I don't own it.
Author's note: We're heading toward the end of the road now. The following chapter contains some cursing and implied sexuality and noncon. I am as vague as I can be while still staying true to the story. Three more chapters after this, and an epilogue. No lynch mobs please. Reviews are always welcome though! ;)
Family Tree
Chapter 29
BPOV
For some reason, I thought graduation was going to be this big thing; a huge accomplishment after four long years of hard work. Everyone has told me how important it is and even the Cullen's (who have done this more times than they can count collectively) have led me to believe that this would be a huge, important ceremony.
It's waiting in line in high heels. It's holding a big smile on your face for several hours until you think your face will crack. Then- it's a short walk up a tiny makeshift stage, a few steps to the Principal who hands you a scroll of paper wrapped in ribbon and announces your name, and then a quiet walk back into the sea of students waiting for it all to be over. It's tedious and I can't stand next to Edward. In reality, graduation is pretty boring. I really don't understand why people made it out to be such a dramatic event.
At long last we are allowed to take off these cardboard hats and toss them into the air. I don't bother trying to catch mine again. Good riddance.
I look around at the sea of happy faces and wonder if they're feeling something I'm not. It's disconcerting when Charlie rushes me with a throwaway camera, snapping several shots in rapid succession of my face. I think I've gone blind.
"Bells, I'm so proud of you! You did it! Smile now for the camera. Your mom will kill me if I don't take a lot of shots of you."
I comply until the camera is used up and then sigh in relief.
"So, I was sitting in the stands next to Mike's dad and they're expecting us for dinner."
My face falls. I forgot about having to go to that.
"Cheer up Bella. It's only for a few hours. After that you can see Edward."
I smile guiltily.
"Speaking of the devil," Charlie mutters under his breath.
I shoot him a dark look and then turn to see Edward standing next to me. He leans down and gives me a tight squeeze. "Congratulations," he whispers in my ear.
I blush as an electric charge shoots through my body.
Charlie looks suspicious.
"Erm, Edward, I might be a little later to your house than I'd thought. Me and my dad are going to go to the Newton's for a few hours."
"Ok, no problem. Do you need me to pick you up?" His tone is light enough but the corners of his eyes tighten for a moment.
"Nah, I'll just drive myself."
"Ok then. I'll see you later Bella, Mr. Swan," Edward nods politely.
Alice trips up to Edward. "Congrats Bella! You look great!"
"Thanks. I'll see you later, ok?"
"Ok, no problem. We'll be having dinner late, around nine or so. Are you going to spend the night?"
Charlie freezes and turns to me.
"Uh, if it's ok with my dad," I look up at him with every evidence of pure intentions.
"Er…I guess. Your parents will be home?"
"Yes, they'll be there."
"Ok, then."
I wave goodbye to the Cullen's and force myself to enjoy my time with my dad. Soon, I'll have all the time in the world to be with Edward.
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EPOV
I've arranged to have a large bed brought into my room. It has a soft mattress and many layers of expensive and luxurious fabric piled on top. Alice chose what she thought would look good. All I did was choose the frame. It's mahogany and has carvings of cupids on the posts. It's a bed for my angel, after all.
"What's taking so long?" I grumble at Alice.
"She'll be here within the hour Edward. Charlie ended up playing poker with Mike's father and a few other guys. They're finishing up now."
Alice leans over and begins to apply a thin layer of lacquer on her toenails.
"That stuff smells atrocious."
She looks up and bats her eyes coquettishly. "No pain, no gain. Isn't that right, Jazz?"
"You're already gorgeous, you don't really need any of those human products."
Alice huffs. "I didn't hear you complaining last night."
Jasper chuckles.
"Ok enough! I don't need to see that!" I glare daggers at both of them. Their erotic thoughts aren't helping anything. I'd like to be as clearheaded as possible when Bella arrives. We only have a limited amount of time left together, as we are now.
"Edward, don't worry so much. It will all be ok. Bella will be here soon and you can um…spend some quality time together."
I grin at the thought of having her beneath me again, squirming and moaning.
"Hey Edward, cool it."
Jasper shoots me a dark look.
"Payback's a bitch," I say mildly as I hold up my hand.
Jasper snorts. "It sure is."
"Edward!"
I hear Esme calling and get up quickly. I slide down the stair banister. "Yes mom?"
Esme graces me with a gentle smile. "I got some Italian food from that restaurant in Port Angeles, and some Captain Crunch and milk for tomorrow morning. That was what you told me, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"Not a problem dear. Soon we won't have to worry about procuring human food anymore."
