Chapter 11-

A Nightmare from Hell

My hunt was a nightmare. The kind that, as a human, would have left me screaming, and enduring sleepless nights for weeks.

It had started innocently enough at first. I was nervous of course, but I was also excited in a strange way. I saw it as taking another step closer into Edward's world.

We had decided to go alone. A decision I regret most deeply now. Perhaps, if another Cullen had accompanied us, things would have ended differently… But no. I mustn't think like that. What's done is done, and I can't change the past. Perhaps Stephanie could for me, but that's out of my hands. If she hadn't already turned the time back, then there must have been a reason for this.

Had she known such a thing would happen? I sincerely hoped not, because if she did- I would never be able to trust her again.

Edward had led me out far in the forest. I wasn't sure where we had ended up; it had been so much fun just running at first, that we hadn't really noticed our path. I think we were around the Canadian border, but again I can't tell for sure. I don't think Edward knew either.

After much goofing around and teasing each other, Edward announced that we should get started, if we ever wanted to get home.

He had told me to stand still, close my eyes, and trust my instincts. So I did.

I used my newly enhanced sense of smell to track down a herd of deer. They had smelled most unappetizing, but I told myself to get over it and try my best.

I was only mid-way tracking the herd when everything changed, and the previously fun hunt had taken a horrid twist.

All it took was a scent. The most delicious and mouth watering scent in the world. I could feel the pull to the scent- it was tempting, and taunting- teasing me. I wanted it. No, I NEEDED it- like a human would need air to breathe.

It caused the mild burn in my throat to turn from small and steady, to an all-compassing, raging fire. It consumed me entirely.

I immediately broke off from my tracks; the unappetizing scent of the deer didn't hold a candle to this new one. If anything, it smelled even worse now in comparison. I began running, faster than I had ever run before, towards the new scent.

My mind was all but a hazy fog of pure need at that point. I couldn't think straight. All I knew was that I had to get to the scent. Nothing else mattered.

I was too far off to even care where Edward was. My beloved mate, I didn't give him a second thought. Only that scent was on my mind, clouding any voice of reason.

The closer I got, the more potent the smell became. The more potent the smell became, the faster I would run and the closer I would get. It was a never-ending circle that could only be stopped by finding the tantalizing scent.

Eventually, I reached the scent. The chase couldn't go on forever, and I was fast, desperate to reach my destination.

In the middle of a clearing in the woods, stood a human. Of course. Any question as to what the source of the scent was, had immediately vanished the moment I saw her.

I didn't question myself for a moment. In that haze of need, the one thing I knew in absolute certainty was that I was a preditor and she was my prey. Drinking her blood was the most obvious thing in the world. Why doubt it? She was food and I was hungry. End of story.

A hundredth of a second upon seeing her, my mouth was already upon her throat. I began drinking from her immediately, as having her so close to me, and doing anything but that, was an impossibility.

The sweet, warm blood was gushing in my mouth, and I was drinking fast- unable to get enough.

I didn't get to enjoy her for very long though. Only two seconds after biting her, something began pulling me away. I tried to fight it. But it was hard since I was unwilling to let her go.

Why wouldn't the unknown force leave me alone? Couldn't it see that this blood was mine? Couldn't it find its own?

A mere second later, it had succeed in its task, and managed to pry away the girl from me. I immediately spun, and crouched in a defensive position. MINE.

It was Edward. This fact helped reduce the haze in my brain only barely. I was still prepared to fight him. In my mind, he was trying to steal my blood. Mine.

"Stop breathing, Bella!" He yelled desperately at me. It was just that desperation in his voice that made me obey.

Once I did, my mind cleared marginally. Without that tempting scent, I suddenly had a will of my own. It was hard, but I managed to think of what was happening instead of remembering the taste of the blood in my mouth…

I recalled what I had done, and was shocked by my own actions. I never thought this would have happened. I remembered that in the book, I had managed to stop myself before it was too late. Everything was going differently now.

How could I have let this happen? I had left my guard down. I hadn't been careful, since I had thought I had nothing to worry about. If anything, I had believed I would be impressing Edward now, with my ability of self restraint that had been praised so highly in the book.

I knew Stephanie had changed the ending, but to what extent? I had thought she had meant only the result of the confrontation, but now I was beginning to doubt that assessment. Or perhaps, was it my knowledge of the future that had made it change? Could it be that in my confidence of myself –because of the books- I had become over confident and left myself open to failure?

Well it was too late now. I looked at myself and saw blood splattered all over the pretty dress Alice had put me in. I was a monster, and I had killed a human.

But no, something was out of place. Because there was still a heart beat and a moment later, there was also a scream. A scream of pain. I hadn't killed her- she was changing.

I knew the horror I was feeling was clear on my face. Edward approached me, now that he saw the reason return in my eyes.

He held me tightly and reassured me, "It'll be alright, it's not your fault. Nobody was supposed to be here. I should've checked…" I cut him off.

"No. Don't take this on yourself. It is my fault and I will deal with the consequences."

He fixed me in a firm tone, "We'll deal with it together."

I nodded at him, and stepped out of his embrace. It was time to deal with the consequences. I needed to see the person who I had damned to this life, in my haze of selfish need.

I turned around, and gasped. Because I knew the girl who was writhing and screaming in pain on the forest floor.

.

.

.

It was Liz.

A/N- And the plot thickens! Don't worry- everything happens for a reason. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'd love to hear your opinion! Next chapter there's going to be something a little special, so trust me when I say- You want the excerpt!

AS ALWAYS, I'LL BE SENDING AN EXCERPT TO ALL REVIEWERS!