Hi everyone! Sorry I didn't get to reply to any reviews this time around - I will most definitely be replying to the next lot. I've been busy writing this next chapter, you see. :)

Thanks to flibbertigidget for betaing again! On with the show!

Chapter 21 - Letters

I had been waiting for Alice to complete her sketches to begin setting into motion what I called 'D-Day'. Once Bella realized that her mother was in danger, all hell would break loose. However, I would not let Bella go to James. As soon as Edward and the others came to Phoenix I would reveal where James was waiting-and Voila!-James is captured and killed. Then we go and get Victoria. Happily ever after, right?

The pictures that Alice was sketching seemed very familiar to me. As I leaned over her shoulder, I saw a room with a couch, a table, a throw rug, and a TV. A room with endless mirrors with a gold bar running across them. In my mind's eye I could see the childhood I had never lived. My alternate childhood…and James was in there.

"The phone goes there," Bella whispered, pointing to the bare end table in the first picture.

Alice and Jasper whipped their heads around to face Bella. "What do you mean?" Alice asked.

"That's our mother's house."

Alice was on the phone like a flash, talking almost too fast to understand intelligibly. Bella gripped my arm like a vice, her thoughts whispering her fear.

He's in Mom's house. What if she came home early? He won't stop until he has us, will he?

I took a deep breath, still watching Alice. Mom is fine. She's with Phil. Don't you dare think he can get her somehow!

But he's there right now. We have to do something!

Alice hung up the phone. "Bella." Bella looked up at her in a daze. "Bella, Edward is coming to get you. He and Emmett and Carlisle are coming to take you somewhere, to hide you for a while."

"Edward is coming?" Bella whispered.

"Me, too?" I asked.

"That's the plan," Alice said. "They're catching the first flight out of Seattle. We'll meet him at the airport, and you'll both go with them."

"But, my mother, he came here for my mother, Alice!" Bella's eyes were daring around, panicked.

"Mom's fine, Bella," I said. "She's with Phil. Away."

"Jasper and I will stay until she's safe," Alice said, shooting a meaningful glance at Jasper. Ah, yes. Knock the poor girl out with sleep. That'll help.

"Can't you see what he's doing? He's not tracking me at all, he's waiting until he gets someone I love then he's…he's…"

"Bella! She's safe! Trust me."

"We'll catch him, Bella," Alice said earnestly.

"It's not just my human family that I'm worried about. Do you think I don't care if anything happened to you? What if you get hurt, Alice? Or you, Jen?"

Bella looked desperately at Alice, then me. I tried to keep my face impassive.

She groaned in frustration and stalked into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Should I follow?" I asked Alice.

"Can't you tell through your mind link? She would yell at you more. Don't go in."

"Okay."

Alice and Jasper started making more plans: what time we would be leaving for the airport, lists of places to go next. I was beginning to realize that if we didn't kill James today, my cover story with Charlie wouldn't mean much. I'd be on the run with Edward and Bella indefinitely. It was a future that did not appeal to me whatsoever.

Bella stayed in the room for hours. I could feel her blocking me out of her mind, but she wasn't too successful. I could still feel her panic and anguish rolling over me in waves, and I wished there was something I could do to help.

Once their plans were made, Alice played cards with me for a little while. It was late now, dark, yet I was too keyed up to sleep. I amused myself playing Blackjack with her, watching as she got twenty-one every single round. Then she showed me Clock Solitaire, which didn't rely on guessing the cards, so Alice couldn't cheat. Jasper left to get me more food because I was starving.

"Alice?" I asked, after a while of playing cards.

"Yes, Jenny?" Alice was watching me intently, her big eyes unblinking.

"What…what's the outcome, as we stand right now?"

Alice's eyes flicked quickly to the silver phone on the table, then back at me.

"It's not defined yet. James hasn't decided his course of action yet. Once he does, then I'll know."

