Here we are, chapter twelve. Perhaps the hardest one to have written to date. This is a long read, my apologies.
A colossal thank you to my editors, snowcoveredroses and ol2bob.
I'm feeling very discouraged by the lack of reviews, which makes me believe no one is really reading this anymore and writing this is a of no consequence. Please, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! Pretty please?
Music: good question. I'm thinking something very... tedious, like the piano of New Born - Muse. But to be safe, the theme from the film Requiem for a Dream. Very powerful, I recommend it.
"Mother"
EDWARD'S PERSPECTIVE.
Very peacefully, the days continued.
My family observed my happiness throughout this period, smiling and laughing with me. I had known no greater joy—outside of Bella, of course—than the time I spent with Atticus and Sophie, my two angels. They stirred regions of my heart that I thought only Bella was able to move, and then some more distant areas that belong only in the hands of children.
Sophie, with her beautiful wide eyes, would gaze at me from the bench as I played songs for her on the piano. Out of the corner of my eye, I would watch her delicate fingers hover over the ivories, tempted to play alongside me.
"Daddy," her voice had chimed one afternoon. "Will you teach me to play the piano?"
Happily, I obliged, and she crawled onto my lap. It was a simple melody that came from my heart, as new to me as it was to her. Steadily, she committed each note to her heart, playing fluidly. She looked up at me, and said, "What is this song called?"
"This is my song for you, Sophie," I whispered.
She faced me, and flung her small, soft arms around my neck. "Oh, thank you! When I go to Heaven, I will play it for Elizabeth! She'll love it!"
And Atticus found his boyish playtime with Emmett, Jasper, and me in games that weren't a threat to his fragility. Bella sat by with Alice and Rosalie, watching with amusement, laughing with her sisters. She was particularly on edge, however, watching our every controlled move, despite my reassurances that Atticus was safe from harm.
I wondered, very vaguely, almost fleetingly, if any harm was to come to our family. The Volturi were due to check on Bella's mortality (or lack of), though I wasn't worried about them. This new threat was completely unknown to any of us. I had tried to ask Sophie and Atticus about Cecil and the Wretched, but they had told us everything they knew about them. Though the days went on without incident (even in Bella's case), there was no word from my mother, and I was becoming rather… anxious, to put it mildly.
Seeing Bella in the role of a mother was foreign to me, needless to say. I found myself wishing I could join the dinner table with my small family as they ate her dinner. For the first time in my immortality, I wanted to fall asleep with Bella after kissing them goodnight. I felt foreign knowing I didn't have a heartbeat for my children to listen to when they were cuddled in my arms. So desperately, I wanted to play with them without feeling as if I would hurt them.
"Edward," Bella whispered from the bed, curled up for sleep. "Stop worrying. You're their father and they love you, regardless."
Inserting a CD, I sighed heavily. She was right, but a small part of me yearned for those human qualities. For once, I almost understood Rosalie's wish to join the human race.
I lifted the comforter, and slipped under, drawing closer to Bella. She draped her arms around my neck, nuzzling her head into my chest. Her scent, always so fulfilling, struck me strongly, easing me into submission. I pulled her closer to me, gliding my nose along her jaw and neck. Under me, she shivered and sighed. And she says I dazzle her. Hardly the case.
"We're going to be safe, right?" She whispered sleepily.
I kissed her forehead. How could she possibly doubt her safety with me? "Of course. No one will harm you or Sophie or Atticus."
"Promise?"
"Yes, love."
And with that, she was asleep, her breathing even and deep.
No, no one would hurt my Bella again. No dog named Jacob. No witch named Victoria. No demon named Cecil. Having a family—having Bella—was reason enough to protect and cherish every person I loved.
With me, there was nothing to be afraid of.
--
That next morning, the children woke up before Bella, begging Emmett and Jasper to come out in the yard and play in the rain with them. Jasper, leaned against the door with a subtle smile, found me in the bedroom with a sleeping Bella.
