Chapter 1

"And I'll make you a promise in return," he said. "I promise that this will be the last time
you'll see me. I won't come back. I won't put you through anything like this again. You can
go on with your life without any more interference from me. It will be as if I'd never existed."
My knees must have started to shake, because the trees were suddenly wobbling. I could hear
the blood pounding faster than normal behind my ears. His voice sounded farther away.
He smiled gently. "Don't worry. You're human–your memory is no more than a sieve. Time
heals all wounds for your kind."
"And your memories?" I asked. It sounded like there was something stuck in my throat, like I
was choking.
"Well"–he hesitated for a short second–"I won't forget. But my kind… we're very easily
distracted." He smiled; the smile was tranquil and it did not touch his eyes.
He took a step away from me. "That's everything, I suppose. We won't bother you again."
The plural caught my attention. That surprised me; I would have thought I was beyond
noticing anything.
"Alice isn't coming back," I realized. I don't know how he heard me–the words made no
sound–but he seemed to understand.
He shook his head slowly, always watching my face.
"No. They're all gone. I stayed behind to tell you goodbye."
"Alice is gone?" My voice was blank with disbelief.
"She wanted to say goodbye, but I convinced her that a clean break would be better for you."
I was dizzy; it was hard to concentrate. His words swirled around in my head, and I heard the
doctor at the hospital in Phoenix, last spring, as he showed me the X-rays. You can see it's a
clean break, his finger traced along the picture of my severed bone. That's good. It will heal
more easily, more quickly.
I tried to breathe normally. I needed to concentrate, to find a way out of this nightmare.
"Goodbye, Bella" he said in the same quiet, peaceful voice.
"Wait!" I choked out the word, reaching for him, willing my deadened legs to carry me
forward.
I thought he was reaching for me, too. But his cold hands locked around my wrists and
pinned them to my sides. He leaned down, and pressed his lips very lightly to my forehead for
the briefest instant. My eyes closed.
"Take care of yourself," he breathed, cool against my skin.
There was a light, unnatural breeze. My eyes flashed open. The leaves on a small vine maple
shuddered with the gentle wind of his passage.
He was gone.

It's been exactly four weeks since Edward left me. I was left with no reminders of him, but the pain. His face haunted me every night in my nightmares. But in a way I was glad, the pain was the only reminder he ever existed. I was completely depressed, and I had no idea how to get over it.

"Bella! Wake up!" Charlie called. I groaned and stretched out of bed. As I stepped out from my bed, I saw a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked hideous. For some reason, I felt as if I should've cared. As if something was going to happen today… I found a red blouse, skinny jeans, and some gray Uggs. I actually brushed my hair all the way through, splashed my face, and brushed my teeth. When I went downstairs, Charlie was entirely surprised.

"Bye dad!" I shouted as I walked out the door. My truck grunted loudly when I put my keys into ignition, and I drove off. I stepped out of my car, and my old group – like Charlie – looked completely surprised. Suddenly a growl of a fast car sped into the parking lot. Now it was my turn to be shocked. Out of the black Lamborghini came out four gorgeous figures. They all had russet colored eyes…like brown over red. I immediately knew who these people were. Vampires. One of the girls was short, her pale brown hair trimmed short. She wore a red halter top with skinny jeans and heels. She was exotically beautiful. Next to her stood a boy about two inches taller. His hair was slightly darker then hers and his face looked slightly older. He wore a black polo and baggy jeans. He was definitely the girl's twin. They both looked at least seventeen. Next was a large brawny man who looked about eighteen. He wore a black muscle shirt, and jeans. Next to him was a girl with wavy red hair, wearing a purple sleeveless, ruffled shirt, and black leather jeans with heels. They were all ridiculously beautiful; every girl stared at the men in complete adoration.

"Stupid, annoying vampires can't leave me alone..." I muttered to myself. The one who looked like the girl's twin stared at me in curiosity. The girl looked down and smiled. The large on winked at me, and the blonde one mouthed "Volturi" I felt my eyes widen in shock. I remembered Edward's explanation of them. Of how all they wanted was power… And I assumed I was special. I opened my truck's door, and put my head in my knees and began to cry hysterically about the stress, and the feeling of loss… Vampires come back to town, but not the vampire I needed… The only reminders I needed were my dreams, and hallucinations. I would now be reminded of him every day. A sob broke out from my chest. I needed him. I couldn't survive without him. I wouldn't go back with them. I knew I was never going to be good enough for vampires. Another sob. I reminded myself to be strong, and maybe I could befriend these people. But the last thing I needed was the attention… I reached out to open my door, but another hand caught it first.