Chapter 8 ~ Information Overload

My head turns at the sound of cars driving up to the cabin. “Who is that?” Alice rushes to my side with a wet cloth, “That would be everyone Bella, but they don’t want to hurt you they are only here to help you.” I grab the rag, quickly washing my face clean of the blood. “But my eyes, will they all know?” She smiles at me reassuringly, “They know why they are being summoned, no need to hide.” Jasper walks to the door opening it wide. “Alice, who by all do you mean?” She takes my hand and guides me to the coach, “Some you have met, but we can answer everything for you and be here in case,” her words start to drift. “ If I what Alice, freak out, try and stab myself again, because the last time that happened Edward just stared at me like a daft fool and ran away, what an asshole.” I can feel my blood boiling anger seeping through every inch of my being. “Oh he just makes me so angry, why is it he makes me want to rip my flesh off?”  Alice lifts her hand, a worried smile upon her face, “Please try and relax, please.”  She then points to the door; I turn to see Edward in the doorway, worry and longing painted all over his face, his perfect face.  I want to smile, ecstatic to see him, but refuse to let him see how his presence makes me feel, so I swallow, roll my eyes and turn from him plopping myself on the couch beside Alice.

“ Good afternoon Alice, Bella,” the sound of his voice is like silk being rubbed along my skin, it sends a pleasant shiver up my spine, but again I simply nod and shoot him a quick smile.  He approaches Alice and me. “Bella, I am so very sorry for how I acted, if we can please just step outside and talk briefly before the room fills up?” I wanted to jump into his arms and tell him to take me far from here and he can talk to me all he wanted, in between the breathless kisses, but I just couldn’t shake the anger. “No, Edward I think it best you back the fuck away from me before I go all exorcist on your ass.” He complies without question, which pisses me off even more, “Men,” Alice giggles, and I see the room getting tinier as more people enter. I stay in my seat just staring at the floor, making no eye contact, repulsed by the site of myself only imagining what they all think. I can feel Edward staring at me the entire time, not giving him even a side glance, my legs shake with impatience, I was about to run from the room when I hear someone clear their throat to get everyone’s attention. Quickly I look up just to see who it was, but the shock just makes my eyes wide, Zafrina just a few feet from me. I haven’t seen her since the threatening confrontation in our apartment when  she stormed away.

“Well well boys and girls we meet again, and we have Bella to thank for this rather unfortunate reunion… Again.”  She just gives me a sarcastic smile. “Zaf just shut it, that’s not going to help anything if you decide to go bitchzilla on her, besides if there’s a fight Bella would tear you apart.” The redheaded dimple faced waitress from Titillating Charlie’s, gives me a wink as she defends me to whom I assumed was a good friend, but clearly Zafrina hates me, No more than I hate myself I am sure. Slowly I rise from the couch, still focusing on the ground. A few people step back as if they thought I was going to attack them. I just raise my hands like I was surrendering, which in a sense I was. “I don’t want to hurt anyone, and I am not sure who in this room I have already hurt, what I do see are familiar faces.” I point to the red head girl, “like you, your Maggie right?” She nods and beams a truly happy smile. “What’s your deal, why were you in a dive bar a few days ago and now you are here, what are you to me?”  She gingerly walks toward me, and begins humming, that all too familiar lullaby I remember falling asleep to as a baby. My face relaxes, my heart flutters, I want to cry but I hold back so the blood will not frighten her. “You were my nannie weren’t you?” She rests her hand on my shoulder, again simply nods and continues the lullaby.  The emotions are too hard to control and I feel a scarlet tear glide down my cheek.  Lifting my hand to wipe it, she stops me. “No sweet child, do not hide who you are, it never mattered to me,” I couldn’t help it I embraced her and sobbed. I tried to cuddle my entire body into hers, hoping she would protect me from all the evil swimming inside me.  “Oh sweet Bella, my dear child, Mags is here, no danger shall come to you this day.” We slip down to the couch, she gently rocks me as I drift to sleep, her songs and arms sheltering all that is bad from touching me. 

