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Dream's Shadow

Summary:
This is my take on the over- and usually poorly- done plot. Edward leaves Bella again. She is changed and they meet again in the future. There will be a big twist! Requested by Iris. Banner by Iris!

Notes:
Try it! I know stories like this usually stink, but I thought I'd give it a try. I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

16. Chapter 16

Rating 5/5   Word Count 522   Review this Chapter

It is his voice. I cannot think why he would cry my name. However, I can feel the pain. It shoots through me, spearing my soul.

Again, I hear it… “Bella.”

This time is a whisper.

I strain to reach him the only way I can… my mind reaches, bending and twisting to catch its other half…

I see only darkness. I hear only pain.

Why? What is causing him this agony? Why would he cry the name of one he never loved?

My musings are interrupted by Esme. It hurts so much, to see her here, to know she doesn’t know me.

“Jacob? May I?”

“Of course. Come in.”

She enters, smiling as always. My mother. I struggle to calm my face and sense instead her mind. She is thinking about him.

“Jacob, you’re probably wondering what that was all about. Edward has always been a bit introverted. He was alone for so long… and now that his heart’s broken, he hardly ever comes out. At least he’s living with us this time. He deals with it through music. His songs used to be so lovely, and now all it is… pain. It’s like weeping. I can hear his tears in it… I shouldn’t be burdening you with this, I suppose, but I guess… I think of all of you as my children. It seems almost as though I know you…”

Aloud, I said, “That’s quite all right, Esme. You’ve taken me into your home. If I can help you in any way… it’s so sad for Edward. I know how it is to lose the one you’re meant for.”

Internally, I am reaching into her mind and distracting her from any recollection of who I am. She cannot know me.

“You do?”

“Yes.” I thought up a lie, and I thought it up quick. “I was married when the Volturi changed me. We were in Florence, on our honeymoon. We followed the beautiful woman into the city… took the bait. They killed her, but Alec thought I had potential. They changed me… but after a while, every person I killed had her face.”

Esme’s hand, no longer chill to my touch, rubs sympathetic circles on my back. This lie is a convincing one… “We’ve all dark pasts, Jacob. The important thing is to remember that you have a new life. It’s like a gift. You can start over. I did.”

“That’s right…” I murmur, remembering. But Esme’s life was over when it began. She had a loose end that became a happy ending, while my dream is doused in shadow.

“What was that, dear?”

The music begins again, sparing me from having to again unleash my power. The song is the same as before, only played with still more fury.

Esme sighs. “I’m going to go check in on him, if you’ll excuse me. He won’t be pleased, but I’m afraid he’ll do himself such harm. He usually doesn’t play so loudly.”

She stands and leaves.

My brain reels.