“That’s not fair!” Bella’s voice rose furiously.

My teeth were clenched so tight I was sure if I were to speak my words would be muffled. Metal might have melted beneath my inhuman glare. Honestly, I was surprised the windshield withstood it.

As we drove down my drive way you could see little orange lights grow brighter and larger as we passed them. I took several deep breaths. Every particle I inhaled was laced with the delicious smell of Bella’s fragrance. My anger flooded out of me at the sound of Bella’s anguish. She moaned loudly in expressive pain. When I turned to her, she was disgusted with the party decorations. She really did hate celebrating her birthday. My scowl vanished, but the conversation wasn’t forgotten. I just hoped she didn’t bring up the subject in front of my family. Some of them might agree with Bella and she didn’t need any more fuel to feed her fire. “This is a party, try to be a good sport,” I reminded her.

“Sure,” she grumbled, not even looking in my direction. Her frown was not as frightening as my own.

Bella’s here! Many thoughts chimed in, bringing me back to tonight’s events.

I parked the truck in the driveway and opened the door, letting the fresh air fill my lungs again. It was healing to breathe the fresh oxygen, though her scent was something I couldn’t ever deny. It meant she was still alive. Moving swiftly, I made my way to her door, swung it opened and reached out to grab her up. I stopped halfway. I wanted it to still be her decision. She didn’t flinch or hesitate as she grabbed my hand eagerly. “I have a question,” she said, looking into my eyes with slight amusement.

Surprised at her change of attitude, I didn’t respond. Instead, I waited silently for her rebuttal. She glanced down at her camera, playing with it in her hands. She turned her gaze to me, an ominous smile spreading across her face. “If I develop this film, will you show up in the picture?”

I could hear everyone’s laughter from inside the house at her question. My bellowing chuckle came at the same time. She hopped out of the truck keeping my hand as we ascended the stairs and walked over the threshold of my house. Who would have thought only moments ago she was begging me to take her life….