''Thanks Charlie. I'll be back by Monday.'' I leaned over and hugged him as softly as I could, then leaned down and kissed Nessie. She sneezed.
I ran half way there and called Jasper. He was there almost as soon as I started running again. He hugged me awkwardly and took a step back, grinning from ear to ear.
''I know what we're going to tell Edward and Alice.''
''What?'' I let him lead me back to the house.
''The truth.
''The truth?'' I demanded.
''Everything. Tell them what happened and hope to God they understand.'' He put his hands on my arms. ''What other way is there?''
''I guess you're right.'' I said, looking down.
''Let's find her, then. We have to get rid of her.'' he leaned down and kissed me.
***
''Manny?'' I called. Neither of us had seen her since this morning. And I really want to end this. We had to get rid of her, once and for all.
''Why won't you give up? I will never leave. You can't kill me. You can't even touch me.'' I whirled around. She had closed the door and was leaning against it. I moved forward. She moved twice as fast and threw me into the wall. I could feel a searing burn on my cheek. ''I'm even faster than you are.''
She pressed her hand to my cheek. I screamed, kicking at her. She laughed even harder.
Where was Jasper?
Manny screamed, and, once again, disappeared. Something cool pressed against my cheek. I opened my eyes, not aware they were even closed. Jasper was leaning over me, another burn on his arm. I sat up,my face searing. I knew that it must be a lot worse, because Jasper was trying to numb the pain.
''Sorry.'' He let go of my hand for a fraction of a second, and it was all I could do not to scream. I stood up slowly, Jasper's arm wound around my waist. I leaned into him for a moment then stood straight.
''What are we going to do?''I asked. He looked down at me, and I saw true fear in his eyes. ''I don't know.'' I laid my head against him. ''I'm sorry.'' I whispered, laying my hand over his burn, forcing it to stay. ''This s all my fault. I should have told Edward.''
''Now look what we have to tell them.'' I felt his arms stiffen. ''Bella, can you please tryto control your emotions? It's hard enough for me to keep mine in check.''
''Sorry?'' I offered. I sighed, and felt Jasper breath in at the same time. I lifted my head up. His eyes paralyzed me. By the time I remembered how to breath he had already stepped away.
''Sorry, but you haveto stop doing that.'' I breathed, gasping.
''You're the one doing it!'' He was just as breathless as I was. ''And apparently after sixty years, I'm boring.''
''You can't be boring, you and Alice are both too unpredictable.''
''You're wrong. Alice and I know each other to well. Love fades.''
''It does.'' I agreed, barely able to hear my own voice. Jasper set his hand on the small of my back, and I jumped. Jasper chuckled softly, apologizing.
***
''Are you sure?'' Jasper asked again, staring at my cheek.
''Yes. Just don't leave me in there for too long.'' He shook his head and kissed me. I opened the door to her room and stepped inside, flinching when the wave of cold, foul air hit me.
''Manny?'' I called softly, and didn't expect what I got. She stepped from behind the mirror, and her face was blacked, and the shape of Jasper's hand on her cheek. My hand print was on one arm, and her hand was blackened as well. One of her arms was completely black- the same arm with the blacked hand.
"You're going to be my mommy whether you like it or not, you know.'' She wiped a strand of hair out of her eyes. Part of her hand was ash. I held out my hand. ''Come here, Manny.''
She glared at me and took a step away from the mirror. I grabbed her better arm, my tries nearly in vain not to cry out. Jasper walked in and grabbed her other arm.
''No!'' She screamed. ''Please don't!"
''Hurry.'' I moaned, not even looking at my hands. ''She can't concentrate while in pain. Bella, kick the wall.'' I shot my leg out, and the burning my hand stop getting worse. I couldn't even move them. I heard screams, then everything was black.
***
''Bella! Wake up?'' Jasper said. Vampire's don't sleep....... why am I? I began to panic. I couldn't move. ''Bella! Come on.. please wake up.. Edward will be here soon!''
I shot up, screaming in pain. I remembered everything. I didn't look at my hands, but at Jasper's. They weren't very red.
''What happened?'' I asked, my voice rough.
''Manny tried to kill you. When I through her, she flung back- faster than even Edward could have- and bit you. Sunk her teeth into your hand. I couldn't get her off. She let go of you, laughing her high pitched laugh, and stepped out into the sun. She turned completely black and then disappeared. This was yesterday. I've been trying to dull the pain, and I'm surprised how fast you hands recovered.''
I looked down at my hands- just as normal as ever. ''So, he's almost here?'' the door slammed. ''He is here.'' I corrected, but then fresh wave a panic hit me- what if it was her?
''Bella?'' Edward called. I stood up slowly.
''Edward, we need to talk.''
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Cliffy! Yes, I'm evil, I know.
Review, and you won't have to break up with Edward Cullen.