She watches carefully for a reaction. I don't give anything away.
"How are you feeling about that now? Are you still upset?"
I ponder that for a moment. "No. I'm happy that she'll be with us. I still haven't gotten over the 'taking her life away' part. She has no idea what it's like, to constantly struggle. I don't want that for her."
"She'll be fine Edward, you'll see. She loves you."
"I know."
"It sounds like she's almost here. Do you want some privacy? We can make ourselves scarce."
"Might be a good plan, at least for tonight."
"No problem, I left the food in the kitchen. Have a good night, son." Esme hugs me and I return her embrace.
Then I walk outside to greet Bella.
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BPOV
I arrive at the Cullen's around nine o'clock. Edward is standing on the porch, leaning against one of the columns, his arms crossed over his chest. He looks devastatingly beautiful in the moonlight.
Before I can turn the engine off, Edward is at my door, pulling it open for me. I grin at him and he grabs my small overnight bag from the passenger seat.
We head inside.
"Are you hungry? Esme brought some food from Port Angeles…"
"Oh! I wish I'd known! We ate at the Newton's."
"It's no big deal. Uh, do you want to come upstairs and put your stuff away?"
Edward's voice sounds nervous. My curiosity piqued, I follow him up the winding staircase to the second story. He leads me down the hall to his room. He opens the door slowly and leads me inside.
I can't tear my eyes away from the gigantic bed that has taken over his formerly spartan bedroom.
"Wow. Is that for me?"
"Yes. Do you like it?"
I look at it with my jaw hanging open. "But…why would you buy a bed now? I mean in a few days…I'll never sleep again."
"Beds have more than one purpose."
My body tingles at his words. I turn toward him with my brow raised and feign innocence. "Maybe you could show me some other uses…"
"I'd be more than happy to."
A few hours later, I lean toward Edward and wrap my arm around him. Laying in bed like this, skin against skin, would be uncomfortable if not for the heavy blankets on top of us. Otherwise is might be a little cold. Edward traces patterns on my skin.
"Tomorrow will be a busy day," Edward murmurs in my ear.
I think of the ceremony. "Yes it will be. I'll have to leave here by two o'clock."
"Why so early?"
"I need time to get some things together and then time to drive down to La Push," I trail off and want to smack myself for being an idiot.
Edward stiffens beside me.
I groan in frustration. How could I have let that slip? I must be more tired than I thought…
"Why are you going down there?"
"You know- the ceremony."
"Bella, you can't go."
"Why?" I raise myself up and look at him.
"It's a risk we don't need to take right now. There are a lot of things in motion."
His voice is tight, controlled. I know he's unhappy.
"Edward- I made a promise. I keep my promises."
"Be that as it may, you're going to have to break this one."
I steel myself. "No."
"Bella. Don't be difficult about this."
"I have to say goodbye to Jake and everyone else. You can't stop me from saying goodbye."
"Yes I can," his voice is hard as flint and I shiver.
I extricate myself from his arms. "I'm going Edward."
He sighs but doesn't respond. I begin to fidget, worriedly. Finally he speaks.
"How long will you be down there?"
I sigh in relief. "Just a few hours. Three at the most."
"Including the drive?"
"Yes."
"Is Charlie going with you?"
"No, he has to work."
He sighs again. "I don't like this Bella. I really don't. But I don't know if you'd forgive me if I stopped you."
I stare at him wide-eyed as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
"I'm sorry Edward, it's something I have to do," I say in as firm a voice as I dare.
He nods, miserable. "Since you are so intent on keeping your word, will you make me a promise?"
I hesitate but nod.
"Promise that you'll be careful. Keep your phone on you at all times and don't go anywhere without Jacob."
I find his request more than a little strange but I agree. I don't want to fight anymore.
He curls up around me and kisses my temple.
"Go to sleep now. You need your rest."
"Love you."
"I love you too."
I close my eyes and dream of a cold, black lake.
A door bangs open and I pull the covers over my head. It is entirely too early for this.
"Bella- time to get up!"
The mattress beneath me is shaking fiercely.
I groan. "What? Alice? What are you doing? Where's Edward?"
I rub my eyes sleepily and emerge from the covers.
"Oh, he and the rest of the family went hunting. After we change you, we'll have limited time to do that."
I feel slightly nauseous. "So we're going to wait until we're in Vermont for that?"
