Chapter 16: Arrival
#A/N. Hello everyone! I bet I know what you all are thinking. I'm sure it's along the lines of "Finally! She updated her story. What took her so long?" Lol. Yeah, I know this has been the longest I ever took to update. My computer had deleted my documents, so I had to rewrite this whole chapter (it was so upsetting) and this story would've been updated 3 days ago, but when I went to upload the chapter, I would get redirected to another page that would say there was an error in my file! Turns out, I had to agree to the website's guidelines again. (I thought if I did it once, I would never had to do it again!). In the midst of all that chaos, I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter. I went to an extreme level in this chapter, and I feel that I did a terrible job in writing it! So yeah, I'm really insecure about this particular chapter. :(
A big thank you to my dearest, best friend - Jakiara - for helping me get over my writer's block, and helping me find a plot for this chapter. That meant a lot 3
To Leila: Haha, I was wondering where you were! Usually, your the first to comment. I understand about the phone trouble - I go through that all the time. And don't worry! I probably won't kill off someone you love (like Jasper ;P) because I feel the same way about them, and because you asked so nicely! hahaha!
Anyway, let me stop rambling so you can read!
Don't forget to Review and post any Comments.
Enjoy! :)
*Bella's POV*
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" I yelled out viciously into the empty room. My hands were balled up into tight fists, and my breath was coming out in quick pants.
The monster only laughed in response to my outburst.
I had been battling with my inner-demon for the better part of an hour. The fight left me drained, tired, and feeling as though I was slowly losing my mind. As stubborn as I was, the monster was even more so.
Don't give up, Bella. Edward's smooth, velvet voice drifted into my mind. You're stronger than it ever will be.
I can't do this, Edward. I thought, dejected.
You can and you will – I believe in you.
Well, your faith in me is misplaced.
Bella, listen to me –
"I can't do this!" I growled out loud. To emphasize my point, I nudged the monster. It then proceeded to respond with its own powerful push – stronger than the one I was able to conjure up.
I was too weak.
Bella, love –
The Edward hallucination was interrupted by two quick raps on the door.
Knock, knock.
My head snapped quickly towards the sound, and the monster was instantly on high alert. We…I hadn't heard anyone approaching my cell. I was too engrossed with the war zone that was my mind.
I recognized the scent immediately, and I tensed up.
In my head, the monster roared.
"Isabella." Felix murmured from the other side of the door. My mind was filled with loud snarls as the monster reacted to Felix's presence. It had not liked what he did to us…to me. I gave the monster another push, warning it to be quiet.
"Bella." Felix's voice was now tinted with a noxious edge. He did not appreciate the silence that followed his direct address.
I swallowed back the venom in my mouth before I answered. "Yes, Felix?" my voice was flat – not an ounce of emotion seeped through.
"There you are." He chuckled, his voice light and airy. "I was starting to get worried."
I did not respond.
Felix continued on without missing a beat. "Aro sent me to check on you. We heard your…predicament from all the way downstairs."
I wasn't impressed. "Well, you can tell Aro that sending you up here was just a waste of time. I'm fine." I said stiffly.
"Temper, temper Bella." Felix hummed. "There's no need to be hostile."
"Hm."
Felix chuckled again. "May I come in?"
"No!" I nearly shouted. The fear I felt towards Felix mixed with the stress and fatigue that lingered from my current battle made my voice come out sharper than I intended. I flinched as I waited for Felix's response.
Silence.
I was starting to get nervous. The monster started growling once again.
"Goodbye Bella. Aro will be interested in your update." His voice was monotone, yet I detected an undercurrent of venom in his voice.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
I tried to listen to Felix's footsteps as he disappeared down the stairs, but I heard nothing. Stealth was something all the Volturi members possessed.
As I worked on loosening my tense muscles, the monster let out a loud growl.
It was positively seething.
He thinks he's king. The monster hissed in my head. Something needs to be done about him.
What…what are you talking about? I thought back, instantly on high alert; alarmed that my subconscious was able to form a voice of its own. It was stronger than what I thought.
"You've managed to make an Edward hallucination that can talk, why can't your monster talk to?" I thought bitterly to myself.
Think of how wonderful it would be in a world without Aro – better yet, in a world without the Volturi. The monster continued on, regaining my attention.
No.
The monster hissed. Think about it. We'd be able to protect what's ours – our husband, our child –
Edward and Renesmee are nothing to you. I interrupted violently.
Silly, Bella. The monster purred, flashing me an insidious smile. I am a part of you. I am you. I am the side of you that you work oh so hard to keep bottled up inside of you. I am the very essence of what you are – I live inside of you.
I couldn't find a way to respond.
Eliminate the Volturi and they will be safe.
No.
Isn't that what you've always wanted – to keep Edward, Renesmee, and the others safe?
To my surprise, I found myself nodding.
