NPOV

The perpetual darkness I found myself in was frightening. For a time – and I didn't know how long that had been – I could hear faint voices but couldn't respond in any way. The voices were obscured; like I was opposite end of a mile-long tunnel, or underwater.

Underwater.

I remembered I was underwater. My body calming as it was caressed by a freezing vastness.

Where was I now?

There were so many voices that I recognised. Bella's and Jake's were the most prominent and most of the time it seemed they were talking to me. Still I was caged in an indestructible bubble that wouldn't let me move – it cut of my senses so that everything was faint and coming through water.

I heard other voices too: Carlisle mainly.

Then I could understand what they were saying. More voices could be heard. Edward, Charlie, Esme, even Rosalie at one point.

My hands were being held but I couldn't really feel it. I was hot, then I was cold.

I couldn't tell if I was in pain or not.

Time meant nothing.

I couldn't breathe. Try as I might to force air into my lungs, the pressure was too much.

Concentrate, Renesmee!

A series of coughs exploded from my chest and I took in air that was long overdue.

I felt a soft touch on the back of my neck, like being caressed by a feather. Gradually, the featherlike touch became something else, the pressure growing until I was aware that my head was falling heavy; I had no control over it.

A whisper of my name from my favourite voice infiltrated my senses and I latched onto it, willing myself responsive.

I fought the barrier keeping me trapped in my sleep until the black became hued with red then orange then suddenly it was white. Too blinding a light. I closed my eyes and open them in a rapid succession until the bright white faded into something bearable.

Behind a blurred vision to the left of my white haze was a brown and cream waterfall. I concentrated on that until the blurred edges sharpened into an image I recognised.

"Mom?"

An audible sob escaped from her, a hand going to her mouth, "You're awake."

I tried to move my hands, then my feet – the control was back. I went to lift my head out of her grasp but as I moved a shockwave of pain an dizziness pierced my skull. I winced and moaned in response.

"Okay, okay, stay down, Sweetheart," My mother soothed.

I closed my eyes and that seemed to help dispel the pain.

I heard assured footsteps enter the room and felt someone at my side.

"Renesmee, it's Carlisle," he said, "Can you open your eyes?"

I did as he asked and was met by a torch light at my right eye before he shifted it to my left.

"Are you in pain?"

"My head," I moaned in a hoarse manner, "Can I get a drink?"

Within seconds, a plastic cup of water with a straw appeared next to me.

"Bella, help her sit up." Carlisle ordered lightly.

I let myself be weightless and my mom supported me until I was upright, leaning completely against her chest and arm.

She took the cup that Edward was holding out and touched the straw to my lips.

I didn't look at him as she did and I didn't look at him as I pulled the water through the straw. My eyes were glued to the white tiled floor until the cup was empty. I felt a little better. Mom repeatedly kissed my hair.

When the cup was gone I turned my head into her chest and breathed in her familiarity.

"My throat still hurts." I told no one in particular.

"That's probably from the cut," Carlisle told me. "Can you remember what happened?"

I nodded recalling the events that happened moments ago.

My eyes shot open as I recalled one particular detail. Pulling away from Mom, I looked at her helplessly, "Jenna!"

The action caused my head to spin and a lulled to the side. She immediately stabilised me from behind, "Shh, easy."

As my head regained composure, my stomach flipflopped and seized. The water I had just consumed came shooting back up my oesophagus. I had just enough time to lean forward as I vomited on the floor.

The doctor spoke, "Lie her back down."

Then I was on my back.

"Calm down – your heart's racing and I need it to even out. Just breathe." He told me.

"I'm sure Jenna is fine, Ness, we'll go and find her family when you're better," Bella whispered.

I counted my breaths as the nausea gradually subsided.

"That's it," Carlisle encouraged.

My mom's fingers were stroking my forehead, the cool touch helping dim the fire that burned there.

I began to relax and felt my senses slipping, I tried to fight it until I heard Carlisle's melodic voice tell me it was okay to sleep. I fell under immediately.

-o0o-

Waking up this time was much easier. My eyes adjusted quicker, my head felt lighter and my stomach felt calm. My throat was still parched though.

I turned my head and mom was still in her spot next to me; no one else was around. She was holding my hand so I didn't need to gather energy to speak.

She grabbed a cup of water and helping me sit up, brought it to my lips, "Sip it."

I did as I was told being careful not to induce a repeat performance.

When I'd had enough I put it down and swallowed, "How long was I asleep?"

"Just now?" She clarified. I nodded.

"Six hours or so."

I then noticed the light in the room was synthetic and that daylight had slipped into its own slumber.

"It's 10:30."

"How long was I asleep before then?"

A frown marred her face and her eyes went sad, "A while," she answered cryptically.

I didn't ask anything else.

"Are you feeling better?"

A knock interrupted us and Carlisle poked his head around the door, "How's the patient?"

"She's tired," Bella answered for me.

He stepped into the room and walked towards me, "That doesn't surprise me; you're recovering from hypothermia, it's expected."