"Yes. We wouldn't want to have to move you after your change until you get control. Usually that takes about a year. It would be too hard to be around humans until then."
I give her a half-hearted smile.
"Speaking of food," she grins, "we have some of that cereal you like downstairs."
I get out of bed. "I'll come down in a few minutes. I need to take a shower first."
"All right, hurry up. We have things to talk about before you leave."
I take a long, very hot shower. It feels so good. Even though the bed is soft, my body isn't totally used to it and I'm a little stiff. I dress quickly, pulling my still damp hair into a bun and walk down the stairs to the kitchen.
I eat quickly and before I know it, I'm back in my truck, heading home.
The day seems to be passing much too quickly. It only takes me an hour to pack because all my clothes are clean and I picked out some stuff earlier in the week. I also put things that mean the most to me in the bag; my shabby scrapbook, all the photos of my family that I can find, my beat up teddy bear, and the cd's Edward made for me. I'm really sad when I realize that the bag I've been given is full.
It is so hard, having to leave everything else behind. I stand in the doorway for a long time, just looking at this room and remembering. Before I allow the sadness to completely engulf me, I head downstairs and slip out the front door. I stow my bag in the truck and then head back inside to say goodbye to Charlie.
"Hey dad."
"Hey there. You excited about tonight?"
"Yeah. I am." I feel the tears burning the corners of my eyes.
Charlie, usually oblivious looks at me strangely. "You ok honey?"
"Yeah," I croak.
He stands up and walks over to me. He stares at me for a long moment. I wonder what he's thinking about. "I'm really proud of you Bella. You've grown up a lot in the last few years. I'm happy that you came to live with me."
"Me too Dad. I love you so much."
I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face against his chest. For once he pulls me close, and doesn't just pat me on the back and shuffle away. Maybe he senses that something is coming, maybe he knows that this is it. Or maybe, he's just trying to comfort me.
I pull back and wipe the tears away that managed to squeeze out. "I left you a sandwich in the fridge for dinner, ok?"
He grins. "Thanks Bells. You didn't have to do that."
"Well, I'm off."
"Drive safe."
I can barely manage to get out a reply. "Ok."
I stumble from the house in a daze and climb into my truck. I can barely see the ignition, I'm crying so hard. I jam the key in and turn it. The motor roars to life. I let it idle for a minute and forcibly dry my eyes against my shirt. I look at the house, trying to burn it into my memory before I pull away.
I'll never see the house again. I'll never see my dad again.
I drive as carefully as I can down the streets that lead to La Push. I feel chilled to the bone. I don't know how I'll be able to perform when I'm feeling like this.
When I pull into Jake's driveway, I am reminded that this will also be the last time I see him. I choke down a sob.
It takes me several minutes to gain my composure. I'm really bad with all of this emotional stuff. I blow my nose one last time and then hop out of my truck. I walk up to Jacob's cabin and knock.
"Hey you," Jake opens the door with a wide smile. "Come on in."
He steps politely out of the way and I wonder where the sudden manners have come from.
"You want anything to drink?" He asks casually, leaning against a wall.
"Nah, I'm fine."
"No you're not. What's wrong?"
I look up at him balefully. He is going to freak, I just know it. "Jake- I'm leaving."
He tilts his head to the side. "When?"
"Tonight, after the dance."
"He's going to kill you tonight?"
I grimace. "He's not going to kill me. He won't change me until tomorrow night or the night after, I'm not sure. It will be after we leave."
"Kill, change, same thing. So how long does that take?"
His voice is deceptively calm. I keep waiting for the outburst.
"Uh, three days," I watch him warily.
He seems thoughtful. "Then you'll be one of them."
"Yes."
I know the explosion is coming; I tense in anticipation.
"So how long does it take to get under control? You know, so you can be around people without hurting them?"
I gape at him. "Huh?"
"You're not planning on hurting people, right?"
I shake my head no.
"So how long until I get to see you again?"
"Um. We'll be mortal enemies after they change me. It's probably not a good idea to see each other."
Jacob shrugs and brushes my statement off. "You never answered my question."
"What is wrong with you!" I stand up angrily and push his chest with my hands.
"Whoa! Calm down."
"No! I'm telling you I can't ever see you again and you're acting like everything is ok and we're talking about the god damned weather!" I scream at him.
He laughs.
I punch him.
He laughs harder.
"Jacob Black! Damn you!" I start crying out of frustration.
He sobers instantly and pulls me close. "This isn't goodbye. Stop crying. It's ok."
