Hey guys, it's good to finally be back, and with the sequel to Quartet! yay! I thank you guys for being so patient and for all the favs, alerts, and reviews, and I hope that, once again, we can make this a good one!

Prologue: Pins and Needles

Isabella Swan

It seemed like my life was destined to end in pain, one way or the other. I'd sure had my fair share of it; first with James, Victoria, the Volturi even. But this wasn't the same kind of pain. I knew how to deal with that kind of pain; I could hold it inside and not let it out, endure torture, even face my own death.

But not this.

Once again, time had slowed, but even as the seconds ticked by like hours, I knew I was going to be too late. I mean, who was I kidding? I couldn't run as fast a vampire, I wasn't as strong as a werewolf. I was just human. Weak.

There was no room in my body for any more pain, though I knew there would be even more if I wasn't fast enough. And I wasn't fast enough, I never would be. But still, there was this little part of my brain, seperate from the rest, that was focused entirely on the pain I was feeling inside. The excruciating, heart-breaking, mind-numbing agony that can only be caused by love. The kind of pain that, worse than the physical, attacks you mentally; makes you want to curl up in a ball and never hope again.

I had little hope to begin with.

My vision bounced as my feet thundered and pounded on the wet sand, the waves and gulls silenced by my all consuming need to stay focused on my target. On saving this person whom I loved so dearly. My throat burned from screaming, my lungs choked and gasped for breathe, but I kept yelling, kept running, even though no one heard me, even though my sluggish feet dragged and stumbled.

Somewhere inside I knew I should just turn back and get help; that I wasn't strong enough or fast enough to help him myself. But when it's someone else who's hurting, someone else who faces death, how can you possibly stand down then and simply turn away? When it's someone you care for so deeply that you'd give yourself instead.

When it's someone you love.

The shelf of earth gave a tight groan, a series of creaks and cracks, and then in a cocaphony of deep voices, the mass began to fall slowly, as if it too were in a slow fast forward. As the shelf crumbled to the ground, my scream was joined by another, higher keening. A cry of utter shock, absolute fear, and excruciating pain.

I lost sight of my target as my eyes filled with tears, yet I couldn't give up. Not yet, not ever. I would keep fighting, keep running, keep screaming, until I had nothing more to give. Even if it wasn't much, I knew I had to give it.

I knew it would be enough for now.

so, how is it? I know, kind of a long prologue compared to others, but a shorter one than Quartet's. this time, instead of being like a prequel to the actual story, it is indeed a sneak preview into the climax. i hope i didn't give to much or too little away. this was written very fast in flash of inspiration this evening, so i hope you guys enjoy and are all hyped up for the rest of the story. i hope to have the first chapter up by at least later tonight or tomorrow morning, it's actually complete, i just need to reread and correct my spelling and grammar mistakes. :D

thank you guys, again. and please review, review, review!

-Isabellthelooser

P.S. i've decided on the title i was contemplating before, simply because i need a title right now and it fits the story line, so thank you to all who reviewed to that AN.