If I Choose to Stay
"Is she going to wake up soon? Why's she still sleeping?"
Someone voiced, followed by a supple touch on her temple.
It was like a small stone fell into the dark pond of her mind. The vibrations stirred Bella's venom engulfed skull into a dim awareness. She recognized that voice, but for some reason, she couldn't visualize the face that it belonged to.
"She is not feeling well." An older, more masculine voice responded. A fuzzy image of Aro Volturi floated to the front of her consciousness. "We believe sleep is what her body needs right now."
Internally Bella frowned. She was almost positive that she never met the ancient Volturi leader, so why was she able to picture his face to that voice?
The child made a whimpering noise and Bella focused on him again, straining her exhausted mind to evoke some sort of member of him.
"I want her to wake up now…" the child – a little boy – whined closer to her left side.
The mattress dipped just barely under a new weight, informing her that the voices weren't just her imagination and belonged to actual physical beings. Then she began to wonder whose bed was she resting on and why she was there, to begin with. Was it her bed? If so, then what were Aro and a child doing in her bedroom?
This must be a dream, she decided. She was dreaming about vampires. Again. The pain of Edward leaving her and the nightmares that followed after his swift departure never quite stopped. So much so that she had begun a nightly ritual of praying for them to go away. Apparently, the Gods weren't paying her much attention.
"I am sure she will wake before the next sunrise." Aro consoled the child.
"And I can see her then, too? Just like now?" The boy asked.
Aro was silent for a few seconds as the boy and Bella both waited impatiently for his response.
"If her condition allows it." He stated regretfully.
Her condition? What condition? Why did this strange little boy want her to wake up so badly?
"It's not fair. I want her to wake up now and be all better," the child mumbled like he was hiding his face in the sheets. Bella found her unresponsive fingers itch in need to touch him.
"She will recover soon, I promise you. The coven is doing their best to find a remedy that will help her."
The boy was silent for a few moments before Aro sighed softly.
"You know I will not rest until a solution has been found. You have my word, little one. I won't let anything happen to her. I promise."
If Bella could move then she would've jumped at the sensation of warm, tiny fingers touching her cheek. She most definitely was not expecting that. Who was this boy and why did he feel so… warm? So she wasn't just dreaming about a three-thousand-year-old vampire, but also of a human boy. When had she last come into contact with a kid for her intellect to suddenly generate one in her dream? Though as strange as it all was it was still superior to running around senselessly in the woods in pursuit of Edward or dashing from giant wolves who saw her as a pathetic leech sympathizer.
So yeah, a creepy kid and ancient vampire weren't the worst duos to accompany Bella in her head at night. She just wished she weren't immobile and was able to respond to the characters and the surroundings.
"Come, little one. I think it has come time for you to retire."
There was a soft, audible yawn then. "But m'not sleepy." The kid mumbled.
A warm chuckle came from Aro. "If that's the case then I'm sure the guards who have night patrol would be delighted to have you accompany them. Shall I make the arrangements?"
The boy groaned tiredly before Bella felt the sheets move and the weight slip off the side of the mattress.
"I get to come back tomorrow morning, right?" the boy asked.
"I'll personally fetch you after you've had breakfast. I'm sure she'll be just as eager to see you." Aro responded but something in his voice made Bella uncomfortable. It appeared as though the vampire was trying hard to assure more than just the boy. He sounded so hesitant and depressed about whatever situation he alone seemed to be aware of. If her lips worked then she would've demanded to know what was wrong and why he was lying to the unsuspecting kid.
Just when Bella thought her dream was coming to an end as the pair started to walk away, the little boy suddenly sucked in a quick breath of air and came to a halt.
"Wait!" the boy exclaimed, and Bella listened as he ran over the stone floor in her direction. She braced herself when she felt him leap onto the bed, crawl over to her, and then tenderly place a kiss on her cheek.
"Ti voglio bene." He whispered softly and then his warm presence was gone as abruptly as a small candle being blown out. Everything became quiet again and Bella didn't resist when the dark swells of water pulled her back under.
