Likely
Prologue: The More Likely Path
Summary: What if a miracle hadn't occured? AU.
A/N: Any section completely in italics is taken directly from the book. I know there's quite a large section of copied text in this prologue, but bear with me through it, please. Think of this story as an "alternate ending."
"My hand is burning!" I screamed, finally breaking through the last of the darkness, my eyes fluttering open. I couldn't see his face, something dark and warm was clouding my eyes. Why couldn't they see the fire and put it out?
His voice was frightened. "Bella?"
"The fire! Someone stop the fire!" I screamed as it burned me.
"Carlisle! Her hand!"
"He bit her." Carlisle's voice was no longer calm, it was appalled.
I heard Edward catch his breath in horror.
"Edward, you have to do it." It was Alice's voice, close by my head. Cool fingers brushed at the wetness in my eyes.
"No!" he bellowed.
"Alice," I moaned.
"There may be a chance," Carlisle said.
"What?" Edward begged.
"See if you can suck the venom back out. The wound is fairly clean." As Carlisle spoke, I could feel more pressure on my head, something poking and pulling at my scalp. The pain of it was lost in the pain of the fire.
"Will that work?" Alice's voice was strained.
"I don't know," Carlisle said. "But we have to hurry."
"Carlisle, I…" Edward hesitated. "I don't know if I can do that." There was agony in his beautiful voice again.
"It's your decision, Edward, either way. I can't help you. I have to get this bleeding stopped here if you're going to be taking blood from her hand."
I writhed in the grip of the fiery torture, the movement making the pain in my leg flare sickeningly.
"Edward!" I screamed. I realized my eyes were closed again. I opened them, desperate to find his face. And I found him. Finally I could see his perfect face, staring at me, twisted into a mask of indecision and pain.
"Alice, get me something to brace her leg!" Carlisle was bent over me, working on my head. "Edward, you must do it now, or it will be too late."
"Edward's face was drawn. I watched his eyes as the doubt was suddenly replaced with a blazing determination. His jaw tightened. I felt his cool, strong fingers on my burning hand, locking it into place. Then his head was bent over it, and his cool lips pressed against my skin.
The pain intensified for a split second, like a knife was cutting through the fire. I closed my eyes and screamed. But just as suddenly as the pain cut through, it left in a split second.
"I can't," his voice was a mere whisper. "It's all throughout her system now. I couldn't." I could hear him sobbing then, painful sobs that hurt my ears and heart.
"Carlisle, what should we do?" Alice asked quickly.
"We can't stay in Phoenix." I felt strong arms pick me up; the jostling of my broken bones made me moan again. "We'll need to take her back to Forks."
"I'll get Emmett to rent a car," Alice said before she rushed out.
"Edward, go with Alice," Carlisle ordered. I could only guess he wasn't moving, because Carlisle repeated himself. "Go with Alice, now. It won't help if you just stand here."
I heard him shuffling out before Carlisle began speaking to me. "Bella, you need to try to be quiet while we move you into the truck. Otherwise we'll have to figure out how to muffle your screams." I only whimpered in response. "I know it hurts, Bella, trust me. You can be quiet though for a little while though, I know. We're going to drive up to Forks as quickly as we can. Now try to stay calm."
I couldn't respond that time, because the fire had now enveloped my chest and head. Whatever happened after that was a mystery.
Revised 06 Aug 2006
Constructive Criticism is always welcomed. I'm here to improve my writing, not my ego!