Chapter 16

When we finally reached Forks, I saw my other three companions' expressions change. They were remembering things. Where we had hunted, where we had gone to school, where Carlisle's hospital was. I saw all these memories through their minds. It made me smile. They had missed this place just as much as I had.

As we approached Bella's house, we slowed. I told them to guard the outside while I went and retrieved Bella and Tina. Jasper had left us to go rent a car. When I knocked on the door, Bella answered. She smiled, but her eyes were full of worry. I knew what she wanted to know.

"We can talk while you pack," I told her, she nodded and let me in. Tina rushed downstairs and seemed glad to see me. Overly glad, like usual.

"How was your weekend, Edward?" Her voice was a little sharp. She looked around for her sister.

"Lacey is still with my family...I came to invite you two...on a little...vacation." I told her.

"Really?!" Her eyes sparkled. "Can we go mom? Please!" She begged.

"Tina, can you go up to your room for a moment? I need to talk to Edward, alone." Bella's eyes never left the floor. Tina was taken aback, and huffed off to her room.

"What's wrong, Bella?" I walked towards her. I suddenly felt another presence in the room.

"Hello, Edward," Victoria emerged from the living room. "How are you?" She purred. Her wild red hair looked like fire.

"Victoria," I tried to read her mind by was unable to. She blocked me.

"Oh, so you do remember me?" Her face turned to a scowl. "You murdered my lover."

"He was the murderer," I told her.

"You have no idea how alone I've been these past years," She ignored my comment. "Now, it's your turn."

"Not so fast," Carlisle and Emmett entered the house.

"Oh my gosh," Bella whispered. Victoria immediately had Bella wrapped up in her arms. One squeeze and Bella was dead.

"What do you want?" I yelled.

"Revenge," She smiled a sick smile at me. She loosened her grip on Bella, and slid her hands to her neck. Then, she brushed Bella's hair aside, so she had full access to her neck. Bella's face showed fear and pleading, but she never made a sound.

Victoria leaned in closely and was inches from Bella's neck when she froze and sniffed the air.

"Let the girl go," Jacob pushed his way forward, his body tensed, ready to leap.

"Boys?" Victoria sang. Two male vampires appeared from thin air.

One of them was muscular and big, though not as big as Emmett. His hair was black, and shaved. The other was small and seemed to have no muscles, his face was twisted into an evil grin, his hair was brown and messy. They both waited for orders.

"Get them," Victoria whispered. They immediately attacked. The large one took on Emmett. The smaller one, tried for both me and Carlisle. But we were too fast. Jacob rushed at Victoria.

The small one stopped suddenly and his eyes seemed to burn deep into Carlisle's. Carlisle was frozen. He stood tall and angry, but he was no threat. One can hypnotize. I remembered Alice's words. I shielded my eyes and lunged at him, missing because I was blinded. All I could use was my hearing, that did me no good, he was moving all over the place.

I raised my hand from my eyes and saw him in front of me. I suddenly felt stiff, when I tried to blink or move, I found I couldn't. He snickered and walked away. I felt angry and helpless. I tried everything, but soon, the freezing set into my mind, and it went blank. The last thing I remembered was a shout and a bright blue light.