Hello beautiful people,

Sorry, it took me a while to get this one up. My life recently got terribly busy – but it's finally come to a slow-down temporarily! So, I hope I didn't leave all of you hanging too long! Enjoy this and let me know what you think! Oh, and thank you so much Joy – you're a tremendous help!

Love,

Chels

--------------------------------------Edward&Bella--------------------------------------

I felt the tingling sensation on my palms and on my bare shins and knees. The pile of brush that I had fallen into had ripped my jeans open in numerous places, revealing the extent of my injuries. No, they weren't bad – but they were definitely enough to draw blood – which meant that it was definitely enough to lure a vampire right to me. That was not a good thing, not at all.

The aroma of salt and rust in the air was overwhelming to me—I could only imagine what it would do to a blood-hungry vampire. I started to inhale and exhale through my mouth, plugging my nose in hopes of blocking the smell.

My body soon began to tremble as fear—yet again—overtook over me. I wiped as much of the dirt as I could out of the shallow scrapes that were on my elbows and knee's – but I didn't bother to touch the deepest cut that was on my leg that was oozing the most blood, leaving a trail every time I moved my position or flinched.

I gazed upon my surroundings, trying to identify of the area I was in, but all I could see were trees for miles and miles – or so it seemed, anyway. I felt like there was nowhere for me to go.

I gathered as much strength as I could to pick myself up off of the hard ground that was infested with many sharp and pointy objects – objects that would be very easy for me to hurt myself on, especially considering my clumsiness. I used a nearby tree for support, just so I could get my bearings straight. Since I had no idea where I was, I picked a general direction and tried to stay on as straight of a line as I could.

I ran as fast as my human body would allow my tired legs to go. My body screamed in pain at every step. I wanted to stop and rest but I had to keep moving—not that it mattered if I were being followed by a vampire, I would be easy picking's even at my full strength—which wasn't much to begin with. I bit down on my lip and willed myself to keep going. I stopped briefly to look behind me. I don't know how long I had been running—an hour could have been 30 minutes in all reality. I was getting deeper into the darkness of the woods- there was no trace of civilization anywhere in sight, not even a break in the trees. What I wouldn't do for a set of vampire eye's right about now.

I needed to find a clearing of some sort, somewhere out in the open where I wouldn't be as vulnerable—at least out in the open, I could see somewhat, thanks to the moonlight. I was exhausted, panting deeply—gasping for air. I had to stop—I had no more strength left. My legs quivered and my hands shook. It was freezing cold, I was fairly certain my lips were blue. I sat on a flat-topped boulder to reexamine my leg. It was still bleeding profusely—the sight and smell of it was making me light headed. I tore the bottom of my cotton shirt and wrapped the strip around my exposed leg, covering the wound the best I could. Hopefully it would help—at least it would prevent the smell from permeating…somewhat. – not that it would stop a vampire from smelling it one bit.

I laid back on the cold rock and closed my eyes for a split second. I thought about yelling Edward's name out loud. Maybe he would hear me—but at the same time, maybe it would get the attention of the wrong vampire. My body sank further into the rock and my eyes were getting heavier. I was snapped out of my stupor when I heard rustling in the bushes to my left. I shot up to a seated position---scared out of my mind.

"Who is it? Who's there? Show yourself!" I screamed and picked up a sharp rock—a useless weapon against ruthless killers.

Whoever it was, was now behind me, I did a quick about-face – and winced in pain. "I said show yourself! If you want to kill me—why wait?"

Out from the darkness of the trees walked a beautiful, dark-haired man – vampire, I should say. "Calm yourself, young one. I have no intentions of killing you – just yet." He flashed me a devious, eerie smile, "My name is Wesley. I'm so pleased to finally meet you. You see, I've been waiting for this moment for quite a while. It's not very easy tracking you down with your boy-toy constantly at your side. It's a good thing I finished him off so quickly or it may have been more difficult for me to get to you – well, actually he wouldn't be able to see anything going on anyway. It must feel so horrible to be blind from your senses and powers all of a sudden. You become so helpless, fragile, incoherent.-"

"I cut him off mid-sentence. What do you mean 'finished him off?' If you did anything to Edward, I'll-"

"You'll do what?" He smiled maniacally. Relax, dear child. What's it going to matter anyway? You'll soon be coming with me no matter what happens, regardless if he's alive or dead. And you know the funny thing? No one will even be able to see or hear where I've taken you – know what else, dear?"

I shook my head, looking into his malicious and devious eyes.

"I am just like you Isabella." He sauntered around me, circling back and forth repetitively.

"It's Bella-" I corrected him, starting to get frustrated with the mind-game that he was trying to thrust upon me. It wasn't going to work. "…And you are nothing like me. Not one bit! I am not some vulgar monster like you!"

Before I knew it, he had me in a death grip. His cold hand wrapped around my neck, holding my body up to the tree that was behind me. I yelped in pain – flailing my legs underneath me, searching desperately for the ground. I knew by this point that I had to be turning purply-blue from the lack of oxygen—his grip was like a vice. The more I struggled, the tighter his grip became. I was desperate for breath. "You're quite brave—for a human…standing up to one that is far more powerful than you. It's such a shame that your precious, little Edward didn't turn you into one of us already – you would be a hundred times more beneficial if you were. You see, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted…you're a shield, very similar to me and that's the reason you're going to come back to Volterra. We can teach you great things, you just have to cooperate. How's that sound?" He asked me, slightly releasing his firm grasp around my neck, allowing me to breathe a bit better.

