Jacob.
Jacob had to know!
With a jolt, I leapt off the bed. I yanked open the door.

A high-pitched scratching sound echoed from the inside of my bedroom just as I was about launch myself down the stairs. The breath got caught in my throat.

Victoria. She was already here.

One…Two…
I waited for my breathing to slow and become stable.
Then I willed my head to turn over my shoulder.
For one flicker of an instant I wished that my visitor was Jacob coming back. Possibly, he would have worked something out with Sam and he was going to stay tonight after all. For one instant I wished that Jacob would stay, despite it being overtly wrong.

I walked into my bedroom, not really walking at all. Just taking short steps as a toddler would and with my eyes determinedly pasted on the floor.

The first object my eyes focused on was the rocking chair.
It was swinging.
Then my eyes flew to the open window. And the leaves on the spruces were shaking. Was it windy? I was so cold anyway.

Another reason why I wasn’t certain if the wind was blowing or not was because I could not hear it.
Unleveled breathing.
That was what I heard unbelievably near to me.

But I didn’t turn around immediately.
Actually, I was trying to delay that part for as long as possible. So I ran over to the window, pulling the glass down. That did not do much against the cold.

The breathing continued. A whooshing sound like a gust of wind except for the slight quivering.
“Who are you?” I asked slowly, my voice shaken from fear. My eyes still couldn’t gain the courage to glance up from the floorboards.

“Bella…” There was a sigh.

The low, deep voice was not how I’d imagined Victoria’s to sound.
Worse.
It, too, like the handwriting, was recognizable.

My head shot up.

Chalk-white hands. The first thing my eyes encountered. Next, they ran up the equally chalky arms, half covered my dark sleeves. My visitor’s chest and shoulders were covered by the same dark teal material but the throat was snow-white. Pure white.

I felt my shoulders quiver.
“No. Don’t look up. Whatever you do, don’t look up!” I was more than willing to listen to my conscious. I should run from the room. While I still had time.
Too little time.
I couldn’t help imagining how fast this creature could move.
“Bella.” The creature spoke my name.
I kept my eyes on the floor, shaking my head. “No, no.” My voice was less than a whisper.
No.
I had to ignore how the creature’s voice was smooth. Impossibly smooth. Honey smooth and dark. Molasses.
I had to ignore it because it was not real. It was an illusion. Another one. Another make-believe fantasy because I was crazy.
The breathing slowed.
Did the illusion end?