Glancing warily towards the dashboard, I watch as the speedometer steadily inches closer to 100; the little car is practically humming as it races across the winding roads in near total darkness. It's a good thing that I retained my heightened senses because headlights are not an option. I need to feel at least a little camouflaged, even if it doesn't really do any good.

It is a constant battle to keep my drooping eyelids from closing. It's been almost four days since I had any sleep and even then it was only a precious few restless hours. I don't dare stop – not with them right behind us. I've only barely managed to evade our pursuers for this long and we are so close to safety, I just can't risk it. I crank the AC up even further and focus on scanning the forest on either side of the narrow road to keep myself from dozing off.

We've been running for over a week now, but this nightmare began even before we set off on our journey across the country. It seems like years rather than weeks since we were a happy, complete little family with normal concerns like birthday parties, school plays, mortgage payments, weekend plans... I was so grateful for my life, thankful each day for my loving husband and beautiful daughter – both things I never thought that I could have. And then suddenly, everything was destroyed. Because of them. The very life that I had fought so hard to leave behind had finally caught up with me despite my best efforts.

A soft sigh emanating from the backseat rips me from my despondency. There is a quiet rustling before a little voice calls out for me.

"Mama?"

I can't help but smile at the sound even in the midst of our current treacherous situation. She is everything to me, a miracle, perfection personified. "Yes, baby?"

"Where," she pauses as a giant yawn escapes her lips before continuing, "are we?"

"We're almost there sweetie. Maybe thirty minutes. Why don't you close your eyes for a little while and before you know it we'll be there," I suggest, hoping that she will fall back asleep. The cloud of tension surrounding me is almost palpable and her little shoulders certainly don't need any more weight. A quick glance in the rearview mirror and I see that her eyelids have already closed once again. Her raven curls are splayed wildly around her face framing chipmunk cheeks, dewy cinnamon skin, and perfect rosy lips. Everyone says that she has a beautiful blend of features from both her father and I, but when I look at her I see my husband. The things she says, the way she sticks her tongue out slightly when she is thinking, how she always has one curl on the top of her head that just won't lie down, all so reminiscent of her father…

I take a deep breath and try to refocus myself. Thinking about the losses that we've suffered over the last few weeks isn't going to get us to safety. My eyes feel like I've rubbed sand in them – a combination of lack of sleep and tears. I've got to stay awake and alert or else we don't stand a chance. Reaching to my left, I roll down the window to let some fresh air in and hopefully wake myself up a little.

Ugh! The night air slams into my face carrying a very distinct, unforgettable sickly sweet smell. In a panic, I scan the darkness that surrounds us. They must be very close, closer than I had thought. Rolling the window up, I force the gas pedal to the floorboard, but I've already maxed out the little car's speed. How much further? We just passed the bridge, there should be a small gas station just up ahead, but La Push is still…15 miles? 20? I can't be sure. It's been so long…what to do? I can't let them catch us. They'll kill her. I can't fight them off anymore. No cell service out here. I can't let them have her. I won't let them have her.

A new thought occurs to me. I don't have to let them hurt her. It's me that they want.

Just a few more curves and I should be within the boundaries…someone will find her. They'll figure out who she is, take care of her. She'll be safe.

Even more determined and now bold with a half-formed plan, I push the car even harder. I must not allow them near her. Just a little farther…

Anxious now, I scan the roadsides for a safe place off the highway to leave the car. I hate the idea of abandoning her in the middle of nowhere, but I know that she'll be found and that she'll be safer this way. It's the only option I have right now; it's either that or watch her die too.

To the right, I spot a historical marker with a small patch of pavement for parking. The brakes squeal in agony as I quickly maneuver into the little area, skidding to an abrupt stop. I quickly unbuckle my seatbelt, jumping out of the car and opening the back door. My baby is confused, blinking her sleepy eyes as she looks around trying to understand what is happening . She has seen too much recently, more than most people have to handle in their entire lifetime.

Steeling myself against the inevitable tears, I reach over to unbuckle her carseat. "Baby, I need you to listen to me, okay?" She finds my face in the dark and shakes her little head seriously – over the past weeks she has learned to listen to my instructions very carefully. "I have to leave now. I want you to promise me that you will stay in the car no matter what. Stay here. Do you understand?"

Her bottom lip begins to tremble, but she can tell that I am serious. "Yes ma'm."

Reminding myself that this is the only way to keep her safe and that I must hurry, I resist the urge to scoop her up and hug her tightly in my arms. "Do you promise?"

"Yes ma'm."

Gently brushing her hair out of her face, I lean down to place a light kiss on her cheek. "Do you remember the people from the pictures?"

A spark of recognition flashes across her beautiful face as she nods yes. "One of them should be here soon, okay? I know that you don't know them, but it's okay to go with them this time. Don't be afraid. They're going to take care of you. Tell them your name. Okay?"

Her normally bubbly voice is very solemn and quiet as she responds. "I will. But where are you going, Mommy? Can't I go with you?"

I have to bite my lip to keep from crying. I don't want to leave her. I keep chanti ng over and over in my head that this is the only way to keep her alive, but my maternal instinct is screaming at me not to leave her behind. No. I have to. "No, baby, you can't. The vam-, uh, people that came to our house...they're here and I have to go talk to them. But you can't come." I give her one more kiss, breathing in her sweet scent for what I know is probably the last time. "I love you. Don't ever forget that." Leaning back, I see tears beginning to form in her eyes. I have to leave before she starts crying or else I won't be able to leave at all. "Bye baby."

She is sniffling as I turn towards the darkened forest across the road. I hear her quiet voice, punctuated by the sound of hiccups. "Bye mommy. I love you. " Closing my eyes for a fraction of a second, I try to shed the me of the last few years and find the me from my days in La Push. I need th e old bitterness to keep me strong. Forcing my legs to move, I quickly begin to run flat out into the overgrown depths of the forest where my death surely awaits me. I give no thought to my own inevitable demise. I have done all that I can to make her safe. I failed her father, but I will not fail this time.

I easily run for several miles along the road without as much as a leg cramp. As I reach a clearing at the crest of a small hill, the sweet smell that announces the arrival of my nemesis hits me full force. Stopping, I scan the small opening briefly before locating them.

"Well. Here we are again." I speak softly, knowing that even at this distance, they can hear me perfectly. There are three of them, two burly brutes and a small woman; I'm not sure who I'm more scared of. I see them conversing briefly, but I pay no mind to what they are saying. It doesn't really matter anyway. They stop talking and look at me once more, standing as sparkling statues in the moonlight. A full minute passes. I can't stand this. This is a battle I know I can not win, but I'm sure as hell not going down without a fight. A short, bitter laugh escapes my lips as I realize that right now I am wishing for the ability that I once considered the bane of my existence. Life sucks. Big time. I take a deep breath and rub my hands across my eyes; the faces of my husband and my daughter flash through my mind. With renewed vigor, I boldly begin walking into the clearing. "Alright bitches, I'm baaack…" I crack my knuckles as I stretch my arms. "Let's get this started…"