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~ Part Four ~

Bella's POV

"Edward!" I screamed, my voice raw.

My chest was heavy, the hole in my chest sending spasms throughout my body. My anguish could only be described as ferocious flames consuming me whole as my emotions burned within me. But I continued to run through the twisting paths of the dark forest searching and searching. Only to find nothing at all.

"Edward!" I shrieked again, my legs felt like jelly but that was nothing compared to the heartbreak I felt.

Everything appeared the same. All the fallen twigs and branches, moss covered rocks and tall oak trees swaying in the cool night breeze. Everywhere I ran looked identical, making it impossible to find what I was looking for.

The lump in my throat only seemed to get worse, I felt a sob threatening to escape. I forced myself to gulp it down so I could continue my search. So again, I broke into a sprint, dodging the leafy green trees and their obscuring branches. My heart nearly stopped when I saw a break in the trees up ahead. Quickly, I picked up my pace, running the fastest I've ever ran before. As I broke through the trees, disappointment hit me like a punch in the stomach. If I had felt any hope before, it had vanished down into nothing but dejection.

I went to scream again but instead came a heart wrenching sob, followed by another and another till I sank to my knees. My frame shook and tears streamed down my face a waterfall. I knew it was a loss case to wipe them away.

"Edward!"

"EDWARD!"

"Bella.."

"Bella!"

I jolted awake, tears oozing from my red rimmed eyes. It took me a second before I began sobbing. I wrapped my arms around myself, attempting to hold myself together and lessen the increasing pain.

Suddenly I was enveloped in Edward's protective embrace, he pulled me against his chest. My head tucked under his chin while he rocked me back and forth. Edward softly whispered soothingly into my ears, he stroked my strands of mahogany hair with his cool fingertips gently.

I sobbed into his chest, ruining his navy cotton shirt. My hands were fisted tightly in the soft material, clutching on for dear life.

I hadn't even remembered falling to sleep. The last thing I recall was sitting on the floor with Edward beside me. He had pulled me onto his lap, reassuring me of my insecurities. I guess I had fallen asleep. He must have carried me into bed and tucked me under the warm fleece covers.

Eventually my sobs turned to whimpers and sniffles. My eyelids began to feel heavy, my body slumping into Edward. It wasn't long until I surrendered, letting my eyes close and blackness surrounding me.

X~X~X

My eyes fluttered open, I squinted as I adjusted to the sunlight. Groggily, I sat up, trying to shake away the lingering sleepiness. Peering around the room I noticed Edward sat in the wooden rocking chair in the corner of the brightly lit room.

"Edward." I spoke, my voice slightly hoarse from just waking up.

"Bella." He spoke in a mere velvety whisper.

My mind was foggy, hazy. I tried to shake away the feeling.

"Are you alright love?"

My gaze flickered over to Edward, I locked my eyes with his golden ones before answering, "I'm fine, I just need a human moment."

He nodded as I stumbled out of the room to the bathroom across the hall. I shut the door silently behind me before glancing into the mirror above the sink.

I looked so incredibly exhausted and drained. The deep circles under my dropping lifeless eyes and pale sunken in cheeks. My matted brown hair stuck up in all directions, I quickly attempted to tame it with my hands. It didn't do all that much.

Sighing, I turned to look away from the mirror. I decided to splash cold water on my face to give me some energy and hopefully make my face look less deadlike. I was already unattractive enough to begin with…

I turned the tap on cold, splashing in my face. Immediately I was awake, my mind less foggy. That's when the memories of last night hit me.

I gasped. Quickly I shut the tap off, drying my face with the beige hand towel and scurrying out the room. Edward was already standing in my bedroom, waiting for me.

Edward pulled me into a hug, smoothing back my hair.

"It's okay." He soothed, his voice smooth like honey.

I pressed my face into his chest, inhaling his luxurious calming scent. We stayed like this for a few minutes till Edward broke the silence.

"Would you like some breakfast Bella?"

I nodded as he took my hand and guided me downstairs to the empty kitchen. Charlie had already left for work, he hadn't pushed for me to return to school yet. He obviously knew I was no where near ready. My insecurities were constantly swarming inside my head, dejecting me.

Edward sat with me at the table while I ate my strawberry poptarts silently. Food hadn't been all that appealing lately. But I felt I needed to eat for Edward, I knew he would be leaving soon, I could feel it. I didn't want to accidently make it happen sooner by disappointing Edward or making him angry.

As I finished up my plate, Edward took it from me, placing it in the sink with the other dirty dishes. I stood up.

He turned to me, "Come for a walk with me?"

With those six words my heart dropped to my stomach, my blood going cold. It was happening, Edward was leaving. I knew it would happen but I didn't think it would be so soon. I had no time to think. Not that I could anyway, my mind was jumbled.

My heart began to beat faster, it almost felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. I felt nauseous and lightheaded. I gripped the chair for support, my knuckles going white. I broke out into a cold sweat as my breathing picked up.

Worst of all was the pain in my chest, worst than ever before. The hole in my heart ripped open, bigger than it ever had previously. It was like burning acid poured on a fresh open wound. Heck, that may even be less painful. Waves of rejection hit me, torrents of agony stabbing me in my shattered broken heart.

I gasped from the intensity of the pain. I squeezed my eyes shut, as the anguish coursed through me so powerfully.

I was vaguely aware of an urgent voice calling my name.

"Bella?"

I could barely hear it with the loud beating of my heart in my ears. I attempted to open my eyes, I swayed, the dizziness getting to me.

Finally my knees gave away and I fell to the floor. I could barely think, all that was running through my head was Edward's leaving.

"No!" I screamed, the words scraping against my throat.

