I know, I know, I'm a terrible person.

I realize that it's been over two months since I posted that author's note saying I was back, and that I haven't added a real update to this story since April. I know all this- but, if I had to explain everything that prevented me from finishing and putting up this update, it would be longer than the actual chapter. I also realize that it's not very long, but I didn't want to write anything extremely long and expend a bunch of effort and then discover that people have stopped reading this story altogether. So, I have written this little snippet to see if I still have your attention. IF the response to this chapter is good, then I will continue the story. If not, well... I don't know. This isn't meant to be taken as a threat, I just don't want to keep writing if no one is interested.

Again, really sorry! I hope you like this!

Edward's lips moved against mine with more force and passion than I had ever felt before. For a moment, I let my control fall away, taking with it the last of my sanity. I was embracing the illusion.

My fingers went up and tangled in his hair, pulling his face even closer to mine. His arms wrapped around me, lifting me off the floor. I was pressed against the wall, and he was still kissing me. I eventually had to break away to catch my breath, but as soon as I inhaled once, his mouth was back on mine. Even as all of these long-lost sensations began sweeping through me, I still had one part of my mind that was being rational. Edward's never kissed me like this, it thought.

The recollection brought forth a realization that made me go still. I could feel Edward's confusion as he pulled back an inch. When he saw the tears falling down my cheeks, his confusion turned to pain.

"Bella, what is it? What's wrong?" he asked frantically.

For a moment, I was unable to speak. The hope I had let myself feel as he was kissing me came crashing down, shattering in pieces on the floor as I tried to regain my voice. Finally, I pulled myself together, putting what I hoped was a calm, tranquil expression on my face. "I was right. You aren't real." I withdrew my hands from his hair, and set them on his chest, pushing with almost no force at all.

Edward's eyes went blank, and he staggered back as though I had shoved him. His hands yanked at his hair, and he dropped to his knees. "What have I done? What have I done?" he moaned in utter torment.

I didn't go to him this time. I just slid down the wall, coming to a sitting position. This was both the best and worse illusion I'd ever experienced. Wonderful, because Edward was here. Horrible, because I had to watch him go through such pain. When will I be able to move on?

I didn't realize I'd said this out loud until Edward's eyes were again on my face. The lifeless expression in them seemed to fade. Suddenly, they lit up again. "If I can't prove that I'm really here, at least I can prove that you're really alive."

I crossed my arms and eyed him dubiously. "Just how do you plan on doing that?"

His lips turned up in a tiny smile. "I'll show you. First, why don't we change your bandage?"

I looked down at my long-forgotten arm and gasped. The white bandage was completely drenched with red. As I focused on this, the familiar, sickening smell of rust filled my nose. I had to look away quickly before I became sick.

"How are you able to stand it, Edward?" I asked. He had come up to me with a first-aid kit, and was now removing my dirty bandage and replacing it with a clean one. He looked up at me curiously as he worked.

"What are you talking about, Bella?"

"The real Edward would be going crazy right about now. He'd either be trying to get as far away as possible, or... he'd be finishing me off."

The imaginary Edward in front of me flinched, then slowly raised his head to look at me. I saw anguish and, more importantly, incredulity in his eyes. "Is that what you really think?"

Before he gave me time to answer, he kept speaking. "Bella, when I brought you here, the scent of your blood was the last thing on my mind. I was more concerned with saving your life. My love for you exceeds any bloodlust I have. You have to believe that."

I scoffed. "Yes, your love for me must be pretty powerful. I mean, you only broke my heart. You only told me that the love you claim to have for me didn't exist anymore. Of course I believe you." My voice was dripping heavily in bitterness and sarcasm. The other, even darker side of my personality from the past few months was making its way to the surface. The mockingly derisive side. The side that had caused people to stop feeling sorry for me and think of me as a complete bitch.

Edward's eyes widened. I could tell that he hadn't expected anything like this.

I laughed once, a hard, cruel sound. "Surprised, Edward? Well, I can't say that's very original. I would expect even my imaginary Edward to be shocked at what I've become. What can I say? I've been only a shell of a person for months now. Whatever soul I had, you took it with you."

His eyes tightened at my last comment, and I knew I'd hit a nerve. Edward had always made a point of trying to protect my soul. In the very few conversations we'd had about me becoming a vampire, he repeatedly told me he wouldn't allow it for that very reason.

He got up then, and I realized that he'd finished changing my bandage. He walked out the door, probably going somewhere to dispose of the soiled one, and was back before I had time to even consider counting to one.

He wordlessly held out his hand. I stared at it, hard, not sure if I wanted to take it. After a moment, I decided I could use some help, seeing as I could only put pressure on one arm. I both reluctantly and eagerly grasped his cold hand, and he pulled me up. As soon as I was on my feet, I let go quickly. The skin on my hand tingled.

"Lead the way," I said, motioning with my good arm. I kept my eyes on his feet, my head bent.

A cold finger tilted my chin up, and golden eyes were boring down into mine. "Bella, in order to do this, to show you... I'm going to have to carry you."

My heart, which had begun to speed up at the contact with his skin, stopped for a moment. Edward froze, and we both waited for it to start back up. When the steady rhythm was again audible, he visibly relaxed.

"You have no idea how afraid I am of that sound," he told me. "Or, rather, the lack of one. I've feared it ever since the day I met you."

I shivered involuntarily, remembering that day, and the way his piercing glare had seemed to burn holes into my skin. Pure, unadulterated hatred- that was what I'd seen, and what I believed he felt for me now. At least, I had believed it before all these hallucinations- which were becoming more real by the moment- began.

"Well?" Edward asked, breaking me out of my confused reverie. After another moment, I nodded. He reached for me, being especially careful. I thought he was going to put me on his back, but he held me cradled in his arms. He walked out of his room, down the staircase, and into the foyer, holding my gaze the entire time. The pounding of my heart and the faint sounds of our breathing seemed deafening in the silent house.

When he reached the front door, he paused. His stare became intense, his eyes boring down into my own. They seemed to reach into my soul. He then leaned down and kissed my forehead very gently. His lips lingered on my skin, and the sensation sent a shiver down my spine. After a moment, he pulled away, and then carefully swung me onto his back.

Before I could figure out what had been behind that look, we were off. The trees were a blur as I flew at lightning speed through the forest. I didn't spend much time watching them, though- my focus was on Edward.

He was a majestic sight to behold: head tilted forward, bronze hair blowing, an exhilarated expression on his beautiful face. The most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

We ran for about another minute before he stopped. I found that we had come to the entrance of the ever-familiar forest path. However, we were far back enough so that we would not be visible from my house.

I gasped in shock at the sight that met my eyes.

Yes, I'm also sorry for the cliffy, but I thought that it might help re-ignite (is that a word?) your interest. Review to tell me how you liked this chapter and if you want me to go on with the story! :)

~DiamondSkin