So. I had no intentions of posting this until Breaking Dawn came out. That was before the explosion of spoilers came out and I accidentally uncovered some. I'm distraught. I wrote a little thing, explaining my depression. No spoilers are in it, but if it bores you, skip ahead to the next paragraph. I totally understand. I hate it when people blah blah blah before their stories but I can't help myself.

I was reading a fanfiction last night and the author wrote up on top how there were spoilers out and that she didn't want to know. I was talking to my friend today, who is the kind of person who reads the end before she reads the book, and she was frantically looking for spoilers. I told her that they most certainly existed, so she dug a little harder. Much to my chagrin, she found them and flipped. I HATE spoilers; I warned her not to tell me, but her reaction interested me so through the course of the conversation, I broke down and FORCED her to tell me. We talked on the phone for nearly two hours, punching holes through the spoiler and coming to the conclusion there was no way it was true. Later, I spoke with another obsessed friend. She told me there were more tiny spoilers on the internet movie database. I FOOLISHLY went to take a peak (since she basically blurted it out, anyway). It wasn't that bad, but another post caught my eye. I clicked it, not really thinking that there could possibly be any more spoilers. I assumed it was just another discussion about those that existed. I was wrong. I hate myself for knowing what I know and I hate the people that spoiled it even more. To make matters worse, I found out after I got off the phone with my friend that the spoilers are true. The chapters have been scanned and sent around the internet. The Twilight world is in an uproar. Needless to say, I'm quite despondent. Now none of my Twilight-obsessed friends are awake so I'm forced to flip out alone until tomorrow morning. If anyone wants to discuss, please PM me. I need support.

Whew, I'm at a loss for words right now but I still managed to say a lot, huh? Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter. I put it up to distract me. Please review so that I can obtain a little joy right now- I need the comfort. Thanks to those who have already and to those who are just reading; you're all fab.

Love ya. And please pray that these spoilers are all one big elaborate hoax. I know they're not, but just humor me.

The next two days were uneventful and grueling. I almost wished I'd told Shane to take me in the beginning. I felt as though I constantly had a shiny blade perched above my throat, reading to drop down any second. It was an extremely unsettling feeling.

But I knew I was lucky that I had the chance to say my goodbyes to those who mattered most. It was important to me to leave them with some shred of happiness. Soon enough, they would find me inexplicably gone.

I tried not to think of Edward. I decided I'd wait until the end to say goodbye to him; I couldn't bear doing it a second before. The pain was excruciating.

I'd spoken to Renee on the phone Saturday night. She sounded concerned in the beginning but I quickly calmed her and assured her I was "content".

"Everything's fine, Mom," I told her. "I'm back on track. I even have a new boy in my life."

As I spoke, I clutched my stomach. I tried to hold back the sobs that threatened to break loose at any second.

"Oh, honey, that's wonderful. Charlie called to tell me a little bit about Jacob. I'm glad to see you two are bonding."

"He's a great guy," I said simply, praying she wouldn't ask me anything more about it.

Luckily, she had to go to one of Phil's games.

"I'm so happy for you, sweetie," she said.

"Thanks, Mom. I love you. Thanks for everything. I mean it."

She laughed her airy laugh. I knew then she was distracted.

"Love you, too, Bella. I'll talk with you soon."

I didn't say anything back. I waited until I heard the dial tone before I let myself sob.

Goodbye, Renee.

Saying goodbye to Charlie was harder than I thought. I knew it would be difficult- we'd grown as close as emotional-phobics could since I'd moved here- but I still thought somehow it would be tolerable. It wasn't.

Sunday night was when I decided to do it.

He was watching a game on TV, completely distracted. I'd have preferred talking to him when his attention was focused on me but Shane wouldn't have it. We were leaving that very night and this was my last chance.

"I'm going to bed, Dad," I said, my voice shaking.

"Alright, Bells," he said, never taking his eyes from the TV. "I'll see you in the morning."

"I love you, Dad," I choked out.

He looked over at me. Any other time, I'd be laughing at the expression on his face. He was at an utter loss.

"Uh… I love you, too, Bella."

"Goodnight," I whispered.

He nodded, clearly confused.

I quickly ran upstairs to my room. I ignored Shane's hulking figure and plopped down on my bed, letting the grief take me.

Goodbye, Charlie.

Shane waited for my sobs to subside before he spoke.

