Before the Dawn

by JaneRoth

When Edward's accused of arson he takes what he gets. When the police chief's daughter moves to town he can't help but want her, even though said police chief has a bone to pick with him, not only for arson, but for putting his best friend in a coma.

1. Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters, unfortunately.

Before the Dawn

Prologue

It was unmistakable, the feeling the fire arose in me. All I wanted to do was hide, but I couldn't move. The fire was entrancing, in a sickly way that made me want to collapse and throw up.

I heard the muffled calls of Mike and Tyler somewhere in the distance, but I couldn't run. I was stricken by the sound of quiet sobs coming from somewhere within the burning house.

"Shit," I heard myself gasp and without thinking I rushed forward into the flames.

"Edward!"

I ignored Mike and pushed through the waves of heat that pressed in on me, thick smoke filled my lungs. I pulled my shirt over my nose.

"Hello?" I called out.

"Over here!" Someone called their voice thick with fear.

"I'm coming, keep talking."

"You're close, I can see you, son," said the voice.

Finally I saw him, an old man with dark eyes and russet skin caught beneath a large plank of wood. I ran to him, ignoring the flames that brushed the skin of my arms.

"I'm here, keep talking, please."

When cool liquid touched my hand I realized that I was crying, and that the air that filled my lungs was taken in by large gasps as I fought to control myself. My emotions were threatening to overtake me.

"My name is Billy Black, and you're a good boy."