"It is goodbye. That's what I'm telling you. Jacob, I'm going to miss you so much. This hurts so bad…"
"No. You've got it all wrong. Didn't Edward tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Belatedly I realize that he called Edward by his name.
"About our deal?"
"What deal?" I whisper.
"He's not going to take you away forever Bella. I'm going to be in your life."
I shake my head. "That's impossible."
"No it isn't. Things will work out, you'll see. I just have to wait until you can control yourself is all. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm a little worried about cohabiting with a bloodsucker but I guess I can get over it as long as it's you."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"Bella, once you're changed, you'll be immortal. Me on the other hand; well, I'm aging faster than I should. Granted, I'll still be able to live a really long time but you'll go on living after I'm dead."
I nod. "Yeah, but what does that mean? We can't be together!"
"Why not?"
"Well there's Edward for starters! He's not going to just say 'ok Jacob, you get to keep her until you die and then I'll take over'. That's ridiculous! So what are you really saying?"
Jacob just stares at me. His silence is unnerving.
I feel all the blood drain away from my face. "You said you'd made a deal," I prompt softly, thinking about it.
"Yes. We won't tear you apart. This way you don't have to choose."
My insides turn to stone. Oh my God. I shove away from Jacob and head for the door. This is too much, I can't process it right now.
"Bella…"
"I have to go get ready. I'll see you later," I whirl out the door and begin jogging toward the woman's cabin, ignoring Jacob calling my name. It's a half mile but maybe it'll be enough for me to clear my head. I break out into a run. Suddenly, I feel dizzy. I slow and then stop, sitting down on a smooth rock. I rock forward and back, trying to catch my breath. I hold my pounding head in my hands.
Feeling confused and hurt I pull out my cell phone. I stare at it for a minute. "You promised you'd never leave me, but you lied. I guess I don't have to keep any promises to you either," I tell the phone before I chuck it angrily across the road. It hits the dirt with a satisfying thud. How could Edward do this to me? He'd change me and then leave me? He promised he'd never leave again!
I don't move from my spot for a long time. I can't seem to think straight. It gets dark and cold. Eventually, I force myself to stand and to walk toward the cabin where I need to change. I'm probably really late.
I keep walking until I see the clearing in the distance. I can see shadows of people moving against a background of firelight. I increase my pace.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a large warm hand reaches from behind me and clamps over my mouth. Another strong arm wraps around my waist, squeezing me painfully tight. I'm being dragged into the woods.
My heart is beating out of control and I try to struggle but it's useless. I scream as loud as I can behind the hand.
"Shut up!" An angry, masculine voice hisses.
I begin crying, terrified. I know that voice. I've heard it in my nightmares. I can't believe this is actually happening.
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JPOV
I decide to let her go for now. I don't think I've ever seen her so pissed off. I sit on the couch, thinking that I really blew it this time. Shit.
I wait for a while and then decide to go to the men's cabin. I'm glad when I see Bella's truck still parked outside. She hasn't gotten pissed enough to go home, which is good. Maybe I can still salvage the situation.
I walk over to the men's cabin and meet Sam and Quil outside. "Hey guys."
"Hey Jacob. You ready for tonight?" Sam asks.
"Yeah. We know these ceremonies by heart. It's no big deal."
"What about Bella? Is she ready?" Quil asks as he waggles his eyebrows.
"I think so," my voice trembles a little, giving away my uncertainty.
"What do you mean?" Sam asks, clearly able to pick up on my tone.
"We sorta got into a fight. She ran out of the house and was going to the woman's cabin to get ready. Hopefully she won't be mad."
"Hm. Well, she has an important part, hopefully she will be up to it," Sam grunts.
Embry walks out of the cabin, decked out in his tribal gear. "How do I look?"
I look him over. "Like a peacock."
"Yeah, well it's your turn Jake."
I shake my head and go into the cabin to change. My body is ritually cleansed and I have paint applied to my chest and face. I don the clothing and then head back outside. "Sam, your turn."
Sam goes inside and one by one all of us are dressed.
"Is Leah going to come tonight?" I ask quietly to the group. They glance at one another.
"Nah, she's staying home. Still healing. Paul's going to stay with her."
I snort. "Go figure."
"Well, at least they're interested in one another. It takes some of the stress off of me," Sam explains.
We all nod in agreement.
Millie Atwater walks over to our group, holding out a bowl filled with mineral oil. "Mahalakana wanted me to give this to you Sam, since you're leading the ceremony. All the women are ready, except we're waiting on Bella."