"We'll leave an hour after he falls asleep," he explained.

I nodded and crawled onto my bed. "I'm going to take a nap."

"Whatever you wish," he said, looking out the window.

I woke up to him shaking me violently.

"It's time," he hissed.

Groggily, I stood up and grabbed my jacket. We were off.

When we reached the airport, the nerves kicked in. I tried desperately to relax but it was no use. I was getting scared.

Of course, that's when things really got interesting.

We walked over to the terminal and Shane groaned. I looked at the direction his eyes were fixed and saw nothing out of order. An ordinary looking man stood with a hat in his hand, grinning at us, but that was all.

But as the staring match continued, I paid more attention to the man. He looked at me then and his grin broadened. His eyes drank me in and I nearly fainted. He was no ordinary man. Just with his eyes alone, he managed to make every hair on my body stand up with fear.

"I have to hand you over now," Shane whispered. "His name is Paul. He can be rough at times. Just do what he says and you'll be okay."

"What?!" I cried.

Shane rolled his eyes and pushed me in Paul's direction.

"He knows your whole story. He watched you with me. Don't bother lying to him. He's very talented at what he does."

I turned around to say something to him but he was gone.

I looked around, confused. Shaking my head, I wondered why I was so surprised.

Swallowing, I turned around to face my new transporter. I nearly gasped with fear; he was standing on top of me.

"Bella," he breathed, "so we finally meet. You don't know how I've longed for the day."

I cringed. His voice was nasally and frightening.

"My name is Paul," he whispered in my ear. "Let's go have some fun."

Just a few hours later, we were walking off the plane in an Italian airport. I knew it was a matter of time before I faced my death. I only hoped it would be quick and painless. Something told me I was hoping for the impossible.

Paul had been silent throughout our entire journey, which I was extremely grateful for. I hoped I'd be rid of him soon.

He led me across a sunlit plaza. I watched him curiously, wondering if he'd sparkle in the sun. He didn't.

We walked through an alley that steepened as we walked further. We came to a dead-end and I was prepared for him to turn around and drag me in the other direction when suddenly his rough hands were on my arms.

"Get off of me!" I howled.

He struck me across my face. I could feel the blood trickling down my chin. He had hit me a few times in the face earlier when I'd struggled against him before we got on the plane. He'd also punched me in the ribs on the plane when I threatened to yell.

Great, I thought to myself. As if anything could have made the situation worse. I was about to face a group of hungry vampires, bleeding from the mouth. As if they needed any more incentive to kill me.

"I hope you're satisfied with yourself. I told you before that as long as you cooperated with me, I wouldn't have to be rough with you. I gave you fair warning."

"You disgust me," I growled out, my voice stronger than I was feeling.

"The feeling is mutual, my dear," he rasped out. "These months watching you have been the most agonizing of my life. You're undeniably pathetic, do you realize that? It doesn't surprise me anymore why they left you. And I applaud that Edward for stepping away from you when he had the chance. You're fascinating from afar, my child. It doesn't last long."

I felt like ice was running through my blood now. I couldn't see anymore; black spots obscured my vision. I was sure that I was already dying and part of me was glad. Words like that should be able to kill.

"Now stop with the whining and the fighting. It's not going to help."

He dragged me and flung me down an empty, dark hole. A scream slipped from my lips before I could stop myself. I landed with a thud and another scream. This time it was from pain. I had surely broken my ankle and wrist from the fall.

Paul jumped down beside me, landing gracefully. He laughed in my face, amused by my pain.

"Poor little Isabella."

He grasped my arm tightly, effectively crushing it, and dragged me along with him again. My eyes shut in pain and fright as we walked through different rooms. They were absolutely freezing and I was shivering violently. Closing my eyes seemed to be less frightening somehow; I didn't want to see my surroundings.

Finally, he stopped walking. I opened my eyes and nearly fainted from the sight.

A man stood before me with translucent skin. His red eyes danced with merriment as he watched me tremble with fear. His long, black hair cascaded down his shoulders and shone in the light of the crowded room. The others twittered to one another; all of them stared at me, completely fascinated.

But he wasn't why I now shook uncontrollably with fear. This unknown vampire was nothing in comparison to what stood next to him.

A vampire I had encountered so long ago stood next to him proudly, grinning at me with such malice that I had to suck in deep breaths to stop from fainting.