I, too, looked at the silver phone sitting innocently on the table. Oh, if that phone knew what calls would come through it soon.

"Can I ring Charlie? Just so we don't get in trouble when we get back late?"

Alice continued to stare at me with those large, dark eyes. "We aren't going back, Jen."

"Yes, we are. We will, after James has been caught."

Alice passed me the phone with an unreadable expression on her face.

I quickly rang Charlie and made up some lie about the truck having problems and, while we made it to Phoenix, we had to take it to the mechanics. In short, we were stuck until they could order new parts. Charlie, bless his soul, offered to come and get us, but I quickly talked him out of it.

"Love you, Dad."

"Love you, too, Jenny."

I gave the phone back to Alice. "Thanks."

She cocked her head to the side. "You always interfere."

I wrinkled my forehead. "Of course. So do you."

We sat in silence for some time until Alice broke it. "It was what scared me about you at first. Every time I had a vision of Edward and Bella, it was almost always followed by a vision of you, interfering. I didn't understand why."

I grinned. "I'm sure it gave you a heart attack in the school car park."

Alice smiled wryly at my joke. "Yes. That one was very quick, though. The Port Angeles incident was worse. I could see awful visions of what would happen to Bella…then you joined her in them. You have no idea how close you came to being a victim, too, you know?"

I shook my head. "I never knew that was a possibility."

"How could you? It deviates from the future you know. Your future knowledge is fixed. Mine is flexible, it changes by the minute."

"I'm terrified that one day, the future I know will be so far flung from this reality, that I won't know what to do." There, I had said it. The biggest fear that was plaguing me: the unknown.

"You would be normal. Living life the way the rest of them do."

"I guess. But knowing what is coming is the only thing keeping me sane. This world is crazy, you know? Knowing that vampires and werewolves and whatnot are out there terrifies me, but knowing what their probable intentions are helps me function. Otherwise, I'd get caught up in the panic."

"You seem to handle it well, Jenny," Alice said. "You were calm enough to save Bella...multiple times, too.

"But not myself. I was lucky when I decided to see if Edward was around instead of barrelling around Port Angeles on my own. I was lucky when I only broke my arm in the van incident. One time I may not be lucky, and what then? I die… but Bella lives, so that's okay?"

Alice looked at Bella's closed door. "You really think Bella would let you die? She cares just as much about you, too."

I sighed. "I know."

Jasper arrived with some McDonalds, and I scarfed down a heap of it. After days of picking at my food, I was suddenly incredibly hungry. I could have gone a big block of chocolate, but Jasper said that was the only place open this late. Bella stayed in her room, and I saved her some, knowing she would most likely emerge from her panic induced zombie state soon.

Alice and Jasper shared a look, and Jasper left again.

"Has he gone to check us out of the hotel?"

"He will soon."

"Oh," I said. I looked at my hands, feeling a revelation coming on. "Alice…you need to know what is coming next…"

Alice froze. "What don't I know?"

I took a deep breath. "In the future I know…Bella is tricked—'

"What—"

Alice cut off abruptly. Bella was standing in the doorway, her hair dishevelled and her face puffy and red.

"I'm…sorry. About acting like a brat. I mean, I just kind of flipped out about Mom…"

I crossed the space between us and gave her a hug. "Don't worry, Bella. I understand. You're worried."

She nodded, then looked around. "Where did Jasper go?"

"To check us out of the hotel," Alice replied.

"We're leaving," she said. It wasn't a question, and Bella's thoughts pricked up with hope.

To see Edward?

The silver phone rang again, buzzing away on the table. My heart leapt into my throat, and I waited with baited breath.

"Edward," Alice said, quickly, before talking so fast I could barely discern what she was saying. It wasn't James…it was Edward. James would ring later.

Bella sidled up to me and gripped my hand. Her thoughts came into my mind stronger now, reinforced by the contact.

I'm going to see Edward soon.

