TheSapphireAmuletbyebtwisty9

AU:ShipwatcherBellaiskidnappedontoapirateshipwherethecaptain,Edward,hadsworntoneverletawomanexceptforhisfamilytosetfoot.CanBellaproveherworth?ExBRated:FictionT-English-Adventure/Romance-Edward,Bella-Chapters:24-Words:70,252-Reviews:1,920-Favs:1,600-Follows:1,040-Updated:7/29/2010-Published:3/30/2008-Status:Complete-id:4166941URL:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4166941

TableofContents

TableofContents

1.Prologue

2.HisLastTrip

3.APirateShip!

4.PromiseandTricks

5.MakingPeace

6.Whenyouneeditmost

7.Itwillappear

8.AtypicalorATypical?

9.SarijamFestival

10.Revelations

11.DreamsandReality

12.OfWitandPain

13.HiddenTruths

14.ConspiracyinaStorm

15.TrailedandFollowed

16.Whatwouldyoudoif?

17.TalkaboutFailures

18.WelcomeBack

19.TwilightDances

20.Escaping

21.PoweroftheAmulet

22.IntotheAbyss

23.IntheEyeoftheStorm

24.NewStory

Prologue

A/N:Hiyaeveryone...IadmitthatIhaven'tbeenwritingforthelongesttime.Schoolhasneverbeensobusy,andI'llhavetobethesadbearerofnewsthatthisstorymostlikelywon'tbeupdatedmuchuntilthebeginningofJune.BeingaJuniorinHighschool,thestandardizedtestingsthatIwillhavetotakeinthenexttwomonthsorsowillbasicallydecidewhatkindofcollegeIwillbeacceptedataftermysenioryear.

Sohereismylong-promisedpiratestory.I'llneedtouseitasasortofstress-reliever,sotrytobearwithmeifitturnsouttobereallybad...Chapter1isalmostdone...I'mgoingtoupdatethatonceIgetmostofmy3otherpapersstartedandhalfwaydone(tryingmybestforlaterthisweek,sincethisissoshort)

Disclaimer:allrecognizablecharacters,plotlines,andetcbelongtotheirrespectfulowners.(willapplyfortheentirerestofthestory)

Thereweretimesinlifewhenyouwishedtimecouldjuststopandleaveyoualoneforamoment–forevenjustonetinylittlemoment.Ineededtimetothinkthingsthrough.Idon'tthinkI'mreadytomeetDeath,nomatterhowangelichisvoicesoundedlike.Iwantedtothink,butthecloakedfigurebeforemewasn'tgivingmethetime.

Time.Suchasimpleword,yetsocomplicated.Anewdimensionthatneverstopped,nevergaverespitetoitsceaselessmovements.Ifitcouldtravelbackwards,Iwouldhavemadesuretoneverclimbonthatship.Betteryet,borninanotherfamilysothiswouldneverhappen.

Andyet,ifIhadneverclimbedintothatship,IwouldneverhavereceivedtheMedallion,mettheoneIloved,andenjoyedsomuchofthepastyearonapirateship–ashipI'vealwaysdreamedtogoupon.

Itallstartedwithastory…thestoryofthemostpowerfulrelicthathaseverlived.And,likeallsuchlegends,thestorylefteveryonetodoubtitstruth,fortheendingalwayswent"anditwasneverfoundagain."Itledcountlessruthlessmenseekingforthetreasurethatneverwas,anditbroughthopelesshopetomanymore.

However,thisstory–thisone,singlestory–wastheonlyoneIhadeverbelievedin.Ididn'tknowwhyIhad,onlythatmyhearttoldmeIhadmyfatecloselyentwinedwithit.Perhapsthemainreasonwasthatsomanypiecesofitweretrue,itwashard

nottobelieveit:

Athousandyearsago,livedatyrantKingwhodrewawayeverylastpennyofwealthfromhispeople.Onlyhehadmoney;noteventhenobleshadmorethanscrapsofpoorjewelry.Duringthistimerosethreegreatwizards:Aro,Caius,andMarcus,whodrewthecommonpeopletogetherandoverthrewtheking.Inprecedentyears,thewizardscrownedanewkingandgavehimapresent,andthendisappearedwithoutatrace.

Fatheralwayssaidthatthepresentwasapendantthatheldatreasure.RumorshaditthatthepresentwasthekeytoaccessinfiniterichesandthattheKingsstillhadittoday.Mother,however,toldadifferentstory.Shesaidthathundredsofyearsago,aKinglosttheshell-shapedpendant.Hehadtradedthependantforhislifewhencapturedbyanotoriouspirate,RobertJenkins.Thepirate,whoneverdiscoveredthesecretsoftheshell,madeitintoamedallionwithinwhichheputamapofhistreasuretrove.

However,themedallionwasneverseenagainwhenthepirate'sshipsunkafterbeinghitbyaniceburg.Mothersaidthatonedaythemedallionwillbefoundagain,andthatwhoevercarrieditwilleitherenduplivinginparadiseordyinginhell.

AndhereIam,dyinginhell.

Butthatisnotwhatsaddensme.Myangelwasnotwithme–andthatfactalonemeansmyeternaldamnation.

Tellmewhatyouthink!Iknowthisisreallyshort...butIthoughtitsetsthemoodandgivesthebasicbackgroundonwhichthisstoryisset.TherearestillpartsintheplotIneedtosmoothout...butI'llwriteasIgoandseehoweverythingturnsout.

Thanks,

Cathy

HisLastTrip

A/N:ItseemslikeFanfictionlikestoduplicatemyfirstsentenceallthetime...becauseitdidthatfortheprologueandforthischapter'stitle.Ihavetosay,though,thatthischapterismorelikeatrueprologue(somethingthathappenedbeforethestory)thantheotherone...butthatdoesn'treallymatter.

Anyways...justincaseyoucan'ttell,thestorywillbewritteninfirstperson,Bella'spointofview.:D

Chapter1:HisLastTrip

MymotherandfatherseparatedwayseversinceIwastwo.Mymothersaidthatshe'dratherspendherlifeonlandratherthanaship.Father,beingcaptainofthenavy,couldnotgiveherthatwishunlessheleftherforextendedperiodsoftime.She,unwillingtoleavemewithoutlovefromamotherandafather,soonremarriedLordPhilofRochester.

IwouldspendmywintersinRochester,studyingandlearninghowtobecomea"Lady",butmysummerswerealwaysonboardFather'sship,theGracefulSwan.Healwayscalledmeamonkey,quicklylearningtoswingfromropetorope,oftenendingsomewhatungracefullyinapuddleofcloth.Themenontheshipwereveryunfriendlyatfirst…butIguessFather'snickname,Key,helpedthemtoignoremygender,andtreatmemoreasacabinboy."Key…"Fatherhadsaid"Keytomyhappiness."

Theseaalwayslovedmemorethantheland,andIwasneverashappyinRochesterthanonthesea.Father,keenashewas,quicklynotedmytalents:howIalwaysknewwhenastormwasapproachingorwhichdirectionweweretraveling,orwhethertherewasanothershipcoming…allbynaturalpremonitions.

TheonlypersonIhadeverhadtroublewithwasLeontheFirstMate.HewasapparentlytheFirstMateinalegendarypirateship,butheneverspokeaboutit.ThesummerwhenIwasseven,FatherhadtodeliveranimportantguestfromthesoutherntipofEnglandtoMelodyPortinnorthernScotland…

TheLadyMarthaMinglesteppedgingerlyonthegangplank,cursingsoftlyunderherbreathwhenshenearlyslippedonthemattedmoss.Hermaidscurriedafterher,carryingtrunksandbagssoheavyshelookedasifshewouldtoppleoveranymoment.

Isawthemwaddleacrossontotheshipfromthewatchmast,thenswingingdowntothedeckbythenearestrope,landingheavilyonmyheelsandwincingasmycalfprotestedagainsttheheavy,jarredfall.

IlookeduptoseetheLadystaringatmeasifIwasawatermelonthatdroppedoutofthesky.Isupposedmyungracefuljumpcausedmuchofthat.Attemptingtocoverupmyembarrassment,Igreetedcheerily,bowing,"Hello,Lady."Whenshedidn'trespond,Ilookedup,onlytostaredownatthedeckagaintohidemylaughter.Sheseemedtohaveseenaghost!

IjumpedwhenIheardfootstepsbehindme.Three…two…one…duck!Iduckedjustassomeone'sarmswungatwheremyheadwasasplitsecondago.Hechuckled."Wellsquirt,nicetoknowIcan'tknockyououtanymore."Istuckmytongueoutathim.

"Youcan'tknockoutapirate!"Imadeaface,quicklydashingawayasashoeflewoutofnowhere.TheLadygasped.Leoncursed.Igrabbedastrayhangingropeandswungbackbesidehim.

"Leon,here'stheLady,"Iquicklyintroduced.Tomysurprise,theburlyLeonactuallybentoverandkissedthewoman'sknuckles.Herdazedexpressionclearedashercomplexionquicklywentintoamixtureofembarrassmentandamazement.

"It'scertainlynicetoknowthatnoteveryonehopdownoutofnowhere!"

"MissKeyo'erhereknowsnomanners,"hesnorted."An'Idoubtshee'erwill."Hetrainedhiseyesonme."What'reyadoin'here?GettheLadytohercabin!Offwithye!"

Scrambling,IhelpedtheLady'smaidcarrytheheftytrunksbelowdeck,leadinghertothespaciouswood-paneledroom.AsIhelpedthemaidgetthetrunkssettled,IheardtheLadymutteringaboutinsanelittlegirlsrunningaroundbigshipsandtheimproper-nessofitall.Icouldn'thelpbutsmiletomyself.Ifonlysheknew!

Thatnight,acoldfeelingsettledaroundtheship.Thewindshadshifted,andIcouldn'tsleep.Idriftedontodeck,sittingbytheboomandfeelingthesaltyairaroundme."Key!'snotyerwatch!Gobacktosleep!"thewatchercalledfromthecrow'snest.

"Ican'tsleep.You'llhavetoleavemehereorletmekeepwatchinstead."ThewatcherstaredatmeasifIhadgoneinsane.MaybeIhad…Iwasn'tmakingmuchsense.

IgnoringthelooksIwasgetting,Isangtokeepmyselfincompany.Mymotherusedtohumittomeallthetime:MeineLiebe.

Thelittleboat,sofrailandsmall

Sailinginthewind

Butwhenaskedwhat'sitscall

Itanswers…

"Freedomismyonlycalling

Isearchitallthetime.

AndwhenIfinallyfoundmyending

ThenIshallbehomeagain"

"Prettysong,"avoicesaidtome.Ijumped.

"Thanks."

"Whyareyouupsolate?"Iturned.ItwastheLady'smaid.

"Icouldaskthesameofyou."

Shesmiled."Forsomeonewho'ssotiny,you'vewit."

"Neverjudgeapersonbyhiscover."

"SoIlearned."Shepaused."Youavoidedmyquestion."

"Icouldn'tsleep.It'sgoingtostorm,andsomethingdidn'tfeelright,"Iansweredtruthfully.

"Me,too."

Ilaughed."IfIdidn'tknowanybetter,I'dsayyou'resailormaterial!"

"Nay,I'mshipsickenoughwithoutdoingalltheclimbingandswingingthatyouseemtodo."

"Ha!"Ishoutedindignantly,"Ifyougrewuponashipwherethemenwouldrandomlyplayjokesonyou,you'dlearn,too."

Shelaughedatthat,butthenyawned."Goodnight…"shesaid,pausing."Younevermentionedyourrealname."

"It'sBella:IsabellaSwan,butcallmeKey,"Ianswered.IrespondmorereadilytoKey."Andyournameis…?"

"Maria.Pleasedtomeetyou,Key,"shesaidbeforeclimbingbelowdeck.

Myillfeelingeasedwiththechatter,butneverwentaway.Ifit'sstilltheretomorrowmorning,I'llhavetotellFathertocheckthemaps.Theairsmelledtoochillyandturbulentfortheareaoftheseaweweresupposedtobeheadingtoward.Withthat,Idozedoffwithmybacktothemainmast.

--

Bymorning,myfeelinghadonlyincreasedinintensity.FatherandIchartedadifferentcoursethroughthewaters,butthatonlyseemedtomakethefeelingworse.Therewasastrongcurrent…itwaspullingusincircles.

Myeyeswidened.Incircles.

Dartingintothecaptain'scabin,Ipulledouttheentiremapofthechartedwatersandplottedoutthecourseweweresupposedtotakealongwiththepossiblewrongturns.Breathingquicklywithterror,IranwiththemaptowhereFatherwasstandingonportsidewiththeLadyMingle.

"Father!"

Heturned,suddenlyalarmed."Key,whatisit?"

"Icebergterritory."

Hisshockwasplainlyshownbymysimplewords."Areyousure?"

Inoddedmyhead."Positive.Airischillyandtoostill,andwe'recirclingwhatismostlikelytheMonumentwherewaterseemstodrain."

Leonsteppedup."Samefeelinghere,lass.Waswonderin'whenyou'regoingterbringitup."

Fatherwassilent.Helookedatmethoughtfully.Ishookmyhead.Itwastoolatetochangedirectionsinhopesofavoidingit.Wewerealreadyheldenthralledinthestrongcurrent.Onlylifeboatspoweredbyceaselessrowingcouldescape.

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"TheLady.Ihadalmostforgottenabouther.

"We'veenteredtheicebergterritory:aplacewherestrongpeculiaritiesoccur.Icebergsherearecompletelysubmerged.Shipswouldtravelindeepwaterandsuddenlyrunagroundonthehiddenicebergs.Andwhereveranewicebergforms,anewwhirlpoolcomestolife.Buteverythingendsupinthecenter,eventhewinds.Atallsteeple-shapedrockmarksthecenterofthegreatmaelstrom:theSinkhole,"Iexplained.TurningtoFather,Isaid,"wecantrytoavoidthecenter,butI'veafeelingthatwon'tworkanybetterthangoingstraightforitaswearedoingnow."

Bylateafternoon,thestormsettledin.Theturbulent,suddenwavesdasheduponthedeckandswipedeveryoneofftheirfeet,andgivingthemanunwantedicebath.Theairwasheavyandsaturated.Ithadn'trained,butthesquealsofthunderandtheflashesoflightninggaveproofenoughthatthiswon'tlast.Totheeast,wheretheshipheadedtoward,lieddarknessthickasawall–likeanominousdevil.

TheSinkhole.

Fathershoutedordersleftandright.Menscurriedonthewobbly,tiltingdeck,pullingoutthelifeboats.Othersloweredthemintothewaterandjumpedin.TheLadyandMariaweredropped,literally,intothefirstboatbeforethemenpaddledawayagainstthestrongcurrentofthemaelstrom.

IstayedbyFather'ssidetheentiretime.Iwasafraid,yes,butIknewbetterthantoleavehimallalone.Hewouldstaywiththeshipanddie.

"Key!Getyourlittlebottomawayfromyerdadandhelpwiththemainmasts!Forgoodness'ssake,can'tyatellwe'reinadiresituation?!"Leon.

Jerkingmyselfoutofmywatchfulstate,Isurveyedmysurroundings.Mostofthecrewhadgottenonthelifeboats.Infact,thelastonewasabouttobelowered.Grabbingawildlyswingingrope,Iswungontotheboomandtieddownthesailsthathadescapedtheiroriginalconfines.Theywereslippery;theairwascold.Withthenumbingrainthathadbegantofall,myfingersturnednumb.Overthehowlingwind,Ididn'thearfootstepsbehindme.OnesecondIwasfinishingtyingaknot,andthenextsecondIwasbeinghauledofftheboom.BeforeIrealized,IwasthrownintoalifeboatwithLeonclosebehindme.

"Where'sFather?"Ishoutedtohimoverthewind.Hedidn'tanswer.

Andthat'swhenIsawhim.Fatherwasstillontheshipbythewheel,hishunchedfigureilluminatedbythenever-endingstreaksoflightningacrossthesky.

Hewasnotgoingtoleavehisship.FatherneverstoppedlovingMother,andwhenshelefthim,sheleftbehindasmallchestofvaluables.Hecouldneverabandonthatchest.Hewouldstaywiththeshipandthechestuntilhisdyingmoment.

Icriedout,butIknewitwasnouse.AflashoflightningilluminatedthetallstonecolumnthatstoodinthemiddleoftheSinkhole,theGracefulSwanjustsecondsawayfromhittingit.Aclapofthunderdrownedoutmyscreams…andthescreamoftheshipasitwastornapartandtakentothebottomoftheoceanbythecurrent.Whenthenextlightninglitthesky,theGracefulSwanwasnolongerthere.

Leonturnedtome,digginginhispocketforsomething."Yourfatherwantedyoutohavethisifsomethingshouldbefallonhim.Itwasyourmother'sweddinggifttohim.Healwaysworeit,intendingtogiveittoyouwhenthetimecomes;andnowitisyours."

Withthat,hehandedmeasmall,delicateheart-shapedblueamulet.

Andsincethatnight,Ihavealwayswornit.

Hehe...didn'treallywanttoendthefirstchapterinatragedy...butIwantyouguystogetafeelofwhatkindofenvironmentBellawasbroughtupin(mostofthischapterisBella'smemoryofwhenshewasseven).AndbeforeIforget,I'llhavetosaythis:wheneverIgetagoodinspirationforastory,Itendtothinkoffthetopofmyhead.AndwhenIdothat,Isometimesdrawuponmemorizedphrasesorsettingsfromfavoritestories(fanfictionorfrombooks)/etcthatapply.So...ifyouseesomethingthatyourecognizefromanotherstoryorsomething,Idoapologizeformyapparentlackofcreativity,andhere'smydisclaimerthatthosepartsaren'tmine.

Tellmewhatyouthink:DI'mabouthalf-waydonewithChp.2...andIcansaythatI'mhavingsomuchfunwritingitXD.I'mhopingtogetitoutnextweeksometime...butgiventheamountofstuffthataredue...can'tpromise(unlessIstartmassivelyprocrastinating...whichIwanttodo,butcan't).

--Cathy

APirateShip!

A/N:I'vebeenaverygoodprocrastinator(goodnesshelpme).I'vealreadyhadthiswritteneventhoughI'vewaytoomuchstufftodo.Ijustrealizedhowclosethefirstfewchaptersresemblesanotherstorypostedonthissite.(It'soneI'vereadsometimeago,andIjustfounditagainbystrokeofluck).Thestory'scalledDeepBreath(aLilyandJamesPotterstory)byanauthorIdon'trecalloffthetopofmyhead.I'mgoingtotrytogodownthepathI'veoriginallysetforthisstory...andifanyofyouthinksthattheresemblanceistoomuch(sinceI'vebeenknowntobealittlebiased),Icanremovethisstoryandstartanotheroneorsomething...Idon'tknowyet...

Butyeah...Ihadalotoffunwritingthischapter.

Chapter2

Theshipjerked,startlingmefrommyreverie.Irarelyeverdaydreamanymore,muchlessaboutthatnight,whentwoofthelifeboatsalsoendedwithafatesimilartotheGracefulSwan:theirmenweren'tabletokeeppaddlingagainstthecurrentuntiltheearlymorningwhentheSinkholedisappearedforanhour.

Shakingmyheadfreeoftheimagesthatformed,Ilookedoutfromthecrowsnest.ThetinyspeckinthedistancethatIhadbeenscrutinizingwasnowmuchclearer.Thedeepblueflagwithafaintwhitepatternhintedofaforeignship.Ithadbeenfollowingforthepasthourorso.Isatdownandfiddledwithmyfingers.Ifitwasapirateship,itwouldbelaunchinganattackwithinthenextthirtyminutes,Ireckon.

Theshipwasbattered,butthatcouldbeasmuchofatrickasthetruth.Batteredshipswereoftenignored,evenpirateones.HadInotbeensoexperiencedandcouldtellthatitwastrailing,Iwouldneverhaveregardeditasathreatuntiltheshiptookusonbysurprise.

"Aship,captain!"Ishouteddown.Hesquintedatme."Yousure,Key?Notoneofthembirdsthatyousee?"Inearlywantedtothrottlehim.SincewhenwasIeverwrong?

"Aye,sir!Aship,quitewornbythelooksofit."

Ilookedinthedistanceagain.TheshipiscatchingupfasterthanIwouldhavethought.Icouldseetheflagclearlynow.Pirates,definitely.

"Youseeanythingelse?"

"Crewofabouttwenty-five,sir,lookingdesperate,sir,"Ianswered,keepingmyeyesontheflag.Myheartthumpederraticallyinexcitement.Finallyit'sapirateship!

"Perhapsthemenareaswornoutastheirship,"Iheardthecaptainmutter.Iwantedtokicksomesenseintohim.Butthen,thewatcher'sadviceisusuallyignoredasunimportant.Irolledmyeyes.Talkabouthimself.

"Fire!"Acannonboomed.Greatjob,Captain,Ithought.Youjusttoldthemwenoticedthem.

Checkingmydaggeronmyside,Ilookedupagain.Icouldseetheirwatcherinthecrowsnest,shoutingthingsandlookingfrantic.Smiling,Iwavedenthusiastically.Twosecondslater,astreamofcursesflewovertheseabetweentheships.Iharrumphed.Somemenjustdon'tknowtheproperwaytogreetsomeone.

"Fire!"Thecannonboomedagain.Staring,bored,intothedistance,Icountedthenumberofmisseswithoutevenlooking…thatis,alloftheshots.Don'tthesemeneverlearntoshootproperly?Whentheship'swithinshootingdistance,it'snoteasytomissthatbighulk!

Thepirateshiptookoutawideplank,andastheships'distanceclosed,Ibegantowatchthefightgoingonbelow.

Thepiratesweregood.Therewerefivethatfirstboarded,theirpale,smoothskinsseemingtoglowintheshadowsofthesails.Twoofthemwereclearlygirls:theymovedwithgraceanddexterity,buttheyhadasoftdraw.Theyneverkilled,onlyincapacitatedandmovedon.Oneofthemwasdark-hairedandtinylikeapixie.Herswascroppedshort,asifsheattemptedtofitinasaman.Theotherwasblondeandbeautiful.Idoubtanyoftheship'smenactuallywantedtohither,eventhoughherskillwasonlyjustenoughtoovercometheirstupefiedattemptsatfighting.

Thethreemaleswereasskilled,ifnotmore,thanthetwogirls.Theleaderhaduntamablebronzehair.Hehadawhipinhishand,whichheusedtoknockpeopleofftheirfeet.Heworkedhardwithanotherman:abigmuscularone.Whilethewhipknockedpeopleofftheirfeet,theburlymanquicklytiedthemuporkilledthemtohisliking.Theothermanwasasword-wielder:blondehairedandtall.Hewouldhaveadistinctadvantageovermyshortheightifwecrossedswords.Theyweregoingthroughthedefendingcrewlikemousethroughcheese!Nottomentionthereseemedtobeatleastthirtyotherpiratesstreamingacrosstheplank;somealreadybeganlooting!

Myship'screw,however,wasn'tdoingsowell.Asmorepiratespouredin,themenfellbackandwereslaughtered.IsawJim,thefirstmate,successfullywoundingonebeforeanotherpiratesnuckuponhimwithastab.

Asuddenbreezebroughtthestenchofbloodfromthefightingbelow.IknewIhadtoslipdowntherenow,orriskfaintingbeforeIevendrewmydagger.Grabbingahandkerchieftoprotectagainstropeburns,Igrabbedamastlineandslippeddown,knockingouttwopiratesbeforetheyknewwhathitthem.(A/N:ifyou'vewatchedthemovieMulan,imagineBellaslidingdowntheropelikeMulandidwhenrescuingtheemperor)

Holdingmybreath,Istartedmycount."Three."Idrewmydaggeroutandclunkedonaheadwiththehilt."Four."Dodgingastrayblow,Iwrappedmyhandaroundtheswordandtwisted.Withaspinningkickthatknockedhisfeetfromunderhim,Iplungedtheswordintohisbody."God,Ihatedoingthat!"

Therewasawhooshingsound.Iduckedwithoutthinking,andaflyingknifeflewpastwhereIwasasecondagointoanotherpirate.Iturnedaround,suddenlymeetingapairofshockedemerald-greeneyes:itwasthemanwiththewhip.Isalutedtowhatwasobviouslythepirateleader."Thanks,sir!"

Dartingaway,Iresumedmycount."Six."Ilikedperformingariposte:turningtheirweaponsbackagainstthem.Thesmellofbloodwaseverywherenow.Stealthilymovingtowardtherailsoftheship,Itookbetterpleasureusingthedanglingropes."Eight…Nine."Igrabbedaropeandswungmyselfaroundmyopponent,suddenlykickinghimfromthebackandknockinghimintothesea.

AndthenImetoneofthefirstfivethatclimbedaboard.Hewastheswordsman,andhisexpressionwasunreadable.IhearditbeforeIevenrealizedit.Steppingaside,Inarrowlyavoidedbeinghitinthebackbyanotherflyingknife.Thistime,though,Icaughtitbythehilt,andquicklythrewitacrosstheship.Theknifeslicedthroughadanglingropeeasily,justasapiratewasusingittoswing.Thena'plop':hefellintothewater.Iturnedaround.Itwasthemanwiththegreeneyes.Inoddedtowardhiminthanks,again.Heseemedtobefumingwithanger.

Thenextmoment,theblondemanshifted.Withouteventhinking,Iraisedmydaggertoblock.Tumblingandrolling,hisswordmissedmeeverytime.Smirking,Ilaunchedintoacomplicatedseriesofmovements,climbingandjumpingoffofcrates.Hewasgood–matchedmehitbyhitwithvigor.Myconcentrationinitsentiretyturnedontheman:somuchthatIwastoolatetocompletelydodgeastone.Ithitmyhand;mydaggerclatteredtotheground,andIwassuddenlyweaponless.Dodgingeachhit,Isurveyedmyopponent.

"Icanmakethisfair."Mywordsdistractedhim.Heaimedformyneck,butIsteppedtothesideatthelastmoment,myfingerscatchingthebladebetweenthem.Beforehehadtimetoreact,Itwistedmywristsharply,andtheswordwasflungintotheair.Leapingquicklyontoafewboxes,Ijumped,flipped,andcaughttheswordbeforelandingbackonmyfeet.ThankthegodsIhadenoughlucktokeepmyselffromtrippingforsolong.Iweighedthelightswordinmyhandashedrewouthissecondone.Smirking,helaunchedintoanotherattack.

Asifinthedistance,Iheardamanorder,"Commandyourmentosurrender!"Ichancedalookaroundme.Everyonewaseitherdeadoraliveandbounded.Iknewtheonlyreasonthestenchofbloodhadn'tgottentomewasbecauseofmyproximitytotheseaandofthestrongbreezeblowingthesmelltotheotherside.Thecaptainwasundertheeyeofapistolheldbythepirateleader.

"Key,stop,"thecaptainsaid.Iheardtheslighttremoroffear.

"No."

Fromthecornerofmyeyes,Isawthemanraisehispistoltome.Asecondlater,theshotrangout.Iknewhemissedwithoutevenchecking,butIwasconfused.Heshouldn'thavemissedme…heknewtherangewastooshortformetododgeaway.Withoutmissingastep,Iparriedtheblondemanashetookadvantageofmynonexistentdistractionandwentintodisarm.Raisingmyeyebrowathim,IheardCaptainPiratesnap,"Jasper,finishit."

Jasper,myopponent,quickenedhissteps.Theswordsclashedinthemiddle.Oureyesmet.Asifonacue,wewithdrewtogether."Tie,"Isaid,smiling.

Henodded."I'llbelookingforwardtofinishingthatduel."Itossedhisswordbacktohimandwentbacktopickupmydagger.AsIdid,abootedfootsteppedontheblade.

"Youdon'tseriouslybelieveIamgoingtoletyoukeepthatafteryourdisplay,areyou?"

Ididn'tsayanything,andmadeaswipeathim.Hewaspreparedforitandgrabbedmyelbowinstead,twistinguntilmybackwaspressedintimatelyagainsthischest;hisarmwastightaroundme.Bitingmytongueagainstagaspofshock,Iwriggleduntiloneofmyhandswasfree.Smiling,Iaskednonchalantly,"AndwhatareyougoingtodoifIjustdid?"

"Makeyouwalktheplank."Hisvoicewasharshbutsoft,hisbreathblewagainstmyear.IfIdidn'tknowbetter,Icouldalmostsayhewantedtoseduceme.Twisting

around,Ipushedmyselfawayfromhim.

"Youandwhatweapon?"Hiseyesnarrowedatme.Isawhishandsreachforthepistolonhisbeltandthenfeltforhiswhip.Neitherwasthere.Grinning,Itookbothfrombehindmyback."Lookingforsomething?"AsItwirledmynewwhiparound,hetookastepback.Itossedbothbacktohim,whichhecaughteasily,andbenttopickupmydagger.Afterreturningittoitsscabbard,Ihandeditreluctantlyover,too."Alright,tiemeup."

--

Theyboundedmeandlockedmeinacage.I'vesurveyedthelock:theyhadalockchainasifafraidthatI'dtakethembysurprisebysomehowslippingaway.Isnortedatthat.Theychainedthelockstogetherinaring,neverrealizingthatonlyoneofthemwasactuallythedoorlock;andbeingpadlocks,Icouldjustpickopenthatoneandalltheotheroneswouldfallaway.Sincethelastmeal,whichwasofburntbreadandsoupthatthreatenedtomakemedieofthirst,Itriedtofreemyselfofboundsandtrymyhandatthoselocks.

EversincethatnightwhenFatherdiedwithhisship,IneverhadanycontactwithMother.AtfirstItriedtofindher,butthehousekeeperofRochesterManorhadforbiddenmetostepin.Sheknewme,butitwasasifIhadneverspentfivewintersofmylifewithher,studyingunderhercare.

Leontookgoodcareofme.Ismiled,rememberinghowhealwaystaughtmetrickstofreemyselffromastickysituation…likenow.

Fingeringtheknotthattiedmyhandstogether,Ifoundtheloop.Asailor'sknot:thelongerIkeptatpickingit,thetighteritwillbe.Gentlyandstealthily,Iwriggledmyfingersuntilmythumbwasintheloop.Thataccomplished,Ituggedharshly,andmyhandswerefree.Checkingmywristsforropeburns,IwassatisfiedtoseethatIhadn'twhippedmyselfwiththeropeyet.

Nowthelocks.

Beingagirlhaditsquirks,for,intheprocessofdisguisingmyself,I'velearnedallsortsofplaceswhereIcouldhidesmallitems.Pickingoutalockpickfrommyhair,Istuckitinsidetheverylastlock.Smilingtomyselfwhenitclickedopen,IstealthilymademycottolookasifIwasasleep,relockedthedoorwithitschainofpadlocks,andcreptaway.Thekitchenwasmydestination…ifallwentwell.

Theshipwasdark;nolanternlitthedarkcabins,orthenarrowpassagewaythatledfromthedecktothecellars.Followingmyinstincts,IcursedwhenItrippedovera

strayboxandlandedheavilyonthefloorwithaloudthump.Cursingsilentlyatmyluck,Idartedintoanopendoor.

AsIheldmybreathtocalmmyracingheart,Isuddenlyrealizedthatthedarkroomwasnotempty…anditsoccupanthadrealizedthisaswell.

"Justwhatdoyouthinkyou'redoinginmyroom?"acold,emotionlessvoiceasked.

Stillwithmybacktohim,Iremainedquiet,asifoblivious.ItwasonlywhenIfeltsomethingcoldandhardpressedagainstmybackthatIturnedaroundsharply,fakingagasp.Inthedark,Icouldfaintlymakeouttheshapeofaburlyman.Dang,Ithought,Ijustmissedmycue.Withoutgivinganotherthought,Iwrappedmyhandaroundhisarm.Jerkingsharply,Igrinnedashisshotgunfellnicelyintomyhands.Hishissofpaintoldmewellenoughthathewasexpectingeverythingbutthat.

"Whatdoyouwant?"Isquintedathim.Heknewhowtokeepcool.Impressive.

Stillsayingnothing,Itookoutthetwobulletsintheshotgunhandedthegunbacktohim,andslippedoutthedoor,running,fingeringthefivebulletsfromthegunandfromhispocketthatIpicked.

ThecoolseaairhitmefullinthefacewhenIemergedabovethedeck.Climbingdeftlyontotheboom,Igrabbedalinetoclimbuptothecrow'snestwherethewatcherwaspracticallydroolinginhissleep.Fromabove,Icouldsurveyeverydetailoftheship.

Itwasworn,indeed.Therailingshaddeepscratchmarks,andthefurnishingsonthewoodwereworn.Iwonderedwheretheshipwilllandforrepairs.Withtheflagofthepiratesflyingabovethemainmast,Idoubtmanyportswillacceptthis.Swingingdowntothedeckagain,astrong,suddenbreezeswungmesuchthatIlostmyholdontherope.Tumblingonthedecktobreakmyfall,apitter-patterofbulletstoldmethattheyrainedonthedeck,too.

Clumsinesswaskickinginfullforcethisnight.Angryropeburnsslashedacrossmyhands.Mystomachremindedmeofmyoriginaldestination.Thekitchen.Belowdeck.Right.

Isurveyedtheshipagain,andsuddenlyIdidn'twanttogodown.Ifeltalmosthelplesswithoutmydagger,butIhadaninsaneurgetohelptheshipgetrepaired.Sheneedsaheckofalotofrepairjobs…forexample,thehalf-tornsails.

IknewIwasn'tstrongenoughtoremovethemallbymyself.Instead,Ifoundthreadandaneedlefromthestorageroom,wrappedmyselfaroundarope,andbeganmy

stitchinghanging.IguessthemostamusingpartcamewhenJaspersawmejustasastrongseabreezeblewmeupside-down.

"That'saninterestingwaytosewthesails,"hecalledout.

Ionlysmirked."Itlookedlikethesailsneededamusement,too,"Icalleddown.Wrappingmyfeetaroundtheropeagain,Iquicklyrightedmyself.Iheardhimchucklingonthedeck.

Finishedwithonehole,Iquicklyslippeddowntherope.Measuringanotherlengthofstring,Iwasgoingtocutitwhenasharp,angryvoiceasked,"Justwhatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"

"WhatdoesitlooklikeI'mdoing?"Iasked.IpeeredatwhoIwasspeakingto.CaptainPirate.IfeltmyheartsqueezewhenIsawmydaggerathisside.I'llhavetogetthatbacklater.

Hedidn'tbotheranswer."Howdidyougetout?"heaskedinstead.

"Throughadoor.Doyouexpectmetowalkthroughawall?"Ireturnedtomyneedleandthread.Pullingasmallknifefrommyboot,Icutthethread.Ifoldeditintoseverallayers,pretendingnottonoticethefumingcaptainbesideme.AfterIthreadedtheneedle,Iturnedtohim,puttingonmybestmock-seriousface."Youshouldteachyourcrewhowtobestusethelock…andcheckthelocksthemselves."

Turning,Imeasuredmylengthofthreadanddecidedthatitwaslongenough.Itwasquickworkgettingtothenextspotonthesailsthatneededrepair."Youknow,Ishouldnotbedoingthiskindofrepair.Ascaptain,youshouldgetyourmentotakethesaildownandrepairitinsteadofstandingtherelikeanangryidiot."WrappingtheropesaroundmylegssoIstayedatthesamespot,Isighedwhenthewindtoppledmeupside-downagain.Thecaptainwasstillstaringatmeinamixtureofshock,anger,and…curiosity?

"Speakingofwhich,Ineedtothankyou,formally,forthosetwodaggerthrows."Hisexpressionchangedtooneofoutrightfury.IsawJasperputacalminghandonhimasIrightedmyself…again.

HewasstilltherewhenIfinishedsewingtogethertherip…afterprickingmythumbsixtimes.

WhenIlandedondeckagain,Iturnedtohim."I'mseriouswhenIsaidthatyoushouldbetakingcareofyourship.AndIreallydon'tthinkstandingatthatspotunmovingiscalled'takingcareoftheship.'"Pullingoutmorethread,Icontinued

speaking."Sowhatareyougoingtodowithme?"

"Yourcaptainandmostofthecrewonyourshiparedead:theytriedtorunoff,"hereplied,sneering.

"Aye,you'dthinkIwouldknowthatbynow.Anythingelse?"Ismirkedathimagain.

"AndI'vedecidedtoletyoustay.Whatevertherestofthecrewdecidetodowithyouisfinewithme."

"Thanksforthewarmwelcome,"Isaidsarcastically."Now,ifyouwill,leavemetomysewingorhelpme."

Justasanote:Thisisn'taBellaandJasperstory...nomatterwhatitseemslikerightnow.Hehe...IguessIreallyenjoygettingEdwardoffbalance.AndIbetyouguyscanguessjustwhoEdwardis;)

Alsonote:EsmeandCarlislearenotontheship...butthey'regoingtohavesomeroletoplaylateron.Everyone'shuman,I'vefinallydecided:D

Enjoy!anddon'tforgettoleaveathought:D

--Cathy

P.S.I'mhavingalittlebitoftroublethinkingupanameforthepirateship...anyideas?

PromiseandTricks

(A/N):Heyaeveryone:DThankssomuchforallofthereviews!Ididn'treplytoeverysingleonebecauseIdidn'treallyknowwhattosaysometimes,butknowthatIreadthemandappreciatethemall:DIthinkI'vedecidedontheship'sname,butI'vestillyettofindagoodspottosaythenameatthemoment...

Anyways,here'sthethirdchapter.IjusthopeIdidn'tmaketheotherslooktoodumb...hehe:D

Added:Manypeoplehaveaskedwhethertheship'speoplethinkthatBella'saguy.TheanswerisYes.Bellahadtodisguiseherselfasayoungboyinordertobeconsideredasawatcherintheoldship.Andthathasn'treallychangednowthatshe'sonapirateship.;)Ihopethatclearsupsomemisunderstandings/confusions:D

Chapter3

Iwantedtobangmyheadonawall.TheytiedmeupassoonasIhadafreemoment.Imightaswellsaygoodbyetomycarefreereputationattheratethiswasgoing.

Theytiedmetoacross,thinkingthatwhenmyarmswereapart,Icouldn'tuntiemyself.Theyjustneverknewhoweasyitwastogetfreeofknotsandties…butIwasn'tabouttotellthemthatIwasfreewhentheywereallstaringatme.

Theyweremad.ThatIcouldtell.Ihadkilledtheirbrethren,Iguess,sotheyhadreasonto.Thecaptainalsoleftmeattheirmercy.However,atthisrate,I'ddieofboredombeforetheyactuallydecideona'torturous'plan,astheyputit.

Cannibals,allofthem.Apparently,theirso-calledtortureallinvolvedmegettingbakedinanovenandsoonerorlaterendingupintheirstomachs.Havetheyabsolutelynocreativity?!

Forgetthat…Iwon'tdieofboredomfirst.I'dmostlikelydieofdisgustbeforeboredom.

Atthatmoment,thedoorbangedopen.Perhapsthismanwouldbemorecreative.Herecognizedhewastheburlyman.

"DoInotgetashare?"hesaid,hisvoicelowandmenacing…oratleast,itsounded

likehetriedtomakeitmenacing.

"Noyoudon't.You'renotspecialenoughtojoininthefun,"Isaid,unabletostopmyselffromrollingmyeyes.

Hiseyesfocusedonmethen."I'mafraidyoudon'tgetasayinthis,boy."Hethenattemptedtomakehimselflookmanly,chestpuffedandarmsbentasiftoshowmuscles."I'vekilledforcommentslessthanthat."

Ishookmyhead."Andhowmanywerebeingofferedtoyoulikesacrificialvictims?"

Heslappedme.Itstung.Alot.Ikeptmyfaceunreadable."Neverthoughtyou'dbetheslappingtype,"Icommented.That'sgoingtobruiselater.Hedidn'tsayanything.Thenextsecond,hepunchedmeinthestomach.Ifeltbileinmymouth.Spittingitout,Isighed."Notbad,thatone."

"Thatwasforflingingmeintotheseawiththatdaggerthrow."

Ihadtolaughatthat."Thankyourgoodol'captainforthatdagger,notme."Ipaused."Youmakegoodbellyflops.How'sthebelly?"

"Doesn'thurtasmuchasyours."

Smirking,Icouldn'thelpbutadd,"KnewIshould'veaimedforthebellyinsteadoftherope."

"Youshouldwatchwhatyousay."Hehadadaggerinhishand.Ieyeditcarefully.

"Howlongsinceyoulastsharpenedyourdagger?"

Ihadcaughthimbysurprise.Notbotheringtowaitindefinitelyforananswer,Iquicklyloosenedtheropestyingmetothecross,pluckedthedaggeroutofhishand,andslicedmypalmwithit.Iheldmypalmforhimtosee:therewasnotamarkonit."Andyouwereplanningtocutmytonguewiththat?"

"Howdoyouknow-"Hiseyessquintedatme."Whatisyourname?"

"Key,"Ichirped."Andyours?"

"Emmett."Heseemedshockedthathewasansweringmyquestion.

"Great!Wonderfultomeetyou!"Iflashedafakegrin.Imadetoleave,buthepushedhardonmyshoulder,forcingmetokeel.

"Youdon'tgettoleavejustyet."Ishruggedinreply.Itwasn'tasifIhadactuallyexpectedtogetawayanyways.

Heturnedtotheothers,askingwhetherthecaptain,Edward,hisnamewas,gaveanyorders.Everyoneshooktheirheadsglumly.Ismirked."Heycaptain!Emmettwantstoaskyouaquestion!"

Edwardsteppedoutfromtheship'scabin.Assoonashesawme,however,hiseyesgrewfurious.

"Whatdoyouwant?"

Ishrugged,pointingtoEmmett."Hewantedsomething,notme."

"Whatkindofreasoncouldhefindthat'dstopyoufromgettinghistongue?"EdwardsaidtoEmmett.Irolledmyeyes.

"Heneversharpenedhisdaggerinwho-knows-how-long."Hiseyesturnedtome.Theylookedalmostblackwithfury.

Hedidn'tsayanything.Hepulledoutaskinnydagger."Andhowaboutthisone?It'ssharpenedjustforyou."

Iwantedtogiggle.Hewasbeingridiculous."Aye,andjusthowbigofapuddledoyouwanttomakeofmybloodonyourunpolisheddeck?Youshouldknowthatoncethebloodgetstointothewood,it'dnevercomeoutunlessyoureplacetheentireplank,aye?"

"Drownhim!"someoneyelled.

"Won'tdo…you'donlysetmefree."Theylookedatme,confused.Isighed,howdimcouldtheybe?!"Icanswim."

"Tieyouupandthenthrowyou!"

"Haven'tyourealizedjusthowfastIcanuntieknots?"

"Tieacannonball–"

"Butyoudon'thaveone."

Edwardturnedonme."Howdoyouknowwedon'thaveone?"

"One,youjusttoldme.Two,ifyouhadacannonball,you'dhaveuseditwhile

seizingtheshipyesterday."

"Andwhatifwesavedit?"

Ilaughedthen."Oh,soyousavedthecannonballnotjusttofight,buttodrownme?Ishouldbehonoredtobethoughtofsohighly!"Isighed."Butyoustilldon'thaveone."

Edward'sfacewaslivid.HeturnedabruptlyawaywhenIraisedmyeyebrowathimandpacedaroundthedeck,pinchingthebridgeofthisnose.Ididn'tsayanythingforafewseconds.Hisshouldersalmostseemedtosaginrelief.

"WhatmustIdotoshutyouup?"Hegritted.

"Killme,silenceme,butifyoureallywantmyinabilitytospeak,letmework,"IrepliedwithalltheseriousnessIcouldmanage.MaybeIhadachancetoliveuntilwedockatport…maybenot…Apparently,thatideaseemedtoannoyhimmorethanmypreviouschatter.Heresumedhisattemptatwalkingaholeintotheshipanddrowninghimself.

"Youknow,thebestwaytosinkashipisnotmakingaholeonthedeck?Youshouldwalkaholeinthehullinstead."

IguessIpushedthatlastbutton.Thenextmoment,hepulledoutagunandpointedatme."Icanshootthis,youknow?Andthistime,Iwon'tmiss."

"Youwanttousethatlastbulletonme?"Ismirked.Hedidn'tsayanything.Hissmileturnedalmostevil.

"Yes."

Smiling,Iraisedmychinup."ThenIshallbehonoredtodiebyyourlastbullet."Ihadhidallthebulletsontheshiporthrewthemintothesea.Ionlyleftoneinhisgun.Istaredintohiseyes.Hewasstandingsoclose;Icouldfeelhisbreathstirringmyhairunderitsbandana.Andhiseyesweresuchavibrantgreen,madelivelierbythefactthathewasfuming.

Comeon,shootme,Ithought,eventhoughIknewhecouldn'thear.Idareyouto.

Hisfingeronthetriggerwavered,andthenhebrokeaway,backtohispacing.Hecouldn'tdoit.

Midwaythroughhispacing,hethrewthegunatme.Icaughtiteasily,fingers

automaticallygoingtothelatch.

Thegunwasempty.

Henevercouldhavekilledmewithitanyways.

"Iwantabulletbackintothatgunbytomorrowmorning,"hesaid,turningaway.Andthenthelightcaughtsomethingglintinginhishand.

Itwasashinybullet.

Staringathisretreatingshadow,Islowlysmiledinvictory.

Hehadacceptedthedeal.

--

IamgoingtokillEmmett!Hemademehaultenbucketsofwaterupintothecrow'snest,andthendecidedthattherewastoomuchweightforthewoodenboardstohandle,mademebringfiveofthemdown,onlytofindthatthebucketshadnotenoughwater…andmademerepeattheprocessafterretrievingtheremainingbucketsfromthenest.

Afterward,hemademeswabthedeckwhenthebucketsofwaterIwassupposedtousewereallinthecrow'snest!Iswear,nexttimehewantsmetoswingupanddowntheropeswithabucketofwater,Iwillhavemypayback.

Butnow…Istillhavetoswabthedeck.

Andthewaterhadturnedrainbowcolorsinthesun.

Igrittedmyteeth.Sonowtheygavemethedeckpolish…andwastedquiteabunch,too,bydumpingitinthewater.Ichangedmymind.Iamgoingtokillthecrewinstead.

IwonderedwhatLeonwouldsayifheknewthepracticaljokesthatthecrewandEmmettplayedonme.He'dtellmetofightback–turntheirtricksbackontothem.Ingenious,really,butquitehardtodoifcircumstancesweren'tright.

Ilookedup.Tenoftheship'screwmenwerestandingdirectlyinfrontofme,theirbootsdirtyasheckfromwho-knows-what,andsmirkingatme."Ihopeyoucanenjoyyourbaths,"Imuttered.Onlytwoofthemenlookedshocked.I'llstartwiththemtwofirst.

TheropeswereextraslipperywhenIusedthemtoswingaround.Theysmirkedatmewhentheysawmeslipping,butIonlysmiledback.

"Ihaveamopandavoice,andI'mnotafraidtousethem,"Iproclaimedtothem.Stunningyouropponentsisoftenthefirststeptomakingthemrespectyou…andtodefeatthem.Twirlingthemoparoundmywrist,Icaughtitandmadetoswabthedeckagain.Only…Ididn't.

Someoutrageoussweepingmotions,tenshrieks,andten'plop'slater,thedeckwaswellpolishedandfreeofthescoundrels.Iwassurprisedtheydidn'tputupmoreofaresistance.Themobsweptthemcleanlyofftheirfeet,quiteliterally.

"Help!"

Ilookedintothewater,andtheretheywere,strugglinginthegentlewavesfromtheship.Islidtothenearestpileofspareropes,laughingoutloudwhenIrealizedtheyweredrenchedinoilanddeckpolish.Theidiots,theyneverthoughtthatnotdrenchingeverythingincablejustmightsavethem.

Lassoingit,Iwentbacktotherailingandtossedtheropedownandtyingthetopintoatightknottothepost.Theysworewhentheytouchedthedanglingropes.Andbeforelong,Iwasintroducedtothecolorfulvocabularyoftheship'smembers…althoughsomeweremuchmoreamusingthancolorful…

"Youseven-tailedgoose-sonofaflyingdonkey!Whyintheworlddidyoudumptheidioticgod-forbiddenoilonthegod-forbiddenrope?!"

"Me?!Iwasn'ttheonewhowantedthatfoxofaladdeadasadoornail!"

ThatwaswhenIsawCaptainEdwardandJasperwalkoutfromthecabin.Iwhistledtothemandpointedattheseabehindtheship.Jasperwasmildlyamusedwhenhewalkedover,towingasuddenly-annoyed-lookingEdwardbehindhim.

"Nomorewhistling…youmakeusseemlikedogs,"Edwardmuttered,asifcursinghimselfforsomething.Ipretendedtonothear,andcontinuedwhistling,makinggestures,andpantomiminguntiltheylookedouttothesea.

Edwardsquintedatthehorizonasifsearchingforunknownships.Jasper,whowinkedatme,evenpulledoutatelescope,whichwasquicklysnatchedawaybythecaptain.Afterafewminutesofobservation,Edwardseemedstillobliviousofthestrugglingmenrightunderneathhiseyes.Finally,heturnedtome."There'snothingthere."

Grabbingascratchofpaperfromhispocket,Iwettedmyfingeranddrewtwomen,aline,andablockofwood.Jasperwaspracticallybreakingdowninamusement.Hemostlikelyknewwhathadhappenedalready.Edwardwasonlymakingafoolofhimself.

"Person?"Ishookmyhead,no."People?Man?"Edwardasked.Hiseyebrowswerefurrowedtogether.Hewasliterate,Iknew,butitwasmuchmorefuntoplaypictionary."Over?"Anodfromme."Block?"No."Wood?"No."Plank?"No."Board!"heexclaimed.Inoddedhappily,maskingmyurgetolaughhysterically."Manoverboard!"Heturnedaroundandlookedoutrightbytheship.

