Chapter 19: The Escape

#A/N. Hey guys! I know I took longer, much longer, to update than usual (I'm hoping you guys aren't mad at me because of it). Well, in my defense, my duties as a ninth grade, high school student got in the way! I had three essays and a powerpoint to do. Not to mention two tests to study for! I had a pretty busy week, and I wasn't able to write as much as would've liked. So sorry about that guys!

Ok, for the remainder of the story, the chapters are going back to Bella's POV. Edward's perspective was needed to just tell what was going on on his side, and how everything came to. Well, now that Bella's back, we won't be needing Edward's thoughts anymore. Personally, I don't like Twilight fanfictions written from anyone's perspective but Bella's (seeing how she's my favorite character and all) but Edward's perspective was pretty crucial for this particular story. So just to let you know, my future stories will all be written in Bella's POV. And oh yeah, I HAVE A NEW STORY IDEA! But I won't get into those details until you all finish this story. Speaking of this story, let me stop rambling so you can read this one. Lol

Remember to Review and Post ANY Comments!

Enjoy! :)

*Bella's POV*

Edward held me tightly in his arms as we flew out of the room just as it exploded into flames. My arms were wound tightly around his neck - if he were still human, I surely would have been strangling him – and my face was buried in his shoulder, breathing in his sweet scent. My hair rustled against my face with the speed at which Edward was running. For the first time in weeks, I felt safe. I didn't realize I was shaking until Edward smoothed a hand over my head and hushed me.

"Ssh, Bella." He murmured, slowing into a walk - Emmett falling in step next to us - and pulling my face up to his. "Everything's alright now. You're safe, I've got you."

"I was so scared." I whispered.

"I know, Bella, I know." Edward said, meeting my gaze. "But you don't need to be afraid anymore, I'm here."

"So am I." Emmett chimed in. "I won't let anything happen to you again. No one will hurt my little sister, not if I can help it."

I looked over at Emmett. His eyes were blazing with his intensity. Many emotions were playing in his face as he stared at me; relief, sadness, anger, protectiveness, love – and yet anger was the most prominent. Anger directed at the Volturi.

I could only stare at him, for I was at a loss of words. I knew that Emmett loved me – he was the big brother that I've always wanted – but he never truly expressed how much as he did just now. I hoped my eyes conveyed everything my words couldn't.

"Thank you." I said to him, then I turned back to Edward. "How did you get here?" I asked him.

"We didn't come alone." He said. "We've enlisted some help – all our old allies."

"Just to save me?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes." Edward said slowly. "It was on their own terms. They could've said no if they wanted to, and yet no one did."

"Put me down!" I shrieked at him, struggling in his arms. Our friends would get hurt, maybe even killed. We had to go back and help them. Any deaths of my family or friends because of me would weigh heavily on me for the rest of my existence.

"What?"

"Edward, we have to help them!"

"Bella – "

"My shield can help save them." I said. "Don't argue with me, please."

"I wasn't about to argue." Edward said as he set me on my feet. " I was only going to tell you that I was right behind you."

I grasped his hand in mine, needing to have contact with him. I went without it for so long, I couldn't bear to not touch him. I squeezed his fingers.

"It's good to have you back, sis." Emmett said, ruffling my hair. "And here you are, ready to kick some butt. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Emmett."

"Let's go help our friends." Edward said.

We ran through the remaining hallways and down the staircases. Soon enough, we came to a stop at the doors that led to the great room. Sounds of the chaos that was going on behind the doors could be heard from down the hallway. I cringed as screams and ripping sounds reached my ears.

I looked at Edward and Emmett. Emmett was shaking with anticipation to join the fight, his muscles rippling under his jacket, and a small smile playing on his lips. Edward, however, was staring unblinkingly at me.

"Are you alright?" he asked me, worry lacing his tone.

"I'm fine." I lied. I didn't want him to worry about me, we had to help our friends and family. That was priority.

With a deep breath, I placed my hand on the door and pushed it open. The scene playing before me was shocking. Twitching limbs lay spread out across the floor, some were crawling mindlessly, looking for their bodies. Small fires were started around the room. The smell of burnt flesh filled my nostrils for the second time today. I crinkled my nose at the scent. The battle was still in full swing regardless of the bodies that lay massacred. My friends and family seemed to be holding their own – I was very relieved by that.

