I opened the door and stared into the empty ballet studio. It was dark and eerily empty, and it scared me. I walked a few steps inside and then I heard the unmistakable voice of my mother. "Bella, Bella!" It was coming from the adjoining room at the far end of the studio. I started running towards the sound.

"Mom, I'm coming." Running usually doesn't turn out too well for me, and today was no exception. I stumbled and fell to the ground, my hands sliding across the polished floorboards leaving me skidding along on my stomach. If the circumstances weren't so dire, I might have laughed at my colossal clumsiness. But my heart was nearly pounding out of my chest, and getting up was unexpectedly difficult. My legs seemed to turn to jelly, and as much as I wanted to reach my mom, I was suddenly paralysed with fear for what was about to come.

"Bella!" My moms voice pierced through my flailing reserves of courage, bolstering them. I picked myself up and started running again. This time I made it to the double doors that led into the adjoining room. The sound of my thumping heart was almost deafening in my ears now. I paused for the briefest moment, gathering my strength and taking a futile last calming breath. I opened the doors and was instantly confused. There was my mom and me, on the TV screen. It took a few moments for my brain to catch up with my sight. I was watching a video of my mom and me. I was about 6 years old, and I was here at this ballet studio. Renee was trying to convince me that I was a talented dancer. But even at 6, I knew the truth about my congenital lack of co-ordination. I was never going to be a dancer. I could barely make it across a room without tripping over my own feet.

For the briefest of moments, I felt relief wash through me to the point of euphoria. If I was watching a tape, hearing my moms voice on that tape, then maybe she wasn't really here. James had tricked me, but I couldn't be happier. My mom was safe. But then reality hit me and I shuddered. Behind the TV and to the right, tucked away in an alcove, stood my mom. Standing next to her, with his hand possessively clenched to her shoulder was James. My heart sank. And suddenly I wondered at the wisdom of me coming here to try to save my mom. How could I, a mere mortal, save her? I realised then that both our fates were in James hands. I already knew what my future would bring - death. I'd known that from the moment he caught my scent at the baseball field. But foolishly I had believed that giving myself to James willingly would secure my mothers safety. What was I thinking? For staring into James's cold black eyes now, I couldn't see any trace of compassion or honour. He had used my mother as bait, and I had willingly complied. What else could I do? I had to try. But it was clear now. James wasn't going to let either of us walk away from this.

I couldn't regret my decision to come here though. She is my mother. I would never have forgiven myself if I'd refused James request to meet him. I'd have always wondered, and I'd have blamed myself for anything that happened to Renee. But as it turned out, my selfless act to try and trade my life for hers was in vain, and it occurred to me that it was all my fault that Renee would also meet a violent and tragic end. Hadn't I led James directly to her? What was I thinking coming back to Phoenix? The very place where he could use emotional blackmail to ensnare me in his trap. I almost giggled hysterically at the stupidity of it. I should have boarded a plane and flew as far away from Forks and Phoenix as was humanly possible. James still would have found me eventually, I was sure, but he'd never have had the opportunity to use my family against me in this way. And Charlie and Renee would have been safe.

This sudden vision of clarity swirled around my mind noisily. It was all too late now. Looking into Renee's eyes, I could see that she knew she wouldn't be leaving this place, and the guilt overwhelmed me as my legs shook under me. I reached out to grab the wall for support. Staring at my mother I almost sobbed the words, "I'm sorry". But it wasn't enough. It would never be enough. But Renee's expression shifted from fear to the most beautiful expression of motherly love and compassion I had ever witnessed. It shocked me to see her in that protective motherly role. In truth, I was the mature and sensible one in our relationship. Renee had always been more like a big sister than a mother, and sometimes even more like my own daughter. But I never begrudged her this. I loved her. She was always my very best friend. So seeing her looking at me know, a smile forming on her face as she tried to comfort me, was simply overwhelming. She started to speak then, and though she tried to keep her voice calm and even, there was a sense of urgency to her tone, as if she knew she didn't have enough time to say everything she needed to convey.

"Bella, honey, I love you. This isn't your fault. You are such a brave girl and I know you can overcome anything, even this honey. So I need you to be strong Bella. I need you to survive Bella. No matter what happens now, you need to hang on, for Edward."

