I woke up who knows how long later, and I was in my bed.

Silas was curled up against me and Jasper was sitting by my feet, his eyes hollow as he stared out the window.

I cleared my throat and both boys snapped their heads up, staring at me.

Silas's arms tightened around my waist and he cheered, "You're awake!"

I struggled to sit up and asked, "How long have I been asleep?"

He gazed at me with wide eyes. "Two days!" His voice dropped to a whisper, "Are you okay? Daddy says I couldn't say anything about the accident around grandpa, but he's not here right now!"

I was interrupted from an answer by Jasper.

He sharply ordered, "Silas, go play downstairs."

Silas glanced over his shoulder warily. I was surprised Jasper would be so fierce towards the poor boy.

The couple of second's hesitation was too much for Jasper's, apparently short, patience. He glared at Silas and growled, "Now."

With a whimper the little one darted out of the room.

I protested, "Jasper, what is wrong with you? Don't scare him like that!"

He turned so that he was facing me, leaning forward and frowning. I shrank away from his serious intensity, pressing my back against the headboard.

He whispered miserably, "I hurt you."

I opened my mouth to complain, but he hissed, "Don't."

He knew me way better than I have ever given him credit for.

Lifting his hand he ran his fingers feather-light across the left side of my neck.

Even that unbearably gentle touch made my wound scream in agony, I flinched and drew away from him.

He wailed, "See! I've hurt you, Bella. I promised myself I never would, I tried so, so hard!"

I scooted closer and set my hand on his. "It's okay, Jasper, I know it was just an accident."

Jasper violently jerked his hand away from mine and my mouth fell open.

He snarled at me, "It's not okay, stop being so damn forgiving for once so maybe you can use your head. I could have killed you."

His voice was low and full of scorn. I was unable to tell if it was directed towards him or me.

I pouted, "Jasper..."

He rolled away from me and stood up, starting to pace like a caged tiger. He was testier than a tiger, though. More dangerous.

I sighed and crawled to the end of the bed, kneeling once I reached the edge.

He shouldn't do this to himself. I knew the dangers that came with being with him. I knew that at any moment, absolutely any moment, he could snap and something bad would happen.

The important thing is that I'm alive, and now everything can go back to normal.

I tried to cheer him up, "You're stronger than you think, Jasper, you let go! It's oka-"

I flinched when he whirled around and sprang on top of the bed. I was now leaning back on my hands, and he was crouched above my lap. His face was not an entire half of a foot away from mine.

I was looking right into his fearsome black eyes when he snarled.

The savage note in the vocalization was more terrifying than I've ever heard it before. Not even when he was fighting with James.

Never have I been so scared of Jasper. Every single nerve in my body, every survival censor in my brain, was screaming 'Red Alert'.

When he spoke, his voice was so sinister my spine actually tremored. "Bella, no matter what your delusional mind seems to keep insisting; this. is. not. okay. You could have died, can't you try to comprehend that? I almost didn't let go. It's a miracle I did."

He was so distressed my body started to ache. He was, perhaps knowingly, sending his own emotions onto me. My heart began to feel like sharp, vicious talons were digging into it, ready to rip it out.

I gasped and begged him, "Stop!"

That terrible, stabbing, throb died away the instant he sprang off of the bed. He shook his head and stumbled back against the window.

I watched him sadly as he turned and opened it, setting a foot on the sill.

I whimpered, "Don't go."

For a few long seconds he considered it. He just stood there, frozen in his indecision.

After a while he hung his head and whispered almost inaudibly, "I'll pick you up from school tomorrow."

Then he sprang out of the window and, for the first time since we met, left me feeling utterly alone.

Neither Alice nor Edward were in school the next day. It was very lonely without them. I kept myself entertained by talking to Angela and Mike.

The bell rang and I eagerly went over to Jasper's car, climbing inside.

My excitement was replaced with confusion when I saw Silas was sitting in the back, rather than with Esme.

He smiled and waved brightly at me. I smiled back, before turning my questioning eyes onto Jasper.

He acutely ignored me and we drove in a tense silence.

After yesterday, I was honestly too hesitant to start a conversation. He was clearly in a bad mood, judging by the way his shoulders were stiff, and his hands tight around the steering wheel.

I was surprised when, as we neared the house, Jasper turned the wrong corner. I asked, "Where are we going?"

He sighed and quietly promised, "You'll see."

After a few minutes, he turned onto a little dirt road that cut into the forest right beside the house. When it ended, he parked the car and gestured for me to get out.

I did so, and watched as he removed Silas from the back and walked over to me.

He handed me Silas and looked down, pulling an envelope out of his pocket.

After a few seconds he informed me, "I moved Morris into your room, Bella."

The turtle?

I frowned and asked, "What for?"

Jasper twirled the envelope around in his hands and whispered, "Because I'm giving him to Silas."

The boy in my arms brightened, but I felt dread starting to well in my chest.

I asked timidly, "Jasper, what's going on? You're acting weird."

Jasper's head snapped up and he looked deep into my eyes.

Taking a small breath he announced, "Bella, we need to talk."