Looking further into the trees, I realized that it wasn't human, but a vampire. And, to my horror, this vampire wasn't just any vampire. It was wearing a black cloak.

The Volturi.

It was next to impossible for me to ever forget those horrible black cloaks that the Volturi wore. It used to be the core of all my nightmares. I soon realized that it's finally happened: they've finally come to check up on me. But I was all ready changed, so why am I so afraid?

"Hello, Bella. It's nice to finally have time to have a little chat with you," a deep voice whispered from the trees.

"Who are you? What do you want with me?" I said, surprised by the confidence in my voice.

Another whisper came from the trees. "Quiet, Bella. I talk, and you listen from now on." The vampire emerged from the trees.

I went to take a step back, but I was frozen. I couldn't move at all.

"What-?"

"Shh, Bella. We haven't got much time, well actually we do, but I have much on my agenda, and I would like to get this over with. Questions come later."

I stood, silent and unmoving.

"Now, to continue," the Volturi member said in a sinister voice. "As you can tell, I am a member of the Volturi. And yes, I am a new member. I'll tell you about that later." He stepped closer to me. If I could move, I would run.

He continued. "I volunteered for this case."

"What case?"

He gave me a glare, then shrugged it off. "Well...you. I am here to take you away. You see, the Volturi's interest in you has gained momentum, especially after hearing of your change."

"How did they find out?"

"Me, of course. I've been watching you, Bella, and I've been trying to find the right time to appraoch you. Unfortunately, that Edward of yours is always hanging around, so I couldn't get you alone. This little stroll of yours was the perfect time to act.

"Getting back to the subject," He cleared his throat and took another step in my direction. "The Volturi want you with them in Italy, to observe you and to aid in the developement fo your future abilities. They want you to join the organization."

"I won't do it. I refuse. Tell them I won't go," I said sternly.

"Well, unfortunately for you, I'm taking you back whether you want to or not." He took another step.

I shook my head. "Edward will come for me. Alice sees me here, and she's sending Edward." I was speaking quickly. "Edward will come for me."

"Ah yes, the fortune-teller. Well then I'll make this quick." I could sense sarcasm in his voice. Did he seriously think that Edward wouldn't come to save me?

He suddenly closed the distance between us in a blur and gripped my shoulders in his claw-like hands. I cringed and tried again to run, but it was like I was glued to the ground.

He bent so his mouth was next to my ear. "I won't take you right now." He whispered. I shivered at the feel of his breath. "I want you to meet me at your old house at midnight tonight. You can manage that, can't you? In your old room?"

"What makes you think that I won't show? Edward will wonder where I'm going." Why wasn't he here now? What was taking so long?

"Well, unless I'm mistaken, you love your little Edward?"

I slowly nodded.

"Then you wouldn't want him to get hurt, would you?"

"What are you talking about? Where's Edward?" I pleaded.

"Calm down, little Bella. Your precious Edward is safe and sound, but he won't be if you refuse to show."

I was starting to panic. "What do you mean? How can just you stand up against my whole family?"

He chuckled. "You didn't think I came here alone, did you?" His voice was more stern. "I brought a small army to back me up. Did you think that I would do all this chasing around on my own? I had to have some help in keeping an eye on you."

I gasped. "No..."

"Ah, don't worry, Bella, I won't hurt your precious family, if you follow my directions. If you don't, I will be forced to eliminate them."

"Edward will notice that I'm gone. He will follow us-"

"If he does, I'll kill him." He practically shouted in my ear. "Come on, Bella, be creative. In order to save the Cullens, you have to let them think that you don't want to be there anymore. You have to make sure they won't follow, and that means making sure your fortune-teller doesn't figure out your intentions." He backed away from me now, moving toward the trees.

"You know, Bella. I'm a little surprised at the dullness of your senses," he said in a more playful tone.

"What do you mean?" I shouted at him.

He laughed. "Haven't you wondered why your boyfriend hasn't come to the rescue already?" He gestured to our surroundings.

For the first time, I noticed what was going on around me.

Everything was frozen. I wasn't imagining it after all. It was like someone pressed the pause button on the world. A bird was suspended in the sky over my head, and a squirrel was in the middle of jumping from a tree. I now understood what he meant before by saying we actually do have enough time.

"What the-?"

His booming, evil-sounding laugh interrupted me. "I have my own little abilities too, Isabella Swan!" He lowered his voice. "Don't forget, Bella. Midnight."

And just like that, he disappeared into the trees.