I was shocked. What was she saying? Did she somehow imagine that she would die but that I wouldn't! Looking at the sneer forming on James face, I couldn't fathom how she could think I could survive this. Wasn't it obvious that James was going to kill us both?

She continued. "Bella, listen to me now. You HAVE to survive honey. Edward will come for you. I know he's different, sp, special." She stammered at this last part, as she stole a sideways glance at James, her mouth turning downward in distaste. "But whatever else he is Bella, he is in love with you, and I KNOW he's going to look after you."

"Mum, I'm so sorry." I couldn't understand why she was saying all this. I was filled with remorse at having put her in this situation.

"Shhh. Honey, it's ok. Really it will all be ok. You'll be ok. I know I haven't always acted like it, but I'm your mom Bella. I'm meant to do the sacrificing for you, not the other way around. And now finally, I'm doing it right. So please, please, you have to hang on Bella. You have to survive. He WILL come for you. I just know it, and that's why this is ok, because I know you're going to be ok Bella. And in a different way, I will be too. I'll always love you honey. Stay strong for me. Stay alive Bella. He'll come for you."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did she know Edward's secret? How could she know? What had gone on between her and James before I got here that could make her seem to understand that James wasn't human, and then make that connection that Edward wasn't either? But she seemed ok with that. She seemed to understand the difference between James and Edward. She seemed to know that I was safe with Edward. But how?

I stared at her in disbelief. My lips starting to tremble as the reality of her words started to sink in. She knew she was going to die, and soon. She was rushing, her words coming out faster than I'd ever heard her speak before. Like she needed me to hear these final thoughts and wishes before it was too late. And she thought that sheer will on my part was going to keep me alive. She wanted me to hang on for Edward. But Edward wasn't coming to rescue me this time. I'd made sure of that. I'd snuck away from my protectors. It was the only way I could come here and face James on my own. I'd come here to save my mother, or so I foolishly thought. And I'd done it to save my other family too. James was after me and he wouldn't stop. I didn't want Alice or Jasper or any of the Cullens to be caught in the crossfire. And I couldn't bear the thought of Edward being in any danger. He was so protective of me, he would do anything to try and keep me safe, even if it meant endangering his own life. And I couldn't have that. So I'd come here alone to face whatever James had in store for me. And I couldn't see any way to avoid what was coming now.

Edward's plane probably wouldn't have even landed by now. But I couldn't be sure about that. Time seemed to stop for me the moment I got James phone call, telling me where to meet him. I had no idea where any of the Cullens were now, but I knew they weren't here, and I was grateful for that because I loved them all. I'd failed at keeping my mother safe. But I found some comfort in the fact that I could keep the Cullens safe. So we were on our own. Just me and my mother against the vicious blood thirsty Vampire. There wasn't even a chance that either of us would be walking away from this confrontation. But my mother looked at me urgently. Abject terror replacing the calm, serene facade of only a moment ago as she realised what I was thinking. My utter resignation at the hopelessness of the situation registered in her face, and for the first time she looked truly horrified.

Anxiety permeated her voice now. "Bella, you MUST listen to me. You HAVE to survive honey. PLEASE. Promise me Bella. Promise me you're going to do everything in your power to hang on and wait for Edward."

The veins in her forehead started pulsating with her fearfulness and angst, something that James didn't miss. Her face was pleading. Urgent.

I did what I had to do to make this easier for her. "Ok mom. Of course. I'm going to be ok Mom. I'm going to hang on. I love you."

Renee's face flushed with relief at my reassurances. Her comforted sigh was audible. And she looked serene again. Not frightened. She smiled at me and nodded, her fear assuaged by my words. I was thankful that for once my lies weren't obvious. I think that she needed to believe me, and so she did.

The last thing she said to me was, "It's going to be ok Bella. Don't be sad. This isn't your fault. I love you." And she smiled at me, her eyes unblinking, boring into mine, as if willing her serenity onto me.

I was actually startled when James spoke. In reality this exchange with my mother took mere moments, but I felt like we were alone in this room, talking for hours. It could have been any other day. A normal day. Not the day that my mother and I would die at the hands of a blood thirsty Vampire, talking calmly about hanging on and my "special" boyfriend that would miraculously arrive to save me. So it was with annoyance that I wrenched my eyes away from Renee and forced myself to look at James.

