Chapter 3

The pain was incredible. I couldn't bear it. My body as well as my mind was overwhelmed. It seemed to consume my thoughts and cloud my judgment. It was like being scorched in a white hot fire, shredded into ribbons, and punctured with a million needles all while feeling like my body was trying to rip itself apart.

I knew this was coming though. I knew when Carlisle apologized. As soon as I noticed my surroundings, I became aware that my suspicions possibly weren't as far fetched as I had thought. And when Carlisle came in with that look…I couldn't explain it. It pained me to see him so obviously distressed. I remember the feeling of his teeth easily sliding through the skin on my neck. They penetrated the flesh as easily as a knife slices soft butter. I expected the pain to immediately immobilize me, but it didn't. It took about 10 seconds for me to actually feel it. It was a gradually building feeling, but it came on rather quickly.

It seemed to scorch every surface of my body. All I could feel was this intense burning sensation. My every thought became trained on the pain. I had always been a fairly strong person, able to withstand discomfort fairly easily, but this was entirely different. This wasn't mere discomfort, or even abnormally fierce irritation. It was intense agony that wasn't concentrated in any particular area, but was evenly distributed throughout my body. It wasn't simply topical either. It dominated every cell.

Soon, I became aware of a low, even breathing beside me. As soon as I noticed this, I heard rapid footsteps entering the room. As I began to wonder who was in my company, I heard, "Esme, you need to hunt, it has been almost two weeks since you last fed. Edward, Alice, Jasper, and Emmett are leaving now. Go, she will be fine." Carlisle's voice was so distinct that I could have picked it out of a crowd of hundreds. It was so clear and precise.

It surprised me that I was able to think around the undeniable pain. I could still feel it, but it had taken a kind of backstage spot in the vast and expanding space that was my mind. While Carlisle's voice was astoundingly clear, the next voice I heard took me by surprise. I knew who would answer, but what she said was not what I had expected.

"No." It was perfectly enunciated, and stated with such a firm tone that I didn't know anyone who would argue.

"I am only asking that you go so that-"

"Carlisle, I want to be here for her through this experience. I remember when this was me. You were there the whole time, and it was crucial for me. I would not have been able to deal with it the way I had if I was alone. You endured this without any help. Would you inflict that on her?"

"No. You're right of course. I just don't want you to be in any unnecessary discomfort."

"I will be fine. She needs some company."

I was wrenched from my focus on their conversation by the strangest sensation. It was like the fire was retreating slowly from my fingertips and toes. This was a relief, because I finally saw an end to this. It was like the flame of a match when you have been engulfed in complete and utter darkness for years. However, for every fraction of my body the pain released from it's grip of steel, the blaze centered in my chest increased exponentially until I could bear it no longer.

Eventually, I could hear my heart rate thrumming like the rhythm of a hummingbird's wings. It got faster and faster until I was sure my heart would explode. After several seconds of this, I felt my heart slowing, laboring. It was struggling to keep beating. I knew that in my very near future i would have no heart beat. This would all be over in a matter of minutes