Part 2
Xavier Ivanov ran through the rain, ignoring the wet feeling on his face but drowning in sorrow. Angela had finally lost all meaning to him, and all he could feel was sharp, burning pain that made him numb all over.
He stopped under a large tree, sheltering himself, preparing himself for what was to come. Shivering in the cold and wet, Xavier did not think it strange he was reacting like a human. Ever since he had met Angela, he had changed as a person. Inside, he felt pain like he had never felt before. He was shivering, half with cold, half with fury.
How could Angela have hurt him like that?
Xavier reached into his backpack and folded out a piece of paper and a pen. He began to scrawl his torment onto the battered page:
To the Cullens, and the Quileutes:
I loved Angela with all my heart, and she has betrayed me. When I saw her in Ben Cheney's arms, I knew that I alone could never make her happy. However much I tried, I was always beaten back by Angela and her Ben. She doesn't love me, she said.
I doubt she ever could.
So now I leave, on my own for the rest of my like, a life that is over. I will leave you all in peace, as I go to Volterra, Italy. They will be expecting me.
From
Xavier
What the Cullens, Angela and the Quileutes did not know was that Xavier was not going to Italy to kill himself.
He was planning something much more lethal.
The following day, Ben and Angela, although shaken, decided to attend Christmas lunch at the Cullens' house. Ben pulled up in the driveway and sat for a moment before turning to Angela, who had been quiet ever since the events of Christmas Eve.
"Are you okay, Ange?" Ben asked softly, placing his hand over hers.
"Yes…" she started, looking out the window. "No"
"It's okay, Angela. Xavier's gone. For all we know, he could be dead –"
"–no!" burst Angela, throwing her head to her hands, tears streaming down her face. Ben was alarmed, and put an arm around her.
"Angela… seriously, let's talk this out –"
"- Don't you see, Ben? It's all my fault! I've killed him! I killed Xavier. I'm a murdered!"
Ben was anguished at Angela's display of emotion over another man.
"No, Angela…no…" he comforted. "It wasn't your fault at all…"
"I'm heartless. Don't defend me, Ben. You're too good for me."
Ben looked sidelong at Angela, "Is that all you're distressed about?" he asked as Angela met his eyes.
"No. There's something else." Angela reached into her handbag and took out a rose, tied with a black ribbon.
"It was on my bed last night. With this as well." Angela's voice cracked as she opened a small box which contained a diamond ring.
"I think he planned to propose. My window was open and I saw him walking away into the rain… Oh Ben, how could I have done this?" Angela cried into his shoulder, while Ben comforted her as best he could, while inside he felt pure anguish, that Angela could really love that monster, and worry she would choose Xavier over him given her choice again.
"I'm okay now, let's just go inside. It is, after all, Christmas." Angela said, as optimistically as she could manage.
Emmett answered the door, surprised, and looking very on edge.
"Ben, Angela. Uh. Merry Christmas?"
"Merry Christmas Emmett" Angela shyly replied. "But not for everyone. Xavier's back." she sighed.
Emmett muttered "Yeah, we figured" handing Angela the note, causing fresh tears to flow again.
"What's the Volturi?" Ben queried, as Angela subtly shook her head, as Ben still knew nothing of their fantasy world. Angela had heard horror stories about them from Bella, and couldn't bear the thought of Xavier among them.
Before Emmett could come up with something though, Jasper bounded down the stairs.
"Alice is missing!" he cried out.
Ben forgot about the Volturi and was overcome with guilt and shame, he couldn't bare to confess. Plus, he still didn't trust Jasper.
"What if Xavier's taken her? Maybe he wants them both to join? What if he's killed her?" Jasper questioned.
"Calm down Jasper. Maybe she's just gone hunting, or shopping?"
"Then why can't she see us worrying…"
Ben took advantage of their arguing. It was a distraction against his sweating forehead and slight shaking.
"I'm going to get some fresh air." he said, but no one was listening, so he went outside to think.
Could what I did really send Alice away? he thought, remembering that look in her eyes.
Where was Alice now?
Alice swept through the trees of the lush Australian bush, hearing the high pitched buzz of cicadas in her ears.
She came to a small clearing, where a large yellow house stood ominously. Alice ran to the door and wrenched it from its hinges in her rage, hearing the screams of the inhabitants as the small, pale, black-eyed vampire lunged at one of the helpless humans.
"What are you doing?" yelled a man with grey, curling hair, cowering in fright.
Alice looked up with blood stained teeth and gave an evil smile, "I'm turning your family into newborn vampires… So I can get revenge"
The man blinked, "but why in Appin?'
"I have a friend-" Alice pushed the body off her and onto the floor, where she twisted and turned in burning agony.
The man took one last look at his family, only his wife was left with him. She ran behind him. He pushed her to Alice.
"Here, take her, not me!" he exclaimed, sprinting into the distance without a backward glance. Alice smiled, and then began the pursuit.
Hannah Oaktree drove down Appin's main street. It was a "busy" highway lined with trees, so if one should swerve, they would smash headlong into a tree and die. The death count was always rising, about four every three months.
