Bella.

I couldn't tell you how long I had been sitting there, nestled into the coldness of the grass below me. The air was chilly, but the flimsy material of my pajamas made it intensify. I wrapped my arms closer to my body, rubbing my fingers against them in a poor attempt to create warm friction. Where was Edward? Of course, I was angry. I was more than angry, but I needed him. I'd always need him, even when I didn't want him.

A rustle of leaves moved from behind me. I whipped my head up, and turned around. I expected it to be Edward, but was disappointed when I locked eyes with a young woman. I frowned as I studied her. She had long curly blonde hair that cascaded down below her breasts. Her skin was unusually pale, and her eyes- Oh. She was a vampire. I would never mistake that unforgettable topaz color for anything else. I gulped, and backed away slowly. She smiled.

"Are you okay?" she asked, stepping closer to me. My heartbeat quickened as I scrambled to stand myself up. Where was Edward, damnit? Didn't he care that I was on the verge of becoming somebody's dinner? She took another step closer, and I jumped back further. She frowned.

"My boyfriend is a vampire. You hurt me, and you'll have to answer to his entire family," I spat boldly. She blinked in confusion, sighed, and took a few step backs. She bit her bottom lip as she studied me. Her eyes washed over me for a few seconds, before she let out a silently gasp.

"You're Isabella Swan, aren't you?"

"How do you know my name?" I felt myself moving backward again. My back touched something hard, and my fingers moved quickly behind me to feel what it was. I gulped when I felt the rough surface of bark on my fingertips. I was cornered. She put her hands in front of her, as if defending herself. I turned to look at the forest. Surely, Alice would have seen this by now. They would've came in an instant.

"Everybody knows who you are. You're a celebrity in the vampire world!" she exclaimed excitedly. I chuckled bitterly.

"What do you want, then? An autograph?" I muttered in fear. She watched my eyes for another second, before letting another gasp. She jumped back suddenly, her arms still in front of her.

"Forgive me! I don't mean you any harm! I'm Matilda, I hunt animals," she announced. I immediately felt a wave of calmness sweep over me, and I looked around to see if Jasper was around. No. I sighed, and my shoulders fell in relief. She was laughing softly as I pushed myself off of the tree. I hesitantly took a few steps toward her, and raised my hand out. She took it, shaking it gently.

"Nice to meet you, Matilda. Do you know the Cullen's?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. She nodded her head.

"Oh, no. I'm just passing through on my way to California. I heard crying, and found you here. Is everything okay?" she asked. Instinctively, I raised my fingers to my face, and pushed against the skin under my eyes. It was wet and smooth. I pulled the sleeve of my shirt down, and raised it once more to dry the dampness. I hadn't realized that I was crying. I looked back up at Matilda, and sighed.

"No, everything is not okay. My boyfriend promised me something really important, and decided to change his mind last night. He's the only one I know that can-" I stopped myself mid-sentence. I stared at the vampire in front of me, and almost saw the light bulb above my head go off. So, Edward refused to change me. Chances are, that meant Carlisle and Alice were out of the question as well. The topaz in Matilda's eyes resembled that of Carlisle's. This may work.

"Matilda, how much control do you have when it comes to human blood?" She smiled.

"Oh, I'm very well behaved. Why do you ask?"

"I have a pretty big favor to ask of you."

Edward.

I didn't think it was possible for me to feel this horrible about anything. But Bella proved me wrong. I hated myself for hurting her, but why couldn't she see that it's for her own good? She has some kind of idea in her head that the only way to be with me is to give up her soul. But I wouldn't let that happen. She was too precious to become a monster.

It had been exactly three hours since she had run away from me. I cannot get it out of my head. Her face .. so hurt and confused as she turned around to run. She was running from me. I had caused this. It was entirely my fault. She had to hate me right now. I don't see any way for her to look at me. So, I was giving her space. When she was ready, she'd return to me. Alice would see if she was in trouble.

The leather on my couch was doused heavily in Bella's scent. I turned my head, and let my nose touch against the material. I inhaled sharply, and her sweet aroma filled my nostrils. I smiled softly, and turned my head around again. My eyes landed on the small bag of clothes she had left on the floor next to the bed. I sighed, and let my eyelids close, trying to block out everything but Bella's scent.

Edward, get down here now. Bella's in trouble. My eyes snapped open immediately. I jumped off of the couch, and glided down the staircase with my increased vampire speed. Alice met me at the bottom. I grabbed her shoulder roughly.

"What did you see?" I demanded. She frowned, and her vision filled my head. Bella in a meadow, with a female. A vampire. I didn't stick around for the rest, as I sprinted out the front door. I don't think I had ever run this fast in my life. It would be my fault. It would be my fault if my angel was injured. I made her run away. I didn't follow her. I had to save her.

As I neared the meadow, I smelt it. The smell that terrified me more than anything. The scent I was savoring just a few minutes ago. Her blood had been spilled. My Bella was injured. I felt the anger in me triple, as I jumped quickly into the meadow. The female vampire was gone, but she had left Bella's body. Quickly kneeling to her side, I studied her. Her chocolate brown eyes were wide as they stared up at me in shock. I frowned as my eyes scanned the rest of her body. They stopped when they reached her wrist.

Covered in blood, was a deep crimson mark that resembled a crescent moon. Everything in my brain stopped. Time had stopped. I couldn't make sense of anything else.

Bella had been bitten.