Mirania lingers behind Giannini, staring at his back. I can feel her sadness, fear, and happiness to see him and wonder if she knows I can sense her emotions. I'm still looking for a way to kick her out; if she's shaken enough, I might just have a chance. She moves my lips many times, looking for the words she wants to say, before finally speaking.

—Giannini… she whispers —You don't have to be here for this.

He stops suddenly, making her take a step back. —I don't need to be here? He turns around, and his eyes make Mirania's feelings squeeze my heart. —I watched your body day and night. I hid your first slip of conscience and protected you when Padrone wanted to kill you for making that Cullen attack you. I secretly fed you as your body slowly withered away so you wouldn't die of hunger. So, yes, I need to be here. I couldn't see his face in the dim light of the lab, but now Mirania observes every trace of his. He's a fairly tall man with a sharp jaw and short hair. His eyes are red too, but less animalistic than Raffaello's or Padrone's. His lips are pulled down in anger, but his eyes look sad and lonely.

—I'm sorry. She says, looking down. His words hurt her deeply, and although I don't understand them, I can understand the sadness she places in my heart.

—I know. You had no other choice. He looks away like he regrets his harsh words.

—No. I had a choice. It had to be me.

—You wanted to punish yourself; you got what you want. Now we move on. He opens one of the doors in the corridor, stepping away so Mirania can enter.

Not yet. I hear her thoughts in my head as we slide inside the room.

The place looks like a school's locker room with various lockers on the wall to our right and a long metal bench in front of them. She looks back at him, staring at me like he doesn't want to leave her.

Our feelings mix together after he finally closes the door. Her sadness starts a chain reaction in my mind, and I catch myself looking at Esme's face in my memory and wondering if she's all right. Raffaello said they were coming after me, but their chances of finding this place are slim. Besides, they probably came because of Renesmee, not because of me. She must be furious at me right now.

She grabs the same swimsuit I was wearing when I woke up in that forest from one of the lockers, and suddenly everything falls in place. They put me in that forest on purpose, to get close to the Cullens so that they could use me somehow. What do you want? I ask angrily. She's removing my dress and putting on the swimsuit without answering me. I scream louder, but she's unaffected.

I can see my reflection in the mirror. This is exactly how I woke up in that forest the first time. What did you do to me? Why can't I remember anything, and why did you target the Cullens? Maybe Giannini really shook her because she answered my questions with a melancholic voice instead of the usual rabid tone.

I'll explain it to you… soon. She tells me in my mind. I know it doesn't make sense now, but it will trust me. I'll bring you back home. The wave of guilt that runs through my body catches me off guard, and I can't answer her.

She finishes changing my clothes and cleaning out the dirt from my body. There is not even a scar where the cut on my thigh was, and I can't even begin to understand how.

What's going to happen now? I ask as I feel she's getting ready to leave the room.

I told you. Trust me. Her answer makes me hesitate. Maybe it's all her feelings rushing through my body, but I kind of feel almost sorry for how sad and lost she feels. The thing is, I'm here because of her. I can't let my guard down. I need you to do what I say when the time comes.

What does that mean? I ask, confused.

No matter what happens there, I need you to answer me when I call you. We'll go back to the lab now, and they will… extract information out of a device in your head, and you'll feel like you in a dream, but you must snap out of it when I call you.

I have many questions about what she just said, but I made only one. What happens if I don't?

You'll die… and so will I. She looks at me through the reflection in the mirror. Her words are heavy in my mind, and all I know is that I'm not dying here.

We leave the room, and Giannini is there, waiting. He looks me up and down without a word.

—Let's go. Mirania says, stepping away from him. He holds my hand; the touch of his skin makes Mirania shiver.

—You don't have to do this. He says, looking away. —We can just run away right now.

—It'll be all right. Her voice is sweet and calm, but my heart is breaking with the weight of her feelings. They make me confused again, and I feel sorry for them.

—You could never lie to me. He hugs my body tightly, looking for Mirania inside it. His arms around me send heat through my skin and heart. Mirania loves him. Every part of her loves him, and that feeling is so deep that she can't contain it from me. I'm not sure how their story began, but the conclusion is right here in their love for each other.