He was full on smirking now. Shaking his head in disbelief. "You humans really are melodramatic. I thought I might cry witnessing such a touching lovefest," he said mockingly. "It's real TV movie of the week stuff." He chuckled, but the laughter didn't reach his eyes.

"Well I hate to put an end to all this mother daughter bonding, but I'm getting a little anxious to get started on my meal. And quite honestly, all this ridiculous chatter is boring me. As if you will survive long enough for Edward to rescue you! No, that wont happen........."

With that, he turned to my mother now, a menacing expression on his face that took my breath away. My mother didn't meet his eyes. She continued staring into mine. Her face serene and composed. The picture of happiness, staring into her daughters eyes. She silently mouthed the words, "I love y........". And then she was gone. James gripped her head in his hands, and twisted without any apparent force at all. But I heard the grinding snap of her bones as her neck broke, and all that she was vanished from her lifeless body. Without remorse or thought, he released his hands dropping my mother to the floor where she crumpled into an unnatural heap. Her body motionless, her eyes vacant.

My legs collapsed beneath me, and I heard a shrill, blood curdling scream. It took a moment to realise that the scream was mine, as convulsive sobs wracked my body, tears streamed down my face. My beautiful, vivacious mother was no more. And it was my fault. I couldn't bear to look at her, yet I couldn't drag my gaze away from her. I was willing her back. Willing her to get up, for her eyes to see me again. But her essence was gone. It only took an instant, but then I became strangely comforted by that realisation. I'd never been a particularly religious person, but looking at this shell of my mother now, I could see that what made her Renee, was simply gone. It had left the moment James's hands tightened and twisted around her neck. Her soul, for want of a better term, had left her body - moved on.

I grasped onto that hope with all my might as James pulled me to my feet, gently I marvelled. He continued on with his thought as if he hadn't just killed my mother right in front of me. As if breaking her neck was an inconsequential act, and the pause in his speech was only to gather his thoughts into a more satisfactory order.

".......But I do intend to capture all our special moments together on film so that your precious Edward can see how I devoured you. After all, it was so easy to lure you here Bella. It wasn't very challenging at all. So I'm looking forward to some sport afterwards. Killing Edward will be like the icing on the cake. You of course being the cake Bella!"

He smiled at his own cleverness. I could see him imagining the scenario he had played out in his mind. I bristled at his words. "You leave Edward alone, he has nothing to do with this." I was surprised at the force behind my words. As if I had anything with which to threaten him with. But he'd just killed my mother and I was still reeling from that horrible scene that had played out before me. The thought of him killing Edward too made me giddy. He couldn't take all the people I loved away.

James laughed now, deep and heartily, and I saw him look over his shoulder and grin. I followed his gaze, and saw a video camera mounted on a tripod, a red light shining indicating that it was recording. I shuddered at the realisation that he intended to capture this entire horror movie on film, and it pained me to think that Edward would see it, and what it would do to him to see what James had done to me. I felt the agony register on my face. "Oh Bella, you're so adorable when you're angry. I think I'm starting to see why Edward is so captivated by you. But still, I can't quite understand it. You are only human after all. A particularly delightfully smelling human of course, but still just a human. No, I don't quite understand why Edward would go to such extremes to protect you." He shook his head in disbelief.

"Your mother smelled lovely Bella. At first I was tempted to have my way with her and just forget the whole thing, let you go. But it's not my way. It's not in my nature to let prey escape once I've decided to hunt. And as lovely as she smelled, it's nothing compared to you. From the first moment I caught your scent, I knew I had to have you. You smell somehow floral, and something else I can't quite place." He thought wistfully to himself, as if imagining some precious scent from another time. "No matter." He wasn't going to waste anymore time trying to determine exactly what my scent reminded him of. "Delectable regardless. I can hardly wait. But of course I want to have some fun first. Laurent always chastises me for playing with my food. But to me it heightens my enjoyment of my meal, if I can play with my prey first, get to know it a little better before savouring the flavour. But you Bella, will be my most flavoursome prey of all. I can just tell."

