Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or The Phantom of the Opera, nor am I claiming to. I do not own any of the characters in this story, either.
The diamond seemed to glow brightly in the ball room light, it shimmering as if mocking me. When I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of an engagement ring just like that -- something people would notice, and I had gotten my dream. But now I wished for anything but that.
The people around us were silent, and I felt like screaming at the phantom. Why did he have to make such a big scene? Sure, people might believe me now about the phantom, but I did not want the attention that would come from this. I lowered my eyes towards the floor, trying to think of some way to get out of this situation.
"It's a... a... necklace. With my mother's engagement ring. She gave it to me since it pained her too much to wear it. My father has passed away." What a terrible lie. I could tell by the way his eyes narrowed he was positive I was lying. It was almost as if he had watched Jacob Black offer me it and how I accepted it.
My eyes widened in realization and I took a step backwards, nearly tripping over my own feet as I stumbled backwards. He had watched us, I realized. While I thought it was impossible for someone to be able to hide on the roof, it seems he had found a way. I could feel my eyes tearing up, and with one last glance towards his furious expression, I turned around and bolted.
I was surprised when I didn't hear his footsteps running after me, just Jake's heavy ones. I could tell the difference between them instantly. While Jake was clumsy, Edward was more graceful then I had ever thought humanly possible. I glanced behind me and saw Edward wasn't there, but I didn't pause in my running.
I ran straight to my room, slamming the door shut behind me. I grabbed my cloak and tossed it on, turning around and crashing straight into Jake. He was looming over me, his expression worried. He grabbed me by the tops of my arms and pulled me into a hug, his grip tighter then I knew was possible for him. He was muttering things under his breath, but I couldn't tell what.
He took no note of my cloak, that I could tell.
"Please, Jake," I muttered. "I need some time to myself. Just to think about things." He opened his mouth to protest but I raised my hand up, bringing my finger to his lips to silence him. "Please. Things are... complicated now, for lack of better words, as I'm sure you can tell. I need some time to think about everything."
His expression was pleading. "Can't I just stay in this room with you? I won't say anything. I'll be really quiet and just let you think, but I'd feel better if you were near me and I could see you." I instantly felt bad, knowing I couldn't agree to that reasonable favor.
"I'm sorry, Jake," I muttered. "I really just need some time to myself. I'll be okay, don't worry."
His eyes narrowed. "I can't be sure of that, Bella. This man... no, thing is not human. He--,"
"Jake!" I whined loudly, knowing I would have to go the extreme to get him to leave. "Remember how you wouldn't trust me that the phantom existed?" I saw his guilty expression and instantly felt bad, but I had to do this. "Well now you need to trust me, okay? If you don't trust me, I can't trust you."
I could see him debating this silently in his mind, trying to decide whether or not to trust me like he hadn't done before or protect me. I crossed my fingers behind my back, hoping he'd understand and leave. I couldn't stay here any longer, not when it put everyone I cared for in danger.
"I'm sorry, Bella," he whispered. "I just can't do that. Not when your life is in danger." I shook my head, backing away from him. Tears welled up in my eyes once more as the image of Jake laying bloody and dead appeared in my mind. They slipped down my cheeks and I shook my head again, turning away from him. He reached his hand out to gently touch my shoulder, but I cringed away from his touch. "Bella, please--,"
"Don't," I harshly snapped, not turning around to face him.
"You have to understand. I just don't want--"
I laughed coldly, turning around to face him. "You just don't want what, Jake? Me to get captured once more?" I tried to stop the guilt from showing on my face, knowing I would have to go to the extremes to get him to leave me alone. "That man is inhuman. You can't protect me, Jake. Don't you understand? You're doing me no good!"
I could see the hurt and realization on his face and I closed my eyes to avoid his hurt gaze, crossing my arms over my chest. "Just go, Jake," I whispered. "You are doing me no good by trying to protect me. If anything, you're just annoying me to no end." I nearly winced with guilt.
I waited until I heard my door open and slam shut before opening my eyes. Jake was gone, but there was no doubt in my mind he would be back later to do what little he could to protect me. That's what I loved about him, and it was knowing that which inspired me to continue with my plan.
I wrapped my cloak tightly out the door, rushing out towards the coachman.
"Hello," I said politely to the coachman waiting out there. He took those that lived in the opera where they wanted to go and also drove them back. I would visit my father's grave and then tell the coachman to go back. I would walk until I could hitch a ride off of someone else. I was not sure where I would go, especially when I couldn't bring anything with me in case the phantom was watching. I did not want to make him suspicious.
The coachman grunted in response, not saying anything. "To the graveyard," I told him, climbing in. He started the horses at a trot, directing them towards it. I leaned back against the comfortable seats, wondering if this would be the last time I ever sat in them, or if my mother's tears or pride and happiness would be my last memory of her.