He lets me go, and we return to the lab. He holds my hand until we stop in front of the door and kisses my fingers before letting go and entering the darkroom. Padrone is looking at his monitors as usual; the green water in the tube is bubbling like it's boiling now.

—Finally. He says, touching something in the panel. —Put her inside and connect the cables.

Connect what? What does he mean? She doesn't answer me and walks over to the tank. I'm spiraling in fear now. She goes up a metal ladder and stops at the edge of the tank, Giannini right behind us, grabbing a thick cable hanging from the side of the glass.

—We are out of time. Padrone says. —Do it now.

Mirania is staring a the tank, getting closer to the edge. You are awfully close to that edge. I say, fighting to gain control. You'll be ok. She says, but I stopped getting confused by her feelings when she climbed that ladder.

It doesn't look ok to me! You can't seriously be thinking I'm getting inside this. I scream at her. I should've known all those feelings were a distraction. You won't bring me home; you'll boil me alive and save yourself! I can't believe how dumb I was to let her fool me.

That's not true. Remember what I said, you must answer when I call. She says, still trying to convince me she wants to help. I am hyperventilating now, and not even Mirania can contain all of my fear inside. My body seems frozen in place, stuck between mine and her orders.

I'll never see Esme again. I'll never see any of them again. Not even Seth. Giannini holds me by my shoulder, and I feel three metal pins touching my skin. He leans over to whisper.

—It's time. He says —This will sting.

I feel my body coming back to my control, but I don't have time to fight. Giannini pushes the pins, piercing through the base of my neck, and I let out an earsplitting scream. The pain and agony crawl through my body and get out by ripping my throat apart; the blood is hot as it run down my back. Stay awake! Mirania's voice echoes in my mind as Giannini pushes my body into the tank. I sink slowly until I can feel my toes lightly touch the base and fall into a sea of darkness and pain.

The tiny vampire looks extremely happy to see everyone in that room. He jumps around with his teddy, unable to contain his excitement.

—Who are you? Jasper asks, not believing his eyes. The boy looks so young, probably only nine years old. His brain says it's not possible, but his eyes don't lie. That is an immortal child.

The boy doesn't seem happy Jasper interrupted his little happy dance. His eyes become cold, and they can feel the hostility in him. They all see it but do not believe their eyes. The Volturi killed all immortal children. They shouldn't exist, but there is one right in front of them.

—They call me Dieci. His sharp teeth feel out of place in his tiny mouth. —You don't have to read my mind. I'll answer what I know. He says, looking at Edward.

—You knew we were coming? He asks without hesitation. —You know everything about us, don't you?

—What vampire doesn't know the mighty Cullens? I didn't think you could find this place, but yeah, we were ready for you.

—What do you want? Edward searches his mind.

—You know I have no idea. Dieci hugs his bear tightly. —I'm here for the party!

—Edward, is he what I think he is? Jacob asks.

—Yes. He's an immortal child.

—But… the Volturi killed them all. Esme says.

—Apparently, not all of them. Emmett keeps his eyes on the boy. His sweet smile can't hide his hostility.

—He's stalling. Jasper says. —He wants to keep us here as long as possible.

—Then, we kill him and continue to move. Seth says, ready to transform and fight Dieci.

—I can't let you pass. At least, not all of you. Dieci says, smiling at them.

—Why only two? Edward reads his thoughts.

—That's the game. I can keep two, and the rest can go.

—That's ridiculous. I say, we rip your head off and move on together. Emmett steps forward, ready to attack the boy.

—I wanna see the big monkey try.

Dieci's provocations work on Emmett, and he runs over to the boy, going for his head like promised. Dieci gracefully jumps over him and kicks Emmett on the back, making him roll on the floor until his body hits the wall. Embry is faster than Seth to transform and attack Dieci from the back, but the boy avoids him easily, jumping over his head as he did with Emmett. Embry can avoid Dieci's blow by a hair.

Paul is about to transform when Dieci threatens him.

—If you change, the girl dies. He is serious, making Paul hesitate.