"She's dreaming happy dreams, Edward," he whispered, a soft laugh tinting his voice. "You can come downstairs with us for a moment."
I watched her, fascinated by her sleeping form, twisted in the sheets, her thoughts silent and rested. She sighed, breathing my name in the faintest tone.
"See?" Jasper said. "She'll wake up soon and find us all downstairs. Nothing will happen to her while you're away."
This was true. Nothing happened to her.
The front yard was foggy with rain dripping through the trees. Rumbles of thunder crossed our paths, preceded by illuminating bursts of lightning. Yet Sophie and Atticus didn't mind. It became gloriously clear to me that my cold body didn't affect them, nor were they in danger of catching a cold from the rainy weather they loved to play in so dearly.
"Emmett, it's your turn to count!"
"Aw, come on, Sophie, I always have to count…"
She giggled, clutching my hand. "You're too big to be able to hide anywhere without someone finding you first!"
"Is that so, little miss?" Emmett playfully growled, hunkering down like a bear. She jumped back, and then giggled. "I bet I could lift you and your brother and hide you some place real high where not even tall ol' Jasper could get you down from!"
Sophie let out a little scream, and then laughed from behind me again. Too bad Rose can't have any kids of her own, Emmett thought, his sad grin lopsided. I'd like to think I'd be pretty good with one.
"Let's just start the game!" Atticus cried. "I don't want Em to get us…"
We dispersed as Emmett hid his face in a broad tree, diligently counting to the designated number twenty. I heard him cry, "Aha!" and then Jasper mutter a profanity as they began to dart around the front yard, Emmett desperate to tag him. Sophie squealed when Emmett scooped her up in his thick arms from behind, swinging her around in circles. I was perched in my tree, checking for Emmett. It was so easy to get wrapped up in children's games…
"Got you, Edward!" Emmett shouted as he grabbed my heel, dragging me down on top of him. We laughed as we righted ourselves, brushing the mud from our knees and hands.
It's great to feel like a kid again, Emmett wistfully thought.
"Where's Atticus?" Sophie said, looking around the trees. Emmett shrugged, looking around the yard. "Atticus, where are you?"
There was no answer.
"Atticus, really! The game is over!"
Again, there was no answer.
"Alle, alle auch sind frei!" She shouted, her hands cupped around her mouth.
This time, a distinct scream rose up from the tree line, lost in fog. It was Atticus, clear and sharp. And his cry was not one of play or humor; it was of terror and panic.
Sophie looked at me, her beautiful eyes wide and frightened. Her mouth hung open, shaking as she tried to snap it shut. She darted past me, facing the forest. A deep growl of thunder shook the sky, a small whimper escaping Sophie. She glanced at me over her shoulder. "Daddy, I love you and tell momma that I love her, too," she looked back at the wall of fog. "But I have to save Atticus because something really bad is happening…"
And with that, she had disappeared, her small frame a smudge in the distant grey cloud of the forest.
"Where did she go?" Emmett shouted. He advanced in her direction. "Come on, we have to go get her!"
Dread swelled in my throat. Sophie and Atticus had vanished, gone into the dark forest.
"Jasper, would you please go tell Carlisle what happened?" I spoke, my voice strangled and rushed. "If you can, find Alice, Rosalie, and—"
"Edward, we're right here," I spun around and saw Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, and Alice rushing quickly from the house. Esme was the one who had spoken, her soft voice on edge. "Alice saw Sophie disappear into the forest."
I faced Alice, her eyes drilling the ground as she scanned through her visions for Atticus's exit. Nothing came. "Alice, are you sure you didn't see…?"
She nodded quickly. "Yes, Edward, and I'm so sorry…" she lifted her head, determination and worry on her dainty features. "We don't have time to lose. We'll split up and search the forest."
