Chapter Two: Reborn

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyer.

My senses tell me I have changed
But one thing still remains
I'm torn and the hate's still aching
I slowly start to realize
We won't reunite
I still have to march on through

I dream of a stairway to the skies
My angel is coming down from heaven to take me
I reach out but then you fade away
Whenever you call for me
Know that I'm only one step behind

The flames were EATING ME ALIVE! The fire scorched throughout my body, lighting every cell on fire. I could barely see through the haze of darkness that was brought along with the fire. Short glimpses of Edward would pass through my mind. It would give me temporary relief from the flame. His voice sounded clear as glass in my mind.

"It'll be over soon." He would whisper, before fading back into the darkness. I wanted to cry out to my angel. I wanted him to come save me! I couldn't form words to protest his leaving. It was something Edward was skilled at. It was as if he was taunting me. He would come so close to holding me in his arms, then disappear back into the black. It tore a new hole into my flaming heart each time.

I could faintly feel myself being shifted time to time. I had no clue who was doing it, but I figured out, the more I held still, the less the flame burnt. I had no idea how long I was burning alive. It could have only been minutes, but it felt like hours to me. Victoria had got her vengeance for James. This hell that I was placed into was the worst thing I had ever gone to. I just wondered when I would reach the end of this tunnel and be left in darkness.

Renee use to always tell me that when we died, we went through a tunnel and would be greeted by a bright light. I had never listened to her, of course. I just thought it was another hobby that she would be flying right through. Suddenly, she seemed to be right. I could start hearing something besides the silent reverie in my head. There were hushed whispers coming from somewhere nearby. Maybe another room? That was only if I was in a house.

"She should be waking up soon," One of the rough voices said harshly. "The bloodsucker said it only takes between two and three days. We are at the end of the third day." I could hear someone shuffling their feet as they moved to sit down. I heard the familiar sound of a chair scraping against the floor, but this time, it sounded so much more clearer and vivid. It was like I was right next to the chair hearing it squeal.

"Don't worry." A familiar voice said quietly. "It won't be long." I could hear a sneer from another one of the people.

"What if she wakes up and kills us all?" A gruff voice demanded. By the voices, I could tell they were all fairly large men. Is this the gates of hell? I pondered over the thought as more senses came back to my body. I breathed in slowly, inhaling a scent so repulsive that I nearly gagged. It smelled worse than the goat liver that Charlie use to love to eat. My mind quickly rushed to Charlie, trying to push through the little bit of haze that was left to know if he was alright. I felt the feeling return in all my limbs, and I moved them cautiously. I surprised myself at how easily they moved and how gracious just a tiny movement seemed. I felt a thick layer cover my teeth, sharpening them to a deadly point. It was then I decided to open my eyes.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I realized what I was. I realized what Victoria did. She created me into the thing that Edward refused to. She stole my humanity right out from underneath me. She snatched my chance at death away. Technically, I already was dead. I was the living proof of death.

As I looked around, I felt like I had never seen the world before this moment. Everything was so clear. It was sharp to a point where I felt like I was viewing everything on a three-dimensional scale. I could see the tiniest details on the fabric of a sheet that was laid over my body. The colors were so vivid. I quickly recognized where I was at. I was in the living room of the old Cullen home. The pale on pale contrast was very familiar to me. There was hardly anything in the house. There was the couch that I was laying on, which had been here when they had. Other than that, there was nothing in the living room. It was just a huge, empty room. I could hear the pounding of three hearts. I could hear the blood running through their veins and a burn was at the back of my throat.

"She's awake." The rough voice that spoke last spoke again. The repulsive smell got stronger, as did the sound of the beating heart. As the man rounded the corner from the kitchen into the living room, I gasped at who it was. A snarl that was so feral escaped my lips, shocking us both. Remorse quickly filled my eyes as the memories of him and I returned.

"Jacob." I whispered, scaring myself at the sound of my voice. I no longer had the boring, human voice of Bella Swan. It was chiming bells, just like all of the Cullen's. I winced inwardly at thinking their name. It was still a fresh wound in my mind.

Jacob's face was strained with pain, and I wanted to hug him, making it all go away. He was still just as huge as I remembered him. Everything was defined now though, and I could see his veins clench as his heart sped up.

