A/N: Unbeta'd.

Chapter 26

BPOV

"You were supposed to die. You're supposed to be dead. I never banked on being so perfect that one of you would live."

No. no, this can't be happening. This can't be real. The man takes a step towards me, coming out of the shadow that'd been cast by my curtain and into the moonlight. I'm too terrified to gasp or even move from this intruder. I'd recognize him anywhere, even though he's aged some and has a few scars since I last saw him. It's the face that's plagued me for so many years. Why did I tell Edward that I was going to be okay on my own tonight?

"I've been waiting for the right moment these past days, but he's always around; both always around."

I say nothing, do nothing; I just can't risk it. I need to call Edward or the police. My phone is still in my hand that's partially hidden by my side. I know I need to run. If I can do both, then I'll be golden.

"It was by sheer luck that mutt didn't listen to you, but it worked out so much better than planned; I didn't have to get my hands dirty."

"You…" I breathe out, finally finding some sort of voice. "You're why… why he's not here?"

"Nah, the man driving the car is why, but I guess I did start him on that path."

"Why," I ask, my vision starting to cloud with tears. My Seth.

"Why?" He scuffs like the reason for killing someone's pet is obvious. "Because he was in my way; a complication that needed to be dealt with."

I unlock my phone with that fingerprint option as I find more voice and yell, "He was all I had left!"

He advances on me and my fight or flight instincts finally kick in. I turn to run for my front door, quickly opening my calls and tapping Edward's name. He catches me, wrapping his arms around my waist, but not before the call has connected. The force of his body knocks the phone from my hands, sending it into the hallway wall and landing screen down on the floor. I can't know if it's still calling or not, and now I must fight. I yell and swing my arms, trying to elbow his face. I get one hit in, but he's quicker and blocks my next attempt, grabbing hold of my arms and locking his around them. I bend and pull, twist and push, squirming as much as possible to free myself from one of the men who executed my family, but he's too strong.

"You will not get away this time." He says with a strained, yet determined voice through clenched teeth.

It's the last thing I hear before I'm thrown down onto something hard, everything going black.