Ack. Last chapter. I hope you all enjoyed reading this, as I've enjoyed writing it. And now onto the shocking conclusion of To Gain the World.
Disclaimer: Steph owns Twilight. I'm only in it to make Eddy cry.
I stood fear hammering in my chest like a horse's heart. Officer Swan fired off a shot, a warning. The people scattered.
My mind raced. Alice-- why didn't she? No it was too sudden for her to tell, And Edward--Edward's been so out of sorts lately. Oh dear Lord what if someone comes? Oh please Lord don't let him shoot anyone!
Still praying that God would protect anyone and everyone in the vicinity from a stray bullet, I held up my hands, "Officer Swan, please."
"Hear to suck more innocent kids, huh, Cullen?" He growled.
"Please put the gun down before someone gets hurt!"
Swan growled, low and feral like a wolf and pulled the trigger. I saw the powder ignite and the bullet push it's way down the barrel. I watched it crawl through the air, making a b-line for my chest. And I knew, I knew with all my heart it wouldn't hurt me. A thousand bullets wouldn't hurt my body. Nothing could hurt it, not chill, not fire, not metal. I knew there would be no way on earth he'd be able to make amends for his only daughter.
And I wished, truly and deeply for some blessing from god that that bullet would kill me. For I would want--no need-- to do the same if anyone where to hurt my Esmee, my Rosalie, or my Alice. I knew what it was like, you always saw them as that little girl with the broken leg, even when they lay dead in the morgue. I wanted to give him peace like I'd given Mrs. Mason peace, like I'd given Esmee new peace, like I'd given Rosalie peace, time and again.
I wanted to give Bella Swan peace. But she is dead and in heaven now, with the Holy Father, instead of someone who fancies himself to be.
The bullet barely touched me. It was like Officer Swan threw a rubber ball against a thick steel wall. It deflected, carried by its momentum, careening aimlessly threw the air. Purposeless, only going forward because something deep inside itself was driving it forward.
It felt sick, I could hear my Clan's foot steps thundering towards me. Edward's were the closest. Approaching me, closer and closer till he was in Swan's sights. I couldn't move too transfixed--perhaps horrified-- by the flight of the bullet in space.
And oddly enough, I saw my life flash before my eyes.
XxX
I stand.
"Mr. Mason--"
I run, I need out of this place. I need these thoughts out of my head. I want to clear the thoughts and be alone again.
It's my feet that are directing me. Not my mind. Somewhere. Something. I need to make sense of this. I need someone to make sense of this.
"Mr. Mason!"
Wait? Is that me? I don't know. I was Edward Mason, once. But he died. Died too long ago for me too remember.
Frustrated, I run faster, faster away from the school. Behind me I hear my siblings. Chasing after their insane, paranoid brother. I push off, wanting to put as much distance between them and me as humanly possible-- no not humanly possible anymore.
Finally, my feet lead me to Carlisle.
My heart should have stopped. He's facing off against Swan. Swan has a gun. Swan shot Carlisle. I should be angry. I should want blood. I should want Swan's head. Do I want it? Ok. Alright. I will.
My body collides with Swans. He doesn't know what hit him. Doesn't realize it's me. Perhaps, he didn't consider the possibility I was still 'alive'. Yes, that could be it.
His bones crushed to powder from the force of my blow. I could feel it give way under my skin. Brittle. The gun fires, the bullet going off somewhere. Swan falls, neck broken.
The smell of his blood clogs my nose. I back away, turn disgusted. Sickened by what I'd done, what I'd seen. I want to vomit, throw up all the blood in my body, get it out of my system. Get Bella Swan out from my veins. I gag on my own spit.
Carlisle moves forward, uncertain, wanting to change Charlie Swan, but not wanting to. He can see it, Charles Swan, strong, beautiful, eternal. Able to cut down evil vampires who preyed upon innocent girls. Having no reason to fear again. Driven by the desire to protect and to serve. It was a beautiful picture. All gold and silver and ornate. And he'd form his own coven of like minded people, missionaries almost, he'd have the desire to spread Carlisle's revelation around the globe. Strong enough to tear down the Volturi, and establish a new era of peace and tranquility.
It is a beautiful though. Shining like a star. It is utterly perfect, the things the Romanticist dreamed off.
And then there is another image. One of a father standing up against forces he knew he'd never be able to win against. Love so strong he would sacrifice that fragile blossom of life.
We aren't like that. Blades and bullets and bombs can't hurt us. We aren't able to sacrifice ourselves for each other. The pinnacle of love-- laying down one's very life-- we can not achieve, never reach.
Had I been the one to protect Bella from the mortal dangers of the world it would mean nothing. Yet for Charlie... it meant everything.
And Carlisle is loathe to take that simple beauty away, to end it with one fatal bite.
Carlisle leaned over Charlie's body and sunk his teeth into Charlie's neck.
Holy shit it's over :dies: That means this is you very last chance to comment! I hope you had as much fun as I did, or else you know. I'll have to hurt you.