I bit my lip and attempted to hide the doubt in mind. Sure, Bella.

She raised her eyebrow as Alice snapped the phone shut.

"They're boarding the plane now," she said.

"Let me guess, we're moving closer to Mom's."

Alice's eyes were watching me again. "Yes."

I exhaled loudly and turned my attention to the phone in her hand. It was only seconds before it rang again.

Alice wasn't slow to pick it up. Almost instantly the phone was pressed to her ear.

"Hello? Yes—yes, she's here." Alice passed the phone to Bella, mouthing that it was Mom. Bella practically snatched it away, trying to convince Mom everything was okay.

Except it wasn't Mom. I felt the moment she realized the difference-felt her alarm as the male voice began talking.

Alice was looking at me now with a raised eyebrow. I only glanced at her quickly, before turning my attention back to Bella.

"No, Mom," she whispered hoarsely. "Stay where you are."

Bella's eyes widened, and I could feel her mind trying to slam me out, again and again. She turned and walked slowly to the bedroom, pleading with Mom to stay where she was. Bella closed the door with a snap.

Alice looked at me. "What's wrong?"

I gulped. "Everything. Here is where it all goes wrong."

I sidled up to the door, pressing my ear against it. Bella may have been successfully able to shut me out, perhaps because of her blinding fear, but my ears worked just fine. Though muffled, I could hear Bella's terse answers. Yes, no, no, yes. She was falling for James' lies hook, line and sinker.

The door opened suddenly, startling me.

"She wants to talk to you," Bella said lifelessly. She thrust the phone towards me.

"H—she wants to talk to me? O-okay." With a shaking hand, I took the cell phone. I stepped into the bedroom and closed the door behind me.

I raised the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Jenny? Jenny?" Mom's voice yelled at me through the phone. It was unnerving, but it wasn't her.

"Oooh, convincing. Nice touch there, with the voice."

I couldn't help but be snarky, but it was how I acted in scary situations. Mom's voice stopped, and a man spoke into the phone.

"Repeat after me, Jennifer. 'Mom, Bella's right.'"

I sighed, putting as much sarcasm into the line as I could. "Mom, Bella is right."

The generic voice sighed, too. "I could tell you would be more difficult to convince. You aren't as naïve as your sister, am I right, Jenny?"

"Don't call me that."

"I will call you what I like. Bella is going to come to me willingly to save her mother."

"I'll convince her you're lying."

"But would she believe you?"

"Yes," I said. "She would."

"Even after the terrible things that happened last November? Surely, that would have broken the trust between you."

I gasped. "Yes," I whispered this time, "She always trusts me."

James laughed. "Then she doesn't know. More people know about what happened at your last school that you probably think; schools keep records of those sorts of things. Records that were much too easy for Victoria to break into…did you know they fax old records across when you transfer schools? It's fascinating."

His voice sounded like it was anything but fascinated…matter of fact would be a better description. The mention of November already had me intrigued.

"What does that matter?" I asked, trying to keep my voice level. "It was a long time ago."

"Of course," he said offhandedly, "The past is the past. I'm more interested in the present."

"Of course," I murmured. I could hear shuffling behind the door. Alice was getting impatient.

"I'm interested in playing my game – the game where I get one of you twins. Two would be a bonus, but you're much harder to manipulate than poor, sweet, gullible Bella."

"You won't have either of us," I said in a low voice, "I'll tell her everything. She trusts me."

"Everything?" he asked, laughing, "Are you sure? Does your twin know every deep, dark secret in your brain? Does she know about last November? Tell me, who is Jennifer Porter?"

My head began pounding, the world buzzing around my ears. NO!

"Where…where did you hear that name?"

"A little searching, a little snooping. Victoria is very adept at avoiding your blonde friend. But I'm intrigued. Why would you care about a little orphan girl in Australia? What's the draw?"

"She's a fighter. She's strong," I whispered again.