When I wake she is still holding me, I can see through the blur of sleep everyone conversing and pacing, waiting for me I am guessing.  I never wanted to wake, just stay in the dreamless sleep Maggie was holding me in. But alas I cannot hide from what I am and so I sit up on the couch. Sighing as every pair of eyes turns their gaze upon me. “Sorry I fell asleep,” some murmurs but Maggie just reassures me and tells me to stop apologizing. Alice hands me some water, “Bella, we thought it would be best for you if we did a sort of Q and A, would that help?” Finally someone has a solution to organizing this chaos. “Yes Alice that is a perfect idea.” She has a pleased look, and then walks to stand beside Jasper.  Edward finally stopped looking at me and was sitting on the counter whispering with Zafrina. Again the intense anger feels like its crawling just beneath my skin. “So can I ask the first question?” Jasper steps forward, “that is precisely how it will work; there is not really anything we can ask you that we don’t already know the answer to.” Raising my brows in the realization he is right.

“Fantastic,” I place the water down, turn my attention to Zafrina and Edward. “Tell me why you hate me ebony goddess?” They both turn and give me their undivided attention. “Are you sure that is the first question you want to ask Bella?” Her tone is rough, dripping in hatred. “I am positive, let’s hear it” She shifts on the stool. “Very well then,” She sweeps the room with her eyes, I think to see if there are objections, but no one speaks.  “The short version, you murdered my entire family, and when I came to destroy you, you shattered my body into a billion pieces, Aro put your ebony goddess back together, and told me if I was to stay in one piece I was to shut my mouth and watch over you, If I so much as harmed a hair on your head he would see to it no one would put me back together, ever.” There was that silence again, that holy shit I am the devil kind of silence. “Oh Zafrina, I am, “I stop knowing a simple apology will never mend the wounds I have inflicted. “ Why would I do such a thing I don’t understand?”  She hops off the stool, staring me down, “Because the evil that lives inside of you takes no prisoners, does not know of free will, and sacrifices anything because it entertaining.” I am overcome with disbelief and disgust, “Why did Aro keep me alive, why not kill me I don’t want to live like that, like the thing I was before.” At first no one answers, and then Maggie breaks the silence. “  Oh Bella, many have tried to kill you, Caius built an army to destroy you, but like a breeze in the trees you decimated hundreds of thousands of his soldiers, but you should know that many stood shoulder to shoulder with you, because that darkness within yourself wasn’t who you truly were.”  I look around the room, now all eyes on me, “I am a murderer Maggie, a cold hearted murderer, who could possible love that and want to protect it?” Through my pounding heart, and the angry buzzing in my ears, Edward’s voice broke through, “Me Bella, I love you and would die a hundred times over for you.” That was it I could take no more, I raced up the stairs rushing into the nearest room, slammed the door, buried my face in a pillow and screamed, until my voice was hoarse and the darkness devoured my pain.

Chapter 7- Who Am I

My head was spinning, but not in confusion but in understanding. Alice was telling me a story that was full of only truths, this I knew. Staring at the floor, as flashes of memories begin to force their way through, but all so jumbled, I can hear the hums of a maiden comforting me to slumber, I can see birds flying around a veranda I know I stood on. The scent of orchids and honeysuckle even now wrinkle my nose with pleasant thoughts. The sweet blissful memories quickly subside and infernos, tears, mayhem and death now cloud my mind. My body jerks slightly, “Oh Alice I’m remembering” I shift my eyes to meet her gaze; her face is full of worry, and a familiar voice echoes through the cabin, “If she remembers, then preparations will be required, are you sure Aro wanted her to know?”

 My head turns a man with an emotionless expression, walks into the living room, and sits directly next to Alice. My body begins to relax, the thoughts disappear and calm devours me. “I know you, well I mean I remember your, oh what’s the word?” He interrupts my blubbering “My gift Bella, you remember my gift” I nod slightly concentrating on his face, “Why do I feel sadness when I look at you?” He holds his hand out, “My name is Jasper, I was one of the soldiers Aro sent to train you when you came of age, ring any bells?”  I shake my head, and trembling I take his hand in mine, the despair almost suffocates me I pull away immediately. “Oh God what have I done to you Jasper?”

