CHAPTER 10:

STRATEGY

I could already smell the oils and gels as I stepped into the tub. The Cullens had provided me will an array of fancy soaps to bathe with, and I couldn’t help but love every scent. Today I chose a warm sweet cream. Vanilla flowed through my senses as I scrubbed my body with it. I used milk and honey scented shampoo, and repeated not once, but three times, because I couldn’t leave the scent alone. I let the hot water relax my muscles from the long night before. Not one wink of sleep but I still felt very energized and ready for a new day.

“RUN!” What was that? I turned towards the curtain, where I saw a shadowy figure?! I was scared stiff. I slowly peeked out to see Seth lying on the tiles, His guts spilled everywhere.

Loosing my balance, I fell onto the tub floor, where the water continued to spray on me. I felt like rain was splattering me as I saw the entire forest of my dreams come into view. But this forest had changed. The once saturated green was now gone, and the trees were dead. The branches clung to each other, and turned every which way. The trunks were a grayish mossy color. How had I gotten here?

Then everything went black.

* * *

“She’s coming through.” A girlish voice said.

“Bella?…Bella? Can you hear me?” I heard a woman’s voice say.

I could see nothing but darkness. Where was I? Wasn’t I in a forest just a second ago? My eyes slowly opened to see Esme, bent over me with a face of worry. Beside her stood Carlisle. Edward stood beside him, his eyes filled with horror. Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie stood on the other side of me.

“Bella, honey, are you okay?” Asked Esme.

“What happened?” I asked tiredly.

“You passed out,” Said Carlisle, “You must have fallen and hit your head on the tub. It’s a good thing Esme went in to check on you.”

“You’ve been out for hours,” Said Alice.

Looking over to the window, I could see that the sun was beginning to set. Then I realized where I was. I was in Edward’s room, but was in a large, king sized canopy bed. The canopy was supported by two parallel iron beams. Between them, iron leaves were attached. It was a beautiful bed.