Happy New Year!

JPoV

I looked up at the stadium. Every day people came here. They brought their friends, families. In this same place, I was going to die today.

I'd been told death was easy, numb. Maybe for my compliance, James would make it quick and painless. I think the venom has that kind of effect anyway.

It wasn't too late. I could turn around, back to the safety of my family.

No, Gwen was in there, ten times more afraid than I was. And I was a Cullen. We were braver than brave.

I had already tackled the first problem-I had escaped my family and taken a cab here without being followed. That itself was a miracle. Phoenix's airport had been crowded and perfect to disappear in. My clumsiness had been mysteriously absent during my hasty escape- another miracle.

I scrolled through my saved drafts and sent the newest one to my mom. It was my farewell.

I walked forward without fear. Death wasn't so scary when you knew it was coming yet I clung to each heartbeat and each second as they passed. Dying was never something I worried. I thought my only two ways of demise would be to live a human life or one infinitely longer. Each breath was numbered which made every moment feel like a blessing. I was thankful, yes, for having a fairly perfect life before this. My family was supportive in every way. I had tons of friends. Heck, I rarely even got sick. No, I refused to die unhappy. My death would be what saved another, the best way to go.

I hopped over the turnstile. There was a sunny plaza with a giant statue of the mascot. Wasn't Bella's stepdad a minor ball player? Maybe he played here when they lived here.

I strolled around the plaza looking for a clue of where to go. There was a door by the gift shop with a piece of paper taped to it.

ENTER

I opened the door. Someone had taken white paint- the kind used for the baseball diamond- and created a path down the hallways. It left a strong odor that made my head spin a little. I walked around the wet paint and followed it down the twisting hallways.

A voice came on over an intercom.

"I'm very pleased with you, Jacob. You came alone and quick too, very impressive," the hunter said. His voice was smooth and chilling.

"Where's Gwen?" I called. My voice echoed. If he was anywhere near me, he would hear.

"She's here and fine. Thank goodness you came. I've been so hungry; it makes me impatient."

"Gwen?" I called.

"Jacob?" a female voice said. A girl sounded terrified out of her mind, but it wasn't Gwen.

"Who is that?" I asked angrily. The female laughed.

"It's amazing how deceptive human ears can be," the female said, "Jacob! Jacob!" Amazing, she sounded just like Gwen.

I had been tricked. The only life in danger was my own. I turned around and ran for the door, my feet stepping in the white and leaving partial footprints. The door was locked. I pushed against it. Something was pushing against me. James opened the door.

I screamed and ran away. It was useless of course. James jumped on me. I felt the bone in my leg snap. I kept my lips together, holding in my scream. He wouldn't get the satisfaction.

"How rude," James said, "I only want to talk. As I said, I'm very impressed with you. You're very clever for a human. That must be why your strange coven keeps you around. I have to admit, you humans can be very interesting. Your coming here is very noble. Be proud of your bravery."

I managed to glare at him with anger and hatred.

"Isn't it good that it was not needed? Although you should talk to your girlfriend more often. Then you would know her family took a lovely trip to Disneyland."

I remembered her telling me this, gushing about seeing the sun. How could I be so stupid? Now I was going to die a moron.

"Do you think your family will come after me?" James asked.

"Yes," I said, uncapping a will to speak calmly that I didn't know I had, "My mother is the vengeful type." I thought about the men who had done those horrible things to my mom that led to her change. I hoped she did ten times worse to this man, and I had faith she would.

"The tall brunette? She didn't come off that way. Looks can be deceiving, I suppose." He was talking about Esme. Alice had said his girlfriend had broken into our school records. I didn't correct him. This way Mom could surprise him.

"Anyway, I love a challenge, but finding you was not simple. I thought you went to New York. I've learned in my years that humans take comfort in familiarity, but there was a late season snowstorm so no flights to there. Then I had my lovely Victoria research Bella. Your brother is fiercely devoted to her, even I could see that. I assumed her comfort would be more important than your safety. You would go where she wanted. A quick records check revealed Phoenix. Your brothers got on that plane, and my hunch was confirmed."

"It seems that this hunt was successful. You know, one time my prey did escape me. She found a mate and a family. Maybe if your family comes for me, I will get the chance to take down that one that got away.

