Disclaimer: Twilight saga and everything belongs to S. Meyer.

Well, Here is what I promised: The next chapter! It is rather long and I am so happy that I was really able to finish it so quickly. In truth, I think I should have made two chapters of it. BUT, I had promised she would meet the Volturi in this chapter. So You see I was quite in an internal twist...

Sorry for any mistakes in my chapters. Over time I think I will once again proof-read my story. As if I did not do that enough... But I always seem to read over some mistakes, not catching them.

"Yes, See you tomorrow! Bye!" With that I turned around and skipped to my hotel. But not before I heard a soft sigh: " Ah, deliciosa."

At the hotel, I took the stairs up to my room. In preparation, to have as much privacy as possible, I once again closed the shutters, windows and drapes.

Now I had to plot. There were a few things left to do; loose ends to tie, if you want to call it that. I made a list as to not forget something, there would be no time to make things right after tomorrow. Luckily the hotel provided a note pad and a pencil for its guests. The list went as follows:

#1 Message to Jake

#2 Get the money to the orphanage plus additional note

#3 Pack your things

#4 Check out. Don 't forget the tip!

So, the list had been the easy part.

I ripped the page out of the pad and put it in front of me, so that I could see it.

Now I had to get to work:

#1 Letter to Jakob

That would be a difficult one...

Jake... he must be worried sick and feel betrayed by my actions. So I began to write.

Half and hour later – I was nowhere near done yet – I began to lust for some food. To satisfy my longing I ordered room service. I had "Bruschetta" and some vegetables. It was delicious. To drink I had some water.

After my – let's call it a belated lunch, as it was 3 pm already – I tried to make some more progress with the letter, but my thoughts would not stay focussed long enough. No matter what, they would stray to the things tomorrow would bring.

It was strange: I had no feelings of dread or fear, whatsoever, when thinking about it. It was as if a heavy blanket of unnatural calm had been laid upon me.

Acceptance.

Because I did not accomplish anything on my top priority point of the list, I chose to turn my attention to the next one: The money issue.

I sat in my bed, thinking about possible solutions, while chewing on the end of the poor pencil.

Eventually I went for a rather childish scenario: I would place the money into an envelope, together with an additional note – stating what the money was intended for – and place the whole package on the door step. Following that, I would ring the bell and run into the next alleyway, as not to be seen.

Out of my hiding place, I would watch, making sure that they took it.

To me this seemed to be the best way to get the donation to them and anonymously at that.

With my mind made up on this topic, I crossed out point number two on my list.

Back to number one:

I still did not know how to phrase what I wanted to tell Jake and the others. So I sat there thinking, again. After some time had passed I was determined to just write down my thoughts and not care for form or logic.

Finally- it was close to 8 pm now- I was done with the letter. That is what it said:

Hi Jake! And Billy! And all you guys!

I am so sorry for leaving you without saying goodbye. But it had to be done. You would not have let me go! I am where I intended for me to be. I can not tell you, though. I would not want for you to be in danger by your knowledge, or to come after me. It would be to late, regardless.

Thank you all so very much for everything you did for me- and Charlie, too!

I will never forgive myself for putting you into such danger. I never thought it would come to this. Please trust me, when I say how sorry I am.

Victoria has not found me. And I hope that she left Forks with me. I really do! If not it was worth a try.

Jake, you know you will always have my love- as a friend, though. You are like a brother to me and I am, again, sorry that it was not enough, that I could not love you the way you wanted me to. I hope you will meet your imprint soon and that you will be so very happy with her!

The same goes for everyone of the pack. I wish you all happiness there is!

Billy, you have always been my dad's best friend and like an uncle to me. Thank you so much for your patience and kindness. I am so sorry. I know I disappointed you! You tried to warn me and I set a nought to it. Yet, at the time, I thought what I was doing was right. And still, if put into the same position again, with the same knowledge I had had back then, I would act the same, because at that time there was only love and bliss and no threat whatsoever; It seemed so right. I really did love him. Forgive me.

The people I sold dads house to are really nice. Will you look after them, please? - In case Victoria came again?I know I have no right to ask that of you but I want them to be happy and safe. They have a young child, Trisha. She is adorable.

I won't put you - or anyone else for that matter – in danger ever again.

Love you all! Take care!

Yours, Bella

PS: Please don't be angry with me, I just could not let this go on any longer.

So, now I would only have to send it to him. I could hardly send it via snail mail. He would be able to read the postmark and track it. As a consequence, I decided to send it via email.

I went down to the lobby, asking for directions to a PC with internet access and at the same time informing them of my departure tomorrow. I would have to check out at noon.