She felt the warm rays of sun hitting the skin of her toes as it slowly stretched up the length of her body. When the light reached her face she squinted against the bright circular colors that blossomed and danced behind her eyelids. With a soft groan, she twisted in her bed sheets until she settled with her back to the window and her face buried in her feathered pillow.
Bella's head was fuzzy from just have woken up as ghostly images and stifled voices from her dream floated through her mind. Whenever she would try to cling to one in particular in hopes of it pulling her back into unconsciousness it would dwindle away.
There was a soft noise from below and Bella blinked in acknowledgment of the sound before letting her eyelids fall shut again, too tired to do much else.
Charlie must be getting ready to leave for work soon. It was only a matter of time before her dad would totter up the stairs and sneak a peek into her room to see if she was awake before telling her he was heading out. And about twenty minutes exactly after that, Jake would come waltzing through her front door and ask what she was cooking them for breakfast.
She smiled into her pillow at the thought. Jacob Black quickly fell into her life routine after he metaphorically pulled her out of the grave she had dug for herself when Edward and the Cullen's left. He kept her stable and she found herself rotating around the Fork Native like he possessed his own gravitational pull.
And unlike Edward, her dad actually enjoyed having Jake around and invited him and Billy over for dinner almost every other weeknight. On the weekends they all grilled out and clustered with the rest of the families on the reservation. La Push wasn't just a sanctuary for Bella but also for Charlie. The Blacks and Clearwaters' were there for Charlie when his own family packed up and fled off to Arizona. Bella always felt like she owed Billy especially a great deal for being there for her dad. To show her thanks she'd cook some of the trout her dads always had stuffed in the freezer and bring it to the Blacks for dinner. A homemade dinner always tasted better than the usual to-go pizza her dad ordered before he and Billy relaxed in front of the TV and watched the Sports Network.
Bella sluggishly stretched in her bed as she enjoyed the last few moments of comfort before she'd have to get up and start her day. Jake was likely to come barreling through her front door any second. And hopefully this time he didn't have Quil and Embry in tow because Bella wasn't so sure she had enough food in her kitchen to feed three hungry shapeshifters. Jake alone could consume an entire carton of eggs and still have room for bacon and biscuits.
A small smile was evident on her lips throughout her inner ramblings and remained there when she rolled over and opened her eyes. Her arm hung over her head as she lazily played with the end strands of her long hair and stared quietly up at the pale high-pitched ceiling. Several uninterrupted seconds ticked by before her smile slowly fell and her fingers abandoned their thoughtless threading.
It felt like an extreme weight was placed on her chest and was slowly sinking into her as the seconds ticked on. It became hard to breathe but she didn't dare move.
The ceiling above her wasn't the one in her bedroom.
The sheets she'd been curling so comfortably into weren't the familiar purple ones she had on her bed.
There's an explanation for this, she mentally tried to calm herself down before she panicked. I'm just forgetting something important. There's a reason for all of this. I'm okay. Everything is alright.
But she couldn't remember anything from the night before or anything that could explain why she was in an unfamiliar room and in an unfamiliar bed. Horror quickly replaced the calm she'd been trying to hold onto as her limbs twitched to run or do something.
Why couldn't she remember anything? What had happened to her? Had she been…?
She was overcome with the sensation to cry at the mere thought of someone drugging her and taking advantage of her like that. Her hands were shaking as they darted to her stomach and roughly slid down to her waist. She let out a shuddering breath of relief when her shaking fingers trailed over fabric. She had clothes on but they felt too soft and too unfamiliar on her body. She couldn't even remember changing into them, so someone must've dressed and undressed her at some point.
Bella squeezed her eyes shut, forcing her brain to try and remember literally anything to help explain what was going on. Several faces and voices came to the front of her mind but were all so blurry and unbelievably ridiculous that she convinced herself they were just fragments of an old dream.
