Plot: With graduation edging closer and closer, Bella, still trying to convince Edward to change her into a vampire, struggles with a very important decision: To accept Edward's marriage proposal and allow him to change her, or refuse marriage and let Carlisle change her. But which should she listen to? Her heart, or her mind?
Rated T for violence, language, and mild sexual content.
Time Is Running Out
Prologue
Strong, granite arms wrapped firmly around my waist; I could feel his cool breath against the back of my neck and I turned in my angel's embrace to face him. He looked right back at me, his tawny eyes sparkling in the moonlight shining in through my bedroom window. I could hear the hoot of the night owls from where they perched in the trees surrounding the house and the forest behind the house. There was the howls of cyotes and wolves--I shivered at the thought. Jacob was roaming around, God only knew how close to the house, smelling my and Edward's scents, wanting nothing more than to be the cause of a bloodshed here in my room, right in front of my very eyes as I looked on with horror.
"Stop thinking about it, my love." Edward whispered, his breath hitting me square in my face, making me go slightly lilghtheaded.
"I can't help it. He's out there." I said, not even audible to human ears, but I knew Edward could hear me. After all, I couldn't speak up because that might wake Charlie up and have him wonder who in God's name I was talking to in the dead of the night. Yeah, that could cause some suspicion and problems.
"Yes. He may be out there, but I won't allow him to harm you, Bella. You know that." Edward's eyes bored fiercely into mine, willing me to be reassured. And I was. "Jacob Black will never lay a finger on you as long as I am around, and I'm not going anywhere."
I smiled at his sincere words and I put my head into the crook of his cold neck, closing my eyes. "I love you, Edward."
I faintly heard him chuckle before holding me to his chest tightly and burying his face in my dark hair. "I love you too, my angel." He said, planting a kiss on the side of my head.
I felt my eyes closing slowly, my breathing slowing down and becoming deeper. Soon, I fell into a deep sleep; I wouldn't wake up again until morning, I knew.
"Bella...my beautiful Isabella..." Edward's voice called out to me. I was surrounded by a thick, luminous fog, unable to see even ten feet in front of me. I walked forward, trying to find Edward.
"Edward...? Where are you?" I said, knowing he'd be able to hear my voice, no matter how quiet I was. I didn't hear his voice or see any sign of him and I quickened my pace, fear coarsing through me. "Edward!" I called once more, my heart beat growing more frantic with each passing second.
"Bella!" I heard his voice, musical and clear, as if he were standing right behind me. I began running. "No! Stay back Bella! Get out of here! It's too dangerous to--" His words were cut off and I was not going to turn back. I had to see what was going on to make his usual near-emotionless voice become so frightened.
I soon saw him in front of me; his back to me. "Edward?" I reached out my hand to touch his shoulder and he turned around, his eyes filled with sorrow and regret.
"I'm so sorry, Bella." He whispered, he reached out a hand to touch my cheek, and he suddenly began disappearing, right before my very eyes. Despair welled inside me as I saw him disappearing before me; I fell to my knees and harsh sobs wracked my entire body. I put my hands over my face as I cried, somehow knowing that I would never see him again as long as I lived.
I heard footfalls to my left and I lifted my head, false hope tugging at my heart as I willed that person to be Edward. I couldn't have been more wrong. The tall figure in front of me with dark hair and dark eyes stood hovering over me. "Bells..." He looked at me with sad eyes and his deep voice was soft.
I looked at him, my eyes fierce, even with the tears showing how vulnerable I was, falling from my eyes. "Jacob...you did this!" I was on my feet, screaming at him.
"Of course I did this." He replied looking at me, his voice holding a tone as if stating the obvious. "Bella, you don't need the bloodsucker. You can have me. I can give you what he couldn't."
"Like what? A miserable life? No thanks." I spat at him, staring up at him with hatred. He wasn't the same sixteen year old boy I had once been best friends with; he was a monster.
I could see Jacob's body shake with violent tremors as he fought to keep in control with his emotions and not turn into a werewolf in front of me. To scare me, to push me over the edge with more hatred than I knew was possible and--the worst reason so far--to kill me.
And the most messed up, incredulous part of this entire situation was that I wasn't feeling the immense fear as I should have been. I was calm and in control. I wasn't afraid to die.
A low, gutteral growl came from Jacob and right before me, he began transforming from man to wolf. He was soon on all fours, dark brown fur covering his entire body, barring his sharp teeth at me as he growled. I backed up several paces, why, I wasn't sure. It wouldn't help me at all.
He hesitated not one second, and he leaped at me; I didn't move, I didn't scream, and I didn't fight back. Everything around me went black.
------
A/N: Let me know what you guys think of this. And no, before you even ask, if you have read my other Twilight story 'Inconspicuous' then no, I have not quit the story. I am just putting it on hiatus for a little bit so I can figure out some ideas.
PLEASE REVIEW!! I can't know if you like it unless you review (And for those who do not have a account, annomynous review is enabled) so everyone REVIEW PLEASE!