Chapter 6 - Sleeping Beauty Teaser

Seeing Sam’s body suddenly go limp is too much for me and I moan out loud, “Oh God!”

Edwards’s entire body spins around at my exclamation. He looks concerned and shocked that I’m there. I decide not to hang around for an explanation and start running as fast as I can back through the forest.

I’m not completely certain that I’m going in the right direction but I don’t care. I have to get away. I don’t understand what they’ve done to Sam. I don’t even know if they’ve killed him or not. He looked dead. Distracted by the idea that Sam could indeed be dead; I trip and fall over a downed tree, cutting both my palms. Lying on the ground, I hear Edward calling.

“Bella, wait!”

He’s running after me. So, without hesitation, I get up off the ground and set off running again. I try to focus on where I’m running; not wanting to fall and get hurt again or worse, get caught by psycho-chanter behind me.

My heart feels like it’s almost climbing out of my chest and my lungs are burning from running. Boy, I’m out of shape. As I reach a clearing in the forest I can feel Edward running only a few feet behind me almost silently.

“Bella,” Edward implores as he grabs onto my shoulder.

Without thinking, I grab onto his wrist and bend over forward, pulling at Edward’s arm. As hard as I can, I throw him over me and onto the ground. He hits the ground so hard I can hear the air whoosh out of his lungs as he is winded. I’m so shocked that I actually threw Edward over my shoulder that I just stand there staring at him lying on the ground. It’s only when he starts getting up that I realize that I’m still staring and I turn around and start running again.

“Wait, God dammit!” Edward curses, this time wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into his body. The feel of his body makes my heart skip one of its fast beats. The smell of him envelopes me and I’m lost in sensation for a moment before it dawns on me that I am still in danger.

“Let me go!” I scream, elbowing him in the ribs.

“Ugh,” Edward cringes as my elbow connects with his ribs. “Just wait a sec’. Relax. I’m not going to hurt you, Bella.”

“Like Hell!” I scream, trying my best to get out of his grip. I manage to break free but only get a few steps away from him when he grabs onto my shoulders and spins me around to face him. He forces me to move backwards a few steps until I’m pushed against the rough bark of a tree; Edwards’s warm body is flush against me as he holds both my wrist above my head. His deep, dark green eyes are only a few inches away from mine. I realize that my breathing is still hitched, though this time I’m sure it’s not as a result of running.