—You have peculiar orders. Jasper says, trying to get more information out of the child.

—Two stay; the rest can go. It's not so hard.

—Why?

—Those are the rules.

—He doesn't know Jasper. Edward says after hearing Dieci's thoughts.

—We can't leave them behind, Jasper. Esme says unable to accept the crazy rules Dieci talks about. —What if…

Anne's scream echoes in the room, making them all shiver. Esme can feel her heart sinking, and Seth is shaking, looking at Edward, not knowing what to do. Dieci lets out a long whistle and claps to the sound of her screams. —That sounded amazing.

—Go! Emmett says, standing up. —We'll take care of things here. He looks at Embry. They both nod like they are telling everyone they can do this. —Bring shorty back, all right?

They look at Emmett for a moment before walking to the door on the other side of the room. Like promised, Dieci doesn't stop them.

Esme takes a last look at Emmett, smiling confidently at them before the door closes. She's staring at it, unable to walk away.

—Come on. Jasper puts his hand on her shoulder. —He won't be the only one in our way.

I open my eyes to the smell of flowers. My body rests on the warm, soft grass, the sky above is clear and of the most fantastic shade of blue I've ever seen. The wind plays with my hair, and my fingers touch the flowers softly. The smell is earthy and sweet.

The sounds of laughter make me sit up. I thought I was alone, but a small child was running in the field a few feet away from me, her dress dancing in the wind as she ran, holding her hat and smiling. She runs faster when a tall woman in a dress just like hers runs around, trying to catch the child. The woman has beautiful long dark hair, but I can't see her face yet.

A man wearing a white shirt grabs the girl, and she screams as he raises her above his head, swinging her around. The child opens her arms, enjoying the feeling of flying in the air. Their happiness is contagious. They look so in peace, so perfect. The warmth in my heart is relaxing, but I can't help but wonder how I got here.

As soon as the thought pops in my head, the wind changes direction, making the hair on my neck stand up. It is cold and heavy coming from behind me. A thick fog is coming from behind, swallowing the field of flowers fast. All that it touches rots and disappears. I stand up and move away from it, but the family ahead is still happily playing without a clue of what's coming.

I run towards them and scream, but my voice is silent. Behind me, the fog is killing everything, so I keep running. I never get close enough to warn them. The darkness came from the other side too and swallowed them before they even notice or try to run and save themselves. Their skeletons lay on the ground, the girl's hat tilted over her skull, her bony fingers still holding her mother's hand. As the fog closes around me like a circle, I feel sick looking at their corpses. I close my eyes, waiting for death, but Mirania's voice interrupts the scene.

—Get the hell up, slowpoke!

I open my eyes, and the darkness is gone. I'm in an empty room, a red-haired woman staring at me with a slight grin on her lips.

—Mirania? I never thought the voice in my head could become a person and stand in front of me like that.

—No, the Easter bunny. Her voice is full of sarcasm. She's Mirania all right.

—Where are we? Ignoring her comment, I try to understand what is going on.

—Look at this vast empty space. Don't you recognize? We're in your head.

She won't stop being annoying for even one second, will she? I say in my head, wishing she would stop joking.

—I can still hear your thoughts. She says, surprising me.

—How can I see you? I ask, baffled at the vision of her in front of me. I never imagined her well… this pretty. She looks like a porcelain doll.

—It's the liquid in the tank. Her words remind me of what happened. The pins on my nack, her lies, the pain. I touch my neck, and I can still feel the pins inside.

—Does it hurt? She asks, suddenly sounding worried.

—No. I thought you left. You gave me back my body.

—I did, but not completely.

—What do you mean?

—I can't control you anymore, but I can be inside your head as long as you are in the water. I can't use my powers on the same person twice.

—Why did you stay?

—Because… all of this is my fault.

I look at her confused, wondering how much of this is actually her fault.

—You care to elaborate?

She reaches her hand to me. —Come. I'll show you everything. All of your lost memories, all that you are.

I hesitate. —The last time you said you would help, you dropped me in a boiling tank with a metal pin poking my brain, Mirania.

