The Edge of Insanity | Rosalie Hale

Chapter 14: A thrilling venue

Daniel paced a relentless circle in the living room, a caged animal fueled by raw anger. Jasper hovered nearby, his calming aura having little effect on the storm brewing within Daniel. Edward, Rosalie, and Carlisle burst through the front door, their arrival doing little to quell the tension.

"She's going to keep asking questions," Rosalie declared, her voice laced with annoyance.

"I told her not to," Edward countered, his tone strained.

"A human's word can't be trusted," Jasper added, his usually serene demeanor ruffled by the situation. Even Emmett seemed to radiate a simmering anger.

"She won't say anything," Edward argued, a desperate edge creeping into his voice. "We can trust her."

"Turning her is the simplest solution," Emmett rumbled.

Edward's eyes flashed with defiance. "Absolutely not! I will not turn her into this!"

Alice let out a frustrated yell. "I see her as one of us!"

Rosalie glared at Alice before the room erupted in a cacophony of shouts and accusations. Amidst the chaos, Daniel stood by the window, a deceptive calm in his eyes.

"Why don't we just kill her and be done with it?" he interjected, his voice chillingly level.

Before anyone could react, a sickening crack echoed as Edward lunged. He slammed into Daniel, sending him crashing through the window and into the dense forest beyond.

Daniel rolled to his feet, a snarl ripping from his throat. He shoved Edward off him, the entire Cullen family spilling out the window to witness the fight unfold.

"Angry, mate?" Daniel spat, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "You absolute fool! What other option did you think we had?"

A flicker of horror crossed Edward's face as he saw everything from Daniel's thoughts– a gruesome vision of Bella's violent demise. He lunged with a vampire's speed, but Daniel effortlessly dodged the blow.

"Edward, stop!" Rosalie said, rushing towards them. She reached out, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. But Edward, consumed by rage and fear, shrugged her off, sending her stumbling back against a nearby tree.

That was a mistake.

Daniel saw red. In a display of terrifying efficiency, he unleashed a whirlwind of blows. He slammed his fist into Edward's jaw, sending him reeling backward. Daniel followed up with a brutal knee to the chest, the force of the impact knocking the wind out of Edward. Edward attempted to retaliate, but Daniel was quicker, stronger. He grabbed Edward's arm, twisting it with a sickening snap, followed by a series of crushing blows that echoed through the silent forest.

The voices only got louder. "Jasper, get out of here" Daniel whispered. Then, a cruel grin spread across his face. In a chillingly calm voice, he spoke, "Let's see what truly scares you, Edward."

Edward looked up, his eyes filled with confusion and dread. Before he could respond, a horrifying vision flooded his mind.

Edward screamed, a sound of pure anguish unlike anything the others had ever heard from him. He clawed at his head, trying to force the vision away.

Paralyzed by the horrifying vision, Edward didn't see Daniel's fist connect with his jaw. He crumpled to the ground, his body wracked with sobs. Emmet reached for him, but Daniel held him back with a single, icy stare.

"This is all your doing," Daniel snarled, his voice devoid of warmth. "This is what happens when you put her life at risk."

Edward continued to whimper, the images etched onto his mind.