I don't own Twilight, but I do own Bound.

Chapter three

My car ran out of gas on the outskirts of Palm Springs in southern California. The old gas station that I was currently at had two pumps. There was a small tingle in the back of my neck. My mind was screaming at me not to go in. The bell at the store's door jingled as I walked in. The place was empty and a bit eerie. I went to the back freezer and grabbed a few bottles of water and ice for my cooler. I heard the bells over the door jingle.

Maybe I should hurry.

I grabbed a bag of chips and a candy bar before making my way to the counter to pay. The old lady at the counter gave me a warm smile as I put everything down for her to scan. Suddenly, the tingle was back, but this time it felt like a burning sensation down my spine. My body felt heavy, like I was sleepy. Unexpectedly, my mind was bombarded with visions that were not my own. One vision came to focus. It was a person begging for mercy, looking straight at me. I let out a cry of pain. My body felt like it was on fire. Suddenly, as if nothing happened, I was back at the gas station, and the old lady at the counter was looking at me, concerned.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" she looked at me, puzzled.

"Yeah, I have a bit of a headache."

"Would you like to buy a bottle of painkillers?"

"No, actually, I'm in a hurry." After she rang up my items, I hurriedly left the store feeling like someone was watching me.

After closing my tank from filling my car, I turned and saw a tall, burly man standing by my car with crumpled clothes.

"I've never seen you around here before." He said as he took a few steps closer. He absolutely reeked and was probably intoxicated.

"Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. It's nice to meet you, but I've got to go." As I went to open my car door, he grabbed my arm.

"Why are you in such a hurry? You should stick around." He came closer. The stench of his breath was terrible.

"No, thanks." I pulled my arm out of his grasp and opened my car. He yanked toward him. "Get off me!" I shouted. A blinding blue light surrounded my vision.

One moment, his hands were on me. The next, he was shaking on the floor. In a blink of an eye, as if he was possessed, his body lay straight on the ground.

What the fuck!

"Don't worry. You didn't kill him." I heard. I looked away from the man on the floor to see another man in the distance walking closer. I wanted to leave before he called the police on me.

"Wait, don't leave! I am not going to hurt you or call the police." The man came closer. He was attractive with shoulder-length blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He was dressed in a plain black shirt and fitted jeans. "I just want to help. Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He stood six feet away with both hands up.

"Who are you?" I asked, completely shaken by what occurred.

"I am James Whitlock. It's nice to meet you." He held out his hand. I hesitated, looking at it. What could go wrong in shaking his hand?

"I'm Bella Swan. Nice to meet you too." When I took his hand, the fire sensation I felt came back. I quickly let go.

"So it is true…" he said with wide eyes.

"What's true?" I asked.

"You don't know?" he asked with curious eyes.

"No. I need to go." I said as I rapidly went into my car and started it.

Let me know what you think.