The story is coming to an end... but the question is... is this the last chapter? Please read and enjoy! Thank you to all who have made it this far!
Edward
I hear Paul's thoughts before I see him. He's furious. And scared. For some reason I find it both worrisome and a little amusing to hear him so scared. I finally turn my gaze over to the wolves. Sam's eyes meet mine. Can't let them see us. He thinks curtly. I blink once and turn back to the small entourage of vampires.
The rebels look fierce. Each has a stony look on their face. I sift through their thoughts. I am met with the most random thoughts. Apples, apples, apples. One runs on repeat. Another: the woman who ran, the woman who ran, the woman who ran… And the third, the one holding Valerie: blood, she smells like blood… it smells good. Good, Thal- no! Argh. Think… think… flowers. Flowers, flowers, flowers… flowers are useless.
I stare at them all quizzically. Are they all mentally insane? What's going on?
Oh… they must know about me. Strange. Is this their strategy? Not a very good one.
Then a small, faint thought pierces my mind. I… I'm scared. I look around. Nobody matches that thought. Except… I stare astonished at Valerie. She has a long bandage on her arm and several fresh bruises flare up around her neck and cheeks. She looks like she's in pain. And I can hear her.
I… I'm scared. Something's changed. Why can I suddenly hear her thoughts? They're faint, like a whisper, but they're there. Something's different.
Paul
I swear I'll rip every single one of them apart. No matter how many there are. The one with his hands around Valerie will get the worst of it. I can already see his mangled form burning in a fire, torn and broken. I will break him.
Paul. Sam's voice cuts in. We can't let them know we're here.
Are you kidding me? They have Valerie! I almost howl, but Jacob muffles my mouth with his paw.
Not yet. Is all Sam says in response. The rest on the pack gives me sympathetic looks. Each of them is thinking how they're glad it's not their imprint. The bastards.
I watch furiously as the vampires drag her closer to the Cullens. The Volturi are nowhere to be seen, but I know their lurking about in the water somewhere. We wait breathlessly as the rebel group begins to talk.
"You are the infamous Cullens? A group of mere vegetarians?" The leader laughs, gripping Valerie's neck tighter.
"You need to leave and let the girl go," Carlisle says calmly. Way too calmly for my liking.
"Oh, but where would be the fun in that?" The leader laughs again.
"This can end without bloodshed," Carlisle continues, "Please, just give up this attempt for power." The rebels smirk.
"Don't you see? It's not just about power! You're all so naïve! Hah," the leader and the rest laugh amongst themselves. "It's about sending a message," his laugh stops instantly and he gazes hard into Carlisle's eyes. The rebels slowly start backing away. "We can smell something strange," the leader adds, still backing up to the forest, "If you really want to save this girl's life, you'll stand still while we kill you… and then, when we feel like it, we'll destroy the wolves." A menacing laugh rises up from the edge of the trees.
A line of new vampires emerges slowly, followed by another. Carlisle looks worriedly at his family. I stretch my claws, ready to attack.
"So that's it then? You won't back down?" Carlisle sounds almost apologetic. The leader, loosening his grip on Valerie, shakes his head with a grin. "That's too bad," Carlisle sighs, and gives the signal.
Jasper
As soon as Carlisle gives us the signal, we leap into action. I hear splashes from behind and know the Volturi have seen it too. They surge onto the dock and fall upon the rebels. The rebels give a hiss of shock, but square themselves to face the oncoming vampires. I hear howls and snarls as well and smell the rush of the wolves joining the battle. I spring into contact with the first rebel I see. I easily rip his arms off and bite through his neck. He screams in anger, but falls quickly.
The Volturi are making quick work of the rebel force. In all there must have been at least fifty or so of the rebels, but with the small band of Volturi fighters, my family, and the wolves, they didn't stand a chance. I go after another rebel. It's the leader! He doesn't have Valerie anymore! I take him down easily. How strange that a leader of a rebel group should be so weak. I glance around the dock for Valerie, praying she hasn't been hurt. I pick up on her scent and see a figure with bright, blonde hair disappear into the forest.
Swiftly, I dodge around the fighting, watching proudly as Rosalie and Edward dispatch two rebels. As I get closer, I see the blonde has someone in her arms. Valerie. The blonde is carrying her easily further into the woods. I hear the fighting get closer to me; the rebels must be falling back into the woods. I have to hurry and get Valerie.
A big, square-chested vampire hurtles into me. I crash back through the trees, but quickly bolt into him again. We fight, pushing and tearing at each other. I strain my neck to see where the blonde and Valerie have gone, but they've disappeared into the thick, grey forest.
Valerie
I can feel unconsciousness reaching for me. A part of me wants to fall unconscious, just until this is all over. It will be over soon, right? Cold arms grip me, holding me almost upright. I see a blur of blonde hair, and know already that it's Thalia. She holds me tightly, running past green, mossy trees. It would almost be exciting to run so fast, if I wasn't afraid.
Paul? Trevor? Jasper? Anybody? I feel my heart beat grow faster. My limbs feel heavy and the bruises inflicted by the vampire named Sebastian hurt. I feel… weak. This is what weakness feels like.
Suddenly, Thalia stops. She drops me heavily on the ground and I fall, not even bothering to catch myself. I stare numbly at her feet. I feel cold and sore. Even the panic that had arisen has melted away.
"So," her voice pierces the silent forest. It's beautiful, like the voice of an angel. I feverishly sit up to look at her. Her face glows in the murkiness of the woods, and her eyes glisten in menace. Yet, she's still beautiful. I gaze in wonder. "I'm not very happy with you," she continues, "I gave you instructions and you disobeyed me. Luckily, I get to kill you myself, or else I'd be in an even worse mood." She laughs melodically.
"I-," I can't find my voice.
"You what?" Thalia grabs me by my throat and sneers at me. "It's too bad you didn't listen to me, or I'd have turned you…" she looks almost regretful. "But, because of that, you must die." She bends down and lifts me up by my neck. I don't feel a thing.
"Now, how I should kill you is the question… that idiot Sebastian didn't leave me enough time…" She trails off thoughtfully. I let my eyes wander away, thinking nothing. They land on the source of a sound. The sound of a rushing river. Its high banks suggest deep water and I watch, mesmerized as the current swirls leaves and twigs around like dancers. Beautiful.
"So it's the water you desire?" I look back at Thalia, who's looking at the river as well. "So water it shall be!" In a flash she's standing in the middle of the river, me dangling limply in front of her. "Any last words?" She smiles a beautiful, malicious smile.
"I… I'm sorry," I whisper. I'm sorry Trevor. I'm sorry Paul. Mom, dad… I'm so sorry.
I'm plunged into the icy river. Thalia's grip holds me rigidly against the current. My skin freezes and my lungs burn. I'm going to die. I'm sorry. Images of my mom and dad flash through my head. Trevor, smiling as a young boy. Paul, his warmth. All flit briefly past. It's getting darker. There is no light. No guiding warmth to bring me back. Only cold and dark.
I feel a commotion begin above me. It's too late. I'm sorry. My lungs gasp once more before releasing. I almost welcome the deluge of water into my flaming chest. I'm sorry.
A touch of warmth is all I feel before I die.
The End
just kidding! But she does actually die... I'll tell you that much ;] don't be too mad at me! The next and final chapter will showcase the aftermath 3 thank you to everyone who has read and special thanks to the reviewers! (Again, y'all know who you are and should feel warm and fuzzy inside)