—I know, but this was the only way. You know I want to help you. I let you feel those emotions from me because I wanted you to know I was telling the truth.

Those emotions confused me so much. I even thought I could believe her for a moment, but it all changed. I don't trust her, not even by a long shot, but if she can show me my past, then…

—Do it for yourself. I know you desperately want to know what happened.

She knows exactly what buttons to push. I move towards her, reaching out my hand slowly, reading her face. There is no doubt or hesitation in her red eyes, so I brush my fingers against her palm, and she grabs them tightly.

The empty room changes. We are standing in front of a water fountain, facing a big old-looking house covered in green moss. The charming two stories house has two chimneys on the back. It's summer, and the cicadas as noisy in the forest. I open a big smile. I'm home.

All run in silence through the narrow corridor. The sound of the door closing still echoed in their minds. They are all worried about leaving Emmett and Embry behind, but there is no time.

Esme would still peek behind, worried about Emmett, but she couldn't stop running forward. Anne's scream was haunting. She can't help but imagine the worst.

Seth is running faster than any of them. Every cell in his body is shaking, and every joint hurts. The fear and anger are overwhelming. He needs to see her, make sure she's safe, and then rip the head off of the vampire that hurt her.

The intensity of his fear affects Jasper and Edward too. They wish they could say something to him and Esme, but no words can help. That scream could only mean they were torturing her. The question is, why? Seth's story gave the impression that she was working with them, then why are they hurting her?

Dieci celebrates loudly when the door closes.

—We are playing now. Right? Right? He's jumping around, holding his teddy and smiling.

—You bet. Emmett says. —We'll play "fetch the brat's head".

—Hum… Dieci put his tiny fingers on his chin, his lips pouting like he was thinking. —That's no fun. I wanna play, Freeze catch!

—And what is that? Emmett is tired of the child talk.

—It's tag… with a twist. If I catch you, you die.

Emmett looks at Embry, wary. —Sounds simple enough. He says, raising an eyebrow. He doesn't intend to engage in the child's delusional games. There is something he wishes to know. —But, I have two questions first.

—Sure. Dieci says, to Emmett's surprise, collaborating. The boy puts his teddy down and waits for the questions.

—First, you have powers, don't you? Emmett raises his arm, moving his fingers in the air. —My body feels heavy since that door closed.

Dieci smiles and sticks his tongue out. —Not telling ya!

Emmett considers his answer a yes.

—Second. Emmett continues. —When did you change?

—You know I'm an immortal child. What do you really want to know?

—How did you survive? The Volturi killed all of you.

Dieci stops smiling, suddenly looking annoyed. —Do not compare me with those mindless monsters. I'm superior to them. Also, to answer your question, I didn't survive.

Dieci starts his attack with Emmett. He runs over to him at an incredible speed, going for a direct hit, but Emmett gets out of the way in time. His body is heavy and moving slower than usual.

—One more time! The boy screams, going for Embry. He seems to disappear for a second before reappearing behind Embry. The wolf is frozen in place, without a way to defend himself.

Emmett grabs him and pulls his body out of the way, but Dieci lays a blow in his ribs, and the sound of the bones cracking is loud.

—That should leave a mark. Dieci shakes his hand, cleaning Embry's blood.

—Embry! The cut is long, and the bones are exposed. The blood is pooling under him, and Embry won't move although he's breathing. He thoughts wolves could recover right away, so why is he still bleeding?

Emmett attacks Dieci again, punching him over and over. The boy's small agile body is no match for him. He dances around his punches like Emmett is just standing still. Dieci hits his leg and arm before Emmett can get away from him.

Emmett looks terrified at his arm. It looks like the skin around it it's becoming solid rock. The weight makes it impossible for him to stand. He falls flat on the floor, his leg unable to move.

—What did you do? He asks, scared. Embry is still on the floor, bleeding out, with no signs of recovering. He's never seen a vampire with powers like that. They usually mess with people's minds, but this boy seems capable of projecting his powers visibly outside his body.

