Chapter 8: Decisions, Decisions

#A/N. Here we are! Here's Chapter 8! Woo!

To: Jessica314 - Yes, Edward will be going on the rescue mission. He wouldn't be able to bear it! Lol. But we haven't gotten to the part. For now, the Cullens are just gathering up friends. Sorry if that was a little unclear!

PS. Sorry if the chapters don't match up! Things got jumbled for a while because I posted chapter 7 over by mistake! Just bear with me guys!

Enjoy! :)

*Bella's POV*

I was frozen. I stared wide eyed at the three royals before me. They couldn't honestly think that I would stay with them. Or could they? One thing was for sure, I was not staying here.

"No." I said simply.

"Would you like to hear your other options?" Aro asked me, smiling a smile that showed all his teeth.

I nodded. "Yes, I would." I had a feeling that they wouldn't let me go so easily.

"You have three other options, my dear." Aro began. "If you refuse to be a part of our guard, then you can either help us obtain your Edward and dear Alice, or –"

"Your demise will be set in place." Caius finished for him. He then gave me a menacing smile. It was evident that the thought pleased him so.

"Or we can happily choose for you, Bella dear." Aro said.

I was at a loss for words. Of the three options there was one that I could agree with. One option that would keep my family safe - even if it was only for a little while. But that was better than nothing.

"I'll die." I said quickly.

Caius's smile widened while Aro frowned at me. Marcus had the same expression that I've always seen him with – utterly bored.

"Are you sure?" Aro asked. "Certainly you haven't had much time to think over your decision."

"I'm sure. You gave me an ultimatum and I chose which one worked best for me."

"Hmm." Aro sighed. "This would be such a waste."

"She decided. Let's get on with it." Caius said, turning to his brother. "Don't you start second guessing things now." He snapped at him.

Aro pretended that Caius never spoke. "Bella, you are too magnificent to dispose of. Certainly you wouldn't mind if there was a small change of plan?"

"What?" Caius cried, outraged.

Fear bubbled up inside of me. "What change of plan?" I stuttered. I tried to squash down my fear. I couldn't let them see how terrified I actually was.

"Instead of you having a say in your future, why don't you let us decide?" Aro purred at me. "Yes! That's a wonderful idea." He looked pleased with himself.

I, however, wasn't pleased in the least bit. I knew Aro would do whatever he could to keep me here. He could possibly be even thinking of ways to lure Edward and Alice to him too. Having the three of us would be a great gift to Aro. It would also further the Volturi's power. I could just see the wheels turning in his head. There was a hint of menace at the corner of his lips as he continued to smile a faux smile at me.

"Come, let us decide, brothers." Aro said, turning toward Caius and Marcus. Caius continued to glare at him.

"Let us decide." Marcus said in a bored tone.

"You may wait in your room, Bella. This is a decision that will take some time." Aro said, waving Felix and Demetri forward with his hand.

"I'm rooting for you to stay." Felix whispered in my ear as he clasped my left arm in his big hand. A shiver went down my spine as his cool breath touched my ear. He let out a chuckle.

"Enough teasing, Felix." Demetri said "We have to get her back upstairs." With that, we turned around and flew back upstairs to my cell.

"Have a nice night, Bella." Felix said to me with a wink. Demetri rolled his eyes at him then pushed him out the room. He then proceeded to shut the door and lock it. I wondered idly why they would even bother to lock it. I was a vampire – I could easily break down the door if I wanted to. But I wouldn't dare try anything with Felix and Demetri standing right outside the door.

I went over to the desk in the corner of the room and turned on the lamp. I sat down on the chair that was there and covered my face with my hands.

Surely Alice has seen something by now. Has she? I knew there was a possibility that she hadn't. Aro knew how to block out Alice better than anyone. He would let her see at any time he wanted. But wouldn't Alice be able to see me? I may be here under Aro's wing but that didn't mean he could control when Alice saw me. But I didn't know how to purposely make Alice see me in this situation. I sighed and bowed my head, willing inspiration to come to me. A knock sounded on the door.

"Oh, Bella.'' Felix sang. I stood up and walked over to the door.

"What is it?" I asked hesitantly.

"Dinner has just arrived. Would it interest you to join us?" he asked.

Horror flashed through me. Humans would be on the menu. I just couldn't. I was sure my golden eyes were wide.

"No, thank you." I said, my voice shaking a little.

"Oh, well." Felix chuckled. I listened to the rustle of Felix and Demetri's cloaks as they whisked off to get their share of human blood. I shivered just thinking about what was happening downstairs.