His body stiffens, “You are not only remembering, you are feeling as well, Alice the others must come immediately” Alice rises from the ottoman and is on the phone in seconds. “Jasper, I feel it you know, the darkness” He nods, “You are unable to control it, a constant battle, one that was forced upon you” I look to my fingers, noticing I have scraped all my nail polish from them. “I beg of you to tell me what I am capable of, what I have done, please Jasper, what am I fighting?” He scoots over to sit directly in front of me. “You were a beautiful baby Bella, harmless but even as a child you drew people, creatures anything in, there was nothing anyone wouldn’t do for you.” My palms sweat, I rub them on my pants back and forth over and over, nervous about what Jaspers words are about to uncover. “You wouldn’t hurt a fly, Aro was amazed by you how someone bred from such dark evil could be so pure, he never knew what he and Moriana would make he suspected greatness, but accepted ordinary because he too would have done anything for you.”  As Jasper speaks I remember sitting in a garden laughing as grasshoppers danced around me, and Aro laughed and clapped along with my happiness. “Caius stayed away from you, he suspected it would not last, he was right.” My heart beats faster; I can feel it in my throat. “With Aro being enamored by everything you did, he lost sight of what the future held for you, it wasn’t until Marcus asked Aro to let Alice read you that Aro saw what was in store for you.” I take a few breaths, “So Alice was finally able to see again, I mean get her visions I mean?” he gives a sort of half smile, but it disappears fast. “Within the confines of the castle gifts did not work unless it was allowed, so Aro allowed Alice to read you, and so she did.” My eyes widen, taking in every syllable of Jaspers words. “She saw at the age of eighteen, the darkness would overcome you, the thirst of what your father is and the power of what your mother was would extinguish everything pure and innocent about you and you would become the most evil creature this world had ever seen, many would die at your hands, others would be forced to bow before you, no one would be able to stop you and you would destroy everything.” 

It took only a moment to realize Jasper was staring at me in silence and Alice had dropped the phone. “What, what is it why are you staring at me?” Jasper gingerly places a finger below my eyes, when he removes it, it’s covered in blood, instinctively I put both hands to my eyes and again blood soaks my hands, I frantically race to the nearest mirror, the reflection is frightening, the tears I shed were no longer clear but crimson, the irises of my eyes were black with flecks of red intertwined. “What is happening to me?”  From a distance Alice answers my question, “The darkness, it's remembering to”

Chapter 6 ~ Know It All

The car has more power than I am used to but I manage to arrive at the destination Aro gave me.  I see a woman sitting on a porch swing, dangling her feet smiling and waving at me like we are long lost friends. I smirk at her obnoxious yet contagious happiness. Stepping out of the car and clicking the alarm, I turn and she is at my side, “How the hell?” She just giggles and hands me a glass of lemonade. “I am so glad you made it here safely Bella, although I knew you would” she taps the side of her head.  All I could do is nod, insanely curious if she is crazy or just high on life. “So you are Alice, I assume?” She places her cold hand on my shoulder, her face so inviting and stunning all I wanted to do was crumble in her presence.  “Yes that’s right, and may I say I am relived you listened to Aro and came to talk to me, come inside.” I’m not sure why but I almost skipped behind her mimicking her exuberant attitude. 

 “Alice, are you going to answer my questions, because if you’re not I am out of here” She opens the door to this elaborate cabin, certainly no cabin I have ever seen before. “Bella, I am well aware of the outcome if I don’t tell you exactly what you want to hear.”  Pleased with her answer I step inside; my mouth opens wide at the site of all the art, and history on the walls. Creeping further into the house I see a large portrait of a girl not much younger than myself sitting atop a horse, her dress lilac and hair a pleasant shade of burgundy. I inch closer to the painting, the horse I knew his name was Cody, and that girl was me. “Alice that is me a few years ago, and that’s my horse Cody, what the hell are you doing with this?!” She takes my arms tenderly spinning me to face her. “Listen to me Bella, but when you listen you need to know that everything I tell you is the truth, if you don’t this is a wasted effort on both our parts.” All I can muster is a simple shake of the head, “Good, first off, yes that is you in the picture, but it wasn’t taken a few years ago, it was taken about a hundred years ago.” My knees gave out first, and then the blackness.