"And dead. Like you will be, if you interfere with my game. Let Bella come, and spare yourself. It's easy. I can share. Just remember what I know, what information could be spread. And if you want to find out how much information I know, feel free to come along. Don't tell Bella. Now, repeat after me: 'Thank you, Mom.'"

"Thank you, Mom."

'"I love you. See you soon.'"

"I love you. See you soon."

The line went dead.

James' revelation had shocked me into complying with his requests. He knew what happened in November – apparently, my school did, too. More people than I thought knew…but not me.

He knew about Jennifer Porter. He knew. But how? He had said "searching, snooping". Perhaps… perhaps he had found my diary. Or Victoria had. But all it had was a print out of the train wreck – nothing to flag it as anything more than a scrap of paper.

My blonde friend. Rosalie. Had she been hurt? Would she be frustrated? I hoped that Victoria hadn't been anywhere near her.

I opened the door with a shaking hand, passing the phone to Alice.

"How is your mother?" Alice asked, tilting her head to the side.

"She's—she's fine. Staying put. Not in danger…at all. Right, Bella?"

Her eyes were wide, and she shook her head slightly. "Alice, can I have a piece of paper? To write a letter?"

"Of course. There's paper on the desk, there." Alice gave me a funny look. "Jenny, can I have a word with you outside?"

I nodded, following Alice outside into the early morning gloom. I had been awake all night. Huh.

I closed the door lightly behind me, and Alice whirled around.

"What happened? Something's changed."

"That wasn't Mom." That was safe to tell her, right?

Stop! Stop, stop, stop! You can't tell her! He'll kill Mom!

Bella had been listening, and was completely against me saying anything at all.

Bella! Mom is safe. That was a lie. You realize that, right?

Is that something we should risk? Our Mom's life?

It's not a risk! She's fine! Trust me.

Bella's doubt came through strong, and I refocused on Alice.

"Sorry?" I asked, blinking rapidly.

"I asked, 'Who was it?'"

Bella opened the door behind me, answering for me.

"She meant it wasn't like Mom. She usually doesn't need much convincing."

I turned to her, frowning. "Really?"

Give me more time, Jen. Please. Don't tell them yet.

I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Whatever. Sorry, Alice."

I went back inside, leaving Bella outside with Alice. Bella could deal with everything herself. I didn't care.

That's exactly what he wants, a small voice whispered. He wants you to let her go.

Bella and Alice came back in very quickly. I was sure Bella couldn't keep up the façade for long. She was too focused on the sacrifice she was preparing to make. I was supposed to convince her to stay. Convince her that Mom was safe.

Would that end the problem? If I prevented Bella from going, James would find another way to trick Bella into going. He would try again, but in a way I couldn't predict.

Bella went back to the desk, continuing her letter. Apologizing to Edward for betraying him.

Do you realize that you're wasting all the effort Edward has put in to keep you safe?

It's Mom. I would do anything to save Mom.

Why not tell Alice?

Because he said not to.

I grunted in frustration. Don't follow Edward's instructions, but follow the words of a crazed vampire who wants to kill you. It made no sense.

Bella continued writing, moving onto a second sheet of paper.

"Can I have a piece of paper?" I asked Bella.

She shrugged, so I grabbed one. There was another pen on the coffee table, so I used that. I racked both mine and Bella's brain, searching for memories to work out where the ballet studio was. Bella was too intent on her grief now, writing her lovelorn letter to Edward, to notice what I was up to.

I scrawled what I thought the address was on the paper, folding it up quick smart. I sidled over to where Alice sat, motionless, and placed the paper on her lap.

She snatched the paper up, opening it swiftly. She read it and crumpled it, the paper disappearing before Bella could register what had happened. Alice nodded at me.

Bella didn't want Alice to know. She was still following James' instructions. But I was a free agent. I could…

Jennifer Porter.

The words drifted across my brain. I looked up and realized Bella was staring at me.

She's no one, Bella.

