Ruthless and Ivory (Twilight Fan Fiction)

Chapter 1: fourteen

Chapter 1: Fourteen

Bella Swan

I can only hear blood pulsing in a rush through my ears. The chaos around me is evidence that my senses are obscured. Cars have collided. Some are in flames, others are disappearing in thick black smoke. People are running for cover away from their cars. Their hands cover their ears and heads. Some are dropping to the ground for protection. Many bleed from scraps and wounds. A parent holds a child close to their chest, looking terrified. Everyone looks terrified.

What is going on?

I realize I'm sitting in my car watching, when I look down at my stiff hands on the steering wheel. My attention focuses on red running down from gashes all over them. The blood curves around my wrist and down my arms, dripping on my lap. I know I should feel pain but I can't find a way to understand or process it. I am numb.

I peal my fingers one by one off the leather and bring my palms close to my face. They are shaking uncontrollably. In my peripheral vision I see movement outside of the windshield. The rain is pouring over the glass in transparent florescent streaks, making the twilight clouded sky looks like it's in tears. Hands forgotten, I jolt from a dent formed on the hood of the car. Black pants covering a pair of legs and boots. Just as quickly they are gone again.

I start panting, feeling fear creep up my chest. I look at all angles to find the legs and wonder to whom they belong to. With my hands still shaking I blindly force them on the door handle. I squeeze it once and feel pain shoot through my arm. I hiss a second time knowing I'll have to try again. Both hands don't seem to help it budge open. It's no use.

I look at the passenger door, wondering if it'll work. Before I reach across, an unknown force roughly swings my door open. The hinges quake as they almost tear. Without hesitation, I swing my legs out of the car and ease out. My legs work. Everything seems to be in place. I'm looking all around me trying to find whoever opened the door. I wondered if the person in black pants and boots granted me the heroic favor. But who is it? Where is he?

I feel myself go dizzy when I turn too fast to look behind me at the damaged car. It's caved in at the front, a foot shy from the dash. I exhale sharply as a sob escapes my chest when I realize I miraculously got out in one piece. Moving my eyes to the back of the car, I see the reason for the crash. A large SUV is towering over the back like a predator in black. It doesn't seem damaged anywhere near the way my car is.

I scan the area knowing everyone around me is going through the same ordeal. I don't understand what horrible tragedy has caused all of this. I'm half aware that I should be hearing all the screams, sirens, horns and the sound fire makes on burning metal. But I can't. And I'm alone. The loneliness goes deeper than my wounds.

The wind slightly shifts from my right. I know there's movement and I look, as quickly as my daze would let me. A tall black figure is running fast towards me. It's still blurred from the distance between us but I can make out what he holds in its hand. The gun gleams in the rain...and it's pointed at me.

My instinct breaks me out of my haze. I turn and run the opposite direction, leaving my car behind. The fear is so heavy in my lungs I am panting with my mouth open. The rain seeps in my mouth and I try not to choke. I know I can't hesitate for one second, feeling the black figure at my heels. I cannot imagine why I'm being chased, but I know I have to keep running.

I look back. A boost of energy rushes through me when I see the figure closer than I had calculated. I plead for my legs to not cave under me.

Please God. Why is this happening?!

To my horror, I've failed. I feel a strong hand grab my arm. It yanks me back. My feet leave the earth and I leap a few feet. With one shriek, I frantically kick my legs to set me free. I fight and twist with all my strength. I need to face my worst nightmare. I want to see who will end me. He is faceless.