I opened my eyes readying for a pain in my head, but there was none. There was a cool rag on my forehead and my feet were propped up on an emerald color ottoman, Alice was staring at me, a slight smile on her face but not as happy as before. “This is going to take forever if every time I tell you something you pass out Bella.” Shrugging, not sure what kind of response to really give her, “Thanks for not letting me hit my head” There is the beaming smile I am growing accustomed to. “Bella, I didn’t come to hold your arms for comfort, I knew you were going to faint, it my gift.” I prop myself up on the all engulfing couch, “What do you mean your gift?” She sighs in preparation to what I hope is a real explanation. “I am what is known in our circle as a future seeker, the only one left of my kind really, Aro hides me,” she giggles and continues. “Many years ago our kind were hunted, the more gifted you were the more the TriLords wanted you.” I hold a hand up, but she waves it off. “I was eventually captured by trackers, I knew eventually it was going to happen, and with the food supply running out we were all too weak to continue, death was a welcome exchange.”  Alice’s tells her story like she was telling a Grims fairytale, so much passion in it I can’t help but feel her emotions through her words. 

 “We were dragged to this gigantic castle, tossed into a dark damp room, I remember wondering why were we still alive praying for death, I was so hungry , the others would fight amongst themselves begging the other to kill them.” I was enveloped in the story feeling as if I had heard it before.  “It was around the time I actually contemplated smashing my head on the wall it hopes it would shatter my body that we got a visitor,” She smiles coyly,” He was dashing and when I looked at him I saw a heroic vision of him whisking us all to freedom and safety,” but later you will see that was a planted vision.” She shakes her head as if trying to erase the memory. “ He took us to this room, a circular room, slightly like a dungeon but fancy, the steps to the altar were marble and there was gold trimmed pillars, velvet scarlet curtains where I assume were windows once, but it didn’t matter it was gorgeous.” Her lips curl as she talks, “Two men stood before us telling us to stand up and show respect for the TriLords. So we did and they entered quietly in there Raven colored robes, so uniformed they sat at the same time and glared at us in unison, it was creepy.” I laugh, and then abruptly stop when I remember this is a true story. “ First Marcus spoke to us asking what our intentions were, but he looked at me so I told him our hope was to simply live, feed and be left alone, It was about that time the fair haired Lord laughed at me telling me such a dream does not exist, and how foolish I was to think otherwise.” I am practically on Alice’s lap listening intently. “When I looked at him I saw nothing, no future, it was odd and then I told him that I saw what my future holds and its happiness and freedom, he wanted to hear no more of my visions and told me that if I wanted freedom and happiness I would need to work for it.” 

“Alice, you said Marcus was the first who spoke what were the other Lords names?” She places her hand on my leg, “Oh god am I going to faint again?” Alice shakes her head, “No Bella, the fair haired lord’s name was Caius and the other who spoke very little, well that was Aro.” Furrowing my brows, I try sorting it all out. “ Don’t try Bella, you see Aro at one point agreed in new, gifted species, things with great power to further him through his existence, he even tortured many to achieve amazing obstacles but you see, it wasn’t until he conquered the most outrageous of feats that he changed.” Alice just stares at me, like she was trying to see deep inside my mind, but she would see nothing because I was totally lost. “ Bella, your dad, the one who died when you were little he was what we call a guardian, sent by The Trilords to watch over you, well sent by Aro to protect you, and he did just that.” I reach for the lemonade, feeling my heart flutter so fast like a hummingbirds wings, the air felt thick and suddenly I was feeling a bit woozy. “Bella, stay with me or I swear I will tell you no more.” Her stern tone strangely calmed me down. “OK Alice, you’re right I came here for answers and you are giving them to me.”  She takes the glass and places it down. “ Aro thought if he bred with a witch he could create the most powerful and amazing creature in the world, so he sent trackers to find one, and they did her name was Moriana, she was beautiful, her power was great but Aro seduced her, played on her weaknesses, she quickly fell deeply in love with him, But his intentions weren’t pure , he married her and impregnated her, Bella, you should have seen her she was the strongest being I had ever seen, she was hidden during her pregnancy.” Fear begins to fill my veins as if I know where this story is going, knowing the end. “ One night I heard horrific screams through the castle corridors, so I snuck out of my room past the guards toward the painful cries, I peeked through her door, she was delivering the child, and again my visions were blank I just wanted to see what the outcome was but in that castle everything was blocked for me.” Alice rubs her temple’s like she had a headache, “There was so much blood, black though and Aro stood over her void of feeling as Moriana pushed out this creature no one was sure what it would look like, or the power it would possess the nurses and doctors were feverishly trying to save the baby and her, but Aro only spoke to save the baby.” I wanted to hug Alice; her face was full of sadness. “When the doctor lifted the baby it looked totally normal like a regular child, Aro was pleased as he clutched his creation in his arms, he looked at her like she was everything he ever wanted wrapped up in a living breathing baby.” Alice became silent for a while.