She visualized what looked like Edward standing bare-chested under an old clock tower in some foreign town. She was sprinting towards him in a sea of rushing red. The sun was so hot and her limbs ached but she didn't stop until she smacked into something so incredibly hard that she bounced off it and then… She couldn't remember what happened after that. All she could recall was running in a mob of red during the day and then through an open pasture under the moon. Had that happened before or after she saw Edward? Why was she running in the first place?
Slowly Bella sat up in the bed and cautiously glanced around the room as if expecting something to suddenly jump out at her. The bedroom was probably the size of her home in Forks main floor plan and decorated more lavishly than anything she'd ever seen before in person. The walls were painted a romantic burgundy shade but were decorated quite heavily in many large-scale paintings and a few glass framed modern printed photos.
A small breeze filtered through the room and Bella found two sets of French double doors bordered by long golden drapes to her left that appeared to lead out onto a balcony. She stared at it for a few empty seconds before her feet seemed to move on their own and she was out of the bed and walking towards the source of the fresh air. She was just steps from the slightly ajar doors when something glittering from the ground caught her attention. The toes on her right foot that were in the slither of sunlight that sneaked in between the doors were – that is if she wasn't hallucinating – glittering under the morning sun's soft beam.
Her mouth fell agape at the startling sight.
"That's not possible…" she whispered in disbelief.
Very slowly, as if the light would burn her, she lifted her arm and let it in the path of the sun. Her eyes widened at the vision of her wrist and hand sparkling softly in front of her.
"How…?" she flipped her hand over and watched the sun glitter off all areas of her exposed skin.
She was wiggling her fingers when suddenly the memory her using that same arm to surprise and overturn a vampire that'd been chasing her popped into her head.
"That'd been real?" Bella mouthed to herself. She lowered her arm and pulled it close to herself as she backed away from the sunlight.
She watched the dust particles dance in the beam as she tried to make sense of everything. Snippets of her dream that'd she been able to recover seemed to not be from her dream at all, but from actual events that happened in the days past. Her rushing to save Edward from the Volturi, the desperate call she'd made to Alice, and the confrontation she had with one of the coven's Kings and several of his guards. She had argued with them before she tried to flee and then…then…
Covering her face Bella groaned into her hands. The Volturi must've captured her. It would explain why she couldn't remember everything clearly and why Edward was suddenly absent. Oh, Edward… She never did find out what happened to him. Now it seemed the only one who could save him – if he was even still alive, her mind whispered – would be Alice. Bella needed to get in contact with her again but she seriously doubted the Volturi were going to allow their prisoners to make phone calls to whomever they desired.
Bella nearly jumped out of her skin when there was a soft knock at the door. She quickly glanced around and found a set of double oak doors at the front of the room. She didn't dare respond and instead backed closer to the ledge and in case she needed to escape out onto the balcony, which was odd to leave access to a prisoner.
"Isabella?" an accented masculine voice filtered from the other side. She recognized who the vampire was immediately.
Aro Volturi.
"May I come in?" the King of the most powerful vampire coven asked, and Bella was confused as to why he was even asking her permission. He must be mocking her situation as his prisoner.
Bella remained silent and motionless in the back of the room, hoping he would just go away and give her more time to reflect on everything and somehow form a plan of escape.
She heard him sigh before the door handles rattled.
"I'm coming in," he declared and she watched nervously as the double doors parted to reveal one of the Kings of the Volturi.
As much as she hated to admit it, she was speechless when took in his full appearance and realized how incredibly handsome he was. He looked a lot like the painting Edward had shown her in his house, but seeing the man in person was like seeing him truly for the first time without having witnessed the painting in advance.
Aro Volturi was tall and lean and age wise he appeared to be in his late twenties. His long raven hair was pulled back into a dark clip and neatly pulled to the front to hang over both of his superbly dressed broad shoulders. He was adorned in an all black suit that fitted his trim physique magnificently. Bella could tell without having to read the label that it was most likely stitched just for him by one of the world's most renowned designers. She couldn't even begin to guess a name, partly because of her lack of knowledge for anything fashion related. And the price of the whole assumable would probably make her head spin while others more fashion aware would say it to be a fair price.