"Bella." Was all he said. Two more men rounded the corner, and I recognized them to be Jake's best friends: Quil and Embry. They both were much more defined in muscles since the last time I saw them. I guess it would be different considering this is my first time seeing them through vampire eyes.

With one swift movement I was on my feet, standing before them. I could see a shiver run down the spine of each of them. They were making a huge sacrifice by being here for me. We are now mortal enemies.

"Do you remember what happened?" Quil asked, eyeing me cautiously. I nodded.

"Victoria bit me." I said, and quickly remembered Charlie. "Is my Dad okay?" Jake seemed relieved that he wouldn't have to explain the details of my brutal death over to me.

"The leech didn't touch him." Embry said with so much scorn in his voice. I was saddened because I realized that now, that is what I would be to him. A worthless, no good, blood sucking leech. Jake sniveled quietly.

"I'm so sorry that I didn't get there in time Bells." He whispered, falling to his knees. He wasn't able to keep his eyes on me for long. I guess seeing me becoming what he hated most was breaking him down. I slowly went to him, or at least I think I went slowly, but I couldn't be sure because Embry and Quil both growled when I was next to Jake.

"I'm okay." I promised as I put my hand on Jake's shoulder. He flinched and pulled away. I bit my lip softly, realizing how cold I would feel to him. "I'm sorry." He shook his head and suddenly pulled me to him. I gasped at the sudden movement, and how bad he smelled. I held my breath as long as I could. I could feel his heart pounding beneath my hand. He was lucky he stunk so much or else this would have been very dangerous for the both of us.

"I am the one who should be sorry. If I never would have left the house, you would still be alive. You wouldn't be damned to hell like you are now. I could have saved your soul!" He roared, jumping back from me. He was shaking with the tremors that rocked through his body. Quil and Embry quickly began calming him down, but it showed little effect. I wish I could cry. I felt like tears were filling my eyes, but they were never falling. I couldn't help but to think of Edward, and how badly I wished he was here. I knew that he would never want me now. I was what he never wanted me to become. I was just like him. I had to live forever knowing that he doesn't love me, that he never did. I swallowed, the burn lighting slowly, but fading away as I looked into the guilt ridden eyes of my best friend.

"Jake, it's not your fault. I was the one who told you to leave." I whispered, stepping closer to him. I made sure I went at an average pace this time. I never realized how much effort it took to stay slow. "Please don't feel bad. I can't live with the guilt of you feeling like you caused this for the rest of forever."

"Look at what she did, Bella." He whispered, shuddering as he pulled me towards the bathroom. The reflection in the mirror was not quickly distinguishable as me. The woman had long, luscious hair that flowed to her waist. It was a deep mahogany color. Her body was full and curvy, and very beautiful. Her skin was just as pale as the Cullen's, with a luminescent glow to it. She looked at her face then quickly looked away. Her eyes- my eyes, were a piercing ruby red. I understood now why Jake couldn't bear looking at me.

"The color won't last for long." I murmured, looking down at my hands. Jake softly cupped my face in his hands. The touch of his skin made me want to shed out of mine, but I controlled my movements. I knew he meant no harm. Regardless if we were mortal enemies or not, he is still my best friend.

"You're beautiful." He said, staring straight into my eyes. I could see the reflection of my red eyes in his brown ones. I looked away quickly. "But, you stink." He laughed. I couldn't help but laugh along with him. We both stopped in shock of my laugh. It sounded like wind chimes blowing in the air. It would definitely take some time getting use to that. It was nice to feel that Jake was not resentful towards me, but as for the rest of the pack, I had no clue what to expect. It was obvious that Quil and Embry didn't hate me, why else would they stay with Jake? As if on cue, Quil and Embry came into the bathroom with us. The stench was absolutely disgusting, and worse since we were in a closed space.

"Well you don't smell like a bouquet of flowers either, Jake." I laughed, holding my nose in mockery. Quil and Embry both laughed.

"What happens now?" Embry asked, eyeing me. I sighed, breathing in deeply. The flame burst back alive in my throat.

"I need to hunt." I said, and all of their eyes got wide for what was ahead.

Yes, I know, another cliffy. I'm sorry, but you love it I hope all my readers are enjoying the story. I have a good feeling that it will come a long way. Please review and tell me what you think.

Song: Stairway to the Skies by Within Temptation

Love,

GVE