“Alice what happened to Moriana?”  She turned to me, pain filled her eyes, “She died Bella, you see the baby’s blood was mixed with her own and with that of Aro’s, very toxic for her kind and she simply turned to stone.” Tears slide down my cheeks; Alice scoops them up with her hand. “It’s OK Bella, she would have done anything to deliver that baby, and she knew Aro would care for it.” This story felt familiar but not like I heard it before but like I had seen it in a dream, “Alice, what happened to the baby?” It was at this point that she grabbed my arms, and I knew the answer was going to cripple me. “Bella, you are the Child of Aro and Moriana.”

Chapter 5 ~ Creator

The sound of music from a distance forced my attention, my eyes blinked open, everything was dim, and I could see a single line of sunlight on the ceiling. Determining it was daytime, swallowing felt like sandpaper being pushed down my throat.  Slight flashes of the madness that occupied my thoughts and body began,  running through it, the kiss, the passion that ignited a familiar passion, remembering how Edward pushed away and the slithering demonic force that surged throughout my body.  Instinctively I flinch at the memory, my leg clanging something sending it slamming to the ground.

Than a raspy like voice spoke “Well it’s about time there angel, thought you were never going wake up”, slowly turning my head to the voice, my vision slightly blurry. I try squinting, but still I’m unable to make out who it is. “Who are you?”  He begins shuffling toward me, “Don’t hurt me please” He just laughs and continues toward me. “Oh my dear, I could never do such a thing.” My arms were like jelly and I couldn’t lift myself up. “Now Bella, don’t you try and run, you won’t get very far”

“You know my name?”  The man pauses, pulling something from his pocket and continues on towards me. “I know everything about you; after all I have followed you for your whole life.” The closer he gets the clearer the image of him becomes. He holds out his hand, a picture clutched in it. Slowly he brings it to my face.  Looking at the photo, I see myself when I was a little girl, sitting on my horse, my dad behind me, his arms wrapped tightly around me. “Why do you have a picture of me and my father?” Again he chuckles. “Did you know my dad?” He says nothing, just coughs. “Yes Bella, I knew the man in this picture.”

Reaching for the photo, pulling my head up, my elbow slips slamming me back down. “You need more rest Bella, it’s not every day you come back from the dead you know.” Gingerly placing my hand on my chest, “I died, I remember, how am I?” He places the photo on my hand, sitting diagonal from me, but still out of my site. “You live, for now that is” Lifting the pasty gown, peeking under the collar, “No bandage, or wound, that makes no sense, I remember the sword plunging thorough me?” He let out a sigh, not of annoyance but like he was about to tell a story.

“You are special Bella, a masterpiece as some might say” I turn my body, resting my hand under my head, “We are all special in our own way” Again he laughs, a raspy one followed by a cough. “Are you alright?” He waves my quandary away with his hand. “Bella, when I say special I mean it, it’s not some nice thing you say to make people feel better.” I stare at the photo of me and my dad. “He died in a car accident you know?”  He didn’t say anything, “I remember we were driving home from a ski trip, this large truck carrying tree trunks was in front of us, the roads were slippery and my dad was riding the break.” A single tear slides from my eyes, “We were too close to the truck, the driver must have seen something he slammed on his breaks, my dad couldn’t stop fast enough we crashed into it.” I slam my eyes shut, the memory so clear. “ We were OK at first, my dad took off his belt, reached for mine unbuckling me, telling me to run out of the car, I tried so hard but my door was jammed. “ “He got out of the car ran around my side he was pushing like a mad person so hard, all I could do was yell for him.”

“He grabbed a rock, told me to cover my face and he broke the window, he took my arms and pulled me from the car, but the car shook the truck and the trunks came tumbling down, my dad threw me as hard as he could, I remember sliding on the road till I hit a bush, but he couldn’t get away fast enough they crushed him.” My tears flowed as the memory brought back those feelings of that horrible day.

