Good-bye Too Soon

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt.

Chapter 2

Edward couldn’t move. 

He was keenly aware that Alec had used his own ‘special’ gift, immobilizing them where they stood. Talents among the Volturi guard were, of course, talked about but he had never been subjected to them on a personal level such as this. He was frustrated that the apparently ineffective grasp he had on Bella was gone while he had no control over his own body. It quickly turned to fury, raging in him, but it was for nothing. He was completely and utterly unable to protect her now. If he still had lungs that functioned his reaction would be to gasp at what he was watching unfold before his very eyes.  

 The single vision of Bella dying in his arms took a hold on his unbeating heart and threatened to pull him completely under.

 He watched as the other figures in the room seemed to move instinctively backwards, almost too quickly, as if they silently feared what was coming.

The mist from Alec seemed to have another effect on Edward clouding his ability to read those around him clearly. He could feel the fear in the room, like a thick winter blanket that threatened to bury him. It was beyond frustrating to only feel basic emotions, unable to see what he wanted to see. He needed to understand what was coming for Bella even if he couldn’t do anything about it right now. He had to know. 

Bella stood, afraid to move, afraid to breathe while she waited. Aro’s words had seemed to seal her fate, and now her only goal was to get through this challenge to the best of her ability, hoping that maybe, if she ‘performed’ well, Aro would let Edward and Alice leave unharmed. It was probably for the best that they couldn’t move as it would protect them both from doing something utterly stupid in a fruitless attempt to save her. Never would she want their deaths to be as a result of doing something for her.   But she knew that he would never see it that way, so she wouldn’t complain about her beautiful statuesque Edward. Frozen and safe. Although she could feel his eyes burning behind her she refused to turn and look at him, simply grateful for that brief time they had together, for the ability to touch that glorious cold marble smooth skin one last time.