Young Writers Society

{Author's Note: This fanfic takes place in chapter three of New Moon on the morning of the day Edward leaves. The story was inspired by a beautifully sad piano piece called "Morning Breaks" by Craig Armstrong. Without it, this fanfic probably wouldn't exist.}

My mind was set; there was no turning back now.

I had to leave.

The very idea of separating myself from Bella was agonizingly painful, but my own suffering meant nothing in comparison Bella’s life. My first priority was keeping her safe, and as long as I allowed myself to be around her, as long I allowed myself to expose her to my world, my family, she would never be safe.

If I could have cried in that moment, I would have. I sensed the burning sensation behind my eyes, but no tears would come. “Oh Bella,” I whispered, kneeling beside her at the edge of her bed, “Oh my darling, I love you. I am so sorry.”

I shook with silent sobs, burying my face in her dark hair, holding her to me as tightly as I dared. I fought against my conscience in those final moments, begging it to create some alternative to this cursed situation. I couldn’t leave her, my sweet, warm, lovely Bella. I couldn’t leave my angel, the only light in my eternal darkness.

But I had to leave for she was an angel, and to condemn her for eternity to this hell…it was undeniably the most despicable, selfish, evil act I could imagine.

Bella began to stir, her delicate fingers curling around my arms. I extricated myself from her and was outside her window in a flash. I waited in the branches of the nearby tree, watching as she slowly sat up, blinking in muddled confusion at my absence. I could only hope she had not yet been aware enough to know that I’d been there just seconds before. I could see the hurt in her eyes, as well as another emotion…something I couldn’t put a name to. She looked so helpless, so terribly sad…I wanted nothing more than to return to her that instant, to hold her in my arms and never let go…

No. I had to go. I could not stay here another second, lest I be swayed in the one decision I needed most to follow through.

I had to keep her safe.