After witnessing my mothers death, I didn't think I had the will to go on even if I'd thought I had a chance to survive. The resignation I felt before he killed her was nothing compared to the utter hopelessness I felt afterwards. I didn't think I cared anymore. I just wanted him to get on with it. Put me out of my misery. But without warning my mothers face and her desperate words came to me. "You have to survive." And I'd told her I would. I'd promised her. Suddenly I felt my resolve building. I knew it was useless, but I had to try to get away from him. I owed it to Renee. She was so certain that Edward would come. She told me to hang on, and if that meant drawing this thing out, then that's what I'd do. That's all I could do for her now.

I reached into my jeans pocket where I'd stuffed Charlie's pepper spray. It seemed ludicrous at the time to bring this with me, and now that I was about to try it out on Vampire eyes, I didn't feel any more hopeful about it's effects. But I was trying to buy myself some time. Trying to buy Edward some time. I rebuked myself for allowing any hope to creep into my mind. But Renee seemed so sure, like she somehow knew something that both James and I didn't. Without allowing myself to labour the thought any further, I pulled out the pepper spray and sprayed it directly into James's eyes. I didn't wait to see if there was any effect. I knew there wouldn't be. The best I could hope for would be that it would surprise him, and that would give me a couple of seconds to start running for the door. So that's what I did. I ran as fast as my uncoordinated legs would carry me. And much to my surprise, I didn't fall down. But in what seemed like only a second, James was in front of me, a low gutteral growl escaping from his throat. He reached one hand out to secure my throat, and he thrust me backwards with such force that I skidded the length of the ballet studio, my head crushing into the corner of the wall, smashing the mirrors above me and knocking the breath out of me.

I was dazed. I'd fallen down a lot in my life, but I'd never hit my head this hard. It took a moment for the shock to wear off and the pain to register. My hand reached up reflexively to touch the back of my head where I'd hit the corner of the wall. I felt a warm oozing and sickeningly realised that I was bleeding. I was bleeding a lot. I felt the warmth trickle down my neck, soaking through the top of my shirt, dripping onto the floor. The smell of it made me nauseated. I was suddenly very tired. My eyes drooped involuntarily, but I fought to keep them open. I was stalling. I was keeping my promise. I tried to lift myself up into a seated position. I don't know why it should have mattered, but I felt more vulnerable lying bleeding on the floor. I wouldn't give James the satisfaction of seeing that I'd given in so soon. With great effort I pulled myself up, leaning against the shattered mirrored wall. My legs splayed out in front of me, my arms pushed down hard onto the floor, keeping my torso upright.

James was on me in a second. He crouched over me, grabbing my bloodied hand and inhaling deeply. His eyes seemed to roll back into his head as he savoured the fragrance. I was disconcerted by this. I needed him to take his time torturing me. I needed to buy more time. If he became overwhelmed by the scent of my blood too soon, this would be over in a heartbeat. My heartbeat! I pulled my hand back with as much force as I could muster. My sudden movement jerked him from his stupor. He looked at me shocked. Then a sinister smile formed on his face as he decided on his next move.

"That reminds me," he said contemplating. "A story you and your beloved might be interested in.................."

With relief I realised I'd distracted him, at least for the moment.

"I would just like to rub it in, just a little bit. The answer was there all along, and I was so afraid Edward would see that and ruin my fun. It happened once, oh, ages ago. The one and only time my prey escaped me."

"You see, the Vampire who was so stupidly fond of this little victim made the choice that your Edward was too weak to make. When the old one knew I was after his little friend, he stole her from the asylum where he worked - I never will understand the obsession some Vampires seem to form with you humans - and as soon as he freed her he made her safe. She didn't even seem to notice the pain, poor little creature. She'd been stuck in that black hole of a cell for so long. A hundred years earlier and she would have been burned at the stake for her visions. In the nineteen-twenties it was the asylum and the shock treatments. When she opened her eyes, strong with fresh youth, it was like she'd never seen the sun before. The old Vampire made her a strong new Vampire, and there was no reason for me to touch her then." He sighed. "I destroyed the old one in vengeance."

"Alice," I breathed, astonished.

"Yes, your little friend. I was surprised to see her in the clearing. So I guess her coven ought to be able to derive some comfort from this experience. I get you, but they get her. The one victim who escaped me, quite an honour, actually. "And she did smell so delicious. I still regret that I never got to taste........ She smelled even better than you do. Sorry - I don't mean to be offensive."

