I groaned. "Edward, you have no idea how unco i am! I will trip and kill myself!"

Edward smiled a secret smile, holding out a hand and lifting me onto his back. I suddenly felt seven years old again. "Don't worry, silly! I won't fall!"

And then we were flying. The wind whipped through my hair, almost pulling the lips back from my teeth and jolting my head backwards. I screamed, but it was lost to the fierce wind.

We stopped. We were in a dark part of the forest; the wind didn't each us there. It simply whispered through the trees in a musical fashion, like a chorus of choir singers warming up their voices. It was the ultimate picture of serenity. I felt like going to sleep right there. Suddenly, I heard a sharp intake of breath behind me, shattering the moment of peace. I turned swiftly round. Edwards face was tight, fearful, his eyes glaring in the dark.

"Edward?"

"I have to go for help! Stay here."

"What is it?"

"Vampire." He spat, baring his teeth. "There's no time. Don't fear. I will be at the house and back before he has time to do anything to you."

"No, Edward!" I panicked. "How can you expect me to stay here when a vampire is coming for me? You're probably not the only one who can run fast! Oh, help!" I moaned, covering my face.

"That's exactly what I intend to get, if you will let me go!" Edward said, his velvet voice high with panic.

"Please...let me come, too."

"He would follow us!" Edward shouted. "We're wasting time. Please...stay here. For me."

"Edward-" I started to say, but he was gone. I sank to the ground, overcome by fear for a brief moment. Then I stood straight back up, the scaredness now a small part of the adrenaline burning inside me, compelled by fear. Let the vampire come. Edward had promised.

And then I saw the figure, creeping, crouched and lethal in the dark, and i felt the strong urge to scream again. As the figure stepped into my focus, I almost completely lost my senses. This vampire was more beautiful than Edward himself. This vampire had flowing red hair down to his shoulders, skin as white as snow, huge eyes and full lips. The only problem with the eyes, however, is that they were a dull, bloody crimson.

The vampire hissed. "Mouth watering, simply mouth watering....so thirsty...too long..."

He seemed to be making no sense at all. Maybe he was too thirsty for my blood to see reason. But still, I had to try.

"Everyone will know it was you who has done this if you kill me!" My voice shook pathetically. I was making no sense either. Who would believe vampires existed, and even if they did, why would they have any reason to think it was this vampire?

And then the vampire spoke, in hoarse, rough tones that scared the hell out of me.

"Enough lies, human girl!" He hissed in his horrible voice. And then he groaned again, and his voice was even rougher. "Too thirsty...wait no longer..."

And with a dreadful battle scream, he launched himself at me, knocking me to the ground. I screamed and covered my eyes as the bloodthirsty demon of a vampire bared his inch long fangs and descended towards my throat. Was this the end? I wondered how it would feel to die...quick and painless, slow and torturous, or just plain "Ouch"? Just when I was starting to like myself, too. Completely unfair and ironic.

All of a sudden, the fangs inching their way towards my neck stopped abruptly. The mouth they belonged to twisted into a defensive snarl. There was an answering snarl behind me. Trying to draw as little attention to myself as possible, I turned my head to see the voice coming from behind me.

"Do not move, Bella!" A silken voice commanded. Edward Cullen, the love of my life, most attractive boy in my school, and super old vampire, to boot. I felt relief. Nothing could beat Edward. Except maybe another vampire.

I didn't have the strength to form myself into a cheering squad before Edward threw himself at the other vampire, snarling like a feral animal. The other vampire lashed out as he was cornered, striking with claw like hands. Edward didn't give him a chance to grab hold of him. His eyes black with fury, he seized the other vampire and, with the strength of his arms alone, began tearing him to shreds. I couldn't bear to watch. I turned my face away from the agonised screams and snarls behind me.

After what seemed like an hour, but was probably only a few minutes, all was silent. I figured it was safe to turn round again, but I did so warily. I hated the smell and sight of blood. What I saw definitely didn't make my stomach heave and churn. There was no blood, nothing at all, but a bundle of vampire clothes and Edward, still as a statue. I felt an immense rush of gratitude towards him, and finally found the strength to get to my feet. I brushed my clothes down and started walking towards him. I threw my arms around him from behind. I murmured in his ear,

"You, Edward Cullen, are the sole most amazing person in existence!"

His voice came then, hoarse and low. "Get...away...from me...Bella!"

"What?" I was confused. I was allowed to thank him, wasn't I? Why did he save my life if he didn't want gratitude?

He turned to me then, and I caught a glimpse of myself in his deep black eyes. I realised, with a wildly thumping heart, that I had blood streaked across my face. Don't let it be my blood! I prayed silently. My prayer went unanswered. As I looked up at Edward, his face changed. He was more devastatingly beautiful than I had ever seen him before, but his eyes were wild. And they weren't black anymore, either. They were a dark, blood red.

"EDWARD, NO!" I screamed as he launched himself towards me, insatiable bloodlust in his dark red eyes. I raised an arm to defend myself, and I felt a searing pain as something razor sharp lashed across it. Almost instantly, a terrible, burning pain filed me from head to toe. Struggling to focus through the haze of pain, I heard some voice screaming in agony, and with dull shock, realised my own screams. All went black..