I nodded, my lips drawn taut, and watched as everyone, excluding Carlisle and myself, ran off into the fog. My father held my gaze, his thoughts a flurry of apologies, anger, and confusion. "Edward, what exactly happened?"
Slowly, I whispered the last ten minutes to him, interrupted only by the mumbling sky. Carlisle, ever so patient, listened with a grim and straight face. I was unspeakably furious at myself for letting the children run off. I should have been in tune to their thoughts, listening to where Atticus was and why Sophie had suspected danger. But, I realized, there was no indication of their thoughts—not even a mark of the missing ones. It was like they weren't even there…
I had lost Sophie and Atticus to danger.
That was the only thought I seemed to grasp.
--
BELLA'S PERSPECTIVE.
"No! Please! Let us go!" That was Sophie.
Atticus sobbed, hysterical and terrified.
A sick, bloody grin filled my mind's eyes. Black red blood caked the teeth, the corners of the mouth, the lips. Slowly, languidly, it spread to reveal the emptiness, and a deep, lulling laugh flooded my face, my ears, my senses, until—
I woke up, shaking and panting and sweating.
"It was just a dream…" I whispered, my head in my hands. "They're fine."
Edward wasn't in the room, which was to be expected at this time. It was nearly noon, and I was inwardly ashamed that I had slept in so late. In the window, rain and fog lucidly greeted me, hovering just beyond my warm sanctuary.
Fighting off sleep, I pulled on some jeans and a sweater. Sophie and Atticus either were already outside playing or would want to go outside to play. In any case, it would be cold and I did not like the cold.
I found my way through the house to the deserted living room. Daytime television was playing—probably Alice or Rosalie's doing. Esme and Carlisle were nowhere to be found, nor were Jasper, Emmett, or Edward. And Sophie and Atticus…
A roll of fear tumbled across my chest. I wasn't alone, was I?
Then, I heard Edward's raised voice from the front yard.
"Alice! No!"
"Edward, don't be like that!" Did Alice really just screech?
I let out a sigh of relief, making my way to the front door. At least we were all okay…
The Cullens were standing just in front of the porch stairs in a tight knot. I scanned them to find Atticus and Sophie, and I immediately felt that same fear rise up in me—they weren't there. The Cullens weren't at ease nor were they laughing. Something was wrong.
"Bella…" Alice said, cautiously watching me.
I didn't say anything, just studying their expressions. Rosalie was mildly upset and Esme had her arms crossed. Carlisle was rubbing his temples, Jasper's lips were pursed, and Emmett was shaking his head. And Edward was pacing back and forth, his face captured in distress.
"What's going on?" I choked out.
Everyone looked at one another, and then at Edward, waiting for his explanation. My heart thrummed impatiently in my chest as he looked at me, his brow creased and his eyes swimming with something beyond worry—was it panic? I shifted my weight to the other foot and looked at the wooden porch.
He was in front of me then, gripping my shoulders. When I looked up, his face was inches from my own, and his breath was sweet and dizzying. I closed my eyes, waiting. "Edward…?"
"Bella," he whispered. "I don't know how else to tell you this without it sounding wretched. I wish I knew how to say it without breaking both of our hearts. I really do, love—"
"Just tell me what has happened!" I cried. Dangerous tears stung the corners of eyes, which he quickly swept away with his fingertips.
The words, delayed by steady inhales and exhales, sat in a febrile silence, ardent with anticipation. Finally, he pursed his lips, closed his eyes, and whispered, "Atticus and Sophie are gone."
It was instantaneous, the blow that knocked me to my knees, crumpling me like a dried leaf. Something hollow gnawed at my insides, imploring my sadness to overflow my face. I heaved, shivering as Edward pulled me into his arms, sobbing, "I'm so sorry…"
I managed to gather my voice just enough for two words. "What happened?"