My mind was swirling with the news of Alice's human life. How she was changed. Suddenly I was grateful for the perverse movie James was making of our time together. Alice had to get this news. I wouldn't be able to give it to her, but as long as she got it......

"You failed with Alice," I chided him. "Keep him distracted. Keep him talking," I told myself. Somewhere in the back of my mind I realised the absurdity of trying to provoke a merciless Vampire intent on torturing and killing me. But I'd made a promise, and I intended to keep it. While still smiling down at me, he lifted his body up high enough to get some leverage, and then he stomped on my outstretched leg. I heard the crunch of the bones before the pain fully registered, but then I was screaming and writhing in agony. He never took his eyes off my face, enjoying the suffering he found there. "That'll teach you to talk back to me," he chastised. "Now be a good girl and tell Edward how much pain you're in. Tell him to avenge you."

"No!" I screamed, still writhing in pain, turning my face away to avoid his sinister gaze.

"Tell him to avenge you. TELL HIM!" He screamed at me, his cool exterior now shattered, his psychotic rage overwhelming him.

"NO Edward! Don't. It doesn't matter. PLEASE Edward, don't go after him." In spite of the pain I was in, I knew I couldn't let James hurt Edward. I had to know that no matter what, Edward would continue to exist. He'd given me so much in such a short time. I loved him more than I thought I would ever be capable of. Loving Edward was like waking up for the first time. Like my life only truly began when I met him. And the only way I could thank him for that was to face James without him. Spare him and his family. That's what was important now. And with Renee now gone......... it was still hard to comprehend that my mother was dead. But I had to focus now. Without Renee, Charlie would be alone. I knew instinctively that Edward and Carlisle would keep an eye on Charlie for me. I knew he'd be safe with them watching over him. That's what mattered now, that everyone else I loved would be safe. That, and trying to survive for as long as possible.

I didn't know what happened after death, but as I was being brutalised by this sadistic Vampire, I could only hope that I would move on to a place with my crazy and ultimately selfless mother, and she would know that I tried to keep my promise to her. That I tried to survive for as long as I could. I knew I'd never see Edward again, and the pain of that realisation was even worse than the pain eminating from my very obviously broken leg. But I couldn't change that now. It was better that he wasn't here. And somehow I had to convince him via James's sick movie, that he shouldn't try to avenge me. Him being safe and existing for eternity was the very last thing I would ask of him.

"Edward, PLEASE Edward! DON'T go after James. Be safe. For me......." I was begging him.

James spat with rage at my words. "You're a stubborn little thing aren't you! Well you're fragile too. Let's see what Edward thinks about avenging you when he sees what else I have in store for you." And then, he kicked me where I laid, spinning me upwards and propelling me forward as if I were a soccer ball. I somehow smashed into the mirrored wall in a vertical position, buckling over the practice bar that traced the walls of the studio. I collapsed to the floor like a broken doll, shattered pieces of mirror falling all around me, and many I noticed, piercing my skin. I was aware of more of the warm ooze trailing down my face, down my arms and pooling all around me on the floor. I tried to move, but it's like the thought didn't make it all the way to my useless limbs. Breathing was difficult too I noticed. And I tasted blood in my mouth. I had the sensation that my ragged breaths were causing blood bubbles to form at my lips. I couldn't determine which part of me hurt the most.

I was barely holding on to the last remnants of my consciousness now. I couldn't focus. The warm liquid was blurring my vision, and I could only see hazey images dancing before my eyes. But I could sense his presence, close to me. I could hear his maniacal laughter as he crouched over me. "Oh yes, Edward's not going to be able to resist coming after me now, " he chuckled.

I wanted to protest, to shout out another plea to Edward to let James go. But my mouth wouldn't move, and there wasn't enough spare breath in my lungs to make any sound. Suddenly I felt his ice cold hand caressing my cheek, lifting my matted blood soaked hair away from my face. My body shivered in spite of its shattered state, and I winced with pain. He crouched over me even closer, bringing his lips to within an inch from mine. His icy breath repulsed me. It was nothing like Edward's perfect sweet aroma.