“I am sorry for your loss Bella, but your father adored you so very much” Shaking my head in agreement, “I know he did.” The man gets up, walks to me leaning directly in front of my face, wiping my tears with his hand. I look up at him, his eyes were as red as an apple, his skin was alabaster and his hair as dark as night. “What the hell are you?” He simply smiles,” Oh dear Bella, my dear sweet child, I am your creator”

“My creator is God, what the hell are you?” Feeling some of my strength returning, I push his hand away from my face. “Bella, please you need to remain calm, or you..”  My eyes flash to him, “Or I’ll what?” He steps back, sitting in the chair again. “You will summon the darkness again my dear.” Sliding my fingers through my hair, furrowing my brow, “What darkness, can you explain to me what happened to me before and for my sanity why the fuck do you look like that?”  He presses his hands together, again takes a deep breath in. “For your safety I cannot tell you of your past, and for your sanity I will spare you the information on what I am.” Angrily punching the metal table I was sitting on, making a large dent. I lift my hand, “That should hurt,” I look at my fist, “No bruises,” The man sits staring at me, his lips curl with amusement. “This is funny to you?”  He waves both hands, “On the contrary my dear, it’s sad really that a remarkable creature like you has no idea what she is capable of.” 

“Well then why don’t you enlighten me then oh masterful creator?” His chuckle is slightly maniacal, “You are a firecracker, just as I remembered you.”  Pursing my lips together, “OK this is getting old; at least tell me your name?” He nods, “Fair enough my name is Aro” Biting my lip, “Alright Aro, and I assume you fixed me up right?” He shakes his head, “Great now if you can go get Edward so I can get going and find out what is going on that would be wonderful.”

“Bella, I am sorry but you can’t see Edward any longer, the fact that the two of you met up again was strictly forbidden.” I hop off the table, “Forbidden, look you have a God complex possibly daddy issues, get me my clothes I am leaving on my own then.”  He points toward a closet, quickly rummaging through seeing only dresses and high heeled shoes. “These aren’t my things” Pulling out the clothes staring at Aro, flustered. “No your clothes were covered in blood therefore my assistant Alice replaced them.”  Tossing the clothes on the table,” Fine, get out so I can change” He exits quickly, and I dress myself fast, exiting out the door Aro left from. He smiles at me. “You are stunning Bella, truly” 

“Thank the Gods that you like it, for what would I do if my creator was unsatisfied” He hands me a set of keys and a piece of paper. “Take these keys, you will find the car at the front of the building and go to this address, there Alice will meet you and get you settled.” Shaking my head in agreement “I am only going in hopes I will get some answers, not because you want me to” Aro, smiles gingerly lifts my hand and kisses it softly. “Do come back to visit my dear”  

“Sure it’s on my to do list” I rush out the door seeing this silver sports car, clearly expensive but fast. “Perfect, that will get me to where I need to go” Clicking the button to unlock the door, I hop in. The thunderous rumble of the engine makes me laugh, looking at the address Aro gave me and typing it in to the GPS. Once its set I drive off.

Chapter 4 ~ The Darkness

Pushing my pain away, I get into the shower tenderly washing my body taking notice of my bruises. Shutting the water off and dressing in the first outfit I find, all the while thinking of what I was going to say to him when we saw each other. Grabbing my bag, and racing out the door. I was unable to make it five feet without looking over my shoulder. Seeing the bus up ahead, I run faster just barely able to make it in time.  Trying to catch my breath as I take a seat, leaning my head on the glass oddly surprised how not tired I was.  Suddenly the bus stopped, the doors open I can hear the bus driver’s angry tone “This ain’t a bus stop, you don’t stand in the middle of the road you idiot” Peering over the seats I can see him enter the bus. “My apologies, it was extremely asinine of me to do such a thing, please take this for the inconvenience?”   I don’t know how much he gave the driver, but by the look on his face it was plenty to practically wash a seat for him to sit on.  He sat beside me, “I told you to meet me at the bridge” He puts his hand on mine. “I know Bella but you aren’t safe” A sarcastic laugh slipped out, “Really Edward, do you think?” 

“Bella, please not here wait till we get to my house” Lifting my head facing him, “Your house?” “Yes, it’s the only place we can talk, at the next stop get off and follow me, keep up ok?”

