Chapter Twenty Seven

Yes, it's been a while. I've been having a major conflict about what to do. Thank you all for the mass amounts of reviews on the last chapter, by the way! You all made me think really hard, so I've now written it and hope it's good enough!

Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight but I do own Hetani, Elisha and this plot.

Pain. No.

Fear. Why?

More pain. Oh God.

Blood spattered the wall behind her like a grossly accurate thriller and some hit the hostages, who faces were plastered with shock and horror. It happened as if in slow motion; her knees buckled underneath her weight and she gradually collapsed on the ground, head connecting with a sickening crunch. Josh looked horrified at what he'd done and stumbled back a few steps, hitting a table. His pale features had taken on a deathly colour and I could almost see the bile working its way up his throat.

Abby screamed first.

At the sound, I snapped out of my tunnel vision filled with my worst nightmare and lurched forward. I skidded to a halt on my knees beside her and instantly pressed my hands into my best friend's shoulder, the wound frighteningly close to her heart as I tried to halt the blood flow or at least stall it slightly.

"I'm-." I snapped my head around, glaring venomously at Josh.

"Don't you dare," I snarled, biting the words out harshly. "If you want to survive for the next five minutes, I suggest you get help." But Josh didn't respond, it was Abby. She shakily stood then ran past the murderous bastard to get a paramedic. Tears of anger and agony filling my eyes, I turned back to my best friend. Her eyes were half shut and her breathing was ragged, chest rising and falling brokenly. Her blood slid between my fingers like they weren't even there before one of the male hostages appeared behind me.

"Here," he whispered, pushing his hoodie at me. I nodded to acknowledge him then pressed the article of clothing onto the wound in hopes of staunching the flow.

"Come on, you hold on, alright? You're strong and will stay that way! Do you understand me?" I hissed desperately. It wasn't working and I could feel her heartbeat slowing under my fingertips. "No, no, no, no, no."

"Miss, please move," a kind voice said. Tears overflowing, I looked up and saw numerous paramedics. The hostage that gave me the hoodie pulled me out of the way and I watched numbly as they worked on her. Over by the door, Josh was being cuffed and escorted out by a police officer whilst several others took the hostages out safely. After some nudging, I noticed that I was also being removed from the scene. Only the knowledge that I would simply get in the way if I stayed got me to go. I only felt my feet moving but didn't register where I was until cool air hit my sodden face. A sympathetic policewoman smiled gently at me and my eyes, continuously pouring tears, moved away from her and froze at the sight of Paul. As though sensing my probing face, he looked up and I suddenly remembered what Josh had told everyone about the bullying. His face went slack at the sight of me and I wondered what I looked like; face wet, hands and clothes covered in blood that wasn't my own and shaking. He nudged the woman beside him, Rachel, and she appeared beside me too fast to hardly see.

"Are you ok?" Was I ok? Shouldn't she be more concerned for the gunshot victim? I was.

"No, I'm not OK," I replied, my voice broken with crying and cracked with worry. I was moved out of the way as a stretcher on wheels was pushed down the disabled ramp leading into the school building, the body of my best friend lying on it unconscious. She looked like she was barely breathing and I felt like I wasn't either. Why did this happen? We were supposed to get through high school, struggle with homework and boy problems together and go to university. Who had decided that she might not get the chance to do those things? Whoever it was would be in for a serious lecture when I eventually got up to Heaven.

XXX

First Beach shone brightly with light from the unobstructed sun. I looked around with a wide smile, a hand over my eyes to protect them from the glare. I knew I had to be dreaming; there was no way the sun would ever be so bright and beautiful in reality. The water gleamed a startling blue, reflecting the rays of the sun and it made for a serene picture. Gradually, I made my way across the sand, the cream fabric of the beach dress I wore blowing in the ever-so-gentle breeze that soothed the heat from my skin. My feet were bare and my toes eagerly took the sand into their embrace.

"I hoped you wouldn't be here for a long time." My eyes widened and I whirled around in the direction I'd just come from. Funnily enough, the footsteps I'd created in the grains of dark sand had disappeared, even though I was certain I could feel them under my soles. I was quickly distracted though. A woman who looked like an older version of Rachel, with laughter lines and slightly darker skin stood in the spot I'd found myself upon opening my eyes. She was smiling at me.

"Mom?" I gasped, completely disbelieving. Her smile turned sad but she opened her arms to me and I instantly approached, hugging her tightly. She returned my embrace and I felt myself laughing and crying at the same time, thrilled to see her but very confused. She pushed me away slightly, her hands holding my shoulders as we looked at each other.

"I am glad to see you – but I so wished I wouldn't until you were much older." She was upset that I was with her.

"But mom-."

"Hetani, darling, you must think. Why would you be seeing me? What is the last thing you remember?" she asked urgently, her grip tightening marginally. I frowned, thinking about her questions. What was the last thing I remembered? I recalled the embarrassing conversation with Rachel about my sex life, driving to school and meeting Elisha for my presents, which I'd loved. A barrier guarding repressed memories fought against me as I sought to remember everything that had happened.

"Oh," I breathed shakily when the barrier was broken. Josh, a poor victim of bullying, had shot me. I wasn't even sure how it had happened but it must have been when I made a desperate bid for freedom. I wondered where I'd been shot. "Am I dead?" I questioned quietly, not sure I wanted to know the answer. My mom shook her head instantly, looking relieved at least for that.

"No, darling, but the fact that you are here shows you could be. You have to fight it, Tani, for all it's worth. Fight it." She began backing away and I knew my time was up.

"I love you, mommy," I called and she beamed at me, blowing a kiss in my direction.

"I love you too, Tani. I'll look for you in the sunlight." I sobbed as I realised she really had been watching out for me all those times I had been looking for her. We exchanged one last smile before she faded away completely.