It took a few minutes to arrive there, but I wished the trip had taken longer. I wanted to treasure my memories here. I didn't know if I would ever be able to return -- perhaps once I was old and ugly and had trouble speaking. Perhaps then he would show no interest in me.
I climbed down from the seat, thanking the coachman with a nod.
"You may go. I shall walk back," I told the man. He nodded and started up the horses, trotting away. I walked past all of the graves, a shiver creeping up my spine. The wind blew gently around me, tossing my hair around in a taunting way. I wrapped the cloak tighter around myself.
When I found my father's grave I kneeled down into the snow, the wetness immediately slipping through my dress.
"Father," I whispered. "So much has happened. I am scared, father. I need you now more then ever." I closed my eyes, my fingers digging into the snow. "I wish you were here. You would know what to do."
Isabella.
My eyes flew open when I heard that whisper and I looked around, my breath quickening. Surely I was imagining things! I looked around once more, and not seeing anything, I sighed.
Isabella.
The whisper was repeated, and this time I stood up, grabbing my dress with my hands tightly with my hands in anticipation. I warned myself silently not to get excited, but that whisper sounded so familiar. It sounded like my father.
Come, Isabella.
And I automatically stood, rushing towards the voice.
"Father?" I called out, trying to find where the voice came from.
Indeed.
I raced over to a small cabin that was near the graveyard where I found the voice was coming from. I opened the cabin door slowly, peaking my head inside the small, dark room. I couldn't make out any form, but I continued to search with my eyes for something I wouldn't be able to see.
"Father?" I whispered, looking around the room. No one responded. With a sigh, I shut the door gently. I did not dare venture inside, not knowing what could be inside. I must of been mistaken when I thought the voice came from here, because my father would never lead me on like that.
I turned around, only to bump straight into Edward. With a shriek, I took a step backwards, only to collide with the door behind me. I whirled around, my dress floating out and hitting him in the legs as I did so. I yanked on the handle, trying to get the door to open, but it wouldn't budge.
I screamed when his cold, hard hand snaked around my wrist, yanking me backwards.
"Let me go!" I screamed, trying to tug my hand away. I slipped and fell to the ground, soaking my dress completely. He continued to hold my wrist above my head, his face expressionless. I dug my feet into the ground and pushed against it, trying to place enough force in it to yank my hand free.
I didn't budge.
"Please, let me go!" I continued to scream, slipping several times and falling back down onto my bottom. He watched me struggle for a moment, tears sliding down my face once more. "You promised me! My week is not yet over!" I was screaming these words out, trying to attract some attention so someone would come and save me. From what I could see, no one was coming.
"I have many talents," he finally spoke, a hint of a smile on his face. "Mimicking voices is one of them." He laughed, but it was not a laugh of happiness. In fact, if anything, he seemed upset. I continued to cry and scream, tugging at my wrist in desperation. I would give almost anything to get him to let me go.
"You're a fiend!" I screamed, hoping to get a reaction out of him. I wanted to some pain on his features, not the smile I knew he was hiding. "A monster! I hate you!" I shrieked, but he said nothing. However, now he was frowning, which I figured I'd better be grateful for. He should suffer.
Eventually I gave up on struggling and just continued to sit on the ground, crying. The tears were practically warm against my frozen cheeks, goose bumps rising up and down my arms. Perhaps this situation would not be so terrifying if he did not stare at me with those gleaming red eyes of his. I cringed away from the site of them, turning my face away.
He sighed, bending down to scoop me up into his arms. I didn't protest -- what could I say? He had ignored everything I had said before. I highly doubted he would start listening to me now. Water and snow dripped from my dress when he scooped me up, hitting the ground softly.
I was dead weight in his arms, not allowing myself to get comfortable around him. I don't think he noticed, however, as he continued to walk without even sparing me a glance.
"You promised me a week," I whispered meekly. He glanced down towards me.
"I can't risk in that week," he began flatly, "you marry Jacob Black, or that you try and run away as I know you were planning on doing now. That is why you did not let Jacob Black accompany you here." At those words I started to cry once more, knowing he had been watching everything I had been doing. I placed my face into my hands, sobbing.
"You're a terrible person," I sobbed out between my tears. He continued to walk, although I hardly felt the movement due to how swiftly and quietly it was. It was his gentle moving that lulled me into sleep.
When I awoke, it was to the dark room I had been in before. I was on the same bed as before as well, and with a groan of realization, I remembered what exactly had happened. I was not sure if I would be able to convince him to let me go once again. I hoped I would be able to.
"Good morning." It was his voice that greeted me. I sat up in the bed, holding myself up right with my hands.
