I slowly fell into unconsciousness after seeing blue eyes with flecks of red watch me with a deathly gaze.
My dreams were the only place where I was safe.
I sat in Edward's arms.
He held me tightly to his cool chest and was stroking my hair. I couldn't help but trace his face with my fingertips. We were in the meadow, he was sparkling in the sun. Diamonds that would glitter and twinkle. The light was calming but it was still incredibly bright. His cold embrace was all I wished for at this time. I would always wish for it. No matter where I was, I would crave it like air. It was perfect in the pasture. We were together. I could see all of the love in his eyes that was reflected back in mine. I could wish for nothing more than this. He leant into the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply. I leant forward into his neck and breathed in his rich, aromatic scent. My angel turned his head and pressed his frozen lips to mine.
My eyes fluttered open. I felt a single tear run down my face.
That dream was no memory. That dream was something better. Something that could have been. Something that I wanted to happen. It hurt more than anything to know it would never happen. It could never happen because of the woman who had brought me onto this plane.
Victoria sat next to me, still staring at me with a cold, dead glare. Her red hair perfect. Finding some sort of courage within me, I turned my head and I gave her the same stare back. I saw a flicker of shock, incredulity and a 'is she really mimicking me' look but it was quickly covered with the icy mask once more. I had to stay strong, I wouldn't let her see my tears, not here.
We stayed like this for a long time. Glaring into each others eyes with pure hatred. I hated her for taking me away from Forks. Forks was the only place Edward knew to come looking for me. It was the only place he knew I'd be. If I left, he would have no idea where I was. That was, if he was ever going to come back for me.
"Your eyes have gone red," I stated.
That obviously took her by surprise. She quickly got up to use the bathroom, careful not to make eye contact with any other passengers. I didn't think I would feel too good if someone looked at me and they had crimson eyes. Knowing me, I would probably faint.
Review of current situation. Stuck on a plane with a revenge - plotting vampire who wants to kill you but isn't planning on just yet. She has taken you away from the one place you know you should stay if Edward ever decided to come back. You have no idea where you're going but you know you're going to die, either when you land or a little while after.
All is lost.
From my seat, I could see air stewardesses pacing up and down the aisles, handing out coffee or orange juice and what I assumed were breakfast for passengers. Oddly enough, I wasn't hungry. I hadn't eaten since I got back from the movie with Jacob…
Jacob! What would he think? What would he do? Would he come after us? He couldn't, he'd just get killed like me! Even if he was technically a werewolf, I didn't know how many other vampires were involved in Victoria's devious plot to end my life.
She sauntered back to her seat. I didn't miss the way several men turned their heads in her direction. I sighed, frustrated. I knew Rosalie enjoyed being gazed at but I'm sure she also knew that they were mentally undressing her in their minds. Victoria's eyes were now a deep blue, without a fleck of red in them. This pleased me somewhat, at least no one would stop us.
A second later my eyes were wide open, realising what I thought. Did I want to die? Did I really want to conclude my existence so suddenly?
Yes. It was simple. Edward didn't know, Edward wouldn't know, Edward would think I was living my human life. Edward would think I had married some Mike Newton and was happy. Quite honestly, I don't think anyone would be happy with Mike as a husband but that was just my humble opinion. My outlook on human life was a little crushed from living with and loving all of the Cullen's. Vampire life was a lot more exciting than aging and dying. I didn't want to be human and I didn't want to be away from Edward. No one would change me so that was out of the question. Okay, I had my answer. Death seemed easy.
Victoria was now glaring at me from the edge of her eyes. The cold glare I had come to expect of her. Victoria shouldn't have really had anything against me. Okay, so I was the one James was after last year but that was in the past, as was the rest of my life. I wasn't the one that killed James unless…
Edward.
She had taken me to get to Edward. She was going to kill me and make Edward hurt just as much as she was. He could live forever and so could she and they were going to hurt forever. It felt like a stab to my heart, tearing around my chest, making the void of my pain grow considerably. I gasped aloud and curled my frame into a defensive position, trying to dim the torture that I'd just worked out. It felt so real it was unreal. I knew she was definitely going to make Edward hurt. Mate for a mate, it was only right… But didn't she know Edward left me? Didn't word somehow get to her about how he left me?
I noticed her out giving me an apprehensive look. Either that or it was a 'she really is crazy…'. It didn't matter. I was onto her scheme now.
Slowly, I turned to face her. Her blazing hair was perfect and her face was perfect. She was perfect, as vampires tended to be. I remembered thinking Edward was deadly. Yes, that was true. He could rip my head off of my shoulders in seconds but it was different because I knew he wouldn't. Getting on the wrong side of Victoria was fatal and I knew this. She would rip my head off of my shoulders.
I was planning on that.
"Why?" I asked, copying her cold stare.
"Why what?" she snapped back.
"Why take me?"