Andtherefloatedtenofhismen,teethchattering,tryingtoswimmightilyaftertheship,andstillswearingwithapparentvigor.Howhecouldignoreallthatswearingfromrightbelowhisears,Ihadnoidea.JasperchuckledwhenhefoundtheropeIhadtosseddownslipperyasheck…andEdwardnarrowedhiseyesatme.

Iwantedtocomment,buthadtobitmytongue.Itwouldnotbegoodtobreakthatdealatthismoment.

"Ithoughtyousaidman?"Ishruggedinanswer.Idrewtwomen.

--

"Areyoutryingtotellmethatthisskinnyladheremoppedyoualloverboard?!"boomedafumingEmmett,pacinginfastcirclesaroundtheroom."Areyoupiratesorabunchoflittlegirls?"TherewasasynchronizedgroanthroughouttheroomattheloudnoiseandEmmett'squickpacing,butnoonedaredsayaword.Icouldn'thelpbreakingintoanamusedgrin,whichcausedseveralofthecrewmemberstoglareatme."Andwhowasitthatdumpedtheoilontoalltheropes?Iftheropesweren'tsoslippery,youidiotswon'tbeinbedshivering!"

IknewIhadtogetawayfromtheroom.Thetenmenwereinthecoldwaterabittoolong…andbythetimeJasperfinallyfoundacablethatwasnotoiledandpulledthemalloutofthewater,theyallendedupcatchinghighfeversbeforethenightsetin.

Slippingquietlyout,Ipracticallyranontothedeckandspilledmylaughter.I'llhavetogoinsidelatertobringthemtheirtonicandsetpeace.Withalittleluck,theywon'tbetryingtokillmeanymore.

--

"Sohowareyouallfeelin'?"Iasked,bringingatraythattheCook,Rosalie,provided

with.

"You!"oneofthemyelledbeforesuddenlygroaningandfallingbackintobed.

"Aye,me."Ipaused."Butconsideringyou'veaheadache,fever,chills,andallthatjazz,Iwouldn'tbeashostiletowardyourcaretakerifIwereyou."

"Theystiffened.Oneofthemmuttered,"Don'tworry'boutit.Wedon'tholdgrudges."Hisaccompanyingsneertoldmeotherwise.

"Nicewaytofinallymeetya,"suppliedanother.Thefakenicetieswerepermeatingtheair.

"Sohow'syourfevers?"

"How'syourback?"oneofthem,Dominik,sneered.

"It'salive.Iwasn'texpectingaseagulltoappearthisfarfromlandandweartheropeoutjustasIreachedthetop,thatwasforsure."Laughing,Irealizedhowridiculousthatsounded."Ihavetopraiseyouforthatwork.Neverthoughtyou'dhavethecreativity."

"Anytime.Hadtopraiseya,too.Neverthoughtyoucouldsinglehandedlylandusallinwaterwithamopfromonemomenttothenext.Aye,you'relikethisslugIonceknewwhobecametooselfish."Hisvoicelowered."Yawanttoknowwhathappenedtohim?"

Ididn'twanttoknowwhathappenedtotheslug."Na.Themoppingwastogetridofthesetenstinkingbeetlesoffthedeckbecausetheyseriouslysmelledbad."

Dominikstarted."Yawatchwhatyasay,lad!I've–"

"Youkilledmenforlesserinsults."Ifinisheditforhim.Smirking,Iasked,"weretheyactuallymenorweretheystilldependingonmilk?"

"Youwatchforthemseagulls.Theywillfeastonyouoneday,"hehissed.

Ionlysmiled."Andyouwatchoutfordeckswabbers.Theycanactuallymakeyouintoafish'smealoneday."

Theotherslaughed.Twosecondslater,hejoinedin."Alright,wetrustyawon'ttryterpoisonusinHerCook'sfamoustonic.Bringit!"

Ipouredeachofthemacupandthenpassedabottleofrum.Laughingheartilywith

them,Icountedmyselflucky.Tendown,fourmoretogo.

YayBella!:DNextchapter,she(hopefully)canmakepeacewithEdward,Emmett,Alice(who'syettobeintroducedfully),andRosalie;)

Yourcommentsarealwaysappreciated:DImightnotreplytoeverysingleone,butIdoreadthemall:Dleaveanoteandtellmewhatyouthink!

--Cathy

MakingPeace

A/N:Iwasreallybusythepastweekandahalf...sothiscameoutlaterthanIthoughtitwould.Ilikehowthischapterturnedout...althoughI'mprobablynotgoingtosaythatastimegoesonandIrealizethatIshould'vedonesomethingtosetsomethingelseup...butI'llworryaboutthatlater.

AndIwanttosaythankyoutoallmyreviewers.ThereviewshelpmemorethanIcouldputinwords,eventhoughsometimesIamstunnedanddon'tknowwhattoreply.

Chapter4

"Don'tevenpretendinnocence!"Emmettshouted."Iknowitwasyou!"

"Doyouwanttheiceornot?Icanalwaysbringabucket–"Istarted…hecutmeoff.

"Whatdoyouwant?"

"Youstoptryingtoworkmetodeath,"Isaidnonchalantly."Icouldevengosofaraspromisethatbucketswon'tfallrandomlyoutoftheskytodrenchyouandgiveyouaconcussion,speakingofwhich,I'veabucketoficeherethatmightgowellonyourhead."

Healmostseemedtoblanchatthethoughtoftheiceandthebucketlandingontopofhim."AndwhatmakesyouthinkIwon'twhipyouuntilIseeyourbonesinstead?"

"Ohseveralthings,"Iresponded,smirking."Firstofall,you'reincapacitatedtotheextreme.Theonlyreasonyouhaven'tfaintedfromyourpreviousshoutingepisodeisbecauseyou'relyingdown.YoutryliftingyourheadupandI'dbetyoucan't."Hedidtrytolifthisheadupatthatpoint,buthefelldownwithagroan,clutchinghisheadinpain."Tut,tut.Don'tyoueverheedthewisewordsofmine?"

"Never,"hesaidchildishly.

"Now,secondly,yourcaptainhasconvenientlylosthiswhip.Hisswordendedupinasackofflour,whichwassomehowleftinatubwithwaterleakingdirectlyintoit.AndthebulletIputbackintohisgunwasgluedinplace."Itsked."Heneedstolearntotakecareofhisstuff."

"Allyourdoing,ifIbetmylifeonit,"hemuttered.

"Youdon'tknowthat."Ipaused."Speakingofwhich,Ihaven'tseenhimforthepastthreedays."TakingthebucketoficeIpouredsomewaterintoitandaclothtosoakitinbeforeputtingtheclothonEmmett'shead."Now,truce?"

Henoddedgrudgingly,turninghisheadchildishlyawayfrommetoadmithisdefeatandgrumblingabouthowIwasjustavoidingthecaptain'sfury."Youjustwait,"Iheardhimmutter.

Honestly,itreallywasanaccidentthatIdecidedtostringallthebucketsofwatertogetherinordertocarryitupinonetrip.Withoutthecrewtoplaytricks,theropeswereamazinglyclearofoilandjunk.Itseriouslywasn'tmyfaultthatEmmettwantedmetofollowthroughthecarryingwaterprocedureandhestartledmefrombelowwhenheyelledformetobefaster.Itried–Ireallytriedtobefaster,bymyfootslippedontheropeandIstartedfalling.Realizingthatthewaterwastooheavyformetosave,Iletitgo,grabbingontocablesandswingingmyselfsafelytothedeckinstead.

AmomentafterIlanded,Iheardthecrashofthewaterbucketsasallofthemtumbleddown–Iwasalmostatthecrow'snestwhenIlostmyfooting.ThereweretencrashesandthenaloudthumpasEmmettfellontothedeck.Apparently,hehadmovedrightunderthewaterbuckets.Itseriouslywasn'tmyfault.Alice,ashort,pixie-likewomanwithspikyhair(andshewasthedoctor),hadglaredatme,asdidRosalie,whenEmmettwastakenintohiscabintobetreated.Myfoodwasextremelyterriblethesedayscomparedtotheothers.Sighing,IknewIstillhadmykitchendutiesfortheday.MaybeIcouldcalmRosalietheCookenoughtomakemyselfameal.Itwasnotlikesheknewhowtocookanyways…

--

Thekitchensmelledlikeafilthyalleyway.Half-rottentubersweremixedinwithsemi-freshonesandpotatopeelswerescatteredalloverthewoodenfloors.Icouldhaveswornitwasnotlikethisjustadayago…butRosalieblamedeverythingontomeandIhadtocleanupeverythingwhileshepeeledevenmorepotatoesformetocleanup.

Iwatchedstealthilyasshetriedtomixtoomuchintoapottoolittle.Ireallydon'tknowhowtogoaboutthis,Ithought,sighingindefeat.Themen,Iknewhowtohandle.Womenweretrickythings.Theydon'talwaysactthebestway,nordotheyalwayshavethebestofhumor.TheonlywayIknewofwastotreatstubbornnesswithstubbornness.Smiling,Ihurriedlysweptallthewastesonthegroundintoasackandtiedaknot.

Withoutaskingpermission,Itossedafewpotatoesandleft-overvegetablesontoawoodenboard,whippedoutaknifefrommyboots,andbeganfuriouslychoppingastheCookfinishedstirringanugly-lookingstewthecolorofvomit.

"Justwhatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"shesnapped.

"JustwhatdoyouthinkI'mdoing?"Isnappedback."It'scalledchoppingpotatoes.I'msureyou'veheardoftheart."

"Andwhatmakesyouthinkyou'reallowedtotouchfood?"

"Thisisformyself,"Ipointedtomysmallpileofchoppeddriedonions,potatoes,anddriedcarrots.Pointingtothegiantstewpot,Isaid,"Thatisforthecrew.Sowhycan'tItouchmyownfood?"

Sheopenedhermouthandclosedit,asifwantingtosaysomethingandthenchanginghermind.Ijustsmirked,firststewingthepotatoesinasmallbowluntiltheyweremushyandthenaddingintheonionsandcarrots.Apinchofsaltandadabofpepper,andmystewwasready.Itwasalmostpurewhitewithfloatingbitsoforangecarrotsandalmosttransparentonions.Potatostew:probablyoneoftheonlythingsIcouldcookwithoutburningafinger.

Andshejuststoodthere,watchingmeasthekitchenwassoonmixedwithawonderfulsmellandamore…compromisedone.Sheflinchedwhenshesmelledit.

Ignoringhercompletely,Ibroughtmystewovertothesmallwoodentable,satdown,andtastedit.Thefirstspoonfulbroughtbackthememoriesofmyveryfirststew.Leonhadtakenmetotheforest,teachingmetopickmushroomsandfindedibleplants.Iburntthroughpracticallytheentirefoodsupplythatfirstnightbeforefinallylearningthatmushroomswerenotsupposedtoturnblackandhardwhencooked…neithershouldanythingelse.AtleastI'dlearnedbettersincethen.

Rosaliewasproud.Outofthecornerofmyeye,Iwatchedasshestaredforlornlyatmystewandthenathers.Shewasstrugglingtoaskforhelp.Icountedinmyheadthesecondsuntilthewordsfloodout.Five…four…three…two…one…

"Youcancook,"sheburstout,staringatmeoddly.

"Selectively,"Iansweredcurtly."Moresatisfiedeatingmyowncreationthanyours."

Herearsturnedpinkatthat."Thecrew,evenEmmett,alwayswantedtosaythat,butneverdaredto,"shesaidsoftly.

"Ifyoukeepthatprettynoseofyoursupintheairsomuch,youcan'texpectpeopletobetruthful."Shelaugheddryly.

"Ishouldtakeoffensetothat,butIfeelasifIammoreamused."

"Good,yourheadiscomingoutoftheclouds,"Ilaughed.Shehadagoodhumor.

Andthenshesuddenlylosthersmile,andturnedserious.

"Teachmetocook,andI'llforgiveyouaslongasyoudon'tcausetrouble!"Iputonamaskofshock.

"What?"

Shehesitated."I-I'llstop..."Iraisedaneyebrow."Stopmakingsomuchtroubletoyou,Imean."Shewasflustered,turningevenpinkerintheears.

"I'llcookifyoucanchop,"Ioffered,decidingthatherembarrassmentwasenough.Anymore,andI'dbemakinganenemyinsteadofatruce.

Shebrightened,offeringahandtoshake."Deal."Hergripwasfirm:shewouldnotgobackonitanytimesoon.However,shewasfarfromanally.Ihadoffendedhernomatterhowwellshehidit.

--

Dinnerthatnightwasmarginallybetterthanbefore.Itriedtosalvagethebigmeshofoff-greenstew.Itendedupturningslightlybrown,butatleasttastedsomewhatdecent.EveryonewassopleasantlysurprisedthateventhecaptainstaredatmeinamusementwhenRosaliesaidIhadhelped.Hislipswerecurledintoahalf-smileasifhewantedtolaughbutstrugglingtoholditin.

Whendinnerwasfinallyover,Iwasexhausted.Carryingatubofdirtydishes,Itrippedoverastraychairleg.Watchingasthefloorcameuptomeetme,Itriedtotwistaroundtosetthedishesdownbeforetheybreak.But…itturnedoutIdidn'thaveto.

Atthelastsecond,thetubwaswrenchedfrommyhands,butIwastoolatetobreakthefallwithmyarms.Myleftshoulderthrobbedinpain;Ifeltheavilywinded.Ihadtostayimmobileasthepainrecededtoamorebearablelevel.

Andwhenitdid,Iopenedmyeyestoseeashortpixie-likewomanwiththetubofdishesinhand.Alice."Ihavecertainlyneverseenanyoneuseaswordwithsuch

gracebutenduponthegroundlikealumpofwood."

Iblushed,swearingsoftlytomyself."Theflatsurfacelovesmetoomuchallowmesuchapparentgrace,"Iansweredflatly."HowmayIhelpyou?"

Shesmiled."IbelieveIknowthatwhatIamseeingisn'twhoyoutrulyare."

Istiffenedatherwords.Peopledon'tlookformorethantheysee.Iftheysawayoungboy,thentheydon'tseektoseeanythingmorethanaboy…andwhattheydon'tseektosee,theydon'tseeatall.ThatwastheonlyreasonIwasabletoencroachonsomanyescapadesasaship'swatcher,aboy'sjob.

Forcingmyselftorelax,Iasked,"Andjustwhatdoyouseeinmepastthisfaçade?"

Shejustshrugged,suddenlyhappy."Idon'tseepastyourmask.Iseewhatisgoingtohappenbecauseofit."Shewinkedatme,enthusiasticallygraspingmyhandandshakingit."We'regoingtobegoodfriends,Icanseethat."And…withanover-exaggeratedbow,sheleftme.

Forthefirsttimeincountlessyears,Ifeltstunned.ThatwascertainlyeasierthanIthoughtitwouldbe.ButthenIwasalsoontheedge.Whatdidshemean?

--

"Howdycaptain!"Igreetedthebronze-hair,fair-skinnedmanwhohadtakencommandovertheship.Hejumped,hisknucklessuddenlyturningwhiteclutchingthecablehewassecuringdown.

"Youaren'tsupposedtotalk,"hesaid,turningtolookatmewhiletyinganotherknot.Hismouthwassetinafrown,buthiseyeswerecurious,amused.Andwhenhestraightenedup,Irealizedjusthowtallhewas…Imeaslyheightwasbarelyabovehisshoulders.GladthatIhadenoughsensetostandfarenoughawaythatIdidn'thavetolookupsomuchtomeethiseyes,Ismirked.

"Don'tevenpretendtoactangry.You'renevergoingtobecomeanactor."

"AndjustwhosaidIwantedtobeanactor?"Hepaused."Don'tsidetrackme.Icankillyouforyourbreakingthedeal."

Ijustsmirkedathim,walkingaroundhiminafullcircle.Hiseyesfollowedme,curiousbutguarded."Firstofall,ifyoucan'tact,don'teventry.Second,you'venaughtonyoutokillmewithexceptyourbarehands."

Iwasstandinginfrontofhimagain,fingeringthehiltofmyfather'sdagger…itwasminenowforthepasttenyears.NomatterhowIwantedtotemporarilyruinthebladetoprotectmyself,Icouldn't.LeonhadasmallstoreofFather'solditems.Thisdaggerwastheonlyonepreservedwellenoughtoactuallyslicethroughbread…andjustabouteverything.Thebladewasmadefromsparklingmaratite-embeddedsteel:sharpenoughtocutthroughpracticallyeverything.Itwasthemostprizedofallmyfather'spossessionsapartfromtheboxofmymother'sitemsandhisship.

Heclearedhisthroat,startlingmefrommyreverie.Hehadseenthedaggerinmyhands.But,insteadofbecominganguished,helookedasifhewasamusedtonoend."Why,you'realittlethief!"Hechuckled."Andthefactthatallmyotherattemptsbeingthwartedareyourdoing,too,anddon'tevendenyit."

Caughtunaware,Ialmostgawkedathim."Thisismineinthefirstplace,soyou'rethethief,"Isaid,tryingtoexcusemyself.Tomyamazement,hestartedlaughing."Itwasmyfather's.ThebladesaysC.S.–"Isnappedmymouthshut.Thatwastoomuchinformation,andthosewhowereloose-tonguedalwaysendedupdead.

"Butyoucan'tdenyyoutriedtostealitback."Hehadchosentocompletelyignoremylastsentence.Isighedinrelief,becomingmischievous.

"Andjustwhatareyoutalkingabout?"Hestaredatmeinshock.HishandhadfallenonthehiltofthedaggerIwasholdingjustasecondago.Andthen,aslow,crookedsmilespreadacrosshisface.

"Youwillgetthisbackoncewedock.It'llbesafeinmycustodyuntilthen,"hepromised.Isalutedtohim.

"Aye,thanks,"Isaid.Preparingmyselftoswinguptothewatcher'spositionEmmetthadfinallyallowedmetotake,Igrabbedaropeandswungaroundtohim,winking."Youneedtoworkhardertokeepthatcoolfaçadefromme,Captain.Orelseyourcrewmightthinkyou'vesoftenedup."

AsIclimbedaway,Iheardhissnort.

--

Theportlookedmuchclosernow.Perhapsanhour,maybetwo,andtheshipwouldbedocking.Excited,Iswungamidsttheropesandcables,feelingsuddenlyfreeforthefirsttimesinceIarrivedontheship.EclipsedTwilight,it'scalled,soundingsomysterious.Ihadgiventhenameonthesternsideamakeover.Alicehadstaredatme,amused."Swirlsandtwirlsonlettering?Neverknewaboytobesocreative."

"There'salargerskythantheskyyousee,"Ihadmuttered,feelingincrediblyidiotic.

"Somebodyfeelshappy,"avoicecalled.Jasper.

Grinning,Iletgooftherope,laughingshrillytheentirewaydown.Ihadn'tcalculatedmylandingright.Thenextmoment,Icrashlandedinapuddleofdeckpolish,slipping,andknockingintothenearestperson:Edward.Hereflexivelycaughtme,surprisedthatIhadsuchanindignantfall.

Straighteningupandflushing,Icalledout,"Gooddaytoyou,too,Jasper…andEdward."Edwardonlygrunted,seemingtotakemylastwarningtoheart.Jasperchuckled.

"I'vebeenwaitingtogettoSarijamportforweeks!"Iearnedmorechuckles.Composingmyself,Iasked,"What'syourplanhere?"

"Gettingtheshiprepairedandthenbeonourway,"Edwardrepliedcurtly,handingmemydagger."Youcanbeonyourwayassoonaswedock."

ResistingtheurgetoactlikethechildIsoundedlikeandstickingmytongueout,Ianswered,"Idon'tthinkwe'llmeetagain.So…haveanicelife."TurningtoJasper,Iofferedmyhandtoshake."Whenyoutaketheshiptotherepair,gotoBromden'sshopandtellhimtogiveyouadiscount."

Whentheshipdocked,Isprangdeftlyaway,catchingacabletoswingtotheland,feelingatonceexhilaratedanddizzy.Alicewassomehowdirectlyinfrontofme."Don'tsaygoodbyetowhatyou'llreturnto,"shesaid,handingmeawrinkledpieceofpaper."YouwillcomebackifIeverhaveasayinit."Andwiththat,shedisappeareddownthestreet.

Ilookeddownonthewrinkledpieceofpaper.Onitwasabriefdescriptiononwherethefamilywouldstayatandadeparturedate.Atthebottomwerethewords

Youwillbethere,evenifyoutrynotto.

Headinghome,Iwonderedwhatitmeantbeforesettingitasidetoexaminelater.Isawmyoldfriendsdownthestreet,chattingaway.Itwastimetoannouncemyarrival.

Sowhatd'yathink?I'veseveralthingsplannedforthenextchapter...andI'mreallyexcited(aren'tIalways?lol)

Youknowwhat'skindaodd?I'mnotevenhalfwaydonewiththisone,andI'vealreadykindasortastartedonanotherstory.ThebasicplotisplannedalreadyandI'vetheprologuewritten...butIdon'tthinkI'mgoingtopublishitonthesiteuntilI'mdonewiththisone,orelseI'llnevermanagetoupdateanything...(insertblushhere)

Butanyways...tellmewhatyouthink!:D

--Cathy

Whenyouneeditmost

A/N:hehe...Iknowthischapter'slate,butIwasreallybusythepasttwoweeks.Myhistoryteacherhada7-pagepaperthatwassupposedtobeduenextweek,buthepushedthedeadlineupaweekandahalfearlierthanusual...soIgotdistractedbythat.Andalso...IhadmyStudentResearchpresentationjusttoday.IthadtobethelargestpresentationIhadevergiven.About40-50ofkids/adultsinmyschoolcametoit,andatleast10-15morehadtobeturnedawayfrommypresentationroomjustbecauseitgottobesofull.IthinkIdidwellonit...atleast,inmybook,theabilitytomaketheaudiencelaughatyourjokesisalwaysagoodsign...butI'llseewhenIgetthescoresheet.

Iwasparticularlyenjoyingthischapter...butIhadtocutitalittleintheendandputtheendingpart(you'llsee)inthenextchapter.I'llcontinueattheendsoyouguyscanreadXD.Chaptertitleissupposetobereadinconjunctionwiththenextone...whichwillbe"itwillappear"...sothephraseis"whenyouneeditmost,itwillappear";).

Chapter5

-Interlude-

Theamulet…that'sallIhadsoughtfor.EvenifImasteredtheartofthosestupidwizards,Istillneedthatlastrelic.Yesss…thatsingleamuletwouldallowmetoliveforever.Hesaidso,andhewouldn'tlietomewhenhislifewasonsuchathingthread.Marcus,alwaysthecarefulone,butalsofearful,selfish.

IttookmemuchmoretroublethanIcould'vestrivedfortofindtheamulet.Ihadtobringmyselfhalfwaybetweentheriftoflifeanddeath,alwayswalkingonasinglepathwiththebreadthofahair.ForfiftyyearsIhaddoneso,andforfiftyyearsIhadnotchangedinlooks.MyVictoriafollowedme,faithfulasalways.AtfirstIhadfearedforhermotives,butthatfearwassoonreplacedbysatisfaction.ShecouldneverleavemeevenifItoldherto.

Nevertheless,herpresencemadethefiftytoilingyearsmoretolerable.Thespellwasstillstrong.Heck,aslongastheamuletexisted,thespellwillalwaysbestrong:thespellthatkeptmefrombecomingafullshade–onepowerfulenoughtobreaktheseriesofprotectionsaroundtheroyalfamilyandtakethethrone.Arowastoocareful.Helockedthesourceofthespellintoanamuletinsteadofaperson.Athingismuchhardertofind,totrack.It'llbehisfault,whateverfatewillbefallonthekeeperofthependantnow.

IletmyeyesroamoverthesmokyruinsonceknownastheRochesterManor.TheLadyofRochesterwasastubbornone.Shehadtheamulet…Itracedthelineallthewaytoher.Butshekeptonsayingnothingaboutit.IsawtheflickerofrecognitionwhenIdescribedit.ReneeRochesterknewthewhereaboutsoftheamulet.

AndsoIthreatenedher.Sheneverbudged.Andonceshedid,Ikilledher.I'dliketothinkofitasmercy.Shecouldnevertrulyrestalive,anyways,knowingthatthelivesoftenofherstaffandherhusbanddiedonherbehalf.Ilookedattheheart-shapedpendantinmyhands,sneeringatit.ShemadearuseandIfellforit.TheamuletshementionedwasneverthesamerelicIneeded.Itwasafake!

ForsixmonthsIhadbelievedthattheamuletshehadwasthetrueSapphireAmulet,onlytohaveapassinggemspecialisttellmethatthesapphirewasfake,thegoldwasfake.Eventhemetalbearingswerefake.Ihadlaboredhoursovertryingtoopenit,unravelitsmagic,andthenusingthatverymagictodestroyitselfwithoutsuccess…andnowIfoundthatitneverhadaclaspinthefirstplace!

AndIstartedmytrackingagain.

ReneeRochesterwasnotalwaysaRochester.ShehadmarriedCaptainCharlesSwanandhadadaughter:heronlychild.Thechildwastricky.Evenwhenonlyseven,shespottedtheerrorintheshiproutetooearly.Shehadescapedtheshipwreckevenifherfatherdidn't.Ihadgottenridofthatparticularagent.Heneverescapedinthedingyeither.

Andthenforfiveentireyears,Ihadlostalltracesofthatlittlebrat.Shewaslikeafeather:onceshepassedthrough,therewasnohintthatthefeathereverexisted.

LuckwasonmysidethedayIcameacrossaship.Shewasinit,Iknew.Sheknewsomethingwasamiss,evenifshecouldn'tseeme.Undermyscrutiny,sheshifted,finallyswingingfromthemainmasttoagroupofbawdysailors…andIlosthertrail…again.

ShewasunlikeanyoneelseIhadtotrackbefore.Shewastooquick,andsheseemedtohaveanextrabuilt-insensethatalertedherwheneversomethingwaswrong.IonlyknewherlastnamewasSwan,butnothingelse…nothing.

IlookedaroundthesmallcabinIpacedin.Itwasdark,thecandlelightflickering,castingeerieshadowsonthewalls.Aknocksounded,andthenVictoriasteppedinwithaplateofbreadandabowlofstew.

"Victoria,"Igreeted.Shenoddedinreply.

"Stillnonewsofher?"Iasked.Shewasinthemarkettoday.

"AnewgirlseemedtopopoutofnowhereinSarijamtwodaysago.Everyoneseemstoregardherwithcare.Eventhestreettrampsdarednottogonearhereveninthedarkestofnights,inthedarkestofalleys,"sheanswered."She'sknownasBella.Nooneseemstoknowhersurname."

Sarijamwasasmallport.Foragirltobesorevered,she'dhavetobehereoften.Shehadalreadymadequiteareputationofherself…

"Apparently,she'saprankster,too,butthesheriffshutshiseyeinherdirection,asiftryingtobringhertothelawisuselessandhopeless,"shecontinued.

"Butstill,nooneknowshersurname?"Iquestioned,surprised.Sheshookherheadinreply.

Igrabbedapieceofbread,chewingonitdistractedly,occasionallydippingitintothethick,flavorlessstew.Ilookedup,smilingwhenIsawVictoria'seyesonme.Sheknewmewell:sheknewIwasgoingtogiveorders.

"Iwantherambushed,"Isaid."IwanttoplayaroundwiththisgirlandseeifIcangetsomethingoutofher."

Shegrinned,herlipslookingsuddenlybrighter.Givingheralightkissonthelips,Iturnedawaybacktomypacing.Theamuletwasimportant.I'dalreadytracedittotheSwanchildtoport,butforthepasttwomonths,nothingstrangehadhappened.Nooneknewanything.Iwasverysubtle,livingontheoutskirtsoftown,waiting,watching.Thechancesthatthisnewgirlwasmytargetwereveryslim.However,Iwasnotgoingtoletitslide.Ilookedoutthewindow.IcouldseethedarkshadowofVictoriamovingquicklyintheshadows.Shewouldhavenewsformewhenshecomesback…

-EndInterlude–

"Seriously,Angela,doIabsolutelyhavetowearthis…contraptionwhosemaingoalistostrangleme?"Igaspedasshepulledthelaststringstightandtiedtheknot.

"Yes,Bella.Nowthatyou'rebackagainfromwho-knows-where,youhavetodressnotlikeatomboy."Steppingawayfromme,sheturnedmetofaceher."Iwillneverknowwhatyoufindsolikableaboutthosetrousersandshirts."

"Thenyoushouldtryit.Adressisso…constricting."Sheonlysnortedinreply.

Pullingonmyboots,Ishoutedgoodbyetoher.AsIleftfromthebackdoorofherlittleshop,Iheardhermutteringaboutherdisapprovalofmychoiceoffootwear.

Outside,thesunwasbeatingbrightly.ThemaritimeclimateofSarijammakestheportanidealplacetodockevenduringthefrigidwintermonths.Itneversnowed,theroadsnevergotcoldenoughtofreeze,andanincessantbreezealwaysbroughtcooltemperaturesduringthesummerandwarmtemperaturesinthewinter.ThatwaswhyIloveditsomuch.ThatwaswhyLeondecidedtocallthishomeportforbothofus.

AsIwalkedthroughthestreets,InoticedhowthepeopleseemedtopauseinwhatevertheyweredoinginordertonodagreetingatmeortoscoffatthefactthatIcameback.Thereexistedonlytwokindsofpeopleinthisport:theoneswhoreallylikemeandtheonesthatdon't.Foreignersfromdockingshipsnevercounted.Theywereindifferent,yousee,buttheyneverstayedlongenoughtotrulyjoinagroupanyways.

AnditneverseemedtomatterwhetherItriedtocomeinhiddenorwalkingbrightlyoutinthesunshine.WordalwayspassedwheneverIsetfootontheport."Bella'sbackagain,"they'dwhispertoeachother,andthewordpassedon.

Thepranksters,ofcourse,seemedtowanttogetthemostoutofeverything.MostIknewbyname,buttherewerealwaysnewonesthatjoinedsomegangoranother.Isuddenlyhalted.Spyingthetwoobliviousboyswhohadfollowedme,Ikickeduptworocksandtossedthem.Ithittheirheadsperfectly.Asifoncue,theyturnedaroundtoglareatme,onlyfortheireyestowideninshockwhentheysawme,andtheyranaway,whisperingfuriouslywitheachother.

Ichuckled.IshouldwatchwhatIthinkabout.

Turningawayfromthesunlitstreets,Istalkedintoacavernousalley.IhadalwayswonderedwhyLeonlikedtokeeptothedark.ButthenIfoundoutthetruereason:thenighttimesharpensandheightenseachsensation(A/N:yes,I'mquotingfromphantomoftheopera,lyricsforMusicoftheNight).Itprovidesashelterforthesharpandknowledgeable,butatimetobefearedfortheothers.Andslowly,gently,ifyouarepatient,nightwillunfurlitssplendor.

Andyet,myfavoritetimehadalwaysbeentwilight:thebreakbetweennightandday,wheneverythingwastremulousandpeoplestarttobustleawayfromtheirwork.Italwaysgaveathrill,knowingthevelvetyairyetfearingtheunknown.

Istoppedoutsideanunmarkeddoorattheendofthealleyway.Knockingonitthrice,Ientered,onlytoduckasecondlaterwhenafistcameflyingatme.Turningaround

quickly,Igrabbedthewristandtwisted,cursingthatmydresspreventedmefromreachingintomybootformydagger.Thestrangergroaned.Isuddenlydroppedhiswrist."Leon?"

"Aye,'smeyoupestysquirt!Whoelseknowsthisplaceandliveshere?"hemuttered,rubbinghiswrist."Pulledquiteastuntonme,too.Ishould'vestoppedyourseafaringtrips."

Igrinned."Youknowyouloveit!"

"Youwantyourwristsprainedtoo?"Hemadetograbme,butIdartedoutoftheway,slappinghishandaside.

"Nothanks,"Isaid."Wristsprainsareyourspecialty,notmine."Helaughedatthat,butthenbecamesomber.

"Becarefulwhenyougooutinthealleyways,Bells,"hesaid,leadingmetositbythesmallkitchentable."Therearesomeinquisitiveearsaround.I'veafeelingthey'regoingafteryou."

Myhandautomaticallytraveledtotheamuletaroundmyneck,feelingitsfamiliarheart-shapedcurvesbeneathmydress."Why?"

Leonsaidnothing.Helookedasiftornbetweenwantingtospillasecretandknowingthathecouldnot.Sighing,hesaid,"IwilltellyouonceIfindout."Inarrowedmyeyes.Hewaslying.Hewinced,knowingthatIpickedouthiswords,butIdroppedthetopic.

"What'snew?"Iaskedinstead.Herelaxed,chuckling.

"Thestreetmuggers,that'swhat."Iraisedaneyebrow."Bigboys,theyare…allmusclesandnobrain.They'reprofessionals,thatIcantell,butbrutestrengthandhowtouseitisalltheyknow,"heexplained.

Inoddedcurtly."Theymightstayawayfromme.Theyshouldknow,bynow,whathappenedtotheothers."

Helaughed."Ourlocalssuretrytoprotectthedignityoftheirkind!"Ionlyshrugged.Ireallyhadnoideaexactlywhythestreetmuggersstoppedtryingtotakerevengeonme.Maybeitwasbecauseofthetimetheysenttheirentiregangafterme–allthirtyofthem–andallbutonefoundthemselveshangingupsidedownbytheirrightfootfromtheroofofthegovernmentbuilding.ThelastoneIlefttobemessenger.Perhapsitwasafterthetimewhentheirleadermarchedthroughthestreetwithguns

alloverhistrousers,onlytobedrenchedinoilandflour.Ithinkhisgunswentoutofbusinessforthesevendaysittooktocleanouttheguncartridgesandmakeeverythingworkingagain.Or…itwasbecausethetimeeverysingleoneofthemlosttheirkeyintotheirclubhouse,onlytocomeintwodayslaterbombardedbyatotaloffourhundredfifty-fivewaterballoonsthatdrenchedandfloodedeverything.Whateverthereason,theylearnedtostayawayfrommeandtrytowarntheirnewestadditionstoalsostayaway.Itneverworked.

"However,Idon'tthinkyoushouldcountonit.Thesenewonesaren'tsoeasy."

"I'llbecareful."

Heglancedoutthewindow."Areyoustayinghereforthenight?"

Ishookmyheadno.Notnow."Portfestivalisjustnextweek.JessandAngelawillmurdermeifIdon'tshowupfortheirdress-pickingtonight,nowthattheyknowI'mback."

Leonjustlaughed."Asiftheycould!"

Ishrugged,chuckling."Whattheydon'tknowwon'tharmthem."WinkingandwavinggoodbyeatLeon,Imademywayoutthedoor.Ipaused."Imightbebacklatertonight."

Henodded.

--

DressshoppingwithAngelaandJessicahadtobethemostboringthingever.Theyfawnedovereachpinksashoryellowribbonandawedwhenevertheysawlittlegemsembeddedintoanypieceoffabric.Honestly,Ihadnoideahowtheycouldliveinsuchamaterialworld.Myhandtraveledofitsownaccordtomyamuletagain,remindingmethatIlivedinone,too.

"Bella!Lookatthisone…doyoulikeit?"Angelawasstaringatme,dressedinanoff-whitedressthatruffledandswirledasshemoved.However,withherdarkhairanddarkeyes,itwashedouttherestofherfeatures.

"Youlooklikeaghost,"Isaid.Shefrownedatthedress,quicklydartingaway.

"Bella!Doesthisonefit?"Jessica.Iscrutinizedher.Thegolden-roddressclungtoherbody.Thecollarwaslowandwide,whichmadeitseemasifherbreastswereabouttospillout.

"Youtellme,Jess,"Isaid."Doesthedressseemtofit?"Shesnorteda'no'.Ilaughed."ThenwhatmakesyouthinkIwillsayotherwise?"Sheshrugged,turningawaytochangeintosomethingdecent.

Twohourslater,Iwascompletelyoutofmymind.Thenighthadsettledin,andIwasexhaustedevenifIhaddonenothingbutsitinachairandcomment.Ievencountedhowmanytileswereontheceiling.Therewereexactlysixhundredninety-fivelittletiles…Icountedseventimestocheck.

Andwhentheynextcameoutofthedressingroomsagain,Iburst."Nomore!"Iyelled.Theseamstress,LaurenIthink,glaredatme.Shewasoneofthosewhodislikedmeverymuch.Ididn'tcare.Clothing-shoppinginherstoreabhorsme.

Jessicapleadedmetostay;Angelagavemeherbestpuppydogeyes.Sighing,Imumbledalistofprofanities.Angelawhackedme,Ididn'tbothertododgeit."Bella,"shescolded,"Iamnottheseventhdaughterofacactusandstingray.Ifyoureallywanttogo,justsayso.Youdon'tneedtoberude."

Myeyesbrightenedatthat.Angelalookedshockedatwhatshejustsaid.Andbeforeshecouldcorrectherwords,Idartedoutoftheshop,callingoutacheery"bye"behindme.

Thestreetswerelightedwithflickeringgaslampsupanddownthesidewalks.Thebuildingcasteerieshadowsintothenight,buttheairwascoolandfresh.Decidingtotakethemostdirectroutehome,Islippedintooneoftheunlitstreets.

AbadfeelingsettledinassoonasIwasoutofsightofthegaslamps.Itwasn'tlongafterwardsthatIheardfootstepsfollowingbehindme.Theyseemedsureoftheirprey–theyweren'tevenbotheringtodisguiseit.

Cursingmydresshalfwaytothegatesofhell,Ispedupmywalk,takingmoreturnsinthealleywaysthanusualinanattempttoloosethem.Afterthethirdturn,Irealizedwhatwashappening.Theywerespreadalloverthealleyway.Thefootstepsbehindmewerenotfromthesamemenasthosethatstartedtheinitialtagging.

Iwasbeingflaggeddown.

AndIjusttrippedonabrick,thewholecommotionoffallingmademelosemymentalsenseofwhereIwasinthevastmazecalledthealleyways.Iwalkedbriskly,cursingthatIdidn'thavemyfather'sdaggeronme.Ionlyhadasmallonestuckinmybootthatwoulddonothingagainstthesemen.

Myheadhitsomethinghard,theforceofmywalkflungmeback.Clutchingmy

forehead,Ilookedatmyroadblock:itwasawall.

I'daccidentallyranintooneofthedeadends.

Therewasalaughbehindme.Iswirledaroundtomeettheeyesofsixmen.Leonwasright:theywereallmuscles–thekindofbulliesthathe'dlovetohaveonshipsasthelowestofcrewmenandfrontlineoffightersbutwouldbesickallovertheplace.Theyhadclubsintheirhands.Iswore.Clubswerealwayshardtoloose.Ihadnohopeoftakingoneoftheirweapons.

Pullingmydaggerfrommyboot,Ihiditbehindmyback,actingcoolandinnocent.

"Nicetomeetyou,gentlemen,"Isaid."Doesourmeetingtrulyneedtheuseofweaponsandclubs?"

Oneofthem,thecaptainIsuppose,sneeredatme."Ofcourse,Sweet.Now,ifyouwillstayquietandcomplacent,Iwon'tbeusingit."Hewinked.Ishiftedmyfeetundermydressjustastheotherfiveclosedin…

hehe...pleasedon'tkillmeforthecliffy.I'vepartofthenextchapterwrittenonmynotebookalready...sowithluck,I'llbeabletopostitthisweekend...mostlikelyaftertheSATsonSaturdaymorning(bitesnailsandshudders).

Review!:DIlovehearingwhatyouthinkofthisstorysofar.;)

Cathy

Itwillappear

A/N:IjustfinishedtheSATaboutanhourago(woot!!)andfinishedtyingthelooseendsofthischapter.Twonotes,though:thesonginthischapterisadaptedfromCascada's"BadBoy"(youcansingalongtothetune,buttheLYRICSareDIFFERENT);)...Ican'tsing,soIguessI'llleavetoyourimaginationhowitsounds.There'salinkintheprofilethatgoestoayoutubevideooftheoriginalsong...soIguessyoucantuneoutthelyricsorsomething...Secondnote:thischapteriskindofacrossoverbetweentheEdward-fighting-VictoriasceneinEclipseandtheEdward-saving-BellasceneinTwilight.Ididn'tplanitthisway...butIgotreallyhookedontoCascada'smusictwodaysagoandIwaslike"OMG!Ihavetoaltermychaptertogetsomethinglikethatinside!"andyeah...that'swhatkindasortahappened...hehe...enjoy!:D

Chapter6

Iduckedjustasthefirstclubswungatmyhead,makingaresoundingclashagainstthebrickwallbehindme.Actingquickly,mylegshotouttotripthenextonewhocame.Hisclubhitthefirstonthehead.Hedroppedtheclub,whichIusedtoknockhimoffhisfeet.Hiseyesrolledinhishead,andhewasunconscious.Onedown,fourmoretogo…andtheleader.

Myhandsraisedabovemyheadtoblockthejarringblowoffourclubs.Slippingoutfromunderthem,Iranontotheclubsastheysimultaneouslyhitthegroundinanotherbang.Isweptmyheavyclubaround,suddenlyrealizingthattheclubwaswaytooclumsy.Iwasalreadytiringfromboththestrengthneededtoholditaswellascontrolit.

ButbeforeIcouldthink,theclubwastakenfrommyhands,clatteringtothegroundasfourmencameatmeagain.

Theywereinasinglefile.Ieasilydodgedthefirstswing,wrappingmyhandsaroundittoguideitovertomeetthesecond.Theblowseemedtojartheholderofthebatratherme;theclashbetweenthebatsechoedthroughouttheclosedoffalleyway.

Whenmyeyestookinmysurroundingsagain,Iwasdrainingofstrength…andfast.ButwhenIsawwoodenboxesatthecorner,Iwasstruckbysuddeninspiration:somethingsorecklessthatIwouldeitherbeleftwithonlyonemantofightordiebecauseoffailure.IdecidedthatI'drathergothroughwiththatthandiebecauseIranoutofstrengthtofighton.

SoIran.

Iranwithallmystrengthtotheboxes,managingtoclimbtothetopbeforetheyarrived.IhadtochooseonemanwhowasstrongenoughtohittheothersbutweakenoughthatIcouldeasilydefeathim.Theleaderwasnotpartakingintheparty…hewasjustsmirkingandfrowning,asifhedidn'tknowwhattothink.Thepileofboxeswobbledprecariously,andIblindlymadeachoicehopingthatbadluckdidn'tcomemyway.

Idoveheadfirstoffthepileofboxes,somehowmanagedtodoabriefhandstandononeoftheirshouldersbeforeflippingandseatingmyselfontheshouldersofanother.Clampingmylegsaroundhisneck,Itriedtoblindhim:pullingonhisears,pokinghiseyes,yankingonhishair.Hisanguishedandtorturedcrymademyearsring,butIkepton.Hishandsstayedstubbornlyonhisclub,buthedarednotswingingitathisheadforfearhe'dhithimselfinhishastystruggle.JustwhatIwanted.Soheswungatanythingandeverythingthatcamehisway.Theotherstriedtogetmeoff,butassoonastheyapproached,he'dswinghisbatatthem.

Thethreecircledtheirmate,unsureofexactlyhowtodoit.

Andthatwaswhentheleadercriedoutastranglingscreech.Twomenleftstupidlytogoseewhatwaswrong,andfightingsoundsbrokeoutfromtheentranceofthealleyway.Theoneleftdidn'tmove,however.Hewaswatchingme,squintingandscrutinizingmeandmytactics.

Afewminuteslater,thefightingontheothersidestoppedabruptly,asifthestrangerwaskilled.Heavyfootstepscameinthisdirectionagain.Thelightofthenightmakinghimseemonlylikeashadow.Heseemedsmaller,leanerthanthemenwhowent,butthatmayjustbeasmuchatrickofthelightasthetruth.

Myheartpounded.Myplanwasn'tworkingasIthoughtitwould.Leonwasright:theywerecareful,experienced,butstillbrainless.TheoneonwhomIwasstillseatedonstillclutchedhisclubandswingingitwildlyabout.Heneverthoughttousehishandsratherthantheclub…neverthoughttogetridofmeandthenpickinguphisclubagain.Butifthisonecameback,it'dbeatwoonone.Betterthanbefore,butstilltricky,especiallysincemyweaponwasgettingtired…

Tomysurprise,thenewcomerleaptattheotherguystanding.Theyrolledandtackledeachotherontheground,whensuddenly,theystopped.Themanonthebottomflippedthemandstoodup.Themoonlightcaughtabloodieddaggerinhishand.

"Canyougetoffofhim?"heasked.Hisvoicewassoftandguarded,asifIwas

goingtoescape.

"Yes,"Ianswered,deftlyswingingoffandtumblingawayfromtheclubthatcamemydirection.Mysaviorattackedagain.Thistime,however,itwasarealfight:parryingblowsfromthatheavyclub.Bothweretiringfromtheexercise,butnoonewasgainingtheupperhand.

Ifingeredmyknife,knowingthatifImiss,theknifewouldhitthestrangerinstead.Theywerecirclingeachother,theonewiththeclubaimingglancesmywayandthealleyentrance,asifcalculatingwhetherhecouldescapewithmeintow.AndIthrewmyknife.

Ihearditcutthroughtheair,ringing.Therewasastrangledsound.Theclubhitthegroundandthebigmankeeledover,dead.

"Nicethrow,"thestrangercommented,walkingtome.Ibackedawayinstinctively."Areyoualright?"

"Yes,"Iansweredcurtly.

"Athankyouwouldsuffice."

"Ididn'twanthelp."Leonalwaystaughtmetoneverexpecthelp.Thosewhoofferitwillinglyoftenwantsomethinginreturn–often,somethingmorethanyou'rewillingtogive.

Hescuffedatmyreply."Youknockedoutoneman…buthowwereyouexactlygoingtoknockoutthefiveothers?"

"Notasquicklyasyoudid,butI'llmanage,"Ianswered,startingtowalkaway.

Hejoggedtokeepup."I'llescortyouhome."

"Noyouwon't,"Ianswered,turningtofacehim.Hiseyeswidenedinshock.

"You'reagirl?"Hiseyesseemedtodisbelievewhathesaw.

"Andyou'reaboy.I'mgladwegotthatworkedout.Nowgoaway,"Icutin.Imadetoleaveagain,buthegrabbedmywrist.Iwhirledaroundtofacehim,staringmeaningfullyatmywristandglaringathim.

"Andaveryprettyone,too,"hemused,asifheneverheardmywords.Rollingmyeyes,Iwrenchedmyhandfromhisandkeptwalking."Whereareyougoing?"

"Home."

"I'lltakeyouthere."Hepaused."Actually,no.I'lltakeyoutosomefood."

Istoppedinmytracks,slowlyturningaroundtoglareathim."IsaidIdon'tneedyourhelp!"

"AndIsayyoudo."Ithrewmyhandsupindefeat.

"Listen…becauseI'monlygoingtosayitonce."(A/N:songtunefromCascada's"BadBoy"lyricsadaptedbyme)

Rememberthismoment,rememberthisday,Igiveyoumythankyou,butneveragain.YouneverthoughtthatagirlcouldbestrongNowI'llshowyouhowtofighton!

Istaredathim,singing.Walkingbackwardsasheapproached,achallengeinhiseyes.

Icanpunchablackeye,breakyournose,AndmakeyouhunchoverandsweepyourfeetoutIcanparryyourfist,sounderstandThatIdon'tneedyouinmylifeagain.

Imadetopunchhim,movingslowanddeliberatesohehadtimetododge.Ididn'twanttohurthim,butIstillhadtoshowhim.Andwhenhemadetofightback,Ieasilydeflectedittellinghimagain.

Icanwieldadagger,dodgeyourhits,AndmakeyouhunchoverandmakeyoukeelIcanparryyourfist,sounderstandThatIdon'tneedyouagain.No,Idon'tneedyouagain.

Ishookmyheadatthelasttwolines,tryingtowavehimoff.Iturnedaroundandbeganwalking.Hestood,stunned,buthecaughtuptomeagain,graspingmyhandinordertomakemefacehim.Hefiredback:

Isawyouinperil,surroundedbymen.Iactedoninstinct,youpushedmeasideIjustcan'tstandbytoseeyoudieoutIpromisetostaybyyourside

Iscoffed,notbelievinghispromise.Helearnedthetunefast…hisvoicewaslikevelvet,butstillharsh,asiftryingtomakemebelievehim.Glaringathim,Iwantedtoretortback,buthesilencedmewithafinger.

Iwillbeyoursavior,beyourprinceBeyournighttimestalkerandwillhelpyouwinIwillbeyoursavior,sounderstandThatyouwillneedmeinyourlifeagain.

Ihithishandawayfromme,glaringathim."Fine!"Isaidtohim.

Youcanbemysavior,bemyprinceBemyscarystalker,butDON'ThelpmefightYoucanbemysavior,butunderstandThatIDON'Tneedyouagain,No,Idon'tneedyouagain.

"You'reindenial,"hesaid.

"Andyou'vegotyourheadstuckintheclouds,"Iretortedangrily.

"Youremindmeofthisboyonmyship…heleftoncewedocked,ofcourse,andIneverheardofhimagain.It'shardtobelievethatsuchatroublemakercoulddisappearwithoutatrace,"hesaid,laughing.

"Andyou'retellingmethisbecause…?"

"Youremindmeofhim.Perhapsyouknowhim?"hequestioned."HisnameisKey."

Istiffened.Hejustchuckled."Actually,Iwouldn'tbesurprisedifyoutwoweresiblings."

