Note: I know I told you that this chapter would be out soon, and I didn't lie. If you haven't realized it yet, I like messing with people. Anyways, this chapter is really interesting, and it explains a few questions you might have about how Bella knew what was going on. So enjoy...


Alyse's POV:

My first coherent feeling was pain. It startled me for a moment, because it has been a long time since something has actually done enough damage to me to hurt. I opened my eyes slightly. All I could see was the dim forest. The scent of werewolf swirled around me, and I realized it would be best if they still believed I was out cold.

Staying almost completely still, I studied my position through half closed eyes. I was bound tightly to a pole by thick chains. Normally, I would have no trouble breaking them, especially since I just fed, but my wound had weakened me. Anyhow, even if I did get loose it wasn't like I would get far.

What could I possibly do? I had left nothing to give any evidence of where I was going. No one, vampires or humans, knew my location, or even that I was in danger at all. I resisted the urge to grind my teeth in frustration, keeping the calm glazed look of someone who is unconscious.

If only Alice's gift worked on me, then she could have a vision….

In a split second, I knew exactly what I had to do; and I silently cursed myself for not thinking of it before. Just because her gift didn't work on me, didn't mean my gift wouldn't work on her…

I had to be careful though, and not give away that I was conscious. It wouldn't be easy, and it might weaken me even further. But it was worth the risk. Trying was infinitely better than waiting around for the mutts to realize that I was pretending.

Closing my eyes all of the way, I sought for Alice's consciousness. I filtered out the feel of the minds of the wolves and a few people in my path. Though I remained with my eyes shut, I knew that precious time was passing. Trying to find a person's mind without being able to see them or having skin to skin contact is very difficult, especially if I wasn't used to that person's consciousness.

That was my gift. Being able to feel peoples' minds, and project words and images into them. But it was harder over long distances, and it made it more difficult still that I was already weak.

Finally I felt the tendril of Alice's mind. I couldn't read her thoughts; I only had a sense that it was her. I forced myself to remain frozen as I clung to the feel of her mind. This wasn't going to be easy.

I projected the thoughts of me being attacked by werewolves, me being bound tightly to the post. I tried to communicate a sense of location and exactly what happened, but I knew chances are that wouldn't get through. The further away I was from a person, the more obscure the things I could send them became. Alice may only receive part of the message, she may only even see flashes. But that was better than nothing.

Now that I had time to reflect, I wished I hadn't done some of the things I did. Edward and his family deserved some of my words, but they were harsh, even to my standards; and I'm not a wishy-washy kind of person.

If only Bella was here. I have been with her for more than seven decades. I am so well adapted to her mind that I would be able to send her a clear message. Even as I thought this, I realized that chasing after pointless thoughts like these would only depress me further. How could have I been so stupid to forget the dangers???

No, you are not going to spend what may be the last few hours of your existence being mad at yourself.

I knew it was a futile effort, Bella was likely thousands of miles away, but I searched for her anyhow. It was a difficult and time consuming process, but it was better than dwelling.

I almost gasped aloud as I sensed my mother's mind. Why was she here? Did she know about Edward? I knew that had I still been human, my heart would have been racing. It took every ounce of my self-control to act like I was still knocked out.

I clung to Bella's consciousness, and realized with dread how weak I was. Now that I finally had someone I could communicate with, I might me too weak to do it. But there was no time for doubts anymore.

I put every bit of my strength into relaying to her consciousness about what had happened. Edward and his family. I hated myself for telling my mother this way that I had met my father and the man who had so brutally hurt her. It tortured me to know how hurt she would be, maybe angry, maybe sad. But I needed to give her the entire picture…

Me yelling, running. Being attacked, and being held captive. My head slumped forward as my mental train broke off. I hadn't managed to tell her where I was. Panic seeped into my veins, and I made myself relax again. There might still be time enough to regain strength to tell her my location.

I didn't know how much time had passed as I stood there, not breathing, standing perfectly still. But I knew each passing minute shortened my existence; and I knew with each passing hour that I still wasn't strong enough…

I sharpened my attention as I heard two werewolves conversing in low voices.

"How long has it been?"

"I don't know, five or six hours? It's starting to get lighter now."

"Hmphff. How long will it take her to come around? She's only good to help give practice to the young pack members if she's conscious. Any wolf could kill a vampire that's out cold."

"Yes. It should be very soon. There's no way she can be out of it for much longer…"

Their rough guttural voices slowly faded as they moved away. I felt hyper, panicked. I couldn't pretend for much longer, werewolves may be dumb, but even they're not that idiotic.

An hour or so later, I heard voices approaching. Now was the time. I still wasn't revived enough, strong enough to give Bella a clear message. But it was now or never. Really, never.

I concentrated as hard as I could, and frantically put every ounce of my diminished strength into telling Bella. I gasped with exhaustion.

Burning hands roughly pulled me from my position and threw me to the ground, hard. I winced and moaned as if I was still out cold.

"Get up," a sneering voice commanded. "You're pretending, we know."

I realized in and instant my charade was over. I snapped my eyes open and made out a dark shape towering over me against the iron sky. "Took you long enough," I snapped venomously.

A foot swung into my side, and if I had been human it would have snapped ribs. I sprung up, and almost collapsed as a wave of dizziness hit me. I remembered far too late that my power didn't only drain me mentally, but also physically.

I was tightly encircled by a group of ten werewolves; four or five of them wore excited expressions. Those must be the new ones. The rest regarded me disgustedly, one of them even managed to look bored.

Five of the mutts backed off, and the remaining ones advanced. I was almost ill as the full stench of their scent pummeled into me with all of the force of a physical blow.

"Time for a little training," the one who spoke before called. They were going to hunt me.

I couldn't outrun them, and in my weakened condition I didn't have a chance against killing some of the filthy mutts; even if they were young. I looked into the brashly excited yet scared eyes of one of the werewolves.

Why did they hate me anyways? That was the way things had always been, we judged and killed each other, without giving either side a chance.

Kind of like what I did to Edward and his family. It's funny how the things you've done seem so childish and insignificant before you die.

I backed up a few steps as they advanced. I was sad now. So very sad. And I remembered what I had told Edward just a few hours ago.

Sometimes it's too late.

I realized miserably that now, if ever, was one of those times.

I closed my eyes slightly before opening them and crouching, a snarl emanating from my lips. I would be destroyed, but not by surrendering. I came to this decision, and then world seemed to slow. Words echoed through my mind.


How's that for a tragic end of the chapter? Please review, because it seems like no one is anymore because they have realized how fast I update, but don't push it. I won't tell you when the next section is coming out, but I also won't say soon, hopefully... So please tell me what you think. (I do expect the next chapter to come out on time)