With startling patience, Edward told me about how they had been playing a game of hide and seek when Atticus disappeared. Sophie called and called for him, only to be greeted with a scream of terror, which led her running into the thick forest. The Cullens had searched the forest and the yard for the children, but they were gone.
They were gone, I repeated in my head.
I closed my eyes, listening to the thunder and the rain. Edward was unusually cold from the rain, his cloths soaked through and his white shirt splattered with dirt and leaves. He comforted me, at least…
And then the dream came back, fully fledged and painful. Sophie, small and delicate, was trapped in a filthy pit, bleeding and crying out for help. Her brother… I couldn't seem to find him, but the same demonic laugh swept me away, followed by her scream and sobbing…
"Bella, what's wrong?" Edward's voice, unwound and scared, broke through my thoughts.
I coughed, opening my eyes to see the Cullens crowded around me, knelt down. "I… I saw them… and heard them… They're in trouble, Edward…"
"What do you see?" Alice pressed.
"Sophie, she's in some pit, crying and bloody and everything. I don't see Atticus though," I closed my eyes, clinging to the images and sounds as they drifted from me. "And someone is laughing at them… they've got bloody teeth and this mean laugh," I paused, opening my eyes. "I had a dream about this right before I woke up. I thought it was just a nightmare, but…"
Edward exhaled steadily, calming himself. "Do you think it's… is it Cecil, Carlisle?"
"I'm not sure," Carlisle said quietly. "I don't know what his laugh is like or what he looks like. Though it sounds like his doing from what Sophie and Atticus told us."
"Oh, God…" I wept into Edward's shirt. "What are we supposed to do?"
Alice gasped sharply. I looked up at her, watching her expression twist into one of blankness and contemplation—one I knew all too well. After a moment, it passed and she relaxed. "Elizabeth will be here soon to help us," she breathed. "I see her arriving, but she doesn't know where the children are. She is willing to help us search, though…"
Edward, out of the corner of my eye, nodded and smiled slightly. "I believe that if anyone can find them, it's my mother."
Alice placed a cool, gentle hand on my elbow, smiling at me. "Come on, let's get you inside…"
We stood up to go into the house, away from the taunting forest that had stolen Sophie and Atticus. I looked over my shoulder before going on to see if any sign, anything at all, had come to help me.
And there, on the top step, was a neatly folded piece of parchment with my name beautifully inked across it.
Edward, still holding my hand, and Alice, still guiding my elbow, turned to me, and saw where I was looking. Dumbfounded, he hardly protested as I slipped my hand from his, creeping toward the paper. Shakily, I picked it up, examining it. The corners looked slightly singed and a musky scent of ash burnt my nose. I unfolded it slowly.
"Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest, controlled the seasons, performing the divine functions of nourishing the Earth, her daughter Persephone always by her side. One day Hades, God of the Underworld, saw Persephone and fell in love with her. Over time, he concocted a plan to kidnap her. One day, as the child played with her companions, he caused the ground to split underneath her. Persephone slipped beneath the Earth, and Hades stole her to the Underworld where he made her his wife.
"Consumed with rage and sorrow, Demeter abandoned her divine functions in order to look for Persephone. Upon discovering her daughter's whereabouts, Hades agreed to let her go only on the condition that Persephone spends just two-thirds of the year with her mother, and return to him for the other third of the year, to live as his bride, Queen of the Underworld…"
Inscribed at the bottom in dark red ink were the words, "If I were to change the names and the places, it would almost be your story, Bella." Below that was a flourishing signature. "Cecil, God of the Underworld."
"Love, what's wrong?" I jumped at Edward's voice behind me. He glanced at the parchment, and his eyes soon darkened in curiosity.
"What is that?" Alice asked before Edward was able to reach his voice.