Victoria.

She flicked her flame-colored hair back behind her shoulder and looked at the man that stood beside her.

"May I begin now?"

"No. Not yet. It's not time." The man's voice was eerily calming and sweet. He looked at me again and this time our gazes locked. Though his voice calmed me somewhat, his presence and eyes did the opposite.

"My name is Aro," he said to me. "You must be the infamous Isabella Swan."

No words would come out. I was numb and yet petrified. The pain from my face, wrist, ribs, and ankle was indescribable but I refused to let myself acknowledge it. It would all be over soon.

"Why don't you take a seat?" Aro said to me politely.

Paul pushed me down into a seat that suddenly appeared behind me. He looked up at Aro. They nodded at each other. Paul chuckled, looking down at me before turning and running out of the room.

Just like that.

"Do you know why you're here, Bella?"

I looked up at Aro and shivered. I just nodded in response.

"Victoria alerted us to the situation in Forks and I must admit I was quite alarmed to hear that you knew all about us. She told me that you are Edward's mate. Is that true?"

"No." The one single word burned on his way out.

"She's lying!" Victoria spat, thrusting a finger in my face. "The little brat is lying! I saw it with my own two eyes, Aro."

"If you're lying, my child, it will only make things harder for you."

"I'm not lying," I whispered. "We're not… mates. He left Forks months ago."

"That means nothing!" Victoria bellowed, her scarlet eyes flashing with rage. "One of the Cullens can see the future. They probably saw us coming."

Aro looked at me, smiling. "Well, little one?"

"Alice saw nothing. She only sees the future when you make a decision. They didn't leave because of you, they left because of me."

"And why was that?" Aro pressed.

Again, I was going to be forced to speak the words that broke me every time. I wished they would just kill me already. The most torture filled death would be better than this.

"Edward fell out of love with me."

Victoria snorted. "That's convenient."

Aro held up a hand to silence her.

"I heard that you are immune to Edward's power. That is quite fascinating, Bella."

I shrugged, done with the pleasantries. "How did you find that out?"

He grinned at me. "I have my ways. I was wondering if I might try something with you… See, I can read thoughts, too, but I must touch you. I can read every thought that has ever entered your mind."

"You want to try and read my thoughts?" I asked flatly.

He nodded excitedly. "Edward's talent is far greater than my own, I know. He can read your mind without even touching you! Can you imagine if we could combine our talents? What extraordinary beings we then would be!"

I just stared at him.

"May I have your hand?"

I reluctantly reached out, repulsed at the thought of touching his skin. It hung from his bones and looked as though it would fall off at the slightest touch.

He eagerly reached forward and grabbed me. His skin was the softest material I'd ever touched and his hands were the coldest I'd ever felt. He stared deep into my eyes, never once breaking concentration.

I watched as his expressions went from calm to confused to surprised, then to frustration and finally awe.

"Amazing," he muttered to himself. "Truly remarkable."

He looked back and focused his gaze on a beautiful little girl standing a few feet behind him.

"Jane, dear one, please join us for a moment. I want you to try something for me."

Victoria's laugh sent chills down my spine. "But Jane's talent is the greatest of them all."

Aro smiled at Jane appreciatively.

The girl named Jane glared at me and bore her glistening red eyes into mine. She stood still for what seemed like an eternity to me before howling in anger.

"Amazing," Aro whispered again, staring at me intently. "Relax, my sweet," he said to Jane. "This human is quite a mystery."

He stood and beckoned Victoria to follow. They moved to the far corner of the room and were joined by two other vampires who resembled Aro somewhat. I figured that they were the other two that made up the trio, but I couldn't remember their names. They peered at me curiously but kept their attention on the conversation at hand.

I watched with slight interest as Victoria began gesticulating wildly. Her yelling was audible but I couldn't make out a word of it. She was talking too fast.

I heard the door open behind me and a great chill came in, making me shiver. I didn't bother turning around; I was sure it was a sight I didn't care to see.

Footsteps clanged out behind me as they got closer and closer to my chair. Suddenly, seven people stood in front of me. Their faces ranged from shock, fury, heartache, sadness, pained, sympathetic, and tired. Theirs were faces I knew too well, even better than my own.

"Oh, Bella," Alice whispered, tears that never would be shed glazing over her eyes, "what have they done to you?"