Tell me who she is.

I—I can't.

Why not?

She's nothing. Not important. Whatever James said, he's lying.

He said you would say that.

Bella's mind slammed closed and, trembling, she turned back to the letter she was writing.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't fussed about her closing me out of her mind. I knew her plan, and I was quite prepared to physically cling to her so that she wouldn't sneak away. There was no way I could allow her to go to James.

Bella sealed the envelope; I was intrigued to see there were two. Did she actually write a letter to Mom this time?

A slam startled me – Alice was hunched over the table, her eyes closed. Jasper was by her side in an instant.

"What is it, Alice?" he asked. "What did you see?"

"We're going to fail," she whispered, still looking at the table.

Bella paled quite quickly and looked away from Alice. Bella had made her plans, yet Alice couldn't see that. What worried me the most was that despite my own plans to prevent Bella from going to the ballet studio, I too was going to fail. Alice couldn't see me preventing Bella from going to James; she couldn't see James getting frustrated in the dark. She saw us failing, which meant Bella would outsmart us all and find a way to James.

These all-consuming dark thoughts followed me through the drive to the airport. The sun was just beginning to rise, and we had to be inside the airport before it came over the horizon otherwise Alice and Jasper would be sparkly. Bella spent most of her time with tears running down her face. No doubt she was terrified about leaving Edward to face her death. Her mind was still closed. I knew I could force my way in if I wanted, but I didn't want to do that and scare her off. If she sensed I was into her mind, she could change her plan, leaving me with no way to predict what she was doing. She needed to do things the same way as she did in the book; otherwise, I was lost.

Alice was fretful. She kept talking to Jasper, going over and over again to the plan to pick up the Cullens, the plan to split the group, the plan for us to leave. Trying to work out the loophole-the problem that would allow James to catch Bella. Alice kept shaking her head, muttering, "I can't see it!"

I didn't have an opportunity to talk to Alice again as we waited in the airport lounge. Bella was always there, blocking me, interrupting me, not allowing me to say anything. I was growing beyond frustrated. Wasn't she interested in an alternative where she didn't have to go to her death? Sure, she thought Mom was in danger, but if she told the Cullens, they would be able to devise a plan where they save Mom without Bella being in danger. I guess Bella didn't quite know enough about vampires, or James, to know that he couldn't really tell if Bella was alone when she entered the ballet studio. It wouldn't be hard to send her in, then have Emmett and Jasper rush James before he caught their scent. If only Bella was prepared to wait and tell. Which she wasn't.

Bella seemed to become more resolved as our wait wore on. The plane was landing in an hour. Then forty-five minutes.

Finally, I decided that all I could do was to just stick to Bella like glue. I sat next to her and watched her give the two letters she had written to Alice. Alice raised her eyebrows – I couldn't see what was written on the envelopes, but she could.

"Not now?" she asked.

Bella's eyes flicked to me. "No. Later, please."

What are you doing, Bella? I asked her.

Nothing.

Stay. Don't you dare go. I tried to make my thoughts sound convincing and fierce.

Inwardly, Bella sighed. I wasn't going to. I believe you, all right? I'm not going anywhere.

I wasn't convinced. I had a feeling that Bella was trying to throw me off course by being heroic and shielding her actions from me. I couldn't come along if she convinced me she wasn't going. Why would she even try that? As if it would work!

Alice nodded slowly, her eyes drifting to me as Bella settled back into her seat. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a psychic connection with Alice instead of Bella right now.

Bella stood up. Alice mirrored her. I was barely on the edge of my plastic seat, tense with anxiety.

"I just…I just wanted to get something to eat…but I just feel…" She wrung her hand around, keeping her eyes on Jasper.

Alice cocked her head. "Sure. Can you go with her, Jasper? I'll stay with Jenny."

"I'm hungry, too," I said, standing up.

No! Bella's mind screamed. Stay!