Getting rid of the Volturi will be the key to that. We would finally be able to live in peace. We would finally be safe. You and I are the only ones who can carry this out.
No.
No.
NO! You'd only get us…me killed! I blurted out. The monster was messing with my mind. It was manipulating me with its voice and reasoning. Manipulating me with the one thing I would always react strongly to – my family. I couldn't get it out of my head.
You –
No!
Finally fed up with my defiance, the monster hit me with a powerful thrust – its most powerful one yet. Before I could fully regain myself, the monster quickly gave me another strong push and leapt forward to take my place. I was instantly shoved aside to another corner of my mind. Somehow, it managed to keep me pinned there.
It was like looking at the world from a different perspective.
I was still there, of course. But I no longer had any control over my body. I was trapped in a dark corner of my own mind. I tried to use my shield to push the monster out and regain control over myself. The attempt was futile. The monster wouldn't act as the recessive until it wanted to. That side of my nature was just that strong.
"I am you." I heard myself say. But it wasn't really my voice. The voice was alien, with a dark undertone. The bell-like tone even more hypnotic – a true siren's call. The voice was meant to lull and captivate, all the while holding a dark promise – a threat. "Using my own shield against me won't work."
I hissed.
The monster just chuckled, using my voice.
"Now." It said. "Let's see what we can do." I watched on in silent surprise as the monster used my arms to pull on the chains that bounded my hands to the bed. The chains fell away with a silent clang.
What…how?
"Let over human blood." The monster sang.
Of course. I thought dryly. Human blood made us stronger than normal. The chains probably weren't even that strong to begin with.
So that's why I was being starved. I bet they thought I would be too depressed to even realize I had the opportunity to actually use my strength. I mused.
The monster hissed in agreement. It then turned its attention to the chains at my feet, making quick work of disposing those too. My body was lifted from the bed.
Where are you going? I asked as the monster walked my body towards the door. Quietly, my hand reached out and pried the door open.
I stepped out.
Turn around!
The monster ignored me and flew silently down the stairs. It was in full stealth mode; prowling along the walls, sniffling the air for approaching scents, and ears prickling at any sound. I watched in horror as the monster slipped in between the doors that led to the great room. Everyone turned as they watched me – or what they thought was me -approach.
"Bella." Aro called out, pleasantly surprised. "What a delight that you could grace us with your presence this hour."
"How did you get out?" Caius glared at me. He obviously wouldn't have used the word delight when it came to my presence at the moment.
"That doesn't matter." The monster said. "Soon you will have bigger things to worry about than how I escaped from that jail cell you put me in."
"Ha! Like what?" Caius cackled without amusement.
"The death of you, Caius, and your brothers." The monster said simply, staring down at the three royals.
The room was dead silent.
Turn around, please. I begged the monster. I tried to worm my way back into control of my own body, but it was no use. The monster had a tight hold and was using every ounce of its strength to keep me out.
Don't do this! This plan of yours will never work – the only thing you will be successful in is getting us killed. Listen to me!
The monster gave no indication that it heard me. It just continued to stare down the royals– ignoring my every word.
"Hahaha!" Aro laughed, breaking the tension in the room. "Felix, Demetri. Please escort little Bella back to her room now." He snapped them forward.
Everything happened at once.
As Felix and Demetri came at either side to grab my body, the monster quickly leapt out of the way and pounced on Caius –tackling him to the ground. Enraged gasps and snarls filled the room.
Members of the guard came rushing to get my body off of Caius – which the monster was now using to claw at Caius's face. Before any of the guards could reach him, Caius flung my body across the room. The impact of my body against the wall left an indent of my figure.
The monster was momentarily stunned.
Watch out! I screeched.
The monster looked up just in time to witness the entire guard running towards my body at top speed. The monster quickly sprang to its feet and slipped into a crouch; a loud hiss escaping from between my lips.
"STOP!" Aro's voice exploded above all the growls and echoed across the room.
Everyone became statues.
Aro stepped forward, his face hard and expressionless. "You really shouldn't have done that, Bella."
Caius stepped up next to him, his eyes as black as night. His face was covered with venom and the lacerations made from my nails were already starting to heal. Marcus strayed behind - something flashed in his eyes before his face slipped back into its carefully composed mask – not wanting to have to deal with anything.
"Take her away." Caius hissed, acid dripping in every word.
No one moved.
"You know where to take her." Aro added his face blank. "And see to it that she can't escape this time."
"Leave!" Caius barked at Felix and Demetri.
The two guards quickly came to my side and gripped my arms tightly. The monster growled and hissed as it was promptly dragged away.
*Edward's POV*
"We will be in Italy shortly." Alice promised me, her eyes closed in deep concentration. Jasper was sitting at her side, holding one of her hands tightly in both of his.
"How long?" I asked quietly.
There was a long pause as Alice searched the future.
"Two hours at the most."
I breathed out a deep sigh.