"No,Idon'tknowhim,"Ianswered,forcingmyselftorelax.Wehadwalkedontothelightedstreets.Hewasleadingtheway,draggingmeunwillinglyalongtoanighttimecafé."IsaidIdon'tneedhelp."

"I'mnothelpingyou,"hecountered,rollinghiseyes."ThisissoIfeelbetter."Heforcedmetositinanemptybooth,callingthewaitresstoorderaglassoflemonadeandsomebread.Ieyedhimskeptically.Hejustshrugged,pointingtothefoodthatsomehowseemedtomysteriouslylandinfrontofme.

Curiousbutcautious,Itookanibbleofbread.Itwasverygoodbread,withsweetenedbutterandcream.Ismiled.Thelemonadewassweet,too."You'regoing

tohavetopayforthis,youknow?"

Heshruggedagain."So…"hedrawledouttheword,makingmenervous."Areyougoingtotellmewhatmadeyougointothealleys?Galslikeyouavoidthatplacelikefishavoidland."

"Iwouldaskthesameofyou.Youarenostreettramp,andonlythetrampswanderthere."Hiseyesdanced.

"You'recallingyourselfastreettramp?"

"Notoftheirleague,butoftheirkind."Hesnorted,pointingtothebreadagain.

"Youeat."Idistractedlynibbledonthesweetbreadagain,staringathim.Hishairwasmessy,asifhetriedtostraightenitbuthishairthoughtotherwise.Hehadgreeneyes.Theyseemedsofamiliar,asifIhadseenthemoften,butneveratthisangle.Hecoughed,makingmejump."Ifyou'redonefawningoverme,Iwouldexplain."Tomysurprise,Iflushed.Itneverdidtobecaughtintheact.Hejustlaughedatmyexpense.

"Idon'toftengowandering.Mybrotherstooktheirwivesondatestonight,andIwasleftalone.MysisterinlawtoldmetotakeastrollinthealleysifIeverbecamebored.Ididbecomebored…andsoIjoggedinthealleys.Itwasveryquietandawayfromthelightssothatthestarsareout.That'swhenIheardtheresoundingbangsasiftherewasafightorsomething…andyouknowtherest."Hemotionedtome."Youknowmine,Igettoknowyours."Inarrowedmyeyesathim.Hestaredback.Igavein.

"Iwantedtotaketheshortcuthome.TheyfollowedmeassoonasIenteredthealleyways.Inmyattemptstoloosethem,Ilostcountofmyturnsandendedupinthedeadendthatyoufoundme,"Isaid,mentallyscoldingmyself.Hejustnodded,buthiseyesremainedskeptical,asiftherewasmoretothestory.Hedidn'tpushformoreinformation.Standingup,hepaidthebillandletmeleadtheway.

Wewalkedinsilence.Atfirst,Ithoughthewasgoingtoleave,buthefollowedme."IsaidIdon'tneedmorehelp."

"Mymotheralwayssaidtohelpsomeonetotheend.Inmybook,thatmeansmakingsureyougethomesafely."Ijustsnorted,butwastoowearytoargue.

WehadwalkedintothealleywhereLeonlived–whereIlived.Withthenoisewe'remaking,Leonwouldbeawakeandatthedooralready.

"Areyousureyoudon'tknowKey?"heaskedsuddenly.

Istiffenedagain."No."

"Allthebetter,"Iheardhimmutterunderhisbreath.

"Why?"IaskedasIturnedtothedoor,openingit.Thedoorcreakedopen.IchuckledwhenIheardLeonstandingbehindthedoor.

"Because…"Henevergottosaytheanswer.SteppingjustoutofreachandwalkingawayfromLeon,IheardagruntandLeon's"ha!"ashetackledthemanwhofollowedmetotheground."Whatthe…!"

Iturnedaround.Leonwasatopmystalker,pinninghimtothegroundandglaring."Someday,squirt,IswearIwillgetyou."

"AndI'llbewaiting,"Ichirped,walkingbacktoofferahandtomystalker.Heignoredit,standingupandbrushinghimselfoff."Ishould'vewarnedyou,"Ismirked."I'msorry."

Hiseyesnarrowedatme."Notyourfault,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.Heturnedtogo,butLeonstoppedhim.

"Noonefollowsherhomeandleavessofast.Leaveaname,"Leonsaid,blockingthedoorway.Thestrangerjuststraightened.

"EdwardCullen,"heanswered,brushingpastLeonandstridingaway.Hiscolorfulcursesresoundinguntilhedisappearedintothenextalley.

"Well…thatfellowneedsadoseofhumor,"Leoncommented.Ichortled.

"Iknowhim.Hedoesn'trecognizeme."

"Isthatagoodthingorbadthing?"

"Agoodthing.Idon'tthinkhe'lllikeitifheknewKeyandBellaareoneandthesame,"Ianswered,stridingintotheroomIcalledmyown,Leon'slaughfollowingme.

ThatnightwasthefirsttimeIhadapeacefuldreamincountlessyears.

Whatdoyouthinkofit?Nocliffythistime(yay!)butthenextchapterisstillintheendingstagesof"precisionplanning"(asIcallit).I'mgoingtohaveabusy

weekcomingup...sohopefullybythecomingweekendortheMonday/TuesdayafterI'llbeabletogetitdoneandposted.

AndthisisthefirsttimeIevertriedtoadaptlyricsofasongtomystory...forgivethecrudetry(blushes)...Oh!andtoclearsomethingsupincaseitwasn'tclear:Bellasingsthefirst3stanzastoEdward;Edwardsingsthe4thand5thstanzabacktoBella;andBellasingsthelastone

Asalways,youropinionsarereallyvalued:Dpleasebekindadropareview?XD

--Cathy

AtypicalorATypical?

A/N:hehe...sorryforhowlatethisis.IwasseriouslyplanningongettingitoutyesterdaybutIwasrunninglateonfinishingmycharacteranalysisofAliceinAliceinWonderlandforEnglishclass...soIwasworkingonthatinstead.Thischapterwaskindaoddtowrite.IhadallsortsofrandomthingsIknowwillhappen,butstringingthemtogethertookthelongesttimeever:o.IhaveafeelingIprobablyoverdidsomeofthepartsbetweenEdwardandBella...forgivemeonthose.I'mplanningonnextchaptertobesomesortofafluffchapter...butI'llseehowgoodIamatwritingfluffsuitedforBella'spersonality(thinksthoughtfully).

Chapter7

Thenextmorning,Iwasupbrightandearly,prayingtoavoidLeonfortherestofthedayshouldheaskwhathadhappenedlastnight.Slippingonalooselytuckedblouseandaskirt,Isneakedmywaytothedoor.Openingitandclosingit,IsighedwithreliefasLeondidn'tnoticeme.Ilookedup.Or…maybenot.TherestoodLeonwithhishandsonhishipsstaringatmybehavior.

"Iwouldguessthatyoudon'twanttotalkaboutlastnightandwhythatman'escorted'youhome,"hesaid.

"Youdon'tmissmanyguesses,"Ireplied.

Hetappedhisfeet,obviouslywaitingformetoelaborate.Sighing,Iansweredhisunspokenquestion."Onthewayback,Imetsixofthosebulliesyoutoldmeabout.Edwardhelpedmedefeatthem."

Hiseyebrowsrose."Andifhehadn'tbeenthere?"

Iswore.Leoncouldbesopickyaboutinformation."Ifhehadn'tbeenthere,I'dprobablyhavebeendeadandamnowbleedingonthestreets."Isighed."Fine.Hesavedme,happy?"

Tomycompletesurprise,hechuckled."SometimesIworryifyou'reevergoingtofindyourselfahusband."Istaredathim.

"I'mnotamusedbythat."

"Ha!IfCharlie'shere,he'dhavebeenworriedsickaboutyourlackofrelationships."

Hesnortedathisownjoke.Men.

"Ifyou'redonewithyourenjoyment,I'veworktodo."

"Becareful,Bells.Iwouldn'tknowwhattotellyerfatherifyousomehowlandedinheavenbeforeme,"hecalled.Iwaved.

--

Thestreetsweresunnyandbusy,unlikethepreviousnight.Ifingeredthehiddenpocketinmyskirt,cursingmyclothesagain.I'dpersonallyratherwear'Key's'clothing,butIknewLeonwoulddisapprove.Ionlyhadonecoinstashedaway.LookslikeI'mgoingtotakeatriptothegamblehut.

Therewasonlyonewayonecanenteragamblingplacewithonlyonecoinandleavewithasmanyasonewantswithouttheownerskickingoneoutforsuspiciouscheatingevenwhenyoudidn't….andthatwas,tomakeitseemlikeonewasloosingmorethangaining.Noonekicksoutthelosers…that'dmeanbadbusiness.

"What'sawenchlikeyoudoinginagamblingalley?"sneeredaman.

"Gambling.Istheresomethingelsetodohereotherthangamble?"Themansnortedinreply.Ionlysmiled."I'veonlyonecoin,yousee.Ifyoucanwinitfromme,youwillneverseemeagain."Iflippedmycoin.Itwasoneoftheraregoldenones.Iknewitwaswrongofmetojustassumehewantedmegone,butIrarelymissmypredictions.

"I'llbetyourtriple,"heanswered.Ismirked,puttingdownmycoin.Andherehethoughthecouldactuallywinandkeepthisplacegirl-free.

Thecardsweredealtandfiveminuteslater,Ilaiddownaroyalflush.Ireachedtotakehiscoinsbuthesnatcheditaway."Iwilladdninecoinstomybetforanothergame,"hesaidangrily.Ijustshrugged.Thedealershuffledanddealtthecardsagain.Ihadanotherflush.Hiseyeswidenedindisbelief."Lastgame!"hesneered.Iwascautious,however.Menlikethisneverlost.IwinthisgameIwillbeentitledtoallhepresented…aswellasafight.

Trueenough,whenIlaiddownyetanotherflushandwonagain,hestoodupovermemenacingly."Thishere'sacheater!"

"Andthisherecan'tacceptthefactthathejustlostthreetimestoalady,"Isnorted.IknewIwasprovokinghim,butnooneevercalledmeacheaterwithimpunity.Ihadintuitionandthatwasthat.Ivisiblysawhisfaceswell,instinctivelyduckingashisfist

flewatme.IrememberedallthosetimesIdodgedLeonandlearnedthosetricks.MyfootshotoutasItwistedaroundandbeforeheevenknewwhathappened,hewasonthegroundwithmyfootpressedtightlyagainsthischest."Andyoujustlostagain,"Iwhisperedtohimsoftly.

Themangrowledlowinhisthroat.Withawrench,heescapedfrommyfoothold,leaptupandcameatmewithfullcharge.Ishifted,gettingreadytododgewhensomeoneroughlypushedmeaway.Ifellhardonthefloor,watchingasthat'someone'tookmyblowforme.Hegruntedattheimpact,buthishandcamedowninachoppingmotionontheotherman'sneck.Thefrenziedmanslumpedtothefloor.

Mysaviorcametome,pullingmeuptomyfeet,asifunawarethatIdidn'tneedhelp.ThatwaswhenInoticedhishair.OhGod!Helookedupatthatmoment.Hiseyeswidened.

Westaredateachotherforamoment,bothsurprised.Ourmouthsopenedandshut,unabletoformthewords.Ibrokeoutofitfirst."It'syouagain!"Isaid,shocked.EdwardCullen.Whydoesheseemtobestalkingme?

"Yes,it'smeagain,"hereplied,almostasifhewantedtobeanywherebuthere."AndIjustsavedyouagain.Shouldn'tIhavesomesortofappreciationformyeffortthistime?"

Isnorted."Ifyoudidn'tintervene,hemightnotbequitesounconscious…butratherbefleeingdownthestreet.Nowyou'llhavetoexplaintothepolicethatyouknockedamanout."

Hescratchedhishead."Right,"hemutteredimpishly.

"Now,ifIwereyou,I'dbegettingmyselfoutofhere.Speakingofwhich,Ishouldgetmyselfoutofhere."TakingthemoneyIhadwonandscoopingitallintoamakeshiftbag,Iturnedmyheeltogo.

"Wait!"

"What?"Ikeptonwalking,realizingthathewaschasingafterme.

"I'mgoingtofollowyou."Iwasattheentrancenow.Athiswords,Istoppeddeadandturnedaroundtoglareathim.

"Ifthisisanotherformofyourchivalry,saveitforanothergirl."Hecaughtuptomenow.

"Howdoyoudothat?"

"Dowhat?"

"SeemtoknowwhatexactlyI'mthinking."Isnortedatthat,turningtogoagain.Hecaughtupwithmeeasily.Cursemyshortheightandthelackofropes.

"Idon't."

Hesighedinfrustration."That'snotwhatImeant!"

"Iknow,"Isaid,smiling.Asweleftthesmall,crampedpaththatledtothegamblingalley,thesunshonefullforcedownonus.Thestreetswerebusy,filledwithpeople.Thetailorsweregettingthebestofthebusiness.Portfestivalwas,afterall,inonlysixdays.Theoriginalpurposeoftheyearlyfestivalwasforthecourtesanstoloosenuptheirdemeanorandactuallyfeelthefreedomtochoosetheirownpartners.Astheirclassdegradedtocommonprostitutelevels,thefestivalbecamebetterknownuntileveryonestartedparticipating.However,thelegacyofthecourtesanswasleftbehind:everyonehadtowearmasksfortheentirenight.Peoplewereforbiddentotelltheiridentities;coupleswhometforthefirsttimeduringthedancesrarelyfindeachotheragain.Anonymousfun,thecallit.

Buteveninthebusystreets,Icouldspotthelittlebuggers–troublemakersprayingtoplayajoke.Ialwayswavedtothemcheerily,eventhoughtheyjustfrownedandleft.Edwardfollowedme,truetohiswords,neversayingaword.HejustraisedaneyebrowatmewheneverIwavedtosome'nonexistent'personasifIwasinsane.

"I'mnothallucinating,youknow?"Iexplained,surprisingmyself.Ineedn'thave.

Heraisedaneyebrowinconfusion."You'retellingmeyouaren'tjustwavingtotheair?"

Igrabbedhishand,usinghisfingerstopointtoanotherstreettramp."That'swhoIwaswavingto.TheydisappearwhentheyrealizeIseethem,yousee.Imovedhisfingeraround,pointingtoyetanotherheadthatquicklydisappeared."Andthatonehadbeenfollowinguseversinceweleftthegamblingalley.Ithinkhewantstohitmewithawaterballoon."Ichuckled.

"Howdoyoudothat?"

"Dowhat?"

"Knowwhatpeoplearethinking!"

"Didn'tyoujustaskthatquestion?"Iraisedmyeyebrow.Hewasgettingfrustrated.

"Andyoudidn'tanswer."

"It'scalledintuition.Heardthatwordbefore?"Heglaredinreply,lookingovermyshoulderinsteadofatme.Thesunwasshiningdirectlyathim.Hisbronzecoloredhairalmostseemedtoglow.Isteppedawayfromhim,asifunconsciouslyafraidofhim.Iowedhimtwo'lives'now,althoughthesecondtechnicallydidn'tcount,hestillintervenedonmybehalf.Iwasinthemiddleofthestreetwhenhesuddenlyturnedhisheadright.

That'swhenIheardit:theunmistakablescreechingofwheelsandhorsesthatmeantahorsecartwasoutofcontrol.Hiseyestensed,wideninginobviousshockashelookedbetweenmeandtheout-of-control-horse-cart.IknewIshouldruntothesideofthestreetassoonaspossible,butforonceinmylife,mydexterityfailedme.Icouldn'tmove,onlytobracefortheimpactofthehorse.Withoutevenlookingback,Iknewitwascomingstraightatmeandthatitwasalreadytoolatetorun.

Iclosedmyeyes,sendingasilentprayertotheheavensthatI'ddiequickly.Secondspassed.Itwasasiftimewasplayingtricksandmadeeachsecondanhour.

AndthenIwasairborne,encasedinacocoonofsuddenwarmth.Armsseemedtowraparoundme,andmyfallwascushionedbyabody.Therewasacurse,andthenavoicefranticallytalkingtome.Ohwhydoesthatvoicesoundsofamiliar!

"Areyoualright?"Handspressedthemselvesagainstmyforehead,mycheeks,slidingdownmyarmsasifcheckingforbruises.

"YoudarepattingaroundmeasifI'mabruisedapple,thenIwon'tbealright,"Igroaned.

"Then,inthatcase,you'dbettergetoffofme.I'mquitewinded."Thebodybeneathmeshook,andIjumpedupwithastart."SecondtimeIsavedyoutoday.Don'tIgetsomeformofthankyouthistime?"

"You'retheonethathadtofollowmearound.Ifyouhadn't,Iwouldn'thavebeenthereatthattime.Iswear,you'remybadluck."Hesnortedatthat.

"Verywell,"headmitted."ButIdemandyourname."

"Bella,"Isaid,offeringmyhandtohelphimup.Hetookit,buthedidn'thelpatall."Fine!"Ishoutedathim,frustrated."Thankyou.Isthatbetter?"Herespondedbyleapingtohisfeetandbeganwalking.IrealizedhowbigofacrowdIhadattracted.

Myfaceburnedinembarrassment.BellaofPortSarijamneverneededsavingbefore.MyreputationhasbeengoingdownthedraineversinceIgotonthepirateship,Isighed.

"IcouldgetusedtoyouknowingwhatIthink,"helaughed.Istuckmyfootoutinfrontofhim.Hestumbledforwardafewsteps,barelymanagingtokeepfromfallingflatonhisface."Whatwasthatfor?"heglared.

"Whatwaswhatfor?"Iaskedinnocently."Youshouldbemorecareful,"Itsked."Peoplewouldthinkyou'reahazardtothestreets!"Hiseyesnarrowedbuthesaidnothing.Sighingathisstubbornness,Icontinued."You'dthinkthatafterthismanyput-downs,you'dtrytosaveyourprideandleavemealone.Anynormalpersonwould."

"You'dthinkthatafterhandingoutsomanyinsultswithoutresults,you'dbetiredofit.Anynormalpersonwould,"hemocked.Iglaredathim.

"I'mnotnormal,then,amI?"

"NeitheramI."Ihuffedathisreply.Isomberedupquicklythough,butIdidn'tknowwhy.

"I'msorry,"Ioffered.Hestumbledagain.

"What?"

"I'msorry.Thanksforsavingme,"Irepeated.Hestoodthere,stunned."What?"

"Doyouhaveamentalillness?Hallucinations?Fevers?"Hestartedtofeelmyforeheadforafever.Iswattedhimoff.

"IwasrudeandnowIthankyouandyouthinkIhaveschizophrenia?"

"Yes!"heanswered,throwinghishandsupdramatically."Youwerearguingaboutyourindependenceonemomentandthankingmethenext?WhatelseamIsupposedtothink?"

"You'reimpossible,"Imuttered."ButIstilloweyoumylifetwiceover."

Andwiththat,Ilefthimstanding,stunned,inthemiddleofthestreets.

--

Thenextthreedaysweresurprisinglyuneventful.ThoughJessicaandAngelatried

togetmesomething'fashionable'towear,Iwascontentinwatchingthemfussoverpiecesofclothaslongastheydidn'tbringsaidclothanywherenearme.

ThedayofthePortFestivaldrewnearerandnearer.Often,Iwanderedaimlesslyaroundthesprawlingcity,listeningtogossipandoldtales.Oneinparticularcaughtmyattention.Theoldwomenweresayingthattherewassomethingnotquitealivelivingintherottenemptycabinsoutsideoftown.Twopeoplefrequentlyvisitit,andthesetwopeoplewereaskingthesamequestion:WasthereanyonenamedSwanintown.

Leonhadwarnedmetoneversaymysurnameunlessinalife-or-deathsituationthatwillsavemylife.Andnowtherewerepeoplelookingforthatsurname.

"Bells!"Angelahurriedtome,givingmeagreathug.

"Angela,"Iacknowledged.

"Whatbringsyouhere?"

"There'ssomerumorthatsomepeoplearetryingtofindapersonnamedSwan.Doyouknowofthat?"Angelachuckled.

"Someday,Ishallteachyoutheproperwayofshowingpatience."Atmyglare,shegulped,butcontinued."Theyaren'tsureifthey'reactuallylookingforagirlorboy…imaginethat!Theyonlyknowthathe…orshe…hasasurnameofSwan.Whoeverthesemenarelookingfor,Ithinkheorshewillbeinbigtrouble.Didyouseethosemen?Theyarehuge!Likeelephants!"

Ilaughedatherantics.Shewaswavingherarmsabout."Oh!Andtheyalsosaythatthey'relookingforsomesortofamulet.Blueincolor;apparentlyheart-shaped,andthatifwehaveanythatfitsthedescription,theywillpaymuchforit.Canyoubelieveit?Fifteenthousand!IfIwasajeweler,I'dbemakinglotsandlotsofcopiestogetallthatmoney."Shecontinuedtorambleon,butIstoppedlistening.Mythoughtswenttomyownamulet.Wasthattheonetheywerelookingfor?Butwhat'ssospecialaboutit?

Lostinmythoughtsagain,Ibarelyhadtimetododgeawell-aimedpanatmyforehead.Jessicawasholdingsaidpanandglaringatme."Areyouevenlisteningtowhatwe'resaying?"

Ismiledsheepishly."No…butIdidlistentothatpan.Itwould'vehurt."

Jesssighed."Portfestivalistomorrow.We'reexpectingyoutobeherebynoonat

latesttohelpushelpyougetready.DoImakemyselfclear?"Inoddedabsentmindedly,onlytododgeanotherpanattack."I'mbeingserious,Bella!"

"Yes,yes!Iheard!"Isighed."I'llbeherebynoon,don'tworry."Iranaway,afraidthatifIzoneoffinfrontofthemagain,Iwillhavetododgemorethanonepot.Ichuckled.They'velearnedthattheycouldrarelyhitmewithanything,whichiswhythey'veresortedtopots.ItwasheavyenoughthatthelasttimeIslippedinmydefenses,itgavemeaheadacheforthreeweeksstraightandtaughtmetobewareoftheirpromises.I'mgladtheyhadn'tusedtheknivesyet.Now,thatwouldbedeadly.

Youguyshavenoideahowmuchreviewshelpedme:DIwouldsaynowthatifIdidn'tget2-3reviewsforeachchapter,thisstorywould'venevergottensofar(Averageof30-somereviewsperchapter!:D)

So...nextchapter,I'mhopingtowriteabouttheportfestival.That'sgonnabemyfluffbase...I'llseehowIcandoit.Ididhavealotoffunwritingthischapter...butasIsaidbefore,ImayhavemadeBellaalittlemoreinsolentthanIshould've.(sigh)ohwell.

Tellmewhatyouthinkofthis:DHere'smylittledisclaimerthatIstillhavemylast7-pagepaperoftheyeartowrite(whichIonlyhave1/2pages).I'mhopingtofinishthenextchapterbynextweekend(afterthepaperisduebutjustbeforefinalsstart)butdon'tquotemeonthat...hehe...I'mknowntomissmyestimatesbyupto800percentbefore(blushes--itwasoneofthosesciencelabswhereyouguesswhatistheweightofsomething...Istinkatthose)...lol

Muchthanks--Cathy

SarijamFestival

(A/N):LastweekofschoolandIstillhaveonemorepapertowrite(bangsagainstawallrepeatedly)butwithsummersoclose,IfeellikeI'veaseverecaseofsenioritis,ortheconditionwhereyouknowyouhavestufftodo,butyoujustdon'twanttodoit(sigh).Well,here'smynextchapter.There'salotlessfluffthanIhadoriginallyintended...it'salsoalotlongerthanIfirstthought,too.IguessI'llbedoinganalternativechapter8sometimeandpostitasanouttakeafterthestoryorsomewheretoshowwhereIoriginallywantedthischaptertogo...beforethestoryledmeelsewhere...hehe

Oh!andjusttoputadisclaimerorsomething...Edwardhimselfwon'tactuallyknowaboutBellaandKeybeingthesamepersonuntilKeygoesonhisshipagain;).

Chapter8

TheskieswereverymistywhenIwokeupthenextmorning.Notmanypeoplewerestupid(or,inmycase,intuitive)enoughtowakeupbeforethesunonthedayofthefestival.Thosethatwerealreadyupdarednotstepoutsidethedoorunlesstheydesperatelyneededto.Thewomen,nodoubt,werealmostwakingup.Mostspendbetweeneightandtenhoursbraidinghair,puttingonmake-up,last-minutetailoringthedresses,and(iftheydidn'talready)makethemselvesabeautifulmask.

Nowomanwalkedoutsideherhouseonfestivalday–womenwhodidwerearrested,bytradition,andspendtheirnightinjailwhilethefestivalwasaroundthem.DressedasKey,Islippedpastthefewpeopleonthestreetsunnoticedtowardsthedock.Forsomereason,dawnatthedockswasalwaysmoresplendidonfestivaldaythananyotherdayintheyear.

AsIstruttedthroughthetallirongatesseparatingthedockinglanesfromtheloadingdock,Itooknoticeofhowlittleactivitywerearoundme.SarijamPortdockswerefamousforworkingsunuptosunup.Festivalchangeseverything.Thewindblewacrossthesea,washingontotheland.Itflappedthelonelysails;thetallmastsofvariousshipswavingasthewavesundulated.Beyondtheships,however,wasthefaintestlightdottingthehorizon.

Iheardasound.Withouteventhinking,mydaggerwasdrawn,landingontheneckofsomeone.

"Damn,Key!Ialmostgotyou,too,"themansaid.

"Jacob?"

"Aye!Whoelsecouldsneakuponyouwithoutyounoticingforsolong?"Hechuckled,usingafingertodivertmydaggerfromhisneck.Islippeditbackintoitsscabbard.

"Howgoesit?"

"Everyone'spreparingforthefestival.I'mhopingtofinishrepairingthisshipbeforeIgetready,too."Hepaused."Whatbringsyouhere?"

"Sunrise."Already,thesunwasbeginningtoshowitslight.Awed,Iwalkedtotheedgeofthedock,myfeetdanglingabovethegentlewaves.Hesatdownbesideme,watchingthespectacle,too.

Itwasgorgeous.Thesunwasrisingfromthesealikearevivingfireball,itsraysspreadingdefiantlyoverthewaters,taintingeverythinginabright,warmglow.Thebreezeincreased,tuggingatmybandana,threateningtopullmyhairoutofitsconfines.

"Youknowanyshipssettingsailtomorrow?"Iasked,breakingthecomfortablesilence.

"Onlyone.It'stheoneI'mfinishingtherepairson.Twilight,it'scalled,"heanswered."Notmaypeoplewanttosetsailthedayafterthemasqueradefestival.Theywanttobewakeuplateintheafternoon."

"Wanderlustisgettingtome.Istayedatportfortoolong,yetmyfriendswillthrottlemeifIdaredtomissthefestival."

"Twilight'stheonlyonesettingsailatjustafterdawn.Didyouseetheshipwhenitcamein?Itlookedlikeithadnaseenaportrepairshopforthepastfiveyears!"Helookedatmethoughtfully."Mikael'ssignedupforthecrew,though.Themanneedssomeonetokeephisarroganceinline."

"Youwanttosignmeup?"Henodded.Afterawave,hejoggedawaybacktohiswork.

Jacobwastheonlydockhandwhoknewme.HisfatherwasoncetheSecondMateontheshipLeonwasFirstMateonbeforeLeonmetmyfather.HewasoneofthefirstreasonsLeonthoughtofSarijamashomeport.JacobandIgrewuptogether,butmyfrequenttripsontradingshipsmadeusrathergoodfriendsratherthansomethingmore.IsupposeifIhadstayedinportlongenough,Icouldgrowtolike,

orevenlove,Jacob,butthatpointintimewaswaypast.Idon'tknowwhathethinksbutIknewIcouldneverlikehimmorethanagoodfriend.

Andsomehow,unwillingly,IthoughtofEdwardCullen.Unlikeontheship,heseemedtobeacompletelydifferentmaninfrontofme.Whereashewascoldandalmostruthless,heseemedtohavedevelopedawackysortofhumor.Heteasedme…atleast,hetrieduntilitbackfiredonhim.Whatbotheredmethemostwasthefacthathesavedme.Nooneeversavedme.Itwasalwaysmesavingothersinmyclumsyways.Nooneevertalkedwithmeeither,apartfromJacobandLeon.

Inmythoughts,Ialmostdidn'trecognizesomeoneapproaching."TowhomdoIowethispleasure?"Iasked,handonthehiltofmydagger.

Thenewstrangersnorted."Notmanycansneakuponyou."IrealizedwithastartthatthiswasAliceCullen."IsawyourfriendsignyounameonTwilight'screwlist."

"Whyanamechange?"

Icouldalmosthearhershrug."Repairmencouldn'treadtheEclipsepartofit,apparently,sotheypaintedoverituntilitwastoolatetogetitback.It'sjustTwilightnow,"shesighed."Ididtellyouthatyouwillcomeback,didn'tI?"

"Onlybecausemywanderlust'simpeccabletimingdemandsthatIleavethedayafterfestivalandit'stheonlyshipsettingsail."ThatwaswhenIrealizedsomething.Spinningaround,Ihadahardtimemaskingmyshock.InfrontofmewasAlice.Only…shewasdressedalmostlikeIwas–introusers,boots,andabaggyshirt.Shewasdressedtohidethefactthatshewasawoman…justlikeme.

"IsupposeIshallseeyoutomorrowmorning.Don'tstaytoolateinthefestivalcelebrations!"Withawinkthatseemedtosayseeyoulater,sheturnedandglidedaway,hergracealmostephemeral.

Ileftthedocksaroundnoon,feelingalittlesweatyandgrimy.IwastemptedintoswingingacrossthemastcablesafterAliceleft.Myfeetoftenmademefall,butmyhandsandtheropeswereadifferentmatter.Itwassoexhilaratingtoswingfromonecabletothenext,trustingthatyouhadenoughmomentumtoflythroughtheairtwenty-somefeetandthatyourhandswouldcatchthenextcableinsteadofmissingitandfallingtoyourdeath.

BythetimeIsnucktoAngela'sshop,itwaspastnoon.BeforeIhadtimetoregisterwhatwashappening,desperatehandsgrabbedmeintothehomeylittleshop.Fiveminuteslater,Iwasdressedinachemiseanddumpedintoabathtubfreezingcoldwater,withevenmorefreezingwaterpouringovermyhead.

"DoIhavetosubmittoacoldwaterbath?"Igroaned,knowingitwasnousefightingthem.

"Well,see,wekeptthewaterwarmforyouuntilfourhoursago.Youdidn'tshowupsowedecidedtoletyousufferforcomingsolate,"scoldedJessica."Didyouhaveanyideahowharditisalreadytotameyouenoughsowecoulddressyouup?"

Isnorted."I'malwaysdocile,whatareyoutalkingabout?"AcascadeofwaterdrownedoutAngela'slaughterandJessica'sanswer.

Thebathwasfast,asIwasshivering,andtheyweredoingtheirbesttogothroughthingsandsupersonicspeeds.Tenminutesafterthecoldbathdump,theytippedoverthetubandIendedsprawlingonthefloorwithmywhitechemiseclingingfrigidlytomyskin.Drapingatoweloverme,theycombedoutthebraidmyhairwasinwithoutmercybeforefinallyhandingmeanewsetofunderclothestowear,sendingmebehindascreentochange.

AssoonasIsteppedout,however,theyattackedmeagain.Practicallytyingmedowntothechair,onewassurreptitiouslybraidingmyhairintotinyFrenchbraidsbeforebraidingtheFrenchbraidsintomorebraids;theotherwaspainstakinglyapplyingmake-uponmedespitemyeffortstowinceeverytimeshedabbedmoreeyelineronmyeyelids.

"Bells,cooperate!"Angelascolded,threateningtohitmewithherbottleoffoundation."Oryou'llendupbeingcoveredinthis'whitepowder'thatyousodetest."

Ifeltmyselfpaleatthatandstoppedstruggling.Beingcoveredinthatwhitepowderwasnotagoodthing.Whitepowdersandmenevergowellinthesamesentence,muchlessinthesamespace!

Afterwhatseemedtotakemillenniums,mytwotortureadvocatesfinallydeclaredthemselvesdone.Pushingmetothenearestmirror,theygrinnedatme.

Themirrorwasfloorlength,butIhadmydoubtsaboutthemirror.ThatgirlinthemirroractuallylooksfeminineandIwasnotveryfeminineatall.Thedresswasinshadesofblue,cutatjustbelowtheankles(Angela,Ibelieve,hadtheforesightthatIwouldtripovertheskirtsifitwereevenjustahairlonger).Thecorsetandouterskirtwasadarknavyblue,buttheskirtpartedtorevealaskyblue,glitteringskirtunderneath.ThecontrastmadeitseemasifIwastheimpersonationoftwilight–withthedarkcominginbutthesunfightingdefiantlyagainsttheloosingbattlewiththenight.

Myhairwasalsodoneelaborately.Thereweresomanytinybraids,Iwassurprised

thatIhadanysinglestrandsleftover.Butinreality,onlyhalfofmyhairwasbraided.Halfofthatwasbraidedintothinbraidswhichwerethenbraidedagaintwice.Theotherhalfwasleftinthinbraidsandhidamongmyhair.

Make-upwasnotthatbad,either.DespitewhatseemedlikebottlesofcosmeticsJessicaputonme,therewasonlyafainthintofblush,thepalestoffoundation,andabarely-theretraceofeyelinerthatseemedtobringoutmyeyesincontrasttomynaturalpaleness.Ilookedlikearegalladyforthecourtingseasonratherthanatrouble-makingstreettramp-essdressedforanoccasion.

"Stunned,much?"oneofthem,Iwastoodistractedtotellwhich,said."Wetoldyouthatyoucouldpassforaboutasprettyasyoucouldwant."Iheardtheprideinhervoice,distractedasIwas.

"That'snotme,"Iwhispered,pointingaccusinglyatthemirror.

Jessicacameoverandtuggedonmyarm."Stopstaring.Here'syourmaskandsomeaccessories.Shoesarebythedoor.Yougooutandhavefunwhilewearegoingtofinishourpreparations."Shehandedmeajinglingboxwithamaskontopandpushedmeoutthedoor.Nodoubttheywillnotbereadyuntilaftersundown.

Themaskitselfwasthemostimportantelementofportfestival.Theanonymityofallattendeeswasalwayspreserved.Itwastabootoshowone'sfaceorrevealone'snametoanyone.IcouldstandbesideAngelaandnotknowthatshewasthere–thatwashowsecretiveidentitieswerekept.

Mymaskwasinacolorthatwasamixbetweenthedifferentshadesofblueonmydress.Beadsdecoratedtheeyeholesandfaintlydyedbluefeathersflutteredatthefringes.Itcoveredthetophalfofmyfacetomynose.Oncewithiton,evenIcouldn'tbelievethatIremainedunchangedbeneathallthefinery.

ThefestivalwasjuststartingupwhenIfinallywalkedout.Thesunwassettingfaraway,butthestreetswerelitasbrightlyaspossible.Allstreetlampswillburnthroughoutthenight;allmusiciansweretoplaythroughthenight;andallpeoplewereexpectedtodancethroughthenight.Lookingatmyshoes,whichwereapairofblueslippers,Iwonderedhowtheyweregoingtolastwithallthedancingtheyexpectmetodo.

Whenthesunfinallydisappearedcompletelybelowthehorizon,themusicstarted.Folkmusicwasplayedonthisstreet,ballroomonanother.Iflittedthroughthestreets,keepingtowhateverrareshadowstherewere.Toomanypeoplewereinmasks;toomanymenwerelookingatmeasiftheywanttokidnapmetosomeforbiddenplace.AndwhenIstumbledintothegardenattheheartofSarijam,Ifelt

thegreatestrelief.Onlycouplesstayedhere–oldcouples,newcouples,couplesthatwouldneverseeeachotheragainafterthisnight.Soothingballroommusicwasplayingsomewherenear.Inasmallclearing,afewpairsweretwirling.

Relaxed,Iloweredmyselfontheground,notcaringtocheckwhethertherewasmudornot.Thestreetsmademefeelclaustrophobic.Ineverfeltasmanyeyesonmeastonight.Ileanedmyheadbacksoitrestedonanoaktreebehindme,halfdozing…

Iwokeupwithastart.Itwasn'tuntilIrealizedwhereIwasthatIrealizedwhatwokemeup.Itwasafeather-lightkiss–agentlebrushoflipsacrossmine.Andthereitwasagain.Istiffened.

"Sothesleepingbeautyawakes,"murmuredasoft,velvet-likevoice."Ihadafeelingthiswouldgetyouup."

"Yousimplydon'tjustkissrandomgirlsawake,"Isaid.AsIbecamemoreawake,Irealizedhowclosethisstrangerwas.Icouldsmellthesweetscentandwarmththatcameoffofhim.Andwhenhespoke,Ifeltthelittlepuffsofair.

"Iwantedtoaskadance.Youwouldn'twake.What'samantoassumebutthatyou'rePrincessAuroraandneedsakiss?"herepliedsoftly.Hisbreathwasallaroundme,makingmefeellikeIlostcontrolofallmyinstinctsandbody."Andyoudidn'tparticularlyprovemewrong."

"Isupposenot,"Ianswered.

"So…willyou?"

"WillIwhat?"

"Dancewithme."Myeyesopened.AllthattimeIfeltlikeIwasdreaming,onlytorealizethatitwasn't…atleastitdidn'tfeellikeadream.Thestrangerwasdressedallinblackwithadarkbluevestunderneaththesuit.Hisshoulderswerewide,hisframelargeandpowerful,andtheclothwasstretchedacrosshiminsuchawayastohintthewirymusclebeneath.Ifeltsoweakincomparison.Hehadhishandstretchedout,hiseyesseemedunsure,scaredeven.Tremblingslightly,Iplacedmyhandinhis.Itfeltsosmallinhis.

Andasifanewpersonalitytookoverme–Iwasledbyhim,walkingslowlytotheclusterofdancers.Heturned,catchingmyarmandwaist.Itensedatthecontact;hechuckled."Youdon'tgetveryclosetopeople,doyou?"

"I'mclosetomanypeople,"Ianswered.Standingatthisangle,feelinghiswarmth,I

feltasifIknewthismanfrombefore.ButIwastoomuddle-mindedtothinkclearlyformyself.Whatwashappening?"Ineverdanced,either."

"Ifindthathardtobelieve,"heansweredashespunmearound.Ifaintlyrecognizedthemusicasawaltz.Istumbledaswedanced,buthecaughtmesmoothly,makingitappearasifitwasintentional."Ah,Isee."Mycheeksflushed.Itriedtofollowhisleadbutitwasbecomingincreasinglydifficult.Finally,whenIthoughthewasgoingtokillmeforallmyclumsiness,hetwirledmearoundsothatmybackwasflushagainsthis.Ifelthislipsagainstmyneck,andItensed."Shhh,relax,oryou'llneverbedancing."

Itried,buthewastooclose;andthesensationsfromwhathewasdoingtomyneckweretoonew."Stayawayfromme,"Ibreathedweakly."It'snotafestivalofpleasures."

"Butyoucan'tdenythiswasoriginallymadeforcourtesanstofindtheirownpartnersinsteadofbeingassignedone,"heansweredsoftly,hisbreathonmyneckmakingmeshiver.

"Iamnotacourtesan."

"Butyouintrigueme."

"Howso?"

"Youspeaktoomuch,"heanswered,nippingmyneck.Igasped.

"Youjustbitme!"Itwistedoutofhisgrip,narrowingmyeyesathim.Hiseyesweregreen,smoldering,asifapredatorfinallysightingaworthyprey.Undermyscrutiny,hesmiled.Thecornersofhismouthslidupinacrookedgrinbeneathhismask.

"SoIdid,"hesaid."Whatareyougoingtodo?"

Violenceisnotthesolution,Ichantedinmyhead,clenchingandunclenchingmyfistsinanattempttocalmmyself.Spinningaround,Iwalkedawayfromhim,myinternalchanttheonlythingkeepingmefromknockinghimtotheground.Men.

Iheardhisfootstepsfollowingbehindme."Whatdoyouwant?"

"I'msorry,"hesaid,soundingsincere.Istoppeddead.Thatwasnotexpected.

"What?"

"I'msorry.Iwasbeingtooassuming…"Hespreadhishandsoutasiftoshowthat

hemeantnoharmandthathereallywassorry."It'sjust…mysisterforcedmetogointothepark.Ihadn'treallywantedtocomeatall,butshemademecomehere…andthenIsawyouandit'slikeIlostallthemannersthatmyparentstaughtme…"Irealized,withagrin,thathewasrambling.Iplacedafingeronhislips,successfullysilencinghim.Tomysurprise,heplacedakissonmyfinger,sendingachilldownmyspine.Hewassuddenlysoclose.MyeyelidsflutteredshutasIfelthisarmsslidearoundmywaistandpullmetohischest.Hislipsflittedacrossmyhair,nose,cheeks.Istruggledtostaycoolandreserved."MayIkissyou?"hemurmured,hisbreathfanningoverme.Intoxicated,Ibreathlesslynodded.

ThenextmomentIfelthislipsonmine.SweetGods!Itwasliketheworldfadedawayandtherewasonlyus.Hetastedfaintlyliketheripestberry.Anditwasmyfirsttruekiss…hestolemyfirstkiss.Ididn'tknowwhattodo.Whenhetriedtodeepenthekiss,IactedintheonlywayIknewhow…Hehissedinpainasheletgoofmecompletely,cursing.TherewasonethingIknewheknew:myname.

"EdwardCullen?"IaskedthemomentIregainedmygoodjudgment.

"Bella,"heacknowledged."Wearebreakingamillionrulesbyjustsayingthat."Isnorted.

"AsifthepolicewouldreallycareifBellabrokeanotherrule."Heraisedhiseyebrowatthat,buthedidn'tpressme."Ishouldbemadatyou."Hewaitedformetoelaborate."Yousavedmethreetimesandnowyoustolekisses.Myreputation'scrumblingaway."

"Yourreputation?Whataboutmine?"Istaredathimblankly.Hesighed."Isavedyoufromamobofbrutesandyouthankmebylettingyourfatherpinmetothefloor.Isavedyouagainfromtherunawayhorsecartandyoutoldmetoleaveyoualone.NowIkissyouandyouattackme.DoIgetanythinggoodformyheroicefforts?"

"IfbythatyoumeanIshouldliestillandletyoudowhateveryouwantwithme,thenno."Isnapped."WhodoyouthinkIam?"

"Imeant–"

"Findsomeoneelsetosaveandfawnoveryou,"Icuthimoff,flittingaway,fingerscrossingthatIwon'ttrip.

Ididn'tfall.Hedidn'tfollowmeeither.

Iwalkedontothestreets,awayfromtheparkwhereIknewhewasthere.Ididn'tknowwhatitwasabouthimthatmademefeelsosmall,sofragile.Iwasafraidof

him,afraidoffeelingthatway.Itdidn'tmatterthatItechnicallyowehimmylifethriceover,Iinstinctivelyshiedawayfromhim.

Themusicwasofallsortsbythistime.Inearedasquaredancingstreet,thelivelybeatandthelaughtermademewantapartnertosharethisnightwith.Itwasn'tasifIneverattendedthesealone–Ialwaysdid.Buttonight,Ifeltespeciallylonely.Apparently,Imadeitclearinmydemeanor.Footstepsapproachedme.Ilookedup.Itwasamanescortingawomantowardsme.Theywereinmatchingclothingofvioletandblue.Theman'sblueeyeslookedasiftheywouldpiercemysoul.

"Youlooklonelytonight,"hesaid.Irecognizedhimalmostimmediately,muchtomysurprise.Jasper.AndtheonebesidehimmustbeAlice.

"Iamnotlonely,"Iprotested.

"Aye?Andnowittycommentseither."HeturnedtoAlice."Shemustbelonely."Iraisedmyeyebrows.

"YouknowthatEdwardmightkillyouforcomingontotheship,yes?"inquiredAlice.Ifroze."Goodevening,Key,"shesaid,claspingmyhands."Iseethatyourfriendsdidagreatjobmakingyoupresentable."

"Hewouldnotknowifyouwillnottellhim,"Irepliedtersely.OutsideImaylookcoolandreserved,butIwastremblinginside.Theycannotspillmysecret,orIwouldbestuckinportduetoafour-daystormtomorrownight.

Jasperlaughed."Iwantyouliveforourduel.IamstillquitesureIshallbeatyouyet."

"Youcankeepdreamingthat.Maybe,oneday,Ishallloosetoyouwhilewieldingabluntwoodensword!"HechuckledasIleftthem,feelingmuchbetter.Iwasneveronetocraveforattention,butforsomereason,thisnight,IfeltmuchmorealivethanIhadeverbeenwhenpeoplecametotalktome.

Ileftthedancingshortlyaftermidnight.Thestarswereoutinthealleys.ThatwaswhenIknewIwasbeingfollowed.Everythingseemedtobeagainstmethesedays.Ihadbeenfollowedtoomanytimesformetofeelcomfortable.Slippingintoanicheinthewall,IdrewthedaggerthatIpainstakinglyhidinmyskirts.Asthefootstepsapproached,Itensed,andsprang.

Itwasaboy,notolderthanmyage.Mydaggerwasathisthroat,hisbackagainstthewall."Whywereyoufollowingme?"

"I-I'mn-n-not!"heprotested,tryingtowriggleaway.Helied.

"Movemoreandmydaggerwillnotshowmercy,"Ihissed.Hestilledimmediately.

"Now,tellme,whotoldyoutofollowme?"

"T-thismaninadarksuit.He'sgotr-redeyesandhet-toldmetok-keepane-eyeonyouandseew-wherey-youlived."

Ibarelyhadtimetorollawayfromadart,buttheboyhadn't.Itstruckhiminthechest.Mystomachchurnedatthesmellofsomuchbloodashecollapsedslowlyonthepavement,hiseyesrollingtothetopofhishead.

"Youdidn'thavetokillhim,"Icalledout.

Acruellaughterechoedthroughoutthealleyways.

"Wellmet,IsabellaSwan."Istruggledtonotwinceatmysurname."Youareonesharplass,"saidacold,stonevoice."Thatboydeservedtodie.Hewastooloose-tongued."

Then,fromthefarthestcorner,apairofbloodredeyesemerged.Iclutchedmydaggertightlytome,mymindworkingfast,forherewasanunknownenemy,andIwasjustabouttofindoutwhyIwasstuckinsomanystickysituations…

Severalnotes:incaseyou'rewondering,BelladidNOTkneeEdwardwhenhekissedher.Shehasotherwaysofmakinghimletgoofherotherthanthat...;)--like,sharpjerktohishair(she'sstrongenough)orastomponhistoes(shemightnotbeinstilettos,butshestillwouldknowhowtomakeithurt)...Ileavethattoyourimagination:D

Andyeah...Ididchangethenameoftheship(onawhim)...shh!pretendyoudidn'tknowthatandthinkthatImeanttodothisallalong;)XD

Anyonecanguesswhothelastattackeris?:Dhehe

Andasalways,pleasedropareview?

-Cathy

Revelations

A/N:I'msorryIhaven'tbeenupdatingfortwoweeksnow.TheweekafterIlastupdated,Ihadfinalstostudyfor.Igotoaresidentialhighschool,soIhadtomoveallmyjunkfromthedormsbacktomyroomathome.Thesortingofeverythingtooktwodays,andIwasutterlyexhausted.Itrulystartedthischapteraboutthree-fourdaysago.IknowIpromisedsomeonetohavethisoutbyTuesday...butitseemsI'vemisjudgedtheamountoftimeittakesmetosmoothoutthelittlebumpsalongtheway.Buthereitis!Chapter9!

Chapter9

-Interlude-

Theslywench!Victoriasentsomeofthebestfightersinthenearbytownstogether.Outofsix,onlyonereturned…withasevereconcussionthatrenderedhimcompletelyunabletoexpresshimselfclearly,ramblingonandonaboutbeinghitintheheadandseeinghiscompanionsalldead.(a/n:tobenerdyforonce–hehasaphasiafromtheconcussion:D)

Hehadnoremembranceofthefight…onlyablurryimageofhisclubbeingknockedfromhim.Ididn'tknowwhattomakeofit.Ithadtobetheamulet–intryingtosaveitself,italsosavedthegirl.Therewasnootherwayagirlcouldsingle-handedlydefeatthosemen…Isimplyrefusetobelieveit.

Ipacedaroundtheroom.ThemoreIlearnedaboutthegirl,themoreIwassureherlastnamewasSwan.BellaSwan–IsabellaSwan.TheEnglishwerealwaysonabouthavinganamethatrolledoffthetongue…thisonefitswell.

Iwenttomanylengthstodiscoverhersurname.Iwouldnotwanttomakeamistakeandlettherealoneslipthrough.No,I'veoncemadethatmistake.Itwon'thappenagain.TherewasoneoldmanwhowasparticularlyinterestedinwhyIwassokeeninmyquestioning.Thesenseofherwasverystrongaroundhim,asifshewasveryclose.Ipressedonruthlessly,firstassumingthatallmysuspicionswerewrong–thatBellawashisdaughter.WhenIthreatenedtokillherhowever,hebuffed,sayingthatIcouldtakeherlife,forshehadnofamilyleft.Hiswordsrangwithtruth,eventhoughhetriedtoactasifhewasbuffingsoIcouldtakehislifeinstead.

Itdidn'twork.ThereweretimeswhenIlostsightofmygoalandcursedmyhalf-existence.HalfofmeprovidedallthepowerIcouldeverwant;theotherhalfforcedmetoobeythephysicallawsoftheliving.Icouldnotopenlydischargethepower.I

hadthepotentialtosummonafireballthatcoulddestroytheentireport,butIwaslimitedtoonlyemittingsparksfrommyfingersbarelystrongenoughtostartafire.Allbecauseofthatcursedamuletandthosecursedwizardswhomadeit!

