Chapter song you may be interested in listening to for this chapter: 'Iris' by the Goo Goo dolls

INHUMAN RAMPAGE

Life's but a walking shadow

Her mind whirled, lost in web of confusion and disorientation as she tried so desperately to grasp onto the events of the last few hours, to what she had allowed herself to do. The forest blurred past her, streaming all different shades of browns and greens, but her eyes focused upon nothing. She was aware of Emmett's firm grasp around her; one strong arm across her back as the other supported her weak, shaking legs. Unable to support her own weight, she continued to allow him to carry her. She knew he was here, but it was almost as though she didn't see him. Like they were simply unimportant shadows passing though yet another sleepless night. Rosalie's usually perfectly tended hair fell over her shoulders, playing with the breeze as the golden strands knotted themselves in a mischievous manner. To look at her now, you would not see her usual charming and chivalrous nature; they were lost to the night. Instead, you would only see fear and self-loathing.

Almost oblivious to the emotional weight he was now carrying for the both of them; Emmett quickened his pace, now as desperate as she was to escape this world of torment. As he ran, he drew her closer into his chest with a renewed urgency and need to be with her. In his own way, he was trying to show her that she was not, and never would be, alone. He could protect and love her, and always would. Intrigued by the unnerving silence, Emmett drew his narrowed eyes away from their erratic course to study her exquisite, beautiful face; and for a single moment he forgot why it was they were running. But as he took in her dark, pained eyes, her quivering lips and furrowed brow, he was quickly reminded. An all too familiar ache pressed against his cold, un-beating heart. As her emotional struggle, the battle within her mind spilled into her features, he turned his attention back to their journey. It was too hard to see her crumble before him, all the while knowing there was little he could do to prevent it. Emmett suddenly sprang to the left, only just avoiding the meter wide oak tree they were about to collide with. Usually, such a cock-up as smashing into a tree would have amused him, but now it only angered him to almost make such a petty mistake. His mind raced along with hers, and he wondered if she would ever give him an honest answer for why she had done this. But he knew that would be like asking his blood to run and his heart to beat; she would need time, a day, a week, a month, a year, maybe even eternity and somehow ... that was okay. Regaining his composure, he proceeded towards their uncharted destination.

As they emerged from the cover of the dark forest, Emmett's pace slowed to a walk; and even that was quicker than a human could dream of running. He breathed in deeply, his chest unintentionally disturbing Rosalie's head from where it had settled against his shoulder, and he drew to a halt. As he began to debate the best course of action, he pressed his lips gently to the tip of Rosalie's head. To his surprise, he felt her react to his kiss by gingerly extending her slender neck in order to meet his touch; the movement so slight that he almost missed it. A wave of relief raged through him as he realised that somewhere, amongst this battle of wills, she was still with him.

With a new found confidence in her, he bent down allowing her dusty-rose Armani boots to touch the silver sands beneath them. He hesitated for half a moment, making sure that she had built up enough strength to stand alone, before tearing himself away from her. Taking a definite step backwards, his eyes remained fixed upon her face. She allowed him to see no expression, no hint of her feelings as she began to piece herself together. Remaining motionless, she filled her lungs with the scents around them. There was a fading smell of earthy moss being masked by the salty smell of the clean ocean air, entwined with a hint of fish ... Fish? This place was familiar. Her eyes gazed over the ocean and out into the never ending horizon, before meticulously scanning across the grainy sand-dunes. Her eyes traced up and over the ancient cliff face's before scanning the tree covered mountains just behind them. Neah Bay was a small fishing town north of forks, holding a population of around only nine hundred citizens. Due to the small population and vast forest cover, Rosalie and Emmett often had enjoyed romantic evenings here, while taking in the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets that waltzed across the lagoon-blue sea. But, over the last few years, it was the one place they could talk freely, away from ever present sensitive ears and eyes. It was where they had come to talk about their pasts, but more recently, where they discussed Rosalie's aversion to Bella. He had thought this trough better than Rosalie could have expected from him ... but bringing her here now, talking about this would not banish this embarrassment, resentment and burning desire for a child that remained beneath the surface.

Emmett's tense and taut posture relaxed, his fists unclenching as he began to once again recognise the angelic qualities that shone from his wife. But he was too eager, it was too soon. As quickly as his confidence in her had grown, it faded. Like someone had switched out the lights without warning. Rosalie let out an agonising cry as her usually sturdy legs collapsed beneath her, forcing her to tumble to the sands. Her long fingers buried themselves into the sand, foolishly trying to grasp on to the tiny grains. They were not going to stop her from falling. Her eyes flew shut as she was forced to once again replay the few precious moments she had spent as a mother; a mother who had watched her child be torn from her arms. The images danced cruelly behind her eyes as if to tease, but still she was attempting to fight them. As her golden hair fell around her neck and merged with the sands, she knew it was over. The battle had been lost, her faith depleted. She was never going to be a mother, and now, she didn't deserve to be. Emmett could only stand helpless, his dull gold eyes centred on her cheeks as if awaiting her tears; everything he wanted to say choked in his throat... and he remained silent. It was all he could do. As Rosalie reached for her chest, feeling it tighten and crush under her self-inflicted torment, Emmett knelt at her side. Sensing his presence and needing him more than ever, she gracefully raised her free arm, lacing it over his neck. Relying upon him solely, her body hung only inches from the ground. As he felt her lean on him, he wrapped his arms around her, as a mother would her baby, pulling her into his lap and soothingly running one hand through her hair. To think they were simply monsters is an inhuman thought in itself; her pain was real and alive.