I offered it to him, my mouth hanging open. There was nothing to say—or, at least, I couldn't find it. My thoughts, unreadable to Edward, thankfully, swam in a sea of something or another, but even that I didn't know. All I knew was that—
"Absolutely not," Edward said softly. As Alice snatched the letter from his hands, his eyes fell shut, his head moving slightly from side to side. When he opened them, they were as black as the bloody mouth in my dream, saturated in hatred. "There is absolutely no way in hell..." He turned to the house, away from me, crying out. "CARLISLE!"
I was gone before Carlisle came to Edward's mental rescue.
I had fallen into some deep collapsed reality where a small girl danced around me, laughing and singing with me, beating and kicking me…
--
It was very murky, the dream was.
There were tall, looming silhouettes balanced perfectly before me in the air. They were not on the ground, or the trees that stretched their tendrils towards me. They floated. It was a stiff sight reminiscent to hanged victims of horror movies.
Sophie screamed. Atticus wept. They were alive, thank God!
As I made my way to the direction of the cries—which were all around me, leaving me no sense of direction—the floating things (at least, that's what I presumed the voices to belong to) began chanting, uttering, praying.
"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven," Past them, I heard Sophie cry out in protest, but the voices held me. "Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," Something clanged, like a hollow bell trying to find a voice. Still, I stood, listening. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever," The words swelled, numbing and rocking me. "Amen."
The figures hovered momentarily, and then slowly came to the ground. A hand gripped my neck from behind, and a cool, suave voice—much like Edward's—fell upon my ear.
"To save your angel-children, Bella, you must stand just beyond the tree line at exactly three hours past midnight," Something liquid snapped in my ear—then I smelt the salty rust of blood. "Or they won't be the only ones to suffer."
"Bella? Love, wake up…"
My eyes opened, the dream still floating in my head like a dead leaf in a pond. I was in the bedroom, on the bed, with Edward leaned over me. The distress that lined his features was rooted deeper than worry for me; I quickly and painfully recalled the disappearance of our children… and the screams of Sophie and Atticus in my subconscious…
"I'm okay," I mumbled. "I just had a nightmare…"
A very realistic nightmare, might I add.
He gently pulled me into his arms. "I'm sorry. Are you alright?"
I nodded, trying to resurrect the nightmare's directions. "I'm okay," I repeated.
Had I said it too quickly? Was he going to question me about my dream? The beckon by the bodiless voice echoed in my mind…
Edward glanced at the green light glowing from the side table. "Do you realize what time it is?"
"No," I glanced at the clock, rubbing my eyes. "It's almost three?" I asked incredulously.
At exactly three hours past midnight…
"You really ought to get some sleep, love," he whispered. I noticed a new edge to his voice—weary and defeated, yet devising and insistent. Of course, their disappearance would have an effect like this on him—why would it not? I could only imagine what had happened while I was asleep in our bedroom. The planning, the anger, and the facts.
I cleared my throat. "Edward?"
"Hm?"
I looked up at him, and saw, for the first time, that he looked older. His beautiful, topaz eyes had diminished to a burnt, sun bleached gold. He had turned a sallow pale, as opposed to his beautiful fair complexion. I could tell he had been in the woods since, because his hair was disheveled and his clothes were ripped and dirtied.
I loved this man, torn and beaten.
"It… it's going to be all right," I whispered against his chest, kissing the spot of skin beneath his collarbone.
Edward closed his eyes, impossibly still. I couldn't feel his steady breathing, whether regular or irregular. He pressed his lips tightly together, but that didn't muffle the small choked sob that rattled his body. Quickly, he pulled me closer against him, gently shaking.
"Bella, I am so sorry," he said raggedly. "I am sorry I let that demon steal Sophie and Atticus. I am so sorry that Jacob hurt you. I am so sorry that this is happening to us, to our family!" He held me away, looking into my eyes. He quickly brushed the tears away. "Please, don't cry, love."
I attempted a smile, which I'm sure only looked like a crooked frown. "I'm trying not to."
Edward nodded. "Me, too," he lifted his eyes, the familiar look creeping back. "I want to be strong for you, Bella. I don't want anyone to hurt you."