"I told you. You're a necessity."
"Yes," I sneered. I was trying to get on her bad side. "But a necessity for what exactly?"
Her eyes narrowed significantly, if that were possible. "The next few days."
"You need a human for your plan?" I said human a little too loud, purposely.
Her voice came out with a low snarl that only I could hear from trying to listen into the Cullen's conversations. "Yes, my dear, I need you for my plan. My plan revolves around you staying alive."
I scowled and looked away. We had already risen above the cloud line and I could see the feathery puffs drifting around the sky. I started picking out shapes in them. Trying to take my mind off things...
Dog, dragon, cat, mouse, circle, square, pizza slice, bat, duck, bed, parrot, face, berry, jumper, horse –
"What are you doing?" Victoria's voice sounded in my ears like a deafening bell in a silent room. She was deliberately and intentionally talking to me.
Again, I slowly turned to face her, with a look of total incredulousness (A/N: That is a word.) that I didn't bother to hide.
Seconds screamed at us as they moved along with time, faster than I thought possible.
"I…was just looking for shapes in the clouds." What the hell was going on?!
Victoria made a curt nod with her head, eyes darting to the floor and then looked at the other passengers, in… shyness? I turned my head back to the sky. If Victoria was going to kill me she shouldn't be asking pointless questions like that. That was…almost…friendly. My eyes grew wider as I stared out into the blue and my breathing increased noticeably. I didn't want the person who wanted to kill me to be my friend. Murderers weren't supposed to become friends with their victims. It wasn't done. That would be like, a predator becoming friends with prey. Falling in love with prey…
Vampire falling in love with a human…
Oh.
Then, it didn't seem that bad. It had happened before, vampires befriending humans. I mean, just look at Edward and I. Victoria wouldn't let this develop into friendship if she wanted to slaughter me. Not the best thing to do when trying to massacre a human.
I missed Edward terribly, and that was the biggest understatement of the century. It was like something was constantly tugging away at my heart. Trying to rip out my soul and anything that reminded me of him – which coincidently was everything – would make the pain stronger. I wondered what he was doing, if he was still thinking of me, if he went back to Forks, if he was safe, if he wished I was safe…
And I was safe for the time being. As long as we were in the 'public eye' as Edward called it, she wouldn't kill me. At least I hoped so.
...My mind kept whirling...
I didn't realise how long I'd actually slept until the pilot announced we were dropping our altitude for our descend into Florence.
...Here we go again...
Florence?! As in Italy?! Italy?! Why would she take me to Italy of all places?! What could her scheme involve?! And Italy?! Italy?!
I slowly grasped that my thoughts were becoming hysterical. I'd never been off the continent, so maybe my last few days would be a little more interesting than staring my death in the face. I might even get to enjoy a little of it.
My eyes darted over to Victoria. She was still giving me that stare. I suppose I wouldn't have really minded too much but the whole 'What are you doing?' thing got me more worried than necessary. I didn't want to be her friend. She, technically, shouldn't want to either. It was mutual hatred. But then again, I'd been wrong before. Just look at Jacob…
But I shouldn't be thinking of the people I would be leaving behind. Now was all that really mattered. Yes, I would always love Edward and yes, Jacob would always be my friend, even if he wanted to be more, but it wouldn't do me any good if I had an emotional breakdown because of it all. What I really needed to do was watch out for anything that would confirm my idea about her scheme. I didn't need to worry about the friend thing…I mean, that was only one time. It wouldn't happen again.
Victoria and I were both silent as she collected the luggage. I had no idea why she had brought any along for herself. Me yes, but her? Maybe it was just to blend in but if that were true, wouldn't she give me one? No, she just took them both, without any struggle and walked off, not after checking I was following. Well, where was I going to go? I was in a country I'd never been before, I didn't know the language and I didn't have any money so even if I got away, I wouldn't be able to get anywhere. She was over judging me by a long way. Yes I was human, but a clumsy one at that.
She told me to follow her to the car rental lot. It was late evening so we – or rather, she – didn't have to worry about the sun. Twilight, I mused, yet again. This time of the day meant so much more to me now I could remember it all. All of it. What would another normal teen at my age be doing? Jessica? Angela? Lauren even? They wouldn't be wandering aimlessly around Italy in tow with a vampire that wanted them dead. They would be going out to movies, having sleepovers, going to parties, dating guys… The very idea of going out with anyone other than Edward repulsed me. That was another point my life was over.
A few minutes later it was clear she wasn't planning on actually buying a car. It was grand theft auto or run. Seeing as running brought back memories I was trying to push away, stealing a car would work fine. She looked at me, signalling a car. I nodded once. It seemed Victoria had picked out a red Chrysler. I couldn't tell what type, I was never a car person, but the distinct brand logo was hard to miss. It was elegant, expensive and there was no doubt it wasn't fast. What I thought was fast wasn't probably medium for it.