"Come on, man." I heard Emmett yell from the pilot's room; he was flying the plane. "We will have Bella back in a few short hours – cheer up."
"How can I cheer up – as you so put it – when I'm sitting here thinking of everything that could go wrong?" I sighed.
"You're such a pessimist." Rosalie scoffed.
Maybe I was. But as we got closer to Italy, all my anxiety and fear resurfaced. All I wanted was Bella back in my arms – safe and sound. Beside Alice, Jasper let out a low groan.
"I'm sorry, Jasper." I said. I tried to reign in my emotions to help my brother.
I understand, Edward. Truly, I can handle it, and I want to help you anyway I can. Jasper thought to me, but his face was twisted up into a grimace.
'Don't worry, Edward. Everything will work out." Carmen said from her place next to Elezar.
"And you know I would never let anything happen to that young one." Zafrina spoke up. She was very protective over Bella – her friendship with Bella was plenty strong. Beside her, Senna nodded in confirmation.
I looked around at my family and allies surrounding me – each of their faces holding the determination that I lacked.
"Nothing will happen." Alice said to me, her gaze holding mine.
"Nothing will happen." I mirrored her words, allowing myself to believe them.
We were all quiet for a moment.
"Edward!" Alice gasped out just as she was pulled into a vision.
I focused on Alice, watching the vision with her.
"The death of you and your brothers." Bella said to Caius ominously. The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at Bella in disbelief. Unaffected by the reaction, Bella stood, unmoving, staring down at Caius, Aro, and Marcus.
"Hahaha!" Aro managed to gasp out suddenly. "Felix, Demetri. Please escort little Bella back to her room now." He snapped his fingers.
Before Felix and Demetri could reach her, however, Bella quickly sprang on Caius, effectively tackling him to the stone floor. The room filled with everyone's gasps of shock and disbelief. The guards reacted quickly then - running to throw Bella off of Caius. Caius managed to throw Bella off him before any of the guards could reach them.
Bella's body soared across the room and collided with the wall – her body leaving an indent. Bella quickly got up from the floor and slipped into a low crouch as the guards advanced towards her.
"STOP!" Aro yelled.
Everyone stilled immediately.
'You really shouldn't have done that, Bella." Aro said his face hard. Caius came to stand next to him, his face oozing venom and starting to heal. Marcus lingered behind them.
"Take her away.' Caius said.
"You know where to take her." Aro added when no one moved."And see to it that she can't escape this time."
"Leave!" Caius barked at Felix and Demetri.
The vision ended with Felix and Demetri pulling a snarling Bella from the room.
Alice and I looked at each other in shocked silence.
"Well?" Emmett asked impatiently when we didn't react.
"What did you see?" Jasper asked Alice. He took her face in his hands and forced her to look at him. Alice took a deep breath before she began to speak.
"It was Bella, again." She said. "But…it was so different."
"What happened?" Rosalie asked.
"I saw her attack Caius." Alice said.
Everyone was shocked at the news.
"Did he do anything to antagonize her?" Jasper asked when he got over his shock.
I spoke up. "No, as a matter of fact, he didn't. It was so strange. She threatened Caius and his brothers' lives, and then she just lunged at him."
"Something must have happened – that's not like Bella." Rosalie said.
"Wait." Emmett's voice wafted into the room. "Did it even actually happen yet? If it hasn't, then do you know when it will?"
"I'm not sure." Alice admitted rubbing her temples with her small hands.
"Shh." Jasper soothed her. "It's alright."
"Let's hope Alice's vision didn't occur yet – maybe then we will have a chance at stopping it." I said, distracted. Something about Alice's vision bothered me. It wasn't just the fact that Bella attacked Caius, but it was Bella herself.
She was so different.
I couldn't quite place what it was, but there was something definitely wrong. She didn't sound like herself. There was something in her voice that was never there before. Even the way she moved was different.
There were changes in her – they were subtle, but still there. I knew that many wouldn't notice these changes, but I did. That's because I was so attuned to my wife.
I knew every part of her - everything about her.
Yet, I didn't know the part of her that was in Alice's vision.
"There was something else." Alice's voice brought my out of my musings.
"What?" Tanya asked.
"Aro ordered Felix and Demetri to take Bella away. Somewhere that she had no chance of escaping." Alice explained.
"The Volturi's castle is huge and has lots of secret passages and rooms." Elezar offered.
"So now it will be even harder to find her." I growled slamming my fist down on the arm of the seat I was sitting in. The plane tilted over a fraction of an inch from the force, and there was now a crack in the arm.
"Dude!" Emmett exclaimed for he was the one flying the plane.
"Sorry." I said quickly.
"Harder, yes, but not impossible – you will find her, Edward." Jasper said to me using his power on me. I allowed the calm to wash over me.
"That is, if Alice's vision has happened." Kate reminded us.
"Yes." I nodded.
I just hoped, for Bella's sake, that it hadn't.