Part 3(Renesmee): Renesmee/Jacob (chpt.20)

Chapter 20 - Fight

The pain was overwhelming. Confusing. Everything was moving too fast... and I couldn’t save them.

Them. My family. How well I knew that I couldn’t save them. Aro’s threat had played in my head ever since I became a Volturi, and I shouldn’t have been so stupid. Of course my family - my real family - would come looking for me! It had only been about two days - and still I felt even more prisoner than ever before. I even drank the blood of an innocent human. I knew Carlisle would be disappointed in me when he saw the extremely faint red in my eyes. Some of it would be because I had been crying, though. It had been worse. Everything in my mind dwelled on earlier that day...

- - -

" Renesmee, we’re ready." The tone of Felix’s voice wasn’t happy. It was eager, determined. Aro was in the great room, welcoming the thirty tourists that snapped loud photos and asked high-pitched questions.

I couldn’t bear to be in the same room when they killed them. Felix gestured for me to follow, but I declined. I couldn’t handle it. He shrugged, and walked off in Aro’s direction. I heard faint footsteps coming from around the corner. A tall, statuesque figure appeared before my eyes in a second.

" Hello, Renesmee." The woman addressed, happily. I looked up into the beautiful faded red irises of the vampire.

" Oh, um. Hi, Heidi."

" Are you going to be joining us?"

I looked around, and my head swam. " Uh... in a minute."

" Alright. I’ll make sure they save some for you."

" O-okay..but I’m really not that thirsty...."

" One, then. See you in a minute." Heidi flashed a perfect smile, then ducked down into the room where the people were crowded in. I could smell the blood from here, and it was appetizing, but not enough to capture my full attention. Gianna walked up behind me, now.

" Renesmee," she greeted me. Her eyes tightened, and she held her breath.

" Gianna." I said pleasently back, and she followed the others, now, too into the room.

Gianna had only recently been changed into a vampire - so Jane told me - and I was supposed to steer clear from her. After all, I had blood in my system, and I was just as hopeless as the tourists -but the Volturi decided to... keep me.

Gianna had apparently been a secretary for this floor, and wished to be part of the old family. Aro must’ve thought it a waste to just kill her. He honestly thinks everything’s a waste, if it’s not a helpless outsider. He didn’t kill my mother...and I couldn't even think about the details behind that story.

"Wh– what are you doing?!"

" This is for your own good, Ness." Jane’s voice shrilled with a mix of eagerness and boredom.

" Wh -"

" You need to see this first-hand, because it’s going to occur more than you probably please- and if you can’t handle and get used to it, you are not apart of our family."

Oh, so many things I wanted to say - because I never wanted any of this! These... people weren’t my family! I didn’t belong here. But the threat in Aro’s head made it’s reappearance, and Jane’s earlier abilities that had been unleashed on me earlier made me keep my mouth shut.

Jane tugged me further along, and also as quietly as possible, so the people didn’t hear us.

" Are you going to help? Or not? I honestly don’t care if you do or don’t, but you are staying here, either way. Understand?"

I nodded my head uselessly, and Jane carved a wicked smirk in her face, looking up at me. " Don’t worry!" She said, suddenly cheerful, " It’ll all be over very fast."

That was the turning point, and I shrank back, covering my ears. Jane laughed loudly, and the crowd of people turned to the noise, wondering. Before any could act, the screaming began - Aro, Heidi, Felix and Jane slaughtered each one. They didn’t make a mess, but the smell was incredible. I couldn’t take it anymore, my throat ached with thirst. I willingly gave in- catching glimpses of approved expressions from everyone. I didn’t notice Demetri, Alec and the wives come in. When I had finished, Jane flitted to my side ,giving me an evil, but impressed grin before she went over to stand by Alec, her twin brother.

The feeling after drinking human blood was very satisfying, but it made me feel like a failure. Being with the Cullens was a privilege, and I felt like I betrayed them. Carlisle worked centuries to be where he is today, and I basically destroyed everything.

I looked around, then ran from the room, and took the hallway to another empty, useless space. There was one window in the room, the dark red curtains pulled back to expose the sun that shone inside, casting a blanket of sunlight across the hard floor. This was unusual, we hardly let light- besides the florescent building light bulbs that hung from the ceiling- inside. I sat in the warm, inviting reflection, letting the rays sink into my skin. My skin didn’t sparkle like the average vampire, because I was half human; my skin only faintly glowed. I was grateful. I loved the outdoors, I don’t know how I’d survive without going outside.