When the bus halted, we got off and I followed directly behind him, he rushes up the steps quickly unlocking the door.  He holds it open, “Come on, quickly” I enter the house, looking around noticing the chandelier, the oak floors and scarlet carpeting on the stairs. “Nice place”

“Yeah it’s fine, look Bella I know you have a ton of questions, but I am more interested it what you know first” The worry in his eyes was staggering. “Edward, I… “I drop my bag, “ I don’t know anything other than someone tried to kill me last night, you saved me, and Zafrina is apparently an evil psychotic room mate who wants me to disappear.”  Pursing my lips together, I try reading Edwards expressions, “Who wants me dead, and why the hell for?” 

He places his hands on my shoulders, looking deep into my eyes, like he was searching for something. “That is all you know?” Bewilderment floods my mind, “Yes Edward, now tell me why?”

Edward grabs me pulling me close to his chest, his embrace strong. It was full of desperation and need; all I could do was wrap my arms around him. “I am so sorry Bella, please forgive me?” 

“Forgive you, for what Edward?”  He pushes me back slightly, and lifts my chin with his finger, lovingly caressing my cheek with his thumb. “I’m so confused” His lips curl slightly, while the weight of the world covers the rest of his face. “I know” He puts both hands on each side of my face, tenderly he kisses my lips. Time felt like it no longer existed and warmth rushed through my entire being, his lips danced with mine, a familiar dance. Dropping my hand to his waist, he gasped then crashed his body against mine slamming us to the wall. It should have hurt but I was numb. 

  

 Suddenly we were face to face, I stared into his golden eyes, He looked like he was about to cry, but for some reason I knew he couldn’t. “Edward” He silenced my words with his lips, one hand was on my back the other still on my cheek, and then suddenly he was pulling away. “What’s wrong?”

“I won’t do this to you again, I can’t” My body and mind were completely disconnected; I was more confused than before.  “Again?” this emotional roller coaster wasn’t amusing, anger seethed through my veins. As quickly as the passion took over my body, rage replaced it. “I am getting sick and tired of these sadistic games, am I some sort of joke?” noticing Edward taking a few steps back, I advance upon him. “Is there cameras and a team of freaks watching and laughing at the poor helpless stupid girl?” He just stood staring at me, his mouth showing no sign of speaking.  My blood felt like it was boiling, everything was becoming blurry I felt like I had no control of myself.  I begin screaming at the top of my lungs fueling this madness that was consuming me from the inside out. It was powerful, addicting, but something else told me it was wrong.  Flashes of faces, feeling and places swirled around my mind. “Edward, help me”

 In my hazy state all I could see was him stepping further back from me.  My arms reached out for him, the yearning for him was intense, and confused that he was leaving me. I could taste the tears as they poured down my cheeks resting on my lips. “Why are you leaving me Edward?”

My body jolted upward, as if it were responding to a need my mind did not understand. Darkness was over coming me, something deeper was fighting it. “NO MORE, OH DEAR GOD MAKES IT STOP, EDWARD!” Turning I see swords hanging on the walls, rushing toward them and pulling them off the hinges. The darkness hurt, my heart was aching, my pulse and sobs echoed through my ears. I turn the blade of the sword to my chest. “I DON’T WANT TO DIE, PLEASE EDWARD MAKE IT STOP” My hands grabbed the handle, and with a thrust my arms pulled the sword through my heart. There was no more pain, and everything became clear. “I am Bella, I know who I am, you cannot have me” My knees crash to the ground, I slam to my side onto the floor. A figure walks toward me, stopping by my head, as if it is waiting for me to die, then my world became silent, and black.

Chapter 3~ A Million Pieces

 