Emmett rushed quickly to Rosalie's side – she was outnumbered by two guards who went after her simultaneously. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jane and Alec. They were standing at the corner of the room holding hands – their eyes focused intently on the fight.

With that, I pushed my shield out and away from me – enveloping my friends and family in my protection. Each becoming a part of me as my shield enveloped their shapes. Noticing that their talents weren't working, Jane and Alec's eyes snapped in my direction. Alec looked at me without much emotion while Jane snarled her displeasure. Edward placed his hand on my arm, his eyes on Jane.

"I won't let anything happen to you." He said to me as he eyed Jane. She was now sinking into a low crouch, her snarls getting louder and fiercer.

"Edward." I said placing my hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at me. "Let me handle this. Please."

He stared at me for a long moment. I don't know what he found in my eyes, but whatever it was it caused him to nod his consent.

"Thank you." I whispered.

The sound of Jane's loud shriek caused our heads to snap towards her. Jane was now glaring at me, her crimson eyes full of hate. Her small frame was shaking with anger and her tiny hands were balled into tight fists. Without any warning, Jane lunged at me; effectively tackling me to the floor.

I pressed my hands against her chest and pushed. The movement caused Jane to fly off me and into the other side of the room. I sprang quickly to my feet. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed that Edward was engaging in the fight; he was aiming powerful punches at the guards surrounding Alice and Esme. For a brief minute, I was scared for my family. I didn't know if we would be the victorious ones or not. All we could do was fight as best as we could.

Taking advantage of my distraction, Jane came up and kicked me square in the chest. I flew backwards from the force. I managed to maneuver myself so that I landed firmly on my feet. Slipping low into a crouch, I focused all my attention on Jane, preparing myself for her next move. Jane sized me up.

"I can't wait until you're finally dead." Jane snarled at me "Especially since I have the honor of being the one to kill you."

"Don't be so sure it'll be easy, Jane." I hissed in reply, unafraid.

"Oh, I'm sure it will be." She replied. "You're shield may have gotten you this far, but let's see how long you will last without having to depending on it. It won't save you"

"That may be…but I won't need my shield to take you out." I growled, balling my hands into fists. Without waiting for a reply, I charged at her, knocking us both to the ground. As soon as we were down, I wasted no time. I punched, clawed, and hit at Jane. Her small hands came up to protect her face. I didn't relent in my assault.

Somehow how, Jane managed to flip us over, taking my place as the attacker. I hissed as she slapped me across the face, leaving a gash leaking with venom. I could already feel it start to heal; a tugging sensation came over my cheek as the skin tried to piece itself back together. With some effort, I pulled my legs up, knees touching my chest, and kicked Jane off me. She flew a few feet away from me.

I brought myself up to my knees as Jane took a step forward. Before she got a chance to fully advance towards me, a loud, piercing scream broke across the room – drowning out every other noise. Both of our heads snapped towards the direction of the scream. Jane let out a strangled gasp of horror.

Emmett, with a loud grunt, tore Alec's head clean off his shoulders. His body fell limply to the floor with his head still in Emmett's large hands. Setting Alec's head on the floor, Emmett turned his head towards Edward who was approaching him with a small blue lighter. Stopping at Emmett's side, Edward lit the lighter then proceeded to set Alec's head on fire. Jane watched the whole thing with shock.

Taking advantage of Jane's distraction with the death of her brother, I quickly got up and pushed Jane to her ground. Still overcome with the shock of her brother's death, she was slow to react. Before she got a chance to protect herself, however, I wrapped my hands around her neck and twisted. Jane's head snapped off her body and into my hands.

For a moment, I was lost in Jane's burgundy eyes. They were glazed over in death. But somehow, I could detect hints of pain and shock. Pain and shock because of Alec's death. Shaking my head, I stood up and threw Jane's head into the fire Edward started.

"CEASE THIS!" Aro's voice echoed around the room.

Everyone halted their movements and gave their full attention to Aro.

He rose out of his seat – Caius and Marcus doing the same – and took a deep breath before speaking.

