I'd like to thank my lovely new beta reader Pixie-Tinks83. Her stories are wonderful and her insight is priceless.

This chapter is dedicated to:

janispsnipes and Pixie-Tinks83

i do so adore feedback in the form of reviews

Disclaimer: It is with a heavy heart that I admit that the exclusive rights to Twilight aren't mine, nor will they ever be.

I was running, my feet pounding the ground as I struggled to keep my balance. The world seemed to tilt this way and that as I stumbled again and again. My loose hair whipped painfully against eyes as I approached the shore. Hard concrete gave way to warm sand and I stopped short, gasping for air. The terror began to fade as I watched the tide ebb and flow, billows of white hugging the coastline, then being tugged back to oblivion. While no sound came from behind me, I knew that if I turned around he would be there, his eyes angry and his speech slurred; a hateful smirk stamped on his face. I cringed at the idea, and wrung my hands together.

The cool night breeze tousled the edges of my sundress. As I looked down to watch the soft green cloth flutter in the wind, I saw the bruised and bloodied flesh of my legs and arms. My eyes grew wide and I wondered at the searing pain that came about when I lifted my arm. Had the marks been there? I stared in amazement as the sand around my feet turned a menacing crimson color. Was that my blood? It took my mind several seconds to register that I was bleeding to death on the beach. Perhaps if I turned for a just a moment, he would help me. He would see the blood and the anger would die.

Don't be a fool.

My eyes snapped up, searching the shoreline for the monotone voice. No one was there. With a frown, I sat down on the sand, ignoring the burn of the cuts as sand crusted to my skin, adhering to the drying blood. Maybe it was just the wind toying with my thoughts. Tilting my head back, I studied the sky. The cradle of dark, dotted with pinpoints of light and beauty. Glimmers of worlds past. I smiled ruefully as I glanced again at my battered arms. I didn't blame the stars one bit for staying hidden in the heavens, safe and faraway from the petty drama of mortals. That's why they glowed so brightly. They're untouchable; secure and complete in their own place. While I watched the stars glitter happily, I yearned to join them in that celestial dance. I wanted to shimmer, suspended in time and space without a sense of pain or fear.

I jolted in surprise as an icy wave hit me, nearly knocking me backward. The taste of salt filled my mouth and I coughed hoarsely. I hadn't realized that the tide had risen so quickly. Another blast of water slammed into me, pouring salt into my wounds. Scampering to my feet, I took a few steps back, musing at my dampened dress. I watched the ocean tear the crimson sand away from the beach, smoothing and blending until the shore stood in unison once again. I shuffled my toes back and forth, rocking slightly, mimicking the sea. I could feel the droplets of water rolling off my arms and legs, clinging to my hair. Cricket's chirped rhythmically from the rocks behind me as I waited. For what, I wasn't sure.

Trust yourself.

The voice called again. I inhaled, reveling in the smell of salt water. I didn't bother to look for the voice this time. I knew I wouldn't see it. Trust myself. I took a step forward, spreading my wings and leaning into the wind as it picked up, swirling around me. My eyes shut tight, I exhaled slowly, deliberately. Then I felt the hands, skim over my shoulders and close around my neck. Rough, calloused hands that held the air from my body. I tore and kicked at the hands viciously, but they held fast, like iron fetters. The terror, like pooling venom in the back of my mouth threatened to consume me as I fought futilely, my blood pumping painfully in my ears. My lungs burned as he began to laugh. The chortle was lost in the roar of the ocean as my eyes slipped shut.

"'Til death do us part, Dollface. 'Til death do us part," he croaked, just as I succumbed to the impenetrable dark.

My eyes flew open with a startled yelp and I toppled off the mattress, onto the floor, smacking my arm against the wall as I rolled about, trying to get my bearings. Sunlight poured through the windows and the distant cry of gulls reached my ears. I sat up, my legs tangled in the comforter, utterly confused. My hands instinctively went to my throat and I breathed a sigh of reliefe. It had been a dream. Only a dream. I closed my eyes, pushing the thoughts far away to some deep part of my mind. But God, it had felt so real. I shook my head as I worked to disentangle myself from the blanket.

After a granola bar for breakfast, I changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. I snagged a pair of sneakers and slipped a twenty dollar bill into my pocket before pulling the door shut behind me. Clinging desperately to the wobbly railing of the stairwell didn't seem to help much, but I managed to make it to the bottom of the stairs in one piece. I could hear the muted sound of someone's voice coming from the behind the door marked OFFICE and I imagined it was Marcus, discussing business matters. A nice soprano voice drifted down the hallway and though it piqued my curiosity, I didn't have time to snoop around the apartment complex today.

Outside, the air was warm and the sunshine seemed to coat the entire scene in a bright haze. I could hear the sound of waves beating steadily and a few song birds nested noisily in the trees that lined the street. I set to walking, my feet moving almost mechanically as I planned my day out. I had a basic idea of where everything was. The public park was 12 blocks East of my complex, and the beach itself was another 6 past that. The nearest shopping plaza was 10 blocks to the North of the apartments. The day seemed bursting with energy as I navigated the sidewalks, smiling at the easy mesh of people.

As I passed through the different neighborhoods I made note of the children playing carelessly in their lawn, drawing on the pavement with sidewalk chalk. Their soft laughs and youthful games reminded me of my own childhood and I smiled ruefully. I was unwilling to think of my own baby, so instead of getting caught up in things past, I paid closer attention to the houses and buildings, appreciating the rustic architecture. I was glad as the residential homes gave way to more industrial lots. Little bistros and family run bookstores came into view. There was a beauty salon across from Curves and a gas station just the other side of the Good Will.

I stopped when I got to the library, just eight short blocks from home. A handful of teenagers were rollerblading very deliberately in front of a sign that read No Skating, causing me to laugh. I entered through the wide, glass doors and was filled with nostalgia as the smell of books hit me. My eyes adjusted to the dim light and I drank in the scene hungrily. A long checkout desk with three computers ran along the wall. The children's section, along with the young adults' books was to the left of the door. I could see a few computers that were partitioned from the rest of the room. There was a couch and a few armchairs further back along a wall of windows. The room appeared to open up to the left and right once you got past the partition, with the reference section in a smaller room in the back. There was a large plaque that hung beside the periodicals that read:

"Books are keys to wisdom's treasure;
Books are gates to lands of pleasure;
Books are paths that upward lead;
Books are friends. Come, let us read."

My fingers brushed the tall wooden shelves that housed seemingly hundreds of books as my eyes skimmed the titles. I delighted in the feel of the leather bound novels under my touch. The peaceful quiet was lapsed only by the clacking of computer keys and the occasion murmur of a child. The entire scene was beautiful and I sighed, engulfed in my own little world. I took a step back to admire the shelves, something caught my foot and I stumbled my arms flailing. Confused, I reached out instinctively, smacking my wrist on the shelf behind me as I regained my balance. Rubbing my sore wrist, I looked down to see what had been the source of my fall and blinked in surprise.

Sorry for the cliffie, but the first person who can tell me who that quote belongs to gets to name a special character in upcoming chapters.

(A). Charles Dickens (B). Mark Twain (C). Emily Poulsson

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it.

Simple Math


Writer + Free Time = Fanfiction

Fanfiction + Readers = Happiness

Happiness = Love

Love = Reviews

Therefore:

Reviews = More Chapters

So please review, even if its just to say 'hey' (:

Until next time

--

Toni