"I'd rather die than go with you!" I choked out with as much strength I could muster. My determination and confidence probably sounded pathetic – but I was trying my hardest to sound powerful – even though there was little I could do.

"Have it your way then, we could always kill you." He stifled a laugh, bringing his lips closely to my ear. "I'll give you one more chance to reconsider." I could now feel his icy breath against my skin – which caused chills to run throughout my entire body. I trembled – not knowing what to do. My mind raced, but I was too dumbfounded to think. Edward couldn't hear Wesley's thoughts, and that was even if he was alive at the moment. I didn't even know. - Which caused me to go into an even bigger panic mode. Alice couldn't see me and Jasper couldn't detect my fearful emotions – I was helpless, alone. I was ensnared in his trap and web of deceit and selfishness to devour me and use me for their benefit. My rebelliousness definitely wasn't working either; he was becoming more irate by the minute. My hope of getting out of this one was becoming infinitesimal. Come on Edward! Where are you? It was beginning to rain. "Well, what's it going to be?" He released his grip and I dropped to the ground. I massaged my throat and gasped at the wet, chilly night air as the rain came down in big crocodile droplets. The dirt that was on my legs from my previous fall was now turning to mud, making my cuts sting even more than they were already. "Isabella…dear…we don't have all evening."

"Never. I will never join your sadistic army."

He sighed unnecessarily and his shoulders slumped sarcastically, "Very well. Have it your way." His hand was back around my throat in less than a second. I punched and kicked but it only caused me more pain. Wesley brought his mouth to the crook of my neck and bit down—hard.

I screamed—it was more painful than anything I had ever experienced in my life. A fire spread through my body instantly- coursing throughout every possible inch. All I could do was scream or make whatever noise that was possible for me to let out. I didn't even know – I was too wrapped up in the agony I was undergoing. Wesley released me and I dropped to the ground, again. I laid on the wet earth writhing in pain. Blood gushed from the crescent on my neck. I closed my eyes and thought of Edward.

My mind raced with the happy memories of Edward and I. I pictured the first time we danced, the first time we kissed, the first night he stayed over – well the first time that I knew about. He had stayed the night many times without my recollection. I longed for his cool touch on my warm skin – I wanted his fingers to caress and elongate my cheeks, down to my waist. I wanted to hear his melodic voice soothing in my ear – I wanted him, I needed him. I wanted to see his beautiful and perfectly sculpted face, feel the gentle touch of his lips on mine. I wanted the cool feeling of his lips on the place where Wesley bit me to put the fire out. Oh, the burn was so intense. Unlike anything I'd ever felt in my life. This pain far surpassed anything – it felt like someone was putting a cigar out on me over and over again. I just wanted the pain to stop and I wanted Edward – let me rephrase that: I needed Edward.

"What have you done?!" Edward's voice screamed. Maybe I was just hallucinating. I opened my eyes and through my blurred vision I saw his face – the face of my angel – my protector. The man I loved – he was here. I would've tried to reach out for him – to hug him, but I couldn't move.

"How did you find me?" Wesley screamed back. He crouched over my body. I was somehow able to flip over onto my stomach, turning my face towards the place where Edward stood – but after doing so, it exhausted me.

"We have your tracker, Demetri." Emmett and Jasper emerged from the woods; the vampire I could only assume was Demetri between them

"Demetri! What is this betrayal?" Wesley shouted at him with rage seething throughout his body. "This was not supposed to happen!"

"They have my Chelsea!" They were going to kill her…unless I brought them to you!"

Out of the other shadows from behind them emerged Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Rosalie and the rest of Tanya's family – each one of them held a member of the Volturi.

"We'll make it an even trade, Wesley. You give us Bella and we'll give you your family." Carlisle offered as Chelsea was locked in his embrace

."Carlisle, we've got 30 seconds left if we want to save Bella from changing – we have to suck out the venom!" Alice informed him. That was my confirmation – I was bitten. I didn't want to become a vampire if it wasn't from Edward's venom though. I winced in pain as I felt it coursing throughout new areas of my body.

"What's it going to be?" Carlisle asked sternly, the panic could be heard in his voice though. It was as clear as day – even coming from delusional me, I could tell.

"20 seconds, Carlisle!"

Carlisle lit a lighter next to Chelsea's face, "I'll do it, Wesley. I will."

He exchanged looks back and forth from Demetri to me, as if he were contemplating his next move.

"We've only got 10 more seconds." Her voice cried out, pleadingly.

"I'll take me chances," he smiled and with that, my body shut down. The only thing I was alert of was the excruciating pain I was left to be in.

"We're too late – she's gone." Her heartbroken voice echoed and that was the last thing I heard.

Okay! So how was that?? I hope you like it! Reviews are appreciated and adored!

Big kiss,

Chels