He flittered about taking stats and checking me over. We remained silent as he did his thing.

"Your temperature is a little higher that what I'm told is normal for you which is okay as it means your body is fighting any chance of infection." He smiled, "You look a little pale."

"I am pale," I commented.

His smile widened and my mom let out a noiseless chuckle, "What I meant was you look a little weak. I'd like you to try some food, do you think you'd be able to?"

I nodded.

I let Mom play with my hair as I stayed silent. Carlisle wrote some things down then came and sat at my other side.

At that moment, someone walked along the corridor and the door opened. Esme walked in carrying a bowl of soup, some toast and a selfless smile. She brought the food over and placed it on my lap. It smelled divine.

"Thank you," I offered sincerely.

"You're welcome," she replied softly.

I picked up the toast and began eating. With every mouthful I felt a little more energised.

"Where's Jake?" I asked.

"He's getting Charlie and taking him to La Push," Mom told me.

The tight edge to her voice told me there was more to the story so I enquired.

"A newborn was outside the house. It's for protection."

My face dropped and my heart sped up.

"What? Why?"

"It's taken care of," she hushed.

"Does this have something to do with Victoria?" I panicked.

"You eat and I'll talk."

When I didn't resume quick enough, she arched and eyebrow. I complied.

"We think she's creating new-borns so she can attack us. They keep appearing from nowhere so we're getting ready. Luckily one of the pack was by the house and took care of it before he could get close to Charlie. We decided to move him to Billy's until this is over so he's protected."

"Can I see him?"

"Who, your grandpa?"

I nodded.

"Okay."

-o0o-

Grandpa's visit was short and while it was great to see him, his departure left me filled with trepidation.

He was a ball of tension as he came to the room, his loud step echoing from the moment he got out of the car until he reached me at my bedside.

His eyes were tight, as was his smile, and even with my half-breed eyesight I could tell his worry lines had deepened since I last saw him. His warmth was soothing and his heartbeat melodic.

We didn't talk much, but then again I never had to when it came to Charlie. Just like him and my mom, we were comfortable with silence.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling okay," I reassured him, "I'll be better when I'm out of this room."

His lips twitched, "Well, once this mess is sorted you'll be back home and life can go back to normal…just the three of us."

He didn't mask the hostility in his voice. And those words were definitely for the benefit of those downstairs.

Jacob never came upstairs with him but I knew he was around, my gut was pulling me outdoors to him. I wanted to see him but with everything that was going on, he felt he could protect me better if he was on his guard.

When it was time for Charlie to leave, I gave him a hug and told him I loved him. I also told him to pass the message on to Jake too.

-o0o-

A few hours after Charlie's visit, I was completely restless. Now I was awake, I'd managed to convince my mom to go and hunt but in her absence I was surround by those who I didn't want to be around. They couldn't take a hint, and the more they tried the more I remembered the harsh words they had spoke to my mom prior to the attack.

Esme, whom I really couldn't be mad at, was the only one I was vaguely polite too. Well, aside from Carlisle when he was acting as my doctor. They more I complied with him, the sooner I could go home. Esme had gone to fetch me some food but it wasn't her that then bought it up to me. Instead, Edward walked in followed by Rosalie who was holding a tray, and Emmett who trailed behind her.

Great.

Rosalie came and delivered the tray on my lap. Tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich was on the plate and it smelt divine. Reflexively, I thanked Rosalie.

She beamed, "You're welcome."

Her eyes were smiling as much as he lips were and I instantly cursed the manner's Bella had ingrained into me. I returned to ignoring them, hoping they would get the message and leave. Despite looking intently at my food, I didn't touch it, and they didn't do anything. But I was hungry. Only I refused to eat in their presence. Why couldn't they leave? It was like they wanted to be an audience to an unwilling participant in a circus.

"We just want to spend time with you," his voice filtered across the room. The unexpected response made me jump and I momentarily thought I'd voiced my thoughts. But then I remember that without Mom here to protect my mind, thoughts didn't need to be said in order to be heard…not with him in the room.

I cringed and first, but then I realised I didn't care that he knew I didn't want them around me. I glanced up defiantly. He was leaning against one of the worktops, his face a mask.

Although Edward knew what I thought of that, Rosalie did not, and given my previous nicety she was still encouraged, "And get to know you better."

She placed her hand over mine as she continued: "You're family after all and we haven't had a chance to get to know you."

I tore my hand from underneath hers and sneered at my plate. My reaction was enough to slosh the soup around the bowl. The sound echoing in the silence.

You are not my family.

I turned my sneer up toward Edward knowing full well he could read that thought. A frown marred his face as he held my gaze.

He sighed then admitted defeat, "We should leave. We aren't welcome."

At least one of them knows boundaries.

A hiss came from my left, "Damn that bitch-."

"DO NOT FINISH THAT SENTENCE," I growled with a venom I didn't know I possessed. My chest rattled with the vibrations of a growl. Rosalie looked startled then determined.