I turn my head her direction. "Did she ever show up?"
"No. We told her to be there by seven but she never came. Is she sick or something?" Mille's eyes seem to bore a hole into mine. I feel dizzy for a second.
"Uh, I'll find her. You guys wait a little longer, ok?" She nods in agreement and I turn panicked eyes to Sam.
"Where was she last seen?"
I tell him what road she was on.
"Ok, well we should be able to find her pretty quickly. We'll spread out, starting at both ends and working toward the middle until we hit her scent."
I nod in agreement. We walk toward the woods and I phase as soon as I hit the trees. I break out into a run.
I feel my brothers, running like wraiths with me. We speed through the forest with ease, dodging the thickets and leaping over any obstacles. We reach the road just a few minutes later and begin our search. Her scent is strong in my nostrils and I follow it until we hit a rock. Here it is strongest. I move forward, and then scowl. She didn't move very far from this rock at all. Embry turns toward me.
She didn't come this way.
Check the woods.
Spread out.
We move into the woods behind the rock and I smell her for several feet and then, her scent grows fainter. I look at my brothers, confused.
Where did the trail go?
Did she climb?
We look up into the trees.
No, she's not over here.
Not here either.
Let's keep moving forward..
I feel my heart speed up. I'm suddenly terrified. The only way for her scent to have faded as it did is if someone or something was carrying her. Murderous thoughts flood my mind. I lay my snout to the earth and inhale deeply.
I smell her, barely. I smell all of us, we've run through these parts often enough, but one scent stands out.
It's him.
Shit.
You don't think he'd…
I will kill him if he hurts her.
I break out into a run, charging forward. The scent of him is strong in my nose. He cannot mask that from me. Fifteen minutes later and there is still no sign. But I haven't lost the trail.
We're getting close to Cullen territory.
I don't care! We must find them!
Jake! Can you call one of them? Ask if we can be on their land.
Sam! Come on! They won't mind! Not if we're looking for Bella!
Jacob. It is an order.
I phase to human mid-stride and pull out the tiny cell phone that is in a holster around my ankle. As loathe as I am to do it, I hit the number 9. Yes- I have leeches on speed dial.
It doesn't even ring. "Hello?"
"Bella's missing. We need permission to track her onto your land."
"What!" His roar is loud enough to shatter my eardrum. "Where are you, precisely?"
I tell him the area and that we're following the trail.
"We'll meet you halfway. Call me if you find her first."
"Fine." I flip the phone shut and put it back into the holster.
I phase instantly and resume the search. I can't believe that I'm relieved that those bloodsuckers are coming.
Over here! Their scent is stronger!
We turn as one and run toward Embry.
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BPOV
I don't understand what is going on. Where is he taking me?
I can't ask because he hasn't let go of my mouth once.
Finally, after what seems an hour, we break through the circle of trees and my body goes limp. This is it-the lake from my dreams. I really have no idea what to think. I'm only hoping it doesn't end the same way.
"Given up have you?"
He lets me go suddenly and I fall to the ground.
I grunt as my soft body encounters hard stones. I look up at him angrily. "What do you think you're doing?"
He kneels in front of me. "What someone should have done long ago. You're like an annoying gnat Bella, always buzzing around. Not everyone is fooled by you. Leah wasn't and I'm not."
He can see the question in my eyes.
"You don't understand do you? Let me make it clear. It is your fault the pack is broken. It is your fault that Leah is hurt and it is your fault that we don't attack those damn leeches and be done with it. Don't think we wouldn't have long ago, treaty be damned. If Jacob wasn't so infatuated," he spits, "then they would be dead like they're supposed to be and you wouldn't be here. You're not Quileute Bella, not even close. I can't believe they are stupid enough to think of you as the peacekeeper! You- the girl who causes drama wherever she goes!"
"That isn't fair!"
"Shut up! Nothing you say holds any interest to me."
My head is spinning. He inches forward then and looks at me intently. His eyes are moving from side to side madly as though trying to see into my head. "What is it that they see in you? You're not even pretty! Pale skin, boring brown hair, muddy eyes, no figure to speak of. Just short and thin. What is it about you Bella? Do you even know? Tell me."
I keep my mouth firmly shut. I want him to say whatever it is he has to say. Maybe then I can convince him to let me go.
"No? Maybe it's something I haven't figured out yet. Maybe it's not on the surface at all. Maybe I have to go looking for it."
