Okay, think of this as chapter 11: part 1. That's why it's so short. Sorry! I promised a faster update than this. But I didn't get the chance so I'm posting what I have written so far to make up for it. I'll add to it when I get the chance. So maybe if you're reviewing, use the anonymous option under your penname.
Enjoy. And review.
Disclaimer: twilight is not mine.
Short and sweet. And, unfortunately, true.
BPOV
''You know, don't you.'' I knew exactly what he was talking about. But why wasn't he sinking his teeth into my flesh? Was he simply prolonging the whole thing? To make it all the worse for me. To take the time to laugh at my foolishness, to think that he actually loved me. I looked at him cautiously. When I did, I dared to hope. He had the look of... a broken man. His face was completely resigned. But his eyes, his eyes were pleading. I began to hope. Maybe he would not actually kill me. Maybe he really did love me.
When Edward saw the change in my face, the newfound hope, he too began to look hopeful. I began to feel guilty, and ashamed. He looked so... Vulnerable. I had no doubt in my mind that he was, indeed, a vampire. But perhaps, just maybe, he really did feast on animals and had no desire to drink the blood of humans. That would not make him a monster. It would be just like eating meat. Maybe everything hadn't been a lie. Maybe he did love me. Feel the way that I did. Maybe it hadn't all been a lie. Just maybe.
I reached out my hand tentatively and touched his cheek. Barely a graze. His eyes closed as he leaned into my touch and groaned. My confidence rose and I began to stroke softly. I became more and more sure that he would not hurt me. He'd had every opportunity since we met, but had never done anything. His eyes were still closed when I asked nervously, ''Edward, you're not going to kill me, are you?'' My voice wavered and broke. Tears began to leak from my eyes. I didn't want to die. At the hands of the man I loved, no less. He looked at me, right into my eyes. I felt that I could see right into his soul, and what I saw scared me. What I saw was a fragmented soul, the soul of a tortured man. And even though he could kill me without a second's thought, my heart ached at the sight.
''Bella,'' he choked out. ''I would never hurt you. Ever.''
And that broke me. Those simple sentences. The expression on his face. Everything became all too much for me. My hand slowly cradled his head as I looked into his eyes. His eyes gazed at me through a mop of hair. He looked so... vulnerable. Innocent. How could I have believed that Edward was bad? What he was did not determine what he was. I was sure that there were evil vampires, but I could say with near certainty that Edward was not one. His head turned from mine and he avoided my gaze.
''I'm a monster.'' His voice broke. ''I'm sorry, Bella.''
Then he ran. He was gone so fast that I didn't even notice what he had done until he was gone. Super speed, they weren't exaggerating.
His exit left me feeling...hollow. It was strange. Just moments before, I had feared for my life because of this man. Now, the thought of being apart form him had my heart aching. I truly loved him.
The day dragged by agonisingly slow. Edward had left and I had no idea where he was. After his hasty exit, I had run out after him, but he was long gone. I didn't know where he lived. I had no idea where he was. I felt completely helpless. I needed to talk to him. We had to discuss this. Whatever this was. I couldn't accept it. It was completely surreal to me. Like a dream. Vampires. Something from an uninventive nightmare, not something that occurred in reality. Their mere existence defies logic. They couldn't be real, could they?
Later on in the day, Charlie came home. He had visitors; Jacob and Billy were here once again. Maybe their presence would help to take my mind off of Edward. I needed a distraction. Badly. But something strange happened when Billy and Jacob entered the house. Jacob's nostrils flared and then wrinkled in disdain, as if he had smelled something bad. Billy looked at me knowingly. I had absolutely no idea what that was about. Had the world gone completely insane? Or was it just me?
The entire evening dragged. My mind refused to empty itself of thoughts of Edward. There was also and air of tension in the room. I didn't know the reason for its presence, but it lifted as soon as Billy and Jacob left. I didn't know what to say to Charlie. He had noticed the tension too. He didn't seem to know the reason for its presence either. I said a vague goodnight to Charlie and went up to bed. It was early yet and I doubted that I would fall asleep. However, that was exactly what I did.
My sleep was restless and full of dreams concerning fangs and bats and crimson blood. Basically everything Hollywood had conjured up to depict vampires. At least they had gotten the whole blood-drinking aspect right. When I woke up, I was confused as to the reason for my waking. It wasn't something that usually happened. I didn't make a habit of waking up in the middle of the night.
A loud tapping on my window reminded me. I stood tentatively and approached the window. There was a face. I bit back a scream and looked closer. It was Edward. He motioned for me to open the window. I did so reluctantly. I still wasn't sure whether or not I was still asleep. I looked at him curiously as he climbed in.
''It was locked this time.'' He shrugged. What? This time?
''Bella,'' he continued. ''I need to talk to you.''
Another cliffy. I think I might be getting threats soon. Am I right? Well, review. I'll get the next bit up ASAP. Don't forget to review! Edwards to all of my reviewers!
Thanks,
Kate.