"No! No! NO!"

Edward's cold granite hands were on me, grasping my arms gently. Vaguely through the tears and dizziness I could see him kneeling in front of me with wide panicked eyes.

A sob erupted from my throat as I reached to grab Edward's arm. I held onto it with a death grip.

"No please!" I dissolved in sobs, "You can't leave me!"

Edward's POV

It wasn't normal. Bella's behaviour. Desperately I wished to know what had occurred that day when I had found Bella injured deep in the forest. I still had no clue what happened, Bella hadn't opened up. But she seemed so incredibly hurt.

She so fiercely believed I was leaving her, which made me feel worse, knowing it was true. I knew I had to leave eventually, my presence is far too dangerous in her life. I didn't want to drag it out leaving any longer,though I also knew I couldn't leave Bella in the fragile state she was already in. Leaving her would already be hard enough, nearly impossible of course so I physically couldn't bare to leave her while she was already going through emotional turmoil.

Then tonight. I had not expected it at all. Sure, I knew Bella harbored insecurities but tonight had changed my thoughts completely. I don't know if she always thought what she had tonight or if her insecurities had increased drastically lately. Not being able to read her mind made the situation even more frustrating, I would never know.

Bella thought she wasn't good enough, that she was undeserving, that she wasn't beautiful or worthy. She thought she meant nothing.

Bella had never been more wrong in her life.

Really it was me who is all those things, unworthy, undeserving, not good enough. Not Bella.

Bella is the most beautiful creature alive, beyond perfect. She is far more deserving than I will ever be.

I don't know what brought on this turn of events but it destroyed me as I rocked her in my arms. It took everything in me to not dissolve into sobs with her. I needed to be strong for Bella. Every sob that escaped her mouth and every tear that stained my shirt made my heart shatter over and over. I gripped her tight, willing myself to hold myself together. She was my anchor. Not only did I hold her against my chest for her benefit but for mine as well.

With my heart still throbbing, I peered over at Bella snuggled under the blankets from my spot in the rocking chair. Her soft mahogany hair fanned out on the pillow, her angelic face peaceful. My hands craved to touch Bella's creamy porcelain cheeks and run my fingers through the strands of her silky brown hair.

My eyes trailed down to her pale pink lips, then down to her neck inspecting her collarbones which were very prominent. Since the day in the forest, Bella had lost weight, far too much. Beneath her eyes were deep purple circles, her cheekbones hollowed out and her skin had grown paler. I noticed the way her old clothes hung from her thin frame. But that didn't change my opinion, my Bella would always be incredibly beautiful no matter what.

Bella's brow furrowed cutely, as she changed positions under the covers. She mumbled something incoherent before a frown played on the edges of her lips.

I frowned as well, wondering what she was dreaming over to change her peaceful expression to a frown.

That's when the thrashing began. Bella tossed and turned, her frown deepening. Her mumbles became louder, but still I couldn't understand what she was saying.

Until I heard her murmur my name, "Edward…" Bella thrashed again more frantically this time.

The air smelled of salt and I instantly knew of the tears oozing from the corners of Bella's tightly closed eyes.

"Edward!" She yelled.

I jumped up from the position on the rocking chair, hurrying over to the bedside to wake Bella from her nightmare.

"Edward!" She yelled, louder this time.

I began to worry that Charlie would wake. I didn't want to have to leave her and pretend I was home sleeping again like last time. I wanted to be by Bella's side as she woke.

So I shook Bella lightly, trying to coax Bella from dream.

"Bella.."

"EDWARD!"

My eyes widened, I frantically shook her again. "Bella!"

Bella's eyes snapped open and she shot into a sitting position onto the bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms about herself, seemingly trying to hold herself together.

Immediately I pulled her into my arms like I had earlier that night and rocked in her my lap. I whispered soothingly into ears, trying to calm her enough so she could stop sobbing.

Fortunately Charlie hadn't been woken by Bella's screams. He was in far too deep a sleep.

Bella unleashed another strangled cry. My throat was incredibly tight and I knew it wouldn't be long before I broke down too, but I couldn't do that till Bella was fast asleep. So I clamped my mouth shut and forced the lump down my throat instead choosing to inhale Bella's intoxicating scent to calm me. I held onto Bella tightly, stroking her hair while agony exploded inside of me as she released each heart wrenching sob.

"I love you." I whispered, closing my eyes to hide away my anguish.

Bella's sobs continued for another ten minutes but it felt like decades.

Eventually her cries turned to soft whimpers. It wasn't too much longer before the rhythm of Bella's heart slowed and I knew she had fallen back asleep.

The constant ache in my chest had not lessened, though I didn't want to leave Bella in her fragile state I knew it wouldn't be long until my anguish would be unleashed. So begrudgingly, I planted a sweet kiss on her forehead before sweeping out of the open window.

So that's it for this chapter! It is one of my shortest chapters yet but it was a good place to stop. Also because there is some information in the next chapter I didn't want to give away yet in this chapter which is why I cut it shorter than usual. Anyway please let me know what you think of this chapter, also feel free to share what you think is going to happen next! I love hearing all your feedback!

Also if you have time then please go check out my other story 'Unrecognizable'. It has reached over 100 reviews now! Yay! Here is the summary if you are interested:

Edward left Bella to be changed into a vampire by Victoria. Twenty years pass, she is famous singer, songwriter. The Cullens go to her concert, not recognizing her as Bella but as her stage name Izzy Elizabeth. Bella wants revenge on Edward, what better way to do that then using his one weakness. His long lost mate. OOC ExB

Thanks again for reading! Please review, pretty please with Edward on top?

~Alexandra xx