Intheend,Isparedhim.Hecouldn'tdiewhilehestillhadsecretsthathekept.

ItwasthenthatIlaunchedmycampaigntomeetthegirlmyself.IrecruitedasmanyofthestreettrampsasIcouldtotrackher,followherwherevershewent.Theytreateditlikeagametheyalwaysplayedonher.Sheneverfailedtopointthemout,eitherbyflickingapebbleattheirheadswithunerringaccuracyorsomehowsneakupbehindthemtotapthemontheshoulders.IhadVictoriastalkheronce.Bellawaswithaman;shehadgrabbedtheman'shandandpointedwhereVictoriawashiding.

Onthedayofthefestival,however,Ilosthertrailcompletely.HerguardseemedtobedownwhenIfinallyfoundher,orperhapsIwastoogood.Shewanderedfromthepark,deepinthought.Inthehubbubofthecrowd,shenevernoticedthatIhadoneboyfollowher.Ipaidhimwell;heleftatrailthatIcouldfollow,butintheend,shestillcaughthim.

WhenIcaughtuptothem,shehadhimpinnedagainstthewall,questioninghim.Hehastodiewasthefirstthoughtthatcametomymind.Noteventhinkingaboutthefactthatherbodyblockedhis,Ithrewadartathim,instillingasmallamountofpowertoensureaccuracy.Itcould'vekilledthetwoofthemhadshenottumbledaway.Iheardthedistinctmomentwhentheboydied–thatclickofthegatesasitopenedandclosedbehindthenewcomer.Iturnedbacktolookather.ShewasstaringstraightatmeeventhoughIknewitwasimpossibletoseemeintheshadows.

"Youdidn'thavetokillhim,"shesaid,herfacedevoidofemotions.KnowingIwascaught,Igrinnedtomyselfandsteppedoutoftheshadows.

"Wellmet,IsabellaSwan,"Isaid,chuckling."Youareonesharplass."Ilookedattheboy'scrumpledform."Thatboydeservedtodie.Hewastooloose-tongued."Myeyesweretrainedonhersthen.Notaflickerofsurpriseflashedthroughhereyes.Testingher,Isentoutanotherdart.Shedeflecteditasifitwasafly;themetalobjectclangedtotheground,ringinglikeabell.

"Whoareyou?"

"IfItoldyou,Iwouldhavespoiledthefun,wouldn'tI?"

"ThenIsupposeyouwon'ttellmewhyyouaresokeentoseekmeeither."Ijust

smiledinreply.

"Yousee,Bella,Iwasveryintriguedbyyou."Hereyebrowchanged,butsheremainedotherwisestill."Youhadeitherconsciouslyorunknowinglydeflectedallmyplanstohurtyouinanyway."Here,Istopped,smilingwidelyather.Aslighttremorpassedthroughherstillform."Tonight,youwon'tbesolucky."Ilaughedassheshiftedherfeet,attemptingtopreparefortheassaultcoming.Shehadnowaytoescape.Limitedasmypowerswere,theycouldbechanneledintoasharpweapon.Iwillnotmissanyofmyswingsather…

-Endinterlude-

Cursingundermybreath,Ileanedheavilyagainstawall,tryingtobreatheasquietlyasIcouldbutfailingmiserably.Myhandwasonmyarmwhereanopencutwasstillbleedingprofusely.Clenchingmyteethagainstthepain,Iappliedmorepressureonitinordertostaunchthebleeding.Thesmellwasincrediblynauseating.SweatrolleddownmycheeksasIbitmyliptokeepfromfainting.Ihadtogetaway.Idoubtastrongknocktotheheadwouldholdhimbackforlong.

Stumblingalongthealleyway,mymindflashedthroughthebattle.NomatterhowcarefullyIparriedandblocked,hisswordalwaysendedupatleastscratchingme,ifnotmore.Therewerebruisesandcutsallupanddownmylegs,although(foronce)Iwasgladthatthedresswasvoluminousenoughtotaketheedgeoffthehits.HadIbeenintrousers,IdoubtedI'dstillbeinonepieceatthemoment.

Heseemedsoinvincible.ThoughIknewbetterthanshowmysurprise,Icouldn'thelpfeeldespairwhenImadetoslicehisthroat,onlytofeelnoresistanceagainstmybladewhenIcutthroughhim.Itwaslikehewasn'twhollythere…asifhewasn'tallveryalive–substantial.ItwasatruemiraclethatIhadtrippedoveragarbagebin,somehowknockingsomethingoverthatendedupdroppinganenormouschunkofcementedbricksontohishead.Hedidn'tbleed;rather,hiseyesseemedtoturndistantandhesanktothegroundinadeadfaint.

Curiosityhadburnedthroughme,butIturnedawayfromtemptationandranasfastasmybruisedandhurtingbodycouldallow.

BurstingintoLeon'ssmallhouse,Iwentcompletelystill.Leonwashuddledinthecorner,mumblingincoherentlytohimself;thefurnitureandeverythingwasinshambles,thrownhaphazardlythiswayandthat.Atmyentrance,helookedup.Hiseyeswerebloodshot;driedbloodclungtohismattedhair.Therewerebruisesalloverhisface–helookednobetterthanme.

"B-Bella?"hesaidinabare,huskywhisper.Stumbling,Iwenttothewaterwelland

broughthimacupofwater,whichhedrankfromgreedily.

"Whathappened?"Iasked,myvoicebarelyrisingfromawhispertoo.

"Squirt,"heanswered,ahintofasmilepassingthroughhisfeatures."Where'stheamuletyourfatherleftyou?"Hisdemeanorsuddenlychangedfromlightheartedtoserious,almostpanicked.Idugtheblueheart-shapedamuletfrombeneathmycorset,showingittohim.Tomysurprise,itfeltamazinglywarm.Herelaxedvisiblyashestrokedthesmallheartlovingly."Thisamulethasagreatstorybehindher,hun.Ididn'twantyoutohavetoprotecther,butyouarethenextbearerofher.Keephersafewithyourlife."

Iwasabouttoaskhimwhywhenhestoppedme,continuing."SheisalocketandaGate.There'sakey-beareroutthereintheworldsomewherewhohasthekeytoopenthelocketandbringthebothofyourichesbeyondimagination.ButtherearealsopeoplewhoseekhertodestroytheGate–agatethatkeepspowerfulbeingsfromtakingoverthelandintheirclutchesandfrompower-hungrymenwhoseektobecomethosepowerfulbeings."

Hisvoicesuddenlydropped;hispacequickening."Mostpeopleneverreachthislaststep–theopeningoftheGate.Theirpower-lustmakesthembreaktherulesofthelivingandtheyaresoonconsumedanddead.Someone,however,hasreachedthisstepdespitetheapparentimpossibilityofitandknowsthattheSwansarethelatestbearersoftheamulet.Keepyoursurnameadeadlysecret–thatwouldbeyourfirstprotection.Andguardherwithyourlife,forIcouldnolongerdoso."

TearsstreamedfrommyeyesasIsuddenlyfiguredoutwhathewasgoingtodo."YouwantmetoescapeasfastasIcouldwhileyoustayhereandleadthemonfalsetrails."Itwasnotaquestion.Hesimplynodded.

"Ihadtogiveyourfathersomesortofexplanationanddoashewould'vedone."

"Andthere'snothingIcandotoconvinceyoutoescapewithme."Istruggledtokeepmytearsinandmyvoiceeven.IshookfromthepainofmywoundsandtherealizationthatIwasnevergoingtoseeLeonagain.Hejustshookhishead,bringingmeforabruisinghug.

Andthenhebrusquelypushedmeaway."Go!Hewillnotbelongincominghere."

Asifdrivenbyanunknownforce,Isprangintomyroom,rippedmydressfrommybody,anddonnedonashirtandtrouserswhileworkingmybandanaovermyhair.WithalastlookatLeonandthehouse,Igrabbedmysatchelandranforthedocks,ignoringalltheprotestsmybodywasgivingme.

--

Iwokeupwithastart,immediatelydrawingoutmydagger.Throughblearyeyes,Isawmysurroundings.Iwasonaship.Theshipwasonthesea.Butwhichship?Idugwithinmymindtosearchwhathadhappenedlastnight.Iranintoamanwhowasnothurtbymydagger;Leontoldmetoleaveportasfastaspossible.Ihadrunallthewaytothedocks,gettingonthefirstshipthatIcouldseeinthedepartingdocks.Itwastheonlyshiptiedupbythedepartingdocks.

Itriedtorollover,groaningwhenallmymusclesprotested.Istillhadbruisesallover,butthevariouscutswerenolongerbleeding.ThewoundonmyarmthrobbedasImadeintoasittingposition,leaningheavilyonthecratesbesideme.

ThatwaswhenInoticedwhathadwokenme.TenpacesawaystoodAlice,hereyeswideandhermouthformedintoan'o'ofshock.Grimacingslightly,Icroaked,"Goodmorning."Myvoicewashoarse.Thesoundbarelymadeitswaytomyownears.However,shewasstartedoutofherstateofshock,quicklykneelingdownbesideme.

"Whathadhappened?"

"Igotcaughtinabrawl.Don'tworryaboutit,"Ireplied.Shewasn'tconvinced,asifsheknewIwaslying.Itensedassheapproached,butshekeptquiet."Whattimeisit?"Iaskedasshestartedtocheckmywounds.

"Dawn,"sheansweredsimply."Theshipleftporttwentyminutesago.Ishouldwarnyouthat…"Shedidn'tgettofinishhersentence.Atthatmoment,JaspercameupbehindAlice,hiseyeswideningtoseemeinsuchacondition.

Behindhimwastherestofthenewcrew.

Ohgod.

StandingbarelyoutofmylineofsightwasMikaelNewton–oneofmymortalenemies.Heclaimedasmuchfameandcreditashecouldwithoutactuallydoing;andwhateverheactuallydiddo,heusuallymessedupsomuchthatothershadtocleanupafterhim.

Thedislikewasmutual.Nomatterhowgreatorheroicheclaimedhimselftobe,heneversucceededinclaiminganyoneofmydeeds.Itincluded,atleast,theabilitytodisarmhiminoneswing.Forthatreason,hetriedtotakeasmuchadvantageovermeashecould,alwaysfailingandhumiliatinghimselfintheworstsortofway.

Heshiftedslightly,bringinghiseyestomeetmine.Dull,emotionlesseyessuddenlysparkedwithfury.Asifonfire,hedrovehimselfinfrontofJasper,clumsilydrawingouthissword.Chesthuffinginsuddenanger,heyelled,"YOU!"

"Aye,me.Isthereanythingmoreintelligentyourimpededmindcouldcommandyoutosay?"

Hestruggledforacomeback,hismouthopeningandclosinglikethatofagoldfish.Ijustsmirked,lyingstillasAlice,whoremainedoblivioustothecrowd,triedtobandagethecutsonmyarms.

Miketurnedaway."Standupandfightme,"hecommanded."Iwillnotbecalledtakingadvantageofyourweaknessbyslayingyouassuch."

"You?Youwantmetostandupandfight?"Isnorted."You'renotworthit."

"You-"

"Mewhat?Ifthat'sallyoucansay,you'reevendimmerthanIfirstthoughtyoutobe."Hemadetochargeatmethen,butJasperheldhimback.

"Youcanstoptauntinghim,Key,"hesaidtomewithameaningfullook.

"Youcanlethimgo,Jasper.Hewon'tharmme,"Ianswered.Jasperdidn'tmoveforamoment,strugglingtoholdthewigglingmaninhisgrasp.Iraisedaneyebrowathim;heletgo.

Mikefoughtwiththeairforalongmomentbeforefinallyrealizingthathewasfree.Withafiercegrunt,hecamechargingatme.

"Wait!"shoutedavoice.ItwasAlice.Untilthatmoment,Ihadforgottenshewasstillcheckingmywounds."Youhaveaswordtobullyawoundedladwithoutaninchofsteel.Yourfamewouldnotgowellwiththatonyourrecord."

Thatstoppedhimdead.Huffing,heturnedhisbacktomeasifinanattempttoblockouttemptation."Youchooseanysortofweaponthatisavailable,andthenwefight."

IthankedAlicewithmyeyes,butmotionedforhertomoveaway.Ihadtodothisinthesimplestway,althoughIhadn'texpectedthefighttobesosoon."Ishan'tneedaninchofsteeltofightyou,"Isaid,myvoicebarelyrisingabovemywhisper.

ThatwaswhenIsawhim.Edward.Hewasstandingonthebalconyabovethecabin,overlookingtheentiredeck.Hisstartlinggreeneyeswerenarrowed,hisface

emotionlessashewatchedtheeventsthatplayedout.ButwhenhenoticedthatIsawhim,hiseyesshowedsuchatendernessthatmademystomachchurn.Itwasasifherecognizedme…andyetthatwasasnearimpossibleasonecouldget.Alicewasadifferentstory,Iconvincedmyself.

Ascreechingwarcrybroughtmeoutofmymusings.Mikaelwaschargingatme,hisswordheldasifhewantedtochopmeinhalf.Ieasilytumbledaway;itlodgeditselfdeepinthecrateIhadleanedagainst.Withagrunt,hepulleditoutandchargedagain.Anotherroll,andhisswordmissedagain.Hewasusingasmuchstrengthashecouldtheentiretime;Ijustrolledfromsidetoside.IwassofocusedonhisnextmovethatIdidn'trealizeweweretumblingontothemaindeckuntilIactuallyfoundmyselfinthemiddleofawidespanofarea.Itwasmuchhardertododgehitsinanemptyarea…inmycurrentcondition,nearlyimpossible.

Mike,however,wastiring.Hisarmmovementsweretoowild,toosloppy.Heseemedtorealizethatandchangedtactics.Brandishinghisswordagain,hebegantousewristmovementstocontroltheweapon.Hecameatmewithit,buthisstrengthwasnotasitusedtobe.

Ileanedbackastheswordwentformyneck;itswipedabareinchabovemynose.Thecutonmyarmthrobbedattheexertion.Iknewitmustbebleedingagainfromthesmellthatsuddenlysaturatedtheair.Bitingdownonmytonguetodistractmefromthepainelsewhere,IwatchedMikeashespunandperformedacomplicatedseriesofmovesbeforeaiming.Asifinslowmotion,hisimagesplitintotwobeforecomingtogetheragain.Ibarelyhadtimetoleantothesideandcatchhisbladebetweenmyfingers.Withasharpwrench,Ibrokethesixinchesofthetipoff;inthesamemove,mywristtwistedandthetipmadeadeepgashintohisarm.

Hismomentumwastoogreattostop.Wincingfromtheeffort,Ikickedhimashisbodypummeledtowardsme,theimpactjarringmyjointsintosharpprotests.Hisbody,however,tumbledfourfeetaway.Asharpcracksignifiedthathemusthavebrokensomebone.Inolongercaredwhichbone,orwhetherI'verenderedhimparalyzed.BlackspotsappearedinmyvisionevenasIstruggledtokeepconsciousness.Voicesyelledoutmyname,butIcouldnolongerrecognizethem.

Andtheworldturnedcompletelyblack.

Somanythingshappened...IfeellikeI'mrushingthestoryalongorsomething.WegettohearthetaleoftheamuletanditsimportancefromLeon'sperspective,andBellagetshurtalittlebitmorethanIoriginallyplanned...oops.I'mhopingthatthenextchapterwillbeoutbynextweek...butIdon't

thinkI'mgoingtomakeanypromises...sinceI'veknowntoguessverywronglywhenitcomestotime.

Somehow,Ithinkafterallthis,Bella'sgoingtoundergosomeslightcharacterchanges...butnotsurehowit'sgoingtoturnout:D

Andasalways,pleaseleaveareview?

--Cathy

DreamsandReality

A/N:IthinkIhadalottosaywhileIwaswritingthischapter...butatthismoment,Ican'trememberanyofit...(sigh)ohwell.

Chapter10

Iwokeuptoaverydarkroom,boardeduponallsides.Theshipwaswobbling…Ihadtroublestandingupright.EverythingseemedtobespinningeventhoughtherewasnothingIcouldsee.Therewasnotevenawindowtotelltime;notonespeckoflight.Tenderly,Iraisedmyhandtomyface.Evenwhenitwastouchingmynose,Istillcouldn'tseeit.

Iwasnottiedup.Wobbling,Ileanedheavilyagainstthenearestwallinanattempttofindthedoor.Walkingendlesslyaround,Irealizeditwasnouse.Icouldn'tfeeltheseamofadooranywhere.Panickickedin;Icrumbledtoaheap.WherewasI?WhywasIhere?Thefloorseemedsowarm…Iwassocold.Myentirebodyachedandthrobbed,yetIcouldn'texactlyrememberexactlywhy.IscreamedandIthrashedaround,allIendedupdoinginthewobblyroomwasendupinaheap.Icouldnotfindthewallsagaintohelpmestandup.

WhenIfinallystoodup,theshipseemedtolurchandIendeduponmyhandsandkneesagain.Thetalesfrommychildhoodkickedin…

"Father!"Iburstoutofthemanor,sprintingtothemancomingupthedrive.CharliealwayscametovisitmeeachspringwhenthegovernessesIhadsetmefreetoplayandexplore.TheycouldnevertrulyunderstandwhatitwasabouttheseathatIloved.Why,Icouldevenridehorses,ifMotherwouldonlyletme.ButnomatterhowIpleaded,sheneveropenlygavemeherpermission.Iendedupmakingfriendswiththestableboy,whotookmeouttoarideeverynowandthen.

ButFatherwouldalwaysbringmeonhisshipandletmedobigstuff.IttookonlytwoyearstolearnhowNOTtofallwhentheshipisunsteadyandhowtomakeitseemlikeyou'retiedupintwoseconds…atleast,that'swhatIlearned.WhetherfatherreallyknewIlearnedhowtodothatwasadifferentmatter.Hetiedmetoachairorpoleplentyoftimestopunishmymisbehavior,butIalwaysendedupgettingfreetoplayandcomingbackbeforesomeonecheckeduponmetomakesureIwasstillthere.

Ididn'tseeastraybranchonthewalkway,andtrippedoverit.Charliewassmiling,butaworriedexpressionreplacedthatsmilewhenIfell.GrimacingwhenIpulled

myselfup,Ibrushedoffmyskirtsandlimpedtohim.Hegavemeabriefhug,laughingashetwirledmearound…

AndIwasbackinthatdarkcell.Sweattraileddownthesidesofmyface.Ididn'tknowwhathappened.Iwascold;myheadachedasifhammerswerebeingstruckonmyskullfromtheinside.Notruememorycameback.HowdidIenduphere?Iscreamed,butnoonecamein.Iwasalone.

Ibitmyliptokeepfromcrying.Icouldn'tcry.Biggirlsnevercriedunlesstheywantedtobebullied…

Iwasinthemidstofanothernightmare.ThefirstlifeIevertookwasthatofayoungboy,nobiggerthanmeatthetime.Itwaseightyearsago,whenIwasonlyten.LeonandIjustmovedpermanentlyintoSarijam.Hewasthelocalambassadorfromthestreetgangstowarnustheconsequencesofenteringtheirdomain.

Ihadobstinatelysaidno.Iwasyoung,andhadjustgottenoffashipwherethecaptaintreatedmelikeamerecabinboyinsteadofawatcher;itwashisfaultthattheshipwasfourweekslateinitsdelivery.IfhehadjustlistenedtomewhenItoldhimhewasgoingsouthintoastorminsteadofwestward,wewouldn'thavegotten'lost'andhadtodoemergencyon-boardrepairsoftheship.Intheendheofferedmethewheel,butonlyafteralongbullyingsessionfromLeonandtherestofthecrew.Apparently,theothermenoftheshipheldmeinhigheresteemthanIthought.

Leonwarnedmetostopmysharpcomebacks,butIcouldn't…wouldn't.ItwasnotuntilhethrewapunchatmewhenIsuddenlyknewIhadgonetoofar.Hemissedterribly,ofcourse,butIhithimback.Leontriedtobreakthebrawlup,butIhadkeptonit,eventuallyblockingLeon'sattemptsinadditiontotheboy'sthrows.Hissizewasbigger–taller,andyetmydexteritymadehimtwisthisbodyintoawkwardpositionsnotfitforafight.

Ididn'twanttokillhim.AsIdodgedhits,Ionlyaimedtomakehimimmobileandlethimgo.Hedidn'tthinkthesameasme.Itwasn'tlongbeforehedrewhisdagger.Ihadnone.MinewasinLeon'spossession–heknewtokeepitfarfrommewhenIwasinabadmood.Icouldonlyparryanddodgewhilewaitingformychance.ItcamealittlesoonerthanIthought.Inonethrust,hisdaggermadetochopmyheadoff.Myrighthandroseofitsownaccordtograbhiswrist.Withaquickduckandturn,Ihadguidedhisdaggertohisownneck…withmoreforcethanIthought.Hisarm'smomentumcausedhimtoslicehisthroat.Hisshockedfacestaredatmeashecrumpledtothefloorinaheap.

Thefacehauntedmyvision–grewuntiltherewasonlythatshockedexpressionand

nothingelse.

Andthenitchanged.Partsofthefleshrippedoffasthefacegrinned."You'llmeetyourend,too,Bella!"itshouted,thevoiceechoingwithsuchforcethatitthrewmeback.Thefaceloomedoverme,thebonymouthopenasiftoswallowme.Iscreamedashisteethloomedcloserandcloser…

Myeyesshotopen,immediatelyclosingagainsttheblindinglightfromaholeintheoppositewall.Asifinadaze,IwonderedwhatI'dlooklike.Myhairwasmattedtomyscalpunderthebandana.Myhandshurt–IknewImusthaveskinnedtheminmyearlierattemptstogetout.

Andthelightsuddenlyfaded.

Myeyesopenedoftheirownaccord.Adarkshadowwasstandinginthedoorway.Iwhimpered,myvoicelonggonefrommyscreaming.

"Key!Areyoualright?"Theshadowdetacheditselffromthelight.Asolidbeingcameover.Ihissedwhenhegrabbedmyhand,butwhimperedwhencoolhandspressedagainstmyforehead."You'reburningup!"

"Edward?"Icroaked.Insomeunknown,coherentrecessofmymind,Irecognizedthevoice,thetouch.IdistantlyregisteredhowweakImustlook.Somewarningblaredinmymind,butIcouldn'trecognizeit."MynameisBella,"Iwhispered.Ididn'tknowwhyIsaidit.Morewarningbellsblaredinmymind,butIwastoowearytoignorethem.

Theman–hehadn'trespondedyet–froze,hiscoolhandsstillonmyforehead."Whatdidyoujustsay?"

"CallmeBella,"Irepeated.Myeyesweretearingupagain.Hisdarkshapeseemedtosplitintotwo,three,morethanthree.Hespoke,buthisvoiceechoedendlesslyinmyhead,addingtomyexistentheadache.Drysobsbrokeoutofme–strangledsoundsthatsignifiedhowmiserableIwas."MynameisBella."Iwhisperedagain.Andthen,hisimagewasgone,replacedbymorememories…

"Whoareyou?"oneofthecrewmensneeredatme."Wedunacceptlilgirlslikeyouhere."

"MynameisBella.BellaSwan,"Ianswered.IhadadistinctfeelingthatIshouldbescared,butIgiggledathisexpressioninstead.Hiseyesbulgeduntiltheyalmostpoppedoutandhislipswerepulledoverhisteethlikeanoldtoothlessgranny."AndI'mherewhetheryouacceptitornot."

Hisexpressionafterthatmademelaughevenharder.Helooked…stoned–asifsomeonepulledabigbucketofice-coldwateroverhimandhedidn'tknowwhetherhewascoldfromtheiceorhotfromtheangerwithin.Onesideofhisfacetwistedupintoanawkwardattemptofasmile;theotherhalfwastryingtonarrowhiseyeatmeandmakemecry…atleast,that'swhatmyinstinctstoldmehewantedtodo.Hewasjustbeingsilly.

"Haveyouaparalysisofyourface?Myoldgovernesssaidthatpeoplewhomakeexpressionslikeyoursneedtoseeadoctorrightawayinhopesthatthelossofmusclecontrolwon'tspread,"Itoldhimknowledgably,proudofmyself.

Deepchucklessoundedbehindme.Iwhirledaround."Papa!"Iscreamed,runningtohim.Hisarmswerewideopenashescoopedmeupintohisarmsandtwirledmearound.

"Well,helloKey,"helaughed."Iseeyou'regivingmycrewquiteahandful."Hetriedtobeserious,buthisgrinandwinkgaveitallaway.

"Theywerebeingsilly.MissSterbaalwayssaidthatsillymenneededtobereprimanded."Hiseyeswidenedasheplayedalong.

"SoI'venotonlybroughtmydaughterandhelper,butalsoastrictMissCaptain!"Helaughedandturnedtowardhismen."Thisismydaughter,Bella-Key,"hesaid,noddingtomeandthentohismen."Idohopethatshewillfindnomoreneedtoreprimandyou."Someofthemenlaughedoutright,butthemanwhoIspoketojustglaredatme.Istuckmytongueoutandmadeanoiseathiminreturn.Fathersetmedownandpushedmeinthegeneraldirectionofthedeck,tellingmetoplay.

Iranforthedoor,buttheatmospheresuddenlychanged.Itfeltasifthepreviouscheeryfeelingsuddenlymorphedintosomethingmeanandevil.ThefasterIrantowardsthedoor,thefartheritseemedtomovefromme.Ilookedbacktowheremyfatherwas,buthewasontheship,wavinggoodbyeasitstruckastonestructureandeverythingdisappeared…

Isatup,panting,thesuddenmovementcausedmyheadtopound.Coolhandspressedaclothonmyforeheadwhileleaningmeback.Igroaned,jerkingaway.

"Iwouldn'tdothat,Key,"averymalevoicesaid.Myeyesshotopen.TheblurryshapeofEdwardloomedaboveme.IwasinacabinIhadneverbeentobefore…bookshelveslinedthewalls,eachselfwithaspecialridgetokeepthebookssecuredagainsttumblingwaves.FromwhatIcouldsee,Iwasontheonlybed.

"WhereamI?"Iwhispered.

"Myroom,"thevoiceanswered.Itiltedmyhead,suddenlycomingincontactwithapairofvibrantgreeneyes.Heseemedtobekneelingbythebed,chinproppedonhishands.Andhewasjuststaringatmeunblinkingly.

FeelingbetterthanIhadbefore,Iwavedahandinfrontofhiseyes.Heblinked,asifstartledfromhisthoughts."Youknow,ifyouneedsomeobjectofinspirationforyourgreatideas,youshouldfindsomethinginanimatetostareat."

Helookedconfusedforasecond,andthensnorted."Areyouadmittingthatyou'reunnerved?"Hiseyebrowsroseinamusement,buthecouldnothidetheflushthatspreadacrosshischeeks.

"Yes,"Ianswered,playingalong.

Hesnortedagain."Idon'tbelieveit!ThegreatMr.Keyjustadmittedthathewasscared!"

Ishrugged,althoughthegesturefeltquiteawkwardwhenlyinginabed."Forallyouknow,Imaybeaquiveringmouseinside."

"Andpigsmightfly!"

Iwassilentforamoment,thinkingitthrough."Iappreciatethevoteofconfidence,althoughI'mnotsureIcarefortheassociation."

ForthefirsttimesinceI'dmethim,hesmiled–truly,genuinelysmiled.Thecornersofhismouthpulledupinacrookedgrin.Hiseyessparkledwithmischief.Heleanedconspiratoriallyin,hislipsinchesfrommyear."Youshouldtakeitasacompliment.They'reprettyhighuptheintelligencescale."Hisbreathfannedovermyear,Ishiveredinvoluntarily.

"Verywell,"Icontinued,cursingattheslighttremorinmyvoice."Thankyouforthecompliment."

Helaughedthen."I'mgladyourfeverbroketothepointwhereyou'recoherentagain."Withthat,hegotupandmadetoleave.Therewasanaggingmemorytuggingjustontheedgeofconsciousness…somethingIthoughtIshouldknow.

"Wait!"Ishouted.Hestopped,hishandonthedoorhandle.Slowly,heturnedaround,raisinganinquisitiveeyebrowatme."Whobroughtmeintothisroom?"

"Emmett.Hehadthestrengthtocarryyouwithoutdroppingyouevenwhenyouthrashedabout."HeleftbeforeIcouldlaunchanotherquestion.

CallmeBella.Thosethreewordsechoedloudlyinmymind.Irememberedthemvividlyinmydream,butIalsoknewthatmyhabitofsleep-talkingmayhavespilledit.

Thedaysthatfollowed,Irecoveredfullyfrommyabruptillness.Twoquestionsconstantlyplaguedmymind.DoesEmmettknow?And,moreimportantly,whatwillhedoifhedoes?

--

AssoonasIregainedtheuseofmyfeet,IslippedawayfromEdward'sroom.Itwasdarkatnight,thesoundsoftheoceantraveledlazilyintunewiththegentleswayingofthewaves.Edwardwasasleep,asheoftenwas,onthehammockhunginacorner.Everynightthatthenightmaresrolled,I'dwakemyself,findinghimstaringatmewiththatpeculiarexpression–eyebrowsfurrowedinconcentration,eyessparklingwithanunknownemotion.WheneverIasked,heseemedtojump,asifstartledfromadaze,andturnawayfromme.Severaltimes,whenthelighthadn'tburnedout,Icaughthimflushing,thoughIcouldnotfigureoutwhy.

ThenextfewdaysIkeptmyselfalooffromeveryone,evenfarawayfromthecrow'snest.Istayedamongtheropes,swingingfromsidetoside.SometimesIstoppedanddroppedbehindunsuspectingcrewmembers,usuallyearningmyselfamutteredcurse.Othertimes,Ijusthungmotionlessonacable,feelingtemptedbythebreezetoloosenmyhair.Throughoutallthattime,Iwaslookingforonepersoninparticular–Emmett.Heavoidedme.

Thedayspassedwithoutasightofhim.ItgottothepointwhereIpaidhimavisitonemorning.

Inearlyslammedhisdooropen,inwardlywincingattheruckusitmade.

"It'snoteverydayIseetheFirstMatescramblingforcoverassoonasIenter,"IremarkedcasuallywhenIsawEmmettatthefarcorner.Hecoughed,hiseyesquicklyshutteringoutastartledlook.

"DoesthatmeanIhavepermissionfromYourHighnesstocallyouBella?"heasked,standingstraightandmakingabeelinetowardsme.Ionlynarrowedmyeyesinreply.

"Ifyouchoseblackmail,whyallthetroubletakeninavoidingme?"Iignoredhisquestion.

"Youwillnottellmeoutrightwhyyouchosetoboardtheship,"hestatedsimply.

Icouldn'thelpit.Ilaughed."Smartthought.I'dneverguessyouhaditinyou."

Thenextsecond,hisswordwasonmyneck,blockedbythehiltofmine.Itookonelookattheswordandthenathim,smirking."Quick,butnotquickenough."Iwinked."Othertrickstomakemeimpressed?"

Isawhisotherhandreachforhisbelt,suddenlycomingupempty."Youtookmy…"hetrailedoffashisswordclatteredtotheground.Hiseyestraveledup."…whip,"hefinishedsoftly.InmyhandIheldthecat-o'-nine-tails.Eachgentleflickofmywrist,thewhipmadeasharpcrackagainsttheground.

"Aye.SoIhaveyourweapon,youhavemysecret.Whatdoesthattellus?"

"ThatIshouldn'tunderestimateyou."

Igrinned."Wonderful!"Idroppedthewhiptotheground,turningforthedoor.

"WouldyouactuallywhipmehadInotagreed?"heaskedasIopenedthedoor.

"WouldyoutellEdwardmysecrethadInotcomeheretoensurethatit'skept?"Withthat,Iopenedthedoorandletitshutbehindme,feelingasifasuddenweighthadsuddenlyleftme.

Manyofyouwroteinyourreviewsthatyouarequiteanxiousaboutmy"slightcharacterchanges"forBella.She'sgoingtobeherwittyself(Ihope)butmightturnalittlemorereserved.

And...I'malittleevilforthischapter.Wedon'tknowforsurewhetherEdwardheardBellawhenshewas"outofit".Wedon'treallyevenknowhewasthereatall-hemightbepretendingorhemightactuallybeclueless;)Istillhaven'tfoundtheperfecttimeforthetruthberevealed,butit'scomingsoon!:D

Apennyforyourthoughts?hehe

--Cathy

OfWitandPain

A/N:Heyaeveryone!I'vehadareallyexcitingweek.I'minvitedtogotoaninformationaltechnology(IT)youthcamp/conventioninKoreaattheendofJuly,oneofthe20(Ithink)internationalstudentsgoing:D.I'mreallyanxiousforthat...soupdatesmightgetalittlebitirregular(thoughthetripisallexpenses-paid,there'sstillsomuchtodorightnowinpreparationforit:bangsheadagainstwall:).Iwilltrymybesttokeepmyone-update-a-weekschedule,butforgivemeifIturnouttobeafewdaysorsolate.hehe.IalmostfeelasifI'mkeepingarunningdiaryinthefirstauthorsnoteofeachchapter...oops...lolAnyways...enjoy!

Chapter11

Theoceanbreezecamefromthesouth–warmandveryhumid.Iwasverytemptedtosetfreemyhairandfeelthewindtugatit.TheropeswunggentlyasIstaredintothehorizonfaraway.Turningsharply,Ileapedtothenextcable,lettingmyhandsslidedownitslengthbeforepainstakinglyclimbingupagain.Iwashigherthanthecrow'snest,withonlymyhandsandapieceofropeensuringthatInotfalltomydeath.Myheartpoundedinmyearsatthesheerheightandexhilaration.

"Key!"avoicefloateduptome.Ilookeddown.ItwasEmmett,Edward,andAlice.Isighed,quicklyslippingdowntheropesuntilIreachedtheend.Insteadofhoppingoff,IwrappedmylegsarounditandletgooftheropesothatIwasdanglingupside-down.

"Goodday,"Icalled,feelingtheslightwaveofdizzinessastoomuchbloodflowedtomyhead.

"Whydidyoucomeback?"Edwardaskedwithoutpreamble.Iblinkedatthesuddennessofit.

"Isn'titabittoolatetoask?It'sbeenmorethantwoweekssincetheshipsetsail."

"Andyet,I'mstillthecaptain,"heansweredacidly.

Ispreadmyhandsout."It'snotquitemyfaultthatyouchoseadaytosetsailwhennooneelsedid.Ijustwantedtogetawayfromport."

"Youdidn'tseemsodesperatetogetawaywhenwefirstlanded."

"Aye,andyou'dbethesameifyou'vebeenawayfromhomefornineweeks."

Hechosetoignoremycomment."Sodesperate,areyou,thatyou'dchoosetocomebacktotheoneshipyou'veswornnottosetfooton?"

Ishookafingerathim."Yousaidthat,notme."

Hescoffed,findinghimselfsuddenlyatalossofwords."Bringyourfeetbelowyourhead.I'mtryingtobeserious,andthatishardwhenI'mtalkingtosomeonehanginglikeadrunkenparrot."Ididn'tmove,juststaredathimwiththewidesteyesIcouldmanage."Andkeepthatmouthofyoursshutforyourowngood."

"Iwasn'tgoingtosayanything,"Iremarked.

"AndI'msupposedtobelievethat?"Heraisedhiseyebrow.

"Iwasonlygoingtosaythankyou.Apparently,youfindmychatteramusingenoughtocomparemetoaparrot."Istopped,ponderingforasecond."Andthatdrunkenparrotsdon'thangupsidedownbymyreckoning."Ipausedagain.Heopenedhismouthtospeakagain,butIcuthimoff."AndthatI'dtalkalotlessifyou'dstopinsultingme."

"Oh,you'remostwelcomeforthecompliment,althoughIdon'tseewhat'ssoinsultingaboutacompliment,"hesaidsarcastically,wavinghisarmsaroundinwide,mockinggestures.Hebowed–thekindthattheactorsinaplayoftendotobefunny."AndIammostgrievousfordisturbingyourhighlysensitivenerves.IsthereanythingelseIshouldbecarefulof,YourLadyship?"

"Justonething:youneedatutorforyoursarcasm."

Hiseyesnarrowed.HeopenedhismouthabouttosaysomethingwhenAlice–Ihadalmostforgottenabouther–whackedEdwardonthehead."Willyoutwostopitalready?Yousoundlikeanoldmarriedcouple!"

Thump.

MylegshadfreedthemselvesfromtheropeandIlandedonmybottom.Hard.

Myeyesmethis;myoutragedandconfusedexpressionmatchinghis.Imadetostand,whenEmmettbuttedin."ToobadKeyain'tagirl.I'dforceEdwardononekneerightnow!"

Thump.

Myhandsgaveaway,andIlandedinaheapagain,inwardlywincing.IglaredatAliceandEmmett,whosharedlooksofutmostamusement.Edward'seyeshadsuddenlybecomeunreadable.Withoutaword,heheldoutahand.BeforeIknewwhatIwasdoing,myhandwasinhis,andhewaspullingmetomyfeet.

Hedidn'tletgowhenIwasstandingthough.Hiseyesburnedwithamysticalgreenfirethatmademesuddenlyself-conscious;suddenlyawarethatourhandswerestillheldtogetherandthatmyhandwastinglingasifacurrentwaspassingthroughit.Ijerkedmyhandaway.Heblinked;thefiresuddenlygonefromhiseyes.

Awkwardly,heclearedhisthroat."You'reunderanordercontractwithme,Key.You'llhavetodoexactlyasIsay."

Isalutedhim."Aye,capt'n."

"SoifItellyoutofight…?"

"I'dfight,Captain."

"IfItellyoutojump?"

"I'dhop,Captain."Hiseyesnarrowedatthereply,buthecontinued.

"IfItellyoutokill?"

Ismiled."I'dhandyouanoose,Captain."Emmettburstoutinlaughter;Edwarddidn'tseemasamused.

"You'dbetrayme?"

"Onlyifyou'dconsideryourselfbutanorder.Idonotasyoubidme,Ibetraytheorder-contract."Whenhedidn'treply,Iwavedbeforehoppingontotheboomandleapedfortheclosestcabletoclimbup.

--

Thenightwasdarkandquiet.Unlikeonlandwherethecricketschirpedendlesslyandtheoccasionalhootingofanowlbrokethedroning,theoceanseemedtohostnothingbutwater.Gentlewaveslappedagainstthesidesoftheship.

IknewIwassupposedtosleepbelowdecksinthebunkedbedsofthecrowdedrooms.Yetthesmellthererepulsedme.Itwasasifsomeonedumpedimmeasurableamountsoffoodthereyearsagoandnevercleanedupsince.Imanagedtosalvageadecent,dryblanket.Tyingaropeonthebalconyrailsinacorner,Iwassuddenly

gladIhadsomehowlearnedtobalancemybodywhilelyingdownonasuspendedropeinanyweather.

Theslowundulatingmovementsoftheshiplulledmegentlytosleep.

Itwasstilldarkwhenagentlebreezesuddenlystrengthenedandpulledoffmybandana.Asifitgrewdeftfingers,thewindpickedatmybraidedhairuntilitcameloose,hangingpastmyshoulders.Myeyesshotopen;myfingersshottomyhair,tryinginvaintobraiditagain.Imanagedamessyponytailthatseemedtodisintegrateatanothergustofwind.

Thereweresoundsaroundme.Iwhirledabout,onehandtryingtokeepthehairfrommyeyes,theothergrippedonthehiltofmysword.Therewasafog.Despitethewind,thefogonlyintensifieduntilIseemedtobesurroundedbyawhite,pliantwall.

AndoutofthewallwalkedEdwardCullen.

Mybreathinghitched.Hisshirtwasunbuttoned,hisbreechesonlyreachedtohisknees.ForthefirsttimesinceI'veseenhim,helookedhaggard.Hishairstuckupallovertheplace,asifhehadjusttumbledoutofbed.

"Bella?"hemurmured,hisvoiceunsure.Ididn'trespond,onlynodding."Whyareyouonmyship?"

"Toescape…"Ianswered,carefultokeepmyeyesawayfromhis.Theyweresmoldering,thatIknewforsure.

"Fromwhat?"

"Bunnies,"Isaidsarcastically,ruiningtheatmosphere.Helaughed.

"You'vefearofrabbits?"

"Yes."Irolledmyeyesatthat,lookingouttothesea.Hesteppedcloser.Withonehand,hetiltedmychinsothatIstareddirectlyintohiseyes.Hewassoclosenowthathisbreathfannedovermyfaceashespoke.Istayedsilent;hedidnotspeakeither.Andthen,almostnaturally,heleanedin,hiseyeslingeringonmylips,asifcautioningmethathewantedtokissme…

Itseemedasifmyeyesonlyclosedforamomentbeforetheyshotopenoftheirownaccord.Itriedtoturnover,forgettingthatIwassleepingonarope,andendedupsprawledonthefloor.Therewasafaintbreathlesschuckle–awhisperofthewind.

Myfacetingledfrommydream.

"Iseeyou'reup,"amasculinevoicesaid.Iheardanill-disguisedchuckle.

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?Up?No,I'mdown,youhear?Down."Icouldalmostheartheconfusionwrittenonhisfaceatthereply.Hewasabouttosaysomething,butIcuthimoff."See?Thegroundain'tbad.Youcan'tfalllowerfromitanyways."Squinting,Islowlydraggedmyselfintoastandingposition.Themanstayedquietatthat.

Iwastired,myeyesbarelystayedopen;andwhenitdid,theyclosedbeforeIfocusedonanything.Itfeltlikeoneofthosedreamswhereyouknewsomeone'sbesideyou,butyoureyelidswerewaytooheavytoopenup.ItwasasFatheroncesaid:"Theunknownisnotbliss,butman'sgreatestfear."Itriedtoforcemyeyestoopenlongenough.Instead,theyshutthemselves,beggingformetoreturntosleep.

Icouldn't.

Icouldfeelsomeonewatchingme.Icouldn'tsee,butIcouldhearawhisperofclothswheneverIswungmydaggerinexaggeratedswings.

AndthenIdidsomethingIneverdared,norhadneeded,todobefore.Igavemysensesovertomyears,nose,andallthehairsonmyexposedskin.Ipickedupthecreakingofanoldbedunderthebalcony,thefaintwhispersofthewaterlappinggentlyagainstthehull,thesnoringofthecrewmenbelowdecks,andsomethingelse.Ididn'trecognizeitatfirst;itwasagentlerushingofair.

Itwassomeonebreathing.

"Whoareyou?"Isaidsoftly.Ileanedheavilyonmydrawndagger.Withoutmysight,Ifeltsuddenlydisoriented,asifIhadlostsomeimportantsourceofinformationandwascrippledwithoutit.

"It'snoteverydayIgettoseeyouunabletoopenyoureyes.Goon,I'mquiteenjoyingtheshow."Thevoicewasfake–hespokeinanabnormallyhighpitchwithanawkwardaccentthatsomehowsuccessfullydisguisedhisrealone.Buthespoke,thatwaswhatIneeded.

Preparingmyselfforsomeserioushumiliation,Itwirledmydaggerusingmywristbeforetakingaim.Clack,clack,clack.Threeblowsallsuccessfullyparried.Itriedtoopenmyeyesagain.Nodice;theystayedobstinatelyclosed.

"Listen,ifyou'venothingbettertodothanstayhereandbeastalker,youcanstay

here.I'mgoingbacktosleep."Ifeltformyrope,knowingIdidn'twandertoofarfromit.Asitturnedout,Ialmosttrippedoverit.

AssoonasItouchedit,however,theropeswungawayfromme.IcursedasIstumbled–Iwasputtingmyweightagainstit.Hehadthenervetochuckle.

"Youcanbugsomeoneelseamongyourcrew,Edward,andnotme,"Ihissed.Theropestoppedrunningawayfromme.

"Howdidyouknowitwasme?"

"Theothersdonotdaretobugmeso,"Ianswered,straddlingtheropeandlyingdown.WhenIfoundmybalance,Iletmyfeetoffthegroundandontotherope.

Hechuckled.Iopenedoneblearyeyeathim.Thenon-cooperativeeyeshutitselfthemomentitopened."YouknowthatIcould'vegivenyouahammockhadyouneededone,yes?"

Thump.Ifellfrommyropebed."Nowyoutellme?"Hewasveryclosetomethen.Icouldfeeltheheatripplingoffhisskin.Hesmelledoftheseaatthebestoftimes,butalsosomethingunbearablysweet–likeafavoriteflavorofcandyorjam."Stayawayfromme,"Ibreathed.Therewasachuckle…andIwaslosttotheworldonceagain.

Iwokeupagainnotfiveminuteslatertotherhythmicstrokeofsomeonesoothingmyeyebrows.Smoothfingerstrailedovermyeyes,cheeks,nose–abutterflycaressthatmademeinstinctivelyleanintothehand,sighingatthefeel.Stillmuddledbysleep,Iturnedmyheadandpressedalightkissontothepalm.Thehandshook;afainthissbroughtmeoutofmydaze.Thistime,though,myeyesopened.

ItwasEdward.Hehadn'tleftmealone.AndasIstaredintohiseyes,Iknewthatheknewmysecret.Heknew,andtherewasnothingIcoulddoaboutit."Bella."Thenamefloatedonthecoolbreeze,asifspokeninaprayer.Myentirebodytingled,astrongdéjàvucomingtogreetmeasheleanedcloserandcloser.

ThenextthingIknewhislipswerepressedagainstmine.Myeyesflutteredcloseashewrappedhishandsaroundme,pullingmeimpossiblycloser.Andwhenhepulledawaytotakeabreath,mymindfinallycaughtupwithwhatwashappening.Instinctskickedin.Thenextsecond,heyelped,breakingabruptlyawayfromme.Inmyrighthandwasabloodieddagger.

Asifinadaze,Icreptawayfromhim.Hiseyeswerewidewithshock,asifhehadn'thadtimetoregisterthatIhadjustmadeaverydeepcutonhisarm.Bythelooksof

it,he'dbeneedingstitchesverysoon.

"You…youreallywillkillme?"

"Youmoved.Iwasjustgoingtogiveyouacuttowarnyou,notacuttogiveyoustitches,"Iwhispered.

Thatwaswhenhelookeddownathisarm.Bloodwasseepingthroughhissleeve,creatingaredhaloaroundfleshthatwasbleedingprofusely.Itoreoffthehemfrommyblouse,wrappingitaroundhisarm,tyingittight.Allthewhilehewaseyeingme;neithergrimacingnorshowinganysignsofemotions.WhenIwasdone,Ilookedupathim.Hewasverycloseagain,hiseyesdisplayingthegreatinternalbattlehewasgoingthrough.Hesitantly,hisunharmedarmrose,firstlingeringonmycheekandthentravelingtomybandana.Inonequickmovement,thebandanawasgone.Allofmyhairtumbledloose,likeawaterfallbreakingpastadam.

Ilookedintothosestartlinggreeneyes.Theyweredeeppoolsofemeraldthatseemedtobetooinnocentofemotions–asifheeitherstillhadn'trealizedthepainfromthewound,orwashidingitwell.Helookedrightbackatme,asifpiercingmysoul.

Andthatwashowthedawn(andtherestofthecrew)foundus.

IguessIshouldexplainalittleofwhyBellacouldn'topenhereyes.Haveyoueverhadatimewhenyoujustwokeupfromadreamorsomething(naturally,ofcourse)whereyoufeelasifyoucouldstillsleepaweekaway(there'splentyoftimeswhenthathappenstome)?Frompersonalexperience,Iknowthatthere'ssometimes(especiallyinthemiddleofthenight)whereyouwanttoopenyoureyes,buttheyfeelheavierthanbouldersandwon'tstayopenunlessyouactuallyforcethemopenwithyourfingersorsomething(I'vehadplentyoftimeswhenIwokeupmyparentsbecauseIcouldn'topenmyeyesandranintoadoor/wall...lol).

Someoneaskedmetowritethischapter(whereEdward'sknowledgeofthesecretisrevealed)inEdward'spointofview.Iamcurrentlyworkingonthatasanouttakethatwillbepostedintheebtwisty9websitewheneverIgetthetime/patiencetositdownandtellBellatogofindaholetocrawlinwhileIpickonEdward;).IwillgiveanadvertisementinthechapterbeginningauthorsnoteswhenIfinallygetthatdone:).

Nextchapter,IguesswegettoseewhathappenswithBellaandEdward,nowthatthey'vehadtheirsweetmomentsandtheirnot-so-sweetmoments:Dhehe

Cathy

HiddenTruths

A/N:Thepasttwoweekshavebeenhectic...therewerevisaissues,Ihadtogoworkasasummerorientationguideformyschool,Igotmynosestuckinseveralgoodbooks(whichwasn'taparticularlygoodideabecausemymomgotangryatmeforforgettingtowashthedisheseverynight)...andIstartedexperimentingwithwebdesignwithjavascriptalittlebitmore.Ihadfunwritingthischapter,though:D

Chapter12

"WhyisiteverytimethatItrytoberomantic,Igethurtbecauseofit?"groanedEdward.Ittookfifteenminutesofgruntsandmoansforthecrewtohelpmemovehimintohiscabin.Heploppedontoahard,woodenchair,wincingwhenitjarredhisarm.

"Youalwayschoosethewrongpartnertoberomanticto,"Ianswered,untyingthemakeshiftbandageIhadmade.Thebleedinghadstopped,butitwasstillgoingtoneedstitches.Hegruntedinreply.

Asifoncue,Aliceburstthroughthedoor(althoughthefeatseemedquiteimpossible,giventhenumberofmenwhowerecrowdedinthedoorway,afraidtocomeinbuttoocurioustogoaway).Wordlessly,shetookinmyappearancewithoutanyindicationofshockorsurprise,andcalmlyhandedmeabox.Thereweredozensofcurvedneedlesandseveralspoolsofthinwhitethread.Iwhisperedathankyoutoher,butshewinkedandleftbeforeIcouldaskherwhethershewantedtodothehonors.

