Chapter 2

Then I heard Aro say one word. The worst word I have ever heard, the one that I never want to hear again. Aro said, "Jane?"

It hit me like a ton of bricks. I fell to the floor as I was no longer able to think about anything stupid like standing when I was in so much pain. I had no idea what was happening to me. I figured they had decided to kill me. But it happened so quickly with the other girl. This lasted forever. I was on the floor writhing in agony. I suddenly realized that I was screaming.

Then abruptly, it stopped. My body relaxed against the cold stone floor. I was too weak to stand or even move. Then Aro said, "Would you like to reconsider your answer?" I spat the word out between gasps for air. "No." Then it started all over again.

It went on and on forever. Each time, Aro would ask me to join him. Each time I refused. It felt like an endless circle.

They moved me to another room. Only Aro and Jane were here with me. I guess they needed the bigger room for more important issues. It didn't matter to me where I was being tortured. I was just grateful that Jane had to stop for the too brief period of time it took to move me. I guess they hadn't expected me to hold out this long. I hadn't expected to hold out this long.

So now here I am, on the floor, unable to move. They had starved and tortured me for nearly a week. I think it was a week. It may have been longer. They had to stop when the big one came in and told Aro that he had a visitor. Of course Jane was reluctant to leave. She enjoyed this way too much. The smile on her face when I was writhing was sickening. But, Aro had insisted.

I didn't hear the door open or the footsteps coming near me, but what I did hear was even worse. "Wake up sleeping beauty," a high soprano voice said. And then for the hundredth time, it hit me again. I never could get even a little bit use to it. Each time was just as bad as the first.

Then she stopped. Why? That was much shorter than usual. Not that I was mad about that. Maybe they were going to let me go. No, I doubted that. Then Aro spoke. "This is your last chance. Join us or die." That wasn't a hard decision to make. "No." I said with a very final tone.

"Go ahead, take her. I have no use for her." Aro said. What? Who was taking me? Where were they taking me to? I felt cool hands move under my legs and back, and pull me into the air.