Apparently I did though. Only three or four days - I wasn’t sure - I’d been here, and It had been so..cold.

That’s it, exactly. Cold. Dead. No feeling whatsoever. I barely slept in the days that I was trapped, so it felt even longer. Cold. Dead. Trapped. But, sitting here in this golden shadow, I felt like there was hope.

The clouds had managed to float away, leaving the sky a pale, light blue, and the sun a huge source of hope and warmth. This city was, obviously, very beautiful, but very frightening.

It was midday, and it had never been this sunny outside. Actually, this was really the only day I got to see outside of the castle, and that struck a chord. So, I started to cry. I missed my family. I missed Forks, and all of it’s miserable rain. I missed La Push, and it’s tide pools. Most of all, though, I missed Jacob. Jacob Black... my Jacob... my life, my soul. My soul-mate. Jacob-my-soul-mate was out there, probably worried sick. And all I left was a flimsy note on his bedside table. How could I be so awful!? I shouldn’t have gone on that stupid walk in the first place- I should’ve let Jacob take me back home when we had the chance! I shouldn’t even have let Alice make us come here!

The thought of Alice made the tears come faster, and the sobs ring louder. I curled into a ball on the cold floor, but submerged fully in the sunlight. It felt amazing, but this didn’t quiet the sadness. I heard small footsteps enter the room, but I didn’t maneuver out of my position. Jane gasped uninterested and bored at my sighting.

" Renesmee, what are you doing? And why are these curtains open?"

I didn’t answer, but I worked on calming myself down. Suddenly, my beautiful sunshine was gone. My hope was lost. I was drowning in my own sorrow.

Jane made sure the curtains were pulled tightly together - exposing no light - before she came and sat by my side. " Surely you know that we don’t accept sunlight inside. Im almost positive our masters mentioned that to you. "

I sat up now, drying my tears, and pulled my dark hood up and over my head, so my eyes were covered.

" Yes, they did." My voice cracked.

" Well, I would’ve thought you had enough intelligence to close them."

" S-sorry."

" I suppose I forgive you, but that’s not why I came in here." Her voice was thick with implications. " We all wish to see you. All of us. Meet us in the great room in no less than two minutes."

I nodded my head weakly.

" I mean it, no less. We’re not playing games today." Somehow Jane’s eyes flashed with a fire that ignited even her dainty eyelashes. She was dead serious, and I didn’t dare disagree.

Rising from the floor, I wiped away the remaining tears, and walked out of the room - silently saying my goodbyes to the stolen sun.

I was in the great room in less than seventy-seven seconds, making sure I didn’t delay too long. Everyone was there, like Jane had said. Aro glided forward to me, ready to exchange a greeting.

" Renesmee," he said, and I delicately placed a kiss on each side of his face.

" Master."

" Renesmee, do take a seat. We would like to discuss some formal business."

I sat down in the pronounced wooden chair surrounding the family of vampires. My voice was shaky and terrified when I replied to Aro’s persuasive, reasoning introduction.

" Formal? What of, master? I - surely, I didn’t break any rules... I - "

" Ha ha! No, my love, of course not! We would just like to remind you of the restrictions and consequences beheld if the Cullens decide to pay a welcomed visit."

At this, I couldn’t speak. I was petrified. Aro began with his lecture, and I paid attention as best that I was able. It took less than three minutes.

" So, my dear, have we come to an understanding?"

I snapped out of my small trance, and nodded my head with more force than necessary. " Yes, master."

" Ah, wonderful! Delightful! Excellent!"

This was my cue. I stood up and made my way slowly to Aro, kissing his papery lips very lightly. His skin was thin and looked incredibly breakable -andI never got used to this. I shivered involuntarily, making my way to the door.

- - -

It took me less than a minute to remember all of this, and when I did, the last conversation suddenly replayed in my mind once again. It all flew by in a blur. First, the Volturi prepare to fight, and welcome my family inside, leading me to an unmeaning conversation, and then writhing in pain on the floor.

" Why? Why did you do this?" My father had said. Why? Why had I done this? I should have never gone on the walk. I should have not agreed to come to Rome- not that I had much of a choice- I should never have met Jacob, so I didn’t put him in the middle of all of this.....and....I shouldn’t have even been born. I heard, I heard my father... his voice,when I was still inside my mother -it was full of hate. Disgust. I couldn’t blame him.. I very nearly killed my own mother! It’s my fault. I’d caused this family too much trouble, and this should be a favour to them. I would fight to save them, but it would be something more or less of sacrifice. I couldn’t let them be responsible for my recklessness.