Edwardwaswatchingmewearily,asifhedidn'tquitetrustmetonothurthimmore."Areyousureyouknowhowtodothis?"HiseyestraveledtothethinneedleIwasthreadingandthenatme."Youdon'tseemlikeyouwoulddothisveryoften."

"Youdon'tseemlikearomanticeither,andyetyoudidaprettygoodjob."

Hesnorted."Andlookwhereitlandedme."

"Sometrust,please."Iheldouthistensearm.Itwasstiffasanicicle;andwhentheneedlefirstjabbedintohisskin,heyelped.Hisarmtwitched,buttheneedlesomehowgottowhereitneededto."Perhapsthere'sotherthingsyoucantryyourhandat."

Herelaxedslightly,hisarmstillstiffasanicicle."Likewhat?Oh,Imighttrytowritepoetryorwriteasong.Maybethelibrarianwouldhaveanice-lookingdaughtertowoo."HehissedasImadeanotherstitch.Ididn'tanswer,concentratingonstitchinguptheflesheventhoughhisarmwasshakingsobadly.Heyelpedorhissedeverytimetheneedlepiercedhisflesh.Atlast,Itieduptheendsofthethreadandcutawaytheextra.

"Thatisself-pity,andthere'sonlyonewaytodealwithit."Hiseyeswerewide.

"What?"

"This."Ijabbedtheneedleintohisarmagain.

"Ow!"hecalledout,hisotherhandswattingmineawaytocradlethelittlepinholenowonhisforearm."Whatwasthatfor?"

Ishrugged."Youwerebeingpathetic.Atleastnowyou'rejustcross,whichisanimprovement."Withoutgivinghimachanceforarebuttal,Itooktheboxofneedlesandthreadandlefttheroom.AsIwalkedpastthegatheringcrew,Icalledoutforsomeonetobringhotwaterandsomewashcloth."There'saveryupset'lady'intherethat'llneedit."

"PraisetheLord,Key,Iamnotgoingintolabor!"shoutedaveryindignantEdward.

Iwhirledaroundatthedoorway."ForallIknow,you'reactinglikeone,soyoumustbeone."

Iheardsomeunintelligiblemutterings,butIpaidthemnoheedasIslippeddownthetrapdoorthatledbelow-decks.

--

Thenextweekwasparticularlylonely.Iguessittookeveryonelongerthanitshouldtoacceptthefactthattherewasagirlontheshipandnoonecoulddoanythingaboutit.Istayedoutofeveryone'sway,preferringtoletthemsettletheirshockratherthanprovokeitmore.Itookthenightwatchshiftsandswungaboutthecablesatthetopoftheshipratherthancomingdown.Everyonelookedliketinyspecksfromwayuphere.TheyneversawmemuchatallunlessIdecidedtobedaringandsliddownthecablesupsidedown,stoppingonlywhenmyheadwasmereinchesfromthedeck.

Despitemyefforts,thegirlsalwaysfoundme.AlicehadawayofprovokingmetocomeoutofhidingnomatterhowhardItried.AndwheneverAlicefoundme,

Rosalieseemedtopopoutofnowhere.Iwouldhavegladlytakenfoodfromthelarderinthedeadofthenight,buttheyalwaysprovedtheattemptstobefruitless.ItwasasiftheycouldpredictexactlywhichpantryorbarrelIdecidetoattack.Alivehermitcrabhere,somestingingseaweedthere…sometimesinventagiantmetalchainpileplaceddiscreetlybythedoorintentonstubbingmyfeet.NomatterhowcarefulIwas,Ifellintotheirtrapandendedupwithasorefingerortoe.

Thatlastedfortwodays.Igaveupescapingtheirattemptstomakemedinner.Eachtime,theconversationstartedoutthesame.

"Bella,youcan'thidefromthecrewforever."

"TheyneedtheirtimeandIneedmine,"Isnapped.StupidEdward.Whydidhehavetoknow?Whycouldn'thehavejustkepttheinformationtohimself?

Nevertheless,itwasbecauseofAlicethatIfirstcameincontactwiththemenoftheshipagain…namely,Emmett.

Theencountershouldn'thaveoccurredatallifIwasn'tsowrappedupinmythoughts.IhadknownthatAliceandEmmettwerearguingagainaftera'trainingsession'onthedeckswithseveraldeckhands.Alicewasholdingherswordwiththebladeflatagainstherbackanditstippokingabovehersword-sideshoulder.Emmettwasinthedefault'wrestling'position–hisfeetspreadapartandslightlybentattheknees,hishandsballedintofistspinchinghiswaist.Apparently,EmmettwasboastinghowAlicewasunabletoclouthisheadbecauseofherlackofheight,andAlicewasinsultingEmmett,attemptingtodeflatehisheadalittle.

ThatmuchIcouldtellfrommyperchonthemastpoles.Mostofthedeckhadclearedinthesceneoftheverbalargumentsexceptforafewdeckswabbersdiscreetlylisteningfortheoutcome.

AswasI.

SofocusedwasIontheirargumentthatIalmostmissedsomeonecallingmyname.

"Bella!Oh,Bellllaaaa!"ItwasAlice.Asifinadream,ItuggedonaropeandwasbesideherbeforeIknewwhatIhaddone.ButAliceseemedtoknowwhatIhadwantedtodo.Sheglaredatme,clenchingherfingersaroundmywristuntilIwassureIhadabruisethere."Tellthisoafthattheycan'thithisheadbecauseit'ssosmall,it'simpossibletoaimat,"shehumphed.IrepeatedthistoEmmett,watchingashisfaceflushedredinamixofangerandembarrassment–angerfromwhatAlicesaidandembarrassmentfromtheinabilitytoretort.

Smiling,Ispokeagain."Now,there'stwowaystodeflectthedamage.Oneisclaimingthatasmallheadsuffersnoinjurysoyou'dbealive.Theotheris…"NotchancingAlicetohear,Iwhisperedinhisear.WhenIwasdone,hewasgrinningwidely.Alicelookedsuddenlyanxious.

Winkingatme,heboomed,"Atleastthey'vegotsomethingtoaimforwhentheytriedtohitmeinthegroin!"

Aliceblanched,flushed,paled,andreddened,herfaceshowingsomanyfleetingemotionsthatitwashardtorecognizeonebeforeitwasreplacedbyanother.Onefactwasclear:shehadnoideahowtoreplyotherthanaweak,"IthinkI'lltellRoseyouconsideryourselfincompetent"beforerunningawayatasprint.

ThatleftonlyEmmettandIonthedeck.

"Thanks,"hesaid,hisvoicerisingattheendtomakeitsoundmorelikeaquestion.Iraisedmyeyebrowashesquirmed,lookingdistinctlyuncomfortable."Thewholeshipknowsthatyou'reagirl,"heblurted.

"Ihaven'tnoticed,"Iansweredsarcastically.Tryingtosavehimfromfurtherembarrassment,IwavedtohimandranawayasfastasIcould.Icaughtaropethatsentmetoamastpole.There,Isatbehindtheflappingsails,hidingmefromview.Ihadspokentoaman.Sure,hewasnotoneofthoseothershiphandswhobelievedmaleswillalwaysbesuperioroverfemales,buttheideawasthesame.

Thewindshifteddirections.Thehaironthenapeofmyneckstoodup.ThestormIhadsoughttoavoidinporthadseemedtohavefollowedme.Itwillstrikeinfullforcewithinthreedays.

Thatnight,however,Alicekeptsneakingglancesatme.ItwasasifIgrewtwohornsoutofmyheadandlookedlikeacat.Dinnerwasquietasusual.Iateafterallthemenwereoutofthekitchen,withonlyAliceandRosalieforcompany.Thereweremushroomsinthefood–myfavorite

"Edward'sknifewounddidn'theal,"AlicedeclaredafterItookmyfirstbiteofthedriedmushroomandpotatosoup.Myheadsnappedup.

"What?"

"Noonechangedhisbandagesafteryoudidthem…andnowit'sgotteninfected."

"Why?"

"Weallthoughtyouweredoingit.Edwardnever–"Ishotaglareatherandleftbeforeshefinishedhersentence.SheknewbetteraboutwhatIhadandhadnotdonethepastweek…andyet…

Sprintingthroughtheships,Iburstintothecabinabovedeck.Theroomwasdark;thesoundofthedoorslammingopenechoedeerilyinmymind.

Asmyeyesadjusted,Inoticedasmalllanterndanglingontheceiling,swayingwiththewaves.UnderitsatEdward,hisspoonraisedasiftotakeabitefromthemushroomsoup;hiseyeswerestaringatme,though,asifIwasacannonballthatdroppedmysteriouslyfromthesky.

Ignoringhisexpression,Istrodeoverinbrisksteps,pulledonthearmIhadhurt,androlledupthesleeve.Thebandagehadturnedyellowwithapungentsmell.Ifeltthecolordrainfrommyface."Why?"

Heshruggedwordlessly.Thoughhisexpressionwassolemn,hiseyesdancedasifhehadendlessamusement.HewatchedmeasIfoundarollofwrappeduplinenbandage,sprintedawaytocomebackwithsomewater,andraidedhiscabinetsforaboxofherbsIhadseenthelasttimeIcametostealawayhisgun.

ThemoreIworkedonuntyingthebandage,however,themoresomethingprickedagainstmyskin,asifIwasbeingledintoatrap–thevictimofaprank.Islowlyunwrappedthebandage,tryingtodissectmyfeelings,butnoanswercame.

ItwasnotuntilIhadcompletelyexposedtheknifewoundthatIstoppedshort.Therewasnoinfestedwound,saveforathinscabthatwasalreadystartingtofallaway.Mysuddenpanicmeltedawayasquicklyasitcame.Hestaredatme,judgingmynextmove.Hisstancewasstiff,asifhewasexpectingasmack.No.Iwouldnothithimnomatterhowbadlyhedeservedit.Hewouldhaveampletimetododgemysmackandmaybebequickenoughtocatchmywrist.LocksandchainsIcanpickopen.Handcuffsmadefromiron-stronggripsIcouldnot.

Instead,Ifocusedonthemushroomsoupsittinginfrontofhim.Itseemeduntouched,andIwashungry."Hi,Captain!"Igreetedinafalselycheeryvoicethatmadehimwince."Howmuchdoyoulikethismushroomsoup?"

"Ihaven'ttastedittotell,"hereplied,hiseyesguardedandnarrowed.

"So…ifIaccidentallyspilleditall,wouldyouobject?"

"Whatyouneverhave,younevermiss."Ismirked.IhadhimexactlywhereIwantedhimtobe.

"Really?"Henodded,hiseyesneverleftmine."Inotherwords,Icouldtakethebowlandyouwouldn'tprotest,aye?"

HefinallygotwhereIwasgoing.Beforehecouldprotecthisdinner,however,Ihadspiriteditaway.IrecalledthemushroomsoupIhadleftinthekitchens.Perhapsthegirlswilltakepityonhim.Hesatinsilence,watchingmewithenviouseyesasIdevouredhisdinner.

"Youcangonow,"hesnapped.Iguesshungermakesallmensnappy.

"Gowhere?"

"Idon'tcare."Afterasecond,headded."Rememberourcontract."

"Ohhowkindofyou!I'dgladlymovefromthiswoodenchairtothebed.It'sstuffed,isn'tit?Morecomfythanthatrope."AsIsaidthis,Iplacedthebowlonthetableandwenttositonthebed.

"ButIneversaid–"

"Youareverykind.Thankyouforyouroffer.Piracydoesn'tsuityou."

Infuriated,hestoodupuntilhetoweredoverme."Yougetoffmyboat!"

Ipaidnoattentiontohim."Isthebedstuffedwithstraworfeather?"

"Doyouwanttoleaveordoyouwanttolooseyourhead?"

"Well…I'mnotleaving.Soifyoureallymustcutmythroat,you'dbettergetonwithit."

Tohiscredit,hereallydidtrytodrawhissword.Whathedidn'trememberwasthathehadleftitonthetableontheothersideoftheroom.Herealizedthiswhenhegropedforair,butthenhethrewuphishandsinafrustrated'Igiveup'gestureandstormedoutofthecabin.Isighed.AtleastanangryEdwarddoesn'tmakemyhearthammeragainstmychestandallmythoughtsmuddledtothepointofstupidity…nomatterhowwarmIfeltwhenthathappened.

Feelingthefamiliarshapeofmyamulet,Igotupfromthebed,pickedupthenow-emptydishes,andbroughtthemtothekitchen.Tomyrelief,IsawnoAlicenorRosalie.Theyhadtohavesetthisentireencounterup,andIhadnopatiencelefttosparethemthesuddenangerthatsproutedoutofnowhere–angeratmyself,mysharpwords,andtheburdenIcarried.Nothingfeltright.TheencounterwithJames,

theconversationwithLeon,myall-too-easyescape,andeventhestormthatwasbrewingallweigheddownonmeinanentangledwebofmysteries,emotions,andtrouble–somuchthatIstaggeredandsuffocatedunderitssheervolume.

Ihadn'tnoticedwhereIwaswalkinguntilmywaywasblockedbytherailing.Iwasatthebowoftheship.Themoonshonesobeautifulandround.Iyearnedforitspeaceandtranquility.WhatmustIdo?Icalledout.Whereismypathgoingtoleadme?

"Wanttoshareyourtroubles?"Istarted,twirledaround.ItwasJasper.Asmallsmilepulledatthecornerofmylips,butIshookmyheadno.Somesecretshadtostaysecrets."Well,ifyou'venaughttoshare,Ido.Ihavetocongratulateyoufirst,though,"hechuckled."IhaveneverseenanyonemakeEdwardloosehistemperinsuchashorttime.IttookEmmettyearsofworktoseeEdwardjustyellonce.He'sontheedgeofthrowingthingsnow."

Istudiedhimforamoment.Hewastryingtolightenthemood,butspeakingthetruthatthesametime."Whyareyoutellingmethis?"

Heshrugged."Iwantedtocongratulateyou."Inarrowedmyeyes.Thatwasnotthewholetruth.

"ShallIrephrasethat?YouwantedtoknowhowIdidit…andifI'mwillingtoundoit."Tomysurprise,helaughed.

"Youaretooshrewd."Thelaughterwassuddenlygonefromhisstance.Heseemedtobesteelinghimselfforsomething.

"Iwilltalkwithhim."Iturnedtoleave,buthequicklycalledout.

"Becarefulofthemen,"hewarned."Theyknowtheship'sconsideredapirateone,buttheyhavenotcometotermswiththefactthatoneofthecrewisagirl."

AsImademywaytowardthelatchthatledbelowdecks,IneversawashadowbreakingawayfromtheresttojoinJasperandhowtheyseemedtowhisperconspiratorially,finallysharingakisstocongratulatetheirworks.IneverrealizedhowmuchtroubleandplanninglittleAlicehadgonethroughtopushmebackintothemidstofmenasawomanwhentheythoughtmeaman.

Sly,slyAliceandherplansthatsomewhatfailslol...IhadwantedtoaddsomeinteractionbetweenBellaandtherestofthecrew,butsomehowtheflowofthechaptersteeredmeawayfromit.HopefullyI'llhavethenextchapteroutalittlebitfasterthanIhadthisone,sinceI'vegottenmostofthemostimportant

taskstodooutofmyplate.Asalways,pleasetellmewhatyouthink.

-Cathy

ConspiracyinaStorm

A/N:Heya!I'mbackonmycomputer...andKorea...andmycollege-visitingtrip...andisnowtypingfuriouslyonthecomputerwheneverI'vetime.ThisismadedifficultbythefactthatIgotoaboardinghighschoolandIhavetopackupmybagsformove-intomorrow...anddoallthelaundrythatIhaven'tdoneduetotheaforementionedtrips.Koreawasawesome,albeitalittletoostuffyformytastes.Wedidrobotstimulationprogramming,andIreallylovedhoweverythingworkedout:DIevengota4GBflashdrivebecausemyteamwontheautomaticmazerobotstimulation(hurrah!).

Anyways...thischapterIkindoflikeandkindofdon'tlike.IthinkI'mgoingtogobackandeditthisonesometimebeforetheendoftime;).

Chapter13

-Interlude-

DeepunderMarilynlaidacomplicatednetworkofsewersanddrains.Wastefromeveryhouseinthecityfedintotheupperpipesthatexitedintotheoceanorthenearbyrivers.Theupperpipeseveryoneknewofashisorhersaviorfromsmellystreets,buttheunusedmiddleandlowerpipessoonbecameonlyalegend.

Therewereonlytwoentrancestothemiddlepipesandonetothelowerpipes.Inthesetwosystems,eventheratsdarednottotrespass.Here,inthelowerpipes,theverywallshungeredforthetouchofamortalforthepasthundredyears.Here,nomortalhadeversteppedinsidewithimpunity.Severalskeletonsanddecayingbodiesnearwheretheentrancehadcollapsedwarnedfutureadventurersoftheirincomingdemise,butnooneknewhowtheydied.Eveniftheydid,theydidn'tlivelongenoughtospreadthetaleorprotectthemselves.

Twenty-someyearsago,asmall,almost-unnoticedhorrorhadsweptthroughMarilyn.Apartofthelowerpipesexplodedandcollapsed,creatingasecondentrance.Theexplosioncausedashockwaveoftremorsthatcouldbefeltmilesandmilesaway.Theepicenterwasdirectlyunderanancienthouseneartheoutskirtsoftowninwhichlivedthreeancientmen.Thehousesankintotheground,anditwasgenerallyassumedthattheoldmenhadfinallydied.

Deepunderground,imprisonedbytheveryspellthatallowedthemtosurvivethecollapse,werethethreerestlessoldmen.

"Ican'tbelieveol'Fatelefttheamulettoagirl!Justwhatwereyoudrinkingwhenyouspokewithherlast?"

"Caius,youknowaswellasIdothatIdon'thavetheinfluenceasIoncedid."

"Youmean,youareunderinfluenceratherthanaboveit,"themannamedCaiussnapped.Theothermanchuckled.

"True,Ican'tholdliquorthewayIusedto,either…orwasthatbecausetheymakethemmuchstrongernow?"

"WewouldbeofmuchmorehelptoherifMarcushadn'tmessedupthatpotionhe'sworkingonandblewupthehouse,too."Caiusglaredatthemansittinginthefarcorner,lookingasifhewantedtobeanywherebuthere.

"Fine,fine.Justletmebethescapegoat,Caius,anddon'tworryaboutsolvingtheproblem,"Marcusshotback."Rememberthatit'sallAro'scuriosityandamusementofthelowerpipesthathadustrappedhereinthefirstplace.Iwouldn'thavebeengoinganywherenearthatpotionbookifhedidn'tapproachme."

"Ahh,butMarcus,Ididn'tlietoJamesandtellhimtogoaftertheonethinghemustn'tdestroy.Youmightaswellhavetoldhimthetruth.Ifheopensthegate,we'llhavethosedemonsagainandthatKingofdemonsthatkilledsomanyandhoardedthegold.Lookatus.Evenwizardshavetheiryearsnumbered,andwe'renearingtheendofours,"proclaimedAro.

"DemonsaremucheasiertobanishthantheImmortalthatJamessoughttobecome,"Marcusmumbled,asifsuddenlyunsure."Besides,therearetwowaysyouandIknowoftobecomethatkindofImmortal:oneisbydrawinguponthedeepmagicintheland,inwhichcasehewillbecomeaspirit;theotherisbyconsumingthelifeforceofothers,andindoingso,addingtheirlifecountertoyours.Wecan'ttellhimtostartamassacreofblood-draining.Andhissoulistoodarkenedforthefirstwaytowork,youknowthat!"

"Thatbeatshavingagirlguardanamulet."

"ThereisalwaysthepossibilityoftheGatebeingdestroyed,"addedCaius."Andoneoftwothingscanresult:eitherthevoidbecomesforevershutorthevoidbecomesforeveropen."

"Andthegirl?"

"IfshefailstoprotecttheamuletandtheGatebecomesopen,shewillbeamongthe

luckyfirsttodie.Ifthevoidiscrumbledshut,hersoulwillmostlikelybeforeverimprisonedbeneaththerubble."

"Whateverwecando,wewilldo,"saidAro,hisvoicesoftandmuted."Fornow,weplaymatchmaker.Thatboyshe'sontheshipwithwillprotectherinamuchmoresubstantialwaythanwecouldeverdointhesepipes."Theothertwomensighed.Nomatterwheretheirconversationsledthem,theyalwaysranbacktothissamepoint:theyhadspentthepasttwenty-someyearsbuildingupaprotectionfortheamuletbasedupontheemotioncold-heartedevilbeingsneverexperience.Love.Thegirlhastheamulet,andshewasn'tabouttogivetheamuletawayanytimesoon.Someoneontheshiphastoloveherandreceiveherloveinreturntoactivatetheprotection.

Butitseemedalmosthopeless:shewaswittyandarrogant(sometimes)andhewasstubbornandspiteful…

--

Thesleepingquartersofthemenweremuchcrowded.Theshipwaslargeinsize;therewerethirtyship-handsandtendeckhands,plustwowatchersandtheCullenfamily.Usuallyatthishourofthenight,themenraidedeachother'spocketsingames–poker,blackjack,whatevertheychoosetogamblewith.Thenoiseoftenhummedinthebackground,evenwhenIwasabovedeck.Today,however,Idescendedintothemidstofit.Therewasshoutingandgroaningasmenwonandlosteachgame.WhenIburstinthroughthedoor,allnoisefaded.EveryonewasstaringatmeasifIhadbunnyearsandajackaltail.MycheeksgrewhotandIkeptmyeyesawayfromtheirscrutiny.

Inthefarcorneroftheroom,drinkingmugsofrumwithEmmett,satEdward.Hismugwashalf-raisedtohislipsandhewasstaringatmeasifheknewmyeverythought.

Thesuddensilencewasstifling.Icouldheartheraspofeveryone'sbreaths.Someonecoughed.Someoneshifteduneasily.Someoneclearedhisthroatloudly.Allthemenperkedupandpartedapath.Mikestrodethrough,hiseyesdarkwithunknownfurybutguarded.Ikeptmineexpressionless.Heopenedhismouthtospeak,butIcuthimoff.

"Ifeelsohonoredtohavesilenceuponmyentrance."

Hesneeredinreply."It'smorelikeponderingatthepossibilitiesofhavingyouonboard,"heanswered.Heswepthistongueoverhisthinlips,exaggeratingthemotion.Ittookallofmywillnottopunchhim.

Hetookmymoment'sdisgusttoadvance.Ihadabriefmomentofwarningbeforehegrabbedmywristtryingtopunchhim,pulled,andpinnedmeagainsthisbody,whichsmelledbadlylikeatankofrottencabbages.Iglaredathimoutofthecornerofmyeyes,butheseemedtohaveforgottenInevertookkindlytobeingheldprisoner.Withmyfreehand,Ireachedformydagger,flickingthefirstfewinchesofthebladeoutwithmythumb.

Ineedn'thave.WithreflexesfasterthanIthoughthepossessed,Edwardcrossedtheroomintwostrides,wrenchedmeoutofMike'sgrasp,andthumpedhimontheheadsothathefelltohisknees.Asilentbutcollectivegaspspreadacrosstheroom.

"Listen,"hestarted,"howKeyistreatedbeforeishowshewillbetreatedrightnow.IfIevenhearanyspecialtreatment,yourpunishmentwillbeworsethanhavingapoundinghead."

Justlikethat,hepulledmefromtheroom,stridingsoquicklythatIstumbledeveryotherstep.Evenwhengoinguptheladder,hepracticallypulledmyentireweightup.Inwhatseemedlikemereseconds,wearrivedonthebalconyabovethecabin.Thewindblewcalmlyfromthesouth,almostasifrestingfortheracethatsoonwillbegin.

"Youcanletgoofmenow.Nooneherebutyou,"Imuttered.Helookedatourclaspedhands,asifsuddenlyrealizingthatminewasstillinhis.Almostreluctantly,heletgo.Irubbedmywrist,tryingtogetthebloodflowingbackintomyhand.

Heleanedintothewind,elbowsrestingonthebalcony.Thesilencewascomfortableifnottension-filled.Itriedtodothesame:gazingoutintothesea,butmyeyeswouldalwaysshiftbacktopeerathisprofile.

There,underthebrightmoon,hewasbeautiful.Hisbronze-coloredhairglimmeredunderasilvercoatingandhiseyesgainedasparklethatseemedtoaddasenseofmystery.

"Thereisastormcomingsoon,"hesaidtonooneinparticular.Yet,heglancedatmeoutofthecornerofhiseyes,asiftogaugemyreaction.Imerelyraisedaneyebrowinreply.

"Stormsareoutofseasonforthispartofthesea.Idon'tlikethefeelofit,"Ianswered.Icaughthimstaringatmeagain.Puzzled,Iasked,"DoIhaveamoleorsomethingsuddenlypoponmyface?"

Hestarted,eyesdartingeverywherealmostasiflookingforanescape."IexpectedyoutoyellabouthowcompetentyouareatmakingyourstandsoIchoseaplace

awayfrompryingears…andnowyou'retalkingtomeabouttheweather?"

"IknowmylimitswithMike.Hadyounotintervened,hislifewouldbeatleasthalfgonebynow.Idon'tevenhavetimetothankyouandyou'reexpectingmetoyellatyou?"Hisdazzlinggreeneyeslingeredonmeinamixtureofbewildermentandamusement."AreyousureIdon'thaveamolesuddenlypopuponmycheek?"

"Youdon'tactthewaypeopleexpectyouto.IthoughtIknewyouquitewell…IguessIdon't."Isnortedatthat.

"You'vetime."Hiseyesgazedaway,lookingattheinvisiblestormclouds.

"Forhowlong?"Iheardhimmutter,butIcouldn'tbesure.

--

Theseawindshowledwhenthestormfinallystruck.Wavestoweredovertheship,threateningtobreakitinhalf.Emmettwasatthesteeringwheel,tryingtorideswellafterswellratherthangettingcrushedbeneathit.Theseascreechedandsplashed.Everyfewminutes,waterwaist-highwouldwashacrossthedeck,sometimestossingboxesanddeckhandsagainstthestrainingrailings,sometimesfindingitswaydownthelatchbelowdeckswheremorecrewmenworkedtopumpouttheextrawater.

Isquintedintothewind;therainthatwasflungintomyfacestung.Adarkshapeinthedistancelookedtobesomesortofaship,butthedarknessofthenightandthedangerofthestormdampenedmyintuitionenoughsothatIcouldn'ttellonefromtheother.

TheshipswervedsuddenlyasIreachedforthecablecountlesshours(orwasitonlyminutes?)later.Itsmackedmewithenoughforcetomakemegasp.Thewatermademeslip–myeyesstungfromtheexhaustionofbeingawakelongerthanIcouldcount.

Mylegsclampedaroundthecabletighter…butitwasnouse.Iwasstillslippingdangerouslylow.Iwasnowlowenoughthatthenextwavewouldwashmeoverboard,butstillhighenoughthattherailingwon'tsaveme.However,Ihadstoppedslipping.Thecablewaswornwithuse,withtheextrafrictionstoppingmyslide.Icursed.Iwassodrenchedandcoldthattoreleasemyhandholdontheropewouldbepainful.Mylegswerenobetter.IfImanagedtountanglethemess,I'dbewashedoverboardfromlackofmovementanyway.

And,approachingwithgreatspeedandvigorwasthecrestofanotherwave,borne

bythewindandfrothing,asifsalivatingformyultimatedemiseinitsembraces.Therewasn'ttimetoreact.Itriedtoswingtothenearestcable–onethatwassecuredonbothendsinsteadofdanglingfreely.

"Notquickenough,"Iwhisperedtomyselfsecondsbeforethewavewashedoverthedeckandmadetheshipswervedangerouslyclosetoflippingover.Myhandsclenchedaroundtherope–anything.Itwassuddenlythewaveagainstme.NorailingtohelpmeifIfailed.Theonslaughtofwatercompletelyimmersedmeinitsdepths.IheldmybreathaslongasIcould,buteventhen,thewaterseemedtocompletelysurroundme.Withalastdesperateburstofbubbles,Iletgooftheropetogetagulpofairbeforethewavedumpedmeunderagain.Itwasnouse.Iwasborneawayupandovertheship.

Alloffivesecondshadpassed,butitseemedlikehours,asIflewovertherailingandbegandroppingintotheangrywatersbelow.Mymindturnedfromrunningoninstincttorunningonmemories.ThelasttimeIhadfallenoutofaship,myfatherleftme.Thistime,Iwillbegoingbacktohim.

Asuddenhandgraspedmyflailingwristwithajerkthathadmegaspinginpain.Mysensescleared.Thewavehadwashedaway;and,ifthesmallpatchofbluetothehorizonwasanyindication,thestormwouldsoonbehungryforsomeothership.Theship,likeoneofthosedollsthatnevertopple,flungitselfbackintoanuprightposition,stillswayingmorethanusualasthestormtriedonelasttimetobreakit.

Abriefflashoflightninglituphisfeatures.Edward.Shocked,Imouthedtohim,"Whatareyoudoing?"

"Savingyou,"hemouthedback,atthesametimeusingthemotionoftheshiptodragmebackondeck.Hisbreathingwashard,hiseyeswildwithsomeemotionIcouldn'tdecipher.

Standingup,IlookedattheclearpatchofskyIsawearlier.Itwasbiggernow;wewerecloser.Therainandwindbothlessened.Itwassilentbetweenus,thoughIcouldhearEmmett'sshoutingattheshiphandstosweepthewaterawayandtostartinspectionfordamages.Ishiftedmygazebacktohim.Hiseyesseemedtosmoldernow.

"Ithoughtyouhatedme–youwantedmetogo,"Iwhispered,nottrustingmyvoice.Itsoundedweakandbreathless.

Helookedaway,afrownpassedoverhisface,asifhedidn'tknowwhyhesavedmeeither."Isn'tthatwhatIshoulddo?"Hepaused,frowningmore."Ican'tletyoudieonmyconscious."Hisvoicetrailedoff.Heseemedtofindsuddeninterestinthewoody

grainsofthemastwhilerunningahandnervouslythroughhismessybronzehair.Withahalf-mumbledexcuse,hewalkedaway.

ButnotbeforeIcaughthisearsturningastrangeshadeofredinthelightofthelatemorningsunthatfinallybrokethroughtheclouds.

I'mnotsurewhetherthat'sconsideredacliffyornot...butIhadtotakeabreakfromtyping...and...Idon'tknow...Isortawantsomeinput/thoughtsonhowthisnewplottwistisbeforeIcontinue,soIcaneditthenextchapterasItype/edit(it'sabouthalf-typed).

ImaynothaveinternettomorroworWednesday,soI'mgoingtotrymybesttogetthenextchaptertypedandpostedbeforethisweekend:D.

Untilthen...pleaseleaveanoteonwhatyouthink?:D

--Cathy

TrailedandFollowed

A/N:Okay...soIwantedtoupdatethischapteraweekago,butduetounforeseencircumstances(suchasabombardmentbymyschool'snewcomingSophomoresfortheirinternettobesetupandlotsofotherbeginning-of-school-in-a-dormthing)Iwasn'tabletogetthisalltypedupuntiljustnow.Anyways...schoolhasfullystartedfor2weeksnow(althoughthefirstweekwasjustformovinginandgettingbackintotheswingoflivingoncampusagain)...andIdohavetosaythatcollegeappsaregoingtobethedeathofmesometimethissemester.Ican'treallypromisewhenthenextupdateisgoingtobe,butI'mgoingtotrymybestforatleastoneupdatepermonth.Thankstoeveryonewho'sbeenpatientwithmycrazyschedulesandstayedreading...andI'mhopingthatyoustillwillkeepreadingtogivemefeedbackwhenIupdateagain:D.

Chapter14

JasperandAlicewereuptosomething.

TheygavemeknowingsmileswheneverIswungby,oftenarticulatedwithaknowingwink.Iwashalf-temptedtocalladuelwithJasperjusttowipethatsmirkoffhisface.

Iwasveryrestless.Myneckprickledasifsomeonewasgoingtoplacehisswordthere.Ashipwastrailingus;thatmuchIfiguredoutbynow.Onceinawhile,whenEdwardcalledfortheshiptodropanchortogivehiscrewarest,Isawthefaintoutlineofanothershipinthedistance.Thecaptainofthatshipwaskeepingcarefulwatch.Iknewhecouldseeoureverymovewhilewecouldnotreciprocate;unlessduringthehourafterwestop.

Themoonwasfullaweekafterthestorm.EdwardconsidereddockingattheportnearestMarilynandrestockingtheshipstockwhiletryingtorunsomerepairs.Severalrailingsectionsshowedsignsofrottingandlookeddangerouslytobefallingapartanymoment.Thesailswererippedattheedges,butheabsolutelyrefusedmetofixthem,asifIwasincompetent.

Threedaysofnoticingthatwewerebeingfollowed,JasperandAlice'sknowingsmirks,andEdwardbeingsuddenlyprotectivelater,Iburst.Isnappedatanyonewhocamemywayandtreatedeventhepreciousbowlssobadlythattheycrackedandbroke.WhenMikemadeafaceatme,smilingevillyasifhewantedmeskinned,Ihadwhippedoutmydaggersofastthathedidn'tgetachancetoreactbeforeitstruckthewoodofthewallinfrontofhisnose,neatlyskinningthetip.Ihadthrowna

glarehiswaybeforepluckingmydaggerfromthewall.Hestuckhisfootouttotripme,butIsteppedontop,stompingashardasIcould.ItwasthefirsttimeIfeltsosatisfiedinalongtime,hearinghimtryingtohidehishissofpain.

JasperIdidn'thaveasmuchluckwith.

Whenhedrovemetothepointofdrawingoutmydagger,heclenchedmywristandwhispered,"Don'teventhinkaboutit."Halfthetime,Iwantedtopushhimoverboardjusttowipethatmysteriouslyannoyingsmirkoffhisface.However,whenImentionedthistoAlice,shehadpaledandranoff,asiftoassureherselfthatJasperwasstillondeck.

Nevertheless,Igrewmoreandmorerestlessandbrusque.Duringoneoftherarelate-nightgamblingparties,Icouldn'tevenbothertoselectivelywinandlose.Isnappedatanyonewhodaredtocommentonmyluck;theone-hourgamelastedshorterthanalltheothersbecauseIranonautopilotandwoneverylastpenny,whichIendedupreturningtotheirpreviousownersanyway.Duringtheday,Iswungontheropes;theyandthewindwerethetwothingsthatblewawayallmyworries,allmythoughts.Ittookallofmyconcentrationandmorenottoslipwhenswingingfromonedanglingcabletoanother,slidingdownamasthereandclimbingbackupanother.

Onthefifthday,allhellbrokeloose.

Thewindwassoutherly–atailwindthatbillowedthesailsnicely.Themorningdawnedwithahazeinthehorizon.Ihadthewatchshiftforthenight,buteventhoughIhadn'tsleptforoveraday,Ifeltoddlyrestlessinthemorning–evenmoreso.Acertaindreaddescended.Itwasasiftheshipwasgoingtobeattackedsoon.

Attackedsoon…attackedsoon…

ThewordsechoedinmyheadthousandsoftimesuntilIjumpedfromthecrow'snestslidingsingle-handedlydownalengthofropetothebottom.TheropeburnswipedmymindcleanthoughIhadseverelyskinnedmypalms.

AssoonasIrealizedthat,Icursed.Attackedsoon.Themysteriouspursuerwasclose,andwhatbetterdaytolaunchanattackthantoday,withthemorninghazelimitingsight?Theyhadtheelementofsurprise:Ihadn'tyettoldanyoneofmy'sixthsense'asLeonusedtocallit.Alice,however,wastensethatmorning.Shehoveredaroundthestern-side,asiftryingtocatchaglimpseofaseamonster.

Ilookedatangryweltsonmypalmsandcursedagain.IfIcouldn'tkeepatightholdonmydagger,Imightnotbeabletosurvivethisday.

TearingalongstripofclothfromanoldshirtIfoundlyingaroundtowrapmyhandswith,mymindregisteredthegenerallackofnoiseonboard.Itwasasifeveryonesuddenlyfelttheloomingdanger…ornoticedthatAlicewasactingoddly.

AsifsheknewIwasthinkingaboutherthatmoment,shestooddirectlyinfrontofme,piercingmewithastare."Howlongdidyouknow?"

"Idon'tknow,"Irepliedcalmly."Isense.I'vesensedthissinceaweekago.I'veseentheshipsometimes.It'sbeenfollowingus."

"Whydidn'tyoutell?!"

"Whydidn'tyoutell?"Shelookedintomyeyes,hersflashinganangrycolor.Shewasfrustrated.Icouldtellfromherexpressionthatshehadknownaboutthisforsometime,too.Andyet,likeme,shehaddecidedtokeepitsecret.

Shewasthefirsttobreakthestare."Iwasn'tsure.Idon'ttellanyoneifI'mnotsure."IopenedmymouthtosaythatIhadthesameproblem;shedidn'tgivemethechance."Youaredifferent.Asawatcher,you'dhaveseentheship!Whydidn'tyoutellifyou'resure?"

"AmIsure?"Ishookmyhead."We'dbetterprepareforescapeorbattle."

--

Thefirstofthecannonbombsdeafenedmyears.Bysomechanceofluck,theenemyship'scannonseithermissedcompletelyoronlyskiddedacrossthedeckleavingbruisesbuttheshipotherwiseunharmed.

Wedidn'thaveanycannonballs.

Weusedthefewonesthatskiddedacrossdeck.

Eachonesomehowhitaholeinthehulloftheship.

ItwasasifFatewashelpingusonpurpose.Butnonetheless,theenemyshippulledcloserandcloseruntilaplankwasputacrossthetwoshipsdespitedesperatedefensetries.

Isawthemenastheyleaptacrossthesmalldistancebetweentheships.Iheardtheclangofdaggeragainstdagger,swordagainstsword.Theattackerswavedtheirweaponswildly,asifpossessed.Theireyesseemedtoglowwithbloodlust;theyfoughtasifthiswastheverylastchancetheygetto,asiftheyintendtogotohell

anddragasmanymenwiththemaspossiblewhenthiswasallover.

Flyingdaggerswereflung;IsawasJasperbarelyside-steppedaflyingknifethatskinnedhisarmnonetheless.Hisotherhandinstinctivelywenttocoverhiswound;hisopponentusethatmomenttocloseinonhim.

Andthenthemanwassuddenlydown.

Emmetthadknockedthemanoutwithastoneofsomesort.

Timing…it'sallaboutthetiming.

Theopposingshipwasagiant.Therewereoverfiftyshiphandsonboardoursandfightingwhileevenmorewerepreparingropesandchains.Theywantedprisoners.Theywantedsomeofusalive.

WhenIsawEdwardfendingoffthreemenatonce,oneofthemloadingashotgun,Iknewmycuehadcome.GrabbingaropeastightasIcould,Iusedthemotiontoswingdownwards.Withnearlyperfectaim,ImanagedtokicktheheadofamanwhowasloadingagunbeforelandingneatlybesideEdward.Theman'sshotgunfiredintothedeck;Edwardsparedmealookandabriefsmilebeforecharginghead-on.

JustasIwasabouttohelphim,therewasasmallclickingsound.ItwasthemanIhadkickedinthehead.Ididn'tkickhardenough.Hewasstanding,hislegssounsteadythathisaimwavered.

"Youwanttoshootme?"Iaskedhim,feelingmylipsliftinagrin.Ididn'tevenhavetolooktoblockarandomlostsword.Itswungaroundonmydaggertwotimes;withaflickofmywrist,itplungedbladefirstintothedeckbesideme.

Themanwobbledmoreandmovedbackwards,noddingmutely.Iraisedaneyebrow.Hevisiblygulpedandwaveredbetweenshakinghisheadandnoddingatthesametime.

Myearsperkeduptorunningfootsteps.Athrillwarcrysoundednotasecondlater.Mydaggerwasinstinctivelyraisedtomeettheoncomingonslaught,mybodyfluidlysidesteppingtheassaulter.Hisswordwavedagain.Iduckedandblocked;whenhisarmsbroughthisswordoverhisheadagain,asharpkicksenttheswordflyingintothedarkbluewatersoftheocean.Aquickswipeatthethroatandheslumpedforward,unseeing.

Morefootstepsbehindme.JustasIraisedmydaggertoparryagain,athrillgunshotrangout.

Iturnedaroundtomeetthestartledeyesofanotherassaulter,hisgazelookingatthepoolofbloodstaininghisshirt.Itwirledaround.Itwasthemanwiththegun.Hewasstaringatmeinhorror,asifIwasoneofthewalkingdead.Iraisedaneyebrowathimagain.

Hepointedtheguninmydirection,asiftryingtowarnmeifItookanotherstep,he'dshootme.Ishookmyheadinreply,smiling."Doyounotrealizewhatkindofgunyou'reholding?Itholdsonlyonebullet.Yourgunisempty,anddon'tyoueventryreloadingitwhileIamwatching."Hegulpedagainatmywords,staringattheguninhorror.Indisgust,hethrewitatme,raisinghishandsupinaclassicsurrender.

Hehadtosavehisdignityandegothough…puremalepridedrovehim,Iguessed.Hiseyespiercedme."TherearemorewhereIcamefrom.Youcanescapeforoneattack…butcouldyouescapethousandsofusatonce?Youcanconquerme,butyoucanneverpossessthestrengthtofightoffthisship!"Withthat,helaughedandthrewhimselfintothewater.

TwothingsIgatheredfromhiswords:theattackingshipcameforme,andthatifIstayed,Iwillbethedeathofeveryoneonthisship–shiphandsthathadtreatedmelikebrotherstoabelovedtomboysister–equals,despitethefactthatmalesnaturallyconsiderthemselvesabovethefemales.

Mykillcountsteadilyrose.Thefirsttwentyweresimple.ButIgrewweary.Thetorrentofmenneverseemedtostop.IsawJasperbrieflyleaningonadoorframebeforechargingtohelpAlice.Rosaliewasback-to-backwithEmmettastheytriedtodefendeachotherwhilebeingsurrounded.

Nottenminuteslater,justaftermythirty-secondkill,someonehadcorneredEdward.

Wehadlost.

--

Gaggedandtied.Doesn'tthatsoundfamiliar?Theonlyproblemwas,Iwasnotalone.Edwardwastiedtoachairontheothersideoftheroom,hiseyesclosedinconcentrationasifthinkingofawaytogeteveryoneout.AliceandJasperwereputacrosstheroomfromeachother,buttheystaredintoeachother'seyesinsuchawayastomakemeflinchandshyaway.OnlyEmmettcouldfindsomethingextremelyhilariousinasituationlikethis.SomehowhewastiedtogetherwithRosalietoapole.Theytuckedtheirheadstogetherandgigglingwasheardeveryfewmoments.

Iwasinacorner,hiddenbehindagiantcabinet.IdoubtanyoneevenknewIwas

here.

Itestedtheknot.Theyweresmarteraboutit.Theknotwastiedrighttomyside.Myshouldersblockedtheviewofitandmyhandscouldn'treachit.

Twentyminuteslater,Ibreathedasighofrelief.ThatwasbyfaroneofthemostcomplicatedknotsIhadtoundowithoutlooking.Alicesighedatthesametime.

"Nowthatyou'refree,Key,"shemuttered,"wouldyouminduntyingtherestofus,too?"Allheadsintheroomsnappedup,searchingforme.Edwardwasthefirsttospotmeinthecorner.Hiseyeswidenedasifhesawaghost.

Startled,Idroppedthe'still-tiedup'pretenseIheld.Theropesdroppeduselesslyinapuddle.Glaringatherforruiningmymomentoftriumph,Iwalkedbyeveryone,quicklyuntyingtheknots.

Somebodyonboardseemedtoknowmewell.Nooneelse'sknotswereascomplicatedasmine.Aquicktugintherightdirectionandtheknotuntieditself.Easy.Myeyesnarrowed.Thisseemedtoconfirmmypreviousassumptionthattheywerelookingforme.IwasthereasontheTwilightwasattacked.

WhenIuntiedAlice,shegavemealookthatsaid'nowisnotthetimetoquestionme'.Inodded.Shebettergivemeadecentanswerwhenthetimecomes...ifitcameatall.

Ididn'twaituntileveryonewasfree,though.WithaquicknodtoEdward,Itriedtoopenthedoorofthecrampedroom.Itwaslocked,buttherewasnokeyhole.ThedoorrattledsoftlyontheothersidewhenIleanedagainstit.Padlockedontheoutsidewithasoliddoorbetweenthelockandme.Noshipcaptainwouldwillinglyspareanactualroomforprisonersunlessheknewoneofhisprisonerscouldpicklocks.Mystomachturneduneasilyatthethought.

Leononcewarnedmetoalwayskeepafewtricksunderthebelt–tricksthatnoonewouldthinkofusingbecauseoftheimpossibilityofit.Nothingwasimpossible.Iwithdrewathinbladefrommyboots–abladethatwasflexibleenoughnottobedetectedwhentheyranasearchdownmyclothingforhiddenweapons.Mylockpicksweren'ttaken;neitherwastheblade.

Themakeshiftknifefitneatlyinthecrackbetweenthedoorandthedoorframe.Twosharptwistsleftasmallthumb-sizedholetopeekoutof.

Thepadlockwasjustbelowthehole;thekeyholewasfacingtotheside.Theroomwastheverylastinalongcorridorthatcurvedaway.Fiveminuteslater,thepadlock

wasdanglinguselesslyonthelockplate,mostlikelyneverfitforanymorelocking.Isneakedfromtheroom.Iknewotherswantedtofollow,ifnottoprotectme,thentoescape.Jasperstoppedthemallwithatouchontheirshoulders.

Barelydaringtobreathe,Icreptalongthedesertedwalkways.Everythingwassostill–itwasasifIwasn'tonaship,thoughthedank,mustysmellstoldmeotherwise.Buthow?Howwasthislikeanactualhouseonlandwhenallmysensestoldmeotherwise?

Theshipseemedtobeinfinitelybig.Ladderswerereinforcedwithsteelplatestokeepthemfromcollapsing,butthereseemedtobemorethingsatworkkeepingtheladderstogetherthanjusttheflimsysteelplates.ThethirdturnafterthesecondladderIclimbedbroughtawaveofseaair.Weweredefinitelynotnearland.Thebreezebroughtthepuresmelloftheocean–asmellthatcouldbarelybedetectedifwewerenearland.Theship,however,didn'tevenrollfromawave.

Faintvoicesfloateddown."Whatareyoutalkingabout?!"thevoicewasfamiliar,likeI'vehearditbefore."Patrol…everytenminutes…"Therewasalaugh."Whatcould…girl…getout?"

Theyweretalkingaboutme.AsIgotcloser,itbecameclearwhosevoicethatIknew.Jacob.

"Evenwiththeprecautionsweputonher,shecouldescape!"hewasshouting.Hisvoicewaveredinintensity,asifhewaspacingveryfast."Infact,shecouldberightoutsidethisdoorlisteningtothisveryconversation!"

Footstepsshuffledalong.Adooropened.Ashadowbrieflypassedovertheraysoflightshiningthroughbeforethedoorbangedshutagain.FrombehindtheboxIhidbehind,IhadseenJacob,leaningoveradesk.

"You'rejustparanoid,boy,"agruffvoicesaid.Onebyone,theyalllefttheroom,theirfootstepsfadingaway.

Thelastpersontoleavetheroomwasanoldman–sooldthathishairwaswhiteasthefreshestsnow.Hestoppedatthedoorway."Iknowbettertounderestimatetheselasseswhomaketheirwayintothemen'sworld.Iwillcheckonher."

Iheardhisfootstepscomingthisway.Hecouldn'tcheckontheroomwithouteithernoticingme.Atthenextturn,Itrippedhimover,immediatelyplacingonkneeonhisbacksohecouldn'tgetup.

"Yell,andyourlifeisforfeit,"Iwhispered.Iflinchedatmychoiceofwords.Thatwas

abadmove…hisanswerconfirmedit.

"I'manoldman,lass.Mylife'sbeenonthelinetoomanytimesforthistobeathreat."

Ilethimgothen.Iwentnearnoweapons.Hewon'thurtme.

Hestoodup,groaning,butraisedaneyebrowatmyactions."YouarenotafraidthatIwillyellnow?Youaren'tevenawareofthepossibilitythatIcouldeasilymobyou?"

Igrinned."Ifyouwanttoyell,youwould'veyelledwhenyounoticedsomeonehadmobbedyoualready,insteadofwaitingtobethreatened.Besides,I'vemobbedyouonce,you'dbeconsciousthatIhavemoreskillsupmysleevethanmymeresizeindicates."Ishookmyhead."No,youdarenotattackmeuntilyouknowmoreaboutmeatthismoment."

Hiseyesbetrayedhisshock."IthoughtIoverestimatedyou,evenifIbelievedJacob'sdescriptionofyou.Seemsthatevenmyoverestimationisunderestimatingyou."Isnorted.

"Youdon'thavetopretendyouappraiseme."Iraisedaneyebrowatthemovementofhishandtowardhisbelt."Nordoyouhavetopretendthatyoustillhaveagun."Ibroughtmyrighthandfrombehindmyback,twirlingtheguneasilyonmyforefinger.

"Icanstillyell."

"Noyoucan't."Myeyesflickeredbehindhim.Jasperwasthere,aswasEdward.Trustingmyinstinctsandthem,Iturnedmybackontheman,pretendingnottonoticehisstartledyetmuffledyelpatbeingsuddenlygaggedandbound.WhenIturnedaround,themanwasgone;Edwardwasinhisplace.Itossedtheshotguntohim,whichhecaughtperfectly."Therearefourbulletsinthere.Gathereveryoneaninconspicuousplace.I'mprettysuretheyhaven'tdestroyedtheTwilight.Don'tusethegununlessyouabsolutelyhaveto."IstartedtowalkbacktotheroomwhereIlastsawJacob.Stoppingafewstepsaway,Iturnedaroundandmethiseyes."Andthanks."