"It's okay," I croaked. "Sophie and Atticus… we'll get them back, and everything will be fine," I stretched forward, kissing the corner of his mouth. "We just need to get a grip on the situation. Elizabeth will be here and she's going to help us."
His smile gingerly touched his eyes as he studied my face. "Of course," he murmured, kissing my hair. "Everything will be alright…"
I pressed myself closer to him, burying myself. For a moment, I wished that all reality beyond our bedroom was erased. Just Edward and I, alone and perfect for the rest of eternity. Outside it would always be that odd union of night and day—twilight, stretched towards forever. I could revel in his beauty—the glittering of his skin, the deep ocher of his eyes, the flawless porcelain of his body. That was my dreamland.
But a battalion of horror swept across my fantasy's horizon, blasting away my happiness, imprisoning my Edward. Dark, fog figures compromised the army—the cries were of my lost children—their battle cry, "Our Father, which art in Heaven…"
Edward lifted my chin, his lips gently touching mine. "Are you hungry, Bella?"
This is your chance, a voice whispered. This is your chance to save your children.
But I'm just acting on a dream! I countered.
It was so realistic, though, the voice continued, closing in on my reason. Cecil probably wants to free your children in your place. Isn't their release so much more valuable than your own happy independence?
I considered this. Edward was so worried about Sophie and Atticus—would he even exert the same energy to find me? What if this was the sacrifice I had to make? It wouldn't be the first time…
No, Edward would be devastated without me! My reason cried.
But they would find you, Instinct insisted. They always do. Things always work out in favor of an angel, especially you. What does that verse say? "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me."
I swallowed, nodding quickly. "Yes, I'm hungry." …In the forest at three A.M. I've got five minutes.
Edward smiled, kissing me on the mouth—for the last time? "I'll go hunt you something."
"No mountain lions, please."
He laughed heartily, gracefully lifting himself off the bed, striding towards the door. He gripped the door handle, but not before—"Edward?"
"Yes, love?"
I pushed my smile harder than I ever had—no one, not even Charlie and Jacob in my darker days, had witnessed this before. I inhaled deeply to keep my throat from closing, blinking my eyes to keep from crying. "I love you, no matter what happens."
"You mean the world to me, Bella," he whispered, opening the door. The light from the hall turned him into a silhouette, his beautiful bronze hair yet another halo around his head. "I love you, too."
And with that, he was gone.
This is my chance, my mind repeated like a mantra. I found a sheet of paper, and scrawled a note on it, just like I had done before I encountered James. The pen spat out ink as I wrote, my handwriting frightened and jittery. I felt myself crying, sobs trying to break through my lips, but I clapped a hand harshly over my mouth.
With the note folded and set on my pillow, I looked around the room, taking in my sanctuary, committing each part of it to my memory. So many memories floated around me, trying to anchor me down—the first time I met his family… nights spent in his arms… our compromise… my wedding night...
No. I had to save my children. They were not going to die.
Draped across his black leather couch was his grey pea coat. I seized it, pulling my arms through it; I had to have something of his to cling to, to hold when I missed him the most—whether in Hell or as I lay dying.
Without another look, I rushed down the stairs, listening for the Cullens. Emmett was laughing, as usual, followed by a smooth remark made by Edward. At the sound of his voice, I nearly collapsed on the stairs, but I kept going, I had to keep moving…
Unbeknownst to me, I was soon in the front yard, the misting rain dusting my body. I stood silently, waiting for the Cullens to ambush me, pulling me back inside—Edward demanding what I was doing, with Alice following close behind.
How could she not know what I was doing?
