waiting for me, curious. But I had to deal with one more thing in private, before Jasper was back.I had to accept that I wouldn't see Edward again, not even one last glimpse of his face to carry with me to the mirror room. I was going to hurt him, and I couldn't say goodbye.I let the waves of torture wash over me, have their way for a time. Then I pushed them back, too, and went to face Alice.The only expression I could manage was a dull, dead look. I saw her alarm and I didn't wait for her to ask. I had just one script and I'd never manage improvisation now.