Iwalkedawayagain.

Jacobbetterbeabletoexplainwhyhewantedmeprisoner.

Well...I'maverybadjudgeforcliffiesandstuff.Iwasgoingtoendthisat"I'manoldman,lass.Mylife'sbeenonthelinetoomanytimesforthistobea

threat"butIthoughtbetterofit.So...nextchapter...whyisJacobontheship?WhydotheywantBella?Isitfortheamulet?;)

Thecurrentdevelopmentoftheplotisinspiredbyseveralreviews(youknowwhoyouare...Ionlyremembercontent,notsomuchmatchingreviewerwiththeircorrespondingreviews...sorry!).SoIwanttothankthembeforeIforget:D

Whatwouldyoudoif?

A/N:I'vefinallyfoundthetimetotypeupthischapter(yay!).It'salittleshorterthanmostofthepreviousones,butIdidn'twanttoleaveyouguyswithsomesortofacliffhanger,seeingthatI'mupdatingonceamonthorso...soI'mbeingniceinthatperspective:D.

Anyways,there'sathingcalledasleepbombmentionedinthischapter.Definitionofsleepbomb:bombsthatslowlyreleaseodorless"chemicals"intotheairthatmakepeoplefallasleep…kindalikecarbonmonoxide,onlyitwon'tmakeyoudie.Theyhadthesesortsofthingsinthe1800'sandearlier…asfarasIknow/remember,it'saninventionfromtheChinese,mainlyusedbyrobbersorevilpeople.

Chapter15

ThedoorwasclosedwhenIapproached.Islightpush,anditopenedwithacreakingsound.Jacobwasatthetableinthefarend,leaningheavilyonit,hisfingerswipinginvisiblesweatfromhisface.Withoutlookingup,hespoke,"She'sstillthere?"

"Aye,I'mstillhere,"Ireplied.

Hisheadsnappedup.Hisusuallytanskinturnedashadepaler,eveninthedimflickeringlight.Somethingwasoff;Icouldn'tpickoutexactlywhat.Awarningbellsoundedinmyhead,thoughitwasweak.Nodanger…butsomethingwasn'tright.Heopenedhismouthtoexplain,butIcuthimoff.

"Iknowthere'sareasonIamhere.There'sareasonI'malive…andsoaremostofthecrewyoucangetyourhandson.Idon'twanttohearthosemade-uphalf-excusesyouwanttothrowmyway,"Itoldhim.Kickingthedoorshutbehindme,Igesturedwildly."Why?WhereamI?WhyareyousoconcernedthatIdon'tescape?"Mybreathwasquickwithmyoutrage.Hejuststoodthere,staringatmeasifhisgazecouldburnahole.

"TheyboundBilly,Bells.ItwasBilly'slifeversusfindingyou…andtheysworeinabloodoaththattheywon'thurtyou…andthatthey'lltrythebesttokeepyoualiveifyoutriedtokillyourself.Ihadto…"hegulpedatmyglare,"Ihadtochoosethelesserofthetwoevils…"

"SothatmeanstyingmeupwithaflimsyknotandlockedinaroomwhereyoumadesureIcan'tescape?"Isnorted."Andyourapproachto'inviting'meonboarddoesn't

convincemetoletdownmyguard."NotthatIcould,evenifItried,Iaddedsilently.

"I'mtryingtosaveyou!"Thewarningbellsoundedagain.Hewasnottellingmesomething.

"Andwouldyoumindtellingmejusthowyou'resavingme?"

"Justgivethemwhatevertheywant–somesortofnecklace,theysaid–andthey'llletusallfree.Theypromised."

"Anddidyouaskexactlyhowthey'regoingtolet'us'allfree?"Isnapped."Theymightaswellslityourneckandcallthat'freeingyoufromtheconstraintsoflife'!Wherehasthatmindofyoursgoneto?"Hewasbarelystanding,hiskneeswobblingtothepointofalmostgivingout.ThiswasnottheJacobIhadknown.TheJacobIhadknownwouldnotshakeinfrontofme.TheJacobI'dknownwouldhavepersonallytiedmeupandstoodguard.Suddenly,Irealizedthattherewasmoretothis…man…thatlookedexactlylikeJacobBlackthanIoriginallythought.

Suddenlyangry,Iclosedinonhim;henearlykeeledoveratmyapproach.Finally,wewerearmslengthapart.Istaredintohiseyes,thedarkbrownpoolsthatseemedsuddenlytobesomurky.Therewasasortofdesperationinthem…asifsomeoneelsewastrappedinaforeignbody."WhoareyouandwhathaveyoudonetoJacobBlack?"Iasked,whippingoutmydaggertoplaceathisthroat.

HisreactiononlyfurtherprovedthathewasnotJacob.Jacobwould'vegraspedthebladeandmywristandtriedtocatchmeunaware.This…impostor…onlytrembledandshiedaway.

Iquestionedhimagain,almostgrowling.Hewhimpered."I…I'llt-t-tellyouifyoum-m-movethata-away."

"Notricks,"Iwarned,beforeslidingthedaggerback.Heeyedthedooruneasily.Asharpkicktohiskneesmadehimgroanashecollapsed.

"MynameisTyler,TylerCrowley.Idon'tknowwhathappenedtoJacob,norwhathappenedtome.Webothsigneduponthisship;hewasalwaysrebellious,asifhewasforcedtodosomethinghedidn'twantto,"thisTylerswallowed,lickinghisdrylips."Afewdaysago,thecaptainorderedJacobtobebroughtbeforehim.Thecaptainwasangry…everyonebutJacobseemedafraidofhim.Infrontofalltherestofus,hedidsomething…Idon'tknowwhat.Jacobjustcollapsed…anditstartedraining.Therainsteamedawayfromhisbodyuntilheseemedtobesizzling."

Hiseyeswerewidewiththeterrorthatmusthavepassedthatday.Hisvoice

soundeddistantashecontinuedhisstory."Thecaptain'seyesseemedtoberedderthannormalashespokeofthewrongdoingsofJacob.Hewarnedusthatanyonewhodarestodothesamewillhavethesamepunishment.AndthoughJacobneverscreamed,wecouldn'timagineourselvesburninguplikethat.Thecaptainlookedintomyeyeslast,andthenweallwenttobed.Iwokeupnextmorningfindingmyselfwithmemoriesthatarenotmineandabodythat'snotmine.AndhereIam."

"AndJacob?"

"Ireallydon'tknow!"hesobbed."IlookatmyselfinthemirrorandseeJacob,butIknowI'mstillTyler…withJacob'sknowledgeandnotacluehowtofunction!Everyoneelsearoundmeseemedtobedrivenbysomemadforce…theyseemtowatchmyeverymove…"

Thehaironthebackofmyneckprickled.Heseemedtobestallingfortimeandyettellingthetruth.Hehadnothingmoreofusehecouldtellme.AsIturnedtogo,theJacob-Tylerscreeched,"Bella!"

Ihalted,notturningtolookathim,ashepleaded."Pleasetakemeawayfromthiswakingterror."

"Jacobknowshow.Gowithhisinstincts."Imurmured,sprintingoutthedoorandturningblindlydownthebelow-deckhallways.

ThreethingsIknewatthatinstant:Firstly,JacobwasnotJacobanymore.Secondly,myenemyhaspowersandmagic–thingsthatyou'donlybelieveifitweretoldinfairytales.Andlastly,ifIwanttosomehowsurviveuntilthenextyear,CaptainEdwardismyonlyhope…butIcouldn'tbringmoredangertothecrew.IwouldleavethemassoonasIcould,ifonlytosavetheirlives,evenMike's.

--

AssoonasIsteppedondeckoftheTwilight,Iwasengulfedinawarmhugbytherestofthecrew,staggeringundertheirweight.Facesseemedtolitup.Asmalltraitorousvoicesaidinthebackofmymind,don'tleave…you'rehome.Iwantedtoargue…butIknewIhadotherthingstodo.Gettingfreefromtheirstiflinghugandgivingasmiletoeachinreturn,Imotionedforustocastsail.IhopedthatthesleepbombsIleftburninginthenamelessshipwouldgiveusaheadstartenough.Whoknewmyextrascoutingwouldbringtoattentionanentireboxofthemstashedawaybeneathwhatseemedtobethousandsofotherequipment?Itookasmanyofthosesaidequipment(whichconsistedofdaggers,swords,flags,paint…thelistgoesone)andtriedtodestroytherest.

Twodayspassedwithoutanysignofpursuit.Edwardaskedmetochartourcoordinates,asIhadbettereyesthantherestofthem.IwasquitesurewewereneartheseatownofMelody.Iwilldisappearintothestreets…butIhadtosaygoodbye…

Themoonwashighthatnight.Ileanedontherailingatthebowoftheship,rippingoffmybandanatofeelthewindbrushthroughmyhair.Iwasstrangelyimpatientforhimtocome.Ididn'ttellhim,butIknewthathewould.Atthesametime,Ididn'twanthimto.Iwanttostay.IseemedtohavefinallyfoundanotherhomeandIdidn'twanttoloseit.

"It'saniceevening,isn'tit?"IaskedwhenIheardhimapproach.Hisstepsstirredtheairaroundme.Itwaschilly.Ididn'trealizethatuntilhisarrivalbroughtwithhimanauraofwarmth.

"Yes."Hefellsilent,asifunsurehowtogoon.Heleanedontherailingnexttome,andsuddenlyIhadaninsaneurgetoleanintohim,tobatheinhiswarmth.Heseemedtohavefeltthesamething.Hisarmtwitched;oureyeslockeduncertainly."Bella,"hewhispered,mynamefallingoutinaprayer.

"Yes?"Ibreathed.

"Thankyou,"hewhisperedback.Hislipswereonminethen.Itwassweetandintoxicating,floodingmymindwithgiddinessandanearningformore.Hisarmswrappedaroundmywaist,pullingmeflushagainsthim.Foronce,Ididn'tfeelmyunconsciousinstructionstostrikeout.Ileanedintohishold,feelingdrunk.

Hepulledawayfirst,hiseyessmolderingintomine.IstruggledtorememberthereasonIwashere.

WhenIfinallydidremember,Ibrokeabruptlyaway,leaningontherailingonceagain.Ifelthimshiftbehindme."What'swrong?"hewhisperedhoarsely,asifhehadtroublefindinghisownvoice.

Idid,too.Iswallowedandlickedmylips."IfIdisappearedoneday,whatwouldyoudo?"ThewordstumbledoutbeforeIcouldstopthem.Hisquickintakeofbreathtoldmethathewasnotexpectingthat.

"Whydoyouwanttoknow?"hesaidslowly,drawingouteachsyllable.

"Notyourturntoaskquestions,"Ireplied,smilingalittletoshowIwasteasingaround.Iturnedseriousagain."IfIdisappeared–died,left,kidnapped,whatever–whatwouldyoudo?"

HewassilentforsolongthatIhadtolookathim.Hisgreeneyeswereblazing,eveninthepalemoonlight."Ifyoudisappeared,Iwouldsearchtheworldforyou–searcheverycreviceandeverycrook…"

"Whatifyoucan'tfindme?"Icuthimoff.

"WhatdoyouthinkIwilldo?"Iglaredathisevasiveanswer.

"Youwouldforgetaboutme–thegirlwhosnuckontoyourshipandannoyedthehelloutofyou.YouwouldrejoicethatIwon'tbeheretobotheryouanymoreandcontinuelifeasnormal,"Ireplied,hopingthatthatwaswhathewasgoingtodo,butfeelingapainstrikethroughmeatthethoughtthathewouldforgetme.

Hisfaceseemedtoalmostmirrormine.Hisbrowswerefurrowed,hislipsturneddowninafrown."Iwouldn'tdothat–couldn't,"heanswered.Hewassilentagain.Whenhedecidedtoanswer,itstartledme."IwouldsearchuntilIlostallhope.Ifyouhaddied,thenIdon'tthinkIcouldlivemuchlonger."

Igasped."Youwouldforgetaboutme.Peopledothat.Ayearfromnow,Iwouldbenomorethanabadmemory."Ipaused."Whatifyoudon'tfindmeinthenextworld?"

Helookedsharplyatme."Iamamonster,Bella,"heanswered."IkilledmorepeoplethanIcouldjustlycount,inafitofhurtandpain.Thereisnonextworldforme.AllIcoulddependonisanonexistenceofthelossI'dfeel."Ididn'tunderstand.Ididn'twantto,afraidthatit'dgivememorereasontostay.

Butno.Ihadtofightmyownbattle.DraggingothersdowntothegatesofHellwithmewentagainsteverythingIwastaught.Inthecaseofthiscrew,I'dwillinglygivemylifeovertheirs…andprotectthesoftblueamulethangingaroundmyneck–onethatwasrumoredtoholdboththedoomoftheworldandthetreasureofall…andonethatfeltveryhotagainstmyskinatthatmoment.

"DoyouwanttoknowwhyIneverletanywomanonthisship?"hesuddenlyprompted.Ishruggedinreply,pullingupablankexpression.

"TheirnameswereLaurenandTanya–sisters.Or,atleast,that'swhattheycalledeachotheras.TheyheardarumoronedaythatIhadtheinfamousSapphireAmulet.Ididn'tknow…theyusedtheirtrickeryonEmmettandme.Wesuccumbedalmostwithoutthought.Godonlyknewhowwesurvivedwhentheystrippedusbareandleftusonanislandwithoutaknifeorasquareofclothingforfivedays,"hesighed,revisitingthememory."ItwasAliceandJasperwhopickedusupfromtheisland.Eventhen,ittookmealmostayeartotrustAlice;evenlongerwhenRose

joined.Ikilledmercilesslyinhatredofmyself–ofeveryonewhosailedashipbecauseofparanoia.For,despiteallIseem,Iamafraidtobetrickedagain.Iwon'tbesoluckyasecondtime."

"Andme?"

"Youwon'ttrickus."Iraisedaneyebrowathiswords.

"Whatmakesyousosure?"

Hedidn'tanswer,hiseyesdroppingslowly,asifcarefullyscanningme.Eversosubtle,hishandsneakedtomyneck,drawingcirclesbeforeslidingbeneaththecollar.Itensed,buthedidn'ttrytodoanythingmore.Instead,hetuggedonthehiddenchainonwhichmyamulethung."Youhavetheultimatetreasure.IfIwantashareinit,Ihavetotrustyou."Tomysurprise,hesmirked,drawingoutthewarmamuletbeforetuckingitback.Myskinseemedtotinglewherehetouchedme.

"Itisdangerous.Youshouldknowfirsthand."

"Asareyou,despiteyourattemptstobenot."

Ididn'tanswerhim,butsmackedupupsidethehead.

Hewinced,buthiseyesbrightenedinmischief."Youdaretreatmeso,andyouwonderhowcouldIneverforgetyou?"

Iglaredathim."Thatdoesn'tsoundlikeacompliment."Ipaused."HowdoItreatyou?"Heopenedhismouthtoanswer,butIcuthimoff."Totellthetruth,Itreatyoubadly."

"Thenyoucanstartbeingnicer."

Iscoffedandsnorted."Yourhopelessoptimisminspiresmetodosomethingimpossible."Herolledhiseyes."Youseriouslywantmetobenicer?"

"Yes."

Igrinned.Withanalmostshykisstohischeeks,Ileftfortheunder-deck.Ifmyinstinctswereanythingtojudgeby,I'dbeabletodisappearsmoothlyintoMelodytomorrownight.IcouldnomorechangemyselfthanIcouldchangethewaythesunrisesandsets.'Beingnice'meanstoleaveforthegoodofall.

BellasoundssomuchlikeEdwarddidinTwilight/NewMoonatthismoment...

lol.Anysortofcomments,pleasetellme:D.Asalways,bunchesofthanksforeveryonewho'sputtingupwithmywritingthat(forthemostpart)getsonlypartiallyeditedforspellingandgrammar...andmycrazyupdateschedule:D

--Cathy

TalkaboutFailures

A/N:Heyaeveryone!Longtimenosee))Hereisthelong-awaited16thchapter,whichIhadfinishedtypingupwhileputtingoffstudyingforACT'sandacollegeessaythatIwaswriting(whosedeadlineisNov.1):o.IthinkIdeserveaknocktothenogginforprioritycheckandalsoabighug;)kidding...butyoucangivemeahugifyouwouldn'tmind:DIthinkIneedit,knowingwhat'scomingup(gulp).

Anyways...Collegeappsareinfullswing,andI'mhavingsuchahardtimegettinginspirationonwhattowriteabout.Ihatetosoundboastfulwhenwritingthem,butitseemsthefewsomewhatpatheticideasI'vehadmakemeendupseemingtoboastmyselforsomethingtothateffect.Ineedmajoreditingandstuffforthat.I'mnotexactlysurewhenIcouldnextupdateagain.I'mhopingtohavethenextoneoutonorbeforeThanksgiving,butgiventheamountofessaysIstillmustwrite,Idon'tknowifIcanguaranteeitornot.Lookonthebrightside,assoonasChristmas(ortheweekbeforeXmas)getshere,I'llbecompletelydonewithallmycollegestuffandcouldupdateweeklyorbi-weekly))

Chapter16

--Interludept1—

"Aha!Youknow,dearMarcus,thatifyouhadaddedthelimpwurtrootbeforeyouaddedtheredspidereggs,you'dhavesavedusfromawholebunchofrummagingandbeingstuckdowninthisheckofaholeforyears?"Aromuttered,shakingoffthethinlayeroffrostthatalwaysclungtohisshirtwheneverhepaidavisittoFate,whichwasquiteoftenthesedays.Infact,FateHerselfhadsaidthatifhecameanymoreoften,herfamilywouldstartthinkingthatshewashavinganaffair.

"Andyou,surelyyoumustknowthatIamhalf-blindasitis?Haveyouneverlearnedyourlessonallthoseyearsagowhenwetriedtomakealovepotionfortheking?Itonlyservedtomakehishairpinkandfrilly,"Marcussnortedhalfinembarrassmentandhalfindignity."Iamtheonlyone,amongusthree,thathadnevermadeasuccessfulpotioninmylife.WhatmadeyouthinkI'llfarebetteronthatone?"

Caiuswatchedtheexchangeatthesidewithinterest.Aro'seyeshadglintedwithamusement.Hewaspracticallydancingontheinside."Haveyouawaytogetoutofhere?"heasked.

"Oh,no…whywouldyouthinkthus?"Aroquestionedback,allinnocentandfake."Fate'sbeenundergoingthroughsomeintenselecturesfromme.Inanefforttoridherselfofmyconstantclatter,shetoldme–"

"-howtogetout?"interruptedMarcus.

"Thatthegirlhasdecidedtorunawayfromtheboy,"Arofinished,glaringathisbrother.

Caiuslookedonblankly."Andthatisgood,because…?"

"We'reallowedtointervene!"

"Bythelawof…?"

"BythelawofAroSubbacusVolturi,"answeredAroproudly,withadramaticflourish.

Caiusraisedaneyebrow."Cutthedrivelandtheyapping.Starttalking:whatdowedo?"

"Youtwoarenofun,"Aromuttered,pullingoutarollofpaperseeminglyoutofnowhere…

--Endinterlude--

IleftafewhoursaftertheshipdockedatMarilyn.Despitemydeterminationnevertoreturntotheship,IhadanundyingfeelingthatIleftapartofmyselfthere–apartofmyselfthatsaidandmarked'thisiswheremyhomeis'.Jasperseemedtosensemyconflictedfeelings,andIhadoverheardAlicetellEmmetttokeepacloseeyeonme.Icouldeasilymeltawayintoacrowd.TherewasnowaythebigburlyEmmettcouldkeepupwithme,butapartofmewantedtobefound.Apartofmewantedtogohome.

IttookmelongerthanusualtoshakeEmmettoffmytrail.Iledhimtothebackstreetsofthecity.Heneverfoundmethere;Ishookhimoffevenbeforethefirstdeadend.Partofmestayedconflicted.Imadenoise;Iledhimbackintothestreets–madesurehewassafebeforeIdisappearedfromhim.

Jasperwastrickier.HehadsomehowpickedupmytrailwhileIledEmmettbacktothestreets.Iknewhewaswithme,butIwasneverabletocatchhimfollowing.Hewasgood;andIwasmakingmistakes.

Andwebothslippedup.

Ihidbehindanabandonedmarketcartwhilehedartedpast.Imovedtoosoonandheheard,spunaround,andfoundme.Hiseyeswerewide,guarded.

"You'refollowingme,"Itoldhimwithoutpreamble.

"You'releavingus,"heanswered.

"Yes,andyou'remakingitdifficult."

"Whichisanotherwayofsayingyoudon'twanttogo."

"Letme!"Iburstout.Hiscoldnessandconfidencedugintomine.IfeltlikeIwasanonion,andhewaspeelingmydefenceslayerbylayer.Sovulnerable…mydaggerwasdrawntoprotectmyselfbeforeIevenrealized.

"Bella,"hesaidinalowvoice."Ifyoubelievethatyoucansaveusallbyleavingus,you'veanotherthinkcoming.Youhavesomethingthattheywant;theyknewyouwerewithuslast.Doyoureallythinkyoucanprotectusbyleaving?Idon't;evenifwesaywedon'tknow,doyouthinkthey'llreallybelieveus?"

Hewasweakeningmyresolvewitheachwordheuttered.Ikeptmyexpressionbreak,heldmytongueagainstuselesscommentsthatcouldonlybeusedagainstme.

"Ifyouwantmetobelieveyou,youhavetoconvincemydaggertobelieveyou,first!"Itoldhimcalmlydespitemyheartwrenching.Atthatmoment,IthankedhowevermanydeitiestherewerethatitwasnotEdwardwhohadfollowedme.Iwouldnotbeabletoraisemydaggeragainsthim.

Jasper'seyeswidened,buthislipscurledbackintoaferalsmirk."Iwashopingthatourdueldatewouldbeondifferentgrounds…"Hisgazeglintedforamoment,andthenhisentiremoodwasmasked.Hestoodstill,hisheadraisedasifgivingmydaggerbetteraccesstohisneck;hishandshunglimplyathissides.Hedidnotevenattempttodrawhissword.

Iblinked.Hewasgivingmethefemaleface-slap–acomposurethatsaid'youcanhaveafreehitatmebecauseyou'regoingtomissanyways'.Suddenly,hewasnotJasperanymore.Hewasmyenemy;myfurysprungup–howdarehedosuch?Mywristtwirled,poppingmydaggeroutofitsscabbardcompletely.Hesmiledatthemetallicringthatsounded;buthestillheldmotionless.Sohewasgoingtokeepwithhisgame,isn'the?Verywell,Iwon'tmiss.

Istruckwithallmymightandprecision.Atfirst,Ithoughthewasactuallygoingto

followthrough;butatthelastsecond,hemoved.Hetwirledsidewayswithawaistturnanddrewhissword.Ifollowedthroughwithmyswingtomeethiswithablock.Themetalclangedtogether.Imovedtotriphimbutheeasilyjumpedovermystretchedoutleg.Hisswordcamearchingdowninaperfectswing;mynon-daggerhandcametomeethiswristtodeflectthehitatthelastminute.

Andjustassuddenly,theduelbecameaone-armedfistfight.Hisotherhandcametoblockmineashisdeflectedswordswungdowntomeetmydagger.Myotherhandwasguarding,parrying,andtryingtogetagriponhiswristwhilehewasdoingthesame.Imadetopunch,butonlymanagedtohithispalmashemadetograbmyfist.Aflickofmywrist,andIwasfree,buthisfingerswrappedaroundmyarm.Beforehisgriptightened,IturnedmyhandsothatIwasgrippinghisforearm,too.IfeltlikeIwasinmultipleplacesatonce–hisswordwasstillbeingheldinplacebymydagger.

Kickingofffromtheground,Iusedhiskneesandchestasananchortoflipmyselfbackwards.HestumbledwhileIendedlightlyonmyfeet,tryingtoignoremystingingwristwherehescratchedit.Hiseyesnarrowedatmeagain.HethrustwiththeswordasIspunawaytothesideandbehindhim,jerkinghardonhisshouldersothathestumbledagain.Withnewfoundconfidence,Iavoidedhisquickattacks;catchinghisswordinmid-swingtodeflectitintoadifferentdirection.Herecovered,hisfistcollidingwithmychin,sendingmesprawling.

Iheardhisfaststepsapproaching.Kickingup,Ilandedonmyfeet,lettingmybacklegslidebackuntilIwasonthegroundwithaperfectsplit.Mydagger'spointjustbarelypiercedhisthroatashestruggledwithhismomentum.Therewasasecondwhenmyhearthammeredinmychest–IwasdeathlyafraidthatIwasgoingtokillhim.Thesecondpassed;hestopped,andstaredintomyeyes.Helookedalmostcomical.Hisswordwasheldinbothhands,raisedasiftohackme,butstoppedbythedaggerpointingathisAdam'sapple.Hiseyeswerewidewithshockandatouchofamusement.

"Youwon,"hesaid,steppingbackfrommydaggerpoint.Hesoundedalmostasifhewasinadaze.Ileaptupfrommysplits,wincingwhenmylegsprotestedfrombeingstretchedsomuch.Ivowedtodothesplitsmoreoften…ithurt.(A/N:Itriedthatonceafterlikeaweekortwoofnotpracticing…Iwasbarelyabletogetthatlow…andmylegsfeltweirdforlikeanentireweekafterwards--oops--lol)

"OfcourseIdid!"Imutteredoffhandedly,suddenlydistracted.IfeltlikesomethingwasgoingtohappenandI'llsomehowendupbackontheshipagain,whetherIwisheditornot.No,notIfeltlike…Iknew."TelleveryoneIsendmybestwishes,"Itoldhim,walkingaway.

--

Istayedinanemptyloftonthetopfloorofabrothelthatnight…andforsevennightsafterthat.Theplacewasdecent,althoughnoisesfrombelowkeptmeuplate.Thefirstfewdayswerealright,butIgrewmorehomesickwithaparticularlybadcaseofwanderlustaswell.IwantedtogobacktoTwilight–Iwantedtobeontheseasagain,feelingthesaltyairfanovermyface.Ibecamemoreandmorerestlessinthenights;mydreamsoftenhadmewakinguplongbeforedawn,thoughIcouldneverrememberwhattheywere.

Irememberedthemtheeighthnight.IdreamedthatIfoundthekey-bearer,andweunlockedtheamulettorevealtheplacewherethetreasurewasstored,andthatwelivedhappilyeverafter.IwasneverabletopicturethefaceofthemanIfelldeeplyinlovewithinmydream;IonlyrecalledthathelookedfaintlylikeEdward.Onourship,Iwouldstareoutintothesea,andhewouldsneakupandwraphisarmsaroundme.I'dlosemostofmyprotectiveinstinctshearinganysortofapproachingfootsteps,andleanbackintoacomfortingembrace.

Andthenthescenechanged.Mylovewasnolongerthere;instead,Iwasallaloneinashipwhosecrewmenlookedmorelikezombiesornightmaresthanmerehumans.Theevilbeing–theonewhowantedtostealanddestroytheamulet–wouldbethere,holdingadevilishwhip.Icouldn'thearwhathewassaying,butIsawmyselfsuddenlychokingandcollapsing.Isawmyimageintatteredclothesinthedeadofthewinter,tortured.Iwashungfromoneofthepoles,andthemenwouldmethodicallypourice-coldwateroverme.

Thedreamwouldmorphbetweenthetwopossibilities,settlingintoaloopthatplayedfasterandfasteruntileverythingbecameablur.Iwokeuplongbeforemorningtofindmyselfcoveredinsweatandtohearthreesetsoffootstepswalkingontheroof.Theroofbeamgroanedsoftlywhenthesoundsdisappeared.Therewasamomentofsilence,andapartoftherooffellaway,followedbythreelumps,landingunceremoniouslyafewstepsawayfromme.

Theywerethreeoldmen,itappeared,buttheirfacebarelyhadanywrinkles.Thefewwrinkles,however,wereatrocious;therewereprogressivelysmallerandsmallerwrinklesamongthebiggerones,asifallthewrinklesontheirbodyweredisplayedinthatonesmallarea.Theirhairhadlonggonewhiterthanthepurestsnow,andtheireyeswereacloudybluecolorandshimmeredwithcentury-oldwisdom.

Ihadmydaggerclutchedinmyhand,butIdidn'tmove,wantingtowatchwhattheywoulddofirst.Theycouldn'tseemeyet;abigstained-glassmirrorleanedagainstatallhole-filledcabinet.Icouldseeoutatthembuttheycouldnotseeme.

Theygruntedastheydisentangledthemselvesfromtheheaptheyhadcreated.Theleader,itseemed,wavedhishand,andtheroofwaspartiallyrepaired.Hesighed,mutteredsomethingaboutbeingoldandnothingobeyinghimanymore,andtherewassuddenlyabigpileofthatchingpluggingthehole.Ithungthereprecariouslyforamoment,beforerainingdownonthemanuntilonlyafewwispsofhiswhitehairwasshowing.Ibitmyfisttokeepfromlaughingastheothertwomenquicklydugthroughthepile.

Hewasindignant.Hiseyesweresuddenlyclearer,andhemutteredafewmorewords.Itseemedlikewhateverhewasdoingfinallyworked;theholeintheroofdisappearedasifithadnevergonethere,andthebigpileofthatchingvanishedtowhereveritcamefrom.Myteethclampeddownonmyfingersinmyamazement.Ihadbrokentheskin.AsInursedmyhand,Iwatchedthemenfromthecornerofmyeyes.

"Areyousurethisistherightplace?"oneofthemasked,pickingoutastraystrawfromthefirstone'shair.

"Yes,"wasalltheanswerhegot.Theonewhospokewaslookingdirectlyatthemirror,asiflookingthroughitandstaringatme."Andhere'sthelass."

"Areyousure?"oneofthemsaid."Shelooks…"hepaused,"skinny."

"AndyetI'dbetatrunkloadofgoldennuggetsthatshe'dwinyouinafightanyday."Myhandtightenedonmydagger.Heturnedtomethen,walkingaroundthemirroruntilhestoodnottwoyardsfromme."SoyouarethelatestBearertoourAmulet,"hemused."Ihaven'tmetanyoftheBearersforthepasttwocenturies."

Hetookastepclosertome;theamuletaroundmynecksuddenlyfeltveryheavyandhot.Ifeltlikemyskinwasblisteringwhereittouchedmychest.Hetookanotherstep,andtheamuletflared.Afewshaftsofpalebluelightshotout;myblousewasunabletoshieldit.Slowly,heraisedhishand,andtheamuletrose,reachingouttowardsthestretchedhand,pullingmewithit.

Whentheropeburnedmyneckfromthestrain,Ileanedcloser;theamuletnowrestedonhispalm.Thelightitemittedwasalmostblinding.Hewhisperedsomewordstoit,andthelightfadedasquicklyasitcame.Hechuckled."Shelikesyouverymuch.Shefindsitamusing."

Istruggledtokeepmyfaceblank,buthemust'veseenanyway."Curiositykilledthecat,lass.YouknowwhoIam,somewheredeepdown."Iwantedtoretortthatnoonerememberedthenextpartofthesaying,thatsatisfactionbroughtitback.(A/N:ThislinetakenfromTamoraPierce'sTrickster'sChoice)HespokebeforeIcould:"I'm

gladofthat.ShecouldmakeyourlifealivingHellifshedoesn'tlikeyou.SheburnedredthelasttimeIsawher,layingtheblameonme!Imaginethat!"

"Aro,"oneoftheothermenwarned.Aroclearedhisthroat.

"AsmuchasIknowyoulovemasochism,wehavetoreturnyoutoyourhome."Heemphasizedthelastwordasifmockingmythoughtsforthepastweek.Ishookmyheadmutely;Ididn'ttrustmyselftospeak."No?"Hiseyebrowsrose."Sleep,lass.I'mafraidyoudon'thaveachoiceinthematter."

Itriedtofightagainstmysuddenly-heavyeyelids,buttheyclosedshut,andIwaslosttotheworldinadreamlesssleep.

--Interludept2--

Themanwasanutterfailure!Thegirl…shedidn'tevenmaketruetoherthreats,andhewasbentandbeggingformercy.Fury…furythatthegirlhadescapedwiththegoddamnamuletagain.Shame…shamethatagirlmanagedtodothatandmorewithoutanyonenoticing.Iwasrestinginmycabin,waitingfornews.TwodayspassedsinceI'vesentJacobtotheinterrogationroomwithorders.Iwasanidiot.Iunderestimatedhertotheextreme.Ihadstubbornlywaited,thinkingthattheymayloseallprogressifthegirlrecognizedme…untiladeckhandemotionlesslyknockedonthedoorandtoldmethenewsthatthesleepbombshadexplodedandeveryonehadfallenasleep;thegirlandtheotherprisonersescaped.

Iwasluckymyangerdidnotlashoutattheship.Fortylampsontheshipsexplodedundermyrage;fifteenhandshadtheirbodiesbrokenbeyondrepair.Victoriawasmyonlysolace,althoughsheborethefiendishmarksonherbodytoremindmealwayswhatshehaddone.

IknewIhadtoturntoMarilyn.Thethreeoldshould-have-diedwizardswillbetrackingher.Theywerenotallwithoutpower.Iwasnotallwithoutpower.

ButIhadgreaterluckonmysidethanIhadfirstanticipated.Theship,Twilight,wasdockedattheport.IsentVictoriainadisguisetoscourtheship.Shereturned,reportingthattheshiphandsweregone,butthecaptainandhisintimatesweretalkingglumlyaboutsettingsailintwodays.Thegirlwasnotthere;thecaptainseemedtobedevoidofallemotionsbutpainandreluctance.Theyhadbeenhereforexactlyaweek,andtheymustsetsailthedayafterthenextwhenfinalrepairswerefinished.

Iwasecstaticthefirsttimeindays.Thegirlcouldnothaveleftport;thecaptainandcrewofTwilighthadaskedfavorstocheckovereverycornerofeveryshipthathad

setsailforher.ShemuststillbeinMarilyn.And,thoughshewashardertotrackdownthananyotherhumanIhadencountered,shewillnotescape.Iwillpersonallyensureshewillnotescapethecity.

--Endinterludept2--

WhenIwokeupthenextmorning,IknewimmediatelyIwasonashipagain.ThefamiliarwoodensmellsandafaintintoxicatingscenttoldmewhereIwas.Iwashome;IwasbackontheTwilight.Notonlythat,butIwasintheCaptain'sCabin.

Isatupimmediately,feelingawaveofdizziness.HowlongwasIoutfor?WhowereAroandtheothertwomen?Myhandreachedfortheamulet;itseemedtobeshimmeringmorethanusual.Ifingeredthefamiliaralmost-invisiblelockhole.

Atthatmoment,thedoorslammedopen,andIwassuddenlymetwithapairofshockedgreeneyes.

Edward.

Ifyouhaven'thuggedmebynow,I'dunderstandifyougivemeapunchorsomethinginstead(blushes).IthinkIjustendedupwithacliffywhenIknowitmighttakemeslightlylongerthanamonthtoupdateduetocollegeappsandstuff.But...ifyou'restillwillingtogivemeahug(orevenprovidemewithsomesortofinspirationonwhattowriteonmycollegeessays),ImightupdatesoonerbecauseI'llfinishessaysfaster))

Andagain,thankstoallmypatientreadersandreviewers.Youguys'reviewsencouragemetofinishupallmypriorityhomeworkfastersoI'vetimetoscratchdownanoutlineandtypethenextchapterup.

--Cathy

WelcomeBack

A/N:Iamsuchabadauthor.IpromisedthisupdateonThanksgiving,butnow,it's2dayslateandsototallynotworthyofallthatmonth-or-twoofwaiting.Isufferedawriter'sblockinthemiddleofit,andbasicallystringedtogethercertainthingsthatIwantedtohappenwithtransitionsthatcouldmakea4-year-oldcry.Talkaboutphale-tastic:'(.Iapologizebeforehand...butasofrightnow,Ireallydon'tknowhowtofixit,andItriedrewritingit...buttherewrittenversionisworsethantheoriginal.IthinkI'llputthisstoryinthecabinetforaweekortwoandseeifIcanhavebetterideas.Ontheotherhand,I'vegotfinalsin2weeks,andfinalrevisionsofcollegeessaysduein4...I'mhopingtogetthenextchapteroutbyxmas,butI'llseewhatIcando.

Chapter17

"Bella?"hesaid,hisvoicebarelyawhisper.Inoddedmutelyinreply,suddenlyunabletospeak.Istaredathimashewalkedslowlyintotheroom,shuttingthedoorbehindhimcarefully,asifIwouldrunawayattheslightestnoise."Whatareyoudoinghere?Ithoughtyouleftus."

"Icouldaskthesamequestionmyself,"Isighed,slowlygettingoffthebed.Therewasthreefeetbetweenus,butthelookhewasgivingmemademefeellikewewereoneentity."Idon'tknowhowIgothere,orwhy.AllIcouldrememberwas…"Itrailedoff.Ididn'tknowwhethermytalewouldbebelievable.HowdoIknowwhichpartswasadreamandwhichpartswerereal?"I-IguessIcouldleave,ifI'msuchanightmareforyou…"Hiseyesweredarkwithsomeheavyemotion.Buteveninthesemi-darknessoftheroom,hewasbeautiful.IrealizedwithastartthatImissedhim.Imissedeverythingonthisship,butImissedhimmore.Andhere,withhimsonearme,Ifoundmyselfhomeagain.Ididn'tknowifIcouldleave,evenifhetoldmeto.

Hedidn't.AsItookafewstepstowardthedoorunwillingly,heshiftedsothathewassuddenlyinfrontofme."No,"hebreathed,"you'renotanightmare."Hishandreachedhesitantlyouttome,brushingawayastraystrandofhairbehindmyear."Welcomeback."Mykneesalmostgaveoutundermeathisfeather-lighttouch.Myskintingledallover;Ismiledathim.

"Thanks,"Imanagedasablushfilledmycheeks.Duckingmyhead,IranawayfromhimbeforeIcouldmakeafoolofmyself.

Thingsremainedaconstantblurthenextweekorso.DaysturnedintonightsasIstayedupinthecrow'snest,barelypayingattentiontotheworldaroundme.IknewI

washome,butapartofmestilltriedtorefusethefactthatIwasbetteroffontheshipthanwithoutit.Ifelt…empty,somehow…andtired,althoughthatwasnotsurprisingsinceIhadbarelysleptawinksinceIlastsawhim.

Him.Edward.EdwardCullen,mymindcorrected,CaptainEdwardCullen.Icouldn'tstopthinkingabouthim,asmuchasIhadtried.Thedayspassedby.Isawhimonthebalconyabovehiscabin,hishairblownbackbytheharshwind;Isawhimwhenhetookanightwatch–heneverclimbedtheropes,no.Buthe'dsit,leaningononeofthetied-downcratesandlookoutwards.Thelanternhebroughtwouldflickerandcastafierygoldenshadowinthoseemeraldeyes.

Ididn'tspeaktoanyone.Mealswerebroughtuptomebythewatcherswhentheycometotaketheirshifts,butIneverwentdown.AliceandRosalietriedtocalltome.Theyneverclimbedtheropes,either;IpretendedthatIcouldn'thearthem,andtheyleftmealone.Beforedawn,I'dstretchoutandswingamongthetangledcablesnearthemast,alwaysendingbackatthecrow'snestagain.Idoubtmylegsevenrememberhowtowalk.

Iwasnotallignorantofthedailyrunningoftheship,though.Iwatchedthetinyantsoftheshiphandsmoveclumsilyaroundthedeck,tryingtofollowEmmett'sorders,orpracticewithbluntswordsunderJasper'swatchfuleyes.Thiswasnotapiratecrew.Mostoftheshiphandshadneverevenheldaswordbefore.Morethanonce,whenoneoftheolderonesboasted,Ihadanurgetothrowsomethingdown.ButIhadmyshow–daily–whenIwasexercising.

ItwasduringonesuchexercisethatIfeltthewindshift.Squintingintothedistance,Icouldmakeouttheblurryshapeofatown–abigtown.Idroppedbackintothecrow'snest,startlingthewatcher,Tommy."Gotellthecaptainthatwe'rearrivingataportin…"Icountedinmyhead,"fivehours."Ipaused."AndtellhimthatIamnothappyaboutit."

Myvoicewashoarsefromdisuse,buthemusthaveunderstood.Ashescrambleddownthemast,Ilookedaroundme,finallyfeelingasifIhadawokenfromadream.Itwasanicefeeling,that.No,morethannice…itwasexhilarating.Tomyownshock,Iburstintolaughter,divedoutofthecrow'snestheadfirst.Therewasacollectivegaspascrewmenandshiphandsalikesawmyimpendingdemise.Fortyfeet,thirtyfeet,twentyfeet…Ispedfasterandfastertowardmygoal.Iheardashout:"Bella!No!"butIhadalreadycaughttothecableendIdovefor.Catchingtheveryendofthedanglingrope,Iswungmyselfupward,somersaulting,feelingthewindblowingaroundme,knowingIcoulddieaverygruesomedeathifImissedmyaim,butcouldn'tcarelessaboutit.

Thetimingwasperfect.Ihitthetautropeswithmytoes,usingthebriefsecondthatIhadstoppedtocatchanotherdanglingone.Theforcewasjustenoughtowraparoundthetopofthemainmastjustunderthecrow'snest.Itspunaroundlikethewildestcarousel,andwhenIreachedtheendoftherope,Iletgoanddroppedtherestofthetenfeettotheground.TherewasacompletemomentofstunnedsilenceasIheldmybalance,andthenrelievedlaughterastheysawthatIwasalright.

Edwardwasinfrontofmethen,hishandstracingdownmyarmsandup,cuppingmyface,asiftryingtoassurehimthatIwasstillalive.Itriedtobitehimplayfullywhenhisthumbswererubbingsoothinglyovermyeyelids.Hechuckled."Don'teverdothatagain,"hesaidseriously,hishandsholdingmyheadsothatIwasforcedtolookathim."Ifyouhadmissed…ifyouhad…"Hecouldn'tbringhimselftosaytheword.

Hiswords,though,wentinoneearandouttheother."Thatwasexhilarating,"Igushed,smilingwidely."ThemostperfecttimingI'veeverhad.Thefall,theswing,thewhoosh!"Itwirled,breakingfromhishold.

Hecaughtmeagain,whenIfell,intoxicated.Settingmeonmyfeetagain,hekeptonehandonmywaistandtheothertomyforehead."Areyouokay?"

Islappedhishandaway."OfcourseI'mokay!I'malive!Ifeelalive!IfeellikeIcoulddoanythingintheworld!"Itriedtospin,butlostmybalanceagain.Hecaughtme.Andsuddenlyheseemedtobesoclose."Can'tyoufeelit?"Iasked,breathless.

"Yes,"heresponded,equallybreathless."IthinkIcan."

Andthenhewaskissingme…HiskisseswerelikeadrugIneverknewIwasaddictedto.Mylegsturnedtojelly–hewassupportingallofmyweightnow.IthoughtIsawstars.

Andjustasquicklyasitstarted,hepulledaway,breathingheavily,hisfaceflushed.Someonewolf-whistled.

"I'malive,"Edwardsaid,hisvoicewithsuchwonderthatIlaughed.

"I'mnotthatscary,amI?"

"No,youaren'tscaryatall.It'sthatdaggerofyoursthatbringsfeartoallwhohadanintimatecontactwithit."Ipunchedhiminthechest.Hefeignedhurt."Youhaveasickhumor,"hesaid.

"Andyouareamasochistwho'saskingforit,"Ireplied,holdingtheurgetostickout

mytongueathim."Howlongarewedockingfor?"

"WhatifItoldyouwearen'tdocking?"

"I'dsayyou'relyingthroughyourteeth.Although,Idowonderwhyyou'redockingsosoon."

"It'seitherweraidashiporweletmostoftheseshiphandsgo…ordoyouhaveabetterwaytogetmoney?"

"Ithoughtyou'reapirate.Goraidanothership!"

"Incaseyouhaven'tnoticed,thisparticularpirateshipdoesnothaveyourtypicalpirates.YouthinkI'dwantthesementofight?"

Isnorted,realizingthehumorinthissituation.Icouldsinglehandedlydefeatagreatmajorityoftheshiphandsondeck.Noneofthemwerefighters.Theywerealotofhastyrecruitslookingforanescapeoradventure.Heck,noneofthemwereevenmoderatelyseasoned!Mosthadonlythebarestminimalknowledgeofhowtorunashipandwhattodowithaswordorclub.

"Whichport?"

"TwilightBay."Hewincedashesaidthename.

"Youdon'twanttogothere."

"Ihadsome…unfinishedbusiness…thatIwouldratheravoid."Ilookedathimskeptically,butchosetonotpush.He'dtellmeonhisownwhenhefelthewasready.Inoddedtohim,tellinghimthatIneededtogetreadyforthedocking.

Intruth,Ineededtogetawayfromhim.Icouldstillfeelthewarmthfromhisbody,stillsmellthatintoxicatinglymalescent.Iwasindenial.Iwasfallinginlovewiththatcaptain,sosuddenly,soquickly,thatitleftmymindreeling.Ineverthoughtofchildren,butthepastfewdaysofsolitudeandobservationhadmedreamingaboutsmallgreen-eyed,bronze-hairedlittleboyswhocalledmetheirmother.Iflusheddeepredatthethought…

Ishookmyhead.TwilightBay…howcomethatnamesoundedsofamiliar?

---

TwilightBaywasreallyanumberofsmallfishertownsthathadgrowntogetherovertheyears.Therewerenomayorsoranygoverningofficialofthecity.Onalmostall

themaps,theBaywassurroundedbythedotsmarkingthosefishertowns,usuallyconsistedofthreeorfourfamiliespertown–toosmalltobenoticed.Infact,theKingandthekingsbeforehimneversentanyonetolookatthegrowthofthesetowns.

True,though,thatthesetownsnevergrewbymuch.Whenonetowngrewbeyondfiveorsixfamilies,itsplitintotwo.Afewhundredyearspassed,andinsteadofjustNorthinham,Potsand,Meod,Lodesin,andOctivaus,therewasNorthNorthinham,MiddleNorthinham,SouthPotsand,WestOctivaus,Lodevaus,andeveryothernameinbetween.However,itwasonlyduringthetradingseasonthatonecouldactuallytellthedifferencebetweenthetowns.ItmadetheBayintoabusytownfilledwithbazaars,marketplaces,andfood,buteachtownhadadifferent'flavor'.Butthetradingseasonhadpassed,leavingthetowntoitsonethousandresidentsandquietlives.

Thelocaltavernswereonlyquarter-full,filledwithstragglingorlatetradersandtheoccasionalquesterandtraveler.Theloudestsoundswereoftenmadebythestreetratswhentheyfoundavaluablecoinorapieceofcloththatlayforgotteninthehastefollowingtheendoftheseason.

Winterhadnearlycome.Theseakeptthevillageswarmanddevoidofsnow,butcouldnotbattlethecoldthatrolleddownthedistantmountains.Fishermentriedtohaulinthelastbitoffishincasetheirprovisionswouldnotlastthroughthewinterstorms.Yes,whenwintersettlesin,theseabecomesangry.Thosebraveenoughtotestthewaters,moreoftenthannot,neverreturnalive.Onemomentshecouldbecalmandseductive,thenextmomentshechurnsupastormthatfrothedanddestroyedeverythinginitsway.

NotmanybigshipsdockintheBay,althoughthewatersweredeepenoughtohouseeventhelargestofallships.

Newstraveledfastinsuchasmall'town'.Iwasnotsurprisedtoseethedockslinedwitheagerpeople,eitherlookingforworkoradmiringtherarityofanactualship.Assoonastheplankwasset,peoplestartedstreamingaboard.Mostleftthemomenttheplankisfreeagain,butsomestayedtoadmirejustalittlebitlonger.Perhaps,iftheyshowedinterest,they'llbeadventuring.

Therewillbenoseasonedfighterstobefoundinsuchasmalltown.Iknewthis,and,fromthegrimsetofEdward'smouth,heknewit,too.

"TwilightBay,eh?"IaskedEmmett,whowaswatchingafewgirlswithnarrowedeyes."IfEdwardwantstowringsomemoneyfromthistown,it'dbelikewringingacoinfromabeggar'spocket.Ican'tevenhopetoturnhimintoamagistratefor

rewardmoney!"

Emmettlookedsurprisedforamoment,andthenburstintolaughter."Goodgrief!"hegaspedbetweenchuckles."IfEdwardheardthat,he'dhaveyourhide!"Heapparentlyfoundhiswordsfunny.Clappingmybackwithsuchstrengthitknockedthebreathoutofme,hetriedagain."AndpoorEdward!You'dprobablyhavehimflatonhisbackbeforeheevenknewwhathappened!"

Ilaugheddryly.IfEdwardwassmart,hecouldeasilydistractme.IfEdwardwantedto,hecouldprobablytellmetofeedmyselftoashark,andI'dgladlydoit.

"Whoisshe?!"avoiceshriekedfromnowhere.Istarted,spunaround,tomeetthefuriousgazeofared-hairedwoman.

"Irina…"Emmetttriedtosoothe.ItuggedonEmmett'ssleeve.

"Who'sshe?"

"Edward'sunfinishedbusiness,"hewhisperedback.

Sheglaredatme,approaching."Whyareyouhere?AndwhereisEdward?"

"AmInotallowedtosailonaship?"Isnappedback.

"NotonEdward'sship,youdon't!"

