Breathe

She could feel the weight of the world sitting right on her chest limiting her oxygen intake. This was not a feeling she was accustomed to and one she hoped would be fleeting. However, as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, she realized that her previous choices were the precursor and ultimate cause of this suffocation. She struggled for a deep breath but only managed a raspy, shallow sucking of air similar to the last breaths of a dying man. She chose him but he left and in his wake lingered this drowning feeling. She cried, oh how she cried, these deep bone shaking sobs since that day of his departure. “It wasn’t always like this” she assured herself. She decided long ago that she would jump off that bridge and damn the consequences. This was what he left her to. This empty shell of a person longing for the lost and ignoring the present was the sad vision of what was left of a once vibrant and daring young woman.

She would never believe why he left and his lack of choice in the matter. They both had changed in so many ways. If only he could read her mind, if only he could let her know he was here. But as her choices damned her, his would haunt the both of them for the rest of their lives.

Edward and Bella had been married for 3 years. Reneseme was almost full grown and life was perfect. The three often spent the day relaxing or playing games together. Nights found Bella and Edward entangled in passions so turbulent that even an Olympic gold medalist would drown in the shallow end of the pool. It often amazed Bella that the passion never dampened. They simply banked the embers during the day only set them blazing during the night. But they should have known better, perfection is bound to have flaws eventually. And not to be cliché, but all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, this end came much sooner for the young couple than anyone would have ever expected.

A hit had been put on Reneseme’s head and Edward was enraged. The Volteri had gone back on their word the vile scum and they provided an offer no vampire could refuse – power and not just any power but ultimate power. That was just beginning of the end. Of course the Cullens knew that the Volturi would go back on their word as soon as the mission was accomplished but that did not seem to occur to anyone else. Soon vampires from around the world were making their way to Forks seeking to destroy the abomination. The Cullens were soon engaged in battle after battle and no matter how many friends stood near them someone was always lost in a battle.

It was a stormy day, all the running, hiding, and fighting was exhausting. It was hard being the most hated family in the world, but somehow they stood together throughout the pain. Today felt ominous, maybe it was the clouds and the storm or maybe it was the fatigue. Danger seemed to loom just over the hill and they knew this would be their last stand.

There had to be 50 vampires, all enclosing at a freakishly fast pace. Edward gave Bella a farewell kiss as he prepared for battle. The approaching vampires offered an out. Give up the girl and everyone else would be spared. But of course Edward chose to fight they would not take his daughter without a battle. Soon the distance was closing. The battle ensued and for a freakishly long time only the hissing and whooshing of breath being expounded from lungs that long since lost the need to rise and fall could be heard. The sounds of skin pounding against one another soon followed. In the heat of battle only the need to survive was the overwhelming drive. Then a loud heart stopping scream silenced the battle and all eyes searched for the agonizing sound. Bella did not realize for a long time that it was her mouth releasing such an excruciating sound. In her arms lay Edward, he had taken on three vampires at once, he had lost. The battle ensued once more but for Bella there was nothing. Nothing but the lack of air, nothing but the sobs.

Everything changed in a whirl of motion. The drab colors became more vibrant as sunlight spilled into the room. Bella opened her eyes and realized it was all a daydream. Sighing she snuggled with Edward igniting the passions that had been burning strong for the past one hundred and fifty years.