"I want to go home."
A candle was lit, alighting the entire room. He lit a few more, keeping his back towards me.
"You can't." If I didn't know any better, I'd say his voice was sympathizing.
"Please?" I begged, but surprisingly, no tears fell. It was almost as if I was accepting the inevitable. I snapped myself out of that, knowing I had to continue to fight this man.
"No."
"Please?" I hesitated before continuing to speak. "I-I'll visit you often, if you'd like. I just... we'd just only have to be friends." I sounded ridiculous, but I didn't know what else to say. He was smiling now.
"I think you already know what my response is to that, Bella." He chuckled, shaking his head slightly in amusement. I let out a groan and tossed myself back onto the bed, burying my face into the pillow.
"I hate you," I reminded him.
"I know, and I am sorry for this, Bella. I didn't want to have to take you back early." He actually did sound sorry, but that was not good enough for me.
"Then let me go home!" I screamed into the pillow. I could hear him sigh loudly.
"I can't."
"You can, you just won't."
"Well... yes."
"Please? I won't try to run away again. I promise. Just trust me." And it was true; I wouldn't try to run away. It would do me no good. He could easily catch me.
"No, Isabella. I am sorry, but my answer remains the same." I scoffed at his words, bringing my face up from my pillow. I stood up from the bed, walking slowly towards him. He still had his back towards me, so I placed my hands on his back, leaning my head against his back. I felt him stiffen, which made me smile slightly. I had a new plan in mind.
"Hmm, it's not fair," I muttered, making sure he was listening. He turned around, his expression confused and slightly suspicious. I placed my hands on his chest, looking up at him adoringly. I tried to do that smoldering thing he did with my eyes, but it couldn't have nearly of had the same affect. Regardless, he seemed quite fascinated. I smiled.
"What's not fair, Bella?" he asked. I could hear the suspicion lingering in his voice.
"The fact I do not even have a few days left with my mother. I shall miss her terribly." I sighed. "I would not mind being with you, you know. I mean, you are good looking, you are kind to me and," I gestured towards the entire room, "you spoil me so. It's quite sweet. However, I think I would be much happier if I had the chance to say goodbye to my mother."
He raised his eye-brow, watching me as I put my hands down from his chest, walking away from him slowly. I kept my back to him now so he couldn't see me.
"It truly is terrible," I said, dropping down onto the bed. I kept my eyes averted downwards so he couldn't see them and so I look sadder. I crossed my legs.
"Indeed," he agreed. I frowned, trying to repress the fury I felt. Indeed? Indeed? Is that all he could say about my sufferings? It was almost as if he knew I was faking it. But he had no way of telling.
My head whipped up as I looked at him, my own suspicions growing. He was smiling, but not in the 'she likes me' type of way, but he was smiling the way where he was amused. "You know," he drawled, his smile growing. "You are quite cunning. If it weren't for the fact I could hear your heart thumping at an extreme rate, I'd of believed you." He chuckled.
I gasped in horror, clutching at my chest with my hand. He could hear it? That was impossible!
"That's impossible," I breathed out. He laughed.
"Oh, is it?" he asked, slowly taking steps closer towards me. I backed up on the bed.
"It is!" I shrieked out, holding my arms out in front of me as if to stop his advance.
"I don't think so. Right now, your little heart is beating quite fast. You're afraid," he noted.
"Thank you, captain obvious!" I snapped out, then covered my mouth with my hand. He laughed.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he reminded me. Was that suppose to comfort me?
"I don't believe you."
"Have I hurt you yet?" he asked, spreading his arms out in exasperation.
"No, but that doesn't mean you won't hurt me later," I told him. "This could all be some incredibly sick joke for yourself since you're bored. I mean," I gestured around the room, "I would be bored, cramped up in here, too. Why don't you go, um... explore the world and find yourself some nice, pretty lady?" I asked. He laughed dryly and without humor.
"I already have," he reminded me once more.
"A nice, pretty, willing lady," I exaggerated on the word 'willing'. He sighed.
"Please, Bella, don't make this any harder then it has to be," he practically begged.
"Too late," I snapped, bringing my knees up to my chest. I wrapped my arms around them. "You've already accomplished that." I brought my face down and buried it into my knees, trying to dream this nightmare away. And while that may be impossible, after everything I witnessed the past couple of days, I had to wonder if the word impossible really even existed.
Authors Note: Thanks so much for all of the reviews! I was so happy! Can we try for thirty reviews this chapter? Thanks again! I'll update ASAP.
A quick note: Yes, Edward is OOC. That's because he is based off of the phantom of the opera -- obviously, he'll be different. Along with Bella, she is based off of Christine. This goes for all of the characters. They are all based off of someone from the play/movie.