Only a second, it took only a second for Jane to punish me with her powers, and another second for Jacob to phase and attack the lethal vampire. All I could hear now was the howls of agony ripping from the werewolf’s throat. Despite the pain of the torture Jane was inflicting, I felt a new pain. A pain of heartbreak, of determination, and courage. No. NO! NO! "NO!" THEY WERE NOT TAKING JACOB AWAY FROM ME!!

With Jane’s concentration elsewhere, I struggled against the fire and knives - rising to my feet, and felt my legs power-up, letting me run towards the little girl. I could feel it - I would save my Jacob. I would die for him, because surely I wouldn’t live after what I was about to do. I was within three centimeters before I reached Jane, pushing her forcefully against the nearest wall with a mind-splitting WHAM!

I forgot how rock-hard vampires were. She struggled as I tried unsuccessfully to hold her down.

" Renesmee, NO!" I heard Edward yell, snarls escaping fiercely from his throat. My mother finally snapped out of her worrisome state, and growled sharply at Jane. They both crouched down into their hunting positions, ready to attack.

Jane finally overpowered me with her strength and gift, leaving me throbbing against the wall - screaming uncontrollably with frustration and anger.

Edward leaped at the little girl, his eyes a whole other weapon itself - and my mother followed. By now, Felix and Demetri got involved, ready to fight the rest of my family. Emmett leaped at Demetri, closing the space between them. Jasper worked at calming the room, as well as fighting, with Alice safely at his side. She had her fire-cracker eyes set exactly on Alec, who was prepared to use his gift as defense. His eyes narrowed as Aro, Caius and Marcus stood behind, preparing to join in. This was it. The war everyone was waiting for. It was here, now. We were going to die, and there was no escape, no excuse. I had to save everyone. I had to... I had to....

I broke free of the horrendous pain, and screamed loud enough to be heard outside into the whole city.

" STOP!!!"

Every head turned in my direction - fierce golden, crimson and pitch black eyes burned into my skull.

" STOP THIS!" I shouted, once again. I was prepared to negotiate. It could not be easy, but I would try. To save us all. " Please. Masters, stop this! We can’t fight, it’s not the right way – "

" SILENCE!" Caius boomed, his hand half extended to me, finger pointing directly at the center point of my face. I did not obey.

" Can we not just discuss this? Please, masters?! I beg of you, there has to be a more civilized way!"

" THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!" It was Marcus now that had the floor. " You are a potential threat to all of us, and we WILL destroy you!"

My family was truly snarling now, and Alice just inches away from Alec’s throat. He had a back-up plan though. Suddenly, Alice screamed, and fell to the floor clutching her eyes. He had blinded her.

Once Jasper acknowledged this, he quickly charged at the boy, but was also cut off by Jane who was now by her brother’s side. As Alice and Jasper lay on the floor writhing in pain my mother was being held back by Esme, and Edward by Carlisle. Of course, they would never fight, but the expressions on their faces was enough. That’s when I caught sight of Jacob - still a giant wolf, motionless and silent on the hard, cold floor. He wasn’t dead, but he wasn’t... alive. My heart ripped apart, left me bleeding inside. That’s when it hit me. Bleeding.

I searched the room for something, anything - when my eyes landed on a sharp piece of glass in the far corner. Perfect. How well I knew that vampires could not resist the taste and smell of fresh blood - but I hoped it was enough to distract them from my family so they could all escape safely.

I broke into a short run, and tripped before I could reach the glass. I felt something tear across my forehead, but I ignored it. I got up again, running until I snatched the piece of glass, and without another thought, dug it into my pale skin - scratching it across the length of my left arm. Blood flowed out, the scent strong and potent. That’s when I noticed blood drip down in front of my eyes. Panicked, I dropped my weapon and clapped my hand over my forehead. Pulling it back, I saw that there was a print of red. The blood gushed everywhere, and I only hoped this would be enough. I felt myself slipping - I was losing consciousness - all the vampires had turned in my direction now. Thirst was overwhelming them, and I screamed with triumph inside my head. Before the darkness could pull me under, I caught a glimpse of my father -a horrible, terrifying look of recognition in his eyes.

I opened my mouth to say one last apology, but I knew I didn’t have enough strength. Slowly, but peacefully, I was pulled down into the black pool,never resurfacing.