XXX

Embry POV

I had never felt so numb before or scared for anyone. Fighting vampires and worrying about my brothers was nothing compared to the sheer terror I felt at the thought of Hetani never opening her eyes again. We had all been gathered at the hospital for just over an hour and Hetani had been taken into surgery. I hadn't spoken. I hadn't moved. After going through a mandatory check-up, Elisha had sat herself on the chair next to mine and she also hadn't spoken or moved. She just continuously glared at Paul like he would spontaneously combust if she tried hard enough. I couldn't find it in myself to even think about being mad at him, it was too hard. Hetani was my main priority and Elisha was handling Paul perfectly fine. Of course, Rachel had noticed and was attempting to distract her boyfriend from the venomous looks but Paul wouldn't give, as though he believed he deserved them. Over an hour ago, I would have agreed with that observation but Hetani was in surgery with a bullet in her chest – I didn't care about Paul. Billy had arrived with a frantic Sue around forty five minutes previously and the two had quickly gone to distract themselves in the cafeteria. Jared, Kim, Sam and Emily had gone too. That left me with Leah, who was being comforted by Seth and Jake, who was on the phone to Nessie (having been returned to her parents when Emily couldn't watch her anymore). Quil had left to babysit Claire and Collin and Brady had been put on patrol (although Elisha didn't know that).

"Mr Black?" a voice called out. All of us instantly looked at the doctor to find him analysing each of us curiously. It wasn't Carlisle, so I prayed he was with Hetani (although that didn't completely comfort me, I knew he was good at his job).

"That's me," Billy replied, appearing with Sue. The doctor turned his attention to Hetani's dad as Jake shot up from his seat to stand next to him.

"I have news about your daughter."

XXX

Everything was different yet kind of the same. I was still on the beach but I was in the spot I shared with Embry and wearing a flowing pink top over a black bikini. It was warmer but the breeze was stronger than when I saw my mom. Hot, familiar arms wrapped around my waist from behind and I leant back against Embry's firm, sculpted chest. His chin came to rest on my shoulder and I felt his soothing breath on my cheek.

"I miss you, you know," he told me and I smiled, already knowing he would. I would miss him too, if the situation were reversed. Of course, it never would be because he would heal instantly.

"I miss you, too," I replied, pressing myself against him harder.

"Then why don't you come back?" I didn't know how to answer. I was quite content being with him on the beach, however unrealistic it may have been.

"I like it here, Embry. There's no pain, no fear and no danger. It's safe and pure," I finally answered but the slightly aggravated sigh told me he wasn't pleased with it.

"Sweetheart, you have to come back. Reality will be safe – I will not let anything happen to you, I promise," he whispered sincerely and I gave a pained smile, turning in his arms. His fingers sent trails of want across my skin as they brushed some stray hairs from my face, much like the night he'd first kissed me. His brown eyes stared desperately into mine, pleading with me to return.

"Embry, there's a reason I'm here. That bullet got me and you can't protect me from things like that – they're too . . . human." I was trying to make him see that I couldn't go back without letting him know how truly terrified I was. Hurt coloured his features and I instantly felt guilty.

"I'm so sorry," he breathed, pulling me into his chest. I held him tightly, not wanting to let go but knowing I couldn't go back yet.

"I love you."

XXX

Embry POV

"Embry?" a girlish voice asked. I looked up from my hand linked with Hetani's to see Nessie standing just in front of her parents by the door. After the doctor had spoken to us, we'd been told that we could visit one at a time and, apparently, Nessie had come for her turn.

"Hey Nessie," I replied, trying to get rid of the rough tones in my voice. I sounded like a chain smoker. The redheaded girl smiled at me encouragingly and came over, looking between me and Hetani. A small dent formed on her delicate face as she thought about something.

"Would you like me to talk to her?" she asked eloquently. It was hard to believe that she was only a few months old sometimes as she spoke so beautifully. Then I realised that she probably didn't mean talking out loud to my imprint and I cocked my head to the side.

"How?" She didn't answer verbally, merely raising her hand to my cheek and showing me an image of her talking to Hetani through her gift. It was a good idea and I instantly nodded – at least I'd know Hetani was definitely getting the message. The only problem was that Hetani couldn't talk back. Nessie seemed to sense the issue and looked at Edward for assistance. I tensed up, not liking the idea of him being a part of it and knowing that Hetani would loathe the idea. Edward shook his head and, although clearly crestfallen, Nessie hopped up onto Hetani's bed and pressed her hand to her cheek just as Jake appeared. Knowing that was my cue to go, I stood up and exited, ignoring Edward and Bella in favour of finding something to distract myself.

"Hey," Rachel said, sitting next to me in the cafeteria. She was tense and hesitant yet she remained strong. I didn't reply, just shoving my food around my plate, my mind never leaving Hetani for a split second. I had felt that bullet as it tore into her, felt her pain and broken with her. I was cold and I had honestly never felt so starkly alone. I just prayed that she would survive – for me, for her family and for herself. There was no way I could cope if she died. If an imprint went, the wolf was ripped apart from the inside out. "I called Rebecca and she freaked out but she can't come out just yet. It's probably best, given what the doctor said."

"Hm," I grunted, Hetani's smiling face swimming in my mind's eye repeatedly. The doctor had told us that Hetani had made it through surgery, yet she'd almost flat-lined at two different points. But they had no way of telling when she'd wake up – it could be two days or ten years. The prospect of ten years without Hetani's voice, laugh or smile didn't come close to never being able to see them again. Apparently the bullet had missed her heart but her body had shut down in response and it was purely up to her to decide when to wake up.

But would she want to?

Hold out for the next chapter – hopefully three days as it's a long weekend! Thank you again for the support. Love Bianca :) x