—I won! Now, I finish you off… slowly. Dieci walks over and kicks Emmett's body, making it roll around the room. He does it repeatedly, making him hit the walls more strongly than the last time, destroying the room.

I'm going to die. Emmett thinks, despaired. Embry won't wake up; no one is coming back. This is the end.

Dieci grabs Emmett by the collar, claws up, ready to rip his head off. —I always win. He whispers, going for the blow. Emmett closes his eyes, waiting for the hit, but it doesn't come.

—LET GO! LET GO! LET GO! LET GOOOO! Dieci screams as Embry bites his arm. He releases Emmett, trying to shake off Embry, but the wolf has a firm grasp on it and rips it off.

The room returned to its original state. There is no blood on the floor, and the walls are intact. Dieci stands away from them, massaging his arm perfectly attached to his body. Emmett and Embry are in the same place they were when the door closed and everyone left.

—What the… Emmett can feel his body normal again but can't comprehend what is happening.

—Humft! Bad doggie. Dieci complains.

Embry returns to his human for to talk to Emmett.

—When he landed the first blow on me, my body froze awkwardly, and it felt like I was being held down. The air didn't move with his smell when he hit me, and my body hit the ground in an odd way. The wrong way. That's when I notice.

—Notice what?

—That it was an illusion. He probably never fought a shape-shifter, so the illusion felt odd to me but very realistic to you. Look at his hand.

Emmett looks at Dieci's hand, strangely stiff and with veins all over it. His hand relaxes and goes back to normal slowly.

—Since this started, his hand is in that position, probably a condition to create such a realistic illusion. He was going to kill us without moving an inch.

—Ahhhahhh! Whatever! Dieci mockingly yawns. —I was going to win!

—So what? Do we win the game then? Emmett says, pointing to Dieci. —We defeated your trick.

—Let us through. Embry completes Emmett's sentence.

—Let you through? Dieci makes his voice high-pitched and tilts his head to the side like a confused puppy. —No one's going anywhere.

—Was kill or be killed from the beginning, huh? Emmett is ready to start again, and Embry transforms back into a wolf.

—Yes. Dieci smiles —Or until he gets what he wants.

—Then, no more stupid rules. Emmett cracks his knuckles. —Let's start this party.

Finally, the real battle will begin. This is the main act.

—Do you think they're all right? Esme asks for the millionth time. She can't shake the feeling that something is wrong.

—We have to trust them. Jasper says, but he's worried too. —Don't let your guard down, Esme. That child won't be the only one to try and stop us. He is already calculating the possibilities in his mind. The next vampire won't be as chatty as Dieci. They might not even get the chance to choose who stays behind to fight. Or, they might attack them all together, outnumbering them. There is no saying what's coming.

—Don't be so pessimistic, Jasper. Edward says, listening to his thoughts. —We'll be ok. He's not saying it to him, but Esme and Seth. His adoptive mother is in agony; her thoughts are full of guilty and painfully sad. Seth is a shadow of the happy boy he once knew, breaking himself to pieces, wondering if the girl is all right; if she's alive. He goes back and forth between the thoughts of being with her and what he'll do if she's dead. The latter is so dark that Edward can wish he would stop.

—We should've arrived at the second door by now. Paul says, looking around.

—Why do you think that? Jake asks.

—We didn't walk this much the last time. Besides, this place feels like a maze. I can't tell if we are walking in circles or going forward.

—We haven't made a turn, Paul. We're going forward.

—He's right. Jasper says. —Stay sharp.

—They are here. Edward can hear a vampire's thoughts coming closer, but since they know of his ability, her thoughts are vague and empty till the very last moment.

—Jasper! He screams to his brother running behind him.

A huge hole opens on the floor, and Jasper would've fallen straight into it if it wasn't for Paul, grabbing him by his collar from behind.

—Got you! Paul tries to keep his balance, but before he can pull Jasper back, another passage opens on the ceiling, and a longhaired shadow falls over them, pushing them inside. Edward could hear two words in her thoughts, enough to make him shiver. "Game over."

—We need to move now. He grabs Esme, paralyzed by what happened, and urges Jake and Seth to move. —They'll kill her.