Angels and Monsters

Chapter Twenty

I've got a plan for these two. A good plan. At least, I think it's a good plan. We'll see. Thanks for sticking with me on this one. Too many plot bunnies, not enough hours in the day...I tell ya! I do apologize for the sporadic updates for Angels and Monsters. Not enough time in the day and too many ideas floating around in my head. Ya know?

Up next will be Bella's take on what happened between her and Edward, his groveling, the plan for the takedown of James and some makeup lemons. Sweet, loving, therapeutic lemons. Just sayin...

Chapter Twenty-One

BPOV

"Everywhere we turn, something is ripping us apart. First, it's Emmett with his hatred of you due to the person who changed him. Then, it's the monster who tried to abduct me on our wedding night. Then, it's this situation in Chicago. Our injuries and now, James is forcing you to join his band of evil for his own enjoyment? I DON'T FUCKING THINK SO!!!!" Edward screamed. "I will take you and run away, hiding you from that sadistic mother fucking prick if it's the last thing I do on this miserable little planet. You are not going to him."

"You don't have a choice," I said, narrowing my eyes at my mate. "Edward, I love you with my whole heart and soul, but all of this is because of me and my meddling in Victoria's hunt. In some strange way, I feel responsible. It's the only way I can rectify this situation, Edward."

He roared and stared at me angrily before hopping up out of the chaise lounge. He gave me a parting sneer before taking off into the night. A low boom indicated he went supersonic, running away from me. My heart lurched and I collapsed onto the ground, sobbing brokenly.

He was gone.

He was gone and I had pushed him away.

Despite being surrounded by my family, I felt alone.

Again, I was alone and this time it was all my fault.

Edward was gone.

I collapsed onto the ground, my body just giving out. I whimpered quietly, the emptiness stifling me. The sounds of my angry family erupted all around me. Alice was hissing to Emmett and Jasper was trying to get to me, but my shield was firmly planted around me. Tears tracked down my face, falling onto the patio, melting the brick.

"Bella, let me in," Jasper pleaded. "Please, baby girl!"

I shook my head, not wanting him to get near me. His arms were not the ones I wanted. I needed Edward. Apparently, though, he didn't need me. I curled further into myself, pressing my cheek to the ground and losing it completely. My sobs echoed through the backyard. Jasper fell to his knees, lying next to me. "Bells, please? Let me help you."

"He doesn't want me," I sobbed brokenly. "Why doesn't he want me?"

"Bells, he does want you. He doesn't want to lose you," Jasper explained. "His fear was crippling."

"Like mine isn't?" I asked, glaring at my brother. "I have to go back to the man who raped me. The man who took everything away from me." I sat up, darting away from my family. My heart constricted and I felt sick, empty, hollow. Reaching a cliff, I curled up and lost it again, sobbing brokenly. I kept my shield around me. I didn't want to be comforted. I didn't want to be coddled. At that moment, I hated Edward. I had finally opened my heart, allowed myself to feel again and I had it thrown back in my face. We were mated. Why did he run?

I knew that Alice's suggestion of the two of us going to James would not be received lightly. It was the only thing that would ensure our survival. The visions that Alice had after we received that letter from James were gruesome. None of us survived. James would take me once more, brutally before Tanya wrenched my head from my body. Edward would willingly walk into flames, to try and save me, but both of us would perish. That seemed almost pleasant compared to the emptiness I felt. My chest ached and I hated it.