  I get to my apartment just as dawn breaks. Absent minded I reach for my keys in my pocket, quickly realizing my jacket is likely at the bottom of the river. “Well good thing Zafrina is predictable” getting on my tip toes, sliding my fingers along the door frame until the spare key falls to the ground.  I turn the key pushing the door open, the air stuffy, curtains drawn. “Hey Zaf, are you home?”  Shutting the door forcefully hoping the slam brings her out. (She probably met a billionaire and is on a yacht on her way to Bali) I plop my sore body on the couch, close my eyes and rest my head on the over sized cushion. I take deep breaths, the pain in my chest making it extremely difficult to get comfortable. Rubbing makes it worse, “What the hell” Slowly rising and meandering to the bathroom, flicking on the light. Carefully I remove my shirt, tossing it to the floor, focusing my attention to my reflection.  Gasping in horror at the huge bruise, “Oh my God” I walk closer to the mirror, “wait a second” Leaning in, inspecting it.  I lay my hand on the reflection of my bruise, immediately realizing the shape matches. “That wasn’t air that forced me over the bridge at all” Thinking back, recalling every second, (it wasn’t a cold night, but the force of the air was bitter) putting my robe on, I walk to the kitchen. (There is no wind strong enough to push a person over, unless I was on the top of a mountain) Filling a glass with water, (this is insanity, why would anyone want to hurt me, I am nothing special) sitting at the table drinking, the silence feeling a little terrifying.  (How was Edward there, how, did he know I was there?)  Shaking my head, (I am only getting more mixed up) 

 The jingling of keys snaps me out of my daydream; I rush to the living room entering at the same time as Zafrina. “Thank God you are home!”  Zaf looks at me strangely, “Bella?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong?” Zaf’s face was a mix of confusion, and what was that, surprise maybe?  She recovers with a quick smile, “Oh no I just thought maybe you and Mr. Cullen were getting busy”

“No, he is a married man Zaf, I would never” Unable to take my eyes off her as she is doing everything but looking at me. “Zaf, are you ok?” 

“Yeah Bells, why wouldn’t I be?” Her entire demeanor was off. “Well for one you are not even looking at me, and you are rushing all over the apartment, what the deal?”  

“Just tired Bells, don’t read into something that isn’t there” I follow her down the hall to her room. “Don’t give me that fucking bullshit Zaf” She turns glaring down at me with a fierceness that I have never seen before. “Stop now Bella, you are way out of your league here” She shoves me slightly even though it pushed me back a good two feet, and slams her door.

 

 I back away slowly, making it only half way down the hall when her door opens, she steps out with two bags in her hand. “You’re leaving, but why?”  She drops one bag, reaches into her shirt pulling out my desk key and throws it at my feet. “Zaf, I don’t understand, the last hours have been absolute chaos, and now this, what’s going on?” She smiles slightly, but there was no feeling behind it, my heart began to race as she advanced upon me. She leaned down, her face only inches from mine. “You better start understanding soon sweet child, because it is by some freak miracle you are alive right now” Her words sent a shiver down my spine. “Was it you who pushed me over the bridge last night?” 

She cocks her head to the left, her eyes explore my face for a moment “Bella, if it were me who pushed you, you wouldn’t be here right now” She walks down the hall, pausing by the front door, glancing back at me. “ Nothing and no one can save you, not even him” My body frozen, I wanted to race after her punch her , do something anything, but all I could do was stare at her, and then with a blink she was gone.

Sliding my body down the wall, my hands cover my face the fear, the night, everything rushing at me, all I could do was cry. Nothing was connecting; my life felt like it was suddenly in a million pieces.  I had known Zafrina for years, she got me the job at Cullen Corp, and when she got the cover of Denali Diva Magazine Tanya made me assistant. (Why would she do all this for me, just to tear it all away?) It was as if I was waking up from a coma, not knowing anyone or anything anymore.  My body just rocked back and forth and the only sounds that could be heard were my weeping.

Reality was slowly coming back, using the wall I pull myself up, gingerly walking to the bedroom and sitting on my bed.  Reaching for the phone, I dial the office.  The recording picks up. “ You reached Cullen Corporation, the office is currently closed, if you know your party’s extension dial it now to be sent to their voice mail, or press 0 for the directory “ ( zero it is) “ Please enter the first three letters of the person first name now” ( E- D-W ) “ If you wish to be directed to Edward Cullen’s Voice mail press one now, otherwise press two for more options” ( 1) The recording of his voice, amazingly fills me with comfort, “ You reached Edward Cullen, I am away from the office, please leave me a message and I will return your call promptly, thank you “  I wasn’t sure what exactly to say when the beep came, but from what Zafrina was saying, now was not the time to be shy. “ Edward, its Bella, you need to meet me or I am going to the police, whatever little plan you all have going on it’s about to be exposed, meet me at the bridge at noon” Hanging up the phone, knowing I had no idea what the hell I was saying. I was just holding on to the hope that he would have the answers I so desperately needed.