Title: Regret
Genre: Angst/Tragedy
Rating: T? Reference to character death
Pairing: Bella/Jacob sort of
Words: 512
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

AN: Yes, 2 drabbles this week! Ok,this was inspired by the same spooky graveyard picture as the last drabble, but it's completely different. It's also inspired by the Johnny Cash song 'Hurt' so several lines are directly from the lyrics.

*Tissue warning* This made me teary when I was writing it (and I didn't cry during A Beautiful Death) so that's a pretty good indicator that this one's pretty tough.

~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~

Regret

She stands alone at the ancient grave, a faint spectre in forgotten histories. The weather reflects her mood—sinister, icy cold, frozen. Even the air is still as the figure of the girl makes her penance at his feet.

"I'm so sorry." Her words are mere whispers, useless platitudes she's uttered a thousand times before. Nothing changes. Nothing ever changes. Nothing ever will.

The tears she cried as a girl will never spill over her marble cheeks now. If she'd known what those tears truly meant she would have never left his side.

She rests her hands on the ground that hides his body, remembering the feel of his vibrant warm flesh, his soft lips, a life-changing kiss on a mountainside. It should have been life-changing, if she hadn't been so damn stubborn.

Edward knew. He knew what she was giving up and he took it from her anyway. He knew her heart would not be the only heart to stop when he infected her with his poison, but he still did it.

He broke her, in the most painful way he could, then he changed her. He laughed as she screamed, reminding her that this was what she'd asked for—reminding her she chose this. As if she could ever forget.

Jacob knew as well. He knew the tears they cried would be their last. He knew that unlike Edward's selfish posturing, Jacob truly could not live without her. He knew the price of his love.

She focuses on the pain, the throbbing pain that followed her into this life. She just needs to see if she can still feel. She remembers everything. Beneath the stains of time, she carries the burden of pain and guilt. She remembers.

She remembers his smile, his bright happy smile that never failed to lift her spirits. She remembers his hugs that held her together and warmed her deep inside.

She remembers the pack, the brothers she lost when she chose to hurt them all. What has she become?

A hundred years have come and gone and every year she returns to see him. Everyone she knew has gone away and she still remains. The crumbled marble of his tombstone seems to mock her unchanging appearance. The date of his death is the date of her "birth."

She could have had it all. She could have had the love of a good man—the best man—a pack, a family, children, grandchildren. Instead, she let him down. She made him hurt. She killed him.

A cool hand closes over her shoulder, bringing her attention to the early light of dawn. "Let's go, little one. You can hurt yourself again next year."

He is her best friend and companion since she ran away from the Cullens only a month into her new life. He keeps her safe, keeps her sane.

As she turns and walks away, he looks down at the carefully tended grave. "You know if she could do it again she never would have left you, lost herself. She would have found a way."

AN: I left her companion at the end anonymous, but most of my twitter followers can probably guess who it is and my vamp readers should be able to guess as well. If you want to know I will confirm or tell you, or you can imagine it to be whoever you like.