Third Person's Point of View
Somewhere – About 1 year later
His whole body was quaking with fear, his arms, legs, fingers, toes.
He had never felt fear quite like this.
It wasn't the kind you felt getting onto a roller coaster, or as you prepared yourself for cliff diving.
It was white hot terror, coursing through his veins like fire.
It was the fear of knowing, knowing that in mere moments he was going to die.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are." She sang.
His eyes slammed shut, his body curling in on itself.
The chilling cold of marble seeped through his shirt, and he tried desperately to calm his harsh breathing.
"You can run, but you can't hide."
Fog swirled around his ankles and he looked at the gravestone across from him.
It read, 'Grayson and Miranda Gilbert'.
He didn't know them, didn't know who they were, how they had come to lie here under the earth in an early grave according to the dates on the tombstone.
They'd died on the same day, probably an accident of some kind.
In that moment though, he felt some kind of a connection.
He was going to die on the ground above their bodies, how could he not feel something?
There was silence, and slowly he sat up.
With a gulp he peered around the gravestone he had been pressed against, his knuckles were white he had his fists clenched so hard.
Nothing.
She was gone, disappeared.
Slowly, hesitantly, he stood up.
He looked back to where she had stood, just for a moment.
It seemed like hours he had been sitting there, believing he was going to die, and just like that she was gone.
He turned.
Her eyes were dark against her olive toned skin, her long hair in gentle waves down to her lower back.
But what were most noticeable were the thin red veins that had branched up beneath her eyes, writhing as her red-rimmed eyes flicked up and down over his figure.
Her teeth.
As she smiled at him, she revealed what could only be fangs.
He only had a second to scream before she sunk them into his throat.
Bella's Point of View
Hawaii – About 1 year later
I couldn't have imagined a better day, being warmed by the rays of the early morning sun and being fanned by the lazy sway of palm trees.
Smiling slightly I stretched my body like a cat before sitting up, peeling back the side of my white bikini top to check my tan line.
Satisfied I stood up, squishing my toes in the sand as I made my way towards the ocean.
I could hear Jade and Nate stomping around the beach house, their bickering breaking through the moment of peaceful calm I had come to love.
Rubbing my temples I stepped into the incredibly clear water, the warm foam lapping at my ankles.
"We have to tell her!" Jade growled, stomping one sandal-clad foot.
I tucked a hair behind my ear, eyebrows furrowing.
Were they talking about me?
"Why? This is probably the best year she has ever had since I've known her, why are you so eager to ruin it?" Nate barked.
I listened with bated breath as they stomped around the house, anger and tension so abundant you could practically smell it.
"He is her brother, Nate! He needs her help! What if something happened and he died, and she found out that we never told her he asked for her help. She would blame herself forever!"
I balked, which of my brothers had asked for my help?
Abandoning all hope of a peaceful day on the beach I marched away from the water and grabbed my towel, flashing up to the house.
"I'll go! Just-" Nate broke off as he sensed me in the doorway, his shoulders sagging. "Bella, I…"
I glared, tossing my towel on the back of the couch beside me.
Sand spilled along the hardwood floors behind me as I strode up to him, the top of my head barely meeting his chin.
"What's this I hear about secrets?" I demanded, hands on hips.
"Damon called. He needs your help in Mystic Falls. A lot of… stuff happened since you left." Jade murmured from her position on the velvet purple Moroccan chaise, wringing her wrists nervously.
"Such as…" I prompted.
She looked away, biting her lip.
I knew then that whatever it was, it was serious.
Lip biting for Jade was like ugly snotty crying for normal people, in other words it meant nothing good.
"Anna's dead."
I started, feeling as if someone had stuck a stake through my stomach.
My hands gripped Nate's arm and he lowered me onto the couch, my knees too shaky to support me.
Jade instantly came to my side, smoothing my hair and cooing soft words and promising that it was in no way my fault.
Flashback
"I'm leaving. The Cullen's found me and I… I can't face them just yet."
Anna nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she smiled slightly.
"Well I'm glad you're telling me this time. Better than waking up to a compelled human leaving the message for me."
I giggled, "I thought it was pretty creative."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to miss you Bella. I wish you'd stay."
"I know but…" I trailed off, rubbing at my arms.
"I get it." She hugged me, her arms tightening around me as we embraced.
"Come with me." I pulled away smiling, my hands gripping the tops of her shoulders in excitement.
She frowned, shaking her head gently. "I can't…"
"Oh come on, it'll be just like old times! We can go to New York, Paris, terrorize the French again! You know how much you loved it the last time!" I laughed, bouncing on the balls of my feet.
"Bella, I love Jeremy. I can't go." She murmured, tugging away from my tightening grip.
I sobered, nodding. "Right, no. I understand. Sorry."
She hugged me again. "I'm sorry. But listen, we're going to be seeing each other again real soon okay? You're going to help me when I turn Jeremy."
I stepped back, slightly shocked. "You're planning on turning him?"
"Of course. Didn't you hear me? I love him, Bells. He's the one for me."
She said it with such utter conviction, her face the perfect expression of true love that I had to smile.
"Okay Anna. It's a deal. Love you."
We exchanged one last lingering hug, our promise hovering in the air.
End Flashback
"How?"
"There was an invention by John Gilbert, Pearl had given it to Damon before she was killed. He believed it to be de-spelled by a witch friend of Elena's, and it was given to the present John Gilbert as a part of some deal. It wasn't actually de-spelled." Jade sighed. "Are you sure-"
"How Jade?"
"The invention set off a frequency that affected only vampires, John had them rounded up and thrown into the basement of the old apothecary Pearl ran. He set it on fire, but staked Anna first. Damon barely got out."
There was utter silence, my chest heaving as I dropped my head into my hands.
"Stefan?"
"He's okay. Elena and Alaric got him away from the crowd. It happened on Founder's Day."
I snapped my eyes shut, shaking my head.
That had only been a few days after I'd left.
If only I had stayed longer… "This is my fault."
They were quiet, and Nate sat beside me.
I sniffed, rubbing my hands over my face before pulling myself together.
"What's wrong? Why does he need my help now?"
They exchanged a loaded glance, neither speaking.
From there they relayed everything that had happened in Mystic Falls since I had been gone.
Katherine, the werewolves, the new vampires, the originals, the sacrifice, Damon's werewolf bite, Stefan's ripper status, and finally Elena's kidnapping.
"Klaus has her, he needs your help." Jade's hand rubbed my back, up and down.
I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing a single tear to roll down to my chin.
"Let's go."
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