"Dear ones." He began. "So many lives have been lost. So many worthy talents lost today. Is there any way to savior the last few lives we have left?"

Carlisle stepped up. "What has brought this on, Aro?"

"Like I said before, so many talented lives have been lost. It would be such a waste to lose more."

"It would be a waste to lose more of your guard, you mean." Edward spoke up.

Aro only chuckled in response.

"You couldn't care less about anyone else." Edward continued on in a hiss. "I can hear it in your thoughts. You only care about how many you lost on your side, and how this will affect you - how it will affect the power of the Volturi."

"Edward." Carlisle whispered in warning.

"Yes, young Edward, that among a few other things." Aro chuckled. "I'm not ashamed to admit it."

Snarls and hisses sounded around the room.

"Aro, just exactly what are you saying?" Carlisle asked.

"Neither of us can afford to lose more valuable beings."

"We can leave?" Carlisle asked the same time as Edward said "So that's it?"

"See this as a peace offering." Aro said.

"What?" Caius said incredulously. "You're just letting them go like that?"

"What do you propose we do, brother?" Aro turned to Caius.

"Anything would be better than this!"

"Peace, brother."

"If it's the only way, so be it." Marcus spoke for the first time. His voice held no emotion, same as his expression.

"But –" Caius started to say.

"You may leave dear ones." Aro said, extending his arms out. "We will not finish this fight…today."

Without wasting any time – or before Aro could change his mind – Edward scooped me into his arms and flew out of the room. I peeked over his shoulder to see if our friends and family were following us. They were. Edward ran at full speed out of the castle, and only continued to keep running. As Edward ran, I kept my eyes on the night sky.

I couldn't believe it had been a whole month since I was last outside. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath; the fresh, crisp night air filling my nostrils. Edward finally came to a stop as we entered a vacant alley, two jets sat in the middle. Edward placed me on my feet.

"They'll be a few minutes." Edward said. "I was running the fastest I could manage; I just needed a few minutes with you."

Edward's hands came up to cup my face, brushing my hair back away from my face. Our eyes locked, foreheads touching. Edward's face was illuminated by the moonlight. His copper hair rustling in the soft breeze, his golden eyes shining with love. He was glorious.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, playing with the hair at the nape. Edward rubbed his thumbs over my cheeks lovingly.

"I missed you so much." Edward whispered.

"It felt like a whole lifetime." I whispered in agreement.

Edward leaned in slightly, his mouth teasing mine. His sweet breath washed over my face. I brushed my lips against his softly.

"I'm never letting you out of my sight again." Edward said, tightening his arms around me. "Wherever you go, I go."

"Sounds just fine to me."

His eyes zeroed in on my lips. We both leaned in, an explosion happened as our lips finally met. In that moment, I felt whole. I felt complete. The piece of me that was missing was suddenly filled. We conveyed our every emotion through this kiss; all our love, relief, passion, pain - everything. This kiss was worth more than a hundred thousand words. It said more than we could ever say with words.

My hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer to me. His hands tightened in response. Our lips moved frantically as we were overcome with our emotions. It was a good thing we didn't need to breath; we couldn't bear to break apart for something as unnecessary as air. If we could cry, tears would be streaming down our faces. Hours, days, years could've passed and we would've been oblivious. It was only us. Everything faded away as I lost myself in the kiss. Edward was the only thing keeping me on the Earth. My senses were filled totally with Edward. Everything else faded away.

Finally, after I don't know how long, Edward broke this kiss. He touched my lips once…twice more before leaning his forward against mine. Our breathing was ragged. I opened my eyes to find Edward staring at me. For a few moments, I was lost in the golden depths. Edward leaned in to place one more soft kiss on my lips.

"I would say I love you, but is it enough to fully explain my feelings for you?" Edward murmured.

"I'll know what you mean." I assured. I tightened my hold on his neck and leaned in for another kiss.

"The others will be here soon." Edward said once we broke apart.

"Alright." I whispered. I clung to him for a few seconds longer before untangling myself from his arms. I grabbed one of his hands, holding it tightly in mine.

I faced the open alley as we waited for our friends and family to join us.