A lovely day with the Cullens. Enjoy!

Jasper smiled menacingly at me. Fear shot through my chest. He chuckled, his eyes flashing. I swallowed, flexed my fingers, and pushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear. His lean muscles rolled as he moved towards me. No. The words wouldn't come out. Please. The air stirred, sending billows of smoky dirt swirling into the sky. Thunder crashed. His arm lashed out.

And then, Jasper pitched the ball.

I winced, expecting it to fly past me with blistering speed. I tighted my grip on the steel bat. I thought I would glance behind me, and Edward would have the ball in his mitt.

I was wrong.

I almost laughed. The ball was so slow, I could probably run around the bases and back. I waited for it to float towards me, and then I swung.

A gunshot-like crack rippled through the air as the bat met the ball. It went soaring. I watched in amazement as it flew farther and farther until it was a small white speck in the sky. Metal rang faintly as I dropped the dented steel to the ground. Rosalie darted into the forest and disappeared. Smiling triumphantly, I turned to Edward. Did he see that? He stared at me in disbelief before pointing into the field.

"Run!"

"Oh!"

I whirled around and beelined for first base. Could I make it? I thought frantically, pushing my legs harder. I paused on first, listening. Rosalie's footsteps were far away. I laughed and ran for second. Second became third. I showed off, walking towards home. Rosalie burst out of the foilage just as I landed lightly on the plate. Esme squealed from the sidelines.

"Safe!"

I looked at her with wide eyes. Then I clapped my hands together and yelled.

Emmett cheered. Rosalie stomped her foot and grumbled. Carlisle laughed at my expression. Jasper clapped me on the back. Edward swung me up in his arms before kissing me enthusiastically on the on the mouth. The first time he'd kissed me since he left.

And for that moment, I didn't care that he was lying, or that I was still irritated. I kissed him back, winding my fingers into his hair, bowing my body against his, memorizing every satin curve of his lips, inhaling his sweet breath like an addict. I had to admit, for a fake kiss, it was fantastic.

Someone cleared their throat. I pulled away reluctantly. Edward chuckled and took my hand. Carlisle grinned and wrapped his arm around Esme's waist.

Then my smile faded. I turned to Edward, a puzzled expression planted on my face.

"Hey, where's-"

"Alice!"

I tore my eyes away from Edward at Jasper's dismayed cry. Alice lay crumpled on the edge of the field. We all sprinted for her. Esme's hands flew up to her face. Rosalie and I dropped to our knees by Alice's side. Jasper face was forlorn as he shook her by her shoulders.

"Alice? Alice! What's wrong, honey?"

She weakly raised her arm and pointed at me. Jasper hissed and wheeled towards me. I jumped to my feet. Out of nowhere, he was in front of me, grabbing my face in his hands.

"What did you do to her?"

What? I tried to shake my head, but Jasper's hands stayed locked. His eyes bored into mine. Edward snarled and crouched. My fingers scrabbled at Jasper's as they dug into my skin.

"Ow, Jasper, let go! I didn't do anything!"

He released me as Edward sank to the ground. I cried out in horror. Alice shrieked in agony, the blood-curdling sound echoing off the trees.

Edward looked up at Esme and Carlisle with terrified eyes. They froze in shock.

"Run!"

Simultaneously, Emmett grabbed Rosalie and Jasper swept up Alice. They sprinted into the forest, Esme and Carlisle at their heels.

I watched them go, helpless.

I tugged on Edward's limp arm as hard as I could. He lay still, his fingers twitching in pain.

"Edward! We have to go!" I cried, my fingers sliding off of his hard arm. It began to pour.

I turned my face towards the falling sky.

"What's happening?!"

Edward's head jerked towards me in response, his golden eyes smoldering.

"Bella, run!" He rasped, shoving me away.

"Are you insane?!" I shrieked, locking my fingers around his waist.

"I'm not leaving you!"

I heaved him over my shoulder and sprinted headlong into the forest. Lighnting briefly illuminated the dark shadows looming on the edges of my vision. My hair stuck to my face as I ran. Panic clutched every atom in my being. My eyes flashed wildly to every leaf, every twig, scanning for danger. I saw nothing. I stole a quick glance at Edward, slung over my shoulder.

Stupidly, I slammed into a wall.

Edward fell to the ground with a sickening crack. I flew backwards, rolling along the forest floor until my body crashed into a tree. The tree was still shuddering as I sprung to my feet, running desperately for Edward's limp form. His eyes jerked open as I extended my arms for him.

"Bella, no!" He bellowed.

He shifted into a crouch and flung himself into the air. I sailed backwards as he tackled me to the ground. My breath whooshed out of my lungs as my back met a sharp rock. Gasping, I pushed Edward off of me. I struggled to right myself, grasping wildly into the rain drenched air. We needed to get out of here. I dug my nails into something soft and warm, and I used it to heave myself onto my feet.

The russet wolf howled.

Haha! Don't you love how I put you on a rug of security and then rip it out from underneath you?! Please keep in mind that Bella's really scared and dazed. That's why her senses aren't very good in the final paragraphs. If you don't review for this crazy, eventful chapter, I'm going to die. Review!