I literally jumped in the back seat when she gave me the sign. I had to be quick because she was faster. Somehow the suitcases were already next to me and Victoria was already starting the car up. I didn't even bother to wonder where she got the keys from. You just don't ask that with vampires.
The interior was a lot like a race car. The seats were mostly red but had that black section on each. It made me feel like you just had to see how fast it would go. Not the best thing for the accident prone. The windows had a dark tint to them. I wouldn't be blinded anytime soon, that was a good thing. The logo again, was branded into the steering wheel and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by how poshit was. I'd always had rather a soft spot for Chryslers but if Edward had ever found out, I would have ended up with seven in one week. I rolled my eyes at the thought because it would have eventually become true.
The car started with a purr which quickly turned into rumbling, like it was an animal waiting to pounce. Victoria was only too happy to comply and we screeched into the busy road.
Scared as I was, Victoria didn't crash into anyone. She didn't hurt anyone in her rush to leave the angry Italian men, swearing and shaking their fists at us. I suppose it wouldn't have helped her plan if blood was splattered on the window. Maybe that's why she was so careful.
In an incredibly short amount of time we were on a motorway. Odd really, how I didn't notice how quickly everything was going so quickly. I really should have been taking in the Tuscan landscape but I didn't see the point. Okay, so it would be nice to see some kind of charming scenery before I passed away or whatever you'd call it but, as beautiful as it was, I didn't feel the need to.
"You okay? You don't need food?" I froze as Victoria spoke. There it was. That friendly thing again. I looked at her red eyes through the mirror on the roof. She was looking straight back. They were tense, I had no idea why.
"Um, I guess I'm a little hungry now." I did not like this one bit.
"What would you like?"
"I-I don't mind. Whatever is fine."
She just nodded and I didn't let myself think until she had pulled over at a service station to get me something.
I didn't want this to happen. I was fine with the whole 'I hate you and I'm going to kill you' but 'I'm going to kill you but I want to be your friend too'? That wasn't going to work. It was one or the other.
All too soon, she opened the door and handed me a bag, careful not to touch my hands as I reached for it.
Inside the white plastic was a chicken sandwich, an apple, fries and a chocolate bar. I pulled out the apple and mumbled a 'thank you'. Victoria just nodded again.
The apple was the exact same shade and type as the one in Forks High on that day Edward asked me to sit with him. The way I had rolled it over in my hands as he took a bite of pizza. I felt a tear crawl down my face. The apple seemed so insignificant then, but now look. A piece of fruit can make me cry. I leant into the side of the car trying to calm or at least muffle my sobs. The Tuscan landscape was colourful enough to distract me, but it wasn't quite enough.
Victoria's eyes darted back up to the mirror on the roof and then back to the road.
Then we were there.
I hadn't any clue where there actually was but were had arrived. Victoria got out of the car and I took that as my queue to do the same. I was met with a large castle-like building. In fact it was a castle. Okay, a small one at that but it still counted.
The night air was refreshing and I took a deep breath in but it was quickly exhaled when I saw the three figures in front of me.
A/N: I had a dreadfully shocking experience today, and that in itself it probably an understatement. So, I'm doing my thing in ICT, going on forums, reading fan fiction, playing this fish game (Google 'fish tank game' and it's the one called Insaniquarium) and very occasionally, I go onto Stephenie's website. So, imagine, if you will, I go on, expecting a nice update on Bella's bracelet (I NEED THAT BRACELET!!!) or something like that, and I see a headline saying 'Actor Robert Pattinson joins cast of Twilight as Edward'. Then I see the picture.
It takes a while to settle in and then I practically explode, screaming about how he was only picked for his hair and that they should know not to pick a HUMAN to play a VAMPIRE… AND CEDRIC DIGORY OF ALL PEOPLE!!!! I am then told to shut up because the people sitting near me are staring.
After that, I tell my friend (in a Science-based ICT lesson…Yes, we were very lucky today) who is currently reading Eclipse (she is so slow it's unbelievable… Hehehe, no, I'm kidding. She's on Fan Fiction and her name is forgettmenott. Still waiting for some stories, hurry up!), she screams and begs me to tell her who it is and I just say go onto the website. A minute later she screams and says how he can't be Edward, etc.
I have put more pictures up on my profile. The interior and exterior of the Chrysler and pictures of Volterra.
All in all, it was a very traumatic day and I'm glad it's almost the weekend. I stretched this chapter and left it on a sorta cliffy. I'm just trying to point out that everything is taking such a long time with Bella and Edward (in my story, but I'm sure it does anyway…) and Edward is still very, very angry (more on that next chapter!) and all I'm trying to say is that time seems to slow down when they're not together. Things will kick off in the chapter after next.
As for Victoria, betcha didn't see that one coming! Hehehe!
If you're happy and you know it click review!
Emma
