Chapter 7: Facing the Demon

Edward POV

I watched as Bella fell, and rushed to go grab her only to be caught by the throat by a formidable Jasper. His inklike eyes bored into mine, and I knew it was life or death now.

"I need to help Bella, let me go!" I struggled in his iron grip, but that only made him grip tighter.

"She's bleeding. You'll kill her." he growled low in my ear.

"Bella! Bella!" I gasped out the best I could before being thrown out the open window. Once Jasper was in midair I tried to jump back in but he grasped my foot and dragged me back down roughly. He released me briefly, but just long enough for me to run into the thick cover of the trees surrounding the house. With me being the fastest in the family I thought it'd be an easy escape. I was quite wrong. Jasper caught up to me within seconds, and before I had a chance to fight back it was all over.

Bella POV

I awoke hours later to see Jasper leaning over me. That wasn't what scared me though. What scared me was that his eyes were pitch black, and we were alone. I tried to sit up but my head spun sickeningly. I was gently pushed back down onto the soft pillow underneath me. Well, there's no getting out of here anytime soon. As much as I strangely trusted Jasper, I knew a thirsty vampire when I saw one. Being in this room with me must feel like he's in a gas chamber, only he wants to smell the source rather than gag and run from it.

"Jasper?" my voice sounded hoarse and weak. He snapped his eyes to mine but didn't utter a word. It hardly looked like he even heard me. "What happened?"

"I killed Edward. He was going to kill you. I wasn't about to sit there and let that happen." his eyes seemed to darken further as he pressed his lips into a tight line.

"I don't understand... I thought-"

"Well you thought wrong. Now rest." he started to stand, but I stopped him by placing my hand on his arm.

"Don't leave me alone... please." tears flooded my eyes at the thought. When he sat back down next to me I couldn't help a cry of relief.

For the next hour we sat there in silence, and slowly the dizziness subsided just enough for me to sit up. I watched him out of the corner of my eye, noticing how his tense and angry posture never changed once. Eventually the silence was too much and I couldn't resist. I reach up a hand to slowly brush his jaw. His head slowly turned and his dark eyes gazed into mine. I watched in amazement as his face slowly relaxed as he leaned forward to rest his head on my shoulder. I cradled his head in the crook of my neck as I felt his body shake with silent tears.

"Bella... I don't know why exactly I did what I did. I mean, you were his girlfriend, not mine. Alice was my girlfriend and I left her all because I was mad at myself. I ruined my only chance at a good future. The only family I have now is Peter and Charlotte, and they live drinking human blood. I don't know if I can do that anymore. I feel wrong. I want to live the right way. I want a life with-" and he stopped. He lifted his head to look at me with such tortured eyes I leaned down to kiss the bridge of his nose. He closed his eyes and when he reopened them they were lightened a little.

"We all make mistakes Jasper. You shouldn't hold yourself to those wrongs. You need to move on, and make your life how you want to make it. It's in the past. Go hunt, you need a break." I lightly pushed him back up, giving a reassuring smile. He nodded and with a small gust of wind he was gone.

Now you'd expect me to break down crying after the death of my close boyfriend... but I didn't. Somehow I'd known things weren't right, but I didn't want to believe it. I was blind to the truth. Now the blindfold was removed and I wasn't afraid at what I saw. I was content. I heard the back door open and close quickly and was looked at in shock by my family.

Alice POV

I had seen nothing. Jasper had blocked me! He just ruined all my plans! We had seen the ash remains of someone in the forest near the house, and rushed straight in only to find Jasper's scent surrounding Bella, not Edward's. The only expression we could all manage was the mouth-gaping-open-like-an-idiot-in-surprise-that-y ou-only-see-in-the-movies expression. Bella just sat there silently watching us.

"Bella... What the hell happened? Where's Edward? Why are you still alive? What-why-how... huh?!" I was so very lost and I hated the feeling. I needed answers now.

"Alice calm down. Can everyone take a seat please?" she moved slowly, and when she bent her head we saw the bandage stained with blood. She had a lot of explaining to do. We sat there listening to her tale, and everyone's expressions shifted to anger, concern, and disbelief.

"Sweetheart! Are you okay?" Esme rushed over to Bella and pulled her into a gentle hug. Typical Esme. Why couldn't anyone see she was worthless?

"Yes mom, I'm alright. I'm more worried about Jasper." Bella concern was surprising, but no one questioned it. Esme stroked her hair affectionately before turning to Carlilse. A silent conversation went on between them and she stood as Carlisle walked over.

"Dear, I think I should check your head wound, in case it needs stitches." he offered his hand to Bella and she took it as she stood very slowly. The duo made their way upstairs, the rest of us sitting like statues mulling over our individual thoughts.

I had to find a way to get my plan back on track.

Jasper POV

I was disgusted with myself for letting the demon escape without a second thought, but I didn't regret it. Edward had to be put in his place. Now the only problems in my way were: facing the family, and facing Bella again. She seemed calm and trusting while I was there, but maybe as I'm standing here she's thinking wrong of me, making me out to be the offender. Maybe she'd run from me. Maybe she'd never even look at me again... and I would just have to accept these facts.

I hunted quickly before slowly making my way back to the house. The whole family seemed to be there, but Bella was no where to be heard. I frowned and walked in through the back door, and was surprised to be enveloped into Esme's embrace. I smiled just a tad – she hasn't changed.

"Jasper..." she said in a voice full of emotion. "We've missed you." she squeezed me before letting me go, a gentle motherly smile on her lips.

"I missed you too, mom." and I did. I truly missed my mother figure. Carlisle came over and clapped a hand on my shoulder, just like a father would. No words were spoken, but he had a soft smile to offer me.

"Sweetie... Bella told us what happened." she looked at me with sad but understanding eyes. I felt love, concern, and disappointment. I hung my head.

"I... I'm sorry, mom, everyone." I looked out at my family. "I wasn't thinking... I was just so focused on Bella-" I stopped and drooped my head again. Esme rubbed my arm and guided me to the loveseat. She pulled me into another hug as she whispered that everything was going to be alright and how it wasn't my fault. But it was.

"Son, Bella was concerned about you when we arrived here after you left. She left with Alice who took her home. Alice should be back by now..." Carlisle looked at the back door in wonder but didn't let it bother him.

"Okay. I hope Bella comes back, I want to talk to her. Alice, too. I'm going to go to my room. Goodnight." I trudged heavily up the stairs at a human pace, closing the door to my private room slowly. I flopped on the plush recliner and closed my eyes. I was 'awoken' the next morning by a harsh knock on the door. I jumped up to answer, and what I saw scared me to death – literally if it would've been possible.

Alice was standing in the doorway with bright hungry red eyes and human blood dripping from her small lips down her throat and onto her white blouse. Bella.