"It was the twenties, not a particularly outstanding moment for psychiatric care. The old vampire did what your family will not. He heard that I had taken interest in the asylum patient, put in there for the strange visions she saw. She smelled different too, better than you, no offense. He took such stupid risks. I will never understand the obsessions some vampires can form with your kind. He broke her out of the asylum and changed her. She was so shocked by the light she hadn't seen in years that she hardly noticed the pain. When it was over, she awoke a strong newborn with an amazing power, and I had no reason for her. I did kill the old one for ruining my meal though."

Alice, he was talking about Alice. She didn't know anything about where she came from. I thought maybe it was better that way after I heard the truth.

"I get you, and your family gets to keep her. Really, they should thank me. They got the better deal. Too bad I never got a taste of that human. My desire for your blood is much different. Not about the exquisite flavor. There's just something unique about it I can't place. I'm hoping I can figure it out when I get a sample."

James kneeled next to me and took a sniff. I was too paralyzed with fear to turn away. I wasn't brave. I was an idiot. He had me trapped.

In vain, I tried to stand. The hunter slammed me back to the ground. The wind was knocked out of my chest, and my head slammed on the concrete floor. There was an awful pain in my chest. I think he cracked a rib. I had trouble breathing.

I felt the skin on my head split open and the blood ooze. The red rim in James' eyes were consumed by black. At least now he was hungry and he'll kill me quicker.

Everything got fuzzy. My head was light. My world was spinning, and my vision was going in and out.

James growled. His dark shape moved over me and blocked the light. I raised my right arm as a last form of protection. He pushed it down. Another snap. Consciousness was too hard now. I closed my eyes.

When I found some sort of wake, I felt like I was underwater, watching the world from the bottom of the ocean. All the loud sounds I heard seemed to be a million miles away. A sharp pain in the bend of my elbow brought me back up a little. I wanted to dive back down; it hurt so much.

"Jacob!" my mother screeched. She was hysterical, but I was happy to hear her voice one last time.

I recognized her fierce growl. I had never heard her more vicious. I hoped she was killing James.

"Carlisle! Come quick!" Mom called. I was taken from under the surface of the water. I could feel the pain all over my body, none fiercer than the one in my arm.

It was the venom. I knew it. Nothing was ever more painful, my family told me. I felt like someone had set my elbow on fire.

"Jacob, this is mommy. Stay with me. We're going to save you," she said. My poor mother was hysterical. Guilt seeped in with the pain.

"Alice, get my bag, hold your breath. The wound on his head isn't bad. I don't think anything's been punctured." My grandfather was here. I didn't want to get my hopes up, but he could save me.

I broke through the water. My eyes opened. My mom's face was over me. I could see her sorrow even though there were no tear-stained cheeks or red, swollen eyes. Her agony was the most visible thing on her face. The pain in my arm was bewildering and took over most of my mind, but I managed small joy at her presence.

"Mom," I moaned. I never thought I'd see her again. I wish Dad was here too. I could say goodbye for the two who kept me alive until I screwed everything up.

She put her cold hand on my face. I wish she would put it on my burning arm.

"Oh, Jacob. Be brave, darling. You're going to be okay."

"Mom, it burns," I whimpered. She looked down my body, and her eyes widened at my arm. She had trouble catching her breath.

"Carlisle!" My grandfather saw the bite and tenderly touched my arm.

"The wound is clean. There's still a chance. Rose, you have the best control. You have to suck it out unless…"

"No," she said firmly. My mom looked at my arm, and her horror turned to determination. She leaned down.

The pain got worse. I screamed, letting out my pain. My mom pulled back in a moment of hesitation, and then the pain began again. I thrashed my working limbs. Someone's firm hands held them down.

And then the pain stopped spreading. It receded into one spot in the bend of my elbow, and then it was gone. The only pain left was in my broken bones. Compared to the fire, that didn't even sting. I almost grinned at the relief.

"He's clean, his blood, it's fine," Mom said. She wiped her mouth.

I felt like I was going to drown again. I tried to stay awake.

"Mom, stay with me," I breathed, I begged.

"I will, Jacob, of course. I'm here," she solemnly promised.

The pain left my body. I felt sleepy.

"Morphine," Carlisle told me.

"That's good," I said. I was having trouble forming intelligent sentences.

"Jacob, please don't do that to me ever again," Mom begged.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I said. I smelled gas, but was too tired to wonder why it was present.

"Rest, Jacob," Mom said. I closed my eyes and felt peace.

Nearing the end of TOC: Book 1 Thank you for everyone who has read, subscribed, favorited, and reviewed.