Alternate Ending to Twilight

A Story by juwinahaftner

WARNING: Twilight fans (and in particular, Cullen fans) do not read!

23. LIVING HELL

AS I DRIFTED, I DREAMED.

It was a nightmare. A wild, angry snarl, heavy with surprise, was drowned out by a beautiful growl. I knew the voice, but I felt muddled and I could not locate it.

Then, I heard a sickening snapping noise, and that almost brought me through my muddled state. My eyes remained closed, though. Suddenly, I realized I had died, and gone to hell. A place where nightmares ruled my life—or rather, my death.

Suddenly, I woke. I felt pain in my leg, and I bit my lip to suppress my need to scream.

“Edward?” I croaked. Was that really my voice?

“I’m sorry, Bella, but it seems that your Edward did not honour your little letter.” James’ voice seemed strained, as he grunted.

I gasped in horror as something flew over me, and crashed into the mirrors. There was a cry of rage, and I knew it was Edward.

“Edward! No, please… Get out—“there was another snap, and I screamed. I tried to turn my head, and it hit something sharp. I screamed again, as something moved my leg.

I began to fade, but a smell of gasoline revived me. In my peripheral vision, I saw what appeared to be fire. And darkened shapes that were being tossed into the snapping and crackling blaze. It came suddenly, all at once; I knew what was happening.

“Don’t kill him!” I cried, tears stinging my eyes. I ignored the pain, and turned to see. Someone roughly pushed me back into place. I cried harder.

“There, there, everything’s fine. Are you sure you want people in here to witness your death?” James’ smooth voice was recognizable.

I struggled to answer. “No.” My voice cracked.

“Did you know that Victoria and I are getting married?” he continued, a smugness in his voice that I could barely make out. “You are her wedding present, and she insists that I present you with a gift too.”

A granite stone hit my chest, and I heard a cracking sound. I realized in horror that it had come from inside of me.

“Here you go, Bella,” he said, in a sarcastic tone. “I’m sure you and your boyfriend will enjoy life for years to come.” Now his voice was dripping with honey.

I forced my head to look at the stone. It realized what it was.

Edward’s head, right-side up, lay on my chest. His face was frozen in a permanent snarl.

I screamed, a scream louder and fiercer than any of the screams before. I watched in horror, tears flowing out of my eyes, as James picked up Edward’s remains off of me.

“I believe this belongs,” he said pleasantly, “over there.”

The pain of my chest, leg and head brought me back into my stupor. The last thing I saw was James tossing his head into the fire. The last thing I felt was a searing pain in my neck. The last thing I heard—the only shred of hope I could hold on to—were three distant snarls. too be continued...