I was on fire in my dream, being chased through the forest covered in flames. I tried to stop. I had to put the fire out. But, like in most dreams, my legs refused to cooperate and I just kept running. I could feel my arms burning; my legs, my stomach, my neck… all on fire. I screamed.

Jolting awake from the sound of my own voice, the forest of my dream left me… but the burning sensation didn't. I scrubbed at my arms, trying to get the burning to stop, before curling into a fetal position and gritting my teeth. What was happening?

A particular hot wave of pain coursed through my entire body, causing me to yell and lose my grip on the wide fir branch. I tumbled down the tree, hitting branches on the way, leaving them broken in my wake. I instinctively clenched my eyes shut just before impact. There was nothing I could do.

I hit the ground.

And wasn't hurt.

Before I could recover, another blinding wave of pain passed through me, seeming to originate somewhere around my neck. I gasped, unable to even cry out, and curled up in the wet moss. The heat moved from my neck and seemed to collect in my chest, building slowly into an ever-concentrated point. My heart beat once, and then shuddered and gave out. And then… the pain was gone.

I lay there for a full minute before reaching up to press a cool hand against my chest. Nothing. Should I be worried about my lack of a heartbeat? It didn't seem to be doing me any harm. I stood in one lithe movement, testing my feet.

I was fine. Grimacing at the coldness the fire had left in its wake, I checked myself all over. The cuts from falling through the window had all completely healed over; hadn't even left scars behind. No broken bones. My body didn't even feel bruised from the fall. In fact, the moss that I had landed on looked rather dented. I scowled, scratching my head.

I jumped as something shrieked nearby, realizing that I hadn't a clue where I was. Or who I was, for that matter. Looking towards the source of the noise, I instantly spotted the bird above my head. I could see droplets of water clinging to its black feathers. I could see an ant, hurrying along the branch where the raven perched. Experimentally, I kicked at the tree that I had spent the night in. There was a loud crack from somewhere at its heart before it started to fall. I squeaked and danced out of the way, my hand clamped over my mouth, as the magnificent fur tipped slowly over to land with a resounding crash in the waist-high ferns. The raven that had perched in its boughs gave an alarmed squawk and took off for another – preferably far away – tree.

For another full minute I stared, wide-eyed, at the tree. I hadn't even kicked it that hard…

Snapping out of my trance I gave a delighted laugh and kicked at another tree, watching in amazement at it too fell. And then another. And another. I spun about as trees fell all around me, laughing at the havoc I created; dancing in and out of the falling trunks; seeing how long I could stand underneath the tree before being forced to move or be crushed.

Eventually I had an impressive little clearing of fallen trees. I stopped, but only because my conscience felt that the destruction of ancient forest wasn't quite productive.

A sudden wind shift caused a new smell to enter my nostrils. I inhaled deeply, trying to put my finger on that musky/earthy scent. Out of pure curiosity I pointed my nose in the direction of the wind and set off, moving fluidly over the trunks of the trees I had felled. Minutes later I broke into a light run, nose in the air, as the scent got stronger and stronger. My ears picked up the sounds of stomping on the dense moss. Hooves.

The small herd of deer was just settling in for the night when I appeared on the edge of the sheltered clearing. I quickly crouched low, nostrils flaring, pupils dilating, and studied every single deer in the group. The males were on a small rise, looking after their respective females slightly below them, some of which were nursing dappled fawns. One older male instinctively caught my attention. He was off to the side, without a single female. He obviously had not won any that season. He was old. An easy kill.

I withdrew from the clearing and lightly made my way to the other side, where the male was. Ever so silently, I inched forwards to where I knew him to be. Closer. Closer. I could see his graying fur through a small gap in the bush. Eight feet away. Three more steps and -

Snap.

The forest erupted all around me.

I cursed my arrogance and took off after the deer, easily spotting the male I had targeted before. I could see his hindquarters darting in front of me as he crashed through the undergrowth. Putting on an extra spurt of speed, I found myself so close to him that I could have reached out and arm and pet him. He was tiring already, being so old. Deer were not endurance runners.

I leapt.

And missed.

I grappled with his flank for a hold as I overshot and sailed completely over him, landing on my back on the ground. He gave an enormous snort and turned towards me, sides heaving, mouth foaming. I sprang to my feet and whirled to face him, my teeth bared in a ferocious grin, hands forming claws on their own accord. He lowered his once-magnificent head, trying to force me back with his antlers. I danced out of the way and slashed at his side with my nails.

