Bella's absence, however brief, filled me with trepidation as each minute passed. Without her as my shield (both metaphorically and literally), the protection she provided was gone, and I was surrounded by those I didn't want to be around. The longer I was awake, the more I remembered the harsh words they had spoken to my mom prior to the attack.

Esme, whom I really couldn't be mad at, was the only one I was voluntarily polite to. Carlisle, being my doctor, was the one who determined my recovery; I figured the more polite I was to him, the sooner I could go home.

I'd been left alone to finish my meal and I used that half an hour to relax in my own company.

Too soon, the room filled up: Edward walked in, followed by Rosalie who was carrying a mug, Alice and Esme.

The timing of their appearance seemed too calculated. Setting the spoon on the tray after my final mouthful seemed to be a summoning bell.

Whilst Edward kept his distance, the female vampires did not. Like a well-formed trio, they danced forward together, Alice skipped to the side whilst Esme and Rosalie came to either side of my bed. Esme lifted the tray out of my lap and Rosalie offered me a mug. The heat warmed my hands and I was momentarily mesmerized by the steam that rose like translucent, white flames. Reflexively, I thanked them both.

They both beamed. Esme left with the tray and I hoped the others would follow. But no such luck.

Rosalie had taken my automatic politeness as an olive branch and she took a seat, her eyes were smiling as much as her lips were. I instantly cursed the manners Bella had ingrained into me. I focused my attention on the warm drink, effectively ignoring them, hoping they would get the message and leave. It was a medicinal fruit tea; the aromas of floral, summer berries rising in the mist.

I blew into the mug, but never raised it to my lips. They were all watching me intently. Jeesh, was it poisoned or something?

Edward chuckled. I ignored him. Why were they here? 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 briefly worried I'd voiced my thoughts. But then I remember that without my mom here to protect my mind, thoughts didn't need to be said in order to be heard… not with him in the room.

At first I felt guilty, but then I realised they deserved my animosity. I glanced up, wearing my defiance with honour. His stance was casual and his face an unreadable 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," Rosalie supplied, still encouraged by my previous nicety. "You're one of us after all."

I'm nothing like you.

I turned my sneer up toward Edward. A frown marred his face as he held my gaze. Like a dog challenging authority, I refused to break eye-contact. My feelings would not change. Finally admitting defeat, Edward sighed, "We should leave. We aren't wanted here."

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

"If you're referring to my mother, do not finish that sentence," I growled a warning with a venom I didn't know I possessed. My chest thundered with the vibrations, my voice eerily calm but stormy in equal measure. Rosalie looked startled, then determined.

"Get out," I whispered, dismissing them all.

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

Edward monitored their reluctant exit, sparing me a final glance before he closed the door. With an outcry of pure rage, I launched my mug at the door, shattering the china and staining the white painted wood.

Laying my head back on the propped up pillows, I let the slow drip of the red liquid hypnotise me into a slumber.

-o0o-

I was walking knee deep in mud. No matter how hard I pulled my legs, they barely moved. I felt as if I'd been walking for hours, but no matter how many steps I took forward, my surroundings didn't change. I was trapped.

I looked down at the mud; my attention shifting to the blood on my wrists. The red was thick yarn, secured tightly around my wrists and interlacing around my fingers. I followed the string as it ran from my hands, across the mud and into the trees beyond.

Suddenly, my hands were yanked, jostling my entire body. Because of my trapped legs, I couldn't avoid the pain it ricocheted throughout my shoulders. Instead, all I could do was hold my ground, so I pulled against them with all my might. On the other side of the string, wrapped tightly around her waist and chest, was a crying Bella.

"Mommy?"

I'd dragged her out of the tree line, sobbing. "Stop hurting me," she begged.

She put her hands in the mud and tried to stand up, but she was injured and bleeding and the strings were too controlling, limiting her efforts. She looked up and her chocolate brown eyes locked with mine. Her delicate, human skin was blotched and stripped with tears.

"Let me go, please."

I went to go to her, to help her and tell her I did not want to hurt her, but my legs met resistance, the mud too strong and too deep for me to fight against.

As I looked down, the mud disappeared and was replaced by the same red string. From my ankles to the very top of my thighs, the red string shrouded me - it was all I could see. The string grew, wrapping itself higher and higher, securing my torso and pushing the air from my rib cage.