Aro took a single step in the room before he came to a sudden halt after noticing her dumbfounded stare. He glanced down at himself in confusion then back up to the teen with a slightly quirked eyebrow. Bella darted her eyes away in embarrassment and was thankful that he didn't comment on her obvious gawking because he had to have received such looks by women before.
Unnecessarily he cleared his throat but didn't move to advance in on her. He appeared concerned and distraught about something but Bella hadn't the slightest clue why he looked like that and why he was directing it at her. Maybe it was her proximity to the open balcony doors? He had glanced at them when he first walked in.
"How are you feeling?" he inquired unexpectedly.
Bella shifted her weight onto her other foot and pinched her fingers together. She was feeling a lot of things but she doubted he was asking about her mental state of mind.
"If you're wondering if I'm thirsty then no," she snapped. "You can't make me drink from someone. I choose the Cullen's lifestyle when it comes to that."
Aro frowned at her declaration. "Not entirely what I meant but I accept those preferences. Carlisle will be pleased to know."
Bella folded her arms over her chest defensively. "Then what do you want? Why am I here? Why didn't you just let me go? Doesn't the Volturi have more important things to do than keeping me prisoner like this?"
She could tell Aro was trying to keep his face neutral as he listened to her. He was holding back something.
"You are our top priority, whether you choose to believe that or not. I understand that some things are confusing to you right now but they don't have to be. I will answer any question you have to the best of my knowledge, I promise you, but first…" he stopped and his pale lines formed a tight line as he stared at her. His dark caramel eyes looked restrained.
"You want something of me in return?" Bella said almost sickeningly. She had an inkling of what the ancient vampire was mulling over in his head but was just trying to think of a kinder way of voicing it. The thought that he wanted anything from her bristled her. Hadn't he already taken enough?
Aro ignored her tone and regarded her quietly.
"An honest answer to a question of mine, yes." He nodded subtly. "And I will answer any of yours in all sincerity." He replied earnestly, his soft gaze begging her to comply and accept his terms, which seemed more in her favor than his.
Bella stared at the Volturi King in absolute astonishment.
There was more to it than that. If he planned on asking her anything about her friends and family back in Forks then he might as well skip the whole polite interrogation act he was presenting and get on with whatever he had devised for her.
She felt her eyes fill with venom as she fought the urge to give in to her emotions and just cry out in frustration and defeat. He must've recognized her hesitation and the inner discomfort at the offer if his apologetic eyes meant anything. He stood immobile by the bedroom doors where he had entered and hadn't moved and inch since. She would know because she had yet to take her eyes off him out of fear and distrust.
"Do you accept?"
Bella felt like looking around the room in search of a witness who would hold her words against her if she argued the end result. They were completely alone in the room, much to her surprise. Did he not think she would lash out and attack him, or did he think he would be able to hold his own against a newborn? Bella honestly couldn't tell and didn't have the confidence to challenge him like she had the night before.
Grimly she nodded in agreement of Aro Volturi's offer, her fist clenching tightly at her sides and if her heart still worked then it would've beat furiously against her chest.
For the first time, Aro moved and Bella cautiously watched him take several steps towards her until only a gap of five feet separated. Even with her enhanced eyesight, she marveled at the beautiful man that stood closer now than ever before. She told herself that wasn't the reason why she was staring at him, though. She was more fearful of this vampire than mesmerized, and she had no plans of allowing herself to fall victim to Stockholm syndrome.
"Isabella…" he said softly, and Bella was taken by the vast amount of adoration and praise in his warm irises. A cool breeze blew into the room and carried the King's exclusive scent in her direction. Involuntarily her eyelids fluttered and she inhaled deeply. When she opened them again she swore Aro was closer than he'd been just seconds ago.
He studied her expression intensely, as though hoping to find the answer he was looking for on her face.
"Do you know who I am?" he finally asked, and Bella was overcome with the sensation she usually felt when a relative she hadn't seen since her childhood ask the same question.