After those things had been taken care of I went back into my room. Now I had quite some time to spend. I was at a loss for what to do. As if to remind me, I was suddenly aware that the gash was hurting more then ever before and that I was feeling groggy. Probably due to all my walking and all these emotions of today. I took some more Ibuprofen. This stuff really helped with the pain.

Eventually I called room service again, I ordered a glass of red wine (I felt like being rebellious, knowing I would not have been able or allowed to drink it at home but also being curious to taste it) and some Parmesan cheese to go with it. With those items at my hand I sat in front of the TV and watched the tourist channel again. To my surprise I liked both, the cheese and even the wine.

At around midnight – I had restored to switching channels again- I decided to call it a night and get ready for bed. I Went into the bathroom, brushed my teeth and hair, flushed my letter and list – ripped into little shreds- down the toilet, so that no one could find it. Then I got into bed. I was exhausted and fell asleep soon after.

The night was short. The nightmares plagued me again. If at all, I had slept 4 hours in total. I must look like hell - sure felt like it.

When I finally dragged myself out of bed it was 8:30 am and I really had no incentive to have breakfast, so I simply skipped it. I had to take some ibuprofen yet again. My scar really hurt, badly.

I stayed in my room. Packing my things and generally getting ready to check out. By the time I was done I still had a good hour on my hands so got one of my favourite books out and began to read some chapters.

I left the "Albergo" exactly at noon time- just after having paid my dues and given them a more than generous tip.

Now there was still one thing left to do: Deposit the money.

My way to the orphanage went smoothly. When I was close - only 50 yards away - I looked around to find out whether there were people who might notice. But no such thing."They must all be having lunch somewhere." I thought to myself. This fact suited me just fine. The less people, the better for me. With that I made my way over to the intended house, bent down to place the envelope on the doorstep, got up, pressed the button of the bell and ran! I ran as fast as I could. A short distance away, I turned left into a small alleyway, panting, and rested my back on the wall- slowly sliding down and onto my butt.

A few moments later I heard noises coming from the direction I had come from - I had not dared to look around the corner. "They must have found it." I concluded.

I had given them roughly 178.000 $ and a note stating that the donor would recommend a new coat of paint and a little library for the kids.

I stayed where I was and my mind began to wander once again on its own accord. So far, everything had gone according to my plan. I sold the house, got away from Forks - without being noticed, caught the plane to Italy, made it to Volterra and found a way to become dinner... I know it was crazy to fly around half the world to meet your end, instead of just committing suicide in a "traditional" and easier manner. Truth is: I was too afraid to do it myself. Yeah, I know I am a coward.

By the time I threw another look at my watch I was shocked to realize it was already 3 pm. I quickly got up, grabbed my backpack and made my way to the Palazzo, yet again. I made it there with minutes to spare. I had to sit down there, feeling faint. The nerves? I did not think so. I still felt oddly calm and accepting.

Minutes went by before I could hear voices drawing nearer. At long last, I saw her, Heidi, in all her glory, a breathtaking smile gracing her lips, when she caught my gaze. Slowly, I got up, not yet trusting my balance completely.

When I stood Heidi was already in front of me, smiling down.

"Ciao, Bella, it is so good to see you. I was wandering whether you would be here today."

"Hi, Heidi. I told you I would be here and so I am. Also, I would not want to miss out an a guided tour of the fortress." was my lame answer.

"Very well. Just follow me then, Like the others. "With that she nodded her head at the people around her. There were circa 15 others, I would estimate.

I only nodded curtly and followed her through the streets towards an old building and through its old wooden doors. Every now and then there were flashes to be seen by cameras. I did not care and I did not look at the people in the group either. I did not want to see their faces. I felt as if I was betraying them. But there was really nothing I could do. Not without blowing my plan. And even then it would not turn out well for the people surrounding me. Aside from this, I wanted my life to be over, and soon.

It felt as if we had been walking for hours: We took stairs down a floor or more and I was certain that we were under the city.

From all the exercise I was feeling dizzy again and I hurt. To make things worse it was icy cold down here in the catacombs of Volterra - the parka did not offer enough cover, obviously. The cold had me shivering. After what felt like an eternity, we came to another set of doors and went through those. I was instantly grateful for the warmth that surrounded us now and began to relax.

Regrettably, we were not done walking yet.

During this whole ordeal Heidi was still pointing out objects and stuff; very much to the delight of the unsuspecting.

Suddenly, something she said, caught my attention.

"Next we will arrive to the throne room. It is the highlight of this tour. It is kept completely in white, red and black marble, which had to be brought here all the way from the marble quarry of "Carrara".