I fought against them, trying to get to my mom, but I was 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. The strings around my left leg were connected to Rosalie and Emmett; the right to Alice and Jasper. The strings at my torso were connected to Esme and Carlisle. Edward stepped into focus, dead centre. He held up the end of another red string. It led back towards me and as I looked down, it wrapped around my chest, pulling the air from my lungs. As I struggled for breath, he pulled me with a vigor that had me landing against his chest, his iron grip keeping me caged. Again, Bella came with me; a brutal force that made her cry out and plead for her release.

Her screams echoed in the enclosure, as did my own. I was held back and couldn't move towards her. The more I pulled away from the Cullens, the tighter my strings became and the more she was tousled. 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."

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. I could feel cold hands touching my face.

My ears popped 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 golden, panic-filled orbs. I launched myself at her chest and let her scent override my senses as I cried into her shoulder.

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

"It wasn't real. It was just a dream," she soothed. "None of it was real. 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 solely on that, but the images were too prominent and felt too real. I could feel the strings still wrapped around me.

Knowing my mind was playing tricks, I opened my eyes, hoping that would dispel the images, but all I saw when I did were the Cullens stood in the room with expressions of bewilderment on their faces. Like the nightmare, Edward stood centre, looking pained. His arms extended, hovering like he wanted to hold me. It was a real life reminder of my dream.

I whimpered and held onto Bella tighter, closing my eyes again. She shifted me so that I was wrapped around her completely. Her shushing and her caresses didn't relent. I focused 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. When warm muscle enveloped my back and another soothing voice came to my other ear, my cries ebbed.

I allowed them to soothe me as they had since I was small. I felt home. I let myself be lulled by their presence. Half my body being warmed, half being chilled. I was unaware of how long we stayed like that, 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 Jake 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.

"I love you too," she reassured me.

I was fully aware we had an audience. I felt suffocated.

"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 my face into 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.

I breathed in the air as deep as I could, letting my senses take over. Maybe if the animal came out, I could forget for a while. So, I took off running, unaware of where I was going to but completely aware that a four-legged Jake wasn't far behind me. My hearing tuned in, my sense of smell heightened and my teeth were bared as I whizzed through the barren trees and took down my first victim: a doe whose blood soothed every worry-filled crevice.

A prominent huff from my left had me noticing I'd drained my prey. I dropped the carcass sheepishly and let the hunter within me fade away as I looked into the black eyes of my forever.

I stood up and made my way towards the giant, russet wolf. I reached out and locked my fingers in his fur, holding myself close to him, letting him know in my own way that I was okay. I kissed his muzzle and let myself be. I was here. I was alive. He nuzzled into my neck, making me smile contentedly.

After a few moments, I realised we should probably head back so my mom wasn't alone. Our rapid escape meant we'd essentially fed her to the wolves. Jake snorted at my metaphor, offended.

"Sorry," I chuckled. "But we should get back."

He nodded once then lowered himself and looked at me expectantly. I grinned and hopped on his back like I used to when I was small, and we headed back.

Edward was outside waiting for us. Jake growled under his breath. I flicked his ear, effectively cutting off his grumble.

Edward only spoke when I had slipped off of Jacob's back: "Are you alright?"

I nodded.

"Your mom was worried about you – we all were," he told me.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"Still upstairs. After you went outside, she asked for a moment alone."

With nothing further to say, I went to pass him, but he halted me.

"We wouldn't take you away from her," he assured me. "I'd never do that."

I frowned at him, confused.

"Your dream," he clarified.

Of course he was watching.

He continued: "I wouldn't hurt you, or her like that."

Jake snorted loudly, catching me off guard. Edward's eyes saddened fleetingly before he re-situated his neutral mask.

"Not that you could separate us, but that wasn't what my dream was about," I levelled with him.

Now he frowned.

"Mom could be free of you if it wasn't for me. Because of me, she'll always be tied to you." Speaking it aloud did little to combat the overwhelming sense of guilt I felt. My mom was hurt because of these people and she was hurting still because of her constant reminder… me.

"That's not your fault, you know," Edward replied.

"I know."

I did know it had nothing to do with me really. I was certain of Bella's love for me and knew that she was thankful every day that something worthwhile came out of the chaos they created.

The slight pitch of his left eye was the only indication that he had heard that underlying thought.

With that, I walked past him and entered the house. As I walked through the door, I saw Bella walking down the stairs at human speed. I smiled up at her and she smiled back.

"Can we go home now that I'm well again?" I begged.

She continued toward me, smirking affectionately, and tucked my hair behind my ear. Something in her trail of thought led elsewhere and her smile slowly morphed into a frown that then ignited a fire in her eyes.

