Author's note- Read the A/N at the bottom. its really important :) ENJOY.
Disclaimer.
BPOV
I stared aimlessly into the dull sky above me. My head refused to quiet and I felt bad about torturing Jasper with my unreliable changes in mood. I had escaped to here. Not that I knew where here was, but it didn't really matter. I just needed to be alone with my thoughts. This solitude didn't last long, but I didn't mind the interruption. Edward stood at the edge of the clearing, relieved to have finally located me.
I smiled a bit and squeezed his hand as he lay next to me but did not break my gaze with the sky. Perhaps the answer would simply fall from the universe and hopefully hit me directly in the head. If only everything could be solved that way.
It was easy to determine that the Volturi weren't going to let me escape scathe-free. Not after having me so close to their claws and then snatched away, it had been too great a temptation. Surely not even the murder, I flinched at the word, of Lindy could satisfy their yearning now. It wasn't right for me to endanger the Cullens with my presence here.
I refused to wait for the Volturi to come crashing down upon us…all of us. It was my burden to bear, my score to settle, my talent they wished to witness. And possess. I instinctively tightened my grip on Edward's hand. He gave it a tight squeeze in return.
I could feel his worried eyes peering at me, but I refused to meet his face. My resolve would crumble too easily, especially if affected by Edward. It was so hard to do the right thing, to leave my family in order to protect them from my own assailants. But I owed this to them, they loved me; they had given me everything I had ever asked for and several thousand dollars' worth of unwanted gifts more.
I flinched as I heard the swift collapse of a snow peak on a far away mountain top.
"Avalanche," Edward said quietly, stroking the side of my cheek. I gladly pressed my face against it, turning to push my lips to his palm. "A large mass of snow detaching from a mountain slope and sliding or falling suddenly downward," I chuckled softly into his neck.
"Thanks. But I didn't need the definition," my laughter was refined. My mouth fell into a grimace as I really considered the statement. A mass…me. Detached from a mountain slope…distancing myself from the Cullens, to keep them safe, to surrender myself. They had been my mountain, always there, always protecting. And now it was my turn to protect them. Sliding or falling suddenly downward…to hell after the Volturi killed me for running away? Into the service of the guard if they decided to keep me?
I realized the paranoia plaguing my mind. Honestly, relating the definition of an avalanche to my life? It was far-fetched. But I still couldn't suppress the shudder that ran through me.
Edward stood brusquely yanking me up by the hand.
"We have to get back," he proclaimed, I felt the panic thrust up in my throat at the look in his eyes. The typically warm gold was flat and dull with panic.
"What's wr-" I was quickly interrupted.
"Now, Bella!" Edward snarled and he was then a mere blur ahead through the trees.
We ran fast, even for vampires. I nearly collided with at least a dozen trees on our way back to the house. The wind whipped at my hair and rubbed my cheeks raw. I could feel my heart, although dead, swelling with fear. What could have upset him so badly? But once we got within two miles of the property's boundaries I discovered exactly why we had been flying through the forest.
The thick smoke looked like a smudge across the sky. I could smell the ashes in the typically clean air. A strangled sob broke from my chest. I propelled myself forward faster, fleeing towards the mess of charcoal and smog.
There was an urgent thud in my chest. Not a heartbeat, but a solid pulsing of dread. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not after I had just decided to keep my family safe. It was obvious that I was too late. A brutal heat crashed behind my eyes. As a human it would have brought tears. But not now.
Alice, Esme, Emmett, Carlisle, Jasper, Rose.
Alice, Esme, Emmett, Carlisle, Jasper, Rose.
Alice, Esme, Emmett, Carlisle, Jasper, Rose.
I ran through the list in my head. The one thing that creates, and ironically is able to destroy a vampire is fire. The wave of heat blistered against my eyes once more.
They had to be alright. I couldn't face the plunge of misery in my middle at the thought of their deaths. It was too hideous to consider.
EPOV
I flew over the ruins of the house, combing the remains to assure that none of my family had been caught…or forced to remain inside of the house. The Volturi were still after Bella. But I would protect her. She was mine now, irrevocably, entirely, forever.
And then a hair-raising scream pierced through the thick smoke. A kind that sent a shooting alarm up my spine and made my heart crumple in terror. I instantly appeared next to Bella's collapsed and trembling figure.
"Bella. Bella. Bella! Isabella!" She refused to open her eyes and she had shoved her fist into her agape mouth. I followed her widened stare and my attention was drawn to something that was still consumed in flames, its sickly sweet smell impossible to forget.
It couldn't be. I winced as the flames licked at the body's face. The flowing brown hair and bound limbs were enough to supply her identity. But the murderers had left an engraved stone as well.
Lindy Daly died in your place, Isabella Cullen. But the debt is far from paid. Keep yourself safe, we'll expect you to be in prime shape when we return for you.
Watch your step; you wouldn't want to watch anyone else simmer to death due to your behavior, would you? And next time we'll be sure to hit a little closer to home.
The fury that exploded beneath my skin made my limbs shake painfully. I heaved Bella off of the ground as she wailed into my chest, tucked the large flat stone into my pocket, and ran towards the place I knew my family would be.
Author's note- I hope you liked it! Leave me a review and let me know!
Also, we are at a Fork in the road when it comes to the plot. and i am having an impossible time deciding. sooo i would like everyone's opinions on what they think, would like, or believe should or will happen. that way i'll have opinions of the readers to go over while in the process of making the choice.
If you don't really have anything to anticipate or add to the poll then simply leave some love. Thanks guys! Kap.