This particular morning was sunny, and Hannah hummed to herself cheerily. Suddenly, she glanced up at the death count. It had risen by four. Four people in one day.
Angela and Ben sat together a little awkwardly at the Cullen's dinner table. The chicken was burnt, the ham was cold and tasteless and the turkey was slowly being chewed by ben. Edward seemed to be staring Rosalie down, who had an obvious pout on her face. Ben found it very strange that none of the Cullens had touched their food.
"So…" he began, nervously, breaking the silence, "Is anyone going to eat?" As if a switch had been turned on all the Cullens began to eat, less than enthusiastically. Edward had followed Xavier's scent to a dead end, and Ben took their sullen mood on Alice's disappearance, still trying not to think about what he had done.
"Where's Bella?" Ben queried, attempting to make conversation.
"Uh, she's sick." Edward replied, as the silence continued, excepting the clattering knives and forks.
It was going to be a long day…
Jane walked out into the moonlit town square of Volterra, where she had followed Gianna.
Jane twitched her nose, surprised not to see the hooded figure writhing and screaming in pain.
"What the…" Jane thought, attempting to approach Gianna, but finding she was paralysed.
Gianna turned around and walked up to Jane, taunting her.
"You really are just as stupid as I imagined."
Jane fought through her state, proving it useless.
I saw your plots of murder, long before you decided it yourself. My new power is proving to be quite priceless, really. Only, of course, what I see can't be changed. So, if I saw me, maybe, killing you, I would have no choice but to obey." Gianna lectured, striking a match, holding it close to Jane's face.
"Cool power, huh?" a man's voice echoed through the square, as an Englishman, with sandy blonde hair and dark red eyes walked importantly towards them, kissing Gianna passionately.
"This is my lover, Charles. We met on a mission last month in England."
"Pleasure to meet you." Charles said, as Gianna and the man burst into a deep, sinister laugh for some minutes, until Gianna whispered "you should probably unfreeze her mouth now" into Charles' ear.
Jane let out a cry of anguish, and it seemed her state was slowly draining her energy.
"Are you… are you going… to kill me?" she panted out.
"Shhh… save your energy" Gianna cooed. "And would I kill you, Jane? We are on the same side, for now anyway. A few words of advice, however. You're going to have to cope with your jealousy, or else I see your future turning out very grim." with that, Gianna blew out the match, and the couple walked away, as Jane collapsed onto the pavement, and the sun began to rise.
"And you're sure Aro doesn't suspect?" Charles whispered.
"That's not the way my power works. No one will know, and everything is going according to plan." Gianna replied, hurrying away from the square as the sky burned red as blood with the sunrise.
Alice had seeked out her friend, Tristan, a very gifted vampire with a knack for creating newborns. Together, resisting the urge to kill, had bitten one hundred residents of Appin.
Alice was overly proud of herself. Her dream of taking revenge upon Angela and her ex lover, Jasper was nigh.
"We're nearly done. We'll be done in no time, Alice" assured Tristan, pulling his hat rim down.
"Yes…. nearly…" Alice trailed off, a vision began to reach her. Jasper in anguish at her leaving. Alice convinced herself he was just trying to trick her, to bring her back. She shoved the vision to the back of her mind, turning her sights on the next cowering victim…
Hannah Oaktree was in a panic. She threw her dusty suitcase from the top of her old wardrobe and onto her bed, where she threw as many items of clothes as she could. When she had finished, she struggled to do the zip up, and sat on the top of it to squeeze it shut. gasping for breath, she reached for her phone and dialled
"Hello, Angela? I'm coming to visit."
Bella lay on the soft, damp grass of her meadow, staring up at the sky, glad to have a moment to herself. Though she had to leave, to escape from the bloodlust for Angela and Ben, she also needed to escape her thoughts and confusion.
She had been dreaming of this life since she had first met Edward. Still, something had seemed wrong since that devastating day in Saint Petersburg, and Bella had been trying to hide her feelings from him, with little success. It was great to look up at the sky, and pretend she was still human and in love.
"Bella!" Edward yelled heading towards her as Bella jumped up. They embraced, Bella less than enthusiastically.
"Edward, what are you doing here?" Bella asked, shocked.
"Ben and Angela finally left. Why? Aren't you glad?" Edward replied.
Bella stood, not knowing what to say.
"Um… Of course, it's just that I haven't had much time to myself lately." Bella stammered, unconvincingly.
"Bella, I know you. What's happening?"
"Edward, we need to talk. I think, I think we need some time apart."
"Well how much time? I mean I'm willing to wait. I just want you to be happy."
Bella smiled at him, wishing she didn't have to do this, still unbelieving at why.
"I'll miss you." Edward said again, betraying his hidden hurt, as Bella walked away, trying very hard not to look back.
Ben sat next to Angela on the couch and pulled out a piece of paper from the table.
Angela was curious, "what's that, Ben?"
"Just something I… er… made for you, to make you feel better. Sorry if I copied you a bit:
Angela, after all that we've been through,
You know that I'd do anything for you.
Words cannot express our unending love,
I hope peace flies to you like a white dove.
