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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.

19. Chapter 19

Rating 5/5   Word Count 606   Review this Chapter

“Is that hers?” I ask.

“It was. She wouldn’t keep it. Couldn’t stand to.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Why did she leave me?”

His eyes glow crystal in their pain. Does he honestly believe I left him? Is there something wrong with his memory?

Or perhaps with mine?

Am I insane?

I didn’t leave him. I am certain of that. I could not have left him, because I can’t live without him. This is fact. This is the truth.

I know that. That is one of the points from which I must build my researches, my discoveries. Maybe, he really believes I left him. But it isn’t the truth. I know that.

I know that.

Why then do I have such a hard time believing it?

Then, suddenly, it’s laughably obvious why this doubt is within me. Edward said I left him, so I believe him. I have always fallen for his lies. Time and again, he’s said things untrue.

Maybe the most painful of all his words were also lies. I am trying to convince myself that.

A simple path appears, and I take it. I can find my answer in seconds. “You really loved her?”

His eyes glint angrily at me. I know I am overstepping a line, possibly causing him pain. “Yes. More than anyone else has ever loved. More than you can possibly know, I loved her.”

It is the truth. I am fairly sure of that. “Why did you leave her?”

“What? She left me. I could never…” the words trail off. Perhaps he is reluctant to lie to me, or just doesn’t want to contradict himself.

“You did, though, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Who told you that?”

“Esme.”

“I just wanted her to be safe. It was a mistake. I hurt her so much. But she ended up finding a way to be happy, and that was when I decided to return… can I do nothing right?” The last part of the statement is almost exclusively internally directed. He looks away from me, down at the floor.

“What way to be happy?”

“She made friends with a werewolf. Fell in love, too… even though she said she loved me more. Evidently, she changed her mind.”

I hope this next statement doesn’t reveal more knowledge of the subject than I should have. “Couldn’t he imprint?”

Edward looks right at me, eyes speculative, searching. I cannot gaze into that fire, lest it burn all my deception away. He finally answers. “I suppose he could. But I can’t stand to be near them.”

It may be the truth. He promised, he promised me he’d wait! I never could have chosen anyone but him. Oh, Edward.

You promised.

I shake a little, trying to restrain the agony. Edward looks curiously at me. “Jacob?”

“I’m sorry. Sometimes it’s a little hard. I had so much to live for.”

“I’m sorry.”

He seems genuinely sympathetic.

“Are you thirsty?” he asks.

“Yes, a little,” It feels like my throat is made of sandpaper.

“Let me show you how we hunt. I’m not particularly thirsty, but I like to be well-fed when we start at a new school. You never know when someone smells particularly good. Of course, you won’t know about that. But when you start school- I’d give it at least a decade- you need to be careful.”

His eyes are distant. I am almost certain he is remembering a certain startling scent.