She opened and closed her mouth like a fish stuck on land as Aro continued to attentively observe her every move.
"I-I…" she swallowed heavily and turned the open French doors. "Not really? I mean, Edward told me about your coven and how Carlisle lived with you for a few years, but…" she shrugged helplessly and turned back to him.
His expression was downcast and desperate. "Per favore. Sei tutto per me!" he begged earnestly and stepped forward. Bella was too shocked by the powerful vampire's change in attitude to retreat. He firmly grabbed her hands but his grip didn't hurt her.
"Il mio cuore dipende da te. Per favore." He ground out, his eyes distraught and his tone desperate.
All the fear and resentment for the vampire slipped away. His words caused her heart to physically hurt and she didn't even know what he was saying.
The sensation of their skin touching caused an odd reaction in Bella that she couldn't quite describe. Having him so close where she could smell the sweetness on his breath and the unique aroma of his scent was seriously doing something to her head. She could no longer think clearly. Faintly she heard the worried whispers of Aro and the little boy in her head again. That had been a dream, right? That part hadn't been real.
She shook her head in an attempt to clear it and tried pulling her hands-free. "I don't know what you want from me."
Aro ignored her struggled and kept his grip firm. "I want you to remember, Isabella. I want you to remember me and the life we have. You must try. Do not give up and keep searching."
Now Bella was starting to panic. He was crazy. Completely delusional!
"I don't know anything," she ground out and rougher jerked back. "You're hurting me let me go."
Immediately Aro released her and Bella stumbled a few steps before hitting the wall. There was a sharp sound of glass being cracked before something rectangular slid down her back and crashed to the floor, sending tiny glass shards around her feet. Neither of them acknowledged it. Aro was busy staring at her like she was a different species.
"You truly do not remember…" he muttered, his long black hair no longer neat on his shoulders but frizzy and brushed aside.
Bella shook her head slowly and Aro clenched his jaw.
"It is not your fault," he finally said after a moment. The fight in him was now gone. He closed his eyes and took in a slow, tired breath. "I do not blame you."
"What are you talking about?" Bella asked, baffled by everything he was saying. None of to made sense to her. "What's not my fault? What can't I remember?"
Aro opened his eyes, which were a deep, onyx color. He frowned when he gazed upon her. "Sei tutto per me, Isabella. Sei il grande amore della mia vita." Aro then smiled and shook his head at something Bella didn't understand.
"I don't know what you're saying." She muttered. He smiled sadly at her.
"Then I will have to reteach you."
She frowned and stared at him like he was confused. "But you never…?" she was interrupted by the sound of quick, light footsteps quickly approaching the room they were in. Aro's head snapped to the side before he hissed and said something in Italian in a loud, stern voice. The footsteps came to a halt and it was then Bella picked up the sound of an irregular heartbeat. She looked panicked when Aro turned his head toward her again.
"Who is that?" she asked, as Aro started at her with his lips in a tight line. "Well?" she prompted, afraid that it was someone close to her or a meal to one of the other vampire's that'd managed to escape.
The door handle jiggled and Bella's nervous gaze flicked back toward the entryway. Aro, too, turned and said something stern again in Italian. The owner of the racing heart took several steps back but did not leave.
"Who is that?" she repeated her question with more venom.
Aro looked down at her, first disapprovingly then regretfully.
"No one you would remember." He hissed quietly then spun on his heels and was out the door. He paused for a fraction of a second and then disappeared completely with the owner of the irregular heartbeat in tow.
Bella let out a shaky breath, not really believing all that had just happened. She moved her heel back and listened as he bare feet crunched the broken glass that she'd caused minutes ago. Glancing down she observed the rectangle object that lay next to her left foot. She tilted her head to the side when she noticed three upside-down figures still neatly held in the frame under the shards of glass.
AN:
Thanks for reading! Here are some Italian translations from this chapter.
Per favore - Please Remeber
Il mio cuore dipende da te. - My heart depends on you.
Sei tutto per me. - You are everything to me.
Sei il grande amore della mia vita. – You are the love of my life.
