body
remembered it better than my
mind did； the tension in my legs as I tried to decide whether to run or to
stand my ground； the dryness in
my throat as I struggled to build a decent scream； the tight stretch of skin
across my knuckles as I
clenched my hands into fists； the chills on the back of my neck when the dark
…haired man called me
〃sugar。〃
There was an indefinite； implied kind of menace to these men that had nothing
to do with that other night。
It sprung from the fact that they were strangers； and it was dark here； and
they outnumbered us—nothing
more specific than that。 But it was enough that Jessica's voice cracked in
panic as she called after me。
〃Bella； e on！〃
I ignored her； walking slowly forward without ever making the conscious
decision to move my feet。 I
didn't understand why； but the nebulous threat the men presented drew me
toward them。 It was a
senseless impulse； but I hadn't felt any kind of impulse in so long I
followed it。
Something unfamiliar beat through my veins。 Adrenaline； I realized； long
absent from my system；
drumming my pulse faster and fighting against the lack of sensation。 It was
strange—why the adrenaline
when there was no fear？ It was almost as if it were an echo of the last time
I'd stood like this； on a dark
street in Port Angeles with strangers。
I saw no reason for fear。 I couldn't imagine anything in the world that there
was left to be afraid of； not
physically at least。 One of the few advantages of losing everything。
I was halfway across the street when Jess caught up to me and grabbed my arm。
〃Bella！