I'll go with you wherever you may go,
Of my promises I hope you will know
In rain or shine I will be here to protect
May our love never, ever be dissect (ed)
Of this I must confess: you are the best!
Your company makes me feel very blessed.
The darkness and shadow Xave brought with him
Made our love's candle grow stead'ly dim
Angela, Angela, Angela, Ange,
The one, the only, my love!
Angela laughed, "thanks, Ben… It was a much better sonnet than mine.: Ben could sense the sarcasm in her voice, but was pleased with her response nevertheless. But something had been missing from Angela since Xavier had left, as if a part of her heart had left with him.
Now, Ben could see Angela's blank expression as she stared off into space.
Xavier swiftly dodged the crowds of people at the Italian airport. His eyes showed a burning determination that made passer-by's turn for a second look. But he was determined to not get distracted. He was on a direct route to Volterra.
Suddenly he realised his thirst. He scanned the crowds hungrily, searching for a lone figure. A young girl stood on the edge of an abandoned building, anxiously glancing at her watch every now and then. She was of Greek and Irish appearance, and was wearing a yellow shirt and jeans.
Xavier tried to change his intense expression, placing a fake smile in his face as he walked over to her. She flinched as she took in his dangerous countenance and untidy clothes and hair.
"Hello" said Xavier, a little off key. The girl decided to ignore him, as Xavier expectantly stared at her.
"What's your name?"
"er… Rosanna" she replied, avoiding his gaze.
"Are you late for something…? I couldn't help but notice you glancing at your watch so anxiously."
Rosanna stared at him, "Yeah. I need to be in the city in five minutes. There's no way I'll be there in time catching the bus now"
Xavier nodded slowly, a plan forming in his twisted mind.
"I texted my boyfriend to drive me, but he hasn't replied."
"Well, I could drive you" he said, a little determinedly. Rosanna frowned. "No, thank you." she said, as politely as possible. Xavier nodded. So, if she wouldn't come with him, he'd have to take her by force. Xavier looked around. Fortunately for him, the crowd had thinned. Xavier grabbed Rosanna by the arm and pulled her around the corner.
When Xavier re-emerged into the light, the dark patches had disappeared from his eyes. He was ready to confront the Volturi.
Edward sat on his black sofa, banging his head against the wall. Heavy metal music rang through the room, and the rest of the house, on maximum volume. It had been three days since Bella had left, and Edward was in no clean shape. He grunted in frustration, then went back to his head banging. He couldn't stop thinking about Bella.
Where was she? Was she safe? Had she reformed her diet? He would never forgive himself if that were true. Was that dog with her? He couldn't escape.
"Do you mind?" Rosalie stood in the doorway, staring angrily at Edward.
"Jasper's feeling enough negative emotion without you multiplying it, and will you turn that down?" she yelled at him. Edward grabbed the closest thing near him, which happened to be the stereo remote, and through it with all his force. Rosalie caught it gracefully, turning off the sound.
"There, much better." she cooed. Edward glared at her.
"Oh great! Poor, masochistic Edward all over again. Does that even hurt?" She asked of his head-banging.
"I'm trying to get out of my thoughts" he grumbled. as Rosalie sat down on the couch.
"No wonder she left you, psycho. I'm sorry but you've got to get over this. Bella will come back when she's ready, but if she comes back and sees this –" Rosalie gestured to the disarray of Edward's room and Edward himself.
"Well…. Just give her some time." she left the room, leaving Edward and his thoughts behind him. He would get his act together and wait.
Xavier stood panting in the deepest, darkest prison of the Volturi's castle, recovering from one of Jane's torturous attacks. scape would have been so simple, but he needed the Volturi's help if he ever wanted to reclaim Angela, and so he waited in the dungeon, enduring Hane's wrath while the Volturi determined his fate, and whether they would assist his plan.
He heard the door creak open, and Jane walked down the steps towards Xavier, as he braced himself for the imminent pain.
"Congratulations, 'were-vamp', the Volturi have decided to help you. Next month we will all travelto Forks, where you will be reunited with your beloved 'Angela'." Jane said, in a particularly mocking tone.
"Aro will be down any minute to speculate with you." At that moment, there was a rattling from above, and Jane moved to leave.
"It looks like we'll be spending even more time together" she whispered, she blew him a kiss, and walked out the door.
1 month later.
The army of newborns, disrupted from their training, gathered around Alice and Tristan, waiting to see the cause for the meeting.
"Over the past few weeks…" Alice began, "we have trained you to fight the best of your ability, fed you and taught you the laws of our world. And now, it is time to put our plan into action! Tomorrow we will swim to America. Drink up and rest! You may disperse."
The newborns went back to their training, talking politely as Tristan went to speak to Alice.
"Are you sure you're ready?" he asked.
"Of course, I just want this to be over" Alice replied as Tristan gently kissed her cheek. Alice turned away.
"I'm sorry, but as soon as I've got my revenge, you can erase my memories and we can be together" Alice said, seeing the hurt in Tristan''s eyes, and they walked off to prepare for the next day.