My breathing came short. Flames flickered and cast eerie shadows over the ground. It was silent except for the crackling and popping of flames, horribly similar to the sound of bones breaking. The sharp tang of copper was in the air, smothering the smell of smoke. It coiled through my nostrils and around throat choking me, causing me to cough hindered my escape.

My feet scrabbled over the ground, slipping in crimson puddles trying to run. Chilling laughter shattered the near silence. One streak of color crossed my vision. I didn't know where it was- where it would attack me next.

The twisted game of cat and mouse began again. The mouse scurried off, splashing through red pools with the cat laughing and following leisurely, toying with its prey.

I began to run again, always running, never knowing where it was, never able to see what part of me was going next until it was struck. The insane cackling crept up on me again. I bolted to the shadows, hoping the darkness would bring safety and ward off the fear and horror and pain.

My white pelt was stained scarlet as I bared my teeth at the enemy. No matter who I called out to, no matter how loud, no one ever came to save me. I was at the brink of death; my fate crept closer with ever passing second. No one could save me now.

Where is the pack! I thought furiously. I can't fight this battle alone! Then it was behind me. I turned slowly to look straight into blood red eyes. Her hair the color of flames her skin as pale and as cold as snow- yet at hard as a rock.

Victoria.

One hand was behind her back, a malicious smile cracked on her face. "Where is your boyfriend?" she spat in my face. "When will he be here to save the day?" She sneered. I took a wild strike towards her, exhaustion flooded my system. I couldn't fight now. Not while I was already wounded beyond repair.

**Flashback

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Seth asked, pity clear on his face after I woke about an hour later. I growled giving him a step forward. He backed up both his hands in the air. "Sorry…" he whispered.

I leaped into the woods, as far away from civilization as possible. Jake's voice still pounded in my head trying to convince me that it wasn't his fault. I ignored him as best as I could but it's not easy to ignore a voice in your head. After hours of trying to convince me he finally gave up and left me. Now I was all alone- just the way I wanted it. I was so far away from the pack that I couldn't smell any of their markings anywhere near me.

I must have been somewhere that the pack hadn't explored. I let my heart go and overwhelming pain took me again. I cried out for no one in particular hoping that this never-ending agony would stop.

Suddenly I jumped back hearing a crash. I spun in circles looking for where the noise came from. A huge tree tumbled over towards me after it had hit the ground a figure leaped onto the roots that were now protruding out of the ground. I recognized her instantly. She sauntered over to me gracefully and looked dead into my brown eyes.

"Hello, Isabella."

**End flashback

Victoria revealed the item she held behind her back- but not to my eyes, to my body. Whatever it was it sent a coursing electrical shock through my body. It didn't hurt at all…until she removed it. The electricity bounced back through my body to my brain causing me to howl in pain.

"Do you like that?" She asked venomously, "What did that howl mean? Do you want me to turn it higher?" She inquired like a sweet child. I whimpered and backed away from her. She pondered for a moment.

"I'll take that as a yes!" She giggled, spinning a knob on the device she held. I tried to run once more but she was in front of me in an instant, the device crackling in her hand. She touched it lightly to my shoulder and I felt it flow to my toes and back to my brain. I screamed in pain unable to move. Victoria spun the knob again and touched it to me lightly. There was a streak of russet in front of me and Victoria was gone.

I waited impatiently for the shock to reach my brain; my howl of pain caused a cloud of birds to leave the surrounding trees. Hands touched a large gash on my left side. I snapped at them and my eyes rolled to the back of my head.