He inches closer, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
I scoot backward, away from him.
"Oh yes, try to run Bella. I'm stronger, faster, and smarter than you are. Try it and see what happens."
I freeze, watching him. I know that I can't turn my back on him.
He moves forward slowly, his hands and feet on the ground, almost crawling.
Stay still. Edward's silken voice commands.
I behave and try to slow my heart by breathing deeply.
He crawls over my body and pushes me down so that I'm lying on the ground. The stones are digging into my back. I wince in pain.
"Before we're through I'm going to know all your secrets," he whispers in my ear.
I feel like throwing up.
"Take off your shirt," he commands.
"No!" I protest loudly, outraged.
"Do it you little bitch or I will do it for you!"
Do as he says Bella. Slowly. My hands shake as I try to undo the buttons on the front of my shirt. One by one I shake them loose.
"Open it."
I want to die. This is not happening.
He grows impatient and tears my shirt open. He glances down briefly and grabs the center of my bra. With a slight tug, the material breaks. He stares.
I flush in humiliation.
"Nothing special there," he concludes and sneers at me.
I glare up at him.
"Unbutton your jeans."
"Fuck you!"
"Maybe later," he smiles suggestively.
I cringe away in horror.
"Fine, I'll do it."
"No!" I try to move but he pins me with all his weight, knocking the breath out of me.
He lifts himself off slightly, just long enough for me to suck in a tiny bit of air.
"Would you rather suffocate like this?"
I shake my head no.
"Then do everything I say. If you stop, I will kill you."
Shaking, I comply, wiggling out of my jeans and underwear when he tells me to. He looks down and inspects my body, shaking his head. "This can't be it."
He looks up then at the moon. "That would be so disgusting."
I don't know who he's talking to but I'm terrified.
"You'd probably like it though," he smirks down at me.
"Like what?" I whisper.
He makes an obscene gesture.
I look at him in horror. "Please don't do this Paul. Please. You don't have to do this."
"Oh but I do. I need to know what it is Bella, that causes all the guys to crazy for you. Are you that good in the sack? I mean, what else could it be?"
"I've never slept with Jacob!" I cry out, begging him to see reason.
"Huh. So you allowed that filthy bloodsucker to touch you but not Jacob, who loves you more than you'll ever know. That decides it."
He begins to undo his belt.
Something in me snaps. I feel something moving inside of me, changing. A rushing sound fills my ears. My eyes see red.
"No!" I roar as I shove him bodily off of me. He flys through the air and lands several feet away.
I stand up and face him. The part of my mind that thinks things through is gone. I'm running on instinct.
"Bitch!" Paul gets up and stalks forward, malevolence and hatred etched on his face. "You will suffer before I kill you."
Against all logic, I beckon him forward.
He lunges and I sidestep him easily. I feel as though I'm a marionette, attached to strings that someone else is pulling.
He swings at me then, and at the last second I duck my head.
He stumbles forward then, in a mad rage.
Summoning all my strength, I strike out with my foot. It connects solidly with his chest.
He cries out in agony, stumbling back. He bends forward, wheezing.
I stay alert, poised to counter anything he might throw at me.
"That's…it. You…will…pay." He grunts as his features begin to morph.
I stare at him without flinching as he phases into a grotesque monster. He crouches and springs.
I try to hit him again but it glances off. I feel a surge of fear that tells me to run.
I obey instinct and run.
I don't get very far.
He swipes me from behind and I scream in agony as I feel the gashes in my back. I fall to the ground and try to scramble forward. He grabs the back of my neck and drags me toward the water. I twist and try to fight but the pain is intense and I can't hurt him in this form.
Into the lake he drags me. The water is like ice and my skin feels as though it is being assaulted by a thousand needles.
He grabs the front of my throat then and straddles my chest. I take a deep breath before I'm submerged.
I keep my eyes closed and fight the growing pain in my chest. I can't let go of this breath or I will die. I won't last much longer, a few seconds at best.
Terrified, my eyes open as my mouth exhales. A hundred tiny bubbles erupt from my mouth and I watch them as they rise to the surface and dissipate. It is like watching your life winking out of existence.
I can't stop the water coming into my mouth and my nose. It's filling me and I'm panicking, thrashing around as hard as I can.
Please! I scream in my mind as the pain takes over. Edward. Jacob.
It's no longer dark. I'm floating. There's a beautiful light ahead, brilliant and perfect. I leave the cold and the pain behind.
So this is what it is to die…