At that my heart began to beat faster in anticipation of what was to come. We rounded a corner and were now able to see a huge set of double doors. There were figures and landscapes crafted intricately into the old wood. I briefly wondered how old these doors really were.

With no noise at all they suddenly opened. And we were swallowed by them.

The Room was round and large. The only light was provided by slit- shaped windows that were placed high on the walls- subsequently providing only dim illumination, as It was later in the day and only March. They were completely out of reach. In the room were quite a number of other "people". I had never seen so many Vampires in one room. So much beauty.

But all these thing did not keep my gaze. What caught me though, were the three people in front of me, sitting on thrones, standing raised on a platform-like on stage. Everyone had to look up at them. "Strategically well placed" I mused. Aro, Caius and Marcus stared, seemingly uninterested in the scene before them. Their appearance just like in HIS fathers painting, not a day older – Though the dress style had changed immensely: They were wearing black suits and long black robes.

I looked at them critically and then my eyes locked on his, the one sitting on the left.

Dark red eyes, somewhat milky,placed in a pale face with classical, regal features, long hair ( the darkest shade of brown- but not yet raven black) were staring back at me. My breath caught again and my eyes snapped to the right when I heard the man in the middle, presumably, Aro, say : "Dear Friends let the feast begin!" He had been saying something before this, but my thoughts had been elsewhere engaged, so I had only heard murmurs in the back of my head.

I had to smile slightly at this and closed my eyes, an odd feeling of peace and calm had me once more in its soft caress. There was a gust of wind and I was sure of what would come next.

But it did not happen. When I felt myself being flung around and my back hit a wall, all air left me in a gasp and my eyes flew wide open, when I heard a dark growl. I did not see much: In front of me stood a big figure with broad shoulders clad in a black cloak that reached down to the floor.

I was just able to see around it a bit and saw another vampire facing the one in front of me, in a low crouch, ready to attack. After a moment, obviously thinking better of his actions, he bowed slightly and turned on someone else.

That was all I saw as the man before me turned blindingly fast and looked straight into my eyes. His gaze captivated me – there was no possibility to escape from it. While I looked, his eyes softened ever so slightly. And at last he spoke to me in a deep, tender voice: "You knew what we are, before this "he gestured behind him "started." It was a statement, neutrally spoken, no emotion recognizable.

I did not answer. All I could come up with in my head was : "Busted." My body tensed, preparing itself for the pain that would surely follow any moment now.

My counterpart did not move- not even an inch- and said nothing more. His eyes still scrutinized my expression, burning me. Time ticked by and nothing happened.

The more time passed though, the more awkward I got until I finally burst out:

"YES! Yes I did! How could I not! After all that Your kind has done to me and those I loved most! You ruined my life! EVERYTHING!" My anger had gotten the better of me and I did not care for anything any more- I saw red.

At my outburst he only cocked an eyebrow and inclined his head, a tiny bit; Apart from that there was no other reaction.

I was not done with my rant yet and so I continued in my fury "You took everything from me, ripped my heart out and stomped on it!" - At that he winced slightly- "You truly are horrible!" While screaming right at him, I was stabbing my finger at his chest, hurting me more than him, for sure, and he took a step back.

"And why did you come here then? Into the lions den? Knowing what we are capable of doing? Are you suicidal?"

I am pretty sure – due to the tone of his voice - that the last part was a rhetorical question, but my answer was out before I could properly think it through:"Yes".

He looked stunned. The first emotion to be seen on his face, but he recovered quickly and said in a serious tone, the face an emotionless mask again: "I will not kill you."

I was dumbstruck. Did I hear that correctly? "Pardon me?" Was my brilliant response, disbelieve colouring my tone.

"I will not kill you" He only repeated again.

My temper flared at his calm answer, denying me what I desired most!

"You got to be kidding me! Listen, Mister, I did not come all the way here and went through all this trouble to be denied! This is ridiculous! ….. You know what, forget it, here sure as hell is somebody who will gladly finish me! I don't need you for that!" I spat through gritted teeth and with narrowed eyes.

Then I pushed past him and tried to walk further into the room. I had some trouble though: The dizziness choose that moment to come back with a vengeance. Black spots were dancing in my vision and I stumbled. Caught up in a little fight with my body, I only peripherally realized that he had me in his arms and was snarling at some vampires who were obviously more then willing to fulfil my death-wish. And yet again they backed off. With the last bit of my strength I started to pound my fists against his chest to get my point across and screamed at him; "You can't make that decision for me! I want to die! Please!" I started out loud and angry, but the energy left me in a rush and the last word was merely above a whisper, while tears were running down my cheeks and I stared into his eyes pleadingly. That was all I could do, before unconsciousness claimed me.

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