Ch. 2
EPOV
This was the place - the ballet studio Alice saw in her vision. I yanked up on the emergency break and jumped from the car. It continued to screech to a stop behind me as I ran. My first breath of air told me Bella was here… and bleeding. My mind went in to a frenzy as I registered this. I quickly shoved the snarling red – eyed monster's bloodlust to the darkest recesses of my mind.
As I ran toward the front entrance the smell of her blood became stronger. I distantly registered the second car's wheels screeching to a stop. My family would be right behind me. I burst through the front doors - not pausing long enough to open them - and followed her scent to the studio in the rear of the building.
The room was destroyed -- broken mirrors along the walls and shards of glass lying across the wooden studio floors. Her siren's blood was a startling crimson red against the light tones of wood and reflective glass. The sight caused me to internally quake in fear for her safety and simultaneously lust after the sweet nectar of her blood. I searched the entire building in seconds, but found no further evidence of her.
She was not here.
I desperately scanned the destroyed room again and noticed a palm sized digital video camera sitting in the middle of the floor. As I picked it up I could smell James' scent very strongly. I flipped open the little viewing screen. With a feeling of despair in the pit of my stomach, I pushed the play button.
I watched the small screen in horror as my Bella stumbled into the room. I watched the realization and relief dawn on her face as she watched the home video of her mother. I saw her futile attempt at escaping. I cringed with sickening nausea at the sound of her leg breaking and her screams of pain.
My horror turned to rage as I heard him taunting her. His words revealed his sick game. I barely registered that my family had gathered around me, watching as he grabbed her by the neck and tasted her flesh. My furious growls were echoed by my family's as he ripped her shirt from her body.
The horrific images continued. My heart wrenched as she sobbed in fear. I was horrified and unable to look away as he made her beg for her life. I saw her trembling as he slammed her into the mirror and his vile lips touched her bare skin. I couldn't do anything as I watched her hands struggle uselessly against his choke hold. My arms were useless as they subconsciously twitched forward to catch her as she finally slumped to the floor in unconsciousness.
I watched her lie on the glass covered floor as he turned his red eyes to the camera. He brought the camera closer and his face filled the entire frame.
"If you want to see your precious little human alive, and un-harmed, you will do exactly as I say. If you do not…" he shrugged and turned the camera back to Bella's unconscious, semi-naked and broken form. I was encouraged that although she was in bad shape, she was breathing and mercifully unaware.
"I might enjoy myself a little more than I originally thought. I'm not sure she can survive what I have planned for her, but I can guarantee she won't enjoy it as much as I will." He paused and licked his lips as if to illustrate his vulgar thoughts. A twisted smile crossed his face and it was obvious he was very much enjoying himself.
"I've left an address for you on the paper by the television. Come alone. Tonight." He finished his demands and the recording ended.
The only sound was silence. I didn't know whether to give in to the crushing pain or into my murderous rage. The rage won out. The video camera crumpled to pieces of destroyed plastic and mechanical bits in my clenched fist.
For once, no one else's thoughts played in my head. There was simply too much shock and anger for words. They all stared at me, waiting for a reaction. I saw my face reflected in their minds and in their own expressions. The livid expression evident in the tensed muscles of my jaw and my flat coal-dark eyes were truly un-human.
"I'm going to go get Bella." I spat.
I paused because I knew they wouldn't like what I had to say next.
"And I'm going alone." I finished.
"Edward, you can't go by your –" Alice began.
"No." I cut her off. "He will know if I'm not alone. I can't let him hurt her. I won't take that risk." I could hear my family's arguments in their minds before they vocalized them. I could hear the fear and anger and their desires to protect Bella mirroring my own.
"I don't have time to argue about this, he could be hurting her." My voice broke as I felt the pain of that possibility. I closed my eyes and dragged in a quick, ragged breath. All I could see behind my lids was the way she trembled in fear and revulsion as he leered over her.
"I'm going to make her safe. And then I am going to tear him apart." I vowed.
And for once in my long, long existence both I and the red-eyed monster were in complete harmony as we planned to rejoice over his pile of ashes. I took two quick steps and snatched up the slip of paper with the address.
"We need to figure out an explanation for all the damage and the, um, blood. I don't think we can fix this quickly." Esme said, ever practical.
"Burn it." I spat and turned my back on the studio.
AN: So here is the promised chapter from Edward's point of view. I hope I did a good job of portraying his despair and anger when he was watching the video. I felt like I couldn't come up with enough adjectives to describe being angry- hopefully that wasn't too annoying. As always, reviews are really helpful to keep me motivated on the story. I have the next two chapters all set, but I'm waffling on where I want to take this. Specifically, I want James to have an agenda. An ultimatum for our 'star crossed lovers'… any ideas?
Disclaimer: Not mine, Stephenie's. Sigh. No copyright infringement intended.