I made me way to the trees, my bare feet numb from the damp, cold ground. Blades of grass and fallen leaves clung to my ankles, each one a reminder of the hearts I was breaking…
Alice, who had lost her best friend…
Rosalie, who I was finally making amends with…
Emmett, who would always be my big brother…
Jasper, who looked out for me, whether I knew it or not…
Esme, whose heart sang at the sight of her happy son…
Carlisle, who stood by my side in each decision I made and each pitfall I stumbled into…
And Edward… God, I couldn't even think of him…
The black forest loomed only a yard away from me. I pulled the coat around me; if I let my imagination take control, it was almost like Edward was holding me in my arms… begging me to come back into the warm, safe home…
What a temptation! I thought as I shakily stepped into the woods.
The darkness inside the forest was like a steel curtain from the front yard of my family. I could see it through the bleary rain: the windows, golden with light, beckoned me, inviting me to curl up in Edward's arms, in love and secure…
What brought me back to reality wasn't my stringy hair, stuck to my cheek from the rain, or the mud that caked the bottom of my feet. It was the soft footsteps I heard in the forest, slowly coming towards me.
"Bella?" It was Edward, crying out from the house! My heart leapt, and I thought for one flicker in time that I wouldn't have to make this sacrifice!
A deep, throaty laugh followed shortly after his calling, closer to me. "Bella? Where are you, Bella?"
It was near. He was near.
"Isabella! Answer us!" Carlisle. Why had he said my full name?
I heard a branch snap to my right, and a smooth laugh echoed it. "Persephone, answer me!"
My fingers, slick and cold from the rain, curled into fists, my nails cutting into my palm. Distantly, I felt the blood leak out of my skin, taut as a canvas…
"Carlisle, I smell it! Her blood…!"
The musky scent of brimstone churned around me. I felt my breath slipping out of me, but I was unable to collect it back in my lungs. A strange voice came out of my throat, though I knew it was mine… "Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…"
Sophie's scream echoed in my head…
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."
Far away, a bizarre, frightening keening cry lifted to the stars. My children!
Tears, if there were truly any left, crept out of my eyes. "Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors…"
The Cullens, frantically arguing, sounded a million miles away… Please, save me.
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever."
A hand reached out to me, gripping my arm with a striking pressure. I scream escaped my mouth, but not before another hot, strong hand clamped over my mouth. It was desperate and pathetic, my cry was. But they had to have heard it—they had to have! And they would save me, I knew it. Edward would save me, they all would…
"Oh, Bella," the suave voice from my nightmare sang. "You didn't finish your prayer…"
I whimpered, disgusted with myself.
"What's the last word?" Cecil demanded, his numbing breath hitting my ear. "Say it for your children, Bella."
"Where are you?" My heart broke as he cried out for me…
Cecil spun me around to face him, but I couldn't look. "Say it for your Edward, Bella!" He demanded. "Let them know where you are! Let them know who you're with!"
I choke back the vomit that was pooling in my throat. "Amen…"
"No, say it louder, Bella!"
"Amen—!" My voice was haggard—shattered—desperate—pathetic.
"I heard her!" Edward cried. "Over here!"
Cecil clutched me to him, his thick scent of fire overpowering me. The images that were trying to form in my mind—
(Edward was tearing through the forest, crying out for me as Carlisle held a broken Esme on the porch. Rosalie stared in disgust at the forest as Emmett and Jasper tore after Edward, leaving Alice alone, absently staring at the sky…)
—were vanquished by the heated smell of Cecil. My eyes, wide and swollen, began to still as my mind drifted into some lost haze, indifferent to the cries and despondent to the man stealing me, taking me to my angel-children…
I was just trying to be a good mother, was all I could manage to think.
"Alle, alle auch sind frei" - Do you remember when you would yell "Olly olly oxen free!" after a game when you were little? Yeah, that's it! It's derived from the German phrase that means, "Everyone, everyone also is free!" You can look it up on Wikipedia for more info.
I would apologize for the suspenseful ending of this chapter, but I won't! Instead, sit tight for the next chapter.
If I get reviews, however, I will feel the need to write quickly. :D
Love, Storm