"I wanted to have my way with you Bella," he whispered, "but I think I may have gotten a little carried away. You're all broken and bleeding, and I'm finding it very hard to resist your delicious perfume my love. But maybe I could just give it a try........." His voice was seductive now. He was pleased with his work. He gently pressed his lips to mine, forcing my mouth open, letting his tongue probe. Then he proceeded to gently, with what I imagined to be great restraint for one of his kind, lick at the blood in my mouth and on my face. He sighed in contentment.

I was sickened by his proximity, and I somehow recoiled at his touch even though I was unable to find the strength to move my face more than a couple of inches away from his. But he gently cradled my head, and he pulled me into him even closer. And although I didn't believe it possible, I was more afraid of him then than I had been at any other point during this ordeal. The thought of him touching me not only frightened me, it disgusted me. And my promise to Renee suddenly seemed to be too much for me to bear. I wanted to die. I didn't want to survive this anymore. I didn't want my last moments of life to be scarred by his touch. And mostly, I didn't want Edward to see this and take these images into eternity with him. The thought of him remembering me this way was agonising. More painful than anything else James had done to me, or could ever do to me.

But I was powerless. My body wouldn't respond to my commands. I only had my mind, which was sadly now in sharper focus. If I couldn't die right away, then I wished at least that I was unconscious for what was about to come. For in James's wretched, pitiless eyes I could see what his intentions now were. And I knew this was all for Edward's benefit. James didn't have any powerful attraction to me, other than my scent. I was just another pathetic little human that he intended to drain of blood. A fun game. And he had Victoria. A strong, beautiful Vampire with the most glorious red hair I had ever seen. No, this was all for Edward. Nothing else could force such amazing restraint in the presence of so much free flowing blood, and a victim too helpless to even lurch and writhe in a feebled attempt at escape.

I heard my shirt ripping, and felt the coolness of having my chest exposed to the air. My jeans were next, though he was more careful with these. I couldn't imagine why. He ripped the top button off, but carefully pulled down the zipper. He made the necessary adjustments to my position and my clothing, and he pressed himself to me. I felt his icy hardness come down on me. It was difficult to breathe. I had no will left to survive, but my body wouldn't shut down, and so I endured. I closed my eyes tightly, thinking of my beautiful Edward, imagining myself anywhere but here pinned beneath this vilest of creatures. Mercifully he was quickly overcome with the urgency of his own needs, but I felt myself breaking further under the strain of his thrust. "Nooooooooooo," I screamed. The pain intense. But I could only scream, and he didn't care. He was off me then, adjusting my clothing, although again I wasn't sure why he bothered. And he smiled at me sweetly. "Was it as good for you as it was for me?" I don't know how, but I summoned the strength to spit in his face. A gooey mixture of saliva and blood. He looked surprised, and then very angry, as he lifted my whole body up by my throat, shaking me violently, then thrusting me onto the floor once more.

I crumpled to the ground, incapable of feeling anymore pain, and the blackness threatened to overtake me. But from the faint pinpricks of light still visible through my blood soaked eyes, I could see him snarl and bare his teeth as he again bent to crouch over me. And I knew this was it. He had accomplished his goal. He had abused and tortured me, all of it captured on film for Edward to see and agonise over. James would make sure Edward got the tape. Of that I was certain. And now the time for restraint was over. My blood called to him, and I knew he'd now start to drink, to satisfy his thirst while I was still alive, just barely, so my blood would still be flavoursome and warm.

He grabbed my hand, and bent down to bite at my wrist. My skin ripped apart under the force of his ice cold, razor sharp teeth, and a searing pain immediately began to seep up my arm. I knew I had many other injuries, but none of it compared to the pain of James's teeth on my skin, siphoning my blood with an intensity I didn't think possible. For a moment all my senses were heightened, and I could see so clearly. I saw my mother's beautiful face, pleading with me to survive. I saw the light go out in her eyes the moment James's powerful hands snapped her neck like a twig. I saw every expression on James's face as he played his games, torturing me and tormenting me, and even now, his ecstasy as he drank my blood. And then I saw Edward. My beautiful, perfect Edward, and in spite of myself, I sighed contentedly. What I wouldn't do to really see his face one more time. Hear his angelic voice. Kiss his flawless, icy, rock hard lips. But it was better this way. It would be over soon.

And then I was free. The blackness settled over me and I relaxed into a peaceful nothingness, and I knew that James couldn't hurt me anymore.