Did they really just leave me alone? I wondered. Maybe I could use this time to myself to my advantage. This could be the only chance I had to make Alice see me. With that thought in mind, I decided that I was going to try to escape. Hoping that Alice saw this, I broke the lock on the door and stepped out.

Oh My God. I could smell the scent of fresh human blood all the way up here. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

That proved to be a big mistake.

Suddenly, my throat was on fire. Thirst washed over me and I was sure my eyes were now black. I quickly stopped breathing.

Stay in control, Bella. I said to myself.

"Going somewhere, Bella?"

My eyes snapped open at the sound of Demetri's voice. He was standing right in front of me, smirking.

"I…I.." I stumbled over my words which just made his smirk wider.

"You shouldn't be out here, Bella. You know that."

I could only stare at him as he continued to speak.

"Now I have to make sure you won't be able to get out again."

What could he possibly mean by that? What was he going to do?

He pushed me back inside the room and closed the door. Smiling at me, he pushed me back onto the bed. I closed my eyes as he got on top of me, pinning me down.

"I really didn't want to do this, Bella. But you leave me with no choice." He whispered into my ear. I tried to push him off of me, but he took my arms and pulled them above my head. I continued squirming underneath him.

"Stop squirming!" he hissed, pressing more of his weight down on me. I was pinned against the bed, not being able to move. I closed my eyes again.

Let this be quick I thought as fear went through me.

Click. I opened my eyes and looked up at the sound.

My hands were handcuffed to the bedpost. I pulled my arms, trying to break the metal. It wouldn't budge.

Demetri laughed at my expression. "These cuffs are made of vampire skin. You won't be able to get out of it – no matter how hard you try." He got off of me then. He bent down at the foot of the bed and chained my legs down to the bed too.

"There." He said, smiling at me. "We can't have you getting away - Aro wouldn't be pleased." He chuckled. "It's a good thing I came up here when I did."

"Please –" I began.

Demetri cut me off. "No no, Bella. No begging – it will never work." He walked over to the desk and turned out the lamp. He then went over to the door, opening it and stepping out. He turned back to look at me.

"Goodnight, Bella." He said as he closed the door behind him. I noticed that he didn't lock the door this time. I tried to pull on the handcuffs one more time, using all the strength I could muster. Demetri was right; I couldn't get out of them. I sighed heavily as I gave up on breaking my way out of my restraints.

I was left alone in my dark cell. The darkness didn't make a difference though, I could still see perfectly fine thanks to my heightened eye sight. I stared up at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Had Alice seen me? I prayed that she did. She should, more than likely, have had a vision by now. If she did, that would mean that they would know that I was with the Volturi. I knew that they would soon be taking action. Everything just depended on time now.

I sighed again.

What if it took weeks before they were even able to come up with a plan that would bring us all safely home? I would just have to hold out until then. I closed my eyes and allowed my mind to wander back home to Forks. I immediately thought of one person in particular.

My heart clenched in my chest as I thought of Edward. The distance between us caused me great pain. It was to the point where it was nearly physical. I felt like I was drowning. My breaths started coming out in pants. Suddenly, I was gasping for air that I didn't need. It felt like the whole in my chest that was created when Edward left was starting to reopen. I knew I had to get a grip on myself.

Calm down. Just calm yourself down. I kept repeating over to myself. If I still had a heartbeat, my heart would be beating frantically. The pain was tugging at my heart – threatening to consume me.

I wouldn't let it.

I made myself focus. I took deep, even breaths and focused all my attention on not falling totally apart. It took me a few minutes, but I was finally able to keep the pain under control. It was still there, of course. That wouldn't be fixed until I was reunited with Edward. I sighed longingly at the thought of being in Edward's strong arms.

My thoughts then drifted off to our daughter. I knew this was a tough time on Renesmee – me not being there with her. But I knew she was strong; stronger than any of us has ever given her credit for. I missed her terribly. The pain threatened to spill again at the thought of Renesmee, but I kept it at bay.

Renesmee had the whole entire family to be there for her during this. I knew Jacob would be constantly at her side once he's heard about this; if he hasn't already gotten word about my absence.

I wondered if he would try to drag the rest of the pack into this. He most likely would – he was after all, my best my friend.

I just hoped that none of my family would get hurt when trying to protect me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Knowing that they were to get hurt because of me would be unbearable. It always has been and this was no different. I loved them all too much for that to happen.

I prayed for their safety as I allowed my eyes to shut once more.