A/N: *peeks out nervously from behind computer*... so it's been two years and I suck as a human being. I'd give excuses but the truth is, I kind of let go of fanfic for a while to try and get a handle on my life, mental stuff, all that jazz. I think I've finally got one, AND I'm in college now! A sophomore, crazy huh? Seems like just yesterday I was a twelve y/o starting out on here. Anyways, I'm going to let you get into the juicy stuff, for full detailed apology, see my profile! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: These characters belong to Stephanie Meyer, I'm just borrowing them for a lil fun.

Bella POV: The closer we got to the airport, the more the anxiety that gripped my chest seemed to strangle me from within. I could almost hear the rapid beating of my heart. If Paul had noticed it too, he said nothing. He probably thought it was in response to the seeming fact that I would be reunited with Seth in a few short hours.

If only. James' words continued to echo through my brain: I'll save your life for last so that you can watch them all die. A chill went down my spine and I swallowed the bile in my mouth. I had to do this for the boys. For my mom. For my family. I had to be the one to die.

When we pulled into the traffic lanes in the airport parking lot, Paul went to speak to the security guard on the curbside to explain that despite our car being a rental, we could not return it to the proper location in time for our flight.

Slowly, I sauntered out of the car behind him, and the guard who had seemingly been arguing heatedly with my brother, faded out of the argument and his face softened when he saw me.

It took me a moment to even register that this reaction had happened because of me. I must look as frightened as I feel. Paul turned around when he noticed the man's reaction and he softened too. He walked over to me, slung an arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze.

"I'll take care of the car," the man assured him suddenly. "You two just have a safe flight home, alright?"

"Thanks man," Paul told him, shaking his hand and handing him a twenty dollar bill before helping me up the curb and inside the airport. When we were safely inside and out of the man's earshot, Paul turned to me and gently grasped me by my shoulders. "You alright, Bells?"

I gulped and smiled, hoping he wouldn't see right through my lies. "Yeah, Paul, I'm okay. This will all be over soon."

"Hell yes it will," he nodded. "And we'll all be safe at home, together."

I nodded, trying my best not to cry so that I wouldn't have to explain to him what I really meant– that I would die; that it would all be over. Our family would be safe, and I would be dead.

"Yeah," I said tightly. "Together."

He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "You worry too much, kiddo. Come on, the faster we get through security the faster we get you home to my brother-in-law to be!"

At that, the tension inside me momentarily broke and I burst out into a fit of laughter. "Brother-in-law?" I scoffed. "And to think, just a couple weeks ago you would have rather gotten hit by a semi than called him that."

"Things changed," he shrugged with a grin. "Now let's go."

Once we made it through security, I knew I didn't have too much time to act. "Hey, I think I'm going to go use the bathroom. I'll meet you at the gate."

"Are you sure you don't want me to wait for you?" Paul asked, his brows furrowed together with concern. "It might not be safe, you never know who's followed us."

I had to admit, he had a point. If only he knew. "Please," I rolled my eyes at him, trying to ward off any suspicions he may have. "You know as well as I do if one of the bloodsuckers was here we'd both have smelled it from miles away. It's just the bathroom, Paul. I'll be fine."

"Okay," he relented. "But if you sense any trouble, text me 911 and I will literally storm the women's restroom for you."

"That would be a sight," I giggled. I was fighting the urge to cry again, and the urge to hug my brother. It was sinking in now that this would be the last time I ever saw him. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

I turned the other way and entered the nearest bathroom, spotting a window just above one of the sinks. We were on the second floor of the airport, so I'd have to shimmy down the drainpipe, but that would be fine. I wasn't a clumsy human anymore.

It took a few minutes, but the bathroom was suddenly clear. A rare sight for an airport bathroom, I suppose. I took that as my chance. Climbing up on the sink, I forced the almost-sealed window open and shimmied myself through.

These reflexes came in handy. Any other time in my life, and I would've been having a panic attack even climbing the sink. I got my body wrapped around the pipe with ease and slid down it like a fire pole.

When I got my bearings on the ground, I began to run. If I recall correctly, the ballet studio was only twenty minutes from the airport. With my speed, I could get there in ten. I had to move fast though, according to Paul's time I had already been gone fifteen minutes. Five more, and he would no doubt come looking for me.

I took off running, and I beat my own record. I was outside my old ballet studio ten minutes later. Sucking in a deep breath, I knew what I had to do. Taking out my phone, I saw a missed text from Paul.

You've been in the bathroom a long time. Everything good?

Only now that I was miles away from him, did I let myself cry. I couldn't tell Paul I was okay. That would be a lie, because he would be the one taking the phone call that would alert him of my death. And Seth… how could I leave Seth? How would he tell Seth?

I decided that I had better tell Paul where I was now. It was too late for him to save me at this point anyway. I came alone just like James had asked. My brother at the very least, deserved to know that he would never see his baby sister again.

The blond leach has mom," I wrote. I know we don't love her right now, but he asked for my life in exchange for hers, and it's the right thing to do. She's our mom. I left the airport, and in a few minutes I will probably be dead. It's a small price to pay to save all of you. Tell Seth I love him. Jake too. Take care of each other. Love you forever.

I choked back my sobs and hit send before pushing the door to the studio wide open. It was pitch black.

"Mom," I called out, my voice echoing throughout the room. "Mom, it's Bella! Are you in here?"

No response. I tried again: "Mom? Mom, where are you?"

And then: "Bella? Bella, sweetie! Oh my god! Someone help!"

Her voice was muffled, but lucky for wolfy senses, I knew immediately where she was. I ran to the closet door at the back of the mirrored room and ripped it open.

My heart went cold. My mother was not sitting in the closet, but an old television set with the VHS player plugged in was. On the screen, it showed my frantic mother ten years younger, comforting me, who had fallen through the trapdoor just before a ballet performance.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the video was paused. It dawned on me. James didn't have my mother. He never did. But now he had what he wanted.

A dark chuckle echoed from behind me, the sound was paralyzing, my instincts were suddenly dormant. "You know what they say, every dog will chase a bone. I just didn't know it would be that easy."

A/N: Muahaha, that's right everyone! Me being back means me posting tons of cliffhangers that you're going to hate me for! I hope that was well worth the wait. For those of you waiting on my other stories, they too will all be taken care of by the end of the day today. As it is summer, I plan to make good on my promises from now on. I will be back to give you more. ALSO READ THIS PART: hop on over to my profile for two important announcements PLUS an official apology! I love you all!

Thanks for reading!

-thewolfgurlgleek :)