"Whatrightdoyouhavetosaythat?"

"Iamhisfiancée."

"Youlie!"Istarted.Thatwasnotmyvoice.Ispunaround.Edwardwascomingoutofhiscabin,lookingfuriousandedgy."Isaidwe'reover,Irina.IsaidwewereoverassoonasIfoundoutyoutriedtoschemewithTanya.Youarealiar!AndBella'smorehelptomethanyouandyoursistereverwas."

"How'sshehelptoanyone?Shelookslikeaboiledpudding."

Istarted.Noonecalledmeaboiledpudding.Ismiledsweetly,staringhardather."Hey,sweetie-pie.GoonbeingsoniceaboutmeandImighthavetothankyou."

"What?Iwasn'tbeingnicetoyou.Anddon'tcallmesweetie-pie."

"Butyouhavesuchsweetlips.Andsuchbigeyes.Andsuchalotof…hair."

"Listen,pudding,"Ifingeredmydaggerathernicknameforme."Youtouchhim,"shepointedtoEdward,"youdie."

"Ohreally?"Iasked.IreachedoutandtouchedEdwardontheshoulder.Sheflewatmethenextsecond.Shepunched,Iblocked.Shekicked,Ivoided.Whenshedrewaweapon,Igrabbedherwrist,andperformedaripostesothatthedaggerwasagainstherthroat.Iletgoofherandsmackedheronthehead.

Shewasspeechless.Emmetthowledwithlaughter.Irinaglaredatme,madeasiftoattackagain.Itensedslightly,butEdwardcaughtmyshoulder.Hewalkedovertoherandwhisperedinherear.Hewasstern,shewastearful.Whenhefinished,therewasamomentofsilence,andthen…SMACK.Sheslappedhim.

Itensedagain.Emmettcaughtme.HepushedEdwardawayandstartedwhisperingwithawickedglintinhiseye.Momentslater,theyburstintolaughter,andIrinahappilyskippedofftheship.

"Edward,myman!"heproclaimed."Youhavemuchtolearnabouttheworldofwomen."

"Whatdidyoudotomakehergoaway?"Edwardmused,rubbingthesideofhisheadwhereitwasbeginningtoturnadarkshadeofred.

"ItoldherthatBella,here,smackseveryone.Weagreedthatyou,"hesaidtome,"areaviciouswitch."

"Thanks."Ireplieddryly.

"Andplain…andflat-chested…andthatEdwardcouldnotpossiblyfallinlovewithyouoverher."

"Enough!"Isaid,asEdwardchoked,lookedatEmmettwithalookofdisbelief.IsmackedEmmettagain;hisheadbobbedunderthepressure.

RubbingwhereIhithim,hemumbled,"Ionlysaidittomakehergoaway!Yousmacktoohardforyourowngood."

Ismirked."It'scalledself-defense."LookingatEdward,Itoldhim,"Lookslikeyour'unfinishedbusiness'isstillunfinished."Laughing,Iwalkedawayfromhim.

Threedays,wewillstayatotalofthreedays.Thatwasnotverylongatall.ThenwhydoIhavethefeelingthateverythingwillgouphillfromhere?WhydoIhavethehaironthebackofmyneckstandingup,asiftheendwascomingnear?

See?WhatdidItellyou?It'squitebad.AllIcansayisthatIhopethenextoneismuch,muchbetter(andlessfail-tastic)thanthisone.

--Cathy

TwilightDances

A/N:So...thelong-awaited18thchapternowarrives.Ilikethisonebetterthanthelastone,althoughIthinkthere'ssomepartsinherethatmightneedclarificationlateron.

So...Basically,thisisanothermore-fluff-than-anything...butIfelttheneedtowriteitandIthoughtitprogressedwellintothebeginningofthefinale.I'malsoquiteproudofhowlongthischapteris.Longestchapteryet!lol...neverthoughtI'dhavethepatiencetodothis.Anyways...enjoy

Chapter18

"Wearegoingshopping,"claimedAliceassheburstintomyroomwithoutpreamble.BeforeIcouldprocessthemeaningofwhatshesaid,IwasdraggedhaphazardlyoutthedoorandimmediatelytiedupwithropebyagrinningRosalie.

"WhyamIbeingtied?"Ilookeddown.Theropewrappeditselffivetimesaroundmyforearmsandwastiedintoatightknotatmyback."What'swiththerope?"

"Wefiguredthatifwetiedyourhandsandholdtheknotfastenough,youmightnotbeabletoescapeuntilit'stoolate,"saidasheepishRosalieasAliceledthewayuptheladder.IwasonlyabletoclimbthatladderbecauseRosesupportedmostofmyweight.Whenwewereoutintothemid-morningsunshine,Alicestoppedandsmirked."Maybeouridea'sworking,Rose!"

Ilookedatheroddly,raisinganeyebrow."Oops,"Itoldher.Iwalkedafewmoresteps,followingher.TheropewasmagicallyunravelingitselffrommeuntilithunguselesslyinRosalie'spalm."Youguysaren'tfastenough."

Ileapedacrossthegangplankontodryland,suddenlyfeelingdizzy.Itfeltasiftheveryfloormoved.Theytookmymomentofdisorientationtosandwichmeinbetweenthem.Alicelaughed."Andherewethoughtwegotyou,foronce!"

Rosaliehuffedasshewalked,draggingmealong."Youjustcan'tatleastpretendtobetiedupsowecancelebrateforthatmuchlonger?"

"Oops."

Wewereoutofthedockyard.Theyhadatightholdofme,clutchingmyarmssotightlythatIwasafraidIwouldendupwithnoarmsbytheendoftheday.Isighed.Myarmsweregoingtofallasleepsobadly.

Distractingmyself,Iaskedthem,"Whyareweshopping?Andwhere?Ithoughtthetradingseasonwaslongover."

"ThereisareasonwhyTwilightBayisoneofourfavoriteshops–areasonwhyEdwardneverpassedthisplaceupeventhoughwealmostalwaysmissthetradingseason."Alicenodded,smilingwidely."Mostofourfamilygrewuphere.Emmettwasacabinboynativetothisportsixorsevenyearsago,andEdwardgrewupinthedockyard,too.Rose'sgrandmotherlivedhere,andshestayedeveryotheryearbetweentradingseasonsintown."

Wewerenearingtheedgeofonetown,whereasmalldressshopstood.Itwasnameless,butdressesweredisplayedinitswindows–lace-layereddresses,dressesthatpartedtorevealshimmeringpetticoats,olddresses,newdresses,everyday-dresses…everykindofdressthatwasimaginabletome.Ilookedoninhelplesshorrorastheshopapproachedcloserandcloser…

"IlivedwithEdward."Istarted.IhadforgottenAlicewasstilltellingmeherhistory."TheCullensadoptedmeasachild.Afewyearsago,oneofthebigtraderfamilies,theWhitlocks,broughttheirsonwithtolearntheways.Jasperneverreturnedwithhisfather."

Thewordswentinoneearandouttheother.ThebellchimedobnoxiouslywhenRosaliepushedthedooropen.Itensed,feelingtheurgetobolt."Relax.Themoreyoucooperatewithus,thefasteryou'llgetoutofhere."

Ifelttheblooddrainfrommyface.Theyweren'tbeingserious!Whybuymeadressallofasudden?Whatwaswrongwithmyshirtandtrousers?Iwascomfyinthem!Dressestripmetonoend.Iscannedsomeoftheitemsondisplayandgulped.Slippers.Notonlythat,butslipperswithheels,slipperswhosesolesaresothintheywerealmosttransparent,slipperswithlaceribbonsdesignedtowraparoundthethighs…thoseareforseductionofmales…theirhandscouldtravelup,up,up…Ishuddered,horrifiedthatIalmostpicturedEdwarddoingexactlythat.(A/N:Ifeltsodirtywritingthat)

Andthenwewerepassingthecorsets.Iswallowedaudibly.Alicegiggled."Youlooklikeyou'veseenaghost!"

"MorelikeIsawmyowndeath!Howisanyonesupposedtobreatheinthosethings?"

Theshopkeepercameoutatmydistressedmoans.Shewasashortlittlewoman,herfacelinedwithsmallwrinklestohintherage.ShesmileduponseeingAliceandRosalie."Mydears!You'vestoppedbytheportagain.Ireceivedyournote,andI

thinkIhavejustthething."Hereyesfellonme.Thesmilevanishedfromhereyes."Idoseewhatyoumean.Sheisquiteamess.Nottoworry,nottoworry.Graciewillfixherrightup!"

Igapedather.Iwasdefinitelynotamess.Iwascomfortableandcasual…andmostofall,free.Iwaspreparedtobolt,butAlicehadseenmyexpression.Sheskippedovertomyside,allnaturalandgiddy…ifnotforthedeathglareshegaveme.Igulpedagain.Shewasquitethreateningwhenshewantedtobe.

Swearingundermybreath,Iallowedmyselftobedraggedtoadressingroominthebackandtossedin."Thisdoorlocksontheoutside,Bella!Anddon'tyoueventryclimbingoutofthere.Rosehereshallknockyououtwithapot!"

Ipanicked.ThethreewallsseemedtoclosearoundmewhenInoticedthatthedoorwaslockedandtheonlywayoutwithoutkickingopenthedoorwasthroughthespacebetweenthetopofthedoorandtheceiling.Howweretherenolockboltsonthisside…?

Istarted.Ofcourse!Leaningonthedoorheavily,Ireachedforthehookthatwashiddenneatlyinmymessofhair.Onawhim,IdecidedthatIshouldtakeallofmyhair-hiddenpicksout.IhadafeelingthatAlicewouldnothavespentsomuchtroublejustformetogetadressortwo.No,theyweregoingall-out.

ThemomentIhadthelastpickout,thedooropened,causingmetostumblebackward.Someone–IassumedtobeRosalie–caughtmewhileabigpileofdressesandwhatnotwerethrownintomyarms.BeforeIknewwhathadhappened,Iheardtheclickofthelockontheothersideandsighed.UnlessIdecidedtokillsomeoneorbreaksomething,Iwouldnotbegettingoutofhere.

Animpatientvoiceshriekedoutside,asifinagreementwithme:"Hurryup,Bella!Iwanttoseethatreddresspronto!"

Whatreddress?Dumpingthepileoflacy,velvetyfabricontheground,myeyesdroppeduponthearedvelvetankle-lengthgown.Thesleeveswereflowing,andthefrontskirtpartedtorevealagoldunderskirtbeneath.Theneckline,however,wassquare-cutanddippedtoolowformycomfort."Bella?"camethecall.Ihurriedupandundressed.

"Alice?"Iquestioneduncertainly."WhatamIsupposedtowearbeneaththis?"

"Don'tworryaboutthatnow,justcomeoutalready!"(A/N:picturesinprofilepage)

Igroaned,draggingthedressovermyheadandtyingupthelacesbehind.Itwas

waytoolong;thenecklinedippedsolowthatmybandageswereseen–bandagesthatwrapmychestflatagainstmesoIcouldblendinmore.Grudgingly,Iopenedthedoor.

Alicegasped."Takethoseuglywhitethingsoff!Theydonotmakeyoulookverywomanly."BeforeIcoulddoitthough,therewasarip,andthelongstripofclothwastakenaway."But…"

"Nobuts,Bella.Ifyouwanttowearshirtseveragain,wewillgetridofthosebandagesonceandforall."HereyesnarrowedatmewhenIattemptedtocovermychestfromherview."Whatnow?"

"Neckline'stoolow…Idon'tthinkmychestwillstay…"ImumbledasIlethersee.Shegaspedandpushedmebackintotheroom,butnotbeforeshegrabbedallthedressesI'dyettotry.Thedoorwasbangedshutandlocked.Withahurriedordertoundress,shepracticallysprintedaway,shoutingforGracie'sname.

Noteventwominuteslater,shecamebackwithmoredresses."Thedarkblueone,"shesaid,andleftme.

Thisonefeltmuchbetter.TheskirtwaswideenoughthatIcouldnottripwhilewalkingacrossflatground,butIsuspectedthatgoingupanddownstairswouldbeanentirelydifferentproblem.Asprinkleofstarsglitteredinthedimlight.Itwaslikewearingawalkingnightsky.

AliceandRosaliewerebothoutsidethistime.Theyscannedmeupanddownoncebeforesayingsimultaneously,"Next!"

"Pink,please!"Roseadded.

IgrumbledmyprotestasIslippedoffthedarkgownanddonnedonthelighterpinkone.Therewerenomirrorsinthedressingroom,butIknewIalwayshadlookedbadinpink.Thedresswasn'tthatbad.IjustknewIlookedparticularlybadinit.

Mycriticswereinconcurrencewithmyknowledge.I'dbarelysteppedoutbeforethey'dbothsaid,"Next!"

Thelastdresswasspectacular.Itwasinthreelayers:thetoplayerwasathinpurplelaceveilthatmadethesky-blueskirtbeneathglow.Itpartedinthemiddletorevealamidnightbluepetticoatwithatrain.Ilovedit.Thelaceysleevesglitteredapalebluecolor.IfeltlikeIwasdressedasthatnightinSarijamfestival,onlybetter.

Isteppedoutofthedressingroomwhenthedoorunlockeditself.Wringingmyhands

nervously,Ishiftedonmyfeetwhilewaitingfortheverdict.Alicewasmoody.Hereyeswereglitteringbrightly,buthertinymouthwassetinafrown.Roselookedextremelyhappy.

"Thisisthedress,"Roseproclaimed.We'llneedaccessoriesforit,though.IthinkI'vegotjustthethings."

AsshedraggedAlicetomeandmadetograbme,Isteppedoutofherreach,mydresswhisperedinmywake.Ishookmyhead."Iamnotgoingtomovefromhereuntilyoutellmewhatthisdressandallthisshoppingisfor."

"TheCullenEstateinForks,TwilightBayholdsadinnerpartyeverytimeEdwardandIstopbytovisitfromouradventures.Itonlytakesonedaytosetup.Enoughpeopleknowofourschedulestowarnothersplentyinadvance.Tonightisourdinner,"Alicesaidsimply.Shewashidingsomethingfromme.Iknew.Andfromthewarninglookinhereyes,sheknewIknew,too.BeforeIcouldponderuponit,though,Iwasferretedaway,sufferingoneofthemostgruesomeandmiserablemake-oversessionsIhadeverthemisfortunetoendure.

--Interlude:8hourslater--

Theclocktolledeight.Hissisterswereexactlythirtyminuteslate.Butasthelastringofthehourfaded,theyappeared.Theballwasmasked,buttherewasnodoubtonhismindwhothethreeladiesthatappearedatthetopofthestairswere.EdwardfelthismouthsuddenlydryatthesightofBella.Herdresswassimple–adeeperbluedresscoveredinapaleblueveilwithcomplicatedembroideringthatshimmeredinthemagnificentlightfromthechandeliers.Andyet,shewasundoubtedlythemostbeautifulwomanintheballroom.

Hewasremindedofthelasttimehesawherinadress.PortSarijamfestival.Shewasbreathtakinglybeautifuleventhen,buthehadnotknownher.

Hestoodonthefarsideoftheballroom,utterlymesmerizedbytheirslowdescentintothegeneralcrowd.Thespotlightwasonthem;eventhemusicianspausedinmid-notetopondercuriouslywhothethreewomenwere.

Correction.Whothewomaninthecenterwas.ThewholetowncouldrecognizeRosalieandAliceataglance,butthiswouldbeBella'sfirstappearance.Andshewasstunning.Atthatmoment,Edwardfeltjealousyrisewithinhim.HealmostwantedtoblindthelustyeyesofeverymanoglingathisBella.Heneverknewhoworwhenhefellinlovewiththepricklyporcupine,thekeytohisheart.Hechuckled.Howaptlyhernicknamefits!Realizingtheturnofhisthoughts,heflushed.Bella–Key–couldnevertrulybelongtoanyone.Andanyonewhotriedtodosowouldbein

forahellofalotofwoundstonurse.

"Sheiswondrous,isn'tshe?"awearyvoiceasked,startlinghim.Hespunaroundtomeetface-to-facewithatallgypsyman."RanslawChes,atyourservice,"themansaid,asifanticipatingEdward'snextquestion.(A/N:CookieforwhoevercanguesswhoRanslawreallyis:D)

"Yes,"heanswered.Theoldman'sgazewastoocalculatedtonotnoticealieifhetoldone.Thecrinkledeyeswerestunninglyhazelandwarm…andfamiliar.Butthenhisviewofthemwasreplacedbygrayingandthinninghair.RanslawstaredatBellawithafond,almostpaternal,gaze.

"Shecarriesaheavyburden.Itweighsuponher.Herfatherworriesthattheburdenwilldestroyher,"Ranslawcontinued,hisgazeneverwaveringfromBella."Sheisthekeytohisheart…"hepaused,turningtogiveEdwardadeepscorchinglook."Sheobviouslybecameakeytoyourheartaswell."

Bothmenpaused,asBellaarrivedatthelaststep,immediatelyengulfedinnumerousconversationsandrequestsfordances.SheneatlysidesteppedthecommentswithagracethatastoundedEdward.Hefelthisfeetdrift,butwashinderedbyasteelygrip.ItwasRanslaw.

"Listen,youngman,"hesaid,wheezing."Iwillprobablyneverbeabletospeaktoyouagain.Bellaisatreasureformorereasonsthanjusttheamuletaroundherneck.Theonlywayyou'llgetaccesstothatamulet,though,istoholdherheartthesamewaysheunknowinglyholdsyours.Bewarned,thatIwillbewatching.Ifyoudarehurther,ghostorman,Iwillcometohauntyoufortherestofyourlife."Hepaused."Ihavewatchedoverherandyou.Yourhiddenenemycannotbedefeatedbyordinarymeasures.Theonlywaytostopthedangeristodriveastake–anything–intotheirhearts.Thismakesthemmortal.Tearthemapartinthisstateandburnthem.Itistheonlywaytodestroythemnow.Iwishyouthebestofluck.Protectherwell,youngEdward!"

Edwardwasreeling,butbeforehecouldaskanyquestions,Ranslawletgoand,chucklingheartily,disappearedinthecrowdasifhewasneverhereinthefirstplace.

Hestoodstillforonelongsecond,distracted.HiseyescaughtBella,fendingoffanotherunwontedhand.Smilingandunabletobreakthemagneticholdshehadoverhim,Edwardsetoffinherdirection,hopingagainstallhopethatonedayshewillofferherheartjustaswillinglyashewouldofferhis.

--EndInterlude--

"Ican'tdance,"Irepeatedforyetthehundredthtime,withdrawingmyhandfromyetanotherman's.Isighed.Iswear,Ishallnevergotoanother'dinnerparty'again.

Eveninsuchacrowdedplace,Ifelteyesonme.IwassuffocatingfromalltheattentionIreceived,fromallthebodiespressedaroundme.Ilongedtobeontheseaagain,feelingthefreshseabreezeblowingmyhairaway.

IknewIwaswatched,followed.EverystepItookinthishallwasobservedbyseveralhundredeyes.Onepairinparticularboreintomyback.Itriedtolosethefeeling,zigzaggingthroughthecrowd,evendoublingback,butthefeelingnevervanished.Iwasabouttodartforcover–tobefinallyalone,whenIcollidedwithahardwall.Strongarmswrappedaroundmetostopmefromfallingover.ButIwasfrantic.Whenmy'wall'didn'tletmego,Igrabbedhishandandpulledhimwithme,sprintingdownthenearestcorridorIcouldfind.Turningsoabruptlythatmycaptivewashard-puttokeepup,IranuntilIcouldnolongerfeeltrappedanymore.Stopping,Itookinmysurroundings,andpulledthestrangerwithmeintoasmallalcove.

Hemadetospeak,butIsilencedhimwithafinger.Inthesuddenquiet,Iheardfaintfootstepshustlecloserandcloser…andtheyfadedaway.Isighedwithrelief."He'sbeenfollowingmeeversinceIsteppedonthedancefloor,"Isaid,steppingout."I'msorryforthatrun.It'sjust…"Ishruggedhelplessly.Thestrangercoughed.Irecognizedhimimmediately.

"Iwouldjustpreferawarningnexttimeyouwishtodragmerunningforthreemilesinmyownhouse,"Edwardsaid,catchinghisbreathatlast.

"Ifyouhadjustletmego,Iwould'veranbymyself."Ianticipatedhisargument.Beforehecouldspeak,Iturnedandpokedhischest."Andbelieveme,thegoingwould'vebeenmucheasierwithouthavingtodragyourweightaround."Heharrumphedindignantlyatmywords,butsaidnothinginreply.

Westartedheadingbacktowardtheballroomwhenhepaused."Doyoureallywanttogobacktothatdungeonofahole?"Ishookmyhead,raisinganeyebrowathim."Doyoutrustme?"

Istaredhardathim,athisprofferedhand.AndIputmyhandinhis,feelingasparkpassbetweenus."Yes,"Iansweredsimply,unabletoholdbackahappysmile.Hesmiledback.

Heledmethroughcountlesscorridorsandhallwaysuntilwereachedadeadend.Thelightwasdim,butIglaredathimnonetheless.Heledmetoa…BeforeIcouldfinishthethought,hepushedonthewall,revealingasetofspiralingstairs.Ifeltthe

windblowingthrough.Hisholdonmyhandtightened,andweascendedthestairstogether.

Thestairsledtoawideterrace.Pottedorangetreesdottedthespace.Hereandthere,patchesofgrasssoftenedthecoldstonyfeel.Istaredatitinwonder.

"Lookup,"Edwardcommanded.Idid,andgasped.Theentireterracewascoveredwithaglassdomethatkeptouttheworstoftheweather.Themoonshonebrightly,itslightscatteredbytheglassuntilitlookedlikeathousandstarsweresparkling.

Inthesilence,thesoftmusicoftheorchestrafloatedaround."Thisisabovetheballroom?"Henodded.

"Wouldtheladywishtobestowmeadance?"heaskedwithasweepingbow.Iscowledathim.

"Areyoutryingtobefunny?"Helaughed,no.

"Doyoutrustme?"Herepeatedthequestionheaskedbefore.Ieyedhimcuriously,hesitatinglynoddedagain.

Hetooknotime.Warmhandsclaspedaroundmywaist,liftingmeupeffortlesslyuntilmyfeetwereonhis.Itbroughtussomuchcloser;Ibitbackthegaspatfeelingthewarmthradiatingfromhim.Allsettled,hebeganmoving,hummingalongtotheorchestraplayingbelow.Irelaxedashishummingvibratedthroughthebothofus.Idroppedmyheadtohischest,hearinghisheartbeatfleetinglyfast;feelingmyownheartcatchinghisrhythmandfollowingit.Igiggled.Hestoppedhishummingtogazecuriouslyatme.

Iplacedmyhandrightabovehisheart,feelinghisheartbeatflutter."You'renervous."

Heletoutadeepbreath."I'monlyafraidmysistersdidnotsufficientlyremoveallyourdangerousaccessoriesandIshalldieagruesomedeath."

"Doyoutrustme?"Ifiredhisquestionback.Helaughed.Withoutbreakingourdance,hebenthisheadandwhisperedinmyear,"Withmylife."Itensedandhechuckled,thedeepsoundtrillingthroughme.

Heletmego,twirlingmeoncebeforebringingmeclosetohimagain."Youshouldn'ttrustme,"Itoldhim,lettinghimleadmeinthisdance.

"Whynot?"

"BecauseIhaveenemies.Myself-preservationcomesbeforepreservationofothers."

"Soyou'resayingyouwouldbetraymeinordertostaysafe?"Igrittedmyteeth.No,Iwantedtosay,IwillneverbetrayyoubecauseIloveyou.Instead,Inodded.

"There'stwopeoplewhoseeksformyamulet,notforthelegendaryriches,butforthelegendarypoweritholds."IletEdwardtwirlmeagain,butIknewIhadallhisattention."JamesandVictoriaarenotthenormalkindofpower-seekers.Theywanttodestroyit.Bylore,todestroytheamuletistodestroytheGatethatholdsbacktheverydemonswhichplaguedthislandhundredsofyearsago."

"AndIamassumingthatJamesandVictoriaarenotparticularlyhuman,either,"Edwardsupplied.Inodded.

Westopped,staringateachother.

"Idon'tknowhowtothrowthemoffmytrail.Idon'tknowhowtoescapealive…"Ididn'tknowwhyIwasspillingmydeepestfearstohim.Perhapsitwasbecauseoftheorangetrees.Perhapsthedancinghadsomethingtodowithit.OrperhapsIfinallylearnedtotrulytrustsomeone.AllIknew,asEdwardclaimedmylipsinasearingkiss,wasthatsomehow,wewillmakeitthroughthisalive.Somehow,likefairytales,wewillgetourownhappilyeverafter.

Andthatwaswhenthescreamingstarted.(A/N:spenthalfanhourtryingtoconvincemyselfthatit'smeantostophere…butfinallyIsucceeded:D)

Bothourhandssnappedtowardthestairs.Withonelookofsurprise,wesprintedforthespiralingstaircase.Atthatmoment,IcursedAlicetothedepthsoftheoceanfortakingawayallmydaggersandpins.

Aswesprinteddowncountlesscorridors,Edwardleadingtheway,Ishoutedtohim,"Doyouhaveasparedagger?Knife?Anythingusefullyprotective?"

"DoIlookasifIcarryanythingbutthisornamentalswordthatcamewithmycostume?"hebitback,obviouslyasfrustratedasIwas."Ithoughtyoualwayscarryaweaponaround!"

"Ido!IfnotAlicehadrunanupanddownsearchandgavemeanentirenewoutfit!"Aswenearedthescreams,IgrabbedEdwardtoasuddenhalt.Hewasabouttosaycomplain,whenIshushedhim."Ispyasword."

Practicallyjumpingwithjoy,Iwrenchedaswordoutofthehandsofasuitofarmor.I

swungitaround,smilingwidelyatthesounditmade.Itwasagoodsword."Catch!"Itossedtheswordtohim.Hecaughtitwithabounceandaroll.Idrewanotherswordfromanothersuitofarmorfurtherdownthehall.Itrangnicely.

"Onguard!"Icalledout,whirlingmyswordatEdward.Hedeflectedit,parriedthreetimes.Cling,cling,cling.Smirking,Ifeintedtotheleftandstrucktotheright.Myfingerswoundaroundhiswrist.Hissworddroppedtothegrounduselessly;minefounditswaytohisneck.Hechuckled.

"Niceofyoutoplayinatimelikethis."Myworldsuddenlycrashed.Thescreamingreturnedtomyears.Itwasnotasgreatinvolumeanymore.

Werushedintoaballroomoftornclothsandswordfighting.Mendressedincompletelyblackclothingflowedtoandfromtheshadows.Inallthecommotion,wewereseparated.IwasonmytenthkillwhenIrealizedIwasbeingherded.Ihadbackedmyselfinanicheandwastoosurroundedbythoseblackkillerstodoanythingremotelyhelpful.

Everywheretherewasfightinggoingon.Atthatmoment,Icursedmyselfforwearingadress.Many-a-timeIfoundmyselftrippingover,barelyabletosavemyheadwhenotherssteppedonthehem…orwhenItrippedoverthehem.Block,block,strike,gag;block,block,strike,gag.Thesameroutinerepeatedoverandoveragain.Iforcedmyselfintothecrowdsurroundingme,dodginghitsasbestIcouldwhilekeepingmyheadoverthepungentsmellsofblood.ItrippedcountlesstimesrunningblindlydownthevastmansiontheycalltheForksCullenHouse.

ThelastthingIknewasIblackedoutwasthatIwasfortunatemyamuletwasnothangingaroundmyneck.

Iforgotwhichpartsmightneedclarification...it's51minutesintochristmasday,andI'malittleoutofit.Ifyouneedanyclarifications,though,I'llbehappytogiveitinareviewreply(providedyousignyourreview).

Lastthing:Inmyprofilepageisapollonwhatyouwantmynextstorytobe.Althoughthisstoryisnotdoneyet,itisnearingthatpoint,andIwanttogivemyreaders(YOU!)plentyoftimetodecidewhichofthethreeplotsI'veinspirationsforbestintereststhem.Ifyou'veideas/etcontheplotsofanyofthethreesummariesIgave,I'llalsobewillingtoreceivethoseinapmorreview,whicheversuitsbest.

HappyXmastoYouAll!

--Cathy

Escaping

A/N:Heyaall.I'vesaidgoodbyetomycollegeapplicationsandwishedthemthebestofluck(finally!).I'mhopingtostartupdatingatleastbiweekly,ifnotweekly,butwith2ndsemesterjuststarting,Iwanttoseehowhardmyclassesare,howmuchworkIshouldbeputtingintothem,etc,beforeIgiveyouadistincttimeline.

Anyways...Iwasthinkingofalothappeninginthischapter,butthentherewasacertainchangeofplansmid-waythrough,andsonotmuchhappenedatall.Thesonginthischapterisfromoneofmyfavoritemovies"Laputa:CastleintheSky"calledKimiwoNosete.There'salinktothesongonprofile.Idorecommendyouguyslisteningtoit.EversinceIre-watchedthemovie,mybrothersandIareaddictedtoit.Butenoughofmyrambling.Here'sthechapter.

Chapter19

Myheadpounded.Everysingleheartbeatonlyworsenedit.Bang,bang,bang.Itriedtomovemyselfintoabetterposition,butmyhandsweretiedbehindme,andropesheldmyshouldersimmobile.Myfeetwerealsotiedaroundtheankles.Itriedtowrigglemytoes.Irushofsensationcamefrommylegs,asifathousandneedleswerepiercingthem.Asthatpainsubsided,Iwriggledmyfingers,too,enduringyetanotherthousandneedles'piercings.

Iopenedmyblearyeyes.Iwastiedtoaringinthecornerofasmall,darkroom,withasmallleashsoIcouldhoparound.Therewerenowindows,saveforasmallslitinthemiddleofthewallonthefarside.Theroomwascircular;theonlydoorwassteel-enhancedandopenedthreefeetabovethefloorofthesleekcell.Itwasdesignedsothatlock-pickersofmykindhadnoslightestchanceofslippingthrough.

Therewerenoisesontheothersideofthedoor.Itsoundedlikeafeastwasinorder.Figuringmyjailerswouldbetoodrunktocheckinonme,Isetaboutuntyingmyselffromtheterribleropes.

Twominuteslater,Iwasfree,rubbingmorebloodbackintomyhandsandfeet.Iinstinctivelyreachedformynecklace,butnothingwasthere.IrememberedwhatAlicehadsaid:sheorderedmetoswitchmyamuletwithhers.Tomysurprise,herswasanexactreplicaofmine,albeitalittlebiggerandwithoutakeyholeintheback.WhenIquestionedher,though,sheonlysaidthatthiswouldkeepitsafe.Ibelievedher.Ihadenoughdoubtsabouthavingadinnerparty.

Andnowhernecklacewasgone.

IwonderedifAlicehadamuchpowerfulforesightthanIhad.Howcouldshehaveknownexactlywhatwaswanted?Shakingmyheadofthoughts,Iputmyearbythetinycrevicebetweenthedoorandtheground,andlistened.

"SirJameshaswhathewanted,andI'msureourdearMissIrinagotherrewardaswell."

"Ahhh,Irina.Imissedher.Shesatedmewell."

"Asshedidusall.Iheardshegottabago'goldfromMasterJamesferherservicesincapturingthatwenchinthere."

"Aye.Idinnaknowwhytheknightwouldwantthenecklaceofthatwench,though,orwhykeepheraliveafterwards.Heusuallyletushaveourwaysasrewards."

"Andnowwedungetany.'She'stobeproperlylockedupandtakencaredfor.'"

"Andwe'lltakecareofherwell,won'twe?"Iheardthesneerinthevoice.Itrembled.AsmuchasIworkedinamen'senvironment,Iremaineduntouchedbythem.ButIdon'thaveathingtoprotectme…"Idunseewhyweshouldleavehertherealllonely,whenshecouldbeinsuchbetterbliss!"

"Sheshouldbeunconscious.Shewasknockedoutcold.Idunseehowshecouldwakeupsosoon.Victoriacameandfedherthatpotion,too."

"ThenIshallenjoymyselfbeforepleasin'her!"

Therewerecheersathiswords,asheavyfootstepscame.

Thenextmoment,keysrattled.Mymindstartedracing.WhatwashereIcoulduse?Ihadnoweapon.Therewerenousableweaponsinthisroom.Thejailer,obviouslydrunk,fumbledwiththekeysandthelock.Iheardhimcursingthedimlight.Inmydesperation,Istartedpattingmyselfdown,inhopesIwouldfindsomething–anythingIcoulduseinmydefense.AllIcameupwithwasasmallladiesfantuckedintotheribbonsofmyshreddeddress.

Clutchingitasmyonlydefense,Isatdownontopoftheropesbythering,pretendingIwasstilltiedu.Locks,Itellyou;Icountedsevenintotal.Thedoorswungwide,lettingafloodoflightwashoverthesmallroom.Hisshadow,however,savedmynightvision.Iglaredathimashesmiled."Sothewenchisawake!"

Igrimacedasathunderingoffootstepsrangbehindhim.Hewasshovedoutofthewayasfivemorereplacedhisspot.Theywerealldrunk;redeyesanddroopingheadstoldmethatmuch.Anideaflashedthroughmymind.BeforeIcouldthink,itwasalreadyacteduponbytheothers.

"Ahh,she'sabonnylass."

"Toobonny,"saidanotherwhowaspushinghiswaytothefront."Andtootiny."

"Notenoughmeatforeventwoofus."There'sapause.Thatmanstareddirectlyatme."You'realuckyone,gal!Yougetashareofallofus!"Buthiseyeshardenedagain."We'dhavetotaketurns,"heslurred.

Iwasabouttoencouragethenotion,butitwasnotneeded.Themenseemedtoreachaconsensusonthatobservation."Igetherfirst!I'mtheonewhorealizedherawakenessfirst!"

Hewasquicklyshoveddown."Youfirstmydonkey!I'mboss'roundhere!"

"Sincewhenwereyouboss,boss?"yelledanother."Besides,bein'bossgivesnospecialtreatment'ere.We'reoneswhocaught'er."

The'boss'threwawell-aimedpunchintohisgut.Themanroaredinfuryandthrewapunchback,butmissedandhitanother.Preciselyfoursecondslater,themenwerereducedtoabrawlingbunchnearthedoorway.Seizingmychance,Iheldtightlytomyfan,carefullysteppedaroundthebunch,andran.ImadefivestepsbeforetheynoticedthatIwasgone.Paniccaughtmefullblast.ArushofenergysizzledthroughmeasIblindlyrandownthetwistinghallwaysoftheprison,relyingonpureinstincttogetmeout.

JustasIsmelledthefreshairoftheoutsideworld,oneofthemenappearedinfrontofme.Grinning.

Iskiddedtoahalt."Youdon'tgettogothateasily,prettygirl.Icangiveyaatumblebeforetheotherscatchup.Whadyathink?"Hewalkedtowardsmeonprecariousbalance.Whenhewasarm'sreachaway,though,Imadeaswipeathim,butmissed.Helaughedatmypitifulattempt,butmanagedtobackmeagainstawall.Hisarmscamearoundme,bracingthemselvesagainstthestones.Mymindwastoofuzzy.

Instinctsavedmeagain.Asheloweredhisfowl-smellingheadforakiss,Ibroughtmykneeupinaquickjerk.Hebackedawayimmediately,hishandspushedawayfromthewalltoprotecthisprecious.Beforetheygotthere,however,Iaimedanother

kick.Thistime,hecrumpledtotheground,whimpering.Foroncegladofsmall,hardheels,IstompedonhisfoottodistracthimasIsnatchedawayhissword.Feelingmoreconfident,Iwhirledaroundtofaceonemoremanblockingmypath.Icursed.

"Youshoulddropthatdownbeforeyouhurtyourself,"hesaidsnidely.

"TheonlythingI'dhurtisyou,"Isnappedback.

Helungedatme.Imerelysteppedtothesideandstuckoutmyfoot.Hefelloverlikeasackofpotatoes.Notevenwaitingtohearhiscurse,Ispedouttheopendoorway.Itwasnearlydarkoutside…orwasitearlymorning?Ididnotknow,nordidIcare.Isprintedforthestableonthefarsideoftheyard,hoppedonthenearesthorse.Surprisingly,withafewwell-chosenwords,thehorseranintotowardsthesun,headingfortheforest.Ilookedback,lookingattheangry,drunkenjailersyellingloudlyateachotherasthescenewasblockedbytheforest.

Irodeon,notcaringwhereorhow.Thesunwasdescendingintothehorizon.Nighttimewasarriving.Atthatparticularmoment,Iwantedtolaughattheidiocyofmyjailers.Theygotdrunkintheafternoon?

Butasthelightdimmed,brancheswerehardertoavoid.ThehorselostitsrhythmmoretimesthanIcouldcount,steppinginunexpectedholesortrippingovergnarledroots.Inthedark,theforestwasfrightening.Icurledbesidethehorse,droppingintoanuneasysleep.

Whenmorninglightfinallybrokethroughthefoliage,Iwasalreadyonmywayagain.Hungryandweary,Iurgedon.James.Victoria.Theyweremyshadows–darkcreatureswhoIcouldnotshakeoffmytrail,whosoughttheamuletwithalltheirsoullesspower.

IrememberedJacob.Only,hewasnotmyJacobanymore.Icouldnot,however,conceiveofhowIrinafittedintothepicture.

IwassodistractedbymythoughtsthatwhenIburstoutofthedenseforest,itshookme.Spyingafar-offtrail,Iurgedthehorsetowardit,settingasteadypace.

FourdaysonthetrailandIwasstillinwoodedgrasslands.Iwasluckythattheroadranalongsideastream.TheonlyfoodIhadfordayswerewildberriesandabadly-roastedrabbit.Ineverknewhairpinscouldbesodeadlyastokillarabbitifaimedproperly.

Thefifthday,tworiderscameuptheroad.Iledthehorseoffintothetreestoavoidthem,butwhentheywerecloser,Irecognizedthem.AliceandJasper.

Completelysurprised,Irantothemiddleoftheroad,barelyavoidingdeathfromthestartledhorses.

"Bella?"Aliceinquired.Inodded.Shehoppedoffherhorseandembracedme."Oh,weweresoworried!IonlycamethiswaybecauseIhadafeelingI'dmeetyouhere,butalmostsixdayssincethatnight,andIwassecond-guessingmyselfeveryhillwerodeover,"shesobbed.Shelookedmeover."Ohgoodness!Aren'tyouamess?"Ilaughedwithher.ShegavemeachangeofclothesasIbathedinthechillystream,andsometraveler'sbread.WerodebacktoTwilightBayasfastasthehorsescouldtakeus,whileAliceandJasperfilledmeinonwhathadhappened.

Irinawasgonethenightoftheball,andappearedtwodayslaterinmorefancydressesthansheeverhadthemoneytoown.ThefirstthingshedidwastocallonEdward.Shebroughtherentiresuitcaseofclotheswithhertothemansionandimmediatelythrewherselfontohim.Hewasalreadystrickenwithgriefandguiltatthatpoint,butunderproddingfromAlice,reluctantlyagreedtoshowsomeemotion.Itwasthen,duringoneofherdrunkenstuporsofeuphoria,thatIrinarevealedherhandinthiscase.Edwardhadwantedtocomehimself,butwasstoppedbyAlice,whohadknownIwasgoingtobefine.Besides,hewasunabletoeatordrinkanythingthefirsttwodaysIwasgone,andthereforeunfittotravellongdistances.IfeltmyhearttwingeasJaspertoldmethat.

Whenwearrivedatthemansiondayslater,theplacelookedalmostghastly.Irinawassobbingdesperatelyatthefootofthebuilding,beggingandpleading.Hereyeswereskyward,lookingtowardsaparticularwindow.Igasped.TherestoodEdward,inallhisglory,frowningatIrinaasifconfusedwhyshewasthere.Notsayingaword,Iranblindlyintothehouse,passingbyendlessbalconies.IhadasickfeelingthatifIdon'tfindhimsoon,hewillleap.

Istumbled;aflutteringofclothcaughtmyeye.Therehewaswithhisbacktome.Iyankedhimawayfromthewindowwithajerk."Whatareyoudoing?"Iscoldedhimbreathlessly."Youscaredmetodeath!"

Helookedasifhehadbeenwokenfromadream."Whatareyousaying?Youscaredmetodeath!"Hiseyesscannedmeover."Bella!Areyoualright?"

"No.Ialmosthadmyheartbroken.Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"Iyelledathim.Hehadthenervetolookbewildered.

"WhatdoyouthinkI'mdoing?"Iglaredathim.Heglancedtowardthewindow,andstartedlaughing."YouthoughtI'mgoingtojump?"Inoddedwordlessly.Hestartedtofeelmyforeheadforafever;Ibrushedhishandawayimpatiently.

Stillgrinning,heledmetothewindowledge."Now,tellme,love,whyIwouldchoseawindowonthefirstfloortojumptomydeath."Istaredatthegrassygroundtwofeetbelowme.But…Ithoughthewasstandingmuchhigherthanthat.Helaughedagainatmydumbfoundedexpression.Ifeltafamiliarwarmthfanacrossmycheeksastheyflushedred.Hehuggedmeclose;Ibreathedinhisheavenlyscent."Imissedyou."

Smiling,despitemyludicrouspresumptionthathewasgoingtocommitsuicide,Iwhisperedback,"Imissedyou,too."

--ADayLater,AboardTwilight—

Iwasinshock;Iknewit.Otherwise,Iwouldnotbehallucinatingshipstrailinguseverywhere.Everymomentuponthecrow'snest,Isawshadowsofships–largevesselsthatcouldcarryoverthreehundredpeoplewithplentyofroomtospare.Twilightonlyhadacapacityofahundredpeoplewithoutcargo.ButeverytimeIpointedoneout,nooneelsesawthem.Iwas'advised'toseetheshipdoctornolessthanseventimesalready.

Emmettjustteasedme,sayingIwasparanoid.Rosalieavoidedme.Iwas,forthemoment,straddlingthespankerboomandleaningagainstthemizzenmast.Isawtheghostlyshipseverywhere…exceptontheboom:thesailsweresotangledherethattheyblockedoutthesightofalmosteverything.

Andhere,surroundedonallsidesbythesoundofflutteringsails,IrecalledthenursemaidCharliehadhiredformeonmyfirstsummer.Poorwoman.Sheprobablyspentmoretimebeingseasickandgreenthanactuallylookingafterme.But,whenevertheseaswerecalmatnight,shewouldtakemeouttolookatthestars.Ilookedup.ShehadpointedouttheNorthStar."Ifyouareevertofollowit,Bella,"shetoldme,"Youwillsooncometofrozenlandswheretheskiesarefilledwiththemostspectacularlightshowinthewinterandeternalsuninsummer."

Ineverknewfromwhereshecamefrom.Iwasn'tsureCharlieknew,either.Tothisday,afteraroundtenyearsofsailingtoallsortsofforeignportsalone,Istillnevermetanyonewithheraccent,oranyonewhospokeherlanguage.Shesangtome.ThelasttimeIsawher,IhadboastfullytoldherthatIwasnotgoingtofallinlovebecauseIshallbeapirate.Shejustchuckledandtoldmetosingthatsongshetaughtme.

"Well,thisisanicespotyou'vefound,"avoicesaid.ThesailspartedtorevealEdward.Withagrunt,heclimbedontheboomtositwithme.Ismiledathim,gesturingaround.

"ItseemstheonlyplacewhereIwon'thavethese'hallucinations'ofships."

"Aliceagreeswithyou,butshedoubtsher'sixthsense'foronce."Heshrugged."Ibelieveyou,though."Hereachedforwardtotakeoneofmyhandsandstartedtotracepatternsonit.

Wefellsilentagain,bothwatchinghisaimlessdrawingsonmyhand.Ashedrewthesameshapeoverandoveragain,Ilaughed."You'redrawinghearts!"

"I'mgladyoudidn'tthinkit'sanapple."Hepaused,takingadeepbreath."Iamgoingtochaseyou,Bella."

Iblinked.Thesongmyoldnursemaidhadtaughtmecametomymemoriesagain.Iknewtherewassomethingbetweenus…butforhimtovoicehisintentions…Iwasshockedenoughtoonlysay,"Why?"

Hisfacebrokeintoagrin."Becauseyouareinfrontofme."

Imadeafaceathim.Hewasbeingatease!"Well,thatcertainlyanswersthat!"Irepliedsarcastically."ItwouldbequitehardtochasemeifIwerebehindyou."Hisgrinbroke.Hiseyesshimmeredwithmischief.

"Youaregoingtopayforthat,"heyelledashelungedforme.Iyelped,hoppingdownfromtheboomandsprintingawaywithhimatmyheels.Itwasdarkwithonlythemoonandthestarslightingtheway.

Itwasahide-and-chasegame.Hewasmuchfasterthanme,butbigger.Zigzaggingmywayaroundthesmallcargoboxes,leapingfromtherails;Iwastiring.Breathless,Ihidbehindalargesheetofcanvas,onlytoseehimpeekthere.Hereachedforme,butIhoppedaway,suddenlyrealizingIwascaught.

Hegrabbedmearoundthewaist,swingingmearoundinafullcircle.Almostlikewhenwefirstmet,hewrappedhisarmaroundme,bringingmybackagainsthischest.Onlythistime,herestedhischinonmyshoulder,lookingoutatthebrighteninghorizonwithme."Ifoundyou,"hewhisperedinmyear.

Rememberingmyoldnursemaidagain,Icouldn'thelpbutsinghersong.(A/N:thisisthetranslationofthesong.Linktothesongonprofile).

ThereasonthehorizonshinesIsthatsomewhereit'shidingyou.ThereasonIlongforthemanylightsIsthatyouarethereinoneofthem.

So,Isetout,withasliceofbread,Aknife,alamp,stuffedinabag.

Isangtohim,pointingoutthevanishingstarsabove.Edwardstaredatme,smiling.Perhapsheknewthewords,too.

Fatherleftmehisburningdesire.Mothergavemehereyes.Theearthturns,hidingyou.Shiningeyes,twinklinglights;Theearthturns,carryingyou,Carryingusbothwho'llsurelymeet.

Hejoinedme,hummingalong.

Fatherleftmehisburningdesire.Mothergavemehereyes.Theearthturns,hidingyou.Shiningeyes,twinklinglights;Theearthturns,carryingyou,Carryingusbothwho'llsurelymeet.

"Andsowemeet,"Itoldhim.Ileanedclosetohim."Whatdoyouclaimasmypayment?"

Heblinked.Hislipscurledintoaslowsmile,rememberingwhatstartedthewildchaseinthefirstplace."Iclaim…"hedrewitout."This."Heswoopeddownandcapturedmylips.Igasped;everthepirate,hetookadvantageofmysurprise.Iwasdrunk,headywiththeburstofemotions.Whenwebrokeapart,wewerebothdazed,breathingheavily.

"Edward,"avoicechimed.Webothgroaned.

Heletmego,answeringthecall."Yes,Alice?"Sheappearedaboveusondeck.

"Nothing,brother,dear.Justwanttowarnyouthatthere'sastormthreedaysahead.Ithinkit'sgoingtobeahurricaneofsomesort,"sheanswered."Wemightwanttoskirtit.We'llbejustbarelyskimmingitsedgesifweturndirectionsnow."Shemadetoturnaround,butstoppedmid-stride."Bella,Iwouldstillrecommendtheshipdoctorforyou."Istuckmytongueoutather,butshewasalreadygone.

"I'msurprisedyouweren'tthefirsttotellme."Edwardwaslookingatmequizzically.Ishrugged.

"I'mnotthemostobservantpersonwhenI'mdistracted."Givinghimapeckonthecheek,tothesurpriseofbothofus,Ilefthim,headingtomyshiftonwatch.

So...Alicestillhasn'tgivenBellahernecklacebackyet,andEdwardisnowenamouredwithBella.Theydosaythatabsensemakestheheartfonder.Perhapsthat'swhathappened?IdkifI'mmakingtheirrelationshipgotoofast,though.

I'mhopingthatthenextupdatewillbesometimenextweekortheweekafter...butseehowIdo.

And...ifyouhaven'talready,pleasegovote!I'mthinkingofmaybe3or4chapters+/-ashortepilogueleft:DSoyou'vetimetostillponder;)

--Cathy

PoweroftheAmulet

A/N:Iamsosososososo(timesinfinity&beyond)sorrythatIhaven'tupdatedinsuchalongtime.Myexcuse,lameasitmightbe,isthatIhavemadeapossible'mistake'intakingacreativewritingclass.I'mhavingthetimeofmylifewritingshortstories,poems,etc,etcthatareinnoway,shape,orformborderlininganalysisandcriticismthatI'mallwrote-out.IwassoengagedinalltheotherstoriesthatIcouldn'tfindthetimenor'creativity'towrite/finishthischapter.Ithinkmynextupdatewillbeinaround2-3weeksorso,whenIhavealongbreakagain(soIcancatchupwithmyhomeworkandhavetimeofftowrite).Again,I'msovery,verysorryabouthowlongittooktogetthisoneout(andit'snoteventhatlong/good--sigh--).

Chapter20

Thestormcameupswiftandfast.Alice'spredictionswereoff.Thewindwasalreadysweepingupwavesthatboiledwithbarely-suppressedangerbeneath.Withinseconds,theskydarkenedtoanear-midnight.Lightningthreatenedtosplittheskyintwo;theairbuzzedwithpower.

Andthentherainsfell.

Waveuponwavesofraindrainedfromthesky.Mysensesprickled.Iwassoakedwithinseconds.Iswungmyselfontothedeck,slippingwhentheboattilteddangerously.Shiphandsweretryingtosecurethesailsasmuchaspossible.Edwardwasatthesteeringwheel,squintingintotherain.

