Prologue:
I remember the jump. The harsh winds whipping in my face, shoving sharp hair in my eyes before piercing them mercilessly with the cold air of Forks. I remember the loud, smack of my back as I hit the water below me. My bones iced over upon impact as the murderous waves pulled me under and held me there no matter how hard I forced my feeble limps to struggle. I remember a face, so perfect and gorgeous. But it was mad, its eyebrows pulled together, lips in a thin dangerous line, eyes begging, begging me to fight harder. But the weight of the water was tremendous and I no longer had the strength to fight even if I did have to will to keep going. I just wasn't strong enough. I was only human.
I remember the flaming body heat that sent my frigid skin ablaze. It was a huge contrast from the body of ice I was hauled out of. I felt myself being picked up with such ease, as if my rescuer had the strength of a thousand men, and I was nothing more than a feather. I remember the pressure on my stomach that felt like rocks were slamming into me, the begging for me to breathe. The voice was rough and thick, as if he would be crying too if he allowed himself to break down. I felt the water being forced up my throat and spurt from my mouth, coughing that caused my chest to ache. The pain it took to breathe almost made me wonder if it was even worth it. Did I need to live? Why?
I remember opening my eyes to a scared and frantic face. But I looked closer, blinking sea water out of my eyes…I had no clue who was standing over me, calling me Bella over and over as he asked me if I could hear him. His voice was muffled and nearly mute by the water blocking the sound waves from my ear drums. But I think I heard him correctly the fifth time he said the name again. Bella. Who is Bella? Is that me?