I'm so sorry it took this long! I've had so much school work! Enjoy!
I used to hate passing out. It had made me feel weak, vulnerable, and just so human. Now, I prayed fervently for a wave of blackness to take me. I realized then that when I fainted, it wasn't my body being weak, it was trying to help me escape. Now my body was a steel cage, trapping me like a broken-winged canary.
Nobody was moving. The rain pattered gently to the ground. Water washed the scent of blood out of the air. It ran in deep red swirls through cracks in the earth and over smooth stones. I tried not to open my mouth, for fear of screaming uncontrollably.
I just wished someone would say something.
Jacob just stood there with his mouth hanging open. He looked dazed, as if it weren't really happening. I wished it wasn't. Edward was stroking my hair gently. I gazed up at him carefully. His face was cold and hard, his jaw set, staring at the mass of black at our feet.
I broke the silence.
"Edward?"
The sound was so shrill, so hysterical that I startled myself. Edward turned his head slowly to look at my face.
"Yes?"
My voice dropped to a whisper as I looked down at the unmoving form.
"Now I'm the murderer."
His expression turned horrified. Ripping my eyes away, I sank to my knees and gently touched Sam's matted fur.
One short sob escaped from my throat.
I had taken away Emily's fiance. I had taken away the pack's leader. I had taken away a brother, a lover, a son, and a friend.
He was still a wolf when he died. He couldn't even be buried properly.
I put my head between my knees and shuddered. I was a murderer. Edward had never been. He had killed some of the most horrible criminals. I had killed an innocent young man who was trying to protect his loved ones.
Trying to protect them from me.
I'd thought I had so much control. I'd been so ignorant, so ridiculously sure. I had been positive that I was a special vampire, that I was safe to be around. And yet, my control had crumbled to dust when Sam's teeth were at Edward's throat. I shook my head and moaned. What had I been thinking?
Save Edward.
I was sickeningly selfish. Edward didn't even want me. I killed Sam. Emily wanted Sam. Sam wanted Emily. Such a simple thing. But when the giant black wolf had Edward pinned, the simplicity shattered, and all that mattered was that I had to have Edward.
In otherwords, I killed Sam to save my precious lie. That left Emily all alone. She was so sweet, so kind. Never showing any kind of hostility towards me, the one to take me in during those horrid months.
Imaginary bile rose up in my throat. I swallowed harshly. A long white hand gently scooped me off the forest floor. Edward cradled me against his chest. My eyes closed as the wind whistled past us.
Numbness flared out and swallowed me whole.
--
It had been three long weeks.
Time usually passes so quickly for my family, we never really pay it any mind. Why would we? We literally had all the time in the world.
Now, every second ticked by agonizingly. My family had never been more silent. Alice and Jasper sat curled up on the large recliner in the corner of the parlor. Rosalie murmured reassurances to a concerned Emmett in their room. Esme scrubbed vigorously at the immaculate kitchen floor while Carlisle stood watching her.
It's been so long. So long.
Esme's worried thoughts made me flinch. She glanced up to where I was perched on the counter and shot me an apologetic smile.
I'm sorry, Edward.
I nodded politely and announced:
"I'm going upstairs."
I didn't need to say any more. They all knew where I was going. I jumped from my perch and landed lightly on the hardwood. The stairs were already behind me. I strode down the long hallway before gingerly opening my bedroom door.
I could have cried.
Bella hadn't moved since I'd placed her tenderly on my bed. Her ebony eyes rarely opened, deep purple shadows horribly prominent. Her lovely mahogany waves were tangled and splayed across the golden pillows. Her once-rose lips were now a sickly bone white.
I sat on the bed beside her and rolled her over gently.
"Bella?"
Her sweet name rolled off my tongue before it sunk to the floor.
She didn't speak.
I ground my teeth in frustration and sighed, reaching out to stroke her hair.
Her eyelids fluttered open. My breath caught. Maybe today would be the day- I stopped myself. Thinking like that only hurt more when she didn't respond. I watched as her dark eyelashes whispered against her cheeks. Still so soft, so beautiful, even in this state. Her eyes fully opened. I wished my tears could fall.
She stared at me blankly.
"Please, Bella, say something." I pleaded, wrapping her delicate hands in mine. I closed my eyes and kissed them, inhaling her exquisite scent. Her fingers twitched ever so slightly. I glanced up hopefully. I leaned in eagerly as her lips parted.
"Edward."
She breathed my name so quietly that I could barely even hear her. I wrapped my arms around her and pressed my face to her matted hair.
"Yes, Bella, I'm here."
She ever so slightly turned her head to look up at me.
"Why?"
Her voice was so frail and small that my dead heart broke. I squeezed my eyes shut and grimaced. Her one word question poured salt on the wound. She really believed that I would even begin to consider leaving her? Never. Never again would I leave Isabella Swan's side. Bella buried her face in my shoulder. I took her hands again and sighed.
Because I love you, you silly girl.
"No, you don't."
I opened my eyes and stared at the top of her head. Had I said that out loud?
"Yes."
Her response was muffled against my shirt. I took her chin and angled it so that she looked up at me.
"Bella, love, who are you talking to?"
Confusion flickered across her face.
"You. Who else would I be talking to?"
Panic pounded in my stomach.
"I haven't said anything."
My voice broke. Could a vampire lose their sanity? Bella's head snapped up, her eyes flashing. I recoiled, appalled.
"I am not insane."
Her voice flared with anger. I blinked. I knew she was intuitive, but this was something else. Feeling ridiculous, I looked straight in to her eyes and thought,
I love you.
"Stop telling me that."
She started to push me away. I stopped her and wheeled her around to face me, staring at her intensly.
Telling you what?
She rolled her eyes and answered me clearly.
"That you love me."
My head reeled. How could she hear me? My mouth felt abnormally dry as I turned my head towards the door.
"Carlisle?"
My father appeared at the door, his face lighting up when he took in Bella's open eyes and irritated expression.
"Yes, Edward?"
I cleared my throat and glanced at Bella warily. Her eyebrows were furrowed together in confusion.
"It seems Bella has a talent."
I like to end every chapter with a cliffhanger. Anybody want to guess what her talent is? It's actually pretty obvious, you just really have to pay attention to what Edward does a lot in this chapter. Review, please! Long, intricate ones!