"Home isn't safe at the moment, Ness," she told me calmly. "There are too many new-borns roaming around."

My shoulders slumped, failing to hide my disappointment.

Attempting to reason with her, I said, "Only one was at the house though, and because you were here, you weren't there to protect Charlie, so it makes sense that we go home."

She shook her head then took my hand and led me to the couch, sitting me down with her. "There was more than one, Ness. They've been appearing more frequently since you were attacked."

"There's a killing spree beginning in Seattle too," Alice inputted from across the room.

Bella looked at her. "It's going to get worse…"

Alice nodded grimly.

Bella sighed, then turned back to me. "We think it's Victoria."

I felt like I had been slapped. "Huh?"

"Jasper has seen this before," Bella explained. "He thinks she's creating an army to try and overpower us."

"An army?" I turned to Jasper incredulously.

He stepped forward. "Vampires are at their most powerful in their first year, they're volatile and fiercely strong. Vampires created new-born armies to take over patches. My belief is that Victoria wants to create enough to distract us, leaving you vulnerable enough to be killed."

"So she'll keep sending more until she finally gets me." I turned back to my mom. "That's why you sent Grandpa to La Push."

She nodded.

"Well then let's go to La Push, the pack is there. With us there too we can stop them," I reasoned.

"You can't," Jake said, having shifted back to his human self. I snapped my head to him, an overwhelming sense of betrayal deflating my hope. "Nessie, I'd take you there myself, but if the new-borns are coming here, and to your house, then the bloodsuckers are using you or Bella as their target. They'll be using your scent. Sam won't have you in La Push if it endangers our tribe."

That made sense.

"Besides, the treaty still applies to us. We wouldn't be able to protect you if you stayed there," Edward added.

"So then, what?" I threw my hands up. "We stay put and wait?"

"No," Bella said. "I'm going to go after Victoria, and you're going to stay here."

I felt the blood drain from my face. "You're leaving me?"

She put her hands on either side of my face. "I'm protecting you."

I yanked myself from the couch and screamed at her, "And who will protect you?!"

She stood up as Jasper spoke from my side, "I will."

I didn't look at him, still glaring at my mother.

"Bella and I will go and track Victoria and kill her before she creates this epidemic," he explained. "We're counting on the fact that Victoria isn't aware of our knowledge, which means we can launch a surprise attack."

"And when was this decided?" I demanded.

Bella shared a look with Jasper. A silent understanding passed between them. Then, she turned back to me. "Right now."

As my anger piqued, the room caught wind of the plan that had rashly been strewn together. Interjections happened at lightning speed: some were for the plan whilst others were wholeheartedly against it. Between them, they debated the benefits of staying and waiting, or surprising her; compared what the best strategies would be for each option and the likely outcomes – both best case scenarios and the worst. The main contender was what Bella and Jasper had agreed upon already: that they would go alone and everyone else would stay behind.

Edward fought vehemently against the idea, loathing it just as much as me. "It's a ridiculous idea, you'll be severely outnumbered," he fumed.

"We'll be able to handle them, Edward. They're unpredictable, they'll easily make mistakes, and if we go now Victoria won't have the chance to create enough to outnumber us in the first place," Jasper reasoned.

"It will work, Edward," Alice assured. I could only assume she'd seen the outcome. That put me at ease a little.

He shook his head defiantly at whatever thoughts Jasper and Alice were sharing.

Jake snorted. "Does someone want to explain for the non-intrusive people present?"

"Edward wants to go with them, but it would get them all killed," Alice told the room. "He and Bella would be too focused on protecting each other."

Bella let out a puff of air, and looked at the floor.

"He's got a point though," Jake began, baffling me that he'd ever agree with Edward on something. "Even one more body would help. If he can't go then what about the big guy or one of my pack?"

Jasper shook his head. "If more of the family leave, Victoria will suspect something is wrong and we'll lose the element of surprise. If the wolves go, the same will apply, only Alice won't be able to monitor what's going on from here."

Bella stood up from the couch. "It has to be us," she said with finality.

My heart broke. "I don't want you to go – it's too dangerous."

She drew me into a hug. "Honey, I don't want to be away from you either but I'm the best person to go because she wouldn't expect me to leave you. If we're right then she's going to be using you as bait so you need to stay here where you're protected."

"When do you leave?" I asked timidly.

She pulled back and looked me dead in the eye before whispering: "We leave tonight."