Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and Midnight Sun, its dialogues, the plot and character names. All other plotlines, characterizations, and details belong to the author: Bronzehyperion. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without the author's authorization. ©2008 Bronzehyperion. All rights reserved worldwide.

PREFACE to FALLEN HORIZON

I could feel the eyes on me, though I kept mine firmly closed. A child - probably watching in caution and surprise as I slowly took a step forward. Four jostles from the throng and then the sun would be at its highest peak.

A perfect sun. So willing to expose me for what I was. All I needed for my pale skin to lit up and glisten. For the crowd on the Palazzo dei Priori - unaware of who was about to disrupt the festivities - to go mad, forcing the Volturi to stop and trial me.

And more importantly, sentence me. I was counting on this especially.

The chime of the clock boomed around me again and I welcomed the sound as it brought me closer to my goal with every clang. Three left, I counted.

A hint of the sun, already slightly touching the edges of the protective shadows I was still hiding in at the mouth of the alley, caressed my cool bare chest as the wind blew against my skin.

It reminded me of sweeter times where the touch of her skin would awaken these desires in me that I'd considered long lost before she came along. For a moment, I allowed myself to pretend she was here. Touching me. I could almost feel her lips feverishly moving against mine. So warm, so perfect. How I yearned to hold her tightly in my arms. I almost reached out to welcome her, but instead I kept my arms at my side, palms facing forward, like a messiah ready to be sacrificed.

I remembered this was impossible. I'd never hold her again.

Because she was gone. Forever.

The idea I'd never feel her warmth again or how my throat would never feeling like breathing in fire by the very smell of her, ripped my already torn heart apart even further.

It was unbelievable, incomprehensible.

A world without Bella.

This wasn't a world I knew how to exist in. Not anymore.

Another chime of the clock meant it was almost time.

I felt like I was suffocating, though I didn't need oxygen.

I purposely shied away from the exact words Rosalie had spoken - they were basic and deadly - because they were burned into my soul like an unwanted scar that would never go away. The words that had marked the end of my life. All I'd done since then was desperately trying to find a way to finish it effectively.

I felt more at ease knowing I'd only have to make it through a few more moments. Just endure this strange, now unfamiliar world I couldn't be forced to exist in, no matter who pleaded with me. There would never be any relief from the cutting pain inside. I focused on how I had to hang on a little while longer and then the agony would stop.

I longed for blackness, for the beauty of oblivion. The ultimate way to stop remembering.

Death.

And whatever came after that, wherever I went, it didn't matter as long as I need not be reminded of this life ever again.

The memories had lost their significance since Bella wasn't out there somewhere remembering everything too.

The throng jostled again. Only one more left. I could taste the sun now. I could feel the same eyes still watching me carefully. I knew I needed one human to stare at me in horror and start screaming for my plan to be considered a success. I had no desire to frighten this child watching me - her mind filled with lollipops and cartoons - but if she was my only option to be seen now, I would take it and risk her sanity in the process.

I took another step towards the edge, knowing it would take less than a small inch for me to step into the sun. To bare myself for what would be my final moments.

The moment I wanted to place my foot forward, in sync with the sound of the final chime, I heard it.

The angel's voice.

I was shocked. Was this what came after dying? Was I allowed an afterlife with the angel by my side? Surely it was cruel for me to hope for this as I was so close to death.

Unless...

Certainly, I was still alive?

The voice grew more profound, like it was coming towards me.

It was calling for me.

"Edward!"

My name.

Was it the wind fooling me with imaginary whispers? Had my mind finally snapped at the loss of Bella and the fear of never being reunited with her?

It seemed that way.

But then I heard it again.

The angel sounded almost frantic. And the voice was coming closer still.

"Edward, no!" she cried

As I heard her voice anxiously pleading with me, I smiled.

Though I didn't quite understand how the entire experience had managed to be so pain-free.

But I didn't hang on that question for long, as my nostrils flared and picked up the scent I thought to only exist for me, calling me, easily tempting me. I inhaled deeply, burning my throat with great pleasure.

There was no doubt in my mind anymore.

I was dead.

And it was heavenly.