I shrugged. "You two go. I'll catch up in a sec. I just want to ask Alice something."

Bella was torn. She didn't want to let me talk to Alice, but she wanted to make her escape before Alice worked out her plan.

Bella nodded slowly. "Sure, see you soon."

She slowly walked away, glancing back occasionally. I turned to Alice, who had a letter in her hand.

"For you. From Bella."

I groaned. "Of course she would. You have that address?"

"Yes."

I looked in the distance, where Bella and Jasper were still making their way towards the food court. Old Jen Porter would be rushing after her ass and dragging her back kicking and screaming. Would that solve the problem this time?

"Alice, if I don't come back with Bella now…go there, and wait."

I tore away, running as fast as I could. They had just reached the toilets, and Bella was pushing the door open. I waved at Jasper and ducked in the door as it swung back. Ahead of me, Bella was already running, desperate to get away before Alice could work out what she was doing. Fortunately for me, I was faster. Much faster.

Bella squealed as I spear tackled her down onto the tiles. Her alarm shot through the wall in her mind she had created as I felt the bubbling burn of her anger.

"Get…off…me!" she seethed, wrestling against my grip.

"You can't go!" I cried. "You want to die? You really want to die? Leave Edward, leave Charlie and Renee, leave Alice and Esme and all the others?"

"I'm saving Renee!"

She continued struggling. I gripped tighter onto her waist.

"You want to leave me, Bella? You would leave me here with the Cullens?"

"Don't!" Bella sobbed. "I'm saving all of you."

Then Bella kicked a leg out, catching my rib. I screamed. Pain shot through my body, blinding me and allowing me to lose my grip. Doubled over in agony, I watched Bella run down the corridor. I swore a string of profanities as I gripped my side. Bella had gotten away.

I grit my teeth and tried to stand up straight. Wouldn't Alice and Jasper be here by now? Surely Alice would have seen the struggle between Bella and I, and come running to help?

Wincing, I looked around. A bruised rib shouldn't hurt this much, right? Unless it wasn't bruised…a distant memory from my old life reminded me how much it hurt when the car hit me and broke some ribs. The ribs took ages to heal, and every time I knocked them for months afterwards, it hurt like a bitch.

Alice and Jasper still hadn't come. Would they go after Bella first, maybe? That was better. She couldn't get to that ballet studio. She just couldn't. Would Edward blame me for letting Bella get away? I could just imagine his rage. I may have had the face of the girl he loved, but I wasn't her, and I was just as susceptible to his anger.

A thought came to me. She's not there yet. You can still stop her.

Holding my side, I began moving down the corridor. Clearly Alice and Jasper weren't concerned about me, as neither of them had come to help.

I had the advantage of knowing exactly where to go, without all the clues and roundabouts that Bella had to take. Bella would be catching a shuttle bus to a hotel then a taxi to her house, before walking to the ballet studio. I could save time by just going straight to her final destination. I gathered some speed, ignoring the throbbing, and reached the end of the long corridor.

Bursting out, I looked around quickly, locating the airport doors. Once outside, I saw the length of the line of people waiting for a taxi cab. Shit!

"Are you alright, honey?" A kind mother was looking at me concernedly. Her family was milling around her, unloading bags.

"Yes, I'm fine," I said, doubling over again from the strain.

The woman clicked her tongue. "No, no, you poor thing. You need to get to a hospital. Please, take our cab. The hospital isn't far."

I smiled. "Thank you so much. I appreciate it."

I slid into their just vacated cab and told the driver where to go. With any luck, I would drive past her on our way there, and I could just hustle her back into the car. Alice and Jasper were probably waiting for Edward and the others to get off their plane. Then they would follow Bella's scent…and arrive at the same time they did in the book. That was too late. How did I know that they would get there in time to prevent James breaking her leg? Or biting her? Bella was coming out of this whole and healthy, thank you.

