I screamed and covered my eyes as the bloodthirsty demon of a vampire bared his inch long fangs and descended towards my throat. Was this the end? I wondered how it would feel to die...quick and painless, slow and torturous, or just plain "Ouch"? Just when I was starting to like myself, too. Completely unfair and ironic.
All of a sudden, the fangs inching their way towards my neck stopped abruptly. The mouth they belonged to twisted into a defensive snarl. There was an answering snarl behind me. Trying to draw as little attention to myself as possible, I turned my head to see the voice coming from behind me.
"Do not move, Bella!" A silken voice commanded. Edward Cullen, the love of my life, most attractive boy in my school, and super old vampire, to boot. I felt relief. Nothing could beat Edward. Except maybe another vampire.
I didn't have the strength to form myself into a cheering squad before Edward threw himself at the other vampire, snarling like a feral animal. The other vampire lashed out as he was cornered, striking with claw like hands. Edward didn't give him a chance to grab hold of him. His eyes black with fury, he seized the other vampire and, with the strength of his arms alone, began tearing him to shreds. I couldn't bear to watch. I turned my face away from the agonised screams and snarls behind me.
After what seemed like an hour, but was probably only a few minutes, all was silent. I figured it was safe to turn round again, but I did so warily. I hated the smell and sight of blood. What I saw definitely didn't make my stomach heave and churn. There was no blood, nothing at all, but a bundle of vampire clothes and Edward, still as a statue. I felt an immense rush of gratitude towards him, and finally found the strength to get to my feet. I brushed my clothes down and started walking towards him. I threw my arms around him from behind. I murmured in his ear,
"You, Edward Cullen, are the sole most amazing person in existence!"
His voice came then, hoarse and low. "Get...away...from me...Bella!"
"What?" I was confused. I was allowed to thank him, wasn't I? Why did he save my life if he didn't want gratitude?
He turned to me then, and I caught a glimpse of myself in his deep black eyes. I realised, with a wildly thumping heart, that I had blood streaked across my face. Don't let it be my blood! I prayed silently. My prayer went unanswered. As I looked up at Edward, his face changed. He was more devastatingly beautiful than I had ever seen him before, but his eyes were wild. And they weren't black anymore, either. They were a dark, blood red.
"EDWARD, NO!" I screamed as he launched himself towards me, insatiable bloodlust in his dark red eyes...