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Rosalie's POV

What point was there to keep going? No matter how much I forced myself away from these newborns who constantly grab at me, yank me, and tear me apart, I can't get to Esme. I see her, battling for her life with little luck. At the moment, I would rather burn all the way to Hell than to watch my mother go through this. To watch Emmett struggling, suffering. How could I cope, knowing in mere minutes they would be gone from this world forever, and would go to a much darker place? If they actually had a shot at Heaven, then maybe thinking of their death wouldn't be as bad. Esme and Emmett were full of the sincerest innocence, but they were damned regardless, just like the rest of us, and I could not bear it.

"Rosalie!" Emmett cried for me. I would not, I could not look at him. It terrifies me, the thought of the last image that I see of him being a haunting one. Instead, I ignore him. It's so much easier this way, for the both of us.

I danced around my opponents, swerving, dodging, attempting to claw my way through them, to sink my teeth into their hard skin. I knew newborns were strong, but I had no idea just how much. Not even Emmett could match up to the smallest of them.

As un-ladylike as it was, I cursed. It was all just so frustrating. I was known for my stubbornness, for my perseverance. It was one of my positive traits. I had beauty. I had intelligence. I had willpower. Yet, here I am, my face in shreds, unable to think up a way to save myself let alone my family, and my faith was fading, and fading fast.

I was losing. No, this was worse than losing. This was giving up. That was a horrid way to end a fight. I hated it.

Then what's stopping you from beating the hell out these newborns, I asked myself.

That's a good question, I answered back.

And now I'm talking to myself - Emmett always said that was a bad sign.

I twirled to the side to dodge an incoming attack. I kept moving, kept running through the clearing, bounding off the ground and onto the cliff side to get away from those who were after me. The rock I now stood on shook when another landed on it. It was the same vampire that has been after me from the beginning, the one who tore through the side of my face. I hissed, pulling my arm back, shaping my fingers in a way that said 'I'm about to claw your face out' - and I did just that. I threw my hand into them, scratching down their face just as they had mine. The sweet sensation of revenge rippled through my body, and pushed me to go one step further; I was not just going to get even, so our score was equal. No. I was going to beat them at their own game.

As they screamed at the impact, I did not hesitate to plunge my teeth into their shoulder. I barely got their arm torn off before his companion slammed into me, sending me flying backwards. My back hit the cliff, and I slid down to the ground, my feet landing loudly. I looked quickly up, to see if I was being followed.

I stared in disbelief at what I saw. The two newborns, who were supposed to be on the same side, were fighting each other. They were tearing the other apart in their rage, something newborns were known to do, but the thought of them turning on each other right now had not crossed my mind. I was soon filled with relief. I had done nothing to to feel proud of in this victory, but it was a victory nonetheless.

Quick footsteps crept closer to me. Before I could turn my head, I was rammed into from the side. Fortunately, before they could get their arms around me, I kicked them off, slashing my claw-like hands at them to keep them away from me. No matter what lucky success I had just a few seconds ago, it was still a lost battle. So I should not have looked when I heard Esme whimper in what could only be defeat. I already knew we were going to die. There was no point in having to watch it be done. But the pure helplessness in her voice had me turning my head to find her anyway, to see her, and my body held the urge to help her, even if, logically, I knew I could not.

There she was, looking limp in some guy's arms. The sound of her bones cracking was completely audible, not to mention heart wrenching.

Esme's motherly eyes met mine. She smiled as much as she could, a gentle, maternal smile. The sad gleam in her eyes looked apologetic, like she was telling me, and Emmett, that she was sorry. But she had nothing to be sorry about. I was the one who was sorry, for I had been the one giving up on her.

Suddenly, her face crumpled in pain and she let out a piercing, agonized scream.

My eyes widened, and I sucked in a sharp intake of breath. I can't quite explain what happened inside me at that moment, but something did. Something that never has before. Whatever it was burned inside me, as abrupt and fierce as a raging wildfire on hot, dry terrain. It was a powerful feeling. Inspiring, and rejuvinating. I knew I had enough strength now to do what my body wanted, which was to protect.

Something flew into me again, and just as quickly as they hit me, I threw them off. I had only the thought to save Esme. Nothing else could hold my attention but the death of that newborn who held her hostage, breaking her, killing her.

I dashed forward, sprinting for my target. My body shook with protectiveness, confidence, and most dominantly, the love for my mother. Esme has been more of a mother to me than my own human mother ever was. Esme loved me for who I was, for everything I did no matter how disastrous the outcome of my decisions were. Esme devoted her life, both her lives, human and not, to her children. Always, in the end, I suppose Esme will die for her kids. A part of my mind could not help but accuse Edward for this one, as we had gotten into this mess because of him.

I crashed into the boy strangling Esme's body, ripping his arms off her, and knocking him a few steps back, just enough for me to get in between the two. I wasted no time in tearing him limb by limb; although, I did not get far before being side-swiped by his undeniable strength. The sheer force of it had me slamming, head first, into the ground.

I heard Esme hiss, just as another sound roared through the air. It was a furious sound, booming, and frightening, even to me. If it was not such a crucial moment in time I would have laughed that the newborns all jumped, their eyes widening in fear at the sudden sound, their heads snapping in that direction. But I knew where it came from - it was Emmett. Never had I heard him so...angry.

Just then, Emmett wooshed by me, surprising Esme and I both - we jumped slightly at the sight of him. He took out four newborns in one tackle. He pinned them to the ground, ripping pieces of hard flesh off his writhing opponents. I could only stare at him for a moment with my jaw dropped, stunned. Surely Emmett had felt the same odd burst of strength that I felt, otherwise - and I hated to doubt his ability, but - he would not have been able to do that.

My natural instincts vibrated up my body, interrupting my train of thought, forcing me into a crouch as the only female newborn here made her way toward me. My teeth bared, dripping with venom. I could not wait to sink them into her. But I never got the chance.

Instead, another opportunity came, and I took it without a second thought.

I shoved Esme - as gently as I able to - out of the way, then I roared as loud, and as ferocious, and Emmett-like as I could manage. The female stopped in her tracks, hissing in alarm. Grabbing the attention of all the newborns, I slammed my palm into one's chest, sending them flying. As the female started after me again, and two Emmett had tackled got loose, both looking to me due to my fearsome outburst, I ran.

I retreated as fast as I could manage. Hoping, praying, wishing that I would be followed.

I exhaled in relief when I heard that half of the newborns still alive were following me. My plan had worked.

It was hard having my back toward the enemy as I ran. It was against my better judgement. But I had to get as many of them away from Esme and Emmett as possible, and this was the best tactic. Not to mention that, for the most part, it worked. While I had three of the newborns chasing after me, their vicious snarls echoing threateningly behind me, my husband and mother had only three left to deal with. I had drastically decreased their numbers, while I had increased my family's chances of survival. However, the probablility of me living through this had become non-existent.

My body attempted to heal itself, I could feel it trying to hurry in it's natural process, feeling the urgency of survival. But I could only keep running for so long. I was fast, but not faster than any regular newborn. Not that it mattered now. My choice has been made. I would die, like I was meant to years ago.

It was a nice thought, at least, that this is how I would go out. Who knew, in the end, I would turn so noble? Only Esme, only Emmett could bring out the best in me. I owed them this. I would protect them this way, by giving them a fighting chance. The thought made me smile.