I patted myself down, trying to find the envelope with my college money that I had brought from home. That was when I remembered Bella's letter. I was sure that her letter to Edward was full of apologies and goodbyes, but unsure about what mine would be like.

Jenny,

I can't believe that I am writing this to you. After everything we've been through, it's back to me protecting you, again. You've been looking after me so well the last few months.

I have to save Mom. I know you wanted to stop me, to tell Alice everything, but I can't let you. He knows too much about us, about you. He threatened me with Mom's death, but he also threatened you. If he knows what happened last November (and even I don't), then what else does he know? He could find us anywhere. I think it's better this way. I'm sorry I kept it a secret, that I hid it from you. Knowing you, you will work it out anyway, but I couldn't knowingly drag you even more into this mess than I already have. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have anything to do with the vampires at all. If I had told you my plan, you wouldn't have let me go. Sorry for the secrets.

Goodbye, Jen. I love you so much. Thanks for being the best sister. Look after Edward for me. He'll be angry, but he'll have to understand.

Bella.

I crumpled the page up as a tear running down my face. That idiot. As if Edward will be able to ever understand? The one thing he would give his life up for will be gone. I would have to drag his ass back from Italy next.

Bella had to survive.

I put my head against the window and watched the sky. Bright, blue, clear sky. It was the first time I had seen blue sky like this since I was in Australia. I felt a pang for my old life. For Jennifer Porter, the poor girl from the outer suburbs whose mum died. Who loved the beach, but also loved the rain. Who decided to turn her life around, only to have it taken away in the blink of an eye. Did it hurt when I died? Did I scream? Did I burn?

Jennifer Porter was a girl who wanted nothing more than a sister to protect…someone to care for. A family.

And now Bella was trying to take that dream away from me. I couldn't allow it to happen.

The cab slowed outside the old ballet studio. Fumbling, I paid the driver in cash, mentally cringing at the amount. There went my tiny beginning of a college fund.

Rubbing my side, I stumbled out of the cab into the light. The cab squealed away, leaving me completely and utterly alone. I pushed the sleeves up on my shirt, tanning my arms. I felt oddly exposed waiting for Bella where I was, but I couldn't start a trip to our old house. What if I passed her coming by a different route?

I took a step backwards, so I was leaning against the red brick wall next to the door. When Bella appeared, I would rush her in the opposite direction. There was a good chance I had beaten her to the neighbourhood – Bella would take bus to a hotel before making her way out here. Then she'd go to our house, before ringing James…

James. I shuddered. He was probably inside this building right now. The same building I was casually leaning against.

I stood up straight quickly, as though the wall was burning. Taking deep breaths, I assessed the area. For a street in the middle of the day, it was quiet. No people rushing down the street, few parked cars, no noise.

Closing my eyes, I tried to see where Bella was. Was she far? I hated the idea of waiting outside the ballet studio while James was inside.

Bella was walking up the path to our house, taking in the sights she had missed for so long. The blooming garden that I had once grown, now drying

and brown. Mom wasn't great with plants. The place where Bella and I used to play dolls—

I exhaled and opened my eyes. Suddenly, I whipped my head to the left, startled by a movement out of the corner of my eyes. I gasped.

There, in the slight shadow created by the overhang of the roof, was James. His skin shimmered slightly in the light reflected off the hot pavement. Across his face was a wide grin.

"I thought I could hear a heartbeat," he said casually, as though he was merely commenting on the weather.

I took a small step backwards. He wasn't supposed to come out.

Quicker than I could comprehend, James had grabbed my arm and yanked me into the shade. He then dragged me into the dark, shadowy inside of the studio.

At this point I did the only thing I could think of, after everything that had gone wrong today – I prepared to fight for my life.

Thanks for reading, please review and let me know what you think! Also, I am very excited to announce that I have been nominated for an Avant Garde award for Best Novice Author. Please, scurry across and help a girl out! It's at avantgardeawards dot com

Thanks! Jess x