Bynow,theseawasincompleteturmoil.Ifwewerenottocapsize,wehadtofacethewaveshead-on.Watchinghisintentgazeintothewaves,Ifeltsomethingclickintoplace.Smalldetailscametome:thecourseoftheshipneverchanged;thesunrosefromthesameplaceonthehorizon…

Theflappingofaloosesailcaughtmyattention.Stumblingover,Itriedtotietheropesbackintoplace.Myhandswereshakingfromthecold.Theropewastoowet.Twoangryweltsappearedonmypalmfrommyeffort.Iwasgruntingwiththeeffortwhenawarmhandcoveredmine.

"Edwardneedsyoureyes!"Jaspershouted."Icantiethisup."

"Hedoesn'tneedmynothing,"Iscreamedback."Heneedstoliveuptohisdecisions."

Jasperranahandthroughhishair,makingitstickupinallplaces."Butitnolongeraffectshim,"hecalledoverthewind."Ifanyofthesewavescatchestheshipside-on,we'llalldie!"Hetuggedhardontherope."AndgetthatdamnnecklaceawayfromAlice.Ithasamindofitsownanditdoesn'tlikeher,andit'smakingmeirritable."

Cursingasloudaspossible,Istumbledovertothewheel.Edwardwasconcentratingsohardthathedidn'tnoticemeuntilItouchedhishand.Hejumped;thewheelswerveddangerouslytotheright.Icaughtholdofit,squeezingintothesmallplacebetweenhimandthewheel,glaringintothewaves.

"Doyouthinkyoucanhandleit?"hesaidintomyear.Ishivered.

"Ifwearegoingtodie,Iwillkillyou,"Ishoutedback.Hiseyesflashedasignofamusement.

"Agreed!"

Heslippedawayfromme,andallofasudden,Ifeltcold.Theentireforceoftheoceanwascastagainstme,againsttherudder.Ididn'tknowwhenIstartedcrying,norwhenIbitmylipsohardthatitbled.AllIknewwasthecold,thewhippingstorm,andtheexhaustion.Everysecondlastedayear.Thewheelhadademonmindofitsown.Itwantedtogowiththeflowofthechurningseas;itwantedtogiveup.Andeverytimeitdid,IwishedIcouldgiveupto.Itwouldbesoeasy.Intheeyeofthestorm,itwouldbealmosttooeasytoletgoforamoment.Anditwouldtakeonlyamomentforthewavestocatchtherudderandbringtheshipsidelongintoitspath.

Butsomehow,Ifoundthestrengthtocontinue.Waveafterwave.Myhandswereclenchedsotightaroundthewheel,Iwasn'tsureIcouldletgoifIwantedto.Mymusclesscreamedofagony.Therewasonlyme,thewind,theseas,andthewheel.

Hoursseemedtopass,butonlymereminutes.Thewindwasblowingusincircles,enthralledinitsgraspevenaswestruggledtoescape.

Andsuddenly,Edwardwasthere.Silently,heslippedbesideme,hishandscoveringmine,lendingmehisstrength,hiswarmth.Ishiveredagainsthim,crying.Hetooktheweightoftheworldawayfromme.Italmostseemedasifwewerejoinedinwill.Asimplenudgeinonedirection,andhe'ddotherest.

Ididn'tknowwhenheslippedthenecklacebackonmyneck,butIfelttheeffects.Itwaswarm,almostburning,againstmyskin.Itshoneasoftbluelightthatthedarknessswallowedgreedily.

Ididn'tknowhowlongwestayedthatway.Thestormragedonandon,butwestoodbehindthewheel.Hekeptmefromcrumbling;Ihelpedhimnavigate.Mymindwasnumb,buttearscontinuedtofall.Ididn'tknowwhyIwascrying,norhowtostopit.Ionlyknewthatthetearsmadeeverythinghazy.

Butlittlebylittle,theskylightened.Thesunlightburstthroughtheclouds.Asitshoneonthesmallheart-shapednecklace,however,Ifeltastabofcripplingpain.EvenasIsaggedagainstEdwardinrelief,evenashekissedmytearstainedcheeks,Ifeltit.Theoldmenaceintheair.

Thereliefontheshipwasfeltbyall.Already,kegsofaleweredrawnfromthesmallbarrel.Manyshiphands,however,usedthetimetosleep.Collapsingamongstsaggingsails,leaningagainstwoodencrates–anywheretheycouldfind,theydidandslept.

"It'sstrange,howthemorningdispelsallstorms,"Edwardsaid,onehandonthewheel,theotheronmywaist.

Isaidnothing,fingeringthetoo-hotamulet.Icouldn'tthink.MyfingersburnedfromtheamuletandyetIhadnowishtoletitgo.

IslippedawayfromEdward'shold,shiveringinmydampclothing.Imademywaytothepoopdeckattheprowoftheship.Again,thefaintimagesofphantomshipsplaguedme.DrivenbyacompulsionIcouldn'texplain,Itookoffmynecklace.

Andgasped.

ItwasnolongerthenecklaceIknew.OverthetimebetweenwhenIfirsthandedittoAlicetothedurationofthestorm,ithadchangedfromapurebutopaqueheart-shapedamulettoaclearsapphirecrystal.Andinitscenterweretwothings.Onewasacurledscroll;theotherwasawoodenrectangleshapedvaguelylikeadoor.

Thelookoutshoutedsomethingunintelligible.Iglancedtotheseasagain.

Thephantomshipswerenolongerjustphantoms.Theywerereal–white,dazzlingshipsthatseemedtosparkleintheearlymorningsunlight.Wewereinthemiddleofthelooseringthatwasclosingarounduseachpassingsecond.

AndJameswasthere,standingunmovingasastatueonthefigureheadoftheshipdirectlyinfrontofme.Evenfromsofar,Icouldseehiseyes,hisredeyesthatseemedtoglowbrighterashecamecloser.Whenhewasonlyahundredyardsaway,heseemedtohaveswelledinsize.Hisvoicecarriedoverthegentlesoundofthewaveslapping.

"Andsowemeetagain,Isabella,"hesaid,hisvoicelow.

"Whatdoyouwant?"Edwardcalledoutfrombehindme.Ijumped.Ihadn'theardhisapproach.

Jamesignoredhim."YouknowwhatIwant,dearIsabella."

"Andyouwon'tgetit!"Ianswered.Myvoicecroaked.

"YouknowIwillgetitintheend,sweet,"hesaidcalmly."Lookaroundyou.Theseshipsaren'tpoweredbyhumans.Theyaremypower.TheyarewhatIcando."

"Iwouldratherdie."

"ButIwillnotkillyou.OnlyyouhavewhatIwant.Instead,youwillseeeveryoneyouknowdiebeforeyou.Handitover,andIwillletthemallgo.Handitover,andIcanensuretheirsafety."

"Youhavenothingtomakemetrustyou."

"Andthere'snothingyoucandotopreventmytakingofyouramulet."Heseemedtostandtaller.Icouldseehimclearly,evenatthisdistanceaway.Slowlyheraisedahandandflickedhisfinger.Therewasascreechandaloudsplat.Thewatcherwastakenfromhispostanddroppedintothewater.Thewaterimmediatelyturnedred.Hedidn'tsurvivethebellyflop.IfeltEdward'sarmatmywaist.

"Doesthathelpyourdecision,Isabella?"Ishuddered.

"Ifyou'resopowerful,thenwhydon'tyoujusttakeit?"Hiseyebrowraised.Ifeltinvisibletendrilsofpowerfeelingagainstmyneck,searchfortheamulet.Whenitfoundit,Igaspedinpain.Theamuletflaredtolife,abrightbluepulsinglightbeatfromitsdepths.James'squestingfingersretreatedasifitburnthim.

Hegrowled,thesoundsolowthattheshipseemedtovibrate.Hishandreachedtowardme.Ifelttheairaroundmeharden,asifsomethingsolidwasgraspingfortheglowingamulet.Desperately,instinctively,Ithrashedinitsgrip,butIwasagainstnothingbutair.Whenthetwotouched,Icriedout.Theamuletflaredbrighter.Andinreturn,Ifeltasifathousandneedlespiercedintome.Thegraspingsomethingrecoiled.

Edwardcaughtme.Hishandswerecoolagainstmyskin.Theneedlesdidn'thurtwherehetouchedme.Ileanedintohishold.

"Bella!Yournoseisbleeding,"hewhisperedworriedly,onehandcominguptowipeawayadropofblood.

Ididn'thavetimetoponderonhiswords.Thenextmoment,IheardJamescryout.Ablastofsingeingairblewaroundme.Theamuletfloated.Thescaldingheat…Icouldbarelybreathe.Thesapphireshonebrighter.And,likeabottomlesshole,theheatformedaringarounditanddisappearedinitsdepths.

James'sragewaspalpable.Theaircracked.Shoutswereheardasshipmatesrandomlyfellasifsomethingknockedthemoverinthecornerofmyeye.Tearsleakedfrommyeyes.IwishedwithallthatwasleftofmywillthatIcouldtakethisasitwasmeanttobe:myburden.Iprayedthattherewouldbenomoredeaths.

IknewIhadtobedelirious.Icouldn'thear,Icouldn'tsee.MyvisionnarrowedtothefireengulfingJamesandthepowerhewielded.IfeltforEdward,buthewasn'tthere.Theamuletgloweddefiantlyblueintheredandblackthatwantedtoswallowuswhole.Theredandblackfirethatwasalreadyburningmeaway.

Jameslaughed.Forthefirsttime,InoticedVictoriabesidehim.Victoria,whowasgivingallherstrengthtohim.Shelovedhim.Buthewastoopowerhungrytoreturnit.Helovedpoweraboveallelse.Andyet,thatwasmyonlyhope…

"Victoria!"Icalledout,eventhoughmyvoicecameoutawhisper."Youknowwhyheisdoingthis.Hedoesn'treturnyouraffections.Whyhelphimwhenhe'sonlyusingyou?"

Shedidn'tspeak.Aflashofpainflaredinherredeyes,butitwasgoneinaninstant.Ifanything,shegaveevenmorepowertoJames.

"IfinditbettertostaywiththeoneIlovethanneverseehimagain,"shefinallyrepliedcalmly."Youdesertedyourloveintryingtosavethemall.You'remorenoblethanme,butalsoinfinitelymoremiserablebecauseofit!"

Herwordshurt.Mycalmmaskslipped.Theyguffawed."Welcometotheworldofsouls,Isabella.Theworldyouwillsoonneverbeabletovisitagain,foryouwillnolongerhaveone!"

Ididn'thavetimetoreact.Theboltofenergywastoostrong.Ifeltmyselfbeingflungbackwards.Ifaintlyheardmyheadcrackagainstsomethinghard.Therewasnoblood,onlypain.Theamulettriedtoprotectme,asifithadamindofitsown.Iwasunderasoothingspell.

AndIknewnothingmore.

--Interlude—

EdwardknewthemomentwhenBellawentunconscious.ItwasthemomentwhenJamesdisappeared.Itwasthemomentwhentheamuletdroppedback,limp.Itwasthemomentwhenhenoticedthathewasbackinfamiliarwaters–theseasnearTwilightBay.

Shewasstiffasaboard,butattheslightesttouch,shecrumbledintohisarms.Hetriedtowakeher,butapartfromincoherentmutterings,shewasunresponsive.

Worried,hesnappedateveryonewhoappearedinfrontofhim.Hecarriedherintohiscabin,leavingonlyforafewmomentstogiveordersfortheshiptonavigatetotheBay.

AndthenhewentbacktoBella'sside.Herhandsweregettingcolder,hermutteringsmoreandmoreinfrequent.Until,shewasquietalltogether.Herbreathswereshallowandfartooinfrequent.Ifheheldhisbreath,theroomwouldbedevoidofanysoundalltogether.

Andherbreathsstopped.Momentslater,shegasped,herhandclutchingaroundtheamulet.Herknuckleswerewhite.Heheardthesoundofbreakingglass.Shesuddenlyletgooftheamulet,revealingablueheart-shaped,butcrackedamulet.Itwasstillforamoment,andthenshattered.

Theshipdocked.

Terrified,Edwardtookherinhisarmsandhoppedfromtheship,sprintingforthemansion,allthewhilechantingasilentmantra:"Bellacan'tdie.Bellacan'tdie…"

--

Ranslawstraightenedaftercompletinghisprayer.HeknewthestormatseawouldhaveescapedevenKey's'troubledetector'.Onlyaseercouldseethestormbeforeitwastoolate.Brushingoffhisoldcloak,heleftthechurchandheadedtowardthedocks.Ifthoseblastedwizardshaddonewhattheypromisedtodo,theTwilightwouldhavedockedbynow.Ifanythingwentwrong…

Alongstreamofcursesfellfromhismouth.Justahead,hesawEdwardrunning,carryingafigure.Agirlthathe'dknewanywhere."Bella…"

Shewaspale–palerthannormal.Herhandshunglimply.Hereyesflutteredopenandclose,butheknewtheysawnothingoftherealworld.Theywereglazed.Amilkywhitesubstancecoveredoverheronce-sparklingirises.Withasinkingheart,

herealizedthetruth.Bella,Key,wasdying.Anddyingquickly.Whateverbattleshehadfoughtwasnotinaplacetheycouldsee.Andnoonecouldhelpher.

Ranslawstarted."Where'stheamulet?"hequestionedEdwardashegentlylaidBellaonafeatheredmattressintheCullenmansion.

Edwardheldoutahand,revealingahandcutandbleedingbythesharpshardsofthebrokenamulet.Ranslawstifledagasp.Hedugdeepintohiscloak,pullingoutalargepacket.Quickly,heopeneditandpulledoutacrystalbottle.WhisperingsomewordsandpouringafewdropsoftheliquidinsideonEdward'shand,hewatchedwithstartledeyesasthecutsmiraculouslyhealed.Theshardsoftheamuletgatheredthemselvestogether.Whenthelastpiecewasplacedtogether,therewasabrightflashandtwodistinctclinks.

Edwardgasped.Onhishandwerenowtwosapphireamulets.Oneofthemalargesapphireshellcoveringblackmists,theothercarryingacarefullyrolled-upscrollofpaper.

Slowly,theirgazeslocked."Youknowhowtosaveher."Itwasn'taquestion.Ranslawnodded."Thendo!"

"Onlyyoucansaveher.Aro.Heboundedthetwoofyoutogether.Iwasn'tevensupposedtohelpyou!"Hetookadeepbreath."ButhowcouldIleavemydaughtertodie?"

"Youare…?"

"CharlesSwan,herfather.Thefatherwhohasalongstoryandapologyforher.Thefatherwho,ifyoudon'thurry,willnevergettosaythemtoher!"CharlesthumpedEdwardonthehead."Areyoureadytosaveher,myboy?"

Edwardnoddedmutely.

CharlespickeduponeofBella'scoldhands,tryingtofuriouslyrubsomewarmthback.TurningtoEdwardbehindhim,hebegan,"Listencarefullynow,foryoushallheartheseinstructionsonlyonce…"

--sigh--onlyabout2morechaptersleft.Iamsaddened...butalsosortofglad,Iguess.Thisstoryisfinallytyingupsomeofitsloseends^_^.

Andattherighttime,too,Iwouldthink.Ifeellikemychaptersarejustgettingworseandworse...soit'sgoodthatI'mendingthisstorybeforeitbecomes

completelyterribletoread.There'salotofmagicinthischapter.Fornow,I'lljustsay:believewhatyoureadiswhathappenedinBellaandEdward'sworld,forIhavenobetterexplanationsthanthatit'sjustmagic.

--Cathy

P.S.IlovetheepilogueIwroteforthisstory,eventhoughIhaven'tevenreallystartedonthenextchapteryetlol.

IntotheAbyss

AN:WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNING-----

Lol...nowthatI'vegotyourattention(hopefully),readon.

ThischapterisoneoftheworstchaptersIhaveeverwritten.One,becauseIwasgoingthroughthetorturesofcollegedecisionscomingoutthroughthemiddleofit,andtwobecauseI'vebeensobusythatittookmethepast2+monthstoplanandwritethisout.Soinanattempttopreventmyselffromgettingbombedbyreaderssaying,"Cathy!YouIDIOT!Howcouldyouruinthisstory?!"(eventhoughthequalityofworkhasbeengoingdownthedrainthepastfewchaptersalready),skiptotheend-of-chapterAN

Forthoseofyouwhoaren'tsatisfiedbymy1-sentencesummary/don'tbelieveme,youcanreadon.Andthentellmethatthis2nd-to-lastchappyruinedtheentireclimaxandwastotallynotworththewait.

Bewarned:Itisbadandusesaformofback-and-forthpointofviewkindaliketheonetheydoinmovieswhensomethingbadisabouttohappentoonepersonwhiletheother'stryingdesperatelytobeontimetosavesaidperson.

Chapter21

--Edward--

Ilandednimblyonmyfeet,myeyesmomentarilyblindedbythedarkness.Charleshadalreadywarnedmeaboutthisplace–thealterworld,theworldwhererulesdidn'tmakesense.Theplacewhere,onemisstepcouldtakemeplungingintoapartofthemazewhereIcouldneverhopetogetout,muchlessfindBella.Ireachedoutandtouchedawall–awallthatseemedboththereandnotthereatthesametime.Ifelt,ifIcouldpushhardenough,Icouldpushcompletelythroughit.Takesevenstepsinthedirectionyoufacefollowingthewall,hisinstructionsechoed.Suppressingastrangeshudder,Iwalked.Turntotherightandpushagainstthewall.Itwilltravelbackwardsuntilitcouldnolongerdoso.Walkthroughit.

Anothershudder.ThewallfeltalmostliquidaroundmeasIforcedmyselfthrough.Itwaslikewalkingthroughjelly.Therewasn'troomtostruggleandittookanamazingamountofstrengthtotakeevenonestep.Thesilencewasdeafening.Icouldn'tevenhearmyownharshbreathing,eventhoughIwassureofitsexistence.Icouldhearthesoundofmypulseinmyears,gettinglouder,faster…

AndIburstthrough,onlytobeblinded…

--Bella--

Myheadpounded.Therewasanoddsortofscreechinginmyears.Laughter.Thesortofevilcacklethatmadeyouwince.

GroggilyIopenedmyeyes.Itwasdark,buttherewerelightcastfromstrangefigures–blobs,morelike.Itriedtomove,butIfoundmyselfbeneathasortofrubble.Aftersomeintensewiggling,myhandswerefree.IthoughtIheardafewrocksclatteratthemovement.Itensed.Thefiguresweresuddenlystill.Sostillthattheirdimlightblendedintothedarkness.

--Edward--

TheantechamberIburstintowasnotwhatIhadexpectedatall.Lightwascastblindinglyfromabove.IfIheldmybreathstill,Icouldhearfaintlyofchurchmusicandthebeatingofthousandsofwings.Unwillingly,Ididexactlythat–holdmybreath,andtookatentativestepinthedirectionofthemusic,hopingtohearit.Three,maybefour,Idon'tknow,lostcount,stepsmoreandIfeltmyselfgoingfaint.Myeyessnappedopen–Ididn'tknowwhenIclosedit.Theroomwasdarkoncemore.Thefloorwassoft,wet,andsquelched.Iquicklysteppedback.Whateveryoudo,don'tfollowthesingingangels.TheyleadintothestomachoftheWorm.Theeternallyhungrywormthatcreatedthatvoidinthefirstplace.Youwilldiethere,inspiritandinbody.AndBellawilldieinthatGodforsakenplace.

Mystomachchurned.SoIwasonthetongue.ForthefirsttimesinceIwasbutfive,IdrewacrossandprayedtothatfarawayGod,thankinghim…

--Bella--

Thefiguresapproachedme.Itwasn'tuntilIsmelledanexcruciatingstenchthatIrealizedthesurroundedme.Ifeltsofttouchesagainstmyexposedskin.Andimmediatelyafter,Ifeltmyselfburningfromtheinside.Upontheirtouchagain,Iwasnormal,cooled.TheyletgoandIwasburninginHell.Itriedtoscream,butfoundallsoundoddlymuffled.Thereweretwitchesandchitteringbuzzinginmyears.Theyweretalkingtoeachother.Butonewordwasclear:Theywerechanting"death,death,death"overandoveragain.

AndIfeltformlesshandsgrabmywrist.IfeltalmosttornapartasIwaspulledfrombeneaththerubble.Manaclesheldmyhandstogether.Ididn'tdaresayordoanythingbutfollowthemwhereIwaspulled…Whathappened?

--Edward--

Inearlyfelloffthecliff.Onlyquickreflexeshadsavedmefromdoingso.IcontinuedonwithCharles'sinstructions,hopingthatmymisstepsdidn'tmatterinthegrandschemeofthings.Itwasnowdark.Icouldn'tseemyhandinfrontofmeevenwhenmypalmhitmynose.Thehaironthebackofmyneckstraightened.Apartfromresoundingwaves,therewasnosound.Icouldn'tevenhearmyselfbreathe.

Andthentherewasaflashoflight.Ameteorstreakedacrossthesky,lightingupmysurroundingsbeforeitplummetedintothewater.Intheitsfadingglow,Isawawaverisetowardtheshore.TherewasalsothatancientpineIwastoldof.Thepinewhoserootsguardtheentrancetotheroomofmirrors,theplacewhereIwouldfindBella,ifIwasnottoolate…

--Bella--

Itwasstrange,travelingwiththesecreatures.Theydidnotexactlytouchme.SeveraltimesItripped.Theyhadtriedtohelpme,butIpassedthroughthemasiftheyweremeresmoke.Andeverytime,I'dfeelcooled.Istoppedtouchingthem,andit'dfeellikemyskinwasblisteringforminutestocome.

Theterrainwasrocky.Dark.IcouldbarelyseewhatI'dbesteppingonnext.Bones,rocks,oldskeletonsoflong-deadplants.Theplacewasflatandhadanincrediblestench.

Alightflared.Myeyessqueezedshut.WhenIopenedthemagain,theywereblinded.Iwasinacircularroom.Thefigureswhobroughtmeherewerenowheretobeseen.Perhapstheywereghosts.Perhapsthat'swhytheydisappeared–thelightwasdrowningthemout.

Itakethatbackaboutthecircularroom.Morelikeacathedral.Thereceiling,iftherewasone,stretchedintothedarknessabove.Allaroundweremirrors.Millions,billionsofmirrors.Icouldseemyreflection.Only,itwasn'tme.Therewerepeopleinthem.Peoplewalkingallaroundme.Theywerepaleandthin,worelongsleeves.IfIheldstill,Icouldalmostheartheiroldbonescreaking.Icouldn'tseetheirfaces.

Ihadwalkedtothecenter.ItwasthenthatIfoundouttherewasnoreallightsource.Itwasabowlofcrystallinewater.Insidewasmyamulet,wholeandpulsingwithlight.Instinctively,Ireachedfortheplacewheremyownamulethung.Igasped.Itwasthere!Anditwaspulsing.Myheartbeatintunewithit.Iletitssteadinesslullme…

--Edward—

Icouldhearthesinging.EverystepItookclosertothatancientpine,thesinginggotlouder.Myheartpoundedintunewiththebeat.Mybreathscameinshortburst.Ihadtogettherebeforethesingingstopped.

Thenwhydoesthetreeseemtobefurtherandfurtherawayfromme?

--Bella--

Iwokewhenthefirstpainstarted.Theamuletwasstillbeatingsteadily.Butwasnolongerasradiant.Itwasnolongerpeaceful.

Itstartedwithmytoes.Astrangesortofburningsensationthatmademeuncomfortable.Itwasasifitfellasleep…orwassetonasmolderingfireasitslowlygainedtemperature.Ilookedaroundme.Thepeopleinthemirrorswerenolongerfacingawayfromme.AndIsuddenlyrealizedthattheyweren'tquite…alive.Deadskeletons,allofthem.Severalworeoldexpensiverobes,butmostweredressedinpeasantclothing–theonestheyhadseveralhundredyearsago.

"Whatdoyouwant?"Icroaked.Myvoicewasn'tworkingverywell.

Oneoftheminthemirrorsreachedformyreflection.Iscreamed.

--Edward--

Iheardherscream.Itranginmyears.Myheartbeatfasterwhenthescreamingcutshortwithastrangegurgle.Didshedie?Pleasedon'tletherdie!Ipumpedmylegsfaster,eachbreathfeltlikedaggerstomylungs.Ihadtodothis…Bella!

--Bella--

IwasburninginHell.Iwasbeingrippedapartandputtogetheragain.Iwasn'tsurewhotheywereorwhattheywanted.Isuddenlyknewthatmypulsingamuletwastiedtomyheart.Ithadtokeepbeating.Whenthelightfades,Iwillfade.

Impulsively,Itriedfightingback.Ithurt.Worsethanbefore,butItried.Ikickedandtumbledandtriedtododgeawayfromthefacesinthemirrors.Thereweretoomanyofthem.Icouldn'tcatchthemall.Ihadtoomanyreflections.Eachtouchofmyreflectioncrippledme.IfeltasifIwasthrownagainstthemirrors.

Iwasgoingtodie.Orliehere,inthecoldestspotofHell.

Thethoughtmademerenewmyefforts.No!Iwasn'tready!IwantedtobeatEmmettinarmwrestlingoneday.IwantedtobeatJasperfairlyinswordplay.Iwantedto

havekidswithEdward…

Istumbled.Ididn'trealizehowdimithadgotten.Itriedwalking,butrandirectlyintosomething…somethingsomewhatsoft.Hewasdressedcompletelyinblack.Ifellbackwards,tooweaktocatchmyself.Hereachedoutahand,asiftohelpmeup.Istartedshakingmyhead.Momentslater,Iheardhimspeak.

"Yourtimehascome,Isabella.Comewithme.Ishallescortyoutothenextpartofyourjourney.Comewithme,andI'lltakeyoutoseeeverythingyou'vewishedtoknow.Comewithme…"Hisvoicewasdeepandresoundingwithpower.Almostunwillingly,Ireachedoutahand.Iwatchedmyfingertipsgetcloserandclosertohis…

"Bella!No!"

MyfingersbrushedhisbeforeIwasjerkedviolentlyback.Butinthatmoment,Iknew.Edwardwashere.Thegatewassealed.Thedaemonsescaped…andIhear…James?

--Edward--

IsawherwhenIstumbledheadlongintotheroom.Itwasdim;shewastheonlylightsource.Herhairwasindisarray,herbodysplayedinagrotesqueangle,asifhaphazardlythrown.Herfingerswereoutstretchedtowardsthemirror.

"Bella!No!"Ishoutedtoher.Shepaused,whimpering.Isprangtowardsher,cradlingherhead,bringingherhands–socold–intomine.

"Edward…"shewhisperedhoarsely."Edward…"

"I'mhere.I'mhere."

"R-rememberwhenyouoncew-wantedtok-killme?"Hervoicewasfaint.ShesmiledwhenIshookmyhead.Ididn'twantto."Pretendyoudid.Pretendyoufeelthatwayagain.Letmegoandescapewhileyoucan."

"Ididn'tcomeallthewayherejusttoleaveyou.I'llcarryyouout,ordietrying."

"No!"Shecoughedatheroutburst.Therewasagurglingsoundandasmalltrickleofbloodflowedfromherlips.Weaklywipinghermouth,shestaredatme."Jamesisdead.Victoria'sdead.Intryingtoconquerthedevil,he'dbecomeconsumedbyit."Shestruggledwithsomething,andthenacoolobjectwaspushedintomyhand."Thisismyheart,"shesaid."ItshineswhenI'malive.Ifyougetoutofhere,Iwilllive

on."Ilookeddown.Itwasheramulet."Ithasalwaysbelongedtoyou…"Andshefainted.(A/N:thislinetakenfromthePiratesoftheCaribbeanmovie"atworld'send".Iwatcheditforthefirsttimetoday!Sillyofme,towatchthetrilogystartingwiththelastmovielol)

Theamuletsparkledinmyhand."No!"

ItwasthenthatIbecameawareofmysurroundings.Themirrorsweredark.

Ihadnoreflection.

Ihadtogetoutofhere.

--Interlude--

"Tellmewhyyousentmydaughtertoprotectthatoldamuletwhenyouknewwhereitwasandcould'veeasilytakenittokeepsafeyourself!"CharlesshoutedtoAro,pacing."Youknewshewasgoingtodie,didn'tyou?Youhadthiselaborateplantodestroytheamuletonceandforall,andyoutiedmydaughter'slifetoit!Howcouldyou?"

"Ididn'tknowshewasgoingtodie.Ithoughtyouweregoingtodie…"Arocursed,realizingwhathesaid.

"OfcourseyouthoughtI'dbroughttheamulettothebottomoftheseawithme!"CharlesmarchedtowardAro."Youthoughtmydeathwouldbringtheendoftheamulet.Butol'Jack'streasuretroveneverfitintoyourlittleformuladidit?NorthefactthatIdidn'thavetheamulet."

"Ofcoursehistreasuredidn'tfit!HowwasItoknowthathehadtokeephisbloodytreasureatthatbloodycavethemaelstromdrainsinto?Andthathe'dhavenotonlyawayout,butfivewaysout!"Charlessnortedandrolledhiseyes."AndIhadtoldyoutoneverlettheamuletoutofyoursight…andwhatdidyoudo?Ohyes,storeditinabox.Andnotonlyabox,butametalboxwithmetallocks!Doyouknowit'shardenoughforthementalconnectionbetweenthatamuletandmeoverlongdistances?Andyouhadtomakeitgoallhaywire,too."Charlessnorted.

"Onthatsamelogic,youneverthoughtJackhaddugnotonlyone,butthreepathsfromthattreasuretrove.Youneverevenbelievedintheoldtalethathe'dstoredthemapoftheplaceintotheamulet."

"AndIneverthoughtEdwardhadthekey…"suppliedAroweakly."Butyoudon'tevenneedthekeyanymore.Look!"

Nearby,onabed,Edwardgasped.Lyingbesidehim,Bella'shandreachedtoclutchtheamulet–theamulethadcrackedandsmallriversofbloodwelled.Arostared.

"Isupposehefoundher…andI'mguessingshe'sinnonetoowellofashapeeither."

Charleswasimmediatelybesidehisdaughter,wipinghersweatybrows,praying.Watchingthem,Arosighed.

"Brothers!"hecalledout.MarcusandCaiusappearedseeminglyoutofnowhere."It'stimewedowhatweshould'vedonealongtimeago.It'stimeweconfrontthatdevil-pretendingdaemon."

--EndInterlude--

--Edward--

BellastirredinmyarmsasIranwithher.I'dbarelymadeitoutofthatcursedroomofmirrorsbeforetheentireplaceexploded.Thedevil'sragewason.

"Putmedownandescape,"shemurmured.Shedidn'tstruggle.Itwassounlikehertonotstruggle.

"We'regoingtomakeitouttogether,"Ipantedout.Sheseemedtogrowheavierandheavierbythesecond."Justhangon."

"I'mslowingusdown!Youcouldescape.Icouldholdthemback."Iglaredatherratherthanwastingbreathtoargue.Sheharrumphed."Fine!Bethatway!But,ifyou'regoingtodie,I'mgoingtokillyou."

"Agreed,"Igasped,pumpingmylegsharder.Sheclungtome,tryingtokeepherweightoffofmyarmsasIran.Ithelpedlittle.Theywerefollowing.Wecouldbothheartheanguishedcries.

"They'refollowingus.It'sthem–thefacelesspeoplewholiveinthemirrors."Igaveheralook,tootiredtodoanythingelse.Shesmiledweaklyatme."Thefurtherwegetfromthatcursedplace,thebetterIfeel.Deathresidedinthatplace."Sheshuddered."Hewon'tbeverykindtothenextpeoplewhogotoseehim."

--Bella--

Itriedtobethebestactor.Idistractedhim.Irambledonandonaboutsenselessthings,tryingtoplan.Heshouldn'thavecome.Theywouldn'ttakekindlytohim.Andhedidn'thavethestrengthtokeeprunningashedid.Theywererightbehindhim,

onhisheels,silentasthemoon.Hedidn'tnoticethem,buthesloweddownenoughthattheycouldeasilysurroundhim.Buttheydidn't.

Theystaredatmewiththeirsightlesseyes.Iwastheonethatranaway.Theywouldn'ttouchEdwardifIstayed.

"Iloveyou,"Itoldhimsuddenly.Hisrunfaltered,butresumeditspace.Heneededairtoomuchtogaspoutareply."Runlikethewind,Edward,"Iwhispered.Ibroughtmykneeup,usinghisshoulderasleverage.Brushingakissacrosshischeek,IkickedhisarmsawayasIsomersaultedoverhisshoulder,landinginacrouch.Theformswereallaroundmethen,pulling,tugging,drainingmeofwhatlittleenergyIhadregained.

IheardEdwardyellashebacktracked.Hecouldn'tgetclose.Ismiledathim.Iwantedhimtorun.Andhisfacedisappearedfromsight.Iwhimperedwhenthepaincameback.Thepain–asifIwasboilingintooblivion.Ihearddaemoncackle,heardhimspeakincoherently…andtheneverythingwasgoneinaflashoflight…

--Interlude2--

ArosteppedinfrontofafaintEdward,blockinghispathastheywatchedadarkformhoveroverabody."Youwillstopstrugglingandletushandleit,"hecommanded.Edward'seyesglazedover,andhestilled.

"Laurent,itisverynicetoseeyouagain,"hegreetedthedaemon.ThedarkformseemedtounfolditselffromBella.

"Aro!Howcharmingitistoseeyou,"adeepvoiceresounded."Andwhatgiftsyou'vebroughtwithyou.Youshouldn'thave."

"JamesandVictoria?Iassumethey'reoneofyour…minionsnow."

"Totheoutside.Notinwaysthattrulymatter."Aro'seyeswidened.

"Jameshasreignoveryou."Itwasn'taquestion.

Laurenttrembledasifconflicted."HehasasmuchpowerovermeasIhaveoverhim.HecouldnotstayifIgo.Hewillloseallhispowerpastthegate."

"Leavethegirlandgobackintoyourkingdom."Aro'shandsbegantoglow."Gobackandbringallyourpowerwithyou."Caiusdrewsignsintheair.Thesignsgloweduntilaswivelingswordappeared."Leavethisplaceoflostsouls,andwewillspareyou."Marcuswhisperedwordsandhisbeardwassuddenlyglowing.Hefrownedbut

letitgo.Itgavehimanice-lookinghalo,hedecidedquickly.

Laurentshookviolentlyonce,twice.Andheretreated.Thewizardsfollowedthem.Intheirwake,thebarrenlandscapewassuddenlytransformedintothemazeofroomsandhallwaysEdwardhadfirstencountered.Buthedidn'tnoticethechange.

HecradledBellainthedarknessandwhisperedthewordsthatCharleshadwrittenforhim.Hefelthimselfliftedfromtheground…Takeushome.

--EndInterlude--

--Bella--(Endofcrazypov-changesthingy;certainlinescomefromTwilight)

Myeyesopenedtoabrightlight.ThepillowsandthebedwerethesoftestI'deverhad.WhenItriedtomove,though,Ifoundmyselfutterlyweakandexhausted.Besidemesomeonechuckled.

"Water?"Icroaked.Acupwasinstantlypressedtomylips.ButIwaslyingdown.Thewatertrickleddownmychin.Edwardwassuddenlywasbeforeme,wipingawaythespilledwater.Hesmiledatme,thoughIsawtheblackcirclesaroundhiseyes.Andthenhedisappearedfromview.Itriedtofollowhimwithmyeyesbutithurttoomuchtomove.

Amomentlater,hewasbackwithanewcup.Eyesonme,hesippedthewaterandloweredhismouthtomine.Thetendernessmademyeyestearup.

"Iwassoworriedthatyoumightnotwakeup,"hesaid,lipsbrushingagainstmyface."Charlessaidthatyouwereprettyhurtbackintheabyssandthatyoumight…"Hechoked.

"Charles?"Iinquired.

"CharlesSwan,Bells.Yourfather."

Ifeltmyheartratespeedup.Father?Alive?"He's…"Icouldn'tfinish.

"Yes.He'sbeenfollowingyouandtryingtoprotectyouandthenecklacesinceheescaped."Hiseyessparkled.AndthenfrownedwhenIdidn'tsayanything."Bella?Areyoualright?"

"Nay.IthinkIwaspulledapartintoamillionpiecesandputtogetheragain.AndIwasalsotoldthatmydeadfatherwasn'tdead."Hechuckled.

"Welcometolife."Hepaused,hissmilegone."He'lltellhisstorytoyouinhisown

time.Butnowyoumustrest."Hebrushedalightkisstomyforehead."Sleep,sweetheart."AndIwaslulledtosleepbyhisbeautifulhumming.

Sonowthatyou'vemadeitsofar...youcanyellatmetoyourpleasure.

--Summary--

Edwardgoesintotheabyss,savesBellawithsomeminimaltrouble,andBellajustfoundoutherfather'salive

--EndSummary--

Thereisonelastchapter(afluffchapterincathy-style).I'llgetthatoutin2-3weeks,ifResearchPresentationDayandpapersandAPstudyingleavemewiththetime.Thebulkofitisplannedoutsincethebeginningofthestoryandhavenotchangedthroughout,soI'vedecenthopesforitbeingagoodchapter.However,duetoAP'sandPromandgraduationandsoon,ifIdogetreally,reallybusy,thenextandlastchappywillbeoutfirstweekofJune(atlatest).

Sincerelysorryforthecompletelyunedited,terribly-writtenchapter,--Cathy

IntheEyeoftheStorm

A/N:Shortchapter.Worksasanepilogue.Didn'tturnoutexactlyasI'denvisionedit.IhadfunwritingthelastExBscene.TheBellaandCharliescenewaspoorlythoughtout.Bythevery,veryend,IthinkIgotboredwritingorsomething.IhopeyouenjoyEfinallybeatingBinanargument(somehow)lol.

AndIapologizefornotkeepingtomyscheduleinthelastchappy.Isuppose,sinceI'veyourattentionnow,Icanformulateanexcuse...Thingis,Ihadsomuchtroublechoosingbetweentwoofmycollegesthateverything'sstillnotsetinstoneyet.IflittedbetweentwocollegesallofApril.Come1stofMay,Ichoseone,andmycounselorsaidthatifIeverchangemymind,hecantalktotheothertoseeiftheycanstillacceptme.AndIwasbackatsquareone.Andevennow,Istillhaven'ttoldcometotermswitheverythingmyself...ithurtssomuch.Anyways...happyreading)).

Chapter22(Epilogue)

ThesunwasstreamingthroughthesmallgapsinthecurtainswhenIwoke.Charliewassittingbesideme,staringoffintothewalls.

"Dad?"Iwhispered,stillnotbelievingthathecould'velivedforallthoseyearswithoutcontactingme.

"Bells."Hecoughed;hiseyesdartedaway.

"Dad!"Isaid,louder,sittinguptohughim.Hisarmswrappedmetight,justlikewhenIwasyounger."Alltheseyears,andyou'restillalive!"Iswungmyarmathim."Whydidn'tyoucomefindme?"

Hewassilent."I-…"Heunwrappedmyarmsfromaroundhimandstoodup."It'sreally…difficult…formetorecountthestory."Hesighed."Stayquiet,Bells,orImightlosethecouragetotellit."

Iwaitedforhimtocontinue.Hepacedashetalked,lookingeverywherebutatme.

"Thewhirlpoolleadstoanundergroundpocketofair.TheSwanbrokeintopiecesthere.Istayedtherefordays,ifmystomachisanyindicatoroftime.IusedthebrokenSwanasfirewoodandsurvivedonfishandfewsuppliesthatsurvivedintothealcove.ItwasonlyafterIhadburntoverhalfofthewoodthatIrealizedthereshouldn'tbethatmuchfreshairundertheseaunlessthere'ssomewayout.

"ThenextfewdaysIspentcatchingweeks'worthoffishandwaterandmadeamake-shiftsledtocarryitandfirewood.Iwalkeddeeperintothecave,hopingtofindaflickerofwind…anythingtoindicatewheretheaircomesfrom.

"Onthefifthday,mytorchflickeredoutinanintensegust.Istumbledblindly,lookingforthesource.Thereisaholethere,andsomesortofmagicguardingit.Ifellinthehole…thebottomlesshole.Idon'tknowhowlongIfellbeforeIsawthelight.ThelightthatgotbrighterandbrighteruntilItumbledintoacaveentrance.Andthat'swhereImetFateherself,talkingwithAroaboutyourfuture."

Hesuddenlystopped."Theycaughtmetryingtorunawaytowarnyou,tohelpyoumakeyourdecisions."Hetookadeepbreath."I'mnotexactlyhumananymore,Bells."Hethrewopenthewindows,andcompletelydisappearedfromview,saveforhisclothes.Itlookedlikeaninvisibleclothhangerwasholdingtheminplace.Mymouthdroppedopen"Thesunmakesmeinvisible,andthemoonmakesmeanondescriptshadow.IserveFate;Ihaveherknowledge;nothingcouldeverkillme,exceptmyownfamily."Thecurtainsclosed,andCharliereappeared."Iamboundasaguardiantomykin.Whenthelastofmyblooddescendentsdie,Iwillceasetoexist."

"That'sit?"Iblurtedwithoutthinking.

"Whatdoyoumean,'that'sit'?Don'tyoucarethatI'mnothuman?ThatI'lllivelongerthanyou?ThatI'llforeverbeababysittertoyourchildren?yourgrandchildren?yourgrandchildren'schildren?"Hethrewhisarmsup,suddenlyenraged.

"No.Becauseyouwillalwaysbemyfather.Andyou'llmakeawonderfulguardian.AndIdon'thavetofindmoneyforatutororcaretaker…ever!"Hesnorted.

"Andyouwillalwaysbemydaughter."

***

TheseaneversmelledmoreenticingthanwhenIwasfinallyallowedtowalkabout.Fatherleftnotaweekago.Itfeltinexplicablygoodtosuddenlyhavefamilyaftersomanyyears.Istillcouldn'tgraspexactlyhowIfeel,knowingthatmyfatherwilloutliveme…ifIhaveachild.

Istudiedthefigurestandingonthedeckshoutingorders.Edward.Ifhedoesn'tmarryme,therewillneverbeachild.Iblushed,shakingawaymythoughts.Hecaredaboutme,orhewouldn'thavesavedme…

"Key!Areyoucomingontheshipornot?"avoiceshouted.Ilookedup.Jasperwas

tossingmeacable.Ismiled.Heknewmewell.Icaughtthecableandpushedoff,swingingoverthesideoftheship.

"OfcourseI'mcoming.Youcan'tgetridofmethateasily!"

Someonechuckledbehindme.Ijumped.I'mgettingrusty,ifpeoplecouldsneakuponmelikethat."Youdon'tknowjusthoweasyyoucanberidof,littleBella,"Edwardwhisperedinmyear.Ishivered.Heusedthemomentofdistractiontopickmeupanddanglemeoverthesideoftheship.Iyelped.

"Edward,letgoofmethisinstant!"Hishandsshifted.Ilookeddownandchangedmymind.Ifhedroppedme,I'dbeintheocean…andI'venointentionofgettingwetthisearlyinthemorning."Don'tletgo!"Ipleaded,whenhishandsmadetodropmeagain.Helaughed.Oh,thatarrogantjerk!"Youaredead,Edward!Dead,youhearme?"

Oneofhishandsletgo.Iyelpedandclungtohisotherhand."Hmm…Ihaveabeatingheart.I'mbreathing.Icantalk…"Hishandreturnedtoholdmeup."Nope.I'mnotdead."

"YouwillwhenIgetoutofthissituation!"

"Inthatcase,Iwon'tsaveyou,formylife,"helaughed.Hisholdloosenedforasecond.Islippeduntilhewasholdingmebymyarmpits."Now,Bella,whatdoyousay?"

"Iknowhowtobringyoudownwithme."Igroundedout.Hechuckled.

"Nope.That'snotgoingtosaveyou."Myteethclickedtogether.

"Edward?Mayyoupleasesaveme?"Iseethedout.

Heswungmebackondeck.Assoonasmyfeettouchedstableground,Iraisedmyhand,intentonbeatingthelightsoutofhim.Hecaughtmyarmeasily,pinningitdown.

"Icanstillhurtyou,"Itoldhim.Hesmiled,pressingakisstomylips.Istilled.

"AndIhavemywaystomakesureyoudon't,"hereplied,smirking.

"You–"kiss."arrogant-"kiss."stinky-"kiss.Igroaned.Anotherkissfromhim."Stopk-"kiss.Isankintohim.Hekissedme,thelightesttouchingoflips,lingering.Isurrenderedtohim,pullinghimin,deepeningthekiss.

IpulledawayfirstwhenIfeltmyheadspinningfromlackofair.Myeyesopened–Ididn'tevenrealizetheywereclosed.Hissmolderinggreeneyesmadethebutterfliesflyinmystomach.Iblinked,foroncespeechless.

"AmIforgiven?"

"Aye,"Iheardmyselfanswer.Ishookmyheadclear,resistingtheurgetostickmytongueoutathim."Butthisdoesn'tmeanIwon'tkillyou."Heburstoutlaughing,huggingmeclose.

"That'swhatIloveaboutyou."

Iraisedaneyebrowathim."ThatIwillkillyou?"ButIwaswarmontheinside.Iamloved!

"Thatyoukeepaclearhead,"heresponded,laughing.Hesuddenlybecameseriousagain."Isabella'Key'Swan,Idon'treallyknowwhenIstartedfallinginlovewithyou.Youdon'tknowhowmanytimesIwishedyouwereagirlthefirstfewdaysmyship.Iwantedyoutocowerbeforeme–toshowsomesortofweaknesssoIwon'tbefeelingthisway.Andwhenyoucameback,IwishedsomuchthatyouwerethegirlImetinthealleyway.Iloveyou."Hepaused.Iswallowed,mymouthsuddenlydry."Wouldyoumarryme,soIcanspendtherestofmylifeshowingyoujusthowmuchIloveyouandcherishthatyouarewhoyouare?"

Itrembled."Yes,Iwillmarryyou,"Ianswered,tastingthewords.Ismiled;hisfacelituplikethesun,brighteningmyworld."Aye,I'llmarryyou,"Irepeated,louder,laughing.Hepickedmeupandswungmearoundinacircle."EventhoughI'llspendtherestoftimeregrettingit."

Hehuffed."Somefaith,Bella!"Ihuggedhim.

**

Theweddingwasasmalloneheldontheship.Edwardgavemeasapphire-encrustedring–delicatebutbeautiful.Igavehimtheamulet,fixedbyacombinedeffortfromCharlie,Aro,Caius,andMarcus.Itwasamagictrinket.Itwasthepartthatol'RobertJenkinsadded–thekeytoallhistreasures…intheheartofthemaelstromthatoncealmosttookmyfather'slife.

Butjustbecausewehadtreasuredoesn'tmeanweallstoppedterrorizingtheseas.Itwassimplytoomuchfunstoppingships,crossingswords,andterrorizingafewhundredmen…beforewebow,thankthemforagoodtime,andleavewithafewnewswordtokensstrappedtooursides.

~TheEnd~

So...whatdoyouthink?I'mthinkingofrewritingpartsofthis...itreallydoesn'tliveuptomydreams.TheCharlie-Bellaconversationendedwithatoo-cheesynote.Iguesslayingoffwritinginthemidstofprom,graduation,andchoosingcollegeswilldothattoyou-makingyoureallyunsureexactlywhatyourvisionsare.

Inothernews,thepollforthenextstory'sgoingtoclose2weeksfromnow.Idon'tknowanythingaboutwhenI'llfeeluptostarting(andfinishing)anotherstory,butI'llpostanoticeonthisstorywhenthathappens.IthinkIwanttosortoutmycollegesfirst,andgetalltheformsin,andcometotermsthatI'mgoingtocmumainlybecauseit'scheaper,andithasabettercsprogram...andmyparentsarewillingtopayforeducationratherthanthecollegeexperience,andlotsofotherthings(suchasthefactthatcollegedormsdon'thaveprivateensuitebathroomsthatyousharewithonlyyourroommatelikemyhighschooldormdoesorthefactthatdormsaremorethan2storiestallorthefactthateachwingdoesn'thaveawinglounge,butrathereachfloorhasalounge,ifyou'relucky).

Lastly,Iwanttothankeveryonethatmadethisstorypossible.FromyourencouragingreviewstoyourpatiencewhileIstruggledwithmylifeandsetthisstoryaside.Withoutyouall,Iwouldneverhavetheendurancetoevenmakeithalfwaythroughthestory.AndIpromisethatsomeday,thislastchappy/epilogue-thing--will--berewrittentobeaperfectending.

Untilnexttime,--Cathy

PS:aswithallmyotherstories,ifyou'rereadingthisamonthfromnow,twomonths,ayear,soon,I'dstillliketohearyourthoughtsonwhatwentwellandwhatdidn't.Constructivecriticismismuchappreciated.

NewStory

A/N:Hey,justalittlenotethatIamstartinganewstory.Sadly,itisn'tthewinnerofthevoting(doneagesago),whichis"Whenyoutameavampire".SomeofyoumayhaveknownthatIpostedanot-really-one-shotlastyearsometime...andithadbeenbuggingmebecauseitwasn'treallyaone-shotintheconvenientdefinitionoftheword.SoIdecidedtoexpandonitsomemore.Thestoryistitled"Yourinperfectworld"(aplayonwords="yourimperfectworld"and"you'rein(a)perfectworld"),titlejippedfromafriend.Ihopeyouguysenjoyit:)

Currentsummary:Bellahasdoneitagain.Inafewshortminutesofconversation,managedtofinagleabigchecktowardsthecharity.Theunwillingdonor,Edward,hadswornrevenge.ButhowwillBellatakeitwhenhestartstoshowerherwithflowersandaffection?

Thanks,

Cathy