Emmett shifted her weight in order to take hold of her shaking hand, pulling it away from her face. Rosalie allowed her head to fall gently against his chest, wishing she could leave this pain behind and feel alone the security he could offer her. As he held her she began to wonder if he had decided to hate her or not yet. After what she had done to them all, it would be just punishment. In this moment, Emmett knew exactly what to say to her. No discussion, no regret, just to love her.

"And I'd give up forever to touch you. 'Cause I know that you feel me somehow. You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be. And I don't want to go home right now." Emmett spoke the words with warmth in his rough tone. And upon hearing the lyrics she knew so well, he had done it. He had saved her.

"And all I can taste is your sweetness. And all I can breathe is your life. And sooner or later it's over. I just don't want to miss you tonight." She spoke the words so softly even Emmett could barely hear them. As their eyes connected, they spoke the words from their latest, and most relevant, wedding song in perfect unison.

"And I don't want the world to see me, 'cause I don't think that they'd understand. When everything's made to be broken, I just want you to know who I am."

"I know who you are Rose, I don't want you to forget who you are either." After a seemingly timeless moment, he leaned down to her as their lips collided. Maybe she was a monster, but what she had done was not malicious. It was ... human.

... ... ...

Daylight dawned faster than they had hoped for, and as the sun rose high into the bruised sky, Emmett moved them to the shadows of the trees.

"I am so sorry, Emmett." Rosalie had finally built the courage to apologise to him, something she never did lightly. But now it was more than necessary. She owed him that much.

"Don't sweat it babe." He flashed her his brilliant smile, exposing those dimples she treasured. "Sooo, what now?" There was no need to discuss yesterday any further, what had been done, was done. That much was irreversible, but the situation was still keeping her captive. Rosalie took in a single, long breath before sighing heavily.

"We could ... go to Romania! Seek out Dracula! Freak a few humans? That was a ball last time." Emmett carried on talking, nodding his head in agreement with himself, unaware that he hadn't allowed her enough time to answer. Absentmindedly, he folded his fingers together as they hung over his knees. For the first time in almost twenty-four hours now, she smiled; her dark eyes gleaming in amusement. It was obvious to Rosalie that Emmett's own gag line hadn't escaped him as a rumble of laughter left his lips.

"As much fun as that sounds ... I have some further ass-kissing to do. Carlisle won't forgive me lightly for this. Neither will the others." Her head sunk into her knees as she arched her body away from the tall pine tree by which she was resting. Not wanting her to leap directly back into the quicksand, Emmett shuffled his body closer to hers, spreading his legs around her own as he took hold of her hands.

"They will. If they don't ..." Flexing his burly muscles, his own eyes searched for hers; wanting to keep her focused on the positive. Rosalie retracted her hands, placing them over face before fascination encouraged her to peer over them. She stared at his childish grin for a split second before reaching out to push at his chest playfully.

"Seriously, I have to fix this. That woman ... what did I do to her?" Rosalie shook her head, disappointment etched into her features.

"Carlisle will have figured something out by now. He won't let us be exposed ..." He paused, studying her reaction as she realised that she had caused more damage than just upset a few humans. "Those Volturi freaks are still looking for a fight. Doubt he'll wanna risk them coming back here again."

He was right; she may have put them all at risk if the Volturi had caught wind of this. They had their ways and means of gathering information, and the ever looming threat of their return had never crossed Rosalie's mind.

"We have to go back. Now." Rosalie swiftly stood, pulling Emmett to his feet with her. As she swivelled on her heels in the direction of Forks, Emmett's cheeky grin stopped her in her tracks.

"What?" She mused, confused by yet another private joke he seemed to be enjoying.

"You're sexy when you're getting all decisive." Before she had the chance to respond, he pulled her back into the mould of his body. "Damn sexy."

A tinkling laugh found its way out as she swung back around to face him.

"This is neither the time nor place for your seductive ways Mr. Cullen and frankly, I'm ashamed." Her eyes flashed him a quick seductive gaze before subtly reminding him that they were not out of this yet. As she watched Emmett take off at speed towards Forks, she held her ground momentarily. Maybe her sanity had caught up with her, however, every act has lasting consequences; to which some have more ... devastating effects. Brushing her knotted hair aside and out of her eyes, she hurriedly followed in Emmett's trail, catching up with him before they reached the borders of Forks.

Surely they wouldn't know.