My throat constricted, and I couldn't breathe. This is what happens to people like me. Evil people didn't get what they wanted. The tightness in my throat continued to grip harder, tears pouring down my face. The pain in my chest intensified, and I cried out. I couldn't figure out what was happening to me, I was shaking all over. A big black cloud threatened to swallow me, and I welcomed it. Whatever was beyond the blackness couldn't be worse than what I was going through now.

Through the dark fog, I felt a strong pair of arms hold me. Who is that? I wondered to myself, wanting to open my eyes and see the person who cared enough to embrace me.

"Shhhh now, calm down Bella. You're safe." The tone reminded me of a mother comforting her infant. My eyelids felt so heavy, I wanted to sink into this blissful ignorance…but I also wanted to look into my saviour's eyes. I fought against the heaviness in my eyes, and managed to open them enough to see that I knew this boy.

"Bella, you need to breathe, you'll pass out otherwise. Slow, deep breaths…you hear me?" I did what he wanted me to, and the pain in my chest slowly eased. The band around my throat relaxed and I was able to take great big gulps of air. The tears continued to fall. I finally recognised the boy stood next to me.

"E-Edward?" I mumbled; my words didn't seem to be coming out in the right way.

"Yes, it's me Bella." He smiled gently down at me. I seemed to be still in his arms. I tried to get down, but me being disorientated I stumbled into Edward again. His strong arms caught me and steadied me. I swore loudly.

"This is another one of those hallucinations again isn't it? I'm not really here; I'm passed out in a hallway somewhere. Nice job brain. Don't you think I'm having a hard enough time coping as it is?" I started to walk away, still shaking my head in disbelief. My heart pounded when Edwards cool hands grasped my wrists. Weird, I never felt anything like this in my previous dreams.

He pulled me around to face him.

"Bella, it's really me." He looked at me with wistfulness in his eyes. I pulled my wrist away from him. Half wishing I'd wake up, and half wishing I could stay here with him forever.

"But Edward…you're not here. You disappeared nearly two years ago…I've had to deal with the fact that you were almost 100% likely to be dead…I'd just begun to accept that you weren't coming back." I looked at Edward properly; not believing it was him. He'd barely changed at all. Lost a bit of weight maybe…and he looked very tired. He looked at me through haunted eyes.

"I owe you an explanation, love". I flinched. He hadn't called me "love" since the day he left without warning. So much had happened since then it was hard to deal with.

"I have to go," I whispered, tears starting to run down my face again. I backed away slowly, then turned and ran to my truck. By the time I got strapped in, I looked back…Edward had gone.

I tried to start the engine, but I couldn't see through the waterfall of tears blurring my vision. I felt a soft hand take the key out of the engine, and lift me out of the car. I barely noticed that I was moving. I felt myself be lifted out of what I presumed was a car and I was gently placed onto what felt like a bed. I continued to shake and cry myself to sleep. My last thought was how I couldn't wait to wake up from this weird dream…