IMPORTANT
While this story was originally intended as a revised version of my story "The Beloved" it turned into something new. So, it is merely based on it now. (Though better.)
Firstly and the most obvious change apparent from chapter 1 is that I changed the writing style. Went from first person to third with only direct internal thoughts being an exception.
Secondly: Gifts are significant now. In chapter 4 things go wild. LOVE IT! Bet you have never seen a Caius quite like mine. :-3
At this point the first four chapters have half the word count of what "The Beloved" had in 22. Currently have around 96 computer pages written. So, there will be more or less regular updates.
IMPORTANT
About the chapter titles: Kept some of them from "The Beloved" for old times sake. This story truly has a special place in my heart.
Previous Beta: SpinningBlack - in original version
Greatly revised version without Beta. Edited on: 12/26/2023
Disclaimer: Made the cover image myself. Hope you like it :-)
Bella's POV
Where am I? How did I get here? Why is it so dark?
With a sudden rush of adrenaline she realised something...I can't breathe.
Bella opened her mouth to suck in some much needed air, but only received water.
Wait…what? Water? Why is there water?
Struggling again to breathe, more and more liquid burnt down her throat. She reached out, trying to find something to hold on to.
There has to be something. The material of the bath tube? The edge of a pool? What have I been doing again?
She found nothing, her arms waving around uselessly.
That is strange…
It was becoming more and more difficult to focus and she started to feel light-headed. She had to do something. Fast. Forcing her limbs to move, she started swimming… somewhere, anywhere. Hopefully up.
Where was up? Why can I see nothing? And yet the water burns my eyes. Are they open?
Suddenly a shimmer of light entered her vision. Through the haziness spreading in her mind, it took her a moment to understand what that meant.
Light…light means sun and seeing the sun means…the surface! I can see the surface!
Her heart raced. Her limbs were slowly numbing, but she forced them to move. Working herself to her limit and beyond.
Just a bit further….just a tiny bit…come on!
As she swam, images of her dad popped into her mind out of nowhere, causing her heart to speed up even more.
I have to survive. I simply have to. If not for me than for Charlie. Dad needs me. I am the only one he has left.
Remembering how lost her dad had been after her mother divorced him, she shuddered.
I have to keep going!
With determination burning through her, she utilised her strength and moved as fast as her tiring body allowed.
Nearly there… I am about to reach the surface. I can already see the beauty of the sky and a rock.
Reaching out she tried to grasp the rock.
Still too far away. Come on body…just a few more metres…just a few more pushes.
With sheer will power she forced her body to overcome the last distance between herself and the rock. Her fingers broke through the surface.
I can feel the hard texture of the stone against my fingertips. I just need one more push and-
She slipped off.
Damn… So cold…So tired…
Trying weakly to keep swimming, she felt her body fail her. Arms and legs too heavy to move.
I am not moving upward anymore!
Black spots appeared in her vision and everything became blurry.
Oh no, no, no…I can't faint; I will die. I have to do something!
Suddenly she could hear Edward's voice in her head again. Telling her to fight. To be strong for him.
But he is not here anymore, so why should I listen to him? How dare he tell me to do anything after how he treated me?
Stopping to struggle she listened to his calm voice becoming more and more alarmed. Then he started screaming. Strangely enough that gave her the strength for a few moments of clarity.
How oddly satisfying to hear him scream. Only in my head, but…He wouldn't care if I died. Not even notice.
Feeling her limbs grow heavier, she breathed in.
Despite how much I loved him or maybe because of it, hearing him scream in my head…It feels nice. Even if the circumstances could be better.
Bella coughed. Water in her lungs. More coming in by the second.
Edward… stole my heart and then smashed it. Seducing me with whispers of a happy-ever-after. Making me dare to hope for the love of a vampirism is and always was always an advantage in my mind. For a person like me, who always had to be the adult for my parents…love is meaningful. It is freely given and honest. Love is not important, it is important.
Cramping from all the coughs, her body desperate for air.
He promised… everything…and gave nothing. Just… countless sshards of… empty words.
The shaking in her limbs receded. Slowly but surely shutting down.
Maybe he was the one who wanted to eat me? Back at my birthday party…way too convenient… blaming Jasper… Sweet…caring…Jasper…
Another convulsion hit her, a last attempt of her system to survive.
And Edward… he left me …alone…at night…in a forest. Wanted to protect me. Yeah. Right.
She coughed weakly in an attempt to laugh. Everything was fuzzy and off.
I can't feel my body anymore. Am I sinking? Down, down, down…?
Everything was dark now. Cold and dark.
Who cares? Death approaches….
Someone was screaming her name.
In her head? Edward again? Charlie?
Another scream pierced through the haze.
No, not his voice. Wanna sleep…
Overwhelmed by dizziness she closed her eyes. Ignoring the alarmed sounds that followed.
…Too tired ... .Sleep…
"Bella? Bella!? No!"
Bellas heartbeat slowed.
I am so sorry, dad…
Then it beat no more.