"Get out." I whispered.

I hated them and I made sure those thoughts were loud and clear.

Edward moved first and indicated for the other two to follow reluctantly.

I threw my tray at the nearest wall with an outcry of rage.

I let the slow drip of the red liquid against the white wall hypnotise me into a slumber.

-o0o-

I was walking knee deep in mud. No matter how hard I pulled my legs they moved slowly and with difficulty. I felt like I'd been walking for hours but no matter how many steps I took forward, my surroundings moved with me. I was trapped. Red strings were attached to my hands. I followed the lines into the trees. They slacked at my wrists and them became taut. My my hands were yanked, I held my ground and pulled them back with all my might. More string came back to me and at the very end, Bella came rolling out of the trees crying, my strings wrapped tightly around her waist and chest.

"Mommy?"

"Stop hurting me," She begged through sobs. She put her hands in the mud and tried to stand up but she was injured and bleeding. On her knees, she turned around to face me. Tears were streaming from her chocolate brown eyes. "Let me go, please."

I went to go her, to help her and tell her I did not want to hurt her. But my legs met resistance, the mud too hard for me. Suddenly the mud changed into red strings wrapped tightly around me. My calves, my thighs, my waist were wrapped. I fought forward against them but they were yanked and I stumbled back. As those strings pulled me, my strings pulled Bella and she cried out again in dire pain. Her cries ripped through my heart and I cried with her.

I looked behind me and saw the strings fan out around me. The strings around my legs were connected to Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper; the strings at my torso were connected to Esme and Carlisle. Edward stepped out in the centre of them and held up the end of another red string. It led towards me and when I look down saw it was wrapped around my chest. He pulled me with such a might that I was pulled close to Edwards chest. And again, Bella came with my with a brutal force than made her cry out and plead again for me to let her go.

Her screams wailed out as did my own. I was held back and couldn't move towards her. The more I pulled away from the Cullens and towards her the tighter my strings became and the more she was tossled. All I could do was apologise as I sobbed.

"Renesmee! Please," She begged.

"Mommy?"

"Ness, please! It isn't real."

Her voice sounded far away even though I could still see her. Her face was blanking like she was giving up. Her colour was fading and I could see her slipping in front of me.

"No, don't go. Don't leave me here!" I wailed.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here."

But without warning she collapsed right in front of me and all I could do was close my eyes and scream out.

The haze of my eyes lifted and my senses woke up and I could feel cold hands touching my face. My ears opened like popping on an airplane and I could hear blood curdling screams.

They were coming from me.

I opened my eyes and the screams turned into sobs as I took in the golden orbs filled with panic set in the pale face that was curtained in mahogany hair.

I launched into her and let her scent fill me as I cried into her shoulder.

"Don't leave me, please." I mumbled on repeat.

"It wasn't real. It was just a dream. None of t was real. I'm okay, I'm safe. Nothing will hurt me. I promise."

Her chant continued softly in my ear as she stroked my hair. She moved my hand to touch her face so she could see what I was thinking and know when I had calmed.

"I'm sorry, Mommy, I'm sorry."

Her shushing lulled me and I tried to concentrate on that but the images were too prominent and felt too real. Knowing my mind was playing tricks, I opened my eyes hoping that would dispel the images but all I saw was the Cullens stood in the room with expressions of bewilderment on their faces. Like the nightmare, Edward was stood centre looking pained, his arms extended like her wanted to hold me but all that did was remind me of the dream. I didn't want it to be real.

I whimpered and held on to Bella tighter, closing my eyes again. She stood up with me and wrapped my legs around her waist before she slumped down a wall until she was seated and I was in my lap. Her shushing and her caresses didn't relent. I tried to focus on her touch, her cold body wrapped protectively around me. It helped but I shivered.

Warmth came into the room and I felt instantly calmer. My sobs lessened then stopped altogether when warm muscle enveloped my back and a different soothing voice came to my other ear.

Jake.

I allowed them to soothe me as they had since I was small. I felt home. I thought back to being in my room and being with my family. My true family. My time in La Push.

I let myself be lulled by their presence. Half my body being warmed – half being chilled. I was unaware of how long we stayed there for but gradually my crying ebbed and I could hear my mom humming a lullaby in my ear.

The moment I felt safe, she knew and removed my hand from her face and handed me completely over to Jacob so she could look at me.

I couldn't speak so I put my hand up to her cheek, telling her how much she meant to me and how sorry I was.

"I love you too," She reassured me.

I was fully aware we had a full audience. I felt suffocated having been in the same room for ages.

"Why don't we all get some air?" Edward suggested.

I tensed and flicked my eyes to him. He was looking at me.

I turned to Bella and mumbled, "Is your shield not up?"

Her eyes hardened for a split millisecond then relaxed, "It is now."

I nodded and turned to my face in to Jake, "Fresh air would be good."

That's all I needed to say before he stood up with me, wrapped his arm protectively around my shoulders and escorted me out the room, down the stairs and out into the garden.