Bellowing in frustration, he kicked at me with his hooves. I didn't wait to find out what a blow from a pair of those could do to me, just danced out of the way and took the opening he offered. I appeared at his side and took his head in both hands. With a flick of the wrist I broke his neck and took a step back as he crumpled to the ground.

"And such is the way of life…" I remarked sadly, bending to place a hand on his warm cheek. His neck tantalized me. I hesitated, then brought my lips to it, feeling the warmth there. My teeth slowly broke the skin and the blood filled my mouth.

When I was finished I immediately felt rejuvenated. I felt as if I could run all the way to… well… wherever this forest led. Wait a minute… why not? I said a silent prayer for the deer and took off, running faster than I had before. The trees became a green blur, as I stopped relying on sight and just avoided them by feel. I could feel a wide grin spread across my face as I ran, absolutely free of everything. I only paused once to wonder if it had always been this way, before another herd of deer caught my attention and the thought was discarded. I laughed and gave chase, not thirsty, just for the thrill of it. They bobbed up and down in my vision before I passed them and was off, running up a sheer hill– and then down the other side – and then sailing over a small trickle of a steam– then leaping past an enormous boulder–and then –

Whack.

I reeled from the impact, trying desperately to stay on my feet. What the hell? Something I had collided with had definitely not been there a moment before. When my vision cleared I saw another figure, shaking her head in the same manner as I had been a moment before, trying to clear it. I instantly crouched in an offensive position, startling even myself as a low snarl ripped from the back of my throat. Before I could think, and definitely before she could recover, I was on her, snarling and clawing and biting anything within reach. She snarled in return, her head apparently clear enough, and raked her long nails down my face. I yelped and jumped back, panting, cheek stinging.

Long blonde hair feel in a wild lion's mane around her face, bits of leaves and twigs caught in it from our struggle. We circled each other, warily, each looking for an opening. I already knew that I was stronger than she was, having recovered much faster than she had. I had the advantage and she knew it. Or she would… soon enough. I did not know who this girl was, but she was a threat to me.

Without warning she leapt. If she had one advantage over me it was that she was obviously more experienced. I didn't have time to dodge before she was on me and we were tumbling over together.

Her teeth ripped into my arm, but I pushed her aside and took her face in both my hands, much as I had with the deer. And, like the deer, I was prepared to snap her neck.

Something huge, something solid, tackled me from behind.

She was ripped away from me and I was thrown painfully into the trunk of a nearby tree, hissing as the air was forced from my lungs. I got shakily to my feet, gritting my teeth, and surveyed the newcomer. He was huge. With a slight pang I recognized him from the room with the wall of CD's. What had his name been? Ernest? Emmet? He was helping the blonde girl to her feet. I seemed to be forgotten. The girl I could have taken easily. But both of them? Definitely not. I turned and was running before she was steady on her feet.

And then they were giving chase.

I could hear him lumbering behind me and almost laughed. He was heavy and slow. Huge, strong, muscled, yes. But slow. I veered to the right, slipping between trees and feeling overly confident. I had almost forgotten about the blonde, but she didn't let me. Suddenly she was there, tackling me to the ground. I snarled in fury, slashing her across the face much as she had done. She shrieked and fell backwards, holding a pale hand to her face as blood seeped between her fingers. I went to leap at her when I found myself caught in midair.

With another snarl of rage I thrashed wildly in the man's arms, but was easily and efficiently suppressed.

"She's not worth it." The blonde spat, wiping the blood away from her cheek. The slashes had already closed over. She gracefully got to her feet and unnecessarily dusted herself off. She was a mess.

"She's not in her right mind, Rose." The man's voice said slowly behind me. I could feel the rumble of his voice in his chest. I went limp in his arms. Maybe…

"Well, what's wrong with her?" The girl sniffed, crossing her arms. I felt the man shake his head, but he didn't elaborate. He relaxed his hold on me, just as I had hoped. I suddenly squirmed in his hold, desperately trying to free myself. He sighed and tightened his muscled arms again. My little plan hadn't bought me as much as an inch.

"Whatever. Come on, then." The girl ordered, disappearing into the dark forest.

"Time to take you home, Bella." He rumbled, his tone friendly. I didn't answer, just stared numbly into the darkness.

Where was home?

He set off after the girl.

A/N : Sorry that took such a longtime. I haven't had the chance to write any more lately. As per usual, any questions/comments/whatever would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all you kick ass people who reviewed last time. Byeeee!